Claws in the Dark | ✔

VIII (Part II)

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Lou sat in the mechanic shop, spinning a wrench on the desk in a dark corner. His uncle owned the shop, and also lived in the apartment upstairs, so he was staying there for a while until the man's grief was over.

He wasn't in the mood to speak to anyone, so when customers came in he directed them to his cousin, Bill. When the last of the customers left, Bill walked over to him.

"Hey, why you all alone in this corner, cuz? You look like death." He laughed, but when Lou didn't he stopped. "I'm sorry, too soon."

"Just...leave me alone," Lou said, turning to the corner to backing Bill.

Bill sat on the floor and braced his back against the wall. "Hey, you're not alone. Dad and I are feeling this, too. We'll all get through this, though."

"I know. I just can't believe that he's dead. And Bridget, too!" He turned back to face Bill and sniffled. "I mean, who would do such a thing? Who would kill a man and his wife for no reason?"

"The police will find the bastard that did this," Bill seethed.

"Damn right, they will."

"What are you two rambling about over there?" Lou's uncle, Maxwell, asked as he walked into the garage.

Bill looked in the direction of his father, startled.

"Why are you too sitting on your asses? Get up! Customers are waiting out there," Maxwell scolded them and pointed to two men waiting outside next to a car and a motorcycle.

"Ya know, once in a while you could look after the customers," Lou mumbled while getting up.

"This is my shop. You don't get to come in here and tell me how to run things," was his harsh reply. Lou just scoffed and walked past him, going outside to assist the patrons.

"You're all set for the funeral, Dad?" Bill asked as he stood next to him.

"Yeah, I just got a phone call from the Costello Funeral Home. They're transporting the coffins to the church at 12:30 p.m. for viewing."

"You know, I can't believe you still opened the shop." Bill looked at Maxwell with concern. "You should take some time off."

"And miss all of this good business?" He gestured to the few cars parked in their shop for fixing. "Boy, are you mad?"

"Dad, it's just for a few days. You need it." He shook his father's left shoulder and smiled, before walking off to help Lou with the customers.

Maxwell pondered on what his son just told him. Maybe he does need a little time. He's been going about as though his younger son, Clifford's death hadn't had an impact on him. His reason was that he needed to show he could be strong under any circumstance.

When the boys were finished dealing with the customers, Maxwell notified that it was time to wash up, change their clothes, lock up, and then head to the church. When they were done, he told the boys to go ahead of him and that he needed to get a few things, belonging to the deceased couple, from inside the house to take to the funeral. Bill and Lou nodded and left, and Maxwell closed down the shop's garage door. None of them saw when a Clawden snuck in.

On his way to the door which led to a staircase into the house, he heard metal clang on the floor in a dark corner.

"Hello?" he called. "Is someone there?" When he got no answer, he picked up a crowbar that was lying on a table and walked over to the corner. "Look, I don't want any trouble, okay? Just come out or I'll call the cops on your sorry ass."

In response, he got a low growl.

"Look here, fella. Now, you ain't gotta get upset about it. You broke into my shop, remember?" He inched closer to a few barrels which contained oil and peered behind them. He didn't see anything.

Behind him, the creature stood on its hind limbs and growled. Maxwell tensed, the rate of his heart quickening, and slowly turned around. He almost fainted as he looked into a black abyss - the eyes of the demonic-looking beast. His scream caught in his throat, and the Clawden attacked by firstly slashing his chest, followed by slicing his throat open. Blood squirted from his neck, as he gripped it, trying to keep the blood inside. But it was too late. The damage had been done.

His head was then severed from his body, a squishing sound emanating as it hit the floor. The Clawden then performed the same ritualistic feeding.

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◀ MARDAIS ▶