(AN) Hello and welcome to Aftermath: a fanfic based on the 1971 thriller Straw Dogs; a film I recently discovered and liked it after giving it a rewatch.
This story is set after the ending to the original film and shows what I think happened after David drove off with Henry. This story is based around my personal interpretation of the film's plot and characters.
Disclaimer: I don't own Straw Dogs; all characters and locations are owned by their respective owners.
Straw Dogs: Aftermath
Chapter One
As David continued to drive down the road leading to the village, his mind's eyes kept replaying the harrowing events that had unfolded at his and Amy's house. After accidentally knocking Henry over, he and Amy took the man back to Trencher's Farm so that David could call an ambulance. Unfortunately, Tom Hedden, his nepphew Charlie, along with three of Charlie's friends, arrived at the house, as unbeknownst to David and Amy, Tom's daughter Janice had last been seen leaving a social event with Henry before going missing. After David refused to give Henry up, and after Tom murdered Major Scott, the five men formed a lynch mob and attempted to break into the house in order to kill all three of them. A terrified David went into self-defence mode, which resulted in Tom shooting himself in the foot, David knocking out Phil and killing Chris with a poker. Scutt was shot dead by Charlie, who in turn, was killed by David with a bear trap. Finally, Amy shot Phil in order to save David.
David sighed as he thought about what he'd done. He'd never actually killed a fellow human being before, let alone two. Amy hadn't said a word to him as he'd left, and he wondered if she'd ever want to look at him ever again.
The young man saw that he was getting closer to the village, so he put his hand on the break and brought the car to a halt, he then turned to look at Henry, who had his head in his hands.
"Henry," began David gently, "Please, tell me what happened to Janice? Where is she?"
"D-dead," muttered Henry in a small whisper, "T-think I kill her?"
"What do you mean?" asked a shocked David.
"Janice convince me to take her for walk during event at church," said Henry while sniffling, "S-she take me to shed and try to do something with me, then when we hear voices, I startled, so I put hand over mouth to stop Janice screaming."
"Oh shit," muttered a horrified David before raising his voice slightly, "Henry, I'm afraid that you've killed her by accident. You don't know your own strength, so you must have accidentally smothered her."
Henry began sobbing loudly into his hands. "I is sorry," he sobbed, "I-I is a bad boy; John always say that."
"No you're not," assured David gently before patting the man on the arm, "You made a mistake, but now you need to face up to your actions … just like I'll have to."
"But I is scared." said Henry.
"Me too, buddy, me too." muttered David.
David restarted the car and drove into the village.
Janice's body had been found by two of the villagers. The area around the body was blocked off by police tape. The residents stood on the other side; most looking horrified. Most of the villagers were in shock: they couldn't imagine anybody that would mean to harm the young girl; she was well loved in the village. John on the other hand knew that Henry had been involved, and after this, he vowed to send Henry away for good.
"Dad warned you about him!" snarled Bertie.
"I-I know!" growled John furiously, "Trust me, when I get my hands on him, that boy is going to an institute!"
"Now, now, only the lord can truly judge your brother's guilt or innocence." commented Barney calmly.
Barney then turned and saw David's car parking near the crowd. David hopped out, went round to the other side and helped Henry out. David gently led Henry towards the crowd.
John snarled furiously before charging towards Henry and slapping him across the face. "What have you done you brainless idiot!" he snapped furiously before dragging Henry by the arm over to where Janice's body was and firmly pointing, "Look at what you've done! She's dead!"
"I-I is s-sorry, John," whimpered Henry in a sombre tone of voice, "I n-not mean to, i-it accident."
"I warned you, Henry, one more mistake and I'd send you away!" barked John.
"N-no, John, please, I be good!" begged Henry as a police officer approached and placed him in handcuffs.
"You're no brother of mine!" spat John before turning his back on Henry and storming off.
As David watched this horrible sight unfold, he realised that he couldn't just stand by and do nothing: the time for not standing up for others was over. The young man approached another police officer. "Excuse me, sir, but can I have a word?" he asked nervously.
"Of course said the officer curiously.
"W-well, as I was the one who brought Mr Niles here, I feel you might need an explenation about what happened." informed David nervously.
"Ah right," replied the officer, "I think you'll need to come down to the station for a little chat."
"How long have you got." snarked David.
The officer then escorted David over to a police car and placed him inside.
(AN) And that was the short, first chapter of Aftermath; hope you all enjoyed.
In the next chapter, David answers some questions at the police station, we see how Amy is after the ending and well, the rest I'll keep secret.
Until then, this is TimeLordMaster108 signing out.