Each Man Kills | Page 8

love you. Why wait
until I'm decrepit and alone, with only a few memories to look back on?
Why not now, with you, where life doesn't really stop? With all I've
read about this, don't you think I could free myself if I wished?"
I still wonder if she really believed me. We were married three days
later. I never told her what her life with me would be like--that one day
I would desert her, fearing and hating her rivalry for the very source of
my life, and the ghastly chain would continue. I couldn't. I loved her so,
Morris, can you understand that? I couldn't betray her then and I can't
now.

On the second night of our marriage, she died as you know it, in my
arms. I don't think she knows it yet. But it won't be long until she does
discover it. We were quite alive when you found us; she was in an
hypnotic state induced by her condition. She heard and saw nothing.
But I knew. And I must keep my faith. I must, and you are the only one
who can help me.
If you will show this to a priest, he will gladly accompany you to the
place in Konigstein, where we rest during the morning in a new "bed" I
had specially constructed for us. I couldn't bring Maria to that other
bed of corruption. A map of how to get there is enclosed. There you will
perform the ancient, effective rites, and you will lay us to rest together,
as we wish. That is all I ask....
* * * * *
When I had finished reading I stared at nothing, trying to force myself
to think. This was "all" he asked. In substance, he wished me to murder
the girl I loved. I could refuse; I could ignore his request. I could even
doubt the verity of his statements. He might be a madman. But I didn't
doubt. I believed every word, and I knew I would do as he asked.
That she had gone willingly I didn't doubt. I no longer hated him so
much; rather I pitied him, the hapless victim of a horrible chain of
circumstance.
* * * * *
I found the priest, a venerable, gentle soul, after much searching. The
younger men had looked at me searchingly, laughed and told me to
read the Good Book for consolation, and to lay off the bottle. Father
Kalman was understanding, with the wisdom of the very old.
"Yes, my son," he said, "I will go. Many might doubt, but I believe.
Lucifer roams the earth in many guises and must be recognized and
exorcised."
It was five o'clock in the morning when we approached the mausoleum.

The Good Father explained that the "creatures of darkness" had to be
back in their resting places before the cock crew. At night they drew
sustenance; during the morning they slept.
There was a gleaming copper casket. Tod had not lied. We approached
it warily. In it was nothing but grisly remains, bloodstains and dust. We
drew back, fearful. Then we saw the other, newer casket in richest
mahogany, almost twice the width of the copper box: Their bridal bed!
They lay together, his arm about her. She wore a gown of palest blue,
but oh, that mockery of a gown! Stained it was with fresh blood which
had seeped onto it from him. Obviously she had not taken to prowling
yet. His mouth was dark, rich with blood, slightly open in a half-smile.
His hand pressed her fair head close to his chest. She lay trustingly
within the circle of his arm, like a small child. The priest crossed
himself. The bodies twitched slightly.
"You know what you must do," Father Kalman whispered.
I nodded, the pit of my stomach churning madly. I couldn't do it! Not
Maria, the lovely. But I knew I would; I had to. She must not wake
again to see that blood-stained gown or to wonder at her husband's gory
lips. She should know rest, eternal rest.
Father Kalman circled the box several times, ringing his small bell, and
at one point laid a crucifix upon each of their chests. Their faces
writhed and I felt my skin creep.
Then, chanting in a low, firm voice, the priest gave me the signal.
Together we drove two long stakes, dipped first in Holy Water, home,
piercing their hearts simultaneously.
The bodies leapt forward in the box, straining against the stake, and a
horrible, drawn-out wail shattered the stillness of the tomb. The priest
dropped to his knees and I clapped my hands over my ears, but the
dreadful shriek penetrated. My stomach turned over and I retched. The
Good Father followed suit. We were no