Evil Does as Evil Is and Other Dark Tales

By Robert Sollars

Horror in a hoarder house. Vividly imagined murder. A battered woman’s surprise protectors. Human kindness during the apocalypse. A deep freeze with no escape. People from a man’s past who have come back to punish him. And yes, cigarettes can kill you.

These are just a few of the plot elements found in this grim, graphic, imaginative collection. As you read, prepare to meet demons, clowns, snakes, aliens, and vengeful former lovers in highly original situations. Not for nothing does the author warn the reader, in an introductory note, that the content may be too intense for some. But fans of horror films and fiction have a lot to look forward to.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Sollars
• Release date: Dec 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005876791

Book preview

Evil Does as Evil Is and Other Dark Tales

Robert D. Sollars

Books by Robert D. Sollars

Nonfiction

Murder at Work

Murder in the Classroom

Unconventional Customer Service

Fiction

Legend of Three / Book One: The Rise of Marpatronia

Evil Does as Evil Is and Other Dark Tales

Editing, print layout, e–book conversion,

and cover design by DLD Books

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Editing and Self–Publishing Services

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Copyright 2021 by Robert D. Sollars

All rights reserved

Author’s Note

These stories are full of violent language and graphic portrayals of sex, violence, and imagery that most people can’t read comfortably. This is my mind and the way it works sometimes, so please be aware. If the content offends you, then stop reading!

A Special Halloween Date

Paula stood under the dim street lamp alone, her foot tapping impatiently, increasingly angry at the man who had stranded her on a dark corner, one of the worst in the city.

Her short skirt and low–cut blouse showed every asset she was proud of. Her chocolate skin reflected the garish light of the streetlamp, illuminating her exposed breasts, legs, and silky, long hair. Her 5’3" frame stood in a posture of defiance, daring anyone to proposition her.

Damn him! she muttered. I feel like a street whore standing here in this outfit. Why would he do this? I’ve already had to tell five guys where to go.

Tears welled up and almost began to fall, but she choked them back. She silently vowed, I will not let anyone see me cry like a weakling.

A car pulled up beside her, and the window rolled down to show an older man with a lecherous grin on his face. Worse was when her eyes flitted to his hand, which was busy moving up and down in his crotch.

Hey ya, sweet thing, want to come along with me? My dipstick wants to sample your oil.

His laugh sent cold shivers up her spine. She grunted in disgust and turned away. The man pulled the door handle as an older luxury car pulled up and stopped.

Paula, come on, we’re gonna be late! came the voice of the person she’d been waiting for on this special Halloween date.

Where the hell have you been? I’ve been standing here for an hour, looking like a street slut in this outfit. The tears welled up once again but were just as quickly suppressed.

Baby, I’m sorry. The car broke down. This is why your parents need to spring for a cell phone.

She sat back and pouted.

Bruce gazed at her with his smoldering eyes.

She didn’t want to, but she looked at them. Those eyes…melted her, and she instantly forgave him for anything. She didn’t know why, but the fiery eyes, handsome looks, and arrogantly confident attitude made her dissolve into a puddle of goo, something she had never experienced before.

I think you’re going to be the most beautiful woman at this thing. In fact, he kissed her softly on her red lips, there’s no thinking about it. You are the most gorgeous thing this place and I have seen or ever will.

She blushed, slumping into his arms as he hugged her tightly.

The auditorium was decorated in a harvest motif. Bales of hay, pumpkins, and many other harvest bits and pieces adorned it. The six–foot–tall Bruce pulled out a chair for her.

You’re always a perfect gentleman, Bruce. You make me melt every time you’re around me. How do you do that?

He merely gave her a burning ember of a look and went off to get drinks.

No sooner had Bruce left than a young man sat down, placing his arm around her and the chair.

Paula tried to shrug it off, but it was as hard and stiff as rebar.

Hey ya, baby. How you doin’ tonight? Would you like a good time? I got some blow, and we could have a real party somewhere else. Whaddya say, pretty girl? The voice was thick and slurred.

Then five others surrounded them.

Oh, and I forgot. My friends want to party, too, he said with a ragged–tooth smile that made it abundantly clear what they wanted.

Bruce returned and sat on the other side of Paula.

Beat it, you jackass. This is my girl, and you’ll be in deep trouble if you ever sully her again with your presence. Do you hear me, you slimy motherfucker? The voice was low, with a tone of threatening finality.

The lead motherfucker stared for a moment and then got up and left.

Paula looked at the sparkling blue eyes against the dark skin of her man. He continued to astound her.

You’re like a demon sometimes, she said. You can say something and it happens. What is it about you and getting your way?

He looked into her brown eyes, caressing her cheek with his finger. "It’s nothing, baby girl. Just self–confidence and knowing you can do what you say you can, nothing more, nothing less. Besides, I haven’t gotten what I want from you yet, now have I?" He smiled at her, hypnotizing her.

Sharp objects were suddenly against their throats.

Okay, dickhead, do I sully your presence now?

The group had returned.

Bruce’s eyes told Paula to stay still and say nothing. Faster than anyone could see, his hand came up and grabbed the wrist. His other hand flew up to the brown one, tightening his grip like steel bands, his thumbs resting on the pressure points, fingernails digging deep furrows into the skin.

I don’t suppose you really wish to harm either one of us, now, do you? His face darkened but was calm, showing no exertion.

The men’s hands popped open, letting the blades clatter to the floor. They grimaced in pain.

Lemme go! You’re gonna break it! Let me go!

The Hispanic man wailed like a baby. Bones began cracking in their wrists, and trickles of blood ran down their forearms.

Bruce said calmly, Come on, girls, you really want to scream some more, don’t you? His grip tightened.

The men collapsed to their knees, but Bruce refused to let go.

You menaced my baby girl. You need to apologize and show more respect for women in the future. Don’t you agree? His voice was eerily calm, menacing, and froze them to their souls.

The screams increased, but their heads bobbed up and down.

Bruce let go, and they fell to the floor, crying in pain, as their friends uttered expletives and raced to the exit.

The policemen who were observing the auditorium came over.

Is there a problem here? Something we can help you with?

The two men stood up shakily and said nothing, but they looked at Bruce and then the floor, where their blood was pooling.

No, sir. Everything’s fine, they said in a quiet and submissive tone before heading for the exit door.

Are you two okay? What happened over here? the policemen asked.

Nothing, officers. They tried to gang up on my girlfriend, asking her to party with them. I convinced them otherwise. Bruce opened his jacket to show he had no weapons.

Okay, then. We’ll keep an eye out for them. You two be careful. When you get ready to leave, let us know, so we can keep an eye on you.

Bruce shook their hands and sat down with Paula. He covered her with kisses, cooing softly into her ear, melting her yet again.

Music started playing. He pulled her to the floor and started to dance wildly. Paula laughed, dancing and gyrating with him. Sweat ran down their faces as they got hotter and more frenzied.

Paula noticed that the air conditioner had stopped working. That must be why we’re sweating so much, she said.

No, it’s not. It’s getting hotter in here because—

Bruce was interrupted by the soft, moody strains of soulful ‘70s music. They started to dance slowly, erotically, grinding against each other. He pulled her closer and cooed sweet, nasty, wicked things in her ear.

She blushed.

She’d never met anyone like Bruce before, and he mesmerized her. At seventeen, she was sheltered from much in the real world, and now she felt that she was about to experience one thing she wanted maddeningly.

She began to lead him to a dark corner. She noticed that everyone was wiping their brows and sweat was running from them.

This is weird, thought Paula. She said to Bruce, I want this so bad, I’m almost willing to drop to the floor and rip your clothes off.

A policeman walked over to them and said, The air conditioner isn’t working. Everyone has to leave.

Bruce looked at him with contempt before turning away.

Paula stared at Bruce, wondering, with an awful feeling.

Bruce put white–knuckled fists to his temples. He ground his teeth, clenching his jaw so tightly that Paula thought he would break something.

The temperature began to rise precipitously. People began to gasp, as they could hardly breathe.

People headed for the exits, but the soles of their shoes were melting to the floor. The policemen tried to get them out, but their equipment burned through their clothes. A startled cry rang from the far corner as a couple burst into flames. Then another and another.

The hall exploded with flaming torches of humanity, screaming in agony. The building itself detonated in a blaze of flame. The roof collapsed, and the air–conditioning unit crashed to the floor. More than