Dark Fiction

by David Kempf

  “Oh?”

  “They will ultimately appear to you the way an old lover does. You will look at them with a certain sense of nostalgia and maybe even fondness. You will not ever love them or respect them again.”

  “No?”

  “It’s going to be an entirely different reality. You won’t have to worry about starving to death, being murdered, or dying of old age. The entire reality of your own mortality will disappear. At first it will be frightening; then it will be intoxicating.”

  “If I don’t feel that way, then something would be wrong.”

  “Yes, Chris. I think you’ll find the experience rather liberating.”

  “Liberated from my own mortality, that’s interesting,” Christopher said.

  “You were liberated the moment the masters came to me and chose you. Once chosen, the old things go away forever.”

  “Yes, David.”

  “Now, let us talk some more about the supernatural.”

  “I would be happy to do that. It’s just that this all happened so fast. Thoughts of regret keep slipping into my head,” Christopher admitted.

  “I hope you’re not backing out of our Faustian deal,” frowned David.

  “No, of course I’m not.”

  “Good.”

  “How can I resist someone who is so handsome? Well, except when he’s not hypnotizing people and chewing on dead bodies.”

  “That was very droll, Christopher.”

  “David, I feel that if I can learn to joke about the most horrifying experience of my life then I can start to forget about it.”

  “Trust me. You’ll never forget it.”

  “I know. I guess especially if I look in the mirror once I transform.”

  “Christopher, I wouldn’t waste time looking in the mirror.”

  “Why, don’t you cast a reflection?” Christopher asked.

  “No, that’s not why,” said David with a grimace. “I was going to say don’t do it because it’s narcissistic and a waste of time.”

  “I guess even when you literally have all the time in the world?”

  “Yes.”

  “Perhaps I should have known that all along.”

  “Well, considering your last name is Wisdom,” said David.

  “That’s very funny, David.”

  “I am quite the wit,” David smiled.

  Christopher was shocked to find that David possessed a great sense of humor. Christopher had even expressed to David his second thoughts about paying the dark price of eternal life. If the two of them would be spilling the precious blood of the innocents for centuries together, they had better have a strong bond between them. Christopher knew that sooner or later he would have a very different perspective. Perhaps the horrible monster in the graveyard will evolve into a perfect specimen of survival. The most beautiful creature in the world was David. The art of the deal was to live forever. It didn’t mean that he would look like a famous actor and party like a rock star. Hideous work would need to be done. Work completed on a step by step basis. Ending the world wasn’t going to happen with a bunch of slackers running the show. All of this was overwhelming, but in a strange way, a young horror writer was more prepared for Armageddon than any priest, politician or dictator.

  “Writing about the supernatural and believing in it have always been two different things with you. Haven’t they, Christopher?” David asked.

  “Yes. I believe you’re right.”

  “Why do you suppose that is?”

  “I guess because some things need to be seen in order to be believed,” Christopher explained.

  “What kind of world did you think we lived in, Christopher?” asked David.

  “I suppose a natural world with nothing extraordinary to offer,” Christopher said.

  “How sad for you that is,” David offered.

  “Sad?” Christopher was puzzled.

  “Yes. Sad you didn’t know what an extraordinary world it really is. Well, excuse me, extraordinary world ruled by them.”

  “David, if people knew how monstrous reality really was, they would be jumping off buildings and slitting their wrists. It would be the worst kind of anarchy ever seen,” said Christopher.

  “That’s why the masters keep reality a secret. It would be a sin to them to waste such precious, beautiful human blood.”

  “If the world were merely made by random chance and natural causes, it would be a much more compassionate place for men,” said Christopher.

  “What are you saying, Chris?”

  “I’m saying that a world that evolves with a survival of the fittest design is far less cruel than the bloodthirsty masters that you serve.”

  “We serve,” corrected David.

  “Hell, that remains to be seen,” said Christopher angrily.

  David was not amused.

  “Ahh,” Christopher blurted. He was feeling a human emotion with which he was intimately familiar. When someone says something they instantly regret, it feels like the body has gone into shock. Then there is the inevitable awkward silence. Then the worst part happens. People stare at one another and really size each other up. That’s the moment when one person has to be the first one brave enough to speak. It’s not that people don’t really say what they mean or refrain from saying things that need to be said. It’s that the first moments after the words are finally revealed are terrifying.

  “Well, I see we’re still having second thoughts,” said David.

  “What are you going to do? Tell on me?” Christopher asked.

  “Perhaps.”

  “I was just telling you my feelings, David.”

  “I see.”

  “Look, I’m afraid,” Christopher said.

  “You should be,” David answered.

  “That’s very reassuring.”

  “Yes.”

  “What?” Christopher asked.

  “While you remain human, it’s only natural to be frightened. Quite frankly, I want you be scared until you make the final transition. Then you will feel like a god among the fools who are so beneath you, they will make you feel an unbelievable contempt.”

  “So I’m going to view ordinary people as insects,” Christopher said.

  “No,” David replied.

  “No?”

  “Insects have a purpose, my boy. People would be a complete waste of oxygen if it wasn’t for how they amuse the masters.”

  “The masters?”

  “Well, the masters and us,” David clarified.

  “Oh,” Christopher said, confused.

  “Don’t worry. You’ll understand in time. I promise.”

  “I don’t understand, David.”

  “No, not yet,” David said.

  “I assume that I will understand fairly soon,” said Christopher.

  “Well, you assume correctly,” confirmed David.

  “Good.”

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t really help you kill your doubts and second thoughts, Christopher.”

  “You’re not much of a killer then, huh David?”

  “I wouldn’t say that,” said David. His voice turned into uncontrollable, loud laughter.

  “David, is there a God?” Christopher asked.

  “Oh, please stop asking me that. First of all, I don’t know. Secondly, there will be plenty of time to speculate on that and other metaphysical or philosophical subjects for time to come. Hell, until kingdom come!”

  “Sorry. I guess I’m just a sentimental, romantic fool.”

  “No. You’re still human. So you’re just a fool.”

  “Oh. You don’t respect me,” said Christopher.

  “Don’t respect you?” David asked.

  “You’re insulting me,” Christopher accused.

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “You deserve it. You don’t know what’s coming to you. A new life that you couldn’t possibly imagine as a mortal.”

  “Oh.”

  “Let’s take a little walk,” said D
avid.

  “Okay.”

  Christopher and David walked down a long staircase. It was dark going down. Christopher rolled his eyes. They did, after all, have electricity in this century. Didn’t they? Did everything have to resemble some type of gothic horror novel?

  “Here. I have a lantern to guide us,” said David.

  “Well, of course you do,” said Christopher.

  “Your mocking tone will disappear when you see the splendid sights I have to show you, my boy.”

  “Okay,” said Christopher.

  The protégé and mentor continued down the staircase. Christopher thought that it was going to literally last forever until they got to the final bottom of the stairs. The sound of the howling wind could be heard from the windows above. Once again, Christopher thought that this all seemed like they were characters in a well written tale of the macabre. Then he thought it was snowing outside. Why couldn’t they be inside some kind of warm, sentimental Christmas book? That wasn’t the fate of Christopher Wisdom and David Proctor. They were horror writers. Horror writers who were stuck in their own grim adventures and future plans to drain the blood of humanity down to the last drop. They would be doing this, of course, with a little help from the blessed masters. Leper messiahs who promised eternal life but could not provide eternal beauty.

  “I suppose you want to know if we’re almost there,” David said.

  “The thought crossed my mind, David.”

  “I understand.”

  “Good. How close are we?”

  “It’s not very far now.”

  “Good to know,” Christopher said with what sounded to David like sarcasm.

  “You know, Christopher…..”

  “Yes?”

  “I am your mentor.”

  “You are indeed,” Christopher agreed.

  “Why do you disrespect me?” David asked.

  “Disrespect you?” Christopher said incredulously.

  “Yes!”

  “That’s insane.”

  “What?” David asked.

  “I love you and I always have. I still do, even though I know you are a monster who is going to turn me into a monster.”

  It was heartbreaking to find out that David didn’t realize the love and admiration that Christopher always had for him. Especially considering that he was once one of Christopher’s literary idols. Yes. Henry David Wells – a great author of horror and gifted academic intellectual. It was nothing short of an honor to speak with him, let alone have your fiction praised by such a man. The honor belonged to Christopher Wisdom. It was his honor and his alone. The whole idea of being one of the chosen ones to survive until the end of time was the ultimate honor. How in the world could David think that he disrespected him? It wasn’t a matter of respect. Transforming from a human being into a bloodthirsty, corpse-eating fiend was going to take some getting used to, and perhaps could give one a severe adjustment disorder.

  “You have serious doubts and second thoughts, Christopher.”

  “Yes. I do, but that’s no reflection on my admiration of you.”

  “Really?”

  “Really,” Christopher said.

  “Good to know, my young friend.”

  “This transition is hard for me, David.”

  “I know,” said David.

  “You do?”

  “Yes, of course I do. It’s been so long that I suppose I forgot about how hard the transition from mortal to immortal can be.”

  “It ain’t easy,” said Christopher.

  “No,” said David laughing. “I suppose it’s not.”

  “David, I want to thank you most sincerely for making my most precious wishes come true. I love you and your fiction. It’s not about you at all, really. The thing is, I am going to change into something that I used to believe was a work of fiction. A fiend that eats the dead and lives forever is what I will be. You don’t just accept that like getting less than an A on a test. Do you know what I mean? I mean, really, do you know what the hell I am talking about? Do you? God, I hope so. I am merely being an ordinary human being here. Do you get me? I hope to God or whatever governs this miserable universe you do!”

  “Well, you are a powerful speaker, sir,” David said.

  “Thank you,” said Christopher.

  “Indeed. I am your mentor, Chris.”

  “I know it,” Christopher said.

  “Good. We’ve had a good conversation and now we’re at the bottom of these accursed stairs. Let me put the light on in this basement and show you what you need to see,” said David.

  “I can’t wait!” said Christopher.

  “Let’s put a little light on the subject, shall we?” All of a sudden the lights came on and Christopher was surrounded by them.

  “Coffins!” Christopher exclaimed.

  “Yes, Chris.”

  “Why……” started Christopher.

  “You need to ask?”

  “Why so many, David?”

  “You think me mad, boy?” David asked.

  Christopher most certainly did think that. The centuries of living must have done some serous psychological damage to David. There was no need for him to have this many coffins when he lived alone. It didn’t matter how much of a bloodthirsty fiend he was. Not really. This would be like an ordinary man with a hundred of the same jackets in his closets. This was obvious madness. What had made David go crazy? It’s not like he spent a lot of time staring at his reflection in the mirror. He didn’t have to acknowledge the hideous zombie-looking fellow he truly was.

  “In a word…yes. I think you’re crazy,” Christopher spoke.

  “Oh ye of little faith….” David said with a smile.

  “Until very recently I was of no faith,” Christopher replied.

  “The only true blindness is not to believe in anything at all,” said David.

  “What do you believe in, David?”

  “Silver and gold!” David exclaimed.

  David ran around his filthy room, kicking and screaming. He forced the coffins open and Christopher saw treasure that even he could never have imagined. Brilliant silver and gold fell out of every coffin. There must have been close to a hundred coffins and they were filled to the brim with glorious treasure. David was smiling and laughing and dancing around the room. It was obvious that his vast, priceless wealth brought him a certain amount of joy. Perhaps this was the reason he wasn’t mad.

  “So this keeps you from going mad?” Christopher asked.

  “Yes, my young protégé. I love gold!” David beamed.

  “That would seem obvious. What the hell do you do with it?” Christopher asked.

  “What?”

  “You can’t just go around and spend it. I mean what the hell can you do with all of this priceless treasure?”

  “I can remember. History is remembering, my boy,” David answered.

  “Oh.”

  Christopher looked around the room again. He started to notice in this dusty, disgusting coffin room there was indeed history. The history of treasure itself was contained here. If one could forget the foul odor of the room and merely take it in, it was quite educational. There was gold from America, Europe and Asia here. The stories of lives lost over greed were here. So were the tales of brave men who died to try to make a better future for their families. How angry they would be to know that the treasure would end up in the hands of a monster like David.

  “I treasure it all, Christopher. Just as I believe the masters will treasure your stories of the supernatural.”

  “Like I said, you’ve read most of my supernatural tales but I do have two left,” said Christopher.

  “Excellent,” grinned David.

  “When would you like to see them?”

  “In a little while I will read your stories. I just want to admire the treasure for a few moments. This is the wealth that I’ve acquired and don’t deserve to have,” said David with a self- serving smile.

  Chapter 20

  Mr. Leeds
/>
  By Christopher Wisdom

  Seth Young always loved a nice country drive. In his mind, the surrounding woods were haunted. They cast a spell on him. Seth had been driving these roads and looking at these woods for over twenty years. They contained the secret thoughts of his life and the promises of childhood. His father would drive him to see friends and to go to the park on these roads. He especially enjoyed driving in the evening and watching the sunset. The sun coming down behind the trees was always a beautiful sight. Seth was forty years old now. He was married but never had any children of his own. Most of the time, he still liked living in rural Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania was not far from New York or New Jersey. They had pretty farm country too, but Seth didn’t think that they could ever be as beautiful as his home state was. There were too many pleasant childhood memories in his head when he looked into the woods. Seth was a boy when his father drove him around here. He was a teenager when he first drove on his own. Then somehow he became a middle aged man. Seth could see his own death when he looked deep into the woods.

  Seth would occasionally pull the car over to see some of his life’s landmarks. One such place was the old stone bridge where he and his friends used to play. Although it was getting dark, he could not resist. Seth pulled his car over and started walking towards the bridge. His friends used to jump out and scare one another when they played. The bridge, built during colonial times, could be eerie, but that, of course, did not make it actually haunted. Seth remembered how much fun he and his friends had on Halloween at this bridge.

  “OOoooahh….”

  Seth thought he heard something. There was no one else around. It was just his childhood imagination coming back.

  He was now in the bridge. Seth started walking fast so he could reach the end fast. He merely wanted to reassure himself that he was alone. Then he would quickly get back into his car and call it a night.

  “OOooahh….”

  He heard it again but this time it was much louder.

  “OOahhh….”

  Seth pulled a small flashlight out of his pocket. He shined the light right in front of him. He thought that he was seeing things. Seth briefly saw what appeared to be the shadow of horns against the wall.

  “Please…help me…”