Текст книги "The Black Pathway"
Автор книги: Mark C. Sutton
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"No way. I'm planning on making it all of the way to Salegate, right to the finish of the trail. What will you do when Alex's blistered feet get the better of him? Go back with them?" Wondered Shark.
"Nope. I'll be seeing this walk through to the end, just like you." Gary informed her. Shark nodded her head.
"So, it looks like us two are in it for the long haul then?" She asked.
"Yep, it looks that way." Confirmed Gary.
"That's good." Smiled Shark. "I'd rather have some company on this walk, but, if need be, I'd try and do it on my own."
"Well, you've got more chance than Alex, what with those boots he's wearing." Joked Gary, still unable to take his attention away from his friend, who was walking not too far ahead of him.
Shark took a backpack from off her shoulder, and pulled out a bottle of water. She unscrewed the lid of the bottle and took a long swig of the liquid inside.
"Want some?" She asked, offering the bottle to Gary. He shook his head.
"No, I'm fine, thanks." He replied.
"What I don't understand about Alex is, why would he wear brand new hiking boots? I mean, he's walked the Black Pathway Trail before, right? So surely he'd know…"
"Can you keep a secret, Shark?" Gary butted in.
"Yeah, of course I can." She answered.
"Promise? Because, if Alex finds out that I've told you what I'm about to tell you, then he'll go fucking ballistic." Warned Gary.
"I promise. Now just tell me!" Said Shark.
"Okay. It's Alex. He's been lying to Mary. He's never actually completed the Black Pathway." Revealed Gary.
"You're joking?" Said Shark, though she didn't look particularly surprised at Gary's revelation.
"No. We did the walk together, a few summers back. He got as far as Hoffen, but couldn't go on any further." Confided Gary.
"How come?" Shark wanted to know.
"He just wasn't fit enough. It nearly killed him… well, not literally, but you know what I mean. Alex wasn't up to it at all." Gary told her.
"Then what the hell is he doing coming up here, onto the Black Pathway, in the middle of winter?" Asked Shark.
"Ah, well, it's all to do with Mary. And Howard.” Said Gary.
“Who the fuck is Howard?” Queried Shark.
“Mary’s cousin… or something like that.” Answered Gary.
"Go on." Urged Shark, and Gary Ackley told her all about the reasons behind Alex Crennell's wanting to walk the Black Pathway again.
***
Howard Trenton scaled the glacier-ridge above the flat-lands with ease. For some of that time, Mary, Alex, Gary, and the young blonde woman that he didn't recognise, were in his sight. Other times, when the ridge would twist and turn a little, they weren't. This didn't worry Howard. By the time that he had reached the peak of the ridge, Howard knew that he'd already overtaken the group, and that soon, they'd be coming his way, albeit a couple of hundred feet below him. Neither was Howard particularly annoyed by the fact that Mary and Alex were travelling with another couple. This planet is over-populated anyway… taking out two more people than I'd planned to will be doing the Earth a favour, in the long run, was Howard's reasoning. Yes, it means a bit more work on my part, but what the hell? This'll be my last chance to really party… I just know that that Tom Grogan arse-hole and his piggy pals will be after me anytime now… and they can have me, too, but not before I've taught Mary and Alex a lesson that they'll never have the opportunity to forget…
Howard Trenton stood at the top of the ridge, his scarf pulled over his nose and mouth, concealing his identity. He looked down, at the Black Pathway, which was devoid of any walkers. It won't be for long though, coz in another five or ten minutes, Mary, Alex and their hangers-on are going to come walking right around the bend of the ridge, and, unless they're all looking down at the ground when they do that, they'll notice me, right up here, staring back down at them, smiled Howard. That'll freak 'em out a bit. Stupid fuckers. Howard listened out, carefully, for any sounds coming along the pathway. There was only silence.
"Jesus, these idiots are slower than I thought." He mumbled. Then Howard noticed something, approaching fast, from the direction of nearby Coldsleet Moor; a drifting sludge of dirty grey fog and moorland mist, tinged yellow from the sun, which was trying to filter through it. "No! Not now!" Howard Trenton said. "They won't be able to see me if the mist comes down." He whined, but it was too late. Already, below him, the Black Pathway was beginning to vanish under a thickening blanket of fog.
***
Alex, Mary, Gary and Shark had taken a break for lunch, and were sitting on one of the Black Pathway's many wooden benches, when they noticed that the blue sky was darkening and becoming obscured with mist and cloud.
"Where did the sun go?" Asked Alex, as he watched the moorland mist roll in. "I don't like the look of this." He continued.
"It's just some mist. Stop being such a fucking wuss." Replied Gary.
"I'm not being a wuss," argued Alex, "I just don't want to be up here with that stuff coming down."
"Why not? It's not going to hurt you." Gary tried to point out to his friend.
"Yeah, it could do. It might make us get lost." Alex responded.
"We're not gonna get lost though, are we? All we have to do is follow the pathway. It’s not rocket science.” Assured Gary.
"Yeah, but I seem to remember that the pathway isn't too clear once you're on the moor." Said Alex.
"Well, we're not on the moor yet, and, if there's still mist down when we do reach it, then we'll just have to take things slowly." Advised Gary.
"I like it. I think it's creepy." Smiled Shark, who was enjoying the change in tone that the moorland mist brought to the flat-lands.
"Weirdo." Commented Alex Crennell. Mary elbowed him in the side.
"Stop being horrible." She scolded her boyfriend, playfully.
"Well, it's true." He remarked, and with that, he was rewarded another nudge from his girlfriend.
Shark munched on a cheese sandwich, ignoring Alex's jibes. She turned to Gary.
"We haven't seen another soul up here on the pathway so far. Is that normal?" Shark wanted to know.
"This place doesn't get many visitors during the winter. If we were sat here in, say, three months time, in spring, then we'd probably be moaning about the amount of other walkers up here with us." Answered Gary. "I'd be surprised though, if we didn't see anyone else doing the hike over the next few days."
"I already have." Said Alex, muscling in on Gary and Shark's conversation.
"You 'already have' what?" Asked Gary.
“I’ve already seen another couple of walkers. When we were back by the bridge, and I went for a piss, there was someone walking behind us, in the distance. And just a few minutes ago, there was a person up on the glacial ridge. Maybe it was the same hiker who I saw earlier. I dunno.” Advised Alex.
“It probably was." Said Gary. “Some hardcore nutter who’s having the time of their lives high up there, on some narrow fucking ledge, in all the mist.” He grinned.
"Hey, maybe Alex saw the ghost that you were telling us about earlier! The one that hangs out by the bridge.” Joked Shark. Alex gave her a dirty look.
"It wasn't a ghost, stupid. I know what I saw. It was another hiker, walking the trail." He retorted.
“I was just kidding.” Pointed out Shark. “Stop being so fucking touchy.”
"More likely the person that you saw by the bridge was someone from Coldsleet out walking their dog up Leeton Hill." Suggested Gary. "That part of the trail is quite popular with dog owners." He added.
“No. Whoever it was, they didn't have a dog." Pointed out Alex.
"Yeah, well Gary, they might well have had a dog, but it was probably running around in some undergrowth or something, maybe having a shit… I don’t know. You just didn't see it." Argued Gary. He took a sip of water from his bottle, and looked up at the glacial ridge that run parallel to the Black Pathway; it's summit had completely vanished under the mist that was now rolling in fast from off Coldsleet Moor.
The group finished off their lunch, and continued walking along the flat-lands, getting closer to Coldsleet Moor.
"Right, everybody. We're almost off the flat-lands now… notice how we're beginning to climb again? I know that it's pretty difficult to see much in front of us at the moment, but we're right on the western edge of Coldsleet Moor." Said Gary.
"Terrific." Replied Alex, sarcastically. He turned to Mary, lowering his voice. "We could all be down at 'The Stagecoach' right now, enjoying a few beers and some pub grub. Instead, we're stuck up here in the mist and the cold." He moaned.
"Well, it was your idea to do this." Replied Mary, who was slowly beginning to get irritated with her boyfriend’s constant griping. "Look, Alex, we could always just turn back and head home… go out tonight, have a drink or two…" she suggested. Truth be known, Mary Broderick wasn't enjoying herself very much either, and Alex's moaning was just making matters worse.
"What? Do you think we should?" Asked Alex, who no longer cared about completing the Black Pathway. After four hours of walking, he'd already had enough, and his feet were beginning to hurt, too.
"Well, the weather's not exactly ideal for this sort of thing, is it?" Mary pointed out. "If you want to call it a day and head back to Coldsleet, then I'm more than happy to agree to that." She continued.
Gary Ackley and Shark walked close behind the couple, listening in on their conversation.
"Sounds like Alex is gearing up to quit." Mumbled Gary.
"Sounds like they're both gearing up to quit." Agreed Shark.
"I told you, didn't I? I said that Alex wasn't up to this." Said Gary.
"Yeah, I know. I didn't think it'd be quite this soon though… looks like the prospect of heading up onto Coldsleet moor in all of this mist is really freaking him out." Observed Shark.
"Well, that's Alex for you… he tries to come across as the hard-man, but he's just a great big pussy." Giggled Gary.
"You can say that again… he's pretty pathetic, plus he never stops whining." Concurred Shark, and they both began to laugh out loud. Just in front of them, Alex Crennell was trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.
Alex Crennell could sense that Gary and Shark were laughing about him. He looked back, over his shoulder, and stared at the two of them, with suspicion in his eyes.
"What are you two giggling about?" He wanted to know.
"Mind your own business." Gary instantly replied, smirking.
"No, come on, I want to know." Alex went on. "You're laughing about me, aren't you?" He asked, his voice wobbly with paranioa.
" Like I just said, it's none of your business." Said Gary, standing his ground.
"Oh, for Christ's sake, just leave it, Alex." Sighed Mary. "They could have been laughing about anything." She tried to reason. Alex turned to his girlfriend.
"No, Gary was laughing about me. I can always tell when he's taking the piss out of me." He advised.
"Oh, what a load of crap. HOW can you tell, Alex?” Jeered Mary.
"I just can!" Was Alex's response. He turned back to Gary and Shark. "So, come on, let's have it, what were you laughing about?" Alex repeated his question.
"You can ask as many times as you like… it's none of your business." Reiterated Gary Ackley.
"I told you, Alex, just leave it, they're not doing any harm." Said Mary. Alex didn't like this. My fucking girlfriend should be sticking up for me, not them… he let go of Mary's hand, and then stopped walking.
"Right, that's it. I've had enough. Let's go home." He declared, calling a halt to the group's hike along the Black Pathway. Alex Crennell had had enough.
Chapter Nineteen
Alex stood on the Black Pathway and wiped at the sweat on his forehead with his hand.
"Me and Mary have been talking about it. We think that it's stupid to carry on with this hike, what with the weather and all." Said Alex.
"It's just a bit of mist. It'll clear." Replied Gary.
"And what if it doesn't? In a few hours, it'll be getting dark, too…”
"By which time, we'll have walked over Coldsleet Moor, and be heading into Knighton." Interrupted Gary.
"Not if we get lost, we won't." Snapped Alex.
"We're not gonna get lost. I've told you before, Alex, all we need to do is take things slowly, make sure that we're following the track, and…"
"Well I don't WANT to follow the fucking track, and nor does Mary. We've talked about it, and we want to head back to Coldsleet." Shouted Alex. Gary turned to face Mary.
"Is this right?" He asked her. Mary gave him a faint smile.
"It's not much fun, is it? What with the mist and the cold." She replied.
“Yeah, and the constant fucking whinging.” Added Gary, staring directly at Alex, who didn’t respond.
Gary turned to look at Shark.
"What do you want to do? Do you want to head back to Coldsleet with Alex and Mary?" He asked, already knowing what Shark's answer would be. She looked at Alex and Mary.
"No offence guys, but I'm gonna carry on with the hike. It's nothing personal." She said.
"Same goes for me." Added Gary. "I'll be walking the Black Pathway with Shark, until we reach Salegate." He advised Alex and Mary.
"What, so you're just gonna let me and Mary make our way back down to Coldsleet all alone, in this shitty weather?" Asked Alex, slightly outraged.
"Oh, for fucks sake, Alex. It's just a bit of mist. It's not like we're caught up in a hurricane or something." Gary responded, losing his temper with his friend. "Besides of which, let me remind you that this whole walk was your idea.” Gary added.
"And what the fuck has that got to do with anything?" Snarled Alex Crennell.
"Well, let's face it, if it weren't for your damaged ego, none of us would be up here now." Gary pointed out.
"What are you talking about, Gary?" Enquired Mary, puzzled by the 'damaged ego' remark.
"Ask your boyfriend." Gary replied, flatly.
"No, I'm asking you." Said Mary.
"Just leave it." Alex said to her, desperate for the truth not to come out. He glared daggers at Alex, in a warning to him to keep his mouth shut.
"No, I won't leave it. I want to know what Gary meant…"
"Alex lied to you, Mary." Butted-in Shark. "He's never completed the Black Pathway."
Mary stared at Alex for a few seconds, before turning to Shark.
"What did you say?" She asked.
"Alex lied to you. He's never finished this walk. He had to bail out at Hoffen." Answered Shark. Suddenly, Alex Crennell lunged forwards at the tall, blonde woman, grabbing her by the throat.
"Shut your fucking trap, you mouthy little bitch!” He roared, pulling his face close to Sharks. Her response was unexpected, but incredibly impressive. She twisted her whole body round in a flash, sliding from out of Alex's grip with ease; in the next instant, the twenty year old found himself being flung over Shark's shoulder, and then flying through the air momentarily, before landing on the muddy ground, just off the pathway. Alex Crennell rolled over a couple of time, and then lay on his back, staring back towards Shark. She strided over to him.
“Don’t ever touch me, or threaten me in any way again, you whinging little cunt.” She warned, before heading back towards where Mary and Gary were standing. Mary Broderick came walking across to Alex.
“You asked for that.” She said to him. “Oh, and by the way, we’re finished. I don’t go out with blokes that attack women.” Mary told him.
“Aw, come on Mary, don’t be like that! That bitch was provoking me.” Pleaded Alex.
“Go and fuck yourself, Alex.” Came Mary’s icy-cold response.
Alex Crennell picked himself from up off the floor, his clothes splattered with mud. The rest of the group watched him in silence. Alex pointed a figure at them, collectively.
“You three fuckers… I haven’t finished with any of you yet.” He threatened. Shark went to move towards him again, but Gary Ackley held her back.
“Just go home, Alex.” Said Gary, calmly.
“You’re a fucking big-mouthed shit-face.” Alex hit back at him. He turned to Shark. “No-one gets away with doing something like that to me. Do you hear me?” Alex said. Shark smirked at him. “And as for you,” Alex stared at Mary, “well, you can find your own way back down to Coldsleet… or spend the next two days with this pair of cunts. It’s your choice, bitch.”
“Just go home.” Gary repeated. Alex Crennell slowly walked back onto the Black Pathway. He pushed past Gary, Mary, and Shark, and slowly began his trek back towards Coldsleet. Alex continued to stare back at the trio, as he disappeared into the mist. And straight into the path of Howard Trenton.
***
Gary Ackley put his arm around Mary Broderick, with Shark standing next to him.
“Are you okay?” He asked her.
“Yeah. I’m fine, thanks.” She replied.
“Well, I suppose that we’d better be heading back to Coldsleet too.” Said Gary. “We can’t carry on with the walk now.”
“What did you mean, when you said about Alex’s damaged ego being the reason for him wanting to walk the Black Pathway?” Mary was very curious to know. Gary took in a deep breath.
“He got jealous when he found out that Howard wanted to take you along the pathway. He got even more jealous when he discovered that Howard had walked the trail loads of times before.” Explained Gary. “You know what Alex is like about Howard. There’s no love lost between them at all.” He reminded Mary.
“I still don’t understand.” She said.
“It’s because, as Shark said earlier, Alex couldn’t manage to complete the Black Pathway. Me and Alex, we walked the trail the summer before last, and he couldn’t hack it, he got as far as Hoffen, and then fucked off home.” Gary went on. “He hated the thought that Howard had completed the Black Pathway loads of times. All of this… it’s about Alex’s stupid, petty fucking jealousy.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Said Mary.
“Alex is like a big sodding child at times, and as I said, it doesn’t help that he really hates Howard… and has done for years.” Commented Gary.
“Yeah, I gathered that much… well, I say bollocks to Alex Crennell. Let’s really piss him off and complete the Black Pathway.” Suggested Mary, with a devilish grin on her face.
“You’re joking?” Asked Shark. Mary turned to her.
“No. I’m not joking at all.” She calmly replied.
Gary wasn’t sure about Mary’s suggestion that the trio continue walking the Black Pathway Trail.
“Mary, a few minutes ago, you were saying that you wanted to go back to Coldsleet.” He reminded her.
“Well, to be honest, I can think of other things that I’d rather be doing this weekend than traipsing around in the cold and the mist… but if completing the walk fucks Alex off, then I’m all up for carrying on with it.” Mary smiled.
“Are you sure? I mean, you’ve just broken up with Alex and…”
“And nothing.” Mary interrupted Gary. “I’ve got no regrets there, and I don’t feel upset, either. He attacked Shark. He’s a man that takes his anger out on women. He can fuck right off.” She asserted. Gary and Shark nodded.
“Did you see the look on Alex’s face, just after Shark had done that weird judo throw thing on him?” Asked Gary. He looked at Shark. “Where did you learn to do stuff like that?” Shark gave him a bittersweet smile.
“A friend taught me.” She replied. “Do you reckon Alex will be okay, getting back down to Coldsleet?” Shark asked Gary.
“He’ll be fine,” he assured her, “all he has to do is follow the pathway back across the flatlands and down Leeton Hill. Alex will be okay.”
***
Alex Crennell walked as fast as he could along the Black Pathway, humiliated, angry, feet hurting, sweat running into his eyes, and his head banging with a hangover that refused to go away. Those bastards… I’ll make them all pay for this, the bunch of tossers, he seethed. He moved forward, with his head down, lost in angry thoughts, thinking of all the different ways that he was going to wreak his revenge on Mary, Shark and Gary. ESPECIALLY Gary; the friend who had betrayed his trust.
“Well, you ain’t my friend anymore, Gary Ackley. Those days are over. You’re gonna regret making an enemy of me, you stupid, blue-haired freak.” Alex said to himself, his eyes focused on the pathway in front of him, a trail that was getting increasingly difficult to see as the moorland mist continued to thicken and obscure it. God, I hate this place. I swear, this’ll be the last time that I ever come anywhere near the Black fucking Pathway. Whoever gets pleasure from walking around this shit-hole needs their heads examining… stupid cunts.
Suddenly, Alex became aware of a noise behind him… footsteps… somewhere behind him were the sound of footsteps. Nah, there’s no-one else up here with me, I’m on my own… all I’m hearing is echoes of my own fucking walking, reasoned Alex. Don’t let your imagination start running riot, Alex, just keep on heading forwards, one step after another, you’ll soon be back at the bridge, and then all that’s left is the walk down Leeton Hill… just think, you can get back home, have a fish and chip dinner, then down to the pub for a much-needed jar or eight. Yeah, that sounds good, a nice little pick-me-up to get rid of this fucking hangover… the thought of beer made Alex thirsty. He stopped walking, and took his rucksack from off his shoulder, reaching inside for a bottle of water. Even though he was now standing perfectly still, he could still hear footsteps coming from somewhere behind him.
Alex turned around. There was a soft, almost rhythmic crunch of feet against gravel, emanating from somewhere within the mist.
“Hello? Gary, is that you?” Called Alex. There came no response. “Gary, I swear, if that’s you, fucking around…” Alex’s voice trailed off. The sound of footsteps had suddenly ceased, and the only noise that could be heard was the soft breeze as it pushed through the undergrowth that bordered the Black Pathway. “Gary?” Repeated Alex. Silence. Fuck this, man, let’s get out of here, thought Alex. He began to walk again, and as soon as he did, Alex heard the sound of footsteps behind him once more. Just keep walking, don’t think about it… it’s your imagination… or some weird echo effect… you’re not far from the bridge now… not far at all… then it’s down the hill, and home, away from this dump forever. The footsteps were closer now. Alex stopped walking for a second time, and turned around. This time, there was a figure standing about ten feet away from Alex Clennell. A figure, mostly shrouded in mist, but with slightly glowing, dirty-yellow eyes.
Alex jumped backwards, his heart racing.
“Who the fuck…” The figure walked from out of the mist, revealing himself to Alex. It was Howard Trenton.
“Howard? What the fuck are you doing up here?” Asked Alex. “And what’s wrong with your fucking eyes, man?”
“Hello, Alex.” Replied Howard. “There’s nothing wrong with my eyes. This is what they’re really like.” He smiled. Alex laughed, nervously.
“You’re wearing those freaky fucking contact lenses that you can buy… I know a girl called Emma, she wears lenses like those… bright yellow, makes her look like some sodding cat…”
“They’re not lenses, Alex.” Said Howard, in a flat, monotone voice. He took a step towards Alex.
“Like fuck they’re not… what are you doing up here? Up on the pathway?” Alex asked for a second time.
“I’m here to have some fun.” Replied Howard, smiling slightly.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Said Alex. Howard didn’t reply. “Hey, are you high or something?” Quizzed Alex. Again, there was no response from Howard Trenton. Alex began to feel very uneasy.
“Look, if it’s Mary that you’re looking for, she’s with Gary and some bitch called Shark. I know that you were a bit hung up on her and stuff… well, go for it, pal, we’re finished anyway. Me, I’m going home, man.” Alex informed Howard, his throat going dry. “They’re back that way, heading onto Coldsleet Moor.” Croaked Alex, pointing past Howard. This information was met with complete silence from the younger, smaller man.
Alex Crennell began backing away from Howard Trenton.
“Look, I know that we haven’t got on for a long time, Howie… maybe, like, we could catch up for a drink or something, try and put things right? For what it’s worth, I’m sorry about all of that shit I said about Kate Williams not long back. I was just piss-taking, and I admit, it was wrong of me. I shouldn’t have said that stuff.” Said Alex.
“Thanks for your apology, Alex.” Howard finally spoke, though his face remained unmoved, impassive.
“Jesus Christ, those fucking contact lenses are really freaky, Howard. You’ll scare the shit out of Mary when you catch up with her.” Laughed Alex, nervously. He took a few more steps away from Howard Trenton. “I’ll be down at ‘The Stagecoach’ tonight, if you wanna meet up… first pint will be on me.” Suggested Alex, quickening his pace. Howard showed no sign of following him. “Like I said, the others are just about to go onto Coldsleet Moor. You should be able to catch up with them pretty quickly…”
“See you soon, Alex.” Cut-in Howard, and with that, he turned his back, and began heading off in the direction of Coldsleet Moor. Alex took a deep breath, watching as Howard Trenton disappeared back into the mist. Thank fuck, he’s gone… what the hell was that all about? Christ knows. Right, I’m out of here, Alex thought to himself. He found that he was no longer just walking back down the Black Pathway; Alex was running.
***
Extract from the journal of Howard Trenton
How do I know for definite that I was fathered by an alien? Well, I don't. Not one-hundred percent, at any rate. I'm pretty sure that mom was telling me the truth about the creature that attacked her, but that doesn't mean there was any actual alien involvement. Whatever that creature was, it'd be much more likely for it to have just come from this planet. Or so people would argue. I'd disagree with that, and with good reason, too; the memories that I have. Memories of another world. Memories of another world that is out there somewhere, far beyond our solar system, or even our galaxy. Actually, my memories consist of two worlds, neighbouring planets that move in close orbits around their galactic parent, an orange star ten times as large as the Earth's local sol. Two worlds, both of them teeming with a vast and diverse array of life. Two worlds that are almost identical to each other. One of them, I’m not sure which, is my father’s natural, and my spiritual, home.
So, how can I possibly remember a place that I've never been to? Simple. the memories have been passed down to me through my father's genetic code. Such memory transferrence is one of the popular theories that I've read concerning the concept of reincarnation, the school of thought being that the individual who believes they have lived a past life are actually carrying around with them memories from a chronologically distant, genetic relative. This has to be possible. The memories that I have of my father’s home planet are too realistic to be otherwise… unless. Unless I’m completely deranged. Like my mom was said to be. But that doesn’t make sense… it doesn’t address all of the enhanced abilities that I possess. A chronic mental illness can’t explain that. Can it?
Chapter Twenty
Gary, Mary and Shark left the flat-lands behind them, and began ascending Coldsleet Moor.
“What time is it?” Mary wanted to know.
“Two thirty.” Replied Gary, looking at his wristwatch.
“Do you think Alex will be back in Coldsleet by now?” Mary asked.
“He might be.” Gary answered. “I thought this mist would have cleared a bit by now… but it seems to be getting worse.” He said, changing the subject from Alex Crennell.
“How far do you think we are from Knighton?’ Shark was curious to know.
“Why, are you getting tired?” Teased Gary.
“No.” Lied Shark. “Well, yeah, I am a little bit.” She confessed.
“We’re about three miles away. This sodding mist might slow us down a bit, but we should be in Knighton for around five, five thirty.” Gary informed her.
“Hey girls, have you ever heard of Stephen Hartley?” He suddenly asked.
“Stephen who?” Replied Mary.
“Wasn’t he that serial killer guy? ‘The slayer of Scarr Mountain’?” Came Shark’s more informed response.
“Yep, that’s the one, Shark. ‘The Scarr Mountain slayer’, or ‘The Dead Winter Mountain murderer.’” Nodded Gary.
“Why do you ask?” Shark was interested to know.
“Well, have you ever heard the rumour about Stephen Hartley and Coldsleet Moor?” Gary asked her.
“Can’t say that I have.” Admitted Shark.
“I don’t know who the pair of you are talking about.” Sulked Mary, feeling left out of the conversation.
“Then let me tell you, Mary! And after that, Gary can tell us of this rumour that I can see he’s just dying to talk about!” Said Shark, putting her arm around Mary’s shoulder.
Shark talked excitedly about Stephen Hartley, ‘The slayer of Scarr Mountain’.
“I remember reading about him on the ‘net. He used to kidnap women, usually in their twenties or thirties, and take them back to his cellar, before murdering them. From what I read, even though Stephen was a mass killer, he was actually really tickle-stomached. So, if he ended up stabbing one of his victims to death, he’d have to close his eyes, or turn the other way as he was doing it. He was a proper anorak too… everyone that met Stephen said he was really boring. He was the ultimate nerd… hey, Gary, don’t they reckon that he actually murdered one of his victims using a model train set?” Shark asked.
“Yeah, I think so.” Gary replied.
“How did he do that?” Wondered Mary.
“Fuck knows… but anyway, he used to bury his victims up on Scarr Mountain…”
“Scarr Mountain? That’s… what… thirty, forty miles from here at the most?” Interrupted Mary.
“I’d say about forty miles. It’s in west Nethershire.” Gary advised her.
“So, he used to bury his victims up on Scarr Mountain, or on some moors near to it. How many did he kill, Gary?” Asked Shark.
“No-one’s really sure, but they reckon it was around twenty women.” Gary told her, as he munched on a chocolate bar.
Shark turned to Gary.
“So, what’s Stephen Hartley got to do with Coldsleet Moor?” She asked, with curiosity; Shark knew a fair bit about ‘the Dead Winter Mountain murders’, but had never heard of any connection to Coldsleet or its surroundings.
