October of Urban Legends

by Luke Christodoulou

  A Greek Island

  Halloween

  Short

  OCTOBER

  OF

  URBAN LEGENDS

  BOOK TEN OF

  TWELVE MONTHS OF MURDER

  By Luke Christodoulou

  Copyrighted Material

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  The right of Luke Christodoulou to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988-2014.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblances to persons (living or dead) or events is purely coincidental.

  Published by: G.I.M

  Edited by: Carol Tietsworth

  Copyright © 2018 by Luke Christodoulou

  Books by Luke Christodoulou:

  The Olympus Killer (Greek Island Mystery #1) - 2014

  The Church Murders (Greek Island Mystery #2) - 2015

  24 Modernized Aesop Fables - 2015

  Death of A Bride (Greek Island Mystery #3) - 2016

  Murder on Display (Greek Island Mystery #4) - 2017

  Hotel Murder (Greek Island Mystery #5) - 2018

  Twelve Months of Murder (Greek Island Mystery #6) - 2019

  Greek Island Mystery Shorts – 2018:

  January of Deceit

  February of Sanity

  March of Revenge

  April of Adventure

  May of Mayhem

  June of Rhymes

  July of Family

  August of Zombies

  September of Alibis

  October of Urban Legends

  November of 2098

  December of Festivities

  Praise for the Greek Island Mysteries (Book Series):

  All books in the series are rated 4-plus stars on

  Amazon, Goodreads and Book Reviewing Blogs.

  ‘The Church Murders would appeal to any reader who enjoys murder mysteries, suspenseful reads, or action adventure novels. I am pleased to recommend this book and hope that author Christodoulou is working on his next book in this promising series.’

  - Chris Fischer for Readers' Favorite

  ‘The Greek James Patterson strikes again.’

  - Greek Media

  ‘... does a masterful job writing a twisted murder story set under the Greek sun.’

  - Ruth Rowley

  ‘Greece is proud to have such a masterful writer. Death of A Bride is his best offering by far.’

  - Athens Review of Books

  ‘Death of A Bride is a superb murder/mystery. An Agatha Christie tale set in the 21st century.’

  - National Society of the Greek Authors

  ‘A spellbinding tale... shrouded in mystery and inflamed with revenge.’

  - Elaine Bertolotti (Author)

  ‘Great entertainment that begs to be made into a movie (...) a wealth of great stories here, well-paced and filled with believable characters, beautiful Greek imagery, fascinating insights into Greek culture and some wonderful, humorous touches. Excellent plot twists too - I really didn't see those coming. These stories can rival the bestsellers and - to be honest - the book knocks many of the famous names out of the park - an easy style, intense plot-lines, superbly lifelike characters and all this against the backdrop of gorgeous Greece and its fascinating history and culture.’

  - Meandthemutts Book Reviewer

  ‘The Church Murders is a juxtaposition of the beautiful (and gorgeously described) Greek Isles and the brutal, horrific murders that take place there.’

  - Michael Young History (Author)

  ‘Another one I could not put down.’ – Jan Felton (Goodreads Reviewer)

  ‘... meticulously crafted work. The author delivers another unique, powerful and provocative story.’

  - Alex (Amazon Reviewer)

  ‘Anxiously waiting for the next instalment!’ - Jimmy Andrea (Amazon Reviewer)

  ‘A spell-bounding thriller.’ - Daniel T.A. (Author)

  ‘As seductive as a Sudoku puzzle, the writer has crafted an ingenious plot with nothing less than stunning revelations at the conclusion.’

  - Julius Salisbury (Author)

  ‘If you like murder mysteries with great characters, atmospheric locations and a suspenseful, interesting plot to keep you turning the pages, then this book has been written for you.’ –Ben (Amazon Reviewer)

  ‘An engrossing murder mystery about a series of murders taking place on Greek islands.’

  - Saritha S (Goodreads Reviewer)

  ‘A tale of Terror! A page-turning murder mystery’.

  - Sheri A. Wilkinson (Book Blog Reviewer)

  ‘The author builds the main characters weaving them seamlessly with the plotting of a great story; even when he steps away from the present-day mayhem. It's art in words at the highest pinnacle of a writer's work.’

  - Rose Margaret Phillips (Book Blog Reviewer)

  OCTOBER

  OF URBAN LEGENDS

  Chania, Crete

  Halloween, 2017

  ‘The banging on the old wooden door continued. She could see the shadow lingering at the bottom of the door. Are you alive? she asked, her voice too fragile to escape her throat clearly. Pots and pans dropped around her as suddenly, all cupboard doors flew open. She made a ran for the back door, tripping over fallen items as she went. The desperate, ashen-faced lady ran out of her haunted cottage. Outside, darkness roamed the hilltop and mist had taken up residence. She screamed for help. No reply came. Just then, she heard the door creak behind her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention. The sound of footsteps reached her ears. She did not dare look behind her. She made a dash for the dark forest, running through it, branches scratching away at her pale skin. The next thing she saw, froze her to the bones. She stood still, gazing at the figure approaching along the forest path. A familiar figure coming out of the mist. It was her dead husband, finally returning from the war...’

  ‘Bullshit,’ Thomas said and leaned forward to grab a handful of popcorn from one of the glass bowls in the middle of their circle. ‘No more alcohol for Yolanda, guys!’

  ‘Dude, I’m telling you it’s true. It happened!’ Yolanda raised her voice.

  Ariadne chuckled and her black shiny hair swung around, tied high with a bright hair band with pumpkins printed on it. ‘Girl, you have a real talent for storytelling, but there is no way we are going to believe that this happened for real in your grandma’s village.’

  ‘Sounds like that Nicole Kidman movie if you ask me,’ Aristos added.

  ‘Screw you guys,’ Yolanda said and stood up.

  ‘Why are you getting so angry? We are telling ghost stories for fun. You really wanted us to believe you?’

  ‘My grandma said it happened to her friend for real.’

  Ariande placed her hands on the soft carpet, smiled at the strong flames warming them from the stone fireplace and pushed herself up. ‘They are called urban legends for a reason, you know.’

  ‘No wonder you are going to go to work in Murder House! You really don’t believe in ghosts or the supernatural at all?’

  Ariadne laughed, nearly spilling her vodka orange that she had just prepared.

  ‘Fetch me another beer,’ Thomas said, as he fitted four marshmallows in his mouth. ‘And, what’s this about a murder house?’

  Twenty year-old Ariadne shook her head and rolled her eyes at the group of her friends from university. ‘Just Yolanda and her stories. She thinks I am going to star in some twisted tale of a Cretan Horror Story!’

  Yolanda bit her bottom lip as she lit another scented candle and brought it to the middle
of their circle. ‘Laugh all you want, Ariadne, but trust me, if everything we have said here tonight and every story we have heard are just urban legends, the stories about that house are one hundred percent true. The story with the builder was even in the papers. If your folks were from Crete, like mine are, they would know and would not let you go work there!’

  Loud thunder from outside shook their window and brought silence to the room.

  ‘A storm is coming, aaaaaahhhhahahahahaha,’ Aristos said, mimicking Dracula’s deep voice.

  Thomas laughed out loud. ‘So, work? As what? A sex slave for Halloween weirdos?’

  Ariadne flipped him the middle finger. ‘As a babysitter for a lovely couple, living in a normal house. They both work full-time jobs and need someone to stay at home with their eight-month old infant. This is what I am studying for. It’s an excellent opportunity and the money is good. First paycheck, drinks on me!’

  ‘I’ll drink to that!’ Anastasia said and raised her plastic cup. ‘This wine is making me dizzy,’ she added.

  Thomas leaned forward and pushed around packets of sweets. ‘I still want to hear the story about this murder house,’ he said as he opened another bag of bright blue marshmallows.

  ‘No, no more stories from me. No more urban legends for you to laugh at. If you are truly interested, read up about it. I personally wouldn’t step a foot in that house. It’s evil. There’s bodies in the walls,’ Yolanda said and then, pretended her mouth was a zip that she closed tightly.

  Outskirts of Chania, 1982

  The midday sun illuminated the fields around them. Spring had arrived in all its Greek glory. The red Beetle raced down the country road creating a thick cloud of dust behind it. The radio was on full blast and the couple in the vehicle sang as they went along. Soon, the car came to a halt. The young man leaped out of his seat and out of his beloved green Beetle. He sprinted around the car and opened the door for his wife. The tall blonde stepped out and placed her arms around him. Her lips came close to his. ‘So, where do you want to picnic, my dear husband? My God, I love saying that word.’

  ‘Picnic?’

  Sofia slapped him on his head. ‘No, silly. Husband. I can’t believe that we have been married for three whole months.’

  Jason swirled her around and pointed to a flat piece of land opposite them. All plants had been cut and wired fence ran around the plot. ‘There. On our land.’

  Sofia shivered and turned around. She looked deep into Jason’s eyes. ‘Whose land?’

  ‘Our land. This is where I plan to build you a house. And then, knock you up and fill it with a bunch of kids. A couple of beautiful girls like you and a couple of boys as rough and crazy as me!’

  Sofia shrieked with joy and jumped into his arms; her feet leaving the ground, her legs running around Jason’s waist.

  Jason, a skilled builder, took on the difficult project with the help of his best man, George. For three years, the pair of friends, sweated and bled until a family home stood before them. Another three houses had been build along the street as Chania grew and spread from the sandy beaches all the way to the hills behind it.

  Spring rains poured down to the dry grounds and the field’s wild flowers danced around in the weak wind, rejoicing for the water offered to them. Jason and Sophia ran from their car, up to their new house. They kissed passionately as water dripped from their youthful faces. Jason swooped Sophia off her feet and laughing, he carried her over the threshold.

  ‘Forever together,’ she whispered as he lay her down on their bed.

  ‘Till death do us part, baby,’ he yelled and fell upon her; his lips journeying along her wet neck. Soon, their naked sweaty bodies fell back into the scrambled sheets and they both exhaled in delight.

  ‘Our new life begins...’ Sophia whispered breathlessly as she laid her head upon his bare chest.

  Tragedy struck three months later.

  Jason was supposed to be out of town for the night. The plan to journey to the town of Ayios Nikolaos for a construction job and stay on site for a week was postponed for a day. Jason’s boss apologized and sent him on his way.

  Jason whistled as he drove back down his country road, eager to return home for the night. He did not park outside of his house. His eye noticed the second car in his driveway. Jason continued and parked at the end of the street, next to the dark row of pine trees.

  Soon, his eyes peeped through his living room window and saw what he wished was not happening. His wife Sophia, wearing just her underwear, sat on the couch with his best friend George and were watching a movie. George sat naked with a bowl of popcorn on his lap. Jason could feel his heart break, yet he remained outside until the pair inside began to kiss.

  The front door flying wide open startled the illegal lovers. With shock painted across their faces, both stood up and began excusing themselves.

  Jason raised his hand. ‘Shut... the... fuck... up! Both of you. You, go to our room. You, outside now!’

  Sophia ran to their bedroom and with tears running freely, she showered in their bedroom’s bathroom. That is when she heard the door being locked behind her. Jason left her locked in all night and all morning. Sophia laid a bed of towels and slept on the floor. She called his name all morning, yet received no reply. Finally, at noon, Jason unlocked the door.

  ‘Baby, let me explain,’ she rushed to say. ‘The house made me do it!’

  ‘Let’s have lunch and then, you can tell me all about it,’ he replied coldly.

  Sophia dressed and followed him to the kitchen. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she sat down.

  ‘Chicken soup, your favorite,’ he said and sat opposite her.

  ‘It’s very good,’ Sophia said as she brought her spoon to her mouth. As she chewed on the meat, she began to apologize. Jason listened in silence. He did not care for her story. He stood up and refilled her bowl.

  ‘Did he taste good?’

  Sophia looked up at her husband. ‘If you are asking if I gave him a blow job, I did not,’ she replied, slightly confused.

  Jason let his roar of a laughter loose. ‘Did George taste nice in your soup? He was the only chicken I killed last night.’

  Sophia stood up and pushed the bowl from in front of her. She opened her mouth to speak, but Jason punched her with force. She fell back and everything went dark. She awoke tied up and with a sock in her mouth. Jason stood in front of a large hole in their hallway wall. He picked her up and threw her in the gap, next to George’s lifeless, bloody, cut-up body.

  ‘Welcome to your new home, babe,’ he said and began to build her in.

  Later, he showered, he dressed and drove to work. His boss was waiting for him.

  ‘Ready for a week away from your lovely wife?’

  ‘I will cope,’ Jason replied.

  A week later he returned home and reported his wife missing.

  Gossip spread like wildfire as the police informed reporters that his best man hadn’t shown up for work in over a week. The gossip of the illegal lovers eloping faded over the years and paved the way for a bloody urban legend.

  The house was sold the following year. Three families lived inside its walls. None stayed. In 2015 it was renovated and a new, young, just-married couple moved in.

  October, 2018

  Ariadne walked around the house picking up Lego bricks as she went. Little Maximo proved to be a speedy runner. He walked on his first birthday and now, at twenty-months-old, he was an unstoppable force of nature –Ariadne’s words to describe the toddler. Ariadne strolled through the house tidying up after a full morning with Maximo. His mother would be home soon.

  Tires were heard screeching outside as Iris Zika drove into the house’s parking. Ariadne quickly dropped all the toys from her hands into a plastic box and looked around.

  ‘Shit, she’s early. Where is the little bugger, now?’ she grunted. ‘Maximo, Maximo,’ she began to whisper. Rattling noises came from the kitchen cupboard to her left. Ariadne smiled and tiptoed nea
rer. ‘Oh, no! I’ve lost him. Where could he be?’ she said out loud and pulled the cupboard doors wide open. Maximo jumped up and leapt into her arms. ‘Got you!’ he said and giggled. Ariadne closed the cupboard and with Maximo in her hands, turned towards the kitchen door, waiting for Iris to walk in. As the door opened and Maximo called out for his mother, Ariadne jumped and looked behind her. She stared at the cupboard.

  Iris dropped her purse on the counter and opened her arms wide, ready to embrace her hyper son. She squinted her eyes at Ariadne. ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked the youth.

  ‘Nothing...’ she replied and forced a smile. ‘Welcome home.’

  ‘You heard something, right?’

  Ariadne’s smile faded. ‘Miss Zika, it was nothing. Maximo hid there, just now, and it’s just probably a can or something that he rolled over...’

  ‘This house makes quite a lot of noises,’ Iris said and sighed.

  ‘Old house, old pipes. It’s windy out here. Worse case scenario? Mickey Mouse living in the walls,’ Ariadne replied, chuckled and tickled Maximo’s foot.

  ‘I know you don’t believe in ghosts, but I think I am going crazy lately. I’m even seeing things. Jacob thinks I’m ready for the loony bin.’

  Ariadne sat down on the wooden kitchen table. ‘Seeing things?’ she asked as she stroked the petals of the margaritas standing dead in a vase of murky waters.

  Iris chuckled awkwardly. ‘Nothing like that. Just, you know, a couple of things out of place. Certain things just not feeling right,’ she said and placed Maximo in his play pen. ‘Anyway, enough supernatural talks. Let’s cook lunch.’

  Half an hour later, Jacob Zika returned home for his lunch break. Maximo began to hop up and down at the sight of his tall father walking through the door and loosening his navy blue tie. Jacob’s strong cologne filled the air and Iris shook her head at him. ‘Bet you been smoking again and you believe that heavy cologne of yours will save you.’