Layers Of Torment

By U. R. Ekhoey

What would you have done if there was nothing left other than some photos and your own dwindling memories of this very special person?

Where would you have gone when you discovered there is no leads to follow and the local authorities don’t know how to proceed with the case they have been presented?

To whom would you have turned when you needed help and support?

This is the situation Neil O’Brian, a war on terror veteran faces when he travels home from overseas only to finds his wife, Laura has gone missing and so, layers of torment begins...

• Language: English
• Publisher: U. R. Ekhoey
• Release date: Mar 30, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370818211

U. R. Ekhoey

Ulf R. Ekhoey was born in Akershus, Norway, in 1975. He is a horror, psychological thriller, suspense, science fiction writer, but also a dabbler in the fantasy genre. He is a philosopher and a thinker as well as a practical all-around man. Having held a number of physical active and practical jobs in the past he tends to blend this into his writing.

Book preview

Layers Of Torment

Written By

Ulf R. Ekhoey

Copyright © 2018 Ulf R. Ekhoey.

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

May not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

Without the express written permission of the publisher

Except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Content

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

About the author

Just one more thing

Dedication

No matter what side you fought or fight for. No matter when you lived, how you lived it and what ideology you have or had. This book is for you, the soldier who was not, but thought it had to be. Trained to do the impossible, the unthinkable and perhaps you did. Maybe you didn’t and maybe you did more, no one knows except for you, you see? In the end there’s only you and the truth. The truth brings forth the consequences of what you did or didn’t do. In the end there’s a time we all must face and a place we must all travel to. I hope you find peace at last, I truly do. I know though the journey to get there will be hard and difficult. What must you do to get it I wonder, what must you go through? That I guess is for you and you alone my dear soldier. The soldier who was not, but thought it had to do…

Chapter 1

Neil O’Brian ran down the deserted street as fast as is legs could muster. Automatic weapons rapped in the nearby distance. The sounds of missing bullets penetrated the air and hit the nearby surroundings as Neil ducked for cover behind what was left of a sandy textured brick wall. Once upon a time there had been a family living in the ruins behind this wall. A thriving community had bustled around it with People smiling and children playing in the streets. Right outside of this very building there had been a busy marketplace where merchants sold their wares. Neil peeked beside the wall and into the ruins of a small village he couldn’t remember the name of nor pronounce correctly if he had. He didn’t know about the family or the marketplace that surrounded him. He was an American soldier in a foreign country on a mission which had gone horribly wrong. Bullets slammed into the torn wall covering Neil’s body and he quickly retracted. How had it come to this? How had he ended up here, far away from home fighting amongst people he didn’t really know and trying to take down rebels he didn’t really understand? Checking briefly his assault rifle and finding it almost out of bullets he switched magazine. He began to crawl away to the other side of the wall on his hands and knees. His platoon was gone, all shot to shreds. Radio shot to pieces and an unknown number of enemy combatants waiting for his next move. By the sound of the enemy rifles there couldn’t be many of them left. Neil could perhaps find a way to get to the side of them to such a degree that he could escape this hell hole. Sweat poured down underneath his helmet darkening the collar of his uniform and mingled with the dusty sand that was everywhere and got into everything no matter what. Whatever he planned to do, he had to do it quickly. He got up and took a couple of deep breaths. On the other side of the ruined wall and a cross an open space lay another but larger ruin. Neil would need to get there and get behind it to get out of the enemies’ sights. His booted feet moved into action sending him out into the open area. He heard shouts and machine guns. Bullets flew. Then, another sound. A larger projectile came his way. He pressed on moving his body as fast his feet let him. His legs closed the distance in strides. Then, the projectile landed beside him. Dust and smoke flew everywhere as Neil felt hundreds of shrapnel eviscerated his body forcing him off his feet and making him hit the ground while spinning around from the force of the blast. A distinct voice reached him from somewhere which reminded him of static interference on a radio band.

Neil? The unknown yet somewhat familiar manly voice said over the static. Welcome home Neil. I have been waiting so long for your arrival.

Neil opened his eyes as his head snapped backwards, his lungs forcing a sound of drawing breath within his slightly open mouth. Confused for a moment he looked out of a large windshield which was dirty and slightly cracked on the right side. The intoxicating smell of smoke and a well used interior within the truck greeted him. Peter Roush, a thin but muscular looking man with dark short hair and too many wrinkles in his still young face looked questioningly at him and back to the road again.

Were you back there? Peter asked Neil as he watched him massage his face in order to shake the cobwebs from his still sleepy mind.

What?

Peter smiled looking at Neil before he fetched his pack of smokes and put one in his mouth. Judging by the burnt smell around him Neil guessed it hadn’t been long since the last cigarette and he wondered why his longtime friend needed another one.

I said. Peter began again as he offered the pack to Neil who shook his hand towards Peter as a decline.

Were you dreaming of the war Sergeant O’Brian?

Peter then lit his smoke and rolled down his side window slightly to force out most of the smoke he was exhaling from the back draft.

Yeah. Neil admitted looking around outside to see if he knew where he was. Well, some version of it anyways.

Ah yes, that. Peter nodded knowingly while he took a good breath of his smoke. They don’t get any easier as time goes by, I can tell you that. It’s been three years since I came home, and they still plague my sleep.

Yeah?

They’re horrible too. Twisted memories of what went down you know.

So how do you deal with them? Neil wanted to know.

You don’t. Peter replied while cracking a weak smile that could either have signaled the beginning of a joke or a memory that he didn’t really know how to respond to. Well, I’ve heard seeking out a shrink helps. I did, for a while. It helped. Some, but it’s still there.

They don’t teach you about those in boot camp do they. Neil admitted, his voice carrying a weak undertone of bitterness.

No sir, they don’t.

I mean, all the things we had to learn to prepare us for what would come. Why is it they didn’t prepare us for the day we got out?

Beats me Serg. Peter responded shaking his head slightly after inhaling some more smoke from his cigarette. It’s like they don’t expect us to ever leave right?

They both cracked a smile with a grim undertone from Peter’s last remark. Any other conversation on that subject was unnecessary.

Hey listen, Peter.

Yes, sir?

You don’t have to call me Serg or sir or anything like that anymore okay? I’m just plain old Neil O’Brian now.

Yeah, I know, but I’ve always known you as the Serg. It’s funny that way, but I like to call you that. Reminds me of the army days and for some reason it makes me feel good. It’s like being back with the gang you know. Besides, you were the one to always look to in any kind of situations. I still do in some strange way even though I have my own job now. I sometimes ask myself what Serg O’Brian would do in some types of situations and such.

I can understand that, I just wanted you to understand that you have a choice in the matter now. Anyways, I just wanted to say thanks again for picking me up today.

No problem Serg. My route goes through there anyways.

The cabin fell to silence as the truck kept on moving on the freeway. Neil felt there was something wrong with Peter’s last statement, but he figured Laura had put him up to it. There was something going on at home. Neil could feel it. It wasn’t such a surprise though. It was his homecoming after all and a promise of a party were in the air.

Any idea what you’re going to do now that you’re out? Peter asked after some time.

Well, I don’t really know. Neil answered after a moment of reflecting on the future. I’m going to take it easy for a while and just be with my wife. Things haven’t been all that great in the family this year and I kind of want to know what she wants to do too you know.

I hear that.

I mean, I have some education I can follow up on or I can go back to the profession I worked before I signed up for the tour. But, I really feel it’s going to be a joint decision from now on between Laura and me. It’s about time I start to listen to her too you know.

Yeah, not that I have a wife or anything, but I can see where you’re coming from. Time to be a unit at home, right? Take some of the lessons learned to some good use and all that.

Exactly. Man, I can’t wait to see her again. Finally get back home and be with her without having to leave her. It always happened so fast and I felt I never got enough time home no matter how long the leave lasted. It feels like it’s been ages since I’ve seen her.

Peter laughed at Neil’s remarks as he took one last breath of smoke and threw the cigarette butt out of the window.

Well, it won’t be long now. Peter replied. Look.

Neil watched where Peter had briefly pointed right beside the freeway. His hometown was coming up in just a few miles. Neil looked out of the side window recognizing the area. It was a beautiful and warm day for being in the midst of November. The sun was still up although it wouldn’t be for much longer as in this time of the year the days were getting shorter and shorter until the twenty first of December. Peter steered the truck and its large freight hanger behind it of the freeway and up the road that would lead them through the town and ultimately to Neil and Laura’s house. Home, the word felt strange when Neil thought about it. Neil hadn’t been home for half a year if not longer and when he had been the days flew by always too fast making him leave with a feeling of it being too soon. Laura and Neil stayed in touch with long letters and phone calls whenever he could. He hadn’t been able to get her on the phone the last few days, but such a thing was normal since neither Laura or Neil owned a cell phone. Something Neil was going to fix once he got home. His last letter had contained the information about his homecoming, so she was most likely in full preparation for the party to celebrate the fact. Laura always found an excuse to bring his and her people together. Always some type of get together dinners or birthday parties or just even parties because she felt it was such a long time since she had seen everyone. Neil hadn’t liked it all the time. In fact, he thought it was a little too much sometimes, but it still was okay once people arrived. This time though Neil would welcome it. Getting out of the army just felt so right. He had survived his close encounters with death while so many in his platoon hadn’t that he felt it would be foolish to keep going in that direction. Such reasonable thoughts and the incident with Laura on the phone, crying scared out of her mind thinking she saw someone outside their house at nights. A figure only seen in shadows, but Laura was convinced someone was there. Stalking her and wanting to come into the house while she slept. Neil just had to get out as fast as the situation presented itself. Unfortunately it had taken its time to get out of the army. Peter had been a good ally to fill the void of his absence and Neil had a lot to be grateful for when it came to this truck driver. When Laura had felt the need, she would seek refuge at his parent’s house or call Peter who would come over as soon as he had the chance in order to check if things were secure around the house. Nothing suspicious had ever been seen or found by Peter though which made them both believe Laura didn’t handle being alone very well. Neil looked at the gas station a guy they called old man Phil owned and ran. It had some customers both inside and on the outside. Neil saw them in a blur as he focused on the houses that began to appear along the road behind high fences and trees. Rich details floating by, drowning in the mass of it all. There was a time when Neil knew the streets by heart, but that was before the big change. Ever since an airport had been voted and approved to be built forty-five minutes away from his town the whole area around it had boomed. The old, sleepy town began to transform into a thriving and bustling city. Areas that had been just forests and even fields for growing food had been sold and new streets and houses had begun to appear. With that the commerce came rushing in close behind, growing and changing the heart of the town into a center for shops and all kinds of businesses. A little at first, then as it seemed to gain momentum it was like a great beast had moved into their sleepy little town. It had changed all the old into new places to either set up shops or to build houses or even seven stories high condo blocks. Neil hadn’t really made up his mind if it was a good or bad thing yet. All he knew was the old ways he was used to were forever changed around him that got influenced by the pressure from the airfield. The truck came closer to the center of the town and Neil could see how the building frenzy hadn’t slowed down at all since he was here the last time. Still, even with large unfinished structures and a large hole where apparently another large building would be built, the center of town was still the center. Neil looked briefly down the walking passages that linked some of the other streets and with it the shops. The large shopping mall were a little bit beyond that. As Peter rounded one of several roundabouts and crossed it the old railway station appeared. Beside it the large bus station that were beside the old bridge that went over the tracks had also been renovated and expanded as far as he could tell. Neil found himself telling Peter about his concerns when it came to his friend handling such a large vehicle which Peter was driving in these still narrow streets.

Don’t worry about that. Peter smiled in responds. There isn’t a place I can’t drive with this thing.

Peter was indeed an excellent truck driver. His tightly around the obstacles maneuvers left Neil almost speechless at times. Before long they had crossed the center of town and was again heading out to the outskirts. Here Peter said he would follow the road back onto the freeway after he had dropped Neil of at his home. Neil only nodded to Peter’s comments about that as he felt he had to play along with the charade which he was certain was going on. Out amongst the farmland the feeding frenzy of the building beast became almost not possible to miss and one would have to be pretty dumb not to see the strange happenings around here. Old farms and their land had been sold and new houses and streets had grown through it leaving old buildings and barns standing awkwardly amongst the new wave. Neil pointed out to Peter in what felt like excitement that they were getting close to his home making Peter nod thoughtfully as if he didn’t quite understand something but slowed the speed down on the truck.

All right, we’re here. Are you nervous? Peter wanted to know as the truck stopped outside a farm road with birch trees following the road down to the farm.

You can say that. Neil responded thoughtfully. I’m kind of staring down the rest of my life here and I have no clue how to proceed.

You’ll figure it out. Peter smirked while meeting Neil’s gaze. If I can do it, I know you can. Besides, you got a wife waiting for you down there which means you aren’t alone in this. I know for a fact that she is really anxious to see you again.

Yeah. Neil’s voice almost whispered.

For a brief moment he felt a trembling rush through his body as if a strong feeling of homesickness and longing rushed up to the conscious surface. He felt nauseated as his pulse quickened and a headache flared through his right temple before it subsided.

Well, let’s not keep her waiting then. Or the rest of people that is waiting for me.

Peter began to maneuver the truck down the farm road not responding to Neil’s last comment. Neil was sure he had heard him, but had trouble holding the charade going.

Hmm, looks like there’s no other cars down there. Peter remarked as they got closer. That means I can turn my truck around there and that I don’t have to back up all the way to the main road again.

Look Peter. Neil began cracking a smile. I know what is going to happen all right. You can drop the act now, it’s going to be one hell of a party am I right?

Party? Peter asked questioningly with all the worlds innocence in his voice. What party?

Okay, if that’s the way you want to play it I can play along until the front door opens. Neil smiled to himself.

The truck pulled up at the nearest house. The two white houses were large and built in a traditional farm country style from the early 1900’s, with blue edges around the windows and doors. An elderly woman with short half curly hair came out from the other house soon followed by a elderly man, bolding grey haired and bulky in the stomach area.

It’s my parents. Neil smiled and got out of the truck as Peter turned off the engine.

Neil. His mother smiled as she came closer, with his father in tow. Oh Neil. I’m so sorry.

Neil and his mother hugged as his father came up to them.

Neil, son. It’s good you are home.

They too hugged for a short while.

Okay, I’m here now guys. You can all come out now!

It’s awful son, Laura has gone missing. His mother got in.

Neil looked at them both as if not register what his mother told him or what the words really meant.

Laura? Neil yelled towards his house while walking towards it.

Please son, listen to me. His mother began. She’s gone missing.

What do you mean gone missing? Neil flicked a smile towards his parents while seeing Peter coming over to his parents.

There was something in the way they acted which felt too real. He had half expected some kind of stunt as a joke in order to welcome him home, but the sincerity in his parents’ eyes and voice made him second guess his thoughts.

What? You guys are joking right? He started while looking from his parents to Peter and back to the house. Laura?! Stop with the joke please. I’m home!

No, son. His mother tried to assure him as she came close to him with a complaining undertone of suffering while looking briefly at her husband. Oh dear, how can we make him understand?

Stop. This isn’t funny. Neil said feeling how his innards turned and the world around him began to spin slowly.

This is no joke son. I’m sorry, but we tried to reach you many times the last few days, but somehow you were always on the move to get back home. His father continued in a hushed tone as if he felt the pain in what each and every word did to his son. He took a few steps towards his son Laura has been missing since last Sunday.

But that’s four days ago? What’s going on here? Neil replied hesitantly while staggering further away from the others and over to his home.

He barged through his home’s front door finding the house quiet and almost completely dark.

You can’t trick me. Come on now guys, this isn’t funny anymore. Show yourself.

Entering the living room Neil found it familiar, but empty. Heading for the kitchen Neil’s eyes began to blur. He turned around excepting to see his wife Laura at any given moment but couldn’t find a living soul within his house. Peter came into the room with the sounds of his parents following him.

Oh my God, Serg? Wait. Sit down man, you aren’t looking so good.

This is impossible! Neil muttered weakly while feeling how panic and anxiety washed over his mind making it hard to think let alone breath.

Neil’s hands grasped his head as if the information he had just received was to mind boggling to contain. His head started to ache and spin. His legs stopped carrying him. His breath quickened as he fell on the kitchen floor feeling how his hart raced uncontrollably within his chest threatening to burst out of its prison of bone. Darkness greeted his vision as the world faded away around him.

Neil felt a warm and soft hand on the back of his naked left shoulder. Waking up as if pulled out of the murky depths of the earth itself Neil opened his eyes turning around as he did so. Laura’s blurry face smiled down towards him making him squint trying to focus. The sun was already high up in the sky, illuminating the bedroom with its sharp and warm rays of light.

Hey sleeping beauty. Laura smiled at him as she sat down on the side of the bed. You want to come down and have some breakfast with me?

Yeah sure, what time is it? Neil wondered.

It is time for you to wake up Neil. The manly voice through the radio static reached him from the side of the bed.

Looking towards the sound Neil saw a walkie-talkie resting on the nightstand.

"You have