Faces of Inhumanity

Chapter 1-1

Where shall I start? So much has happened since the events of the demonic presence that had plagued my aunt’s manor. You see, it was these events that fueled a curiosity within myself and Mary. Originally, I must admit, I had a repulsion to such a haunting. Yet, in the time that slowly passed into the summer of 1853, I had many thoughts that dwelt upon the idea of demons and such entities. This later evolved into an obsession to understand the darkest reaches of the afterlife and spirits that rested in such places. So many questions that begged my mind for answers, but no answers that could be logically sound. I would venture so far as to say without the support of Percy and his family, I would not have succeeded in fighting off the demonic incursion.

Lessons relegated to an ancient tome that speaks of wondrous and frightful creatures of both good and evil, yet simply stories still. I shall state, however, this life that is now lived is nothing like any life that Mary and I could have possibly dreamed. It is the life that has brought fulfillment, I will admit. I also must question what would cause any sane man to give up a life of comfort and wealth within a career that could launch anyone further than he dreamed? What sort of man would continue to subject himself and his wife to a life of strife by dealing with the demons of others? I have assured myself, time and time again, that I am no longer logical or sound of mind. Yet I still freely choose the life I now live.

Mary has been supportive of any decision that I would have made for our

endeavors. Which, I suppose, shows that we are like-minded in our investigations. Yet she still has her desire to pursue a career by day. Though there have been sacrifices that she has willingly made. Words cannot describe how supportive and dependable Mary has been without respite. Yet again, I must focus on the forward progress of my endeavors. It all began once Mary and I had arrived in New York. It was a series of words spoken by a passenger waiting for the train to travel to the New York City platform. I believe it was a woman and her husband seated against the white timber outer wall of the ticket office. Her husband was reading a current edition of the local newspaper and didn’t seem to regard his wife in the least. As Mary and I passed them, their faint words could be heard.

“According to our gazette, honey, Spiritualism may be a faster growing belief than we had thought before.”

It was this statement that I could not have realized would pique my interest and come back to me in stalwart recollection. Like a pulsing screech in the inner recesses of my mind or a voice calling from deep within. I knew not what impact this event would have on me, though I often wondered if it was the same for Mary as well. Mary and I continued to stroll to the end of the building, mainly to stretch our legs after a long train ride to this platform. It felt good to take in the fresh air and see the sights that were now passing in the blink of an eye. Though, for me, these were the sights that I had witnessed on my fore mentioned journey. North Carolina had been a beauty for my eye to behold, but nothing like the sights that Mary and I were

absorbing now, however. Yet, in some ways, I preferred North Carolina; the natural beauty of the endless forests had been refreshing. Something as such was welcomed due to the reduction in population and a few large structures stole my eyes from the landscape’s beauty. Although some cities are beautiful in themselves, even with such a stark contrast to forests and rolling hills.

Reaching the end of the platform, I could see the track leading my eyes into the distance. Each side of the track was lined with dense forest. All the vegetation was a beautiful, verdant color. Each leaf was a deep or bright green, with the darker leaves just behind the brighter leaves. This was a beautiful contrast that pleased my eyes as the trees stood tall and mighty against the sky. Their branches went in all directions and all met at a trunk that was larger than most trees that I had ever seen. While other branches hung down over the tracks in a thick curtain of grayish-brown and green. There was just enough space for a train to gently ride through the forest. Even above the trees, the sky was a deep blue, as if an ocean rolling above my head. Small and medium clouds hung gently in the breeze and seemed to glide slowly and gracefully across the sky while the day held a gentle heat with a light but immersive breeze.

Mary and I were relieved that the weather was stable and we were not met with a stiff wind. This would have made our travel unbearable, though I was sure that northern-bound tracks would see worse weather. As for now, the Southern New York-Yonkers platform was a welcomed sight. Mary had been relaying to me the notion of train travel being harmful to her usual lifestyle of being able to walk anywhere she liked. She had complained of her feeling bored, but most that her legs had become stiff, even despite our walking the length of the train. I had worried that this factor would deter Mary from riding trains in the future. What would follow would leave us with great difficulty when vacationing, but I did wonder about visiting Mary’s family in the future. As I stood on the edge of the platform, my deep contemplation was broken by Mary’s words. “What time is our departure, my love?” Mary asked, causing me to notice how refreshing her voice was to my ears.

I instantly awoke from my trance and could see Mary standing across from me on the other side of the platform. She was twisting her body back and forth slowly with her right leg tucked behind her left leg. She was gorgeous against the forest setting behind her and her dress, being a rosy color, was complemented by her shoulder-length brown hair. She had c****d her head slightly forward and was gazing at me with wondrous and gentle hazel eyes. A smile was gently placed below her eyes, her lips so soft and inviting were parted ever so slightly. Her whole appearance at this moment gave me pause. The woman before my eyes knew how to engage me in the most spectacular ways. Her catty nature, mixed with a voice that reminds me of a breeze whispering through a meadow, added to the experience. Each word gently arose to my ears and seemed to kiss my eardrum with the softest regard. She had the voice of an angel who had never risen to heaven.

“Yes, my dear,” I replied. “Our departure is promptly at 2 PM.”

Mary then asked, “And our time now?”

I looked to my left and up slightly to the clock that hung on the side post of the ticket-box office, each hand moving calculatedly in a race around an endless track of numbers.

“Currently, I can see 1:35 PM, my love,” I replied.

Mary seemed disturbed by this answer as she stared from the platform to the tracks below.

“I feel that we have been at this station for hours. Could time pass any slower?” Mary looked up to meet my eyes as she finished this statement.

We both chuckled, yet we seemed to both be thinking the same thing. If only our train had not split off from our schedule to deliver cargo to Buffalo, New York. Though it seems to be a waste as New York City is along the way. I do hope that the next train is scheduled to travel to the great city, otherwise, there will be more delay.

“I am sorry, my dear,” I stated. “I have not dealt with delays before as most of the trips that I have taken ensured my train traveling directly to New York City.”

Mary asked, “Do you think that something could have gone wrong?”

I replied, “I doubt it, my wife. If there had been a change in the train schedules, then we would’ve been informed when we arrived. I would say that this platform is having a delay with the engine being loaded with freight. Then the train arrives at our location promptly but partially loaded with freight from another area. I suspect this would speed freight delivery to places like Buffalo.”

Mary looked down the platform that we stood upon and I could see her mind turning my statements over and over. At some point, her thoughts had concluded.

“Benjamin, my love, how is it that you are so easily capable of making new possibilities available to me? Never have I met a man who has pushed me to consider all possibilities.”

While Mary spoke these words, she closed the distance and placed her hands on my chest. She leaned in and kissed me so passionately that I couldn’t help but feel a rush of stimulation slowly creep up from my chest and rise to the crown of my head.

Though I could not see my face, I knew that I was smiling ear to ear, but try as I might, I couldn’t stop my emotions from showing. Not that I would wish to be stony or cold to anyone. I just think of myself as a more reserved person and Mary had come into my life, I believed, to change everything.

“My wife, I am more than a mere man, yet I have come down to inspire you in flesh form,” I stated with a large smile.

Mary nodded with a very playful smile on her face as I took her hand and we began strolling slowly down the platform to find a seat. The other passengers had crowded around the ticket box, with some passengers seated on the far side of the platform as we had. Yet each group seemed to form little herds and only associated with others if approached. Otherwise, everyone else seemed extremely inviting. Group after group of passengers passed by as we strolled as swiftly and gracefully as possible, moving through each group of passengers only when no other option presented itself.

Everyone seemed to be dressed to impress others in their expensive dresses flowing in the breeze, fine suits made of different silks, and each passenger wore a hat of some sort. From taller stove-pipe hats to a shorter bowler style, some hats with wider brims and some with more narrow brims but all colors of fabric were represented. After we had passed the last group of passengers closest to the ticket office, we beheld an empty seat. No one seemed to be focused on finding a seat other than us, so we helped ourselves. Mary turned and began taking her seat beside me gracefully, sweeping her dress out and under her legs as she then took her seat.

It was then that an amusing thought crossed my mind and I turned my head toward where Mary was seated with a twisted half smile forming on my face.

“Mary, my dear, do you find it difficult to sit down in a beautiful dress such as yours?” I asked, still smiling with a devious look.

She replied without hesitation, “I do. I think any woman would since we are forbidden in a lot of cases from voicing any opinion on the matter.”

I smiled wider, “Perhaps you could try pants for a change.”