A Toaster on Mars by Darrell Pitt

Author:Darrell Pitt
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Text Publishing Company
Published: 2016-04-20T04:00:00+00:00

‘How do we get out of here?’ Astrid asked. ‘And what’s that smell?’

A strange odour drifted down the tunnel. Blake suspected the doctor was building up a fire in the cooker where he had disposed of his previous victims.

‘Oh, that,’ Blake said, swallowing. ‘He’s probably getting dinner ready.’

‘Great. I’m starving. What’re we having?’

‘If I tell you, do you promise to remain calm?’

‘Sure.’

Blake told her and Astrid fainted.

19

A plan was forming in Blake’s mind, but he needed Astrid to help him carry it out. Unfortunately that would be difficult because she was still unconscious.

‘Astrid! Wake up!’

She groaned and peered at him through half-open eyes. ‘Please tell me this is a terrible dream.’

‘This is a terrible dream.’

‘Really?’

‘No. We’re trapped in a cave and about to be eaten by a cannibal!’

‘And to think I was worried about my hair.’

‘I’ve got a plan,’ Blake said, nodding towards Nicki. ‘I think she’s only stunned. With any luck, she’ll have a reset button. Maybe you can reach it.’

‘What do you think I’m made of? Rubber?’

‘Reach out with your foot! Kicking someone when they’re down should be easy for you!’

Grumbling under her breath, Astrid angled her body off the gurney, stretching out so her foot almost reached Nicki. ‘Where’s this reset button, then?’

‘Probably behind her neck.’

A sound came from the entrance to the cavern.

‘He’s coming back,’ Blake hissed.

A moment later the doctor returned to find Astrid still unconscious on the bed, while Blake whistled innocently at the ceiling.

The doctor eyed him with suspicion. ‘You’re looking very pleased with yourself.’

‘Just thinking about being eaten.’

‘And?’

Blake lowered his voice. ‘May I make a confession?’

‘Yes.’

‘I’ve had a secret desire ever since I was a boy,’ Blake said. ‘It might sound odd, but I’ve always wanted to be the victim of a cannibal.’

Robert Roberts did a double take. ‘Really?’

‘It’s hard to explain, but it has always held a fascination for me,’ Blake said. ‘You won’t anaesthetise me first, will you?’

‘Not at all. I like my food live.’

‘Good,’ Blake said, feigning relief. ‘So when can you start?’

‘Right now, if you like.’

‘Wonderful!’

‘But the woman will be first.’

‘What?’

‘I prefer the taste of female flesh,’ Roberts explained. ‘It’s rather more tender, and I have a new port and stilton sauce I’d like to try.’

Roberts wheeled Astrid’s gurney past Blake, who caught a glimpse of her horrified face.

‘Time for dinner!’ the doctor said cheerily as they disappeared from the room.

Blake slumped, despairing. He couldn’t reach Nicki, and he soon realised the doctor had placed their backpacks and blasters in a pile near the entrance.

But Roberts didn’t know about Louis.

Louis was the backup weapon Blake had strapped to his ankle. Pushing his shoes off, he used his toes to unclip the holster and pull out the Louis .457 laser pistol. In serious combat situations it was useless, but it could still punch a hole in someone at close range.

Blake grunted. The gun slipped from his grasp onto the floor. He leant over the edge of the bed and tried to grab it again between his toes.

Almost. Just a few more inches…

The gun went off and a laser beam seared his forehead.

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