The curious case of Joe Bloggs

Chapter 4

5th December; 4:55pm

 

Bonvilain stood, five barrels by his side. When the sun was right, he would release the gas across London, killing all. After London came England, and after England, the world.  It was flawless. 

 

Joe hurried through the streets to where he knew Bonvilain would be waiting. Joe skidded onto the scene. Bonvilain saw him.

 Bonvilain was dressed smartly, and the look of surprise on his face was priceless. He quickly regained his composure. He whistled, and the hairy beast came into Joe’s line of sight. 

‘Get him Basilisk!’ Bonvilain yelled. 

Basilisk charged, throwing punches, Joe ducked and weaved, evading contact, before driving his fist into Basilisk’s stomach. Joe pinched his neck, paralysing Basilisk. Basilisk fell to the floor. Joe quickly bound his wrists with clothe before sprinting back towards Bonvilain. 

 

4:58M – 2minutes until apocalypse

 

Joe grabbed Bonvilain’s collar and lifted him up off the ground. Joe spoke.

‘What have you done?’ 

Bonvilain laughed. ‘I cannot be stopped so your questions are in vain. London will fall and you cannot stop this from happening. The gas will destroy everything, and I will be ruler!’

Joe dropped Bonvilain, and grabbed the barrels. He heaved them towards the river. One at a time, he threw them in. 

There wasn’t enough time. Joe still had two barrels left and only thirty seconds. With a mighty effort, he grabbed both barrels and pulled them to the river. He threw the first barrel in. He grabbed the last barrel and tried to throw it in. He was tackled from behind. Bonvilain threw him to the ground. The barrel rolled away. Joe kicked Bonvilain until he stopped moving. Then, he sprinted towards the barrel. He saw Basilisk hauling it into the river. The tower struck 5. The barrel opened, just as Basilisk threw it into the river. Joe watched in horror as the small amounts of green gas invaded Basilisk’s nostrils. Basilisk gagged. Blood poured out of his eyes, ears, mouth and nose. He collapsed, writhing in agony; his muscles twitch a final time. Basilisk was dead. Joe gasped, astonished at what he’d seen. Bonvilain was a maniac, and there was only one place for maniacs. Jail. 

As the police took Bonvilain away, he asked:

‘How did you know where to find me?’

Joe smiled. ‘Just a lucky five minutes.’ 

 

The end