Little Miss Evil (Tall Trees Book 1)

by Jim Ody

  Marshall’s eyes began to feel dry. He was blinking. His heart was racing, not from fear but from what he’d taken.

  He pushed open the door. The smell of damp floated around him, pretending not to be death in disguise.

  One of his legs gave away as he began to climb the stairs. He got to the top and turned towards the room. The one he knew so well.

  Tears now streamed from his eyes. The woe and self-pity now liquified and ran free down his cheeks.

  “Your tablets,” he muttered, his finger tracing along the letters of her name on the door.

  Alice.

  Then he heard the movement from behind him.

  The girl with blonde hair giggled and ran off.

  He gasped. Shell-shocked.

  And that’s when the figure in the horned-mask appeared. A machete in their hand.

  “Welcome home,” were the last words Marshall ever heard.

  Little Miss Evil

  Chapter 35 - Will

  W hen Will opened his eyes he was hit with the mouth-watering smell of bacon: There was something so incredibly addictive to the smell that wafted up from below.

  He grabbed his phone, and with a wave of guilt looked at it for messages.

  Nothing.

  He wasn’t sure whether that was good or bad.

  He looked out of the bedroom door. Then back to his phone. His thumb hovered over her name for a second.

  He pressed it, but was unsure what to say.

  Then he heard Fiona’s footsteps on the stairs, and he quickly tapped the back button and placed his phone on the side.

  “Morning,” she grinned, carrying an old-fashioned tray containing a bacon sandwich and a mug of coffee.

  “Wow,” he replied. Taking in the view of her wearing what appeared to be not much more than one of his T-shirts. “Thank you!”

  She placed the tray down on his lap. “I’ll be back,” she said and scooted off back out of the bedroom.

  The first bite of the sandwich and sip of bitter coffee was amazing. There was something about these flavours that comforted the morning-after taste in his mouth like a warm hug.

  He glanced at his phone again and felt a wave of guilt. Why was life so complicated? he thought.

  Fiona was soon back, her half-eaten sandwich balanced in her mouth as she carried a mug and an envelope.

  “What’s that?”

  Fiona placed her mug down on the side. “Dunno, it was on the mat when I went downstairs.”

  Will felt a slight anxious panic. It was the act of a guilty man, he figured.

  She opened it up and pulled out a card.

  Tall Trees Treasure Hunt!

  “There’s a website address and that’s it,” Fiona said flipping the card over in case there was something else on it.

  “Unless there are clues written in invisible ink!” Will said. “We’ll need ultra violet light, or…”

  “Slow down, Scooby-Doo!” she grabbed her phone and typed in the address.

  “Scooby-Doo is a dog. You know…”

  She looked up, “A talking dog… from a cartoon.”

  “Good point.”

  “Okay,” she said. “It seems like it starts at 9pm tonight. You register online and get sent a clue at 8pm.

  Chewing another bite of his sandwich, Will said, “What’s the prize?”

  “Hmmm, good point,” she said, scrolling with her thumb. “Mystery prize, it says. Oh, it is all mysterious! Shall we do it?”

  Will nodded. “Yeah, sounds like it might be fun.”

  “Exciting stuff!”

  Then Will’s phone buzzed. They both looked at it.

  “You’d better get it,” Fiona said, trying to remain calm.

  Will looked over. His stomach dropped as he saw who it was from.

  Her.

  He opened it up, his eyes quickly scanning over the words before he went back and re-read it more carefully.

  I know where you are. Agree to pay and that will be the end of it. She doesn’t know. Yet.

  “I don’t believe the nerve of the woman,” he said. The now devoured sandwich sat uncomfortably in the pit of his stomach. Or at least that’s what it felt like.

  “What now?” Fiona said with concern.

  “She wants money. Or she’s going to say where I am.”

  Fiona was no longer looking at him. She’d gazed off at the wall, but Will could tell there was turmoil going on inside her. It was just so typical of things. Each and every time they were together, something crept up to spoil everything.

  “You don’t have that sort of money…” Fiona said, but it was the words she didn’t say that held more weight. The consequences of it all.

  “It’s just not right,” Will said out loud.

  Fiona could only nod in agreement. Then she added, “She knows legally she can’t get anything so now she’s being mean.”

  Will sighed. “You know, the worst thing is not knowing. She’s holding all the cards.”

  “Look Will…” she began, and Will wondered whether things could get any worse. “What if everything did come out in the open? Would that be so bad?”

  “No, of course not,” he said, and realised a little too late the words had slipped out before he could even think about them. “It… you know… will be okay.” The truth was that probably was the case. But the road that he’d been ambling on for so long had come to a crossroad. He knew that whichever path he now chose to take, things would get a lot worse before they got better. But he’d laid the path himself, and he knew deep down he had no one to blame but himself.

  Fiona got out of bed. “It will be fine,” she said. She walked to the side and picked up her bra. Will, for once, hardly registered her putting it on.

  He looked out of the window and wondered whether they could hide out there forever.

  “Hey,” she said, snapping him back. She smiled reassuringly, then grabbed his hand and placed it on her stomach.

  It felt good. Of course, it was far too early to feel anything, but the symbolism of it was there for all to see.

  “This is the future,” she said, and a tear escaped from her eye.

  “Hey, hey,” he said and pulled her in close. “I know… Really, I know.”

  “Hormones,” she sniffed, but they both knew it was much more than that.

  They sat there; the sun shone through the window doing its very best to bring happy thoughts to them.

  They knew in their heart of hearts the following days would more than likely shape the rest of their lives.

  Little Miss Evil

  Chapter 36 - Keith

  T he first thing that Keith did when he opened his eyes was grab his phone. He needed some sort of validation that it had not been a dream.

  Despite the early knock backs, the evening had been good. Free beer and scary stories were a good end to the day, however what he wasn’t expecting was the gift he’d received when he was on his way back to the house.

  He’d seen her earlier. She’d been sitting out on a blanket whilst her son ran around annoying people. Somewhere along the line he’d doubled up on sarcasm, the sort of kid who thought the world owed him something. The only thing life really owed him was a smack around the head!

  The kid had some stupid name. Something posh like Rupert or Spencer. He was always taking pictures on his phone. The little pervert.

  Alright, pot and kettle and all that, but still, Keith thought, quick to justify his cameras by means of safety and security.

  The woman looked lost, not in the sense she didn’t know where she was going, but like life had rolled by and kicked her out, then driven off. Keith smiled at that. He liked it. Maybe he should be a poet, or a lyricist!

  He’d said hello to her, and offered her what the others had turned down – the behind the scenes tour. She’d nodded with a smile that softened and hardened him at the same time. He’d felt like a Rockstar as he showed her the stockroom, and even cracked open a bottle of vodka that he made sure he poured down her
throat until her eyes hooded over and she could barely walk.

  “You’re s-s-so han’some,” she’d slurred.

  He got it. He wasn’t stupid. A sober woman would never think of him as handsome, but one who assumed him to have cash might. Like he was some lottery ticket that she’d cash in to take her away from her mundane world.

  He’d grabbed her hand and they’d made the difficult walk back to his room. It was like running in a three-legged race with someone with no sense of direction. He definitely worked for the prize last night.

  His arms ached from keeping her upright, but that was of little worry to him. In fact, a reminder of all that was physical.

  He’d rushed to set the camera up, constantly worrying she’d pass out. He was a lot of things, but he wasn’t a rapist. Thankfully, she’d pawed at his buckle, stopping to grin at how big it was, before continuing.

  And the rest was just a beautiful dream.

  He played the video, grinning the whole time and feeling his heart pounding with renewed excitement.

  She looked even better than he remembered.

  He didn’t even realise he was running his tongue over his lips, until he almost bit his tongue with fright.

  Above her naked body was the window. And that was where he saw the outline of a face.

  Little Miss Evil

  Chapter 37 - Jenny

  T he movement in the bed behind her must’ve been what woke her up. She turned over still a little asleep and unaware of where she was.

  Her eyes shot open as she saw Adam get out completely naked, and the large naked breasts of Nat.

  “Jesus!” she said and pulled the covers over her head.

  Adam grabbed some clothes and disappeared into the bathroom, one hand doing it’s best to hide his manhood.

  “You can look now,” Nat said.

  “I’m sorry, I forgot where I was,” Jenny said, lowering the cover. Nat made no attempt to cover herself up. Again, Jenny admired how confident her friend was, had it been her – and really, picking a guy up and sleeping with him the same day seemed unlikely to start with – she’d have covered herself up in the night. Slipped out to get a T-shirt, at least.

  “Oh my god!” Nat was saying in a hushed voice. “That was amazing!”

  “Really?” Jenny wasn’t so sure. She hardly knew him.

  “Much better than the little boys before. He… well… I was biting the pillow so as not to wake you! I didn’t wake you, did I?”

  Jenny shook her head. “No, I think I was out not long after I laid down.”

  Nat got up and wandered over. Jenny felt a little uncomfortable with her friend sitting there in only her knickers, and not even trying to cover herself up.

  Then there was a knock at the door, and Meg burst in.

  “Morning ladies!” She sang.

  Nat winked at Jenny, “Looks like someone had a good night!”

  Meg couldn’t stop smiling. “I did indeed!”

  “I suppose he was amazing too,” Jenny said dramatically, and Nat then made some fake orgasm noises.

  “Not really,” she laughed. “Bit quick to be honest, but a great laugh anyway!”

  “Hmm, I’m not sure a man wants to hear he was a bit quick, but it was a great laugh!” Nat said.

  “Nat was pillow biting!” Jenny said nodding her head at Nat.

  Meg looked wide-eyed as she replied, “What in the―”

  “God no!” Nat said shocked.

  “What?” Jenny looked puzzled.

  Then the bathroom door opened and Adam walked out. This time he was wearing more clothes than before.

  “Adam!” Meg shouted out like it was a complete surprise. “I hear you had our girl pillow-biting!”

  Adam gave a lopsided grin. “I’m not sure I remember that…” he trailed off not knowing where to go with the conversation. He was a gentleman trying to be a lad.

  Then Meg held up an envelope. “We got one of―” she looked down and saw a similar one. “Oh, you have one too!”

  “What is it?” Nat said getting up and walking over.

  “You’re not putting any clothes on, girl?” Meg grinned and embraced her. Jenny was used to them acting like that, but she felt embarrassed in front of Adam. Or maybe she wasn’t used to it.

  “Nope. He’s seen it all now anyway.” She cocked a hand towards Adam, who actually looked a little unsure of what he should be doing now.

  “She looks good, doesn’t she?” Meg said to him.

  “I can’t argue with that.”

  “So what’s that?” Jenny said, trying to get them back to the envelopes.

  “Tall Trees Treasure Hunt! That’s what it says, and there’s a website to click onto,” Meg said.

  “And what happens when you click on it?” Nat asked, now walking over to her bed and making an attempt to get a top on.

  “Dunno, not done it yet.”

  “Why didn’t that Keith guy mention it last night when we were around the camp fire? Wouldn’t it be something you’d mention?”

  “He was too busy looking at you, Jenny-Wren!” Nat winked, buttoning up her shirt enough to stop her boobs from falling out.

  “He’ll be looking at you, if you’re going to breakfast like that!” Meg laughed.

  Nat blew her a kiss. “If yours were this size you’d do exactly the same!”

  Meg looked at Adam. “I would, Adam. I most definitely would.”

  Adam looked like he was kicking his heels and was inching towards the door. “I… er, had better get going.” He turned to Nat. “I’ll see you at breakfast, yeah?”

  “You left him hungry for more, Nat?” Meg growled like a tiger, and Nat grinned and wiggled herself.

  Adam raised a hand and quickly left.

  Meg and Nat both whooped out loud, and Jenny was left feeling like an outsider as usual.

  They looked over at Jenny, glanced at each other and grinned, then quickly came over and both squeezed her tightly.

  “Okay, okay!” Jenny said, pushing them away. “I need a shower.”

  Nat stopped and sniffed. “Actually, I think I might need one too.”

  Meg waved the card. “Come on then, let’s get a move on and meet the boys for breakfast. We can talk about this then.”

  Jenny grabbed her towel and headed off to the bathroom. From behind she heard Nat say, “I’m up for whatever.”

  “So, I heard!” came the reply as she closed the door.

  Little Miss Evil

  Chapter 38 - Giles

  H e looked over at his mother and shook his head. She’d burst through the door midway through the night and wrestled her clothes off before collapsing into her bed, barely even covering herself.

  He felt disgusted. He couldn’t wait to be old enough to move out. This holiday wasn’t for him. Nor was it how she sold it to him:

  “Wouldn’t it be nice to get away, Giles? Just the two of us?” she’d said, like she was taking him to Disneyland. Not that he wanted to go there, it was lame, but it would be better than this dump.

  He glanced over the top of his Nintendo Switch, his mother was laid with her back to him snoring away. A stench of sweat and alcohol wafted over.

  It was mid-morning. Well, nearing ten o’clock. He was hungry.

  He looked over to where his mum’s phone had been dropped onto the table. Discarded and forgotten. He got up and walked over to it. It had a leather cover on it which meant his mother could be less careful with it, and more importantly inside was where she kept her bank cards.

  “Would you like some breakfast, Giles?” he whispered to himself. “Yes, I would mother,” he responded. He looked around for a pen to write a note, but instead shrugged. He might send her a text. He’d probably be back by the time she awoke.

  He slipped the bank card into his pocket, and with his mobile in his hand he threw a last glance at his mum, shook his head in disappointment, and opened the cabin door.

  Outside, it was bright, and the air was fresh. A few people walked
around, and those he saw had smiles on their faces. He wanted to reach and grab a smile for himself.

  He wished he was older and part of a couple of groups of teens he’d seen. Maybe in a few years he’d come back with his friends. They’d drink and he’d be the one with his arm around a beautiful girl. He’d look over at the loser kids on holiday with their mum.

  He smiled at himself as he thought of the pictures on his phone. For now, that would have to do.

  A guy ran past dressed in full jogging gear. Giles didn’t understand it. Running was one thing, but going away somewhere, why would you continue? It was a time for excess eating and drinking, not Lycra, water-bottles and FitBits.

  He walked into the place for breakfast. Still scanning the area, he queued up, grunted a request, had the items placed on his plate, and flashed the card for payment. The woman smiled with pity at him, and looked around for his family. He could tell she wondered where his mother was. He wanted to tell her. Loserville, that’s where she was.

  He passed a large table of teens who were sitting with their mobiles out and looking at a card.

  He slipped into a booth and silently ate his breakfast. It was actually pretty good. His plate was stacked.

  But what he really wanted was some excitement in his life. Being a kid was boring as fuck.

  Little Miss Evil

  Chapter 39 - Jenny

  S he spotted the lad go by and sit by himself in the nearby booth. It was a sad sight. He was either a really independent kid that could be trusted to go and get his own breakfast, or he was neglected. Or maybe both. Perhaps his parents were having a lie-in and had slipped him some cash so they could be alone. Or they were there with a new boyfriend, or girlfriend.

  She was brought back to reality with Meg calling her name. “Jen? Earth to Jenny!”

  “Sorry, what were you saying? I was miles away.”

  “We doing this then? The Treasure Hunt? It starts at 9pm, but the first clue comes out at 8pm!”

  Jenny was non-committal about it if she was honest. It wasn’t high up on her list of things she wanted to do on a girl’s weekend away, but then the alternative would more than likely be a repetition of the previous night. Drinking and dancing―which was fine―but then her having to go off somewhere whilst her friends had sex.