One of Us

by Samie Sands

  With my being a Jinn, I might appear in human form or other blood forms, including the ability to possess. People considered me to be an intellectually sound spirit, thought to be lower in ranking than angels. I could argue that point since my wings were never ripped off of me, but that would be a discussion for another story and one not to be told by me.

  I can influence good as well as evil.

  However, there were conditions on that one. The person or animal could not already be inhabited, and they had to be somewhat open to the experience.

  Death would be one not open to the experience, and I wouldn’t try. Since no one or thing could influence him. He could however, influence any and everything.

  Death had a list and he loved gatherings. Cults tended to worship or at least respect his power.

  When Death was wiping out the Mayans during a plague, I was making changes to the Mayan calendar. Even Death had a laugh over that one. They still hadn’t deciphered that one to this day and not for lack of trying.

  Who was I kidding? Every time it was brought up, we laughed all over again.

  I tried inhabiting a pharaoh, but he was killed, and if Death hadn’t warned me, it would have ended me as well. I had no idea that when I possessed someone, it altered their appearance and attitude.

  It was not as if there weren’t mirrors, and no one told me.

  As far as attitude, yeah I did have a big attitude. All Jinn’s did. Not that I’d ever met one.

  Over time I had possessed many leaders worldwide, and maybe even an alien or two.

  Sometimes the Earth cried for a good cleansing. Man always provided the tools for Death and myself to accomplish our tasks.

  My first gathering was witches. Intelligent in their own right, and at first they were innocent. Healers, midwives, cooks and such. Until something happened that the people didn’t agree on.

  The easiest way to find out what someone was thinking was to inhabit their bodies. A woman had poisoned her cheating husband, and then blamed the witch for not healing him. The witch was not a witch, but her husband’s mistress.The accused witch was put to death and I could not stop it. I did however, correct the issue.

  The towns-people were a cult of its own. They didn’t want outsiders or anyone to have more power than they could lay claim to. The priest who performed the ritual was easily inhabited, but there was so much hatred that I couldn’t prevent it.

  At the risk of injuring myself, yes, I could be injured and I also self-healed unless I was weakened)I slit the priest’s throat and exited his body before he fell to his knees.

  There continued to be ‘accidents’ that seemed to happen after the first witch was tortured, and hung upside-down in water to drown. Needless to say, the cult was having a hard time keeping its members alive.

  One fell down the stairs when I gave them a shove. I entered one and held my breath. No breath, no life. He suffocated.

  No matter how many of the town’s cult died, they kept labeling women as witches, then trying them for crimes and sentencing them to be tortured or maybe a quick hanging. Many fled for their lives, always to be found.

  I decided to possess their livestock and ripped their bodies apart from the inside-out. While that confused everyone, they ended up slaughtering their own animals, saying they had been bewitched or possessed by a demon. While I wasn’t a demon, possessed was the correct term.

  In later days they would blame aliens.

  This town was almost cleansed of witches and outsiders, so everyone from the cult was happy.

  While Death made it his business to not intervene in others’ business, he took a particular dislike to this cult. Death started a plague to take care of the ‘little town cult.’ As he liked to refer to them.

  The Salem witch trials took years to end, but there were those persistent to use the term witch to end anyone’s life.

  I started taking human forms. It wasn’t pleasant at first with them being such vile creatures for the most part, but I did it none the less.

  I would make a person have an ‘accident’ and assume their form.

  The next cult was of a religious nature. Not that witches didn’t have their own beliefs. After people started killing them off, more turned away from Wiccan, and believing in the Earth to black magic and destroying those in their path.

  I had tried inhabiting them first, but they felt different, and not in a good way. So, taking their appearance was a grand solution. Death didn’t mind my altering his list since their time would have been up soon, in one way or the other.

  Too many drinks, fell down a well, tripped at the edge of a cliff, and even a wild boar stampede. I tried to right the wrongs that these groups were doing, or planning to do.

  The leaders made the cults for their own benefit most of the time. Whether it was for power, money, or to make a bloodline of children to follow in their footsteps. Their inheritance.

  One even went as far as to do away with his own cult. Things weren’t going his way, and they were going to be disbanded, but he wouldn’t have it. He said he’d join them, but he had no intention of doing so.

  Now him, I did possess. He drank his portion plus some. He was smug as he watched everyone die, and tried to celebrate, not realizing that his drink was also tainted. How could he know? I poisoned it before I possessed him. He didn’t have a clue. If it smelled like koolaid and looked like koolaid, then it must be koolaid, right?

  While the others fell into a sleep they never woke from, his death was violent. Between Death and myself, we made sure. I had given him a little of what he gave the others, but I added thallium. In fact, I had been giving him thallium since I met him. He had no idea.

  Since thallium was colorless, odorless and tasteless, it made my efforts fun, and Death was enjoying the effects on this one. It was affecting the man’s heart, the effect on his nervous system was hilarious, not to mention the symptoms that made him think he had the flu.

  Even after days of me torturing him, he still had the strength to end all those lives. Death pointed out that those people would have died anyway. If not today, then soon, as the leader had been giving them dosages of gas poisoning while they slept.

  He was a real prince among men.

  The more time that went by, the more I disliked the human race. They were mean to each other to the point of death.

  Death was busy so I was left to my own devices to find out what was happening, and who was behind it. I found a cult I was surprised to find. It was leaders of different backgrounds with one commonality. They all wanted power and money. Greed, the ultimate thing for those who craved more.

  It sounded like a sick P.R. slogan. End a life and get more. After watching the news bulletins and people, I decided it was time to act. I would attack those who could end the sickness and death. Those leaders would share in the demise of others.

  I started with those in this cult who could have stopped the virus. They were mourned, but no one outside knew the truth. Those who did, made sure that they could not have the sickness. I turned the fan on and watched the virus flow. Away from the innocents and toward those who introduced it to the masses.

  The drug companies made money, and their scientists became ill and died. They wanted people to take their poisons without it being tested. Of course, it couldn’t be tested on them. The cult allowed more to die while ones who had the actual cure survived. They even gave the cure to some innocents to make it look like the poisons worked.

  The cult leaders were called out repeatedly for their ways and every conceivable excuse was made.

  Death had seen enough. He was done watching innocents die while the corrupt cult thrived. With one swing, there were thousands of deaths. No more sickness or pain. They were too far along for a cure, and he wasn’t going to let them become guinea pigs for someone else’s profit.

  Another swing and ones who did nothing to stop it, fell ill and died by the hundreds. More would fall due to their greed. They would lose family for their ways.
<
br />   For the first time in years, I was powerless to help and Death cried.

  There would not be an easy end. The cult had the power and the only way to take it from them would be to purify the earth.

  End...

  Katie Jaarsveld

  Katie lives in the Netherlands with her husband, dog and 2 cats.

  When not spending time with her husband, pets, family and friends, she can be found engrossed in a favorite book, reviewing an Author’s latest to be released or writing her next story.

  You can read more from Katie in the following Anthologies:

  Blood Pool in the Anthology MUTATE by Samie Sands.

  The Unit, and My Skin Crawls are both in the Anthology ELECTROMAGNETISM by Samie Sands

  Condemnation, Time Frame and From Death to Dust Bunnies are included in the anthology NIGHT MARES compiled by Samie Sands

  Time and Rewind is in the anthology It’s Behind You compiled by Samie Sands

  Strange Behaviors is in the anthology DOOMSDAY by Samie Sands

  SOLD and Clown in the Mirror are both in the anthology SIDESHOW compiled by Samie Sands

  Life in There and Elementals are in the anthology EVIL LURKS compiled by Samie Sands

  By the Skin is in the anthology PANDEMIC: An anthology of affliction compiled by Samie Sands

  A Transplanted Dr. Franksis in the anthology AFTER: UNDEAD WARS compiled by Samie Sands

  The Heart Knows and For Life or Death are in Twisted Love anthology compiled by Samie Sands

  Tears for Valentines in the anthology series A Book To Last The Year anthology Vol.3

  2020

  Hidden Consequences in the Bitchcraft anthology

  To Be Released in 2020:

  A Screen Across Ages is in the Curses anthology compiled by Samie Sands

  Growing Into Courage in Breaking The Silence, Domestic Violence anthology

  Blooming in Kansas, in the Statesmen series

  Say Never in Netherland, in the Countrymen series

  Death Drained, In The Woods, and Evil Shaman will all be single releases.

  Note: Charity anthologies are not listed as they are out of print.

  You can follow Katie at:

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/@KatieJaarsveld

  Facebook at Katie Jaarsveld

  The Sanctuary of Father Soone

  Greg Bennett

  “Welcome, my sisters and brothers, to the sanctuary of Father Kiemann Soone. Please, walk this way and Brother Simon will direct you to the dressing chamber.”

  Joseph watched as the small group of people casually followed Simon through the crimson curtained hallway. Some were apprehensive; others excited. They truly fit the old saying, ‘they came from all walks of life’, however, unbeknownst to them, they were alike in subtle, important ways. Joseph had to smile...they were wealthy...and judging from their researched profiles and background checks...highly receptive to suggestion.

  The hallway opened into the high-ceiling dressing chamber; a long, wood-paneled room, softly lit by central chandeliers, with individual dressing cubicles along each wall. An ornate swinging privacy door adorned each cubicle, reminiscent of the saloon doors seen in old west movies. Inside, each had a small locker, table, and an upright wooden chair with a white, half-sleeve spa robe draped over its back. The floor was covered in a low, Berber carpet that coordinated with the deep, rich stain of the floor-to-ceiling paneling.

  Simon turned and stopped the group in the middle of the room. “Each of you please enter a cubicle, undress completely, and place your clothes and valuables in the locker. The robe provided to you is to be worn as an expression of your commitment to the teachings of Father Soone. For true appreciation of his work, he expects you to be one with your brothers and sisters; free of your daily distractions and tribulations, and to present yourself with a clear and open mind.”

  “You will be in classes for some time, so a glass of pure spring water has also been provided for your refreshment. Additionally, please visit the restrooms near the back of the chamber, if you need to, before we proceed further.”

  When everyone was finished, and some good-natured “robe fit” banter had subsided, Simon led them down a small corridor that eventually opened into an expansive seating area. Rich hues of violet shimmered along the walls, as floor-to-ceiling curtains gently moved in the draft from the HVAC system.

  Like the dressing chamber, numerous small, clustered chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, enveloping the room in a soft but uniform light.

  Spaced evenly across the floor were individual high-backed seats, not unlike those one would see in an upscale movie theatre. They were spaced, however, approximately two meters apart, providing a sense of isolation for each occupant. The seats’ padded light-gray upholstery was luxurious, with onyx-black glass trim on the upper armrests and other decorative areas. The upholstery and design cradled the occupants, positioning their arms and legs in a relatively upright, but slightly reclined, seating position.

  As with the dressing chamber, the entire room was carpeted in a deep, golden, bronze color, but the carpet in front of each seat was a different style, being very low and tight. This carpet was also a lighter contrasting color, accentuating the numerous seating rows in the room.

  AT THE FRONT OF THE room was a small, circular stage.It was flanked by two huge ornate wooden doors, rising about a meter above the floor, its perimeter trimmed with a deep olive-green curtain. Near the doors, small side sections were open in a series of shallow steps to the floor.

  Entering the stage from one of the side doors, Joseph motioned to the group of people below.

  “Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable. Please tell Brother Simon if you have any last-minute needs.”

  When all were seated, the room’s overhead lights slowly dimmed to a gentle glow and soft, melodic music filled the room. Small, hidden lights illuminated the central part of the stage.

  “Brothers and Sisters, I present to you...Father Soone.”

  As Joseph stepped to the side door, Father Soone entered the stage from the opposite door.

  “Welcome, my friends, welcome.”

  A slender, robed man stood before them. Appearing to be in his early 40’s, his clean-shaven face was pleasant looking, but his strong, penetrating eyes expressed a sense of authority. A deep purple color, with intricate gold details, his full-length robe glistened in the stage lighting. His hair, longer than the current fashion styles, was pulled back in a neat ponytail, tied with a small silver and gold ribbon.

  “Are you ready to begin your journey?” Father Soone glanced outward at the expectant faces before him. Acknowledgements filled the room.

  “Before we begin, let me be clear.”

  “My associates and I are not a cult or religion, no, no, no,” Father Soone chuckled. “We simply seek to help you experience your life to the fullest, through enlightenment and focused learning. We do this by immersing you in a pleasant experience, utilizing ancient learning techniques involving all of your senses.”

  He smiled, “We will embark on this journey as one, supporting and helping each other along the path to fulfillment.”

  “To prepare for your complete immersion into my teachings, I ask that you join me in a few moments of serene meditation. During this time, you must remain quiet, and keep your eyes covered. There is a resting mask in the pocket on the side of your seat, please place it over your eyes accordingly.”

  “To help guide your meditation, I offer you a heartbeat of relaxation.” A deep sound softly filled the room...bump-pah...bump-pah...bump-pah. Soon, it was a low frequency sound that was not only heard, but felt, deep within their bodies.

  “My friends, relax and let your mind drift, without fear.”

  IN AN ADJACENT CONTROL room, technicians were attentive at their computer monitors, busily tracking key biometrics; temperature, heart rate, eyelid opening, eye movement, and others, from the participants.

  The carpet in front of each theatre seat
was slightly heated to match body temperature, making that specific area unnoticeable. When activated, thin capillary tubes within and underneath the carpet laced the top surface with a solution of propofol and propylene glycol, that was absorbed through each person’s bare feet. The transdermal absorption caused a continuous sedative effect which, in combination with the rhythmic sound of a beating heart at a specific frequency and tempo, quickly placed the person into a deep, trancelike state, not unlike hypnosis. For people highly receptive to suggestion, the trancelike state could be extreme...and not remembered.

  Within the heartbeat sound, subliminal dialog put the participants into a desired frame of mind, while suggestive dialog helped focus them into an orchestrated question/answer sequence.

  For monitoring, the masks tracked eye movement, utilizing embedded wireless micro-vid cameras. Infrared and contact sensors were positioned in various key locations throughout each seat, as well as microphones and directed speakers.

  The opaque upper surface of the seat arms contained recording sensors that, when triggered, scanned any available fingerprints within their viewing area.

  Signatures were scanned from all signed documents and, when possible, DNA obtained from hair samples, water glasses, and the like.

  All data associated with identification was meticulously processed, resulting in a covert profile created for each participant.

  JOSEPH GLANCED AT ONE of the monitors.

  “Okay, call out. Transdermal?”

  “Moisture sensors for all seats are green. Timed release protocols are good.”

  “Subliminal dialog?”

  “Yeah, we’re going with “No earthly possessions”, “Give all that you have”, and “Earthly treasures are unworthy”. Those seemed to work well last time, so we’re trying them again.”