My name is Elvis Phill. I'm a twenty-seven year old male. I stand at 5'10 and I'm very skinny. I have no living family. I have no close friends or anything like that; Its just me. I work at my own store called The Fix It Place. I created the store six years ago. I've always been good at fixing things, it was just a habit I had before I made the store. Now I'm working on a television, as I talk to my helper Dean Francis.
"Get me the screwdriver," I said holding out my hand toward Dean. I heard Dean shuffling in the toolbox. I then felt the screwdriver in
my hand.
"Thank you," I said, as I moved the screwdriver to the television set. It was fixed, I just had to put it back together. After I finished with
the screwdriver, I handed it back to Dean. He took it from my hand. I looked up at him and smiled.
"Call the owner," I said still smiling.
"Right away, Sir," Dean said walking over to the phone. I heard him talking to the guy who owned the television, I didn't pay much attention to it
because I walked in the back room. I had to find something else to work on because my hands always needed to be at work, if they weren't at work, I get these weird urges. I can't explain the urges, they're different urges at different times. I must keep my hands at work because I don't know what I'm capable of doing, it's really scary not to know what could happen. As I stood in the back I found that something that I could fix, it was another television. There were at least two more of them and they were easy to fix, so I picked one up and carried it back to the front room. When I reached the front room, I saw Dean standing there at the desk waiting on me. I sat the television on the desk and looked at him because I knew that Dean was going to tell me when the guy was coming to pick up his television.
"The guy said he would be here in a hour or so," Dean said looking at the television that I just sat down on the desk, "Another one?"
"Yes another one," I said with a little smile, "There is still at least two more back there that I know of."
"Geez," Dean said walking over to his seat that was a foot away from the desk. He sat down in his chair and looked back at me. I looked at him for
a hard second and then I looked back at the television. I needed to work on it because I was getting those damn urges.
"Let's get to work," I said," get me the screwdriver."
"Okay," Dean said handing me the screwdriver. I looked at it and jumped back in shock.
"What's wrong?" Dean asked, he looked very puzzled. I did not know what was going on either, I just looked at the screwdriver and I felt that urge
to kill and to kill well, but I wasn't going to tell Dean that.
"I thought I saw a mouse," I said moving back to the television, I grabbed the screwdriver out of Dean's hand, this time I didn't get the urge to kill.
With the screwdriver I pried open the television. Wires were going everywhere, they were connected to the big running machine in the back. It looked simple, but
for me it always did because I've worked on televisions for a long time. Then an urge crawled up my spine and took over me, this time the urge was rage, I just
wanted to break everything in the room. I took a deep breath and another one and I looked over at Dean, who was looking at me with a concerned look on his face.
"Are you all right?" he asked still looking at me.
"Yeah I'm all right," I said dropping the screwdriver beside of the television. The urge went away, but I was afraid it would come back.
"Do you need to take a break?" Dean asked walking closer to me.
"Yeah sure," I said.
"Well I'll fix this one and you can go in the back and rest," he said with a smile. I walked away from the television and walked in the back. I went to my desk and sat down in my comfortable office chair. I could sleep in this chair if I had too. Then another urge kicked in and it was the rage urge again. I jumped up from the chair and smashed both of my hands on the table. I screamed in horror for no apparent reason at all. The urge went away and I heard Dean's footsteps. I looked toward the doorway and I saw him standing there with the screwdriver in his right hand.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Nothing," I said sitting back down in my comfortable office chair.
"All right then," he said walking away. God, I couldn't be here, the urges were stronger, but I had to keep my hands at work, but I couldn't because I was scared that I would try to pinch Dean's eyes out of his skull. I didn't know what to do, I was afraid and I needed to go home and get away from everybody in case the urges got worse than they have. I need to use my hands. I grabbed up a pen off of my desk. I found a blank sheet of white paper. I began writing, but an urge came to me. I began writing Torture all over the paper. I let go of the pen and it hit the desk. I looked at my hands, they were trembling. Then the urge went away and I felt better now. These urges were killing me and I couldn't handle it I had to leave and go home and that’s what I'll do.
I was in my car driving home. I told Dean I had to leave. Over the last few days I learned that I was letting Dean become a close friend. If he had success at this, he would be the first close friend. I did not know what it felt like to have a close friend. I didn't know if I really wanted one or not, but there was something about Dean that I liked.
Then an urge came upon me as I turned left, still heading toward my house. The urge this time made me want to wreck my car, but I had to control the urge.
I pulled my car off the road and sat there in my car seat. I was waiting for the urge to go away. The urge finally went away, I waited until it was clear. I pulled my car back onto the road.
I had to hurry to get home, these urges were coming so often. I didn't know why this was happening, but it continued. I used to get urges every week or so, but now they were coming rapidly. Finally, I reached my driveway. I pulled my car in my driveway. I got the keys out of the ignition and got out of the car. I shut the door and ran to my house. The door was locked. I unlocked it in a hurry. After unlocking my door, I ran inside. I closed the door behind me and took off toward my room.
When I reached my room, I threw myself inside. I closed the door behind me and locked it. I ran over to my bed and laid down. This wouldn't help the urges, but I guess it was a start. Then an urge took place again, this urge was strange because it was an urge that was hard to explain.. Then it went away and I was fine for the moment. Hopefully, I would be able to stick it out in my room, but I could get out of my room if I wanted too. Like I said before, it wouldn't help at all since the lock was on the inside and not the outside. I couldn't lock it outside anyways, nobody lived with me, I'd be stuck in my room forever.
Seven minutes went by and no urges had taken place. I believed that I was all right for now. Another minute went by, I just stared at my clock. I was probably wasting time, but I was afraid of hurting someone, especially when I got the urges to kill. Another minute went by. No urges which was a good sign. Nine minutes total went by. Maybe the urges were over for today. I was happy that everything was going to be fine.
Elvis Phill: Part Two
The next day had started and I was back at work. Dean had not yet came in, but he probably would be here soon. I sat in my chair working on a toaster. I heard the bell on the front door. I looked up and saw Dean coming in. He walked over behind the desk where I was at.
"Hello Mr.Phill," he said sitting down in his chair.
"Hello," I said, "What's up with calling me by my last name?"
"Just something new," he said, "I'm glad to see you back."
"I was only off for like half the day yesterday, but I am sorry for leaving early," I said looking over at him, "Did you have any trouble closing up last night?"
"I know, but I missed you while you were away," he said, "and it was easy last night, no trouble at all."
"Good," I said looking back down at the toaster. I was almost done with the toaster, it made me happy that I wasn't getting urges and I was finally able to get some work done. Hopefully, today will be better than yesterday.
I finished the toaster and put it aside. I heard Dean pick the toaster up, he left with it. I knew he was putting it on the shelf in the back where everything thats fixed goes. I was already working on a cd player. I had gathered up a toaster, two cd players, and a printer when I came in for work. I had to be constantly working because I was still afraid that I'd get those urges again.
I figured the cd player would be easy to fix, but everything was easy for me to fix. After that thought, Dean finally came back, I saw him in the corner of my eye, he sat down in the chair near me.
"You already have something else to work on?" Dean asked.
"Yes," I said looking over at him, "I'm quick like that." I added. I looked back down at the cd player, I had to examine the machine before I took it apart.
"Are you sure you're quick?" Dean asked laughing abit.
"Yes," I said pulling the cd player apart with a screwdriver. Wires were all over the place and nothing more. I heard Dean still laughing, but then he stopped and I guess he was watching me work on the cd player. Nothing was really wrong with the cd player, I just moved some wires around and put it back together. I placed it aside. I heard Dean get up to get the cd player, he took it to the back to put it on the shelf. Then Dean came back and sat back down in the chair next to me. I looked over at him, he was looking at me.
"Call the owners of the toaster and the cd player," I said.
"All right," Dean said getting up from his chair. He walked over to the phone and picked it up. I grabbed another cd player that I had setting out. I pried it open and took a look in. I heard Dean talking to the owners, but I needed to stay occupied on the broken cd player. I did not want to get anymore urges again. Yesterday had been bad enough and I did not want another day like that. As soon as that thought went through my head and out my ear. I felt a urge coming to me and it was the killing urge again. I had gotten it yesterday and I had to leave so I wouldn't hurt Dean, but this time was different. I felt the screwdriver in my hand. There was no controlling this urge again. I jumped up from my chair and went toward Dean, who was still on the phone.
He didn't expect it. He fell to the ground, gasping for oxygen. Through his dying eyes you could tell he had fear in them. He never expected me to kill him and I didn't know that I was capable either. The urge had already died and I was left there standing with my friend just about to die. I had to call 911, but what if Dean came out of it living? He would tell on me.
I knelt behind Dean's head and put my arms between his body and arms. I moved him in the back, he was heavy, but I had to move him quick before it was too late. Finally, I reached my desk, I pulled Dean behind it. He was still gasping for oxygen. I stood up and gazed down at him. He still had the screwdriver in his throat. I had to get that out, so I did and I threw it down beside of Dean. Then I watched as blood squirted out of his throat and then it stopped when Dean's eyes went blank. Life was no longer in Dean and I stood there traumatized by the episode that had occurred.
It was weird how it all played out. I never knew that my urges would hurt anyone. I thought I could control them and I thought I always would, but this urge was stronger than the rest. It wouldn't back down from my strength. Yesterday the killing urge just hit me and it went away in a second. This killing urge stayed with me longer and it carried out it's plan it had.
I felt so sorry for Dean, but I couldn't just tell anyone about what happened. I continued marching in the back room. The same thoughts were going through my head about the urge and how much it over powered me.
"Maybe I should turn myself in," I whispered to myself, "No!" I screamed. Then the front door bell rang. I heard someone saying "Hello." I had to go out there, but I didn't want too, I did anyways.
"Hello," I said walking out of the back room. The guy looked at me with a long stare.
"Hello," he said, "I'm here to pick up the toaster."
"Just a moment," I said walking back in the back room again. I walked over to the shelf that had all the stuff that was fixed on it. I grabbed the toaster and walked back out to the front. The guy was still standing there at the counter. I placed the toaster infront of him. I watched him look at the toaster.
"There you go," I said, "that will be three dollars."
I watched as the man pulled bills out of his pocket. Then an urge hit me. I picked up the toaster and hit the guy across the face with it. The guy fell to the ground. I jumped over the counter with the toaster still in my hand. I squatted down beside the man and I started bashing the guy's head in with the toaster. Then the urge went away. I dropped the bloody toaster and rolled onto my side crying.
"Why?" I screamed to the top of my lungs. I curled up into a ball still crying. What was happening to me?
Elvis Phill: Part Three
I carried the guy, that I killed with the toaster, in the back room with Dean. I didn't know what else to do with him, or Dean. I didn't even know who I was anymore. Those last two urges had made me do the unthinkable. Nobody would think I would do such a thing, but they would never find out that I did, unless I turned myself in. I couldn't do that. Even though it was the right thing to do, I still couldn't turn myself in. At least I could say that I had not got another urge since the last one, I had got two straight urges to kill and I succeeded at both times.
The front door bell rang. I knew it was the owner of the cd player. I looked at the two bodies for a hard second. Then I walked over to the shelf with the cd player on it. I picked it up and carried it out front. The guy who owned it, looked at me and smiled. I looked at him, as I placed the cd player in front of him. He seemed to be an old man, but not that old maybe around forty. He was a short, blimp man. I also could tell he was a straight forward man, who seemed to be sweet and caring to everyone he knew. I hoped I wouldn't get another killing urge because I did not want to harm this man like I did the others.
"Hello Sir," I said smiling, I had to act like I did not have two dead bodies in the back.
"Hello," he said, "How much?"
"Three dollars," I said, I was happy that I could act.
"Here's three dollars," he said pulling the money out of his wallet.
"Thank you," I said taking the money. I hit the button on the cash register. It opened with the little sound. I put the three dollars in it and closed it. Then I watched the man walk out of the store. I was happy that I didn't get another urge, plus I was more happy because I played out the acting part real well.
Now it was time to think of a place to put the bodies before someone else came in. I could close the store and I should, but everybody would wonder why I was closed and I couldn't have that happening. I had to stay open, even if it was a busy day. I doubt that it would be a busy day because nobody needs anything fixed very often. I was safe for now, the two owners of the stuff had already came and gone, but one was still here just dead.
Time was running out, I had to move the bodies. I did not want my store to smell like a rotten person, but wait I had two dead bodies in the back rotting away. I still had a few days at least before they started to smell. Traveling to the back room, I stood when I came upon the bodies. How could I do such a thing? How could I live with myself after this?
Above the bodies, looking down. I felt bad and I felt wrong for doing this. Dean was becoming my only close friend and I done him so wrong. The stranger, who I did not know, was just a stranger that should have never brought his toaster to my store. I still felt sorry for the stranger and my prayers were with him and his family. I knew he had a family and I knew he had a life until I took it. I needed to know who the man was. I walked beside the dead stranger and knelt down. I rolled him over on his stomach. I searched for his wallet. I found it and opened it, there was a driver's license in the clear part. The stranger's name was Elvis Phill. In horror, I jumped up to my feet. I dropped the wallet onto the dead man's body.
I was Elvis Phill, not this man. If he was Elvis Phill, then who was I? There couldn't be two Elvis Phills in the same town, that was impossible. Then I decided to pull out my wallet. I opened it and looked at my driver's license. It said Elvis Phill. It had my height and weight the same as it was now. I couldn't believe this and I didn't want too. Then an idea hit me and I picked up the wallet on the dead man's body. I opened it back up and compared mine to his. Name, height, weight, eye color, hair color, same everything, but different display pictures. We didn't even have look anything alike, but we both had same everything. How could this be?
I dropped the man's wallet on the floor and put mine back in my back pocket. I was confused, but I didn't have time to stand around and think about it. I was the real Elvis Phill and nobody else. I knelt back down beside the man, I picked up his wallet ,that I had dropped, and placed it in his back pocket. I rolled him back over onto his back. I needed to put the bodies somewhere and then the place hit me. I could put them in the dumpster out back and bury them under a lot of trash.
Opening the back down to my store. I stepped into the alley and took long glances left to right. Nobody stood in the alley, it was safe to drag the bodies out there. I walked back into my store, and I put my arms underneath Dean's arms. I began pulling him out of the room into the alley. The wind began to pick up, which I did not realize it was windy until now. Reaching the dumpster, I heard a sound, but I knew it was a mouse or something. I continued to carry out my plans by picking Dean up and throwing him in the dumpster. I did not know I had this strength, but like I said before I did not know I could kill a man either.
Walking back into the back room, I did the same with the other guy. I really wanted to get rid of this guy because where he had the name Elvis Phill. I knew it wasn't his real name and it made me mad to think about how the guy tried to play a trick on me. I was a nice person, but this guy pushed me to the limits. Deep down inside my chest, I was kind of happy that I killed the fake Elvis Phill. After throwing the imposter in the dumpster, I stood beside of it. I felt the wind beat against my body then something happened and I wasn't in the alley anymore.
I was in white room, and I strapped down to a bed. My head hurt and I wanted to move, but couldn't. Where was I? Then I heard voices above me, but their faces were blurry, but I could hear everything they said just fine. I listened to what they were saying.
"He's not going to make it," a man said, “and if he does he'll have severe brain damage."
"What was wrong with him anyways?" another man said.
"I don't know. He was sent to us awhile back." the man said.
"But why was he sent here?" the other man asked.
"Well the people that brought him here said he played dreams in his head and he would act like they were real," the man said taking a deep breath, "then they had people talk to him about the dreams that he would create." he added.
"What did he say to them?" the other man asked.
"That he killed the fake Elvis Phill," the man replied," he kept saying his name was Elvis Phill." he added.
"What's wrong with that?" the other man asked.
"Well his name was not Elvis Phill, it was Dean Francis." the man said. Then everything went black.
WEIRD RHODY is a short story collection featuring five strange tales all set in Rhode Island and written by five Rhode Island authors. The anthology is a tribute to H.P. Lovecraft, the Ocean State's famed author of pulp horror.
The Butcher's Boy
- 2011 Readers Favorite Award Silver Medal Winner in Horror - Fiction
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