"Cold Fear" (Snippet) by David T. Boyd

(From the upcoming collection "Mystery, Malevolence & Murder - Volume Two")

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Fuchs lay huddled in a corner, his knees tight against his chest trying to keep warm. His skin was turning blue and the colder he became the louder his teeth chattered. He was nearing the point where his body could no longer produce enough heat on its own and he slowly felt himself losing consciousness.

He’d been alone, locked away in the freezer of his father’s butcher shop for almost two hours. His father should’ve been back a while ago, but unbeknownst to Fuchs, Dad had decided to stop at the local watering hole and treat himself to the alluring charms of Tullamore Dew. By now he was half sloshed, probably telling Pat the Bartender about another one of his WWI lies while his twelve-year-old son struggled to stay conscious long enough to be rescued. It was late on a Sunday, almost closing time – the slowest part of the day.

Another ten minutes passed. Fuchs nearly fell over trying to stand. He stamped his feet; toes buzzing as he wiggled them inside his shoes. It hurt like hell, but he knew he had to in order to prevent frostbite. He took short, rapid breaths as he tried yet again to bash his way through the freezer door. The searing pain from his shoulder caused him to scream, but he continued to try.

Fuchs pushed aside a rack of lamb that hung from the ceiling, took a deep breath and rushed toward the door, throwing his body against it with all his might. Upon impact he heard a loud “snap” and screamed as he grabbed his right arm. Fuchs fell to the ground, nearly delirious from the pain, when he saw the image of a light-skinned black man wearing tattered, bloodied clothing standing nearby. A noose hung around his neck. He knelt down over a terrified Fuchs and held a gold-plated horse shoe to his face, the name “Lullabelle” etched around the ring.

The man came closer to Fuchs and whispered into his ear...

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(*The remainder of 'Cold Fear' will be released in the forthcoming Mystery, Malevolence & Murder - Volume Two in 2014)