Wall Of Silence

Grateful for the lights on the way home Stacey could sometimes see faces pushing to get out of the wall of the subway. Always hurrying along so no one could see her wide-eyed one second silent scream each time.

One Friday night Stacey is mumbling to herself on the tube train home after being fired from her temp job. The creepy boss has sacked her after she declined his hand on her knee. Yelling at personnel for taking his side she is lifted to the pavement with two months salary as a 'goodwill gesture'.

“What a pay off!” Her mumbling got a little loud and some on the tube train moved away from her. "Yeah right, they knew he was guilty, but he's dating the personnel manager even though she moans about work through every date until he kisses her. Damn creepy bloke." I wish he could go in the subway wall of silent screamers I see, she thinks.

A low voice in her ear has her jump. "How do you know he kisses her? Did he sit close and whisper it to you?"

Scared to move her head she slid her eyes left and right. Noticing long black boots with silver chains next to her. Slowly turning her head to scream, a black leather glove wraps around her mouth, stifling her as she is sucked into the seat, leaving behind her handbag and door keys.

Late that night the train driver handed Stacey's stuff into Lost Property before walking past the subway wall. "Sure reminds me of that eerie Simon and Garfunkel song about the sound of a silence."

In one patch a tile has come off the wall and a scrawled phrase is written there. The man steps nearer to read it. "HELP ME I'M STUCK IN HERE."

"Okay I'll play along. Who are you before I book maintenance to fix that tile back on on in the morning."

"PLEASE, MY NAME IS JOHN DAVENPORT AND I'M THE TEMPS STAFFING MANAGER AT...WAIT SHE'S COMING I HAVE TO HIDE!”

"Blimey, I must be tired, I'll call the wife and we'll go out for a beer and curry. My four days off will whizz past that way and keep her-indoors happy."

***

Stacey came round to find herself in bed. Lifting the covers she is relieved to find she is naked so she must have had a good time. Wait a minute, why can't I speak?

Stacey touched where her mouth usually is. No way! Where has my mouth gone? How will I eat and drink? Scream or kiss again? Sitting up she sees the feet of a shrouded figure. Where are the lights? I can't see your face.

A voice in her head replies. Come now Grumpy Stacey, you don't need to see me, you can feel me. I am the subway wall here to absorb all the creeps who ever harmed you. True they are hardly prophets like the song says. But once they are all caught I will return you to that night on the tube train seat. Then you can go home.

Great, I've even drunk something coated in crazy frog or I am having a nightmare.

Stacey stumbles from the bed with the bed sheets wrapped around her. Hey mister in my head, where are my clothes?

You are still wearing them while others see you asleep on the train. We will have your last creep caught soon. Tell me where you think Billy Stevens lives?

Voice in my head, he used to live with his mum but after she disappeared he did too.

Tell me Stacey what he did to you.

Voice in my head, that weirdo used to save all my paperclips and on Halloween he would come to the office party wearing them stating he was my Storm Trooper but there were embarrassing gaps where his pants showed through with my face on them. I got laughed out of the office and still get panic attacks in business office lifts when they are too clean with overly chill lift music.

I have him in the next room and you can torment him. That is the only time you can speak Stacey so shout at him, torment him. Throw chairs and coffee at him. Say anything you want then at the end you can go home.

I see, voice in my head. What's the catch? Plus why should I believe you?

The long black leather boots move near her. Red horns protrude from either side of his head as his words appear in her mind.

Oh Stacey, you really should permanently join my Tormentors as Manager. I have a vacancy after Melanine left me to roam the earth a century ago. Oh by the way let me introduce myself. I am Lucifer Morning Star, most know me as the King Of Hell.

Is the pay any good? Stacey laughs.

Come now Stacey, I can show you I am real when you go and torment your last creep. Go and find Melanine on earth for me and I will give you what you want.

If I decline? You will let me go right Mr Morning Star?

Look at that Stacey, you'll be calling me boss soon. Meanwhile, I'll let you wake up on that tube as there is a creep near you thinking weird stuff. You should punish him.Stacey. Then call my name. I will be waiting. As I know you will enjoy putting the creep in the subway wall of silence, right? The Temp staffing Manager is a gift from me, where I look like you. He asked if you will forgive him. You can tell him when you make your final judgement. Do let me watch what your final punishment for him is. I do enjoy cruel creativity.

Voice in my head: why do you want Melanine back and who is she searching for?

See, you are thinking of me as your Boss already. The start date for this job is after you have had a drink from my red liquid. Some think it’s my blood but it’s just a very good ChâteauNeuf Du Pape, do come and sip some to seal your contract with me. I do like a proper contract in red.

Voice in my head that’s an odd excuse to encourage me to work for you. You are missing your former employee?

Ah, technically Melanine hasn’t left, she has taken a long hunt for my brother who keeps bad mouthing me to good old dad.

It sounds like you will have two tormentors if I join you Mr Morning Star.

My dear grumpy Stacey I have thousands of tormentors but the trouble is they are not as good as clever Melanine. I think you could make a talented one with the anger you have against all those creeps who have caused you problems.

Mr Morning Star, why don’t you admit you miss Melanine?

Me? Nonsense. Here you must be thirsty take a lovely glass of this red, I have been saving it for a special occasion.