Dead of Winter by Sam Millar Read Free Book Online

and well-built man, Cornelius had now been reduced to a desiccated husk whose only flesh was prominent on his neck in small accordion folds of skin.
    ‘Hey, Dad,’ said Karl, touching his father’s arm gently.
    ‘Is it medicine time, sir?’ asked Cornelius, glancing from the window, looking directly at Karl.
    To Karl, his father’s eyes appeared glazed over, as if in a trance. He seemed to have shrunk physically from the last time he had set eyes upon him. Karl looked at the weathered face, now an aged canvas of rough lines and creek-bed wrinkles. Oval creases were forming in dark folds around the eyes, giving them the sunken look of a corpse.
    Oh god, Dad
… ‘It’s…it’s me, Dad. Karl. Your son,’ said Karl, kissing the top of Cornelius’ full head of grey hair.
    ‘Son…?’
    ‘Yes, Dad. Karl. Remember?’
    ‘Karl…I remember a Karl…it’s hard remembering…’
    ‘I…know, Dad. It isn’t easy. Don’t…don’t be worrying about it.’
    ‘Karl was…he was a good boy…made a promise to me…’
    Karl’s stomach felt like it had just been kicked. ‘I know he did…’
    ‘Karl…’
    ‘Yes, Dad?’
    ‘Karl…’ repeated Cornelius. ‘He…he was a good boy…a very good boy…’
    ‘And you’re a good father, Dad. The best in the world,’ said Karl, feeling something uncontrollable welling up inside.
    Suddenly, Cornelius gripped Karl’s arm, pulling him downwards , closer, whispering, ‘
Karl made a promise to me. Said he wouldn’t let…let me live like this. Not like this. Didn’t he understand? He broke that promise. I hate him.’
    Karl tried pulling away, but his father’s grip was incredibly strong.
    ‘Said he wouldn’t let me live like a vegetable in the dark…’
    ‘I…I know…’
    Karl wrapped his arms around his father, gripping him tightly, remembering the time a million years ago, of a young boy crying, fearful of the dark and hiding in the ironing cupboard from the monster with a knife; the same monster that had just brutally raped and murdered the young boy’s mother. The same monster that molested and left the young boy for dead.
    There is no monster now, son
, assured his father, hugging him tenderly.
He’s gone forever. I’ll never let him touch you again
.
    Promise, Dad?
    I promise, son. I’ll keep the darkness away from you
…
    ‘I…I won’t let the darkness come to you, Dad…’
    Cornelius’ eyes suddenly became bright and clear, the glaze dispelling if only for a moment.
    ‘Promise?’
    ‘Promise…’

    It was late when Karl arrived back at the apartment, haggard and defeated with guilt.
    ‘What’s wrong?’ asked a concerned Naomi, as soon as Karl entered the living room.
    ‘Besides everything, you mean?’
    ‘Besides that. How was Cornelius?’
    ‘Not good. His mental health is deteriorating rapidly.’
    ‘Oh, Karl…’ Naomi walked over to Karl, wrapping arms around him. ‘I’m so sorry.’
    ‘He hardly recognised me, and I feel so bloody helpless watching his deterioration. He’s…he’s like a stranger, lost in a strange world.’
    Naomi tightened her grip. ‘Oh, Karl…’
    ‘I’m glad I asked you not to come. You wouldn’t have recognised him from the giant of a man he once was.’
    ‘He’ll always be a giant. You’ve got to be strong for him, now. That’s how Cornelius would want it.’
    ‘I can still feel his big hands, warm on my head, when I left him sitting there in that damn room, all alone.’
    ‘Let me make you some coffee and something to eat,’ volunteered Naomi, heading towards the kitchen area.
    ‘A Hennessy would go down a lot smoother.’
    ‘Get some food in you first,’ said Naomi. ‘Then a bit of rest.’
    ‘Where’s Lipstick? Don’t tell me she’s flown the coop after only one day? Have we really become that boring, Naomi?’
    ‘She said she’s away to meet a friend, and that she’d be back by four.’
    ‘Seeing that’s it’s almost seven, I guess she’s disappeared