Chapter SEVENteen
Sunday, December 22, 1974.
It was shortly after midnight, when I had said good night to Caitlin, and returning to my office, that I had looked out the window, staring into the endless flurries. It had apparently come from out of nowhere. Following the workmen’s departure, it had never ceased. There had been an excess of three feet of snow over the past few days. And according to the news, there was another eighteen inches expected by the end of the week.
Norman and Danny had attempted to clear the driveway with the little tractor that we had bought. But it had become a moot point as the unrelenting snow just covered everything in from behind. I had finally insisted that they just wait out the blizzard, and attempt again when there was a better chance. It mattered little as due to the weather and subsequent cancellations, we had called off the Christmas party.
11:25 p.m.
I had been kneeling and sorting through books in my office for well over an hour when the telephone’s ringing had sent me rushing and fearing to awaken the household. I caught it on the second ring!
“Sorry to call you so late--,” Rich had apologized and, speaking quietly, said, “I hope that I didn’t wake anyone up?”
“Of course not--,” I had been happy to hear from him, and chuckled, “Old Norm and Eva could sleep through an earthquake—and Caitlin’s still decorating the house.”
“I just wanted to call to let you know that Red will be spending the holidays with Scott and Carrie.” He sneezed, blowing his nose, and apologized as he said, “He called earlier to let me know that he’ll be going over tomorrow afternoon—and staying until after Christmas. I know that between everything going on and this damn blizzard—that you’re concerned about everyone.”
“More than words could ever express--,” I thanked him, having been worried that our old friend might have been alone, “I wish that we could have just rounded everyone up and kept them somewhere safe over the holidays.”
“Oh, well, now that you mentioned it?” He cleared his throat, “I was thinking of walking over to your place with Maya on the morning of Christmas Eve. I thought that we would spend the holidays together—if that’s okay?”
“Absolutely--,” The thought warmed my heart, “I’ll have Eva get the spare room sorted out for the both of you, first thing in the morning! Caitlin will be thrilled!”
“Fantastic. I’ll get everything together and let Maya know.” He sighed deeply, “Something just doesn’t feel right about things this year.” There was a hesitation on the line, as thinking momentarily, he almost whispered, “And this storm—there’s just something about it. It bothers me—reminds me of the one that we experienced out at that old farm.”
Moving back toward the window, I stood and stared out, watching the shimmering crystalline patterns of frozen condensation that, sparkling upon the glass, reflected in the dim office light. The flurries raged from beyond, a fury-driven gale and haunting memory of the old farmhouse, Hedley and winter of 1972. “It’s just a winter storm—and nothing more.” I whispered while attempting to convince myself, “We’re just nervous—understandably, we’ve been through a lot this year….”
“I’ll try to keep telling myself the same thing--,” He muttered, “I really hope for all of our sakes that you’re right.”
“I really hope so, too…” It was almost impossible to look away from the night. As standing and watching the ancient boughs bend and sway beneath the storm, I muttered in thought, “Just don’t wait or watch by the window too long—or the night will start playing tricks with your mind.”
“That sounds like the voice of experience, if you asked me.” He yawned and quietly said, “I’ll give you a call in the morning. Please try to get a little rest, till then.”
Slowly hanging up the telephone, I just stood there gazing into the night. Watching lethargically as the ancient trees swayed in the powerful winds, while streaming blinding, immense and frozen veils. The gusts whistling and moaning from out of the darkness, I swallowed hard. Remembering the words of old Frank Jorgenson: ‘It’s like the dead are out there somewhere—whispering, calling your name…’
The gentle ticking of the clock fading from thought, I heard only the wail of the wind’s mournful call. I was staring aghast as the gusts suddenly cast down the wise men and the manger was torn away! The bitter winds carrying off the baby Jesus, and swiftly burying him beneath the flowing drifts! The cord and plug that had been attached was ripped free as they fell! And the once beautifully lit decorations were cast into blackness, as everything was consumed in that frozen hell….
Something suddenly bumped at my legs, startling me, and caused me to look down. My nerves shattered, as leaning over, I knelt to pet dear old Merlin. He had circled just once in his usual way. As bidding me a feline good night, he had crept beneath my desk and to his favorite spot. I had knelt down to look under the desk to see where he had gone, smiling as I saw his dark form in the far right corner and against the old grate. Comfortably curling into a fetal position upon the carpet, he slept with his back against the heating vent.
“Sweet dreams, old friend--,” I groaned while climbing to my feet. Looking around the room, I grumbled, “I guess that I should get something done before I end up at that damn window again….”
The raven sat silent while perched atop my desk, its red-jeweled eyes glistening in the golden glow of the antique lamp. Listening to the howling wind beyond the window, I shuddered as a chill had crept inside. It was a biting cold that, passing into and through the glass, cast its wintry breath into the room.
Mesmerized by the ticking of that old iron clock, I started suddenly while feeling foolish as it chimed on the half hour! My nerves were certainly worn as everything now apparently caught me unaware. I could have blamed any number of things, but knew that it was the storm. Or more appropriately, what I feared had arrived with it….
Moving back to my chair, I pulled the cloth from off the golden orb and gazed into its depths. It shimmered as the glimmering specks sparkled like diamonds in a crystalline sun. My thoughts drifting as in imagination, I had assumed to have seen a scene from many winters ago. With presents in bags and stumbling along, I had rushed from the Eldorado into my mother’s home. And somewhere in the shadows from behind me something darker had silently followed….
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I looked back at the golden sphere, but the images were gone. Without thought I had taken hold of the cane that rested beside my desk. And gripping it between both hands, I held it before me while looking back into the glimmering stone. The blue crystalline eyes of the hound shone, reflecting briefly into the globe, before drawing a veil of shadow from all about me.
The room had become deathly silent as even the clock seemed to have stood still. The shadows deepening and darkening from all about me until only the light from the golden sphere now shone, it felt as though reality had faded and time no longer held any bearing.
Once more the globe shimmered and the crystal cast images from out of the stone. But this time, it seemed to be offering a premonition of future possibility. As gripping the cane tightly, I watched while Rich and Maya walked through knee-deep snow towards my home. I had searched all about them, my eyes huge, bulging as I feared the worst!
But nothing had happened, as dragging their bags of parcels along, they had made their way toward the estate. Forcing the gates open through the deep snow, I had greeted and assisted them. A moment later we had vanished into the house and the door slowly closed with a thunderous and echoing boom! But not before a shadow darker than all other shades had followed us, slipping unseen and from just beneath the door….
My eyes had remained fixed upon the stone as the room all about me had become pitch dark. The golden orb growing, glowing brighter while filling my view, every sense and each thought! I had seen Rich and Maya greeting Caitlin with the shadow close behind! But it had suddenly halted. As confronted by the sacred symbols, it was promptly ejected from our home!
It swirled like a venomous cloud, growing, gathering in volume and darkness! I could sense the seething hatred as it formed into a monstrous thing! With immense and thrashing tendrils it reached out, testing each and every point of entry to the house! It recoiled, lashing out faster, fighting ever harder to discover some possible entrance, but to no avail! It was absolutely terrifying to watch. But then it suddenly became still, as though contemplating, seeking answers to possibilities previously over-looked or forgotten?
Once more the snow swirled in the stone and I saw Red Cloud leaving his apartment, intending to join the others at the bookstore. He fought the winds, deep snow and blinding flurries while crossing the dark and empty street. As struggling along with a bag of Christmas gifts, he stumbled blindly, my heart breaking as I helplessly watched!
From out of the storm the shadow came, and like a great serpent now descended upon the unsuspecting old man! Its sound within approach was like the thunder of a locomotive, a hurricane riding the rails straight out of Hell! But Red Cloud neither saw nor heard anything! As knocking upon the front door of the book shop, he had thoughtlessly glanced back.
Down it came like deaths blackened shroud! And swooping like an enormous black bird, it raced toward Red Cloud from across the snow! I could see its swift advance as it came through the darkness and through the flurries from behind him.
Just as I thought that it would certainly take him, Scott and Carrie had opened and greeted him at the door! The sacred symbols shining like beacons from their doorway and into the night, as Red Cloud, passing inward, had narrowly escaped the fiend! The nightmare halted as it could not pass into the holy light, recoiled once more in absolute rage! With the door closing, the old native and his friends were safely sealed behind the sanctified shield!
In the blizzard the fiend billowed upward like a blackened poison into the dark heavens! Its rage becoming a shrieking so high-pitched that it defied human senses, echoing like madness within my mind! I stared helplessly while feeling as though I existed in that frame of time, as the nightmare, unaware of my presence, continued onward again!
I saw the faces of all those that we had already given protective charms. Christmas gifts that they had received early and that all now faithfully wore. The shadow crept among them all, stalking their homes and bed-sides as they slept. First there came the dearest, Danny and Tanya, Deb, Pamela and Jen. But, it was continually warded off by the sacred talismans as it was forced away from each and every single one!
And then there was a house that I had never previously seen. It was a modest two story structure at the end of an almost empty street. The shadow had crept from out of the night and slipped beneath the front door. It moved through the house with the skill and silence of a predator, drifting up the stairs and to the second floor. Across the hardwood floor it moved and into a bedroom at the end of the hall. Creeping beneath the darkness from under the bed, it made its way to the head-end. I shrank into my seat, as slipping upward, it silently settled upon the sleeper’s pillow….
I stared in horror as it slowly surrounded Detective Raymond Emerson, who had obviously lived alone. As intending to suffocate the man in his sleep, somehow it startled him and caused him to turn on his side. As he did this, my eyes caught the reflection of the charm that hung from his neck. It was a Christmas gift given in hope, and worn in promise to a friend.
The fiend recoiled like a vast cluster of black vipers that twisted and turned! And then, it flew from out of the bedroom window and back into the frozen storm. But the momentary sense of victory and hope that I had felt was swiftly shattered. For even as I had rejoiced in the sanctity and safety that we had all shared, a new image now flashed in the sphere. It was the scene of a sleepy little town, buried beneath the storm and cut off from the world. I had immediately understood what the thing had realized in that final moment! For somehow it knew that the mail had been halted due to the weather, and that two parcels in particular had not arrived. Gifts that contained two protective talismans intended for Harry and Tim….
“No…..no….” The whisper had escaped my parched throat, my eyes wide and horror-filled. As the storm raged and the wind howled, the nightmare erupted into the heavens! A seething fury, hell-bent upon vengeance and murder, now sought out my friends!
Unaware of the horror that now came for them, they were helpless, secluded and utterly without hope! I watched in terror through tear-filled eyes as the shadow passed over the mountains and descended upon the little town!
The room suddenly returned to its former golden glow, the stone taking its proper size and place. As my thoughts raced and heart furiously pounded, I heard the demon’s whisper, “It reveals only possibilities—much can change according to the choices made. Risk those forgotten—or those whom you hold most dear….”
“But, clearly all will be perfectly safe here. I just saw it all happen scene by scene.”
“Only according to what might be--,” It tilted its head, “And, should you choose to remain here….”
“So, that means that I have the choice of going and risking everyone here? Or staying and allowing my friends to die….”
“A wise man takes the known path--,” The raven hopped down from its perch, and flying across the room, roosted upon Pan’s head, “And never wanders in the dark….”
“Could I ask you--,” Looking to the raven, I pondered briefly, “To bring them their talismans—or protect them in some way?”
“Though I am bound to your service—I must remain in your presence and cannot be in two places at once.”
“Marlowe--,” I quietly called to the old mystic, “Please hear me—help me now.”
“The demon is unable to grant service—beyond your immediate need or protection.” Marlowe whispered from somewhere deep in my soul, “And should you abandon your home, you risk the unspeakable….”
“Then I ask you this, old friend--,” Struggling with the words, I peered over to the big, black bird, “What would you do—if you were in my place?”
“I have once done as you consider now--,” There was utter torment in his reply, “And lost all that I had ever loved or held dear. I will say no more than this—beware…beware….”
Everything returned to the stillness as the clock’s ticking now echoed in my thoughts. My heart was breaking as I contemplated the possibilities. Frustrated while caught between death and damnation, I feared risking everything at home to venture out to my friends! “My God, there has to be something that I can do? But the storm took down the damned telephone lines, and all the highways are blocked. I can’t even get a call or message through….”
“It seeks to betray and would divide and conquer, as it has done before….” Its blood-red eyes flashed in the shadows of the corner, “You have witnessed possibilities only. A game of chance of which you must now decide....”
“It’s not much of a chance now that this has been revealed.” I cursed from under my breath, “That thing will know everything now—thanks to this careless move….”
“It cannot trespass upon sanctified ground--,” Marlowe’s voice sounded distant, “Nor share knowledge held therein.”
“So, there’s still a chance--,” I peered fearfully around the room, “Everyone here should be safe as long as they stay inside the estate. If that thing can’t hear a word that we say, nor read our thoughts, then it might not know anything yet? I can’t just sit here and let them both die…”
“There are far worse torments that a soul might suffer--,” The demon whispered as it rested upon the statue of Pan, “Horrors, sorrows unimagined, undreamt of as of yet….”
“The gift of precognition—,” Looking to the golden sphere, I sank into the depths of despair, “The curse of foresight is to be damned….” Slipping the black silken cloth over the face of the stone, I placed a trembling hand before my eyes.
The raven had fluttered as it had flown from the statue and back to its perch upon the desk. As silently observing my every movement, I
became aware of its burning stare. But it said nothing and made no motion to direct or indirectly affect me in any way.
“This place has been sanctified and all others protected in every possible way.” I felt as though I stood before a court while looking into the demon’s solemn gaze, “And still, I’m terrified and torn…” It never replied, but simply fell silent as though drifting into sleep. I watched its burning eyes fade as it settled upon its perch, and I sank back in utter despair.
Monday, December 23, 1974.
9:35 a.m.
Unable to sleep or even settle down, I had remained in the chair until morning. The snow had relented through the night as I desperately made telephone calls. I had contacted each and any courier or pilot who might possibly consider working through the holidays. But even with the offer of a considerable amount of money to deliver a small parcel, none would dare risk a flight in the storm. I could hardly blame them, but was left in a state of panic, helpless and destitute.
“Oh my, but you are up early on this nasty morning--,” Eva had entered my office with a tray of breakfast and tea, “It’s a good thing that we did all the shopping early. We would never have managed in all of this snow.”
“It would seem that everyone and everything is trapped by this weather--,” I thanked her for the breakfast as she poured and placed down my tea, “I was calling around to have a parcel delivered, but even the airport is caught in the freeze.”
“Indeed--,” She put a finger to her lip and thoughtfully looked toward the window, “It seems only the trains are still moving. They have those huge locomotive snow plows that can clear almost anything.”
“Do you think that they would risk avalanches attempting to clear tracks through the mountains?”
“My dear boy--,” She appeared shocked with the comment, saying, “Why, of course they would. My cousin Donald worked as a mechanic on the Flying Scotsman for many years--,” She proudly exclaimed, “They risk everything to keep the world rolling, and are some of the very bravest men that you could ever hope to meet.”
Sanctum Arcanum Page 48
