The Dead Parade Read Free Page B

was happening.
    “ I know you think I killed her,” Johnny said, reading James with his eyes. “But I didn’t kill anyone… I should have, but I didn’t.”
    James felt his patience running thin. “Johnny, I don’t understand.”
    “ You don’t have to. It’s just that… I tell you what.” Johnny made an expression that seemed thoughtful, heroic, and scared shitless, all at the same time. “You can kill me. I won’t stop you.”
    Up until that moment James thought he had heard it all. Turned out he hadn’t. “I don’t want to kill you,” James said cautiously. “We’re friends, remember? You’re one of my closest buddies. You’re my boy. And you’re just fucking around, right? Aren’t you Johnny? Aren’t you?”
    Johnny shrugged. “Sorry man. I’m sorry it’s you. But if I don’t pass it on it’ll be with me forever. I don’t want that. God, can you imagine? It hurts just thinking about it.”
    “ This isn’t happening.”
    Johnny smiled. “Oh yes it is. Don’t think for a minute that it isn’t. Just remember to pass it on, ‘kay? And don’t get it mad. You don’t want it mad. Know what I’m saying? It’ll get the best of you. Trust me. It’ll get even. I know. I got it mad a few times and… just don’t do it. That means don’t tell anyone.”
    Johnny put the gun to his temple. He pulled the trigger, just a little. His eyes scanned the floor. “Is this okay?”
    “ What’re you talking about Johnny?” James said, and he noticed the strangest thing. His breath hung frozen in the ice-cold air. The room was officially freezing.
    “ I’m talking about a Bokor Incantation,” Johnny said. “And it’s not my fault.”
    “ What the hell is that?”
    Johnny shook his head. “Too late.”
    “ Can’t we work this out?”
    “ I am working this out James. See you on the other side.”
    “ But—”
    “ But nothing. See you soon. Try not to dream.”
    On the floor, a shadow moved.
    Johnny opened his mouth and dragged the gun along his face. He slid the barrel past his lips and rested it on his front teeth. Then he closed his eyes and pulled the trigger.
     
     
    8
     
    There was no pain.
    But Mathew was screaming for Uncle James.
    James was sitting inside the Demon’s lair, completely oblivious. He didn’t know he was in danger. Not real danger. But Mathew did. He could see it––see the demon hiding in the shadows. See the demon with the black skin, the long fingers, and the glistening eyes; the demon that had lived a thousand lifetimes and slain a hundred thousand men.
    Mathew could see this, and Mathew was screaming. But to the outside world the child looked the same. He was lying on the hospital bed, silent and unmoving. To the outside world he was a boy, like all boys. No different. Only his injuries and experiences distinguished him from the rest. Nobody knew he was a unique child with an unrecognized gift, a special talent. Nobody knew his biological chemistry was uncommon. Not Anne. Not the doctors. Nobody.
    Mathew could see things, things that are not often seen.
    It was a gift.
    Given time––two or three years perhaps––Mathew would develop a large tumor in his brain. The tumor would be diagnosed as cancerous. The doctors would say the cause of the tumor would be unknown, but likely genetic. They would tell his family that Mathew had a rough road ahead. A short while later, after the medical community punished his body with cell destroying chemotherapy, they would say he had less than a month to live. And they would be correct. But the tumor that eventually kills its host comes with a flipside that is rarely seen. In a way, it is the gift of sight, and the accident-induced trauma had exposed it.
    Mathew’s eyes were opening now. He was seeing things, seeing into the lives of the people he loved. He didn’t like what he was seeing.
    And inside his tiny, broken body, Mathew was screaming.
     
     
    9
     
    CLICK. The chamber was empty.
    “ WAIT!” James