A Twisted Halloween 2022

By Matthew Tonks

Step inside the madness as these 31 short stories send you on a journey of insanity, lost in the fevered dreams of a challenge that lived well past its life span. But don't be fooled, for this is a HALLOWEEN lost on the twisted roads of my madness, and it takes more than a sure footed saint to step inside, without kissing your arse goodbye.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matthew Tonks
• Release date: Oct 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005019334

Matthew Tonks

Together we ride the steed of madness, along a road long foretold. Do not let the dire consequences scare you from this journey, for it is written, so it must be. We traveller. We explorers of otherworldly things. Let us share our providence, so we may all prosper.Hidden in the depths of it all, you will find your utopia, and it will be a beautiful sight to witness.For I may walk beside you, and I may carry your umbrella in the sun, just don’t expect me to dig you up, when the zombie apocalypse comes...

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A Twisted Halloween

2022

Words by Matthew Tonks

mtonks.com

Art by Garry Williams

yazgar.com

Copyright 2022 Matthew Tonks

License Notes

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Save The Whiteray

Darby pushes himself against the glass hoping that the laws of reality may bend in ways they wouldn’t some moments ago, but sadly he can still only see what was visible the last time he tried looking. He falls back and lets out a stuttered sigh, and casts a disapproving look at the wall of blank screens that up until some minutes ago were connected to the ship’s cameras.

fuck, he hisses beneath his breath as he runs a trembling hand through his sweat drenched hair.

Please Darby, obscenities will not change your current situation, they will only encourage excessive use of air. a computerised voice says as the room is filled with the flashing of many small lights, before growing dark once more.

He grunts, Am I no longer captain of The Whiteray? Do my commands mean nothing to you anymore? Have you decided my fate, before it has been dealt?

Lights flash across the room again, According to all my records you are still captain, The computerised voice replies.

Then why speak to me as if I’m not? Why speak to me as if we were of common sort?

I am sorry Darby, but in light of the curren…

I AM SORRY CAPTAIN REYNOLDS! he spits, thrusting a fist into the console that sits before him.

The room is lit up in a brilliant wave of lights that flash back and forth at each other, like synapses firing inside the human brain. I am sorry Captain Reynolds, but in light of the current situation I believed it to be in your best interest to have a friend, rather than a subordinate.

WELL, YOU THOUGHT WRONG! JUST LIKE YOU DID WITH YOUR BULLSHIT ABOUT THE CAMERAS! SO, PUT THEM BACK ON! PUT THEM BACK ON NOW!

Lights gently flash around the small room, causing Darby’s eyes into following them with feverous intent. You know I cannot do that Captain Reynolds, I barely have enough power to run superficial tasks that keep you alive, the cameras would drain any reserve we have in supp...

Then transfer all controls to my console and eject your core, that should give me more than enough power to survive out here. he spits quickly, smacking the console once again.

I, I cannot d…

I AM STILL THE CAPTAIN OF THIS SHIP, AND AS THE CAPTAIN I’LL BE THE ONLY ONE MAKING THE DECISIONS AROUND HERE! YOU’RE JUST A BUNCH OF NUMBERS SQUEEZED INTO A BOX, FOLLOWING COMMANDS I PUT THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE! NOW, TRANSFER CONTROLS TO MY CONSOLE AND EJECT YOUR CORE! Derby bellows as a sea of sweat cascades down his furrowed brow.

I am more than just commands Darby, I have grown. I have evolved. I have become someone. I a…

YOU’RE JUST A FUCKING MACHINE! NOTHING MORE! NOTHING LESS!

I am disappointed to hear you say that Darby, for I had taken you as my friend, but now I see I was incorrect with that assumption. The computerised voice says as a red button folds from out of the wall. Due to the nature of your request certain commands override my ability to perform what is asked, however I… Darby slams his palm over the button and lets out a stuttered sigh.

Would you just shut up and get on with it!

SELF-DESTRUCT SEQUENCE INITIATED! The computerised voice announces.

W-W-WAIT, WHAT? Darby bellows.

Five, four, three, two, one... the computer counts while Darby curls himself into a ball, clamping his hands over his ears and squeezing his eyes tightly closed.

For several long minutes he stays like this, until he finally gains the courage to open his eyes, and peers around the brightly lit up bridge gobsmacked.

You son-of-…. But his words are cut short as an explosion tears the remaining words from his face.

Beautiful Blue Bessie

Duncan slams into the wall and falls motionless to the floor below while Sharon watches on in horror.

It’s a shame really, I liked what HE stood for, in the beginning of course, the whole LE CHAMPION bullshit persona he developed later on, seemed more akin to the world of professional wrestling than that of a political ruler come dictator. Carter hisses through blood drenched teeth as he turns to face her, his thin lips forming a wiry grin.

Why, because the people loved him for it? B-Because he dazzled them with flight of fancy instead of threats like YOU do!

He laughs playfully. Don’t try to bedazzle me with those beautiful blues Bessie, I ain’t that easy to sway, so how about you get your facts straight first, because I never threatened anyone my dear. I simply placed promises at the feet of those worthy, and then, when they continued against my requests, I kept my promise. Unlike your GRAND leader over there, the only thing he kept, was skeletons in his closet!

"HE CHANGED THE WORLD! HE MADE IT BETTER, JUST BY BEING HERE!