Summertime of the Dead

by Gregory Hughes

  ‘Of course she speaks!’

  ‘But—’

  ‘But nothing!’ said Grandmother, getting mean. ‘I never ask you to do anything for me. Do I ever ask you to clean your room or go to bed early? No! So this one thing I ask, you’ll do!’

  I could see that all sympathy for the twins’ death had gone. Not that there was much of it!

  ‘Yes, Grandmother,’ I said, and went to leave.

  ‘Oh, and Yukio – if you’re not nice to her, I’ll know.’

  I don’t know who was more frightening, Grandmother or the yakuza. Grandmother probably!

  I went to my room and stood there seething. All this hassle and I had to kill Kako tonight.

  I saw the Lump through the gap in the door. ‘Go downstairs! You’re not supposed to be up here!’

  Yoshe popped her head out of the spare room. ‘She has to stay up here. You remember what happened last time.’

  ‘How could I forget?’

  If there weren’t enough annoying things about the Lump, she was a sleepwalker as well. And not just your average sleepwalker. She was the queen of it! One night they found her planting flowers in the garden. Another night they found her on a train to Osaka. And the last time she stayed here the cops found her wandering around Shinjuku at four in the morning. Her and that scary doll of hers. She has this decaying head that looks like it’s been shrunk by an African witch doctor. It looks like the skull of monkey and it has this greasy black hair that never seems to stop growing. The thing gives me the creeps and she never goes to bed without it. Come to think of it, the Lump gives me the creeps and now she’s invading my space. She was a little fat space invader!

  The last time she was here I dumped her on the twins. She even stayed over there a few nights. Miko loved her and Hiroshi never got tired of trying to teach her how to draw. What they saw in her I don’t know. But they were the sort of kids who liked everyone. It was a shortcoming they had. And it’s probably what got them killed … Kako better be there tonight!

  ‘Hey, dummy. You see this room? That’s my room. You stay out of it!’ The Lump looked a little scared and she scurried down the stairs. And I was glad. She shouldn’t have been here in the first place.

  Yoshe came out of the spare room and followed her. ‘Lunch is ready.’

  I watched her go and then I climbed up into the loft and got the wire cutters. I tried them out on some copper and they cut OK, and so I went to the bathroom and washed my hands.

  By the time I got to the kitchen the Lump had finished one bowl of noodles and Yoshe was serving her another. I’ve never seen a kid as happy as the Lump when she ate. You’d think she’d never been fed. I gave her a dirty look as I sat down, but Yoshe was smiling like a Buddha. ‘She’s got a good appetite!’

  The Lump looked happy like it was something to be proud of.

  ‘She’s a greedy pig is what she is!’

  The Lump sort of froze and her face soured.

  ‘Ignore him,’ said Yoshe. ‘He’s just in a bad mood.’

  But the Lump slid down from her seat.

  ‘It’s OK, really,’ said Yoshe, trying to console her.

  But the Lump left the kitchen without looking back. I just picked up my chopsticks and started to eat. What did I care? But Yoshe wasn’t happy. She gave me a look as she cleared her bowl away.

  ‘Well, she is greedy.’

  ‘Do you know they had to take her out of school because she was being bullied?’

  ‘What’s that got to do with anything?’

  ‘If people weren’t so mean to her, she mightn’t eat so much.’

  ‘People are mean to her because she’s a retard.’

  ‘What a nasty thing to say!’ said Yoshe. ‘She’s not a … There’s nothing wrong with her! She just has speech problems, that’s all.’ She put the dishes in the sink and started to wash them. But then she leaned on it like my words had really hurt her. ‘What happened to that nice little boy who wanted to help me with my housework?’

  ‘He’s dead,’ I said.

  She dried her hands and took a seat in front of me. She had her hair pulled back tight from her face and it made her look tough, which she was in a way. She was one of those hardworking Japanese women who was nice to everyone but who took crap from no one. Not even from Grandmother, and definitely none from me.

  ‘The twins’ death was a terrible thing, but you can’t take it out on your cousin. All she wants is to be loved. And if you gave her a chance you’d see what a great kid she is. I can’t make you be nice to her, Yukio, but don’t be mean. Enough people are mean to her already. OK?’

  I felt a little bad then. ‘OK.’

  When I’d finished eating I went out into the garden. I knew the Lump was out there and I thought I’d say something that wasn’t mean. But she wasn’t there and the steel door was open. I went out into the street but I couldn’t see her, and so I walked down for a bit. And then I saw her knocking on the twins’ door. She tried to see through the window, but she was too short and so she went back to knocking. She couldn’t have known they were dead. But there was something about it that made me so angry. ‘Come down from there!’

  She looked scared when she saw me and she trotted down the steps as quick as she could. ‘Twins,’ she said.

  ‘They’re not there!’ I said, and walked back to the house.

  ‘Twins,’ said the Lump.

  ‘They’re gone!’

  ‘Twins!’

  I turned on her. ‘They’re dead, you dummy! Now shut up!’

  She looked shocked. I don’t know if it was because I shouted at her or because she understood. But either way I didn’t care. I only cared about killing the people responsible.

  It was around midnight. The rain was washing the windows and the wind was howling. I stood, fully dressed, in the dark, but I never moved. I don’t know what I was waiting for. I’d put on my dad’s rain gear, the wire cutters were in my pocket and the sword was on the bike. All I had to do was ride there, kill him, and get back to this room without being seen. It was the perfect night for it. I bowed to the twins and the Buddha, and leaving the room I went downstairs. I didn’t use the drainpipe because I knew it’d be slippery. There was no need anyway. Grandmother slept like the dead – nothing woke her. She even folded her arms across her chest like a corpse in a coffin.

  As soon as I opened the back door the rain hit me. And so I put on my helmet before pushing the bike out of the garden. I closed the steel door and pushed the bike down the hill before kick-starting the engine. Pulling back on the throttle I rode around the park with a powerful wind pushing me back. I could see it tearing at the trees and rippling the puddles that had formed like lakes. It was no surprise that Omotesando Boulevard was deserted and that the roads through Roppongi were dead, but I felt like I was riding through a ghost town. And when I got down to the docks it was even more dead. There wasn’t a soul, or a single car, or even a light coming from a window. Not until I neared the container base, that is. It was lit up with spotlights, and there were vehicles moving around inside. The only place I didn’t want to see people, and they were there.

  I turned into a side street opposite the base and parked in the darkest spot. The street was lined with lifeless warehouses and lit by a single light. I could see the heavy rain pouring through its beam. And at the end of the street I could see the fence and the containers that were piled up behind it. I put my helmet on the seat and took the sword from underneath. Then I pulled my hood up and headed down to the dock road. There were no cars coming, but inside the compound I could hear the vehicles moving around. I walked in the opposite direction to the noise, but I stopped when I saw a broken street light above the fence. It was dark below it, a good place to cut the hole. The wind howled and so I put my back to a wall and waited. A rat ran across the road and then it ran back. But nothing else happened and no one came.

  I gripped the wire cutters and running across the road I knelt by the fence. I put a line of wire mesh in
to the jaws and squeezed, but nothing happened. I tightened my grip but it still didn’t snap. And so I knelt on both knees and squeezed with all my strength. I was relieved when it cracked and I moved on to the next piece. It was hard work and the rain made the handles slippery, but I soon had a gap big enough to squeeze through. I made my way through the maze of containers with my damp sneakers squeaking as I walked. But then I found myself back at the fence. It was difficult to get my bearings because the containers walled me in. But then I saw the sea, and heading towards it I peeked around a corner. I saw a ship being loaded at the far end of the dock. And I saw the dockers in reflective jackets, driving forklift trucks. But the rest of the waterfront was deserted.

  All I could do now was wait, and so I sheltered from the rain as best I could. I was shivering, even though it wasn’t cold, and the sight of the sea made me shiver more. My sneakers were soaked and so were my socks, and my feet felt wrinkly. I wished I’d worn my waterproof boots, but it was too late now.

  I thought about what would happen when I saw him. I imagined myself striking him over the head and him going down. And then me running him through. Or maybe he’d bolt and I’d stab him in the back. I knew there was a chance that he wouldn’t come out, especially on a night like tonight. But my father went fishing in all weathers, and some people like the rain. Miko used to walk in it for hours.

  And that’s what went by – hours. I started to think he wouldn’t come. And then I knew he wouldn’t. Because once again I saw him in the club in his suit. He looked like one of those people who hated the rain – hated being outdoors for that matter. No, he’s not going to come out in this weather, of that I was sure. But then I heard a car.

  I stood back as it passed and then I looked around the corner. The car took a right and went out of sight. It must have parked in a gap between the containers. Then I saw a man carrying a large plastic box towards the waterfront. He disappeared behind a small wooden shed and so I moved towards it. But I froze when I saw him heading back to the car. I couldn’t see his face because he had his hood up. But when he reappeared he was carrying a fishing rod and a fold-up chair. It had to be him!

  I kept my back to the containers until I was opposite the shed. Then, very slowly, I peeked around the side. He was trying to attach bait to a hook but he was having trouble because of the wind. And so he pulled down his hood so he could see better. When I saw Kako a calm came over me. I was almost relieved. But then the fear came and the adrenalin pumped. I opened the top of the bag and slid the sword from its mounting. Then making sure that the coast was clear I headed towards him. I gripped the sword in both hands and held it level in the chudan stance. He didn’t know I was there until I was standing right behind him. And then it was too late. He looked shocked, like he didn’t know what was happening. But he looked more shocked when I pulled down my hood.

  ‘Yukio!’ He swallowed hard but he tried to smile. ‘Don’t tell me – you’re going to kill me because I slept with Miko. I didn’t know you were the jealous type.’ He seemed calm, but he couldn’t take his eyes off the sword. ‘Listen, if it’s a girl you’re after, I know plenty. And they’re a lot better than her!’ He held my gaze for a second, and seeing his words had no effect he became angry. ‘Come on, Yukio. She was a Buraku. They’re dogs – they don’t matter!’

  She was dead and he was calling her a dog. He must have seen the hatred in my eyes because he fell apart then.

  ‘Riko and Louise made me do it! It was all their doing!’

  ‘Where do they live?’

  His eyes widened with hope. ‘They live by Akasaka Palace!’

  ‘Where?’

  He held his head and tried to think. ‘There’s a blue glass building opposite the palace wall. Behind it is an office block called … Garden City! They live in the block next door. And they have the penthouse, Yukio! I can show you where it is, if you like.’

  He looked like a scared little boy. I almost didn’t want to do it. But then I saw Hiroshi being hit by the train! ‘There’s no need,’ I said, and stepping forward I raised the sword. He cried out and raised his arm. The blade stuck in his elbow and cracked into the side of his skull. He started to scream. I swung the sword and it shattered his teeth. Then I thrust the blade into his stomach. When I ripped it out he dropped.

  I slid the sword into its mounting and put it in the bag. Then I scurried back into the containers. All I wanted now was to get away. I took a right and a left but I couldn’t see the fence. Then I took another right and hit a dead end. And then I just ran. I didn’t know which way to turn. And then I came back to the waterfront.

  ‘Help! Help!’

  I couldn’t believe it! Kako was on his feet and staggering around! I took out the sword and ran at him. Half slashing, half pushing, I shoved him into the water. There was a loud splash. Suddenly I was blinded by the spotlights of an incoming ship.

  ‘There’s someone in the water!’ shouted a seaman.

  Next thing I know, there were sirens wailing and dockers running towards me. I turned to run in the opposite direction, but two forklifts were coming my way. And there were men hanging off them. All of a sudden it had turned into Shinjuku station.

  I ran through a path between the containers and came straight to the fence. I went along it looking for the gap, but I couldn’t find it so I ran back the way I came, but I still couldn’t see it. I put the sword in the bag and the bag over my shoulder. Then I charged at the fence and grabbed the top. I threw my arm over the wire but my feet slipped on the mesh and I fell. I tried again but but the fear had drained away my energy. Then I saw a flashlight coming down the path towards me. I didn’t know whether to take out the sword or run. And so I ran. I sprinted along the fence as fast as I could. I took a right and ran down a long path between the containers. I ran all the way to the end, but that brought me to the gate. And there were two guards on it. They were looking in the direction the sirens were coming from. Then behind me I heard a man shout, ‘There’s been an accident!’

  When both guards bolted towards the waterfront I pulled up my hood and walked through the gate. I ran to the backstreet where I’d left the bike. I was panicking so much I almost ran past it. But I stopped quickly and searched for the keys. I couldn’t find them! I must have dropped them! I was just about to run when I checked the ignition. There was a second of absolute joy and then I kick-started the engine and rode away.

  I kept to the backstreets until I was away from the docks. Then I switched on the lights and headed out on to the main road. I was dreading the cops would come up behind me. And I felt cold and exhausted and I couldn’t stop shaking. My stomach turned over and my mouth filled with saliva. I was just in time to raise my helmet before I threw up. Vomit splashed on my pants and sneakers, but I never stopped. I rode on and let the rain wash it away. All I wanted to do now was get home. I rode through Roppongi and Shibuya and headed up Omotesando. But I never thought about the ride. I only thought about the front door. And all of a sudden I was there. I switched off the engine and pushed the bike into the garden. I looked under the seat for the sword, but it wasn’t there! Then I realized it was still on my back.

  I opened the front door, and closing it I put my head against it. But then I heard something in the living room. I put the hall light on and looked into the shadows. There was someone moving around, but I couldn’t see who it was. Then the Lump emerged from the darkness. She held that ugly severed head in one hand and her cellphone in the other. She checked it like she was awake but she wasn’t. Her eyes were glazed and she was gazing into nothing. I’d just killed a man and I was holding a samurai sword. But I swear there was something about her when she sleepwalked that made my hair stand on end. I took her by the hand, and walking her up the stairs I showed her to her room. ‘Go to sleep,’ I whispered. She lay on her futon and held that horrible head so it was glaring at me. It was like it knew what I’d done and didn’t like it. Boy did it give me the creeps! And so closing the door I left them in the dark
. And in the dark is where I hoped they would stay.

  7

  I raised the blinds in my room to let in the light. Just another day, I thought. But it wasn’t just another day. I’d changed, and everything around me seemed different. I suppose all the great swordsmen, even the likes of Musashi, felt different after their first kill, cold and empty inside, and disgusted. I can still see that look of horror on his face when I plunged the sword into his stomach. I suppose I’ll never get that image out of my head. But it was nowhere near as horrific as the image of Miko hanging or Hiroshi being hit by the train.

  I went downstairs and picked up the paper. ‘Body Found in Tokyo Bay: The body of a young man believed to have been murdered was discovered by fishermen late last night. Who he is and who killed him is not yet known but …’ I quickly scanned the article but there was nothing about me running away. Who knows, maybe I wasn’t seen. Or maybe the police were keeping that information to themselves. Either way the word ‘body’ meant that he was dead. Then I saw another headline: ‘Suicide Rate Rises with the Heat’. The suicide rate always rose in the summer, but this year it was higher than usual, or so the article claimed.

  I looked up to see the Lump sitting in the living room. She sat so quietly you’d never know she was there. She was wearing her rucksack over her jacket like she was going somewhere. But she always dressed like she was going somewhere, even if she wasn’t.

  Then Yoshe came out the kitchen. ‘Well, she’s all ready!’

  ‘Why, where’s she going?’

  ‘Wherever you’re planning on taking her.’

  ‘I can’t look after her today. I have to go somewhere.’

  Yoshe opened the front door and we stepped outside. ‘I’m going in ten minutes. You have to look after her.’

  ‘Can’t she stay in the garden?’

  ‘She could, if she was a dog! Look, Yukio, your grandmother spoke to you about this. Every day you have to make plans to take her somewhere.’