Suspicions about the hidden realities of the air continue to loom as I slowly approach the corner coffee shop. Months have passed with the ever-growing uncertainty of whether the café could reopen. I remain cautiously optimistic with this idea grasping at any semblance of normalcy. The walk was eerily calm and quiet which would have never been the case before the world turned upside down. As I reach the steps to the front door, I shove my hand into my pocket to fish out the keys. Raising myself onto the step I peer inside the darkened space. Perhaps it was the frosted glass or the buildup of grime on the unkept business front, but the strange stillness of the indoor atmosphere was unsettling.
I pinch the bridge of my nose to lift the mask off my face and take in a deep breath. When the key turns to release the deadbolt, the door shifts on the hinges. Apprehensively, I open the door and the long gasp the space had held for what seems like an eternity is released into my covered face. I set foot on the sacred grounds which were remnants of happier times. Alone in this space I misjudge the air quality would be safe for me to take in. A noxious aroma immediately invades my nostrils and I scramble to cover up my nose and mouth.
Slowly traversing the seating area, I stare at the front counter covered with a layer of dust and particulate left undisturbed on the exposed barren surfaces. I walk past the register and follow the back counter strangely drawn to the swinging doors leading to the back-of-house. The mask could no longer fend off the fetid miasma which emits from the darkened kitchen area. Peering into the void I feel around the wall to cast light on the unspeakable evil which lurks in the shadows. I quickly realize this siren of darkness has lured me here to witness what has now taken over the cafe.
The sudden flood of light is cause for any living thing to recoil let alone whatever may have taken up residence here. At first glance it seems as though there is nothing out of sorts. My initial thought goes to the grease trap as the odorous offender which fouls the air. This theory is quickly dismissed as I spot the forlorn keg left by the sink. This cylindrical tank is subject to abuse as evidence of the dents to the exterior. However, upon closer inspection there were also unusual protrusions as if something inside was, or worse, is trying to escape. This vessel holds more than just cold brew now. There is something far more ancient and sinister which cultivates within the darkness of this sealed container.
I could hear a soft whispering fizz emitting from the release valve which confirms the source of the putrid air. Before actuating the value fully to relieve the pressure, I agitate the unit to assess what may be inside. My anxiety peaks with the realization there is something other than sloshing fluid inside. Something solid. I want to rid this cosmic evil and cast the entire unit to the back-alley dumpster, but my curiosity always gets the best of me. I struggle to take in a deep breath through my sweat ladened mask plastering my face. Nothing could prepare my senses or sanity for what I was about to unleash.
The loud hiss of relief upon release of the built-up pressure is accompanied by a malodorous, sulfuric, and intensely sour smell. A well of fear bubbles inside as I unlatch the tank unsure if my mind could be spared with what I was about to face. Peering into the abyss I catch a glimpse of a glistening form floating on top of the aged and long forgotten cold brew. I shake the vessel to assess any movement and determine for the moment this is a dormant form. I search for some tongs to harvest this rubbery-looking growth from the darkness. I take my eyes off the Great Mother for a split second as I reach for the desired tool for extraction. She extends her tentacle-like features feeling her way out of the vessel exploring the new surroundings. I stop in horror as she wraps a scaly and slick appendage around my exposed ankle.
I feel her tightening grip begin to cut into my skin as I too wrap my feelers instead around the hilt of a kitchen knife. I swiftly draw the blade across her arm to release me from her suctioned hold. Her monstrous screech echoes in the kitchen as she abruptly returns to the tank knocking the cylinder onto its side. The remaining cold brew which she had fed upon for months along with the rest of her slimy pale form spill out onto the tiled floor. She blindly searches around for an escape route with her remaining tentacle-like appendages. I grasp the sprayer head in the sink and turn the hot water tap as far as it will allow. With full blast I hit The Great Mother’s soft exterior with searing hot water. Her razor-sharp barnacle scales dissolve as she shrivels into the original smooth disc form shape. Muffling her dulled squelches, I force her down the grease trap which will become her final resting place amongst the other unspeakable horrors.
Not wanting
to risk another encounter, I quickly cast the vessel where The Great
Mother had emerged into the back-alley dumpster. A sense of relief
washes over after vanquishing the creature however I still could not
shake this lurking uneasiness. I dust off a bar stool to pull- up to the
counter and finally sit down. My eyes rest on the flavor syrups lining
the back counter wall as I try to process what just happened. Perhaps it
was the light flashing off the car passing by, but I could have sworn I
saw something in one of those bottles. Little did I know, The Great
Mother had already inoculated new hosts within the corner coffee shop to
continue the spread of her newly claimed domain.
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