Paintshark (13 page)

The tentacle pulled her backwards through the water and away from the shore at great speed, it lifted the poor girl up in the air and crashed her down again as if it was playing the drums but with one stick, she was flung left to right by the huge tentacle.

Her eyelids began to fade and it felt as if her lungs were on fire, another tentacle attached itself to her and tightened around her waist with a vicelike grip; she was being dragged to her death by two squid-like tentacles which would not let her go until her body was lifeless, and whatever the tentacles were attached to, they knew Kimberley was close to death and at greater speed they dragged her down beneath the water’s surface for the last time. She had earlier pleaded with the beast to let her go, and with the water filling up inside her she had begged for her life to no avail and now she was going to die.

Heading deeper and deeper to her watery grave Kimberley was almost gone. Her eyes were glazed and for some reason she thought,
I should be dead by now.

Kimberley had been tossed along the waves for what seemed an eternity and yet her small frame survived the ferocious onslaught of the waves, she was being dragged down again which probably was for the final time.

The host to the tentacles flipped her over and now Kimberley was being carried through the waves on her back, and submerging quickly, with no more frantic wiggles left in her body, she was underwater and was resigned about dying.

She could feel lots of smaller sea inhabitants brushing over her body as she went deeper; there was no chance of seeing them as the water was so black, she could see nothing and her final thoughts beneath the waves were no longer those of despair or fright, but anger began to take her. Anger at not being able to see her best friend Cassandra again, to see her parents and learn the truth about why they let her go on this show which could ultimately kill her or be with Denton as a proper couple – despite what he had done., he was her first love and he was taken away from her too soon and in a way so cruel she could never repeat it to anybody else if she survived.
If she survived.

She was blacking out and heading for her end.
But she was not going out without a fight.
Something welled up inside her, an essence she had never felt before as the cold waters were about to claim her for their own pleasure, Kimberley could just about feel a tingling sensation in her fingers, they felt warm.
It seemed like they were glowing.

A white pulse was beating within her fingertips, she thought what was left of her mind was playing tricks on her, teasing her before it finally shut down, but she could see the white, and feel some new found energy inside her, something strong…something god-like and powerful maybe?

Marbles of what seemed like pure energy dripped from her fingers, leaving white light trails in the water behind her, little balls were flowing from both hands now, which flailed behind her head.

Instinctively, Kimberley gathered what little strength she had left in her as she had only seconds left to pull her stunt off, flinging both arms forward she released the balls in front of her praying they’d hit their desired target.

She couldn’t see where the shape was that had her entangled; the white marbles hurtled toward something…and hit it.

The waves were sent high into the almost moonlit sky as the explosion sent Kimberley shooting skyward, the tentacles attached to her were severed and a huge black mist from the creature began to envelop the lingering yellow light which followed her ascent into the sky.

She was unconscious by the time she came crashing back down to the lake. The light from her hands had gone out and there was nothing to illuminate the waters now, the explosion had served its purpose. Some heavier bits of tentacle were beginning to sink towards the bottom of the sea whilst the others floated around the body of Kimberley, illuminated by the still full moon, scything a white gap between the water and the shore.

Millions of people watching at home, thousands in the street and hundreds in the studio yelled for more.

Elias was being led up through the house from the damp prison below, the horrors he witnessed with the Hustle beetles and the Cockatrice still burned deep in his head.

Two security guards pushed and prodded him through various floors, the higher they went, the more people appeared and they were easy on the eye as far as their appearance, too.

Scantily clad beautiful women adorned the upper rooms; some were waitresses, serving food and wine to the many studio executives working for ‘Big Man’ and others just walked around hand in hand, if these girls were captive then they made no show of their desire to leave the Network king.

Elias was pushed into a large plush room with a very high ceiling, and huge windows. There were paintings with horses and children on most of the walls, there was another big TV like in the main office and by the biggest window stood ‘Big Man’, clean-shaven and with dark shades on, even in the evening. His build was slight, but he did work out with weights on his arms. He wore his attire well-pressed and he did look very presentable, only his yellow jagged worn teeth spoiled his otherwise pristine appearance.

Apollo walked in with Mr Tidy and Big Man waved his forefinger at them as soon as they appeared and shouted angrily.

“YOU, MR TIDY, YOU CAN TURN AROUND RIGHT NOW AND GET THE HELL OUT OF MY OFFICE.”

Mr Tidy seemed confused. “Why? What did I do?”

“WHAT DID YOU DO? YOU LOST ME MY FISH AND CHIP VAN AND THEN YOU SOLD MY MUM A POGOSTICK.”

Mr Tidy looked to the ground sheepishly. “How is your mum?”

“HOW IS SHE? SHE’S BROKEN BOTH HER LEGS, WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS GOING TO HAPPEN? AND WHERE’S MY FISH AND CHIP VAN?”

“I can’t remember where I parked it.”

“WELL, I DON’T WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN UNTIL YOU FIND IT.”

“But Boss–”

“GET OUT AND DON’T COME BACK UNTIL YOU BRING ME BACK MY FISH AND CHIP VAN.”

Mr Tidy nodded solemnly and left the office. Big Man almost forgot Elias was in the room, and when he turned to him, his mood changed he was extremely happy. He seemed genuinely pleased to see Elias and pointed to the TV screen excitedly. “DID YOU SEE THAT? THAT WAS FUNNY AS SHIT, MAN” OH MATE, THAT WAS AWESOME!” He ‘Hi-fived’ with Apollo, then realised Elias hadn’t a clue what he was talking about, he waved his hands at the prisoner and pointed at the TV screen. “Oh I forgot, you didn’t see what happened, check this out…one of your students just took out my Leviathan live tonight, great battle, she used some of her freaky powers to burn off its tentacles.”

He turned to Apollo. “Did she survive?” Apollo shrugged his shoulders. Elias glared at Apollo, oblivious to Big Man’s words.

“Your student was remarkable, you know.” This time he caught Elias’s attention.

“What are you talking about?” he muttered under his breath.

Big Man looked on in astonishment and pointed again. “THE SCREEN MAN, LOOK AT THE SCREEN, THE GIRL, THE GIRL.”

Elias strained his eyes to the screen.

“SHE’S ONE OF YOURS, SHE’S GOT SUPER POWERS, SHE’S ON MY SHOW…I THINK SHE’S DEAD…WHO KNOWS?

Elias recognised the girl being dragged beneath the waves on the TV replay. “That’s Kimberley, she’s in my class, what did you do? What have you done to her?”

“We’ve probably killed her if I’m honest, we’ll see if it was worth it when the ratings come in.”

A shockwave of anger overcame Elias and quickly turned to rage as he went for ‘Big Man’.

“I’LL KILL YOU, I’LL KILL YOU, SHE’S JUST A KID!” He fell to the ground in tears and the security guards hauled him up and held him still; they were getting tired of his antics.

Big Man sat down at the desk.

“Hey Dude, sorry about your student but she did her job well, put up a good fight and

I must apologise for keeping you in that foul dungeon, sometimes the smell wafts its way up here and it is most unpleasant on the nose.” Big man’s voice was very crisp and direct but wasn’t raised in anyway, the more he talked the quieter he became. “My interference into your life was very necessary and I trust you would like to know why?”

Elias barely moved but kept listening. “As you can imagine, my job is all about ratings and popularity, if I could have every school shut in the district and all those kids were at home watching my show and voting for my show, then imagine my ratings…and then suddenly these new kids showup with these strange powers…and we just have to get them on the show, you must understand, right?”

Elias spoke up. “Kids?…There’s more than one?”

Big Man nodded in excitement.

“How many?” Elias spoke through gritted teeth, seething in anger.

“Another girl called Cassandra Paintshark who definitely has powers and a little nerd who to be honest was in with you in the dungeon, surprised you didn’t see him…not sure if he has powers or if he even survived the beetles.”

Elias whirled around. “YOU’VE KILLED MY STUDENTS?”

Big Man smiled and Elias noticed his wrinkles move above the eyes. “TV did.”

Elias roared. “Why are you doing this? I SAID, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?”

Big Man paused for a moment. “Because I’m scared of you.”

The whispers in the room stopped. Picking up the TV control, Big Man turned it off. “What do you think really separates men from gods? It is fear? Men have none whilst fear eats the Gods from the inside, the Gods used to live on mortals’ reliance on them, the praying, the sacrifices, the statues, but this is a new age where we are no longer respected, no longer worshipped, no longer loved. We are fading away as kings and queens…we’re just like everybody else, and I’m afraid.”

Elias watched as The Big Man shook his head.

“So you really think that you’re gods?”

“No, TV is the god, I am just a lowly disciple. You’re the danger, the teachers, the musicians, the artists. You can learn, you can breathe and you think for yourselves and that is what scares us, those who think, those who have an opinion, they’re the threat.

“We are still powerful, but there’s something my uncle once said, ‘With great power comes great responsibility’.” He looked down at Elias. “I can understand how distressing this must be for you now, about to watch the students you care for get slaughtered.”

Elias spat back, “Drop dead.”

“As will they. You still have no idea who you’re up against. Guards release him.” Elias fell in a heap on the floor, getting up and looking around, he knew it was useless trying to escape with all the protection Big Man had. Big Man spoke again. “There is no need – just as long as you cooperate.”

“Do I have a choice?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“Despite your foul language I admire you, Mr Glaucas, for what your future holds. It takes a brave man to insult me at this time, and I would really like to point out that no harm would come to you…but we both know that’s not going to happen.”

“You’re a real piece of work.”

“I know you are, but what am I?

Elias pounded his fist on the floor. “This is all a game to you, isn’t it?

Big Man smiled. “So now you finally understand, but for you it may be too late.” He turned to Apollo. “Can you still ride a horse?”

“As easy as riding a bike.”

Big Man stepped forward and stood head to head with Elias, his guards moved in slowly.

“I have learned a great deal about teachers over the last few years, Mr Glaucas. I know you are strong and resilient people, except primary school teachers, they’re a funny bunch if you ask me.” Elias glared straight into the eyes of the TV God.

“You can shove your respect.”

Big Man walked towards the large window looking out at the dark evening sky. “Once again, I regret any inconvenience this may cause to you and your family.”

He motioned to the guards. “Could you return Mr Glaucas back to the prison please, but tend to his wounds first and make him look presentable for the crowds.”

“Crowds?” asked Elias.

“Yep, I’ve decided to drag you behind a horse and cart whilst having lions chase you, something to do I suppose…take him away, boys.”

The two guards continued their manhandling routine with Elias and began pulling him out of the room, and the calm gathering of businessmen and glamour girls got back to gossiping, which was then shattered by a shout across the room from Elias.

“HEY BIG MAN.”

Again the crown fell silent as the TV boss turned from the window and looked at the teacher; he motioned the guards to stop again.

“Yes, Mr Glaucas?”

Elias swallowed hard and quick, his throat was dry and coarse, he needed to wet it soon, if he was allowed water, he would find out after he spat the words which sat on his tongue next.

“You’ll pay for this, you’re all going to pay for this … I promise.”

Big Man sighed. “The amount of times I’ve heard that, Mr Glaucas, you’d be surprised.”

Elias called out again as he exited backwards through the door. “See you in hell, Big Man.”

Big Man watched as his guards dragged Elias through the lonely corridors and down to the prison, he eased himself into his chair and waved everybody out of the room. The Network man pondered on what Elias had just told him and he gave an almighty sigh, and, pouring what remained of the wine in to his glass, he muttered under his breath, “Probably.”

The studio announcer’s voice rang along the building’s speakers as the audiences at home and in the Complex got ready for the next game.

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, OUR NEXT CONTESTANT IS THE FIESTY CASSANDRA PAINTSHARK; SHE HAS GUTS, HAS GUILE AND SHE’S NEXT IN LINE FOR THE ‘GAMES’.

“SO VIEWERS AT HOME, GET READY TO VOTE BY PHONE OR TEXT AND STUDIO AUDIENCE, GET READY TO VOTE WITH YOUR KEYPADS.

“IF YOU WOULD LIKE CASSANDRA TO FACE:

THE BLOOD RATS: CALL 0800 225 01

THE PIT BEAST: CALL 0800 225 02

THE FAMILY: CALL 0800 225 01”

The usual razzamatazz with comedians and songs filled in the gaps between the phone votes until the announcer came back.

“WELL THE PHONELINES ARE CLOSED AND THE VOTES HAVE BEEN COUNTED AND WE CAN TELL YOU THAT CASSANDRA WILL BE FACING ‘THE FAMILY’.”