The Devil's Blue Eyes

by Chris Sanders

  Luke pushed his cup of tea to one side. It was already cold. Sitting back in his chair he said, “What on Earth has serpent worship got to do with Chatterton Village?”

  Alexander closed the book. Leaning forward, and almost at a whisper, he then said, “Oh, everything, Luke. They have everything to do with Chatterton Village, I’m afraid. Years of research into this subject has led me to this conclusion. My back is almost broken from the hours I spent in here going over and over old texts. I’m afraid to say it’s not just Chatterton Village either.”

  Alexander and Albert remained silent for almost a minute. Absently, Luke perused their tiny library. The uncomfortable silence eventually got to him. Needing to fill the empty void, he said, “Then go on, explain it to me. Everything that is. I’ll listen to what you have to say. Just don’t leave anything out.”

  Both father and son smiled. Having composed himself, Albert then said, “I’ll come straight to the point with you, Mr McGowan. I can see you’re an intelligent man. I had my doubts at first, but I’ll be happy to be proven wrong.”

  “Thank you,” Luke replied.

  “At some distant point in our history, the human race was infected, interfered with, if you will.”

  “Infected? By what?”

  Albert began to tap the book’s cover with the tip of his finger.

  “Knights?” Luke replied.

  The old man rolled his eyes in frustration.

  “Perhaps I was wrong about you. Perhaps you’re not that smart after all. I was pointing to the dragons in the picture.”

  “The dragons? Are you suggesting that dragons are real?”

  “Serpents, Luke. I prefer the term serpents. What we’ve been told all these years is a lie. A terrible lie.”

  “Please, just get to the point,” Luke replied.

  “No creature has ever been featured in the ancient mythology of every culture on earth like the serpent, Mr McGowan. It’s incredible when you sit down and think about it. The ancient Gods of the Indus Valley for example had the Nagas, a supernatural being who could, on a whim, de-manifest into either a human or a serpent. Ancient Sumerian texts speak of serpent-like gods who descended from the stars and bred with our female ancestors. Take a look at our own Christian narrative, Luke. Didn’t Eve sleep with the serpent in the Garden of Eden? I’ll quote it for you if you like?”

  Luke nodded somewhat intrigued by Albert’s knowledge.

  “When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born of them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. The Nephilim were on the earth in those days–and also afterwards, when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children,” Albert finished.

  Alexander’s eyes were firmly on Luke.

  “Are you starting to see the bigger picture now, Luke? The serpent’s seed. The sons of God refer to Satan and his fallen angels. Satan, the great serpent.”

  “The early Persian myths tell of the earth becoming corrupted by snake-like demons who interbred with the daughters of man. You can research every ancient culture on this planet and the same story repeats itself again and again, Luke. Why, the Chinese have their dragon Kings! There’s an entire chapter in the Quran which teaches us about the Djinn, a serpent-like demon. It’s the same theme every time. You can call them demons. You can call them serpents or even Satan. At one time in human history a hybrid race came into being,” Alexander continued with just as much passion as his father.

  “Snakes got fresh with our women-folk?” Luke replied. “Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”

  “If you like,” Alexander retorted. “It explains man’s early creation stories from the old testament to the Aztec’s belief in their own serpent overlords.”

  “Have you not noticed the serpent symbolism in your own fine city of London, Luke? There are statues which depict serpents everywhere. They simply litter the financial district. This hybrid race is alive and well today, Luke. They’re different to us in many ways. They may look like us, but they lack any compassion and they are obsessed with power. They are trying to control our lives!”

  Alexander put a gentle hand across his father’s shoulder.

  “Okay father. That’s enough now. I don’t want you getting upset again. You know what happened last time.”

  “But we have to let the people know, son. We have to let them know what’s going on in this world!”

  “I know father. I know.”

  “This hybrid race. Are you telling me Chatterton is one of them?”

  “Almost certainly. And his family needs human sacrifice like we need food. It’s always been this way. These hybrid elites have always been obsessed with human sacrifice and blood drinking. From the Aztec Kings to our recent European aristocracy. The Chatterton’s are a part of this. There’s something in the victim’s blood, you see. At the point of sacrifice, at the very pinnacle of terrorization, a certain chemical is released into the person’s bloodstream. They seem to need this chemical to keep them alive. I’m afraid to say that a child’s blood is the purest.”

  Luke sat back in his chair and sighed deeply. He was starting to feel hot in the tiny room and almost began to feel faint. He recalled again his conversation with Lena and felt suddenly very downhearted.

  “Luke? Are you okay, Luke? I’m sorry we put you on the spot like this. There’s no easy way to talk about such a subject. I do hope you can understand?”

  Luke stood and walked towards the room’s back window. He flung it open and took in several deep breaths. He then turned back to Alexander and his father and said, “Lena told me about the rituals last night. She told me they were practising Satanists. Of course, I didn’t believe the poor girl at the time. Chatterton had told me she was delusional. I suppose he would say that after what I’ve just heard.”

  Alexander was standing next to him, his hand placed gently across his shoulder.

  “You must go back and take care of Lena, Luke. She’s not imagining any of this I’m afraid. There’s a good chance she experienced first-hand what we’ve been talking about this afternoon. I know she’s here to find her kid brother too.”

  “You know where Lee is?”

  “Well, I can’t be sure. But I suspect he’s being kept somewhere in the house with the other children. Don’t you know what day it is today?”

  Luke paused for thought. He then mumbled, “Halloween.”

  “That’s right. Halloween is the most important day in the Satanic calendar, Luke. It’s known quite rightly as Satan’s birthday. The ancient Celtic Druids called it the Festival of Death. They would offer up sacrifices to their god of death, Samhain.”

  “In the fields. I saw something. I saw a pentagon. I can see it clearly now,” Luke continued.

  “Quite possibly. They light the bonfires in the fields. The pentagon is used as a sort of energy field, a bridge to the other side. The spirits need it to cross over into our world.”

  “And they’re planning to sacrifice people this evening?”

  “We believe so. Each year around the same time we see an influx of strangers into our village. We think they’re here to celebrate whatever takes place up at the Chatterton House.”

  “Then we have to put a stop to it, man! We have to see for ourselves if this is going on.”

  “It’s not that simple Luke. These hybrids are everywhere. The police. The courts. We have to be very careful.”

  Luke stormed back to the table. Slamming his fist across its surface he then said, “To hell with caution! We need to take action. We have to go to the authorities!”

  “We’ve tried Luke. Don’t you understand? The people at the top know what’s going on. They are a part of this!”

  “Then we’ll have to do something ourselves, damn it!”

  “Please, young man. Try to calm down. Don’t you think we’ve been thinking the same thing?” Albert now spoke still sitting at the table. “We have to plan carefully. You can�
��t just rush up there all guns blazing. You wouldn’t stand a chance against Lord Chatterton and his cronies.”

  Luke was already making for the door.

  “Where are you going young man?” Albert yelled after him.

  “To be with Lena,” Luke shouted back, already pulling on the door’s handle.

  “Just hold on for one second,” Alexander ordered. He’d left the table himself and was now walking towards Luke.

  “Is there anything else that needs to be said?” Luke asked once Alexander had reached him.

  Slowly, Alexander pushed the door back closed.

  “You know a chap by the name of Andre?”

  Luke looked surprised.

  “I’ve had my encounters with him. Put it that way. Why?”

  “He used to work for Chatterton. Long before Claire. He did Chatterton’s dirty work for him.”

  “And your point Alexander?”

  Alexander stepped away from the door. Sitting back down at the table he then said, “Andre is with us now. He saw for himself what Chatterton and his mob are like. He came to this very room not two days ago. We’ve been planning Chatterton’s extinction ever since.”

  Luke wandered back over to the table.

  “And do I get to know how this plan is going to work my dear Alexander?”

  Alexander glanced nervously towards his father. In turn, Albert sighed and nodded.

  “Sit your backside down young man. Planning a revolt takes patience. A great deal of patience. You should learn to control that temper of yours. It’ll get you into trouble one day,” Alexander then finished.

  Slowly, Luke retook his seat.

  “I think I’m in enough trouble as it is. So, go on. Tell me your plan. I’m all ears,” Luke replied picking up his coffee cup once again and taking a long sip. It could, he reasoned, be a long evening. Slowly, from out of his pocket, Alexander pulled out a tiny, wooden statue. He then placed the owl in the centre of the table. Luke looked carefully at the statue.

  “What’s this?” he then questioned.

  Albert and Alexander glanced nervously towards each other.

  “This is Molek,” Albert then replied. “Their God. He goes by another name of course. A more familiar term if you will.”

  “Lucifer?” Luke replied second-guessing the old man.

  Albert grinned.

  “I was wrong. You’re not as stupid as I thought.”

  9 - Midnight Soiree

  Luke had arrived back at Rose Cottage in little under an hour. He’d grabbed the bare essentials from one of the grocery stores and then drove, as if possessed, back along the winding country lanes.

  “Is she alright?” Luke now asked having stepped back into the cottage. Elizabeth was sitting at the kitchen table reading. She’d only answered Luke’s question after reaching the end of her paragraph.

  “Well?” Luke continued dropping the shopping bags to the floor and wandering into the corridor in search of Lena.

  “She’s in bed sleeping if you must know Luke. The poor girl is fatigued. I’m surprised you hadn’t called for a doctor before I got here. The poor thing was frozen.”

  “You sent for a doctor then?”

  “He left an hour ago. She’ll be fine. She just needs rest. Nothing to get in a fluster about Luke. Please, sit down. You’re starting to make me nervous.”

  Luke remained standing. He wanted to confront Elizabeth but wasn’t certain he could trust her. The chances were she’d go straight to her father and tell him everything he’d learned. Instead, as hard as he found it, he managed to hold his tongue.

  “You remembered the shopping at least,” Elizabeth went on glancing at the shopping bags before returning to her books.

  “Did anyone else come here while I was gone?”

  Elizabeth grinned, her eyes still submerged in the book.

  “You mean, did father pay us a visit? No Luke. I told you. Your little secret is safe with me. But as soon as Lena is well enough I’ll be taking her back to the house.”

  “Maybe it’s best she stays here. I mean, she seems comfortable here,” Luke replied.

  Slowly, Elizabeth lowered her book. Looking up at Luke she then said, “I’ve known Lena since she was a child. I think I should know what is and isn’t best for her. Once she’s rested and feels up to the journey she’ll be going back with me to the house. I think she should be fine by tonight in fact.”

  “Tonight?”

  “Yes. That’s right. Why? Is there something else on your mind?”

  “On my mind? No. Nothing at all. I just want what’s best for Lena also. Is that so hard to understand?”

  Elizabeth shook her head, sighed slightly, and returned to the book.

  “Perhaps you should go and take a cool shower. I think it would do you some good.”

  “That’s exactly what I was going to do,” Luke replied turning for the hallway.

  “And please, try not to wake Lena on the way up. She needs her rest,” Elizabeth finished, flicking over a page. Slowly and without reply, Luke made his way up the stairs. He paused briefly by the bedroom door. It was slightly ajar and he could see Lena fast asleep in bed. Whatever happened, he swore, he would not let her be taken to the Chatterton House.

  He ran his head beneath the cold shower. He stood silently, his hands and face pressed up against the shower’s tiles deep in thought. He wanted to climb into bed with Lena and wrap his arms about her waist. He would find out the truth however difficult and then he would take Claire, Lena and her brother far away from Chatterton House. He thought about Ireland and his early childhood growing up in Galway. He could still see the beautiful rolling hills and green pastures that made up his native Connemara. He’d skip London for good. He’d buy a small cottage in the country and settle down with Lena. Life would be good.

  Stepping out the shower his mobile began to ring. He grabbed a towel from off the radiator and wrapped it about his waist. After several seconds of fumbling around in his trouser pocket, he managed to find the phone. The battery was almost finished, the tiny red bar flashing away in the far right hand corner of the screen.

  “Hello?”

  “Luke?”

  It was Benny. The line crackled. Benny was out drinking, which made it difficult for Luke to hear him. He wandered about the bathroom trying to get better reception but soon gave up. Benny sounded manic too. His friend was beginning to rattle off sentences like machine gun fire and hardly paused for breath. Sometimes, Luke had learned over their long years of friendship, when Benny was in this state of mind, it was just better to keep quiet and let the man talk. The facts could be straightened out at a later date.

  “And that’s why I need to get away, champ! Can you hear me buddy? I can’t stay in London another day! Can’t do it, fella! I have to skip town and very soon. Can you put me up somewhere, Luke? Where are you now? You know, it’s never been this bad before. I don’t know what to do brother. You there Luke?”

  Luke took a deep breath. He was looking out the bathroom mirror. The sun was already beginning to set and the lights from Chatterton Village were beginning to pop alight far beyond the hills and fields which surrounded Rose Cottage. In the very far distance, beyond even this sea of artificial light, Luke could see the faint outline of Chatterton House standing proud near the summit of Chatterton Hill.

  “Benny. You need to calm down and listen to what I have to tell you.”

  “You think I could grab a flight to Thailand or something, Luke? I know my passport’s around the flat somewhere. I’ll have to tidy up, I guess, and find it…”

  “Benny!” Luke snapped, his patience finally worn. “Can you shut up for one second, man, and listen to me?”

  Silence. Luke could hear Benny breathing nervously at the other end of the line.

  “I’m listening, brother. I’m listening.”

  “You can come and stay with me for a couple of nights. As things turn out, Benny, I could do with the backup.”

  “Are you in troub
le mate?”

  “I’ll explain when you get here. I’ll sort you out with cash too, so don’t worry. You have enough to jump on a train or do I have to book that for you too?”

  “I have nothing Luke. I can’t even buy a pint of milk.”

  “Jesus Benny. When are you going to learn? I can’t keep bailing you out my whole life. One of these days you’re going to have to stand on your own two feet, brother.”

  “I know Luke. I will. I’m getting better. I’m never going to gamble again. I can tell you that much. Not as long as I live! I quit smoking too! I’ll be saving a bundle of cash now. You’ll see, brother. I’ll come good.”

  “Well, congratulations. That’s a positive move,” Luke replied, genuinely surprised. For as long as he’d known Benny he’d always been a chain smoker.

  “How many days?”

  “Three and counting. I brought one of those electric cigarettes. They seem to be doing the trick,” Benny continued.

  “Well, keep it going. I’m impressed.”

  “Thanks. So, about this train fare. Where am I going?”

  “I’ll send you a text later with all the details. I can’t talk now. I’ll book the tickets. You just make sure you’re at the train station on time, okay?”

  “Sure, no problem. Will I be leaving tonight?”

  “In a few hours. Make sure you charge your phone too.”

  “Okay. Oh, one more thing Luke.”

  Luke sighed.

  “Go on.”

  “Can you drop a little money into my account? I mean, I’ll need it for the taxi to get to the station.”

  “Okay. Anything else?”

  “I’ll text you if I think of anything, okay?”

  “Right. Okay Benny. I look forward to it,” Luke replied killing the call. He continued to dry himself and then got changed. Elizabeth was still in the kitchen reading when he eventually went back down. She glanced from her book only once as he started to make himself some tea.

  “You want a drink?”

  “No thank you Luke.”

  “How’s the book?”