PuppetMaster: Peter MiddleBrook Series

By Kyle Robinson

"Bound By Blood, Destroyed By Darkness" 

When you're the oldest, you look out for your little brother. Sometimes he gets into trouble anyway, and you help him out the best you can. But what do you do if he's so far into the darkness you can't reach him?

Peter Middlebrook returns from college, and senses that something is wrong with Daniel. More than usual. When they lost their parents, each of them dealt with it in their own way, and Daniel had the hardest time with it. Now it seems Daniel's old demons are back to haunt him, and his descent is connected in some way with a stranger who has just opened a shop in town.

Who is this man? And what does he want with Daniel? Peter will have to find out if he's to stand any chance of saving his brother and bringing him back home. 

PuppetMaster tells the first part of Peter's journey along a dark road of addiction and temptation that he never knew existed. It's going to be a rough ride.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kyle Robinson
• Release date: May 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386227823

Book preview

2004

Chapter 1

It’s just up ahead. Travis called back over his shoulder as he topped another hill.

Jesus Christ, if I walk much further I'll have a heart attack. Dean called back a few paces behind him. This better be worth it, I’ve lost 10 pounds just trying to find this damn place.

It might do you some good. Travis laughed slowing down as he neared a chain-link fence. There it is.

Dean looked through the fence, in the fading light the abandoned house looked almost intimidating. Why are we here again?

It’s my birthday, today I turn the mighty 16-

-Then why didn’t we drive? Dean cut him off.

You know my parents wouldn’t let me get my license.

And yet, they’ll let you come out damn near around dark to some abandoned house.

Travis reached into the backpack was on his shoulder. He pulled out a pair of wire cutters. That my friend is where you’re wrong. They don't know I’m here.

Then I ask again, WHY are we here?

We’re here to investigate the mystery of the dark activity that occurred here.

So wait, we’re going into a haunted house?

Kind of. Travis said as he finished cutting through the fence. He peeled back the wire and wiggled himself through it. Dean wiggled his own way through the wire though he almost didn't fit. It’s not so much haunted; but, the legend goes that this house used to be the headquarters for a notorious group of satanist that performed rituals all the time. They claim several people met their end at this house alone. All in the name of the Dark Lord. Travis said the last part making a cross and kissing his finger.

Knock that shit off, for all you know this could be real, and you’re walking us into a scene that could end up on the internet where they debate what killed us, a demon or a possessed cat.

Travis laughed. A possessed cat? What the hell have you been reading?

I’m just saying it’s possible. I wouldn’t rule anything out.

As they neared the house, the rest of the sun tucked behind the horizon. Travis stopped again and pulled a pair of flashlights out of his backpack and handed one to Dean, who looked at it as if it was foreign. What? Did you expect them to have paid their electric bill?

Dean just shook his head. As they approached the front steps, Dean stopped short. I’m a little scared, I’m a big enough dude that if one part of this is dry rotted, I’ll end up going right through the floor.

You’ll be fine. And hey, if you go through the floor, maybe you’ll find some kind of treasure.

You’re an idiot. Dean said as he tagged Travis in the arm. Travis took the lead and went up the stairs and pushed open the front door and kicked on his flashlight. He walked through a large open parlor as the floor underneath him creaked with age.

I wonder how long it’s been since someone has been in here? Travis asked.

I don't know, but by the looks of it, it’s been quite a little while. When were the last known occupants since you seem to have such a knowledge of this house?

Travis thought about it. I think the last group of people left sometime around 1945. No one knew for sure if they had been doing what they were accused of doing, but when the police showed up here it looked like it

What did they find?

Stacks of bodies. Laid end to end, and on top of each other almost in a twisted game of human Jenga. The oddest part  is that each of the bodies were naked and drained of blood. They had funneled it into cups to drink, and use in the rituals that were sure to come.

My god. How many were there?

At least 3 dozen, all a mix of men, women, and children. To this day it's still one of the most talked about crimes in this area. They say some of the first responders never even came back after having to answer that call. A few of them even committed suicide afterward.

You don’t think it was a dark energy thing they left behind, do you?

Hard to say, if you believe in that stuff, then sure it’s possible. If you don’t, then I’d just call it an extreme onset of PTSD for those who saw it.

What happened to the people who were here, the live ones I mean?

Some ran, others fought and a lot of them ended up being killed. As far as houses go, if one would be haunted, or filled with evil, this would be it. Travis said looking around at the ceilings above him with his light.

Where did they find the bodies?

Throughout the house, though a majority of them were found in the basement. Once they had it clean, police went looking for those who were still alive, but they didn't find anyone. It’s suggested that they either killed themselves, or died of mysterious circumstances.

Dean looked around the room himself. He felt a shiver run down his spine. The whole place, and this whole idea had given him the creeps since Travis had suggested it a few days ago. However, he had left out all of these details.

They neared the dining room as the house continued to groan with the new houseguest walking around the floors. As they approached the small table in the middle Travis went to the other side and looked across at Dean.

Just think, it’s likely they may have drained someone on this table as a sacrifice to Satan himself.

You’re a twisted fuck. Dean said, though his voice shook.

Are you scared? You are, aren’t you, you don't believe in all of this mumbo jumbo can you?

I don’t know if I do or not, I do know this place gives me the creeps.

Should we go upstairs? Travis said with a grin.

Hell no, as it is I’m waiting for this floor to give way.

Relax, you’re fine, if it hasn’t yet it shouldn't.

Don’t sound so sure. Dean added as he walked around the table.

Okay, so you don’t want to check out the upstairs, understandable what about the basement?

We’ve come this far, I’ll give you that. Do you know where the stairs are?

Travis was already standing with his light shining on a half open door ahead of him. This way. He walked over and pushed the door the rest of the way open. It creaked as the hinges protested. Travis lead the way down the stairs, they came to a bend and turned. As they neared the bottom Travis stopped.

I’m not sure if this is a good idea.

I thought you didn’t believe in that kind of stuff?

No, but something about this whole thing makes me uneasy.

We’re already this far, we might as well check out what’s down here there likely isn’t much after all these years.

Yeah. Travis said and kept going. Once they reached the bottom landing, he flashed his light around the room, which was lined with shelves, all of them appeared full of liquid.

What in the hell is all that? Dean asked.

I’m not sure. Travis turned and his light landed on what appeared to be an operating table ahead of him. I take that back, I think I have a good idea what all of that might be.

Dean turned and felt sick to his stomach. You don’t think they staged the body fluids do you.

I can’t be sure but that’s what it looks like.

Travis walked forward and looked at the table noticing the rust colored stains that covered it. That uneasy feeling was coming back. He walked around the other side of the table and almost tripped over something in the floor.

What the hell?

What’s wrong? Dean said walking over to him shining his light down at the floor. Is that a book?

I think so. Travis leaned down and picked it up. He glanced over at Dean who shrugged. Travis sat the book on the table and shined his light on it. The front had a strange emblem he’d never seen before. He put his hand on it, the metal was cold on his hand. I’ve never seen a book with a metal cover have you? He looked over at Dean who shook his head. And look at this, there’s a lock on the side. Travis reached down and unclasped it. The book flung open on it’s own. The sudden motion made both of the boys jump almost out of their skin. They watched with their flashlights as the pages of the book flipped back and forth on their own before settling on one. Travis gave Dean another sideways glance.

That was fucking weird.

Dean couldn’t help but nod. I wonder what it set on.

I’m not sure if I want to know.

Dean felt his heart thundering in his chest but his curiosity won the battle. He made his way to the book. As he did, he shined the light down on it and looked at the words on the page.

A world, to some paradise, to others, the eternal pit of sin, await you. But, only if you award your master with the fruits he requires. Dean read out loud. Travis was now standing next to him, and he continued.

Your world is only a stopping point, and that world is filled with things that can’t be explained, and things that never want an explanation. But, have no fear everything you desire will become clear soon. But beware, the owner of this book doesn’t take kindly to strangers possessing his property.

His property? Travis said. He took a breath, he was trying to hide. He was more than nervous, he was downright piss-your-pants scared. We should stop reading.

Dean stared at the book almost mesmerized. But I don’t want to.

Travis looked at him. Dean’s eyes were glued to the book. He wasn’t even so much as blinking. Travis grabbed him by the shoulder. Dean jumped and almost screamed.

Jesus, are you okay? Travis asked him.

Yeah, I don’t know what came over me there.

Let’s get out of here. I think we’ve seen enough. Travis turned and went to go back up the stairs but Dean wasn’t behind him. He realized this and turned back. Are you coming?

Yeah, but- Dean cut himself off and reached up and closed the book which clasped itself closed. He picked it up and tucked it under his arm.

What the hell are you doing? Travis asked him.

I’m taking this with me. I don’t know what this book is about, but I want to know.

But, what about all the evil, and the darkness stuff you said could be real?

It could be real, it could be bullshit. Whatever it is, I want to read more.

Travis stared at Dean, unable to tell if he was serious. Without another word Travis turned and walked up the stairs and out of the house with Dean right on his heels.

Chapter 2

Two weeks later Travis was in his room when he heard his mom calling for him. He went downstairs and saw her sitting at the kitchen table.

Hey, have you heard from Dean? She asked him.

Travis’s mind jumped to their journey into the house, and then he shook his head. Not in about a week, why what’s up?

His mother just called. She said he’s been acting weird for a little while. He doesn't eat, doesn’t sleep much, and is always reading a book she said he came home with after he said he was hanging out with you. Do you know anything about that?

Travis shook his head. Not a clue.

Maybe you should go see him. Might do him some good to see a friend.

Travis nodded. I’ll go over right now.

He walked out and hopped on his bike. He peddled the 6 blocks to Deans’ house hoping that all of this was a mistake.

****

Travis knocked on Deans’ door and walked through as was normal for them. He went through the kitchen and saw Deans’ mom on the couch.

Hey Travis, Dean is up in his room. Go on up.

Travis climbed the stairs and knocked on the bedroom door and pushed it open. Dean was sitting at his desk as Travis came in. He glanced up, but that glance told Travis that he hadn't been taking care of himself. Travis could see the bags under his eyes which looked like they had been there for days.

Are you okay man? Travis asked him as he took a seat on the bed.

Dean looked over at him again, still not saying anything then went back to the desk.

Your mom is worried about you. She thinks something is going on, so what is it?

Nothing, it’s nothing that any of you need to concern yourself with.

It's that book isn't it?

Dean looked at him again, this time there was a fire in his eyes that Travis hadn’t seen before. We don’t talk about that book.

Dean, I’m your friend, I want to help you. I’m not here to take anything away or to hurt you, you know that, right?

These words seemed to jerk Dean back into reality and he looked over at Travis rubbing his neck. I’m sorry, I’ve just been doing nothing but reading since we left that house. At this point I don’t know if I could stop if I wanted to.

What do you mean?

I mean, this book has a weird hold over my mind. All I can seem to want to do is read. I’m not eating, I’m not sleeping well, I don't even leave my room.

Did you find anything in the book? Like who it might belong to?

Yeah, according to some of the passages the book belonged to an evil entity. It has a bunch of different names but the one it mentions in this book is Nomed. It claims he is one of the most powerful evil forces to walk the planet. If I had to guess this is a book that housed all of his knowledge. That’s because if you go through it, it’s got random passages in it that look like they could be spells.

So you’re telling me, that this book we found belonged to some long dead wizard, or warlock, if those things even exist.

I think he was more than that, I think he was almost a god of sorts. I think those people in that house that were being sacrificed to him. Almost as if he was the god they believed in.

Jesus… Travis trailed off. Well now that you know, why don’t we return it, or throw out the book, or whatever we can think of to get rid of it.

Dean looked away and then back to Travis. There’s more.

Travis cocked his eyebrows.

Toward the center of the book it mentions that those pages might be the resting place for this thing, whatever it is. And, it gives you instructions on how to get him out should he be in there.

Travis felt his jaw swing open. No fucking way… we’re not about to try to summon a dark godlike entity. Are you insane?

I’m not insane, just like in the house, it’s a curiosity I can’t seem to shake.

So you want to stifle that kind of curiosity by doing what? Going into the woods and using some who knows how old spell book to bring something to life? What happened to believing this stuff could be real, or it could end up hurting us?

What happened to not believing it? Dean shot back. Travis didn’t have an answer for that. Look, I still believe it’s bad, but there’s a pull, a subconscious pull in my head that says if we don’t do this, then I may end up going insane myself.

Do you think something like that could be in that book?

It’s hard to tell. I’d say no because if he was that powerful how would something put him away. However, there’s also a chance I’m wrong and we bring an ancient demon to life.

Yeah, great way to spend a summer. Travis muttered under his breath.

Look, you don’t have to do this with me.

No, I’m the reason you have that damn book. I’m not letting you walk out there and try whatever it is you’re about to try on your own.

Are you sure?

No, but I’ll still going to do it.

Dean got up and walked over to where Travis was sitting, he clapped him on the shoulder and smiled. Thanks.

No problem.

****

They rode to the edge of town where a patch of woods had almost turned into a small forest and came to a stop. They hopped off and walked through the trees. Travis was following Dean for a while in silence. As they made it to a thicker set of woods, he spoke up.

"What is it you’re looking