Chapter 12
Joe sat cross legged with the rest engaged in the mindless chanting. The cave was full of Fog's followers all dressed in black robes and staring vacantly ahead.
Adam was thrown into a far corner and quickly forgotten. His hands were fastened in front of him but it wasn't necessary. He was oblivious to all as the fever raged within him, sweat leaving a glistening sheen on his face and neck.
Fog stood at the head of this loathsome gathering and asked for hush. He produced the book he had taken from Adam.
"Children, it is time. The portal is now ready. The undead spirits who walk among us will find salvation in their new home. Thanks to your passion and diligence they will now cross over to their new resting place."
He took the book in his hands and read a passage slowly, emphasising each word.
Slowly at first, ever so slowly, a speck formed on the wall of the cave. The speck grew bigger and flecks of light began to flicker through. All watched dumbly as a vast portal opened up, a howling wind roaring through it that sounded so much like wailing anguished voices. As sick as he was Adam lifted his head and stared at the vortex tunnel created. The wailing voices grew ever louder and Adam could nearly make out individual cries within the tormented masses.
Fog continued to read from the book loudly now over the howling din and rushing wind.
The procession of spirits making their way to Virginia city began to gather at the mouth of the cave. A few dared to peek inside.
Fog smiled cruelly on seeing them.
"Please come, come closer. The light has come for you. Come forward." He beckoned them.
These illuminated spirits glided slowly up the middle isle towards Fog and the swirling portal he had opened.
"Yes, that's it, come closer," he smiled.
Looking confused and lost they proceeded to the warmth of the light, it seemed familiar, it seemed like home.
"No, stay where you are."
All heads turned as Hoss stood in a far corner.
"No, no, come forward, this is your salvation," Fog said, though a slight hitch in his voice now betrayed him.
Hoss walked slowly to the middle isle and approached Fog. With one swipe he knocked the book from his hand.
Fog stepped back, blinded by this soul, withering under it's strength of goodness. In it he saw all his evil reflected back at him and he was blinded by his own depravity.
"No please, don't touch me," Fog begged, staggering backwards.
"Get back," Hoss told him. "Get back to your own kind. You ain't welcome here."
In horror Fog turned his head as he felt the Vortex calling to him.
"No...I'll find others, I'll find others, master please. Don't ...DON'T!"
Fog screamed as his earthly guise was stretched and he was pulled back into the depths of the portal. He knew he was destined to howl there for all eternity with the rest of the damned.
~o~
The cave suddenly went dark as the portal closed up extinguishing the many candles in it's wake.
All inhabitants of the cave stared around in bewilderment as they took in their surroundings. They clung to each other in fear at finding themselves in the dark recesses of a cave. Joe struck a match and clambered through the mass of bodies to go relight the candles. Ben had entered the cave with Hoss. He too lit a match. He found Adam at the back of the cave. Though Fog was gone the effects of his spell lingered still and Adam was exhausted. Ben decided to worry about the manacles later as he picked him up from the ground.
General panic was starting to break out as the cave was in near pitch darkness and the town's people had just come awake from what seemed like a bad dream.
"How do we get out, where do we go," they yelled, clambering over each other.
All looked to a glistening light in the far corner. The spirits waited silently until all had seen them before they made their way down the long outer passage and out into the night. The town's people followed them out, glad to be guided and relieved to see the bright night sky full of stars. They clung to each other as they made their way down the hill towards town.
The spirits hovered about the mouth of the cave not knowing where to go.
One shimmering spirit approached meekly. She was young and cradled a baby to her breast.
"Please, where should we go now?" She asked of Hoss.
He wished above anything that he had an answer. They all just hovered there looking so lost.
Joe suddenly spotted something on the horizon.
"Look," he pointed.
She looked to where he was pointing and her face lit up. A blinding light could be seen in the distance and within it, shimmering forms beckoned to the spirits. Laughing happily they all made their way to the light that had finally come for them. There was much hugging and excitement as they were greeted by loved ones as they crossed over.
The four men watching could feel a swell of love in their own hearts as they watched this happy reunion. One little figure stopped just before entering the light. He turned and smiled a freckled grin at Adam. Adam waved back at him and with one last look at his friend Billy turned and was swept up in the happy scene. All the spirits walked off together into the light and suddenly it was gone.
They were in darkness again but it was good. A full moon stood out in a star filled sky, crickets chirped, a dog barked in the streets nearby. All sounds that were strangely absent during Fog's presence among them.
"What we do now Pa?" Joe asked.
Ben smiled warmly at his boys. "We go home," he said.
The End.
