The Dark Path Read Online Free PDF Page A

rage, he did not feel fear in the same way most men did. Nor did he face the distractions a working conscience could bring. His rage sucked everything else away, including his memories. Vain thrived on his craving for the next kill. Nothing else mattered. This subconscious drive came from a time in his life when he had been unable to kill, unable even to defend himself, and he was determined to never let that happen again.
    Trying to contain his own fears, Priest looked up into the eyes of the giant named Tobias. Seven years ago this enormous man had come to Priest, still covered with dried blood, and begging for his help. Tobias had killed his wife and her lover with his bare hands, catching them together one afternoon when he had come home early.
    His wife had laughed mockingly at the giant, telling him that hundreds of other men had occupied the bed they once shared. The memory of her face still haunted him.
    Tobias had gone insane with rage. After bludgeoning the lovers to death, he continued through his neighbor, his landlady, and her cat. He disappeared for several days before finally heeding the call of Priest, and coming to Chapel for the help he so desperately needed.
    The police went to Chapel several times looking for the man once known as Henry Thomas, but such were Priest’s skills that they never found him, even though they almost tore the boards from the floor in their search.
    Tobias, now one of Priest’s most devoted followers, currently stood before him with a look not dissimilar to fear upon his face.
    “What is it Tobias? What troubles you?” Priest had never known the giant man to show such disturbed emotions.
    “This man sir, he has such a dark presence about him. I fear you will not be able to convert him to our cause.”
    Priest sighed. He knew bringing Vain here had been a risk. The assassin was quite possibly the most evil creature he had ever seen, and his presence had already made itself felt.
    Buildings kept memories, Priest knew this. Most people thought buildings were simply made of bricks and mortar and nothing else, but Priest knew that what happened within those walls also affected the structure itself. The building they were now in had once been an asylum. Priest had bought the place almost ten years ago and made it a refuge for the homeless. Many good emotions had seeped into the walls over the years to make Chapel a predominantly harmonious place.
    From time to time, Priest would bring in an outsider in trouble, much like Tobias, and help them change their nature. At such times, the emotions in Chapel shifted towards the dark, but never so brutally as in the few hours since they had brought the Dark Man in.  The memories of the old days when Chapel had been an asylum reached out and leached into the souls who now dwelt there. People had been walking on edge all morning, jumping at shadows; arguments had been rife throughout the place. All this, even though only a select few knew of the Dark Man’s presence.
    Now Priest had to meet the man himself. He’d been trying to meditate, to clear his thoughts and purify his soul for the encounter, but he now felt poorer than before. Tempted to put off the meeting even longer, he knew the situation would only worsen now that the Dark Man had awakened.
    Realizing he had no other choice in the matter, Priest moved to the doorway before being called back by Tobias.
    “Would you like me to come with you sir?” the large man offered softly.
    Priest toyed with the temptation of Tobias’s support in the encounter, but knew this was something he had to face alone. Any show of weakness could destroy the entire affair.
    “Thank you Tobias, but that won’t be necessary.” The look of relief on the giant’s face spoke louder than any words, and Priest moved towards the Dark Man’s cell with even greater trepidation in his heart.
    Making his way down the stairs to what had once been a holding cell for the violently insane, Priest felt the