Tom Pawlik - Beckon

“Well, you can toss that contract in the fire, because after what I’ve seen, I don’t want anything to do with you or your little community .”

“You know, I don’t make these types of decisions lightly. So when I offer someone such an opportunity, I don’t expect him to start nosing around my home. It’s an odd display of gratitude.”

“When we’re dealing with the kind of money you’re asking for,” George said, “you can’t expect me to make that decision without trying to find out what kind of man you are.”

“Such relationships must be based on trust, George. You trusted me to help your wife, and I trusted you to respect my property and privacy.”

“Privacy? You kidnap people and lock them up in your own personal dungeon. That’s not a matter of privacy. It’s criminal!”

Vale sipped his drink and paced the room as if contemplating his next words. “I don’t think you fully grasp the scope of the gift I’m offering you. Perilium is not just some remedy for cancer or senility. It brings the human body back to its original design. Immortality, the way God intended it. Just as it was in the Garden.”

George shook his head. “We won’t be a part of what you’re doing here.”

“Oh, but I’m afraid refusal is no longer an option,” Vale said. “You see, perilium is an exacting master, not something to be taken casually. She requires your full commitment. And once you’ve tasted the elixir of life, you become one with it. There’s no turning back.”

George felt his neck bristle with a chill. “What do you mean?”

Vale drew another sip from his glass and looked at his watch. “It would actually be more dramatic for me to show you.”

He motioned to Browne, who left immediately.

Vale went on. “The survival of our community depends on two basic elements. One is a fair amount of seclusion from the rest of society. As you can imagine, we don’t wish to attract too much scrutiny here.

“And the other is balance. Every member of our little family has a specific function. We’re all dependent on one another to ensure the continuation of our way of life. So when one of us is no longer willing or able to function, they must be… reevaluated .”

Browne returned, leading Amanda into the room, her hands cuffed in front of her. She was sobbing. And George could tell immediately that something was wrong with her. Her complexion was pallid and her hair and clothes were nearly drenched in sweat.

Vale gestured toward her. “You see, Amanda here requires a daily measure of perilium just like the rest of us. Typically right after breakfast. But today I had to withhold her allotment as there were certain issues I felt we needed to discuss.”

Amanda sank to her knees, sobbing. “P-please… why are you… doing this?”

George frowned. “What’s wrong with her?”

Vale tapped his watch. “She’s nearly twelve hours overdue.”

He reached into his trouser pocket and held up a glass vial of the yellow liquid.

Amanda saw it and struggled to her feet. “Please…” She tried to reach for it, but Vale held it just out of her grasp and she collapsed again to the floor.

George looked on in horror. “What’s happening to her?”

“As I said, perilium is an exacting master.” Vale stared at the vial in the firelight. “And she demands a heavy price for disobedience. The body goes into a sort of toxic shock if not supplied with a regular dose. It’s a rather unpleasant sight to witness.”

“What did she do? Why are you doing this to her?”

“To make an example,” Vale said. “See, I’ve been observing her over the last few days, and lately I’m just not so certain of her commitment to our community. She seems to have developed something that could be an impediment to our existence.”

George couldn’t bear to look at her any longer. “What is it?”

“A conscience.” Vale knelt beside Amanda’s quivering form, dangling the vial over her head. “Apparently she’s been having doubts about our way of life. And I’m afraid we can’t tolerate such a lack of moral clarity. We have far too much to lose—all of us. We all depend on maintaining that precious balance, and she has become the weak link. A dry branch that needs to be pruned.”

Amanda reached again for the vial. George could see genuine terror in her eyes. “I… I’ve always been faithful…. I’ve done everything you asked….”

But Vale withdrew the vial once more and stood.

George stepped forward. “Stop it! Just give it to her!”

Vale wagged his head. “Here’s the thing, George. I have to make room for Miriam, and if I were to keep Amanda on, I wouldn’t have enough perilium left for your wife. I’m afraid there’s just not enough for both of them.”

George blinked. “Not enough? But you said—”

“What I said is that we must maintain a delicate balance. So if Miriam is to join us here, then unfortunately there will be no room left for dear Amanda.”

George cursed at him. “You’re a monster.”

“Monster? Me?” A cold smile spread on Vale’s face. “But this is your choice, George.” He held up the vial. “Amanda or Miriam—which one will it be?”

Amanda writhed on the floor, gasping for breath. “George… p-please… help me.”

George could feel his rage growing, but his old body would be no match for Vale in a physical altercation. He just shook his head in frustration and swore.

“Her life is in your hands, George,” Vale said again. “Just say the word.”

Seconds ticked by. George couldn’t bring himself to speak. Part of him didn’t believe Vale would help Amanda regardless of his choice. But it was a moot point. He couldn’t risk it. He couldn’t let Miriam die.

“Or…” Vale narrowed his yellow eyes. “Have you already made your choice?”

Amanda’s tremors quickly became more violent. Her spine arched with a sharp spasm and her eyes rolled back in their sockets. Her quivering body bumped and jittered on the floor as the rest of them looked on. George watched, horrified but unable to turn away.

The seizure lasted for more than a minute before it finally ended in a long, painful groan. Amanda’s body lay in a contorted, twisted mass on the floor.

Vale sighed and clucked his tongue as though he’d just lost a pet fish. Nothing more. “Now we’re both monsters, George. But more to the point, I think you needed to see precisely what awaits your beloved wife if you cross me again. Or in case you were thinking about leaving our community.”

George growled, “I’ll kill you.”

Vale laughed, replacing the vial inside his jacket. “Well, it wouldn’t be the first time. But you may want to reconsider your refusal of my offer. I’ll give you another twelve hours to think it over.”

Henderson opened a small refrigerator and produced a glass vial. He held it up for Jack. It was sealed with a black cap and inside Jack could see a yellow viscous substance.

He wrinkled his forehead. “Okay… what is it?”

Henderson gazed at it and shook his head. “It’s called perilium. And it’s probably the most valuable substance on the planet. And the most dangerous.”

“Why?”

“It’s an organic compound that the N’watu have been producing for centuries now. They ingest it for medicinal purposes.”

“Medicinal?” Jack didn’t know if he was joking or what. “What do you mean?”

“Perilium appears to hyperstimulate the body’s immune system, making it far more aggressive at repairing damaged cells or destroying diseased ones.”

“So basically it helps the body heal itself faster?”

“Exactly.”