Page 22 - World of Darkness

settlers of our own village had endured a death- “Yes, but he wasn’t in. I left a message. How did
filled voyage from the old world, and told tales you know that?”
of the angel of death walking the decks of their
“The coroner is my brother-in-law,” one of the
ship.
men said. “He, uh, he won’t be returning your
Imagine if death was a man, I went on. If he call.”
walked among us, picking us out like a farmer
“It’s for the best,” Mrs. Eckard chimed in.
choosing lambs for the slaughter. I connected that
“People are better not knowing. We’re all better
to the image of Christ as the lamb of God, who
not knowing.”
triumphed over death. In many cultures, I said,
it’s white that’s the color of death, not black. I stood. “Look, what is it you’re trying to say?”
But if death is a man dressed in white, then
Christ comes clothed in garments purer than “Don’t get upset, Pastor,” Mr. Crane said, making
a ‘stop’ gesture with his hands. “There’s a lot of
white.
good work for you to do here. We just think you
I finished the sermon in a more conventional should let this thing go, that’s all.”
way, urging prayer, trust in God and support of
each other. But I had seen some of the parishio- “The month’s almost over anyways,” said a short
woman who hadn’t spoken yet. The others gave her
ners shift in the pews, glancing at each other
uncomfortably. You learn to read faces from the a dirty look. “I’m just saying…” she muttered.
pulpit, like a bird watcher reads the flickering
“Wait a minute,” I demanded, “Is this about… this
of a sparrow’s wings. I was sure my words had an quota of 13?” I took a step forward and they
effect.
backed away. They looked shocked, their eyes
That evening there was a knock on my office bulging at the mention of the number.
door. I replied and in walked Mr. Crane along
“We… we…” Mr. Crane licked his lips. “We don’t
with five other men and women. The church know anything about that.” The others nodded.
council. I knew they’d been having a meeting
“Things happen,” Mrs. Eckard added. “No one knows
downstairs in the gathering room. They often came why. It’s the way things are and nobody can
up to see me and chat a bit afterward, so I
change it.”
wasn’t particularly surprised to see them.
There wasn’t much conversation after that. They
Mr. Crane cleared his throat and said, “We were
filed out, assuring me that, “Things would be
wondering if we could talk to you about some- okay if I just took their advice.” Those words
thing.”
rang in my ears as I sat back down at my desk.
I didn’t have enough chairs for everyone, but I I had gotten myself into some kind of nightmare
and I didn’t know how to wake up. Who could I
gestured for at least some of them to take a
seat. None of them did. talk to about this? I only knew of one person,
and I resolved to go down to the chapel and
“It’s about… well… it’s hard to say.” speak with Him.
I tried to keep things light. “I’m an adult, “Please don’t get up.”
folks. I can take it. Why all the long faces?”
The words came from behind me. I should have
“We understand you’re trying to be helpful,” one been startled to hear a man’s voice when I was
of the women said. Mrs. Eckerd, I think. “We do. alone in my office. My desk faced the only door.
But you’re new here.” There was no way anyone could have entered
unseen. But I wasn’t startled at all. It was as if
“You’ll fit in just fine after a while,” someone
I’d known he was there the entire time. And
else broke in, sounding embarrassed. “I mean,
what’s more, I couldn’t get up. My legs wouldn’t
you’re already… I mean, we all are just so
obey, my arms wouldn’t move. It was as if my
pleased you’re here, right?” The others murmured
muscles had been turned to stone.
their agreement.
“They didn’t convince you, did they?”
“Why don’t you just tell me what this is about,” I
said, trying to sound commanding and relaxed at I feared my mouth wouldn’t work, but it did. “No.
the same time. I supposed they didn’t.”
“You see, Pastor,” Mr. Crane began, “You see, There was a sigh, a normal-sounding sigh, some-
certain things are done here… they happen here… thing I’d expect to hear from the exhausted
in a certain way. And we… well, we figure things parents of a hyperactive three-year-old. “I
ought to be done the way they’ve always been didn’t think they would. You’re an intelligent,
done.” curious, educated person.” I heard the floor creak
behind me as someone paced from one wall to the
“What is this about?” I suddenly felt cold.
other. My head refused to turn.
“We heard you called the county coroner the other
“What happens now?” I asked.
day,” Mr. Crane said.
21
COLD TRUTH