by Cody Hyde
“The time has come, Joseph James,” spoke the Soulkeeper from the circular platform in the middle of the Lake of Souls, surrounded by pillars, her long gray smoky dread-lock hair flowing in the misty night wind. “You may step into the circle.”
Joe stepped into the circular platform and knelt down.
The Soulkeeper then began to chant something. Lightning began to strike in the sky. Heavy waves brushed up against the platform.
Joe began to feel faint as the spell was starting to affect him... his soul would soon return to his body in the civilian world. The chant continued....
“Hey, I say we stop the car for a moment,” suggested Becca to Greg as he drove through town on their way to Lauren’s party. “Let’s look up at the stars.”
“But we’re coming up to the cemetery, babe, don’t you think we should stop somewhere else?” he replied, with a bit of sarcasm in his voice.
“But cemeteries are quiet and no one is around.”
“Yeah, no one except for the dead.”
Becca didn’t laugh.
“Haha, I’m kidding,” he said as he pulled the car over and parked it alongside the cemetery. A big sign was placed next to them. It read: “East River Cemetery”.
“So, Greg, do you love me yet?” asked Becca from the passenger seat of his car.
He hesitated to answer the question. He then replied with, “Babe, we’ve only been dating for two months.”
She looked down, sadly. “You don’t love me?”
Then Greg noticed the man walking up to the vehicle. He turned back to Becca. “Babe!”
“What?”
“Who is that guy?”
“I don’t know...but he looks a little... creepy.”
Joe was only about ten feet away from them now…
“Greg, we should leave, I’m creeped out now.”
“Well, hold on, let’s see what he wants. Can I help you, Sir?”
Joe walked right up to him now, almost appearing as if he was intoxicated. He was still wearing the black dress shirt and dress pants. “Yes,” he replied right away.
“Well...how can I help you?”
Joe just stared in at him. Becca had a look of fright in her eyes.
“I need a ride,” answered Joe.
“No,” Becca quickly responded. “I’m sorry, but we don’t give rides to strangers, especially this late at night.”
Greg went silent for a moment, then said, “What she said.”
Joe just stared at him.
“I’m sorry, but we can’t help you, Sir.”
“I need a ride,” repeated Joe.
“Let’s go,” said Becca.
“Alright, Babe.”
Then it happened... Joe reached in and grabbed Greg by his shirt collar and held his face close to his. He growled in a way.
Becca screamed. “Stop, what are you doing to my boyfriend?!”
Strangely, a black substance exited from Joe’s mouth and entered through Greg’s nostrils and mouth.
Greg’s face turned pale. His veins bulged out, and he was unable to speak or blink. A few seconds later, he became unconscious.
Joe let go of him. What did I do? he questioned himself. I must have some strange sort of power as a side effect of returning to my body.
It was Becca’s turn. She screamed again as Joe went for her next, and within moments she was also left unconscious.
Joe now got what he wanted. A car. Now off to my old place... I need that book, he thought once more.
At home, Sharon was tucking Tara in for her bedtime. “Goodnight, Sweetie,” she said to her.
“Goodnight, Mommy.”
Then she turned the lights out and left the room.
The Book of the Underground rested on her tabletop next to the window.
A car appeared to be parked at the end of the driveway in the distance. Greg’s car.
A short while later, the window opened slowly, and a pair of hands reached in and grabbed the book from the tabletop. The window slowly shut again once the deed was done.
Tara re-awoke. “Mommy!”
“Yes, Tara?” replied Sharon from down the hall.
“It’s nothing, Mommy, he’s gone now.”
“Who’s gone?”
“Nothing, Mommy.”
“Okay. Goodnight, Sweetie.”
“Goodnight, Mommy.”
Joe, finally with the Book of the Underground, sat in the driver’s vehicle of Greg’s car in satisfaction. He was staring down at the page titled “Master of the Undead”.
“It’s mine now,” he whispered in an evil tone.
Chapter 15