TADM 03 The Undying Debt

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __I__ [continue] My office wasn’t haunted, but it was quirky. The furniture and décor were leftover from the previous tenant, a private investigator named Angelo. He was murdered in this very office over sixty years ago. The landlady had been unable or unwilling to remove the contents since then, to the point that my lease prevented me from getting new furniture or changing the layout. The arrangement didn’t bother me, as long as I could move in a few small comforts: a coffee maker, more bookshelves, a cot, and other similar conveniences. The microwave dinged the sad chime of an appliance on its last legs. I tested my dinner of noodles right from the Styrofoam cup. No matter how much cheap seasoning they put in these meals I could still taste the plastic. After cooking for five minutes, the noodles still weren’t hot. If we hadn’t been in the middle of an unseasonably late cold snap this spring, I would have eaten it. Not enjoyed it, mind you. But I was wearing two sweaters and needed to warm up a bit more. So, I put the cup back in the sickly microwave and punched in another five minutes, during which I contemplated why paranormal investigators don’t make more money. Considering how many people believe they have had a paranormal encounter, paranormal investigators should all be living in the suburbs with boat trailers parked in our driveways. Turns out, most people are unwilling to compensate a stranger offering insight into their paranormal experience. And it’s far less often to have a client who accepts the expert opinion. Denial is easier and less expensive. [[Back |tadm03]] [[Next |tadm03.01.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __II__ [continue] I was the only paranormal investigator in the six-story brick building that had once been branded a skyscraper. The rest were CPAs, lawyers, and other typical office park tenants. I think we even had a dental office. It wasn’t on the sign, but the lobby always smelled like one. I stepped outside the building with enough time to arrive fifteen minutes late. The sidewalk was wet from the melting piles of snow. Up above, the gray clouds would clear up by the time I was done being scolded for being late. Parking was a perpetual problem in the city. Despite having had the chance to take a spot in front of my building, I parked a few blocks over because my mechanic gets upset if I leave the car parked in places where people can’t admire his work. He kept my 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE in immaculate condition. The white sedan had a hood long enough to stretch out on, a round grill that looked like an adorable snout, and a pair of double-barrel headlights. It was the most impressive thing I owned. I had to walk against the grain of foot traffic to get to the parking spot. No one objected louder than a dirty look. People were just trying to get from point A to point B without getting a migraine from the constant jackhammering or the beeping from commercial vehicles that always seemed to be stuck in reverse. The soundtrack of a city in a continual state of repair. [[Back |tadm03.01.07]] [[Next |tadm03.02.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __III__ [continue] Bernard led me into the only oval shaped library I’ve ever seen. We entered through a set of double doors on the long end of room. Across from me I could view the grounds through a window paned in a diagonal pattern. I took a few more steps in and admired how the bookshelves stretched to the ceiling and curved with the wall all the way to either side of the window. Dust found no quarter here, and unlike my collection of books, everyone fit on a shelf. There weren’t any scattered across piles while they waited for a spot to open up. Her study lacked a desk, but in the middle of the room were two luxury sofa chairs facing each other and a matching long couch that faced the door. The whole room reminded me of the waiting area in my office, but the best imaginable version of it. “That couch is probably more comfortable than my bed.” Bernard did not respond. I found the door shut and figured he had closed it after he left to show the others out. I could be wrong, but I think he disliked me more than the other paranormal people. Which was weird. The others wouldn’t be taken seriously even by alien conspiracy theorists. My offenses against him only amounted to arriving a little late and preferring to be called by my first name. And not taking his shit. I sat down on the couch and confirmed it was, in fact, more comfortable than any piece of furniture I owned. The doors opened, and Mrs. Camelot entered wearing a pair of clicking high heels and a new dress, designer no doubt, hand sewn by angels from unicorn thread and paid for by the devil. I think her hair may have changed too. [[Back |tadm03.02.10]] [[Next |tadm03.03.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __IV__ [continue] I was reading a book of Appalachian ghost stories at my desk when Bernard called with all the enthusiasm of scheduling a tooth extraction. I greeted him with, “Delighted to hear the sound of your voice.” And I meant it too. With some “polite” prompting from myself, he provided me the contact information for Avalon. I reached for my bookmark that had wandered off when I answered the phone. As Bernard droned on with details, I realized I needed a pen more than a bookmark. My desk was less of a desk and more of a cross between high art and a metal contraption. In its day it had been a status symbol. But those days have long since passed, and it became an object out of place with the rest of the world. On one side was a stack of paper pads lifted from hotel lobbies, and way on the other side was a collection of three pens from the same hotels resting in a chipped coffee mug. As Bernard mumbled something about a museum, I tried to write it down, but the pen was completely dried out. I put it back and drew another, which suffered from the same affliction. I put that one back and drew the last one, which teased a little bit of ink before going bone-dry. Bernard mentioned something about Avalon’s roommate. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that. What did you say her name was?” But he didn’t repeat the name. “Could you hold on a second, I need to find a pen to jot this down?” I asked. The man did not pause. If anything, he talked faster. [[Back |tadm03.03.09]] [[Next |tadm03.04.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __V__ [continue] Avalon worked at a museum specializing in blending artistic representations of monstrous creatures from various time periods with modern interpretations on the subject. Neo Pop Goth was how the website described Arte del Mostro. While I work in the subjects covered by this art, I don’t always understand the artistic representation. Nor do I care to hear someone explain it to me. The museum’s collection was small, taking up three rooms in the basement of a seventy year-old office building. (That’s considered ‘new construction’ by New Cari standards). The staircase down was narrow and the architect had been of the opinion that light is optional for navigating the descent. Or maybe the construction crew had cut some corners. There are plenty of stories in the local papers where that led to minor catastrophes. Once inside the museum, the lighting improved, but it would still be considered dimly lit by most people’s standards. Only slightly better than what you would find at a dive bar. The space had been remodeled, and if I hadn’t walked through the building I would have assumed I was in a basement office of a suburban office park, and not a repurposed space. Off to the side was a brochure rack of tourist destinations the city offered. The receptionist desk was an antique, and barely large enough to hold a regular-sized notebook, but it was able to fit two other objects in the far corners. The first was a desk lamp for the benefit of the receptionist. And the second was a cabinet-style sign with slide-in letters for the benefit of the guests. It read: [[Back |tadm03.04.05]] [[Next |tadm03.05.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __VI__ [continue] Bernie and I parked on the street outside the museum a little before six. It should have been a sunny spring day, but the storm clouds made it seem like midnight. The rain didn’t hold back when it started. Spring was trying to overcompensate for the earlier cold snap. For a moment, I could only think about the storm. About the potential flooding caused by the rain melting the snow. About which streets were most likely to close. The distractions just kept coming, and even though my mind was working, I stopped paying attention. Avalon rapped on the car window, bringing me back from wherever my mind had drifted. I leaned across the passenger seat to unlock the door, but Bernie beat me to it. She leaned in to talk and seemed either oblivious to the car’s unnatural behavior or familiar enough with similar behavior that she wasn’t threatened by it. Or she was in denial. Based on my interactions with her earlier in the day she seemed too smart to be oblivious. My bet was on denial, but there was a possibility she just hadn’t noticed. “Want to go for a walk?” I offered. “I’d prefer to do this somewhere dry and well lit.” Not unreasonable requirements. But this felt like a way she could shake me. She could tell me to meet her someplace and then never show up. And depending on her past, she might disappear for good. And then I’d probably have to disappear as well, by my own choice before someone affiliated with the Camelots made it for me. “I understand if you don’t want to, but can I give you a lift somewhere.” [[Back |tadm03.05.07]] [[Next |tadm03.06.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __VII__ [continue] Avalon had already stood up and was heading to the diner’s exit. I was trying to count out the money and stand at the same time, which made me slower at doing both. “Wait up, I still need to pay the bill.” “Pay it tomorrow, get me to my apartment,” she said with the urgency of someone fearing for their life. I stood up as well. “What, are you like Cinderella or something?” Her hand pulled the door open and without turning around, she said, “Only if it were a horror movie” as she walked out. There wasn’t enough time to share that the original folk tales of Cinderella had enough blood to be considered horror by today’s standards. I stopped counting the cash and threw down on the table however much what was in my hand. I overpaid. But didn’t care. Mrs. Camelot would have to cover it. Avalon was already sitting in the car and the engine was running even though she sat in the passenger seat and the only keys were in my pocket. I hadn’t gotten around to telling her that I was driving her around in a haunted automobile. But given her hysteria about the moth, I didn’t think she cared about it at the moment. Maybe she had noticed earlier and now had pleaded with him to let her in. Or maybe Bernie was a softy to everyone but me. I mean, we have our moments. Whatever amount of Bernie’s sympathy Avalon had earned it had not been extended to me as I still had to use the key on the door handle. A very reliable sign that Bernie was unhappy with me. [[Back |tadm03.06.09]] [[Next |tadm03.07.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __VIII__ [continue] Paranormal occupations have long hours and late nights, which extinguishes all hope of ever considering myself an early riser. In this case, I was able to make an exception since I couldn’t sleep. Avalon didn’t tell me what time to meet her in the morning, so I showed up thirty minutes before the earliest reasonable hour, hoping to get answers before she left for work. I needed them to buzz me into their building first. The button with Avalon’s name didn’t have her last name, which made sense since she was trying to keep under the radar of the local paparazzi. Instead, the name following Avalon’s was Igraine, also without a last name. Or maybe it was positioned so that it looked like it was one name. Avalon Igraine. Several other occupants had slashes separating any roommates. I pushed the button, and her roommate answered. She had a strained sleepy voice of a woman who must have been closer to Mrs. Camelot’s age than to Avalon’s. “I’m here to see Avalon.” “Now is not a convenient time,” the intercom cracked. I waited a moment just in case she changed her mind. A man walked in behind me with a disposable cup of coffee, unlocked his mailbox to retrieve its contents, then opened the door. He didn’t stop me when I caught it before it closed, nor did he make a fuss when I entered the building. Didn’t even make eye contact. The typical see-nothing-say-nothing behavior of someone who either said something about something he saw or knew someone who’d made that mistake. [[Back |tadm03.07.05]] [[Next |tadm03.08.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __IX__ [continue] I wasn’t going to agree to a plan without hearing it first. So, I did the next best thing and agreed not to run away. For now. Avalon said, “If you don’t mind, I’d like to put myself together before talking more.” “Of course,” I said. I mean, it’s awkward enough talking about paranormal subjects, but doing it in your pajamas with a man in a second-hand suit. Well, anything to make the situation more comfortable was a step in the right direction. She walked away before I saw a hidden meaning in her words. I asked Igraine, “Did she say –” “She wasn’t being literal. She’s all put together in that sense.” “Well, that makes one of us.” That got a laugh out of Igraine. The smile gathered the energy to push through the barrier and found itself in familiar territory. The pipes whined for a moment when Avalon started the shower, which drowned out the soft whistle from the tea-kettle. The water boiled over and sizzled on the stove’s surface. “Oh shit!” Igraine said as she moved into the kitchen. Her rushed walk was more sliding than stepping. She switched the kettle to a different burner and then pulled down a mug from a cabinet. “There’s enough for two cups. Can I make you some?” [[Back |tadm03.08.10]] [[Next |tadm03.09.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __X__ [continue] I didn’t wait for Igraine’s response. Otherwise, it might turn into a conversation. I picked a blue book from a shelf and sat down with it. It would be much easier to avoid her if my attention was focused on something else. If only I had been interested in the book I had picked at random. Unfortunately, the romantic dilemma between a teenager and the numerous mythical creatures competing for her affection was not something that I found engaging. That did not stop me from acting like I was consumed by the story. So, I pretended to read about Babby and her romantic escapades with Daryllonious and Miska for over two hours before Igraine began speaking. I kept my nose in the book. Unsatisfied with my behavior, Igraine yanked the book out of my hands. In the book, Babby had just realized that men can be more dangerous than wild predators, and so could she. Igraine slammed the book closed and said, “This is the part where you say something.” “Told you I wasn’t good at having conversations,” I replied. “No one’s asking you to be good at it. The worst way to have a conversation is to not talk.” “So, what do you want to talk about?” “I don’t know ask a question.” I didn’t need to think hard for this one, “What’s your deal?” But I should have put more thought into that. “Wow, I told you all about my struggles.” “No, I meant, why are you here? How do you know Avalon?” [[Back |tadm03.09.07]] [[Next |tadm03.10.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __XI__ [continue] The apartment was filled with the kind of quiet that happens to you. It wasn’t invited and it wouldn’t be going anywhere for a while. Like when people watch someone administering first aid to an unconscious stranger. I can outlast most people in an extended awkward silence, but on this occasion Igraine got the best of me. “I’ll take you up on that cup of coffee, you offered earlier,” I said. “We’re out of beans.” I took that to mean she wanted me to leave, but just so there was no confusion, she grabbed the tin from the counter and turned it upside down. A few beans fell to the floor and scattered. She must have used the last for Avalon. For a moment, I was upset she didn’t have any emergency coffee, but instead of complaining, I offered, “I’ll pick some up for you.” She put the tin back on the counter and crossed her arms. “What kind?” “Maybe you should come with me, then.” “No, I’ll be staying here.” “Why? Big plans?” “No, I might have an episode.” [[Back |tadm03.10.05]] [[Next |tadm03.11.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __XII__ [continue] I woke up on an unfamiliar couch to the noise of Avalon rummaging through her kitchen. I guessed Igraine’s lack of sleep had caught up to her, because no matter how much noise Avalon made, Igraine’s bedroom door remained closed. It was a good thing Igraine unlocked Avalon’s coffin before she turned in, because Avalon woke up before Igraine. If she had not been sound asleep, it would have been impossible not to hear, as her bedroom shared a wall with the kitchen. “Looking for something?” I asked. “Coffee.” “Oh, you had the last of it yesterday.” She sighed in a way only a caffeine addict could understand. I wasn’t certain at first, but it sounded like she mumbled something cruel about Igraine’s forgetfulness. I was sure she meant to curse the health challenge that plagued her, but sometimes roommates just have their breaking points. She pinched her turquoise amulet and slid it back and forth while her mind drifted somewhere else. That was when I was awake enough to notice she had gotten ready for the day. “Were you thinking about going to the museum today?” I asked. “Yes. But just for the morning. I won’t have to do anything until this afternoon.” [[Back |tadm03.11.06]] [[Next |tadm03.12.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __XIII__ [continue] One of the household staff answered the phone. I was promptly denied a conversation with Mrs. Camelot. I called again saying it was an urgent matter about her granddaughter. Again, promptly denied. The third time I called, I asked to speak to Bernard. It was not an easy thing for me to do, given our mutual disrespect. When the staffer asked me who was calling, I was tempted to give a fake name. Instead, I said, “Mr. Krelig.” There was a moment of emptiness while I was on hold. Bernard, was my last hope and the last person I wanted to be my last hope. He picked up the phone. “Mr. Krelig, what is this urgent matter about Miss Avalon?” I just needed to get through his screen. “She’s in trouble, Bernard, a lot of trouble. I need to speak with Mrs. Camelot.” “I’m afraid you’ll need to be a little more specific.” “She’s about to commit a terrible crime.” “That is not specific, Mr. Krelig.” “I don’t know the specifics of it; otherwise, I wouldn’t need to call for help. All I know is she’s on her way right now to abduct a child. I was pursuing her, and now I’m stuck in traffic. I need you to get me a helicopter.” “A what?” he half laughed and half whined. [[Back |tadm03.12.08]] [[Next |tadm03.13.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __XIV__ [continue] The plastic sign that swayed over the door of the “billiards and poker supplier” had a rather busty mythological harpy with a pool cue in one hand and a poker hand in the other. A wink and smirk were the final touches of class. Absent from the sign was the name of the business, so I invented my own: The Harpy’s Secret. I walked in and found every poker and billiard table turned over. Many had their felt torn off or cut down the center. There were a surprising amount of broken beer and liquor bottles for a “supply store.” But probably the right amount for a gambling front. A lone man who looked like he ran a gambling hall in the 1800s was so busy trying to sweep up the glass he hadn’t noticed he wasn’t alone. I cleared my throat and startled him. “Ah, jeez. Can’t you see we’re closed.” “Sign said open.” He shook his head. “Well, we ain’t. Go find a game somewhere else.” “I’m not looking for a game. I’m looking for a kid.” He swore and then pointed a handgun at me. “I ain’t dealing with this shit again.” I put my hands up and calmly said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” [[Back |tadm03.13.02]] [[Next |tadm03.14.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __XV__ [continue] Two hours of expressway into the countryside and one hour on roads that were questionably fit for their calling. Off-the-grid might as well, have meant off-the-map. Given how many people were described by the person whose name I conveniently forgot at The Harpy’s Secret, I expected cars or vans to be piled up. But when I pulled up, there was only one light blue sedan in the unpaved driveway. I had been too late again. I parked the car right behind the sedan. In case anything happened, I was sure Bernie wouldn’t let them get away. The one-room cabin was where people went to remind themselves how good civilization really was. There was a path from the drive ay to the front door and from the front door to an outhouse that several hundred spiders called home. The front door hadn’t been closed all the way. I knocked, and it opened into the one-room murder scene. When I saw the blood, I thought it might have been the child, but it was an adult male who had his brains splattered out on the floor. Standing over the body was the person I least expected to see. Bernard. He was missing his formal coat with the Camelot crest on it, but he still wore fine clothes. The handgun was the big difference for him. [[Back |tadm03.14.05]] [[Next |tadm03.15.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __XVI__ [continue] The next morning, I texted Igraine an awkward message to see if there was anything I needed to be updated on. I got a simple “No.” After two days, I called Camelot again and asked to speak with Bernard. I told him I would prefer to speak to Mrs. Camelot about the matter, but as usual he was an effective gatekeeper. So, I told him no one had seen or heard from Miss Avalon in forty-eight hours and that I presumed she was deceased. “Why do you say that?” “Because she was cursed.” He laughed, and I snapped. “Listen up, I can’t tell you where she is, but if she is dead, her body will not be in good condition. She’ll have been eaten by,” I was about to say moths, but to a guy like Bernard it would be a punch line, “bugs.” He didn’t laugh, although he probably still thought it was absurd. “I thought she was free of the curse. Care was taken to make sure her package was delivered successfully.” I explained the effect of the second curse. “Are you saying that if we had stopped her that she would still be alive?” “She would have still needed to do something horrible. Probably even worse.” [[Back |tadm03.15.06]] [[Next |tadm03.16.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- The phone rang while the noodles were still cooking. I left the waiting area, passing the permanently vacant receptionist desk, and entered the suite’s single office, the only other room besides the waiting area. I didn’t recognize the caller’s number, and if I weren’t in desperate need of a kitchen appliance, I would have let it go to voicemail. There was silence on the other line. Not the telemarketer or recorded sales pitch I had expected. Being a paranormal investigator gets your name on some pretty weird marketing lists. “Hello,” I said. A voice full of proper dictation but zero politeness asked, “Is this Mr. Krelig’s office?” “Ya, who’s calling?” “Is that any way to greet a potential customer?” “Clearly you’re not familiar with my customers,” I fired back. The microwave dinged, and I shot it a dirty look. “I’ll be honest. I was hoping I could leave a message.” I responded with a lighthearted, “There is nothing to be embarrassed about.” “No, you misunderstand. I am not the least bit embarrassed. I just think you’re a scam artist and not worth the trouble.” “Well, if it’s any consolation, I think scam artists are in a higher tax bracket than me.” He sighed. “My name is Bernard Perry, and I am calling on behalf of Marguerite Camelot. I assume you are familiar?” [[Back |tadm03.01.01]] [[Next |tadm03.01.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- The old heiress of the Camelot fortune? Everyone in New Carissimi for the past three generations knew about the Camelot family. Their faces grace the cover of the local tabloids a couple of times a year. Sometimes for weeks at a time, if the scandal was hot enough. Since the question had an obvious answer, it wasn’t a question. It was a message. Possibly a warning. Well, I had a message I wanted to send as well. I have standards and neither power nor wealth could influence them. In fact, my standards are so high that I was broke. “Never heard of her.” A lie is a message when all parties know the truth. “You insult my employer.” “No, just you. Now…” I regained my composure. “How may I assist Mrs. Camelot?” “My employer wants to hire you to look into a matter.” “Then, why are you calling?” “I am the caretaker of the Camelot Estate and handle several important matters for Mrs. Camelot.” “So, you’re the one who will be writing the check?” “Indeed.” Perfect. My best-paying cases are ones where the person is skeptical and there is no paranormal activity. They pay promptly to have their beliefs reinforced and suspicions confirmed. [[Back |tadm03.01.02]] [[Next |tadm03.01.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Not everyone in my field has figured this out. Probably because almost no one in my field has firsthand experience with the paranormal. Snake oil salesmen outnumber legitimate professionals like myself. “Well, now we’re getting somewhere. What does Mrs. Camelot need me to look into?” “She…” he resisted the words, “is convinced the estate is haunted.” A haunting. My specialty. I mean, I take other jobs: monsters, unexplained curiosities, and occasionally dark magic (those are the least profitable). But hauntings are my strong suit. “Did this ghost appear recently? Does she recognize who it is?” “She isn’t certain, but she thinks it is the ghost of her late husband.” The lack of certainty was an immediate red flag. “And now why would her late husband want to haunt the estate?” “This isn’t a joke, Mr. Krelig!” “I wasn’t making one.” “Very well, then. The usual things. She thinks he is trying to ruin her social life.” “And I’m going to guess that, since you think I’m a scam artist, you don’t share her opinions?” “My, aren’t you the detective.” “I assume there is a household staff?” “Indeed, fifteen full-time employees.” [[Back |tadm03.01.03]] [[Next |tadm03.01.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- The number made me lose my train of thought. What do fifteen people do all day at a mansion with only one resident? “Mr. Krelig?” “Sorry. I’m in the middle of dinner,” I lied. “I’d be more than happy to call back,” he said eagerly. “No, no, no. Um, do any of the staff think the house is haunted?” “Of course not.” A second red flag. Only one person was saying there was a ghost. “Is the ghost in a room or does it roam freely?” The question was a roundabout way of asking if other people had a chance to confirm the haunting. Bernard took a moment before saying “I suppose the latter. She didn’t specify.” As much as I didn’t like the idea of agreeing with Bernard, the case had enough red flags for me to doubt Mrs. Camelot’s claim. This felt like a setup. “So, to sum up, she’s certain the place is haunted, and suspects it is her husband. Are there any additional details you would like to share with me?” “Yes, you are to assist Mrs. Camelot in determining who is haunting the mansion. Report to the Camelot estate at precisely 9 a.m. tomorrow.” Most clients hire me to make the ghost go away. Could this be a third red flag? Did I really care? [[Back |tadm03.01.04]] [[Next |tadm03.01.06]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- My caseload was so light I knew should probably take the case regardless of whether or not I thought something supernatural was involved. Or even if I suspected that I was being set up. “You should know I bill a minimum of ten hours for this sort of work.” A bill for ten hours of a consultant’s time is usually enough to last them a week. The rest of their week is spent fishing for new clients. But I can make that sum of money last at least a month. Life is considerably more affordable when you’re not trying to impress anyone. Bernard’s pompous voice replied, “Mrs. Camelot will have no difficulty compensating you for your time.” “I charge the ten hours even if there isn’t a ghost. Even if this is a prank.” The formality and confidence in his voice were gone, even though the snottiness was still there. “I assure you Mrs. Camelot has no interest in anything so common as a prank.” He knew, alright, but if I pestered him anymore, I’d risk losing the case, and the month of peace it would buy me. A paying client was always my favorite kind of client even when I didn’t like them. Bernard gave me the directions to the Camelot mansion. He also provided parking instructions, which struck me as odd. Who needs instruction when there is a valet to park the car for you? He then provided a brief summary of the proper etiquette expected at the residence, which I ignored. When it comes to telling someone they haven’t seen a ghost, I’m the authority on the proper way to deliver the message. [[Back |tadm03.01.05]] [[Next |tadm03.01.07]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- In a strange way Bernard reminded me of my ornery mechanic, and it went beyond the fact that they shared the same name. They were both pains, just in different ways. Bernie was more of the silent pain in the neck, and Bernard was the out loud pain in the ass. Bernard told me one more time to be punctual before hanging up. I walked over to my dinner and put it back in the microwave for another five minutes. When it was done, I concluded the machine just didn’t have enough gumption to get the noodles hotter than lukewarm. Bon Appétit. [[Back |tadm03.01.06]] [[Next |tadm03.02.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- My client, the affluent Camelot Heiress, lived an hour and a half away from my office in a suburb of New Carissimi called Marcato. The expressway out to her estate was wide open, but the inbound traffic to New Cari was stalled at its familiar standstill. As a lifelong New Carissian, I had no idea what the official names of the area’s expressways were. We all referred to them by the old trolley lines they replaced. Even the local traffic reports ignored the route numbers assigned by the original city planners. The one in the direction of Marcato was known as the twoway. The light traffic gave me time to put my thoughts together about last night’s phone call from Bernard. Most people who contact me have been traumatized by their encounter, and most of the time they fear their understanding of reality was dangerously close to falling into an abyss. To them, the world had been ordered and structured. Then, out of nowhere, they find their order in disarray and their structured views unable to support reason. Doesn’t help that no one they know is willing to believe them. Bernard, on the other hand, wasn’t afraid or traumatized. He was irritated. He didn’t need or want my help. There was a small chance I would uncover that he was behind some sort of hoax or scheme to get the heiress’s estate through a well-timed financial power of attorney. But I have yet to find anyone who had based a criminal endeavor on the premise of Scooby-Doo. [[Back |tadm03.02.01]] [[Next |tadm03.02.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- The sky had finally given the sun its chance to beat down the mounds of snow piled on both sides of the road. A rainstorm forecasted in a few days would take care of what the daylight wouldn’t. I turned onto the Camelot driveway. The stretch of pavement felt more like a private road cut through a pine forest. My first glimpse of the residence had me thinking I must have made a wrong turn, because what I saw looked like an upscale resort. Not a place any reasonable person would call home. A smiling valet waited in front of twin doors under a covered awning, shivering and rubbing his hands. It may have been sunny enough to melt snow, but it was still cold enough to chill a person. If I had known anyone was being forced to wait outside, I would have arrived early. His red vest was too thin to provide any warmth. I assumed he was required to wear it since the emblem of the estate was proudly embroidered in gold on the left. My car typically looked out of place wherever I went, but it looked like it belonged here. I, however, did not blend into the upscale environment, even though I was wearing my best second-hand suit. The one closest to being a good fit on me. The valet greeted me with compliments meant for the car and an eagerness to sit behind the wheel. [[Back |tadm03.02.02]] [[Next |tadm03.02.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- I handed him the keys, resisted the urge to ask him if he knew how to drive a manual, and instead warned, “Make sure you treat this one with respect.” He chuckled and drove off, ignoring my advice. A well-dressed man stepped out of the mansion’s twin front doors to greet me and was clearly unhappy about it. His stride carried Bernard’s attitude from last night’s call. But if I hadn’t deduced who he was by his gait, I could have guessed because of his nicely tailored suit with the matching embroidered emblem. On closer examination, it denoted his rank as manager of the Camelot Estate. A few wisps of overdyed hair were parted in a comb-over that made every effort to conceal his baldness but could not possibly pass as a full head of hair. He skipped the formal greeting and went straight to scolding. “Mr. Krelig, you were to arrive promptly, and things have already started.” “Nice to meet you in person, Bernard.” I extended my hand, but he did not accept it. “And, call me Viktor. Only the plaintiff’s lawyers call me Mr. Krelig.” That rattled him a bit. He studied me, wondering about the nature of the lawsuits I had referred to. He was prepared to lecture me about something. My out-of-date attire? Not addressing him as “Mr. Perry”? He pushed his judgments to a place where they would remain unspoken. [[Back |tadm03.02.03]] [[Next |tadm03.02.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- He waved me over to him and leaned toward the door as if it would budge me and said, “They’ve already started. I’m afraid you’ll need to join them in progress.” I didn’t know who he meant by “them” or how anyone could start an investigation without the investigator. I wasn’t expecting anyone else other than Mrs. Camelot, but I refused to let it show. “How much could I have possibly missed?” He turned away from me like an offended squirrel and scampered into the house. With nothing better to do, I followed at a leisurely pace. The foyer reminded me of an old-fashioned hotel lobby, but it lacked a desk for checking in. In the middle was a giant round table with a single vase holding a full bouquet. The color from the flowers popped against the room’s dark-stained wood paneling. Beyond the table was a grand staircase that was big enough for an orchestra. It led up to an exposed second story, and when I looked up, I saw the chandelier was hung from the third story and went all the way down past the second. Bernard cleared his throat as I was craning my neck and wondering if the chandelier was made of diamonds. “Your coat,” he commanded in an intentional butchering of common courtesy. “No thanks, I’m not planning on staying long.” [[Back |tadm03.02.04]] [[Next |tadm03.02.06]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “But, Mr. Krelig, we have you for at least ten hours.” “No, your bill will be for a minimum of ten hours. We went over this, Bernard. My work is done when I say it’s done.” I was glad we were having this conversation sooner rather than later. If he refused right now, I could exit quickly and peacefully, knowing he never intended to pay. “Mrs. Camelot will not appreciate your tone. I suggest, for your sake, you correct it.” “Just get me to where you’re taking me.” We walked up the stairs and into a large room without any furniture. The light wooden paneling in this room matched the stain on the hardwood floor. Oil-painted portraits hung from the walls and I could see through the glass-paned doors to the balcony of melting snow. As Bernard said, things had already started without me. In the middle of the room stood an elderly woman with the poise of someone giving a press conference but lacking a podium. I didn’t think it was a leap to assume this was the Camelot Heiress. She wore a dark dress with a bright pattern of occult symbols. The design was not subtle, but it was tasteful, and since it was worn by the Camelot Heiress, it had to be expensive. Her dress was accented by jewelry of misunderstood religious symbols. The whole outfit was the kind of thing someone wears to convince people they believe in the supernatural without having witnessed anything even remotely paranormal. [[Back |tadm03.02.05]] [[Next |tadm03.02.07]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Her audience was a group of four people representing the absolute bottom of the barrel of my profession. I recognized only one by sight: Solomon Spiritus. But it was clear the others were of similar quality, given the costumes they were sporting. A muscular man was wearing a sequined vest without an undershirt. Next to him was someone dressed in a very expensive Sherlock Holmes costume complete with a deerstalker hat. He was tall, but I doubted he would still be standing if a light gust of wind entered the room. Next to Sherlock was a woman in tights and a leotard, with a silk scarf styled like peacock feathers around her waist. And last was Solomon wearing that stupid patchwork cape of his. They needed gimmicks to convince others, where I looked like any other person wearing second-hand dress clothes. They stood in a semi-circle around the heiress, trying to hold back the lies they were so eager to share. But seriously, the room had no furniture. I had lukewarm noodles for dinner last night, and my place still had furniture. It was hard to believe she was bankrupt. At least, financially speaking. Morally… was still an open question. As I suppose it is for everyone. “Where are the chairs?” I whispered to Bernard. He rolled his eyes and said, “Ballrooms don’t have chairs.” Mrs. Camelot spoke to the four bottom-feeders, “Well, I want to hear all your assessments.” [[Back |tadm03.02.06]] [[Next |tadm03.02.08]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Solomon Spiritus, the self-proclaimed medium and self-help guru to the famously deceased, was the first to respond. He put on his act, which involved an awkward amount of humming and waving his cape with his left arm. Each time we thought he had finished, Mrs. Camelot would begin to speak, and he would cut her off by humming and waving again. Eventually, her patience was pushed too far, and she snapped, “Out with it. What do you say?” “Mmm… I sense the presence of your late husband…” Of course he did. Solomon continued, “And he’s trapped. An elaborate unintentional trap and his ethereal plumes are all contangled. Oh, he needs a tremendous amount of assistance and guidance to escape. I am afraid my presence will be needed here for quite some time before either you or he knows peace.” To my knowledge, Solomon is the only “classically trained actor” who has been rejected by every community theater troupe in existence. The heiress kept her reaction to a minimum. She did not appear to hate or love his performance. She called on each of the three remaining, and they all reinforced the claim that the spirit of her late husband was haunting her. The woman channeled the room’s essence by dancing. She was going for interpretative, but after the first fall it just looked clumsy. All that work, and she arrived at the same conclusion as Solomon. The house was haunted, and Mrs. Camelot needed to hire her in order to move on with her life. [[Back |tadm03.02.07]] [[Next |tadm03.02.09]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Sparkly Vest gave a short and poorly memorized speech filled with such nuggets of wisdom as “Oh wait, I forgot something, let me start over” and spoke the exact same words with the exception that this time he didn’t remember that he forgot something. He was very proud of himself after he finished, whereas everyone else was glad it was over. Sherlock didn’t try to outperform his competition, and he spoke at a volume that forced everyone to lean toward him. I had the suspicion that the antics of his competitors had convinced him there was, in fact, a ghost and the thought terrified him. Out of the four, I hoped one of the last two would come out ahead of the others. My guess was they’d probably all read up on the records of the late Mr. Camelot and sprinkled in as many details as possible. Then there was silence, and she stared at me like I owed her something. “Well? What do you think?” she asked. I was beginning to see where Bernard got his charming personality from. I looked around the room and saw nothing unusual except for the people inside it. “I’m sorry for your loss, but neither your home nor this room is being haunted by the spirit of your late husband. Or, for that matter, anyone else.” One of the frauds audibly gasped as if I had committed some breach of polite society. I couldn’t tell for sure who it was because my eyes were locked with Mrs. Camelot’s, but I think it might have been the dancer. [[Back |tadm03.02.08]] [[Next |tadm03.02.10]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Camelot patted her forehead with the tips of her middle and ring fingers. Her eyes closed as she spoke with a shade of frustration. “Why do you say this? What do you have to support your conclusion? Everyone else has provided me something.” The four looked smug. Convinced they would be hired. And part of me wanted them to be. That way, they’d be out of my way when it came to helping people dealing with real paranormal phenomena. None of them knew the catastrophic damage they could cause in the right setting. I faked a tinge of embarrassment. “I can’t say in front of everyone.” “Why?” “Proprietary secret.” If I did, they would incorporate my firsthand knowledge into their acts, and I didn’t want to lend any credibility to their deceptions. Even if it kept them out of my way. “Very well. Bernard, show Mr. Krelig to my study and then show everyone else the door.” The only person in the room who wasn’t confused was Mrs. Camelot. She pushed through us to exit the room. “Where are you going?” I asked. “To change out of this ridiculous dress.” [[Back |tadm03.02.09]] [[Next |tadm03.03.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “You have a nice study,” I complimented. She didn’t walk toward. Instead she made her way to one of the curved ends of the room. “This is the waiting area; my study is through here.” She didn’t bother to look at me. She opened a door that had been concealed by one of the uniform bookcases. I’m no expert on fire codes, but I was pretty sure this was a no-no. No point in bringing it up. Mrs. Camelot lived by a different set of rules. Ones she could buy. “Follow me,” she said in a tone suggesting she wouldn’t wait. We entered a rectangular room. Again, full bookshelves from floor to ceiling. I was hoping her private study would be a mess, revealing her to be a slob just like the rest of us. No such luck. “Mr. Krelig.” She walked behind her desk and faced me, her back to the window. “Call me Viktor, only plaintiff—” “Yes, Bernard told me about your clever quip, Mr. Krelig. And I promise you that should you upset me, I will frighten you more than any lawyer has before.” I’ll admit, she scared as much as any living person could. Emphasis on living. The undead stirs a terror inside of me that surpasses Mrs. Camelot’s threats. “Out of all the people I hired,” she continued, “you were the only one to tell me I wasn’t being haunted. I want to know why.” [[Back |tadm03.03.01]] [[Next |tadm03.03.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “Because everyone else is a fraud, and they were trying to feed your delusion.” Maybe I was being too harsh. She did just warn me about the consequences of upsetting her. “Do I look delusional to you, Mr. Krelig?” I was beginning to get the impression I should be addressing her by her formal name each time I spoke. “Mrs. Camelot, I didn’t mean…” “So, you chose not to feed the delusion. But how did you know there wasn’t a ghost?” At this point, I just wanted to collect my payment for ten hours worth of time and get out ASAP. My fear was she would spend the entire ten hours arguing with me. “Because, Mrs. Camelot, you hired me and the others to determine if there was a ghost.” “Explain.” “There’s never a question about whether someone or someplace is being haunted. Hauntings are clear. It’s like when you get a flat tire. You don’t need to hire someone to tell you if it’s flat or not. When I am hired by people with a legitimate concern, my job is to advise how to resolve the ghost’s spiritual dilemma so all parties can move on.” For once she didn’t cut me off. Instead, she studied me as I spoke. “I’m going to confess, Mr. Krelig, there is not a ghost in the house. You may have already suspected my motivations were different from what was initially communicated. I am unfamiliar with your world, and there are a lot of fraudsters. I have a matter requiring an investigation by someone competent, and I needed a way to separate the experts from the rabble. What I have is a more severe and personal matter than a haunting. [[Back |tadm03.03.02]] [[Next |tadm03.03.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “My daughter Agatha fell in with a bad crowd in a wrong way, or however you put it.” For a moment, she appeared vulnerable. Then her steel returned, and her voice carried unmistakable disapproval as she said, “They were your sort of people, Mr. Krelig.” “I don’t know what you mean. Most of the people in my crowd are bookworms.” She ignored my remark, probably assuming I was being sarcastic. “We’ve been estranged for decades and didn’t know we… I had a grandchild until recently when she, Avalon, approached me. She ran away from the life her mother set her on. After confirming with medical professionals about the legitimacy of her claim, I accepted her as a Camelot to the extent that she let me.” While I guess some people may consider me a private investigator, it’s not really my strong suit. But I had to wonder if Mrs. Camelot was the victim of an elaborate con. “But I’m afraid it was too late for her. I don’t understand her dilemma at all. All I know is she believes she is in a desperate situation that I wouldn’t comprehend. I don’t have any interest in the occult.” “Why do you think the problem is paranormal?” “I offered her the best therapists money can buy, but she refuses. Says they’ll say she’s crazy.” That is a common fear among people who’ve had a paranormal experience. She continued, “I can’t separate fact from fiction quite as easily as you can. It all seems absurd to me.” [[Back |tadm03.03.03]] [[Next |tadm03.03.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- She said absurd, but tragic was what crossed her face. “My last conversation with Avalon has left me extremely uncomfortable,” she said with an unsteady voice. “It reminded me of some of the conversations my husband had with me before he passed.” She was finally telling the truth. “How so?” “She was talking about going away for a while. When I asked where, she couldn’t say. And when I asked when she said she didn’t know.” “Forgive me for bringing this up, but how does this relate to your late husband?” “He kept his cancer hidden from me.” “Is it possible she’s doing the same?” “I have her medical records, and they are clean.” To which I suspected she meant healthy and drug-free. “You think she’s keeping a secret?” “I think so. I think she is afraid for her life, or at the very least is in some sort of danger.” “Did you share your concern with her?” “I did, and she ignored my comment altogether and then asked if after she goes away her allowance could continue on to her roommate.” This was going nowhere. “How can I help you, Mrs. Camelot?” [[Back |tadm03.03.04]] [[Next |tadm03.03.06]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “Mr. Krelig, I want you to meet with her. Tell me if she’s in trouble and how to get her out of it.” “You’re used to dealing in certainties, and I might not be able to tell you for certain if she’s in trouble. Besides, in my line of work, once a person is in trouble, there usually isn’t a way out.” “Are you proposing an alternative arrangement, Mr. Krelig?” “I’m offering you the same services I offer all of my paying clients. I’ll dig into the case and share any conclusions I’ve made.” “And by conclusions you mean opinions?” “Professional opinions.” She danced around the terms of the arrangement a little longer. Throwing in a jab each time she could. The one that landed the hardest was the insinuation that “professions” carried a weight of respect, and, in my case, the respect I had was insufficient to use the word. She didn’t think I had a real job. It’s not the first nor the last I’ve heard the comment. Still, it upset me this time. I guess that was the point of all her social jabs. Wear a person down so the lightest punch knocks them off-balance. She didn’t see me as an equal. But I didn’t need her to. I just needed her check to cash. After agreeing to the terms, she rang for Bernard and told me to wait in the oval room for him to see me out. I had been dismissed. [[Back |tadm03.03.05]] [[Next |tadm03.03.07]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Bernard was already waiting for me in the oval room and had no intention of tolerating me one moment more than necessary. His presence made me wonder how long he had been there and if he had been trying to listen in on the conversation. When we reached the front entrance, I asked him, “What do you think of all this?” “I think you indulge the same delusions your colleagues do. I dislike the idea of you indulging them in Miss Avalon any further.” “So, you think your boss is delusional.” “Don’t put words in my mouth Mr. Krelig, or you will find yourself unprepared for the ferocity of my rebuttal.” There it was again. That odd similarity between Bernard and Bernie, my mechanic. Always so sensitive. “Just get my car.” I wasn’t going to waste my breath on him anymore. Besides, I suspected Bernie was giving the valet some grief. Bernard wanted me off the property ASAFP, and the fact that my car wasn’t ready when we stepped out of the twin front doors meant something was up. It was only a matter of time before Bernard learned he was in over his head. “The valet left a moment ago. Your vehicle should be here any minute.” I let my posture tell Bernard everything I thought of that statement. A moment later, a walkie-talkie clicked, and he pulled it out. There was babbling. Bernard spoke into it, “Repeat.” [[Back |tadm03.03.06]] [[Next |tadm03.03.08]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- There was more babbling. The words were too garbled through the electronics to hear, but I understood clearly enough. Bernard put the receiver up to his mouth and in a voice meant not to be overheard said, “A Mercedes-Benz SE, 1970s.” The man, despite his obnoxious personality, knew his automobiles. “chhk — White?” “Correct.” Bernie may be the silent type, but he had a great sense of humor. Bernard stared at me as the voice on the other end of the radio crackled again. “Forgive me, but the Mercedes you arrived in. What color was it?” “White.” I said the word slowly as if I were blowing a smoke ring. Bernard disapproved of my answer, and instead of relaying it to the valet, he said, “He’s the only one of them left and there is only one car left. Just bring it around.” A minute later, the valet drove a deep red 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE under the awning. The valet exited the car, leaving it running. He shared a tense glance with Bernard. I walked over to where he was holding the door open for me. Bernard stepped in front of the Benz before I sat down inside. “Care to explain yourself?” He wasn’t going to move until he got an answer. I rested my right forearm on the solid roof of the car and had my left hand on the top of the open door. [[Back |tadm03.03.07]] [[Next |tadm03.03.09]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “It’s like I told Mrs. Camelot. There is never a doubt when something is haunted. Isn’t that right, Bernie?” The car honked before I could get inside, spooking Bernard enough to get him to jump out of the way. I shut the door before the valet could do it for me. Then Bernie and I drove off. Some truths can withstand doubt, but, unfortunately, any truth can be denied. And denial was the state of mind Bernard was in. From the rearview mirror, I saw him scolding the valet. Probably claiming I had conned them. [[Back |tadm03.03.08]] [[Next |tadm03.04.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- I stood up and walked out of my office into the lobby of the suite. The vacant receptionist desk had piles of books toppling over, but no pens. A quick scan of the small room was not much more hopeful. I returned to my desk, determined to make do with the pen that had ink it until recently. I removed the cap and licked the ball. Of course this was when the ink decided to rush out. “Could you repeat that?” I asked one last time. I took his uninterrupted monologue as a “No.” Well, at least now I was able to follow along. “Did you get all that?” he asked after a minute. “You know I didn’t.” I rested the pen down next to the pad of paper and picked up a mug of coffee. It was cool. The dregs had lost their heat over an hour ago, but I needed something to get the taste of ink out of my mouth. Bernard added, “It’s not my fault you conduct your business in such a way that leaves you unprepared to handle the needs of an exceptional client.” “If this is to get back at me for the stunt Bernie pulled, it never would have happened if the valet followed my advice and treated the car with respect.” Bernard did not like the fact that he shared the same name as a ghost, and he had no reservations about sharing his theories of how I had changed the color of my car. “It’s a clever ruse you have going,” he whined in my ear. [[Back |tadm03.04.01]] [[Next |tadm03.04.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “Just remember Mrs. Camelot has now hired me for two cases. The first one is closed, and I expect prompt payment for the ten hours of work I am billing you for.” “Ten hours! You were here for less than half an hour.” If I were new at this, I would be surprised at having this conversation yet again with the same individual. I held firm. “Tell Mrs. Camelot I’m not starting this second case until I receive payment for the first.” “This is unacceptable. I will inform Mrs. Camelot about this matter.” “Exactly what I wanted you to do so she’d pay the bill and I could get started. Good-bye, Bernard.” “I’m onto you.” I dropped the call before I had to hear any more of his attitude. If anyone had a ruse, it was Bernard. In the presence of Mrs. Camelot, he was a yes-man. When she was away, he spoke as if the household, wealth, and status were all his. I sighed and ran my hand through my hair only to find a pen tucked behind my ear. I knew before I wrote anything down that it was full of ink. So began the process of writing down the bits of information Bernard had rushed through. Which was nothing more than the name of the museum Avalon volunteered at and the name of the street she lived on. He had given better contact information such as her phone number and the full address of her apartment. If either one of those was in my head it was probably next to all the pens I didn’t seem to have. [[Back |tadm03.04.02]] [[Next |tadm03.04.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- After that I added what I could recall from yesterday’s events at the Camelot Estate. When I didn’t have anything more to write, I put the pen down and spread out the notes. Stared them down. God, what a mess of information. It was time to put some thought into them. The first thing that stood out was Avalon living in an apartment in the city without a full-time job. She volunteered most of her time to an art museum I didn’t recognize, Arte del Mostro. This was consistent with Mrs. Camelot’s statement about an allowance for Avalon. But it probably wasn’t a lot in terms of what Mrs. Camelot could be giving. She lived on Piatta Street which ran a short distance in total in a trendy part of the city, but it wasn’t anywhere near the area where the wealthy called home. And Avalon had a roommate. Were they splitting rent? Or was Mrs. Camelot not as wealthy as she projected? Was this a lover? That could fit with Avalon wanting her to keep receiving the allowance. The museum where she volunteered had tours available tomorrow. Assuming Bernard followed through on my payment, I would introduce myself at her work. I know approaching a stranger at work to talk about their private life has a heavy amount of creepiness to it. But showing up at her apartment could be more intrusive. The museum seemed like a safe bet to have a private conversation. I couldn’t imagine many people being interested in the type of art they featured. [[Back |tadm03.04.03]] [[Next |tadm03.04.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Private investigators do this stuff all the time, and I wondered if I should outsource this part of the job. But a regular PI would likely miss some of the nuances a person demonstrates when concealing a paranormal encounter. Hell, I can’t even name all the different ways people don’t talk about things they are afraid to explain. I’ve done it so much, picking someone out is second nature. But that’s just the beginning. Spotting a person who has had an experience is one thing, but getting them to talk to a stranger about it is another. I wasn’t even sure anything about this case was paranormal at all. Most cults are just cults. But some are secretive magic practitioners who occasionally get misidentified as being members of a cult. No, I couldn’t farm this one out. I had to do it myself. [[Back |tadm03.04.04]] [[Next |tadm03.05.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] ~~Today’s~~ ~~receptionist and docent is~~ ~~Avalon~~ [continue] No last name. At first I thought it was weird, but then if the gossip rags knew that there was a yet-unknown member of the Camelot household, there would be no rest for her. And if they found out she spent her time here, well that would make their jobs almost too easy. Avalon was busy shading a sketch with a charcoal pencil and hadn’t noticed me. She used the light from the desk lamp as if it were scarce and could run out at any moment, never to return. The ergonomically correct chair mismatched the desk’s style so much that even I was bothered by it. But I was also a bit envious. She was a young woman in her twenties with skin that looked like she spent a lot of time out of the sunlight. She kept her unnaturally dark hair short and feminine. Complementing her hair was an even darker black dress with swaths of iridescent crimson that sparkled when the light landed at the correct angles. Her lips were coated in a deep red lipstick, and around her neck was an intricately crafted silver necklace. It was thin around her shoulders but grew chunkier around her chest. It contained a polished turquoise amulet the size of a half-dollar. Most people like turquoise because they think the color is appealing, but in my circles, gem-stones like that have a deeper meaning. The immediate one that came to mind is that it is used to heal old wounds. [[Back |tadm03.05.01]] [[Next |tadm03.05.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Avalon put down the pencil and greeted me with a warm voice. “Welcome.” There was an awkward pause after it, as if there was some sort of slogan that should have followed. Like “Welcome to Fast Burgers, may I take your order?” But what would really have matched the aesthetics or the Neo Pop Gothic art was “Welcome to hell.” Absent the slogan I replied, “I’d like to schedule a tour.” She threw me a skeptical look, but was able to conceal any judgments about me or my request. “Are you sure? You don’t look like our normal patrons.” I’m middle-aged and a little taller and larger than average. I dress in business suits that are decades out of fashion, and I gave up on trying to fit my hair into some sort of style long ago. “You’re saying I’m normal.” “No.” Her reply was quick. And she knew it was so quick that it was clearly in rude territory. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just you don’t strike me as someone interested in anything supernatural or paranormal.” Lady, please. “Just a disguise,” I replied. “Alright, I’ll be right back, I just need to get a few things.” She walked through an entrance way that led into the museum. Avalon returned, and two more people entered the same way that I had. They were wearing, of all things, mismatched Hawaiian shirts. The question “Where did they get them?” applied in a couple of ways to their outfit. For starters, we were in the North Atlantic, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen this style of shirts sold in any retail store. The question also applied because they were bright and hideous. It was a tropical-shirt train wreck. [[Back |tadm03.05.02]] [[Next |tadm03.05.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- They claimed to be tourists, but didn’t say from where. Which struck me as odd. Visitors don’t normally embrace the word tourist and generally just say where they’re from. Or at the very least say they are from out of town. And why would a tourist to New Carissimi, Pennsylvania, spend any time in this museum? It wasn’t anywhere remotely near any of the city’s more familiar historical attractions. They were so out of place that, for a moment, I considered whether they might be some agents from the cult Mrs. Camelot had mentioned. But nothing about them was physically threatening or even remotely creepy. They were just the kind of people who wore their tourism with pride. The only thing they could threaten was a good time. During Avalon’s tour, they forgot to turn off their flashes, turned them off when asked, and then turned them back on when they needed enough light to take a picture. To be fair, the little light in the museum was directed at the small installations. But it seemed inadequate. After the first time I looked closer at one only to discover the detail was hideous, I decided it was best to view the art from a distance. It all reminded me of Mrs. Camelot’s occult-themed dress. This was all show. The couple asked Avalon a question in a soft voice and then spoke to each other as if they were giving a speech in an auditorium without a microphone. Avalon and I exchanged curious glances at their behavior, but that was all the communication I had with her during the tour, which the couple dragged out to a full forty-five minutes. [[Back |tadm03.05.03]] [[Next |tadm03.05.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Afterward, the loud couple showed no sign of leaving, even toured the museum a second time just to torture me. Each one went into a different room but didn’t let the walls stop them from carrying on their conversation. Back at the front desk, I hovered over some brochures that didn’t deserve the amount of time I had devoted to them. “Got something on your mind?” Avalon asked in a tone I hadn’t heard in a while. Her interest in what I was thinking seemed genuine. “I do. The other two just make it hard to concentrate.” “That’s the point.” “Sorry?” “They’re performance artists.” “What?” The noise from the couple quieted down. “It’s how many of us experience modern society. It’s loud both in volume and color; overwhelming and distracting. Making us feel like a fraction of ourselves. Or who we could be. In contrast, the darkness is silent. Not always peaceful, but quiet enough for us to know ourselves, if only for a short time. Even when there is something unsettling or potentially horrific in the darkness with us.” The couple, or rather the performance artists, had gone silent and disappeared. “I’ve never heard art explained that way before.” [[Back |tadm03.05.04]] [[Next |tadm03.05.06]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “It’s not everyone’s explanation. Just mine. Would you like to take the tour again, without the distraction?” “Pretty risky stunt. What if I had left after the tour?” “Well, I guess they’d have to fire me and there would be no one to give tours.” I took her up on the offer for a quieter tour, feeling full with curiosity to the point where I forgot why I had scheduled the tour in the first place. This time around, I wasn’t bothered when I examined the art more closely. It was all so powerful and expressive. In terms of the paranormal, it was all still just for show, but as art, Avalon had me convinced that it was authentic. Our conversation during the tour was playful, and if I were a younger man I would have assumed she was interested in me. Been down that road before and saw no reason to relive it. After the tour, I said good-bye and was almost out the door when I started thinking about the rest of my day. Which is when I realized what I should have been doing with the earlier. I walked back inside and approached the small antique desk again. “Looking for a third tour?” she asked with a dose of pride and sarcasm. “No, I’m afraid I was distracted. First by the performance artists, then by your tour. But I haven’t been straightforward with you.” Her posture became slightly defensive and her smile got ready to call for help. Her hand dropped below the desk, possibly resting a finger on a panic button. This shift in behavior made it clear something traumatic had happened to this woman. Whether it was supernatural or not was unknown. But I had to proceed with caution. [[Back |tadm03.05.05]] [[Next |tadm03.05.07]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- I said as calmly as I could, “I was hired by Mrs. Camelot.” She rolled her eyes and relaxed her posture. She waved down my voice, as her eyes shifted to assess whether I had been overheard in the empty museum. “People here don’t know she’s my grandmother, and I’d like to keep it that way.” She probably had a reputation and was afraid any connection to high society would ruin it. “Well, this is awkward,” was all I could say, but added, “She hired me to talk to you about awkward stuff.” “You said awkward twice.” “I did. And it’s going to be that kinda conversation unless I can ask you questions more directly. Would you be more comfortable talking somewhere else?” Her apartment would be ideal. A quick glance at someone’s home is probably all I would need to know if they’ve been caught up in the paranormal. Most people anyway. “Meet me here at six and then we can settle whatever she thinks needs settling.” [[Back |tadm03.05.06]] [[Next |tadm03.06.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- She hopped in the leather passenger seat as if it were completely normal to get into a car with someone you just met in the city early in the day. “You’re pretty trusting.” I said with enough suspicion to make it clear I didn’t think it was a good habit. “You sound like my roommate,” she dismissed. Then I remembered she had lived most of her life including several years of adulthood within the strict structure of a cult. It was entirely possible that she didn’t know when it was alright to let her guard down. She added, “Nice car, by the way. Did my grandmother lend it to you?” “That’s a story for another time.” At her suggestion, we drove to a diner not far from her apartment. She didn’t want to risk waking her roommate up. It was only a little after seven by the time we arrived and I wondered who on earth would be asleep so early. We got a spot on an old brick street that was close enough to see the diner. A rare victory in a city as congested as New Cari. Plus, I knew Bernie would be happy being able to watch people come and go into the diner. “This shouldn’t take long. We’ll go in and chat over a cup of coffee,” I said. I stepped out of the car into a puddle so deep the cuff of my pants leg got soaked. The drizzle was so light it was more of a dusting. But it was still dark out. There was a chance more rain was on the way. The churning of water rushing to the drains was the city’s song tonight. [[Back |tadm03.06.01]] [[Next |tadm03.06.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- I was about to close the door when I noticed she was still in the passenger’s seat with her purse rested on her lap. She said, “I feel weird having you pay for my order.” “If it makes you feel more comfortable, it’s your grandmother who’s picking up our tab.” She laughed and stowed her purse in the back seat. After she stepped out I offered, “We could go someplace fancier?” She started walking toward the diner. “No. I like the idea of someone justifying the bill from a place that doesn’t have a dress code.” Although, the Camelot Heiress would have been happy to know we were both overdressed for the crowded greasy spoon. I was still in my second-best second-hand suit, and she was still wearing the long dark-cloth dress with subtle swaths of crimson. The diner had served as an impromptu shelter from the storm. No one was dry, but everyone had a plateful of something warm. It was an authentic diner with metallic trim, uniformed wait staff and a checkered floor. It wasn’t a throwback. It was the real thing: a stubborn relic that preserved a time none of its patrons had lived in. For a second, I thought we might have to sit at the counter on one of the swiveling stools that were bolted to the ground. But Avalon spotted the last empty booth, and we didn’t wait for a host to seat us or for it to have been cleared. [[Back |tadm03.06.02]] [[Next |tadm03.06.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- The waitress wasn’t thrilled about that, but given the size of the number of customers, I assumed that it was just one more irritation on top of a thousand others. She took our order and walked off without bothering to write down two coffees. A crack of thunder interrupted everyone’s conversation. The first person to speak, or make a noise that is, was a startled woman whom everyone heard. She was amused by how loud she had been and then broke into a laughing fit with the others at her table. Everyone returned to their meals. “Sounds like the storm is going to have a second act,” Avalon said. I got straight to the point without acknowledging her observation. “Your grandmother thinks you’re in trouble, or a ‘desperate situation,’ as she put it. And she hired me to help figure out the mess.” She chuckled. “A private investigator?” “Not the kind you’re thinking of. My job requires less detective work, just knowledge of the paranormal. You know, I am an expert in the subjects no one in their right mind wants to talk about.” I said that last bit a little too loud and got a questionable look from the waitress as she delivered our pot of coffee while holding a platter with another table’s food. The look went from questionable to dirty when I said we didn’t need menus. Not only was I someone who didn’t sound normal, but I was also too cheap to order dinner. She probably thought I’d skip out on the tip too. She left us some menus anyway and then ran off to check on another table. [[Back |tadm03.06.03]] [[Next |tadm03.06.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Avalon stirred creamer into her coffee as the waitress walked away. The clink of the spoon against the cup making a tink that complemented the growing drum of rain outside. “And what do you know about the paranormal?” she asked. I heard the standard level of doubt about my profession in her tone. “Enough to tell fact from fiction most of the time, which is pretty much what I’m billing your grandmother for. So, what about you? Are you really in trouble?” She stared into her swirling coffee and relaxed her posture. Her defenses were coming down, but she still had a ways to go. I’ve seen clients do this before. What she was about to say would sound so crazy she was afraid I would not take her seriously, or worse, laugh at her. “Do you know anything about dark magic?” she asked, not looking up from her cup of joe. It was like we had been talking about collecting coins and then she asked if I knew anything about robbing a bank. “More than I’d like to.” I tried to keep my twitching to just my legs. Never a good idea to show fear in front of a client or a client’s grandchild. That earned a smile from her. “And how much is that?” “I know if someone uses it, they owe the universe something terrible.” “Does that make me terrible in your eyes?” I couldn’t respond because of course the waitress would show up and of course she’d hear a fraction of the conversation that put me in a bad light. She probably assumed I had been continuously berating Avalon since she’d dropped off the coffee. [[Back |tadm03.06.04]] [[Next |tadm03.06.06]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- After staring me down, she said, “Look, we’re packed, customers are waiting and more people keep coming in.” A crack of thunder reinforced the reason why. She continued, “I’m going to need you to either order a meal or leave.” I was about to ask Avalon how she wanted to handle it, but she told the waitress, “We’ll have a couple of burgers.” “That’s it?” “For now. We’ll order dessert later.” Another customer waved to the waitress from across the diner and shouted, “Hey, can we get our check?” The waitress rolled her eyes and mumbled something about being understaffed as she trudged off. I didn’t hear it because I was studying Avalon. She didn’t have the fear that people who owe an obligation always have when talking about dark magic. No, she was controlled. Like when she took me on the second tour of the museum. For a moment, I thought she was in the clear. Avalon spoke a little louder, less afraid of people overhearing. “There aren’t many people I can talk to about this. I’m not proud of what I have to pay, but you have to understand, I am not upset about what I did.” Case closed. [[Back |tadm03.06.05]] [[Next |tadm03.06.07]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “So, you are in trouble. And there is nothing I or anyone, including your grandmother, can do to save you.” About the only thing I could do was go back to my office and send Mrs. Camelot a bill for ten hours after only putting in two. “Yes, but there is something else you can do. You can undo the terrible thing I am going to do.” This time I laughed. “You expect me to follow you around for the rest of your life until you have to pay up? And then reverse the transaction?” She spoke somberly. “You don’t need to follow me around. I know enough of the details.” This was a first. “I didn’t think that is how it works.” No one I know who has owed a debt like this has ever known what they were obligated to do or when it was due. “Consider me an exception.” She teared up. I looked away. Probably not the friendliest thing to do. I glanced in the direction of a man arguing with one of the staff. “I want to talk with the manager. I want a seat right now!” Another person sitting in a booth called out to him, “Don’t know what good that will do ya, you’re talking to the owner.” Avalon blotted her eyes with some paper napkins pulled from the dispenser on the table. “Ok, I believe you. For now.” There was a possibility that she was making this up. She seemed to know enough about dark magic to tell a convincing story. [[Back |tadm03.06.06]] [[Next |tadm03.06.08]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- The waitress delivered our meals and the angriest look she’d given me all night. I hadn’t said anything upsetting, but it was clear Avalon had shed a few tears. “Honey,” she spoke to Avalon, “do I need to call you a cab?” “No thank you,” she said. “You let me know if you change your mind,” she said before giving me one more disapproving look and moving onto her next table. To Avalon, I said, “Let’s just eat and you can elaborate on your story.” She talked through dinner about her history. Her parents were members of a “cult,” as she put it. She didn’t have a better word for the group she was born into. They practiced some obscure form of magic, which didn’t make them a fraud like most cults, but there was a central figure who controlled the whole operation, including the members’ interactions with the outside world. Anyone disobeying his wishes faced abusive penalties. I was tempted to ask for more details, but I didn’t want to push my luck with our waitress. Who, I assumed, was prepared to have someone from the kitchen to treat me to the diner’s back-alley special if she saw Avalon in tears again. When cake and ice cream was delivered, it was sheer luck neither one of us had said anything that could have been misinterpreted. We held a comfortable silence until the waitress left. Avalon moved on to her several attempts to escape. All of which failed and which she was undoubtedly punished for. The only way she figured she could escape was to use dark magic. She only learned of her extended family after she broke out. Even more surprised to learn of her grandmother's fortune. [[Back |tadm03.06.07]] [[Next |tadm03.06.09]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- With Avalon in better spirits, the waitress decided there were other patrons more deserving of her disdain. It also helped that the rain had stopped and the place had turned over. When our dessert was nothing more than creamy cake crumbs, we ordered more coffee, and Avalon asked about me. Which, on my own couldn’t really tell anyone all that much. But the questions she asked made the stories come out. I even told a few jokes, and we had a few belly laughs. Under the darkness of the storm, it was easy to lose track of time. It had gotten much later than either of us had expected. A light brown moth with the wingspan the size of a playing card, landed on the table. It was too early for them. We had barely entered spring and winter was still strong enough to make good on a few threats. “Would you look at that, a moth.” I might have said it was a werewolf for how frightened she became. “Dammit how did it get this late? We need to go.” [[Back |tadm03.06.08]] [[Next |tadm03.07.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “Come on, come on” she said as I slid into the car, then commanded “You need to take me to 215 Piatta Street. Do you know where that is?” “Sure do.” The insistence of an impending calamity had me operating on instinct, which is good for somethings but not when you need to break a habit. Say, like putting keys into an ignition. I fumbled with the keys before remembering the car was already running and the entire exercise was unnecessary and wasting valuable time. On realizing that I had wasted a few seconds with the keys, I was going to apologize when I noticed the moth had followed her into the car. Fluttering up by the windshield. No, there were two moths now. I stopped to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. “Let’s go,” she said before I could draw her attention to the bugs. Getting her to her apartment was more important. I looked out the rear window and backed the car out of the spot. When I faced forward, she was waving her hand to shoo away five moths. Despite my knowledge of paranormal events, I do not like to be present when they occur. The moths were something more than an out-of-season fluke. I still didn’t know what was going on. Maybe they were dangerous in a way that seemed harmless? My driving was not as patient or cautious as Bernie would have preferred. The tires slipped on the wet road in the first turn. I knew he’d find ways to teach me a lesson about the proper way of handling his car. [[Back |tadm03.07.01]] [[Next |tadm03.07.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- I was so focused on the road and on guard for Bernie’s objections, I didn’t see her pull out her phone. She was speaking with someone, her voice still urgent but also apologetic. “Yes… I’m sorry… I see your missed calls… I lost track of time… I’m ok… I’ll be home soon enough… Thanks…” One more turn and two more blocks to go. Or so I thought. We took that turn only to see our route had been blocked by an orange-and-white striped Road Closed sign barricading a flooded street. The sign had barely enough strength to hold up the orange flashing lights. I could get through it. I held the steering wheel into the turn, but the car went the other direction. Bernie was driving now. I took my eyes off the road with a fragment of an explanation for the detour ready to fumble. She swatted a moth that was on her neck. “Ow.” “Did that bite you?” She said, “Can’t believe I left my phone in my purse,” which didn’t answer my question. A small drop of blood streaked down her neck, and the bug landed on the seat. I still wasn’t paying attention to the road and almost ran a red light. I slammed on the brake, but instead of stopping Bernie decided to be more aggressive. The stick shift on the steering column downshifted and the car accelerated through the light ignoring the objection of two car horns. Maybe Bernie would pass on giving me a driving lesson. My hands were completely off the wheel, prepared to swat away the creatures that were attacking us. But I never needed to. They only attacked her. We fishtailed through another turn. [[Back |tadm03.07.02]] [[Next |tadm03.07.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- She said, “I’m right up here. Thank you for getting me home in time.” I didn’t want to take credit for Bernie’s expert driving, but she was in a hurry so I said, “You’re welcome.” A spring in the seat poked me as the Mercedes slid to a stop, double-parking outside of her apartment building. Like all buildings in New Carissimi, the exterior was primarily brick shaded in a red wine. There were a few concrete steps before the front door. She didn’t bother closing the car door when the moths chased her out and was up the stairs to her building before I could say anything. She was waving both hands over her head, swatting at a growing danger. Only one moth had not followed her out of the car, the one she had swatted earlier. Bernie shut the passenger door. I picked up the dead moth that had bitten Avalon and studied it a little closer. The face of it was covered in Avalon’s blood. And it had a set of what looked like shark teeth. I looked around the car, but there weren’t any other monster moths to be found. A car behind us honked for us to move. Avalon was probably in her apartment by now. There was nothing more I could do tonight. I’d circle back in the morning after doing a little research back at my office. Most of my cases, I can use the notes from my former case files and my private library which outgrew the shelf space I had long ago. It had been a desire of mine to catalog all of my books, but like most things people desire, I lacked the ambition to see it through. [[Back |tadm03.07.03]] [[Next |tadm03.07.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- I was pretty sure I didn’t have any books on the type of creature that attacked Avalon. So, I turned on the old PC that came into my possession as a payment for my services and started diving into the scattered forums on paranormal activities. There was nothing on the damn moths. I held back from opening a new thread on the topic. Replies are often unreliable, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted this information public. Maybe this wasn’t paranormal. I wasn’t an expert on bugs or moths. So, I looked at the more traditional online sources and was surprised as any normal person would be to find that there are a seventeen species of moths belonging to the Calyptra genus, more commonly referred to as vampire moths. Society uses the word vampire far too frequently for me to give them any credit for using it correctly. It’s often assumed that vampires don’t exist, but they do. As a rule, I don’t involve myself with them. They are reclusive and prefer to be left alone. No sense in upsetting that applecart. But even with my limited knowledge of them, there was nothing vampiric about this moth. But it was clear that the creature had not been categorized by science either. None of the species of vampire moths had shark teeth. Instead, they drew blood similar to mosquitoes. In fact, my evening of research concluded that there were not any species of moths known to science that had teeth of any kind. So what the hell attacked Avalon? [[Back |tadm03.07.04]] [[Next |tadm03.08.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Still, I wasn’t going to push my luck by riding the elevator with him. There was only one, and judging by its age, I likely increased my life expectancy even if my climb to the top floor resulted in a heart attack. The stairs were loud, uneven, and narrow by modern standards. On the drafting board I am sure it was wide enough for two people walking side by side, but in practice you must really like the person you’re walking next to. On the top floor, I noticed that they had a corner apartment. Their door was paneled, but solidly built, and painted a darker shade of gray-ge than the walls of the hallway. I knocked. The dry voice of her roommate said from behind the locked door, “I don’t know who let you in, but go away.” She sounded younger now that there wasn’t an intercom. I knocked again. “I’ll call the police,” she said. I took a deep breath and spaced out my words. “No, you won’t.” The old woman didn’t respond, so I continued, “I know about the moths. Not everything. I promise I am here to help her, but I need a better idea of what she’s dealing with. She didn’t get a chance to tell me everything last night.” One after another, the locks turned from her side, and the door opened. I had been wrong about the woman’s age. She wasn’t elderly, but about the same age as Avalon. Everything about her told me that her age didn’t reflect her experience. Physically she might have been young, but she’d seen enough to be old. [[Back |tadm03.08.01]] [[Next |tadm03.08.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “She’s still asleep.” She opened the door all the way. I walked into the apartment, which had abundant natural light entering from the windows and a skylight. It was hard to imagine a person who worked at a museum featuring dark imagery would choose to live in a place so bright. To my right was where they had placed chairs and a couch, even though the design of the room was for the dining area. It had a stocked bookshelf ordered by color. A breakfast bar divided the reading room from the kitchen. The microwave light was on, and something was spinning inside it, but I couldn’t hear the machine. Their dining table was to my left in what should have been a living room. It was low to the ground and surrounded by red cushions with gold embroidering. The table’s dark stain celebrated the imperfections of the wood’s grain. “Is our apartment up to your standards?” she asked. “Sorry, I have a bad habit of taking inventory of my surroundings. My name is Viktor.” Their microwave sang a perky tune. She stared at me with her lip twitching and jaw clenched. I couldn’t tell if she was about to cry or scream. Instead, she blinked an uncomfortable amount of times and muttered, “Igraine.” I think it had been some time since she had spoken to someone besides Avalon. “Hi, Igraine.” [[Back |tadm03.08.02]] [[Next |tadm03.08.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- A smile wanted to form on her face. It knew how to form, and not too long ago it was probably hard for her to do anything but smile. Now she wore mismatched pajamas, her hair hadn’t been brushed in a long time, and she wore a single slipper. She was out of practice of being herself. Thump. Thump. Thump. One of the neighbors banged against the wall. We exchanged strange glances. We weren’t being loud, why would they be banging on the wall? A memory jumped into her head. “Oh! I almost forgot to let her out.” She raced into a hallway past the kitchen and into a bedroom that shared a wall with the tiny dining-table room. Her movement was so uncoordinated she almost ran into the doorframe. This couldn’t have been good. I followed Igraine into the bedroom, but there wasn’t a bed. In the middle of the room was a brown coffin wrapped in chains. Igraine was on the opposite side of it, racing to open a padlock. Thump. Thump. Thump. It hadn’t been a neighbor banging on the wall, it was whoever was inside the coffin. Thump. Each time, the lid lifted a little bit. This violated a personal rule of mine: things that go into coffins should not come out of them. The scene was enough to make me turn around. [[Back |tadm03.08.03]] [[Next |tadm03.08.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “Wait,” Igraine called after me. I heard the chains fall to the ground and the lid open and Avalon whisper, “I’m fine, it’s alright.” I walked a little faster. Igraine called one more time, “It’s not what you think.” There was some whispering between the two, and then Avalon said, “He’s here?” I could have been out the door, down the stairs, and out of the building by the time she walked out of her room. But I stayed. Too much didn’t add up. Avalon didn’t seem like a vampire, and she was in trouble. I owed it to my client to find out what kind (or how many kinds) she was in. She walked out of her bedroom in a long nightgown. Her skin was pale. Maybe she was a vampire, but she didn’t fear the sunlight flowing into the apartment from the skylight. “I can explain. Just please take my word, I’m not what you suspect I am.” “I’m listening.” But I wasn’t going to let her step between me and the exit. “The cult I escaped from had a deadly curse for abandonment. Anyone who fled would be consumed by insects.” “So, you sleep in a coffin to keep them from killing you?” Igraine walked into the room, leaning against the wall the entire time. “No, they attack me every night. The coffin is there to make my regeneration less complicated.” [[Back |tadm03.08.04]] [[Next |tadm03.08.06]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- At the mention of the word “coffin,” Igraine fought back something inside of her. I didn’t think she wanted me to see it, but she couldn’t help shaking her head. “You couldn’t tell me any of this last night?” My words stung her more than I intended. Her voice was burdened, “Because in that moment the only thing that was important to me was getting back home. I am embarrassed and ashamed of my… condition. You didn’t need to know the full story, but now you do.” “That the truth?” I asked Igraine. “Partially. The coffin also—” Avalon cut her off “—Keeps Igraine from having to witness the attack.” Before I could ask Igraine to confirm, she added, “And she dies faster.” She slid down the wall and sat on the floor. Her hands covering her face. She said something between her cries, but it was incomprehensible. It took me a few seconds to reshape her sounds into words. “And covers up her screams.” Avalon was torn between responding to me and going to comfort Igraine. “It keeps my remains in the same spot, and it dampens my screams. Eventually, I suffocate.” Death. Avalon died every night. “You’re not a vampire, but you’re undead.” “I am wholly alive, just cursed. Double cursed to be exact.” She turned away from me and walked to comfort Igraine, who had started regaining control. To Igraine ,I overheard her say, “I’ll make you some tea.” [[Back |tadm03.08.05]] [[Next |tadm03.08.07]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- She walked into the kitchen and I stepped a little farther into the apartment, away from the door. I’m not one who is natural at comforting people, so I kept my distance from Igraine. The microwave reminded everyone that no one had removed the contents it had so generously heated. Avalon pulled out a bowl of steaming oatmeal. She grabbed a spoon and walked it over to Igraine and then returned to the kitchen. As the steam rose from Igraine’s breakfast, I felt nothing but contempt for the appliances in my office. Avalon began talking while filling a teakettle. “One curse comes from the cult and the other is from my own spell. I can’t die until I’ve paid what is owed for using dark magic. It’s how I know some of the details about the terrible thing I need to do.” There’s so little written down about dark magic and how it all works. I wondered if anyone else had ever been in this situation. This couldn’t have been the first time that someone died while obligated to pay their debt, but it was possibly the first time that someone died more than once or with such regularity. “How much do you know about your obligation?” She nodded toward Igraine, who was busy consuming her breakfast, and then put a silent finger to her lips. “As you’re a paranormal investigator I assume you’d be interested in seeing the coffin.” “Of course.” I could have cared less, but Avalon wanted us to be out of earshot of Igraine. Avalon stepped out of the kitchen, and waved me into her room. [[Back |tadm03.08.06]] [[Next |tadm03.08.08]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- When I entered, I had no intention of examining the coffin, but once inside I saw it was open and couldn’t take my eyes off it. The coffin’s interior was a mess of dried blood and crushed bugs. How Avalon had stepped out without being covered by any of it was something I didn’t understand. My curiosity shifted when I noticed the restraints for her wrists and ankles secured to the creases of the coffin’s interior. My heart dropped further when I noticed the gag resting on the coffin’s silk pillow. Despite the mess, I hooked my finger into one of the restrains and gave a tug. No way it was moving. “They keep me from banging on it at night.” “Were you not in them last night?” Referring to the noise she had made a short time ago to get Igraine’s attention. “I was, but when I materialize in the morning, I am not bound in them.” They went to great lengths to make sure Avalon made as little noise as possible. “Why do live here? Why not go out to the suburbs or something?” “Igraine tells me people ask more questions in the suburbs,” and then she added, “I can’t be helped or cured. This has been my life for almost a year. I brought you in here to discuss the one person who can be saved.” I had all the information I needed to close the case for my client. I walked out of the bedroom and said, “Sorry, you’re not my client.” [[Back |tadm03.08.07]] [[Next |tadm03.08.09]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Igraine had moved out of the way and made a valiant but unconvincing attempt to pretend that she hadn’t been listening in. I kept walking past the kitchen, with my eyes firmly fixed on the door. Avalon stepped out into the hallway. “Please, I know this goes beyond what you were hired to do. But I don’t have anyone else to turn to.” “What about Igraine?” Whatever she wanted to keep from Igraine, she’d need to spill it out now. I don’t do well with secrets that aren’t absolutely necessary. “Because I’ve caused her too much suffering already.” “No, that’s not true,” Igraine said and then started apologizing, which made it clear that there was at least some truth to the claim. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” “It’s alright,” Avalon comforted. They continued talking while I argued with my conscience. I wanted to leave, but I also knew that I was their only hope to do some good. And when I’m someone’s last hope or best chance, the circumstances are grim. I decided to at least hear a little more. I turned back, and Igraine was still apologizing. “No. I forgot to unlock the coffin again. You almost suffocated again this morning.” Avalon countered, “It’s not your fault. You’re not well and you need to get better. You must get better.” [[Back |tadm03.08.08]] [[Next |tadm03.08.10]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Avalon put her arms around Igraine, who carried the weight of someone who refuses to forgive themselves, then looked at me and said, “We need someone with a clear head.” “I don’t know what you’re asking me to do, but it doesn’t sound safe.” Avalon spoke with the presence of a funeral director. “Sometime tomorrow, I have to lure a child away from his family and deliver him to a place where he’ll be found by criminals. The child needs to be rescued. Not me.” “Tomorrow?” Igraine asked. “You didn’t tell me it was so soon.” “Because I didn’t know. As the time gets closer, I wake up knowing just a little more about how to fulfill my obligation.” My instinct told me that there was something to what she mentioned, but I focused on what I considered the most important question that needed an answer. “Won’t someone’s interference invalidate your payment?” If she still needed to make a payment, there may never be a way out saving an innocent bystander. “I don’t think so. Not if we do it correctly.” “Assuming it gets done correctly”— whatever that meant— “what happens to you after that?” “Then I’ll only have one curse to deal with.” “But the one that regenerates you will be lifted.” “Yes, it will be.” We were risking a lot. And once the Camelot Heiress found out that her granddaughter had died, I think I could count my compensation good-bye. Avalon’s eyes said it all. A child’s life rested on my decision. [[Back |tadm03.08.09]] [[Next |tadm03.09.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “I’m a coffee drinker.” “Help yourself.” She pointed to a series of contraptions that under different circumstances I might suspect to have been stolen lab equipment. I approached the breakfast bar and sat down on a stool. “That’s a little sophisticated for my tastes.” “Suit yourself,” she said as she started maneuvering the equipment. “Hey, do you know how all this works?” I asked when she had her back to me. It’s easier to ask questions if the person answering doesn’t have the chance to read your body posture. “I didn’t when I first moved in, but Avalon got me up to speed. And now I might have a future as a barista.” “I meant about the magic.” She stopped fidgeting with the coffee contraption, but she still didn’t face me. “Well, to be honest, it’s the same answer. Avalon brought me up to speed, but I see a better path forward in serving coffee than I do with sorcery.” “She told you how to cast a spell?” I was being deliberately generic. I wasn’t sure if she knew there was more than one kind of magic. Dark magic was especially dangerous to the spell caster. “No. Mostly that anyone can, and that part of the process is agreeing to some unknown obligation.” [[Back |tadm03.09.01]] [[Next |tadm03.09.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “That’s pretty much how dark magic works.” I didn’t allude to the part about the other component. Most people are unable to figure it out on their own. I asked a new question. “She tell you anything about how she knows so much about what she has to do in advance?” “Why do you ask?” “You said it yourself. The obligation is unknown. All the people I’ve met who’ve cast a spell and fulfilled their obligation didn’t know until the moment they were fulfilling it.” She moved on to the next machine. This was becoming a very effective way of avoiding eye contact. It didn’t seem like she was going to answer my question. But then she turned around and said, “I have a theory.” “Oh?” A mechanical thunk came from the bathroom where Avalon turned off the shower. “I’ve pieced bits of conversations together, and I think it’s like the magic or whatever it is that puts her back together gives her some reminder. Don’t forget you are indebted. And in the process tells her a little about what she’ll need to do.” “I could see that making sense. Someone dies with an unfulfilled obligation, the spell undoes that, which has got to be upsetting to the deceased—” “You have no idea.” “—and leaves a reminder. This is the reason you’re still alive. Don’t die.” [[Back |tadm03.09.02]] [[Next |tadm03.09.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “But what happens when you can’t stop dying?” “The spell leaves behind more and more information?” “That’s my theory.” “You got a pen? I want to write this down.” “Aren’t you supposed to know this stuff?” “Always something new to learn.” She handed me a pen and a pad of paper that I don’t think had ever been used. Its primary purpose was to serve as a decoration, but I found it functional enough for my needs. It was better than a bar napkin and had more space too. Which was good, because the ideas started pouring out while the coffee contraption whirled and whizzed. Despite the fact Avalon knew more about her price than anyone I’d ever met, her knowledge lacked details. She didn’t know where she would be delivering the child to, or who the criminals were. Or where they would go after the child was delivered. The plan also assumed that her obligation would be truly fulfilled and further assumed that I would not be taking on an obligation myself by interfering. I moved that last point to the top of the list. Avalon suspected that her hand off to the criminals was not where the child would be held. They would move him and that is where she thought we could disrupt the crime without interfering with her obligation. [[Back |tadm03.09.03]] [[Next |tadm03.09.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- This led me to the understanding that I was going to have to witness the abduction. Which meant I needed to shadow Avalon starting immediately. Had I known about this last night, I would have tried to get more sleep. Criminals. Would they have weapons? I don’t own a gun or know how to handle one. Most of my work is with ghosts and spirits. Plenty of ghosts would like to shoot someone, but none of them actually do. Even if they did, it’s not like shooting back at them would have any effect. I moved the weapons question up to the top of the list. I looked over my mess of scribbles that had to pass for notes in the moment. I was ready to fill in the gaps, and I assumed we would be spending the day planning and trying to coax out any more details Avalon might have. But Avalon had other plans it seemed, as she walked out dressed for work. She wore a slim black skirt, an amber collared blouse, and the same turquoise necklace as she wore yesterday. She then pulled on a soft V-neck black sweater and re-positioned the necklace. Igraine served a travel mug full of coffee. “Are you heading to the museum?” I asked. “I am.” “I’ll give you a lift.” “That’s not necessary.” “It kind of is, since I need to keep an eye on you.” She took a sip from her travel mug. [[Back |tadm03.09.04]] [[Next |tadm03.09.06]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “We don’t need to worry about today. It’s all going down tomorrow.” “So you say, but what if things change?” “No, I need… Everyone needs you to be on top of things tomorrow.” “I know, so let’s spend today planning.” “How much sleep did you get last night?” None. But I didn’t say it. I didn’t say anything. The sarcasm engine was out of fuel. I stood there like a dope. “Look,” continued Avalon, “get some rest—” Igraine interjected, “And take a shower.” “—then you and Igraine can talk details while I’m at work.” “But I don’t know the details,” Igraine objected as Avalon walked to the door. “Then, have a conversation.” I responded, “Conversations aren’t my thing.” “Well, that probably makes two of us.” Igraine’s quip came faster than I expected, and I suspected this was a hint of who Igraine had been before this ordeal. Avalon headed out the door and before closing it said, “I’m sure you two will figure it out.” The apartment was so silent I could hear Avalon’s steps as she walked down the stairs in the hallway. [[Back |tadm03.09.05]] [[Next |tadm03.09.07]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Igraine spoke first, “You know, I’m surprised you aren’t a natural conversationalist. The reason Avalon was late last night was because you two were out talking.” “That was probably the first extended conversation I’ve had in over a decade.” “A decade?! What makes you so terrible at conversations?” “Usually the other person.” [[Back |tadm03.09.06]] [[Next |tadm03.10.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “She wasn’t always like this, you know.” “No. I don’t.” “I had just moved to New Carissimi from out west, and I was looking for roommates. I found her ad for a roommate online. We did an interview together and quickly became fast friends. Best friends. We were both new to the city, but she was newer. She hadn’t told me about the cult, but I could tell that she was naive. But it didn’t last long. She got the hang of city life real quick.” “When did the curse start?” “It was late one night. I had been busy at work, and we were catching up. Then it just sort of happened. There was a moth. It bit her and then there was another. I began to panic and ran away, but they didn’t attack me. Only her. By the time I went to help her, there was a swarm. There was a lot of blood. I remember pulling her to the bathtub. My hand was covered in it, and I felt her bone.” This was more detail than I had asked for, and it was too awkward to ask her to stop talking. “I was going to wash the bugs off with the shower, and it worked briefly.” “Did the neighbors hear her screaming or anything?” “You would think they would have heard the two of us, but when the police asked later on no one said a thing. They all had their music turned up that night or were watching a movie or fell asleep with their headsets on.” “Not surprised. Live in the city long enough and you learn to avoid making your neighbor’s problems your own.” [[Back |tadm03.10.01]] [[Next |tadm03.10.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “Anyway. The water only interrupted them for a bit. They kept appearing, and I couldn’t see her, she was so covered. There were so many that when I tried to move some away there was a layer underneath. They made this terrible sound when their wings rubbed together. Like rubbing two pieces of sandpaper together.” “Doesn’t sound terrible.” “You live through that and tell me it isn’t the scariest sound you’ve ever heard.” “Sorry.” I’ve seen weird stuff before, but it wasn’t a contest. “What happened next?” “She was gone. I called 911.” “How did that go?” I noticed that Igraine skipped over the details of the call. “Horrible. They sent officers over, and the moment they saw the blood on me, they took me away.” “They thought you killed her?” “They thought it was my blood. They thought I had harmed myself, because there’s no record of Avalon.” “Other than the name on the buzzer downstairs?” “We added that after the ordeal.” “Did they search the place?” “I don’t know. Either way, nothing came of it. They kept me overnight until I settled down.” “Were you settled?” [[Back |tadm03.10.02]] [[Next |tadm03.10.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “I was exhausted and playing along so then I could show them everything. They brought me back, and Avalon opened the door. In that moment, I believed everything the police had tried to convince me. That I was delusional.” “But didn’t they take any blood samples? Wouldn’t they have known it was Avalon’s blood and not yours?” “I think once they confirmed that Avalon was alive, then they canceled whatever work they were going to do on the evidence.” Like in all major cities, the NCCPD was plagued with backlogs, underfunding, and an uncomfortable tolerance for crooked cops. They had priorities, and Avalon’s bizarre disappearance and reappearance was the furthest thing from one. Igraine continued, “After the police left, I started apologizing to Avalon. I thought I had made it all up. And that’s when she told me about the cult.” “Did she know then why she, you know, came back?” “No, but she figured that it was going to happen again. She was willing to go back to them so I wouldn’t have to endure it again.” “But you wouldn’t let her.” “No. I wouldn’t let anyone go back to someone who was capable of treating them with such cruelty.” “How’d you wind up with the coffin?” [[Back |tadm03.10.03]] [[Next |tadm03.10.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “Trial and error. We tried an over-sized tote crate, but the lid snapped off. We tried an oversized foot locker, but it was too small.” “And then the coffin.” The goldilocks scenario of the experiment. “Eventually.” “You said you worked somewhere. What do you do?” “Nowhere now. I couldn’t work after that.” “How do you pay the rent?” “Avalon covers it. She says she owes me.” “But you don’t think so?” “She’s going to die because I convinced her to stay.” “You feel differently about your decision now?” “I’m a different person than I was, but I think if she tried to go back, I’d still make the same plea. It’s just a heavy thing to live with, knowing someone will die because you talked them out of something they were ready to go through with.” She waited for a response from me, some positive affirmation that she had done the right thing. But I couldn’t give her the sugary reassurance she craved. There is a whole lot of wrong in the world, and the pursuit of something objectively right is almost always drenched in hypotheticals and hindsight. I searched for a way to give her hope without lying to her. When it was clear I had nothing to add, she handed me back the book. [[Back |tadm03.10.04]] [[Next |tadm03.11.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Oh great, something else is wrong with her. I thought and then regretted it. Avalon had been right. The lack of rest was affecting me. She continued before I figured out how to rephrase my question into one that was less offensive. “Ever since that first night of Avalon’s curse, I can’t exactly control when I fall asleep. I get bursts of energy followed by extreme fatigue. If I’m lucky I’ll catch a few uninterrupted hours.” She was doing a miserable job of hiding her shame. She had nothing to be ashamed of. Paranormal encounters take a heavy toll on people. She needed to hear it. Someone needed to say it. Unfortunately, the universe conspired to have me be the only other one in the room. I said, “Maybe, I’ll skip the beans and get a cup to go.” And then on instinct I said the single worst thing I could have. “Would you like me to bring you back a cup?” “Of coffee? Caffeinated coffee? The kind that keeps people awake? Are you sure the other person is the reason you suck at conversations?” I shrugged an apology, which went unheard. She shook her head and left the kitchen, headed for her bedroom. After she closed the door behind her, there couldn’t have been a more obvious signal for me to leave. But she said in stern voice, “Feel free to leave any time”. [[Back |tadm03.11.01]] [[Next |tadm03.11.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Instead of getting coffee, I went back to my office for a nap on the long couch in the waiting area. It was one of those sleeps where I woke up more tired than before. I was tempted to turn over and go back to sleep when I realized that, if I did, I would not be able to avoid the evening rush hour. My stomach gurgled as I sat up, so I grabbed a Styrofoam cup of noodles along with my jacket and headed out. Coffee would be a necessity for any conversation tonight. Unless they wanted to see me grumpy, which I doubted since they barely tolerated me when I was pleasant. After I parked the Benz a few streets over from their place, I picked up a paper to-go cup from a corner coffee store. After walking the distance from the coffee shop to their building, I buzzed for them to let me in, but Igraine was still on guard duty. “Did you get my coffee order right?” “None.” “Why are you holding two cups, then?” I looked around unsuccessfully for the camera I had missed. “One is microwave noodles.” I said in a voice that was unafraid, but not proud. There was not an immediate response. It felt like I was making eye contact with the speaker. I didn’t want to look away because I didn’t know how it would look on her camera. At the moment I was starting to say, “You need to push the button,” she asked, “Why would you bring me those?” “They’re for me, actually. I haven’t had dinner yet.” Buzz. [[Back |tadm03.11.02]] [[Next |tadm03.11.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Inside the apartment, I asked if I could use the microwave. Pointing to it was Igraine’s way of saying yes. I filled the cup with water and fumbled with the buttons a couple of times, needing to remind myself that this should take significantly less time than I was used to. “You get any rest?” I asked. “Only about fifteen minutes and then I was up worrying about tomorrow.” At that, Avalon entered the apartment dragging a paper bag filled with enough Chinese takeout to feed a track team. Her smile glowed. “You two look like you’re getting along.” The microwave dinged. Avalon continued, “Oh, I’m sorry, I should have told you I was bringing food home. But if you’ve already made something, I won’t be offended.” Igraine took the bag and started taking out its contents while Avalon went to the kitchen to pull out plates and utensils, including some plastic chopsticks. I took the warm cup of noodles and dumped them in the trash. My long-running frustration with the cheap microwave meal did not last past the first mouthful of fried rice. Avalon also made some tea to go along with the meal, serving it from a small pot into cups that did not have handles. Igraine and Avalon sat across the table from each other, leaving me to decide who I was going to sit next to and who I was going to face. [[Back |tadm03.11.03]] [[Next |tadm03.11.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- I pulled up a cushion next to Igraine. “So what did you two do today?” Avalon asked. We both stuffed a large amount of food in our mouths to avoid answering. “It went that well, did it?” Igraine finished chewing. “We don’t need this guy, Av.” “Don’t start. Were you able to rest today?” “Yes.” I said, “She’s lying.” Avalon closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. Then she wiped a tear with the same hand. “Sorry,” Igraine whispered. “It’s my last evening. I want to be burden-free while we eat.” “Of course,” I said. “We’ll talk business after the meal,” She said. The conversation after dinner was one that lasted hours, and nothing new was introduced or uncovered. We kept circling a drain, hoping to find a way to keep from falling over the edge. An alarm went off on Igraine’s phone. “Um, Avalon,” she said, and Avalon announced she was going to bed. [[Back |tadm03.11.04]] [[Next |tadm03.11.06]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- It seemed normal until I remembered she slept in a coffin and needed Igraine to lock her inside. “Good night.” I failed to make the words sound normal. The two of them walked into her bedroom, and after a while, Igraine walked out. From the way she looked, I never would have guessed this was something she did every night. I didn’t know if I should ask if everything was ok, which wasn’t helpful because nothing about today or tomorrow could be considered alright. “You ever see anything like this before?” she asked. “Nope. But not necessarily the strangest case I’ve had.” “She’ll start shaking the coffin soon. It’s soft, but it’ll be the only thing I can hear.” For the last year, Igraine had to live with murdering her friend every night. I imagine each time she feared Avalon would not wake up in the morning. I pulled a random book off their shelf of green books. “Mind if I read, then?” “Go ahead.” It wasn’t just the sound of the coffin shaking that made it hard to concentrate, but the rattling of the chains as well. An hour after the sounds from Avalon’s room stopped, Igraine went in and unlocked the coffin. [[Back |tadm03.11.05]] [[Next |tadm03.12.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Two things crossed my mind in that moment. The first was that she had new information about the timing that was unknown last night. The second was that it was good thing I slept in my clothes. I picked up my jacket from a chair next to the couch, but she took it out of my hands and put it back down. “Just stay here, everything will be fine.” “Is work really that important to you?” “People take comfort from all sorts of places, the museum is mine.” She was out the door before I could say anything, and against my better judgment, I returned to the couch. I guess working is a way to feel normal, and this was Avalon’s last chance to feel that way. Thirty minutes later, the door to their apartment opened. “This changes everything!” But it wasn’t Avalon’s voice. It was Igraine’s. Hugging a blue spiral-bound notebook. She was dressed and energetic. She looked at me. “I found a way to break her nightly curse.” “That’s great… when did you leave and where did you go? And what are you talking about?” “Avalon!” she called, then turned to me, “I went for a walk at about four thirty in the morning when you were sound asleep. And I ran into a fortuneteller.” [[Back |tadm03.12.01]] [[Next |tadm03.12.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Fortunetellers show up on the periphery of dark magic. In my experience, they are poorly named since they never tell any one’s fortune. But for a price will offer a magical trinket that can solve a problem. Unfortunately, it’s not always clear whose problem it’s solving. She continued, “He told me he could help. I didn’t believe him at first, but I do now.” “Oh…” I scratched my head. “Was he short and have an accent?” “You know him?” she asked and then called, “Avalon!” She walked into her bedroom and then back out. “Where is she?” “She went into work, and she asked me to stay here.” “Are you kidding me?” She swung at me with the notebook, as if she were housebreaking a dog. “Hey,” I said. “She told me that nothing would happen until the afternoon.” “You idiot, the museum is closed on Tuesdays.” Before the rush of guilt, I thought to myself how museums had weird hours. It was a stupid passing thought, and the guilt took over. I hadn’t expected Avalon to all of a sudden start lying to me. But if she was in the middle of fulfilling her obligation, maybe she had no choice. Igraine pulled out a laptop from under a small pile of mismatched books and powered it up to a blue screen. “Fricking updates!” she yelled. [[Back |tadm03.12.02]] [[Next |tadm03.12.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “Checking email?” I asked. “No, I’m logging into Avalon’s cell plan account. She has a location-tracking feature.” The updates finished, and the computer rebooted. “You know her password?” “Just where she keeps her passwords spreadsheet.” and she pointed to a lonely icon on the desktop. “Why didn’t you use that the other night, when we were at the diner?” “I did, but she left her phone in your car. Remember? I didn’t want to leave the apartment because she could come back at any minute and would need me…” To lock up the coffin. She continued, “…to lock up for the night.” After logging into Avalon’s account through the browser, the tracking located Avalon’s cell. Thank goodness she took her phone with her. “Where is she?” I asked. “She’s heading south on the sixway.” “Alright, I’m going after her. Let me know if she changes direction.” And I wrote down my number on the blue spiral notebook. “I’m coming along.” She picked up the notebook and pushed past me. “No you’re not. Avalon and I need you here.” [[Back |tadm03.12.03]] [[Next |tadm03.12.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- The on-ramp to the sixway from their apartment wasn’t too far if you could manage the side streets and occasionally weaving into oncoming traffic to pass the slow-pokes. Which required attention. My phone rang again, which I’d normally pick up. But I needed to focus on the road. If it was important they’d call a third time. And they did. “What’s the point of leaving me your number if you aren’t going to answer it?” Igraine asked. “How was I supposed to know you’d call so quickly?” “Never mind, she took exit 275.” “Pool Street? Which direction?” “West.” I started charting out the maze of streets that could get me there. “I could take—” “No, stick to the expressway.” “Why?” “Because there are five thousand stop-lights between where you are and where she is.” Did she put a tracker on me? “How do you know where I am?” “You just left, and I knew where you were going. It’s not like it’s that hard to guess.” [[Back |tadm03.12.05]] [[Next |tadm03.12.07]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “I’m fine, I can manage. I might not be at the top of my game, but I’m far from the bottom.” “Igraine,” I said, giving her a moment. “What?” she said. The moment passed. “The tracking is on the laptop and requires a wireless connection, right?” “So?” “My car doesn’t come with wi-fi.” She slouched, realizing her mistake. “I can’t find Avalon without you guiding me from here.” She nodded. “Bring her back.” I walked out the door but before closing it said, “Don’t worry, if anyone can catch up to her, it’s Bernie.” I was late in the worst way. The flights of stairs flew beneath me as I made for the building’s door. Outside I ran to Bernie, who opened the driver’s side for me. He must have known how urgent the matter was. Maybe he saw her leave. “Sorry, Bernie, we’re going to have to push the car more than usual.” I pulled out as soon as I could. My phone rang as the car accelerated, and I followed my instinct to ignore every call that I didn’t recognize the number. [[Back |tadm03.12.04]] [[Next |tadm03.12.06]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- I must have hit every red light between Avalon’s apartment and the sixway. When I finally merged with traffic, it only took minutes to be caught in a stand-still. I couldn’t back up and take an exit. I just had to sit and wait. I phoned Igraine. “Well, I’m stuck in a stand still on the sixway. Any updates on Avalon?” “She has been in the same spot for the last ten minutes.” Was this the drop-off point or the abduction? Instead I asked, “It isn’t by any chance that she is stuck in traffic?” “No, it looks like she’s at some sort of billiards and poker supply store.” “Or her phone is, at least.” Damn, didn’t mean to say that one out loud. “Good point,” she said with a focused voice. “Does Avalon know you track her?” “I didn’t tell her.” “In that case, she probably wouldn’t know.” “If she did, she figured it out on her own,” then she added, “I think she maybe in the process of the abduction.” “Why do you say that?” “No Amber Alerts yet.” “Alright, get back to me when something changes.” [[Back |tadm03.12.06]] [[Next |tadm03.12.08]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- I put the car in park. “Where is my emergency book?” Bernie popped open the glove compartment and threw out a paperback onto the passenger seat. The cover flopped face up. Like all my books, it was previously owned. This one didn’t seem to have been marked up by anyone before me. I read the first page at least seven times. Which was enough time to think up a desperate plan. [[Back |tadm03.12.07]] [[Next |tadm03.13.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “You heard me. I need a helicopter to follow Avalon.” “Tell me where she is and I will have someone stop her.” “You can’t stop her!” “I’m sorry. Did you say I can’t stop a child abduction?” “This is her obligation to pay. Once it’s paid, the child needs to be rescued. But you cannot stop her.” “Tell me where she is or whatever you know and I’ll do what I think is best. Understand?” “Let me speak with Mrs. Camelot.” “I am her fixer, and it is my job to fix this.” “Bernard, there are consequences at stake. Other-worldly consequences.” “You know how I feel about the subject, Mr. Krelig.” Yes, he was in denial. “This won’t end well.” “Not for you Mr. Krelig.” Then he ended the call. I stared at my phone in disbelief, and then it buzzed with a missing child alert. I turned on the radio to listen for more information. The last reported sighting was forty minutes ago at department store. A place no where near the intersection where Avalon’s phone is. Igraine called. “Ya, I got the alert.” I said. She didn’t acknowledge it, but said, “Avalon’s phone is off.” [[Back |tadm03.13.01]] [[Next |tadm03.14.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “Ya, well, the last people who came around looking for the kid did this to my place.” Keeping my hands up and my sarcasm set to zero, I said, “I have no interest in hurting you or your place. Just tell me what you know, and I’ll be on my way.” “What are you a cop?” “Nope.” He put the gun down. “We were about halfway through the third shifters making their rounds…” I attempted to translate in my head. People got off third shift and came here to gamble. “And then these two guys comes in I’d never seen before. Nothing unusual. I get new customers now and then. But these two, they don’t sit down at any of the tables. They meet with one of my regulars.” “Who?” “Hey pal, no names.” “Fine.” “So then my regular stops his game. Doesn’t do a thing about all his winnings on the table, and he just leaves with the two guys.” “The two guys you’d never be able to recognize.” “Not in a million years. But that’s not all…” I was surprised he kept talking. “About a half hour later, this goon squad comes in. Must have been fifty of them.” [[Back |tadm03.14.01]] [[Next |tadm03.14.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- And tomorrow it would be five hundred. I divided that number by ten to get a better guess at how many people were actually here. But I kept that approximation to myself. “Fifty people made this mess?” “Na, nobody did this.” “Right”— they absolutely did this—“What did they want?” “Said they were looking for a kid. Nobody knew what they were talking about, but they wouldn’t leave until people started saying things.” “Anyone say something that made them go away?” “Someone at my regulars table squawked about the guy who left his winnings on the table earlier. Said they over heard the guy he left with insisting they needed to get to his cabin right away.” “Do you know where that is?” “Buddy, I don’t know where here is.” I could tell he was lying and just stared him down. “But I’ve got an address.” He spat it out quick and would not be repeating it. Then added before going back to his sweeping, “Anyone asks, you didn’t get it from me.” “Never even heard of this place,” I said. As the door was closing behind me, he said, “Keep it that way.” [[Back |tadm03.14.02]] [[Next |tadm03.14.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Bernie and I headed out of town in the direction of the cabin. A good three hours out of town from our current location. I phoned Igraine and told her the details, hoping she’d heard something on the news about it. Or could grab some other vital piece of information that could help us. She asked, “How far behind are you?” The roads were open now. I had a chance to make up for the time lost to the standstill on the sixway. “They left about an hour ago.” “Ok, I’ll meet you there.” “There’s no point.” “I can’t stay here and keep listening to the radio. Besides, if she’s there, then I can use this spell.” I didn’t have the heart to tell her I suspected someone had swindled her. “What makes you think she’s there?” “I don’t know, but you can’t stop me from going.” “I’m not going to wait for you when I get there.” “Assuming you get there before me, what are you planning on doing?” “I’m not sure, but I have been told that I am a natural at making situations inconvenient for people, so I’ll probably lean into that intuition.” “Should we call the police?” [[Back |tadm03.14.03]] [[Next |tadm03.14.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “Ahh… funny thing about the police.” “What’s that?” “They know who I am.” “And that’s not a good thing?” “Let me put it this way. If they find out I’m involved, they’ll be more difficult than helpful.” She grumbled before hanging up. “Ugh, why couldn’t her grandmother have hired someone useful.” A few minutes later, I wondered if Avalon had told Igraine who’d hired me. [[Back |tadm03.14.04]] [[Next |tadm03.15.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- He was calm. “What are you doing here?” he asked. I took in what I could of the single room before I spoke. Besides the body, there was a kennel for a large dog, but the empty plastic bottles of sports drink suggested it had been used to restrain someone. My bet was on the boy. “Well?” he added. “Me? I’m supposed to be here, what are you doing here?” “‘Supposed to be’ is correct. But you weren’t here on time and I was.” “Tell me you didn’t intervene. Tell me you didn’t stop or prevent the thing that she had to do.” I couldn’t bring myself to say the word. “Oh, you mean the abduction?” A pair of footsteps ran up behind me. I spun around and watched as Igraine made her way inside, still clutching the blue spiral notebook. “Wait!” I called to her, trying to block the view of the body, but I was too late. Her scream echoed off the forest canopy, back down to us. In the city, a scream like that would get someone to call the police. But out here? I didn’t know. Bernard continued, “Ah, Miss Igraine.” “Did you get here in time?” [[Back |tadm03.15.01]] [[Next |tadm03.15.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- Bernard and I spoke at the same time. I said, “No,” and he said, “Yes.” “Wait, you called him?” I asked Igraine. “Isn’t that what you wanted me to do?” “Why would you think that?” “You said something about Bernard when you left the apartment.” Bernard started laughing. We both looked at him. “Oh, this is very amusing. You see, Miss Igraine, Mr. Krelig was probably referring to his car.” Not my car. The mechanic who haunts it. Now that I knew how he got there, I could refocus on the more pressing issue: what happened to Avalon? “Bernard, you need to tell us what happened.” “You have no authority here, Mr. Krelig.” Igraine joined me at my side. “For me. Please, tell me what happened to Avalon.” “I followed your instructions. Against my intuition, better judgment, and code of ethics, I did not intervene in Miss Avalon’s criminal act.” He had trouble saying abduction now. “I let her go on her way. My associates followed her, and I followed the criminals here. When the opportunity arose, I helped the boy escape.” He missed one important detail. “And what about the dead guy?” [[Back |tadm03.15.02]] [[Next |tadm03.15.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “Poetic justice, you might say. You’ll read about it in the papers. Sorry, you probably don’t read those. You’ll hear about it on the news, that the police will conclude that this man was killed by one of his accomplices.” “Where is she?” Igraine asked. “Avalon is quite alright.” “No, you don’t understand. She’s going to die if we don’t get to her.” “I don’t think that is possible.” “She’s going to die for real this time,” Igraine pleaded. Bernard gave her a funny look and then dismissed what he had heard. “I don’t think it’s possible for you to see her, because I forbid it.” “What?” we said together. “You can’t hold her against her will.” He gave a chuckle. “I’m the Camelot family’s fixer. Do you think I haven’t handled situations like this before?” “I know you haven’t,” I said. “We’ll call the police,” Igraine added. “And tell them what exactly? That one of the staff at the Camelot Estate might know something about the disappearance of your roommate?” Igraine gasped. She saw something I didn’t. [[Back |tadm03.15.03]] [[Next |tadm03.15.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “The very roommate the authorities are convinced didn’t exist and is a fabrication of your imagination?” “How did you know?” “Find it odd that you weren’t committed after that ordeal? That’s because Avalon called me and asked me to pull a few strings on your behalf, Miss Igraine.” We were cornered. He knew it, and for whatever pathetic reason, he wanted us to think that it was by his design. He was projecting an illusion of control, and I had seen through it. “Don’t let him get to you, Igraine. He’s being difficult because it’s impossible for him to be helpful.” I shifted my focus toward Bernard, pretending the firearm in his hand didn’t scare the daylights out of me. “You don’t know where she is, do you, Bernard?” He nodded. Igraine “Well someone’s got to know!” He responded, “You don’t want to know the people who know.” Our phones buzzed with the update on the missing child. The radius was closing in on our location. I took the notebook with the fortune-teller’s spell from Igraine’s hands and thrust it into Bernard’s chest. “She’s going to die if we don’t get this to her tonight,” I said. “If you won’t let us get it to her, get it to the people who can.” [[Back |tadm03.15.04]] [[Next |tadm03.15.06]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “I will take it off your hands, but I don’t think it’ll be much help.” He then added, “You had better go.” “She needs to get it before midnight, but the sooner the better.” “Mr. Krelig, just go.” [[Back |tadm03.15.05]] [[Next |tadm03.16.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- “Mr. Krelig, I don’t say this lightly. But if we find Miss Avalon’s body in such a manner as described, we shall hold you accountable.” He ended the call. I wasn’t sure what he meant by holding me accountable. Whether it would be somehow implicating me to the police, or some sort of civil action, or just making my life worse in general. With no other cases, I typed up the bill for my services and sent it to Camelot. Days later, I received a personal visit from Mrs. Camelot in my office. I would imagine the only offices she ever visits are the premier doctors and lawyers of the city. She looked at my small office suite as if it were a college dorm room. Instead of a stack of pizza boxes, there were piles of books that couldn’t find any room on the overcrowded shelves. I asked her if there was any news on Avalon. “That is why I am here, Mr. Krelig. Our arrangement was for you to tell me about Avalon. I heard nothing and then received a bill.” The amount she owed couldn’t have been a concern. She was probably upset she owed anything at all. “Mrs. Camelot, are you trying to get out of your bill?” “You did not hold up your end of the arrangement.” “I had been in contact with Bernard.” “He says otherwise. I asked him myself when he showed me the bill. And now I learn that Avalon is missing. You have made a terrible mess of this, Mr. Krelig.” [[Back |tadm03.16.01]] [[Next |tadm03.16.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- I could see two reasons why Bernard didn’t want to admit he talked to me. One of them being he didn’t want to tell her about the kidnapping. The other was he wanted to make my life difficult. “The police will be taking over now, Mr. Krelig. And you will not be paid.” She stamped her foot and walked out of my office. Her driver slammed the door for her. I could have cared less about Mrs. Camelot or what she thought of me. In all of this, what I really wanted to know was what happened to Avalon. I kept looking for clues to help me walk through her final hours. The local news filled in the gaps about her role in the kidnapping. The family were tourists from out of town. The parents got distracted and took their eyes off the boy for a split second. The surveillance videos of the crime released by police didn’t capture any details of Avalon. But I still couldn’t trace her steps after what was caught on video. Who did she deliver the boy to, and where did that handoff occur? What happened after the handoff? Why hadn’t she called or contacted us? And who had Bernard gone to for help? I had no intention of billing this extra to Mrs. Camelot. I wasn’t doing it for her. I was doing it because Avalon deserved better, because no one else would do the honest work, and for Igraine. [[Back |tadm03.16.02]] [[Next |tadm03.16.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[The Undying Debt|tadm03]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2023 Viktor Krelig" -- After weeks of parents panicking over a random kidnapper lurking in the shadows, the police announced that it was “an isolated incident” and that there was “no threat to the public at large.” When pushed by the press, the police issued a statement that they considered the case closed. The family also released a statement asking for the public to “respect their privacy after a terrible and confusing ordeal.” The media switched its coverage to the stunning new story about an anonymous tell-all account of Mrs Camelot’s nephew, including the salacious details of his promiscuous life and the ruin of everyday people caused by his abuse of privilege. I recognized Bernard’s work with the Camelots’ money behind the cover-up and I assumed he was the one who threw Mrs. Camelot’s own kin to the wolves as a way to keep the media from discovering the bigger scandal. That one of the Camelots was a member of a cult, and they had a child no one knew about who had abducted a child in broad daylight. Or maybe Bernard went to these lengths just to shield his role in all this. It could be both. It was clear that if I wanted to go through the case, I couldn’t go through the man. I’d have to find a way around him. And that was going to take time. —Viktor Krelig [[Back |tadm03.16.03]] Next: A Normal Life