October 17th
They’re following me.
Ever since that ritual last night, the pack of wolves
Have been following me. They stay at a distance, but
I know they’re there. They’re in plain sight.
On top of the wolves, I’m seeing crows everywhere.
They fly above as I walk home. They sit on
Telephone poles watching when I’m sitting outside.
I don’t think they’re here to protect me.
I feel like I’m being watched all the time.
I feel like a prisoner.
Kyle closed the journal. He glanced up at the group of crows across the street. Their beady eyes focused on him. Not a single one moved, not even to ruffle a feather. A chill tickled Kyle’s neck.
“What are you?” He inhaled deeply. For a long minute, he watched the unmoving crows. He understood Jacob’s concern. Now he felt like a prisoner. Kyle gulped back his unease. If Mrs. Dawson was being serious… and she’s not crazy… then those things must be evil; maybe even demonic.
Kyle rose to feet. He stuffed the journal into his bag before heading inside the school. Only a handful of students lingered in the hallways. It was still early morning and only the kids with additional classes or involved with clubs had arrived this early. Kyle had only arrived so early since he was so restless the night before. The bags under his eyes clearly reflected his exhaustion.
Mrs. Dawson’s words echoed in Kyle’s mind all night. His mind was plagued with her deadly serious gaze. She was haunted. Now he was certain Jacob was involved with something inexplicitly supernatural.
The moment he had stepped out of his house, Kyle felt the eyes of the crows on him. They followed him to the school and watched him as he read. He was terrified.
He at least felt safe inside the school building. There was no way for the crows to watch him now.
Kyle approached the door to his first class. Although he knew it wouldn’t be opened, he gave the handle a try. Kyle’s eyes grew wide with shock when the door opened.
He peeked inside the dark room. The chemistry lab remained spotless. Each table was equipped with a sink and burner. The flasks had been stored in the cabinet underneath. The chemicals were locked away in the storage room to keep students safe.
Kyle took a closer look. The door to the storage room was open slightly ajar. A dim light peeked through.
“Mr. Hughes?”
Kyle heard a glass clink inside the storage room. Kyle gulped. He tiptoed toward it. “Mr. Hughes? Are you in there?” With a trembling hand, Kyle slowly opened the door.
“I've been waiting for you, Kyle.”
Kyle’s jaw dropped. “Jacob?!”
Jacob sat on the storage’s back cabinet. He looked down at Kyle with a smirk. His long black hair draped over his bare shoulder which were now tatted with unfamiliar symbols. His bulging arms were covered with black veins. What held most disturbing, however, was the sight of Jacob’s pure black eyes.
Two creatures sat on shelves beside Jacob. They were no taller than three feet and their ash-colored skin was dried and rough. Wings fluttered absentmindedly on their backs. The two creatures stared at Kyle with demonic yellow eyes and a grin showing their jagged teeth.
Kyle’s attention fell to Mr. Hughes who lay in a puddle of blood. Kyle gasped. “Jacob, what did you do?”
Jacob shrugged. “I got bored.”
“I don’t understand… Where have you been?” Kyle knelt beside Mr. Hughes. Blood pouring from a slash in the middle-agedd man's neck. Kyle stumbled back. “You killed Mr. Hughes!”
“That is a circumstantial assumption. I didn’t lift a finger. He did it all himself.” Jacob twirled a bloody scalpel between his fingers. He belted out in laughter. The two strange creatures joined him. Their shrill, otherworldly laughs sent chills through Kyle’s body.
“What happened to you?”
Jacob lifted his eyebrow. He pursed his lips but his grin remained evident. Jacob rolled his head around and cracked his neck. As his black eyes focused on Kyle, Jacob levitated off the cabinet. “My ascension.”
Kyle’s eyes bulged. He took a step back and slipped on Mr. Hughes blood which had trickled over. Kyle scrambled back. “Holy crap!”
Jacob hovered over Kyle. “The crows tell me you’ve been putting your nose in business which doesn’t concern you.” He slightly tiled his head. “Now why would you been doing a thing like that?”
“The crows? You mean those things are actually watching me?”
Jacob chuckled. “Unsettling, isn’t it? I felt the same way before the ritual.”
“What ritual?”
“Tsk, tsk,” Jacob wagged his finger, “You already have my journal. For shame.”
The two creatures crawled out of the storage closet. They rolled their necks around as they approached like predators. Kyle's breath caught in his throat.
“Now then,” Jacob held a hand up. The two creatures halted. “Why don’t you tell me why you’ve been sneaking in my private business?”
Kyle blinked. “Why else? I was trying to find you.”
Jacob sat on the floor and put his chin on his knuckles. ”What can I do for you then?”
“What?” Kyle glanced at the two creatures. “Jacob, people think you’re dead. Your dad and sister were murdered, your mom is in an insane asylum, and you were missing. I had to know if you were okay. You're my best friend.”
Jacob hopped to his feet. “As you can see, I’m doing just dandy. I feel wonderful. Power courses through my veins and more will come as the new moon approaches.” Jacob sauntered over to the window. He peeked through the blinds. “In a week’s time I will have enough power to lay waste to this world and create a new one.”
“This has to be a joke…” Kyle used one of the lab tables to pick himself up. The creatures snickered at his shaking knees.
“Oh, it’s no joke.” Jacob cracked his neck again. “Now, what am I going to do about you?”
Kyle’s eyes grew wide. He glanced at Mr. Hughes corpse and back to Jacob. Fear gripped his heart as he tried to take a breath. Jacob smirked. He clicked his tongue.
The two creatures pounced. Kyle jumped over the lab table. He knocked back the stools behind him in vain attempt to slow the creatures. He rammed the door down and fell into the empty hallway. The creatures hung on the doorframe, snickering and cackling with their otherworldly laughs.
Kyle scrambled into a run. The two creatures bounced from wall to wall behind him. Kyle’s legs burned with every step. He turned the corner and slammed into a man. Kyle fell back. He looked up at the stranger. “Run!”
The stranger readjusted his glasses. He knelt to pick up his black hat and slicked his short black hair back before putting it back on. The man glanced up as the two creatures appeared. The creatures stalled as they took in the new guest.
The stranger pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He took a puff before shoving his black gloved hands into his worn suit jacket.
Kyle got to his feet and tried to pull the stranger away. “We’ve got to run! They’ll kill us!”
The creatures snickered. One jumped at the stranger. The stranger took a step to the side. As the creature landed, the stranger stepped on its back and pinned it to the ground. Kyle stepped back. The stranger pulled out a ruby-embed dagger and stabbed it clear through.
Kyle watched smoke rise from the creature before it shriveled into nothing. He gasped. He looked up just in time to see the stranger throw the ruby dagger at the fleeing creature. It pierced through the chest and dropped the creature. A shrill shriek escaped as it shriveled up.
The stranger approached the shriveled creature and pulled his dagger out. He calmly stuffed it back into his pocket and picked up the creature’s remains. He glanced at Kyle. “Pick that one up before somebody sees.”
Kyle looked down at the raisin-like body at his feet. He cringed.
The stranger pulled out his phone. He raised his eyebrows at Kyle as he put the phone to ear. “Hey. It was just as you expected.” The stranger frowned as Kyle picked up the shriveled body and started to dry-heave. “Yeah. I’ll bring him.”
Kyle stiffened. “Bring who?”
“You.” The stranger took a step forward. “Let's go.”
Kyle stepped back. “No way. I don’t know who you are.” He looked at the stranger again. “Wait a minute. You were standing outside my house two nights ago. Why are you following me?”
The stranger put his hand up. “I assure you, I will cause you no harm.” Kids started to enter the school. “But Jacob will.”
Kyle blinked. “Who are you?”
“An ally.” The stranger moved to his side and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. He held the shriveled creature’s body close and out of sight. Kyle instinctively followed suit and let himself be led down the hall and out of the school.
The two maneuvered passed the growing crowds of laughing and rowdy students. A black car pulled up to the curb as they approached. The tinted window lowered. The woman Kyle met the day before sat in the backseat. She winked at him, “A pleasure to see you again.”
Kyle looked from the stranger to the woman. “I’m so confused. Who are you two?”
“The woman glanced at the school. Her face turned sour. “Don’t stand on ceremony, Blaine. Open the door for our guest.”
Blaine rolled his eyes. “I didn’t realize I’ve been demoted to servant.” He opened the door and gestured for Kyle to enter.
“Don’t be silly. You know you’re the only one I trust.” The woman slid over for Kyle.
Kyle glanced from Blaine to the woman. He looked back over his shoulder at the school. His fellow classmates horsed around and laughed. Some were focused on their studies while others sat in shady areas just talking. His eyes lingered up the school building. He gasped.
Jacob sat on the edge of the roof, idly swinging his legs. He waved at Kyle. Kyle balled a fist as if it could stop the fear in his heart. Jacob jumped. He disappeared into the crowd but not a single shout or scream indicated the fall. It was as if no one had seen him.
Kyle jumped into the car. Fear took him. His hands shook uncontrollably. Kyle took short breaths as he tried to wrap his mind around what happened.
The woman placed a tender hand on his knee. “Don’t be scared. You’re safe now.”
Blaine got into the passenger seat. He glanced back at the woman and nodded. The car pulled into traffic.
“Tell me what’s going on. What happened to Jacob? Why did he look like that? Why did he kill Mr. Hughes? And who are you people? Why did those things not freak you out?” Kyle sobbed into his hands. “What is happening?!”
“We’ll stop for something to eat and get a cup of tea from a café I know. You’re going to need the strength and something to calm you.” The woman leaned against her door. “My name is Mina and I’m a demon hunter.”
They’re following me.
Ever since that ritual last night, the pack of wolves
Have been following me. They stay at a distance, but
I know they’re there. They’re in plain sight.
On top of the wolves, I’m seeing crows everywhere.
They fly above as I walk home. They sit on
Telephone poles watching when I’m sitting outside.
I don’t think they’re here to protect me.
I feel like I’m being watched all the time.
I feel like a prisoner.
Kyle closed the journal. He glanced up at the group of crows across the street. Their beady eyes focused on him. Not a single one moved, not even to ruffle a feather. A chill tickled Kyle’s neck.
“What are you?” He inhaled deeply. For a long minute, he watched the unmoving crows. He understood Jacob’s concern. Now he felt like a prisoner. Kyle gulped back his unease. If Mrs. Dawson was being serious… and she’s not crazy… then those things must be evil; maybe even demonic.
Kyle rose to feet. He stuffed the journal into his bag before heading inside the school. Only a handful of students lingered in the hallways. It was still early morning and only the kids with additional classes or involved with clubs had arrived this early. Kyle had only arrived so early since he was so restless the night before. The bags under his eyes clearly reflected his exhaustion.
Mrs. Dawson’s words echoed in Kyle’s mind all night. His mind was plagued with her deadly serious gaze. She was haunted. Now he was certain Jacob was involved with something inexplicitly supernatural.
The moment he had stepped out of his house, Kyle felt the eyes of the crows on him. They followed him to the school and watched him as he read. He was terrified.
He at least felt safe inside the school building. There was no way for the crows to watch him now.
Kyle approached the door to his first class. Although he knew it wouldn’t be opened, he gave the handle a try. Kyle’s eyes grew wide with shock when the door opened.
He peeked inside the dark room. The chemistry lab remained spotless. Each table was equipped with a sink and burner. The flasks had been stored in the cabinet underneath. The chemicals were locked away in the storage room to keep students safe.
Kyle took a closer look. The door to the storage room was open slightly ajar. A dim light peeked through.
“Mr. Hughes?”
Kyle heard a glass clink inside the storage room. Kyle gulped. He tiptoed toward it. “Mr. Hughes? Are you in there?” With a trembling hand, Kyle slowly opened the door.
“I've been waiting for you, Kyle.”
Kyle’s jaw dropped. “Jacob?!”
Jacob sat on the storage’s back cabinet. He looked down at Kyle with a smirk. His long black hair draped over his bare shoulder which were now tatted with unfamiliar symbols. His bulging arms were covered with black veins. What held most disturbing, however, was the sight of Jacob’s pure black eyes.
Two creatures sat on shelves beside Jacob. They were no taller than three feet and their ash-colored skin was dried and rough. Wings fluttered absentmindedly on their backs. The two creatures stared at Kyle with demonic yellow eyes and a grin showing their jagged teeth.
Kyle’s attention fell to Mr. Hughes who lay in a puddle of blood. Kyle gasped. “Jacob, what did you do?”
Jacob shrugged. “I got bored.”
“I don’t understand… Where have you been?” Kyle knelt beside Mr. Hughes. Blood pouring from a slash in the middle-agedd man's neck. Kyle stumbled back. “You killed Mr. Hughes!”
“That is a circumstantial assumption. I didn’t lift a finger. He did it all himself.” Jacob twirled a bloody scalpel between his fingers. He belted out in laughter. The two strange creatures joined him. Their shrill, otherworldly laughs sent chills through Kyle’s body.
“What happened to you?”
Jacob lifted his eyebrow. He pursed his lips but his grin remained evident. Jacob rolled his head around and cracked his neck. As his black eyes focused on Kyle, Jacob levitated off the cabinet. “My ascension.”
Kyle’s eyes bulged. He took a step back and slipped on Mr. Hughes blood which had trickled over. Kyle scrambled back. “Holy crap!”
Jacob hovered over Kyle. “The crows tell me you’ve been putting your nose in business which doesn’t concern you.” He slightly tiled his head. “Now why would you been doing a thing like that?”
“The crows? You mean those things are actually watching me?”
Jacob chuckled. “Unsettling, isn’t it? I felt the same way before the ritual.”
“What ritual?”
“Tsk, tsk,” Jacob wagged his finger, “You already have my journal. For shame.”
The two creatures crawled out of the storage closet. They rolled their necks around as they approached like predators. Kyle's breath caught in his throat.
“Now then,” Jacob held a hand up. The two creatures halted. “Why don’t you tell me why you’ve been sneaking in my private business?”
Kyle blinked. “Why else? I was trying to find you.”
Jacob sat on the floor and put his chin on his knuckles. ”What can I do for you then?”
“What?” Kyle glanced at the two creatures. “Jacob, people think you’re dead. Your dad and sister were murdered, your mom is in an insane asylum, and you were missing. I had to know if you were okay. You're my best friend.”
Jacob hopped to his feet. “As you can see, I’m doing just dandy. I feel wonderful. Power courses through my veins and more will come as the new moon approaches.” Jacob sauntered over to the window. He peeked through the blinds. “In a week’s time I will have enough power to lay waste to this world and create a new one.”
“This has to be a joke…” Kyle used one of the lab tables to pick himself up. The creatures snickered at his shaking knees.
“Oh, it’s no joke.” Jacob cracked his neck again. “Now, what am I going to do about you?”
Kyle’s eyes grew wide. He glanced at Mr. Hughes corpse and back to Jacob. Fear gripped his heart as he tried to take a breath. Jacob smirked. He clicked his tongue.
The two creatures pounced. Kyle jumped over the lab table. He knocked back the stools behind him in vain attempt to slow the creatures. He rammed the door down and fell into the empty hallway. The creatures hung on the doorframe, snickering and cackling with their otherworldly laughs.
Kyle scrambled into a run. The two creatures bounced from wall to wall behind him. Kyle’s legs burned with every step. He turned the corner and slammed into a man. Kyle fell back. He looked up at the stranger. “Run!”
The stranger readjusted his glasses. He knelt to pick up his black hat and slicked his short black hair back before putting it back on. The man glanced up as the two creatures appeared. The creatures stalled as they took in the new guest.
The stranger pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He took a puff before shoving his black gloved hands into his worn suit jacket.
Kyle got to his feet and tried to pull the stranger away. “We’ve got to run! They’ll kill us!”
The creatures snickered. One jumped at the stranger. The stranger took a step to the side. As the creature landed, the stranger stepped on its back and pinned it to the ground. Kyle stepped back. The stranger pulled out a ruby-embed dagger and stabbed it clear through.
Kyle watched smoke rise from the creature before it shriveled into nothing. He gasped. He looked up just in time to see the stranger throw the ruby dagger at the fleeing creature. It pierced through the chest and dropped the creature. A shrill shriek escaped as it shriveled up.
The stranger approached the shriveled creature and pulled his dagger out. He calmly stuffed it back into his pocket and picked up the creature’s remains. He glanced at Kyle. “Pick that one up before somebody sees.”
Kyle looked down at the raisin-like body at his feet. He cringed.
The stranger pulled out his phone. He raised his eyebrows at Kyle as he put the phone to ear. “Hey. It was just as you expected.” The stranger frowned as Kyle picked up the shriveled body and started to dry-heave. “Yeah. I’ll bring him.”
Kyle stiffened. “Bring who?”
“You.” The stranger took a step forward. “Let's go.”
Kyle stepped back. “No way. I don’t know who you are.” He looked at the stranger again. “Wait a minute. You were standing outside my house two nights ago. Why are you following me?”
The stranger put his hand up. “I assure you, I will cause you no harm.” Kids started to enter the school. “But Jacob will.”
Kyle blinked. “Who are you?”
“An ally.” The stranger moved to his side and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. He held the shriveled creature’s body close and out of sight. Kyle instinctively followed suit and let himself be led down the hall and out of the school.
The two maneuvered passed the growing crowds of laughing and rowdy students. A black car pulled up to the curb as they approached. The tinted window lowered. The woman Kyle met the day before sat in the backseat. She winked at him, “A pleasure to see you again.”
Kyle looked from the stranger to the woman. “I’m so confused. Who are you two?”
“The woman glanced at the school. Her face turned sour. “Don’t stand on ceremony, Blaine. Open the door for our guest.”
Blaine rolled his eyes. “I didn’t realize I’ve been demoted to servant.” He opened the door and gestured for Kyle to enter.
“Don’t be silly. You know you’re the only one I trust.” The woman slid over for Kyle.
Kyle glanced from Blaine to the woman. He looked back over his shoulder at the school. His fellow classmates horsed around and laughed. Some were focused on their studies while others sat in shady areas just talking. His eyes lingered up the school building. He gasped.
Jacob sat on the edge of the roof, idly swinging his legs. He waved at Kyle. Kyle balled a fist as if it could stop the fear in his heart. Jacob jumped. He disappeared into the crowd but not a single shout or scream indicated the fall. It was as if no one had seen him.
Kyle jumped into the car. Fear took him. His hands shook uncontrollably. Kyle took short breaths as he tried to wrap his mind around what happened.
The woman placed a tender hand on his knee. “Don’t be scared. You’re safe now.”
Blaine got into the passenger seat. He glanced back at the woman and nodded. The car pulled into traffic.
“Tell me what’s going on. What happened to Jacob? Why did he look like that? Why did he kill Mr. Hughes? And who are you people? Why did those things not freak you out?” Kyle sobbed into his hands. “What is happening?!”
“We’ll stop for something to eat and get a cup of tea from a café I know. You’re going to need the strength and something to calm you.” The woman leaned against her door. “My name is Mina and I’m a demon hunter.”