The Black Pathway

by Mark C Sutton

  “Is it true, Lucas? What they’re saying about Howard? That he killed Alfie?” He asked me. I appreciated the fact that he’d just come right out and asked me, straight, up front.

  “It looks that way, Rick. It looks that way.” I informed him, with sadness in my voice. Rick put a hand on my shoulder.

  “If there’s anything that me and Sharon can do to help…” I smiled at him, and carried on walking to Martin and Anne’s, though my legs would barely carry me, they were shaking so much. That was just the beginning. The next day would be even worse. It took a long, long time… years… for anything to ever feel normal again.

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Gary Ackley, Shark Mako, and Mary Broderick stood, frozen to the spot, on the western edge of Skerrington Forest, all of them staring up at the body of Alex Crennell, who had been hung by the neck from a tree, a long, black scarf being used as a makeshift noose. The state of Alex’s face told the three individuals looking at him, in horror, that he had died an incredibly violent death. Gary clutched at his radio, which, perversely, began playing a cheery country and western tune, the male singer informing the listener of a new love in his life, a girl called Jodie, who he’d met at a dance.

  “Do you think…” whispered Shark, her voice trembling, “… that the scream we heard earlier… was Alex?” She asked. Gary didn’t answer her question.

  “Here, hold this.” He said to Shark, passing her the portable radio, before walking slowly towards Alex’s suspended body. A breeze picked up, whistling through the trees of Skerrington Forest, and Alex’s body started to gently sway, backwards, then forwards, causing the long, thick branch that he was attached to to creak. Gary looked up at Alex, who stared back at him, his eyes lifeless, the skin around each of them a sickly yellow-black.

  “Who did this to you, Alex?” He asked, quietly. Shark walked up behind Gary, and placed a hand on his shoulder. She couldn't bring herself to look at Alex anymore, and stared at the ground.

  “We need to get out of here, Gary.” She said.

  “I know… but Alex… we can’t just leave him like this. We need to cut him down.”

  “No, we don’t. We just need to get out of this fucking place, now… reach the Black Pathway… then get help. Somebody has done this to Alex, and they’re still out here, somewhere. We need to go.” Insisted Shark.

  “But Alex is my friend. I can’t…”

  “We need to go, Gary.” Repeated Shark. She clutched at Gary’s shoulder a little harder, and began to guide him forward, past the body of Alex Crennell. Gary slumped a little, allowing Shark to move him onwards.

  “Come on, Mary… we’re out of here. Don’t look up, just focus on me and Gary.” Shark called out. There was no reply. Shark looked over her shoulder. Mary wasn’t behind her. She had disappeared.

  ***

  Gary and Shark scanned the whole area around them through frightened eyes.

  “She’s not here, Gary. She’s not fucking here.” Whispered Shark. “Mary! MARY!” She screamed. Her calls were met with silence. “How could she just vanish like that?” Shark asked Gary. “She was right behind us! MARY! MARY!” Shark went on. She let go of Gary’s shoulder and walked over to the trees of Skerrington Forest. “Mary must be in the woods somewhere. It’s the ONLY place that she could be. We’ve got to go and find her, Gary. We’ve got to go and find her.” Shark said, her words coming out fast, bordering on hysterical. “Mary’s in the woods. She has to be in the woods…” Gary walked over to Shark.

  “I don’t think that there’s anything we can do for her.” He said. “Whoever’s done this to Alex must have taken Mary as well. We need to go and find help.” Gary continued. Shark span around, staring at Gary angrily.

  “We can’t just fucking leave her out here! Go… go on, Gary, go, if that’s what you want to do, but I’m not turning my back on a friend.” Said Shark. She started walking into the woods. Gary followed her, then grabbed at Shark’s arm.

  “This is insane. Alex is dead, and whoever killed him must have taken Mary as well. We can’t do anything for her. Do you want to get yourself butchered too? Do you want to end up like Alex over there? Because that’s what’s going to happen, if you go waltzing into this fucking forest.” Suggested Gary. Shark pushed him away.

  “No, I don’t want to end up like Alex, but I’m not prepared to just walk away and let the same thing happen to Mary, either. So, you go if you want to, Gary, if you’re too scared. Go on… fuck off. But don’t try to stop me from trying to help Mary, because you won’t be able to.” Shouted Shark.

  “But you won’t…”

  “Just GO, Gary. Piss off back to the Black Pathway.” Shark interrupted. She gave Gary a withering stare. “I don’t need you.”

  ***

  Howard Trenton watched the argument between Shark Mako and Gary Ackley with glee. He was hiding in some woodland foliage, one arm clasped, vice-like, around Mary Broderick’s body. His hand was held firmly over her mouth. This is just like last night, with Kate, all over again. I love the feeling… of being so close…

  “You’re friend… Shark… she’s got some spirit, ain’t she?” Howard whispered to Mary. “I’m looking forward to getting to grips with her. She’s gonna be a challenge. You’re going to watch what happens.” Stated Howard. He felt a pulse of pain down in his lower back, from where Alex Crennell had knifed him. At least the bleedings stopped now, but fuck me, the pain… I’ve gotta hand it to you, Alex, you did a real number on me, I never saw that one coming. Not by a mile. Sly little toe-rag.

  “Uh oh, here comes Shark!” Mumbled Howard, as he watched the athletic, blonde woman enter Skerrington Forest. “Looks like Gary’s bottled it. Yep, there he goes… heading off towards the Black Pathway. He’s forgotten his poxy little radio, too, coz Shark’s still holding it. Hey, Mary, we can have a bit of music playing as me, you and Shark all get it on together… oh my word, what a party this is gonna be!” Giggled Howard, enthusiastically.

  ***

  Shark ventured into Skerrington Forest.

  “Mary!” She called. “Mary! Wherever you are, I’m going to find you! Mary!” Shark said, her voice full of determination. The music on the radio suddenly stopped.

  “This is Radio Hoffen’s six o’clock news bulletin, read by Anna Rich.” Said a voice on the wireless. “Coldsleet and Knighton Police have stepped up their hunt for a man wanted in connection with the murder of a Coldsleet pensioner. Alfred Whitehouse was found dead at his home on Thursday. Police have named eighteen year-old Howard Trenton, a neighbour of Mister Whitehouse, as a man that they urgently wish to speak to in relation to the incident. Police are believed to be searching the Knighton and Coldsleet Moor areas for Mister Trenton, who is said to be both armed and dangerous, and are said to be ‘very concerned’ for the safety of four other individuals linked to the eighteen year old. Knighton Police have named these individuals as Alex Crennell, Mary Broderick, Gareth Ackley, and Ellen Mako. Speaking at a press conference late this afternoon, Detective Kevin Burrows said…”

  “Well, well, well! I’ve finally got my fifteen minutes of fame!” Said Howard Trent, emerging from the undergrowth of Skerrington Forest, together with a terrified Mary, right in front of Shark. “It looks like we all have! Is that your real name then, Shark… ‘Ellen’? That’s a nice name. Ellen, I mean, not ‘Shark’. That’s fucking ridiculous, if you don’t mind my saying so. Oops, forgive me. I don’t think that we’ve met before.” Howard grinned. He walked towards Shark, pushing Mary with him. Shark took a step backwards.

  “You’re him, aren’t you? You’re that guy they just mentioned on the radio. Howard?” Replied Shark, trying to stay calm. What the fuck is wrong with his eyes? Is he wearing contacts or something? Shark thought to herself.

  “Yeah, I’m Howard. Mary here… her sister is married to my cousin, Lucas. That’s right, isn’t it Mary?” Asked Howard, and he forced Mary to nod in agreement by pushing and pulling with his hand at her mouth.

  Sh
ark felt a surge of anger at Howard’s humiliation of her friend.

  “Let go of Mary.” She ordered.

  “No. I don’t want to.” Replied Howard Trenton, with a sickly grin on his face.

  “I said let go of her.” Repeated Shark.

  “I’m happy having Mary right here with me, thanks.” Said Howard. He took another step towards Shark. This time, she stood her ground. Howard glanced at Shark’s hair. “That’s a nice haircut… dated, but, yeah, I like it.” He commented. “Very eighties. A bit like how that singer… what was her name now… Grace Jones… used to wear hers. Except yours is blonde. Well, bottle blonde.” Howard went on, trying to provoke Shark.

  “Did you enjoy hearing about yourself on the radio?” Shark suddenly asked.

  “Oh yes. Fame at last.” Smirked Howard. “I’m a fucking celebrity… get me out of here!” He took another step towards Shark, so that he was practically within touching distance to her.

  “You’re suited to that sort of thing.” Commented Shark. Howard looked at her, puzzled.

  “Suited to what?” He asked.

  “You know, you… the radio… you’re suited to it.” Advised Shark.

  “I don’t understand what you’re…” Howard was cut short as Shark swung the portable radio in a horizontal arc, slamming it with incredible force, right into the side of his head. Immediately, Howard’s legs buckled from underneath him and, not for the first time that day, he crashed to the ground, letting go of Mary in the process. He landed close to the radio which, miraculously, was still working.

  Howard rolled around on the floor, clutching at the side of his head. A wound had opened up on it, and it was beginning to pour with blood. He looked up. Shark was hovering over him. She swooped down, and dragged Howard back to his feet, her hands gripping at his overcoat. Howard felt a wave of dizziness travel through his head.

  “Not so fucking big now, are you?” Growled Shark, before executing a judo throw on Howard that sent him flying over her shoulder, and back to the ground again. He felt something in his shoulder crack, and pain shot down his arm.

  “You fucking bitch!” He screamed. Howard rolled onto his side, and tried to reach for the knife that was in his coat pocket. His arm wouldn’t move. “You’ve bust my fucking arm!” He yelled, in anger. Shark knelt down beside him.

  “Good. That’s nothing to what I’m going to do to you…”

  “No, Shark.” Cried Mary, pulling at Shark’s arm. “Let’s just leave, get out of this place.” She pleaded.

  “You’re a piece of shit.” Shark whispered into Howard’s ear, before grunting and then spitting a large greenie at his face.

  “I’d do as Mary says, and quit while you’re ahead, if I were you.” Remarked Howard Trenton, Shark’s spit and snot splattered across his cheek and nose. He rolled onto his back, and stared up at the sky, which was finally clearing of mist. I can see the stars… somewhere out there is my home. Thought Howard. A home that I’ll never know.

  Shark Mako got to her feet, towering over Howard Trenton.

  “Come on. Let’s just go.” Repeated Mary. Suddenly, Gary Ackley appeared in the woods. He walked up to his friends, and then looked down at Howard, who was lying on the floor, clutching at his arm.

  “Howard?” He asked.

  “How are you doing, Gary? Your hair looks shit.” Croaked Howard, referring to Gary’s flattened blue mohican, which was hanging down, over his eyes.

  “I take it that you know this freak?” Observed Shark. Gary nodded. “He’s the one that murdered Alex, and then snatched Mary.” She went on. Gary Ackley looked down at Howard, shocked.

  “Why, Howard? Why did you do that to Alex?” He asked. Gary turned to Shark. “What’s wrong with his eyes?” He mumbled.

  “Fucking contact lenses.” Answered Shark. Howard smiled.

  “Because the little fucker knifed me in the back.” He advised, referring to Alex.

  “What, you mean because of him going out with Mary?” Gary responded, confused.

  “No. He actually knifed me in the fucking back, Gary.” Answered Howard. He rolled onto his front, and pulled up his clothes, exposing the stab wound inflicted by Alex Crennell. Gary winced at the sight of the ugly puncture, which was clogged up with congealed, scabbing blood.

  “Don’t listen to him, Gary. He’s going for the sympathy vote. He murdered Alex, and he took Mary.” Said Shark.

  “I know what he did.” Gary replied, still staring down at Howard.

  “The police are after him. He murdered some old man back in Coldsleet.” Shark told Gary.

  “How do you know that? “Gary asked.

  “I heard it on the news, just a few minutes ago… it was on your radio.” Answered Shark.

  Gary stared down at Howard Trenton, who had rolled onto his back again.

  “Did you murder Alfie Whitehouse, Howard?” He asked.

  “Yep.” Howard replied, matter-of-fact. “He was a miserable old bastard who had it coming. I killed Kate Williams, too.” He grinned. “Just last night, as it goes. I cut her throat… you should have seen the blood, Gary. So much blood…”

  “What, Kate from the college?” Replied Gary, his voice quivering. Howard nodded.

  “We should finish him off, here and now.” Said Shark. “You can see what he’s like. He’s a fucking murderer. He doesn’t deserve to live.”

  “No, we should just leave him here. You heard what it said on the radio, Shark. The police are searching this area. Let them deal with him.” Mary reminded Shark.

  “Mary’s right. You three need to get out of here, fast.” Exclaimed Howard. Shark stared down at the serial killer.

  “Oh, and what’s it to you?” She asked.

  “Well, you’ll get a head-start on me, if you go now.” Smiled Howard. “A couple of minutes lead. Hey, you might just make it to safety. I can’t offer you anything fairer than that now, can I? Go on, run. While you still can.” He said. Shark knelt back down, close to Howard, and grabbed at his neck.

  “Nah. You’re a wild animal, Howard, and I think that you need putting down, right now.” She snarled. Then, suddenly, Howard’s fist shot upwards, delivering a blow to Shark’s chin. The young woman crashed onto her side, felled by the punch, knocked completely unconscious. Howard rose to his feet, unsteadily. He stared at Gary and Mary.

  “I’ll honour what I just said. You’ve got two minutes.” Howard looked at his watch. “Starting… NOW.”

  “I’m not leaving without Shark.” Replied Gary. Howard had another go at pulling the knife from his coat pocket. This time, he managed to do so.

  “Well, if you don’t, then you’ll have to watch me use this thing on her, before I do the same to Mary.” Said Howard, referring to the knife. “Your choice… and you’ve just wasted twenty seconds.” He smiled. Gary grabbed Mary’s hand.

  “Run!” He shouted.

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Gary Ackley pulled Mary along, through Skerrington Forest, against her will.

  “We can’t just leave Shark alone with that fucking psychopath!” Mary shouted at Gary. “Did you hear me, Gary? We can’t abandon her like this!”

  “We’re not abandoning anyone.” Snapped Gary.

  “Oh really? Well that’s what it sodding well feels like.” Mary argued back. She tried to wriggle from out of Gary’s grip.

  “What are you doing?” He asked.

  “I’m going back! I’m going back for Shark!” Mary told him. Gary stopped running. He didn’t have the strength to pull Mary along any further.

  “Look. We’re not abandoning Shark.” Said Gary. He looked around, spotting a thick clump of bushes close by. “Come on, we’ll hide in there.” He suggested, pointing at the undergrowth.

  “Why?” Mary asked. Gary Ackley pushed his long blue hair from out of his eyes.

  “Because that’s how we’ll get Shark back. Any moment now, Howard Trenton’s gonna come this way. As soon as he’s passed us, we back-track, get Shark, and then fuck of
f in the other direction.” Mary thought about this for a few moments.

  “Okay.” She said. The pair ran over to the bushes, pushing their way into the middle of them.

  Darkness was rapidly descending on Skerrington Forest. Howard Trenton walked through the woods, with Shark Mako slung over his shoulder, just like he’d done with Alex Crennell, a few hours earlier. He winded his way through the trees with speed, even though every step that Howard took caused him to wince a little in pain, due to the stab wound on his lower back. Howard’s broken arm hung at his side, and he was struggling to hold onto the knife. Well, it ain’t going back into my coat pocket… I’ve learned my lesson after that crafty little move Alex played on me… I doubt this girl’s gonna be out for too long, either… so that’ll be another fight on my hands. I need to catch up with Mary and Gary… get rid of him, restrain her, and this one here too… then I can have that party I’ve been so looking forward to. Howard sniffed at the air. They’re close, really close. I can smell them… and their fear too. Delicious. Howard slowed down, walking cautiously past a thick tangle of bushes. They’re hiding in there. I’ll let them think that I’m carrying on my way… then I’ll sneak up on the little fuckers and catch them unaware. Gary won’t be too much trouble to take out, even with one of my arms busted.

  Mary and Gary watched in horror as Howard Trenton walked past their hiding place, carrying Shark over his shoulder.

  “Fucking hell, he’s got her with him… shit… I thought that he’d just leave her back where he knocked her out.” Whispered Gary.

  “Yeah, well he hasn’t… we’ve got to do something, Gary. We’ve got to do something now.” Mary replied, with rising panic in her voice.