The Goblin Tunnels Series
 |
| Photo by Eric Soucy |
FOR A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF THE GOBLIN TUNNELS, BEGIN AT THE BOTTOM POEM (NOVEMBER 2013 - The Goblin Tunnels: Heart's Desire) AND WORK YOUR WAY UP.
January 2016
The Goblin Tunnels: Hail to the King (And His Final Moments)
IN MEMORY OF DAVID BOWIE: 1947-2016
He watched his followers invade the other world. He waited for the last of them to exit the atrium before he withdrew into the Goblin Tunnels.
The Goblin King meandered ponderously into the hallway. His feet were silent against the cold cement floor. After delivering his speech, his blood was beginning to cool, the heat soaked up by the architecture around him.
Wires were a major decoration of the Goblin Tunnels. They snaked the floors, ready to catch the clumsiest of creatures. In some of the smaller hallways, such as this one, there was an abundance of wires hanging down; a couple of them were looped and camouflaged in this rubber jungle so the few creatures who would blindly run through would be caught by the neck, thereby thinning out the herd.
The Goblin King pushed aside wire after wire. He knew the locations of all the traps since he had help build many of the Goblin Tunnels. He was also very curious as to how things worked and he liked being several steps ahead of his enemies, as well as those who were not his enemies. The only creature you could trust was yourself.
The Goblin King ascended the staircase and stood before an immense in-ground pool of light. Thin wisps of heat were emitted by the lights, encompassing the Goblin King in a warm fog; he felt shivers slithering across his body.
Normally, he would have gone with his followers to the human world. Normally, the Goblin King enjoyed watching what his words caused his devoted creatures to do in the name of fear and havoc. But on this occasion of the empty Goblin Tunnels, he just wanted to listen to the silence. As he did, the shadows in the corners seemed to grow and the expanse of the room seemed to gradually shrink. With his every breath, the Goblin King had the sense that the room wanted to swallow him and for the first time, the Goblin Tunnels reminded him of a tomb. He hurried out into the hallway, his heart hammering wildly. Looking back into the room, all was as it should be.
Continuing down the hallway at a slow pace, the Goblin King took deep breaths. The path he took twisted and turned. It was for sometime he walked and he would have continued on uninterrupted had it not been for a sudden light appearing in the corner of his eye. Turning, he knowingly stared at that portal, remembering the shock and fear. The Goblin King had gone through that portal as a lad. And through that portal were steam pipes.
It had only been a few months since the Goblin Tunnels had acquired him, but he had already grown accustom to his new way of life. The physical and physiological changes had already begun and he had gone through many portals prior to this one. There had been nothing to worry about; however he was alone this time. The young Goblin walked through the faint, pulsating light that signalled the existence of a portal and he was immediately hit with a heat wave.
"That place was welcoming," recalled the Goblin King, "Until those pipes emitted that... sound. That cursèd sound."
The young Goblin had frozen in panic as the piercing, high-pitched whistle blew. The familiarity of the sound had shocked his mind and caused him to flee back into the safety of the Goblin Tunnels. The Goblin King turned abruptly, continuing down the hall and willing the memory of her voice to return to its grave in the steam pipes.
And with that, he pressed his lips to hers with an almost-forgotten passion that overwhelmed him.
He entered a storage room with square shelving built into the walls. The Goblin King had been exceptionally proud of this project, for who would have thought to organize chaos? He ran a clawed hand over the glittering green limestone and when he came to a smooth patch, it gave him reason to pause. The Goblin King now had a clear view of his appearance. There was that human face of his staring back. He had never fully turned into a goblin and he never understood why that was, however, he had been accepted despite this abnormality. After several years had passed, he had earned the title of King for his visionary outlook and his service to the Goblin Tunnels.
The Goblin King ran his eyes all over his reflection in wonderment. He couldn't remember if his eyes had always been two different colors or if his nose had changed shape. Really, all that the Goblin Tunnels had done to him was exaggerate his own features: a few teeth had transformed into fangs, his finger and toe nails had elongated into claws and the hair on his head and chest had grown three times longer from their original length (whatever that had been). As he stared at his unchanged face, the question turned round his mind. As if in defiance, he dragged his claws across his reflection, pleasurably cringing at the sound they made on the stonework before he left the room.
Up another set of stairs and the Goblin King was at the entrance to his throne room. With red walls several stories high standing resolutely before him, pride swelled within him. This was his favorite part of the Goblin Tunnels. He believed that the entrance represented his essence. The Goblin King was a sentinel that would lead his creatures out of the Dark Ages and restore the world the humans had destroyed. As a smirk grew on his face, he entered.
The throne room matched the height of the entrance with a golden throne standing at the furthest end; this was where he granted an audience with his loyal subjects and where all gathered after venturing into the human world. He imagined what they would bring back from this particularly passionate attack. The Goblin King stood at the center of the room, turning his back on his golden throne. He was lost in revelry as he admired all that he had done since his succession.
"So, this is where you've been all this time."
The Goblin King's body became rigid. It was the voice from the steam pipes. He turned around with dread and saw a young woman sitting on his throne. She was a woman he remembered all too well; she was a woman he should not have remembered at all.
"You shouldn't be here!" he impulsively shouted.
"Is that how you welcome me to your kingdom?" she asked as she rose. He reluctantly eyed her slender, dark skin as she moved towards him like a tiger in her slinky gold dress. Emotions he had buried long ago began to crawl out of their graves and take hold of him.
"No!" he shouted in rebellion.
She stopped, startled, "But, you promised. You said you'd be mine forever," she showed him her hand that had a ring on one of her fingers, "You're my love, my Davi—"
He rushed at her and pointed his clawed finger at her neck.
"That is not my name. Don't ever say that name. I am the Goblin King!" he roared.
"But, Dav—"
He struck her across the face, his claws scratching her eye. She fell to the tiled floor and clutched her face. Despite the stabbing pain she may have felt, the blow had hurt him more.
She began to sob. Without thinking, he knelt down beside her.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," Hot tears blinded him as he put his arms around her, "I'm so sorry."
With his head against hers, he rocked back and forth, "I don't know what I am anymore. I was of your world, then this world and now... I don't know anymore," his body shook as he tried to keep everything in.
She raised her bloody hand to his face, mingling his tears with her blood. Looking up at him, she said, "My darling, you see what this world has done to you, but you don't see that inside, you're still human."
"I don't know what to do."
She turned to face him, still encircled by his arms, "Open up your heart to me once more."
They were inches from each other. He could feel the warmth from her body. The memories were coming back to him, bringing him back to life.
"You haven't changed," she said with a small smile despite the pain, "Nothing could ever make you change."
And with that, he pressed his lips to hers with an almost-forgotten passion that overwhelmed him.
* * *
The devoted creatures of the Goblin Tunnels returned victoriously: many were covered in blood, carrying parts to use in the Goblin Tunnels' expansion and others had new, unconscious recruits slung over their shoulders.
They filed through the portals with cheers on their lips or stories of their moments in battle as they headed towards the Goblin King's golden throne. After venturing into the human world, it was there they always gathered to bring their stolen goods before his worthy gaze.
Through this labyrinth of tunnels, they reached his Royal Highness's throne and, upon entering, were greeted with a shocking sight. They drew near. Seated on his throne was the Goblin King, his arms open and laying on the arm rests and his head resting against his motionless chest. The Goblin King was still in his war uniform, apparently unscathed. Upon further inspection, one of the creatures cried, "He's bleeding!"
They opened his jacket and saw a bloody, gaping hole where his heart should have been.
"The King is dead!"
"The King has been killed!"
"An intruder! An intruder!"
"Find the intruder!"
Like lightening, the cry spread through the immense crowd of creatures returning from battle. They scrambled to find the intruder, all the while in disbelief that such a thing had happened. None of them had bothered to look at the Goblin King's face; although, even if they had, they would never have understood his expression. The creatures understood very little of the human race.
Out into the labyrinth of tunnels they ran and searched and searched and ran, but they would never find the intruder, if there had ever been one. They would never find his heart either, for although the Goblin Tunnels had claimed the Goblin King's body long ago, they would never have his heart.
October 2015
In a city somewhere, the underground uprising is felt...
The wind is like a ghost breathing in. And out. The cars speed through as the people's heels beat against the pavement.
The tunnel is alive.
I'm waiting, in the moving crowd, for the motion, the moment that will initiate the fear and bring terror like rapids through us all.
Move, Monster. Move.
I scan the walls expecting it to crack the graffiti on its insides. It knows the mess we have made. Are the scribbles too acidic? Is the Monster burning in its paralysis?
Alien, invade us. All we want is contact.
We know all about you and your kind. Which version will you be, and with what language? What technology? We are human. And we are God. We destroy what we do not understand. So, for your sake... conform.
I breathe in unison with the Beast. Out in the extremities of it, I hear a gigantic roar with digestive fluids coming down. Some drip beside me. My heart shakes with realization that this Giant doesn't have to make contact. It has already invaded us. It does burn and is now having its revenge.
The ground opens its mouths. It swallows the Living. It swallows the Dead. Do we taste bitter, or sweet?
It is taking our world, turning it inside out. Do our screams earn us no mercy? We are sorry. And we will change. Oh, spare us...
January 2015
The Goblin Tunnels: Resurgence
The atrium fills with thousands of creatures. At the heart is an immense silver throne.
Once it is established that all are in attendance, a silence descends upon the room and the Goblin King enters, slowly striding towards his throne. He stands in front of it and revolves in place to see that everyone is attentive. They wait for his Royal Highness’s Declaration.
Goblin King [his voice echoes]: "Fellow creatures, the heat is rising in the humans’ underground cities, and you know what that means. More humans will be seeking refuge from the cold of their winter, providing us with more opportunities."
[Pause]
"Some of you will be wondering why we have this… vendetta against the humans. I will explain it to the young, so they will fully understand the gravity of the situation and the importance of their participation in our endeavor.
Centuries ago, our world and that of the humans were as they are now: linked by portals. However, there was more nature in both worlds. We have always relied upon them for their resources. You young ones have experienced our world in coldness and cement with the sun and the moon as one and electrical gardens of light, but there was a time, such a glorious time, where we would battle the humans and wage wars against each other. And it was fun. Warriors and knights, wizards and witches, dragons, goblins, trolls, thieves. All of us against all of them. Oh, sure, there weren’t as many portals, but the few we had were enough and sacred. You all know the ancient tales."
[The Goblin King stands for a moment lost in revelry then returns to his speech in a darker, angrier tone]
"Why do you think it changed? How do you think our world came to this?"
[He raises his hands in the air, indicating the room they are standing in]
"The humans decided we didn't exist anymore, that's why! And their world, as they say, [The Goblin King says the word with venom] progressed.
"The humans decided we didn't exist anymore, that's why! And their world, as they say, [The Goblin King says the word with venom] progressed.
The humans destroyed their nature and replaced it with concrete and metal, which also cut off some of our portals, like the ones under bridges and in forests. Their nature fed ours. We had to rebuild our world to survive. The humans wonder why things go missing, why their people go missing. It is because we have no choice. They have taken our lifestyle, they have taken away our battles where we demonstrated our strength, our brilliance, our [he whispers] mercy."
[He pauses as if trying to remember what mercy was]
The humans took it ALL away and now it is our turn to take from them.
[There is a low talking and agreeing among the subjects]
No one believes in us or in magic anymore, which makes it easier. No one suspects a thing. So, go my comrades, go in remembrance of our ancestors, go and invade, go and take! Take with anger! Take with revenge!
[The audience begins to cheer and the Goblin King continues, shouting with all of his rage ]
SCARE THE HUMANS TO DEATH! LET THEIR FEAR FUEL OUR CAUSE!! THEY CANNOT STOP US! GO, MY FRIENDS, GO! AVENGE OUR DEAD WORLD! THE RESURGENCE… IS NOW!
The entire hall surges in an uproar with their King's words sounding in their ears and in their hearts. The room empties with creatures draining into adjoining hallways in order to reach the portals that link their world with ours.
The entire hall surges in an uproar with their King's words sounding in their ears and in their hearts. The room empties with creatures draining into adjoining hallways in order to reach the portals that link their world with ours.
March 2013
The Goblin Tunnels: A New Possession
Appearing suddenly
Much like Death,
An open gate
Tempting,
Beckoning,
My entry
Like the Devil himself.
Walls as thick as waterfalls
A sepulchral realm contaminated.
Ghosts, goblins, demons.
Their eyes soulless.
Their hearts evil.
Terrified, I turn to escape.
Discoveries provoke
painstaking measures.
You have seen too
much.
Take her!
Dragging me back into their nightmare
Clawed, cold hands upon me.
Vocal electricity erupts,
Can no one hear me!?
My children, Mary and Michael.
My loving husband, Paul.
My books.
My art.
My name is...
Insanity!
Is your mentality.
Black and white!
Is your reality.
Death!
Is your life.
One of us!
The portal seals shut.
...until
the next time.
March 2013
The Goblin Tunnels: Swarm
March 11, 2013
Dear Éric,
We have spoken so much about these
Goblin Tunnels and recently, I found one.
At least, I thought I did. I will
explain:
As you know, I work at a cegep and
on my break, I went around the school, (with my trusty camera, of course), and
took some great shots of the architecture.
Even though it's been several years that I've been working there, I had
never explored all the nooks and crannies.
This time, however, I dared myself.
What I found was far from expected.
In the main hallway of the school's basement, which is used on a daily
basis by both students and staff, I began taking pictures of the walls. It was perfect: silent and deserted. It wasn't entirely daunting because there was
a lot of light. I was using a flash and
on my fifth or sixth photo, I put the camera to my eye once more, clicked and
saw the flash blink. When I lowered my
camera, everything changed. Color had... oh,
how to explain it? Color had... expired
like someone's dying breath. At first, nothing looked familiar until I realized the floor I had been standing on
seconds before, now acted as the wall to this new and twisted world. It was cold with the wind making loud, deep
moanings. I took another photo without a
flash and walked on to make further discoveries.
As I moved, it was as if I were walking
through a swamp; it was incredibly difficult.
I hadn't gotten far when I noticed something on the wall that appeared
to be ripping away from it. When I got
closer, I saw that it was a swarm of a type of insect. I quickly took more pictures and when I
looked at them again, I saw, in between them, that there was color, but as they
moved toward it, the color disappeared!
I think they were some sort of parasite, sucking the color from this
second world, but I don't know for sure! One suddenly landed on me because I was in
color. I screamed, dropping my
camera. There was a flash as I furiously
tried to get the thing off me. Then, I
was back in the school in this colorful world.
My heart was thudding like mad. I
looked back down at my arm and saw nothing.
I looked around and around and couldn't see the parasite or anything of
the other world. I was so shaken that
for a short while I was sure I had imagined the whole thing, but I hadn't! I have the photographs which I've sent
you. When I told my other friends and
some of my family members of my experience, absolutely none of them believed
me! They think I created the photos on
Photoshop! In fact, almost all of them
are encouraging me to seek therapy. I
don't know who else to turn to. I tell
you, Éric, I DID NOT imagine it! I'm
hoping that you, of all people, will believe me.
Your
friend,
Guadalupe
February 2013
The Goblin Tunnels: The Préfontaine Event
The citizens of Montreal are no longer safe! Eyewitness reports of so-called "Goblin
Tunnels" are increasing on a weekly basis.
Several Goblin Tunnels have been discovered in the past few years in the
underground metro system and officials have roped them off to prevent the
innocent from entering due to the popular belief that the tunnels belong to the
realm of the occult. Now, however, these
Goblin Tunnels have transmuted into a frequent supernatural phenomenon, making
the city and its citizens vulnerable.
Some are calling it a plague that is spreading its infection throughout
the underground. What's worse is that
some of the tunnels are invisible to the human eye.
Yesterday
morning, a woman in her late twenties was at the Préfontaine station, on her
way to work when things turned ugly:
"I got
off the train as usual, walked up the flight of stairs and headed for the exit
that goes outside. When I reached the
top of the stairs and turned down the corridor, along with a few other people,
I suddenly felt a cold wind blowing. But
it wasn't a normal wind that's often in the metro, I mean, I could feel it
blowing my hair and coat, but it felt as if it were blowing through
me. My insides felt the current. Then, everything slowed down and colors faded
to black and a painful white. I thought
I was in a nightmare. No one around me
seemed to notice; not even when the corridor started to turn so that they were
upside down, but somehow I had also turned.
It was just awful! The gravity of
the entire place changed; I was being pulled forward, backward and up and
down! And the air pressure changed and
it began squeezing my lungs. I don't
know how, but I got out of there and ran outside screaming!"
After her
frightening ordeal, the woman was brought to the hospital to be treated for
shock. I spoke briefly to her doctor and
he questioned her sanity.
A
middle-aged man came forward after hearing about the young woman's experience
and recounted a similar story. The
events of said story took place two days prior to the young woman's incident.
The man was on his way home from spending the day with friends. He, too, was at the Préfontaine station and
in the same corridor, but was walking in the opposite direction to the
platform. Drowsy with drink, the man
stumbled through the corridor, noticing a couple a few feet ahead. He paused for a minute, leaning against the
wall and when he looked down the corridor once more, he saw the couple and then
suddenly, they faded away. At the time,
the man shrugged off the startling incident, blaming the alcohol, but now, he
soberly believes that our world is connected to other dark dimensions:
"To
Hell with aliens from outer space!" the man stated, "We've got to
worry 'bout the aliens on Earth!"
Many
wonder, (myself included), about the couple.
Were they ghosts returning to their world, or were they of flesh and
blood, taken against their will to another realm?
I
foolhardily dared to try my luck at the Préfontaine station. Needless to say, the young woman was
accurate. It is a place that is
definitely not a Wonderland. What my
camera and I saw made my blood run cold.
It is a place that can breed insanity should one end up trapped.
November 2013
The Goblin Tunnels: Heart's Desire
Clinking crystals,
Ticking Time,
Beyond the light, what will I find?
Maze of mirrors winding.
Precious sparkles of amethyst.
More, more, I can't resist!
Choose a particular path.
A floor varnished in garnet.
I must follow it.
Hall of panes,
Reflecting the refine,
Free of any dark signs.
Alone sits a throne,
Decked in gleams of gold.
Shall I be so bold?
Pray, have a seat.
Wonder at the raining rhinestones.
I feel cold clawing at my bones.
One black being by my side.
Tremors lined in tourmaline.
A decorous disorder, so it would seem.
Rolling thunder,
Lightening striking,
A valley of the Dead.
With a crash, comes the final sound
Of my concealment, forever bound.
Whispers chanting,
A strange rhyme,
Beyond the light, what will you
find?
Comments