Justin Cairns - Little Red

‘Power, that’s why. Because they can, so they do. It’s weakness that drives them, kids are easy to control. Sad to say but it’s because they’re weak minded targets, so vulnerable, and without the correct protection, well, they remain oblivious to their surroundings mate’

‘But, I just can’t see what drives them, I mean, they must have something missing which we have!’

‘Yeah,… a fucking heart and soul. Look, I know that this is an eye opener for you, but what you just told me then about the place where you live, it sounds like an ideal place to raise a child. Not all people are evil, a small percentage dwell and feed off the weak. I always said I would re-locate with Megan, give her the best upbringing possible, not only have I failed to do that but I have failed to protect her and her mother!’

‘What happened to your wife was out of your hands Richard, it’s a horrible feeling, I know, but some things we just can’t control!’

‘Well tonight is a night that we do control Nathan. Tonight we can take our own hate and resentment and force it onto the bastards that deserve it. We can control this, you and I, and we can put families minds at rest by eliminating the enemy!’

The words held energy, the were a boost to his mental state. He looked down at his hands and noticed that they had stopped shaking, they were as steady as a rock.

‘Okay, I’m with you. How long to the next place?’

‘Twenty minutes or so, depends on the traffic mate’ he smiled as his new friend accepted to take his side. The bond between the men had hung from a fine thread, their minds were driven in opposite directions. Now, they sat as one, pulled together like metal to a magnet.

The night had engulfed the creatures that lurked in the shadows, the evil spirits that fed upon fear and weakness. Tonight would be different, the demon’s would feel the end of the stick, that stick housing an array of tools to cause pain.

Nathan hadn’t noticed the missed calls on his mobile. It had been set to silent as he left the hotel, he had not wanted any disturbance when he met Richard. He followed the street lamps as they climbed the windscreen and disappeared out of view, the vehicle sped down the dual-carriage way, their next location minutes away.

***

Jack had felt disappointed that his friend, probably the only male friend he had, didn’t answer the calls. He began thinking that maybe Nathan had departed on a flight to Spain, leaving his pain and shame behind. He had never hated Nathan for leaving the last time he had asked for his help, but he despised him for not sharing his issues. He thought that they had a bond, a relationship in which they could tell one and other their secrets and hope the other could help with some advice. He needed advice now, his friend unable to assist.

He began to think about Helen, his ex-wife. The woman had been there for him when he needed a shoulder, as strong and able minded as he was, it still felt good to release the built up anger that dwelled within the pit of his stomach. Helen would stroke his greying hair and whisper comforting words as he lay his head upon her breasts, the therapeutic massage released the toxins that carried his loathing for the job. Tears would sometimes escape his eyes and he welcomed them, her thumb wiping them from his cheeks.

He had driven her away with the job that had now began to crash upon him, shattering his dreams of a future with her, the dreams of his boat bouncing upon mild waves next in line. He reached for the bottom drawer and pulled it open. The bottle lay under some unused folders, he pushed them aside and removed the whiskey, its golden appearance shining before the table lamp. The first mouthful had seared his throat and stomach lining, the second went down easier, as did the third.

***

William rested his back upon the leather arm chair, the pub growing quieter as the hours pushed on. He had held a lengthy conversation with himself, appearing more and more appetising to the woman of his mind. The alcohol had given him a swift kick after the sixth bottle, the whiskey beforehand added to his drunkenness. He contemplated going home several times, as he was about to stand a long legged woman would enter his arcs, his eyes following the curves and excitement displayed from under his trousers. He would sit and try the starring for attention game. It had failed each time and he was slowly losing patience. He placed the palms of his hands upon the wet table and forced his body upright, the blackout effect jumped into play and he stood as still as possible whilst the room slowed its spinning.

‘Come on Doc…..get it together’ he blabbed to himself.

His focus was distorted as he prodded at the end of his nose, thinking his glasses had slid down as usual.

‘Nope…..they are on my face!’ he acknowledged to himself.

He staggered slightly, the table connected with his thighs.

‘Hey….easy now, we don’t need to take this outside, do we?’ his fists curling towards the invisible attacker.

‘Hey, you’re that guy from T.V right?’ the voice sweet and delicate.

He turned to spot the woman, she stood to his side.

‘Hi, Doctor William Lime……it’s a pressure to meet you!’ he slurred.

The giggle told him that his mistake in speech had been accepted and the young woman sat on the chair next to his position. He slumped down upon his chair, once again. Her hair was golden, strands of pure essence. Her silver dress shimmered under the light above. He envisioned her as an angel, a goddess sent to amuse him.

‘Would you like a drink?’ he offered, displaying a wallet full of notes.

‘Definitely, I’ll have what you’re having please’

‘Fine red wine sounds appeasing to me’ he attempted to impress her with an array of technical words, not realising that he had only succeeded in making a fool of himself, still, the woman welcomed it.

***

‘That’s the place, I think. Just over there by the green bins’ Richard pointed to his right, his finger pressed against the window. He checked the list, removing it from his coat pocket. Nathan noticed the imprint of the nails head as it had burrowed through the glove and into his skin.

‘How’s the hand?’

‘What, oh, fine mate, cheers’ he smiled. Nathan admired how calm his friend was, the man was about ten minutes away from taking a life and he appeared to be as cool as the wind that surrounded the car.

‘How are we doing this one?’

‘Same as before, keep it easy mate, less confusion means less fuck ups!’

‘That makes sense!’

They gave one and other a smile, comforting in a small way. Richard had climbed out first, his breath creeping from his mouth and swirling before him. The back door was opened and his equipment removed. Nathan calmed himself, breathing steadily and firing some words of encouragement to his tired brain. Right, let’s go, you can do this mate……you’re the boss, YOU ARE THE BOSS!

Their feet scraped the concrete floor that had been untouched by the snow, they crossed the small island at the centre of the plaza, several empty beer cans lay upon the ground beside some benches. Nathan looked around, spying for any movement. Richard walked on, his footsteps echoed within his ears, he was focused, determined to complete the self-assigned task. The distinct smell or urine hit them as they entered the front, the double doors banged together as they were closed, a hinge at the top of one corner had come loose, causing them to clash.

‘Why are the locations always fucking filthy?’ quizzed Nathan, trying to veer his mind from the mission at hand.

‘They’re not always this bad, you’d be surprised who some of these people are!’

They patrolled the ground floor, the room number was in the lower section.