Chris Chelser's Blog, page 19
December 24, 2015
“A Matter of Choice” – short story
His features were taut, yet his hair, thinning after prolonged medication, betrayed that he was not as old as he looked. He would never be as old as he looked. In all, the situation had the appearance of a foregone conclusion. However, the entry in the visitor’s little black notebook contradicted this assumption.
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“A Matter of Choice”
The light in the lonely hospital room was dimmed, as always at this time of night. The respirator’s sighs and the beeps of the heart monitor joined in a lulling rhythm, only disturbed by the occassional dissonant beat. Beneath the bed, the machine pumping liquid food through a narrow nasal tube hummed the base line. A strange orchestra. Only the two IV’s dripped without a sound.
The sole beneficiary of this performance was the skeletal figure of man lying between standardised linen sheets. His features were taut, yet his hair, thinning after prolonged medication, betrayed that he was not as old as he looked. He would never be as old as he looked.
In all, the situation had the appearance of a foregone conclusion. However, the entry in the visitor’s little black notebook contradicted this assumption. The visitor tucked said notebook in the pocket of his equally black waistcoat and grumbled.
Indecisiveness was so tiresome.
The mattress wobbled as the visitor sat down on the end of the bed. This woke the patient, but the visitor disregarded the wearily opening eyes in favour of studying the file kept in the holder at the foot of the bed.
“Who are you?” a dry voice croaked.
“A specialist,” the visitor answered without looking up from the file. “Your doctors have been expecting me, didn’t they say?”
“They don’t tell me… anything, except that they… don’t know what’s… wrong with me.”
“So I see. Paralysis, arrhythmia, respiratory problems, yet no definite diagnose.” The file snapped shut. “What do you believe is wrong with you?”
The bony throat wheezed despite the respirator’s mask. It may have been a laugh.
“I don’t… believe anything, mister… I’m done for.”
The visitor arched a thin brow. “Why would you say that?”
“Why… not? It’s the truth…”
“According to your files, it is not. Your doctors believe the symptoms to be psychosomatic, not a manifestation of an illness. And I’m inclined to say they are right.” He scrutinised the patient. “You do not need these machines to sustain you. In fact, you could make a full recovery, if you wish.”
“What if I don’t…?” the thin man grated from the pillow. “I have nothing to go on for.”
The visitor shrugged. “No family? Friends, perhaps? Those always seem to be a solid motivator to most people.”
“Oh, I have those… My wife still comes… every day.” The rhythm of the heart monitor sped up. “But if I live for her… make her happy by staying around…” He tried in vain to move. “Her life’ll go on… but what do I do… with mine? How do I fill my days… except with existing for her sake?”
“Is that not enough?”
Stick fingers struggled to prise the clear mask from the sallow face. “People are… no ornaments… No furnishing… to complete the… fantasies of others!”
“How very true. So that is your final answer?”
The heart monitor beeped fast and irregularly in the silence. It was ignored.
“You wish to die, then?” said the visitor. “You have that option, but you would rather live, it must be your decision to do so.”
Shrivelled features contorted further. “…can’t imagine… why I’d bother…”
The visitor flicked a speck of dust from his sleeve. “Ah, yes. Fear and frail hope masquerading as resentment.” He glared at the sunken eyes as he rose to his feet. “Do not think yourself unique in your despair. Or justified, for that matter.”
On the pillow, resentment became dejection. “Look at me… How can I…?” The head fell back. “I don’t know… what I want… anymore.”
“Then I suggest you decide quickly.”
The machines shrieked when their power cords were yanked out. At a gesture of his hand, their sirens fell still, leaving only the strangled screams of mortal fear from the bed. The visitor did not stay to watch the outcome. His notebook would tell him when he completed tonight’s accounting. Instead he left the room, quietly closed the door behind him, and straightened his tie for his next appointment.
The End
December 23, 2015
December 18, 2015
“Devourer” snippet
He considered these developments. He had acted on the premise that accepting her unholy offer of venturing where no living soul should go – a strictly passive act on his part – might be viewed as a necessary evil. Permissible by exception, only because the alternative was worse by far. Never had he had the slightest intent to actively partake in that transgression. To do so meant desecrating the very convictions that had been his salvation in this wretched existence!
The Devourer, chapter 19
December 17, 2015
Current Facebook feed
Since some days I can more easily post on Facebook than on my blog, I’m trying this new feature:
Chris Chelser
DE19 snippet:
He considered these developments. He had acted on the premise that accepting her unholy offer of venturing where no living soul should go – a strictly passive act on his part - might be viewed as a necessary evil. Permissible by exception, only because the alternative was worse by far. Never had he had the slightest intent to actively partake in that transgression. To do so meant desecrating the very convictions that had been his salvation in this wretched existence!
53 minutes ago
Chris Chelser
Show me the lie. I know about the good things of smartphone and modern communication, but... show me the lie!
If you want to lead a real life, put your smartphone aside!
#lifehackorg
6 hours ago
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Chris Chelser
Impressive place, even today.
A Century Of Talbot House, Poperinghe
Talbot House is a Belgian town house located in the town of Poperinghe in rural Flanders. Here in December 1915 two army chaplains, Rev. P.S.B. 'Tubby' Clayton and Rev. Neville Talbot, opened the h...
11 hours ago
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December 14, 2015
“Fog” – ultrashort story
The fog rolled in one day. No warning preceded it, no sunshine followed in its wake. It came, it covered, and it took. When I first ran, there was still sound, still life in these woods. Now all around is silence, deafening, and I have nowhere to run to anymore.
(Photo and 50-word challenge via Inkitt)
December 11, 2015
New art
Mercedes and M’sieur, from The Devourer. I just love these two.
These are two separate images, but I’m thinking of a double portrait as well.
December 10, 2015
“Dark Eyes” novel assuming official title!
Every project starts with a working title that does the job of telling it apart from your other projects, but little else. At first, it may seem like a contender for the publication title. However, as the story progresses and becomes more complex, that first idea begins to fall short.
Such was the case with Dark Eyes.
With roughly 8 chapters (or 50.000 words) of the story left to write, more suitable title options presented themselves. One fitted so well that it stuck.
My plan was to hold on to that for now and reveal the official upon actual publishing. The story – and the reality of marketing – decided otherwise. That was not a call to be made lightly, and it was not, but out of all lesser evils of bad timing, the adage ‘no time like the present’ won. So from now on
Dark Eyes has taken its official title: The Devourer
Upon posting this, there are 17 chapter online*, and more to follow soon. If you passed this free preview up before, click the banner to catch up:
*) And yes, I will be posting the COMPLETE novel online in its last-but-one version. It won’t be accessible forever, but I will NOT be so cheap to withhold any chapters from my online readers.
Enjoy!
December 8, 2015
Launch wrap-up and shop modifications
A big thank you to everyone who helped the launch of The Kalbrandt Institute Archives: Hauntings become a success!
In the wake of some of the comments people supplied during the launch, I have been tweaking the shop page. It now displays vendors per title for easier browsing.
Another change is that art prints can now be ordered from Redbubble – along with many more printed products, from mug to notebooks to bedcovers, which make it inviting to do more art on the side.
And there is another change coming up that is gradually becoming visible across the site. More on that in a few days!
Cheers,
