THE CHOSEN Part Four: A GUIDED TOUR OF THE ABYSS, DISCOUNT PRICED Chapter 28

Dave paced the confines of the room. He went to the door, opened it an inch and peered out. The Golem stood in the hallway as though on display. It had not moved. It would not move unless Dave tried to make a run for it. Then it would carry him back to the room and resume its post. Dave had tried several times to get past the Golem, with the end result being the same. It would not hurt him, handling him like porcelain, but neither would it let him pass.

Dave walked over to the bed and sat down. As far as prison cells went, this one passed muster, and then some. Plush carpeting, king-size bed and large screen television. Twenty-foot ceiling with a set of fans. Adjacent bathroom with a hot tub. Three times a day servants brought him food that could have been served at none but the finest of restaurants. His windows—much too high to climb from, of course—allowed a spectacular view of the manicured grounds of the estate. And Dave could move around at will—provided the Golem accompanied him. Dave couldn’t outrun the big bastard, either. He’d tried.

All in all, Julian had treated him very well, with a single exception. When Julian had departed for terra incognita on his top secret mission, he had refused to allow Dave along.

“It’s simply too dangerous for a man your age,” Julian had said. “I would never forgive myself if, through my negligence, you were to meet with harm. No, you must wait here.”

“But you say you’re going to find Brian?”

“Yes, Mr. Davidovitch. I’ve already promised you. We will find Brian, somehow.”

That had been two days ago. Dave was going crazy. He’d never been the patient type, and being left behind because of his age chafed his ego. Hell, he could still take care of himself. In truth, he’d felt better of late than he’d felt in years. Healthier, stronger. And as cagey as ever. That had been Julian’s one mistake. Julian had underestimated him.

Dave knew of one way past the Golem. It had come to him overnight, a snippet from the Kabbalah stored in his subconscious, retrieved in a dream. But he had other difficulties with which to contend. If he did make good his escape, what then? Where could he go, with any hope of locating Brian? Julian had not said where the Brotherhood of the Lotus was going. Thus, for the time being, Dave had resigned himself to wait. But just for a time.

Four-star service be damned, he was still being held against his will. And, if Julian had spoken the truth—which Dave believed to be the case—then Brian waited out there somewhere, very much alive. Even more, Julian had hinted that, yes, something big did lay on the horizon and, yes, Brian did figure into it. Brian would still be in danger, and Dave intended to be there for him, wherever he might be. When Brian went to meet the challenge that lay before him, the reason for which he had been born, then Dave planned to be there to help him succeed. Brian’s victory would be his victory, too. Of course if Brian failed in his task, Dave knew it wouldn’t matter whether he was around or not. If Brian failed, nothing would matter anymore, not to anyone. Nothing at all.

By TheCheezman

WAYNE MILLER is the owner and creative director of EVIL CHEEZ PRODUCTIONS, specializing in theatrical performances and haunted attractions. He has written, produced, and directed (and occasionally acted in) over two dozen plays, most of them in the Horror and True Crime genres. He obtained a doctorate in Occult Studies from Miskatonic University and is an active paranormal investigator. Is frequently told he resembles Anton Lavey. And Ming the Merciless. Denn die totden reiten schnell!

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