hallucinogenic mushrooms
Mary entered the cabin, and the atmosphere therein was cold and dim. The first thing she espied upon the floor was a torn scrap of paper upon which the letter A was inscribed. She continued her advance; the cabin appeared, at first glance, rather ordinary. She searched beneath the bed and within the wardrobe, yet discovered nothing, until at length she found, hidden behind the television, Vito's diary. Opening it, she beheld upon the final page, dated the nineteenth of July, the following words:
To-day I have witnessed a new hallucination. A skeleton, robed, yet unlike the phantoms that were wont to visit me when I partook of the mushrooms. This time the apparition seemed real—floating amidst the shadows upon a vessel, and gazing intently upon me. It filled me with such mortal terror that I fled to my chamber, only to stumble upon a shard of glass, whereby my hand was grievously wounded. I bled before the ship's cabin, praying that none should take notice of it.
Vito / 19th July / 1994
This is strange. I have witnessed that man called Mikhail draw forth my very blood by means of a device resembling a vacuum, though no larger than the palm. I wonder what this madman seeks. From the beginning I felt no comfort in his presence.
Vito / 20th July / 1994
I have seen Mikhail—entirely unclothed—in his chamber, where he had suspended a human skull upon the wall. The room about him was strewn with the slain carcasses of rats, their blood spattered about. He had drawn a crimson cross upon his brow and was engaged in some grotesque rite around the skull, chanting and repeating the name Zulish. He resembled those fanatics one sees in the cinema tales of satanic cults. I deem that this youth is possessed of some Voodoo sorcery, and he shall bring ruin upon our voyage.
Vito / 22nd July / 1994
When Mikhail did revere that entity which he named Zulish, he declared it to be the riddle of the cosmos, the sole meaning of existence, the origin of dread, of disquiet, of confusion, of oblivion, of solitude, of silence, of awe, and of intellect. Yea, he even named it the god of intellect, and at times the god of fear. I knew not what commands this so-called Zulish gave unto Gabriel, yet Mikhail appeared wholly enamoured, as though he had conjured a being fashioned of his wicked dreams to keep himself content. I understood not all, but I comprehended enough—that I must put an end to this youth.
Mary was stricken with horror at what she had read; yet moment by moment, breath by breath, she sought to master her agitation. When at last she gathered her scattered senses, she discerned that her first suspicion had been true: Mikhail was verily the devil whose curse had fallen upon this voyage, and she must set a limit to his deeds.
As she pursued her path, striving to uncover the truth, the ship struck against some obstacle, whereby it was dashed against the wall above. She swooned for a few moments; but when she regained her consciousness and stepped forth upon the deck, she lifted her eyes aloft. The heavens were radiant with stars and strewn with silver comets, whilst the crimson moon cast its ghastly light upon that celestial masterpiece, and the violet aurora danced behind.
Then, lowering her visage slowly, panting and sweating, Mary beheld a spectacle past belief: half of the colossal iron vessel had vanished, as though bitten away by some monstrous denizen of the deep. If indeed this were the imprint of its jaws, then the creature could not measure less than fourscore metres. Trembling, gasping, she hastened to the stern of the vessel, raised her head once more unto the glittering sky, and screamed.