Transmissions by Michael Golvach

Author:Michael Golvach [Golvach, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction
Publisher: Michael Golvach
Published: 2020-09-20T00:00:00+00:00

Lawrence opened his eyes and rubbed the dust from around them, turning his head to the left as he heard Amelie’s footsteps on the stairs. By the time his vision cleared, he saw her walking through the curtains with a supper plate held in her hands. One underneath, to keep the plate steady, and the other atop it, to keep the water glass, box of matches, napkin—and whatever assortment of utensils was under it—in place.

Shannon sat in Lawrence’s lap, which pleased him to the degree he could feel much of anything, and reached her hand out to Amelie, directing her with her right index finger. “Amy, be a dear. Hand the tableware to Benji and give me the box of matches.”

Amelie tossed the box of matches to Shannon, who opened it immediately, pulled out a match, struck it, and relit the candle she’d blown out to pour liquid pain on Lawrence’s already putrefying hands. She let the match burn until it went out on its own, placed it back in the box, and placed the box at the head of the circle, between the pebbles and the wall beside the couch.

After watching Shannon wink at George, Amelie turned and handed Benjamin the plate, gesturing with her eyes toward the front door.

Benjamin nodded to Amelie and looked down. “Could you put your hands together and lift them, palms down, to my chin? I can’t grab them without dropping the tableware, which I’m assuming would be a bad thing.”

Amelie gave him a quizzical look and offered her hands to him, at which point he kissed their tops and she blushed slightly. “What was that for?” she asked, wondering why she was questioning anything if she wasn’t questioning everything.

“Just in case,” Benjamin replied. “It can’t hurt.” Then he whispered, “I don’t know what’s with Shannon, but it’s time to get out of here. We’ve—”

“Amy,” Shannon called out. “Your place is just outside the circle, between the door to the bedroom and the door to the laundry.”

“My place?” She looked at Benjamin again, who nodded and rolled his eyes toward the curtains blocking the stairs to the front door.

“Yes,” Shannon said. “You must stand in your place, as Benji and George are standing in theirs. You must, or the ceremony cannot continue. You must, or your freedom will not be assured.”

Amelie nodded to Benjamin, gulping, and moved to her place, facing the circle and looking at the curtains. Wondering why Benjamin wasn’t grabbing her and whisking her out the front door. Wondering if he was looking for a definite signal from her, just as she was looking for one from him.

Shannon reached out to Benjamin and he handed her the plate—with its cargo—and the glass. “Thank you, Benji. And excellent work getting Amy and yourself in the best position possible straight away. You’ll not regret it. Just remember what I told you.”

Shannon sat the plate to the right of Lawrence’s head and the glass to its left. Then she took the napkin, unfolded it,

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