Henry Franks(44)

“It’s been a long night,” his father said, taking a step into the room.

Henry shrugged and turned to look out the window, trying to think of what to say to the man standing in his room. What questions to ask. Instead, he closed his eyes without speaking. His breath caught and he fought even to remember how to count to ten. The numbers tripped over themselves, leading nowhere as one very simple question kept repeating inside his head: What’s your name?

But he didn’t say a word.

“Henry?” his father called to him, his voice soft and hesitant.

He opened his eyes but didn’t turn around, watching the wind push the branches against the side of the house, reaching for him.

“She seems nice,” his father said, but the words just hung there, ignored.

Henry took a deep breath and counted to ten, the numbers falling in to place like long-lost friends.

“What were you thinking?” his father asked. “It’s not safe out there, don’t you know that?”

He pushed off against the window and let the chair spin around so he was facing his father. The sudden motion made his father take a step back, and they stared at each other in the moonlight. Henry’s nose was bleeding and blood dripped off his chin one drop at a time.

“No place is safe,” he said, and only then wiped his face.

The wind picked up, pushing the clouds back in front of the moon. What little light there had been disappeared. A branch crashed against the house. Henry turned on his monitor and a soft glow filled the room. When he looked up, his father was shaking, his fingers trembling. His eyes were wide open and far too red. Thin strands of dirty hair were pasted to his skin with sweat.

The corners of his mouth twitched, as if he was trying to smile, and then he walked out of the room. His fingers shook on the doorknob as he left. Right before the door closed completely, he stuck his head back into the room.

Henry looked at his father, trying to remember the man in front of him, but the memories were gone, as though they’d never existed.

“I love you,” his father said, his voice breaking on the words before he let the door swing closed.

Moonlight flooded the room as the clouds broke apart. Branches clawed the house. Henry sat there, counting until he couldn’t count any higher, his breathing ragged and harsh as blood dripped to the floor. He looked at the space where his father had been, studying the shadows, looking for answers but there were none to be found.

“Who are you?” he whispered as the moon disappeared again, the words nothing more than a sigh.

NOAA Alert: Hurricane Watch: Florida to South Carolina

Miami, FL—August 28, 2009, 6:47 AM: FOR EMERGENCY RELEASE:

The National Hurricane Center has issued a Hurricane Watch for the following counties along the Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina coastlines:

          St. Johns, Duval, and Nassau counties, Florida

     Camden, Glynn, McIntosh, Liberty, Bryan, and

Chatham counties, Georgia

     Beaufort, Colleton, and Charleston counties, South Carolina



Landfall is estimated late tonight on the east coast of the United States.

Two More Victims Discovered on SSI

Brunswick, GA—August 28, 2009: The discovery of two more victims in the marshes on Saint Simons Island late Thursday evening has increased the pressure on the Glynn County Task Force to solve the string of murders that has plagued the Golden Isles this summer.

Florence Josephs, 54, of Sterling and her youngest son, Wayne, 23, were found by local residents Henry Franks and Justine Edwards.

“Due to the continued danger that this situation presents to citizens and to visitors to Glynn County, I have asked Major Johnson of FLETC to seek additional help from both the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the FBI,” said Mayor Monroe.

In response, Major Johnson has requested further involvement, as well as an additional force of FLETC personnel to augment the local and park police already involved with the manhunt for the person police believe has been responsible for these murders.

Initial reports indicated that Florence Josephs died of blunt force trauma and her son died from asphyxiation. The wounds, according to Sam Alli, the first officer on the scene, appear to be consistent with the other murders.

“Again, we ask everyone in Glynn County to remain vigilant and cautious until this situation is resolved,” said District Attorney Staci Carr.

In related news, police are seeking any leads regarding the graffiti spray-painted on the pier in Saint Simons Village. The vandalism, which read “If she doesn’t get us, Erika will,” has been cleaned up at County expense.

“At this time, it is vital that everyone remain calm and remember to stay safe,” Mayor Monroe said. “I have been in direct contact with the National Hurricane Center and as of now, landfall is still difficult to determine. Evacuation plans are being updated and school buses will be available for those needing emergency transportation. As always, we appreciate the support and understanding of the citizens of Glynn County and the visitors to the Golden Isles.”





twenty four




Low dark-gray clouds settled to the horizon and the wind came in fits and starts, tainted with salt and ozone, pushing warm moist air through the open school bus windows.

“I can’t believe we’re getting a hurricane and it’s on a weekend,” Justine said. Her head rested back on the seat with her raincoat bunched up as a pillow. “We’re not going to miss any school for this.”