Spectra Magazine - Issue 2 by Andrews UK

Author:Andrews UK
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sci-fi, fantasy, horror, fiction
ISBN: 9781849892155
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2010
Published: 2010-09-01T00:00:00+00:00

However, most astonishing of all, was the fact that the join of the pieces had become virtually invisible and what he was staring at could easily have been an original painting.

That was what a lack of sleep did to you!

The jigsaw remained in his thoughts throughout the day. He couldn’t concentrate at work and every glance at his watch only made him more frustrated. He hated being stuck in front of a computer screen at the best of times and as a web designer, without the inspiration to work, his creativity took a nosedive. By late afternoon he had started to develop a headache and he seriously contemplated going home sick.

At the end of his shift he was out of the office without even signing off for the evening.

All he wanted to do was get home.

He stopped for a pizza on the way and picked up some painkillers from a late night chemist. He was determined to work out that picture tonight – no matter how long it took.

No matter how long…

His mother was pouring out tea for the three of them. Herself, Rider and a bald man he didn’t recognize. They all sat silently around the kitchen table. Although he was in his mother’s kitchen, something was wrong with its appearance. The table and chairs were the same. The units were unchanged. The floor had the familiar grey and white tiles.

And then he realized, feeling slightly foolish.

There were no surrounding walls, just a thick, intangible blanket of darkness that sealed them within.

“Mother, where have all the walls gone?” he found himself asking.

“Don’t be rude, Michael. Drink up your tea,” came the curt response.

“But I asked for coffee,” he told her.

“No coffee in this house, darling. You should know that. Now you finish up your tea and be on your way,” she concluded.

“Why do I have to leave?” he protested.

“We have a guest coming,” his mother explained. “Azrael is coming to visit us,” she said excitedly.

Azrael?

At the mention of the name, the bald man got to his feet.

“Azrael is coming and I have a present for him,” he said.

Then he picked up a knife from the table and in one fluid movement, drew it across his neck. A shower of blood sprayed out across the room. Rider’s mother was instantly covered in a flood of crimson and he stood up and stepped backwards in an effort to avoid being splashed by the gushing wound.

And as he moved, he saw it – but a fraction too late. On his lap had been sat the jigsaw puzzle in its box.

Why didn’t I notice it, he found himself thinking as the lid slowly came open and the pieces tumbled out?

Why wasn’t I more careful, he thought as they fell in a rain of disorder to the floor?

“You little wretch!” his mother screamed desperately, white teeth bright against the mask of blood. “Look what you’ve done. Azrael will make you pay for that.” Her eyes were wide and threatening and her whole body trembled.

“I’m…I’m sor…ry,” Rider stammered.

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