Witches

Of

Dark Rock

Tim Miller

Tim Miller

Witches of Dark Rock

© 2014, Tim Miller

San Antonio, TX

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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Cover photo by Chyanne Moore

Cover model: Haley Jay Madison

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Sneak Peek at Tim Miller’s Upcoming Book:

Chapter 1

Also by Tim Miller

About the Author

Prologue

Houston, Texas 1862

The men had jumped the girl on her way back from the market. The woman had warned her repeatedly not to be out after dark, not in this town. The girl was stubborn though. Like any other teenager, she had a mind of her own. One of the women in town came by to let her know what was happening to the girl.  Immediately she ran into town hoping she wasn’t too late. She heard the men hooting and hollering as she approached. Townspeople were walking by, but everyone pretended not to see what was happening.

The woman had her shotgun with her at least. She fired a shot in the air, causing all the men to jump. They stopped and turned to look at her.

“What do you think you’re doing hag?” one of the men said.

“Leave the girl alone and get on out of here,” the woman said.

“We’re not done yet. Some of us ain’t had a turn!”

“I say you’re done. Get on now.”

“You only got one shot left in that gun bitch. There’s six of us. You can’t kill us all.”

“No. But I can sure kill you.” She then lowered the gun just slightly. “Or I can blow your balls off.”

Her gaze hardened as she stared into the man’s eyes. She could tell he was trying to read if she was serious or not. There were other things she could do to stop them, but she preferred conventional means if at all possible. The man finally nodded and took a few steps back.

“You heard her boys. Time to head home. We’ll come out and play another day.” Some of the men grumbled but they all obeyed their leader. As they backed away one of them made kissy noises at the woman. She ignored them as she held the shotgun steady. Once they were gone, she ran up to the girl’s body.

“Oh no! Honey, are you ok? Please talk to me?” she said as she shook the girl’s body and patted the girl’s battered face but there was no response. Her face was bloody and swollen from the beating the men had given her. The woman felt around the girl’s face and could feel where her bones in her skull had been broken in several places. Her jaw hung slack as her tongue drooped from her mouth. One eye was totally swollen shut while the other was frozen wide open as if in terror. If the girl wasn’t already dead, she soon would be.

The women picked up the girl in her arms and carried her across the street, laying her into a carriage. She climbed into the seat and took the reins as the horse set off. The woman hoped the healer would still be there. It had been years since she’d seen him. He was her only hope. The girl couldn’t die; she was all the woman had left.

The journey took several days. Fortunately she avoided any tangles with outlaws or wildlife. The heat had been near unbearable at times, but she kept going. Even though the girl couldn’t respond, she kept talking to her through the trip.

“Hang in there sweetie. It won’t be long now. This man is a good healer. When I was about your age, I got real sick with consumption. I almost died for sure. The healer gave me some herbs and a healing spell and in a matter of weeks I was good as new.”

When she arrived, the healer’s cave was where she’d remembered it. Deep in a valley that was once a riverbed. Now it was just rocks and caves in the middle of New Mexico. He used to live closer to civilization, but moved out here after too much harassment from authorities. She climbed out of the wagon and stuck her head inside. Sure enough he was still there, although much older since she’d last seen him. As she told him what happened, he listened silently and then nodded.

“Bring her in,” he said as he walked into the cave. The woman scooped the girl up and carried her into the cave and lay her on a large, flat stone. There were torches posted around the stone offering soft lighting. She lay the girl flat on the slab and stepped away. The healer placed his hand on the girl’s head, and then her chest.

“She’s already gone,” he said.

“Can you bring her back?”

“You know the rules.”

“She’s all I have left. I can’t lose her.”

“You also know the price.”

“Yes. And I am willing,” she said without hesitation.

He considered for a moment and shook his head.

“No. She’ll need you. I will pay,” he said.

“No! You’re the healer.”

“I’m old. It’s my time. I’d rather go this way, giving life.”

“But—“ she began, but he turned his head, glaring at her. The woman took a step back as he turned back to the girl and went to work.

Chapter 1

Dark Rock, Texas 2014

Regina stood on the sidewalk watching the movers unload the large truck. She didn’t have a lot of stuff herself, but her roommates had quite a bit, especially Angela. Regina had grown up in Dark Rock, Texas. It was a small town of around twenty thousand people, all spread through the countryside. It wasn’t a tiny town, but it always had that feel. The core of the town consisted of several rows of houses, businesses and the town’s only church; The Good News Revival Center.

She grew up attending Good News. Her parents were really devout Christians and raised her as such. Rev. Merle Bannerman had founded the church and still ran it to this day. He was known for his hellfire and brimstone services. Each Sunday he literally put the fear of God into his parishioners so much to the point it wasn’t unusual to see the same people coming forward every Sunday during the invitation.

That was all behind her though. Regina hadn’t attended the place in years. She wasn’t even sure why she’d come back to this place. Angela seemed to think she needed to for some reason.

“You gonna help, or just gawk at the movers all day?” Summer asked. Summer was the third person in their coven. That’s right, coven. They were witches, though not in the sense most might think. None of them had big noses, ugly moles or flew around on brooms. In fact, by looking at them you’d never guess. They didn’t follow the typical “rules” for witches as laid out in popular fiction. They didn’t worship the devil, sacrifice animals or humans, and they didn’t wear black on Wednesdays. Well, except for Summer; she wore black almost every day.

“Sorry, wasn’t looking at the movers. Just so weird being back here,” Regina said.

“Yeah, I’m sure. Angela said she wanted to talk to you. She’s upstairs.”

Regina nodded and headed into the house. It was her parent’s old house. She officially inherited it after they died several years ago, but this was the first time she set foot in the place. All the furniture had covers over them which now were covered in dust. Her parents’ belongings had been boxed up not long after their deaths. She still wasn’t sure how she felt about being here, but was going to deal with it.

When she got upstairs, Angela was sitting on the floor in one of the rooms chanting. Regina recognized it as a protection spell. Angela turned and smiled when she saw Regina in the doorway.

“Hey Regina!” Angela said.

“Hey. You wanted to see me?”

“Yeah. Just wanted to see how you’re doing. I know you were uncomfortable coming back here.”

“I’m ok. It is a little strange so far. It’s like nothing here has changed.”

“Yeah. Small towns can be like that. See anyone you know so far?”

“No. Even when I grew up here I didn’t have many friends. I was always kind of the oddball,” Regina said. That got a pleasant laugh from Angela.

“We all were. That is why we are who we are.”

“So why are you doing a protection spell? You think we’re in danger?”

“We’re witches. There’s always some kind of danger lurking for us, but nothing specific. I try to do one anytime I move. Can’t hurt, especially with what you told me about that church around here.”

“Yeah. I’m sure they’re harmless though. Strange maybe, but harmless.”

“I hope so,” Angela said. “Ok, I’ll come help you guys unpack.”

She stood up as they began down the stairs, but before Regina turned, she caught a glimpse of someone through the window. She walked over and looked outside. Across the street was a man she recognized. Rev. Merle Bannerman. He had aged since she’d last seen him, but there was no mistaking who he was. As usual, he had on his Armani suit, and his now white hair was slicked back.

His hands were in his pockets as he watched the house and watched the movers unload. What the hell could he want? She walked down the stairs and headed outside. Regina knew she should ignore him, but it was too odd the way he was standing there. She walked out of the house and across the street. A big smile crossed his face as she approached.

“Well Regina Tyler! As I live and breathe!” he said.

“Hi Reverend.”

“Wow, you’re all grown up now. Hadn’t seen you since the funeral. How have you been?”

“I’ve been good. Busy with school and everything, now just trying to figure what I want to do next,” she said.

“Oh I’m sure. You got your whole life ahead of you. I’m sure the Lord has amazing plans for you young lady. Will you be at church on Sunday?”

She knew this was coming. Before they ever returned, she had turned this conversation over in her brain hundreds of times. It was perfect, she had every single response and retort down pat. That is, until she was actually standing there.

“Um, I don’t think so Reverend. It’s not really something I’m into anymore.”

“Well, the Christian life isn’t something one gets into my dear. You made a commitment to the Lord when you were a little girl. I know; I was right there. That’s not something you just turn your back on,” he said.

Yes, because when you’re six years old, you are perfectly capable of making a decision on what religious philosophy or which deity to follow. And then hold them to that decision for the rest of their lives. This was something Angela had helped her realize when she was away at the University of Texas. It had been such a liberating feeling, like she was coming out of this fog.

“Yeah I know. Look, I need to get back. It was good seeing you!” she said as she headed back across the street.

“You too! See you Sunday!” he called out.

She walked back to the house; Summer was standing there watching her.

“Who was that?” Summer asked.

“My old preacher when I was a kid. He wants me at church Sunday.”

Regina came walking up and joined them.

“He seems to be giving us the stink eye,” Summer said.

“He does that. He has this way of making everyone around him feel about six inches tall,” Regina explained.

“Well, he extended an invitation; I don’t see why we can’t go pay him a visit this Sunday,” Angela said.

“Are you kidding? Why?”

“Just trust me. He’ll never bug you about coming to church again.”

Chapter 2

Merle watched the young woman walk back to the house. He couldn’t take his eyes off her two friends. All three women were absolutely stunning. Especially the tall, dark haired one. She seemed to be in charge of the bunch. Something wasn’t right though. What was their deal? Were they lesbians? Was this some kind of lesbian three way thing going on?

The one in charge kept glaring at him out of the corner of her eye. He turned and walked away. Something wasn’t right with her. Whatever it was caused him to shudder. He turned and walked down the road to his car. He climbed into the Cadillac and drove back to the church. When he arrived his wife Gladys was sitting in his office. That was odd. She was usually out shopping on Wednesdays.

“Gladys, what are you doing here?” he asked. “Is everything ok?”

“No. My card was declined at Murphy’s earlier. You know how embarrassing that is? I had a thousand dollars in shoes I had to put back!”

He cringed at the dollar amount. It was no secret how much she loved to shop and feed her shoe addiction, but he preferred to not know how much she was spending. Lately, church attendance had been dropping. For years, they averaged five to six thousand people per Sunday. Now it was around half that. Less butts in seats, meant less money in the offering plate. He’d had enough money saved up that it wasn’t until recently he began to feel the pinch in his own pocket book. He had hoped it was just a trend, but over the years, it continued to get worse.

Despite his best efforts, he wasn’t able to get his wife to curb her spending habits until he figured out a way to boost church revenues. Between the recessions over the past several years, to more and more young people moving away when they turned eighteen, the town and church were shrinking. He’d made a good living doing God’s work for decades. Now it would appear God was testing him.

“A thousand dollars? In shoes? Are you serious?”

“I need new shoes! All mine are out of style.”

“How many pairs to total a thousand dollars?” he asked not really wanting an answer.

“Three. But still. Murphy’s isn’t the kind of place you get a card declined. I’ll be surprised if they let me come back!”

“Gladys, they won’t ban you because your card was declined. I’ll look at the statement. Here.” He dug into his wallet and took out his church’s gold card. He usually didn’t let her use it, but he needed to get her out of his hair immediately. “Take this and go get your shoes.”

“Really?” she said, taking the card, and holding it up as if it were the Holy Grail itself.

“Yes. Really. Now I have work to do.”

She walked out of his office, still staring at the card. Once she was gone he sat behind his desk when his secretary came in.

“Reverend Bannerman?” she said.

“Yes, Lisa.”

Lisa was in her early twenties, blonde hair, and blue eyes. She had been attending the church since she was a baby. Merle remembered baptizing her when she was ten years old. Through the years he watched her grow up into a wonderful Christian lady.

“Your three o’clock appointment canceled. He said he’d call to reschedule.”

“That’s fine. Thank you Lisa,” he said.

He was secretly relieved. The appointment had been with Clarence Morales. Clarence was addicted to pornography and it was hurting his marriage. He had already lost a job due to looking at porn at work. Now his wife was about to leave him. It wasn’t kiddie porn or anything; it was consensual adult porn, but it still fed the seeds of lust, which the Bible clearly says is sin. With the cancellation though, he now had the afternoon off.

He stood and went back out to his Cadillac. Part of him wished Clarence had cancelled earlier so he wouldn’t have had to come back in. He wanted to go back by the Tyler place to see what those women were up to. Yeah, it was kind of creepy and stalkerish, but he had a bad feeling about those girls. Regina was a child of God. If she was caught up in something dark, it was his duty as her shepherd to pull her free from Satan’s grasp.

By the time he got back to the house, the moving van was gone. There were two cars sitting in the driveway. One was a Prius, the other a Ford Focus. He shook his head at the sight of the cars. The girl goes to Austin to school and becomes a complete liberal Democrat. It happens every time a young person went there for college. They always came back all liberal and enlightened. In some cases they came back around to God’s way. Other times, they move away for good. That was one thing he always took pride in as he preached the gospel. God’s word was God’s word, regardless of where you were or what society said was acceptable.

He sat across the street in his Cadillac looking at the house. There was no movement other than a curtain moving in an upstairs window. He looked to see the older one standing in the window, and she was looking right at him.

Chapter 3

Zachary Nolan sat naked next to his makeshift altar cutting up the rabbit. He’d set it up in his living room which had no other furniture other than the altar. He’d made it from a couple of cement blocks and some ceramic gargoyles he’d bought at a nearby head shop. Several candles were lit in a circle around the altar while Panic Beats blasted in the back ground with their song “Chop Chop.” Zachary felt that would be most appropriate given his current activities.

He cut the rabbit open and pulled its entrails out onto the altar while chanting. He’d been dabbling in the occult for a long time, but this was his first attempt at a sacrifice. He looked into formal Satanism, but was disappointed to find it was mostly just politics. He did some digging online and found some spells he hoped would help him reach out to Satan himself, or at least a really powerful demon.

Selling his soul was no problem to him. He would happily trade his soul for absolute power here on Earth, even if it was only temporary. Not that he’d had a bad life; his life had been mostly pleasant. He was just angry. No one knew why he was angry. For years his mom took him to different doctors and therapists, but they couldn’t seem to figure it out. One of them prescribed him some medication to calm him down. He didn’t take it very long though; it made him sleep all the time. He needed to be awake, to take in everything around him.

Taking the rabbit’s blood in his fingertips, he smeared streaks onto his face as if it were war paint. He continued to chant as he closed his eyes, and tilted his head back as he waited for the demon to manifest itself. Once he finished the chant, he waited and waited. Nothing. Opening his eyes, he looked around but there was nothing. Tilting his head back, he repeated the chant, with the same result.

“Fuck!” he said as he turned the music off on his phone and sat there in silence. Why didn’t it work? One of the sites he read said an animal sacrifice was required. Maybe he needed something bigger than a rabbit? It did say the larger the sacrifice, the better the changes, and greater the reward. He’d just happened to have the traps handy and set them out, trapping the rabbit after a few hours.

That settles it then. He knew what needed to be done. Zachary put out the candles, stood and went into his room to get dressed. He pulled on a black t-shirt and jeans and slid on his hoodie. Zachary glanced at the wall, his eyes landing on  the mask he’d made for himself. It was something he’d made months before just because he thought it was cool. But it turns out it would serve a purpose. He’d molded it out of plaster and latex. From there, he painted it to look as demonic as he could. So it was mostly white with various markings. He had to admit, it looked pretty freaky.

He pulled on the mask, pulled up his hoodie and looked in the mirror.

“I am death incarnate,” he said to his reflection. “I destroy all that lay in my path.”

Pulling on his gloves, he headed out to his car and drove off to begin his hunt. There were some additional preparations to be made. He drove just east of town and pulled onto a gravel road that ran into the woods. For the next hour he scoured the woods for items with which to build his new altar. He found several large rocks he stacked up neatly surrounded by some logs. Once that was complete he walked back to his car, opened his trunk and removed his hunting knife and drove back into town.

He sat in the dark outside of the supermarket, parked at the end of the parking lot to avoid any of the lights. He waited until he saw someone leaving. Before long, there was a young man walking to his car. Zachary got out of his car and lurked in between cars, following the young man until the kid was fumbling with his keys. From close up, the boy looked no older than sixteen or seventeen.

Zachary stood, his feet shuffling slightly. The boy turned at the sound of the noise, and froze in his tracks at the sight of Zachary in his mask and black clothing. Zachary at six foot two towered over the boy as he cracked him over the top of the head with the base of the knife. The boy stumbled backward as Zachary hit him again; this time the boy toppled over. Zachary caught him and dragged him back to his car and threw him into the trunk.

Once they were back to the woods, Zachary stripped the boy naked and bound him in duct tape, then laid him on top of the altar. Zachary removed his clothing except for the mask and stood over the boy. The young man awoke, seeing Zachary and realizing his predicament, he screamed. Zachary picked up the knife and thrust it into the boy’s stomach, and sliced him open from the waist to his ribcage.

The boy screamed in pain as Zachary ripped the incision open, and removed his insides. They spilled out over the altar as the boy cried.

“Why are you doing this? Please let me go! It hurts! Oh God! It hurts so bad!”

Zachary ignored his cries as he smeared the boy’s blood all over his body, using the end of his intestines like a paint brush. Tilting his head back, he repeated the chant, this time calling out loudly to the spirits, hoping they would hear him and be pleased with his offering. After several minutes and several tries, nothing happened.

Zachary threw the knife do the ground and screamed.

“What is it you want? What do you want from me? I’ve given you everything!”

He was practically hyperventilating as the rage coursed through him. He followed the rituals to the letter. He’d offered up a small animal and a human, yet the spirits were still not pleased. At least if they were, they weren’t showing it. The boy still lay on the altar sobbing, trying to wiggle his way out. Zachary picked up a large rock and smashed the boy’s head in. Even with his anger, one blow wasn’t enough. He hit him again and again until the boy’s head was a mashed up pulp of blood, tissue, brains, and skull. Zachary threw the rock to the ground, sat down next to the altar, and began to cry.

Chapter 4

“What do you think of these candles?” Regina asked her two friends as she held up a basil scented candle and a cinnamon one.

“They both stink. I wish there was a regular store around here,” Summer said, referring to an occult store where they could easily find the candles and herbs they need.

“Yeah, I’m sure that will never happen around here,” Regina said.

“Why are we here again?” Summer asked.

“Be nice. It’s important for Regina to come here and move past the loss of her parents. Plus I saw her body language when talking to that preacher. She was obviously intimidated by him. So we are going to learn to face our fears and not let them control our lives. Right Regina?” Angela said.

“Why not just move away and stay away?” Summer asked.

“That’s just running. If you don’t face it, then it’ll be the same thing wherever you move to, until you move again; rinse, repeat.”

As the two talked, Regina placed the candles into the cart and rolled it down the aisle. Regina had on a white tank top and shorts, while Angela was wearing a yellow summer dress which was cut just low enough to reveal her anatomical heart tattoo just in between her breasts. She had said the heart was a symbol of life and since she wears her heart on her sleeve, she chose to wear it on her skin as well. Summer however, was wearing a black t-shirt with a large pentagram on the front, and black jeans. Her closet was the funniest thing to look through. There was nothing in it but black clothing. Even her underwear was black.

Across the aisle, a woman with a toddler in her cart stared at the girls. Regina smiled, but the woman looked away and skittered off. She looked at Angela who shrugged.

“Summer, did you have to wear that shirt on our first day out?” Regina asked.

“It’s one of my favorite shirts!”

“No it isn’t. You just like to make people squirm.”

“Maybe a little.”

“Look at it this way,” Angela said. “We can help some folks around here face their own fears as well.”

They finished filling their cart and checked out. As they placed things onto the counter, the cashier did her best not to make eye contact. Once they paid, Angela pushed the cart to their car where they loaded it up and climbed in. As they pulled onto the road, Angela had to stomp on the brakes when a police car came screaming by with its lights and siren on. Three more cars streaked past as they pulled onto the road.

“Holy shit,” Summer said. “I wonder what’s going on.”

“A response like that in this town? Someone probably trampled an old lady’s flower bed,” Regina said as they all laughed.

“Did you know your preacher friend came back the other day? After you went inside,” Angela said. “He left for a while, but he came back and sat in his car across the street, just watching the house.”

“How do you know?” Regina said.

“I saw him from my window. I’m pretty sure he saw me too. I think I scared him.”

Regina didn’t doubt that. Angela was beautiful, with long black hair and soft features. But when she gave you “the stare” she could look terrifying.

“He was just sitting there?” Regina asked.

“What a fucking creeper,” Summer said.

“It’s because we’re outsiders. Even though I’m from here, I’ve been gone for so long. Then I show up with you two. He sees himself as the town shepherd and everyone here is his sheep. Anyone new that comes along, especially if they’re different, they see as against God or something,” Regina explained.

“It’s ok,” Angela said. “Once they see we aren’t the devil or worship the devil, they’ll see us as people and not enemies.”

“You’re very optimistic,” Summer said.

“Well, if we don’t let people get to know us, how will they stop judging us?”

“I don’t know. You have more faith in people than I do.”

“Just hang in there girl,” Angela said. As they arrived at the house, Rev. Bannerman’s car was across the street from the house yet again. This time, he was starting the Cadillac and driving away as they pulled in.

“Now what was he doing? God!” Summer said. “We’ve been here maybe two days and this guy keeps sniffing around. Fucking weirdo.”

They got out and unloaded the car. Each of the girls had their hands and arms filled with bags. Angela fumbled with the keys as they approached the door, which was slightly ajar.

“What the hell?” Angela said. “Did you lock the door when we left?”

“Yeah, I’m positive I did,” Regina said.

Angela looked down the road and stuck her head into the house.

“I can’t believe it,” she said. “That preacher was in our house?” She walked all the way inside and sat the bags down. Looking around, it didn’t appear anything had been disturbed. “He broke in here. That son of a bitch.”

If she wasn’t frightened about the break in, Regina might have found Angela’s change in tone toward the preacher amusing.

“You sure he did?” Summer asked.

“I’m positive, unless one of you started wearing Old Spice.”

Chapter 5

Merle Bannerman pulled up to the house once again and noticed one of the cars was gone. He parked across the street and walked to the front door, and rang the doorbell. There was no answer. He looked around and peeked in the window. As a servant of God, he was determined to figure out what it was about these women that bothered him. That is why what he was about to do was not a sin.

Digging into his pocket he pulled out his Leatherman multi tool and pulled out some of the attachments. Sticking one of them into the lock, he wiggled it until he heard the deadbolt unlatch and slowly opened the door. He had taken a locksmith course on the internet a few years before, where he learned to pick locks as well as make himself keys. He had keys for most of the homes in Dark Rock.

He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. There were boxes stacked up through the house. Some were still packed or had belongings strewn about. He walked up to one of the boxes and started looking through their clothing. One pile of clothes was all black, mostly heavy metal shirts. Going into the kitchen he noticed the fridge was bare, but there were empty fast food wrappers in the trash.

He walked back through the living room and up the stairs. The bedrooms each had stacks of boxes in them. There was one which was mostly empty. As he stepped inside, he stopped at the doorway. A pentagram was drawn onto the floor and surrounded by candles. His jaw dropped at the sight. Witchcraft! Merle had a bad feeling about these women, and now he knew why.

Immediately he knelt down and prayed for the blood of Jesus to rain down upon this house of Lucifer. He took the pocket Bible out of his inside jacket pocket and used it to knock the candles over as he prayed the blood of Jesus throughout the room.

“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I cast out any and all unclean spirits who have manifested themselves in this place! I order you in the name of Jesus straight back to Hell from which you came!” he shouted as he waved his bible around and chanted, “In the blood of Jesus” over and over.

Slowly he backed out of the room when his phone rang. Once out of the room, he answered. It was the Chief of Police, Barry Harmon. Barry had retired from the Austin Police several years before, so he took the job in Dark Rock as the Chief. Dark Rock was typically a “retirement” job for most police chiefs that came through.

“Hey Barry, what’s going on?”

“Sorry to bother you Reverend. I got something here that I think I need you to have a look at.”

“What is that?”

“Can you just come out east of town? You’ll see the police cars there. It’s pretty crazy.”

“I’d like to know what I’m walking into,” Merle said.

“Someone killed the Williams boy last night. And it’s bad. Like he’s laid out on some kind of altar all cut to pieces.”

“What?”

“Someone sacrificed him Reverend. It’s a fucking human sacrifice, right here in our little town. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Oh my God. Are you sure? A human sacrifice?”

“I don’t know what else this would be. That’s why I’m calling you. I’m not a religious expert, but I know you know this stuff. Can you come out and take a look? Tell me what we’re dealing with?” Barry asked.

“I definitely will,” Merle said and hung up.

He ran out of the house as fast as he could, not realizing he failed to close and lock the door behind him. As he drove away in his Cadillac, he also didn’t see the witches pulling into their driveway behind him. On his way to meet with the Chief, he thought about the timing. Regina moves into town with her little coven of witches, and in just one day, they have a satanic sacrifice. A teenage boy no less. This was no coincidence.

It was hard to believe Regina Tyler had gotten mixed up with these kinds of people. She had been such a good Christian girl growing up. Her parents never missed a Sunday. He remembered leading her to the Lord when she was six years old during vacation bible school. What a sweet little girl she’d been.

This is why he discouraged young people from attending secular colleges. The Devil was alive and well in them. These young Christians were like low hanging fruit; ripe for the picking and Satan picked them by the bushel. Not only did Regina sell her soul to the Devil, but she brought him and his harlots into his town.

The Williams boy was Danny Williams. He was sixteen years old and had just gotten his driver’s license a few months ago. His dad Andrew, was a deacon at the church, and had been for many years. What a horrible way to lose a child. As he pulled up, there were a dozen police cars with their lights flashing all along the road. He parked behind one of them and climbed out. Barry was there waiting for him.

“Thank you for coming out Reverend,” Barry said. “I’m warning you; it’s an awful sight.”

“I’m sure it is. Let’s go do this.”

As they walked through the woods, Merle’s Prada shoes squished through the soft ground as branches poked at his suit. One flicked him in the face, knocking his glasses of. He picked them up, and wiped them with a handkerchief before sliding them back on. Once they arrived at the crime scene, Merle froze.

“You ok Reverend? I told you it was rough,” Barry said.

Merle saw the boy or what was left of him spread out on the makeshift altar; his stomach cut open and his guts strewn about. The boy’s head had been completely smashed in. Merle had done many funerals in his time, and was no stranger to death. But this was the most horrific thing he’d ever seen. Whoever or whatever did this was pure evil.

“You see what I mean, Reverend?” Barry said. “There are some candles on the ground around here too. So what do you think? Is this some satanic ritual, or some kind of wannabe?”

“It’s Satanic all right. And I know who did it.”

Chapter 6

Regina was hanging up her clothes when the doorbell rang. She walked downstairs when Summer called out.

“I’ll get it!” she said. Regina was already downstairs when she watched Summer opening the door. Standing in the doorway were several police officers. One of them looked much older than the other two.

“Afternoon ladies. Sorry to bother you. Can I have a word with you all?” the older one said.

“You got a warrant?” Summer asked.

“Summer, don’t be rude,” Regina said. “I’m glad you stopped by. We were about to call the police.”

“Well good then. Mind if I come in? I’m Barry Harmon. I’m the police chief here.”

“I guess so,” Regina said opening the door the rest of the way. Angela came down stairs to see what was happening. “Did you want sit down?”

“No. I’m fine. I just wanted to have a word with you all,” he said. “We had a murder in town this morning. Well, last night actually. Happened out east of town. Pretty ugly.”

“Wow, that’s horrible,” Angela said. “Did you catch whoever did it?”

“Well that’s the thing. This was a teenage boy. He was cut up pretty badly. It was very ritualistic. So much so, I’d say he was sacrificed.”

“Sacrificed?”

“Yeah. You know. Someone tied him to an altar-like structure and sliced him up badly. Then they smashed his head all in,” he said. Regina noticed he was trying not to stare at Angela’s tattoo.

“Holy shit,” Regina said. “But you don’t know who did it?”

“With this kind of thing, we had Reverend Bannerman come out and take a look at it. He said it looked like the work of a satanic cult, or witchcraft.”

The girls all looked at each other as a knot instantly tightened up in Regina’s stomach. She knew where this was going.

“The Reverend said you ladies are witches. Is that true?”

“That old fucktard broke into our house!” Summer chimed in. “That’s why we were gonna call you earlier. He went through our stuff! That’s why he’s saying that.”

“You ladies have any proof he was in your house?”

“We came home and he was in his car right outside driving away. When we came inside the door was standing open.”

“But did any of you see him coming out of your house or forcing entry?”

“No, but—“

“So you have no proof. I can’t just go and shake down a pillar of the community here because a couple of newcomers, and witches no less said he broke into their house.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Summer yelled, but Angela pulled her back.

“Look,” Angela said. “I’m sorry for this boy who was killed. It is absolutely horrible. And to be honest, terrifying there is someone in this town who could have done this. But our religious views or practices are no one’s business.”

“Well I beg to differ. If you’re breaking the law in the practice of your religion, then it becomes my business. Reverend Bannerman said when he stopped by earlier, you were in the back yard sacrificing a puppy. Is that true?”

“Jesus fucking Christ,” Summer said from behind them. Summer’s parents kicked her out when they found out she was a witch and no one in her family had spoken to her since. So she was a bit more sensitive when people wanted to give them shit.

“No officer. We were not sacrificing a puppy. We do not sacrifice animals,” Regina said. “We also don’t have big noses and fly around on brooms.”

“Ok, no need to get rude. I have a well-respected minister and expert on the occult who says he’s sure this murder was committed by a Satanist. Just before this murder, a group of witches shows up in my town. So you tell me, what am I supposed to think?” Barry said.

“We don’t worship Satan. We don’t even believe in Satan or The Devil,” Angele said. “Those are myths.”

“Well, that’s not what the Reverend said. Here’s what I need. Where were you ladies last night?”

“We were here.”

“All of you?”

“Yes, all of us. We just got moved in; we were unpacking and resting.”

“Did anyone else see you? Say after nine o’clock?” he asked.

“No. I mean we were all together,” Angela said.

“So no one can vouch for you. Mind if I have a look around?”

“Yes we mind. Go and get a warrant,” Summer said.

“I could, that wouldn’t take me long. The judge lives across the street from me. Then I’ll come back with a tactical team and we will turn this place inside out. Or you can let me have a look.”

“Go ahead,” Angela said as they each stepped aside. The Chief walked through the house including upstairs. They heard him shuffling around for several minutes as the girls looked at the two deputies. One of them had a buzz cut while the other had thick, brown hair. The one with the buzz cut kept glaring at them.

“You better not be putting no hex on us,” he said.

“Don’t worry,” Regina said.

He dug into his shirt and pulled out a crucifix pendant he was wearing and let it hang outside his shirt. Regina tried not to roll her eyes, but it was hard. After several minutes, Barry came down stairs and walked through the back door into the yard. Finally he came back inside.

“So find any animal sacrifices? Dead puppies?” Summer asked.

“No I didn’t. Doesn’t mean you couldn’t have disposed of it already. I’ll leave you all be for now. But don’t leave town. We may need to speak with you again,” he said as he left. His officers followed behind him. Once he was gone the girls looked at each other. Summer was fuming and Angela was visibly upset.

“So now what?” Regina asked.

“I’m gonna fuck up that preacher,” Summer said.

“No you’re not,” Angela said.

“So much for the protection spell,” Regina said.

“We may have to try something stronger. Maybe we can see who actually killed this boy if the spirits will tell us.”

“You think it was really Satanists or whatever?” Regina asked.

“Without seeing the sight, it’s hard to say,” Angela said. “It might be someone who wants to be, or thinks they are. Either way, we need to find out who it is before this town decides to lynch us.”

Chapter 7

Zachary was pleased when he woke up and saw he was all over the news. Well he himself wasn’t, but his sacrifice attempt had made it. Though it didn’t end up the way he was hoping. He’d gone back to the books, or more like the internet to find out why the spirits weren’t pleased with his offering. He would have to try something else soon.

He got dressed and headed into work. This was what he dreaded the most. In his daily life he was nothing, no one. He was a stocker at the grocery store. Because of his height he was good at getting things easily to the top shelves. But his mind wasn’t in it; hadn’t been in ages.

When he arrived, he headed to the back and clocked in.

“Hey Zack,” Shelly said as she walked by. She was one of the cashiers who had a crush on him for as long as he’d worked there. He wasn’t at all attracted to her though he wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t that she was ugly or even unattractive; it was just something about her. In his twenty-seven years, he’d never had a girlfriend. There’d been a few dates and some one night stands, but nothing ever stuck.

He hadn’t always been a big guy. In grade and junior high school, he was always a skinny, lanky kid. Other kids picked on him with great frequency, even though he often kept to himself, or at least tried to. It wasn’t until his junior year of high school when he began to fill out. By the time he was twenty, he towered over most people and had become quite muscular from lifting boxes and pallets all day.

“Hey Shelly, how’s it going?” Zachary said

“Oh, pretty good. Looks like we got the same shift today. What’re you doing afterwards?”

“Oh. I got some stuff to do at home.”

“You always have stuff to do. What do you always do? You look so tired. You out partying without me?” she said as she giggled.

“Naw. Nothing like that. I just have some projects I been working on and stuff.”

“I’d like to check it out sometime.”

“Well, I don’t know.”

“Oh come on, I don’t bite. Unless you want me to. Hehe.”

Her giggle was annoying, but an idea came to him.

“You know, you’re right. Maybe we could hang out for a bit. I can show you my project.”

Her eyes lit up.

“Really?”

“Sure. I’ll talk to you when we get off,” he said as he headed to the back.

The work day was pretty uneventful. His boss yelled at him a few times like he always does for various levels of stupidity. One was when he unloaded the wrong truck first. Apparently the fruit truck had arrived before the one carrying canned goods, but he started on the canned goods first.

“Jesus, Zach. Is this that fucking hard?” his manager, Tom yelled. “You have probably the simplest job here.”

“Sorry. I just thought...”

“Yeah, do me a favor. Don’t think! Now get over there and unload the fruit before the shit spoils. The only reason I haven’t fired you ages ago is your perfect attendance.”

Zachary hung his head and pulled his cart to the fruit truck. Though he was thinking of how once the spirits accepted his sacrifice just how powerful he’d be. Tom would be one of the first to go. In the years Zachary had worked for him, the man had verbally abused him on a regular basis. Once he got his powers, he’d make the asshole spontaneously combust, if he was able to do stuff like that.

After he clocked out, he went by Shelly’s register and found her finishing up with a customer. Once she was done, she pulled her drawer and walked over to Zachary.

“Hey!” she said. “I have to go count out. So what do you want to do?”

“Well, I thought maybe you could meet me at the park tonight. Say around nine?”

“The park at nine? What will we do there?”

“I wanted to show you my project.”

“In the park?” she asked.

“Well yeah. I mean, it’s not like there. But I figured we could meet up there and then go see it.”

“Oh ok. Well sounds mysterious! I like surprises. I’ll see you then!”

“Great!” he said as he headed out to his car. On the drive home, for the first time in a long time he felt excited. Not that he had any interest in Shelly, at least not in a romantic or sexual way. She would be his next offering. In the reading he’d done, he had some other ideas as to what went wrong last time. He had three hours to prepare. Once he got home, he would meticulously go over every single detail in preparation for tonight’s ceremony. This time, it would be perfect. This time, it will work.

Chapter 8

“The Devil himself has arrived in Dark Rock!” Merle Bannerman declared from the pulpit. He’d been looking forward to Sunday morning the last several days, and it was finally here. He’d be delivering the sermon of a lifetime. He was glad they had begun filming sermons a few years ago. Now they had a live stream, YouTube channel, and email subscriptions.

“Lucifer was one of the most beautiful of the Heavenly Host before he was cast out. Many of us including the modern media will portray him as this silly looking man with red horns and a pitchfork. That is what he wants us to think. Satan would never be that obvious. He has arrived in our town in the form of three beautiful women. One of them is one of Dark Rock’s own daughters.” He paused for dramatic effect as a collective gasp went out from the congregation.

“That’s right. A coven of witches is on our doorstep. There are three of them living in the Tyler house. Little Regina Tyler, who I baptized right outside in our own pond is among them. She went away to Austin to the University of Texas, right into the jaws of Satan’s den! These witches got their hooks into her, and now they are here in our town. I saw them in one of their horrific rituals myself. I went to greet young Regina on her return home when I heard chanting in the back yard. I walked around the back of the house and looked over the fence. Now mind you, I’m not a peeping Tom.”

He laughed as he held his hands up. “But I had to see what was going on. The sounds were so bizarre, almost animalistic. When I looked in the back yard, there they were; all of them in a circle, nude, calling out to Satan. One of these ladies, the older one, took a small puppy out of a bag and laid him upon their altar.” His voice began to crack as he paused. “I’m sorry.” He hesitated and began to speak again. “She placed it on the altar, and with a long, sharp knife cut its heart out.” The crowd gasped once again, this time even louder. “She held up its heard and they each passed it around and took turns eating it until they’d devoured it. I tell you ladies and gentlemen. This is one of the worst things I’ve ever seen in my life.”

***

“He is so full of shit!” Summer said as she watched the church service on her laptop. In light of recent events, they decided attending church to make a point might not be the best idea. Angela suggested they watch the sermon online to see what Bannerman said about them. Turns out that was a good call. “Sacrificing puppies? Eating its heart? Is he fucking serious? And you grew up with this guy?”

“Yeah,” Regina said. “I don’t remember him being this crazy. It’s scary. He’s gonna work people up into a frenzy.”

“Don’t worry,” Angela said. “I won’t let it get that far.”

“What will you do? Another protection spell?” Summer said. Angela cast her The Look, causing Summer to shrink in her seat and look back at her laptop. “Now he’s saying the people of the town need to stand up against Satan’s harlots.”

“I heard what he’s saying,” Angela said. “Maybe we should stop watching. It’s only pissing us off. I get what he is saying and what we’re up against. Don’t worry. We’ll be fine.”

“Will Satan protect us?” Regina asked. That got a laugh from all three of them.

“Only if you eat a chicken heart,” Angela said.

***

Merle wasn’t quite done yet.

“Ladies and gentleman. We all know about the murder that occurred here in our very town. I find it no coincidence that this satanic human sacrifice occurred just days after these witches landed on our doorstep. We must take a stand against the Devil! Do not let him get a foothold in this town. We must cast him out lest our children be corrupted!” He pounded his fist on the pulpit as he yelled.

“What do we do?” someone called out from the back. “We should get rid of those witches!”

“Yeah! Run them out of town!” someone else called out.

“My son works for the paper! He saw the body of the Williams boy. It was awful. These witches need to burn!” a woman screamed.

“That’s right! Burn them!” several more shouted.

This wasn’t quite the reaction Merle had been expecting. He put his hands out in an attempt to calm everyone down.

“Now, let’s all calm down. I wasn’t saying...”

“You’re right Reverend! We can’t sit around and let these whores kill our children!” Several men stood and began filing out of the church. Everyone else got up and followed.

“Wait!” Merle said. “Don’t do this!” He jumped down from the pulpit and followed as everyone ran to their cars. “Oh no,” he said as he watched them driving away. He ran to the Cadillac where Gladys was already waiting for him.

“What’s going on? Are they really going to burn those girls?” she asked.

“I don’t know. I hope not.”

“Me either. We haven’t had something this good in town in years. I bet attendance picks up with witches here in town. People will be scared out of their minds,” she said.

Merle looked at her, but wasn’t surprised. Gladys had always been a skeptic. She wasn’t when he met her in Bible College, but over the years she had become so jaded. He always maintained his faith, though it was shaky at times. He had no doubts he was God’s instrument to lead the people of Dark Rock. Gladys was more concerned with that latest fashions or her wine.

Merle pulled the Cadillac out of the parking lot and drove to the Tyler house. When he got there, cars were lined up all along the street. People were crowded around the front of the house, as several men were dragging Regina and her friends out of the house.

“Oh no.”

Chapter 9

Regina kicked and struggled against the two men who were dragging her from the house. They knew it got crazy when watching the church’s feed, people in the church began yelling and the live feed cut off. A few minutes later, their front door burst open and in came an angry mob.

“What are you doing?” Summer yelled. “Get the fuck off me!”

“You’re making a big mistake!” Angela shouted, but no one was listening. Once they were outside, the men threw them into the back of a pickup truck where another group began wrapping them in duct tape. Regina was still young in her learning of the Craft, but she didn’t know why Angela wasn’t doing anything.

The truck started up and they began moving as the truck pulled away. They had duct taped each of the girls’ mouths so none of them could speak. Regina looked at Angela who was trying to appear as calm as possible.

“We’re almost there bitches. You all are gonna burn!” one of the men said. “And this fire here will be nothing. The fire in hell will torture you whores forever!”

After a few minutes the truck stopped. They were at the park where the men and some of the women from the church pulled the girls out and dragged them to the barbecue pit. This was the huge one for big events. They took chains out and wrapped it around all three girls and threw them into the pit. Regina had lost all feeling in her hands from the tightness of the tape.

Another man stood over the pit and began dousing them with gasoline. The odor stung Regina’s nose as some seeped into her mouth. She kicked and flopped but all three of them were trapped. She closed her eyes as the crowd cheered. All she could hope for at this point was that she would die quickly before the pain got too bad.

“Say goodbye whores of Satan!” one of the men said, and then there was a gunshot. The crowd got silent and turned around as Regina opened her eyes. They burned from the gasoline, so she couldn’t see who was shooting at what. It wasn’t until he spoke that she recognized Chief Barry Harmon’s voice.

“Have you people lost your goddamn minds?” he yelled. “Everyone get in your cars and get the hell out of here! Now! Before I start making arrests!”

“But Chief! These women are witches! They killed the Williams kid. Sacrificed him to Satan!” someone yelled to the cheers of the crowd.

“We don’t know that for sure. And as the police chief, if anyone is gonna be going after killers and Satanists, it will be me! For the time being, no matter how weird we think these ladies are, we can’t just fucking set them on fire. Now git! All of ya!” he said as he fired another shot into the air.

The crowd dispersed as everyone headed back to their cars and trucks. Barry walked up to the pit along with a couple of deputies and cut the girls loose.

“You ladies ok?” he asked.

“About as ok as we could be for having almost been burned at the stake,” Regina said, rubbing her wrists.

“Yeah. I’m real sorry about that. Apparently Reverend Bannerman got folks fired up in church today.”

“Fired up? They almost fucking killed us,” Regina said. “We want to press charges against all these people for assault, breaking and entering too. They broke into our house. Shit, this was kidnapping!”

“Now calm down. No one is getting arrested. These are good people. They’re just scared. You all are different and they don’t like that. Hell, I’m not totally convinced you didn’t have something to do with that boy’s death. But as a peace officer, I have to have evidence. Which I don’t. Not yet anyway. So in the meantime, I’ll take you all back home and I can promise you this won’t happen again.”

“Yeah, that’s real reassuring,” Summer said. “You need to arrest those assholes.”

“Young lady, you need to watch your mouth. I’ve listened to about all I need to from you. I’m not about to go and arrest half the town. Let’s just call this a misunderstanding, shall we?” he said as he motioned to his car. The girls piled in as he drove them home.

Once in the house, the girls showed and changed clothes. They put the gasoline covered clothing into a trash bag and threw them outside for now.

“What in the hell?” Summer said.

“In all my years as a witch, that is the first time I was ever almost burned at the stake,” Regina said. “I mean, I’ve been threatened, even assaulted, but damn. I really thought we were going to burn.”

“Why didn’t you do anything? I know you could have,” Regina asked.

“Because I was holding out hope. They wanted to burn us for being witches. Had I used magic to bail us out, they’d have burned us for sure. The Chief would have probably thrown the match himself.”

Regina nodded. She found willful ignorance more frightening than anything she’d encountered so far in her time as a witch. Today just proved that even further.

“So what do we do? We can’t just sit around and wait for them to flip out again. You know they will.”

“I know. We need to figure out who killed that kid. I know a way,” Angela said.

“What way is that?”

“A tracking spell. Not your usual one though. This one is a little more complicated. Come on.” She stood and walked upstairs. The girls followed until they were in their spare bedroom. They’d replaced the candles at their circle. Angela stepped inside and began removing her clothes. She folded them and placed them in the corner. Summer and Regina did the same. They stood around the circle holding hands. After a short incantation, Angela closed her eyes and placed each girl’s hand on her chest, over her heart tattoo which was now glowing bright red.

Chapter 10

Zachary sat in the park, waiting for Shelly to arrive. He parked behind a storage building and hid in the bushes as he watched the pavilion. It had just gotten dark before he got into position. After an hour or so, a car pulled up and parked next to the pavilion. He watched as the car shut off and Shelly climbed out. She stood next to the pavilion looking around and playing on her phone. After a few seconds, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He took it out and found a message from Shelly. It said, “I’m here.”

He shut the phone off and put it back in his pocket. After a few more minutes, he decided it was time. Sliding the mask down over his face, he emerged from the bushes and made his way toward Shelly. Her back was to him as she leaned against the picnic table. He moved quickly but deliberately so as not to make any noise. However, he stepped on a twig, which in the quiet night air sounded like a gunshot as it snapped.

Shelly jumped and spun around. He was still a good twenty feet from her when she saw him. Instantly she screamed and turned and ran to her car. He took off running after her. As she jumped into the driver’s seat, he grabbed the car door keeping it open. She fumbled for her keys as he grabbed a handful of her hair and began dragging her out of the car.

She continued to scream until he finally punched her in the face several times. Her nose crunched under his fist on the first punch. On the second blow, he felt her teeth snapping off. Finally her screams turned to whimpers as he dragged her to the picnic table. Lifting her onto the table, he removed his backpack and removed his supplies.

He proceeded to cut her clothing off of her before he duct taped her to the table, securing mostly her arms and feet with some tape placed over her mouth. Once that was done, he set up his candles and removed his knife from the bag and then removed his own clothing.

He put in his earbuds and put on “Halfway to Hell” by the Panic Beats. As he rocked out to the music he closed his eyes and began chanting. This incantation was different than the one from the other night. This was a much darker spell he was attempting. This time, it had to work.

Once he completed the chant, he held the knife over Shelly and cut a long incision down her chest. She screamed through the tape as her body trembled but it was a muffled scream. Pulling the opening apart, he grabbed the rib spreader out of his bag and placed them between her ribs, cranking it open. He’d bought the spreader on Craigslist and had gotten a good deal on them. At first he wasn’t sure if he’d need them, but now he was glad he did.

Her bones popped and snapped as he spread them apart, exposing her chest cavity. Her cries became louder with each snap of her bones. He looked at her still beating heart in the candlelight. It was so beautiful; the power of life itself right at his fingertips. He reached his hand out and touched it. Her whole body twitched at his touch. After taking the time to admire it, he took the knife and began cutting into her chest cavity.

He had to be careful not to pierce the heart which was no easy task. Shelly thrashed about, almost causing the knife to slip at one point. Finally he pulled the heart free. As he did so, Shelly made a final gasp as her body shut down and went still. He held the heart in the air and began a new chant. His adrenaline was pumping as Panic Beats blasted in his ears.

He slid the mask off once he completed the chant and took a bite out of the heart. It was soft and salty with a coppery taste to it. Once he chewed and swallowed he took another bite. He continued until he’d completely devoured the heart. Once it was gone, he smeared her blood onto his face and body as he began the final incantation. As he said the final words, there was a rumbling beneath his feet.

Smoke began to drift up from the opening in Shelly’s chest. Then an open flame flickered from the cavity as the smoke grew thicker and heavier hovering in cloud above the body. Zachary could hardly contain his excitement as he watched the smoke swirling before him as it formed a dark funnel and shot into his mouth.

That took him by surprise as it coursed through him, filling his stomach and then his head. He felt lightheaded and even nauseous. He grabbed the table to steady himself, but his legs went out from under him as he collapsed to the ground. In a matter of seconds, everything went black.

When he came to, it was still dark. He had no idea how long he’d been out, but he felt different. As he stood, the mask was lying on the ground and the girl’s body was now a charred skeleton. He looked at his hands, holding one before his face. He snapped his fingers as a small flame appeared at his finger tip. It didn’t hurt and out of panic he shook his hand, causing the flame to disappear.

He did it again producing another flame. Holding out his hand, palm up he formed a fist and opened it up. This time a ball of fire appeared in his palm. He thrust his hand forward and the ball shot out from his hand into the bushes over a hundred feet away, igniting them. Grabbing his clothes and bag he dressed quickly and ran back to his car. As he drove away, he saw the fire burning in the rearview mirror and smiled as the realization hit.  He had become damnation.

Chapter 11

Merle lay in the hotel room bed staring up at the ceiling. The shower ran from inside the bathroom as Merle reflected on the evening. Despite his guilt, he told himself he needed this. It was his release. The day had been incredibly stressful. His attempt to put the fear of God into his congregation had backfired badly. He was glad the Police Chief had shown up, but not because he was concerned for the witches safety.

He could care less if those godless heathens burned. But with them around, he had no doubt he could scare more people into coming back to church. The water shut off as the bathroom door swung open. Kyle stood in the doorway with a towel around his waist.

“You ok babe?” Kyle asked. Beads of water still ran off his muscular chest. Kyle was half Merle’s age, but Merle always had preferred them a little younger.

“Don’t call me that,” Merle said as he sat up. “I should go.”

“No. You don’t need to go.” Kyle sat next to him and began rubbing Merle’s shoulders. Merle stood and pulled his pants on.

“Yes I do. I shouldn’t even be here.”

“Hey. You called me, remember?”

“I know. I shouldn’t have.”

“God, Merle. You do this every time. You make love to me like it’s your last day on earth. Then you run out the door the instant you get off. Why not just hire a prostitute? Then you could just hit and run without making me feel like shit,” Kyle said.

“Look Kyle. You know I’m a preacher. Fucking men is sort of frowned upon in my line of work.”

“I know what you do. You don’t have to keep doing that you know. You have a choice.”

Merle buttoned his shirt and laughed.

“Oh, to be twenty-three again. You have choices. Fifty-five year old men don’t have choices. We live with the choices we made, good or bad. Besides, this is sin.”

“Will you stop with that? You’re not a sinner.”

“Well we all are. But the Bible is clear; homosexuality is an abomination.”

“So why do you keep fucking me?” Kyle asked.

“Because I can’t control my lust. You know what would happen if I get caught? The town would burn me at the stake!”

“I know. We should just run away from here. We could go to Austin or Dallas. Then you could just be yourself and be happy.”

“It’s not that simple. I’m sorry. Thank you for meeting me. But I have to go.” Merle put his shoes on and ran out of the room and to his car. As he drove away tears ran down his face.

“God, please forgive me,” he prayed out loud. “I keep sinning against you. I don’t know why I can’t stop myself. Please! Please! Please take this from me! I don’t care if I never have sex again, as long as it’s not with men.”

He pulled over and broke down sobbing. It was times like this he didn’t know why he was a preacher. His first experience with a man happened at Bible College. He was still a virgin then, but another ministry student was at the library studying as he was leaving. It was pouring rain, and this young man named Bradley had shared his umbrella with Merle. The mutual attraction was instant. By the time they reached the dorm, the two young men had slipped into the laundry room for their first encounter.

The aftermath was awkward though. Bradley had pulled his pants up and ran away. Merle had seen him a few times around campus since then, but they never spoke again. He wondered if Bradley was going through the same things he had been through the years. Or did Bradley come to terms with who he was and live his life? Or did he continue down God’s path?

Not that it mattered. If Merle had chosen to give in to his urges he’d be straight on the path to Hell, if he wasn’t already. Wiping his eyes he looked up as sirens wailed nearby. Several fire trucks and police cars raced past him. He didn’t know what had happened and at this point didn’t really care. Once they were past, he pulled the car onto the road and headed home.

Gladys was waiting up for him when he walked in. His heart sank the instant he saw her.

“Out fucking your boy toy again?” she asked. For years she knew about his “condition” but early in their marriage had thought she could change him. She was stunning in her twenties and figured no man could resist her. That turned out false. Sex had become a chore between them. Over the years she had committed her own indiscretions. Merle knew about them but let it go since he couldn’t please her. Now she preferred to drink wine and shop. As her libido faded so had her looks, not that it mattered to Merle.

“Gladys. I just want to go to bed.”

“Oh didn’t want to spend the night in the arms of stud boy? What would the church think if they knew their holy shepherd was a faggot?”

“Do you have to be so crass? Geez.”

She pulled her housecoat closed and took another sip of her wine.

“Well you know what would happen. We’d lose everything! I’d rather not lose my whole way of life because you can’t keep your dick out of some guy’s ass.”

“Just shut up already!” he shouted.

“Or what? You’ll hit me with your little limp wrist you fuckin’ fairy?”

“I said shut up!” He reared back and punched her in the jaw. It wasn’t the first time he’d ever hit her, but it had been awhile. She let out a grunt as the wine glass fell from her hand, shattering on the floor as she fell flat on her ass. At first she appeared stunned, but then she began laughing.

“Hahaha. You hit like a bitch! Hahahaha,” she cackled.

“Whatever. I’m going to bed,” he said as he walked into the bedroom and closed the door. Gladys was still laughing.

Chapter 12

Regina woke up, lying on the floor. She was still nude and Angela and Summer were curled up next to her. All of their legs were intertwined. She sat up as Angela shifted and opened her eyes. The night had been a haze once they began the ritual. It was the first time she’d seen Angela’s tattoo glow and pulsate the way it had. She’d known Angela was more powerful than what she’d seen displayed, but had no idea just how powerful. Last night was a small glimpse.

“Hey you,” Angela said as she sat up. The sunlight beamed off her naked skin as she brushed her hair out of her face. “How you feeling?”

“I’m ok. That was really intense, what I remember anyway.”

“It will come back. It’s just your mind trying to catch up.”

Some of it had come back. The three women had sex during the rite. It was the first time Regina had ever been with a girl, let alone two girls. Plus it was the most amazing and intense experience she had ever had. Almost less sexual and more spiritual, but much of that had to do with it being part of the ritual as opposed to a pure sexual adventure.

“So did you see it?” Angela asked.

“Yeah. I saw it. Or him I guess.”

“I hadn’t used that spell in a long time, so I’m glad it worked.”

During the ritual at the peak of her climax, Regina saw a man from town. She recognized him, but didn’t know him. His name was Zachary. In one vision, he was a calm, quiet young man. But in the next part of the vision, he was wearing a horrible mask and performing a human sacrifice. It was he who had committed the murder. The vision didn’t show why he had done it, but at least now they knew who.

“So now what?” Regina asked. “Not like we can go to the police and tell them we know who the killer is because we had a vision.”

Angela laughed as she stood and pulled her dress over her head.

“I know. But we can find him ourselves. He’s getting into black magic. Like the hardcore stuff,” Angela said.

“Well obviously.”

“Smart ass.” Angela playfully slapped Regina’s shoulder. “From what I could tell he was doing a strength ritual. Like not the kind we’ve done asking for inner strength. He’s trying to summon dark forces to trade his soul for extreme strength and power.”

“You can do that?”

“I’ve never seen it done. I’ve heard of it over the years. The ritual is incredibly old.”

Regina stood and got dressed. Summer remained curled up on the floor. Angela stepped out for a minute and returned with a blanket, throwing it over Summer who slept soundly. A loud banging came from downstairs. Someone was at the door and pounding loudly. Angela and Regina walked downstairs and opened the door. Police Chief Harmon and several officers forced their way in as soon as the door was opened. One of the officers grabbed Regina and slammed her against the wall.

“What the fuck is going on?”

“Where is your other girlfriend?” Barry asked.

“What? Who?” Angela asked.

“That real young one.”

“Summer? She’s twenty. She’s upstairs. What’s this about?” One of the cops twisted Angela’s hands behind her back, cuffing them. Another did the same to Regina, cinching the cuffs way too tight.

“These are hurting me,” Regina said.

“Too bad! Witch!” the officer said. A few more came from upstairs dragging Summer by the arm. She was holding the blanket around her body with the other.

“Get the fuck off me! You’re hurting me!” she screamed.

“You gonna turn me into a frog?” the cop said.

“Summer, don’t fight them. It’s ok. What is this about?” Angela asked.

“All three of you are under arrest. Two counts of murder, kidnapping and one count of arson,” Barry said.

“Arson?”

“Ok, pretend you don’t know. I’ll play along. You all killed Shelly Gilbert in the park last night, then set the whole place on fire. She had been cut open and her heart removed. So yet another ritual killing. I don’t believe in coincidence, and I’m not gonna take a chance with you three killing someone else. So you’re coming in.”

“Bullshit!” Summer screamed. “We didn’t kill anyone!”

“You have any evidence to back this up?” Regina asked.

“In due course. Let’s go,” Barry said as they walked the girls outside where dozens of townspeople had already gathered.

“Fucking witches!” one of them screamed as several began throwing water bottles and other items at them.

“You should have let us burn the cunts!”

“I hope you all rot in Hell!”

“It’s not too late to turn to Jesus you fucking bitches!”

The cops hurried them into a car and squeezed all three of them into the back seat. As the car pulled away Regina looked at Angela.

“So now what?” she asked.

“Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Just trust me. Ok?” Angela said. When they arrived at the police department, they pulled the girls out of the car and walked them inside, into a holding cell.

“Can I get some fucking clothes?” Summer asked.

“I’ll have someone bring you something,” Barry said as he turned and walked away.

“God, fuck this stupid town,” Summer said.

“Don’t worry guys,” Angela assured. “It’s all under control.”

Chapter 13

Zachary sat inside Tom’s house. The burnt corpse of Tom’s wife and children lay spread out on the living room floor. They’d make a good surprise for his soon to be former boss when he came home. He had run an hour or so late, but finally Tom came through the door. He stopped in his tracks at the gruesome sight before him.

“Oh my God. Clara?”

“I’m afraid she can’t answer you,” Zachary said.

“Zack? What are you doing here? What have you done?” Tom screamed as he reached into his briefcase and came out with a handgun. Before he could pull the trigger, Zachary had sent a stream of fire hitting the gun causing it to glow red hot. Tom dropped it shaking his hand away.

“What the hell?”

“You liked to humiliate me Tom. Now it’s my turn.”

“I never tried to humiliate you. I was just doing my job!”

Zachary reached out and grabbed Tom by the collar, dragging him through the house and into the garage. He’d set up a large chair in the garage and some chains. He shoved Tom into the chair and wrapped the chains around him, and locked them into place with a padlock.

“What are you going to do to me?” Tom asked.

“Everything.”

Zachary held his hand over the chains and sent a steady stream of heat into it. The chains were wrapped around Tom’s chest and arms. After a minute, they began to heat up.

“Fuck that’s hot!” Tom said. Zachary ignored him and kept going as the chains turned bright red. Tom let out a scream as the hot metal seared into his flesh. Zachary smiled at the smell of burning skin and hair as Tom struggled helplessly against the hot chains.

“Please! Stop! Please!” he screamed, begging for mercy.

“I can’t do that. See, you’re not my boss anymore. I’m the boss now.”

Zachary stood and admired his handiwork as tears ran down Tom’s face as he struggled and kicked. He then leaned in with his finger and a blue flame came shooting out like a blowtorch as Zachary ran the flame along Tom’s right ear. Tom howled as his ear popped and sizzled while Zachary moved the flame up and down.  He did this until the ear was a melted, mangled mess on the side of Tom’s head.

“Please don’t do this. You want money? I have money. I’ll give you as much as you want. Please?”

“That’s your problem Tom. You think because you were some grocery store manager and made some money that you’re better than everyone. You thought you were the big shot. You don’t look so big now,” Zachary said as he began torching his other ear. Tom screamed as Zachary pulled on the earlobe while burning the skin off where the ear was attached. Finally the ear pulled free. He held it up before Tom’s face letting him look at it.

“Jesus Christ!” Tom screamed.

“No. Zachary. Jesus can’t help you.”

Zachary took his fingertip and began torching Tom’s nose. It smoldered and popped as he screamed once again. He thrashed his head about as Zachary held a handful of Tom’s hair with one hand while torching his nose with the other. After several minutes, there was a massive black crusty hole in the middle of Tom’s face.

“You look lovely,” Zachary said. He went and got a mirror and came back, holding it up for Tom to see. Tom screamed at the site of himself.

“Don’t worry. It’s still a work in progress,” Zachary said as he began on Tom’s face. Over the next hour, he meticulously went along burning the flesh off inch by inch. Some of it burned away while other times it fell off in chunks. Tom screamed, thrashed and cried throughout the “makeover” until his head was just a lump of black charcoal.

Tom’s bare teeth showed as his lips were now burned off. Zachary didn’t touch his eyes or eyelids. He wanted Tom to see everything. Tom’s screams had turned to moans and whimpers as his head hung limp.

“Just kill me,” Tom said. “Just get it over with.”

“Oh I will Tom, don’t you worry. Just not for a long time.”

“What did I do to deserve this? You killed my family. You’re killing me. Why? I’ve never experienced pain like this.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear that. But I’m just getting started.” Zachary began on Tom’s scalp. The burning hair smell was the worst. Zachary had to stop several times and gag as Tom’s hair and flesh smoldered away from his scalp. He pulled it away in large chunks and set them aside as Tom continued screaming. At one point he stopped screaming completely. Zachary worried he might be dead. After looking at him closely he saw Tom was only passed out. He finished burning his hair off and smacked Tom across the face.

Tom’s eyes fluttered open as he looked around. Zachary held up the mirror to him once again. Tom screamed at the site of what used to be his face. Freddy Krueger looked like a male model compared to Tom’s face now. It was nothing but charred blackness with burnt chunks of flesh hanging off in places.

“That does it for your face. Now, what should I work on?” Zachary said.

“Just kill me. I just want to die,” Tom said.

“Not yet. I have an idea!” Zachary knelt down and lit his finger torch again and began cutting into Tom’s left kneecap. Having renewed energy, Tom screamed and thrashed as Zachary burned through the skin, then through the muscles and tendons, watching them wither away under the blue flame as the muscle and tissue popped. Finally he pulled the kneecap free and tossed it up and down in his hand.

“I always wondered what these looked like up close,” Zachary said. He tossed the bone onto Tom’s lap, and knelt down to begin on the other knee. Tom continued to scream, and he wouldn’t stop for quite a while.

Chapter 14

“We have been here for hours. What are we waiting for?” Regina asked. The three women sat in the holding cell. No one had spoken to them since they arrived. Regina was trying to be patient and trust Angela, but sitting in that tiny cell was making her claustrophobic. It was especially bad when she had to use the toilet sitting right out in the open.

“It’s almost time,” she said. From the window in the sliding cell door they could see the clock. It was just after seven in the evening. It had to be the biggest waste of a day Regina had experienced. Finally Angela stood.

“Ok, it’s time,” she said.

“Time for what?” Summer asked.

A deputy came walking to the cell and popped open the tray door. He slid a paper plate with a bologna sandwich and mashed potatoes through the slot.

“Chow time!” he called out. Angela walked over and took the plate and set it aside.

“Hi officer,” she said brushing her hair aside. Regina noticed her tattoo was glowing again.

“Uh, hello,” he said. “You go ahead and eat now.”

“I will. But you need to do something for me,” she said.

“Yes?”

“I need you to open this door.”

“Ok,” he said as he took his keys out, inserted it into the lock and popped the door open.

“Now step aside,” she said.

“Yes ma’am.” He moved out of the way as the girls all walked outside into the main office. Regina and Summer looked at each other in disbelief. They had seen more real magic in the last twenty four hours than they had their whole lives. Up until this point, their craft had been mostly a religion and lifestyle. Regina had wanted to learn real magic, but part of her wasn’t sure if it actually existed.

“Now what should I do?” the officer asked.

“Hand me your keys and step inside the cell,” Angela said. Her voice remained soft and gentle. He did as he was told and Angela slid the cell door shut. “Officer, now lie down on the bunk and go to sleep.”

“Yes ma’am,” he said as he climbed onto the bunk, kicked off his shoes and lay down.

They walked outside and Angela hit the keyless remote on the keys until they heard the chirping of the alarm on a red Ford F-150. They piled into the truck as Angela started the car.

“So what just happened?” Regina asked.

“He let us go,” Angela answered. Her tattoo had stopped glowing.

“I see that. How did you do that?”

“An old trick I hadn’t used in a long time. I wasn’t sure it would work. But in certain types of people, you can use this spell to make them do what you want. Sort of.”

“Sort of?”

“Ok. Cops especially or most of them anyway. They are used to doing what they are told. The spell probably wouldn’t work on the Chief. He’s too strong willed. But one of his young officers? It simply puts the suggestion in their mind that they want to make you happy. They want to please you.”

“That sounds awesome!” Summer said.

“It can be. It can be dangerous too. If used on the wrong person, you can have some serious problems.”

“Like what?”

“Like an eternal stalker for one.”

“Yikes!”

“Yeah,” Angela said.

“So where are we going?”

“To see our friend Zachary.”

They were silent the rest of the drive. Summer didn’t seem to mind that she was wearing an orange jumpsuit and flip flops. After the ten minute drive, they arrived at a small house. They parked across the street and looked over.

“Looks empty,” Regina said.

“He might not be home,” Angela said.

“So we just wait?”

“May as well.”

“What if he’s out killing someone else?”

“He could be. But there is no quick way for us to track him. So may as well stay and wait until he shows up.”

Regina sighed as they sat and waited. After an hour, a car pulled into the driveway.

“What are we going to do? This guy is dangerous,” Regina asked.

“Both of you are witches, just like me. I’ve been at it longer. Just trust me. One of him can’t beat three of us.”

They climbed out of the car and crossed the street. Zachary was much larger than Regina had thought, but that shouldn’t matter where magic is involved. He turned and looked at them, looking confused at first.

“Hello ladies. You need something?” he asked.

“Hi Zachary. You’ve been a bad boy,” Angela said.

“What?”

The heart on Angela’s chest began to glow again which visibly startled Zachary. He jumped back and produced a flame from the palm of his hand and hurled it at Angela. She jumped out of the way, holding her hand out and stopped the fireball in midair without touching it. Thrusting her hand forward the fireball hurled back toward him. Not expecting it, it struck him in the chest, knocking him flat and setting his shirt on fire. He screamed as he rolled around extinguishing the small fire.

Zachary jumped to his feet and fired a volley of fireballs at Angela. This time she dove out of the way as he turned his attention to Regina and Summer. Both girls ran behind his car as he hurled several fireballs into their direction. A tree in the next yard over caught on fire as they sailed past. Angela stood, this time her glowing heart was pulsating white hot as she clapped her hands together above her head.

The clap produced a loud thunderclap which was followed by a bolt of lightning, striking inches away from Zachary. He hurled more fire at the girls before he turned and ran into the back yard. Angela gave chase as Regina and Summer followed. By the time they got to the back yard, he was gone. The ground smoldered where his footsteps had been. They trailed off at the street.

“Holy shit,” Summer said.

“His ritual must have worked,” Regina replied.

“I guess so. Let’s get out of here,” Angela said. “We got some things to do before we run into him again.”

Chapter 15

Zachary kept running as the women pursued him. His heart pounded in his chest, but not at the exertion. He had never seen anyone call down lightning like that, ever. Were they like him? What was he now exactly? The one woman seemed to be the most powerful. The other two looked scared.

He was almost a mile down the road when he stopped and turned. They were gone. What the hell? He’d just returned from taking care of Tom. What a fun time that had been. Zachary had no idea a human being could withstand so much pain and suffering. Tom sure had been a trooper though. He’d burned off every inch of the man’s skin, including his eyes right out of his sockets. That was one of the last things he did. Finally Tom had reached his breaking point and died. But that sure had been fun.

Then these women show up. They must be witches. He didn’t even realize there were such a thing, but it made sense. After all, he was able to summon a spirit to get his power. How did they know about him though? It didn’t matter. He’d take care of them later. They got the jump on him this time, but it wouldn’t happen again.

He took off again, this time at a light jog. Though he’d never been overly athletic he was amazed at how much stamina he had. While he wasn’t running with blazing speed, he wasn’t tiring out either. Before long, he was at the grocery store. This time of the evening, it would be jumping with co-workers and shoppers. Perfect. Perhaps the ambush would end up working in his favor.

Zachary walked through the doors and looked over at a cashier who looked at him.

“Zack? What are you doing here?” she said. He ignored her as he went to the sliding door. Using his finger blowtorch trick, he welded the door shut. Once he was satisfied no one could get out, he turned around and unleashed hell.

He started with engulfing the cashier who greeted him in flames. She never saw it coming. He sent a slew of white hot fireballs at her, sending her running for the door and rolling on the ground, but the flames were too intense and burning too quickly. Her hair flailed around like a large candle wick as the flames tore through it.

Rolling onto her back, the girl screamed, but the screams went silent as her tongue burned right out of her mouth and her eyes melted from her skull. Within a few minutes, her body was twitching as her flesh sizzled and popped. At first the surrounding customers and employees looked on, frozen in horror. Once the girl stopped moving, they looked up at Zachary. The looks they gave him was something he’d craved his whole life. Fear. Sheer, raw, and unadulterated fear.

Many screamed and began running when Zachary unloaded at them, hurling fire in every direction out of both hands as fast as he could. There was a smile on his face as he made his way through the store, watching everyone burn. A woman turned an aisle pushing a stroller with a toddler in it. When she saw Zachary, she froze, and turned to run away. Zachary blasted the stroller first watching it engulf in flames. The force of the blast sent it hurling down the aisle. The child screamed as his mother helplessly raced after him.

Zachary laughed at the macabre sight before him. Just as the mother was about to catch up to the stroller, he hit her with a wall of fire. Once she was engulfed, she fell to the ground rolling around as the stroller sped down the aisle. Zachary stood over her.

“Sorry, stop, drop and roll won’t work,” he said as he stepped over her and walked through the store. As he doubled back to the front, a mob of people was trying to force the doors open he’d previously sealed. This would be all too easy as he fired at the crowd. His hands were like cannons shooting flaming balls of death. The mob burst into flames as the screams intensified. Before long the cries no longer sounded human. They were animalistic howls from the depths of Hell.

Zachary liked that thought. He himself was no longer human, but something from the pit of hell. Through his life, he’d always been an outcast. Even as a child, he was the oddball, the weirdo. Kids often mocked and harassed him. He had been a late bloomer, always short and scrawny until his senior year of high school. Suddenly he was huge. Sure, then the high school football coach had wanted him to play for them. He told the guy no way. In previous years, the coach, who also taught health class had joined in on his humiliation. Not only did he join it, but he encouraged it.

Back then, Zachary had been weak and powerless. Even as an adult, he’d scraped through life, barely existing. Those days were long gone. He was the most powerful being in Dark Rock. Everyone who had wronged him would die. Those who had stood by and watched would die. Those cunt witches who dared challenge him would die. Nothing could stop him.

Each fireball he shot from his hands almost felt euphoric. If there was such a thing as being drunk with power, he was absolutely wasted. One by one the people fell to the ground. The entire store reeked of burning flesh. The place was like a barbeque from Hell. He made a few more walkthroughs of the store. Occasionally he found someone hiding, but he torched them on sight. Once he was sure he’d killed everyone as painfully as possible, he blasted his way through the front doors and headed onto the street and into the evening. This would be a good night to introduce himself to the rest of the town.

Chapter 16

Merle sat on his knees at his bedside praying for over an hour. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he pressed his folded hands against his lips. This is a ritual he’d repeated more times than he could count. It was pretty much every time he’d have sex with a man. It would feel so good at the time, so alive and freeing. But once he had his release, the guilt would hit.

It was like a freight train of emotions running him over. Several years ago he had even attempted suicide; the shame had been so unbearable. He’d swallowed a bottle of Gladys’ sleeping pills. She happened to find him passed out in the bathroom and called 911. Thankfully it had been kept quiet. That would ruin him for sure. That was the peril of being a preacher. Morality was a huge thing. The slightest slip up would result in scandal. He’d seen it happen to numerous preachers over the years. Many had been friends of his.

So far, he’d been fortunate to keep his faults under wraps, but no telling how long he could keep that up. The suicide attempt might even be forgivable. Not his sins of homosexuality though. There was no coming back from that for any minister. He’d often wondered what was wrong with him. Merle had undergone counselling. He’d tried different medications. Nothing worked. God was punishing him with this curse for some reason. Maybe Satan had made a bet with him, like in the story of Job.

Whatever it was, he wanted it gone. Needed it gone. Maybe those witches knew some magical spell that would heal him. The mere thought of talking to those women terrified him. The bible was clear on resorting to witchcraft. But he’d never known a preacher run out of town for dabbling in the occult. No sir. Having gay sex? That was the fastest way to being blackballed by your entire community.

He stood and walked back out to the living room where Gladys was passed out in front of the TV. Kneeling down next to her, he slid her feet onto the couch, removed her shoes, and put a blanket over her. Once she was tucked in, he headed out to his car and toward Regina’s house. Upon his arrival, the house was dark.

“Dammit!” he said to himself. The one time he wished they’d be there and they weren’t. This whole idea was insane, but he couldn’t keep on this path. Eventually he’d be found out. With each rendezvous he had, he knew he was one step closer to being found out. What if Kyle got angry and decided to blab? No, at this point no measure was too much. Whatever he could do to make himself stop, even if it was making a deal with the devil, God would understand. He demands obedience. The Lord would be pleased he was putting forth such an effort to purge his life of this abomination.

He sat outside the house for a few minutes, but became impatient. After twenty minutes, he turned off the car and walked to the house. Using his Leatherman, he picked the lock once again and headed inside. It looked much cleaner since he’d last seen it. All the boxes were unpacked and things were set up and put away.

Going through the house, he wasn’t even sure why he was in there. He walked up the stairs and found the room where he knocked over their little altar thingy last time. It had been set back up with the large pentagram on the center of the floor with candles all around it. There were book shelves along the walls.

He walked over and scanned the books. Many of them looked extremely old. Some of them were in other languages, most were in English. He pulled one down and flipped through it. The book was heavy and leather bound. Merle’s grandmother used to collect old books. This one was probably worth a ton. Looking through it, it was some kind of spell book. There spells there on fertility, protection, harvests, and even love spells.

Merle replaced the book and took out another. He flipped through several books before he found one. This one was a spell on removing curses. That was it. There were several different ones. Apparently the type of spell varied on the power of the curse. The one toward the back had the word CAUTION written just above it. But there was no other information. That had to be the one.

He read through it. The top listed things he would need. He grabbed one of the candles and lit it. Once that was complete, he removed his shirt and stood in the center of the pentagram with the candle burning at his feet. As he read, he removed his Leatherman and unfolded a knife blade. He made a long cut along his forearm. It was deep enough to draw blood, but not deep enough to do any real damage. He cringed as the pain of the cut intensified. Once that was done, he dropped the knife and began reading the spell out loud.

It was long and some of the words were in another language, so he did the best pronunciation he could. As he read, holding the book with one hand, he held his other arm down, letting the blood drip into the candle. The flame sizzled with each drop. He continued reading out loud until he got to the last part. At that section it was a chant. It said to repeat it over and over until the spirits revealed themselves to lift the curse.

Merle did as it instructed. As he red, the candle began to flicker. The flame grew from a small candle flame into a longer blaze. Soon it overtook the candle, rising higher and higher, yet was giving off very little actual heat. The flame was burning at his waist level when red smoke began to rise. The smoke smelled like sulfur burning his nostrils. He coughed as his eyes watered while the smoke filled the room.

He dropped to his knees as the cough got worse. The smoke swirled around until it began to take shape. The form resembled some kind of beast. It was a large beast that filled up the room and stood before him. Merle cowered at the site of the hideous thing. It looked like a giant, but hairless ape. Its head touched the ceiling, but it was bent at the shoulders. Its skin was loose and saggy, hanging off its body as the things eyes burned red hot.

“Why have you awakened me?” the thing said in a deep, guttural voice. The floor shook as the creature spoke.

“I—I didn’t mean to awake anyone. I was trying to lift my curse.”

“Curse? You are not cursed you fool!”

“What? I...what are you?” Merle’s mind was racing as the thing glared at him with a type of hate he never knew existed. Deep down, he didn’t actually think anything would happen. If it did, he didn’t expect he’d have summoned a demon. He scooted himself backward as the thing shuffled toward him.

“I am the Devil, and you are a cockroach!” the thing yelled. The sound sent a shiver through Merle’s whole body. He decided he had either lost his mind or he was in some real trouble. Fighting his urge to freeze out of fear, he turned and lunged at the window behind him. The fall could kill him if he landed wrong, or at worst, mess him up real badly.

He crashed through the glass but landed on the roof just beneath it, rolled to the end and toppled off, landing face first in the grass. The fall knocked the wind out of him, but he couldn’t let it slow him down. He climbed to his feet and ran to his car. Just above, he heard a roar followed by a crash as the thing busted out of the house, through the wall and jumped to the ground landing on its feet. Merle sprinted to his car, climbed in and started the engine. As he peeled away, the creature was getting smaller in his rearview mirror. He was so happy to get away alive, he didn’t give much thought to what he had just unleashed.

Chapter 17

Regina sat in the truck as they headed back to the house. She was trying to process all the things she’d seen so far tonight. It was a lot to take in. Ever since she met Angela her sophomore year of college, she’d known there was more to the world than things she could see or touch, but had never experienced it firsthand. At least not at this magnitude.

Angela had owned a local new age book store. Well, bookstore was a strong word. She had books there. There were also candles, herbs, and other things used in the craft. Regina had stumbled in there one day with a group of friends just out of curiosity. In Regina’s upbringing, such places were considered dens of Satan.

However, she had been taken by Angela immediately. She was very kind and soft spoken. The way she answered her questions and offered encouragement was something Regina had never experienced. She was like a mom and big sister at the same time. Regina’s friends hadn’t been impressed, but Regina came by several times to hang out with Angela. Angela had taken her under her wing.

Regina learned all about spells and the ethics of being a witch. She learned the difference between being a witch, and Wicca. Though many mistake the two, a Wiccan is simply someone who believes in or follows deities. Witches practice spells, potions, rituals and so forth, but one does not have to follow or worship any deity to become a witch. That said it is possible to be a witch and a Wiccan, although Angela was simply a practicing witch.

So she taught Regina as much as Regina could handle. It became an obsession with her. For the first time in her life, she felt she belonged somewhere and had met someone who finally got her. Most of the spells she had done were fairly simple. She had seen results, though nothing was earth shattering. A skeptic could argue that it wasn’t even magic. That was before tonight.

They were a few blocks from the house when a set of headlights came at them, on the wrong side of the road. Angela swerved as the car clipped the side of the truck causing them both to fishtail. The truck spun out as it screeched to a halt. Regina and Summer bounced around inside the cab of the truck as it came to a stop. Regina climbed out to see Reverend Bannerman’s Cadillac on the other side of the street as he frantically tried to start it.

Regina ran over and kicked the driver’s door. The kick startled him, causing him to jump and drop his keys. The horror on his face wasn’t from her kicking the door.

“Are you out of your goddamn mind?” she screamed. “You almost killed us!”

“I’m sorry!” he said climbing out of the car. For some reason, he had no shirt on and his left arm was bleeding. His face was covered in cuts as well.

“I was at your house, looking for you all. I need your help. I did something bad. Really bad,” he said.

“What? Need our help? You almost had us fucking burned alive you self-righteous asshole. Why would we help you?” Regina said. Before he could reply, there was a roar just down the street. It didn’t sound like any human or animal any of them had heard before.

“That’s why,” Merle said.

“Great, get in,” Angela said. “You hop in back preacher. Let’s get away from here.”

The thing roared again, this time even louder. It was the worst thing Regina had ever heard. She hurried to the truck and climbed in as Angela turned it around and sped away.

“Where are we going?” Summer asked.

“Hell if I know. Can’t go back home thanks to John Hagee Jr. back there.” Regina reached back and slid the back window open as Merle leaned in.

“What the hell did you do?” she asked.

“I—I needed your help. I have something wrong with me.”

“That’s no shit,” Summer said. Angela flicked the side of her head as she spoke.

“Help with what? Finding some reason to have us burned?”

“Look! I’m sorry about that. Ok? I was just trying to rile people up a bit. Scare them into coming in on Sundays. I didn’t think they’d run out and start a lynch mob.”

“What do you think people do to witches when they’re scared, Reverend?” Angela asked.

“Yeah, I know.”

“So what is wrong? We’re here now. Tell me everything.”

He hesitated as he’d rarely spoken about his attraction to men with anyone. Finally he opened up and told them everything. He explained his lust for men, the problems with his wife and how she humiliates him and his fear of being run out of the church and out of town. Admitting to them he’d broken into their home and tried one of their spells had been the hard part.

“I fucking knew you broke into our house. You’re a sick fucking creeper. At least I know you weren’t trying to rape us,” Summer yelled.

“I know. I deserve that. I’m sorry. I just...I don’t know what else to do to stop this.”

“You could stop living a lie for one,” Regina said. “I mean. There’s nothing wrong with being gay. It’s who you are.”

“No,” he shook his head. “It’s a sin. It’s an abomination.”

“Well keep thinking that. It’s worked so well for you so far.”

“Which spell did you use? From which book? Do you remember?” Angela asked.

“It was one to remove curses, in one of the big leather books. The spell said CAUTION at the top in big letters,” he said.

“Great. You summoned a sentinel.”

“A what?”

“A sentinel. That spell is to remove curses, but annihilating an entire population who is cursing or persecuting you. Often the person who does the summoning is destroyed too. The sentinels do not discriminate. They exist for one reason and one reason only; to kill.”

“Oh God. What have I done? Can you stop it?”

“Maybe you should do an exorcism,” Summer chided.

“I don’t know. I’ve never actually seen one before. To be honest, last time I know of one being summoned was in the 1600’s.”

“Really? How’d they get rid of it?”

“They didn’t. It killed everyone in the village and went back to its realm.”

“Oh God,” Merle said, this time he started crying. Regina rolled her eyes at him. It was odd how this man who, growing up, seemed to her all holy, godly, and powerful was now a crying and blubbering mess.

“Pull yourself together,” Angela said. As they drove on, there was an explosion just to the west. Looking that direction, a large ball of fire lit up the night sky.

“That’s where the grocery store is,” Merle said. “What the hell? Is that the sentinel you think?”

“No. That’s Zachary. Sort of another problem,” Angela said. “This is going to be a long night.”

Chapter 18

Barry had just gotten settled in when the call went out. There was a fire at the grocery store with several subjects still inside. He normally didn’t respond to fire calls, but the dispatcher called him at home personally and told him he needed to get down there. Once he did, he immediately wished he hadn’t.

The entire building was burned to the ground. There had been an explosion earlier. He saw and heard it on his way in. Since then, it had almost burned itself out. As the firefighters put out the remaining flames, several of them began to make their way through the rubble. Immediately Barry saw how bad it was. The building was a total loss that was for sure. But once inside, there were human remains everywhere.

Numerous bones and bodies were piled up near the exit as if they had all been trapped. Their mouths agape in permanent screams. Throughout the store’s remains, bodies lie everywhere. One looked like the burnt skeleton of a mother holding an infant. There were dozens of children’s bodies strewn about among the adults. Barry couldn’t take much more. Even in his years in the city he’d never seen anything like this. As he made his way out of the rubble, the fire inspector approached him.

“What’ve you got for me, Ed?” Barry asked Ed Clayton, the town’s fire inspector.

“I want to say arson. But I can’t figure out a cause. Like, there is no accelerant, nothing here that would have started a fire. But there is no single flash point where the fire would have begun. Like it’s all over.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you look over some of the bodies, the ones that are more intact, it’s like they were each individually ignited.”

“Jesus Christ. Is that even possible?”

“Apparently so.”

“What the hell?” Barry said, as he looked around at the light posts in the parking lot. Several had cameras mounted.

“Do those feed anywhere?” Barry asked, pointing to a camera.

“I’m sure they do.”

“Find out where and get it to me. I’m sure they picked up something.” Barry walked back to his car and sat in it before driving away. He wasn’t sure what was going on in his little town. First there were these bizarre murders. Now this. He had no idea what the death toll at the grocery store would be. It was going to be at least a hundred, maybe more. It was mostly women and children. He was positive he knew most of those folks. He took out his cell phone and called dispatch.

“Iris, hey it’s Barry. Can you do me a favor and call the Texas Rangers? Tell them we need someone ASAP. This is way out of our league here.”

“Oh my God. Is it that bad?” she asked.

“It looks like arson, but it’s bizarre. There are at least one hundred dead. I think it might be related to the other murders we had.”

“Why do you think that?”

“I’m not sure. Something feels off about both of them.”

“You think it’s those wicked witches?”

“I doubt it. They’re locked up at the station. I’m headed back that way now. Please call them for me? I’ll keep you posted,” he said as he hung up. Once he put the phone away, he drove back to the station. It would be a good time to talk to those girls, see if they have any idea what might be going on. Maybe they conjured something evil. The thought itself sounded ridiculous but at this point he couldn’t rule anything out.

Once he walked into the office, he heard someone calling out from the holding cell.

“Chief! Hey Chief! Can you let me out?” the man said. Barry stopped and looked. It was Billy Cortez locked in the cell.

“Billy?” he asked as he walked to the cell door. “What in the hell are you doing in there?”

“Them witches locked me in here,” he said.

“What? How? How’d they get out?”

“I sorta let ‘em out.”

“Why the hell did you let them out? They’re murder suspects.”

“Well. They told me to,” Billy said.

“Who gives a shit what they told you? They’re prisoners.”

“I dunno. It’s hard to explain. Like, I couldn’t refuse for some reason.”

“Jesus Christ.”

Barry unlocked the door, letting Billy out.

“Any idea where they went at least?” Barry asked.

“No, but I’m pretty sure they took my truck.”

Barry sat down and put his face in his hands. This small town police chief gig was supposed to be a cushy, post-retirement job. Now it had become one of the most horrific cases he’d ever seen.

Chapter 19

Luke Hills put on his security guard uniform in preparation for his evening shift. He’d been working night security at the warehouse for over a year now. It was one of the easier gigs he’d ever landed. The pay wasn’t great, but all he had to do was putter around on a golf cart at night and watch DVDs. That is provided he could stay awake.

Once the uniform was on, he pulled on his boots and laced them up. A strange noise came from outside grabbing his attention. It sounded like a roar of some kind. Was that a bear? Were there even bears in this part of the state? He sat and listened, but there was nothing. Maybe it had been his imagination. Luke finished getting his boots on and grabbed his backpack.

As he was headed for the door, he heard it again. This time it was much louder and came from the back yard. His home was a duplex that shared a yard with his neighbor, Mrs. Jackson, lived there. She’d moved in when her husband died a few months ago. They never spoke much, but she occasionally was out walking her little dog in the back yard.

Luke walked toward the back of the apartment and looked into the yard, but there was nothing. He turned back to the door, but this time heard a growl. It was low and guttural, as if it were preparing an attack. Whatever “it” was, it didn’t sound like a dog, or a bear. Not that he’d ever actually been around a bear to hear what it sounds like.

Since he didn’t have a gun, he grabbed his D cell flashlight and slid the door open. Walking into the yard, he held the flashlight out to his side, ready to bash in anyone’s head that jumped him. Times like this he wished he’d become a real cop. That wasn’t for a lack of trying. He’d applied to every department between Austin and Dallas, but never got hired anywhere. Each time because he couldn’t pass the written exam. Test taking had never been his strong suit and because of it, he was stuck in a life of checking doors in the wee hours of the morning.

Just as he came around the corner, he jumped at the sound of glass shattering. He looked next door and saw Mrs. Jackson’s glass door had been completely shattered.

“Shit!” he whispered to himself. “Shit! Shit! Shit!” This was a real break in! He thought he should call the police. But if he were to catch a burglar himself, they’d give him a job on the police department for sure. Holding the flashlight up by his head, ready to bash anyone that came along, he stepped over the broken class into her home.

The shards of glass crunched beneath his feet as he made his way through the kitchen as quietly as possible. He heard the roar again from the bedroom. This time it was followed by a scream and then it was abruptly silenced. The little dog was barking at who or whatever it was. The roar sounded again. This time the dog came running out of the bedroom toward Luke.

Before he got to him, a huge hand reached down and grabbed it, picking the dog up who was now yelping for its life. The hand squeezed and the little dog burst open in its hand. It tossed the dog’s carcass aside before stepping into the living room. Luke turned on the flashlight to see just what he was facing.

Shining the light straight ahead, he saw a thick, brown chest. It was hairless but had leathery loose skin. He raised the light up further and saw this enormous beast with an elongated skull with huge jaws that protruded and filled with razor sharp teeth. Its eyes glowed red hot as it approached him.

“What the fuck?” Luke said. “Umm, I’m the police! Get on the ground!” he called out, but it ignored him as it inched closer. “Uh. Down boy! Sit!” Fuck. The thing was still a good ten feet from him. Luke had no idea what the hell it was. Maybe it was Bigfoot, or the devil himself. Whatever it was, he wanted away from it immediately.

Dropping the flashlight, he turned and ran for the backdoor with what he thought was great speed. But before he reached it, a huge hand struck his shoulder, knocking him to the ground. He rolled to his back to see the thing standing over him. As big as it looked before, it looked even larger from lying on his back. The thing reached down and pulled him up by his jacket, off his feet.

It held him inches from its face. He tried not to look as its acrid breath filled his nostrils, making his eyes water. The fiery red eyes were actually giving off heat as the thing let out one more roar. This one almost deafened him as he tried to pull away. The thing took its other hand and wrapped it around its head. The things large paws could hold his head as if it were a pitcher gripping a baseball.

The thing began to squeeze. The pain was intense, unlike anything Luke had experienced before. This beat any migraine he’d ever had in his life. It continued to squeeze as he felt the bones in his skull beginning to give, and then to crack. His right eye began to throb and swell as the squeezing intensified until it popped completely out of his head. He screamed as the pain intensified. Right before his head caved in, his final thought had been wishing that he’d just gotten in his car and left for work. With a final pop, his skull gave way and his head imploded, turning his bones and brains to mush.

Chapter 20

"There’s something I need to tell you guys,” Angela said. “There are a few things about me you don’t know.”

They were at the church in Merle’s office. Angela had parked the stolen truck in the church’s garage in the back of the building.

“How can you guys be in here?” Merle asked. “Isn’t this like holy ground or something?”

“Seriously?” Summer asked as she rolled her eyes.

“Well, you’re witches,” he said as he went to a closet, and put on a clean shirt and suit jacket.

“We’re here because no one would think to look for us here,” Angela said. “Zachary is the one doing the human sacrifices. He reached out to the dark spirits and they have given him the ability to create and manipulate fire. We all saw it first-hand. Then you, genius, went and summoned a sentinel.”

“That was an accident. I was trying to lift this curse!” Merle said.

“You’re not cursed you fucking tool!” Summer said. “You’re gay. Lots of men are gay. Lots of women are gay. It’s not a big deal. God you Bible freaks make shit so hard on yourselves.”

“Well, I disagree with you there,” Merle said.

“You want our help or not? That thing you summoned is going to be looking for you and it will destroy anyone and everything in its path until it finds you. So let me tell you what I need to say,” Angela said.

Everyone gathered around listening intently. Angela felt like she was sitting around a campfire telling ghost stories.

“I know I look like I’m thirty years old, and that’s what I’ve told you girls. I’m not. I’m almost two hundred years old.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Merle said.

“Are you kidding?” Regina asked.

“No. I’m not kidding. Hear me out. I was born in Houston in 1845. We came here when I was little, maybe five or six. My parents were killed in a fire so one of the women in town helped raise me, Mrs. Cooper. She was a witch. The first witch I had ever met. So as I grew up, she taught me everything.”

“How do you not age? Are you like a vampire too?” Merle asked.

Angela ignored him as she continued.

“When I was seventeen, I was attacked by a group of local men. They had gotten drunk and I was walking back from the market. They grabbed me and dragged me behind the bar and were going to rape me. They beat me badly. I fought back as hard as I could but was no match for these guys. At some point I lost consciousness. Once I was out, they all took their turns on me. Mrs. Cooper had found me and put me on a carriage, taking me to a man she knew. This man was a healer. Truth was, I wasn’t knocked out. I was dead. The men had hit me with rocks repeatedly; until my head was cracked open.”

“Jesus Christ,” Summer said.

“Were you in Hell then?” Merle asked.

“No. I was nowhere. To be honest, I don’t remember anything. I just remember waking up in this cave with the healer. He’d revived me and healed my injuries, but it came at a cost. Mrs. Cooper had to give up her life so that I could live. He removed her heart, and put it here.” She pulled the top of her dress apart just enough to reveal the heart shaped tattoo.”

“How’d he tattoo it on?”  Regina asked.

“I don’t know what he did. He said he’d removed her heart and through a spell gave it to me and it was like this. Part of the spell, is I can’t die or age. The heart also has a special connection with the spirits. When you’ve seen it glowing is when it’s reaching out and drawing their power.”

“Why’d you never tell us this before?” Regina asked.

“Because it’s not something I broadcast. Just by the looks on all your faces now I can see it’s a lot to take in. Here’s the thing though. This type of magic he used is blood magic. So for the rest of my life, I have been walking a balance between what we call white magic and black magic. Which usually don’t go together at all, but I’ve managed to not let it corrupt me.”

“That is amazing,” Regina said. “So what does it all mean? I mean, you’ve only taught us white magic.”

“Right. But we might need to use both to take out both of these things. Sentinels are no joke. They are big, vicious, and nasty creatures. They are made for one thing and one thing only and that is destruction.”

“Could we use them against each other?” Regina asked.

“How do you mean?”

“I mean, Zachary and his fire throwing, and then this sentinel. Maybe we could get the Sentinel to kill Zachary or have Zachary burn up the sentinel.”

“That’s an idea. Not sure how we’d get them both together. My money would be on the sentinel though. But then we’d have to get rid of that thing,” Angela explained. “Not sure how we’d do that.”

“Can you kill a sentinel?”

“I’m not sure. I’ve never come across one. I don’t know anyone who has and lived.”

“How about we just give it the preacher?” Summer asked.

“What?” Merle said.

“You said he summoned the thing, and it wants him. Will it go away if it gets him?”

“It might, but—“

“Well then I say hand the fucker over to it. He was gonna watch us burn.”

“Hey now! That wasn’t me! I never told them to do that!” Merle said.

“We’re not handing Merle over to the sentinel. Merle’s an asshole, but we aren’t, as much as I’d like to see that thing rip his head off. We don’t just hand people over to be killed out fear or convenience,” Angela said.

“Wow, there’s a concept,” Regina agreed.

Merle sank down in his chair. It was almost funny how this man who stood so tall and purported to be a man of God; this man who would pound on his chest taking the moral high ground in anything and everything was sitting there with a group of witches looking pathetic and defeated. Now he constantly looked like he was about to cry.

“I have an idea though. Merle, you’ll be in some danger, but we’ll do everything we can to minimize it. I think it will work,” Angela said.

“You think?” he said.

“Unless you can do some exorcism to banish the sentinel and cast the demons out of Zachary I’d like to know what you propose?”

“Ok, I’m listening,” he said.

Angela began to explain her plan. By the time she was done, he was crying.

Chapter 21

Barry entered Billy’s stolen truck into the national database, hoping it would turn up somewhere. He also sent some units to the Tyler house, but it wasn’t likely they went back there. As he contemplated his next move, his phone went off. It was an email with a video attached. He opened the video and watched as on it he could clearly see a local young man walk into the store. After several minutes the video jumps as you see him coming out with the building ablaze behind him.

In the body of the email the officer had written: “I recognize that kid. It’s Zachary Nolan. His parents both passed away a few years ago. They live down the street from my place.”

“Son of a bitch. Why the hell would he do that?” Barry asked himself. He closed the email and called the dispatcher, issuing an all-points bulletin on Zachary Nolan. He opened his desk and took out a bottle of Pepto-Bismol and chugged it straight from the bottle. Stress tied his stomach into knots and this whole mess was doing a number. His wife wanted him to go to the doctor, but he hated doctors. So he used whatever over the counter remedies he could find to soothe it.

Moments later his radio went off about a fire at City Hall, just a few blocks away. He ran to his car and raced to City Hall. He arrived moments before the fire trucks did. As he pulled up, there was Zachary standing in front of the building. If Barry hadn’t seen it himself, he wouldn’t believe what he was looking at.

Zachary was standing in the road watching City Hall burn while holding out this hand and shooting balls of fire into the courthouse next door. The kid was literally shooting fire balls from his hands. Barry tried to see if he was holding on to something, a blowtorch or flamethrower, but there was nothing visible. Just his hands.

Barry got out of the car and drew his gun, pointing it at Zachary.

“Put your hands up Zachary! Don’t make me shoot!” Barry called out.

Zachary stopped firing and paused, listening to Barry’s commands. He spun around and shot fire balls in Barry’s direction. Barry managed to dive out of the way, but the fire balls struck his squad car head on. The car burst into flames with a whoosh! As Barry rolled away. Zachary had resumed shooting fire the way an old man would go back to watering the flowers after chasing off the neighbor’s cat.

Barry stood, feeling the heat from the squad car. He looked at the car, watching the flames engulf the vehicle. He jumped when there was a popping sound, and then another. Shit. He had a department issued AR-15 in the car with an extra box of ammo. The heat was causing the rounds to go off.

He turned to run away from the vehicle. When he was about ten feet away a round struck him in the back, knocking him to the ground. Barry thought for sure he was about to die. The breath went out of him as the bullet struck with the force of a sledge hammer to the middle of his back. He lay there and finally reached and felt where the bullet struck him. His vest had stopped the round from penetrating his body. Though he was sure he’d broken a rib.

It actually shocked him he wasn’t hurt more. Last he knew a bullet proof vest couldn’t stop a round from an AR-15. Due to the way the round went off, it could have slowed it down, though it didn’t feel like it. Looking toward Zachary, the courthouse was now ablaze and he’d started on the bakery. When one of the fire trucks tried to get close enough to fight the fires, Zachary unloaded a barrage of fire into the truck. Barry watched helplessly as the engine rolled to a stop, consumed by flames.

A couple of the firefighters ran out of the vehicle, also covered in flames. Neither of them got far before they collapsed. Barry went to a knee and pointed this gun at Zachary. He was further away than he cared to be for the shot, but had to try. Squeezing the trigger he fired, but the shot sailed over Zachary’s head. The young man turned around, rage burning in his eyes as he walked toward Barry, shooting fire once again from his hands.

Barry dove once again, but this time he was too slow. A ball of fire caught him on the leg. In seconds, his legs were engulfed in flames. He rolled around, trying to put it out as it swept up his body. The fire licked his skin as it went through his clothes and moved up to his torso. He swatted at the flames, but nothing would extinguish them.

As the flames burned through his clothing and onto his skin, his movements became more frantic. Barry thrashed about, rolled and screamed trying to get the fire off him or stop the pain but it was no use. Soon it moved into his face and hair. The heat felt as if his skin were being torn off with thousands of needles as his flesh popped. His tongue was dry and hot as he felt it shriveling up in his mouth. As he tried to scream, no sound came out while his eyeballs popped. Surrounded by darkness, all he felt was pain as his skin melted away until Barry Harmon was no more.

Chapter 22

Angela drove the women downtown, toward the fires. Regina kept an eye on Merle in the back of the pickup. He hadn’t been too keen on their plan, but Angela didn’t leave him much choice. From the church, it looked as if all of downtown was on fire. As they got closer, it indeed was.

There were police cars and fire trucks scattered along the road, all of which were engulfed in flames. There were charred human remains along the road as well. Buildings were ablaze as people tried to run for their cars, only to be lit on fire by Zachary who was standing at the end of the road.

Angela stopped the truck as everyone climbed out.

“Should I stay here?” Merle asked.

“Nope. Come on Rev. This is your party,” Angela said as he climbed out. They walked toward Zachary who saw them and began laughing.

“Glad you came back!” he said. “This was starting to get boring. You even brought a preacher with you. You guys must be desperate.”

Angela didn’t reply. There was no point in arguing with him. She signaled to Summer and Regina to come alongside her. Merle stood behind them as they joined hands and began to chant the spell Angela had given them earlier. Regina yelled it out as loud as she could; speaking quickly hoping it would work. After saying the spell, lightning shot down once again from the sky. Unlike earlier, several lightning bolts hit at once, this time it struck Zachary, knocking him flat on his back.

He stood after a second. This time his clothes were ragged as burns covered part of his body.

“You fucking cunts!” he yelled.

Regina felt her stomach tighten. She had fully expected that lightening blast to kill him. She looked at Angela who was stepping backwards as all three of them continued holding hands. Zachary hurled several fireballs in their direction. Angela used her magic to catch them and hurl them back at Zachary. This time, Zachary held out his hand and they absorbed back into his body.

Rearing his arm back as if he were reloading, he fired again. This time with both hands, on rapid fire as if firing a machine gun. The girls all dove in different directions as the fireballs exploded around them. Merle had run and hid behind the truck as the bombardment continued. Summer ran toward the truck as Angela had been hit head on and knocked down. Regina’s knee cracked on the pavement as she went down.

She tried to crawl toward the truck, but never saw the next fireball that hit her square in the back. Instantly she was covered in flames. Regina cried out as Angela ran toward her. Angela’s dress had burned completely off her. Regina tried to roll and slap the flames out to no avail. She watched her flesh burning away from her hands and body as she screamed in horror. Looking up at Angela who stood by helplessly as one more wave of pain went over her body before everything went black.

***

Angela knelt down over Regina’s charred body as the fire burned away. Looking up at Zachary, he had become distracted by the loud roar that occurred from behind him. The sentinel had found its way to town and was about to engage Zachary in an epic battle.

A tear ran down her face as she held Regina’s head in her lap. Black and empty eyes looked up at her. Summer came from behind the truck and knelt down.

“Oh my God,” Summer said. “No!” she cried.

Angela knew what she had to do. Ever since she’d met Regina, the girl had been special. It was obvious to her from the moment she’d first walked in to Angela’s store. The basic spells and such she had taught her; Regina was a natural at picking them up. She was a natural because some were born with the gift of magic. Angela had been, but not like Regina. She’s known thousands of witches in her life, some had been naturals and others all taught. But Regina had far more potential than anyone she’d ever met.

In the time they’d been together, Angela was careful not to teach her too much too soon. With her ability, it could be hard to control. So for now, she hadn’t told her who or what she was. Now she wished she had, and she would. Angela placed the palm of her hand over the tattoo on her chest and placed the other over Regina’s charred rib cage.

Closing her eyes, Angela repeated a chant she’d heard used many years ago. This spell was one of the oldest in the world, and one of the most dangerous if not used properly. Once she repeated the spell, she felt her chest warm up where the heart tattoo began to throb. It burned hotter and hotter as the burning went into her shoulder, down her arm and into her other hand.

After a moment, Regina’s chest began to pulsate. Angela took her hand away to see the heart tattoo was now on Regina’s rib cage. It was also no longer on Angela’s body. In an instant, Regina’s body and limbs began to fill with blood and tissue as her cells regenerated. Summer’s eyes widened as she looked to Angela and back to Regina.

“What’s happening? What did you do?” she asked.

“I’m saving her,” Angela said.

Muscle tissue reformed around Regina’s bones as organs and fluids began to fill her body. The last thing, skin began to form, starting at her toes and working evenly and steadily up to her waist, her chest and face. Finally her hair grew out to shoulder length. Her eyes flickered open as she sat up.

“What happened?” Regina said.

“Oh my God! It worked!” Summer squealed as she hugged Regina who was looking at herself.

Angela smiled and watched, as Regina looked at her.

“Was I dead?” Regina asked.

“Yes you were. But never again,” Angela said.

Regina’s eyes went down to Angela’s chest. Her eyes registered when she saw Angela’s tattoo was gone. Looking down at her own chest, she saw the large anatomical heart tattoo glowing bright red.

“It was always yours,” Angela said. “I was just keeping it for you until you were ready. Now you’re ready. You’ve always been the strong one,” she said before everything went black as she collapsed. Dead.

Chapter 23

“Angela? Angela? Wake up!” Regina cried. “What happened?” She looked at Summer whose eyes were filled with tears. Regina was cradling Angela’s head while shaking her. “What just happened?”

“She gave her life for you.”

“Why? Why would she do that?”

“You were dead, Regina. Your body was burned to a crisp. It was awful. She saved you.”

“I don’t understand. I thought she couldn’t die,” Regina said. Her mind was fuzzy from having been deceased, even for just a few moments. Her brain had literally been fried. All she remembered was the pain getting so intense and then passing out. But she hadn’t passed out, she’d died. Waking up and watching Angela dying was plenty confusing, though it took her a few minutes just to figure out where she was.

“She gave you her heart,” Summer said pointing at the heart tattoo between Regina’s breasts. Behind Summer, Merle was peering out from behind the truck. She stood and realized she was naked. Walking over to Merle, he turned away from her as she approached.

“You’re naked,” he said.

“You’re gay and I’m a girl. Get over it. What are you doing?” she asked as he began to kneel down.

“I’m praying for the Lord to deliver me from this nightmare. And asking forgiveness for dabbling in the occult. I saw what happened. You were a piece of charcoal. And she brought you back to life like that. That’s not of God! That’s the dev—“ he stopped as she slapped him across the face.

“Shut up already! We still have work to do. You can either stay here or go run off, but the way this is going you won’t have anywhere to run to.”

“I’m sorry. I...”

“Just go. The sentinel is here. I’ll face him. You’ll just be in the way. But give me your jacket.”

“My what?”

“Your jacket that you’re wearing from your suit. I’m going to cover Angela’s body with it.”

“This is a six hundred dollar jacket!”

“Merle!”

He jumped when she shouted his name, took a step back and stripped the jacket off and handed it to her.

Merle climbed into the pickup and backed away, turned around and drove off.  Regina turned and watched as Zachary repeatedly fired fireballs at the sentinel who just batted them away like they were nothing. Each time, the fire ball would fly into another building or vehicle. Zachary was backpedalling becoming visibly shaken as nothing he fired at the sentinel would work.

The large creature crept toward Zachary. The thing appeared to be toying with him. There was nothing stopping him from charging Zachary and ripping him in half. It almost seemed to be laughing at him each time Zachary tried some new attack.

“What are you gonna do?” Summer asked.

“I’m going to see what happens. Maybe they’ll destroy each other.”

“It doesn’t look like it. Looks like the sentinel can’t be hurt.”

“Yeah, that’s what I was afraid of,” Regina said.

The sentinel must have gotten bored as it charged Zachary who turned and began running finally. They were almost a hundred feet from the girls when Zachary tripped and fell. The sentinel picked him up as if he were a rag doll. Zachary kicked and flailed but the beast ripped one of his arms off and flung it aside. Blood sprayed out of the opening as Zachary screamed.

The creature tore his other arm off and waved it around as Zachary continued to scream and kick. The sentinel threw him to the ground and Zachary fell flat on his face. He looked up at the girls, pleading for help with his eyes. Regina wasn’t about to help that asshole. She watched as the sentinel walked up behind him and stomped on his head, busting Zachary’s skull open like a melon. Blood and brains spilled onto the road.

The sentinel stood over the body and knelt down. With its large hands, it scooped up a handful of brains and stuffed it into its mouth. Regina looked on with shock and horror as she watched the large thing eat Zachary’s brains as if he were eating a bowl of ice cream.  Once he finished, he stood, looked at the girls and let out a roar and began moving toward them.

“Regina, it’s coming this way,” Summer said.

“I know.”

“What do we do?”

“I’m not sure,” Regina said. The tattoo on her chest began to feel warm and pulsate. She looked down and saw that it was glowing red.

“What does that mean?” Summer asked. “Angela used to do that too.”

“I know. I don’t know what it is. I’m not doing anything; it’s just doing it.”

“That thing is getting closer,” Summer said.

“I know. May as well just go after it.”

“What?”

“Stay here,” Regina ordered.

Without replying, Regina began walking toward the creature. Even though Regina was inexperienced herself, she knew Angela had just equipped her to fight this monster. Summer was in no way ready for such a thing. She was the youngest both by age and experience. Regina would have to face this thing herself. The tattoo heated up even warmer as she got closer. From behind she heard Summer calling to her.

“Regina! You’re naked!”

Regina was fully aware she had no clothes on, but somehow it seemed fitting. She had just been burned away and reborn in a matter of speaking. Not only that, but she was about to face off using magic against an ancient and supernatural creature. Somehow being naked in such a battle seemed appropriate. Before now, she had always been self-conscious of her body. She wasn’t shy, but wasn’t an exhibitionist either.

As it came closer, the beast was much larger than it appeared from a distance. It towered over Regina, but she tried to remain strong. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath. The heat from the tattoo intensified. She could feel it all the way through her chest and even on her real heart. As she opened her eyes, the creature was only a few feet in front of her, looking at her curiously. Looking away from the creature and down at her chest, the tattoo was now glowing white hot. She was ready.

Chapter 24

Merle pulled up to his house and ran inside. Gladys was passed out on the couch and snoring as he ran into the bedroom and grabbed a suitcase and stuffed it full of clothes as fast as he could. Gladys stirred from the other room calling out to him.

“Merle? Is that you?”

“Yeah. I’m packing a bag.”

“For what?”

He closed the suitcase and ran into the living room where Gladys was sitting on the couch with her house coat on.

“It’s not safe here. We have to leave town.”

“I don’t understand. What about the church? What’s not safe?”

“Will you shut up and get dressed! We are leaving! Now!” he screamed.

She jumped up and scurried into the bedroom. After a few minutes she came back wearing a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. Her hair was unkempt, sticking out in different directions. She didn’t seem to notice or care. He walked to the door and they headed to her Mercedes. He threw the case into the trunk and they drove off.

As he drove, he could see the fires in his rearview mirror.

“What’s burning?” Gladys asked.

“Everything.” He sped out of town toward the city limits. Gladys continued to talk asking all sorts of questions. He ignored her as he tried to think of exactly where they were going. Just before they reached the city limit sign, the car began to sputter and shake before stalling out in the middle of the road.

“What the hell?” he said, looking at the fuel gauge.

“Are we out of gas?”

“No. The tank is full. Shit.”

He got out of the car, ran to the trunk and grabbed the suitcase. His chest tightened as panic began to set in. The car dying had to be mechanical failure. It couldn’t be anything else. That couldn’t be possible. Though he’d summoned a freaking demon earlier, he hadn’t thought that possible. But that had to be it. That monster had to be the result of his earlier actions.

“Merle? What’s going on?” Gladys said from the car.

“I don’t know. Come on. We have to go.”

“Go where? You’re acting crazy. You just want me to walk?”

“Just come on!” he shouted. She was really getting on his nerves. Part of him wondered why he didn’t just leave her. Chances are she wasn’t in any actual danger herself. At least she was only in danger because she was with him. Part of him just didn’t want to be alone, even if it meant both of their deaths.

She slowly climbed out of the car and stumbled toward him. Before she could reach him, the ground began shaking beneath their feet. Merle stumbled backward as Gladys fell flat on her ass.

“Is that an earthquake? I didn’t know we got earthquakes!” Gladys asked.

“I don’t know. It feels like one.” He tried to prop himself up on the suitcase, but still fell over. As he pulled himself to his feet, the ground began to split open and separate. The paved road broke away like a piece of paper being ripped in two

The crack opened almost ten feet wide as Merle jumped out of the way just in time. Gladys wasn’t nearly as quick. In her half drunk, hung-over state, the fissure opened wide, swallowing her into the earth before she ever knew what was happening. Merle lunged for her but was too late. She screamed as she vanished into the chasm.

“Gladys!” Merle called out, but she was gone. He leaned over the edge to look but it seemed to go on forever. There was just a pit of blackness at the center of the opening. He sat back and looked around as something rumbled beneath the surface. This time a white hot flame burst out of the opening. He jumped back as the fire formed around him and began to take shape. Merle was shaking from head to toe. The last time something took shape, it was the smoke forming into the sentinel. This time the fire took the shape of a man, but remained in flames.

“Merle Bannerman,” the voice said. The flaming man towered over Merle who sat upright on the ground, terrified to move.

“Y-y-es?” Merle answered.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Um. I was afraid. I was leaving. I didn’t think it would be safe.”

“You’re right. It’s not safe as your poor wife just learned,” the thing said.

“Where is she? Is she dead?”

“Worse. She’s in Hell, where she’ll remain. Her suffering will now be our pleasure.”

“No! Please! She hasn’t hurt anyone. Let me take her place please? I deserve it.”

“Oh. Now the honorable one are we?”

“Please? You’re going to take me to Hell anyway aren’t you?”

“Perhaps. You owe us. You summoned us my taking the oath. You made a pact and sealed it in your own blood.”

“I didn’t mean to. I just didn’t want to like men anymore.”

“Your intent is irrelevant,” the thing said. Its voice was soft, yet firm. Merle found it incredibly frightening.

“Are you going to kill me?”

“You are going to help us. You could be of great use to us.”

“Why would I help you?”

“Because you have no choice and because you are weak,” the thing said as it stepped closer. It held out a flaming arm and grabbed Merle’s face. The heat was searing and unbearable. Merle screamed as the flames licked his face, pressing into his nose and eyes. After a minute the thing took its hand away. Merle put his hands to his face, which felt normal.

“You are not harmed. That is a taste of Hell; the endless heat and pain but no relief. No death and no sleep.”

“Please don’t take me to Hell,” Merle begged. The fact that he was even in this situation horrified him. All his years of struggling with lusting after men in a sexual way, he was sure that would be his ticket to Hell. Turns out in his efforts to not sin, he’d permanently punched his ticket.

“Like I said, you have no choice. If you refuse, that is what awaits you.”

“What do you want me to do?” Merle asked.

“Something you’re already good at.”

Chapter 25

The creature roared at Regina. From such a close distance, its breath reeked of death and rot. Its teeth were long, sharp, and plentiful. The thing had chunks of bone and flesh between its teeth. The mere thought of who or what that had been made her want to throw up. Not wanting to show fear, she stood firm until it struck her, knocking her to the ground. The heart was glowing bright white still. She jumped to her feet and closed her eyes. She wasn’t sure what to do, but knew it would come to her; it had to.

Come on, Angela. Talk to me. Tell me what to do.

The creature came at her as she opened her eyes, feeling the heat burn through the tattoo as a beam of white light shot out of the tattoo and at the sentinel. The blast of light knocked it off its feet. Regina was surprised as this was more than Zachary had done with fire balls. Angela had told her the heart was the source of life. It was through that she was able to channel and manipulate energy. She felt as if the heart were speaking to her as it pulsated. Adrenaline surged as it coursed through her body. She stood and concentrated again, as the white light shot out of the tattoo, knocking the monster over as it tried to stand.

With the third blast, the creature jumped out of the way and swiped at her, grabbing her by the ankle. It picked her up holding her upside down, squeezing so tightly she thought the bone would shatter. Regina tried not to panic as it reached for her other leg. Panic at this point would mean sure death, and a painful one. It began to pull as if it was about to rip the leg off, but she was able to send off another blast of the white energy. The blast was enough to knock him off balance as he dropped her. She fell to the ground, cracking her head on the pavement. The blow made her woozy as she stood, but she quickly regained her balance.

She began repeating the spell from earlier, unsure if it would work with just her. As she called it out, the beast stood and charged at her. She completed the spell just as it reached her, swiping at her and hitting her in the face. Lightning shot down, striking the thing in the head. It collapsed and let out a howl that shook the ground.

Regina retreated and focused her energy again. This time her chest burned, causing severe pain. She screamed as a burst of red energy came from the tattoo, it looked like a thick laser beam. It went straight up in the air, just above the creature’s head. The beam appeared to cut through the sky as a crack began to open. The creature stepped away from the light as the fissure opened in the air. It looked like a large crack with nothing but blackness inside.

The chasm opened wider as the creature tried moving away, but it was as if the large hole was a big vacuum, sucking him in. The thing struggled against it, but it pulled him closer as it opened wider. The thing looked at her, its eyes pleading like she would actually help it.

“Go back to Hell mother fucker,” she said.

Finally the beast vanished within the blackness, letting out one final howl as the crack closed behind it. Regina knelt down and Summer ran up to her with a blanket. She didn’t know where she’d gotten it and didn’t ask.

“You did it!” Summer said. “I can’t believe it. You’re a fucking bad ass!”

Regina felt lightheaded and exhausted. She sure didn’t feel like a badass.

“Is it all over?”

“Hell yes. You kicked its ass.”

“My head feels like shit.”

“Well, your face looks like you lost a bar fight, but you won this. Shit, you beat a demon! What was that at the end? How’d you do it?”

“I don’t know. This tattoo, it sort of guided me, if that makes any sense.”

“I guess so. Does that mean you can’t die either?”

“Could be. Though I’m pretty sure that thing could have killed me.”

They stood as Summer helped her up, wrapping the blanket around Regina. They walked through town with Summer keeping an arm around her to keep her steady. Looking around, most of the fires had burned themselves out. It looked like a war zone. All the buildings were reduced to ashes. Cars and vehicles were blackened shells of their former selves. Charred corpses were strewn about the streets as they made their way through.

Regina looked away as they walked past the carnage. Something she couldn’t hide from was the smell. The town reeked of burnt flesh, smoke, and sulfur. She finally allowed herself to cry for Angela, and Summer cried with her. They walked in silence the rest of the way home, taking turns wiping each other’s tears as they went along.

She was amazed to find their home was one of the few still intact. They walked up the steps and through the front door. Once inside, they sat on the couch together for a while before they finally spoke.

“I can’t believe Angela’s gone,” Regina said. “I don’t know why she did that.”

“Because she loved you. She knew only you could defeat that thing. Plus she’s not gone. You have her heart. She’ll always be a part of you.”

The thought made Regina smile. She hadn’t looked at it that way.

“What do you think happened to Merle?” Regina said.

“I don’t really give a shit. Maybe he went home, or left town. That dude is seriously fucked up.”

“The biggest loud mouths usually are.”

“You want to get cleaned up?” Summer asked.

“Not yet. I just want to sit here for a little bit.”

“Ok. I’m going to take a shower,” Summer said. She stood and headed up stairs. After she left, Regina looked down at herself, and moved the blanket. She ran her fingertips along the heart tattoo. By looking at it, you’d think it had been there for years. Its color was slightly faded, but Regina knew what power it held. As she closed the blanket back up, she could have sworn she heard Angela speaking to her.

Everything will be ok. You’ve got this, the voice said. She wasn’t sure if it was real, or if she imagined it. She was fairly sure it wasn’t imagined. She sat back taking comfort in knowing she would never be alone no matter what she faced.

Chapter 26

Merle stood in front of the mirror and adjusted his tie. Walking to his desk, he hooked his headset to his ear and walked through the door and into the hall. Music boomed from the worship center as the band played. He wasn’t even sure what song they were playing, of the “contemporary” church songs; they all pretty much sounded the same to him. Once the worship pastor finished leading the songs he gave Merle the kind of introduction you’d expect of a game show host.

Merle ran through the door and onto the stage. There were thousands of people in his new church. He was now far, far away from Dark Rock, Texas. He was in a place where no one knew his name or face. His name now was Carlton Hollar. His sermons were still hellfire and brimstone, with a touch of motivational speaking. It was a slight twist over his past messages. He still held his beliefs, but his purpose was different now.

As far as the world was concerned, Merle Bannerman was dead. Their house had burned down and both cars were later found destroyed. Gladys was still suffering worse torment than he could possibly imagine. It made him sad to think about it, so he tried not to. He’d remarried since moving away. His new wife, Brittany, was around half his age at twenty-five years old. Oddly she bore a striking resemblance to Regina the witch.

Since making his “deal with the devil” if that is what you’d call it, life had actually been pretty good. He landed this new gig at a large church. The pay was great with bonuses thrown in. His urges for other men had subsided. He hadn’t had sex with a man since leaving Dark Rock. Brittany was beautiful and she absolutely adored him. Plus her father owned several local businesses. Her dad wasn’t too keen on him at first or the age difference. Especially since Merle was almost the same age as her dad. But he was very conservative and loved the idea of her daughter marrying a preacher. Life was good. Mostly.

These things came with a cost. That had been the hard part at first. His new position allowed him greater opportunity to pay that cost. The emotional toll had been tough at first, but it was getting easier. His sermons were better than ever now. He jumped up and down, spoke with great passion. Worked up a sweat and from week to week he’d get the crowd fired up, angry, happy, and crying all in the span of forty five minutes.

This particular sermon was telling folks how much God wants them to prosper. The more they give to the Lord, the great and more abundantly the Lord will bless them. It wasn’t one of his favorite topics, but it was a good one to give when donations slowed down. There was always a boost in the offerings after he gave sermons on prosperity.

As he wrapped things up, he left off with one last announcement.

“Don’t forget, I will be personally leading Bible study for the youth tonight at eight. Have them meet in the park and dress warmly. We’ll be outside, close to God and nature!” he explained. The crowd applauded as he concluded the sermon. As with every week, he made sure to be outside by the door to greet every person as they left. It was a weekly ritual the previous pastor never bothered with. The members seemed to love it however. Just another way he’d found to endear himself to his new community.

He spent the remainder of the day preparing for the evening’s festivities. Part of that preparation included a long nap. This was the first of this type of Bible studies he’d planned since arriving at the new church. Depending on how it went, he may continue with them.

Finally the evening rolled around. He sat at the park waiting for the kids to arrive. The first ones showed up a few minutes before eight. The kids ranged in ages from fourteen to seventeen years old.

“Hey guys!” he called out. “I’m so happy to see all of you. Just hang tight and we’ll get started soon.”

The kids gathered around. Some tossed a football as they waited. A few more kids finally arrived as the sun sat behind the trees.

“Let’s go guys! Right back here!” he said as he pointed to a trail in front of the woods. The kids headed down the trail as he grabbed his backpack. They walked a ways as the trail wound around while the night grew dark.

“How much further, Pastor Carlton?”

“Not far now. See up just ahead?” He pointed to a bonfire almost a hundred yards ahead in a clearing. Several of the kids grew excited and ran toward the bonfire. The rest continued to walk along.

“That’s it guys. Just head up there and have a seat around the fire!” He watched as they all got settled. Some kids threw rocks and sticks into the fire. He didn’t mind. Remaining on the trail, he opened his backpack. Digging through it, he found the long, black robe. He took it out and pulled it over his head. At the bottom of the bag was a garbage bag. Removing the garbage bag, he took out the goat skin mask. He’d had it custom made before moving here. It was made of real goatskin, and still had the horns on top. It was so well done, it even creeped him out. He wasn’t sure why he needed all this. It was part of the instructions he’d been given.

Pulling the mask over his head, he dug the large knife out of the bag and tossed the backpack aside. Everything was perfect. That’s right; blood was the price he must pay for his new life. It was to be either his own or the blood of innocents. Since he was a self-centered narcissist, he opted for the blood of the innocent. Tonight, blood would flow. Once he was in his ceremonial dress, he took the knife and walked toward the bonfire.

The End

––––––––

The Panic Beats happen to be a real band that plays some badass punk rock. If you like really sick music you can check them out here:

http://thepanicbeats.bandcamp.com/

You can check out their music videos for their songs “Chop Chop”” and “Stalker” both of which feature my cover model, Haley Jay Madison here:

http://vimeo.com/user18681227/videos

Sneak Peek at Tim Miller’s Upcoming Book:

Chapter 1

Clarence Ringo stood in front of the mirror and stretched. It was just after eight in the morning. He was ready for the day. There were things to do and preparations to be made for his film. Shirtless he stood looking at his reflection, flexing as he admired the definition in his muscles that wasn’t actually there. While others saw a pot belly and man boobs, he saw finely chiseled pecs and abs. Sucking in his gut and sticking his chest out, he growled into the mirror.

“You are the world’s greatest film director,” he said as he pointed at his reflection. “You are fucking unstoppable. You are goddamn indestructible!” He changed poses a few times, flexing and twisting around. Though he hadn’t been to the gym in months, he was extremely impressed with his physique. After a few moments of flexing, he finally walked over and got dressed.

So much to do today. His film, “Zombie Reign” was about to come true. It had to come true. Nothing could stop him now. Once he was dressed, he grabbed a soda from the fridge and a bag of cheese balls before he sat on the couch. The TV was already turned on as he flipped open his laptop, munching away on cheese balls. His cell phone went off text to him. Wiping the cheese crumbs off his fingers he grabbed the phone and answered it.

“Hello?” he said.

“Clarence? Whatcha doin’ babe?” Lisa said. They had been dating for six months and he made her his executive producer on “Zombie Reign.”

“Hey! Oh just working. You?”

“You work so hard. You need to take a break. Did you get any sleep last night?”

“Maybe an hour or two,” he said.

“Wow. Don’t do that to yourself. I worry about you.”

“It’s so sweet how you worry about me.”

“Of course I do. So what time is the casting call? I thought it was this morning.”

“No, it’s at noon. I had to move it.”

“Oh ok. Same place?”

“No, they said they had a meeting there. I found a conference room downtown they said we could use.”

“Oh great.”

“Just one favor though. Could you float me $300.00?”

“For what?”

“It’s, uh to rent the conference room. Its three hundred for the day.”

“Jesus, Clarence!”

“I know, I’m sorry. I’ll pay you back once we get our money.”

“Okay,” she sighed. “When do you need it?”

“Just bring it at noon.”

“Ok babe. Any word when we get paid?”

“Not yet. The investor was supposed to call me this week to schedule a meeting. I think she’ll give me a check then.”

“Oh, that’ll be great. You’ve waited so long.”

“Yeah, it’s been a long haul, but we’re almost there. Not much longer now. We just need to fill a few more roles and this will be a go.”

“Sometimes I just can’t believe it.”

“Oh believe it, our lives are about to change. See you at noon.” He said as he hung up and tossed the phone onto the couch. Lisa was a great lady, when she wasn’t bugging him about money. He was happy to have her though, she took care of everything for him. That way he didn’t have to bother with all the leg work. This was his vision after all, he needed to be planning, strategizing and realizing this dream. He turned the sound back on the TV when his mom came walking into the room.

“Clarence. Are you going to be able to help me with rent this month?” She asked.

“Oh yeah! Yeah, definitely.”

“That’s what you said last month. I can’t keep paying for both of us.”

“I know mom. I told you I’ll pay you back, as soon as I get the money from the movie.”

She rolled her eyes.

“God, I’m so sick of hearing about this movie. You’re forty-two years old! Where’s the movie?”

“I know, mom. Didn’t you teach me to never give up on your dreams? These things take time.”

“I did, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a job while you chase them.”

“This is my job!”

She looked at the TV and the bag of cheeseballs and shook her head.

“Ok. Just try to at least help me out this month if you want any more cheeseballs.”

“I will. I promise,” he said as she walked out. Once she left he looked at the time. It was almost eleven. Fuck. He got up and put the cheeseballs away and headed to his car. Well it was his mom’s car, but it may as well be his since he drove it all the time. She had retired from a local insurance company after working there for thirty-five years. She had planned on moving to Florida when she retired, but he talked her into staying in Texas. He wanted here to watch his dreams come true.

As he drove, he thought about all the great things he’d do with his fame and fortune. There had been people along the way who told him he was full of shit. He had no time for such losers. Part of why he was recasting was having to fire so many after the last shoot.

Several were complaining about not being paid and having to do their own stunts. One flat out refused. Just who did that asshole think he was? I’m the director. You work for me! He thought. But that was part of the film business, not that he’d actually made any films. These actors all have egos and sometimes need put in their place. If that didn’t work, they were out. But today would be a good day. He just got a new assistant director who is excited for this project. It would be great to get some fresh faces to work with.

As he pulled up to the conference center, there was a line of people already lined up around the corner. A smile crossed his face as he took in the crowd. This was going to be a great day.

Also by Tim Miller

The Hand of God

Revenge of the Three

Dark Exorcist

Dark Exorcist 2

Blood Slayer

Family Night

Hell Texas

Night of Vengeance

Bloody Bank Heist

The Country Club

Road to Darkness

Dead to Writes (April Almighty Book 1)

Welcome to Happytown (April Almighty Book 2)

About the Author

Tim began writing at a very young age. As a teenager he would write short stories of horror to entertain himself and his friends. Not knowing at the time this would one day lead to his dream of becoming a published author. Tim has studied various religions and psychology as evident in the "Hand of God" books and "Dark Exorcist."

From there, Tim began to venture into the realm of splatterpunk and extreme horror, which kicks the gore factor into overdrive. With the release of "Family Night" Tim has been off to the races. He has released several bestselling titles that are sure to turn your stomach.

You can follow Tim on his website at http://timmiller.org and on Twitter @TimMiller2011