They, Are Always Watching: Things That Go Bump in the Night

By Joseph Norris III

"They, Are Always Watching: those things that go bump in the night" is a nightmare-inducing short story horror book delivered with a hard gut punch. These tales' settings span from rural anywhere to inner-city anytime. Each one resonates with unique disturbing terror. This book is a great gift for horror fans, fans of "gotcha" endings, and fans

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joseph Norris III
• Release date: May 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9780997924138

Book preview

They, Are Always Watching

They, Are Always Watching

They, Are Always Watching

Things That Go Bump in the Night

Joseph Norris, III

writetoscare

Contents

Dedication

SIMONE

THE VAN

RIDGE ROAD

OUT HOUSE

MR. BITTERS

TOWN

PIECES OF A DREAM

OUIJA

MOMMA

BLACK, WHITE, AND BLOOD RED ALL OVER

MY GREAT PUMPKIN

UNPRECEDENTED

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Copyright © 2022 by Joseph Norris

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

First Printing, 2022

DEDICATION

To my late father, Joseph Norris, Jr.

SIMONE

Marshall smiles widely looking above him at the marquee’s bright golden lights. It reads, Love, What Will You Discover?, starring Charlene Waters." His eyes harshly blink as the marquee lights suddenly go out. Still smiling, the brisk sharp cold wind pierces his fingertips. Conjuring thoughts of his dialysis needle sticks. Marshall cups his hands to his mouth blowing hot air into them.

Can’t believe I forgot my gloves.

He’s outside of The Haynie Theater waiting for the star of the show, his wife, Charlene Waters. It’s been a very long time since he’s been able to venture out to see her perform. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease with his choices for dialysis treatments were doing it at home or at a dialysis center. At home, either Charlene or himself would do the needle sticks along with the connection to the dialyzer. Whereas at the dialysis center a nurse or a dialysis technician would do those procedures. Marshall chose the dialysis center; he was afraid to stick himself and Charlene’s schedule didn’t really permit her to do all that was encompassed.  They both searched for an overnight dialysis center to enable Marshall to continue his freelance writing for the local newspaper in their hometown of Baltimore. Tonight, however, is a very special night. Very special indeed. There’s a very new device that enables dialysis patients to dialyze while on the move. A portable, concealable, wearable, small, efficient dialyzer. Marshall jumped at the chance to get one and he’s been using it for the last 2 months with no issues. Besides getting accustomed to sticking himself with a needle, no problem. When he wore it, every now and then he would pat his overcoat to ensure himself that it was still there because it’s so light.

The metal swoosh of the side door of The Haynie Theater alerts Marshall of Charlene’s coming.

Great show tonight, Charlene. Have a wonderful evening. Terrence, the play's director said, holding the door open.

Thanks, Terrence, Charlene said, pecking him on his cheek.

 Hi, Mr. Waters!! Terrence yells.

Hey Terrence, great show!

 Thanks! Very glad you were able to come. Y’all be safe tonight.

As Terrence closes the metal door, Charlene rushes to Marshall. When they embrace she feels the dialyzer and pulls away quickly.

Oh baby, I’m sorry, she said.

Awww honey don’t worry, it’s indestructible, like me.

Marshall said, pulling Charlene close to him again. 

I am so happy you’re here to view my performance, Charlene said, snuggling up under Marshall’s arms.

They begin walking to their car, a few blocks away from the theater. The street has a few stragglers from the play and your normal horde of Saturday night partygoers. Contrarily, there is something else. Something else out there with them all. It’s been watching Marshall since he left The Haynie Theater.

Char, would you like to go to Mud’s Eatery for a bite?

Sure would.

Marshall then looks at his watch, slowing down his walking pace.

What’s wrong? Charlene asks.

"Oh, nothing. Still adjusting to the tightness of the catheter.

Don’t worry, I’m good." 

The tightness of the catheter from his body to the portable dialyzer was perfect, perfect at attracting macabre horrible attention. Reaching their car on the dank dark now empty street, Marshall opens the passenger door, pauses, embraces Charlene. Giving her a hard passionate kiss. Unexpectedly, Charlene’s counter embrace becomes limp. Marshall, hearing a soft whimper, slowly rears back his face from Charlene. Her eyes are glazed and very stoic. Her mouth is slightly ajar, when her head slides willingly to her left shoulder, dumping heavily to the cold asphalt ground. Marshall jerks away in abomination but his escape is stopped dramatically by their car. Her lifeless, blood-spewing body falls forward fully onto Marshall. Through the steam emitted from Charlene’s severed nape, Marshall sees a woman standing directly behind her. The streetlights spawn shadows, hiding her face until she decides to step into the light. Butterscotch color skin, dark suffocating eyes encased upon a face exuding royal grandeur. Her long flowing thick gray dreadlocks sway slowly as she pushes herself up against the maimed body of Charlene, still being held by Marshall. This thing presses hard, then harder against them, forcing all three against the car, grinding. Marshall’s eyes widened with horror are chained unmercifully by lust. Disgustingly, he begins to moan, blood flows rapidly to his penis and his dialyzer. His eyes close for a few seconds, feeling an orgasm coming. He should’ve kept them closed. That creature behind his wife has changed drastically. That butterscotch skin is now blackened, ashy and malformed. Her gaping mouth displays unsightly sharp jagged teeth. His last sight before those teeth are plunged deep into his chest, shredding skin of bone. She feasts heartedly, rapturously, and viciously. 

When done, she releases both bodies who slam fast onto the bloody black street. That woman, that thing, is satisfied and sinfully regains her beautiful alluring facial form. In the distance, she hears laughter coming towards her area. Taking one last look at the despoilment she’s inflicted, a smile encrusts upon her bloody lips as she leaps up to the dark rooftops for seclusion. Her body wears the darkness well, form-fitting, relaxing, foreboding and terrifying. Walking briskly along the rooftops, she slows down to stop, embracing herself, she feels the warm disrespectful blood percolating through her body.  Abruptly, she hears blood-curdling screams coming from those who have discovered her lurid encounter. This brings a smile to her lorid face and energizes her for more.

Her name, Simone. One who thirsts for blood, one who knows what she is, a vampire, the undead. One that doesn’t fear mortal trinkets like garlic, holy water or crucifixes, all mortal man's grandiose bull. Marshall was a novelty to Simone, someone completely intriguing and very different. His blood smells sweet and its taste was extremely delicious, clean, free of impurities and it aroused her, tenfold. Much different from any other blood consumed.

Renewing her trek along the gables of Baltimore, Simone has come to a new destination, an overnight dialysis center, with sweet-smelling blood. Marshall’s blood has piqued her interest. Inhaling the stagnant cold air, she relaxes her body, crouching, as she waits to gorge again.

In her wait, she pulls a lavender kerchief from her bosom with the Gothic initials LA emblazoned on it. Smiling, she dabs the kerchief in a small puddle beneath her feet, wiping smeared blood from her face, hands and neck. With each touch of herself she moans while slowly sucking the blood from the kerchief.

Hey mom! Wait right there! You’re out early! Why didn’t they call me!? Van said, as he rushes to the dialysis center door to help his mother to the car.

They did baby. I came out to see if your car was in the lot. Mrs. Meckley said.

Mom, I didn’t get a call. Here, slow down, let me help.

I’m fine, baby. I’m not as tired tonight as those other nights. Just hungry. Maybe my body’s getting used to dialysis. It’s been what, 6 months?

No mom, been a year. Van said, holding open the door as his mother plops down in the passenger seat.

Food might be hard to find tonight mom, it is 2:20 am. Van said, closing the car door, walking around the rear of the car, checking his cell for missed calls.

Two missed calls from the dialysis center are seen.

Shit! I forgot to take phone off vibrate.

An immediate dull thud shreds the dead silent of the night. Van’s car rocks down hard from a heavy force. Instinctively, he jumps away from his car's sudden violent movement when he sees on the roof of his car a sight no human can or should imagine. His mother, a waif of a woman, is being lifted out of the unopened sunroof by this thing. A grotesque entity of seemingly human flesh has embedded its right arm through his mother’s head, lifting her higher. Then thrusting its ghastly foul mouth into Van’s mother’s stomach. Rushing to his mother’s aid, Van vomits as he falls to the ground in anguish and terror. 

Stop, oh my God please stop. he gurgles, as he hears the violent manipulation of bones and flesh. 

Instantaneously, Simone pulls her crimson laden face from Mrs. Meckley’s body. Staring intently at the blubbering Van, then again she sucks deeply from his mother. Annoyingly, Simone’s attention is drawn away again from her feast. Melissa, Mrs’ Meckley’s dialysis technician has come out for a smoke. She has yet to notice Simone, sobbing Van nor the ravaged Mrs. Meckley.  It didn’t matter. Simone makes quick work of Melissa by splitting her in half with her right hand nails. Blood, innards and a lone cigarette fountain down the dialysis center ramp. Snearing at Melissa’s tainted blood, Simone returns to the fresh blood of Mrs. Meckley.

Getting her fill from her earlier partaking of Marshall and now Mrs. Meckley, Simone once again bounds to the rooftops. This time she’s headed home, savoring the pure clean blood sloshing around inside her. The sun will be rising soon. Long ago she learned that the sun will burn her, killing her if there are not ample coverings covering her skin for protection. Tonight, unfortunately she’s not prepared with ample coverings.

Her home, horror in plain sight to the public. It’s an unwelcoming row