Fiction - 8 minute read
The Alternate
by Carl Innes
Invariably embarrassing and frequently tedious was how Sarah characterized her life, existing as she did on the fringes of literary excellence. Sarah knew full well that she was not considered in the same vein as the guest visitors who attended the university where she taught. Seeing successfully published authors wander the halls, flanked by fawning literary hopefuls was a constant reminder that she was not up to par, not only in the eyes of own her students, but also in the eyes of supervising faculty who seemed to be infuriatingly aware about every aspect of her life.
Now, Sarah had enjoyed a degree of success during her early twenties. Enough success in fact to fool her tutors, family, friends and even herself into thinking that she would indeed have a career as a professional writer. A handful of published short stories, a collection of irrelevant sonnets, a formulaic stage play that almost came to fruition. And of course, the novel, that was so often touted but never completed.
In all fairness, last year, Sarah had successfully produced a reasonable biographical account of a prolific entrepreneur. Unfortunately, the individual in question had passed away without a will. The anticipated sale of the book was placed on hold, seemingly wallowing forever in a quagmire of litigation. So it was that Sarah knew that not one solitary body of work over the last twenty years pointed to anything other than her own creative blandness and failing.
It had been the Dean’s forceful suggestion that Sarah take a yearlong personal developmental sabbatical. Perhaps he thought that the failure of her childless marriage might act as a catalyst for change. It did not.
Three months into the leave of absence and Sarah was at her desk, staring blankly at her computer screen, nursing an over-priced coffee, as she periodically scanned the room searching for inspiration. The phone ringing was a pleasant diversion.
It was Suzanne, her agent. That might have been a stretch. Suzanne was a friend who happened to be a literary agent. But Suzanne’s very existence allowed Sarah to lay claim to at least this one professional veil.
After the inevitable small talk Suzanne broke the news. She had heard of writing position and had instantly thought of Sarah. The position was in fact another opportunity to act as a biographer for a previously very private individual, Raine Whitlock, who wished to immortalize his achievements and family history.
The position called for an initial month residency on Mr. Whitlock’s estate to establish a professional rapport. Suzanne confessed that, if truth be told, Sarah hadn’t been the first choice as biographer. The proposed author in question had dropped out after a hastily planned book tour had been scheduled. Suzanne had tentatively forwarded Sarah’s resume and the client had readily accepted her.
Sarah’s initial response certainly wasn’t that of gratitude. Sarah thought the whole thing sounded a little too Bram Stokerish. Working for a mysterious client? In what? A secluded windswept Gothic mansion? Suzanne was cognizant that Sarah’s initial reticence was based on her diminished confidence levels. But she knew she would not have to sell the idea too hard when she played her trump card. The fee. A year’s teaching salary just for the initial month residency alone. A bonus upon completion of the book, and residuals should it go to press.
A mere minute later Sarah had accepted the offer and had the address written down. Sarah began sifting through all the snippets of information she could find on the internet that would tell her about the small northern Californian town of Alturas.
Sarah also took time to scour the internet for any information on her perspective employer but could find nothing. Nothing at all about the man, his achievements, or his family. Sarah was aware of the trend of certain wealthy individuals to secure the services of companies who could pretty much eliminate an individual’s online presence, but still she was baffled by the lack of even the smallest shred of information.
A week later Sarah had left behind the dreary autumn Michigan weather in exchange for the invigorating warmth of northern California. The taxi ride from the train terminal was uneventful aside from the pleasant scenery. Her Armenian driver was not given over to frivolous conversation, due to his attention being permanently diverted to the live soccer coverage on the radio.
The house, whilst not Gothic, was remote and did speak of money. A good half mile off the main 395 highway the property was an elevated, extremely large, city-slickers ranch with a few well-maintained outbuildings. Situated on the highest peak in the area the ranch’s only curious element was the inclusion of a crude looking stone building two hundred feet or so from the main structure.
Sarah received her bags and paid the still distracted cab driver before turning in time to see Mr. Whitlock step from the porch. Raine Whitlock strode purposefully over towards Sarah. He was a vigorous looking man with broad shoulders and confident gait who could have been anywhere from forty to fifty-five depending on your viewpoint. His graying short-cropped hair suited him and his deep brown eyes exuded charm. He wore well fitting, causal but expensive jeans, and a Ralph Lauren polo shirt that showed off his workman-like, sinewy muscles.
Raine had an easy smile that he used first on Sarah and then on the cab driver who barely acknowledged him in return. Overall, Raine reminded Sarah of the old cowboys she had seen years ago in the Marlborough cigarette commercials.
Extending his hand Raine closed the remaining distance on Sarah who was struggling with her bags. Sarah gave up as he drew near and dumped everything on the ground in front of herself as she accepted his hand.
“Mr. Whitlock.”
“Sarah, I’m so glad you accepted the offer. Call me Raine.”
Sarah could normally dissect accents but was at a loss with Raine’s cadence and inflection which seemed to be a hybrid of sorts.
“Thank you for the wonderful travel arrangements and for selecting me.”
“Rest assured had I seen your resume ahead of the other candidates I would have chosen you first.”
He was off to a good start, thought Sarah. He had quickly slayed the proverbial elephant and had set the tone for their relationship nicely.
Raine then proceeded to miraculously gather up Sarah’s bags and began to make his way to the stone building where Sarah would apparently be residing. As they walked, Raine inquired as to the train journey and seemed genuinely interested in the fiasco concerning the train’s poorly run dining car.
Raine had to stoop somewhat to enter the dwelling and once inside placed all the bags in the middle of the floor. Sarah joined him and marvelled at the internal transformation.
Although snug in dimensions no hint of the building's baser outside elements continued inside. The white-washed walls were completely smoothed over and the floor itself was intricately decorated with Italian tile. The center room benefited from subtle recessed lighting, air conditioning and from what Sarah could see from her vantage point, access to a well-appointed bathroom. There was a small kitchenette built into the back of the main room and a bedroom next to the bathroom.
Raine made his way toward the bedroom looking back over his shoulder as he smiled again.
“You’ve got to see this” he said proudly.
Sarah followed Raine into the small bedroom and instantly saw what Raine was so proud of. The large bedroom window framed a remarkable view of the valley and beyond. It was simply spectacular.
Sarah moved towards the window. “Wow!”
“Pretty special huh?”
Sarah nodded appreciatively.
“I’ll leave you to it. Please rest and freshen up after your journey. Would you join me at the main house at seven for dinner? I’ve stocked your fridge until you shop tomorrow, but I insist that you join me this and every evening for dinner. I’m a bit of a chef and not adverse to showing off.”
Sarah was still in awe at the view but as she turned to Raine she instantly became aware of the enforced proximity within the small bedroom and began to feel slightly self-conscious.
“That would be marvellous. See you at seven.”
Raine grinned as he stooped under the doorway to leave.
“Make yourself at home.”
Sarah took a further moment to marvel at the view before she began to explore her new temporary abode. The decor was minimalist to say the least. There was a shelf that boasted a few small antique urns and the tapestry that hung on the far wall was a very realistic sectional reproduction of the Map of Maundy. Finally, there was a small bookshelf that housed some first edition prints in various languages. Despite her extensive literary knowledge, the only work Sarah recognized was a copy of “The Saint”, by Leslie Charteris.
Sarah checked the fridge. Green olives, Brie cheese, Carr’s water biscuits and in the small freezer section she discovered Rum and Raisin ice cream. All her favourites. Raine must have spoken in detail with Suzanne. Sarah was impressed.
Sarah returned to the bedroom and began to unpack; her attention being constantly drawn back to the view. What a way to start each day. The setting, the hospitality, and of course, Raine.
A sublime shower prompted Sarah to take a quick power nap. Even before her alarm sounded Sarah awoke feeling thoroughly refreshed. Having carefully chosen her attire she then selected her favourite notebook and pen for the evening ahead.
Sarah left her cabin just before seven. She lingered near the corral area taking long deep breaths of the fresh night air and realized that she did not hear or smell any animals whatsoever.
The outside of the property was tastefully lit with a swathe of strategically placed lamps which highlighted the ranch in quite a different perspective. Sarah stood on the large, enclosed decking and knocked formally at the door.
Seconds later, Raine opened the large oak door allowing an instant view of the open plan ground floor. Sarah was immediately aware of the most incredible aroma that wafted towards her. Raine greeted her warmly and beckoned her in before darting back towards the kitchen to ward off a potential culinary disaster.
The ranch décor was pretty much what Sarah had imagined. Solid rustic wooden furniture, a moose head, snowshoes, and some Indigenous artwork. The kitchen though was a different affair. No ranch basics here. Ample granite-top work surfaces and top of the range appliances were the order of the day.
Raine ushered Sarah to sit at one of the bar stools and immediately served her a suitably chilled glass of white wine. A cornucopia of predominantly Asian ingredients covered the counters in various degrees of preparedness. As he worked Raine spoke quickly and listened intelligently, coaxing and encouraging detail after detail from Sarah about her life. Sarah was completely at ease and was relishing the experience. Although she mentally acknowledged to herself that the copious Chardonnay was helping fuel her narrative.
Raine cooked with a great deal of panache, telling Sarah that what she would be experiencing was basically a culinary tour of Thailand’s provinces. Sarah was enthralled by the gastronomic and cultural knowledge Raine displayed and found his worldly wisdom far exceeded hers in every facet.
After a splendid extended dinner Raine took Sarah out onto the rear decking that commanded yet another wonderful view of the valley. A mile or so away the occasional car headlight broke the early evening gloom along the main highway along which Sarah had traveled.
As she waited for her coffee Sarah realized that Raine had led the conversation all night. She hadn’t gleaned one fact of specific personal information from her new employer. She felt remiss. After all, isn’t that why she was supposed to be here? As Raine sauntered out with the coffee Sarah waded in.
“So, what’s your story?”
Instantly Sarah mentally chastised herself. It was a clumsy attempt to garner information.
Raine threw back his head laughing, almost spilling the coffees in the process which he quickly placed on the rail. Sarah reddened. Raine sensed her embarrassment.
“Sorry, not you, Sarah. Me.”
Sarah appreciated his sensitivity and felt instantly relaxed once more.
“Where to start? Small town boy makes good. How does that grab you?”
He laughed again. Sarah loved his laughter already. Totally self-depreciating. Honest and infectious.
‘So, California born and bred?”
“Not at all. I was actually born the other side of the globe.” Grinning widely Raine rubbed his forearm. “This isn’t a healthy tan. It’s real.”
Again, the laugh.
Sarah was enjoying the game. “Europe? Mediterranean? Greece?”
‘Nope. A little further east."
“Turkey? Iraq!”
Raine nodded.
“I’d never have guessed. Your name though?”
“A shameful western convenience. By the way, the cottage where you are staying is the building where I was born.”
“My God! That’s incredible! And I presume you had it moved here stone by stone?”
“Yes, that simple goat herders hut from Southern Iraq cost a quarter of a million dollars to move here twenty years ago. I had it placed on precisely the same elevation as its original location.”
Sarah retrieved her notepad opening to the first page and began to feverishly scribble some notes.
Raine smiled as he watched her.
“I don’t mention the cost of the relocation to be crass but only to demonstrate that I’ve never forgotten my roots.”
Sarah looked up from her writing.
“I know who I am.” Raine looked over the balcony away from Sarah. “And where I belong.”
“So, your father?”
“The man who raised me for the first few years. A goat herder.”
“And mother?”
“A simple peasant woman who died shortly after my birth. My father couldn’t cope after her death, so he gave me away to a family in a nearby city. It was they who raised me until I was sixteen.”
“Sorry to be brutal but if he wasn’t your biological father then did that factor into his decision?”
Raine didn’t look offended and considered her point for a few moments.
“Probably.”
“And your wealth?”
“Investments. Nothing dramatic. Shrewd investments over extended periods of time.”
Sarah looked up at Raine and touched the tip of the pencil to her mouth as she thought.
“But I thought this was to be a family history” Sarah gestured to the surrounding property.
“All this. And I imagine there’s more.”
Raine examined the dregs in his coffee cup and smiled wryly.
“Oh yes. Much more.”
“Sorry but what’s at the core here? What’s the real story?”
“The real story is about my father. My true father.”
Sarah started to write again but managed only a few words before looking up at Raine. Sarah was hungry to know about Raine. Now driven not just by the project at hand but by a deep desire to really know this man that she already considered remarkable.
“As I said the goat herder wasn’t my biological father. My real father had visited my mother and bestowed himself upon her.”
Shaking her head Sarah was visibly unable to contain her shock.
“Bestowed? That’s sounds so Shakespearean. Are you saying your biological father…I’m sorry. You mean he forced himself on your mother?
Sarah realized she had sounded quite blunt and was instantly regretful. She didn’t want to insult or upset Raine.
“At the risk of alienating you this early on and clouding your objectivity I must point out that ultimately my mother gave herself willingly. For, well, certain considerations.”
Sarah was mildly flustered. She walked back inside to the kitchen and exchanged her coffee cup for her wine glass. She poured herself a liberal quantity before returning to the deck. Raine was still leaning on the railing looking out into the night. Sarah took a hefty slug of the wine as she walked back over to him as she considered her next line of inquiry.
Raine turned and smiled benevolently. “The relative simplicity of our value system can’t and shouldn’t be applied to another world, another time.”
Raine paused but Sarah had nothing to say. Sarah’s grip on the wine glass was tightening, a feeling of unease etched its way through her being and she was unsure why.
Her perception of Raine had altered drastically in the last few minutes. Was he excusing the rape of his mother? If not excusing, then was he minimizing a power imbalance in his parental situation? Sarah so desperately did not want to unearth anything unsavoury about Raine, but she needed more details about his biological father.
“So, did your biological father have any contact with you after you moved to the city?"
“He kept in periodic contact with me over the years. I never had a formal education to speak of. At sixteen I went to work full-time for him and learned the family business so to speak. I spoke with my father only tonight.”
“Would there be an opportunity for me to speak to him at some point?”
Raine regarded Sarah intently before answering. “That could be arranged although he is rather busy.”
“He still works then?”
“He dabbles in certain affairs. Although he’s grown quite adept at allocating various tasks.”
“He must be quite old. He’s still in good health?”
Raine pushed himself off the railing and chuckled “The old rascal will outlive us all!”
“And he approves of this book?"
‘It was his idea. He insisted on it.”
“Insisted on it?”
“Yes, he felt that this was the right time to enshrine our family history. Warts and all. And I have a confession to make. It was he that chose you when our first choice fell through.”
Sarah had balanced her notepad on the railing in favour of her glass of wine which she was systematically draining.
“So, I see he was, and continues to be, a pivotal force in your life. Perhaps we should start with his story.”
Raine did not answer Sarah but instead looked directly into her eyes, with a gentle smile nipping at his lips. The moment lasted too long. Sarah forced a smile and covered her discomfort by completely draining her glass. She waved the empty vessel at Raine using the opportunity to replenish her glass so she might collect herself.
Whereas before Raine had seemed so debonair and interesting now he was coming off as a little strange and unreasonably evasive.
Sarah took her time and emptied the bottles reaming contents into her glass and even visited the bathroom before returning to the decking as she tried to plan her next move. Now she wanted the evening to end. But how? Feign tiredness? Drunkenness even? Change the subject? How had it all gone wrong so quickly? Perhaps a fresh start tomorrow would help.
Raine was watching her intently as she came back to the decking area. Sarah noted he seemed cold now, almost brutish, and yet nothing tangible had transpired.
Sarah took up a position a little further away from Raine this time as she rested against the railing. Thank God for the wine. She forced a smile before turning to take in the view and took another drink from the glass. But it was wrong. The wine was wrong. Was the stress affecting her taste buds? Had she drunk too much? Because now the wine tasted like water.
A stunned Sarah examined the contents of her glass and took another drink. It was water.
“It seems only fitting” Raine said.
Sarah quickly put down the glass on the railing as if it were poison.
She looked from Raine to the glass and then back again. Raine seemed completely earnest.
“How on earth did you do that?”
“Not me. My father. Through him all things are possible.”
“He turned my wine into water. How? What sort of trick is this? Why?”
Sarah’s mind was racing. She wanted to run but she had nowhere to run to. She was obviously the object of an extended joke. And she didn’t like it one bit.
“Some respect would be nice. When they performed the reverse, it’s referred to as a miracle. When we counter them, it’s a trick? Hardly fair.”
Raine seemed genuinely offended.
This wasn’t a joke, thought Sarah. That look in his eyes. He was mad. Sarah wasn’t sure how he’d done what he had done, but she knew that he wanted her to believe it was real, that his father had changed the wine into water. That he was the son of the Devil? Christ, what a mess! He was certifiably crazy. Or at the least very, very, weird.
Raine laughed again but this time it came off as forced and insincere.
“Your father is the Devil?”
“No. Not the devil. That is a label applied by them to discredit him. He prefers to be known as Betwar.”
Play along. Play along till you can get the hell out of here.
“So, you are the son of Betwa?”
“Betwar.”
“Sorry. Betwar”
Raine nodded slowly.
Sarah couldn’t contain herself. “What do you want with me?”
“I told you already. You weren’t brought here under false pretences. I assure you. We do want you to chart our story. From beginning to, well, what will soon be the end. From a literary perspective our story is far more dramatic than that of theirs. Not as many cliches either.”
Raine paused, gauging her response.
“Go on.”
“Look, Jesus supposedly died for mankind. So what? My father decreed that I live for them. I’ve been with you for thousands of years. In the fields. In the streets. In the trenches. I’ve been with you forever. I was here long before that egotistical tepid pup feigned a virgin birth and wandered around the Middle East for thirty-three years, spouting ideological nonsense, and behaving like a first-year social worker.”
Sarah’s mind whirled. I need to buy time. Buy time.
“So, you want me to write your version?”
Raine turned on her. His eyes danced wildly. A vein in his jaw pulsated erratically.
“No! We want you to write the truth.”
Sarah flinched causing Raine to catch himself.
He turned to look at the valley once more. He took a deep breath and as Sarah watched him the tension seemed to instantly seep out of his body. Sarah turned to look at the valley herself and leaned heavily on the rail, desperately needing the reassurance of something solid next to her.
Out of the corner of her eye she watched Raine whose demeanour had shifted completely again. He was smiling and tilting his head, as though he were listening to something. Or someone.
Options. Options. She could run. But where to? The sanctity of her room? Then what? She had seen there was no cell phone coverage out here. She had no car. She could buy into the madness. Placate him. Massage his fantasy till an opportunity to escape presented itself. Yes. That was her only option.
She retrieved the glass and brought it to her mouth once more. She still tasted water. She placed the glass back on the rail. Sarah summoned her resolve and tried to sound as calm as she should.
“I read an article a few years ago that talked about The Devil’s Bible. Was that your first foray into trying to secure a written record?”
Raine turned and studied Sarah for a few moments before answering.
“The Codex Gigas? A flawed undertaking. In answer to your question, we did indeed have a hand in commissioning the work, but the author proved unworthy. Only his efforts in the last ten pages bore any promise but given the overall content we decided to remove those.”
Sarah nodded. Raine was well versed. Well prepared. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t completely mad.
“And the Satanic Bible? Did you commission that as well?”
Raine laughed raucously as he pushed himself away from the rail.
“Anton. Dear, dear, Anton. What a guy. Lets’ just say we applaud the effort. He had his fifteen minutes, and I don’t begrudge him for that. But in terms of realistic representation of what we offer. What we signify. Well quite honestly, his work is irrelevant.”
Sarah was lost. She felt his gaze linger on her long after he had finished speaking. Sarah had never felt so vulnerable in her entire life.
Eventually Raine offered his hand. Sarah barely hesitated before awkwardly offering up her own.
Raine smiled kindly and turned towards the valley once more, ushering Sarah to turn also.
“See as I see. Know as I know.”
Obediently Sarah looked out. Then it happened. The valley, the whole world, began to lighten in tone. It was as though a new dawn had broken, but this dawn was driven by a spectrum of a different hue. A cold, scarlet swathe cut through the night, illuminating the valley and in doing so transforming its contents.
The shapes of trees, plants, fences, became angular. More rigid. More vivid. Natural areas of shadow that should have been dark burned instead with dancing flashes of crimson. A solitary horse in a nearby field seemed as though it had been highlighted in deep gold. It looked vibrant, proud, and surrealistically etched as it was against the comparative blandness of the field. It was the same valley but another reality. This was another version. Frightening, yet awe inspiring, completely riveting and somehow addictive.
Raine turned to look at Sarah. Sarah was mesmerized at what she saw. Realization washed over her. This was real. Raine was real. She painstakingly examined every detail of the vivid tapestry on display, keen to absorb the world Raine was offering.
Then suddenly Raine let go of her hand and the cold impersonal blackness took hold of the valley once more. Sarah looked desperately disappointed and almost panicked as she turned to Raine. Raine smiled gently and briefly touched her cheek as though she were a child. Sarah looked confused.
“Am I evil?”
“You are not evil. Its not a question of being good or evil. It’s a matter of free will. Yes, most of those that inhabit my father’s kingdom are condemned. You could be one of the many new breed, that choose, that elect, to be there. Serving my father and sharing certain responsibilities in managing the dominion for all time and most importantly, you will be our scribe. Our record keeper. For all time.”
Raine pointed heavenwards as he spoke and leaned in till his face was only inches from Sarah’s. He whispered intensely while gazing into her eyes.
”It’s the third option that he and the countless legions of naysayers have kept hidden. You can choose to serve my father within his dominion while you still live, and the delights of rapturous devotion will be eternal.
Anything your heart desires, anything your mind can conjure. No judgment. No limitation. All at the expense of those who deserve to be there. Who were actually sent there by Him.”
Sarah looked confused. Raine placed his hands on her shoulders and spoke in soothing tones.
“Sarah, my father was forced to play out a role as were so many after him. Listen. Did Cain willingly kill his brother? Do you think Herod took office believing his legacy would that of mass infanticide? Did Judas really betray his friend for a few meagre pieces of silver? No. They were all pawns in a celestial game not of their design.“
Raine took another deep breath and exhaled slowly before continuing.
“The difference is my father chose to play out the part dealt to him to the extreme. Pay no attention to the fallen angel diatribes. My father is a necessary force in this world and the other.”
Sarah gazed into Raine’s eyes searching for understanding. Raine stared back allowing her all the time she needed. Sarah began to nod gently as the realization of what had been shown to her took hold.
Raine leaned forward and tenderly kissed Sarah’s forehead. He turned, leaning on the railing, and stared out at the valley once more.
“The others will be here soon.”
Everything that had happened in her life now made sense. Sarah knew now that everything had been guiding her towards this moment. Sarah moved in close to Raine and linked her arm submissively through his as she rested her head on his shoulder.
On the main highway in the distance Sarah saw the headlights of eleven vehicles move slowly in convoy. When they reached the crossroads they turned and began to make their way towards the ranch.