“Eight. Well, nine, including Alan here. Or maybe it’s more than that… I can’t remember…” was Howard’s answer. Kate closed her eyes for a moment in terror, and then opened them again. More tears flowed down her cheeks.
Howard Trenton sat down on the edge of the bed. He smiled at Kate.
“The first person I killed… I was only about thirteen when that happened. It was a sort of accident. But the ones after that, they weren’t accidents at all. They were deliberate. The first few, they were scary, because I wasn’t sure if I was capable of doing what I wanted to do or not. I was scared, Kate, just like you’re scared now. But do you know what? It turns out, I was capable of killing after all, and I never really looked back. It’s a shame about Alan though… he just got caught up in the cross-fire and…” suddenly, Kate lashed out, as hard as she could, with her leg. Her foot, which was clad in a leather boot with sharp heels, slammed into Howard Trenton’s chest, knocking him straight off the bed. In an instant, Kate shot up from off the bed, past Howard, who was lying on the floor, winded. She pulled at the bedroom door, just as a bony hand gripped at her ankle.
“Come back, Kate. You’re not going anywhere.” Said Howard angrily.
“Help!” Screamed Kate, as she slid backwards, towards Howard. She went to scream for a second time, but it was too late. Howard was up and right behind her again, his hand clamping down across Kate’s mouth.
“Now, what did I tell you? Didn’t I warn you not to play me up, Kate? Didn’t I?” Asked Howard, as he dragged the college worker back onto the bed. “You shouldn’t have done that, Kate. It was a really stupid thing to do, because now everything’s going to be so much more painful for you.” Said Howard, and he grinned as his whole body slowly locked around Kate’s.
***
Howard lay on the bed, next to Kate, watching the morning sun begin to filter through a gap in the curtains. Looks like that bad weather held off, after all. Good. I’ve got a lot of work to do today, thought Howard. He slowly pulled himself away from Kate’s frozen body, and sat up in the bed. Howard turned to his former lover, who stared up at the ceiling.
“You look beautiful.” He commented. Howard ran his fingers through Kate’s hair, which was covered in frost and ice. The hair began to crack as Howard stroked it. He moved his fingers across Kate’s eyes, pushing the eyelids down, so they were forced shut. “Goodbye, Kate.” Said Howard, and he leaned forward, kissing the woman’s frozen forehead. Then he pulled the blankets up, covering the large, gaping wound across Kate William’s throat. Howard got up from the bed, and searched around on the floor for his pile of clothes. He glanced over at the body of Alan Lane, and smiled. “What a night, eh Alan? What a night.” Remarked Howard. He got himself dressed, and when he’d finished, Howard walked over to the curtains and opened them, letting in the daylight fully. Mary and Alex will be setting off on their little jaunt soon. Time for me to join them, thought Howard, looking out of the window. In the distance, he could see the moors and mountains. “Time for me to join them.” Said Howard Trenton, out loud.
***
Alex Crennell and Mary Broderick stood outside the front of Saint Bernadette’s Church on Leeton Lane, both wearing backpacks.
“What time are Gary and Shark supposed to be here for again?” Asked Mary, with impatience in her voice.
“Nine o’clock.” Replied Alex, who felt like shit. Having eight pints last night, followed by a large, deep pan Mexican pizza with extra Jalapeños was a really, really bad idea, reflected Alex, especially with a thirty fucking mile walk, that I know I’m going to struggle with, ahead of me. Mary looked at her watch.
“Well, where are they? It’s nearly ten past.” She said. At that very moment, two strange-looking figures appeared at the bottom of Leeton Lane; one was sporting a bright-blue mohican, whilst the other, a female, dressed in military-style garb, wore a high, bleached blonde flat-top, together with multiple facial piercings.
“Looks like they’re on their way.” Pointed out Alex, nodding towards Gary Ackley and Shark, as they made their way up the road.
“About time, too.” Said Mary. Gary waved at the pair. Alex waved back, but Mary kept her hands in her pockets, still angry with his and Shark’s bad time-keeping.
Gary and Shark walked up to Alex and Mary.
“How’s it going, guys?” Asked Gary. “It’s a nice morning for it!” He added, referring to the blue sky overhead.
“Yeah, we’re cool.” Replied Alex.
“Hello Gary. Shark.” Said Mary. Shark nodded back at her.
“Looks like the weather’s gonna be good for the next few days. Cold, but clear, sunny.” Shark informed the others. She smiled excitedly. “I can’t believe that I’m finally getting to walk the Black Pathway Trail. I’ve been planning on doing it ever since I moved here, three years ago.” Said Shark.
“Oh, were you not born in Coldsleet then?” Asked Mary. Shark shook her head.
“No. I’m from Blackpool. Me and my ex-boyfriend, we moved up here when he got a job in Elman. Then we split up, and I found myself sort of stuck in Coldsleet. Not that I mind. I really like it here.” Shark informed Mary, before grunting up some saliva from the back of her throat, and spitting it out onto the pavement. Charming, thought Mary, but she didn’t say anything. Meanwhile, Gary had put his arm around Alex, and gently led him away a little from the two women.
“Look man, are you sure that you wanna go through with this? It’s not going to be easy, Alex.” Whispered Gary.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. Seriously.” Replied Alex.
“Are you sure? Coz you don’t look it. You look ill.” Pointed out his friend.
“Too many beers last night, that’s all. I’ll be okay though.” Assured Alex.
“Alright then.” Said Gary. He turned to Mary and Shark. “Right girls, are you ready to walk the Black Pathway?” He asked them.
“Yep!” Smiled Shark.
“Ready!” Said Mary Broderick.
“Let’s go then.” Grinned Gary. He turned to Alex again. “You can do this, mate.” He said, with encouragement. Alex took a deep breath and nodded.
“I hope so.” He responded. The two young men joined Mary and Shark, and they walked towards the church car-park, and the kissing-gate that marked the beginning of the Black Pathway Trail. Somewhere nearby, Howard Trenton was watching them…
Chapter Seventeen
The very last time that I saw my cousin, Howard, was on the Saturday morning, just after Mary and Alex Crennell had left the house in order to walk the Black Pathway Trail. I was surprised to see Howard come walking through the back door, as I had naturally assumed that he was already home, and still in bed. This would have been at around eight thirty in the morning. He looked dishevelled, and a little tired.