“Of course you’re not, Howard. Of course you’re not.” She said.
“It’s not like you think.” Howard told her. “I’m not… dirty…”
“I don’t want to know. Now turn around, Howard.” Ordered Shark.
“But…”
“Turn around. We need to get Mary from out of that farmhouse.” Instructed Shark. Howard relucantly looked away from Shark, and continued trudging towards Ben Askew’s farm. A pain shot through his back, and down into his legs. I always knew the deal… I sort of guessed that I was going to die up here, and I’m okay with that… let’s face it, this has really been just one great big suicide mission… but I’m still going to have that last little party with Shark… and despite what I’ve promised, maybe Mary too… thought Howard.
***
Ben Askew unlocked the bedroom door, and walked inside. Mary Broderick was stood in the corner of the room, staring at him with fear in her eyes. Ben looked around the room.
“What are you doing up here? I can hear you, snooping about… you know, moving stuff.” He said. Ben was holding the shotgun in his hands. “I thought I told you to get some sleep. So why aren’t you on that mattress?” He asked. Ben took a few steps towards Mary. “Why are you looking at me like that?” He wanted to know.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Responded Mary.
“Yes, you do. You’re staring at me, all frightened. Why are you frightened of me, Mary?” Quizzed Ben. He smiled. “All I want is for us to be alone together. I’m not going to hurt you.” Ben took another step towards the young woman. “Is it because I’ve left you in this bedroom all on your own?” He asked. “Would you feel happier if I were to stay in here with you tonight?”
“I’m fine, honestly, I’m fine. I’ll go to sleep now.” Said Mary. She walked back to the mattress and got down on it. “See? I’ll just sleep. I’m okay now.” Mary went on. Ben Askew shook his head slowly.
“No… this won’t do. This won’t do at all. You’re scared. I can see that. It’s in your eyes, Mary. The fear. The fear of being all alone, in a strange room. No, I’ll stay with you tonight… sleep on the mattress, by your side…”
“Really, I’m fine, I don’t need…” but before Mary could finish her sentence, Ben Askew put a finger up to his lips in a ‘hush’ gesture.
“It’s okay. I’m here now… you don’t have to be alone anymore.” Said Ben. He knelt down, and placed the shotgun on the floor. Then he stood back up, and removed his trousers and underpants. Mary glanced at the old man’s cock, sticking out, erect. Ben began to walk towards her, and at that moment, someone started knocking on the door downstairs.
***
Ben Askew opened up the front door of the farmhouse, and stared at Shark Mako, his blue eyes wide with anger. He raised the shotgun towards her face.
“You shouldn’t have come back here.” He said. Ben took a few steps backwards. “Get in here. Now.” He ordered. Shark raised her hands in the air in a gesture of surrender and nodded. She walked through the doorway, entering the hall. Suddenly, Ben Askew grabbed her roughly by the arm, pulling her further into the building. He pushed past her, moving towards the front door, in order to shut it. Ben was just about to close the door, when a force from the other side powered into it, knocking the old man backwards. Howard Trenton barged into the hallway, and ploughed towards Ben Askew. The old man accidentally squeezed the trigger of the shotgun, and it discharged, letting out a deafening bang. With lightning speed, Howard snatched the weapon from Ben’s hands, and then whipped it around in a circle, smashing the barrel into the triple killer’s head.
Ben Askew slumped to the floor, a large gash on the side of his head beginning to bleed. Howard threw the shotgun to the floor, and then knelt down next to the injured man. He looked up at Shark.
“Pass me the knife, Shark.” Howard requested. Shark shook her head.
“Uh uh, no way.” She said. Howard stared at her with disbelief.
“For fuck’s sake, just give me the knife. I need to finish this cunt off.” Howard advised her.
“No. I’m not giving you the knife, Howard.” Shark responded.
“Look! I’m keeping my side of the deal, aren’t I? Now just pass me the…” suddenly, Ben Askew lashed out with his fist, slamming it into the side of Howard’s head. The younger man went rolling sideways, his one good hand clutching at his skull. Ben reached for the shotgun. He picked it up, and then slowly got to his feet. The old man raised the weapon above his head, preparing to bring the buttstock down onto Howard’s cranium. At that point, Shark lunged the knife forwards, ramming it into Ben’s lower back, just as Alex Crennell had stabbed Howard, the day before. Shark pulled the blade from out of Ben Askew’s body, and as she did so, thick, bright red blood began to spurt from the wound that she had inflicted on him. Ben dropped the shotgun, and then fell down on all fours.
“He’s all yours.” Said Shark to Howard, before leaving the hallway and racing up the stairs, in order to find her friend.
Shark reached the top of the farmhouse stairs.
“Mary!” She cried out. “Mary, where are you?” Shark asked.
“Shark!” Screamed Mary from behind an old wooden door. “I’m in here!” Shark walked over to the bedroom door and tried the handle. It was locked.
Fuck it! Thought Shark.
“Mary, are you okay? Did that bastard touch you at all?” Shark wanted to know.
“No. No, he didn’t.” Mary responded. “He would have done though.”
“Yeah, I know. Okay… he’s locked the fucking door. I can’t get in.” Said Shark.
“Where is he? Where’s the old guy?” Shouted Mary.
“He’s downstairs, with… he’s downstairs. Don’t worry, he’s not going to be bothering you again.” Advised Shark. “He must still have the bedroom key on him. I’ll go down and…”
“There’s no need to do that.” Said Howard Trenton, who was standing at the top of the stairs, holding a key in his hand. “Here, take it.” Shark went to grab the bedroom key from Howard, and that’s when he made his move. Howard’s bony, but incredibly powerful fingers clasped Shark’s wrist. He yanked the woman forward, whilst at the same time lolling his head backwards, then Howard slammed his forehead at Shark, butting her with maximum force, in the face, felling her instantly.
At the sound of Howard’s voice, Mary had begun to scream.
“You’re wasting your breath, Mary.” Said Howard, calmly, as he unlocked the bedroom door. He pushed it open, grinning at the terrified young woman.
“Howard… please… don’t do this.” Begged Mary. Howard ignored her. He briefly disappeared out of the doorway, then came back, dragging Shark along the floor by her blonde hair. Howard smiled at Mary.
“It’s your lucky day. I struck a deal with Shark here. I thought about reneging on it, at one point… but nah. I’ll keep my side of the bargain… you can go. Leave. Get out of here… and when you reach home, tell Lucas and Kay that the only reason I’ve spared you is because of them.” Said Howard. Mary looked at him in shock and disbelief.
“What are you going to do to Shark?” Mary asked.
“You’ll be able to ask her that for yourself, in a few days… but don’t worry, I’m not going to kill her, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Replied Howard.
“Oh no… you’re going to…”
“Just get out of here. Now. Before I change my fucking mind.” Snapped Howard.
“I’m not leaving here without her.” Said Mary.
“Then let me put it another way, you silly fucking bitch… get out of here now, and you and Shark will live to see another day. Insist on staying, and you’ll both die a really nasty, agonising death, right here in this bedroom. Now, I’m going to count to five, and if you’re not gone by the time that I reach it, then…”
“I’m not leaving.” Argued Mary.
“One.” Smiled Howard. “Two.” He continued. Mary looked at her friend, then back towards Howard. “Three.” He said. “Four.” The young woman began backing out of the bedroom.
“That’s it. That’s a good girl.” Mocked Howard Trenton. “Go on, fuck off, get yourself back home.” He watched as Mary disappeared from the bedroom. Howard listened to Mary’s footsteps as she ran down the stairs. He turned to Shark. “Finally. Party-time.” Said Howard, before walking over to the bedroom door and locking it from the inside…