Dawn
I am sorry i haven’t posted anything in a while. My internet has been down and I haven’t had the chance to post anything new. Now that my internet is back…at least for a little while, I’m going to add a new story! To be warned, it is really quite long.
Title: Dawn
Rating:R for language
The morning sun trickled through the thick clouds as the first risers clambered out of bed and onto their carpeted floors. The street was a picturesque Levittown, each house the same shape and build except for the color. The grass remained green even in the heat of the summer due to the sprinklers that lined each freshly cut lawn. Birds perched themselves on rooftops to sing their beautiful songs and lament the overbearing heat that was unbearable even for them.
The low grumbling of a car engine broke the silence as it slid down the blackened street. Curving along the lines, the car slowed up until it inched into the driveway of a blue house. It’s shutters were real, just as when the house was built. Pulled shut, they blocked out all sunlight, something that the modern blinds never did. Washed with white the shutters contrasted against the solemn blue
He turned the car off and stepped out , his suit neatly pressed as if he hadn’t put it on the night before. Pulling out his sunglasses, he pushed the door closed. With a soft beep and the alarm set he moved toward the front door.
“Good Morn’ Mister Dalley, a pleasure to see you this morning. Were you on business? We haven’t seen you around town in ages.”
Dalley smiled a crooked smile as he lowered the sunglasses. “Ah, Mrs. Stevens, a beautiful day isn’t it? I received a call from the Missus last night asking if I could come home. It seems that she has something to say to me.”
A scowl formed on Mrs. Steven’s face, her eyes narrowing as her lips pursed together. “Well then, Mister Dalley, I guess I’ll let you get going. You’re wife is probably waiting for you. I hope the firm is doing well.”
Dalley nodded as he replaced the sunglasses back over his green eyes. Turning toward the door, he jammed the key into the lock and turned. “Jenna? I’m home! Jenna?” his voice echoed throughout the empty rooms. “Hello?”
Sighing, Dalley moved throughout the room, his hands leading through the light less rooms. Entering the kitchen, Dalley reached the long oak table he had bought just the week before. “Dear Lucas,” the note said as he looked down at the small scrap of paper taped to the top. “I’m out shopping. I’ll be home later. If you get here before me, Dinner’s being kept warm in the oven. Love Jenn.”
He rolled his eyes sarcastically and scoffed. Silently he moved from the table toward the oven and checked the dial. Spinning it to the right, he turned the heat off and moved toward the stairs. “Stupid bitch could have burnt the whole fucking house down. Wouldn’t that just make my day. Pay a million bucks for a fucking house so your wife can burn it down. Just like a woman.” scoffing once more, he exited through the large living room, and made his way up the stairs, each one creaking as his polished shoe touched it’s weak center. “Jenn?” he called again as he skipped past the first two doors. “Jenn?”
His bedroom door opened slowly with a loud creak as stepped toward it. “Luc! What a surprise. I didn’t think you’d be coming home. Last night when you didn’t show up I thought you forgot.” she pouted for a moment before giving him a hug. “I was just taking a shower hun. I’m sorry things aren’t cleaner, I know how you are about things when you come in from New York.
Luc shrugged as he pushed passed her his eyes on the floor. Pulling his coat off his back, he threw it across the room onto the large bed. The headboard was made of ebony wood that shone under the small chandelier that hung above it. Small oriental dragons were carved into it so that every last scale rose out from the base. Red silk sheets clung tightly to the mattress with the black comforter sliding down the side. “So, Jenny, where’s Marc at? I haven’t heard from him in a few days. He was supposed to come back to the city a few days ago.”
A soft tension seemed to soak through the air patches that drew them apart. Slowly, the sponge of air expanded. A quiet sigh escaped her mouth and cut through the silence. “What do you mean Luc? How would I know where Marc is baby? Doesn’t he work for you?”
Lucas chuckled quietly, his eyes dancing jazz squares in the light. “You’re a horrible actress Jennifer. If I it weren’t for me, you would still be doing those B rated movies staring as the town pump, but apparently you like that type of thing.”
Her eyes widened showing off the dark brown. Her tense personality dissolved into a livid and fiery demeanor. “Don’t you dare lecture me Mister. You think just because everyone thinks you’re so amazing means that you can do whatever you want! You think that because you’re some top lawyer that everything you do will be forgiven! I know what you did with those…those prostitutes and I know what you did with those men. Did I say anything to you though? No! Of course not I said nothing. But you know what, sometimes a girl needs someone to be around and comfort her. You wouldn’t understand that though would you. You’re never home!”
A loud crack interrupted Dalley’s next words. He moved toward the bathroom, his eyes still trained on his wife. Opening the door, he peered around the corner. “Marc,” he said calmly, “I want you to get out from behind that shower curtain and go home. Then, in the morning, I want your resignation printed out and on my desk..”
Marc nodded, his long wavy hair spinning as he turned and brushed past Luc. Strolling comfortably across the room, he grabbed his clothing and walked out. Smiling, he winked at Jenn before catching Lucas’ frown. “On your desk tomorrow.”
Spinning from the room on his heel, Lucas walked back toward his wife. “Now You, I want you to explain to me what the hell you think you’re doing. If you wanted some, what was it that you called it, affection, then you call me. I’m your husband, not Marc. If you want to be screwed every fucking day then you call me you hear. I don’t want some ass to be fucking my wife.”
She shrunk back her eyes falling to the carpet. Staring patterns into it, she backed away. “That’s what I called you for. I’m not your wife anymore Lucas. I want a divorce. Take the house, God knows you’ll throw a fit if I take it, and just leave me alone now okay. I’ll send you the papers and you’ll have to show up at court so we can settle everything, but after that, I don’t want to talk to you anymore.” Backing out of the room, she moved quickly until she got to the stairs and turned around. Rushing down and out of the house, she never came back.
The moon was out and full as he lie in bed, his eyes trained on the ceiling tiles that seemed to make abstract patterns whenever he moved his head a certain way. To the left, he could see something that looked like a cloud, but when he moved to the right, the same shape looked like a cow. Sighing, he grabbed the dark blue blanket close to his chest. “Damn her,” he muttered under his breath as he thought of changing the sheets once more. “She fucking screwed that ass in my bed. Dammit.”
He jumped from the bed and pulled on the black slacks he left on the floor before he climbed into bed. Sliding into them, moved swiftly in the dark toward this closet. Puling out a stiff white shirt, he slid it over his shoulders and buttoned it up slowly. “Dammit Dammit Dammit”
Everything made him think of her now that he thought of it. The shirts she cleaned and pressed, the bedroom set she demanded he buy, everything was hers. “Fuck it,” he growled as he stalked from the room, his eyes dark with fierce anger. Moving in the darkness followed the familiar maze through the multiple rooms that he had helped design. Leaving the house, he grabbed the door to his car and yanked it open. Settling in, Dalley pulled the door closed and revved the engine.
The club was smaller than he was used to in New York. In rundown Chicago nightclubs, there were no celebrities making their way across the dance floor with their anorexic bodies and skimpy skirts. And because of that, there was no greasy gossip. No one spoke of what Lindsey Lohan did while she drove or what Paris Hilton wore to the party. No one talked about about hooking up with Brad Pitt and then being stood up for some bottle blond. There weren’t any high rollers playing a game of poker in the corner booth or rich men peddling illegal drugs. The only thing that this bar held was the feeling of loneliness. It was rather pathetic, Lucas decided as he surveyed the drunkards, the obese, and the 5 dollar an hour prostitutes.
Music kept playing through the speakers, cheap mix Cd’s that looped over and over and over again playing some idiotic pop song called Spanky Panky Dance Mix. He rolled his eyes as he slid farther into his booth. “Johnny Walker Black and a water,” he muttered as someone came to the table half naked except of the tiny strap of fabric she liked to call a skirt.
He watched her walk, her legs keeping straight as she moved, almost robotic. Her hips swayed back and forth, a mesmerizing wave of sexuality and confidence. Pulling his eyes away, his thoughts focused on the issue he was forced to deal with.
It wasn’t unexpected, he thought as he turned his eyes back toward the woman and sighed. She had a point, he was never home, but Fuck it, she shouldn’t be banging the best friend. He kicked the table leg in rage, a loud snap echoing through the momentary silence. Shrugging it off, he tuned back to listen to the song over head.
“You got it, you got it good. Make this dance floor hot” the voice sang the heat spread around the floor. He watched each body move to the beat.
“Johnny Walker Black and Water,” the woman said as she came back, her hands both carrying something. He wanted to reach for her hands, to grab her and drag her to the dance floor. “…Pay” he heard and she left.
It didn’t matter. He shouldn’t be thinking about her anyway. He should be wondering what to do about his wife and their divorce. he could be an ass he knew and make the whole process drag out. he could make her wish she’d never mentioned the word divorce but then again, he could-
“Hey, Dalley, haven’t see you around her in a while. Thought you were too good for us small time folk but I guess not. Your wife know you’ve been staring at some piece of ass?”
Lucas chuckled. “Nice to see you to man. It’s been years hasn’t it. Jen and I are getting divorced. It doesn’t matter what I do anymore.”
“Hey, sorry to hear about that. It seems weird that you and Jen are getting a divorce though. You guys were dating through high school. I don’t know man, I mean if you guys can’t last, then what about the rest of us.?”
Lucas shrugged. Guess Jenn isn’t the only one who doesn’t know everything. “Well, you know some things just happen without our control. Like you showing up in Chicago. What brings you here?”
“Lookin for work, that’s all. I guess I should get going though, the wife will start wondering where I’ve gotten off to. I told her I was going to stop at the supermarket to pick up milk and bread. Oh well. I guess I’ll see you around some time.”
Lucas nodded. Yeah, see you around some time he thought as he took a swig of whiskey. Putting the glass down, he reached for his water. He stood, flattened his jacket and moved toward the bar. With a quick drop of bills and change he left.
Back in bed, his eyes rolled around his head, as his arms flopped about on he bed. Letting out an exasperated sigh, he slammed a fist down on a pillow. Rolling over once more, he closed his eyes. “Just sleep, sleep Lucas, sleep.”
And it came a few hours later, the deep breathing and the slowed movements. “Slide to the left,” he muttered, his voice cracking as he let out a snore. “There you go, just move right there, now stay still. Good I’ll go get my camera.”
The image cleared in his mind as he rolled over onto his back. She was beautiful, tall and blonde. Her eyes were a mint green cool, but filled with warmth as she stared into the camera. “Perfect there Hun, just stand a little straighter, yes that’s right. Perfect. Your mom will love these prints for her birthday.”
The girl chuckled. “I sure hope so. You’re not making me look like a slut are you? I know all those things you can do with that camera of yours.”
He laughed. “No, of course not hun. I’ll show the picture in a second. Just stand there and-”
She was on the floor, as the gunfire sounded once more, her arms falling down around her as blood poured from her head and stained the purple dress with vein like lines.
Jumping from the bed, his eyes opened wide. “Shit,” he grumbled as he grabbed onto the side of the night table. “damn dream.” Reaching out toward the lamp, he flicked the switch and sat back on the bed. Sighing, he ran his hand over his cool scalp. “What the hell?” he asked himself as his hand fell away, smearing what he’d presumed to be sweat across his face. “Fuck. Blood.”
He climbed out of bed and rubbed his eyes with his clean hand. The bathroom light turned on as he moved across the white tile. “God Damn,” he cursed once more as he looked into the mirror. A large gash crossed the side of his face from eye to chin.” Grabbing the rose washcloth, he grunted at the sight of it before pressing it to his head.
He kept his eyes closed as he felt the stinging of soap wash his face. Cursing the whole time he growled once more. As he finished cleaning his wound, he sighed. It wasn’t the first time he’d woken up with a cut on his head. There had been plenty of times when he’d fallen asleep on some whore he’d taken home and they’d cut him just for laughs. And then there had been Jenn, who was into stuff like that. It was always, oh Luc, hurt me. It made him want to throw up.
Turning from the mirror, his eyes caught sight of the long line that ran down his face. Closing his eyes quickly to the dripping blood, he replaced the cloth. “Damn well why I didn’t become a doctor,” he muttered under his breath. “A damn good reason.”
he walked from the room, his face red from exhaustion and fear, though he’d never admit it. Sitting back on his comforter, he watched the digital clock turn an hour. Three o’clock am. Sliding his body away from the clock, Lucas cringed. His whole body shook with fear and pain.
Ding, Ding, Ding, Dong. The chime signaled another human being at the door. Groaning, he pulled himself from the bed and followed his unoccupied hand through the room and out the door. Down the stairs, he wandered through the kitchen, glancing at the knives as he passed. “What, the fuck do you want,” he demanded as he flung the door open. “It’s three in the morning.”
“We’re sorry to bother you sir, but we have some bad news. It seems that your wife Jennifer was killed tonight around nine thirty tonight. Our sources say that you were the last one to be seen with her and we were wondering if you knew anything about it. May we come in?”
The thought seemed foreign as he slowly stepped away from the man who called himself a cop. “Yeah, sure, just step in here. No problem.” He shut the door and flicked the lock with his finger. From there he returned to the kitchen and turned that light on as well. Blood dripped from the tips of the knives, each one shining in the dim light. He watched carefully in fear as each droplet slid down, caressing the sharp steel before falling to the pristine white counter top. “Shit,” he mumbled as he watched the cops take their seats across from each other.
The noiseless drip grew louder, it’s spatter matching his heartbeat.”So, What is it you need to know officers?” he asked as he walked in front of the crimson blades.
“Your wife was found dead at her apartment tonight. You were the last person seen with her today and your neighbor noted that there had been some yelling coming from the building earlier this morning.”
How could they not hear the sound? That pitter patter of acid falling just behind them. They should have been able to smell it as it pooled and split down the counter. “Apartment? My wife doesn’t have an apartment.”
“Number 327, River End Road, Mr. Dalley. Do you know anything of this?”
327 River End Road…327 River End Road…”Marc!” he shut his mouth quickly and looked down. Damn, you’ve got to keep your mouth shut. Think before you speak. But Marc. “That’s Marc’s apartment. It seems that my friend and my wife have been sleeping together for some time. I just found this out today when I got in from New York. She called me last night and told me she had to tell me something. I came home and I found Marc in my bedroom and she told me that she was filing for divorce. I haven’t seen her since then.”
“Mark? Could you possibly elaborate on who Mark is Mr. Dalley. Anything that will help this case move forward would be very helpful.”
“So am I no longer a suspect?”
“No, we haven’t said that Mr. Dalley,but if your story checks out then maybe we can help you. It seems that you’ve got a history of violence is that right?
Lucas shrugged.” I won’t talk without a lawyer present officers. Marc Jhanson, on the other hand, he’s been my best friend since we were young. We went to school together and now he works for me at Dalley and Jhanson…we’re a law firm. I don’t know what else you want to know about him. You’ve got his address and-” He paused, the sound of dripping blood fell faster as they echoed in his ears they touched the counter. Tugging at his left one, he moved the cloth on his head. “Aw, shit”
“Carison, go look up this Mark fellow.” the cop ordered the other. “Now, Mr. Dalley, how did you come upon this cut?”
Lucas cringed and looked down at the floor. Blood soaked his bare feet. Hot and sticky it moved up his pant leg staining the dark blue purple. How was it that no one saw it. How was it that no one could hear it? “I’m not quite sure officer, I woke up with it. I’m guessing I slammed my head against the side of my night table. I’ve done it before, but never to this extent.”
The cop stood, the gun in his holster shifting with his weight. “Let me see, you may need to go to the hospital.” Lucas stood still as the cop approached with a steady stride. The short distance soon closed behind him.
Thump
Thump.
Thump
His heart beat faster. Guilty,he thought. Guilty. But he wasn’t. he’d just gone to sleep.
“Well, look at this,” the cop said, surprise written across his wrinkled brow. “This wound looks just like the one on your wife. Yes sir, just about the same spot…just this one isn’t a bullet hole. You do know your wife was shot don’t you?”
Lucas held his breath, his eyes tightening in fear. He couldn’t look at the cop, the guilt was too strong, but why should he feel guilt? he hadn’t done anything wrong. Glancing at the floor he sucked another deep breath in. Blood pooled over the officer’s feet as well, slowly slinking up his white socks before burying itself in his navy blue uniform.
Sighing, his gaze rose slowly, fearful of what he would see. Green eyes pierced his before mixing with brown worse than pain. Letting out a fearful gasp, Lucas pulled away. Wounds opened down the sides of the cops face long and jagged as if he had been torn apart by a circular saw. Yellow pus oozed from the corners before mixing along with the orange blood.
He backed up, his head pounding. A scream sat in the base of his throat. Mouth open he took a step backward, his feet catching on the counter behind him.
“Mr. Dalley, are you alright? Sit down.”
The words blended as he sank lower and lower into the floor. His legs grew weak as they slid across the floor. Blood reached his knees almost as if pulling him down. “Fucking shit,” he muttered as he fell to the floor.
A cold compress fell against his head as he blinked his eyes. ” What the hell is going on here?” he muttered as the drug induced sleep wore off. Shifting his weight he muttered another curse.
The room was painted white and even though there were no padding, he knew he was in a room for those with an unstable psyche. The room smelt of turpentine and bleach that called me from somewhere in the back of the room. A feeling I had never felt before cept up on me, slowly grabbing my hand and tugging me back into a land of unconscious. He was falling down into his own brain, soaking into a puddle of his own memories.
Children all around him, following him as he walked down the street. It wasn’t his fault, but the tears still fell from his eyes. Looking up to the sky, he sighed, the bright yellow sun piercing his eyes. He looked back to the ground, the burning he felt never leaving his face. “I didn’t mean to do it!” he whined as it anyone was listening to him, as if any of those following him cared what he had to say. “I didn’t mean to! He just rolled over!”
But that wasn’t the truth and he knew it The dog had been kicked brutally into the ground. His head had been smashed in and there had been brains and guts. But, he hadn’t done anything wrong. It hadn’t been his idea to go after that dog. Nothing anywhere near “Let’s go kill a dog” ever came from his mouth. He’d just been there, watching them put their feet into the dogs mouth and tear it apart. Sighing, he shoved his hands in his pockets.
His foot flew out from under him sending a nearby rock across the street. “Hey man,” a voice came from behind him. “Luc, wait up.” Lucas inclined his head in greeting, then slowed but didn’t stop. He couldn’t talk to anyone. Anger roared through his shaking body. “Dude, did you hear? Mrs. Jamison’s dog is dead! What happened?”
He was irritable when he woke. “Where’d you come from?” he growled as he pushed his way past the people who blocked his way. “Jamison’s dog is dead. So what? Do you think I had anything to do with it? What is this? why is everyone blaming me? Just leave me alone!”
“Hey man,” Marc muttered defensively. “God, Not even Hell is this hot. What’s gotten into you You’ve got to calm down man. I’m not accusing you of killing Jamison or anything, but those people out there, they’re looking to put you away.”
He didn’t respond, but maneuvered his way across the street with his head down. The soft sound of police sirens filled his head. They were coming closer, coming for him. The dead dog and the dead wife. What are you doing? He asked himself as he moved down the street. What wife? You’re going crazy, Lucky boy, you haven’t killed anyone. No one can tell you that you have. What are you doing?
He woke up. “What are you doing?” he questioned himself as the florescent light from above reflected the whitewashed wall. Scanning the room, he frowned. He was still in the hospital. Pushing himself against his mountain of pillows, he
“Mr. Dalley, are you alright?” An unruly nurse asked as she poked her head in front of his face. “Mr. Dalley, please, I’m new here. You’ve got to wake up. If you die on my watch I’m going to lose my job and then I won’t be able to pay my rent. Oh, come on, Mr. Dalley, wake up.”
He sat up, face contorting in pain as his eyes focusing in on her dark brown ones. “I didn’t kill him. Jamison, I didn’t kill him. It was an accident. I didn’t mean for anything to happen to him, but when I left he’d been alive! I swear! They just started to kick him and blood, his blood was everywhere and-” His voice cracked as his arms moved about in the air. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
A hand fell over his mouth quickly and firmly. It was a woman’s voice filled with terror and unnecessary force. No longer was it high and frantic. Now it was a low growl full of warning and anticipation.”Ssh,” she whispered harshly as Lucas moved to scream once more. “ssh. It’s coming.” He shrugged the hand away from his mouth forcefully. No longer was the innocence and childlike whining apparent. Any self doubt and worry he’d felt for the neighborhood dog was lost to the sound of a heavy mass sliding across the well polished floor.
Soft, slithering, falling sliding, it moved closer toward them. A low hiss, lower than a snake’s breath. A cry, a shriek of others strapped down to their bed. Screeching. Crawling. Closer. Blood dripped down it’s sharp teeth that came to a squared point It’s legs were long and limber, covered with scales they shone under the hospital light. It let out a hiss, a feverish battle cry before lunging forward, it’s elongated snout opening to reveal the yellowing teeth. Green mixed with small glints of yellow as the creature’s eyes fell into Lucas’ dark ones. Black scales circled his vibrant eyes before trailing down the sides of its face until it merged with the dark gray scale that covered the rest of his body. “pssttt ssst pssttttssssa stts” the sound grumbled low in the creature’s belly before exiting his mouth in unidentifiable words.
A short spit of green liquid escaped his mouth and splattered the bed. “Nurse? Nurse?” Lucas called softly, but the woman didn’t answer. Turning his head back to her, his eyes widened and closed quickly. “Shit,” he grumbled as his hands left her arms. Watching her slide to the ground, he kept his eyes on the monster in front of him. He could feel the warm blood that had exited her neck slide down his own and onto his white gown. Shivering, he scrunched his feet to his butt and held his knees tight.
It lunged forward, it’s eyes turning dark as they emitted a light glow. All legs in the air, he landed catlike on the bed. “psst ka sst ooh shhh sshh” it grumbled as it rose it’s head, a sly smile spreading across it’s structured features. it’s movements were swift and gracefully;with one swoop of its head, it’s pierced flesh and tore at it.
Lucas let out a scream, his arms flailing as he fought back the creature that held him down. “Get the fuck off me you bloody bastard!” he cried as his fist met hard gray scale. “Get OFF!”
The monster didn’t budge. It took it’s time, slowly moving it’s mouth lower and lower, increasing the pain. Blood dripped from open wound to flesh and from the it’s mouth down over the white gown Lucas wore. His panic was wearing off as his eyes rolled back into his head. Blackness took over as the flash of blood splattered into his face and all he could see was his blood, crimson red.
The light around him faded and returned quickly. His eyes opened and he blinked once, then twice. As they adjusted to the light, he rubbed his head firmly. He was encased in metal, a warehouse built out of steel. Surround by crates and wooden boxes, Lucas let out a soft sigh. At least it wasn’t another hospital. Pulling his arms above his head, a sharp instrument pressed against his side. “FUCK!” he muttered as he lowered his hands. Instinctively, they fell to the injured portion of his body.
“You see Karkaurnovu, the science is elementary. The human body reacts to stimulants. The most reactive stimulant is pain. Now if we-” the man’s voice trailed off as he grabbed a large pitchfork from the side table. “Now this pitchfork will cause a significant reaction due to the way his nervous system is set up. Where as the machete only produced a minimum amount of discomfort, this will cause much more. We may not hear him scream, but we will see the physical effects of our treatment and that is our main goal is it not Karkaurnovu?”
The other man responded with a nod, his thick neck bending heavily as his pudgy face wiggled. His left eye sunk deeper into his skin than his right and his teeth were crooked as he smiled. “Yes yes, we will make him squirm. That will be interesting. I hope that he convulses and shakes.” His laughter was like a child’s, high and innocent. But it’s master and keeper was anything but innocent as he grabbed the pitchfork from the other’s hand ready to dig it into Lucas’ body.
Air filled Lucas’ lungs, as he prepared himself for a scream he knew would never come. Point struck flesh burrowing deep within it’s confines. Stretching, bending molding, the points pushed through muscle and nerve. He opened his mouth while his eyes widened with fear. No sound escaped his lips as he lay still, blood trickling from his mouth.
Sonuvabitch. A god dammed son of a bitch he thought in his head. He was dying again and he couldn’t stop it. Panic engulfed him as the pain subsided briefly. His eyes looking left and then right and left and right before falling back on the men who stood above him, their white lab coats covered with his DNA. His body was heating up, slowly rising as sweat poured from his face.
“He’s convulsing now. That’s a good sign. It shows that his nerves are in good order. Yes, yes, this is the perfect outcome for my experiment. My hypothesis was right yes? ” chuckling softly, he grabbed the fork and pulled.
The other man squealed like a pig. Almost like his laugh, it’s high pitched noise led to a loud smack. “what the hell was that for?” he asked, his voice sounding more like the grown man he was. “I have been waiting for this. This convulsion, it is as pretty as I thought it would be. Yes Yes, watch him wither on the gurney, watch the blood spray.”
Lucas’ scream finally came as the unbearable pain grew steadily stronger. His vision blurred as his eyes watered. Fighting back the tears, he curled his body left and right before falling to a halt. His whole body throbbed as he screamed. Death was on top of him once more, dominating him and he had no strength to fight it. It was pulling him again, that feeling of falling, sinking. Letting out a final gasp of air, he felt his body pull away.
The voice was calm and smooth as it spoke the news of the devil.”It’s inside of him. Yes, inside. I don’t know what it is, but it’s taken control of his body. He is possessed. No, I am good. I have prayed every day and night. I have no broken a vow. Please, come. I need your help.”
But he voice on the other end spoke more roughly and angrily. Fire was there, fire and all the dark sins and secrets a man of God could hold. Sickeningly emotionless, he spoke back into the phone.”You have done evil deeds. Leave the church for you are no longer welcome. God has punished you, and has fed your son to the devil. Repent your sins and pray God give you a second chance.” There was a click and then there was silence.
But he could feel the fever inside him continue to climb and he let out a scream in protest as holy water was poured across his bare chest. Every cool drop of liquid pierced him like steel blades falling out of the ashes. This wasn’t right. Each rabbit hole a different version of some horror movie. Each fall led him closer to death, closer to hell. Farther from his wife. But she was committing adultery, a sin, but was that sin worse than his? Had she repented and had God welcomed her back in?
Sobbing called him from his thoughts, a low mournful cry that echoed off the crumbling walls. “Oh dear boy, my dear boy,” the woman cried as she pressed her cheek against his forehead. “My dear baby boy. May god be gracious and look upon you with goodness.”
Her sobbing bothered him as he lay curled up in a ball on the hard bench. Letting out a quiet grunt, a slow tear slid down is face. His body started to move, slowly at first, and then faster. Sliding and jerking, his muscles went limp and he couldn’t control himself. “Dmmnn” he muttered as he felt his body shake and sway. The violent tremors calmed as she stood over his fragile body.
“Hush little baby,” she hummed as she grasped his hand in her own. “Hush little one. You’ll be okay when all is done.” Her words calmed his heart though the words were off and the tune was just as foreign. Snuggling into the hand, he felt his heart rise just slowly.
He could feel it happening again, the slow feeling of fading away into the darkness of his own memories and pain. Slower now it engulfed him, as the fear of death settled across his stomach and into the pit of his abdomen. His breathing grew shallow as his arms relaxed into a peace he’d yet to know.
It was gone, far into the darkness and no longer called to him the depths. He rested in the air, quite still. No muscle moved. It was as if he were in a vacuum and held no more need to breathe. There was no pain as his fingers fell to his sides to feel the burrowing holes. Letting out a quiet sigh, he pulled his arms back across his chest. “Please,” he whispered as a prayer came to mind. It was something he hadn’t said since he’d been confirmed. “The lord is my shepherd I shall not want…”
His voice echoed throughout the vast space calling for some beginning and end to the dark chamber.”He restores my soul.” A soft vibration picked up in his ears, his body shaking ever so slowly. Please not again, he thought as he closed his eyes tight. Please no more. “He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
He was falling again, falling faster down the endless black tube.”I will fear no evil, ” It wasn’t true. He felt evil,everywhere he looked in his mind he saw evil. Frowning, he cleared his throat. “You prepare a table before me…”
His thoughts cleared, clouds fading away from the sun. This is it, Luc, this is your death. Relief mixed with fear and desperation as he continued to fall. No more was there a pristine table cloth set before him. Still he was sliding. The prayer wasn’t helping. “I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
He laughed at that, his feet slipping away from from the invisible board from underneath me. He was falling feet first, his head screaming as a new pain shot through his eyes. Every muscle inside his body burned as he tugged at his face. Clawing, his nails dug across his face. He shouted loudly as his mouth filled with the blood from his cheeks. His vision blurred slowly, as pain showed against his pale face. He was blind, only seeing black.
The darkness around him faded, though he could not see it. Light encompassed him, drying the blood quickly and painlessly. Grasping his head, he let out a sob. Tears slid down his bloodied face before pooling at the base of neck. Ground was underneath him, he could feel his feet touching it hard and smooth. He relaxed as his body collapsed onto it.
He knelt quietly on the solid wood floor though the walls were made of rock and grit. Laughter filled his ears, a thick maniacal laughter that touched his heart and shook his body. Shivers ran down his spine, a steady tremble that brought on more laughter. Light was everywhere, and though he could not see it, he had felt it enough to sense it. All focus was on him, all eyes on the blood that dripped from his body.
His fingers moved to the his side once more, the markings of torture still fresh. Pressing his fingers into them, he let out another scream. The crowd roared approvingly, his mind racing as he panted out words. “Damn, Damn, Damn,” he whispered softly. His fingers touched his face, pressing the feshly made cuts. The crowd shouted once more.
The lights dimmed on his body as he felt the heat lift off of him. Peace followed, a slow cool gush of air that swept him from head to toe. Sighing, he pulled his hand away from his face and placed them down to the floor. Falling to his face, he grunted.
“Do you bow down to me Lucas?” a voice questioned as he shielded his face. “Do you bow down to me or do you fear I will smite you? Why do you fear me Lucas?”
He didn’t answer as he jabbed his finger into the knife wound. There was no roar of approval. “What do you want from me?”
“Are you hurting yourself for pleasure Lucas? Is it passion you suffer for or is it once again fear of me?”
Sweat poured down his face as the room heated quickly. Blood rushed to his face, a pink tinge spreading across it. “Why are you asking me all these damned questions? I need help.”
“Only those who have passed all of the tasks may enter Lucas. Questions will help those who fall short, but nothing will help those who fall deep. Do you fear me Lucas?”
“No.”
“Then come to me and be saved, for you are what we need. You are our light. There is no other.”
He scoffed as he raised his head to look in the man’s face. Only a dark shadow crossed his eyes. Sighing, he sat up and sniffed the air. The scent of animal hung above him, a musty, dirty smell that mixed with sweat and tears. He could feel the fire around him, an encompassing warmth that overtook his body. Hell. “Am i being tempted?”
“A wise question you should ask. Do you believe you are? Would I trick the dead?”
He trembled slightly at the words. If he were dead, he’d have fallen through another hole, into another hallucination, unless he was dead. Really dead. Panic. “Let me out of here. Someone, wake me up. I can’t stay here any longer.”
A loud laugh escaped from the entity’s throat. “No, Lucas, you can’t stay here anymore.” Flame burst out around him, burning his flesh dark black. The smell rose above him, trapping itself in is nose and mouth. Each breath was labored, the smoke clogging and kicking as it went down his throat. Each burst of cool oxygen soothed. His throat was raspy as he cried out for help, but none came.
“Let smoke and fire kill all those who betray him, and make claims to false gods.”
He let out another scream, this one softer than the one before it. His body heated, skin crisping under the intense heat. Slowly, his eyes closed, his mind shutting off all power. Every nerve died as his final breath was taken in and let out. All life within him ended for the final time. And he was alone.
The entity stood above him revealing himself as a man. Cloak falling to his ankles, he stood in a black cape with red lining. A hood covered his head, though his long brown hair was still visible. He pushed it aside and let it curl at the base of his neck. Soft eyes glistened under the dim light from above. Kicking the body, he rolled it over, Lucas’ face dried with crimson blood. He let out another cackle, a maniacal laugh and let it echo throughout the large rocky chamber.
