MicroHorror

Geoffrey looked out of his room window and down onto the Field Mill stadium. To the right of the newly built football stadium, bathed in blankets of security lighting, stood the usual retail warehouses and fast food outlets, which are always bedfellows of the Travel Motels nowadays. Lately he found himself to be staying in Travel Motels more often whilst touring colleges and universities – it saves on expenses. He didn’t really have a problem with the motels because they were clean and he knew his way around their familiar corridors and was able to find his room without any difficulty. His only regret was that they didn’t have a restaurant and he had to eat out, which he found inconvenient when he wanted to stay longer in his room and read.

“I recommend Toffs, Professor,” said the girl at the desk. “It’s quite expensive but I’m told the food is very good.”

He thanked the girl and made his way out into the brightly lit car park–there was a chill in the air and he pulled up the collar of his jacket. The car park was empty, save for a couple of cars and a lorry. He noticed a row of derelict houses running alongside a dark alley, which runs up towards the football ground.

Geoffrey turned the engine and his car purred to life. As he went to pull away he noticed movement in his headlights–there was a scuffle of sorts occurring. He leapt from his car in anger to go to the aid of a frail looking bag lady whom was in the fierce grasp of a swarthy fellow. The man shouted, “Please will you stop!” even though it was he that pummelled into the ribs of the crone.

Geoffrey grabbed his umbrella and made to stop the attack. “Let her go!” He yelled as he ran towards them. The man turned to flee in sight of the charge–for the professor was upward of thirteen stone without an ounce of fat on his muscular frame. The prof tripped slightly and stumbled to his knees. When he righted himself they were both gone. As he was about to return to his car to get his phone to call the police, he noticed movement in the corner of his eye. He saw the attacker step back into the shadows. He was not quick to his toes and he was soon on him and had him roughly by the scruff.

“You’ll regret helping her,” shouted the man as he wriggled for his freedom. “You mark my words.”

The man was unscrupulous and sent a heel into the shins. The prof let go in his agony and the man scampered over a wall and was gone.

Geoffrey limped back into reception for help. A different girl was behind the desk and she smiled strangely as he approached.

“Would you like me to visit you in your room when my shift ends?” She said to his utter horror, for he wasn’t one for the ladies even given an appropriate invitation.

“I would not, young lady,” he retorted firmly. “And I shall report you to your manager in the morning.”

“…My… my… manager? What?” said the girl in obvious bewilderment.

Geoffrey shook his head in his bewilderment. He remembered that he had left his car unlocked and stepped gingerly outside to lock it – still shaking his head.

“Damn!” He ejaculated; he could see someone sitting in the driver’s seat. His anger drove him on despite his better judgement and he made to the car. He pulled open the door and grabbed for the intruder. The intruder didn’t pull away; he fell heavily into the Geoffrey’s hands. He let go and the figure dropped from the car. Geoffrey gasped and nearly went into a paroxysm. It was the swarthy fellow and he was without a doubt dead–-his eyes bulged in their sockets.