Sanctum Arcanum

by Alexander Kautz

  “I’m not so sure that I would assume everything completely closed just yet.” Rich peered across the room and to where I had been staring upon the painting, “I realize that we managed to set Dennis free of whatever the hell that thing was. But it was like it had already known that we were coming that day, and some of the things that it said to us in parting? Well, to be really honest, they’re still scaring the crap out of me. Do you think that it’s out there somewhere, still waiting for revenge for what we have done? ”

  The question had chilled my blood. Briefly contemplating the thought, I looked back to my friend. “We can only hope that, without a host body, it exists as anti-matter in the ether. And that it remains harmless for the most part.”

  “You never did tell me how you determined the difference before higher and lower ranking demons?” His features were stern, pale in the dull afternoon light.

  “Let’s just say that some things are best left alone--,” I looked toward the window, dreaming, daring to ponder darker things, “And that the answers to that reside with the arch-fiend, somewhere between the mystic, his demon and the raven’s book of dark dreams….”

  “Do you ever wonder--,” He sounded frightened, but spoke the thought with the greatest of sincerity, “If there really might have been any truth in what the thing at the asylum told you? That maybe, somehow there is still hope in the raven’s book? Some opportunity to overcome physical illness, a second chance at life…”

  “There are far worse things than death--,” The terror filling my heart with a sudden chill, I shuddered with the thought, “Let’s just hope, and pray that desperation never leads into the temptation to find out….”

  Long after Rich had departed, I had sat alone at the desk, lost in deep and darkest thought. Having already committed the events of the day and conclusion to our part in all matters to paper, I now dwelled upon other things. The pain in my lower back had subsided with the assistance of medication that Caitlin and Eva had returned with that afternoon. I was feeling considerably better while finally being able to lean back into my chair. I could smell the subtle scents of the evening meal having long passed, and had taken a few moments to relax before making my way to bed. My attention had become focused atop the desk: Gazing and dreaming as I peered into that mystical golden orb.

  Time, it was one of the most precious and desired commodities in life. And yet, for all of its blessings, there had just never seemed to be enough. Rich’s words had passed through my mind numerous times long after, and fear now fueled my curiosity. But still, I could not justify the means to an end. I had shared the knowledge of centuries, experienced the world and realms beyond while in the shadow of Marlowe. But now, as I sat there gazing, dreaming into the shimmering globe of golden light, I feared death and darkness more than ever before.

  It hadn’t been the actual concept of death itself than now haunted my heart, but rather the thought of losing everyone and everything gathered in life. I knew, trusted within my very soul that we would all be together and share again at some point in time. But now, caught within a weak moment, I simply could not bear the thought. Placing a hand before my heart, I bowed my head in silent prayer, and through the heat of tears, begged forgiveness for entertaining such thoughts.

  I felt the touch of something warm against my legs as Merlin gently brushed against me and brought comfort in that dark moment. “I know old man--,” I reached down and stroked the dear beast, “We must be strong—for the others at least….”

  There had been a strange flash in the globe behind me, or at least that was how it had seemed? Turning to look into its shimmering depths, I watched for many moments, contemplating what I might have seen. And then it came, more out of mind than sight or sound. There was a familiar voice from out of oblivion, a shadowy figure and its minion, the demon, walking close behind. They moved ever so slowly, more tangible with each step, Marlowe’s dark flowing cloak becoming a river of shadows from where the demon’s pale figure followed. Its eyes bright blue and burning, it drifted, moving as though through a dream. I felt no fear within their steady approach, but just sat and silently observed. His voice silent but booming in thought, as Merlin now scrambled for the door and swiftly vanished into the hall!

  “Return to me--,” Marlowe called, his voice filled with sorrow and desperate need, “Return to us, my friend—before it is too late….”

  The two labradorite spheres, having been constructed from Marlowe’s pillars, now shone with an unearthly light. They began spinning upon their bases, faster and faster on either side of the golden sphere! The globe shining brighter and seemingly opening some kind of passage through space and time! The golden orb now lifted, turning upon an opposing stream, the figures remaining steady, still moving forward from within.

  “A great evil stalks you—an ending that shall come for us all. Return, Michael—return….” The voice pleaded, but somehow I had managed to resist! Grasping at the silk cloth, terrified beyond the utterance of a single word, I swiftly recovered the spinning globe, the three spheres dropping heavily back onto their bases and almost falling from the desk!

  The lights of my lamps now flickered and flashed! The blood running cold in my veins and falling back into the chair, my heart pounded like a hammer in my breast! I sat there in the stillness just peering about, wondering whether it had actually happened. Or had it just been part of some strange and medicated dream? The old iron mantel clock striking the hour and startling me, as it chimed out three times.

  “I had better lay down--,” The thought had come out without much thought, “The past few weeks have been a little too much, I can’t even distinguish between reality and a dream.”

  And with that I had turned out the lamp-lights and wandered from out of the room, leaving behind the night’s fears and troubles and that impending sense of doom….

  Chapter Eleven

  Wednesday, October 23, 1974.

  The month of September had simply faded, dissipating like the fog on a bright autumn morning. So had October, as spending a great deal of time resting, the days had passed all too quickly, leaving me wondering if they had even happened.

  The pain had completely vanished and I was feeling my old self again. Having been left entirely alone at home that afternoon, I had an urge to entertain other things! So, rather than risk my dear Valerie in possible bad weather, I had taken one of our Chrysler 300’s and indulged some old hobbies. It seemed that while my comic collection had sat over the years, the back issues had attained a collectible status. And though still reasonably priced, requiring almost thirty magazines per collection had become far more expensive than I had anticipated! It might also have been cheaper, if I had not decided to purchase a number of Marvel horror and other related publications. But then again, what true horror fan with the finances and opportunity could have resisted?

  In the end I had been fortunate to have brought the Chrysler, as the boxes that had been loaded into the car would never have fit into dear Val! I had stopped by the warehouse, soliciting Danny, and had returned home where we had carried everything up and into my office together. Caitlin had not been home at the time, a blessing in disguise, as we loaded everything into shelves in the double-wide closet.

  “Gee—you sure did buy quite a few--,” Danny had seemed a little concerned, stepping back as we had finished, “How have you been feeling lately—I mean, is everything alright?”

  “Just perfect, my boy--,” I had sorted the last few comics into their appropriate box, labeling it before I closed the card-board lid. “I’ve decided to start collecting things again. I just loved these when I was younger. So—I got to thinking, why not start up again? It’s like re-living your childhood, gets the old blood flowing again.” Drawing a large vinyl figure of the 1964 Godzilla from out of a box, I gingerly gave it a place upon the shelf closet and stepped back to admire it. “That design came from the film Mothra versus Godzilla from 1964.” I had proudly exclaimed, “One of my favorite giant monster movies of a
ll time.”

  He had just looked at me as though I might soon require several interns and a special jacket.

  “One day it will all make sense to you.” I forced payment upon the young man for his assistance while leading him toward the front door, “Getting older is hard enough—we all need something that can take us back. And, those comics and toys are my proverbial time machine.”

  His expression had changed little, as forcing a smile, he had nervously tipped his ball-cap, “As long as it makes you happy—I guess that’s all that really matters. You really didn’t have to pay me to help out—I didn’t mind.”

  I saw Caitlin returning with Eva and Norm, and quickly ushering him out the door, waved and smiled, “You’re young and can use a few extra dollars--,” I winked, nodding in gesture as the others approached, and whispered, “Our little secret, okay.”

  Chuckling, he had politely waved at the others and hurriedly climbed into his car, quickly departing before anyone might inquire as to his reason for not being at work. He had grown wiser with age, and especially when concerning anything involving my little escapades….

  “What was that all about, dear?” Caitlin had curiously asked while following Eva and old Norman into the house.

  “Just a friendly visit—,” I had happily held open the front door, “Now that he’s working all of the time we hardly ever see the boy.”

  Her expression had revealed instant suspicion, her eyes judge, jury and executioner.

  “What is it with you?” I had reacted resentfully to her expression of mistrust, “Why do you always suspect that I’m up to something no good?”

  “Maybe, it’s because I know you--,” She had kissed me in passing as I had closed and locked the door.

  “What all this then?” Eva had halted to examine a box of comics that had been accidentally forgotten upon the first step to the stairs.

  “Nothing really--,” I had swiftly retrieved it from before her, and hurriedly making my way upstairs, said, “Just some things that I moved from the garage this afternoon.”

  “Terry’s Comics in New Westminster--,” Caitlin read the receipt that I had accidently dropped when grabbing the box, “Four hundred and seventy five dollars for comics and toys? How many did you buy?”

  “Oh dear, Norman--,” Eva had ushered the old man away from the stairs and into the kitchen, “Someone has certainly been a busy little bee while we were away. We don’t need to get involved when he tries to explain….”

  “Alright, yes you were right again--,” I sat down on the steps and like a child being caught and punished, said, “As usual, I was up to no good while you were away….”

  Caitlin had burst into a fit of laughter, and removing her coat, climbed the stairs and dropped down beside me on the steps. “I’m not upset with you, sweetheart. I just wish that you wouldn’t always be so secretive and try to hide everything.”

  “I can’t help it--,” I shrugged, “I just always feel so guilty for everything all of the time.”

  Kissing my cheek, she had just chuckled and said, “You go put your toys away, I’ll see you downstairs for supper in about thirty minutes.”

  “Well now—that was hardly a scolding?” Norman had peered up from where he and Eva had been quietly listening while concealed at the bottom of the stairs.

  “I can’t believe that you were eavesdropping!” Eva took hold of his ear, leading him from the corridor, and said, “Some people—can you imagine that?”

  Picking up my box and kissing Caitlin, I turned and made my way into the office as she hurried back downstairs. I had admittedly felt increasingly silly for having attempted to have hidden such a ridiculous thing. But, as I unloaded and organized the comics into their appropriate places on the shelves, couldn’t help but smile. It was amazing how some things could truly bring the child out in everyone at some times. Pausing to look at one of the covers, I held it into the light for a better view. It was a dark and ghastly depiction of a monstrous gargoyle attacking a cornered and completely helpless man. I felt that very same awe-inspiring sensation that had first encouraged and fueled my desire to create art. And grinning while re-discovering the magic of youth, it felt good to be a kid again….

  Thursday, October 31, 1974.

  The week had slowly slipped past. Reading through comics and the wonderful ads within, I created wanted-lists of things that I just had to have! Caitlin had not entirely understood this passion, but had never entirely disagreed. It was a hobby that she had considered breaching the boundaries of obsession, and likely lead into something far worse. But as she had referred to it on the phone with Maya one evening: At least it’s making him happy, keeping him busy and out of trouble. How very little she knew. Rather than rushing out and hunting for items, I soon discovered that I could just order them straight out of the magazines! And wasting little time, I set about the task of doing exactly that!

  It wasn’t such a terrible thing, just a few parcels arriving here and there and throughout the following days. It was like Christmas in October and I couldn’t have possibly been more pleased. I had been quite happy while completing my collections, and then subscribed to all the new issues. They published monthly, so the mail would not be cluttered and I would never miss another issue again.

  Before I had even realized it Halloween was upon us and our guests had begun to arrive! It had started with the morning arrival of Tim and Harry, who happily occupied the spare rooms on the second floor and nearest my office. By mid-afternoon the entire office staff had appeared, with Scott and Carrie leading the way. We had been fortunate to have had a beautiful afternoon, and soon the gardens were decorated, gazebo organized and the food and drink all sorted out. Rich had assumed responsibility for the music as was always the case. So as the ‘Monster Mash’ boomed and the multi-colored lanterns were strung all about, the whole gang laughed as we prepared for a long night.

  The first order of events had been my gift of the 1959 Eldorado convertible, lovingly returned to Tim. He had almost shed tears as I had passed him the keys, but Harry had heartily slapped his back, almost knocking him to his knees. There had been a lot of laughter, food and drink, but I had been closely monitored by Caitlin and Eva, the diet forever haunting me….

  Raymond had also attended, and Pam had taken immediate notice. The two of them sharing a bench at one of the tables, I thought to have seen sparks. Edward Wong had also arrived with his lovely wife Kim. They had brought some rather delightful treats and desserts, especially made to suit my specific needs.

  Rich had played an assortment of Halloween-themed songs. There was also a mixture of old radio shorts, some frightening sounds, howls and screams. There was bobbing for apples, lawn darts and an assortment of other silly and fun games. Red Cloud and Scott had been busy barbecuing burgers, chicken and steaks, while Carrie, Deb and Jen boiled corn on the cob and prepared baked potatoes on the grill.

  Eva and old Norman had dressed in Victorian servants’ attire and stood over the bar. They laughed and argued while preparing drinks, passing out sweets and keeping an ever watchful eye on me. I had managed to avoid the candy, though I had privately drooled. Caitlin had dressed as Marilyn Munster, and appropriately I had just attended as myself. Such a gathering of spooks, ghouls and monsters in our garden had never before been seen!

  Danny had arrived with Dennis as zombies, both of them having brought lovely, young, ghostly dates as well. Tanya had stood and sniffled into her cider, the proudest and happiest mother and vampire at the party! Harry and Tim had decided to come as Laurel and Hardy, and if one hadn’t known different, you could hardly tell them apart from the original two! They carried on in classic fashion, making everyone laugh. The evening passing all too quickly, as after dinner and dessert, we had all sat around talking about future plans.

  “I really hope that they’ll invite us back, Stanley--,” Tim was heard to say, “For the Christmas party that still hasn’t been planned.”

  “Now that is certainly the dumbest thing
that you have ever said--,” Harry poked at Tim with a finger, and scoffing, said, “Of course they will—we’re part of the imaginary band!”

  “Those two are absolutely delightful!” Caitlin had leaned across the table and kissed me.

  “Well, you may find this hard to believe--,” I looked over to where they now entertained Eva and Norman, “But that’s what they’re really like in average life.”

  “Oh you--,” Caitlin laughed, playfully swatting at my hand, “In that case—what part do you play in the act?”

  “Oh, don’t be so hard on Moe.” Rich imitated Curly Joe’s memorable laugh as he and Raymond appeared from out of nowhere, “He isn’t all that bad!”

  “Are you looking for a knuckle sandwich, meathead?” Raymond poked at Rich’s eyes.

  “Alright, you clowns--,” I jabbed at them both, “Break it up—we got a lady in our presence.”

  “Oh—I just love presents!” Rich ducked as Raymond pretended to swat at him.

  “You guys are all really too much--,” Carrie took Pam by the arm as she wandered into the group.

  “And who, might I ask--,” Rich glanced back at her, “Are you supposed to be?”

  “Charlie Chaplin--,” She whacked him on the head with her walking stick and tipped her hat.

  Scott appeared from behind her, growling as he howled from behind his Wolf-man mask.

  “Oh, nice doggy--,” Rich laughed, “Fetch!” He tossed a cookie into the distance and Scott playfully went after it.

  “Hey, gang--,” Deb and her husband Ray approached. Dressed as a princess and wizard, she pulled at her husband’s dress and tugged off her beard to speak, “Great party, thanks again for having us!”

  “It’s always a pleasure--,” I shook Ray’s hand and winked at Deb, “Has anyone seen Jen around here anywhere?”

  “The last time that I saw her--,” Maya stepped up behind Rich and curiously looked around, “She was trying to convince Uncle Red into wearing a costume that she had made.”