Twisted Roads – Twisted Horror Stories by Matthew Tonks

Seven Simple Steps

“Seven simple steps, that’s all it takes,” he yells out. “SEVEN SIMPLE STEPS!” he screams again, looking around at the crowd that surrounds him.

“Who thinks they can do it? Who thinks they have the right to be where I am? You all talk, for I hear you. I hear the whispers. I see the deceit. I know you all think I am undeserving of being the one who decides who lives and who dies,” he grimaces, tightening his hands into fists. “SEVEN STEPS! Enter the circle and take what is yours. If you can!”

The wind howls like a choir, building its way towards an overpowering crescendo. As the dust flies around, one of the crowd makes their move and charges towards him.

“I will BE KING!” the challenger screams, swinging a powerful left hook. It misses its target, and with the momentum already in play, he sends the assailant crashing to the ground, snapping his neck. Quickly, he readies himself for the next attack.

His wait is short as a fist slams into him, driving the wind from his lungs. The pain is excruciating, but his attacker doesn’t relent, following up with an uppercut to his jaw, then another, and another—the fourth punch sending his world spiraling into a blur of bright, flashing lights.

Blows continue to crash into his head, but now he feels the pain differently, as if someone else were telling him about it, disconnected from the agony. His vision shatters like a cracked egg, and he sees the incoming fist, along with the eyes of his attacker—focused, driven by one goal—to end his life.

Drawing on what little energy remains, he closes his eyes and mutters unintelligible words. When he opens them again, the world stands frozen before him. Exhausted, he collapses to his knees, letting out a laugh before finally collapsing to the ground, drained of all energy.

For the past twenty-seven years, he has faced many contenders for his throne—many men and women who believed they could usurp him from his kingdom. And many, like today, almost succeeded.

But unfortunately for them, he harbors a secret that ensures his survival. A secret that guarantees his every victory. Years ago, he made a deal with a green-eyed devil, gaining the power to stop time. The price was a favour that would one day be called upon.

He lies there, staring up at the sky, catching his breath. When he feels ready, he uneasily rises to his feet and drives a large blade through his attacker’s chest. Pausing for a moment longer, he takes one last deep breath before muttering the words to restart time.

The screams around him die down as he tosses the lifeless body to the ground. He surveys the crowd.

“Does anyone else think they have what it takes? DOES ANYONE ELSE WANT TO TAKE THE SEVEN ST—” He freezes mid-sentence, locking eyes with a familiar pair of green eyes in the crowd, a broad smile playing on their lips.