Simon Says Die

By A.A. Mercer

A serial killer went unoticed in the woods of Canada for months. After killing a family he went through the midwest and was never found. Years later. He dissapears but the terror doesn't stop.

   Another begins a spree, taunting the police. an investigative reporter find the connection between the first killer years ago and this one. . he has to get the police to see it before he is the next target. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.A. Mercer
• Release date: Mar 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215351543

A.A. Mercer

A. A. Mercer has written mystery, horror and thriller books. he likes to spend his time meeting fans and signing autographs in Tucson Arizona, 

Book preview

Prologue

Alberta, Canada 1958

His eyes opened. He thought he heard the sound again the voice he had tried to get rid of for so long.   It cried out to him like a child in need of attention. He had taken medication to control his impulses but he had run out a few days ago.

The voice was back, it wanted blood and it would take his if necessary.

He looked up but all he saw was the slowly moving ceiling fan above him he tried the relaxation technique the counselor had told him about and watched the fan blades spin. He didn’t know what time it was or really care.

He was awake and he needed to move, he slipped out from the thin sheet which covered him and his wife stirred for a moment.

She had said she was understanding and would love him no matter what but it didn’t seem to matter he could still feel the anger like an electric surge begin in his head and slowly spin like the blades above them. "Do it." he heard it say.

He looked at his large hands, he was strong and was used to hard laborious chores and knew he could do it. It would take only a few seconds. He remembered the other women and knew she knew. She had forced him to go to counseling for his problems but he didn’t have an issue with them.

It was all her fault he could see that now. She didn’t know the other women weren’t lovers, they were stand-ins for her, and he didn’t want to kill her.

Did he?

He turned to her and slipped his long thick fingers around her delicate neck. It was so simple.

She barely struggled as his grip became stronger until he felt her throat collapse. She would never give him another problem.

She had threatened to divorce him if he was seen with another woman again. It was her right to say what was on her mind and if he wanted to stop her he was going to.

He got out of bed and walked across the hall where he saw a shape standing there.

The boy, his son looked at him sleepily.

Dad? he asked. I was going to the bathroom.

Come here son. he couldn’t allow his son to know what he had done. Henry walked to his father trustingly. Petro could see his son shared a lot of his genes. Broad shoulders, deep dark eyes and his hands were almost as big. Petro regretted doing what he was about to do but he had no choice.

He clapped his right hand over his son’s face and began suffocating him as his left arm wrapped around the 13-year olds’ frame and Petro twisted and with a crack Henrys’ body slumped down to the floor. He would remember his son and regret what he did but he couldn’t take the chance that his son would say anything. If Henry’s sister hadn’t run away a year ago she would have died here too.

Petro walked to the kitchen, pulled the stove away from the wall and yanked the gas line out. He grimaced as the gas hissed out causing him to cough. He began to feel dizzy as he stumbled to the door. He opened it and fell to the wooden porch.

Petro looked around and knew it would take a few hours before anyone would be able to get to the house and put the fire out. By the time anyone found the bodies he would be long gone and under another name. At first he thought he might die here too, his body found after a few months half-eaten by wolves or some other animal.

He crawled across the short yard to the garage and stood up.

I still live. He said aloud and glanced at the silent house. Too bad Deidre left us maybe I’ll find her someday. He laughed and stumbled to the garage where three full gas cans waited.

He picked them up and threw them into the windows. He heard the sloshing as gas spilled everywhere the gas cans fell. Petro walked a few feet away and pulled out a lighter a trail of gas went from where he stood to the entranceway to the house.  His only regret was his son was dead, and he hoped he would be able to have another. 

He got into his car and began to drive; he didn’t know where he was going to end up he had a plan to change his identity and find another life.

As he drove he could see the flames from the house and could almost hear the wood splinter and crash together as the entire place collapsed into ruin. Tears ran down his cheeks, he didn’t want to do this again.

By the time anyone found the house and the bodies he would be long gone.

1.

He looked down at the papers he had taken with him the name Martin Sykes was written at the top it was worth the five-thousand dollars he saved in secret for a new life.

The light of morning shone over the horizon as he drove south and toward the United States.

He drove as the sun set and soon found himself in Montana. His old truck made a soft crunch as he stopped at a Gas and Go. An older man stood up and watched as Martin got out of his truck, Martin glanced at him and gave a quick nod. Looking for a hotel, you know where I can find one?

There’s the Green Roof Inn a mile or so that away. The attendant said and pointed down the road. Martin nodded again and watched the traffic around, he looked at the old man, he couldn’t be any older that sixty-five. He got into his truck and began to drive.

Martin watched the road ahead and smiled at the lack of traffic as he drove. He didn’t care for crowds, busy streets or much of anything. He had to keep going.   The hotel was coming up and he pulled into the parking lot a small café, restaurant was next to the hotel and he considered going in later after a nap.

He didn’t want a room. He was safe in his truck. If he had to leave quickly he was ready.

He turned the motor off and sat there for a while. The weather wasn’t too bad. He closed his eyes and began drifting off.

The voice felt far away, it was getting closer. A soft tapping made him open his eyes and he saw the sound of the voice. A young woman stood outside the car and was looking at him.

He opened the window and looked at her, he felt annoyed and a little angry.

What? he didn’t mean to sound gruff; his tone made her back up. Her big wide eyes made her look like a deer, the dark brown hair framing her soft, narrow face didn’t help the picture in his head.

Um, I’m sorry sir, but did you want a room.?

He glanced at her dark blue long-sleeved shirt and blue jeans and looked behind her. There were a few people walking around, more cars and a few campers had arrived while he was asleep.

What time is it? he said with a softer tone as he opened his car door.

She glanced at the tiny watch on her thin arm. Its after ten in the morning. We have fresh coffee if you want.

It annoyed him about how tiny and helpless she was, he could break her in half. It would be easy. He stepped from his truck and watched as the young woman flinched as he groaned a little when he stretched.

He followed her in the small restaurant next to the hotel. the strong scent of coffee, bacon cooking and eggs made him want some and made him realize how hungry he was.

He sat at a table near the door, he didn’t want to be here for very long. Eat and then move on. His big frame barely fit in the area he was in. but he wasn’t going to be here very long. The young woman he followed was standing at the table and gave him a nervous smile. What wound you like, my name is Kari.

Coffee, bacon and eggs would be fine.

Okay. She nearly skipped to the kitchen. He looked around the restaurant, lime and pink were the primary colors. Bing booths ran down one wall and tables were in the middle. He sat in on nearest the door. It seemed to take forever for his order to finally appear. He ate quickly and stood up. As he did he saw two police officers walk in.

they couldn’t have known anything about him, but the feeling of paranoia grew quickly.

He tossed money on the table and nearly ran through the two cops in the doorway.

He had to get away. he was in his truck and sped down the road, he slowed down when he saw he was doing 57 down the highway.

As he drove he heard sirens and pulled over, the sirens came closer and sweat ran down his wide back. he had a gun under his seat and started to wonder if he would be able to fight.

Two police cars sped past him and kept going. He relaxed his hands; they weren’t after him. How would they?

They didn’t know who he was.

He drove a little more and saw someone walking at the side of the road.

She had long blonde hair, she held a sign: anyone going to Helena?

Martin saw her sign but had no idea where she was going, she smiled at him and put a hand on his truck. You headed my way? she looked at him and giggled.

I don’t know where Helena is, I’m just passing through. He was sounding rough again. He didn’t want to do what he had been thinking. Kill her.

Its ok sir, you can take me anywhere I just want to get out of this town.

He nodded and she gave a little laugh as she got in, she had a little back pack with her. She scooted herself close to him and he could feel the heat from her body. Her fingers were caressing his right arm.

What are you doing? he asked. he could hear himself speak; he was quiet. He looked at her as she curled herself around his arm, I feel so safe with you, you big strong man.

He drive silently. Her flesh felt warm on his arm and her eyes began to close. How trusting. He watched her get comfortable as he drove off the highway and slowly stopped.

He waited until she was completely asleep and moved quickly. He slipped his big arm from her and slammed a big fist in her face and with the other hand covered her mouth.

Her eyes opened quickly at the sudden assault. His big hands suffocated her quickly.

He laid her body on the seat and waited. The feeling of rage was subsiding, the traffic on the highway wasn’t too bad.

The sun was going down, he opened his door and went to the other side of the truck and pulled her body from the passenger side. He gave the road a quick look and rolled her into the side of the road. A small ditch gave enough cover for him to dispose of her.

I’m sorry. He said as he looked around again.

He looked back to the spot and a part of him wanted someone to find her. He knew someone would.

Who would help him?

He had killed again. And will again. He knew it. he turned on the radio and listened to the reporter talk about the highway strangler. They had found three more before he made it to Wyoming. Martin found a truck stop near the highway and watched the cars go by, it was getting harder to control his impulses.

A black and white car went by and he almost sped off before he realized it wasn’t a cop car. Control. He told himself, Must stay in control. He closed his eyes and held the steering wheel to calm himself.. there was an old game he played with his friends, it helped him cope.

Simon Says look at the clouds. He glanced up and saw big dark clouds rolling