Welcome to the serialized version of my debut novella, Cherry Kills. If you’re just joining us, head over to the Navigation Page, or start directly from Episode One. If you’d prefer to read this in another format, head on over to Tiny Worlds Publishing and pick up the paperback or ebook!
CK was edited by S.E. Reid
Episodes:
“Cherry Kills is a little bit horror, a little bit punk noir, and a whole lot of heart.”
On the bus out of the City, Cherry talked with her Alternates without feeling out of place, knowing that anyone who takes public transit expected at least one loner rambling to themselves.
When they got to 6666 Cedar Street, a brown bungalow with a tortoiseshell cat sitting in the driveway, Daisy pointed to the canary-yellow house next door. A woman peeked from behind a curtain at Cherry, who felt like a dead rose beneath her gaze. Across the street, a man mowing his lawn walked back and forth across the green grass with a scowl on his face.
“Mama, why are they looking at us like that?” Daisy frowned, hiding behind Cherry’s leg.
“They’re not looking at you, Daisy. They can’t see you. They’re looking at me because I’m disrupting their play.” Cherry waved at the woman, who jerked the curtains closed.
“There’s a play happening?” Daisy popped out from between Cherry’s legs and looked around enthusiastically.
Uncle shook his head. “No, Dayz. What she means is that they like vanilla, and Cherry is Cherry.”
“They’re not used to seeing so much style in suburbia.” Cherry covered her mouth as she spoke. It was one thing to talk to yourself on a bus, another in a neighborhood like this one. “If only they could see Elwood—now that would clutch their pearls.”
Elwood put his paws to his cheek in feigned shock.
“We shouldn’t be here,” Uncle said, facing the bungalow. Miniature American flags lined the walkway, and on the door was a spring wreath with anemones, freesia, and a variety of vibrant ranunculus. “There’s something off about all this. Why’d Mai take off like that?”
Cherry twisted her mouth. “Maybe she was scared. Maybe she went to the hospital for her leg—I don’t know. I guess we’ll find out.”
Elwood hopped down the walkway to the porch and looked through the transom window. Cherry and the gang followed.
“I want to see!” Daisy shouted, climbing up and onto Elwood’s back. “I see that man with the nose thing from the place last night.”
“What man with the nose thing? Flop?” said Cherry.
“Yeah!”
“What the hell is he doing here?”
Daisy shrugged. “He’s sitting on the couch reading.”
“What’s he reading, the novel adaptation of the movie Singles?” Cherry laughed at her own joke and held up her hand to Elwood for a high five. Elwood looked at Cherry, his face as inanimate as ever.
Daisy shrugged. “I don’t get it.”
“Let’s get this over with,” said Cherry, and knocked on the door.
A moment later Flop was standing before them, wearing a large, colorful striped shirt and baggy slacks. He squinted in the sunlight.
“Yeah?” he said. Then added, “Oh, hey. You’re the girl from the club, right?”
“Hi,” said Cherry with a quick smile. “Do you know Mai?”
“Mai? Yeah, she’s my girlfriend. Why?”
“It’s just that…why didn’t you say you knew her last night at the Gut Punch. You acted like she was a stranger.”
“I was pretty drunk. Probably didn’t know who you were talking about—how did you know where I lived?”
Uncle walked into the house, looked around, and said, “It smells like soup farts in here.”
“Mai isn’t home right now,” said Flop, “but she should be soon. You want to come in and wait? I’ve got beer, coffee—weed if that’s your thing.” He stood to the side to let Cherry in.
“Cherry,” shouted Uncle. “Don’t you dare—you don’t know this guy from Adam. For all you know he’s got lotion, a basket, and a little dog.”
Cherry rolled her eyes.
Flop’s face turned red. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t—”
“Oh, no—that eye roll wasn’t for you. I was thinking about something an uncle said to me one time, about entering a stranger’s home. He’s a relic, my uncle. But I suppose he’s got a point. Mind if I leave her bag? I promised I’d get it back for her—that’s what I was doing last night at the Gut Punch. How’s she doing, anyway? Better, I hope?”
“That’s very considerate, Cherry,” said Flop as he accepted Mai’s bag. “I’ll let her know you stopped by. And yes, she’s doing a lot better. But she’d kill me if I didn’t get your address. To send a thank you letter, you know?”
Cherry hesitated, then looked through her bag for a pen and paper.
Daisy moved closer, waving to get Cherry’s attention.
“Not now,” Cherry said under her breath.
“Excuse me?” asked Flop.
“Oh, nothing, just talking to myself. A bad habit—but hey, I never get lonely.”
Daisy spoke again, “Mama, how does he know your name?”
How did he know her name? She never gave it, had she?
“You know,” said Cherry, “I’m sure I’ll run into Mai soon enough. I need to jet. Nice to meet you…”
“Owen.”
“Nice to meet you, Owen. Have a great day.”
“Wait a second,” said Owen. “What’s your name?”
“My name?” said Cherry glancing over at Daisy.
Owen rubbed the back of his neck and smiled. “Yeah.”
Daisy looked up at Cherry. Uncle clinched his fists. Elwood tilted his head.
“It’s Cherry...”
Rather read a physical copy of Cherry Kills? No problem. Head over to Tiny Worlds Publishing for a signed (or unsigned) paperback. If you’re looking for an immersive experience, pick up the deluxe package.
Sean Thomas McDonnell is a contest-winning Bay Area-based author specializing in horror and dark speculative fiction. His debut collection, Beneath the Valley Oak—a fierce blend of western grit and creeping dread—sold out within 48 hours. He is a founding creator of The Midnight Vault anthology and the author of the standout story Blink Twice If You Can Hear Me. His breakout punk-noir novella, Cherry Kills, is available worldwide through Tiny Worlds Publishing.
Good catch on him knowing Cherry's name. Mai's in trouble and so is Cherry. You are turning up the heat Sean.