A Cure Worse than Death
written by: Trevor Flanagan
Alicia watched Doctor Stephen Taylor steer his boat through the channel. She thought he looked suave in his chinos and polo shirt. He wasn’t her usual type but, after weeks of online chat, the charismatic Stephen had convinced her to take the plunge. When she’d hesitantly told him about her fear of loneliness, or monophobia as he’d labelled it, she thought he’d run a mile. All other prospective suitors had done so. They’d considered her to be clingy. Stephen had explained that his specialism in Neuro Linguistic Programming allowed him to see past quirks, as he called them. He promised she would not be alone. A cure for loneliness? she mused idly. She stroked Stephen’s German Shepherd dog, Rex, who sniffed the air with indifference.
“Nearly there,” Stephen called back to her. “At the edge of the river mouth.” He pointed to a cabin partially hidden by the trees. “This is the only way to get to it, unfortunately. But I get undisturbed views of the lake.”
Stephen stopped the boat alongside a small wooden pier. “All ashore!” he called out, smiling. He reached out a hand to help Alicia onto the pier. Rex leapt over the side and padded quietly toward the cabin. Alicia followed. As they reached the cabin, Stephen stepped around her and unlocked the door. He gestured for her to go inside. Entering, she could just make out an enormous stone fireplace. She watched Rex flop down onto a rug nearby.
“I’ll set that fire shortly,” said Stephen. “Let there be light,” he said, flicking a switch on the wall. The lights came on briefly, flickered, and then dimmed. He tried again. “Strange,” he murmured. “Maybe it’s the generator. I’ll be right back.” He dropped some shopping on the kitchen counter and started for the back door.
Alicia called out, “Erm. Wait. Are you leaving me alone?” She wrapped her arms around herself to stop the shaking.
“You’re not alone,” he reassured. “Rex is here.” Rex lifted his head, panting and looking from one to the other.
“I know, but—” She lifted her right hand to her neck and massaged it furiously.
“Hey, you’ll never be alone. Trust me,” Stephen reassured her. He reached into a draw and stepped over to her. “Here,” he said. He lifted a short necklace with a padlock pendant toward her. He looked deep into her eyes. “Locks are an ancient symbol for security and protection.” He fastened the clasp and let it rest on her chest.
Alicia looked down and touched the padlock. “Really?” she asked shakily.
“Really.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and said, “Trust me, please. Can you do that?”
“I guess so …”
“With this and Rex, you’ll be fine. Sit here.” He guided her to a chair near the fireplace. “I’ll be right back.” He looked down at Rex and up again at Alicia. “Okay?”
Still a little unsure, Alicia nodded and gulped. She took a few deep breaths. “Okay.”
“Good girl.” Stephen stepped out of the back door, leaving Alicia and Rex alone.
Alicia looked around the room. Apart from the ticking of a grandfather clock, it was almost silent. She listened intently. A few creaks and groans from the surrounding timbers made her twitch. Abruptly, the lights went out. She squealed, clamping her hand over her mouth. Eyes wide, she tried desperately to adjust to the darkness. Looking down toward the rug, Rex had disappeared.
“Rex?” she whispered. Nothing.
“Rex!” she said a little louder, hoping to get his attention and his alone. She shook violently, tears rolling down her cheeks. Standing, she whipped her head back and forth, seeking safety. Sliding into the corner, her back against the wall, she listened intently. Ahead, a rustling noise made her jump. Another creak, closer this time.
“Is that you Rex?” she whispered. Nothing.
She tried to push back further, as if she could merge with the wall itself. She was ready to run. Anywhere but here, she thought. A low moan from below stopped her dead in her tracks.
What the fuck was that?
She was trembling uncontrollably. She clawed at her neck and the necklace as her breathing became laboured and shallow. Oh, my god. I’ve got to get out of here.
Scanning around, she spied glimmers of light among the dark shadows. Which way? No, no, no.!
Tears flowing freely now. Stepping forward, she stumbled. Her vision faded to complete darkness.
***
Alicia awoke, groggily. She looked down and saw that someone had propped her into a seated position on a bed. Her naked form, covered by a sheet. Not only that, but they had also strapped her arms to the bed. From her right arm, she saw an intravenous needle leading up to a pouch next to the bed.
“What’s happening?” she cried, panic rising.
“Hey, sleepyhead,” said Stephen, leaning over her. “Just lie still. There’s a good girl. It takes a while for the neurotoxin from the lock to dissipate.” He followed her gaze to the pouch. “Just a little concoction of mine to keep you comfortable until I have a need for any of you.” He gestured for her to look around the room.
Squinting through her head fog, she could just make out three other women. Each secured to a bed, a drip in their arms and the glint of a padlock necklace.
“Why—”
“All in good time, dear Alicia. But I promised you would never be alone again.”
“What? Wait—”
He adjusted the intravenous flow, sending Alicia back to sleep. “Sleep tight,” he murmured. Walking to the door, he surveyed his prizes one last time.
Outside, he added rocks to the bag with Alicia’s clothes and threw it into the middle of the wide river mouth; He knew the current would push it into the lake’s depth.
Back on the porch, he settled into his rocking chair and patted Rex’s head. “Good boy. Shall we go hunting?” he asked aimlessly, opening his laptop.
The End
- A Cure Worse than Death - May 20, 2025
- Chance by Name, Chancer by Nature - February 8, 2025
