encoded notions

Roy

Julie stood, her face still red with tears, and composed herself. She turned to Harold and they exchanged an unspoken moment of understanding. Harold nodded and Julie approached him slowly.

She selected a steak knife from the table and tested it for sharpness.

She closed her eyes and thought carefully about what she was about to do.

Harold squeezed out another tear of sadness for Gloria.

Julie raised the knife and brought it down swiftly; it was over in a flash. Harold was free, his bonds cut. He stretched and tried to revive the circulation in his limbs. Bending over, he picked up the fatal screwdriver and rolled it around in his hands, letting the situation wash over him again.

“This was meant for you.”

“I figured as much,” Julie remarked.

Harold looked up at the ceiling, “It never should have gone this far. This job would drive any man insane, without the appropriate diversions. You were just one of many over the centuries. Weaker subjects never figure it out, and if they do, they don’t care enough to pay me a visit; you’re the first I’ve ever met face-to-face.

“But you were the one who dropped the card that led me to this address.”

“That’s irrelevant; you made the decision to pursue it.”

Julie thought about this.

“Everything that happened here today, from me ending up in the basement, to Bob being scarred for life (Scarred for life by Death: how ironic.), the kids destroying my home, and Gloria’s passing—all of the responsibility falls squarely on my shoulders.”

“I can’t accept that,” Julie threw at him.

“I’m sorry, but had I not chosen you to be my source of entertainment, none of this would have happened.”

Neither spoke for a few moments. The silence was meaningful.

Julie was the one to speak next, “So what do we do now?”

“You’re free to go. I lift my hands from your life. I will meddle no more in your affairs.” She felt a sudden absence deep in her subconscious. She hadn’t felt like this since she was a child. A smile escaped through her saddened exterior.

“Thank you,” she said, meaning every syllable of it.

“I need some time to mourn in solitude. I think it is best that we now part ways.”

Julie looked around at the table, and the devices of torture that she was so determined to use on Harold only a few, short hours ago; now they sat mocking her current state. She was not a killer, nor was she malicious. Most people are good at heart and only in the face of struggle does that veneer bend, but with time it flexes back, leaving that which is good and true.

“Let’s go upstairs,” she suggested. They ascended the stairs, one by one, letting the rhythmic footfalls sooth their troubled minds. At the top, Harold took a look around and sighed deeply. The house was such a complete mess that he didn’t even want to think about it. Time would replace the items in the house, but time could not replace people, nor heal the holes in his heart.

“I think I should consider doing some spring cleaning.”

Julie chuckled lightly and continued navigating a path through the wreckage of his foyer towards the exit. At the door, they shook hands and Julie stepped out into the real world again, where it was late afternoon, the sun starting its slow descent below the horizon. Down the sidewalk, through the gate, and then on down the road to her car. Simple.

---

On her way past Gloria’s house, she had reason to pause: someone had uttered a soft “hi” from the direction of the garden. She turned quickly and scanned the area, but she could not locate the source.

Maybe I just need some rest. I’m hearing things.

“Excuse me, miss,” the mysterious voice continued, “but do you know where Gloria went?”

“Where are you hiding?” Julie wanted to know.

“I’m not hiding, I’m right here. My name’s Roy.” The voice was slightly louder now, and was down by her feet. She looked down to find a squirrel. Am I going crazy? “Umm…I hate to be the one to tell you, but she had an accident today and she passed away.”

“Oh, no,” Roy whimpered and scurried off into the bushes.

I’m going straight to bed when I get home.

She continued down the sidewalk and then heard a muffled scream from under her foot. She jumped and snapped her head down looking for the source. A weed. She had stepped on a weed. This is really trippy. Perhaps Harold puts LSD in his water. One by one, animals started appearing in the garden; even the flowers seemed to turn towards Julie.

Scanning the area and the crowd, her gaze fell upon something that had changed since last seeing it. She blinked several times to make sure she wasn’t mistaken. Something was now very, very wrong.

Gloria’s mailbox now read, “J. Nature.”

What the hell? Julie sneezed.

No. This is not happening. She sneezed again.

No. I’m allergic to everything. Her eyes began to water.

Roy came to the front of the crowd and stated clearly, “In her passing, Gloria seems to have nominated you as her successor.”

Maybe this is a dream. Where are my ruby slippers? I’d really like to start clicking those heels together now.

“Welcome home, Julie.”

Fate, wherever you are, you can forget that thank you card.

the end