Forbidden Fruit

I was walking through the forest, wondering why after 15 years he
would summon me. The rotten, decaying trees reminded me somewhat of our
relationship, which was crumbling with every minute.

An old colleague I met long ago had summoned me to his cabin that was
located in the solitude of the woods, and I knew that it had to be
something important, especially since he prefers the company of only
himself to that of other people.

I finally found myself standing right outside the front door, and
after a moment, subtly knocked on the door. Footsteps on the inside got
louder and louder, as he got closer, and the door creaked open
slowly.

"I'm glad you've come, Lovella."

He looked much older than he should've. His face was covered with
wrinkles, which were most likely brought on by stress, and this theory
was supported by his multiple gray hairs. He was pale, and his sickly
appearance suggested he rarely saw sunlight, and ate very little. At
the moment he was wearing a dirty white work shirt, with sleeves rolled
up, and brown work pants.

"Come in, Lovella! We have much work to do."

I stepped in, cautiously, and examined my surroundings. The place was
pretty disheveled, with paper scattered throughout, and dust encased
the whole room. I was still looking around, until I suddenly realized
George was addressing me.

"And that's what happened." he said.

"What happened? I'm sorry, but my thoughts were elsewhere." I told
him.

He looked angry, but sighed, and started all over again.

"I finally translated that map I found so many years ago, and I
discovered it leaded to none other than The Book of Theurgia. I hired
someone to find it, and bring it to me. The problem is that half of it
is written in hieroglyphics, while the other is in Latin, but I never
learned Latin, but that is your area of expertise! So I want you to
read it for me." he explained.

"Don't you know what that book is capable of?" I asked him.

"Lovella, this book is capable of making my mark on the scientific
world!"

"George, this is a book of magic! I will not do it!"

I would've continued yelling, until I felt something press against my
forehead. My "friend" was holding a gun up to my head.

"?Your choice." the bastard coolly said to me.

"Fine, but I am leaving this place once I finish."

"Very well?Now, let's begin."

* * *

The room was dark, lit only by a small candle, close to the book. I
was repulsed just touching it, for it was bound in the flesh of
infants, and inked in human blood. But I knew I had to do this if I
wanted to live, so?

"The Old Ones were, the Old Ones are and the Old Ones shall be. From
the dark stars They came ere man was born, unseen and loathsome They
descended to primal earth."

George was writing it down in English as I spoke aloud from the
ancient tome.

"Loathsome Theurgia rose then from the deeps and raged with exceeding
great fury against the Earth Guardians. And They bound his venomous
claws with potent spells and sealed him up within the City of Hel'ora
wherein beneath the waves he shall sleep death's dream until the end of
the Aeon."

I wanted to stop reading, but I felt myself continuing against my
will. It wasn't even the gun in George's hand, it was?something else,
an unseen force.

"O Thou that dwelleth in the darkness of the Outer Void, come forth
unto the Earth once more I entreat thee. O Thou who abideth beyond the
Spheres of Time, hear my supplication."

* * *

The candle had long since been extinguished by the wind, and there was
just a bit more before I finished?

"Ye must have ye human sacrifice, for if it is withheld, thou wilt
accompany Theurgia to his abode in Hel'ora."

I was finally finished, and got up so I could leave, and George had a
satisfied smirk on his face.

"George, before I go, I want you to know something. You will be taking
responsibility for your actions."

"Exactly! I will have been credited with the most important discovery
of the ancient world!"

"Goodbye, George."

And so I put on my jacket, and walked to the front door. I stepped
out, and started to walk through the woods once more. I was stopped by
a bloodcurdling scream.

I ran back to the cabin, but I saw nothing but?fog, and the book.
There was blood splattered all over the walls, and I felt a lump in my
throat. I walked over to the book, picked it up, and exited the
cabin.

I went outside, gathered some wood, took out a match, and started a
fire. I grabbed the book, held it over the fire, and I was going to
drop it in, but?I couldn't. Something held me back, and so, I just sat
there by the fire, as it was too dark to go back.

THE END