Board Thread:Writer's Workshop/@comment-32351859-20170813123416

 Immolation 

   

'''“Alicia, you must read this,” an elderly gentleman said to a young copper haired woman sitting in an oxblood armchair before handing her black leather bound book. She opened it and began to read. '''

 6th of May 2000 

Dear diary, 

'''This morning a letter was delivered to my door and handed to me by my maid. The letter bore a crimson wax seal which I recognised as the symbol of the order and as I touched it my mind was filled with feelings of concern so I immediately opened it. '''

Upon reading the letter I discovered that it was a summons, I was told to go to Belacqua house to meet with Alicia '''Belacqua at 9 pm tonight. I felt my chest tighten, I hate social engagements, however, I respect the fact my family has a duty to fulfil. '''

'''Nine o’clock arrived so, I ventured out into the London smog guarded against the cold by my Ulster coat. When I reached the tall art deco styled building I was greeted by the comforting incandescent light shining through windows. '''

'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;background:white">I knocked the brass door knocker, waited a moment and I was then allowed inside by a tall elderly man with a greying handlebar moustache that rested under a Greek nose. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;background:white">The man then led me through the dark art deco main hall, up the wooden staircase and into the drawing room. The drawing room was covered in scarlet wallpaper covered with black arabesque patterns which seemed to make way for the oil paintings of Belacquas in 18th century powdered wigs. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;background:white">The room was illuminated by the incandescent bulbs of an electric chandelier and the yellow flames of the fireplace. Alicia was sat in an oxblood leather armchair with a glass filled with a liquid that bore the orangish colour of an aged pinot noir. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;background:white">Her violet eyes were covered by the curls of her copper hair. I sat down opposite to her in a red fabric armchair before I inquired as to the nature of the summons. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;background:white">After I had asked her she told me in her Marlene Dietrichsque voice that she wanted me to check in on the Fairfax family that live in a manor house in the Cornish coastal village of Eldergrove. She wanted me to check on them due to the fact that the order had been contacting them on account of their daughter’s pyrokinesis however, their correspondence had mysteriously stopped a few weeks ago and due to my skill with psychometry, I was being sent to investigate. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;background:white"> She told me I was to go by airship tomorrow morning at 6 am and she then gave me my ticket. The airship will take me to a town a few miles away from the village and that a car will be awaiting my arrival to take me to the village. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;background:white">The real reason she was sending me she conveyed without words, I felt her love and her fear filled my mind as she sent the feelings into my head. I knew then that she had feelings for this family. '''

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">After a few drinks, I bid her farewell and returned home to pack for tomorrows journey 

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">7th of May 2000 

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">Dear diary, 

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">This morning I awoke at four to allow time to get ready before leaving the house at five o’clock for king’s cross airship port. I travelled on foot for half an hour before arriving at the port. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">Upon my arrival, I presented my ticket and was led to the airship Demeter. I entered the Demeter and sat down in one of the oxblood leather seats. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">An adolescent boy with curly just above shoulder length blonde hair asked me if I wanted any refreshments so, I asked for a bottle of Zinfandel red wine and alongside admiring the view of the emerald English countryside that was how I passed the five hours of my trip. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">The airship landed in Bodmin at eleven in the morning. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">I left Bodmin airship port and headed for the local pub which was where the car was to meet me. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">When I arrived at the pub I saw a black car occupied by a gruff looking gentleman who stepped out of the car to open the door for me. I sat down in the back seat, upon doing so my driver began to drive. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">We drove for thirty minutes before we arrived outside an old Tudor inn called the Queen Mary. The driver informed me in his thick northern accent that the inn was where I was to be staying and a room had already been paid for by the order. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">I stepped out of the car, got my luggage from his car boot, and entered the pub. Upon entering the Inn, I was greeted by the smell of beer and roast dinners. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">I approached the bartender who was a short plump man with a turnip nose and an unkempt beard. I informed him of the arrangements made for me, upon doing so he called out in deep rough sounding voice” Louis get in here. Show the lady to her room.” '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">An unshod adolescent boy with unkempt corn coloured hair and a mud caked face ran up to the bar from the kitchen. His sun kissed hand grabbed mine and he then led me up the stairs to my room. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">The upstairs of the inn was dimly lit by gas lamps and upon opening the door to my room the hallway’s illumination was greatly increased. The room was a grand stone chamber similar in form to the master bedrooms of many Tudor houses, there was a king-sized bed next to which resided a small fireplace and an oak chest lay at the foot of the bed. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">I got the boy to put my things away for me whilst I took my shoes off, as I was in a seaside town I decided to take advantage of it and spend my time here feeling the ground beneath my feet so, I resolved to spend my time here unshod. Besides the freedom, I would feel being unshod helps my psychometry. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">Once the boy had finished his task he gave me the key to the room and then left me. I locked up the room, went downstairs and asked the barkeep as to the location of Fairfax Manor. My inquiry was met with a fearful look and a series of questionable remarks that led me to believe that the villagers may have something to do with the lack of correspondence. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">I focused my mind on the man, receiving in return dark oppressive feelings, a maelstrom of guilt, hatred, fear, suspicion, and doubt. I sent him feelings of trust to quell his suspicions. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">After quelling his suspicion, I asked once more and he then informed me that their house sat atop the hill north of the village. I thanked the man and set out, following his directions to the house. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">I reached the manor after a thirty-minute walk. The house was an imposing gothic building with a tower attached via a bridge to the western side. The house’s exterior was consumed by vines. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">I decided to open the houses great mahogany doors and enter the house as vast foreboding clouds had formed in the skies which had birthed a raging maelstrom. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">Once inside the house, I was greeted by that uncanny feeling one gets upon entering an empty house which is greatly increased due to my preternatural sensory abilities. As I walked towards the staircase I felt the dust caking on my unshod feet and as I looked up I saw a crystal chandelier consumed by spiders’ webs. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">I started to receive images in my mind’s eye of play and happiness, a young girl no more than five years old running around the house gleefully. However, as I walked forward I felt the cold of porcelain beneath my foot; I had stepped on an old broken doll. As I stepped on the doll my mind was overwhelmed by an overwhelming feeling of despair and terror. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">I then proceeded upstairs in search of the girl’s or the parents’ bedroom. As I ascended the staircase I heard a faint sobbing coming from the right side of the hall. I followed the sobbing which led me to an old mould eaten door. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">I entered the room and to my horror, I found the sallow, desiccating corpses of two adults, a man and woman lying on the floor beside a broken window. The room was filled with the acrid stench of decay. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">As I approached the decaying bodies I saw that in the hand of the woman a revolver laid. I picked up the dust covered gun, calmed my mind, and focused my attention on the object. In my mind’s eye, I saw the couple alive stood looking out of the window and I heard the mothers pain as she screamed. I saw through the window the cause of her agony, a five-year-old girl, her daughter was being dragged by a brutish mob led by a vicar as she cried out in terror for her mother. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">After witnessing this horrendous tragedy, I felt faint and I needed a little Dutch courage before I could carry on. So, I had a quick drink from my hip flask and the I resolved to find a shovel to bury the couple for I knew it to be foolish to ask the villagers for assistance. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">I went out into the garden in search of a shovel which I found in small nature claimed shed alongside the body of the one whom must have been their gardener. I left the shovel there whilst I returned to the bedroom to recover the bodies, however, as I did I heard footsteps coming from upstairs. I followed them which caused me to bear witness to the horrific gaunt visage of the mother’s ghost that flew at me, screaming with a banshee’s shrillness as she flew through me. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">After she had passed through me I resumed my task of burying their corpses. Once I had buried the I left the house, returning to the village with the intent of sending Alicia a telegram informing our leader as to the fate of family Fairfax. So, I ventured back into the village and headed for the post office where I sent her the message before returning to my room at the Inn. '''

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">8th of May 2000 

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">Dear diary, 

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">I awoke screaming and in a sweat as if I had been working in the sun. This disturbed me so I decided to start my morning off with a glass of red wine. However, when I went down into the pub I was hit by a strong oppressive feeling, I tried to pay it no mind, however when I asked the barkeeper for a drink his tone of voice bore the inflexions of one who has been angered. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">I quickly downed my wine and then left to explore the village. I spent the morning and early afternoon in search of signs as to what happened they did to the little girl, however, it was to no avail so, at three o’clock I decided to go to the beach where I found the blonde youth from the inn frolicking barefooted. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">I left the beach to return to the Inn as the sun began to set. '''

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">9th of May 2000 

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">Dear diary, 

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">This morning I awoke from a nightmare in which I saw the little girl in a church and it was being consumed by fire. When I awoke I found more fear in the real world as I had been locked into the room, I was startled but I only began to suspect something was amiss when I found that the keys were nowhere to be found within the room. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">After the realisation dawned on me that I had been locked in here on purpose, I began to consider climbing out of the window. Upon looking out the window I saw the villagers building a great wooden pyre, this terrifying sight settled the matter of whether or not to make my exodus through the window. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">My bare feet provided grip as I climbed down from the window using the piping as a ladder. Once on the ground, I began my escape from the village by making my way through the fields. However, to my great misfortune and despair, I was spotted by the blonde boy who was watching me through a window. The boy screamed causing the villagers to being hunting me with dogs. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">I almost reached a farmhouse before one of the villagers shot me in my leg. I fell to the ground screaming in agony before being dragged back to my room or should I say cell. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">As I write this now they have almost finished building the pyre and I can the boy's unshod feet coming up the stairs for me. '''

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">  

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">“Tell me how did this come into your possession,” Alicia said in a worried tone of voice. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">“Chief inspector Gatiss handed it to me, they found it in one of the rooms of the inn mentioned in the book” he replied solemnly. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family: "BaskervilleOldFace",serif">“Thank you, Stephen, you can go,” Alicia said sorrowfully. ''' <ac_metadata title="Immolation"> </ac_metadata>