A frosty chill fell upon my shoulders. My breath became visible in the cold. A light woman’s singing an unrecognizable tune. It was melodious and sweet. The trouble was that in this open field the tune was not echoing across but seemed to be nearby. I stopped my trek through the open meadow that looked as though it had been on a canvas in a museum. Turning slowly in a circle I looked for the person singing. No one.

Still hearing the tune and thinking that it must be a trick of the meadow with its rolling hills. I turned back to the direction I was headed and came face to face with a pale woman’s face. She was angry and foaming at the edges of her mouth. She was dressed in all white, like a robe or long dress. Her hands rose from her waist trembling like she was barely in control of her rage. I could still hear the singing, although it was more of a humming now. I took a step back not wanting to be strangled by this deranged woman.

Her face changed slowly into a skeletal face, and she began to scream. The scream got louder and louder, filing my ears, and causing my eyes to vibrate.

As I crumpled to the ground trying to jam my fingers into my ears farther to muffle the scream, a flash memory popped into my mind. “Beware of the Banshee in the glen. She has been seen recently.” I laughed it off as a tourist gimmick. My eyes explode and the hot fluid runs between my fingers. The last thought that crossed my mind was how will my family find me…

May 1983

The chanting turned to gasps of shock as the far wall began to bleed. The circle stayed intact though the chanting fell off. The bleeding coalesced into a pool of blood on the far wall and the only person still chanting was Zeke, it was his grandmothers book and he was going to see it through. Of the thirteen students in the circle only one was focused, only one was determined. Mark was on Zeke’s left and began to nudge him with his elbow fervently.

“Zeke, Zeke look, ZEKE!” Mark shouted at the end. The temperature in the room dropped sharply and a man stepped from the vertical blood pool, into the dimly lit library. The man was more beautiful than all the seniors in the entire high school. Zeke spun around, and his eyes locked on the vision standing on the carpeted floor. Several of the other began to weep uncontrollably. He stepped forward and smiled.

“Well, well, well,” he chided “I knew someone would use my book to call me, and here I am.” The figure looked around slowly and tutted.

“Not the normal setting for an occasion such as this,” he sighed, “But it will do, I suppose.”

He spread his arms wide and black wings unfolded from his back, an insane smile grew on his face. Everyone in the room jumped to their feet at the horrible revelation. Zeke stood slowly and slowly closed his mouth.

“Are… are you him? The Devil?” the words sounded weak and distant in his own ears. The man held his smile and nodded. The door slammed at the back of the room and scared everyone. He was standing in Zeke’s face now, so close Zeke could smell the spicy scent of his flesh. His skin had a sensuous and smooth surface, like carved marble, muscled and thin at the same time. The kind of figure a gladiator must have had, not fit out of want but need to survive. His arms still out he called to the teenagers.

“Come to me my little lambie, lambs. Let me touch each of you, for your destinies are now foretold. Tied forever to my service, my minions, my children.” The Devils eyes scanned the young and scared faces of the small crowd now gathering to his bosom.

“Wait, he is supposed to do what we say!” A young woman in the back, “We called you! You are supposed to grant us wishes or something.” The room grew colder and darker, all the hope and joy in the world seemed to fade away and only despair remained. Several of the ones who broke into tears earlier resumed the cries of woe.

“Ah, Clair, you want a wish?” she stepped back at the intensity of his gaze, enthralled and terrified at the same time. Looking the dragon in the eyes. “Well my dear, what shall it be, my price is the same as always, so be sure it is really something you want.” His smile held but was hollow and full of sharp teeth. Clair was suddenly angry.

“Who the hell are you? You don’t have horns or a tail! You can’t be the Devil, I would know…” She puffed up, “My dad is a Satanist, he showed me all that stuff. You, you...” As she spoke he reached out and stroked her face, stopping her train of thought. She shuttered visibly as if someone walked over her grave.

“I am he that walks in the shadow, the Morning Star, Son of Perdition. Your father knows me, does he? He has no idea the monsters that wait for him in the deep. I have laughed at the tribulations of man for eons. You are mere play things to me and, you my fine young friends have entered in a covenant with me for one request. The price is your immortal soul.” Again, he looked around the group.

“Who’s first?” he said lightly. No one moved an inch. A stunned silence at the prospect of everything that just happened covered everyone like a blanket. Slowly a hand crept up in the front. Zeke.

“Um, sir.” The Devil rounded on Zeke.

“No sirs, please. Call me Lou.” A charming smile erupted on his face.

“Uh, Lou.” It sounded weird to Zeke’s ears. “I can ask for anything? Is there a catch?”

“You mean more of a catch than your soul? Ah young Zeke, anything your heart desires. Money, Women, Men?” The smile went sly and he winked. Zeke blushed. “You want to be a rock star, that one is popular. A millionaire, billionaire? A King? You have but to ask.” Zeke cleared his throat.

“I want to be a demon,” he said quietly “I want to hurt and cause pain to everyone that hurt me. The whole world will suffer at my hand. That’s what I want.” Everyone in the group shifted their gaze to Zeke, even the old soul was surprised by that one.

Twas fury and stupidity drove me here. to this place high on a cavern ledge. I could go no farther forward for the beasties, and neigh farther back for the cliff face. I stood with my feet at a shoulder with and began to call to my ancestors to warm up some soup because I would be there directly. The Little Bastards rushed me. bobbing and squalling like rats. I could take two at a time whit this sword. three if they lined up well. I coaxed and cursed their mothers and kin. Slashed and kicked, stabbed and spit into their ugly faces. Close enough to smell the hatred on their breath. They no nothing else but war. I cannot remember anything else but killing. we make a good group, do ourselves in for sure.

I step back and again. the nicks and scratches have begun to add up. I fear that I may drain out before I can finish them all. Another step and now I can feel the ledge telling me to go no further. Ten more creatures fall to their own bravery amidst my blade, for it gives none and takes all. The question I pose here is, do I fall and hope or stand and die. It seems we have all come to this stand once in our lives. nary a one facing little green men from the middle of the earth, I’ll wager.

More horns blow in the back of the cavern, more beasties. My decision is made for me...

The babbling heads on the television have the same plastered expression on no matter what they talk about. Train derailed, politician caught cheating, it’s all the same to them. Some channels have gone to hysterics and religion, but the one that is on now is showing graphics and damage assessments, trying to rationalize the situation. The terms like extinction level and planet killer have been tossed around a lot. I came to this bar to not be alone in the end, but it is empty. Society has unraveled much faster than they planned. Pretty much overnight. It was interesting to me at first but, the longer I watched the realization came to me. In seven days, none of this will matter.

I have the worst luck in the world. If something is thrown near me, it will hit me in the head. This has been tested and proven. My wife used to think it was a joke until she beaned me in the dome a dozen or so times thinking she was being funny. I sat in the corner of a room, she threw a toy for the dog, it glanced of of the door and traveled diagonally across the room to hit me square in the face. I was reading at the time so it was a double whammy, one I was not paying attenion so it scared the crap out of me, two because it bloodied my nose. If I get pulled over, no joke I get the police officer that has had the worst day of his/ her career up until that moment. I got a speeding ticket for over three hundred dollars. I have been hit by a car, undergone two surgeries that were supposed to be same day that landed my in the ICU for days each. Gotten a serious infection in my armpit (that totally sucks, and I dont recommend it). and been in a helocopter crash. People have said I have been lucky I wasnt killed. I respond with death would have been way too easy. I wish it was just a story, but its the truth. Go now my friends and spread the tale of my woe.

The smell of the Soil and trees were earthy and full. The daylight had been fading for a few minutes now, it won’t be long before dark. Her Breathing had become ragged and labored. She could feel the cold air burning her throat. Resting, half clinging to a gnarled tree she scanned the dense tree line she had emerged from a moment before. She could feel her feet and legs again, the sudden dip in the very cold creek had caused her legs to fail on several crucial points during this. If that thing had been slightly quicker, she would be a goner. But she had trained for cross country running in collage, she was better than half of the team at least, what’s this stupid monster got? She chuckled to herself at the image of her trash talking something that had literally just tried to eat her. A creaking branch drew her eyes a little farther up the tree line to a smaller tree that was swaying. A dark pit was all she could make out, she felt an insane need to look at it. Maybe if it was like a bear or something it would make sense and she could get away. A long spindly leg slowly emerged from the shadow and seemed to grasp the larger of the trees. A faint chittering, not like crickets but random and louder like when drum sticks are smacked together. She was frozen in place at the sight of the leg, it was black and had long “hairs” protruding from it at the knuckles. Her mind was telling her a tree had fallen and was laying at an odd angle. The creature emerged very slowly and winced when the remaining daylight fell on it dark hide. She didn’t need to see the rest of the monster, because that is most assuredly what is was. A nightmare of epic proportions. Something people would see in a movie and instantly say was fake. A horrifying spider the size of a big horse.

She began running again. The renewed terror fueling her adrenaline making her feel light and fast. The trees around her began to protest by creaking and cracking leaves were raining down and smaller branches falling on the path she was running. No more diving and dodging, she was full speed straight out of there. The “runners high” propelled her farther than before, mixed with fear it was a potent cocktail. The parking lot was in view, she could see the lights. A blast of air hit her in the back, and she missed a step. It must have swung at her in desperation, a smile crossed her face, “NOT TODAY” she yelled defiantly. Her feet whipped backwards hard enough for her knees and hips to pop and scream on the edge of dislocation. A tight cable was being wound around her as she fought with hands and elbows. A class’s she had taken in case someone had more on their mind than just a date. Powerful claws snapped down on her wrists breaking them on contact. She screamed in pain, fury and despair. She wiggled as much as she could buy the cable was tight and getting close to her neck. A shushing sound was coming from the creature, it was strangely calming, and it turned her to look in its face. All of its eyes seemed to focus on her. “please” she moaned in a small voice. A sudden breeze slowly spun her back to it. A red-hot pain shot into her back under the ribs and filling her lungs with fire. The burning filled her up and she vomited foam. The creature seemed satisfied with this result, slung her on its back and scampered back to the cave she seen her prey scamper past. Lilly’s eyes were going blurry but not before a flock of colorful birds flittered away. She smiled and gargled out the word, “pretty”.

Given that the first rule occludes us from mentioning it, I shall endeavor to refrain from the conversation. Boy that sounds smart. I like that, no one will say that I am a fool or stupid anymore. I just need to stand here for a while longer like the guy with the boobs said and I am in. A little bit longer... oh crap here’s the guy with the broom again... Ow... that... stings... Wow his yelling is not as loud as it was before. The hits to the back with that damned broom does not sting as much. I must be getting tougher. Just a bit longer.

Man, I must have been out here for days. My stomach just hurts all the time, not just growling like before. What am I doing out here again? for something important... Like world changing... Oh someone’s coming... Oh they have food, Brother? that’s so nice. A haircut? I don’t mind at all...

The whirring of machines and beeping of the equipment sound far away. The fog of sleep and whatever drug was lifting slowly. I could make out shapes and light. The surgery must have been a success, I am still alive. Although I cannot feel my arms or legs. A form comes to the bedside, through the murky haze I see him. A man I recognize as the doctor, but his name…

“Mr. Smith,” he begins. “The operation did not work, we are keeping you alive with the aid of machines.” My heart sinks.

“You are being slowly harvested for your organs and useful bits, until such time as we can take your heart and be don’t with you.” I rage against the drugs and scream. Nothing.

“I can see by your heart rate that you understand, so I will tell you the rest.” The doctor smiles. “Your wife has already cashed the check from our benefactor to take the parts he needs from you. The disease in your brain has left your body intact. He needs the parts more than you. So, know that she will find love again, your children will call someone else daddy and you will never see it.”

The cloud draws in again, I rage and scream still but my body will not react.

The haze grows dark.

May 1983

The chanting turned to gasps of shock as the far wall began to bleed. The circle stayed intact thought the chanting fell off. The bleeding coalesced into a pool of blood on the far wall and the only person still chanting was Zeke, it was his grandmothers book and he was going to see it through. Of the thirteen students in the circle only one was focused, only one was determined. Mark was on Zeke’s left and began to nudge him with his elbow fervently.

“Zeke, Zeke look, ZEKE!” Mark shouted at the end. The temperature in the room dropped sharply and a man stepped from the vertical blood pool, into the dimly lit library. The man was more beautiful than all the seniors in the entire high school. Zeke spun around, and his eyes locked on the vision standing on the carpeted floor. Several of the other began to weep uncontrollably. He stepped forward and smiled.

“Well, well, well,” he chided “I knew someone would use my book to call me, and here I am.” The figure looked around slowly and tutted.

“Not the normal setting for an occasion such as this,” he sighed, “But it will do, I suppose.”

He spread his arms wide and black wings unfolded from his back, an insane smile grew on his face. Everyone in the room jumped to their feet at the horrible revelation. Zeke stood slowly and slowly closed his mouth.

“Are… are you him? The Devil?” the words sounded weak and distant in his own ears. The man held his smile and nodded. The door slammed at the back of the room and scared everyone. He was standing in Zeke’s face now, so close Zeke could smell the spicy scent of his flesh. His skin had a sensuous and smooth surface, like carved marble, muscled and thin at the same time. The kind of figure a gladiator must have had, not fit out of want but need to survive. His arms still out he called to the teenagers.

“Come to me my little lambie, lambs. Let me touch each of you, for your destinies are now foretold. Tied forever to my service, my minions, my children.” The Devils eyes scanned the young and scared faces of the small crowd now gathering to his bosom.

“Wait, he is supposed to do what we say!” A young woman in the back, “We called you! You are supposed to grant us wishes or something.” The room grew colder and darker, all the hope and joy in the world seemed to fade away and only despair remained. Several of the ones who broke into tears earlier resumed the cries of woe.

“Ah, Clair, you want a wish?” she stepped back at the intensity of his gaze, enthralled and terrified at the same time. Looking the dragon in the eyes. “Well my dear, what shall it be, my price is the same as always, so be sure it is really something you want.” His smile held but was hollow and full of sharp teeth. Clair was suddenly angry.

“Who the hell are you? You don’t have horns or a tail! You can’t be the Devil, I would know…” She puffed up, “My dad is a Satanist, he showed me all that stuff. You, you...” As she spoke he reached out and stroked her face, stopping her train of thought. She shuttered visibly as if someone walked over her grave.

“I am he that walks in the shadow, the Morning Star, Son of Perdition. Your father knows me, does he? He has no idea the monsters that wait for him in the deep. I have laughed at the tribulations of man for eons. You are mere play things to me and, you my fine young friends have entered in a covenant with me for one request. The price is your immortal soul.” Again, he looked around the group.

“Who’s first?” he said lightly. No one moved an inch. A stunned silence at the prospect of everything that just happened covered everyone like a blanket. Slowly a hand crept up in the front. Zeke.

“Um, sir.” The Devil rounded on Zeke.

“No sirs, please. Call me Lou.” A charming smile erupted on his face.

“Uh, Lou.” It sounded weird to Zeke’s ears. “I can ask for anything? Is there a catch?”

“You mean more of a catch than your soul? Ah young Zeke, anything your heart desires. Money, Women, Men?” The smile went sly and he winked. Zeke blushed. “You want to be a rock star, that one is popular. A millionaire, billionaire? A King? You have but to ask.” Zeke cleared his throat.

“I want to be a demon,” he said quietly “I want to hurt and cause pain to everyone that hurt me. The whole world will suffer at my hand. That’s what I want.” Everyone in the group shifted their gaze to Zeke, even the old soul was surprised by that one.

“Oh yes I can do that. You will be the scourge of the world. Women and children will weep at the mention of your name. Men will run in terror at the mention of you.” He embraced the young man. “There are things you must do in order for this to happen, Ezekiel, a blackening of the soul if you will. Sacrifices and blood, gallons of it, Rivers!” A peal of laughter echoed around the room, as the man brightened at the idea of a flow of blood drowning towns. Zeke smiled and pulled off the robe, he was drenched in sweat. His chubby frame had begun to change and reform already, scales sprouting on his hands.