First Flip

My head is throbbing, it feels like someone has taken a screwdriver and is slowly and steadily pushing it into my temple. My eyes are closed tight and it takes me a lot of effort just to open them, when i do i can see that i am sat in a church on a stout wooden chair facing towards the rear looking down the aisle. The church is lit by candles mounted on tall metal spikes that are attached to the end of the box pews, a good way down the aisle on the left is the pulpit that rises above the congregational seating carved and ornate with religious symbolism.

It is only now i realise that my hands are tied to the solid oak arms of the chair with coarse wiry rope and my legs are shackled. I try to move my head to see what is restraining my feet but i cant it is held firmly to the high back with a taut steel band around my forehead. I can hear voices to my right and by straining my eyes i can just make out the silhouette of a door that is ajar and lit from within. Two voices are audible but it is impossible to understand what they are saying however the odd word does carry to me.

"He's awake" a voice shouts from my left, startled i twist to see who spoke but the restraints hold me and i feel the metal band bite into the skin on my forehead, "he is awake" reaffirms the voice as its owner scuttles past me towards the door and out of vision. The voices beyond the door become more animated and what sounds like an order is barked out followed by more scuttling and what appears to be a monkey like creature rushes past me and down the aisle towards the exit " i will be back as quickly as my feet will carry me master" says the imp before it disappears into the night.

"Make sure you are little one" The voices from beyond the door are now clear and i can hear the shuffling of feet towards me.

"Good evening Tavis" i shudder as my name is mentioned.

"Who are you?" - i ask, the footsteps stop and i am aware that someone is now standing by my side.

"Who are you? - Where am i? - let me go" and then i add "please" rather lamely.

"So many questions Travis, unfortunately the purpose of this meeting is not for me to answer your questions it is for me to use my skills to ask questions of you," the voice moves around and steps into my vision.

"But just as a mater of formality i will inform you that my name is Shaves. Although not many live long enough to use it." - Shaves stands before me in a dark cloak covering his entire body, it reaches to the ground and covers his head with a hood. Deep within the hood i can just make out a twisted and bearded face. a hand appears from the folds of material and adjusts a rope belt that pulls the cloak tight around his portly mid drift.

"Be silent Shaves," says a second voice, a kinder and softer voice and as he steps into view i can see he is dressed in the same way as Shaves except he has pulled back the hood of his garment to reveal what i considered to be a kind face. He smiles at me as he runs a hand through his grey shoulder length hair and then rubs his bearded chin. "I am Drufus - and i need to ask you a few questions Tavis."

"Yes by all means ask away," i say as helpfully as possible, " but could you please release me from this chair?"

"Just a few questions first and then we will see what we can do."

"Ok."

"Ok indeed - shall we begin?" Drufus scratches and picks at his hooked nose and smiles at me again. " My first question for you is very very simple, just to get the ball rolling. - Where is your father?"

"Dead," i say. "he is dead."

"Very good, next question where is your mother?"


"Dead also," i answer, "look is this really necessary?"

"shhhhhhhhh Tavis you are doing so well just one more question then i will be done."

"Oh ok - no problem," I feel my heart lift slightly at the prospect of being released.

"Last question for you then," Drufus stops picking his nose and wipes his finger on his cloak. "Where is you sister Lilly?"

"She is dead, they all died together in an accident." i resisted the urge to call him a sicko for this whole charade and thought better to wait until i am free and walking out of the door.

"Wrong answer...." Drufus spat in my face. "That is the wrong answer boy." he then punched me deep in the stomach..

I reeled from the blow unable to move and unable to breath - i could feel bile rising in my throat as i choked and coughed gasping for air.

"Wrong answer," Drufus repeated as he backed away. "Don't treat me like a fool boy."

Shaves who up to that point had been quiet started to chuckle and then said " it looks like you will be needing my help."

"Not yet Shaves, i will give the boy one more chance." said Drufus as he steps back towards me. and fixes me with a stare or pure ice. " where is your sister?"

"She is dead, she died - burnt alive in our car i saw it with my own yes," i blurted this out half scream half cry for help.

"Wrong again Tavis."

I closed my eyes and waited for the punch to land, i was not to be disappointed - this time he hit me square on the end of my nose, i heard it crack and then i could feel and taste blood as it filled my mouth and streamed down my chin. I coughed out blood in a spray that coated Drufus. As i opened my eyes he looked at me and then at Shaves who was now in my face laughing. Drufus wiped the blood from himself on my t-shirt and walked away. "Deal with him Shaves - get me my answer."

Shaves looked down at me smiled and punched me again.

I passed out.........................