“But, why me—I still don’t understand?”
“All things exist as keys and doors, passages opening and closing through space and time.” Marlowe spoke as though growing even more distant, “An intricate web of multi-dimensions, existing as the crystal pages of an endless and continually changing book. You were a key to a door that opened this space in time and the page, of which we must now be part…”
“What if I make the wrong decision—what if I’m not strong enough to see this thing through?”
“All things shall continue—,” He called from the darkness, “That is the will and way of all things.”
Before I could even ask another question, all things began fading as the room slowly brightened, and returned to the pale winter gloom.
“My God—what am I going to do? I’m losing my mind—I must be…. Please, tell me that it’s some kind of lethargic reaction to the heart condition or medication.” It had slipped out more as a thought than intending to have actually spoken. I knew that it wasn’t just my imagination. There had been far too much physical and substantiating evidence. But denial within desperation had always seemed the last line of defense…. I needed more answers. Looking to the raven, I noticed that the demon had fallen utterly silent again.
“Sweetheart—did I interrupt you in the middle of something?” Caitlin had gently knocked upon my office door. The room had returned to the steady winter gloom as the clock chimed twelve times.
“Of course not, my love—I was just sitting here, thinking.” I had turned with a smile and waved to encourage her, “Please, come in.”
She had hurried right over like a mischievous child, and climbed into the chair. Drawing her bare feet beneath her gown and resting a chin upon her knees, she peered up at me. She had remained in her sheer gown and emerald bath robe, her fiery locks brilliant as they rolled and flowed down. Her insipid and freckled features appearing even more youthful than usual. Her bright green eyes sparkling with an excitement, reflecting seasonal cheer.
Gently running my fingers across her cheek, I drew away the drifting and fiery locks, “Have I told you lately just how very much I love you, Caitlin?”
“No matter what you say or do--,” She winked, “I’m not going to spill the beans. You’ll have to wait until Christmas morning to find out what I picked up for you.” She grinned like a Cheshire cat and kicked her feet with excitement, “I can’t wait!”
“Why do you always assume that I’m up to something, whenever I say or do something nice?”
“Because, my love--,” She leaned over and tenderly kissed me, “You usually are.”
“Hanky-Panky alert--,” Eva called from beyond the partially open door, “I’m bringing the afternoon tea and lunch—since someone’s forgotten to come down!”
We had just burst into laughter at the kindly old woman’s warning, just looking at her and shaking our heads. “There was no need for the announcement--,” I had sighed deeply, “Rest assured, my dear Eva, that you were quite safe.”
Placing down the tray, she had moved to retrieve the breakfast platter, and paused when noticing that it had remained untouched, “You haven’t even touched your breakfast!”
“I was feeling a little queasy this morning—and to be honest, have no real appetite.”
“Well, don’t you be thinking that by starving yourself, we’ll allow you more goodies than already planned,” She pointed and waved an accusing finger, “You best be eating what you’re served—and don’t try sneaking around the cookies and sweets!”
“Why does everyone around here always assume the worst?” I had looked to Caitlin for an answer, and she had just smiled, “Like I said before—you usually are….”
“I’ve made you a nice lunch--,” Eva lifted the silver lid and pointed to the bowls and plates, “A nice chicken stew and toasted whole-wheat with tomato, lettuce and Swiss cheese.”
“Alright, you’ve talked me into it--,” I exclaimed while rolling my eyes, “It smells absolutely wonderful. You know that I have always been a sucker for your home-made chicken stew!”
Caitlin had taken hold of a sandwich, placing it before my lips, and insisted, “Open wide now, sweetheart—it’s time for lunch!”
Chapter EIGHTteen
Having noticed that I was visibly nervous and fidgety all through lunch, Caitlin had insisted that we speak. Although there was certainly no possible way to rationally explain everything, I had attempted to devise some semblance of truth.
I stood staring from out the window. The snow had continued and the world beyond had become a pale and shadow-filled haze. The blizzard blurring view of everything outside of several yards distance, had even stolen sight of the swiftly darkening skies.
“I’m not exactly certain of how long ago this all began--,” I had cleared my throat while struggling with the words in explanation. Nervously looking between my wife and the endless storm, I said, “But somehow, I or we have disturbed or awakened something in the darkness. Some kind of vengeful and evil force that’s now stalking, hunting everyone directly involved. In the end you were right, I’ve become involved with things beyond my ability to escape or control….”
For reasons that defied explanation she had not appeared the least bit surprised. As quietly stirring her tea without even the slightest expression of fear or shock, she said, “And, you had hoped, by building that guest house and filling our home and friends places with protective symbols, that this might somehow stop this thing?”
“It was an act of desperation. A faint hope of possibly just slowing it down—,” I shrugged without looking away from the storm, “At least until we can find some way to escape or defeat this thing.”
There were several moments of silence between us. The stillness was deafening as I stood and counted the seconds stroked by the clock. Having apprehensively glanced between her and the window several times, I felt utterly despicable. She made no movement or attempt of even looking back, as entirely occupied in thoughts of her own, she slowly toyed with a spoon in her tea.
Words could never have described the guilt and remorse that I now experienced for having done this to her! All happiness and hope seemed to flow away as replaced by that bitter stillness. I couldn’t take it anymore! “I’m so sorry, sweetheart--,” I had dropped to my knees before my wife, and resting my head down upon her lap, whispered, “I would have given everything up long ago—if I had even the slightest warning that this might’ve happened.”
She had said nothing, but began gently stroking the hair upon my head. There was an utter sense of helplessness, a hopeless hole that grew in my heart, “We managed to make gifts of those protective talismans to everyone--,” I had sorrowfully whispered, and looking up into her face, muttered, “Except old Harry and Tim….”
She had placed a trembling hand before her eyes, and I knew that she understood. Sniffling, she thought briefly before looking back through tear-filled eyes, “Are you absolutely sure that these symbols and charms will be enough to keep us all safe?”
“Nothing is ever for certain--,” Marlowe whispered in abrupt warning, “Do not pledge to a faint hope. Do not promise something which you might soon regret….”
“But, even you have said that the fiend could never enter our home.” I had replied merely in thought.
“You have witnessed the possibilities in your presence--,” His tone became threatening, even dark, “Not the consequences in your absence from home. Beware, for the fiend is treacherous. A desperate decision made in haste might cost you all that you hold dear in this world…”
“Will it—can it keep us all safe?” Caitlin took my hands and gazed deeply into my eyes.
Looking back to her and seeing my beloved appearing so pale and fragile, I swallowed hard before saying, “I can’t promise—because I really don’t know….”
“Then what difference would it make if you risked everything to go to them?” The tears now ran from her emerald eyes, “If you can’t even be sure if any of thi
s will even protect us here?”
“There is no way to reach them now anyway--,” I took her hands and held them gently but firm, “All the telephone lines are down and the highways are blocked--,” I swallowed hard as the horror now took a firm hold upon my heart, ‘”And there isn’t a single thing that I can do about it. They have no idea of what’s coming—and they’re trapped out there in that storm, alone….”
Caitlin suddenly fell forward, bursting into tears, and took hold of me in a desperate embrace! “Oh my God—Michael—what’s happening--,” She choked, shoving her face deeply into my breast, “We can’t just leave them out there to die—not knowing all of this.”
I felt the sting of tears as I held her tightly, and whispered, “But I can’t leave you here alone, either. I’m damned either way—and there’s simply nothing that can be done now….”
We had remained like that in the stillness as the shadows grew long. The world fading from all about us as the old iron clock’s chime beat to the rhythm of the forthcoming night….
5:15 p.m.
Caitlin had taken the lunch tray and gone downstairs to sit with Eva and Norman while they prepared dinner. We hadn’t said a single word to one another after I had made the final decision to stay home. As much as I loved old Harry and Tim, I just couldn’t risk losing Caitlin… Marlowe had fallen silent and the raven had become completely still. Feeling utterly lost with everything, I had promptly called Rich. “I tried everything—but the airline wouldn’t risk a flight and the train doesn’t come anywhere near town.”
He had been horrified by the revelation. Stuttering, he said, “So what on earth can we possibly do now? We can’t just leave them like that—we both know what will happen….”
“All things considered—and as dearly as I love them both--,” The decision broke my heart, but there was just no other choice, “We can’t afford to risk leaving our families alone.”
There had been a sudden silence on the end of the line. I knew that Rich was choking on the statement as much as I was suffering for having uttered those fateful words.
“So, what do we do at this point?”
“Well—that’s why I was calling--,” I trembled while sipping at my tea, “I was wondering, actually hoping, that you and Maya could make your way over here this evening. I would meet you part of the way and help you with whatever you need.”
“Alright—but no need for anyone to attempt walking anywhere--,” He reassured me, “I’m sure that NR1 will handle this just fine. I’ll call just before we leave. We can park on the street—as long as someone can open the gates enough for us to sneak through?”
“I’ll go out there with Norman right away--,” I promised, “I’ll use the tractor to clear some of the snow. I’m sure that we can get the gates open far enough to get someone through.”
“Then be expecting us in about an hour. We already had the things that we needed ready and packed earlier. So we just need to warm the engine and load the truck.”
“Be careful, please--,” I peered out into the growing darkness and storm, “And make sure to wear those talismans as we agreed.”
“Trust me, man--,” He sounded frightened but determined, “We’re not taking them off for anything.”
“I’ll get bust with that tractor--,” I muttered while peering up at the raven, “I’ll see you both soon….”
As we hung up I went to the office window and looked out into the night. The blizzard came with a fury that I had only seen twice. In Hedley during an unspeakable nightmare, and at a farm where recently we had both almost lost our lives….
I had informed Eva to set extra places accordingly for our guests, and then accompanied Norman into the blizzard, where we struggled to open the gates! Blinded by the snow and tossed about by the gale, we shoved and pulled gaining only inches with each effort! The bitter cold had bitten unmercifully into the flesh of our hands and faces. Even through the heavy coats and linens, we were chilled to the bone. It was as though something existing within that blizzard, some vile force, had sensed us and now fought back with a vengeance!
Rich had arrived through the blinding flurries and blackness from beyond the gates. It had been a struggle for them to make their way up the driveway and we rushed out to help. As assisting them with several large bags containing parcels and Christmas gifts, we had helped them through the deep snow and into the house.
“The gates—I forgot to close and lock them!” Norman blurted, intending to go back out. But I had halted the elderly and trembling man, and turning, hurried back out myself!
I had only gotten a short distance from the front door when I suddenly became aware of an unsettling presence. Remembering the scene from the crystal premonition, I spun fearfully while staring into the storm! The blizzard and darkness swirled like a frozen hurricane from high above, but within the blurring haze I could make out a deeper and darker shape!
Like a nightmarish cloud it twisted and churned, suddenly becoming aware and rapidly descending from out of the heavens! There was a mind-shattering shrieking, which although sounding like the wind, I knew to have been something far more insidious!
Tendrils of shadow whipped out of the darkness, and horrendous claws desperately flailed from all about! Suddenly I heard the call of a raven! Marlowe’s shadow and an emerald electrical storm encircled, shielded me! The deep and echoing boom of Marlowe’s voice as he uttered invocation or prayer in some indistinguishable tongue! The shrieking growing into an unbearable sound as an explosion shattered the blackness, and I dropped helplessly to the ground!
“Michael—what happened—are you okay?” Rich had pulled me upward from where I had fallen and become partially buried in the snow!
“It was here—it tried to take me!” I had struggled with the words as he helped me back up to my feet. Dusting the snow from off my shoulders, he promptly turned and hurriedly closed and locked the main gates! “If it was here and couldn’t take you--,” He assisted me back toward the house, “Then we know that the sacred symbols and passages did the trick.”
“There was more involved--,” I coughed as we reached the front door and stumbled inside, “I don’t think that the charms are enough just on their own! Not without conjunction of the powers that are gathered here in the house.”
We stripped off our coats and boots. Leaning closer, I quietly said, “The symbols may hold it off—but we really can’t be sure of how much or for how long.”
“What happened out there?” Caitlin appeared in the hallway, the fear mounting vividly in her eyes as she came close.
“It’s okay, sweetheart--,” I had fumbled with my gloves and scarf while placing them back in the hall closet, “I thought that I saw something—and slipped and fell in the snow.”
She had looked between us and it was apparent that she had immediately sensed that something was wrong. Realizing that it would just worsen matters and frighten the others, I had declined from pursuing the matter. “Maya’s putting presents under the tree. So, I’ll go and help Eva with setting out the supper—,” She kissed me, “She’s a little under the weather today.”
And with that she had departed, but Rich had suddenly gasped, as grabbing my shoulders, he stood horrified, “You told me that Red will make it to Scott and Carrie’s, and that all the others would be alright.”
“According to what I saw in the crystal—yes, they should all be just fine.”
He slowly shook his head, the terror reflecting in his glassy, wide and staring eyes, “But, that was before you altered things by inviting us over here earlier than agreed….”
“There was a certain synchronicity to the occurrence of events--,” I gasped, “Dear God! You’re right—I’ve accidentally changed the order, time and outcome of those events….”
We had both hurried up to my office and he had quietly closed the door. Rushing for the telephone, I had attempted to dial out and reach Red Cloud at home, but, the dial-tone suddenly went dead in my hand! The power faded then flickered
, the lamps fading and suddenly flashing out! “Oh my God--,” Rich gasped, “The lines have gone down, now everyone is cut off…..”
“There’s nothing we can do…..” I had looked to my friend in absolute dismay, “We had better get downstairs and stay close to the others.”
We had departed the office, and glancing over my shoulder, I had caught the red flash in the raven’s eye. Leaving the door partially open, I quickly followed my friend down the hall.
“We should get the generator and extra things out of the truck while we still can.” Rich had moved for his boots and coat, but I had halted him. “It’s not worth the risk going out there again—not in the dark. We have more than enough lamps, lanterns and flashlights right here. And we have three hearths in this house—so we should be just fine.”
He had just looked at me and I guessed at his thoughts, “We have one in the living-room, one in my office and another in the master-bedroom. So, if things should get to be too cold during the night. Eva and Norman can sleep down here, you and Maya can take our bedroom and we’ll sleep in my office. It’s not like we haven’t done it before.”
“What’s really bothering me the most right now--,” He stopped at the bottom of the stairs and said quietly, “Is the fact that no matter how much equipment I carry in that truck, we never seem to be able to reach it when we really need it.”
Pondering briefly, I sighed as lanterns shone in the kitchen and the hearth brightened the main room. At least they had taken the incentive and immediately put things into order, rather than panicking at the last moment. Frowning, I had looked back at Rich and shrugged, “Don’t take it too hard. When it comes to the unexpected, nothing planned ever seems to work out right anyway.”
Sanctum Arcanum Page 50
