HELLS GRACE

Part 11

Stopping wasn’t an option.

I said it like a mantra when I glimpsed the headlights of a Toyota Camry driving through Cedar Lake road and then turning left into what I had now dubbed as “The Gate,” the point of no return, the very entrance into my domain.

Like all visitors, they stopped their car midway, engines humming idly in the darkness, wondering if this was the right path. If they continued down the road they came from, eventually, they’d end up on a dead end, a gravel road that would lead them to one of the dozens of trailheads in Selene National Forest. Wrong road, they’d think. We drove too far.

A lure, of course. An easy one to manipulate. Where they had turned was the correct path, the hovering red pin on their phone stabbing a supposed cabin in the middle of the woods. Yes, yes. This is the way. Keep going, keep going…

I triggered [Glean], and a flood of thoughts entered my consciousness.

[Power: 9/10]

Zack Bird parked the car next to a two-door sedan in front of the cabin. “I didn’t know Chris was here,” he muttered.

“What was that?” asked the black woman wearing a burnt orange cardigan sweater sitting in the passenger seat. A quick look through her socials told me her name was Eliza Avery, Zack’s new girlfriend (and the woman Jenna hated for the past few months).

“Oh. Um, he’s Rebecca’s husband. You know? The cop I was talking to you about? We met her at Safeway one time?”

Eliza shook her head. “Doesn’t ring a bell,” she said with a forced smile. Didn’t care. Why would she? They were her boyfriend’s ex-wife’s friends. They didn’t care for her either. However, she tried to ignore how Zack sometimes misses hanging out with them. But from the stories she had heard, they were, according to her thoughts, toxic as fuck. She wondered why Zack hung out with them in the first place. They’re the kind of folks who would turn their nose to people like her. She never trusted cops anyway.

Eliza looked at the cabin and shook her head. “Nuh-uh. I don’t like this.”

“Like what?”

“We can’t leave Danny in the middle of the woods.” She glanced over to the backseat, where Daniel Bird (often addressed as Danny by everyone around him) was still sleeping.

“Why not?”

“For one, he’s six. Two, I don’t trust these people. And last, three of your friends got murdered. I’m not going to leave the kid here knowing full well a killer could be targeting them.”

“Look, El, I know them. Once you get to know them, they’re good people. I don’t think anyone’s targeting them when other people die. The whole town respects them. Who would want to hurt them? They’re just at the wrong place, at the wrong time when that psycho showed up. It’s an active shooter with a knife instead of a gun.”

Eliza rolled her eyes. “Remember what Dr. Kazich said. These are the people who have enabled you for years. They trigger you. Look at what happened when you moved out of this godforsaken town. You sobered up! You turned your life around!” She smiled. “You met me. Daniel now wants to stay with you more than her–”

“But the tickets–”

“--We can bring Danny. We can do something else instead. You and I don’t have work on Mondays. We can stay in Portland for the night and explore the city the next day. Go to OMSI. Maybe walk around the Japanese gardens? Danny also loves the zoo, which is nearby.”

“Danny has school tomorrow.”

“So what? We’ll tell them he’s sick or something. He needs to experience more of his childhood, you know. You make it sound like missing a day of 1st grade will cripple his education for life!”

Zack sighed. “This was supposed to be a couples night.” He chuckled. Inside his head, I heard a whisper, I want to propose to you. He shifted in his seat, inconspicuously adjusting the small ring box inside his jacket so that Eliza did not notice it.

“We can do that another time, babe. Why don’t we do something fun with just the three of us? I want to create great memories with Danny, too.”

She had a point. Zack wanted Danny to like her. She was a great woman, and he was lucky to find her at his lowest. He loved to admit that she was one of the reasons why he had never turned to the comfort of the bottom of a bottle. He had suppressed that demon inside of him. Under its influence, a cloud of haze possessed him, and once he came to, knuckles reddened from where he had hit Jenna after a lengthy argument. He was bruised as well from where Jenna had thrown a lamp at him (a permanent scar under his brow forever etched that relationship on his skin). But scaring Danny was the worst feeling. He never hit him. He couldn’t do that to his son, whom he loved. But he admitted shamefully that Danny had seen his demons at a very young age, one that the boy would likely remember forever. He did not want that thing out again. Never.

Fortunately, he could only remember one or two fights with Eliza, but it never ended with anyone hurt. They made up quickly, too. This was how relationships were supposed to be, not this constant suffocating tension with Jenna’s high expectations and her goal of climbing the social hierarchy of Point Hope and maintaining a perfect image. Jenna always looked down on him, saying he never made enough money like his other friends’ husbands. She wanted Danny in the best schools and the family to become members of the exclusive social clubs in town. She forced him to like golf (he never did). It was why she tried to enter the Hodges’ close-knit circle (and succeeded) and began the downward spiral of their relationship. It was strange when the moment of clarity lifted the veil he had been suffering in. He had attributed the voice in the back of his mind to his guardian angel, who wanted him to leave the marriage while he still had the chance.

For what? He did not know.

And he followed through it.

It insisted on taking Danny with him. So he fought for full custody but only managed to win a partial one. If he had won, they would have lived in Boston by now, closer to his relatives. So he stayed close and let Danny attend the best school in the county in Point Hope while he lived in Brighton, a town twelve miles west of here. Through it all, the Yates, the Fairlies, and the Hodges were still friendly to him and the rest of their circle. They helped him move out of Point Hope. Rebecca introduced him to Dr. Kazich and attended his first therapy.

Meanwhile, Jenna tried to be cordial. She used to be a kind and compassionate woman. He was at his worst with Jenna, but he was at his best with Eliza. Sometimes, he wondered if he had moved to Boston and never met Eliza, things might have turned out differently. Would he still be the same abusive man in the past? Would he hurt Daniel?

The [Glean] slowly dissipated, and I emerged from his and Eliza’s heads.

Zack looked around. “It doesn’t seem like anyone’s about. I only see Chris’s car. I’ll text Jenna that Danny can stay with us, and she can stay with her friends.” He frowned. “Jesus Christ. Ashley and Dave are dead. It seems like yesterday when I last saw them.”

Eliza scoffed. “I don’t know what they’re thinking. They’re partying.”

“She mentioned a vigil for Adam. I think the Fairlies own this place–”

“--And staying in an isolated cabin while a killer is out on the loose? Crazy! They haven’t caught the person who did it. Must be three states away already.”

“Oh? Sorry. I’m not following the news,” Zack said.

“They said it was a woman who did it.”

“Fuck, really?” Zack said casually while sending the text to Jenna, which I allowed. Jenna must be confused about why Zack mentioned the cabin and that he brought Danny there. “Who?”

Maxine knocked on the driver’s side window, a broad smile on her face. Eliza and Zack both jumped from their seat, hearts beating fast. I could smell the adrenaline seeping out of their skin. The sudden noise woke Danny up.

Zack lowered the window. “Max. Hi. You freaking scared me.”

“What are you guys doing in there?” Maxine asked innocently. I was worried that Eliza would recognize her, but in the dim darkness, it didn’t seem like it.

“We were just talking,” Zack said, nodding sheepishly. He gestured to the mostly empty lot. “I don’t see the others here.”

“Oh, they went by Colleen’s roadhouse to get drinks and some food. We haven’t stocked the place since the last time we went here.”

Zack frowned. “Listen, I’m sorry about Adam…”

The demon’s expression changed. “I–I just don’t want to think about that right now, Zack. We’re all grieving in our own way.”

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

“Is that why you guys are out here?” Eliza asked.

“Adam loves this place.” her face dropped suddenly, almost a tear welling in her eyes. “I’m sorry. Loved. We’re here to honor Ash, Dave, and Adam’s memories. And all the people we know who died in Green Hill. Just the eight of us. Plus, it’s safe, and Rebecca is here. If we get into trouble, she’s got a gun.”

“So, this is really yours?” Zack asked. “I didn’t know you guys owned a cabin out here.”

“Used to be my uncle’s before he passed,” Maxine said, delivering the lie so smoothly. “But I inherited it almost a year ago? It’s a fixer-upper at some parts, but she’s sturdy.”

“So, it’s just you and Chris?”

“Yeah. He’s by the boathouse cabin. She and Rebecca are staying there for the night.”

Zack looked impressed when she mentioned a boathouse. The property must be bigger than he thought. “I see. Um, we’re going to get going, actually.”

“Already? Jenna mentioned that you are dropping Danny here.”

Eliza leaned closer. “Yeah, we’re thinking of going to Portland together and having a mini-vacation.”

Maxine crossed her arms. “Jenna gets Danny on Mondays. I know that for sure.”

Eliza and Zack both shared an annoyed look. Zack turned back to Maxine. “Jenna and I have discussed that I can spend time with Danny on Monday for this week. I told her I was cutting the visit early, but I changed my mind. So, I’m taking Danny to Portland and visit the zoo.” Maxine pretended not to look convinced. “We can call Jenna right now, and she can tell you.”

In the backseat (while Zack, Maxine, and Eliza were talking), a bleary-eyed Danny looked out of the window and softly giggled once his vision adjusted.

He waved at me.

At me.

I was hovering right next to the car by Eliza’s window, watching all this unfold.

“Lizzy, pirate,” Danny whispered. “There’s a pirate.”

Eliza, still focused on talking to Maxine, fished out a pirate toy ship inside her bag and handed it to Danny. “Here you go, Danny.”

Danny grabbed the toy and showed it to me with a wide, expectant smile.

What form did he see me as?

I opened the System interface, and it didn’t take me a long time to figure out what was going on.

The System was gentling him.

Danny loved pirates. His memories entered my mind, even without [Glean]. His likes and dislikes served to me on a silver platter. Ever since he watched Peter Pan and Pirates of the Caribbean, he had been obsessed with Captain Hook and Jack Sparrow. He had dressed as them for over two Halloweens and planned to dress up as them for a third. I realized the System was making me as unthreatening as possible to the child.

To him, I look like a pot-bellied man in his early forties, peg leg, eye-patch, pirate hat, hooked hand, 17th-century outfit on the high seas with silver and black knotted hair. I had a golden tooth and a macaw bird on my shoulder. Two flintlock pistols dangled from my belt. I waved back at him. He giggled, eyes glinting with playful excitement. He had never seen a real pirate before, and it blew his mind.

I looked at him.

I looked at the cabin behind me.

Zack and Eliza wanted to leave. But I know a way to keep them here.

I disappeared from the spot and materialized before the cabin door, gesturing for Danny to come with me using my hooked hand. I walked through the door.

“Dad, I want to poop,” Danny said.

“What?” Zack asked, pulled out of his conversation with Maxine.

“I need to poop,” Danny repeated.

Eliza stifled a laugh. “I told you not to give him chicken nuggets.”

“We got a bathroom inside,” Maxine said. “And if you all are really going to Portland, why don’t you grab something to bite? Have you had dinner yet?”

“Yes, we had dinner–” Eliza said.

“–I’m going to poop!” Danny shouted. “Number two!”

“Alright, alright. Do you mind if we use your bathroom?” Zack asked Maxine.

“Not at all! Danny, let’s go. Follow me. Auntie Max will show you where it is.”

Danny quickly opened the door and ran toward the cabin, following Maxine’s trail. Zack turned off the car and shrugged.

“She’s taking it very well,” Eliza said.

“Jesus Christ, El. Her husband just died.”

“I don’t know. If you died like her husband just died, I’d be a mess. You don’t see me throwing a memorial two days after.”

“Everyone grieves differently.”

“Look, we’re only going to be here for ten minutes. Fifteen tops,” Eliza said. “I don’t want to run into your ex.”

Zack chuckled. “That’s up to Danny.” He patted his belly.

They climbed out of the car and walked toward the cabin. “Shit. This place gives me the creeps,” Eliza said.

“You never liked the woods,” Zack said, snaking his arm around Eliza’s waist, pulling her close, and kissing her head.

“Yeah, and for a good reason. It’s where you get murdered. Black people don’t go into the motherfucking woods. We try to avoid the outdoors, period, and the potential racism from the locals. Have you seen a horror movie?”

“This isn’t a horror movie. I don’t see a kid playing a banjo. And I know what you are going to say is that–”

“--Black people die first,” Eliza finished. “You got cracker barrel friends inside this cabin.”

“What? Maxine’s black.”

“It’s either her or me who dies first, and I’d rather take me out of the running before the screaming starts. Her black ass can stay.”

Zack laughed. “You’re too much sometimes.”

“That’s why you love me.”

“Wait, does that mean I’ll live longer?”

Eliza paused on the porch. “Let me see. You’re a tall white guy. You’re divorced. You’re the hot, attractive dad who does construction, so it’s a point for blue-collar folks. You have a kid who you love, which makes you redeeming. And you’re the person who dragged me into this place, but people will ignore that because you are attractive. So, yeah. You’ll die in the middle of the movie to emotionally manipulate the audience while I am already fridged to elevate your character at the end of Act One.”

“Are you saying Danny is a part of it, too?”

“Come on, babe. He’s a kid. Kids under the age of ten don’t die in horror movies. That’s how a movie gets a rotten tomato. Movies only do that for shock value nowadays.”

“Come to think of it, a new horror movie just came out in theaters. You wanna watch that together?”

Eliza smiled. “Sure. Once we’re out of the creepy woods.”

They entered the cabin, and Zack let out a whistle. “I think you’re wrong, hon. This is actually nice. It’s well-lit and decorated. Michael Myers wouldn’t dare.”

“You’re thinking of Jason Vorhees, babe.”

“Right. Sorry.”

“And she calls this a fixer-upper? Makes me think why they made it creepy on the outside in the first place,” Eliza whispered out of earshot from Maxine.

“There you guys are!” Maxine popped her head out of the kitchen. “Close the door. You’ll let the cold in. I’m boiling water if you guys want some tea. Do you like tea, Eliza?”

Eliza nodded. “Got some peppermint?”

“Yes. I’ll brew you one. Go on. Sit.” Maxine gestured to the couch in front of the roaring fireplace.

“Where’s Danny?” Zack asked.

“I’m in here!” Danny shouted in the hallway, behind the bathroom door.

“You alright, bud?”

“Yes!”

“Alright, just asking.” Zack sat on the couch, almost sinking into the cushion. Eliza hesitated for a moment before sitting next to him. “You got a really nice place, Max.”

“Thanks! Adam is the one who–” The demon choked back a tear. “He would have loved it bringing people here for the first time. It sucks he never gets to see that.”

Eliza and Zack frowned. “I’m sorry,” Zack said. “He’s a good guy.” Although, he made it sound like he never believed it himself. When I [Glean] his head in the car, he never had fond memories with Adam. He hated the guy and how he was always sleeping around behind Maxine’s back.

I went over to the demon. “Dial it down. You’re bumming them out.”

The demon gave me a sidelong glance. If looks could kill…

I apparated behind the bathroom window, looking in and seeing Danny searching through the cabinet underneath the sink.

“Come on, mister pirate. Where are you?” Danny muttered.

It was adorable that the System made the boy think I was hiding inside the tiny thing. Gentling a child made me corporeal in their eyes, looking like anyone they wanted, which allowed me to physically interact with the material world with the body I was given. When I appeared, Zack and Eliza did not see me. Only Danny.

I tapped the window with my hooked hand, startling the boy. But his expression instantly faded into a grin, and he shuffled toward the window. He dragged a stool from the corner, stood on his tiptoes, and unlatched it open.

“What are you doing out there?” Danny asked.

This was the first time I was talking to someone who I was not trying to hurt. I savored every moment, a warmth blossoming inside, and I let out a genuine smile.

[ Would you wish to turn the voice module on? ] The prompt appeared.

Voice Module (Event)

On the rare occasion that a dungeon is allowed to communicate with a delver, the dungeon lord can manipulate the language, accent, tone, pitch, frequency, and resonance of their voice. It does not cost a Power, and the duration lasts until the dungeon lord ends the conversation. A [Gentling Event], [Sighting Event], and [Rewarding Event] trigger a conversation with the appropriate delver.

To speak to a delver at any point during a scenario, please purchase this skill after leveling up.

“I am a pirate. I sneak around.” I chose the most stereotypical pirate accent I could modulate, and it sounded surprisingly good, knowing that I was terrible with accents when I was alive.

Danny shook his head. “Ninjas sneak. Pirates sail and do ship battles with the English. My dad says so.”

“Well, I’m hiding from the redcoats,” I said.

“Like Jackie Sparry?”

“Yes. Like him, I am hunted by the British, laddie.”

“Why are you in the woods then? You’re very far from the sea.”

“Don’t you know there’s a lake here, matey? A big lake?”

“A lake is not an ocean. Ms. Klein says so. She’s my teacher, and she knows a lot about animals who live under the water. She’s nice. She also loves sharks!”

“But it is deep and wide, almost like an ocean. A mermaid even lives there. Better than a shark.”

His eyes widened. “A mermaid? Is that where your pirate ship is?”

I smiled, golden tooth glinting against the light. “Would you like to see it? You can be my quartermaster or a boatswain. I need a crew to sail by the morrow,” I said. “You can also meet the mermaid. She’s also nice, like your Ms. Klein.”

Danny nodded enthusiastically. “I have never been to the pirate ship before, and I never met a mermaid.”

“But first, we must play a game.”

“Oh! I love games.”

“Well, you are in luck, laddie! Let’s pretend that your dad, Eliza, and Auntie Maxine are the redcoats.”

Danny suddenly giggled. “My dad is not British! He’s American like me.”

“But they are in league with the redcoats who are hunting me. Who wants to hurt me,” I explained. “And we have to distract them so we can escape to my pirate ship and sail to the Caribbean, my home.”

“Oh no! How can I help?” The System swarmed him now, pumping whatever magic that suffused him—feeding him. Be happy. Play along. Be a good kid. This is a game. Still, it required me to make that extra push.

To make him malleable to my whims. By then, Jenna Batten’s Resolve would not save her. Eliza and Zack would be collateral damage. Danny would become an orphan, I thought. But it’s too late to back out now. I’ve gone this far. In an instant, my core suppressed the emotion. Discarded like junk. There’s no need for what little guilt I have to distract me from what I’ve been working toward.

They’re meat.

They’re essence.

They’re human.

I’m not. THEY ARE BENEATH YOU.

Breathe. I gotta remember to breathe. For fuck sake, what is happening to me?

So simple to think this way. Easy to feed. Easy to satiate my growing appetite. Yes. Think this way. Better this way. Uncomplicated.

Kill the cultists. Worry about the consequences later.

I paused, pushing my face closer to the window. “Say, do you like pranks, Danny? I know plenty.”