The Pale Man Rises

CHAPTER NINE

42

After the death of his parents Clay Reese was initially befuddled by the situation. The terrible image of his violated father and mother had as yet not penetrated his altered cerebral cortex to a degree which would bring forth an emotional response to the tragedy before him.

He was soon aware however that he would be charged with devising a way for him and the pale creature to flee the jurisdiction, for though he did not grasp the totality of the crime he nevertheless knew it was contrary to the norms of this world.

The pale man had not yet issued any instructions to him concerning this necessity, but Clay anticipated them nonetheless. The plain truth was that he was blinded by the affliction the creature had created within him with the dreadful kiss he had given him.

They prepared somewhat haphazardly for their flight from this place of carnage. This was no doubt another consequence of the beast's drug that swirled within him. He eventually concluded that he must conceal the creature's nakedness.

The beast said nothing now. He just observed his victim looking about pointedly with movements that some might have suggested were almost mechanical.

Even though the monster had no genitalia to disguise Clay knew the being could not go about exposing himself, despite the ironic fact that he had nothing to expose. However he realized the lack of sexual organs would be, much more distressing to any witness they might encounter than seeing someone going around showing the proof of their sexuality. Even the most intoxicated person could see this obvious fact, even one so incapacitated by the drug, which churned his mind to such other distortions.

He chose some of his own clothing that fit the monster's seemingly malleable flesh and in his father's effects he discovered a long black overcoat that matched the clothing.

The beast pondered the shoes Clay attempted to try and fit onto his feet and almost immediately refused to allow this.

43

Clay was hoping that the odd cut of the apparel might lead most people to consider that the being was just another hippie of which there were plenty about in this year of 1973.

It was understandable that he would do this drawing upon his own most recent experiences. Clay however feared the creature's pallid complexion would cause most those whom they might encounter to think his companion even to odd for a hippie. Little did he realize that his own skin would also change in such a way, that it would soon in time match the being's ashen complexion. He was also able to find a pair of old black sunglasses he had once worn to cover the creature's fearsome eyes.

That had been his most vexing problem. The creature's eyes were so terrifying that the sight of them would surely draw unwanted attention. The beast could not cast a spell on everyone they would encounter. It would be too much to ask of him for he was in a weakened state unbeknownst to his slave and though the creature was loath to admit it.

His time beneath the oak had surely taken its toll on his terrible powers and he needed to consume a lot more human blood in order to renew them to return to his ultimate state. And so needing nothing at present but to serve his new master Clay Reese paid no attention to his own needs and preparations. And when they at last set off to flee he remained, as he was dressed only in a T-shirt and khakis.

But before leaving Clay returned to the edge of the dining room and stood silently staring at the remains of his parents. His face was expressionless and anyone who may have been there and saw how he looked would probably have thought he did not care. But in that brief interval Clay felt an aching grief for the loss of his loved ones despite the fact he was legally an accomplice in the crime.