Riapoke

by Bryan Nowak

  The group walked past the opening and down the passageway, disappearing from sight. Mike heard the opening of what sounded like another large metal door. A few moments later, Matthew’s piercing, agonized scream echoed down the corridor.

  Prisoner in Hell

  Meghan was exhausted. The combination of the humidity and the lack of anywhere to sit played on her psyche. She remembered seeing an old television show detailing a popular Soviet torture technique which involved never letting someone completely sit or stand. The victim was forced into holding an uncomfortable position in a room too small to stand up and a floor covered in spikes so they couldn’t sit down. Although the cell had no spikes, finding a place to sit or sleep comfortably proved elusive.

  She ate what little food the reverend brought to her. Not tasty, but it was still something to eat and would keep her strength up. This could be the deciding factor if … when the opportunity for escape presented itself.

  The cave, turned prison cell, lacked any creature comforts. In the corner, a few old crates were stacked up against the wall. She’d searched them thoroughly, finding only a few rusty nails and a long metal hinge loosely securing the top of one of the boxes. It could be fashioned into a weapon if need be.

  Rocks lay scattered on the floor near the wall, but none were large enough to be useful. Several rags lay strewn around the floor, and not much else. There were a few smaller openings in the wall, much too small for her frame to fit. Given enough time, a larger hole might be chipped out to slip through. However, she was sure she didn’t have that kind of time.

  In the distance, a door opened with a quick shriek. Based on the sounds, it was a group of men. A scuffle broke out, leaving one of the men to let out a terrible groan. Meghan spied up the hallway to see Donny walking in front of four men, dragging another man. The badly-beaten man’s clothing, torn and blood stained, was still easily recognizable as a uniform. It was the conservation officer who had arrested them the day before at the boat landing.

  She yelled out to Donny, “What the hell are you doing to him?”

  He stopped and turned toward her and stared through the bars. “The better question is, ‘when are we going to be doing something similar to you?’ Your time has just about run out. After I’m done with him, then it will be time for you to join us in The Master’s lair.”

  He continued, “Oh, by the way, you’ll be happy to know that brat of a son of yours and another guy know you’re here. Don’t worry, they’ll be joining you shortly. My man on the outside didn’t give me a name, but someone came over from the resort.” Donny smirked at her.

  A wave of fire and emotion welled up inside of Meghan. She drilled Donny with a piercing gaze that made him take a few steps back. “You leave Kyle alone!” She clutched the bars, her knuckles turning white. “Mess with him, and I swear by all that is holy you’ll never find a hole deep enough to hide in, no rock large enough to hide behind, and no island remote enough to escape me. He’s my entire world and hell hath no fury like a mother protecting her children.”

  Donny regained his composure. “My dear Meghan, reduced to useless clichés. This isn’t a Hollywood movie, you know. Look around you. There’s nothing you can do. I had a plan for your boy. My own daughter kind of messed it up. What are you going to do, huh? Kids, you know. If you’ll forgive a cliché of my own. That’s alright, now your son will be joining you at a feast of sorts. I won’t tell you who the main course is, that’ll spoil the surprise.”

  “You’re sick, you know that?”

  “I’m sick? Oh, dear woman. That makes me laugh. Outside our little town, people are slaughtered in the streets. Do you know that only a handful of the major metropolitan areas in the country account for almost all of the murders which take place annually? Did you know that? Parents abandon children so they can go out and get wasted. The honest people have to work two, sometimes three jobs just to make ends meet. And those buffoons in Washington keep making matters worse with their own greed, idolatry, and stupidity.

  “During the last presidential election, one candidate should’ve been in prison and the other is an egotistical womanizer. And you think I’m sick? Just because I’ve found a way to keep my people safe from the outside world? You have no idea how hard it is, do you? The world would judge these people by laws invented by men. In the outside world our way of life would get us all thrown in prison because they simply don’t understand what we’re trying to build. The world wants what we already have—security. And they’ll destroy anyone who challenges the existing authorities.”

  Meghan couldn’t believe this lunatic had the nerve to rant at her, talking down to her in a sermon of sorts. How dare he lecture her? “You murder people for your so-called security!”

  “A few people who violate our laws are punished, that is true. It’s all for The Master, a real God. We owe it to him. You know what happens to those who break our rules, Meghan. Although you didn’t do it intentionally, you broke our laws the moment you set foot on our dock. You and your son aren’t supposed to be here. I can’t make exceptions to the rules, now can I?”

  “Then let us go. We promise to leave and never to return.”

  Donny let out a giant belly laugh. “Thank you, Mrs. Johnston, I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. You must take me for stupid or insane. I assure you, I’m neither of those things. How do you think that plays out? You’d go back to the resort, who of course didn’t even notice the missing boat or your sudden disappearance for a few days? Then you’d just pack your things and head home? No, I don’t see any of that scenario likely to play out. How about this scenario? You’d show up at the resort and immediately call the police. You tell them your story and then I have FBI agents all over my town, poking into the affairs of the good people of Riapoke. Which one of those scenarios do you think is more likely?”—he raised his hands like a balance comparing two weights—“I can’t let that happen. No, I like things just the way they are. We already have a bit of a mess with this other guy showing up with Kyle. Who is he anyway?”

  Meghan searched her memories of the past few days. She tried to remember anyone who might be enticed to come to her aid. They may have called the police when she and Kyle vanished with the boat. The police wouldn’t just show up with one police officer and her son, though. The only other person who really knew anything about her was Mike and they’d only just met. “I … I really have no idea.”

  Donny leaned toward the bars. “Don’t you dare lie to me. I can make all of this easy or hard. It’s up to you. Now tell me, who the hell is that other guy with Kyle?”

  “I tell you, I don’t know.”

  Donny lurched forward and tried to grab Meghan by the shirt as she ducked out of the way. “Tell me!” He howled.

  “I really have no idea. It was only Kyle and myself. Whoever it is, I hope he guts you like a fish.”

  He stepped back, smoothing out his shirt. “I have to give you credit. You are definitely making my day entertaining. However, you’re in no position to make any kind of insinuation about whom will be gutting who. Or is it whom? I can never remember.” Donny backed away from the bars.

  “Okay,” he continued, “I’m not that concerned really. Not sure I even care. It’s only a matter of time before we have everything nicely wrapped up.” Toward the end of the stairway, the four men who brought Matthew down, stepped through the door and moved to lock it. “Don’t lock the door, gentlemen. We’ll be back soon enough.” One of the men handed a large keyring to Donny.

  “Well, Mrs. Johnston, I guess I’ll be seeing you again later. I’m just waiting for a couple of other people to fall into my little web. Till then, I bid you adieu.”

  Meghan heard the men trudge up the stairs, followed by the tell-tale sound of the metal door opening and closing. As soon as the metal lock fell into place, she sprinted to the corner of the room to the forgotten boxes.

  There were two things that the reverend said which stuck in her mind. Kyle somehow brought someone
from the resort. It was likely this person was made aware of their situation. The second thing Donny said is that he’d be back soon. And, if that was the case, something to defend herself might come in handy.

  A few swift kicks to the mostly dry-rotted boxes reduced them to splintered planks. A few more well placed kicks, and the metal hinge popped loose. There were other pieces of metal left behind, but they’d either rusted to a fine powder years ago or bent too easily. Meghan picked up the hinge and pulled out the remaining nails and slivers of wood that clung to it. The hinge mostly formed a decorative piece; however, one end tapered to a convenient point. Not sharp, but Meghan didn’t need it to be.

  Meghan knelt down, using the rough stones as a file. She worked the piece of metal, and with each pass, it took on a sharp, blade-like edge. Maybe it would take on enough of an edge to cut flesh, sever an artery, or pierce a vital organ.

  In the distance, she heard what sounded like something heavy falling to the floor. Ignoring the commotion, she retreated behind the rock table, where she continued to work the metal. Maybe being hidden from sight would force anyone coming downstairs to have to enter the cell, which would give her a chance to make her escape.

  The Great Escape

  Mike helped the gangly teen lower himself to the floor of the stairway. They looked in both directions. As inviting as the door leading to the exit was, below them someplace, Matthew lay on the ground severely beaten. It was also possible one of these cells held Meghan.

  Wordlessly, Kyle used his fingers in a ‘V’ shape, pointing at his eyes and then down the stairs, indicating Mike’s responsibility was to watch his back. They slowly prowled up the stairs.

  Stopping for a brief moment, Mike reached over to Kyle and replaced the fake weapon in the holster with Matthew’s weapon laying on the ground. Far from the way someone should be trained in how to handle a firearm, it was a revolver and required little to no training to actually pull the trigger. This situation was no longer just a search and rescue mission, rather a true fight for their lives.

  Hugging the wall as they went, Mike glanced into the smaller rooms. Each had a rusted door, and in some cases, the doors had long since fallen off their hinges and lay against the wall inside the spaces. Another door rusted open years ago and likely hadn’t moved since. The hallway was lit with the same eerie glow of the fires burning with heatless flames along the walls. The stairs were worn from years of use. It made Mike wonder about the original builders of this space. It was clear the once natural cave had been reshaped by time and human intervention.

  Inside the small cells, boxes and barrels of all shapes and sizes lay on the floors or in racks. Like someone had completely forgotten these items had been stored down here. In one cell a collection of old wine bottles and casks, indicated a less nefarious use in the cave’s history.

  At the top of the stairs they found the door. Kyle carefully pushed his ear to the metal, listening for any sound coming from the other side. Mike checked as well and when both were satisfied they were alone for the moment, they turned back toward the lower expanse of the cave.

  The way was clear enough, and they spoke in hushed tones.

  “I wonder how many cells are down here?”

  Kyle absently looked into one of them. “Maybe ten or twenty? I wonder if my mom is in one of them.”

  “I sure hope so,” Mike said. “Again, I’m sorry. I just meant it would be great if we find her and get the hell out of here. I’ll be a lot more relieved.”

  Kyle shook his head. “That’s okay, I know what you meant. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Believe me, I want nothing more than to get us out of here and back to that resort of yours. Besides, you owe my mom a date. I hope my mom is alright.”

  A hushed voice rang out of the cell behind them. “Oh yes honey, I’m just fine.”

  Kyle gasped, almost pushing Mike down in his haste. He practically slammed into the bars of the cell door where, in the dim light, Meghan’s smile shone like the sun. He reached his hands through the bars and embraced his mother.

  “Oh thank God,” she exclaimed. “You’re the greatest thing I could ever see right now. I was so worried about you.” She turned to face Mike. “Mike? You’re the other guy who came to rescue me?”

  He smiled at her. “Well, you do owe me a date.”

  “Mike, I’d do more than just give you a date if you get me out of here.” Her words were followed by an awkward silence. “Okay, that came out wrong … get me out of here please.”

  As if an invisible hand with keys worked the lock, the mechanism for the cell door sprung open.

  Mike eyed the mechanism with suspicion. “Well, that’s weird.”

  “Maybe the doors are remotely controlled?” Kyle opined. “Still, I don’t see any wires or anything.”

  Mike shook his head at the lock. “I really don’t like this. If someone is controlling the lock, they are likely already aware we’re here. We’d better hurry and get Matthew. If he’s still alive.”

  Meghan pushed the door open and stepped out onto the stairway. She hugged Kyle again, followed by an awkward hug from Mike. The three of them proceeded down to the bottom of the stairwell.

  The steel door was formidable. Mike tried to push it open, without success. Kyle stepped forward and pushed on the door handle which gave an audible click and the door swung open. Kyle gave Mike a wry smile.

  Behind the door a thirty-foot long hallway just large enough for two of them to walk shoulder to shoulder lay like a snake in the darkness. Lit by the same eerie yellow flame glowing from recesses in the wall like the rest of the underground cavern, it gave off an oddly funereal vibe.

  Approaching the end of the hallway, they peered into a large, dark room. Meghan recognized it as the room she’d been in earlier. She unconsciously stared at the spot where the unfortunate woman met her savage, brutal end. Remembering the pool of blood and pieces of tissue left over after the woman was devoured, she cringed. Meghan suddenly wished she’d warned the others of the hideous beast inhabiting the space.

  Not wanting to risk talking, she stopped Mike and Kyle, and put a finger to her lips to indicate they needed to stay quiet. Maybe it would be enough of a warning. Meghan reached into her waistband and pulled out the improvised knife.

  Across from them, the body of Matthew hung from ropes secured to the rings set into the walls. Meghan ran to him, sighing in relief to find he was still breathing. If they moved fast enough, they could possibly save his life.

  She worked on Matthew’s ropes with the piece of metal. The time spent sharpening the old hinge was worth it, as it tore through the well-worn ropes. Soon one hand was free, and she set to work on the other one.

  The group exhaled anxiously as the second piece of rope gave way, freeing Matthew. Meghan guided his body down against the rock into a sitting position with his back against the wall. Mike ran over and put one arm under Matthew’s shoulder and motioned for Kyle to do the same. As Kyle moved to lift Matthew, the door at the end of the hallway opened with a loud clang.

  Mike pulled out the pistol and pointed it at the figure. Meghan watched in horror as Kyle pulled out a pistol of his own. Time to argue the morality of her son wielding a firearm was well past. Kyle and Mike gallantly stepped in front of the group, preparing to defend them.

  “Are you ready for this?” Mike said to Kyle.

  “I’d kill to protect my mother,” Kyle said, with a noticeable tremor in his voice. “And you know what? I’d kill to protect you as well.”

  Mike felt blessed with his own daughter and seldom thought about having a son. In that moment, he regarded Kyle as his own flesh and blood. “No matter what happens, I am glad to know you, Kyle.”

  Two white-robed men entered the hallway, disturbing the eerie light seeping from the walls. Kyle recognized them as two of the men who’d brought Matthew down to the cellar in the first place. Behind them stepped Donny, clad in a black robe. Around his neck hung an amulet from a gold chain, glinting in the light f
rom the walls.

  Kyle nodded toward Mike and then the amulet. Mike nodded back in understanding.

  Donny glided to a halt several yards away from them. “Well, we are all here now. Thank you for making this so much easier.”

  “Don’t come any closer,” Kyle said, with a shockingly composed determination.

  “If it isn’t my wayward son Kyle. You know, it isn’t too late. You come over to me, and I’ll see that no harm comes to your mother. I’ll even forgive killing poor Bill. Completely unnecessary. He was only doing his job, you know.”

  Kyle raised his gun toward the trio. “Let us go. You have no right to keep us here!”

  “Rights?” Donny laughed. “You’re concerned about rights? Let’s see, you violated the rules of our little town, and now you are pointing a gun at me and my family here in my own church. Granted, my rules may be a little strict to you, but you have no right to lecture me about rules, boy.”

  Donny reached one hand up and grasped his amulet off of his chest and held it out before him. “Seize them!”

  The two men lurched forward as if being operated by remote control. Walking with an absent-minded determination, they would be on them in seconds.

  Mike yelled, “Stay back!”

  When the two didn’t stop, Mike and Kyle fired at almost the exact same moment with frightening effect. Both men flew backward, like dolls pulled to the ground by overextended springs. Their chests opening up, a sickening spray of blood painting the walls from an unseen exit wound.

  Mike fired two more shots at Donny, his draw dropping with the realization the bullets virtually vanished into an unseen void. “I’m sure I hit him! I don’t know why he isn’t down.”

  Kyle fired once at Donny as well. The reverend remained obstinately upright and grinning smugly at them from behind the amulet. “Me too! What the hell is going on here.”