The Road to Gehenna

In Edgeways prison yard, Charles sat by himself in a shaded corner when a group of three men approached, the largest of whom began speaking to him.

“Hello Charles,” he said, but Charles just looked at them expectantly without saying a word.

“Does this guy not remember us?” another member of the group said.

“Seems like it.”

“Why would he?” another said sarcastically.  “We were only members of the Immortali, just like him.  We only worked together in the police for years.  Why would he remember his old friends?”

“I understand why we’re in here.  You sold us out to save yourself from jail time.  So why would you be here?”

“I heard a botched job while working as one of Geisler’s lackeys.  That’s what he’s been reduced to after being kicked off the force.  I’m so glad things turned out this way.  This is surely a divine gift of payback.”

The largest of the prisoners picked up Charles by his collar and suspended him in front of his face.  “You’re the reason we’re in here, traitor.”

“Then let me help you escape,” Charles said.

“Huh?” he said just before Charles punched him with amazing speed and force in his throat, crushing his trachea.

The prisoner let him go and fell onto his back as he struggled to breathe while his two friends looked on in surprise.

As the prisoner slowly choked to death, Charles looked down at him as he stood above.  When the large prisoner stopped thrashing about in desperation and his body finally accepted death, Charles smiled at the other two.

***

The time was 03:30; Benjamin knew this because as he sat in his darkened living room, worrying about what to do, he stared at the clock opposite.

His heart froze when he heard knocking at the door at this uncivilised time of night.  He didn’t move, he couldn’t.  He could only sit there, staring at the door as the knocking continued.

“Open up Benjamin,” he heard the voice he dreaded say.  It was the voice of Charles Gravesen.  “I know you’re in there.  It’s better if you answer coz if you don’t, I’ll assume you left and that’s gonna be much worse for you.”

Benjamin forced himself to his feet and stepped towards the door, before gingerly opening it.  On the other side was a grinning Charles, who had been back among human society for a while now and accompanying him was a team of thugs.

“Hello Benjamin,” Charles said.

“Charles…” Benjamin struggled carefully for his words.  “I need to explain.”

Charles and his men entered as if there was no one in front of them, forcing Benjamin to move.

“Sure you do, but do you mind if I speak first?” Charles said.  “Is that okay?”

“Yes Charles,” Benjamin said as a thug closed the door behind them.

“Could you get me a glass of water please Benjamin?” Charles asked.

“Sure Charles,” Benjamin said, disappearing into the kitchen while Charles took a seat in an armchair.

He looked around, carefully examining every detail of the shabby home.  As he scanned the mantle, a picture caught Charles’ eye and he stood up to get a better look.  Contained within the picture frame was a recent photograph of a little girl.

Benjamin reappeared with a glass of water and handed it to him.  “Here’s your water.”

“Thank you,” Charles said, taking a sip.  “Who is this little girl?”

“My daughter.”

“What’s her name?”

“Rose?”

“You married?”

“Widowed.”

“It’s nice to learn new things about your friends,” Charles said.  “Shall we talk about business now?  You know, personally, I never thought we should ever lend money because it’s always such a hassle to get it back.  It’s so much easier to make a profit in drugs.  This is why we only lend to close friends…who we trust and who we absolutely know…will never…try to deceive us.”

“I’m not trying to deceive you,” Benjamin said.

“Oh don’t worry, I know that.  You’re not trying to deceive me; you’re trying to deceive Mr. Geisler.  He’s been a close friend of your family for a long time and you assured us this loan could be repaid.  Your personal relationship with him is the only reason I’ve come myself…as a favour to him.”

“There were unexpected circumstances; I can’t pay you back today.  I just need a one-week extension and then everything will be fine.”

“No, I’m afraid it won’t-“ Charles began before something caught his eye.  “Oh, hello sweetheart.”

Benjamin turned around to see who Charles was addressing.  He saw his daughter Rose standing at the top of the stairs.

“Sorry,” Charles apologised to her.  “Did we wake you?  You must be Rose.  My name is Charles; it’s nice to meet you.  We’re friends of your father.  Come on…come down.”

As Charles beckoned for her, Rose gradually began to descend the stairs.

“Rose,” Benjamin said.  “Go back upstairs-“

“No,” Charles cut him off.  “Come down.  It’s fine, isn’t it…dad?” he said to Benjamin as Rose approached him.  Charles looked down into her face and said, “Such a pretty girl.  I’ll see you next week Benjamin.”

“Really?” Benjamin said.  “Thanks Charles.”

“No problem,” Charles said to him with a smile, before giving an order to one of his thugs.  “Take the girl.”

One henchman picked up the struggling Rose while two more held Benjamin back.

“Wait!” Benjamin exclaimed.  “What are you doing?  What do you want with her?”

“Me?” Charles said, surprised.  “Nothing.  She’ll make a nice gift for my wife though.  Don’t worry, we’ll return her the next time we come to visit.  It’s just to make sure you suddenly don’t decide to go on holiday.”

“No,” Benjamin said.  “That’s not fair.  I won’t let you.”

As Benjamin attempt to break free from their grasp, one of Charles’ men punched him in the stomach and he collapsed to the ground, while they left with Rose.

Charles stopped by the doorway and looked back at the defeated Benjamin, before closing the door on him.

***

Charles’ car drove past the large nightclub with GEHENNA written in red neon letters on the front and then turned into the adjacent alley.

Charles and his men got out, with one of them carrying the squirming Rose.

“Don’t damage her,” Charles warned, before they entered the club through the back exit.

On the second floor of the club, in the ‘back room’, Charles entered while guiding the now compliant Rose by the hand.  Muffled dance music could be heard pounding through the floor below as they made their way across the large opulent room full of criminals.

Zedd, a pale thin bald man dressed in a black suit, a grey waistcoat and an open-necked white shirt, leant against one wall and eyed Charles as he walked past.

Charles headed to an elegant couch by a bay window, where Priscilla reclined, wearing a gothic dress while playing with a little girl.

“Good evening Priscilla,” Charles greeted his wife.

“Hello dear,” she said.  “Who’s that you’ve go there?  She’s so cute.”  She then turned to the girl she was with and said, “Run along sweetie.”

Priscilla helped the little girl down, who promptly wandered off as Charles handed Rose to Priscilla and sat down next to her.

“Hello precious,” Priscilla said to Rose.  “What’s your name?”

“It’s Rose,” Charles answered for her.

“That’s a very pretty name.  Are you shy?  My name is Priscilla.”  She stared at the quiet girl and said,  “Something wrong?  Oh, did your mother tell you not to talk to strangers?”

“Her mother’s dead,” Charles said.

“Is that true?” Priscilla asked her.  “Is your mummy in Heaven?  I’m sorry to hear that.  You know what, from now on, why don’t you call me mum?”

As Priscilla hugged Rose tightly, Charles watched on.