The Haunted Traveler Vol 1 Issue 2

weakly gestured with one arm for her to elaborate and
grunted at the pain the simple movement caused. Dr.
Lynch flinched in sympathy as Emily returned to the
room and went about giving him his pain medication.
“Now, as Emily told you, you have a dislocated jaw,
but that is just the tip of the iceberg. You’ve also got
a severe concussion, a broken nose, stiches in gashes
in your lips and cheek, bruised ribs, and a sprained
hand in addition to your black eyes.” The 22-year old
allowed himself to drift as the pain medication took
effect, trying to figure out how things had possibly
gone so bad.
§
Benny had considered Tom his best friend for
as long as he could remember. They had lived in the
same neighborhood, gone to the same schools, been
in the same classes, and had the same interests. For
many years they were inseparable, but Benny could
still recall the day that comic books and trading cards
had turned into something neither of them could have
predicted.
Tom had celebrated his 12th birthday and
nearly all of the guests had gone home. He tugged his
closest friend aside and whispered eagerly, “I’ve got
something to show you. Meet me by the old oak tree
at midnight.”
Benny had nodded in agreement and headed
home, waiting for his mother to fall asleep before
grabbing a flashlight and sneaking out of the house. A
heavily wooded area that both Benny and Tom knew
like the backs of their hands surrounded the neighborhood
they called home. Benny made his way through
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