Eddie limped down the lonely road. The bright moon shown down on the cold street. The only audible sound was the scuffling of Eddies boots. A chilling wind made him pull his trench coat tighter.
His stringy black hair hung in his face. He pushed it out of his eyes only for it to fall back. Eddies dark eyes contrasted sharply with his pale face. He hung the axe loosely by his side, swinging it when he walked.
He kept his gaze down and continued to limp down the lonely street. A dog barked somewhere and Eddie stopped. He searched the distance for something and apparently found it. He turned his attention to the bright moon.
Eddie gazed at the moon for several minutes. His jaw hung open slightly and his eyes grew glassy. As if remembering something, he snapped out of it and continued his limping journey.
* * * *
Vincent stared out the window and slowly ate his dinner. A wind shook his peach trees on the one hundred-acre estate. Every room in his three story mansion stood dark except for the library. The only light came from the large fireplace in front of Vincent.
Vincent lived alone in his mansion on the hill. He had never married, never had any kids, and maintained a millionaire status. Vincent finished his dinner and looked at the clock. He signed. It was late, almost one, and Vincent felt no signs of drowsiness. He threw another big log on the fire and sat thoughtfully in his chair. Vincent lit a cigar and turned back to the window.
* * * *
Eddie was just a few hundred feet from the payphone, and his face twisted in concentration. He continued his steady pace and gripped the axe. He had long forgot about the cold and let his trench coat fly behind him.
The click-click-click noise behind him made his smile. He slowed his pace and looked behind him. There was only one. It was a rottweiler, full grown. It wore a color with vet tags on it. It stared loyally at Eddie.
Eddie nodded and whispered *Good girl.* He regained his speed and continued to the payphone. A cloud had gone across the moon, making the empty street even more ominous.
He grimaced and pushed his hair out of his face.
Eddie reached the payphone and stepped inside. He gently set the axe down and stared at the phone for several minutes. His head twitched to the side and he picked up the phone. His adrenaline raced when he heard the Dail tone. He dialed without putting any money in. He listened to the various clicks and other payphone noises, and a cold smile crossed his face when it started to ring.
* * * *
Vincent had finished the cigar and had just started to doze when the phone rang. His head snapped to the clock. 1:45 A.M.. He cleared his throat and reached for the phone.
*Hello?* silence.
*Heellooo?* A few clicks.
*Who is this?*
*Hello Vincent*, a voice said cooly. Vincent jumped when he heard his name. *Who is this?* he asked again, this time more forcefully. The voice let out a chuckle.
*That is not important Vincent. What is important is that you get ready for our meeting tonight.* The mans voice was deep and rough, and just a little bit shaky.
*You cant come here.*, Vincent said. He started to say more but the man interrupted.
*Oh hey I gotta go, but well speak again Vincent, I promise.*
Vincent sat slack-jawed. He quickly shook the fear from his head and grinned.
*A prank call, thats all it was. Just some teenagers up late, picking numbers out of the phone book*, Vincent mumbled to himself cheerily. But he still traveled down the hallway and made sure his door was triple-locked.
* * * *
Eddie exhaled and hung the phone up. He stepped out of the payphone and laughed out of surprise. There were now three dogs. A jack-Russell and a Doberman had joined the rottweiler. They all sat in a row and followed Eddie with their eyes.
Eddie nodded at the dogs and continued down the road. He shivered with pleasure as he thought of what was ahead. His eyes darted to the axe while he walked. The bright moonlight shown off the blade. Eddie twitched again and continued to limp.
* * * *
2:15 A.M.
Vincent had opened another bottle of wine and sipped thoughtfully from his glass. A log from the fire popped and flames shot up. Dogs barked in the distance and Vincent wondered what could be upsetting them so late.
Vincents thoughts drifted back to the phone call. He wanted it to be a prank caller, but he couldnt convince himself. The man had sounded too personal. He had spoken his name like he had said it a thousand times before. Vincent shook his head and sipped his wine.
* * * *
Eddie stepped into the parking lot and spoke to the dogs. Dont let anybody in the store. He took a step forward and stopped. He gently set his axe on the concrete. And watch my axe. The dogs whimpered and milled about.
Eddie continued into the store. There was only one person there, a man in his mid twenties. Eddie tried not to smile as he approached the counter. He said just as pleasantly as he could *Yes, an emergency has come up and I need to use your phone.*
The man looked up from his magazine and frowned. *You gotta buy somethin, or I cant let you use it.*
It was Eddies turn to frown. *But I dont need to buy anything. I just need to use your phone. It will only take a second.*
The man shook his head stubbornly. *I cant let you, just buy something.*
Eddie was fuming. *I have neither the desire nor the funds to buy anything. So Im asking nicely. Please, let me use your phone. I will be quick.* The man shook his head and Eddie roared. He reeled back and landed a haymaker on the clerks cheek and heard something crack. He quickly strode around behind the counter.
Eddie picked the clerk up and heaved him over the counter. I just wanted to use the phone. He easily leapt over the counter and lifted the clerk up. *I am a very busy man, and I have much to do tonight. I do not have time for ignorant men such as yourself. *
The clerks face was purple and sunk in where Eddie had hit him.
With little effort, Eddie tossed the clerk threw at glass doors. The window shattered and the clerk flew through. He screamed in pain and writhed on the ground. Eddie drew a long switchblade from his pocket and grinned.
* * * *
3:30 A.M.
Vincent was sound asleep, and the phone rang several times before he sat up. A nightmare was quickly slipping away from his memory. He cocked his head and searched for what had woken him. The phone rang again and Vincent squeaked.
He timidly reached for it. *Hello?* There were not clicks, no silence. Vincent had hardly gotten the words out of his mouth before he was anwered.
*Filthy Wretch, do not fall asleep again. Trust me Vincent, you do not want me to have to wake you.* The voice was no longer pleasant, he spat his words hatefully, with no sign of the original shakiness.
A sudden coldness came over Vincent. *Dont come here. Ill kill you. I swear to God Ill kill you.* The man found this hilarious. He began laughing hysterically and hung up the phone. Vincent slammed the receiver down and glared out the window.
The moon had risen and was now directly over Vincent's mansion. The temperature had dropped outside, and the room had grown chilly since Vincent had dozed off. He rebuilt the fire and glanced across the room. Vincent stared at the cabinet for several minutes. He sighed and headed towards it.
* * * *
Eddie hung up the phone, still laughing. The old man was funny. He stepped over the clerks mutilated body and walked through the broken doors. The army had now grew.
There was about twenty now. Mostly mutts but a few pure-breeds. They were scattered throughout the parking lot. Some whimpered, some growled, but the majority just sat quietly, staring at Eddie. He stared at them and nodded in satisfaction. Eddie made his way towards his axe and the dogs parted.
He picked it up and headed down the road. His limp had gotten much worse from all the walking. His mind raced and his heart pounded. Eddies imagination was in overdrive, his mind blazing with thoughts of vengeance.
Eddie limped down the road, gripping the axe with two hands. He walked for another hour, not stopping for anything. The dogs followed faithfully behind. The moon was behind him now, making the shadow in front of him hideously long. Night was well on its way to morning when Eddie reached the house on the hill. Every room except one stood dark, and it was lit only with a dim light.
Eddie turned to the sea of canines and cleared his throat. All the dogs quickly quieted their whimpering and turned all their attention to Eddie.
*Speak.* The dogs did nothing. The first dog, the female rottweiler, cocked her head at Eddie. A grin of tolerance crossed his face.
I* want him to be know that Im here.* Eddie had barely finished the sentence before the dogs started.
Some of them howled to the sky, the rest erupted in loud, steady barks. Eddie let it go on for a minute or so, and said in a low voice Enough. He leaned towards the gate and pushed it.
It remained shut and locked. Eddie shook his head and smiled. He pushed again and this time it opened. The dogs remained at the gate and Eddie made his way to the front door. Suddenly he raised his axe to the sky and turned around. All the dogs let out a single howl.
Eddie wiped the smile off his face and opened the front door. This time he didnt have to think about it, the lock just popped open. He stopped in the large hallway and breathed deep. Smells of candles, incense, and lemon pine cleaner greeted him.
The was also the other smell. The smell he was looking for. The smell of flesh and blood. A living smell. He instinctively traveled to the only lit doorway and stopped. The door stood cracked open slightly, but Eddie didnt have to see to know who was in there.
Eddie gripped his axe but a sudden noise made him stop. Click click. Eddie cocked his head. Ping ping. He held his breath. Four more clicks. The noise was eerily familiar, but Eddie couldn't place it. He snarled and took a step forward.
He pushed the door open and stopped. There he sat. His man. Vincent. A double barrel shotgun lay across his lap. Suddenly everything fell into place and his eyes widened in surprise.
Click click. The shotgun being broke. Ping ping, two shells being put in. Then four more clicks, the gun being put back together, and both triggers being pulled back. Eddie gritted his teeth and stepped toward the seated man.
Vincent suddenly leapt out of his chair and placed both barrels against his chest. *What are you doing Vincent? Eddie asked cooly.* Vincent spat on him.
I figured you out. I know who you are now. *You've been in my nightmares for a long time. Deep down, I knew you'd come. But I got you beat Eddie, I got you beat.*
Eddie started to speak but Vincent pulled both triggers.
A bone cracked in Vincents arm and pain made him drop the gun. Eddie flew through the doorway, leaving a trail of smoke in the air. Vincent shuddered and collapsed into his chair. He picked up the phone and called the police. *Hello chief, its Vincent. I have a situation over here. Send somebody. Ok. Thank you.*
Vincent closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. Suddenly, a small giggle came from the hallway. Vincent tried to speak but was choked with fear. He tried again but all he could do was whisper *No. Jesus no.*
The giggle became a roaring laugh as Eddie walked back through the doorway. A festering wound took up most of his torso. Eddie stopped laughing and looked amusingly at Vincent. He only stared back in terror.
Eddie raised an eyebrow. *Not that easy is it? *
I shot you. *That wound, y-you should be dead.* was all Vincent could croak. Eddie looked down at his chest.
*Oh that. Itll heal, they always do.* Vincent stared with a mixture of confusion and terror. Eddie nodded knowingly. *Let me show you.*
Eddie let the sleeves of his trench coat fall back. Long ugly scars wrapped around his skinny wrists and forearms.* See that Vincent. Thats an eternity of suffering. An eternity of pain. Life times upon lifetimes or razor blades and attempted suicides. I had to accept it long ago, its time you do it. I'm cursed. I cant kill my self, and you sure as hell can't.*
Vincent sat gape-jawed at Eddie. They met eyes and Vincent stood up. Eddies dark eyes narrowed and he picked up the axe, then the shotgun. He pointed the shotgun at Vincent. Vincent slowly and quietly said *Its empty.*, more to himself than to Eddie. Eddie glanced at the shotgun. He sneered and shrugged. They met eyes again and Eddie lowered the barrel.
Vincent squeaked and Eddie pulled both the triggers Buckshot ripped through Vincents knee. He screamed in agony and fell to the ground. Eddie had fired the shotgun with only one arm, yet stood unaffected by the backfire. He dropped the gun and gripped the axe.
Eddie said *Im sorry Vincent*, and raised the axe above his head. Vincent screamed and the dogs outside howled.
* * * *
The female rottweiler trotted through the open doorway, wagging its tail a bit. Eddie sat in the chair with the shotgun and the axe in his lap. The dog laid down at his feet and whimpered. Eddie kept his eyes shut and relaxed a little bit. He hadnt bothered cleaning any of the blood up. His trench coat was soaked and there were puddles forming on the carpet. The fire had been built back up and the room was once again warm.
Eddie sat quietly and waited for the police.
