By the time I finished it was 5.30 a.m. and it was getting light. Man, I was exhausted. I grabbed my tools and got outta there, finally getting home and crashing out about 6.
July 24, 2015
The grimoire says I need to draw the circle in human blood and that it will take 2-3 pints to do this. What the fuck? 3 pints? Where the fuck am I going get 3 pints of human blood? I need to think this over.
July 25, 2015
I was watching a movie last night were some dude had to get a blood transfusion. Made me think. Suppose that’s why I need a blood sacrifice because in a way I’m having to give Lizzy a transfusion so she can regenerate.
July 26, 2015
7.10 a.m.
At last, I saw Lizzy last night! Man, it had been so goddamn long! It was awesome. She said that it’s harder and harder for her to come to the bridge. She thinks her spirit is supposed to be moving on, but she’s fighting it, although Lizzy said she doesn’t know how much longer she can. Lizzy was crying, saying she feared she would lose me forever if I didn’t bring her back soon. I tried to reassure her, telling Lizzy that she had nothing to worry about because I was doing everything I could to bring her back. I told her what I had achieved so far and that I still had more stuff to do but I’d be ready in time for the new moon in August and then I could do the ritual. Eventually Lizzy calmed down, but she was still upset. When it was time for me to leave (for some reason I can’t stay for more than eight hours) we were both crying and it hurt to leave her. I woke up more scared than I’ve ever been in my entire life. I’ve finally found the woman of my dreams and now we’re in danger of losing each other.
11.20 p.m.
I had to postpone the trip to Eureka but I went there today and got the parchment, herbs and candles. At least that’s another errand run.
July 28, 2015
I was talking to someone I knew in high school today, a guy called Kevin Ball. Bumped into him in town. He was bullshitting about this “great gig” he now has. Turns out he’s just a fucking porter at Channon Valley Hospital! What a loser. I was beginning to zone out as he went on and on, then something occurred to me. Maybe there was a blood bank in that place. So I said, hey, I hear they pay people if they come in and donate blood. That true? And he’s like, I dunno man, maybe, but they got a blood bank.
BINGO!!!! This dude works the graveyard shift and says it gets real boring, so I made up some bullshit about dating a woman who lives in Wickham and said that I’d cruise by one evening on the way home. He’s like, sure, cool. When I do, I’ll take a wander. Or maybe I can persuade him to give me a tour.
On the way home from town I passed one of my neighbor’s kids, Robin, walking along the shoulder. I stopped and offered her a lift. She’s had a thing for me since she was like 3 or something. She’s 12 now and I gotta say, she’s really changed, really grown up and as she’s tall and curvy, she could easily pass for 14, maybe even 15. She kept sneaking looks at me as I drove, but then I was doing the same thing with her. She caught me at it and blushed and smiled and I smiled back. I really think she liked me looking at her.
Whenever she and her family have been over, Robin’s followed me around like a goddamn puppy. At first, it was fucking annoying, but in recent years it’s been all right as Robin’s always been pretty and she’s actually an okay kid.
I get this a lot from high school girls because I don’t look my age and they keep asking me out. Most folks think that I’m 23 – 26, not 36.
Anyway, Robin wanders over by herself occasionally and whenever I’m working on the truck or Dad’s ‘73 Camaro Z-28, she hands me tools and we talk music. Not shit like One fucking Direction but classic R&B and soul like Luther Ingram, Etta James, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, James Brown, etc. At first I couldn’t believe that a little kid like her could like music from the sixties and seventies, but she really knows her stuff. Bruce kids me about it - calls her my girlfriend. Robin’s the kid that Lizzy told me about, the one who has leukemia but doesn’t know it yet. Lizzy was right: she’d be perfect as the sacrifice as she’ll do pretty much what I say and I think it’d be easy to get her to sneak out the night of the ritual.
I thought it best to build some more trust first, so as she loves the Camaro, I suggested she sneak out tomorrow night and we could go for a ride.
She looked real surprised. “What, like on a date?” she asked.
I said, “Sure, why not,” and grinned at her.
I tell ya, I’ve never seen her look so stoked.
“Really?” she said, clearly wondering if I was kidding.
I laughed. “Yeah. Really. 9 p.m. I’ll meet you at the top of my drive. But keep it to yourself, y’know? Your folks might not be cool with it if they found out.”
That was kind of stating the obvious, but I wanted to be sure that she understood and no one – and I mean NO ONE – knew that we were hanging out.
She nodded. “Okay.”
When I pulled up at the top of her drive, she leaned forward and kissed me on the cheek, then got out and waved as I drove off.
I knew then that I was set. I had my sacrifice.
CHAPTER NINE
July 30, 2015
2.30 a.m.
She was already there at 8.55, standing at the end of my drive dressed in a pair of jeans, a fancy top I hadn’t seen before, heels and makeup, looking much older than 12. On that night I reckon she could have passed for 16 easy.
We cruised for a bit, then parked. I turned off the engine and lights and then turned on the interior light. She sat there not looking at me, staring straight ahead, tense and nervous.
I said, “Hey, chill. You’re quite safe. I’m not gonna bite.”
Robin looked at me and smiled, the nervousness still there but now receding. Eventually she loosened up and it began to feel like I was actually on a date and I genuinely enjoyed myself. Never thought I would say that. In fact if someone suggested it a few months ago I would’ve punched their fucking lights out.
There were a few moments when I’m pretty sure she wanted me to kiss her, but I didn’t. When I took her home, I asked Robin if she wanted to do it again tomorrow night. She said she’d love to and smiled so wide that for a moment it was like sitting next to the Cheshire cat and I got another kiss on the cheek before she got out.
Afterwards I went to Wickham to check out Channon Hospital. I turned up at 12.15 a.m. and Kevin was happy to show me around; strolling about all cocky like he owned the goddamn place. It was dead, lights off in most rooms, dim in the corridors and just a few nurses roaming around. Their security is lousy. No one asked me who I was and I only saw one guard – ONE – mooching around and he looked like he couldn’t count up to ten. Should be pretty easy to slip in and out without being seen if I time it right because there’s a side entrance on West Ave which is partially hidden by two trees and a fucking big shrub.
Kevin showed me where they keep the blood. It’s stored in clear plastic bags in the basement. He told me each one contains 500 milliliters, which I worked out was just over 1 pint. So I need 3, but I think I’ll take 9 just in case. I’ll come back the night before the ritual with a cooler and then put them into the big fridge in the basement.
August 1, 2015
So we went out on another “date.” Same kinda thing. We cruised, parked, talked, she made eyes at me and I got the kiss me vibe from her. I played it cool.
I’m seeing her again tomorrow night.
August 2, 2015
Impatient to do the ritual. I’m going nuts here. The new moon is on August 14 and I’m busy preparing for it.
Went out with Robin again. She kept putting her hand on my thigh while we were talking, resting it there for a moment like someone wanting to accentuate a point. Yeah, like, fucking kiss me, doofus. It gave me a boner, which I’m pretty sure she noticed because she glanced down and then blushed. She stopped doing it after that.
August 3, 2015
I’m getting bored with
her now, although it got interesting when she suddenly jumped on me and kissed me. We sat there necking for a while, then I drove her back. She was on a high and didn’t want to get out of the car. I think she’s in love with me.
Hardly seeing Lizzy now. Last night was the first time since July 26, and it was shorter than before. We didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye, I just suddenly woke up at 3.17 a.m. wondering what the fuck happened. I’m scared because I’m wondering if I’ll ever see her again. I’ve been going over and over the ritual, memorizing it. I swear I could recite it backwards now. Every goddamn word.
August 4, 2015
I’ve been wondering how I’m going to get Robin to the cemetery to do the second part of the ritual. Best idea I can come up with is to drug her – y’know, knock her out with something – and keep her tied up and gagged while I get ready and then start the ritual. I’ll also go to the cemetery beforehand and do as much preparation as I can. Should be safe to do that and then leave my stuff. No one there at that time of night and McFadden will be busy getting drunk at the Condor’s Nest.
I’m now sure Robin’s in love with me, but that’s cool. Like I said, should make her easier to handle. I tell ya man, I could probably tell the kid to go head butt a tree and I reckon she’d do it.
August 5, 2015
Nine more days. Nine looong fuckin days. Been working my ass off, going through the ritual, watching Lizzy’s movies and seeing Robin. That’s about it. Haven’t seen Lizzy again. Getting scared now. Hope I’m in time and haven’t lost her. Oh man I hope not! Couldn’t handle that. No way.
August 13, 2015
03.07 a.m.
Just got back from Channon Hospital. Man, their security really is for shit, although I was wrong about there only being one security guard. There were three on last night. Fuck knows where the other two were when I was last over.
I parked up across the street and watched the foyer through a pair of binoculars before I went in. All three rent-a-cops where standing in reception chatting up two nurses. I then re-parked further down and got in through the side entrance. Didn’t even see Kevin. He was probably outside toking on a joint. Didn’t see the rent-a-cops, either. They were probably still grinning at the nurses.
I eased my way down to the basement, grabbed 9 blood bags, stuffed em into a backpack, then bounced. Then I pulled up a mile down the road and put em into my cooler. Pretty sure no one saw me. At least I hope not.
08.11 a.m.
Oh man I’m so goddamn tired! Just two hours of sleep. I’ll have an early night so I can catch up.
One more day until the ritual! YEAH! Getting excited. Also fucking nervous. I hope I don’t fuck up. This is too important.
August 14, 2015
05.04 a.m.
Tonight man, fuck-in TONIGHT! I’m sooo goddamn STOKED. Can’t wait!
Last night I told Robin that I had a surprise for her tomorrow night. When she asked what, I just said don’t eat much at dinner then sneak out at 9. She tried asking again, smiling and looking excited, but I just said it was a surprise and she’d have to wait.
The grimoire says that I’ve got to fast for 24 hours, so I had a HUGE meal last night before going to bed and have been fasting ever since. Have never been so goddamn hungry in my life! And it’s only just started. Have to keep up the fast until the ritual is complete, which is the night of Aug 15/16.
August 15, 2015
6 p.m.
I’VE GONE AND FUCKING DONE IT MAN!!! YEAH!!!
Part one went well, although drinking the potion was gross and I nearly puked all over the circle. Otherwise it was a total rush. The energy I raised. MAN. I could FEEL Aritenkhede, knew He was there even though I couldn’t see Him. Well not exactly. I’ll get to that in a minute. I kinda expected - well hoped, to be honest – that He would fully manifest, but there’s never any guarantee that a God, Goddess, demon or any type of entity will do so. But I felt so damn awed despite that. I was scared too, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. His power just overwhelmed me. Well, He IS a God. When I evoked Him the energy in the room changed dramatically. First it got hot, then it got REAL cold. I could see my breath and I had goose bumps all over my arms. Then I began to feel anxious and I thought, shit, I can’t do this. I just can’t do this. The air was getting thick and heavy and I could smell sulfur, but I knew I had to keep going. HAD to. I managed it, just. When I’d finished the 3rd part of the evocation, I saw a ball of blue light hovering a few feet in the air above the magic triangle. When I finished the license to depart, the ball of light vanished.
It was one of the hardest, most terrifying and yet exhilarating things I have EVER done. Just part two of the ritual to go. Man I am SO fucking nervous.
Tonight I’ll pick Robin up at the usual time and take her to the cemetery.
Right now, I’m going to crash for a bit. It’s going to be a long night. I’ll need all my strength for this, mental as well as physical. I have to stay strong.
August 16, 2015
6.32 a.m.
Okay, so I managed to do the second part at Redwood, but Robin nearly fucked it up. I’m fucking furious with the little bitch. She deserved what she got.
I went to the cemetery and prepared the ritual, then I picked Robin up. I figured the best way to drug her was to put something in a drink, then bring Robin round when I needed her. I searched online and discovered that I could use chloral hydrate to knock her out (the article said it lasts 8-10 hours) then ammonia inhalant to bring her round. Old school, but effective. I stole what I needed from Wickham Drug Co on Main Street. I figured it less risky that breaking into Harkinen Pharmacy because Murphy’s Law dictates that even at 2 a.m. someone I know would come along and see me. Also there’s no guarantee that a podunk town pharmacy would have what I need.
Yesterday I took Robin to Pandolfi’s Pizza in Kerorso. I have to admit, the grin that appeared on Robin’s face when we pulled up was cool. I wanted to do something nice for her as it was Robin’s last night and she was giving her life to resurrect Lizzy. We ordered a huge pepperoni, parked up somewhere quiet and she dug in. Because I was still fasting, I said I was tired and waiting for my appetite to come back, so I’d dig in later. I had two 20 oz. bottles of Pepsi in a cooler in back and when Robin was ready for a drink, I gave her one that I’d already spiked and she was out cold within 40 minutes. I then drove down to Redwood Cemetery and finished my preparations.
Turns out I hadn’t given her enough because Robin woke up too early, about an hour before I was due to start the ritual. That nearly turned everything to shit. I hadn’t thought to gag her as I’d expected Robin to be out for at least six hours, but at least I’d tied her hands and feet, so she couldn’t get away. I was busy with the final preparations when I heard her say in a confused, groggy voice:
“Gary?”
Shit! I thought and turned around, trying to act cool.
“Hey,” I said and smiled. “Welcome back.”
“What happened? Where are we?”
“You crashed out. Some date you are.”
Her confusion grew and it was obvious that she was trying to recall what happened, then she said, “Did I? All I remember is finishing the pizza, then suddenly feeling real tired.”
She tried to sit up and it was then that she noticed that I’d bound her hands and feet. It was almost funny to watch. Robin was pretty out of it and she stared at her hands and feet and then at me with this look of spaced out confusion.
“Why are my hands and feet tied?”
As I hadn’t expected to have to answer that, I stood there trying to think of something, but before I could answer, Robin asked another question.
“Are those headstones?”
“Yeah.”
“We’re in a cemetery?” Now she looked scared.
“Uh-huh.”
“Redwood?”
“Yeah.”
I obviously had to dig Lizzy up again for the second part of the r
itual, so there were big piles of earth all around her grave and my shovel lying nearby. Robin’s eyes got even bigger and she looked at me. She began squirming, trying to loosen her bonds.
“Why’s there dirt everywhere? What’ve you been doing?”
I didn’t say anything, just stared at her. I was still trying to think of a way to keep her under control. Then Robin saw my ritual magick equipment and her fear intensified. I had recreated the circle and triangle on a huge piece of black cloth and put it directly in front of Lizzy’s grave and then arranged my braziers, candles, a bookstand and the altar. To draw the circle and triangle in blood on grass, even when it’s short and dry, would be a freakin nightmare, perhaps even impossible.
Robin couldn’t take her eyes from the altar. “What’s going on, Gary?”
I was beginning to panic. I should’ve considered this possibility and gagged her. I hadn’t finished preparing for the ritual and the last thing I needed was her freaking out.
“Gary, why did you bring me to the cemetery?” She tried harder to loosen the ropes and began panicking.
I moved towards her, intent on punching the little bitch to shut her up. “Stop squirming for fuck’s sake!” She flinched and immediately stopped, looking terrified. Then I heard myself say, “We’re here to do something very important.” It felt as if someone was talking through me. I suddenly felt different and I no longer cared that she was freaking out. In fact, I liked it, was enjoying it. Her fear was giving me a buzz. “You know what magick is, don’t you?”
“You … you mean like a magician, like David Copperfield?”
I scowled at her. “Fuck David Copperfield. I mean real magick: the occult, not stage magic.”
She turned pale. “The occult?” Robin glanced at the altar. “Is that what that is? Something to do with the occult?”
Black Rite Page 6
