The Midnight Meat Train by CLive Barker

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


18/39

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


19/39

/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


20/39

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


21/39

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


22/39


23/39

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


24/39

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


25/39


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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


34/39


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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


36/39

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.


39/39

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.

The Midnight Meat Train by CLive Barker

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Transcript of The Midnight Meat Train by CLive Barker