Herkimer 1 (story/pic)

        The old abandoned factory on Smith street had long been a feature in the small town.  The local kids would sneak in through a broken door and spend hours playing hide and seek.

        The old factory had always been a place Steffen and his friends were excited to explore.  They knew the general layout, with the exception of the dark passageways underneath the building, as well as a few nooks and crannies.

        They had often heard the rumors that there was a dangerous old vagrant named Herkimer who lived in the factory.  Since they had spent so much time exploring the building and saw no sign of him, they quickly wrote this off as just an old wives tale that parents would tell their kids to keep them away from the old building.

        On this day, Steffen and his friends were playing hide-and-seek.  They had been at it for some time when it was Steffen's turn to be "it".

        Steffen searched the building but could find no one, so he decided to go down into the underground passageways.  Sure, they had never been down there, but that is exactly what made them the perfect place to hide.  Before long, Steffen became lost.  He heard movement ahead of him and decided to move slowly and quietly.

        Steffen made his way down the dark corridor, trying to find his friends.  He was not aware that his friends were actually sitting outside the factory, waiting for him to come out.
        
        As the young man made his way down the corridor, a bright light flashed on in front of him, blinding him in the room.  He shouted out asking who's there.  A single voice came back. "Herkimer".

        Without any warning a dark figure raced towards him and slammed a sword into the young man's abs.  A sickening feeling swept throughout his body.  Steffen looked down to see the hilt protruding from his gut.  Blood slowly trickled from the wound.  He raised his arms in disbelief.

        Steffen looked forward at the light.  His eyebrows curled, his jaw agape and his face pale from fear and shock.  He slowly sank own to his knees, the moisture on the floor dampened the sweatpants he was wearing.

        He took a few heavy whimpered breaths before collapsing in a dead heap on the cold damp floor.