The Fright Factory

by William R. Potter

  “Whatcha gonna do, Nick? What’s it worth to you to save ol’ Derrick here?”

  “Please, we have children….”

  “Do I look like I give a shit about your kids, Nick?”

  “Please….”

  “Oh, fuck is that all you can say, please-please!” Jesse glared at Nicole and then stepped back from Derrick. “Tell me, dear Nicole, what you would do to save your man here. Think about it, Nick. Use the ol’ melon. Make it good and I’ll stop choking him.” Jesse pushed the blade down hard on Derrick’s throat. “Come on, Nick, tick-tock!”

  “Get the fuck off him, you greasy cocksucker!” Thomas hollered.

  Jesse took his right hand off the scythe and pulled the revolver from the holster, swung it toward Thomas, and fired a shot straight at the big man’s face.

  Wesley jolted from the explosion and then moved his gaze to Thomas, expecting to see his face destroyed by the bullet. Instead it was just Thomas’s left ear that was gone. The bullet had grazed Thomas’s head and ripped through the fleshy part of his ear. He cried out in pain.

  Jesse leaned on the scythe and there was a sickly choking, gasping sound. “Come on, Nicky…tell me what you are gonna do to save your man.”

  “Money. I can get you as much as you want,” Nicole said in a weak voice.

  “Huh?” Jesse stared at Nicole. “What?”

  “I can get you as much cash as you want; just don’t kill him—please!”

  Jesse stepped back from Derrick. “Cash? That’s all you got?” Jesse circled the room with the scythe in his grip. “Money?” He circled again.

  “Ten thousand easy,” Derrick croaked.

  “Now you just shut up, Derry-boy. This is between me and the wife.”

  “Twenty-five?” Nicole said with a quiver in her voice.

  “I don’t fucking believe it, Nicole. I’m leaning on your hubby’s throat and the bastard is dying and all you offer me is some cash.”

  Jesse shook his head. “What do you think, Brandi, babe? Good enough?”

  Brandi smiled and shook her head. “Maybe if she offered to eat Rebecca’s pussy….”

  “Now we’re talking, babe. What else you think?”

  “Hmm, if she was willing to fuck this dumb prick Tommy right here in front of us all….”

  “Oh, yeah, baby, now that would have saved ol’ Derrick, no problem.”

  “But all she has is cash, baby,” Brandi said with a sad frown on her face.

  “Yeah.” Jesse gripped the scythe.

  Wesley knew what was about to happen.

  “Nick eatin’ some Becky or even Robbi snatch or nailing the shit out of ol’ fat Tommy wouldda been a treat, but….” Jesse turned abruptly to his left and swung the scythe violently toward Derrick.

  “Okay, anything…Please….” Nicole pleaded.

  There was a revolting twing and then a dull thud followed by Nicole’s wailing screams. Wesley glanced at Jesse and caught a glimpse of Derrick’s slumping, headless corpse.

  There was about half a minute of silence and then the distant call of a loon on the lake. Wesley concentrated on the throbbing in his gunshot hand. Nicole was crying and she kept whispering over and over, “Yes, okay, I’ll do anything….”

  Robin whispered to Nicole to shush. Robin’s words had no effect.

  “Yes, okay, I’ll do that.”

  Jesse lifted something from the floor and set it just out of sight. He stood in front of the group and cleared his throat. “Now, I trust that you newbies understand what Mr. and Mrs. Tate learned a few hours ago.” Jesse glared at his victims and took a few seconds to make eye contact with each. “This is no joke. You’ll each assume a role in this picture and in time most of you will die a horrible and painful death. One of you will be left alive to tell the story to the authorities. You have my word—one survivor—and I expect you all to fight to your last breath to be our survivor.”

  Wesley met Jesse’s gaze and shook his head. There would be no survivor unless someone escaped. Wesley was certain of this.

  “I hope you have all seen the TV show Dare for Dollars. It was cancelled after the first season but was a really great show. Oh, by the way, for a bit of inspiration I’ll keep this up here.” Jesse pulled the shade off a lamp and swung it close to the group. He unscrewed the light bulb and then took the item he had concealed behind the couch. He jammed Derrick’s severed head on the lamp stand and then placed it so everyone could see clearly.

  “Oh, God. Oh, God!” Nicole made a loud gagging noise and then vomited down her front.

  “Why the fuck are you doing this?” Thomas said in a challenging tone.

  “Because I can, of course.”

  “This is where someone should say, you’ll never get away with this,” Brandi said as she skipped across the room. “No one is gonna come and save you pathetic old geezers.”

  “That’s right, babe,” Jesse said. He turned quickly to his left and almost knocked over the lamp. “Whoops, don’t wanna tip the mascot.” He smiled. “Now back to our version of D for D. I’ll ask you each to do certain disgusting, disturbing, and some downright fucked up, repugnant shit! Instead of receiving cash you’ll collect points. Those who do what is asked will stay alive from round to round and the person with the most points at the end will be the survivor.”

  Wesley watched as Jesse turned from the group and strode into the kitchen with Brandi close behind. There was some conversation between the two with Jesse obviously giving his wife directions to follow while he was away. The only part Wesley could hear was, “If anyone breaks free—shoot ‘em!” Jesse slung a backpack over his shoulder and then slipped out the side door.

  Thomas was the first to speak in a loud whisper. “What the fuck have you brought us into here, Wes?”

  Wesley shook his head. “They were waiting for us.” He glanced at Rebecca, Nicole, and Robin. “I’m sorry.”

  “Just fuckin’ great!” Thomas hissed. “Sorry don’t do shit for Derrick, man.”

  Wesley stared at Thomas’ shredded ear. He didn’t appear to be bothered by the injury at all. “There is no one up here,” Wesley said as he glanced toward Brandi in the kitchen. “The phone lines are cut and the caretaker is dead. 4G cell phones work but other cells do not.”

  “Tommy,” Rebecca called softly. “How is your ear?”

  “It’ll be fine,” Thomas said.

  “You can’t blame Wes and Robin for—for this madness, Tommy,” Rebecca said. To Nicole she said, “You okay, Nicole?”

  Nicole sobbed and shook her head. She glanced up at the lamp in front of her and began to cry loud, long tears. Wesley looked away and then closed his eyes and listened. He could hear a hammering sound outside and Tommy and Rebecca whispering about escaping and making a run for the cabins they saw on the road in from the highway.

  “Don’t bother,” Wesley said. “Unless you kill these two first, you’ll never make it to the cabins.”

  “We tried,” Robin said. “He shot this old guy and….”

  “Well, I’m not gonna end up like Derrick,” Thomas said. “I see an opening and I’m gone. I’ll kill these two if I can and then we’ll all get out of here.”

  “Good luck,” Wesley said.

  “I’m almost free,” Thomas said. He was working feverishly on the straps behind his back. There was a snap and then Thomas swung his free arms around to work on his ankles. He moaned as he pulled on the straps. He then flipped over on his back and quickly broke the chair legs. He jolted to his feet and was charging for Brandi who appeared to be napping at the kitchen table. Her head was down resting on her crossed arms and then suddenly her head rose and a wicked smile came to her face. There was a loud explosion as Brandi fired her pistol and sent Thomas stumbling back a few steps, and then he toppled over the couch.

  “Tommy!” Rebecca shouted.

  Jesse barged in the front door with his revolver out and then he moved straight for Thomas who was just making his way to his feet. “You must be a fuckin’
cat, Tommy!” Jesse shouted. “Let’s see.” He raised the revolver. Wesley cringed. Jesse fired two more shots, knocking the huge man to the floor. Thomas was inching away from Jesse, trying to get to his feet.

  “He was talking bout killing us, baby,” Brandi said as she moved toward her husband. “Escaping and killing us so they all could go free.”

  “Is that right?” Jesse smiled at Brandi and fired two more shots into the now crawling Thomas. Thomas had both hands on the couch frame and was attempting to stand once more. “This guy is fucking unbelievable. Five-six shots and he is still going for it.” Jesse fired again and grinned as Thomas rolled over onto his back. Jesse walked to Thomas and stood over his motionless form.

  “Tommy!” Rebecca screamed. TOMMY!”

  Jesse put the barrel of the revolver between Thomas’ staring eyes. “This fuckin’ guy is still alive!”

  “Please, let him be!” Rebecca shouted.

  Jesse slowly pulled the trigger and there was a metallic click but no shot. “Holy shit, this fat mother-fucking-prick has nine lives! I’m empty!”

  “Here, baby,” Brandi said as she held out her pistol. “Use this.”

  “No, no, no. Mr. Thomas the tank engine has made it to round two. Don’t really need the point system do we? You survive until you die. Whoever is left at the end is free to go. My money is on two-ton Tommy here.”

  Jesse walked to the couch and took two pillows and walked over to and knelt beside Thomas. “How ya doing, big guy? You gonna hang in there?” Jesse said as he placed a pillow under Thomas’s head. He turned away from the prostrate man and walked into the bedroom.

  “You okay, Tommy?” Wesley called. “Tommy?”

  All that could be heard from Tommy were moans of pain and gibberish.

  Jesse returned and covered Thomas with a blanket. Wesley wasn’t sure what to make of this show of compassion by the killer. Perhaps that’s all it was, a show to confuse the others. Jesse then stood in front of the group as though he had a message for his captives.

  “I fully expect you all to fight this hard. Got to respect Tommy boy’s will to live.”

  Wesley watched the rise and fall of Thomas’s chest as he took in labored breaths. How he was still alive after all those bullets was anyone’s guess.

  Both Rebecca and Nicole were sobbing softly. Rebecca called to her husband but received no answer. Wesley watched the killer couple in the kitchen talking, planning the next move in the insanity that was everyone’s reality. Wesley didn’t expect anyone to live through the evening. Thomas was their best bet before the shooting but now he would soon bleed to death. Robin seemed to be hanging on emotionally; however, the other two women were slipping away.

  Wesley decided that if he managed to free himself his first order of business was to free Robin and second to kill Jesse and Brandi or at least slow them down enough for his wife to get safely to the north cabins. He glanced at Robin and the two shared a few seconds of eye contact before Jesse began barking directions about the ensuing game.

  Chapter 10

  Robin watched Jesse drag Derrick’s body into a side room. Jesse grumbled about Derry attracting flies and then the killer washed his hands and swallowed a can of beer.

  Robin listened to Jesse’s description of his version of Dare for Dollars. His new name for the game was Dare or Die. She was drained and she needed to pee. Jesse of course had no desire to free anyone, even for a two minute bathroom break. He did occasionally instruct Brandi to give each a few sips of water.

  Jesse dragged Rebecca’s, Nicole’s, and Robin’s chairs and lined the three women side-by-side. Each was strapped tightly into the wooden seat and could manage little or no movement in their arms and legs.

  Robin was set between her friends. She glanced first at Nicole and saw her battered and defeated appearance. Nicole had always looked years younger than her forty; however, she could now pass for a decade older. Robin had secretly envied Nicole’s deep blue eyes. But now they were dull and lifeless.

  Rebecca continued to stare at Tommy. Occasionally, she whispered his name. There was no response. Robin guessed his long, labored breathing would soon cease.

  Jesse moved to stand in front of the women. Robin glanced at Wesley and saw that he was watching closely, his face betraying the fear he felt for his wife and friends.

  “Well now,” Jesse began. “Ol’ Derry failed round one.” He stopped to allow Nicole to moan and sob. “And two-ton is hanging on for his chance at round two.” He smiled at Rebecca. “Wussy Wes was jerking it too hard and has royally fucked up his hand but he’s on through.” He paused to glare at each woman. “Now it’s up to you fat, old bitches.”

  Robin noticed the sports bag Jesse had slumped near the chairs. She had watched a few episodes of Dare and had a sick feeling Jesse had horrible things in the bag that he expected each to eat. She thought of what it might be and shivered.

  Brandi cut the tie-straps so that each woman had one hand free and the other was re-bound to the chair.

  “Becky, babe, you’re up first!” Jesse said as he reached into the bag and pulled out something with fur.

  Rebecca was screaming even before the mangled mass of brown was placed in her lap. Robin’s eyes bulged as she stared at the thing. She guessed it was a dead rat.

  “You hungry there, Nick? Your lunch is up next,” Jesse laughed.

  Rebecca shook her head.

  Jesse laughed again and then moved away from the women. He walked over to Tommy and checked his pulse. “Fucker is still with us. Gotta love this asshole!”

  Robin could see Thomas was indeed alive and conscious and glaring at Jesse. She imagined what Jesse would do to Tommy to get Rebecca to eat the rat.

  “Hmm, let’s see what we have for Nicky.” Jesse reached into the duffle bag and pulled out something that looked like a rubber snake. He draped the dead reptile around Nicole’s shoulders.

  Nicole was screaming louder and louder.

  “Nicky. Eat the snake, you cunt!” Jesse yelled inches from her face. “Beck—you fat ass bitch, eat that rat or I’ll put a bullet through Tommy’s brain.”

  “You’re—gonna—kill us anyway so—fuck—you!” Nicole hissed.

  “Oh, I’m not gonna kill you, Nicole. But I am gonna drive out to your house and then I’m gonna rape and kill and eat your three whore-skank daughters!” As he spoke he thrust his hips forward and back.

  “He’s bluffing,” Robin said.

  Jesse swung his hand and slapped Robin across the face. Her head snapped to the side and her cheek and chin stung.

  Nicole glowered at Jesse. “You don’t know where I live….”

  Jesse ignored Nicole and moved to the duffle bag and reached in and set a small paper bag on Robin’s lap. The brown paper was tinged with red where something had bled through. He turned to Nicole.

  “I don’t know where you live? Think again, my dear. Mia, Kate, and Debra should be getting home about now to, let me think—oh yeah—3358 Denbigh Avenue in the city. Screwing their skinny-assed boyfriends on yours and Derrick’s bed, I’m sure…”

  “Oh, my God. Oh my God!” Nicole was thrashing around in her chair, pulling at her straps. “How does he know about my kids? How does he know where I live?”

  Robin was watching Nicole lapse into a complete state of panic. She was whipping around and twisting at the tie-straps between sobs. She was digging at her own wrist as through she could scratch the strap from her hand. Robin looked up to Jesse to see the sick, satisfied smile on his face. He loved every second of this. Then the answer clicked in Robin’s brain. She opened her mouth to speak; however, Wesley beat her to her conclusion.

  “Nicole,” Wesley called from his spot near the couch. “He has Derrick’s wallet. He has all our ID’s.”

  “That’s right, Nicky,” Robin said. “Does Derrick keep photos of the girls in his wallet?”

  “Yes,” Nicole said. She glanced at Robin. “And so do I, in my purse.”

  “I have your kids�
�� school photos in my purse too,” Rebecca said. “You put their names on the pics.”

  “He is just trying to freak us out with this stuff,” Robin said. “Stay calm,” she whispered.

  “Shut up! Shut up! Shut the fuck up, you shriveled up cunts!” Jesse screamed. He smiled and then moved to the bag on Robin’s lap. He reached in and pulled out a glob of blood and gore.

  “You bitches think you’re smart, huh?” He paused. “I see everything.” He held up an eyeball that was greenish tinged. Robin remembered Ben the caretaker’s eyes were a bright green. She gagged. “I hear all.” Jesse held up a severed human ear. “Don’t any of you cunts forget that I’m the fucker in charge here!”

  Jesse placed the eyes and ears on Robin’s lap. She tried to brush them off of her legs but one of the eyes was staring at her. She gagged and then vomited.

  Robin stared down and the eyes seemed to return her gaze. She could remember Ben’s smile and how proud he was to show her and Wesley the cabin. If he knew about Nicole and the others joining them for the weekend he hadn’t let on.

  Jesse charged over to the fireplace and picked up a tool often called a poker. It was iron with a sharp point. He walked over to Thomas and swung the tool above his head and brought it down violently on Tommy’s knees again and again. “Eat the fuckin’ rat, Rebecca!”

  Rebecca shook her head.

  Jesse placed the poker on Tommy’s face and then swung the poker high above his head. “Sorry, Tom, old chap, but your bitch-whore wife just won’t do as I say so…adios.” He waved the poker and then began his down swing.

  “STOP!” Robin screamed. “Stop—stop! Look, Rebecca took a bite, now stop it….”

  Jesse was swinging the poker at anything that would break. The swings swooshed through the air. Robin’s heart was racing as she watched Jesse swing the poker only inches above Wesley’s head. He moved toward the women, still swinging his poker.

  Swoosh! Swoosh!

  “Golly gee, now this is a hoot!” Jesse smashed a lamp and jumped up to blast several shots into a chandelier above the dining room table. He stopped to catch his breath and stared at the women across the room.