Knock, Knock Episode 7
I couldn’t take it any more. I had to get away. Killing the Mayor had been one thing. I had decided to hang around after that and let the story unfold but for my own souls sake I had to escape Tabitha’s murderous intent. I had to distance myself from the Knock, Knock club.
Tabitha had insisted that killing those chosen by the club was the kindest thing to do. “Much like an antibiotic for society.”
I wasn’t swayed. “These people have lives and families. They have fallen on hard times. They need help.”
Tabitha rolled her eyes like I had said the silliest thing in the world. “Since the dawn of time we have operated on a ‘survival of the fittest’ basis. They are suffering and there are others out there who could benefit quite strongly from what little they have. Would you allow a lame dog to suffer or would you put a bullet in its head? On the way to the streets the people we dispose of through this club would have dragged the rest of us with them. With each kill we make, each death request our members put forward, society is now one step closer to functioning again. That’s what we do. That is what this club was set up to do. It’s what your grandfather aimed to do,” she had said.
I still wasn’t entirely sure what the club felt they were achieving. To me it seemed they were a bunch of wealthy psychopaths who felt their titles and positions gave them licence to murder anyone they decided were a burden. They seemed to think that were providing Coldford a great service. They believed it wasn’t murder, it was euthanasia. Tabitha enjoyed It way too much.
“It’s not for me or you to make those kind of decisions,” I stated.
Tabitha shrugged her shoulders. “If you truly believe that then you are nothing like your grandfather.” She looked at her watch. “I’m due on stage in five.”
“I’m leaving,” I said immediately regretted disclosing my plan.
Tabitha gave a throaty laugh. “The moment you step outside this door you will die. Someone will get to you sooner or later. Even if you make it a week, a month or even a year it will be just because our enemies are biding their time. We are better off sticking together.”
Tabitha walked off to the stage. The last I heard was her warming her singing voice.
That night I gathered what little belongings I had brought to the Knock, Knock. I had some ratty old clothes and a photograph of my wife, Theresa, that had been taken on the eve of our wedding day. That seemed a lifetime ago. In fact it didn’t seem like my life at all. That was someone else who had been happy. That was another man’s wife. He was a different Sam Crusow. I was a miserable wretch who knew nothing but the Knock, Knock club.
The club was never empty. In my time staying there, no matter what hour I climbed out of my room at, there was always someone lurking around. I didn’t have much to carry so I shuffled to the bar as though a drink was all I wanted. I would slip out the door I had seen the bar tenders use often that led out onto the alley behind the club.
The lights were out except for the low stage lighting. Dennis was talking to one of the girls, the red headed beauty named Lisa. I always got the impression that she worshipped the ground that Dennis walked on. To him she was a pretty young girl deserving of attention but to her he was an all knowing deity that had chosen to walk among lesser mortals. Dennis looked up as my footsteps scraped across the ground. He squinted through the darkness, noticed it was me and waved. I waved back, not wanting to seem suspicious. I yawned – thinking I had missed my calling as an actor – and lifted one of the bottles. It was gin which I never drank but I had to create a rouse so they would carry on their conversation without paying me any further attention. I stole a quick glance at them. Lisa seemed to be sobbing. Dennis had his hand on her shoulder. I tried the door but it was locked.
‘damn it!’ I groaned. The rattle of the lock had caught Dennis’ attention. I had no choice. It was now or never. I leapt from behind the bar and dashed to the club’s main door. That door was locked too. I felt Dennis’ hand on my shoulder.
“Not tonight bud,” he said, pulling me back. “There’s nothing out there for you,” he added.
I went to bed with no further protest. Drowsiness overcame me and my last thoughts were how to escape the clutches of the Knock, Knock. What I didn’t realise was they had plans of their own. They were going to make sure there would be no turning back for me.
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