He found that while he was alone, he missed her company and their conversations. Soon he knew they would make it serious, and the thought didn’t scare him. He welcomed it and thought about the possibilities many times while alone in the house, painting or doing household chores.
These thoughts filled his mind as he put brush strokes to canvas in the cold December night. The first painting had almost painted itself. It came together very quickly, and he figured this was his best painting he had ever done. He knew it was almost complete; it would be finished with another two days of work.
He phoned Aaron that night and told him about the painting’s finishing date. Aaron was genuinely excited to see it. He asked about Lisa and how she was doing. He seemed pleased to know that the two of them were an item. Aaron said he would be on a plane the following morning and should arrive at his home the day it was done.
On the second day, Dorian put the final stroke on the painting as he had planned. He woke up early that morning to finish it, and at three o’clock that afternoon his doorbell rang. Dorian opened the door and saw Aaron. He smiled and let his new friend inside. Aaron didn’t waste any time in wanting to see the painting. So Dorian led him straight to it. The painting was turned away from the door, and there he made Aaron wait.
Dorian moved the canvas and slowly turned it around on its easel. He then pulled the sheet that was covering it off with a flourish. The old man, still fully clothed in the same black outfit he had worn when he first met Dorian, turned and stared. His eyes opened at the richness and beauty that Dorian had captured, but he said nothing. Dorian at first thought that Aaron didn’t like the painting, but those fears were swept aside when the old man exclaimed, “MARVELOUS…SIMPLY MARVELOUS!”
Dorian tried to speak and tell Aaron things about the painting, but he would have nothing of it. He simply raised his hand to hush him and said not a word. Aaron simply stared at the painting for over two hours. The silence in the house was eerie. Dorian couldn’t even hear his own breath. He let the time ease by and finally, after the first hour, Dorian excused himself from the room to let the old man be alone with the painting.
Sometimes it’s like that when you see something that hits that familiar cord within, and this painting did just that for Aaron Klee. It captivated him and held him in its own unique spell. After the two hours had passed, Aaron found Dorian in the den of the house eating a late lunch.
“Dorian, you have outdone yourself with this painting. I could not ask for any better from anyone,” he said sincerely.
After a bite of his sandwich, Dorian happily said, “I am so glad you like it, Aaron. I was worried there for a moment that you didn’t.”
“Nonsense, my young man. What about it is not to love?” Aaron took off his trench coat and jacket and laid them on the couch’s arm. As he laid his coat and jacket on the couch, his attitude changed. Dorian noticed it and looked puzzled. The man sat down and stared directly into Dorian’s eyes. Those eyes bore into Dorian’s own, and Dorian felt instantly uncomfortable. With a somber but serious tone Aaron started, “We must have a talk, Dorian. A VERY serious talk. You will hear things I hope you will not repeat to anyone, not even Lisa. I will say your first commission is beyond measure, the second one will be far more important – not just for me but the whole world, even your very soul. I will begin shortly. I want you to clear your head before I do. Think of nothing while I speak to you in a moment and ask no questions while I talk. Let me know when your mind is clear so I can begin,” he finished and slowly sat down.
Dorian trusted the old man and slowly set his plate and glass on the coffee table in front of him. He eased back in the chair and began to slowly relax. Thoughts started to swirl within his mind, and he tried to block them out. It wasn’t easy; Aaron’s warning had created a serious, somber tone in the room, and Dorian was worried. Gradually Dorian’s mind began to clear, and he finally relaxed and gave his full attention to Aaron. He nodded to his new friend to begin.
“Very well,” Aaron said and stood and went to the big, paned window that looked out onto the lake. He stood with his hands behind his back for a minute, then took in a deep breath, turned to Dorian, and began. “This is never easy for me, Dorian. I have given the same speech ten times to other such individuals during my life time, and it gets no easier each time I do it.
“As you know I am a Seeker in our town and in plain truth I seek things, like I have sought you out. I also seek other things, things which endanger the world and the people who inhabit it. The time is drawing nigh when this area, your serene lake in particular, will become a beacon to something not of this world.” He paused and looked at Dorian. “I can see the look in your eyes. The look I have seen numerous times before. It is real, Dorian, and I have never been more serious. You and the entire world will be in peril in a month’s time. I told you the night we met that there are things that we keep secret from the world, and this is one of them.
“Trust me, the signs are clear. The lines draw and intersect on this lake, along with the date. It is time, and no force on earth can stop it by conventional means. If this thing would get through to our world, it would be utter chaos. Bloodshed would follow, along with the breakdown of many governments and religions. Remember that the Bible doesn’t tell us everything in the world – only how to live, accept, and spread the word of God. It is not a history book, nor a guide book on these matters. It is a book of faith that some get and some do not. It is so simple in purpose that most can not comprehend it to its fullest. Our society has studied these puzzles which concern us now, and we have mastered them to the best of our abilities. I will say we have had intervention from the Maker at times when it has seemed the darkest and all but the tiniest thread of hope remained.
“Thus, we judge our work approved by the Maker of all. We are not a religious society, but don’t think that we don’t serve Him. We do, but we also believe that these matters are best kept from the whole of the world. Yes, it is a great burden, but we hold it with great esteem and honor. Now, back to the subject at hand and to bring things to a close.
“Where this thing comes from we have some clues, and I won’t fill your head with names, dates, or other facts. The less you know the better, and I would like to keep it that way.” Aaron took a drink from the water bottle that Dorian had handed him and cleared his throat. “Where your part comes into play in this event is the painting itself. Your painting will help close the portal that this being needs to enter our world. It will not be easy. I will not lie to you Dorian: you may even die from this. Once you begin this painting, you MUST finish it or all will be for naught. There are other precautions set in place, but they will only be used in the direst of needs.
“I know the question you would most likely ask, and I will answer it for you. I imagine that question is, ‘Why doesn’t part of our society come here and take care of the problem ourselves?’ Well, it’s a simple enough answer. Let me paint you a little picture this time. Imagine our society here. Complete strangers prodding around the lake, chanting strange things, making rude gestures in the air, and drawing crude lines in the earth. It would last about a day before the whole town was out here – not to mention the local police. So I chose you, Dorian. I sought you out; it is a heavy burden to put on such an individual, and I do apologize for it.
“It is quite queer how things work out and seem to fall in place at just the right time. I speak of meeting you, your enthusiasm with the trip and paintings, and how I would guess that this first painting seemed to paint itself. Then there’s the quick friendship we have acquired, and the enjoyment of each other’s company. They have all been pre-made in the wheel of time. Yes, all of it, even this. You have to decide to do this though, Dorian. I must say again, if you start this you must finish it or it will be your death – that is a certain fact.” Aaron relaxed a little and breathed a heavy sigh. “You don’t have to say anything. I would prefer you not to. It is a heavy load to bear. It must be carefully considered, and a decisio
n must be made. I would suggest a walk now for you, Dorian.
“I expect an answer on your return or soon after. I will leave you now and go back to the studio and admire your work.” He got up, left his jacket and trench on the arm of the couch, and disappeared down the hall.
It’s not everyday the weight of the world is dropped into your lap, but on this day Dorian felt the ball fall and land fully square in his gut and nearly make him faint.
It was hard to breathe, and he wobbled on his feet to the sliding door and made his way outside on shaky legs into the night. He balanced himself on the deck railings. The contents of his stomach were in his throat. He wanted to throw up but couldn’t. The light on the pier down below swam in his vision, but after stern determination he steadied himself and began to walk.
He decided that a walk would clear his senses and give him the clarity that he needed to make this heavy decision. The sky was black, the moon was hidden, and only stars made an appearance in the heavens. He started slowly at first but soon caught his rhythm about halfway out on his property.
It was December and the night was cold. Few birds or crickets sounded as he walked on. Thoughts raced through his mind like turbocharged roadsters. He continued walking. Dorian knew he had to do this. He didn’t want to. In fact he was scared shitless, and a chill ran up his arm and made his entire body turn to gooseflesh.
As he continued on he noticed the woods became silent and still. The fallen leaves below his feet sounded like stale potato chips being crushed, and they echoed in the night as if through a loud speaker. His pace had quickened and he didn’t even realize it. Dorian was almost to the point of jogging when he slowed and finally stood still. He had never been afraid of these woods before in his life, but now it was as if the very trees were alive and watching him.
His heart raced at this thought, and he began to sweat. It seemed everything was watching him as he sat motionless in the night. Aaron’s talk echoed in his mind, and made him shudder. The silence was nerve-rattling, but Dorian could not move. Things…Aaron said there were things in this world that could not be explained. Could one of those things be watching him now? A rustle in the leaves behind him made him jump. He stood still, holding his breath. A thing was watching him. What it was he couldn’t dream of, but he was suddenly afraid, and he suddenly wanted to be in his house, safe.
The noise sounded again. He wanted to turn around, but his body would not obey his commands. He was frozen in place. He felt his heart race in his chest, and his breath came in short, quick bursts.
Finally he was about to take a step when the noise sounded again – this time louder and closer. The step would not come. Maybe if he kept still the thing would go away. Fear rose in his gut. He realized he was trembling with fright. A loud heavy noise, similar to a thud, sounded behind him not twenty feet away. He jerked but remained planted to the spot while sweat rolled down his temples. He waited, but nothing happened. No movement, no noise, nothing.
Instead from far off as if below the earth, he could hear and feel a faint rumbling. He slowed his breath so he could concentrate. Am I really hearing this? he wondered. He tilted his head and bent his entire will to listening to this new sound. It was there – low, but constant, a dull dry sound. As he sat still on the path, the sound grew in volume and intensity. It was also closer. Dorian could now tell that the sound was of footfalls, and he could tell they were getting louder and closer. He also noticed that the ground shook with each thud.
Something was coming for him – something that would devour him at the very spot where he stood. An ear-shattering screech sounded behind him, up high. It was a sound that no bird on this earth could have made. It screeched again, and panic finally got his feet moving; Dorian could stand it no more. He ran full speed back to his house. As he crunched them, the leaves below his feet sounded like fire crackers. The five steps that lead from the earth to the porch were easily missed as Dorian bounded over them, not touching a one, and raced inside.
He was only halfway inside the door when he began screaming Aaron’s name at the top of his lungs. Aaron came into the room quicker than Dorian would have thought possible. He made his way over to Dorian who was doubled over, out of breath. Aaron gently placed a hand on the young artist’s shoulder.
Dorian wept openly, and even though a gentle squeeze on his shoulder from Aaron was all there was to comfort him, it was enough. When the tears ceased in coming, Dorian looked up at Aaron who still stood by his side and he mouthed four small words.
“I will do it.”
Aaron patted his shoulder and gently said, “You have made the right choice. If it eases your mind, I will be right by your side during the painting. There are things I myself must do when you finish certain stages of it. I will give you a day before the painting must start, Dorian.
“I suggest you go out with Lisa, have a nice dinner. I will even treat you for it. You must not mention a word of our talks to her, though. It would bode ill for her if she became involved; even if just a slight mention of the things we have talked about entered her mind, the forces that hide in the shadows and remain unseen to the naked eye would come upon her with a vengeance. They would not kill her, but they would slowly drive her completely insane.
“Tell her whatever you will to get her to stay away. A month’s time is what we will need, and she can not come anywhere near this house during that time, nor can she call. I trust a month apart from her won’t be a problem for the two of you?” he asked.
“No, fortunately she has a huge final in about two weeks followed by a term paper in the last part of the month,” Dorian said a little relieved.
“Good. It is only for her safety, Dorian, no more, no less. Now, I must go out to my car and retrieve something. There was one other thing I forgot to mention,” he said. Dorian looked at him like a sad dog that was about to be lashed again for a second beating. Aaron laughed a hearty laugh. “No, no my dear friend, there will be no more bad news or revelations tonight. I was only going to ask if I might stay here this evening.” He played with his hands and looked down at them then back to Dorian. “I didn’t have time to make the reservations before I left,” he added, embarrassed.
Dorian smiled at this and felt relief in an instant. “Aaron, you sure you’re not just getting old and forgetting things?” He had tried to keep a straight face and to keep the question serious. He lasted for ten seconds until they both looked at each other and began laughing uncontrollably.
***
Aaron was out at his car while Dorian sat in his studio waiting. The day before had been like a dream to Dorian. His day with Lisa was nothing less than perfect. He made up an excuse why she couldn’t contact him for over a month. It worked better than he had hoped it would, and they soon found that they didn’t want to talk about the future – only live in the moment while they were together.
Dorian remembered kissing her goodbye; it was soft, passionate, and heartfelt. He had told her he loved her and she replied in turn. His thoughts vanished as Aaron closed the back door. He could hear his footsteps as he made his way to the studio where Dorian now sat patiently.
Aaron appeared in the door with an anvil briefcase in hand, silver in color, with a tiny padlock on the front. At the sight of it, Dorian gave a puzzled expression. The old man walked over to the table and sat the case on top of it. Aaron began opening the lock, and Dorian was amazed at its workings. He had never seen a lock like it. The lock clicked open and by this time Dorian was standing by Aaron’s side. As the lid lifted, what was inside made Dorian look questioningly at Aaron.
“You are looking at history, Dorian,” Aaron said.
Inside the case was what appeared to be a book. It was nesteled in the soft anvil case’s cushioning and sat recessed in its depth. The odd thing was that this book was triangular in shape. Aaron’s long, spindly fingers gently lifted the book from its confines. Dorian could tell it was old, though he couldn’t guess its exact age. It was over a foot in length, and its sides w
ere all of the same measurement.
The book was bound in old leather, and the musty pages instantly filled the air with their smell. Aaron placed the book on the table with one of the triangle’s points pointing towards Aaron. He slowly lifted the cover, and Dorian was taken back by the intricate drawings on the first page. Aaron mumbled some strange words and flipped a page.
Dorian looked on intently as Aaron flipped pages in the thick, heavy tome. The words, if words they were, started at the top and ran from right to left around the book’s sides. In a soft tone, Aaron whispered something unintelligible to Dorian.
As Dorian stood and stared at the book, he was amazed to find that the words began to reveal their meaning to him. It was one at first, then another, each seeming to jump off the page at Dorian and into his brain. The old man sat still and issued words that now Dorian understood. What he heard he did not like, and his mind raced at their meanings. Aaron stopped and turned to Dorian. “Can you see the letters clearly now, Dorian?” Dorian nodded, and Aaron continued, “Excellent, you must now read the next two pages for the event to start.”
Aaron got up, and Dorian took his place in front of the book. His fingers eased to the pages of the book, and Dorian felt the age-old parchment. He began reading silently at first and then out loud as if guided by some force. He was halfway done with the first page when he noticed the light outside had dimmed somewhat. He ignored it and continued reading.
He faintly heard Aaron say other words while he read. His head swam as his eyes poured over the page, but he continued on. Dorian’s stomach churned, and he felt light-headed as he read aloud. Some words were easy for him while some, once spoken aloud, made his vision blur and then come back into focus a split second later. He could feel the power of the book surge beneath his fingers and grow as he continued reading.
All of this was REAL and sharp fear almost gripped him. Aaron’s soft touch on his shoulder steadied him and calmed his fear. He finished the first page and was about to flip to the next when a sudden tremor ran through the house. He looked to Aaron, frightened. Aaron spoke aloud this time with a voice so commanding that Dorian flinched at its timber.
Lovecraft eZine Megapack - 2011 Page 38