Evil Agreement

by Richard L Hatin

  “Kelley, help!”

  Kelley put the flashlight down and pulled at Paul’s arms.

  Suddenly he lurched out of her grasp. She fell down on her butt.

  “Kelley, what’s happening?” cried Paul.

  She reached for the flashlight and shown it on his legs. They were now half way into the moist earth. He was buried up to his thighs.

  Kelley scrambled to her feet, dropping the flashlight on the ground. Its light now pointed at Paul. She grabbed Paul by the shirt, and pulled as hard as she could.

  “Kelley, I love you!”

  “I’m going to get you out of this,” she protested.

  His body jerked again. This time there were snapping sounds like branches being broken. He was now buried in the ground up to the middle of his chest. He was sobbing.

  “Kelley, Kelley,” he kept repeating, “It hurts sooo...much.”

  Kelley was frightened and confused. She felt helpless.

  “Kelley, come here,” said a familiar voice.

  Kelley turned around and saw the moon lit silhouette of three people, standing off about twenty feet from her location.

  “Kelley, he’s not for you,” said the same voice. She recognized it as her brother Samuel.

  She leaped to her feet and flew at her brother. The other two people stopped her before she could reach him.

  “Stop this now, Sammy,” she demanded.

  “Why?” he demanded.

  “Because he’s not to blame. Running away was my idea.”

  “I’m sorry Kelley it’s out of my hands.”

  “Kell...ey,” screamed Paul one last time.

  She turned just in time to see his body completely pulled beneath the surface. His arms flapped wildly, then his hands grabbed at the darken clumps of soil. His fingers stiffened and relaxed, as his hands disappeared into the ground. The flashlight on the ground highlighted the entire gruesome event.

  The crickets had stopped their usual chirping. The night was absolutely silent.

  Kelley turned towards her brother and tried to fly at him with her fists, in a blind hateful rage. She was restrained by the two people who accompanied her brother, Bruce and Scott Morton. They were in their early twenties, and owned their own business, Green Mountain Video’s and Games.

  “You bastard,” she screamed at the top of her lungs.

  “Now, Kelley, that’s not nice. Mom and Dad would be hurt by your vulgarity. Kelley, I’m afraid you’re going to have to pay a heavy price for breaking our covenant of silence with an outsider. Even I, can’t save you, now.”

  She spit at Samuel and tried to kick him.

  He held his right hand up, as if to hold her off, yet not touching her, when suddenly she went limp. She was conscious but was no longer in command of her body. She was dragged from the cemetery, her two sneakers digging twin trails in the moist earth. The two Morton brothers placed her in the back seat of a police car. Samuel climbed into the back seat of the Reverend’s car. Bruce Morton got into the front seat of the police car while Scott got in the Reverend’s car. The two cars moved away slowly.

  In the cemetery, bats now flew in frantic but purposeful directions. The cemetery was always a good place for hunting.

  21

  “It was fortuitous that Mrs. Lawless spotted her this afternoon. Her hearing acuity is exceptional,” said the Reverend.

  Samuel did not acknowledge the Reverend’s small talk. He had a great deal on his mind.

  “Is there a way we can reach Ed Townsend?” asked Samuel.

  “We’ve already called his house, and left a message on his answering machine,” said Scott Morton.

  “Does he carry a pager, a cell phone?” asked Samuel.

  “I don’t know!” answered the Reverend.

  He was trying to hold back his anger. It seemed that Samuel was deliberately trying to ignore him.

  “You should have inquired into it, long before now,” scolded Samuel.

  The Reverend’s ears stung with the bite of the criticism just leveled at him. He couldn’t afford to react—he had to remain in control.

  “You’re right!” answered the Reverend with as much control as he could command.

  His hands gripped the steering wheel of the car with such force that his knuckles were turned white.

  Meanwhile, sitting in the back seat of the Police car, Kelley was fully conscious, but still could not move a single muscle in her entire body. She could hear the two men in the front seat talking in hushed tones, so low she was unable to discern a word that was spoken. Her heart ached for her friend, Paul. She got him into this mess, and it had cost him his life. Tears ran down her cheeks. Her nose ran. She wanted to sob but couldn’t move. She grieved in tortured frozen silence.

  The two cars moved along the streets of Sutton in tandem. After several minutes, the cars pulled slowly into the driveway adjacent to the Church of Everlasting Faith. The white siding of the church seemed almost luminescent in the moonlight. Its stained windows were flat-black. They seemed to absorb the pale night light without giving back any reflection. The cars proceeded deep into the driveway alongside of the church. The Reverend got out of his car as did Samuel and Scott Morton. Police officer and Bruce Morton got out of the police car. Kelley was momentarily left in the back seat by herself.

  The Reverend fumbled with his keys. After a moment he selected one and walked over to the bulkhead doors, which led to the church’s furnace room. This was the only way into that part of the church basement. He unlocked the padlock and slipped it off of the latch panel. With a strain he pulled back the two heavy wooden doors. They creaked and cracked with sounds doors often make that aren’t opened very often.

  The Police officer shone his flashlight down the steps that led to the furnace room. Another door stood closed at the bottom of the wooden stairs. The Reverend was careful as he climbed down these stairs. He unbolted the cellar door and pushed it open. He reached along the door jam and flipped on a light switch. The light reached up the stairs and lit up the faces of the four people standing at the top.

  “Go get her and bring her down here,” said Samuel to the two Morton brothers. They turned and headed towards the Police car. Samuel and the Police officer descended the stairs into the furnace room.

  “Over here,” called the Reverend.

  He was standing near the furnace. He reached overhead and pulled on a small chain. They heard a low rumble as the stone-faced cellar wall began to swing away giving way to another room. The Reverend reached for another light switch, and soon the secret room was dimly lit with a small overhead light bulb. Cobwebs were everywhere. Against the back wall were two pairs of metal clamps, set into the stone, at a height of five feet. Another similar set of clamps were set much lower, at a height of less than a foot off of the ground. In the middle of the wall were several protruding rings. The floor was nothing but trampled dirt. The ceiling was made of the same blocks of stone as the foundation and walls. What little air had managed to enter this room through the cracks in the stone foundation, was dank and stale. Several sets of chains hung from the ceiling, on hooks set near the left wall.

  “No one will find her in here,” said the Reverend.

  “Fine,” said Samuel as his eyes took in the starkness of this hidden chamber.

  Kelley was dragged into the chamber. Her sneakers had worn away at the toes from her feet having been dragged. The Reverend took a key ring that hung on the backside of the stone door, and unlocked a pair of the highest clamps. The two strangers held Kelley up and placed her wrists in each of the clamps. The clamps were locked by the Reverend. The same was repeated with the clamps nearest to the floor, which soon held her ankles tight to the wall.

  The Reverend took down a chain from its hanger and chained her waist, to the wall. Her body was held firmly against the cold stone wall. Her weight bore down against the manacles. The edges of the manacles cut into her wrists and ankles.

  Kelley could see everything that was going on but could
n’t move a muscle to resist. She looked at her brother, but could not detect any sign of compassion. He seemed cold, almost inhuman. Tears ran down her cheeks.

  Her brother turned his back on her and left the chamber. The Morton Brothers and the Police officer also turned and left. The last to leave was the Reverend. He looked at Kelley and almost seemed concerned. Nevertheless, he reached for the light switch, and turned the light off. He then left the chamber. Soon, a low rumble signaled the closing of the heavy stone door. It was absolutely dark inside the chamber. Kelley’s heart thundered inside of her chest.

  How could my fucking brother do this to me? she thought.

  Her lungs strained to catch a breath and took in the heavy air of the foul smelling chamber. She felt the need to wretch, but her stomach muscles wouldn’t cooperate.

  Did they leave me to die? thought Kelley. At least she still had control of her mind, but how long would that last in this chamber and the tortuous situation that she found herself in?

  The four men and Samuel climbed up the cellar steps and into the night air. Everyone, except Samuel, drew in a deep breath. Without as much as another word, each returned to their respective vehicles. The Reverend, having already turned off the furnace room light, now padlocked the bulkhead doors once again. He, too, headed to his car, and after a moment the two cars pulled away slowly.

  Across the street from the Church stood a silent figure. The person was standing in the deep dark shadows of an old maple tree, trying to not reflect any street or moonlight. The figure was an old woman. She had watched the arrival and departure of the two cars. She knew what was going on but also knew she could not interfere. The time wasn’t right.

  Poor child, thought the woman. She bowed her head in silent prayer.

  The old woman carefully looked in several directions, before she dared to venture from out of the shadows of the old tree. She slowly turned and walked down the street back to her own place. She had much to do.

  ***

  Aaron and Korie were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Aaron had even taken up the owner’s offer and joined the assembled group of so-called amateurs on stage for a couple of numbers. He rejoined Korie. Sweat was pouring down his forehead. He was really into the music. The other informal band members had given him some polite applause when he elected to return to Korie.

  A young man was now singing up on the stage. He was in his early twentys, but his voice possessed a gravely, timber quality that seemed born to sing the blues. The horn players, two saxophones, a trumpet and a trombone provided a solid foundation of brass. The assembled band played so tight it seemed they had been playing together for years.

  Aaron signaled to their waitress to bring another pitcher of draft beer. He picked up his napkin and wiped his brow.

  “Damn, that was fun!”

  “Why did you quit then?” asked Korie.

  “Because I didn’t want to leave you alone.”

  “I’m okay.”

  “Well, there’s another reason.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I’m really not up to their level.”

  “Is that right?” she said as she took the napkin and wiped his neck.

  He smiled at Korie and then took her hand that held the napkin. She dropped the napkin on the table. Aaron opened her hand and pulled her hand to him. He slowly kissed her palm, not once but a couple of times. She smiled at him, with a smile that had love written all over it.

  The waitress arrived with the pitcher of beer.

  “Thanks,” said Korie.

  “Yeah, thanks,” said Aaron. “Say, can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure,” said the young waitress as she leaned over the table to better hear the question.

  “Are those all really amateurs? I mean, they’re really good.”

  “They call themselves amateurs. But they’ve been coming here and playing together a couple of times a week, since before I started here, two years ago. Ron’s got a lot of friends who play, and they like the laid back feel of the place.”

  “Thanks again.”

  “No problem.”

  The waitress turned and left.

  “See, I told you they were good, too good.”

  “You’re quite the sleuth,” she said playfully. “I’m going to the ladies room. Don’t drink all the beer while I’m gone and don’t pick up any blues mommas either.”

  Korie stood up and meandered around the tightly packed tables to reach the ladies room.

  Aaron poured himself half a glass of beer and took a sip.

  Ed Townsend walked into Mojo’s. The place was crowded, but as with most crowds, there was movement and gaps. Ed maneuvered himself to the bar where he located an empty stool a young woman had just vacated. He sat down.

  “Jeez this seat is warm,” he said almost without thinking.

  “Just imagine,” said the bartender who removed the half-empty glass from the bar in front of Ed, which the woman had left behind.

  Ed smiled at the subtle humor.

  “Give me a scotch and make it neat,” said Ed.

  “Sure,” said the bartender.

  In a moment the amber colored drink was placed in front of him.

  “Tab?”

  “No thanks. How much?”

  “Four fifty.”

  Ed placed ten dollar bill on the bar and pushed the bill towards the bartender.

  The bartender picked it up and left to retrieve some change. He returned with the change but Ed waved him off. The bartender nodded his thanks at Ed and turned to serve other customers.

  Ed turned on his stool and began to search the crowd. In a couple of moments he spotted Aaron sitting all alone, at a small table. He knew it was Aaron because Ed’s own inner evil spirit sensed the presence of Aaron’s spirit, the proverbial Powell spirit.

  At that very moment, Aaron felt a sudden and deep chill seize him. It felt as if he had been suddenly doused with a bucket of ice water. He shivered and his teeth began to chatter.

  Aaron didn’t understand what was happening. For just a moment, he thought he might be coming down with something.

  Now the sounds in the room were getting quieter. It was as if someone was turning down the sound of the entire room, much like one does with a television remote control. He could see the band was still playing, the singer was still singing and people seated at tables were still talking. But now, there was absolutely no sound, whatsoever. Aaron’s hands griped the edges of the table. He could feel the table. He reached for the glass of beer, and could feel the coolness of the lower half, of the partially filled glass.

  What’s happening? he thought not daring to speak out loud.

  He needed Korie right now. She was always calm and levelheaded. Aaron was beginning to feel a rush of panic seizing him.

  What’s taking her so long? he thought.

  A soothing voice spoke to him. Its sound seemed to be coming to him from where Korie had been sitting just moments before. His eyes noticed that the air across the table from him was now shivering, much like the air around a mirage.

  “Aaron, you are in danger. One of Moloch’s coven is near. He seeks you, yet he is not ready to take you, and you are not yet ready, for what is to come,” said the female voice.

  Aaron watched the agitated air waves. Soon, a shape began to form inside this effect. It was a woman. The woman was wearing clothes Aaron couldn’t recognize. She had on a hat, with a large feather on one side, a neck broach, over a high-necked French lace blouse, with full lace cuffs that extended from beneath the deep blue, almost black, velvet jacket. She was stunningly beautiful. Her hair was black and shiny and tied up under her hat. Her hands were delicate, she wore no rings.

  “Who are you?” whispered Aaron.

  “I am Constance Morgan Powell, daughter of Irene Powell and mother to Colleen Day Powell.”

  Aaron sat there in stunned silence.

  She looked over his shoulder and focused her green eyes in the direction of the bar.

>   “Don’t turn around, Aaron. The evil one is seated on a stool, near the wall, next to a tall table. He is drinking from a small glass and is watching you.”

  “What, I mean how did, I mean...?”

  She held her hand to his lips to silence him. He didn’t feel her touch, but the gesture was clear.

  “You must leave here tonight. The man who is after you has already searched through your possessions before he came here. Take Korie with you and leave quickly. The two of you must go to Sutton, tonight. The time is coming soon—there is no time to waste. When you arrive in Sutton look for a place called Mother Nature’s You will be safe there. You must finish reading our diaries. Once you have finished reading them, call for us and we shall come.”

  “Will I be able to talk to my mother?”

  The specter nodded affirmatively.

  “What does the man who is after me look like?”

  “You can see him with your mind’s eye, without turning around. Just close your eyes and concentrate on the area near the high table behind you. You will see him.”

  Aaron closed his eyes, and concentrated with all his might.

  In a moment, a picture was formed in his mind, as if he was now looking through a rearview mirror. He could see several people seated at the bar. All were engaged in conversation with someone, except for one man. This man was staring straight ahead. He was holding his glass up to his chest but it appeared he hadn’t drunk much, if at all. The man’s eyes caught Aaron’s attention. Aaron began to focus in on the man’s face, then his eyes.

  His eyes were black as coal. They were as lifeless and menacing as those of a great white shark, killer’s eyes.

  “I can see him,” said Aaron.

  “See who?” said Korie.

  Aaron opened his eyes and saw Korie seated across from him. His ears picked up the normal sounds of the activity in the room.

  “You were sitting there with your eyes scrunched closed. What’s happening Aaron?”