Curiosity Kills (486 hits)
Category: NoneLabels: Fiction
Rating: 1.45 on 12 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by kaos-king (View user info) at 2005-08-05 14:24:56 EDT
"Greetings Mr. Bowman, Mr. Acker."
"Hello, Nigel"
Bowman and Acker made their way further into the Occult Shop. Dim light recesses held all forms of mysteries, all of which smelled of myrrh. Nothing bizarre or unusual would seem out of place in this den of dark inquiries. Fact, that was the reason for their visit. Nigel Lengthorn often found himself useful.
Bowman eyed the wall that held an array of small things contained within jars of alcohol. Things that would turn any normal man, he was drawn to this side of existence. Since a small boy, such events and tales of the weird and the supernatural held sway over his imagination. This place was epicenter in the city of such things. It didn't hurt that his bosses paid him well to keep abreast of these type of going-ons.
"The racketeering is going well."
"You know better than I do, Nigel."
Once a week, the man in charge sent his underlings to seek out the dubious Mr. Lengthorn. Not long ago a certain amount of strong arming had to be done to establish control with the vicinity. The Occult Shop had been, at first, such an enterprise, but shortly its proprietor had shown to be helpful. When the boss himself had been making some rounds, Nigel had allowed a bit of his otherworldly knowledge to slip. The boss had shortly there after come into a large sum of money. Now the occultist was on retainer.
"I'd watch out for the laundering scam. The local vice are looking into it."
Acker quickly scribbled down this information.
"Some one in your alliance is coming to an untimely end. I certainly hope it is neither of you."
"No," laughed Acker. "We know who's getting retired later this week."
"Excellent."
Books littered the shelves haphazardly. Only Nigel was aware of their categorization, which is how he preferred it. Better to be of great help to his customers and know their purchases than to allow some fool access to material best left alone. Names like Alister Crowley, John Dee, and Simon Magus were like legends here, as many on the dusty book cases as you could not count. Things of necromancy, and Enochian Magick. Things of the Pentalium and of the Golden Dawn. Titles involving Aethyr and Kaotes and Seiratocracy. Monkey's paws and Eye of Newt, indeed.
Bowman wandered his way to the back of the shop, his companion deep in conversation. It was often rumored that Nigel kept various things of the unknown hidden in the poorly lit rooms. Perhaps he could seek a glimpse of those curiosities. He glanced back to make sure that the other two individuals were lost in discussion. He parted the black curtains and entered.
Disappointment. Instead of a treasure trove of dark delights, everything was categorized in containers, sat back on small pedestals. Bowman walked farther into the room, only to see that there were place cards hastily written and stapled to each box or bag. He examined the scrawl, finding it difficult to read.
The Rod of Saturn, the Book of Dead Names, Recollection Cards, the Smoking Mirror of Moloch, Nebacenezzar Powder, The Abysmal Word.
The Abysmal Word? How could a sound be kept? He examined the lump sat on top of the small wooden placard. It seemed rounded, covered with a black cloth. Almost like a hood, it reminded him of the cowls that would be placed over the head of those about to be executed. Perhaps it was a crystal ball that lay underneath. Some orb that would resonate with secrets, or be inscribed with unpronounceable incantations.
Why not? Lengthorn was a shop keep. He would have nothing of any great power. Not in Cleveland, at least. Besides, who was he to deny him a glimpse of the other side. As he slid the cloth from the object beneath, he felt a small movement. The texture of the object felt remarkably like...
Hair. A severed head sat upon the polished stool. It was the head of a middle aged man, Mediterranean descent. Short cropped curly black hair stood out and dead eyes rolled back in the sockets. It sat there starring at the ceiling, the worse part, the mouth. Someone had applied a strip of silver duct tape over it.
Appalled, Bowman almost retched. This was not a thing of mystery, this was an abomination. Who would keep such a trophy? The seal across its mouth was an insult to an already horrid act. He decided to relieve the poor bastard of that.
Trembling, he caught the corner of the tape against the bare, smooth skin of the cheek. It pulled away effortlessly, the adhesive moving the lips in direction of its removal. The head turned with the movement, swiveling on the pedestal. Bowman held his stomach in check and continued. It had just about pulled free when, dear God in Heaven!
The eyes opened wider and locked on to him. Tears began to run freely from the now reanimated sight and blood began to well up around the neck's jagged wound. Mother of God, the head was still alive! It's chin began to twitch, like the spasms of death were attacking it. Something came from its lips.
Too far in shock, Bowman leaned in to hear what this crime against nature could possibly be saying. It struggled against the air in its throat to make a word. The word. It would tell him the secret that kept it alive. The secret of life, perhaps the universe. The tongue worked with the teeth, sound hissing in escape.
"Oblivion."
Oblivion it had said, and Bowman finally began to shake. What was this horror?
"You have seen too much, Mr. Bowman."
Bowman spun to see Nigel and Acker in the doorway. His partner held a handkerchief to his mouth, his other shakily held a gun. Pointed directly at Bowman.
"You have heard the Abysmal Word, and seen it's face. There can be no more for you."
Acker's gun fired twice.
LATER - - - - - - - - - - -
Nigel Lengthorn cut through the cardboard boxes, breaking them down to be pitched into the dumpster behind the shop. While carrying the pile of corrugated paper, he almost slipped. Blood. The head still released its fluids onto the ground. He must do something about that.
Outside the back door, the crisp winds battled him as he tossed the garbage into its container. It was already piling up with refuse. So many things he had to get done today. Very busy. They last shipment had not contained the books on Cabballism, and he had yet to call the distributors.
He closed the door and looked around the corner room. He might as well get to it. No where had that fool so casually tossed that hood? One would think he would have clutched onto it in his fear. Aha! Here by the box of Nephilium Hearts. A mumbling came from the head, behind the tape.
"Yes, yes. I know Mr. Bowman. The tape is probably uncomfortable."
User Reviews
Submitted by iradney (user info) at 2005-08-09 14:05:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
omg, you freak me out.
you're a good writer tho...
i sure could use tips from someone like you...could i pick your brain? no? how bout your ears then?
Submitted by stardamage (user info) at 2005-08-09 13:37:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm running out of words that mean "awesome".
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2005-08-06 01:09:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Ummmm... I'm from Ohio. I even said in the story, this takes place in Cleveland. How is this British?
Submitted by ajanssen (user info) at 2005-08-05 22:32:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Istaros (user info) at 2005-08-05 21:28:32 (#)
Ranking: 0
i can't read a post this British
Submitted by fallenangel (user info) at 2005-08-05 21:32:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
The picture did it for me.
Submitted by Istaros (user info) at 2005-08-05 21:28:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
i can't read a post this British
Submitted by GaidinCanuck (user info) at 2005-08-05 21:08:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Good story.
Submitted by silent1 (user info) at 2005-08-05 19:44:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I liked this. Creepy!
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2005-08-05 16:36:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Awesome, as always.
Submitted by Deidra (user info) at 2005-08-05 16:25:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Not bad.. where are all the reviews?
Submitted by doctorj24 (user info) at 2005-08-05 14:49:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
You know, this was written pretty good, but there were times where I got lost, didn't know what you were describing. I couldn't really tell where the scene was at for awhile. It was hard to follow, but all in all, still a rather good read.
Submitted by ghola (user info) at 2005-08-05 14:36:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 because i'm fond of the picture.