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| Homecoming |
The thing looked at me and paused. Its head tilted, as though deep in thought.
"I know that name," said the thing. "I am Mikhail Al Ghul."
"You are my ancestor," I said, trying not to appear frightened.
"So, what should I do, reverend?" I added with trepidation. "I don't know how to proceed from this point. I'm stuck. I am a pastor like you were, but I'm stuck, mired, with illness - emotionally and mentally. I don't know what I should do with my life. I have never really understood the purpose for my existence."
"A choice has presented itself to you," said Mikhail in broken English. "You may return to your home, never to return to this place," said the thing's weird voice. "But others here may come to consume you."
"Or you may come forward," the ghoul continued, "and simply allow me to lay hands on you. You are always welcome to join your brethren. Won't you come forward and rejoin the clan?" The ghoul smiled, horrendously, with a mouth full of fang-like teeth.
I sighed, considering the thing's words. I had nothing, really. Never did. I had no family - human, anyway - left. I had always regretted that; loneliness was my next of kin. Despair was my sibling - dejection and hopelessness were my brother and sister. Sorrow was my companion. Yes, I did have a budding ministry, though it was largely unsuccessful. It felt like I was accomplishing nothing. Few would miss me when I was gone.
I stood gazing at the ghoul for a few more moments. The cemetery was now very quiet, almost like the grounds themselves were waiting in anticipation. I made my decision and then I stepped forward to embrace my kinsman. I acquiesced.
Now I scream in unity with the banshees, the wraiths, and the jinn. Goblins and hobgoblins are my near cousins. In dark forests, we dance and celebrate under the light of the moon. We partake in rituals that were old when humans were not yet in the minds of strange gods.
In the day, I dwell happily in the warrens with the clans. When the evening comes and the blue haze rushes forth from the tunnels, I roam, and I feed with my kinsmen. I have found joy and merriment in a life that I had not expected, and woe betide anyone who is not of us and crosses our path. We are the children of the night. We are ghouls. I am Al Ghul.
The End
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