PROLOGUE: "THE LEGEND THAT NEVER DIES"
Manhattan never sleeps—
But sometimes, it screams.
Under the neon glow of Times Square and the muffled thunder of subway trains, an old legend walks again. They say he was once a blacksmith, a gentle giant who forged blades tougher than steel. They say he was betrayed, hunted, and murdered by the corrupt.
And they say he came back.
A century later, Hackjaw Hendricks still stalks the alleys, swinging his massive machete sword through anyone who dares disturb his resting shadows. Some people think he's a ghost.
Some think he's a monster.
Most think he's a joke.
But in Manhattan, on a night colder than usual, something ancient wakes in the dark.
And Hackjaw is hungry.
CHAPTER 1: "HAUNTED MANHATTAN TOUR"
Tyler Brooks adjusted his camera for the tenth time.
"Jazz, can you not walk so fast? My shot's shaking!"
Jasmine "Jazz" Rivera didn't slow down. Her hoop earrings bounced as she strutted across the almost-empty Manhattan alleyway.
"Bro, this is your idea. A documentary about urban legends? At night? In Manhattan? This is how people die in movies."
"That's why it's interesting!" Tyler said, jogging to catch up. "Viewers love mystery, fear, drama—"
"And stupid decisions," Jazz added.
They reached the spot Tyler wanted: a narrow alley behind a closed pizza shop, trash bags piled high, lights flickering dramatically—as if the scene were trying too hard.
Tyler pointed the camera.
"This… is Alley 46, the place where the infamous Hackjaw Hendricks was supposedly last seen."
Jazz rolled her eyes. "Tyler, be serious. Hackjaw is a hundred-year-old murder myth. Manhattan has real problems, like rats the size of toddlers."
Tyler smirked.
"That's what they said about Bigfoot, zombies, and my ex."
Jazz snorted.
The camera beeped as Tyler hit record.
"According to stories, Hackjaw can disappear into shadows, walk through walls, and—"
CLANG!
Both froze.
A loud metallic sound echoed from deeper in the alley.
Tyler lowered the camera slowly.
"Jazz… tell me you heard that."
"Of course I heard that," Jazz whispered. "It sounded like Optimus Prime sneezing."
Tyler swallowed. "Maybe a raccoon?"
Jazz frowned. "A raccoon with a sword?"
Another sound—heavier this time.
THUD… THUD… THUD.
Footsteps. Slow. Heavy. Purposeful.
The flickering lamp above them buzzed like it was about to explode. Tyler stepped back.
"Jazz… run?"
"Already planning to."
Before they could move, another figure stepped into the alley—Emily Knox, a TikTok influencer livestreaming with a ring light clipped to her phone.
"Heyyy guys! Welcome back to Haunted Manhattan Night Walks! We're here in Alley 46, where the spirit of Hackjaw—"
BOOM.
The lamp above them died, plunging the alley into darkness.
Jazz cursed. "Oh nice, perfect timing."
Tyler fumbled with his flashlight. Emily kept livestreaming, oblivious.
"Did you guys hear that? If we get jumpscared, don't forget to like and—"
Behind her, a huge silhouette rose from the shadows.
Tall. Broad. Holding something massive.
Jazz's voice cracked.
"Tyler… is that—"
Tyler's flashlight finally clicked on.
The beam hit metal—
A massive machete sword.
Then the figure stepped into the light.
Hackjaw Hendricks.
His red-black eyes glowed.
His face was pale and corpse-like.
His body was covered in old scars and soot, like he'd crawled out of a burning forge.
Emily turned around—her livestream catching every second.
"OH MY GOD—"
Hackjaw raised the machete.
Tyler screamed.
Jazz screamed louder.
Emily screamed loudest.
And Hackjaw swung.