Page 121 of Eldritch

Clarice touched the box, her fingers on each side of the lid. She turned to look at them, her hands frozen. Everyone shuffled until they formed a semi-circle on one side of her. Sybil couldn’t believe Taggert didn’t yell at them for breaking the line. Sybil took a step, which brought her to Doug’s right side. He glanced over at her, and she wanted to reach out to him but didn’t. She thought she saw determination in his gaze before she returned her attention to Clarice.

“I didn’t comprehend what this box was all about at first,” Clarice said. “My parents forbid me to come down here. I’d heard noises coming out of the cellar more than once, but the door was always locked.” Clarice shrugged. “Daddy always said it was our secret and if anyone found out, the police would take our whole family away and we’d never see each other again. You see, those trees out there have grown larger because they know what’s in this house. What is on this land. They’ve been growing larger for a lengthy time. They want to crush this mansion and bury this box, but I won’t let them. The trees have never liked our family. Loathed us, as a matter of fact. They wish to wrap their limbs around this mansion and crush it now that I’ve brought you all into this house. So you see, dear Sybil, your abilities aren’t bringing the trees closer. They’re doing that all on their own.”

“What are you talking about?” Pauline’s question sounded bewildered. “Are you nuts? Just give him the money or treasure, so he’ll leave.”

Clarice ignored Pauline, but she turned toward the little group. “In this box is the entire wealth of my household. The reason my family has prospered for hundreds of years.”

“We don’t need a damned history lesson,” Taggert said. “How could all of your wealth be in that box? Is it one of those NFT things? The key to some Swiss bank account or something?”

Clarice’s grin grew macabre, the insanity creeping closer. “Oh no. It’s the ability to crush our foes. The people who would oppose us. The bad men who would continue to torture women and children with violence and hate and all forms of bigotry. Annapolis was one of us, but she didn’t agree with our family’s way of doing things. The trees might have attacked her, but only because anyone in league with our family is in danger. What is in this box is your adversary, Mr. Taggert. Because you are my enemy. In fact, the foe of every woman.”

“Enough!” Taggert shouted. “Open the damn box. Now!”

Bone deep dread traveled through Sybil in an icy wave, and she questioned if she’d ever be warm again. Whatever was in that damned box wasn’t what Taggert or anyone else understood or expected. Fear spiked inside Sybil. Dread so soul-tearing Sybil didn’t think she could take another minute.

Creak. Creak. Creak.

Sybil and the others looked up at the ceiling. Even Clarice.

Then a moaning…the house sighed. Another moan, even worse than the creaking sent a physical shudder throughout the house. Sybil heard gasps as everyone shifted back from the box.

Maria made a whimper. Pauline grabbed Maria’s arm, either to support her or to feel comfort from touching someone. Sybil craved for Doug to do the same for her. But he needed to be free to move. To take down Taggert if need be.

Mortar loosened between the bricks on the wall near the box and fell to the floor.

“Damn it,” Doug said. “Look, we’ve got to leave before this house collapses. Take the box with you, Taggert, and leave. Cut your losses.”

Taggert laughed. “Hear that, Sybil? Loverboy here wants me to take the box and you and bug out. To save his own skin.”

Sybil didn’t believe it at first, but she heard the voice in her head nonetheless, the one that almost never left her at peace.

Doug will abandon you. He isn’t for you. You’re not good enough for him or anyone else. Not enough to risk his life.

Clarice glared at Taggert. “It isn’t what is in this box that is causing the problem!”

Clarice reached for the lid and pulled it open without a key. For a moment, the air seemed to be suspended. A cone of silence spread until Sybil couldn’t hear anything. Not a shuffle of feet, a cough or sneeze. Not a stomach growl or a whispered word.

“I’m not staying in here!” Pauline turned to run, and Maria took off as well.

Taggert aimed at Pauline and Maria.

“No!” Sybil reached for Taggert’s arm, driving his aim upward into the ceiling.

A loud bang assaulted Sybil’s hearing. She winced, waiting for anything. Anything that might come.

“You bitch!” Taggert swung at Sybil.

His fist impacted Sybil in the stomach and all the air whooshed from her, and she bent double in pain. She tried to suck in air. Nothing came, and even though logic said eventually she’d breathe, she lurched and struggled and thought of death inside this awful cellar. Strong arms came around her, and she caught Doug’s clean scent. He had her.

He didn’t leave me.

Relief struck Sybil at odds with the madness she heard happening around her.

Again the house seemed to shudder, and vibration touched Sybil’s feet.

Maybe the whole place would crumble.

She sucked in one life giving breath and threw out a plea.

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