Hell

by G G Garcia

  Mitch said, “Things calmed down when we reached the small village of Milford. We carried on walking, killed another two on the way, and then spotted this place.”

  “So no IOs turned up before midnight at your club?” Melvin asked both men.

  “IOs?” Mitch looked confused and reached for his beer. “You mean the SOs, the Savage Ones. Some people call them Savs for short.”

  “Whatever.” Mel hunched his shoulders. “I suppose it depends what news channel you were watching.”

  “We weren’t watching any news channel,” Mitch said. “We were working. It came up on our phones what was going on.”

  Craig decided to be brave enough to speak up. “They reckon it was some kind of military disaster. Something dropped from the skies, or something like that. Or some kind of radiation—”

  “Nae cunt knows fae sure,” Rab chipped in aggressively, sending shivers down Craig’s spine. “Fact is, it’s fuckin’ happenin’, and Mitch and me want a place to stay fae a while, and then go hame, back tae Cannock. First, the pair o’ us need rest, get food, and eventually a set o’ wheels.”

  “So you have a plan?” Tony had spoken for the first time.

  “Aye, we have a plan,” Rab snorted. “After a while, we’re gonnae get ourselves a motor, and I’m gonnae drop Mitch off at his missus’s hoose, and then I’m gonnae drive to Glesga, back tae Pollok. That’s where I’m fae.”

  Mel scrunched his eyes, finding it hard to understand Rab. “Where you’re … fae?”

  “Where I’m from,” Rab mocked in an posh English accent, and then went back to normal and added, “Fuck's sake, wit is it with ye English cunts. I’m no’ fuckin’ talking Swahili.”

  “You’re gonna drive nearly five hundred miles up to Scotland?” Melvin scratched his head and was about to open his mouth again and say more, but could feel Paul glaring at him.

  Mel refrained from telling the men about the army trying to surround the West Midlands. The strong theory of keeping people in the area to basically die was also not spoken of, as well as the army shooting anyone that tried to flee the West Midlands. Someone like Rab losing his life wouldn’t be a great loss to society, Mel thought. He decided on not to tell them about what could be happening. They didn’t want these men staying for too long.

  “Well, Rab, I think that’s a great plan,” said Paul with a smile. “I hope it works out for ya when ya get back to Glasgow.”

  A silence enveloped the men and Mitch and Rab flashed one another a look, fuelling paranoia between Melvin and the three young men.

  Mel knew something was up, so he decided to bite the bullet and ask, “Anything else you need to get off your chest, gentlemen?”

  “We’ll probably stay here for a few days or so,” Mitch began, “but everything that’s left, food, drink, clothes ... is all coming with us. Me and Rab will half the products when he drops me off, before he goes back home to Glasgow.”

  “Are you kicking us out?” Mel asked, already aware what the answer was going to be.

  “That’s right.”

  Paul, Craig and Tony turned and stared at Melvin Leslie for a response. It looked like, whether he liked it or not, that Mel was the spokesperson for the people in the pub.

  “This place doesn’t belong to us,” Mel spoke with a quaver in his tone. “A family called the Jamesons left here, but will be back in couple of days.” Mel didn’t know if that was true or not, but he said it anyway.

  “That’s not something that bothers either myself or Rab,” Mitch spoke with clenched teeth.

  It was apparent that he was becoming annoyed and this unnerved Mel and the rest. They were unsure whether these two men were violent men, but with the fact that they were bouncers, had killed a few on the way here, and were built like bears, he didn’t want to push his luck.

  “Look,” Melvin spoke bravely. “It’s not really fair that you come in here and take everything and then kick us out.”

  “Well, it’s not really fair that you lot are living here like kings, surrounded by food and booze,” Mitch said with a dull tone. “While most people are dying, dead, or barricaded in their homes, frightened to death. But life isn’t fair these days. Every man and woman for themselves.”

  Mel opened his mouth to say something, but a small creak from upstairs was picked up by his ears; and then it hit him that Lisa was still upstairs.

  How the fuck did he forget about his wife, sleeping in that room?

  Nobody else appeared to hear the noise and Mel spoke up once again.

  He said, “Look, I’m sure we can come to some kind of arrangement. If we—”

  “Look ‘ere, bawbag!” Rab snapped and leaned in, making all four men jump. “Don’t give me ye pish. We’re givin’ ye an hour to get the fuck oot!”

  “But it’ll be dark soon.”

  “Then ye better hurry the fuck up.”

  “This isn’t fair,” Mel cried.

  “I don’t give a cunt!” Rab yelled, now with his fists clenched. “If ye refuse to leave, I’ll stab fuck oot of every single one of ye cunts, get it?”

  Mel gulped, puffed his chest out and said, “We’re going nowhere. Okay?”

  Rab quickly leaned over the table and grabbed Mel by the shirt with his left hand. Mel was stunned once he received a hard slap from the large man and leaned back in his seat once Rab had let go of his shirt.

  Mel could feel his face on fire and was certain that to Rab it wasn’t even a hard slap. He could feel his eyes filling and was angry with himself that he was reacting like this. It was embarrassing. No tears fell, but both large men across the table could see that the middle-aged man was close to tears, and he felt weak. He was the leader/spokesperson for the four of them, and Mitch and Rab never thought it’d be this easy.

  Nobody said a word. Mel and the three young men shook with fright and were certain that their days at the pub were numbered.

  “I suggest you better start packing,” Mitch said with a smile. “If there’s any food and drink upstairs, you can take it. I don’t want you to think we’re animals. But you stay away from the kitchens and the bar down here, including the cellar.”

  “Ye cunts better start packin’ the noo,” Rab spat.

  “So is that it?” Paul said.

  “Yeah, that’s it.” Mitch leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “Unless you wanna slap? Well, do you?”

  A dull thud could be heard from upstairs and Mel rolled his eyes as this time both men had heard it.

  Jesus Christ. Mel shook his head gently. The fat sloth can’t even hide without making a noise.

  Mitch and Rab narrowed their eyes after hearing the noise and looked at Mel for answers. He remained quiet.

  “I thought you said earlier that there was only four of you.” Mitch glared at Mel for a quick response, but Mel couldn’t recollect if he had stated that there was nobody else in the pub. He couldn’t remember if the two men had even asked that question.

  Mel was honest and said, “I don’t remember saying such a thing.”

  “Well?” Rab leaned forwards and growled, “Is there anyone upstairs?”

  Mel gulped and, without looking at the lads, shook his head. “No. It’s just us.” He didn’t know why he said this. They were told that they needed to leave, so why lie about Lisa being upstairs. Mel quickly changed his mind. “I’m sorry. There is somebody upstairs.”

  “Who?” Mitch stood up and was ready to make his way up to the first floor.

  “The wife.”

  Rab was about to make a move, but Mitch told him to stay where he was.

  “I’m sure I can handle a woman,” Mitch began to laugh. “You look after these four tossers. If any of them move, break their necks.”

  “Aye. Don’t sweat it.” Rab leaned back in the chair and rested his hands on his thighs, enhancing his already large biceps and triceps muscles. “I won’t get nae hassle fae these cunts. No’ if they know wit’s good fae them.”

  Chapter Thirty

&nbs
p; All three sat in the living room, still in shock, and Maxwell sat and chewed his nails. He was normally a cool character, but his near-death experience had shaken the man up and Demi Mason and Henry Brown could see his consternation. Henry was sitting next to his friend and Demi was in the armchair.

  Henry looked over at his occasional lover and said, “You did well.”

  This was the first time anybody had spoken since the incident. After Demi had killed the intruder, Henry and Maxwell tossed the body through the broken window, placed the cupboard against it, and all three left the room, closing the door behind them.

  “Anybody want a drink?” Demi was about to leave her seat, but she sat back down once both males shook their heads.

  “How are you feeling, eh?” Henry asked her.

  Demi knew what he meant, but for some reason she played dumb and asked him, “What do you mean?”

  “Well...” Henry struggled for words initially and continued, “You’ve just killed a person. How does that feel, Demsy?”

  Demi hunched her shoulders. “Dunno. Hasn’t had time to sink in really.”

  “Well, when it does sink in,” he said, “just remember that it’s something that had to be done.”

  “I know,” she snapped, feeling that she was being patronised. “It was my first one, but I’m glad it’s done.”

  Henry smiled, pleased with her response. He knew that if this catastrophe continued, all of them might have to perform some despicable things in order to survive.

  Henry cleared his throat and gave his buddy Maxwell a playful nudge.

  “What is it?” Maxwell huffed.

  Henry asked his friend. “Isn’t there something you want to say to Demsy?”

  “What like?”

  Henry began to laugh and shook his head at his friend’s ignorance. “Are you serious?”

  Maxwell turned and looked at Demi and then at his friend. “What?”

  “Do I have to spell it out?” Henry smiled whilst scratching his head. “She saved your life.”

  Demi remained staring at the wall, embarrassed that Henry was trying to force out a ‘thank you’ from Maxwell.

  “Did she?”

  “Come on, Maxwell.” Henry spoke up and added, “Show some gratitude”

  “Gratitude?” he laughed. “What do you want me to do? Eat her out?”

  Henry was about to open his mouth, but Demi stepped in.

  She said. “It’s okay, Henry. Let’s just forget it.”

  “But...”

  “Henry!” she snapped. “Forget it. You’re embarrassing me.”

  Sensing a bit of an atmosphere, Maxwell sighed and looked at Henry and decided to speak up.

  “I appreciate you helping me out,” Maxwell said to Demi Mason.

  Demi never made eye contact. She didn’t want gratitude. She did what she did because she thought it was the right thing to do.

  To Demi’s displeasure, Maxwell continued, “I would do the same for you and Henry. Looks like we’re a bit of a team now. We watch each other’s backs from now on.”

  “Agreed.” Henry nodded.

  “But you saved me from being bitten, Demi,” said Maxwell. “You didn’t necessarily save my life. You saved me from becoming infected.”

  “For Christ’s sake, Maxwell,” Henry groaned.

  “It’s okay,” said Demi. “He’s right.”

  “Are we done here?” Maxwell stood up and brushed himself down.

  “Where are you going?” Henry asked.

  “I’m gonna check that room and see if that wardrobe by the window is holding up.” Maxwell pulled out his Glock from the front of his jeans. “And then I’m gonna check the rest of the place before I get my head down.”

  “Your head down?”

  “May as well get some sleep now. You two can go to bed after midnight, and then I’ll keep watch.”

  “Tremendous.” Henry nodded. “That’s actually a good idea.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Minutes had passed and Mel and the boys could see that Rab was getting nervous. He kept on looking over his shoulder and was finding it difficult to sit still.

  “Where the fuck is that cunt?” he cussed under his breath, referring to his pal Mitch.

  Paul, Craig, Tony and Mel all looked concerned due to Mitch’s disappearance, and Tony and Craig jumped when Rab yelled, “Mitch! Wit’s keepin’ ye?”

  There was no reply from upstairs and Mel was beginning to fret for Lisa. She may have got on his nerves most of the time, but he wouldn’t want to see her come to any harm.

  Rab huffed and puffed for another few seconds and decided to stand up and start and make his way upstairs. Mel did wonder why both Mitch and Rab weren’t carrying weapons of some sort. Sure, they were big guys, but how did they dispose of the IOs they came face to face with on getting here? By simply breaking their necks like chickens?

  Rab went behind the bar, approached the stairs and called up, wondering on Mitch’s whereabouts, but still got no reply. He turned and glared at the four males sitting at the table.

  The Scotsman looked tetchy, pointed at them and said, “Don’t ye fuckin’ Sassenachs move an inch.” He then went upstairs, and Mel stood up immediately.

  “Where the fuck are ya going?” Paul asked him.

  “Lisa’s up there,” Mel said. “He pulled his steak knife from his pocket and asked the three young men. “Are you guys still carrying?”

  All three nodded.

  “Fucking bouncers?” Melvin scoffed. “Didn’t even have the common sense to check us before making their threats.”

  Mel approached the bar and went behind it to reach the bottom of the stairs. He hesitated for a few seconds and then made his way up with nervous steps.

  Mel heard Lisa scream out from the kitchen. Once he reached the landing, he ran into the room and could see that Rab had his back to him and had a hold of Lisa by the hair.

  Mel was motionless for a few seconds and had no idea what had been going on. Lisa and Rab were having a tussle, and Mitch was lying on the kitchen floor. Mel wasn’t sure if the man was unconscious or dead.

  Mel’s thoughts were clouded by panic, but he crouched and swung his right arm, stabbing Rab in his right thigh. The Scotsman cried out, let go of Lisa, and turned around. Despite Melvin having the knife in his hand, Rab grabbed Mel and both men ended up on the landing. They both fell, but Rab came off worse as he tumbled down the stairs. Panting, Mel stood to his shaky legs, still holding the knife and could see the Glaswegian lying at the bottom of the stairs, out cold. Mel turned his attention back to his wife and stepped into the kitchen.

  “You okay?” he asked her.

  “I think so.” She put on a brave smile and added, “That was a bit mad, wasn’t it?”

  “They came here to take over the place.”

  “So I gather.” She nodded at Mitch’s body on the floor. “And when pricko came up, I hit him over the head with that.” She pointed at the wooden rolling pin that was lying on the side, near the sink.

  “Now what?”

  Before she could give Mel an answer, the couple could hear the sound of feet running up the stairs.

  Paul, Tony, and Craig entered the kitchen, all out of breath, and gazed at the strange scene. Mel and Lisa were standing next to each other in the kitchen, and the huge bouncer was lying on the floor.

  “What the fuck happened, man?” Tony was the first of the three young men to speak.

  Mel ran his left hand over his face and explained that Lisa had somehow managed to knock out Mitch with a rolling pin, and once he reached upstairs he saw Rab attacking Lisa, so he stabbed Rab, a fracas occurred, and the Scotsman fell down the stairs.

  “What are we gonna do with him?” Craig pointed at the huge frame of Mitch.

  They all looked at one another and were all unsure what to do. They needed to come to a decision quickly, as they didn’t know when he was going to come around.

  “I suppose,” Mel began, “we could tie him up and
put him in the cellar.”

  “How the hell are we gonna shift him?” said Paul. “He must be at least eighteen stone.”

  “We’ll manage it, if the four of us chip in.”

  Paul bit his bottom lip in thought and shook his head. He didn’t agree with Mel’s idea and everybody could see it.

  “Okay,” Mel groaned and queried Paul Newbold. “What would you do?”

  “Kill him,” Paul said coldly.

  “Just like that?” Mel spoke with a giggle, shocked by Paul’s heartless comment.

  “Why not?” Paul hunched his shoulders. “They were gonna take the pub for themselves.”

  “But they weren’t gonna kill us, Paul.”

  Paul released a big breath out and looked around the kitchen. “What does everybody else think?”

  No one gave him an answer. It was clear that they didn’t agree with his idea, and Tony was growing concerned for his friend. Paul seemed to be becoming immune to killing and it had only been a couple of days since the catastrophe had begun.

  “Let’s just tie him up.” Mel looked over to his wife. “Get some wire or something. We’ll need some for that Rab guy as well. I better go check on him.”

  Melvin left the kitchen and took the short walk to the landing and looked down the stairs. “Oh, fuck.”

  “Wit is it?” Paul called from the kitchen.

  Mel groaned, “Come and take a look.”

  Within seconds, all of them were behind Mel. No one said anything, apart from Lisa.

  “Well, fuck me hard with a cactus dildo,” she said.

  Rab was nowhere to be seen. He had gone.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Maxwell leaned his head back in the armchair and closed his eyes. He had no plans on falling asleep, he wasn’t even tired, but he decided to daydream, to try and somehow escape temporarily from this disaster that he was in the middle of.

  Demi and Henry had decided to stay in the same room together, and no noises seemed to be coming from the room, so Maxwell was sure that it was innocent and that Demi simply wanted to stay with Henry for added security after what had happened.