Chereads / RJMH: Ryan James, Monster Hunter / Chapter 8 - The Monster's We Know

Chapter 8 - The Monster's We Know

RJMH: THE MONSTERS WE KNOW

INT. THE HANGOUT

RYAN looks about as he stares blankly, his eyes open but nothing seeming to be on upstairs as he doesn't move or budge, RYAN seeming almost comatose before we see a HAND moving closer and closer towards RYAN from behind, RYAN suddenly snapping too as he turns and holds up a .45

RYAN

I'll fucking blast you...Oh goddamnit, SODONIS. 

A LENGTHY MAN, no older than 35 stood behind RYAN, his hand slowly pulling back as RYAN shakes his head. 

RYAN

Not nice to be assuming I'm dead just because I've stopped breathing. 

SODONIS

Why do you torture me, RYAN. 

RYAN

(O.S.)

SODONIS, my very own personal GRIM REAPER. When the SHADE tore me open I technically died...and when he trapped himself inside of me...well...I'm still technically dead. So being able to see and interact with SODONIS has it's advantages...though he only has to touch me with the intent of reaping me for me to be permanently dead, but until that day...me and him have what some would call a...mutual partnership, between man and reaper. 

RYAN puts the gun down as SODONIS stands back with his hands behind his back, his pristine suit fine pressed. 

SODONIS

What can I do for you, RYAN? 

RYAN

BOOGEYMEN? What do you know of them? 

SODONIS

You brought me here to ask questions about BOOGEYMEN? 

RYAN

Hey, I'm on the hunt for one of these damn things...apparently it's terrorizing a small town in IDAHO, and...

SODONIS

I don't need the full mission briefing...before I indulge...how is...well? 

RYAN

The demon harboring inside of my cranium and keeping me intact, he's doing just fine. 

SODONIS

I see...the BOOGEYMAN was a being who was created out of fear...the more people feared the individual in life, the stronger they become if they become BOOGEYMEN...they feed off of children, sap their fear, hence why you hear so many stories of BOOGEYMEN hiding in closets and under kids beds, they drain the children of their fear, and use it to infect the parents, or any humans who comes into contact with it. 

RYAN

Infect it with what? Like a ghost sickness? 

SODONIS

No, with fear. The BOOGEYMEN instills fear into its victims, driving them mad with the intense and powerful hallucinations and once it's finally gotten you to crack, it feeds. 

RYAN

Feeds huh? 

SODONIS

Yes, first on your flesh, your organs, your meaty parts, then its main course, your soul. They devour souls, it's what fuels them, until they have to consume another. 

RYAN

Sounds like fun. 

SODONIS

It is quite futile to hunt BOOGEYMEN, RYAN. 

RYAN

Why? 

SODONIS

They cannot be killed. 

RYAN

A lot of people say certain things can't be killed, and I just turn around and prove them wrong. 

SODONIS

They cannot be killed, RYAN. But they can be sent back into the darkness where they belong. Just remember the phrase "NEMIOS VERANAS KA MALECK

RYAN

I got it, thanks. 

SODONIS

I hope you do my friend, you will die without it. 

RYAN gulps a bit as SODONIS smirks and turns. 

SODONIS

Good luck in your hunt, monster hunter...

RYAN watches as SODONIS disappears, RYAN looking about before mixing himself a drink. 

EXT. HOUSE

SOME time LATER

SULPHUR HILLS, IDAHO. 

RYAN holds up his MONSTER HUNTING LICENSE and a COP lets him into the BACKYARD, where a COP was watching a LITTLE GIRL who was swinging alone on her swing set as COPS and DETECTIVES were busy inside the HOUSE. 

RYAN comes over and sits on the opposite swing, The LITTLE GIRL looking pale and confused as RYAN looks around, not speaking at first. 

RYAN

You must be, CASSIE? 

CASSIE

RYAN

I'm...sorry about your parents, CASSIE.

CASSIE

RYAN

My name is RYAN JAMES...I'm a MONSTER HUNTER...I'm here to hunt the MONSTER that did this to your mom and dad okay sweetie, so you can talk to me alright...

CASSIE looks up at him as RYAN smiles. 

RYAN

It's going to be alright...

CASSIE looks behind RYAN and her eyes bulge as SOMETHING IN ALL BLACK is standing behind RYAN with GLOWING RED EYES. 

RYAN

...What? 

RYAN looks behind him and sees nothing as CASSIE tugs on his coat sleeve, RYAN looking at her as CASSIE looks around. 

CASSIE

He doesn't eat kids...that's why he didn't come back for me...when he ate my mom and dad...He's tall...in all black...only thing that has color...his eyes. 

RYAN

...Their RED aren't they? 

CASSIE

Yes. 

RYAN

Creepy. 

CASSIE

You always know when he's coming...

RYAN

How? 

CASSIE

You'll hear the whispers...The whispers only when it's dark...and then he's there...

RYAN

I'll stop him, CASSIE. 

CASSIE

No one can stop him...that's what I heard some police officers say. 

RYAN

Well the police can suck my dick. I am the monster hunter, they're not. Trust me, CASSIE...I got this...

CASSIE watches as RYAN extends his hand towards her, CASSIE looking over his shoulder again to see the FIGURE staring at RYAN, CASSIE gulping as she slowly extends her hand and shakes his hand, RYAN only smiling as the FIGURE disappears. 

EXT. STREET

RYAN comes out of a small shop with an ICE CREAM CONE, RYAN looking about town as he notices the SUN was setting, RYAN looking at his phone as he notices he missed a call. 

RYAN looks at the number and smirks before re dialing, RYAN walking down the street as he takes a bite of his ice cream. 

SAMANTHA

(O.S.)

Oh my god what...?!

RYAN

Hey baby, saw you called, been thinking about you too. 

SAMANTHA

(O.S.)

I called to give you that info you wanted on BOOGEYMEN, and to make sure you knew that the only way to defeat those things...

RYAN

Is to say the incantation yes I know. 

SAMANTHA

(O.S.)

Do you know the incantation you want me to...?

RYAN

I know the fucking incantation, SAMANTHA! I'm not an idiot!

SAMANTHA

(O.S.)

Goodbye.

RYAN

Wait, SAMANTHA...wait!

RYAN stops as he takes a bite of ICE CREAM, a silence is between them for a brief moment. 

SAMANTHA

(O.S.)

What?!

RYAN

Do you think of me In the shower? 

RYAN hears the familiar sound of the dial tone as RYAN puts his phone away and looks over across the street to see a FIGURE in all BLACK staring at him. 

RYAN looks around to see if anyone else was seeing what he was seeing, RYAN looking forward as the FIGURE seems to be smiling as RYAN pulls out his .45 only as a CAR blocks his view before RYAN notices that the FIGURE was no longer there.

RYAN

What the...

VOICE

(O.S.)

RYAN...

RYAN looks around as people walked past him with a strange look as RYAN was holding his .45, RYAN tucking it away as he smirks at the people who were quickly walking from him. 

VOICE

(O.S.)

RYAN...

RYAN

What the fuck is going on...?

RYAN hurried off, dropping his ICE CREAM as the SUN was steadily setting, RYAN noticing that he was beginning to be the only around as RYAN looked about uneasily as he began towards the STING. 

VOICES

(O.S.)

RYAN...DON'T RUN FROM US...WE MISS YOU RYAN, COME HOME RYAN...RYAN...RYAN...RYAN...

RYAN

This is not happening...what the hell was in that fucking ICE CREAM!

RYAN reaches for the door handle as he turns and sees the BOOGEYMAN right behind him, it's face peering into RYAN'S as RYAN can't even muster a scream. 

BOOGEYMAN

What do you fear most!

RYAN tries to draw his weapon but THE BOOGEYMAN pushes it's hand into RYAN'S MOUTH, RYAN only able to watch as the BOOGEYMAN began to pump some sort of strange ooze into RYAN'S MOUTH, RYAN gagging and choking on it till he passes out. The BOOGEYMAN laughing with a low voice as its piercing RED EYES stare at RYAN through the darkness. 

SOME time LATER

RYAN quickly sits up, firing from his .45 randomly that was in his hand as RYAN looks about to see he is surrounded by total darkness, a void like darkness where the only thing illuminating is himself. 

RYAN stands up and looks about, RYAN noticing a DOOR a few yards ahead that loomed out of the darkness. 

RYAN looks about for any other options and not seeing anywhere else to go, RYAN pulls out his .45 and heads to it. 

RYAN

Goddamnit...none of this can be good...

VOICE

(O.S.)

RYAN...

RYAN looks about to see the GLOWING RED EYES, RYAN quickly opening the door as he steps through. 

INT. BEDROOM

RYAN walks through the door and is instantly jumped by SAMANTHA, RYAN quickly caught off guard as she stuck her tongue deep into his throat as she began rubbing his penis through his pants. 

RYAN

What the hell...

SAMANTHA

I'm so glad you're home, lover...I've missed you...

RYAN

...You have? 

SAMANTHA steps back winking as she comes over to the bed and slowly peels her shorts off, RYAN looking around very confused as he watches SAMANTHA get completely naked, RYAN smirking as he begins clumsily taking off his clothes. 

RYAN

Yeah I knew you fucking wanted me...

SAMANTHA

You want to fuck me? You ready to fuck me...mm...fuck this pussy...?

RYAN

I'm going to fucking destroy your pussy. 

RYAN steps out of his pants, springing his 13 inch flaccid monster as she smirks and slowly rubs herself. 

SAMANTHA

You got protection...?

RYAN

Baby I don't need protection...I'm all protection...

SAMANTHA

Please...just to be safe...

RYAN

Goddamn fine I'll wear a condom, but I am not happy about it. 

SAMANTHA

Alright baby...

RYAN farts and whisks it about as SAMANTHA throws him a cat. 

RYAN catches the feline as he looks at her in shock, SAMANTHA smiling as she tosses him a knife. 

SAMANTHA

Put your condom on baby. 

RYAN

It's a cat...?

SAMANTHA

Umm, yeah? So?

RYAN

You trying to tell me that a condom for you is a cat? 

SAMANTHA

Baby, stop acting like you haven't done this before, skin the fucking thing, wrap it and fuck me! Now. 

RYAN looks at the CAT and the at the KNIFE, and shrugging he begins slowly cutting into the CAT, peeling and ripping the flesh and fur from off it's body as the CAT was howling and screaming in pain, RYAN throwing the carcass down as he grabs the skin and wraps it around his penis, RYAN quickly climbing onto the bed as he gets between SAMANTHA'S LEGS and quickly presses his cat skin covered penis inside of her, SAMANTHA howling in pleasure as RYAN begins fucking SAMANTHA with abandon, SAMANTHA screaming as she begins scratching into RYAN, RYAN wincing as flesh gets stuck in her fingernails, RYAN not seeming to care as she begins screaming , RYAN gripping the bed as he continues fucking her, RYAN'S eyes closed as he looks down and his eyes bulge in horror. 

SAMANTHA was steadily peeling and melting, RYAN looking at himself as SAMANTHA was steadily peeling and ripping skin off of RYAN, RYAN trying to pull himself out and away but SAMANTHA grips onto him. 

SAMANTHA

What's the matter baby? Isn't this what you want..

RYAN watches as her eyes turn RED, SAMANTHA humping herself harder onto him as RYAN tries to fight her off but can't as RYAN looks down to see his penis slowly rotting and peeling away as RYAN looks to see it thrashing about inside of her on her own, RYAN watching as her face became and more more skeletal like, RYAN looking at himself as he was starting to do the same, RYAN looking about before noticing he was surrounded in DARKNESS again, cept for him and SAMANTHA on the bed, RYAN looking over to see a new DOOR as RYAN tries to fight SAMANTHA off of him, who was becoming more and more like a corpse, RYAN pushing her off finally as the rest of his penis broke and snapped off of his body, RYAN screaming as his skin was beginning to drag and leave a trail as he ran towards the DOOR, RYAN stopping as SAMANTHA'S VOICE called out after him before slowly morphing into something much more darker and heinous. 

SAMANTHA

(O.S.)

Why are you running from me...RYAN...Don't you want me? Isn't this what you fear the most RYAN...commitment...?

RYAN turns to see SAMANTHA crawling towards him from the bed, her EYES piercing the darkness as her RED EYES stared into him as her mouth began flashing sharp teeth that were dripping with saliva and blood. 

SAMANTHA

Don't run from me! I'm...Hungry!

SAMANTHA lunged off of the bed as she ran towards RYAN, who flung the door open as he jumped through it and quickly slammed it shut as he heard SAMANTHA slam into it. 

EXT. BACKYARD

RYAN looks at himself as he was fully clothed and dressed again, RYAN looking to see the DOOR was gone as he then quickly touches his crotch and sighs in relief as he turns and hears KIDS LAUGHTER. 

RYAN looks about as he slowly paces through the yard, RYAN walking past a LARGE CROWD of PARENTS who don't even seem to notice his presence as they were drinking beers and making out with each other RYAN walking past them as he notices the CROWD OF KIDS huddle about around the POOL, RYAN looking on as a CLOWN was ushering them around him. 

CLOWN

Gather round kiddies, one more trick from me today, one more from me...

The KIDS were all cheering as the CLOWN slowly looked up and at RYAN, RYAN watching in horror as the CLOWN laughed and pulled out a 9mm. 

CLOWN

One more balloon trick...

RYAN

No!

The CLOWN pulls the trigger as he had the gun pressed to his temple, The whole left side of the CLOWN'S HEAD exploding outwards as the body fell into the POOL, RYAN watching as it floated, RYAN watching as the KIDS didn't scream or re act, RYAN looking behind him in horror as the PARENTS were still smoking weed, drinking and a couple was now fucking in the open, RYAN turning back to see the KIDS had somehow surrounded him from the front. 

RYAN jumps back as the KIDS were all just smiling as the KIDS hold up the 9mm. 

KID

One more in the chamber...

RYAN pulls his .45 and aims at the KIDS as they all began chanting "ONE MORE IN THE CHAMBER..." RYAN watching as the CLOWN suddenly began crawling out of the POOL, the WHOLE IN HIS HEAD still seeping as its RED EYES stared RYAN down. 

CLOWN

ONE MORE IN THE CHAMBER...You know you can end it all...You know you want to end it all...end it RYAN...

RYAN opens fire as he watches his bullets just sail through the KIDS and the CLOWN, RYAN looking about as he spots the other DOOR. 

RYAN bolts for it as the CLOWN reaches for him, almost pulling RYAN down but RYAN shrugs it off and reaches the DOOR, RYAN opening it and stepping through as he doesn't even dare look back. 

INT. ALLEYWAY

RYAN appears in an ALLEYWAY, RYAN looking about as it was SPRINKLING in the CITY, RYAN turning to see a MAN violently raping a WOMAN from behind, RYAN screaming at him before stopping himself as he got closer to realize something was wrong. 

RYAN looks to see the MAN was dead, his HEAD barely hanging onto the rest of its body as the WOMAN was screaming in pleasure and pain, RYAN watching as blood was streaming down their legs, RYAN stepping back as the WOMAN suddenly looks at him with her bottom jaw extended about two feet out, her mouth filled with razor like teeth as the WOMAN screeches with it's CAT LIKE EYES, the WOMAN pushing the DEAD MAN off of her as she howls and begins stalking towards RYAN, RYAN tripping over some trash and bins before standing up and running down the ALLEYWAY, RYAN running into the STREET before he stops and looks around in horror. 

EXT. STREET

RYAN looks about at the CITY that was destroyed. RYAN watches as PEOPLE were HANGING from windows forty stories high on SKYSCRAPERS, as a 747 was crashed a few feet away as fires were lit up all over the place, as buildings, cars, dead bodies were all aflame, RYAN looking to see A FEW PEOPLE were hung up by CHAINS and MEAT HOOKS, as one man was getting sucked off by another creature as his shoulders were being ripped through by the meat hooks. 

RYAN looks around him as he then ducks as the WOMAN from the ALLEY tries to jump him from behind, RYAN scooting away from her as he fires THREE SHOTS into her head, the WOMAN dropping as RYAN looks about to see that all the creatures, people, dead or alive were now starting to enclose around him, hundreds of them, thousands of them, RYAN standing up as all their EYES were glowing RED, RYAN looking about as a clear path to a DOOR was slowly beginning to be closed off. 

RYAN makes a break for it, RYAN dodging a few who lunge after him, RYAN making it to the door. 

VOICE

(O.S.)

Don't run...you know the odds are never in your favor...you feel that it's you against the world...

RYAN watches as the CREATURES continue to come for him, reaching for him, calling his name. 

VOICE

(O.S.)

Let us liberate you from your fate...

RYAN runs through the DOOR. 

INT. BEDROOM

RYAN looks about as an OLDER WOMAN is sitting near a TABLE, RYAN shaking his head as he smacks himself and closes his eyes. 

RYAN

This isn't real...none of this is real...

VOICE

(O.S.)

RYAN...baby?

RYAN looks up and watches as his mother, TAMARA JAMES looks over at RYAN with a loving smile, RYAN'S EYES instantly becoming misty as he steps towards his mother but she holds up a hand, stopping him as RYAN notices blood dripping off of her fingers. 

TAMARA

I'm sorry, darling. But you know this isn't real. I'm not real. This is all...just illusion...a BOOGEYMAN'S cruel way of breaking you down. 

RYAN

I know but...

TAMARA

You want to apologize...for getting me killed..

RYAN

What? 

TAMARA

It's okay, I forgive you, I already forgave you. 

RYAN

What are you talking about? You died in a car accident because you drank too much, ate at a sizzler and crashed into a telephone pole...?

TAMARA smiles and turns to face her son, RYAN watching as he stomach was sliced open, TAMARA letting her son see that her intestines were being fed into a SEWING MACHINE. 

RYAN steps back as she stands, her intestines falling to the floor as she begins towards him and stops a few feet away, RYAN not moving as she smiles warmly at him. 

TAMARA

No my dear, that's not what happened at all...You've blocked out that night that we died...the night that monster you're keeping alive inside of you ripped me open...

RYAN

I have to have that monster inside of me...or I'll die...even you...

TAMARA

You think that's right!

RYAN winces as TAMARA looks at him with pleading eyes. 

TAMARA

Death isn't all that bad, RYAN...it's really not...

RYAN

You wouldn't know...you're not real...

TAMARA

What does it matter? You knew that what you have inside of you is an abomination...you hunt with no mercy, with no abandon...because your one of them...

RYAN

That's not true!

TAMARA

Honey...my little boy...don't you see? The BOOGEYMAN has allowed you to see what you truly are...not only in what you're afraid of...but in what you really are...a monster...

RYAN

I'm not...

TAMARA

A demon survives because you're alive...you're alive...because a demon saved you to save itself...stop lying to yourself baby, I see what scares you the most...

RYAN

...Is that so...?

TAMARA

You're afraid one day...this SHADE is going to take over...and that you're going to die anyways...die within your mind...while some imposter uses your body...

TAMARA touches RYAN'S face as RYAN looks at her with saddened eyes, TAMARA wiping a tear away. 

TAMARA

Come be with me, and your father, and your sisters, RYAN. Come set yourself free...save yourself from the DEMON...just give the BOOGEYMAN what he wants...and we can be together again...you can be free of all this pain...all this fear...give yourself to me...

RYAN

...Mom...

TAMARA

Yes, my son...

RYAN smirks as he turns around and pulls out his BLADE, stabbing the BOOGEYMAN that was suddenly standing behind him as his MOM screamed and then disappeared. 

RYAN

...you never were that sentimental. 

The BOOGEYMAN sneers at RYAN as RYAN returns the look. 

RYAN

You're a sick son of a bitch you know that...

BOOGEYMAN 

You cannot kill me boy...I am in your head, I am your fear, you will drive yourself to the brink, and then I will feast on your bones, on your soul!

RYAN

I doubt that...Cuz my head's already crowded...

The BOOGEYMAN turns to see a SHADOWY FIGURE appearing from the darkness behind it, RYAN looking at it but only for a moment as THE BOOGEYMAN watches THE SHADE appear. 

THE SHADE

You knew I was around I'm guessing? 

RYAN

I know you just as well as you know me...what took you so long? 

THE SHADE

I was enjoying the show you buffoon. 

RYAN

Yeah yeah, what was the spell to get rid of this thing? 

THE SHADE

How should I know? 

RYAN

You heard what SODONIS said, when I don't pay attention I know you do. So if you would like to regain control of my nightmares then help me get rid of this asshole...

The BOOGEYMAN tries to move but he can't as RYAN was still pressing the knife inside of it. 

RYAN

Don't understand why you can't move? It's simple actually...no matter what you're still a spirit, and you guy's can't stand iron. 

The BOOGEYMAN screams as THE SHADE comes over and whispers into RYAN'S ear. RYAN smirking as he looks at the BOOGEYMAN.

RYAN

NEMIOS VERANAS KA MALECK...eat shit and stay gone asshole. 

BOOGEYMAN 

I will remember you scent, your soul boy...We will meet again...I...

The BOOGEYMAN disappears in a blaze of BLUE LIGHT as it screams in agony, RYAN shutting his eyes closed as he then opens to see himself standing by the STING where he had been, a pool of piss soaked down his pants and around him in a small puddle as PEOPLE were just staring at him in a large crowd.

RYAN

What?!

The PEOPLE slowly scatter as RYAN looks around and gets into his car. 

INT. THE STING

RYAN drives alone as he looks in the backseat through the REARVIEW MIRROR and sees THE SHADE. 

THE SHADE

Before you go throwing me back into the dark with your little coke problem, I think me and you need to have a serious heart to heart. 

RYAN

You're just in my head, you're not really behind me. 

THE SHADE

I'm real. You know I'm real, you feel me inside of you whether I'm buried down deep or how I am right now. Point is...back there, in your little world, you got a real good question dumped on you by that damn thing. 

RYAN

Oh yeah and what's that? 

THE SHADE

That your a monster by default...that because of me...I make you a monster...It's an interesting theory, but I want you to think hard about doing anything stupid...

RYAN

Stay out of my head...

THE SHADE

I've heard the thoughts...I've seen them manifested...But I never took them seriously, Just like I've never taken you seriously...but this matter...those things...can change a man. Can't they? 

RYAN

I'm not going to kill myself...though I should to shut you the fuck up. 

THE SHADE

I know me and you don't see eye to eye, hell I know me and you can't wait till the day we can be rid of one or the other...but right now we need each other to continue to exist, oh how do you say, living! So play it punctually you fool, Or I'll stop you. 

RYAN

You'll stop me? Haha, you make me fart. 

THE SHADE 

You're disgusting. 

RYAN

You should've known...right?!

THE SHADE

I'm watching you, and I'm always listening...The second you try anything, the second you think of ending it...I will take over your body...and your real worst fear will be realized...

RYAN

Will you just...

RYAN looks back and sees nothing, RYAN checking the rear view mirror as THE SHADE was gone. 

RYAN

...Shut up...

RYAN takes a deep breath as he looks back at the road, driving on silently as RYAN then looks over and jumps as SODONIS is sitting in the passenger seat.

RYAN

I swear to god if one more of you spooks decide to pop up without telling me you're coming I'm going to gank you. 

SODONIS

I see you're alive, and well. I just wanted to stop by and be sure my little buddy was still kicking. 

RYAN

You know that no one can see you...right? If someone just drives up beside me I'm talking to myself...And quite honestly, I've had enough of talking to myself, or with myself, or with monsters in my head, or...I...

SODONIS

No need, I understand. I just wanted you to know something...

RYAN

What's that? 

SODONIS

You may be coexisting with a monster...he may be keeping you alive...but you shape how you are, you shape how you deal with it, how you control it. I know that you may not want to hear this...but anything and everything you do is in your own hands...always remember that.

RYAN

I suppose you also think that masturbating with a ham and cheese is considered...

RYAN looks to see SODONIS is gone. 

RYAN

...Goddamn, monsters and their constant appearing and disappearing bullshit. 

RYAN looks forward as he drives alone now, with only his thoughts to keep him company. 

RYAN

(O.S.)

Have I thought about it? Killing myself...probably more times than I even care to admit...I don't like it, I mean look at me...I'm too awesome to want to kill myself...but you know what makes it so tempting? It's knowing that there's a monster inside of you...and not being able to tell whether the things you do are because of it...or because of you...and when you look in the mirror and all you see is yourself...it makes it that much harder to come to that conclusion...

RYAN continues to drive on, THE STING speeding off through the night.

FADE Out