The Dark Path Read Online Free PDF Page B

your dreams, Martin. That is where you will find the man you once were.”
    “You have me mistaken with someone else, black man. There is no Martin here,” Vain replied bitterly.
    “I speak to the man who you once were and I say again, Martin , remember your dreams.”
    “Who are you, black man? What is this place?” retorted Vain, attempting to gain control of the conversation.
    The man sighed and his shoulders seemed to slump forward, unwilling to break the momentum of the previous subject. Finally, however, he steeled himself and answered the question.
    “I am known as Priest to those who live here, and this place is called Chapel.”
    “You mean I’m in a church?” Vain chuckled humorlessly. “Don’t tell me you’re trying to convert me. I don’t like your chances.”
    “This is not a church, so to speak. And I am Priest by name only, nothing more. This place is a haven for those in need to come to when they require help,” explained Priest calmly. “That is why you’re here Martin.”
    “You can’t help me Priest,” Vain replied venomously. “Better men than you have tried and failed, and upon their failing discovered that what they tried to save lived to destroy them.”
    “I know that,” murmured Priest sadly.
    “Why are we bothering with this charade? Tell me what you want.”
    “I have told you, Martin. I want to help you become what you once were,” said Priest.
    “And what is that?” inquired Vain.
    “A good man,” Priest offered simply.
    Vain cursed softly and envisioned again what this stupid bastard would look like with no eyes. The thought didn’t help him however, and it appeared this man would be able to see into Vain’s heart even without the use of his eyes. The longer this encounter endured, the more uncomfortable Vain felt. The memories were prying at his mind constantly now, trying to break through into his thoughts. Once again he pushed them back, but the longer the black man talked to him, the harder it got.
    This fight wasn’t over by a long shot.
     
    * * * *
     
    Priest neared exhaustion. The Dark Man’s emotions were draining his resolve and he thought he would break when he remembered the vision of himself with no eyes. On the other hand, he drew strength from the knowledge that he might be nearing the completion of his task. He had captured fleeting glimpses of conflict from within the Dark Man with his memories raging to be released. Priest knew he was close to accomplishing his task, yet he felt terrified to go any further.
    It would take perhaps one final push, but Priest dreaded that push more than anything he had ever faced before.
    To get Vain to remember, Priest would have to remind him of what had happened. To remind the assassin would break the veil surrounding his memories and release them in what would be a tidal wave of emotion that Priest worried would destroy him with its energy. The key to the Dark Man’s memory contained the same thing which had originally made him forget. Pain. It had erased everything of Martin Roberts, and had created Vain, effectively killing the person he had once been.
    Priest sighed to himself and tried to gather his remaining energy for what he hoped would be the final battle, yet feared it would only be the start of worse things to come.
     
    * * * *
     
    Vain saw Priest sigh again and felt a small sense of victory. He knew the man was frustrated with the questioning, and the assassin hoped he would soon give up and leave him.
    The black man turned back to the bed with a look of such sorrow on his face that it almost convinced Vain of the man’s sincerity.
    Almost, but not quite.
    “Do you remember Angelique, Martin?” Priest probed softly, switching his gaze towards the ground. The mention of the name summoned the vision of the young girl calling out to him for help. The assassin visibly winced as needles of fire pierced his mind.
    “What about Catherine, Martin? Do you remember her? Do you remember what happened to