Stories in the dark

Chapter 12: Eternal Rest

In a small town, nestled between the hills, stood an old funeral home. Its faded sign creaked in the wind, bearing the name "Eternal Rest Funerals." The man who resided within its walls was as mysterious as the dark secrets hidden beneath the surface of the building. His name was Arthur, a somber figure with a quiet demeanor.

Arthur had spent countless years attending to the deceased, performing his duties with unwavering dedication. He would meticulously prepare the bodies, ensuring they were presented with dignity and grace. The mourners in town often praised his craftsmanship and compassion.

One day, a peculiar family arrived at the funeral home. They were shrouded in an air of mystery, their faces obscured by heavy veils. They approached Arthur, requesting to purchase coffins. However, they did not disclose the reason or the intended recipients. Curiosity gnawed at Arthur's mind, but he accepted the request nonetheless, arranging a date for the delivery.

As the designated day arrived, Arthur readied the coffins with great care. He couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered within him. The family had been vague, their intentions unclear. Nevertheless, he trusted his profession and prepared to carry out his duty.

To his surprise, when the appointed time came, there was no sign of the family. Arthur's confusion deepened, casting a shadow of doubt over his previous encounters. He felt compelled to investigate further, to uncover the truth that lay hidden within the walls of the funeral home.

Descending into the dimly lit basement, Arthur's footsteps echoed in the silence. A haunting atmosphere enveloped him, chilling his bones. As he ventured deeper, a peculiar sound reached his ears, a rhythmic scraping against wood. The sound grew louder, urging him forward.

Guided by a mix of apprehension and curiosity, Arthur approached the source of the noise. His eyes widened with a mix of horror and disbelief as he opened the first coffin. Inside lay a man, his face frozen in an expression of agonized torment. The lid of the second coffin revealed a woman, her lifeless eyes staring into the abyss.

A note lay nestled within the folds of the woman's garments. Trembling, Arthur unfolded it and read the chilling words: "Thank you for your kindness, sir. We have found eternal rest within your walls."

A shiver ran down Arthur's spine as the truth unraveled before him. The coffins he had prepared had become the final resting places for the mysterious family themselves. Their twisted gratitude had led them to choose this macabre fate, forever bound within the confines of the funeral home they had briefly visited.

Fear gripped Arthur's heart as he realized the magnitude of the darkness that had invaded his sanctuary of solace. The boundaries between life and death blurred, leaving him to question his own sanity. The funeral home, once a symbol of his devotion to the departed, had transformed into a haunting reminder of the eerie mysteries that lie within the human soul.

From that day forward, Arthur continued his work in the funeral home, haunted by the knowledge of the enigmatic family's fate. He became a man tormented by the realization that sometimes, even in death, the living can find ways to surprise and terrify beyond comprehension.