Carrier - Part One

A barking dog cut through the noise cancellation in Manny's earbuds. It sounded far away, masked behind the blended acoustic and overdriven guitars of Black Balloon by the goo goo dolls. He glanced up as he jammed his trowel underneath the fourteenth rock he'd found in his new would-be garden. A prematurely white haired man was walking his black lab up the sidewalk. Manny saw him wave and gave a quick, friendly nod back, before returning to his task. He heard the man say something.

Sorry? He took off a glove to pause his song before twisting his upper half around. The man had stopped as close as he could without allowing the dog to nip at Manny's muddy shoes. The man smiled. He had to shout over the barking. No, I'm sorry, Donner's usually better behaved than this. Oh, it's all right, yelled Manny, turning quarter of the way back. I'm Ted the man bellowed. Manny Manny then dismissed him with a smile. I live just up the road, yelled Ted. You all moved in already?

Getting there grunted Manny, jamming his trowel again. Well, it's still early. You met whoever's moving in next door? asked Ted. Manny wiped sweat from his eyes, smearing dirt across his forehead as he sat back on his knees. He could feel the heat of Donner's barks on his arm. Ted wasn't as young as he'd looked from a distance after all. He was in spectacular shape, though. He must have been at least sixty, but his round shoulders still bulged under his blue T-shirt.

Didn't know somebody was moving in, Manny shouted back. Ted yelled. Oh yeah, both sides went up for rent at the same time. The word sounded even less enthusiastic at high volume. Manny gave a stiff wave with his ungloved hand and said, Nice meeting you. Ted whipped Donner's leash like reins. You too.

Sorry I bothered him so much, Manny said. He didn't like Ted towering over him, so he stood, even though it might be misconstrued as willingness to chat. Ah, that's actually why I came back, said Ted. I know we just met, and this is going to sound a little strange, but hear me out. No, seriously, it's okay, said Manny. Labs are smart. He probably just remembers whoever lived here before me and doesn't think I belong here. I wish that was all it was, Ted sighed.

Look, Manny, there's no easy way to tell you this, but I'm worried you've got some bad energy attached to you. Manny almost laughed. Bad energy? Oh, um if I seemed rude earlier, it was just hard to talk over the barking, I know, said Ted. Donner has an incredible sixth sense for this sort of thing, and I trained him to bark at dark, bad or unclean spirits. Energies, rather, I hate calling'em spirits. Still slips out every once in a while, makes people think I'm a kook.

But I think I might have plans on Friday. Handsome young guy like you? I sure hope so, Ted laughed. Us old folks get together at seven, and it usually doesn't take more than an hour. I'm sure you'll have plenty of time for your oh girlfriend? Not at the moment, Manny replied. Ted nudged one of his big shoulders toward Manny. Still play in the field, huh? Just the garden at the moment, Manny replied. He delivered the joke so blandly it took Ted a moment to catch it. When he did, he laughed.

Well, you've got a sense of humor. I suppose you're generally a pretty positive person, huh? Usually, said Manny. I hope you can stay that way, living in a place like this. Ted looked toward the roof of Manny's duplex, scanning as if searching for something perched up there. Despite his desire to end the conversation, Manny couldn't help but ask a place like this duplex?

Did they have to tell you what happened here? asked Ted. Before you signed the lease, was there any kind of disclosure? Something about how there might be lead paint, but that's all. I checked, there isn't any. Guess they're not legally required to tell you since it happened in the other unit. Well, now I'm sorry I brought it up. Manny waited patiently for Ted to elaborate, but he seemed to want to make Manny pry. He gave in. So what happened?

Ted met his eyes for a moment, then looked at the empty unit attached to Manny's. He nodded toward it. And the guy who lived in that one got murdered a couple well, about a month ago now. His name was Enzo, and they think Andrew, the guy who lived in your half, did it. Inside the duplex? asked Manny. Yep. Not your half, that one. He nodded toward the adjacent unit again.

He made a downward stabbing motion three times before running his invisible blade across his own throat, finishing with a crazed smile. nasty scene I heard. Andrew up and vanished the same night. Could he have been kidnapped or something? asked Manny. Police won't say much, you know how they withhold certain information. But I heard they found Andrew's fingerprints all over the knife that killed Enzo.

Ted turned unexpectedly and raised a hand in farewell. He said, Anyway, I'll watch for you Friday. If not, no worries, but you might want to consider it. Some of that energy you're carrying might be coming from uh. He trailed off, giving one last nod toward the duplex. Manny waved back. Yeah, thanks. Have a good one. It felt like a stupid way to close the conversation. Manny was just glad for it to be over.

He hid his trowel and gloves under a bush and went inside to wash up and make a stiff drink. He downed it quickly, feeling the rum warm his empty stomach. it numbed his thoughts in the nick of time. If Ted had been telling the truth about Donner's ability to sense depression, the dog had been spot on.

he heard the woman ask, Would you need to cleanse the house to get rid of the energy? Mm no, Ted replied, lowering his voice almost to where Manny couldn't hear. If we clean your energy, make it good and pure, yours will push the old one out. These forces stick to their twins, but they're repelled by their opposites. That's so interesting, said the woman. Manny saw her glance his way and gave her a nod. It was time to see if he could repel Ted's energy.

Ted, how's it going? he asked as he approached. Ted turned, almost startled. Donner was already staring Manny down, although he seemed far calmer than the last time they'd met. Manny offered his hand for the Labrador to sniff and said, Hey Donner. The dog buried his snout in his palm before snorting his approval. Whoa, you snuck up on me there. Hey, this is Tessa, right? Tessa, said the woman, sticking her hand forward.

Manny looked down at his own hand, which felt misty with dog breath and waved it apologetically. Tessa laughed. He asked, You moving in? Tomorrow, yeah, said Tessa. My brother's hauling all my stuff up from Missouri. I came ahead of time to make sure it's you know, clean and ready. Manny said, sure. Judging by the shade that suddenly shadowed her tone, he guessed she knew about what had happened in her new home.

Ted patted him on the shoulder and gave a subtle squeeze. His meaning became clear when he flashed Manny a wink before saying, I'll let you two get to know each other. Uh, Tessa, we're getting started at seven on Friday. I'll watch for you. If not, no worries. Mm, thanks, said Tessa, passively waving.

He said the exact same thing to me, Manny told her when Ted was far enough away. He invite you to his seance thing? Seance? Oh man, I wish, Tessa laughed. He just invited me to some hippie cleansing ritual. A seance sounds way better. Manny said, I honestly don't know the difference. Not really my kind of thing. Sounds like you could learn all about it on Friday night.

Manny snorted. You know what's funny? Last time that dog saw me, he went nuts. Ted told me it's because he sensed all this bad energy around me, but he seemed totally fine just now. Did you shower in holy water? Tessa teased. Not unless it's in the tap, Manny laughed. Looking toward Donner, Tessa said. He didn't seem to mind me. But let me guess. According to Ted, you're still surrounded by negative energy, yep. Ah, what a shame. Totally.

Manny laughed, breaking the act. He said, I might not have signed the lease if they told me about that guy. Tessa said, Yeah, well, I'm sure you can imagine it would have taken a lot to get me to pass up a place this cheap. Sorry, I'm guessing you know about what happened here. Yeah, Ted told me. I just moved in too. I'd offered a swab, but I don't think I'd want to live on your side either, to be honest.

I thought you didn't believe in that stuff, Tessa teased. No, I said it's not my kind of thing. It still freaks me out. Fair enough, said Tessa. I'm not gonna lie, he told me your name, but I forgot what it was. Manny. And I think my hand's dry now. They smiled at each other and shook hands. Manny? Tessa asked, a laugh hidden behind her voice. Yeah, is that okay?

Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I've just never met anybody Oh, this is your first time? That makes a lot of sense. Anybody named Manny before? It's cute though, like the mammoth from Ice Age. Yeah, yeah. A big hairy beast with the voice of Ray Romano. Every girl's dream. At least you're not Sid the Soth. Hey, there's a bright side to everything. So what's it like inside? Tessa looked at her front door.

I haven't gone in yet. Ted caught me right when I pulled up. You want to check it out with me? Oh, sure. You seem nervous. I'm not. You're not gonna murder me, are you? No, that was the last guy. Tessa accidentally shot. Shot spittle through her pursed lips. Manny cowered back and said, Ah, you're getting your negative energy all over me. I am so, so sorry, Tessa wheezed. Manny smiled assuringly. All good. So should we check this place?

She realized the vinyl sheet flooring didn't match the laminate throughout the rest of the home. She took a step back through the doorway into the empty living room, and Do you think this is where it happened? She pointed back into the kitchen. Manny said, Huh? and looked down at his feet. A chill came over him. He'd been too distracted by Tessa and how well their interaction was going to think about the murder. Oh, uh could be, I guess.

They didn't tell you. Just that it happened inside, Tessa said. Anyway, sorry, I'm a GM at Homemaker's. The one at the store here quit and they asked if I'd move up to take over. I needed a change of scenery. Scenery anyway. Oh yeah? Manny asked. He could see how much the kitchen bothered her and led her away to the back hallway. Sorry, Tessa said, forcing a laugh. I made it sound like I'm running from some wild past.

I was just kind of bored, really, ready for something different. Well, you found different, said Manny, showing her into the empty master bedroom. The chemical aroma was less powerful back there. Tessa seemed to find some comfort in the light blue room and leaned against one of the walls. I think I'll get over it, she said. The you know, I know.

I thought it wouldn't bug me at all. I hope once I get all my stuff moved in, you'll adjust, said Manny. And if you ever need to get out, he stopped himself, feeling gross about taking advantage of Tessa's discomfort to be so forward. She gave him an understanding smile and said, Thanks. How about Friday? Manny grinned. Oh please give me any excuse. Tessa's smile turned mischievous. No, I was thinking we could um we could actually go to Ted's.

Manny searched for any hint of sarcasm. He found a little irony in her eyes, but nothing more. She said, I'm serious Man, this place really is getting to you, he replied. No, I just think it could make a funny story. Imagine the characters who hang out with that guy. You're actually being serious? he asked. A hundred percent. But I'm only going if you go too. We gotta stick together. Manny liked the sound of that. Okay, he said. Sure, I'll go for the story. Really? Tessa asked.

He wondered if she'd secretly hoped he would shut her down. He got the feeling she let her impulses drive much of the time. There's plenty of time to change your mind, he offered. Yeah, yeah, there is. Okay, if I change my mind I'll can I get your number? Manny couldn't have been happier to give it to her. Tessa did not change her mind, and at 6 57 Friday night, they met in Manny's driveway to walk down to Ted's. Do you know what house it is? Tessa asked.

Oh shoot, said Manny. I never saw what house he went to. Me either. He didn't give me the address. Is this a bust already? Tessa stared up the street. She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. There's some cars parked up there. Maybe it'll be obvious which house it is. He did say he'd watch for us, said Manny. Thanks again for helping me move in, said Tessa as they started to walk. Sure. How's the place feeling now? Tessa stayed quiet for a few seconds before answering. Better.

I still feel weird in the kitchen, but the smell's starting to go away. I left the windows open for the last two days. Smart, said Manny. They took a few more steps in silence. Finally, he said, So, oh hey, Tessa simultaneously said. Sorry, you first. No, I actually didn't know what I was gonna say, honestly. Oh, well I did. Okay, then you go ahead. Tessa flicked her hair back. I will, thanks. You asked why I moved, but I never asked you. That's right, said Manny.

So why'd you move? Ah, there it is. His mouth shaped around a word he chose not to project. He closed it without saying anything. After a few silent steps, Tessa asked, Know how I apologize a lot? Guess I hadn't noticed, said Manny. Well, it's something I do. Just like intrinsically. The same thing in my brain is making me talk right now because I can tell you're uncomfortable. That's handy, said Manny.

Tessa pouted. Hey, I'm being vulnerable. And now I know your weakness. Not fair. Now you have to tell me yours. Manny said nothing and kept saying nothing. Tessa scolded him. Manny, stop it. He kept his mouth shut. All I did was ask you a question, just a simple little question. I'm sorry if that didn't take long, Manny interrupted. You suck. No, I use humor to cope. See, I can be vulnerable too. Oh yes, you're quite the comedi it was a breakup.

Tessa stopped walking. Manny turned to face her. He shrugged. It's all right. Happens to everybody, right? It's worse at this age, though, isn't it? asked Tessa. You too, huh? Know how I said I moved because I was bored? More like I was trapped. He was Well, not him, but people he knew, places we went, that sort of stuff was everywhere. I couldn't get away from him without leaving everything. And she flapped her arms defeatedly. Here I am. Her head jerked up.

Hey, you just deflected to me, didn't you?

Manny started to laugh, but Ted's voice stopped him short. Manny, Tessa, come on in. They scanned every porch but couldn't find Ted anywhere. Manny hoped they never would. He was having a nice time, and frankly forgot where they were heading until then. Right here, window, Ted called. Finally, they found him, leaning under half-closed blinds to shout through a window screen on a brown ranch house.

He ducked back and the blinds closed. A moment later, the front door opened. Ted leaned out and waved. I'm so glad you both came. Yeah, Manny replied. Wouldn't miss it, said Tessa. Ted stepped fully onto his front step. Oh, come on, guys. I know how weird it sounds, no need to pretend it doesn't. But it is real, that I'll promise you. Manny eyed the gorgeous cars lining the street outside of Ted's house, a BMW, an Audi, and two Maseratis. And there was a Porsche parked in the driveway.

He was glad he didn't have to park his Hyundai Elantra amongst these beauties. What is it exactly? asked Tessa. Ted pointed a finger like testing the wind and said Fair to ask, but I cannot answer. I would if I could, promised. It's just one of those things you have to experience for yourself. But hey, everybody's here now. We waited a couple minutes in case you were coming. Oh, sorry to make you wait, said Tessa. Very sorry, Manny echoed, giving Tessa the slightest

Nudge with his elbow. No, no, said Ted. It's all happening as it's meant to. With that he led them to his front door, then through.

They stepped onto tile that felt cold through their shoes somehow. Don't worry about Donner, he told Manny specifically. He stays locked up for these. Not that he would cause a problem, but we lean towards safety. You can leave your shoes here. Just against the wall is fine. Manny's and Tessa's shoes were the only pairs left by the wall, even though Ted claimed others had come. Manny wondered if perhaps Ted thought the other guests' shoes were cleaner.

Tessa seems to hesitate, fingers lingering on her sandals. Ted, who seemed more observant by the minute, stepped around Manny to open the closet and show them a row of variously sized shoes inside it. He said, Closet's all full. Tessa began to say sar, but Ted said, I completely understand your misgivings. I ha I'm just glad you're willing to give us a shot. Uh last thing is I assume you both have phones. Of course, said Manny, Ted picked up an empty basket on a stool next to the door.

He turned toward them and said, You can leave them here. The signals mess with our energies, so we keep'em out of the room. Manny asked, could we just turn them off? No, sorry, said Ted. They're never really off. Don't you know that? But don't worry, they'll be right here, and if you need to use them you can come in here and do so at any time. Where's everyone else's phones? asked Tessa, since they seemed to have been given full permission to be suspicious.

Ted laughed. We've all been doing this for a while. They leave them at home or in their cars, maybe. I can't say I've ever asked. I just know they don't bring'em. They'll stay here? asked Manny, holding his phone over the basket. On my honor, said Ted. Manny took his phone out and placed it in the basket. Tessa did the same. Ted thanked them and placed the basket back on the stool next to the door. Now

Tessa hadn't even noticed she'd been next to a pocket door until Ted reached around her and slid it open. The next room was lit only by candlelight. Five candles formed a line down the middle of an oval table around which four people of similar age to Ted sat in black hoodies. Crystal and stone jewelry adorned the necks, wrists, and earlobes of every man and woman. Everyone, began Ted, rolling a stone bracelet onto his own wrist.

This is Manny and Tessa. They moved into the duplex down the street. The one I don't probably need to say, do I? The empty one. Manny and Tessa, this is Erica? He pointed to a woman who reminded Manny of a teacher with flushed red cheeks. He pointed to a man who likely hunted year round by Manny's estimation, Gerald.

Tessa thought the man he pointed at next would have an easier time eating off his own belly than the table, if eating had actually been what they'd gathered to do, that was. And Sandra. Both Manny and Tessa felt relieved at the excuse to look at the woman sitting closest to them. They'd both taken quick glances at her before, and been met with the most expectant stares either of them had ever received.

Sandra was no younger than anyone else seated around the table, but she'd done her makeup like a nineteen year old TikToker. Tessa was impressed with Manny was too oblivious to feel the same, but despite the skill Sandra displayed in how she applied the makeup, it gave her a cold, uncanny look. That's Botox, Tessa realized. Sandra's face was frozen in a semi permanent smile. Now that that's done, Ted clapped, I'll get the tea.

Should we sit? asked Manny. Oh, where are my manners? Of course. Please have a seat. Do you take sugar with your tea, either of you? Honey, maybe? I'm okay, actually, Tessa said. None for me either, said Manny. The tea's part of the ceremony, everyone drinks, Rich half growled through his thick red mustache. Unfortunately, he's right, said Ted. The tea is a pretty important part of the ceremony. So sugar or honey?

It's not bad straight, said Erica. It sounded like she had a speech impediment or perhaps was a little drunk. Whatever you think tastes best, Tessa said. Manny felt a tension pulling him toward her, like she'd suddenly gained gravity. Same, he said. Giving a double thumbs up, Ted declared, Sugar it is, and left through another pocket door.

Manny pulled out a chair, then offered it to Tessa. She pretended to faint at his chivalry, then quickly remembered they had an audience. She rushed to ask, How did you all meet? You could say we were brought together, Gerald said with cringeworthy gravitas. Yeah, basically, mumbled Erica. Ted sorta collects people, said Rich. Like he did with you two.

He brings people together, Sandra clarified. Totness at the edges of her face told them she was trying to smile. Her face looked like a mask glued to her skin. You all live around here too? Manny asked. Not in the neighborhood, but close enough, said Rich. And I frankly can't remember how we met. One of those chance encounters, you know. He probably stopped me at the grocery store and chatted my ear off till I agreed to come here. It was years ago, I can't remember.

Sandra made a choking sound they couldn't ignore. Her eyes were the only part of her face that moved. She tipped her head back slightly, swallowed, and said as if nothing happened. He stopped me at the clinic. He said he could feel a heavy burden attached to me and asked if I wanted to be free from it. She laughed through frozen lips. Out of everyone here, I probably believed him the easiest. She jangled her bracelets and flicked her earlobes and laughed. These aren't my first crystals.

She leaned toward Manny, either to whisper to him or take a bite out of his cheek. Thankfully it was the former. Everyone else adapted after they learned how powerful this really is. Here we go, cheered Ted, entering with a tray on which he had centered a silver teapot encircled by seven matching teacups. Each had a small spoon handle protruding from it. He centered the tray on the table and distributed the cups to the room.

Tessa looked down at hers and saw a fine white powder beneath the tip of the spoon. She glanced at Manny's and saw his contained a similar substance, although it had a slightly darker hue like raw cane sugar. Their eyes met, and Manny braved the question. What is this stuff? Huh? Ted glanced up from placing Gerald's cup in front of him. Oh, you said sugar, right?

They said whatever you would recommend, corrected Sandra. Right, Ted smiled. It's sugar. Just the right amount to sweeten. My apologies, Tessa, I only had one packet of cane sugar on hand. Hope granulated is okay. Ted poured tea into his own cup and passed the teapot to Tessa, who poured and passed it to Manny, who passed it to Sandra, and so on until it reached Gerald, who passed it to Ted to return it to the center.

While the teapot went around, Tessa and Banny stirred their sugar until it dissolved in the steaming golden tea. Tessa looked up to see if others were also stirring their cups. She caught Rich looking away from her before picking up his spoon and swirling it aimlessly in his cup. But Gerald was also stirring his, and the effort it took him to reach it over his gut didn't seem worth it if he was faking.

Ted held a hand out to Manny and Tessa and said, We'll all drink together. Then he turned and opened a cabinet originally intended for a mini fridge. Ted's cabinet instead held a twisting wooden sculpture of smooth, tentacular limbs spreading apart in the lower half and coming back together to wind around each other near the top. In the center, a small glass dish rested in a carved hole in the sculpture's base.

Rich stood and shifted the teapot to the side. Everyone but Manny and Tessa gave the sculpture a short bow, more like a nod of acknowledgement, as Ted placed it in the center of the table. Then he picked up the teapot and poured what remained inside it into the glass dish in the sculpture. The last drop fell at the very top of the dish. Now we all drink, said Ted. He raised his teacup and everyone else copied him, even Manny and Tessa.

Tessa made eye contact with Manny. He felt her grounding him outside the bizarre situation they'd entered into. Together, as everyone else also tipped their cups against their lips, they drank their tea. Tessa winced, but Manny didn't think it tasted too bad. It had a distinct bitter taste like ashwagonda, herby and natural. He pursed his lips sympathetically, though. I suppose it's not the tastiest after all, is it? asked Ted, grinning at them. They realized everyone was grinning at them.

No, uh not really, Manny said through a forced smile of his own. It's not supposed to be right? asked Tessa. No, chortled Ted. It's just a necessary step. You'll see shortly. Gerald, wanna kick us off?

Gerald grumbled his consent and floundered near the floor next to his seat. Erica jerked toward him and they heard her socked foot connect with something crinkly. Gerald's hand reappeared, pinched around a package of double stuffed mint Oreos. He placed it in front of him, behind his empty cup, then he pushed the package toward the center, toward the sculpture, until he could only reach it with the tips of his fingernails.

He tilted his hands back and held them, pointed stiffly upward, an inch from his offering. Erika went next. She pushed a bottle of Tito's vodka toward the sculpture. She also pointed her hands up and kept her arms stretched over the table. Before Manny scanned over to Rich, he noticed the tea level in the sculpture's dish had lowered significantly.

He told himself someone, likely Gerald, had bumped the table and sloshed some of the tea out of the brimming dish. But he watched carefully as Rich pushed his offering, or whatever it was meant to be, toward the sculpture. When Rich lifted his hands, they saw he'd presented a small box of condoms. Before Manny's eyes, the tea in the dish lowered. His head swirled and, strangely, at the same time, his stomach churned.

He hadn't noticed a hole in the table through which the tea could leak. He wondered if there was some kind of draining mechanism or hidden device within the wooden tentacles. Again his stomach churned, spinning his vision too. Something felt wrong. He heard Tessa release a shaky, fearful breath. Sandra drew a purse into her lap and reached inside. She pulled out a circular hand mirror with a wooden frame and pushed it toward the sculpture.

When she took up the same pose as the others, the T lowered again.

Ted reached behind his back, underneath his shirt, and drew out a long, gleaming knife. I'm sorry, but we should go, Tessa said, suddenly standing. Ted looked not at her, but at Manny, and said, The bathroom is through the other door in the foyer. Manny's stomach felt like it had been replaced by a smoothie blender. He jolted out of his seat and ran to the door. Ignoring Tessa entirely, Ted set his blade on the table, sat, and pushed it toward the sculpture.

Tessa watched the last drop of tea absorb into the glass dish. She slumped into her chair. Nothing seemed real. She suddenly felt like she'd been in a dream the whole time. Her head and limbs felt too heavy, as they often do just before you wake up from a nightmare. But she wasn't waking up. She was falling asleep. She realized it just before her head hit the table, just in time to prevent the impact.

She slid one of her heavy hands across the table, knocking her empty teacup off the side. She brought the hand under her head and rested her head on it. she muttered, What's happening to me? If she received an answer, she didn't hear it.

Now that he'd gotten it out, the world felt more stable. The rules of reality had set back in. To be safe, he knelt in front of the toilet for a minute after he finished heaving to catch his breath and ensure there wouldn't be another round coming. A muted but sharp clank sounded next to his right knee. He noticed a floor vent and figured the sound had been made by the ducts settling.

Then he heard the clinking of thick chains through the vent. When he listened more intently, he also made out soft scuffing sounds of movement. He thought it must be Donner chained up in the basement. The chains rattled again, this time clinking sharply at the end.

Sorry, Manny said, perhaps subconsciously influenced by Tessa. What about? Ted asked flatly. Uh the tea just didn't sit well, I guess. I haven't eaten for a while, so maybe it does what it's meant to, said Ted. He remained still, blocking Manny's path. Remembering how Ted had invited questions, Manny said, There's some loud rattling in the basement. Is that Donner? asked Ted, turning a listening ear toward the bathroom.

On cue, the chains clanked against each other again. Ted closed his eyes and smiled, almost a grimace. Yes, that's Donner. I should go check on him. Would you come with me? Manny said, Oh, that's okay. I should get back to Tessa. She and the others paused the ceremony so I could check on you. They might get confused and break their concentration if you return without me.

Well I can tell them just come with me, Manny. It will only take a few seconds. I can't let you disrupt things more than you already have. said Manny. It's this way. Ted led him away from the bathroom. They traveled to the end of the hallway where Ted opened a hardwood door. A sweaty odor wafted up the dark stairs behind the door. The stairs were attached to stone walls on either side for the first two steps, then the left wall opened to avoid.

Ted paused on the second of those two steps, raised a finger, and said, I just remembered the bulb is out. Stay here, I'll get a flashlight. Before Manny could protest, Ted left him alone at the jaws of the staircase. He gazed into its throat at the saliva cord hanging from the uvula light bulb at the base. It wasn't far, but He could go down and test it, find out if Ted was lying so he could control the most limited resource in the basement.

Whoa there Thick arms wrapped around Manny's middle, and suddenly the stairs opened to release him. He fell back on something soft but firm. It pushed him off. It was Ted. Recovering fast, Ted said, You just about somersaulted down the stairs, you all right? I still feel a little woozy, I guess, said Manny. You sure it was just the tea? Everyone else is fine. We all drank from the same pot, said Ted. Maybe just my system? Manny offered.

He felt more comfortable showing embarrassment than his distrust for Ted and his friends. Couldn't find a flashlight without being too disruptive, so Ted held up a scented candle. Oats and honey, he said. He produced a matchbook from his back pocket and lit the half burned candle with smoke residue along its rim. He handed it to Manny and said, You first Manny took the candle. What if I fall again? Rather not have you falling on top of me. I'll catch you, said Ted.

Manny nodded, pretending to agree with the logic. At least he had the fire. At least he had control of the light. With Ted behind him, Manny felt pressure to descend more quickly than he wanted to.

Which way? Manny asked. There was enough space to go around the shelves either left or right, He hoped Ted would not make him walk between them. The rose looked wide enough, but only barely, and Manny already felt trapped. he suddenly found it impossible to believe he had let himself be herded down into the basement of a man who was barely more than a stranger, and beyond any definition of the word strange.

Sorry it's a little cramped down here, said Ted. Go right. Donner's on the other side of these shelves. That's a lot of shelves, Manny said, adding a friendly chuckle to the end. Yes, I suppose so, chuckled Ted. I lucked out. When they renovated the elementary school they just gave these away. I took as many as I could fit down here. The candlelight flashed against jars of various powders. Manny noticed two circles in the dust where a couple of jars were missing.

He slowed down to read some of the labels on the jars that were left, but they'd been written in tiny cursive he couldn't read without stopping. Ted drove him forward. They'd nearly reached the end of the final row of shelves, when Ted suddenly stopped and said, Hold on, Manny. Could I borrow that? He held out his hand for the candle. Manny froze, holding the candle away from Ted. He searched for an excuse to keep it and avoid giving up his last shred of autonomy.

But all the compassion Ted previously expressed for his and Tessa's caution had run out. Manny looked into his stony eyes and saw no give. His stony hand waited, resolute and impatient.

Manny handed the warm candle to Ted. Ted's hand closed around it. But not enough. It slipped through his fingers. The light went out before the glass tinkled across the floor. Manny felt two shards hit his socks, as well as a single drop of warm wax that stuck to the hair on his left shin.

The burst of oats and honey aroma mingled with the basement's armpit odor to make Manny's head spin again. Or at least, he thought it was just his head. In the abrupt and total darkness, he couldn't be sure the entire room. Yeah. Careful of the glass, Ted warned. Manny thought he sounded further away. The chains rattled aggressively. Manny guessed the sound or the darkness had agitated Donner. Is there another light down here? he asked.

He instinctively reached for his phone, forgetting it was sitting in a basket by the front door. Ted said. No, but if you follow the shelves back, you'll find the stairs. His voice was absolutely further away. A low, breathy growling that sounded nothing like a dog joined the clanking chains. What is that? Manny asked, not bothering to hide his fear. Just Donner. He's chained up, don't worry. Just move toward the stairs. But I'm not wearing shoes. Tad didn't say anything.

The sourness overpowered the candle's sweetness and made Manny not want to breathe. Ted? he called. From the stairs now, Ted called back. Just stay there. I'll bring another light. Light appeared at the top of the stairs, casting Ted's shadow against the wall at the bottom. Manny looked over the shelves in time to see one of Ted's feet vanish. No wait. The door closed, and the darkness became complete again.

This time, his heel slid on soft wax, and he jerked his right foot forward to catch himself. He felt glass crunch under his sock as a searing pain shot into his heel. The chains stiffened, and the sound of flat slapping feet echoed off the cinder block and concrete. An unnervingly human groan came next, followed by a desperate, muted howling. He's muzzled too, the poor dog.

Instead of thinking about them, he took advantage of the noises to pick up his pace, dragging his right foot behind his left on its toes. After two more repetitions he guessed he had exceeded the candle's blast radius. He reached for a shelf, careful not to knock anything over as he traced it with his fingers, following it to the small empty space before the stairs.

Manny had hoped his eyes would have adjusted, but there was no light in the basement whatsoever. If there were any windows, Ted had blacked them out. Or buried them, thought Manny. He didn't know why that felt so much worse. Letting go of the shelf took more courage than he expected, but after two long steps through the void, his knee collided with the side of the staircase.

the creature knew he was almost out. It started jerking at the chains and growling. Not at him, it seemed, but at the noisy chains holding it back. Manny finally found to the bottom of the stairs and climbed onto them. He crawled up on all fours. After a few steps, he lost his balance and twisted, slamming his punctured heel into the edge of a step. A shout escaped his gut as pain twisted up his leg. The shard was still in his heel.

He ran his hand down his leg until he found his foot. Then, painstakingly slowly, he felt for the His middle finger accidentally flicked the protruding end of the shard, and his foot nearly jerked away. A stony crackle on the far side of the basement caused the creature to make a giddy, unsettlingly human sound. Manny plucked the

glass from his heel and felt warm blood in his sock. He took the last few steps more slowly. When he reached the door he couldn't find the doorknob. He started to worry there might not be one on that side of the door.

When he finally did find it, he worried it might be locked. But all of his fear was for naught. just like Ted keeps telling you, he thought. The knob twisted in his hand, the door opened, and Manny was able to flee the darkness, the stench. and the threatening sounds of the basement. Stay tuned for part two. You made it out. Congratulations.

Edge of the Forgotten is a supernatural horror hybrid podcast, with season one totaling 13 narrated episodes and 10 full cast audio drama episodes. The show premieres July 7 on the Realm Network and all popular podcast platforms. The first three episodes arrive on launch day, with new episodes every Tuesday through the end of November.