by JM Guillen
The wrong side? My hackles went up at the calm certainty in its tone.
“For just a moment, Liz, I’d like you to really hear what I’m saying.” The creature met my gaze, and for the first time I wondered if I’d seen the thing blink. “If I meant to do you harm, I wouldn’t be sitting here talking, would I? Stands to reason that since I’m here, I might actually have something to say.”
“Perhaps.” I leaned back against the wall. For all the uncanny horror of actually speaking with one of the Silent Gentlemen, he hadn’t truly offered me any harm.
Yet.
“Your mentor, whoever or whatever he is, doesn’t seem to have done the most thorough job with you, Liz.”
“What the h—” I started to huff, but the static burst back into my mind, just for a moment. The room tilted and crackled like old film.
It moved again. This time, it sat in one of the room’s chairs and regarded me with intent, not-quite-real eyes. One moment it had stood near the door, and less than a blink later, sat ten feet away.
The unreality of the situation made me nauseous.
“There’s much you don’t know, Liz. I don’t know why your mentor wouldn’t warn you, but somebody’s got to.”
“Warn me about what? Strange men who barge into my bedroom and do whatever they damn well please?” I blushed a touch at the implication.
“Liz, what you do—it’s unnatural.” It saw me puff up again and shook its head. “It’s nothing against you. You can’t help it. But doing what you do is dangerous.”
“I can handle myself.” I crossed my arms.
“It’s not dangerous for you. It’s dangerous for everyone else.” Its voice buzzed with mechanical inhumanity.
“Say what now?” I frowned.
“Physics is a certain thing, Liz. Our world works a specific way. Think back to Biology, or Earth Science. When you affect a system, there are consequences.” It held up both palms, in a see-saw, weighing scales kind of way. “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, right?”
“Right.” I spoke slowly, searching for the trap.
“It must feel wonderful, I’m certain.” The creature quirked its thin lips. “But what you do strains the very fabric of reality. You have no idea how fragile existence is, nor what lies beyond it just waiting for some unsuspecting innocent to let them in.”
“Them?” I suddenly felt quite cold.
“I won’t tell you the kind of horrors lurking there, Liz. Just trust that I never want you to experience them yourself. Our world is full of half-insane cultists and cabals of despair that worship dark powers.” It shook its head. “The Facility considers them all reality terrorists, and with good reason.”
Reality terrorists? I thought back on the things Simon had told me, about how the Silent Gentlemen appeared wherever supernatural events took place.
“Look, I don’t know why your mentor didn’t tell you, but I can’t say that he doesn’t have some ulterior motive for you. Maybe he has a deal with one of the aberrations that hide behind the world. It’s fairly common for these cultists to make offerings with their pacts.”
“Wait.” I held up a hand. “An offering?”
“I’m saying I don’t know. Maybe the folks you’re involved with have good intentions.” It rubbed its hand across the nape of its neck. “Maybe I’ve just seen too many human sacrifices, too many promising young people exchanged to nameless horrors.”
“Exchanged?” I felt confused again. “For what?” I started to ask another question when Simon’s words, a warning six years old, trickled through my mind.
“Universally, stories of the Silent Gentlemen are horrific things, kid. They’re stories where things never end well for whatever they’re chasing.”
My eyes grew wide. Had I actually started to listen to the thing? Buy in?
No. I furrowed my brow.
“These monstrosities, they often start off by giving gifts. Maybe glimpses of the future, wealth, or trinkets. Artifacts of power.”
“Artifacts?” I leaned closer, unable to help my curiosity.
Gamer ‘til I die, yo.
“They usually give little things at first, like a knife that tells you when someone talks about you or a pendant that always rolls sixes. Sound familiar?”
Sixes are a lousy roll—but it may not be totally off base. I couldn’t help but remember some of the talismantic items Simon wore. He had told me how he created such things, enchanting them with the lost Empyrean Names and watchtowers.
Deep in thought, I touched the earring he had given me. Secret power quivered at my touch.
“Abominations like the ones I speak of are drawn to folks like you, Liz. Every time you use your powers to reshape the Rational world, you light up like a Christmas tree to them.”
“The Rational world?” My mind spun.
“Our world. Reality,” it vacillated. “Whatever you call it.”
“So, these things,” I spoke slowly, but my mind raced. “They can see when I shape the wind?”
“They come like moths to a flame, and hover about you, unseen. They want you to tinker with reality more, to widen the rift in the veil that protects our world.”
“Why?” Visions of outer planar monsters danced in my head.
“If they ever got in, they would destroy us all. Reality would split asunder. All humanity would become blighted and insane, rotting meat for horrific carrion crows.” Its eyes glazed slightly, but then it shook itself and pierced me with a confident grin. “That’s usually where I come in.”
I eyed him and tried not to shudder.
“Actually, Liz, I would very much like to offer you a… kind of opportunity.” It smiled at me again, a surreal grotesque parody of a human grin.
“A what…?” I didn’t know what to say. “A job? A job like yours?” I shook my head in baffled wonderment. Just the thought of somehow being in league with the creatures made my stomach knot up.
The Silent Gentlemen came after people like me, they didn’t hire them.
“Understand what the Facility represents here. I—we—stand against the horrors of the Astral tides. We fight back against the madness, and protect humanity from the shadows. And I want you to help us.”
“Me?” I squeaked. “How?”
“I’m sure you’ve been told all kinds of stories about us. Most reality terrorists paint propaganda of us throwing children into black vans or gunning down innocents.” It shrugged. “Liz, have I done anything threatening here today—aside from protect myself from your talent?”
“I didn’t know what you were doing here!” I crossed my arms, irritated the only one who had been moved to violence was me.
“Of course you didn’t. I’ll admit I slipped up on you, and you had a right to be surprised,” it said with a smile. “But my point is, judging by my actions, I don’t mean you harm.”
“You still haven’t told me exactly what you want from me.”
“On rare occasions, the Facility works with specially talented people, Liz.” The inhuman creature shrugged one shoulder. “Those who work with us are decent citizens, trying to protect our world. We have specialized teams who help us work to keep reality nice and orderly.”
No fucking way That’s— I shook my head. I needed to play a part here.
“Would I…” I paused to try to phrase things properly. Simon had warned me about the Silent Gentlemen and their capability to douse a person’s clever knacks. “Would I have to stop shaping the wind?”
“We’d want you to work with us to minimize the damage you cause, that’s for certain.” It put its hands back in its pockets. “That being said, we’re searching for extra-Rational talent. Wouldn’t make sense to deny you your gifts, would it?”
“No.” I allowed a small quirk of my lips. “I suppose it wouldn’t.”
“All I’m asking is for you to consider the idea. I know you have a lot of questions, and I promise we can provide answers. The thing you should consider first is one simple quest
ion.”
“Yeah?” I couldn’t help but be intrigued, despite the horrific inhumanity of the thing.
“Would you even consider working with us?” Its face grew serious. “Or do you already assume I’m just here to throw you into the back of a black van?”
“Ha!” I faked the laugh—it all seemed so ridiculous. “I guess I would have to think on that.”
“A fair answer.” It nodded. “I know it’s a lot to take in. I don’t need an answer right away. In fact, I won’t take one today, regardless.” It ran a hand over its neck, then straightened its tie. “I’ll let you mull things over for a few days. Sound reasonable?”
“What if…” I tapped my foot nervously and felt as if the meeting was almost over. “What if I feel like it’s best for me to decline? Even if it’s just for now?”
“We’re not monsters, Liz. The Facility is quite lenient.”
“That’s not what I’ve heard.” I couldn’t stop the words in time.
“I know you don’t want to be part of destroying reality itself. Wouldn’t you consider cabalists who threaten our world to be more monstrous than those who protect it?”
“Trick question.” I gave it another feigned grin, and tried to pretend my heart wasn’t pounding its way from my chest.
“I imagine if you think things over and have some concerns, we can talk about them to our mutual agreement.”
“I suppose.” I tilted my head in brief acknowledgement. “A few days should do fine.”
“Good.” The creature that named itself Garret stood. “I’m certain you’ll come to the right decision.”
“How will I get ahold of you with my answer?”
“Don’t worry, Liz,” Garret said as it gave me a final glance. “I’ll find you.” Those words buzzed furiously, punctuated by the room crackling and skipping like old film. Almost instantly, I felt nauseated, winced, and closed my eyes.
The static faded.
The creature was gone.
“I do not like that idea.” I sat there for a long moment and tried to process everything that had happened. Was it possible? Could the Silent Gentlemen actually be searching for someone like me?
Bullshit. I shook myself, and then stood. Probably. Probably bullshit.
“It doesn’t matter,” I muttered. “I trust Simon.”
That was the crux of it. I did trust Simon. The man had come into my life and shown me wondrous things, taught me more about myself than anyone else ever had.
“There’s much you don’t know, Liz. I don’t know why your mentor wouldn’t warn you, but somebody’s got to.” I shuddered and remembered the creature’s clipped words.
“Not my problem now,” I sighed and stood, resolved to get a move on. I was supposed to meet the group in the anime room at—
I glanced downward.
The clock read 5:58.
Monster Summoning I
Two worrisome hours drifted by.
“You’re still sulking,” Rehl whispered.
“And?” I glared at him as light flickered over his cheeks and scalp. “Maybe I like sulking.”
“Yeah, that’s it,” he scoffed.
“You guys should be quiet.” Baxter did not turn his gaze to us.
“We get to see you a handful of times a year.” One side of Rehl’s mouth quirked up. “You could pretend to enjoy seeing us.”
“I’m not much of a roleplayer,” I sniped.
“Liz.” Rehl rolled earnest brown eyes.
“It’s this situation with my dad.”
“We’ll handle it.”
“Oh, we will?”
“Stop it,” Baxter huffed and practically leaned over me to be close to both of us. “Here’s what we’re going to do. If Aiden isn’t here tomorrow morning, Liz and I ditch out of the con and head over to Knucklebones,” he whispered harshly. “That way, the Masked Brava here can stop sulking, and we can enjoy ourselves for the rest of the evening.”
“See?” Rehl gave Baxter a wide grin and a pat on the shoulder. “Bax here has it all under control.”
“Maybe.” I couldn’t help but grin.
“No maybe.” Baxter sat back. “It’s solved. Now you guys can be quiet.”
I nodded to myself. Bax’s plan felt reasonable, like a logical and intelligent move.
“I found you.” The scratchy words crackled from the porcelain doll’s lips. Her limbs stretched unnaturally, bent at awkward angles. In front of her, a wide-eyed young man gasped before turning to run. He dropped the ancient book he had used to accidentally summon his undoing.
“No!” he cried and horror sketched itself across his face.
But it was too late.
Wet slicing sounds. The musical score screeched with tension.
Within moments, the walls dripped with his blood.
“Just badass.” Baxter slumped in his chair to my right, an open box of pizza in front of him. It remained one of humanity’s greatest mysteries how he ate so much and didn’t end up gaining weight.
“Give me a piece of that,” I hissed. Even though the movie’s sound was quite loud, I kept my voice down. Aside from me and my friends, one other couple occupied the anime room, but I thought they had fallen asleep.
“Soon,” the doll continued and waddled over to the blooded corpse, “you will know ecstasy.” She traced one finger through its blood. “You shall understand mysteries than no man has ever grasped.” The finger slowly reached for the forehead of the corpse, where it drew a diabolic sigil upon the fallen body.
Those dead eyes snapped open, tremulous. In the distance, the young man screamed again, in both horror and agony.
Giggling, the sanguine spirit within the doll tore into the young man, preparing to wear the corpse as it had the small manikin.
Usually, I loved anime about demons and gore, but tonight I had other things on my mind. My conversation with the why-won’t-he-be-Silent Gentleman had unnerved me far more than I could have imagined. The way he casually dismissed my tempest—even before I could truly bring it forth—flipped me right the fuck out.
I still had my hackles up. So much had happened, all at once. Earlier today, I had a plan and not a care in the world. Now I might be a reality terrorist who consorted with powers best-unnamed.
“This is the good bit,” Alicia whispered from the other side of Rehl. “Watch how the writer works in the weird old man.”
I glanced over to watch my friend slip into her accustomed pose, head tilted to one side, feet curled underneath her, comfortable as a cat. Envious of her casual contentment, I settled into my chair and forced myself to relax. I wouldn’t get caught off guard again, not tonight anyway. Beneath my hoodie I wore two knife sheaths, cool against my skin. Just having them on gave me comfort, even though logically, I knew the truth.
Knives would have accomplished nothing to solve the inhuman problem in my room. Less than nothing. “Garret” hadn’t been concerned about my abilities at all.
The thought made me feel like chewing nails.
I would very much like to offer you a… kind of opportunity.
If everything it had said was true, things had gotten even muddier.
On the screen, the corpse shifted, and then sat upright.
I shook my head. Simon had always been straight with me. But could it be possible Simon didn’t know everything? Did those trinkets he used come from some demonic creature hidden behind our world? Half consciously, I touched the hoop earring he had given me and fingered the softly singing symbols.
Empyrean Seals. I frowned, thinking more deeply about everything that Garret said. If he were right, then these symbols might not be crafted from an antediluvian language. I shook my head.
If Simon were scamming me, it was definitely a very long con. I just couldn’t see what he had to gain.
The idea of mistrust bugged me. Without Simon, I would be out of my depth, and Mr. Oh-So-Creepy had enjoyed pointing out that maybe, just maybe, I didn’t quite understand everything.
&nbs
p; I sat in the soothingly dark room in a cushioned chair and watched an amazing flick with my best friends. I wore the world’s most comfortable hoodie and had pizza and wicked iron knives within easy reach.
I still couldn’t find my chill.
The screen flickered static for less than a second, then resumed playing.
Rehl started at the interruption.
“Heh,” he chuckled nervously. He started to say something else when it flickered again, six or seven brilliant white flashes of snow.
“Oh.” It wasn’t just the television. No, like a horrific strobe light, the world flickered around us, reality trembling and giving way to madness.
Lorne. I sat up straight.
“Fuck me!” I glared around in disbelief. “Could today get any worse?”
“Liz?” Baxter’s concern was evident. “What’s happening?”
“You can see it?” I turned to him, eyes wide. The flickers increased their speed, and the world trembled and undulated around us.
“What the hell?” Rehl half stood, head turning frantically.
I stared at them, frozen. Several times, Lorne’s unreality had pushed its way into my life, but never with anyone else. It had always just taken me.
What did it mean?
Alicia screamed.
Silhouetted in the flickering light, a wraithlike, inhuman form hovered in the air. It peered at us intently, and its black eyes held a loathsome interest.
A dark cloak fluttered over its vaguely man-like torso. Slender, gangly arms stretched from its sleeves, but from there, any similarity to humanity ceased. Nothing but entrails hung from the bottom of that cloak, as if its bottom half had been ripped away.
Its head was wreathed in horns of mist and shadow, and upon its forehead, a rune I did not know gleamed with a sunset’s fury.
It glared squarely at me, and recognition and stark glee burned in its gaze.
Shit. There could be no mistaking who it sought.
The movie flickered back on and the spectral thing vanished. The world resumed the surreal mundanity of the anime room.