Degger Reynolds

“That's right, Degger Reynolds, leaving a trail of fire behind, moving towards a future of fire, licking his lips, clicking his boots, a loner now, the other kids have left, gradually dispersed; gradually, so as not to cause alarm, scared of Degger, scared Degger might burn them. Degger set Andy Comptom on fire down the old wasteground by Kevmore's bakery a couple of years back now, broad daylight, just lit him up - carries a hip flask, whiskey or something, and a regular flick lighter that never lets him down - and then just walked. Tom - Tom Bagnut, me, Briggs and Steve Holdsworth were left to put him out, screaming, rolling all over the place, we're kicking him and patting him, throwing coats, stamping on him. Briggs was just running round in circles squealing, didn't know what to do. Some people were at the window of Kevmore's. Then they weren't. I'm muttering 'F*****g Degger' and Degger just keeps slow walking, licking his lips, clicking his boots, until he's just smoke.

“So yeah, gradually we dispersed, stopped hanging round with Degger, but it was a careful process. If I see him I say 'Hi' and have a friendly chat, for as long as he wants, but then when he asks I've always got things on. My heart's always going, though. There's a breath of relief when he's out of sight. I usually stay in for a couple of days after that. I'm always looking over my shoulder. Sometimes Briggs still hangs out with him. When it comes down to it you haven't got a choice. You just never know when Degger might appear. Maybe the reason I don't hang around with Degger is because he doesn't want to hang around with me.

“You see Andy around sometimes, all burns. His crinkled up face is a bad memory for all of us, except Degger. Andy moved away. No one was told where he settled, in case word got back. See, he's still terrified of Degger Reynolds. Stuff like that doesn't go away. I'm still scared. All the time, but Andy's para; it's fucked him up for life. You can see the nerves in his walk. He doesn't come back home often. I hardly ever see him. Once, twice a year. Christmas, sometimes. His mum doesn't leave the house. He looks at himself in the mirror every day and sees Degger.

“Degger still lives round here, always has, always will. There's a strange sort of fear in this town. Loads of houses have gone up in flames, cars, gardens. Katie Williams found a charred cat the other day. None of it gets back to Degger. I know it's Degger. In a funny way Degger owns this town.”

Reviews

[Tomi]

Intense story! dark! Interesting, want to read more!

[Beau-dee-loot]

He can't be predicted but finds his way back. I'm sure we've not seen the last.

[Anubis]

Damn, this Degger character is epic!
Gripping stuff. Your style is excellent.