It was why he had decided to try it out on this hotbed of fundamentalist Christianity. And boy had he achieved what he had set out to do. They had transformed this once deeply Christian town into a hotbed of Satanism, and it had only taken them four months to do so. It was mind boggling; there was simply no other way to describe it.
An entire town had changed their religious affiliation within the span of a few months. They had gone from worshipping their god to hating him. And it had all been achieved by the use of chemicals produced in an agency laboratory a few hundred miles away, and by bombarding them with carefully selected propaganda. Subtle at first, but then more direct and unrestrained.
One of the crosses fell over, and he took a careful step backward as large embers flew up in the air. A collective gasp escaped from the crowd, and then some of them started cheering and clapping. The reaction thrilled him, and he wondered whether these people would remember what they had been witnessing here this evening two months from now.
Starting from tomorrow, they would add the chemicals that reversed the effect of the mass hypnosis, and keep adding them until the water was back to normal. These chemicals would also, if everything went according to plan, erase the collective memory of the townfolks for the past few months, ensuring that any recollections of the gruesome crimes they had committed would be wiped clean. When the experiment came to an end things would return to normal, at least until the agency decided to implement the project on a nationwide scale.
He let out a muted chuckle when he thought about the power he would receive in the coming years if he played his cards right. He had already a high position within the agency, and he would utilise this position to amass more power and more clout. He saw no reason why he wouldn’t be able to rise all the way to the top within the next five years. When that happened, he would utilise his power and completely change the country. It would be remoulded into his image, and he would become its new leader.
Then he would solidify his position and take on the role as a literal demigod. His word would be the law, and there would be no one to oppose him. And the people he would be governing would be none the wiser, the chemicals would see to that.
It was the beginning of the brave new world, and he was looking forward to it. He was the one who had set the wheels in motion, and it was he, Timothy Ackerman that would reap its rewards. Timothy, the new god.
He spent another thirty minutes behind the church and watched as the flames consumed the flesh of the necessary targets. And when there were only charred remains left, and the flames had almost died away into nothingness, he gave the signal for the siren to be sounded, and the crowd returned to their homes like well conditioned dogs.
Then he walked inside the church, went into his chambers and lay down on his bed, and for the next hour went over the plans for the coming months.
Then when he couldn’t keep his eyes open anymore, he fell into a deep sleep. A sleep similar to the one that the citizens of this country would eventually fall into, and which would see them fall into an existence of perpetual servitude and ignorance. Yes, the future definitely looked bright, and it belonged to him.
Get my short stories collection ‘Trigger Warning’ for free by singing up to my mailing list;
http://eepurl.com/dxjWqP
I do occasionally send out newsletters, and by signing up to my mailing list, you’ll get information about new releases and other projects that I’m working on.
Did you enjoy the book?
As an independent author I don’t have a huge advertising budget, and thus I’m unable to spend large sums of money on book advertising. However, honest reviews on Amazon are very helpful when it comes to bringing my books to the attention of other readers.
If you enjoyed this book, and have a few minutes to spare, I’d be immensely grateful if you left an honest review on Amazon, links to the US and UK review pages can be found here;
US UK
And last but not least, thank you very much for reading my book!
Hervey
Other books by Hervey Copeland;
No man’s land
Links; US UK
“Author Mark La Croix has left the hustle and bustle of the city and is leading a quiet life in a cabin, deep inside the Colorado Rockies. While working on his latest novel, he makes a gruesome discovery and uncovers secrets that some would want to remain dead and buried.
Soon Mark becomes a target and is forced to run for his life. The nearest town is thirty miles away, and the only way to escape is through the forest. The people chasing him are hot on his heels, and will stop at nothing to prevent him from getting out of the wilderness alive. But Mark is determined, and he promises himself that he's not going to end up as a silent victim in the dark, black forest.
A fast paced novel in the vein of first blood, where the protagonist is pushed to the limit and determined to survive at all costs.”
Paradise Lost - White Gold
Links; US UK
“The year is 2012. Heroin is making its way across the country like a wildfire and the small town of Oak Creek, Montana is just starting to feel its effects.
Best friends Sam and Kenny are smart enough to stay clear of the drug, but still they get swept up in the vortex that follows in its path.
When they become accidental witnesses to a gruesome crime, their lives are turned upside down and they discover that there are some very powerful individuals in town who want to silence them.
A mystery, thriller and suspense book set in Montana.”
Bad Moon Rising – A Short Horror Story
Links; US UK
“It was an offer too good to be turned down and the only reason Troy and Ray decided to drive from Missouri to Louisiana. Spurred on by the prospect of making a considerable profit, they head deep into Cajun country and to what they believe is a simple in-and-out operation. But things don’t turn out as planned and soon they find themselves fighting for their lives in the harsh, unforgiving swamp known as the Bayou.
A short horror story for lovers of horror, psychological thrillers and sleepless nights.”
Horror Stories For The Brave
Links US UK
“A book containing eight short horror stories / paranormal stories.
Story 1 - A short horror story about a young boy walking home alone through a dark forest somewhere in Minnesota, and the killer who is watching him.
Story 2 - A short horror story about a plumber who gets called out to do a job in a scary looking house, occupied by a crazy old lady and her mean pit-bull terrier.
Story 3 - A short paranormal story about a doll with some very peculiar abilities.
Story 4 - A short horror story about a crime that goes horribly wrong
Story 5 - A short paranormal story about the afterlife and what happens to a young man who unwittingly enters it.
Story 6 - A short horror story about a haunted and desolate house and the evil spirits that reside there.
Story 7 - A short paranormal story about the spirits that call New Orleans home.
Story 8 - A short horror story about an abandoned, dilapidated fishing village in Alaska and what goes on there after dark.
Behind Enemy Lines
Links; US UK
“In this International Mystery & Crime novel, an immigrant owned restaurant in Zurich is firebombed by a group of Neo Nazis. Because of the sensitive nature of the crime, the authorities want the perpetrators caught quickly, and thus the case ends up in the lap of police senior investigator Rudi Schneider.
The motive seems clear-cut, but an episode from the past forces Rudi to change his approach. Soon he discovers that nothing is as it appears, and the investigation becomes a race against time.
Sit back and enjoy a fast-paced police detective mystery, set in and around Zurich, Switzerland.”
Slaughterhouse – A Short Horror Story
Links; US UK
“Six young friends are kidnapped on a desolate stretch of the highway
by two drug addicted psychopaths. They are then brought to an isolated farm, way out in the Illinois countryside, where they are held captive in an old, dilapidated barn.
It doesn’t take long for the abuse to start, and the young friends soon realise that they have to kill or be killed.
A very disturbing and graphic horror story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.”
The Bad Country Page 12