Chapter Eighteen

Lola’s Torments

~N~

Burial Site, Dark, 673, 28th, October

Dark murky green mist floated over Lola’s burial, then seeped into the ground going down in to find Lola. Slowly, it settled about her soul causing a painful sensation as it began to bind with her. When Lola came back to consciousness, it was because her essence had come and bound with her soul, and she felt a great discomfort, it made her space feel more confined with her essence adding to become slightly denser.

Her glow went from a pebble to the whole of her being. Now Lola felt a slight renewal and a self awareness, she had missed. However, the whisperings started again, this time she understood them and felt fear as they clawed at her. “Do you realize who this is?” “Oh it is the tormenter.” “What is she doing here?” “She deserves worse than this place.” “Did your brother tire of you?” It was followed by demented laughter.

Then the threats began, as they came to tear at her mind and soul. Weak she fell back into the darkness, unable to protect herself as their words seep into her mind, keeping her from peace. “Now you are at our mercy. Let us see how you like it.” “How did she get here?” “You are filth and I will now cause you to feel the despair I have endured.”

~N~

Sidonia was stunned in horror due to nearly uttering the deceitful one’s name a loud. Rorik tried to laugh but could not for she was seriously afraid, “That was overly hysterical. If you will not tell me, surely we can have Romina advise you.” She could tell he would not let it go, “I am certain the Evil One will suspect that is where I will go, since I lived on Witch Island most of my life. I bet he has his men waiting for me.”

Rorik shuddered and turned to hide his expression, as her words brought memories of Kolo and his men waiting for him, grabbing him as he left the Rambler Camp. While it was six months ago, he could not forget it, nor what it caused, not when each full moon was there to remind him. Rorik clenched his jaw glad for her reminder, just as he was feeling sympathy and guilt at what he was planning.

Now he covered his feelings as he sneered, “Evil One? Really? You are acting like a child.” Sidonia was still off on her own memories and plans as she added, “I must be unpredictable in order to evade him, and his men. It is why I am here on the ferry.” Rorik scolded, “Why did you get involved with a vampire, why Sid?” She sighed, “He approached me. I admit I have been foolish, and a coward for going back to him.”

Rorik mocked, “You went back after he threatened you.” Sidonia sighed, “No, he threatened to kill himself, I felt guilty and sorry for him. I did not know then that he was evil. I am paying for those childish and stupid decisions.” Rorik huffed, “Who is he?” Sidonia said, “He swore that if I even say his name he will know and then he will come and kill everyone. After all I have seen his threat is too dire I must believe it.”

~N~

Kolo raged at the Egyptian, “You did this on purpose. You knew that she had nightmares about her first time; after she died, she became weak and went back to her body. It took her two weeks to get away from her rotting corpse. Had you bothered to inform me that was what would happen to Lola, I would have dug up her bones and brought them here!”

Nepathi backed away as she mocked him, “How is her suffering any different that our endless awakening in our tombs, with our rotting corpses? Do not expect me to feel sympathy for either of you, if anything you both deserve worse.” He caught her as her chain ran out and seethed, “I know you poisoned me.” Now he broke the Egyptian’s neck, and let her fall. Hissing down on her, “I will do more to you, later.”

Turning he headed towards the other two, and Darciana grumbled, “Well here we go again.” He snapped her neck and she slumped in her chair. Samala could not help herself, “I can just sit here and work on finding Sidonia.” He hesitated then broke her neck too; yet saw the hurt in her eyes. He said with regret, “I do not trust you and I do not have time to waste, putting you all in your tombs. This way I get to do it again in a bit.”

He hurried out of the catacombs limping all the way. Once in the house above he ordered his men to carry him to the carriage, gather shovels, and then they raced to the cemetery.

~N~

Prince Viktor was unsure he should leave, yet he ran out of all he had brought to eat, and did not want to wait until he was overly hungry. Quietly he went out into the sitting room and from there took the hidden stairway up to the kitchen. He opened the spyhole to see when it was clear of the kitchen staff. Quickly he hurried out, filling a large bowl with candles, and food. He heard someone coming and rushed back in.

The cook had nearly caught him and now gasped in dismay, “What happened to my tarts?” Viktor almost gave himself away as he started giggling and had to hurry back to the private sitting room where he could laugh without anyone hearing him. Once he was locked in, it was easier for Viktor to relax, for only family knew of its existence so he felt safe.

He sat reading his books, and eating the cherry tarts by candle light. Viktor grinned at his wickedness and his hidden safe place, as he had his wooden soldiers, play out the stories he was reading.

~N~

“May demons take you to the coldest part of Nifl.” “I hope you burn in the flames of Hell!” Lola woke to their threats. Her next sense was of the harshness of what she was laying on. As she tried to move, again she found she could not, and this time had the knowing that she should be able to, and things were not right. “I do not want her here with us.” “Vile whore.” “Go sleep in pig shit.” You and your brother should burn.”

Flashes of memories came to Lola; the clearest was that of the pain she felt when the sword hit her, and that it was Kolo’s fault. She called his name, certain he should make things right, “Kolo?” When he did not reply, she tried to think of his birth name, unable to recall it. He had only been Kolo since her death, when their mother named him that and claimed she was cursing him to be ‘damned to darkness’, for not saving his twin.

Lola attempted to pass through the surrounding, and it seemed to be working as she felt she moved a few feet upward. Though it was more confiding because of the solidness about her, then it was a horrid sensation as she was stuck there. Trying desperately to move on and free herself, Lola realized too late that she did not have the strength to go further she became unaware. Slowly she seeped down back onto the bones and decay.

~N~

Rorik ignored her claim and asked, “Now how long did you say you had known him?” Sidonia said, “This last time it was nearly a year. Yet my visions the last few days, has me seeing it is nearly my whole life. Between him and Father, they have compelled me to forget each encounter, or left me with only vague memories. I only learned this now as my visions are showing me the truth.” Rorik taunted, “Then I must have seen him and know him.”

Sidonia said nothing and Rorik insisted, “Who is he! I might be in danger even if I leave, so tell me everything” His sister glared, “He is the Evil One and that is the only name I know is true, for I gave it to him. Even if you do not believe me, trust that it is unwise to say his name. He has killed enough people that I dare not test his ability to come when his name is spoken.” Rorik insisted she prove it, “Who did he kill?”

She sighed with guilt, “Two of his messengers and a guard who was protecting me.” Rorik was thrilled, this sounded like him, “Seriously? You saw them dead? What were their names and why did he kill them?” The dark princess hissed, “Why? He was proving a point, not liking it when the guard Donatello opened my letter and read it before giving it to his messenger. So he killed that messenger and left him outside the gate.”

He saw in her eyes it was the truth, still he said, “That is one.” Sidonia said, “Then he wrote me an intimidating note, and I ripped it up and had the Day Captain give it to the messenger telling him I would not accept any further notes. So he killed that messenger.” Rorik nodded and asked, “Who was the guard he killed?” Sidonia choked, “Donatello. He burned him to death with fire from his palms and hung him on the gate.”

Rorik still insisted, “Then tell me where he is.” Sidonia knew the pain it would cause her brother, if she told him she was meeting Kolo in Rorik’s old home. Princess Sidonia said, “He talked of a few homes; without stating where they were, and some from his past, I doubt he still has, and I have not been to them.” Rorik sighed, “Sid, surely you can tell me something, that would protect us all from him.”

Sidonia taunted, “If you knew to find me, then you already know about him.” Rorik sighed, “My dream was vague. She shook her head. He added, “You were waiting for the ferry then you got on and I just sensed you were frightened.” Rorik felt she was so close to telling him everything. He just needed to find the right thing, so she would tell him without realizing why he asked, he had to be certain, before he killed her.

Refusing Sidonia said, “I also wanted the truth.” He rolled his eyes. Sidonia added, “The truth I learned that night, did not free me, the way the Elders claim ‘the truth sets you free.’ Instead, it has tortured the living hell out of me ever since! If I confess, it will do more harm to you. You will never forget it, and it does you no good. Not even Father can fix what I have caused, all because I did not know who the Evil One was.”

Rorik was desperate so he acted as if this was a personal insult, “I cannot believe you do not trust me nor refused to wait for Father before running off?” Sidonia mumbled, “Wait? Do you really think I would run if it were that simple, to wait for Father! I wish I would have understood that Mother’s lunatic ravings were based on truth. I see now that she did know what would happen, yet I am stunned that she did not know who he was!”

It was as if Mother was haunting Sidonia, and it gave Rorik a shiver of fear and delight. He felt this proved Sidonia’s lover was the one. Sidonia sighed, “Even when I tried to believe so I could prevent all that Mum claimed I would do, how was I to know what he had been to her?” Rorik felt betrayed by this as if Mother had kept something from him and it had him prying in a demanding voice he had not intended.

He came closer, “What do you mean, what he was to her?”

~N~

As Lola’s essence continued to bind with her soul, it brought dreams and memories as well as clearer thoughts. Now Lola woke and felt more aware that her confinement was not right and as she gained control, she knew she should be able to pass through it to open space. However, with this clarity, came the horror that she was possibly imprisoned in Hell.

The whispers started again, a low toned female said, “Did you see that the evil bitch is too weak to leave?” A high pitched girl replied, “Good, we can make certain that she enjoys her time in our Purgatory.” Another cackled, “Let us see how you like the tortures of the damned!” Their claws tore at her and she felt it was draining her essence, which was weakening her. She could not escape them nor fight back.

Frightened, Lola screamed out, “Kolo?” The voices stopped and the silence seemed worse. Thankfully, the clawing had stopped as well. She called, “Kolo where are you.” There was a strange sound to it helping her to realize just how small the area was. She screamed, “Brother help me!” As time passed, she became more fearful that this would be her future, an eternity alone in the dark with angry spirits, unable to move.

~N~

Holy Innocents Graveyard , Dark, 673, 28th, October

It had been over two decades since Kolo had stood at Lola’s grave. The Holy Innocence Graveyard was much larger than when he had last been there, and now he realized he did not know exactly where Lola’s grave was. Rushing with the use of two canes, he went further in away from the newer graves until he got to the older ones. Desperately he tried to remember any statuary. Finally, a statue of two angels was familiar.

Kolo yelled, “This way, hurry!” His men still trailed behind him, even though he was limping. Getting more certain he was near it, he mocked, “At least you could stay with me! I believe we are getting closer.” They lost sight of him as he moved behind several Mausoleums. Luke groaned, “I hate graveyards.” Richard replied, “This fog with the lack of moon is creepy.” Tadd called to Kolo hoping, “Is she in a crypt?”

His voice was distant, as Kolo sneered, “Why would I asked you to bring shovels, if she was above ground! You fool.” Now Kolo slowed and yelled, “Here. I think she is somewhere in this area.” They arrived raising their lanterns to see, Kolo’s small dark image startled Tadd and he let out a scream. Kolo hissed, “Do not just stand there gawking at me. Check the headstones!” Tadd turned and the shadow on a tall statue, made him gasp.

Kolo stood watching as they shined their lanterns on the headstones and called out names. Kolo turned and gasped, “I found her!” He had been standing to the right of her headstone. Kolo demanded, “Start digging! Quickly.” Kolo called out to her, “Lola! Are you here?” It was silent. Kolo sobbed out, “I did not know the spell would send you here. I am so sorry, I am hurrying! We can punish the Witches as soon as we get back.”

~N~

Sidonia scoffed, “Mother told me ‘never trust any male, no matter whom, nor what they looked like.’ Why did she fail to tell me the details of each circumstance? For the visions are showing me the Evil One, has been nearly every male, who has ever approached me!” Rorik shielded his eyes, looking ill as he asked, “Am I to believe one of her predictions of you has come true?” Sidonia groaned, “One? No! They were all true.”

Prince Rorik shook his head and looked about the dark, wondering if Kolo was near. It had his hair standing up on end. It felt foolish to want this Evil One to come, yet felt hopeful that it was the January Man.

~N~

Kolo pled with his men, “Dig faster. She had nightmares after the first time and this will be more horrid! It must be very terrifying for her! I will never hear the end of it! Dig faster!” Finally, they heard the shovels hitting the wood of a coffin, and cleared it off. The size of it surprised the men. They easily stood around it in the hole, which they had dug big enough to find a man sized casket, not knowing Lola had died as a child.

Rather than being thankful, Kolo demanded, “Well do not just stand there pry the fucker open. Now!” The men did so and there lay the bones of a child within its rotting clothing. Kolo yelled in dismay, “Lola! Lola where are you?” Tadd asked, “Where is she?” Kolo glared at him, “How the fuck would I know.” Richard looked at the headstone and nearly laughed as he read the inscription.

Lola Lightroom

Taken too soon

She rests with the Angels

Mourned by her Mother

Kolo and his sister’s last name seemed far too pleasant to belong to either of them. Richard nudged Luke nodding at the headstone, and Luke snickered, “I think it should have been Lola Gloomy Broom, and say she is doing her time in a prison realm.” Richard chuckled, “Lola Deathroom, deceased yet still doing her best to haunt us.” Tadd saw the headstone and pointed, “Are you certain this is her grave?”

Kolo hissed, “Yes. Believe it or not I have known her name as long as I have known my own, and I recognized her headstone.” Tadd asked, “Where do you want us to look next?” Kolo did not reply. Luke whispered to the others, “Maybe we should find the angels she is resting with.” They snickered. Kolo hissed, “I heard that!” Kolo was nearing tears as he told them, “There is one other place she might be, I just dread going there.”

Richard, Luke, and Tadd, wondered what sort of place could cause Kolo this much dread, and felt a foreboding at where it would take them.

~N~