Inheritance
It is man’s fate to pay for his sins: to face the consequences of his actions. But, is it fate that he should also be punished for the sins of his father or, perhaps, a man so far back in his lineage he is but a faceless contributor of genes? These thoughts often plagued the mind of Scott Dean as he reflected upon his life. No amount of therapy had brought him to terms with these contemplations. And there had been a great deal of therapy. Scott’s mother reassured him as he grew up that he was his own person and could be whatever he wanted to be, despite his fears of ending up as those men of the past.
Whatever fears he had, however, were far from his mind tonight. Strolling hand-in-hand with his fiancé along the downtown shopping district, love infused itself into every cell in his body. He was sure that, as he walked, others noticed the glow of love surrounding his figure and the pride in his gait. Rebecca was remarkably beautiful. Strawberry-blonde locks falling down to her mid back; a face only an angel could possess; and a figure so striking, most people had to look twice to be sure their eyes had not deceived them. Scott wasn’t quite sure what she saw in his wiry frame and pony-tailed hair attached to a face most would call average. But love him she did. She said as much, but it was not her words that showed her deep affection. The little acts of kindness when he wasn’t expecting it or how she tried her best to pick him up when he was low showed how much she cared. Only Rebecca made Scott feel alive. Only she made him feel worthy. Since they had been together Scott had even stopped seeing his therapist.
Window shopping had become one of the couple’s favorite pastimes, since neither often had any extra spending money. In typical woman fashion, Rebecca adored jewelry, although she only wore two pieces of it. The silver necklace dangling from her neck swung back and forth as she crouched to eye-level to stare intently into the window of the local jewelry store at the array of accoutrements. Placing her left hand on the window and looking over her shoulder at Scott, she smiled deeply.
“None of them are quite like this one,” she said lovingly.
She didn’t have to say what she was referencing. The silver engagement band on her left ring finger was her most valued possession. Although it only held a solitary diamond, so small it was hardly noticeable unless you were looking for it, she often boasted of how much she adored it. It was quite a stroke of luck for Scott to find the ring as, unbeknownst to him, it was a near perfect match to the one her father had given her before he died. When he presented it to her, bended knee and all, she burst into tears so much Scott figured he’d made a mistake, but she just hugged her to him, whispering in between sobs that she would marry him. Later, she explained to him that when she had lost the ring years before while swimming in the ocean it broke her heart, because it was the only thing her father had left her upon his passing. Scott never knew his father, so he didn’t understand the attachment; the only thing his father had left him were the voices in his head. Scott closed his eyes for a moment and sighed, but opened again as a soft hand rested on his cheek.
“No sadness,” Rebecca said, smiling. “I love you too much to see you sad.”
A tender kiss accompanied her soothing words, drawing Scott up from the darkness he sometimes retreated to for no reason at all. She was truly the greatest thing in his life. Taking his hand, Rebecca turned and the lovers continued their stroll, casually peering into the stores along the street side, occasionally serenaded by the musicians who saw it as their civic duty to play for a passing audience. On these walks, they hardly spoke at all, choosing to take in the beauty of their surroundings; choosing to feel a love from one another inexpressible through words.
The crowded streets accompanying the weekend nightlife downtown slowly dwindled as Scott and Rebecca wandered about aimlessly, observing the wonder of life as seen through the eyes of love. The two found themselves away from the main flow of what pedestrian traffic remained, following a newly paved path into the city park, streetlamps shining on another world: a world markedly different from the one the lovers had ventured from. A waterfall from the local river cascaded into a pond, which died into a stream beneath a quaint wooden bridge connecting the two halves of the park. Rebecca’s eyes lit up as she broke her grasp on Scott’s hand to run onto the bridge and stare at the tiny piece of nature residing in a forest of concrete. Following a few steps behind, Scott thrust his hands in his pockets and took in her carefree exuberance. When he reached the bridge, she was staring into the small stream with her head resting on her crossed arms against the rough wood railing. Slipping one arm around her waist and placing the other on the railing, he sighed, which solicited a quick glance from Rebecca. However, seeing his face filled with contentment, she smiled and resumed her gaze into the waters below.
Within the bounds of this new world, the stars shined with a renewed brightness, less inhibited by the city lights. Serenity flowed through Scott’s mind like the waters flowing beneath him and his love. Moving on, slowly, the two came upon a soft incline, where the grass was just a little shorter than the surrounding area. Impulsively, Rebecca spun and flopped backwards onto the soft green bed, her hair bouncing about before resting upon it as well and, laughing, reached her hand out for Scott, who couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of a grown woman playing in the grass like a child. Kneeling next to her, he bent over to stare into her eyes and, using his hand for support, leaned in to kiss her. It was well received.
They lay next to each other on the soft bed of grass, staring at the stars, their hands clasped tightly in between them. Rebecca pointed out things moving in the sky, looking for a shooting star, perhaps. Scott only smiled. There was no more need for wishing. They lay there for a long time, the need for words fading, while watching for flitting images in the depths of a sea of black.
Realizing he may have dozed off one or two times, Scott suggested they head home for the night. Late nights with Rebecca were wonderful, but sleep was a luxury when you worked a full time job. Truthfully, she needed rest, too. Oftentimes, she would work longer hours than he and, despite Scott’s protests, she swore she was fine with it. That, however, didn’t make it any easier for him seeing her work as hard as she did. As he stood, Scott reached out his hand to Rebecca, who grasped it softly. A thin smile came to Scott’s lips as she helped him pull her up to him. It was kind of embarrassing that he wasn’t strong enough himself, regardless of his love’s admiration. Returning to the paved way, hand-in-hand the two lovers walked once more.
It was obviously late, as the only person walking through the park, or as far as Scott could see, for that matter, was a ragged-looking man in a thick coat. As they approached him, Scott frowned slightly as the man coughed violently into his hands, his whole body shaking and he almost said something to the poor man, but as soon as their eyes met, the man’s eyes darted to the ground and he hurried past with a quick shuffle of his feet. Shrugging it off, Scott brought his attention back to Rebecca, who smiled at him brightly. His attention suddenly snapped behind him, though, at a thudding noise and fit off coughing. Scott turned and ran to help them man up from the pavement.
“Are you-” started Scott, but stopped as the man shook his hand at him and stood to his feet.
Her voice sweetly chiming in, Rebecca asked for Scott, “Are you okay, sir? Do you need some help?”
Gruffly, the man answered, “No, I don’t need help.” Scott could see the man struggling with himself as he said, “Perhaps, you could help…”
“What can we do for you, sir?” Rebecca questioned.
The man swallowed hard and, speaking through dry mouth and ragged lips said, “I haven’t eaten in days… a lot of things have happened…” Trailing off, he looked at the pavement once more.
Reaching into his pocket, Scott removed his wallet as he said, “There’s not much, man, but you can have it if it will help.” Handing the man an assortment of small bills, Scott slipped his wallet back into place. The man’s hands were trembling as he took the money and a feeble thanks escaped his mouth.
“Don’t worry about it…” Scott said, his voice trailing off as his eyes fell to the man’s coat pocket. Oddly protruding from the man’s pocket, a black handle shook Scott slightly. Stepping away slowly, Scott reached for Rebecca, still watching the man. Still staring at the ground, the man spoke again.
“Do you have… any more you can spare?” He asked, voice cracking.
As Scott replied that he didn’t, the man looked at Rebecca pleadingly.
She shrugged, saddened by the man’s state, and said, “I don’t have any money with me. I’m very sorry.”
As he turned with Rebecca, Scott noticed the man’s hand begin to twitch. Breathing deep, Scott tried not to make any sudden movements. Just slowly walk away, Scott told himself. Walk away and don’t startle the man. Facing the opposite direction finally, Scott pulled Rebecca along at first, before she got the idea and began to walk with him.
Every nerve in Scott’s body tingled as the adrenaline rushed through his body. He wanted to run; just grab Rebecca and run as fast as he could. His steps felt like lead against the pavement, his body tensed, and the determination to get away made his mind race to the point where he could barely keep his steps even. He didn’t even hear the man get close until the gun was at his back.
“Turn around,” said the man forcefully, “slowly.”
Scott closed his eyes for a moment as a lump appeared in his throat. This couldn’t be happening, he thought. Turning to face the man, Scott put himself in between the gun and Rebecca. She was the important thing here.
“I want everything you’ve got,” the man said, eyes wide and teeth bared.
Scott immediately pulled out his wallet and tossed it on the ground at the man’s feet. Head tilting slightly, the disheveled gunman looked at the couple and motioned with his gun, obviously wanting more. Anger welled up inside Scott as he threw his car keys to the ground. Scott could hear Rebecca’s shaky breathing from behind him and knew that they had to get away somehow.
“Why are you doing this?!” Rebecca shouted all of a sudden, her voice breaking down into sobs at the last few words.
“Shut your mouth!” The man screamed at the top of his lungs.
Scott knew this man was crazy. What he didn’t know was what he was supposed to do at a time like this. With the gun pointed at them just a few feet away, the strolling lovers could hardly believe what was happening. Scott’s body was tense all over, for there was no telling what would happen next. Rebecca’s pleading words had been silenced by the abrupt commands of the mugger, all the while, the night sky sparkled with starlight as the wind rustled the trees of the park; the peace of the location a stark contrast to the turmoil of the situation at hand.
“Give me all your money!” The thief shouted. “I don’t like to repeat myself. Put it on the ground and step back.”
Scott, still shaken, clumsily collected everything he could find between he and Rebecca, which didn’t amount to much at all, and laid it on the pavement. The mugger’s eyes flitted to Rebecca’s hand for an instant and a lustful aura surrounded him.
“I want that,” he said, unmistakably referencing the engagement ring.
Scott began to protest, but Rebecca’s hand on his arm quieted him. Turning to her, she spoke softly to him as she removed the ring.
“Without you,” she said, tears streaming down her face, “the ring doesn’t matter.”
Gritting his teeth, he took the ring from his love and laid it on the pavement as well. Standing up, Scott’s eyes burned with rage and his muscles ached for action, but there was nothing that could be done.
“Step back!” Shouted the mugger again.
Complying, Scott took a step back slowly, keeping his eyes on the gun. The gunman approached his reward on the pathway, gun still pointed at the lovers. Disheveled clothes and hair combined with his crazed eyes were enough to convince Scott of the man’s desperate nature. Enough to convince him the man would do anything to get what he wanted.
“Is this it?” Questioned the unkempt thief.
Scott nodded slowly.
“This isn’t enough,” the mugger growled. “You’ve got more. Give it to me!”
“We gave you everything!” Shouted Rebecca, shaking uncontrollably.
The thief’s arm twisted to the side and, almost simultaneously, a clap of sound cracked Scott’s hearing as he saw Rebecca fall from the corner of his eye.
“Rebecca!” Scott cried out, looking to her. Coughing, his love struggled from the ground to a knee. The sight both enraged and relieved Scott, for, although she was hit, it was only in the shoulder. When he snapped his head back around, the gun was pointing back at him, this time right in his face.
Swallowing hard, Scott stared into the eyes of the mugger. “Okay,” he said in agreement with the mugger’s request, turning his head to look at Rebecca once more, but with his eye still on the assailant. The thief glanced at Rebecca, too and, without thinking, Scott slapped the gun away with one hand and punched the crazed gunman as hard as he could in the side of the head, while screaming for Rebecca to run. He pushed the disarmed mugger to the ground, but, unfortunately within range of the gun, which he picked up and fired at Scott blindly, grazing his left arm. Pain shot through Scott’s body as the bullet lacerated muscle and skin. Rebecca was running back to the city as hard as she could, screaming for help.
There was no other way.
“You should stop!” Scott pleaded in a loud voice one last time, startling the mugger momentarily. The man sneered at Scott, lifting the gun to eye-level.
Scott, resigned to the course of action in front of him, breathed deeply and sighed, eyes staring at the pavement, “What I do now, I am forced to do. I wash my hands of it. So, plea-”
The bullet left the chamber without warning, tearing through skin and bone, dropping Scott where he stood; a gaping hold in the back of his head proclaiming the gunman’s victory.
The gun shook in the mugger’s hand as he stared at the corpse. He walked slowly past it, the incredulous look on his face showing he never thought he’d take it this far; like he didn’t even really believe it was happening now. The wind blew hard against the mugger, the chill suddenly cutting him to the bone. A rustling sound behind him froze him in his tracks and he felt like he couldn’t breathe.
Turning around revealed a sight that had to be a lie!
A body, supposed to be dead, was on its feet, erecting itself from its slumped position. As the body straightened, it twisted its neck as if stretching and spoke with a new voice.
“It seems you made the switch in time,” spoke the body, it’s new voice echoing across the old one. “I never thought you would release me.”
The body waved a hand in front of its face and the bullet hole disappeared and it touched the back of its head, showing that it was obviously renewed as well. Mouth gaping, the frightened gunman tried to scream, but nothing came out. Tears fell across ragged cheeks as the trembling thief tried to flee but found his body too afraid to move.
The newly animated body standing before the murdering thief peered into the man’s eyes, speaking to his very core, “You pitiful soul. Whatever you have done to warrant my summoning, let us hope it was worth it.”
Bowing itself in an elegant, sweeping manner, the body said energetically, “I do not feel it is appropriate to slaughter someone without first becoming acquainted with him.” The echo within the voice drove fear through every part of the man.
Without willing himself to, the mugger spoke, “My name is Jeff.” The words flowed out, leaving him feeling betrayed by his own body. Strength left him immediately and he could no longer stand, dropping to his hands and knees, gasping for air.
Laughing under its breath, the body lifted a hand in front of itself, “I appreciate your obeisance and humility, Jeff, but perhaps you should stand.” As the body stretched out its fingers, Jeff returned to his feet, his limbs held in place by an invisible force. “After all,” the body continued, “I have yet to introduce myself.” Dropping its hand, the body walked gracefully toward the still suspended Jeff, every step resounding within the terrified man’s ears.
Placing a hand on Jeff’s shoulder, the body smiled sadistically, “I regret that I cannot tell you my true name, for it is long forgotten to me.” Sliding its hand to cup the side of Jeff’s cheek, the body chuckled, before whispering sweetly, “But as you pass into the next life, I suppose it is good to know the name of your destroyer. As such, human, may your last thoughts dwell on the demon who found enough mercy in his damned existence to name himself for you.”
Leaning in closely to Jeff’s ear, the demon could feel the terror within the man; wanted to drink it like the sweetest of honeys. Taking in the smell of horror, the demon spoke once more, it’s borrowed lips tasting its newfound name. Fear.
“Know the name: Osoré,” the demon turned on his heel, walking away briskly, “and that your life is forfeit.”
Jeff’s eyes rolled back in his head, as every muscle in his ragged body tensed. His breathing stopped and the body was allowed to crumple to the pathway, a lifeless sack of flesh once known as a man.
Osoré smiled to himself as he walked away with a dignified gait. “Aneurysm. Perhaps I’ve grown soft.” Touching a hand to Scott’s abdomen, Osoré sighed, “You are the only one of your line to resist me this long. Your heart knows intimately the fear of which I name myself, but rest easy. In gratitude for releasing me, boy, this shall be my only victim this night.”
Scott’s legs gave out and he collapsed to the path below, just a hundred or so feet from the body of a desperate man. Sirens blared in the distance as a voice echoed upon itself within Scott’s tired mind.
“Be grateful.”