Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

1

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.

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.

"What is it you are thinking," Krosnos growled.

Orange oval eyes opened in darkness. A set of fangs flashed as it yawned and stretched its gray arms. Thick blue and red veins twined around their deformed lengths.

"Perhaps fear is our best seller," it began in a husky voice. "It fills so many cybernetic hearts with joy."

"Fear is just one commodity in stock," Krosnos replied sharply.

"I don't want to be associated with the name Annabelle anymore," it retorted. "Just Echo fits me better."

 

        Krosnos rose a few feet overhead, its body a quivering shadow mass that tilted left and then right as unseen lips moved for it to hiss, "Nothing fits you!"

Echo stiffened. It crouched, drawing its skinless knees under its crescent moon shaped chin. "Perhaps," it began slowly. "But I am top seller and know how to move our merchandise."

But was there anything to gain from fear? How might one be able to overcome its dangerous clutches?

2

Honestly I couldn’t seize an answer without giving in to my own set of doubts. Nothing more stalked me now or weighed heavier on my shoulders. As charming as fear might be to some it was a mind killer and corrupted everything that failed to contain its power.

Maybe there was something I was missing. Maybe there was a link omitted somewhere along the fabric of time and space.

Dr. Sannard shook his head, pupils dilated as he fought against my will, but it was a fruitless endeavor.  Beads of sweat wrung up across his forehead.  His white knuckles clenched the cushioned arms of his chair and as a glazed look settled over his vision I again projected images of a time long ago.

3

Glossy beams radiated upon soiled wood shelves. Upon them merchandise lay in wait to be chosen by browsing customers looking to score a deal. Gold or silver however was a mortal's route of displaying value. An entirely different system comprised price here in the Devil's Candy Emporium.

Souls have power. Some may argue that the soul does not exist or that it is a metaphor for something else, but regardless there is something that survives death. It is a touch of immortality that never ceases since it is energy that is always evolving, expanding and ultimately becoming a universe of choice and life.

Glass jars lined a chipped counter. In its juices fresh eyeballs stared at various creatures as they stalked by. Across from them in rows set daggers sculpted from bone.  Even the most insignificant life has a job in this existence, in this realm. Those who consider themselves intelligent life or higher organisms fail in their arrogance.

"The imps are thick this night," Krosnos growled.

Echo slumped forward. Its gaze lowered, shifted and stared anywhere other than the assortment of fiends filing in. "This form," it whispered as it raised a pair of green and gray hands for examination, "has no meaning."

The shadow mass Krosnos grunted. "Your sentiments are growing evermore disturbing."

"I have to…." Echo stood suddenly. Turning to Krosnos a maelstrom swallowed the ill disguise but not before words tumbled from a lipless face. "I need to be alone."

Echo materialized seconds later. The form she wore as she emerged from shadows was indeed that of a woman, but not just any woman. Thick silken hair hung tangle free across firm shoulders and down a straight back. When she took a step forward a breeze lifted it like a pair of raven wings. A quick observation of her profile in a front window display acknowledged her picturesque complexion and vibrant blue-gray eyes.

"So this is being human,” she remarked in a soft tone. "Free of blemishes," she said as she carefully brushed her fingers over her features. "No decay. No macabre. But is this human skin, human beauty?"

 She resumed her stride down the long concrete stretch only to stop and admire the next display of colors and content.  The plastic figure behind the pane of glass brandished sparkling jewels that dressed it in a way suggesting royalty, but as her mind pressed further she realized it was anything except royal. It was simply a way of coaxing admiration from passersby.

Muddy extremities unfurled across dreamland. Their emaciated hands squeezed the moon. One by one stars faded into nothingness and below artificial beams burnt ever so brightly. Echo retreated.  As she streaked through lane after busy lane doom settled atop her brow.

The emporium loomed in the distance. Fiends plowed in through its doors, exited with jars, bags and boxes, and though they were cloaked in elaborate robes horns and maimed faces occasionally poked out.

"Why are you wearing human skin," a passing beast hissed as it cradled a green tinted jar against its chest.

Echo looked down at herself. Perfect ivory flesh mapped her every contour, but she continued onward without shifting appearance. She swam through the crowd to enter and marched up to the counter where Krosnos hovered as a putrid mass of human remains.

"Armageddon is approaching," she said.

Krosnos cackled. "I know. Isn't it wonderful? There was time you would have thought so."

She stepped aside to allow a scaled hunchback by. With bulging eyes the thing stared at her and snorted.  "The timing is premature," she said.

"The timing is overdue," Krosnos retorted. He waved a blackened finger. "Any respectable daemon would agree."

Echo slumped against a display case. As her gaze slid over dozens of eager shoppers her jaw stiffened.