The purchase was the Guild’s last. I’d been approached by Richard Lennon from the Cursed Objects Guild. He had heard, I don’t know how, that I was aware of a Maxim machine gun from the Great War that was odd.
Odd was an understatement.
The weapon fired on its own when and where it wanted. It didn’t need to be loaded either. The maxim would open up at the drop of a hat and shred whatever it could locate.
I’d seen the weapon in France in 1917, and I’d watched a group of German prisoners try to disassemble it. None of them had survived.
The weapon didn’t mind being handled. Hell, it enjoyed it, especially if there was a chance to kill someone. I’d suggested blowing it up, and there was a rumor someone had.
But the Maxim’s like a bad penny. It just kept turning up.
Last I had heard, someone had taken it out to Lake Superior and dumped it overboard.
I told Lennon where the weapon was, and he smiled as he gave a happy nod.
”Yes,” he said. “That’s where it was retrieved from.”
I frowned. “How in the hell did you pull anything out of the center of Lake Superior?”
He shrugged. “It wasn’t in the center. They found it near the shore a few nights ago. One of our people has gone to inspect it. He has called and stated it is the real thing.”
Packing my pipe, I shook my head. “Leave it where it is, Richard. The thing ought not to be touched.”
”Oh, Duncan,” he chuckled. “We know how to handle something as simple as a Maxim. I was a machine gunner during the War. I know a thing or two.”
It turns out he didn’t know a damned thing.
I’ve just gotten off the phone with Detective Mike Daley. I’m to drive to town, over to the theater, and to collect the Maxim.
According to Mike, the Maxim is asking for me.
So, I’m off to collect it. That is, once I’ve put on my galoshes.
None of the Guild members survived, and the theater is ankle-deep in blood.
Nicholas Efstathiou is a US Army veteran. He writes horror, paranormal, and strange fiction. He has worked as a bookmobile driver, a librarian, a trashman, a bookseller, and now as a teacher. He has also ghostwritten dozens of popular books. This excerpt of his writing comes from the bite-size installments he shares on his Instagram page, chronicling tales from the fictional and supernatural town of Cross, Massachusetts. Read more here.
What’s happening at VetRep…
Listen to our interview this week with Mike Schropp on the Savage Wonder Podcast.
VetRep is thrilled to present “God of Carnage” by Yazmina Reza for the month of September. A playground altercation between eleven-year-old boys brings together two sets of Brooklyn parents for a meeting to resolve the matter. At first, diplomatic niceties are observed, but as the meeting progresses, and the rum flows, tensions emerge and the gloves come off, leaving the couples with more than just their liberal principles in tatters.
Tickets have been selling out, reserve yours early before they’re gone!
We are currently offering multiple dates for our online Playwriting for Veterans classes, and our Acting for Beginners class is now being offered weekly every Saturday from 10am-12pm. Scholarships for qualifying veterans, as well as multi-class passes are available. Registration details can be found here.