The Window

by Glenn Rolfe

  “What’s up?” James stumbled over to Kevin’s card table. His friend was staring hard at the laptop screen in front of him.

  “I’ve been Googling this thing you talked about seeing last night, in the window?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah, and at first I got all this zombie crap and a bunch of B-movie stuff, but then I added in “reflection” and “window” to the burning eye, demon-thing…

  “But check this out. The first thing I read was this one.” Kevin clicked on a link for Mirrors and Demons.

  “It talks about how mirrors are portals to the other side, or other dimensions. It says that mirrors offer demons or creatures a path to our world or back to our world. Further down, it goes on about how they may be there for years until they’re noticed. When you notice them, then they notice you? Pretty creepy, huh?”

  James read on while Kevin looked back. “What’s that link there?” It said Seekers: That Which Stares Back.

  “Don’t know, I didn’t notice that one. Let’s find out.”

  James read the screen.

  Seekers: That Which Stares Back.

  Throughout the ages, men have felt the emptiness of being less than. Be it the Greeks who stared up at the God of Olympus, or Moses feeling unworthy and incapable of following through with God’s orders to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Man’s inadequacies have been a beacon for all sorts of demonic entities. Specifically, Seekers.

  There are several demons in this supernatural family.

  Domineus is the dark master of lies and illusions. He shows the weak everything they ever wished they could be and everything they desire in life. His name is from the Latin word Dominus—lord, master, ownership. Domineus lures the weak to him with his visionary world of delights, sucking out their aura, their spirit, until he can overtake the soul and possess the man. Then there is Sanikus, the she-demon. Temptress of lonely men. Her blood lust ignites man’s darkest desires of pain and sexual perversions. She is the star of the Domineus’ show. There is also Kyrus, the demon-child of Sanikus and Domineus. Not much is known of Kyrus. One tale is that Kyrus was freed from his parents, these damned beings, by God himself.

  “Holy shit. That’s gotta be it.” James grasped the hair on his head with both hands and began circling the room. “I mean, after my mom hooked up with Garrett and left, my dad was depressed. He was so low. Until he met Alison. And since then he’s been good, until now.” James stopped and stared out at the street and saw Carrie coming down the sidewalk thumbing her cellphone.

  “Well, if your dad’s happy now, then that blows this one up.”

  Kevin turned back to the mouse and moved the cursor.

  “No,” James said. “That’s it. I just need to figure out what changed. We’re missing something. I mean, I’ve missed a few weekends with my dad, that might have started it, but then she let me come here…I should call Alison. Maybe she’s seen something. It could have to do with their big fight.”

  He pulled his cell phone from his jeans on the floor and dialed.

  Listening to it ring, he stepped beside Kevin and said, “Search how to get rid of it.” Kevin punched in “get rid of seeker.”

  Nothing.

  “Type in “Banish Domineus”.

  Alison’s phone went to voicemail. “She’s not answering her phone. She’s staying at the bed and breakfast over on Dolby Street. I’m gonna head over and see if she’s still there.”

  “Knock-knock.” Carrie slipped into the doorway.

  “Hey,” James said to her. “I need to go talk to Alison. It’s about my dad.”

  “Is he okay?”

  “I don’t know.” James turned back to Kevin. “Look up if there’s a way to stop this…thing. Call me if you dig anything up.”

  “I’m on it, Jamey Boy,” Kevin said.

  He turned back to Carrie. “You might want to look away for a second.” Her cheeks turned pink as he picked up his jeans. He slipped out of his PJ bottoms and put on his pants. Sitting on the bed, he threw on his sneakers and hopped up and out into the hallway.

  “Can I come with you?” she said.

  He wasn’t sure he wanted her in on this. If it really was this Domineus, there was no telling what the hell they were in for.

  “Okay, but if I send you home, you have to promise to leave.”

  “Um, okay.” Carrie looked confused. He’d have to fill her in.

  “Come on. I’ll explain it on the way.”

  “You think you saw a demon? In your kitchen?”

  “I know, I know. It sounds stupid. It sounds bat-shit crazy. Believe me, I know, but I’m telling you, after what we just read about, it all seems to fit. My dad doesn’t act like this. He doesn’t do these things.”

  “So, you think he’s being possessed by something?”

  “Yes.”

  Carrie’s silence was a cheap shot to his excitement. What did he expect? It did sound crazy. It did sound like the ravings of a friggin’ lunatic. But he felt it in his guts. This Domineus was attached to his father. If he could find Alison and talk to her about it, maybe Carrie would see. Either way, he believed it was true, and if he had to save his dad alone, then that’s what he would do. He hoped.

  There was a gray truck parked at the bed and breakfast–-no sign of Alison’s Grand Am. He led them up to the screen door and knocked. There was shuffling coming from inside. The smell of something sweet, apples or something fruity, wafted through the screen. James stomach growled at the delicious scent. He’d skipped breakfast.

  “Hello?”

  “Ms. Edna?” James wasn’t sure of her last name.

  A petite woman with a long, gray ponytail and clear, blue eyes came to the door. “Hi, my name’s James Curry. I was wondering if Alison Chapman was here?”

  “She’s a guest here, yes, but I’m afraid she left an hour or so ago with my grandson. Didn’t say when she’d be back.”

  “She left with your grandson?”

  “Yes, Jason. Are you related to Miss Chapman?” She eyed him with concern. He reached up, remembering his black eye.

  “Ah, no. She’s my dad’s girlfriend.”

  “Oh.” The woman seemed to ponder this as the soft wind that brushed by them hit more like a heater than a cool break from the heat of the day. It was as Mrs. H would call it, another scorcher.

  “Pardon my manners. Would you two kids like a cold glass of iced tea?”

  “No—” James started.

  “Yes, ma’am, that would be wonderful.” Carrie said, and she smiled at the old woman and then nodded at James.

  He didn’t want to stick around if Alison wasn’t here. The fact that she wasn’t answering her phone could mean many things. She could be sleeping after working another late shift, or she could be busy, or she could be in trouble. Despite his own sense of urgency, his trust in Carrie’s lead convinced him to give Edna a few moments of their time. Besides, maybe she knew where Alison went. “Yeah, iced-tea does sound good. Appreciate that, ma’am.”

  She opened the screen door for them. “What a welcome thing to hear such manners today. You two come on in and have a seat at the table. Call me Edna, please.”

  “Thank you, Edna,” they said in unison. The shared courtesy brought the first smiles of the day to their faces.

  James took the chair farthest from the door, closest to the oscillating fan. Carrie sat next to him. He watched Edna as she grabbed two glasses down from the cupboard next to the sink and fetched a pitcher of auburn liquid from the fridge.

  “You kids might have noticed I haven’t got an air conditioner. Nothing but my fans.” She brought the drinks to the table and set them down. She took the seat across from Carrie. “Now, what have you heard about Miss Chapman’s current situation?”

  James took a sip from his glass and made a bitter face both at the sugarless beverage and at the woman’s choice to use the word situation. He hoped she hadn’t noticed. “Alison called me and told me her and my dad got into a fight and that sh
e was going to be staying here and that I should stay at my friends for an extra night.”

  “Mm hmm.”

  The drink wasn’t as bad after his second swallow. “Did she say anything to you about exactly what happened?”

  “We did get a chance to talk about it a little last night. How old are you?”

  “I’m thirteen, ma’am. I’m gonna be fourteen next month.”

  “And you, dear?”

  “The same, but I turned thirteen at the start of summer.”

  “Hmm.” Edna looked from one to the other. “Are you two an item?”

  James looked at Carrie and their grins answered for them.

  “Young love. It’s a beautiful thing. Cherish it, especially when it comes in the summer. When you get older, life likes to barge its way in.” She went quiet on them. James shrugged at Carrie as Edna rose and went to check the oven. No wonder her fans hadn’t touched the heat in the room. James could feel the sweat rolling from his temples. Somehow, the iced tea managed to make it bearable. He chocked it up to elderly wisdom. His grandmother on his mom’s side had the same magic remedies against the hot and cold weather.

  Edna placed two green oven mitts on her hands, reached into the oven, and pulled out a perfect pie. Apple by the smell of it. Steam floated up and swirled madly as the fan found its way in its direction. Edna placed the pie on the pie rack atop the counter by the stove. She took off her mitts and rejoined them at the table. “If you don’t mind me asking’…did your daddy ever strike out against you or Miss Chapman?” She was trying not to stare at his eye.

  “Did he what? No. My dad would never hit me, or Alison. Why, is that what she said?”

  “No, no, dear. Not exactly. Has he been different toward you or her lately that you’ve noticed?”

  James didn’t like that she was asking him these questions. He came here to ask the questions. He felt off balance. “Listen, he’s a great guy and a great dad. He would never raise a hand to anyone. And even though it’s none of your business, my black eye is from getting sucker punched by a jerk I know. Now, if Alison didn’t tell you this then I’d like to know what you’re getting at. I need to be discussing this situation with her.” James scooted his chair back and stood. “Thank you for the drink, but I need to go.”

  “Hold on, hold on. I didn’t mean to make it out to sound like your daddy was hurting anyone. Miss Chapman did have a bloody lip when she came here yesterday morning, but she said your father got in her face and their faces bumped into one another’s. Now, if you must be getting going, I won’t hold you up. My grandson accompanied her back to your father’s. There’s no funny business between him and Miss Chapman. He’s just the chivalrous-type. He went along in case your daddy was still wound up.”

  James went to the door. Carrie followed him.

  “Thanks again, Edna,” Carrie said.

  “Yes, thank you, ma’am. I’m sorry if I was rude just now. It’s just been a weird couple of days.”

  Edna walked them to the steps. “Don’t worry your young mind with it, James. I shouldn’t have been asking’ what I was asking.’ Seems sometimes in our old age we can be hypocritical. If I may offer one more bit of advice?”

  James stopped in her driveway by the truck. He held Carrie’s hand. Her touch was reassuring. “Please, go ahead.”

  “Like I was saying about young lovers in the summer. Enjoy it. Hold it as close and tight as you can. Leave the drama to the adults. We’re used to the intrusions. You kids go soak up the sun. Miss Chapman will be all right, and I can tell by the way you carry yourself, you’ve been raised right. Whatever your daddy’s going through, it will pass.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.” James appreciated the woman’s sentiments, and she was right - they should let the adults handle their own problems. But he knew something she didn’t. This wasn’t your normal problem. In fact, if he was right, this wasn’t even close to being a normal situation.

  Carrie squeezed his hand. “Where to?”

  “My dad’s. I don’t like this one bit.”

  …..

  Kevin found what he’d been looking for.

  There was old folklore about these window demons. The story was surely fiction, hell it was on Creepy Pasta, but they always say there’s truth in the legends passed down through the years. This story mentioned kids finding a way to stop the demons. He re-read this part of the story:

  “To shatter the surface is to break the demon’s spell,” Gehrig said. He hoped his brother would have the strength to help. “Are you ready?”

  Dieter watched through the window as their mother danced in the nude and performed for the dead man tied to the chair. The dead man with the ax in his skull was their uncle Tim. “Are you sure she’s not just sick?”

  Gehrig placed his hand on Dieter’s shoulder. “I’ve been to the witch. She showed me drawings of this thing. The Mirror Demon possesses her. It preys upon those in need, those who are beaten by life.” His little brother turned the saddest blue eyes to him. Gehrig thought the boy looked confused. “When papa died last winter, mama grew weak. Do you remember?” His brother nodded. “She didn’t eat. She slept by day and roamed the house at night. She would stay up in her room and left me to tend to the cattle and to look after you.”

  “But she’s been so much better lately. She’s alive again. It’s like we have mama back.”

  “No. No, Dieter. That is not mama.” Gehrig directed his brother’s attention back to the nude woman now down on all fours. She began to slither across the floor toward the corpse in the chair. Gehrig tore his eyes away and then pulled his brother to the side of the house. “We have to do as the witch told me. We must capture the demon in its home.”

  “The mirror?”

  “The witch said it could be anything that reflects an image. The mirror she’s been carrying around with her these last few days, or a window. We must shatter the reflection and trap the demon.”

  “Will mama…will she…will she be normal again?”

  “I don’t know. The witch didn’t say. Are you ready?”

  “Yes.”

  “Jesus,” Kevin said.

  He grabbed his phone from the table and was about to call James when Ian appeared in his doorway. He was decked out in black jeans, a plain white t-shirt, and his short blonde hair combed like he was from the movie Grease. His eyes were narrowed to slits, his jaw clenched. This usually meant there was a beating to be thrown and Kevin was the only kid around.

  “What were you and your shithead friends doing with my dirt bike yesterday?”

  Fuck. How the hell did he know?

  “We…we just took it out onto the paths.”

  Ian’s dark brown eyes bore through him.

  “Yeah, well, you don’t take my shit without asking me. You got that?”

  “Yeah, I just thought since I hadn’t seen you use it in like a year it would be okay.”

  “Well, it’s not. You don’t fuckin’ touch my stuff.”

  “How’d you even know we used it?”

  Ian walked over to him and grabbed him by the ear. He hauled him up and out of the room. “Mom told me you were supposed to mow the lawn yesterday, so I ended up doing it since your fat ass was out with my missing bike.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “I want you to see something.”

  Kevin’s heart sank. He’s seen the cracked heat guard. “Can I at least call James really quick. I need to tell him something important. Hey,” Kevin cried.

  “You can talk to your boyfriend when I’m done with you.”

  He hoped his ass-whooping would be swift, He also hoped James and Carrie would come back here before going anywhere near James’s dad’s. That Domineus and his demon-bitch girlfriend were a world beyond bad news. If Mr. Curry was already under its enchantments, anyone who got in his way was in danger.

  …..

  “Whatever we run into, I mean if my dad isn’t himself...” James tried to prepare Carrie for anything. “I just need
you to promise that you’ll stay outside.”

  “Hey.” Carrie stopped and looked at him. “Whatever this is, it’s not as bad as it seems.”

  He hoped she was right. He hoped his concussion had birthed the awful image in the window last night, that his father had simply developed a perverted version of sleepwalking at his age, and that he and Kevin had made connections out of mere coincidences.

  “If you want me to stay outside that’s fine. I understand.”

  James opened his mouth to say something, but the words were nowhere to be found. Instead, he nodded and pulled her close. He held her as the pools of fear filled his vessel from his feet that wanted to run, to his knees that begged to give away, to his icicles nestled along the length of his spine, and to his head and all its unwelcomed burdens. He gave Carrie one last squeeze, and despite every sense telling him not to go, he said, “Come on, let’s go check on my dad.”

  The trailer was just up ahead. They were about to the driveway when Carrie’s body went rigid as she clenched tight to him. The man’s scream ripped from inside his dad’s place and through the haze of the summer heat.

  Part III:

  The Mirror Never Lies

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Kevin managed to get away without receiving a beating from his brother. Ian instead told him he needed to pay for a new heat guard. The real shocker (next to not getting throttled) was that his brother gave him permission–once the heat guard was replaced–to use the bike if he took care of it.

  “Thanks, Ian.”

  “Just don’t be doing anything stupid on it. If you break your leg or something mom will have my fuckin’ head.” Ian pulled a cigarette from his pack and lit. “You’re free, man. Go call your boyfriend.”

  James

  “Oh shit.” Kevin bolted inside and scrambled for the portable phone. The base of the phone was empty. “Shit.” He glanced around the kitchen, and then scanned the living room. “Come on,” he whined. He started toward his mother’s room when the phone rang. It was coming from upstairs.