Twisted Roads – Twisted Horror Stories by Matthew Tonks

A Mother’s Wish

Steven yells wildly as he yanks Trevor’s neck, snapping the life from him in an instant. He stares with wild eyes at the screaming Sharon as Trevor’s corpse drops to the floor like a sack of potatoes.

“I warned each and every one of you,” he spits through saliva-drenched teeth. “I gave you all ample opportunity, but you forced my hand into this corner. His death is on your heads now, as will the rest of the free world unless you tell me what I need to know!”

“We can’t give you the answers you’re looking for because we don’t know what you’re talking about! None of us do! Trevor told you the same truths we would have, without question. Just ask us what you want, and I swear, we will all answer with the truth!” Felix bellows as he launches to his feet, his hands desperately outstretched.

A smile cascades across Steven’s lips like a wave crashing against the shore, only to be replaced by the scowl of a madman in mere seconds. “The truth isn’t what I want—that would be too easy. I want your lies. I want your deceptions. I want more reasons to kill every single one of you,” he barks like a caged animal, his eyes searching his foes with disruptive focus, coming to a stop on Anne. Then, the smile swims back across his lips. “Tell me, woman, what glories do the children of lesser fruit bring to you? What wondrous tales have they brought upon this ocean of a world? Tell me your lies of pride, and know that you will live to lie another day.”

As her eyes widen with terror, she can feel her teeth cut through her own flesh, followed by the exquisite taste of salty goodness coursing down the back of her throat.

Steven lingers for a moment before casting his affection towards Felix once more. “A dip in the ocean is worth more if the waters are littered with flesh-eating fish dying of hunger. What do you choose in the end days?”

“I-I-I, I don’t understand what you want. I-I-I, I don’t see it.”

Steven’s smile grows from ear to ear, then with a wink, he launches himself into the air and lands on Trevor, gripping him in a vice-like bear hug while he buries his teeth into his throat. Trevor flails around the small courtyard, screaming as he hits and pulls at Steven, trying desperately to free himself from his clutches while the others look on in horror. When he finally collapses under the weight of his attacker, his strength spilling onto the ground beneath him, Steven releases his hold, gasping breath after breath of glorious air. Then, he turns his attention to the others, a wicked smile painted in red across his lips.

“I am an honest man, and in a world where very few of them exist, I would expect the smart ones to heed my every word, not stand on morals that will see you dead at my feet,” he snarls.

For many silent minutes, the very air can be heard, and then, when the cogs of realisation finally move, the silence is broken.

“I-I-I, I’m proud of everything my children have done,” Anne says nervously.