Demented

By P.L. Bearden

[De-ment-ed]: 1. Mad, insane. 2. Entirely irrational; completely unreasonable or lacking any sense of the consequences of actions taken.

After years of childhood abuse from his crippled old man, Seths world was a dark menagerie of violence. He knew what he wanted to do was wrong, but he couldnt stop himself. He was his own worst enemy yet, he was his only friend; until he met Lynn.

She changed everything for Seth. The darkness in his life started to turn to light when he fell for her, the only woman he would ever love.

Dreadful thing; she didnt love him back. But that didnt matter to Seth; hed waited long enough. Now, he would have it his way, no matter what!

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Mar 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491705421

P.L. Bearden

P.L. Bearden is the compelling published fiction author of two books, “Always Dog”, a thriller novel, and “A Lady’s Rendezvous”, a short story romantic comedy. Bearden’s endless imagination keeps the pages turning! She enjoys country living in the Shenandoah Valley with her husband and 13 year old daughter.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The burning in his shoulders forced Seth to give in. He grimaced as he pulled the binoculars away from his dry, red, swollen eyes and tried to focus without them. His chest ached with the air he was holding in his lungs in anticipation of seeing her… it demanded to be released and he exhaled long and slow as he squeezed his eyes shut. He rolled his shoulder around, wincing as his arm shook with weakness. It had been a long day; he’d been watching for 10 hours. It never took this long… He eased his eyes back open and willed his vision to concentrate on the front door. His grip tightened around the binoculars as he saw the door to the building open. Before he could lift his weary arm, the binoculars slipped out of his sweaty hand and landed in the seat. Short, quick breaths started to break out of Seth’s mouth as his fantasy of seeing her gyrated his body. He jerked his arm around the seat; his sweaty hand trembled violently as he grasped the binoculars and held them tight.

He brought them slowly to his face and willed his weary eyes to focus through the lens. His chest constricted with pain as he saw the figure leaving the building… Agonizing relief filled his soul as his eyes devoured the sight of her…

Yet… , the unbearable finale of seeing her; was shortly followed by the torment of seeing her… , and not being able to have her.

Now, his insanity starts…

Seth’s body shook with desire as he watched the way her blue silk dress clung to her petite, shapely body. His eyes burned as tears of lust flowed down his cheeks. He watched her hips sway with each footstep she took… he watched her feet softly press to the ground in her pretty red heels, her legs smooth as silk… Seth moaned low in his chest as he thought about her body trapped under his. Drool slowly slipped down the side of his mouth as he watched her bend her face down and look in her purse for her keys. He imagined looking down at the top of her head; her lips swollen and wet…

Her hand slid inside her purse with ease and Seth imagined her hand touching him. She pulled out her keys, and dropped them on the ground. Seth inhaled deeply as she slowly bent down to pick them up. He quaked inside as he saw her perfectly round ass bent up in the air, and he lost what little control he had and started climaxing. The binoculars fell to the floor with a thud and Seth’s knuckles became white as he gripped the steering wheel. His body jerked viciously in the seat and his pants became warm and soggy. His body slowly stopped shuddering and he released the steering wheel and wiped his mouth. He helplessly watched her red Mercedes drive out of the parking lot and disappear into traffic.

Seth closed his eyes and waited for his body to gain control again. He slowly opened his eyes and gritted his teeth; punching the seat in anger, and waiting…

He knew he would come… he was always there. Seth yelled loud, trying to block him out… , but he couldn’t escape.

He finally spoke to him, You asshole! You didn’t do it, yet again! Why do you do this to yourself? The plan was to follow her tonight, and do it! But you know what, it doesn’t matter anymore, you’re a fucking lost cause. After 15 years of following her, you can pinpoint her every move; yet you won’t take the bitch out! What I want to know is… when are you going to get up off of your disgraceful ass and do what you want to do?

Seth hissed, It’s her fault! It’s her fault!

He started his van and pulled out of the parking lot headed back to his house to clean up. He mumbled to himself, I’ll do it tomorrow.

His grin faded and his stomach tightened with pain… He knew he would be angry… He spoke to him again, Seth, you’ve been telling yourself you will do it tomorrow for 15 years! Every day, you have been watching her, day and night. And every day you end up back in your bed, alone, masturbating all night. Wake the fuck up!

Seth gripped the steering wheel and screamed as he sat at a stop light, It’s her fault! It’s her fault and now she has to make up for everything she’s done!

The light turned green. Seth took a deep breath and slowly drove through the intersection. He started smiling again as he thought about doing it tomorrow.

The voice in his head came back and yelled, You better do it tomorrow you little punk ass bitch! That whore deserves to die! Now… , see yourself doing it… , feel yourself doing it… , will you really do it tomorrow?

Sweat started to roll down Seth’s face as he anticipated actually doing it tomorrow. The voice left him alone; silently predicting his failure.

He was pulling into his carport when the voice came back and calmly said, Now listen to me this time. No matter what; you are doing it tomorrow.

The voice was calm, and controlling. Seth knew he could count on him to get him through this. It continued, Think about her smell, the way she will moan your name.

Seth sat in his van, frozen with thoughts of her. The voice continued, Do it tomorrow. You have to. She’s tormented you for too long. It’s time to do it tomorrow and put an end to your agony.

Seth took out the pistol he had in his coat pocket. He held it in his hand and mumbled, If I don’t do it tomorrow, I’ll just kill myself…

The voice came back and whispered, Yeah, yeah; right… But you gotta do your old man first, you asshole.

Seth yelled, I don’t want to hurt him! He’s helpless!

The voice hissed, You punk! He hates you! He’d kill you himself if he wasn’t rotting away in that hell-hole trailer, slobbering and shitting on himself all day; waiting for your sorry ass to clean him up…

Seth squeezed his hands over his ears, Why won’t you leave me alone! He had a stroke; he can’t talk anymore… why do you still torment me!

The voice rang loud inside of Seth’s head, Because you’re an inept bastard! Because you were born a pussy and you have no manly bone in your measly ass body! You have no fucking reason to live; and you need to kill both of you!

Seth was crying into his sleeve, shaking his head. The voice continued, If you don’t do this tomorrow; you put a bullet in your old man’s head… , and then yours. You got that?

Seth continued crying into his sleeve as he whimpered, Okay… , Okay.

CHAPTER 2

Lynn was trying to stay calm as she squeezed her cell phone in her hand and spoke into it slowly…

Yes Roberto, I know you shipped a replacement part last week, but I still have not received it!

Roberto’s pleading voice responded, Well, I’m sorry Mrs. Lucas, but my shop told me that your employee signed for the package last Friday… at approximately 4:00 p.m.

Lynn frowned and said, My employee! Who?

Roberto stuttered into the phone, L—Let’s see here… It is really hard to make it out Mrs. Lucas; but it looks like S. Somebody… I’m sorry Mrs. Lucas. We have a few new drivers and they don’t know your delivery policy—‘Nothing delivered without your signature’. And now, I can’t ask him details, because he has not been to work since last Friday, and my truck he was driving has gone missing.

Lynn exhaled and said, Okay, okay Roberto. Just—how soon can you get one out here?

Roberto slowly responded… Well, Mrs. Lucas; that was the last one in stock. I will have to place the order now for a shipment. I can probably have another one to you by Friday.

Lynn squeezed her cell phone again and gritted through clinched lips, Another one! I never got the first one! And Friday is the earliest? It’s Monday Roberto; what am I supposed to do with my Lilly’s until Friday, huh? Mist them myself with spit!

Roberto pleaded, Please Mrs. Lucas, I’m very, very sorry. This will never happen again.

Lynn calmly responded, You are absolutely right Roberto. You’re fired!

Lynn slammed her cell phone shut and inhaled… then exhaled slowly. She closed her eyes and started ranting, . . . The largest wedding of the season is scheduled next week; and my humidifier is not working. Replacement part delivered last Friday and signed by S. Somebody! No chance on getting a new humidifier until Friday. I just fired my shipping manager… Please somebody help me…

Lynn got out of her car and made her way across the Home Depot parking lot towards the entrance. She needed to get her mind off of her dilemma; and her weekly Monday morning Home Depot bargain hunt, always made her feel better.

Lynn’s cell phone started ringing as she entered the store. She sniffed the daffodils as she raised her phone to her ear and said, Hello.

The energetic voice on the other end replied, Hey girl! I know you at Home Depot, so pick me up a couple bags of mulch, please.

Lynn laughed and said, What am I now, your delivery girl? Whatcha doing today Kim?

Kim laughed with Lynn and said, Oh, just getting ready for work. Look, I forgot to ask you to pick me up a few bags of mulch so I can finish my yard! You know I can’t have you as a best friend and have my yard looking like the ‘Munster’s’. I know you go poking around the greenhouse at Home Depot every Monday morning and I forgot to ask you last night before you left. So… . I’m calling to ask you to pick me up some mulch girl, please.

Lynn glanced up in front of her and saw a man standing in her pathway. He was smiling at her… She tilted her head and thought to herself his face was vaguely familiar behind all the grease and grime. He was standing right in her way, in the middle of the isle. Lynn blinked hard as she remembered… She smiled and waved, and said into the phone, Ah, Kim. Let me call you back, okay?

Lynn hung up her phone and stood there smiling with her mouth open. She finally said, Wow, it’s been a long time! I almost didn’t recognize you. Lynn held back a cough in her throat from the stench coming from his body.

The man standing in the middle of the isle responded and said, Lynn, wow—it’s really good to see you. You look great!

Lynn smiled and said, Well, thank you—you don’t look so bad yourself. Are you living back around here now?

The man shook his head and responded, I never moved away. I’ve lived here since high school. Same neighborhood for 15 years.

Lynn frowned and said, Wow… me too. It’s funny I’ve never ran into you before. I think I saw your cousin a few years ago, and they said you had moved away.

The man responded, Well; I guess they were mistaken.

Lynn smiled awkwardly and said, . . . Well, it was good to see you. I have to run; just fired my shipping manager and I need to find a humidifier by end of day today!

The man quickly turned as Lynn walked past him. He blurted out, Humidifier! What kind?

Lynn stopped and stared at the man. She slowly said, . . . Large, greenhouse humidifier. I own my own flower boutique.

He smiled and said, I have a hardware store—full of large, greenhouse humidifiers. What kind do you need?

Lynn paused. She narrowed her eyes at him and asked, You own a hardware store?

He replied, Well, I manage it.

Lynn’s senses were getting suspicious about the situation, but she ignored the feeling; thinking she could get her hands on a humidifier before Friday. She replied, Really? Which one?

The man stared dumbfounded at Lynn for a moment, then smiled and said Well you know; the Ace Hardware Factory on Rt. 66.

Lynn raised her eyebrows and said, Really! That’s a nice facility. Excellent! I didn’t know they carried greenhouse humidifiers. Well, do you carry any Miatech equipment?

The man let a long thin grin slide across his face, as he said, Sure do; just got one in last week. Just give me your business card and I’ll deliver it by 5:00 pm today.

Lynn was so excited about finding the humidifier; she reached in her purse and pulled out her card. As she handed it to him, she said, But wait… you do deliveries and manage the store too?

The man quickly took the card out of Lynn’s hand and said, Not normally; but for you… I’m delivering myself.

Lynn hesitated and added; . . . you know; I’m married now, with a 16 year old son…

The man replied as he grinned and turned to walk away. He said Oh, don’t worry Mrs. Lucas; I’m not trying to come on to you. Just doing a favor for an old friend. I’ll have the humidifier to your shop at 5:00pm.

Lynn stood there and watched his scrawny, sloppy frame disappear. Her cell phone started ringing again. She slowly took it out of her purse and looked at the number… Kim.

Lynn answered, Yeah, yeah… I’ll get you some mulch! Girl; you are never going to believe who I just ran into!

Kim sighed on the other end, . . . Who?

Lynn replied, . . . Seth Stevenson…

CHAPTER 3

Seth gripped the steering wheel, clenching his teeth as his body jerked uncontrollably. His pants became warm and soggy while he sat in the Home Depot parking lot watching Lynn walk to her car.

He seethed with hatred as he sat paralyzed watching her drive out of the parking lot and disappear into traffic. He exhaled loud and slumped, hanging his head low. He looked down at his soiled pants and cursed, Bitch!

The voice whispered to Seth… Don’t be upset… you did it!

Seth raised his head and a crooked grin slid across his sweaty face. The voice continued… You finally approached her and started the journey. Now, all you have to do is stay calm; don’t make her suspicious. She’s a smart bitch. She almost made you lose it with all of her damn questions! But no problem; you convinced her. Now; go pick up the humidifier, and be waiting in the parking lot at 5:00!

Seth calmly started his van and drove out of the parking lot. He had a lot of things he had to do at his house… He had to prepare for her; she was finally going to come visit him and be his guest. He had to make sure she would like it…

. . . Because she was never going to leave him again.

The voice, . . . and what about your sick, stinky ass father? You know what you have to do! I’ve been telling you for years. You’ve been taking care of him, waiting for him to die to get your hands on the insurance money, and now you’re so close to snatching her, and he’s still around! Let’s face it—he ain’t dying! You gotta get rid of him… He wants you to do it…

Seth yelled, No! He doesn’t!

The voice, Yes! He does! You see the way he looks at you… , he can’t speak with his mouth, but his eyes still say, ‘I hate your monkey ass for being too weak to put me out of my misery’!

Seth turned the radio up loud, trying to block him out, yelling He’s my father! He’s sick; and he’s going to die soon; the doctor said!

The voice yelled, Exactly! He’s going to die soon anyway… what’s wrong with moving the date a little to the left, to accommodate your soon to be new house guest, huh? You know you want to do it… ; I’ve heard you think it.

Seth started crying into his shirt sleeve as he tried to wipe his face. He mumbled through tears, Ok… , you’re right. I want to kill him! He deserves to die! Let’s kill him tonight.

The voice, It’s for the best.

Seth turned the radio off and drove the rest of the way home in silence. The voice always allowed him peace once he gave into him.

* * * *

Lynn winced as she pricked her finger on a rose, Ouch!

She’d been as jumpy as a cat on a hot tin roof all day. Lynn held her finger and a chill ran down her spine as she thought about her morning… . She’d been fine until she saw Seth… He’d changed. There was something different about him. She shivered again as she remembered the look in his eyes as he spoke to her…

Lynn pricked her finger again, Ouch! Dammit!

She closed her eyes and took a calming breath, whispering… It’s no big deal that Seth looked a little creepy. He’s bringing me a humidifier in 20 minutes, and my Lilly’s will survive!

She finished the Rose arrangement and hit the buzzer, Ok Laura; 2 dozen Roses for Mrs. Sarah Jane; ready.

Shuffling behind the greenhouse doors before they swung open and a petite blonde in a tailored pants suit marches in. She smiles and tilts her head sideways and screeches, Oh Lynnie! You have out-done yourself this time! They are beautiful!

Lynn blushes and starts to walk around the arrangements waving her hands and saying, You really think so? You notice the way I mixed the fire & ice with the red and white on this one; but did more yellow on this one… you like ’em?

Laura marched over and grabbed the flatbed cart and pulled it over to Lynn standing near her creations. Laura sighed, Lynnie, why do you always doubt your talent? Mrs. Jane is going to love them! She always does.

Lynn helped Laura put the arrangements on the flatbed. Laura was pushing the cart out of the greenhouse when she said over her shoulder, See you in the morning Lynnie!

Lynn watched Laura disappearing through the doors and remembered; Oh, Laura!

Laura stopped and turned, Yo!

Lynn absently rubbed the cuts on her sore finger and slowly walked towards Laura saying, . . . Last Friday—a delivery came in for me, and it was signed by my ‘employee’ S. Something… You know anything about that?

Laura frowned and shook her head… Then threw her hand in the air and said, Oh yeah, you know… last Friday… I heard the loading dock bell ring, but when I got back there and opened the door, I saw the truck turning the corner. Some guy said the driver was lost and asked him for directions to an address around the corner.

Lynn blinked, and said, Really… ? Some ‘guy’ was just hanging out behind the shop and told you this?

Laura shook her head and whined, No Lynnie… he was loading or unloading something at the shop next door! What’s the matter? Did somebody steal something? Is that why you fired Roberto?

Lynn held up her hands and said, Wait a minute, wait a minute. Let’s slow down. I fired Roberto because he’s made way too many mistakes. Last Friday when the delivery truck left my package at the wrong address was just the last straw.

Laura froze and stared wide-eyed at Lynn, trying to figure out if she had done something wrong. Lynn paused to take a deep breath, and then continued I was just seeing if perhaps you knew anything about the delivery that’s all.

Laura relaxed and said, Oh, Okay. Just a delivery mistake Lynnie; stop freaking out.

Lynn exhaled and said, You’re right, you’re right. I’m just having a weird day. I ran into someone I haven’t seen in over 15 years…

Lynn’s heart raced as she continued, . . . Laura… , what did the guy look like in the alley last Friday; the one who told you he gave directions to the delivery truck?

Laura pursed her lips and said, Well Lynnie; he was a black guy.

Lynn said, . . . and…

Laura stood there looking at Lynn silently for a second… then Laura stomped her foot and whined, Lynnie! You know all black guys look alike to meeeee! I don’t know exactly what he looked like! He was a black guy!

Lynn walked closer to Laura and cornered her against the flatbed, saying, Well was he short, tall, naked! Did you notice anything?

Laura whined again, Lynnie, what’s wrong with you today?

Lynn relaxed her shoulders and said, I’m sorry Laura. Go… you’ll be late with the roses. Don’t worry about it; just a mix up with the delivery, like you said.

Lynn backed away and tried to give Laura a smile right as she turned around and walked back to her office. She said over her shoulder, See you in the morning hon.

Laura waited a moment, then said, Lynnie… you sure you’re Okay?

Lynn turned and smiled at her friend and co-worker again and said, Yes; now go. If you’re late, I’ll never hear the end of it!

Laura stood there a moment longer, then said, Well, are you leaving now—or do you need some help with anything? I can come back.

Lynn shook her head, No, no—you go. I’m just waiting for the humidifier delivery; a replacement for the one that disappeared on Friday.

Laura pointed her finger at Lynn and said, "Ok, but you promise me you will leave