Black Rite

by Allen Caraway

  Eleven-year-old Kathryn Ashmont, a student at Harkinen Elementary School, was reported missing mid-afternoon Sunday when she vanished from the Ashmonts’ home. Kathryn, who Grant says bears a striking resemblance to her older sister, was watching TV with their mother, Mary Ashmont, who left the room for a few minutes to fix her daughter a sandwich, only to return and find Kathryn gone.

  “We kept hoping and praying that we would find Robin alive,” Grant said. “Now we’re praying even harder to find Kathryn. The whole community is devastated.”

  Asked if he thought the cases were linked, Grant said, “Yes, we have to assume they are.”

  Other articles and the video reports on CNN and NBC carried the same story. Later news stories detailed the continuing investigation into Robin’s murder and the search for Kathryn, still missing sixteen months later.

  I leaned back in my chair, shaking my head and sighing, then wiped a hand across my face, still trying to accept and understand what I had experienced at the cemetery nine days earlier. I had talked to Robin, but Robin was dead. Either I was going insane, or I had seen a ghost.

  ~

  The next evening I returned to my office and picked up Gary’s journal from the floor, threw it onto the desk and then sat down, reluctantly compelled to continue reading despite the nausea, grief, depression and fury that doing so created.

  August 17, 2015

  10.02 p.m.

  So I did as Lord Aritenkhede asked: I got Kathryn. It wasn’t easy. I often saw her riding her bike around, but after I gave Robin to Him, I guess her folks wanted her to stay home. I sneaked over to their house in the afternoon and saw Kathryn and her mom in the living room. When her mom left, I tapped on the window. Kathryn turned her head, saw me and I beckoned her over.

  When she opened the window and leaned out, Kathryn said, “What are you doing? Why-?”

  “Hey, keep your voice down,” I whispered.

  She looked confused. “Why?”

  “Look, I know where Robin is, but she swore me to secrecy. She wants to talk to you. C’mon.” I gestured for her to climb out.

  Kathryn’s eyes widened. “She’s okay?”

  “Sssh! Yes, she fine. She’s with me. Now get your ass out here, you’re wasting time.”

  She hesitated, looking uncertain and wary.

  “Come on!”

  “You sure you know? You’re not foolin are you, cause my mom said-“

  “Yes goddamnit, now come on!”

  Kathryn looked at me for a moment, still uncertain, then climbed out. I grabbed her arm to help her, then motioned with my hand for her to crouch down and we sneaked around the house. When we made it to their drive, I took her hand and started running to where I’d parked the Camaro.

  “Where are we going?” Kathryn said.

  “I already told you. Keep running.”

  “Your house?”

  “Yeah.”

  “How are we gonna get there?”

  Annoyed, I said, “My car, numbnuts, whaddya think?”

  “Oh. Where is it?”

  The Ashmonts’ drive was almost as long as mine and when we got near the highway I pointed to a tree a few feet from the blacktop. “There. Behind that.”

  She looked to where I was pointing. “Okay.”

  By then I was practically dragging her along as she was so fucking slow.

  “Come on,” I said.

  “I’m running as fast as I can!”

  “Well run faster!”

  She shot me an angry look, but kept running.

  We reached the Camaro, both of us now out of breath, and I unlocked the doors, jumped in, fired her up and drove to North Oak.

  Kathryn looked around the Camaro’s interior. “This is a cool car.”

  I smiled. “Thanks. You’d better hunker down.” I pointed at the footwell. “In there. If someone sees you, it’ll fuck up Robin’s plans.”

  “Oh, okay.” When she’d done that, Kathryn said, “Are you guys really dating?”

  I glanced at her. She was gorgeous, just like her sister. I’d never really looked at her before. In fact, like Robin, I hadn’t really spoken to her in months. Kathryn had really changed too.

  “Yeah.”

  “Is that what this is all about?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Are you guys running away or something?”

  “I’ll let Robin tell you all about it.”

  She smiled at me, the apprehension of a few minutes ago had vanished and it was then that I noticed she was looking at me the same way Robin had.

  Both of ‘em, I thought. This is gonna be sooo fucking easy.

  I decided to take Kathryn into the kitchen, give her a drink and knock her out with some chloral hydrate and keep her in the house until I needed her. I parked the Camaro in the garage and we walked inside.

  Kathryn looked around then stared at me warily. “Where’s Robin?”

  “Probably upstairs,” I said, trying to look and sound relaxed. “I’ll go get her in a minute. Don’t know about you, but running up your drive has made me damn thirsty.”

  Kathryn nodded. “Yeah, me too.”

  I glanced at the thermometer on the wall. “Jeez, it’s 96.8 out there.” I opened the refrigerator. “Waddya want? Coke?”

  Kathryn nodded again.

  I took out two cans and then two large glasses from the cupboard, one of which I’d already spiked with chloral hydrate, and then poured the Coke and handed it to her. She downed it in a few gulps and then belched. The look of surprised embarrassment on her face as she turned red and slapped a hand over her mouth was damn funny.

  “Pardon me.”

  I grinned at her. Shame she has to die, I thought. She’s a nice kid.

  “No problem. Want another?”

  Kathryn shook her head. “Maybe later.”

  “Hungry?”

  She nodded. “Yeah. Mom was fixing me a sandwich when you showed up.”

  “Yeah? Okay, whaddya want?”

  “Peanut butter, jelly and pickled gherkins?”

  I made a face and Kathryn laughed.

  “Gross,” I said, “No gherkins but got cucumber.”

  “That’ll work.”

  I fixed Kathryn a sandwich and gave it to her. She passed out before she could finish it, going even faster than Robin.

  “I feel weird,” Kathryn said, then dropped her plate and nose-dived onto the table. Under normal circumstances, I would’ve laughed my ass off.

  I took her upstairs to my room, put her on the bed and then tied, bound and gagged her. I’d learnt my lesson. Then I lay down and got some sleep. I woke up at 9.15 and the first thing I did was to turn over and check Kathryn. She was still out! Even though I’d given her a bigger dose than I’d given Robin, I was still surprised.

  The truck’s got a bed cover so I decided it was safest to put Kathryn under that and cover her with stuff just in case I got stopped by the law. They’re already looking for Robin. When I’d done that, I threw away what was left of her sandwiches and the Coke and then drove down to the cemetery, passing a county-mounty on the way, which nearly gave me a heart attack, although they didn’t stop me. When I reached Redwood, I broke in again, made my preparations and began the ritual. Kathryn didn’t wake up until I was halfway through the 3rd evocation. I knew when she was awake because she freaked and started screaming. Well, as much as she could with a sock in her mouth. As soon as Lord Aritenkhede appeared, she REALLY freaked.

  I SSEE YOU HAVE HER, He said.

  “Yes, My King. What do you want me to do?”

  SSHOW HER TO ME.

  Confused, I pointed at Kathryn who was sitting rigidly still, staring at Lord Aritenkhede with huge bulbous eyes, now too scared to even make a sound.

  “But she’s right there, My King.”

  TAKE OFF HER CLOTHESS, IDIOT.

  “Oh, right. Sorry.”

  That broke Kathryn’s paralysis.
She went crazy, like she was having a fit, writhing around on the ground and screaming.

  I tried talking to her, soothing her, told her she was doing a great thing, but like Robin, it was a waste of time. Fuckin girls, they’re clueless. I grabbed her shirt and slapped her face so hard it stunned her. I tried talking to her again, although this time I thought lying might be the best thing to do.

  “Look,” I said, “stop fucking around. You’re only making it worse for yourself. Do as you’re told and you’ll be okay. It’ll be over soon and then I can take you home.”

  She stared at me, her eyes round, scared, pleading and filled with tears.

  “It’ll be fine, honestly. You’ve nothing to be scared of. You’re perfectly safe. We won’t harm you.” I gestured towards Him. “This is Lord Aritenkhede, my god, and yours too if you choose to accept Him. If you just do as He asks, then He will give you anything you want. Anything.”

  She looked at me hopefully.

  I nodded. “Yes, anything you want.”

  Kathryn thought about it for a moment, looked at Lord Aritenkhede, the fear still in her eyes, then turned to me and nodded.

  She’d bought it.

  I untied Kathryn’s legs and arms, told her to not try and run because if she did, I’d hurt her and then took off her clothes. She was gorgeous. Not as curvy as Robin, but still real hot. Then I helped her to stand up. She stood there, shaking, her forearm covering her tits, her other hand over her pussy.

  UNCOVER YOURSSELF, GIRL.

  Kathryn shook her head.

  “Do as He says,” I hissed, “for Christ’s sake.”

  Slowly and reluctantly she did as she was told, her eyes never leaving His.

  Lord Aritenkhede gazed at her, running his black eyes slowly up and down her body.

  YESS, SSHE ISS ASS BEAUTIFUL ASS HER SSISTER. I WANT HER. GIVE HER TO ME.

  “Go to him,” I said.

  She shook her head again and didn’t move.

  “Oh for fuck’s sake. This is an honor for you and I promise, if you do as He says, you’ll be fine. I’ll drive you straight home.”

  She looked at me, that look of hope back in her eyes.

  I nodded and smiled. “I promise.”

  Kathryn stared at Him for a moment, then cautiously stepped forward.

  SSTOP.

  She did, her terror rising again, clearly wondering what she’d done wrong and if He was now going to hurt her.

  DO YOU ACCEPT ME, GIRL?

  Kathryn looked at me.

  “Nod for Christ’s sake,” I said.

  She turned back to Lord Aritenkhede and nodded.

  AND DO YOU ACCEPT ME, BOY?

  I didn’t get it. “Huh?”

  DO YOU ACCEPT ME?

  “Yeah, but-”

  Then I suddenly blacked out. I don’t know how long for, but when I came to the first thing I saw was Kathryn. Or should I say, what was left of her.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  We were still in the circle. I was completely naked and on my hands and knees. Kathryn lay on the ground in front of me, legs apart, arms spread wide, a huge hole starting from where her pussy had once been and going all the way up to her tits, Kathryn’s ribcage torn wide open, her internal organs, stomach, everything inside her, gone. Fucking GONE. There was blood and gore all over her, all over the ground. It looked like she’d been eaten by a ravenous wolf. There were long, deep, bloody scratches and teeth marks all over her body and face. I looked down. I was covered in blood from head to foot. And my stomach, which was distended, felt painfully full as if I’d eaten a huge meal.

  I’m not afraid to admit, I fucking lost it. I had no idea what’d happened. I started yelling “Fuck fuck fuck!” over and over. I looked for Lord Aritenkhede but He was gone. I called Him, but He didn’t answer. I was shaking and at first I was so scared I didn’t know what to do, my mind was frozen and I couldn’t think straight.

  Then I suddenly understood. I’d blacked out because Lord Aritenkhede had taken over my body; possessed me, and I hadn’t been able to stop him from doing it, not even from the safety of the circle, because I had been stupid enough to give him permission. I should have guessed what he was doing because the grimoire warns about entities trying to possess you. It explains how sneaky they can be and lists ways to protect yourself. But because it was Lord Aritenkhede, I let my guard down. I thought because I was a disciple, a worshipper, I’d be safe and he wouldn’t take advantage of my trust. Shit, was I ever wrong. He’d used me and fucking EATEN HER! Or rather, I’D fucking eaten her. To know that bits of her were inside me. Jesus fucking Christ. The moment I realized what’d happened, I puked and when I saw the lumps of raw meat that came out of my mouth I puked some more and kept on puking until only bile came up, while sobbing like a goddamn pussy. I couldn’t stop myself, but I guess it was because I was so freaked out. God knows what else he did to her. Probably fucked her first. Wished I’d been conscious for that. THAT I could handle. The rest … Christ’s sake, what a fucking mess.

  Anyway, then I thought, Gary, you gotta get your shit together NOW and move your ass. Get rid of her, dump her somewhere in the forest. The coyotes will take care of her body. Just dump it and go. Then clean yourself up as best you can, go home, finish cleaning up and get a few hours sleep. Then I think I’d better move Robin further into the forest.

  Fuck, I was so goddamn tired.

  The old logging road behind the cemetery goes way up into the mountains. I packed up, wrapped a tarp around Kathryn, tied it up, drove as far as I could, hiked another mile and dumped her under a tree right off the trail. No one will find her and there’ll be nothing left after a few days. Wild animals: the best body disposal service ever!

  By the time I got home I was totally fucking exhausted. I had a bath and then went to bed.

  Job done. Just gotta wait for Lizzy now. Can’t wait. I’m so excited.

  The fury had risen again and I cried for Kathryn as I had for Robin and then threw the journal against the wall, roaring as I did so before collapsing onto the floor, grief tearing me apart like a flock of hungry crows.

  It was an hour before I was calm enough to resume reading.

  August 18, 2015

  She hasn’t come yet. It’s been three days since I did the second part of the ritual and I’m wondering if I fucked up. I’m getting worried.

  Robin and Kathryn are all over the news and I forgot to move Robin.

  FUCK.

  August 19, 2015

  4.30 p.m.

  Still waiting. What the FUCK is going on?! Why hasn’t she arrived? WHY??? I’m sure I did everything right. I did as Lord Aritenkhede said SO WHY ISN’T SHE FUCKING HERE!?

  August 24, 2015

  She’s still not here!

  August 25, 2015

  I’m now certain that it hasn’t worked. I did all that and it DIDN’T FUCKING WORK!

  August 26, 2015

  OH GOD WHAT HAVE I DONE!?

  August 27, 2015

  Shit, it’s all gone to SHIT. When I did that ritual, something else came through in addition to Aritenkhede. I didn’t think to write about it until now because all I’ve been able to think about is Lizzy.

  A few days after completing the ritual, I saw an old man dressed in a black suit and wearing a hat standing in the front yard and gazing at the house. I thought he might be a tourist wanting to rent a cabin, so I went over to ask. He turned around and looked at me and then disappeared! And guess what: it was the same old man that I saw in Beau’s office! Scared the shit out of me.

  The next time I saw him was in the living room. It suddenly got cold and I could feel someone looking at me. I looked up from the book I was reading and there he was, standing in front of my chair, glaring at me. It gave me such a shock that I literally jumped and cried out, dropping my book. I opened my mouth to say something but no words came out. I was that scared.

  He appeared again the following evening and thi
s time he spoke to me.

  “Where is she?” he said in a deep scratchy voice that sounded as if it hadn’t been used in years.

  For a moment I couldn’t speak, when I finally did, I could hear the fear in my voice. “Wh … who?”

  “Dashwood, you moron. Who else?”

  I gazed at him in astonishment. I thought he was a ghost and I couldn’t believe I was talking to him or that he knew about the ritual.

  “Lizzy?”

  He nodded.

  “You know about the ritual?”

  He grinned, showing large crooked teeth and nodded again. It was horrible. If a shark could grin, it would look like that.

  I nearly said, “How?” but changed my mind. Instead I said, “I don’t know. I’ve been wondering that myself.”

  “She’s not here?”

  I shook my head. “No.”

  For a moment he just stared at me, looking annoyed, and then he vanished.

  He appeared again the next night, asked me where Lizzy was and when I repeated what I’d said the night before, he said, “What did you do?”

  I didn’t understand what he meant by that and said so.

  “What did you do wrong?”

  “I didn’t do anything wrong. I followed the ritual to the letter.”

  “Then why isn’t she here?”

  “I told you, I don’t know!”

  He glared at me for a few moments, shaking his head as if disgusted with me.

  “You’re useless,” he said and then vanished.

  He’s started to appear every night but now we don’t talk, he just gets inside my head. I can feel him crawling around in there. Maybe he thought I was lying and is now accessing my thoughts to see if I really do know where Lizzy is. It terrifies me that he can do that. I dread his visits. Evil seems to flow from him in invisible waves and I know now that he isn’t a ghost. He’s something much worse and I can’t control him or banish him. Believe me, I’ve tried every spell and ritual I can think of but he keeps coming back. He’s appearing to me several times a day now or talking to me inside in my head, asking me where Lizzy is, telling me that I must have done something wrong and that I should do the ritual again. It’s driving me nuts.