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.

Click Click of heels on concrete, then Juliana emerges from the darkness. “Good afternoon, Larry. How are you? I do hope you’ve had the opportunity

lipstick. The dress is long and clingy, with a low cut neckline; designed to show off a figure which I suspect is being enhanced

could be in school, waiting for a favourite teacher to begin the lesson. Or perhaps in the audience at some small town hall, for a talk on jam-making or how to grow dahlias. At least she could if Morticia Addams had ever joined the ‘Jam

brightly. “What are we

struggle upright. I’m fucked if I’m going to let her look down at me while we talk. She watches me, a touch of wariness in

my arms, lean

but it’s good to get off the

I’m guessing you have a selection of choice topics.” I pace a little, as much as

you’re right.” She gives me a bright little smile. “And…” She aims a long painted

Fake…

Extensions?

yourself. Exercise. You won’t do well down here if you don’t

Two days?

Is there anything

I pause…

Seriously?

“How about a cup?”

stupid, letting your little

to get a real

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

touched by your concern for

don’t be grouchy, Larry. I’ve won and you’ve lost. You’re

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

sure the police found some clues about you being near

My chest tightens…

“What clues?”

left your passport not 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

forward onto her knees, her smile widening. “Either way, Larry, they’re not looking for you. You’re dead.

rigged that explosion just so

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

“Juliana…”

“Sola!” she snaps.

have you murdered? There were scores of people