Crime, Horror, Mystery and Thriller

What a hassel, all the chores! Cleaning the sea of red off the floors and walls. Mopping it and washing it all down the drain. Jonathan Devor was an ordinary guy that had graduated high school and had absolutly no direction in life. As if by uncertain force it fell on him to take on the family business. He had become an apprentice in the butchering field. Learning the trade wasn't the difficult part. Getting used to his uncle was another story.

Diek Seventmen was unlike any human being known to Jonathan. If they weren't blood related he would deffinetly be creeped out by him. Jonathan's mother loved him dearly after the car accident that took both her parents away Diek had become her only family. He was always gentle to her but, everyone else got a cold stare out of him. Jonathan often wondered how a man like him could ever love anyone. After all Diek never married and had no children of his own. It became natural that he would ask Jonathan be the succesor in the business.

College hadn't really been an option for Jonathan. He found it useless and a waste of time, it was a wonder he'd gotten through high school alone. He had no ambitions, dreams, or goals. Thanks to his mother, this position just fell in his lap. Jonathan's father encouraged him to be patient with his uncle Diek for he was one of those people you had to warm up to. Whatever that meant, thought Jonathan. His uncles methods of secrecy were uncomprehensive.

After a couple months had gone by, a long brutal day of work made his uncle call him into the office. Cautiously Jonathan walked in and sat in the chair indicated by Diek. He began by clearing his throat.

"Ah -hem, Look Jonny my boy, the first thing you must learn in this business is trust. Once a brige is built you can cross it... as long as it's well built. When you show me your loyalty and we learn we can trust eachother you no longer clean floors. Then George can have his old job back."

The toothless grining oaf

peered into the office. "Not now you Diek yelled at his worker and George left silently in shame disapearing into the darkness of the storage room.

Years had gone by and exactly as promised Jonathan no longer cleaned. George was the happiest toothless oaf and life went on. His uncle was nearing the age of reitrement yet he refused saying

" No, I could never leave this gives me a sense of purpose. This has been my life and i'll see it through."

Jonathan had gotten the hang of the orders strangely everything was in some form of code. For example when an order is placed for import depending on uncle's specific notes Jonathan would say something like

" Have the new suiters come in? Well then we shall need 2 blondes, 3 brunetts, 12 bulls in assortment as well as the exotics ill need Dragon, half shells, aviary, bamboo and all in bulk."

There was never anything else to say after the order was placed it wasn't business of the friendly nature. At least not with the people that imported for us. Our clients on the other hand were divine to speak with. Even world famous chef Timothy Roth came in from time to time placing orders on such delecacies that one would almost hope to be invited for dinner just to see how the recepi would come out.

In other circumstances people were not always a pleasure. There's a beautiful blonde woman that tends to frequent the shop. Known only as Vi and her midnight blue GTO, that she sped off in when her banter with Jonathan's uncle was done. Her and Diek had a veryplayful yet intense relationship. She would probably marry him for the money but she seemed pretty well off herself. She shopped for the imports in specific. Same item each time Blond package...Jonathan never asked what the code meant he just handed her what was already waiting for her. She would smile evil twinkle in her eye and off she went again.

Jonathan was getting very familiar with everyone and everything there was to the position. Indeed, he found it hard not to long for a cruise upon the Eclipse or Solstace the two ships belonging to his uncle. The crew told him wild tales, which his uncle opposed in a feverent rage that should they fill his head with trvel and he'd succumb to any misfortune that Johnathan's dear mother would suffer.

"And with every bit of her sufferance you too shall suffer greatly" Diek bellowed out at them once , maybe twice.

Like any job it's tedious work. Day in, day out do it over again. Yet Diek had something that never ceased in him. He loved his job and anyone around him could tell. His dark mind twister over inside and the added mystery of his persona was mindblowing. Jonathan still couldn't believe this huge, balding man was related to him. His mother always so fragile and somehow this brute managed to raise her. Her beautiful features her thin frame in contrast with the man she called papa who was nothing but this bulky sack of sinister thoughts. Jonathan looked a lot like his mother although his facial features where more like his fathers. Having her same golden brown hair and her same solid dark eyesbut his father's strong chin. He was never one to be a ladies man but, he wasn't bad to look at.

Days came with nothing to do but sit stare and wait. The days were long and he began to feel satistfaction from keeping the unknown little shop. There was pride in his work and more then anything he was finally in belief that he had a purpose in life. Still Diek was in the solitude of his work. Consumed by the evil grown in his heart, unkown to the world he dark diabolical past to bring him in full glory of what secrets he hid. The hallway leading to his private workplace in which the infernal music covered his cries. Jonathan always wondered why Diek would be screaming the most bloodcurdeling screams while working. Covered in blood and walking with the most pleasurable expression on his face, Diek called to Jonathan for help with cleaning up.

" I made a bigger mess then i'd intended" his deviant smile echoed his eternal bond with souls of the condemed. The record player still spining, the emptiness of the room and the walls covered. Without a second thought he began to spray the walls down with the hose. The other room was loocked he'd never looked it before had he? Then again very seldome was he allowed in this place.There were chunks of blood covered flesh. Thinking with the hair on the back of his neck standing... wow is that a finger? Oh hell! Is it uncles? Ill put them away while I check him.

Diek was working on getting drunk. Vodka was his perfect poison. He soon fell asleep iat his desk. Jonathan walked in. Already curiosity had gotten the best of him. Slowly he crept foward, it seemed an eternity to get through the small room. By this point he was shaking beyond the pounding of his own heartbeat while the room grew into the size of a main hall and he'd shrunk to the size of a mouse. Still he continued on determined to find out the secrets that lay hidden beyond those doors. Diek niether stired nor snored, and finally Jonathan was at the desk. Diek wasn't missing fingers... the keys were in his reach.

Then all of a sudden the phone rang. Diek was awoken to find his nephew hovering over him. Diek, alarmcovering him entirely shot back out of his chair.JOnathan quickly answered the phone. It was mother,answering carefully,

Hello mom. Yes mom, ok i'm with him now. Well mom i was about to cover him and the phone startled us both. Well he was napping at his desk again mom..."

Diek's expression melted away. He faced no danger from him. Or was he? Jonathan realized while still on the phone that he'd missed his only chance to see what his uncle didn't want anyong to find.

"OK mother. Yes i understand how lucky I am that uncle DIek is teaching me. I'll be home soon. Sure i'll ask uncle right now..."

Covering the phone "Uncle, mother would like you to come over for dinner what should i tell her?" Jonathan waited.

Diek finally composed answered " You tell her yes. I would love to be with my family tonight." his eyes became soft towards me, then harsh again.

The drive home was very quiet. Diek didn't want to ask about the incident in the office. Unfortunetly Jonathan wasn't in the mood to talk either, upon any subject. Diek turned on the radio, the music comming in soft waves of melody then the drums would rush in adding power to the meaning of life. Music was enchanting after all, and in the end neither of them noticed when they finally pulled up to the drive way.

Mother came out and welcomed them back to the world of the living. We walked together, mother arm in arm with both of them. Father waited at the door.

Dinner was exquisite. Jonathan thanked his mother for the wonderful meal. Diek grinned hopelessly still loving her. Diek distant and as if in a trance. Father broke the silence. The roast in front of him along side of the potatoes and greens just cooling off sending him a drift memory lane. Back to the arms of a woman, just like Jonathan's mother.Jonathan's Grandmother...The only woman he ever wanted and could never have.

"So Diek how's the business?" he offered the first conversation.

Diek answered "Business is good. I am very happy to havea great assistant, and Jonathan too." He was acting unlike himself. Diek joking around was rare a sight that everyone stopped to listen. Jonathan siblings where mortally afraid of Diek.

Dinner was over and Jonathan was called out by his uncle. He trudge foward dreading what he might say.

"Jonny, it seems that today as you were in my officeI dossed off. Can you tell me what you came in to ask me?" he waited with an expectant glare.

Jonathan held his breath, his head spinned. Fianlly he unfroze and replied " Uncle Diek, I saw you asleep after I was done with my preivous task and i didn't want to awaken you in a fright. I came close to softly tap you, but the phone beat me to it." Jonathan's horrible attempt to cover his tracks. He thought " I'm soo dead."

Diek laughed heartily, " Ok son, thanks. See you tomorrow bright and early."

" Yes uncle." Jonathan replied as the car backed up and disappeared.

" Another day to bide my time" Jonathan thought.

THe next morning was just like everymorning orders came in and out. Jonathan tended the shop, placed the orders as Diek was again in his private butchering station. Again Jonathan wondered about what would b hidden back there. A delivery came in with markings on it he'd seen before and now and again.

Curiosity again, why couldn't he just focus on his job and let his uncle teach him at his own pace? Maybe ha was just an unhappy person. Reguardless of the mental issues Jonathan couldn't help but think of the secrets Diek was keeping from him and why?

How is it that the only family his mother has is Diek? Why is it that the only information of her parents deaths is the same lie of a story fed to them by Diek? What did this all mean? Why would he play loud music and scream?

He looked at the create again and decided to go into the office and investigate a little. He could ask his uncle but he made it clear he didn't trust many people. Jonathan looked atthe inventory statements and checked the create's serial numbers off the list. As he checked what the contents was it was specified as unknow livestock. As many of the exotic imports were labeled.

As Jonathan approached the create a heavy man stopped him. Jonathan remembered him from other tasks in which they worked together. His name was Dave and they called him Wrecks. He was a no bs type of guy.

"Jonathan stay away from the create, the cargo is live and we don't need the boss's nephew getting hurt now." he said firmly.

With a blank stare upon his face he replied " Why would the cargo be alive?"

"Some people like their meat fresher then you and I Mr. Devor and if you'll excuse me You should get back to work as i should get back to mines you pansy." he strode off and left me to my thoughts.

There was Jonathan listening as careful as he could to the muffled sounds that came from the create. It didnt sound like any animals he'd ever heard. It almost sounded as if it were human.

Diek came out the office to smile at the new arrivals. He immideatly ordered them in and shut the door as the music continued. Although there was all the noise from the workers Jonathan was almost sure he heard some screams as Diek opened the creates and moved the "live stock" around.

He couldn't help it. Jonathan walked over to the office and knocked on the door.

"Who the hell is it!" yelled Diek.

Jonathan cleared his throat and said " Diek would you like some help with the order? It is a pretty big order today." Nervously he stood infront of the door.

Vague soundes of movement and possible moans from inside while Diek answered

"Not at this momment son I'm taking great care of the orders. I know exactly what our clients want and soon enough i'll teach you the same." his voice sounded hurried.

"Bye now son. go tend the shop, Timothy Roth is due to come in." and with that the music was turned up louder echoing the power in the particular piece. It was Tchaikovsky's symphony 4, movement 4. He made it a point to teach my mother this and inturn she taught me. I listened a little while longer then i went back to the safe haven that was the shop.

Timothy Roth came in shortly and flashed his grand smile. Over the years he still hadn't changed a bit it was amazing that he'd even shop at our little store.

"What will it be today sir?" Jonathan asked trying not to soundlike a school girl.

His thunderous voice bellowed "Well actually son, i'm looking for your uncle. Is he around?"

Jonathan sighed " Well sir at this moment he's cutting the fresh orders.."

Timothy interupted. " Well then more the better reason to speak to him."

Slowly i got up and again proceeded to knock at the door. Diek was very unhappy with all the disturbance. "Uncle diek Timothy would like to speak to you." He waited for a reasponse.

"Sure, sure, tell him to take a chair." and then he was finishing the job. Jonathan heard the familiar sounds of the equipment. Returning to the office and advising Timothy to sit, he axiously awaited and as soon as Diek came in Jonathan got up and was going to leave. Diek asked Jonathan to come with him and Timothy to the private butcher station.

They walked in and like before the walls and floors were covered but nothing was put away as of yet and the sight he saw. Jonathan saw the exotics pelts and all. The meat was piled in by the creates. Then in the back towards the doors there was questionable meat. No pelt by the create and Timothy went straight to that are. Timothy asked Diek " Are they suiters?"

Diek noded and then Timothy proceeded to order. Timothy asked for ribs, heart and sholuder, cussion meat. Diek asked if that was enough. Timothy smiled and said

"It's enough for now... I can always come back next fresh delivery day, correct?"

They both laughed maniacally. Jonathan was feeling smug because uncle Diek had let him see inside right after the order was cut. Diek might trust him with the key