AntipodeanSF Issue 318

By A.C. Perri

Brodie brushed his teeth over one-hundred times, his mouth, red-raw; blood pooling about his gums. His face was a hot-mess, he had washed it repeatedly until the intruder in his head told him to stop. 

“Please leave me alone,” his words, softly spoken, meant only for his good side. “You are stronger now, not like before…  I’m tired of this game.”

It’s not a game! The intruder spoke forcibly, somewhere from within Brodie’s head.

“Please, Mr. Intruder, leave ME alone!”

You invited ME in… remember…?

Brodie’s brow furrowed, his thin lips now bleeding, the toothbrush bristles crimson in colour. He stormed out of the bathroom. Whenever Brodie got enraged, he felt more courageous than usual; his temper boiled to the point that made the unwelcome stranger go quiet — for a while.

The teenage boy ran to his bedroom, tucked himself under the covers without having to go through the usual three-hours’ worth of bed rituals and odd customs that somehow made the unwelcome visitor giddy with power. Most nights when he felt overwhelmed with exhaustion, the dictator in his head made him repeat all bed-time rituals until the sun peeked over the horizon. Brodie’s school work suffered, so too his friendships — the instigator responsible. What made Brodie angry was that he couldn’t do a thing about it.

Brodie thought that perhaps he was missing some vital ingredient; maybe, just maybe, all he needed was more sleep. The boy wasn’t too sure how one allowed such a takeover. Perhaps it was while he slept. In all other aspects of his life, he was fine, yet, he still wondered why now? Why on the cusp of turning thirteen has this come about? Tonight, was no different than all the others, excepting that he had to perform his oral hygiene, again and again using his less dominant hand, for the trespasser had threatened him with the one thing Brodie was most afraid of — that the intruder would hurt his mother. Then what? He would be locked up…forever.

Brodie’s life was once filled with joy and annual family outings; until his father and younger siblings were killed while water-skiing on Lake Deadlands; a favourite haunt for tourists, during summer. Brodie’s family, like the families of the rainbow bee-eaters, flocked together, flew north for the hot-season. In Brodie’s mind the whole sordid incident was recorded without his permission, it played over and over, on repeat, also without Brodie’s consent. His condition got worse, especially during the holidays, when families gathered together, all having fun, except his.

Being a thirteen-year-old-boy, Brodie thought life was supposed to get better, yet, his life had worsened, became miserable and full-up with threats and demands, repetitive rituals, counting to safe-numbers; begging for the intruder camped in his head to leave him alone. It never did; sometimes, it went quiet, receded back to the dark place where all Brodie’s dark secrets were kept, locked away, deep inside, until such time they grew strong enough, overriding his rational side. 

In church, Brodie learned about the dark side, how it plagues those who are weak, sick-in-the-mind, even possessed; Brodie knew his predicament was unique, didn’t tell a soul, not even his mother. She had enough to deal with. Besides, Brodie didn’t believe what they taught in church. All that preaching made him question the Big Dude in the sky. So many things didn’t make sense, not one iota.

You are one for intelligence then! The intruder, again. How about we have some fun? 

“Please, not tonight, not now, I am tucked up in bed, about to sleep.” Brodie’s tone was one of pleading, one that told the unwelcome guest that he was truly, and utterly exhausted.

That’s when it suits me the best, dear Brodie, dear soul-mate, deeeary!

“Please. I promise, tomorrow… what… ever… you ask of me, please let me sleep.”  Brodie’s voice trailed off, so too his mind, until sleep took over. 

Brodie, help! Help! Help us, please Brodie. 

The not yet experienced boy watched father and both siblings desperately splash about the waters of Lake Deadlands. At his father’s insistence, he had been appointed the helmsman, steering the wheel. Brodie was made to drive the speed boat in the darker, deeper waters; the lake was populated with tourists, father wanted to avoid all the mayhem, and said it was far safer than being in the thick of things. 

Then it happened. The ropes got tangled, the propeller had cut one of them — sending it around father’s neck like a rubber-band. The two siblings fell off their water skis straight into the water, too young and tired, their life jackets failing. The waves, with minds of their own, took them all down within seconds. All three disappeared under the water’s surface. Brodie waited and waited. Not one of the three came back up. 

After an hour or two went by, the water police showed up. Brodie had turned blue with cold, his mind frozen with the images of father and his two younger siblings splashing about. The water authorities found him lying in a foetal position, his face stained with tears and mucous. Brodie thought the tragic event was all his fault, blamed himself for the loss of his family. Mother was put away, for a time, until she found her mind again. Still, she blames Brodie, looks at him as though he is a monster in a boy’s body. 

It WAS your fault Brodie, remember…? You promised me a sacrificial lamb, gave me three; quite an accomplishment for a boy. Go back to your birthday, that one wish… to have mother adore you, and YOU only?!

Brodie woke up in a cold sweat. He cried out for mother. She never came. In her place, a shadowy figure appeared. Brodie saw it come from somewhere deep, from inside his mind. The mirror never lies. 

“Time for more fun Brodie, you promised.”  

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About the Author

ac perri 300A.C. Perri has been writing creative works for many decades, having won awards for her work, many featuring in international journals. 

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Issue Contributors

Meet the Narrators

  • Laurie Bell

    lauriebell 2 200

    Laurie Bell lives in Melbourne, Australia and is the author of "The Stones of Power Series" via Wyvern's Peak Publishing: "The Butterfly Stone", "The Tiger's Eye" and "The Crow's Heart" (YA/Fantasy).

    She is also the author of "White Fire" (Sci-Fi) and "The Good, the Bad and the Undecided" (a

    ...
  • Tim Borella

    tim borellaTim Borella is an Australian author, mainly of short speculative fiction published in anthologies, online and in podcasts.

    He’s also a songwriter, and has been fortunate enough to have spent most of his working life doing something else he loves, flying.

    Tim lives with his wife Georgie in beautiful Far

    ...
  • Geraldine Borella

    geraldine borella 200Geraldine Borella writes fiction for children, young adults and adults. Her work has been published by Deadset Press, IFWG Publishing, Wombat Books/Rhiza Edge, AHWA/Midnight Echo, Antipodean SF, Shacklebound Books, Black Ink Fiction, Paramour Ink Fiction, House of Loki and Raven & Drake

    ...
  • Merri Andrew

    merri andrew 200Merri Andrew writes poetry and short fiction, some of which has appeared in Cordite, Be:longing, Baby Teeth and Islet, among other places.

    She has been a featured artist for the Noted festival, won a Red Room #30in30 daily poetry challenge and was shortlisted for the

    ...
  • Alistair Lloyd

    alistair lloyd 200Alistair Lloyd is a Melbourne based writer and narrator who has been consuming good quality science fiction and fantasy most of his life.

    You may find him on Twitter as <@mr_al> and online at <...

  • Michelle Walker

    michelle walker32My time at Nambucca Valley Community Radio began back in 2016 after moving into the area from Sydney.

    As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I recognised it was definitely God who opened up the pathways for my husband and I to settle in the Valley.

    Within

    ...
  • Sarah Jane Justice

    Sarah Jane Justice 200Sarah Jane Justice is an Adelaide-based fiction writer, poet, musician and spoken word artist.

    Among other achievements, she has performed in the National Finals of the Australian Poetry Slam, released two albums of her original music and seen her poetry

    ...
  • Marg Essex

    marg essex 200Margaret lives the good life on a small piece of rural New South Wales Australia, with an amazing man, a couple of pets, and several rambunctious wombats.

    She feels so lucky to be a part of the AntiSF team.

    ...

  • Carolyn Eccles

    carolyn eccles 100

    Carolyn's work spans devising, performance, theatre-in-education and a collaborative visual art practice.

    She tours children's works to schools nationally with School Performance Tours, is a member of the Bathurst physical theatre ensemble Lingua Franca and one half of darkroom —

    ...
  • Emma Gill

    Emma Louise GillEmma Louise Gill (she/her) is a British-Australian spec fic writer and consumer of vast amounts of coffee. Brought up on a diet of English lit, she rebelled and now spends her time writing explosive space opera and other fantastical things in

    ...
  • Ed Errington

    ed erringtonEd lives with his wife plus a magical assortment of native animals in tropical North Queensland.

    His efforts at wallaby wrangling are without parallel — at least in this universe.

    He enjoys reading and writing science-fiction stories set within intriguing, yet plausible contexts, and invite readers’ “willing suspension of

    ...
  • Chuck McKenzie

    chuck mckenzie 200Chuck McKenzie was born in 1970, and still spends much of his time there.

    He also runs the YouTube channel 'A Touch of the Terrors', where — as 'Uncle Charles' — he performs readings of his favourite horror tales in a manner that makes most ham actors

    ...
  • Barry Yedvobnick

    barry yedvobnick 200Barry Yedvobnick is a recently retired Biology Professor. He performed molecular biology and genetic research, and taught, at Emory University in Atlanta for 34 years. He is new to fiction writing, and enjoys taking real science a step or two beyond its known boundaries in his

    ...
  • Mark English

    mark english 100Mark is an astrophysicist and space scientist who worked on the Cassini/Huygens mission to Saturn. Following this he worked in computer consultancy, engineering, and high energy research (with a stint at the JET Fusion Torus).

    All this science hasn't damped his love of fantasy and science fiction. It has, however, ruined his

    ...