The Midnight Within

Chapter 36

On nights like this Chester wished he had never left the navy, but sometimes you have to grab the gold ring when it comes by. He had seen her face on a hand bill while on leave and being a million miles from the Iowa farm he grew up on and not knowing anyone on base he decided to go see the show. It had been a evening much like this one, with lots of rain and thunder. The big tent was dry though and he had found a good spot right up front.

Chester had never been to any kind of show like this. He laughed at the clowns and was wowed by the high flyers but it was her smile and the glint in her dark eyes as she rode the huge horse into the arena. How anyone could stay upright with all that jewelry and feathers, was beyond him. He had never seen a woman decked out like she was riding a horse as big as that so well.

Her name on the bill was Katia, The Russian princess. By the end of the show he was smitten and couldn't get her out of his mind. He went to the next three shows, spending every cent he had, always making sure to go check out the stable area after. The horses needed better care than the drunken sod that he talked to could give them and suddenly Chester knew he was going to leave with them. He didn't want to be a sailor anyway, didn't want to be out to sea for months at a time or risk death if they got caught in a storm. He went AWOL the night before they were to leave and asked the owner if he could join them. Jackson Carver was always looking for good help and hired him on the spot. It was the best time of his life. He was put in charge of the horses. His main job was to clean their stalls and keep them groomed. It didn't take Katia long to notice his love for the animals or his crush on her, but she kept her distance, until Jack got a new partner. Chester never did trust the woman and knew something was up. She always showed up late at night and rarely attended the shows.

Wouldn't any decent partner with a stake in the place want to at least see the show? Not her, no she would seldom show up before the last act ended and the way she treated people made him sick, not to mention that she was seldom alone when she did show up. Chester was not fooled by this cold hearted woman and her obvious dislike of Katia, yet he stayed silent and in the shadows.

Eventually Katia came around and began to trust him. She saw how he took care of her horses and although he hated them he never said a word to Carver about Katia's visits to the twins. He never did understand her love of the two wild boys that were known to eat almost anything put in front of them. He wanted nothing more than to see them gone, or put down. He didn't believe for one second that they would not eventually hurt someone and with the amount of time Katia spent with them he feared that she might be their first.

Chester was content with his life for a long time, loved caring for the animals and wooing his Russian princess. He spent every cent earned on her and was angry as hell when Jade showed up with a dark-haired man on her arm. He didn't like the way the guy looked at Katia and was more than ready to see him get back into Jades, big car and disappear.

Sebastian Black didn't go away for good and in fact became a part of the show. He had this weird charisma with everyone but Chester. He could even calm the twins and soon moved them from their cage into his trailer. Carver was paid of course and as long as the twins didn't go on a rampage he was fine with this arrangement. The days and nights began to blend and soon he had been with the show for quite a number of years. He fought often with Katia, begging her to marry him over and over again until he couldn't take it anymore and confronted Sebastian in drunken tirade. He was fed up with Katia's indecision and was about to let all his hurt and anger out on the other man. They fought and Chester fell back, knocking over a lantern and lighting some hay on fire.

The dry hay caught quickly and was soon out of control. When it was all over his life had been changed forever, his beloved Katia dead and Carver held him accountable for the whole thing. He would have spent more time in jail but Jack had used his money and clout to help him get out. He was now completely under Jack's thumb, doing whatever Jack told him to do and eventually being brought to Disdain to help run the Haunted Farm. It was as strange a tale as any and for Chester the day he could be reunited with his Katia would not come soon enough.

He was feeling his age more than ever, tired and worn down like an old piece of machinery. Coughing Chester sat up in his chair, the dream of his beloved still fresh as the gun that had been across his lap clattered to the floor. What had woken him? Was it a car door slamming? Or something else? They boys had left him a note on the counter but he had broken his glasses a week ago and couldn't read the small print. He had gladly opened the bottle of whisky they had left him and settled into his chair to wait.

Wondering what time it was he reached for his bottle, he was going to have to tell them to be more quiet when coming in and almost choked on the liquor when the old wooden door was kicked in, coming right off it's old and rusty hinges.

" Honey! Im home! " Black sang out as he crossed over the threshold, followed closely by Shatter and Broken.

Tiny whined and ran for the back door, the dog was not stupid. Chester fought to catch his breath his face going red as he tried to figure out what was going on. His bloodshot eyes fixed on the three intruders. He fixed on the white-haired twins, pointing his finger at them. " You sons of bitches. " He struggled to get up from his chair and grab his gun but Black was faster and kicked it out of his reach.

" Now is that any way to greet old friends? Im disappointed in you Chuck. "

" You get the hell out of my house! You cock-sucking piece of shit! You ruined my life. "

Black's eyes blazed as he snarled at the old man, kicking him back into his chair, he held him in place with his booted foot. " I think not. "

Panting, Chester struggled under the weight on his chest. He could not believe they had caught him so off guard. He was pinned, mad as hell and wondering if Jack had anything to do with it. " Rot in hell, Demon. "

Black cocked his head, there was that word again. As if he had asked for what had happened to him. His expression was pained as he looked around the dirty trailer, his eyes coming to rest on a small table of old photos of a happily smiling couple. " You know she never loved you. " Black's gaze went back to Chester's red face.

" And you let her die. You let them kill her. " Chester's tear filled eyes flashed hate at the twins who stool silently by the door. After all these years they were still his dogs, doing what ever was requested and they all knew it. They could be free of him if they wanted, free to do their own thing.

" I loved her more than you will ever know. " With a sickening crunch Black caved in the old man's chest as sorrow ghosted across his face. Seeing Chester so old and worn out sickened him and killing him gave him no pleasure.

" You should have let us eat him. " Shatter had caught the thought from Chester and knew he was right. He was tired of toying with them and having to wait. Black had been showing to much emotion, making Shatter wonder if it was time to part ways again. Yet not killing the kid tonight was also based off emotions and Black had nothing to do with that. Growling , Shatter grabbed Broken's arm and hauled him into the back room. Black didn't respond as he turned his back on the dead man. They would gorge soon enough and if they didn't want to wait they could hunt on their own. Brooding now he dropped down onto the worn couch, reached over and took the bottle of whisky from Chester's hand. The sun would be up in an hour and he needed to think.