[Webs]
[Volume 6 Starter] I finally decided to get up and go to the bathroom, because I’ve been trying to ignore the need to pee, but the built up urine was about the start leaking, thus, waking me up so early in the morning. It showed 04:50 on my alarm clock, as I quickly uncovered my body with the comfy warm blanket, and quickly slipped my slippers, got up and left the room quietly, trying to not wake anyone. As the door to my room opened, I just walked straight ahead, and opened up the toilet’s door, and quickly entered it. After an emotionally fulfilling cleanse I flushed the toilet, and then silently tiptoed to the bathroom, which was right to the left of the toilet. As a boy of my age, 12 I was kind of scared of the dark, so I clicked on both switches to turn the two bulbs, one in the washing machine area, and the other, which was in the shower part area. I walked in and closed the door. As I started the sink’s hot water, I felt the cold floor, covering my feet with ice, because it was nearing winter, and our house usually got quite cold at those sort of days, so I managed to wash my hands, as fast as I could and, just when I was about to turn around, something in the mirror right above my head caught my attention. It was a spider. A normal house spider, who somehow, without me noticing it, had built a web bed and was kind of staring me down, with its little eyes. Something in me was telling me to smash it, but I kind of brushed it off and headed back for my room. Not killing it was a mistake though. A mistake, which would end up chasing me, for the rest of my life, making me develop arachnophobia in the process. But, then I was too little and too naïve to understand illnesses, which also costed me something, my childhood. December 3rd, 1998. -Tommy, please after finishing cleaning your hamsters, please get the vacuum and come clean the carpet in the kitchen- yelled grandma, and closed the door. I heard her, but I was too focused on removing a stain in the aquarium to reply to her, so I only nodded. If you think I’m a jerk for doing that, well, you are mistaken, because, she had problems with hearing, ad yelling was her way to actually know if she said something, plus it made it easier for us to understand her to, even if it was way to louder in the house. Most of the time my parents were working, and on the rare occasions when they were home, they ended spending the day with me, which of course wasn’t a bad thing, but when they were gone, grandma would take care of me, so it was for the first 5 years, but then things got worse, and she developed a partial Alzheimer, and 1 year ago, Insomnia. the illness was triggered followed by the passing of my grandpa, and really injured her in ways non understandable to a 12-year-old, but that wasn’t all. What was bad, was that thanks to the Alzheimer she sometimes forgot about things she was doing, like forgetting to take the food out of the oven, almost causing a fire, or forgetting to drink her pills, which ended up shaking her up, and really scared us, since she woke up one morning, when my parents were at home, and started yelling about not knowing us or that she was trapped inside a maze full of spiders. That episode calmed down, but it was frightening to see one of the most loving people in your family, get ill like that, and don’t even know who you are. Apart from all those things, she was a lovely granny, who always cared for me and loved me with all her heart, despite the deceases. She was… As I began to clean the carpet, I noticed her staring at the sink in the little side kitchen, where all the knifes, utensils and culinary stuff were. Although her gaze was locked upon the mirror above the sink, kind of identical to the one in the bathroom. -Tommy, could you clean the long mat in the side kitchen? - she asked with her old loving voice. -Sure thing! – I replied and moved the vacuum to the other side of the room and started mopping the mat. Just before finishing I looked up at the sink, and could swear that I saw a small pair of legs, crawling behind the mirror, spider’s legs. -We should, clean all the webs around the house, I think it’s getting time for the usual cleaning? – I asked, looking at the mirror, and seeing grandma from the reflection of the other side of the kitchen. -Yes, it would be good…-she said quietly and continued reading her book. I nodded and took the vacuum back to my room, and went inside the bathroom to clean my hands, since before using the cleaner I was washing the aquariums of the two little hamsters I had. Timmy and Jeryna, kind of like Tom and Jerry, but my version. I started the water and began washing my hands with a really nice smelling soup, when my sight locked at the mirror. Interesting, I could’ve swear that last night, or should I say this morning, there was a cloud of web above the mirror, with a relatively large spider, laying on it. Now, it was all wiped off…well, good thing I guess? I cleaned the things grandma told me to, and decided to call it a day, and start hanging out in my room, playing video games. Before I knew it, grandma, called me for dinner, thank god she had remembered to bring the food out of the oven. As I came in the room, she was placing two plates filled with potatoes and chicken. -Sit down Jonny, the food is ready! – she said and started getting the utensils. I was used to this already…she would mess my name up 15 times in a day, before getting it right, but I didn’t want to insult her by correcting her, so I would just go on with it. She sat down next to me, on the small roundish table and we both enjoyed the meals. Afterwards, I got up and grabbed the empty dishes and placed them inside the sink, before noticing the cloud of web, which was bigger than usual. The spider was there too, only 5 times bigger than before…not really normal for a house spider is it? Quickly grabbing a paper towel, I was about to grab it, when I felt the stare of two eyes. I turned around and saw her silently watching me. -Don’t hurt the spider Tommy…he is innocent- she said, with her eyes looking directly at mine, a cold, unrecognizable stare. I placed the towel beside the sink’s parapet and looked back at the spider, which crawled back inside the mirror. That was awfully strange of her…usually she would take the spiders like that, and throw them I the trash, since nobody likes seeing a dangling spider above your head. Well, whatever I guess she felt pity for the little guy so I let it slide. Afterwards I went to my room and had another play session, before going to sleep. The next day. What woke me up, wasn’t the sun’s rays touching me gently on the face, or a cloudy-fully raining day, i woke up from the sounds of the muffled screams of one of my hamsters. I quickly jumped in my sleep and looked behind me, looking at the back of my grandmother. She was standing stiff, and her left hand was holding something? -Ma’- what’s up? – I asked looking at her with shock. She slowly turned backwards and as if a lightning bolt hit her, she threw the hamster in the air and started screaming. -TOMMY, I’VE TOLD YOU MANY TIMES TO NOT BRING THEM LITTLE RASCALS CLOSE TO ME, YOU KNOW I’M AFRAID! – she screamed with all she had. I caught little Timmy, and started caressing his little head to calm him down. His little body was shaking…she was gripping him, torturing him, and she just stated, as she has many times before, that she hates animals, that move…basically everything, and all of a sudden she is choking my pets? -Did you take your pills today? – I asked gently. She started back at me, and her eyes expanded for a second. -Oh dear, I might have forgotten…- she said and placed her palm on the side of the head and quickly left my room, leaving me speechless and kind of afraid for her health. As the days went on, the normal routine for me and her continued running smoothly without any weir accidents, just a few, which I didn’t really figure out now. I would catch her talking to the mirrors, all of the mirrors inside our house, although I thought it was just an old people thing, so I shrugged it off. Sometimes though, I would catch her in my room, petting little Timmy. I don’t know what has changed with her, but all of a sudden she loved the hamsters. Was it because the sleepless nights that terrorize her, end up breaking her brain, making her do things she would usually not, and adding the side effects of the Alzheimer, she began to forget herself, if that’s even a thing? Yes, there was always something cold in her, like her usually warm and loving eyes, were now blankly empty, and soulless. December 20th, 1998. I was just getting back from school, and was walking up the 20 step staircase leading up to the first floor of our block, when the elevator made a sound of arrival, and the non-automatic door opened. Grandma closed the door, and looked up to me. -Oh hi Mark…- she said and passed me by, like I was no one. -Grandma, where are you going? – I asked, kind of insulted by the fact I wasn’t recognized. She swiftly turned around, and her eyes expanded behind the glasses, which made them pop up even more. -oh Tommy, I didn’t see you there, I’m going to the basement to get some jars with tomatoes, do you want anything? – she asked and didn’t really wait for an answer, and just took off, walking downwards the stairs. -Do you need any help? – I asked, and heard an echoing “No, thank you dear”. I lifted my shoulders and entered the elevator. Once I was inside our apartment I noticed the…clouds of webs surrounding the whole premises. How? was this even real…the whole apartment was messed up with spider webs. Good thing I was always bringing a useless notebook in my backpack, always useful for something. I started swinging, kind of like an idiot, trying to wipe the web away, and it kind of worked for a moment. Just then I realized that the webs, were coming from inside the room of my grandma. Walking slowly towards it, I switched on the lights, and some of the webs evaporated, although not all. The room, now filled with lights, was torn completely and utterly apart. The bed was turned upside down, the wardrobes were broken, and what made no sense to me, the mirror was…opened? Checking inside, there was a whole other space inside it, filled with…different animal bones. Pigeons, dogs…even cats…although, what I found most disturbing was what was left of Timmy’s fur…she had taken it…and god knows what she did to him…how did she manage to place all this web around the house was amazing to me, back then, but now I remember everything with such pain, that I kind of regret not helping my grandma more with her medication. Not knowing what to do, I went back to the elevator and pushed the 1st floor button, cussing aloud the slow machine. Once I got there, I nearly jumped the 20 step staircase and kind of hesitated to enter the basement, but I did. From this point on, I can’t quite remember what actually happened. The psychotherapists tried to guess, but none were correct, or I wasn’t trying to listen to them, since I knew what I saw then, and it was nerve wrecking to say the least. Moving inside the maze of the basement, i turned right, since ours were to the right, then up, and right, the last one in the middle. The lights were on, and that kind of helped me walk further. I then continued ahead, and once I was about to turn right again I heard the silent voice of my grandma. -I’m sorry for keeping you in for such a long time, but i didn’t have a choice, Tommy would have killed you, or someone else…I couldn’t let it happen- she said and it was hearable that her breathing was out of pace. Finally deciding to do it, I turned and walked right into the door, but then grandma pushed me, harshly, with fear in her eyes. -Stay back Tommy, you are gonna get it If you don’t listen to me…- she said and her eyes began to slowly descend into tiny slides. Her lips were shaking and the white strands of hair on the head were filled with webs. -What’s going on? What happened in our house? – I asked, but I think, just think that I knew the answer. She kind of twitched, and her mouth opened, like a tick, or something, but the she regained herself, and looked me, this time with craziness in her irises. -I had to hide him…it was my only friend in those cold nights…he always talked with me, gave me advice and told me about things you did or didn’t. He was my friend Tommy, I couldn’t let you kill him, not like that. -Who are you talking about? – I asked, but my question wasn’t even acknowledged. -He was there for me when nobody even knew how I felt, not being able to remember anything, and not being able to even rest for a single minute, because my damn brain can’t even heckin’ know what it wants! – she said, and her eyes, restored to her real ones for a slight moment, before filling themselves with tears, - I love him Tommy…just like you love your Timmy, I love him deeply, and can’t let you kill him, alright Tommy, so back off, go back to your room, and don’t say anything to your father, am I clear?!- she said and her voice edged up a bit. -But…what is it?! – I asked and didn’t even move from the ground. She looked me with a kill stare, and that’s when I noticed that, there was a slight green light coming from inside the basement, or rather from our personal room, which was behind the door, grandma was standing in front. I could see something black-ish moving inside, although It could’ve been the shadow of a water bottle or something else, although I was yet again wrong. She opened the door, fully, and then I saw the face of my nightmare in full view. A spider, big enough to fit in a car, was staring me with its eight eyes, and was clapping with its jaws. The green light was coming from its eyes, which enlighted most of the place. Its body was massive, covered with messy hair everywhere, and I couldn’t believe my eyes, and now just remembering it, im getting the shivers, although I’m not quite sure what happened after this. Grandma then smiled to me and said something I didn’t even hear, because the sound the spider made, when he pierced her head with its fangs was just…nerve wrecking-ly horrifying. I think when I opened my eyes again, my father was watching me closely, and mother was crying. They explained to me, that grandma was gone, but I already knew so it wasn’t shocking, but what was interesting, was that they found two big holes from behind her neck, kind of like spider bites, but a lot bigger, but there was no sign of an attacker of anything. Now, after a lot of therapists and much more things, I tend to remember the bits before I passed out. I see the shadow of the big monster, just vanishing inside the basement’s room, and that’s it. Strange no? Believe me or not, I started thinking that this thing was just an image brought to me by grandma, who created it from her illness. Though I wonder, where does the border between, reality, illness and fiction lies, because I can’t quite figure anything out. My mind is filled with webs, I can’t unfold. And from times to times…I tend to forget about my most precious memories. Most strange. [Midnight Tea Party] That moment when you can't even lift your head up from the pillow, because your brain is going to explode from pain, and your back is going to shatter like glass, while your throat is stabbing you with a million little knifes is the moment you realize that you have fallen captive to the newly created virus, spreader around the world, and you start thinking...what did I deserve to feel so sick? Well, the answer hasn't been found yet, since I'm continuing to feel sick, and won't get better if I don't take medication, which comes in the form of pills, antibiotics, two times the size of a normal pill, and two times as hard to swallow. It wasn't just pills though, oh no. Since I was having my winter break from school, my parents brought me to grandma's house, where she would take care of me, and I mean Take Care! Every day I had to withstand the need to go and puke, so that I have to drink another cup of tea. Yeah, I developed a disgust by it, being forced to drink it 7 times a day. It didn't end there, oh no, mom and dad also brought home, little packets with different branded powder, which mixes with water and "according" to them has the effect of many different herbs and such, but in reality it doesn't do shit. That's why grandma decided that in order for me to feel better, I have to drink a lot of tea, and hot milk mixed with honey, soda and butter, which was good, but the near every hour tea was getting really out of hand. But if I had to choose between Tea and pills, most definitely tea, knowing you can drink it in one chug and feel the canal running through your throat, which felt nice. On a day of my medication, my grandma told me we were expecting a guest, and by that she meant that one of her friends was gonna come by. That was nice, because most of the times it was me and grandma, knowing that mom and dad were at work. Now that somebody was going to come and visit us, kind of made me want to feel better. And I did. my throat didn't hurt that badly, and I could breathe through one of my nostrils, since the other was still stuffed. But neither way, I was feeling a bit better. The guest came rather late, the sun was already closing down, when the elderly woman stepped in our house. Most of the people called her Aunt Ger. Because she always brought love with her, along with the loud voice, and constant screaming of an elderly woman who can't really hear well. She was a sweetheart, but also had the annoying habit of always giving her advice when it isn't needed. Grandma was younger than her with about 10 years I think, and looked rather bigger than her...which doesn't apply to her being above normal weight or anything, it was because Ger was purely and literally skin and bone, but, we still loved her. I quickly came from my room, and grandma greeted her with a warm hug. Ger then saw me and hugged me too. They started speaking about something I couldn't understand, not because I was too young, but because Ger was talking rather quickly, making exaggerated faces, and lively movement with her eyes, which had the ability to trap her listener and make him listen to all the things she was saying. I didn't really wish to stay and listen about her day, so I went back in my room, until i heard grandma yelling me something. -Georgie, would you be so kind to join us later for an Afternoon Tea Party? I agreed and went inside. After sometime I decided to join them, and once I entered the kitchen I saw them sipping on the hot cups of tea. Sitting down my grandma passed me a cup and I looked it the way I look at cockroaches. -oh Ger, I see that you finished your tea, want another cup? - asked grandma but didn't wait for an answer as she poured the hot liquid in the cup and handed it back to her. -Well, you didn't have to but, alright... Just don't add too much sweets, only 3 spoons of sugar, not more. Grandma handed her the cup and sat down. -Sorry dear, we didn't have sugar so I added a little honey, it's alright right? As she asked I saw how the face of Ger grimed and her pupils expanded a bit, just for a slight moment, but then she smiled. -It's alright dear, don't worry. She took a sip and we continued talking about trivial stuff, before calling it an end for the tea party. Ger left and we said our goodbyes. Of course later on grandma made me drink another cup of tea, before taking a nap, and waking up before dinner time. Mom and dad were back home, and we all sat down the big squared table and enjoyed a lovely meal. After dinner we talked for a bit and everyone went to bed early, since it was a Sunday, and they had to go to work the next day. After going to bed and laying comfortably on the mattress i closed my eyes and began drifting to the land of calmness. A couple hours later I started experiencing a loss of breath and couldn't really feel my throat, because it was burning. Cold sweat was slowly covering my back and a sudden shiver woke me up. I thought that I had developed a high fever, but that wasn't the case. Opening my eyes, I felt a wave of electricity shocking me, as I nearly screamed. There was somebody above me, holding my neck, although seeing me awake made it tighten its grip on it began to choke me. My eyes expanded, and even in the dark I could barely see the features of a familiar face, but I couldn't quite concentrate because of the air loss. I started waving my legs around, trying to kick the intruder, but all they did was to move the curtain a bit, only to see from the rays of the shining white moon, that the intruder was no other than Ger, or a dark glimpse of her. Her eyes were widened out and her lips turned into a horrifying smile that started laughing hysterically seeing me awake. -Oh, are you awake dear? We are going to have another party, but this time you will be drinking all the tea! - she said slightly louder and released one hand from my neck and started reaching for a small bottle of pills, from which she took one and started forcing me to swallow it. The large pill entered my mouth, but i caught it in between my teeth and stopped it in. -Now for the Tea! - she said and her grip once again released my neck, which gave me my chance to defend myself. As her free hand was reaching for the hot cup of tea, I pushed her from me, and spat the pill in her eyes. She wiped it off and jumped at me, but I was quicker to move away, and get behind her. I screamed for help, and approached the door but Ger grabbed my hand and trapped me with her bony hands in a squeezing hug. Being a small boy I tried to overcome to feel to scream, but I did, and just when I did, dad flew in the room, and had to take a second to comprehend the thing that was happening before pushing her away from me, with one rude knock. We both landed on the ground, but having me on top, she received the damage, and didn't attack more. -I'm sorry, - she whispered, - it was because of the sugar my dear boy, I am truly sorry. Getting up I turned around and saw the tears falling from her eyes and drying on her cheeks. Those were tears from pure agony, sadness and regret. I felt rather emotionally attacked by her, but seeing her fallen down and crying made me pity her. She was just an elderly grandma, having to suffer from some sort of illness. Once in the room, mom was calling the police, while grandma was staring at Ger and couldn't believe what was happening. It was truly heart wrenching to see her this way, but It might have been for the better. After they took her for interrogation, she confessed that she had some sort of problem with sugar. After taking more than her normal said dose, Ger losses her mind for a couple of minutes. Her doctor had prescribed her some sort of pills to calm that problem, but it seems she was too late for today. After it, she wasn't locked in, because I didn't set charges on her, and because grandma didn't want to see her friend locked behind an elderly home. In the end it ended quite normally. She was still under watch by the police, and a doctor would regularly visit her to check if her condition was normal. She recovered quickly, but was too embarrassed to come and visit us, which was why grandma went to see her from times to times. She was a normal human being overall. Ger did have problems, but who doesn't. Everyone has some sort of problem in one way or another. But there is always a way for the person to be considered a normal person, once he is still treated as one. Now being older I can understand the emotions I felt, but i can understand the illness as well, and don't have a grudge against her, in any way. Because even the "calmest waters" show their colors once exposed to pain. [The Well's Sickness] The thing I'm about to share right now, is something I still can't fully understand nor comprehend, but without the doubt, is one of the many stranger things that have ever happened to me. My name is Jacob H. Kline, and this is the story of when I was 15. It started when I first started 8th grade. It was a new year, in a new school for me, and it felt rather exciting, but on the other hand, things were about to get a lot tougher. The subjects were gonna get expanded, while the homework doubled, and all sorts of stuff, although, that wasn't the peculiar thing I mentioned, no. School was just an everyday thing for me, and it didn't quite bore me, nor entertain me, I studied and did my duties as a normal student, just because that was my only job, and I wanted to do it correctly. But like every other kid in the neighborhood I was really hooked on gaming. Playing games was the only thing that would cheer me up besides playing with friends or going somewhere with my dad, so I would fully give myself to the pleasure of having fun. But that would cease right about when the house we lived in, got burned by a lighting, and basically left us homeless. That was quite the cheap shot, but dad and mum weren't gonna have it, so they stayed all days and nights, working themselves out and trying to earn more money. Soon, after maybe 7 months, our relatives helped us buy a new house, close to our old neighborhood, and eventually we bought new furniture and all the things needed to re-establish a house. To help out with everything, I decided to start working every Saturday and Sunday. And that's where the real story begins. Aunt Maggie was a grandma living in the final house of our line, and we were 7 houses total. She was old enough to be my great-grandmother, but I felt her close to me, since she used to come and visit us right when we moved in our new house, but suddenly fell ill, to a decease, no doctor could explain. Her children were often visiting her, and buying her medicine, but it wasn't helping her, so they decided to ask me, seeing that I was also worried about her, look out for her until she heals. Giving me 20 dollars on Sunday as a paycheck. It wasn't really much, but i appreciated it. When i went to visit her on my first day, I noticed a boy sitting by the house's steps and looking at me blankly. "Hello there" - I remember saying, - "Why are you sitting there alone?" The little boy didn't really answer me. His black eyes were piercing me from top to bottom, and I felt this uneasy chill, slowly climbing up my back. And just when I though he was gonna say something, the boy stood up, and walked to the backyard where I saw him playing in the sandbox, by the awfully old Well. I didn't make much to it, but now I kind of question myself if it really happened. Aunt Maggie was a lovely old lady, but the illness had brought her to the bed. Once I began working there for many days now, I started going even on Fridays, where I would spend most of the afternoon, explaining her my homework. She would eventually help me with it by explaining it the way I can understand it. One day I visited her on a Saturday, when I normally worked, and found her sitting in the back yard's bench like hammock. Seeing me, looking at her with curiosity and worriment, Maggie smiled and waved me to sit by her. "Are you alright Auntie?" - I asked as I sat down. She nodded and looked at the falling sun, shining behind the wooden fence. "Oh, I think I am alright at this moment, but who knows how will I feel after a minute or two. You know Jacob, I won't lie to you" - she said slowly word by word,- "My son always looks after me, and it doesn't give me the heart to tell him that I’m slowly dying." I felt a massive lump of ice stuck to my throat as I slowly swallowed. Seeing her smiling so calmly and talking about death made me realize that she was already one foot in the grave. Not that I wanted it to happen, in fact I wanted her to stay here and help me with my work, while I help her heal. But now, looking at Maggie, I felt her sadness. I knew that she was really drying out, slowly and day by day, but I didn't want to accept it. "You don't need to be sad my dear, you don't have to mourn about this old lady, this is life and you need to understand that, there will be moments in life where you would experience a lot of different feelings, and pain you didn't know existed. So, stay with me, until my passing moment, and cherish them. " - she said and stood up, going back to the house. I nearly let out the tears that were pushing out, but my attention, was suddenly brought up, by the figure of the little boy, sitting by the old Well. " Who's that boy, Aunt Maggie? "- I asked and looked back at her direction. " I will tell you, once time comes" - she replied and went back inside. Nodding I also stood up, but looked at the Well. There was no sign of the boy, so I lifted my shoulders and continued in. Months passed, and I began feeling hope for her survival, seeing her talking more and more, while her sides had color in them, and the eyes were brighter than usual. But that hope died, the day she called me over. It was a Thursday, right after school had ended. It was unusual for her to call me, but I responded and ran towards her house. I found her in the backyard again, but this time she was leaning on top of the well. The lid was open, and the gaping hole looked endless. "Is everything alright?" - I asked and got closer. She turned around and I gasped. Her mouth was painted with blood stains on the lips, while her eyes almost looked lifeless. Maggie started coughing uncontrollably and spat a good amount of blood on the uncut grass. Tears rolled down her eyes, as her hand grabbed my shoulder. "You asked about the boy!"- she managed to say, before coughing again. "Forget about the boy, are you alright, do you need the pills?" She shook her head, and placed both hands on my shoulders. "Listen Jacob, get the envelope on the bench over there *cough*, it explains everything *cough*." I did what she asked, and grabbed the envelope, opened it and started reading the later with a bit confusement. The letters were messy but readable. "Dear Jacob, like you, I always loved my parents, and wanted to be an example for my kids. You probably didn't know this, but before having the twins, my son and daughter, I had another child, 7 years older than them. His name was Mikey, and he looked a lot like you. Dark haired, and bright eyed, with good manners, and a lot of imagination. One day, I was gardening around the backyard, when I opened the lid of the well, to get some water. He had the flu, and I didn't let him outside, but I did on that day, because he begged me to breathe some fresh air. Once I took my eyes of him for a moment I heard him sneezing. Before I could look, I saw his little body, falling off the edge of the well, and splashing into the bottom. You can't understand what pain I felt on that day. The police gave their all to help my boy, but it was too late. Mikey had sneezed and tripped over and overgrown root, near the well, falling down to his death. The boy you claim you've seen is probably him, looking after me from the Afterlife. With this I've answered your final question, and can give myself to the lord, because I can feel that I may die soon, so I'm writing this in advance. Jacob, my dear friend, be safe. Yours truly, Aunt Maggie" Wiping out the tears, which fell on my cheeks without me feeling them, I looked at her, to see the sadness in her eyes. Her figure was twisted from the pain it was causing her. Another wave of intense coughing followed, before she threw up more blood. I came closer, but she shook her head, and sat on the edge of the well. Right behind her, the little boy from before, Mikey, placed his little palm on her shoulder, and she nodded. Without overthinking, she leaned back, and her body submersed itself into the gaping hole of the well. She chose to end it herself, and that was probably for the best. The splash that followed echoed around the well, and send a chill around my body. Tears fell, and I gave up. She was gone for good. Just before I walked back to call someone and inform the police, the boy appeared once again, right in the front of the house. He looked happier, and his face was now smiling. He pointed to the sky, and then nodded his head to me, before vanishing into thin air. Maggie and Mikey had finally reunited. [The Pub's Visitor] Last time I shared the story of an old woman and her deceased grandson, and i felt the need to share a story of my life, which happened right about when I was 17. My name is Jacob H. Kline, and this is the story of the pub phantom. This event takes place two years after my last encounter with the paranormal. I was now in 10th grade, and as always was trying to help my dad with all the taxes around the house, which was why I asked him to start working at the neighborhoods pub. At first he didn't like it, but seeing my grades, and that I wasn't affected by the games in any way, he let me go. My grandpa also convinced him to let me go, since he was the owner of the pub and wanted help, and I was free to do so. And safe to say, I did start work there, getting 25$ per day, and tips from customers. I was happy, grandpa was happy and overall, I was making money while studying, and still having time to game. Of course, when at work I did my job at 100%, trying not to overwork grandpa who was getting older every year. He was glad that I could help him out, which was why he promoted me in just 3 months. From waiter I was now the bartender, and was pouring drinks for the local drunk heads. Most of the people knew me by now, and ordered their drinks with laughter. That was always a nice feeling, having to grow and getting recognized. Dad was surprised to see that I was enjoying my work, so he decided to split my phone bill from his, seeing I was already taking steps in becoming independent. Soon after, I had enough to upgrade my old pc I had bought 2 years prior. That also felt good, which gave me the motivation to work even more so that I could buy myself whatever I wanted, and not ask my parents for money. When school ended, I worked full shifts from 09:00 to 23:00, now that I had more spare time. I particularly liked the later hours, which was when the usual customers came to have one or five drinks. It was always amusing to see old and relatively young people get together and talk about their problems while letting the sweet alcohol run down their mouth, and the slight buzz hit them in the heads. I never did join them, since my job was to serve the clients, not drink with them, but to be honest, I never really had the drive for alcohol, while young that is, I later developed a certain appetite for the adult beverages. Which was the main thing back then. If I had joined them I would miss her. You see, as a bartender I had to serve the people near the bar, and take the orders from tables around the whole pub, and when I didn't get any order from the table in the right corner of the pub, I got really confused. We didn't kick out people just because they didn't order anything, but for a person to enter a pub and not order anything seemed peculiar. "Hey Jeff, go and see what that woman wants" - I asked the waiter and he looked confused. "Which one?"-he replied and looked around. I pointed out the table and he looked me with pure cluelessness. "There's no one on the table Jay, are you sure?" I got frustrated and swiftly left the bar and headed towards the darker table. The girl was staring at a glass and looked rather pale than normal. Her eyes were glued to the empty glass on the table. once near her, I took the glass, and she turned her gaze at me. Now seeing her, the hair was well combed and dark as the darkness surrounding her, and her lips tight and small. "Would you like anything?" - I asked and waited for an answer. She blinked slowly and shook her head. I was about to ask her something else, when I felt someone pushing behind me, and saw grandpa. He was confused as Jeff, but was making his way. "What are you doing Jacob?" - he asked as finally reaching me. I pointed at the table and... just like thin air there was absolutely no one there. I looked back at him and started explaining that I was talking to this woman. He described the woman and I nodded in return. "You better come with me" - he said and led me to the back of the bar, where we sat on the small table. "That girl you claim you saw, was here...once" - he said and looked at the glass filled with whiskey. "What do you mean once, she was just here?" - I asked and again felt silly for them not being able to see her. "Yes, yes, but, that isn't her...she passed away." - he said and slowly took a sip from the glass, - " I don't know her name, but when she first came in 3 years ago, she again looked pale as you described, but it was during the winter, which was understandable. She sat beside the bar table, and ordered a drink. I didn't notice anything unusual so I served her and went to see what the other folks wanted, since it was passing 7 and you know the group of people that visit us at that time. Many manly voices surrounded the whole bar, and save to say I lost her out of my sight for a moment or two. When people started leaving I noticed her laying on the table, with hands tucked bellow her head. Sleeping I thought, but as I asked her to leave, her pulse was no longer there. After that, the police confirmed that she was drugged when she entered my pub, and didn't charge me anything. How should've I know. I think that the vision you saw, must be her ghost or something" - he said and again sipped on the drink. I was speechless and kind of intrigued about the story. By her description she was no older than me, then at least. So young to die because of an addiction to pills. Still kind of shocked we both again entered the bar and served whoever was still there. I could feel a cold stare from somewhere and it was causing me problems, like slipping out a glass and breaking it. The whole night the stare didn't go away. Grandpa left, and gave me the key to lock everything up and leave. My shift ended and after cleaning up the premises I left the pub and started locking the 3 locks on the main door. The stare was still there though, because when I turned around to head home, the girl was standing in front of me. Her face was pale and calm like before, and the eyes staring blankly at me. I didn't say anything because of the slight fear, and because I didn't know what. But as I remember she didn't either. The girl placed her hand in the pocket of the sweatshirt she was wearing and showed me a small picture. It was of her and a boy. He looked familiar, and then I figured out who he was. Ken from school. Right now he was repeating 12th grade, which was awful to do. He was a repeater because there was a rumor spread among school that he was a dealer, and didn't have time to waste in there. I haven't seen him in a long time, and now looking at the picture of the girl and him, it was really surprising to see them together, because a girl like her didn't even belong in the same league as him. But I still asked first the question. "Was he the one who drugged you"? She slowly nodded and her eyes brighter a bit, when I asked her. It was strange to see her, and be the only one to. Judging by that I knew she wanted something, either way she could've already passed away, I think. -Do you want to avenge yourself? "- I asked once again. Now her eyes glowed in the cold and dark night, as she nodded. I returned back the picture, if I was even holding one, and started walking towards his house. Looking back at this, I didn’t really know why I asked her that. Maybe the instinct to protect everyone had kicked in me, and I wanted to somehow repay her back, and leading her to him was the only way. I knew where he lived because of my classmate, which always reported his suspicious doing when he saw them. Took me 5 minutes to find his exact house, and once I stopped, the girl looked at me and I could see her face brightening up a bit, before nodding. Looking directly at the house she continued ahead, roaming above the ground. Feeling slightly confused and a bit uncomfortably I returned back home, and after 2 weeks forgot about it all, until the news one day in the pub broke out, about a boy, found dead in his house, with a stomach filled with an entire bottle of 50 pills of ecstasy. My own stomach tied in a knot because I already knew who were they talking about. I guess the regular visitor in the pub had server the food, deadly cold. [In the Tracks of Murder] Once again, I've come with the opportunity to retell a fragment of my life, with you, the people reading this. Since last time I posted here, I remembered something, another story hidden deep inside a large fraction of memory. The certain piece of my mind isn't very long, but sure is interesting. A happening just before I turned 18. My name is Jacob H. Kline and this is the story of when I met with a murderer. As I said, it took place in my home town, when I was about to turn 18, and still worked for my grandfather at the pub. March 9th was coming, and I was excited to finally hit manhood. As it is, my mother and father, mostly mum, were planning on what the menu for the birthday party was going to be, and I and grandma were writing down the invites. There were a lot of people on our minds, but we ended up inviting 10 from our circle of relatives and friends, while I invited my 5 best friends from our neighborhood, since my birthday was on a Saturday, and we had a chance to get together from 12:00 am to 16:00 pm, which was nice, knowing that not everyone went to the same school as me, and didn't get to go outside when we were. And so, the others continued preparing the other things needed, while me and dad, were tasked with going to the local woods, and cutting some trees for the ovens we use to heat up the house. I agreed and we ended up in the freezing cold. Dad of course drove the legal side of the forest, where it's allowed to cut trees. Grabbing two sharpened axes, father and son went to gather some firewood. 1 hour and a half, and we were already completely wiped out. Barely wielding the axe, dad sat on the snowy ground, which had gathered up to 60 centimeters the following night. I didn't really like snow, but I didn't really have a choice, either this, or I won't feel warmth any time in the coming weeks. There were 3 ovens. In the kitchen, my bedroom and the second bedroom for the adults. We usually heated them up, with different newspapers, but since my special day was coming, and people were gonna stay for some time, the ovens had to be always at 100%, so that they could keep us away from the freezing snow outside. And so after another half an hour, we gathered the wood in big sacks, and ended up collecting 5 big ones, and 3 small ones in the truck. Right before we were about to clean up after ourselves, we heard the recognizable sirens of the forest sheriff. His white truck passed by, and the sheriff quickly left the vehicle. -Hey Ron, how's things going? - asked the law enforcer and shook my father's hand. -Hey Bill, it's quite alright, we were just gathering some firewood for the ovens - he answered and pointed at the sacks filled with wood, and then at me, - this is Jacob, my son. The sheriff extended his hand and I shook it, while feeling his strong hand shake. -Oh yes, I've heard about him from the folks in the pub, they say you are quite the bright fellow, Ain’t ya? How old are you, fella? - he asked in his slightly Irish accent. I was really glad that the people thought of me that way, which was why I felt slightly embarrassed, but still smiled proudly. -I'm turning 18 after 2 days’ sir! He nodded and started chatting with dad, while I was tasked to fill the rest of the sacks in the truck. While doing so, I heard them talking about something. -So, what's up with you, why the rush? - asked dad and looked at the truck, who had made large tire marks, in the snow. His smile turned into a frown when he remembered his case. -You see- he said while almost whispering,- there are reports from lads, that there's been sightings of a man hiding in these woods, but the strange thing is, that it might be true, because we found 2 dead bodies of young girls, about the age of Jacob (at that point I started listening carefully), they were victimized and slaughtered like pigs Ron, disgusting, you can't even stand the sight of it- he said and his face cringed, - I was just about heading towards the direction of the second location, where we found one of the girls, when I saw you too that is. My father looked surprised and slightly uncomfortable, but nodded and started preparing to leave. While all of this was happening, I remember that there was a man, hiding behind a bush of wild berries. His face was, either dirty or chalked, his eyes were locked in me, and I felt my body freezing, but not from the cold. -Hey! – I yelled, and he got startled. My father and Bill were still talking, when I quickly rushed towards the man, I know, a really stupid idea, guided by the axe in my hands. By that time my father had turned to help me, when both the sheriff and him saw me running away. I heard them call me out, but I was focused on catching him. The man, hiding behind the bush quickly sprinted, as fast as he could in the deep and mushy snow. I was gaining on him, when I tripped on a root, and fell flat on my face, but managed to keep the axe away. Getting up, father and the sheriff finally catched up, but i managed to enlighten them on my sudden run off. -The man, running, that way! - I said, trying to breathe. That's the point where, I didn’t really see, but heard. They ran and ran, shouted, and then the ring of a pistol firing, echoed around the forest, hitting the target. When I caught up to them, they were already checking the victim's pulse, now, not existent. My father helped me with the small wound I got while falling. The sheriff wondered around and when he came back to us, his face was paler than the snow. -There's another body...- he said calmly and lifted up the radio station and informed to send a medical team. The killer had murdered the girl then left the crime scene, but managed to end up seeing us, and was waiting for an opening, to either kidnap me, or just run off, not excepting me to look directly at him, his idea to spy on our conversation was a bad one... I heard Bill, describing the suspect and murderer to the chief and I felt lightly interested in knowing what happens now, but dad had different ideas of knowing, not that I wasn’t. Me and my father were curious to see it, the dead girl’s body that is, and despite the sheriff’s warnings of gruesome display, we gathered up the courage to see it...don’t ask me why, maybe out of true curiosity, nothing more. But even if I was older, I would still puke from the sight we saw. The dismembered body of a young looking girl, still in teen hood, now unrecognizable. This Is the description Bill provided for the story: “Her hands were shoved in her private holes, one pointing on the left and another to the right, her breasts were marked with teasing of a knife, while her ribs, were ripped upwards from her spine chamber. All of the intestines removed in order to fit her head in her stomach. The legs were placed into the position of the arms in a strange position, while skinned completely. “ As I stood there, I could barely think of something, just a thing worse than the fate she had to suffer, but I couldn’t really..., there was just no way I could. Remembering the snowy ground, it was a blood carpet painted around a pentagram. The Devils mark was displayed fully, not only by the sigil, but the victim itself. She was turned into a demonic symbol, and later we learned by the information the police gathered, that all of the victims were apart of local church choir. The murderer had something going on with his killings, and wasn’t about to stop soon, if it wasn’t for Bill that is, who had shoot him right in the temple, instantly killing him. But, sometime later, maybe 5 years after that, the forest was again turned into the devil’s playground, having to capture to horrifying murder of a priest. There were many more victims to the horrible and vicious fate, but this story was the starting act of them all. This was the first case of many more, that was later codenamed to "The Baphomet's Sacrifices"”. [The Root of Evil] This might be my last story that I will share on here. Why? Because the FBI doesn't want more of the paranormal "accidents" to come to light, which is why I've decided to share something, maybe one fragment of my mind that was stored way back, back when I was just a child. I was not really sure if I can do this, but either way, I'm doing it. My name is Jacob H. Klein, and this story, might be the one that connects a lot of accidents, linked with the case of the "Baphomet's Sacrifices". The story is something I remembered two months after me witnessing the body of the girl, in the woods. We went on a camp trip, having a villa deep in the forest, all of my family members stayed there for some time, because it was a family tradition. Every year we would gather up and stay there for the weekend. To be honest, then, I needed it, because that image of the girls dismembered body was hunting me like an annoying fly, that doesn't wanna go away, which is why we ended up going to the villa, 2 weeks earlier than predicted. There, the things you can do are kind of limited. We do have a small TV, my grandpa brought last year, and a fridge we stored meat and other ingredient, but beside those things, you could either go walking in the forest, catching fish or just, laying inside the house. My mom never left clothes there, because during the year, many tourists rented the house, and we received a % from the money. Knowing that, we only carried clothes and food for the weekend and nothing more. During our stay, we played some games with my cousins and ended up tired in the night, one of those many games, hide and go seek. My older cousin liked to record the games, and then re-watch them on the old VHC player. The particular memory suddenly activated itself, right when we watched old tapes of us playing. Maybe back to when we were 8 years-old. Josh, Me, Bella and Kristy, were running around the woods. Ending one session of the game, and we would switch the camera man. It was my turn to film. All the kids hid and I started looking for them. Found Kristy, then Josh, was about to find Bella, well something caught my eye. It was something like a strange mumbled talk, coming from bellow our playground zone. As I got close I could hear two voices, one sounded perfectly normal, maybe it was a girl's voice, but the second one was more diabolic like. It was coming from behind a large tree, and I feeling my hands shake slowly step by step got closer, and right when coming around the tree, the camera just blacked out completely. Re-watching this we tried to recover the clip, but it didn't work so we moved on. But my mind didn't, because I knew what happened then. The camera blacked out and I turned around the tree to see better. There was two people there, or so I though. The one, who sounded like a girl was wearing a hood, and I couldn't see her face, but what was strange was, that she was talking with a... dog of some kind. Or at least I thought It was one. The body and the resemblance was that of a dog, but the muzzle and shape of the face was filled with rage and anger. Its eyes were glowing yellow and its teeth were 5 times larger than a normal dog. And probably the creepiest thing was that it talked with a demonic voice. -I need you to deliver perfectly and earn your place as a vessel!- growled the beast. The hooded girl nod quickly and stood up. -There's someone watching us...-said the beast and looked directly at me. The girl then looked at me and her face was that of a normal girl, but her eyes seemed lifeless and her face pale. -I will catch him you, - No! You go, I will catch him...haven’t eaten yet anyway... - said the beast interrupting her. She again nod and ran off deeper in the woods. Now it was only me and the man's best friend, only if man's best friend was a hungry man eating demon. Hearing that I quickly turned and sped off in the direction of the villa, but decided to head to the left, because I was putting the others at risk. My legs weren't cooperating though, because of the situation I was placed in. I mean, every person in my place would run, case closed, but what would I do, when I wasn't doing it? My foot got stuck in the soft soil, and got buried with mud. The beast was galloping at full speed, with crazy eyes, and foam around its huge mouth. Panicking I started pulling my foot out of the dirt, and once I did, I fell on the ground, but the force was bigger than expected, causing my body to rotate backwards, until finally stabilizing. Once on my feet, my only though was to fight back, with whatever I could find, and luck was on my side that day. A stick, fallen from a dying tree, was just beside my foot. It wasn't a really thick branch, but it was good enough for defending. The beast was coming around the tree, still furiously heading at me. I got into a ready stance, and hope that I was gonna still live after this. The creature jumped at me, and I rolled bellow it, then turned around to face its long and sharpened teeth. Managing to focus I swiftly swung, and landed a strike on its jaw, causing it to fall back a little. Seeing it move back, I decided to try attacking, but maybe I got too cocky of myself, because it caught the stick with its mouth, and broke it with its tight squeeze. Before knowing it, the beast jumped and pushed me to fall on the tree. Its front paws were on my torso preventing me from getting up. Now we were face to face, and I remember seeing its eyes shine more than before, resembling humans. The breath coming from its mouth was disgusting, and his look now kind of looked like a jackal. -How dare you hit me!? - asked and got its muzzle closer to my face,- you might as well bow down to me, you insolent fool...so disrespectful, even for a youngling, how sad- said the jackal like thing, in its distorted voice. -What.. Are you? - I managed to mumble. His breathing turned into some sort of laughter, if you could call something like a coughing choke a laughter. -You will know young one, you will know...i am one of the many who will come back, and rule on this wrecked place again, and you my dear Jacob, have nothing in your arsenal, that could stop me...not even your mind will understand nor comprehend what I am talking about, because the truth of the matter is, that neither you or I, know what I am, you could say I am everything you hate and fear, the very definition of dread, I am your worst and only nightmare dear boy...and your consciousness as well. Speaking to you, whenever you are about to do something bad. I am evil, and you witnessed its birth, you might witness it again, after years or decades, but you will. - it said and released me. -Aren't you going to kill me? - I asked and managed to get on my feet, which were shaking badly enough for me to collapse again. -Oh no, you aren't needed for the ceremony, we already did it, you my dear friend are a vessel...you will become one, but won't remember until you see me. -A vessel, for what? - I asked not slightly intrigued but still frozen in fear, I tried buying myself some time. -For whom, you should ask... - he said and looked at me, - a vessel for me. And just like that, the beats sprinted and vanished into the forest. I was left to watch, and think about what happened. It wasn't long when Josh found me sitting and staring at the marks the beast had made. He brought me back, and after lying and telling them I saw a fox, they believed me and it all ended. My memory was restored. Now I knew what the cause of the murder in the forest was. Those were vessels for the beasts, and I was targeted as one of them by the murderer I saw back then. It's been years from then, and now I am 28, but nothing has tried to attack me. Nothing strange has happened since the last murder, except for the few missing people. Not until one day I heard about a strange case in town. A boy was found dead in a library, not so far from the pub where I used to work. Now I am an officer, trying to get promoted into a sheriff or maybe detective. Tomorrow we are going to look at the crime scene and dig something up. I will try to write whatever I find, and try to post it here. I don’t know what I will see, but as a law enforcer, my job is to stay calm and perform without hesitation. At least that’s why I try to tell myself. I try to be good, in this land of evil. [Investigation in the Library] By the time the police officers arrived, the library was already surrounded with bright yellow tape, marking the premises out of order for civilians. The two enforcers quickly left the vehicle and entered the building where the crime scene happened. Because of the winter that had covered the entire city, their boots had to be clean and perfectly spot on dry, to not make any more footprints than needed. Stepping carefully around the blood puddle, nearly everywhere in the place, they entered and saw the black cover on the body. There was a detective and a reporter questioning the owner of the place, as she looked rather frightened by the outcome of it all. Her employee murdered on his late night shift, and just days before Christmas. The first officer of the group kneed to one of the medics who were writing a report on a piece of paper. -Oh Hello Officer Klein, are you here for the description of the victim? - asked the medic and handed the paper to him. -Male, age 18, name Peter Joseph Long, a student working part-time - read the officer and handed it back to the medic. As he did, the detective walked by him, and nodded. -Do I have permission to ask the owner a couple of questions? - he asked and the detective smirked and pointed at her. -I think I asked the most useful questions, but if you want this promotion so badly, go ahead- he said and laughed mockingly. Jacob didn't bother to return the insult, and headed towards the older lady, who was so pale, that her legs had given up, and was sitting on a chair her entire interrogation. -Excuse me, can I ask you a few questions? - he asked and sat by her on the working desk. She nodded and took a sip of water. -Do you feel, the boy working here, had any problems among shady people? The lady began to seek some memories from her mind, gazing in the ceiling for a minute. -No, I don't think so, he was a quiet boy, lazy sometimes, but never acted strange or secretive, he was always open with me for most of his concerns- she replied calmly. -Did he dislike this place or had any wishes to move to somewhere else, maybe different work? -Well, to be honest, he didn't exactly fully enjoy working here, because he was still a student and had classes to attend to, only coming for the night shifts. Maybe some ideas had come to his mind to look for some job which he could only work on the weekends, can't really know, but he didn't complain, at least to me. The officer wrote it down on his small diary he kept to remember certain things. And he could swear that this boy, did post something like a blog, saying that he was annoyed to work here, because his boss was telling him to do stuff he was lazy to do, which was actually quite true, judging by the looks of it. But what had brought this kid to such heights? -And finally I want to ask you, did he lived happily? She again took some time to figure out an answer. -I think his father was working for some company producing some sort of clothing, but can't really remember the name, and probably got moderately good payment, his mother also worked as a cleaner in the hospital, so I don't think they suffered money problems, although, he never talked about his family and if he was happy- she said and looked at the officer as he wrote something down. -Alright ma'am this is all for today, but if you think of something else to share with me, don't hesitate to call me on this number- he said and handed her a visit card. Done with his questioning he headed to his partner and looked at the only three clues. -What do we have Michael's? - he asked and looked at his younger friend, who had started working for the police 4 months ago. He handed him 3 plastic bags with items. -The first thing is his keys. Judging by them, we could see that he had split his throat open, killing himself, but during the inspection from the medic, there were 3 or more broken ribs around the torso. Also, a part of the back skin, is somehow ripped from the body, truly interesting if you ask me. It can't be a suicide, but who are we to judge? The next thing are those two strange books, who seem to have nothing inside of them. I don’t know if it’s just an empty book or not, but I can't really think of something? - he finished and looked at his partner who was blankly staring into the green book. -Hey, are you alright? - asked his colleague. Jacob snapped out of the trans he was in, and asked the detective standing nearby, if he can examine to book. He lifted his shoulders implying on the "do whatever you want", and he proceeded to open the bag up, and carefully take the book with gloves to not make any more finger prints on it. The cover was... There was something on it. It spelled C. U.R.S.E, and flipping it open the last owner of the book appeared to be Peter the Sinful. Then with small letters, appeared, as if ink had dropped from the other side of the page. " This Vessel was brought up to by a curse of this book. Many fell for this, Klara, Diego and Peter. There are only 4 left, and with those 4 left... I can succeed." Feeling slightly sick, he placed the book quickly in the bag, and felt sweat cover his back. Vessel. That word might apply many different meanings, but he kind of knew what the book implied. This Klara, and Diego were found dead in the forest, either hanged or poisoned. Peter was also a target of this ritual. And, as he knew, he was a future one. -Hey, are you alright? – once again asked Michael's. Jacob nodded and then looked at the body. Blood everywhere, it was truly everywhere. What had happened here, was still a mystery. Something horrible, an act of murder so terrible that it was kind of related to the unsolvable cases they had many times now. They did find different bodies just lying in the forest, but he never really thought about the idea of them sacrificing themselves for something greater than a pledge to an organization. It was more likely to be a commitment to...someone or something. Slowly looking above, the mirror right at the entrance. His own reflection was looking at him. A slight smirk climbed on his lips, and giggled. Although, his eyes shined with a bright red color, as his skin was darker than usual. The light in the room, either dimmed down or his imagination started playing tricks on him. That shadowy vision his mind was producing was making it illustrate some kind of illusion or maybe...reality far beyond human understand. The figure began to twist around in circles, as if he was just a mare drop of water fallen into the ocean. And just when everything seemed like it was about to crack and show the real mirror the figure of the officer once again appeared, bloodied and lifeless. His eyes were now surrounded with burns, and his feet were chopped off. Slowly opening its eyes, the thing looked at the original and smiled, while blood spread around its crooked teeth, making it spill on its chin and torso. The fury in its glare was, torturing and it made Jacob look away. But in the second he did, his normal figure was once again there. Then, he might have just seen it happening, but the reflections lips moved and said something. Jacob read it and understood what he meant. "Meet me in the forest". He didn’t want to go there, but this case was going to end, one way or another. He had to do something about it. That strange jackal from so many years ago had mentioned the word “vessel” and now this book had mentioned it. Everything connected in a way or two. His fate was to find out the real truth about it all. His mind couldn’t fully understand all, yet. Curiosity or maybe plain stupidity was the driving point in his mind, leading him to the meeting point. The same forest, they met 20 years ago. And there he would go to meet with his mentor and true God. To show him the way, and lead him by the truth of this world. [Revelations of Truth] The forest was quite calm for the awful weather mother nature had decided to bring upon it. Everything was abundantly covered in snow, which was cold and thick. Not a single bird was chirping, no sound was hearable. Everything was dead silent, all seemed on mute. Quiet and mysterious, the most welcoming forest you could want. And that wasn't all. There, right where the trees kind of circled around, in the middle of a small hole, stood a creature, not known to any species. A dog perhaps or a wolf? It resembled something, but it didn't really. A jackal like beast, breathing heavily, waiting, as it's breathe was coming from its enormous muzzle. What was it waiting for? Someone, maybe a prey, lurking in the snowy covers of the forest? It was calmly waving around with its tail, just like a puppy awaiting to see his owner. Except, this time the owner was waiting to see his pet. He was mushing down the snow, with his black, leather winter boots, and hardly moved around it. Thinking back of the time he was 8, Jacob tried to remember where the spot where they first saw each other, he and... that thing. Not knowing what the beast was gonna say this time, was extremely curious, and at the same time extremely foolish. Entering a maze of trees, completely poured with snow, wasn't really a good idea, considering that he was inspecting the body of a young man, possibly murdered by said beast. But did he have a choice? He was apparently chosen to be the one bearing the description of a "vessel", something like a link to this unholy being. That word was difficult to understand, because it could mean a lot of different things, but in the way he was trying to think, it could only mean a pathway to...something? Something no person was ready for. Especially himself. Once he reached the small villa his family owned, he borrowed the snow shovel and made his path clearer. 20 meters later he kind of recognized that three, he fell on so many years ago. Now it seemed, even larger than before, while its branches had given up, and like an elderly tree, they hanged barely. The officer continued to shovel around, and made his way to the tree. It was one of the many surrounding that gape, from which the beast emerged the last time, but this time, it was watching him carefully with its glowing yellow eyes. It had gotten bigger, and its fur had blackened. The man gulped and slowly slid the snow, and got by it. He didn't say anything, just watched as it, slowly sat on its back, and took a breather, which caused a large amount of air to come from its mouth. The man barely withstood it, because it completely covered his face with the smell of...imagine the most disgusting thing possible you could think of. -Welcome my child- said the beast and kind of chuckled. -Why did you call me here? If you needed me dead, you could've done it in the library with Peter? - exclaimed the man and stomped the ground. -I see that you are gating inpatient with your death, but you have some work to do to completely earn your spot as my own link, so don't get any ideas- replied the beast. Jacob didn't understand what he meant by that, but didn't oblige because he was just a defenseless man, even with the pistol hanging by his hip. He took a sigh and then looked at the beast. -I don't know what or who you are, or if I am even alright to even talk with a dog like thing, but I didn't come here...just because I was curious, but...i wanted to help the case in a way, and by all means necessary you need to...i don't know, explain to me, what is your purpose and why am I important in any way for this project of yours? The beast looked like it smiled and started slowly taking step after step, walking around the man. -You need to know huh? Very well then my boy...listen carefully. My own purpose is to damage this world, by cleansing it, yes that sounds difficultly not understandable for you, but for me it is. This place has been wrecked from the inside of existence, and evil has rotted in the eyes of people. Humans are miserable little demon like creatures, who think are superior to any species known to man, but in reality we are selfish and don't understand the meaning of living in peace. All work for themselves, not any person has ever thought about if his ways are right or wrong, or if he is good or bad. Everyone lives in his own world and doesn't care if you die or live, just because they only think about themselves. They get arrogant, thinking they know all secrets in life, when in fact they know only 1 out of 100 things hidden in this wreck...and my plan you so dearly ask of is to eradicate those beings who commit greater deeds than they can even achieve. Those who paint the world in black, instead of living life peacefully without involving themselves in any way possible in the acts of others. My plan is simple. Control over humanity, restoration of once said pride, and achieving harmony among others. This is my way of fulfilling my desire. But, firstly I need to gather people who have committed all kinds of gruesome things, people that commit to the cause of my existence, because they've understood that living in this world is a sin to themselves. Those are my children, who have the permission from me, to gather as much as vessels possible. And you my dear Jacob, are such vessel who has a job to do. I am in need of only 3 more...now that dear Morgana fulfilled her duty as a vessel. Jacob heard his speech, but wasn't in full agreement with him. Thoughts about all the things happening to him, kind of made him realize something. -All you said is true about people, but what did Peter ever did to you, in all means, the owner of the place knew him well, and didn't mention anything of him being a worshiper of you, what has he done? The creature laughed and then looked him in the eyes. -He was evil and rotten, like an apple left to the worms. His heart was filled with dark desires. His own flesh and blood was a disgust to him, wanting to kill his own father, and hating his mother. He was just as bad as the rest of this awful kind. -But he didn't harm anyone or anything?! -again said the officer. -He didn't, but that didn't mean that he wouldn't. As I said, his mind was...twisted in a way or two, and exposing that, made him realize that his own thinking is wrong, which was why he became my vessel. -But...but- stuttered the officer and looked at the snow, which was pure and white, just like the sky right now. Foggy and blinding. Jacob didn't know how or why was he picked to play this role, or why, but the only thing he could think of was to speak. -Well then why, why did I became a link for you, when in my life I have never thought about murder, stealing or messing with people. I lived my life, trying to protect all the people in this town, how can I be one of the chosen ones, when I'm not even that religious to even think something like a devil being even exists?! - he said and hopelessly looked at him. The jackal stopped circling him, and again sat on the ground. -That's the easiest thing for me to explain. Your life was built on things that you didn't understand. Starting when you saw me for the first time 20 years ago. Then you hid behind the tree, just to see what those strange people were talking about. Curiosity killed the cat, as people say. Then some years afterward, you witnessed an old grandma committing suicide, just to end her suffering and be again with her little son. True that you did nothing wrong, but you were there to witness death, and that was another mark. –But that doesn’t justify anything, I wasn’t involved with her death, I barely even knew her reason for it! –replied the officer, feeling one string in his mind shattering. -It doesn’t matter if you had any clue what was happening then, you were there and that’s all! And then two years after that, you still didn't know if all of these things were actually real or not, but you seem to think you helped a ghost, find and kill her murderer. Which, is somehow an act of revenge towards the guy who bullied you, when you were little, but you couldn’t interpret it that way, because your mind wouldn't allow it to. -I did what was the right thing to do, because that poor soul was tortured and given drugs, eventually dying because of it! - yelled the man. -But who were you to mess with said justice! Why did you put your nose where it didn’t belong, only to then lead the girl to her killer, killing him, Huh!? In a way, you killed him, and didn’t feel any remorse for the act you committed, and to top it off, finally you witnessed one of the victims of the so called "Sacrifices of Baphomet" as your people called it. Then you saw what my people are capable of doing. Your protector murdered my vessel, which was why that man who shot was cursed to die in a fire, that took place not many months after that accident, no? - he said and looked at him, but Jacob only nodded slowly. - You see now my boy, you are filled with sins you don't understand, and can't comprehend, so let me show you, what you need to do, in order for you to gain the ability to apply yourself as a link to my resurrection. -Resurrection? Your goal is to gain life, in order to take life? - asked Jacob, and fell on his knees, looking at the beast, who was grinning widely. His mind was completely turned upside down. String after string tore and his meter of knowing if all this was true, kind of collapsed into a storm of imagination, that didn’t really seem to act as a catalyst, more or so, he knew it was real, but didn’t want to believe it, until fate had forcefully made him. Those acts of his, right or wrong, true or false, were still acts of something not bearable. Taking steps to him, the jackal placed his paw on his shoulder, and whispered. -Do not worry my child, those who help me do my willing, shall not suffer, in the life beyond. Your role is simple. Gather 3 more vessels, and pledge your faith, in, me. The man managed to hear him from the intense battle for sanity, but it seemed like all the things he fought for, were marely just things to please his consciousness. The words that were flowing in his mind were simple. Gather Vessels for the Ritual, but that wasn’t easily done. His entire world had broken down, taking him a path, that he couldn’t back off from, because having to once act as a reaper, you can’t go back. And Jacob didn’t feel anything anymore, because his mind was either broken, or given its control to someone else. -Who shall I hunt? - asked the newly motivated man, giving away his pride and life at this point. -Whoever you wish my child, but note this, your friends will soon find the body of Morgana, who finally gave herself to me, so be patient, or just act as you wish! - replied the jackal, and turned away, walking further in the forest. Jacob stared at the creature, and then punched the soft snow, that didn't really make an impact. It followed and followed, until his hands were red from the intense release of fury. Looking at the sky, his mind was now cleared, and only one thing remained. The pledge to his new master. The words slowly muttered from his mouth: “Serve and kill, until the end. Even when blind, we see no end. When trapped, we scream and fight. Eternal Darkness will bring the night. Destruction will follow and annihilation will torment. The Antichrist will rule once again!” [In the Name of the Ritual] Cold and chilling winds pushed his back for some time, until he remembered what he was supposed to do. The forest, covered in snow was beautifully showcasing itself, while the shine reflecting from the moon was a projector for it. Picking himself up from the ditch he was currently standing, Jacob looked around, not really looking for someone or something. His mind was already transfigured and had achieved a new way of working. There was a new objective for him, and he was dead on serious on fulfilling it. Stomping the ground covered with snow, he made his way back to the family house, not so far from the ditch, and quickly lighted a fire in the fireplace. His entire body was stiff from the cold outside, so getting a bit of warmth would serve him pretty well for the upcoming things he was about to do. While thinking of his new task, the radio-station he had started buzzing and a loud voice started talking. -Officer Klein, we inform you that there is a body, nearby your family's villa, if you are free to see it, please be careful, do you copy? Jacob picked up the station and clicked the button for him to start talking. -Officer Klein here, I copy, going to retrieve the body- he said in a monotone voice. Another buzz echoed from the station and a familiar voice talked. -Klein, it's Det. Oliver on the station, me and your partner officer Michaels are gonna help you with the body in the forest, do you copy? - said the detective with a slightly serious tone. -Copy, meet me by the villa- replied the officer and hung up the connection. Placing it by his side, Jacob again felt the blood in his fingers, starting to move them slowly so he can regain his agility back. The fire really helped him do it, and judging by the looks of it, his two targets were now coming his way, and just one more was needed to completely awake the beast from his slumber, and he was fully committed to the cause of doing it. But for now, his "duties" as a law enforcer were kicking in, or so was his intention of tricking the others to think. He already gave up on his ideas of the past and embraced what the beast had showed him. A world where all people are the same and good, a peaceful reality waiting to arise. In order to do so, he needed to destroy the ones who were still fighting back. And that was just a mere crack in the castle of glass, waiting to fall apart. Another buzz woke him up from the thoughts. He picked it up and clicked the button to reply. -Are you here? - asked Jacob and stood up, stretching his body nicely. A second or two passed and a voice replied. -Nearly there, the voice said. We have info on the body which is approximately 100 meters ahead of the house, so we will drive there- said the detective. -Come by the villa so we can gather equipment, we might need tools- said the man and went into the small shack filled with different tools for many use. The station went off for a second, and he heard the growls of the jeep's engine. The vehicle was getting closer with the moments, and the two officers quickly left it, to get in the shack. The detective shook Jacob's hand and Michaels winked jokingly. Klein didn't really give a reaction to them, but pointed at a ladder and a few axes, a cordless drill machine, a hammer; just in case, she had jumped into the small dam, by the villa, which was used for fishing, nails and bottle with extra fuel. They gathered all things in the trunk of the jeep, and drove further in the forest. With the bigger vehicle they were using, even if the snow was 60 centimeters, it wouldn’t really matter, because it was going through everything. The snow itself made it harder for them to even know where the body might be, but Michaels was lucky to notice the big wooden crosses, shoved into the ground, and kind of burned. When they got closer, the crosses now revealed to be the sign of the antichrist, being a turned upside down cross. There were three, kind of placed in a circle. The detective started examining the location, and was clueless to where the body will be. -In the ground! - exclaimed Michaels and pointed at it, where the crosses surrounded it. -It's logically possible, but for her to bury herself, she had to had another man with her, which isn't completely out of the case...but I doubt it, most of the victims find original ways of suicide- said the detective and started slowly touching the soil. -Burying yourself seems quite original for me, but by the looks of it, the soil didn't really look like it was dug up, which means... - said Jacob and slowly looked up. They followed his gaze, and horrified, saw her. Her body was hanging by two ropes wrapped around her neck, tied to the nearby trees, helping her stay there. That wasn't all though, her body was completely turned into a coal, burned to death. -Jesus...that’s brutal- said Michaels and looked away from it. Oliver looked kind of shocked and startled by the sight of the scene, while Jacob looked like he was enjoying this image. -She either did it in the past hour or this afternoon, because the ropes were burned to the point of almost snapping- said Oliver and pointed at the ones tied around her neck. They looked weak, and almost snapped. And just like that, they did snap, both of them at the same time, releasing the body, which flew, descending quickly in the air, and fell with a slight bump in the soft snow, almost disintegrating into darker dust. Now even the detective got kind of uncomfortable and looked away, although Jacob was already by the burned leftovers of Morgana. If he was right, that was the girl he saw with the beast 20 years ago in the ditch. So many years had passed, and now she had given herself to him. He smiled and even chuckled a bit before turning around to look at the confused and tormented faces of his colleagues. -You seem rather excited for this- said Michaels and laughed nervously. Klein returned the laugh and looked at the detective who didn't really understand much. -Her name was Morgana- started Jacob, not wanting to waste time, - she was a follower of our savior, and after years of service, she gave herself to him. Oliver looked stunned and Michaels didn't move. They both began to figure out what was about to happen. -We serve a goal you see...to rid this world of creatures like us, who shove their noses at everything happening, trying to put their own conclusions, completely missing the main subject...and for what purpose? None. We are mere insects who work their entire lives off, just to make enough spending to secure our families, but in reality we do our jobs...what if I told you, our jobs are not needed? We could work together to build something great and make this world a better place. People tend to spend their lives, giving them away, and we are creating something that will help them in living a life without work, pain or chaos. The perfect harmony between humans. So what do you guys say? Will you join me? - asked Jacob and looked at then with a look that could only by deciphered as lunatic. -Look man, I don't know what happened to you, but you've been acting weird ever since the case started, and I don't mean to be a dick but, you need to snap out of it... - slowly muttered Michaels and looked at the detective with an almost pleading face. -Yea Klein, snap out of it or we might have to bring you in for... - Although he wasn't even finished yet, when Jacob quickly brought his gun, and shot him right in the gut. The shot was loud enough to make the sleeping birds on the trees fly away. Oliver looked at him with a strange mixture of fear and confusion. -Sinners shall perish, even if they are opposing! He could only make a sound, without opening his mouth. A gurgling one, as if his blood was coming out of him. Brining his hands to the gun, Jacob shot another time, knocking it out. Oliver fell on his knees, quickly managing to paint the snow in red. Michaels had brought out his gun, but wasn't shooting. -C’mon J said to stop it with this nonsense! - He yelled but his voice trembled, making it sound like a cry for help. -You don't want to do this Michaels, back off, and don't do anything! - said Klein and moved closer to the dying Oliver who couldn't move or his wound would tear up, causing large blood loss. -DON'T MOVE! - Again yelled the officer. His partner grinned and took a step, just when a bullet just breezed by his arm. One more step and a second bullet flew by his leg. He was toying with him, right before the table was served. Taking another step, he jumped ahead, avoiding any damage from the third bullet, and shot him in the hand he was holding the gun with. Another one followed but this time in the leg. Michaels screamed when the bullet tore apart his flesh. Kneeling by him, Jacob looked him with sympathy and a bit of sadness. -Sorry my friend, this is my path now... - he calmly said and landed a big punch right in his temple, knocking him off. Standing up he grinned when the animal fury hit him. So much possibilities to destroy them, and so much time to do so. First he started with Oliver. Tying him up to one of the upside down crosses he began to think of ways. Good thing there were some ropes to do it, left from Morgana, because he was fighting back, a little, bit still. He opened the trunk and picked the nails and the big hammer. First he was gonna humiliate him. Oliver was beginning to lose consciousness, but saw the hammer and began to move, without causing any effect to the ropes. -Don't worry, we are gonna secure you to the cross... - whispered Jacob in his ear. It was also well calculated that he cross didn't have to be so big, making it easy for Jacob to tie him up. And so, placing the nail on his hands, with a swift hit, he nailed one after another. Then crossing his legs, he punctured them with the nail, completely crucifying him. He might have been dead by then already, but the final act was about to begin. The sadism and cruelty had captured Jacob's heart and was not gonna let him go by just that, oh no. His mind pointed him to the cordless drill machine, and he happily obliged. Oliver's head had turned red, from the blood gathered there. Klein knew that everything was gonna get messy, but didn't really care. Starting the machine, he started slowly circling on the top of his head, piercing it slowly, enough to carve out an opening. It took him some time to finally carve out his top. It was like he was slicing a watermelon, but bloodier. It fell on the ground revealing the fresh smell of metallic blood. His brain was barely visible, but was now exposed to direct damage. Jacob didn’t know if Oliver was still alive or not, but it didn’t matter at that point. He just wanted to make this filthy, pathetic human suffer the way he did. That time where he could get promoted was quickly snapped out of his fingers, by Oliver, who didn’t think that Klein was ready for it. That was the thing fueling him, feeling the rage that was building inside him by the years. Without hesitating he pointed the edge of the drill into the exposed head and pushed in. The drill pierced his most valuable organ, letting the blood flow like it was a sink. Oliver didn’t produce any emotion, nothing but...lifelessness in his eyes. Jacob stopped drilling out his head and began the concluding act. The spare bottle with fuel was the best possible way to ignite him faster. Spilling out the content of him, he used the detectives own lighter to light the cross. The flames quickly ignited and covered the entire man, slowly heating him up. The flesh began to evaporate, showing parts of the muscles. Blood started again dripping on the snow. His eyes started sizzling, before popping like they were popcorn. The hair burned and turned dark, along with his entire body. It was good to see this sight in the middle of the forest, good for Jacob too, who didn’t want much. He didn’t want to kill everyone; he was just doing the task he was assigned to doing. Staring at the burning cross he began to feel joy of killing a person, a sinner. The fire burned for some time, and Jacob didn't move a bit from the spot where Oliver was burning. The fire was nice and warm in this strange looking place. How nice, he though and looked at his partner. Michaels was beginning to wake up...and his time was limited. It kind of felt sad that his friend was destined to die like this, but what could he do? It wasn’t really easy for him, but he had to. His mission was the leading point in his mind and nobody would stop him…the end was coming and he knew it. Michaels looked confused, scared, full of agony and pain, because his life was going to be taken for cause, because he feared death. Death was only a leading point though. He was going to be sacrificed for a higher purpose, and that was a fact. Not because Jacob had any personal problems with him, it was only in the name of the Ritual. Antichrist Awakens /Volume Final Flames were still burning in the chilling forest, slowly and rhythmically. The smell of burnt flesh was noticeable from a huge distance, along with the dread suffocating the already low amount of fresh air. The nature was once again asleep and moved in a slow paste. The small dam was waving around, peacefully, gracefully and not aware of the gruesome doings that happened by it. Even the birds, flying in the sky chirped and flew like there was nothing stopping them from doing it. Actually there wasn’t. Nobody could stop the small birdie from flying…except the beast. The aura coming from within the deepest depth of the forest was torturing for all good. Seeing the beast, he had grown significantly. The fur around it was now thicker and harder to penetrate, his ears now sharpened extended 15 centimeters from before. Its muzzle had reshaped itself to resemble a dire wolfs and the claws pointier and fiercer. His yellow eyes shined through the darkness falling from the shadow of the trees. Taking step after step, the footprint on the soft snow, showed the big paws of the beast. Jacob knew that it had become stronger by the two sacrifices here. The officer stared at the animal, which was slowly making its way towards him. Nothing. He felt nothing about it all. His mind was cleared and he wanted to see it all end quickly. But did he really wanted to finish of his partner, who was slowly trying to get up, with his legs shaking. -Jay…what happened?! - He managed to ask. Klein didn’t look him in the eyes, and pointed to the flames which were beginning to slowly die out. Oliver’s body had turned into a crisp like black mass of coal. Michael’s felt pure disgust by looking at it. It was only natural for him to be that way. A person he once knew and respected was now dead, and brutally tortured before it. -Are you mad Jacob?! We are your friends! – said Michael’s with the remaining strength he had. -Friends? ...there is no such things as friends. There are only individuals who mess with another person’s emotions, turning him into something that can be also called a slave…we aren’t friends, nor we once were…we are only slaves who wish to have the attention of the other folks who seek it as much as us…which, in the end, makes us, humans, sinners in the eyes of the beast. His partner couldn’t believe his ears. Why would he say something that would turn out as a gut punch, in this sort of time? He was his best friend for some time now, and now hearing that he didn’t mean anything for him felt like a betrayal…like a punch. A punch directly targeted at him, a strike to conflict him inside and make him feel no remorse for what he was about to do. Not feeling his leg anymore, he placed all the mass on the other barely standing still. Jacob wasn’t even looking at him, his sight was, but not his eyes. They were locked at something behind him, and turning around right now wasn’t an option. Right now he had to act quickly and precise. -Alright then Jacob, since we aren’t friends anymore, let me pull you out of this black hole you’ve let your mind sink in! – He exclaimed and jumped in the snow, making a row, grabbing the gun he lost in the shoot-out, and then pointed it at him, pulling the trigger. The bullet, golden and shiny launched, but didn’t completely hit the target Michael’s aimed at. Simply because something caused him to misfire, and that something was furiously growling at him. The beast that launched itself directly at his exposed ribs, had broken a few of them, and pierced his skin with its claws stuck to him. Michael’s pierced the forest with a scream, resounding in the ears of the creatures. The warming and spreading pain and blood was making him shake even more. Now with the gun buried in the snow once again, he was defenseless facing the beast. Jacob stood up, and instantly felt the bullet, which wounded his shoulder. His left hand was completely numb and couldn’t move it. Seeing the beast, he somehow felt relief, because now he was gonna simply die, and all this havoc was gonna end. -Jacob, finish your job and bring another link for me! – growled the beast and looked at the wounded vessel of his. Klein simply nodded and headed for the trunk of the car, from where he took the axe. It wasn’t heavy, but his right arm wasn’t as strong as the left. The wolf moved away from Michael’s who was barely breathing, and made way for Jacob to land the final strike. The officer, tighten the grip around the wooden handle, and lifted the axe in the air, ready to drop it like a guillotine. His partner hope for his friend was lost. Tears slowly started to spread from his eyes, tearing down. Seeing that Jacob felt slight resistance from his arm. It wasn’t following his brains command. Something in his head was slowly pulsating and lightening up. A conscience perhaps, or just plain thoughts. -What are you waiting for, end him already?! Don’t you want to see the world cleansed, doesn’t my idea bring you the once motivation you had? – asked the wolf in a tough gurgling voice. Klein once again tighten his entire arm, and felt the resistance going away, marking him a clear path to land another strike. Feeling his hand falling, his mind instinctively moved it away, just so the metal could tear the flesh of Michael’s foot. The axe went through his bones like butter, followed by another scream from his friend. -You wish to torture him before the end huh? Heh…that’s one way of sacrificing this plebe. He has to understand that committing a sin in this sort of way has to be punished by the hand of truth. Show him the only true path! – exclaimed the beast, feeling the tensity of the moment. But Jacobs head was still conflicted of the fact if this thing is right or wrong. His friend, yes friend had done nothing to him, and yet he was being punished by him for what? Just because this beast had given him some fraction of the truth, something not exactly right or wrong. Why did he have to kill an innocent officer who was doing his duties? Because of the thesis of him shoving his nose into other people’s business is considered a sin? No…he wasn’t about to murder his best mate, just because… -Do it my child! – whispered the beast and placed its paw on his hand. His mind again clouded and, the thoughts he just began to decipher vanished into thin air. His only mission was to destroy this pathetic shell of a man, and bring true justice to this society. Fulfill harmony in the wrecked world, and cause peace for the humans living in it! Jacob felt the rage coming from his heart and once again lifted the heavy axe, and forcibly swung it to the ground, this time falling closer to the torso. Michael’s red tearful eyes started blankly looking at his colleague, who was killing him slowly. -Yes my child…one more strike and he is gone- said the beast and grinned, exposing sharp-like knife teeth. The smell of blood was fully shoved in their mouth, because of the metallic liquid, dripping from the victim’s body. His right foot and upper left leg were torn and bled badly. The axe moved, and Klein again lifted it, and tighten his hand. It was beginning to feel heavier than before…or maybe his hand wasn’t gripping it enough? -Now, clear the path to true peace…paint the way! – Excitedly said the wolf. Jacob’s brain was beginning to open itself to him, not letting him land the finishing blow and revealing the true meaning of peace. His eyes were filling with tears, he didn’t even know he was still capable of crying, but he was. And not because he felt pain from doing this, or relief from ending this. It was because the pain from his heart was reaching the mind, which wasn’t fully connecting with Jacob himself. He was being controlled that was true…and nothing was gonna break that bond between vessel and master…until Michael’s voiced reached his ears. -Remember how… you helped me enter the… academy? I was scared, but your guidance helped me through it all, and eventually I was an officer – he said with much agony. - You my friend are not what you believe, or think…you believe. Seek the memory of the guy who pledged to protect…people…search for the boy with curiosity, and see yourself…- he said and closed his eyes for the final time. -Oh come one!!!- exclaimed the beast and launched himself at the throat of Michael’s. His teeth pierced his veins and stems, tearing apart the Adam’s apple and ripping the muscles of it. The blood quickly spread around the snow and the victim itself. While the beast was landing the end blow, Jacob’s brain was no longer clouded or misty. He was seeing that awful picture of his friend dying, which erased the sadness with fury, rage which was unleashed with another heavy swung of the axe, but this time towards the beast’s torso. -GET AWAY FROM MY FRIEND! –he shouted with everything he had, and landed the axe, shoving it completely in its ribs, penetrating the armor of strong fur. Shocked and wounded the wolf cried out, and quickly attacked Jacob, who was ready for it, but not ready for the force behind the paw, he managed to endure. The strength of it, pushed him back on the snow, falling strongly. It jumped, while the officer was bringing his gun out to shoot it. Just as it landed on him, taking all his air from the lungs, he pulled the trigger, and shot it right in the heart. The beast’s eyes expanded and it growled, but didn’t give up. Its teeth now pierced his shoulder, and tore apart his skin, completely ripping his left arm, leaving him with his right only. The pain almost blacked him out of existence, but his plan worked. The beast was wounded and now there was nobody who could save it, no vessels left…all of them were dead, three of the victims. And he was gonna bleed to death here…just like a human. -I win…- Jacob managed to whisper. The wolf, was slowly walking towards the ashes of Morgana. He was wimping and bleeding, suffering from the bullet stuck in its chest. It fell on the coal-y dust and stood there for some time, and didn’t get up anymore. Getting up slowly, shaking uncontrollably, Klein knew his chances, and surviving was at a loss, but at least he had prevented all the chaos that was bound to happen, if he didn’t wake up from the control of the beast. He started walking towards the jeep, but heard something like laughter. It was coming from the carcass of both wolf and Morgana. Although it felt slightly different. The voice was beginning to sound human like, and the gurgling from before was beginning to thin down. Then, kind of like clouds, the bodies of Oliver and Michel’s vanished and formed into orbs, which quickly headed for the mass that was stacking on the wolf. A fog formed over it, and started…fusing with its body. The fur formed into a soft looking fabric of dark shade, while the paws of the beast extended and deformed into hands, growing fingers, with sharp nails. The big head, started thinning, and now looked humanoid. The fur on top turned to blackish hair, with two white horns twisting it. The laughter was now vivid and loud. Turning around, the man-beast was…just like a normal looking man, instead his skin was paler than the snow itself, and his eyes were glowing yellow. He’s cheek bones, seemed rather pushed in, while the nose was elegantly longer. What looked most untouched were the sharpened teeth, which were now locked into an animalistic grin. -Did you though I simply died? – He asked with a sophisticated voice and laughed once again. A laughter filled with sarcasm and pure determination. He didn’t feel defenseless anymore. No more wounds…he was immortal. -I am the Evil that feeds from fear, pain, anger and all of the natures of man, simply produced by emotion. Which is why an emotionless being like me is the strongest of them all. -What the fuck are you? – asked Jacob, not believing his eyes. -Heh, I thought I already told you, I am the very core of darkness. You can call me whatever you feel like, because I’ve been worshiped with many different names and ways. The most often used is Lucifer…but there are ones like: Baphomet, Beelzebub, Behemoth, Coyote, Ishtar, Loki, Mephistopheles, Sekhmet, Yaotzin…the Fallen One, the Black Beast, Satan, Satanail…the Devil…The ANTICHRIST! –he said and extended his hand. An invisible force pushed Jacob back, and he clashed into the upside down cross, which was in the middle of them. Then the planks, sort of twisted around, like they were made from rubber and started squeezing. He was beginning to lose his breathe, when the devil approached him slowly. -You count Morgana, as one of the three vessels, but you should know that, she was the 4th…yes, you my friend, were destined to murder Oliver and Michael’s…with the final vessel…being you! Jacob felt the laughter in his speech, and saw through all his words. Now he understood how stupid he was to trust and believe that this thing was capable of brining true harmony for this world. -Oh but I am…I shall bring upon the peace for the humans, in all shapes and forms…even if I have to destroy and rebuilt this place…nothing will stop me from conquering it all. -No…not peace but enslavement…not harmony bur fear. No one will worship you because they love you, but because they are afraid of something like you…. a devil…-said Jacob and looked him in the eyes. -Through fear there is harmony…through harmony there is obedience, and through obedience there is order…with order there is peace…which means that even through fear or love, I shall be the one standing on top- he replied with a slight smirk, - but first…you have to become one with me, want it or not… -Try bitch! The devil not slightly angered or hesitant, shoved his hand in the chest, traveling through his ribcage, intestines and gripping his heart. His fingers squeezed and Jacob couldn’t even produce a scream or any sort of thing, because of the shuttering pain inside of him. His chest was open, and the ribs broken. The torturer tightened his grip, until all the blood from the organ was spilled out. The devil was looking in Jacobs eyes, who was grinning from ear to ear. Still having one drop of life in him, Klein pointed the middle finger at the beast’s face and said, quietly. -I win…- and his final breath came out of his punctured lungs. The devil, feeling slightly frustrated removed his hand from the officer’s body, and felt it. Jacob’s very soul was mixing with his, fulfilling its destiny in becoming the final vessel of the new era. The black fog which emerged from his body, entered his mouth like smoke, and the ritual was complete. His irises now shined in red, with the sclera turning completely black as the horns got darker, leaving his hair to turn white. His presence was sudden and felt deadly, as the surrounding trees started to wither prematurely…the birds chirping before, were now flat on the backs. The snow, was dried out, and the grass bellow it, was now a brown carcass of a lifeless form. The dam on the other side, was burning hot, and the darkness, had covered everything. But there was still something bothering him. Some sort of annoyance was making him frustrated…that insect, Jacob…he acted as if he had won this, but he…the Devil, was standing tall. But…in other words…he did win. He was dead, and didn’t had to endure the suffering that the world was going to see. The very cleanse that it was going to go through. The purge. Ignoring that fact, he smiled again, and started slowly walking beside the dead forest animals fallen down from the dark energy, making his way further in the forest…in the deepest pits of the darkness. His six hundred and sixty-six vessels were now intact with their owner, walking beside him. And the Antichrist…Awakened…once more.
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AuthorHello, this is Nedyalko Delchev, or Black Wing. I’m a writer and currently 25-years old. One of my dreams is to publish a book and impact the world! Until then, I will be posting all kind of contend on my Story Book! Archives
September 2023
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