The Professor
A Lesson in Terror
by
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After putting the garbage in the cans and going back into the house, Ronnie got Nancy up from her nap and spent the rest of the afternoon playing with her. Dinner time came and passed and he fed Nancy her dinner. When she was finished, he cleaned her up and went back into the kitchen to make himself some dinner. Another peanut butter and jelly sandwich. When he was finished eating he spent the next few hours playing with Nancy before getting her ready for bed at eight o’clock. When she was sound asleep (It took three stories to get her there.), he went back downstairs and began to watch TV. It wasn’t very long before he was asleep himself. Working at the Country Club required very early hours so it wasn’t hard for him to fall asleep early. Ronnie entered the dream state shortly after falling asleep and found himself standing in the high place once again. He turned around and found that he was alone. It was dark and looking down over the edge, he saw the twinkling lights of the town far below him. Ronnie judged that it was early morning because of the lack of activity on the streets far below. He stepped back and looked up at the stars. He saw the milky way in a way that he had never seen it before. Here, way up over the ground below, the sky was clear and free of the pollutants that hung in the air over the valley below like a ground fog. There were so many stars visible it was hard to distinguish between the constellations. The view amazed him, never had he seen the sky like this before. Not even from his childhood, when there wasn’t as much air and light pollution. He laid down on his back and just laid there looking up at the stars. After a few minutes a shooting star blazed overhead and although he couldn’t hear any sound from it, it was low enough that he could see the flame wavering behind it as it burned up from the friction of the atmosphere. Ronnie remembered that he had heard at one time that when you looked at the Milky Way, you weren’t seeing the Galaxy. You were actually seeing the light from the stars and nebulae in part of the Sagittarius Arm of the galaxy that lies between our sun and the galactic center. As he laid there, he wondered if there was another person out there looking back at him. That’s a pretty lame question Ronnie. A voice said, jolting Ronnie back to reality. He sat up looking around and saw the Professor. ‘I was wondering when you’d show up.’ Ronnie said with a disgusted tone to his voice. You don’t sound glad to see me.
‘I was at peace, you know, resting. You disturbed me.’ No Ronnie, I don’t know about rest. It’s not easy being dead you know. There are all kinds of things to do...
‘Like what?’ Ronnie asked interrupting him. Little things, details. You know, like rotting, messing with you, jamming with Elvis, looking for Little Richard, and of course, messing with you. It’s always the little things that keep you the busiest.
‘Don’t let me keep you. Besides, Little Richard isn’t dead yet.' Ronnie replied as he began looking at the stars again. No wonder I can’t find him. Seems like you are a little preoccupied here. The Professor remarked, Maybe we should go to someplace where there are less distractions and we can talk .
Ronnie started to tell the Professor not to bother because he wasn’t going to listen to what he had to say. As he opened his mouth he saw the Professor raise his hand and snap his fingers. As the Professor did that, Ronnie’s entire field of vision seemed to be filled by those fingers. He even thought that he could see minute pieces of flesh fly off of them when they were snapped. Instantly, he was no longer sitting where they had been, but was now standing in the grungy liquor store. The Professor was standing on the other side of the counter looking at his finger tips. I hate it when they do that. The Professor remarked. ‘Too bad. Did it hurt? I sure hope it did.’ Ronnie replied. Watch your mouth boy. Remember, I can really mess you up if I want to.
Ronnie did remember, but somehow didn’t think that it was going to happen. Not tonight at least. So he asked, ‘Why did you bring me here?’ I just wanted to talk to you. I really enjoy these little face-to-face meetings we have.
‘That really makes my day. But all bullshit aside, what do you want?’ How about a little drink Ronnie? The Professor asked as he turned around and pulled a bottle off of the shelf behind him. ‘You know that I gave that stuff up. Why are you here? Why won’t you give me a straight answer?’ Because I don’t have to. The Professor replied as he opened the bottle and then began to drink it. ‘Don’t tell me this is a social call.’ Ronnie replied. The Professor continued to drink until the bottle was empty. When he was finished he set the empty bottle on the counter and pulled another bottle off of the shelf. As he was spinning the cap off from this bottle he emitted a huge belch that actually shook the building. Bottle rattled on the shelves and several fell off, shattering on the floor. Ronnie’s eyes watered from the smell of the belch when the noxious gas reached him. Damn, I miss this stuff. Is this a social call? I don’t know . . . No it’s not, I came by to let you know something. The Professor said and then began to drink the second bottle down. Ronnie stood there patiently. When the bottle was drained he asked, ‘Well, what’s the big news?’ When I get around to it, I’ll tell you. Besides, we have all night. Let me ask you a question Ronnie. Does your life still suck?
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About the Book
After losing his parents in a freak automobile accident, Ronnie Fisher decided anything requiring effort wasn’t worth the hassle. Including studying and attending his last class required to finish college. But as luck would have it, he managed to find out a dark secret about his college professor that he was able to use to his advantage. Blackmail for the grade he needed got him his diploma, but also, more than he could have ever bargained for.
The Professor, under the strain of having his secret discovered, committed suicide. Now, after a few years have passed, the professor is back and there is hell to pay. Add a problem with alcohol, stir in an abusive wife whose soul mission in life is to make Ronnie bleed, it all creates a recipe for a nightmare that never ends.
Set in everyday suburbia, Ronnie and his family are anything but ordinary. Infidelity, betrayal, and a lover with murderous intentions are woven together to create a tale of suspense that is impossible to put down from the first page to the last. When you finish, you will thank God they are not your neighbors.
Or are they?
About the Author
An apt fireside story teller and short story author, R. H. Gosse was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida, where he lives with his wife Pam. His interest in the paranormal and the belief that the south is the most haunted area of the country, has caused many of his campfire story listeners to lose a good nights sleep. After much encouragement from his wife and friends, he has picked up his pen and started writing again.
Let the nightmares begin.