The Vivisectionist

by Ike Hamill

  The plywood ended at the stairs — the floor of this new room was black and white tile, like the bishop’s room, but not in a regular diagonal pattern. Ben arrived next and they cast their lights about the room. It wasn’t very big — only about ten feet square — but it was the most decorated room they had seen. With chair-rails, wainscoting, and crown-moulding, the room would have looked elegant under normal lighting. But lighting was not something they could find in the room. No switches, outlets, or fixtures were installed.

  The pattern on the floor was a spiral. A line of black tiles directly in front of Stephen was followed by a line of white ones and the lines curved around the room and swirled into the center.

  “Jack — what do you make of this?” asked Stephen.

  Peering over Ben’s shoulder, Jack assessed the room. “I can’t see any way out.”

  “Do you think there’s a booby-trap with the floor again?” asked Stephen. “it does have the same tile as the bishop’s room.”

  “I don’t know,” said Jack. “We haven’t seen the same puzzle twice, but could be.”

  “I’ll try it out,” said Stephen. “But keep back — I may need to get out of there in a hurry.”

  Jack and Ben kept their place on the stairs in case Stephen had to flee. Stephen gingerly stepped into the room; he started by only stepping on the white tiles, but quickly decided to be bold, and stepped on a black one. When nothing happened, he decided to ignore the tiles and walked around looking at the walls.

  He tapped occasionally and ran his hands over the walls and wainscoting. Giving up on the walls, he circled the room once with his light trained on the ceiling. After five minutes he hadn’t turned up a single clue. He got down on hands and knees to look at the floor.

  “Nothing?” asked Jack.

  “Nope,” said Stephen.

  Ben and Jack looked at each other and then joined Stephen in the room. They set their lights on the floor, pointing up, and sat in a semi-circle, looking at the stairs. Jack scooted over and knocked on the wall.

  “It all seems so solid, like the walls are lined with concrete,” Jack said.

  “Yeah,” said Stephen. “I really think they might be.”

  “Maybe there was another turn upstairs that we missed,” said Ben.

  “I think the floor is supposed to mean something,” said Jack. “What does this pattern mean?”

  “Looks like a spiral to me,” said Stephen. “It all comes together here in the center.” he patted the center of the floor. “In China, the spiral is supposed to represent the sun.”

  “What does that have to do with anything?” asked Ben.

  “I’m just saying,” said Stephen.

  “In cartoons,” Ben aped Stephen, “the spiral makes people hip-no-tized.”

  Jack laughed and Stephen shot him a cold look. Still smiling, Jack said — “I read this book once where people would gain power by ‘Walking the Pattern’ which was like a spiral. At least that’s how I pictured it.”

  “That actually sounds pretty stupid,” said Stephen.

  “Naw,” said Jack, “it was cool. You had to be descended from the right family or it would destroy you, and it got harder as you went. But, if you finished it, you would have all kinds of powers.”

  “I think I read that book,” said Ben.

  “I probably loaned it to you,” said Jack. “I was really into that stuff a couple of years ago.”

  “Well, this ain’t no pattern, and I don’t think you’ll get any magical powers by walking it, but knock yourself out,” said Stephen.

  “Maybe this whole place is like ‘The Pattern,’” said Jack. “You know — thiswhole thing.”

  “Oh god,” said Ben. “You keep trying to make this some kind of big, important adventure. Like sticking your leg in a bear trap and calling it a puzzle.”

  “You just don’t get it,” said Jack. “This place is a test, and if we pass then we get the reward.”

  “I don’t know where you came up with that,” said Ben.

  Stephen interjected — “It doesn’t matter. Who cares if it’s a test or a trap. The thing is — it’s cool and we can beat it if we try. And it’s the most interesting thing to do.”

  “Yeah,” said Jack.

  “Oh wow — I just figured it out!” said Ben. He sat up straight and his face was serious. “You guys have become retarded.”

  “Whatever,” sneered Jack.

  “Seriously,” Ben continued, “I think it’s contagious or something, but somehow you’ve both caught ‘tardiness’ at the same time,” he laughed.

  “Get real,” said Jack.

  Stephen started laughing despite being the butt of the joke — “You know, he might have something. What time is it?”

  Ben looked at his watch “It’s a little after noon.”

  “I gotta go to the bathroom,” Stephen announced. He started giggling — “Anyone seen a men’s room around here?”

  “Why don’t you take a shit in that hole we jumped over?” laughed Ben.

  “That would be sick,” Jack coughed. “Can you imagine if someone was down there? That turd would be moving pretty fast.”

  “I wonder if anyone’s ever died of that?” said Stephen. “Getting hit with pooh. Oh man, I seriously need to go soon.”

  “We better start heading out then — I’m not standing around while you drop a deuce,” laughed Jack.

  “Ditto that,” agreed Ben.

  “Come on then,” said Stephen. He got up and headed for the stairs. Jack and Ben followed. “Oh, I don’t know if I’m going to make it.”

  The boys made their way quickly through the halls and traps they had discovered. They decided to make a list of all the things to avoid — it was getting hard to remember all the tricks along the way. When they got to the stepladder they weren’t sure how to proceed.

  “Are we coming back today?” asked Jack.

  “No way — I’m not,” said Ben. “I told you, I’m all done.”

  “Let’s leave the ladder here,” said Stephen. “I’ll come and hide it if we don’t come back. I just want to go.”

  They closed the hatch and laid the ladder on the ground next to the building. Stephen led the way, taking long, careful strides.

  “Why didn’t you think of that before we left the house?” asked Ben.

  Stephen turned around with his face full of panic. He shot a hand up and pressed his index finger to his mouth — “Shhh!” he mimed. Stephen crouched down — they were still several yards from the main path. Jack and Ben dropped down and listened. Soon they all heard it — they recognized the voice of Smoker and he was just ahead.

  Smoker’s voice carried well in the woods and didn’t seem to be moving — “I told you she was a slut,” he said. The boys didn’t hear the response, but then heard Smoker resume: “All the time. It never even happened that much back at the house, but I did it anyway.”

  Stephen motioned for them to back up — they headed towards the hotel. When they were out of earshot of Smoker’s conversation, Stephen spoke first — “What are we going to do?”

  “We have to go around — I think they’re hanging out on the path,” said Jack.

  “I’m going to go in the woods,” said Stephen.

  “If it’s really that bad, then go ahead,” said Ben. “It’ll probably take us forty-five minutes to get back to the house if we have to avoid the path.”

  “Shit,” said Stephen.

  Jack laughed at the unintentional pun. “Just do it. The pilgrims probably did it a thousand times right over by that tree.”

  “There were pilgrims here?” asked Ben.

  “Well then the Native Americans. Whatever,” said Jack.

  “Okay — hold my bag,” said Stephen. He handed his bag to Ben and hiked off towards a thicker area.

  Jack sat down on a large root and leaned back against a maple tree. “You’re really not going back in?” he asked Ben.

  Ben looked around and found a different tree to lea
n against. “I don’t think so. It’s really not that fun and I think it’s going to end badly.”

  “Yeah, I hear you,” said Jack. “I didn’t want to say this the other day, but I think I was hoping that we would find Gabe Vigue in there.”

  “In the hotel?” Ben was surprised. “Why would he be there?”

  “I don’t know,” said Jack. “I just thought that it’s probably not someplace the cops would look and if we found it then maybe he did too.”

  “But wasn’t that kid like five years old?” Ben asked.

  “He would be six now,” Jack answered.

  “How would he get out here — or get in there?”

  “I don’t know. I thought maybe the guy kidnapped him or something,” said Jack.

  “So you do think someone’s around?” Ben questioned. “I thought I was the only one who thought someone was pulling the strings.”

  “I’m just saying,” said Jack, “that I could imagine that the kid is still in there, and I thought we might find him. I don’t necessarily think that the guy who set this up is still around.”

  “Well, wouldn’t that mean that your neighbor set all this up?” asked Ben.

  “I guess so, sure,” said Jack. “And he’s in jail now.”

  “That’s true. And it would support my ‘One nut-bag per town idea,’” said Ben.

  “Anyway,” said Jack, “I just had this feeling that somehow Gabe might still be okay, and this is the only place I could think of where he’d still be around.”

  “Yeah,” said Ben. “But it’s been a long time. He would have to have a bunch of food and water down there to still be alive.”

  “They guy who set this up didn’t seem to have any problem planning things,” answered Jack.

  Stephen shuffled back out of the woods. “Either of you got any toilet paper?”

  “You seem less panicked,” said Ben.

  “Yeah, and about five pounds lighter,” said Stephen.

  “Gross!” Jack exclaimed. “Let’s go back to the house for a bit.”

  **********

  Back at the house, the boys split up. Stephen went upstairs to clean up, and Jack and Ben settled in the kitchen where Jack’s mom had her paperwork spread out on the kitchen table.

  “How’s it going, guys?” she asked.

  “Pretty good,” said Jack.

  “Did you eat your sandwiches?” she looked up and took off her glasses.

  “Not yet,” said Jack. “We were playing at the creek and Stephen had to go to the bathroom.”

  “That’s nice — thanks for sharing that Jack,” she replied and smiled. Jack’s mom turned her attention back to accounting.

  “You want to go upstairs?” Jack asked Ben.

  “Sure,” said Ben.

  “Oh, Ben,” Jack’s mom called out. “I had a note from your mom — you should probably give her a call. She said that you and your brother might need to go away for a week or so.”

  “Really?” asked Ben.

  “Yes, but give her a call. The note was vague.”

  “Okay — thanks,” said Ben.

  Jack looked at Ben and then nodded towards the door way. On the way upstairs, Jack became curious. “What do you think that’s about?” he asked.

  “I guess my dad’s got a break and wants to do something,” said Ben. “He said it might be a possibility.”

  “That sucks,” said Jack. “I mean, cool to see your dad, but sucks that you might have to go.”

  They reached Jack’s room and went inside. Jack turned on his ceiling-fan; the breeze cut the heat and made the room comfortable. Jack sat back on his bed and Ben slouched in Jack’s computer chair.

  “Somehow I don’t think you’d be that disappointed,” said Ben. “Then you could play at the hotel all day and not worry about me.”

  “Hey,” said Jack, “keep it down.” Turning around on the bed, Jack reached over and pushed the door most of the way closed. “That’s just dumb. We’ve been best friends forever.”

  “Well usually we both decide what we’re going to do,” said Ben.

  “Usually I don’t have an opinion, and we do what you want,” Jack said.

  “Fair enough.” Ben smiled. “But isn’t it just better that way?”

  “Maybe sometimes,” laughed Jack. “But this thing is cool. It’s like something from the movies.”

  The door swung open and Jack sat up.

  “What’s cool?” Stephen asked as he walked in. “Nothing up here, that’s for sure. It’s like an oven. I thought you said your dad made air-conditioning or something.”

  Jack laughed and Ben replied — “You can forget about that. His dad won’t run the AC until the carpet melts.”

  “True story,” added Jack.

  Stephen laid down on the floor directly below the fan — “Ahhh, that’s the stuff. I feel like a million bucks now. So what’s going on?” He kicked the door most of the way shut again.

  “Well, we still got sandwiches in our packs, Ben might have to leave, and you smell of ass,” said Jack.

  “And the fan’s doing a great job of pushing around that fabulous smell,” said Ben.

  Stephen propped himself up on his elbows and looked at Ben — “Where do you have to go?”

  “I don’t know yet. I’m supposed to call my mom,” said Ben. “But I bet it has something to do with my dad.”

  “Well I’ve got two more weeks until I have to be anywhere,” said Stephen. “What are you doing in August, Jack?”

  “I’m supposed to see my grandparents,” said Jack. “They sent me a letter, but I haven’t answered it yet.”

  “Yuck,” said Stephen.

  “They’re actually pretty cool,” said Jack. “I’d just rather be in Maine than Massachusetts in August.”

  “Hey, you can come visit me!” said Stephen.

  “Wait, I thought you lived in New York City?” Jack asked.

  “No way. I live in Boston,” Stephen replied.

  “Didn’t you say you were from the ‘Big Apple’? That’s New York,” Jack stated.

  “What? No way,” said Stephen. “I think it just means any city. You know, the ‘Big Apple’ like it’s a big place.”

  “God, you’re such a retard,” Ben chimed in. “It’s New York.”

  “Well what’s Boston then?” asked Stephen. “Are you sure you hicks know what you’re talking about?”

  “Ummm, I think Boston is like ‘Bean Town’ or something,” said Jack.

  “Bean town? That’s stupid,” said Stephen. “Jesus, who’s the retard now?”

  “Hmmm, let me check.” Ben mimed typing on the computer. “Yup, still you.”

  “Well that’s good to know,” said Stephen. They all laughed.

  A light tap on the door quieted them. Jack’s mom pushed the door open. “You forgot your lunch,” she said. She entered with their bags in one hand and juice-boxes in the other. She set them on the floor next to Stephen.

  “Thanks mom,” said Jack.

  “Yeah, thanks Ms. Randolph,” said Stephen.

  “After you eat, there’s a craft-fair down at the middle school,” she said. “You could show your friends around your old school, Jack.”

  “Aw mom,” Jack moaned. “A craft fair?”

  “Relax. Just a suggestion,” she said. “I’ll leave you to your important activities.” She backed out of the room and shut the door.

  Stephen whispered to Jack — “How come your mom doesn’t work? What’s she doing here all the time?”

  “She and my dad own the HVAC business,” said Jack. “She does all the office stuff, accounting, and all that stuff. So, she works here.”

  “That must be a drag — always having her around,” said Stephen.

  “Nah, it’s cool,” said Jack.

  “I like your mom,” said Ben. “She’s nice.”

  “Yeah, I guess,” said Jack.

  “Well she’s better than that new girl my dad is seeing,” said Ben.

  “What hap
pened to Broyhill?” asked Stephen. “My god, she had big tits,” he added.

  “That’s old news,” said Ben. “She’s been gone for a while. You know, now that I think of it, you two guys are the only guys I know whose parents are still together.” Ben said to Jack.

  “Amazing, isn’t it?” said Jack.

  “So if you don’t have to go, are you going to come back to the place with us?” Stephen asked Ben.

  “You mean the hotel?” asked Ben in a loud tone.

  Stephen looked away from Ben and rolled his eyes at how Ben was trying to sabotage their secret. He raised his hands and shoulders in question and looked at Jack.

  “Douche-ism,” said Jack. “It is catching.”

  “That explains it,” said Stephen.

  “I don’t know,” said Ben. “I guess I’ll go back with you guys. But I have to call my mom first.”

  “Well get to it, son,” said Stephen.

  Ben rummaged around in his backpack and got out his cell phone.

  “That won't work around here,” said Jack.

  “Yeah, I know, but I don't have everyone's number memorized,” said Ben. He searched through his contacts as he left to go use the phone in the guest room.

  Stephen picked up his own pack and handed the third over to Jack. They found their sandwiches and began eating. Stephen opened a juice box and tossed another one over next to Jack.

  “I hope he doesn’t have to go,” said Jack.

  “Well, either way,” said Stephen.

  “Oh man, how can you say that?” asked Jack. “Ben’s the best.”

  “He’s normally the best,” said Stephen. “About this, he’s only fair.” Stephen tilted his hand back and forth.

  “I think he’ll come around,” said Jack.

  “Hey — what’s this thing?” Stephen had picked up a cuttlefish bone from the shelf. Jack began to explain it’s origin. A few words in and Ben came back in the room.

  “What happened?” asked Jack.

  “No answer,” said Ben. “Can’t get my brother either. I left a voicemail for my dad though.”

  “Sounds like we’re on for this afternoon,” Stephen said through a mouthful of ham and cheese.

  “If so, we have to get around Smoker,” said Jack.

  “We ought to stay off the path completely,” said Ben. He grabbed his bag and pulled out his sandwich.