The Necromancer

The day was like any other day. A chill in the fall air. The Sun shining through the clouds as if optimistically providing a metaphorical glimmer of hope for the future. The future is something that Jack Martin has been thinking about a lot. How can he forget the past enough to live in the moment, so that he can forge a new future. Not one that hinges on his self inflicted condemnation from his past memories. The haunting presence of a chain around the neck and the vivid memories of realizing you are not who you claim to be. An imposter. A mockery of morality in plain sight but no one is the wiser.

Jack finds a booth in a tiny diner. A place where loners can sit safe from public ridicule as an un-partnered anti social, or so people like to believe. Jack leans into this narrative, scrunched over leafing through a little black book, learing over his shoulder sporadically as if death was lurking nearby.

"Can I get you a fill up, sir" says a blundering waiter with tape holding his glasses together and a smile that feign's confidence, when in reality he is intimidated by the unwelcoming demeaner of his customer Jack, who appears to be volatile and clearly agitated.

"If i need you, I will ring the bell" says Jack with a gravelly voice and stern tone. When he is finished speaking, a cold chill passes through the diner. The curtains sway with the wind and the waiter reluctantly asks, "what bell?".

Just then a bell appears on the table out of thin air. It startles the waiter as he removes his glasses and attempts to wipes his eyes back into reality, as his mind formulates a logical reason for what has just occured.

"I guess it's been a long night for both of us" the waiter squeaks out. Obviously off put by the exchange, he still manages to be cordial. "My name is Owen, just give me a shout, if you need me".

As Owen tries to walk away, Jack abruptly grabs him by the arm, stopping Owen in his tracks and with a slight screech, Owen says, "Sir, You are hurting me".

Jack releases his grip and Owen scurries away to the kitchen out of sight.

"Do you mind taking over table Number #2" Owen says to Sammy, a teenage boy working his first night at the diner.

"Ok, but I am not really sure what to do" he says as pride fills his face in anticipation of being thrust into action his first day. Sammy makes his way out from the back of the kitchen and sees that the man is no longer at table 2.

Just the little black book remains.

"Um, I think your guy just left without paying his bill" Sammy says.

Owen quickly goes over to table #2 and grabs the book. The bell also remained and he notices the inscription on the bell, "1850-1889 Jack Martin"

As Owen opens the book the bell rings, startling Owen. He is the lone person left in the diner other than Sammy who is working in the kitchen cleaning up in preparation of closing time.

Owen knocks the bell of the table and puts the book into his pocket. He yells to Sammy that he is leaving and gives instructions on how to lock up.

"No problem" Sammy Yells from the kitchen. "Even though it is my first day"

Owen grabs his coat and leaves the diner. Walking very shifty and not very coordinated as the streets are eerily barren with no one to be seen. Nothing but a crisp breeze briskly flowing through the air.

He approaches a cemetery and Owen suddenly gets a chill up his spine and goosebumps begin to form on his skin.

"Did you find my book" says Jack as it stops Owen dead in his tracks. He is frozen with fear and too scared to turn around. The Sunlight is now non existent and darkness falls and clouds fill the sky and the whistling wind unconcerned.

Owen is too afraid to move but realizes he has heard that voice before.

"Sir, It's ok you didn't pay your bill and I have your book right here" as he slowly and cautiously begins motioning to his pocket.

"This Book" says Jack holding the book up in the air.

Owen turns around and sees Jack holding the book and realizes Jack is standing in front of a tombstone that reads, "1850-1889 Jack Martin".

Owen remembers the bell and then quickly reaches for the book, he was so positive he retrieved from the diner table and discovers that it is not there. A look of disbelief and horror settles into the aged wrinkle lines of his face and his skin goes pale.

Was he losing it? Did he really grab the book. Thoughts race through his mind like a dam exploded and the flooding water erupts uncontrollably.

"Jack is the name" Jack says as he opens the book and writes something down before tossing it on the ground. Owen still frozen in fear catches a glimpse of something moving in the shadows and his attention is taken off of Jack and the book.

When Owen finally looks back, Jack Lunges at Owen and grabs him. Owen screams for help. Jack aggressively drags Owen into the grave. Owen screams and tries as hard as his might allows to fight the impending doom as he is gobbled up by the dirt and everything fades to darkness and goes quite.

Out of the shadows appears Sammy, and he picks up the little black book. He looks inside and he sees 12 numbers, "#3 #7 #11, #15, #33, #36 #44 #45 #48 #57 #65 #72". He closes the book and puts it in his jacket pocket.

"Back to the grave you go. Your desire for souls feeds my desire to live, I present this sacrifice that I might know the future and have eternal life"

"I am the Necromancer. I control the dead. Feed me and I will forever feed you souls"

Sammy finishes his chant and he walks away laughing with a devilish maniacal tone.

The next day a celebration at the diner after Sammy wins $20,000.00 Cash Prize and is being congratulated & being interviewed on local television with the winning numbers for the Town lottery revealed on the TV Screen on in the back ground, "#3 #7 #11, #15, #33, #36 #44 #45 #48 #57 #65 #72".

The day dies down and the town is back to it's quite time at home with their families ready for rest with hope for a great tomorrow.

As the darkness falls the crisp air picks up and strikes the grave bell over Jack Martin's Grave and the bell rings.