Free The Dust: Book Three - Sanctum by David H Sharp Page A

Pip.’ Jake went over to him, but the old man backed away.
    ‘Peregrine!’ This time the voice was louder and the large heavy footsteps drew closer. A long shadow appeared on the wet wall in the candlelight. The figure was tall and round.
    Pip started to whimper and looked across at Jake and Amber. Tears welled in his eyes.
    Jake could see the old man shaking and he noticed the water trickling down his legs. Pip had wet himself.
    ‘Get over here you useless bag of shit.’ An apple shot out of the shadows and narrowly missed Pip’s head, smashing against the stone behind.
    Pip clamped his hands over his face and started to shake his head. ‘I didn’t give them anything to eat Michael, I promise. I didn’t give them anything.’
    The large butcher slowly entered the storeroom. He must have stood at six foot four and weighed around twenty five stone. His bloodied apron was tied tight around his waist and his big hairy hands were closed tight, forming two massive fists. ‘Who the fuck are you talking about?’ His deep West Country drawl stopped as he looked over at the two figures stood to his left.
    His eyes widened, as if he couldn’t quite believe Pip had been so stupid as to bring strangers into his cellar.
    ‘I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.’ Peregrine threw himself at the butcher’s feet, and he clung with all his might to his old black boots.
    ‘Who are you?’ Michael pointed a large, chubby finger at Jake.
    ‘Jake Meadows, Sir. And my daughter, Amber.’
    The butcher’s eyes looked the little girl up and down, and for a split second a smile adorned his rotund, stubbly face. He kicked out at the pathetic Pip, who was wrapped around his ankles.
    ‘Get off me, you parasite.’ One boot sent the old man tumbling across the floor.
    Jake went to help him. Picking up Pip he looked over to the butcher. ‘There is no need for that.’
    The butcher’s face changed. Who was this intruder telling him what he could and couldn’t do in his cellar? He withdrew a large carving knife from its leather sheath.
    Jake swallowed hard; he had nothing to defend himself with. Everything was in the next room, where he had left it.
    ‘You have said your last words, boy.’ The butcher edged towards Jake, the huge blade thrust out in front of him.
    Amber screamed. ‘Daaaaaddyyyyyyy!’
    The high pitched screech made Michael the butcher turn his head, and that’s when Jake struck. Rolling across the floor he slammed into his attackers legs, and that toppled him over. His large knife skidded across the cellar floor into the darkness.
    The thud made the whole storeroom shake, and two candles fell from the wall onto the wet floor.
    Pip jumped up and down clapping with glee.
    Jake picked himself up off the damp floor and pounced onto the back of the butcher as he was slowly getting to his knees.
    He hit him with a short, hard jab to the side of the neck, and jammed the thumb on his other hand into the big man’s left eye.
    Michael the butcher let out a thunderous yell as the pain from the gouge hit his nervous system. He stood up, thrashing his arms about, but Jake clung on like a cowboy at a rodeo.
    Pip started shouting, and ran at the butcher, kicking him hard in the shins. It had little or no effect.
    Jake slammed another punch into the butcher’s ribs, and then clamped an arm around his fat neck. He started to squeeze.
    The big man tried with all his might to dislodge Jake, but to no avail. The more he fought, the more Jake squeezed and the more tired the butcher got.
    Again Jake jabbed his finger into the same eye socket, and this time Michael the butcher fell to one knee. Looking across to find his daughter, Jake couldn’t see her. Amber was now hiding in the shadows, petrified at what was taking place; she prayed for her daddy. Jake knew he needed to end it fast and find his little girl.
    Linking both hands to get more leverage, he squeezed even harder and twisted at the same time. The butcher keeled over with a groan.