| Lewis followed her finger and found his four-year-old son tossing a ball to a girl of about the same age. Brandon’s eyes met his, and Lewis saw his son mouth the familiar words, “Hi, Daddy.” Then the child waved to him before returning to his game. There was a lump in Lewis’ throat and he buried his face on the cold shoulder of his wife. They danced again for what seemed only moments, but Lewis knew might actually be hours, before the music stopped and Beth put her lips to his ear. “It’s almost midnight. Halloween is almost over, and it’s time for you to make a decision.” “Lewis!” Odysseus called from the center of the warehouse. “Come over here, and bring your lovely wife.” Arm in arm, Lewis and Beth Robertson walked toward the tables. The punch bowl and spilled glass remained on one table. The other table was still empty, but now Lewis saw that beneath it was another bowl, larger than the punch bowl, and empty. “Lewis,” Odysseus began speaking when the couple stood before him, “We are allowed to return to this world only one day every year. On that day, we must have sustenance, or the next year we may be too weak to return. “Every year we must search among the living for one willing to help us,” the man continued. “One who will feed us.” There arose a murmur from the assembled spirits. “You have tasted the blood of all those who have gone before you, Lewis. The others who have helped us. It allowed you to see those you believed lost to you. Will you help us, and stay with us now, or will you return to the world of the living?” “What – what is it you’re asking me to do?” Lewis asked as he clutched Beth’s arm tighter. “Feed us from your living veins.” Another murmur from the crowd. “Kill myself?” “Yes, slay your body so that your soul may join us,” Odysseus answered. Lewis looked to Beth, and then down at the shadowy image of his son, Brandon, who had come to join them at the table. Brandon smiled up at him. “It’s for you to decide,” Beth said quietly. Lewis turned back to her and looked intently into her large, soft eyes. “You can join us now, or wait until your natural time comes. You’ll be with us again eventually. But, you need to decide now.” “Yes Lewis, we need your decision now,” Odysseus concurred. The horde of spirits murmured once more. He motioned to the table and the bowl, and now Lewis saw a long, curved knife laying on the table. He knew he was supposed to put the glittering blade to his throat, let out the life, and join his family in this shadowy world of death. He reached for the knife. |