The Book

[The story I've worked for over two days. Warning: it's 3100 long, and is a horror story. Enjoy, if you can tolerate that.]

The Book

The book had moved.

Kevin was staring at it, the book sitting on top of the drawer in the hall. He was on the middle of the stairs, on the way down to kitchen from his bedroom to prepare dinner. Just two hours back, he’d stashed the book inside the drawer in the hall and put several books on top of it. Somehow the book had managed to come out.

Who could have done it? No one lived in the house. Ever since Aurora had left, no one had walked through that door.

Did the book have a life of its own?

His heart began to thump. He could feel chill run down his spine. He ran down, turn left on the landing, away from where the book was, and ran inside the kitchen. There, after pouring wine in a glass, he emptied it in one gulp.

If he had whiskey, he’d have drunk that too. But he didn’t stock any liquor. This one was Aurora’s purchase. When she was around, they’d sometimes enjoy inebriated evenings. The wine was good enough though. Immediately, he felt his calm returning. He paced about, inside his kitchen, while pouring more wine in the glass.

That damn book is cursed, he thought. He should never have purchased it. Ok, it had reminded him of Aurora. It was from one of her favourite. It was a bestseller also, and was proudly exhibited as one in the store.

That’s why he purchased it. Otherwise, this whole horror genre wasn’t his cup of tea. The writing was awful. But this book, like other books from the same writer, was very scary. That was part of the reason why he’d abandoned it midway through it.

****

“Honey,” Kevin said. He was standing at the entrance to the bedroom. He was already in his pyjamas, ready to go to bed. Aurora had work tomorrow. She worked in a bookstore, where she got lot of books for him in a discount. Kevin was hoping for some cuddles and kisses, possible sex before sleeping.

But Aurora was engrossed on a book. That writer again, what was his name, Finbar O’Connor. Kevin hated Irish writers, but she seemed to love his books. Kevin had read just one. He’d found it too scary to continue.

“Honey!” Kevin said again. Aurora was sitting on a sofa.

She looked up and said, “I’m not feeling tired. You can go to bed, I’ll join you later.”

She went back to reading. Not lingering her eyes on Kevin, to see what his reaction would be.

He didn’t know what to make of this. She’d changed so much recently. Gone were the days when they’d sit on the same sofa, their bodies entangled, reading aloud a book. Aurora liked to read. Her soft voice would read for an hour. Kevin would take over, but she wouldn’t be interested in what he was reading. She’d start kissing his neck, then his fingers. When he stopped, lowered the book, she’d move up and start kissing his lips. Soon, they’d be making love on the sofa.

Aurora liked to drink wine after that. She said it warmed her even more. And she wouldn’t mind another bout of what they’d enjoyed. But Kevin wanted was a quick shower and return to books. They would compromise. Some nights, he’d drink wine and pass out, hopelessly drunk. Half a bottle would be more than enough for him. He never drank that much. Never had.

Sometimes, they’d read more. Aurora would soon feel tired and pass out. He’d carry her upstairs and tuck her inside the duvet.

Kevin felt he’d scarified so much for Aurora. Ever since he’d met her in a bookstore and started dating her, he’d gone out, met her friends. He’d even invited some of them at his house for a party. This was a big change for Kevin. He loved his secluded life. He didn’t have many friends, except for couple of his cousins and his schoolmates. But Aurora was a special girl. Like him, she loved to spend hours reading books, wrote poetry, and hated TV and computers. That’s why he thought they had a future together.

After Aurora had gone back to reading, Kevin turned around and started climbing the stairs. His eyes were rheumy. He felt like crying. With his hand on the banister, he dragged himself upstairs.

He got to the bed, switched off all the lights in his bedroom and got to bed. Too hell with her. If she didn’t care for him, why should he give a damn. He’d learned to ignore her. He’d play hard too. Maybe she’d change after that. She’d given him enough hard time recently. Yesterday, especially, as she’d disappeared the whole night and hadn’t even called her. Lately, she’d even started coming home late from work, had dinner outside, and didn’t inform Kevin.

In the morning, when Kevin got up, he realized Aurora hadn’t even joined him in the bed. Had she gone out, not returned?

He jumped out of bed and went out of his room. He checked two other rooms upstairs. One was his library, other the seldom used guest room. She wasn’t there. He ran downstairs and stopped before entering the living room. The door was open, like he’d left it last night. Standing at the entrance, he saw Aurora sleeping on the sofa. She’d manage to get a blanket from upstairs.

She was sleeping soundly. Thank god, Kevin thought. All his running around hadn’t disturb her sleep. He would have hated himself if that had happened. He turned around and tiptoed upstairs.

After brushing his teeth, he came down. He had made up his mind. He’d apologize to Aurora. He should have left the lights on. In fact, last night he should have come up to Aurora, kissed her, and carried her to the bedroom after she’d said she wasn’t tired.

He switched on the kettle and toasted bread. Aurora would be leaving for work in an hour. He’d have to organize breakfast before that.

He was taking butter out of the fridge when Aurora walked in. She’d slept on her jeans. Her hair was lank and she was yawning.

“Honey!” Kevin said.

She turned away, looking at the window. It was a hot summer day. The sun was already out.

“What’s wrong?” Kevin asked, closing the fridge. “I’m sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have switched off the light.”

“No, don’t worry about that,” Aurora said. “I have something important to tell you. I wanted to say it last night but I just couldn’t.”

Kevin got up. What could be that important?

“I..I’m moving out, Kev. I don’t want to live with you anymore.”

“What?” Kevin shouted. This was the last thing he expected to hear from Aurora. Not after that they’d done together. “Why?”

“I’m bored. You read and read, and that’s all you do all your life. You don’t work. You don’t want to go out. I’ve tried to adjust but it’s all a bit too much for me.”

Kevin’s mouth gaped in shock. Tears appeared in his eyes. This coming from a girl who he’d proposed to marry. All right, she hadn’t agreed, but she’d said she was postponing only. She’d told him to propose after six months time.

And she’d said before it didn’t matter to her if he worked or not. It was fine with her. He wasn’t living in benefits. His parents had left him a small fortune. Even the house Aurora was living now, belonged to Kevin’s parents. She didn’t need to pay rent here. Where would she live? Where would she go?

Kevin wanted to hug her and say she shouldn’t say such nasty things. They were right for each other. In fact, he’d even get a job if that was what she wanted.

“Kevin!” Aurora said when she saw Kevin stare at him, without saying anything. “I’m moving out today, instead of going to work.”

“But how can you do this to me? What will you go?”

“I’m staying with my friend. You need not worry.”

“Which friend?”

Aurora didn’t answer. She turned around and left. After few minutes, Kevin heard noises coming from upstairs, sound of wardrobe door opening and closing, bags landing on the floor. Seated on a chair, hands on his face, Kevin started weeping. All his dreams was ending. His life he thought was coming to an end.

It took an hour for Aurora to pack. She called a cab and moved out, carrying the bag without Kevin’s help.

******

Kevin had already finished half of the wine. He was sitting on the chair thinking what he should do with the book. It wasn’t the first time the book had moved. After he’d stopped reading it, he’d stacked it on the shelf. He wanted to it collect dust. He wanted to forget all about it. But in the evening, the book was sitting on top of the side table in his bedroom.

At first, he’d thought it was some other book. But the green cover, with Finbar O’Connor embossed on it, instantly reminded him of the book. He’d thought long and hard where he’d last kept it. When he was sure it was in the library, he ran outside with the book. He went downstairs and unsure what to do with it, kept it in the top most drawer. That was two days back. It was evening time. Tomorrow morning, he’d thought of throwing it away.

During the day, he’d forgotten all about it. He tended the garden whole day. Working hard to mow the grass, water the plants, and later, had cleaned his shed. He’d wiped dust of all the books that occupied the shed.

In the evening, when he came out of the living room, after read a chapter of a new novel he’d purchased, he saw the book lying on the top of the drawer. His hands had shaken, sweat had appeared on his eyebrow, but it was nothing like tonight. He’d angrily punched the book, cursed it, then wrapped it around in a plastic, and put several books on top of it, before shutting the drawer.

“I dare you to come out,” he’d said after that. In the morning, when he saw nothing on top of the drawer, he’d smirked.

But after spending the entire day locked up in his bedroom, reading a book, he’d come down to find the book out.

Never had anything scared him so much.

Why is it doing this thing to me, Kevin thought. He even regretted it bringing the book home. It was all Aurora’s fault. He had enjoyed the parts he’d read, although the writing was crap. The plot was about an evil character called Lucifer, the main protagonist. In the novel, he searches the entire globe looking for a soul mate. In the process, he encounters forces that oppose him. The twists and turns were all gory, but they’d engrossed Kevin. He’d thought of Aurora as he read and realized just why she was so hooked to Finbar’s novel. Finally, when Lucifer found love, Kevin was shocked. Her name was also Aurora. How very funny, he’d thought.

But now at least Kevin had hoped Lucifer would end the killing. The novel would contain romance. No. When the gory details returned, Kevin had stopped reading.

****

Aurora was smiling, almost giggling. She was sitting on a bench, outside a shopping center. Someone was caressing her forehead. That hand then moved to her long, blonde hair. Aurora touched the hand. Their fingers locked together and they kissed, tender and soft, but not for long.

In front of them, behind them, the place was packed with shoppers. Kevin had grinded to a halt seeing Aurora. Now, seeing the kiss, anger inside him started shimmering. He wanted to walk up to where Aurora was sitting and strike her. Tire away her face.

When they stopped kissing, Kevin looked to see who the other person was. Had he seen him before? No.

When they got up and started walking, Kevin realized the other person was a female. Her hair was short and crop. She was wearing boots underneath black jeans. Aurora was in a Sapphic relationship. Barely a week after she’d left Kevin. The rage inside Kevin started to boil. He’d never loved anyone so much as he’d loved Aurora. But she’d led him down, in fact even cheated on him.

But instead of confronting her, Kevin decided to follow them.

They walked holding hands. The other girl was shorter than Aurora but she had a bigger frame. Her shoulders were very manly. What was wrong with me, thought Kevin. Was I not man enough? Sex wasn’t at the top of Kevin’s agenda. He preferred only once a week. Everyday was a distraction for him. Anyway, he loved it when they sat on the sofa, cuddling each other, reading books. Even Aurora had said she loved that.

After ten minutes walk, they entered a house. At the door, Kevin saw the girl’s hand on Aurora’s buttock, squeezing it. Kevin gripped his fists tight. Punched the air.

He decided to walk up to the house, seeing the curtains drawn. When he was in front of it, he tiptoed up to the door. When he turned the doorknob, the door opened. It wasn’t locked. He went in.

There was noise coming from the living room. He stopped to sample the sound. It was Aurora. “Oh babe! Come on. Yeah!” she was screaming.

He reached the door, looked into the room. He saw a naked Aurora on a sofa. Her breast clutched by the butch woman. Her other hand was in between Aurora’s legs. She herself was topless.

Kevin couldn’t think after that. Why should he? His life was finished. His love had humiliated him.

“You fucking woman!” he shouted and entered the room. He looked around, for something to strike Aurora with. When he saw an iron lying on the floor, he grabbed it. Made a dash towards her.

They disentangled quickly, with shock ridden all over their face. Aurora grabbed her top, shouted, “Kevin! What are you doinggg….”

She was starting to look up, to see where Kevin was, before her head wobbled, backwards and forewords. Kevin had garnered all the strength he could in raising the iron high and striking Aurora with it. On her forehead.

She collapsed on the floor, screaming. Blood streamed out from the large crack the iron had managed to create on her forehead. Her hands and legs were flailing. Kevin wanted to strangler her. He didn’t even want to hear her scream. But the other woman hit Kevin with a bottle. It struck him on his back and he staggered foreword, several steps.

The woman struck him again. This time on the back of his head. He dropped the iron, crumpled down on the floor, and started blurting, “you…you bitch.”

The girl saw him close his eyes. Then, his limp body lay still on the floor. She looked at the Aurora. Blood was still streaming out from her wound. Her hands were still flailing. She didn’t know what to do.

“Aurora!” she screamed and moved over to where she was. She touched Aurora’s body. She was starting to get cold. She had to call ambulance.

She got up and searched for her mobile phone. She ran upstairs. Searched her bedroom, toilet, and then realized, it was must in the kitchen. When she ran down, on the landing, the same iron that had struck Aurora thumped her face. She crashed on the stairs, holding her face.

Kevin smacked her face once again, breaking her hands.

When he knew both of them were dead, he waited for the nightfall. At the back garden, he checked if it was safe for him to dig and bury the bodies. There were several trees bordering the compound of the girl’s house from her neighbours. It was safe.

Whole night, until five in the morning, he dug and dug. Finally, at six, he came inside. He was so tired, he collapsed in the living room of the girl’s house and slept there the whole day.

Kevin was surprised no one had come to question him after that. But he shouldn’t be, as he led a very secluded life.

*******

In the kitchen, one of the windows suddenly sprung open. Wind gushed inside. He got up from the chair but was too late to stop a bottle of jar containing pickle dropping on the floor. The bottle broke and the pickle started pouring on the floor.

“Shit!” Kevin shouted. He hated cleaning, even though everything in his house was clean and he scrubbed everything at least once a week. He was drunk also. He hated working when he was like this.

It’s that damn book, Kevin thought. Ever since it had entered the house, he’d heard strange noises. In the first day, even before he’d started reading the book, he heard a knock on his living room window. He’d looked out. Saw nobody. He’d even gone outside to check. Still no one.

There was no knock after that, but the kitchen door creaked open. The door is usually closed after Kevin’s had his dinner. He stopped reading his book and listened. Then, he heard footsteps on the stairs. After a minute, he heard someone treading on the bedroom room.

Picking up an old dagger than hung on the wall of his living room, he’d run around the house searching. There was no one. Even in the attic, there was nothing except his books and his parents’ artifacts.

After that, he bolted all the doors and windows. He’d been doing that since then. How that window opened, he didn’t no idea.

He kicked the bottle of pickle. “You piece of shit,” Kevin shouted.

It wasn’t the jar his anger was directed at, it was the book. That book demands to be read, he thought. It was nothing but a piece of fiction, a bestseller. Did it have the same effect on all its readers?

Kevin had stopped reading when Aurora had ditched Lucifer, seeing his devilish side. She’d run away. Lucifer went after him, and when he found her, in the arms of another woman, Kevin had stopped. It was too much of a coincidence.

He went into the hall. The book had again moved. It was standing, with its spine facing Kevin. He heard the window slam again. He’d forgotten to close it.

He moved towards the book, with his hands stretched forward, palms opened, fingers spread, just in case the book attacked him. When he close, he grabbed the book. Shut it. Turned around and entered the kitchen.

After grabbing a matchbox, he opened the other kitchen door that led him to the back garden. It was bright night outside. Full moon. He tore the book, let all the pages fall on the ground. He bent down, lit a match, and set the book on fire.

Kevin collapsed next to the fire, exhausted. All the effects of wine had worn off. He saw the fire, then the smoke. He felt satisfied. Finally, he’d succeeded.

Instead of going up, the smoke seem trapped. It started swirling around Kevin. A shape started forming. Legs, hands…

Kevin stared in horror. His heart started paining. It was stinging. He’d ever done that before. It was too painful. When the smoke formed the face, Kevin collapsed on the floor. His hands were pressing his heart, his mouth gaping, with saliva dripping out.

****

A week later, Kevin’s cousin got the coroner’s verdict. Kevin had died of a heart attack.