Storytelling Week 7: Lyle and the Pedestrian

A few years back, a serial killer named Lyle lurked the streets of Lincoln, Nebraska. Lyle always wore a mask so his identity would always remain unknown. He was notorious for abducting people at gas stations and convenient stories late at night.

Lyle killed approximately six people over the course of four months and the entire city was terrified of this murderer. As more killings occurred, more and more pressure was placed on authorities to find this serial killer. The police department tried various strategies, but they could not find the killer.

One day, the sheriff of Lincoln decided to take matters into his own hand. He set a trap at a local convenient store to see if he could catch the serial killer. The sheriff placed a disguised mannequin getting gas and placed a trap that would catch Lyle when trying to abduct the fake person.

After the sheriff set up his trap, he waiting and watched down the street. As time passed, the sheriff grew restless and figured the serial killer was not going to fall for his trap. As the night grew old, the sheriff walked into the convenient store to grab a cup of coffee for an energy boost.

While the sheriff was inside, Lyle snuck up to the gas pump to abduct what he thought was a woman getting gas. Suddenly, Lyle was snagged by the trap and couldn’t escape. A pedestrian nearby stopped to see what the commotion was about.

“It’s you! The killer!” yelled the pedestrian, “And you’re trapped!”

“I’m not trapped, I want to be here, and this is my wife. We just wanted some air and need gas,” said Lyle.

“Whatever, you are lying! I’m going to tell the sheriff,” said the pedestrian.

“That’s a lye! Come over here and see for yourself,” said Lyle.

Hesitant, the pedestrian decided to walk over to Lyle and see for himself. When he got close, Lyle grabbed him and stuck him in the trap releasing himself to freedom.

“Hey! You can’t do this! I’m trapped, you are the killer!” screamed the pedestrian.

Lyle saw the sheriff walking toward the door of the convenient store and darted into the darkness leaving the pedestrian in the trap.

“Aha! It’s you! The killer!” yelled the sheriff to the pedestrian.

“No, no! I’m innocent, I promise!” the pedestrian pleaded while trying to escape the trap.

Boom.

The sheriff shot the pedestrian dead. He believed he had shot the killer who was trying to escape his trap. To this day, Lyle has not been found.

Sheriff of Lincoln.

Photo Cred: Huron County

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story is based on the South African Folktale, the Jackal and the Monkey. In the story, the jackal steals sheep and a farmer sets a trap to catch the criminal. When the jackal is caught, he convinces a monkey to come to the trap and the monkey gets stuck setting the jackal free. When the farmer found the monkey in the trap, he killed him and the jackal lived. My story is a modern spin on this folktale using real people instead of humans. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY: 

Title: South African Folk-Tales 

Author: James Honey 

Year: 1910