The Devil's Daughter by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 28

As during previous mornings, Aizic walked to the church, carrying an armload of firewood. Although the village was anxious for the departure of their visitors, they would treat Bradley and Janet with the utmost respect and hospitality. Climbing the stairs leading to the priest’s chamber, he knocked on the closed door and when there was no answer, turned the knob and cracked it slightly open. The morning light streamed in through the windows, filling the room with a warm glow. Aizic, expecting to see the small family asleep, was surprised at their absence. And walking in found the bed neatly made, while the dishes from their previous meal were left unwashed. His suspicion was immediate, and dropping the firewood on the floor, Aizic ran from the church. Once outside, he began frantically questioning passers-by on the family's whereabouts, but no one had seen them. Deeply concerned, Aizic quickly walked to Ileana's cabin, knocking repeatedly on the door.

Hearing the commotion, Ileana got to her feet as quickly as her aged frame would allow but as she approached the door, she was struck by the feeling that whoever stood on the other side was not bringing pleasant news. Opening the door, she saw Aizic's panicked face, as her unspoken fears came to life.

“Aizic,” she began.

Interrupting her, Aizic informed her of his discovery. “I can't find our visitors. They are not in the church, and their quarters look as though they've been gone all night.” Grabbing her shawl, Ileana wrapped herself against the cold morning air and leaving with Aizic, gave him strict instruction.

“Gather a small group of hunters. Have them meet us in the church and tell no one. Enough has happened, and I don't want a panic.”

“What about Sabin?” Aizic asked. “Certainly, we must inform him.”

Ileana was quick with an answer, as her mind began organizing a plan.

“Leave that to me. Now, gather the hunters.” Concerned about how the village was reacting to Alina, Aizic inquired about Nelu's participation. “We need him,” Ileana replied. “He is the only one who has seen this devilish thing. Make sure he is included.”

A small band of five of the village's best hunters were gathered in the church. With the villagers busying themselves with their morning duties, no one seemed to notice, despite having been questioned about the missing tourists. But there was one who took note of the procession, and following the hunters to the church, Sabin hurried in after them.

“What's happening here?” he asked. Ileana and Aizic were already seated, as the hunters gathered in front of them.

“Sabin,” Ileana said. “Please, sit down. I was going to inform you.”

Walking quickly towards the front of the congregational hall, he pulled up a chair and sat facing the hunters. “Inform me of what?”

Ordinarily a quiet man, Aizic spoke up with a tone of urgency.

“The Americans are missing.”

“Missing!” Sabin began. “As of when?! Did they go into the woods?! Weren't they warned?! Ileana took a moment to calm him down, knowing that nothing would be gained by an emotional reaction.

“We don't know anything yet,” she replied. “But we will find them.”

Turning her attention to Aizic, she began her inquiry with an obvious question.

“Now, what makes you believe they're missing?” Aizic described what he had seen in the priest's quarters and suggested they go upstairs, to examine it for themselves. Ileana agreed, but with one concern. “But if they are, they will be greatly offended.”

“Then we will tell them of our concerns,” Sabin said. “Certainly, they would understand.” After a pause, Ileana expressed her agreement. “Then we will be quick about it.” She knew that a good hunter was usually someone with sharp instincts and an eye for detail. “Hunters,” she continued. “You will join us as well.”

Forming a line, they walked up the back stairs and into the priest's quarters, where they stood near the door, examining everything. Aizic pointed to the neatly made bed, the cold wood stove, and the untouched dirty dishes. “Yes,” Ileana began. “I do think you're right, Aizic. I do think our visitors are missing.”

The hunters saw the obvious as well and minutes later, everyone left, returning to the congregational hall. Now, one of the hunters spoke up.

“So, where do we begin?”

“Perhaps, we should search to the north,” another hunter said.

“Why north?” Nelu asked. “They could be anywhere.”

“But it would be a good place to start, and they may have followed the road,” the first hunter replied. Ileana sat and listened as the hunters developed their strategy, but interrupted with an idea that should have been obvious.

“Gentlemen,” she began. “How many hunters do we have in this village?”

The men, numbering only five, stood looking to each other for an answer.

“Ten, at least,” Nelu replied.

“So, if you have more men you could cover more ground, yes?” Ileana said.

“Yes,” Nelu began. “But we are the more experienced.” Ileana pointed out that, thus far, the creature only came out at night and it was likely that they would be searching for bodies or, at least, body parts.

“Gather every able-bodied man. Search in all directions, and tell some of the younger men to dig a grave.” Aizic was puzzled, and interrupting her instructions, inquired about what was now believed to be an inevitable burial.

“I'm sorry, but don't you mean three?” A pause filled the air as Ileana considered the worse possible outcome.

“Considering what this thing has done, I think one will be sufficient.”

In the minds of everyone present, the image of Father James' tattered corpse arose and now, everyone knew what to expect. They would, again, see what would never be erased, something that would always grip their consciousness, remaining as a living nightmare.