Backlash

by Charley Dee Brown

  After Johnboy had left for Matilda’s, I had a call from the Martial arts club, asking if I would help out with the teaching tonight. Being a huge part of my life, I immediately agreed and quickly got changed. I scribbled a note for Johnboy, which I left in the office. Seb and Rudy had been called out on a job, so I jumped into my car and headed for the hall. During the journey, I knew I must ring Johnboy when I arrived, as I realised he’d be uneasy that I’d gone out alone. Since Weaver had commenced with his threats, Brita had been snatched, and now Archie was missing. I’d vouched not to put myself in the firing line….and now I’d done just that…I parked in front of the entrance doors to the hall, and then I only had to slip inside. Taking the keys from the ignition, I opened the door and stepped out of the car…my feet didn’t touch the ground…I was lifted into the air, and bundled into the back of a car where a hat was pulled down over my face. I was aware there was someone sitting next to me.

  I stayed silent and still…struggling would only waste energy…..

  The car shot off at speed, I kept still, although my mind was alert. Courage is like love it, must have hope to nourish it. The journey was short and silent. The car door opened, I heard the creek of a door scraping over concrete, I was being led inside of a building, I was somewhat disorientated not being able to see. Suddenly the hat was pulled from my head. The undeniable source of darkness draped over the walls like a tapestry. The building was grim, and gloomy. I was pushed onto a chair, and then a hefty looking man proceeded to tie my hands behind my back, ordering the girl, who I felt must be Zelda to secure my ankles. As she looped the rope around my lower legs I could tell she had never been a girl guide, the knots were simple and loose. This gave me a flicker of hope. I remained silent. They both left the shack; my chair was leaning against a stack of filthy pallet boards. Dust lay on every surface like dirty snow, and cobwebs billowed in the draft, as the door had closed. Slithers of light beamed through the ill fitting door. A flash of brown fur scuttled past my feet….A shiver ran down my spine, there was something unbelievably chilling in this hideous, ramshackle shed. I must concentrate, I tried to move my hands, though the rope was tight and pulled painfully on my wrists. Thank goodness they’d snatched me and not Archie; he would never cope with this. After his terrifying experience with Lance, he’d never been the same…where was he now? My thoughts were daunting….

  I shivered with the cold, how long would they leave me here? Weaver wanted my mother, to enable his bargaining power with my depraved uncle. I tried to move my feet…I could tell the rope was loose, I must keep still, as if he noticed he would secure the rope. I thought of Johnboy, had he realised I was missing yet? I considered the time, how long had I been in this hell hole? The flashes of brown fur had become a mini stampede, with their beady black eyes shining in the gloom. Suddenly, echoing footsteps invaded the silence. The door whirred on its rusty hinges, and the mass of brown fur bolted faster than robbers fleeing a bank….I kept my breathing under control as the nefarious gangster re-entered the shack, he was carrying a lamp. Zelda followed him in, there was a heated exchange of words between them….he kicked a chair towards her.

  Cliff Weaver had no idea of the young woman’s beauty….she wasn’t just flawless in her bone structure; her skin was like silk over glass. She radiated an intelligent beauty; she kept you captivated with one smouldering gaze. He was mesmerised….she was dangerous; her blue eyes were calm and emotionless. He knew he’d earned his treat…to take her first…he couldn’t let this chance pass him by…he moved slowly towards her. He could feel his thoughts all gnarl together…. as the temptation to rape her poisoned his bloodstream…An immaculate hunger was twisting his insides as he lurched forward…he could almost feel her delicate form squirm beneath his body… as his actions quickened…He didn’t desire her death, but the voices said it was inevitable…. His dick was so hard it hurt….

  I watched as the lust emanated from his body…just as it had with Lance and Ollie, what made these men react this way? Had he done his homework? Was he aware I was both expert, and lethal in unarmed combat…I held his gaze…urging him closer? The rope had fallen from my ankles, he wouldn’t notice, he was blinded by lust….I’d have one shot…it was him or me….as he leant towards me I could feel his rasping breathe…it was now or never….I struck out and side kicked his throat…his head jerked backwards and he fell to the floor, like a bull to the slaughter…the sound of bone cracking was sickening, as his head hit the concrete…his body lay lifeless like a mannequin….Zelda’s piercing screams echoed through the ramshackle shed….as she threw herself to the ground…I saw the mound of her belly….Then the door screeched open…..I closed my eyes and waited for a shot……

  When Johnboy reached The Docket car park, he could tell straight away that Crimson’s car was missing. Running towards the entrance doors, he wondered where the fuck she’d gone, she hadn’t been out alone since this Weaver crap had started. As he rushed into the office, Jack and Seb were drinking coffee. ‘She’s not around.’ Seb stated. ‘But she’s left you a note.’

  Johnboy quickly slit the envelope open. ‘She’s gone to the Marshall Arts hall.’ He said uneasily. ‘Let’s go!’

  The three of them loaded into the van. ‘I thought she was in her flat.’ Seb stated. ‘We had no idea she’d gone out.’

  When they arrived at the hall, her car was in the front of the building. Johnboy checked, the door was open and the keys were on the ground. ‘They’ve fucking well got her!’ He yelled. ‘He threw the keys to Jack. ‘I’ll just check inside, and then follow us.’ No one had seen Crimson, Johnboy felt the dread clutching at his heart. ‘Scrubs first.’ Seb suggested. ‘Rudy’s tailing George.’

  Johnboy screeched the van to a halt at the back of Scrubs, getting out he asked Jack to check who was inside the club. As he waited in the van with Seb, he restlessly drummed his fingers on the dashboard. ‘I don’t think he’s got another gaff, so they must have her around here somewhere.’ Seb urged.

  ‘He only rents this fucker, I found out tonight.’ Before he had the chance to say more Jack reappeared.

  ‘Weaver and the two younger boys are there, and a couple of heavies.’

  ‘What about the black girl and her bloke?’ Johnboy added.

  ‘No sign, just a big old girl, no one else.’ Jack assured.

  ‘Leave the car here.’ Johnboy responded. ‘We’ll take a look around. There were a couple of dilapidated garages and a rickety old shed. Seb flashed a torch through the derelict buildings, no sign of life. ‘Let’s scan the back streets, there has to be somewhere.’ Johnboy prompted.

  ‘They could have her in the club.’ Jack added.

  ‘We’ll search the back streets, if no sign, we’ll go in all guns blazing!’ Seb insisted.

  Johnboy stayed quiet, deep in his own thoughts, he knew what Crimson would want them to do. All he wanted was to find his girl, he knew she wasn’t ‘his,’ however, he also knew he was privileged that she’d chosen him as her confidant….The thought of not having her in his life was too painful to tolerate. Seb had an interminable urge to ‘take everyone out.’ Seb had the eyes of a hunter, framed in the passionless face of an executioner. To him they were meeting their destiny and he was merely the conduit…this troubled Johnboy, made him uneasy. He feared Seb would do something savage while Crimson wasn’t around. Seb never got close to anyone, the only person he ever admired was Harry A, and that was common knowledge. He wanted to be like Harry…minus the family…He believed the underworld was a place for men, women didn’t belong. Jack shouting instantly stopped his reflection. ‘Listen for fucks sake!’ Jack yelled. ‘It’s a woman screaming.’ Johnboy screeched the van to a halt. They rushed towards the slither of light that was emanating from an old building to their left. Thrusting the door open, guns at the ready….the shock of the scene before their eyes was extreme….Crimson tied to a chair, a man’s body laying lifeless at her feet…..and the black girl sobbing noisily by his side….

&nbs
p; What the fuck was going on, Johnboy and Jack moved hastily towards Crimson, the startled look on her face was astounding, as though she hadn’t expected to see them. Her hands had been bound together around a centre panel of the shoddy old chair…her wrists were bleeding, the discomfort obvious. Johnboy held her lower arms, while Jack carefully cut her free…Seb had stayed by the door, gun poised for action. Johnboy scooped her up from the chair…Crimson called to Jack. ‘Bring the girl! Sebs face was a picture of scepticism….Jack helped Zelda into the van. Johnboy and Crimson sat in the back. During the two minute journey back to Scrubs car park, not a word was spoken…Crimson lay her head against Johnboy and his arms went around her….

  Nothing would ever be the same again….

  Chapter 7

  Back at The Docket, I ushered Zelda downstairs to my flat. After making her a cup of sweet tea, I asked tentatively. ‘Do you want to go back to the Weavers?’ The fearful look in her eyes gave me her answer. She sobbed quietly. ‘I want to return to my family.’

  ‘Where are they Zelda?’

  ‘We are from St Lucia, in the Caribbean.’ She sniffed. ‘Though I don’t have money, they never gave me money.’

  ‘Don’t fret I will arrange for your journey home, and I’ll cover your expenses. I have to go now, however I’ll give you towels and a robe so you can take a bath. When I get back I’ll cook a meal.’ I gave her the towels and robe, and after showing her the bathroom, I left the flat. Approaching the office, I heard raised voices, so I stood close to the door. Sebs voice was dominant. ‘What the fucking hell has she brought that slag back for?’ He shouted. ‘Another fucking woman!’

  Before anyone had a chance to reply I opened the door. ‘I’ll answer your question Seb.’ I said with restraint. ‘The girl is expecting a child, and due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to kill the child’s father. I fully intend to see she returns to her family.’ I looked him straight in the eyes. ‘Further more Seb, what takes place here is my decision, and as you well know I’m guided by my father.’ Sebs mouth had snapped shut and was now set in a hard line. Never had any of the boys questioned me before, they are paid well to toe the line. I decided to let it go for now, nevertheless it would have to be dealt with. A private chat with Seb was definitely required.

  Jack looked sheepish. ‘Crimson let me see to your wrists,before they go sceptic. I’m quiet handy with the first aid tin.’ He faked a smile.

  ‘Thanks Jack, I was so relieved to be out of that hell hole I’d momentarily forgotten about my wrists.’ I glanced at Johnboy and he was watching me intently, I knew he understood exactly how I was feeling. Suddenly I wanted to be back in the van with his arms around me…..

  Seb stood up. ‘Can I do anything else for you girl?’

  ‘No thanks Seb, I daresay Weaver will be in touch, once he’s been back to the shed.’

  ‘Ok I’ll say goodnight then.’ With that he quickly left the office.

  Jack made a good job of my wrists, when I’d kicked out the rope had cut into my flesh. ‘You’re officially now the first aid man Jack, thank you.’

  ‘I’ll go and see Rudy before I turn in Crimson. ‘He said with a genuine grin.

  ‘I need to bring you up to date lass, when I spoke to Daley on the phone, he informed me that Sean McRoy had put in a bid to buy Scrubs.’ Johnboy declared.

  ‘But how, it’s Weavers.’

  ‘By all accounts Weaver only rents the club.’ Johnboy added. ‘The word on the street appears to be he’s pretty much skint.’

  ‘Well that is a turn up for the books, when is Sean coming back to London?’ I asked with interest.

  ‘Once he has a reply from the owners of Scrubs I guess.’

  ‘Let me walk you back to your flat lass you look exhausted.’

  We walked in silence, in my heart I wanted to throw my arms around him and retrieve the feelings I’d had in the back of the van earlier….however my head told me no…I didn’t want to lose this man, scare him off. Self control as always had to be adhered to. At the age of twenty eight I have never experienced an intimate relationship, as my life has always been put on hold…tonight though something stirred within me, and I knew I wanted more….however the logical side, once again averts me….Outside of my flat I turned to Johnboy. ‘Please come in for a hot drink, and I’ll introduce you to Zelda.’

  ‘Of course I will girl.’

  Zelda was sitting on the sofa wrapped in the towelling robe. ‘Zelda this is Johnboy, we work together. Would you like a hot drink?’

  ‘Yes please.’ She looked downwards.

  ‘So you’re from St Lucia?’ Johnboy asked. ‘Don’t worry we’ll soon have you back with your family.

  She was silent for a few minutes. ‘He was going to kill her.’ She confirmed. ‘He wanted to know where Ava was, I tried to stop him, but none of them listened to me. If I’d known what they were like, I would never have come to London.’

  ‘How did you meet him then lass?’ Johnboy probed.

  ‘He was on board a ship working around the Caribbean. I should never have come here.’ She visibly trembled. ‘They want to hurt her.’ She pointed towards the kitchen. ‘She is a strong woman, but they have other men who will harm her. We took one man to the hospital; he’d been shot in the foot. He was a bad person.’

  ‘You took him to the hospital?’ Johnboy asked.

  ‘I had to help the old man Weaver; we dropped the man outside of the hospital as he’d collapsed. Weaver needs to speak to him.’ She rambled on. ‘I had no choice.’

  As I walked back in the room carrying a tray of hot chocolate and toasted sandwiches, I was somewhat surprised to hear Zelda speaking openly to Johnboy. Maybe she was nervous. We savoured the snack in silence.

  ‘I’ll crash on the sofa lass to make sure you’re all safe.’ Johnboy suggested.

  I felt relieved, for reasons best kept to myself, I needed him close to me. Once in bed, sleep wouldn’t come and visions of the anomalistic events of the evening perturbed me. I needed the opinion from the man who never altered his, like standing water, my father……

  The following morning after a long chat with Matilda, I arranged a flight for Zelda for the evening. Fortunately I’d managed to secure a cancellation with only one flight change. Rudy was going to take her to the airport. I gave her five hundred pounds to help towards the baby. I truly believe she was relieved to be going home; her experience with the Weavers would stay with her forever. When I eventually fell asleep last night my cherished father was there in my dreams. He implored me to change my will. He was disillusioned with Seb….whom he’d trusted implicitly. As all the boys were out working I rang the family solicitor, and arranged for him to call in and see me later. Seb was playing on my mind, like a constant toothache….There has been no contact from Weaver, this was making me uneasy, surely he must know Cliff was dead? According to Jack and Rudy, George had been confined to his house for the past few days. Weaver is sure to raise his ugly head before evening….Although the knowledge that Scrubs is on the market…changes everything…..

  Herby was enjoying his evening pint of ale in the Olive Tree, the bar was quiet, until the bar door burst open and a crowd of workmen came in. He didn’t take a lot of notice until they’d pulled two tables together, and were all seated and chatting….it was then he recognised the young fella who’d sat with Archie. Herby knew he must contact Crimson, as he knew the landlord well he asked if he could use the phone. Luckily he had to go into the back bar, so his conversation wouldn’t be overheard. He dialled the number for The Docket, and hoped the girl would answer….

  As the phone rang in the office, we all looked at each other. I expected to hear Weaver’s voice and was surprised to hear Herby. ‘It’s lovely to hear from you Herby, is everything alright?’

  ‘That young fella your Archie was with is in here with a group of workmen lass.’ He said carefully.

  ‘Ok Herby run that past me again, so he’s in the bar now?’

  ‘Yes lass, with a gang
of workmen.’

  ‘Someone will be over straight away, take care Herby.’ I replaced the receiver

  ‘You’ve probably got the gist of that conversation, the bloke who was with Archie the other night is in the bar with a gang of workmen.’

  ‘I’ll go lass, I know the old boy.’ Rudy was up and ready to leave.

  ‘I’ll go along Crimson.’ Jack added. ‘Better with two of us, then I’ll go over and check on George.’

  ‘Ok, keep me up to date.’ As they left the office I watched Seb, he hadn’t made a move, which was unusual as he normally wanted to be in the thick of it all.

  George had no idea what was going on, since his brief meeting with Weaver. His fucking foot was painful and swollen, and a few days had passed, surely Weaver had made a move. Nancy had kept him fed, though they rarely spoke, she knew nothing of his latest perfidious dealings. He swallowed yet more pain killers and tried to sleep, it was dark and murky outside…at first the ghost was no more than a chill in the air, a tremulous mist. Through this, the furniture and peeling wallpaper became slightly out of focus. Then the feeling of passing through an icy shower, like touching arctic air, suddenly chilling….like having every warm feeling and thought sucked right out of him…The ghost was frozen in place, only the movement of its gauzy hair, gave away that it wasn’t a weird Halloween embellishment…..It gazed with wide gaunt eyes, black as wells, hovering, passing through solid objects…reaching out, stretching, imploring him to look…severed limbs and an open black mouth staring vacantly…levitating…..Then the ghoul spoke in rasping tones, it’s grin became a snarl, bearing teeth like a wolf…drifting closer and closer…your already dead you bastard….The air became icy cold, and his body heat quickly deserted his blood… for the frigid atmosphere…he was no longer in contact with his bed he was spinning…he opened his eyes and the room was no longer there, instead there was only the ghouls face and it’s open mouth that was magnified…In utter paralysis he was drawn towards it…sucked in, soulless…..