by Alan Scott
“Yes, my lord,” said Oceania and Lucas together.
“Farewell.” With that, Lord D’Edlup departed.
Chapter Five
A Midnight Rose
The Midnight Man stepped through the shadow-door and into a forest glade. The afternoon sun shone down, as birds soared and danced in the blue sky. He watched them for a moment before saying, “It’s very peaceful.”
“Thank you,” a female voice said from behind him.
Without turning, the Midnight Man replied, “Hello, Rosie.”
“Are you going to kill me?” Rosie Handley asked with an innocent smile.
Tom turned slowly and, upon seeing the speaker, said with a predatory grin, “You look well.” As he spoke, his eyes flicked left and right, looking for any sign that they were not alone.
“Oh, we are quite alone, Tom. Do you mind me calling you Tom?”
“No, Rosie, I don’t.”
“Oh, that’s good.” Rosie gave a small clap. “I do like the name Tom. Anyway, Tom, would you like a cup of tea or,” Rosie crinkled her nose up, “wine?” she said with disgust.
The Midnight Man turned his full attention to the woman in front of him. She looked and sounded simple, but hidden within her, there was a power - a power he dare not challenge... not yet. The Midnight Man gave a low chuckle. He had destroyed gods, yet this simple innocent woman had made him hesitate, when asked if he was going to kill her. “Tea, please, Rosie.”
“Excellent choice, Tom,” smiled Rosie, warmly. “Follow me?”
Tom walked to Rosie’s side and offered his arm, which Rosie took. “To answer your question, darling Rosie – yes, I will kill you one day and destroy everything that you have created.”
Rosie looked serious for a moment. “But not today?”
“No, not today.”
“Good, because today we drink tea.”
The unusual couple walked out of the glade, through an avenue of trees to a large wooden house.
“A very nice house,” stated Tom.
“Yes, it is,” replied Rosie. “You should see my bedroom.”
“Really!”
“Yes, it’s a princess bedroom - all pink and white, and pretty curtains.”
“I am sure it’s lovely, but I think I’ll pass.”
“Are you sure? The bed is super bouncy.”
The Midnight Man looked into the innocent and lively eyes of Rosie, and, using every ounce of will power he had, resisted ripping them out. “Tempting, but no.”
“Okay, your loss,” Rosie stated as she disentangled herself from Tom and walked into the house. “EMMA!” she bellowed.
Tom recoiled slightly at the banshee wail that came from Rosie’s vocal cords.
“EMMAAAAAAA!” Rosie bellowed again.
A middle-aged woman emerged from behind one of the doors in the hall. “Rosie, what have I told you about shouting…” the woman’s voice trailed away as she saw the Midnight Man.
“I’m sorry, Emma,” said Rosie, her head downcast.
“That’s… that’s okay.”
“Do you forgive me, Emma?” asked Rosie.
“Of course I do, darling.”
“That’s okay, then,” grinned Rosie as she raced to give Emma a huge hug.
“Em... Rosie, dear?”
“Yes, Emma?”
“Who is the gentleman?”
Rosie let go of Emma and turned round. “This, Emma dear, is the Midnight Man -” Rosie began to recite, “- a creature dedicated to the destruction of Talocants and the rest of the world upon which we live - a creature who is driven by the desire to feel the highest high and the lowest low - a creature who craves emotions of such extreme levels that they would destroy any other person.”
“At your service, Emma,” mocked Tom.
“Both of us would like tea. Could you please make us tea, Emma?”
“Yes, darling,” said Emma, gripping Rosie’s arm, tightly.
For a moment, no one moved.
“Em... Emma?”
“Yes, Rosie.”
“You can let go of my arm. Please, go and make the tea.”
“Okay, yes... tea.” Emma released Rosie’s arm and made her way back through the door she had entered moments before.
Tom remained silent, his hard eyes sparkling with amusement.
“You are an evil man,” stated Rosie as she opened another door and stepped through.
“I know,” replied Tom as he followed his host.
The room they entered was a simple drawing-room, with a table and two chairs set before a large window. Rosie made her way to the table and took a seat. “Please, join me.”
Tom sat down opposite and looked out the window as a bird glided effortlessly in the summer sky.
“You like birds, Tom?”
“I, too, once danced on summer breezes and mountain zephyrs.”
“It must have been wonderful.”
“You could never imagine the true freedom that soaring through the sky gives.”
“Then why not go back and become free again?”
“Because I am a Chosen, and we crave the ability to touch and be touched. We need the exhilaration of battle - to feel blood pumping through living veins.”
“Hence, you enter people’s bodies, but not for too long. If you stay too long or become trapped within the body, you go insane,” added Rosie, her voice suddenly very adult.
“The wind and the mountains call to us. We need to dance and fly in those lofty peaks.”
“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”
“Cursed,” the Midnight Man whispered, “trapped between two conflicting desires - to touch and feel, and to soar with total freedom.”
“I saw my mum hacked down by a man who was her friend. I cried, just a little.” The child’s voice was back.
Tom swung his dark gaze upon the woman sitting opposite him.
“The Restless Dead were attacking my village. Mr. Fluffy killed them all.” Rosie raised her gaze and looked into the Midnight Man’s dead eyes. “Mr. Fluffy kills everything that tries to hurt me.”
“Is he here now?” asked Tom.
Rosie shrugged and looked out the window. “Oh, look - a butterfly! Isn’t it beautiful?”
“I once knew a woman called Butterfly. She was so very small and delicate. It took her five days to die, and I raped her each and every single day, no matter how much she had been abused during the last twenty-four hours. Her pain and despair were truly exquisite.”
The door opened and Emma brought in the tea on a large tray. In silence, she placed the teapot, two saucers, two cups, two teaspoons, and a small jug of milk on the table between Tom and Rosie, both of whom were staring out the window. Emma looked questioningly at Rosie, who pointedly ignored her. Emma opened her mouth, but closed it again and quickly made her way out of the room.
As the door closed, Rosie smiled sweetly and picked up the teapot. “Shall I be mother?”
“No milk, please.”
“Certainly,” replied Rosie as she poured the tea into Tom’s cup. “That poor Butterfly; how terrible…”
“It was quite pleasant for me,” replied Tom as he picked up his cup and raised it to his lips.
“As I was saying, how terrible that she did not have a large, dangerous, psychopathic killer to protect her - something that would rip apart the world to find anyone or anything that dare harm a hair on her head, or...” Rosie paused for a moment, “...any of her friends or close colleagues.” Rosie finished pouring her tea.
Tom took a sip of his tea. “Do you?”
“Mr. Fluffy likes his ears being rubbed. You should hear him purr,” said Rosie as she added milk to her drink.
“Maybe one day,” mused Tom.
“You should see his teeth,” added Rosie, taking a sip of her tea and peeping over the rim of the cup.
“I’m sure they are razor-sharp,” sneered Tom.
“Very,” Rosie quickly said.
Tom placed down his cu
p and glowered at Rosie. “It would be so easy, little girl.”
Rosie bit her bottom lip and grasped her cup with both hands.
“Sooo easy.”
Squaring her shoulders and placing her cup down, Rosie said, “I am a brave girl.”
“Says who?”
“My mummy always said I was her brave girl.”
The Midnight Man laughed. “Your mummy?”
“Yes, my mummy, and don’t you forget it!”
“Sooo easy.”
“Then why don’t you do it? Eh, Tom? Why don’t you attack me now?” Rosie stood up and put her hands behind her back. “Go on, Midnight Man. I am defenceless. If it is sooo easy, kill me now!”
The Midnight Man stared hard at Rosie, before saying with a lazy smile, “No.”
“I’m so glad we have cleared that up, Tom,” smiled Rosie as she sat back down. “It is too nice a day for threats. More tea?”
“No, I’m okay just now,” said Tom as he put his hand over the top of the cup.
“So, Mr. Midnight Man, you have yet to tell me why you have come to visit.”
Placing his drink down carefully, Tom slowly and deliberately ran a finger back and forth over the wooden table. “I want to speak to Death Claw.”
“He might not want to speak to you.” Rosie sipped her tea.
“Oh, I think he will, dear lady. I already control half of Talocants and have killed gods. Death Claw will know that, at some stage, he and I will meet on the field of battle.”
“Where he will kill you,” interrupted Rosie.
The Midnight Man leaned forward. “I killed gods, or had you forgotten that? I have taken the power of the Draken from the sacred altar of the Chosen. I do not fear Death Claw.”
“Really? Then why do you wish to talk to him?”
“If we clash now, there is no telling who will be the victor.” The Midnight Man leaned back in his chair. “It will take me many years to conquer this world and kill the last of those who think that they are gods. So I say to Death Claw - if you stay out of my way, I will leave this part of the world and you, Rosie, until last. Only when the entire world is mine will I come for you and Death Claw.”
“I will make sure your message gets through to Mr. Fluffy,” replied Rosie.
“Excellent,” smiled the Midnight Man. “I have to say, your maid makes an excellent cup of tea.”
“Thank you.”
“Where are the rest of your servants?”
“I don’t have servants.”
“Your staff, then.”
“I gave them the day off.”
“How… responsible of you.” Tom took a sip of his tea. “How did you know I was coming? I only decided a few hours ago.”
“I had a feeling something dangerous was going to happen today.”
“A feeling?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting. Do you get these feelings often?”
Rosie decided it was time for her very serious face. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“No?”
“No.”
Tom gave a wry smile and looked out of the window.
“Why do enjoy inflicting pain?” Rosie asked.
Tom shrugged his shoulders. “It’s fun.”
“It’s fun!” exclaimed Rosie.
“Yup. I hurt people because I can - because it gives me power - because I enjoy the fear in people’s eyes.”
“You’re not a nice man,” Rosie said, sternly.
“Never claimed to be.” Tom drummed his fingers on the table. “Right, I have people to torture and countries to conquer. I really must go.”
“Of course,” said Rosie, standing up.
“Thank you for the tea.”
“It was no trouble at all.”
Tom rose and made his way to the door, followed by Rosie. He opened the door and made his way through the hall to the door leading outside.
Rosie rushed ahead of him and gave him a hard stare as she opened the door for her guest.
“Power is fun,” stated Tom as he looked at Rosie’s hand on the door handle.
“Being polite is good manners,” countered Rosie.
Tom walked out of the house. Half-turning, he said, “Don’t forget to tell Death Claw about what I said.”
“I won’t.”
“Until we meet again, Rosie.”
“Goodbye, Tom.”
The Midnight Man took one last look around before opening a shadow-door and stepping through.
***
Rosie slowly closed the door and placed her back against it. “EMMAAAAAAAA!”
Emma opened the door from the kitchen and rushed into the hall. Seeing Rosie by the front door, she gasped and ran towards the crying woman. Rosie opened her arms and rushed towards Emma.
Both women met in the centre of the hall and hugged each other, as if their lives depended on it.
“You were sooo brave, Rosie,” said Emma.
“I was... very... scared… Emma,” sobbed Rosie.
“You were so brave,” repeated Emma.
“Just… like… my mummy… told… me… to be?”
“Yes, just like your mummy told you to be.” Both women continued to hug each other in silence.
“Right, silly,” said Emma, “it’s time to stop this nonsense.” Emma gently disengaged herself from Rosie.
“Yes,” said Rosie as she sniffed, “time to stop this nonsense.”
Emma reached out and wiped away the tears from Rosie’s cheeks. “You were wonderful, Rosie.”
“Yes, I was. I put my hands behind my back and told him to try and kill me, and do you know what?”
“No.”
“He didn’t.”
“That’s good, then.”
“Yes, it is.”
Emma looked at the young woman before her - such pure childlike innocence. At times, it was easy to forget the power that lay inside her. “Come on, let’s go outside. I think we need some sun.”
“Yes, please, Emma. I would like to go outside and feel the sun.”
“Come on, then,” said Emma, holding out her hand.
Rosie smiled and took the offered hand. Emma opened the door and led her charge outside. The two women ambled, hand in hand, through the avenue of trees, the warm sun gently melting away their fears. The women carried on strolling until they came across a fallen tree at the edge of the glade and sat down.
Emma looked round the glade and smiled, sadly. “I would hate for him to destroy this beautiful spot.”
Rosie squeezed Emma’s hand. “Everything must change and everything must die, eventually.”
“That is sad.”
“That is life. Without change, we would all be the same. We could never move forward or learn new skills. Without death, there would be no children, no end to suffering, eternal old age, no need for love.”
“No need for love?”
“If no one died, there would be no need for children. Without the need for children, there would be no need for men to lie with women - no need for intimacy, hence, no need for love.”
“That is also very sad,” replied Emma.
“Life is a chaotic whirlpool, but it needs to be for us to move forward, learn, and grow.”
“That is too deep for me on a sunny afternoon.”
“I agree,” said Rosie.
Silence reigned as the women relaxed.
“He is going to win, isn’t he?” asked Emma, suddenly.
“There has been stagnation for too long. There must be a huge change.”
“But if he wins, there will be nothing left.”
“I never said he was going to win,” said Rosie, half-hiding a smile.
“But…”
“He will destroy a lot of what we know and hold dear; however, he will not win.”
“Who is going to stop him, Rosie?” asked Emma, eagerly. “Death Claw?”
“No,” Rosie shook her head, “his destiny is to protect me.”
“A new hero
? Shall a new hero arise to defeat him?”
“No, Midnight Man and his horde shall kill all the heroes.”
“Then who?” a confused Emma asked.
Rosie giggled and placed her hand over her mouth. “A very rude man.”
“A rude man?”
“A very rude man.” Rosie’s eyes went wide as she repeatedly gave the two fingers salute with both hands.
“Stop that now, young lady!” Emma demanded. “Ladies do not do that!”
“Sorry,” said Rosie and gave a quick flurry of the two-fingered salute.
“I said stop it!” Emma smacked Rosie’s hands down. “There is NEVER any need for that!”
“But he is a very rude man.”
“I don’t care!”
“And he will save us all, if his path of destiny runs true.”
“How will this… rude man save us, when all the heroes failed?”
Rosie stood up and walked to stand about six feet from the still-sitting Emma. With her best acting face on, she began, “When all is black and the Midnight Man has killed the last of the heroes, there shall come the angry rude man. Forged in the same fire as the Midnight Man, he shall burn just as bright. Alone in the dark, he shall stand defiant and call out to the Midnight Man -” Rosie opened her arms out wide. Throwing back her head, she bellowed, “- Come on, if you think YOU’RE FUCKING hard enough, fat boy!”
With her arms still held out wide, Rosie’s eyes danced with mischief as she looked toward Emma. “And, suddenly, the lone man will be alone no more, for he is legion, and from that legion shall come one.” Rosie dropped her arms and slowly started to walk towards Emma, a strange mocking smile on her lips. “Hello, babydoll.”
