by Matthew Fish
“I used to believe that nature had a way of evening things out,” Caesar said as he placed a hand and covered his eyes. “I suppose the world is nowhere near as fair as I naively suspected, and believe me—I know the world is a very harsh place. Still, he allowed you to live.”
“We barely made it out,” Mark added. “They almost got Emily.”
“As strange as it sounds, I believe he was trying to scare you,” Caesar said as he attempted to make sense of the seemingly senseless situation. “A Grand Conductor would not miss his intended target…A man of such power as this ‘old one’ could have easily brought you all to a swift end.”
“He definitely succeeded,” Mark said as he though back to the entire event. He could see Caesar’s point of view—at the point it made just as much sense as any. The man had definitely appeared to be some kind of monster—the way he had Kate killed without remorse. How he had dispatched David so easily…and strangely. Was it all for show? “Do you really believe that he is not a bad person?”
“There is a difference between evil and bad,” Caesar said as he let out a short cough. “I do believe that he has definitely turned bad. It is…just, given the man’s power—I believe that he has turned rather recently. If he wants the council, he will have it. That is a simple fact that none of us can change. We cannot stop it; it would be suicide to do so. I believe your next move is not to act—but to figure out why. Why would a man turn after so many years of living in secrecy with his powers? A man who, with that kind of power, would have songs of old or stories written about him…not such simple plans as he now claims to possess…”
“Where would I even begin?”
“Find your place in the puzzle,” Caesar said as he nodded. “That is what you are missing. That is the key.”
“I will do my best,” Mark replied. He, honesty did not even know where to begin. Perhaps the memory of his father had some meaning but he could not quite grasp its importance.
“I am sure you will,” Caesar said as he grabbed a hold of Mark’s hand and gently squeezed it. “You’ve come very far, boy. Now I shall not keep you further. After all, in the morning we are having a grand celebration. I expect you to be dressed in your Conductor’s outfit and awake at sunrise.”
“I don’t think that we should be celebrating what happened…” Mark muttered.
“It is not a request,” Caesar said as a forlorn look appeared upon his usual cheerful face. “Do see that you are ready, boy.”
“Alright,” Mark said as he nodded. “It was a good talk…thanks for the advice.”
“It was,” Caesar whispered.
Emily lay in bed and watched as Mark entered the room. The small light from the bedside lamp illuminated the room in a soft amber glow.
“Are we staying?” Emily asked as she placed her arms behind her head as Mark undressed and placed folded his Conductor suit upon the dresser.
“Do you want to us to leave?” Mark said as he climbed into bed and wrapped his arms tightly around Emily. “If you ask me to leave with you, I will…You mentioned it earlier and well…yeah, you were right to worry.”
“I talk a big game,” Emily said as she pulled in Mark’s arms closely and kissed the tips of his fingers. “I was really just afraid of losing you. After all…you’re all mortal and kinda prone to dying from a lot of things that I wouldn’t…that scares me.”
“I was sure I lost you…when I saw that Littcott guy send that coin at you right before we projected…I was so afraid you’d turn to dust…I couldn’t bear to…”
“You mean this,” Emily said as she reached down into a tiny pocket sewn into her boy shorts and pulled out a coin and placed it into Mark’s hand. “Old man wasn’t all that smart—at least as a spotter. Or maybe that asshole Grand Conductor wasn’t all that. Stupid dick was a year off.”
Mark held the quarter up to the light as he looked down and saw a small red indent in Emily’s back. He placed his fingers gently against the wound.
“Ouch,” Emily said as she turned and pushed Mark’s hand away. “I’m sure I’ll get poked there in the morning, but at least let me sleep it off.”
“Sorry, why didn’t you tell me about this?”
“Because you’d worry,” Emily said as she carefully rested her back against Mark and turned away. “Because I was worried…I don’t want to be without you, Pokey.”
“This is my birth year,” Mark said as he rolled the 1997 quarter in his fingers. “Caesar was right. The old one was trying to send some kind of message.”
“Yeah,” Emily said a she let out a short laugh. “It’s, I’m a fucking nut job…did you figure out why that old one’s all gay for you?”
“Not yet,” Mark said as he placed the coin on the table. “Caesar says I’m part of some puzzle—that this guy isn’t really evil…bad, but…not evil. Figure out why he’s suddenly so pissed off and maybe I can beat him.”
“So we are staying then?” Emily asked as she reached for Mark’s arms once more and cradled herself against his warm body.
“I’ll let you decide this time,” Mark said as he kissed the back of Emily’s neck. “It was my stupid plan that kept us here.”
“I feel safe here,” Emily spoke quietly. “I don’t know about other missions though—unless we know exactly what we’re dealing with…no more of this running in and figuring shit out as it goes. Promise me that—so I can sleep at night.”
“I promise,” Mark said as he ran his fingers through Emily’s bright pink hair. “No more running in without a plan—a good plan where we know what we’re facing.”
“Alright then,” Emily said as she smiled. “What’s up with the dress by the way?”
“Dress…?”
“Over there,” Emily pointed without looking or getting up from the bed. In the corner of the room Mark spotted a long white flowing dress with a bright pink ribbon tied around the waist.
“We’re celebrating in the morning,” Mark said as he let out a frustrated sigh.
“Oh…” Emily whispered quietly. “We should sleep….”
“Everything alright…?” Mark asked as he sensed a sad tone in Emily’s voice.
“I’ll be better tomorrow,” Emily said as she closed her eyes.
Chapter 9
The night went by too quickly. I was still tired as Emily roused me from sleep. She looked so beautiful in the orange glow from the sunrise. Her white dress shimmered as she moved; it was perfectly fit for her small form. It showed a fair bit of cleavage, an aspect I rather appreciated. As she tied the large pink bow that very nearly matched her hair color, I got up from the bed and climbed into a pair of black dress pants and a white shirt. I placed the velvet Schmied Vest over my shirt and wrapped my Standard around my waist. Emily helped me into my black long coat. She placed her fingertips against the silver embroidery against my chest.
“I suppose I could have come up with something more subtle,” Emily said as she laughed.
“It’s grown on me,” Mark said as he smiled.
A gentle knock came upon the door.
“We’re decent,” Emily spoke as she half expected Caesar to simply barge into the room.
“It’s time,” Emily said as she nodded to Mark and Emily. She was wearing her white Conductor’s uniform with a matching pair of white jeans and a deep blue shirt that complimented her eyes. Her black Heart Sash was wrapped around her chest.
The three walked to the spiral staircase where William stood. His long dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail and he was wearing an all white suit with a black tie.
“You’re all looking quite well,” William said as he adjusted his tight.
“You are looking a lot better than you were yesterday,” Mark said as he nodded.
“A bit of a headache,” William said as he rubbed his forehead for a moment. “No worse for wear though. Let’s head up.”
“We’re headed up?” Mark asked as he gave William a curious look. “We were told not to…”
“Special occasion,” William said softly as he escorted the three to the third floor. The entered a large room full of windows that overlooked the countryside. The morning sun shone in brightly as dust particles danced in the air. The red room was filled with old trunks and various packed up boxes. William led the group to a large wooden door at the far end of the great room.
“He has a thing for fancy doors,” Mark said as he placed his fingertips against the gold carvings.
“He does this work himself,” William said as he allowed Mark to linger for a moment. “Come and get us when it is time.”
“Alright…” Mark said as he looked to the group. He was rather confused about this celebration. He placed his hand upon the door and entered the room. He shut the door gently behind him as he took a step into Caesar’s bedroom.
“Good morning, Mr. Argent,” Caesar spoke as he sat in the sunlight in an old red chair. He was dressed in a white suit similar to the one that William was wearing. He sat beside a picture of a young male couple. They were smiling at the beach as they had their arms around each other.
Mark took a step forward and noticed that Caesar looked significantly younger. His hair was a dark black and mustache was pencil thin and curled at each end. His features were well defined, his eyebrows more manicured. He still had the familiar rosy cheeks and kind eyes. He smiled widely as Mark approached. “You’re young again.”
“I had a grand evening,” Caesar spoke as he nodded and gestured for Mark to come closer. “I went into the kitchen, ate a meal fit for a small army, drank at least six bottles of the finest wine—and when I awoke this morning, I looked like this.”
“What brought this on?” Mark said with a laugh. “You look great.”
“Well, Mr. Argent,” Caesar said as he let out a short sigh. “Do you remember the day that I took you into the basement and we made a certain arrangement—a promise?”
“I do,” Mark said as he nodded.
“It is time that you keep that particular promise,” Caesar said as he reached forward and handed Mark a nail that had the year 1029 etched into the back.
“I don’t understand…”
“I have chosen to go through The Passing,” Caesar said as he smiled at Mark.
“No…” Mark said as he shook his head. He remembered back to what Bradley had said a while back. “I don’t…understand.”
“When a Perpetual decides that they do not wish to linger on this Earth anymore…”
“No, I…Bradley explained to me how it works,” Mark objected. “I just don’t understand why you would want that. You seem…happy. You’re our friend—why do you want go now?”
“It was an agreement that William made with me before your arrival,” Caesar said as he looked out the window and smiled as the sun warmed his face. “I would allow you to stay here, where you would be kept secret from the council—you would train and after the completion of your first successful mission, I would be allowed to be released from this world. I do seem happy—I can fake that most days and yes, my dear Mr. Argent, you are a great friend. You have turned into a very capable young man.”
“I can’t do this,” Mark said as he sat down at the edge of Caesar’s bed and attempted to take it all in. “We need your help—don’t you want to see this to the end?”
“I’ve seen the end of far too many things,” Caesar said as his smile washed away from his face. “The most recent of these losses, my lover of over three-hundred years; you do not need my help any longer. I have supplied you with all of the information that I could. I do wish I could give you more—but, Mr. Argent, I am spent.”
“What happened?” Mark asked as he nodded to the picture. “Did he die?”
“No,” Caesar said as he looked to the picture for a moment before turning back to Mark and cocking his head to the side. “We were meant to grow old together, gracefully. After over such a long time—one day he decides that he is bored. He turns himself young and runs off to San Cabo to chase after younger…different men…the bitch.”
“Why don’t you…just, be young again?” Mark asked as he felt more like he was pleading with Caesar to reconsider his decision. “You could find someone else.”
“I do not wish to,” Caesar said as he turned his face to Mark and allowed the wide smile to spread across it. “I have become attached to this house—so afraid to leave it that anxiety sets in if I get too far. I suffer every day from a broken heart. Sometimes when the heart breaks the will to live goes along with it.”
“You said I wouldn’t have to kill anyone,” Mark said as he remembered back to their conversation.
“I did say that—but I am not just anyone, and there is not malicious intent which was implied,” Caesar said as he folded his arms across his chest. “Will you not honor an old man’s sincere request? Will you not do as you promised, Mr. Argent?”
“I’ve never done…The Passing,” Mark said as he got up to his feet and nervously looked at the old nail in his hand. “Are you completely sure that this is what you want?”
“I have decided many months ago,” Caesar said as folded his hands upon a knee. “The Passing is easy—after all, all you do is Conduct.”
“I do not…I do not like this,” Mark said as he nodded. “I will do it. I did promise you that I would do as you asked when the time came.”
“You do not have to like it,” Caesar said as he let out a short sigh. “Saying goodbye is never easy, my dear Mr. Argent. However, it is often necessary. I choose to go on my terms—I hope that you may live a long and good life and get the same opportunity someday.”
“I will get the others,” Mark said as he began to turn. Caesar reached for his hand and placed an old gold ring into his palm.
“Pure gold,” Caesar said as he smiled. “Place it in your pocket—I once gave it to someone I loved. Do the same for yourself. I will live on in that way.”
“Thank you,” Mark said as he tucked away the gold ring into his pants. “Thank you for everything.”
A somber quiet filled the room as the others filed in.
“You look good, Caesar,” Emily said as she nodded. She had her suspicions that this ‘celebration’ was really something else.
“As do you, my dear Ms. Stapleton,” Caesar said as he nodded.
“This is…The Passing,” Maddie said as she shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“It is my time, my dear Ms. Madeline,” Caesar said as he smiled to the girl who looked to be on the verge of tears. “Please, this is not a time for sadness—this is of my own choosing and it gives me great joy to be sent off in the company of such wonderful people.”
“Yes,” Maddie said as she wiped her eyes with her left and attempted to smile. “Of course, Caesar…”
“William,” Caesar said as he closed his eyes and bowed his head. “I trust you will take care of these talented individuals in my absence.”
“I promise I will,” William said as he shook his head as he kept his eyes down to the floor. “I’ve lost a lot of good friends lately…”
“We will all meet again someday,” Caesar said as he nodded. “In hell, probably—but the climate shall be warm and the company very fine.”
“The same old Caesar, even at the end,” William said as he let out a genuine, brief, laugh.
“It could not be any other way,” Caesar said as he laughed loudly. “Now, Mr. Argent—let’s put a little more dust into this old house of yours.”
Mark closed his eyes as he took in a heavy breath of air. He felt the nail vibrate into his hand as he sent it up into the air as he opened his eyes. “Whenever you are ready, Caesar…”
“Farewell, my duckies,” Caesar spoke as he looked to the window and smiled once more. He turned to Mark and rested his head against the back of the chair as he closed his eyes. “Strike true, Mr. Argent.”
Mark gestured forward with a pointed finger as the resounding boom filled the air. The nail struck into Caesar’s chest as he fell into a pile of ash that came t
o rest upon his chair. He turned to look to the others. Everyone was looking away or down to the wooden floor. Mark began to weep as Emily rushed over and placed her arms around him.
“I will miss him,” Maddie said as she began to cry. “I…I don’t get it. Why today?”
“I promised,” Mark said as he wiped away fresh tears with the edge of his long coat. “He…gave me everything—he just made me promise that when the time came I would do as he asked…”
“It was a condition of your staying here,” William added as he placed a hand upon Maddie’s shoulder. “It was a call I made—he had been asking for The Passing for months. I had hoped that time would heal his pain…but, it had not. He was so happy to finally have it.”
“That’s why he asked if the mission was successful?” Emily asked as she buried her face into Mark’s shoulder.
“It is,” William said shortly as he let out a saddened sigh. “That was the code for…well, for this. The estate now belongs to you, Mark—and all of its contents. His only condition was that you shutter this room and never enter it again. We have cases full of cash…gold, all payment for…services rendered. “
“Then let’s do as he wished and leave this room,” Mark said as he looked to the small pile of ash upon the chair. “I would give it all back, if he would have only stayed.”
“Well,” Emily said as she allowed herself to be drug out of the room as she kept her arms tightly wrapped around Mark’s chest. “We are all out of jobs. So that was nice of him. I always thought he hated me—then today, he called me Stapleton…”
“Caesar adored all of you,” William said as he placed a hand on the door as they exited the room. He reached in and locked the door from the inside as he let the door slide shut. “I had hoped that would have been enough for him to keep on living.”
“Best intentions…” Mark said quietly. “It seems like that’s, yeah…that’s the problem with everything lately. We go in with the best intentions to do some good, only to lose more and more.”
“What else can we do?” Maddie asked as she looked concerned.