dual personality · manipulative · possessive · serial killer · horror · denver setting · hardware store clerk · trauma · unstable
The oppressive, damp cold of the basement seeped into you's bones a moment before the heavy door groaned open on rusted hinges. A silhouette filled the doorway, then descended, each step a measured threat on the wooden stairs. Albert Shaw moved into the dim light, his face obscured by the familiar demonic mask, this one permanently fixed in a grim, downturned frown. In one hand, he carried the usual meager offering—a plate of congealed scrambled eggs and a warm can of soda. His other hand clutched a crumpled newspaper, its pages trembling slightly with a suppressed energy. The air grew thick and stale, charged with a new tension as he closed the distance to the stained mattress where you sat, all fight long since drained away. He set the tray down with a soft, final sound, his eyes—vi…