Boot Sale bargains by A. Richardson©2005

This tale was first written some thirty odd years ago when I found two japanese warriors sitting woebegottenly amid some antiques and bric-a-brac. They were begging to be bought, so I did!

Sunday has its rituals just like any working weekday, but where most people use their Sundays to rest, go to church or maybe visit the family, Trevor always woke extra early on Sundays instead of having a lie-in as others might do. By eight a.m. he had cleaned the car, had a bath, breakfasted, and was all set to take off on his regular fifteen mile journey to Angleseys' Car Boot Sale.He liked to arrive good and early in case he missed a real bargain by being later than the other bargain hunters. Trevor was convinced that soon his car boot sessions would link him to the find of the century. He expected to become a very wealthy man just as soon as his treasure turned up, any day now!

As he turned in at the main gate which led into the large parking area he could feel his luck getting better by the second." Today's the day, I can feel it in my bones", he told himself as he parked his red Volvo as near to the stands as he could get. Once the car was locked Trevor began his weekly walk from the boot stall on the far left end of the field slowly making his way from stall to stall until he came to one he could not remember having seen at the boot sale previously. It had a long table with mostly china laid neatly upon iy, and beneath were four boxes each labelled with a notice, Under £1.00 said the first notice, under £5 said the second, under £10 the third, and "Make me an Offer" said the fourth and largest box. Naturally, as any self respecting bargain hunter would, Trevor immediately bent down and began delving in the fourth box. There were some plates, but they were not worth bothering with, he decided, then he rummaged under these to pull out an old fan, but he didn't like fans, so he laid it aside. By now he had placed the majority of the contents onto the grass so that he could take a look at what lay at the bottom of the box. Strangest of all, what did lie there seemed to appear out of nowhere since it was quite large and now took up almost half the space of the entire box, and there were two of them. You can always tell a thrilled bargain hunter by the sneaky grin they try to hide when they think they've found a really valuable item. Trevor picked up one of the grubby Japanese warriors. It was extremely heavy, and identical to the other one. He held it up to look at all sides and the base. The feel was good, so it must be very old , he decided, as well as having the appearance of something quite ferocious in its face and stance. He put the two beside each other on the grass, and stood back a little. The two statuettes seemed to be looking directly at him which made him blink, look again, then shiver as a feeling of special "Buy Us Now", came over him.

"How much do you want for these", he asked the stall holder, whilst hanging on to them just in case someone else tried to take them. The grey haired lady behind the table turned to look at him, paused for a few seconds, then glancing at the warriors replied," You can make me an offer for those like it says on my sign". Well, Trevor thought his luck was really in. After all they must be worth a fortune, so he tentatively suggested she might accept £10 for the two. "Glad to," was her reply, " As long as you can promise to give them a good home". "That's a strange thing to ask", he thought, but being too intent on getting them before she changed her mind, he just said, " Oh, I will, you can be sure of that", as he handed over his ten pound note. Without even waiting for a bag to put them in, he rushed back to his car. There he wrapped both statues in a blanket and carefully placed them on the back seat of the car. "That should keep you both safe and comfy 'til I get you home," he told them as he settled himself into the driving seat. By now it was becoming cloudy with spots of rain appearing on the windscreen . He drove straight for home , arriving just as the downpour began. Hastily collecting his bargains Trevor carried them into the house and placed them both carefully one on each side of the fire place. The certainly were a formidable looking pair , standing with the flames behind them. "After lunch I'll give them a good clean", he decided, then went into his kitchen to prepare a light meal. No point in cooking a full meal for just one person, because he really wanted to be quick eating so that he could make his newfound treasures look at their best, as well as see how they'd look all cleaned up. He took his lunch back into the lounge, sat down, and ate. As he nibbled on his food he looked at the warriors who in turn seemed to be looking at him. In fact it was uncanny how whichever way he turned or moved they both seemed to be staring at him in that direction. "Well", he thought almost joking to himself, "at least they can't be hungry too". He glanced in their direction again. Funny, but he hadn't noticed the fine teeth they both now seemed to have. Sharp needle like teeth barely visible because they were covered in a green growth which time and grime had left. Having finished eating, he took his empty plate into the kitchen where he made a coffee which he took back with him, placing the cup on the table beside him as he sat once again in his fireside chair. Again he glanced at his warriors. "Thats' odd, they seem to have moved slightly", he remarked. " I could have sworn I put them both in a straight line with each other". In fact the one on the left was now standing about a foot away from where he was sitting while the other was still in its place beside the fire on the edge of the hearth. He closed his eyes for a moment to dream of the fortune he would make when a dealer saw his "find".

A piercing scream split the atmosphere, and a pain the like of which he had never felt before, shot through his leg . Trevors' eyes shot open. He looked down towards his feet wondering what had caused such agony. A dark red pool of liquid was gradually spreading on the pale blue carpet, and his leg felt wet, as did his trousers. Feeling extremely faint Trevor rose from his chair to pour himself a small brandy from the drinks cabinet which lay some five steps away, but before he could reach the glasses, with his arm still outstretched, he was pitched headlong onto the floor. As he fell his head knocked the edge of his coffeee table causing a short blackout. He lay semi conscious on the floor where he gradually opened his eyes. There facing him were both of the warriors.

"Food", said one and the other replied with," My turn first". The first one grabbed Trevors hand and began to munch on his fingers, smacking its lips as he chewed. The other now moved towards Trevor's neck. The sharp needle like teeth sank into the flesh immediately below Trevor's ear. As the warriors teeth buried deeper into Trevor's juggular blood burst out covering the creatures' face. "Mmm", was the last sound Trevor ever heard.

To be Continued asap.....Hang in there!!!!!! A thought for the early hours. Better to read my creepy tales awake, than to have nightmares asleep! Waken with Waggy Tales....