Skulls Read Online Free PDF Page B

flashed in his mind, over and over, the flickering reel of a home movie looped endlessly. He could see her eyes as the axe hit home, the startled realization she knew she was going to die. He felt her terror.
    The images clung to him as though stuck in a spider web. He heard her scream inside his mind. Jacob had to stop several times to avoid running into trees that seemed to just appear before him. He walked with his arms splayed out ahead of him to keep from splitting his skull. His hands were scraped and bruised. Blood oozed from a dozen tiny cuts before he finally made it out of the woods.
    At last, Jacob’s head seemed to settle. The images faded into the back of his mind. He glanced up at the sun, then across at the tangle of traffic along Sudderth Road. He had a nagging thought he’d forgotten something. Unable to remember, he kept on. He darted across the street at the first opportunity. As he reached the other side, his thoughts fell into place.
    The yard. His father.
    He bolted through the trees and raced for home. He swung around the corner, nearly falling, and ran until he saw his father’s truck idling in the driveway. Ann sat red-faced in the passenger seat, drumming her glittered fingernails on the dashboard.
    His stomach hardened into a knot as his dad stepped through the gate that led from the backyard. His vicious glare locked on Jacob.
    “What the hell did I tell you, boy?” He didn’t wait for Jacob to answer. “I told you to finish the yard before you went anywhere, didn’t I?”
    Jacob nodded and then hung his head. He dragged his feet the rest of the way to the drive. The bitter scent of beer hit him as his father shouted, closing the distance. He reached out and grabbed Jacob by the throat, pulling him close.
    “I don’t care what you think is more important, but you will damn well listen to me when I tell you to do something. Is that clear?” Flecks of spittle showered Jacob’s face.
    “Yes sir,” Jacob answered with a gasp, the words forced out.
    “Now get it done or I’ll drag your ass up outta bed when I get home and make you do it in the dark.” He thumbed back toward the house. “Clean up your mess in there too. I had to throw the damn milk away because you left it out this morning.”
    Jacob started to protest when the truck horn honked, drawing his father’s attention. His rash words swallowed, he was grateful for the interruption.
    “Hurry up, Mike, I’m already late,” his stepmother shouted from the window.
    His dad growled, waving her off. “I don’t work my ass off all day so you can throw away my money by wasting food.” The horn honked again and he glared at Ann, before turning back to Jacob. “Get your shit done and don’t even think about going anywhere tonight.”
    His dad pushed him to the ground and stormed to the truck. He slammed the door behind him and ground it into gear. His barking ire turned on Ann, he whiplashed the vehicle into the street. The tires screamed as he roared off.
    Jacob massaged his throat and climbed to his feet. Feeling weak, his legs trembled beneath him. He made his way to the backyard. Though he didn’t feel up to finishing the yard, he knew better than to defy his father more than once. He set to work, the lawn mower the only thing keeping him on his feet.
    * * * *
    Half an hour after sunset, the yard was done. Jacob stacked the last of the black trash bags onto the mountain of its companions, which he’d set on the side of the house. He then stumbled inside. Jacob breathed easy as he entered the trailer. The remnants of Ann’s perfume had diffused to a flowery whisper that smelled almost pleasant. He was grateful for small favors.
    That didn’t last long. He looked over at the kitchen and rolled his eyes. The half-full milk carton still sat on the counter, despite his father’s comments to the contrary. The bowl and mess were still there, too. Beyond that, the stove was littered with a jumble of dirty pots. Dark stains were