Into the Light

Chapter 16:

Chapter: 16

"A man may learn wisdom even from a foe."

Aristophanes

"What do you want Michael?" Archie asks as Stiggy shields his phone to block the traffic noises.

"I'm going to take a personal day tomorrow and just wanted to let you know today instead of lying in the morning.'

"Very funny. That's fine. I will see you when you come in, wait. Where is that leather bound Book of Mormon?"

"The one from 1900?"

"Yes, someone wants to purchase it as a gift. Oh, before you go. They posed question you might be familiar with. I never put any stock into Mormons, so I never bothered with that sect. Here it is. They are looking up a Moroni, son of Mormon, last leader of the Nephites. Know it?"

"Sure, more like neophites though. Moroni was the last prophet of the Mormons and the author of their last book. Hope it helps. Good bye," Stiggy says.

"Goodbye. Michael."

Downtown in his Tribeca office, Carlton Guilder lights a cigar and puts his feet up on his desk.

"Why not give Blake a ding," Carlton says and pulls out his phone and to the touch screen utters, "Call Blake. Home." The phone rings once.

"Hello, Blake Moxley speaking."

"What's up kid?"

"Hello, who is this?"

"Carlton asshole."

"Not your regular number."

"Nope changed it. Too many people had the number so I ditched it."

"So how's the rents?"

"Decent as decadent can be for my moms, but frugal father is on a tear about solar panels and the tax breaks involved. How things with you?"

"I've had some progress, but you know nothing big."

"Cool. I have a proposition for you. Actually two. One let's get some dinner, on me, and two, how about a choice for once?"

"What do you mean?"

Carlton decided to string his friend along and says, "I want to tell you, but later at dinner."

"I'm not certain I can make it."

"Certainty, bah. Tonight is a celebration. I got promoted. Get ready and I will pick you up."

"Don't tell me what to do. Oh, that's the choice."

"That's not what I mean,"

"All right. What is it then?"

"Fine. You have no appreciation of suspense. I have a position for you here and it pays a shitload more, better benefits and a faster ladder ride. Plus none of those bullshit buzzwords or motivational speakers. You'll have to wear better suits though," Carlton says as he picks up his laptop and an animated version of Van Gogh's "Willows at Sunset" starts up. Carlton clicks his web browser.

"You got another promotion and you want to give me a better job?"

"That is the plan my friend," Carlton says and porn site asks for a credit card.

"I will make it on my own. I don't need any help. You'll see, I will be greater than any expectations you have for me. Thanks for the offer though. Bye," Blake says and hangs up the receiver. The dial tone meets Carlton's ear.

"Well exist in your world of obscurity and destitution. Not my fault," Carlton says and enters a credit card number.

In his apartment, Blake rubs his eyes as he clicks out of a Google search on how to kill demons. He slips the laptop on to the coffee table.

"The Guilders must be masked ones. I'll have to see for myself. I'll call him back," Blake says and sits back. His head begins to hurt and he slumps down. His muscles have given up on him.

Activity in the temporal lobe of Blake's brain exceeds normal stimulation. Time slows and the world slips away. An orb of yellow light appears above the coffee table and there is no fear. The light oscillates from yellow to green to red. A boy's voice comes from the orb.

"The manifestations can be purged simply with a word you can change the world. Fear makes them speak their true voices and this will reveal their faces." The orb flashes a bright white light and passes through Blake's chest. His eyes glaze over and drool runs down his left cheek.

"What do I do?" he asks.

"Continue. Fear makes them show their true faces," the boy's voices whispers into his ear. Blake's eyes roll back in his head and he collapses on the couch. Tyger corners a cricket in his glass world.