A Dark History

The most revolting mixture of unimaginable muck and slime made the sewers the most avoided place on Earth. The only unfortunate people that had to work in the dark and empty tunnels are workers. No one else in their right minds would venture even one step into the gruesome murky depths. There are all manners of creatures mak make homes for themselves in this place, rats and spiders and on occasion even the odd alligator or two. Such encounters with unwelcome guests were the driving force behind the inevitable rumours that sewer workers spread. Even city dwellers that had nothing to do with the sewers knew the rumours, and one rumour more than any other received the attention of almost every New Yorker. 'The Tale' (as it was referred it in New York) revolved around a worker who managed to get lost one day and in doing so caught sight of a slimy green reptilian monster ambling around a distant corner. The worker followed this 'thing' through a number of tunnels until he reached a manhole cover. He looked around himself, then back at the manhole cover confused. Where had the monster disappeared to? Yet, he was not about to risk life and limb following it, so he made his way out via the manhole. When he clambered out of the sewer he found himself directly in front of his house in fifth avenue.

This 'Tale' was backed up by numerous members of the public who claimed, late at night, to see a green monster emerging from manhole covers. Unfortunately, these reports lacked proof - the photos that had been hastily shot were either too blurred to see or too ridiculous to be taken seriously. The credibility of the claims were next too nothing as green monsters had been seen all over the city, not to mention the variations of green monsters that had been seen. Some monsters were tall, some were short and dwarf-like. Some were possessed of evil spirits and haunted the living, others were alien monsters attempting a hostile world takeover. Some had bug eyes and some look liked insects enlarged. There was really no real connection to any of these stories, except for one main fact - the monsters were always green. One person even said she saw one skateboarding around Central Park late one night, looking like some youthful hooligan, bandanna and all. A photo had been hastily taken, but its authenticity had been eliminated by the police force. In short like aliens, the monsters became for New Yorkers an unbelievable hyped-up conversational topic that obtained as much scepticism and criticism as alien abductees. No one really believed the wild tales spun by locals, yet there was somehow a unity between the occupants of the vast city with this one story.

Barely two days after the murder and disappearance of Jennifer Davis rumours were already circulating about the manner of her death, and whether the monsters were involved. The two policemen had been on television, much to the chagrin of Chief Sterns, explaining about the body and how they thought it had disappeared. Bill, taking immediate advantage of the situation to secure his job, recounted his adventure and did not forget his Police Chief in the hope of obtaining a raise.

Chief Sterns was furiously chewing the end of his cigar. A man almost twenty-seven years old, looked fifty, and was rapidly losing his hair.

Sterns was not a pleasant man, and definitely not a manget get on the wrong side of. Few people challenged him without terrible repercussions. Sterns looked out of the window at the rain and the dull clouds which mirrored his foul mood at that moment. The two policemen on television were giving the precinct a bad reputation. Sterns chewed harder on the end of his cigar until it was totally shredded, then he spat out the remains into a small dirty ashtray on his desk. Then he concentrated on what was being said on the television.

"So the woman was shot in the head?" asked a young reporter. Sterns head dropped into his hands, concealing his face. He knew that particular reporter far too well, and with disgust he uttered her name, "April O'Neil!"

"Yes" replied Dave. "We think that the murderers work inside the confines of the city. A secretive group who are committing serious crimes all over. We must warn the public to look out for these criminals and report anything suspicious".

Sterns took a deep breath of relief. At least there were no monsters in their story. Perhaps, now
Sterns was calmer, he would not fire them after all.

"However......" Dave added "The City Monsters also have not surfaced for a while and this could be another incident involving them."

Sterns face became red, and then deathly pale. He stood up and walked out of his office, forgetting in his haste to switch off the television.

"City Monsters?" April pondered "The people in this city want fact. Not rumours. You either have the proof or you don't. Peoneedneed to know straight what's going on, and if the police force are chasing phantom rumours then who are we, the normal citizens, going to rely upon?"

"I'm sure our Department will uncover this mystery, Miss O'Neil" came a voice from the shadows. Chief Sterns emerged, bright red from the run he had only just endured and flashing warning glances upon Dave and Bill who looked bemused at him.

"How long will it take you to uncover these culprits? Will you wait until there's been another murder?" April asked, her voice as strong and determined as her spirit.

"We are doing the best we can with our current facilities, Miss O'Neil. Now if you will excuse these two men and myself, we have work to do." Chief Sterns pushed roughly passed April, leading Dave and Bill away from the television cameras. When the three men were out of hearing range Sterns turned to his two men.

"Your both fired!" Sterns softly said, then walked off, leaving Dave and Bill speechless.