Ian's Gang: Hell On Earth

By Ian Kidd

Maia Boothey is out of the mental home, but she is far from back to normal. Black cats are on the increase in the village of Rosewood, as Chester Shaw's warnings of impending doom and revenge from beyond the grave begin to come true...

Forces of Satanic evil are swirling, gaining strength, and an already fractured Ian's Gang are about to be put to the ultimate test in the stunning conclusion to Season 4!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ian Kidd
• Release date: Nov 14, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301165698

Ian Kidd

I grew up in South Yorkshire, England, before emigrating to South Australia at the age of sixteen. My writing ambitions began as a child, when I became notorious in my class for writing short horror stories that would probably have them calling in the child psychologists nowadays! I have written everything from non-fiction ebooks to published short fiction, and served as script editor on two proposed horror feature film scripts for an LA based director. In terms of fiction I have written dozens of novellas, including more than 70 stories in the "Ian's Gang" sci-fi adventure series. I still live in Queensland, where I work as a freelance writer.

Book preview

IAN'S GANG - HELL ON EARTH

BY

IAN KIDD

Published by Smashwords 2012

Ian’s Gang (c) Ian Kidd 2012

IAN'S GANG

Are:

Ian Williams

Matthew Parker

Banix

Steve Botham

Philip Vasquez

Dean Jones

Charlotte Jones

PART ONE

CHAPTER ONE

The road sign read:

'Welcome to Atherton'

Simon O'Connor recognised the name from somewhere, but couldn't quite place it. For some reason, the name made him nervous. He glanced over at his beautiful young wife, Susan, but she was fast asleep in the passenger seat.

Dusk was approaching, and as he drove the car through the small town, Simon's unease began to grow. He hadn't seen a single living soul all the way. Not only that, but the whole town seemed run-down and rotten. It was like a ghost town.

Simon glanced at the petrol gauge and cursed. It was almost on empty. He didn't relish the idea of stopping in this place, but he liked the idea of breaking down in the dark country roads that lay ahead even less.

Simon pulled into a nearby petrol station. It looked deserted, unattended, but Simon climbed out of the car anyway. He briefly considered waking Susan, but decided there was no point. He checked the petrol pump. To his surprise, it worked and he filled up his car happily. Putting the pump back, Simon took out his wallet and headed to the shop. The door wouldn't budge. Simon shoved at it, thinking at first it was stuck, but it quickly became apparent it was actually locked. Simon looked in the shop window. It appeared empty. Simon stood for a few moments, utterly perplexed. Why leave the petrol pumps working and lock up?

There was a clatter from behind the building. Thinking the owner had just popped out back for a few minutes, Simon hurried around the rear of the building. Nothing. Simon frowned, when something came charging at him from behind a garbage can. Simon nearly jumped out of his skin, but quickly relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief.

It was just a cat.

The black furball hissed at him and darted away.

Shaking his head, Simon walked quickly back around to the front of the shop. To hell with paying, Simon just wanted to get out of this bloody weird town. He was hurrying back to his car, when he saw it. His blood ran cold, and Simon thought for a moment he was going to faint.

Perched on the top of his car was his wife's decapitated head, her sightless eyes staring at him almost accusingly.

No... no... Simon froze, horror-struck.

He heard a noise, and turned.

A dozen knives flashed down.

Just before he died, Simon O'Connor remembered exactly where he'd heard of the village of Atherton.

* * * *

The small town of Rosewood, two kilometres from Maltby.

Rebecca Hall and her best friend Kathryn Thompson had got off the bus carrying them back to their home from their college in the next town, and were walking home through the woods.

I still have nightmares about it, you know, Kathryn was saying. Kirsty... Kathy... Dad...that whole night.

I know, Rebecca put a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. Me too. I guess it's natural. We went through a hell of an ordeal.

Yeah, Kathryn kicked at the dusty brown autumn leaves covering the grass. I get... I get a bit lonely sometimes, you know. I mean, I never used to, even though I was living on my own. It's just, back then, I knew if I got too lonely, or it got so I couldn't handle something...

You could always go home, Rebecca finished. And now you can't.

Yeah, Kathryn nodded. That's it, exactly.

You can always come to me, you know, Rebecca told her. We girls have to stick together. Especially in times of trouble.

Thanks, Kathryn smiled. So, how are your folks? she asked, changing the subject.

They're fine, Rebecca grimaced. Except...

What?

They've only gone and bought a cat, Rebecca rolled her eyes.

You allergic or something? Kathryn asked.

No, Rebecca shook her head. I just don't like them.

How can you not like cats? Kathryn asked, mock-appalled.

Oh, their fur, their claws, their eyes, their horrible little mouths... Rebecca shuddered. I can't stand them. The thing is, I used the wrong word earlier. They didn't exactly buy the cat. It just sort of wandered in one day, and my folks decided to adopt it.

You'll get used to it, Kathryn said. Rebecca shrugged. You never know, it might take off again, off it's own accord.

Maybe, Rebecca said.

Give it the cold shoulder, it'll get the message, then.

You're a past master at that.

Oh, am I? Kathryn looked offended. Since when?

Remember that guy at business college? What was his name? Rebecca struggled to remember.

Kathryn gave her the elbow. Ah, shut up.

They reached the end of the woods, where they always split up to go in different directions.

Oh, well, Kathryn sighed. See you tomorrow.

Yeah, see ya, Rebecca trudged off.

Oh, Becca? Kathryn called.

Rebecca turned back. Yeah?

I forgot to ask. What colour is this new cat of yours?

Oh, Rebecca smiled. Black.

CHAPTER TWO

Maltby Psychiatric Hospital.

Henry Boothey was seated in the office of Doctor Ralph Colchester, looking decidedly anxious.

I understand your concerns, Mr Boothey, Colchester was saying sympathetically, but I assure you your daughter is perfectly fine and ready to leave.

It's just... Henry shifted uncomfortably in his seat. It's just that when she was brought in here, it was like - like her mind had completely gone. I thought I'd lost her forever. And now, only three months later, you're telling me she's back to normal and ready to come home? he sighed. I want my daughter back, Dr Colchester. But I don't want her coming home early if it will affect her chances of a complete recovery.

There's no need to worry, Mr Boothey, Colchester assured him. "She has made a complete recovery. You can see for yourself. He pressed a button on his desk. Miss Jacobs, send her in, please."

After a few moments, the door opened and Maia Boothey entered the room.

She was wearing white hospital clothes, her long dark hair gone, leaving only a short fringe. She looked so young and vulnerable it made Henry's heart ache.

Dad? Maia said in a strange, small voice. Can I come home now?

All doubts left Henry's mind. He got off the chair and went to her. Oh Maia, of course you can. He hugged her to him. Of course you can.

Oh, Daddy, Maia buried her head in her father's shoulder. After a minute or so, she raised her head, and her eyes met Colchester's.

Colchester smiled.

Private detective Michael Harper and young Kate Shaw were walking down the antiseptic corridors of Maltby Hospital toward the room in which Kate's father,