: Chapter 6:
No benevolence above
Itchy was currently sitting alone on the opposite side of the junk yard his mind still reeling from whatever Charlie just experienced. It was a good question to ask never in all his life had Itchy heard Charlie scream like that, beg like that. What did he just experience; Itchy knew Charlie wouldn't tell him that much was obvious and there was no real way for Itchy to find out beyond that. Something bad was happening to Charlie that much was painfully clear but what? Itchy couldn't really think of an answer it was something they hadn't encountered before and it obviously related somehow to his unexpected return from the grave. Itchy had no answer if this thing related to death the only person to ask was Flo but then again he didn't have a whole lot to tell her either so it wouldn't do a whole lot of good.
Itchy sighed to himself before turning to the blueprints he and Charlie made together for his new casino. Itchy didn't like the idea of opening one in opposition to Carface he would discover he was still alive and even more so that he had Anna Marie; Charlie may as well be saying here I am Carface come and get me if you can. Was that Charlie's plan luring Carface to him, but what of the danger it would put others in did he care? Itchy tried to ignore his thoughts and began studying the blueprints he already knew of the place and Charlie was quickly building a fortune to acquire it. Next would come the construction which would naturally fall upon Itchy to take care which wouldn't be difficult he was an expert in construction.
Itchy began drawing something in the sand and used his paw to measure the distance he then made a mark on the blueprint before grabbing a string and averaging out another section. Itchy already knew the build of the place and already had the blueprints now he just needed to estimate the proper space to determine where everything would fit, it wouldn't take long before they could get started on construction. He still wasn't certain about this but Charlie was the boss not him he didn't question him he just did what he told him to and let Charlie take care of whatever issues happened. Itchy moved back towards Charlie's rather large cab that served as his home. He looked inside and saw Charlie sitting in the chair he clearly didn't go back to sleep, Itchy considered approaching him and asking what he saw, he did have other info to give him so the opening was there. Itchy stepped into the cab and turned to Charlie.
"Just came to tell you the measurements are in order I calculated the proper space, we should be ready to start construction soon" Itchy stated.
"Nice job pal, I left that detail to you because I knew I could count on you, I always can" Charlie told him quietly.
"Hey you're the brains I'm just the tools" Itchy stated.
"I wouldn't go that far, I'm the charismatic fun one you're the cautious one who stops me from sometimes getting us killed." Charlie told him with a smirk.
"You mean I'm the boring one" Itchy said sounding annoyed.
"Not boring just not as fun as me" Charlie while rubbing Itchy's head playfully and pushing his hat down.
Itchy pulled his hat back up and smiled at Charlie who then returned to staring up at the sky he was rather quiet, whatever his nightmare was shook him to his core and Itchy needed to know he was getting very concerned for Charlie.
"Charlie that nightmare you had what was it about?" Itchy asked.
"It's not important" Charlie replied.
"You're full of it you've never been that terrified before you've never begged for anything, come on Charlie you know I'm your friend you can trust me" Itchy told him softly.
"You won't like it" Charlie stated.
"I don't care I know you if something shook you that much it shouldn't be ignored." Itchy said.
Charlie knew Itchy wasn't going to drop this that was becoming increasingly obvious so be it then Charlie would tell him.
"Itchy I know you aren't very fond of what Flo believes I'm not either" Charlie started to say.
"What do you mean Charlie what does Flo have to do with your nightmare was it connecting to meeting her again after all this time?" Itchy asked him.
"No, Itchy you remember what Flo said about, Hell?" Charlie asked hesitating before finally saying Hell.
"Yeah I guess why?" Itchy asked confused.
"Itchy in my nightmare I was dragged off to Hell" Charlie answered.
Wait what!? How on Earth was that possible why would Charlie have a nightmare about that obviously it wasn't a normal nightmare but if it wasn't what did that mean, Charlie was now being stalked by demons who were going to drag him into the inferno. No, Itchy didn't believe that nonsense there was no need for a place of evil to exist Earth did a pretty good job fulfilling that part.
"Hell, Hell Charlie are you even listening to yourself, that's the conclusion you come to" Itchy said in disbelief.
"Well considering I saw horrible monsters, fire and brimstone everywhere and the sounds of people screaming yeah it sounds about right." Charlie said sarcastically.
"Why would you have a nightmare about Hell?" Itchy asked him.
"I don't know maybe meeting Flo again caused me to remember some of the things I learned while with her I did briefly die and I'm not exactly nice" Charlie answered.
That kind of made sense though not really in truth the alternative made more sense that his return somehow gave Hell ownership of his soul that actually made more sense but that would require admitting that all this time Itchy's views on Christianity and religion in general was wrong that there is some great being watching over them and the world, to hell with that, whatever benevolent beings were watching over them sure as hell never answered Itchy's cries for help and that would essentially mean his cries weren't important enough but others were, screw that.
"Yeah I suppose that's a possibility" Itchy stated trying to hide his anger at Charlie even presenting the possibility that Flo's faith might be right.
"You alright Itch?" Charlie asked him.
"Yeah I'm fine forget I asked regarding your nightmare you're right I don't want to hear it" Itchy said his anger getting the better of him.
"I did warn you" Charlie told him while shrugging his shoulders.
"Yeah and I didn't listen this is why you're the boss and why I listen you know better than me, most of the time." Itchy said before adding the last part.
Itchy turned away from Charlie who was smiling at his response he was happy they were done with this conversation he didn't want to talk about it anymore than Itchy did. Charlie rested himself on his chair ignoring whatever just happened while Itchy went back to continue his work.
Itchy slammed a hammer down as hard as he could smashing a chunk of metal he then brought it down again hammering two bolts into place, he brought it down a third time this time smashing a bunch of scraps to pieces. Why did he ask now Itchy had to deal with the possibility that the belief he despised with every fiber in his being was actually true. Charlie's nightmare wasn't likely a coincidence the alternative fit more but that would mean Charlie was meant for Hell and once again the forces of good weren't doing anything about it, how like them. Itchy threw the hammer down in anger and stared at the sky clenching his teeth tightly a flash of images going through his mind.
The sound of tires screeching a voice telling them to get across the road, then a loud crash the sound of something breaking and snapping then sobbing. The sound of howling as a car drove away to an unknown place. A lone puppy standing alone asking if everything could return to how it was.
Itchy let out a growl of anger and smashed his paw into a wall he then grabbed the hammer and began smashing pieces of junk and scrap to bits even as he screamed his frustration.
"You're not there or you don't care!" Itchy screamed as he brought the hammer down.
"There's no greater good!" Itchy shouted before slamming the hammer down again.
"Or they would still be alive or the one responsible would've at least been punished!" Itchy screamed in rage, the hammer smashing into the ground.
Itchy tossed the hammer aside and sat down staring at the stars with complete revulsion, it was a lie that's all it was or a sick joke either way there sure as hell wasn't some greater good watching over everyone, and there was no need for an ultimate evil the world was perfectly cruel enough as it was, or maybe it was as cruel as it was because whoever created it wasn't any better.
Carface was sitting in his chair waiting for Killer to report back. How could Killer allow this to happen or any of his men for that matter their job was simple keep the girl locked in her cell and make certain she stays there that was all they had to do now she was somehow gone just like that. Carface felt like he was surrounded by morons it was the easiest explanation to such a level of stupidity. Carface felt the ground under him shake and rumble he could hear water moving which was just below him, his pet was getting hungry currently, patience it was highly likely he would get a little snack very soon. Carface watched as Killer returned with no girl in sight.
"Where is the girl?" Carface demanded.
"We've scoured the city boss and there's still no sign of her none at all" Killer told him clearly afraid.
"You were supposed to keep track of her and you lost her tell me why do I pay any of you?" Carface said frustrated.
"Boss the door was closed and locked I don't see how she possibly got away" Killer stuttered out.
"Well obviously she did do you see her in the basement is she here with me no she's gone, I know the door was locked and I know she isn't here what I wanted to know is where is she!?" Carface shouted.
"Boss listen it's a big city she could be anywhere just give us a little time" Killer pleaded.
"Shut up!" Carface said in rage before grabbing Killer and tossing him aside causing him to crash onto the floor.
Carface turned to his other men who were tasked with keeping the girl locked up one of them messed up their job and a business could not flourish with incompetence. So how should a businessman like him handled this little set back screaming was doing no good instead he needed to motivate his men and show that incompetence would not be tolerated thus improving their effectiveness, that was the proper business way to handle this problem. Carface allowed himself to calm he opened a drawer and pulled out a gun, he opened it and emptied all but one bullet from it before closing the clip he then pointed it at his men.
"Boss wha what are yo u do ing" Killer stuttered out.
"Taking care of this problem I don't know which of you were in charge so we'll let fate decide." Carface told them.
"Whoa boss we'll get her back" One dog told him.
"I'm certain but this mistake cannot be tolerated so I think we can turn it into a learning experience there are three of you here and six clip five empty so if the bullet doesn't come out then you all walk away scott free but I'm certain a lesson will be learned either way." Carface told them.
"Boss come on we promise this won't happen again" Another dog stated.
Carface pointed the gun at the first dog which was a pit bull like him without hesitation he pulled the trigger and all that came was the sound of a click.
"Lucky for you, how about you Killer?" Carface said before pointing the gun at Killer he then pulled the trigger and all that came was the sound of another click.
"All comes down to you don't it?" Carface asked a large rotweiller.
Carface pointed the gun at the rotweiler who was trembling he then pulled the trigger and it clicked.
All three dogs gave out a sigh of relief Carface then turned to the pitbull and pulled the trigger again, this time there was a loud sound and a burst of smoke. The bullet fired from the gun and went right through the pitbulls head causing him to fall over on the ground lifeless and dead. Carface threw the pistol aside and turned to the remaining two who were trembling with fear but also confusion.
"I never said it would only be three tries now did I?" Carface said rather darkly.
Carface reached down and pulled a lever and a hatch on the floor opened up dropping the pitbulls body into a large body of water it landed in it with a loud splash as it did so a massive form descended on it, it was the form of a massive alligator with a bone going through it's nose. It swarmed over the body and dragged it under the waves. Carface closed the hatch.
"Now I hope a lesson has been learned today and the mistakes of the past will not be repeated" Carface stated.
"Of course boss we'll find her I can promise you this will not happen again" Killer said in complete and utter terror.
"No it won't no go find my golden goose I would hate to leave your life in the hands of fate" Carface said his tone was very menacing.
Carface watched as the dogs left before turning his attention back towards how the girl escaped. It made no sense she couldn't get out except maybe through the vents but she couldn't reach them nor would she come up with the idea of leaving on her own. She was taken that made more sense than her running away but only a few knew of the basement, like Charlie. No that was impossible Charlie was dead he saw him die maybe Itchy, no he was a coward. Carface pondered just how his little girl escaped and in truth as odd as it was he kept thinking of Charlie.
Unbeknownst to Carface he wasn't alone not entirely anyway another being was watching him from above a dark fire burning into the ceiling. The Hellhound looked down at Carface having just watched his cruel display a truly petty course of action but one befitting of mortals what else could one expect from them, truly savage and primitive. Still The Hellhound saw a purpose in Carface he hated Charlie and sought his demise that could be useful in time. Carface's soul already belonged to The Hellhound but maybe it could use him to further its intentions for Charlie. The Hellhound let out a demonic cackle everything was unraveling just perfect.
Well that probably raised a few questions, just what exactly happened to Itchy when he was a puppy and why has Charlie's predicament brought it back now after so long and how will Itchy deal with it can he? Also what will happen now that Carface is aware of Anna Marie being taken what will this mean for Charlie, Anna Marie and Itchy and what of the mysterious Hellhound just what exactly are it's intentions, why is it watching Carface just what does it have planned for Charlie's old partner, some of those answers may take longer than others to discover, read on to unravel the answers.
