Chuck’s Steakhouse: Part Two

Mike shuddered at the use of the word ‘we’, and Gary and Jack seemed oblivious to the disturbing behavior of their host.

“Yeah we’re gonna have yer ‘World Famous Porterhouse Steak’ all around, just like the beers.” Gary said with a smile, anticipating an easy laugh from Chuck. Chuck obliged with a forced chuckle.

“Coming right up!” Chuck said before disappearing into the kitchen again.

Mike didn’t waste any time and stood up to leave as soon as Chuck was out of sight.

“Guys, we gotta go, and we gotta go before mister one-man-band comes back.” Mike said to a confused Gary and Jack.

“You really are that worried about a skinny chef Mike?” Jack said.

“Are you kiddin’ me?” Mike said, “Did neither of you see that freak literally drooling over us?”

“What in the hell are you talking about? You’re acting weirder than the weirdo now!” Gary said.

“Oh I get it!” Jack exclaimed, “A skinny chef would only make gross healthy stuff, like he’s probably back there trying to make some tofu porterhouses or somethin’!” Jack laughed at his own joke and Gary joined in. Mike looked like steam was about to escape from his ears and was probably weighing the pros and cons of leaving the two idiots behind. Mike glanced towards the kitchen doors and his stomach dropped at the sight of Chuck watching them with that insidious smile through one of the little round windows.

Mike turned back to Gary and Jack, “Look, you two clowns may think I’m being paranoid but I bet you won’t wanna be stuck here after I leave without you in my truck. So shut the hell up and lets go. Now.”

Gary cursed and muttured about not wanting to come inside this dump in the first place and got up. Jack followed suit. Mike looked back at the kitchen doors and didn’t see Chuck in the window anymore. He nearly ran to the front doors only to find they were locked. Gary reached the front doors and tried them as well.

“What in the- I didn’t see that guy lock the doors behind us, did you?” Gary said, annoyed. Mike looked around nervously.

The dining room lights suddenly went out, leaving just the porch outside illuminated and the inside of the restaurant pitch black.

“What in the hell is goin’ on?” Gary yelled angrily as he jiggled the doorknob and then started yanking on it. Mike looked out the window at his truck and noticed someone standing next to it.

“Gary cut it out!” Mike yelled, putting his hand on Gary’s shoulder and pulling him off the door.

“The damn thing won’t-”

“He’s outside! Look!” Mike pointed out the window.

Chuck was standing by the truck. He was holding a baseball bat in one hand, and a large knife in the other. And he was of course, grinning that yellow grin.

Suddenly he swung the bat into the the windsheild, obscuring the driver side view with cracks, then wrenching the bat loose and taking his knife, he stabbed one of the front tires.

Mike stood in shock still gripping Gary’s shoulder, just watching as he slowly walked around the truck stabbing all four tires flat. After the last tire was deflated, the man called Chuck turned his attention back to the three men gaping at him through the restaurant lobby windows. With a grin he started walking towards the front doors, baseball bat and knife still in hand.

“Mike, what’s going on?” Jack said, his voice wavering with fear.

“Head for the kitchen!” Mike yelled as he ran blindly into the dark dining room. They half ploughed and half stumbled through all the chairs and tables. The sound of a lock clicking and the front doors opening sent a panic through the room.

“Gary! Jack! Come on!” Mike yelled in the direction of their clambering sounds.

“Holy hell, holy hell, HOLY HELL!” Gary was yelling and it sounded like he was now tossing furniture out of his way.

“I’M COMING DON’T LEAVE ME! I’M COMING!” Jack was screaming in panic and Mike could hear him scrambling around like a frightened animal.

Mike and Gary made it across the dining room, slamming into the wall and feeling for the kitchen doors. Gary found a handle and jerked the doors open.

Jack’s scream was cut off with a thump and the sound of him crumpling onto the floor.

to be continued...