by Karl Morgan
Death put his hands onto the desk and leaned toward Satan. “In my mind, those are mere tokens to fix the grievous wrongs perpetrated by Sylvia.”
Luce turned back to his daughter and smiled warmly. “Honey, it would seem your requested price is not attainable. Anything else?”
“You see what I mean! You never take my side, and now you’re siding with that old bag of bones. I will destroy the school just because Carl wants it safe. And if Mort won’t give me Carl’s soul, I’ll take it myself.” She burst into flames and disappeared.
Luce drummed his fingertips on the desktop. After a few moments, he sighed heavily. “I’m not sure how we move this forward. Pardon the expression, but I will have Hell to pay if I intervene.”
Prescott and Dorchester stood, turned, and walked toward the stairway back to the castle.
“Carl, what are you going to do?”
He stopped and turned. “I understand now that this isn’t really Hell.”
Satan laughed. “It’s about time.”
“I’m not completely sure what to do, but I’m going to save the school, and Sylvia will never take my soul. I’ll take hers first. I can guarantee that.” Prescott turned and followed Dorchester up the steps.
Satan turned to face Death. “He’s kidding, right, Mort?”
Death shook his head. “I don’t think so. You should ask Manny about what happened to Victor.”
Carl and his friends were enjoying their dinner. Tonight, Bea Cardenas had joined them. “So, how was your day, Bea?”
“It was amazing, Carl,” she replied. “Aida is such a great teacher and thank you for your confidence in me.”
Carl smiled and nodded. “To be frank, it’s not altruistic of us. With three demons out there, we need all the help we can get.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Aida put her hand on Carl’s. “So, there was no agreement to save the school?”
Carl shook his head. “At least, we know that Death is not one of the demons. He’s actually trying to help us.”
Burt looked up at him. “That means this building could collapse at any moment! What are we going to do?”
Carl put his fork down. “No, I’ve taken care of that now. I just hope Sylvia doesn’t freak out too much.”
The doors to the dining hall opened, and Headmaster Dorchester stepped inside with five teens. “If I may have your attention please.” All conversation stopped, and the students had turned their seats to face them. “Pardon the intrusion into your dinner, but I want to introduce you to these new students who are joining the institution as of today.” As Dorchester passed each of the new arrivals, he held his hand over their head and spoke their names. “Casey Robinson, Ashley Kingston, Shirley Bailey, and the twins, Connie and Gabe Emanuel. I expect you all to treat them fairly and as friends. They will dine with the faculty tonight. Thank you for your time.” The headmaster led them into the private dining room and the curtains were closed.
Carl smiled. “I remember when we were the new kids.”
Grace laughed. “I hope you remember. It was only a few months ago.”
Carl focused on his dinner, more confident they would survive now that two angels were among them.
Hours later, Carl Prescott was fast asleep. A soft voice whispered in his ear. “How did you do that?”
He opened his eyes, sat up in bed, and looked at the demon standing at the foot of his bed. He stretched and yawned. “Is there a problem, Sylvia?”
“Why is my castle encased in that whatever-it-is?”
“It’s not encased. I projected a shield around the outside edge of the castle so that when you remove the building, the school will stay in place.”
“So, let me get this straight. You’re not trying to stop me from taking it?”
Carl put his hands behind his head and leaned against the headboard. “I thought about that, but the castle is just a bunch of stones. It doesn’t really matter to me.”
She sat on the bed. “When I take over that girl’s body, you won’t be able to stop me. You know that, don’t you?”
Carl shook his head. “What difference does that make? How does her body make you invincible?”
“You’re making her an Invisible Hand. I told you before that I would take her body although I do not plan to discard her soul, as Viszreaagh did with your girlfriend. That was his mistake. Instead, my soul will join with hers. From that moment, Barbara Conway and I will be a single being with the spirit of two. That will make us omniscient and omnipotent as it did for the others the last time.” She thought for a moment. “I might even get rid of my useless and weak father and Uncle Emmanuel too. What do you think about that?”
Carl laughed. “I didn’t know you were stupid, Sylvia. How can you expect to defeat Almighty God? That’s just silly.”
“You feeble mortals know nothing about the reality of the universe. You rely on your simplistic physics models to define something that is beyond human knowing. How do you think this universe came into being in the first place?”
“Since I’m the idiot, why don’t you explain it to me?”
She stood, walked up to the top of the bed, and climbed over to him on her hands and knees. She stopped with her face a foot away. “I’ll tell you for a kiss.”
“A kiss. What’s your game, Sylvia?”
She smiled demurely and looked down. “There’s no game, I swear it. I won’t try to control you or block your memories. I doubt I could anyway. Just give me a single, soft kiss, and I’ll tell you a secret.” She moved slowly toward him with her mouth slightly open and her eyes closed.
When she was two inches away, Carl said, “Oh, what the Hell,” and closed his eyes. They kissed.
After a few seconds, she moved back. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Carl blushed. “No, it was real nice.”
She leaned in and kissed his cheeks. “A promise is a promise. Once upon a time in a different universe, three immortal friends made a pact. They would each join with an Invisible Hand. When that was accomplished, their union would enable them to collapse the universe into a singularity. The singularity would form a space-time quantum bubble, which would then re-expand into a new universe. In that universe, the old guard would be washed away, and they would rule.” A look of horror filled Carl’s face. Sylvia smiled. “You know their names, don’t you? You know everything I said is true. Say the names, Carl. Knowledge is power.”
Carl held his head in his hands and rocked back and forth. “It can’t be true. It can’t be!”
She grabbed his hands and pulled them away from his face. Tears rolled out of his eyes. “Carl, you and Aida can be the bodies and spirit partners for the others. You know who they are, don’t you? You were told they were here to help you, but now you know that was part of my scheme. Say the names of those who destroyed their own universe and killed countless lives to rule this one.”
He climbed out of bed and stood facing her. “That’s just nonsense. I defeated Viszreaagh, and I’ll defeat you too.”
She stuck out her lower lip and pouted. “You don’t believe me at all, do you?” He shook his head. A massive smile filled her face. “Carl darling, I’m in no hurry. My followers and I will be in Bulgaria soon. While you prepare to face them, you might consider talking to one of the three gods. Ask them and see if they deny anything.” She walked over to the bedroom door, opened it, stepped out, and closed the door after her.
Carl sat on the bed with his head down and sighed deeply. “That can’t be true, can it?” Eventually, he gave up on thinking and went back to sleep.
Chapter 6
When Carl Prescott opened his eyes, he knew something was wrong. He sat up to discover he was lying on a narrow cot with only a thin, tattered blanket over him. He was wearing his school pajamas, and his slippers were on the floor where he usually left them. He pushed his feet into his slippers and stood. He was surprised to notice that his head was almost touching the low ceiling. The walls, floor, and ceiling appeared to b
e simple wooden slats. He could feel a bitter wind working its way between the slats to fill the room. There was a small potbelly stove doing its best to warm the chilly air. A long robe lay on a small side chair. He walked over to it and pulled it on. The robe smelled musty and old. It was then he noticed a scythe standing in the corner. He gasped. “What happened to me?” Carl stepped over to the only window and looked outside. The house or shack appeared to be standing at the edge of a vast ravine. A rope bridge reached across the chasm and disappeared into a bank of fog, so he could not see the other side. He walked over to the only door and pulled it open. The next room was much larger and was dominated by a large fireplace. A pot hung on a hook in the center of the hearth. Death, in the form he had taken when he invaded Eight’s body, stood near the fireplace. He dipped a spoon into the pot and removed a spoonful of whatever he was cooking. He tasted it and smacked his lips. Suddenly, he turned to face his houseguest. “Good morning, Carl. I trust you kept warm enough.”
“Why am I here, Mort?”
“I would have thought that self-evident. Being omniscient, we know that Sylvia came to you last night and told you some disturbing things. She suggested that you discuss the matter with us, and by lots, I was chosen to go first.” He picked up a ladle, poured a bowlful of his breakfast meal, and offered it to his guest. “You’ll enjoy this, and it will help take the chill out of your bones.”
Carl took the bowl, and Mort pointed to a chair. Carl walked over and sat. Mort poured another bowl and then sat on a smaller chair opposite his guest. Mort took a spoonful of soup and swallowed it. “Ah, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, Carl. Try it.”
Carl took a spoonful of the soup, which tasted like a rich beef stew. “This is really good. Thanks.”
“You’re quite welcome. As you can tell by my home, I am a simple being with meager needs. But a good meal is the cornerstone of a happy life.” After another spoonful of soup, he added, “I do apologize about the robe. I should have taken some of your clothes as well, but I forgot them in my haste to bring you here. Of course, that is why I choose to use this form. A bare skeleton would be less conducive to conversation, as you can imagine.”
“Why do you have different forms?”
“That’s a good question, my boy. Different cultures and species have different expectations about the form Death will take. The diminutive size is also useful for inhabiting other bodies.” Mort smirked. “Why don’t you ask me what you really want to know, Carl? That’s why you’re here, after all.”
Carl stared at Death for several seconds before responding. “Was Sylvia telling the truth?”
Death smiled. “In many ways, yes, and in some ways, no.”
“Is that some kind of riddle, Mort?”
“No, Carl, it is the truth. First of all, Sylvia cannot know the full truth because she was not there. Therefore, her stories of what happened before your Big Bang are just guesses, and poor ones. She spoke of three friends who decided to destroy their own universe and create another they could rule. Now, you’ve met all three of us and have seen my interactions with Luce personally. Did we act like friends? Has Manny ever mentioned me? We joined to do what had to be done, nothing more.”
Carl scoffed. “You had to destroy another universe? How am I supposed to believe that?”
Mort waddled over to Carl. “Are you finished with your food?” Carl nodded and handed him the bowl. Mort waddled over to a sink, rinsed the bowls, and left them there. “Have you ever heard of the theory of the Big Freeze?”
“No. What’s that?”
“Well, scientists of this period consider that the likely end of this universe. I’d explain it, but Manny insists he be the one to do so. But I can tell you that is what happened to the previous universe. When you know what it was, you’ll understand why our action was necessary.” He motioned with his arm. “Let’s go.” Mort waddled to the only doorway besides to the bedroom, pulled on another robe, and opened the door. A gust of icy wind blew through the room. Mort stepped outside, and Carl quickly followed.
Carl was shocked to see they were not on the edge of a ravine. Mort’s small home was perched at the peak of a tall, needle-like mountain. The dense fog obscured any view of the valley below or other mountains. Besides the rope bridge he had seen from the bedroom, two wide stone bridges led in different directions, effectively splitting the mountain peak around them into thirds. One of the stone bridges was inlaid with gold and precious stones. The other was simple stone. Mort stood near the fancy stone bridge. He had turned back to Carl, who was working his way over the flagstone path that led in that direction. “Mort, this is so strange. I need to ask you another question if that’s okay.”
Mort smiled. “That’s why you’re here.”
Carl sat cross-legged on the ground. “I feel bad looking down at you.”
Mort patted Carl on the shoulder. “Your humility is your greatest asset and the source of your power.”
Carl blushed and looked down. “Thanks.” He looked back up at Death. “When I visited Manny, there were temples and beautiful grounds. He was surrounded by his children, and everyone was happy. When I went to Hell, it was a deep cavern full of lava pools, and then it was an office. Luce was also surrounded by his children. Now, here you are in this terrible place and by yourself. How is that fair?”
Mort looked sweetly at his guest. “I hate to be the one to tell you, but fairness is an illusion. That has always been true on your planet, and obviously, it remains true for immortals. Manny and Luce were never my friends. We were the ones who made the pact and are bound by the contract. Manny was the man with the big idea and the power to make it happen. Luce was his friend, in the way many connect with the most popular or powerful to protect their own interests. I was the one who knew how to make it happen. Without my skill, we’d all be frozen and forgotten in a dead universe. As I said earlier, I have always been a humble being with simple tastes and meager needs. When we divided the responsibilities, I was happy to accept this role. Being Death may seem a horrible job, but I don’t see it that way at all. As you can tell by this location, I am the bridge between one life and the next. Every soul who will ever live knows me, and I will befriend them.”
“So, what happens now?”
“Please stand up, Carl.” When he did, Death continued, “You noticed the three bridges of course. Where do you think they lead?”
Carl pointed to the rope bridge. “I think that leads to Heaven, which is hard to earn. The ornate bridge leads to Hell. The other leads souls here to you.”
“That’s not a bad guess, especially considering your upbringing. Actually, the ornate bridge comes here from life. It does not lead the dead to me, I travel with them. The moment of death is most unpleasant and the beautiful bridge helps them to cope with the transition. The regular stone bridge leads back to life. Most souls will pass through either Heaven or Hell along the way, but at the end is another life.”
“I guess that makes sense. Luce keeps telling me there is no Hell.”
Mort nodded. “Other than as a transit point, he is correct. The Rope Bridge is rarely attempted. It actually leads to none-of-the-above. Virtually all who attempt it stumble and fall, but instead of dying in the fall, they arrive on the regular stone bridge.”
“None-of-the-above? What does that mean?”
“It means to escape the endless cycle of life and death and life again. It means to be free from all the crap of existence and death.”
“Is it Heaven or something like that?”
Mort laughed. “As an integral part of the cycle, there is no way for me to describe it. That would be like a bacterium explaining how it feels to be a star. As I said, few if any ever succeed, and the rest of us can never understand or explain it.” He smiled longingly at the Rope Bridge. “I would love to travel it again. Obviously, I haven’t succeeded yet.”
Carl extended his hand, which Death shook heartily. “Thank you for showing me all of this. What do I do now?
”
“It was a great honor to be your host, Carl. Follow me.” They walked over to the ornate bridge. “As soon as you step onto the bridge, you’ll no longer feel the bite of the wind. Go on.”
Carl stepped on the bridge. The air around him seemed calm and warm.
“Give me the robe. I don’t think you’ll need it anymore.” After he received the robe, Mort added, “Just head down the bridge. After a while, you’ll end up back in your bed at the institution.” Mort waved, turned around, and waddled back to his door.
Carl turned and walked away. After walking ten steps, he turned to look back. The peak was obscured by fog. He turned back and continued walking.
Carl and his friends were summoned into the faculty dining room before breakfast. The Conway family was also there. Headmaster Dorchester stood facing the wall with his head down. The dean instructed the teenagers to stand against the wall and wait. Barbie Conway looked at Carl with terrible fear in her eyes. Carl smiled and nodded at her. She immediately began to dab at her teary eyes.
Finally, the headmaster turned around to face them. “Prescott, it would seem the castle has been removed. It has returned to its home near the Danube River. Since you were not in your bed last night, can I assume you had something to do with that?”
“Of course not, Headmaster. How can you think I’d help that demon?”
Dean Whitehall stood. “Prescott, we know Sylvia was in your room last night. Shortly after she left, you did as well. If not with her, where were you?”
“Dean, I was summoned to the home of the Grim Reaper.” Most of the attendees gasped.
Aida put her hand on Carl’s arm. “Why? What did he want?”
“When Sylvia was in my room, she told me her goal was to destroy this universe as well as God, Satan, and Death. Then she would create a new universe where she would be God.”
Dorchester burst out in laughter. Soon, all the teachers were laughing along with him. “Oh Carl, the stories you’ll believe. Sylvia is going to destroy the entire universe and God Himself. And you think she meant it? Surely, you know that’s just silly.”