The Demon On My Chest: Waking Up

by Dan Farris

  Rebecca walked into her living room and lay on the couch. When she closed her eyes to rest, there was a noise and it was Gressmil, standing with a beautiful woman who appeared frightened.

  “Gressmil. And you must be Hime?”

  “Yes, do…you all serve Samael? Why did he want be brought here?”

  “We don’t serve Samael, we serve Pursan.”

  “I don’t understand. Does Samael know I’m gone?”

  “No. Where exactly did he take you all?”

  “To a planet full of monsters. Lucky for us, we’re already dead. How did Pursan find me?”

  “The king has many tricks up his sleeve.”

  “Where is Lucifer? Has… Samael destroyed him?”

  “He still exists. I sent him on an errand, but he’ll be back shortly. He’ll be happy to see you.”

  “You sent him on an errand? And what did you say your name was again?”

  “My name is Rebecca. I’m Pursan’s companion. I’m queen of this territory.”

  A short time later, Lucifer entered Rebecca’s house. Rebecca, Gressmil, and Hime were all waiting in the living room. Lucifer rushed to Hime when he saw her.

  “You exist! My love, you exist!” Lucifer cried tears of joy. “I thought that you were destroyed, and I wanted to be destroyed to. I will not exist without you! I don’t want to exist without you!”

  “Shush, shush, I’m here now. Everything is okay. Dear, what happened to your arm? Why hasn’t it grown back?” Asked Hime.

  “It will soon. The wound was inflicted by one of them.” Lucifer pointed at Gressmil.

  “I’m glad you two are back together. Well, I held up my end of the bargain. Now it’s your turn.”

  “Is it now?” Lucifer held on to Hime.

  “Go on, try to vanish. Gressmil won’t let you,” said Rebecca.

  “Damn. I was joking, of course. Remind me of the agreement again?” “You open a portal so Pursan and I can leave, in case he is defeated.”

  “You agreed to this my dear?” Hime asked.

  “I had no choice. It was the only way of assuring we’d be together again.”

  “Where is your army? What has happened since I’ve been away?”

  “We have much to talk about.”

  “Don’t let them out of your sight,” Rebecca said to Gressmil. “Follow them.” Lucifer and Hime left, followed by Gressmil.

  Well, that’s one less thing to worry about. Now I can get some rest.

  Rebecca slept for a short time before being awakened by noise downstairs. Rebecca got up from her bed and walked downstairs. Standing at the door was Achcauthilli.

  “We have to go now!” Achcauthilli reached to grab Rebecca’s hand, but she pulled it away. “You want to tell me why you’re here? I didn’t send for you.”

  “We have to go now!”

  “Calm down and tell me what’s happened. Is it Pursan? Did Samael destroy him?”

  “No…I don’t have time to explain. We have to go now!” Achcauthilli was pleading with Rebecca to leave with him when her front door was blown open.

  “Come outside. You have nowhere to run,” said the voice.

  “It’s too late. They’re here,” said Achcauthilli.

  “I’ll see to this.” Rebecca walked outside, and Agrippa, Lucifer, Hime, and Elizabeth were waiting. Where’s Gressmil?

  “What’s she doing here? I told you to put her in the Pit.”

  “You won’t be giving any more orders, whore,” said Elizabeth.

  “Agrippa, what is this?”

  “I’ve served the king for thousands of years. But the last hundred years, since he’s been with you, he hasn’t been himself. He’s become reckless, foolish, childish. But I remained silent, because I saw that he loved you. No more. I know he left you in charge, but your order to throw souls into the Pit, including companions like Elizabeth, forced my hand. The basis of the king’s powers is his soldiers. If you harm their companions, they will no longer serve Pursan. I couldn’t let that happen.”

  “You stupid bitch. None of the companions were thrown in the Pit. We’re too important,” said Elizabeth.

  “I don’t look forward to giving Pursan the news that his most trusted advisor betrayed him.”

  “Betrayed him? No, getting rid of you... I’m saving him,” said Agrippa.

  “Goodbye, Agrippa. Gressmil, destroy Lucifer and throw the others into the Pit.”

  Time passed, and Gressmil did not appear.

  “Gressmil? Gressmil?”

  “Not so clever after all. You’re still that little whore, aren’t you?” Said Lucifer.

  “Where is Gressmil? What did you do to him?”

  “I knew I couldn’t do this without getting rid of him first,” said Lucifer. “But how do you deal with a creature that’s more powerful than Lucifer? Then, I remembered a conversation I had with Marianna once. She told me the name of her fallen companion.”

  “Gressmil.”

  “Yes. After I remembered, I sent him to her, and he remembered her.”

  “Where is he?”

  “Gone, somewhere in the universe. I opened a portal, and the lovebirds escaped. Like we are about to do, after we throw you into the Pit.”

  “No, none of you touch her!” Achcauthilli rushed at Lucifer, and Lucifer grabbed his neck and held him above the ground.

  “You fool, you could have gotten away. We didn’t want you, only the whore.”

  “Don’t you see it, in his eyes? He loves her,” said Hime.

  “I saw it when I first met them. She was so consumed with power, she didn’t see it,” said Elizabeth.

  “Put him down now!”

  “There, finally she shows some passion. Remember when you threatened to destroy my beloved? Watch this.” Lucifer blew fire from his mouth, and Achcauthilli’s soul burned until it was no more.

  “What have you done?” Cried Rebecca.

  “I destroyed him.” Lucifer laughed uncontrollably.

  “Agrippa, when Pursan finds out what you have done, nothing will save you from his wrath. You see how much they love their companions. He will inflict unspeakable pain on you,” said Rebecca.

  “He won’t find out. We’re at war. I’ll let the king know how Gressmil betrayed him and destroyed you.”

  “He won’t believe that.”

  “If it means getting rid of you, it’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

  “So, what happens now?”

  “Now, we play a little game, before we throw you into the Pit,” said Elizabeth.

  “We?”

  “Come out, ladies.” Suddenly, all of the companions that Rebecca had condemned to the Pit, hundreds of them, surrounded her.

  “Stay back! I have power!” Yelled Rebecca.

  “Given to you by Pursan?” Asked Rebecca. “Many of us here have companions stronger than Pursan; we have power too.”

  Rebecca pushed forth her hands, trying to throw back all of the women. But they kept coming. She launched power balls at them, but they kept coming. Finally, Rebecca ran out of power.

  “Now you’re just a stupid whore without any power.” Elizabeth walked up to Rebecca and kicked her in the stomach, causing her to fall to the ground. All the other women began stomping and beating her and stripped her naked.

  “That’s enough. It’s time,” said Agrippa. Elizabeth licked Rebecca’s face as Lucifer picked her up.

  Lucifer, Hime, Agrippa and Elizabeth took Rebecca to the Bottomless Pit. Lucifer threw her body onto the ground, only inches from the hole. “Looks like my work here is done. Pursan may have taken my kingdom, but he can’t beat Samael. You don’t know how powerful Samael is. When Pursan returns from battle, he’ll look for you and discover that you are gone. Goodbye, whore.” Lucifer created a portal, and he and Hime disappeared into it.

  “Agrippa,” said Rebecca weakly.

  “No final words, and you won’t be needing this,” said Elizabeth. Elizabeth reached down, ripped the crown from Rebecca’s head,
and grabbed the necklace Rebecca was wearing and kicked her, causing her to tumble into the Bottomless Pit.

  All I’ve learned since I’ve been in Hell, and this is my fate: to fall, forever. Fitting end for a whore.

  Chapter 47-Sean

  “We’re so glad to have you two. We don’t get many visitors,” said the old woman standing behind the desk.

  “You run this place by yourself?” Asked Lucy.

  “Heavens no. It’s me, my daughters and grandchildren.”

  “You don’t see places like this anymore: a farm slash bed and breakfast,” said Lucy.

  “Why, this place has been in our family for generations.”

  “Do you all get many visitors out this way?”

  “Not too many. People don’t usually travel through this part of Texas, not since the interstates. May I ask where you two are headed?”

  “Dallas,” said Sean.

  “Special occasion?”

  “A job.”

  “Sounds exciting. Well, here are your keys. Your room is upstairs to the right. Dinner is at seven p.m. sharp, and breakfast is at seven a.m. sharp. I believe in punctuality, so try not to be late.”

  “Thank you… Marlene? And we won’t,” said Lucy.

  Lucy and Sean walked up the stairs of the house. It was a large house. When they entered their room, Lucy shut the door behind them. Their room was neat, but dust was everywhere. It looked as though no one had been in it for many years. “Do you sense that?” Asked Lucy.

  “I do. You were right.”

  “Told you. I can’t wait for dinner.”

  Later that evening, Lucy and Sean headed down the stairs for dinner. Sitting at the table were Marlene, her two daughters, Beatrix and Lesley, and three young girls. Beatrix had red hair, while Lesley’s hair was dark brown. The three young girls all had blond hair.

  “Here are our guests. Please have a seat and dig in,” said Marlene. Lucy and Sean sat down and begin eating the food.

  “Where are you two coming from?” Asked Beatrix.

  “Jacksonville. We’re headed to Dallas for a job opportunity my boyfriend has.”

  “Don’t make no sense to follow a man to town when you’re not married,” said Lesley.

  “Lesley, mind your matters. Times are different now. Forgive Lesley, she can be a bit rude at times,” said Marlene.

  “It’s quite all right. If I was a middle-aged single parent, I’d be rude too,” said Lucy.

  “Lucy, be nice,” said Sean.

  “So, what type of job is it?” Asked Beatrix.

  “Pest control,” said Sean.

  “That doesn’t sound like a fun job. I’ve always wondered, how does someone find themselves doing that line of work?” Asked Beatrix.

  “I don’t know, I guess you can say I just sort of fell into it.”

  “This food is really good. You’re quite the cook, Marlene,” said Lucy.

  “Thank you, it’s an old family recipe.”

  “What happened to the girls’ fathers?” Asked Lucy.

  “That’s not any of your business,” said Lesley.

  “No, it’s fine,” said Beatrix. “Unfortunately, the girls’ fathers passed away a long time ago. A tragic accident. We don’t like to talk about it. Brings back bad memories.”

  “How old are you girls?”

  “Eleven, twelve, thirteen,” said the three girls.

  “Oh, silly me, I thought you were older,” said Lucy.

  “Why in Heavens would you think that? Do they look older?” Asked Marlene.

  “No, it’s just that I’ve never seen little girls so well behaved at the dinner table. Anyhow, what happened to your husband, Marlene? Did he die in a tragic accident too?” Asked Lucy.

  “No, he died peacefully in his sleep.”

  “I thought he died in the war,” said Lucy.

  “Why would you have assumed that?” Asked Marlene. Marlene, her daughters and granddaughters all looked at each other nervously.

  “Somewhere in this old house, there is a basement. Am I correct?” Asked Lucy.

  “Who are you and what do you want?” Asked Marlene.

  “Is there a basement in the house?” Suddenly, one of the little girls grabbed her dinner knife and tried to strike Lucy in the neck, but the knife stopped right before it landed.

  “Carole! What did you do to her?” Asked Beatrix.

  “I didn’t do anything. He did,” said Lucy.

  “How many people have you sacrificed over the years?” Asked Sean.

  “This is where the fun starts,” said Lucy.

  “Answer me! Dozens, hundreds? How many people have you sacrificed over the years?”

  “Don’t you worry, soon you’ll join the others,” said Marlene. Marlene and the others all closed their eyes and spoke the angelic language. “Master, come now, we have more souls for you.”

  All the lights flickered in the house, and the hidden door leading to the basement burst open. From out of the door came a large dark figure with horns. It had yellow eyes and teeth like a shark. The figure wasn’t wearing any clothes, it walked slowly into the kitchen. “My children, you have done well.” It looked at Sean and Lucy with hungry eyes.

  “When I was a girl, I joined the coven. They told me about a family living in a small town in Texas. This family serves their demon master, who lives with them. He grants them eternal life in exchange for souls. I didn’t think it was true,” said Lucy.

  “It’s true. Now it’s time for you two to join me.”

  “What will you do with our souls? Send us to Hell?” Asked Sean.

  “No, you two will be mine, for all eternity.”

  “Master, something is wrong,” said Beatrix.

  “I’ve taken mad souls before.” The figure opened his mouth as if he was about to devour Sean and Lucy whole.

  “You’re getting more powerful; he couldn’t sense you,” Lucy said to Sean.

  “Stop, demon,” Sean said.

  “What…I can’t…I can’t move,” said the dark figure.

  “How could God allow a thing like you to take souls? I imagine some of those souls you have are innocent.”

  “Master! What’s happening? What is he doing to you?!” screamed Marlene.

  “I…I don’t know.… What are you?” Sean stood. “I am your destruction. Release the souls.” Out of the demon’s mouth came a bright ray of light.

  “Looks like he’s been doing this for a long time,” said Lucy.

  “This is impossible!” Screamed the demon. The demon’s body slowly disappeared, until he was gone. At the same time, Marlene and the others’ bodies turned into dust.

  “How could God allow such evil to have free reign? All this time?” Asked Sean.

  “It doesn’t matter, none of it matters anymore. Look at me, the only thing that matters is what you want. Your will be done. Let’s get out of here. There’s a lot more fun waiting in Texas.”

  “What’s wrong?” Asked Lucy.

  “Nothing… It’s just that all this is… nothing. You’re right. Let’s get out of here.”

  Chapter 48-Sean

  “I loved him and trusted him, and he betrayed me and countless others. His lust for power is insatiable. But you, you have the power. The power to avenge me. In you, I give the power, the power of this space my s….” Sean awoke from a dream. He was sitting in the passenger seat, while Lucy was driving. They were on the road to Dallas.

  “How long was I out?” Sean asked.

  “Only a few hours. You were tired. Killing demons is work, huh? What were you mumbling about in your sleep?”

  “Was I?”

  “Yeah, something about power of this space. Revenge? What does it mean?”

  “I don’t know. Not even an angel knew what it meant.”

  “What was the angel like?”

  “Like everyone else. Only out for himself.”

  The two of them continued driving on the highway, headed to Dallas. It was a sunny day and the vast ope
n plains, scattered ponds, and roaming cattle of Texas brought Sean a moment of peace.

  “Save us, save us, save us,” said the whispers.

  “Do you hear that?” Sean asked.

  “No.”

  “I hear voices telling me to save them.”

  “Witches, warlocks or demons?”

  “None.”

  The voices grew louder and louder in Sean’s ear. “Save us! Save us! Save us!”

  “Stop, shut up! All of you! Shut up!” Sean unintentionally caused Lucy to lose control of the car, which led her to drive the car off-road and crash into a ditch.

  Both Lucy and Sean became unconscious when the impact occurred. When Sean awoke, Lucy was still alive but bleeding from her forehead. Sean’s wound had healed.

  Sean got out of the vehicle, walked over to Lucy’s side of the car, picked her up, and placed her in the grass next to the car. Sean stood, and everything around him turned to darkness. Other than Lucy, the only thing he could see was the fog.

  “Welcome,” said the unseen voice.

  “Show yourself, now.” Countless souls appeared around Sean and Lucy. Men, women, and children. Some of them wore clothes that resembled ancient Native Americans and colonials.

  “Who are you people? Am I in Hell?”

  “No,” said one of the souls. Sean looked toward it and there was a young man, dressed in a gray Civil War uniform. Half of his face was missing.

  “Who are you?”

  “I’m Ezekiel. You heard us calling for you,” said Ezekiel in a thick Southern accent.

  “This isn’t Hell.”

  “No, it’s the place where lost souls go.”

  “ the darkness?”

  “We felt what you did. We all felt it.”

  “Killing that Demon? Which time? What do you all want from me? Some demon chasing you? Is that it?”

  “We haven’t seen a demon or jinn in some time. It’s like they all vanished. Did you do that too?”

  “I guess you can say that. So what do you all want?”

  “You sent one of us to Heaven, didn’t you? We felt it.”

  “I sent two lost souls to Heaven. They were good people who didn’t deserve to be in a place like this.”

  “See, I told you all it was true! Could you do the same to us?”