Dead Man Talking

By Danny Campbell

"No one escapes

from life alive.

- Michael Chrichton"

"No one escapes

from life alive.

- Michael Chrichton"

"No one escapes

from life alive.

- Michael Chrichton"

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Oct 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9789361725098

Book preview

The Something

by E.S. Gleason

T

he burly-man counted seven girls, after watching the last two stumble onto the porch, they appeared beautiful, but saturated with dirt, and helpless. The time had come. The Something, growing near, impatiently. Giving in to its growing hunger, drool drizzled from its long, jagged teeth, slowly dripping across its hairy chin. It tugged its chain, growing restless. The burly-voiced man couldn’t control The Something for much longer. It smelled human fear, their perfume, the sweat lingering on their bodies, and the organic aroma of the human nature. The Something had become very patient wanting its reward. Remaining docile and tonight would be no different. Rules had to be followed and timing was everything. Be done before daylight, never leaving a witness, and hands off the guest’s money, that was their arrangement with the innkeepers. The women and their supple bodies belonged to the burly-voiced man and when he had his fix, their used bodies belonged to The Something. Their flesh became a huge treat for the both of them. They had lived off the forest for years and had no need for cash, but beautiful women were hard to come by, and The Something had a vicious hunger that needed to become constantly quenched. If they got lucky, they’d catch partying coed students, and they could feast together like brothers from different species. They would take turns watching separate primal hungers run wild, but The Something would have to behave and wait for its turn. The Something only cared about quenching its hunger, it knew nothing of money. The struggles of the everyday man a lesser a concern beyond its comprehension. It knew only its needs, companionship which drove The Something to seek out the burly-voiced man. It found him deep in the woods, its hunger growing, which was now part of the bargain to keep it fed after all the years it gave faithful protection.

It dug its thick claws into the tall grass. The Something inched its way out of the shadows, led by the burly-voiced man. The women’s scent enticed him. It appeared too soon, they needed the element of the surprise, and the last two girls stumbled upon the porch clearly drunk. They made everything too easy when the time was right. The burly-voiced man tightened his grip, holding onto The Something’s chains, if not careful, it could escape and flee during the attack. Sometimes, even drunk people are still alert, a cat could never catch a mouse that knows what’s coming. The Something grinded its teeth, snapping, then the burly-voiced man yanked back on its chains, until it retreated into the darkness provided by the trees. 

Not yet, he demanded. His stomach knotted waiting to see its reaction. The burly-voiced man realized how dangerously hungry The Something had become. As he had learned, The Something could not be completely trusted, especially when hunger strikes. Retreating into the shadows, The Something crouched, snarling again, making it clear it wanted to eat.

Playing the parent role once again, Lisa hurried onto the porch, the door slammed shut. You guys have got to be kidding me? You were all supposed to be home hours ago.

Becky let out a burst of laughter. How do you know we haven’t been home for hours? We could have been on the porch the whole time. To keep from smiling, Becky stared at her feet.

Lisa grabbed Becky’s hand pulling her close, God, Becky. How drunk are you? The rest of the girls just came in. I'm smart enough to figure you two just got home.

Becky rolled her eyes, watching Lisa talk. She stumbled back and forth.

Lisa motioned toward the door, You better go inside, get some water, and lay down before you get sick everywhere.

Becky nodded, obeying for once in her life, Okay, ‘mom’. Lisa ignored Becky’s smart tone. 

Erika tried to hurry inside before Becky. Lisa grabbed her by the shirt, Not so fast. Sit down, we need to talk. Ready to get lectured, Erika plopped down on the bench. Lisa paced momentarily, trying to gather her thoughts and prepare her words. Staring at the empty driveway, Lisa didn’t know whether to applaud them for not driving home drunk, or to lecture them for leaving their cars at a strange bar. Lisa settled on the middle ground.

It’s dangerous for you guys to walk home, especially in the middle of the night. Imagine if you got lost or worst.

Lisa, you always assume the worst. Safety in numbers right? I thought you’d be happy we did the responsible thing and didn’t drink and drive, but nope, you just nag and dig in. I can never do anything right by your standards.

Erika, I’m acknowledging the fact that you didn’t drink and drive, but now we are stranded without our cars, and you left them at some broke random bar, and we can only hope they will still be there in the morning, and if you wanted to make me happy, you wouldn’t have gone and got wasted like I asked you not to. Ronda's car accident was less than a month ago. You know how hard this whole adjustment has been for me. Getting thrust in sorority chapter president, I wasn’t ready for this. Look at us, no one has been able to function since Ronda passed. This trip is supposed to be bringing us closer together, like the old days. We need to plan our next move and get ready for the upcoming school year, not get drunk. We could have stayed home for that. Do you not even care how worried I was? I’ve been calling you all night.

Lisa’s harsh words had a sobering effect on Erika as she shot up from the bench, holding her phone in Lisa’s face.

I’m sorry, my phone’s dead. It died on the way up here. I wasn’t trying to punish you. Could you try thinking about me for once? It’s not easy being the new girl, and it’s not easy being your baby sister. Everyone loves you. You’re smart and resourceful. I’m just trying to fit in and make friends. That involves laughing at bad jokes all day and going to drink with the girls. I just want to feel like I belong here, and for a better reason than being your sister. Erika turned heading for the door, Tonight was exhausting, you’re exhausting. I’m going to go charge my phone and pass out, if you’re not done lecturing me, remember where we are leaving off, and we can pick up again tomorrow. My head is pounding.

She left before Lisa could make amends and admit she was wrong and far from perfect. Erika disappeared into the house, letting the door slam shut behind her. Lisa had blown it, letting her insecurities get to her, how was she ever going to pull off being sorority president, when she couldn’t even keep the sisters sober. Rhonda was an unstoppable force she could never live up to. She assumed Erika would be an instant Allie, forgetting her need to break free from her shadow. Erika was so much more than Lisa’s little sister, and it would be her mission to help her see that.

Lisa peered off into endless trees covered by the darkness stretching as far as she could see.  The haunting blackness gave her the chills, making her body momentarily quiver. It appeared spooky how the girls walked home in this nightmare. The power of being drunk, Lisa assumed. She was surprised she hadn’t chickened out and gone inside after Erika. She considered herself tough, but truthfully everything scared the crap out of her. Lisa glared into the aged southern house they had rented, just her luck they would end up at one of the creepiest vacation rentals in rural Louisiana. She refused to cancel the plans Rhonda set in motion. This trip was supposed to be honoring her legacy, honoring it more than a night of shots and endless cocktails. Taking a few deep breaths, the crisp night air helped to calm her nerves. Lisa prepared to head back in and snap into her ‘mother hen’. She had to go makes sure all her girls were accounted for and get their drunken butts to bed. Like it or not they were starting the yearly planning first thing in the morning, hangovers or not.

Lisa enjoyed the cool night air. She remained clueless of The Something and the burly-voiced man, watching her from the darkness, creeping ever so closer from the hidden shadows. Lisa relaxed on the porch inhaling the night breeze, unaware she was looking right at them, if they made the mistake and stepped into the moonlight, this would be all over before it had begun. The Something watched her, inching forward. Her long, red hair draped over her shoulders, spilling across her toned arms. The color no doubt reminding The Something instantly of the sight of blood, it breathed heavily. The burly-voiced man could already picture having to yank the long curls out of The Something’s teeth, after it had been fed, but boy would they be great to drag her around and pin her to the ground.  Her tall legs and firm body signaled she could put up a good fight, and maybe even outrun them if she had the chance to. The burly-voiced man had never seen The Something act this way. The girl appeared different. She was special. To him, all women appeared the same—soft supple skin, breasts, and a sweet spot between their legs. The burly-voiced man didn’t know why The Something was so intrigued by this one woman. Yes, she was lovely, but The Something didn’t notice things like that. What did he know? The burly-voiced man assumed all flesh tasted the same: bloody, salty, and chewy? Maybe beautiful girls, like this one tasted better than the not-so-good-looking ones.

About to give away their whereabouts, The Something paced along the tree line threatening to step out of the shadows. The burly-voiced man struggled to make sense of The Something’s aggressive behavior. It looked at her like a competing predator, picking up on her inner strength and drive, stronger than the rest. The Something possessed stronger senses.