Tuesday, December 24, 2013 – 11:04 PM EST – The Compound, Old Saybrook, Connecticut



When I met Caitlyn back in the spring it truly was like love at first sight. I easily could have married her. In fact, I saw myself doing so. I learned she was pregnant and it absolutely made me happier than I ever could have been. Then something changed.

The Brotherhood of the Illuminatus was my fathers vision. A vision that became a reality through his hard work and determination. When he stepped down from the role of Grand Master, it was known that I would be his successor. After all, it was my birthright. With a baby coming, Asmodeus changed. He had gone from the carefree religious leader, to overlord of the whole damn show.

It's not a change I hate. He's a good balance to my authority. As I said, it is his vision. At the end of the day it is his vision we all follow. Even after he's gone from the Earth, his vision will still be followed. With the birth of the next heir upon us, he's taken more of an authority role within the Brotherhood. Caitlyn was Catholic and marrying her would be disastrous to the cause. Having my son raised as such, even more so.

It took some convincing, no doubt. But ultimately I had to agree with my fathers decision to capture her, hold her here until the baby arrives, then eliminate her. I absolutely do love her and it pains me to do what I have to do. But a leader leads by example, not just shouting instructions. The crusade against the Catholic Church perpetrated by my Brotherhood of the Illuminatus does not stop at priests and other men of the cloth. No, it does extend to their followers as well, if need be.

So here we are. Jacob has returned to the Compound having successfully completed Phase One of our mission. He managed to hire Tyler to incinerated Caitlyn's body. Phase Two, the conversion of the high tech cell into a sterile birth room finished up about an hour ago. Asmodeus should be arriving here momentarily and things can get underway for Phase Three. The birth of my Prince!

Jacob sits in his usual place upon the table. Matthew on the sofa. Me? Pacing as usual. I have that excited, scared feeling. Excited I'm about to be a father and scared because I'm about to be a father. I'm just unsure which I'm feeling more of, excitement, or fear.

The front door to the cottage opens and my father walks in.



ASMODEUS: “What's our status?”

MATTHEW: “The construction on the room is complete, Father.”

ASMODEUS: “Good. Jacob, this man, Tyler. He's absolutely on board?”

THE MESSENGER: “Definitely.”

ASMODEUS: “And the girl. Where is she?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Still in her cell, Dad.”

ASMODEUS: “Jacob, Matthew. Bring her here. It's time.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Matthew, you stay. Jake and I will handle it.”

ASMODEUS: “Whoever, whatever. I don't care. Let's just make this fast. I want the child here within the hour!”



Jake and I head out of the cottage and up the sloped grassy hill toward the main building. He and I say nothing as we enter the main corridor. Down the hall and to the left, we enter the stone spiral staircase and descend toward the Dungeon. Once inside the Chamber, we exit through the old wooden door into the cell room. Caitlyn is asleep.

I unlock the cell and enter. Caitlyn has been restrained for quite some time now and she stares up at me.



CAITLYN: “Sebastian?”



She says it with a weary voice. As if all of the fight she had in her is gone. As if she was defeated.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “It's time, Caitlyn.”

CAITLYN: “For what?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “My Prince to come home. And then...”

CAITLYN: “Then what?”



I touch her face gently with my right hand. I then squeeze my right fist and the dagger ejects into view.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I think you know what.”



She begins to cry silent tears accompanied by a scattered sniffle here and there. Using the dagger attached to my wrist, I cut the restraints from Caitlyns wrists and ankles. Jacob and I are gentle with her as we help her to her feet. Her protruding belly, the astounding evidence of how far along she is. My Prince lays just barely more than fingertips away from me as I touch her belly ever so gently.

We begin to escort her out of the cell and into the Chamber. She begins to collapse and reacting quickly, I sweep her off her feet. She wraps her arms around me head and looks up into my eyes.



CAITLYN: “I really do love you, Sebastian.”



Tears begin to well up. I try, and fail, to hold them back.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I'm sorry it has to be this way.”



Out into the bitter New England cold on this Christmas Eve, my tears chap my skin a little. I can feel it almost immediately. We head down toward the cottage.



CAITLYN: “It doesn't have to be this way, Sebastian! We can get married! We can raise our child together!”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I'm sorry, Caitlyn.”



Her quiet sobs continue. We enter Asmodeus' cottage and the trap door is opened. I carry Caitlyn down the steps and into the sterile room. Matthew and my father are waiting.



ASMODEUS: “Sebastian, lay her on the table.”



I hesitate for a second, but ultimately I obey.



ASMODEUS: “Matthew, the restraints.”



As ordered, Matthew restrains Caitlyn on the table rendering her motionless. My father picks up the scissors and cuts Caitlyns clothing from her leaving her naked pregnant body bare for all to see. Asmodeus sets down the scissors and picks up the scalpel. He brings it toward her belly and I grab his hand, stopping him.



ASMODEUS: “Sebastian, I wish not to make you look like a fool in front of your subordinates, but if you do not remove your hand from me, you will force me to do so.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I'm not going to stop you, Dad. I just want you to give her something to calm her down. To ease her pain.”

ASMODEUS: “What's the difference? She'll be dead soon.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Stress on her is stress on my son! Your grandson! Plus, just because she'll die doesn't mean it has to be painful.”



I release my fathers wrist and he sets down the blade.



ASMODEUS: “Well, I guess that's not too much to ask. Matthew, do it.”



I'm not sure what it is, but it seems to soothe my Caitlyn.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Thank you, Dad.”

ASMODEUS: “Very well. Onward.”



He once again picks up the scalpel and draws the incision about six inches in length. Seconds later, he reaches into her gut and retrieves my son. The cord is cut and he begins to cry. As he does, so does his father. His grandfather has a tear as well.



ASMODEUS: “You can be with him, Sebastian, after you do what you need to do.”



I stand over Caitlyn. Her dazed, glazed over eyes stare up at me. Part of me wonders if she's even aware of what's going on. The other part of me hopes she isn't. When I first found out I had to do this I resisted. Later, I accepted what I had to do. Now that it's time, I don't think I can.



ASMODEUS: “Time of birth. The stroke of midnight. Christmas Day. How fitting considering the destruction this boy will do to Christ's Kingdom. May the Illuminatus reign forever!”

THE MESSENGER: “How are his vitals, Matthew?”

MATTHEW: “Very good. He's a healthy, strong boy.”

ASMODEUS: “That's the only way we grow them around here. Sebastian, it's time.”



I stand continue to stand over her. Tears roll down my cheeks.



ASMODEUS: “Sebastian!”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I KNOW!”

ASMODEUS: “Then stop hesitating and do it! Quick and painless.”



Finally, I squeeze my right fist. The dagger ejects once again and I send it quickly down toward Caitlyn. It all seems so slow, as if happening at a snails pace.


THWAP!


The blade was aimed at her throat, but I couldn't do it. I send the blade deep into the table just a mere three inches from her neck.



ASMODEUS: “JACOB! NOW!”



It all happened so fast. Asmodeus had Jacob hit me with his stun gun, rendering me disabled for the time being. Matthew handcuffs my left wrist to what remains of the cell bars. I'm unable to move, but I'm fully aware of what's going on. I can see everything.



ASMODEUS: “Get me his dagger.”



I can hear it, but I can't process it. Instead, my eyes follow Jacob as he unties his homemade contraption from my wrist. He has it off in seconds.



THE MESSENGER: “I'm sorry, Sebastian.”

ASMODEUS: “Never mind that, now. Let's move quickly.”



I watch as Jacob attaches the contraption to my fathers arm. Within seconds, Asmodeus drives the dagger into the throat of Caitlyn. I hear her gurgling as she struggles to breath. She gurgles as she begins to suffocate and choke to death on her own blood.

Her struggle ceases and she flatlines. Caitlyn's life is over.



ASMODEUS: “Matthew, remove the cuffs. Jacob, grab the boy and come up stairs.”



I begin to regain my senses and feeling again just as Matthew removes the cuffs. My father looks down at me, a tear in his eye.



ASMODEUS: “I'm sorry, son. I told you a long time ago. If you couldn't do it, I would. You couldn't, I did. Say your goodbyes to her. Your son awaits you upstairs.”



They all disappear up the stairs. I struggle getting back to my feet and I stand at Caitlyns side. The dagger still stuck in her throat. I remove the dagger and toss it in a stainless steel sink. More tears flow as I lean over and kiss her gently on her already cooling forehead. Life goes on around here. One life ends and another begins. My son, does indeed await me.

The first three phases of this plan to rid the Illuminatus of the Caitlyn problem are now complete. Phase Four must go off without a hitch or this whole plan could blow up in our faces. Caitlyn was now dead but part of her will forever stay with me. The son of a Catholic woman will one day occupy Vatican City. The Church will lie in ruins beneath the feet of my son. Of course, that is down the road.

And down the road we go.