The Golem

I have not been here for a long time, since that night. I have lived my whole life in fear of this city, this street, this house and the horror that was set free that night. I remember it like it was yesterday, but in truth, it was a lifetime away I remember all of us huddled in the basement, the prayers of the rabbis drowned out by the sound of artillery and guns. My mom holding me tight, her tears falling from her face onto my mine. I remember my father storming off into his lab, his words “It is time for something to be done,” then the sound of the iron door slamming shut.  Sometime during the night I was awoken by the sound of noise upstairs, then the screams of terror and the silence.  We all huddled in the basement and no one moved, no one spoke, not even a prayer. The next morning, my family and I left this house, this street, this city.

I have heard the stories for years, the legends of the clay man. The shadow man. The Golem.
I have spent my life and my wealth and my health trying to find a way to end the evil that was released that night. But most of all, I spent a lifetime to find the courage to come back here to this house.
So now I am here, armed with a mind full of arcane knowledge and the knowledge that if the beast doesn't kill me, the cancer that has infested my body will.

I start down the stairs into the basement. I remember my father going down these stairs daily and sometimes not coming out for days; my mother always afraid of his work, no one ever speaking of what he was doing. Then the iron door, now on the floor, torn from its hinges. I light my torch and move into the room that held a whole neighborhood in fear. My torchlight moves along the walls across the old fluting.
Nothing. A sense of relief.  Maybe it was a dream. Maybe it was all in my head.  But then “hello brother.” “Who is there?” I asked, but I know the answer. “So father sent you to end me then, did he?” My light caught a quick movement, then nothing. “Father? Why do u call him that?” “He made me.  He is my father, brother.” Then he showed himself to me, stepping into the light, a huge mass of black clay.  His form of a large man, his eyes two large diamonds, around his neck golden necklace.

I could not move. I felt my heart speed up.  I slowed and spoke “I am here to end you.  It is time for you to go.”
“Tell me of our father,” the beast spoke, “is he dead now?”  “Yes, he died many years ago,” I answered.
“Did he ever find happiness?  He was always so sad.” “He never seemed to be happy,” I replied.
“He was always unhappy after my death.” I stared at him, puzzled. “Your death? What do you mean?” I asked.
“I am your brother. My body is made of clay and my eyes are diamonds, but my heart and brain are of your brother. I am Malachi.” I stopped.  “I have no brother. I was an only child!” I shouted. “No, I am your brother. I died before you were born and father brought me back, but he did not have it right yet. But you, you he did right.”

“So, I see you have cancer. Soon you will pass, but that would not make father happy.  Let me help you,” the beast explained. “How can you help me?” I asked. “ You're right, it is time for me to pass, but you will live on, brother.” He reached around his neck, pulling at the clasp on his necklace. “Wear this please, brother.  It is time for me to go see Father.” He fell to the ground, lifeless.  I took his necklace, took off my shirt and opened my chest, replacing the gem inside with the one from the necklace. So here I am, still here and no cancer thanks to my father and my brother's sacrifice.