CHAPTER 33
The Final Chapter
AAll ready then
[email protected] asked Liz as Davey appeared smiling and beaming in the kitchen.
AReady and raring to go Mum. Where's me
[email protected] She strained as she sucked in air between her teeth, AHe's not feelin' too good yet, just woke up, you
[email protected] She patted her chest with her hands to show the cause of the problem.
Davey could hear Hugh coughing harshly upstairs. He decided the opportunity was right to introduce the money, AMum, Uncle Paddy's got back some cash from his war pension, said I should give you this, we could buy me Dad medicine with
[email protected] He held out the wad of notes.
Liz reeled as she saw them, AI can't see how...what's he got that
[email protected] Her reaction, instead of being one of pleasure, was one of anger. Davey realised how much the pressure of having his father unwell was telling upon her.
After much tutting and wringing of her apron Liz said, ALet's go over and see how come that Paddy's got so much when your poor father's got nothing. Listen to him up there. And I haven't heard Paddy cough much lately have
[email protected] she scolded.
Davey realised that she was right, Paddy did appear to be getting better.
AAnd I saw him heading into town last week, all tarted up. What's he playing at? Come
[email protected] Still wearing her apron and with a scarf tied in her hair she walked down the lobby and out into the road. The street was still cold and damp from the night but there was a promise of finer weather as faint rays squinted from behind the cathedral's dark mass. Straight into Paddy's she marched, Davey followed close behind.
AWhat's the matter? What is
[email protected] Mrs Murtagh sputtered.
ALook at this! How come the war department is sending your Paddy money but my Hughie's got nowt? Where is
[email protected] AHe's gone
[email protected] AOut.
[email protected] Liz was surprised.
AYer've just this minute missed the rascal. I called him to tell me where he was off to but he'd gone, without so much as a word of goodbye. Did he say anything to you
[email protected] Davey's look of surprise was all the answer they needed.
AI'm goin' to have words with him when >e gets home I can tell yer. A sick man like him out gallyvanting. And if that war department have ignored your Hughie I'll be writing in to complain on >is behalf. If anyone's got a pension coming to him it's a family man like >
[email protected] Liz sobbed, AI'm sorry, I didn't mean to barge in like
[email protected] ADon't you be gettin' yerself upset dearie. I know what yer goin' through with yer man coughin' fit to bust. Every time I hear my Paddy it cuts me to the
[email protected] She remembered her previous annoyance. AI'll give him what for when he gets in I can tell yer, not so much as a by yer leave, just waltzes
[email protected] AI'd best be getting back, we're supposed to be going out today,@ said Liz.
AI just want a quick word with the lad before >e goes, left his stuff in a right mess he has,@ said Mrs Murtagh.
AMake sure he tidies it all up. I know how bad he can be, soon as you've finished
[email protected] AI'll be straight over
[email protected] As soon as Liz has gone Mrs Murtagh produced two sheaves of paper from her apron pocket.
AKnow what these are
[email protected] she asked.
He opened them.
The first was entitled, BILL OF SALE: CARNATIC HALL.
The second was entitled, NOTICE OF DEMOLITION: CARNATIC HALL.
Mrs Murtagh explained, AThey fell out his pocket as he rushed off, cheeky blighter, standing there I was shouting at >im, just ignored me as if I weren't
[email protected] Davey had gone quite white.
AYer not lookin' too good lad,@ Mrs Murtagh said, Aneed a glass of
[email protected] Davey heard her voice as though it was faraway. AGot to go upstairs,@ he mumbled. He ran up the stairs and into Paddy's bedroom, a glance under the bed told him what he feared - the helmet had gone. Frantically he opened the top drawer of the dressing table, the dagger had gone.
Mrs Murtagh appeared at the doorway to the bedroom. AIt's not >im is it
[email protected] she questioned.
Davey started and jumped round.
AIt's not >im is
[email protected] This time her voice was softer and had a crack in it.
AWhat do you
[email protected] AI saw it in the cups... with Mrs Fegan and yer mum. Sommat weren't quite right. Seen it since as well. Where's my Paddy gone
[email protected] she sobbed.
AIt..can't..be,@ faltered Davey. AI've got to speak to the old
[email protected] AHe might be able to tell yer sommat lad. After all it was him that saved my
[email protected] ANo, I don't mean me dad,@ said Davey but realising that she didn't understand what he was saying added, Ayeah..I'll go over and see
[email protected] He virtually tumbled down the stairs as Mrs Murtagh cried after him, ADo what yer got to do lad! Do what yer got to
[email protected] Hugh was getting ready to go but the manner in which Davey burst in caused both him and Liz to stare open-mouthed.
ADAD! You have to tell me something, it's important. It's about that helmet you brought back from the war. Where did you find
[email protected] AEh come on son, it's just a helmet, calm yourself
[email protected] ADad. Tell me where you found it. I have to
[email protected] The earnest plea told Hugh this wasn't just a half-hearted question, he hesitated for a moment then said, ADeep in the German trenches lad, near Hill
[email protected] AIt's not
[email protected] blustered Davey, Ait can't
[email protected] Thinking that he was referring to the location of the helmet Hugh provided further information, A>fraid so lad. Damn near drowned when I found it I can tell
[email protected] AAnd Uncle Paddy, where was
[email protected] Hugh had got over the shock of being asked such questions, he began to revert back to his usual reticent self. ANo point upsetting yerself with this stuff lad, I've told yer, when yer older I'll tell you all about it. That Paddy been fillin' your head with it again has
[email protected] [email protected] shouted Davey. ATell me, where was Uncle Paddy? It's very important to me,@ he begged, Aplease tell
[email protected] AI'd left him for dead lad, it was a miracle, even the medics said it, how he survived I'll never know, tough as old boots that
[email protected] Davey ran out the door.
Hugh was angry, AThat Paddy, I'll give him what for, he's meant to be looking out for the lad not filling him with rubbish. I've never seen the poor kid in such a state. And he's only been at work a
[email protected] AI told
[email protected] scolded Liz angrily, AI told you not to be letting him stay over there. That Paddy's nothing but trouble, always was, always will
[email protected] AWell now what are we going to do, the lad's shot off. Bang goes the day out, and look, the sky's brightening
[email protected] Liz looked out, the clouds high above were moving rapidly, the sun was bursting through. AIt's going to be a beautiful day girl, let's go out anyway should
[email protected] He comforted his wife, AHe's a growing lad, he doesn't want to have to be tied to our apron strings. But I tell yer what, soon as that Paddy gets back in I'll go over there and wipe the floor with
[email protected] Liz smiled at the image of Hugh tackling Paddy, although Paddy was half the man he had been she would always remember him as the big, strapping lump he once was. AYou do that Hughie, come on, let's get
[email protected] As Davey ran he could feel his heart pumping furiously, his legs were heavy and he was bathed in sweat. Without the helmet running was hard. He scrambled down the slope from the railway line and tore through the bushes towards Carnatic Hall. As he neared the house he could hear the sounds of machinery, by the time he reached the field his eyes confirmed what his ears had already told him. The house had been pulled down to its foundations.
ADavey,@ said a soft voice behind him.
He jumped forwards in fright then whirled round,
[email protected] he gasped. She stood before him, she looked even more beautiful as the sunlight shone through her misty figure.
AThe house can no longer protect me, has the Shaman come for
[email protected] Davey thought hard, should he tell her everything and risk terrifying her or should he lead her away, but where could he take her? His heart missed a beat when he remembered oth
er occasions he had been asked to take her from Carnatic. AHe is near. I don't know where but we have to be ready for him, follow
[email protected] He ran back into the bushes and followed the same direction he had taken when the Shaman had appeared at the railway carriage window. He shivered at the memory but his fear lent him speed. They reached the lake. AHe will find you Chacuti, this is our only chance. Stand on the
[email protected] She glided across the lane and onto the bridge, the horror in her face as she looked down at the water told him that she remembering the last time she had been upon the structure. He fastened his shirt collar, buttoned his jacket then walked into the lake. The water was perishing. But he walked out into the same spot where he had once witnessed the image of the Shaman rising like a corpse, he shivered and was not sure whether it was with the memory or the icy water. He positioned himself beneath the girl and stood there, up to his shoulders in freezing water and prayed that whatever might happen would happen quickly, before the cold got to him and he was forced back out. Above him stood Chacuti, his prayers were answered. He no longer felt the cold as a blur of speed told of the arrival of Paddy at the foot of the bridge.
Davey wanted to cry out, AUncle Paddy, what are you doing? It's me, Davey,@ but he had learnt enough from his time at the mirror to know what was expected of him. The girl had been right, he had much to learn but learn he had. If any further proof had been needed the helmet upon Paddy's head and dagger in his hand provided it.
As Paddy walked up he heard the Shaman's voice echoing from his uncle's mouth, ADo not move child and it will soon be over, it has been long but it will soon
[email protected] Chacuti kept her wits about her, AYou shall not take me, I am the daughter of Lord Axa, the only warrior to have stood against you. You shall not take
[email protected] She turned and pretended to run, Paddy darted forwards, the dagger was raised. The distraction the girl had provided gave Davey his opportunity, he leapt up and seized Paddy's ankles and heaved. He tumbled down into the water. At first all was still, Davey moved away from the spot where he had splashed into the lake. He had barely moved when a horrible threshing started, beneath the water he could hear muffled screams. Suddenly the snake shot up, its mouth was wide open its fangs curved down from the mouth of Paddy. The reptile was in its death throes, its tail lashed the water sending it into a boil, arms began to protrude from its body, first arms and then legs. But they were not the arms and legs of Paddy. Davey watched in terror as the snake's body transformed into that of the Shaman.
AThe
[email protected] cried Chacuti and pointed out the helmet slowly sinking, he seized it and placed it upon his head. Remembering that the dagger would also have been dropped he dived down into the water, the power of the helmet led him straight to the weapon, he rescued it from the churned up mud of the lake bed. Back he rose to the surface where he held the dagger before him as if it might protect him from the awesome mutations he was witnessing.
The Shaman was floating waist deep in the water. He hissed, ABoy, you know not what you
[email protected] As he spoke he floated towards the bridge and grasped the structure with his hook-like fingers. Slowly he began to heave himself up from the water's grip.
Davey placed the dagger into the Shaman's back. He did not need to stab with the knife because the body had no resistance to the weapon, it simply allowed the dagger to enter into it. As the dagger sank to its hilt Davey felt it dissolve in his grasp, he snatched his hand away in shock and stood back staring.
The Shaman's taloned fingers loosened their hold on the bridge, he cried a fearful cry then fell back screaming. The body threshed wildly but did not rise again.
Scarcely able to believe what had happened Davey walked out of the water and onto the bridge, he stood with the spirit, the tears were rolling down his cheeks as he told her, AIt is over Chacuti. He's
[email protected] A rip, something which appeared like a rent in the tissue of the air seemed to split open. The very fabric of the air seemed to give way and a horrible hole was formed. They looked into the hole and saw horrific shapes and figures moving around: evil cries, more evil than any which had ever been uttered by the Shaman or the skulls came forth.
From the lake came a horrific final scream, a small black cloud rose from the water, it hovered before them for a moment as if trying to take shape, evil eyes stared out from the black mass but then the cloud was swiftly drawn into the hole. Terrifying screams burst into the air all around as the rent in the air closed up and then left them in silence.
AHe is
[email protected] asked Chacuti hesitantly.
AYes,@ stated Davey. He looked down into the water and saw the body of Paddy, the sight broke his heart, he staggered back down the lane for a short distance and slumped down crying sorrowfully.
AYou have done what you set out to do. I am freed, the Shaman is no more,@ said Chacuti.
ABut my uncle's
[email protected] yelled Davey angrily through his tears.
AHe died a long time ago Davey. You have saved his soul as you have saved
[email protected] Davey knew that what she was saying was the truth, he wiped his eyes with the back of his shirt sleeve, the sopping wet sleeve did little to dry them but cleared away the stinging salt.
AI can leave here now,@ said Chacuti, ALook, they wait for
[email protected] Davey looked. Their surroundings seem to have shrunk back into the distance but along the lane was a group of people walking towards them. At first he thought it was the workmen from the house, come to tell him to get out the grounds but as they came nearer he stopped breathing.
Panqui ran before the group skipping gaily and singing a rhyme. Behind her, arm-in-arm, walked Lord Axa and his wife. Behind them were the old man and John - who as usual was grinning from ear-to-ear. They all stood some distance away as Davey watched Chacuti walking towards them. As she neared the group another figure appeared and took her gently by the hand. It was Richard. Together they walked to the waiting figures.
The air around the group seemed to shimmer and break up, the figures in the group turned and walked away with Chacuti in their midst. Davey watched them walk along the lane until they disappeared and there was nothing to be seen but the waving of the trees in the wind.
ANeed a cuppa
[email protected] asked Mrs Murtagh when Davey walked soaking wet, still wearing the helmet, into her living room.
AYes ta,@ he replied.
AI'll put the kettle on, A she said as she got up and went into the kitchen, AGo on up, you've got some dry clothes up
[email protected] Davey could detect the emotion in her voice but did as he was bid.
In Paddy's bedroom everything looked the same as ever but there was no Paddy. The tears he had cried on the walk back from Carnatic had exhausted themselves. Red-eyed he undressed, dried himself and put on the change of clothes. As he sat upon the bed fastening up his shirt buttons he gazed into the mirror. Nothing happened. No images appeared. He just sat, staring at himself, watching his cold hands slowly fastening the buttons. He took off the helmet and placed it into the wardrobe.
AHere y'are lovey,@ said Mrs Murtagh handing him a steaming mug of tea.
Davey sipped away and felt the fluid warming his insides, AHe's gone Mrs
[email protected] AI know lad, I know. Don't you be frettin' on it now, yer've done him a good
[email protected] He looked at her, her eyes showed the signs of fresh tears but she had dried them and was putting on a brave face, he knew not to let her down.
AHe were a good'un weren't he lad,@ she reminisced, Aremember that barrel of ale he lifted - more three men couldn't have managed it. But my
[email protected] The wart on her face wobbled, Davey placed his arm around her to comfort her.
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