Spirits of the Veil

By Jon Davis and JD Woodyard

When a stranger appears from a dangerous fog, dare Elspeth offer to help him?

 

Elspeth Jones is a woman searching for hope during a grim holiday season. And yet, when she discovers a badly beaten stranger, she still reaches out to offer hope. But help can bring a high price. Following the stranger, appears a monster from humanity's darkest nightmares. To defeat it, Elspeth must save the stranger, and ally with ancient spirits to uncover the hidden secrets of Christmas.

 

From Chicago, through the halls of mad lords, to the fearsome defense of children throughout the world, Elspeth finds herself on a terrifying ride that will change her very soul. To lose will cost her not only everything she loves but the world itself will die.

 

Author's warning: This story contains subjects that can have emotionally triggering effects from talk of depression, suicide, and miscarriage.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Ehlert
• Release date: Nov 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215718681

Book preview

For my mother, Kathleen Woodyard. Though she has long passed into the Veil, she is never forgotten, especially at Christmas.

Special thanks to Rebecca Jaycox, who took a manuscript and helped turn it into a book for all to enjoy.

For those needing a good editor, she is at: https://www.facebook.com/slayerofadverbs/

CHAPTER ONE

Christmas Eve was gray. The fog made the night as gloomy as the grief in Elspeth Jones’s heart. The pain she felt was almost dreamlike. For a moment, she wondered if her ghostly reflection was more real than herself.

The pale image in the glass was of a sad and tired woman with long black hair, wearing a navy blue jogging suit and jacket. The shadows of her eyes were wraithlike. They were, in her mind, reflections of a woman on the edge of hopelessness.

Elspeth took a deep breath and shook her head. No. I’ve been too close to that in my life already. I have to stay strong, if only for Donnelley’s sake.

She grimaced at the fog outside the window. Of course, the fog isn’t helping anyone’s mood. It’s Christmas Eve. We need snow, not this crappy cloud on the ground.

Elspeth?

Elspeth jumped, seeing the doctor for the children’s ward. Choi, I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you walk up.

Choi Ryo-Kai smiled kindly, holding out a Styrofoam cup to her. Here, you looked like you could use some coffee.

She took the cup with a nod of thanks. But after taking a sip, she grimaced. Oh, dear God, that’s horrible!

He grinned. Well, even the doctor’s lounge coffee will do when you're tired.

Elspeth nodded. Anything to pick me up, I suppose. Thank you.

The nurse nodded as she glanced out the window. After a moment, he said, I know you’re hurting from the news, Elspeth. Look, why don’t you head home for the night? If anything happens, you know I’ll call you. You look tired.

She turned back to see Choi’s sad eyes. No, he’s not sad. I’m just reading into his expressions. I’m the sad one.

The silence stretched for a moment longer before she said, I’m worried about her, Choi. What if she needs to talk?

He held up a hand to stop her. Donnelly is asleep. And you need to sleep. You’ve been coming here all week, staying late, and going all hours. Now, go home. I’ll call you if anything happens.

You always do. And believe me, I appreciate it. Elspeth drank down the small cup of coffee and headed to the elevator with a nod.

Choi looked past her and took in the weather. He said, You know, you aren’t on the list for a family room because you live close by. But with this fog, anything could happen. I could see about getting you a room.

She shook her head. I don’t live that far away. And there are bound to be parents who’ll need them more than I do.

No, there won’t be that many families coming. They would if they could. But you know how it is these days.

She shrugged. It’s the times, and finances are crappy. I understand.

Suddenly, Elspeth found herself yawning. Okay, that’s a good enough hint for me. You’re right, Choi, it’s time to head home.

Choi nodded and shrugged. Try to enjoy Christmas, Elspeth. Donnelley would want that.

As she tapped the call button, she found herself smiling at the nurse. You’re wishing me a Merry Christmas? I thought you were Buddhist.

He snorted softly. My mother would tell you I’ve lapsed. Now go home.

An elevator door slid open and Elspeth waved goodbye to Choi. As soon as the doors closed, she dropped the smile and leaned back against the wall. She thought of the young girl she had come to know in the past year. Tears threatened to run down her cheeks as she remembered the bad news. Images of the bright-eyed Donnelley went through her mind’s eye, mixing with the horror of what was to come as the girl wasted away even more.

Elspeth wiped away tears and took a deep breath. She walked out of the elevator, ready to head home. But on seeing the fog beyond the windows, she hesitated. She sat down for a moment to rest in the emergency room’s waiting area. I should go home. I should sleep.

But how do I sleep knowing that Donnelley is going to die of leukemia? Damn. Elspeth thought, putting her head down in her hands. I knew it could happen. I should never have gotten so close to her. To all of them...God, why?

Elspeth leaned back on the soft couch. She barely noticed others in the waiting area, perhaps a family waiting on a patient. Aside from them were the receptionist and a security guard. A wall-screen television was the only other noise in the room. There was a news report on, but the volume was low, barely a murmur.

Elspeth caught her breath as Donnelley again came to mind. Months of watching her waste away had taken their toll. She took a deep breath and shook her head. No. Sorry, Choi, if I go home, I’m going to get drunk.

She pushed herself off the couch and walked out of the hospital. She pulled out her cell phone and tapped a number. Moments later, someone answered. Marshall’s Café. We’re closed until after Christmas, maybe New Year. It depends on the cook not blowing up the place tonight.

Elspeth said, Wow, you’re still there? The place closed an hour ago.

Yeah, but believe it or not, we had a couple guys in here tonight. I think they were on a date. Cute kids, but man, they so didn’t want to leave! Cary Marshall’s humor was infectious, and it was what Elspeth needed.

Her friend’s wry voice filled Elspeth with mirth. Romantic moment sort of thing?

Cary laughed. For them, yes! For us, it was everything I could do not to kick them out into the fog at closing time. And kids these days don’t get pointed suggestions! Or innuendo, or hints, or just someone saying, ‘Get out!’

Elspeth laughed. If you’re closed, why are you two still there?

Cary said, loudly, Well, someone got it into his head to do some pre-cooking of tomorrow’s dinner, and now we’re waiting for it to finish so we can go home. You know Jacob. He wants everything perfect, this time.

Elspeth let out a soft chuckle. If I remember right, he was late getting in the turkey during Thanksgiving, so he and Tillie got into that huge argument for almost two hours.

I remember! The turkey was even later getting done because Jacob was so flustered by Tillie that he forgot to turn the oven on.

In the background, Elspeth heard, Jacob Marshall’s rough voice as he said, That won't happen, woman, I'm getting it ready tonight! We'll have dinner by mid-afternoon. That is if your mother and sisters arrive on time, for once!

Hush, you. They'll be there. God knows Jonah and Linda won't want to miss the damn game, Cary yelled back.

Elspeth silently laughed, listening to them go on about the dinner until Cary said, Hey, do you want me to come to you? Jacob will be busy cooking here for a bit longer, and I'd love to have company. It’s either you come by, or we argue in the kitchen while he's cooking. And while he finishes, you and I can gab about silly stuff.

You two are always gabbing! Jacob called out.

Yeah, she was one of my best friends back in high school. We dish about everyone! Including you, old man!

Women! Jacob’s voice echoed.

Men! Cary jabbed back.

She laughed. Hey! Okay, if only to keep the dishware safe, I'll meet you up near the Masaryk Memorial and Sixtieth. I need to run off some tension.

There was a moment's pause before Cary said, Okay, I’ll be down there waiting. Be careful, honey. That fog is a doozy tonight!

Elspeth was grateful that neither of them mentioned Donnelly. That would come later. For now, she wanted the humor of the moment to last.

Speaking of fog, take care driving, she said.

I'll be careful. See you in a few, Cary answered and then ended the call.

She put the phone away and began to jog down the hospital’s narrow side road. As she made her way onto the main thoroughfare, however, she found herself wondering why there was no traffic, given the time. This was usually the busiest area for Chicago University, the adjoining hospitals, and the medical school.

Granted, she thought, it is Christmas Eve. But really?

Moving through the dense gray mist, Elspeth pushed the strangeness aside, guessing that people simply didn’t want to risk the weather. Either that or holiday depression is at an all-time high.

She mentally kicked herself. Stop it, girl. Everyone is hurting this year, not just you. Enjoy the time with Cary and Jacob, call the family, and keep pushing yourself to help Donnelley. That’s the thing to do.

Elspeth stopped at the corner to get her bearings. She looked back and found that she couldn’t even see the lights from the hospital buildings. Even the streetlight directly above her was little more than a dull yellow spot. She found herself whispering. This fog is one nasty wall of gray. It could shut everything down if it’s this bad all over the city.

Talisman.

She jumped in shock. What? Who's there?

No sound came, not even the traffic she’d normally hear in the distance. Elspeth turned to take in the streets around her, trying to see who spoke. You better not be a mugger. I know how to fight.

After another moment of silence, she let out a long breath. Okay, a trick of the fog. Sound bouncing off walls, that’s all it was.

Talisman.

Elspeth jerked around at the voice. Who’s out there?

No one answered her. She started to look around, but a cold wind came out of the north, sending a hard shiver down her spine. At the same time, a distant peal of a church bell began. She gasped as the ringing grew in volume with each bong. What’s happening? No bell rings like that around the college.

The bell rang louder with each clang. As the volume increased, Elspeth winced and covered her ears. At the same time, the cold wind cut through the thin material of her jogging suit. She cried out from the pain and barely heard her voice.

The bell stopped, leaving behind not even an echo. Elspeth took in a shaky breath, thinking of getting to safety back at the hospital. Or Cary. I can call Cary. I can talk to her until she gets here!

She reached for her phone and found that it had no reception. What? I’m in the middle of Chicago. Come on!

Without a rumble of warning, thunder rattled every bone in her body as the fog lit up in a pewter gray light. Elspeth gasped from shock. And suddenly found herself gagging as a fetid stench reached down her throat with her panic driven breath.

The sound of ringing returned, reverberating through the fog. Sleigh bells, hand bells, cowbells, wind chimes, and even the clanking of metal pipes assaulted her ears. All the while, the dull silver-lit fog pressed hard against her skin with that harsh, cloying, stench, and the growing feel of slime upon her skin.

And again, it all stopped, falling into that same deep silence, save the lonely beating of her heart. But this time, the gray luminescence continued as did the putrescent air making up the fog. It took a long moment for Elspeth to realize that the fog somehow produced the light rather than there being a source from beyond its loose borders.

Her heart hammered in her chest. Don’t panic. Get back to the hospital. "I have to get away from this.

The gray light flashed bright and cries of terrified children echoed in the fog bound air. Other voices, still those of children, called out to parents in fear and desperate need. Adults screamed in terror and grief.

Elspeth cried out in horror when something grabbed her ankles. She fell to her knees, stunned. She then found herself moving away from the feeling of little hands grabbing her by the wrists. Shock turned into terror as she felt warm liquid on her hands. She smelled blood.

The smell of that blood made her pull back. But as she did so, her foot brushed against something. She looked and gasped in absolute horror.

Children lay spread out across the road, seemingly tossed to the ground. The blood on her hands came from pools surrounding their tiny bodies. Blank eyes stared at her in the gray light. Elspeth’s eyes widened as one child, in particular, looked like Donnelly.

Malicious laughter came from all around her. Her heart raced as she struggled to move, to push through her building terror. Still reaching for the girl, she cried out. No! Somebody help her!

Elspeth discovered she couldn’t breathe. The fog crushed against her with its rancid embrace. Panic pushed Elspeth to her feet to run. But she took no more than a few steps when a powerful yet unseen force grabbed her.

It physically squeezed her chest in a viselike grip. Elspeth again tried to cry for help, only to choke up as a deep cold ripped its way down her throat.

Your blood shall splatter across the veil of eternity, Talisman! said a voice filled with dark, malicious hate. The foul odor grew almost acidic in her nose and mouth. Darkness appeared on the edge of her vision as her lungs screamed for fresh air only to feel ice building around her.

Let her go! someone said in a woman’s voice. Commanding and powerful, it gave Elspeth a last-ditch hope for life. At the same moment, a powerful azure light flared to life. Within the hard radiance, there stood the silhouette of a woman. But Elspeth lost sight of her as she beheld the arms of a creature with dark claws squeezing her chest ever tighter.

I said, let her go! the woman yelled.

Something struck the creature holding Elspeth, forcing the giant to lurch forward. Elspeth kicked out, and she hit something, but her attack was weak and uncoordinated. Her lungs were empty, and her sight grew fuzzy as the blackness threatened.

Still, she could hear her attacker. Never! Without her, he can't hold himself here. Back away, whore of Babylon!

Release her! Another blow struck the still unseen monster holding her in its massive arms. Elspeth pushed at them and felt sharp points of claws.

Elspeth tried to scream only for bells to drown out what little sounds she could make. The azure light flared with a brightness of a star. Her attacker screamed with pain, and Elspeth fell from its grasp to the sidewalk. Slowly, the darkness passed from her eyesight. Elspeth rolled over onto her back, grabbing in the air as much as possible.

She blinked in surprise when the world came into focus. What in the hell?

The fog had vanished. The air was clear. The only trace of gray was in the clouds reflecting the city lights. Her attacker, along with her apparent rescuer, was gone.

Elspeth slowly sat up, finding herself nowhere near the street where the attack happened. She found herself on the eastern side of Midway Plaisance Park on the damp sidewalk near one of the park’s many benches. To her north, she could see the darkened school buildings and Rockefeller Cathedral's spire silhouetted against the city-lit clouds.

From somewhere in the distance, the woman’s voice came to Elspeth. Help him, Elspeth. Help him.

The sky flashed with silver lightning. Elspeth cried out, flinching back, only to hit her head on the bench. Ow!

In the wake of the lightning Elspeth spotted something at the base of the Tomas Masaryk Memorial. She moved cautiously forward, staying on her hands and knees. Elspeth tilted her head, mystified on seeing the body of a man propped up against the base of the monument. For a moment, Elspeth thought she caught a greenish glow around him.

It was from that light that she could see him breathing. After a long moment, Elspeth let out a slow breath and got to her feet to go to him. Okay, I don’t have words to describe what happened. Not with that woman, or whomever, it was trying to kill me, but you obviously need help.

Though Elspeth still felt the fog-born terror within her heart, compassion demanded more of her. The odd glow of dark green light faded as she touched his shoulder. Given what had just happened to her, Elspeth ignored its fading presence. Hey there, are you okay?

Thunder exploded around Elspeth and with it, a blast of crimson lightning burst from the statue of a horse and its rider. Elspeth scrambled away from the man, dumbfounded. Oh, come on! How can fog, glowing homeless guys, and fireworks happen to me all in one night? This is ridiculous!

She could only stare, dumbly, as the Blanik Knight burned with blood-red fire. The horse reared up with its front hooves kicking high into the air. The eyes of the helmeted knight flared with the same red hue.

The moving statue of the Knight of Blanik looked down at her. In a powerfully sonorous voice, the thing said, Beware the storm, Gift of God! Beware the gray light! ‘Tis Oblivion!

The light exploded out in a sphere of that deep crimson fire. Elspeth flattened to the ground. As the flames faded, she was surprised to smell cinnamon and apple pie.

She didn’t move, afraid of what might happen. Instead, Elspeth let the hammering of her heartbeat return to something akin to normal. Bit by bit, it did. It helped that the world began to act sane once again. Even the sounds of distant traffic, muffled by the strange deadly fog came to her, calming her. She could have stayed there all night, as far she was concerned.

But it was cold, and she felt snow touch her face. Oh, now I get my Christmas Eve snow! Thanks, God. I could’ve done without the special effects, though.

Or that horror show. God, those children! What was that all about? Was it a mirage in the fog? No, I felt the blood. I smelled the blood.

The man near the monument moaned, bringing her back to the moment. Elspeth got to her feet and called to him. Sir, can you hear me?

He didn’t move. Elspeth glanced up at the horse and man. She whispered, I have to come to you, don't I?

Watching the Knight of Blanik statue, frozen in place, yet still rearing up on its hind legs, she moved toward the man and said, Mister? Come on, things are too weird tonight. Are you hurt, or just drunk?

Still glancing up at the statue every few moments, Elspeth checked over the man. She called up every bit of emergency medical training she'd learned over the years. To her relief, she found no open wounds or blood. But he looked badly beaten. A heavy bruise formed along his scalp, partially concealed by dirty long blond hair.

She jerked back as the man's eyes opened. For a moment, he stared at her, mystified. Elspeth smiled. Hey, relax. I’m a friend. Are you okay?

The man blinked, looking at her with deep blue eyes. He swallowed, winced in pain, and said, Elspeth Jones...

Elspeth pulled away, scrambling back a few steps. What the hell? Who are you?

She jumped when a horn sounded. To her relief, Elspeth saw Cary getting out of her SUV. She looked back at the beaten man. Thank God she was on her way. She can help me move you.

Elspeth waved to Cary as the woman rushed up the path.

Hey, what’s going on, El? I had to drive around. And, believe me, that is no fun in fog. If it hadn’t lifted, I would never have seen you over here. Why did you... oh, Cary said.

Elspeth said, Yeah, I need your help to move this poor guy. He was lying here, near the statue when lightning hit.

She thought. And before that, I was...there was this big guy with...claws and...the statue it...

Elspeth stared at the Knight of Blanik. It was back in its original position. That thing is freaking metal! How did it move in the first place?

As the memories of what happened rushed through Elspeth, Cary was looking closely at the man on the ground. He looks like he’s wearing an old Army uniform. Maybe he’s a veteran.

Elspeth started to speak only to find herself choking up. Cary looked back at her. What's wrong?

Before she could respond, Elspeth found herself starting to cry. In seconds, a worried Cary held onto her as Elspeth let loose all the built-up horror she’d just lived through.

Befuddled, Cary could only whisper, There there, honey. It’s all right. Let it all out.

CHAPTER TWO

Elspeth took a deep breath to relax. But her hands would not stop shaking. In her mind’s eye, she saw the image of children, dead on the ground. And despite cleaning her hands in the café’s bathroom, she still imagined the blood.

She jumped at the sound of dishware rattling and looked to see Cary behind the counter, filling cups with hot chocolate. She nodded to Jacob as he glanced through the window while he was on the phone. His gentle smile toward her helped her nerves, however, and she was able to focus on the man slumped across the table from where they sat.

His condition wasn’t a pretty sight. My God, what happened to you? Who are you?

In the light of the café, the stranger slumped in the seat across from Elspeth, looking badly beaten. Cuts covered the man’s hands. His dark blond hair was unkempt, dirty, and straggly, as though he hadn’t showered in weeks. Bruises spread across both sides of his head with deep violet darkness near one temple.

And, although he had spoken her name at the park, he had since slipped into a deep coma-like state after she and Cary helped him into the SUV. Elspeth worried that in bringing him to the café, she might have hurt him worse.

A loud snap came from the kitchen, making Elspeth jump again. She looked around to see Jacob closing the cell phone as he said, Well, the cops aren’t happening. They’ve issued a full blizzard warning. And they can’t respond until after the storm dies down enough. So, nope, we ain’t going anywhere tonight.

Elspeth turned back to look out the window. She flinched when the lightning flared in the storm. Gray is such a weird color for lightning. It makes me think of that damn attack.

Whatever color the lightning was, it showed a wall of blowing snow around the café with every pewter-colored flash. Elspeth shook her head, bemused by the sight. How did this build up so quickly? We’ve only been here, maybe half an hour?

In the reflection of the window, she saw Cary approaching the table with a mug in each hand. Placing one mug down in front of Elspeth, Cary then looked at her watch. "Just about forty-five minutes now. Maybe this is lake effect stuff, but you’re right. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen blizzards build up this hard