by Woods, Karen
The taste of the man’s cock made him heave. He could smell sweat and shit as he grabbed hold of the penis to suck him off. Shaky held his body up against the wall. His hands gripped tightly round Lenny’s head. The rent boy looked distressed. A noise from the distance made Shaky freeze. As he held Lenny’s head still in his hands he lifted his head up and looked into the darkness. The lighting was poor and all he could see were shadows at the end of the alley.
Shaky’s eyes searched further into the darkness. Once he was sure he wasn’t being watched he urged the rent boy to continue. His eyes were closed firmly and he was enjoying the gobble. Lenny carried on sucking him off but as his head turned to the side he could see the feet of two men. The trainers he saw told him help had arrived. Colby spoke.
“You dirty cunt!”
Colby now stood in front of him as Shaky opened his eyes in shock. Shaky threw Lenny to the floor and tried to pull his pants up with one hand. Shaun stood still and watched as Lenny ran off.
“You don’t remember me do you?”
Shaky shook from head to toe and tried to focus on the face in front of him. Shaun came into view now and held his head low. Colby had a menacing look in his eyes and his teeth were grinding together.
“I see you’re still abusing young boys then. Some things never change do they?” Colby chuckled. Shaky looked at his face in more detail and it clicked who he was.
“Colby, bloody hell it’s been years hasn’t it?” he now looked to Shaun and recognised him too.
“Fucking hell Shaun. You haven’t changed one bit either. How are you two doing anyway?”
Colby neared him and gripped his shirt with his hand pressing him up against the brick wall. Their noses were touching as he ranted into his face.
“How the fuck are we doing? Ya dirty bastard. I’ll show you how we’re doing.”
Shaky fell to the ground with a knockout punch as Colby kicked ten tons of shit out of him. Shaun paced the floor and knew if he didn’t stop his friend soon he would surely kill him. Shaky’s screams could be heard and Colby placed his hand over his mouth as he leant over him.
“I should fucking kill you, shouldn’t I? And leave you here to rot. You dirty bastard!”
Shaun stepped in and slowly pulled the back of his jacket. Colby loosened his grip and stood up. He quickly gave Shaun instructions.
“Right, make sure no one comes down here. You fuck off, I’ve just got a few things that need saying before I’m finished with him.” Shaky was rolling around in pain. He was gripping his stomach screaming that he couldn’t breathe.
Shaun jogged down the alley and kept turning back as he heard the sounds of more punches being thrown. Once Colby knew he was out of sight he dragged Shaky up by the scruff off his neck.
“You have ruined my life ya know? Every night when I go to sleep all I see is your fat ugly face.” Shaky’s face was swelling already. You could barely see his eyes. Colby turned him on his side and ragged his pants down.
“Let’s see how you like being bummed ay.” Shaky made no attempt to fight back. His body was still as Colby shoved his cock up his arse. With each stroke into him he pummelled his head and before long Shaky was lifeless. When he’d finished he pulled his track suit bottoms up and stood over the body. He was sobbing.
“I should cut ya nob off shouldn’t I? That way you’ll never abuse anyone again would ya?” His foot swung back and with one almighty kick he sunk it into his head. Colby walked away and started to jog as he came to the end of the road. Once he arrived on the street he searched for Shaun. Every inch of his body was shaking and he couldn’t think straight.
Shaun saw him coming out of the entry and quickly ran to his side gripping his arm.
“Fucking hell mate. You nearly killed the fucker. Are you alright, you look weird?” Colby was sweating and his fists were still clenched. Shaun could see blood all over his hands and looked at him with a concerned face.
“You didn’t kill him did ya?” Colby was walking away and remained silent as Shaun asked him again. This time Colby stopped dead in his tracks and looked him in the face.
“I fucking hope so. He deserves to be dead.”
Colby searched his pockets with shaking hands and couldn’t find a cig and asked Shaun for one. Once he passed him one they sat on a nearby wall. The traffic seemed quiet on the roads. Every passer-by seemed to know their sins as they looked at their faces. Holding his head with one hand he took a deep drag of his cig. He spoke to Shaun.
“I think he’s dead ya know. We’ll have to fuck off back to Manchester until things have quietened down.”
Shaun stood up from the wall and pushed Colby’s shoulder with one arm.
“What the fuck do you mean go back to Manchester. He can’t be dead .You just gave him a few digs that’s all. Didn’t you?” Shaun was bouncing about kicking the floor. Colby shook his head and spoke in a low voice.
“I’ve give him what he deserved. Are you forgetting what he did to me? If he’s dead, so fucking what. I don’t give a flying fuck.” Colby spat on the floor as his temper exploded. Shaun looked at him in disbelief and left his side. He motored back to the alleyway and he ran back to where the attack took place.
He crept back to the body. Once he was stood above Shaky his right foot tried to move him. His breathing was rapid as he bent down and pulled Shaky’s body over so he could see his face. The body rolled over and Shaun covered his mouth with both his hands. Slowly he bent down and shook the lifeless man in front of him. He lifted his eyelids and tried blowing in his eyes to see if there was any sign of life. His head quickly swivelled as he heard a voice shouting from a nearby window that overlooked the alleyway. It was a woman’s voice.
“I’ve seen it all don’t worry. I’ve phoned the police. You dirty no good bastard.” Shaun panicked and ran as his head turned he could see a woman hanging from the window watching him flee from the dead body. His pace quickened and he ran back to Colby who was still sat on the wall. Running past him he shouted.
“Quick, fucking do one. Someone’s phoned the dibble.” Colby seemed in a trance and it took a moment for him to stand to his feet. Shaun jogged on the spot and ranted.
“For fuck’s sake, move ya arse.” Shaun ran back and grabbed him. They both ran off with speed down the back streets pulling their hoods up in the process. Sirens could be heard in the distance. When they were out of sight Shaun pinned Colby up against the wall.
“You daft twat. I thought you said you were only gonna give him a few digs. He’s fucking dead ya prick!” Colby broke free and jumped about in front of him.
“So fucking what. He deserves to be dead. Are you forgetting what he did to me?” Shaun ran at him and flung him to the floor.
“I don’t give a fuck. I’m not going to jail for murder. Arrrggghh.” Colby was screaming at him, his voice was loud.
“Ay nobhead! Who was there when you needed him, ay? When everyone else fucked you off. Yeah me. No fucker else. If you want to get off, go on fuck off. I can deal with this on my own.” Shaun stood and was looking from left to right scanning the area. He spoke in a distressed voice.
“Just let’s get back to the house ay. We need to get away from here as soon as possible. Fucking hell I don’t believe this mess.”
They both hurried back to the house. As soon as they got through the front door Shaun told Colby to get his stuff together. He quickly searched the kitchen drawers and shoved a screwdriver in his pocket.
Entering his bedroom Shaun grabbed his bag and opened the wardrobe. He grabbed all his clothes and threw them into the open bag. His face was sweating and he was mumbling under his breath. Colby now stood at the doorway and watched his every movement. Shaun knew he had his reasons for what he’d done but still wanted to waste him. He grabbed his last remaining trainers from the floor and headed downstairs.
As they entered the front room he told the lads to manage the phone for the drugs and he would be back soon. He didn’t give them chance to ask any
questions. He quickly left the house slamming the door behind him. Shaun looked at all the parked cars. He handed Colby his bag as he approached a black car not far from them. Colby could now see him shoving the screwdriver into the door and within seconds he was inside it.
The car screeched at the side of him. Colby picked the bags up from the floor before he jumped inside. Shaun checked his rear view mirror and quickly headed towards the motorway. As they drove down the side streets Colby slouched into his seat. The car radio played music. As he listened more carefully he could hear one of his favourite tunes playing. The Smiths were singing “There is a light that never goes out.” Turning the volume up to full blast he sang along to the words. The song had so many memories for him. He felt a wave of sadness ride through his body. Tears were running down his cheek. Colby knew his mate was still angry with him and tried to make amends. He turned to face him as he watched him drive.
“We should be alright ya know. It’s our secret. No one else has to ever know do they?” Shaun kept his eyes on the road and carried on singing. When the song had finished he turned the volume down and answered him.
“I just hope that woman didn’t get a good glimpse of me otherwise I’m fucked.” Colby placed has hand on his shoulder and squeezed it. His face was looking straight at him.
“I owe you big time ya know. If there’s anything you need. Anything you want I’ll always be there for you.” Shaun nodded and moved lanes on the motorway. Colby sighed and mumbled.
“Fucking hell. I forgot about Ged. He will be out for my blood when he knows I’m back. I nicked his shit didn’t I?” The sound of Ged’s name made Shaun sit up straight. He looked as if he was thinking and finally spoke after a few minutes.
“Fuck the tosser. Let him come. I’m sure we can sort him out, he’s a prick.” Colby banged the dashboard and agreed. Lighting a spliff he pushed his seat back and lay back getting stoned.
Manchester was minutes away and Shaun phoned his mam to ask if they could get their heads down at her house for tonight. Gladys was asking lots of questions but agreed for them both to stay there. Driving through Harpurhey brought a smile to Shaun’s face. He felt a warmth ride through his bones as he looked at the familiar landmarks. He was home.
The back door was open when they got to his house. Gladys was sat in the chair with a worried look on her face. The old familiar cardigan she always wore was draped from her shoulders like a blanket of despair. Her eyes focused on them both as they entered. As she saw her son’s face she knew she couldn’t interrogate him as he looked tired and ready for bed. Shaun smiled at her.
“Mam do me and Colby a butty will ya. We’ve not had chance to grab owt to eat.” Gladys pulled her frail body from the chair and headed into the kitchen. Once he heard her making the sandwich he whispered to Colby.
“Right let’s have a quick look at the news and see if there’s anything on about it. I’m sure the news is on at this time.” Colby moved to his side and watched as he searched through the channels. Gladys returned into the room carrying two plates. She passed them to the lads and sat at the dining table situated at the back of the room watching them. Lighting her cig she made conversation.
“Told you Katie would go back with him didn’t I? A few days after you fucked off she went back.” Her face looked anxious. “I’ve not heard from her for weeks.” Shaun wasn’t listening properly as his eyes were focused on the TV screen. He slowly turned from the television and asked Gladys what she had just said. She huffed and repeated herself.
“Fucking deaf lugs, I said your sister didn’t last long. She’s back with that bastard again. I think he had a big graft and you know how he promises her the world when he’s got money.” Shaun shook his head and asked where Paul was. Once she’d told him he’d moved in with his girlfriend he started to relax. They all sat discussing the latest gossip. Shaun nearly collapsed when she told him Ged was in jail for supplying drugs.
Colby smiled from cheek to cheek when he heard the news. He asked her lots more questions to ease his mind. When she told him he’d got three years shoved up his arse he winked at Shaun and listened as Gladys rambled on.
“Apparently they caught him bang to rights. They busted the flat and got loads of drugs and money. They even got firearms so it said in the newspaper.” Her head was in the air as she preached to them both. “Well I think he deserves everything he gets, fucking killing people with his drugs.” Shaun knew what she was on about. She was just about to start another lecture but he stopped her dead in her tracks.
“Right mam. For fuck’s sake. Why do you always go over the top? The guy just got caught selling drugs that’s all.” His mother stood up and placed her hand on her hip as she emptied the ashtray.
“Drugs are the lowest of the low. They fuck so many people lives up. Look at your friend Mark. He was such a lovely lad ya know. His mother’s at her wits end with him these days. He’s robbed anything she had of value. So don’t you try and defend that Ged. He’s a fucking scumbag.”
Colby dipped his head as Shaun smiled at him. He felt daft the way his mam was going on and told her to shut up and go to bed. Gladys screwed up her face and spoke as she left the room.
“I’m entitled to my opinion. I still think he’s a drug dealing bastard. I hope he rots in jail.” Shaun told her to fuck off to bed again and this time he glared at her to let her know he was getting angry. She said goodnight to the boys. They listened as they heard her plod up the stairs to bed.
Shaun munched his butty and lifted the bread up to look at its contents. His mam could always make a good sandwich. He loved the way she threw loads of dressings all over the salad.
Both lads looked tired and after a few minutes Shaun turned the lights off and headed to bed with his partner in crime following closely behind him. The lighting was poor as they walked up the stairs. Shaun held the banister and guided himself to the top. As he opened his old bedroom door he smiled. Everything was the same as he’d left it. Kicking his shoes off he told Colby he would have to get his head down on the floor. Shaun passed him a blanket and a pillow.
Shaun snuggled into his bed and smelt the bedding. They smelt so clean and fresh and a million miles away from the ones he had got used to. Reaching down into his jeans he gripped his small pebble and stroked it slowly. His body turned to face the wall. He could still hear Colby fidgeting about on the floor at the side of him. Shaun’s head was on fire with thoughts and he knew the police would find them sooner or later. He prayed they would get away with the crime they’d committed but he knew deep down inside they were on borrowed time. The pebble felt cold in his hands and he slowly rubbed it up and down on his cheek.
Chapter Thirteen
Lenny sat in the police cell and his body was rattling from head to toe. After all the investigations the police had arrested him knowing he was the last person to have been seen with the dead man. Lenny was the prime-suspect for the murder. He was shitting himself.
Lenny had been held in police custody for over forty-eight hours now. The drugs he needed were making his body feel weird. His forehead was covered in rivulets of sweat when the investigating officer came into the interview room to join him. The murder detective knew it wouldn’t be long before he got the smackhead to squeal like a pig.
DCI Jordan sat down with his colleague at the side of the young lad. He told Lenny about the procedure and switched the tape recorder on. The officer was used to dealing with roasting heroin addicts and knew the rent boy was nearly at breaking point. He watched as Lenny nervously fidgeted about with his fingers. The interview began.
“So Lenny, do you want to tell me again what happened on the night this man was murdered.” He showed Lenny a picture of the victim. DCI Jordan placed the photo back on the table and continued as he saw the distress in the suspect’s face.
“Because,” he paused as his eyes focused on Lenny, “at the moment it looks like you’re going to prison for a long, long time.” Lenny sunk his head onto the table and rocked ab
out. He looked like he was in pain as he gripped his stomach. His eyes looked like they were rolling about. He couldn’t focus for long. Lenny closed his eyes and chewed on his bottom lip. The officer prompted him again.
“Lenny, if you tell us everything you know you could be out of here within a couple of hours. I know you’re roasting mate, so do yourself a favour.”
Lenny lifted his head up and gripped his hair. His fingers ran through his greasy hair. He was desperate as he spoke. “I’ve told you before. Fucking hell what more can I do. He was a punter that’s all. We did the business and I fucked off and left him.” DCI Jordan knew he was covering something up and asked him again. This time he meant business.
“Lenny you know what happened, so just tell us. Why are you denying you don’t know anything?” The other officer tapped his pen on the table and looked at Lenny with a concerned look. The lad he saw in front of him was still a child and part of him felt sorry for him. The two officers were ready to turn the tape off when Lenny broke. He was at his wits’ end.
“Wait. Don’t go. Just give me a few minutes.” They both looked at each other and knew they’d struck gold. Patiently they sat there and waited for the grass to start talking again. Lenny asked for a drink and a cig before he started and they were only too happy to oblige.
The water cooled Lenny down. He gulped it back in one mouthful. They watched him carefully as he pulled at his sweat drenched t-shirt in front of them. He was roasting his nuts off. Lighting the cig he shook his head slowly and blew a laboured breath. Lenny’s hand was trembling as he tried to take a drag of his cig. The officers were eager for him to start talking and switched the tape back on and repeated the legal procedure.
“When you’re ready, Lenny,” DCI Jordan coaxed. All eyes were on him now.
