NICHOLAS PENN
SHANTAGO’S
REVENGE
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
SHANTAGO’S REVENGE
Copyright 2016 by Nicholas Penn
Edited by www.FirstEditing.com, Inc.
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Orlando, FL 32832, USA
Cover photos by www.Dreamstime.com
All rights are reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Introduction
Innocent Blood
Shattered Dreams
Sharing Stories
Hellion’s Lair
A Great Expectation
Noisome Sherlock
The King of This World
A Scientific Perspective
Great Scott, is that?
Old Mercenary
Return to Sender
Extreme Destruction
A Grave Discovery
Longing Heart
?
Save the Children
Hero Private Eye, Where Are You?
An Awfully Eerie Feeling
Well, R U Ready? Be-Were!
Nice Kiddy
Terrible Night Ahead
Oh Snap!
Gnash of the Champions Part 1
Gnash of the Champions Part 2
Locked Up
Extreme Interrogation
‘Stabbed in the Back
Guilty Feelings
Univisions
Intense Confrontation
Lowering the Guillotine
The Real King, Shawn Toggle
Your Time has Come
Dedication
Epilogue
Introduction
I walk around this world to ease my troubled mind, but nothing seems to quench the desire I have for the vengeance I seek. As I walk down this lonely road that I now own, I notice the things that once were that are now no more. The trees are all barren. The leaves have fallen, scattered to and fro. What was once a spring-like affair; is now consuming my dark and dreary soul. How I curse the cancer of this ever-changing life.
My inner self has darkened, to the shallow depths of hell all because of the abomination you so call justice. Moreover, the web of deception deeply consumes me to the point of no return, because now it burns, and I am my own worst enemy. Perhaps I should thank you oh glorious one, because it’s you that made me this way.
If it wasn’t for you, I would still have everything that matters. For that, I will not thank you. Before you came along, I lived a life of peace, harmony, and balance. My kith and kin, friends, and dynasty were once like sweet candy to my soul. With one selfish act of destruction you have taken those rights away from me. I now live by a single pledge, a solemn vow that I must keep. When I am through with you, generations upon generations will forever speak your name and how you’ve fallen; come hell or high water, this is my promise.
You are just like your ancestors that came before you; who murderously killed and destroyed anything and everything that’s not ordinary. What makes you so perfect anyways? Just because you do not understand us, doesn’t make us all beasts ready for slaughter. We as one bleed and have feelings too, but that doesn’t matter to you. With vorpal sword in hand, you ruined my life, decimating everything. For some reason, you do not understand why I performed the same acts of treason unto you. Just who is the real beast?
It’s now closing time my friend; last call for all the devious and atrocious acts that you have mentally devised within your ever-creeping and contemptible mind. It’s time for you to find peace because I will soon be sending you home. Let this be ample warning to you; I am coming and there is nothing that you can do to stop it. You have wronged me and now the day of reckoning is at hand.
Yes, I am at another turning point, fork stuck in the road. One route takes me to retribution and vindication, the other total destruction. I am not afraid to lose my life; in fact I solemnly enjoy the notion of you trying to take it from me. Why not? You’ve taken everything else that’s ever mattered. I just hope that seconds before you expire, I have the privilege to look you square in the eye so I can see the defeat that is your life. I loathe your every ounce of existence, and I yearn for the day, yes, the day that wrath bequeaths you.
An eye for an eye my friend, a tooth for a tooth, and now redemption draweth nigh. You took away my queen, my love, and part of my soul, not to mention my quality of life. Destroying you I know will not make all things right. It will not replace the things that I’ve lost, and it will not extinguish the hatred that I have for you, which burns steadily inside of me.
What it will do is fill the void that I have now that you took my dear love away. I may not be human; in fact I am now known as a monster, all because of you. I’m writing this down as part of my pledge to you, so that you will have a decree of reciprocation. I say all of that to say this: My name is Shantago and this is my story....
Innocent Blood
Her mother told her to be careful as she headed out the screened door. She didn’t know that today would be the last time that she would get to see her darling baby girl. Aleise Justice was just nine years old, with curly blonde hair, rosy red cheeks, and a very noticeably purple tongue. Her cheeks were red because she’d been playing in her momma’s makeup kit yet again, without her permission of course. Mother saw her wearing the badly smeared blush, but simply smiled as she left the house; she didn’t see the harm in her daughter wearing makeup on occasion. However, her mother would prefer the occasions to be a little more supervised.
Aleise lay victim to a grape lollipop that she recently acquired last Tuesday for being such a good girl and taking her shots from the doctor. He was a kind physician who always told his patients, “Now if you behave and do as you’re told, you will have a special treat in your future. If you are real good, you can have two.” Today, young Aleise didn’t have a treat in her future- only sudden doom.
Aleise spent many hours walking the train tracks, a habit I’m sure her mother now regrets. It was just Aleise’s thing and what she enjoyed doing. She usually took a book and would walk until she found a suitable place to rest and read for a while.
Her mother didn’t see the harm in it because the tracks had been vacant for many years. The railroad closed the section of tracks close to her house because they were now obsolete. Aleise had two simple rules that her mother made her follow if she wanted to hang out on the tracks. Number one: stay close. Number two: stay away from the train trestle.
The trestle was really the main reason why the railroad closed this stretch of tracks years ago. It was simply too unstable. With poorly structured steel beams and rust forming on the main planks, anyone would be a fool to try and cross it. Unfortunately, today poor Aleise Justice didn’t hearken to her mother’s advice, instead wandering too far up the tracks and into mortal danger.
The book she was carrying with her was a book of short stories, which included some poetry and nursery rhymes. Little Miss Muffet and the Itsy Bitsy Spider were some of her all-time favorites. Yes, this strange girl had a thing for spiders. There was something about those eight-legged arachnids that infatuated her. She never squished them; instead, she always was on the lookout to add to her collection of the most unique pests.
There on the tracks, just ahead of her, stood the biggest grand daddy long legs that she’d ever seen. The spider was so big that on
ce she saw it, she thought that perhaps it was a crab or a crawdad. The spider was walking up the tracks just about to go onto the, yes you guessed it, the train trestle. Little Aleise first thought about not chasing the super bug, and instead listening to her mother, but quickly changed her mind once she also saw a green spider webbed there in the weeds just left of the rails. This was a very exciting time for her. Just imagine: two great catches in one day.
Aleise always carried with her a fanny pack. Laughing, she told her mother that it was her bat belt. This strap would carry many things, such as pen and paper, a magnifying glass, and of course her bubble gum. It also included a small jar for the extraction of Mother Nature’s creepy crawlers.
By the time Aleise was able to open her gathering jar, the great big grand daddy longlegs had wandered onto the trestle. Since Aleise hadn’t ever been on that part of the tracks before, she was a bit apprehensive about following. She slowly inched her way onto the trestle before noticing the swaying of the tracks. She happened to look down and saw that she was many feet up in the air. She also looked back and realized that she was too far to return and pick up the green spider. She’d come this far now, and in just a few more feet she would have her prey.
By the time she was able to capture her bug, she’d made it all the way to the other side of the tracks. At first she felt brave for accomplishing such a feat. There was nothing to fear now, as she felt a sense of achievement for crossing the trestle for the first time. Feeling good about it, she decided to walk a little farther down the way.
Off in the distance, something quickly caught her eye that looked very peculiar to her. Just off to the side of the tracks and over the hill was a flashing glowing emerald-green light that she found utterly mesmerizing. At first she thought about turning back but decided to go ahead and check it out; besides the voice in her ear told her that she’d already come this far.
When she made it to the site, she was amazed to find a remarkable discovery. Lying in the tall grass, scattered loosely, sat an abundance of jewels, gold, and treasures like she’d never seen before. Aleise thought that perhaps they’d somehow fallen off of a train many years ago. Regardless, Aleise started filling her pockets and fanny pack full of diamonds, emeralds and the like. Suddenly, out of nowhere she felt a tap on her shoulder. At first she ignored this, being focused on her task at hand. After a few moments there it was again, this time a little harder. Aleise assumed that it was her mother tapping her since she would often come looking for her once it got too late. Without even turning around to look, she shouted with glee, “Look mommy what I’ve found: gold, diamonds, jewelry, and treasure.” Then she heard the most sinister voice a little girl could imagine growling at her, “Hello Kiddy.” Aleise instantly screamed aloud, dropping the jewels to the ground. In a few short seconds, she’d disappeared. They found her critter jar and Aleise’s book of short stories on the other side of the train trestle — the train trestle that she wasn’t supposed to cross.
Shattered Dreams
The heavens opened wide as the relentless rain came barreling down without compassion. Beads of terror began to form on the brim of my baseball cap as I made my way back towards the inevitable. I felt a slight pain in my lower right leg, perhaps a strained muscle, as I pushed on to the ravine. I said to myself, Come on Jordan, get it together. My adrenaline was pumping too fast now to worry about it. The pain would have to wait. While water danced on my rain-moistened lips, I sat there in awe and disbelief at what lay in front of me. A deluge of rushing water stood in between me and my final destination. Due to the enormous downpour, all the creeks and streams had swollen beyond imagination, overflowing their banks. I’d not seen a drencher like this in quite some time. While watching the swift rapids gushing down the way just inches in front of me, I knew I must find another way to cross or give up on my pursuit.
I didn’t have any time for this roadblock. In my mind, I needed to get back to the cabin first, so as to prepare. Suddenly, something made me stop dead in my tracks. I took a second to gather myself while massaging gently the freshly made marks around my neckline. Here I was standing alone in the pouring rain, and for what? I started walking along the overflowing stream line while taking it all in. Even if I did make it back to the cabin, then what? Would I have the strength to carry out what needed to be done? These questions flowed like wine in my increasingly clouded mind.
Off in the far distance I saw a spotlight followed by two headlights. I could easily tell that it was a vehicle approaching because driving on such rocky terrain made the headlights dance wildly in the darkened night. The spotlight was shining to and fro, backwards and forwards, while bouncing on jagged rocks, just ahead of the beaten path. Someone was looking for me.
A yellow Humvee pulled up within inches of my feet, still shining its spotlight in my face. I heard the mechanical sound of a power window rolling down just as lightning struck a nearby tree. Between the lightning strike and the spotlight it was hard for my eyes to focus on the person in the vehicle. “Get in.” I heard a familiar voice coming from the Humvee. This time she was a little more stern as she firmly said, “Get in now; we don’t have a second to lose.” As I made my way to the other side I thought to myself, I wonder if I’m making a huge mistake. I climbed into the HumVee, with my eyes still adjusting to the dim light, when I saw something unusual moving in the backseat. “So, that’s how it’s going to be–“
“Dude, Jordan, Wake up.” Startled, I quickly awoke from my somber siesta with a Post It note unintentionally stuck to the side of my face. “Mr. Kennedy just arrived, and from his troubling scowl, he looks to be in another dreadful mood. I don’t think today is a good day to be sleeping on the job.” Ian was right.
That’s when I heard it. Here at the office we always called it “The page from hell.” I just didn’t expect it to ever be me that was being called on. Everyone knew that when you were summoned to the boss’s office, you usually left toting a box with all of your belongings in it. Ian had an irritable look on his face as he made a wisecrack: “It’s been real my friend. It really has. I’ll attend your funeral, I promise.” Glaring nervously at Ian, I took a deep breath, sighed, and made my way to Mr. Kennedy’s office.
“Jordan, have a seat.” I noticed right away that Mr. Kennedy’s disposition wasn’t a pleasant one. “So how long have you been with our company?” I quickly answered him by saying, “A few years now.”
“Do you know why I called you into my office?” Before I could answer he motioned me off as he shook his head. “I actually like you and think you are a great employee, but you haven’t been the same since the death of your girlfriend.” I corrected him that she had been my fiancé, Piper, but I did agree with him that it was hard to get my focus back.
“Jordan, I want you to see this doctor friend I know. I believe that he can help you.” I interrupted him by asking the question, “Who is it? It’s not the company shrink again, Dr. McGuire? I didn’t get along with him at all.” Mr. Kennedy opened a pack of chewing gum and tore off the ribbon as he spoke up and said, “No it’s a friend that I went to college with. He’s a scientist. I think he can help you.” I didn’t quite understand what he was getting at. Before I could inquire further he said, “I read the article about you in the newspaper a few weeks ago.” That’s all he said, and I suddenly knew what he was getting at so I shook my head as to agree with him.
The newspaper article in question had made me somewhat of a celebrity here at the office. It seems that the news of the article written about me spread like wildfire once Gabby Gwen, the office gossiper, read it. People had been asking me if I’d really saw monsters or if I was making the whole thing up. One guy in accounting said that he wanted to see proof, perhaps a picture, before he would believe in my story. As a joke I told him that sometimes you just got to have faith, referring to the song of course. He just rolled his eyes as he sarcastically does sometimes and said, “That’s about as funny as a screen door on a battleship.” I simply replied, “Tha
t’s a screen door on a submarine you moron.”
Before I could bat an eye, Mr. Kennedy picked up the phone and was dialing. “Hello Scottie, its Jim. I’ve got a guy standing in front of me that I think you should meet. Do you remember the news article that we were discussing the other evening? Well it’s him.” I could only imagine what the voice on the other end was saying to Jim as his eyes widened with excitement. “So have Jordan come in a few days to see you? That sounds really good, my friend. I’ll tell him, and thanks again.”
After the phone conversation ended, I started sweating bullets when Mr. Kennedy, like he sometimes did, crossed both arms and started clicking his tongue. He was in deep thought as I wondered if I would lose my job today or perhaps be suspended for falling asleep. He did this for several seconds while I just stood there in agony. Mr. Kennedy suddenly spoke up, saying, “Jordan, take a week off to clear your mind. You’re no good to me or the company unless your head is one hundred percent in the game.” Mr. Kennedy finished writing down the address for Scottie and the Institute. As he leaned in closer, he cautiously asked, “The news article that I read about you, how much of it was true?” He immediately blew off his last question, and I could tell that it was his curiosity asking. “Never mind that Jordan. You just get well. Now pick up that box over in the corner.” I was very confused when he said that. With a big smile on his face he said, “I have to keep up my tough-guy image to everyone, you understand. When you leave, don’t talk to anyone. Just get some of your belongings and get out quickly. I’ll see you on Monday, no worries.” He gave me a wink as he added a stapler and some pens to the box. “Here, just in case you don’t have anything to add.”
As he opened the door I heard him yell out, “I hope I never see you in here again.” Mr. Kennedy slammed the door shut behind him as all of my colleagues quickly turned their heads and went back to work. I stood there just for a second to take it all in. I never knew Mr. Kennedy had a heart and actually cared about his employees. I always thought that he was just another cold-blooded, spineless, corporate goon with his head buried somewhere between the president’s and the vice-president’s behinds. I did as he told me and gathered some of my things and placed them in the box. As I started to leave, Amy turned to me and said, “Sorry.” I smiled at her and softly whispered, “Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.”
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