by S A Jacobs
“Samuel, remove her gag,” I said. “Let us both speak.”
Samuel turned and glared at me. “You want her to speak? I suppose that could be quite entertaining.”
He turned back to Kat and began to slowly untie her gag. This gave me the opportunity I was looking for. I pulled the knife, feeling the blade tear through the fibers of the rope. Quickly, I planted under the knot again and pulled again. The rope was thick. Kat’s gag was almost removed. I knew I had one chance left. I flipped the blade in my hand and inserted it under the knot. Hoping I found the right spot, I pulled the knife up. I could feel the rope straining under the pressure of the blade until it stopped. The blade was free in my hand, and the ropes loosened around my wrists. I had done it.
My hands were free, and I had to make a move. The question was, what move? I knew I didn’t have the ability to overpower him. I started thinking through everything and realized that I’d only ever been able to see him by the pond. Not only that, I had to be close enough to this side of the pond. I had to get to that side with Kat. The only problem was, as I estimated, that would take about ten seconds if nothing went wrong. Ten seconds with him not reacting. I needed a distraction as much as I needed to buy some time for me to come up with one.
“What’s the cup for?” I asked. “I thought you just had to kill us.”
“I will not be killing Katherine. She will no longer live, but her death will be at the hands of your father.”
“How exactly is that?” Kat asked.
“The only death taking place between you and I happened years ago at the hand of Edgar. This ceremony will simply replace your years with mine so that I may live on and fix this.”
“What about my mother. She has your blood too!”
“Your Mother? Yes, you are right my dear. Unfortunately, I simply do not care. The blood is required for the ceremony. It is your remaining life I am taking. You have far more left than your mother has.”
While they spoke, I had a realization: if the chalice were to drop, would he stop to retrieve it. While it seemed like my only available diversion, being that he conjured up the damn thing to begin with, who knew if it would work.
I knew I was proving him right with his statements about heroics versus intelligence. That frustrated me to some degree, but there was absolutely one thing I knew for certain: I was not going to see Kat die tonight. I would save her or die trying.
I looked at Kat. Our eyes locked on to one another's. Through looking over towards the edge of the pond, I tried again to signal to her what was going to happen. I slowly stood up. I kept holding the rope in my fingers and my hands behind my back to give the impression I was still restrained.
He turned to look at me and took out his knife.
“I see you would like a better look, James. Do not be so bashful. Please, come closer.”
I had one chance. I was going to walk up and kick the chalice. As Samuel dove to retrieve it, I was going to grab Kat and carry her out of the garden as fast as I could.
I obeyed Sam and slowly stepped closer. Now I had only two steps to go before I was within reach.
I took another. One step to go.
“You know James, there is only one thing I hate more than whores like your mother.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Imbeciles who do not learn from their mistakes!” he shouted at me with anger.
All of a sudden, it felt as though arms were restraining me. I writhed, trying to break free.
“Now, we will get to see how much Katherine enjoys watching you suffer!” he spat.
He turned to me with his knife gleaming in the light of the moon. I focused every ounce of energy I had left on moving to dodge his blow. It wasn’t enough. While I shifted to my left, the blade of his knife plunged into my side. Instantly, the restraint was removed, and I fell to the ground. Lying there, I felt the warmth of my blood as it soaked my shirt. I looked up at Kat who watched in horror. I had no idea if she was screaming or not. I looked at her. Her eyes were locked on mine.
“I’m sorry,” I said and then closed my eyes.
26
I laid there for a few moments with my eyes closed, ready to give up. Then a searing pain ripped through my body as Samuel removed the blade. In shock and pain, my eyes opened.
“Get up!” Samuel shouted. “We will end this now, and I will not have your heroics thwart my desire to have you watch me take Katherine's blood!”
I shifted and rose to my knees. I couldn’t even feel my arm. I looked back at Kat, and tears began to run down my cheeks.
Satisfied with my view, Samuel turned back to Kat and grabbed the chalice. All of my energy was spent staying up. I wanted to fight but could hardly move. I just sat there in shock. As Samuel raised the chalice to the sky again, I heard something. It was faint and distant. But it was there, and I knew that sound. It was my truck!
The massive engine roared and appeared to be heading closer to us. Samuel noticed too. He turned to glare at me. Soon, the lights of the truck were visible beyond the shrubs. Sam’s glare was still focused on me.
“Something about heroics and stupidity,” I said with the best cocky smile I could muster.
Moments later I saw the glare of the headlights fly over the shrubs. The truck was headed straight for us. The tires screeched as the truck came to a stop, nearly careening into the edge of the pond. Samuel stood there looking at it. The door opened and David stepped out, nearly falling as his feet hit the ground.
“How’s that for an entrance?” David said. “You know, it really hurts that after all this, you didn’t even invite me to your little party,”
Everyone was quiet, even Samuel. David turned and opened the back door of the truck.
“Don’t worry guys. I don’t hold a grudge or anything. This isn’t the first time the mailman forgot my invite. No hard feelings. See, I even brought a present.”
He shut the door of the truck and stepped forward revealing the mirror in his hands. Upon seeing it, Samuel laughed.
“This is your valiant attempt to stop me? Your mother’s cursed mirror?” He laughed harder. “You know the mirror only works within that little seance room your mother built. Out here, it is just about as useful as that gun of yours.”
“Actually, that is where you are wrong, Samuel,” David replied.
He walked closer, carrying the mirror. He set it down at the edge of the bench so it was facing Samuel and Kat.
“You are right. It only worked in that room, but that had nothing to do with the room itself. The truth is, this little mirror will work anywhere. That is, of course, provided the place it rests is set up properly.”
“How so?” Samuel asked.
“Why should I tell you?” David asked.
While they were talking, I started to try and focus my head on the words of that spell. I wasn’t sure if we really had any chance left, but I knew this was all I had. Just then, David’s body went stiff, and he started sliding closer to us. His arms were rigid behind his back.
“You will answer me!” Samuel commanded.
“Um the…the mirror needs to be placed in a sepulcher of a murdered person,” David said.
Samuel let out a laugh.
“Well, the only person about to be murdered here is the only person here who can use the mirror. I applaud your valiant effort, but as with all other attempts, you lose. You all lose.” He gestured towards us.
The effort I spent keeping on my feet was becoming more than I could handle. I looked down and saw blood everywhere. I didn’t know how much blood one could lose, but I knew it couldn’t be much more than I had already lost. Everything I viewed had a cloudy edge to it, and I was feeling very light headed and wobbly. I tried to focus on David hoping he would give me a signal. However, I saw nothing but fear in his eyes.
“Wrong!” I yelled. “You were murdered in this very place!”
Without waiting for any reaction, I immediately started reciting the phrase David sent me.
“I conjure you, Lylet, and your companions and command you to banish this demon, Samuel Freidrich Muller, from the land of the living and return him to hell!”
I finished speaking and instinctively closed my eyes, unsure of what would happen next. A couple seconds went by with nothing. Not even a sound. I opened my eyes and saw Samuel smiling at me.
“Again!” David yelled.
I recited the phrase again. This time as loud as I could with every ounce of energy I had.
“I conjure you, Lylet, and your companions and command you to banish this demon, Samuel Freidrich Muller, from the land of the living and return him to hell!”.
Again nothing happened. Samuel was grinning more now, and I saw him raising his knife. As he did, I saw something in the mirror. It was slight, like a momentary reflection of a flame. The knife was directly above my head now, and I closed my eyes bracing for the impact. In that split second, I realized I could not die with my eyes closed. I needed to look at Kat one last time.
When I opened my eyes, everything was still. Samuel was no longer standing in front of me. I looked at Kat. Her eyes were wide with shock. I turned slightly to look at David who was also staring wide-eyed. I followed his gaze. They were focused on the mirror.
The black mirror now glowed orange. In the glow, I could see the outline of a figure. It was Samuel.
“This is only going to hold him for a few moments!” David yelled. “The mirror needs to be destroyed!”
David ran over to the mirror. He picked it up over his head and smashed it down on the marble bench. There was no shattering sound. The mirror landed with a thud face down. David bent down to pick up the mirror again. As he started to pull it up from the ground, a brilliant orange light poured out of the face of the mirror. David dropped the mirror, immediately falling backward.
“It’s hot!” He screamed looking at his hands.
The mirror fell but landed leaning against the bench with its face towards me. The orange light was blinding, and I could feel a wave of heat wash over me. The light was more brilliant than anything I had ever seen.
“We need to leave,” David yelled. “The mirror will not hold him!”
I could see him moving towards Kat. He was clearly trying to run and get to safety. I didn’t move. I couldn’t move. I was frozen in the brilliance of the mirror, but it was more than that. It all needed to end. I looked at Kat who was making her way to her feet.
I reached my hand around my waist until my fingers felt the handle of my gun. I removed it and swung it around in front of me. Taking aim at the center of the mirror, I pulled the trigger. Despite everything happening instantly, time slowed down, and I could feel and visualize everything. Barely able to stand, blow-back from the gun sent my body backward and into a fall. As the bullet crashed into the mirror, there was an explosion of light, blinding my vision.
I couldn’t hear. I couldn’t see. I couldn’t move. The bright light faded into darkness, and I could hear shuffling. I tried to force myself to my knees. It was dark and still. The pond was only lit by the moonlight. I could make out blurred shapes of both David and Kat.
“Jim, Kat, are you okay?” I heard David yell.
“I’m here, I think,” Kat said.
“Jim, my God Jim, are you all right?” Kat yelled.
“Still alive,” I choked out. “Is it over?”
My vision was coming back to me. I could see David untying the ropes around Kat's ankles. I tried to make it to my feet. The pain was unbearable. As quickly as I stood up, my legs gave out, and I crashed to the ground.
“Jim! No!” Kat yelled.
I blinked and when I opened them again she was holding me. David was pressing on the wound in my side. I expected it to hurt but felt nothing. The only thing I could feel was Kat's arms around me.
“Don’t leave me now, dammit!” Kat cried. “Jim, stay with me. We are getting help. You need to fucking stay with me!”
There was horror and fear in her brilliant eyes. I was struggling to be aware of her fear, but all I was able to see was her beauty.
“We need to get him to the car. David take his legs.”
Now, I was fading in and out of consciousness. One moment, I was lying there in Kat’s arms, the next I was being dragged. I was unable to do anything but let it all happen. The next time I opened my eyes, I was lying in the backseat of my truck. My head was on Kat’s lap. Her one arm pulled my head tightly into her, while her opposite hand stayed pressed onto my side. We were moving now.
I could see Kat’s face light up in short bursts as street lamps blurred past.
“We’re almost there. Stay with me.” She looked at me. Her eyes were full of concern as she spoke. I couldn’t even hear what she said, but I could see her lips moving. I was drifting away. I tried to focus on her eyes, but they became blurrier and blurrier until everything went dark and silent.
I opened my eyes, and everything was bright and clear. It was warm, and the sun was bright. I was running through a garden. I could see the tea house behind the pond. I started to run towards it. When I finally reached it, there was Ida and Edgar. Ida looked at me and grabbed my hand. She pulled me close to her as she wrapped her arms around me.
Then, she looked at me.
“My dearest son. I love you! Never forget that we are here protecting you. You may not always see us, but we are always here. Nothing that ever happens can break this bond.”
She pulled me close in her arms and held me tight. After a moment, I pulled away and looked at her. Her eyes showed the love I felt in her arms.
“Thank you, mom,” I said.
As the words flowed out of my mouth, my vision started to fade. The warmth of the sun was replaced with cold. It felt like everything in the world was being sucked away from me until there was nothing. Black, empty, nothingness.
Everything stayed dark. I felt nothing. It was as if every one of my senses was cut off.
I heard it in the distance. A beep and then another. The beeps were consistent and grew louder with each one. All of a sudden I saw everything. I was in a dark room. I felt Kat’s hand in mine. I briefly closed my eyes as I gently squeezed her hand. I wasn’t sure what happened or where I was, but I knew that was where I needed to be. As I drew a long breath, the familiar scent of her made me feel at peace. I moved my head slightly until my cheek brushed up against hers. I leaned into her just enough for my lips to touch her cheek. When I did, her body moved slightly and I felt her fingers tighten around mine. We rested there together.
Seconds later, she squeezed my hand again even tighter and jumped off of me.
“Jim!” she yelled.
She dove on top of me, wrapping her arms around me. At that instant, a jolt of pain shot through my body. With that jolt, I became completely aware of my surroundings. The hospital bed, the tubes running into my arms, the beeping machines, and the line of stitches in my throbbing side.
“Oh my God. I am so sorry.” She leaned in to kiss me. “I just… I’m sorry. I just got excited. How bad does it hurt?”
“Well, I guess I’m still alive,” I said.
“Yeah, I kinda lost it when you passed out on me in the car, but David got us here and carried you into the E.R.”
“David? Oh fuck, the pond. That wasn’t a dream?”
“It’s over now. Don’t worry about it ever again. You did it!” Her voice was full of pride.
We sat in the hospital bed for at least an hour before any nurse even knew I was awake. Kat told me her story. What she saw. How Samuel disappeared into the mirror. And of course how I ended up here.
Then came the parade of doctors and nurses to examine me. Finally, Kat and I were alone in my room again, holding one another. The door to the room opened, and David walked in.
“Morning everyone!” he yelled.
“David, it’s 12:30 in the afternoon,” I said. “Morning is gone.”
“Nope, McDonald's serves breakfast all day now,” he replied.
He t
hrew a newspaper on my bed and he then walked around and made himself comfortable in the chair. “Go ahead. Take a look at my gift.”
“David, no offense, but your last gift was enough for a long time,” I replied. “And seriously, you have to work on your timing. You think you could have swung by thirty seconds earlier so I didn’t need all these stitches, asshole?”
“I suppose I could have, but I figured I needed to make one hell of an entrance. I mean, it’s not like I get to do this every day.”
“Yeah. Your entrance that almost destroyed my indestructible truck?”
“It’s already at the shop. By the time you can drive again, it will be good as new. Seriously, look at my gift.”
I picked up the paper and saw the label affixed to it from his hotel.
“Great a newspaper you lifted from the hotel. I didn’t know people still read these. How old do you think I am, eighty?”
“Maybe if more people read and did their own research…” he said.
“You’d be out of a job,” I interrupted.
“It’s not just a paper. Read the damn headline!”
I unfolded the paper and started scanning through the headlines. The third one on the page stopped me.
“Chicago Lawyer Found Shot in Wacker Drive Office,” I read. “Oh my God. Is this Lutz?”
“See, I knew you’d like my gift!” He smiled proudly.
“Apparently, someone took him out good. It seems someone wasn’t very happy that he came back empty handed.”
“Good riddance,” Kat said. “One less thing for us to worry about.”
Something about how she said that brought a smile to my face. I suppose it was nothing, but the way she said ‘us’ made me realize at that moment that despite everything that had happened, we were truly still an ‘us’.
Epilogue
9 Months Later - Villa Ortenberg
David glanced at his weathered old watch as his truck entered the long driveway to the Villa. It was just before eleven in the morning. David was nervous, more nervous than he had been through any of the supernatural encounters he’d had there. He parked in the newly completed parking lot in front of the house and got out. His car was the only one there. He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. He set out towards the lily pond.
