ST Vol 7 No 44 - Halloween Edition

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, October 29, 2021 / VOL. 7, NO. 44 / $1.00

What does Patriotism mean to you?

By Marla Jones Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

IDER, Ala.-- What does Patriotism mean to you?

The definition of Patriotism is the devotion to and vigorous support for one’s country.

For J.A. and Paula Bates, owners of J & P Trucking in Ider, patriotism

means so much more.

After 13 soldiers were killed in an Afghanistan attack this summer, J.A. Bates had an idea to honor the fallen heroes.

J.A. worked for over a week ordering flags, buying pumpkins, getting hay brought in, and making the perfect display to honor the fallen thirteen at their home. In September, the project of

love was finished.

Countless people have enjoyed the decorations at the Bates home.

A Veteran from Georgia passed by the Bates home and returned the following day to view the tribute to the fallen soldiers.

Veterans from near and far, have expressed their appreciation to the Bates for the tribute and for their act of patriotism.

This tribute was personal for the Bates.

After the attack on American soil on September 11, 2001, a J & P Trucking truck driver, James D. Stewart, felt led to join the Army, in an act of patriotism. Army Sgt. Stewart was awarded a Purple Heart during his time of service. In his second deployment to Iraq, he died when an explosive detonated near his vehicle.

Stewart was a motor transport operator assigned to the Fort Drum-based 57th Transportation Company, 10th Support Brigade, 10th Mountain Division.

Stewart’s mother, Rachel Barrett stated to The Tampa Tribune at the time of the accident “He

>See Patriot, P5

Calling All Trick-or-Treaters

By Marla Jones Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

DEKALB CO., Ala.-Block parties, Spooktaculars, Trunk-or-Treats, costume parties and church gatherings are planned throughout the county for this weekend.

Limon’s Mexican Restaurant in Henagar will host a Halloween party on Saturday, October 30. The kid’s costume contest will begin at 12 p.m. and an adult costume contest at 9 pm. You must dine-in to qualify for prizes.

The Fyffe Red Devils will host a Trick-or-Treat with the Red Devil Basketball Team and Coaches from 3-4:30 pm on Saturday, October 30 at the Mike Cochran Gymnasium.

The DeKalb Animal Hospital Howl-O-Ween Pawty will be Saturday, October 30 from 3:30-4:30

p.m. at the Rotary Pavilion in Fort Payne. There will be a costume parade with prizes plus a pet and owner photo booth and snacks for owners and furry friends.

Multiple Halloween events will be held throughout the City of Henagar, on October 30.

The Henagar Library will host a trunk or treat from 4-6 p.m. at Henagar City Park featuring local business. Limon’s Mexican Restaurant will sponsor a free movie at Henagar City Park beginning at 6 pm.

Free Popcorn will be given away. Guests should bring a lawn chair, The Town of Sylvania will hand out candy on Saturday, October 30, beginning at 4 p.m.

The Town of Valley

>See TREAT, P5

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Visit our website at www.southerntorch.com for daily news updates and pick up your weekly print edition at news stands every Friday.

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Southern Torch

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Hanes calls for resistance to Vaccine Mandates

Montgomery, AL – State Representative Tommy Hanes is expressing his disappointment in Governor Kay Ivey’s recent executive order that deals with federal vaccine mandates.

According to Hanes “Ivey’s executive order does not go far enough, because it only protects employees of the state executive branch.”

Hanes also reaffirmed his unwavering belief that nobody in Alabama should be forced to take the vaccine.

“This order did nothing to protect workers in Alabama who contract with the Federal

government, or our citizens who work for an Alabama business that has more than 100 employees, which Biden is targeting right now.”

Hanes also stressed the importance of passing HB 31, a piece of legislation that would essentially nullify any Federal law or Presidential executive order that mandates vaccines for businesses or individuals.

Hanes also called out Governor Ivey and her inability to fulfill the state motto of “We Dare Defend Our Rights.”

“Governor Ivey has proven that she is bought and paid for by

the Business Council of Alabama, which lobbies strongly against giving people the choice of what goes in their bodies.”

Hanes continued by saying, “It is clear the Governor will not stand up for our freedoms and is instead leaving the issue to the court system, a classic RINO move.”

Hanes concluded by stating, “If Ivey cannot do what is right and demand HB 31 pass, then she is a part of the problem. I will always stand for our freedom and will never let you down unlike the RINOs in Montgomery who bow to the corporate lobby.”

The Heart of a Football Coach

Submitted by Laura Glover Pruitt I’ve watched a football coach run down the sidelines next to a running back with a ball and follow him as close as he could to that end zone. I’ve watched a football coach get beside a lineman at the end of practice and run that last sprint with him so that the lineman will run hard so that the old coach doesn’t beat him. I’ve watched a football coach meet a referee at midfield with his hands up and headset off battling for his kids because the wrong call was made.

I’ve watched a football coach cry with a young man whose dad is in the hospital getting a liver transplant. I’ve watched a football coach pull athletes aside after practice to pray with

them because he knows their load at home is heavy. I’ve watched a football coach go to the front of a 5th Quarter and pray with a former football player after a Region Championship win while he’s being led to Christ.

I’ve watched a football coach come home defeated after a loss. I’ve watched a football coach worry to death about kids that don’t even play football anymore because they took a wrong path in life and ended up somewhere they shouldn’t. I’ve watched a football coach cry in the closet because his job is so stressful and he’s put under a microscope daily and expectations are high.

Why does he do it?

He could easily go to school, teach his classes,

leave at 3:20 like other teachers and come home. But he doesn’t.

He stays. On season, off season, doesn’t matter.

He’s always there. Why? Because his heart won’t let him quit.

His heart has determination. Grit.

Passion. Dedication.

Integrity. Sacrifice.

Motivation. Drive.

Humility. Inspiration. But mostly, love. Love for the game, and love for his athletes.

The heart of a football coach is one of the most beautiful things there is. If you’ve been lucky enough to have a great one, you know. If you’ve been lucky enough to have your child play under one, tell them thank you. “It’s not the life for all for sure, but I’m so glad it’s the life for some.”

Live music Drink Specials

Prizes for best costume.

Adult winner and Kids winner.

Halloween Costume Party Saturday October 30, 2021

By Steve Flowers

Every 10 years the nation has a census count. There is a reason for that dissemination of our population. The United States and concurrently the Alabama Constitution require a census to determine how many Congressional Seats each state will have.

Then you also have to determine how those districts are designed to reflect that each congressional district is properly and equally apportioned.

On the state level the legislative districts have to be dealt with the same way. The state legislature of each state is given the inherent constitutional power to draw the congressional lines as well as their own legislative lines. This is one of the most important and powerful tools granted to legislatures throughout the nation.

Kids Contest 12pm Adult Contest 9:30

Inside The Statehouse There is one prevailing immovable constitutional provision that legislatures have to make paramount – every district must be equal in population.

The one man one vote constitutional mandate must be adhered to because after all that is the reason for the census in the first place. Our legislature is poised to tackle the much-anticipated reapportionment issue in the current special session.

The states are late dealing with redistricting because of an inexplicable delay from the U.S. Census Bureau, probably COVID related. The final numbers were just released about a month ago. They are usually available in January, soon after the census count ends.

The Census Bureau is now a large U.S. governmental department which makes and releases

census projections throughout the 10year span of drawing new districts. Their projections are fairly accurate.

We in Alabama were very concerned that we would lose a congressional seat from projections beginning five years ago. The actual figures gave us a reprieve.

Alabama learned that our population grew by over five million.

Therefore, we will keep our seven seats in Congress. We saved the seat by the skin of our teeth. We were right on the cusp.

Many of you will be glad to know that the seat we saved was lost

by New York.

This tells me that the Census Bureau figures are unbiased nor affected by politics. If they were, they would have showed the count to give the seat to New York. If given to New York, it would be a blue democratic seat, in Alabama it will be a

red republican seat.

However, when it comes to drawing the actual congressional and legislative lines, it is all political and the Courts have consistently said it is a political issue.

Those that have the pen can draw the lines they want, as long as they are equal in population.

For that reason, the Republican Party has placed a priority on controlling the state legislatures around the country. That is a wise political move given that the legislatures control their own and more importantly the congressional districts in the nation’s capital.

Like most legislation, the real work and decision making is done in Committee.

Therefore, the redistricting lines are being designed in a large part by members of the Reapportionment Committee. In fact, the members of this

committee have been working on the lines the entire quadrennium.

It is a plum and powerful, although tedious assignment.

The Chairmen of the committees are Senator Jim McClendon (R-St. Clair) and Representative Chris Pringle (R-Mobile). The upcoming session will result in new lines for Alabama’s seven congressional districts, 105 House districts, 35 Senate districts, and eight State Board of Education districts.

Since it is a political process, you will see the Alabama Republican super majority House and Senate remain a super two-to-one Republican majority. In fact, it will be difficult to not add more Republican districts because the population growth has been in the Republican enclaves of our fastest growing counties. The growth counties of

Baldwin, Madison, Lee, Shelby and Limestone may indeed get new seats in the legislature.

Currently there are 77 Republicans in the House and only 28 Democrats. In the Senate the numbers are even more amazingly favorable to Republicans. There are 27 Republicans and only 8 Democrats.

These super majority numbers could be easily drawn to add three more House seats and one more Republican Senate seat. However, they are reluctant to add more Republican seats because the U.S. Justice Department looks leerily at regressing in the number of majority – minority districts.

It will be an interesting political process. It only happens every 10 years.

We will keep you posted.

Friday - October 29, 2021 - 3

Southern Torch

Join the Vulcraft Team!

Vulcraft Alabama is seeking qualified applicants to assemble a hiring pool for:

Enrty Level Production We offer competitive pay and benefits including medical and life insurance, profit sharing, 401k, and stock options.

Must be willing to work any shift. Most production positions require moderate to heavy lifting and can be physically draining.

Individuals whowould like to learn more about opporyunities with Vulcraft should register at:

jobs.nucor.com To Apply: Search for the job posting ‘VAL - Entry Level Production’. Be prepared to complete a brief questionnaire. Previos applicants will need totake the questionnaire again to be considered. We are only accepting a limited number of Submissions. Only submit one questionnaire for this job posting. The registration period will begin on:

November 1st at 6:00 AM CST

The posting will close once a set number of applicants have expressed the willingness to work in the available positions. All communications will be via email, applicants must provide a valid email address. Vulcraft Alabama does not accept unsolicited resumes.

No phone calls please.

VULCRAFT ALABAMA Nucor is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Employer M/F/Disabled/Vets - and a drug free workplace.

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EVENTS Submit your upcoming events to nicky@southerntorch.com for a chance to be featured in next week's print edition of The Southern Torch!

October 29, First Choice Personnel Come Trick or Treat with us. Come dressed up or not. Frieday the 29th from 3pm - 5pm October 30, Rainsville’s Spooktacular - 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Rainsville City Park Rainsville Chamber of Commerce 256-638-7800 October 31, Halloween Block Party - Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce, 4pm - 7pm at the VFW Fairgrounds.

Presented by Twin City Used car Sales.

October 30, Mountain Town Hop

Fest Boos & Brews - 3rd Annual brewfest in Fort Payne, AL. Come out and try over 100 different brews from over 30 breweries. At 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Rotary Pavilion, 201 5th St NE, Fort Payne, United States November 12, 12th Annual Canyon Fest - A Celebration of Arts and Nature Little River Canyon Field School and Interpretive Center want you to come and enjoy live music, nature and arts activities, arts demonstrations and sales, great food, vendors, children’s activities and more.

10am - 3pm at the Little rivere Canyon Center.

4322 Little River Canyon Rim November 12 & 13, Pictures with Santa - Locate at the Scottsboro VFW Fairgrounds. Over 40 vendors, food trucks, Christmas train rides.

Free pictures with Santa. VIP shoppping Friday $10 at the door 4-7pm. Saturday free admition. 10-4pm November 16, Women in Business Luncheon Presented

by Holiday Inn Express - Please join us as we celebrate three outstanding women in our community. Each year we receive nominations for the best of the best

JACKSON BLAZE • 98-3 WILD COUNTRY • 101-7 THE TORCH Staff:

Eloise Smith - General Manager Marla Jones - Managing Editor/Sports Brian Anderson - Radio Operations Manager Nick Vizzinia - Graphic Design Amy Thrash - Account Executive Jenna Sue Payne - Account Executive Patti Browder - Radio Traffic Teresa Smith - Radio Traffic Lindsey Jones - Accounting Marshall Stiefel - Fleet & Distrubition

Southern Torch (USPS Periodicals #19790) is published each Friday by Southern Torch, Inc. 225 Gault Ave. N. Fort Payne AL.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Southern Torch, P.O. Box 614, Rainsville, AL. 35986.

women making a real difference in their community. It is always a hard decision, but these three women stood out: Woman Owned Business - Silvia Hernandez, Go Play Therapy Woman in Management - Linda Stiefel, Times Journal Woman in Leadership - Kelli Gardner, Marked for Life Ministries We will host a luncheon on Tuesday, November 16th beginning at 11:30 am at The Building, in Fort Payne. Guest speaker Heather Lebischak, will share insight about the value of appreciation in the workplace.

December 10, Fort Payne Christmas Parade - Join us in beautiful downtown Fort Payne on Friday, December 10th at 6:00 pm as we host our annual Christmas Parade, with Grand Marshal Mr. Jim Cunningham.

December 10-13, New York Christmas Vacation Call Torch Travel to book your spot for this Christmas dream vacation to New York City Call Marla for more information and to book your spot (256)638 4040

Joseph K. McNew, D.V.M • Linda Galbraith, D.V.M. • Jessica Jones, D.V.M.

4 - Friday - October 29, 2021

Southern Torch

LEGALS LEGALS

LEGALS

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ALLEN DEWAYNE TUCKER

CASE NO.: 2021-347

LEGALS PUBLIC HEARING: COUNTY COMMISSION REDISTRICTING

900 residents from Districts 2 in the Tenbroeck Community to District 4 as follows: The current border between District 2 and 4 begins on CR 56 at the Jackson County line running east to the Town Limits of Fyffe, then along the southern boundary of the town limits to CR 50. The proposed district would begin on CR 56, then turn south on CR 43 to CR 72, then east on CR 72 to the intersection of Lands Street and the Fyffe Town Limits, thus continuing as currently exists.

Matt G. Sharp, County Administrator DeKalb County Commission

Said notice to be published October 29, November 5 & 12.

As authorized by Code Section 11-3-1.1, State of Alabama, 1975, and as a result of the 2020 Census, the DeKalb County Commission desires to alter the current County Commission district boundaries. A public hearing shall be held during the regular meeting of the County Commission on November 9, 2021 at approximately 10:00 am in the Commission Chambers located at the DeKalb County Activities Building at 111 Grand Avenue, SW, Fort Payne, Alabama.

The proposed map can be reviewed at the County Commission Office and would move approximately

LEGALS

LEGALS

LEGALS

LEGALS

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF BERNICE MCALPIN, DECEASED

CASE NO.: 2021-323

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF Thomas E. Chambers, DECEASED NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS Letters Testamentary in the matter of the estate of Thomas E. Chambers, Case No. 2021-347, having been granted to the undersigned on the 13day of October, 2021 by the Honorable Ronnie Osborn, Probate Judge of said county, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.

This the 13 day of October, 2021.

Said notice to be published October 22, 29, & November 5.

EXECUTRIX’S NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BILLY RAY EDWARDS, DECEASED CASE NO.: 2021-341 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Letters of Testamentary on the Estate of BILLY RAY EDWARDS, Deceased, having been granted to the undersigned on the 7 day of October, 2021, by the Judge of Probate of said county, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate, are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.

Said notice to be published October 15, 22, & 29.

CASE NO.: 2021-332 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ALLEN DEWAYNE TUCKER, DECEASED. LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION ON THE ESTATE OF ALLEN DEWAYNE TUCKER, DECEASED, having been granted to the undersigned on the 5 day of Oct 2021, by the Honorable Ronnie Osborn, Judge of Probate of said County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate, are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.

CARLOS ARTURO RODRIGUEZ RODRIGUEZ, Plaintiff/Father, v.

ISABETH EVANGELISTA ROSALES COTO, Defendant/ Mother CASE NO.: CS-21-900080 NOTICE OF CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS NOTICE TO: ISABETH EVANGELISTA ROSALES COTO ISABETH EVANGELISTA ROSALES COTO, whose whereabouts are unknown, must answer the Petition for Custody and other relief filed

by Plaintiff/Father, by the 6th day of December, 2021, or, thereafter, a judgment by default may be rendered against her in Case No.: CS-2021-900080, in the District Court of DeKalb County, Alabama.

Said notice to be published October 15, 22, 29, & November 5

CASE NO.: 2021-189 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

October 22, 29

IN RE: THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SAMMY LEBRON LACEY, deceased NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Letters Testamentary (Letters of Administration) of said deceased having been granted to TERESA MCALPIN on Oct 6th 2021, by the Hon. Ronnie Osborn Probate Judge of Dekalb County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are hereby required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Letters of Administration on the Estate of SAMMY LEBRON LAGEY, deceased, having been granted to the undersigned on the 28 day of Sept 2021 by the Hon. Ronnie Osborn, Judge of Probate.

Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Said notice to be published October 15, 22, & 29.

Said notice to be published October 22, 29, & November 5.

LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: 2021-358 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BLAKE LOWRY, deceased PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE’S NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS Letters Testamentary on the Estate of BLAKE LOWRY, deceased, having been granted to MELISSA SOMERS on the 26 day of Oct, 2021, by the Honorable RONNIE OSBORN, Judge of Probate of said County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be baited.

Said notice to be published October 29, November 5 & 12.

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OBITUARIES Wilson Shelba Jean Wigley Roden - 84 of Cedar Bluff, formerly of Fort Payne, passed away on Tuesday, October 19, 2021.

Services will be held at 12:30 p.m., Friday, October 22.

Claude Ray Jenkins, Sr. - 75 of Gaylesville, passed away Saturday morning. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Wydean Watson Edwards - 99, of Fort Payne, AL passed on October 24, 2021.

Services will be 1 p.m.

Wednesday.

Cornerstone Jewel Dean Smith Whitley - 84 of Ider died Tuesday, October 19. Services Friday at 1:30pm ct at Oak Lawn Memorial Park. Family will receive friends from 11 am to 1 pm.

Cynthia Ann “Cindy” Lambert - 60 of Flat Rock died Tuesday, October 19.

Graveside services are Saturday at 11 am at Smith Cemetery.

Melissa Gail McGaugh Anderson - 49 of Flat Rock died Tuesday, October 19.

Funeral services at Friday at 11 am ct at Corner Stone.

Daniel Ray

Spurgin Jr - 22 of Trenton, GA died Saturday, October 23. memorial service will be held Thursday, October 28 at 6 PM CT. A visitation will be held from 3 pm until service time.

Crossville David Robert Trussell - 65 of Crossville passed away Friday, October 22, 2021. The family has chosen cremation; a private service for the family will be held at a later date.

Rainsville Sandra Jones - 60 of Crossville, Alabama passed away on Monday, October 18, 2021 at her residence.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, October 23, 2021 in Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel at 3PM with Brother Joe Edmondson officiating. Burial will follow Reeves Grove Cemetery in Steele, Alabama.

Shelby Jean Bates Harris - Mrs. Shelby Jean Bates Harris age ¬84 of Fort Lauderdale, FL passed away on Saturday, October 23, 2021. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 1PM at Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel. Burial

Burt Funeral H omes

will follow in Pleasant View Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday, October 29th from 10AM-8PM & Saturday, October 30th from 11AM-1PM.

Scottsboro John Randall “Randy” Pritchett - 69 of the Pleasant Groves Community passed away Friday, October 22, 2021 at Highlands Medical Center.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Gold Cemetery in the Letcher Community.

The family will receive friends from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Scottsboro Funeral Home. The family requests that everyone please wear a mask to the visitation and service.

Barbara Ann Thomas Powell - 83 of Scottsboro, Alabama passed away Monday, October 25, 2021 at Highlands Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at Scottsboro Funeral Home with Rev. Donna King officiating. Burial will follow in Pinehaven Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 12 noon until service time.

Horace “Sam” Woodall - 82 of Skyline, Alabama passed away Monday, October 25, 2021 at Huntsville Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m.

Sunday, October 31, 2021 at Scottsboro Funeral Home. Burial

will follow in Sisk Cemetery in Estillfork.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m.

Saturday at Scottsboro Funeral Home.

Judy Lynn Kritner - 67, of Scottsboro, passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2021. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Living Word Ministries in Scottsboro, Alabama.

W.T. Wilson J.W. Pope - 73, of Fort Payne (Formerly of Fyffe) passed away October 18, 2021.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Thursday, October 21st, 2021 from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Burial will follow in Rainsville Memorial Park.

Cynthia Jane “Cindy” Swearengin - 51 of Horton, passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2021. The family will be having a visitation from 4pm-6pm on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Roy Joe Camp 64 of Rainsville, passed away Thursday, October 21, 2021. Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with burial to follow in Pleasant View Cemetery.

Freda Carmen Flippo - 59 of Hollytree passed away October 21, 2021. The family will receive

friends Monday, October 25 from 5:00opm until 8:00pm.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, October 26 at Bethel Cemetery Putnam Mountain at 12:00 noon.

Barbara Ann Wallin - 80 of Fort Payne passed away Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 at her residence.

Visitation is 11 until 1pm Saturday Oct. 23, 2021.

FUNERAL 1pm Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Nancy Lee McAllister - 82, of Albertville passed away October 22, 2021. The family will receive friends Sunday, October 24 from 2:00pm until 4:00pm at W.T. Wilson Chapel.

Aubrey Warren Wiseman - 83 of Fort Payne passed away Friday October 22, 2021 in Huntsville Hospital. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Mr. Wiseman was a member of DeKalb Rifle’s Son’s of Confederate Veterans.

J. Meliton Rico - 52 of Sylvania, passed away Saturday, October 23, 2021.

Funeral Mass will be held at 3pm on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 from Our Lady of the Valley Catholic

Church with burial to follow in Glenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5pm-8pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2021 at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Jacqueline “Jackie” Faulk Mayfield Cooey - of Westville, Florida, passed away on October 23, 2021, in the North Okaloosa Medical Center in Crestview, Florida.

Visitation will be held from 2pm-3pm on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel in Rainsville, Alabama.

Services will be held at 4pm on Wednesday, October 27.

Maudie Lee Bolding - 82, of Albertville passed away on Saturday, October 23, 2021.

Funeral services are set for 11am Tuesday, October 26. Burial will be in Beulah Cemetery in Albertville. The family will receive friends from 10 until 11am Tuesday at the funeral home.

Jason Lee Oyler - 37, of Rainsville passed away October 25, 2021. Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Thursday, October 28th, 2021 from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow.

Southern Torch

POLITICS Harcrow announces Re-election

Dekalb County Commission President Ricky Harcrow has announced his intention to seek another term.

President Harcrow is the longest serving commissioner in the history of Dekalb County. He served three terms as a district commissioner and then was elected to three terms as President of the commission. Mr. Harcrow is also one of the longest serving commissioners in the state. He has served as President of the ALABAMA COUNTY COMMISSION ASSOCIATION, Board of directors of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, National Board of Directors RURAL ACTION Caucus, Mayor and City Councilman.

Mr. Harcrow has been married to Mrs. Susan Rosser Harcrow 47 years they have two children and three grandchildren: Sarah Jenkins and her husband Joel and Jackson Harcrow and his wife Leeah and Grandchildren Leah and Gabby Jenkins and

Rosser Harcrow. Mr. Harcrow is the son of Jack and Zelma Tumlin Harcrow, grew up in Rainsville and attended Plainview High School, Northeast State Community College and Jacksonville State University. Mr. Harcrow has been a minister of the Primitive Baptist Church for 51 years and still has pastoral care of those same churches.

He says “I wish I had words to express my appreciation to the people of the county where I and my family have been for almost 150 years. They have been so gracious to me and my family space would not allow me to express my thanks. I will seek office again and I intend to continue our direction.

No county in the state is more financially sound than ours yet all problems are never solved and there are always improvements to make. Our employees, the great staff we have and the commissioners I’ve had to work with have always held the highest regard for me and I for them and even

though we all have different and good ideas we have worked together for the common good.

Our county has been kept in the black through mass tragedy in the form of deadly tornadoes, recession and other obstacles. I have worked with every official, city, board and group the best I could and I intend to continue in that avenue.

Again, I thank the people of our county and our different agencies for allowing me to serve for all these years and to all my family without whom I could have accomplished nothing. I grew up with the best parents and grandparents one could have, though not perfect in all they did, they were hard working Dekalb countians. Whether elected again or not I can say that I have been blessed far beyond what I deserve, to live in the best place on earth and be a part of a common thread that runs through our many and varied communities. May God bless all of you and I humbly ask again for your support”.

Patriot FROM PAGE 1

believed in this war, He seriously thought we had to stay there.”

Paul Bates shares his story each year, in hopes of keeping his mission and acts of patriotism alive.

In a simple act of displaying flags, along with a message of “Remembering the 13 soldiers who gave it all!”, the Bates have sparked patriotism within the small town of Ider, DeKalb County, and beyond.

We will never forget the 13 soldiers who gave it all. Maj. Gen. Roger B. Turner, commanding general of the 1st Marine Division, said in a statement, “ I extend my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of the 1st Marine Division servicemen who lost their lives while heroically safeguarding the evacuation of thousands of U.S. citizens and faithful allies from Hamid Karzai International Airport.”

• Sgt. Johnny Rosario Pichardo, 25 of Lawrence, Massachusetts

Friday - October 29, 2021 - 5 • Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23 of Sacramento, California • Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31 of Salt Lake City, Utah • Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22 of Indio, California • Cpt. Daegan W. Page, 23 of Omaha, Nebraska • Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22 of Logansport, Indiana • Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20 of Rio Bravo, Texas.

• Lance Cpl. Jared N. Schmitz, 20 of St. Charles, Missouri • Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20 of Jackson, Wyoming • Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20 of Rancho Cucamonga, California • Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20 of Norco, California For the Navy: • Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Saviak, 22 of Berlin Heights, Ohio • Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Krauss, 23 of Corryton, Tennessee Thank you to J.A. and Paul Bates for helping us remember the true definition of patriotism and the soldiers who gave their lives protecting the United States on foreign soil.

Treat

FROM PAGE 1

Head will host a Halloween Drive-Thru is Saturday, October 30, starting at 4 p.m. at the Town Hall at 41 Anderson Street.

The Town of Geraldine’s Trunk or Treat is on Saturday, October 30 beginning at 4 p.m. at the Geraldine High School old gym. Hot dogs and drinks will be served by the mayor or council.

The Collinsville Historical Association’s Trunk or Treat will be Saturday, October 30, beginning at 5 p.m in downtown Collinsville.

The Rainsville Spooktacular will be Saturday, October 30 beginning at 5 p.m. -7 p.m. at the Rainsville City Park.

The Halloween Block Party sponsored

by Twin City Used Car Sales and the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce will be held at the VFW Fairgrounds located at 151 18th Street Fort Payne, Ala. on October 31 from 4-7 p.m.

Families can park and get candy from various businesses.

For more spooky happenings, check out our events section in this edition of Southern Torch.

Congratulations to Plainview , Geraldine, and Fyffe for an amazing 2021 Volleyball season!

BUISNESS AMY THRASH ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Hometown banking, wherever you are!

amy@southerntorch.com

Office: (256)638-4040 Cell: (256)996-0460

QUALITY JEWELRY

226 Gault Ave. N • Fort Payne, AL 35967 Phone: 256-845-5680 Fax: 256-845-5165

James Allensworth • allensworth@aol.com 1706 Glenn Blvd., Suite 4 Fort Payne, AL 35968 • (256) 997-7591

KANDIELAND DAY CARE CENTER 333 DILBECK RD IN RAINSVILLE

(256)638-4848

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(256) 259-2211

PHONE: (256)638-2700 FAX: (256)638-3488

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24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE DO YOU HAVE A MOLD PROBLEM? (256)273-4900

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256-638-5281 www.greateralabamamls.com

Marla Jones (256)605-4427

Advertise here for $12.50

6 - Friday - October 29, 2021

Southern Torch

E W E E K H !

T F O M A E T G N I K A CONGRATULATIONS ON M

By Marla Jones Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

PISGAH, Ala.-- The Pisgah Eagles defeated the Tanner Rattlers 14-13 to claim the Class 2A Region 7 championship. The last time the Eagles won a Region Championship was in

REGION CHAMPS 2003.

Pisgah started out 0-3 in the season but have won the last six straight games.

Neither team scored in the first half.

Pisgah stopped Tanner from scoring twice in the first half. The first being on a Grant Smith interception and the second on a goal-line

stand seconds before the half.

To start the second half, Tanner forced the Eagles to a threeand-out when the Eagles faked a punt.

Mason Holcomb connected with Rhyan Barrett for a 24-yard gain to set up an Eagle touchdown, two plays later by Legion

McCrary. McCrary stampeded down the field for 24-yards for the Eagle touchdown, giving Pisgah the 6-0 advantage. With less than 8:00 remaining in the third quarter, Tanner went ahead 7-6 on a 10-yard sprint into the endzone.

With less than 5:00 remaining in the game,

Mason Holcomb connected with a 46-yard pass to Jake Hendricks for the touchdown. Parker Law brought in the two-point conversion to take the 14-7 lead over Tanner. Tanner marched down the field, on a 60-yard drive scoring from 6-yards out, making

the score 14-13 with seconds left in the game. The Rattlers went for two but were denied by the Pisgah defense.

Mason Holcomb finished 5-of-10 passing for 92 yards.

McCrary had 13 carries for 48 yards for the night.

DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office We proudly support our schools.

Congratulations to the Team of the Week!

In case of emergecies, call 911!

2801 Jordan Rd. SW, Fort Payne

(256)845-3801

Congratulations to the team of the week!

Two Locations!

1114 Glenn Blvd SW Fort Payne, AL. 35967 (256) 844-2286

23980 John T Reid Pkwy Scottsboro, AL. 35769 (256) 259-6888

Nick Jones

Attorney-at-Law

Congratulations to the Team of the Week!

No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater then the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers

• •

• •

• •

Friday - October 29, 2021 - 7

Southern Torch

20 21 THURSDAY GAMES:

NORTH SAND MOUNTAIN @ SYLVANIA

SCOTTSBORO @ FYFFE

GLENCOE @ PLAINVIEW

VALLEY HEAD @ COLLINSVILLE

NORTH JACKSON @ FORT PAYNE

FRIDAY GAMES:

PISGAH @ DOUGLAS

CROSSVILLE @ GERALDINE (BATTLE OF SKIRUM CREEK)

WOODVILLE @ SECTION

Upcoming Games Pisgah 14, Tanner 13 Scottsboro 24, Pell City 19 Geraldine 63, Collinsville 20 Ider 42, Whitesburg Christian 7 Plainview 57, Brindlee Mountain 21 Sylvania 35, East Limestone 21 Fyffe 54, Asbury 0 Oxford 41, Fort Payne 13 Tabernacle 52, Cornerstone 32 Douglas 48, Crossville 0 NSM 24, Falkville 14 Appalachian 62, Woodville 14 Section 24, Hanceville 14 Valley Head 49, Suminton Christian 21 North Jackson 48, New Hope 7

Fort Payne Falls to Oxford Fort Payne Falls to Oxford

By Amy Thrash Sports Reporter amy@southerntorch.com

OXFORD,Ala - The Oxford Yellow Jackets defeated the Fort Payne Wildcats 41-13 on Friday night.

With 8:01 remaining in the first quarter, Oxford recovered a fumble and scored, giving the Yellow Jackets the 7-0 lead. Oxford scored again on a long touchdown run with 3:53 left in the first, to make the score 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Oxford Yellow Jackets scored 2 more touchdowns in the

By Marla Jones Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

second quarter to give them the 28-0 advantage over the Fort Payne Wildcats at the half.

Oxford hit a long pass to score, with 9:19 remaining in the third quarter, making the score 34-0.

Oxford ran up the middle for another touchdown with 11:50 remaining, taking the 41-0 advantage. Jake Barnes connected with Sawyer Burt on a 4-yard Fort Payne touchdown pass, making the score 41-7, with 8:41 remaining in the fourth quarter.

With 1:39 left in the game Dax Varnadore connected with Brenon

Oliver for a touchdown for Fort Payne, making the final score Oxford 41 Fort Payne 13.

“Oxford had a great game plan and executed it very well against us.” stated Head Football Coach Chris Elmore, “ We made too many mistakes early in the game to be able to beat a team with their ability. We expect our players to learn from these mistakes and improve as we get ready for the playoffs in two weeks.”

The Fort Payne Wildcats will host the North Jackson Chiefs on Friday night.

COLLINSVILLE, Ala.--The Geraldine Bulldogs defeated the Collinsville Panthers, 63-20 on Friday night.

The Geraldine Bulldogs scored on all seven possessions of the game. The Bulldogs added three more touchdowns with a punt return, a blocked punt return, and a kickoff return.

Collinsville responded with three touchdowns for the night.

In the first quarter, Caleb Hall plowed down the field for the 42-yard Geraldine touchdown, with 9:47 remaining in the first quarter. The point after failed but gave the Bulldogs the 6-0 advantage, to end the first quarter.

Jaxon Colvin connected with Carlos Mann on a 28-yard pass connection for the touchdown with 11:26 remaining in the second. The Bulldogs successfully went for two to take the 14-0 lead. After a blocked punt, Colvin returned the ball 45-yards for

another Bulldog touchdown with 7:36 remaining in the first half. The kick by Danny Felipe was good, to increase the Bulldog lead to 21-0. Colvin connected with Mann on a 25-yard pass, with 3:26 remaining in the second quarter, to go up 27-0. Collinsville got on the board with a 1-yard scamper into the endzone by Colton Willis. The kick by Tristain Gallegos was good, making the score 27-6, with 3:09 remaining in the second quarter. With 2:28 remaining in the second quarter, Colvin connected with Colton Lusher on a 48- yard pass for the Bulldog touchdown with 2:28 remaining in the half.

Colvin ran in the 2-point conversion, to increase the Bulldog lead to 35-7. Geraldine scored on a 53-yard punt return by Lusher.

The kick by Felipe gave the Bulldogs the 42-7 advantage going into the half.

Geraldine scored on a 1-yard run by Bo Harper. The kick by Felipe increased the Bulldog lead to 50-7 to close out the third

quarter.

Fernando Padilla snuck in from 1-yard out, with 10:45 remaining in the fourth quarter. The kick by Gallegos, made the score 50-14. Bo Harper scored for Geraldine on a 10-yard run, with 6:37 remaining in regulation play. The kick by Felipe increased the Bulldog lead to 57-14.

Collinsville scored their final touchdown of the night with a 40-yard run by Keaton DeBoard with 5:29 remaining in the game, making the score 57-20. Geraldine added their final touchdown of the night with a 92-yard kickoff return, with 5:12 remaining. The Panthers blocked the kick to make the final score of the night, 63-20.

The Geraldine Bulldogs will host the Crossville Lions on Friday night for the Battle of Skirum Creek.

Collinsville will host the Valley Head Tigers for a Thursday night game.

Holiday Open House FORT PAYNE, ALA

November 5-7 Dates vary based on individual shops

FOOD | CLOTHING | ANTIQUES | FOOTWEAR HOME DECOR | CANDLES & ART | CHRISTMAS DECOR PETE THE CAT ITEMS | CHILDREN'S CLOTHING & ITEMS Holiday Specials & Door Prizes

Free Electric Train Rides (children)

Saturday, November 6

10AM - 2PM

Depot Museum 105 5th St. NE, Fort Payne

www.fortpaynechamber.com

8 - Friday - October 29, 2021

Southern Torch

Spooky Stories Night-Night Terror

After a long and fun weekend out of town with my friends, I returned home to my house in the mountains. It was Sunday afternoon, the air outside was just beginning to cool down enough to start feeling like fall. I felt completely drained from my nights out on the town. Sleep had already been calling my name. At this point, it was merely 5 p.m. and the sun hadn’t begun to set. The sky was a bit cloudy and ominous as if it were going to rain, even storm.

The next two hours rolled on by and I decided to finally call it a night. This was a very early bedtime for me. I barely remember hitting the pillow and I was out like a light. Something suddenly woke me up out of my dead sleep. The room was pitch black with a faint glow from the moon. I was disoriented from being in such a deep sleep.

After blinking my eyes a few times I realize there is a figure standing at the end of my bed. Tall and broad stature, wearing a white t-shirt. There seemed to be some sort of odd headlamp strapped to their head, but there was no light coming from it. I could only tell from the glimmer of the moonlight shining on it. I abruptly sat up in my bed, realizing I forgot to lock my door before going to sleep, I shout, “who are you?!” There was no answer... I was thinking to myself, “Oh my god, someone has come into my house while I’m asleep.” My mind was racing as I edged myself closer to the end of my bed near the human figure.

I swung my arm out in front of me to see if there was something actually there, my arm hit nothing. I quickly slid back in my bed in terror still seeing this figure in this white t-shirt with a headlamp on, shouting again, “what are you doing?” once again, there was no answer. I scurry across my bed trying to find the lamp to turn on the light, running my hands into my large metal water bottle I grip it tight as if I needed to use it as a weapon. I turn back around to find the figure in my room to see that it has moved over to the right side of the bed, still standing there, still staring at me. I shout out again for a third time trying to find out who this is in my room as I am trembling in fear.

Shaking so hard I can barely hold the bottle. I turn back around once again fighting to get to my lamp, desperate to get the light on. I get to the light, and *click*, it comes on. I turn around for the final time and the figure is so close to me I can feel them breathing.

“Night-night,” it said, and then suddenly the world went dark.

-Based on a True Story

Bay View Bridge Screech

Back when I was a Junior in high school, I would always hear tales about Bay View Bridge that was haunted. I never believed in the stories, but one Halloween night two of my friends wanted to go and see if it was true or not, they talked me into going as well. I wasn’t worried because I didn’t believe in ghosts and supposedly you only hear the eerie noises on a foggy night. We all climbed into my friend’s car so that we could be on our way to the bridge. The night that we went was clear and bright. We all laughed that this was silly and that nothing was going to happen. As we approached the bridge, the sky grew dark and foggy. The fog was so dense that we could barely see around us.

We slowly pulled closer to the bridge and now, the wind was blowing so hard you could hear it howl through the trees. The car slowly pulled onto the bridge, we began to feel movement underneath, the further down we got the harder the wooden bridge began to sway. When we got halfway over the bridge we heard a blood curdling screach that made us all scream. The screech seemed to come from behind us so we turned around to look behind the car and saw the face of a woman standing directly behind us. Again she let out another loud scream. We had to throw our hands up over our ears because of the horrible sound. We sped to the other side of the bridge through the fog hoping to make it to the other side as quickly as possible. We finally made it out of the fog and to the other side of Bay View Bridge and we vowed never to return again!

Family Ties

Drew Mason grew up as one of eight boys on his parents sprawling dude ranch, the flathead lake lodge, in rural Montana. As a teen, the Mason boys ran wild. Drew remembers riding around as little cowboys. They saddle up and head off to cheek cattle on the three giant tracts of land the family managed, which formed a triangle around some of the state’s most remote rangelands.

One summer in the 1960s, the brothers came across a ghastly sight. There, on the ground, were three dead cows neatly arranged in a circle. No obvious wounds were visible, but their reproductive organs had been removed. The Mason boys’ first thought was an alien abduction, and it turns out that they were right. The boys went home that night and as they went to their rooms for bed, Drew saw a bright white light outside.

When he first opened his eyes, it nearly blinded him, and gas filled up his room causing him to go unconscious.

Hours later, Drew woke up to green creatures walking around the clear capsule in which they had placed him. In the corner were his parents and brothers tied up.

They were blind folded with duct tape over their mouths. One of the aliens went over to Drew’s family and began feeding them something through a tube that ran in their veins. One of the creatures saw Drew’s eyes open and came over and knocked him out.

When Drew woke up, he saw his parents, but they were green and their body parts were deformed. When they would try to talk, all they could do was scream. But it wasn’t a normal scream, it sounded like something from a video game.

The Mason family hovered around Drew and began to attack their own son, brother. The transformation had begun. Drew immediately forgot everything, even who he was. The only thing he knew to do was scream as the craving for humans began to overtake his senses. The Mason family now has a new mission.

Through the Backyard Woods

Between this day and the next I became extremely paranoid for two reasons. My cameras around the house began to glitch out. A red film came over the lenses of all three cameras, kind of like blood. When I stepped outside to check what was on them, nothing was visible. They were perfectly clean. I looked out to the forest behind my house only to hear a low whine.

My instincts said not to go in the woods so I only walked to the edge. A whisper of my name was calling me. “Maria. Maria, please help me.” I didn’t recognize the voice, but I continued into the woods. Following the trail, the forest became silent. Why would it be this quiet? I felt an eerie feeling swarm over me.

Something is watching me. My conscience told me not to turn around and to find another path back to the house. Whatever was watching me kept saying my name. The tone began to change and it only forced me to walk a little faster back home. I could hear branches snapping closer and closer to me. I burst out in a sprint once I could see my back porch lights. A hand wrapped around my throat as a distorted human voice shouted once again, “Maria, I asked you to help me!”

I couldn’t scream for anyone. This creature had already wrapped itself around me, dragging me back into the woods.

The Journey

In the deep depths of hell I have traversed. I have fallen from the staircase to Heaven. Each and every gilded step fades to black showing all my success stripped away from me filling my mind with erratic frustration. Thoughts of hatred towards this so-called god as I fall. My belief in him begins to fade and be replaced with euphoria.

To be free from God’s hand; to do as I please. I arrive at hell’s gates, a barren sight that seems unusual, given that it’s hell. I inch closer and gaze at the ground. I hear an eerie howl in the distance and everything goes to black. Pure darkness sets and devours me.

I reminisce of my mind, a dark and shallow place.

I make my way through this harrowing darkness, no sense of direction, nowhere to go. A maniacal laugh makes its way closer to me. My vision starts to grayscale. Words….

Words of the devil appear in my retinas, “ varua ino.” I feel a long fingernail as sharp as a razor, a honed knife that trickles down the side of my neck. The demonic grasp is dragging me deeper into insanity. Everything stops and all I see are crimson eyes piercing into my soul…

Thank you to All of the ghost writers and their submissions and to Ider high school 12th grade for your spooky stories!

In the Darkness

I heard a terrifying scratching noise coming from the foot of my bed. The noise pierced through my skin like a knife and fear consumed me while I fought to keep my eyes closed. I kept thinking over and over about any wondrous thing I could to distract myself. Finally, I fell into a deep depth of sleep. The dark makes my bones rattle, there is nothing safe or comforting about it. I plan to overcome my fear anyway I can, but I can’t tell anyone, they would laugh at me. The only way I know to find answers by myself is the computer, but what am I looking for?

“How to get over your fear of the dark” hopefully this search would give the answers I longed for. I searched for hours and was on the verge of giving up when a link popped up, “Draven The Child of Shadows.” Draven… What an odd name. I looked at the link for several minutes and with every passing second, my heart raced a little faster. I slammed the computer; I will try again tomorrow and just sleep with the light on. The night passed by quickly and the events of that night seemed as if they were only nightmares. That is, until I opened my computer to a black screen with white letters that read, “ Hello, sweet child. My name is Draven and you will no longer have to fear the dark.” I didn’t respond. I just stared in horror as another message popped up, “Serenity, my child, you have nothing to fear; soon you will be my new sister.”

My name was typed by some anonymous person and that scared me far more than the dark. As night fell all around, I had a weighted feeling on my chest and I tried to ignore it, but there was no use. I was paralyzed in my bed. My soul raced out of my body when I opened my eyes and came face to face with a black shadow setting on my chest. Its eyes were fixed on mine and sharp jagged teeth began to appear.

Suddenly my door swung open and it was gone and my body once again regained its life. My father had come in to check on me. Luckily he decided to leave the door open.

However, I could still see its eyes locked on me from the dark corner of the room. It wanted me. My fear fed him and he wouldn’t leave until he had consumed every last drop of it.

I battled for hours to stay awake, never taking my eyes off of him.

Unfortunately, I lost. I felt a sharp throbbing pain in my leg and my eyes shot open.

Darkness covered my world like a thick blanket as I realized there was no power, no light, and no help. I was ripped from my bed and dragged across the floor like a doll. No matter how much I screamed or fought, I knew I would not make it out. He looked back at me with his wide smile and dead eyes. The last sound I heard was the question, “Are you still afraid of the dark?” Then there was nothing.

No more sound. Only Darkness.

But I am no longer afraid.

Fever

I was feeling sick one day at school so I got my grandma to check me out. Being a senior, I was able to drive myself home; I immediately laid down to rest. My mind had just drifted off when I thought I heard someone talking in the other room. Weird, I thought to myself. My parents were at work so I should be alone. Upon hearing these voices again, I decided to investigate. “Hello,” I spoke in my bravest tone. The sound stopped. I looked around the house. No one was there.

Shrugging it off I went into the kitchen for a glass of water. Maybe I had been dreaming. Maybe I had a fever. That’s when I heard the doors. Doors throughout the house were slamming so loudly and I could hear the faint scream of a woman who sounded as if she were in grueling pain.

I dropped the glass, shattering into tiny pieces, grabbed my keys, and ran out the door. As I leaped into my car, I jammed the keys into the ignition. I could feel myself hyperventilating. Deep Breaths, I kept telling myself. As I fled out of the driveway, I looked back at my house to discover faces peering at me through each window. As I sped down the road, I fumbled for my phone. And that’s when I heard the thing that scared me the most... That faint scream of a woman, coming from my trunk.

Unorthodox

“You know,” he said with another scrape of the saw, “You really shouldn’t have fought the injection I offered you, it was only a sedative.” The girl lets out another slew of screams, each one more bloodcurdling than the last. Dried blood caked on the serrated edge serves as a ghostly reminder of its past victims. “I’ve always thought my methods to be humane, a little unorthodox, but humane nonetheless,” the masked man says with a huff as he removes the young girl’s mangled leg from the cold, metal table.

Hands

My hands reached for the paper gingerly as if it were a loaded gun. Tremors traveled through my veins like lightning in the summer sky. The ink being carved into the sheet as a teenager cutting their wrist. Nostalgia overwhelmed me as I relived the way I held her when she first made her appearance in this world.

Those same sweet hands were now covered in blood.

“I’m done with the way you treat me. I’m leaving and going to find dad.”

It took a few attempts, but I think I finally got her handwriting perfect.

The only thing left to do was dispose of my beautiful little girl’s body.

Halloween Night

It was October 31, 200. There was a full moon out. My friends and I decided to take a trip to an abandoned mental asylum. It had been at least fifty-plus years since anyone had resided there. The legend of this place was that one night on Halloween, the patients of the asylum butchered the entire staff. Then they butchered one another.

When my friends and I walked through those doors, you could feel an eerie dark presence. Yet that’s not the worst thing we saw or heard. There were burnt bibles everywhere, there were pentagrams drawn in blood on the walls. Then we heard unearthly screams. My friends decided to investigate the screams and I accompanied them because I did not want to be alone. We followed the sound up the stairs and onto the second floor of the asylum.

The stairs were made of old wood but what caught my eyes was the blood stains on each step we took. Once we ascended the stairs, we had discovered what was making the screams. It was a black shadow of a woman. She appeared quite small in height and I could feel the vibe that she gave off. It was not anger, but sadness.

Today when I reflect back on that moment, I think she was trying to warn us. She was trying to get us to leave. She knew what was happening on the west wing behind door number 666.

As we entered the room, we saw fresh blood drawn out into a pentagram, candles had just been blown out. Then it registered in our minds that someone must have recently lit those candles. We ran back down to the first floor, and what we saw, no one could be prepared for. Three dark cloaked figures. Each one had a dagger, blood dripping off of them. I escaped without a mark. However, I can’t say the same for my friends.

-Based on a True Story

Rohypnol

Lights over the street flicker as shadows bounce around my peripheral. The fall night sends chills, the kind that shakes your spine and plagues your mind, yet here I am. I turn quickly, “I guess it was my mind,” I say to myself. Without hesitation, I continue on my path. Parting is not usual for me, so that would explain why my feet were struggling to find each step and why I cannot seem to find my way home. It felt like the road stretched on for an eternity, but it was just too dark to know.

The wind blows hard onto my face, deafening me. I try to cover my ears but the wind siphons the breath from my lungs. I attempt to scream but my voice is no longer mine. I try to run but my legs cannot seem to hold my weight. My eyes quickly open to the sound of a leaf being crunched. I wipe the wetness from my face and spin around looking for the culprit. At this moment, everything stops as I feel the wet grass under my feet. I glance down and see my bare feet. With a swift motion, I snap my head up and see I am no longer on the road. Questions about where I was, and where my shoes were, are of little importance. My heart is beating too fast to hear my own thoughts, and each breath comes out harsher than the last. The world around me appears to be coming to a halt, and I know it is too late.

The numbness of my body is the first thing I notice. I try to open my eyes, but they cannot adjust to the light above me. I try to move, but sharp pain shoots up my body and paralyzes me for a few seconds. I reach to my side, and when I draw back my hand, it is covered in blood. I now realize what is happening but it is entirely too late. I try to move through the cubes and push myself out, but all my strength is left. I fail and drop back into the tub. I hear the turning of the doorknob, and everything around me starts to fade to nothingness.