1
Dimensions: a topic fools bargained with for decades. As she poured over the details before her stamped in bold black ink her shoulders rounded. Even by candlelight they absorbed colors and blurred beneath her steady gaze. By now the lump in her throat hardened and as she tried to swallow it refused to budge. Leaning closer toward the crinkled parchment she took a deep breath and held it until her chest ached.
"L'inferno è un luogo vero e proprio consumata da diavoli," she read and stopped as a chill raked down her spine. A sour taste flooded her taste buds and as one by one letters fell into place her heart leapt into her throat. The invisible hand composing them was not finished yet.
The cabin shifted around her, groaned as though a presence resided within its decaying wood, and she bound the folds of her blanket tighter together. Draped over her shoulders it hung long with frayed ends that skimmed the floor.
-razors over wrists-
She lowered her head.
-cold steel pressed against flesh-
She closed her eyes.
-blood-
And she began to sob.
Anonymity descended as tangerine lamp posts highlighted fluffy snowflakes as they made their heavenly plunge.
I am the keeper of darkness. Fear the wizard that holds my breath, but not before life vanishes from thy wounded infinite. And so does the reaper play with life keys. It is a ritual imagination alone cannot understand.
Christi set the book aside. The words were fresh in her mind even when the front door opened and inward stepped her boyfriend of two years. His smile and sparkling eyes did nothing to change the gloom that weighed on her shoulders.
He lay his baggage on the floor, shrugged out of his jacket and approached. Next to her on the couch he sat and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees.
"Are you still thinking of heading up there," he asked, though he already knew the answer.
Christi nodded and sighed. Running a hand through her hair she licked her lips and again looked over at the book. "There are answers that we need if we ever plan on shutting that old man up."
"But don't you think it might be a little dangerous," he asked and patted her knee. "I mean, if you believe the rumors…"
"I am not thinking about that." She tilted her face to regard the ceiling. Its rough stucco failed to maintain her interest and once more she shifted to the torn leather bound book and its musty pages. "I think if we can understand what is written here we might have a good chance."
"Christi," he began slowly. "I know you and the others think this is going to be a piece of cake, but just think about it for a moment."
"Jake, I have thought and thought about it. Either we go and find some sort of evidence…"
"Of what," he challenged. "Of Ancients? Of creatures that are immune to death and disease and couldn't give a rat's ass about humans? How can that benefit us?"
"Because we need the money, Jake," she snapped.
"But if you are having nightmares don't you think you should leave well enough alone?"
She rubbed her eyebrows and closed her eyes. A groan escaped her tightly sealed lips. She sat back, her shoulders rounded as she stared aimlessly about the room. With her arms folded across her chest she answered, "And lose everything we have worked for? We can't pay bills. We can't buy food. How are we supposed to live, Jake?"
After a moment of silence, which the tick tock of the clock counted a few seconds, he also lay back and rested his head on the fluffy bulge of the headrest. He blew out a long breath and said, "If we do this you have to promise me that the first time something weird happens we just get out."
"I can already pretty much guarantee something weird will happen, Jake. Why else to think the tours in the place stopped? Why else do you think they have the damn doors nailed shut? The place is…"
"Dangerous," Jake finished with a note of dread in his voice. "I know and nothing I say is going to change your mind."
She shook her head.
2
It sat upon a hill like a dark idol. High stone walls pitted and overgrown with vines and moss wasn't even to ward off the curious. Many came for a glimpse into its arched windows. Some even dared to attempt to cross its threshold. Various reasons came into play. As stories of hidden treasure swept across the land greed mapped out a route to its location. Of course that wasn't to say some defied riches and simply were intrigued by the legend and mystery it was rumored to be.
Pulling into its long and unpaved drive Christi gasped. Her hair brushed over her slim shoulders a shimmering wave of blonde as her brown eyes squinted against the glare. So intently was she staring that when a set of fingers gently squeezed her shoulder she jumped.
"It hasn't change a bit," Jake said as he unfastened his safety belt. "I still think this is a horrible idea."
Christi forced a smile. "That sounds so cliché." She turned away, unable to keep her lips turned up and she fought against her own belt. Opening the door she wasted no time hopping out and taking a deep breath. The air rushing her lungs was scented but with what she could not pinpoint. She coughed and started for the trunk. With keys in hand she slid the jagged metal into its lock and listened to the tumblers as her attention again dwelled toward the towering beast.
"The others said they had to make a stop at the gas station down the road," Jake explained as he clicked his cell phone off and shoved it into his pants pocket.
"Well they have most of the equipment. So if they want us to make any ground before sundown they better hurry up," she said.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she lied smoothly and assured him with another fake smile. "I think things are about to change for the better. This is our ticket. If we can get just one shred of evidence then the world as we know it will change forever."
"And what if there is no evidence to be had? What will you do then?"
She stopped sorting through an assortment of flashlights, small digital cameras in cushioned black cases and sound recorders to look up at him and reply, "There will be evidence."
"But you have to look at this realistically, Christi. What if there is no proof to be had? Just for a second consider that."
She paused a moment longer. This time her stare stayed on the cases as she opened then closed them. "I don't know. I really don't know. I guess we will be living in a cardboard box and holding up signs reading 'will work for food'."
"I am not joking," he exclaimed.
In a grim tone she said quickly, "Neither am I, Jake."
3
In night's eye an inky solution emerged from shadow's end. Nothing could ever prepare the world for end. Though it was always on speculation's time yesterday failed to prove theories and enforced realization that knowledge is out of reach.
This was where the dead wander in wait for judgment. So many roam and in constant wait they exercise their demons. Yes, even the dead have demons. They tend to hold true to ignorance and what greater thing is there than ignorance?
Sickness slithered down the wall. Its thick glops shimmered and swayed under a steady pulse of moonlight. One foot after another the living move inward. With them are foreign devices that hum, beep and throw shallow lights.
They swerved around corridors as though every noise meant something life changing was in progress. Their instruments seemed to nearly pull them along. Whatever they were hoping to find? Treasures are merely what the mind makes them out to be. Material objects hold great power over these thoughts.
Christi jerked. Her eyes widened. As he jaw dropped she leaned closer to a lacerated wall. Its wide wounds glistened as though they were wet. Camera in one hand and a penlight in the other she moved from one to the next.
She stumbled as her foot struggled with loose rocks. Without breaking her gaze she gasped and steadied herself. Her nose wrinkled up. It came in shallow waves, but was not repugnant enough to really drive her back though a smell such as it might have churned her stomach on a different day.
"What could have made these marks," Jake asked.
Christi shook her head. "I don't know."
Chuck chuckled. His bushy carrot beard covered most of his large chops. He stooped over, his heavy midsection jiggling like Jello, and he said, "Maybe it was my king snake."
Christi rolled her eyes. Everything with him had to do with his nether region. Though she couldn't be sure she would bet he had nothing interesting below the waist.
"Give it up," Jake barked.
4
Diamonds descended upon the formless void. From their sparkle radiated light. It was a discovery very little found sweet. For these fragile strands were responsible for so much while accomplishing so little. Now as they spun a colorless web agony swept across the landscape. Maybe once they could have been something more, something better, but destiny closed off all hope.
Timeless tragedy counted from eternity and then something curved the line and slowly from pain's depths emerged darkness. There can never be anything less than misery when hazard breathes misfortune and exhales rage.
Now with these few comes chance to unleash it all. Let Hell begin.