Reaper

Hospitality

David had the mind of a sceptic and had never believed in angels or demons. To him, the concept of God and the Devil were people’s attempt to personify the abstract concepts of good and evil. He wasn’t exactly a religious man, but the situation he found himself in made him question his own beliefs.

“I can tell that you still don’t trust me. Of course, you don’t have any reason to. Perhaps this might help.” The old man produced a sheet containing a medical report.

David plucked it from his hands and began reading the document. Gradually his expression changed and sweat began to drip down his furrowed forehead. The paper he was reading was the police post mortem report. His name, designation, physical features and injuries were all listed in great detail. The cause of death was mentioned as: ‘Mauled by a canine, most probably a dog or a wolf.’ His fingers trembled as he read the word, ‘deceased’ over and over again. The old man hadn’t been lying, David had been pronounced dead 2 days ago.

“I hope you are satisfied now, Mr. David. It is time for us to depart.” The stranger casually flicked his wrists in the direction of the back door and it was immediately flung open to the pelting rain which showered the marble floor and wet his black leather boots. “Come now, we must be off before the end of the night.”

“Where will we go? I am a dead man,” David cried as he looked up at the old man.

“You needn’t worry yourself about that.” The mysterious figure brought his fingers to his lips and whistled aloud.

A black Cadillac pulled up outside the gate. David could tell from one look that it was an Eldorado Brougham, one of the rarest and most sought after Cadillac variants in the world. Not even the wealthiest businessmen could afford it because they had stopped producing that limited model over 50 years ago. It was the very image of post-war opulence and the man who could afford such a ride was bound to have a considerable social standing.

“I admit it’s a rather old model, but it exudes an air of refined elegance. Quite the perfect match for an old man like me.” Ryder straightened out his coat and made his way towards the door. When he was about to cross the threshold, he called out once more, “Come, Mr. David. Death waits for no man.”

Wrapping the shredded gown tightly around his shivering frame, David followed the stranger with unsteady steps. Though he knew very little about Ryder, he had no other choice but to go with him. After all, he was dead to the whole world. Even now his curious mind was rife with questions and he thought exactly like a cop. He needed to get to the bottom of this mystery. Presently, however, he bottled his queries and climbed into the vehicle.

Ryder took his seat beside the chauffeur, who was dressed in a navy blue suit and tie. “Let’s go, old friend. Our guest needs a place to rest.”

The wheels of the Cadillac rolled over a puddle of water as the rain varnished the car’s roof with its icy spray. With the windows rolled up, the neon lights in the distance looked like hazy hallucinations of a half-crazed mind as the car glided through the darkness. Driving through the nearly empty streets, the car turned softly at Glendale Avenue and trailed off towards an older part of the city. The tall skyscrapers were gradually replaced by 2-storey buildings made of stone and bricks. The Cadillac finally came to a halt at the blind end of a narrow lane in front of a Georgian house.

“Welcome to my humble abode,” Ryder announced, stepping out of the car. The rain had stopped by now and even the wind had died away.

David opened the back door and climbed down. The whole street was shrouded in darkness except for the house in which Ryder lived. Four white lamps hung from an iron pole, like drooping daffodils. That was the only source of light which stood like an ancient usher outside the gate. Ryder’s house was an old-style Georgian home with a symmetrical façade and double hung sash windows. A brown paneled door with gray pilasters stood right in the center.

Ryder walked up to the door and rapped the iron knocker which was shaped like the wings of a bird. David stood quietly behind him, shivering in the cold October air. They didn’t have to wait too long. The door was soon answered by an old woman with gray hair and wrinkled bony hands. Her sad pale face was a crisscross of wrinkles and scars. She held out a lantern and welcomed them inside. “The power has been out for quite some time, master. I would have lit the candles if I had known you were coming.”

“Oh, I don’t really mind the darkness. But our guest here might feel a bit lost,” Ryder replied, gesturing David to come inside.

As he entered through the door, the wrinkled old lady held up the lantern directly to his face. “A fine young man. He looks quite like you, in your younger days, master.” She grabbed his wrist and pulled him towards her. “Come in, young master. You will be staying here for quite some time, sir.”

“Marianne, it is rather rude to behave like that with a guest. Where are your manners?” Ryder intervened. “You are making Mr. David very uncomfortable.”

“I am terribly sorry. It’s just that we haven’t had guests in such a long time. Forgive me, Master David,” she said, releasing her grip and making a half bow.

Ryder instructed his maid to bring David fresh clothes and dismissed her. He then turned to David and welcomed him with warm cordiality. “You are welcome to stay here till you are ready. The first room up the stairs is yours and the second one is mine. Get some sleep, it’s going to be a long day ahead.”

David felt apprehensive about this house and its residents. It almost felt like he had willingly walked into a trap. He had watched enough horror movies to know where this was probably going. But what choice did he have?

“I know you have your questions and this looks like an inhospitable home meant to snare innocent souls, but looks can often be deceptive, Mr. David. I promise you that no harm shall come to you while you are inside my house. Just be sure to knock before barging into my room and we shall get along famously!” Ryder said, placing his arm around David’s shoulder.

“Let me guess, you don’t want me to discover your secrets and if I find out too much, I will probably be disposed off immediately.”

“My, you really do have a wild imagination. I personally always believed it was rude to barge into someone’s room without knocking first. Look here, I am not a monster and neither are my servants. They just haven’t had any company in a long time. And besides, you have already overcome your fear of death. We shall speak further in the morning. Please, rest your thoughts for now. It would do you good.”

As David began climbing the stairs, the electricity returned and lit up the interior in bright white light. He finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The house had an aristocratic charm about it. Every piece of furniture was made of mahogany with intricate designs carved into the wood. The maple wood flooring was well maintained with not a single c***k in sight. Every corner of the hall was clean. Not a single speck of dust or cobweb was in sight. Most people in Brooklyn lived in apartments and those who could afford it, chose to buy a penthouse or a villa. Ryder seemed like a time traveler who was busy collecting the finest treasures from every age. His attire didn’t match his car and they were both years apart from the house. Everything about the man was steeped in mystery.

Walking down the stairs, David unlocked the first door and found himself in a small bedroom with a single bed and a table with a lamp on it. The bed hadn’t been slept in and the sheets were spotless white. Surprisingly enough, there was an oil painting of modern day New York hanging from the right wall. The only other piece of furniture was an antique oak cabinet with 3 rungs of drawers, sitting beside the only window in the room.

As he was about to get in bed, the old maid arrived with his clothes and a blanket. Having handed them over to David, she smiled through her gapped teeth and whispered, “Goodnight, young master. Don’t open the window at night and try to sleep with one eye open.”