Summer Shorts-Four Short Stories

by Jan Miller

  ******

  Craig awoke to the sound of the phone ringing. It was Edon with news that she had managed to get Craig a spot at a music festival the following night in Austin Texas. All it took was the mention of Phoenix being there for the event, and the promoters insisted that he play. She hadn't informed them that it would be Craig playing in his place. Phoenix agreed to go and introduce him. They would leave for Austin later that very evening…with Craig.

  Terri was not at all happy with the news when Craig called her at work. "What about Libby and me? We can't go. We'll be all alone without you. We're not used to you not being there. I don't like it."

  Craig reassured her "Phoenix will have someone to stay with you from his security staff. You'll be safer than if I was there." Clutching at straws, Terri added "Well, what will you wear? I don't suppose your golf shirt and khakis fit into that crowd." Craig blurted out without thinking "Edon will take care of that." Terri snapped "Oh yes, of course. I should have known. Will there be three rooms at the hotel or just one?" Craig ignored that. He concluded the call with a "See ya before I leave."

  ******

  Back at her internet search, Terri found that the three former Black Raven members died from separate, non-related incidents. Reading the archived news items, one common thread linked the deaths: the presence of a black dog…a large black dog. Ian the lead singer had swerved his car to avoid one. Jake, the bassist, died from a heart attack caused by being startled by a large black dog. James, the drummer, died from what was reported as a strong allergic reaction…to a black dog.

  Curiously, no one had noted the common denominator in the deaths. The press had previously described the deaths as being "drug related", and as is normally the case with inaccurate headlines, when retractions were later issued, they were relegated to back pages. "Death by dog" was just too un-rock & roll, and was deemed bad for the band's image.

  More interesting and disturbing were the rumors surrounding Phoenix's so called "pact with the Devil" and Satan worship. Some insinuated that Phoenix's bandmates refused to join his pact and were punished by Satan. Others alleged the bandmates were sacrificed for Phoenix's personal fame and longevity. It became clear to Terri that as far as the Satan worshipping clique surrounding Phoenix was concerned; one was either "in" or one was "out". The "ins" (the true believers) prospered and endured; the "outs" (non-believers) died well before their time.

  Finally, a Wikipedia biography of Phoenix showed a photo from a 1968 news article taken of him at his first wife Lilian's funeral. Terri looked closely at the caption under the photo and was dumbfounded by what she read: "Next to Phoenix Gressil is his ten year old daughter, Edon ". Terri exclaimed "Jesus… that would make her 56 years old! No plastic surgeon is that good."

  Terri followed a link on the news article to read about the death of Lilian Gressil. From the funeral photo, she noted that the attendants at the grave side were dressed in winter clothing. Indeed, the death had occurred while the family was vacationing in the German country side. Apparently young Edon had ventured out onto the ice of a pond behind their chalet. Lilian had run out onto the ice, fearful that it might give way since there had been a warm spell which thinned the ice. It was Lilian who fell through the ice and drowned. Edon had witnessed the entire incident.

  Terri skimmed a few paragraphs and stopped with her hands frozen to the keys by what she then read "…two witnesses who observed the accident from their window across the pond added that the young girl had been chasing her escaped pet…a large black dog".

  ******

  Arriving home in the battered Toyota, Terri had to park in the street because the Gressil limousine was sitting in her driveway. Entering the house through the front door, she saw Craig standing with his guitar case by the door and Botis, Phoenix's bodyguard standing in the middle of the room. Before anyone could speak, Libby ran into the room shouting "Mommy, Mommy…look who's going to stay with us while Daddy is away!" Out of Libby's room trotted Sykes, the imposing black Rottweiler. Terri fainted and fell to the floor.

  Terri came to lying on the sofa with her feet elevated by two pillows. Craig and Botis were kneeling over her. Botis asked "Ma'am, are you by any chance pregnant?" She moaned "Oh for God's sakes no". Craig laughed. Terri looked around and excitedly asked "Where's Libby? Is that beast still here?" Craig put his hand on her arm "They're playing in the backyard. It's like they have been together for years."

  Terri sat up quickly and put her hands on his face "Listen to me. Listen: I do not want that dog here, do you hear me? I want him gone…now!" Botis stood up and tried to reassure her "Ma'am, I have never seen that dog take to anyone like he has to Libby. I know that dog. Trust me: no one will touch that little girl when Sykes is with her. He'll die before he'd let anyone hurt her."

  Terri stood up and said in a loud shaking voice "It's the damned dog I'm worried about. Not someone else! Can't you understand?" Botis shook his head and said to Craig "That dog would let that child rip his ear off and he wouldn't as much as growl. He loves that little girl." Craig turned to Terri, pleading "Did you hear that? The dog is good for Libby and Libby is good for the dog. The only thing I'm worried about is you. What's gotten into you? Are you taking diet pills again?" Terri started crying.

  Craig put his arm around her. "Sykes is just a dog….a big goddamned dog, yes…but a dog, just the same. If I had the slightest inkling that he would in any way hurt Libby, I would be the first say something about it. With him here, no one is getting in here to hurt either of you. I promise you that."

  "Sir, we should be leaving soon if we are going to make it to the airport on time" Botis quietly said. Craig replied "I have this under control. I'll call her friend Bess to come stay with her. The dog will be fine here."

  They left to pick-up Phoenix and Edon and then headed to the airport. Edon turned to Craig and calmly asked "Any problems…with the dog?" Unemotionally, Craig replied "No problems. Everything is under control…just as we discussed."

  ******

  At the hotel in Austin, Edon informed Craig that she and Phoenix had an adjoining room to his. She also told him that the clothes she had purchased for him were in his room. Over dinner, Phoenix assured Craig that he had personally worked several times with the band that would be backing Craig…they knew the material as well as the Black Ravens knew it. There would be no problems. Phoenix himself had ordered the stage gear that Craig would be using.

  Craig sat down his glass of wine and said "You two have taken care of everything. I can't thank you enough for this opportunity. I don't know how I can ever repay you." Edon smiled at Phoenix, they both turned to Craig and she said "Actually, there is something you can do. We will need you to come to our room." Craig paused for a moment of brief contemplation, finished his wine and said "Let's go."

  The shades were drawn in Phoenix's room and the lights were all off. There were lit candles strategically placed around the room and a large black circle painted on the center of the floor. On the dresser lay a white silken linen and on top of that, what appeared to be a large dagger with a black handle and switch taken off of a tree.

  Craig looked around at the candles and the strange artifacts. He seemed confused and asked "What's this all about? Is this some kinky shit you two are into?" Edon sternly replied "We will need you to go into the bathroom and remove your clothes. We will bring you out when we are ready for you." Still puzzled be obedient, Craig went into the bathroom and closed and locked the door. Yes; they had done amazing things for him. He was here for a great rock show where he was to perform in 24 hours. Clothes, guitar, gear, transportation, accommodations: all at Phoenix's expense.

  A brief time before meeting them, Craig was a 'nobody' going nowhere…now this. But did it warrant him taking part in some bizarre, God-only-knows-what, sex depravity? Then again, he thought; he was with his personal idol and most definitely the most seductive, intriguing woman he had ever met. They were alone in a strange place where not a single person knew his name. "Oh,
what the Hell?" he muttered and then he undressed.

  There was a knock at the bathroom door; cautiously Craig opened it to find Botis wearing a black hooded robe. Botis led him to the circle on the floor that was now surrounded by the burning candles. Botis ordered "Kneel" and Craig complied. From another room, Phoenix emerged also wearing a black robe; although his robe was more ornate with gold and red embroidery depicting beasts and cryptic glyphs. Last, Edon emerged in white silken robe that was lavishly embroidered in black, gold and red characters and beasts. She carried a goblet that she handed to Craig and ordered "Drink…all of it." Craig placed the goblet to his lips. It smelled like blood and dog turds, but he complied…drinking the cup dry. He coughed and gagged, but held it down. His stomach burned and the room began to spin.

  "Potent shit!" he complained, to which Botis promptly demanded "Silence" Phoenix was reciting some incantation mumbo-jumbo that he only caught a bit of "…be willing to suffer and be purified in order to learn." With that, he took the switch and began lashing Craig on the back. Craig winced but felt no pain. When Phoenix had finished the lashing, he removed his robe exposing his own nudity, and then handed the bloody switch to Craig. Edon began her own incantation, concluding

  "…thou must ever give as thou receive, but triple…lash him 120 times!"

  Phoenix knelt beside Craig, and Botis helped Craig to his feet. "Hit him" Botis ordered. Craig administered the lashing until the switch broke after nearly a hundred strikes. Edon continued her incantation, and finished by repeating five times "A new magus has been consecrated" while Botis led Craig around the circumference of the circle.

  Phoenix rose, turned to Craig and declared

  "Now you are one of us. You will awake with the new knowledge and see the world in a new light. Now you serve the Master."

  ******

  When Terri awoke, she staggered to the sounds coming from the bathroom. Her friend Bess was giving Libby a bath. Sykes lied beside the tub and looked up when Terri entered the room. "Nice nap?" Terri shook her head. She washed her face, dried it, and then asked Bess "Bath time?" Bess shrugged and nodded towards Libby. "Someone's not feeling too good. Maybe she misses Daddy?"

  Libby protested "Mommy, I don't feel good." Bess added "She's a little warm, so I thought a warm bath might make her feel better." Terri blurted out "Oh Christ, Bess. You don't give a kid with a fever a bath unless it's…" Terri was feeling Libby's forehead as she spoke. "She is hot. Did you take her temperature?" Bess shook her head. "Didn't know where you kept the thermometer." Terri fished in the medicine cabinet, retrieved the thermometer, and then lifted Libby out of the tub. She placed the thermometer in the child's mouth, and then toweled her dry. She removed the thermometer and looked at it. Alarmed, she cried "It's a hundred and four. I have to call the doctor."

  Terri handed Libby to Bess, and then went to the kitchen to use the phone so Libby wouldn't hear the conversation. The pediatrician urged her to take Libby to the Emergency Room right away. Terri dashed back to the bathroom, then froze at the door way. Libby was lying on the floor convulsing. Bess was backed into the corner behind the door, trembling and crying. Sykes stood between them both and Libby…snarling with teeth fully bared. Each time Bess tried to move, Sykes lunged at her, growling and barking. Terri tried to reach the child too and received the same treatment from Sykes. Terri ran back to the kitchen and dialed 911.

  A young policeman arrived in a few moments. Terri led him to the bathroom. Sykes barked loudly at the officer and continued to block access to Libby. The policeman stepped back into the living room, followed by a nearly hysterical Terri. The officer pressed the call button, and stated that he needed an animal control officer immediately. He listened to the response, then added "No, this is a life or death situation with a very sick child involved." Terri ran back to the door of the bathroom.

  The officer stood by her side and whispered "The dog knows she's sick. It thinks its protecting her. It thinks we're the ones hurting her." Terri shrieked "You don't understand! It's the dog that's killing her. Shoot it. Shoot it right now!" The officer tried to calm her down, pleading "Ma'am Animal Control will be her soon. We just have to give them time…" Terri pointed to Libby, still in convulsions, and she screamed "We don't have time, God Damn It!" She jerked the nine millimeter automatic from the officer's holster, flicked off the safety, and fired three shots into Sykes…killing him.

  With lights flashing and sirens yelping, the officer raced his cruiser through the dark streets. Terri and Bess held onto Libby in the back of the cruiser. Screeching into the emergency room drive way, the officer took the child as the two women ran ahead opening doors and screaming for help. Upon examination by the attending physician, Libby was rushed to an isolation room. Spinal meningitis was the initial diagnosis.

  Terri sat alone silently in the waiting room, staring at the floor. Bess appeared with her cell phone in hand. "I can't get a hold of Craig. He's not answering his phone". "Try the slut's phone. I'm sure they're together." Terri snapped in reply. Bess tried dialing Edon's phone but only reached her voicemail. She dropped down onto the chair next to Terri. "I'll find him, honey. I'll just keep trying."

  Terri shook her head. "She's behind this…and Craig is with her…I know it!"

  ******

  Edon had left explicit instructions that they were not to be disturbed and that Craig was not to receive any phone calls until the show was over. Botis enforced those instructions in his usual efficient manner.

  The show went exactly as Phoenix had planned. He was announced to wild cheers of the audience. He made his way onto the stage, explained that his day was past but that the music would live on. Then he introduced Craig as the band broke into "Fire Dance". Craig embraced the spotlight as if the two had been constant companions for years. He performed brilliantly and with the last chord, he shot his outstretched arm into the air prompting the crowd to shower him with a repeating cheer of "Craig...Craig...Craig". He turned to the band and asked if they knew another Black Raven song for an encore. Botis waived from the side of the stage and pointed to Phoenix who shouted "No. Come off now...immediately!" Craig obeyed but was puzzled by the decision to leave the audience hanging, expecting an encore.

  "There is a medical emergency at home. We must depart at once."

  ******

  The brilliant blue sky lit up every corner of church packed with sobbing, grieving humanity. Every ray of sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows illuminated faces in shock and disbelief, as is usual when a vibrant, joyous child unexpectedly dies. The priest did his best to console those in the grip of disbelief, wondering how a just God could take such an innocent life. Oddly, the only two souls not showing devastation were Terri and Craig. The latter seemed coldly detached, the former steeped in a deep burning hatred and anger.

  Terri had refused his entreaties when he returned home. She would not speak to him…would not see him. She rode with Bess to the funeral and then afterwards to her parent's home. She declined his phone calls. Friends and relatives had removed their possessions from the home they had rented…the home where it happened. Animal Control had hauled away the dead dog and assisted in cleaning up the blood.

  Craig's clothing and laptop computer were all that remained in the little house. He never came to retrieve them. There was only one place for him now: the Gressil mansion. Immediately after the funeral, he had Botis drive him there. Phoenix and Edon did not attend the funeral or the service before it.

  ******

  Upon entering the mansion, Edon was waiting for him on the staircase. "How was the service?" she asked mockingly. "Lovely" he smirked, walking towards her.

  "Are you ready for the final phase?" Edon asked. Craig anxiously applied "Times wasting. Let's get to it."

  This time the circle and candles were on the master bedroom floor…Phoenix's bedroom. Phoenix lied on his bed wearing a black plain robe. From one door; Craig entered, again naked. From another door, Edon entered wearing her ceremonial whit
e robe, carrying a goblet. As before, she commanded Craig to drink. He remained standing, but drained the cup. Botis in his black robe, took the goblet, and then held out his arm to Edon. She removed her robe, placed it over Botis' outstretched arm, then nude she lied in the middle of the circle staring at the ceiling. Craig mounted her and the two engaged in furious intercourse as Botis recited an incantation in a strange, unrecognizable language. Edon screamed as she climaxed, at which time Botis left the room and reappeared with Phoenix's black embroidered robe. Craig stood and Botis put Phoenix's robe on him. Then Edon stood and Botis put her robe back on her.

  Although Edon was long past being a virgin, there was a small puddle of blood on the floor in the center of the circle. Botis handed Edon the black-handled dagger, and she swiped its blade length wise into the blood until the blade was completely red. Botis led Craig to the bed and had him lie down beside Phoenix. Edon took the blade of the dagger and spread a line of the blood first on Phoenix's forehead; then turning the blade over, she did the same to Craig. Botis then handed her two plaster cast masks: one smiling to represent life; the other frowning to represent death. She placed the smiling mask on Phoenix, and then placed the frowning mask upon Craig. Edon and Botis then left the room for the night.

  The sunshine and clear sky of that summer day gave way in the evening to a fierce, fiery thunderstorm; the type that frequently hit the Midwest triggered by the collision of hot, humid air and cooler air descending from the north. As the thunder shook foundations and lightening frightened animals and humans alike, two women in two separate locations sat alone reading on their laptops. One read about concert scheduling for the season, the other read about Black Sabbath ceremonies that invoke Mephistopheles.