The Casket Maker

By Ty Humburd

The third book in Ty Humburd’s Macabre Universe Series, The Casket Maker, is a bone-chilling story that’s sure to give you nightmares, including his combined story “The Slaughter of Ravens.”

Seth Night is a young man who’s planning for a better future in the city of Mors Falls. But when he arrives, he begins to notice a dark side to the city, including his employer Charles Phobos who owns a casket company. Seth’s life continues to change dramatically when he falls in love with a young woman named Tracy. Little does he know that she’s the niece of Sharon, the infamous goddess of terror. Seth is unprepared when more dark secrets start to unfold. The Casket Maker welcomes a special return from Matt Powell from The Murdered Out, including the monarch goddess, Stella. Brace yourself as you journey with Seth in this terrifying story of caskets and secrets.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9781633389571

Book preview

The Slaughter of Ravens

The Year of 1760

It was October 25,1760. Stella, the oldest immortal goddess and daughter of Spiritus, was on a mission to kill every witch that dwelled in the colony of Blackledge. The goddess viewed the raven witch cult as an abomination to her universe. And she set out to extinguish the witches by casting them off nearby mountain cliffs. She was also accompanied by a large army who were loyal servants and worshippers.

Why are you doing such things to us? a witch cried. We are not evil. It was Christians who painted us as such because our beliefs and practices did not please them!

Stella scoffed and smiled. Save your lies, raven, her voice echoed. You witches are no more welcomed in my universe than you are on Earth.

The goddess, Sharon, is more loving and merciful than you! She loves all who dwells in your father’s universe!

Stella’s eyes became watery with emotion. How dare you speak of her. I love my sister with all my heart, but she’s become decadent, deadly, and selfish in her ways! Sharon loves absolutely no one, not even me. Stella’s expression turned to anger, and a tear ran down her cheek. You should watch your words more closely, witch.

Please, do not do this!

Cast them off!

Without hesitation, the soldiers marched in formation toward the cliff, slowly pushing the witches toward the ledge. Every witch began to fall like dominos as their screams and cries echoed in the sky. The fearful sound rang in every ear that stood near, until it became faint and distant, and it stopped completely.

All of you, pile the bodies below and burn them, Stella demanded. The soldiers did so, all except for a general named Simeon, who stood beside her.

It’s truly a shame, the mess my sister has made of my father’s universe.

Forgive me for asking, Your Majesty, but won’t your father be angered for such actions? For its written that he’s not gleeful of killings nor of people dying.

My father has always given me his blessings.

Yes, but His Highness isn’t fond of Death. The entity has jurisdiction in all universes, including his.

Simeon, I know his personality very well, thank you. And are you questioning my authority?

No, Your Majesty. I’m only a humble voice of reasoning. Please, forgive me.

I need no reasoning. Now go help the men with the hags, and dispose of them.

Yes, Your Highness, Simeon said. He bowed then turned and walked away. A slaughter of ravens hungered and prepared themselves high in the sky. Exhaustion came over the men in their struggles to pile the carcasses. The field scared and hindered their eyes with episodes of vomiting and gagging among each other. The landscape was blanketed with bodies throughout, with no visible ground to step on. Gravity had smashed the witches’ skulls open and twisted their arms in a ragdoll fashion. May these women have mercy on us! said James, a soldier who struggled to drag a corpse.

Mercy? These witches do not believe in mercy! Simeon replied. Forgiveness is scarce inside their dusty hearts!

Let us hope that Spiritus does not see the gapeseed then.

Today, we shall name this cliff Mors Falls, but the men must never write our actions in any book, Simeon warned.

Very well, General, James replied.

Eventually, the mighty army disposed of the witches, then departed from the mountain with their goddess. But the soldiers were weary and tiresome and had traveled with her for two months prior. They longed for the day when they could see their family and loved ones. The army continued northward through the trees until they stopped at a small stream for water.

My goddess, Stella, may I speak? asked Simeon.

Speak.

The men are tired, my goddess, and the days and nights are becoming colder. They are weak and hungry, Your Highness. May we travel south in our conquest?

The goddess’s mind was falling into brown study, and she stood motionless, as if she was daydreaming. She knew the army would perish in the winter months ahead. Her father’s Supernova would soon walk far from the planet, with frozen nights that brought death to mortal men.

Very well, I will grant you that request, Simeon. I am neither cruel nor selfish in my ways.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

The army changed its course and traveled for the next three weeks until they reached warmer climate. They migrated and discovered other settlers who moved south for survival as well. Eventually, the population grew, and the goddess named the colony Sovereign. Time passed, and Stella established many laws for her beloved city. And every person that broke those laws faced severe punishments, although most of them leaned toward the annihilation of all supernatural entities. The entities were forbidden to reside in or around the city of Sovereign. Ghosts and apparitions only roamed safely in the cities of Adoro and Caligo and were protected under the authority of Sharon, the younger goddess. It wasn’t until a century later that witches and warlocks called Blackledge their home.

Simeon walked up and knocked on Stella’s door. She was looking out the window with her arms crossed. And she was aware who had approached without turning her head. Yes, Simeon, what can I do for you?

Your Highness, the men have swept the area, and there’s no sign of witchcraft anywhere in the city.

Good. Let us hope it stays that way. Although I find joy in cursing witches before their deaths.

I’m sorry, did you say curse them, Your Highness?

Yes, Simeon, I often curse their souls to another world just so their afterlife would be even more unbearable, she paused. You think I’m cruel, don’t you? Stella’s voice echoed.

No, my goddess, I believe you have reasons for everything under your power.

"Yes, but how do you truly feel about my intentions?"

The general looked around the room in silence. He knew if the witches had the power to return, Death would follow with them. It was as if his goddess was deliberately adding more fuel to the fire. Simeon knew it wasn’t his place to disagree or to give his opinion on the matter. But not answering the goddess would be suspicious and a sign of disrespect.

It’s just that I believe in mercy as well, and putting a curse on the witches causes even more conflict with Sharon.

Stella turned and looked at Simeon without blinking. Her arms were still crossed when an angered expression quickly appeared on her face. My sister would be a fool to wage war here. She’s of no concern to me. Sharon only poses as a threat when her pets are beside her.

Her pets?

Yes, Simeon, she has two pets that I truly despise. But let’s not be concerned about her ignorant creatures.

As you wish, Your Highness. Is there anything I can do for you?

No, that will be all, Simeon. Thank you.

Very well. The general bowed then walked out of the room. Stella was deep in thought as she continued to look out the window. She was pleased that her city was cleansed from supernatural entities. It felt like a weight lifted from her shoulders. But she knew her quest wasn’t over just yet. She would have to stretch her power to other cities to fully rid the planet of the beings she despised. It would take time, with a lot of preparation. Acting without planning would bring death to her army. Sharon was constantly unpredictable, deadly, and treacherous in her ways. And even though the younger sibling was ruthless, she never stopped loving her sister no matter how dark her intentions were. Stella continued in thought and realized she could conquer her sister by avoiding her. She would have to attack when Sharon wasn’t close, then eliminate the witches like chess pieces.

That same hour, the younger goddess, Sharon, was at home in her brick mansion. She was reading a book in her bedroom when a servant knocked on her door.

Please come in.

Forgive me for the intrusion, Your Highness, but your husband has returned and wishes to see you.

Let him in, please. Sharon rose out of bed with a smile. Her husband, Jonathan, opened the door and ran toward her with his arms out.

You made it, Sharon said with a kiss. I was worried you would freeze to death in your travels.

No, thank goodness. There was plenty of dry wood to make fires at night.

Sharon’s smile turned flat, and she stared deep into his eyes. Her expression turned from joy to serious within a second. Did any soldiers see you leave the camp?

"No, I departed at night and kept to myself during Stella’s quest.

Good, and what did you find out?

Stella, is still determined to massacre every witch that exists. We had no choice but push hundreds off the high mountain cliffs.

Damnit! Sharon yelled. Who’s the general in charge of her army?

His name is Simeon.

Sharon grinned. I’ll have to pay a special visit to her general then.

Is that so? Jonathan embraced her tightly with a smile.

Yes, but enough about that, Sharon said. I haven’t conceived a child from when you were here last. Her husband looked down at the floor and hesitated to give her an explanation.

Yes, but it may not be my infertility.

How dare you! Sharon raised her arm and smacked him hard across the face. You promised to give me a child and, more importantly, a son that I can love!

But we have our whole lives ahead of us, said Jonathan. It’s not the end of the world, my wife. The goddess stared deep in his eyes and released her frustration with a slight grin. The side of his face exposed redness from her sudden assault. Sharon moved close to him. But she was too selfish and coldhearted to apologize. It was from her proud and harsh nature.

Can we keep trying?

As many times as you’d like, Jonathan said.

Sharon, parted her lips with a deep and passionate French kiss, flickering and dancing her tongue across his. She brushed her nose and lips across her mate’s. And the touch of his lips ignited a flame of passion deep within her. She unbuttoned his trousers and dropped them to the floor. How about right now? Sharon grinned. Surely, you could use some warmth for your cold bones.

That would be splendid. Jonathan picked her up and laid her on the bed. Time seemed to stand still in their moment of intimacy but exposed their actions of sudden cloth removal. Minutes continued until they both fulfilled each other’s desires. But while the goddess was lying in bed, she couldn’t help but think about her husband, and wondered if he was a lost cause. He had promised to give her a child and had failed to do so, like her first husband. Time itself would soon let her know if he was a waste of time.

Three days passed, and everything seemed peaceful on the continent of Matrona. But that morning, Stella, received a sudden knock on her bedroom door. The knocks were continuous thumps that eventually turned into loud, obnoxious pounding. She quickly walked over and unlocked it, after being irritated by the action. How dare you bang on my door. What’s the matter with you?

Forgive me, Your Highness. But someone has massacred half the men in their sleep. Stella’s face turned red, and she stared deep into the soldier’s eyes. Her fists clenched tightly and remained speechless for a few seconds.

What trickery is this? The goddess yelled. The power of her voice instantly ripped the flesh from the soldier’s face and splattered it against the wall. Only his eyes and teeth were exposed before landing on his back, like a falling tree. The man’s naked skull immediately hit the floor and echoed in the hall with a loud crack. Stella knew her anger had gotten the best of her and looked down in hurt and disappointment. Damnit, she mumbled. The goddess quickly walked down the hall, with no time to spare. She needed answers to her many questions.

The sound of boot stomps quickly approached her. They echoed loudly from five soldiers who ran past her at the hallway intersection. The goddess noticed a servant walking quickly toward her. What happened? said Stella.

Your Highness, some of the men have been massacred, along with your general, Simeon. They believe your sister is the culprit.

Stella stood motionless and looked at the servant with her mouth open. Her eyes began to pool up with tears that were impossible to hold in. Damn you, Sharon. This isn’t over yet, Stella mumbled.

The Casket Maker

Present Day

It was the twentieth of the month of September, when Seth Night was driving into a gas station. He looked at the fuel prices and noticed the closeness to his last fuel stop. He had recently packed his belongings and was moving to a larger city. And to him, if the population was more than fifteen thousand, it was a big one. The town where he grew up was now a ghost town. And the only people that remained were the elderly and homeless. Sadly, they too were becoming ghosts as the years progressed. Seth thought about his parents when he approached the pump. He knew he could always drive back to visit in his free time. Looks like you’re on a mission, a voice said, which caused him to look over. An elderly man was looking at him and standing at the opposite pump.

Yes, sir, I’m heading to the city.

City? What city?

Mors Falls.

The elder chuckled. Yeah, well, I’m from the city of Sovereign. Not sure I’d call Mors Falls a city yet—only about five hundred thousand there, he explained.

If it’s bigger than fifteen thousand, it’s a city to me, Seth smiled.

Oh, okay, a small towner, huh? Do you know where you’re going?

Yes, sir, my navigation works fairly well.

Them fancy systems work wonders, don’t they? The old man grinned then turned his gas cap tight. Hell, in my days, if you were lost, you were up shit creek without a paddle. And you’d hope the locals were friendly, or your ass was screwed, he explained, pointing his boney index finger at him. Yeah, thank god times have changed, Seth said. He pulled his receipt from the pump with a smile.

Young man, you take care of yourself.

Thank you, you too, sir, Seth replied, with a thumb up.

Summer had passed away like a loving family member and said its farewells, never to return the same. And the glorious season left behind memorable moments for young and old alike. But summer also had an ornery family member that always walked behind it. Autumn was making Seth’s travel unbearable, with gusty winds that picked up to forty miles per hour. Luckily, his rental van was packed with all his belongings, including his car being towed behind. The extra weight prevented him from blowing across the road like a cardboard box. An hour passed, and he was now thirty minutes away. His drive was a scenic view, with old farms that were sprinkled about. The buildings were victimized by time itself and unique in their own way. Some of the barns had their skulls bashed in while others leaned, with the outer skin torn off, exposing only a frame of skeletal remains. The drive, for Seth, seemed like time stood still, smoking countless cigarettes one after another. The only excitement was veering for a dead animal, which had a raven picking its guts for an evening meal. He turned on the radio and began listening to the song "Running on Empty." It was one of his all-time favorites and brought back great memories. They were emotional memories when he used to drive a ready-mixed truck with his dad in their hometown. They drove countless miles over the years, pouring cement, which seemed to have no beginning or an end to their schedule. And no matter how much he pushed himself to get ahead, it always felt like his heart was running on empty. A small tear ran down his cheek when the song finally came to an end. Seth wiped it away with a heartfelt smile and continued driving.

Mors Falls was a busy metropolitan area, with two cities connected on both sides, Pinehurst on the northside and Blackledge on the eastside. There