Asylum - 13 Tales of Terror (11 page)

“Shit, sorry,” Billy mumbled hoping that he would be able to just slide away.

As he looked up from his sitting position he could see that Danny, as usual, was not alone. Most bullies travelled with a mobile cheering section and Danny was no different. Billy recognised Shaun Boyce and Paul Rourke. They were always in attendance whenever their master required, and today was no different. Shaun was a beanpole, tall and skinny with enough acne to rival Danny. He was blonde with beady eyes that were always on the move. Paul was short and fat; his brown hair was shaved short due to constant lice infestations and his wide round moon face was always distant and lost. Both Shaun and Paul were suddenly interested in the oncoming prospect of violence and they gathered around Billy menacingly.

“Easy boys,” Danny commanded.

Billy stared in disbelief as Danny offered a helping hand, and he was suddenly heaved up unceremoniously back to his feet.

“Sorry Billy boy,” Danny said through a weird grin that looked alien on his usually cruel face, “Didn’t see it was you.”

Billy stared nervously at the three encircling bullies; this would usually be cause for major concern, but Danny was viewing him in an almost friendly manner.

“How’s it going Billy? Working hard or hardly working?” Danny joked.

The entourage exploded with practiced laughter at the well-used quip. Billy looked on anxiously, normally he would have expected verbal abuse at the very least.

“So what are you up to then Billy boy?” Danny asked again pleasantly.

Billy looked for the shark toothed smile but it stayed a normal one, “Not much Danny,” he offered.

“Fancy hanging out for a bit?” Shaun piped up.

“Uh, I don’t know, I’m supposed to be getting home,” Billy offered weakly.

“Ah, come on Billy boy,” Paul interjected, “Time’s a wasting.”

“Yeah Billy,” Danny said, grabbing hold of Billy’s shoulder, “Come on, let’s do something fun.”

“Like what?” Billy asked innocently not seeing the furtive glances that passed between Shaun and Paul.

“I’m sure that we can think of something,” Danny smiled.

Billy wanted desperately to believe that here was a chance, however slim, that he could actually make some friends at long last. Perhaps Danny’s reputation was somewhat unfounded; on the other hand it would be nice to be on the inner circle for once. Maybe if he could roll with these guys then at least he might belong somewhere.

“Say, aren’t you working at the new store, the toy one?” Paul suddenly interrupted.

“Yeah, I’ve got some money,” Billy said hoping to ingratiate himself.

“I bet he’s got some cool stuff in there?” Shaun said.

“Yeah, hey maybe we could take a look,” Danny said, pulling Billy’s arm back towards the store.

“Oh, Mr. Kessler would have already locked up for the night by now,” Bill said disappointedly.

“Well that sucks,” said Paul.

“Yeah, I really fancied having a look around there,” Shaun sighed dramatically.

“Hey, I bet Billy here knows how to get in,” Danny chimed up, “Don’t you big Bill?”

Billy blushed furiously; he actually did carry a carefully secluded key in his front pocket. Mr. Kessler had trusted him enough by now to give him a key to the store. He weighed his jarring emotions. He did not want to let Mr. Kessler down by entering the building after dark, but on the other hand here he was with Danny Jacobs no less, and the chance to seal new friendships by impressing them. His fledgling sense of responsibility turned out to be no match for his selfish childish desires. “I’ve got a key,” he said proudly.

“Hey, good man Big Bill,” Paul said thumping him on the back.

“So let’s go take us a look then,” Danny said already moving.

Billy walked the short distance back to the store. His chest pumped with pride at his new found status. Both Paul and Shaun had taken to calling him “Big Bill”; it was his first nickname given to him by his first friends. He was a little concerned by the hour; he knew that his mother would be home soon and would be angry if he wasn’t there to meet her. But the child disappearances had halted and the talk was that whoever was responsible must have left the area by now. Besides, if his new friends weren’t worried about curfews, then neither was he. He was rolling with Danny Jacobs’ crew now. No-one, not even some paedo kid snatcher would dare to mess with “Big Bill”, not now.

He approached the store front door quietly. It suddenly dawned on him that he didn’t know where Mr. Kessler lived, and he’d never had the conversational adult thought to ask. The store looked dark from the outside and Billy peered carefully through the large windows for a tell-tale shaft of light around the work room door; there was none. His heart was thumping hard as he pulled the key from his pocket and slid it gently into the lock. He had the sudden thought that perhaps he didn’t actually want to go in the store after dark. The puppets were creepy enough during the daytime. He angrily pushed aside such childish notions; he was Big Bill now, and Big Bill wasn’t afraid of toys.

He eased open the door and stepped inside. He only had one foot in the store when Danny abruptly pushed passed him and he stumbled forward clumsily.

“Careful,” Billy hissed.

“Shut your mouth,” Danny snarled, all pretence gone, “Fan out fellas, you know the deal.”

Billy could only watch on helplessly as Shaun and Paul barreled past him with little care. The three of them spread out quickly and began ransacking the shelves for anything of value. His heart sunk as he realised that he was only being used.

“Get out,” he said, trying for an authoritative tone but falling some way short.

Danny was on him in a flash, grabbing him painfully through his shirt, taking a painful pinch of skin with his grip. “Shut your bloody mouth and watch the damn door,” Danny barked, pulling his face in close. “If anyone comes, you holler out loudly or I’ll break your damn neck!”

Billy felt himself begin to well up; he fought hard against the tears and rubbed the sore patch of skin where Danny had grabbed him. He stood back against the door and watched the street, cursing himself for being manipulated so easily. He winced at the crashing sounds of the three looters as Mr. Kessler’s painstaking work was being thrown around and splintered with abandon.

“Where’s the bloody money?” He heard one of them hiss.

“There’s nothing here Danny, just a bunch of kid’s toys,” said the other low voice irritably.

Billy heard a harsh thudding slap of hand on flesh, “Who’s in charge here you dozy prick?” Danny’s voice snarled.

Billy stared into the darkness of the store. He could just see the three figures moving around, scanning the shelves for anything of value like Jackals picking at a carcass.

“There’s nothing here guys,” he pleaded, “Let’s go huh?”

Danny charged at him, “Where’s the money? Where’s the till? The safe?” He demanded.

“I don’t know,” Billy whined, “He’s not even open yet, I don’t think there is any money.”

“Shit!” Danny snapped.

“What now?” Shaun asked from inside the darkness.

“Hey check this out,” Paul’s voice was hushed and full of wonder.

Danny ignored him; he reached out and grabbed Billy by the throat, “There must be something here. What about a stock room or something?”

Billy struggled to breathe properly under the iron grip, “There’s a workshop out the back,” he pointed.

“Shaun,” Danny snapped, “Go check it out.”

“Hey you guys,” Paul said again.

“Godammit Paul what the hell’s the matter with you?” Danny said impatiently, not taking his attention away from Billy.

Through the gloom of the store and over Danny’s shoulder Billy could see just what Paul was so transfixed by. He was holding the Punch puppet in his pudgy hand, its deep black stare was locked with Paul’s moon face. Billy wanted to warn Paul that the doll wasn’t something to be messed with when the workshop door exploded and Mr. Kessler staggered out struggling with Shaun. Despite Mr. Kessler being taller and heavier than Shaun’s skinny frame, the man was old and frail and the younger boy was more than holding his own.

“I found this old fart out the back,” Shaun panted.

“What is this?” Kessler demanded, “What are you boys doing here? Get out, get out immediately.”

“Well well,” Danny said cheerfully, “Where’s the money old man?”

“What money is this?” Kessler said, “I have no money.”

“Don’t screw with me you old bastard!” Danny snapped. His hand flashed into his coat and he whipped out a black handle with a silver button. He pressed the button and a wicked blade flipped out and glinted menacingly in the gloomy light. Danny pushed the blade harshly against Billy’s neck, “Give us the money now or little Billy here is going to pay.”

“You let that boy go now, I shall call the police,” Kessler said still assuming that he was adult and thus in control.

Shaun shoved the old man hard and he fell backwards, his legs giving way as he crashed heavily to the floor.

“Shaun, is there anything back there?” Danny barked.

“I dunno, this old geezer grabbed me before I got a chance to look.”

“Well go look now dumbass. Paul go help him,” Danny ordered “Paul, PAUL!” He shouted when Paul didn’t answer.

Billy looked over to where Paul had been standing before, he wasn’t there now.

“For Christ’s sake, do I have to do everything myself?” Danny snapped. He dragged Billy one-handed towards where Paul had been stood holding the Punch doll.

Billy could hear the rising panic now in Danny’s voice; whatever he’d had planned had suddenly taken a left turn. The room suddenly seemed darker than it had before. Billy could hear Danny sweating, Mr. Kessler wheezing and Shaun worrying, but he could hear nothing from Paul.

He was dragged across the floor and between the shelves; a hundred deep dark painted eyes watching them all in disapproval. The puppets lined the shelves; their heads seemed to no longer hang loosely as before. The strings seemed tighter and the expressions more alert. Billy shuddered as he staggered. Suddenly his feet caught on something that sent him tumbling to the floor and Danny released his grip as Billy fell. Billy came down on what had been a clean and swept floor by his own hands, but he landed in something wet and sticky. Billy crawled away from the torn body of what had once been Paul. He had put his hand down in the gaping hole that had once been Paul’s face and his fingers were slick with blood and gore.

“Danny, hey Danny, let’s just go huh?” Shaun moaned softly, “This has all gone too far, let’s just go ok,” he whined.

“SHUT UP!” Danny roared, his voice augmented by fear.

“You should go now, while you can I think,” Kessler whispered from his prone position, “Please, just leave while you can.”

“Yeah Danny, let’s…” Shaun suddenly stopped mid flow, “What the hell is that?” He gasped, “What the hell is…” His voice was suddenly replaced by a wet gurgling sound.

“Paul?” Danny said incomprehensively towards the mess on the floor, “Shaun? Shaun where are you?” He stammered, “What did you do old man? What the hell did you do?” He gripped the switchblade knife with the conviction of a priest holding a crucifix.

Billy curled his legs up under his chin and rocked back and forth in a fetal position, his thumb crept into his mouth for solace. He felt all of their eyes watching, the deep dark painted eyes stared, eager and hungry. The limp bodies that hung from strings were all now alert and aware, and Billy could feel their collective stare.

He watched as Danny stood over him; to his credit his bravado was strong. He had yet to meet a situation in his tender years that could be solved by his own brute force. Mr. Kessler suddenly appeared before them, his face was creased and lined with sadness, and his shoulders were stooped with a heavy burden.

“You’re gonna pay old man,” Danny snarled as he launched himself forward, blood up and blade out.

Billy gasped as the knife struck home in the centre of Mr. Kessler’s chest; it hung there, imbedded, jutting out like a miniature diving board. Kessler looked down in sour, sad amusement; he reached down and pulled the blade free. Billy stared in disbelief. There was no blood and he shook his head refusing to believe his own eyes as only a tiny puff of sawdust fell from the small hole.

Danny turned and ran for the door, his sturdy legs pumping hard.

“I told you once young William, they are all my children,” Mr. Kessler said as he looked down at Billy.

Billy rocked back and forth, his eyes glassy and distant as the room exploded into life. Tiny wooden hands brought Danny down before he reached the door, and his screams were mercifully brief.

13.

BLACKWATER HEIGHTS

“Hey, that one was pretty good,” Martin enthused, he felt himself growing to the task as he wrote furiously. “What about the missing kids? Where did they fit in?”

“Nowhere, just a coincidence Martin,” Jimmy cackled, “The world just keeps on turning I guess, regardless of our little stories.”

“What happened to Kessler?”

“Oh, Mr. Kessler was long gone by the time they discovered young Billy in the store. The police questioned him for days afterwards, but poor Billy just wasn’t in a talkative mood,” Jimmy said grinned with a mean streak. “All they had was Billy and three dead boys. They eventually came to the conclusion that all four boys must have been taken by the child abductor that had been terrorizing the area, and it was assumed that Mr. Kessler was guilty of that particular crime. No-one was about to believe young Billy’s tale and so he ended up here on the sort of free holiday that the hospital sometimes offers the poor, as some kind of charitable tax break I think.”

“Do they take a lot of cases like this?” Martin asked pointing back at Billy’s room.

“Not that many, I think the hospital’s heart only stretches so far,” Jimmy replied.

The fluorescent lights overhead suddenly dipped and dimmed; the usual buzzing hum interrupted mid-flow.

Martin stared up the ceiling nervously as the shadows lengthened around him, “What was that?” He asked apprehensively.

“Just a little power fluctuation,” Jimmy replied. “Happens all the time unfortunately.”