The Evil

by J N Tensley

  Bill started lowering the shotgun once they all stood up. “Don’t come back in here if you’re gonna talk that crazy talk.” He warned.

  Latrell and Malik started heading towards the main door. Adam eyed Bill as he backed up. Looking like his whole world was taken from him.

  Outside the cool night breeze against Latrell’s skin made it tingle. He hopped into the driver’s seat and started the van up.

  Malik hopped into the passenger seat.

  Adam came outside and looked sadly at the bar. He stared it up and down like a piece of him was left inside.

  “Adam over here!” Latrell yelled after rolling down the window.

  Adam slowly walked over to the van and climbed into the back seat.

  Latrell’s heart raced with nervousness and excitement. He didn’t know what to expect.

  “The nerve of that fuckin guy!” Adam said angrily. “I wasn’t even here when that shit happened and he’s punishing me for it.”

  “Don’t sweat it. I’ll get you something to drink after we go to this forest.” Latrell promised him.

  “It’s not just the alcohol that makes me go there. It’s the atmosphere and the people. Most people don’t mind listening to you when they’re drunk.” Adam said.

  “Well look, you met us and we listened and believe you.” Latrell tried to make him feel better.

  Latrell was on the road now. Heading to where he and Malik had went that night where everything started.

  “Yeah. You’d think all the years I been up there telling people about that, that more people would have taken me seriously. Then after the thing I’ve been warning people about for years comes in there and attacks everyone I get blamed for it. It’s just some fucked up shit.” Adam’s voice sounded slurred and irritated.

  “Well maybe it’s for the best.” Latrell said. “You don’t need to be hanging around people who don’t believe you. We believe you so just hang with us.” He looked into the rearview mirror and noticed Adam had a slight smile on his face.

  Latrell pulled into the forest and turned the van off. The trees were huge and looked creepy.

  Adam stared out the window. His eyes trained on the darkness of the forest.

  “Well we’re here.” Latrell said. “Is everyone ready?” He looked at Malik.

  Malik nodded.

  He turned and looked at Adam who didn’t say anything, just kept staring out the window.

  Latrell opened the door and stepped outside.

  A gust of wind swirled past him making him take a step backwards.

  Adam and Malik followed suit and stepped out of the van.

  They could hear an owl hooting in the forest. The sound sent chills up Latrell’s spine.

  “It’s been so long since I’ve been here.” Adam said. “It looks more evil than ever.”

  Latrell started walking into the forest and took his flashlight out. He shined it around as he and Malik and Adam ventured into the forest.

  Sticks breaking and leaves crunching sounded off as they walked on passing big thick trees.

  The hoots of the owl got louder the farther they walked into the forest.

  It was so dark. The tops off the trees seemed to block off the moonlight from entering the forest.

  “Up there.” Latrell said pointing to a tall thick tree. “That’s where we were that night. That’s where it all started when that cloud attacked you Malik.”

  They all looked forward as Latrell shined the light on the tree.

  “That’s where you saw it?” Adam asked not taking his eyes off of it.

  Latrell nodded. “Yeah right there. It happened so quick too.”

  They made their way closer to the tree.

  Something loud ran behind them. They turned around quickly, the flashlight shaking in Latrell’s hand.

  It was just a deer and fawn. Darting through the forest fast.

  Latrell held his hand over his heart. “Man that scared the shit outta me.”

  “You? I almost pissed myself.” Adam joked.

  “I don’t like this.” Malik said looking around nervously.

  “Don’t worry. The evil won’t usually possess the same person twice.” Adam said.

  Malik looked at Latrell.

  I know what he’s thinking, Latrell thought. He’s thinking the evil already possessed him and hasn’t gotten me yet.

  “It probably won’t possess anyone until its close to what it was summoned up for.

  “How can we know that someone summoned it up for sure?” Latrell asked.

  “You say it keeps attacking your girlfriend right? Then my guess is someone summoned it up to take her out.” Adam explained.

  “Tracy!” Latrell said out loud.

  “Who?” Adam asked curiously.

  “Your ex?” Malik asked.

  “Yeah, I have a feeling she has something to do with all this.” Latrell said.

  Adam shrugged. “Maybe she does. Maybe she doesn’t but, if she did, the only way you can get the evil to stop is to have her do it. Otherwise it’ll keep coming back until your girlfriend is taken care of.”

  Latrell shined the flashlight at each of their chest as they spoke.

  “Yo, that’s trippin’ me out. Do you really think Tracy is behind all this shit?” Malik sounded surprised.

  Latrell shined the light at his face and nodded. “Yeah I didn’t tell you I ran into her at the liquor store the other day. She was really trying to get back with me and sounded upset me and Trisha still was together.”

  “Yeah but, how do you know she’s behind this?” Malik asked.

  “She flat out told me Trisha needs to go. She said she’s been back in Shadow Point for the last few months. None of this started happening until a few months ago. It just makes sense. And plus I know how cold and evil she can be.” Latrell explained.

  “The evil is always here in this forest. This is it’s home.” Adam started. “But for it to be able to leave the forest someone had to come here and summon it up. Someone had to make a pact with it.”

  “That bitch is crazy enough to do just that too.” Latrell said.

  “What was that?” Malik asked, looking past Latrell.

  Latrell turned around and shined his light behind him. He could see something moving in the distance. He shrugged. “We won’t know until we go investigate it.”

  They started making their way deeper into the forest towards the dark object they saw. They tried to walk as quietly as they could, taking big steps but coming down on their feet quietly.

  The forest seemed to brighten up the farther they got into. The trees weren’t so close together and the moonlight could shine better inside it.

  Dark storm clouds moved quickly in front on the moon as the breeze in the forest picked up.

  It’s about to storm, Latrell realized.

  They stopped by a big tree and hid behind it. Latrell turned off his flashlight. He peeked around the tree and saw a person in an all white hoodie on their knees.

  “What are they doing?” Latrell looked back and whispered to Adam.

  Adam took a closer look. “It looks like their trying to make contact with it.” He whispered back.

  The person in the hoodie held up their arms to the sky. “Oh great evil spirit. I come and ask you why isn’t that bitch dead yet?” A female voice said loudly.

  “That voice.” Latrell said. “I know that voice. It’s Tracy.”

  They could hear a deep voice respond to her but couldn’t make out what it was saying. A dark black cloud floated in front of her.

  Tracy finally removed her hood and her face showed clearly under the moonlight.

  “Ain’t that about a bitch?” Malik said surprised. “You was right.” He had his hands in the tree as he looked around the right side of it.

  “Oh evil one. Kill her and I submit my body to you.” Tracy said still on her knees.

  Latrell listened closely.

  “We want a body.” The voice said deeply.

  “My bo
dy is all yours, just kill her.” Tracy said.

  I caught her red handed! There’s no denying it now!

  Latrell started walking around the tree but, Malik grabbed his arm.

  “What the fuck are you doin’?” Malik whispered loudly.

  “I’m gonna put a stop to this. This ends tonight. No more running, no more hiding.” Latrell said boldly.

  Latrell made his way over to Tracy and stood behind her.

  Tracy didn’t seem to hear him. She was too into talking to the evil.

  Latrell cleared his throat loudly.

  Tracy jumped and spun around. “Latrell?” She said in a shocked voice.

  “Yeah it’s me Tracy and we heard everything.” Latrell said.

  Malik and Adam now stepped out from around the tree.

  The dark cloud flew away from Tracy up to the tops of the trees.

  Tracy stood up. “It’s not what you think. I just come here sometimes to talk. It’s the only place I can clear my head.”

  Latrell held up his hand like he was trying to push her away. “Save it!” He snapped. “I had a feeling you were behind this and I was right. How could you try to do something so evil like that?”

  Tracy tried stepping closer but, Latrell pushed her back.

  “Your mine Latrell. Nobody is gonna take you away from me. Especially not that bitch Trisha!” She said angrily.

  “So you try to have some evil spirit kill her? Do you hear yourself right now? That’s low even for you Tracy.” Latrell looked disappointed.

  “She doesn’t deserve you.” Tracy tried explaining. “She’s no good. You can do so much better. She’s holding you back from your full potential.”

  “That evil possessed me Tracy and it possessed Kia.” Malik cut in and said.

  “It’ll possess anybody that can get close to Trisha that’s what we agreed upon. She doesn’t stand a chance anymore. Her life is all but over.” Tracy said nastily.

  “Do you know how many people you’ve put in danger? Do you know the stress we’ve been under the last few months?” Latrell asked angrily.

  “It’ll be over soon babe. Trisha will be outta the picture and then we can be together.” Tracy said stepping closer to Latrell.

  This broad is sick in the head, he thought. Does she actually think I want her now after pulling something like this?

  “You want to get rid of me? Here I am.” They heard a female voice say from behind them.

  Latrell turned and looked. He couldn’t make it out right away.

  No! Don’t tell me, is that Trisha?

  It was Trisha. Trisha and Kia coming up from behind a tree.

  Latrell’s heart began to race fast. He couldn’t believe Trisha was there.

  Trisha held out her arms in a bold manner. “What’s up? I heard everything, you sick fuck!”

  Trisha walked over and stood by Latrell, Kia by Malik.

  Tracy’s face twisted in anger as soon as Trisha stood by Latrell. It was like the closer she got to him, the madder she became.

  “What are you doing here?” Latrell asked, shocked she would follow them there.

  “I wanted to defeat the evil with you. I’m a big girl. I can handle myself. I’m glad we did decided to come. I can’t believe Tracy is behind all of this.” Trisha said looking back and forth between Latrell and Tracy.

  Tracy squinted her eyes in anger at Trisha. “Well I’m glad you decided to come too. This makes my job a whole lot easier.”

  “I’m sorry but your ex is about to catch a beat down.” Trisha said frowning back at Tracy.

  “Oh great spirit.” Tracy said loudly raising her hands towards the sky. “I ask that you will enter me. Take control of my body and use me as your vessel to defeat my enemies.”

  Suddenly Tracy was engulfed in black smoke. It circled all over her face until all you could see was black smoke.

  Tracy started coughing. Flailing her arms in the air as the smoke entered her.

  “This bitch is fuckin’ crazy!” Trisha said loudly.

  Everyone stared as the smoke slowly disappeared inside Tracy’s body.

  Adam’s eyes were wide open as he stared in shock.

  Tracy fell to her knees and held herself up with her hands. She coughed a few more times before raising her head revealing white eyes.

  Everyone began taking a step back. Slowly backing away from Tracy.

  Tracy started humming a creepy tune. She pushed herself up and started walking towards Trisha.

  “I’m not scared of her.” Trisha stated.

  “It’s not her anymore. She’s the evil itself.” Adam said still taking steps backwards.

  Tracy continued humming the creepy tune this time louder.

  “We need to get outta here!” Latrell said.

  “No, we need to stop this bitch!” Trisha replied angrily.

  Trisha stopped backing up and stood her ground.

  Latrell grabbed her hand. “What are you doing? Do you see what’s inside her?”

  “I do. I’m gonna fight for what’s mine.” Trisha held up her hands and balled them up and stood in a fighting stance.

  Tracy started laughing. A deep evil laugh escaped her mouth.

  Trisha pulled her arm back and shot it forward with all her might. She landed a punch on Tracy’s left cheek.

  Tracy grunted and stumbled back a few paces.

  Trisha then swung again and again. Each strike hitting Tracy in the face.

  Tracy laughed louder. She blocked a punch that Trisha threw and then grabbed her arm and flung her behind her.

  Trisha flew through the air and landed about twenty feet away.

  “Trisha!” Latrell yelled.

  “My turn!” Tracy said as she started walking towards Trisha.

  Latrell ran up to Tracy, trying to stop her but, Tracy swatted her arm and Latrell flew back and landed hard on his back.

  “Stay outta my way. I don’t want to hurt you Latrell but I will. Anyone who gets in my way.” Tracy said angrily staring down at Latrell on the ground.

  Tracy walked back over to Trisha and picked her up with one hand in the air by her throat.

  Trisha started kicking her legs at Tracy but it seemed like Tracy couldn’t feel anything.

  Latrell looked dazed and confused on the ground as he sat up. He blinked several times.

  Everything’s so blurry, he thought. I have to stop Tracy. She’s gonna kill Trisha if I don’t.

  “Fool! Do you really think you can stop me?” Tracy said to Trisha, holding her up in the air.

  Trisha wrapped her arms around Tracy’s hand and tried pulling it away from her throat.

  It was no use. Tracy was too strong.

  Kia ran up and pulled out her pocket knife. She stabbed Tracy in the back.

  “Owww. Bitch!” Tracy exclaimed.

  Tracy still didn’t let go of Trisha. She held her steady in the air in front of her.

  Latrell stood up. “We have to stop her.” He said looking at Malik and Adam.

  “How?” Malik asked. “She’s too strong.”

  Adam reached into his waistband and pulled out a shiny handgun.

  “What are you gonna do with that?” Latrell asked.

  “What do you think?” Adam asked.

  Latrell thought about seeing Tracy filled with bullet holes. He couldn’t imagine that happening to her. She just needs some help, he thought. I’m not about to watch her get killed.

  “Just shoot her legs.” Latrell instructed Adam.

  Adam nodded and pointed the gun at Tracy. He fired two shots. The loud gunshots echoed through the forest. Both shots hit Tracy in her legs.

  Tracy finally let go of Trisha, dropping her to the ground. Tracy bent over. “Owww! You asshole! You shot me!”

  Latrell ran over to Trisha and helped her to her feet. He started moving Trisha as far away as he could get from Tracy.

  Tracy straightened out her back and ran towards Adam.

  Adam fired two more shots, striking her in the ches
t.

  Tracy stopped running. Stopped moving and fell to the ground.

  Latrell and his friends stared in horror at Tracy’s limp body on the ground.

  Is she dead? Did the bullets stop the evil inside her, Latrell wondered.

  As if answering his question Tracy started twitching. At first her hands by her side, then her arms.

  The gun was shaking in Adam’s hand. “She’s not dead. It just slowed her down for a minute.” He told them.

  The silver moonlight shining from above made the scene look and feel like something out of a horror movie.

  Tracy sat up quickly. “You’re gonna pay for that.” She said, an evil look on her face and eyes.

  “You guys should probably get outta here.” Adam instructed them. He turned towards each one of them and then focused all his attention on Tracy who was now starting to stand up.

  “Fools! You think bullets can stop me? Nothing can!” Tracy tilted her head back and laughed viscously. Blood ran from the bullet holes in her chest and legs.

  Trisha grabbed Latrell’s hand and pulled on it hard. “Let’s get outta here.” She said, her voice trembling.

  Latrell didn’t want to leave though. He wanted to stay to make sure the evil went back to where it came from. He wasn’t sure he wanted Tracy to die either.

  Latrell planted his feet in place. “We have to end this babe. I can’t take the risk of her leaving and coming back for you again.” Latrell explained softly.

  Trisha’s eyes were shiny under the moonlight. Her face serious. He could see the anger in it but, also the fear sweeping across it.

  Tracy opened her mouth wide and black smoke started coming out of it. Coming from her mouth, nose and, eyes.

  The evil is coming out, Latrell realized.

  The smoke rose up in the air and flew quickly towards them.

  Latrell ducked as the smoke swept over his head.

  The smoke came back towards them again this time towards Adam. Adam fired a couple more shots but it went straight through the evil cloud.

  The cloud circled around Adam’s face and entered his body through his mouth and nose.

  Adam started gasping for air.

  Tracy was on the ground crying out in pain. She held one hand over her chest and the other one on of her legs.

  Adam started shaking violently. He dropped the gun on the ground and fell to his knees.