Alone In The Darkness (10 page)

She inched her way around the house and hid along the brambles. Above her the trees swayed in the breeze and she felt pine needles falling from above. Her eyes fixed on the cars in the driveway. She didn't know which car was the man's. She looked at the keys and saw the Honda logo. The Honda was parked in the back and she assumed it had to be his since he was the last to arrive. She watched the main house for any movement in the windows or doors. She slowly followed the gravel along the driveway. Ahead she could see the opening in the trees where a small bridge crossed a creek. Off in the distance over the trees she could hear an early morning logging truck engine braking on the road. From the trees early morning music could be heard as birds called and frogs croaked. She took another look to the house to see if there was any motion. She lowered her head and took a deep breath. This was her moment to escape. She had this one chance to get away. She set off running through the open clearing alongside the driveway. The ground was uneven and she stumbled clipping a large tree root. She caught herself and grasped the keys tightly accidently pressing the unlock button. Ahead of her the car flashed in the driveway. She quickened her steps knowing she had revealed herself.

Vadym could feel the heat on his face as he stared through the warm glass at day old chicken strips and barbecue sausage on skewers. Around the corner through the open window the gas station attendant washed the day's dishes. He had white dusted through his dark hair, tattoos decorated his lower neck and his ears hung with piercings.

His eyes looked up to the man and he called out, “Do you need me to get anything?"

Vadym looked at the man, “I'll take a sausage stick thing.”

The attendant wiped his hands with a towel and tossed it over his shoulder. He came around the side of the counter and reached into the display. The heat lamp shown on his tattoos.

“Which one do you want?”

“It doesn't matter.” The barbecue sauce dripped as the attendant placed the skewer into the paper bag.

“These things are good, but honestly after 8 hours of them under the lights the sauce starts to crisp up. I could eat them all and at the end of the night, I do’’ The man smiled at Vadym as he moved to the register.

Vadym nodded as he placed the contents in his arms onto the table. Duct tape, more gloves, and an IPA bomber.

“Looks like a party man.’’

“A party for what?"

"Beer, duct tape and some sausage. That sounds like a party” The man smiled, revealing his yellowed crusted teeth.

Vadym didn't understand the joke and didn't care too. His eyes and face showed nothing and the man's smile drifted. "I will also take 20 dollars on pump two and a pack of camels.’’

"The white car?” Vadym stared into the man's eyes. There was a pause and silence, "Right the only car out there.”

The man paper bagged the bomber and rest of the items into a plastic bag. Vadym picked up the items and opened the door with this back and slid out into the night. The attendant continued to stare out as Vadym walked to the pump. He pulled the towel off his shoulder and pursed his lips before he walked away muttering to himself, ‘’Fucking asshole.’’

Vadym tossed the items into the back of the car and began to pump the gas. He rested against the hood of the car and stared at the non-smoking sign as he pulled out the pack of camels. The cloud billowed out of his nose as a lone car drove past on the valley road. He steadied his mind and focused on the task at hand. He saw the girl in front of him, her shape and her size. He could see the plastic on the ground, the red from the blood, and the touch of her hair in his fingertips as he packed her away. His boots were now muddy from walking the logging road and his hands sore from digging. The valley forest lands were quiet and empty. He enjoyed walking among the trees in the early mornings, listening to the wild sounds, and imagining being a bear wandering and rummaging. Finding that enjoyment from rubbing against tree bark, catching a salmon in a cold stream, and stumbling upon a shallow grave. The gas pump clicked and Vadym flicked the butt onto the ground.

He continued up the valley road east and through the mountains. The black hills rose up along each side of the road, blanketing the valley and surrounding areas. Ahead of him along the horizon he could see a crest of morning blue. The peaks of the mountains were covered in white smoky clouds. Tall pines poked through the edges of the cloud line creating a mesmerizing contrast. To his right the river weaved and meandered. It teased the road moving in, out and around empty fields.

Vadym's phone called out that the turn was just ahead. The green sign on the road reflected the headlights and the river rushed beneath down along the embankment and over the gravel beach. He slowed the car and turned onto the gravel easement. The wheels popped and crushed under the shifting gravel floor. He could hear the creek rushing ahead bubbling over boulders and stones. The wheels of the car rumbled over the wooden bridge as he gazed up the creek line disappearing into the dark woods. Ahead he could see the driveway arch out from the lit house. He pulled the car alongside the parked cars. He turned off the car and headlights.

He opened the bag from the store and pulled out the bomber. Using the keychain he popped the cap and took a long pull on the bottle. He placed it into the cup holder and pulled out the sausage skewer. Vadym took a sniff of the sausage and began to eat. He never enjoyed working on an empty stomach, it would make him too nauseous. He forced the last of the sausage down his throat and finished the beer.

He checked his phone and saw a new message,
thank you for your help tonight you should see the payment.
He swiped and opened his phone. The bank app showed the money had been deposited into his account. He closed the phone and tossed it into the seat next to him. He rolled his head in a circle and arched his back in the seat. It was early in the morning and the physical work would be a chore. He rested in the seat and stared blankly at the front door preparing his mind for the coming task.

His hand went to the driver side door. As he pulled on the lever, the door opened a crack and the car to his left flashed its lights. He paused holding the door and scanned the front porch. He couldn't see anyone. He continued to scan the property and through the window of the car he saw a terrified woman sprinting across the yard.

Her feet kicked up dirt and gravel as she quickly closed the distance to the car. She was breathing heavily and her heart was pounding when she reached the car. Her hands fumbled with the keys as she struggled to open the door. She was panicking and her vision was focused only on the handle. She reached out to open the door when a hand closed around her hair and pulled her away from the vehicle.

She screamed out, "Let me go!” She kicked her legs into the air and reached back to fight the grip. It was no use as the man pulled wrenching her neck back. She saw the backend of his feet as he dragged her along the driveway. She kicked up dust and dirt. Her fingers clawed at the ground for any hold she could find. She swung her elbows wildly connecting on the backs of his calves and heels. The impact caused the man to stop for a moment and re-grip her shirt. She was at his mercy as he dragged her to the house, the light was growing all around her as the cars shrank from view. She remembered the moment in the car, the rag to the face, being dragged away. She began to tear up as she fought. She had been so close to escape and getting back to her life and her grandmother.

She hit the first step on the porch and was lifted like a rag doll into the air, landing on the porch floor. Her feet struck the wood and announced their arrival. The door opened and she was pulled into the front area. She leaned left to see the kitchen full of eyes staring at her and her companion. Their faces were stunned at the scene. She recognized all of them.

“Please let me go,” she pleaded and sobbed. Spittle fell from her mouth and onto the ground where her face rested. She bawled and coughed out each word, "Please! Please! Why are you doing this to me?"

From behind her head the voice called to the men, "Where's the key for the rooms upstairs?” Tyler stared blankly and frozen in place. The man in the entryway held his victim in his hand and yelled out again sending shivers down the three spines, "The key! Now!”

Tyler reached into his pocket and produced a small key ring and tossed it across the kitchen. The man caught the keys and reached down punching Jennifer in the head. She fell dark and laid on the floor in silence. He stood calmly and called out, “Which one of you is Steven?”

Steven stood in complete silence, terrified at hearing his name. He knew this man was bad. The last thing he wanted was to be singled out in the house. How did he know his name? He could see himself being thrown into a shallow grave to be found by a wandering pack of coyotes. This man was not only here for this woman but him too. He didn’t want this to be his time, not now and not this way. He turned to Tyler and whispered, “What’s going on? Please no.”

Kora turned to Tyler who stood firm staring at Vadym. His answer was cold and firm, “Go help.” His face turned to meet Steven’s eyes, “This is your problem.”

Vadym called out again, his impatience was increasing by each moment, “I will not ask again, which one is Steven?”

Steven stepped forward, he knew this was his moment, it was punishment for his crime. “I’m Steven.”

“Grab her legs, you will help.” Vadym held her arms as Steven grabbed the legs. Her body was light as they lifted her and carried her through the living room and up the stairs. They reached the landing on the second floor and entered an open room. They laid Jennifer’s body on the floor next to the bed.

Vadym stood, both men staring at the body. A light trickle of blood rolled down from Jennifer’s forehead where Vadym had struck her. “We need to move all furniture to the walls and lift away the bed.”

Steven looked up at Vadym’s face while he coldly stared down at Jennifer. His eyes moving along her body as if a butcher assessing a side of beef.

From downstairs Tyler and Kora stared up at the ceiling hearing the commotion of the two men moving the furniture in the room.

Tyler broke the silence between them, "Kora, where's Nick?”

“I don’t know. I think he went to his car to find his knife?”

Tyler looked at her and for the first time that night he saw her as more than just a worker, "Sweetie, can you please go outside and see where he is?”

Kora was still transfixed on the ceiling, “Tyler, where did he get her? She was in the house.”

"Hell if I know, please go see about Nick. I don’t want you in this house alone while that man is here.” She looked into his eyes and caught a glimpse of his fear.

Vadym leaned over the banister as he heard the front door close. “Hey!” He called down as Tyler emerged, “Bring me a mop and bucket, and the bleach by the door.”

Tyler looked down to the materials and saw the bleach, “Ok, I’ll be right up.”

The request unnerved Tyler as he gathered the supplies and climbed the stairs to the second floor. His feet creaked under the old wooden floorboards as he emerged onto the second floor landing. He turned the corner and hooked the bucket on the banister. His leg leaned back as he caught himself from falling down the stairs. He gathered himself and took a deep breath before walking down the dark hallway to the open door and light.

He could see into the room as Vadym worked. They had lifted the bed and placed it against the wall. The cabinets and side tables were pushed into the corner and a tarp had been placed onto the floor. The man's silhouetted body formed a cross as he opened the sheet of clear plastic, and using a hand stapler, began to attach the plastic to the walls.

Tyler felt a nausea come over him as his mind saw the woman's face. What had they condemned her to? What had Steven done to force this? He was sick but angry. Angry for being placed into this position, angry for having to be part of this world. He wanted to leave, he could just get into his car take Kora and drive away. He stood in a daze not realizing that Vadym was now looking at him through the doorway. Tyler could not see his face, instead only the shape of the man and his arm perched against the door frame.

Vadym stared at Tyler, he had seen this face before. The shock and horror. He had long since gotten over his profession but he never missed an opportunity to extend the fear. He knew reputation was the best calling card. In these moments he always allowed his voice and accent to deepen. He got off on this, “What are you looking at?”

Tyler broke from the spell and dropped the bucket. The clanging of the plastic broke the silence of the hall. He quickly scurried to the ground to fetch it. He was on his knees when he looked up at Vadym. He knew he was not the only person to experience this point of view. He thrust up the items and Vadym took them out of his hands. He felt the rough skin against his hands, cracked and dry, from too much chlorine use.

Through Vadym’s legs Tyler saw two sets of feet. Steven was face down on the plastic blood oozing out onto the protected floor.

“Is that Steven?”

"Of course.”

“He was just supposed to help!” Tyler knew it was his responsibility, he had killed Steven. He had condemned him to this fate. He should have sent Steven away to deal with his own problems. But instead he shared in this guilt as he incriminated everyone in this savagery. He fought back the tears, “Why did you kill him? You didn’t have to do that.”

Vadym looked back and realized that Tyler didn’t know, “It was part of the arrangement. I’ve been paid and I need to do the job.”

“I didn’t ask for this. It was just the girl.”

“Aw, he was your friend? Well I’m sorry little ant, this is what the Boss wanted.”

“He didn’t tell me this,” Tyler’s voice rose as he stood still staring over Vadym’s shoulder. “This is my crew. When I talked to him he said Steven would only have to help.”

“Well that wasn’t the arrangement now. So, go along and do your job so I can finish mine.”

Tyler backed away from Vadym. He wanted to escape this horror. Vadym walked back into the room slowly closing the door. His cheeks pressed up against his eyes and his teeth showing as he smiled. Tyler was left in the dark hallway staring at the door. He heard noises of objects being placed onto the floor. He could only imagine what was happening and what would happen. 

He struggled down the stairs held down by the burden and consequences of the evening. Like a ghost he entered the kitchen and rummaged through a number of drawers before finding the bag of yellow ear plugs. He pocketed two bags for Kora.

He had tears running down his face. He wanted to embrace Kora. He wanted someone to hold. He wept in the corner of the kitchen still seeing those feet and Steven’s dead face and the red blood. Tyler regained his composure as a loud noise came from the stairs. Vadym stormed through the house and out to his car. He watched this devil search for more supplies.