Vibrations

by Wood, Lorena

  “Don’t push it lady. You’re still tied to the chair, and my knife is right here.” He pulled a blade out of the sheath on his belt.”

  “Is that what you used on the boys?” She had to try to distract him, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say.

  “They earned it. You know why? They were the ones that played so hard they didn’t care what happened to the other kids. You know what happened? Those other kids went home to parents who were so disappointed in them they wouldn’t even talk to them. Even if they played their hardest, it was never enough. You know what? I played my hardest. But look what happened to me. My whole life was based on sports, and then my football scholarship. Once I was injured I was nobody. Heck, before that I was nobody. I tried hard, but I just wasn’t good enough. My mom’s the one who got me that scholarship. Her and that stupid SVWC.”

  “Your mom still loves you Derrick. She wants the best for you.”

  “She feels sorry for me. She doesn’t tell me, but I can see it in her eyes. I never see her looking at me like she did after we won a game or after I got the scholarship. Now she looks at Joshua that way.”

  “She told me herself she didn’t want to push the boys. She felt bad that she pushed you so hard.”

  “Well, it’s too late for me now. But not for Joshua. I thought of trying to get him out of that stuff. But it was too hard. He’s little and he thinks it’s cool. So I…”

  “What Derrick. Is killing these boys helping your brother?”

  “Yes!” He was yelling and pacing now. “It’s always the same. They don’t care who gets in their way. What if they run into Joshua and he gets paralyzed. It would probably even be permanent for him. And my mom? She can’t bear to see another one of her kids fail. It’s all she knows. It’s her dad’s fault. She wasn’t a professional ball player ‘cause she was a girl so she never felt good enough. Now it’s up to her kids. I have to make it easier for Joshua. I plan to be there for him all the way. No one’s gonna stop me.”

  “But look at Dustin. He’s just a little kid. He’s just doing what his parents tell him. It’s not his fault.”

  “You were at that game a few weeks ago. Did you see him slide into third base? He almost broke the other boy’s leg. What if that was Joshua? I can’t let him do that to my brother.”

  “I understand you love your brother and want to protect him, but what about the other kids. How do their brothers feel when they turn up dead? What about their mothers?” Whitney tried to put empathy in her voice instead of the fear she felt.

  “That’s not my problem. I screwed up and got hurt. Now the best thing I can do is help Joshua make it big. He’s good you know. He’ll do it. Especially now that you’re out of the way. You made it a lot harder. If I’d known you couldn’t figure me out, I wouldn’t have worried so much,” he said shaking his head.

  “The boys must have seen you at first, so why the mask?” Whitney thought she knew the answer.

  “Sure they did. They would see me in the van and come over to say hi. The never knew what hit them when I gave them a pat and stuck the dart into their shoulder. They just woke up to a masked man and got their due punishment.” He smiled wickedly. “You saw what I did. I didn’t know how important that mask would be at first. It was kinda cool later knowing I had an audience even if it was after the fact.”

  Whitney shuddered at the mixture of joy and malice in his voice. She had thought of Derrick as a moody young man, but now she could see the madness that ruled him. Reason and logic didn’t work on the insane and Whitney was out of ideas.

  “Done with all the questions?” he asked mockingly. “I have plenty more for you,” he said smiling at her, “but I have other things I’d like to do first that don’t include talking.”

  He sat back in his chair, slid it closer, and put both hands on her thighs. As he slid them slowly up toward her stomach Whitney’s stomach lurched.

  “Wait,” she said, her voice high and whiney. Steadying herself she tried for logic again. “What if Joshua finds out? What will he think of his big brother? How will he feel about winning all those years with the blood of other boys paving the way?”

  “He’ll never know,” Derrick answered, not appearing worried at all.

  “So you plan to sit in that wheelchair the rest of your life just for a good alibi? Sounds pretty difficult, and lonely considering how potential girlfriends might be put off.”

  He stopped and rubbed his hand over the light stubble on his chin. “I’ve been thinking about that. I could always have a miraculous recovery. But then I’d have to work harder at not getting caught. When the time is right I’ll know what to do.”

  He ran his hand down a strand of her hair and Whitney shivered. She couldn’t seem to block his thoughts now that she had connected with him. Her stomach clenched as he moved his hand to her neck.

  “If you untie me I can clean up,” she said in desperation. “I promise I won’t try anything.”

  “Yeah right. And I’m an idiot. I’ll let you loose, but you won’t be getting away ‘cause I’ll be right by your side. And if you do, you know that boy will die the slowest most painful death I can think of and,” he paused to make his point, “you’ll probably feel every minute of it. So behave yourself.”

  He slid his knife down between her palms and cut the rope binding her hands. When the blood rushed back into them they stung like a thousand bees stinging all at once. He cut the ropes from her feet and backed away.

  “Time to clean up. Let’s go.” He waved his knife in the direction of the bedroom. “The bathroom is through there.”

  “Nick, where are you?” Whitney thought desperately.

  “I’m here. I think I’m close. I see smoke at the top of the hill. Is that where you are?”

  “I don’t know. Probably. He has a woodstove. You feel close. Hurry.”

  “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

  “I have to go now. Just hurry!” She cut the link hoping if he wasn’t in time, at least maybe he could save the boy.

  * * * *

  Nick was panicked. His body wasn’t working right. The fever had risen and he was getting weaker. He gripped the gun hoping he could get a clear shot. He wouldn’t risk Whitney’s life considering his weakness and his lack of accuracy with his left hand. In an effort to speed his pace he stepped off the edge of the trail and ended up at the bottom of a steep bank. Tucking the gun in his pants, he found a tall stick and heaved his tired body back up the hill.

  By the time he made it to the top, he had to sit and rest. The trail continued in front of him, winding down to a small cabin spewing smoke, but otherwise looking unoccupied. He’d have to keep out of sight now. Dropping the stick, he pulled out the gun and followed the tree line to the back of the cabin. When he finally had this guy in his sights he would aim straight for the heart.

  * * * *

  Whitney could feel Nick getting closer. She just had to stall a little longer. Derrick followed her into the bathroom and told her to take off her clothes.

  “Derrick, why do you want to do this? This isn’t helping your brother. Don’t you have a girlfriend that would get jealous?”

  “Yeah right. The cripple in the chair with a pretty babe. Like that happens. They don’t give me the time of day. I haven’t been with anyone since… Never mind. Just get your clothes off.”

  “Could you just wait outside? There aren’t any windows in here and I can’t get away. I’ll clean up and come out.”

  “No! I stay here. You’ll find a way to waste time, and I’ve wasted enough time here. If you don’t hurry up and get them off I’m going in to cut a finger off that little boy.”

  “Okay, Okay. I’ll do it.” Her hands shook as she tried to remove her shirt and her jeans.

  “I have to pee,” she said nervously eyeing the door.

  “Go ahead,” he answered nudging her farther into the small room. “When you’re done you can get in the shower and get pretty for me.”

  Whitney
tried not to think as she took care of business and then slowly stepped into the shower. He was watching every move. She didn’t dare contact Nick now. She couldn’t bear him knowing what was happening. Feeling him close she prayed he’d find the strength to end her torture.

  The warm water felt good and she hurried to wash herself before he made her stop. Her hair was tangled beyond hope, but she worked the shampoo into it trying to take as long as possible.

  He was the reason she stunk so bad, and he acted like it was her fault. Now he wanted her nice and pretty so he could rape her. A sob escaped from Whitney as the images of him violating her came to mind. She was trying not to let his distorted, violent thoughts get through to her but it was too much. She had already used some of her strength trying to read his mind, and then Dustin’s, and now blocking him was sapping what energy she had left.

  * * * *

  Derrick decided he’d waited long enough and he was tired of waiting. He reached in and turned off the shower. “Everyone out of the pool!”

  Whitney stepped out slowly and grabbed for the nearest towel. She tried to cover herself and he just laughed.

  He leaned in and sniffed at her neck. “Mmm. Much better. Let’s go get comfortable in the bedroom. You’ll be the first to see what great shape I’m in. I may not be an athlete on a team but I still have the body of a star quarterback,” he said flexing his arms. “Actually, I have to try not to gain too much weight. People in wheel chairs usually have skinny legs.”

  He pushed Whitney back onto the bed and pulled off his shirt. “See. Feel these abs.”

  He grabbed her hand and ran it down his chest and his stomach. Whitney tried to pull back but he pulled the knife from its sheath and twirled it in her face.

  “Remember, the boy will lose a finger unless you be nice to me. I mean, really nice. I want you to tell me how much you want me. Go ahead.”

  Whitney felt like gagging. She couldn’t get the words out of her mouth. He stepped toward the door and she stood up. “Okay. I want you.” She sat back down and looked away.

  “Well, that’s a start. You’ll be meaning it by the time I’m done with you.” He started slowly unzipping his pants, watching for her reaction.

  “Move Whitney!” She heard Nick’s voice and realized he was just outside the window.

  She tried to lean out of the way so he could get a shot, but Derrick saw her movement and noticed Nick at the window. He dove for the floor as the bullet smashed into the mirror behind him. By the time Nick came crashing into the room, Derrick had Whitney in front of him and the knife to her neck.

  “Well, well, well. So lover boy came to the rescue after all. You’re just in time. I was about to sample the goods. You’ve already done that now haven’t you?” Derrick licked the side of Whitney’s neck and pushed the knife tighter against her neck.

  “Put down the knife Derrick,” Nick said calmly. “You’re in enough trouble already. We can get you help. Hurting her isn’t going to help anyone now, and you’ll just end up dead.”

  Derrick laughed. “So you think you’ve won. You wish. If you don’t drop that gun right now, I’m going to slice right through your girlfriend’s neck. You can stand there and watch her bleed to death, or you can drop the gun.”

  He pushed the blade harder and Whitney whimpered. Nick dropped the gun and stood there facing him.

  “Kick it over here,” Derrick demanded.

  Nick kicked it into a corner on the other side of the room.

  “Not funny. I said to me,” Derrick shouted.

  Nick could see the man was getting nervous. “Let her go. If you need to hurt someone, come after me. Man to man if you dare.”

  “I’m not some cripple you know,” he said angrily. “Look at me. I’m younger and stronger and faster than you.” He glared at Nick and stood straighter. “Matter of fact, you look a little pale. How’s that arm feeling?”

  He slammed Whitney down to the floor and crouched to face Nick with his knife in the air. Circling around he positioned himself between Nick and the gun. “So old man, take a shot. Let’s see what you got.”

  Nick lunged to one side and then swung his leg around to kick Derrick. His aim was off and he hit Derrick’s side instead of the knife. Derrick grunted and jumped back, but he was quick on his feet.

  “Nice try. Now let’s see what I’ve got.”

  The knife flashed out and Nick ducked just in time. Derrick smashed his other arm down on Nick’s back and sent him flying into the chair. Whitney screamed and ran at Derrick, but he just raised his arm and backhanded her on the side of her head. She fell hard to the floor and didn’t move.

  Nick was back on his feet, and he had the lamp in his hands. He used it to block the knife and moved back toward his gun. Derrick screamed with rage and plowed right into him.

  They were wrestling for the knife and Whitney could feel Nick’s strength giving out. “No! This can’t be happening!” Whitney thought. She focused her mind and pictured herself forcing the knife away from his neck. Nothing happened. There must be something she could do to help. She saw the knife start sliding across Nick’s throat and screamed again in her mind, “No!”

  Derrick screamed and his hands went to his head. He turned and slashed out at Whitney.

  “What’d you do bitch? I heard you in my head.” He took the butt of the knife and smashed it down on her head.

  Nick jumped him from behind but Derrick just tossed him off. He smashed Nick’s face with the knife and sent him head first into the door. Nick turned to block the blows but Derrick kept kicking his arm and shoulder with unrestrained fury. Nick rolled to protect his ribs and Derrick pounced on his chest and rolled him back. He held the knife to Nick’s throat and spit in his face.

  “You all think you’re so much better than me. Fooled you didn’t I. A big bad Phoenix cop can’t even stop me.” He looked over at Whitney’s naked body and turned back to Nick. “I should just end it now, but I’m beginning to see more potential for the three of us.” He stood up and kicked Nick again.

  Nick tried to roll toward Whitney, but his body wouldn’t cooperate. He was finally able to get to his knees only to be kicked back down. Derrick then grabbed him by his right arm and pulled him to the living room. The pain that shot through Nick’s shoulder felt like red hot knives slashing through his muscles and tendons. He focused all his energy to keep from passing out. His hands and feet were bound together and then he was propped against the wall in the corner.

  The boy started moaning and moving around and Derrick clapped his hands in anticipation. “Cool. Now you can both watch the fun. I can’t wait see what it’s like to fuck a psychic freak. I hear it’s better than doing a virgin. Is that right Mr. Detective?”

  Derrick pulled Whitney out of the bedroom and rolled her onto her back. He touched himself as he fondled her breasts and then screamed for Nick and the boy to pay attention. The boy was crying now and Nick turned to make eye contact.

  “Hey! No you don’t,” Derrick shouted. “Keep your eyes here cop. If you don’t watch this I’ll cut her right now and you can watch her bleed. Just think, if I like this I’ll keep her alive a little longer.” He smiled a sickly, evil smile.

  Nick glared at the crazed man. It was hard to watch him lean in and kiss Whitney’s lips.

  In the next instant Derrick swore and pulled back. “Shit! She’s not breathing.” He felt for her pulse and shot to his feet. “She’s dead! You made me kill her you idiot!” He was smashing things off the shelves and screaming at Nick. “God damn it! I waited for the perfect moment and you ruined it. God damn you.” He rummaged in the corner until he found Nick’s gun and walked back over to Nick.

  Nick felt the barrel against his temple. The hand that held it was shaking with rage. After a tense minute the gun moved away from his head.

  “That’s too easy for you pig,” Derrick said, spitting as he enunciated the last word. “You need to suffer for wrecking my plans. You will not die slowly and neither will the bo
y.” He slapped the boy’s head and told him to stay still. Glancing back at Nick, apparently convinced he couldn’t go anywhere, he stormed out the front door.

  * * * *

  Nick called softly for Whitney. “Whitney, wake up. Please be alive sweetie.”

  The boy was crying on the couch. “She’s dead. He said she was dead and now he’s gonna kill us.”

  “Shhh. It’s okay. She might not be dead. She does a trick that makes her look like that sometimes.” Nick was hoping she had just overloaded in her effort to deal with the psycho and was trying to reset her system.

  “Whitney. Come on baby. Now’s our chance. Wake up.” He tried to calculate how long she’d been out. Maybe she really was dead. She’d hit her head pretty hard on the floor when she fell and she’d had the knife slammed into her skull. “Please Whitney. Wake up. I love you baby. Don’t die.”

  Nick felt his own heart start beating when he realized her chest was moving. She was breathing again.

  “Whitney. I know you’re tired,” he said in a low whisper. “You have to get up and help me before he comes back. You can rest after that. Try to get up and find something to cut these ropes.”

  Whitney could hear Nick calling to her from far away. She tried to focus. Her body had shut down and she was trying to claw her way back to consciousness. “He needs me. Got to wake up.” She threw her arm over her chest and tried to roll to her side. She couldn’t do it.

  The little boy gasped when she moved and Nick reminded him not to make any noise. Derrick could be coming back any minute. Nick kept urging her to open her to try again.

  Whitney opened her eyes and saw Nick watching her. His hands and feet were tied and his he was bleeding all over.

  “Nick,” she groaned. “Nick, I can’t get up.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

  “Yes you can. You can do it. It’s just hard. You can rest in a little bit. All you need to do is find something to cut this rope.” He tried wriggling closer and fell over onto his side.

  “He has more knives in that desk.” The little boy’s eyes were fixed on Whitney as he whispered to her. “Maybe I can help you.” He pushed himself off the couch and snaked across the floor to the desk. His body was weak and he couldn’t stand up with the ropes around his legs.