The Nightwatcher: Episode Four

By Scott Shoemaker

After serving as a hostage for serial killer Crazy Eights and being saved by the Nightwatcher, an average joe tries to rebuild his life. But the memories of the incident haunt him, jeopardizing his career and marriage. Not even therapy seems to help. Will he be able to face his demons and overcome his trauma, or will Crazy Eights claim another victim?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Scott Shoemaker
• Release date: Mar 22, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310575402

Scott Shoemaker

Scott Shoemaker lives in Minnesota.

Book preview

The Nightwatcher

Episode Four

by Scott Shoemaker

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2015 Scott Shoemaker

Table of Contents

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1

Where am I? Where THE FUCK am I?

It’s dark, and I can’t move. There’s a faint smell of gasoline- no, oil. It’s thick. I try to move, but the metal around me, craggy and sharp, keeps me in the same twisted knot.

How did I get here?

Well, well, well, hero boy! It’s finally come down to this!

The voice is barely more than a whisper, but its jagged edges release a flood of memories into me.

I was on the AXIS, going home after a long day of buying and selling. I was listening to a podcast – fantasy football maybe or how to speak Chinese – when the door between cars flew open. That’s when Crazy Eights came in.

Sorry to bother you, but if any of you have a life you can spare, I’d be most appreciative!

He punctuated the request with a gunshot into the ceiling. Shrieks filled the car, and what seemed to be a crowded rush hour train car suddenly became a crushing throng as everyone fled from the maniac with the gun. One woman – from her conservative skirt and tennis shoes, probably a secretary – literally tried to climb the wall to get away from him.

Like everyone else, I had seen Crazy Eights on TV. The stories about the Jukebox Joint murders, then the battles with the Nightwatcher, and the endless trial. I must’ve missed when he escaped from prison.

He made his way down the car, looking for a hostage, sizing up the riders. He wouldn’t want anyone who would give him trouble.

No… no… too old…

He passed the secretary and let out a laugh.

Too… just too.

His eyes went wide when he saw the girl. She was a college student, STATE on the hooded sweatshirt she was wearing. As Crazy Eights came at her, she held up her backpack, like that was going to stop him.

He bowed to her and held out his hand. My dear, if you would do me the honor.

I don’t know why I did it. No one really ever knows why they do anything except it seems like a good idea at the time.

I stood up, pushed Crazy Eights’ hand aside and said, Leave her alone.

Oh! A hero!

I only saw a flash of silver before the butt of the gun slammed into my temple. I played football in college, still work out. Didn’t matter. I folded up like a newly pressed shirt. My face hit the car floor, and everything turned upside down for a moment.

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Crazy Eights!

I had to consciously think Move, eyes to see where the voice was coming from.

Standing in the doorway of the car