Modern Monsters

Andy & Marv: Part One

'It Never Rains in California' is playing over the radio, ironic considering it's raining right now. I've been asked by a friend to come help her grandmother. Apparently, the old woman is at death's door and is seeing things. My friend thinks that somehow I can comfort her enough so she can slip away. I hate doing these kinds of jobs, but right now, work is slim, and I've been doing nothing but palm readings for drunks college kids.

"It pours, man it pours," and then trumpet solo. Once again, ironic, well, save for the trumpet solo part. Actually, I don't think I've ever seen a trumpet in real life. Weird. I come to the nursing home, a familiar place I've made frequent visits to, for both jobs.

"Hey Andy," the nurse behind the counter says. "Who you here for?"

I look around the lobby, feeling some sort of strange presence around me. I can't quite place it, but it feels like when two magnets are close. There is a pull. I glance back at the nurse. "Melinda Tisdale?" I ask.

She points over her left shoulder. "2B."

"Or not to be," I chuckle.

The look on the nurse's face is a mix between a grimace and wet cement. I clear my throat and move away, not explaining myself, just horribly embarrassed. I go to the room, finding it open. Inside my friend is sitting with her grandmother who looks more skeleton than anything.

"Andy, I'm glad you're here," she gasps.

"It's ok, Bertie," I say, rubbing her back.

Bertie then takes me to her grandmother's side. Her eyes are wide open and are twitching back and forth rapidly. I frown, placing my hand over her face, I feel her breathing, but barely.

"What's wrong?" Bertie asks.

I pull my hand back and reach into my pocket. "Not sure," I whisper. When I was little, I can remember my own grandfather taking me to the bedside of those who were at death's door. My grandfather was something known as a sin eater. He would eat a meal left by the dying, taking their sin into them. Needless to say, my grandfather has such a powerful connection to the otherworld it wasn't a surprise he was one of the foremost wizards in the entire world. Too bad he vanished.

"Andy?" Bertie whispers.

I take the chain from around my neck. I dangle the amulet on the end over Melinda's face. The glyphs on the front start to glow, and Melinda wheezes, her back arches and she starts to twitch. I hold my arm out, stopping Bertie from coming forward anymore.

"Wait," I whisper.

Melinda twitches and coughs. I then lash my hand out, grabbing something coming from her mouth.

"What is that?" Bertie nearly screams.

I pull and pull, tugging out the eel-like creature. I then toss it down, stepping on it with my heel. It still twitches and writhes.

Bertie wretches and turns away, bracing herself on the wall.

"That's it," I whisper and pull the amulet away.

"What is that?" Bertie whimpers after collecting herself. She returns to Melinda's side, taking hold of her hand as she closes her eyes and falls onto the bed.

"Sin," I murmur under my breath. "Or well, what my grandfather called it." I pick it up, and it turns to ash in my palms. I rub my fingers together, the ashy substance on my hands feels silky and nostalgic.

"Sin?" Bertie asks.

I notice Melinda is gripping her hand back.

"Dark magic," I reply. "A form of it. Your grandmother should be ok now."