Dark Designs

by Flowers, Thomas S.

I can’t feel anything.

  Doctor Williams turned away, searching for something outside of his view. “I’m going to show you, Henry. But, I must ask that you remain calm. Can you do that for me?” She came back without hesitating as if she didn’t factor in his response or rebuttal or anything in way of conversation or confrontation. She spoke to him as if out of habit. In her hand, she held a large mirror. “Are you ready?” she asked, pausing briefly. She then held up the mirror and Henry stared at something that wasn’t him at all.

  What is this?

  Some joke?

  Dreaming—nightmare, that’s what this is.

  No.

  No.

  I want to leave.

  I can’t—this can’t be real.

  “As you can see, Henry, our aim here at Alcove is the preservation of life, but because it is our bodies that fail us, it is our minds that we must then preserve. Veronica’s body betrayed her otherwise healthy life. My own body is deformed, diagnosed with a shorter lifespan than normal women. And you, Henry, your heart was riddled with cancer. You could have very well succumbed to cardiac arrest on your way to us… but you didn’t. You made it here.” Doctor Williams held the mirror closer, talking with a sense of pride and exhilaration, her eyes wet, and tears beginning to slowly trickle down her high cheek bones.

  What have you done to me?

  How—am I alive?

  As if hearing him somehow, or perhaps sensing his growing trepidation, she said, “Our patent intravenous system is what is keeping you alive, Henry. Medications, free radical inhibitors, nitric oxide synthase, polymerase, excitotoxicity, anticoagulants, pressor, pH buffers, and anesthetic are being feed through your cerebellum and circulated throughout your frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes. The discharge is being pumped out through the spinal cord. The fluid you are suspended in is a cryoprotectant solution, of my own design, unlike anything on the market. Typical solutions require a cooling perfusion where patients are kept below two hundred degrees Celsius. And the body is kept at a frozen death-like suspended state, further risking tissue damage and the hope regeneration, which is, of course, the biggest failure with traditional cryogenics.”

  Henry screamed, though no one would have known. His inner voice rang through his mind without the need for breath. Panic set in cold spasms. He wanted to move. To run away. To say something, to yell, shout, demand to be set right again.

  But he couldn’t.

  He could only stare, unable to turn his eyes away.

  Glaring at what was left of him through the mirror, Henry could see he was like Veronica now, he too was nothing more than a floating wrinkled mass of dark purple in a neon blue viscous fluid. His round eyeballs rooted with sinew-like optic nerves and tracts connecting to his exposed cerebrum.

  He had no option but to stare at himself.

  Unable to speak.

  Unable to yell.

  To scream.

  To run away.

  All he could do was watch.

  And listen—by some miracle, he was able to do that much.

  Doctor Williams took away the mirror. She stared at him again, her expression that of someone working out a mathematical equation or a really difficult puzzle with a strange mixture of something like endearment that could possibly be called motherly.

  “I envy you, Henry Porter. Pausing death for, by my estimations, another two hundred years, give or take. Imagine what will happen in the space of that time. I wonder… will your brain continue to evolve? Dreams, perhaps, and regardless of such, when that time comes, you will be reborn, given a new body, disease-free, beyond anything we can imagine today. If only I could join you in that future paradise. But alas, I must remain here. I am the only surgeon qualified to do this work and to be frank, I am not so sure many would appreciate what we are attempting to accomplish.” Doctor Williams sighed, shaking her head. She looked back at Henry through the glass. “We’ll show them who’s mad, won’t we? And who knows, perhaps one day I will be able to find a successor.” She licked her lips, turning to some other shape behind her. Talking, her voice was inaudible. Whatever was said, she seemed to agree, nodded with a sort of grief.

  Doctor Cheryl Williams turned back to Henry. “Please forgive my babbling. I have to warn you, Henry. Though our procedures in cryogenics are leaps and bounds beyond anything out there, there are drawbacks. Traditional cryogenics risks fracturing. Nitrogen is such a nasty chemical to introduce on the body. Our cryoprotectant solution will keep you suspended, as you are now, free of decay and rot and death. However, you will be aware the entire time. Parts of the brain will go into a sort of hibernation, but not entirely. And seeing how I’ve never gone through the procedure myself, this is simply a hypothesis of mine. Our oldest subject—patient, Charles Roberts, has been in our care since… 2001, my my, has it been that long? For seventeen years since his operation he has yet to reach any sort of sleep cycle.”

  Sleep cycle?

  Aware…?

  God… is she saying—

  “Charles, unfortunate as it is, reached a state of madness shortly after undergoing the procedure. Have you ever heard of a phase called Deep Time? It’s the way geologist measure geological changes in the Earth. Cosmologists use it as well. Deep Time is nearly metaphysical, in a way. The human mind is unable to grasp the true nature the infinite. We understand the concept, but I believe it’s this sense of Deep Time that causes one to lose control, to slip away, as it were. Since Charles, we have started other initiatives in hopes of staving off dementia. You may have wondered how it is you can hear me, well, another one of our residents, Doctor Faust, developed a device that can connect to the cerebellum and will allow our patients to listen, to hear our voice, in manner of speaking. We check in with our residents every few… well… such lengths you will find meaningless. Deep Time is beyond rational understanding.”

  Henry watched as Doctor Williams reached toward the stainless tube where what was left of him now resided. “This is not goodbye, Henry Porter. Only, as the French say, au revoir until you have reached your destination, your… ascension.” She slid down the viewport, casting him in utter darkness. Whatever it was he called hearing, the sensation of listening, crackled and was silenced.

  He was alone.

  Unable to move.

  Blink.

  Speak.

  Only to watch the dark.

  And wait.

  ABOUT THE AUTHORS

  When Jonathan Butcher was 7-years-old, a teacher banned him from writing any more stories about monsters or ghosts. He managed to restrain himself for a full school term, but he hasn't stopped writing them since.

  Jonathan authors strange and varied horror tales and loves to push boundaries. His work has been published by Great British Horror, Burdizzo Books, Eyecue Productions, Dynatox Ministries, Quantum Corsets and the Sinister Horror Company, as well as a big ol’ swath of magazines and websites.

  He earns his crust as a freelance copywriter/proofreader/ wordhead, screams nihilistic hell-filth for the band Vomit Coffin, and lurks in Birmingham, UK. You can find him here: www.facebook.com/jonathanbutcherauthor

  Daniel Marc Chant is an author of strange fiction and Cthulhu sacrifice. His passion for H. P. Lovecraft & the films of John Carpenter inspired him to produce intense, cinematic stories with a sinister edge.

  Daniel launched his début Burning House in 2015, swiftly following with the Lovecraft-inspired Maldición. His most recent books Mr. Robespierre, Aimee Bancroft and The Singularity Storm and Into Fear have garnered universal praise.

  He has featured in the anthology collections Cthulhu Lies Dreaming from Ghostwoods Books, Death By Chocolate from KnightsWatch Press, VS: US vs UK Horror from Shadow Work Publishing and Bah! Humbug! from Matt Shaw Publishing, as well as the upcoming The Stars at My Door from April Moon Books.

  Daniel also created The Black Room Manuscripts, a charity horror anthology & is a founder of UK independent genre publisher The Sinister Horror Company. He also think
s bipedal werewolves are better than quadruped ones.

  You can find him amongst the nameless ones on twitter @danielmarcchant, at www.facebook.com/danielmarcchant and www.sinisterhorrorcompany.com.

  Chad A. Clark is an author of dark-leaning fiction, born and raised in the middle of the United States. His road began in Illinois along the banks of the Mississippi and from there he moved to Iowa, where he has lived ever since. The way from there to here has been littered with no shortage of books and movies, all of which have and continue to inform his narrative style. Chad currently writes book reviews for Confessions Of A Reviewer. Additionally, he is nearing the end of a blogging project (Tracing The Trails Of The King) in which he has been reading and reviewing all of Stephen King's books in order of publication. He has published three books: a novel (Behind Our Walls), a novella (Down The Beaten Path) and a collection of short stories (A Shade For Every Season). He will also have a number of stories appearing in anthologies this year and has a several novellas prepared to depart out into the world. You can find out more about Chad at his official website : www.cclarkfiction.net

  Lydian Faust is a writer of horror, poetry, dark fantasy, and speculative fiction. She is also a painter who likes to lay it on thick. Ms. Faust lives in one of the murder capitals of the U.S. Her hobbies include nachos and alien conspiracy theories. You can find her at www.lydianfaust.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lydianfaust, and on Twitter @LydianFaust.

  G. H. Finn is the pen name of someone who keeps his real identity secret so that the multi-dimensional alien fungus will never be able to locate him.

  Hopefully.

  Having written non-fiction for many years, Finn began writing short stories in 2015.

  Finn especially enjoys mixing genres (sometimes in a blender, after beating them insensible with a blunt instrument) including mystery, horror, steampunk, sword-and-sorcery, dark comedy, fantasy, detective, dieselpunk, weird, supernatural, sword-and-planet, speculative, folkloric, Cthulhu mythos, sci-fi, spy-fi, satire and urban fantasy.

  Website: www.ghfinn.orkneymagic.com

  Twitter: @GanferHaarFinn

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/g.h.finn/

  Thomas S. Flowers is the published author of several stories of dark fiction. He resides in Houston, Texas, with his wife and daughter. His debut novel, Reinheit, is published with Shadow Work Publishing, along with The Incredible Zilch Von Whitstein, Apocalypse Meow, Lanmo, and his newest release, The Hobbsburg Horror. His military/paranormal thriller series, The Subdue Series, including Dwelling, Emerging, and Conceiving, have been published with Limitless Publishing, LLC. In 2008, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army where he served for seven years, with three tours serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2014, Thomas graduated from University of Houston Clear Lake with a BA in History. He blogs at www.machinemean.org, where he reviews movies and books on a wide range of strange yet oddly related topics. You can keep up with Thomas and all his strange events by joining his author newsletter, at http://goo.gl/2CozdE.

  Tim Jeffreys is the author of five collections of short stories, the most recent being Another Shore. His novella, Voids, co-written with Martin Greaves was published by Omnium Gatherum Media in early 2016. His short fiction has appeared in various international anthologies and magazines too numerous to name. He also edits and compiles the Dark Lane Anthologies where he gets to publish talented writers from all over the world. In his own work he incorporates elements of horror, fantasy, absurdist humour, science-fiction and anything else he wants to toss into the pot to create his own brand of weird fiction. Visit him online at www.timjeffreys.blogspot.co.uk.

  Carl R. Jennings is by day a thickly Russian accented bartender in Southwest Virginia. By day he is the rooster-themed superhero, the Molotov Cocktail, protecting the weak and beer-sodden. While heroically posing on a rooftop in the moonlight in case a roaming photographer happens by, he finds the time to write down a word or two in the lifelong dream that he can put aside the superhero mantle and utility comb and become a real author. Like Carl R. Jennings' Facebook page or follow him on Twitter @carlrjennings.

  T. N. Kaylor lives in a “classified” location somewhere in Nevada. Over the course of her career, she has been a technical writer, a published sociology academic, and a copy editor. Building on those skills, she injects her dark humor and twisted imagination of the surreal into gritty character-driven fiction.

  She has published short stories in weird anthologies and fringe magazines. Her collection of word art, “The Zen of Horror” is in its third edition. Her supernatural novella, Magnitude will release for Easter in 2017. Book 1: “The Players” of the dystopian Nevadaland series is now available on Amazon. Currently, she’s working on Book 2: “The Games” and Book 3: "The Fires." Look for her horror, science fiction novel The One, set for release in 2018.

  Join her in this post-modern dark space at tnkaylor.com, if you dare.

  similar to most humans, alex kimmell is made from a high percentage of dihydrogen monoxide. he inhales oxygen and exhales carbon dioxide. to provide energy for survival, he consumes necessary resources. with his spouse, he has two male offspring. they reside together in the smallest american state. his family’s two short legged canines keep the squirrels at bay. he has nightmares… visit him at alexkimmell.com.

  Patrick Loveland writes screenplays, novels, and short stories. By day, he works at a state college in Southern California, where he lives with his wife and young daughter. His stories have appeared in anthologies published by April Moon Books, Bold Venture Press, Sirens Call Publications, Indie Authors Press, Phantaxis, and the award-winning Crime Factory zine. Patrick’s first novel, A Tear in the Veil, will be published in early-to-mid 2017 by April Moon Books. patrickloveland.com.

  Chad Lutzke lives in Battle Creek, MI. with his wife, children, and far too many dogs. For over two decades, he has been a contributor to several different outlets in the independent music and film scene including articles, reviews, and artwork. Chad loves music, rain, sarcasm, dry humor, and cheese. He has a strong disdain for dishonesty and hard-boiled eggs. He has written for Famous Monsters of Filmland, Rue Morgue and Scream magazine. He is a regular contributor to Horror Novel Reviews, Halloween Forevermore and Heavy Planet. His fictional work can be found in several magazines and anthologies as well as his own 18-story anthology, Night as a Catalyst. He has written a collaborative effort with horror author Terry M. West, The Him Deep Down. In the summer of 2016, Lutzke released his dark coming-of-age novella Of Foster Homes and Flies which has been praised by authors Jack Ketchum, James Newman, John Boden, and many others. Later in 2016, Lutzke released his contribution to bestselling author J. Thorn's American Demon Hunter series with American Demon: Hunters: Battle Creek, MI. His most recent release, Wallflower, is a bleak tale of addiction, delusion, and flowers. Chad can be found lurking the internet at the following address: www.chadlutzke.com.

  Jeffery X Martin lives somewhere in the Great American South with his wife, Hannah. He is the creator of the Elders Keep fiction series. He is also the co-host of Kiss the Goat, a podcast about comparative religions, Devil movies, and cooking. In his spare time, he enjoys Italian horror films, 80's alternative music, and watching professional wrestling. Find him on Facebook and Twitter, dancing precariously along that fine line between pleasure and pain. His latest novella, Parham's Field, is available on Amazon from Shadow Work Publishing. Get more updates at www.elderskeep.com.

  Ken Preston lives in the dead centre of England, on the street where Jack the Ripper was born, and lurks in his cellar writing dark fiction. Mostly known for his Joe Coffin series of novels, Ken also writes for young adults and has even been known to write for the romance market. When not writing he can be found running creative writing classes for both adults and teens, and he is a regular at the local open mic events.

  To find out more about Ken and his vampire hunting anti-hero, Joe Coffin, and to get your hands on a bunch of digital goodies, head on over to kenprest
on.co.uk and join ‘The Mob’.

  Duncan Ralston was born in Toronto and spent his teens in small-town Canada. As a "grownup," Duncan lives with his partner and their dog in Toronto, where he writes dark fiction about the things that disturb him. In addition to his twisted short stories found in Gristle & Bone, the anthologies Easter Eggs & Bunny Boilers, What Goes Around, Death by Chocolate, Flash Fear, and the charity anthologies Burger Van, Bah! Humbug!, VS: US vs UK Horror, and The Black Room Manuscripts Vol. 1, he is the author of the novels Salvage, Wildfire, The Method, and Woom, an extreme horror Black Cover book from Matt Shaw Publications. You can follow him on Facebook www.facebook.com/duncanralstonfiction and on Twitter @userbits. Get a free thriller novel when you join www.duncanralston.com.

  Originally from Scotland, Alec Robertson lives in Dublin, Ireland and has written mostly comic scripts as a preferred medium for storytelling, through images as well as words. Notably among the publications that have carried his work has been the horror comics Something Wicked and Bomb Scares and the Sci-fi comic Futurequake.

  MORE FROM SWP

  VS: US vs UK Horror (anthology) edited by Dawn Cano

  The Hobbsburg Horror (collection) by Thomas S. Flowers

  Parham’s Field (novel) by Jeffery X. Martin

  Where the Monsters Live (novella) by Duncan Ralston

  I Am Karma (novella) by Dawn Cano

  Black Friday (collection) by Jeffery X. Martin

  Wildfire (novel) by Duncan Ralston

  Hunting Witches (novel) by Jeffery X. Martin

  Lanmo (novella) by Thomas S. Flowers

  The Idea of North (novel) by Alex Kimmell