The Fright Factory

by William R. Potter

  Jesse put his hands out to the side in a T-shape and began to spin. He spun toward the front door and picked up the scythe in both hands and spun around the room.

  Jesse looked toward Jennifer. “Boy or girl, Jen?”

  Jennifer said nothing.

  “Am I speaking fucking Chinese here or what?” Jesse roared. “I said, boy or girl, Jenny?”

  “I don’t know. We kept it a secret,” Jennifer said, her eyes filling with tears.

  “Oh, how nice.” Jesse continued his spinning and then stopped with the scythe blade inches from Jennifer’s pregnant abdomen. “Let’s find out.” He swung the blade away and smiled.

  “Fuckin’ hit me, God-damn-it!” Michael screamed. “DO IT!”

  Wesley didn’t think; he just started swinging. His right hand connected with Michael’s nose, sending a spray of pink. His left caught him in the mouth and Wesley kept punching until Mike stumbled over some debris and fell flat on his back. His heart was thumping and he felt adrenaline taking over his senses.

  “Bingo!”

  Wesley was on top of Michael, swinging blow after blow into Michael’s face. There was a stabbing pain in Wesley’s left hand where the bullet had struck bone but he kept punching. He had never felt rage so overwhelming or hate so pure.

  The women were screaming at him to stop and then finally Robin leapt from her chair and bear hugged him from behind. “Wesley,” Robin whispered in his ear. “You’re killing him.”

  Wesley moved away from Michael, and walked to his chair and sat down. At that moment Jesse could have sliced off his head and he wouldn’t have cared.

  “Well done Wes. I didn’t think you had it in you,” Jesse said as he jolted Michael up and slung him onto the couch.

  Wesley could see blood trickling from both of Michael’s nostrils and his cheeks and eyes were swelling. He couldn’t believe how much damage he had done to his brother-in-law in a few seconds of fury. Michael’s barely conscious body slumped to the right at an uncomfortable looking angle.

  Wesley watched as Jesse pulled steel handcuffs from his belt and then cuffed Michael’s hands in front, in his lap. Brandi was re-securing the others as she had done so many times.

  Wesley continued to stare at Michael and then he glanced at the others. He noticed Jennifer was seated in a chair; however, her hands and feet remained free. Wesley had a raw, anxious feeling growing inside for Jennifer. He worried that Jesse had something awful planned for her.

  “Well,” Jesse stood, addressing his captives. “You people think I’m crazy and our buddy Wes goes and beats the holy-shit out of his own brother-in-law.” Jesse shook his head in long, slow turns. “Mike’s got a bite from the anaconda in his shoulder and a good thump from the poker cross the noggin and Wes is pounding away on the guy like he just raped his daughter or....”

  “Fuck off, Jesse!” Wesley said.

  “Ooh, you a tough guy now, Wes? Hmm?”

  Someone’s cell phone was ringing loud and clear from the kitchen. Jesse moved to check the call but did not answer.

  “Well, I appreciate Mike and Jenny’s escape attempt but it is boring, you know?”

  A cold damp breeze was coming in through the opening in the wall. Wesley imagined someone witnessing the scene from the parking area and how strange it would appear. A Porsche, crashed through a log cabin with an enormous black Cadillac smashed in behind. He smiled as he dreamed the huge SUV doing the little sports car doggy style.

  Wesley closed his eyes, wondering if Jesse’s brand of crazy was contagious. Of course not…but still, a Caddy and Boxster.

  Jesse was saying something about how he had always dreamed about nailing a pregnant woman.

  “Kind of a two for one deal, don’t-cha think, Wes?” Jesse moved in close to Wesley. “Fuck are you smiling about?”

  Silence.

  “WES!”

  “Nothing. Nothing at all.”

  “That’s what I thought, Wes.” Jesse’s grin covered his entire face.

  Wesley could smell the man’s sweat, a sickly sweet stink. Throughout his adult life Wesley was sure he did not have it in him to kill another human. This man had changed everything. Wesley now knew that if given a chance he would not hesitate. He would send Jesse to hell and he would feel no remorse in doing so. There was a strange ping ping ping coming from his left side. He doubted anyone else could hear it. He leaned over and saw the origin of the sound. Blood from his hand was dripping onto a chrome cross rail of the chair. He would bleed to death where he sat. He smiled again.

  “What the fuck, Wes?” Jesse used the hunting knife to free Wesley’s hemorrhaging hand. Jesse removed the cotton shirt that served as a bandage. He held Wesley’s wrist close to his eyes. He walked away leaving Wesley to stare at the hole in his hand. Jesse returned with a strip of cloth towel. He wrapped it tightly around the wrist and knotted it securely. Then he re-tied Wesley’s hand to the chair.

  Wesley fully expected the white towel to grow dark red as he continued to bleed. However, Jesse’s work seemed to slow or even stop the bleeding.

  “So, Wes? You ever bang Robin when she was—you know, showing?”

  “Showing?” Wesley asked. He had decided to play dumb. He didn’t think it would take much acting to keep up an image of a dumb male.

  “Showing. Knocked up, out to here, all that shit,” Jesse made size gestures with his hands.

  “Yeah, sure, of course,” Wesley said.

  “So?”

  “It’s kind of awkward working around the bulge. But it can work....”

  “It’s settled then.” Jesse spun away from Wesley and yanked Jennifer to her feet. “Let’s get physical, Jenny, baby, or should I say, Jenny and baby?”

  “No, leave her, lone,” Michael groaned.

  Wesley watched Michael sitting straight fully awake and glaring at Jesse.

  “What’s that, Mike?” Jesse paused to allow Michael to see his hands on Jennifer’s breasts. “You say give her the bone?” He reached between Jennifer’s legs. “Plan to.”

  “Don’t worry, Mikey,” Brandi said. “My Jesse will give your old lady the best fuck of her life. For sure.”

  “Mmm, yessir.” Jesse had a fistful of Jennifer’s hair and a camera in the other hand as he steered her for the bedroom.

  “Jennifer!” Michael shouted.

  “Don’t worry, Mikey. I’ll go easy,” Jesse said as he bucked his hips toward Jennifer. “At least until she’s good and damp.”

  “No, Jesse!” Robin shrieked. “Do me instead!”

  “No, Robin. Don’t!” Wesley shouted.

  Jesse stopped, eased his grip on Jennifer, and placed his finger on his lip as though he was thinking over Robin’s suggestion. “Nah. Don’t wanna disappoint Jen-Jen here.”

  “Jesse! You cocksucker. DON’T DO IT!” Michael hollered.

  “Jesse,” Robin said in a loud, clear voce. “Wesley was screwing your wife real good before this all started. You okay with that? I mean, what kind of a man are you?”

  “Shit, Jesse,” Michael said. “Without your weapons you’re nothin’ but a greasy little queer!”

  That stopped Jesse just as he was about to turn into the bedroom with Jennifer. He pushed her into the room and slammed the door.

  “Is that right, Mikey?” Jesse walked slowly toward Michael.

  Michael sat up straight. “I’m shot. I’m beat up. But I’d still kick the shit out of you one-on-one!”

  “Damn right,” Wesley said. “You’re nothing, Jesse, without your guns.” He bore his eyes into Jesse. “Nothin’ but a fudge-packer.”

  “Well, how about we settle this outside like gentlemen,” Jesse nodded to both Wesley and Michael. Then he signaled to Brandi and she began to untie the women. One by one, she took them outside.

  Wesley closed his eyes and tried to imagine what was about to occur. His legs were stiff and unsteady when Jesse freed him from his seat.

  Jesse escorted Wesley, his wrists still tied, out the front door and down
a short path to a sound stage where concerts and nature shows were presented to the guests during the summer months. Wesley saw Robin, Nicole, Rebecca, and Jennifer sitting in the front row of seats. Wesley was prodded to walk up the steps to the stage. Once there he was tied to a speaker stand. Jesse turned and walked back up the path and returned a minute later with Michael. Wesley was untied and he stood about ten feet away from Michael. He looked to Robin and saw Jesse sitting between Robin and Jennifer.

  “You two think you’re tough?” Jesse shouted toward them. “You wanna kick ass? Well, go for it.”

  Wesley and Michael exchanged glances. Then Wesley noticed Jesse had both pistols and with his arms crossed on his chest, was pointing one each at Robin and Jennifer. Wesley knew what was about to happen.

  “Fight or I kill them both.” Jesse raised the pistols and pointed at each woman’s skull. “Fight! The winner gets a sandwich and a beer. The loser gets to watch me fuck the holy shit outta their bitch ass wife!”

  Wesley’s heart was pounding harder and faster than he could remember it had ever before. He gave a nanosecond of thought to what to do and began to move slowly to his left. Without warning, Michael charged at him, knocking him off his feet. Instantly Michael was on top of him, raining punches down much as Wesley had done to him a few minutes earlier.

  The punches continued and Wesley could hear Jesse cheering and laughing. Instinctively, Wesley brought his right knee up and caught Michael in the testicles. Michael rolled off and was howling in pain. Wesley was struggling to see. His left eye was blurred and sticking closed with blood. The beating had stopped and now Wesley’s battle was to draw in good lungfuls of air. Michael was breathing deep as well, his eyes never leaving Wesley.

  “FIGHT!”

  Chapter 12

  Robin was sitting so tense in her chair that her arms, legs and shoulders were aching. Jesse was shouting encouragement to both Wesley and Michael on the stage. If Wesley hesitated, Jesse pressed the pistol into her ear and swore he would shoot. The same happened if Michael slowed his attack. Jesse would push the revolver to Jennifer’s belly shouting, “Say goodbye to baby!”

  Wesley and Michael were circling each other, still gasping for breath. Each had one eye on the other and on Jesse.

  “Finish it, you pathetic pukes!” Jesse shouted so loud Robin’s inner ear throbbed.

  Robin couldn’t take her eyes off Wesley as he fought his brother-in-law to keep her alive. Each time she felt herself cheering for Wesley, she shook her head in disgust. Her thoughts swirled in her mind. If Wesley quit, she’d be shot in the head. If Wesley fought on, he might kill Michael whose light blue shirt was almost completely red from his shoulder gunshot wound. Then Jesse would rape Jennifer. If Wesley lost, Jesse would unleash his fury on her....

  The men continued circling each other slowly and methodically. Jesse was screaming for them to get it over with. Wesley was near the edge of the stage with his back to Robin. He staggered and Robin’s heart sunk as she thought he would collapse.

  “FINISH IT!” Jesse put both pistols to Jennifer’s belly.

  Michael charged and as he did he swung his right fist at Wesley.

  Wesley stepped quickly to his left and Michael’s momentum carried him down to the floor head first. It was less than five feet from stage to concrete floor; however, Michael landed with a sickening thud.

  Robin could see Michael’s body quivering strangely and she cringed when she saw his head tilted at an unnatural angle. Jennifer was wailing. Wesley slumped to the stage floor. Jesse leapt to his feet and skipped the three or four yards to Michael.

  Jesse was counting, “Eight, nine, ten...you’re dead!” He was laughing in his sick and dramatic way.

  Jennifer was screaming for Michael to get up. Tears streaming her face. Robin struggled to get free, hoping she could make it to her sister if only for a moment.

  Robin glanced at Wesley. He was sitting on the edge of the stage, his head down, crying. She couldn’t imagine the turmoil he must be experiencing. Wesley fought Michael to keep Jennifer alive and now Michael had been killed.

  “Well, Wesley,” Jesse said. “How’s it feel to be just like me? Huh? You surely hate that prick, Mikey, right? I mean he got the pretty sister while you got yourself stuck with ol’ thunderthighs.” Jesse jogged up the stage steps and crossed toward Wesley.

  “I’m nothing like you, Jesse,” Wesley said spitting his words.

  “You’re right, Wes. I kill strangers but you grease your in-laws. Now that’s fucked up. I said fight him, not kill him. Shi-it, how the hell is Jenny gonna make it as a single mom?”

  Robin wasn’t certain what Jesse was trying to do by taunting Wesley. She had a feeling it wasn’t going to end well. But then none of this was heading for a happy ending.

  “Fuck off, Jesse!” Wesley was about to stand when Jesse made a quick, smooth motion to clutch Wesley’s hair in his left hand while he jammed the barrel of the revolver into Wesley’s mouth.

  “How’s that taste, bitch?” Jesse barked. “I bet you’d prefer my dick though, huh?” Jesse stood glaring into Wesley’s eyes. “Speaking of sucking dick. Me and your wife have us a date to look forward to. I mean fair is fair, right? You boned Brandi and now it’s my turn to have a go at your wife’s big ol’ ass.” Jesse smiled.

  Jennifer was yelling. “Let me see him. Please let me see my husband!”

  Robin twisted and pulled with all her strength to get free to help her sister. The straps were thin on her wrists and ankles, but all held.

  Jesse smacked the revolver across Wesley’s face and swung away from him. “You wanna see your man? No problem.” Jesse signaled to Brandi and she quickly moved to cut Jennifer free.

  Jesse jumped from the stage and jolted Jennifer from her chair and pulled her along by fistfuls of hair. He shoved Jennifer down close to within inches of Michael’s still form. “You get a good look now, Jen,” Jesse said. “You see what your sister’s hubby did to your man.”

  Jennifer bolted away from Jesse and lay at Michael’s side. She gently pulled Michael’s head close to hers and kissed him and told him she loved him. The rain had begun again and all Robin could hear were drips falling from the roof of the theatre and Jennifer’s whispers of goodbye.

  “All right, enough of this shit,” Jesse said. He yanked Jennifer to her feet and steered her for the cabin. Jennifer struggled, pushed, and twisted to get away from Jesse but he held her close.

  Robin instantly remembered that Wesley was not tied and quickly looked around for Brandi. She found Brandi holding her pistol to Wesley’s head and smiling at Robin with her own sadistic version of Jesse’s soulless demon grin.

  “Try something, bitch!” Brandi said.

  “She’s tied still, Brandi,” Wesley said.

  “I’ll kill you before this is over, Brandi,” Robin said. “I promise you....”

  “You know, Rob, when we’re done here with you old assholes, me and Jess are going to pay us a visit to young Monica’s.” She grinned, almost giggling.

  “Bullshit! You don’t know where my daughter’s apartment is!” Robin yelled.

  “Oh?” Brandi began to recite the numbers and street name of Monica’s new address. “While Jesse is ripping pretty little Monica a new snatch, I’ll slit her throat just to watch her die. You stupid, fat cunt!”

  Robin’s heart began to beat so fast it was out of sync. Her head was spinning and pounding and her stomach lurched. Robin began to gag when Brandi said, “2455 Imperial Avenue.” It was her son’s address.

  “Wes!”

  “She’s bluffing, Rob-Robin!” Wesley said. “They’re going to run after this. Going after our kids will get them caught.”

  “Caught? No one is going to get caught, Wes,” Jesse said as he appeared from the trail and began to cut Nicole free from her seat. “Someone might catch a bullet in the brain but no one is gonna catch me and Bran.”

  When Jesse left the stage area, Robin looked at Jennifer. A million memories fro
m their childhood flooded her thoughts as she stared at her sister. She remembered a time when she was nine and Jennifer was six. A lamp was broken and their mother was freaking out about the damage. She and Jennifer had been arguing about something and Robin had pushed her sister and the lamp had taken the brunt. Jennifer would not tell on her sister. Both said they didn’t know how the crystal lamp smashed. Robin smiled.

  A few minutes later, Jesse returned to bring Robin to the cabin. She closed her eyes as Jesse felt around her breasts after he tied her to the same chair that had been hers for several hours.

  Robin looked to her sister. Jennifer’s head was tilted forward and she was crying.

  Nicole was moved next to Robin. “I think Tommy’s dead,” Nicole whispered to Robin.

  “How can you tell?” Robin asked.

  “I heard Jesse mention it to Brandi.”

  “Don’t say anything to Rebecca.”

  “Why not? She deserves to know.”

  “Fine.”

  Jesse and Brandi brought Rebecca and Wesley and each were secured into their respective seats. Then the killers left their captives alone. Robin could hear them in the bedroom. Their sex was noisy and didn’t last long. A few minutes later, they were at it again.

  “Jennifer. I’m sorry,” Wesley said.

  Jennifer’s sobbing increased.

  “Jennifer?”

  “Just let her be, Wes,” Robin said. She continued to stare at Jennifer. Her hands were tied together in her lap and she was rubbing her belly. She looked anxious and her anxiety was increasing. “Jen. You okay?”

  “No. No, I think my water is breaking,” Jennifer said calmly. She reached forward and under her pants and felt around her crotch. When she removed her hands, she looked at her fingers.

  “Jenny. What is it?” Robin asked. She noticed the front of Jennifer’s pants was wet as though she had urinated.

  “It is my water...Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh no, shit, no, not now!”

  “Oh, Jenny,” Robin said. “Try to stay calm. I’ll think of something.”