There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

By Justin Cawthorne

Alice was expecting a perfectly normal weekend of wine, TV and solitude, until a stranger burst into her office. Before she knows it her boss is dead, her office building is in quarantine, and she’s trusting her life to a man she’s never met before.

At least things can only get better.

As their world rapidly falls apart, a small group fights to survive—and sometimes fights each other. The more they learn about the lethal disaster that has swept them up, they more they realise that the danger is worse than any of them had ever feared. And that their best chance of escape may be the most terrifying prospect of all.

“There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” is the new horror novella from Justin Cawthorne, author of Graves. It is dedicated to anyone who is scared of the dark ...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Justin Cawthorne
• Release date: Oct 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311647108

Justin Cawthorne

Justin Cawthorne is an author of tales that explore new ways to draw terror from both the known and unknown. In partnership with the "Tales To Terrify" podcast, Justin Cawthorne was a recipient of the 2016 Parsec Award for Best Speculative Fiction Story: Small Cast (Short Form), awarded for the adaptation of his short story "Graves". He has a short story, "Colder Still" appearing in the anthology Shadows & Teeth Volume 2, published by Darkwater Syndicate.

Book preview

There is a light that never goes out …

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

by

Justin Cawthorne

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2015 Justin Cawthorne

Discover other titles by Justin Cawthorne at Smashwords.com

Keep up to date at justincawthorne.com

Cover art: Justin Cawthorne

Eye provided by: Carter Cawthorne

(I gave it back afterwards. Honest.)

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Part One: Release

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Part Two: Escape

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Epilogue

Other books by Justin Cawthorne

— foreword —

I have a confession.

Before entering a room at night I used to sneak my hand around the door, feel my way to the wall switch, and turn the lights on before I could enter.

That’s not the confession. The confession is that I still do this.

We don’t like the dark: things can hide in it. Imaginary things. Mostly. Of course, you never really know what might be hiding in those deep pools of shadow because you can’t see it. It’s hiding. Safe in the darkness. Would it be better if you could see it? Would it make the monsters any less scary, knowing you could scrutinise them in clear detail before they gobbled you up?

Undoubtedly not. Luckily, we typically don’t encounter monsters waiting to eat us in our front rooms. When we look into the darkness we look into the unknown. We stare at whatever our imaginations can show us. The light banishes the unknown and, sometimes, that aspect of our imagination. When you can see your living room clearly, the same room that you’ve seen every day for the past however many months or years, where’s the mystery? Where’s the fear? Where are the monsters?

So, try this thing. Wait until it’s dark. Wait until the house is empty, or until everyone’s asleep. Climb out of bed. Take your first few steps. Can you still see? Then close your eyes. Now keep going.

How far did you get?

This story is not about fear of the dark (except when it is). And it’s not about monsters lurking in the darkness (except for those bits where it’s totally about monsters lurking in the darkness). It’s about what happens when the light becomes scarier than the dark. It’s about facing our most primal fears and having to choose between whether we want to see or whether we want to live.

It’s about having to turn the lights out because the monsters are no longer in the darkness.

So, whatever you do: don’t hit that switch. Don’t put the lights back on. The monsters are waiting.

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

PART ONE: RELEASE

— 1 —

Plans for the weekend, Alice?

Alice had no plans for the weekend, and little desire to detail them for her boss’s pleasure. She smiled instead, looking up and deciding that the artificial light in the room made Mr Stratton appear about sixty per cent dead today, then returned her attention to her desk.

Well, Mr Stratton, she said, remembering he wasn’t the sort of man to take no for an answer. I had been planning a trip out to the country with some friends, weekend break type thing. We know this place with outdoor barbecues, saunas, green fields to walk in, fresh air … real sunlight—all those things that help remind you you’re still alive, you know?

Stratton wasn’t listening. He nodded, staring at a sheet of paper in his hand. Uh hmm.

But I expect I’ll probably just stay in my pyjamas all weekend, debate the futility of existence, and clean my apartment while drinking all the wine. How about you, sir?

Excuse me? Stratton said, turning his attention to her again.

Plans for the weekend, sir? Do you have any? Want me to arrange a Nordic fishing expedition for you? Trip to Uluru? Box seats for Beauty and the Beast?

Stratton smiled. Ah, yes, Friday, isn’t it. I forget how … humorous you get as the week draws to a close. In my case, as the saying goes: a good man’s work is never done. I expect my work to keep me busy over the weekend. Oh, yes: and how’s your boyfriend?

My … uh … what?

You surely have a boyfriend, don’t you?

No. Not anymore, Alice said. She realised Stratton was watching her and scanned her desk in case it held a critical item of paperwork she could distract him with. Um. Will there be anything else, sir?

Well, that’s very unfortunate. Someone as … competent as you shouldn’t have to be alone at the weekend. Why don’t you allow me take you out for dinner, seeing as you're at somewhat of a loose end? I have standing reservations at a number of very exclusive restaurants.

Shit!

Shitshitshit!

This was the nightmare scenario. Again. Alice ran through her list of excuses, trying to remember which one she used the last time Stratton had invited her out to dinner.

That’s very generous of you, sir, but I … I’m looking after my niece. She’s young. All weekend. Needs babysitting. Parents off for a jaunt in the country, if you know what I mean. But I … will certainly take a raincheck. I believe I’m free on the … let me, um, let me check my diary here. Alice reached for her diary and flicked through some pages, shaking her head at each date whether or not anything was written on the page.

Yes, well, of course, Alice. It's an open invitation. Just let me know, Stratton said. You can make an arrangement with my PA.

Stratton laughed, an oily sound that made Alice want to spend the next few hours in a scalding hot shower while her clothes safely burned to ashes in an incinerator.

She laughed back.

Anyway, if I could have that DIO report finalised before the end of the day …?

Already on it, sir.

Stratton walked back towards his office, stopping before he reached the door.

And your niece: will she be helping you clean your apartment?

Alice's smile didn't even break. Well it’s best to start them young, isn’t it? Wouldn’t you agree?

Stratton nodded. Quite so, quite so. Though I would recommend to keep her away from the wine, yes?

Yes. There's more for me that way.

Very good. Well, I expect my work to keep me here late today, Alice. Since I won’t see you again, do enjoy your weekend.

Thank you, sir. You too.

Stratton disappeared into his office without another word.

Alice waited until the door completely closed before plunging her head into her hands.

Stupid … stupid …!

Stratton entered his office, poured himself a glass of iced water and stood still, enjoying the moment. He appreciated both the silence and the solitude, not to mention the anticipation. He would need to return to work shortly, but for the time being he knew that his work could wait for him.

The few people privileged enough to enter his office would see no more than a small—yet exquisitely furnished—workspace situated immediately beyond the door. It was, almost certainly, smaller than people might expect for someone of his position, but the scene was set with a few decorative items that lay suitably close to the outer reaches of affordability. His office was, in its way, an appropriate reflection of his business: most people would never see beyond the glossy, expensive brochures that were distributed from time to time.

Most people would never think to look any further.

The entire wall of one side of the office was false. When closed it looked as anyone would expect an office wall to look: plain, unobtrusive, and decorated with a couple of exclusively curated paintings. When closed it also concealed the large, rather more luxurious annexe in which much of his real work took place.

Right now the wall was open.

I do apologise for keeping you waiting, Stratton said to the man on the other side. I find it helps to keep the staff that little bit more … motivated if they think you’re actually interested in them.

Stratton drained his glass, wandered through to the annexe and sat down at his desk. He made a show of inspecting some paperwork, unwittingly echoing Alice’s earlier behaviour. Once he was satisfied that the balance of power in the room had been demonstrated, he looked across his desk at the man tied to the chair.

Now then, Ethan—Mr. Robbins—by remarkable happenstance, you are someone I’m genuinely interested in, and I would very much like us to spend some time getting to know each other. You may begin by explaining to me what you were doing.

There was no reply.

Stratton smiled. Before we make you …

Ethan met Stratton’s gaze calmly and said: I was doing my job, just like everyone else who works for you.

And what exactly is your job, Mr. Robbins? Industrial espionage? Sabotage? What are you? A terrorist? A petty thief? I must confess we’re all very interested to find out.

Sir, I’m nothing more than a comms engineer, just as it says on my—

Job description? Let me tell you: what you were doing was well beyond the confines of any job description this company has ever issued. You’re not fooling anyone.

Ethan surveyed the room theatrically, then hung his head down. I apologise, this mix-up is entirely my fault. Yes, I was operating a little out of scope, but only in the interests of shoring up our network; if, say, we have a power cut—

As you should well know our network has full redundancy. A power cut poses no threat to us.

Sir, you can never have too many fail-safes, there’s always going to be that one time …

Stratton walked around to the front of his desk and sat on the edge. He folded his arms and looked down on his captive, affecting the pose of a schoolteacher offering a troublesome student some extracurricular advice.

I know you’re lying, Mr. Robbins. Would you like me to tell you how I know you’re lying?

Was it fifty-fifty, or did you phone a friend?

Stratton’s face flushed. He took a sharp breath then composed himself. Amusing, Mr. Robbins. We’ll see if you still feel like joking after a few minutes with … well, let's just say not everyone I employ goes on the company’s official payroll. Do I make myself clear?

Ethan said nothing.

Very good. Now that we have an understanding, I'll tell you what I know about innocent men.

Stratton got up and began striding around the room as he spoke. "The innocent man, by which we mean a man who is falsely accused, will beg and plead. He will insist above all else that