Chapter 11 Part 2 – Call for Obstruction

So far, Barry has signed his soul into servitude to Satan on Earth. He is a courier, transporting some unknown cargo between Denver and Trinidad, Colorado. He desperately wants out of his contract, but his boss Margery, a demon, has other plans for him.

Before he starts his second day of work, he chats on instant messenger with his friend Nina, but he doesn’t have time to find out what she really wants. At the warehouse, he volunteers for overtime, thinking it might give him time to snoop around for a way to nullify is contract.

The Courier Series is about Barry White, a twenty-something computer geek with an overbearing mother, no prospects of finding a girlfriend, and an unemployment record that’s made him pessimistic he’ll ever be happy.

In Call for Obstruction, Barry has just lost his fourth jobs in the past year due to corporate downsizing. Desperate for employment, he jumps at the first position he’s offered over the phone, driver for OTG Courier Services. Shortly after meeting his new boss, a tiny yet fiery old lady named Margery, she coerces him into signing a questionable employment contract he soon regrets.

The Courier was originally written as a twitter novel @TheCourierNovel in 2009, and the same year it won the Annual Textnovel Writing Contest. Later parts of the story are still tweeting.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

W. J. Howard lives near Denver and writes horror, fantasy and sci-fi with a bit of comedy mixed in. Wendy is also the Co-op Manager for Visionary Press Cooperative, leading an innovative way to publish.

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Vern and I approach Margery.

“Why’d you have to go and pick me for overtime?” Vern asks. “I’ve got a hot date tonight.” He straightens upright from his usual hunched stance, as if he’s proud to show off his sexual prowess.

“I don’t care about your sick personal life, but I do care about that mouth of yours.”

“Hell, I’ve got more seniority than anyone else around here. I shouldn’t have to work overtime.”

“It’s your own fault,” Margery says. “When you disrespect the demon, the others think they can do it too.”

“That’s a crock of shit, and you know it. Where’s my respect for putting up with your crap for the last hundred years.”

A hundred years. I wonder if I heard Vern right. There’s not a chance I’ll work a hundred years for the demon bitch.

Margery shakes her fist. “You damn humans, always thinking you’re special.”

Vern rolls his eyes and walks away.

“I’m not done with you, Vern!”

“Too bad. I’m done with you.”

Margery’s eyes turn black as she takes the cigarette out of her mouth and flicks it at Vern. It bursts into a tiny flame just as it hits his back, leaving a smear of ash across his jacket.

My eyes widen. After what Margery put me through yesterday, I figure it’s better to be a few steps away from Margery and Vern.

“Go ahead. Give me diarrhea or one of your other special gifts.” Vern throws open the office door, but it swings back at him even faster and smashes into his face. Blood sprays from his nose, splattering all over the door. Vern drops to his knees, his head swaying like he might pass out.

Margery turns to me and pushes on the back of my waist. “Get on the damn road!”

I rush toward the door, but pause beside Vern and crouch down to help him to his feet. He’s cupping his hands over his nose, trying to stop the blood gush.

“I said get on the fucking road!” The door swings open by itself.

I recoil while looking down at Vern.

“Get out of here, kid,” he whispers while he wipes his hand on his jacket. “I’ll be fine.”

Cautiously, I exit through the door, half expecting it to snap back at me next, but I get through safely. Once I’m outside, I run toward the vans, dodging the other drivers as they leave the parking lot. Minutes later, I’m on the highway, more than ready for a few hours away from Margery.

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