TLBOH: The Little Barbershop Of Horrors

By James Venechanos

When the moon is high and the night is richly dark. Deep in the back alleys of every city lies a place where freaks, fanatics, outcasts, demons and beasts can come to share their story to the universe above. Located on the edge of reality on a dimensional hub. This Little Barbershop Of Horrors is where those in need are taken care of by an eclectic Barber, Mr. Mallace. A bit of a fanatic himself, Mallace treats all those that come to his establishment with open arms. Granted, in payment, your story will be posted and shared as with the many other pictures on his wall. So come one, come all, dont be shy. Mr. Mallace is working tonight. There is plenty to be said and ever so more to be told in this fantastical TLBOH. As Mr. Mallace would say. "There is much work to be done" Open late and only late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098368388

Book preview

cover.jpg

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.

Print ISBN: 978-1-09836-837-1

eBook ISBN: 978-1-09836-838-8

Contents

Notes from the writer.

Prologue

Dark Openings

Solace

Awake

A steep spiral

The Pit

Down the Rabbit hole

The Hat Man does Commeth

A White Picket Fence

Exurbia

Strange things afoot at the circle K…

The Book In A Box - A Mr. Mallace Story Time

Samuel

When it follows

House Party

Stairway to heaven

The book of the dead

The Sandman commeth

TLBOH Back at the Barbershop

The Chair

Excerpt

Notes from the writer.

Welcome, to my first volume of ‘The Little Barbershop of Horrors’ or otherwise known as TLBOH. This is a collection of stories that I have worked on for quite some time and each story yet has an ending. This is a continual saga in which I have meticulously put together to form this work. This project took years of thinking about and a lot of creative process, imagination and perseverance to construct it.

I would like to thank my mother for her support of this project and all my clients I talked in their ear over and over about the ideas I have had to push forward my ideas for this book being written. Though this is just the beginning, be prepared for more to come as this saga develops into the world I have imagined.

Thank you for reading

James Venechanos AKA.. JayMasterSkills..

Istock.com for licensing the pictures.

Prologue

It twas a dark night in the ever so declining city of sin as so many other cities mirror the same corruption of our world and the minds of man. Such a great start to any story of this magnitude, a story of the Darkness within our souls, the programming of our thoughts and minds, and the mere depravity of our human condition. The divinity of the black nothingness, a void placed on mankind for nefarious reasons beyond comprehension devoid of any emotion or care for the plight, but only purpose. A world which will never rest and exists in solitude from the rest of the universe spinning its wild tales of corruption and madness. The night, where the reality of this world shines through yet to be only seen by a small but growing few. The silence in these hours can be even deafening at times, void of sound. At other times the screaming agony of existent piercing the ears of those who can hear and roam in the shadows to exist. Old worlds and new worlds come together, and sometimes dimensional rifts collide. While the rest of the world is asleep or not even paying attention, the Void of nothingness and dreams weave a connection with the universe that eventually demands attention. Deny it the attention it deserves, and death and suffering will surely come upon you. Accept it, and you just might survive, even if it comes at the cost of your sanity.

The stars, filling the sky like the eternal slumber of a million souls yearning to spread their sunder into the universal mechanism of life/death/madness. The Moon, bright, forlorn, menacing, looking on the world and witnessing firsthand the sins of man, beast and other things that may go bump in the night. The one thing you can be sure of though, the moon is on your side for it lights the way and keeps the darkness at bay or it might swallow you whole in a moment’s notice faster than you could even blink an eye. The mist slowly creeping. Rolling in like a thick blanket shrouding away the buildings like tucking in a child for bed. Thus, only to prepare for the boogeyman hiding in the closet or under the mattress or behind a not so closed door. Where is he going to spring from tonight one might ask? Will this be your last, or will he leave you mangled and suffering unable to call out for help? Questions only those on the brink of sight may ask.

The rain had started to drizzle creating a reflection of the heavens above and the moons current position of guiding those through the darkness as it creates a glowing haze on the encroaching mist. In the reflection cast from the pools of darkness is not just the heavens above, but now the world below. Deep below in which some call it the Underworld filled with the blackness, the wet streets reflecting the ooze that perpetrates this reality. Reflecting the Hell that so much wants to rise and flood the world with its impurity. Be aware, that little wet spot could take you either way, both to the eyes of man terrifying as you may fall into the sea of black ooze and the insanity of eternity.

There is an aura in the air tonight and this town is about to see the likes of something sinister on a divine level that not even the best Taro experts in the field can put their finger on it. It pulsates throughout the world, through the air, in the water and in the food. The animals know and not even the bats or the owls would dare feed tonight. There is something coming, and all living inhabitants can feel it including those who live in the shadows. These beasts know more than anyone and even they sense something big, and that something has within itself a most malicious of intent at its very core.

The quiet evening changes its tune. There is a scream in the night, blood curdling and intense, a scream like the life is just being physically ripped from this human carcass in the worst imaginable way. The scream turns to a howl like a wolf in the night singing to the moon above. It is enough to send the chills down the spine of any living thing that may fear death. The howl in its intensity lingers in the air, reverberating like a harmonic tune in perfect pitch and for a second. That pitch matched the evening hum to a point where you did not know if you have been struck deaf, not being able to hear anything complete. The utter silence ringing in your ears then intensifies and you are left paralyzed as it disables all brain function.

The lasting reverberations dance around on the mist that has engulfed even more of the city, the wet penetrating your senses as a different type of hum makes its rounds to your conscience. Within moments movement becomes a new norm, life has seemed to scatter with no real evidence of who or what exactly is moving. Violence erupts everywhere and the noise seems almost like a mixture of laughing and screams. The streets at night are not for the squeamish or weak minded or any of you that are fainthearted. Deadly and tough, a city on the brink of madness where there is little difference between monsters and men.

Dark Openings

A Hulking stature of a Shadowy figure makes its way in a hurry through the streets. Keeping to the shadows this individual is obviously in a hurry to get somewhere, or even nowhere extremely fast. From a bird’s eye view of this being charging through the now soaked streets you can see him dodging the lights disappearing at times where all you hear are his footprints splashing as it runs frantically towards oblivion. There was a lot of things sinister going on tonight, this being was no exception. At some point along the main drag you could see the being stop for a moment and survey his surroundings. There was an alley way next to this being that anyone local knew, this alley was one of lost souls. Most dare not to venture in this alley for it has been told once you enter you may never leave. There have been some known to have escaped this place though just all tall tales this may be. The ones who do leave come out looking years older and ragged with no knowledge of the nefarious adventure they were beholden to. The things that went on in this alley no one did want to know, people just stayed away and in all, it is was for the best. Just a mere glimpse into the alley holds an air where the night is no longer night, but a more deceptive cloth which veils the truth from the current existence of man. The static charge of danger and dark mischief fills the nostrils as the smell of black oil sludge puddles in the streets, determined to swallow anyone who dares to walk upon its shinning surface.

Like a freight train this individual took the leap into madness and charged down this alley leaping any obstacles with purpose and heavy breathing. This does not affect the individual’s pace, however. It seems more a strange race of parkour towards a pressing need and nothing is going to stop this juggernaut from reaching its destination. The steam coming from its hood leaving a trail of smoke in the night that rose to the dim lit lamps that kept Just a hint of vision that beheld a road that may or may not just drop into the bottom less pit and this person would disappear forever. The figure in some moment finally reached what could be the end of his journey and came upon a large gate and a sudden stop was made. End of the line it to most but upon closer inspection, a gateway to another dimension. Under a large trench coat and a large hat, you can see the expansion of this person’s chest and the steam coursing out of the dark space where its face should be. There in site a sign appears that reads Beware, No Trespassing The being turns his attention in the direction where there is a break in the fence which leads to a bleak and distrusting path. In this the person has found what it was looking for, takes a deep breath and makes his way through the gate into what may be Hell itself.

Quickly the character moves through the pathway with determination in its step trailing breath like that of a dragon on its way to strike a victim. When suddenly out of the bleakness there is a light at what seems the end of a long tunnel. The light is inviting, and the individual is drawn to it like a moth in the night. Moving closer the light is now illuminating a doorway and it seems our person has reached it desired destination. The closer to the door another sign becomes apparent as the mist divides and in blazon wording, this sign calls out to all travelers of this world, and even into those in the next.

Ignoring any darkness of night, a giant hand painted on the wood of an otherworldly origin pointing to some letters in which read.

TLBOH

Barbershop

Mr. Mallace

Open Late, Only Late

Give it a buzz

There was a buzzer underneath painted like a spiraling target sign with a little note that said, ‘press here’. The night had become quiet and the only sound was that of a clacking from overhead which suddenly came through to the senses as a barber pole had become apparent menacingly twisting its stripes in a hypnotic turn Over and over. This Hard to miss this spectacle’s sudden appearance and was a bit startling to say the least. The Barber pole itself Drenched in the bloody history of tooth extraction, leaching, amputations and back alley surgeries. The stripes Representing the bloody rags hung on poles to dry out in the wind to be reused on the next victim. These rags would wrap themselves around the pole to forever become the call sign of any barber establishment. Sanitary Conditions did not exist back in the day, one may even ask, do they now? The individual moved in close, one could sense a slight hesitation in its movement, but the person reached out, and with finger pressed the button.

The buzzer was deafening as it grinded straight to the bone scooping out your frontal cortex at the same time. There was whirring sounds that filed the air, and then movement as the door leaped into motion as it were itself alive and was just rather sleeping than just an ordinary door. The buzzing trailed off into the building with an echo, its noise turned from scratching to the same Harmonic tune as the scream heard earlier in the night sky. The door, after finishing whirling about, a few things slid away till the door popped opened just a smudge. Not very much but enough to send a shine into the darkness of the night with a searing light that penetrated the dark entryway inviting the traveler from the cold and foreboding world behind. With a brisk move forward, opening the door with a slight bit of caution there was a bit of a shock as the door hit a bell that was hanging top the doorway. It rang out and alerted the presence of anyone entering the shop with a ring that seemed to reverberate for some time like that of a church bell. Upon entering the room, the light cooled and was not as shocking as first observed, it began to draw one in as the feeling of comfort surrounded the person like that of the feeling of coming home.

The Barbershop was full of paraphernalia, and strange objects. The space was fully utilized and quite a glorious spectacle to say the least. There was this front reception of a desk and cases filled with all sorts of shiny things, collectables obviously, but from what age or time it was hard to tell. Pictures in plenty lined the walls ranging with styles from different eras, some in which some seemed hundreds of years old. Memories of time past that just leered out at you as though alive, giving off an air of many lifetimes as each one followed you in your every step. A small little wait area appeared through the collection and presented a large accommodation of comforts with the lush antique furniture. Moving towards the wait area, upon closer inspection of the wall plaques that surrounded the area, the details seem to be stripped away as though out of focus or from a dream. Through the haze glances did appear sporadically looking at you, judging. Then upon closer inspection, details would disappear and the eyes no longer, leaving you to decipher only twisted blurs and distorted views. One may ask oneself if these things were alive. Granted if you happen to be standing in this shop, all sorts of strange things were said to happen, the owner had a reputation. Thing was, he was the best in the business and respected throughout, as a guiding light for those lost in a world that had rejected most as for some, a long time ago.

Several display cases lit up a portion of the place with all sorts of other unique items. Strange collections of crystal skulls, goblets, ancient devices that were either Barber tools or torture devices. Outside of the cases there were wall displays of ancient weapons ranging in eras like samurai, Mongolian, maybe Egyptian. A suit of armor sat in the corner with a sword as though it were King Arthur himself holding Excalibur. There were other items till you ended up towards a workbench which held obvious tools of the barber trade. The place was full of color and filled with reds, blacks, yellows, and greens with everything having their own back lighting casting elongated shadows across the floor. There was an interesting smell wafting in the air, an unknown mixture but it soothed the being’s soul, if it even had one that was. A rather ominous effect that had also dominated the entire atmosphere of this unique barbershop was nothing held a solid focus and the room seeming to spin on its own axis, different from outside of the world beyond the other side of the front door. The entire room seemed to ultimately come to one conclusion as your eyes are lead beyond the reception desk to where the shop opened to a glorious site of two massive chairs in the center of the main room. These chairs were ancient and kept in immaculate condition, the chrome shined from the lights above. Oil bearing mechanized leather backing chairs complete with ornate designs, awe inspiring as to the where and when in time these beauties were created. Beyond comprehension the chairs looked inviting and called out to you in an inner voice directly into your head, a slight whisper as though each was singing you Its own lullaby. The whispering was daunting, inviting you to sit in your own electric chair with the willingness to fry if only for just some unknown onlookers’ pure sense of entertainment.

There was a sudden change in atmospheric pressure as a sweet musical tune touched the very tips of the ear as though an electrical current had passed. Thoroughly Hypnotizing the sound trailed tantalizing along, the notes as sweet as the smell of musk and clove began to perpetrate the room. Bringing with itself a recognizable scence of being from the deep recesses of the mind There was another smell, a reminder of roses mixed with embalming fluid spiked with a dash of antifreeze. Alluring and captivating the music played an ancient and soft tune as on what seemed an old gramophone than from any other modern radio device. A sound that seeped into the very essence of your being and lifted you to walk ever so closer towards your fate. The violin skipped across the air; the tune ever so slightly recognizable as it danced through to your very breath. What was this tune? Ahh, The Devils Trill Sonata The graceful violin playing its tune in ways no mortals could. Its daunting Sonata pierced the ears as slowly it became ever so louder and focused. There among the Tantalizing notes a whistling appeared in the midst, in such perfect harmony with the violin it was almost indistinguishable. The Smells and the music seemed to dance around you as its own living entity circling in your mind. The whistling of the individual grew louder and louder becoming more pronounced in each moment.

Behind the barber chairs, an elaborate workstation dominated the space as ancient and ornate as the chairs themselves. Behind these stations, a black curtain fell to the floor to close off a distant back room. Though not closed all the way as a slight light did Shown through as a moving shadow behind the curtain moved and broke a slight shadow, this was where the whistling has been coming from. Laughter, as grand as the tune burst into the Ambiance of the room breaking into the ears and penetrating the mind. It was difficult to determine whether it was coming from the back room or behind you towards the entrance as it filled the room with its immense jolly. A voice then rang out, Hello There in a jovial fashion. Be there in a moment, just relax and take off your coat my dear fellow. The voice rang wickedly polite. The being standing between the waiting area and the Chairs of death stood, stunned, wondering if he could see this character. Looking around he quickly found a rack to hang his coat and hat. It wasn’t hard to miss for it was the most fantastic of coat hangers one had ever seen. Old, engraved wood that rose to a massive silver crown piece. The man was a rather big fellow and did fill in the coat He was wearing, the weight of his jacket was nothing to the size of the glorious hanger. Bearded like a lumberjack his hair hung greasy and his eyes held an otherworldly gauze as though emotion and empathy held no standing with him. He wore a plaid shirt that bulged unnaturally as he moved and breathed. Taking a sigh and then a deep breath, the music and the room had seemed to calm his nerves as he waited patiently for this Mr. Mallace.

Ready or not, here I come and a huge laughter followed as the curtains flew open and a man of sorts stepped through. ta da! Oh My, My, my... Mr. Mallace jeered Aren’t we a beast he laughed out loud Excellent, I was wondering when you might get here and as it seems, you have arrived my dear sir! Puzzled, the man had not been in the shop before and was only advised to stop buy and did so unannounced. Mr. Mallace was in fact well known in his circle and exceptional in his craft. He came highly recommended especially for the current circumstances that held the hulking man.

Mr. Mallace was a tall thin being, built Strong and moved like a panther. His face and his skin seemed to define his bone structure and his dress was that of a doctor of sorts. He wore a Black fitting pants with a white shirt with what seemed to be an old-style apron. His shoes did very much gleam as they were Polished like mirrors and he wore a black necktie and bands on his sleeves to keep them from falling. Out of this time and into another, Mallace moved quickly and gracefully as though he never actually moved at all, but mere teleported from one place to another. Suddenly and with jungle cat grace Mallace appeared next to the first chair. With an elongated arm he reached out with a welcoming hand as with the other to almost touch the shoulder of the man as a guiding force into the chair itself. Sit lad, sit… Make yourself comfortable for me casa es su casa. His smile was jeering, it was as though Mallace’s mouth encompassed the entire lower section of his face. The first thing that came to mind from the stranger was my, what big teeth you have grandma. Mallace continued, Hurry now, we do not have all evening and we have much to do, much to do indeed. Again, that jeer and that smile as though he has caught his prey and is about to have quite the feast. Sit Mallace insisted bouncing his arm a little pointing to the chair.

The hulking Beast of a man moved forward and in just that slight of a movement he was whisked into the chair as though he was teleported suddenly by the movements of Mr. Mallace who then jeered There, that wasn’t so hard now was it Mallace hummed in a soothing voice and patting the man on his shoulders. We will make you right as rain and when you leave you will feel renewed again and free from the burdens of this world Mallace danced around and took a swing to point directly in the face of the stranger with another ear-to-ear grin. That is till next time of course, hmmmm! He spun around again and laughed some more. The music had come alive once again and Mallace started humming to it as he disappeared behind the gentleman in the chair. Oh, will you look at this Mallace grimaced as he spun the chair around. Disappearing He reappeared at the wall of his abode and reached for a picture on the wall that had seemed crooked. We can’t have this now can we, Mallace says to himself and flips it right and gives it a little pat. Now there, don’t be naughty will you. We have guests. He paused in contemplation. His head slowly turning he gave a sinister looks at the gentleman in the chair. Now, where were we? With his elongated fingers he pressed on his chin, Ahhh yes, There was a sudden whoosh and Mallace appeared behind the man and called out Abracadabra! The drape swung around like a bullfighter’s cape and landed effortlessly around the stranger’s neck. Mallace still humming to the violin filling the air with that musky smell almost seeping from the pores of Mr. Mallace. He seated himself behind the stranger and with both hands, laid gently on his shoulders, So what my dear sir, My most respected and important patron of the evening! Is your pleasure? Mallace spoke loud and graceful with a sinister tone. A moment past and Mallace began to hum. I know what you need, how could I forget my manners. With a quick pat on the shoulders and a twist turn to a corner, Mallace pulled out of a drawer an ancient incense holder. He shuffles around and opens another box of snuff like powder and puts it in the holder. He laughs aloud, this is my own special recipe, it effects the body and mind and will set you at ease, a must have when visiting my shop, I may say, a must have. Mallace produced a match to light the burner and brings it over to the stranger. Waving his hand to waft the smoke into the man’s direction. Mallace continued, fantastic mix and though I did not know her in her time, I did know her. It was ‘Catherine the Great’ who came up with this concoction and in the end was the only way I could end up servicing her. I have used it ever since with great results, so don’t be afraid, this is century’s old. With that even Mallace breathed on the fumes. Now, hold this and we will get on our way. Handing the holder to the client and taking a spin turn to look devilishly at his workbench. Now let’s see. Mallace says to himself while caressing his chin, What shall we use today.

The stranger then began to speak, his voice booming in the room barreling out of his chest. A voice which you may have expected considering the frame of this individual. Clearing his throat, the man stated, Yes, well, I need a trim and my beard as well, it’s been a while and its starting to get hard to maintain. Mallace jumped in, Yes, yes, of course you do, and I am sure it is, you have come to the right place my friend, you have indeed. Mallace was shuffling through some drawers and setting up his supplies. His counters and his station were full of spray bottles and jars. It would be hard to say if Mallace was a Barber or a Scientist, maybe a bit of both. The music arose once more, this time with an added effect as the incense itself intensified in aroma. There was this gurgling, and bubbling, steam rose from behind Mallace as he placed his tools with surgical accuracy on his station. What to use, what to use He had pulled a case from under the station and as he opened it his eyes