Monster Mother

By Michael Hardy

A Mother's Love is Lethal

 

Henry Spencer feels neglected by his parents. Bullied, ignored and sleeping in a dusty attic, the boy is miserable and yearning for loving attention.

 

But when a mysterious lady named Miss Josey comes to town, she treats Henry like a prince, loving, cherishing and adoring him when they're together.

 

But when Henry's mother, Stacy, discovers Josey's motherly deception, her neglect transforms to a maternal battle as she discovers an evil touching Henry's heart.

 

With her son's trust and life in the balance, will Stacy discover the source of Josey's evil? Will her son survive the 'mother of all monsters'?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Hardy
• Release date: Jun 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215994634

Michael Hardy

Michael Hardy (or just Hardy to his friends) was born in South East Asia and was raised strongly in his country’s culture. Between the ages of 7-9, his family moved to England and he developed a love for western culture, but it unfortunately left a staggering effect on his previous life in his home country, leaving him very out of place there. Even now, that effect still remains. Around the age of 10-13, a family/friend, Oliver, introduced him into the world of anime with “Vampire Hunter D” on VHS, which to him is a hero that he can relate to and has a big influence on him. He bought that same VHS tape from a friend who stole the tape from Oliver. He didn’t read the book or manga until he was in his mid 20’s, which have also influence him as a writer. By the time he went to college and university, his roommate Mike, who wanted to be a film director at the time, inspired him to write a film script, but Mike lost it when he went back to his home country. Hardy tried to rewrite that same story as a novel, but was tired of writing it again, but it still motivated Hardy to become a writer. Then, in the year 2010, influenced and inspired for his love of Vampire Hunter D, the love and hate for certain vampire flicks, video games, Western and Asian monster folklore, and a friend on YouTube, who is also a writer, he created Kris Hellion, a story that he has thought of since his college and university years. He hopes that people enjoy reading his book and would like to hear what people like or dislike about it. Hardy takes heavy influences from anime, live action films, mangas, super heroes, video games, folklore, and pieces of his life that create his vision of his creation, Kris Hellion.

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COPYRIGHT PAGE

Monster Mother

By Michael Hardy and J.J. Gillies

© 2023 of publication, Michael Hardy 

All rights reserved.

Authors: Michael Hardy and J.J. Gillies

E-mail: [e-mail]

Cover Illustration: Huy Mai Van (http://huy137.deviantart.com/)

Editing, proofreading: Russell Matthews, Michael Hardy, J.J. Gillies and Ken Darrow, M.A.

Other Collaboration: Michael Hardy

This book, including all its parts, is protected by copyright and must not be copied, resold or shared without the permission of the author.

If you liked the book, please recommend your friends to download or buy their own copy on Amazon, thebookpatch, Kindle and Smashword. Thank you very much for respecting the work of the author!

i

PROLOGUE

Ho, ho, ho.

That is her laughter.

Ho, ho, ho.

She’s eight feet tall like a ladder.

Ho, ho, ho.

She wears a hat of straw.

Ho, ho, ho.

Her beauty leaves boys in awe.

Ho, ho, ho.

She finds a child with parents who are vile.

Ho, ho, ho.

Come the seventh day at midnight, 

she will leave with him together, with an evil smile.

CHAPTER 1: The Wall

DAY 1: CHOSEN

Sunday afternoon was a joy as four kids were on their town’s baseball field. Wearing hats on a hot day, they had been playing for a while with sweat dripping off their heads and dirt on their clothes. 

A blond boy was on the home plate with a wooden bat. He was ready to swing. Behind him was the catcher, an Indian boy, wearing a catcher’s mask and a catcher’s glove. At the pitcher’s mound, a brunette girl was juggling her baseball around and blowing bubblegum. On first base, a kid wearing his hat backwards was ready, punching into his mitt. The boy with the bat licked his lips and gripped his bat hard with eyes focused on the pitcher.

Don’t worry, Henry, said the pitcher girl. I will give you an easy one.

It doesn’t matter, Gale, said Henry with the bat. I'll make this swing a homerun. He turned to the catcher. Are you ready, Ajit?

D-d-d-don’t make me nervous, man, stuttered Ajit. I've never been a catcher before. I hope the ball doesn’t hit my face.

Yo, what are the chances of that happening? questioned the kid on first base. Maybe I should record this with my smartphone. He laughed.

Don’t even think about it, Paul, answered Henry. 

I’m just saying. Paul wiggled his eyebrows.

Henry turned back to Ajit. Just keep your eye on the ball and catch it, okay, buddy? And you’ll be fine.

That’s easy for you to say. The catcher’s leg shook nervously. My dad said playing sports will make me a man. I don’t feel like one now. He gulped.

Enough talk! Paul yelled and smacked his fist into the baseball glove, itching to play. Let’s see if Henry can get a homerun. He licked his lips. Here batter, batter, batter, batter, batter, batter! Sa-wing batter!

Henry gave a light smack on the home plate with his foot. He readied himself and gripped his bat for a swing. He took a breath and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

Okay, he whispered. I can do this. He nodded. I’m ready, Gale!

The pitcher nodded. She gave a light throw and the baseball was flying towards the batter. Henry swung his bat the best he could, but the hit made the ball slam onto the ground. He ran to first base. Ajit caught the ball fast while it was rolling. He threw the baseball to Paul and he caught it. A running Henry tried to slide to the first plate, but Paul tagged him.

You’re out, Henry! Paul shouted.

Darn! Henry slammed his fist into the dirt. 

Dude, why did you slide to first base? You do that when you run for home plate.

I pretended it was home plate, since it’s only the four of us here, Henry groaned. But good catch, Paul. 

Don’t worry, buddy. Paul gave him a hand and lifted him up. One day, you are going to hit a homerun.

Yeah. The pitcher came and stood before the boys. If you do, the town will cheer, ‘Homerun Henry.’ Pretty cool, huh?

If he can get a homerun, said the catcher, taking off his mask. He noticed Henry rubbing his eyes. Dude, are you all right? He patted his buddy’s shoulder. You look sleepy.

I can’t help it, man. Henry kicked the dirt beneath him. I slept on the couch last night. Yesterday, Paul and I played catch in the house and the ball broke a vase. He told my mom a meteor hit it. Henry yawned.

What? Gale turned to Paul. Really?

Hey, I thought that lie would have worked, said Paul, snickering. I would believe it. He pointed at himself.

The three other kids stared at him, their eyes bulging.

Their angry eyes made him stop laughing. What? he yelped.

You’re an idiot, Paul! Gale smacked Paul’s mitt and the ball in his hand went flying.

Hey, watch it! Paul took off his glove and rubbed the back of his hand. This is my good baseball hand. And you are lucky my parents taught me not to hit a girl.

Good, cheered the pitcher. Then I can do this again. She smacked his hand a second time.

Ow! Quit it! Paul took a step back. Hit me all you want, but you are not killing my groove, Gale. I am way too happy to hit you. 

Why are you happy? asked Ajit.

Because I’m skipping school on Thursday for something awesome.

Something awesome? asked Henry.

The friends looked at each other, confused.

What do you mean, man? Ajit’s nose wiggled.

Check this out, people! Paul grabbed something out of his pocket and presented it to his friends. It was a ‘Crazy Carnival’ Flyer. He gave it a light smack. It says, ‘Games, rides, prizes,’ and I’m going there on Thursday, people. Woo! Carnival, baby! cheered the boy.

Wow! The three friends’ eyes sparkled.

Hey, that’s on Thursday! gasped Henry, but he frowned when he saw the three words beneath the title. One day only? Oh, man! He kicked the dirt beneath his feet. I can’t go, he moaned. It’s on a school night. My mom won’t let me go in a million years. This stinks.

It stinks for the three of us, pal, groaned Ajit. My parents are the same too.

Oh, stop being a bunch of babies. Gale patted Henry’s and Ajit’s shoulders. There will be another one soon. Let’s play baseball again to pass the time, okay?

Both Henry and Ajit looked sad. With nothing else to do, both of them nodded.

Fine, let’s play another game, said a depressed Henry.

Hey, where’s the ball? asked Ajit.

Over here. The answer came from a big young pre-teen who had appeared on the field. He wore a Whisper Winds hat and jersey. The big kid had a red hair mullet and a smug-looking face. He held the kids’ baseball, which he tossed around in his hands. He made his way towards them with a tough-looking walk.

Oh, no, groaned Henry. It’s Parker, the best baseball player in Whisper Falls.

And you forgot the biggest pain in the butt in Whisper Falls, whispered Paul in Henry’s ear.

Parker stood near them and stopped tossing the ball. What are you losers doing on my baseball field? he asked after spitting on the ground.

It’s a public field, you doofus! shouted Gale. PUB-LIC! She air-quoted with her fingers. Can you spell it with your little brain?

What did you say? Parker stepped forward, but her friends guarded her with Henry at the front.

Look, Parker. Henry put his hands up. Chillax, man. Nobody needs to get hurt today.

Parker gave them a stink eye gaze and licked his teeth. You are lucky that I can’t hurt you this week, you little brats. A baseball game is coming up on Wednesday. I can’t get into trouble. If I do, our baseball coach will put me out of the game. I really don’t want that. I still can’t believe you guys are on the team. He stared at Henry as he spat at the ground. I heard your little talk, Henry. Parker smacked Henry’s chest.

Oof! Henry rubbed where he hit.

Ha! You think the crowd will cheer, ‘Homerun Henry’? Maybe they should call you ‘Run Home Henry’ because you run home to Mama when you suck at baseball.

That’s not true! Henry held his chest high, giving Parker a mean face.

Yeah? The pre-teen’s nose flared. Then how come your mom never comes to any of your baseball games?

Henry’s chest caved when hearing those words and he stepped back.

Ha! Thought so! Hoooock! Ptui! Parker spat hard on the ball and threw it away. Catch that, loser. I’ll be back in five minutes so you better not be here. He laughed and walked away, leaving the field. 

Henry and his friends groaned.

Man. Henry stared at the bully as he walked away. Somebody needs to get rid of Parker.

Are you kidding? said Ajit with his heart racing. Parker is bigger than us.

So true. Paul joined in the conversation. That guy is like King Kong, he could step on us.

Face it, Henry. Gale patted his shoulders. We are his punching bags.

Henry sighed. He then turned his attention to the baseball. Somebody better get the ball. He rolled his eyes.

I ain’t getting it, said Gale. She pulled away and put her hands under her armpits. I’m not gonna touch a ball covered with spit.

Me neither. Ajit shook his head. Saliva has a ton of germs.

Oh, you are so full of it, Ajit, Paul let out with a sharp tone. But I ain’t getting it. Spit is just gross.

Ugh, fine! yelled Henry. Let me get it. I have a hanky. I will use it for the ball. He walked towards the ball. Jerks, he whispered.

Don’t forget to wash your hands when you clean the ball! shouted Gale as Henry walked off.

Henry made his way to grab the ball, which lay near a six-foot-tall brick wall. He bent down and pulled his handkerchief from his pocket. He grabbed and covered the ball.

Ho.…

As he lifted his baseball, a woman’s voice came from behind the wall. The sound jolted Henry’s body. He looked up. A woman was walking behind the wall. She was an Asian lady and wearing a straw hat on her head. She kept laughing and saying, Ho, instead of Ha.

Ho-ho-ho-ho.… Her laughter was haunting. 

What the.… said Henry.

The lady could have been seven or eight feet tall. She came to a stop and her eyes turned towards Henry menacingly. They were a haunting yellow. 

Gah! Henry yelped. He trembled at the sight of her and ran away. Rushing to his friends, he came to a stop when he reached them, breathing hard.

Dude, what’s wrong with you? asked Ajit, raising an eyebrow.

Did you guys see that? shouted Henry, pointing to the wall.

The other kids stared at where he pointed.

See what? asked Gale, who saw nothing.

A lady, said Henry, a tall, scary Asian lady. She was as tall as a house. Eight feet, I think! Her eyes were yellow and she gave me this freaky stare.

A tall Asian lady with yellow eyes? Pfft! scoffed Paul. Henry, there’s no such thing as an eight-foot Asian woman.

Ajit squinted and looked over at the wall. Well, I don’t see her. He rubbed his eyes and looked again. But no one was behind the wall. Maybe she left.

Gale noticed the sky was getting darker. Thunder crashed around in the sky. We better get home before Parker gets back.

You guys go first, said Henry. I want to take one last look at this baseball field.

Okay. Later, Big H. Paul waved.

Bye, Henry, said Gale.

Later, dude, said Ajit.

The three children grabbed their baseball gear. They left the field. Henry’s three friends walked away first, and Henry stood there until they disappeared from his sight. When they had left, he was alone. He walked to the pitcher mound. A light wind blew, easing him as it touched his face. Henry stood on the mound. It made the boy feel big. He closed his eyes and smiled, dreaming of winning a homerun for his team.  

Homerun Henry, Homerun Henry, Homerun Henry! The sound of people cheering echoed in his mind. A smile appeared on his face as he waited for the day he would win his first baseball game.

While he stood there, a sudden chill crawled down his neck and he shivered. The coldness compelled him to open his eyes and he saw a straw hat floating towards him. Gliding downwards, it landed near his feet. It was the same hat the tall woman had been wearing. His hand grabbed it. He looked back at the wall again. The woman was not there. His lips trembled, wanting to call out to her. But for some reason, he didn't do it. It seemed like somebody whispered to him, Do not tell anyone about this hat. His fingers trembled. He wanted to go and tell his friends, but he felt this was his secret. With the hat in his hands, Henry sighed and left the field. 

Unseen by him, a pair of hands rested on top of the wall. Peeking over the wall from behind it was the tall lady.

CHAPTER 2: The Miserable Boy

Mom, I’m home! Henry shouted as he came through the door. 

The boy left the door open for a moment, letting the cool Sunday evening air cool his body after a scorching afternoon of baseball. In his hand was the tall woman’s straw hat.

The foyer had white walls with a staircase leading upstairs. Henry looked around. The downstairs rooms were empty. Before he had come inside, he had noticed a worn-out car in the street outside the house. 

Do we have visitors? asked Henry. Mom? he called out again.

I’m upstairs, honey! his mother shouted from the second floor. I’m in your room!

Henry tilted his head back. My room? The boy raised an eyebrow. He still held the tall woman's hat in his hand. Not wanting his mother to see it, he rushed to the closet under the stairs. Opening it, he saw an old painting and hid the hat behind it. After closing the closet door, he went to the stairs. Once he had walked to the top, he made his way to his room. 

Before he could step inside, he noticed a dirty box with the words Danny’s Stuff: Do Not Open written on it. Ignoring it, he stepped inside his room. Henry gasped. He saw a bearded man in his late twenties lying with his face on his pillow. Henry made his way to his bed and looked down at him. The man wore an old military jacket and his clothes stank of alcohol, a vile smell that made Henry’s nose wiggle.

What are you doing? asked Henry.

The bearded man awoke. Oh, Henry. He sat up and rubbed his nose. How are you doing, kiddo?

The boy shook his head, disgusted. What were you doing on my bed, Donny?

That’s Daddy to you, Henry. A woman’s voice spoke.

Henry turned to find his mother, a blonde woman in her late twenties, wearing overalls, moving his clothes from his closet and into a box.

Hey, Stacy, said Donny. It’s okay. He can call me Donny.

No, he can’t, said a strict Stacy. You’re his father. He will call you Dad.

Henry couldn’t help but notice his empty drawers. What’s going on? he asked.

Stacy stopped what she was doing and took a deep breath. Henry could tell she had bad news for him.

Henry, something bad happened to your dad. And I am letting him stay with us … and—

He’s taking my room? shouted Henry, his eyes opening wide.

Yes. Stacy gave an awkward nod. 

What? Why? He pointed to his father. Why are you giving this bum my room?

Hey, don’t call him that! His mother stomped the floor.

Well, that’s what he is! He smells like a bum! Why can’t he stay in your bedroom? An awkward silence followed. Oh, that’s right. He mockingly smacked his forehead. Both of you were never married. This sucks!

Hey! Stacy tossed the boy’s clothes into the box and marched towards her son. Now, you listen to me, young man!

Donny stood up, halting her. Whoa, whoa, whoa! Easy Stacy. He could see her flaring nostrils. Let me talk to him, okay? Donny turned to the boy and kneeled before him. He put his hands on his shoulders. Look, Henry, I’m sorry about this. I got fired from my job, I’m broke and the bank repossessed my trailer at the caravan park. So for the next couple of months, I’ll be staying here. But don’t worry. I’m gonna get back on my feet soon.

A couple of months? The boy smacked his father’s hands away. I’m room-less for two months? You got to be kidding me!

Henry! Stacy shouted, making the kid look at her. You are being such a drama queen. Your father needs his privacy.

But what about my privacy? Henry smacked his chest. Where am I gonna sleep? Downstairs?

Actually.… Stacy pointed her finger upward.

Henry gasped. The attic? No way!

It’s a good choice, Henry. Stacy gazed at his closet. Do you remember your baseball stuff in the box there? You didn’t have enough space to fit it into your room. The attic is bigger. When we’re finished with it, you can spread your baseball stuff all over the place. Isn’t that great?

No! yelled Henry. The attic smells and you put our junk in there, like the DVD player or that ugly painting Aunt Roberta got us.

I think I saw that painting upstairs earlier, Donny said. That was one ugly picture. He scratched his head. Let’s hope when you move our son there, there won’t be any rats, bats and spiders, huh? 

Rats, bats and spiders! Henry screeched in a high-pitched voice. Okay, no! No-no-no! He made his way to his mother. Mom! Please don’t make me sleep in there!

Henry, relax. His mother grabbed more clothes from the closet and tossed them into the box. We cleaned the attic. We cleared out most of the dust. It’s good enough to sleep in. Plus—his mother kneeled before him and faced him—I get to design your room. You know I’m the best carpenter in town. She gave a light pat to her chest. You give me a couple of weeks and I will design and create the best room on the planet. What do you say?

Her son rolled his eyes. Yeah, right, he whispered. 

His mother overheard him and raised an eyebrow. What does that mean?

Face it, Mom. You are not gonna do it. Remember the basement? You said you would pretty it up and you never did. The ceiling is full of wires and there’s dirt all over the floor. It’s so dirty you had to use those wooden log thingies to keep the washer and dryer up off the floor.

His mother’s jaw dropped. Uhhhh, I’m getting around to it.

Yeah, in a million years, said Henry.

The boy has a point. Donny got her attention. Let’s face it. You don’t have the time. You can't fix anything at home because you work all day.

How do you know that? she asked in a sharp tone. You know about my life? How? We haven't seen each other in ages.

Oh, I hear things around town. People say you work so much you forget you have a kid.

That’s not true! she yelled at Donny. Then she turned to her son. Henry, I’ll try to make time. I will make your room so spectacular you will live like a prince. I promise.

Well, I don’t feel like a prince, Mom, said Henry. He made his way to the door. At the door, he turned around, facing his parents. It’s so unfair. I’m getting screwed!

Hey! Donny stepped forward. Watch your tongue, young man!

Yeah. Stacy folded her arms. Say that again and you’ll live in the basement.

I’d rather sleep in the basement than have a drunken dad.

Both parents fell silent when they heard those words.

Enjoy the room, Henry said to his father. 

I don’t like your attitude, Henry, said Stacy. "Treat your father like that again and I’ll confiscate your smartphone and laptop. You won’t be using them for a week, got it?

Henry smashed his fist into his door. GAHHHHH! He screamed his lungs out. My life sucks!

Henry! His mother marched towards him and stood before him. Be grateful that you have a family that loves you, especially me.

Grinding his teeth, the boy rushed out of his room. He stomped his way down the stairs.

Stacy sighed and massaged her forehead. She went back to his closet and continued to move her son’s clothes into the box. As she did, Donny looked around Henry’s room. On the walls were various photos of his son, playing baseball, camping, playing in the playground when he was younger, riding a bike, and a photo of him and his mother. Henry’s pictures made him sigh with self-loathing. He wondered what it would be like to live with them. It made his heart ache a little.

Donny lifted his head up and noticed a small baseball bat hanging above the photos on the wall. Well, will you look at that. He wiped his mouth. There was writing engraved into the bat. Henry ‘Homerun’ Spencer, thirty-first of December 2010. 12:05 p.m., seven pounds and eight ounces, nineteen inches.

Oh, I see you found Henry’s special bat. Stacy dropped her son’s pants in the box, approached Donny, and brushed her fingers over the words on the bat. "I remember I carved that