“And what town would that happen to be?”
“Bradford, I think.”
“Never heard of it.”
“It was some fucking hick town down the road from Juanita Lake.”
Wyatt looked confused. “You have your Lakes mixed up. Juanita Lake is in North Dakota.”
“North, south, who gives a shit?”
“What was the name of that town?”
“Brandford or something.”
“You mean Brantford?”
“That might be it.”
Wyatt sat forward. “What did the house look like?”
“Who fucking knows, it was dark.”
“Fucking tell me!”
“It was white, I guess, with a big-ass porch.”
Wyatt’s heart started racing. “When was that?”
“A few years ago on Memorial Day weekend.” That’s why we were at the…”
Wyatt lunged from his chair and grabbed Jack around the throat while shouting, “You killed my wife, you son of a bitch!”
Jack couldn’t fight back as he was being restrained. Wyatt was squeezing him so tight that his face quickly turned blue.
Seth softly spoke out. “You sure you want to kill him?”
He glared at Seth. “You fucking knew, didn’t you?”
“Yes, that’s why I took you on this trip.”
Wyatt released Jack’s neck. “Is this some type of sick game?”
“No.”
Wyatt had tears running down his face. “Then why didn’t you tell me about this at the beginning?”
“You weren’t ready.”
“Ready for what?”
“If I would have told you at the beginning you would have called the police. Do you want Jack sitting in prison, or do you want to make him pay for what he has done?”
Wyatt wiped some tears from his face with his hand. “This is too much to grasp.” He started pacing. “Oh my God! I can’t believe this!”
Jack had regained his composure. “I didn’t know…”
Wyatt grabbed him by his hair and jerked his head back. “You say another fucking word I will gut your ass right here!” He shoved his head away.
Seth stood up. “I’m sorry, Wyatt. I know this is difficult.”
Wyatt’s heart was pounding as he pumped his fist. “Was this some kind of test?”
“Not at all.”
“I can’t think straight right now.”
“I understand. Take your time.”
He gritted his teeth as he looked at Jack, then he pushed his chair over and started pounding him in the head as he shouted, “You fucking bastard! You took her away from me!” He stood up and looked down at him. “I’m going to make you pay in ways that are unimaginable.” He looked at Seth. “I want to do this on my own.”
Seth walked to the front door. “I’m going to leave the 4x4 here. You can take it when you’re done. And be smart; don’t leave anything incriminating behind.”
“I won’t.”
“And when Jim comes asking questions just tell him I dumped you off in the desert.” He handed him a piece of paper. “Those are numbers to several phones I keep. Call me if you ever need anything.”
Wyatt followed Seth outside. “Where’re you off to?”
“To that small air strip in Roswell to catch a flight to Redmond, Oregon.”
“Will I see you again?”
Seth opened the door to Jack’s truck. “Of course. And I’m sorry the trip turned out this way. You turned out to be a good friend and I hate to see you upset.”
“I appreciate everything you’ve done. And I feel the same about our friendship. If you’re ever in my neck of the woods, stop by.”
“I’ve already planned on it.” Seth got in and rolled down the window. “And destroy that damn notebook of yours.”
Wyatt laughed even though he was upset. “I’m sure Jim would like to get ahold of that.”
“I’m sure.” Seth waved. “Until next time, compadre.”
Wyatt went back into the trailer as the truck’s tail lights disappeared into the dark.
Revelations
The next morning Seth was awakened by a loud voice. He sat up on a couch, then turned on an old TV set. When the screen came on, he looked at some cameras, noticing the house was surrounded by police officers. Seth was in Virgil Taylor’s house that was located out in the country in Redmond, Oregon. Numerous police vehicles were parked all the way around the house and officers were hiding behind them with rifles. A man’s voice echoed out again, “We have you surrounded. Come out with your hands up!”
Suddenly the home phone rang. He let it ring a few times, then answered it. “Taylor’s residence.”
“I know you’re in there.”
Seth leaned back and put his arm behind his head. “Hey, Jim, I see you did your homework. I was wondering if you were going to show up.”
“Where is Mr. Carter?”
“He’s not with me. He asked too many questions so I ditched him.”
“Is he alive?”
“More than ever.”
“You need to come out peacefully.”
“Naw, I think I’m going to chill out right here in the AC.”
“The games are over. I have you surrounded and there is nowhere to go. I hope you know better than to try anything.”
“And you know better than to send a team in here.”
“You’re going to come out alive or in a body bag; don’t matter to me.”
“Sure, it does, if you want to save John.”
The phone was silent for a moment. “He died in your twisted contraption. There is nothing left to discuss.”
“You must have unanswered questions then?”
“We can discuss that and other things if you give yourself up. Otherwise, you can be on your way to hell.”
“Now is that the way to negotiate? You’re supposed to tell me everything is going to be hunky dory.”
“I don’t negotiate with terrorists.”
“And I don’t negotiate with Nazis.”
“What? I’m not a fucking Nazi!”
“And I’m not a fucking terrorist! Do you see a towel on my head, asshole?”
“You can get all riled up as much as you want—It’s not going to change your outcome.”
“Sounds like you’ve already made up your mind.”
“Not if you come out peacefully.”
“Sure, pal.”
“I will give you my word that no one will take a shot. I would really like to have that conversation with you. It won’t do either one of us any good if this ends badly.”
“If you want that discussion you will have to come in here. And I give you my word nothing will happen to you.”
“You know that’s not going to happen. And you know what kind of predicament you’re in, so you have no choice but to surrender, or else.”
“And you don’t know what kind of predicament you’re in.”
“Don’t be arrogant; I have fifty men surrounding you and a bird in the air.”
“Speaking of men, are Ron and Thomas still hanging out with you?”
“There around here somewhere.”
Seth was looking at the cameras. “They look to me like they’re standing right beside you.”
Jim motioned for Ron and Thomas to get down.
“Now they’re going to think I don’t like them.”
Jim was examining the house closely, looking at every nook and cranny. “If you fire a shot we will blast that house into pieces.”
“Listen, I don’t want anyone to get hurt. I just want to have a chat with you.” Seth noticed Jim was looking through a scope trying to locate where he was watching from. “You’re very cold.” Jim moved the gun a little. “Getting colder.” He jerked it back the other direction. “Nope, cold that way too.”
Jim could see that all the doors and windows were covered with some type of material. “Looks like you’ve been busy barricading the place?”
&nbs
p; “Yeah, it’s ballistic fiberglass. Kind of pricey though, but it does stop no knock warrants and such.”
“You just think you have one up on us, but don’t be fooled.”
“Look behind you. See that camera mounted in the tree? There’s definitely a fool in the group.”
Jim was standing behind a vehicle. He turned and looked. “I don’t see anything.” He got an officer’s attention, then pointed to it. He didn’t want Seth to know he had seen it.
“There was one thing that I really like about this house besides the cameras. You wanna know what that is?”
“Don’t give a shit.”
“Well, you should.”
“How much longer are you going to jaw?”
“Should take one or two more comments after you answer my question.”
“Alright, I’ll play along if it wraps this up.”
“It has an irrigation system.”
“So what, a lot of houses do.”
“Yeah, but this one is connected to a large fuel tank and high pressure pump with an ignition system.” He noticed Jim was looking at the ground. “If you hang up or try to warn any of your men I have the ability to incinerate the whole kit ‘n’ caboodle you have going on out there.” Seth stood up and shouted. “Do you hear me?”
“Yes, I heard you.” Jim knew Seth had the technical abilities and the disposition to do such a thing. He noticed the end of a steel spray nozzle that was by his foot. It was even with the ground and didn’t appear to be the plastic ones typically used in lawn irrigation. He kicked the dirt around it, exposing it more.
“That’s right, Jim, they’re high pressure nozzles that will direct the fuel in a wide pattern.”
Jim wasn’t sure if Seth was bluffing, but he couldn’t take a chance putting his men in harm’s way. “I’ll sit down with you if you let my men back away before I come in.”
Seth knew Jim was too honest of a person not to keep his word. “I’ll agree to that.”
Jim keyed up his radio. “Everyone back off to the road.”
Jim walked towards the house as the men got in their vehicles. When he got to the porch he raised his phone to his ear. “I’m outside the front door.”
“Leave your sidearm on the rocking chair.”
“Done.”
“Come on in, the door is open.” Seth hung up the phone.
Jim was cautious as he looked around the dark room. All the windows were covered and the only light was coming from the TV and a door that was partially open on the other side of the room. “Okay, don’t shoot.”
Seth laughed. “I’m in the kitchen. Follow the light.”
“I’m heading that way.”
“Make sure you shut the door.” Seth heard it shut. “And secure it.”
Jim noticed the door didn’t have a lock. He picked up a steel bar that was leaning against the wall and laid it in brackets that were on each side of the door jam. His heart was beating fast as he walked to the lighted doorway. When he opened the door all the way, he noticed Seth was sitting at the kitchen table making a sandwich. There was another person sitting at the table with a tow sack over their head. Seth was holding a knife dripping with mustard. “You want one?”
Jim stood in the doorway. He shook his head.
“I know. Virgil’s tight ass didn’t have much to choose from.”
Jim looked at the man with the tow sack. “What have you done to him?”
“He’s missing a few parts.”
Jim walked up to the table. “Why did you kill John?”
“You get right to the point, don’t you?”
He pumped his fist. “What did he do to deserve what you did to him?”
“Plenty.” Seth took a bite from his sandwich.
Jim was getting angry. “You can at least act like you give a shit.”
Seth tossed the sandwich on the table. “I do in more ways than you will ever realize, I’m not a monster.”
“That’s bullshit! I had to watch him burn to death in that fucking contraption you built. And you are a fucking monster!” Jim went on a tangent. “You’ve murdered countless people and…”
Seth interrupted. “Parasites.”
“What?”
“They weren’t people; they were parasites that plagued the innocent. Get your shit straight.”
Jim shook his fist. “John wasn’t a fucking parasite.”
“Chill out, Jim. Things have a way of working out in the end.”
“There’s nothing to work out you piece of shit!”
“Don’t confuse my kindness with weakness.”
“Kindness? You’re living in your own delusional reality.”
Seth pointed at him. “Watch your mouth.”
Jim held his hands out, palms up. “What, you going to kill me now?”
“That hurts my feelings—you know I don’t harm innocent people.”
“John and Mr. Carter were innocent. And you were willing to burn my men standing out there.”
Seth laughed. “The sprinkler threat was just a bluff to get you to come in here.”
“You lied to me?”
“No I didn’t”
“You said you would burn my men.”
“No I didn’t. I said I had the ability to do it. You need to learn to listen.”
“I should have known better.”
Jim’s radio went off. “You okay, Jim?”
“Yes. Hold your position.”
Seth leaned back. “And speaking of Wyatt; that was a new low for you to use him as bait.”
“He didn’t deserve to die for it.”
“I didn’t harm him.”
“You’re lying about that too.”
“You know better than that.”
“I know he was with you. What kind of sick game did you involve him in?”
“I made him ride with me for a while, then I dumped him off in the desert.”
“Tell me where so I can have him picked up.”
“No need. He’ll find his way home eventually. Then you can harass the shit out of him.”
“Mr. Carter has nothing to offer me any more. I wanted to find John, but you know how that turned out.” Jim was glaring at Seth. “John was a good man and you’re going to pay for what you did to him in one way or another.”
“John wasn’t as good as you think, pal.”
Jim pointed at Seth. “Don’t you bad mouth him, you sorry bastard! You didn’t know anything about him.”
“I know that he killed some folks years ago.”
“You’re lying! I’m not going to stand here and listen to that garbage.”
“Don’t be jealous; it was before you met him.”
“Fuck you!”
Seth nodded towards the man. “Even this fucker knows what he did.”
“You’re insane.”
“No, seriously.” Seth leaned towards the man. “Tell Jim what happened, years ago, before they met.”
A raspy and weak sounding voice came from the tow sack. “John killed a young couple when he was driving intoxicated, robbing their young son of a normal childhood.”
Jim’s face was red with anger. “He’s making you say that.” Jim glared at Seth. “What kind of shit are you trying to pull here?” He held his arms out. “Look around, asshole, you’re surrounded by police; it’s over. Stop playing games.”
Seth slid the chair back and stood up, causing Jim to ready himself. Seth talked behind the man and put his hands on his shoulders. “Tell Jim who that little boy was.”
“It was you.”
Jim’s eyes opened wide. “What’s he trying to say? That John killed your parents? You’re mistaken.”
“And you don’t know your ass from a hole in the ground.”
“I knew my partner well.”
“Not well enough—you couldn’t even tell the difference between him and Virgil.”
He looked confused. “What do they have to do with each other?”
“Everything.” Seth pulled the t
ow sack from the man’s head, revealing that it was John.
Jim’s eyes got huge. “You get away from him!” He ran up to John and knelt down beside him, noticing he had lost a lot of weight and looked weak. “Oh my God! I thought you were dead.” He grabbed his arm. “I’m going to get you help.” He noticed John was missing a hand. He glared at Seth. “What have you done to him, you bastard? I should kill you right now!”
John reached out and grabbed Jim’s arm. “It’s okay, Jim. I killed his parents. He’s forgiven me.”
Jim looked confused. “Why would you say that? You’ve been held captive by this psycho.” He stood up and glared at Seth. “Did you brainwash him?”
Seth was leaning up against the counter top. He lit a cigarette. “No. I simply forgave him.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“It means that he showed undeniable remorse, so I forgave him. I told you I’m not a monster.”
Jim was furious. “You’ve held him captive for a long time; how is that being forgiving? And what about his fucking hand?”
“It happens.”
“That’s all you have to say, it happens?”
“I’m not here to argue with you.”
Jim was worried that Seth had other plans for him and John. “Now what?”
“Don’t let the door hit y’all in the ass.”
“You’re just going to let us walk out of here?”
“I’m not carrying you, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Jim keyed up his radio. “I’m going to need the paramedics to be ready. I’m bringing out John.”
Jim looked at Seth. “This doesn’t change anything. You can come out peacefully with us.”
“I have to finish my sandwich.”
Jim grabbed John’s arm and helped him up. “Let’s get you out of here.” He helped John out the front door to where some paramedics took over. Ron came running up. “I can’t believe that’s John. What happened in there?”
“Let’s regroup.”
Suddenly the inside of the house erupted into a huge fireball, blowing out the windows. The explosion knocked Jim and Ron to the ground. They covered their heads as pieces of debris fell into the yard. Jim helped Ron up, then they took off running.
A few hours later the fire department had the fire under control. The house had been completely destroyed. The next day CSI found a body in the smoldering wood. Jim had an autopsy performed immediately to rule that the remains weren’t from someone else. He knew identifying Seth would be impossible since he had no fingerprints, dental or medical records on file.
The complete “A Glimpse into Hell” series - 5 books, 195 chapters, 1700 pages, 600K words of pure gore Page 109