Graven Image: Part 1: Sculpt Me: Graven Image, #1

By Maxwell Bauman

"Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image..."

Something strange is happening in Dobbs Ferry. Bizarre murders are happening more frequently in this tiny New York town. High school student Stewart Kadmon never expected to be drawn into the violence and chaos. But Stewart finds a bull's-eye on his back after receiving an odd lump of clay and a Polaroid of a jazzman. Filled with suspense and horror, "Sculpt Me" is the first part in the supernatural thriller series GRAVEN IMAGE.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maxwell Bauman
• Release date: Aug 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781516348817

Maxwell Bauman

Maxwell Bauman is Editor-In-Chief of Door Is A Jar Literary Magazine. He is a contributor for Chicken Soup for the Soul. His short story collection, The Anarchist Kosher Cookbook (2017) and novella The Mummy of Canaan (2019) were published by CLASH Books. He has two novellas forthcoming at the end 2021; House of Blood and Teeth from Nictitating Books, and The Giant Robots of Babel from Aggadah Try It, an imprint of Madness Heart Press.When not writing, Maxwell makes LEGO art, some of which has been exhibited at the Blue Door Art Center in Yonkers, NY, and published in the Association for Jewish Studies: Perspectives; The Protest Issue (June 2021).You can find out more about Maxwell's writing and art on his website maxwellbauman.com and follow him on Twitter @maxwellbauman

Book preview

Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

— Exodus 20:4

1

Stewart lost all track of time bringing the clay to life. The junior had lingered afterschool in the Dobbs Ferry High School art room. Ms. Bustum always left the door unlocked so the theatre kids could decorate their sets and costumes. His last project was a self-portrait with acrylic paints. He ended up looking like a sloppy version of Frida Kahlo who had just missed her bus. He was sick of scrutinizing himself and wanted to branch out. He needed to find a new project.

He ran his fingers through his hair. It was almost long enough to put back into a ponytail, but still had a few more inches before it could reach. He was about to go home when he noticed a starch-white tub tucked away in the far corner of the room. On the lid of the container was a Polaroid of a haggard man in a loose-fitting suit. His wide-brimmed hat was tilted back exposing his face. He cheeks bulged as he blew into a saxophone. Sweat dripped down his shaggy horseshoe moustache. The name J. Alister was written in the white rectangle in space beneath the picture.

Stewart found three instructions written on the back of the picture. The first one said, Sculpt me. The second said, Clay does not need to be fired in the kiln. It was the third direction that confused him. It said, Carve name on photo into clay when finished. What did Ms. Bustum that mean by all of that? His teacher had gone through a lot of effort to put all of that together for him. The project seemed like a good suggestion, so he gave sculpting J. Alister a try.

Stewart built a wire under frame about ten inches long. The metal twisted easily and looked like a stick figure drawn with a shaky hand. With the prep work done, he grabbed an apron and dragged the tub over to his desk. He plunged his fingers deep into the bluish gray lump. There was something odd about the clay. The wet earth stuck under the brim of his fingernails. Stewart savored that sensation that might cause others to hastily clean their hands like antsy raccoons. He started with the torso and attached the limbs and head. The project came together faster than anything else he had ever made. Normally he’d have one idea in his mind and scrap the work a dozen or