Slashing Away: A Dark Psychological Thriller (Gushers Series Book 2) Read online

  Slashing Away

  The demons feed on the blood and the sex.

  The members of The First Cut have a new dilemma. Boredom has transformed into a struggle for dominance. And the members have called on dark forces to help them.

  With different factions forming in the cult, who can be trusted now? Can the seniors at Tenafly High School keep their secrets? Or will their parents discover the true nature of their children’s lives? With nothing to lose, some people will go to great lengths to achieve their dreams.

  Even if it involves killing.

  Slashing Away is another intense cornucopia of occult horror with sexually explicit matter. It is the sequel to the cult hit, The First Cut. Fans of shows like True Blood devour this series like candy.

  Slashing Away is the second novel in the Gushers series by Chuck Buda. It is approximately 62,000 words and contains adult language, sexually explicit scenes and graphic violence. Reader discretion is heavily advised.

  Slashing Away

  By Chuck Buda

  Edited by Jenny Adams

  Copyright © Chuck Buda (2017).

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or otherwise, without written permission from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Any semblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events, or locales is purely coincidental. The author has taken great liberties with locales including the creation of fictional towns.

  Reproduction in whole or part of this publication without express written consent is strictly prohibited.

  The author greatly appreciates you taking the time to read his work. Please consider leaving a review wherever you bought this book, or telling your friends or blog readers about this book to help spread the word.

  Thank you for supporting my work. Without you the story would not be told.

  Cover art by Biserka design.

  Contents

  Slashing Away

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Special Thanks

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Continue the Thrills

  Beneath the Blood

  Join the Gushers

  About the Author

  I Need Your Help!

  My Other Series

  Dedication

  Dedicated to those who worship Vampires.

  Special Thanks

  I would like to thank Christopher Zingaro for the last minute feedback and the stress I put him under.

  Chapter 1

  “Over there.”

  Zoe pointed toward the railroad tracks which bisected the town of Westwood. After fooling around with Ryan and Spencer in the car, Zoe craved some more action. Not sex action. Bloody action.

  The threesome decided to drive around for a while. They left Tenafly behind in search of fresh roads. Their travels took them further northwest as the three lost themselves in their primal screams and loud radio sing-alongs. The party for The First Cut may have ended earlier this evening. But a new party was just getting started.

  Spencer steered his car over the tracks into the empty parking lot of a shopping center. He parked his car in front of two Salvation Army bins. He killed the engine.

  Zoe’s mind raced through the evening’s events. Things had begun with so much promise. Her plans to belittle Aiden and dominate the group took a sour turn. In a way, Zoe figured, she still managed to stay on top. The crew may have gone from seven to three. But Spencer and Ryan were willing to do whatever she wanted. All she had to do was suck them off a little and dangle her snatch as prize. Boys are so easy, she chuckled.

  “What now?” Ryan turned to face Zoe in the back seat. His eyes rolled up and down her body. Zoe loved every second of it.

  “Let’s see if we can find someone to play with.” Zoe licked her lips.

  Spencer and Ryan exchanged glances. Spencer looked bored. Zoe toyed with a notion of pointing out her recognition of his expression. Instead, she chose to engage him.

  “Spencer, you should tell Ryan about the sex-magick experiences of Aleister Crowley. Maybe Ryan would like to understand more historical background about what we are doing.”

  Ryan groaned. “That’s okay. I get enough history lessons at school. I don’t want my Saturday night to turn into classroom time.”

  Zoe leaned over the seat between Spencer and Ryan. “You haven’t learned history like this, sweetie. Go ahead, Spencer. Fill him in.”

  Spencer smiled and set forth on a long diatribe about the origins of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and Crowley’s famous poetry in White Stains. As Spencer spoke, Zoe fell back into her thoughts. She realized it would be more important to galvanize the remaining members of The First Cut than it would be to banish the ones who had left. Spencer was most important to Zoe’s goals anyway. He held all the knowledge and the belief in what he knew. Ryan was a puppy dog. He would follow around any master who promised to feed him day and night. His meal just happened to be ass. And it cost Zoe nothing to let Ryan have his way with her body.

  Zoe still found it strange how she had been such a major germophobe and now she was rolling around in bodily fluids of others. She still shuddered at the thought of blood and semen and all the tiny molecules they were made up of. Yet when she found herself in the thrall of the ritual and the burning desire leading up to it, she never gave the phobia a second thought. Everything served a higher purpose. Something more fantastic than earthly fears.

  She spotted someone moving along the tracks.

  “There.”

  Zoe cut Spencer’s history lesson short as she pointed down the railroad tracks. Spencer appeared annoyed. He had just begun to explain The Book of the Law when Zoe interrupted his speech. She shoved her way past Ryan to climb out of the car. Zoe didn’t wait for Spencer and Ryan. She knew they would follow her.

  As she neared the moving shape, Zoe saw the disheveled man bend to pick up cigarette butts. He inspected each stub for leftover tobacco, sniffing them before stuffing the treasures into his jacket pocket. Zoe pulled out some wadded up cash from her pocket. She stopped the man with the money held out before her.

  “You can buy your own smokes if you want.” Zoe waved the cash at the man. She hear
d Spencer and Ryan close behind her. “Go ahead. I’m giving it to you.”

  The man looked concerned with Zoe’s sudden charity. She realized he was probably suspicious because of the boys behind her. Of course it would look like an ambush of some kind.

  “Don’t worry. They’re my friends. I saw you searching for butts and figured I’d help you out. No strings attached. They just want to make sure I’m safe.” Zoe smiled at the bum. His expression lightened and he reached out a grimy hand to accept the money. The man looked the money over like he thought it was fake or some kind of trick. Zoe turned to head back to the parking lot. Spencer and Ryan stood still before following her.

  Suddenly, Zoe spun around. “If you want, we can give you a lift to the convenience store. That way you won’t have to walk all the way over there.” She noticed the man thinking it over. “Never mind. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. Have a good night.”

  Zoe waved at the man and began to head to the car. The man shouted to her. He would appreciate the ride and he was very grateful for their kindness. Zoe smiled at him and waited for the man to catch up to them.

  When they neared the car, Zoe held the door open for the man. He nodded his thanks and began to climb inside. Zoe clutched the back of the man’s head and smashed it against the frame of the car. The man’s forehead split open with a wide gash. Blood poured down his face as he staggered backwards. Zoe kicked the man in the chest hard enough to force him backwards into one of the Salvation Army bins. The back of his skull connected with the metal bin, emitting a loud banging noise. The bum was out cold before he hit the pavement.

  Zoe looked at Ryan and Spencer. Both of them stood with mouths dropped open. They had not expected Zoe’s violence. She enjoyed her ability to surprise them both. It helped keep everyone on notice of what she was capable of. Especially if they fell into her bad graces.

  “Hurry up and help me find something to collect this blood in.”

  Spencer grinned and jumped into action. Ryan was frozen in place, shifting his gaze between Zoe and the man bleeding on the ground.

  “Isn’t it better if we use someone else’s blood instead of our own?”

  Ryan swallowed and nodded. He gasped out a question.

  “But...what if he tells the police who we are?”

  Zoe giggled. Spencer crouched down next to her with an empty bottle of iced tea he found on the side of the road.

  “Don’t be silly, Ryan. He’s not going to live to tell a soul.”

  Spencer collected the blood which ran across the man’s forehead while Zoe tilted it to optimize the drainage. She started laughing. Then Spencer joined her as they worked on their latest victim.

  Chapter 2

  The telephone ring startled Samantha. She glanced at the clock on the stove and wondered who could be calling their house this early on a Saturday morning. The name flashing across the display on the cordless phone answered her questions. Samantha picked up the phone before the whole house was awakened.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, Samantha. I hope it’s not too early to call.” Rebecca’s breathy voice filled her ear.

  “Actually, everyone is still sleeping over here.” Her eyebrows came together in frustration.

  “Oh, sorry. You sound so awake though.”

  Samantha explained how she usually woke early on Saturdays to get breakfast started. Rebecca giggled and said she admires Samantha’s dedication to her family. It came as no surprise to Samantha that Rebecca wasn’t exactly the type of person to wake up early for anyone else other than herself.

  “So what can I do for you? At this really early hour?” She bit her lip to keep from allowing anything else to escape her mouth. She felt a little angry with how lightly Rebecca was taking the fact she had disturbed their household.

  “Soooooo, remember our little conversation the other day? At your mailbox?”

  Samantha blushed. “What about it?”

  “Well, Turner got home last night and he thought it would be a great idea to invite you and Holden over for some drinks tonight.” Rebecca’s voice sounded like she was grinning from ear to ear.

  “Uh, okay. I guess. Let me check with Holden to make sure we don’t have anything going on...”

  “What could you have going on, Sammy?” Samantha grimaced at being called ‘Sammy’ since she only went by Samantha or Sam. “I know you guys sit around on Saturday nights reading. Come on. Let your hair down for once. Have some fun.”

  Samantha felt a twinge of nervousness churn in her belly. She felt like a cornered badger. How did Rebecca know how they spent their evenings? Rebecca was correct but they liked to do their own thing. She would read her horror novels in bed. Holden would read the papers and watch sports. Then they would come together later at night. Samantha enjoyed her routine.

  “Um, sure. I guess. Although, my hair is too short to let it down.” Samantha winced at her stupid joke. She thought she could feel Rebecca wincing at it too.

  “Great! Come over at...say 8 o’clock.”

  Samantha groaned. The hour was late. She hoped they could meet up around six and then end the evening around nine or ten. If they didn’t begin until eight then she knew she would be stuck there until midnight. Or later.

  “Bring a bikini. We’re going to soak in the tub while we relax over drinks.”

  Samantha’s mouth dropped. She was going to have to wear a bathing suit? And she didn’t have any bikinis. She only wore one-pieces. Her figure was good enough to attract attention in a bikini. She just never felt comfortable strutting around in something that barely covered her lady parts.

  “Uh, I don’t have a bikini but I’ll wear my bathing suit.”

  “Seriously? You don’t have something skimpy to tease the men with? I might have something you can use...”

  “That’s okay. I’ll figure something out.” Samantha knew she would never fit into one of Rebecca’s bikinis. Her breasts were much smaller than Rebecca’s. And her hips and thighs were straighter, not as curvaceous as her neighbor. She imagined her walking across the back yard and the bottom sliding down her thighs because her ass didn’t fill it enough. And then she pictured her breasts looking like a girl just reaching puberty, tucked inside the mammoth cups of something Rebecca could wear.

  “Don’t forget our little talk. We might be able to make our boys happy together.”

  Samantha lost her breath. Her eyes darted around the kitchen as she recalled the rest of their discussion. OH MY GOD, she shouted in her head. Could this really be happening? Had they agreed to jump into this so suddenly? What if the kids found out? She couldn’t get naked in front of a goddess like Rebecca. Holden would never want to make love to her again after seeing what Rebecca hid underneath clothing. And if she was as much of a sexual dynamo as she thought, as Holden guessed she might be? Good Lord, what had she gotten them into? Samantha struggled to collect her thoughts and catch her breath.

  “Samantha? Are you still there?”

  “Yes. Uh, sorry. I got distracted making...uh, breakfast. Did you...did you say we are going to be...?” She let her words hang in the air, afraid to finish her thoughts.

  Rebecca giggled. The sound of her voice was a little sexy and Samantha blushed again at thinking such a thing.

  “Well, anything is possible, Sammy. We’ll see how the evening plays out. Some wine. Some hot tub. Lots of relaxing. It’ll be nice.” Rebecca giggled again.

  Samantha swallowed a lump in her throat. She suddenly felt the urge to relieve her bowels. “Uh, I have to go now. We’ll see you later.”

  “Eight o’clock. And don’t bring anything over. We have plenty of food and drinks. See you then, Sammy.”

  Rebecca hung up the phone and line went dead. Samantha was locked in place. The phone still up against her ear. Her mind raced. How would she tell Holden about the sudden change of plans? Could she find a babysitter on such late notice? Maybe Leah would be around tonight to watch Tommy. Could she look the children in the face when she
got home later? Would they be able to tell from her demeanor that she had stepped off the deep end and become a swinger? A porn star?

  Samantha dropped the phone. It shattered on the tile floor and made a loud crash. The noise shook Samantha from her frightened thoughts. She bent to pick up the pieces of plastic. The phone could still be serviceable but she would have to tape it up or glue it and that would make it look terrible. She sighed, knowing she had to replace the phone now.

  As she clamped the pieces of phone together, Samantha realized she was a little wet. As scared as she was about the possibilities tonight, she did find it somewhat arousing to be exposed to others. Just pretending about it with Holden the other night had led to some of the most satisfying sex they had had together in quite some time. Maybe it would be even more explosive during a real encounter. Pretending was one thing. But doing it in front of others was a whole other experience.

  Samantha felt the wetness grow and she sensed her parts swelling with anticipation. She smirked and looked around the kitchen, wondering how she could satisfy the dirty urge that beckoned her. She needed to take care of it before Holden or the kids came downstairs.

  Samantha placed the phone on the counter and hurried to the downstairs bathroom. She knew she could lock the door to halt any intrusions.

  She hoped the long candle was still in the sconce on the bathroom wall.

  Chapter 3

  The morning light knifed through the corner of the shade, painting a ray of sunshine across Aiden’s eyes. He winced and brought his hand up to shield himself from the brightness. Aiden started to rub the sleep from his eyes when the sharp pain forced him to stop. He forgot his right eye was swollen and bruised.

  Aiden started to lift himself off the floor when he realized he was entangled in Leah’s arms. They must have fallen asleep where they lie the night before. He smiled as he looked upon her peaceful expression. Suddenly, her eye opened and startled him.