Damned for Eternity

by Jerrice Owens

  Phillip merely blinked at him. It wasn’t something he wanted to hear.

  “Listen, we all feel bad about Kate, but man, look it wasn’t your fault. God forbid if I ever lose Ang, you’d probably have to say this to me.”

  Phil then spoke. “Where is Angie?”

  “She said that she didn’t want to come. I don’t know man; I can’t figure her out. Maybe it’s her period and shit, but this is a time we need to stick together and she doesn’t seem to understand that. Bro look, I’m here with you. You gotta get better if just for me.”

  Phil looked into Sam’s eyes and images of all the shady shit he’d been doing behind his back immediately flashed in front of his eyes—times that Angie went down on him and times that he had fucked her senseless.

  Then like it gave him a sick sense of pleasure, a smirk formed in the corner of his lips.

  “Bro, it’s good to see you smile.”

  Phil snapped right out of his daze.

  “But you know what’d really do the trick?”

  “What?”

  “If we get out of here. Be with people, enjoy ourselves. I’m gonna miss Kate as much as you, but the truth is bro, life goes on.”

  He sat on the bed.

  “Check this out. You know that carnival’s in town right? Let’s get out for a couple of hours. If you aren’t up to it, I’ll bring you back.”

  Phillip groaned. “Alright right man! Damn!”

  “Cool bro. Just give it a try!”

  He left the room so Phillip could dress.

  As they walked through the carnival, people on rides shouted with glee.

  In Phillip’s head, it was evil laughter, just like that of the drunks in jail.

  He looked to his left and then to his right.

  Sam, worried, placed a hand on his shoulder.

  “You alright?” he asked.

  “Yeah,” Phil nodded.

  “Why don’t you win a prize or something?”

  They came upon an anvil and bell.

  Sam paid the guy two bucks.

  He passed Phil the hammer. “Give it a whack.”

  Phillip swung with all of his might. The bell sounded loudly, striking the top.

  It took him to another flashback of when he discovered Kate’s body. In a rage, he swung it again and again, releasing the stress that he’d built up.

  “Hey!” cried the carnival worker.

  “It’s okay,” said Sam, giving more money.

  Sam snatched the hammer from Phillip’s hand.

  “Phil,” he called. “Give it a break.”

  Phil was breathing profusely and sweating hard.

  “We’ll take that bear,” Sam said, pointing.

  The carnival worker passed him the prize. He grabbed Phil’s arm and hurried off.

  Sam noticed the perspiration.

  “Let’s ride something so you can cool off. The breeze will probably do you some good.” He gestured around him. “Pick out something.”

  After glancing at all of the rides at the place, Phil pointed to a tamer one. All the ride did was spin, but still, it moved extremely fast.

  The carnival employees were just reloading when the two of them headed towards the gate. They didn’t have to wait in line for long.

  “Get in,” Sam ordered.

  Phil obliged.

  He placed the stuffed animal between them.

  “I watched the other people,” he said. “The speed’ll have you smushing somebody. I hope this prize offers some cushion.”

  He pulled the bar down over them.

  The ride started and Phil relaxed, cool air washing over him.

  It began to move faster and people squealed.

  “Pretty fun huh?” Sam asked him.

  The glee suddenly left his face as he came around and noticed two people. Standing right at the edge of the gate, two people stood kissing each other. As he came around again, he was certain this time that they were the image of Angie and Phil.

  He glared at Phil, who’d seen it too.

  “What the hell man?!” Sam shouted.

  Phil merely shook his head, still keeping his eye on the figures.

  As expected both of their skin turned pale and each of them had started to morph. They took the shape of menacing creatures, who lashed out claws the next go ‘round.

  They succeeded in snatching off Sam’s skin. He glanced at Phil scared, only muscle and veins.

  Phil began to holler but no one noticed, not even next time when they snatched the meat.

  All that remained was Sam’s skeleton and the third trip by, they yanked up the bones.

  Phil held up the bear to protect himself, and the ride started to come to a stop.

  As he got off shaking, unaware of what’d happened, people whispered, “what’s wrong with that guy?”

  “Your keys,” called a girl who’d taken his spot.

  He grabbed the keys and then took off.

  “Where the hell did we park?” he asked himself, lost as he neared the parking lot.

  “You alright,” asked a girl in a long country dress.

  “Stay away from me please!” Phillip cried out.

  “It’s alright,” she said, trying to come closer.

  All of a sudden, something knocked her back.

  As she fell to the ground, she was positioned on knees as demonic images flooded her mind.

  Two more people left from a camper.

  “Esmeralda,” said the man. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  He glared at Phillip, who walked away backwards. He then took off in a mad dash.

  When he was safe in the car, he thought for minute.

  “Maybe they’ll lift it. Of course they’ll lift it.”

  Eugene answered on the very first ring.

  “Phillip,” he said. “Long time no talk.”

  “No time to catch up. I need you E.”

  “Of course you do. You always do. That’s the only time you call right, Phil?”

  “You know your ass could be sitting in jail.”

  “And you never ever let me forget it.”

  “You were about to be sentenced for computer hacking.”

  “Right! One time and I paid you back. A favor for a favor; that’s how it works. You have gotten three already.”

  “Well, the crime is fitting for five whole years. So the way I see it. I’ve got two more.”

  Eugene sighed. “Alright alright! Who do you need me to track this time?”

  Twenty minutes later his phone rang.

  “Phillip, I’ve got the address for you.”

  Another half hour passed. Phillip was banging hard on the door. The lights were out and inside was still, but Phillip kept banging anyway.

  Finally, he started to kick the door. A neighbor then came out of her house.

  “Hey you!” she cried, shading her eyes. “What are you doing? Don’t I know you?”

  Phillip turned and gave her a stare. It was none other than Beverly Crum.

  “What are you doing here?” he pondered.

  “I live here. Why in the hell are you there?”

  He pointed to the door. “I have to see them.”

  “Sorry, but they moved away.”

  “Moved away?”

  “Went back to their country. Their father’s death was too much for them. But I personally say good riddance. To him and as well as those bastard kids.”

  She studied Phil.

  “Why do you need to see them?”

  “Because they put a curse on me.”

  Mrs. Crum let out a hearty laugh. “Those curses aren’t real, Governor’s Son. Everyone who believes in God knows that. So they really killed my husband for shit.”

  “You don’t understand,” Phillip whined.

  “I do,” she nodded. “Why don’t you come over?”

  Phillip’s feet stood where they were.

  “Come on,” she said. “What would it hurt?”

  Phillip let out a very deep breath then caut
iously stepped inside of her yard.

  “Good boy,” she smiled. “Come inside. I was just about to have some dinner.”

  Phillip followed her into her kitchen.

  “Would you care for some Caesar salad?”

  He grinned at her. “Is that all you eat? It’s sort of late for dinner though.”

  “What’d make you say that?”

  He pointed at her. “Your attire for one?”

  “What about it?”

  “Well, you’re wearing a robe.”

  “Yeah, that’s all I’m wearing though.”

  She smiled at him, deviously.

  “I put it on to step outside. I wanted to see what was going on and couldn’t go out with nothing on.”

  She gave him a wink.

  “Being a nudist. Is something I’ve done since my husband died. When I realized I was here by myself. I said ‘what the hell’, nobody can see.”

  “What if a guest dropped by?” he asked. “Would you be comfortable getting naked in front of them?”

  Mrs. Crum let robe fall to the floor. “I guess that must have answered your question.”

  Phillip had to close his mouth as he stared over her flawless body.

  “You enjoyed your lunch too much that day, or you’d have known that I didn’t wear panties.”

  She touched his chin.

  “I can’t blame you though, you’re a growing boy. You need food. Now let me turn the question on you. Governor’s son, is that all you eat?”

  Without even answering her, he fell to his knees and spread her thighs. He started to attack her clit. Beverly moaned in ecstasy.

  He then palmed two hands full of ass, as soft as the pillows strewn on his bed, lifted her on to the counter top, unbuckled his pants, and slid them down.

  As both of their bodies made love in sync, the tension had started to disappear. Phillip began to climax hard.

  “Damn,” he said, pulling it out.

  “It’s okay,” she said, kissing him. “With the money I have, it wouldn’t matter none. My husband had three policies; me and my child would be set for life.”

  “No,” Phillip cried, shaking his head. “None of this should have ever happened. You were lonely and I was lonely. I need to go home,” he then confirmed.

  “Well, no hard feelings though,” she replied, lightly patting Phil on the rump.

  She retrieved her robe and put it back on. After, she walked Phil to the door.

  He arrived back at the mansion safely, but once he turned on the showerhead, he imagined Kate lying there dead. He cut it off and stopped the tub.

  The Governor tapped on Phil’s door.

  “Son,” he says. “You have visitors.”

  Phillip walked downstairs and waiting in the foyer were the three gypsies from the previous night.

  “Wait,” said the man. “Before you come closer.”

  He traced a pattern on each of their foreheads.

  “Now, feel free to proceed on down.”

  Phillip approached them cautiously.

  “I am Akil and these are my sisters, the lovely Marcel and Esmeralda. We work with the carnival that’s in town. And followed you here to offer our help.”

  “Usually,” Marcel continued. “We simply work as fortune tellers, but we also do spiritual counseling as well.”

  Akil gestured to Esmeralda. “Last night she encountered one of those spirits and we have reason to believe that you’re in grave danger.”

  “Danger?” asked the governor from the top of the stairs.

  “Yes,” Akil said, nodding his head. “It’d probably be best if you come down too.”

  The governor started to make his descent.

  They all settled in the living room.

  “We believe you are bewitched,” said Marcel.

  “That’s nonsense,” the governor said.

  Akil ignored him. “Other than last night. Have strange things been happening to you?”

  Phillip nodded, more than relieved.

  He recounted all of the deaths and attacks. His father listened with much unease.

  “Most definitely,” said Esmeralda. “He is bewitched with an evil spirit.”

  “Phillip,” Marcel called, looking at him. “These spirits come in many forms. The symbols we wear right now on our face is a general way of warding them off. To learn more about this particular curse. You must tell us all that you remember.”

  “Think back,” Esmeralda then urged him, “what was written? What was said?”

  Phillip picked up a pad and paper. He closed his eyes and thought back.

  Words began to escape his lips and his hand scribbled across the page. Once it passed, he held it up.

  All of their mouths fell open in shock.

  “What is that?” the Governor asked, “ and what the hell was Phil just saying?”

  “It is worse than I thought,” gasped Marcel.

  “What is it?” his dad repeated again.

  “The ultimate curse is what it is. Calling an army of spirits to sentence you to death. That symbol there is nothing but a stamp. Damning you for all eternity.”

  “You said you were here to help,” cried Phil.

  “And we shall try,” said Akil. “We must get ready.”

  “How?” asked Phil.

  “To call up he that curses you.”

  A short while later, they were all gathered around the kitchen table. Esmeralda walked around lighting candles.

  “What’s this? A séance?” asked Phillip’s dad.

  “Very much so,” Akil told him. “We shall bring his enemy face to face. Hopefully we can reason with it.”

  “We’re set,” she said, taking a seat.

  “Marcel, please lead us,” Akil instructed.

  Marcel nodded. “Please bow your heads.”

  Everyone obliged and started chanting. A chill started to run through the room. Sinister laughing was heard among them.

  The flames from the candles danced higher.

  “They’re here,” Marcel suddenly exclaimed.

  They all looked up, truly amazed. Dancing in the midst of each low candle was the shadow of a demonic figure.

  “These are merely his minions,” Akil told them.

  “Where... where is the spirit?” Phil asked.

  “He’s here too.” Akil said.

  Then something amazing happened.

  The flame from a large center candle shot all the way up just like a blow torch. The tip of it almost touched the ceiling and a horrific face appeared in it.

  “It’s him,” Esmeralda let them know.

  “How do we kill it?” asked Governor White.

  “You can’t kill it,” Marcel told him. “Your only bet is to reason with it.”

  “Spirit,” Akil addressed the thing. “I know you’re a being of many tongues. We wish to bargain to lift this curse. What is it that you would have in return?”

  It gave out a laugh that shook the room.

  “You truly wish to bargain with I? You’re a fool you mortal gypsy.”

  The heat caused everyone to sweat. The perspiration was washing away their symbols.

  The being took immediately notice.

  “Surely there’s something that we can do.”

  “Yes!” it barked. “You can die.”

  Fire shot from all directions, setting the three of them on fire. When the governor saw the flame rush toward him, he leaped from his seat and tackled Phil.

  Just as it started to engulf the kitchen, the two escaped and ran out the door.