Allan Young stared at the foreign reflection in the mirror. A few days had passed, and he still couldn’t get used to the green eyes staring back at him. No matter how much the dark voice of the Leviathan tried to console him, Allan wanted nothing more than to be back in his own body.
Over the past few days he had learned that Pastor Paul Turnbridge, who’s body Allan was somehow occupying through the power of the Leviathan, was being kept heavily medicated by the prison psychologist due to what he referred to as epileptic episodes. But rumors had it that these ‘episodes’ were in fact so-called ‘visions’ that the pastor had shared with his followers, and the medication was an attempt by the prison to suppress these visions. The medication also had a nasty side-effect: it caused hallucinations and perceived alternate personalities, which his followers also claimed were an attempt to discredit the pastor’s visions. Allan wasn’t sure which story to believe, but fortunately after the Rapture event everyone was taking about, deliveries ceased to come to the prison - which included all medications.
An audible click, followed by a whirring sound, echoed through the small cell as the gate slid open.
“Let’s go, Paul.” the correctional officer instructed, “You’ve been released.”
Finally.
Since the so-called ‘Rapture’ last week, the prison had been critically short on correctional officers. Many of them had disappeared in their sleep, while others were attacked by eerie bolts of blue lightning while still on duty. Most of the prisoners had remained, leading the warden to make a difficult decision to release non-essential detainees.
Over the past week, Allan had learned that the body he now occupied belonged to none other than the famous televangelist Paul Turnbridge, who had been detained a few months ago on trumped-up charges of tax evasion. Whether or not the charges were valid didn’t matter. He wasn’t a serial killer or an axe murderer, so with their limited staff, the prison couldn’t keep holding him.
He made eye contact with several inmates as he passed through the hall. Their reactions were strange. Many of them pressed their hands together in the universal symbol of worship and bowed their heads slightly.
How ridiculous.
Allan wanted to tell them to stop, but he felt the Leviathan’s influence suppressing his tongue. The brooding voice in his mind urged him to embrace his new role as the leader of this cult. Try as he might to fight it, Allan was forced to comply with the Leviathan’s commands.
The correctional officer placed his index finger on another scanner, and the outer doors of the prison slid open. The commotion outside was so loud it hurt his ears. Just beyond the courtyard gates, hundreds of protesters had gathered.
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“What’s going on?!” Allan asked in alarm.
“Your followers have come to greet your return.” The officer sighed in annoyance. “Go reclaim your flock.”
Allan stared at the crowd. He followed the officer toward the gates, temporarily blinded by the barrage of camera flashes from a large throng of paparazzi and reporters.
When they reached the gate, Allan was unprepared for what happened next. The officer quickly unlocked the gate, and with a shove, Allan was thrown into the crowd. Allan turned just in time to see a smile and a wave from the officer as he slammed the gate shut.
Within moments, a microphone was shoved into his face. “Pastor Turnbridge, how did you accurately predict last week’s Rapture?” He couldn’t identify the source of the question through the spots dancing before his eyes.
“I… uhhh…”
Another reporter cut in, “Billions of people are missing. Did they all make it to heaven? Are they coming back?”
“Umm…”
A third reporter joined the fray. “The governments of the world have collapsed. Gangs are taking over all the major cities. You’re our only hope! What do we do now?”
The questions came so fast that he lost the ability to decipher them. The flashes of light wouldn’t stop. Allan wanted to curl up in a ball and hide… until the power of the Leviathan swelled up inside him. He felt warmth as his skin appeared to glow. Shadows swelled around his feet, lifting him into the air. A hush fell over the crowd.
Allan’s voice boomed, “The seventh seal has opened! Prepare yourselves for the return of The Ancient Ones!”
For a moment, the reporters were silent. Then, the roar of applause broke out. The cameras flashed wildly, and the mob pulled Allan into its midst. He could feel their adulation, and a surge of pride filled his body.
Allan began to recite a twisted version of the words of Ezekiel. His voice reverberated through the crowd.
“The Day of Judgement is near. The City of the Ancients will return in all its glory with the descendants of Enoch.
“A great and mighty army will march toward Jerusalem. The city will be surrounded, and all nations will gather against her.
“And then the earth will tremble. The sky will split apart. Mountains will crumble. And fire will destroy everything in its path.
“This is the way it was meant to be. This is the destiny of man. We must fight to preserve our future. If we don’t, the world will perish, and humanity will be wiped from existence.”
As he spoke, Allan felt the energy of the Leviathan coursing through him, filling his body with strength and vitality.
He continued speaking, looking out over the sea of faces. His eyes glowed brighter, and the shadows behind him grew longer.
“We must stand together. We must follow the will of the Great One. Those who turn away from my words are doomed to destruction. Our fate is sealed if we fail to defeat the enemy. Together, we will prevail!”
As the chants of the crowd rose up, Allan started to float higher, carrying the weight of the entire crowd. The Leviathan urged him to raise his voice even louder. He responded, spewing forth the words of Ezekiel once more.
“The Angel of Death has passed over us! Praise be to God!”
Allan drifted above them, his dark eyes burning bright. He lowered his head, looking down upon his followers. Their collective gaze was riveted on him. He could sense the voices inside their heads, calling to him.
The Leviathan spoke to him, the words echoing in his mind.
“They know me now. They recognize my greatness. I am their leader.”
“Yes, Master.”
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