The Empusium: A Health Resort Horror Story

In late October, Thilo’s condition worsens. He is confined to bed and Wojnicz can only visit him sporadically. When possible, he sits for hours beside Thilo’s bed in “a sort of everyday melancholy” (238). He studies the De Blas paintings, becoming increasingly fascinated by the details. Thilo seems resigned to his imminent death. He asks Wojnicz to inherit the De Blas painting stolen from his parents’ house. Gradually, Thilo’s empty seat is taken away from the dinner table. 

When Wojnicz begins to feel sick himself, he realizes that he had rarely felt ill until he arrived in Görbersdorf and Dr. Semperweiss “discovered an illness in him” (241). This mystery illness is akin to a mysterious process that is changing Wojnicz from within. At the dinner table, the usual conversations take place. Wojnicz rarely speaks, even when he is addressed. Raimund no longer cooks the meals, as Opitz orders them from the local women. Each night, however, the familiar bottle of Schwärmerei appears “from nowhere” (242), and the men begin to drink from it.

One evening, the guests discuss folklore, legends, and ghosts. August insists that devils exist, whereas Lukas takes up the contrary position. They debate the metaphysical existence of the supernatural.