Rigor Mortis and Me

By Andrew Swarm

Charles and Ethel are on a date and end up at Sloan cemetery to meet up with a friend. Charles doesn't know about this friend and moreso about what he's actually doing there. Michael, the friend has a group of followers that brings fourth black magic and what they think as the end. 

 

Rigor Mortis and Me, is a story about the survival of this man and woman running away from zombies, killers and everything else that's out to do them harm. They find safe places which don't turn out to be safe for too long.

 

This is Andrew Swarm's fourth novel. 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andrew Swarm
• Release date: Feb 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201535858

Book preview

CHAPTER 1:

AT THE CEMETERY FOR A MEETING

My name is Charles and my girlfriend Ethel. We are on our way to a cemetery. I’m twenty-three and she’s twenty-four years old. I’m a Caucasian with light brown hair. She’s also Caucasian with long black hair and into black magic. I’m driving us to a So-called meeting. We are both Americans. I’m not into weird stuff, just got caught up in bad things. This woman is a nice and attractive when we first met in a bar called Drunk Sally’s. It’s located outside of Phoebe, Texas.

So, what are we going to do again? I asked Ethel.

I’ve already told you, remember the meeting.

How did you get involved?

That’s a little bit uncomfortable to say.

Oh...I’m sorry. I couldn’t believe she was acting like this. I wasn’t trying to offend you. I said with wonder in my heart.

She looked over at me fake smiling. No, it’s quite okay. A friend got me into it. His name is Michael.

Well, what’s his last name? I asked and was becoming interested.

She chuckles and looks over at me as I drove. She then smiled and spoke. Light. Michael Light. She then put on a straight face for a few seconds then broke into laughter.

Okay. What’s his last name? I asked and was becoming interested.

Don’t laugh.

I grinned and thought about getting ready to laugh. I won’t. I promise.

Okay. It’s Light. Michael Light. She said and put on a straight face.

I started to giggle and covered my mouth till I was prepared to talk without laughing. Light? That’s his last name? I looked over at her and saw that she was getting angry.

She acted as if it was a serious issue but then lightened up suddenly. Yes, don’t make fun, damnit.

We turned down onto a blacktop road heading for the cemetery. There were already several vehicles parked across from the church parking lot. It could possibly hold up to ten cars, but that’s pushing it. They only had seven cars here counting ours. Ethel and I parked on the far left with all the vehicles in a row matching the frontends. I looked over to the church through the front windshield. I then killed the engine and stepped out of the driver side. A wooden sign painted in white with paint chips pilling from the wood. There were black painted texted letters on the white painted wood sign which read, Sloan Church. I then closed the door and watched as Ethel stepped out from the passenger side and closed her door. I happened to look behind us and saw a cemetery gate closed with a six-foot chain-link fence. There was a gate door on the right of the driveway which was left open outward from the cemetery. There over the driveway was a taller part of the gate which stood around twelve foot tall. I then turned back to Ethel and the car. I saw a faded white line went in-between each car showing how much rooms left. She looked for Michael Light. He was in a black robe ready to cast a spell, but not acting devil worshipping. I might be wrong though. This man was Caucasian and had a surprisingly good size brown beard and looked like a woodsman. Ethel saw him as a leader and a follower of a higher dark lord.

She had never spoke to me of being into such thing until just recently on the drive over. I know it wasn’t the black magic which caused me to feel drawn toward her. We met way back in High School, though we never really dated until now. She shared a look with me and then joined the others in the parking lot. I was worried and thinking of crime. I locked the doors. I then followed her. We weren’t going far away from our vehicles anyway.

I thought to myself. Still, you never know about crooks these days. I then said to her after catching up. I’m not sure this is a good idea coming here.

She licked her black lipstick and in a rough Joan Crawford voice said. This is what I am. You can always leave if you want.

Okay. I’m listening. I said and wanted to say something else, but I chicken out.

Do you even know what’s going to be happening tonight?

I thought about the question and then of the book, The Gates of Hell and responded. A séance, I think.

Yes, but also practicing resurrection.

My face turned white as a blank piece of paper. Oh...I don’t know about doing all that.

Then how’d you think we could even last? You already came out here with me and you should stay. In fact, you are going to stay. I’m not letting you leave. She said ordering me with some force in her voice.

I stopped walking and grabbed her by the hand and pulled her back toward me. Hey, when I first met you, you we’re digging graves for cemeteries and now you’re trying to what...ah wake the dead. What the hell is really going on here?

Calm down Charles, everything will be all right. You’re just overreacting. That’s totally normal.

My stomach was hurting as if I’d eaten spicy Mexican food. I had no tums to kill the acid reflex. We were then walking once again and entered the gate to the cemetery. The huge double main gate chained and locked, but the chain-link fence door was not holding a locking mechanism whatsoever. That’s the one everybody including us went through. Tombstones were lined up on each side of the graveyard. A single blacktop walkway split the grass through the middle. Everybody except for us we’re carrying black, tall and thin candles. She didn’t tell me of what was needed to be conveyed. By the time everyone begun lighting the wicks, I felt out of place. I then wondered if this group had killed anyone or harmed an animal. They as people couldn’t dress and act such as this while in Walmart. Ethel and I met with them as they formed, they’re circle and began lighting the wicks with lighters, Zippos and matches. When all was lit, everyone who held one raised with thy hand. The meeting was just about to begin, and I was ready to leave. The group’s circle was huge and eleven people not including us was scary enough. Michael would be facing the two of us if other people’s bodies weren’t blocking our view. He started his chant by saying name’s and referring to Lucifer, the dark lord and master. The sky turned dark by the sun sitting an hour ago and the moon and stars came out and shined.

A small breeze blew and seemed to portray a part of Michael’s calling. Ethel tried pulling me closer into the circle, but I didn’t want to be here.

Ethel, how can you stand this? Digging graves for people during the day and worshipping their bodies at night? I pulled her back and tried leaving with her.

Hey Charles, sorry I drug you here. We can leave now if you want.

I wanted to go while the window of opportunity was opened, but then thought she’d be mad at me later. I stepped forward standing where I was before. I wasn’t going to let my feelings get in the way of her odd happiness.

No Ethel, we’ll stay for now. I was wondering...

...what?

We will get into trouble if we’re caught. You know that, right? I grabbed her by the hands and shook her but not too hard.

Ah yeah, I already know. She said as if sense was becoming her.

I nodded my head even though I knew she doesn’t. Just make sure. Tampering with cemeteries after hours is a crime of some sort.

Oh...My...God, Charlie, you worry way too damn much.

I paused taking a deep breath with her calling me Charlie instead of Charles. The name I prefer. Okay, do whatever.

You know there is no God or angels or anything good or evil. There are people though... She pointed at me. ...like you who worry way too much. And if anything, bad was to come, it would be labeled as plain bad luck.

How can you live your life? I have no clue.

What’s that supposed to mean?

I’m just saying. You’re going to hell if you don’t turn around. I stepped back and pointed my finger at her.

Oh Charles, whoever filled your head with all that garbage. She made clicking sounds with her tongue bouncing off the lower part of the inside of her mouth. I’m sorry.

I turned my head sideways not listening anymore and headed out of the cemetery. She had really gotten into my head and forced me to think about God and to leave her here. I headed for my vehicle. I walked through the open metal gate. I then suddenly felt a hand grab my right shoulder. I stopped walking all at once. It was Ethel of course. She acted as if she wanted me to stay even though I had no part in the devil worshipping. There was no chance in hell I’d comprehend the thought. Things surely were getting scary and going wrong in the process of Michael’s ambitions. I don’t know what I was thinking coming with her. Now is the time to leave. So, I turned and continuing the walk toward my vehicle. She tried everything to keep me here without pointing a gun to my head. After I leave, I when most likely never sleep with her ever again. I must live with that choice. I will miss the warmth she gave to me. She used to give my mind fresh ideas of peace. My soul a new meaning, but that’s all changed since I’ve seen the truth in her which was hidden. Her face turned red but not dark just barely a light color. She threw down her arms and walked behind me heading out.

No looking back at them chanting. No missing Michael even though she obviously had something to do with him besides black magic. We reached the parking lot with the seven vehicles. I stuck my right hand into my pants pocket and grabbed the keys but did not pull them out just yet. I reached the driver side door. While I stood there stressing out, I realized my cell within my back-right pants pocket. I grabbed the cell and looked up a friend of mine. Dean. I called him and waiting for the call to ring over and over and go to voice mail which was full. He either was busy or away from his cell. I don’t understand. He usually answers my call every time unless he’s asleep. I thought about calling someone else, but nobody came to mind. I then walked away from my car and over by the white painted wooden fencepost in front of the churchyard. The church was painted in all white also, but the paint was so old and pilling off from years of abandonment of flocks come no more. The church was beaten down and looks appear to be caving in from the roof. The steeple had holes in the front and right side where birds of all kind fly in there to make nest. The church seemed to be hollow inside out and no people hear the word of God here no more. I judged all from walking around the front towards the back where a side door and three steps stood. The second step was rotten on the left side. A rusted nail was sticking out of the wood and waiting for some unsuspecting people to stepped on it wrong. I was walking slow and texting Dean on my cell. R U Ok and waited for a response. I stopped to stared at the steps and saw my cell ringing. Slayer’s Hell Awaits was playing as my ringtone saying, Join us...Join us...Join us... three times in loop. Dean’s name appeared on the screen and so I pushed the Answer button and placed the cell up to my right ear.

Hey man, how are you doing? I asked him and feeling awkward as if sucking up for a favor.

He wasn’t having any of my bullshit acting like everything’s okay. What’s the matter now, Charles?

Nothing. Nothing’s the matter. I quickly said. But I kind of need you to come over to Sloan’s cemetery. Something weird is going on over here.

Well, where are you? He asked as if not listening to me.

I’m at Sloan cemetery. Outside of Hamilton. I’ve already told you. I was starting to get irritated.

Dean scuffed with an attitude and saying, I know where it is. I guess I’ll see you over there.

Alright, see you whenever.

He disconnected after I said Alright...

I put my cell on standby mode and slipped it back into my back-right pants pocket.

There was an awning right of the church with was held up by rounded metal pipes. There were six of them. Three on the left side and three on the right. They were all painted red, and rust had begun to pill the paint off. The top was metal beams and tin overlay as the roof. Underneath were eight six seated white painted picnic tables underneath this big metal fifteen-foot roof. I chose the first one and set as my back was turned facing the cemetery. I wondered if Dean was really coming. He might think I was drunk calling him again.

I turned completely around and looked at the cemetery. I saw Ethel standing near the group. She had gone back and joined they’re circle. Something inside caused me to think her, and Michael dated at some time ago. I tried hard not to listen to the group, but they started to chant loudly. Michael suddenly spoke out loud though a good distance away from where I sat. The benefactors teach the student’s the ways of sorcery. The learning which taketh a long process and should only be understood with and knowing its rites, rules and beliefs. The seer wait for the darkness brings forth the followers. I speak of thy dreamer wish for another’s soul to be torn apart. The teacher is of that can’t be forced, but only suffered in the victim’s blood. In death the feeble-minded turn away as if they are slaughtered. The sorcerers at a witch trial cry in at one time they’re witches are burning at a steak, or on a cross. The fire burned and brought forth the chosen one...

I couldn’t believe my own ears hearing his speech, but then there was more.

Michael continued speaking. ...the dark lord who lives underground, so far from which any man or woman couldn’t see nor even hear of his being. One of the gods on the day of his creation slaughtered one of his own children so the new dark lord could come into being. It truly was a mistake, though not one would ever tell God whom the O is silent that he’s made a mistake. If the truth were to come out, then all his promises and teachings would be proven false. He shan’t let the knowledge out of him as an utterly false messiah. The followers or the fools which some naysayer’s call them will die for whom they won’t see, only hear. At the time in which I am preaching my thoughts to you, the end has already come about, and the beginning of our lives are timed and ended as we know it. The dark lord, Lucifer roams the streets searching for Holy Rollers or Jesus Freaks. If he finds a person walking, he asks them if they want his mark to wear. If they deny the act, they die. If they take the mark, they die. But are treated as a martyr. Michael finished and bowed his head while the group hummed.

I was simply put off from overhearing Michael’s ranting.

I turned back around. My back was facing them and the cemetery. I laid my hands on my lap and joined my fingers together. I sat there waiting patiently. No idea what Michael meant and cared even less. I pictured myself someplace else. I questioned the thought of breaking up with Ethel when dean gets here if he does. As I waited, pondering and worrying I heard a sound, an odd one coming from the cemetery. It only sounded like that in horror movies, but not actually recognizing the sounds clearly. Then the sound of Growling. In a distance behind me I could hear dogs barking. They acted as if though something was amiss. Birds would be chirping, but they must be frightened. I did hear bugs earlier like crickets when we arrived and now, they’re even gone. Michael stopped his group from humming as I turned to look. I saw the group break the circle and run every which way of the graveyard. Two ran out through the gate and the others around. Everyone left the spot where they once stood. Ethel and a white man with blonde hair we’re running towards the vehicles. I then jumped up from the picnic table and jogged over toward them.

HEY CHARLES, WE NEED TO LEAVE! Ethel yelled to me.

I HAVE THE KEYS! I yelled back running fast as I could to get over to my car in such a hurry.

She arrived to me and my car along with the blonde man. I already got the car keys out and held them in my hand. I tried using the clicker for the car, but it wouldn’t work. The battery must have stopped. So, I had to stick the key into the keyhole. I unlocked the driver side door. I then pushed the button to unlock the other three doors from inside. She opened the passenger side door and hopped inside. The blonde man climbed into the backseat behind Ethel. I thought about not letting him in my car but didn’t seem to care since we we’re in such a rush.

LET’S GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE! I yelled and tried starting the engine. I tried turning the