The First Raincoat Killer

[The Smoking Man]

((This thread is for THE KILLER ONLY. Please do not post in here, but please feel free to watch!))

The door stands behind you, shut tight. It will not open, no matter how hard you turn the knob, no matter how hard you pull on the handle. The dying red leaves crunch underfoot, the wind wisps around you, carrying the scent of blood and smoke....

The only way is further in.

Further into the forest, where you can just barely make out a figure seated at a table.

[Todd Thorne]

Todd looked curiously at the door, tugged a few times with no success. He didn't know why but and had a horrible feeling he shouldn't be here, where ever here was...

Actually the door didn't look that sturdy. Todd was sure he could do one of those cool tv cop moves and break it down. (He always wanted to give it a go but even after all these years working at the GSD the opportunity still hasn't presented its self). He stepped back a few steps and then threw all of his weight into the door.

There was a faint crack but it wasn't from the door splintering like Todd expected. No, the door stood quite unmolested while Todd gripped his right shoulder in pain.

Oh JESUS CHRIST, MARY AND JOSEPH THAT FUCKING HURT! Seriously was that door made of metal?!

Bewildered he gave the door a knock but didn't hear the expected clang of metal, it sounded like a normal wooden door. Why couldn't he make it budge? It was like there was an otherworldly force holding it shut. WHAT.THE.HELL. "Otherworldly" force? Where did that thought come from? This had to be sort of delayed hangover dream. A real sucky one since it was not only missing the chocolate waterfall and the unicorn but his shoulder throbbed like a son of a bitch.

With no other option Todd decided to explore the path behind him. In the distance he could see someone seated at a table. Maybe that dude knew what was up with that stupid door?

As he drew nearer his face broke out into a a big smile, that was no stranger it was Michael with the phat rhymes. "Yo Mikey! I didn't think I would see you here. Hey nice shirt! I don't think I've ever seen you out of that white suit of yours... Though it looks like you had a rough night too..." His jovial greeting trailed off a bit when he spotted the lit cigarette and butts at his feet.

"When did you start smoking dude? I know Mr Cool FBI makes it look suave but you know that shit kills man!"

Todd patted his pockets and pulled out a package of gum and offered a stick to his friend, "Juicy fruit helped my dad kick the habit you want a stick?"

[The Smoking Man]

Unfortunately, Todd was mistaken as to the identity of his company...a fact made, perhaps, a bit too clear as he drew closer. It looked like Michael, perhaps...but wearing a wine red shirt, sleeves rolled up and the top few buttons undone. This change of outfit allowed scars to be seen - cracking, bleeding mottled flesh, burnt deep and aggravated in the smoke that curled from his cigarette. His face was pale and sallow, his hair and fingertips filthy with ash...and he was gaunt. Too thin.

He also didn't look as if he really wanted any Juicy Fruit.

"...My smoking is the least of your worries," he rasped, devoid of rhyme, harsh, cold. He took a drag, blowing the smoke out to curl about him. "Take a seat, Todd. It's going to start soon." He kicked the seat out from under the table in a harsh, violent motion. His smile was dark...cruel.

"...And I'm not 'Mikey.' You can call me Hyde."

[Todd Thorne]

Todd shrugged and stuck the piece of juicy fruit into his mouth and plopped down on the offered seat "Er whatever you say Mike-er I mean Hyde."

This definitely wasn't the Mikey he knew..hey maybe this was twin...evil twin? Nah, can't be that since this guy wasn't sporting a goatee.

"So what's going to start? I can't really stay long you know, I need to somehow get to work..."

[The Smoking Man]

Finishing the cigarette he had been working on, Hyde put it out against the table, tossing the butt carelessly to the ground below. Immediately, he pulled out a new one, lighting it with a match and tossing the matchstick away.

"...Somehow I don't think that's going to matter. Time doesn't matter here. Besides," he rasped, a cruel smirk crossing his cracked lips, "You can't leave."

He let the smoke curl from his lips into the cloud around them, dark eyes fixed upon Todd. Off to the side, a high, electronic keening sound signaled the activation of a television that...well, had it been there before? It flickered to life, a staticy screen showing...something familiar. The Smoking Man flicked his eyes over towards it, then back to Todd.

"And why would you want to miss the show?"

[Todd Thorne]

Todd gave Hyde a raised eyebrow and his tone grew serious, "Can't leave? Or you won't let-"

But he didn't finish that thought as he was now distracted by the glowing television. Todd didn't think he saw it when he sat down earlier. He leaned in bit to get a closer look, was that the Greenvale Sheriff Department?

On the screen a hurried Emily come into the department from a typical Greenvale downpour and stopped to chat with Vince. Vince was actually a good buddy of his and one of the few in the department who could regularly kick his ass in Counterstrike.

The volume on the tv was too low to hear what was being said but when Emily smacked his friend in the head with her purse Todd laughed out loud, "Oh this is quite a show...wait a minute-"

Todd started to to wildly look around the surrounding area and even peered under the table as if he was looking for something.

"I am I on that This is Your Life Program? My mom loved that show and watched it religiously every week. But say I thought that was cancelled long ago. Oh man! Did Steven sign me up as a joke? It had to be Steven," Todd laughed again, "Good one man! Though I have to say I don't remember the set being this rustic though and hey where's the studio audience. Are the hiding?"

He grinned and waved enthusiastically all around him, "Hi Mom!" and looked back a the television confused," But say aren't we getting a little ahead of the game though? I thought all my childhood teachers had to appear and talk about what an awesome kid I was before we saw scenes and talk to friends from the present?"

[The Smoking Man]

Dear GOD. NO ONE is this stupid.

The Smoking Man scrubbed his hand back through his filthy hair in a show of frustration at Todd's comments and ignorance, dark eyes flashing dangerously. "You are missing the point," he finally growled, taking another drag on his cigarette and tapping out the ashes. "Although you are PARTLY right."

He wasn't watching the screen. No, his eyes remained fixed upon Todd expectantly. Just waiting for him to clue in. Waiting.

"This IS your life, Todd Thorne. Too bad you're running it so very poorly."

[Todd Thorne]

Todd tilted he head to the side nodded in mock seriousness. "Hmm you may be right-hahaHa! Okay sorry man I can't keep this up!" He chuckled a little more, "Oh come on now...really what is this?" He was either still dreaming or this was the most elaborate prank he's ever seen.

He yelled, "Hey STEVE BRO! You know April Fools is still a few months away." He rocked his chair back and forth with another fit of laughter without noticing Hyde's increasing irritation.

Once Todd got his laughter under control he leaned forward and calmly said, "You know Mikey oh I'm sorry I forgot you are playing "Hyde" right now," he said this last bit with air quotes for emphasis. "You are looking pretty suave wearing an actual color my man. Seriously, no joke! Your all white look was frankly getting a bit old. I know you were really bummed about your failed drunken pass with Ash the other night but I think if you showed up more like this she may be a little more receptive."

Todd paused and eyed Hyde's hair, "Well I would suggest bathing though, the greasy hair doesn't scream sexy to the ladies unless you're that sparkly vampire dude. The man looks like a homeless bum outside of the movies and the women still fall all over him. It's crazy, I know!"

"I'm not sure how Ashlin feels about cigarettes, I could ask Emily to find out though... but I know some guys can really work that "look" like that Special Agent!

Todd was so focused on helping his friend Mikey he completely missed his appearance on the cordless television.

[The Smoking Man]

...He really IS this stupid. And he's...he's laughing at me.

It was becoming rather clear that this guy wasn't going to clue in to the gravity of this situation anytime soon. Standing suddenly, he slammed one hand down upon the table, reaching across to grab Todd by the collar and pull him close. The cigarette tumbled from between his lips as he bared yellowed teeth in a furious snarl, landing beside his hand on the table.

"You think this is a joke?" The smoke on his breath was stifling. His eyes burned. "I am NOT PLAYING WITH YOU. I am NOT MICHAEL. And if you DO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE WORLD AROUND YOU, YOUR IGNORANCE IS GOING TO GET YOU KILLED."

Reaching down with the hand that wasn't holding Todd's collar, he took up his smouldering cigarette, putting it out against the man's collarbone. "So SHUT UP!"

[Todd Thorne]

Todd eyes widen when I'mNotFuckingMichael! yanked him halfway across the table.

Okay, this dude isn't Mikey...obviously

Unfortunately if the guy was trying to intimidate Todd with all the yelling he wasn't going to get anywhere fast. Compared to a full on George tirade Hyde's was a walk in the park...But it was obvious the other man was upset about something Todd wasn't seeing so he was prepared to apologize and back off. Well that was until the little punk used him as an ashtray.

The moment the cigarette seared his flesh Todd's training kicked in a his body reacted on autopilot. Once he was released Todd grabbed a fistful of Hyde's greasy hair and slammed him face first down into the table between them. This same table was then knocked to the side and Hyde was forcefully pushed up against a nearby tree and held in a choke hold.

Through a steel gaze and gritted teeth Todd said, "Now listen here, Hyde I don't know what the fuck your problem is but if you EVER threaten me again I will not hesitate to snap your scrawny little neck." He then added pressure to Hyde's windpipe as added incentive.

During the previous scuffle the flickering cordless television continued to show the employees of the Greenvale Sheriff Department. Todd had paid it no mind until a familiar but slightly tinny voice blared suddenly out of the set.

"What the fuck did I do to get your panties in a twist today Todd? JESUS I just got here!"

Todd immediately let Hyde go and directed his full attention to the small set where Emily was currently glaring at...him?

That couldn't be possible, he wasn't there!

Was this a recording? Todd took a step closer and peered at the screen. The images were grainy but he could clearly see he was sporting a black eye and Emily was clearly still bruised from their spar. This didn't make any sense how could he possibly be with Emily at the station if he was here with Hyde?

"Why don't you just turn around, go back to your desk and we can pretend the other isn't in the same room." the Emily on the television continued.

The other Todd seemed to lose his temper as Emily bent down towards her computer. He slammed a hand into a nearby desk which scattered various supplies and also caused Emily to take a step back.

This was bad, he had to get out of here. That wasn't him...

You know John loved that thing...a-and you better clean it up before George comes in cause I'm nn-not."

The other Todd smirked and stepped closer to the blonde deputy. Todd did not like the way his doppelganger was looking at her. He had to get out of here, NOW.

He whirled around to face Hyde, "What kind of game are you playing here? Who is that imposter?

[The Smoking Man]

Todd might not have landed the strikes, if the Smoking Man had expected anything of the sort from this idiot. But the sudden rush of movement caught him off-guard - his head connected hard with the table, his body whipping around as Todd slammed him up against a tree. His gaze was steely as the hand closed around him, smoke billowing out of his mouth - his skin was blazing hot to the touch, and when Todd's hand came away, within a minute or two he would begin to feel a deep burn in his palms.

There was a moment of reprieve as Todd began to watch the screen...he drew a few breaths, lighting up a new cigarette and taking a long drag on it. He waited until the other man addressed him, dark eyes smouldering with irritation. "...Hah. This is no game. And I've got half a mind to show you how little I'm playing."

He gestured down to the ground below Todd's feet...and red vines sprouted from amongst the leaves, twisting upward and around his ankles. Shackling him, effectively, to an area of about two square feet. Hyde smirked at this, standing just out of reach and twirling his cig around his fingers with a flourish.

"But we have more important things to pay attention to. Like what you are doing out there."

[Todd Thorne]

Todd looked down at the red vines that wrapped around his ankles and then glared at Hyde. The vines didn't look that strong but no matter how hard he pulled he couldn't free himself from the coils.

What did Hyde mean about "what he's doing out there," was he referring to the imposter on the television screen?

"You're not only an embarrassment to the entire Greenvale Sheriff Department but the big man himself and finally showed what you really are, a common whore!"

Todd couldn't believe his ears what was that guy saying to Emily? With renewed effort he tried to free himself as his worst nightmare continued before him.

The camera zoomed in onto Emily's face and despite the tears in her eyes she looked ready to kill him and Todd didn't blame her. As if she could hear him Todd screamed at the set, "Don't listen to him Emily! That's not me,that's not ME! You aren't a whore and I swear when I get out of here I'll make the bastard pay!" He clenched his hands and but they felt like they were on fire! He looked down and his palms were red and there were burn blisters. How in the world...

Todd looked at Hyde in bewilderment. Did this happen just by touching him? It didn't make any sense...well frankly nothing about his current situation made any sense.

On the screen the imposter continued to berate Emily, "Honestly I still don't understand why you were chosen over someone like me. Clearly George wasn't think-"

Todd felt sick, he may of had those feelings a long time ago when he was angry about being passed over but he sure didn't feel that way now... he moaned."Nooooo... what are you saying?"

The imposter grabbed Emily by the arm, she tried to break free but it was clear she was no match for his strength. Todd felt her pain he was still breathing heavy from his renewed attempt to free himself from the vines. He felt helpless and could only watch the scene unfold with increasing horror. Todd didn't think it could get any worse the imposter leaned in close and said in a harsh whisper, "You're fucking him. Probably been doing so since you've started here. Makes sense, why would a man of George's talents promote a useless cunt like you unless he was getting something in return. Not that I blame him. That has to be it since over the past couple days you've proven just how incompetent you are."

Todd felt like someone just kick him in the gut, he couldn't believe what he was hearing. The imposter just accused Emily of sleeping with George of all people. Enraged he began to yank at his shackles. His fresh blisters burst and his hands became raw and slick with blood from urgency of his pulling. Todd didn't care he was going to get out of here and when he did, laws be damned, he was going kill that son of a bitch. No one speaks about Emily that way and gets away with it!

[The Smoking Man]

The irritation Hyde had been displaying gave way to amusement as he watched Todd struggle...chuckling in a cold fashion when the other man realized he had been burned touching him. When there was blood, when he struggled, his laughter ramped up. "Don't bother," he offered quietly, his tone barbed and inflammatory. "You're going to be here for a while. Wouldn't do for you to wind up doing something to me you would...regret."

More vines arced up from the ground - if Todd kept struggling with the ones around his ankles, he would be bound to hands and knees among the bloody leaves. They seemed to be doing whatever he wanted them to...he was in control here, and he knew it. Oh-so-daintily, the Smoking Man walked closer, tapping his cigarette ashes out onto the ground.

"...That's you, Todd. Those are your thoughts. Your words."

[Todd Thorne]

Todd warily looked at the new vines that appeared and stopped struggling to stare at Hyde. What ever was going on had something to do with him and if Todd wanted to get out of here he had a feeling he will have to start playing along with Hyde's sick game.

He watched his double jerk Emily around some more and make another accusation that she was sleeping with agent York to get a place at the FBI.

It was so absurd and the more he listen to the guy the more he was inclined to commit homicide once he got out of here.

He snorted at Hyde's explanation, "Me? My thoughts and my words? I don't think so Hyde. I would never think or even suggest that crap about Emily. She's a purehearted as they come and would never stoop to such tactics to get ahead in the workplace."

He narrowed his eyes in recollection of some of the talk around the station when Emily was promoted to Deputy Sheriff. Several older male colleagues made the mistake of joking that Emily's late nights at the office were sexual in nature while he was in earshot. Todd lost it and had put both men in the hospital and earned himself a 2 week suspension without pay. Needless to say such talk about Emily ceased. Come to think of it Emily never did find out the real reason why he was suspended, she assumed it was for taking George's car for a joy ride (which he had..) and he aimed to keep it that way.

"If you want to torture me that's fine, but leave Emily out of this. Call back your goon already."

[The Smoking Man]

A cruel chuckle tumbled from the man's lips as he watched Todd struggle...watched him rail against the idea that that creature out there could be him in any way. Rail against the truth.

Calmly, he took a long drag from his cigarette, blowing the smoke out into Todd's face. "Todd, you can deny things as long as you want. It's only going to prolong your...stay. And believe me, I don't think either of us really want that." Briefly, a look of disgust crossed his gaunt face, eyes narrowing...before he stepped quietly over towards the television, tapping on the top of it with his free hand.

"MY goon? Hardly. He's all yours. Otherwise, you just...wouldn't be here."

A cruel grin twisted his face, a crocodile's smile dripping with venom.