Free Come Into Darkness by Daniel I. Russell

dragged her to the edge of the water. They passed Dylan, whose eyes rolled up to glance at them. The dog raised his head, yelped, and flopped back down.
    Mario strode on, shoes sinking into the mud. It swallowed him up to his shins.
    “There we go, sir,” said Worth, remaining on the higher ground, “you’ll feel good again after this.”
    Mario knew he would, yet that small, appalled part of his mind observed his actions. Like a child watching a horror film, it wanted to turn away, to run from the blood and violence.
    You’re no murderer.
    Aren’t I?
    The other voice thundered around his skull, bullying his own into silence. He took a deep breath and stepped into the water.
    The pond shocked him with a numbing blast of cold. He shivered, but unperturbed, dragged Laurie further. Her body dangled from her outstretched arm. Mud coated her hair and clothes. She appeared as a figure made from fresh clay, ready for the kiln.
    “That’s it,” said Worth. “Just a little farther.”
    Yes!
    Drown her…
    Mario grinned and licked his lips. Blood still flavoured them, and he relished the taste. The water chilled his legs, and his scrotum shrivelled as it dipped into the pond.
    Laurie jerked, her face emerging from the murky surface. She coughed, inhaled and released a scream.
    “Shut up,” snapped Mario. He headed for the centre of the pond.
    Struggling against his pull, Laurie fell back under. Her legs kicked, doing nothing more than splashing the water.
    Mario stopped, bobbing slightly in the water. He gazed upwards, studying the lazy clouds meandering across the grey expanse. Bending, he drove a hand into the water. The moment his fingers touched Laurie’s sodden hair, he grabbed a fistful, close to her scalp. She thrashed, and her hand shot out, waving in the air. The other strained against Mario’s grip.
    “There we go,” called Worth. He clapped. “Bravo, sir! Bravo indeed.”
    Still watching the clouds, Mario relaxed a little, feeling Laurie’s kicks die down. He maintained his hold.
    The rain cascaded without warning, and Mario closed his eyes, enjoying the droplets striking his face. The water seemed to vibrate around him, its surface churning from the downpour.
    Mario waited.
    Laurie fell slack. Her body drifted in the water. Mario released her.
    “Very good,” said Worth. “Now, let’s get out of this horrendous weather, shall we?”
    Mario stepped back. He studied Laurie, suspended in the pond. She floated facedown, arms out and over her head like she’d been frozen middive. Her hair fanned out and her body started to sink.
    You did it. You drowned her.
    Good riddance.
    He waded forwards, heading for the nearest shore.
    “We’ll get you dry in no time,” said Worth, walking in pace with Mario beside the pond. “No time at all.”
    Mario bowed his head. The pond gently lapped against his body. He pushed his legs through the water.
    Splash!
    Laurie’s hand darted out. She grabbed Mario’s arm.
    He screamed.

8
    The pond, the dunes, the sky and ground washed into each other, like a chalk masterpiece on a rain-slicked pavement. Mario’s insides slithered, and he closed his eyes. The ground trembled, and he had the sensation of standing in a descending lift.
    The hand still clutched his arm.
    Mario gasped and jerked it free.
    “Ow!” said a female voice. “I was only trying to help.”
    He opened his eyes in time to catch a scowl from Kerry, who stood in front of him, rubbing her hand.
    “I’ll let you fall on your arse next time,” she said and hunted in her pockets.
    They stood in the corridor. Chandeliers twinkled, casting a golden glow. All the closed doors stretched away in either direction.
    Mario closed his eyes again. His temples throbbed.
    We can’t be here!
    He slowly raised his eyelids, studying his surroundings, assessing the walls and floor.
    It looks real enough…
    But how?
    Something snapped onto his shoulder, and Mario twisted to find Worth clasping him.
    “Good show, sir.