The Melthor

The Melthor

By P.N. Holland

Dark. Wind. Trees. Cool. Branches. Moving. Squeaking. Hurts ears. Empty. No food. Hungry. Need to eat. No food…Wait… Sleep…Sleep…

* * *

Dark. Howling. Moonlight. Noisy creatures. Running. Barking. Yellow eyes. Coming. Coming closer. Sniffing. Growling. Food? Gone. Alone…Waiting… Sleeping…

* * *

Light. Morning. Noisy, barking dogs. Young girl. Maybe she is the one. Barking hurts our ears. Wait until later. Must talk to the girl. Later…Later…

* * *

Malady’s eyes opened. The same grey walls, same grey furniture. Nothing magically changed over night. Too bad, but she didn’t really expect it. She rose, yawned, stretched and looked out the window. The sun separated the shadows into rippling columns as the grey drapes danced in the wind. The cool morning air assaulted her and she shivered as she pulled the grey blanket around herself and walked to the window. Her cold feet slid along the dark wood floor. She tore open the tattered curtains. Her clumsy mending made them look like chewed floss. The fresh, vibrant air filled her lungs. Her deep, green eyes took in the yellows, greens, blues and browns of the beautiful morning like a tonic. Her world was out there; the sky, the wood and the cabin. Throwing her blanket back on the bed she shouted out at the world, “Good! God! Damned! Morning!”

Of course, nobody heard her. Father left early for work in his office in the city, as usual. He never waited for her to wake up. Why do we live way out here on the fringe of sanity anyway? Malady stared out at the bright green and white. Why couldn’t we live where there were other kids, stores, movie theatres? Anything would be better than the loneliness she felt every day. But she knew why. This was Grandma and Grandpa’s place. They were gone and it was where Father chose to live. So, this is where they lived. Father said they couldn’t afford to live in the city. But Malady thought it had more to do with the fact that this was his childhood home. Why did he care? He was never around long enough to take care of it anyway. The shutters rattled, the doors were falling off and the gate was always broken. But, for some reason, he wouldn’t leave.

Bright. Morning. Hot sun. The noisy dogs are there. Running and barking. The girl is there too. But it’s not the time…Must back away… Back away…Back to the cave… Sleep…

Mom would have made them stay in the city like the rest of the human race. But mom had left, left them to fend for themselves. Malady froze in her thoughts as she remembered that day. Tears formed in her eyes and the morning colors blurred. Why did mom have to leave? The accident wasn’t her fault; that other driver was drunk. Father never forgave her. That was six years ago now. She had cried all the tears she was going to cry.

She wiped her eyes, slammed the window sill with her hands and gazed at the backyard. “Argh!” she screamed.

Her eyes cleared and she slowly scanned the backyard. The wrongness below clamoured for her attention. Something about the yard nagged at her, something she almost missed, lost in her self pity. The swing was swaying as usual, the merry-go-round squeaked its daily complaint, the tree branches fingered the sky as always, but something was amiss. The yard was empty and the back gate hung open, squealing in the breeze. There was no barking. Where were Ripper, her pit bull and Slasher, her Doberman?

“Some idiot left it open!” She slammed the window shut. But who? She was the only one here and her only playmates were the dogs and her broken toys. Her twelve-year-old brain conjured up ideas. Did the wind blow it open? Had the dogs pushed it open? That had never happened before. One of the neighbours? She laughed to herself at that one. “What neighbours?” We don’t have any.

“I know,” she said, “the ghost of Marney Marsh did it.” Maybe the latch was broken like everything else that father hadn’t fixed; just like he couldn’t fix their lives.

You’re not alone, little one and it wasn’t a ghost.

She shuddered. “Who said that?” she spoke to the wind.

I am waiting for you. Come to the cabin.

“Did you open the gate and let my dogs out?”

No more words came. She focused on the missing dogs. Did someone else open the gate? Is it waiting in her playhouse? Her father told her that there were strange things in the marsh, evil things she needed to avoid. She shook her head. He said that just to keep her in the yard. Fat chance. She already went there. There were some neat things to explore too; caves, a pond and an old log house with broken furniture. The old cabin was her playhouse. She had imaginary parties there with her dolls almost every afternoon. Most twelve-year olds didn’t play with dolls anymore but, there was no one else to play with all summer. None of her school friends lived close and nobody came to visit. Their parents wouldn’t let them with no supervision.

“Thanks, dad!” she yelled. Her thoughts went to a few summers ago. Grandma and Grandpa were alive then. It was her last birthday party; balloons, games, cake and mom had arranged it all. Father wasn’t there because he had to work as usual. It was all his fault. More tears slowly formed and rolled down her cheeks. She saw her mother’s smiling face, her dark, shiny hair, blue eyes. Malady choked and sniffled. She remembered the warm arms around her; the kind words, the smell of her perfume. It all came back in a hot rush; the phone call, father’s ashen face, his shaky voice; the ride in the car, the silence, rain hammering on the windows, the wipers ceaseless throbbing like the noise inside her head.

She recalled the hospital room, her mother’s bandaged face and her broken body. Mother got better but was never the same after that. The doctor said that she had brain damage and her grandparents were dead at the scene. Some drunken jerk had run a red light, slamming them broadside. They didn’t have a chance. If father had been home he could have driven them to the airport instead. Maybe this wouldn’t have happened.

Mother and Father fought constantly after that about everything. It was as if they had both become different people. Her mother spent all afternoon looking out of the kitchen window and father spent all day at work. Malady learned to take care of herself, but she missed the hugs and ‘good night’ kisses. When she approached them about it, neither one would talk and she was left to find her own answers. She remembered crying herself to sleep every night. It wasn’t long before her mother left and the loneliness set in. Tears welled up in her eyes again.

“It’s not fair!” she screamed at the sky. It didn’t answer. But something did; a quiet voice inside her head. You are so angry, little one. Why are you screaming? “Who are you? Where are you?”

I am one of your monsters. Waiting for you.

“What! Where are you?”

In the wood waiting for you.

“Where in the wood?” Malady looked over the yard to the tall trees in the small wood and the marsh beyond but she could see nothing. She waited, holding her breath, but the voice didn’t answer.

Malady shuddered as she thought about this monster. What was it doing in the wood; her wood? Why was it there? What did it look like? Why was it waiting for her? Even a monster would be better than nobody to talk to. She looked out at the yard again but all was still.

Malady turned to the old, cracked mirror over her broken dresser. She laughed at the double image reflecting back at her. Two scraggly, brown haired girls with green eyes looked back.

“What’s your problem?” Malady sneered at her selves. She pulled her hair up and stuck her tongue out at the doppelgangers in the glass. “Don’t you like your life? Get it together, girls. Life is what you make it and today is going to be a good day. You hear me, a good day.” The girls in the mirror said nothing, they just stared back. Malady pirouetted on her heel and moved to her closet. The door hung by a single hinge. She reached in and tore a yellow sundress from a hanger. It was her favourite summer dress. Father said that it made her look like a ray of sunshine. “How sweet, dear old daddy,” she whispered. She threw the dress on her bed and stripped her nightie from her shoulders. The cool air caused her to shiver as she looked at herself in the mirror. “Oh, you’re getting pretty, girl.” The two Maladys didn’t answer.

Barks and snarls drew her attention back to the yard. She dashed to the window. Ripper and Slasher fought over a grey lump that they tore to pieces as they struggled.

“Ripper! Slasher! Stop it! What have you got, you bad boys? Stop it now!” The dogs froze, snarling at each other through mouths full of grey fur, then looked up to the window. They dropped their prize and galloped into the house.

Paws thudded up the stairs and claws scratched on the wooden floor as the dogs raced through the house. The back door must have blown open again. Father hadn’t fixed that either. She pulled her sundress on and opened the creaking bedroom door. The dogs burst into the room, tails wagging, tongues flopping, saliva and red slime spewing on the floor. They wiped their drool on her yellow dress, sharing it with her.

“Yuck. You naughty boys, what have you been up to? Sit.” She patted their heads and the two large canines sat on their haunches and licked their paws. Their black, wet coats shone and their tongues wagged. They shook their coats and the smells of wet dog mixed with marsh muck assaulted her nostrils.

“You smell boys. Where were you? What were you chewing on? Let’s go see.” She patted their backs as she headed for the hallway and the stairs…

* * *

A bright, warm morning. The light hurts my eyes. Ahh, trees; the shade is cooler. I must stay in the shadows… Noisy, barking, beasts, and the child. Yes, she is special. She reads my thoughts as I do hers. She could be the one I seek. Noisy beasts. I must wait until the child is alone. …Must wait…

“You nasty boys, you’ve torn it apart. I can’t even tell what it was…a squirrel…a rabbit? Did you eat the rest of it? Well, I guess it is a better breakfast than dogfood, eh?” She rubbed their heads and laughed. “We’d better close the gate before you take off again.” As she clicked the latch she looked out into the wood and her thoughts focused on the strange voice in her head. Maybe there really is a monster in the marsh. “Is there a monster, boys?” She rubbed their heads as she gazed at the mist in the trees. “Where are you, monster? Why are you waiting for me?” She scratched her head and looked back at the dogs who were sniffing at the remains of their breakfast.

Back at the house she reached for the broken door. “You know what boys, I’m going to fix this stupid door myself. Father never gets around to doing it and the house is falling apart. Let’s go get a hammer and some nails or something. That metal thingy on the doorframe has fallen off.” She reached down and picked up the doorplate that fit into the frame where the latch slid in. There were bits of wood and two bent screws lying beside it. “No wonder it doesn’t work. Let’s go get some tools from the basement.”

Malady walked to the basement door half way down the hall, the dogs close behind. She opened the door and reached for the light switch, but it didn’t work. “Rats, the bulb is burnt out. Father, you could at least put a new bulb in; it’s not rocket science.” She groaned in frustration as she descended into the cold, dark basement…

* * *

Dark. Cool. Stars are out. It’s windy, squeaking. It is night again. I am still hungry. I must find food. The beasts are barking, hurting my ears. The gate is closed. Good. Where is the child? Yellow eyes. Snarling. Stupid beasts. Maybe the child will come and we can talk. I must see if she is the one. She is old enough to make the journey, but is she ready?... A rabbit comes. A tasty morsel. I must get back to the cave. Must wait for the girl…I am still tired…must go back and sleep…

* * *

“Maddy. I have to go back to the office this morning. Something’s come up. I’ll be back this afternoon if all goes well.”

Malady rolled over in her bed, tossed her blanket off and looked at the door. “But dad, it’s Sunday. You said we would have the whole day together for once.”

Her father slowly opened the door. His clean-shaven features, well greased black hair, dark suit, and tie were better suited for a funeral. He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Sorry, honey, but I have to meet with a new client. I have to go in.”

“But dad, you promised,” Malady swung her legs out of bed and pouted. “You’re not being fair.”

“I know, honey. I’ll make it up to you,” he said, his hands open. “ When I come home I’ll take you shopping, okay?”

“Dad, we need to talk. I’m lonely. There’s no one to play with. Why can’t I go to Angela’s house? You could drive me over there on your way to work.”

“Sorry, Maddy, but I don’t have time this morning. I have to pick this guy up from the airport on my way in. I’ll take you over there tomorrow, okay?”

“No, it’s not okay! Why can’t you ever do anything I want?” Malady pulled her hair and yelled. “I hate this! I want mom!”

“Your mother doesn’t want us anymore, Maddy. I’m so sorry.” Her father walked over to her and hugged her slumped figure. Malady was crying now. “If I could change what happened, I would.”

Malady pushed her father away. “You never did anything to stop her, dad! You don’t care! Get out of here! Go to your stupid job. I don’t care anymore either.” She ran out of the room to the bathroom and slammed the door shut. “I hate you!”

Her father’s footsteps softly padded on the wood floor of the hall and down the stairs.

“Sometimes I wish you would lose that stupid job,” she said but, he wasn’t listening now. She heard the front door and realized, as always it was no use arguing. He did what he wanted to do. She came second, as usual.

The old station wagon started up and the tires sprayed gravel as he left the yard. She left the bathroom, raced downstairs to the front door, threw it open and yelled. “Thanks for nothing, dad!” The car was down the road and out of earshot. She stepped out onto the porch and pounded the rail. “I hate this place! I hate you, dad!” Only the birds answered her. She sobbed into the wind, her hands over her eyes. A sound slowly filtered through her self-pity. It was barking in the distance.

“Ripper! Slasher! Where are you? Come home, boys.” She ran around to the backyard, her nightgown billowing in the breeze. The gate was open again.

They’re with me, little one. We’re waiting for you.

“Don’t you hurt them, you nasty beast!”

You’d better hurry. I don’t like their barking; noisy, nasty beasts. If they come too close, I may have to hurt them...

“No, I’m coming. I’m coming. Don’t hurt them.” Malady dashed back to her room, threw some clothes on and tore down the stairs and into the backyard. She covered her eyes from the bright sunlight and peered into the wood, but until her eyes adjusted could see nothing but shadows. The barking increased. She pounded along the path, blackberry brambles scratching her arms and legs, the cool breeze blowing her hair from her face. She barely noticed the mist rising off the water at the edge of the swamp, except that it blocked her view of the log walls of her playhouse on the other side of the water.

She couldn’t see inside but heard the barking and snarling closer than ever. She stopped and called again. Her beasts plunged from the entrance towards her. They barked and yelped as they jumped around her.

“What is it, boys? What’s got you so excited?” Malady reached for their fur and held them to calm them down. She felt blood on Ripper’s coat. “What did this to you, boy? What is in there?” Ripper just wagged his tail and whimpered back at her.

The voice intruded into her head again. Foul beasts. They attacked me. Begone. I need food. Child, do you understand?

Malady stood still and looked at the cabin. “I can hear you. Are you in my cabin? Where are you hiding? Come out where I can see you.”

Come in and you will find me, little one.

“Let’s go see. Show me. Show me.” She waved the dogs forward and followed them as they whined and raced back to the cabin.

Whining. Sniffing. Beasts. Begone. Small human child. Sweet young girl, I need Food. Get rid of the beasts first. Please, bring some food…

“Whatever you are I can hear your thoughts. Come out and show yourself.”

The dogs howled once and whimpered as they circled a dark space at the back of the cabin. “What is there? Is there something in the hole?” Malady peered into the small black space. The tunnel led right into the hill behind the old structure. Moss and ferns crept into the cabin as the marsh reclaimed it. They obscured the opening and Malady hadn’t noticed the tunnel before. The dogs must have opened the space. With a shudder, she remembered the stories her father told her about trolls, ogres and other monsters living in the woods. She thought they were just fairy tales meant to keep her out of trouble, but now she wasn’t so sure.

“Should we look? Do you want to see what’s in there?” The little girl reached into the entrance of the black mouth and tore the ferns and moss away. The cool air inside was soothing somehow, like a cool shower after a hot day.

“Let’s go then. Ripper, Slasher, come you two.” But the beasts were not so sure about going into the dark. They whined and pawed at the dirt floor, circling the gaping entrance.

“What is it? What do you smell, eh? Is there something scary in there? Is it a monster? Or are you two just a couple of big fraidy cats?” Malady rubbed their backs and sent them towards the cave. The musky, dank smell of the hole kept her from entering on her own.

Whining, sniffling beasts. Yellow eyes, wet smell. Send the beasts away. Come in child, pleasant smell, human smell. I am here waiting for you. But I need fresh food, too. Come closer…closer…

“Well, I’m not food. I’m a girl. Go find it, Ripper. Slasher, you too. Go on ahead now. Sniff it out.” Malady was scared but she had the dogs to protect her. They crept forward, whining all the way. She followed a little way before she heard the barking and growling. The putrid smell was awful, like something had died.

Yellow eyes. Wet beasts, breathing hard. Barking…barking. Hurts our ears… Hurts us… Stop barking you stupid beasts…Oh, the pain…Coming closer…Must get away… Take the animals away. Must go back…Go back…Cornered…

Slashing…Growling…Barking…

Malady feared for her pets.

“Ripper! Slasher! Come back! Come back!” Her eyes had adjusted to the dark and she could now see the dogs and the other thing. It was big and hairy with sharp, slashing claws and a grotesque mouth filled with sharp teeth. Its eyes were red and the smell! It was like a sewer.

“Come, boys! Leave it alone! Come on out!” She could clearly see that they had cornered the beast which stood over them howling and swinging its sharp claws. The dogs stayed just out of striking distance barking and snarling. When they heard their mistresses’ voice, they backed towards her and the monster stopped attacking and howling.

“What are you?” Malady asked as she restrained the dogs. “Are you an ogre, a troll, a werewolf?”

Soft face, soft voice. The beasts are quiet. Ears do not hurt. Thank you.

“You hear me, don’t you? The dogs are just afraid of you. They will listen to me. They won’t harm you.”

Thank you little one. Yes, I can hear your gentle voice. Your thoughts are clear.

“What are you? Where did you come from? Do you understand?”

Yes, we understand, we are Melthors.

“Melthors? What is that?” Malady noticed streaks of blood on the creature’s arms and legs.

We are very old. We travel the passages between time. We are hungry. We must eat to survive.

“Yes, well I can get you food. Wait here.” Malady held back Ripper and Slasher as they snarled at the hairy intruder.

I will wait. The Melthor eyed the dogs carefully as Malady led them out of the cave. I will wait.

The girl and the dogs ran back to the house. “I know just the thing for that creature.” Malady said more to herself than her companions. “It obviously eats meat so I will get some.” She ran into the kitchen with the beasts at her heels. Opening the freezer, she rummaged around taking out frozen packages, loaves of bread and various brown wrapped sections of meat. Her father went to the butcher and bought whole sides of beef that lasted them several months. Malady read the labels. “Roast. No. Ribs. No. Steaks. Yes. These will be perfect for our smelly friend.” The dogs jumped up at her. “No, boys. These are not for you.” She held up the two packages of steaks and stepped over to the microwave. “I guess I had better thaw them out first.” Stuffing the brown lumps into the nuker, as her dad called it, she set the timer for ten minutes on defrost. “That should do it.”

On the way back to the cave Malady could hear the creature’s thoughts.

Hunger…Must eat…Human…Dogs…Food…Hurry little one…

She carried the package of meat which was dripping blood. “We’re coming. I have food for you.” It was all she could do to keep the dogs from grabbing the meat from her hands as they bounded around her. “No. Now stop it. This is not for you.” At the cave she ordered the dogs to stay put and stepped in. They barked but didn’t follow. The creature could smell the meat and began growling and sniffing at the air. Malady stopped just steps before the Melthor and held the meat out in front of her.

“See. Here it is.” She tossed the package towards the creature, the paper falling off as it flew. Before the meat could hit the ground, the Melthor stabbed it in his claws. In a few quick gulps the food was down his throat. The dogs whined and Malady watched, amazed by his hunger. The satiated beast growled his pleasure and smacked his lips with his long tongue.

Thank you, little one. You have shown your friendship. I am very grateful and will not eat you or your dogs. He chuckled.

“I…I’m glad you liked it,” she hesitated. “Can you tell me where you come from?”

We Melthors do not belong anywhere. We travel between the times. We were here before humans. Originally, we began in the netherness. This is a place where spirits dwell before they appear as a being on a world such as yours.

“You’re a person like me? A smelly beast like you?” Malady slapped her hand over her mouth, eyes wide. “I mean ─ how can you be a person? I probably shouldn’t have said you smelled ─ I know that was rude.” She paused. “But you do smell very bad.”

You are young, little one. You have much to learn about spirits and the beings they are. I could teach you all about true existence. You would discover all of the creatures in the universe and understand how you belong. There is little time now as the wave shift is coming.

“What do you mean, wave shift?”

Every year or so a new wave shift occurs when beings can travel between their existences. I am Valondor on Belthesus, Xanthees on Necromansus and Wadderes on Magnavaloria. If you follow, you will be able to travel as well.

“Can I be different beings on different worlds too?” Malady’s eyes were two round saucers as she thought about what the Melthor was telling her.

Yes, you can choose to shift but if you do not know where you are going you could get into trouble. Some worlds such as yours do not accept travellers so easily. There is much prejudice still, especially on young worlds like yours. I could teach you.

The air in the cave went very cold and a wind came from nowhere. Malady steadied herself against the wall of the dark hole and the dogs whined and huddled close to her. She wondered if her father would miss her if she went with the Melthor.

You must leave the cave before it is too late. You are not ready to travel yet…

“Will I ever see you again?” Malady looked back to the Melthor as she knelt and held onto Ripper and Slasher.

Maybe… Grow wisely, little one and accept all life…Leave the cave now!

Malady watched the black swirl of wind surround the creature. “Quick! Ripper! Slasher! We have to leave now!” She tugged the dogs away from the vortex forming behind them and ran out of the cabin. Safely away, she looked back at the hillside and the log house. They slipped in and out of her vision as the wind tunnel surrounded it. The air wavered and blew like a sudden tornado. After several seconds, it all stopped and the cabin stood silent behind her.

* * *

Malady returned to the little cabin again and again but each time the cave was empty. There was no sign of the Melthor. She played with her dolls, sharing imaginary tea and biscuits and talk about boys. She even took one of her stuffed animals and pretended it was the Melthor. She asked it many questions about the universe and the worlds there but got no answers that satisfied her.

Father worked as much as ever, he was hardly ever home, and by Christmas, Malady gave up hoping he would remember his summer promise to spend time with her. Most of their conversations were over the phone. She had friends at school, but nobody visited her – their parents wouldn’t let them and none were brave enough to come on the sly. She did her homework, repaired the things she could, and talked to her dogs. When the snow was too deep to walk to the cabin, Malady read stories about other worlds and time travel, visiting strange planets and doing great deeds.

Once, her mother phoned, but it was from a city on the other side of the country.

“Oh, hello dear; is your father there?”

“Mother? Where are you?” Malady’s heart pounded in her chest.

“Across the country, dear. I just need your father’s work number.”

“Mom, I need to talk to you. Daddy doesn’t even listen to me and…”

“I’m sorry dear, but I’m in a bit of a hurry. Could you please just give me the number? I’ll call back later and we can talk then, okay?”

“No, it’s not okay. Mom, why did you leave?”

“I…I couldn’t live with your father anymore.”

“But what about me? I’m all alone now. You left me too!”

“I...I know dear, but after the accident, I…I changed. There was a long pause on the other end. “I didn’t belong anymore…I couldn’t deal with it─”

“And you think I am dealing with it!” Malady screamed through her tears.

“I…I’m so sorry, Malady. I didn’t mean for it to end up like this, but…but your father changed to.”

“No thanks to you! You could’ve stayed and tried to help instead of running away.” There was another pause before her mother answered.

“If I could make it better, I would honey, but I can’t. I’m sorry, honey but I really need the number right now, okay? I will make it up to you, I promise.”

“Whatever, mom.” Malady’s hand shook as she put the receiver down. She searched for her father’s work number on a chart tacked to the fridge. Tears welled up in her eyes. She brushed them away and picked up the phone. “The number is 555 – 346 – 2897.” Malady sniffled. “Why do you need to talk to him?”

“Oh, its just some details about the divorce, honey ─ nothing for you to worry about.”

“But, mom─”

“Sorry dear, I’ve got to go now. Thank you.”

The phone clicked and Malady heard the drone of the dial tone. She slammed the receiver down.

“It’s not fair!” she screamed. She looked at the display hoping that a number would be there. No Number was all it read. Malady threw the phone across the room, ran out of the house and down the path that led to the cabin.

* * *

It had been a year since the Melthor’s visit. Malady waded through the tall grass of the field, the hot summer sun on her face, the air still except for a pair of jays, teasing each other from the willow’s hanging branches. The cabin sat quiet and peaceful. A soft mist rose up the hill behind it. She slipped into the cool air inside. All was still. Her dolls sat on their stools, eyes staring straight ahead. The cave yawned in front of her. She looked into the hole. No sound. No light. No sign of life. All that remained was a slight hint of the horrid smell of the Melthor she had encountered before. She wondered if this was a good idea. The dogs certainly didn’t think so. They had not followed her.

Maybe she could travel to other places. Maybe she could find a place where her life would be less lonely. Malady bent down and entered the cave…

Welcome back, little one…