Piranha by Hugh Cron – Adult Content

There are two worlds.

One is conscious that we see.

And one is invisible that we feel

-Anon.

Becky strolled down the road towards Tricia who was looking at her car tyres.

“Hello.”

“Oh hello.

…Fuck!

…Sorry! I didn’t mean to swear at you, it’s just that I have two flats. Not one fucking burst tyre, two!”

“It happens all the time. It’s that road, well they call it a road. It rips tyres. Did you pull in at the well?”

Tricia nodded, “Yes. It’s such a beautiful place. It sucks you in, you just have to stop and look at the river.”

“Maybe it is but I think that’s where it’ll have happened, that road’s burst a few tyres.”

“I’ve got a spare but not two. I’m just hoping that my sister has one that I can put on. And that’s if it fits”

“You’ll be fine. Oh I’m sorry, my name’s Becky.”

“Hi, I’m Tricia. I’m renting this lodge for a few days. What about you? Do you stay around here?”

“Yes, a few miles up the road. So don’t worry. If your sister can’t help with your car, we’ll be able to call someone.”

Tricia smiled, “Thank fuck for that. I was panicking and I can’t get a signal on my phone.”

“You won’t. That’s why I don’t have a mobile, there’s no point around here.”

“But, you said…”

Becky giggled, “The old land lines have their uses. Everyone forgets about them. A sign of the times I suppose.”

Tricia lifted two bags out of her car.

“Here let me help you.”

Becky took one from her.

“Thanks.

…Come in for a drink.”

“What about your sister, I take it that she’ll be a while yet?”

“She should be here around five. She was meant to be coming with me but she had to go into her work. Fucking lawyers! They are so wrapped up in their own unimportance, silly cow!”

Becky shrugged, “OK then, I can’t have you being alone. A drink would be lovely.”

She followed Tricia into the lodge.

“Sit down, I’ll find the wine. Will red do?”

“Anything.”

Tricia looked through her holdall.

Becky began to talk. Tricia smiled at the sweetness of her voice. She felt a bit light headed, but Becky’s words were so relaxing that she didn’t care.

“I move around a bit. I’ve five homes and they’re all like this one. I also rent all over the place. It’s just so peaceful and beautiful staying in the country especially if you are beside a river. I know this is a getaway for the likes of you and your sister but it’s my way of life and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Tricia felt comfortable sitting beside Becky. She stared at her glass which was empty. She tried to remember drinking it but couldn’t. All she wanted to do was listen to that relaxing voice.

Becky touched her arm, “I think you needed that. Pour yourself another, go on spoil yourself.”

Tricia nodded and reached for the bottle. She offered it to Becky.

“Not for me. I’m not much of a drinker. One is enough…“Are you feeling alright Tricia?”

She could only nod. But as long as Becky was talking she was happy.

“…Oh I’m sorry! I should explain, I didn’t mean I had a lot of money and was bragging about my homes. They are all very simple and cheap. Most folks use places like this exactly in the way that you do, they’re for a few days away to look at the trees, smile at some squirrels and maybe have a swim in the river.

…Watch the current if you go in. Only swim about a hundred yards either side of the well, it’s quite shallow there and you shouldn’t get into any trouble.”

Tricia felt Becky stroking her hair. It made her sleepy.

“You really are a beautiful girl.”

Tricia saw a blur of movement. She felt a ripping pain.

She screamed and thrashed about, she fell off the seat. Becky helped her onto her feet and guided her over to the kitchen mirror.

“You’re fine. There’s nothing to see.”

Tricia put her hand over her shoulder, she wanted to hold in the blood that she could feel running down her arm. Her tears fell and she stared at Becky.

“Look.”

Tricia glanced at her hand, she looked into the mirror and saw no wound. She thought she was screaming. She could still feel the blood running. But her reflection had her standing beside Becky, both of them smiling.

Becky helped her over to the seat and sat down beside her. Tricia imagined seeing flesh in Becky’s teeth. She still covered her shoulder. She couldn’t see the blood, but it had to be there, her fingers were sticky with it.

“I was able to buy the houses when my mum and dad died. Well I say mum and dad, they weren’t really, they sort of adopted me for a little while. Instead of spending the whole lot on one big house I bought my five properties, all smaller and lodge type. When I think on it, I’ve probably made a bit of money as the value of these have gone up more than the normal market and I could always rent out if I needed some cash.”

Becky lifted Tricia’s glass and filled it with more wine. She leaned over and held it to her mouth.

“Drink some, I think you need to sleep.”

Tricia accepted the wine. As Becky spoke, the pain eased.

“I’ll help you.”

Tricia felt herself being lifted. Becky kicked open the bedroom door and lay her down.

“I wouldn’t dream of selling them, the houses that is, I love them too much. They do me just fine.

…Look at the view you get from the bed. You can see the hills and the sky. It is so relaxing”

 

The silence woke her. She felt the agony in her shoulder but the more she tried to concentrate, to make any sense of what had happened, she began to feel deep pleasure. She didn’t want to question this as it had removed the pain. She recognised the intense feeling and decided to go with it. She didn’t want to open her eyes. She didn’t want to feel the wound that she couldn’t see. Tricia hoped that she had been dreaming. A horrible night-mare that had changed into something sexual, that slow build up of the most wondrous wet dream. Her breathing became more frantic. She let herself enjoy the moment.

 

…Agony replaced the pleasure.

She passed out.

 

Tricia opened her eyes. She couldn’t move. She felt her tears. She wondered if she would be able to see them. She heard movement and saw Becky standing above her.

“Oh you’re awake. Sorry about that but I couldn’t help myself. I told you that you’re a beautiful girl.”

She didn’t try to speak. She didn’t try to scream. She didn’t want to look between her legs or at her shoulder, she knew there would be nothing to see.

Every part of Tricia began to shut down and she went to live somewhere between consciousness and madness.

Becky crouched over her, “I need to leave you now Tricia. Your sister isn’t far away. I wish I could say I’m sorry but it is what it is.”

Tricia felt Becky’s breath at her throat.

 

Hugh Cron

Image – FreeImage