Family Of Spiders- Invasion Of Privacy 7

   I arrived back at my residence, where Harbinson showed me the stealth security system that had just been installed. The high-tech system had motion detectors on both the interior and exterior of the house, as well as PTZ cameras around the house that fed into three monitors. Every possible entry point was covered and new locks were put on all the doors. The system was certainly impressive and would keep intruders out, but would it work against Brain? “I’m touched, but do you think all this is necessary,” I asked. “Hopefully, we’ll never have to find out, but I feel that if Brian is going to make a mistake it’ll be here and I want to make sure we’ve got the bases covered,” Harbinson replied.

   I didn’t like the fact that I had all these cameras watching me, but I understood Harbinson’s reasoning. Of course, it was almost certainly Brian, who drugged me and dumped me in Virginia, which meant he had numerous opportunities to kill me, but didn’t. “You can’t assume that Brian won’t kill you next time,” Hoover said, as if he read my mind. “He’s a psychotic killer being hunted, which makes him all the more dangerous.” I looked out the window and scanned the trees. “You ever find his gaffes,” I asked. “Yes, they were homemade, but very well constructed. He must have modified his footwear also because wearing those gaffes are hell on the feet even with lineman’s boots,” Harbinson replied.

   Brian had broken his promise to leave me alone, which didn’t surprise me because besides being psychotic, he’s also downright insane, which makes him unpredictable. Like Doane, Brian lives in a world of horrific fantasy where he is in complete control. The main difference, obviously, is that Brian is actually in control and calling the shots, and that really pissed me off.

   Harbinson walked back in my house with a change of clothes and headed for the guest room. “You staying or something,” I asked. “As a matter-of-fact, I am,” Harbinson replied before walking into the guest room.

   Brian truly has invaded my world.

Family Of Spiders- Unwanted Company 6

   When we got into Fayetteville, Early told me that Harbinson and Hoover were waiting for my presence at the police station, which irritated me, but I knew that nothing was going to be simple until Brian was caught. The two F.B.I. Agents were standing outside when Early and I pulled up. Both men were wearing glum faces and looked ragged. “What’s this all about, Early?” “They want to go over a few things with you.” “What kind of answer is that?” “The best I have for now.” Something told me that I was about to be severely inconvenienced.

   The two agents escorted me to a small room and asked how I was feeling.” I’m still here, which is the most important thing.” “I hope you kept your sense of humor,” Harbinson said. “Am I going to need it,” I asked. “Most definitely.” After the pleasantries, the questioning started with Harbinson asking me if there was anything else I could remember about the night Brian slipped out of the woods and into my car. I recounted the story for Hoover and remembered what I could, which didn’t help reveal any new information. “There’s another young man missing, and he fits the profile of Brian’s victims,” Harbinson said wearily. “When did he go missing,” I asked. “Last night. He was in the Lafayette Shopping Center around midnight with a bunch of his friends, and according to them, he went to take a leak around one of the buildings and never came back,” Harbinson said. “How old is he,” I asked. “Seventeen.” “Damn, he’s targeting teenagers now.” “Which means he’s no longer rationalizing why he kills,” Hoover added. “He’s also getting bolder.” “Which means he may try to contact you again, and we want to be there when he does,” Harbinson added. “What are you implying?” “You going back to your retreat?” “Yeah, that’s my intention.” “You’ll have company,” Harbinson said. “What kind of company?” “The kind that is looking out for your well-being.”

   The worst kind of company.

Family Of Spiders- Playing Mind Games With A Lunatic 5

   “What the hell was that all about,” Early asked when we got back on the road. “I’m tired of that lunatic always being in control. I think it’s time that old Doane suffer like the rest of us,” I replied. “Who is Lauren,” was Early’s next question. “Some imaginary lover he’s held on to ever since he’s been locked up. I’ve used her before to break the fool, but this time she’s going to die forever.” “Can’t he bring her back to life?” “I suppose he could, but the one thing all of us seem to have forgotten is that Doane is crazy, and being crazy, he doesn’t have full control of his mental faculties, which makes him vulnerable.” “Will Gil and Alice and make it better for him by tearing you down,” Early asked. “They can try, but I plan to keep up the heat this time. Doane knows that his brother and sister are nothing more than two dingleberries who have accomplished nothing in their lives. He uses them as pawns because they’re dickheads who don’t have lives of their own.”

   My plan was to kill Doane’s reason for existing, because his existence has become a tool of evil. The only thing my uncle lives for is sick fantasies perpetrated by others. I know it’s not my place to decide the worth of a human life, but most sane people would have to admit that Doane’s life isn’t worth much, and if he does have to exist then it needs to be a mundane and obscure existence where he can’t hurt anyone. The fact that I have to play mind games with a lunatic is galling enough, but allowing Doane to continue his nefarious activities is simply not an option.

   Brian is slaughtering young men. Mother is doing God knows what. Gil and Alice are being their ridiculous selves.

   A typical day for the Hassey clan.

Family Of Spiders- Death Of An Imaginary Lover 4

   Doane was escorted to the visiting area and appeared to be his usual insane self. He immediately began to chatter, but I was unable to fully hear what he was saying, so I asked him to speak up. “I hope you regain your full sense of hearing,” Doane said. “Thanks, Doane, but let’s get to the point. What do you know about Brian LaJoie?” Doane’s eyes lit up and he gave me a creepy smile. “I know him as the Unknown Traveler, and I’ve never personally met the man.” “How did you meet up with him on the net?” “You meet all kinds of people on the net without actually meeting them, Drayton.” “How long have you known about Brian’s existence?” “I told you, Drayton, I don’t know him personally.” “I bet mother told you about him.” “Nope, she never said a word.” I knew my uncle was lying, but I maintained my composure, despite wanting to rid the world of the sick asshole.

   Doane was acting the way I knew he would, which has served him well over the years, but in light of the recent events, I felt that it was time for Doane to feel a little pain. “How’s Lauren,” I asked. Doane gave me a cautious look and then forced a smile. “Fine,” he replied. “That’s not what I hear.” “What do you mean,” Doane asked in a slightly raised voice. “I hear she’s dying.” Doane gave me an insane smile, which indicated that he was about to explode. “She’s fine, Drayton, now just leave it at that.” “I’m going to make sure she dies, and then I’m going to laugh at you wallowing in your pain. I can already see the pathetic woman dying, Doane.”

   A few seconds later, Doane did exactly what I wanted him to.

   “You fucker! You fucker! Lauren’s not going die! I’ll kill you, Drayton, I swear I will you rotten bastard!” 

   As I watched my uncle being dragged out of the visiting area, I thought about all the nonsense that he has put everyone through, and how he always seems to call the shots. I decided that Lauren had to die in order for some sanity to live.

   Sorry, Lauren, whoever you are.

Family Of Spiders- House Of Doane 3

   The doctor gave me a relatively clean bill of health, minus my hearing, which hadn’t improved since yesterday when I could barely hear the outraged nurse. He told me that I would need to get up with my doctor in North Carolina, so he could check my perforated eardrum, which would take roughly two months to heal. I felt ragged, but I was looking forward to going home.

   I caught a ride home with Early, and got up to speed on the search for Brian, who had disappeared once again. He handed me a folder that included reports on the search for my mother, as well as what Gil and Alice told Harbinson. I found it frustrating that neither one of them had much to say, but I wasn’t surprised. I couldn’t resist a chuckle that Alice took some delight in my misfortune. “Drayton thinks he knows everything, but I guess Brian showed him that he doesn’t.” Alice told Harbinson. According to the report, Gil exhibited complete indifference.

   I really wanted to make a break from my crazy family, but I suppose there’s no way to erase the DNA that makes me part of the Hassey clan. As long as I can remember, Doane, Alice and Gil have done nothing but cause me misery, even more so than mother, who couldn’t be bothered with me. Everything about the Hassey’s exuded a sinister aura and I was weary of trying to decipher insanity.

   I then decided that there was one person I needed to see before I headed back home.

   “Go to the nuthouse,” I told Early. “Why ya wanna see that crazy Doane,” he asked. “Because he knows something about Brian, and I want to see if he’ll talk.” “He won’t,” Early snapped. “I know, but it’s worth a try.” “Says who?” “Point well taken, but take the next left and head to the House of Doane.”

   And the madness continues.

Family Of Spiders- Sweet Sounds 2

   I woke up to find Early and Agent Harbinson standing by my bedside. I still couldn’t hear, so they were ready with a pen and pad. I asked them how I wound up in Roanoke and Early wrote on the pad that they were still trying to figure that out. I asked them what day it was they said it was Sunday. I vaguely remember it being a Thursday when Brian eluded capture and snuck in my vehicle, which meant that three days had passed since my meeting with mother that ended with me being knocked out and deaf. “Have they caught Brian,” I asked. Early and Harbinson shook their heads indicating no. Early wrote on the pad that my system was loaded with sedatives, which accounted for me being in a daze and not knowing what was going on. Harbinson wrote that I was found by Alice in the parking lot of a nearby shopping center and that she received a call from an unidentified man who told her that she could find me there. “Brian and mother dumped me there,” I said. “You’re screaming.” Early wrote. “I’m deaf, you asshole,” I hollered, which brought a compassionate from my old friend.

   I asked about the head that was found in the lobby and Harbinson wrote that it belonged to a sixteen year old runaway from Fayetteville. “He really doesn’t care who he kills now,” I said. “Of course, the sick fuck never did.” A nurse came into my room and gave me a look of admonishment. “Watch your language you potty mouth!” She wrote. I nodded and she left. “What about mother,” I asked. Early wrote that she was still on the run. “Am I ever going to hear again?” Early wrote that the doctors think so, but it may take awhile. “How long,” I asked. “Do I look like a doctor?” Early wrote.  “No, you look like a rumbled old fuckhead who needs a good blowjob,” I replied. “Mr. Brookings, you have to watch that filthy mouth of yours,” the old nurse said, as she stormed my bedside. My eyes lit up with joy.

   I could barely make out what she said, but I could hear her chastise me. “This is really fucked up,” I continued. “Mr. Brookings, I’m going to wash you mouth out with soap!” “Sounds like a fucking plan to me, baby.” “Mr. Brookings!”

   Screaming never sounded so good.

Family Of Spiders- Deaf And Defeated 1

   Nothing was making sense, and being deaf compounded my confusion. The nurses and aides rushed me back into the emergency room where they attempted stick me with a needle that no doubt was filled with a sedative. “What the hell is going on,” I screamed, which prompted one of the nurses to call security. A large doctor walked up to my bedside and grabbed my shoulder and applied pressure, which caused me to writhe in pain. “All I want to know is how I got here,” I bellowed. Alice came running to my bed, which heightened my paranoia. “How did I get here!” Alice merely smiled and stroked my hair.

   I managed to calm myself down and asked one of the nurses to just let me be for a few minutes. She smiled and then began writing on a pad. Her message to me was that they needed to draw some blood and I agreed. The sight of Alice disturbed me, and I asked her to wait out in the lobby. She gave me a pouty look, but left without incident. The nurse then wrote another message, which said that Early was on his way here along with the F.B.I. I thanked her and then she promptly stuck me with the needle with the sedative. I screamed in protest, but I knew it was all in vain. I fought sleep as long as I could, but the Narcotic Sandman finally won.

   Hush little Drayton, don’t you cry. Alice is gonna give you a piece of pumpkin pie. And if you are a really good boy, Alice is gonna buy you a brand new toy. And if you give Alice a mouth full of sugar, she’s gonna clean your nose of all those boogers. And if you give Alice any sass, she is gonna kick your fucking ass.

   I woke screaming, and then begged for someone to put me out of my misery.

Word From The Author

   This concludes the blog, “Hunting A Spider” The next installment “Family Of Spiders” will be coming soon. Thank You.

   The beginning of blog:   http://dbrookings.wordpress.com/2009/04/26/chasing-a-spider/

Hunting A Spider- Stuck In Hell 77

   “Looks like we have a highly volatile situation here, big brother.” Brian said with a wide grin. “I suppose there’s no chance of us putting down our guns and talking this out.” I replied. “I wish it were that simple, but I know what awaits me if the law gets their hands on me, so this is where I make my exit.” Brian said before pulling the trigger.

   As I lay sprawled out on the asphalt, I listened for sounds of any kind, but could hear nothing. I staggered up and looked in my vehicle and saw that mother was gone. I noticed that the windshield had been shattered by Brian’s bullet, which also had taken my hearing from me. I walked around the parking lot, hoping my hearing would return, but the world had gone silent.

   I woke up in the emergency room with my head bandaged up. The nurse gave me a smile, but I couldn’t hear what she was saying to me. “What happened?” I asked. The nurse smiled and then began writing on a notepad, which she showed me. It read: You hit your head. You were found you unconscious in a parking lot. I pointed to my ears and she gave me a sympathetic look. She then wrote on her notepad again. It read: What happened? I looked around and didn’t see any familiar faces, so I asked for the pad and wrote a massage for them to call Early. The nurse smiled and said she would.

   As I waited for a familiar face to show up, a sudden commotion broke out in the waiting area. I could see the nurses visibly shaken and giving me a horrified look. I got out of the bed and staggered through triage and into the waiting area where everyone was looking at a blood soaked white box. The security guard gave me a stunned look and then showed me a note addressed to me, which read: Greetings from the Tar Heel Strangler, big brother. Here’s a sample of things to come. Inside the box was the severed head of a blond-haired young man. I looked around and felt that I was in a strange place. I asked the guard which hospital I was in, and he gave me a curious look. “I’m deaf, where am I!” The guard took out a notepad and wrote: Roanoke, Virginia. “How did I get here!” The guard pointed to a woman dressed entirely in black who had her face hidden by a magazine. I walked over to her and Alice looked up at me and smiled.

   I was in hell.

Hunting A Spider- Brotherly Standoff 76

   “I bet you never expected this, big brother.” Brian said in jovial tone that enhanced his evil. “Damn, boy, you just slaughtered three people and you find it appropriate to crack jokes.” I replied. “Spare me your indignation, Drayton, because killing doesn’t bother me, in fact, it defines who I am. Take the next right.” “Where we headed?” I asked. “You’ll see.” Brian said as he removed the blade from my throat. “That was a close call back there, and even you have to admit that I pulled off a major feat.” “You murdered three people, Brian, that’s all I know.” Brian laughed and then rubbed my head. “Good big brother.” standoff

   I took the next right, which was the exit for I-95 North. “Where we headed, Brian?” I asked again. “Don’t worry, Drayton, we’re not heading too far up north.” “I thought you said that if I stayed away from you that you wouldn’t bother me.” I asked. “I said I wouldn’t kill you.” Brian replied. “Isn’t that what you’re going to anyway?” “No, big brother, I wouldn’t do that, unless you force me to.” “Where we going, Brian?” “Just keep driving.” “I’ll drive this fucking car right off the road if you don’t tell me where we’re going.” “Just drive, Drayton, and stop acting like a punk.” “Okay.” I casually replied.

   Seconds later, we were driving north in the southbound lane.

   “What are doing!” Brian screamed. “You ain’t the only crazy son-of-a-bitch in this world. Now, you tell me where we’re going or I’ll play chicken with this tractor-trailer.” “Get in the northbound  lane, Drayton, we’re going to meet mother!” “Call mother and tell her to meet us at the next exit.” “Drayton!” Brian screamed before realizing I was serious.

   I pulled into a service station that had long gone out of business. I was disapointed that no cops followed me here, but I suppose that would have been too easy. Brian watched me with a wary eye, as we waited for our mother to appear. “She should be here any moment, so what’s the plan?” I asked. “We’re going to have a family discussion.” Brian replied. “What’s to discuss? You’re going to eventually wind up on death row, and mother is probably looking at serious time. Why don’t you just turn yourself in and get it over with.” “Don’t be an asshole, Drayton.”

   A few minutes later, mother pulled up looking as impassive as ever. She got out of the car and hopped in mine. “Drive, Drayton.” “Not even a hello?” I asked. Mother pulled out a gun and put it to my head. “Drive you insufferable prick or I’ll end your miserable life right now.” “Pull the trigger.” I said. “I said drive.” “And I said no, you crazy woman.” I quickly grabbed the gun from my mother’s hand, and Brian put a gun to my head. Sorry, mother.” I said, before whacking her between the eyes with the handle of the .357. As mother slumped over, Brian and I stared down the barrel of a gun.