Download - The Midnight Meat Train by CLive Barker
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8/13/2019 The Midnight Meat Train by CLive Barker
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THE MIDNIGHT
MEAT TRAIN
LEON KAUFMAN WAS no longer new to the city. The
Palace of Delights he!" always calle" it in the "ays of his
innocence. #$t that was when he!" li%e" in Atlanta an"
New &or' was still a 'in" of (ro)ise" lan" where anything
an" e%erything was (ossi*le.
Now Ka$f)an ha" li%e" three an" a half )onths in his
"rea)+city an" the Palace of Delights see)e" less than
"elightf$l.
Was it really only a season since he ste((e" o$t of Port
A$thority #$s Station an" loo'e" $( ,-n" Street towar"s the
#roa"way intersection So short a ti)e to lose so )any
treas$re" ill$sions.
/e was e)*arrasse" now e%en to thin' of his nai%ety. 0t)a"e hi) wince to re)e)*er how he ha" stoo" an"
anno$nce" alo$"1
2New &or' 0 lo%e yo$.!
Lo%e Ne%er.
0t ha" *een at *est an infat$ation.
An" now after only three )onths li%ing with his o*3ect
of a"oration s(en"ing his "ays an" nights in her (resence
she ha" lost her a$ra of (erfection.
New &or' was 3$st a city.
/e ha" seen her wa'e in the )orning li'e a sl$t an" (ic'
)$r"ere" )en fro) *etween her teeth an" s$ici"es fro) the
tangles of her hair. /e ha" seen her late at night her "irty
*ac' streets sha)elessly co$rting "e(ra%ity. /e ha" watche"
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connection with the *$tchery tra"e. The )eat+(ac'aging
(lants on the water+front were *eing watche" the sla$ghter+
ho$ses sco$re" for cl$es. A swift arrest was (ro)ise"
tho$gh none was )a"e.
This recent trio of cor(ses was not the first to *e
"isco%ere" in s$ch a state4 the %ery "ay that Ka$f)an ha"
arri%e" a story ha" *ro'en in The Ti)es that was still the
tal' of e%ery )or*i" secretary in the office.
The story went that a 8er)an %isitor lost in the s$*way
syste) late at night ha" co)e across a *o"y in a train. The
%icti) was a well+*$ilt attracti%e thirty+year+ol" wo)an
fro) #roo'lyn. She ha" *een co)(letely stri((e". E%ery
shre" of clothing e%ery article of 3ewellery. E%en the st$"s
in her ears.
More *i9arre than the stri((ing was the neat an"
syste)atic way in which the clothes ha" *een fol"e" an"
(lace" in in"i%i"$al (lastic *ags on the seat *esi"e thecor(se.
This was no irrational slasher at wor'. This was a highly+
organi9e" )in"1 a l$natic with a strong sense of ti"iness.
F$rther an" yet )ore *i9arre than the caref$l stri((ing of
the cor(se was the o$trage that ha" then *een (er(etrate"
$(on it. The re(orts clai)e" tho$gh the Police De(art)ent
faile" to confir) this that the *o"y ha" *een )etic$lo$sly
sha%e". E%ery hair ha" *een re)o%e"1 fro) the hea" fro)
the groin fro) *eneath the ar)s4 all c$t an" scorche" *ac'
to the flesh. E%en the eye*rows an" eyelashes ha" *een
(l$c'e" o$t.
Finally this all too na'e" sla* ha" *een h$ng *y the feet
fro) one of the hol"ing han"les set in the roof of the car
an" a *lac' (lastic *$c'et line" with a *lac' (lastic *ag
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ha" *een (lace" *eneath the cor(se to catch the stea"y fall
of *loo" fro) its wo$n"s.
0n that state stri((e" sha%e" s$s(en"e" an" (ractically
*le" white the *o"y of Loretta Dyer ha" *een fo$n".
0t was "isg$sting it was )etic$lo$s an" it was "ee(ly
conf$sing.
There ha" *een no ra(e nor any sign of tort$re. The
wo)an ha" *een swiftly an" efficiently "is(atche" as
tho$gh she was a (iece of )eat. An" the *$tcher was still
loose.
The 7ity Fathers in their wis"o) "eclare" a co)(lete
close+"own on (ress re(orts of the sla$ghter. 0t was sai" that
the )an who ha" fo$n" the *o"y was in (rotecti%e c$sto"y
in New :ersey o$t of sight of en;$iring 3o$rnalists. #$t the
co%er+$( ha" faile". So)e gree"y co( ha" lea'e" the salient
"etails to a re(orter fro) The Ti)es. E%eryone in New &or'
now 'new the horri*le story of the sla$ghters. 0t was a to(icof con%ersation in e%ery Deli an" *ar4 an" of co$rse on the
s$*way.
#$t Loretta Dyer was only the first.
Now three )ore *o"ies ha" *een fo$n" in i"entical
circ$)stances4 tho$gh the wor' ha" clearly *een interr$(te"
on this occasion. Not all the *o"ies ha" *een sha%e" an" the
3$g$lars ha" not *een se%ere" to *lee" the). There was
another )ore significant "ifference in the "isco%ery1 it was
not a to$rist who ha" st$)*le" on the sight it was a re(orter
fro) The New &or' Ti)es.
Ka$f)an s$r%eye" the re(ort that s(rawle" across the
front (age of the news(a(er. /e ha" no (r$rient interest in
the story $nli'e his el*ow )ate along the co$nter of the
Deli. All he felt was a )il" "isg$st that )a"e hi) ($sh his
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(late of o%er+coo'e" eggs asi"e. 0t was si)(ly f$rther (roof
of his city!s "eca"ence. /e co$l" ta'e no (leas$re in her
sic'ness.
Ne%ertheless *eing h$)an he co$l" not entirely ignore
the gory "etails on the (age in front of hi). The article was
$nsensationally written *$t the si)(le clarity of the style
)a"e the s$*3ect see) )ore a((alling. /e co$l"n!t hel(
won"ering too a*o$t the )an *ehin" the atrocities. Was
there one (sychotic loose or se%eral each ins(ire" to co(y
the original )$r"er Perha(s this was only the *eginning of
the horror. May*e )ore )$r"ers wo$l" follow $ntil at last
the )$r"erer in his e
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The )an s(o'e.
2Wannanother!
Ka$f)an shoo' his hea".
27offee. 6eg$lar. Dar'! the oaf sai" to the girl *ehin" the
co$nter. She loo'e" $( fro) cleaning the grill of col" fat.
2/$h!
27offee. &o$ "eaf!
The )an grinne" at Ka$f)an.
2Deaf! he sai".
Ka$f)an notice" he ha" three teeth )issing fro) his
lower 3aw.
2Loo's *a" h$h! he sai".
What "i" he )ean The coffee The a*sence of his teeth
2Three (eo(le li'e that. 7ar%e" $(.! Ka$f)an no""e".
2Ma'es yo$ thin'! he sai". 2S$re.!
20 )ean it!s a co%er+$( isn!t it They 'now who "i" it.!
This con%ersation!s ri"ic$lo$s tho$ght Ka$f)an. /etoo' off his s(ectacles an" (oc'ete" the)1 the *ear"e" face
was no longer in foc$s. That was so)e i)(ro%e)ent at least.
2#astar"s! he sai". 2F$c'ing *astar"s all of the). 0!ll lay
yo$ anything it!s a co%er+$(.!
2Of what!
2They got the e%i"ence1 they!re 3$st 'ee(ing $s in the
f$c'ing "ar'. There!s so)ething o$t there that!s not h$)an.!
Ka$f)an $n"erstoo". 0t was a cons(iracy theory the oaf
was trotting o$t. /e!" hear" the) so often4 a (anacea.
2See they "o all this cloning st$ff an" it gets o$t of han".
They co$l" *e growing f$c'ing )onsters for all we 'now.
There!s so)ething "own there they won!t tell $s a*o$t.
7o%er+$( li'e 0 say. Lay yo$ anything.! Ka$f)an fo$n"
the )an!s certainty attracti%e. Monsters on the (rowl. Si
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hea"s1 a "o9en eyes. Why not
/e 'new why not. #eca$se that e
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a "ay!s sweaty la*o$r in a *a"ly+aire" office4 others *enign
as shee( wo$l" *e wan"ering ho)e "own the A%en$es
$shere" along *y a ceaseless c$rrent of *o"ies. Still others
wo$l" e%en now *e cra))ing on to the s$*way *lin" to the
graffiti on e%ery wall "eaf to the *a**le of their own %oices
an" to the col" th$n"er of the t$nnels.
0t (lease" Mahogany to thin' of that. /e was after all
not one of the co))on her". /e co$l" stan" at his win"ow
an" loo' "own on a tho$san" hea"s *elow hi) an" 'now he
was a chosen )an.
/e ha" "ea"lines to )eet of co$rse li'e the (eo(le in the
street. #$t his wor' was not their senseless la*o$r it was
)ore li'e a sacre" "$ty.
/e nee"e" to li%e an" slee( an" shit li'e the) too. #$t
it was not financial necessity that "ro%e hi) *$t the
"e)an"s of history./e was in a great tra"ition that stretche" f$rther *ac'
than A)erica. /e was a night+stal'er1 li'e :ac' the 6i((er
li'e 8illes "e 6ais a li%ing e)*o"i)ent of "eath a wraith
with a h$)an face. /e was a ha$nter of slee( an" an
awa'ener of terrors.
The (eo(le *elow hi) co$l" not 'now his face4 nor
wo$l" care to loo' twice at hi). #$t his stare ca$ght the)
an" weighe" the) $( selecting only the ri(est fro) the
(assing (ara"e choosing only the healthy an" the yo$ng to
fall $n"er his sanctifie" 'nife.
So)eti)es Mahogany longe" to anno$nce his i"entity to the
worl" *$t he ha" res(onsi*ilities an" they *ore on hi)
hea%ily. /e co$l"n!t e
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After all he tho$ght "oes the *eef sal$te the *$tcher as it
thro*s to its 'nees
All in all he was content. To *e (art of that great
tra"ition was eno$gh wo$l" always ha%e to re)ain eno$gh.
6ecently howe%er there ha" *een "isco%eries. They
weren!t his fa$lt of co$rse. No*o"y co$l" (ossi*ly *la)e
hi). #$t it was a *a" ti)e. Life was not as easy as it ha"
*een ten years ago. /e was that )$ch ol"er of co$rse an"
that )a"e the 3o* )ore e
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thro$gh $ntil ten no later.
The ele%ator too' hi) $( to the twelfth floor an" to the
Pa((as offices. /e trai(se" $nha((ily thro$gh the )a9e of
e)(ty "es's an" hoo"e" )achines to his little territory
which was still ill$)inate". The wo)en who cleane" the
offices were chatting "own the corri"or1 otherwise the (lace
was lifeless.
/e too' off his coat shoo' the rain off it as *est he co$l"
an" h$ng it $(.
Then he sat "own in front of the (iles of or"ers he ha"
*een t$ssling with for the *est (art of three "ays an" *egan
wor'. 0t wo$l" only ta'e one )ore night!s la*o$r he felt
s$re to *rea' the *ac' of the 3o* an" he fo$n" it easier to
concentrate witho$t the incessant clatter of ty(ists an"
ty(ewriters on e%ery si"e.
/e $nwra((e" his ha) on whole+wheat with e
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A*o%e all he )$st *e caref$l. There wo$l" *e eyes on hi)
e%ery ste( of the way watching his (erfor)ance tonight an"
3$"ging it. /e )$st wal' o$t li'e an innocent aro$sing no
s$s(icion.
0f they only 'new he tho$ght. The (eo(le who wal'e"
ran an" s'i((e" (ast hi) on the streets1 who colli"e" with
hi) witho$t a(ology1 who )et his ga9e with conte)(t1
who s)ile" at his *$l' loo'ing $neasy in his ill+fitting
s$it. 0f only they 'new what he "i" what he was an" what
he carrie".
7a$tion he sai" to hi)self an" t$rne" off the light. The
a(art)ent was "ar'. /e went to the "oor an" o(ene" it $se"
to wal'ing in *lac'ness. /a((y in it.
The rain clo$"s ha" cleare" entirely. Mahogany )a"e his
way "own A)ster"a) towar"s the S$*way at @,th Street.
Tonight he!" ta'e the A5ENUE OF T/E AME607AS again
his fa%o$rite line an" often the )ost (ro"$cti%e.Down the S$*way ste(s to'en in han". Thro$gh the
a$to)atic gates. The s)ell of the t$nnels was in his nostrils
now. Not the s)ell of the "ee( t$nnels of co$rse. They ha" a
scent all of their own. #$t there was reass$rance e%en in the
stale electric air of this shallow line. The reg$rgitate" *reath
of a )illion tra%ellers circ$late" in this warren )ingling
with the *reath of creat$res far ol"er4 things with %oices soft
li'e clay whose a((etites were a*o)ina*le. /ow he lo%e"
it. The scent the "ar' the th$n"er.
/e stoo" on the (latfor) an" scanne" his fellow+
tra%ellers critically. There were one or two *o"ies he
conte)(late" following *$t there was so )$ch "ross
a)ongst the)1 so few worth the chase. The (hysically
waste" the o*ese the ill the weary. #o"ies "estroye" *y
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e
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The hea"line of the New &or' Post "iscar"e" on the seat
across fro) hi) ca$ght Mahogany!s eye1 2Police All+O$t to
7atch Killer!. /e co$l"n!t resist a s)ile. Tho$ghts of
fail$re wea'ness an" "eath e%a(orate". After all he was
that )an that 'iller an" tonight the tho$ght of ca(t$re was
la$gha*le. After all wasn!t his career sanctione" *y the
highest (ossi*le a$thorities No (olice)an co$l" hol" hi)
no co$rt (ass 3$"ge)ent on hi). The %ery forces of law an"
or"er that )a"e s$ch a show of his ($rs$it ser%e" his
)asters no less than he4 he al)ost wishe" so)e two+*it co(
wo$l" catch hi) ta'e hi) in tri$)(h *efore the 3$"ge 3$st
to see the loo's on their faces when the wor" ca)e $( fro)
the "ar' that Mahogany was a (rotecte" )an a*o%e e%ery
law on the stat$te *oo's.
0t was now well after ten+thirty. The tric'le of theatre+
goers ha" *eg$n *$t there was nothing li'ely so far. /e!"
want to let the r$sh (ass anyway1 3$st follow one or twochoice (ieces to the en" of the line. /e *i"e" his ti)e li'e
any wise h$nter.
Ka$f)an was not finishe" *y ele%en an ho$r after he!"
(ro)ise" hi)self release. #$t e
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of the office "a)( coat o%er his ar) an" hea"e" for the
ele%ator. /is li)*s felt "r$gge" an" his eyes wo$l" scarcely
stay o(en.
0t was col"er o$tsi"e than he ha" antici(ate" an" the air
*ro$ght hi) o$t of his lethargy a little. /e wal'e" towar"s
the S$*way at C,th Street. 7atch an E
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chiefly *eca$se he co$l"n!t "o )ore than "rool thro$gh his
shattere" 3aw. 0t wasn!t $ntil three+thirty in the )orning that
one 7a(tain Da%is co)ing on "$ty recogni9e" the )an as a
retire" flower sales)an fro) the #ron< calle" /an'
5asarely. /an' it see)e" was reg$larly arreste" for
threatening *eha%io$r an" in"ecent e
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registere" that the "oors *etween the secon" an" first cars
ha" *een sli" o(en. May*e he s)elt the s$""en g$sh of
t$nnel+air an" registere" that the noise of wheels was
)o)entarily lo$"er. #$t he chose to ignore it.
May*e he e%en hear" the sc$ffle as Mahogany s$*"$e"
the yo$th with the s(ace"+o$t stare. #$t the so$n" was too
"istant an" the (ro)ise of slee( was too te)(ting. /e
"rowse" on.
For so)e reason his "rea)s were of his )other!s 'itchen.
She was cho((ing t$rni(s an" s)iling sweetly as she
cho((e". /e was only s)all in his "rea) an" was loo'ing
$( at her ra"iant face while she wor'e". 7ho(. 7ho(. 7ho(.
/is eyes 3er'e" o(en. /is )other %anishe". The car was
e)(ty an" the yo$th was gone.
/ow long ha" he *een "o9ing /e ha"n!t re)e)*ere"
the train sto((ing at West ,th Street. /e got $( his hea" f$ll
of sl$)*er an" al)ost fell o%er as the train roc'e" %iolently.0t see)e" to ha%e gathere" ;$ite a s$*stantial hea" of s(ee".
May*e the "ri%er was 'een to *e ho)e wra((e" $( in *e"
with his wife. They were going at a fair lic'4 in fact it was
*loo"y terrifying.
There was a *lin" "rawn "own o%er the win"ow *etween
the cars which ha"n!t *een "own *efore as he re)e)*ere".
A little concern cre(t into Ka$f)an!s so*er hea". S$((ose
he!" *een slee(ing a long while an" the g$ar" ha"
o%erloo'e" hi) in the car. Perha(s they!" (asse" Far
6oc'away an" the train was now s(ee"ing on its way to
where%er they too' the trains for the night.
2F$c' it! he sai" alo$".
Sho$l" he go forwar" an" as' the "ri%er 0t was s$ch a
*loo"y i"iot ;$estion to as'1 where a) 0 At this ti)e of
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night was he li'ely to get )ore than a strea) of a*$se *y
way of re(ly
Then the train *egan to slow.
A station. &es a station. The train e)erge" fro) the
t$nnel an" into the "irty light of the station at West ,th
Street. /e!" )isse" no sto(s
So where ha" the *oy gone
/e!" either ignore" the warning on the car wall
for*i""ing transfer *etween the cars while in transit or else
he!" gone into the "ri%er!s ca*in $( front. Pro*a*ly *etween
the "ri%er!s legs e%en now Ka$f)an tho$ght his li( c$rling.
0t wasn!t $nhear" of. This was the Palace of Delights after
all an" e%eryone ha" their right to a little lo%e in the "ar'.
Ka$f)an shr$gge" to hi)self. What "i" he care where
the *oy ha" gone
The "oors close". No*o"y ha" *oar"e" the train. 0t
sh$nte" off fro) the station the lights flic'ering as it $se" as$rge of (ower to (ic' $( so)e s(ee" again.
Ka$f)an felt the "esire for slee( co)e o%er hi) afresh
*$t the s$""en fear of *eing lost ha" ($)(e" a"renalin into
his syste) an" his li)*s were tingling with ner%o$s energy.
/is senses were shar(ene" too.
E%en o%er the clatter an" the r$)*le of the wheels on the
trac's he hear" the so$n" of tearing cloth co)ing fro) the
ne
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Was it ra(e
With no )ore than a )il" %oye$ristic $rge he )o%e"
"own the see+sawing car towar"s the intersecting "oor
ho(ing there )ight *e a chin' in the c$rtain. /is eyes were
still fi
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/e was $nconscio$s when the train reache" :ay Street.
/e was "eaf to the "ri%er!s anno$nce)ent that all tra%ellers
*eyon" that station wo$l" ha%e to change trains. /a" he
hear" this he wo$l" ha%e ;$estione" the sense of it. No
trains "isgorge" all their (assengers at :ay Street4 the line
ran to Mott A%en$e %ia the A;$e"$ct 6ace Trac' (ast :FK
Air(ort. /e wo$l" ha%e as'e" what 'in" of train this co$l"
*e. E
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The noise was "eafening es(ecially lying on the floor.
Ka$f)an!s teeth were sha'ing in their soc'ets an" his face
felt n$)* with the %i*ration4 e%en his s'$ll was aching.
8ra"$ally he felt strength see(ing *ac' into his e
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his hi"ing (lace li'e a snail hoo'e" fro) its shell
Nothing ha((ene". /e felt no *reath on his nec'. /is
s(ine was not slit o(en.
There was si)(ly a clatter of feet close to Ka$f)an!s
hea"4 then that sa)e so$n" rece"ing.
Ka$f)an!s *reath hel" in his l$ngs 2til they h$rt was
e
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Mahogany ($t his hea" o$t of the ca*in an" stare" "own the
car towar"s the "oor.
2What the f$c'!s that! sai" the "ri%er.
2Di"n!t close the "oor (ro(erly. That!s all.!
Ka$f)an hear" the #$tcher wal'ing towar"s the "oor. /e
cro$che" a *all of consternation against the intersecting
wall s$""enly aware of how f$ll his *owels were. The "oor
was ($lle" close" fro) the other si"e an" the footste(s
rece"e" again.
Safe for another *reath at least.
Ka$f)an o(ene" his eyes steeling hi)self for the
sla$ghter+(en in front of hi).
There was no a%oi"ing it.
0t fille" e%ery one of his senses1 the s)ell of o(ene"
entrails the sight of the *o"ies the feel of fl$i" on the floor
$n"er his fingers the so$n" of the stra(s crea'ing *eneath
the weight of the cor(ses e%en the air tasting salty with*loo". /e was with "eath a*sol$tely in that c$**y+hole
h$rtling thro$gh the "ar'.
#$t there was no na$sea now. There was no feeling left
*$t a cas$al re%$lsion. /e e%en fo$n" hi)self (eering at the
*o"ies with so)e c$riosity.
The carcass closest to hi) was the re)ains of the (i)(ly
yo$th he!" seen in 7ar One. The *o"y h$ng $(si"e+"own
swinging *ac' an" forth to the rhyth) of the train in $nison
with its three fellows4 an o*scene "ance )aca*re.
0ts ar)s "angle" loosely fro) the sho$l"er 3oints into which
gashes an inch or two "ee( ha" *een )a"e so the *o"ies
wo$l" hang )ore neatly.
E%ery (art of the "ea" 'i"!s anato)y was swaying
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hy(notically. The tong$e hanging fro) the o(en )o$th. The
hea" lolling on its slit nec'. E%en the yo$th!s (enis fla((e"
fro) si"e to si"e on his (l$c'e" groin. The hea" wo$n" an"
the o(en 3$g$lar still ($lse" *loo" into a *lac' *$c'et. There
was an elegance a*o$t the whole sight1 the sign of a 3o*
well+"one.
#eyon" that *o"y were the str$ng+$( cor(ses of two
yo$ng white wo)en an" a "ar'er s'inne" )ale. Ka$f)an
t$rne" his hea" on one si"e to loo' at their faces. They were
;$ite *lan'. One of the girls was a *ea$ty. /e "eci"e" the
)ale ha" *een P$erto 6ican. All were shorn of their hea"
an" *o"y hair. 0n fact the air was still ($ngent with the s)ell
of the shearing. Ka$f)an sli" $( the wall o$t of the
cro$ching (osition an" as he "i" so one of the wo)en!s
*o"ies t$rne" aro$n" (resenting a "orsal %iew.
/e was not (re(are" for this last horror.
The )eat of her *ac' ha" *een entirely cleft o(en fro)nec' to *$ttoc' an" the )$scle ha" *een (eele" *ac' to
e
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s)eare" with *loo" fro) her leg. /e co$l" feel it on his
chee' li'e war (aint.
The screa) ha" cleare" Ka$f)an!s hea" an" he s$""enly
felt release" into a 'in" of strength. There wo$l" *e no
($rs$it "own the train he 'new that1 there wo$l" *e no
cowar"ice not now. This was going to *e a (ri)iti%e
confrontation two h$)an *eings face to face. An" there
wo$l" *e no tric' B none B that he co$l"n!t conte)(late
$sing to *ring his ene)y "own. This was a )atter of
s$r%i%al ($re an" si)(le.
The "oor+han"le rattle".
Ka$f)an loo'e" aro$n" for a wea(on his eye stea"y an"
calc$lating. /is ga9e fell on the (ile of clothes *esi"e the
P$erto 6ican!s *o"y. There was a 'nife there lying a)ongst
the rhinestone rings an" the i)itation gol" chains. A long+
*la"e" i))ac$lately clean wea(on (ro*a*ly the )an!s
(ri"e an" 3oy. 6eaching (ast the well+)$scle" *o"yKa$f)an (l$c'e" the 'nife fro) the hea(. 0t felt goo" in his
han"4 in fact it felt (ositi%ely thrilling.
The "oor was o(ening an" the face of the sla$ghterer
ca)e into %iew.
Ka$f)an loo'e" "own the a*attoir at Mahogany. /e was
not terri*ly fearso)e 3$st another *al"ing o%erweight )an
of fifty. /is face was hea%y an" his eyes "ee(+set. /is )o$th
was rather s)all an" "elicately li((e". 0n fact he ha" a
wo)an!s )o$th.
Mahogany co$l" not $n"erstan" where this intr$"er ha"
a((eare" fro) *$t he was aware that it was another o%er+
sight another sign of increasing inco)(etence. /e )$st
"is(atch this ragge" creat$re i))e"iately. After all they
co$l" not *e )ore than a )ile or two fro) the en" of the
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line. /e )$st c$t the little )an "own an" ha%e hi) hanging
$( *y his heels *efore they reache" their "estination.
/e )o%e" into 7ar Two.
2&o$ were aslee(! he sai" recogni9ing Ka$f)an. 20 saw
yo$.
Ka$f)an sai" nothing.
2&o$ sho$l" ha%e left the train. What were yo$ trying to
"o /i"e fro) )e!
Ka$f)an still 'e(t his silence.
Mahogany gras(e" the han" of the clea%er hanging fro)
his well+$se" leather *elt. 0t was "irty with *loo" as was his
chain+)ail a(ron his ha))er an" his saw.
2As it is! he sai" 20!ll ha%e to "o away with yo$.!
Ka$f)an raise" the 'nife. 0t loo'e" a little s)all *esi"e the
#$tcher!s (ara(hernalia.
2F$c' it! he sai".
Mahogany grinne" at the little )an!s (retensions to"efence.
2&o$ sho$l"n!t ha%e seen this1 it!s not for the li'es of
yo$! he sai" ta'ing another ste( towar"s Ka$f)an. 20t!s
secret.!
Oh so he!s the "i%inely+ins(ire" ty(e is he tho$ght
Ka$f)an. That e
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The #$tcher $nhoo'e" the clea%er fro) his *elt an"
*ran"ishe" it.
2A "irty little :ew li'e yo$! he sai" 2sho$l" *e than'f$l
to *e $sef$l at all1 )eat!s the *est yo$ can as(ire to.!
Witho$t warning the #$tcher sw$ng. The clea%er "i%i"e"
the air at so)e s(ee" *$t Ka$f)an ste((e" *ac'. The
clea%er slice" his coat+ar) an" *$rie" itself in the P$erto
6ican!s shan'. The i)(act half+se%ere" the leg an" the
weight of the *o"y o(ene" the gash e%en f$rther. The
e
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/is han"s still felt the wea%e of his tro$sers howe%er
an" the hot s(lashes on his s'in. /is life see)e" to totter on
its ti(toes while his fingers gras(e" at one last sense.
Then his *o"y colla(se" an" his han"s an" his life an"
his sacre" "$ty fol"e" $( $n"er a weight of grey flesh.
The #$tcher was "ea".
Ka$f)an "ragge" g$l(s of stale air into his l$ngs an"
gra**e" one of the stra(s to stea"y his reeling *o"y. Tears
*lotte" o$t the sha)*les he stoo" in. A ti)e (asse"1 he
"i"n!t 'now how long4 he was lost in a "rea) of %ictory.
Then the train *egan to slow. /e felt an" hear" the *ra'es
*eing a((lie". The hanging *o"ies l$rche" forwar" as the
careering train slowe" its wheels s;$ealing on rails that
were sweating sli)e. 7$riosity o%ertoo' Ka$f)an.
Wo$l" the train sh$nt into the #$tcher!s $n"ergro$n"
sla$ghterho$se "ecorate" with the )eats he ha" gathere"
thro$gh his career An" the la$ghing "ri%er so in"ifferent tothe )assacre what wo$l" he "o once the train ha" sto((e"
Whate%er ha((ene" now was aca"e)ic. /e co$l" face
anything at all4 watch an" see.
The tannoy crac'le". The %oice of the "ri%er1
2We!re here )an. #etter ta'e yo$r (lace eh!
Ta'e yo$r (lace What "i" that )ean
The train ha" slowe" to a snail!s (ace. O$tsi"e the
win"ows e%erything was as "ar' as e%er. The lights
flic'ere" then went o$t. This ti)e they "i"n!t co)e *ac'
on.
Ka$f)an was left in total "ar'ness.
2We!ll *e o$t in half+an+ho$r! the tannoy anno$nce" so
li'e any station re(ort.
The train ha" co)e to a sto(. The so$n" of its wheels on
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the trac's the r$sh of its (assage which Ka$f)an ha"
grown so $se" to were s$""enly a*sent. All he co$l" hear
was the h$) of the tannoy. /e co$l" still see nothing at all.
Then a hiss. The "oors were o(ening. A s)ell entere" the
car a s)ell so ca$stic that Ka$f)an cla((e" his han" o%er
his face to sh$t it o$t.
/e stoo" in silence han" to )o$th for what see)e" a
lifeti)e. See no e%il. /ear no e%il. S(ea' no e%il.
Then there was a flic'er of light o$tsi"e the win"ow. 0t
threw the "oor fra)e into silho$ette an" it grew stronger *y
"egrees. Soon there was s$fficient light in the car for
Ka$f)an to see the cr$)(le" *o"y of the #$tcher at his feet
an" the sallow si"es of )eat hanging on e%ery si"e of hi).
There was a whis(er too fro) the "ar' o$tsi"e the train
a gathering of tiny noises li'e the %oices of *eetles. 0n the
t$nnel sh$ffling towar"s the train were h$)an *eings.
Ka$f)an co$l" see their o$tlines now. So)e of the) carrie"torches which *$rne" with a "ea" *rown light. The noise
was (erha(s their feet on the "a)( earth or (erha(s their
tong$es clic'ing or *oth.
Ka$f)an wasn!t as nai%e as he!" *een an ho$r *efore.
7o$l" there *e any "o$*t as to the intention these things
ha" co)ing o$t of the *lac'ness towar"s the train The
#$tcher ha" sla$ghtere" the )en an" wo)en as )eat for
these canni*als they were co)ing li'e "iners at the "inner+
gong to eat in this resta$rant car.
Ka$f)an *ent "own an" (ic'e" $( the clea%er the
#$tcher ha" "ro((e". The noise of the creat$res! a((roach
was lo$"er e%ery )o)ent. /e *ac'e" "own the car away
fro) the o(en "oors only to fin" that the "oors *ehin" hi)
were also o(en an" there was the whis(er of a((roach there
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the rotting fa*ric sl$ng aro$n" their sho$l"ers or 'notte"
a*o$t their )i"riffs was )a"e of h$)an s'ins. Not one *$t
a "o9en or )ore hea(e" ha(ha9ar"ly on to( of each other
li'e (athetic tro(hies.
The lea"ers of this grotes;$e )eal+line ha" reache" the
*o"ies now an" the gracile han"s were lai" $(on the shan's
of )eat an" were r$nning $( an" "own the sha%e" flesh in a
)anner that s$ggeste" sens$al (leas$re. Tong$es were
"ancing o$t of )o$ths flec's of s(ittle lan"ing on the )eat.
The eyes of the )onsters were flic'ering *ac' an" forth with
h$nger an" e
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e
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can whose ho)elan" this was *efore Passa)a;$o""y or
7heyenne. 0ts eyes if it ha" eyes were on hi).
/is *o"y shoo'. /is teeth chattere".
/e co$l" hear the noise of its anato)y1 tic'ing crac'ling
so**ing.
0t shifte" a little in the "ar'.
The so$n" of its )o%e)ent was aweso)e. Li'e a
)o$ntain sitting $(.
Ka$f)an!s face was raise" to it an" witho$t thin'ing
a*o$t what he was "oing or why he fell to his 'nees in the
shit in front of the Father of Fathers.
E%ery "ay of his life ha" *een lea"ing to this "ay e%ery
)o)ent ;$ic'ening to this incalc$la*le )o)ent of holy
terror.
/a" there *een s$fficient light in that (it to see the whole
(erha(s his te(i" heart wo$l" ha%e *$rst. As it was he felt it
fl$tter in his chest as he saw what he saw.0t was a giant. Witho$t hea" or li)*. Witho$t a feat$re that
was analogo$s to h$)an witho$t an organ that )a"e sense
or senses. 0f it was li'e anything it was li'e a shoal of fish.
A tho$san" sno$ts all )o%ing in $nison *$""ing
*losso)ing an" withering rhyth)ically. 0t was iri"escent
li'e )other of (earl *$t it was so)eti)es "ee(er than any
colo$r Ka$f)an 'new or co$l" ($t a na)e to.
That was all Ka$f)an co$l" see an" it was )ore than he
wante" to see. There was )$ch )ore in the "ar'ness
flic'ering an" fla((ing.
#$t he co$l" loo' no longer. /e t$rne" away an" as he
"i" so a foot*all was (itche" o$t of the train an" rolle" to a
halt in front of the Father.
At least he tho$ght it was a foot*all $ntil he (eere" )ore
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attenti%ely at it an" recogni9e" it as a h$)an hea" the hea"
of the #$tcher. The s'in of the face ha" *een (eele" off in
stri(s. 0t glistene" with *loo" as it lay in front of its Lor".
Ka$f)an loo'e" away an" wal'e" *ac' to the train.
E%ery (art of his *o"y see)e" to *e wee(ing *$t his eyes.
They were too hot with the sight *ehin" hi) they *oile" his
tears away.
0nsi"e the creat$res ha" alrea"y set a*o$t their s$((er.
One he saw was (l$c'ing the *l$e sweet )orsel of a
wo)an!s eye o$t of the soc'et. Another ha" a han" in its
)o$th. At Ka$f)an!s feet lay the #$tcher!s hea"less cor(se
still *lee"ing (rof$sely fro) where its nec' ha" *een *itten
thro$gh.
The little father who ha" s(o'en earlier stoo" in front of
Ka$f)an.
2Ser%e $s! it as'e" gently as yo$ )ight as' a cow to
follow yo$.Ka$f)an was staring at the clea%er the #$tcher!s sy)*ol
of office. The creat$res were lea%ing the car now "ragging
the half+eaten *o"ies after the). As the torches were ta'en
o$t of the car "ar'ness was ret$rning.
#$t *efore the lights ha" co)(letely "isa((eare" the
father reache" o$t an" too' hol" of Ka$f)an!s face
thr$sting hi) ro$n" to loo' at hi)self in the filthy glass of
the car win"ow.
0t was a thin reflection *$t Ka$f)an co$l" see ;$ite well
eno$gh how change" he was. Whiter than any li%ing )an
sho$l" *e co%ere" in gri)e an" *loo".
The father!s han" still gri((e" Ka$f)an!s face an" its
forefinger hoo'e" into his )o$th an" "own his g$llet the
nail scoring the *ac' of his throat. Ka$f)an gagge" on the
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intr$"er *$t ha" no will left to re(el the attac'.
2Ser%e! sai" the creat$re. 20n silence.!
Too late Ka$f)an reali9e" the intention of the fingers.
S$""enly his tong$e was sei9e" tight an" twiste" on the
root. Ka$f)an in shoc' "ro((e" the clea%er. /e trie" to
screa) *$t no so$n" ca)e. #loo" was in his throat he
hear" his flesh tearing an" agonies con%$lse" hi).
Then the han" was o$t of his )o$th an" the scarlet
s(ittle+co%ere" fingers were in front of his face with his
tong$e hel" *etween th$)* an" forefinger.
Ka$f)an was s(eechless.
2Ser%e! sai" the father an" st$ffe" the tong$e into his
own )o$th chewing on it with e%i"ent satisfaction.
Ka$f)an fell to his 'nees s(ewing $( his san"wich.
The father was alrea"y sh$ffling away into the "ar'4 the
rest of the ancients ha" "isa((eare" into their warren foranother night.
The tannoy crac'le".
2/o)e! sai" the "ri%er.
The "oors hisse" close" an" the so$n" of (ower s$rge"
thro$gh the train. The lights flic'ere" on then off again
then on.
The train *egan to )o%e.
Ka$f)an lay on the floor tears (o$ring "own his face
tears of "isco)fit$re an" of resignation. /e wo$l" *lee" to
"eath he "eci"e" where he lay. 0t wo$l"n!t )atter if he
"ie". 0t was a fo$l worl" anyway.
The "ri%er wo'e hi). /e o(ene" his eyes. The face that
was loo'ing "own at hi) was *lac' an" not $nfrien"ly. 0t
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grinne". Ka$f)an trie" to say so)ething *$t his )o$th was
seale" $( with "rie" *loo". /e 3er'e" his hea" aro$n" li'e a
"ri%eller trying to s(it o$t a wor". Nothing ca)e *$t gr$nts.
/e wasn!t "ea". /e ha"n!t *le" to "eath.
The "ri%er ($lle" hi) to his 'nees tal'ing to hi) as
tho$gh he were a three+year+ol".
2&o$ got a 3o* to "o )y )an1 they!re %ery (lease" with
yo$.!
The "ri%er ha" lic'e" his fingers an" was r$**ing
Ka$f)an!s swollen li(s trying to (art the).
2Lots to learn *efore to)orrow night. . .2
Lots to learn. Lots to learn.
/e le" Ka$f)an o$t of the train. They were in no station
he ha" e%er seen *efore. 0t was white+tile" an" a*sol$tely
(ristine4 a station+'ee(er!s Nir%ana. No graffiti "isfig$re"
the walls. There were no to'en+*ooths *$t then there were
no gates an" no (assengers either. This was a line that(ro%i"e" only one ser%ice1 The Meat Train.
A )orning shift of cleaners were alrea"y *$sy hosing the
*loo" off the seats an" the floor of the train. So)e*o"y was
stri((ing the #$tcher!s *o"y in (re(aration for "is(atch to
New :ersey. All aro$n" Ka$f)an (eo(le were at wor'.
A rain of "awn light was (o$ring thro$gh a grating in the
roof of the station. Motes of "$st h$ng in the *ea)s t$rning
o%er an" o%er. Ka$f)an watche" the) entrance". /e ha"n!t
seen s$ch a *ea$tif$l thing since he was a chil". Lo%ely "$st.
O%er an" o%er an" o%er an" o%er.
The "ri%er ha" )anage" to se(arate Ka$f)an!s li(s. /is
)o$th was too wo$n"e" for hi) to )o%e it *$t at least he
co$l" *reathe easily. An" the (ain was alrea"y *eginning to
s$*si"e.
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The "ri%er s)ile" at hi) then t$rne" to the rest of the
wor'ers in the station.
20!" li'e to intro"$ce Mahogany!s re(lace)ent. O$r new
*$tcher! he anno$nce".
The wor'ers loo'e" at Ka$f)an. There was a certain
"eference in their faces which he fo$n" a((ealing.
Ka$f)an loo'e" $( at the s$nlight now falling all aro$n"
hi). /e 3er'e" his hea" signifying that he wante" to go $(
into the o(en air. The "ri%er no""e" an" le" hi) $( a stee(
flight of ste(s an" thro$gh an alley+way an" so o$t on to the
si"ewal'.
0t was a *ea$tif$l "ay. The *right s'y o%er New &or' was
strea'e" with fila)ents of (ale (in' clo$" an" the air s)elt
of )orning.
The Streets an" A%en$es were (ractically e)(ty. At a
"istance an occasional ca* crosse" an intersection its engine
a whis(er4 a r$nner sweate" (ast on the other si"e of thestreet.
5ery soon these sa)e "eserte" si"ewal's wo$l" *e
thronge" with (eo(le. The city wo$l" go a*o$t its *$siness
in ignorance1 ne%er 'nowing what it was *$ilt $(on or what
it owe" its life to. Witho$t hesitation Ka$f)an fell to his
'nees an" 'isse" the "irty concrete with his *loo"y li(s
silently swearing his eternal loyalty to its contin$ance.
The Palace of Delights recei%e" the a"oration witho$t
co))ent.