A Gray Life: a novel by Red Harvey Read Free Book Online

most of them not.
    “22C. Checkout’s at noon.”
    He looked as if he wanted to say more, but didn’t.
    “Thank you.” Ashley took the key.
    She turned around, ready to find room 22C. Grease-ball slipped out of his plexiglas office. When she went to pick up her bags, he was already trundling down the sidewalk with them.
    “What are you doing?”
    “My job. Not gonna let you walk there alone.” Grease-ball was grumpy in his chivalry.
    “T hanks.”
    His kindness was unexpected. Two small tears fell down her cheeks, and she allowed them, but just the two.
    Why are you being nice to me? She wanted to ask. The ugliest man in th e ugliest establishment, and he treated her decently. She couldn’t figure it. The boy from before had hid secrets beneath his beauty, uglier secrets than the dandruff flakes on Grease-ball’s shoulders.
    The kind, gruff man walked on, with Ashley following. They walked to the second to the last door at the end of the L-shaped structure.
    “Don’t use the water ‘til you let it run for a minute. And don’t hang around outside. This place is full of bad people looking for someone like you.”
    “Like me?”
    “Innocent. Corruptible.”
    He smiled. Two front teeth were missing from the equation and Ashley grimaced. Her disgust didn’t faze him. Grease-ball put her bags down and offered more of his holey smile before walking away.
    “Wow.” Ashley said.
    Maybe she needed to worry about Grease-ball after all.
    ****
    July 29th
    Migh t be calling it too soon, but I‘d say Louise is my friend. We talk about most anything, and she doesn’t treat me like a kid. No, I'm not crushing on her, calm down. Maybe a little.  From what I've seen of Erin and Michael, they're friends too.
    Both Michael and Louise asked me why   He  ignores me. I keep telling them, I don’t know why He doesn’t hurt me.
    Instead of hurting me, he lures others.
    He brought a new person down the stairs today, a trembling stick of man. His hair was matted and he was missing most of his teeth. The guy was confused, but he knew enough of his situation to be afraid. Heck, I began to be afraid for him as soon as The Man strapped him to a chair. Rarely has He tortured someone center stage, except for
    ( saw, thumb tacks, blow torch)
    ( Couldn’t save you)
    Dad . He takes his victims to the privacy of the kill room. Not today. Today was the last day of Stick Man’s life.
    Certain parts of his life I’m glad I didn’t witness. Erin told me to go to sleep, and pull my covers up all the way. It wasn’t time for sleep, but I knew what she meant. I tried to sleep, really I did, but I couldn’t do much sleeping with the new guy dying in the background. Gabriella and Louise cried, begged Him to stop, to let the man live.
    “You want th is over?” The Man’s voice wobbled, like my dad’s used to during New Years Eve parties.
    “Yes, please.” Louise said.
    When He cranked up the sandblaster, I knew Louise had her answer, just not the right one.
    The screams stopped first, and then the sandblaster. I got up, one hand in front of me to shield the mangled dead from my view. It nearly worked, but I did see splatters of blood on the floor, along with chunks, and I didn’t wanna think too hard on where they came from. The Man had blood thrown on half of his body, like a painting.
    He spoke, promising to be a tamer monster than the ones running loose outside. As if we could believe anything a man covered in another man’s blood told us.
    We were safer with Him,  He said.
    His eyes were crazier than usual.
    * * * *
    August 1st
    While I helped a Waster to the bathroom, Louise decided to help me. She asked me why I bother when no one else does. I didn’t know what to say, so I shrugged. It would have been too much too soon to explain to her why I feel the need to help the Wasters (even as I feel disgust for ‘em). Best to let her go on thinking I’m a good person, and that’s all there is too it.
    After our talk, Louise went