This story is by Georgina Ballantine and was part of our 2016 Winter Writing Contest. You can find all the Winter Writing Contest stories here.
The morning after the worst night of her life, Jane slipped into Dr Marlo’s deserted reception area, hoping to catch him before appointments commenced. The door to the examination room stood open, a rhythmic creaking coming from within.
‘Uncle Randall?’ she said, but the only reply was a throaty murmuring, coupled with startling moans. Jane smirked, switching her wristcam to ‘Record’ function.
‘Hey there, Dr Randy. Got a minute?’ she said, leaning against the doorframe. The brunette straddling the corpulent doctor shrieked as Dr Randall Marlo rolled off the examination table, struggling to zip his fly.
‘Jane, dammit. How dare you barge in here?’ He turned to the brunette, ‘Renée, I’m sorry, sweetheart. This is the niece I told you about. The one with no damn respect for boundaries.’
As Renée streaked from the room, Jane blinked against the early morning sunlight streaming through wall-to-ceiling windows. The air conditioning creaked above her, stirring the lingering scents of sweat and cloying perfume.
Randall Marlo finished buttoning his shirt. He did not motion her to sit. Instead he closed the door firmly and rounded on her, eyes narrowed.
‘I shall not waste my time with pleasantries,’ he said. ‘If you require necromancy, I suggest you consult Dr LaChaise, down the hall. She has no qualms about working with murderers such as yourself.’
Jane laughed. ‘Necromancy’s illegal, Uncle. You’re in no position to judge me.’
Randall waved her comments aside. ‘I restore life, Jane. Life. I cannot condone your sadistic occupation.’
Jane rolled her eyes. ‘Don’t give me that crap, Randall. You’re as much a killer as I am, cherry picking from the rich, white dead. Let the children from the ghettoes rot, eh? Is that your philosophy?’
Randall glowered. ‘So, Jane, I hear you murdered your brother. That can’t be helping your reputation.’
‘I didn’t murder Ethan,’ Jane snapped. ‘It was a mistake. He wasn’t supposed to be there. I need him resurrected, and fast. It’s Mum’s 60th on Saturday. And if you don’t help me, your sex tape goes viral.’ She dangled her wristcam in front of his face.
The doctor sighed, shaking his head. ‘Always so unreasonable,’ he muttered. He moved to his desk and sat down, locating a notepad.
‘Age of deceased and time since death?’ he said, pen poised.
‘27. He died 15 hours ago,’
Randall’s pen scratched across the page. ‘Is the corpse whole?’
Jane leaned forward, eyes flashing. ‘Of course it’s whole. What, you think I’d chop off his head as a memento?’
The doctor laid the notepad aside, steepling his thick fingers. ‘In cases of excessive violence, with which you should be intimately familiar, the dismembered parts and fluids often remain dispersed.’
‘Apart from the crater in his chest, he was in one piece.’ Jane’s stomach clenched at the memory. Blood, so much blood.
‘So you fired at close range?’
‘I was hunting a rogue shaman, OK?’ Jane said, guilt fueling her volume. ‘Remember, the one who redirected the Metro Line into a hellmouth? I had no idea Ethan was following me.’
Randall regarded her with obvious skepticism. ‘Indeed. So, whose life will you forfeit against your brother’s resurrection?’
The silence that followed was broken only by the distant rumble of a lawn mower. ‘Are you telling me,’ Jane snarled, ‘that I need to take a life to resurrect one? And you think my job is sadistic? Hypocrisy, Randall. It’s a big word. Look it up’
‘You’ve killed hundreds, Jane. I require one death only.’
Jane approached the desk, crossing her arms. ‘I’m on vacation.’
‘Remember, a gradual, painful demise is best.’ A hint of glee entered the doctor’s voice. ‘The threat of death causes elevation of the synapses. The more fear, the greater the life energy at my disposal.’
Jane felt bile rise inside her as she visualized her uncle junking on a dying victim’s lifeflow. Her nausea changed to panic as she imagined herself torturing his victim. After the events of last night, how would she end another life? ‘Maybe I could take out a herd of elephants instead?’ she said. ‘Or a blue whale?’
Randall frowned. ‘The price of resurrection is a human life. I can arrange a reputable assassin to assist you., should you prefer?’
‘I’ll do my own dirty work,’ she said. Ha, a reputable assassin, Jane thought. That’s an oxymoron if ever I heard one.
‘As you wish. I have a number of urgent assassinations pending. Perhaps that dreadful politician, George Atfantis? You went to university together, I believe?’
‘I choose my own contracts, Randall. My kill, my choice.’
‘Then choose, Jane, but if your victim is not on my approved list, our time here is done.’
So much for family solidarity. Jane wondered if there was a way to avoid explaining her reluctance to kill. No, it was time to swallow her pride and switch her voice to cajoling mode.
‘Off the record, Uncle Randall, I missed three hits after sundown yesterday. The agency’s put me on sick leave. Post-traumatic stress disorder from shooting Ethan.’ She gave a nervous laugh.
‘Can’t even squash a cockroach at the moment.’
Randall raised one eyebrow. ‘Oh come now, Jane. Kingston’s infamous assassin, incapacitated? That would be so…pathetic.’
Jane’s anxiety switched instantly to anger. ‘I killed my own brother, you bastard. You think that was easy?’
‘Alright, alright.’ Randall spread his hands wide. ‘But the science holds true, a death for a life. Here’s my hit list.’ He handed her a sheet of paper and a stoppered blue glass test-tube. ‘This is a miasma vial. When your victim dies, un-stopper the tube and the life energy will slide right in. If you do it correctly, the glass turns green.’
Jane stared at the proffered items. She took a deep, slow breath. ‘Randall, we’re family. If that means anything to you, please, tell me. Is there really no other way?’
Randall snorted, clearly enjoying her discomfort. ‘Jane, as you know, your Aunt and I separated weeks ago. You’ve met Renée, my new partner, delightful in so many ways your aunt lacked. She’s also astonishingly rich. Your worthless family is no longer my business. Now go. I have calls to make.’ He waved his hand in dismissal.
Jane ached to land a punch on his smug mouth. Instead she dug her nails into her palms and bit back her response.
‘Oh, and Jane? Hurry. You have around 36 hours left before decay renders Ethan’s body a partial corpse. Resurrection would then require three deaths, minimum.’
Jane grabbed the tube and paper, stalking from the room. Back in the waiting area, she slammed Randall’s door and slumped against the wall, exhaling pent-up breath. Jane Frenecki, she thought, notorious assassin, killer of abhorrent villains. How long before word gets out of your ineptitude, before the bounty hunters come to claim you?
Eyes watched her from across the room. A smirk played around Renée’s full lips as she regarded Jane with open contempt. Had she been listening in?
Jane left through the side door, willing Renée to drop dead.
********
The next morning, Jane strode into the empty waiting area. Within seconds she was airborne, her foot connecting with Randall’s door. As the wood collapsed inwards, she sauntered inside.
Jane found her uncle backed up against the corner bookcase, brandishing a letter opener.
‘Ah, it’s you, Jane,’ he said. ‘We had a break-in last night and I’m a bit on edge.’
‘Yeah, that was me raiding your supplies.’ She set her backpack down on the desk, exposing the contents. ‘47 tubes, green to the last.’
The blade slipped from Randall’s fingers, clattering on the hardwood floor. Lips parted in astonishment, he approached the desk.
‘But how?’ he gasped. ‘You killed this many?’
‘Self-defense, naturally,’ Jane said, inspecting her nails. ‘Your cuddle bunny ratted me out to the bounty hunters. Pity, really. Some of them were mates.’
‘Renée? No, no, she wouldn’t. She’s running late today, but when she arrives I’ll ask…’ His eyes widened in horror as Jane held up a test-tube, the letter R visible in black marker.
‘Aw, your face, Randy.’ Jane laughed. ‘Darling Renée did me a favor. A knife through her treacherous heart, and boom! Sick leave cancelled. Here, catch!’
The test-tube sailed up into the air. Randall propelled himself across the room in pursuit. ‘Noooooo,’ he cried as it smashed against the bookcase.
‘Whoops!’ Jane said. ‘Maybe she’s in here?’ A second R-marked test-tube sped towards the window.
‘Stop! Please, stop!’ cried Randall, as the tube shattered against the glass pane. ‘I’ll do it. I’ll resurrect Ethan, right now.’
Jane withdrew a red folder from her bag. ‘Here’s my list, Randy. 43 names, plus Ethan. Dead ghetto kids, waiting for their second chance.’ She scattered the test-tubes across the desk, all marked with the letter R. ‘And maybe, if you get the job done, I’ll let you bring your playmate back to life.’ She grinned, spinning a test-tube round her finger. If I can just remember where I put her…’
Hi everyone, at the moment this page is only showing the last 500 words of my story. It’s an error and I’ve contacted Short Fiction Break about it. If you like what you read, leave your name here and I’ll let you know when the rest of the story has been added. Thanks and happy reading! Georgina
Love to read the rest of it. I’m intrigued now….
HI Belinda, can you send me your FB Winter Writing Contest name so I can let you know when it’s up! Thanks for reading. Georgina
Georgina,
Mine was finally corrected. Check to see if yours is fixed. Keep us posted on FB–Loretta
Yay, the whole story is now there! Thanks for all your support xxx
Hi Belinda, the rest of the story is now there! Happy holidays, Georgina x
Great fun Georgina. Just the holiday reading I needed.
Thanks so much, Raelene!
It’s got me in.
Thank you, Anne! Good to hear 🙂
Wow! Great story and so much fun to read. I’ve read a number of entree’s and have to say this is one of my favorites.
Thanks so much, Christy! That’s wonderful to hear 🙂 I’ll definitely be reading yours as I try to read all 370!
Georgina,
It is a very good stood. It was original and fast paced and I enjoyed it. Good luck.
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl, thanks so much. I love that you say it’s original, because that’s one of the main things I aim for in my writing! Good luck to you too, I’ll definitely be reading your story.
Georgina x
Excellent! It would be difficult to remind me more of a Philip K. Dick story, particularly Ubik, which happens to be my favorite novel. “Miasma vial” is exactly the kind of tool I’d expect to see in Ubik.
Hi Adam, I haven’t read any Philip K. Dick for years, but as a teen I was nuts about his short stories. So I take that as a massive compliment, thank you!
Thanks also for reading and commenting. I’ll make sure I read your story too.
Georgina
OK. I admit it. I glanced at your profile picture after reading the story to see what sort of twisted person could come up with this! Cool, cruel and different. I enjoyed it very much!
Hi Mike, haha what were you expecting me to look like? The funny thing is that I’m a very ‘normal’, laid back, compassionate person with 3 little kids. I just have a twisted imagination!
Thanks for reading. I’ll look up your story too.
Georgina
You got me hooked. I want to know more. Interesting story and well written. Good luck and I hope you do end up reading all 370 stories!
Hi Beth, thank so much and I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’m gradually working my way through all the stories, and loving the experience, but with so many it’s slow progress!
I’m going to read your story right now!
Thanks again, Georgina x
Hmmm, that’s strange, I read your story before and commented, but my comments are not there anymore! Did you receive them?
Hey Georgina, Great work. I loved the world you created here. Easily believeable. I hope you have future plans for this story as it would make for a great longer piece. Good luck.
Thanks Pauline, I’m so glad you love the world I created! Given everyone’s comments, I will definitely explore this world further in a longer setting.
I’m about to read your story. Thanks for reading!
Georgina x
Easily one of the better-written entries. In looking at your webpage, I see why.
Unfortunately, it’s just not my cup of tea. For those who dig this genre, I’m sure it’s a solid choice.
I wonder how I could be seduced into a tale in this genre…
Thanks for sharing!
(I also am trying to read and comment on all, but I’m sure I won’t read them all… my other fav’s so far are “Eden” and “Miracles and Hard-Ons.” I’d like to check out your other favorites also!)
Hi crs, thanks for reading my story. I do understand that fantasy is not everyone’s cup of tea, especially darkish fantasy such as this. As for my favourite stories, so far the stand-out for me is ‘A Coward’s Confession’ by Loretta Martin. I also enjoyed ‘The Roses on Park Lane’ by Elena Silva. It’s early days though, as I still have so many to read!
Good luck in the contest!
Georgina x
And “The Salt in the Sea”…
Good story, I love the ending twist of saving the kids. It gave a demented kindness to Jane.
Thanks, Tammy. I’m glad you loved the ending as I was trying to soften Jane’s character a little, to show that she’s not all assassin!
Thanks for reading and I’ll look up your story too. Is there only one Tammy in the contest? Could you send me your surname so I can be sure I read the correct story?
Georgina x
Great story it reminds me of the Twilight Zone stories.
Thanks Jim, that’s a great compliment!
Maybe there is something wrong with me, but I found there to be a lot of humor amid this dark story. 😉 🙂
Well done in walking, and writing, that line.
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Right from the start I was drawn into the story.
A lesson in cause and effect for all three of them.
The ending was a good twist. Not too saccharin, but enough to give more depth to Jane. It also tied in with her wanting to bring back her brother for her mother’s birthday, her guilt over her brother, and so on.
Amusing touches throughout such as all of the vials labeled “R,” the phrase miasma vial, leading the Metro Line into a hellmouth.
===
If I may add this one small comment it would be to use double quotation marks for dialogue. This rule does vary from country to country, but in the US, it’s double ones.
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/owlprint/577/
Hi Sam, thanks for your great comments. The humor was intentional, so I’m glad it worked!
Interesting about the double quotation marks, I wasn’t aware of that difference between Australia/USA.
Thanks again for reading,
Georgina
Hi Georgina,
Great piece and although not a huge follower of dark fantasy I really enjoyed it especially the underlying theme of cause and effect. I loved the ending. It gave Janes character a nice end goal for redemption.
Good luck with the competition.
regards,
Alec.
Hi Alec, thanks so much for your comments and I’m glad you enjoyed my story!
Good luck to you, too!
Georgina
Wow, you packed a lot of story into a short amount of time. Nice job!
Thanks, Erin! Glad you enjoyed it. I’ll look up your story too.
Good luck in the contest!
Georgina
So many neat twists and turns in such a compact space! Great job displaying the characters as well. You have a website with more stories?
Hi Blithely, this is my first short story. I’ve been working on a novel based in the ancient Greek underworld so that’s where my efforts have been directed! I plan to write many more short stories in the coming months though. I’ve set up a newsletter sign-up on my website http://www.georginaballantine.com/, though I haven’t sent any newsletters out yet. Still getting the hang of it all!
I do have a fictional guide to entering Hades on my website which is a spoof travel article! http://www.georginaballantine.com/holidaysinhades1/
Thanks so much for your comments! I’ll be reading your story in the next few hours 🙂
Georgina x
Great story! Although I’m not a big reader of this genre, it had me captive all the way. Love the twist at the end and it left me curious to know more about your characters and the world they live in.
Good job!
Thanks Kirsten, I’m glad you liked it! I’m about to read yours!
Georgina
I finally got round to reading your story although still have many more to finish. I too am not a great fan of fantasy and sci-fi stories although I know they have many followers. Very imaginative and well-written. Good luck. John.
Thanks, John. I’m about to read your story now!
Good luck!
Georgina
Hi, Georgina,
While I am part of the ‘not my cuppa” camp, I have no qualms saying this was very well written.
Thanks, Rosemary!
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