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Revenge, Inc. Part 4: A Short Story
Author's Note:
Hello, everyone and welcome back. Here is yet another installment or serial (however you would like to put it) to my Revenge, Inc. series. You'll find that I gave a bit of depth into the inner workings of Valhalla and abroad in this addition (which I am not quite sure how many more there will be). Much more will be revealed just as soon as it materializes for me, so please be patient and enjoy. Please fee free to leave comments as I'm curious to hear what you think of this story so far. Thank you for reading.
-ODP
If you haven't already, please click on the corresponding links to be redirected to the preceding installments of Revenge, Inc.
Now, Highway 4 used to be a long stretch of rolling suburban homes of pastels meant to liven up the neighborhood. It wasn’t Jimmy that came to pick me up that day, but some other young deputy who was wet behind the ears. I think he told me his name was Randy. Just as soon as I got in, he took off onto Highway 4 and hit the flashers doing a burnout during takeoff.
Mayor Sylvestri proposed this bill that got owners on Highway 4 to paint their houses “favorable colors” in effort to spruce up the town, free of charge or in other words, tax payer's money. But the residents ate it up and entire families came out and painted their houses with pinks, purples, and yellows and had a fun time doing so. They made it a big smorgasbord, as families cooked and shared meals and refreshments with one another. But the upcoming years would prove to be somewhat of a joke and the proposed bill turned out to be a long-term failure with the stock market crashing and the bandits got away in their private jets to their off-shore accounts in Macau and the Caymans. You might have read all about this in the papers—just not the ones you normally read—but I read it in The Sentinel and believed it word for word. It all made sense to me and the sources were credible enough, as some of the minions of these fat cats had no problem pleading their innocence and crucifying their ex-higher-ups. Someone must have silenced those singing canaries because they were never heard from ever again.
It was during this time when all of the houses everywhere just about went to shit. Suddenly no one could afford their mortgages and so were forced into foreclosure and in many cases, poverty. Middle-class families were suddenly living in their cars with expired registrations and were keeping warm by burning trash as the homeless shelters were over maximum capacity. Letters to congress for help came back unopened and ignored. Then came the pushers and prostitutes turning the once trick-or-treat friendly houses into brothels and crystal methamphetamine factories geared to kill whatever the economy missed. Gangs of rogues began to form. They pillaged from those who were barely getting by during the Crisis. Think this can’t happen to your neighborhood? Think again. If it can happen to mine, it could definitely happen to yours. Everything just turned to instant shit.
While my mind was racing, Randy power-slides around the corner just enough to get the cruiser’s ass to barely miss a telephone poll. I damn near slid over on top of his lap, because I wasn’t wearing my seat belt.
“Where we going?” I asked him when I regained my seating. The station was right down Highway 4. We weren’t supposed to turn.
“Felix and company are over at the Lake,” Randy said.
I thought to say something but then kept my mouth shut. Already, my heart dropped like a stone and fell all the way down to my abdomen. I felt sick and felt the blood rushing out of my face and my extremities, making me shiver. I didn’t like that we were headed to the Lake. I didn’t like this punk cop driving and I of course didn’t like how things were becoming blurry as the image of Haley was already a fading photograph in my mind.
At the gated entrance of Willow Lake, a cruiser was stationed at the path with another newbie cop who stood waiting. As soon as he saw us, he waved us in. When we got inside, I saw Felix’s cruiser, two dark gray unmarked detective cruisers, an ambulance, and a few other cars I didn’t recognize. Felix, who was squatting when I arrived, stood up and looked at me. Before Randy could come to a complete stop, I hopped out of the cruiser and hit the ground running. Felix put both his hands up to try and slow me down, or so I thought.
“Now Cody,” Felix said. “I want you to…Hey! Look at me!” But my eyes were trying desperately and without success to see around Felix’s large frame. Everyone at the lake was huddled around something that was ground-level. And just as I was about to walk past Felix, I felt that death-grip upon my shoulder again just like the other night. It was Felix’s bear paws on both my shoulders. He stopped me in my tracks. He had my attention. “Okay, are you with me now?” Felix had fixed his gaze upon me. I nodded my head. “We found Haley, but not the way you had hoped…I’m so sorry, Cody. Haley's gone.” All the air left my body. I felt as if I got punched in the stomach by a fucking cinder-block.
Suddenly, the huddled mass around the object on the ground that lay atop a black tarp all got up and took a step back. Now all eyes were on me. There was Haley lying still. Her eyes were closed and her face pointed towards the river. She had no shoes or socks and was still wearing the same clothes I saw her in when last I saw her four days prior, which were jeans and a pink short-cropped blouse. The way she was lying there, I swear, it was like she was sleeping on her own bed back at the house on a late Saturday morning just like so many other Saturdays when I'd walk into her bedroom and find her asleep...But it was different this time. There was no rising or falling of her chest. There was no air being pulled in through her nostrils and no air escaping through the small opening of her mouth. Her skin was pale—it was almost a non-color. Haley looked like she was cold so I reach for her and find she’s like ice. Next thing, I’m rubbing her arms and hands to no avail and then lifting her up and off that black tarp that I discover isn’t a black tarp at all but an unzipped body bag.
“Jesus Christ, what the hell is he doing?” Felix says in the distance. “Cody! You can’t move her body!”
“She’s not a goddamn 'body,’ Felix! She’s my daughter.” I’m walking with Haley in my arms and didn’t know where I thought I was going. But wherever it was, Felix was in my way. “Step aside, Felix.”
“Listen to me Cody. Forensics has to investigate...They have to do their jobs.” I laugh.
“You know, captain. If you did your FUCKING job, we wouldn’t be having this conversation! You let my daughter get kidnapped and killed and now you want me to let you cut her up and probe her? Are you FUCKING NUTS?!”
“You're hysterical right now. Put her down, Cody. Now, you understand that I’m not asking you?”
"No, she's coming home with me, Felix, where she belongs. You can't stop me from taking my own daughter home."
He then motions for someone out of my view and gives them the nod. Next thing a black leather arm hooks me from underneath my chin and a firm hand covers the entire back of my neck. The world then slowly fades out of view as I begin to lose the strength to keep Haley from falling.
© Copyright, 2009. All Rights Reserved.
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Comments
Your words are like sharp daggers that pierce the hearts of readers to really FEEL every word...As if they were there, at the scene, clear as day, living every moment, feeling every emotion, taste, smell, the pungent smell of death and despair. As if I myself am living through the eyes of Cody through your words you bring your characters to life!
I have so much work to do today, housecleaning, weedwhacking, writing my own stuff, but I had to do my pilgrimage to this story to see what happened to Haly. This is intense, but thought provoking, and you get some political truths in too. I try to never write a noval that does not have some important statement to make, and that is true even if the book is erotica. LOL. Good story; love it. Will read chapter five tomorrow. (: V
I am impressed, a pleasure to read.
It sucks you Haley had to die and all. I expect much violence is yet to come.
I really should be working on my own hub, but this is rather hard to stop reading. At least I can blame you if my author score takes a huge plunge. It's all Dohn's fault for hooking me on Revenge! :)
You sure have a way with words Dohn, I wish I had half of the talent you have. Maybe a bit will rub off on me as I read more of this excellent series.
you can't believe how long i held on in the hopes that she was still alive......@###@@@...4 down and ready for the next chapter.....as stupid as it may say my mind is still telling me mistaken identity
ok, I'm taking deep breaths here..yes, I can see this becoming a film (I would faint at it of course but that's nothing new) Ah, my stomach's still churning! Great read!
T.T will read more!
Woo Hoooo, look at me! I'm now ahead of schedule- 4 installments in 1 day! Guess you could say you got yourself 'a page turner'!
Excellent delivery, Dohn!
Man, I nearly jumped and punched darn Felix right on his nose, hehe! Great morass of feelings and emotions! You did it again! I almost continued non-stop, but as I said before, I`d rather read it slowly and re-read it to savor it well!
Two thumbs up, my brother!
warm regards,
Al
I can feel the emotions going through Cody when he sees his daughter lying there. This is gripping stuff, i'm enjoying word of it. The descriptions are visible in my mind, great work, you are a natural writer.
Great work Dohn, I am back on track and I love the way the story is unfolding. I can really understand how empty and cold he feels, from the story you have told.
Watching closely the development, not only of your story, but of your readers. You are getting some excellent advise and ideas! Good job. Next
dude....DUDE!!! this would make an excellent movie! you blow me away.
Holy cow dohn! I can see by all the great comments that others feel very much like I do when I say "Awesome job!" You really do have a talent for writing. The flow of the story, the way you have the characters 'doing' instead of 'saying' and a whole lot more that would take up way too much space here.
Again - Awesome job! I will be searching my mail box for the next segment!
Just read the first four parts. What can I say, can't wait for revenge to be finally served cold. I would like to say well done, but you're not through yet. So will "you have a killer" do? :D
Waiting for Friday now! :)
hi Dohn, glad to read this part, finally it came down to what I am expecting, Haleys body, seems like I am reading through every line and just waiting for the next sentence, touching and deeply emotional, have always soft spot for children, specially little girls!
Hey dohn, I have been off of hubpages for a while, but I did happen to notice that you were interviewed for hubpages and I wanted to say "Congrats!" That is incredible :D
I'll wait....with bated breath!! :)
Dohn - you're one talented writer!
Dohn, I read this the other day not signed in, dint comment. I forgot about it until just now. It's a great start on a good novel, good luck with it and great writing.
Oh this is so sad. I don't want to read the next part but I do want to read the next part.
Thank you!! I would really like to read the interview.
PS Go Yankees!! I saw the news this am and was soooo excited! (I dont have cable)
Wednesday update? I think I did something wrong with my account, as I have not gotten updates?
I hugged the kids extra, they are all sick of me now. :)
Hope you had a good halloween.
PS, I got to see Watchmen, and boy, was that ever a good movie!! Maybe someday I'll be watching Revenge,Inc. and Ill be able to say...I read the original sotry!!
Okay Dohn, I think you really hit your stride with this installment. I believe you were correct in pushing the idea of comic books. Added images would do wonders and the breaks between each installment make me imagine I am desperately trying to turn pages.
Just an idea, but maybe you can employ Cris A to do some Photoshop images to go with this, just another facet that can add to an already exciting story.
I see the potential for it to go into a full novel here. Not sure how many words you are at now but there just seems to be so much you could do with this character to carry it to a full novel length.
Hi Dohn, I am really enjoying the instalements please keep them coming. Thanks my friend.
Hey dohn you are doing great. I read all the way through the installments. You sure this is gonna end in a novella length? Good going.
Interesting Read - Just had to dig out my Kleenex box - bit of a sad ending. Make it happy again Dohn. lol. Thanks.
Dohn, this is a real cliff-hanger. Everybody's GOT to read the next installment. Still, did you have to kill Haley? I didn't expect that, not really, and now am in shock. That poor girl. His OWN DAUGHTER!!! Please write quick. We have to find out what happens next.
It gets exciting... What will happen next? Jan-ja-rannn!!!
Dohn,
I really like the detail of this. All I can say is..BRAVO!!! I can't wait to see the movie.
Dohn man I can't get enough of your writing. The pace of the story just seems perfect and the overall flow just right — you hardly see qualities like that in today's literature. I'm glad you have the story-teller talent man; it's great to finally read an actual story and not a bunch of information mashed together and labeled 'novel'.
Amazing. You really put it together, words after words. Great story. This is something you have here. Excellent story, I can't wait for more. You got my attention with your revenge Stories. You can not stop now, you have to keep going. Well done Dohn121.
You got us hooked, now! Good writing.
WOW! You got me hooked here! Just re-read for a few typos here and there - but, you are a writer and of course, those are just those little details we all have to endure! Great job! Kartika
This would be a great book my friend or even a movie. You have a real talent.
this KILLS me....as I begin to loose the strength to keep her from falling.....oh, that says so much!!!! I have 3 daughters, I need to hug them now....
great job Dohn. Oh, have a good halloween. Wher can I find this interview?
Dohn--what more can I say than just awesome. I always love how you end your stories. Tell you this Dohn--this is like 'best seller' material.
Just fyi =D
....told like the perfect story teller that u are! can't wait for the next part now. (btw. I read your interview and loved it!) keep on posting..
Wow. That is all I can say after reading all four of you Revenge, Inc. stories. I am excited to see what happens next.
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