Hot Revenge Box Set 4

Klempner

My resources: The clothes I’m wearing. A notebook and the stub of a pencil: A book on herbal toxins. A small supply of sweet water. An infinite supply, for any practical purpose, of foul water, slime and garbage. And of course, one small potato.

I’d like to give in to despair. There’s something alluring about despair, something seductive. Perhaps I should simply not play Juliana’s game; let her kill me.

But if I’m dead…

Mitch…

My beautiful green-eyed Mitch.

So alive. So energetic.

So full of courage.

So vital.

Vitale

…

Stay alive...

So, eat the fucking potato…

I prise it out from its bed of sludge and slime with a slight sucking sound. It’s small; perhaps half the size of my fist. On the other hand, adhered muck aside, it seems sound; firm, mid-brown, no sprouts or green parts. I have a vague idea that I’ve read that green potatoes are unsafe to eat.

Hauling myself up from my concrete seat, lifting my chain in one hand, with the other, I hold my meal under the water inlet, thumbing away the dirt under the clean water.

Time to live…

And I bite in.

*****

With no warning, the light blinks on and without meaning to, I groan, hiding my eyes behind my hands.

of heels on concrete, then Juliana emerges from the darkness. “Good afternoon, Larry. How are you?

opted for black hair today, long and draped over her shoulders, with deep red lipstick. The dress is long and clingy, with a low cut neckline; designed to show off a figure which I suspect is being enhanced with well-chosen underwear. A clutch bag in black satin

school, waiting for a favourite teacher to begin the lesson. Or perhaps in the audience at some small

are

at me while we talk. She watches me, a touch of wariness in her eyes.

my arms, lean back against the

it’s good to get off the

like to talk about? I’m guessing you have a selection of choice topics.” I pace a little, as much as the chain allows, unhinging stiff knees and

me a bright little smile. “And…”

Fake…

Extensions?

You won’t do well down here if you don’t move

Two days?

there

I pause…

Seriously?

“How about a cup?”

turn into a weapon or a tool? Finchby and Baxter were stupid, letting your little bitch daughter get hold of a glass bottle. I'm not making that mistake. You have hands. Use

to get a

with your time? Lick it off the wall if you have to. I’m not giving you

touched by your concern for

and you’ve lost. You’re mine now

be looking for me, the police. By now they'll know

suite after the explosion. And I made sure the police found some clues about you being near my apartment. With the number of

My chest tightens…

“What clues?”

too far away, close enough to link you to the spot.” She sighs, stroking a hand over her hair. “I suppose they might decide you were involved with the gangs. But I think it's more likely they'll say you got caught in the war between the Wolves and the Nightshades. You know…” She makes air commas… “Innocent Tourist Witnesses Gang Murder And Bloodbath. Criminals Retaliate.” The papers love

knees, her smile widening. “Either way, Larry, they’re not looking for

so you could plant a corpse to

shrugs, looking away. “Couldn't have people wondering where you are, could I? That would spoil

“Juliana…”

“Sola!” she snaps.

you murdered? There were scores of people caught in that explosion. All innocent.