THE UNDERTAKER and other Macabre Tales

THE WATCHER PART III

Work kept James busy. The cases weren't particularly exciting, but they gave him something to focus on. When he drove home the thing had moved. It was still there, but now it had stepped over the rock wall onto his property. James contemplated calling the police. But something held him back. Something told him it was pointless, and that it wouldn't work.

Anne made salmon for dinner that night. James ate it even though he wasn't hungry. Washed it down with a glass of wine. Then several more. Anne watched him closely, sensing his tension.

"What's going on with you?"

"You really couldn't see that thing yesterday? In the yard?"

"No. Do you really think something was there?"

"Yes."

"Well maybe you're the one that needs help then.

"Maybe."

James poured himself another glass. His fifth.

"Don't forget we have my party next Saturday. I'm making a list of things we need. I'm going to need your help Friday to get ready."

"Ok. Just let me know what you need."

Every year, once a year, James and Anne threw a party. They invited everyone they knew, and everyone got absolutely drunk. Anne wasn't a big drinker, she'd have a glass of wine every night, but that was it. She'd drunk a lot during college. When they got married, she made a promise, she would only allow herself to get drunk once a year. She had come up with this idea of the party. Once a year she would host a giant party, where she could drink as much as she wanted. And she stuck to it. James had to hand it to her. He'd had an alcohol problem in college and had gone to AA a for a few months to get back in control. He hadn't been drunk since. Not even during the night of the party. Honestly, James didn't love those parties. He hated seeing everyone else get drunk while he kept himself fairly lucid. But he knew it was for the best. He didn't want to slip back into old habits.

That night there was no Red Sox game. James got in his car and drove over to Steve's house. All the lights were on. As James walked up to the front door, he noticed that all the shades were drawn. That's weird, he thought, they were usually open.

Steve answered the door and invited James in. He had been drinking. James could smell it.

"Have a seat, man. I'm glad you came."

James sat down. Steve offered him a beer. James declined with a wave of his hand.

"Rough day?"

"I'm seeing it. I'm seeing it too."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that thing is outside in my yard, watching me."

"What?"

"Come on, I'll show you."

Steve brought James to the window, pulling open the blinds. Sure enough there on the far side of the yard stood a similar black figure. It was difficult to see in the dark, but it was there.

"James...It's Brian. This is happening because of what we did."

"That's crazy."

"Then how come only we can see it?"

James didn't have an answer. "There's got to be a way to get rid of these things."

"I tried burning it. It didn't work."

James looked back at the thing in the yard. Watching him. Piercing eyes. He shivered.

Steve took a seat on the couch, staring at the ground. "We have to tell. We have to tell them what we did."

"You know we can't do that. You'll know what will happen when we do."

Steve sat in silence. James joined him.

CONTINUED IN NEXT PART...