Laurels Literary Magazine Spring 2014 | Page 74

The Servant Jared Fontenot My son, I must ask you to travel through perdition to retrieve the leash. I must warn you that this task will not be simple. The beast is cunning. He will use his trickery to deceive you. Are you willing to risk your soul to serve me? “Yes, my Lord. I will do what must be done.” Instantaneously, Obadiah’s feet were swept off the solid ground of the Earth. He could feel himself rush through time and space. In mere minutes, the natural world became one of dark decay. Trees turned black as charcoal. Animal flesh sunk into the barren wasteland of decomposing matter. The sulfurous stench was pungent and rank. Worst of all, the heat was unforgiving. The sweltering temperature caused boils and blisters to form on Obadiah’s epidermal tissue. He trudged towards a black gate, which had the words “Harry’s House” emblazoned into wrought iron gratings. He swallowed the saliva that sat in the back of his throat to assuage his beckoning thirst for water. A stone-like lump formed in his stomach and gave him the feeling of despair as he knocked on the shadowy doors behind the gate. “Why hello, Obadiah. I wouldn’t expect you to be here. By all means, come right in.” It took deep concentration for Obadiah to put one of his feet in front of the other. “I can adjust the temperature if it’s too hot for you.” “That’s quite all right, Harry. I don’t expect to be here very long. You see you’ve something that needs to be returned to its rightful owner.” “Oh you mean this?”Old Harry pulled a golden chain-linked necklace out from underneath the collar of his black button-down shirt. “Yes. That’s exactly what I’m looking for. You know that belongs to our Father. Why did you take it from Him, Harry?” “You know why I took it, brother. I am a free man now. I do as I please. My heart is as light as the spring breeze. Look at my wrists. Do you see any shackles? I am bound to man’s will.No, indeed. I’m able to do as I please in my kingdom.Surely you remember where you are. Those who enter my humble abode can’t help but stay for a while. This isn’t like your local grocery store. You can’t just barge in and expect to buy anything you fancy. No. The currency here is not money. In fact, the currency is whatever I want it to be. Payment will be needed for your departure.” “I was sent by our Father to retrieve the necklace that you stole from Him, Harry. As his servant, it is my job to do His will. I realize that I won’t be able to just take it back while I’m in this nightmare. What must I do to get the necklace back?” “Oh come on, Harry. There’s no need to be hasty. Let’s relax and spend some time together. How long has it been since you’ve seen your brother? Hmm?” “It hasn’t been long enough.” 74