Level Zero by Dan McDowell (debian ebook reader .txt) 📗

“Darlin’, you managed it while you were alive,” Katrina remarked as Sylvia kept control. “I managed it after we were dead, and now we’re both here tangled in the web. It’s like we’re meant to beat him together, honey.”

Todd forced his way back into the conversation. “I’m not comfortable talking this way. I’m in control of my own life.”

Katrina returned as Sylvia buried herself deep within.

“Suit yourself, handsome,” she said.

Todd scratched his head as he spoke, “So, what’s the point? We’ve all got baggage, and we’re all locked up. To what end?”

“An end only God can know. You best get on. Save your damsel in distress and the rest of them, too. You and me… we could have an enjoyable life together, just like Don and Sylvia would have given the opportunity.”

“Yeah? We better get on it then,” Todd said. “Level Zero’s taking hold of me… and the strangest part of it is that I’m feeling more normal than I have in ages. I can’t explain it.

“I hear you, Todd. I’ll see you around. Don’t get lost.”

CHAPTER FIFTY

TODD ADAMS moved on past Katrina, hoping to uncover a deeper meaning and purpose to his being there.

Another rabbit hole… Why not?

Walking down the path through a narrow passageway, he noted a glow of bright lights toward the end. Going in further, he found his way to an archery range as rumbling bass came through a nearby speaker. The room was lit well with targets at varying distances. A middle-aged man stood dressed in black with a tightly tucked ponytail. He stood in the range, focused on one of the targets with his make-shifted bow.

What’s that thing made of? Hmm.

Todd prepared to speak, and the man released the arrow as it flew toward the target. Two boars hung by chains on the far side of the room with penetration marks in their neck. Before he could introduce himself or ask, the man spoke, “I got ‘em, alright… That’ll make for a pleasant change of pace. We don’t eat much here.”

“Well… I guess I’ll start off by saying thanks,” Todd said.

“It’s nothin’… nothin’ at all. I’m sure you’d have done the same for me if the shoe were on the other foot. It’ll make for an enjoyable meal. If I can help the rest… I want to.”

Todd shook hands with the man as he handed him one of the arrows.

“This is not a traditional quiver of arrows, champ. It’s handmade. We get imaginative in here. We have to…”

“What do you mean, handmade?” Todd asked.

“I mean, the arrows are hand bones fused together with a bondin’ compound.”

Todd looked disgusted as he replied, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

The man picked up another arrow and said, “Do I look like the kind of guy that would be kiddin’? How long you been here…? There’s a whole new meaning to ‘sick’ in this place. Joe picked the hands because of… because of the number…”

“What are you talking about? The number?”

“Twenty-seven bones in each hand… fifty-four bones for the set. That’s Joe’s magic number… Haven’t you heard?”

“Only fragments,” Todd said. “Don’t bother trying to explain it to me now. It sounds like I’ll have plenty of time to hash it out.”

“Whatever you say. The bow isn’t any better. I’ll leave that to your imagination. My name’s Bob, but everyone calls me Livewire. Creeper Joe set this room up for me. Might even say I get a little preferential treatment. I…”

What are you getting at? What’s your deal?

“Treatment?” Todd interrupted. “Hang on a minute. You hesitated. If you have something else to say, please do. Nothing’s as it seems around here. That much, I know.”

“We can crack Joe, you know?”

Todd rubbed his chin. “Crack him? No. I don’t. Care to elaborate?”

“You’ve got to make yourself useful. You know. Be indisposable. Play by his rules for a while. Then, he’ll reward you more and punish you less. It’s all ‘fun and games’ to him. I’m sure he’s declared as much to you at some point. Haven’t you noticed? He’ll undoubtedly remind you if not. He loves to make people squirm — to fight against the injustices of the lesser, and self-indulge in… dark humor.”

“I don’t know if I would call it humor. The things he’s done to me so far have been horrifying. I’m not sure I’m ready for what may come next.”

“Well, it sounds like you have some more observin’ to do around here. Like I’ve already said, he’s got his own rules. This place is his town, and he might as well be the sheriff… Every sheriff can be bought for a price. Can’t they?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Todd said. “I’ve known some loyal lawmen committed to the badge, no matter what.”

“You are just ignorantly goin’ through the motions, aren’t you?” Livewire fired another arrow at the target and hit the bull’s eye.

“Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Nice going, Livewire,” Creeper Joe’s voice came blaring through an intercom speaker as both men looked at one another, reaching to plug their ears.

Livewire tried to downplay the noise. “Yep… Joe’s watchin’ us alright. I’m a good enough shot to keep the weirdy’s attention. Here, why don’t you try it? What did you say your name was there, champ?”

“Todd. Todd Adams.”

“Alright, Todd. It doesn’t fire quite like a traditional bow and arrow, as you can imagine. Aim higher than you think would be accurate.”

Todd lined up his sight and looked at the target. Creeper Joe’s face appeared right in the middle. One of his eyes aligned within the yellow circle that surrounded the bull’s eye.

“Go ahead,” Joe yelled. “Put me out of my misery, mister!”

Todd released the bow, and the arrow flew into its center.

“Jackpot… Jackpot… or maybe I’m a Crackpot!” Joe said with a chuckle. “Oh, wait. I’m sorry, folks. Forgive me. I misread my ‘line.’ Crock pot. Ladies and gentlemen, a crock pot for Todd Adams. Let’s have a round of applause and celebrate.”

“Ebony and Ivory” cued again, interrupting the other song, and a