Justin Cairns - Little Red

You are becoming………you WILL become. He stood whilst the howl circled him, the beast ran to his side. He remained still as it leapt towards him, the claws ripping his flesh……still he stood, motionless.

You WILL become.

The barking from a nearby dog awoke him. He panicked, thinking he had lost his window of viewing. The digital reading on his watch displayed ten minutes forty three seconds remaining. His heart rate lowered and he adjusted his position, wiping his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. He turned his head to face the house, the upstairs lights were brought to life and he watched as the man escorted his daughter up to her room. Through the binoculars he watched as Megan entered her room, her safe place, climbed upon the top of her wooden bunk bed. The room was dimly lit as her father extinguished the main light and turned on a smaller one, a book was balanced upon her open palms. He imagined himself reading her a story…….his favourite bed time tale. The show was ended by her curtains been fully closed. He felt annoyed, it had finished abruptly and several minutes still remained. He considered the state of his mind, his gums still throbbing, and decided to go home.

Good bye Megan……….sweeeeeet dreeeeeeams. He blew her a kiss as the engine was started, he drove away slowly. The headlights came to life as he turned the corner and was out of sight.

Chapter Fifteen

The coffee tasted old as Nathan sipped it, the heat singing his top lip. He licked it too help cool the burnt flesh. The usual hustle and bustle of the building surrounded him and he sat within the chair, the cup warming his hands. He thought about home, about his wife. He realised he hadn’t spoken to her for several days and that no images or memories of his safe place had sprung in his mind. He felt terrible, as if he were cheating on the woman he loves by not thinking of her. His heart ached and he grunted the small lump away from his throat. He got to his feet, his knees cracked with age, and moved towards the exit; his spare hand searched for the mobile phone Jack gave him.

The cold nipped his skin as he exited the building, the wind created a dull pain in his ears. He stood with the phone poised, his brain attempted to recall the number of Elle’s phone. Several seconds passed and with three failed attempts the ringing tone now filled his ear. He waited, longing to hear her sweet voice….he waited. The robotic voice requested he left a message and that he would be called back once the owner had listened to his message. He was devastated…… maybe she doesn’t want to talk?....have I done something wrong?...what have I forgotten? The worrying questions swarmed his head, bouncing off the inside of his cranium and creating a mild headache. He moved back inside, the phone lowered into his pocket.

Walking through the corridor he was met by a tired looking Jack. Their eyes appeared distant to each other and they both considered a good sleep.

‘Morning’ greeted Nathan

‘We have another package, arrived this morning. Be in the briefing room in ten….were going to open it and view the contents then’. He turned and headed away.

Nathan met the blank faces of the team as they positioned them-selves for the opening of the parcel. William Lime was perched upon a desk, Nathan decided to sit as far away as possible, the arrogance leaked from his eccentric fashion dress. Their eyes met and Nathan was greeted with a slimy attempt of a smile.

What the hell are you smiling at? His face remained expressionless, stone cold like his respect for the weasel of a man.

Jack entered and the starring match was ended. He placed the brown envelope upon the desk and turned to the class.

‘Morning, I’m sure you’re all aware of what I have right here’ his finger aimed at the parcel.

‘We can also assume without opening it, what is in the package’ he turned his back to them as the envelope was carefully pulled open. He reached in and removed the Polaroid photos and disk. He collected the evidence and headed toward Doctor Lime, handing him the disc.

‘Do the honours’ he ordered. Lime followed his instructions and prepped the projector. Jack stood at the front of the class and looked upon the images in his hands. He showed no emotion. His eyes scanned the words placed at the bottom of each picture, my, what big ears you have….my, what big eyes you have…my, what big teeth you have. His stomach ached with fury.

The Doctor gave a thumb up to show that the DVD was ready for viewing, Jack moved towards the light switch and decreased the brightness.

The class sat in silence as they heard the same song as before. The howl filled the room.

Nathan watched as the beast performed his ritual. The girl cried as the homemade claw sliced at her skin. He watched the Wolf stalk her in circles, admiring his kill. Nathan sat forward, noticing a difference in the movie.

‘Pause it….now pause it now!’ he bellowed, William gave a ‘tut’ as the footage was frozen. Nathan moved toward the large screen and stood to the left side.

‘There’s a difference…look upon the cabinet…there’ he pointed. The jar gave a slight glimmer as it caught the light, the pink colour plain to see.

‘He collects the hearts Jack…..he’s a trophy killer’.

***

Russell awoke in his den. The needed rest had been caught up on and he leaned forward from the chair. He felt very awake, the pain from his mouth had decreased and he felt the urge to eat. He pondered for a moment on the choice of delicacy. He wanted meat…..fresh meat. He wanted to test his new teeth. The chair rocked slightly as he forced himself up and headed for the back door. The morning light stung his eyes; he wobbled to the shed before they could adjust. The key was removed from his pocket and he clicked open the lock. The movement could be heard from within the depths of the structure, the tiny feet scurrying to and fro. He illuminated the room and observed the small animals. He had decided to go one better then fresh meat…….he wanted to taste it whilst it still had a pulse, whilst its life pumped through its body. The rabbit squealed as he gripped its neck, the feet were thrown in all directions as it fought the hunter; knowing its fate. He withheld the urge to bite it and carried it back to the house, the padlock placed through the bracket and shut closed.

The kitchen absorbed the warmth from the sun as the slither of light appeared from the open curtain. The side unit was now in view for the prepping of his snack. He planned the sequence in his mind, throwing some pros and cons into the mix. He didn’t want to break its neck……he wanted to take its life with his teeth. But to eat the meat he would need to skin it. The small white animal wriggled as he came to a conclusion. The deep pot was pulled from the cupboard and place on the unit. He moved the thick wooden chopping board into view and pulled a knife free from its home.

He turned the creature to face him and he looked deep into its eyes. He felt the fear from within its small body; its heart imitated a small drum… boom baboom baboom baboom….

His teeth sunk into the thin layer of skin, the fur tickling his lips, the warm life flowing down his throat. The rabbit pulled wildly, attempting to free itself from the torture. He held it tight, forcing its neck against his mouth. He bit down harder, the throat ripped like Velcro being pulled apart. His rows of teeth touched as the neck was crushed, a slight whimper of pain came from the red bubbles as the air escaped. He breathed it in…..he swallowed its blood….he welcomed the sensation of fulfilment. The body was lowered to the unit; his teeth had performed as he had hoped. His tongue danced over the smooth surfaces, the cumulated blood licked free from his teeth. He closed his eyes and felt the fresh source pulse through him. Time to flay the carcass…..time to eat.