“What are you doing this weekend Bry?” asked Constable Tony Jones yawning. He and W.P.C. Bryony Williams had been on duty since nine o’clock in the morning. It was now four o’clock in the afternoon. Their job had been to check the speed of motorists on the B793 road and to either warn or issue a penalty ticket to offenders depending on the severity of their infringement.
“Got a barbecue this weekend, Tony,” replied the blonde policewoman. “Jimmy Forbes is holding it at his house. Didn’t you get an invite?”
“Yes, I did, but after Jimmy’s last barbecue I got a stomach bug. I’m sure one of his burgers was dodgy!” Tony groaned.
“Aw, Tony you are a real softy. You are always the one ………bloody hell!!”
Whatever Tony was or wasn’t, was left to speculation as Bryony’s concentration was suddenly switched to the car racing down the road towards the police car.
“Tony!” screamed Bryony, holding up the speed detector. “That bugger is doing seventy miles an hour!”
As the car, a Jaguar, raced by, Tony started the car and switched on the siren. He pulled swiftly out onto the road and was soon in pursuit of the offending vehicle.
It was a built up area and the speed limit should have been thirty miles per hour. The road was fairly empty of cars so it was not long before Tony had caught up with the Jaguar. He flashed his car lights in an effort to get the driver to pull over, but all it did was make him increase his speed.
Tyres shrieked as the two cars hurtled round corners, narrowly avoiding pedestrians and other cars. Houses flashed by and Bryony began to feel squeamish due to the rocking motion of the car. Tony had pulled up close behind the Jaguar and clung to his tail like a limpet.
“Zero one three to base!” Bryony shouted into the hand microphone. “In pursuit of a gold coloured Jaguar. Registration plate Zulu, Uniform, Six, One, Papa, Sierra, Yankee. We are proceeding down Farmouth high street, heading in a westerly direction!”
“Roger that Zero one three, two units are on their way!” came the reply from Base.
Two hundred yards ahead of the two cars, someone emerged from a side lane driving an Audi. The Jaguar raced towards the narrowing gap between the Audi and the opposite pavement and squeezed narrowly through. Tony had to stamp on his brakes and narrowly missed running into the side of the emerging car.
“Get out of the way!” both Tony and Bryony shouted in unison. The Audi driver hastily turned his car into the road and allowed the police car to speed past and continue the pursuit.
Mr Harman, the butcher, was having a very bad day. First he had slept in, his alarm clock had not woken him. Next of all he burnt his toast and had to make a fresh batch.
Then to cap it all, as he prepared to leave Farmouth in his mobile butcher’s van, to visit the village of Crossley
Mr Harman was about to run over to give aid when a police car screeched to a halt. Tony and Bryony leapt out of the car and ran to the site of the crashed car. A thin plume of smoke was rising from the engine and Bryony turned and ran back to the police car to get a fire extinguisher.
The driver was lying outside the car having smashed through the windscreen. The glass had torn his clothes and as Tony knelt down by him he saw that in the areas where his skin was exposed his skin was heavily tattooed. The man was bald and had suffered a lot of cuts and bruising to his face and forehead.
Bryony used the fire extinguisher to put out the fire that was starting to burn in the engine.
After reporting the situation to Base, Tony had an ambulance and Scene of Crime Officers dispatched to the crash site. He and Bryony then began to marshal the few cars that had come on the scene, getting them to pass quickly and safely on their way.
Sergeant Belton arrived in one of the police cars that had been dispatched during the chase. He had about twenty years experience in policing and upon arrival of the S.O.C.O. team set up communications with Base.
One of the S.O.C.officers opened the boot of the Jaguar with a crowbar. The lid had been badly dented in the crash. He looked inside and immediately called Sergeant Belton across to see what he had discovered.
“Jones, Williams!” called out the sergeant. “Come across here!”
Both Tony and Bryony climbed over the wall and carefully made their way towards the crashed car. The S.O.C. officer and the sergeant had plastic gloves on and were examining items in the boot space.
A skull minus its jaw bone, a large knife whose blade was engraved with lettering and drawings and a large black robe, which upon being spread out, displayed the same lettering and drawings on it, as those on the knife.
……………………………………….. +…………………………………………….
Part 2
“Looks like a cult thing Sarge” quipped Bryony.
“I’ve seen this kind of stuff in a Bond movie, just a bloodied chicken to find.” kidded Tony.
“Ok you two, less of the wisecracks and back up that ambulance to the hospital, let’s get Kananga
The driver had regained conciousness in the ambulance and was reasonably lucid by the time Tony and Bry had arrived.
“Is he up for interviewing doctor?” said Tony, after arriving at St James Hospital.
“Give us an hour or so, we’re patching him up” replied Doctor Samedi.
By now it was early evening and darkness was descending. It was late in the year and a miserable time to be doing traffic duties anyway, so Tony and Bry were making the most of this time indoors with nothing to do but wait. They sat in the staff café situated in a parallel corridor to the admittance ward where their perpetrator was being treated.
“Did you notice the docs arms and neck Bry?” queried Tony.
“Yeah, tattoo’s….it’s a common thing these days Tony” replied Bry, sipping away.
“Yeah I suppose…. but he was well decorated for a doctor, don’t you think?” mumbled Tony.
Just as Bry finished off her cappaccino, “BANG…..BANG..BANG”
“What the fk was that,…. can’t be gunshots” panicked Tony.
With that, the duo headed round to the ward…the area was pandemonium, staff and patients running everywhere, headless chickens came to mind.
“Where’s Doctor Samedi?” shouted Bry.
The desk was staffed by a nurse, mature and hostile looking, “Doctor who?, what’s the name?”
“Samedi, Doctor Samedi,” affirmed Tony.
“We have no Doctor Samedi,” replied Nurse Griffen.
“Ok, where’s the guy from the RTA this afternoon?” responded Tony.
“Err, Room 7, down there on the left” answered the nurse.
Meanwhile Bry had called in the disturbance and multiple units and firearms squads were enroute. Hospital security had arrived but were in the dark as much as anyone else and pandemonium continued……
“What’s going on here Wullie?” asked one of the security personnel to his collegue.
“No idea Peter, same old for us, the mushroom brigade, kept in the dark and fed on shit!” quipped Wullie.
“Yeah, seems to be the way of it,” muttered Peter.
Bry and Tony cautiously peered through the open door of Room7 to find what they’d expected. The driver, their detainee, their whole point of being here was lying dead across his bed. Head pulverised, it was difficult to make out the amount of gunshot wounds to his head initially.
At that, fellow police officers appeared from every corner, it appears the whole station had attended.
It transpired the driver had three gunshot wounds to his cranium, someone wanted him dead and made no mistake about it.
“Samedi was the main suspect, made his escape through the room window onto a walkway roof and down into the carpark” reckoned Belton at the briefing.
Tony thought, “ok, suspect and method seemed straight forward but motive was another thing entirely…… and what did the lettering and drawings scrawled on the mirror mean in Room number 7..?”
……………………………………….. +…………………………………………….
Part 3
That night Tony shared his thoughts with Bry. It was after work hours back at his place and out of uniform – in fact they were now out of their cloths entirely. Bry lit a B&H and inhaled deeply. She replaced the lighter on the bedside table.
‘I’m not so sure that this is such a straight forward case…’ said Bry as she exhaled a long plume of smoke. Tony knew better than to interrupt when Bry was running through a case and thinking out loud.
‘Take Doctor Samedi; how did he managed to arrive at the hospital so soon?’
Bry tapped her cigarette on the bedside table ashtray. Tony remained silent.
‘He must have followed the ambulance from the scene of the crash…which means he must have been following… must have been chasing the Jaguar’ There was a pause; Bry blew an even longer plume of smoke. Tony could not resist coming in:
‘So the driver of the Jaguar was on the run!’
‘and’ continued Bry, ignoring Tony, ‘he was running for his life…because he knew something or had discovered something that was a threat to this cult, or whatever they are…he was going to expose them, blow the whistle!’
They were both silent for a moment; contemplating the implications. This case could be big…but the truth is out there…somewhere…
Tony and Bry exchanged glances; Tony couldn’t keep a straight face:
‘This is a case for the X-Files!’
They both burst out laughing. Bry recovered first: ‘Another crazy case…the worlds going mad!’ There was something sobering in her expression; they had seen a lot of weird shit.
Bry had started keeping her own files on special cases and teased Tony by calling him ‘Mulder’ – only it was Tony who tended to be the sceptic; so their roles were sort of reversed, with Bry making the case for the weird and the so called supernatural. It was their own secret game; a private fantasy irresistibly played out.
‘You know, I think I have seen those tattoos somewhere before’ mused Tony.
‘Really?’ Bry arched a quizzical eye-brow.
‘No, really!... I’m sure of it…it’s on the tip of my tongue…’
‘You’ve seen someone else with similar tattoos?’
‘I’m not exactly sure…but yes that could be it…’ Tony had his thoughtful expression.
‘Remember how the murderer escaped from the hospital? That could be a clue!’
‘Come on spill it’ Bry was losing patience. ‘You‘ve thought of something…is it to do with the lettering and drawings scrawled on the mirror in Room number 7? ’
‘No, its not that, I’m wondering if that is something of ruse; to throw us of the track…but you’ve given me another idea…you thought the shots to the head were a bit excessive, as you delicately put it…considering it was a calculated and efficient hit…one shot would have been fatal, surely …so why risk more?’
‘Unless!’ exclaim Bry, catching on, ‘the driver’s face could be identified!’
‘Exactly!’
‘But what did you think of to lead you to that?’
‘Get dressed and I’ll show you, we’re going out’
It did not take them long to find what Tony was looking for; there were posters plastered everywhere; on bus stop shelters, on lamp posts, on walls and even on public notice boards.
They stood staring at an A3 size poster: bold red lettering, with a drop shadow, proclaimed: THE NIIGHT CIRCUS IS IN TOWN!
Under the garish caption were typical circus performers: the ringmaster with his whip, a strong man with dumbbells and a midget on top, there were fire breathers and sword swallowers, an evil looking clown…but what caught the attention of Tony and Bry were the acrobats; there were four of them; dressed in black spandex leggings and their torsos and arms covered in tattoos!
‘What do you think?’ said Tony. Bry looked stunned.
‘I think we’re going to the circus!’
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<ß---------------------------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
PART 4
Neither Tony nor Bry had been to the circus since they were kids. The experience took them back in many ways. Sitting in a ringside seat, surrounded by screaming kids and their parents.
They sat through bubbles the clown, a sword swallower, Pearl the bearded-lady and an especially mad individual who stuck his head inside the mouths of two large lions and a Bengali Tiger.
Even while watching this slightly corny show Tony and Bry felt like they were the ones being watched. They felt hidden eyes watching them. Savage unseen eyes like the eyes of a predator watching it’s prey. It made Bry feel very uneasy.
Then came the act they were waiting for………………………the acrobats.
BUT……………….instead came a brief apology from the ringmaster. Due to illness there would be no acrobat show tonight by their star team, the tattooed guys. Instead their slot was taken by the Midget Express, three midgets who did acrobatics on the back of a galloping Shetland pony.
Tony smiled for a moment, if he could get those three midgets into the interrogation room with a rubber house, he could surely get the little guys to confess to something! Anything! Didn’t really matter what. Looked good on the crime clear-up statistics.
Tony and Bry looked at each other. ‘Let’s go’ Tony said
‘Where?’
‘Backstage. Illness me arse. Let’s discover the real reason those tattooed acrobats didn’t perform tonight!’
They left the main tent and started to ferret about in one of the little side tents. They knew they shouldn’t really be prowling like this, but Tony’s curiosity got the better of him. They were looking for those four tattooed acrobats.
But inside this dimly lit tent the stench was over-powering. They heard a mechanical sort of noise from within the gloom, Tony called out warily ‘Hello?’, but there was no reply.
After a moment or so their eyes grew accustomed to the gloom. On the far side were a lot of odd looking little wagons, cages on wheels in other words! Thankfully they seemed to be empty.
Tony and Bry walked through the tent, intending to slip out the other side and find the performer’s quarters. However just ahead their path was barred, something was moving in the gloom. It didn’t seem to be human because it seemed shorter than a human, waist height maybe, but it moved like a living creature.
All too soon they realised what this was. The epiphany was cruel and brought a spasm of terror to both of them.
The brightly coloured object was a tiger, prowling slowly but steadily towards them!
They both froze in terror, perhaps that mechanical sound they had first heard had been someone unbolting the cage that this ferocious demon was normally kept in. Could someone have deliberately set this beast loose on them?
Tony pushed Bry back, standing between her and the tiger, he told her to run for it! Bry staggered a few paces then looked back in horror to see a brightly coloured streak of lighting, then a scream from Tony as the tiger engulfed him! It was a blur of fur, flailing arms and legs, teeth and claws!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Part 5
The tiger’s incisors sank deep into Tony’s neck, flaying the throat in one massive movement. Crimson life spewed from the wound, the beast’s unforgiving, unrelenting attack continued, undaunted. In that instant of madness Bry knew that Tony’s life was over, no one could have survived such a furious assault. Bry released a piercing scream and ran.
As Bry fled she could hear the crunching of bone continuing behind her.
My god, what the fuck have we gotten ourselves into.
It suddenly occurred to Bry what the markings on the mirror back in the hospital were.
The mirror, those markings, they were representative of Tiger stripes. It must be some kind of veneration cult, thought Bry.
Bry knew she had to make it back to the apartment.
The keys, she thought. Tony had the damn car key.
She had to go back, she knew she had to face Tony’s death, in order to prevent hers.
Gingerly she retraced her steps. She could hear the crowd gasp and applaud as the circus entertainment continued above her.
Fuck! She thought. If only they knew there was a fucking Bengal Tiger on the loose they wouldn’t be so enthusiastic.
I’m sure this was the spot. Bry thought.
But there was nothing, no signs of a struggle and certainly no sign of the copious amounts of blood Tony was sure to have lost, nothing, just an empty cage.
A light, Bry could see a faint light omitting from the other side of the animal holding area.
As she approached, she could hear muffled voices. Not speech, chanting, ecclesiastical type chanting, low and morose.
She swung open the heavy door .
Inside dressed in hooded cloaks were 20 to 30 people chanting in unison, directed by what would appear to be a naked tattooed man, covering his face was a huge mask, a mask in the form of a Tiger.
As Bry entered the chanting ceased, a follower immediately made for the door, it slammed shut with a forceful bang.
The naked man slowly removed the mask.
Samedi. Thought Bry.
`Welcome Bryony, we have been waiting for some time on your arrival. I, as I’m sure are all, are so pleased to see you.`
`You bastard, screamed Bry, you had Tony killed; ripped apart by a fucking Tiger.`
`Come come my dear, do you really think I would be so callous as to permit Tony to be killed in such an ill mannered fashion?`
With that one of the followers’ standing directly beneath the Ipsissimus's feet removed his hood.
Tony! Gasped Bry, you’re alive, but I thought you were dead, that Tiger, the blood, the sickening noise, she whispered; but you’re alive, how, how is it possible?`
You only witnessed a mirage, a hallucination Bry, induced by the laced soft drink I offered you when we were sitting in the big top.
What, you drugged me, why Tony, why would you do such a thing, Samedi, the murder, this cult thing, what in Hell’s name is going on?
Not in Hells name Bry but in his. Tony replied, his eyes burning with desire.
Bry listen to me, Hantu Belian, is with us, he is our escape from this ethereal world, this world of hate and fear. How many times in the past have you said you were depressed with the job, your personal life and the general monotony of living? This is our chance Bry, our chance to escape everything, all you need do is put your faith in Hantu Belian and I promise you life will change, nothing will ever bring you down again.
`You are joking right? You want me to worship some guy in a tiger suit on the pretext that everything following that we be OK? I may complain about life at times Tony but that’s human nature, we are supposed to moan about our lot. Don’t you see, that is what we are designed to do, not stand around in robes chanting shit to a naked guy in a tiger mask.`
`Bry you don’t understand Samedi is not Hantu Belian, Samedi is merely his representative here, in this world, in this physical place. Bry you have to believe me, put your faith in Hantu Belian and you will be saved.
`O Tony fuck off with the Hantu Belian can save us shit. This guy. She pointed toward the magician. This guy is a murderer and I’m taking him down the nick. Now are you coming Tony or what?`
`You don’t understand Bry this is not optional, this is your destiny, you have no choice in the matter, as you will clearly not participate of your own free will, we will have to show you the alternative by other means.`
`Enough of this puerile nonsense, shouted Samedi. SIEZE HER.`
Two of the hooded attendees immediately grabbed Bry.
`Remove her garments and prepare her, HE has waited long enough.`
Get you hands off me, Tony help, get off me, I’m a police officer you idiots.
Stop struggling Bry it’s futile. Only Hantu Belian can save you now.
One of Bry’s attackers held her arms while the other ripped off her clothing.
`Tony. Tony for god sake help me`.
`Resistance is futile Bryony, remarked Samedi, you were destined for this moment.`
From the birth of this world, man has abused and undermined his privilege. Hantu Belian has awaited relentlessly for an opportunity to channel his power through humanity, I have been chosen as that conduit. Now we will witness the true raison d’être of man. A new beginning. From this very day humanity will realize that the worship of the monotheistic faiths was pointless; A futile exercise where man indulged in false worship, fabled gods and immoral representations. I, Bernard Samedi will lead his will here on earth in glory and strength toward a new understanding toward a new principle toward a new kingdom, here on this ancient planet where all disillusionment and false tradition will be speedily removed.
Bry, standing naked and shivering, could not comprehend what was occurring around her.
Tony please, help me, please, I beg you.
`Everything will be ok Bryony trust me.`
Another member of the congregation brought a robe and handed it to Bryony’s assailants.
Put this on. One of them hissed, and any stupid actions and you will be swiftly dealt with.`
Bry took the garment and slipped it over her head
`At last. Samedi declared, we are ready.`
Bry was led toward a strange inscribed altar, within the etchings she could see the face of a Tiger, but not just an ordinary representation, a horrific demonic representation. Horns protruded from its massive head and bolts of red fire shot ferociously from its twisted inhumane mouth. Sitting on top of the altar was a skull, a human skull minus the jaw bone. Protruding from where the scalp would have been rested a ceremonial dagger.
The items from the Jaguar, Bryony thought.
The items from the Jaguar, Bryony thought.
`Place her here.` Commanded Samedi, pointing to the wooden table which stood beside the unholy pulpit.
Bry’s captors forcibly lifted her and placed her directly onto the table. Two other members of the gathering brought steel manacles and bound her feet and hands, she was unable to move in any direction.
A solitary tear rolled down her cheek,
`Why? She silently mouthed toward Tony. Why is this happening?`
`It’s the right thing to do, Tony replied. It will all be over soon , you’ll see.`
`IT’S TIME!` Screamed Samedi, Commence the ritual.`
The gathering began to chant.
`Bagabi laca bachabe…Lamac lamec bachalyas.`
`Lamac cahi achababe…Cabahagy sabalos Barylos.`
`Lagoz atha cabyolas, Samahac et famvolas.`
Samedi entered into some form of hypnotic trance. Writhing with intense sexual gestures.
He hosted high above the dagger adorned with a tigers head.
`In the name of Satan, ruler of the earth, king of the world, the chief of the serfs, I command the forces of darkness to bestow their power upon us. Save us Lord Satan from the treacherous. Oh Satan spirit of the earth, god of liberty, open wide the gates of hell and send forth from the abyss, your disciple ...
`...Hantu Belian`
`Hantu Belian`
`Hantu Belian`
Lightning flashed and the room plunged into darkness.
Slowly, emerging from beneath the altar, a shape began to appear. Small at first, then growing ever larger.
Peering through the darkness, Bryony could see the tremendous bulk rise before her, twisting and writhing in unison to the chants.
`Hantu Belian`
`Hantu Belian`
`Hantu Belian` The crowd screamed in ecstasy.
Bryony could see the forming shape, a gigantic Tiger, red not orange in colour. Massive ivory horns protruding from its forehead. Blood red eyes filled with hate, a creature bestowed with immense demonic power.
`Hantu Belian` exclaimed Samedi you have heard our call`.
The demon raised its ungodly head and roared, releasing black flames from it mouth.
The demonic fire engulfed three of the congregation, instantly turning them to dust.
`Take them, cried Samedi, they are mere mortals, take them as you wish.`
`Look I have prepared another for you, swooping his hand across Bry’s body. Sup from her, feast of her, fulfil your desire, you will not be disappointed`.
The massive head loomed over Bry’s. Frozen in terror she felt a scream building up inside but could not find the strength to release it. She could smell the creature’s breath, rancid; see the massive teeth gleaming in the gloom, salivating, drooling at the thought of the kill.
It raised its head for the final time…
Bryony closed her eyes.
She prepared for the assault. She was ready to die.
In her petrified state Bryony could hear what sounded like a voice, chanting, not unlike what she had heard before but more solitary more individual.
`Oriel Seraphim. Eo Potesta, Eo Potesta , Zati, Zata, Zati, Zata, Galatim, Galatah Galatim, Galatah.`
Bry felt her entire body tremble. She opened her eyes, it was not her body which was trembling but the entire room. The massive head was still above her but its eyes were directed elsewhere. She looked; standing in the doorway was a man, arms folded, chanting over and over…
`Oriel Seraphim. Eo Potesta, Eo Potesta , Zati, Zata, Zati, Zata, Galatim, Galatah Galatim, Galatah`.
As Bryony’s eyes adjusted to the light which emitted from the doorway she realized who the man was.
Belton, Sergeant Belton.
A massive clap of thunder resonated throughout the room followed by a lightning bolt, splitting the altar in two.
The beast roared toward Belton and prepared to leap.
Belton stood motionless, repeating over and over the words…
`...Oriel Seraphim. Eo Potesta, Eo Potesta , Zati, Zata, Zati, Zata, Galatim, Galatah Galatim, Galatah`.
The creature leaned back on its haunches and sprang. A second bolt of lightning flashed, illuminating the room, halting Hantu Belial’s attack. Bryony watched as the face of the demon vanished before her with a tremendous flash.
`No, screamed Samedi, you fool, you idiot, you will pay for this.
Arms waving manically, Samedi lunged toward Belton.
The moment between the gunshot and Samadi’s body hitting the floor, was infinitesimal, but to Bryony it appeared to last forever.
Belton’s bullet from his revolver had entered Samadi’s forehead, a solitary shot which removed him from his earthly plane.
`I’ve wanted to do that for years,` shouted Belton. And this was the perfect opportunity`.
`Bryony are you alright?` Shouted Belton as he rushed toward the sacrificial table.
Yes I’m fine, answered Bry. But, Tony, where’s Tony?
Tony’s Fine exclaimed Belton, I got him out just before I began the banishing ritual.
That chanting, those words you spoke, that god awful thing, what in hells name is going on?
`Your exactly right Bry, all this did happen in Hells name. But let’s forget that for the moment and get you home, I think later though I will have a lot of explaining to do.`
Why are there no comments on this eclectic mix of hotchpotch?
ReplyDeleteThe introduction of the deus ex Machina is the only satisfying moment.A literary technique I abhor, but in this case I will make an exception, simply because it brought closure to this amateur mismatch of ideas and concepts.
Comments!? I concur; but was deus ex Machina really necessary? I wasn't convinced - though it was an interesting imaginative effort.
ReplyDeleteCouldn’t we have simply solved the case and banged up the bad guys at the end? with a simple twist of some sort; Bry goes to the Tattoo parlour to have a tattoo removed!
Anyway, for me this one did not work. As you said: an amateur mismatch of ideas and concepts.
No narrative flow. Killing off the protagonist for no reason was a mistake...and bringing him back with a storytellers slight of hand; deus ex Machina! didn't really help the credibility of the story.
As a general comment; strong departures in style and content tend to ruin the narrative mix; like putting curry powder in apple pie!
The story did seem a little too complicated, too many loose ends to tie up. And it did seem to be a little unrealistic at the end.
ReplyDeleteBut........such is literature.
Look at the Harry Potter Series. A hopeless hodgepodge of inane drivel about a precocious little git and his geeky friends. But sold many copies.
Maybe we need to free our minds and see this as a work of genius! Ahead of it's time.