Justin Cairns - Little Red

‘That’s me done pal, you just relax, don’t fight it.’ He began to walk from the study.

‘Oh, sorry I forgot to mention, try not to break the bulb, the blood and saliva in your mouth will react with the wiring and you’ll fry!’ he waved goodbye to the man as he slowly cooked, the light in the room was extinguished, leaving a glowing balloon upon the seat. Richard departed the house feeling slightly relieved, he had hoped for a quick kill, the night was pushing on and he had one more stop to make before calling it a day. He climbed into his car and started the engine. His eyes gazed up to the window of the house he had just exited, the dim light lit part of the room. He smiled, knowing what the light was and where exactly it was coming from. He also knew that the dim orb would break into a full blaze after the bulb popped, either by the teeth biting down upon it or the strain causing internal combustion, both resulting in the victim dying….horribly. The vehicle rolled from the driveway and onto the street, he pulled the list from his pocket and studied the address, the clock displayed 01:47 and his foot pressed hard upon the accelerator. The next job should only take him twenty minutes, in and out, that’s all he needed to do. The snow fell as a heavy blanket, the wheels crunched their way through.

Chapter Twenty Three

Russell had listened to the guest in his mind, he always did. Within the dream of vast forests and white powder, he chased the beast, they taunted one and other. The shadows cast by the trees offered ideal hiding places to lay low, prepare a strike and pounce upon the unsuspecting victim. It was more of a training session than play time, but he thoroughly enjoyed the rush it brought.

The dark beast whispered directions into his ear, he listened with intent. It spoke of a life he wanted, a way of living that he could abide by and enjoy. It brought to life the facts of difference, that he was unusual in many eyes, that he would not be welcomed by the normality of today’s society. Russell was amazed by the facts that crawled from the wolf’s mouth, he knew so much. The issue he was presented with was that when his transformation began, he would be discarded by all, especially those he loves. He would be a prisoner in the home he now stayed in, he would have to run, hide in the depths of secret holes until the night appeared. He felt ashamed by the judgement that would be forced upon him, bullied to be something he isn’t and will never be again. The final words of encouragement swirled in a mist of hot breath, his orders were clear.

To remove the resentment…you MUST remove the threat.....remove the threat!

He knew where to start but was unsure of how, he turned to the beast for help. It had gone, moved like a spirit silently through the woods, into the black mouth of his surroundings. He was alone, the time was precious and he needed to plan his next move, the words still circling his busy mind. Remove the threat!

Still dreaming, he had woken in his room. The night was full and the moon offered assistance to his task, the path illuminated by the bright beams. He moved slowly out of his room and creaked his way down the stairs. His uncle was a heavy sleeper, his snoring acted as an alarm system, if he could hear it then he was safe, if not….it meant his uncle was awake.

The kitchen was large, bigger than in real life. The dream had distorted several rooms and items within his mind, he was used to it. The handles, black in colour, poked from the top of the wooden block, one handle appeared larger than the others. He clasped his fingers around the item and slid it from it’s home. The knife had grown in length and width, it appeared more like a Machete than a basic kitchen knife. His dream had guided him this far, now he had to finish it. The high pitch noises arose from the stairs once again, the same places offered the same sounds. He stalked the landing, spying on his final destination. The door was slightly ajar, he watched as his uncle slept, his chest rising with every lung full, then deflating as the snorting sound escaped his mouth.

Remove the threat.

He edged the door open and tip toed his way into the room. His build was no aid in the intent of being stealthy, at fifteen stone and only twenty six, he was well toned and athletic, a must for his and the dark wolf’s plans. He managed to reach the bed, his heart racing with anticipation. He pulled back the quilt, his hand shaking with fear. He didn’t want to wake the man from his slumber, he would prefer a quick and easy kill, with as little mess as possible. The glowing moon helped brighten the room, the window directly above the bed. Russell looked up to the large ball of light, his heart slowed and hands steadied.

The first strike entered the chest and pierced the right lung, the blood bubbled as it mixed with the escaping air. His uncle awoke in shock. The knife was brought down again, this time slicing the throat just above the collar bone, his uncle fought wildly but a quick succession of stabs slowed him down. The weapon crashed down onto the body, chest, stomach, chest, neck, face. The blade snapped clean in two as it severed the jaw and became lodged between bone. He stepped back, watching the body twitch as the remaining life leaked from the multiple wounds. The bloody mess sprawled upon the sheets, the red liquid pooling under the carcass. Russell looked down upon his body, the arterial splashes scattered over his naked skin. He felt the rush, the pump of adrenalin soaring through his veins. He had done what was asked, what had been suggested to him by his dark traveller. He had removed the threat.

The reflection in the mirror seemed real, the water upon his face felt real, the blood that clung to his body was real. He hadn’t realised that the dream had ended. He was unaware of the exact time his darkest visions became real life. The shower was turned on and he climbed under the warm transparent liquid, his muscles relaxing under the heat. He had removed the threat, the threat was in his uncles room, the threat was lying in a blood ridden bed. He calmed his breathing, surprised at how well he had come to terms with the violent attack, his journey of transformation had begun, soon he would be what he longed to be………his invisible guest.

***

The familiar house stood to his front. Once again, he found himself on the pavement, his eyes looking toward the building. The darkness that had usually surrounded him was back, blacker than ever. It carried a heaviness to it, as though the night was engulfed with an invisible fog. His hands gripped the tools, a torch and wheel brace. The sensation of deja vu sunk in, he knew that he had been here before, the structure so familiar, the surroundings so exact. Within his mind he knew he was dreaming, but his attempts to pin point his location from memory failed. Why was this building, this moment in which he found himself on many sleepy occasions, so important? He didn’t know, it hurt his temple to think about it. He moved toward the house, this time he walked without the aid of floating. His feet crunched upon the gravel as he approached the front door. It was open, as normal. Upon entering he found one difference, the room he stood before was not the usual stairway into darkness. The walls displayed an enchanting scenery of green grass and blossoming trees. The colours were a mixture of tantalising effects, he couldn’t help but stare. The lights were bright but his eyes adapted quickly, the smell of bleach burned the inside of his nose as he entered the den. He scanned his surroundings, in one corner stood a camera balanced upon a tripod, he noticed the little LED flashing red. The room was empty apart from the seen things, he felt confused, puzzled as to the meaning of discovering the place. The lights were eliminated and he stood in absolute darkness. Several seconds passed and he attempted to use the torch, his arm was restrained, it wouldn’t move. His limbs had been secured, whilst the blackness swallowed him, someone or something had strapped him down. He panicked.