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Crime and Thriller
| print friendly version | |
| No Weirdos on Our Street | |
| By Livinginanattic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 28 May 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Haven't posted any short stories for a while. Any comments appreciated. Samantha didn't see the flames. She had been washing a cup when she became lost in thought, gazing across the street as the social worker left the house opposite. That was where Brian lived. She imagined his over-polite manner, his odd-looking face, and the thick smelly coat he always wore, even on a hot summer's day like today. She barely noticed the sound of her mam rushing in and switching off the toaster. It was only when she started shouting that Samantha became aware of the smell of burning. "Samantha you careless bitch! Why aren't you watching that?" she yelled as smothered the flames. "But Mam..." "How many times have I told you? You'll burn the friggin' house down at this rate. You'd better clear up the mess right away. And no visit to the pictures tonight." Her mam was always like this, constantly having a go at her. She should get a decent toaster. It was so unfair. Why couldn't she go out like other girls of her age? Nothing she ever did was good enough. At least she wasn't a weirdo like Brian. Samantha would have fun alright. She'd make sure of that, and her mam wouldn't like it. She had her gang, they'd show her. If only she knew what they got up to. She had no idea.
***
Terri felt a dreadful weariness creeping through her limbs. It was several nights since she'd slept properly and now the general chaos was getting on top of her. The toddler had spilt her orange drink over the floor and then there was a loud thump and a crack as a football hit the front room window. She went out to remonstrate with the kids outside and came face to face with Samantha. "Oi!" shouted Terri angrily. "Was that you?" "Didn't mean to." "Well, I think it would be nice if you could, er, be a bit more careful." "OK" Samantha replied blandly. She'd never liked that girl. In spite of the cute black pigtails and angelic face there was something about her and she always seemed to be involved in any trouble. Would they pay for the damage? Fat chance. Not even an apology. She went back into the kitchen but was so tired she failed to realise she hadn't shut the front door properly and when she went back to mop up she didn't hear it click open again. Worse still, she was totally unaware that her daughter had wandered through the open doorway and on to the street. Two doors down the road Brian could hear the toddler's footsteps pattering towards his house and popped his head out through the porch. He was never quite sure how to deal with children but thought it would be rude to ignore her. "Hello there" he said, squinting in the sunlight as she reached his house. "Hello." "What's your name?" "Annie." "My, that's a nice name. You're a pretty little girl aren't you?" Annie went all coy and looked down at her feet. Brian wondered how he could put her at her ease, and remembered he had a box of Ferrero Rocher in the house. He could offer one of those. "Would you like a sweet?" "Yes please" she responded sweetly. He thought it would be rude to leave her waiting at the door. "Would you like to come in?" he offered. Annie hesitated. She had never been warned about receiving sweets from strangers. She might have accepted the invitation but felt uncomfortable and realised she needed the toilet, so she shook her head and said "I go to Mummy now." Brian considered the situation. He didn't want to worry the child's mother. Of course she must go home. "Annie" he said, "you don't need to tell your Mummy you've been here. It's our secret, OK?" "Alright" said Annie. Then she turned and went back towards her mother, past Samantha who, unknown to Brian, had been witnessing the whole incident. Samantha began making her way home, considering what she had just observed. Although she thought he was weird she had never suspected he was a paedo. She hated to think what might have happened to Annie. Why did that stupid woman let her out anyway? There was no doubt about it, the man had to go, and fast. A plan started to form in her head. Later that day Samantha was sitting on the bench with two of the boys in her gang. They saw Brian walk past, wearing his coat as usual, and they began to giggle as the aroma hit their noses. Definitely a weirdo. The boys gave her a knowing look and she could just imagine their thoughts - the man's strange sexual proclivities, bodies under the patio, sick trophies in the basement. Yes, they would have their fun. He deserved it.
***
Samantha felt the heat on her face as she watched the fire from her bedroom. It was 2 am. She saw the men rescue Brian through an upstairs window, while a small crowd gathered outside to watch. She was relieved the operation had been successful since the slightest sound could have alerted one of the neighbours. The idea had been simple enough: go into Brian's porch, pour fuel through the letterbox, post a lighted match, and get away. She was convinced she had done the right thing. She was going to call the fire brigade but, with her history, was worried they might not believe her. She alerted her mam instead, hammering on her bedroom door to wake her. Although she felt Brian would be no great loss she didn't want to be party to a murder. Anyway, he was away now and the house would be uninhabitable. She was sure he'd move on and leave them in peace. Good riddance to him. Samantha had wanted to start the fire herself, but with her reputation this was for the best. It took two weeks of relentless persuasion and cajolery to get Terri involved; she even paid for the broken window. Then it was a matter of coaching her so she would know exactly what to do. In the end Terri was eager to carry out the task and there was no stopping her. It's surprising what even a timid mother can do when she believes her child is under threat.
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