The Time Deceiver Read online

  Irene and I walked with Rose into the building and down the corridor to the elevator bank. We felt the urge to follow Rose into the car. We said our goodbyes and left the building, instead.

  As we stepped out on to the sidewalk, I could see that Irene was becoming frightened. She pulled at her tapestry handbag and tried groping for conversation or the words that would pass themselves off as conversation.

  -Allow me to buy you some coffee in the shop across the street. You look as if you could use some, Irene. I think I could use some coffee and something to eat, as well.

  I took her by the arm and guided her across the street.

  -Irene, can it be that the coffee shop is closed at this hour? Surely, it is their busiest time of day with all the workers coming in. Although, the streets are deserted. We are the only ones here. The city has never been so quiet.

  Irene was looking up and down the street. With an effort, she forced herself to look at me. I placed the silver crucifix around my neck. It was the crucifix that I had been holding all this time in my hand.

  -Howard, why don’t we go back to my place? I’ll fix you some breakfast. Would you mind not eating out so much?

  -Actually, I would prefer not to eat out. I am sure that you are a good cook, Irene.

  -I am. And- and, I want to get off the street! I’m frightened! Where is everyone? And, why is it still so dark?

  Irene was the first of us to speak with fear. She gave words and emotion to a formless dread that as yet had no name or origin to which one could take flight from. There was a coldness in our bodies that had taken hold. It was an awful cold that would never leave us.

  And, then, in the sky, we saw something. Irene saw it first. It was at that time that I learned of her predilection toward the occult.

  The most beautiful moon hovered just above the horizon. It radiated light like a beacon generating its own illumination and not that of the reflected light of the sun. All about this orb was a circle of crystalline light. The sight of this phenomenon did not comfort us.

  -It’s beautiful, but it’s so different. It doesn’t look like our moon, but it must be. And, it looks like it’s much closer to the earth.

  -Yes. I quite agree with you, Irene. It looks as if someone-

  -God?

  -As if someone had placed a duplicate moon in the sky; but in the process, has attempted to improve upon the original.

  -That’s it, Howard! There’s no man in the moon and there should be one.

  -Perhaps, we are now looking at the other side of the moon: the side whose face is turned away from us? Perhaps, that is where the deceit lies?

  -Howard, if that’s true, that’s bad.

  -Why? Tell me why that is so bad.

  -You’re making fun of me; but I’ll tell you all the same. It means that the order is wrong with things and that the balance has shifted to the left pillar of Solomon’s temple...and that we’ve somehow been moved with it and that shouldn’t have happened. We should be in the center. We were in the center!

  -What in God’s name are you talking about? What has Solomon’s temple to do with any of this? Tell me what you are thinking or do you think so little of me?

  -I’ll just say it, Howard. I’m afraid of them.

  -Of whom? Jews? You make me laugh. Why are you afraid of them? And, don’t bother to look about for there is no one to overhear us.

  -I’ll feel better when we get home. And, someone might be listening. You never know. Let’s hurry.

  -Yes. Let us hurry for I am hungry. And, I want you to explain to me further about Solomon’s temple. I am ignorant when it comes to such things.

  The two of us walked in silence uptown. There was no activity anywhere. The streets were empty of traffic and the office buildings were dark and deserted. I could feel the strain upon Irene for it was not in her nature to be so silent. My new friend had a need to speak and to have her presence felt by others.

  We had turned too many corners to be able to see the moon that had so disturbed us. The tall buildings blocked our view. But, it was rising in the black sky, of this, I was certain. Its movement of relentless silence and the beauty of its pure, white color...and yet a sphere of death or, as we were to learn, far worse.

  As we entered Irene’s apartment building, she could have sworn that she had “glimpsed” the shadow of a young woman coming down the flight of stairs in her apartment building. I wanted to believe her because I was desperate for the sight of other people. Irene spoke more of this shadow as she prepared breakfast for me.

  -I distinctly saw the outline of a woman coming down the front staircase. Her shadow moved across the wall and descended slowly but with a young woman’s movements. And, there was something about the outline...it looked old-fashioned, like something out of another era, but not that far back. There was something beautiful and continental about this woman.

  -Is breakfast almost ready?

  -Yes.

  -She was European in appearance, you say? And, from what time period. This may prove important.

  -Oh, say 1940 or somewhere around there. It was the hairdo and the cut of the dress: a nice cut, the type that you don’t see around too much anymore.

  -And, all of this from a shadow? How did you discern so much detail? Are you imagining this or is there something else at work here that you are not sharing with me, Irene?

  -I’m intuitive, Howard, and- well, I’ll just come out and say it. I do have psychic abilities and they’re genuine and intense. That shadow I saw was trying to communicate with us, but for some reason, it couldn’t.

  -You don’t have to defend yourself with me. I was not accusing you of anything. Could I have some coffee, please?

  -Oh, sorry. I’ll pour you a cup. But, I’ll warn you that I make a strong cup of coffee.

  -Good. I like things to be strong and definite.

  Irene placed a French style cup and saucer before me. We were eating in a small dining area that was just off the kitchen.

  -Thank you. Now, you will tell me about your psychic abilities and of what you perceive is going on. Make a believer out of this simple, Catholic boy. Give me your impressions of our predicament. And, have some of your delicious coffee.

  -I’ll try.

  I leaned forward in my chair to speak.

  -Tell me what you need, Irene. Tell me all of your needs and concerns.

  -Oh, please eat, Howard. It’s your breakfast, really. It’s been a long time since I’ve fed a man.

  I thought that Irene was trying to avoid my questions. But, why? They were questions with a purpose to them. Perhaps, she was simply gathering her thoughts.

  -I’ll need to conduct a seance tonight. I’ll need the help of more people, though. Does that surprise you at all?

  -Of course not. You and your sister, Rose, will come to my bar tonight. I have also invited my Irishman friend, Sean. He will bring his friend, Melody, who steals documents for him.

  -She steals what?

  I paused to catch my breath and to avoid Irene’s question.

  -And, more people will come, I am sure. There will be more than enough people for a seance. Now, tell me: why is there a need for a seance? No! First, tell me of your feelings about today even though so common a word does not fit into our present reality.

  -And, neither do you, my handsome friend. You are what’s wrong with this day. Oh, this coffee is good!

  -Oh, and why am I so “wrong?”

  -I don’t know just yet. I don’t understand it, but everything is balanced in the wrong way.

  -Now, you’ve lost me. More coffee, please?

  -There’s a new, spiritual balance that isn’t in harmony with us yet...or just the opposite.

  -Is this balance evil?

  -It frightens me, but that doesn’t mean that it’s evil. It just means that I’m-

  The piece of toast that Irene held dropped from her hand. She turned from me and stared out the window. The moon was now visible from the living room window. It cast a pale,
white light on to a part of the carpeted floor. It was disconcerting, I must admit. The moon’s presence had invaded our haven.

  -Irene, pick up your toast and finish eating it. You will need your strength for the seance tonight. Assuming, of course, that we are alive by that time.

  Irene picked up the toast, spread some butter on it, and nibbled.

  -Cheerful thought, Howard. But, why at your bar? I don’t think a bar is an appropriate place for a seance. As a matter of fact, there may be a great deal of negativity stored there. Why can’t we have it here?

  -Not enough space for all the people that will come, and some interesting people.

  -So you’ve said. But, how do you know that they’ll show up or even know where to come? Assuming that they’ll want to come.

  -They will come for they have nothing better to do. Or, should I say that they have nothing left to do? You’re leaning forward to ask a question. Ask it.

  -Who are you, Howard? And, what exactly do you know?

  -I am Howard Winter. I know nothing of this. Look at the time. Look how quickly it goes by. Why is that? I noticed it before at the bar when I was talking with Sean.

  -I don’t- what was that? I hear someone. They’re coming up the stairs. Do you think it’s that woman who I saw before?

  -I doubt it. It’s probably your sister, Rose, coming home. You know, the older sister who you sent out to work. Don’t be too upset with her. She had little choice in the matter, I’m sure. Look. I am right. She places her key in the lock.

  The door opened and Rose walked in. She looked as if she were ready to collapse, which is what she did. She sat down with a prolonged sigh of relief on to the sofa and threw her pocketbook on the floor.

  -Rose, darling, what are you doing home? And, don’t tell me that they’ve given you time off, because I simply won’t believe it. And, don’t leave your bag on the floor like that.

  Rose stared at her sister in childlike defiance.

  -Well, dear sister, there was no one there to give anyone any time off. And, if you haven’t noticed, the whole damned city is deserted. I tried knocking on some of the apartment doors just now and no one was there.

  -Dear Rose, do speak slowly and coherently and try not to breathe so heavily. We do have a guest.

  -Well, pardon me for dropping dead! And, no one was in that damned company either except for the nine of us who were starting work today.

  -Irene, give your sister some coffee.

  Irene poured Rose a cup of coffee and handed it to her.

  -Black with no sugar, dear. Just how you like it. Don’t slurp.

  -Thanks. Well, at first, it didn’t seem like anything too bad was going on. When I got upstairs, a few of the others were already there just hanging around the water cooler talking and, then, a couple of other people showed up. And, we waited-

  -Yes, dear?

  -Good coffee, Irene. And, no one else showed up! It was so quiet. No phones ringing. Nothing going on...just a kind of humming in the air.

  -How long-

  -Let her continue, Irene.

  -We were standing around that damned water cooler and just waiting for no one knew what. Sean tried one of the phones and there wasn’t any dial tone. We all tried the phones and couldn’t get an outside line. It got kind of eerie, so me and Melody tried another couple of floors and everything was open but there were no people anywhere. We walked around and even went into a few of the offices and no one was there. It was so damned quiet except for that sort of sound that never stopped. It felt like everyone was dead! Me and Melody went back to the others and Sean told us about how weird things were outside: no people and a moon instead of a sun!

  -How did Sean know that?

  -Go on, Rose, you are doing splendidly.

  -Well, handsome, Sean told us about your little party tonight and we all agreed to meet there at your place at around eight o’clock. We couldn’t think of anything else to do except to go on home. We couldn’t get out of that place fast enough! You should have seen us all run for the elevator.

  Irene sat back in her chair and looked out the window. The moon had passed its zenith and was beginning its descent toward the horizon. The three of us looked at the descending orb. The air was still and there were no sounds, except for that almost imperceptible vibration. If I spoke, the sound would be gone. I did not speak.

  CHAPTER THREE

  THE SURVIVORS

  AFTER LEAVING IRENE’S place, I took a look at the staircase where the “shadow” had appeared. I couldn’t see anything, but I had the distinct impression of someone lurking about. This wasn’t a “shadow,” it was something real but unseen...hidden. I lingered on the steps for a few minutes touching the iron bannister. Nothing. I saw nothing. I moved on.

  I had a few calls to make before the party could begin at my bar. My first stop was to a Frenchwoman’s place. I had gotten her address from Sean’s files. She was one of the people with whom Sean was supposed to have started work with today.

  Impatience and fear propelled me forward faster and faster along the deserted sidewalks. I glanced up at the moon that was descending more rapidly than it had risen. Was it getting closer to the earth or was that my imagination playing a not so funny trick on me? Time was growing short as the shadows of buildings lengthened and reached out toward me. Shadows that were devoid of any light. Soon, darkness would close in.

  I reached Yvonne’s apartment building struggling for breath and, for a moment, stared upward. There were no lights on in any of the windows except for one. I walked into the building, crossed the lobby and hurried up the stairs. My heart was pounding in my chest as I pressed the door’s buzzer. I heard footsteps inside. I assumed that it was Yvonne. The thought of human company made her hurry. I was glad of that. A woman in her thirties opened the door. Her light, brown hair was shoulder length which added height to her petite figure.

  -Mon Dieu! Come in, please! I don’t know who you are and I don’t care.

  -I am Howard Winter. Perhaps, Sean has mentioned me to you? You started working with him today. You are to come to my bar this evening.

  -Howard, of course, I will be there. Sean did mention you. Now, please sit down and let me offer you a drink. I’ve already had one myself for all the good it did.

  -Whiskey, straight. And, then, I must go.

  -No! You must take me with you, Howard. I can’t bear to be alone! I will go quite insane. I don’t care where it is that you go, but rest assured that I will be with you.

  It would be amusing to have Yvonne along, but it wouldn’t do. I had to see a Mr. Max Dexter next and Yvonne would only slow me down. She handed me the shot glass.

  -Yvonne? Good whiskey. I can’t have you come with me, I’m afraid; but, I will see you a good deal of the way to my bar. You were the furthest in distance and I thought that I would work my way back toward the bar.

  -Give me a few moments and I’ll be ready. Don’t leave without me, I beg of you.

  The frenchwoman hurried back into her bedroom to change. I got up and helped myself to some more whiskey. I decided to drink it straight from the bottle rather than to dilute its flavor. Yvonne kept a nice apartment with all of the appropriate knickknacks and photographs displayed in the right places and at the most flattering angles. I saw that the kitchen was off to my right. I called out to her:

  -I think we should pack some food for tonight. Do you have a picnic basket?

  -Yes! It’s in the cabinet, Howard. Take it and stuff it with food and wine. Take whatever you want.

  -I will get the basket; but, you will pack the food. I trust more to your judgment than to mine. Are you almost ready?

  -Yes. I am hurrying.

  Yvonne walked out of her bedroom tying a black scarf about her neck. Her make-up had been freshly applied and she wore flats with a full cut skirt. She carried her purse in her right hand.

  -I will see to the food. My shawl, Howard; I left it on the bed. Would you please get it for me? The heat hasn’t come up all
morning. Such a ghastly chill in the air!

  Carrying the bottle of whiskey, I walked into the bedroom and scooped up the shawl. I laughed. I was getting an erection at the sight of a woman’s bed.

  -Yvonne, are you ready? It is time for us to go. I will walk with you most of the way and, then, you must continue on to the bar by yourself. Do you think you can manage it alone?

  -Yes.

  -You don’t sound so certain about that. Come on. Let’s be on our way.

  Yvonne walked in carrying the picnic basket which looked heavy. I took it from her and handed her the woolen shawl. I kept the bottle of whiskey in my other hand. No more words passed between us as we left her apartment. She locked up the place and drew her shawl about her shoulders. She slipped her arm through mine and we walked toward my bar. All the time, she stared up at the moon as though hypnotized by its brilliance. If she stared at it too long, would she be placed in a trance?

  -Yvonne? I wouldn’t stare at that moon if I were you. It might not be healthy.

  -You are right, Howard. Its light is almost blinding. It doesn’t even look like our moon.

  -Look. I must leave you here, my sweet, to continue on your own. Can you manage the basket by yourself? I’ll take it with me if you can’t.

  -I hadn’t thought of that. Is it much further, Howard?

  -Five blocks more in a straight direction and one block to your left.

  -I don’t think that I can manage it. Please, forgive me-

  Yvonne stopped speaking in mid-sentence. A movement in the near distance had caught her attention.

  -Mon Dieu! Becky is coming, and she will help me. I would have surely died walking by myself. I am not strong, and I admit it.

  A young girl ran up to us with her long, dark blue dress billowing about her legs. I was struck with the impression of a fifth grader. She was neither slim nor fat, but her pixie hairdo accentuated her chubby cheeks and even her manner of speaking had a school girl’s air to it.

  -Oh, Yvonne, I thought I’d just die if I stayed at home by myself. I just had to come out because I knew at least Howard- Oh, hi! I’m Becky. I knew that Howard would be at the bar, and I needed to have at least one drink even though I can’t hold my liquor, but at least there would be somebody there to talk to and I’m so glad that I ran into you two guys because I hate walking into a strange place by myself.