The Bolted Boy (A Victorian Horror Story): Death Takes a Corpse

By Wilson E. Clark

Adelia faces a lifetime of grief and loss. However, an impossible offer from an unlikely savior may provide the chance to resurrect that which she cherishes most.

 

This story is also available in Death Takes a Corpse: 5 Victorian Horror Stories.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Griffington House
• Release date: Oct 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223257684

Wilson E. Clark

Wilson E. Clark lives in the Pacific Northwest and enjoys writing fiction and collecting vintage movie posters. If you finish one of his stories with a smile on your face, then he has done his job.

Book preview

1

BANG! BANG! BANG! You’re all dead! PEW! PEW! PEW!

Peter repeatedly tipped the pair of opposing soldiers towards one another in a firing motion.

The enemy’s advancing, General! We’d best do something quick!

Bring the cannons forward, Sergeant! We’ll blow ‘em to pieces!

Peter put the pair of soldiers on the smooth wood surface and used his right hand to move the cannon towards the center of the table. He placed it beside one of the soldiers and pointed it towards another one.

Let’s see what you make of this! Peter shouted. He lifted the soldier beside the cannon and tipped it sideways to touch the back.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Three cannon balls into the enemy!

Peter slammed a balled fist onto the table, knocking over one of the soldiers along with several of its nearby companions. He then moved the soldier who had lit the cannon in an up and down motion.

Victory! Victory! We’ve saved the day, General! We got ‘em good!

Peter raised his hands back in forth in celebration.

Adelia smiled as she looked on, watching her seven-year-old son play with the set of painted miniature tin soldiers whilst seated at a small wooden table.

Peter, would you like to bring the toy soldier set home with you? Adelia asked.

What else can I bring home, Mother? the boy responded.

Just one toy, Peter, Adelia said. Remember, we agreed that you could pick one toy to bring home today.

Peter tilted his head left and right then swung his legs back and forth beneath the chair in an exaggerated motion.

Would you like to bring home the toy soldier set? Adelia asked once more. Is that what you’ve chosen?

Peter shook his head and pushed the lot of miniature soldiers towards the back of the table next to their storage box.

No, Mother, I’m going to find something else.

And with that, the boy promptly pushed his chair away from the table, jumped to his feet, and wandered away to explore the rest of the shop with shelves full of playing blocks, metal-cast trains, dolls in dresses, and plethora of other toys for children of all ages.

Adelia’s eyes followed her son as she smiled once more; his short blonde hair parted in the middle, rosy baby-face cheeks, and tweed suit coat, complete with matching trousers, white button-up shirt, and dark red necktie.

A charming young gentleman, Adelia’s friends liked to say. And as she watched Peter making his away across the toy shop, both arms at his sides with hands in his trouser pockets, she couldn’t help but agree.

You’ll do your father and I proud one day, Adelia whispered, finding