by Lucian Bane
“Keep yours close in case I need to text you,” he whispered at her ear.
Your Cunt-Whore-Mother
Charlie climbed in the front seat this time and they drove back to town in a deafening silence. “Did you know that Frank had a sister?” he decided to finally ask.
His dad glanced at him for a moment, fishy looking. “No, I didn’t.”
“She was murdered about a year ago. It’s still unsolved.”
He slid his hands over the steering wheel. “How?”
Charlie tried to recall the exacts. “Found somewhere on the outskirts of town in her trunk. She’d been tortured and raped, then killed.” His dad shifted in his seat and Charlie looked away, not wanting to see him doing anything disturbing. “You remember anything about it?”
“Nah.” Charlie’s pulse sped up at the flippant in his tone. “How old was she?”
“I think…it said twenty-seven, but I might be remembering wrong.”
“And how old was ole Franko?”
“I think he was younger, wasn’t he?”
“So did this sister have a boyfriend?”
“Not sure. It said the last time she was seen was at her house, so I have to wonder that. You think they might know something?”
“Where did she live?”
“I don’t remember, but I’m sure I can get it.”
“Not sure I even care.”
Charlie tried to shrug. “Maybe there’s nothing there to care about.”
“What did your mom do while I was in the hospital?”
The controlled suspicion in the question put Charlie on edge. “What do you mean?” He eyed the city limit sign as they passed it. Where was he going?
“I mean what did she do during the day and night? How long was I in there for?”
“You were in for six weeks. She just stayed home and helped with homework and cooked. Like always. She spent a lot of time on the computer too, looking for answers.”
“Huh,” he mumbled, sounding doubtful.
He thought she was lying. Great. Charlie needed to stay on his side while alone with him in a car heading out of town at dark.
“What did she do during the day?”
He braced his arm on the door. “I went to school during the day, so…I don’t know. And I never thought to ask. Why?”
“Nothing,” he said casually, checking his mirrors. “Did she ever have phone conversations? People over at the house?”
“No, not that I know of. Are you…worried she was…unfaithful dad?” he decided to just ask, hoping to bring the elephant out.
“Worried, no,” he said, “Pissed, yes.”
Charlie needed to get himself on the same side as his dad with that delusional news. “Do you think she did?”
He glanced at Charlie, the look of pure hate on his face before staring out the windshield again. “I know she did.”
Charlie fought to allow shock time to pass before he said, “This is very upsetting to hear.”
“Why,” he ordered, angry.
“Because…I thought she was faithful.”
Seconds ticked by.
“I’d like to say so did I but ever since I woke up, nothing added up. Did you know she quit having sex with me?”
“I…didn’t know.”
“For years. And good ole Ben just assumed she was having women issues. But the way she fucks now, you’d swear she was the one with a head transplant. There’s no way she was a little sad, lonely, pitiful wife,” he mocked in a pathetic tone. “The head I have is a psycho, sure, but it’s not stupid, Charlie, you know what I’m saying, son? I can call you son, right?”
“Well, yeah. You’re my dad.”
“You know, Charlie, that might be the single fucking truth in all this,” he said, hitting the steering wheel at single and fucking. “I like you, Charlie,” he seemed to decide. “You’re not a liar like your mother. I’m sorry, I really am. I understand this is your mother I’m talking about.” He shook his head, and Charlie realized they were pulling into a small restaurant. His stomach tensed at remembering the cinnamon and chili one in their conversations. “I don’t like this anymore than you do. You think I want to have a wife that fucked around on me while I’m dying, and then masterminded a plan to have me killed so she could be with him?” he asked in a secretive, pissed tone.
“Of course not,” Charlie said at realizing he wanted an answer.
“Irony of ironies? Apparently Frank’s a little bothered that she fucked around on his other half, even if it was with himself.” He started laughing, his deep giggle indicating he found that to be the best part.
Charlie fought to hide his shock. He needed air. He could hardly believe his dad was this person.
“Welcome to Frank’s favorite spot,” he said, parking the car. “Not sure what the fuck is so special about it, but something damn sure is, and I aim to find out.”
“I remember the name of it.”
“I’m tired of being in the dark, Charlie. I need some fucking answers. You know what I think?”
Charlie glanced at him, holding his gaze now burning with knowing.
“I think Mr. Friend had me killed for a reason. Maybe I got dirty, I don’t know. Maybe he got dirtier and thought I’d rat him out. But I’m not a rat Charlie. Or, maybe…I was getting too cocky, too bold and he got scared. I can remember things,” he muttered. “I wasn’t one to be told what to do, how much and when. Something tells me that I was taken out of the equation because I couldn’t be controlled.” He gave a low chuckle. “And now…” He gave that priceless giggle again. “I’m back in town. And these cocksuckers have nooooo iiiiiideeeaa.” He shut the car off and patted Charlie on the shoulder. “And I aim to keep it that way.”
“What are you thinking?” Charlie asked, feeling sick.
He undid his seatbelt, looking around. “I think I’m gonna take back my old stomping grounds Charlie.” He shot a look at him. “Don’t worry, I won’t cut you out. I know you’re not…fully my blood, but I can teach you everything I know. Would you like that?”
God, help me. He looked forward, taking a breath.
“Come on,” he begged with a low eagerness. “Me and you…double teaming? I liked working alone but I’m willing to compromise for my son. You don’t even have to get your hands dirty, I can handle that. Just…bring home the bacon. Easy-peasy.”
It was as if he had no concept of murder being wrong. And right now, Charlie only knew that he needed to survive the next hours and get back home. He considered asking if he could pray about it but decided to leave God out of the conversation.
“It’s a big decision, so think about it,” he said, opening the door.
“I appreciate that. Once I decide things, I commit. I have to make sure I can do it, that I can see it through.”
He reached out and ruffled his hair. “I can tell Ben was a pretty decent father. I’m not a father,” he admitted, looking around. “But…I’m up for learning a new trick.” He gave a big grin that made Charlie’s skin crawl. “Well come on, let’s go see what the hell we can find out. Then we’ll talk about what we’ll need to do about your cunt-whore mother.”
Terror descended on him at those words. He could hardly think and walk as he followed him into the diner. Could he run? Leave him there and drive back? He needed to call the police. No, he couldn’t do that. If they’d killed Frank once, they’d definitely do it again, along with his whole family. This was a nightmare. A real-life nightmare.
“Grab us a seat Charlie while I use the little man’s room.” He patted him roughly on the back.
“Alright.” Charlie made a beeline for the corner booth and quickly opened his number on Alice’s phone, his fingers shaking as his mind drew a blank. What was he doing? What did he need to do? To tell her?
He shoved the phone back in his pocket, closing his eyes. God, help me. Help my dad. Help me know what to do. I’m scared, I’m really scared.
A tiny, young-looking waitress with a red bun an
d red uniform came up to the table, holding a writing pad. “What can I get for you, sugar?”
“Uh, my dad’s coming. I’ll just have a water while waiting.”
“Alrighty. Wave at me when you’re ready.”
She smiled at him then left and Charlie took in a deep breath, looking around at the nearly empty diner. What was it about this place that had Frank’s undivided attention? Did he want to even know? That was the problem with all this. You never knew if what you were uncovering would take you closer to the fire or away. Charlie felt like they were surrounded by flames no matter which way they turned.
God, you’re bigger than this. I trust you.
The sight of the man that was supposed to be his dad sauntered over and slid into the seat. He smiled at Charlie and leaned back, doing his finger snapping clap trick.
“Wow,” Charlie said.
“Wow? Wow what?”
“Just…that thing you just did, you used to do it all the time.”
“What thing?”
“The snap thing you did with your hand. You did it at the end of stories. You’d… tell me stories at night to help me sleep.”
He gave half a grin, like he was proud to have something like that in himself. “Stories, huh? Like scary stories?”
“Mostly real stories. I liked hearing the real ones.”
“Oh yeah? I got some real stories.”
The idea that he might want to tell him one made Charlie’s insides freeze. “I liked the one about you praying for ten days and saved my life,” he hurried.
This caught his attention. “Yeah? What I do?” he wondered, like a curious kid.
He realized mom was part of the story and wondered how to tell it without mentioning her. “I wasn’t born yet and was late coming,” Charlie said. “And mom went into labor and everything was going fine. The labor was easy and fast, and then…you said the umbilical cord prolapsed. That’s when the cord comes out before the baby which is really bad. Then my heart stopped, and mom’s heart stopped. You said the nurse jumped on the bed between her legs and grabbed hold of the cord and shoved her hand and arm elbow deep inside her.” Dad’s face had become fiercely serious as he listened now. “Mom screamed and passed out, and the nurse screamed—”
“Code blue,” he whispered, seeming to fight for air.
Tears flooded Charlie’s eyes as he nodded. “Mom’s heart stopped, and they got the paddles and shocked her back to life. They rushed her into surgery and—”
“She died again,” he gushed. “And again, when they did emergency surgery. They almost didn’t bring her back and you were dying with her. Every time they shocked her your heart came back too. You were both in NICU/ICU for two weeks after that and I prayed,” he gasped, as though just realizing. “I prayed day and night non-stop.” He looked around then at Charlie. “What are we doing here? Where’s your mom?”
Relief flooded through Charlie and he flew out of the booth and lunged on his dad, hugging him. He wasn’t sure what to tell him now. “You’re not doing good dad,” he choked in his ear. “The bad person in your head is trying to take you over. You haven’t been yourself for a couple of days.”
“What?” he hugged him tight, stroking Charlie’s head. “Shhh, okay, okay. How is your mom?”
Charlie couldn’t stop his tears and couldn’t let him go. “She’s scared. I think…you might have hurt her. She’s scared of you.”
He pushed Charlie off him and hurried out of the booth. “We need to get back. I need to see about her.”
Charlie ran after him, so grateful to be leaving that place. Thank you, God. Thank you, God, thank you!
Ben’s Back
Dad drove way too fast back to the house, but Charlie was glad. Part of him worried this wasn’t permanent. What if he slipped back again? Then what? “I think we need to be away from this place dad,” Charlie said as they slowed down for the town.
“Why?” he wondered.
“I think the town is waking up the wrong things. I just…want to leave. Everything has been worse since we got here.”
“We’ll leave in the morning.” He reached over and squeezed his arm and it brought tears to Charlie’s eyes. “I’m sorry, son. I love you.”
The words caused Charlie to fight a sob. He wiped his tears with his arm, missing the age when he could just hug his dad as long as he liked. “I missed you dad,” Charlie gasped.
****
Cheryl scrambled off her knees next to the bed at hearing approaching footsteps. She jumped when the door opened with Ben in it. Fear made her heart pound at the turmoil in his face and the way he slowly closed the door. The tears came from her eyes with no warning as she stood there, stuck to the floor in terror.
His hands slowly rose before him. “Cheryl?”
A huge gasp erupted from her at recognizing Ben’s voice or the Ben she’d come to know before things spiraled. “Oh God,” she whispered as he hurried to her and embraced her tight.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” He held her face, his mouth soft and divine on hers. She couldn’t stop crying, her sobs coming and coming as his lips kissed and hands stroked softly all over her. So softly. “My beautiful wife,” he croaked, taking her face in his hands again and nipping at her mouth.
Joy made her laugh as she ran her fingers along his shoulders and neck and up into his spiky hair.
“I need you.”
His burning confession brought a desperate hunger up in her. “I’m here, I’m here, I’m always here. Always.”
“I need to make love to you,” he shuddered at her mouth, his hands softly caressing her breast under the robe.
She quickly untied it and let it fall, bringing his hand back to her breast.
He gave a painful moan, rubbing her nipple beneath the satin gown. “You missed me?” He stared into her eyes then devoured her mouth before she could answer him, pressing his hand on her butt.
The force he used sent desire and fear racing through her. God, if he turned on her, she was done for. Her body and heart and mind were wide open with a frantic need.
He suddenly swept her off her feet and she clung to his shoulders as he feasted at her mouth with astonished moans.
He set her down and hurried to remove his clothes while watching as she took off her gown. Their bodies came together, and the bed met her back. “I got you,” he whispered, petting her face and kissing so tenderly it made her weep again.
She reached between them and guided his cock along her. He was so hot and hard it stole her breath when he pushed carefully into her opening. She was still sore, but the sight of him clenching his eyes and fighting to go slow had her eager. “I love you,” she whispered, stroking his face.
“I need to…fuck you,” he gasped, putting his head against her shoulder, fighting to go slow. “I never want to hurt you, baby.” His words were hot in her ear as he began moving in and out of her slow and deep. Three hits against her core and she was on fire and unbreakable.
“Fuck me, Ben,” she moaned, moving his hips with her hands, showing him she craved what he did.
He pushed her face with his then worked his lips towards hers. “Fuck,” he shuddered, straining and groaning as he picked up speed. He lifted his upper body and watched his cock slide in and out. “Fucking beautiful,” he whispered, his gaze moving from her face to her breasts, then back to her face. The fire in his gaze burned when it locked on hers every few seconds. “Fucking show me, show me,” he gasped, moving faster now. “That’s it,” he shot when she played with her clit. “Perfect pussy. I’m going to eat it after I fuck it.” His burning gaze devoured hers as he rammed now. “Would you like that?”
“Yes,” she barely got out, wiggling her fingers over the hard bud. “Ben, I’m going to come.”
“Yes you will,” he promised, his pace reaching the hammering point. “Come undone for me.”
“Ben!”
His breaths growled more vicious than ever with every slam into her. Her orgasm locked onto her, for
cing her body to bow and jerk from the intensity.
His mouth went hard, and his thrusts turned violent, shoving her up the bed. She held her breath when she needed to scream from the intensity. She was scared they’d think he was killing her. But God, he was, he already had. And it was the most terrifying, amazing death ever.
Their slick bodies came together, heaving with loud moans. Soon, tears poured from her eyes as sobs of joy fought to get free. She held them back, not wanting to break down, sure that she would. She stroked his head, so beautiful to her, pressing her lips into his face. He lifted his head, meshing his mouth softly to hers.
“You took me to heaven,” he croaked as he kissed, making her tears pour. He lifted up more when she gasped on a sob.
“I’m sorry,” she strained, fighting them. “I’m just so happy. I missed you.”
He hurried to her mouth and consoled her with “shhhh” between soft kisses. “My wife,” he whispered, stroking his fingers along her face. “I love you more than my life. Don’t give up on me. Please don’t.”
****
“I told you, you were a superhero!” Alice shrilled, punching Charlie in the shoulder with a giggle.
“I’m not. I just prayed. God answered. It’s obvious who the superhero is.”
They were back on the bed with their laptops, fully engaged in their commitment to work and not play. There was too much Charlie needed to know about Frank still. Wasn’t like he could sleep either.
The plan was to tell her dad they were just going to Kansas to check on the house and give Alice a tour of his hometown.
“You’re still afraid, aren’t you?” she asked.
He glanced toward her. He hadn’t said it, but she knew. “I am,” he said. “I feel like…this is a glitch. Not permanent. But I’ll take it, whatever it is. It’s a chance for us to do something.”
“What do you think we are supposed to do?”
“I don’t know. Something’s there and I have to find it.”
She sucked in a gasp. “I forgot to show you!”
“What?”
