The Incubus

by Len du Randt

  In the living room, a shape stood up from the couch and in the darkness took two steps forward. Its eyes glowed brightly and it growled softly before stepping back and disappearing in the shadows.

   

  Chapter 5

   

   

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Simon asked. ‘More nightmares?’

  ‘No,’ Justin said. ‘Just have a lot on my mind lately. It’s been a little over two months now since the operation, and Rebecca still can’t get over it. But now that you mention it, your question just made me realize that I haven’t had a nightmare since the operation.’

  ‘It’s difficult to lose a baby,’ Simon said. ‘Even more so for a woman than for a man.’

  ‘I guess,’ Justin said and shrugged. ‘It’s just hard to go on with our lives when she’s permanently stuck in the past. I’m trying to make things better for her, I really am. But just when I think we’re making headway, something happens that reminds her and we’re back at square one.

  ‘Give her some time,’ Simon said. ‘All wounds take time to heal. It’s only been two months now. Things will return to normal sooner or later.’

  ‘If at all,’ Justin said. ‘Sometimes I just don’t understand her at all.’

  Simon laughed. ‘Show me the man who understands the mind of the woman.’

  Justin chuckled. Simon knew exactly what to say to lift his spirits.

  ‘Tell you what,’ Simon said. ‘I’m going to a site next week. Would you like to join me?’

  Justin hesitated. ‘What are you going to do at the site?’

  ‘Not much,’ Simon said. ‘It’s a hardware audit mainly, but we need to also assist the onsite techs with some of their backlog calls.’

  ‘And what about Lance?’

  ‘Don’t worry about him,’ Simon said. ‘In fact, it was he that told me to pick someone to assist me, so I’m sure he’ll be fine with it.’

  ‘I don’t know if it’s such a good idea...’

  ‘It will give you experience beyond the scope of the workshop, and once you get your foot out in the field, it’ll be easier to advance to your own sites. Besides, I’m sure that you and Rebecca could use the breathing space.’

  Justin thought about it for a moment. Simon was right. Being alone to sort out her thoughts might just be the one thing that Rebecca needed at the moment. ‘All right,’ he finally agreed. ‘When do you want to leave?’

  ‘Great,’ Simon said. ‘I’ll run it by Lance. Let’s make it two o’ clock on Sunday afternoon. I’ll pick you up at your place and will drop you off again that following Friday afternoon.’

  Justin nodded. ‘I think you’re right,’ he said. ‘I think that some time away would do a world of good; not only for Rebecca, but for me too.’

   

   

  *    -    -    -    *

   

   

  ‘A week?’ Rebecca’s voice trailed off in a frantic screech. ‘You’ll be gone for an entire week?’

  Justin sighed. ‘It’s important for my career that I go, Becky. Besides, I think that we could both use a little breather, don’t you?’

  ‘Why can’t they just get someone else?’ Rebecca demanded. ‘And what do you mean with us both needing a “breather”?’

  Rebecca wasn’t taking this nearly as well as he had hoped. The conversation he had with her in his mind on his way home was by far more pleasant than this one. ‘They most probably can get someone else, Becky,’ he said and took a deep breath. ‘But I said that I would go.’

  For a moment Rebecca didn’t say anything. ‘You had a choice...?’

  ‘I need this, Becky. For myself. I need to prove to myself that I have what it takes to be out in the field.’

  Rebecca got up from the bed and without saying a word, went to the kitchen.

  Justin followed her. ‘I just think that you need some space; for you; to clear your thoughts. You know; stuff like that.’

  ‘Clear my thoughts?’ she asked and clenched her teeth. She turned her back on him and filled the basin with hot water.

  Justin placed his hands on her shoulders. She closed the tap and just stood there, staring out the window at the darkness outside. ‘All I’m saying,’ he said and gently turned her around. ‘Is that things have been kinda...weird between us the last few months. I think that a few days apart could help us both get over our pain. Don’t you agree?’

  Rebecca lowered her eyes. She nodded and swallowed hard. ‘Just because I agree,’ she said, trying her best not to cry, ‘doesn’t mean that I have to like it.’

  Justin hugged his wife. ‘I don’t like it either,’ he said. ‘But it’s short-term pain for long-term gain. Okay?’

  She didn’t say anything. She merely held him tighter.

   

   

  *    -    -    -    *

   

   

  ‘All right,’ Simon said as he heaved Justin’s bag into the trunk of his car. ‘We’re good to go.’

  Justin looked at Rebecca and stroked his hand gently over her hair. ‘I’m going to miss you,’ he said and planted a soft kiss on her lips.

  ‘It was sure nice to officially meet you,’ Simon said and shook Rebecca’s hand. She had a soft hand that felt like it would break if he squeezed it too hard.

  ‘You too,’ she said and forced a weak smile.

  ‘Don’t worry about Justin. I’ll take good care of him for you. I promise.’

  Rebecca hugged Justin one last as Simon started the engine. Justin got in, and a few seconds later, the car drove off into the distance. Rebecca wanted to cry, but forced herself not to. It was the first time since their marriage a little over a year ago that they would go to bed without one another.

  An entire week to myself, she thought. Whatever am I going to do?

  She waved one last time as the car disappeared around a corner in the distance before heading back to the apartment. The living room felt cold and uninviting without Justin. It was almost as if the place could sense that he was gone. All the colour and life left with him.

  This is nonsense, she thought and shook her head. She switched on the television for some background noise before heading to the bathroom. A nice hot bath, she thought. That’s how I’m going to start my week alone.

   

   

  *    -    -    -    *

   

   

  Rebecca sank into the bathtub filled with soft, foamy, bubbles. The warm water instantly refreshed her and she felt a little better about the coming week that she had to face alone. She thought about Justin’s confession about the abortion and about how she would never hold it against him. She placed her hand over her stomach and rubbed it gently. To think that two short months ago, there was life. Now there’s none. She bit her lip and closed her eyes.

  ‘The thing that gets to me the most,’ she told Justin just before the operation. ‘Is that I still have morning sickness and all the other symptoms of being pregnant. The problem is that I’m going through it all for nothing.’

  She had to admit that in the beginning Justin had been there for her more than she thought he would be. But there was no denying that he started drifting away only two weeks after the operation. He worked longer hours; slept with his back turned against her; and even neglected some of the usual chores around the house that he normally would do without hesitation.

  A sound at the window made her open her eyes. She stared at the window for a minute, but couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary, so closed her eyes again.

  Thunk!

  Rebecca shot upright and stared at the window again. This time she was certain that she heard something. For a while, nothing happened, but just as she was about to move, she noticed it. Outside the window, she saw something move. It’s impossible for anyone to be out there, she thought. On the other side of the window was a small shaft where the drainage pipes from all the storeys of the building ran down in
to the sewage system below ground. The space was too small for a grown man to get into. Yet, there was no denying that someone or something was out there.

  The shape pressed itself against the studded glass. Rebecca could clearly make out little hands and the shape of a head. She leaned forward to see if she could make out what or who it was. The figure moved and a gasp escaped from her lips. It slowly started climbing up the window like a gigantic spider.

  Rebecca’s heart bounced out of control. She used the towel behind her to rub her eyes, but when she looked again, the baby-sized figure was still there, slowly making its way to the small opening of the window at the top. Rebecca looked on helplessly as the figure reached the top. One by one, small, thin fingers curled itself around the opening of the window.

  ‘Get away from me!’ Rebecca screamed and ripped at the towel. She leapt from the bath, and flung the bathroom door open.

  When she looked back over her shoulder, the figure was gone.

  Something caught her eye in the fogged up mirror. It was a man standing in the hallway behind her, looking at her. Rebecca screamed. Her blood froze and her stomach flipped, but when she spun around, there was no one.

  ‘What’s happening to me?’ she cried. She wanted Justin to be there. She needed his presence and his protection. As quickly as she could manage on the slippery tiles, Rebecca ran back to her room and jumped onto the bed. What’s going on? She wondered as tears streamed down her cheeks. Oh Justin, please come home!

   

   

  *    -    -    -    *

   

   

  ‘You mean he left you there for a week?’ Tanya asked. Even over the soft crackle of the telephone, Rebecca could hear the surprise mingled with anger in her voice. ‘He left you there alone by yourself?’

  ‘It’s for his work,’ Rebecca tried to protect him. ‘He also believes that the time apart will bring closure to the miscarriage incident.’

  ‘Like that makes it better.’

  ‘Well...’

  ‘The hell it does!’ Tanya snapped. ‘You don’t cut off your hand to get rid of the pain in your foot!’

  Rebecca chuckled. Tanya always did have a way with words. ‘I’ll be okay,’ Rebecca said. ‘It’s just for the week.’

  ‘Still,’ Tanya said. ‘I’d like to have a word or two with that man when he gets back.’

  Rebecca smiled at the mental image. She hesitated a moment. ‘Tanya,’ she said and paused. ‘There’s something that I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.’

  ‘Is Justin hitting you?’ Tanya snapped and Rebecca almost choked on her tea. ‘Because if he is, I’ll—’

  ‘No!’ Rebecca interrupted. ‘He’ll never do anything like that in his life. But something is definitely bothering me.’

  There was a silence for a moment and Rebecca almost thought that Tanya had put down the phone. ‘Why? What’s wrong?’

  ‘I’m not sure,’ Rebecca said, trying to weigh her words before speaking. ‘For the past few months I’ve been…seeing...things.’

  ‘Seeing things?’

  ‘Strange things,’ Rebecca said.

  ‘Like...?’

  ‘Like the paintings that have been removed from the wall, but when I look again, they’re back where they’re supposed to be. Sometimes I see shapes out of the corner of my eyes, and other times I can see them clearly.’

  ‘You lost me somewhere at the word paintings,’ Tanya said. ‘Take a deep breath and tell me what’s going on.’

  ‘Strange things are happening in this apartment, Tanya. But I’m not sure if it’s really happening, or if it’s all in my mind.’

  ‘You need to get away from there for a while, Becks,’ Tanya said. ‘Why don’t you come over for the week and stay with me? Just until Justin comes back, at least.’

  ‘Thanks for the offer,’ Rebecca said. Tanya was a good friend and she really liked her company, but she wouldn’t feel comfortable sleeping over at another place other than her own without Justin. ‘But I’m sure that I’ll be fine.’

  ‘You sure?’ Tanya asked. ‘Because you don’t sound at all “fine” to me at all.’

  ‘Just some jitters,’ Rebecca said, trying to re-assure her friend. ‘I’ll get over it, don’t worry.’

  ‘Well, if you don’t get over it, you let me know, okay? My offer stands. Always.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Rebecca said, and after some light-hearted conversation to lighten the mood, Rebecca hung up and headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

   

   

  *    -    -    -    *

   

   

  Rebecca was fine for most of the evening. She watched some television while eating a bowl of macaroni and cheese. It was when she got into bed that the loneliness suddenly overwhelmed her. She placed her hand on the empty spot where Justin always slept and fought back the tears.

  I’ll just lie down for a moment, she thought. Then I’ll make myself a quick cup of tea and read a bit before turning in for the evening.

  It wasn’t long before she slumbered off into a deep sleep. In her dream she saw Justin. They were together, having a picnic next to a lake.

  ‘I love you, you know?’ he said while playing with a lock of her hair.

  ‘I love you more,’ she said and smiled.

  They both leaned forward and kissed each other. The kiss was soft and gentle. She loved it when he kissed her tenderly. Since the wedding he didn’t do it too often anymore. She missed the Justin from before the wedding; the Justin that could just sweep her off her feet and make her feel loved in a way that no one else could. Justin placed his hand behind Rebecca’s head and applied more pressure to the kiss. It wasn’t at all uncomfortable; just unexpected. More pressure still and Rebecca tried to pull herself away. Justin held her head firmly and she had to shove him hard on his shoulder to break his hold.

  ‘What’s the matter with you?’ Justin asked. ‘Isn’t this what you wanted?’

  ‘No, I...’

  He grabbed her by the shoulders and flung her down to the ground. Rebecca tried to scream, but no sound escaped her dry throat. In an instant he was on top of her, forcing his lips onto hers while he pinned her arms to the ground.

  ‘Stop,’ Rebecca pleaded, but Justin ignored her. ‘Please.’ Justin still didn’t listen. ‘Justin, stop...’

  Her request fell on deaf ears. Justin intensified his grip on her wrists.

  ‘Stop it, Justin!’ Rebecca screamed.

  She woke with a start and gasped for breath. It took a few seconds to realize where she was. She tried to move, but couldn’t. A heavy pressure on her chest forced her to breathe deeply. Slowly she became aware of her surroundings, including her aching wrists. It took her five minutes of active effort before she could sit up straight. She switched on the bed lamp and as light washed out the darkness, Rebecca’s breathing slowly returned to normal. She glanced at the digital alarm clock. It was three in the morning.

  A chill ran down her spine. She shot her eyes to the corner of the room and although there was no one there, Rebecca couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching her. She tried to shrug off the feeling, but it only intensified. She hated being alone and afraid and felt even more so as she stared at the place where Justin slept every night.

  ‘Oh, Justin,’ she said as she rubbed her stomach. Thoughts of the baby entered her mind and that was all she needed to release the built up tears. Rebecca got up from the bed, took her blanket and pillow, and made her way to the living room where she lay down on the couch. She was still crying by the time she fell asleep again.

   

   

  *    -    -    -    *

   

   

  Simon’s dream was disturbing; more so than any of the other nightmares he recently started having. The overall nature of the dream was always the same: angels doing battle with hideous creatures; demons from the depths of the abyss. It was the
intensity of the dream that was different from the previous ones.

  This time, Simon was one of the angels, fully equipped with armour. He brandished a flaming sword and next to him stood the angel he saw in the parking lot a few months ago. Together, they slashed their swords through the onslaught of attackers, slaying one demon after the other. Despite their aggressive defence, the monsters continued their attack. They were relentless, using human beings as shields while slashing at Simon and his companion with long, filthy steel-like claws. Simon and the angel kept slashing their swords. The demons kept growing in numbers; they kept spreading out.

  Simon looked around him. They were outnumbered almost a thousand to one. From all sides the demons came, swinging their claws through the air as they advanced at lightning speed. Four came for Simon at once, and when he tried to back away, three more were standing behind him.

  ‘Elrisk!’ he shouted, but couldn’t see his friend anywhere. ‘Elrisk, where are you?’

  The demon facing Simon raised its huge claw in the air and with one powerful motion slashed it down upon him.

  ‘No!’ Simon yelled as he sat upright in bed. His breathing was deep and uncontrolled. He placed his hand on his chest and was relieved to find it intact.

  He forced his numb legs to move and slid out of bed. Kneeling down beside it, he prayed softly as not to awaken Justin who was sleeping at the other end of the room. ‘Please Lord, help whomever You want helped. Please protect the person that requires your protection. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.’

  ‘Simon?’ Justin’s voice cut through the darkness. ‘Are you all right, bud?’

  ‘I...I’m fine,’ Simon said as he got back into bed. ‘Bad dream, that’s all.’

  Justin mumbled something and turned onto his side. Moments later he was asleep again. Simon stared at the ceiling, replaying the disturbing dream over and over in his mind before; finally, he too succumbed to the clutches of sleep.

   

   

  *    -    -    -    *

   

   

  ‘Is everything okay?’ Justin asked at lunch time. ‘I can’t remember much, but I do recall that you had a bad dream or something last night.’

  ‘I’m fine,’ Simon said. ‘As you say; it was only a bad dream.’

  ‘I had a few of those a while ago. Some really nasty ones.’

  ‘What was yours about?’ Simon asked.

  Justin thought for a moment. He couldn’t remember half the dreams that gave him so many restless nights. ‘I can’t remember the dreams all that well,’ he said, ‘but I think there was one of a guy in our house that wanted to kill us. Then there was the one where I got attacked by a dog. I know it sounds stupid now, but it was terrifying while I was having them.’