“We have to go!” Jack seized the girl's hand and pulled her towards an opening between two hedges, which appeared to be an exit from the garden. Running past it, the two entered a wide open area where the ground was completely covered with ceramic tiles. The radius of the area was several hundred yards around and it gently sloped downward like a very large bowl. Looking at all the dusty tiles beneath his feet, Jack realized he was running through a drained pool that was the size of a small lake.
“Come, this way.” The girl ran ahead of Jack and pulled on his hand. “We have to get to the hill.”
She rushed towards the center of the pool where a mound rose upward well above ten feet. Set upon this mound was a statue of an giant Octopus made to look like it was rising out of a turbulent sea. He couldn't tell why they were heading this way but the girl continued pulling on his hand. Her legs were shorter but she was still faster.
The creature found the exit from the hedges and hobbled through it. The dagger clanked against the tiles as it rushed towards the two.
Climbing up a short flight of stairs at the base of the mound, Jack and the girl reached the top. Appearing at first to be just black, the Octopus was actually adorned with tens of thousands of obsidian tiles that sparkled like gems in the moonlight. Far from being normal, the Octopus had more than two dozen tentacles, which were very thin and twisted in spirals. At it's bottom were three beak mouths of equal size.
Surrounding it were life-sized statues of ancient warriors in full armor. They clashed with their swords, spears and shields at the onslaught of the many tentacles. One warrior was held up by his ankle, dangling in the air with the expression of terror carved into his face.
The mound gave a commanding view of the area.
“Look!” The girl pointed into the distance at the horizon, where Jack could faintly see the flowing waves of an ocean.
“What is that?” Jack asked with panting breath, resting himself on his knees.
“It's home. It's where I came from to see you.”
“I don't understand.” Jack looked closer at the waves and they appeared more like rolling plumes of smoke that blanketed a scorched desert.
“I'm not from here.” She explained. “They don't want me here but I had to come. I wanted to see you.”
Having dashed it's way across the expanse, the creature leapt up the steps in just a few bounds and whipped it's elongated arm towards the two. Jack ducked and the girl fell backwards, dodging the blow. She fell at the base of the Octopus, underneath the beaks. The mutilated arm smacked against a few of the warrior statues, but the creature recoiled quickly and pulled his arm back to his side.
Jack gripped the crooked sacrificial dagger he was still holding and held it in front of him, pointing the tip towards the creature. Jack strafed in between the warrior statues to provide cover just as the creature whipped his arm again, smashing against the statue closest to Jack.
The creature attempted to pull it's arm back, but it snagged. Seeing that the creature was caught, Jack pushed against the statue with all his weight and tipped it over. The statue crashed to the ground and pinned the creature's elongated arm under it's crushing weight. Striking twice with the black dagger, Jack hacked off the creature's wrist.
Crying out in anguish for a moment, the creature recomposed itself quickly and lunged towards Jack, spewing the disgusting liquid as it went. Sidestepping the foul ooze, Jack moved forward and thrust the crooked dagger deep into the side of the creature's skull. The creature fell to the ground twitching and the nauseating ooze bubbled out of it's wounds like boiling tar.
The severed hand of the creature suddenly unclenched the ornate dagger and it rolled away, stopping at Jack's feet. The craftsmanship was astonishing, even in the dim moonlight. The silver-edged blade shimmered, accentuating it's gently curved tip. The image of a wide tree with long roots expanding out from it was carved into the metal. It's golden round finger guard was polished to a mirror finish and the handle was a beautiful mahogany. Along the base of the rounded hilt were a single row of large diamonds that sparkled in the moonlight. Captivated by the dagger's beauty, Jack took it and tossed away the dull crooked one.
How could such a creature have come to possess this?
“Yay!” The girl celebrated, smiling wide. “Now you get to save me and mommy!”
Jack glanced over to her, letting a smile show on the corner of his lips. With the sound of a spring snapping and gears spinning, underneath the girl a trap door swung open. She fell into it screaming but her voice quickly became distant and then silent.
“No!” Jack rushed over to where she stood.
Darkness ebbed at the threshold of the trap, greeting Jack once again. The living shadow that's been encircling him since he got here. An ever approaching night that gets darker and darker, snuffing out any hope for a dawn.
Swallowing his fear, Jack jumped down into the passage and followed the girl, embracing the clutch of eternal twilight.
Chapter 19
Falling through the infinite, cold, and empty darkness, Jack felt no wind upon his skin because there was no air, just an eternal black void stretching out in every direction. Choking on the emptiness, Jack fell forever lower into the endless chasm.
Coldness crept over his skin and clawed into it, burrowing itself deeper, inch by inch, until his whole body froze. An iceberg drifting forever downward through an ocean of everlasting night. Even time itself had succumbed to the frozen abyss. Moments were months, seconds were seasons, and minutes were millenniums.
But hope eluded capture and avoided the icy grip of the darkness. Jack's heart still beat and he felt it, the only thing he could feel. It pushed hot blood into his frozen veins and the beating became beautiful like a drum of war commanding an army to charge forward.
Far down below, a speck of light appeared. Smaller than a pin prick but it cut through the thick shadow like a pair of hot shears through a veil. It continued growing, now the size of a grain of sand.
Cornered edges formed and the speck of light became a square. Wood grains within it's outline came into view along with some doors. It was the interior of the small building and Jack plummeted towards it with incredible speed.
Crashing into the floor, the boards violently rattled and years of settled dust whirled around. His body bounced off the floor, going as high as several feet, and then slammed back down again, finally coming to a rest. Air returned to Jack's lungs and he coughed out the coldness that had infiltrated his body and penetrated down to the core of his bones.
Standing up, Jack felt fine, normal in fact, entirely unharmed from the fall. He was back in his work suit and the flashlight attached to his chest pocket was turned on. The rain tapped the roof above him and the wind howled outside, pushing up against the doors. The chain wrapping around the handles clinked once again, reminding Jack he was still a prisoner.
All the blood that had covered the floor was gone, along with the buckets and sponges. Not even the work lamp he had placed on the warped counter was there. In fact, as Jack began noticing, much of the clutter and garbage and extra pieces of wood and drywall had been removed. The place was clear.
Glancing towards the red painted door, the sheet metal and large cinder block that had obstructed the way was pushed to the side. It must have been moved by Mekel while he was away.
Shattering the stillness, a shrill cry rang out from behind the door. It was the girl. She was here.
Was the sacrifice still happening?
Rushing to the door, Jack slammed into it with his shoulder but the door withstood the impact as if set against a brick wall.
“Dammit, open!” Jack set the dagger onto the floor and then slammed his fists and shoulder against the door again and again. Rusted and worn, the door refused to budge, possessing an unnatural sturdiness.
“No, no!” The girl shrieked again.
She was somewhere inside, past the door. Jack's fists turned red from his strikes and hi
s shoulder racked with pain. Backing off slightly, Jack kicked the door right at it's handle, throwing all of his weight into the maddening blow, with no effect. The door would not move. He continued kicking it again and again.
What the hell? Jack gritted his teeth. Why won't this door budge? What's blocking it?
“Get away from me!” The girl's cry shivered down Jack's spine, reminding him of his recent plunge through the biting cold of eternal darkness. She was helpless and didn't deserve whatever cruel fate these people, and possibly even Jack, had planned for her.
“Can you hear me?” Jack shouted through the door. Muffled whimpering answered back.
He had to get in and get the girl, his daughter, but the door stood in his way, arrogantly refusing passage, mocking Jack's insignificance. Like a mountain being threatened by a pebble, it ignored his vain attempts at brute force.
Jack's fists and legs pulsated with pain. Exasperated, he closed his eyes to try to calm his nerves, but hopelessness crept up to the outskirts of his mind and set camp around him. A host of shadows that prepared their siege for his soul and to claim him as a trophy.
“Help!” The girl cried once more.
Forcing his eyes open, Jack stared at the vent opening at the upper left of the door.
The only way into this room is through this crawl space. Ren's words leaped into memory. But could he be trusted? Jack had no choice.
Flashing his light into the opening, it looked clear. He picked up the dagger from the floor and held it up for a moment, hesitating at it's presence. There was something unsettling about it now, how it felt, like it was an extension of his hand. The tighter he held it, the tighter it held him. Jack ignored the feeling and placed the dagger into the vent, ahead of himself.
Hoisting himself into the vent shaft was difficult and painful as his body barely squeezed through but he still managed, biting his lip against the pain. Pulling his feet all the way up and in, Jack reached out in front of him and seized the beckoning dagger.
Chapter 20
Wriggling through the passage proved possible, as Jack kicked and pulled further in. The metal walls seemed to contract and expand as he went. Large rivets appeared every few feet that connected the adjoining vent shafts, and were like metal teeth that nibbled at him as he passed over.
The vent shaft was longer than it should have been, stretching out at least fifty feet until abruptly coming to an end. A light dimly flickered through a grate opening and Jack flipped his light off. Humming and chanting faintly echoed into the vent, sounding similar as it was in the mansion.
Edging up to the opening, Jack peered into the room. It wasn't large, but not small either. Stacked wooden crates and cardboard boxes lined up in rows, filling it wall to wall. Each one with markings on their sides indicating their origins and contents and all of them sealed except for one large crate, which was broken open.
Standing near the corner of the room, with crates pushed away to create a clearing, three robed figures hummed and chanted. They overlooked a decrepit, dead tree that had it's withered roots sprawled across the floor. Candles were placed around in a circle at it's base.
Wrapping around the girl's hands, waist and mouth, was a thin rope that tied her to the tree. A bandana, soaked with tears, covered her eyes and beads of sweat glistened on her forehead.
The one in the middle stood closest to her and was chanting ferociously. The one on the left held a chain with an incense burner latched at the end of it and swung it back and forth. Dark smoke cascaded from it and streamed across the floor where it dissipated. The one on the right held open an old book and slowly flipped the worn pages.
Jack pushed open the grate and it let out a small creak and sliding rust sound, but the loud chanting concealed it. Setting himself to the floor, he hid behind the crates and boxes while creeping towards the group, squeezing the ornate dagger tight.
The chanting and humming suddenly stopped, forcing Jack to stand motionless. The room was silent except for the girl struggling against the ropes and kicking vainly at the roots of the tree. The middle one lifted his hand up and revealed a black crooked dagger, preparing to strike the girl.
Jack jumped from his hiding spot and lunged forward, stabbing with the ornate dagger, plunging it deep into the robed figure's back. The other two jumped at the sight of Jack and fell away from him.
Blood barely seeped out, only dripping a little near the edge of the wound. Instead, the dagger consumed the blood, gorging itself on the fresh kill. Jack recoiled from the dagger as if it rejected his grasp. The blade glowed yellow and emanated a searing heat. The diamonds on the hilt turned red, becoming satiated with the feast.
The robed figures pulled back their hoods revealing Mekel on the right carrying the book and Doug on the left holding the incense burner.
Trembling, Loyd turned around and coughed out blood. His face was contorted with fear and shock, widening his eyes as he gazed at Jack. His hands were empty, there was no crooked dagger.
“No, not me.” Loyd mumbled. Blood dribbled from his mouth and he fell forward, landing at Jack's feet.
“Loyd? What were you doing?” Jack knelt down to Loyd's body reaching for the dagger but then hesitated, worried that pulling it out may harm Loyd further, hoping that the young kid wasn't dead. The glow and heat faded and the dagger started to fall apart. Beginning at the blade, rust crawled up the handle and then curved around the hilt, eating away every bit. The dagger turned to dust and fell away into oblivion, leaving nothing behind. Loyd's wound was cauterized from the heat, a sizable gash penetrating almost all the way through, leaving behind a faint smell of burnt flesh.
Jack looked around in the room, and it was now smaller, without any of the wooden crates he had seen. He looked to the altar but the girl had vanished. Only the withered dead tree trunk stood there.
“Where is she?” Jack yelled.
“Who?” Mekel was leaning against the wall, frightened of Jack.
“The girl...” Jack stuttered and his head began splitting. “I came... to save...” The candles around the tree brightened and within a few moments he was bathed in a blinding light that scorched his eyes, blasting them in their sockets. Darkness quickly replaced the light as he lost vision. Grabbing his head, he moaned in anguish. The darkness of the entire night collapsed onto him, pressing into his skull.
Reverberating between his ears was the rumbling growl of an ancient monster stirring from a long slumber. This long forgotten evil entered the room and surrounded Jack, snapping with it's many jaws at his flesh. Scorching hot breath poured across his body and seared his skin. Tendrils grasped around his neck, wrists and ankles, preparing to rip him limb from limb.
“This will help you.” Mekel placed a necklace around Jack's neck. “It will prevent the darkness from assaulting you further.”
Jack's sight came back to him and he felt the darkness fleeing and his mind clearing.
“Do you remember?” Mekel asked.
“Is he alright?” Doug asked, his robe already removed and placed on the floor alongside the incense burner. Unholstering his gun, Doug held it near his side and remained cautious to approach Jack.
“Just a second.” Mekel held Jack's head with both hands and looked down at him. “Do you remember?” Mekel's eyes were a mesmerizing chestnut brown that ebbed and shifted, containing within them secrets that belonged to Jack.
The last of the biting darkness retreated from Jack and a euphoric weightlessness enveloped him, revealing the concealed parts of his mind. Jack saw his wife's face, broken and bloodied, with bandages wrapped around her head. She lied in a hospital bed hooked to a machine that monitored her vitals. Her eyes were swollen and bruised, and her upper lip lacerated. It was a car accident.
Julie had arrived home early from work and began to make a stew for dinner, a favorite meal that reminded them of their first date. She decided to walk down the street for only a few groceries, but a truck hit her while she crossed
the intersection. Her wounds were critical, the doctor said, and she didn't have long to live. Also, she was pregnant but the fetus didn't survive.
“Jack.” She whispered while holding his hand, so weak and frail. “We finally did it. We conceived a child.” Her dry, pale lips cracked a faint smile.
They tried having kids with no success. But finally, it happened.
“I heard.” He said.
“Even if it was just for a few weeks.” She said softly. “It means we weren't cursed, like we thought.”
Jack nodded while tears streamed down his face.
Mekel released Jack's head and stepped away. Doug raised his gun, cocking the hammer.
“No, no, he remembers.” Mekel motioned with his hands for Doug to lower the weapon.
“You came to me with your promises.” Jack said to Mekel, still disoriented but getting clearer. “You stood at my door and promised that you could get Julie back for me. She was dead for more than ten years.” Jack lifted himself up to his feet and staggered a little, but caught his balance with the help of Mekel reaching out to him.
“And everything worked.” Mekel smiled, holding Jack's shoulder. “The sacrifice has been made. You will now be rewarded.”
“I killed Loyd.” Jack looked down at Loyd's corpse.
“He chose to be here, just like you and me.” Doug said sharply as he holstered his gun. “It was a risk that we all took.”
“That's right.” Mekel nodded. “Loyd was planning on going to college, but needed money, lots of it.” Mekel glanced up at Jack. “And you wanted your wife back. Now we shall get what we want.”
“I don't understand. How do we get what we want?” Jack asked. “My memory is slowly coming back, but...”
“We were all assaulted by the darkness tonight,” Mekel explained. “But you were assaulted the worst because it chose you to perform the sacrifice. Loyd's death will soon open up a portal to the other side, where your wife is waiting.”