Tentacle Death Trip Read Free

pony-tailed
gangster chuckled.
    Samson watched the
other racers as their eyes were glued on Silver’s face. They looked enthralled
as if the race was the best thing that had ever happened to them.
    “But with
everything there are rules!” Silver said. “First, you cannot leave New
Jersey and drive through the Western Wastelands. I
consider that a blatant show of disrespect. I’m a man of respect if nothing
else. You should understand that leaving New Jersey
is an instant disqualification and that means you will be killed on sight.”
    He snickered.
“There is one gas station and it is in Hell’s Fish Market. You cannot attack
the other drivers when they are at the station. This is very important.
Consider it a safe zone. Once they leave the station, however, then you may
commence with the violence. Got it? Other than that, you may maim, burn, kill,
and destroy anyone or anything in your way except for my people. The
more violence the better the entertainment and that’s what the audience is here
for. That’s something you must remember: you have an audience . As a
driver in my race your life is no longer your own. You are not living your life
in isolation. I have cameras nearly everywhere and everything will be
broadcasted here for your fans and for your fans that are waiting so patiently
in my Atlantic City compound. They
deserve a show. Never forget that. They deserve a show!”
    The crowd cheered
but Samson laughed softly, quiet enough that he didn’t think anyone had heard
him.
    He was wrong.
    A hulking man
wearing nothing but a leather mask and a codpiece walked up to Samson’s window and
bent over so his head was inside the car. Samson smelled smoke and fish. The
man said nothing but he didn’t need to. Samson could see his eyes: milky white
marbles with just a speck of black in the middle. They told him everything he
needed to know.
    “Sorry,” Samson
said, trying to transform his fear into machismo and staring down the man but
knowing he’d lose in that silent contest. The milk-eyed man pulled his head out
of the car and stood up. The word COP was drawn on his chest in blood.
    Silver’s voice
brought Samson to attention. “Oh, and Cop over there is my number one enforcer.
He’ll meet you down in Atlantic City.
Let’s give a round of applause for Cop!”
    Again the crowd
cheered as Cop bowed slowly and waved like a drugged automaton.
    “And now for the
part everyone has been waiting for…just in case you have forgotten why you are
here. The prizes. Oh, the wonderful, wonderful prizes.
You may or may not have heard there has been a historical milestone down south
off the coast of Atlantic City.
Something timeless and quite beautiful has risen from the depths of the ocean.
Those who know their history may know about R’lyeh ,
the beautiful city, an ageless paradise. It is your home if you win the race.
You’ll have to share it with me, of course. You will become my business partner
in a sense, helping to organize future races and all that. I need the best
racer, the one with the most expertise, one willing to risk their life for me.
The winner will be crucial in the rebuilding of this, the new age of our civilization.
Oh, the fun we’ll have!” Silver laughed and so did the audience. “And in
addition to that, you’ll get all the gas, food, and water you’ll ever need.”
    Samson heard the
other racers cheer but he stayed silent.
    “To keep the
audience abreast of the race, my man Enzo will be
acting as announcer and will be giving a play by play. Enzo ,
are you ready?” Silver’s face on the video screen made mock movements as if he
could really see through the screen.
    A short man in a
white suit ran out from behind the cars. “Right here, boss!” Enzo said into a microphone. His voice boomed through the
arena. “I’m ready.” He waved at the audience. “Are YOU ready?”
    The crowd roared.
    Silver clapped his
hands. “Then let’s introduce the drivers!”

 
    CHAPTER
TWO
    Now