The Dark Lord of Oklahoma

by Ethan Richards

  Sasha opened up to me, without me setting the conditions, without me prying. She showed emotion. She stated she was frustrated with her parents and that she had a new boyfriend at school whom they did not like.

  She stated she was using drugs. I sat nodding as she spoke, but when she mentioned her drug use, I congratulated myself for being the smartest guy in the room.

  "I have been in a relationship, and I'm afraid to talk to my parents about this. I have been using drugs to cope with my frustration of not being able to speak to my parents."

  That is what she said, word for word. Hers was a textbook problem with textbook solutions. I spat out rehearsed rhetoric which I had been trained to say. She nodded back to me in agreement.

  "I want to get better, I want to fix this," she said.

  I smiled and nodded my head as I took notes.

  "Don't worry, we'll get through this," I said.

  Case closed.

  That was easy.

  I left the office immediately after my session to attend to other matters. I told my receptionist to call me if there were any new scheduled appointments, and as I was leaving, she handed me an envelope. After attending to the farm, I went back to my study and reviewed the notes from my day. As I opened the notebook, I saw the envelope. Just looking at it, I knew who it was from.

  I smiled to myself and opened it, already knowing what the contents said.

  The test was negative. Sasha was not using drugs. I used a magnifying glass and looked on to the page at the small type. They listed the amount of time it took for each product to get out of the system. None of it made sense. Undoubtedly, this was a false positive. Why would a person lie about using drugs? She had said to me she had been abusing narcotics routinely.

  I pounded my fist on the desk, as I realized what a fool I was. Everything had been so easy, and it was now clear Sasha had manipulated me.

  April 20-

  Sasha is a strong-minded individual who is wise and understanding beyond her age. Despite her youth, it is evident she knows how to play people. While I am appalled by her manipulation of me, I must respect her planning abilities. I knew her intelligence would make an unbearable aviatress in which I am unable to circumvent.

  I had decided I must pursue hypnotherapy, as a course of action, in hopes to neutralize her dishonest efforts towards me.

  CHAPTER 8: DR. NORWICH’S TAPES, PART III

  Sasha Ferrel - Picher, Ok

  Dr. Norwich’s audio-recorded journal -

  April 7, 20-

  With a great struggle, I bring my thoughts to paper. I struggle to record the events that unfolded. Here is my paradox, I would be insane if I did not question my sanity. As Rene Descartes stated, "I think therefore I am," but I am afraid, I think that I am losing my mind. I am a man of science, I must pen these words, despite the consequences on my career. My passions lie with theology and with science, and I must press on to discover the truth, though my life may be made forfeit. Men of my academic desires do not pursue science for certificates, they seek these professions in their quest for the truth. Even if these truths cost them their very lives.

  I have spent my whole life feeling like I was the smartest man in the room. At Oklahoma Christian University, I earned a Bachelor in Biblical studies. Then, I went to Oklahoma State's Veterinarian School, before heading to the University of Tulsa where I graduated with a PhD in Psychiatry. My confidence has bordered on arrogance, but now I question myself. These words I type tell a story that will forever shape not only me but all of Picher, Oklahoma. If this story is leaked, my career is jeopardized.

  Though my academic passions were a pursuit of truth, I am now afraid as I begin to discover the truth about Sasha Ferrell. She may be young and understanding, but she is dangerous.

  Because of her deception, I decided hypnotherapy was the only suitable course of action. This girl showed no fear and no concern. When I suggested the idea, she agreed to it, with no issues.

  "It will be nice to be able to sleep, if only for a moment," she said.

  I began the process of taking her from being alert and bringing her into unconsciousness. While I could tell she wanted to resist my efforts of hypnotism, I could also see she knew she needed sleep, and did not put much of a fight.

  Finally, our session began.

  "Ms. Ferrell, where are you?

  "I am in Picher, Oklahoma."

  "Ms. Ferrell, recently your parents have complained that your character has undergone a massive transition. Can you describe in your words how this transition occurred?"

  Sasha Ferrell began to laugh at the question. A loud, almost masculine laugh, which upon hearing, covered my skin with goose pimples.

  "Ms. Ferrell -"

  "I heard the call."

  "The call?"

  "The call?"

  "Can you describe to me, the manner in which you heard this 'call?'"

  "I know what the call was. But I cannot describe when I first heard it. I know I woke up one morning, and I felt…different. That morning, I could not describe it, but I felt something. I ate my meal with my parents, and in many ways, it would be the last meal I ever ate with them…."

  The girl paused, and for the first time since I have worked with her, she seemed to be showing genuine emotion. I peered at her with unbelieving eyes, as she paused, bewildered by her words and actions.

  "My mother asked me if I was okay. And my dad thought I was ‘distant’. I was. I am not one to let my mind wander, and even then, I did not. I was not daydreaming, I was still focused. But I was focused on something-something that no one else seemed to notice. I have heard people with ADD say that for the sake of their sanity, they have to come to the realization that they are right and the rest of the world is wrong, and that is the way I felt at that moment. There was something in my mind. There was something odd, a feeling in my mind that was so foreign, I could not say what it was. I finished my breakfast and drove to school.

  I went to class, and while I left with plenty of time, but, still I arrived late. My teacher said something to me, and I was indifferent towards her. I am not outwardly rude, but that today, I just didn't care. I was scolded for being late, and I couldn't hold back my lack of respect for the teacher. I cannot remember what I said, but she wasn’t happy.

  "I went through the day, with this feeling, my mind becoming more absorbed, and my body growing numb," Sasha paused and breathed slowly before smiling. "Finally, finally, the feeling grew into something different. It morphed into a sound."

  "A sound?"

  "Yes, a soft hum. And while it was faint, I knew that sound would change my life forever. I carried on for the next few hours, feeling like a zombie in classes. I wish I knew how to describe it at the time, but I can only describe it as a hum, although this is not entirely accurate. But then, the hum grew into a buzz. I continued going to my classes. As I went through the hallway, the buzz grew louder. I was supposed to go to class, but now I could no longer focus on anything other than the call.

  Even before my transformation, I had taken notes on people. My fifth-period instructor had been having a relationship with a student, and I had deliberately picked her class so that I could leave whenever I wanted. She knew that if I did not get the grade that I wanted, I could threaten her anytime I wanted. I enjoyed the freedom this gave me, and even before the call, I had learned to appreciate this.

  I went out into the parking lot, got into my car and drove away from the school. Picher was dying or at least it felt that way. I was openly breaking truancy laws, and a few years earlier, I probably would have gotten some furrowed and disappointed brows, but now nobody cared. Tumbleweeds literally crossed the road. As I drove, the buzz kept getting louder.

  And that's how I knew where to go. I just followed the sound.

  I felt my skin crawl, and the hair on the back of my neck stood on end.”

  Sasha started to cry, as she ran her hand through her hair. She smiled while the tears streamed down her face.


  "I knew everything would change when I followed the sound. It now sounded like a scream and it took me through the chat covered streets until I reached Old Disciples’ Church.

  The church had been abandoned for years. Pitch-colored crows covered the broken crucifix of the old, white building. Ravens croaked as the scream grew louder as if telling me to follow it, and with eager obedience, I did. I continued forward. As I entered that old white building, fear flooded my entire body. The inside of the building showed signs of years of abandonment. Stale air stung my nostrils and burned my throat.

  I froze when I realized where I was, and just in time. I looked down, and beneath my feet was a drop, into a darkened chasm. The screams had led me to this. And then…she talked to me…”

  My palms moistened and I could feel the sweat growing thick in my hair and forehead. I sat in silence, anticipating Sasha’s next words, and trying to gather mine. I knew the question I had to ask, but I was too afraid to. She sat in ecstasy, her body moving in micro-tremors while she ran her hands over her face, and into her hair.

  "Wh…who spoke to you?"

  She hesitated before she spoke.

  It was at this moment that I began to question my own sanity.

  I am a theologian and a scientist. I seek the truth, and I must write what I saw, but it disturbs my very soul.

  Sasha’s voice seemed to change. It maintained its feminine quality, but it grew deep, like a heavy bow grating the strings of a cello. It sounded like two voices were coming from her mouth, almost the same way that a bagpipe has multiple horns sounding off.

  Her voice, her original voice:

  “My Dark Lord; my Master!” she was speaking in her voice.

  "My Queen; My Witch-Queen.”Her voice had changed.

  I shuddered back in fear, as I heard his words.

  CHAPTER 9: DR. NORWICH’S TAPES, PART III

  Sasha Ferrell - Picher, Ok

  Dr. Norwich’s audio-recorded journal -

  May 20

  I am afraid I am going insane. Sasha's family requested I conduct this session at their house. It all feels like a nightmare.

  The Ferrell house looks like something out of a gothic film. The family knows that the federal government will purchase the home, so there is no incentive to upkeep the building. Sasha's nightmare all started when she fell into an earthed mind. This sounds melodramatic, but I feel like I am going into a cave every time I go into that house. The house is covered in boxes, so the only place we have been able to do our sessions is down in the basement. My face has been caught in cobwebs as I have gone down the stairs. The house is rotting from the inside. It looks like Dali's Melting Watch, with brown panels falling off the outside, off-white shudders covering the windows like ghostly eyelids, and the warped door like a mouth to this cursed house. Picher is a small town, so yes, I had seen the house before, and even before I knew it was Sasha's house, my skin would crawl as I looked at the house. Now, not only do I go into that house, I actually go into the basement.

  Still, I have to put away my apprehension for the house and focus on our session. I am duty-bound to serve the people of Pitcher, and I am professionally bound to help my client. To avoid redundancy, I will not start the tape until I have put my client back into her trance. These are the last words that I scribe before my confrontation with Sasha.

  [Tape begins]

  Dr. Norwich: Ms. Ferrell, may you please describe your experience in the mine?

  Sasha: I went back to hear the Voice. Except, I used a different route. I went to the mine which was just outside the church. I could listen to the Voice all day. I knew he had plans, and I knew preparations had to be made. But, I needed more guidance.

  So I went back and I listened.

  I would close my eyes and listen. I would open my eyes up and realize I had been standing there for hours. I moved closer to the sound, but this time, the failing terrain collapsed.

  [Sasha's breathing increases as she becomes more emotional.]

  I am drawn from my trance and realize I am in mortal peril. My feet are not injured from the fall because I have landed on my side. I lay here. Soggy in the mud. I stay, frozen and reach across my body, pinching my skin to make sure I am still alive. I rise, and now I see it! I see...I see!

  Dr.: See what?

  Sasha: I have fallen into a mine! There it is.

  There is no buzzing, there is no voice in my head. What is that?

  [Sasha screams]

  Master! Master! You are no longer a dream I hear your voice! Please, let me look at you!

  [Her breathing is rushed and excited]

  I am moving towards the Master. I am fearful but overcome with passion for seeing the one I serve.

  [Sasha pauses, whimpers]

  What are your wishes, my Lord?

  Third voice: I want the heart.

  [It sounds like a distorted, feminine voice and a deep one are speaking in unison]

  Sasha: That I may I serve you!

  [Third voice remains silent, but the buzzing sound grows fiercer. The Dr. and Sasha's voices scream into the radio.]

  Sasha: I don't know, I don't know if I can.

  Dr.: Sasha, stay with me! Sasha!

  Sasha: I am sorry, I am too weak.

  Third voice: You must. The mission depends on you!

  [The buzzing sounds again, this time even louder. There are screams again, only this time the masculine cries of the psychiatrist can be heard.]

  Sasha: I must serve my master, the Dark Lord.

  Dr.: Sasha look at me! Sasha, at the count of three you are going to wake up -

  Third voice: Who interrupts this séance?

  [Inaudible voices]

  Third voice: Who is this man?

  Sasha, whispering: Please leave him alone.

  Third voice: That is not an option. What is his name?

  Sasha: Dr. Norwich.

  Dr. Norwich.: The whole world will see you, and they will fight against you. Stay away from her! Stay away from her!

  [Third voice laughs uncontrollably]

  Dr. Norwich: What is so funny?

  Third voice: You Okie trash. You are so set in your ways. Your outdated views of chivalry, right-wrong, equality. [Third voice laughs again, this time harder.] You want so hard to believe she is not capable of this, that she is some sort of damsel in distress, but this is not true.

  Dr. Norwich: Fine! That doesn't mean I cannot feel mercy for her. What is it you want? What could you possibly want here?

  Third voice: I want the heart!

  Dr. Norwich: Well, I will not give it to you. My heart is hidden from you.

  [The third voice’s laughs the tape becomes distorted and unclear]

  Third voice: I know where your heart is. I see the defiance, and where it comes from.

  Dr. Norwich: And what is that?

  Third voice: Your beloved Sooner State. This is your heart. This is the heartland. Your defiance will not be forgotten. If the Old World taught anything, it’s don’t move too far too fast. History teaches us that empires spread themselves too thin, but now, now we have learned; save your cruelty for one place. Your defiance has made you my project! You stiff-necked people will not be forgotten!

  Dr. Norwich.: Sasha, wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Please help me!

  Third voice: Try and help her, but she is already too far gone. Your rebellion will be squelched. I will overcome. The Sooner State is mine!

  [Dr. Norwich screams. The sound of something smashing against a hard surface is heard. A scream follows]

  [Tape stops]

  CHAPTER 10: A NEW FIGHT

  Chance - Ponca City, Ok

  "We're no longer fighting against the Sons," said Seth.

  "No, it is Sasha Ferrell and Ragnog strengthened with Son's tactics," said Asher, "we will be fighting against the Witch-Queen. She will have the combined forces of orcs that rush like mad dogs and those that have studied Rommel. It is a lethal combination, it is as close to mythical combined arms as you can co
me. The orcs under her influence will bum rush our position, and we will have to unload rounds as they continue forward. This will be combined with Elden's well-trained force. They will stay back as the orc melee advances and take well-aimed shots at our positions.

  "Their time is approaching. These wretched creatures have hidden for so long. The Sons are no longer content with hiding and the Witch-Queen is ready to make her statement. They have fought as guerrillas, taking over Oklahoma, town by town, but now they are going to move into conventional means to send a message."