And Life Goes On

This psychological mystery plays out in Episode 4 when Kenzie Pratt’s explosive phone call to the police discredits her story about the evidence in the cathedral tunnel. The detectives, Chisholm and Titus discover heinous remains, and Michael and Cherise’s hot hook-up is a sexy, cinematic buffet from appetizers to dessert.

Turn on and tune in to Darkside Thrillers Radio Drama, Season 1.  It’s all about KEPT by Gem Wodahl, an immersive, eight-week, serialized audio thriller that straps you into the trendy city of Waverly, gripped by unexplained disappearances, and a twelve-year-old boy who slips away without a trace.   The tunnel system under a cathedral is off limits, but when an eighteen-year old trespasser stumbles upon a hunter’s trophy, she falls into a psychological sink hole, recklessly starting a war against a sociopathic liar.  As she struggles to find truth, her own world is slowly crumbling with an estranged family, loneliness and medical alerts.  Kenzie Pratt wears her cancer like an eviction notice tattooed across her forehead.  With a shortened life-span, she’s volatile and dangerous.   KEPT swallows you into the lives of three sociopaths – one who hunts for pleasure, one who hunts for justice, and one who kills to stop her.  Oh, and I forgot to mention the two bloodhound detectives who won’t give up, and a steamy love arc that one of the sociopaths can’t live without.  Or can he?  Welcome listeners.  You are the magic!

Host Elijah Summerfield

Producer/Network   Darkside Thrillers Radio Drama

Author and Narrator Gem Wodahl

This is a Darkside Thrillers production.

Original lyrics and music by Grace Note Music Design

Special thanks to Pixabay artists.

Email: chatwithdarksidethrillers@gmail.com

KEPT by Gem  Wodahl , available June 18  in stores and your favourite podcast platform.

eBook:  ISBN:  978-0-9881651-3-7 

Print book:  ISBN:  978-0-9881651-4-4

Audible (the full radio drama)  ISBN: 978-0-9881651-8-2 

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:10

This is Dark Side Thrillers, your weekly turn on and tune in to serialized fiction, taking you into those bone-chilling moments when humanity twists beyond the point of no return. Who hasn't taken a shortcut down a back alley you thought you'd survive? But then there's that noise of rustling leaves, and you just know. I am your host, Elijah Summerfield, welcoming you to Dark Side Thrillers. Season one. It begins with Kept, an eight-week serialized thriller by Jem Woodall. You get hooked into the lives of three sociopaths. One who kills, one who hunts for truth, and one who will kill to hide it. Among bones and trophies under a cathedral, there's a kept secret with an appetite to hunt. Adult content, audience discretion advised.

SPEAKER_03 1:44

In episode three, Detective Jack Chisholm and Miss Fid Kenzie Pratt return to crime scenes for a closer look. And in Michael Newbl's world, two women present two very different scenarios. One offers love, and the other total destruction. Episode 4, and life goes on. Ruby Preet was one of those kids who loved her puppy more than life itself. Like an inexplicable soul bond forged before both were born. Her pup was missing. And even though she was terrified of the woods at the end of her backyard, she had to return. So she made a plan to ditch school. Each school day, she walked to her friend's home, four houses down the street, and together they caught the school bus. On this day, Ruby had put some of Popin's favorite treats and his squeaky cat toy into her backpack and kissed her mom goodbye as usual. When the school bus arrived, Ruby told her friend she felt sick and she was going home. Her friend boarded the school bus without her. Ruby snuck into her backyard and went to the edge of the woods where safety ended and danger began. She took a step into the darkness and didn't look back. Following the worn path deep into the dense tree coverage, she came to the tree with the yellow tape around it. The wind had picked up. The yellow tape snapped forward and backward. Leaves flapped on their branches, swaying in the wind's force. Strands of hair blew across her eyes as she panned the area, calling to her soul pup.

SPEAKER_02 3:49

Poppins, I have treats! Treats, poppins!

SPEAKER_03 3:54

She sprinkled the treats by the base of the tree and scratched her hair away from her eyes. The wind picked up, whistling through the treetops, and bulbous clouds blocked the summer sky. As it started to rain, Ruby looked down the path to see if Poppins had found her, and suddenly jumped, and something hit her shoulder and bounced away. Quickly, she looked sideways and down at Poppins and blood encrusted. She froze and collapsed. A parent barely survives the terror of a phone call saying their child didn't arrive at school. When Thasa Preet was contacted that Ruby didn't arrive, she called Ruby's friend and discovered Ruby went back home because she felt sick. Thasa knew Ruby wasn't there, that she hadn't come home. Her heart thumped arrhythmically, and knees almost buckled. She raced to the patio doors and looked into the yard, then into the woods. Grabbing a raincoat, she ran and didn't stop until she found Ruby, drenched with rain and covered with fallen leaves.

SPEAKER_02 5:44

No, no, Ruby!

SPEAKER_03 5:46

Quickly, she checked her pulse and examined her head for cuts. She took her into her arms and rocked her.

SPEAKER_02 5:55

Mommy's here.

SPEAKER_03 5:56

I'm here. It wasn't until she stood up with Ruby secured in her arms that she saw Poppin's head. Pressing her eyes shut, she fought against vomiting as she ran back. Ruby opened her eyes when she felt Thassa's arms enrap her.

SPEAKER_02 6:16

Mommy! Mommy! Poppins is dead! Shhh, sweet baby.

SPEAKER_03 6:23

She's she's somewhere now. Where. Where no one can hurt her ever again. Thassa carried her home, rocked her asleep, then called Ellie Titus. While she waited for Ellie, Thassa withdrew quietly. She was sickened by the fear of a possible hate crime. She decided to keep it from her partner and handle all of it on her own. Her partner didn't need to know her daughter's heart had been crushed, nor how Thassa felt someone in their neighborhood didn't want them there. She was thankful that Jack and Ellie arrived quickly. She asked them if it was a hate crime. Ellie sat down beside her.

SPEAKER_01 7:13

No, it's not a hate crime. If it were, the perpetrators would have displayed their their trophy. They probably would have vandalized your property as well. We really don't know at this point what happened to the community's missing pets, nor if any of it is related to the missing boy. We don't have enough evidence, but we will carefully examine Poppins's remains. Hopefully, forensics will find answers.

SPEAKER_04 7:52

We're so, so sorry that Ruby had to see this. And Miss Preet, this is a good neighborhood. What happened to Poppins was because of something else.

SPEAKER_01 8:04

We have to go back into the woods, Miss Preet. I'll call tonight to see how Ruby is.

SPEAKER_03 8:15

Neither detective was prepared to walk down a muddy path into the woods. While the rain had stopped, the wind still shook leaves and branches until the detectives were soaked. They arrived and looked down at the twisted, misshapen face with blood still encrusted in the fur despite the rain.

SPEAKER_01 8:42

What did this fuck? Couldn't be a saw.

SPEAKER_04 8:48

I'm thinking that something clamped down and twisted the head off, severing the spine.

SPEAKER_01 8:56

Like bit it off? That's some big jaw.

SPEAKER_04 9:01

I'm thinking koi wolf.

SPEAKER_01 9:02

Jack, they don't climb trees.

SPEAKER_04 9:04

Maybe something else dragged it up there. I'll bet a hundred bucks a koi wolf killed it, and something else dragged it up there.

SPEAKER_01 9:11

I'm not betting.

SPEAKER_04 9:12

Why not?

SPEAKER_01 9:13

Because you always lose. And then if you pay up, you're too broke to buy dog food. And I always float you and feed both the dogs and your gambling addiction. I'm not betting, period.

SPEAKER_04 9:27

Titus, you're you're becoming uninteresting. Boring.

SPEAKER_01 9:31

Don't ask me again. You know I'm right. And I'm anything but boring.

SPEAKER_04 9:38

You have no power over me. You should know that by now.

SPEAKER_01 9:42

Oh, and after reviewing the database, there is a registered sex offender. One grand Polly, who served time. Apparently, he's changed his life around and has a great career now. How about that? You won't like where he lives.

SPEAKER_04 10:02

Where's that?

SPEAKER_01 10:02

Across the lake, opposite the Shelton home.

SPEAKER_04 10:06

Okay. Let's get this to the lab first, then follow up on Polly. And Ellie, you're anything but boring.

SPEAKER_03 10:24

Kenzie knew it would be more effective, more convincing, if she reported the evidence in person. But the police terrified her. Even though at eighteen, her life was fairly stable compared to her early fire and ice adolescence. She remained pathologically traumatized by authority, by uniforms, badges, police logos, and identifiable smells of a police station. She knew she'd probably pass out in front of the door, wouldn't be able to open it, and step into her past. She knew if she arrived in person, she'd be ghost white, she'd mumble incomprehensible garbage, then become insulting and be ushered out as an unreliable witness. So instead, she called the police newsline, not Crime Stoppers, and spoke with Constable Murray Aiken, whose voice buzzed like an annoying wasp. It was quiet at the station, and Constable Aiken was busy making a new playlist for a blind date, number 241, when Kenzie called.

SPEAKER_06 11:45

Officer Aiken speaking, how can I help you? Hello?

SPEAKER_03 11:49

Kenzie cleared her throat and thought a moment.

SPEAKER_02 11:54

I want to report something I saw. Something I shouldn't have seen, if you get what I'm saying. It's evidence, but it's probably been destroyed by now.

SPEAKER_03 12:06

Evidence regarding what? Aiken was barely listening while he added, Love on the brain, to his list, then put his phone down and grabbed a pen and paper. That boy, that boy. She felt her throat closing and coughed.

SPEAKER_07 12:25

Excuse me. Take your time. I'll need information first. It's police procedure.

SPEAKER_03 12:30

The buzzing continued. Aiken rolled his eyes.

SPEAKER_02 12:34

That boy, Mac Shelton, who disappeared? I found evidence. I'll need information first.

SPEAKER_03 12:40

Your name. She was totally pissed off about divulging her name, especially to cops.

SPEAKER_02 12:48

Kenzie Pratt. I'm CEO, Justin Pratt's daughter.

SPEAKER_03 12:52

Aiken buzzed to himself.

SPEAKER_02 12:54

Of course you are. What? Your age, please. Did you hear what I said? You need to listen. I'm Justin Pratt's daughter, and I need your age in order to proceed.

SPEAKER_03 13:06

Kenzie ignored his authoritative bullshit.

SPEAKER_02 13:10

I found that. That boy's blue sweatshirt in a dark, medieval-looking tunnel underneath a cathedral in the country. It's near Delhi. Yeah, Delhi. Are you listening to me?

SPEAKER_06 13:29

Your age, please, Miss Bratt.

SPEAKER_02 13:32

It's Pratt. P R A T T. I'm 18. Does that make you happy?

SPEAKER_07 13:41

What were you doing in a tunnel underneath a rural cathedral?

SPEAKER_02 13:45

I was rehearsing for a violin concert.

SPEAKER_07 13:47

Uh-huh. So you happen to be playing your violin in a medieval tunnel? Miss Pratt, do you need medical assistance?

SPEAKER_03 13:58

Kenzie's med save beeper notified her to take her meds. What's that noise?

SPEAKER_02 14:03

It's my alert alarm.

SPEAKER_03 14:05

Again, do you need assistance, Miss Pratt?

SPEAKER_02 14:08

No, I need to take my meds because I'm dying from a rare cancer, you sarcastic turd. We're here to help you.

SPEAKER_05 14:16

I would suggest talking with a counselor in person.

SPEAKER_03 14:19

Fuck you! Enraged, Kenzie ended the call and rushed to the bathroom to throw up. Akins ripped up his note and trashed it. He didn't say goodbye. And fuck you too, psycho, was what he wanted to say, but checked himself. When Michael moved to Waverley, he bought an old refurbished Victorian close to the trendy eatery and gallery district. He was a minimalist, with tastefully selected art and accessories set among sparse eclectic furnishings. He imported a large French slate mantle for his gas fireplace, above which was an original painting by a Canadian surrealist, Robert Vanderhorst, auctioned for two hundred thousand. Michael knew that if Vanderhorst's works had been curated a century ago, they would have accrued the same value as Dolly's works. They were brilliant. He was sitting on the sofa when Cherise texted him that her taxi arrived. He went out to meet her and help her with her bag of Thai soups, salads, and noodles. He felt his mouth watering at the spicy smells fragrant in the cool, rain-freshened air. Are you hungry? He smiled boyishly as he took the bag and kissed her hand, brushing his lips over it.

SPEAKER_08 15:59

Yes. I am you look beautiful.

SPEAKER_03 16:05

He pointed toward the house and followed her in, staring at her mini off-shoulder sundress he thought wouldn't be warm enough in the chill air. He led her through the house to the patio in the backyard where he started a fire.

SPEAKER_08 16:20

Who would have thought we'd need a fire tonight? What do you think? We can eat by the pit on the Shay's lounge or go in.

SPEAKER_03 16:32

Let's just stretch out here and eat. The suit might be tricky, but let's save the wine for later. When you get a blanket we can get under. Does that sound about right? Etiquette didn't factor in. They picked up their bowls and slurped, picked out all the good veggies from the salad, and fed one another noodles until they couldn't eat anymore.

SPEAKER_08 16:59

You're not nervous at all, are you?

SPEAKER_03 17:01

Should I be?

SPEAKER_08 17:02

A lot of young women are when they're around me. Perhaps they know far too much fake news about me. Do you have room for the next course?

SPEAKER_03 17:12

I left just enough for wine.

SPEAKER_08 17:15

I have a Brazilian Moscato I think you'll really like. To be enjoyed by the beach. Would the fire pit do?

SPEAKER_03 17:25

It's the next best thing.

SPEAKER_08 17:27

I'll get a blanket.

SPEAKER_03 17:29

When he returned, he handed her the bottle and two glasses to hold, while he fit a hand-woven blanket around her and one of his sweaters around her shoulders. He moved beside her on the lounge and took the bottle. This is an incredible home, Michael. I love that your yard faces west. The sunsets must be incredible.

SPEAKER_08 17:54

Different sunsets for different seasons. I'm always out here at night. Even in the winter. Let's toast.

SPEAKER_03 18:05

She wanted him to know she was ready to move on. Thirty was a turning point. Breaking up with someone she deeply cared for was another. She thought she needed a lot of time to get over it, but she walked into this man's classroom, a man experienced, philosophical, yet present. A man who took time to listen and didn't judge. She searched his eyes and found warmth, closeness. Let's toast to putting the past behind, and to present friendships.

SPEAKER_08 18:42

And to trust. Cheers.

SPEAKER_03 18:46

Cheers. She sipped and closed her eyes, enjoying the taste. Oh god, this is good wine. So, so addictive. Thank you. Why did you think I'd like this? Because I really love it.

SPEAKER_08 19:06

I chose something special for you. When I first met you, I could smell a fruity, zesty fragrance in your hair and something floral on your skin.

SPEAKER_03 19:18

Unreal.

SPEAKER_08 19:19

I have a heightened sensory system, thanks to medications my parents administered. When I was as a kid that left me with this rare condition. Not complaining.

SPEAKER_03 19:36

She tasted it again, put her glass on the stone, and turned back to Michael. I'd like to get close. She moved her lips to his and kissed him. He liked her decisiveness. He placed his hand around the back of her neck and held her gently, kissing her deeply. He lingered inside her mouth while his hands traced her bare shoulders under his sweater.

SPEAKER_08 20:04

May I take off your clothes? Thought I'd ask. It is our first date.

SPEAKER_03 20:10

There's a zipper at the back. His fingers found it and slid the zipper down. Her dress peeled away. The blanket slipped off, and the sun's ochre rays spread across her glistening honey skin.

SPEAKER_08 20:26

Here's something really cheesy. If you were a painting, I'd bankrupt myself acquiring you.

SPEAKER_03 20:36

If I were a painting, where would you hang me?

SPEAKER_08 20:39

On my arm beside me, wherever I went. Do you know what I like about you? Besides being the most beautiful, clever woman I've ever met. I love your infallibility. Like. like you're charmed.

SPEAKER_03 20:59

Like. like that old cougar knew something about me I didn't even know. And it stayed the hell back. Didn't want to risk it. She moved on top of him, kissed him, and placed his hands on her thighs. I really want you. She could barely breathe. He traced the curves of her hips and moved backwards to her lower back, drawing her into him.

SPEAKER_08 21:26

I've never felt this close to a woman.

SPEAKER_03 21:30

She sat up and started opening his shirt. He moved her hand away. What's wrong?

SPEAKER_08 21:37

I have scars.

SPEAKER_03 21:39

He kissed her hand and rubbed his cheek against it.

SPEAKER_08 21:42

It's hard to expose the damage.

SPEAKER_03 21:45

Me too. But you can't see mine. Stories for another time. She looked into his eyes, flickering with self doubt. I want to touch them. Gently, she undid the first button and the second. The third, fourth. She moved his shirt back and stared at the intricate scarred punctures like myriad patterns of constellations on a pale canvas of flesh. I don't understand. Her fingers moved gently over uneven tissue of smooth and corrugated skin deformities. Who did this to you? She touched his face and smoothed his lips with her thumb. He gently removed her hands from his face.

SPEAKER_08 22:36

Not not the face. The scars go too deep. I was a guinea pig. My parents exposed me regularly to venomous snakes. I was bitten over and over and built up an immunity.

SPEAKER_03 22:52

Why didn't you try to leave them?

SPEAKER_08 22:54

It was complicated. Actually, the venomous extractions were engineered into black market pharmaceuticals, many of which are unregistered cures, of course. Not recognized by the scientific community, but offer powerful treatments.

SPEAKER_03 23:13

Where are your parents now?

SPEAKER_08 23:15

They died in a fire that destroyed half of their life's work. She shivered.

SPEAKER_03 23:20

I'm so sorry, Michael. Can we go in? He helped her up and pulled the blanket around her. We don't need the wine. Let's save it for after. He led her to the main staircase that curved upwards. When he bought the estate, he joined two bedrooms to make his master suite, with double doors leading into a coastal vibe, a navy blue accent wall soaring up 14 feet to skylights, natural pine floors, exotic trees with a lighting and a misting system, cement shelves with decorative seashells, and various fossils and carved water creatures. Charisse stopped in awe, looking up first at an exotic wooden chandelier. She panned left, then right, focusing on wall-size artworks with mythical sea icons, and children playing, women in bathing suits, beach umbrellas, animals. At the far left end was a king-size bed on a hardwood slat frame, almost at ground level. It was beautifully appointed, with expensive linens and linen canvas pillows, with exotic birds and flora.

SPEAKER_08 24:44

Were you expecting something else?

SPEAKER_03 24:47

I wasn't expecting anything at all. Just being close to you is what I expected. He picked up a remote and streamed some slow, moody instrumentals and vocals. He lay on the bed.

SPEAKER_08 25:01

Have a look around. Make yourself comfortable.

SPEAKER_03 25:04

She wandered about the room, touching a velvet chair and the large cluster of plants in front of a corner window with shutters on them. Michael turned down the covers on the bed and turned on the two-way fireplace. His shower was on the other side of it. He lay down again, his hands laced behind his head. When she finished her tour, she joined him. I'm nervous since my last guy couldn't leave fast enough. He took me down a notch or two.

SPEAKER_08 25:36

Don't be nervous. I'm not.

SPEAKER_03 25:38

They lay facing each other.

SPEAKER_08 25:41

I'd like to make you feel good. Make your skin tingle. Make your muscles feel alive. I'd like to try some different stuff.

SPEAKER_03 25:52

Like what? He rose and went to the dresser, removing two small bottles and brought them to the bed.

SPEAKER_08 25:59

Well, how about a full body massage with these exotic oils? Morning tree mixed with sandalwood? You up for it?

SPEAKER_03 26:11

I like your idea of foreplay.

SPEAKER_08 26:13

May I take off your clothes?

SPEAKER_03 26:15

My sundress is on the patio. So there's not much left. He slid her bra and panties off.

SPEAKER_08 26:24

Face down.

SPEAKER_03 26:26

She turned over and rested her head to one side.

SPEAKER_08 26:30

The oils are light and will warm up quickly.

SPEAKER_03 26:33

He filled the center of his palm, then drizzled the oil down her spine to her lower back. He moved the oil outwards with purposeful, rhythmical strokes. Upward and outward, over her shoulders, smoothing out any tensions, then down her outstretched arms and hands, and back, then under to her breasts. He massaged them and moved to her pelvic area.

SPEAKER_08 27:02

Is this okay?

SPEAKER_03 27:04

Um more, she whispered. Her body warmed. She breathed deeply. He reached between her legs and gently massaged without separating folds of skin.

SPEAKER_08 27:19

I'm going to turn you over.

SPEAKER_03 27:21

He cupped his hand behind her head and rolled her to face him. She reached up and kissed his mouth. That was, huh. Whew. Nice.

SPEAKER_08 27:33

I have something else I think you'll like.

SPEAKER_03 27:35

He showed her a small branch from the palo verde tree. Delicate, thorny.

SPEAKER_08 27:42

It's a hybrid my family engineered with a small, feathery spike.

SPEAKER_03 27:46

She ran the branch over her arm. I like the feel of it. Like a sunburn starting, but not quite burning. She lay back and opened her legs more. Could you do more oil first? He poured some between her breasts and worked it downward, warm and invasive. He peeled back layers and massaged her deep inside. He took the branch and moved it over her body while he massaged, then stopped. I want you.

SPEAKER_08 28:25

I was waiting for them.

unknown 28:29

Come here.

SPEAKER_03 28:30

He shifted backward to move back against the wooden headboard. She undressed him and placed her hands behind him. She moved into him and brushed against him slowly, then more quickly. She guided him into her. They moved powerfully together. Then Michael wrapped his arms around her and slid her down, turning her away from him. He reached around and below while he moved into her from behind.

SPEAKER_02 29:01

Yes.

SPEAKER_03 29:02

She moaned and pressed his hand harder against her. His supple hands worked her body deeper. They moved quickly together. Their shuddering and moaning ended. Slowly they unfolded. Sharice's toes dug into the soft silk sheets. Hold me.

SPEAKER_08 29:29

I want you to have more.

SPEAKER_03 29:33

He disappeared, then returned with a young Burmese python. Uh no.

SPEAKER_08 29:39

Where's the trust? This is sunny. He'll explore us. That's all. Close your eyes. He doesn't bite. I promise.

SPEAKER_03 29:57

He lay down beside her and placed the snake on his own body. You got this.

SPEAKER_08 30:04

How does it feel?

SPEAKER_03 30:07

She couldn't control quivering as it slowly moved over her. He would have felt her body shivering.

SPEAKER_08 30:16

He likes you.

SPEAKER_03 30:18

Michael kissed her mouth and massaged her breasts, then looked downward and between. She felt her intellect, conscience, judgment dissolving into exploding nerve endings. Hold me. It was all about pleasure. Don't stop. He held her until she fell asleep. When Cherice awoke, she found Michael staring at his history of scars in the full-length mirror. They're more dramatic on your torso. And the backs of your legs.

SPEAKER_08 30:57

Yeah. My parents hid them from teachers and their company associates. They're the oldest scars. Ones I've almost forgotten.

SPEAKER_03 31:11

Are you okay with them? She rose and went to him. She drew him beside her and kissed him. If I wasn't okay with them, I'd be a shallow, vacuous cunt. And I'm not. Michael, when you touch me, what you do to me. So yes, I'm okay with everything about you.

SPEAKER_08 31:41

Thank you.

SPEAKER_03 31:42

When is your first lecture?

SPEAKER_08 31:43

Soon, but I have a 10-30 meeting. Don't rush. Stay if you want to. Take what you want. Enjoy the music. Oh, and downstairs is off limits.

SPEAKER_03 32:00

You couldn't pay me to go into a basement of an old house. I'll shower and head out soon. Michael showered and dressed quickly and told Sharice to stay in bed and enjoy the morning. Listen to music. Relax. He said the door would lock automatically and there was money for a taxi. On her way downstairs, she checked her texts and saw his.

SPEAKER_08 32:27

I can't take credit for the flowers, but I baked the muffins last week. Might still be a little frozen.

SPEAKER_03 32:36

Before she left, she found some music, relaxed in a hot shower and tidied up. She wanted everything right for Michael. As she left, she took a last look and couldn't remember feeling this valued. This ends episode four. We'll be back next week when Kenzie Pratt goes rogue, and Michael involves an innocent man. Voice and sound production by Dark Side Thrillers. Ambient Music by Richard Moore. Sound recording by Mike Donaldson. Thanks to music and sound artists at Pixabay. I'm bringing my novel kept to you in ebook, print book, and audible formats July 3rd in your favorite online store. Join us on Patreon for so much more.