This is a fan-fiction story is based on the Nightmare on Elm street movies and fan based stories on You Tube such as Freddy's Origins The Beginning and The Confession of Fred Kruger as well as a story of my own. I own Catrina, her mother & step father's, Brandy and a few other characters. I haven't t seen the movies in a very long time so bear with me if I make a few mistakes.

Freddy Kruger's story was sad and tragic right from the start. He was born as a result of his mother being raped by 100 criminally insane men. Unwanted and unloved Freddy was immediately put up for adoption.

Eventually he was taken in by Edward Underwood. Edward didn't take Freddy in because he loved him or even because he cared for him. He took him in and "adopted" him for the money. Edward was both physically and verbally abusive to Freddy. Giving Freddy his "medicine" and saying thinks like "you've been a waste since the day I took you in." He would give Freddy his "medicine" every time he was drunk which was pretty much every day not to mention several times a day. His medicine? Being hit with a belt numerous times all over his body. No one seemed to notice the abuse or if they did they chose to ignore it. After all, as far as they were concerned Mr. Underwood was providing Freddy with food, clothes and a roof over his head. He should been grateful.

Things weren't any better at school. His classmates were cruel to Freddy continually mocking him about his birth. "Son if a hundred maniacs " they'd chant over and over again. While his teachers did nothing in fact, some of his teachers would join in the chant instead of forcing the other kids to stop bullying him.

When Freddy was 18 Mr. Underwood was found dead and Freddy admitted to killing him. However, he wasn't arrested because he claimed that it had been in self defense. Knowing that Mr. Underwood had indeed physically abused Freddy for years and knowing of his temperament no charges were filed against Freddy.

When Freddy was in high school he met a beautiful young woman named Loretta. Despite her parent's disapproval of Freddy she chose to marry him when he proposed. It seemed to everyone like they had the perfect marriage. Sometimes when she'd get together with friends they'd remark that she was lucky to have a man like Freddy. He never laid a hand on her and he hardly ever drank. Unlike their husbands whom they would continually have to cover for when it came to abuse. They had a black eye the excuse "I'm so clumsy I walked into a door." If they had a broken arm it was "I fell down the stairs." Everyone knew it wasn't the truth but they didn't want to admit it or get involved. So they all pretended they had the perfect families.

The day Loretta gave birth to a daughter was the happiest day of Freddy's life. They named her Katherine and he'd call her Katie for short. To everyone in the community Freddy seemed to be normal hardworking man despite the fact that he was the son of 100 manics. However, Freddy had a dark side. One that he kept hidden from everyone. The loving husband was just a facade. However, the loving father was not. He loved his daughter deeply and he would do anything for her.

He and Katherine had a strong relationship and he would spend all bis free time when he wasn't at his job or out doing his "special work" with her. It made Loretta extremely jealous. In fact, he had caught Loretta yelling at Katherine for seemingly no reason at all. "Katherine get your behind inside this house this instant!"

"But Mommy, I'm playing with daddy. Can't I stay outside for a few more minutes?" Katherine asked sweetly.

Loretta's gaze grew dark and she growled "I said get in here now!" Katherine looked towards her mother with fear in her eyes. What had she done to make her mother mad at her this time? She looked at her mother pleadingly but Loretta's gaze remained cold.

Sadly she turned to Freddy trembling "I'm sorry daddy, I can't play anymore mommy says I have to go inside now."

Freddy glared over at Loretta she knew he didn't like it when she interrupted his time with Katherine. "It's ok honey. We can play some more after dinner." Freddy said with a smile. Freddy's gaze grew dark as he watched Loretta grab Katherine roughly by the arm.

"I'm sorry mommy." He heard Katherine whimper. He clenched his fist in anger. The look on Katherine's face as when she saw Loretta was one of sheer terror and he didn't like one bit? only the other brats on Elm street should have that look on their faces.

Freddy needed to clear his mind before he did something that he was going to regret. "I'll be in my workroom if you need me." Loretta just nodded and grabbed Katherine roughly by the arm dragged her inside the house.

Loretta didn't know it but from inside his workroom he could hear everything that was going on in the house. "I thought I told you to clean your room! You just don't listen do you? You think because your Freddy's favorite that you can get away with disobeying me?" He heard Loretta growl at Katherine.

"I'm sorry mommy I didn't mean too." Katherine replied tearfully.

"I don't want to hear it. I warned you what would happen if you left your room a mess again didn't I?" Katherine whimpered in reply. Then Freddy herd something that enraged him. The sound of leather colliding with flesh.

"I'm sorry mommy." He heard his little angel whimper.

"You will be." Loretta replied bringing the belt down upon Katherine's back and behind. Upon hearing his little girl's outcry of pain Freddy growled. Enough was enough. Freddy would put up with a lot of things. Loretta's constant whining about him getting a better job or about how her friends had better things then her. He would even put up with her calling Katherine a little brat, but to hit his little angel with a belt, that was crossing the line.

"What the he🏒🏒 is going on?" He demanded. He glared at Loretta who held the belt in mid air and then over at Katherine who sat there trembling and in tears. Upon seeing Freddy Loretta's face went white as a sheet and she dropped the belt to the floor.

"I didn't put my dollies away like mommy told me too. I deserved to be punished. I'm a very bad little girl." Katherine whimpered looking away from Freddy ashamed.

"Sweetheart, that's not true. Isn't that right Loretta?" Freddy replied with a growl. "Come to daddy." Freddy said opening his arms wide. Katherine looked up at Loretta momentarily but was met with a cold stare. Tears welled up in her eyes and she rushed into Freddy's open arms and buried her head in his chest and then looked up at him tearfully.

"Mommy hates me" she whimpered.

"Oh don't be ridiculous! Just because I punished you, doesn't mean that I hate you." Loretta replied with a frown. "You deserved to be punished for continually disobeying me."

At this Katherine whimpered her lower lip trembling. "I'm really sorry, I promise I'll keep my room clean from now on."

"Shhh. It's ok sweetheart . It's ok." Freddy replied stroking the back of her head and glaring angrily at Loretta.

"I am sick and tired of having to repeat myself over and over again. I warned her that if I came back up stairs and her room wasn't clean that I would punish her. I won't have her challenging my authority Fredric. She needs to learn to treat me with as much respect as she does you. Maybe this will teach her to do as she's told." Then turning to her daughter she frowned.
"Katherine go set the table dinner will be ready in a few minutes."

"Yes mommy." Katherine replied rushing into
the kitchen. While clearing off the table after dinner Katherine accidentally dropped one of the glasses on the floor causing Loretta to spin around angrily.

"You clumsy little brat! You did that on purpose!" Loretta yelled slapping Katherine across the face.

"I'm sorry mommy." His little angel whimpered and Freddy let out a low growl.

Before Loretta could reply Freddy turned to his daughter and smiled. "Katherine honey why don't you go outside in the backyard and play. Daddy will finish cleaning up the table and then I'll come join you." Loretta was about to say something but Freddy shot her an angry glare.

Loretta had gone too far this time and she was going to pay for it. "We will discuss your unacceptable attitude and behavior later Loretta." He growled before heading outside. Loretta had to go and he knew just how to do it. He knew she was curious about his workroom and the secrets that he kept there. So perhaps it was time to allow her the opportunity to stick her nose where it didn't belong. He'd leave his workroom door open for her to find. Then he'd give her the medicine she so rightly deserved.

Later in the evening, Freddy was once more playing outside with Katherine in the backyard when a scream came from the basement of the house. Freddy glanced in the direction of The house and smiled inwardly. He knew Loretta couldn't resist going where she didn't belong. Loretta came out the basement doors whimpering. Her face filled with fear. "I won't tell." She said tearfully.

Freddy frowned his gaze growing dark as he left Katherine's side and made his was towards his wife. "Please Freddy, I won't tell." Loretta replied once more beginning to tremble.

"We need to talk Loretta." Freddy replied with a snarl. Then glancing back in Katherine's direction he said sweetly "go inside honey." Katherine happily obeyed. Once Katherine was out of sight Freddy grabbed Loretta roughly. "I told you and told you!" He growled shaking her roughly. He knew he had to shut her up for good or she'd be a liability and ruin everything he'd worked so hard to accomplish. He knew she'd never keep her mouth shut. Then his reign of terror would come to an end and he wasn't about to allow that to happen.

Loretta whimpered in reply. "Please Freddy I didn't mean too. I promise I won't tell."

"I know you couldn't resist sneezing a peak into my workroom. That will be the last mistake you'll ever make." Freddy replied with a smile.

"Please Freddy, I promise, I won't tell. Please forgive me. I'm sorry." Loretta begged.

"Your sorry? Well, sorry isn't good enough you've been a very bad girl Loretta. Bad girls deserve their medicine. Isn't that what you told my precious little angel when you beat her with my belt tonight?" Freddy didn't give Loretta a chance to reply.

He simply lifted her up and slammed her head up against the tree. The first impact was enough to kill her but the more he thought about how she had hurt his little angel the angrier he became.

Meanwhile, in the house Katherine was starting to make her way upstairs but paused. Her daddy's workroom was open. Being curious just like her mother she looked around. Strange gloves with blood dripping off them lay  on the shelves. Newspaper clippings of articles about the Springwood Slasher hang on the walls along with pictures of some of the victims.

There were jars with strange things in them on the table. Katherine didn't like this room so she headed outside to find her mommy and daddy. To her horror she saw Freddy killing her mother. "Mommy???" She cries confused both sad and scared all at the same time.

Freddy turned and faced her and dropped Loretta's body to the ground. His anger and his blood lust finally satisfied. "Don't worry baby. Mommy just had to take her medicine for snooping in daddy's special work. But you won't tell will you?" He asked in a voice she barely recognized.

She shook her head "I won't tell." Freddy chuckled happily. Once Katherine was asleep Freddy took Loretta's body and threw it into their furnace.

Freddy told everyone that he and Loretta  of
had a fight and that she packed up her stuff and left in the middle of the night. Leaving Freddy to raise Katherine on his own.

"Have you heard from Loretta since the fight? One his nosey neighbors had asked Freddy for what seemed like the millionth time. Freddy knew that his nosy neighbors wouldn't give up until they knew if she was coming back. 🤬 rotten nosy neighbors. Why couldn't they leave well enough alone? Something had to be done he was tired of continually repeating that no he hasn't heard from her.

No, he didn't know when or if she was going to return, and no, he didn't know where she had gone. Truth be told, he didn't mind them asking questions. No, what enraged him was that they wouldn't just ask him these questions, they'd ask his precious Katherine as well. He didn't want her remembering what he had done, or why he had killed Loretta.

He also and didn't want her telling other people or it could spoil everything. So he formulated a plan to rid himself of these pesky questions once and for all. He knew if he told one couple then it would spread all over town by the end of the day everyone would know the lie he wanted them to believe.

"Yeah I've heard from Loretta and I'm sad to say that she's never coming back." Freddy replied.

"How can you be certain? I'm sure everything will blown over eventually. She can't stay mad forever right?" His neighbor asked.

"Evidently she can." Freddy replied handing him the divorce paperwork that he had forged.

"She filed for a divorce? Oh Freddy I am so sorry to hear that. What about Katherine doesn't Loretta want to be a part of her life?"

"No." Freddy replied with a frown while inwardly smiling evilly.

"Why not? She loves Katherine right?"

Freddy shook his head. "No. In fact, it seems that she never loved her at all."

"How is that possible? A mother not loving their own child?" His neighbor asked in shock.

"My mother never loved me so it doesn't surprise me that Loretta never loved Katherine either. Loretta has always been jealous of Katherine and my special relationship. I hate to say this but I caught her verbally abusing Katherine on more then one occasion. In fact, that's what our fight had been about."

"Loretta? Abusive?" The neighbor replied in shock.

"Yes. Loretta was always calling Katherine names and punishing her for no reason. I am afraid that she may have even physically abused her. Katherine would always have strange bruises after spending the day with Loretta. Loretta would shrug and claim that it
was perfectly natural for a child Katherine's age to have a few cuts and scrapes from falling down or maybe even from being picked on by other kids. When I asked Katherine how she got the bruises she's look over at Loretta nervously and Loretta would glare at her as if daring her to say something. Katherine would mutter that she didn't remember or that she had fallen.  Loretta knew how I felt about any form of physical punishment. Especially since my adopted father physically abused me by punishing by hitting me with a belt continually until I'd blackout from the pain. It wasn't something I was about to let any of my children ever experience. It upset me when Loretta would spank Katherine but she'd spout that spare the rod spoil the child religious crap. So I reluctantly allowed her to spank her occasionally.

One night after dinner Katherine accidentally dropped a glass on the floor and Loretta slapped Katherine across the face and called her a brat. I could sense that Katherine was terrified of her. It was when I caught Loretta hitting Katherine with a belt that she had crossed the line. She just rolled her eyes at me and replied "whatever. I lost my temper and for the first time in my life I slapped her."

"How could she do something like that to her own child?" The neighbor asked horrified and Freddy smiled inwardly.

"How indeed? Evidently, Loretta hated Katherine, but don't  take my word for it. She wrote her feelings concerning Katherine down in detail in this letter." Freddy replied with a sigh handing the neighbor the fake letter.

"Freddy marrying you was a mistake. I should have listened to my parents when they said you'd never amount to anything. I wish we'd never had that one night fling which resulted in Katherine's conception. We would have never even gotten married if it hadn't been for her and you know it. Anyway, I am tired of coming in second to that little brat!"

"You spend all of your spare time with her and I'm sick of it! I'm your wife! I should be the one you dote upon! I have needs but ever since Katherine was born you no longer provide me the proper husbandly duty. So I have left in search of a real man. As for our daughter, she has always been a little daddy's girl, so you can have her. I want nothing to do with either of you."

"Truth be told; I never really loved the little brat anyway. Whenever we'd manage to scape up a little extra money you'd waste it on crap for her and she was always stealing your attention. I am not sorry that you caught me punishing the little home wrecker! She deserved getting hit with that belt. If I had my way she'd have gotten punished with it far more often."

The neighbor sighed and shook his head. "I can't believe it. I've known Loretta for years and she never was the violent type. You seemed like such a happy family. I really thought that Loretta loved Katherine but she makes her feelings very clear in this letter. It's sad. For someone to change like that much. It's inconceivable." The neighbor replied with a sigh and Freddy shrugged his shoulders.

"Now do you see why I don't want to talk about Loretta? If Katherine were ever to find out about how Loretta really felt about her it would break her little heart. It could scar her for life."

The neighbor nodded in understanding. "what are you going to do? If Katherine asks about Loretta what are you going to tell her?"

"I don't know. So far she hasn't been concerned about her mother being gone. That might be a blessing in disguise. As for me, I'm going to do the only thing I can do, I'm going to raise Katherine the best I can and if the right woman comes along someday, then hopefully she will be able to one day know what a loving mother really is."'Freddy replied.

His plan worked perfectly. When he was at work or out shopping with Kathrine he'd hear people whispering as he passed by. "Did you hear? Loretta just up and left him?"

"I heard that she filed for divorce." Whispered another.

"Well I heard that Loretta was jealous of the special bond that Freddy and Katherine had."

"You didn't hear it from me, but I heard that Loretta verbally abused poor little Katherine." Another person whispered.

"Do you think Loretta was physically abusing Katherine?" Freddy chuckled quietly and smiled.

"Katherine always did seem to have unexplainable bruises on her body. When questioned about how she obtained them Loretta would shrug. Truth be told, I have seen Loretta grab Katherine a little harder then necessary and drag her to the car. She always seemed to be angry with Katherine for some reason or another."

Freddy's eyes sparkled in delight. Not only had he managed to get them to stop asking questions about Loretta but he had managed to turn even her closest friends against her. All due to rumors.

"I just had a terrible thought."

"What's that?"

"Could Loretta have been the Springwood Slasher?"

"Why would you think that?"

"Well, its just that their hasn't been any murders since she disappeared."

Freddy frowned come to think of it, he hadn't had time to do any of his "special work" since he had murdered Loretta. Perhaps, that was for the best. The last thing he'd want is for them to take Katherine away from him. Which is exactly what would happen if he was arrested.

"I don't know this Loretta, but if she ever shows her face around here I'll show that rich snob a thing or too! How did she get away with abusing her own daughter?" A young woman asked with a frown.

"She was very good at putting up a facade. The answers she gave to our concerns seemed to be valid and we'd think nothing of it. Poor Katherine was too scared to tell anyone the truth not even her own father." One of the townspeople replied.

"From what you've told me Freddy is a saint. This Loretta didn't deserve to have such a loving and forgiving husband. I'd give anything to have a husband like that." At this Freddy chuckled in delight. Perhaps it was time to get to know this new young lady.

(Time jump to Freddy and Crystal marriage ceremony.

"If anyone has objections to this union let them speak now or forever hold their piece."

"I do." Katherine states standing up. Everyone in the audience gasped and some of them tried to scold her but one look from Freddy and the audience fell silent.

Freddy walked over to Katherine and kneeled down to her level. "Sweetheart why don't you want me to marry Crystal?"

"Because you and Her are going to have a new baby. You don't need me anymore." Katherine replies tearfully.

"Oh sweetie, that's not true. Your daddy loves you and so do I. Nothing is ever going to change that." Crystal states rushing over to Katherine and wiping away her tears.

"I'm sorry I ruined your wedding." Katherine states looking down at the ground in shame.

"Oh Sweetie you didn't ruin it. If anything you've brought us closer as a family." Crystal replies giving her a hug.

After the wedding ceremony

"You can go into any room in the house save this one. This room is where I do my special work. Do no be like the wife in story of Bluebeard or you may find yourself suffering the same fate." Freddy replied with a dark and somewhat sinister chuckle.

"Bluebeard? I don't think I've ever heard that story before." Crystal replied puzzled she could have sworn that she knew every fairy tale by heart.

Going to their library Freddy pulled out a copy of fairytales and handed it to her. "You can find the story on page 666. May you find this story enlightening and take heed of the lesson it teaches." Freddy replied handing her the book.

"Bluebeard was a very wealthy and well respected man. His only misfortune being that his beard was a deep shade of blue. One day he came across a poor farmer and his family and decided that he desired to marry one of his daughters. However, they were both disgusted at the idea and refused his advances. However, Bluebeard was very persistent and invited the two girls to his county house.

Originally the youngest daughter was distraught at the idea of marring a man with such an unusual color beard. That and he had been married several times before his wives seemingly disappearing without a trace."

"However, over time the young daughter came to see how kind and gentle he was and she decided that his beard wasn't quite so bad. Her sister mocked her decision but ultimately the youngest daughter Josephine decided to agree to marrying him."

"My dear, I am afraid that I must go away on business. While I am gone feel free to explore the house. You may use all the keys save this one key. The room to which it opens is forbidden. If you enter it you will suffer my wrath.  Remember, you may enter all the rooms save this one. I wonder what's so special about that one room." Crystal had replied.

Freddy chuckled and "you'll see."

"The Bride hosted a party bla bla bla... Her curiosity got the better of her and she unlocked the forbidden room. Hanging on hooks on the walls were the bodies Bluebeard's previous wives. Oh no what has she done?" My mother replied shaking her head. "How could she be so stupid?"

"She let her curiosity get the best of her." Freddy replied with a shrug.

"Curiosity killed the cat." My mother replied and Freddy smiled. "Where was I? Ah yes, she had broken her promise. But Bluebeard won't know that she's broken her word. There is no proof of her betrayal."

Freddy chuckled his laugh deep and sinister " oh he'll know, trust me, he'll know."

"How?" My mother asked confused.

"Keep reading." Freddy replied the amused  smile never leaving his face.

My mom continued reading not liking how this story was progressing. "Looking down at the keys in her hand a stain appeared on the small key. No matter how hard she tried the stain would not disappear, for the key was enchanted." Mom's eyes went wide in surprise and fear.

Freddy chuckled once more. "Now comes my favorite part of the story. Please, keep reading my love." Freddy replied his eyes sparkling in delight.

"Unknown to his wife Bluebeard has returned  early from his trip. The beautiful white roses outside the house began to turn red, as they too were enchanted. "Where are my keys Josephine?" Bluebeard asked upon entering the house.

"Right here." His wife replied with a slight bow.

"Very good, you may keep them. All of my treasures are yours if you have kept your promise. I must inspect the small key where is it?." My mother's eyes went wide with shock and concern. "Oh no the stain. " Freddy nods the eerie smile never leaving his face.

"Keep reading."

"Here it is." His wife said holding the small golden key in front of her.

"Place it on my handkerchief." His wife hesitated. "Now!" Bluebeard demanded. A crash of lighting startled her and she dropped the key onto the white handkerchief. Instantly, blood appeared  staining the once pure white handkerchief red. Calmly Bluebeard asks "wife how came the stain upon the key?"

"Surly I do not know his wife reply's."

At this my mother shook her head. "Liar liar. He's going to kill her isn't he?"

"Keep reading and you'll find out." Freddy replied.

"You've broken your word, now you will join the women you found there." Bluebeard replied unsheathing his sword. Bluebeard's wife pleads for mercy and forgiveness but Bluebeard will not relent. "You will die for breaking your word." My mom looked at Freddy wide eyed and fear shown in her eyes.

"The moral of the story is a simple one. Snooping in things that don't concern you can be deadly. I hope you keep this moral in mind my love, I'd hate for you to suffer the same fate as Josephine did." Freddy replied with a sinister chuckle and my mom nodded.

"Then one day my mom had stop by the forbidden work room to drop off some lunch for him. She had knocked on the door to see if he was there and it had creaked open slightly.

Her curiosity got the better of her and she peered into the room. Technically she wasn't breaking his rule. She hadn't gone onto to his special work room the door just happened
to be ajar and she could see into the room.
She spotted a pair of gloves lined with razors in the finger tips. They were unlike any gloves she had ever seen before and She didn't want to know what they were for.

She could tell that their was a dark liquid substance dripping off some of the gloves. She stared at them wide eyed. Was that blood dripping off of them? No it couldn't be she was just imaging things right? Yet in the pit her stomach she had a strange feeling that these gloves weren't for gardening.

"What are you doing?" Came a voice from behind her startling her. She sighed in relief when she turned to see Katherine staring at her curiously. "Your not supposed to go in there. Daddy is going to be very angry if he finds out." Katherine said point to her daddy's special work room.

"I didn't go into the room sweetheart. The door was ajar so I peeked inside to see if your daddy
was in there. So technically I didn't break his rules or my promise."

"I'm not sure daddy is going to agree with you." Katherine replied. "Can I see what's in there?" Katherine asked straining to look into the room.

Crystal quickly closed the door she didn't want Katherine to see the gloves that were in that room. "I don't think that's a good idea sweetheart. Theres nothing of interest in that room it's just a bunch of old gloves. Perhaps it's best if we didn't mention this your father ok? He might misunderstand."

A vision of her biological mother Loretta flashed thorough her head. Her and daddy were playing chase in the back yard when they heard a loud scream come from the basement. flashed in her head. "I won't tell. Freddy please I won't tell." She heard her mother say then she saw the look of pure rage on her daddy's face. Katherine shook her head trying to erase the memory or whatever it was and nodded. "Ok Mommy."

My mother frowned as she prepared dinner. Katherine was in her room playing with her dolls. She tried to remember what Freddy had told her about that room except that it was off limits. "Think Crystal think what was it he had said?

"What have I done?" My mom moaned. She's disobeyed him. She had stuck her nose where it didn't belong. She should have just closed the door and not peeked inside. Maybe he wouldn't know. Maybe he wouldn't find out or maybe he'd forgive her. If she swore that she hasn't seen anything would he forgive her for not immediately closing his workroom
door when she had found it ajar?

Deep down she knew the answer, He wouldn't be forgiving for he was like Bluebeard in many aspects. Neither one of then would forgive their wives for their betrayal, it just wasn't in their nature. Suddenly, a wave of nausea washed over her and she rushed to the bathroom.

What was wrong with her? Did she catch the flu or could she be?? "Oh no." She moaned. "Please no." Could she be pregnant? "Katherine honey I'm going to need you to go stay with Charity for a few hours till your daddy comes home. There is somewhere important that I have to go ok?"

Katherine nodded and headed across the street to her friend's Nancy's house. "Can I stay and play here with Charity until my daddy comes home? Mommy had to go somewhere important last minute.'

"Of course, Katherine come on in." Charity's
mom replied. "Did your mommy say where she was going?"

"No. I think she might have gone to visit  a Doctor. Mommy hasn't been feeling very well for a few days. She keeps getting sick every few hours. She's been eating strange food and she goes from being very happy to very sad within minutes." Katherine  replied. Charity's mom and dad exchanged knowing glances. Crystal was pregnant. "I hope mommy will be ok."

"I am sure your mommy will be fine. Katherine, have you ever thought about what it would be like to have a sibling? A brother or
a sister?" Charity's mom asked.

"I don't want a brother or sister. I like things the way they are now. Just mommy daddy and me." Katherine replied and she noticed Charity mom exchange a worried glance over at her husband. "Why?"

Meanwhile, back at home Crystal quickly packed her bags. Should she take Katherine with her? If Freddy was as dangerous as she thought he was, would Katherine's life be in danger? No. Katherine was his pride and joy. He'd go to he🏒🏒 and back for her.

He wouldn't rest until she was returned to him. Was she overreacting? After all she hasn't actually seen anything. Another wave of nausea washed over her and she rushed to the bathroom once more. She needed
advice. What should she do? And why was continually getting sick? Was it nerves? Or was it something else?"

Going to see her mother for a checkup was a viable reason for leaving. She was sure he'd understand. "My beloved Freddy, I have been feeling sick for the past few days and I'm concerned as to the reason so I'm going to visit my mother and hopefully she can give me
some insight as to what's going on.

Since I'm not sure if it's contagious I left Katherine over at the Robbinso's house so she could play with Charity till you get home. Dinner is in the fridge. Since mom doesn't know about the age difference between us or that you've been married before and have a daughter from a previous marriage, it might be best if you didn't come and visit. She's a religious nut and would see our marriage as adultery."

"Honey I'm home. Crystal? Katherine? That's odd. Where were they? Freddy frowned when he saw the letter on the table. Upon reading it he crumpled it up in his hands. How dare she leave him!

It didn't take Crystal long to reach her mother's house. "Crystal what an unexpected surprise
What brings you here?"

"I need your advice. I've done something really stupid and I don't know what to do."

"Come tell me all about it." Her mother replied patting the seat next to her on the couch.

"My husband has only one rule stay away from and out of his workroom."

"I take it you let your curiosity get the better of you?" Crystal nodded.

"I didn't actually break my promise. I didn't go into the room. The door was ajar so I peeked inside."

"Your worried about how your husband is going to react?"

"Yes. When we were first married he had me read the story of Bluebeard, and warned me not to be like the wife in the story. That snooping into other peoples affairs can be deadly and that he hoped for my sake that I'd never test my limits and disobey him because I wouldn't like the result. Oh mom, what am I going to do?"'

"The only thing you can do. Go home and tell him the truth."

"I can't go home not now. He wouldn't understand and he's not a forgiving man mom. Can't I just stay here?"

"You want to leave your husband just because your afraid of owning up to your actions?" Crystal's mom replied with a frown.

"No I want to divorce him because I'm afraid
For my life. He threatened to kill me if he ever found out that I went into his workroom."

"I'm sure he didn't mean literally." Her mother replied.

Crystal shook her head. "Freddy never says anything that he doesn't mean."

"Your serious aren't you? You really are afraid that he will kill you?" Crystal nodded. "You need to file a report against him. Get a restraining order. Normally, I don't condone divorce, but in this case, I think your right, it is the best option."

A wave of sadness washed over Crystal and she began to sob. "Everything is going to be ok." Suddenly a wave of nausea washed over her and she ran to the bathroom reaching it just in time. "Crystal how long have you been feeling sick and run down?"'Her mother whispered.

"I'm not sure a few weeks I guess." Crystal replied with a sigh.

"Humm. I'm not 100% certain of the cause but until we are able to confirm my suspicions you are to refrain from drinking any type of alcoholic beverages and try not to drink too much soda."

"Why? What do you suspect is the problem?"

"Don't worry about it dear."

A few weeks later, when my mom was returning from grocery shopping she was rescued by a police officer when a man tried to rob and rape her. After a few dates they fell in love and were married. However, it became clear after the wedding that she was pregnant with me which seemed odd.

"Were You pregnant when we met?" My mom's husband angrily.

"I don't know. I can't be certain. " My mother replied.

"That man he didn't???"

"No. At least I don't think that he did. You
don't think that the man who tried to rape me might be this child's father do you?"

"It is possible."

"I am so sorry Maurice. I know how happy you were when you thought you were going to be a father. Do you want me to...."

Maurice's eyes flashed in anger. "You know how I feel about that topic."

"I'm sorry." Crystal replied starting to cry shrinking back from him slightly. "Forgive me." She whispered tearfully.

Maurice sighed and he looked at Crystal sadly. "No. It is I who should be asking for forgiveness from you. I never should have reacted the way I did. Please don't cry." Maurice replied gently wiping away her tears.

"Crystal I do not want you to have an abortion or give up this child. The baby is going to need a loving father. However, I think we should have a paternity test done to determine who the child's father really is. There is still a slight chance that this child is indeed mine. What can you tell me about your life before you came here?"

"I lived in the town of Springwood and was married to a man named is Fredric Kruger." My mom replied with a sigh. "As to why I left him its complicated."

"Try and explaining anyway."

"I was afraid of him. He had a terrifying temper and I was afraid that I might eventually do something to push him over the edge. That he'd be so angry that he would try to kill me. I did make a petition for a divorce when I moved here. I told the judge that my husband was...." My mom paused searching for the right way to put it. If she said he was abusive she'd be lying. He hadn't actually ever hit her.

"Abusive?"  Maurice replied.

"Well kind of."

"What do you mean kind of? Either he was abusive or he wasn't? Which was it?" Maurice demanded.

"He never hit me if that's what your asking."
My mom replied.

"Then he wasn't abusive." Maurice replied.

"His daughter Katherine told me that she had nightmares that she and Freddy were playing in the backyard when a loud scream
came from the house. Her mother came up from the basement a terrified look on her face. She says her mother keeps repeating over and over again. I didn't mean to Freddy and Freddy please, won't tell. I promise I won't tell."

Katherine says in the dream Freddy growls we need to talk and her mother is trembling in fear. He smiled sweetly at her and says Freddy told her to go inside honey. She goes to go upstairs but turns and goes into the basement curious as to what had sacred her mother. She sees her father's workroom and inside are pictures of children. Weird gloves are hanging on racks and strange things are in jars on the table. Then she heard a weird noise outside and goes to investigate."

"It's then, that she sees Freddy bashing her mother's head into the tree in the yard over and over again. When she starts to cry Freddy drops her mother on the ground and tells her that her mommy had to be punished for snooping in her daddy's special work. Then he smiled and her and whispers scarily but you won't tell will You? Only when she shakes her head and says I won't tell. Did Freddy chuckled and smile at her but it's not a friendly smile."

"I see. And this concerned you why?"

"Shortly after we were married, Freddy told me never to go into his special room or I'd suffer the same fate as Bluebeard's wife."

"Who?"

"Bluebeard."

"As in the fairytale?" Maurice asks and my mom nodded.

"One day, I accidentally saw into his workroom. I didn't go in and I didn't see anything but I was afraid that he'd keep his promise to give me my medicine like Bluebeard does his disobedient wife."

"If I remember correctly, Bluebeard kills his wives when they break their promise not to enter a specific room. A room where, he keeps all the bodies of his previous wives. His newest wife gives into temptation and enters the room. Upon seeing the bodies she drops the key. When Bluebeard returns and see the blood on the key he knows that she broke her promise. He then attempts to kill her, but she is rescued by her brothers and they kill Him instead." Maurice replied. My mom nodded.

"Yes."

"You said that he told you that if you entered his workroom that you'd end up like the wife in the story?" Again my mom nodded. "No wonder you are afraid of him."

"That's why I file for divorce however,
I am not sure if the divorce was ever finalized. I was too scared to ever find out. I never meant to lie to you. Please Maurice, say something." My mom begged.

"Is there even the slightest possibility that this child could be his?" My mom nodded the fear in her eyes evident.

Maurice sighs and runs his fingers through his hair. He pauses a moment before finally replying.

"I'll go make sure your divorce to this man is official later today."

"He can't know that we are divorced or he will kill me."

"I won't let that happen. As for the child, I don't care if the baby is the man who attacked you or your soon to be Ex husbands or mine. I will treat this child as if He or She are my own no matter what. Now, have you thought of any names for this child?" Maurice asked.

"I was thinking if it's a girl to name her Catrina Rosealynn Tina marie Robbinsons. I have always loved the name Catrina , rose because it's my favorite flower Marie because it's my middle name. I'm not sure what to call child if it's a boy I was thinking maybe Maurice Junior if that's OK?"

"Sweetheart, that sounds wonderful. I promise we will have a very happy life together just the three of us. This man will never find you or hurt or child." When I was four years old my dad came home with a sigh. "Honey I'm afraid I've got some bad news. We are going to have to move. I know the timing is bad seeing that Catrina is just about to start pre-school but I've been assigned to be the new deputy sheriff in the nearby town of Springwood."

At this news my mom turned white as a sheet." "Did you say Springwood?"

"Yes. It's close by so we will still be able to visit our friends. Honey what's the matter? You look as if you've seen a ghost."

"I can't go there. Please, can't you refuse to take the job?"

"Even if I wanted too I can't. I must go where I am assigned, and I've been assigned to Springwood. Why are you so upset? I hear its a lovely town and that it has wonderful schools."

"He lives there. If I go back He'll recognize me, I know it." My mom replied trembling.

"Sweetheart, it's been years since you've seen him and you've changed a lot. I'm sure he won't recognize you. If he does, I'll make sure he doesn't hurt you or come anywhere near you or our daughter." My father replied. We leave first thing tomorrow. Who knows, maybe he's moved away. Besides, I'm sure we can find a home that's not near where he lives, so it will be harder for him to recognize you."

Unfortunately, the only home available for purchase was at the end of Elm Street, only a few houses away from where Freddy Krueger lived.

One day, a few days after we had moved into our new home, Freddy Krueger came to welcome us to the neighborhood. I was playing in the yard. When he saw my mother he recognized her immediately and he frowned slightly before smiling again and walking over towards me.

"Hello, how are you today?" Freddy asked smiling at me. I shyed away from him backing slowly away towards the house.

"Shhh. Little one. You don't need to disturb your mommy. I won't hurt you. Can you tell me  your name?" I didn't reply but looked towards the house hesitantly. Still backing away from him.

"Your a beautiful little girl. That's a beautiful dress your wearing. Are you a princess?"

I shook my head no.

"You look like one to me." I smiled and giggled slightly. "Are you sure you can't tell me your name?"

I shook my head Yes.

"Awe come on you can tell me. I won't hurt you, I just want to be your friend." The strange man said with a big smile.

"My Mommy and daddy told me never to talk to strangers." I replied.

"That is a very good rule. It's very important to put safety first. How about this, how about I introduce myself and tell you my name? Then we won't be strangers anymore. My name is Freddy Krueger I live just down the street."

"All the children in the neighborhood call me Uncle Freddy. You can call me that if you want too. Now, that you know my name we are not strangers anymore. Will you please tell
Me what your name is sweetheart?"

"I....I."

"How about we play a game. Maybe I can guess your name. Is it Tina?"

I shook my head no.

"Is it Crystal?"

I shook my head no once more.

"Can you give me a hint?"

I smiled and shook my head once more.

"You know my name it's only fair that I learn yours. Don't you agree?"

I nodded.

"Then what's your name?"

"I'm not allowed to tell you."

"I grow tired of this game. You agreed that if I told you my name, then we wouldn't be strangers anymore, didn't you?."

"Yes but I. I... I can't." I looked down toward the ground and whimpered. "Daddy'll be mad at me."

"Are you afraid of your father little one? Does he hurt you?" Freddy asked concerned.

"No. He spanks me when I've been bad. I don't want to be spanked."

"If you tell me your name, I promise, I'll make sure your daddy doesn't spank you for saying hi to me ok?"

"Ok. My name is Catrina."

"Catrina that's a beautiful a name. You look just like a princess. I think that's what I'll call you that if that's OK. I give all the children Nicknames and you you remind me of a beautiful little princess." Freddy replied with a smile.

Hearing me talking to someone My mom frowned and came out of the house and stormed over to me. I had never seen mommy so angry. "What have We told you about talking to strangers?!" My mom replied angrily swatting my behind quite roughly.

"I'm sorry mommy." I replied tears forming in my eyes. This was the first time my mom had ever spanked me. My lip began to tremble and I held back tears.

"Not as sorry as your going to be when your father gets home! You know better then to talk to strangers. Your father will be furious when he finds out that you broke that safety rule." My mom replied swatting my behind once more. I whimpered slightly.

"Please don't tell daddy. I'm sorry, I won't do it again I promise." I replied whimpering.

"Go to your room. We will discuss this later."

"Please mommy. Please don't tell daddy. Please. I'll be a good girl I promise." I replied with a whimper.

"I don't want to hear it Catrina. I said go to your room. Now!" My mom replied pointing towards my room.

"Yes mommy." I replied rushing into the house as fast as my little legs could carry me.

As I did Freddy called to me. "I'm sorry to have spoiled your fun princess. I look forward to getting to know you better."

I didn't reply back as I didn't want to get into anymore trouble for talking to him or for dawdling.

"Please don't be mad at your little girl. This whole thing was my fault. I kind of promised I'd make sure she wasn't spanked for telling me her name."

"I don't mean to be rude but that wasn't your promise to make. Catrina knows better then to talk to strangers. She knows that if she breaks the rules that she will be punished." My mom replied. "Anyway, how can I assist you Mr?" My mom asked and Freddy smiled.

"Kruger. Fredric Kruger is the name but you can call me Freddy everyone does." Freddy replied with a smile.

"What can I do for you Mr. Kruger?" My mom asked her arms folded across her chest.

"Please call me Freddy."

"Look, Mr. Kruger."

"Please call me Freddy and how may I address you my pretty little lady?" Freddy asked with a smile causing my mom to blush slightly.

"It's Crystal."

"Crystal. That's a beautiful name for a beautiful woman." My mom blushed again but only momentarily. My mom sighed "Freddy, I hate to be rude but I'm a happily married woman so please stop trying to flirt with me."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable." Freddy replied and my mom sighed.

"It's not that. It's just that my husband is a very protective man. He wouldn't like it if he knew I was letting a stranger flirt with me. Anyway, I have a lot of things to do today before he gets home. Is there  something I can do for you?"

"I just wanted to welcome you to Elm Street. You look familiar is it possible that we've met before?" Freddy asked.

"I don't think so." My mom replied her voice wavering a little.

"I could've sworn I've seen your face somewhere before and your voice seems so familiar. Oh well, I'm sure it'll come to me eventually. Anyway, I just wanted to welcome you into the neighborhood. If you need anything, anything at all just ask. I'd be more than happy to be of assistance. I could even babysit your beautiful little daughter sometime if you'd like. I'm very good with children." Freddy offered.

"That's very kind of you." My mom replied her voice wavering once more.

"If you'd like I could help you unpack." Freddy offered.

"I don't want to be a burden." My mom replied hesitantly.

"It's no Problem, no problem at all. I love to be of assistance to all my neighbors. Especially the pretty ones." Freddy replied causing my mom to blush once more. "Lead the way." Freddy replied with a wave of his arm. Upon looking up at clock and seeing the time my mom's expression turned to that of distress.

Freddy realized that it was because my father was going to be home at any minute. He could tell by the look on her face that my father wouldn't be happy. "I don't mean to pry but does your husband hit you? I couldn't help but notice you have a black eye."

"Oh no, my husband would never lift a finger to me or our daughter. I'm clumsy is all. I walked into a door this morning." My mom replied. "Look, I'd love to stay and chat some more but my husband is going to be home any minute now and I still need to finish getting dinner ready. It was nice talking to you Mr.'Kruger. I mean Freddy." My mom replied staring to close the door.

As she did Freddy called to me  "it was nice meeting you Catrina. I hope you don't get you into too much trouble on my account. I'm sure we will become the best of friends. The same goes for you Crystal." Freddy replied with a tip of his hat. No sooner had he walked down the street my dad pulled into the driveway.

"Honey we need to talk." I heard my mom say when my father came home.

My dad frowned "can't I have five minutes to relax before you bombard me with your problems Woman?" My dad asked angrily. "By the way, where's dinner? I'm starved." My dad replied as he hung up his coat.

"Honey I really need to talk to you."

"Fine what is it? what's so important that you have to pester me before We've even say down for dinner?" My dad asked irritatedly.

"Freddy Kruger stopped by here today."

"Yeah so? What did he want?" My dad asked as he sat down at the table.

"He welcomed me to the neighborhood and told me to ask him if we ever needed anything. He said that he be happy to be of assistance in anyway that he offered to babysit our beautiful little girl. What worries me is that I almost didn't even know he was in the yard."

"Oh?" I dad replied raising an eyebrow as he sat down at the table.

"He didn't come to the door right away. Instead he spent several minutes talking with Catrina."

"Catrina talked to a stranger? Where exactly is she right now?" My father asked with a frown.

"I sent her to her room and told her to stay there until you came home." My mom replied.

"I see. Well, I wouldn't worry too much about Freddy Kruger. Sounds like he was just being neighborly. As for Catrina she has some explaining to do." My father replied.

"It was an accident honey. She didn't mean to disobey the rules. She really was a good girl today."

"Yes well, your definition of well behaved and my definition of well behaved, are too entirely different things." My dad replied.

"Honey, she's learned her lesson." My mom replied.

My dad scoffed "I doubt that. How did you punish her this time? An early bed time? No dessert? Or let me guess no tv for a week?" My dad replied.

"No. I went right outside and spanked her little behind." My mom replied.

"Huh. Well, that's a start but I still think I'd like to have a little chat with her. Now stand aside." My dad replied his time warning he that she was trying his patience. With that my dad walked to my room and opened the door followed closely by my mom"Hello Catrina." My dad said in a low voice.

"Hello daddy."

"Were you a good girl today?"

"Of course she was dear." My mom replied.

"Honey, don't you have to finish preparing dinner?" My father replied with a frown.

My mom sighed "yes dear."

"Close the door behind you." My dad informed her. I looked at my mom pleadingly but she sighed and looked away as she door shut behind him. She knew what he intended to do and although it broke her heart there was nothing she could do to stop him.

She couldn't exactly file a report of child abuse against him. No one at the station would believe her. Even if they did they wouldn't do any thing about it. Her husband was the deputy chief of police. He would insure that the complaint wouldn't be taken seriously and then he would make her life miserable.

"I believe I asked you a question. Were you a good girl today?" My dad asked me once more.

"Yes daddy." I replied.

"Really? That's not what I was told. Are you sure you were a good girl?" My dad asked me his voice showing his irritation at my answer. I want you to come here and tell me exactly how you were a good girl."

" I tried to be a good girl." I replied looking away from him.

"Come here." My dad replied pointing to his side. "You said you tried to be a good girl. Does that mean that you weren't a good girl? Tell me what did you do wrong? I know you broke the rules. Tell me which rule did you break?" My dad demanded. I whimpered and remained where I was sitting. "I said come here!" My dad replied his voice dangerously low.

"Yes daddy." I replied getting up and walking over to him. "I'm sorry daddy. I'll never do it again I promise."

"Never do what again?" My dad asked tapping his side patiently.

"I won't talk to other people unless you or mommy say it's ok first."  I replied.

"So, your telling me that you talked to a stranger? Is that what you are saying?" My dad asked with a frown.

"Mr. Kruger is not a stranger he's our neighbor. I didn't think you would mind if I said hi to him." I replied trembling.

"I am going to ask you a question and I want an answer. Have you ever seen your mother or I talk to Mr. Kruger?" My dad asked.

"No."

"Then that makes him a stranger doesn't it?" My dad replied. I didn't reply instead I looked down at my feet and shuffled them nervously.
"I asked you a question Catrina. Tell me is Mr. Kruger a stranger?"

"I don't know."

My dad sighed frustratedly. "Do you even know what a stranger is?"

"Yes daddy."

"Tell me, what is a stranger?"

"Someone I or you or mommy doesn't know." I replied.

"So, is Mr. Kruger a stranger?"

"No." I replied.

"What makes you think the answer is no?"

"He told me his name. A person's not a stranger if you know their name right?" I asked hopefully.

"Wrong. Just because you know someone's name doesn't mean they are not a stranger. Now, what do you think I should do since you broke a rule that could have resulted in something very dangerous happening to you?" My dad asked hitting the palm of his hand with the belt once more.

I whimpered and backed away from him slightly."please don't spank me with your belt daddy. I'll never talk to strangers again I promise."

"I am glad to hear that." He replied as he replaced his belt on his pants and then proceeded to spanked my bottom. "I hope you have learned your lesson about talking to strangers. Now come on, dinners ready."

Oh and incase you were wondering Freddy did recognize my mom that day and He decided that I would be his next victim. However, he also decided that he wouldn't kill me just yet. He wanted to play games with my mom's mind first. "Hay Princess remember me? How are you doing today?" Freddy asked me with a smile one day.

"Please go away. I am not supposed to talk to you. I don't want my daddy to be mad at me again today. Please leave me alone." I replied backing away from him.

"You can trust me you know that right?" Freddy asked looking hurt by the idea that I didn't trust him.

"I.... I want too. You seem so nice but...."

"But your afraid of me because you don't know me very well." I nodded. "You don't have be afraid of me. I won't hurt you. I just want to be friends." Freddy replied.

"My mommy and daddy said not to talk to you."

"Why?"

"Because you are a stranger now please go away and leave me alone!." I replied backing away from him once more.

"Now why would your mommy say something like that? I'm not a stranger I know your mommy very well. She and I use to be the best of friends before she married your daddy. I'd never do anything to hurt you. Is your mommy picking you up from school today? I'd like to have a word with her." Freddy replied with a slight frown.

"No. Daddy's picking me up. He's at work and is going to come pick me up on his lunch." I replied.

"Where does your daddy work? I could save him a trip and drop you off at his office."

"He works at the police station he's the Chief's assistant." I replied.

"I see. How about this, why don't I do your dad a favor I'm sure he's got his hands full working on the disappearance of all those kids. I'm not busy right now why don't you come with me? I just have to stop down in the basement for a moment and then I can take you home ok?" He asked and I shook my head no.

"My Mommy and Daddy said I shouldn't go anywhere with strangers." I replied.

"Princess we've been over this, I told you, Your mom and I are very good friends. I bet your mommy would be delighted to see me again." He said with a smile.

"Um. I don't know... My mommy said not to talk to you." I replied hesitantly.

"Come on, let me take you home. It'll be ok, I promise." Freddy replied with a smile.

"Um ok." I replied hesitantly.

"Follow me my car is just outside."

"Um Mr. Kruger sir, this isn't the way to my house." I said turning to look at him questioningly.

"I told you, call me Uncle Freddy. Don't you remember, I told you, I have to make a quick stop at my office and then I'll take you straight home. I promise. You do trust me don't you?" Freddy asked me a hurt look in his eyes once more.

"Yes Uncle Freddy. I trust you. Please don't be sad." I replied and he smiled.

"I can never be sad when I'm around you Princess. Ah here we are. Come on inside and wait for me I'll only be a moment."

Freddy replied as we reached the old mill. Soon after we arrived he disappeared. I looked around I could hear the tapping of metal on metal. I could hear him laughing as he sang "1-2 Freddy's coming for you."

I didn't cry or whimper or whine or try to hide or escape from him like the other children. That's why he liked me. He found it intriguing that I wasn't afraid.

"It seems little piglet your not afraid of me. Well I'll soon change that." Suddenly Freddy grabbed me by my collar "Tell me, piglet why shouldn't I be kill You? Give me a really good reason and maybe I'll let you go." Freddy replied.

I shook my head. "Please, please don't hurt me. I'm a good girl or at least I try to be. My daddy is going to be so very angry with me. I'll be black and blue for a week once he's done with me." I replied tears streaming down my face.

Freddy cocked his eyebrow slightly "what do you mean your going to be black and blue?"

"Daddy will spank me until I learn my lesson."

"Now, I thought you said your daddy is a cop?"

"He is. However, He's always telling me that I deserve to be punished and to keep my mouth shut or the next time will be worse."

"So he wants you to keep the spankings a secret?" Freddy asked with a frown.

"No not the spankings. He doesn't care if people know about that. He doesn't want me telling people about..."

"About what?"

"Never mind. I never should have said anything. Daddy says no one would believe me anyway. He says they'd just call me a little liar and I'd get punished even more." I replied.

"It's ok you can tell me I'll believe you."

"I can't. I don't want to get punished again."

"He does more then just spank you doesn't he?" I nodded.

"Show me what he does to you." I shook my head no. "If you won't show me then I'll look for myself." He replied using his glove to pull my shirt up slightly revealing my back. Upon seeing the scar marks Freddy frowned. "Your daddy did this to you?"

I nodded. "Uh-huh." I replied tears starting to form in my eyes. "Please don't tell anyone."

Freddy paused "I can't make that promise Princess. Princess if you don't mind my asking when is your birthday?"

I sniffled "June, June 14th."

"How old are you?"

"I'm five." I replied and Freddy frowned as he calculated this information in his head.

"Please don't say anything about what I told you. Daddy will be really angry with me if he finds out."

"If you agree to allow me to bring you here and to my secret cave to play the games I want to play then I won't say a word. But, this deal must be a secret. That means you can't tell anyone about the games that we play. You will keep them a secret won't you?" He demanded holding my arm with one of  his razor gloves and holding the other glove up agents my throat.

I nodded. "I promise I won't tell."

He chuckled and let go of me leaving a claw mark where his hand had been. "Good. Your a very special little girl. Your my beautiful little Princess. Now let's get patch you up and home before your parents start to worry." He replied with an evil smile.

"Catrina where have you been? We've been worried sick about you! Your father's been patrolling the town looking for you!" My mom demanded as I entered the house pulling me into a hug. As she did my dad stormed into the living room.

"Where the he🏒🏒 have you been?" He demanded angrily.

"With Uncle Freddy."

"How many times must I tell you that he's not your Uncle? He's a stranger!" My daddy demanded angrily.

"He's not a stranger daddy. He works at the school. He's the one who plants all the pretty flowers and plays with us at recess. He said that mommy knew him and that he was mommy's best friend when she use to live here." I replied.

"He is not my friend he is a very bad man." My mom replied.

"Uncle Freddy's my friend. He'd never do anything to hurt me unlike daddy." I replied without thinking.

"Just what is that supposed to mean young lady?" My mom demanded folding her arms across her chest.

"Never mind. You wouldn't believe me anyway."

"Catrina you can tell me anything you know that don't you?" My mom asked but before I could answer my father grabbed my arm and dragged me towards my bedroom.

"What have I told you about keeping your mouth shut? Just what was it you expected to accomplish by that comment? Did you think I wouldn't punish you if you said that? If so, your sadly mistaken." My father growled.

"I'm sorry daddy i didn't mean it, it slipped. I never should have said what I did. Please forgive me. I'll never do anything that stupid again I promise please don't hit me with your belt." I begged backing away from him so that my back was up against the wall.

"You've left me with no choice. You'll never learn if I don't punish you. Now turn around."

"Yes daddy." I replied sniffling.

"What you did today was very dangerous! You could have gotten yourself killed!" He growled as he brought the belt back down across my back."

"I'm sorry daddy. I'll never do something so stupid again."

"Have you learned your lesson about going anywhere with someone with out our permission? Answer me girl! Are you going to ever go anywhere with anyone with out our permission ever again?" He demanded bringing down the belt once more.

"No daddy. I'll be a girl I promise. I'll be a good girl. I'm sorry daddy." I whimpered through my tears.

"I know you are sweet heart I know you are. Daddy is sorry he had to punish you as harshly as I did but I did it because I love you. You know that right?"

"Yes daddy." I replied as I wiped my tears away.

"Come give daddy a great big hug and a kiss."

"Ok daddy." I replied running into his open embrace not wanting to make him angry. I winced as we hugged and he looked concerned
as he noticed blood on his hands as we pulled out of the hug. "Honey, I want you to lift up your shirt slightly and show daddy your back." My dad frowned when he realized that he had hit me so hard that it had caused not only welts but several cuts from where the metal part of the belt had hit my skin. He swore under his breath. "How am I suppose to hide this?" He growled. "Stay here. I'm going to go talk to your mother. When you hear me say that your not feeling well I want you to run into the bathroom and close the door behind you. Make sounds like you are throwing up so you understand?"

"Yes daddy."

"Where is Catrina? Dinner is ready."

"She doesn't feel well." Upon hearing those words I rushed from my room into the bathroom.

"Honey are you ok?" My mom asked me concerned.

"I think have a feeling she might have caught a bug from pre school. You should go to your moms for a few days. I wouldn't want you to catch whatever it is she has before you start your job as a librarian. It wouldn't be good for you to call out sick on your first week of work." My dad replied.

"I don't know.... Who are we going to get to watch her for a few days?" My mom asked worriedly.

"I will take a few days off work. Why don't you go pack now." My dad replied.

"Are you sure? I mean aren't you  busy at work right now?"

"It'll be fine. I'll call you in a few days and let you know if she's feeling better."

"Ok." My mom replied hesitantly heading to the bedroom to pack.

As she did I looked up at my dad confused. "Your mom is going to stay with Grandma while you are not feeling well. We don't want her to get sick now do we?"

"No daddy." I replied faking a cough and a sneeze.

"Let's get you to bed."  As my mom packed my dad tucked me into bed.

"Can I give her a kiss goodbye?" My mom asked as he closed the door.

"I don't think that's wise. She's already fast asleep and as I said, you don't need to be catching her germs." My dad replied and my mom sighed.

"I'll see you in a few days. Are you sure you'll be alright?"

"We will be fine now go." My dad replied with a smile.

Towards the end of this week daddy let me return to school. When I returned Uncle Freddy stopped by the school at lunch time to say hello. "Hello Princess." He said with a smile. "How are you doing today?

"Ok." I sniffled. Uncle Freddy frowned.

"You don't seem ok. Why don't you tell your Uncle Freddy what's wrong?" Uncle Freddy replied.

I sniffled again and replied "I can't."

"Ive got an idea. Why don't I you treat you to some ice cream. Would you like that?" He asked and I shook my head no.

"Daddy said not to leave the school grounds again or I'll regret it." I replied. "He was very angry with me the other day for leaving with you."

Uncle Freddy frowned. " Catrina did he hit you with his belt again?" I sniffled and nodded and Freddy's frown deepened. " I'm going to kill him." Uncle Freddy growled. "Oh don't worry Princess, I didn't mean it. I just don't understand why your parents were so upset. I would never hurt you. You know that right?" He asked. I shook my head. "Then why don't you come over here and say hello?" I shook my head no and glanced over at the nearby teacher. "Don't worry about her Princess. Just come over here. Come over here to your Uncle Freddy and give me a great big hug." He replied keeling down with  his arms stretched out wide.

I walked over to the edge of the playground where he was and hesitantly gave him a hug. "That's my good little girl. Shall we play a game?" He asked and I shook my head no. "Catrina are you breaking your promise?" I shook my head no once more. "Good. Then let's play a game.  It's called cat and mouse. I'm the cat and your the mouse." He replied and he began to chase me around the yard.

"Mr Kruger, how nice of you to come pay the children a visit. I know how much they adore you. I want to thank you for everything that you do. You are so good with the children and the grounds have never looked so good."

"Thank you." Uncle Freddy replied.

The teacher nodded in understanding. I could tell she wanted to talk with Uncle Freddy some more but a group of my classmates had gotten into a fight. Sighing she replied. "It was nice talking with you. Feel free to visit anytime you'd like. If you'll excuse me I need to go deal with those kids. Have a nice day and feel to stay as long as you'd like." She replied as she started to walk away.

As she did Uncle Freddy called to her "your so sweet. Oh, that reminds me. It seems that Catrina's dad forgot to pack her a lunch. Would it be ok if i take her to the  dinner for  some lunch and dessert?" Uncle Freddy replied.

"How very thoughtful of you. I don't see why not. Your more then welcome to take her to lunch just as long as she back for the start of class. Catrina you do everything Mr. Kruger tells you to do and be on your best behavior." My teacher replied. "I'd hate to have to tell your parents that you've been bad today."

"Oh I don't think you'll have to worry about that. Catrina is a very good very obedient little girl. I'm sure she'll be on her best behavior. I promise I'll take good care of her." Uncle Freddy said with a smile as my teacher walked off.

After he was sure she was gone he took me to his car. "As we drove away from the school Uncle Freddy smiled as me wickedly. "I think we should finish our game of cat and mouse before we go to lunch dont you?" With that he drove me to his house at the end of elm street. Upon arrival he looked around to make sure no one saw us and he ushered me inside quickly. "Ah, Now where were we?" He said with a smile. "Ah yes, the cat had caught the mouse. You know what that means?" He asked putting on his razor glove. I nodded and within minutes i had several small cuts all over my arms and legs. "Oh dear look at the time. I'd love to play another game but it's getting late. let's go get something to eat." With that Uncle Freddy drove me to the local diner. After we finished our meal Uncle Freddy smiled at me and drove me back to the school. "That was fun Princess we will have to do it again sometime." He replied with a smile as he dropped me off. "If anyone asks about your cuts you fell while running and hurt yourself. And remember, who I really am and what I do is our little secret." Uncle Freddy warned and i nodded. "See you again real soon." He replied as I entered the school yard.

One day My mom discovered the cut on my arm from my last encounter with Uncle Freddy.  "Sweetheart,  how did you get these?" When I didn't reply my mom  covered her mouth to cover up a scream. "No." She replied with tears in her eyes. "Oh no, no. Not you. Not my little girl." At this my mom broke down into sobs.

"Honey what's wrong? Now what did you do you little brat?" My father demanded angrily. Then he saw what it was that had upset my mom and he frowned. "Your mom and I need some time alone why don't you go play in your room ok Sweetheart?" I nodded and as I headed out the door he grabbed my arm and whispered angrily "I'll deal with you later!"

"She's been the victim of the slasher i know she has. She has cut marks all over her arms and legs and she won't tell me how she got them." My mom sobbed.

"Did Catrina say anything about them?" My dad asked.

"Well no, but..."

"Then lets not jump to conclusions. I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for those scars." My dad replied knowing that most of the scare had been caused by his belt buckle. You see, my dad knew I wasn't his daughter and when he was in a bad mood he'd take it out on me. "Trust me, my dear, We are going to catch this guy and when we do he will pay for his crimes." My dad replied.

A few days later we were in the living room watching the news when a special report came on. "The Springwood's  Slasher has finally been caught. The jury will deliberate on if he's guilty of these horrific  crimes. How anyone could do these things to poor innocent children.." The reporter paused then regaining his composure continued with his report. "Hopefully justice will be served today and this man will get the death penalty for what he's done." The reporter replied.

"Mommy why was a picture of Uncle Freddy on the news?"I asked confused.

"He is a very bad man Sweetheart. He hurt a lot of children including you." My mom replied.

"No. That's not true. He didn't, he couldn't... He loves me..." I replied trembling. "Oh no, He's going to think that I...That I..." My voice trailed off.

"That you what Sweetheart?" My mom asked concerned.

"He's going to think that I lied. He's going to be so angry with me. I don't want him to be angry with me." I replied.

"Sweetheart you didn't have to be afraid of him anymore. He's not going to hurt you. He's not going to hurt anyone ever again."

"Did Daddy arrest Uncle Freddy?"  I asked my eyes lighting up slightly at the thought of my dad being a hero.

"He is not your Uncle he is a very bad man and Yes Sweetheart your daddy arrested him and took him to jail. He can't hurt anyone anymore." My mom reassured me.

However later in the day a special bulletin came over the tv station. "It's all over folks.  we have just learned that due to a technicality the so called Springwood Slasher is to be released. It seems that not only was the search warrant not signed the suspect wasn't read his Miranda rights at the time of his arrest."

"What does that mean mommy?" I asked looking up at my mom puzzled.

"It means that the people in charge of the investigation didn't follow the rules and now they have to let him go." My mom replied with a sigh.

"I thought you said that daddy was the one who arrested him? Does that mean daddy broke the law?" I asked confused.

"No, of course not Sweetheart. Your father is a wonderful cop he did what was necessary to stop a very bad man. They should have never let that bad man go." Don't mention it to your father when he gets home ok?" My mom warned.

"Ok mommy." Unfortunately it didn't matter what I said. My father was in an extremely bad mood "and when he was in a bad mood he always took it out on me. "Daddy, are you upset because they said on the news that Freddy isn't going go jail?"

"I know what your thinking. Your thinking that it was my fault that that monster was released." My dad said angrily.

"No daddy. It's just the tv man said..." I replied trembling.

"I don't care what the Tv says! We had every right to arrest that monster! People just want a scape goat. Well It's not going to be me!" My dad roared.

"I'm sorry daddy, I didn't mean too upset you." I replied with tears in my eyes.

"Just get out of my sight you little brat!" My dad roared and I rushed out of the house as fast as my little legs could carry them. Bumping into the mail man who smiled and winked at me before handing me the mail.

"Uncle Freddy is that you?" I asked sweetly and he nodded. "Shh." He replied putting his finger to his lips. "I'm wearing a disguise so that the parents of this town don't recognize me." He replied. "Here you go Sweerheart." Uncle Freddy said handing me the mail. "Oh and Sweetheart, it's real important that your mommy be given this letter right away ok?" Uncle Freddy told me handing me a strange looking envelope.'

"Ok Uncle Freddy, I mean, Sir. I'll make sure my mommy get this right away. Oh and I'm sorry for bumping into you Sir." I apologized as I took the mail from his hand.

"Don't sweat it kid." He replied with a wink. "Just don't forget to make sure your mommy gets that card ok?"

"Ok. Goodbye." I replied waving at him as i ran into the house. "Here you are daddy, I brought you the mail. Oh and mommy the new mail man wanted me to make sure you opened this." I said handing her the letter.

"Thanks Seeetheart." My mom replied taking the letter from my hands. "1-2 I'm coming for you. 3-4 you'd better lock your door. 5-6 bet you wish your life was bliss 7-8 you'd better stay up late. 9-10 we'll be a family again. Don't think I don't know who she is. You lied to them about me to try and be free. Your little Princess is mine and I'm coming for her and when I do it'll be the end of you." Signed your loving husband Freddy Kruger." Upon reading the letter my mother's face became white as a sheet. She dropped the letter on the floor and screamed in terror.

"Honey what's wrong?"

"This letter it's from him."

"Are you sure?" My mom nodded. As my dad examined the letter he realized that it didn't have a return address or a postage stamp.

"Where did you get this letter from?" My father asked.

"From the mail man why?" I asked confused.

"Did he say anything to you?"

"Only to make sure mommy got that letter."

"Did you talk to him?" I nodded causing my dad to frown. "What did you say to him?"

"I said thank you and I promised to give mommy the letter. Did I do something wrong?"

"Didn't you learn your lesson about talking to strangers? Don't you realize what he could have done to you? Of course not, sweet little innocent idiotic child that you are. You have no clue how dangerous he is do you? He's the Springwood slasher! He's killed over 20 children and you see no reason to be worried that you might be his next victim? How dumb are you?" My dad yelled slapping me across the face.

"I'm sorry daddy. I didn't know." I replied as tears rolled down my checks. "I didn't mean too."

I didn't get to finish my sentence. Instead my father replied angrily, "That's the problem isn't it? You never mean to do anything. Your just a stupid little girl who has no clue about how the world works. Now go to your room I don't want to see you for the rest of the night!"

I didn't hesitate to do as I was told. A little while later my mom came in to comfort me.

"Why is daddy always so angry with me? Why doesn't he love me?" I asked as the tears started rolling down my cheeks once more.

"Sweetheart your daddy loves you very much. The man that delivered the mail is a very bad man. He likes to hurt children like yourself. Your daddy isn't angry with you he's just scared because he doesn't want anything bad to happen to you." My mom replied.

"I don't understand, i thought the judge decided that Uncle Freddy was innocent?"

"He wasn't innocent Sweetheart. He killed those children and if it wasn't for your father he might have killed you. However, don't you worry about him Sweetheart. He'll never hurt you again I promise."

"Don't make a promise you can't keep Crystal." Came the voice of Freddy Kruger from the doorway.

"Freddy please. Please don't hurt her. Please don't hurt my daughter." My mom begged.

"You mean Our daughter don't you?" Freddy demanded.

"Freddy please." My mom pleaded tears welling up in her eyes.

"I said, you mean Our daughter don't you?" He demanded once more. Knocking over the closet chair at the kitchen table as he advanced towards my mom.

Defeated my mom lowered her face and whispered quietly "Yes. Our daughter. Please don't hurt our daughter."

Freddy paused for a moment giving this some serious thought. Freddy turned to me "it's ok Princess. I'm not going to hurt you. However, your mother needs to take her medicine for betraying me." He replied.

"No, please Uncle Freddy no. Please don't hurt my mommy. You promised!" I replied as I wiped away the tears that had started filling my eyes.

Kruger turned and looked at my mother "yes well, you broke your word so why should I keep mine?" He demanded. Getting closer to my mom. I stepped in front of her blocking his way.

"I didn't tell. Uncle Freddy please, I didn't tell." I replied.

"Is that so?" Uncle Freddy asked cocking his eyebrow at me. Then he turned his attention back to my mom. "Alright, I'll let you live and we will be a family again." Freddy replied with a smile.

"Get away from my wife and daughter!" My dad growled pointing his gun at Freddy.

"Ooh big man. Thinks he can protect his family from the big bad slasher. You couldn't even arrest me properly. Now I'm free to continue my reign of terror. Just how do you plan on protecting them from me?" Fred asked with a laugh.

At this my dad aimed his gun at Freddy once more and pulled the trigger however, Freddy was too fast and within seconds he was beside my dad his knife glove at my dad's throat. "Freddy please, we will go with you. We can be a family again but please let him live. He doesn't deserve to die. He's a good man." My mom pleaded.

"A good man? He hits you and he beats your daughter how can you sit there and defend him?" Freddy demanded angrily still holding the knife to my dad's throat.

"I don't know what your talking about. Maurice is  a good man. He loves Catrina and he'd never lay a hand on her. You did this to her! Your the monster not him!" My mom replied.

"Is that what you think? Why don't you ask Catrina how she got those scars? What's the matter? Don't want to face the truth? Your husband is the real monster. Isn't that right Princess?"

"Don't you dare answer that!" My father replied with a growl.

"Oh do shut up!" Freddy replied killing my dad.

"No! Maurice! What have you done? What have you done?!" She demanded of Freddy

"What he deserved. Your marriage to him was never legal Crystal. I never signed the divorce papers so technically your still my wife! It's time I taught you a lesson you won't soon forget!" Freddy said advancing towards my mom.

"No, Uncle Freddy please. Please don't hurt her. We'll never tell anyone that you killed him. I promise we'll never tell." I replied tears streaming down my face once again.

"That's my good little girl. I'll be back soon then we can finish our little games.  I promise." He called as he left giving me a wink.

"No!" My mom screamed half angrily half pleadingly.

However, Uncle Freddy never fulfilled that promise. That night outraged parents in the community including my mother, upset that Freddy had been set free decided to take justice into their own hands. They tossed fire bombs into his house blowing him up. It was over the nightmare for the children of Springwood was finally over. Or so they thought....