Sanctum Arcanum

by Alexander Kautz

  “It’s a knitted scarf--,” Eva blushed as she informed him, “Its five feet long, purple, golden, green and red with tassels. It took me almost a month to make.”

  Rich had crawled across the floor to where she sat, and hugging her, planted a big wet sloppy kiss on her cheek.

  “Oh, dear--,” She laughed, putting a hand to her flushed cheek, “It wasn’t all as great as that.”

  “Well, to me it was and it’s worth a whole lot more.” He draped it about his neck, and standing up, modeled it for all of us to see.

  “It looks perfect and suits you just fine.” Maya had kissed him as he dropped down on the couch beside her.

  “Oh—you didn’t.” Caitlin had opened and looked into her parcel with wide eyes. “Michael—it’s absolutely beautiful—I don’t even know what to say?”

  “Then don’t say anything--,” I leaned over and kissed her cheek, “Just try it on and see how it feels and looks.”

  Maya had rushed over, assisting Caitlin, and placed the golden chain and heart-shaped diamond pendant about her neck. It shone like the stars against her emerald turtle-neck sweater. And as she turned with tears in her eyes to look upon me, I kissed her and held her close. A moment and memory untainted by the horrors of the previous night.

  “Open yours--,” Rich had insisted, waving his hands enthusiastically, “I can’t take the suspense any longer—I need to know!”

  Looking about at my friends and extended family, I fought back the emotions, a mixture of happiness and complete and utter fear. For unlike them, having become enchanted by the moment, I had seen the darkness from between the draperies as the lights had faintly flickered…. Hurriedly opening the parcel and removing the lid from the little red box within, I could only stare at this wondrous gift from my beloved Caitlin.

  “It’s not new--,” She explained as I drew the large and ornate gold Celtic cross from out of the box, “It once belonged to my father. It’s all that I have left of him. I just had it cleaned and wrapped for you.”

  Centrally outlined in diamonds, a large emerald shined brilliantly in the reflection of the flashing Christmas lights. Utterly speechless, I kept looking between her and the beautiful gift of love and antiquity.

  “Well, if you’ll not say something--,” Eva smiled, “At least kiss the lady!”

  And, I did exactly that! More deeply, longer and more passionately than I had in a long time! It seemed that after doing so, the breath to make comment had finally returned, “It’s absolutely beautiful, my love—and it means the world to me.”

  Rich had rushed over and, without a thought, reached beneath my grey knit-sweater neck and white shirt, and clasped the chain and cross about my neck. I had kissed her again, and before my friend could leave, pulled a small parcel from out of my sweater pocket. “This if for you--,” I passed it into his hands, “It’s a little something that I picked up the other day.”

  Taking a seat on the couch beside us, he promptly opened and examined the contents of the little black-velvet box. His features brightening as withdrawing the large silver Celtic cross from within, he admired the diamond, “It’s the greatest gift that Maya never gave me.” He winked at his wife, and said, “It’s absolutely amazing—I love it!”

  “I’m jealous!” Maya laughed as she came to where we all sat, and doing the same for him, clasped the silver cross about his neck, “I dub thee Sir Richard. Arise, white knight!”

  There had been laughter again as my friend turned and looked to me. His eyes shining as he fingered at the large silver Celtic cross that hung about his neck, “Truly, one of the greatest gifts that I have ever received, from the greatest friend that I have ever had in this life, or any other.”

  There had been a moment of apprehension before he had simply come forward, hugging me as family would, and returned to his place on the couch with Maya.

  “Well, go ahead!” Rich motioned for Eva to open and reveal the gift that she had received from him and Maya. She had done so rather apprehensively, as being encouraged by all of us, tore into the large parcel like a child!

  We had all laughed as the paper and ribbons flew all about her. And as she finally pulled open the lid of the box, she had just stared, tears of joy filling her eyes as she looked about the room at all of us.

  “What did they give you?” Caitlin asked.

  Reaching into the parcel with both hands, she drew out a large white and knitted woolen sweater, matching scarf and mittens. She held these before her as though having been imparted a gift from the angels themselves.

  “You always tell us how you get chilly--.” Maya had explained, “So, I made those for you—I hope you like them?”

  ‘They are absolutely beautiful, my dears--,” Eva moved from her seat on the couch beside us and hugged them both, “They’re truly a fine gift—and I will always wear them in fondest regard of the both of you. Thank you ever so much!”

  “I think that this calls for a toast.” Caitlin had gone to the antique liquor cabinet that stood in the dining room, drawing out glasses and a fine bottle of brandy, “This vintage is even older than I am!” She had remarked while returning and drawing the cork from the spout, and placing the accompany crystal decanter top upon the bottle, “Would you do the honors, my love?”

  I had poured snifters for all and served them with a smile. In all the time that we had had these treasures, I had never before opened a single bottle! Realizing that they had been a family heirloom, I had waited for a special occasion when it had felt appropriate. That time having finally arrived, I returned to my seat beside her and Eva, gently swirling the glass and admiring the golden liquid in the reflection of the hearth.

  “You have to warm it in your glass--,” Rich had informed Maya, demonstrating while swirling it ever so gently in his hand, “It brings the true spirit of the drink into full blossom.”

  She had imitated her husband, smiling as we all indulged the moment. Caitlin had expectantly looked to me and raised her glass.

  “In honor of this moment, this special brandy and fine company, I would like to propose a toast.” I raised my glass and looking around the room to my friends, affectionately said, “To the greatest friends, and greatest family that anyone could ever hope to have. God Bless and keep us all, now and forevermore.”

  There was silence in the room as everyone partook of their drink and the blessing. A moment later, we had all looked to one another as the liquid warmed our hearts and soothed our souls.

  “This is the finest brandy that I have ever tasted--,” Rich commented, as examining his glass, he looked around at us all before saying, “Or maybe it’s just the best company that I have ever shared a bottle with?”

  There was a sudden and heavy pounding upon the front door and we all fell silent, turning in horror toward the sound. Caitlin’s eyes had flashed as she looked to me. Placing down my glass, I prepared to move toward the door.

  “What are you doing?” Rich gasped, leaping from his seat and to my side.

  Looking around the room and toward the empty mantel above the hearth, I swallowed hard while turning back to my friend, “The raven has not come—he would have, if the devil were at the door….”

  “What if it couldn’t for some reason—what if something has happened?” Caitlin peered fearfully toward the hallway and stairs as the pounding came again.

  “Please—trust me.” I had looked into the wide and fear-filled eyes of all, before slowly but steadily making my way into the hall and toward the front door. Though visibly frightened, they had all followed as Rich pursued me without a second thought.

  Switching on the hall lights and lantern on the walk beyond, I reached for the door as the pounding came even harder this time! I had looked upon my loved ones. Sensing no threat, I unlocked the door and opened it just enough to peek out.

  There had been a sudden noise that, startling us all at first, caused me to laugh as the carolling began! The little group had gathered before our door, all neighbors and familiar fa
ces who now sang from their hymn books!

  I had thrown the door wide open as we all gathered and listened, the carollers joyously singing “Good King Wenceslas.” We had all held each other close as the darkness seemed to pass in that moment. I had not even realized what a firm hold the terror had taken upon our souls and lives until fearing to answer my own front door….

  As we stood and listened I realized that there had been a power within such a simple thing. The gathering of people in the name of a good cause, it was a force that drove off the evils of the night. Whether aware or not, our neighbors had brought more than song to the season, they restored hope into our home and faith to our hearts.

  “Merry Christmas one and all--,” Rich had placed fifty dollars into the hat that was offered, “Hot cocoa, apple cider and cinnamon buns for everyone, on me!”

  They had cheered and laughed, as continuing on their way to share seasonal joy, I watched as they passed through my partially open main gates….

  “I don’t remember those having been left open like that?” Rich had slowly turned and looked to me.

  “They won’t stop the true fear that now haunts us all--,” I slowly closed and locked the front door while allowing the lights to remain on, “They can remain like that until morning. Let’s not be concerned about it.”

  “How about some of that nice plum-cake Eva baked using your mother’s recipe?” Caitlin had kissed my cheek. As attempting to brighten the moment, she winked, “I’ll even let you have a whole piece!”

  “You better take it while you can--,” Rich gave me a gentle elbow to the ribs, “Deals like that only come around once a year.”

  Lightened in the moment, we had all gone to the dining table as Eva served cake and refreshments. But I had paused in thought before settling down to the delightful treats. Taking a moment to hurry about, I began drawing and tightly closing all of the draperies….

  10:15 p.m.

  We had all remained in the living room and before the hearth. Once more we had moved the furniture and I had created the circle and symbol of protection in the firelight. We had brought out the oil lamps in preparation, and gathered such as we might need to manage through another long night.

  Caitlin, Eva and Maya were upon the couches and fast asleep, as somewhere between the warmth of the brandy and hearth, they had succumbed to utter fatigue. I had sat quietly with Rich, sipping at that wonderful brandy while gazing upon our brightly lit tree. Merlin slept soundly where he had nestled among the assorted gifts, as we listened to the mellow sounds of Bing Crosby’s, “I’ll be Home for Christmas.”

  “That’s a terrific console stereo.” Rich had motioned with a nod at my 1973 Fleetwood console.

  “I bought it in December of 1973--,” I sighed, “It’s fully loaded, but I still miss the old radio record-players that we used to have.”

  “I know—they just don’t build them like that anymore.” He thought briefly, his spirits lifted by the brandy as he smiled and pointed in fact, “You know what I’m going to do after the holidays? I’m going to find myself one of those 50s jukeboxes, a real fancy Wurlitzer. Maybe even a 1941 950-set with the lit-up pheasants and bubbles like my folks used to have.”

  “I love the old jukeboxes--,” I leaned deeper into the chair, “There was a magic about them. They had a life all of their own.”

  “You would have loved the one my folks had.” He reminisced, “It had silhouettes of pan playing a flute on either side at the top. Lots of fancy metal décor, and the bubbles ran upward not down, they weren’t water you know.”

  “I didn’t know that--,” I would have thought that they were filled with water.”

  “It’s actually dichloromethane chloride in a glass tube—really toxic stuff,” He explained, “It’s heated by a tubular resister—the boiling point is around 112 degrees, I think? I’m not exactly sure as it’s been a while since I messed around with one of those things, but that’s what causes the bubbles to rise.”

  “Whatever happened to that old jukebox?”

  “Well, like most things I got my hands onto when no one was looking--,” He sighed with obvious disappointment, “I took it apart, but never did figure out how to put the damn thing back together. You know—I think that thing is still in the basement back at the store?”

  The raven drifted down the stairs, through the hallway and landed atop the mantel as we both suddenly turned and stared.

  Rich swallowed hard, as slowly placing his glass down upon the table, he glanced hesitatingly about the room. “I think that we’re expecting company….”

  We had instinctively moved closer to our sleeping wives, as motioning with his hands not to awaken them, he whispered, “Let them sleep as long as they can. The draperies are all closed, and we already know that nothing evil can pass into this place.”

  We had settled very gently back into our seats. The sounds of the record-player switching selections, clicking as another record dropped, playing Nat King Cole’s “Christmas”. The raven had silently perched upon the mantel, unblinking and absolutely still. It appeared little more than a mounted specimen with exception to those bright, blood-red and glowing eyes.

  I had hoped, prayed, that without being aware of anything the women might possibly not even be awakened. With the windows having been covered and concealing the night, without any disturbances they might escape any further fright. It had all been too much, especially with Norman’s sudden and horrifying loss….

  The room had remained silent with the soft sounds of “Christmas” and the snapping crackling of the hearth. Rich had hummed softly while peering about the room, nervously tapping a finger upon the arm rest of the couch.

  The sudden ringing of the telephone had sent me upward and dashing across the room. I had caught it in the kitchen and quickly answered during the second ring.

  Rich had waved to me as signifying that the woman had not been disturbed. I turned my attention back to the telephone call. “Merry Christmas--,” I had answered, “Schreiber residence.”

  “Michael--,’ That haunting voice called through a field of static once more, “It’s me Harry—I’m still waiting to see you….”

  “Okay—please—if you’re playing some kind of joke, knock it off. I called the Hope diner this afternoon and spoke to Peggy—she said that you were never there.”

  There was a brief silence, and then a cruel and low laugh. It was a sound that rang unfamiliar and completely foreign to my old friend, “Oh—but I was there—she just didn’t see me….but she does now….”

  My heart leapt into my throat as I turned to Rich, who slowly approached, his eyes wide as he realized I was deeply disturbed by the call.

  “Why are you doing this—what do you want?”

  “You know exactly what I want, Michael--,” The voice seemed distant but all too close, “I want to come over there and see all of you….”

  Covering the receiver with a hand, I whispered to Rich, “Please—go and unplug every single telephone in the house.” He hurried quietly off without question as I returned to the call, “Then why didn’t you just call from town—we would have been happy to pick you up.” I was simply stalling the voice while attempting to devise a plan, “If you are truly Harry—why didn’t you bring Tim?”

  “Tim--,” It reflected in thought as Rich had swiftly returned and nodded that he had completed what I had requested. “Tim—yes indeed….” I felt sudden horror as though having directed the fiend’s attention upon my old friend!

  The phone went dead in my trembling hand as the raven fluttered, lifting silently from its perch and swiftly making its way into the kitchen. It landed upon the fridge, and peering down, its crimson eyes blazed suddenly, as it whispered, “You must close the gates….make haste before it comes….”

  Rich had panicked as the lights flickered and I unplugged the telephone! I had absolutely no idea of what to do, but feared leaving the sleeping women alone for even a moment!

  “Go—now!” It hissed, “Wh
ile there is still time…..”

  “Watch the women--,” I insisted, forcing Rich from out of my way as he intended to argue, and made for the front door! I had wasted no time with boots or a coat, quietly opening the door and closing it behind me, and dashed through the light layer of snow!

  The wind was bitter cold as the flurries now returned, my slippers and housecoat offering little protection from the cold! As I had reached the gates and struggled to draw them closed, a sudden horror filled my heart as I sensed something coming from behind!

  The raven landed upon the stone pillar from just above my head. Struggling with the chain and my trembling fingers, I snapped the large padlock closed! No sooner had I done this than had all the lights flickered and suddenly gone out! I turned around slowly as the house and entire neighborhood had fallen into a complete and utter blackness!

  “Make haste!” The raven cried out, “Flee for your life!”

  I ran back through the darkness as the snow became a gale, the storm reaching a blinding peak as I stumbled and fell merely several feet from the front door! The boy had suddenly drawn me upward, and dragged me hurriedly toward the open door! Leaping back into the darkness as he again became the raven, it followed closely from behind.

  I had stumbled inside and quickly closed the door. Fumbling in the blackness, I began sliding all the bolts and locking the chains. The glow in the living-room brightened as Rich stoked the hearth. Retrieving the lanterns from the kitchen counter, we began arranging the oil lamps about the circle and hearth. With the additional lighting one would hardly have noticed that anything had even happened.

  I had gone back into the kitchen with the raven following closely, filling a glass of water and coughing as I choked back the cold drink. The telephone had rung from right beside me, startling me as I grabbed at the freely hanging chord! It now rang without a source of power, as something was now calling from beyond…..

  “Who is this?” I had choked, looking back into the main room. The women were still sleeping and unaware, but Rich stared back in absolute horror.