The Return of Locklear

The Return of Locklear (Part 2 of Series)

He gave a mad little chuckle that sent a chill up my spine. The kind only someone truly insane is capable of producing. Then turned with a swish of his cloak back to my sedated neighbor. Deciding to try to glean as much information while he was preoccupied, I attempted to make further conversation.

"This... this is Franklin county news right? I recognize the anchor woman. Are you... are you a fan of keeping up with current events?" I said before I realized how desperate and insincere I sounded.

"Very clever boy Mr. Claymore, trying to pinpoint your location like that!" Locklear chuckled, "Though I'm afraid it will neither confirm nor deny any useful information for you, seeing how it's all prerecorded tapes. See we don't get much of a signal out here, so I decided to bring some entertainment for my patients to enjoy while waiting. I'm considerate like that."

This news hit my stomach like a brick, but I tried my best not to show it and attempted again.

"I...I see, how kind. Surely if you're such a merciful individual, you'd justify at least hearing my circumstances out. " I pleaded, trying to maintain my pleasant demeanor.

"Oh I think you've got me all wrong" his voice darkened in a sick glee, "I'm not merciful in the slightest. I stand for justice alone, and she can be a very unforgiving mistress. There's no 'being the better person' here. That type of rhetoric is exactly what allows monsters to keep prowling the streets."

I wanted to shout back but instead ended up choking on my words and couldn't form a sentence until he had already unlocked the brakes on my neighbor's gurney and pushed him out of sight.

"Sit tight Mr. Claymore, the doctor will see you soon enough." the madman cackled from somewhere down the hall.

My heart beat so hard it was painful. Again I tore at my straps wildly, though he did not return to the room. He knew there was no way for me to get out on my own so he was not concerned. Regardless of this, I kept resisting. I wasn't ready to give it up yet. I knew if I didn't try, I would die in this strange house.

My ears were met by a strange screeching sound, then a sliding. I heard the doctor chuckle and roll the gurney forward, followed by the sliding noise again. Was... was that an elevator? Just what kind of building was this?

Panic beginning to set it, my hands clawed violently around, grasping at anything possible. Suddenly, my pinky hit something rough. I gently explored the object with my finger until I realized it was the bolt securing the strap on my right wrist. Quickly, I moved my left hand to feel for the bolt to my left. It wasn't rough... it was perfectly smooth.... Then that must have meant that the bolt on my right wrist was rusty! In other words, it was weak!

A new glimmer of hope sparked in my heart. I summoned every last fiber of strength I had in my body, and focused it on my right arm. It took several intense pulls, likely leaving deep bruises, but eventually I felt it give a little. I wiggled my arm and heard the loose bolt jingle a bit. I was making progress!

Taking an enormous breath, I then pulled so hard I was afraid I would break my own arm. With a loud clang, the bolt released and the leather restraint flew loose and nearly hit me in the face. Oh my God. I had done it. My right arm was free!

In a mad rush, I quickly fumbled with the restraint on my left arm, and upon releasing it, unstrapped my head, and finally freed my legs. I pulled myself into a sitting position and rubbed my aching back. If it weren't for the urgency of the situation I would have stayed there for a moment, nursing the angry bruise now forming on my right wrist, but alas, I was already working on borrowed time.