Sleep Disturbances


Webster City, Iowa
1907

“We simply must go into town today.” Charlotte Smith followed her husband round the kitchen. Her skirt swished and she felt like dancing to the music.

Her husband, Charles, or Charlie as he preferred to be called, laughed at her. She was full of energy this morning and it was simply contagious.

“And why is that, beloved?” He took her hands and they danced round the kitchen, laughter bouncing off the walls.

Charlotte peeled herself away from him and she was suddenly serious. Charlie couldn’t help but wonder what had bought about the sudden change. He turned the radio off and waited for her to say what was on her mind.

“We have been trying for a baby for so long now,” She sounded so low, such a difference from a few minutes ago. “There has been news of the orphan train.”

Charles rubbed the back of his neck in uncertainty. Was this really such a good idea? A part of him thought so, but seeing the look on Charlotte’s face made him relent.

“When does this train arrive?” He asked, and was rewarded by her bright smile.

“Today at noon.” She gushed.

He nodded. He supposed they could go to the town square and see what all the fuss was about. He smiled and stepped towards her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

“What will your parents think?” He pulled back, observing her.

“They’ll be thrilled for us. Mother and father have always helped those in need.” She replied.

That was true or course. Charlotte’s parents had been very generous. When the couple needed a house, her parents had got them this large townhouse. When they needed furniture, her mother paid for brand new furniture. They could certainly make a child very happy.

Of course, Charlotte could barely contain herself and they left the house an hour early. They walked to town together, side by side. A few cars drove by and the people inside them waved at the couple.

Charlotte, ever the optimist waved back. The crowd was vast in town and a stage had been erected. A man in a suit was standing on the stage, pacing back and forth, pulling children onto the stage.

The children were ragged looking and most of them seemed tired. A few of them managed to sing some songs and do little dances. Charles winced when siblings were separated. What a cruel thing. He would have despised being apart from his younger brother.

The children would scream and cry. He glanced to Charlotte to find she looked mortified. She must have felt the same way. The man on stage didn’t seem too bothered by the tears.

The next child onto the stage caught Charles’ eye straight away. He was small, but looked to be about eight. The man on stage nudged the child, urging him to dance, but the boy remained still.

No one seemed interested and Charles felt sorry for the lad. It seemed Charlotte did too. She raised a tentative hand. The man on stage seemed perplexed by this, but ushered the boy towards the couple.

The boy stopped in front of them, head down, not making any eye contact. The man on the stage had got down too. He stood before Charles and made conversation whilst Charlotte tried to converse with the boy.

“Good Morning, Sir.” The man from the stage said. “My name is Barnaby.”

Charles, begrudgingly shook Barnaby’s out-stretched hand. He peeked at the young boy. Charlotte was still attempting communication.

“We have many more lively children if your wife is interested.” Barnaby nodded over to the queue of waiting children.

“My wife has taken a liking to this young lad.” Charles snapped, annoyed by the other man’s tone.

“Of course,” Barnaby chuckled, then leaned in to whisper. “The boy is strange. He was found in an orphanage outside of Wisconsin. They said he’d been bought in when he was two. The parents died of the plague. Very sad, really.”

Charles suspected this gentleman had no cares for the boy. He narrowed his eyes. If Charlotte had become so enamoured with the child then he would live with them.

“Yes, it is very sad,” Charles agreed. “That is why we will have him. Bring over any documentation you have. What is the lad’s name?”

Barnaby was watching Charlotte. She was on her knees, trying to look the boy in the eyes.

“Of course, Sir,” Barnaby nodded, tearing his gaze from the child. “His name is Jeremy.”

With that said, the older man disappeared into the crowd. Charles stood next to his wife. Jeremy seemed very quiet and still refused to look at Charlotte. His inky hair obscured his features.

Perhaps the boy was just shy. He had travelled far and must have missed his birth parents. Maybe he and Charlotte could fill the void.

After the rest of the orphans had been distributed, Barnaby reappeared and handed the necessary paper work over to Charles. This morning they had discussed a child and now they had one. It was a very surreal experience.

Charles accepted the paper work. Barnaby kept his hand on the sheets of paper, offering a sympathetic smile. His line of sight was on Charlotte. She had taken Jeremy towards one of the market stalls.

“That boy is a jinx.” Barnaby spoke, causing Charles to narrow his eyes.

And just what was the older gentleman implying with that statement? Did he really feel Jeremy was that dangerous?

Charles snatched the paper work, tipping his hat politely at the older gentleman, even though he wanted to be downright rude. He made his way across the small square to his wife and new son.

This would be the start of their lives together. They would have many happy memories.

***************************************************************


October 31st 1915

“Little is known about the group, but speculation…” Charles switched off the radio.

That Saturday morning had been peaceful and he didn’t want to be bothered by anything. It had been six years this month that Charlotte had passed away. He longed to see her again and missed her more than words could say.

Now it was just himself and Jeremy. The child they had adopted together had grown and was now fourteen. The boy was still quiet and barely said a word. He would go to a small school on the edge of town and return home, barring himself in his room.

Perhaps he missed Charlotte. The two of them shared a strong bond and it was something Charles found he could not replicate. He tried to though. He tried to communicate with his son as much as possible.

Today was no different. Jeremy had locked himself away. Charles had tried knocking, but got no response. And so he resigned himself to spending the Saturday repairing some of the faulty wiring.

Dinner time arrived and the sky darkened. Mrs Lewis arrived too. She was a portly lady with a strict manner. She rather reminded Charles of a bulldog, but he dared not say such things.

“Good Evening, Mr Smith.” She greeted him in her usual polite way.

“Good Evening, Gloria.” He smiled, dusting off his hands with a wet rag.

She glanced round the kitchen and frowned. She would often try to encourage Jeremy out of his room with mixed results.

“Where is that lad of yours?” She asked, briskly.

“He’s in his room,” Charles mumbled, feeling like a child again.

“Charles you need to set boundaries. The boy needs to be out and about and helping you around the house.” She snapped.

Jeremy would help around the house a lot. Despite being a quiet boy, he was very obedient. Charles couldn’t fault him on that, but apparently Gloria could. She waddled into the hallway. He heard her ascending the steep stairs.

She knocked on the bedroom door. Charles stepped into the hallway and waited to see what would happen this time. Jeremy would listen to Gloria, but he seemed reluctant to do so.
The door opened and Charles craned his neck to see his son.

“Young man, what have you been doing all day?” Gloria asked, pointing a finger at the boy.

“My homework, Mrs Lewis.” Jeremy responded.

That statement was probably true. Though the school was small they often handed out homework such as spelling and numeracy.

“Well, be that as it may, come downstairs and help set the table.” Gloria stood to the side, pointing down the stairs.

Jeremy descended the stairs, ignoring her, but smiling thinly at his father. Charles wondered if Jeremy resented him for allowing Gloria to take the role of woman of the house. Perhaps the lad felt that Charlotte was the only one to fill that role.

Charles decided that tonight he would discuss this with his son, set him straight about what Gloria’s role was. She wasn’t trying to take Charlotte’s place. No one could.

Dinner passed without incident. The radio was left off so they could engage in a discussion, although that didn’t seem to be happening.

As they were tidying up, Charles felt uncertain for some unknown reason. He peeked out the window, staring up and down the darkened road.

No one was around at this time of night. He heard Gloria step outside and retrieve the broom. It happened so suddenly. Two men burst through the door, elbowing Gloria aside.

Their faces were obscured by hoods. Charles went to help Gloria, only to pause when one of the assailants thrust a knife into her chest.

The kitchen door opened and Jeremy walked in. He paused when he saw what was happening and Charles knew what he would have to do now.

“Run! Go hide in the cellar.” Charles barred the two men’s path.

Jeremy looked panicked for a moment and rushed out the room. Charles heard him wrench open the cellar door and the lock clicked.

The first attacker launched himself at Charles and caught him with the knife. Everything happened in slow motion.

They dumped the bodies in the corner of the kitchen. With careful steps they proceeded to the cellar door and tapped upon the wood.

“Open the door, child.” The first man spoke. “My name is Malakai and we have chosen you for a greater purpose.”

The door slowly creeped open and the fourteen year old peeked out. He studied the two men and knew he had little choice but to follow them.

***********************************************************


It was getting on for midnight when Malakai and Isaac took the child far from home, presenting him to their leader.

They lit a bonfire and prepared for the ceremony. The boy was led towards the roaring flames and the crowd began to chant. It was an eerie sight for Jeremy.

He had begged them to spare his life, but they had not listened and now he was being guided towards the flames by a young woman.

He was pushed into the flames in a manner befitting a toy that a child no longer wanted. The flames hurt and yet his skin remained unburnt. When he looked back at the crowd, he realised they were all dead.

“Step out of the flames, boy.” A voice spoke, gruff and frightening.

Jeremy did as he was told and his eyes widened at the monster in front of him. Its skin was charred and black, two red eyes stared at him and it reached out with a clawed hand, beckoning him over.

“These fools have summoned me.” The creature hissed, sounding furious.

“Who are you?” The boy asked.

“Me? I am Baal, lord of the flies.” The creature known as Baal snapped.

Behind him the flames crackled loudly. Jeremy glanced back at them and sighed. He had nowhere to go now. No family, no friends.

“Why don’t you just kill me? I am the sacrifice like they said,” Jeremy retorted, making the demon step forward. “I’m just a jinx after all. Everyone says so.”

“Oh, they do, do they?” Baal seemed interested now. “And you wish to be important to someone?”

Jeremy lifted his head. He was important to someone once, long ago. He missed his adopted mother greatly. She understood him. He wanted to feel that kind of love again so he nodded.

“I can give you that,” Baal pretended to analyse his claws. He ignored the bright smile on the boy’s face. “However, nothing is for free. You will work for me. You have but a hundred years to find this person.”

Jeremy nodded. How difficult could it be? Finding someone to love would be a walk in the park. Baal seemed to sense the joy and he was quick to extinguish it.

“Ah, now let’s not get ahead of ourselves, boy,” The demon chuckled. “This person will need to love you too.”

It seemed like there was a catch to this situation and Jeremy frowned at the horned demon before him.

“What will I get if I find this person?” He asked.

“You will get your true love and you will be human again.” Baal grinned now, his large teeth protruding from his mouth.

Jeremy stepped back. He wasn’t human? He didn’t feel any different. Approaching people should be fairly straight-forward.

“Do we have a deal, boy?” Baal extended a hand.

Jeremy reached out and took the demon’s clawed hand. The deal had been struck. Baal pulled back, cackling loudly as he did so.

“I will strip you of your name first,” He grinned, ignoring Jeremy’s protests. “You believe yourself to be a jinx, well that is your name now.”

With that said, the demon handed the boy a piece of parchment with the words of his new name. The boy stared at it, feeling nauseous all of a sudden.

“I added the extra X for a bit of excitement.” The older demon cleared his throat.

Jeremy scrunched the parchment up and glared at the demon before him. Baal chuckled again. The child was spirited and this would make the whole process all the more interesting.

“Not only will I take your name, but I leave you with these words,” The older demon said. “You are a monster now, nothing more and nothing less. No human could ever love a monster.”

Jeremy suddenly felt sick. The truth cut like a knife. His glare softened and he stepped back, trying to clear his mind.

“Now that I have told you the truth, you may join me in the pocket dimension that will be your new home.”

Notes