by Aiden James
“‘What are you all standing around for?? Tear this place apart and find him!! NOW!!!’
“Genovene’s shrill anger got me moving. I scurried away from the back wall of the building and concealed myself within a magnolia tree where the leaves were thick and reached the ground. No sooner than I did, a group of villagers appeared behind the shop. They moved over to my hiding place from a moment ago, and for the first time I noticed their skin had begun to peel away. Some peeled along their legs and others along their torsos and faces. The same pink and gray gelatinous substance I’d seen pulsing beneath Genovene’s skin pulsed hideously beneath their skin as well.
The group walked around my immediate area, making their god-awful noises and sniffing the air as they came up to the very magnolia I hid within. One of them appeared directly in front of me. I crouched, completely still, afraid to even blink. Until I realized the bastard couldn’t see me, though it stared right at me while it sniffed the air in front of the tree. Nearly half of its face was gone. While looking absently toward me, it pulled the rest of its face off by the hair first and casually dropped it onto the grass. The noxious odor and the ripping sound of the skin detaching from the creature’s body were real nasty. It really made me want to retch.
“At least I now knew what their real faces looked like. Deep vacant slants for eyes and their mouths nothing more than small slits, it sort of explained the weird noises they communicated with. Such an incredible contrast to the beautiful smiles and faces I’d seen earlier…I could scarcely believe the transformation. Their bodies bore the same gnarled characteristics as Genovene, with that slimy goo and all. But they were nowhere near as tall as her, even though they were taller than her earlier. Nor did they have long fingers and claws.
“I heard a sharp ‘crack’ from somewhere to my left, and the entire group moved swiftly in that direction. A larger magnolia stood maybe eighty feet away, and my best chance to find another spot closer to the gates. I bolted for it, staying low to the ground and sliding under the bottom foliage of this bigger tree. A fortuitous move, since a second band of villagers converged on the other magnolia. They peered and poked through the leaves and flowers, and surely would’ve discovered me despite their poor eyesight.
“I had to keep moving. About twenty yards away sat one of the last remaining shops I could use for cover and then reach the village gates. I remembered seeing its tall sign when I first entered the village. The marketplace wasn’t far, and would be the very last building separating me from my intended destination. I reached into my pocket to make sure the stone was still there. It was. Just then, two more villagers came around the corner. But they acted like they suddenly heard something behind them, and raced back to where they came from. I didn’t wait to see if they’d be back my way again, sprinting from the tree’s protection to the shop’s back wall.
“The pesky pair did return. The branches of the magnolia still moving from where I’d just been drew their attention. They trotted over to investigate and I moved quietly away. I didn’t stop until I’d moved past the next two shops.
“Nearly three buildings away, I watched them sniff the air and look over at where I presently crouched. At first I wasn’t sure if they could see me hiding behind a thick shrub. They sniffed the air again, and then their vacant eyes locked onto my location. After exchanging another glance they sprinted toward the shrub.
“Panicked, I scrambled over to the next building, the second to last one I had to get past. Rather than check on the pair’s progress, I kept moving until I reached the far edge of the back wall.
“The marketplace was maybe a hundred feet away. A large flower garden sat between it and me. Loaded with a bigger variety of flowers than I’d seen anywhere else in the village, I decided to make a run for this garden, hoping it provided enough cover for me to rest and catch my breath.
“I heard my pursuers’ excited chirping and their approaching footsteps coming up fast. So I ran and dove headfirst between a row of chrysanthemums and large sunflowers, hurriedly concealing myself.
“The ground cool and moist, it felt really good against my scrapes. Yet, the tear in my shoulder’s muscle throbbed with every heartbeat as it continued to seep blood. I didn’t think I’d get an opportunity to properly care for it any time soon. Nonetheless, I was extremely thankful to be sheltered from the sun’s unforgiving heat, even if temporary.
“I peered through the leaves and flowers just as the pair arrived. They sniffed the air while stalking my newest hideout. When they reached the garden’s edge, they separated and circled it. Crouched low, they chirped like harvest crickets looking for mates. All of a sudden they stopped. They stood back up and looked across the garden at each other, and then ran away, their chirps even more excited. I wasn’t sure how to interpret this. While I hoped they’d lost track of me, that possibility seemed too good to be true. More likely, they ran off to report my whereabouts to Genovene. Utterly exhausted, I didn’t have the strength to move on.
“When I regained my breath some, I thought about what happened and began to worry more. Genovene was probably on her way, and I needed to reach the gates before that happened. While figuring out my next step I laid flat on my stomach, since it might be harder for anyone to detect my presence if I stayed close to the ground. So grateful for coolness touching my skin, I’d allow myself a few more seconds to regain some strength and then resume my journey.
“Suddenly the ground shook, violent, and the moist earth began to crumble and break apart around me. Amazingly, the plants remained stable despite their roots soon exposed throughout the garden. The skeletal remains of several human beings began to rise up on either side of me. ‘Oh shit!’ I whispered, paralyzed by terrible fear again. My arms and legs were seized upon by vice-like grips from four bony hands. I screamed.
“I screamed as loud as I possibly could. I didn’t give a damn if all the villagers and Genovene heard me or not, as I was way beyond rational fear. I didn’t care if Morylan heard me either, even if it meant he’d come over and crush me into mulch for the garden. On the cusp of losing all sanity, my mind and spirit teetered dangerously after the continual bombardment I’d endured the past few hours.
“More and more skeletons began to fill the garden floor, and as they populated the area beneath the plants and flowers, a stranger thing happened. The bones took on the soft earth as flesh and even as clothing! I couldn’t believe my eyes, and for the moment ceased screaming, much to the relief of my weary throat and ringing ears. A soothing breeze moved along the garden floor carrying a sound with it. Melodious voices.
“They were faint at first, perhaps on account of the stress I’d just delivered to my eardrums. As I laid there listening, the voices grew louder and much clearer. They were speaking to me, or rather singing to me.
“‘He’s here! It’s Jack! The honored one! The anointed one!! Our sa-a-a-av-i-i-or!!!’
“The voices continued their strange song while the hands held me securely on the ground. Then, as appendages became warm and fleshed out, they steadily loosened their grip; finally releasing me altogether once they’d completed their bizarre metamorphoses. I slowly sat up on my hands and knees, surveying the garden floor. The entire area now filled with completely fleshed-out bodies of people from a variety of time periods, cultures, races, ages, and sexes. Their moist-earth faces were turned toward me, anxious, as they sang their song. Rather than the stark fear I felt just moments ago, I was now filled with bewilderment.
“The earthen flesh and apparel of these people seemed so real—so much like normal skin, muscles, eyes, lips, teeth, hair, and even clothes! From underneath me the skeleton of a young child transformed itself before me. A little earthen girl wearing pig tails and an embroidered nightgown. She smiled up at me.
“‘Hello, Jack!’
“Her voice was soft, sweet, and surprisingly normal. The singsong din from the others faded, as if listening to her now.
“‘We’ve been hoping you’d make it here s
o we could formally meet in person!’
“I was speechless. I mean, I’m listening to a small child made from the soil beneath me. The fucking soil, for Christ’s sake! I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears. And despite the calm demeanor of everyone surrounding me, I felt panicked, certain that my screams had alerted Genovene and the others to my presence in the garden. I started to sit up in order to peek through the flowers, fully expecting to see a ring of villagers. The little girl grabbed my arm.
“‘Don’t do it, Jack!’ she advised. ‘Do you really think she knows you’re here? I know…you think she heard your hollering a moment ago, and believe me, we’re all grateful you calmed down and gained some reason to your thoughts. But if Genovene had heard you, she would’ve been here long before now, I can assure you!’
“‘What about the other two critters just here?’ I asked. ‘They must’ve found me.’
“‘Maybe they did. But, we sure gave them a good scare to send them scurrying away, didn’t we?’ She chuckled for a moment, and then looked up earnestly into my face. ‘Jack...aside from the help of her bumbling goons, the truth of the matter is Genovene hasn’t been able to keep track of you since you spoke to your mom back in that pottery shack of hers—’
“‘You know my mom?’ I blurted out, unaware I’d even interrupted her. ‘Where is she now? Is she okay??’
“The little girl really had my attention now. She frowned slightly, as if sorting her thoughts. Then she smiled and spoke to me again.
“‘There’s not enough time to answer your questions to your satisfaction. I know it’s not what you want to hear, but it’s true. Think of it this way, Jack. Both your mom and dad are doing fine now, just like we are.’
“The earthen group lying around us agreed, with one lingering ‘amen’ that followed the rest.
“‘When your wish at the pool was granted earlier today, your mom forced her way out of the spiritual bonds that have held us all until now. Once she went, the rest of us followed her lead. As we speak, the boxes you’ve learned about are bursting at their very seams throughout this place. Every one of us is free to roam the village since Genovene remains largely unaware of this development. That’s how we ended up here with our very own bones that’d been buried in this spot long ago. You’re hurt!’
“She gasped, reaching up to touch me on my shoulder with her earthen hand. Instantly, the pain lessened. She then withdrew her hand from the wound, crossing it with her other hand upon her stomach. I looked over at my shoulder, amazed to see the wound closing up through the tear in my shirt. A moment later, all evidence of the injury had disappeared! I smiled, laughing nervously, amazed and grateful for the little girl’s healing power.
“‘We’re all victims of Genovene, Jack,’ she said, ‘and we’d love nothing better than to see you succeed. So, we’ll be sending you on your way in a moment. Just be aware she’ll be able to see or at least sense your location once you get within striking distance of the lion’s head. You must avoid any direct confrontation with that witch or you’re a goner for sure! Trust me, Jack. She’ll wrap her claws around your throat in a death grip faster than you could call to Jesus! I know, Uncle Ned, that’s sacrilegious of me, but I couldn’t help myself….The next thing you know you’re on top of that awful pyramid, with your chest laid bare and ready for her and her kin to carve out your beating heart. You can bet, too, they’ll go and show it to you just before they tear your head off and butcher the rest of—’
“‘That’s enough, Allyson!’ a young man’s voice broke in. ‘Spare him your fascination with the unpleasantness that goes on around here, will you?’
“Irritated with her, the dude sat up, just to my right. He looked about Jeremy’s age, with his hair nearly as long as my brother’s, too. Like Huck Finn as a man, I suppose, dressed in overalls, torn shirt, and even a frayed straw hat—all made from the garden’s soil, no less.
“‘Sorry, Uncle Ned,’ she apologized. ‘I got a little carried away…. Jack, consider this as you leave us. I’ve been stuck here for more than thirty years, and my great, great, great Uncle Ned here has been trapped in this place for more than a hundred years! Can you believe it?? Others, some of whom are with us right now, have been in this hellish realm for several hundred years or longer. Much, much longer.’
“Suddenly, they all looked toward the road, though only a few could see through the thick plant foliage. An old man in a western-styled suit and broad-brimmed hat took this opportunity to address me.
“‘You need to be on your way, son!’ he admonished. ‘They’re out there eliminating hiding places and will find this nifty hideout pretty soon. Gotta hand it to that bitch, she’s pretty thorough about most things. Hey, ya’ll! Let’s clear a path for Jack.... Yeah, that’s it! There you go, son!’
“They all did as the old man directed, and I scooted myself over to the edge of the garden closest to the marketplace. The flowers and plants lower on this side, I stuck my head up amid a thick clump of bright red poppies to get a good look. The area was still clear.
“‘Goodbye, Jack!’ the little girl said, and everyone else in the group chimed in. ‘We’ll be praying for you, and rest assured if there’s any way we can help out, we’ll do it!’
“‘Thanks,’ I whispered, and stepped out from the garden, crouching low as I prepared to sprint out of there.
“‘Tell Marshall that your namesake says ‘hello’! Can you remember to do that for me?’ the old man called after me.
“‘Yeah, I’ll tell him!’
“‘Good luck to you, son!’
“I told him thanks and raced over to the marketplace, hiding behind a marble pillar. Baffled by his words, what the hell did he mean by ‘your namesake’? It didn’t make any sense, but perhaps it’d mean something to Grandpa. I wished I had more time to talk with him and the little girl.
“The entire area empty for the moment, I scurried from shelf to shelf fighting the urge to grab something to eat, given my last experience. I soon could see the village gates clearly, less than two hundred feet away. Morylan still guarded them.
“While deciding how best to avoid detection by him, a chorus of shrill screams erupted behind me, coming from the garden. I felt compelled to check on my new friends. Near that edge of the stand a large empty gold vat lay on its side between a pair of juniper bushes. I crawled into a space between the vat and a corner pillar.
“I had a clear view of the garden. Genovene and her wicked companions had converged on the area. They’d pulled up the plants and then strewn the bones of the earthen people all over the lawn. I winced while watching Genovene shake the fragile form of Allyson, which nearly disintegrated in her claws. All that remained was a decayed skeleton and the terrible echo from the little girl’s shrieks.
“Genovene laughed with delight and threw the bones on the grass. She crushed and ground them with her claws until a small pile of dust was all that remained. Sending a gust of her foul breath upon the pile, its particles scattered in every direction.
“‘That’ll teach that daughter of a whore to mess with our kingdom!’ she roared, her wretched tone delirious. ‘Treat the rest of them just like this!!”
“The assault on the rest of the earthen people increased. Terrible cries filled the air, and I agonized again that I couldn’t save anyone but myself. Deeply saddened, I prepared to leave my latest hideout. I started to crawl backward when the vat moved. Only a fraction of an inch, to my horror it squeaked noticeably. I prayed no one noticed and pulled my legs up to my chest, closing my eyes as I tried to remain as still as possible. But soon footsteps and excited whispers from Genovene and her kin approached.
“The vat lifted up, I opened my eyes, expecting the worst. They all hovered around me. Just like Allyson warned, I was a goner for sure. Genovene seemed especially pleased, bending down toward me. Nauseated from her stench and repulsiveness, I feared she and the others might eat me right there. Maybe they would’ve, if not for the marketplace’s roof caving in. Debri
s fell upon us all. The nefarious ensemble backed up to avoid being hit, and I realized it could be the last opportunity I’d ever get.
“I scrambled to my feet while marble pillars collapsed amid gold shingles falling to the ground. A dust cloud rose around us. I ran as hard and as fast as I ever had in my life, racing past the crumbling structure and toward the entrance without even checking to see who came after me.
“‘Stop him, damn it!!!’ Genovene shrieked. ‘You useless imbeciles!! Stop him NOW!!!’
“Morylan was on his knees and in the process of standing back up. I headed for the gold lion’s head, protruding from the crystal wall on the right side of the village entrance. I glanced over my shoulder, shocked to discover the giant sentinel inadvertently came to my rescue a moment ago. He’d just lifted his enormous hand up from the marketplace’s roof, flicking his fingers free of marble shards.
“Meanwhile, a bigger, angry mob pursued me, rapidly gaining ground. To make matters worse, Morylan now lifted his left foot off the ground as he prepared to turn around, and the wind from this simple maneuver blew me off course. I nearly fell. With everyone else gaining on me, I pulled the oval stone from my shorts’ pocket. Almost to the lion’s head, I lunged forward with my arms stretched out in front of me. I held the stone in my left hand with my palm thrust outward in order to feed it directly into the lion’s mouth.
“The dark shadow from the immense foot descended on me, thickening with its imminent arrival. Like the terrible slowness in a dream, I watched myself approach the lion’s head at a snail’s pace, even though I ran full speed. The foot just above me, I leapt with both arms outstretched in front of me like a diving outfielder making a last-ditch effort for an errant fly ball. In one swift graceful move that completely surprised me, I angled my body in midair and spread my arms apart. I deposited the stone inside the lion’s mouth. Avoiding a direct collision with the crystal wall, I still landed hard on my ass, while the giant’s foot slammed down a mere six inches away.