Die Well: vengeance a cocktail drug, #3

By Sexton Voolinwinkel

Is listeriosis an act of war? Secret organisations try to rescue Southern African countries from themselves, but some conspiracies and vendettas are better off left unresolved, and some mysteries are better off unsolved, as the world engages in the beginning stages of world war three. The syndicate won't appreciate my version of the truth, because they cannot control it and they cannot deny what we all fear.

The year is 2020 and religious activists speak out against the cryonics project, forcing it to be postponed. Peaceful demonstrations turn into unnecessary bloodbaths.

South Africa faces a severe drought and citizens are forced to seek alternative water supplies. Most people turn to the sea, thus the government steps in and re-commissions ships as temporary housing projects, leaving the dry land exposed to criminal activity.

Once again a marvel drug, violence, suspense and strong language are the order of the day. The series is not meant for children.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bernard Harold Curgenven
• Release date: Feb 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393639305

Book preview

Chapter 1

Somewhere in Pinetown:

It was 8pm when the doorbell rang. Engelbert was startled, but not completely disappointed at the thought of company. Sandra had taken the kids to her mother in Pietermaritzburg for the weekend. Normally this would be the perfect opportunity to catch up on some rest, before the early Saturday shift, but he once again found himself roaming about the lounge, trying to pass time and suffering from insomnia. He was overtired and he knew it, but he was afraid to take a sleeping tablet, in case he overslept in the morning.

Engelbert staggered over to the front door. He yawned and stretched before peeping through the peephole. It was Alister! Strange, Engelbert thought. It wasn’t the first time he had visited on a weekday, but he never stayed later than 7pm, being a family man.

‘Engel! Alister exclaimed when the door was opened. Sorry to worry you so late."

No hassle, Al. Come in and tell me what’s wrong. Engelbert stepped aside and ushered his friend in. He then shut the door and locked it. So, tell me what spooked you this time. Did you have an encounter with a frozen head or something?

No! Far worse than that!

You’re scaring me now. What can possibly be so urgent that you need to discuss it this late? Engelbert asked. Won’t you be tired for work tomorrow?

About work...well that’s why I’m here, to tell you that there is no work for us tomorrow.

What are you saying, dear man? We’re both working tomorrow, according to the hospital roster, Engelbert said.

Forget the roster! Julien, the hospital admin called us in this afternoon and told us that the cryonics division has been shut down.

What! By who’s authority? For how long?

It may be temporary and they will let us know, Alister sighed. He observed the disappointment in his friend’s face. Those bastards finally got a court order against the hospital. If you ask me they are nothing but trouble makers.

You mean the human rights activists? Engelbert asked.

No, that new political party, or the religious activist nuts! They have been trying to derail us since they formed. Wow my man, don’t you watch the news?

No, not really. Nobody seems to tell the truth lately, Engelbert admitted.

Well, it’s time you start watching the news. The country’s in chaos around you, Alister complained. They began demonstrating at the entrance to the hospital this morning and apparently one of then punched a security guard. The police arrived and arrested a few of them.

I suppose tomorrow’s headlines will read ‘Police Brutality at hospital’. But what’s going to happen to the frozen bodies, surely the court order doesn’t allow them to confiscate the bodies, does it?

No, they can’t do that, although technically speaking, taking a dead body off life support isn’t exactly murder, Alister explained and laughter erupted.

I still believe people have souls and revived corpses are deprived of their souls. In fact, I’ve always been afraid that cryonics will someday prove that human beings have no souls, and therefore they will remain dead forever when their time is up on earth, Engelbert said.

Apparently you’re not alone! Alister remarked.

My dear friend, I would hate to say I told you so, but...

But nothing, Alister cut him off. Nothing is for certain. Anyway, we had better pray this all blows over soon or we will both be looking out for alternative employment.

Well at least you can flash your qualifications around at any butcher or abattoir, with your experience in deep freezing meat, Engelbert mocked. Perhaps you may even bump into the souls of cattle and chickens. He won the day with this remark and they chuckled between them, like two school children motivated by pure mischief.

Oh, I’m sure I can find you a trolley to push in the abattoir, Engelbert lashed out, stoking the fire, metaphorically speaking of course. He stopped giggling and his cheeks dropped, portraying a very serious face. Of course this was in mockery of the situation at hand. How is Eleazer? I haven’t seen her in ages.

You mean you haven’t screwed her in ages, Alister corrected him.

Come to think of it...

She’s still hopping around on her crutches, leg in a cast! Alister said jokingly.

When does it come off?

Only next month! The sex is up to shit now, but her cast comes in handy though, Alister said.

In what way?

Firstly she can’t outrun me, and secondly we get preference in queues. Also the plaster cast comes in handy when we need to smuggle stuff for an extra income, Alister said. I can’t tell you what she smuggles in there though, but I can tell you it’s worth a lot of money.

Watch she doesn’t kick your ass with that leg! Engelbert said sarcastically.

Yeah I know! Alister exclaimed. Has Sandra left with the kids?

Yep!

Tell you what! Why don’t you come with us and sleep over tonight. We’ll have a party.

Hell no, I don’t want to impose! Engelbert answered. He was secretly hoping his friend would twist his arm with a better offer.

Oh well, I suppose I will have to entertain Eleazer and her hot little sister, you know the nurse!

You mean what’s her name... Sally Grey?

Yep! I know you’d like to squeeze her, Alister said. I may have to beat you to it.

Why would she even consider having intercourse with me? She doesn’t appear to be a nymphomaniac and she’s beautiful.

My dear friend, that miracle painkiller you found in the trash two years ago, was no painkiller at all. It was planted there. Do you recall the day I had to rush you home? You almost raped the cleaning ladies.

How good of you to remind me! I suppose you’ll never forget it. I felt totally humiliated the following day, Engelbert said, looking away.

You give yourself too much credit, my friend. It’s not you who have earned the credit, but the genetically modified drug that you took. I mean you weren’t the first and last man alive to experience it, and it works on both male and female subjects.

You’ve lost me for a moment. What does it have to do with your wife’s sister? Engelbert asked, playing dumb.

Sally like’s to indulge once in a while, and she conveniently has a merchant in the family, Alister explained. Now, will you disappoint the girls?

The girls! Engelbert remarked.

Two hot sisters and a wonder drug! It’s every man’s dream, isn’t it? Hell, I’ll even shoot a video if you like!

I need no more convincing. Let me get dressed quick. Have a seat and help yourself to scotch. I’ll be right back. Please be sparing with the water though; I’ve almost reached my household limit for the day.

We all know it doesn’t take much to exceed one’s ration. Fear not though, for I prefer my whiskey on the rocks, Alister answered, expressing himself in a Victorian fashion.

No way! I would rather settle for Ijuba on the pavement. I need my water.

What? Oh my word! Alister remarked before bursting out with laughter. You’ll be getting your battery acid on the sidewalk soon, if you don’t hurry! I like to eat my cake while it’s hot. Trust me, you don’t want to keep them waiting. You must never starve a wild animal, if you get my meaning! He stood up when he had finished saying this and paced towards the window. He looked out at the car in the street.

Engelbert was quiet now, not that Alister was paying attention anyway. Alister stared at his old Toyota Corona. It probably was time for a new car, but this one had been passed down from his mother with love. She had taken great pride in the upkeep of this little 1300cc car and it remained in mint condition all this time. The engine had been overhauled twice over the years and it had been repainted.

He strained his eyes to zoom in and focus on the front passenger seat. He thought he would read Eleazer’s mood; he was looking for any sign of impatience. He managed to see her brown hair, as she was leaning over her seat, facing the girl in the backseat. Her face was hidden. The other girl’s face was hidden too. It was as if their faces were buried in the act of smooching, and they seemed to remain buried in a lengthy intimate moment. Could it be that she was having an affair in his absence, he wondered? Could it be that she would be engaged in kissing her own sister? Was the drug really powerful enough to make her start the party without the boys?

Either way, he had to get back to Eleazer now, before he was forgotten and rejected. Engelbert let go of the parted blind and turned towards the door. He got another surprise; the man’s stealthy movement startled him. Alister was already there. It was as if Alister had the renewed speed and courage of a youth, and he was dressed to kill, metaphorically speaking!

Well, let’s not keep them waiting. They’re growing anxious in the car, Engelbert remarked, waving at his friend. Earth to Al! Snap out of it.

But how did you know?

"The old house is equipped with