“The bodies are inside the old beer kegs--,” Rich placed the pieces of the puzzle. H turned to look at me, “Frank hid them aboard the Jenny II until he could dispose of them.”
“If that was true--,” Frank cursed, “Then why the hell would I have brought witnesses here! You are all out of your cotton-picking minds!”
“In that case--,” Ronnie shoved Frank against the wall, ripping the ring of keys from the old man’s jeans pocket, and said, “Then you won’t mind us having a look aboard the Jenny II?”
The wind suddenly howled from all about the cabin and we all stood still. It was as though a hurricane had shaken the old structure, almost drawing it from upon its foundations.
“What the hell was that?” Scott moved to look out the window and suddenly threw himself back, his eyes wide and staring.
“What’s wrong?” Rich rushed toward our friend and looked out and into the night, “It’s nothing—just the wind and fog.”
“There was something out there--,” Scott argued, “A horrible face—something looking back at me!”
Unlocking and throwing open the door, Ronnie stood and peered out into the darkness. Night had fallen during our debate and as the rain had stopped, a heavy fog had rolled in from off the lake. Thin trails of the chilling mist swept inward with the gust. Standing silently, Ronnie shook his head, “If there was anything out here—it’s gone now. I can’t see anything through all the fog.”
There was a feint sound from somewhere in the night. At first, it had begun as a low moan, but then became a screeching cry that echoed through the forest and within the darkness all about us!
Ronnie had instinctively slammed the door closed. Bolting and bracing his back against it, he stared wide-eyed, “What the hell was that?”
“In all of my years—I have never heard anything like that before.” Red Cloud appeared obviously distressed, moving to the window, as he dared peer out into the night.
“It sounded like it was coming from far away--,” Scott’s features paled, “And from down by the lake….”
“Red was right about that sound--,” Ronnie slowly backed away from the door, looking upon the framework as though it may not hold, “I don’t know where it came from—but it’s definitely something unnatural….”
At that point I realized that we might all be in serious danger. My first instinct being to load everyone into the vehicles and get as far and fast away from that place as possible!
“What if you’re wrong?” Scott gasped, his attention falling back to Ronnie, “What if there’s something else out there—in that lake or in the woods. And Frank never killed anyone….”
“Where is Frank?” Rich suddenly asked.
We all spun around and looked about the room, but found no sign of the old man! A sudden draft coming from a window in one of the back rooms revealed his swift escape.
Running into his room, Ronnie halted before the open window, slamming it closed and drawing the curtains, “Whatever the hell is out there—we still have to go after him. I know that I’m right about this. Please—just give me the benefit of the doubt until someone can prove me wrong.”
“He is right--,” Red Cloud urged, “Frank will try to dispose of the evidence before we can bring the authorities here.”
“But there’s something out there.” Scott gawked, “In the night—out in the fog….”
“Either way--,” I agreed, “We need to stop him. Scott--,” I turned to my friend, “Please take NR2 and drive back into town. Bring help.”
He had just stared back at me, the fear becoming determination as he slowly nodded. Pulling the keys from his pocket, he turned and made for the door. Halting him, I gave him my revolver, placing a hand upon his shoulder, and said, “I believe you, there is something out there. Just don’t stray off the road and you should be fine.”
He had only nodded as we had all grabbed coats and lanterns, hurrying out and into the night. I had looked back as we stumbled down the path and through the dense fog, praying that I had been right, as Scott pulled away….
In the all-consuming blackness and dense fog we couldn’t see more than five feet before us. Our lanterns being of little use beyond causing a blinding glare in the heavy mist.
“Stay on the path and stay close!” Ronnie ordered, leading the way as we stumbled blindly into the night. There was a dampening chill in the mist that immediately soaked through clothes and flesh, leaving a bitter cold. Trembling uncontrollably, I wondered whether it was more than just the night air. In the darkness and the stillness after the storm there was a dead silence that hung upon everything. It was suffocating as through the heavy veil we now clambered up and onto the wet and slippery dock.
“Hurry—follow me!” Ronnie urged, leading us to where we came to the gaping boat-house door, and promptly rushed inside! All was within darkness, but we could hear the ship’s engine, as lights now shone from within the cabin of the yacht! Without another word we scrambled along the dock, and making our way to where a ladder hung at its side, scurried upward and onto its deck!
The doorways onto the lake had already been opened and as we climbed aboard, the fog rolled inward. It surrounded us, enveloping the ship as though it floated upon the borders of some dark and disturbing dream. We had all barely managed to climb aboard when a voice caused us all to spin toward the open cabin doorway: There stood Frank, with a shotgun in his hands and an evil grin on his face!
“Alright, none of you make a move, or I’ll drop you where you stand!” He cursed under his breath, motioning with the weapon, as he guided us starboard and to the bow of the vessel. We slowly made our way to the helm. Keeping the gun upon us, he said, “You all wanted a better look at her—and now you’ll get it.”
“Frank, what is going on here?” I looked to the old man who just laughed. Drawing upon a lever, he engaged the engine and began steering the craft from out of the boathouse.
“Haven’t you figured it out yet?” Ronnie looked to me and raised an eyebrow, “He’s going to have us do his dirty work. And then we’re going to all have a little accident….”
Red Cloud looked to me and then Rich. I could see in his eyes that he was considering some kind of desperate last minute plan. Knowing his sense of love and loyalty, I now feared for his life. He had looked to me and I had gazed back pleadingly, begging that he not attempt anything foolish. There had been a moment of doubt before he nodded and had calmed.
As we navigated onto the lake and out into the night, the fog rolled across the deck as the moon now peered down, its pale rays luminescent in the trailing mist as the Jenny II silently drifted like a phantom into the darkness.
“So, you really are a murderer.” Rich looked to old Frank, and scoffing, said, “And not a very smart one either.” His voice seemed to echo and sound like thunder in the presiding stillness.
“What makes you so sure of that?” Frank chuckled, slowly guiding the yacht into deeper and darker waters through the blinding fog. The moonlight causing the trailing mist to appear alive as it swirled and crept from all about us.
“You forgot that we had another friend.” Rich grinned, glancing at me before looking back to Frank, “He’s on his way to get the authorities now. So, no matter what you think, you’re not getting away with anything.”
Frank just laughed, slipping a cigarette into his mouth and lighting it without lowering the gun, “Well, I’d sure hate to be him when he’s coming down the hill into town, and realizes that he doesn’t have any god-damn brakes….”
“You rotten old bastard--,” Rich moved toward the old man who, pointing the rifle in warning, halted him in mid-step, “What were you expecting, kid?” Frank growled at him, “I knew that it was you that broke into the boat-house. And when Ronnie showed up—you all left me no choice. So, you can only blame yourselves….”
“I always knew that you were no good.” Red Cloud cursed, “But I never thought that you would be capable of such evil.”
“You have no idea
, old man--,” Frank took a long hit from his cigarette, slowly exhaling, and winked. “But, you’re going to find out….”
There was a look in Frank’s eyes of utter madness and something colder than ice. There was no doubt in my mind that if someone didn’t do something, none of us would live through this night. Drawing back on the lever, Frank cut the yacht’s engine. Motioning toward Ronnie, he said, “Drop the anchor, dip-shit. And don’t try anything funny, or you’re first to take a swim.”
Without a word Ronnie did as he was directed, returned and stood next to me. I could see in the growing tension that the game was coming to a swift end.
“Alright boys—let’s all take a little walk. Slow and easy-like….” Frank moved from the helm, motioning with the weapon, as he directed us starboard and then to the stern of the craft. As we reached the back of the vessel, we were halted near something that was covered in an old tarp. Pointing the rifle, Frank became visibly anxious, directing us to remove the tarping. And as we did this, we uncovered and revealed a grouping of old beer kegs. There were nine to be exact, and there was an odor of vinegar and something sweetly sour….
“So, you had them here all of these years.” Ronnie grimaced as we all stood back and gazed down upon them in the moonlight.
“Sure did.” Frank appeared proud as he slowly walked around the barrels. Tapping a hand upon one of them, he looked to Ronnie, “It was a real shame that Louis had to stick his nose into things the way that he did. You know, he almost got me caught, too. If he’d just minded his own business, maybe he wouldn’t have had his brains blown out?”
The implications being all too obvious, Ronnie gawked, “There’s a special place in Hell reserved for the likes of you.”
“Yeah well--,” Frank smirked, “I’ll be in Florida enjoying the sun in a few weeks. So, I’m not going to let that bother me.” Pointing the rifle at us he motioned toward the barrels, growling, “Now get those open and empty them over the side.”
“So, you’re just going to kill us.” Rich appeared to have searched for sympathy, some semblance of sanity where there had apparently been none.
“Kill you?” Frank contemplated the thought briefly, then laughed with the sombre reply, “Without evidence you got nothing on me. You boys just behave, do as your told and then, maybe, I’ll let the whole lot of you just walk away.”
What Frank did not know, was that I had the tape recorder running throughout his entire testimonial. Although it may not be held admissible in court, it would be evidence enough to substantiate an investigation, if we lived long enough to submit it.
“Now go on, get those open and put them over the side!” Frank demanded, his eyes flashing in the dim light cast from the cabin, as he growled, “Get a move-on—we don’t have all night!”
There was a small pry-bar resting upon one of the barrels and taking it, I began working at the lid of the first barrel. It had been sealed for what seemed forever and was gummed up with something hideous from inside. It had taken a little effort, but I had soon broken that gruesome seal. But no sooner had I done this than were we assaulted by the stench of ancient and rotting human decay! The caustic odor causing us to wretch and forcing us back! But Frank only laughed, motioning with the rifle, as he urged us to continue! “Get on with it! The faster you get them over the side, the sooner we can get out of here!”
The cabin lights cast a dim golden haze through the fog, but it was just enough to make out the form. Filled with salt water and fouled with decay, the pale and rotting corpse of a young girl floated within. Her dark hair was streaming, her body drifting as though she were dreaming while caught within some endless nightmare. Her features were vivid, the final horror and scream still caught on her twisted face. The body withered, and though shriveled, still perfectly preserved as though frozen in time.
“Oh my God, he preserved them in brine.” Rich choked as he assisted me in dragging the barrel to the deck’s edge, where we struggled to dump the remains over the side.
“I couldn’t have those things stinking up the place.” Frank explained, closely observing as Ronnie open the second barrel, “I got the idea from Louis. He had a thing for pickled pig’s feet—you remember that don’t you, boy?”
As stern and sober a man as he might have been, Ronnie wretched. Hanging from the side of the yacht, he violently heaved the contents of his belly into the waters below!
“Not such a big man now, are you, Ronnie--,” He cackled, “The only reason that I’m going to let you live is so you can spend the rest of your life thinking about this night. Waking up remembering what you saw, and knowing that you can’t do a single, damn thing about it….”
It was obvious that he was proud of his deception and revelled within this ghastly victory. He was like a hunter who, having grown weary of his trophies, now simply disposed of the evidence.
One by one we opened and poured the hideous contents over the side. The bodies, eerily accumulating rather than merely sinking, converged upon the port side. A great mass of pale and decaying flesh, the limbs of which seemed unnaturally animated, cast back and forth within the waves. There was a strange wind that now came in from the North. It was bitter cold and mind-numbing, biting into the flesh of our face and hands, as we trembled while barely managing the hideous task. Shivering, I shuddered and almost dropped the little pry-bar while drawing the collar of my coat closer about my neck and ears.
“Get on with it now!” Frank became impatient as we reached the last of the barrels. Sickened and horrified beyond words, we simply did as we were instructed, struggling with the last barrel as its foul contents splashed about. The fluid soaking my right hand as it stung at my flesh! It was acidic to the touch due to years of decay. Yelping, I almost lost my grip upon the thing. Quickly wiping the hand upon my pants, I took hold of the barrel and we heaved, struggling to raise and tilt the contents from over the side!
“You know—I remember that one best.” The old man cussed, spitting on the deck, and squinted with the recollection, “Not because she was worth a damn—but because she was the only one that went into a barrel alive. She was out cold—I had her figured for dead. Didn’t even realize she was still alive until she’d gone down into the vinegar and I’d sealed the lid.” He shook his head, staring as we struggled with the last barrel, “You never heard screaming like that in your life—,” He snickered with a cruel glint in his eye, “Until she ran out of air….”
I winced, choking in horror, as the body suddenly slipped free and dropped down and into the lake. She had long blonde hair which had been slick, blackened with decay. Apparently having been quite tall, she had been forced tightly within, her arms and legs unfolding and stretching out as she fell. As hard as I tried to look away, I simply could not, the horror holding me in its morbid grip! I stared aghast at her neck, now twisted as though the face had looked back in a final and endless scream! The blackened and empty sockets gazing back accusingly for my own part in this heinous crime!
She dropped through the fog like something slowly floating through a bad dream and fell heavily among the others before slipping beneath the black waves! I had watched in horror as the corpse came bobbing back up, and became firmly wedged in the hideous mass. As I stood there staring, the amassed corpses swayed, drifting in the tide while gently thumping against the craft.
“Now, knock the bottoms and break the sides out of the barrels! Toss the damn thing over the side!” Frank bellowed, the rifle shaking in his trembling hands, “And be quick about it, we’ve been out here long enough!”
There was a sudden uneasiness about the man, a paranoia bordering fear. Without question we did exactly as he had requested, and within a short time had tossed the last barrel over and into the lake. I had watched them, as having expected them to float, was shocked to see them simply vanish from sight. But it was not the same for the corpses. For as I gazed down, they still lingered, having floated port-side, now bounced gently from off the stern.
“Alright gentlemen,
this is where we finish up for the night--,” Frank grinned, and cocking the weapon, said, “And say goodbye.”
“But, you said that if we did as you asked—that we could all just walk away!” Rich choked on his own gullibility as he spat out the words, “We have no proof, no evidence—you said it yourself!”
“Well—as much as I hate to admit it myself--,” The old man’s eyes glittered in the darkness as he broke out in a cruel smile, “Those girls out there might get lonely at the bottom of the lake. So, I’ll just send the lot of you right on down.”
“If you fire that thing—the whole lake will hear it--,” Ronnie now pointed out, “And when they find our bodies—which they will sooner or later, as you know, they’ll have your bullets in them—and that rifle is registered to you…”
This seemed to bother the old man very little, as giving a shrug, he winked and said, “”I’ll just gut the one that I’m forced to shoot. I’m sure that the others would rather go down with a fighting chance—and just go over the side. The lakes calm tonight—the wind’s not too bad. If you shut your big mouth and start swimming—you might just make it back to shore.”
“You can only shoot one of us--,” Ronnie volunteered a heroic and bitter end.
“That suits me just fine--,” The old man forced us across the deck at gun-point and up against the port rails, “But I’d suggest that you take your chances with the lake—because you’ll certainly lose, if you mess with me….” And with that he raised the weapon, silently waiting for our reply.
There had been little choice and even less thought between a bullet and drowning. At least with the lake there might be a slight chance. There had been a great apprehension as we had all peered down and from over the side. The blackened and bitter cold waters lapping against the yacht, possibly our last journey together as we sank into an icy, dark and bottomless grave…
Sanctum Arcanum Page 12
