"Some people, things and entity, come to make you better and some come to leave you bitter." Chioma Onwudiwe/2019
The gift that keeps taking:
Smoke along with muffled echoes, rose simultaneously into the dense atmosphere of the dark and dingy crypt. The lone candle burning at the top of the only present door frame, hardly lit up the large space. The dancing flames on it, swayed and flickered. Moving provocatively, in the still air. As it produced a gentle fire, that diligently whispered the existence of crouching shadows. Partially illuminating a passage way, that led its occupants in and out of the diabolical chamber. In that eerie and hollow room. Two monitors plotted….
“It will be time and resources wasted, to wait until she is done tending to blisters. We need her right now and she must be ready.” Heinus the first monitor spoke unfeelingly. Simultaneously turning away, from the image he had been watching in the mirror. The sight of the young woman’s discomfort, was irritating him. So much of a fuss, over nothing terminal. At least not yet. And even if it was fatal, the monitor thought to himself. There was always another willing and ready vessel. Swiveling his whole body systematically, on the high stool on which he sat. He faced Xitus, the second monitor, who had just walked into the crypt.
“As much as we do not care, about her pain or suffering. A fleshly wound of such magnanimity, is as hideously unsightly as it is hindering. Even we who periodically need their bodies, to function time and again. Will find that it is useless and repelling, in such a state.” Xitus paused, before stating his actual point. Much like building up a moment, for a serious but dreaded punchline. “We will have to perform a temporary fix, so that our mission can move along.”
“A temporary fix?” Heinus felt his initial disgust and irritation was starting to mount up. “This is not about her comfort, as we do not care for her speedy recovery. In case you have forgotten, we are not healers. And we definitely, did not create her. So you should quickly lose that sentiment, of fixing.” The first monitor struggled to contain his wrath. His comrade’s attempt at a charitable suggestion, was very annoying.
“Of course we are hardly healers. And who says that I am being sentimental? You know that is a highly impossible concept. I was merely stating, what has to be done to protect our interest and work.” Agreed the second monitor. “However, we are still capable, of a surface and temporary fix. You know the process, in which we shift their problems around. Or exchange the ones they know about, for the hidden ones, that might not be detected for a while. We can handle that. At least, for the duration of the mission. You must not forget, that she is a key and viable agent/vessel.”
Heinus pondered his comrade’s speech, for a few moments. Meanwhile, their sudden silence, reverberated against steely walls.
“Okay then,” began the head monitor. “As long as you remember, that this is not a charitable agenda. We are not the One, who chose to love the nuisances and then give of Himself. We are about getting and getting some more. All in the guise of giving. Never forget, or compromise that.” He glared at Xitus briefly but pensively, before continuing.
“Something has got to give here. We will steal something from her. Then out of what we have stolen, we will pretend to give from our ‘goodness’. Oh, how I hate that word!" The first monitor grimaced with a loud hiss.
“So in exchange for her soul. Eternal access and the use of her physically body. We will temporary fix her skin. The surface will look new, but the destroyed and dead cells will remain hidden until a later time. It will be a cosmetic operation. Such as is palatable to their shallow minds.” Heinus thought for a few minutes and continued. “For good measure, give her a seemingly new start. And then promise to fulfill any incredible dream she may have. Enough of course to convince and keep her hooked.” Xitus nodded, marveling at how easily history repeated itself.
The foolish mortals willingly believed they had struck the perfect deal. All the perks, so easily laid at their feet. As the mere pittance of their existence, was hyped and heralded beyond plausible relevance. But that was not the part that ticked him off. It was when they came back for everything they expected. And the human in question. Appeared to be confused, full of fear and questions. What were they even thinking in the first place? Or were they even thinking at all? A contract had been signed and sealed in blood.
This would encompass everything about the person and all that belonged to them. Their very essence, past, present and future was involved. Whether they saw it or not. Or simply chose to dwell in denial, was entirely up to them. Both parties had seemingly arrived at a deal, but only one was bound to pay.
“I guess it’s time to pay my girl a visit.” Stated Xitus, as he enlarged the image of scorched flesh and stepped into the human realm.
This passage was culled with permission, from 'The MONITORS' A Fiction by Chioma Onwudiwe/2015