“I know you!” I cried out and stood before the fiend, pointing at the thing as I called back, “You are the demon, the destroyer of innocence that was once called patient 1366!”
“You have no dominion or hold upon me--,” It moved slowly forward, the rage twisting the features of evil incarnate, while staring back from the child’s face, “For in this place, where the fields run red with blood and fire, shall you soon burn….”
The fiend that had once been little Colleen now slowly raised both arms. The floors and foundations shaking and trembling, it now called out to something in an ancient and forgotten tongue. There was a great wind, an icy storm of furniture and flying things! Our lanterns burned with that unholy blue flame as we stared in horror and utter disbelief.
We had cowered, huddled together while attempting to avoid being struck, as we fought to remain in the circle. Blood and something far more foul now ran from the walls, covering and defiling the floors with an unspeakable filth, the shadows growing deeper from all about us with a great and bellowing roar. And then, as swiftly as it had all begun, it had all suddenly ceased! A stillness falling upon the room as the flying objects came crashing to the floor!
When I had dared to look up, the fiend had stood and silently stared. Something having drawn its attention within mid-summoning had now halted the unholy channeling. The shadows remained, but the filth having vanished, the fire in the hearth now returning, burned with an earthly fire.
“Hope has come….” Marlowe called once more from out of the night. His voice booming like thunder from in my thoughts as we now all turned toward the front door. And then there came a great clatter! A pounding that burst the door from off its hinges as it fell inward and to the floor!
There was a blinding light and the sound of engines beyond, as through the glow of the plows flood-lamps, appeared father Delaney and two other men!
“In nómine Pátris, et Fílii--,” He made the symbol of the cross with a hand before himself, “et Spiritus Sancti. Amen!” He had cried out, dressed in full ceremonial attire, as he carried his bible under one arm and rushed into the room!
I now saw fear in the fiend’s features. Leaping forward, I pulled the girl down upon the floor! Rich had assisted me, struggling with the inhumanly powerful child, as he attempted not to harm her while subduing the demon.
Laura had wailed as the grief now took her and she fell to her knees. The old priest had rushed to where we fought to detain the possessed child. Kneeling before her, he formed the cross while sprinkling holy water upon her brow. “I came as quickly as I could--,” He exclaimed, “But the storm was too terrible—and I required help from those two gentlemen at the door.”
“Thank you father--,” Rich had gasped, “Please forgive me for what I said earlier.”
“You are forgiven, my son--,” Father Delaney nodded, “But we must attend to the matter at hand—before it goes any further.” He sprinkled holy water upon her brow, uttering a prayer while repeating the act.
She had shrieked and cursed, struggled wildly and then, calming, looked to the old man with a cruel and knowing grin, “So, you have returned old coward—only to die with these fools….”
She thrust a hand upward and into the air, the front door slamming with such force that it was crushed into the frame! In the residing darkness the shadows now moved, thrashing tendrils, thousands of pale glowing eyes and endless teeth!
Father Delaney’s two companions, brave men that had come from town, now wailed as the terror flew down upon them! Their mind-shattering cries filling the stillness as they were both torn apart! Their limbs ripped from off their flailing bodies, screaming in horror as their entrails spilled out! We could only watch helplessly as they were hideously chewed by those immense jaws, the sounds of their bones snapping, grinding, as they were vomited back out as splattering gore, shattered bone, torn flesh and organs streaming, exploding outward in a steaming mass! Splattering the walls and ceilings, the indistinguishable and ghastly mess became a streaming river of death upon the floor.
Laura had shrieked as Rich had spun and looked to me. We had all now realized the horrendous fate of the unfortunate Gregory and his two little girls!
“We must stand or certainly fail!” Father Delaney cried out, drawing our attention back to Colleen, “Please hold her firmly, I would also ask that you close your eyes and do not open them, no matter what you might hear! Do not fear the darkness that surrounds us—be firm in your faith!” And with that, he kissed and placed the holy vestment about his neck and took up his bible.
Colleen shrieked as though she were being murdered, her mother’s hysterical tears almost deafening us in response, “In nómine Pátris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.” Father Delaney made the symbols of the cross as the child emitted an unearthly howl!
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen!” Rich repeated, speaking in a loud and clear voice, and receiving an even louder shriek from the now hysterical child!
“Exsúrgat Deus et dissipéntur inimíci ejus: et fúgiant qui odérunt eum a fácie ejus. Sicut déficit fumus defíciant; sicut fluit cera a fácie ígnis, sic péreant peccatóres a fácie Dei.”
Rich thought briefly, then repeated loud and clearly, “Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered: and let them that hate Him flee from before His Face! As smoke vanisheth, so let them vanish away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.”
The girl struggled with an unearthly strength, the efforts of which seemed almost overwhelming. But we fought with every ounce of courage that we could muster, knowing fully that we now battled for her life and very soul!
As the ceremony continued, Father Delaney speaking the Latin and Rich following in English, we held together in the face of certain doom.
“You have no right to this child! In the name of the father, the son and the Holy Ghost, I cast you out! Return to the pit from where you crawled—vile fiend!”
“You will fail!” She screamed, dragging the words out into a hideous and horrifying, gurgling shriek! “And you shall all burn!”
“In the name of the father, and the son, and the Holy Ghost--,” I heard as he splashed Holy water upon her brow and she wailed, “I cast you out—return to the foul pit from whence you crawled, vile serpent of the night!”
She flailed wildly, screamed curses in long forgotten tongues! Horrified though determined, I forced her back down, tightly squeezing closed my eyes.
It seemed to continue forever, as returning to his prayers, father Delaney valiantly persisted, refusing to submit as he fought for the child. It was in that final moment as father Delaney read the last few words of the passage, when a great wind seemed to come from out of nowhere! Bitter cold and numbing us to the very bone, the floors beneath us trembled as Colleen uttered a single long and deep moan! A sound that escalating into a deafening shriek, shattered the windows as we all dropped to our knees with both hands clasped over our ears!
And then all fell into sudden stillness, the child seeming to awaken from a bad dream, looked around at us and began to weep. Her mother scrambling upon hands and knees, now took her up into her arms.
“It has left the child--,” Father Delaney quietly informed us, his eyes flashing about the room, “But it remains in this house. They must leave this place—now… while they still can.” His expression paled, features appeared withered as he pleaded with Rich, “Please—take them out of here now—we shall wait for your return….”
“Wait?” Rich looked fearfully between us, the confusion bright in his stare, “Why on earth wait here—we can all just--,”
“I’m sorry--,” Father Delaney raised a hand toward my friend from where he still knelt upon the floor, “There still remains something that must be done.” He had looked to me in question. I had nodded in agreement, and willing to remain, said, “It’s alright, Rich. Please, just get them out of here.”
“Take them to Theresa, the grocer�
�s daughter in town--,” Father Delaney urged, “She will know—and understand.”
It had taken several attempts, and the gathered efforts of us all, to finally break the front door free of the frame. I had stood there with father Delaney and watched in the glare of the bright lights as Rich loaded the woman and child into the still running snow-plow. There had been certain hesitation as he turned in the blizzard to look back at me. He looked so alone, so lost in the pale night and beneath the endless flurries. But then and after a moment’s thought, he had sorrowfully turned and hurried away. It reminded me of a bitter winter only a few years ago, when a desperate and terrified friend had done a similar thing….
“What made you change your mind?” I had shuddered while making my way back into the house.
“There are times in all of our lives--,” He sighed deeply and looked back at me, “When we become too comfortable hiding behind the word—and forget that we must take up arms for what we truly believe. Regardless of consequence —in the end, it’s all about doing the right thing.”
Offering the old man an arm in support, we wandered together into the living-room, and seated ourselves before the hearth. The embers crackled, the light soothing our souls as the flames warmed our bodies. The entire house had fallen into an eerie and frozen stillness, the shadows hanging long and deep from all about us.
“If you have known about the evil in this place for all of these years—why did you wait until this day to do something about it?”
“What makes you so certain that this was the first time that I have done this here?” His eyes were wide and something dark, frightening now reflected back.
“You exorcised this house before?”
“For all of her sins—I still tried to save Agatha all those years ago--,” He admitted, sadly shaking his head, “But I was inexperienced—the evil was too strong, and her heart weak. We freed her that night—but lost her in the process.”
“So, why do you still fear this place--,” I shuddered, rubbing my hands before the crackling flames, “If you knew that you could force it back?”
“My dear boy, make no mistake here. This is no haunting—or something invoked, or summoned by some unfortunate, misdirected soul. This is a being of darkness, a chaotic element that exists only to destroy, take lives and consume souls.” Raising an eyebrow, he spoke as though fearing to be overheard, “It just withdraws when caught in the light. The fact of the matter is that none should ever trespass here. The house should be burned and the grounds all about sewn with salt, forbidden. Whatever wanders this place is vile, infinitely old and is best left alone….”
And then the thought had come to me, a strange blend of fascination and fear, “If this place is so terrible, then why have you insisted that we remain here?”
He had just stared blankly and as though surprised with the question. As licking at dry lips, he had quietly said, “Past experience has taught me—that once it has taken hold of a victim—that it will never permit them to escape. For as certain as we have freed their souls from its grip—it shall certainly take their lives.”
“So--,” The thought now rocked the foundations of all that I had ever believed, “We have become part of some abominable trade—little Colleen, in exchange for one or both of us?”
“We have become like the lamb before the wolf—,” He frowned, “So that the flock might escape. Though we cast out the demon—its dog would never have permitted the others to leave—unless someone remained….”
“Oh, dear God—we have become the bait….” I swallowed hard, realizing his intent. And though honorable, the sacrifice now held my heart within an icy grip.
Once more I felt the shadows move from somewhere at the top of the stairs and directly behind us. And knew without doubt that this time it was coming to claim a debt due, lives sacrificed in an unholy trade….
He extended both hands toward me and as I had accepted them, he took a firm hold, “I would ask now that you pray with me—we cannot allow the fear to take us, or all is lost. Our earthly lives forfeit in this place—there remains still—hope for our souls….”
“But it has already claimed the lives of Gregory and two of his daughters. Surely—that was sacrifice enough?”
There was a furtive movement in the shadows behind me. I knew, because I saw it in the horrified stare of my companion. And then, as I had slowly turned toward the shape, I heard the low growl of something that now crept toward us from under the stairs….
“Please—pray with me, now,” He insisted, speaking in a clear voice that echoed through the darkness, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” Father Delaney’s hold upon my hands tightened while forcing me to look into his eyes, “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”
Though the words offered comfort and courage, I still trembled as something else now crept from out of those shadows. It was an ancient and unspeakable thing that lingered somewhere in the blackness, and very near, uttering a guttural and ghastly growl that seemed to grow steadily and resonate from all about us.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.”
I had spoken the words with him, closing my eyes as something caused my hair to stand and skin to crawl. There was a sudden and bitter cold that, chilling my flesh, ached painfully in my bones, clouding all thought. The sulfurous stench of something foul and rotting, and the distinct impression that we might never escape this place alive….
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Father Delaney’s words arrived, as defined from out of the oppressive darkness, he spoke out, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
With my eyes held tightly closed, I fought off the temptation to look upon the nightmare that now lingered painfully near. I felt its vile presence, trembled as it anxiously and seemingly awaited something. The horror had fallen silent, the entire house becoming absolutely still as we prayed before the hearth. I could feel the warmth, the glow coming from off the flames, but my hands now grew icy cold to the touch….
That was when I had realized that Father Delaney’s prayer had ceased as well, and that not a single sound now came from out of the night. Utter stillness, I could hear the rapid beating of my own panicked heart…. We had stayed like that for quite some time, of how long I could not be certain. I had just sat there with closed eyes, like an unwary lamb before the hungry wolf. The images of the young shepherd girl and mysterious thing from the painting coming to memory, it now chilled my blood…. It now occurred to me that whoever the artist had been, had known the devil and left the artwork in warning….
Father Delaney had pleaded, previously insisted that I refrain from opening my eyes, warning against bearing witness to whatever terrors now stalked us in the night. But in the absence of all sound and as his hands grew feeble and cold in my own, I shuddered. The fear taking hold of me, I could resist no longer and opened my eyes!
Father Delaney sat silent, staring as I looked back at the old man. His hands growing cold as they became limp, his eyes glazing as he was quite obviously stone cold, dead. His face was hideously pale and his expression twisted in terror by the fiend that had taken his life! I now feared for his immortal soul!
I had allowed his fingers to slowly slide through mine, the man slumping ever so slightly, now slipped down and dropped to the floor. My heart pounded like a thousand hammers, a deafening madness that echoed in my ears, becoming louder and louder as I now realized to have been utterly alone! I fought desperately against the all-consuming panic and absolute fear! Still refusing to turn and look upon whatever nightmare had taken the old man. Shoving the remaining broken table legs into the hearth, I took hold of t
he poker and jabbed at the coals.
I had slowly moved from out of my chair, and presumed to turn and attempt to run from that place. With my heart racing and sensing something that followed closely in my steps, I had slowly moved away. Each step a heart-beat further from the fire’s protection and the edge of the pentacle.
With every sense screaming, nerve-biting, I paused fearfully before the edge of the fires glow, realizing fully that I would assuredly die if I dared step beyond the protection of the magic circle! Hesitantly turning, I moved back to the hearth. And halting briefly, I gently lifted the old priest back into his seat while respectfully closing his eyes.
I was trapped between the evil and the storm, without hope or chance of escape! I could feel the bitter cold numbing my fingers and limbs, but a sudden heat now flushed my face! I could not stop from shuddering and violently shaking, and there was an icy sweat upon my brow.
And then, there was a whisper, whistling in a bitter gust had passed throughout the house. I had imagined it to have been the sounds of countless lost souls. The haunting pleas and prayers of the victims that now called from out of the dark abyss. I clasped my hands together in silent prayer, pleading, hoping that somehow there would be an opportunity for escape! But no reply came, no answer beyond the creaking of old boards from out of the darkness and the stairway close behind….
Whatever wandered the blackness of that old estate now came ever closer. I knew that a single look might cost my life and possibly far more! Shivering uncontrollably, I leaned closer while extending my shaking hands toward the flames.
Ever nearer it came, until at last I felt as though it stood from just over me! It lingered like silent death, watching, waiting as I fought to avoid acknowledging the beast! It had obviously taken the priest when he had dared gaze upon the thing. And for that very same reason, and though terrified out of my wits, I refused to succumb!
Sanctum Arcanum Page 39
