Chapitre 29: Slaughter continues the podcast

"Good morning, listener! We are back with our podcast; today's special, You will be listening to how Luis ended up buried below the ground." Slaughter announced.

Jackson who just got some sleep after struggling throughout the night with the pain woke up with a jerk. Tucker, who brought him food the previous day, bandaged his wounds after disinfecting the toe.

"Do you know holding a person illegally is punishable by law? What you are doing will not bring you any good."

Tucker just ignored him and continued to disinfect the toe silently. Jackson cried out in pain. His bawls echoed inside the prison and traveled towards where Victor was hiding. Victor realized that from the time Tucker came back, he behaved differently. He never spoke to anyone and his only work was to take care of this new prisoner whom Gary brought.

"I know you are hiding behind that corner, Victor. Come on out!" Tucker who just walked out of Jackson's prison said in a monotonous voice.

"Tucker, I was just…"

He lifted Victor by his collar and said,

"I don't care what you do here but this area is off-limits for everyone except me and Gary. If I ever see you follow me or roam around this area, you know how we torture our prisoners here. I hope you won't ever make this mistake once again. Consider this as your last warning! Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir"

"I can't hear you… Louder!"

"Yes, Sir" Victor shouted with all he got.

"Good," Tucker said and threw him on the floor.

Victor's back hit the stone wall and he hissed in pain. Tucker turned around and glared at him that made Victor close his mouth with the hands and swallow the painful groan which was about to escape from his mouth.

Once Tucker disappeared from his view, Victor turned towards Jackson one last time and then walked away. He knows his limit and he did not want to test his luck with the current Tucker who is like a killer machine.

Jackson looked at the kid moving away and closed his eyes. The pain made it difficult for him to sleep. He looked around and saw a plate full of food. The rat had now returned once again and was munching the food. At Least today, the food looked edible.

He shooed the rat away and ate from that plate without any expressions. He had to stay alive for his son and he needs to contact someone from the outside world to help him get away from this prison.

When he slept it was already early morning and being woken up by Slaughter definitely made him want to kill that machine.

'Since the listener is in a great mood to listen to our podcast, I am introducing a new character today. Before our today's podcast, let us have a recap of what happened in our last podcast.

Quietus watched the vulture devour its prey, and thought it was some animal. But later because of the punishment he received from the App, he was forced to go down and clean the front yard. After seeing the almost skeleton Luis, Quietus fell down and shivered in fear.'

Slaughter played thriller music on the background and even sang a song on the background…

'I like to chop it, chop it…

I like to chop it, chop it…

Ya, like to chop it…'

Jackson closed his eyes, at first he wondered who quietus was but now he was sure, it was his son Hastin. He could not believe what he went through and how he is currently suffering because of this so-called App.

'Listener, you cannot sleep during the podcast. We are now going to the main part of the story.'

Jackson wanted to smash this machine but he learned from his previous experience, so all he could do was bite his teeth and keep his eyes open.

'Once he dumped the human remains into a garbage bag, Quietus walked towards the dark forest. He dug a hole and dropped the bag. He buried Luis's remains and then walked tiredly towards the mansion.'

Jackson's heart pained and he did not want to hear the story anymore. But he was not left with any option as he heard the story with a heavy heart.

'Quietus wanted to see the victims, to write the story. So he was sent a video clip of the abandoned warehouse for his reference. There everyone lay on the cold floor with their eyes shut. Quietus asked the app, 'are they dead?' and the app replied, 'Not yet, but soon.'

He ran to the terrace and cried while calling his dad for help. But his dad was nowhere to be seen. Where was his dad at that time, when he was needed the most by his son? All these questions will be answered in the future podcasts.'

Slaughter stopped and played music, while Jackson held his aching heart, and tears fell down his eyes. He missed his days with his son when they were reading together, playing together. They had no one but each other's company after his mom passed away.

Maybe if a lady was there in their home, would this situation be any different? 'Will his son be free from these monsters and creatures? Is his son still alright? If I asked about him to this Alien creature, will I get an answer?' All these questions burnt his weak heart.

'Listener, looking at your face… Do you have any questions to ask Slaughter? I can clear all your doubts related to the podcast as I was given a special privilege by the app to communicate with the listener if required.' Slaughter announced.

With hesitation, Jackson asked, "I want to know about my son. How is he doing? Is he alright?"

Jackson held his breath as he was not sure if he would even get any response. As expected Slaughter went quiet for a long time and he did not get any reply until afternoon.

Tucker came with breakfast; a slice of burnt bread and a piece of meat. Jackson looked at it but did not touch the food until Tucker left. Before leaving Tucker turned around and asked,

"If you want anything, let me know. If it is within my capacity I will try to fulfill your demands. But just remember your limits and do not try to hackneyed your luck."

Jackson just nodded his head but did not reply. He thought if he asks him to let him roam around this dungeon, will he allow him to do so? Since Slaughter was not responding anymore, he pulled the plate near him. The rat once again jumped in when it smelled food.

He broke a small piece and fed the rat. He even gave the meat and it happily pulled the food away. Jackson bit the hardened bread and swallowed. He got hiccups in a few bites, he walked towards the pot kept on the sides.

When he lifted the lid on the pot, he noticed the water was already empty. He came near the locked gate and hit the iron rods with the plate. As his throat was almost gone, his voice became croaked, and also he was not sure how far Tucker was right now from his prison.

Even after banging for a long time, no one came. As the hiccup stopped after a few minutes, he walked back and sat on the floor. He looked at the wound on his foot. It was bleeding and the white bandage turned dark reddish-brown.