Page 19 of The Death Wish

He talking to us?

‘Yes, I’m talking to you. I’ve not seen a town with so many souls about…’ It was not unease, not exactly, which was bothering him. The scythe was too quiet for that, but the situation was strange nonetheless. ‘How have so many of you in this town avoided the goddess?’

He knew teratisms could move freely about, another misfortune of the Blight, but it should not be so for those whowere simply lost. Their place of death anchored them, kept them within certain confines.

The low gate of the cemetery came into view, crooked on its hinges.

We are not all from here, Mr Death.The speaker was feminine, light of breath.

‘Call me Silas, please.’

There were squeals and coughs of delight.

First name basis, you ‘ear that?

Power in that name, don’t you think?

I am Claudia.

The one who professed to being frightened.

‘You said you were scared, Claudia. You should not fear me.’

I don’t.

Not you we are shitting our britches over, Mr Death, sir.

‘Silas.’

Lovely name for a lovely looking fellow. Doesn’t he sound sweeter than honey?

‘You hear my melody?’ It was the first time he’d been told such a thing.

Right nice tune it is, too.

You can hear it, Peter? Thought you claimed to be deaf as a post.

Clear as day to me, when all you lot seem to have mouths full of marbles.

‘What are you frightened of?’ Silas would have liked to enquire as to what his naming melody sounded like, but that was indulgent and unnecessary.

The Gloaming, sir,Claudia said, in her airy way.

That’s what them old ghosts call it…old-fashioned as they are.

Claudia’s been haunting her child’s last resting place for near on three hundred years, ain’t you love?

But it was another who spoke up,the one Silas thought they had called Matthew.The Blight, that’s what we younger sprogs call it.

Either name, it is the same.Claudia found her voice once more.It has been dreadfully fierce around these parts of the country. I was frightened I’d succumb to it, but then a new melody started to play, not yours, though you are louder now than it ever was. It was just as comforting as you, though. And drew us towards this place…this haven.

A murmur of agreement ran through the shadowy crowd. He was yet to see a single one of them, but he felt them all as surely as he did the cold, which was only becoming more intense.

‘A haven?’

Somewhere the Blight wouldn’t touch us. The melody promises us safety.

Like the Pied Piper, looking after them kids.