November 2008
Something to Do With Sebastian by Douglas Lind
A Rainy Night of Density with a Reckless Neurotic by Richey Piiparinen
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DEADLINES: AN ANTHOLOGY OF HORROR AND DARK FICTION, will be released in November of 2008! Visit www.cometpress.us
Surrender
by C.J. Sneyd
He is there. I knew he would be. He has come four times already, and four times I have refused him my services. Though I did not send him away with nothing- the marks from his last visit are still visible against his white back. He is on his knees, his face buried in the leaves and the dirt. I step softly through the night, he is not aware of my presence.
I tighten the cloth around my face as I approach him. The stench of the ones who came before him lingers, though their bodies do not. I do not touch them - they are taken by the animals. Except for the first, he still hangs from a tree at the glade's entrance, to guide those who follow the same path. Though it was not here that I treated him, it was in the town. The town I was forced from- the town the others choose to leave. I grant most of them what they seek, and the few I refuse do not return- my judgement is sound.
However, this one is an exception. It is only when I stand in front of him that he realises I am there. He raises his head from the ground, yet does not look at me, only at the blade I hold. I am aware of his attractiveness, but it is of no concern to me. I look into his eyes. They are still empty. It is usually their eyes that tell me why they have come, why they need me. But not his- he has not been betrayed, or bereaved, or had his heart broken. I would see it if he had. There is no sadness in him.
There is nothing. I do not understand it.
I decide only to give him more of what I have given him previously. Slowly, I begin to circle him, looking for a place to begin. He lowers his head back to the ground, and I settle on his shoulders. I place the blade on the top of his left arm, and draw it across to his right. He does not flinch, or make a sound. I continue circling him, looking for more space, but there is none. I have already marked every part of him. Yet still he returns. Still he waits for me to finish him.
If I send him away again, I know he will return. I realise there is only one thing I can do. Placing the flat of the blade over the fresh wound, I push downwards. He gradually shifts from a bowing position to laying flat on the ground. I push the blade against his side, and he turns onto his back. He looks at me now, but still his eyes are empty. He does not fear me. Slowly, I lean down to him, and with one smooth strike I finally grant him his wish.
My work is done. Yet still his empty eyes stare at me. Still they are not fulfilled. Slowly, I reach my hand towards his face. I must not touch him. But I cannot leave him like that.
Gently, I press my fingers to his eyelids, and slide them shut. I get up, and leave him to the animals.
Surrender is copyrighted 2007 by C.J. Sneyd and may not be reproduced under any circumstances without the author's permission.