The Nightam Family

Chapter 21: William Nightam 6

William was no longer the man he’d once been. A strange, new power was pulsing through his body, flowing through his veins. His body felt stronger than ever before, and he knew he could do almost anything in this state.

And he owed it all to Mortimer.

It would be a lie to say he hadn’t been afraid. The way Mortimer had approached him, the sight of those fangs. But that had been a mistake. He should have known it. Mortimer doesn’t make mistakes. William had been chosen as Mortimer’s first “child”. And William would repay his grandfather for this honour. He knew he would serve his grandfather for eternity. No matter what Mortimer’s request was, he would obey.

Even if that request involved babysitting. William looked up at the boy in front of him. The boy too had been chosen, although it was for a different destiny. Mortimer had told William about the family’s future. Only those worthy would be allowed to follow Mortimer. Those who were deemed unfit would die. The Nightam family would disappear from the world of the living.

But Lucas, Lucas was different. He had been chosen for a special task. Not that the boy knew about this. Not that he remembered anything. Mortimer had prepared Lucas for the great future. Now he only had to grow up.

Lucas was sitting on a chair. He had not moved for over a day, and he would not move for the foreseeable future. He didn’t react to anything, as William had seen when he’d waved his hand in front of Lucas’s eyes. No, Lucas had successfully been turned into a mindless doll.

So to call this duty babysitting would be a lie. William’s duty was simply to sit there and forbid anyone from entering the room and taking the boy. Even if it was the child’s mother. Especially if it was the mother. Mortimer had confided in William that he didn’t trust Stacey’s loyalty. So for over a day now, possibly several days already, William had sat here, in this room, waiting. Without going home, without leaving. Leaving the room would be disobeying Mortimer.

But William didn’t mind his duty. Or the solitude. Instead, he was slowly discovering every part of his newfound powers. The powers he’d gotten from Mortimer.

And a few hours ago, Mortimer had come to check up on William. And Mortimer had brought something in the room. It was now lying in the corner. Sometimes it moved, in a spasm, and William could not help but look at it in entertainment. But for most of the time, it was quiet.

Footsteps sounded on the hall again, and William sat up straight again. Forbid anyone but Mortimer from entering this room, that was his duty. It was very simple and clear. But the footsteps passed the room again, without anything happening. Once again, William wondered how much time had passed. But then he got lost in thought again, discovering his new physique, mentally discovering the new parts of his mind that had appeared. When he’d been alive, it had all seemed so normal to be so unknowing, so weak. Now, he did not want to return to those days. He remembered his wife. He had once cared for her, obeyed her every whim. Now she was insignificant, merely Mortimer’s prey.

The thing in the corner had another spasm. William looked at it, wondering if something would happen to it. Nothing happened and the complete silence returned.

The boy was perfectly quiet. It was completely unlike a child. He didn’t move, didn’t complain, didn’t say anything. He only ate when fed. William was intrigued by the kid. And at the same time, he felt honoured to take care of him.

The thing in the corner moved again. This time it wasn’t a spasm, William realised as he saw the movements continue. Slowly, it sat up.

‘Good morning,’ William said. His voice sounded strange, he’d already gotten used to the silence.

‘Uncle William,’ the thing said, and William realised it was Josh. He had not recognised his nephew for this time. But Josh looked awfully pale, weak, and unlike himself. As William sat there, he saw his nephew had been chosen by Mortimer as well. The boy was no longer human. He and William were the same now. Josh too would serve Mortimer for eternity, to repay this honour.

‘How are you feeling?’ William asked. Josh looked around, as if he was looking for something.

‘What happened?’ Josh stammered, ‘all I remember is grandfather…’ his fingers went to his neck, where two puncture wounds were still visible. Those wounds would disappear, William knew; his own wounds had disappeared as well.

William got out of his chair and walked towards Josh.

‘It’s fine,’ he said, placing a hand on his nephew’s shoulder, ‘don’t worry.’

Josh looked up at him, ‘you too?’

William nodded.

‘Do you think grandfather will ever forgive me?’ Josh stammered, ‘I insulted him. I—‘

‘He’s already forgiven you,’ William answered, ‘that’s why he chose you to be his family even now.’