A Gray Life: a novel by Red Harvey Page B

transformed. His handsome face melted, and he was the monster she glimpsed in the water's reflection. Ashley screamed and closed her eyes. When they opened again, she saw a boy, but not the same one she had imagined. He was a different handsome teen.
    His eyes were as big as an owl’s when he asked her, “Are you okay?”
    “Yes, sorry. You startled me.”
    “I was just gonna ask what you were listening to.”
    A sheen of sweat shone on her forehead. “Nothing yet. I was planning on going to sleep.”
    “Oh, okay. Sorry to bother you.”
    Ashley turned from his disappointed face. She put the headphones down over her ears. The Smith’s hummed a melody. She turned it up to drown out the voices on the plane, the handsome boy included. Best to stay away from boys, and men , Ashley thought. There was only one boy she wanted, and she was sure she would never get to see him again. He was gone.
    And so was she .
    ****

15

    October 6 th Post-power outage
    {Generator on}
    (Via personal security camera)
    { Peter comes into view and motions for Louise to follow Him. When he heads for the kill room, Michael sighs}
    {Young boy and Michael wait until door closes to bring out two bundles of writing utensils bound together by rubber bands}
    {Crouched down, the boy turns to window and listens}
    Michael: What?
    {Boy waits, then relaxes}
    Young boy: Thought I heard something.
    (Pinpoint Room 1 camera)
    { Louise is spread out on the bed, naked from the waist up. Peter hovers above her, alternating between pinching her nipples and smacking her across the face}
    Brian: Time to {SMACK} get on your knees. {Approximately thirty seconds of hard blows to the face}
    {Louise gets down}
    Peter : No teeth, or we’ll end this session with the hanger.
    { Moaning}
    { Peter seizes up, rips Louise’s mouth from his body}
    Peter : Fucking bitch!
    {Louise is against the side of the bed with a bright stain around her mouth}
    Peter: {moving towards the door} Stupid bruha ! Bleeding. {words slur} Show her. Make Michael watch. {Opens the door and shuffles out}
    {Louise reaches for something off screen}
    (Pinpoint security camera in main room)
    {Room 1 door opens, and Michael and th e boy move closer to it. They have weapons above their heads}
    Marc: No, what are you doing? { he blocks their way to the door}
    Michael: Move outta the way, ya damn fool.
    {Bleeding from his groin, Peter comes out from Room 1 muttering threats. Marc scrambles to get out of his way}
    { Peter falls to the floor. Standing in his place is Louise. She is breathing heavily, bat in hand. Her shirt is back on}
    { Peter is not moving. Louise swings the bat round, and thrashes it on his body. Once, twice, third time’s the charm…
    Fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh time’s the charm? }
    Michael: Jesus, stop now. He’s dead.
    Louise {catching her breath} I know. {Tosses the bat back into Room 1. As she walks over Peter’s body, she stops. Louise kicks his head then walks away}
    Michael: {tosses make-shift weapon aside} Guess we didn’t need these.
    Young boy: {comes back from top of the stairs} Door’s locked.
    Michael: Well, hot damn.
    Marc: Was this part of your plan? Get us locked down here until we starve to death?
    Louise: We couldn’t stay here forever. It was either try to escape or be killed by him. { she nods at Peter’s body}
    Marc: Escape to what? Everything Out there is ruined, and who knows what kind of monsters are running around? I’d rather be down here!
    Michael: You mean you’d rather die down here.
    Marc: {looks uncomfortable} No, I’d rather not die at all.
    Michael: Then help us get out.
    Gabriella: Marc, we can’t stay. They’re right.
    Marc: {crosses his arms over his chest, shakes his head} There’s no fuckin’ way I’m goin’ Outside.
    Gabriella: {to Michael} How can I help?
    Marc: There’s no helping! Don’t you get it!
    Michael: {speaking above Marc} We need to look for a key.
    {Gabriella nods}
    Marc: Once you get Outside, you’re all dead, stupid