I nodded and took my seat. Nothing happened for a long time, but eventually, he came down to announce that the guests were gone, and they could start the ritual.
Mothers and Fathers walked back and forth, gathering this or that, putting them on the large rectangle table.
One Mother slid a black velvet tablecloth over it, while another Mother put a smaller red velvet one over that one. Dozens of candles were brought into the room. The Fathers began to light them. I grew scared when they began setting them on the floor. Wouldn’t this start a fire? My eyes flicked to the door across the room where Eisley and Kansas were. I wouldn’t be able to save them if something happened.
My attention was instantly diverted when someone started humming. Slowly, other Mothers and Fathers began to join in until the entire room hummed a haunting tune. I began to count and found all nine Mothers and all nine Fathers in the room, holding tall black, red, and white, candles. Where had my father gone?
The Family hummed for some time, and then, they all stopped at the exact same time, sending chills of fear up my spine. The room split and my father returned, only now he wasn’t wearing a suit like before. Now he was in a red robe.
The Minister.
“Today, we have collected the Family to honor the Reanimator and his blessings. To ensure our gracious God continues to bestow his gifts, a sacrifice must be made. Has the Family decided which shall give themselves to the Reanimator and to us?”
A Father stepped forward, his head high and his black candle firmly grasped his hand, despite the hot wax dripping onto his skin.
“I shall.”
The Minister nodded his approval and took the candle from him, blowing it out.
“The Family thanks you for your sacrifice.” He reached out and kissed the Father on the lips. “The Family will be rewarded greatly for you.”
I didn’t understand, but I continued to watch. The Father slid his robe off his shoulders to unveil complete and utter nakedness. I looked away quickly. He was helped onto the table and he stretched out. The Family circled him and began dripping their tall candles onto his bare body.
The Minister began to sing a hymn I was familiar with but couldn’t remember word for word, as it was a different language. Soon, everyone joined in, creating a round. They sang as they continued to rain hot wax onto him.
The Minister shouted a name and a Mother blew out her candle and reached her hand out. I looked away instantly when I saw where her hand had gone and what she was doing with it. It was like the movies we’d been forced to watch. I closed my eyes and tried to pretend I was somewhere else.
Safe, back in the room with Kansas and Eisley.
Safe.
Back in the room.
With Kansas and Eisley.
I repeated the words and covered my ears with my hands as the Father began to make sounds. The Family began chanting louder to cover them.The Father suddenly cried out, and I knew what had happened. I understood why they were doing it and what would happen at the end. They were making him feel good, and then… I peeked my eyes open as the Mother stroking him stepped back and put her hand in her robe.
Then, they all put their hands in their robes and raised large knives over their heads and one by one, swung down, stabbing into his body.
He screamed, and the Minister quickly covered his mouth. Two Fathers held his arms and two Mothers held his legs as the rest continued to slice the knife into his naked body until he grew limp.
A Mother hurried to grab a large bucket from another table and they began to collect the blood flowing off the table. The Minister raised the old book from before and began reciting something in a language I didn’t recognize.
They lifted the dead Father and continued to collect his blood. I put my knees to my chest and tried not to make any noise. Who knew what they’d do if they remembered I was here? When the blood stopped coming, they set him back on the table and then turned to the Minister.
I opened one eye and instantly shut it as I saw them peeling the skin off his chest and removing… pieces of him.
I was going to be sick.
Safe, back in the room with Kansas and Eisley.
Safe.
Back in the room.
With Kansas and Eisley.
All the while, they kept chanting, and then it stopped.
