House of the dead
Ms Marie stood outside a shop on Bloods Point Road. She clanked her black bells back and forth. “It’s storytime at Ms. Marie’s! That’s right, I have some very special stories for you today. Come! Come along children!” She laughed like the cryptkeeper she was. “I have room for teens today as well, you won’t regret it!” Her black bells chimed in.
Several kids showed up that day for Ms. Marie, a traveling children’s speaker. She advertised her work under the guise of “storytime,” to cover up the real business taken care of when all was said and done. All the children flocked to her like wildfire, for they knew the truth.
Parents didn’t really know what to think of her, a peculiar woman, strewn in clothes that hung off like rags. But she had a penchant for denouncing perfectionism, and so it made sense. She was known for constructing powerful stories to illustrate the critical aspects of life, at least that’s what kids would come out telling their parents, who would then tell their parents, and other parents, and Ms. Marie would get her special work done via word of mouth.
As the children shuffled in Ms. Marie sang, “Down the stairs we go!” But for two candles, a lightless room awaited them. The kids sat on decorative pillows arranged in a circle, with Ms. Marie in the center. “Now, we are safe children. This space is safe for the work that must be done. And do you know what that is?” One little girl said, I know! I know because I most recently came from my mom’s womb, and when I was there I was in this sort of like, light! They told me, the people, well they weren’t quite people, more like, light! They told me that I would be born into a generation that would be required to address their life path early on. They told me I would meet you, Ms. Marie! Another child yelled out, They said you were a deathwalker! The kids scooted closer as Ms. Marie closed her starry black eyes. Her voice changed completely.
We all become the living dead. Just watch as the people they walk down the street. None of them have a smile but one, or two. Here, or there. It is not out of the normal, to feel dead, inside. That is why we call this sacred place the House of the Dead. And like The Tibetan Book of the Dead, I will walk you through the underworld, so that you can see what you need to see. And so I need two right now, two please. Two children moved forward. One at a time, spoke Ms. Marie.
Samara was 14. Her older brother hated her. Maybe it was the way they showed her decency, years after he’d been born. The decency he couldn’t feel one ounce of.
Stand by the wall, said Ms. Marie, as she swiped her hand over Samara’s eyes. Samara could hear her older brother talking on the telephone, as she leaned against the wall. The brother stated, Yeah, and? She never does anything anyway so why wouldn’t she be free. I’m taking her with me and she’s coming to help! No, she never fucking grew up, that’s the problem! He said, before slamming the phone down.
Samara heard Ms. Marie’s bells.
Samara could hear her older brother talking on the telephone, as she leaned against the wall. The brother stated, Yeah, I don’t know how to explain it! She’s just blossoming. And last week she won the top prize at that science fair I was telling you about. We’re going out tonight to celebrate. I don’t know man, I’m just in awe of her. She’s a really special kid.
Samara cried uncontrollably.
Ms. Marie touched her cheek. During your 18th year, your older brother is going to attack you with a knife. Your family will not be able protect you. He, will NOT stop, until he hurts you. You will take sanctuary with a woman who will encourage you to strip for money. You must do this, you must survive in this exact way because, and please don’t forget, one day a man is going to approach you at the bar where you dance. He will help you to see your dharma, and get you where you need to be. You will never be harmed again, and justice will be brought upon your brother.
Thanatos was 7. His mother lived with an oxygen tank, drinking often. As a toddler she’d force Thanatos to “shape up” through physical pain. Perhaps it was her diagnosis of severe lung disease, after returning home from the war, that led her down this path.
Sit on the couch, said Ms. Marie, as she swiped her hand over Thanatos’s eyes. Thanatos looked over at his mother. Hey, you got an A on this here exam. He spoke, Yeah! I did! Well you better get in on this extra credit then, don’t you waste no time. But why? I got an A. Yeah? You tryina correct me about an A bein better than an A+? Go work on that extra credit boy, or you ain’t gettin shit for dinner!
Thanatos heard Ms. Marie’s bells.
Thanatos looked over at his mother. Hey, you got an A on this here exam. He spoke, Yeah! I did! Well fuck son I’m so prouda you! I remember how hard you studied. When you set your mind to it, you can do anything son. This is an example of that. Shit, I’m so prouda you! That’s my son!
Thanatos burst out crying.
Ms. Marie took both of his hands. Your mother will have a stroke on the day of your 29th birthday. It is when your life will both fall apart and begin again. You will have a chance to speak with her before her death. I want you to tell her everything you feel toward her, THE TRUTH. DO NOT, HOLD BACK. She will only look at you, unable to speak. This is for you and you alone. A gift. It will be absolvement of the persecution you will experience for most of your young adult life. Do not forget, what I said.
Thank you for bearing witness to Dark Lord Show Me the Way: House of the Dead. The image credit belongs to Harry Clarke, done for Edgar Allen Poe’s Fall of the House of Usher. It is Lady Madeline, who somehow embodies Ms. Marie.
My new book, Salvation, is now available. I’ve pulled my other book, Please Just Let Me Die. It wanted to be more than it was, so I obliged. It will be released in the future.
Jennifer Diane is a witch scholar, writer and model based out of New Jersey. She’s authored Folk Horror, Rural Horror, Devil’s Manifesto, Emotional Horrorshow, and Salvation (out now). Check out her shop at Endeavors of Horror or find her on Instagram.