A Snowball's Chance in Hell And Other Stories. Read online

  "Do you think she's in there?"

  Katie's heart stopped then sped up as she recognized Chuck's squeaky voice. Her body shook and she felt her legs weaken. If she tried to move her legs would collapse under her.

  "It doesn't look safe." Chuck whined, his voice went squeakier. "I don't think we should..."

  "Shut up, bonehead." Tony's voice came clearly. "Where else do you think she went? We saw her footprints coming down the road and scuff marks by that old gate. Now get your ass through those bushes."

  Katie closed her eyes. That sure didn't sound like someone being forced into something. Tony sounded like the leader of the group and apparently he was smart enough to bring a flashlight. She opened her eyes and took a shaky step back into the hallway, slowly closing the door. She turned up the stairs. Each step brought a grimace of pain. She had to pull herself up with the handrail. She just made it to the top of the stairs when she heard the outside door slam against the wall with a sharp tinkle of broken glass.

  "Hey, Katie, you in here?" Chuck's voice screeched through the house.

  "Moron, do you really think she's going to answer you."

  "Come on, Tony," Eddie's oily voice filtered up through the floor, "he was just trying to be funny."

  "Well, he didn't succeed."

  Katie heard thumps from below as she was looking around. A narrow hallway with a wooden railing ran along the side of the stairwell with two doors, one just by the top of the stairs and the second at the end of the hallway, which would place the room directly above the kitchen. She limped to the door by the head of the stairs.

  "Hey, hold up you guys," Chuck's voice grated through the floor, "I gotta take a leak."

  "Follow when you’re done, dope." Tony sneered, "We sure as hell don't want to watch."

  Leave it to Chuck to take a piss in someone's kitchen, Katie thought as she slowly opened the door. She stepped into the room and carefully closed the door. She turned, looking around. A big dresser stood to the left of the door. A window in the right wall showed some moonlight over the blackberries and in the far right corner of the room sat a dressing table, a mirror over the back with a delicate chair in front of the table. On the table lay a elegant brush with small, sparkling, strands of green hair. Next to the brush stood several jars and three old-fashion hair combs. A large curtained bed took up most of the left side of the room.

  "Damn!" She whispered, "There isn't anyplace to hide that they wouldn't check when they get up here." She moved toward the window. Maybe she could climb out and up to the roof.

  "Troubles, my pet?"

  Katie whirled and stifled a scream. A slender woman, glowing green in a long gown stood by the bed. Swinging bed curtains suggested that she had just gotten out of the bed. She had short hair, curly on the sides but straight and close to her head on top. She had a wide, thin smile and glowing green eyes. Katie backed up against the wall by the window.

  "Who are you?" Katie whispered.

  "Someone who wants to help you, dear." The woman moved closer to Katie and smiled, showing sharp triangular teeth. "Let me help you."

  Katie opened her mouth, but her scream caught in her throat. Her mind fled here and there. Who, what is this woman? Will she help me? Will she hurt me?

  The woman moved softly toward Katie. She reached out and ran the back of her hand down the side of Katie's face. Her hand was warm, almost hot. She reached behind Katie's head and pulled her forward, bringing Katie's right ear against the woman's chest. A soft, musty, musk rose from the woman's skin. The woman stroked the side of Katie's face.

  Katie felt a tingle along her skin. The tingling seemed to trickle down into her. Then she felt it tug deep inside, pulling at memories and feelings. It tugged one set of memories to the surface.

  "Tony, what are we doing out here?" Katie looked over at Tony, his long hair down over his eyes. She looked back at the clearing in the forest where they had parked. "I thought we were going to a movie."

  Tony turned to her, flipping his hair back, his eyes glistening in the fading sunlight. He reached over and unbuckled her seatbelt. "It's a surprise." He said as he leaned back.

  Katie's door suddenly swung open and a large hand grabbed her arm, pulling her out of the pickup. She tried to get her feet under her, but her left foot slipped on a rock, twisting her ankle. She landed hard on her left knee and arm. She looked up and saw Chuck standing over her with Eddie grinning behind him.

  "Surprise, Katie-waity." Chuck snorted.

  Katie heard Tony's door open and slam shut.

  "Tony, help me."

  Tony leaned over the hood of his pickup as Chuck grabbed Katie's arm again, dragging her to her feet.

  "Tony won't help you," Chuck squealed, "he's helping me."

  Katie's heart was racing. Her mind awhirl. How could Chuck make Tony turn against her? Then she saw Eddie pull some rope out of the back of Tony's pickup and she panicked. Twisting on her right leg, she slammed her left knee into Chuck's groin. Chuck doubled over and she shoved him hard into Eddie. Katie turned and ran as fast as she could for the forest.

  Katie gasped. She was back in the room, leaning against the strange woman. Tears were running down her face and her leg and ankle ached even more than before. She thought about what she had just remembered, Chuck, Eddie and Tony. Strange, she thought, she didn't feel anything when she thought of it now, just empty.

  "My poor pet, those boys were very naughty to you."

  Katie looked up to see a soft smile of sympathy. Why had she thought that the woman was ugly because of the green glow around everything? The woman had pretty features, a small, pert nose, nice lips and very shapely eyebrows. Her eyes were a darker green than Katie had thought.

  "Who are you?" Katie whispered.

  "Amanda Casey. This is my home and you, my dear, are my guest." Amanda gave Katie a gentle hug. "I'm afraid those rude boys are not invited. I think I shall have to discipline them."

  Amanda took Katie's hand and led her to the bed. She pulled back the curtain and gently pushed Katie onto the bed.

  "Lie down and rest. You'll feel better in a few minutes. I'll take care of those hooligans."

  "But they might hurt you." Katie settled onto the bed and lay down. She felt dizzy and weak.

  "I don't think so, dear Katie." Amanda let the curtain swing down. "Now, do keep silent."

  Katie turned onto her left side so she could face the room. The bedding had the same musty, musk she smelled earlier. She heard a door slam down below. How long had it been, since she first met Amanda? How had Amanda known her name?

  "Eddie," Tony's voice came faintly through the floor. "you check down here. See if she snuck out through the other door or is hiding in that room. Chuck come with me. I think I heard something upstairs."

  Thumping came through the walls. Katie curled up tightly listening to the noise. They are determined to get her, she thought, they want to hurt her. This is no longer a game. Katie shivered. They won't let me stay alive to tell anyone. And it has to be Tony that came up with this. Chuck's too dull and too much of a chicken to see that he would have to kill me. Katie closed her eyes as the thumping stopped.

  "You go check that room. I'll check this one." Tony's voice cut through the wall.

  "What if she's in there?" Chuck's sharp voice rasped against Katie's ears.

  "What do you think, idiot?" Tony's voice became harder. "You slap the shit out of her and call the rest of us. After all, she's the one who smashed your balls. And don't let her get away. If she gets back to town, she'll have the cops on us and I don't want to end up in jail again and I don't think you would like it either. There's lots of guys who would love to get a hold of a wimp like you."

  "Alright, already."

  Katie heard Chuck's feet pounding down the hallway. She heard a click of the doorknob turning. Tony at the door. Katie bit back a whimper.

  "Hey, Katie, come out and make it easier on everyone. Come out, come out, where ever you are." Tony called.

&
nbsp; Tony sounded so reasonable and pleasant, as though she had caused the problems. He didn't sound like someone who had planned her rape and probably her death. How could he be so nice on the two dates they had together and then turn into such a monster? How had he made her trust him so much?

  Light flashed, sweeping over the room like a lighthouse beam, raising shadows on the curtains.

  "What?" Surprise raised Tony's voice. "Who are you? Where's Katie?"

  Katie huddled deeper, closing her eyes and grabbing the covers in her hands, pulling them close.

  "I'm someone who hasn't had any company for such a long time. I've been alone here since 1925 with only occasional visitors like you." Amanda's voice was soft and sweet. "I so look forward to company."

  Katie opened her eyes and stared at the silhouettes on the curtains. She saw Amanda's shadow move closer to Tony's shadow. A click of the door closing made Katie flinch.

  "Come, my dear boy, let's be friends."

  Amanda's shadow reached out to touch Tony's. Katie felt a tingle, an electric spark jump out from her. The invisible spark reached out to Amanda then to Tony. She felt it hungrily grab at something and pull.

  She looked up at the large woman with the big belly. The woman reached back then swung her hand. Pain lanced through her face as she tumbled to the floor.

  "That'll teach you to back‑talk me, boy."

  She felt the woman's fingers in her hair, jerking her to her feet. Pain came in sweet waves.

  The woman slapped her again and again. Blood trickled down her face. The woman let go of her and she fell face down on the floor.

  "When I talk to you, boy, you listen and do as you're told. No son of mine is going to disobey his mother."

  She got to her hands and knees. The woman moved behind her and she felt the woman's foot hit her just below the tailbone and she fell face-down on the floor. Humiliation and pain, food, it has been so long. Such a rich feast.

  Katie jerked her eyes open. Those weren't her memories. What was going on? She rubbed her tingling cheek. It felt hot where Amanda had caressed her. Katie heard a deep sob from the other side of the curtain. She reached out to lift the curtain, but stopped. She felt it coming, more pain. Katie shivered in anticipation as the tingle tugged inside of her.

  "Come on, Tony-wony." The big kid pushed her back. She stumbled, a shove from behind pushed her forward and she tried windmilling her arms but lost her balance and fell face down into the dirt. "What's the matter, Tony-wony? You fall down, go boom."

  "Leave me alone!" She yelled as the other kids laughed and laughed.

  A sharp pain in her side made her gasp as another kid kicked her. Frustration, humiliation, pain. Sweet food coming to her through Amanda Casey. Wave after quenching wave as she felt other feet kick her and others laughing again and again.

  Katie jerked upright. "Oh, God." She whispered as she opened her eyes. "She's feeding on Tony. Those are his memories."

  A strangled cry came from the other side of the curtain. Thumping came from the door.

  "Hey, Tony, you find her? You ain't doing her all by yourself are you?" Chuck thumped the door again and rattled the doorknob. "Hey, open up."

  Katie heard footsteps coming up the stairs. The tug came again, she could feel it as it pulled. She hated this, she wanted it.

  "You have to be kidding, Tony." The blonde girl looked at her with a sneer that twisted her pretty face into a horrid thing. "Me, go out with a loser like you?" Her nasal voice rose to a high pitch in the school lunchroom and all conversations and clatter of dishes stopped as everyone turned to look at the two of them. "I wouldn't go with you if you were the last toad on Earth!"

  She heard snickers from the other students as the blonde girl shook her head and left. Humiliation and deep rich hatred came in delicious waves and she pulled and pulled in every drop until there was nothing left to take.

  Something heavy hit the floor, startling Katie. She knew what it was, as she felt a tear trickle down her cheek, stinging as it crossed the scratches on her face. Chuck hit the door again.

  "Hey, jerk, let us in."

  He hit the door once more and Katie heard a second thump as the door swung open to hit the wall.

  "Now, what're you doing?" There was a pause, then Chuck continued, "Who the hell are you?" His voice rose in pitch, "Where's Tony?"

  "Chuck, you idiot, get out of here." Katie could only whisper as she shivered and drew her legs to her chest. Tears kept trickling down her cheeks. "She'll kill you."

  "Of course we will, pet."

  Katie heard the soft voice whispering in her head.

  "You'll enjoy this one, pet, and we will be together, forever in my lovely home."

  "Hey," Chuck's squeaky voice startled Katie, "that's Tony on the floor. What'd you do to him."

  "Don't worry about that. Come closer, my dear boy." Amanda's voice seemed clearer, coming from the other side of the curtain and in Katie's mind. "You cannot be afraid of a woman like me, can you?"

  "No way, lady." Chuck snorted.

  "Oh, Chuck, you egotistical bonehead." Katie whispered as she shifted on the bed and pulled the curtain aside. She shook her head. Why should she care if Amanda killed Chuck? They've been enemies for so long. He was going to rape her. But she couldn't let him die, could she? It's not right, she thought. Besides, what would happen to her if Amanda kept doing this and she let Amanda kill him? She looked up and saw Amanda reach out as Chuck strutted toward her. Amanda's hand brushed against Chuck's face.

  Katie felt it again, the tingling, stronger. The pull came quicker, she felt the memories begin hauled out of Chuck.

  She looked at the girl, and saw herself at six years of age. Long hair pulled back into a ponytail. Her younger self was standing with her hands on her hips glaring at herself.

  "Chuck, you leave Penny alone, you big pig." said her younger self.

  Younger Katie stepped forward and shoved her. She lost her balance and fell backward onto her rump. She felt herself turn red as the rest of the class laughed at her. Her humiliation and anger fed her.

  Katie blinked and slowly stood up. She let the curtain fall behind her. She looked toward Amanda, standing near the middle of the room. Her gaze dropped to the floor near Amanda. Tony lay in the middle of the room, face down, one arm stretched toward the bed and the other by his side. Katie knew he was dead, something about the stillness of his body in the glow of the room, the lack of chest movement or even small twitching. Katie looked up and saw Chuck on his knees in front of Amanda, tears dripping like liquid emeralds down his cheek. Eddie stood frozen in the doorway. Eddie's face was very pale and his mouth and eyes were wide open.

  "Eddie, run!" Katie screamed as she moved forward. Eddie jumped then he turned and sprinted away. Katie heard him stumble down the steps as she looked back at Amanda.

  Amanda shifted her head to look at Katie with glowing green eyes that sparkled as though they had lightning in them. Katie stumbled to a halt.

  "Now, why did you do that, dear?" Amanda's voice was gentle.

  "Because, I, ah..." Katie felt as though her brain had short-circuited and stalled on her as she stared at Amanda's green eyes. The green glow filling her, changing her. She tried to continue. "You know, you shouldn't." Katie stammered as she tried to get her thoughts out. Why should she care what happens to Chuck and Eddie? She pushed against the glow. "Because it's not right." she said softly, she blinked and looked at Amanda again. "It's not right!" She yelled, "It's wrong to kill." Katie's brain began functioning again and she moved quickly over to stand by Chuck.

  Amanda looked over at Tony's body, then back at Katie. "Do you mean to say that I should have let them rape you?" She gave Katie a twisted, sharp-toothed smile.

  Katie stepped back. "No." Her voice sounded small and weak to her. "But you can't kill them."

  "Why ever not?" Amanda looked at Chuck.

  Chuck's fat body was shaking and Amanda smiled at him. Katie looked over at him. He seemed about ready to colla
pse. Amanda turned back to Katie.

  "He is just a male. No loss to this world, but food and drink to the two of us."

  Katie could feel Amanda reaching toward Chuck's mind.

  "No." She ran and hit the older woman with her shoulder. Luminescent green dust flew into the air, making Katie sneeze. She felt the electric tingle throughout her body, the tugging that came from within her.

  "Arnold, what are you doing?" She looked over at the man in the dark suit with the starched collar. He stood tall and strong in the doorway of the kitchen downstairs. She by the sink, preparing vegetables for the evening stew. She watched as he strolled into the kitchen to stand beside her. "You're home early, darling. Are you ill?" Then he hit her, knocking her back against the wall. She slid down to sit, stunned, on the floor.

  "Yes, I am ill. Sick and tired of you, you old bitch." He reached down and hauled her back on her feet, then hit her hard with his fist. She felt her nose break and blood began to pour down her face. He shook her. "That bastard, Conner, told me about the two of you. How you've been seeing him for nearly a year." His fist slammed into her face again and again. "I won't stand for it. I will not be made a fool of by a low-life peasant like Conner or a slut like you." His voice rose in pitch and his fist kept hitting her. He didn't even listen to her protests of innocence. Then it grew dark.

  Katie shook her head. She felt like she had just ran into a wall, but Amanda was lying on the floor. Katie blinked as the older woman struggled to her feet. Katie reached over and grabbed Chuck's shirt.

  "Come on, get up and run!" Katie yanked the larger boy to his feet, just as Amanda stood up. Katie looked around and spotted the flashlight Tony must have been carrying. It was only inches from his hand. He must have dropped it when Amanda attacked him, thought Katie. She stooped down and picked it up. She noticed Chuck's flashlight was dangling limply in his hand, pointing to the floor. Amanda stepped forward and Katie stood up, swinging the flashlight as hard as she could. The flashlight shattered and Amanda fell backward, her body crumbling like a dried out sandcastle, leaving a cloud of green dust. Katie turned and grabbed Chuck's flashlight from his hand, then grabbed his arm with her other hand and pulled him to the door.

  Chuck jerked as they went through the door, suddenly aware of what was happening. Katie stumbled as he pushed past her and ran down the steps, skipping every other step. Katie hurried to keep up with him. She was amazed that her leg and ankle no longer hurt. Adrenalin, she wondered, or something to do with what Amanda was doing?