by Tim Miller
“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 o
ther.
“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.