Chapter Twenty Two

Gary Ackley, Shark Mako, and Mary Broderick stood, frozen to the spot, on the western edge of Skerrington Forest, all of them staring up at the body of Alex Crennell, who had been hung by the neck from a tree, a long, black scarf being used as a makeshift noose. The state of Alex’s face told the three individuals looking at him, in horror, that he had died an incredibly violent death. Gary clutched at his radio, which, perversely, began playing a cheery country and western tune, the male singer informing the listener of a new love in his life, a girl called Jodie, who he’d met at a dance.

“Do you think…” whispered Shark, her voice trembling, “… that the scream we heard earlier… was Alex?” She asked. Gary didn’t answer her question.

“Here, hold this.” He said to Shark, passing her the portable radio, before walking slowly towards Alex’s suspended body. A breeze picked up, whistling through the trees of Skerrington Forest, and Alex’s body started to gently sway, backwards, then forwards, causing the long, thick branch that he was attached to to creak. Gary looked up at Alex, who stared back at him, his eyes lifeless, the skin around each of them a sickly yellow-black.

“Who did this to you, Alex?” He asked, quietly. Shark walked up behind Gary, and placed a hand on his shoulder. She couldn't bring herself to look at Alex anymore, and stared at the ground.

“We need to get out of here, Gary.” She said.

“I know… but Alex… we can’t just leave him like this. We need to cut him down.”

“No, we don’t. We just need to get out of this fucking place, now… reach the Black Pathway… then get help. Somebody has done this to Alex, and they’re still out here, somewhere. We need to go.” Insisted Shark.

“But Alex is my friend. I can’t…”

“We need to go, Gary.” Repeated Shark. She clutched at Gary’s shoulder a little harder, and began to guide him forward, past the body of Alex Crennell. Gary slumped a little, allowing Shark to move him onwards.

“Come on, Mary… we’re out of here. Don’t look up, just focus on me and Gary.” Shark called out. There was no reply. Shark looked over her shoulder. Mary wasn’t behind her. She had disappeared.

***

Gary and Shark scanned the whole area around them through frightened eyes.

“She’s not here, Gary. She’s not fucking here.” Whispered Shark. “Mary! MARY!” She screamed. Her calls were met with silence. “How could she just vanish like that?” Shark asked Gary. “She was right behind us! MARY! MARY!” Shark went on. She let go of Gary’s shoulder and walked over to the trees of Skerrington Forest. “Mary must be in the woods somewhere. It’s the ONLY place that she could be. We’ve got to go and find her, Gary. We’ve got to go and find her.” Shark said, her words coming out fast, bordering on hysterical. “Mary’s in the woods. She has to be in the woods…” Gary walked over to Shark.

“I don’t think that there’s anything we can do for her.” He said. “Whoever’s done this to Alex must have taken Mary as well. We need to go and find help.” Gary continued. Shark span around, staring at Gary angrily.

“We can’t just fucking leave her out here! Go… go on, Gary, go, if that’s what you want to do, but I’m not turning my back on a friend.” Said Shark. She started walking into the woods. Gary followed her, then grabbed at Shark’s arm.

“This is insane. Alex is dead, and whoever killed him must have taken Mary as well. We can’t do anything for her. Do you want to get yourself butchered too? Do you want to end up like Alex over there? Because that’s what’s going to happen, if you go waltzing into this fucking forest.” Suggested Gary. Shark pushed him away.

“No, I don’t want to end up like Alex, but I’m not prepared to just walk away and let the same thing happen to Mary, either. So, you go if you want to, Gary, if you’re too scared. Go on… fuck off. But don’t try to stop me from trying to help Mary, because you won’t be able to.” Shouted Shark.

“But you won’t…”

“Just GO, Gary. Piss off back to the Black Pathway.” Shark interrupted. She gave Gary a withering stare. “I don’t need you.”

***

Howard Trenton watched the argument between Shark Mako and Gary Ackley with glee. He was hiding in some woodland foliage, one arm clasped, vice-like, around Mary Broderick’s body. His hand was held firmly over her mouth. This is just like last night, with Kate, all over again. I love the feeling… of being so close…

“You’re friend… Shark… she’s got some spirit, ain’t she?” Howard whispered to Mary. “I’m looking forward to getting to grips with her. She’s gonna be a challenge. You’re going to watch what happens.” Stated Howard. He felt a pulse of pain down in his lower back, from where Alex Crennell had knifed him. At least the bleedings stopped now, but fuck me, the pain… I’ve gotta hand it to you, Alex, you did a real number on me, I never saw that one coming. Not by a mile. Sly little toe-rag.

“Uh oh, here comes Shark!” Mumbled Howard, as he watched the athletic, blonde woman enter Skerrington Forest. “Looks like Gary’s bottled it. Yep, there he goes… heading off towards the Black Pathway. He’s forgotten his poxy little radio, too, coz Shark’s still holding it. Hey, Mary, we can have a bit of music playing as me, you and Shark all get it on together… oh my word, what a party this is gonna be!” Giggled Howard, enthusiastically.

***

Shark ventured into Skerrington Forest.

“Mary!” She called. “Mary! Wherever you are, I’m going to find you! Mary!” Shark said, her voice full of determination. The music on the radio suddenly stopped.

“This is Radio Hoffen’s six o’clock news bulletin, read by Anna Rich.” Said a voice on the wireless. “Coldsleet and Knighton Police have stepped up their hunt for a man wanted in connection with the murder of a Coldsleet pensioner. Alfred Whitehouse was found dead at his home on Thursday. Police have named eighteen year-old Howard Trenton, a neighbour of Mister Whitehouse, as a man that they urgently wish to speak to in relation to the incident. Police are believed to be searching the Knighton and Coldsleet Moor areas for Mister Trenton, who is said to be both armed and dangerous, and are said to be ‘very concerned’ for the safety of four other individuals linked to the eighteen year old. Knighton Police have named these individuals as Alex Crennell, Mary Broderick, Gareth Ackley, and Ellen Mako. Speaking at a press conference late this afternoon, Detective Kevin Burrows said…”

“Well, well, well! I’ve finally got my fifteen minutes of fame!” Said Howard Trent, emerging from the undergrowth of Skerrington Forest, together with a terrified Mary, right in front of Shark. “It looks like we all have! Is that your real name then, Shark… ‘Ellen’? That’s a nice name. Ellen, I mean, not ‘Shark’. That’s fucking ridiculous, if you don’t mind my saying so. Oops, forgive me. I don’t think that we’ve met before.” Howard grinned. He walked towards Shark, pushing Mary with him. Shark took a step backwards.

“You’re him, aren’t you? You’re that guy they just mentioned on the radio. Howard?” Replied Shark, trying to stay calm. What the fuck is wrong with his eyes? Is he wearing contacts or something? Shark thought to herself.

“Yeah, I’m Howard. Mary here… her sister is married to my cousin, Lucas. That’s right, isn’t it Mary?” Asked Howard, and he forced Mary to nod in agreement by pushing and pulling with his hand at her mouth.

Shark felt a surge of anger at Howard’s humiliation of her friend.

“Let go of Mary.” She ordered.

“No. I don’t want to.” Replied Howard Trenton, with a sickly grin on his face.

“I said let go of her.” Repeated Shark.

“I’m happy having Mary right here with me, thanks.” Said Howard. He took another step towards Shark. This time, she stood her ground. Howard glanced at Shark’s hair. “That’s a nice haircut… dated, but, yeah, I like it.” He commented. “Very eighties. A bit like how that singer… what was her name now… Grace Jones… used to wear hers. Except yours is blonde. Well, bottle blonde.” Howard went on, trying to provoke Shark.