The Tarantella-Van Volkheim Murders

by tarantlno

Benton Tarantella and Errol Van Volkheim were notorious for their a crime streak in Nowhere, Kansas, which lasted years. Their reign of terror ended in the 60’s, but their notoriety has lasted since. These are the stories of their victims…or, as they preferred to call them, their “actors”. [A collection of twelve one-shots.]

1. Graveyard

It's a rainy day, but you decided to go to the cemetery anyway to pay respects to your dearly departed mother, who died a year ago to the day.

It's getting late. No one is around, just you and the rain and the hundreds of bodies who've passed on from this world.

You say your goodbyes to Mother and turn around, unaware that a strange man has been behind you the whole time, quietly staring.

The man is unsettling in appearance, standing at least 6'2" from the ground and as thin and gaunt as a scarecrow. He's wearing a dark suit. If he weren't wearing a bright magenta, polka dot scarf, you'd have thought he was just a mortician making the rounds.

Before you can flee, the man speaks.

"Hello," he begins, his voice smooth and deep and intoxicating in the worst way possible, "have you ever wanted to be in films?"

Confused, you open your mouth to pointlessly scream for help. Before you know it, though, you're gagged by an unknown assailant, coming up behind you and tying your arms together.

The man in the suit smiles evilly, causing your heart to pound in your chest like a drum. You know you're done for, you know you'll be joining Mother soon enough. But why? Why was this happening?

"Benton," begins the figure behind you, another man with a German? Austrian? accent, "I have ze camera ready. Let's do zis fast, okay? My jacket is vet."

Benton responded. "Quiet, Errol, our leading man is clearly not ready yet." Benton took a long, slender finger and lifted your chin up so you could look him in his dark eyes.

"Don't worry, your suffering won't be in vain." said Benton, smiling once more which was anything but comforting. You glance towards his other hand, which is grasping a large butcher knife.

You close your eyes and gulp. The end of your life has come.

Benton continued.

"Yes, your suffering will be beautiful, your pain will give your role such authenticity…you'll be heralded as a master…"

Just end me already, you thought.

Benton raised the hand which was gripping the knife.

"We're going to make you a star…"

You could feel blood gushing from your throat and onto your shirt, and as you began to pass away, you could hear the camera rolling.