Rayan was left barely conscious alongside his sister. Was this it? Was that thing gone? No, whatever it was, Rayan saw it leave. It was like a rat fleeing from a sinking ship,and whatever Rayan did just slowed it down.
Rayans eyes though swollen and bloody, began to leak tears. He killed his own father. He couldn’t bring himself to justify it. Yes, it would have killed jesse, and done god knows what to him, but there must have been another way.
The pool of blood reached Rayan. Looking at his gore covered hand, Rayan couldn't tell what blood was his father's or his own. ‘This is a waist.’ What matters anymore? When the police show up he was either going to jail or the mad house. He might as well just sit here and wait for the inevitable.
“Mmmm Rayan?” A tired whisper sounded from the sleeping girl.
Rayan quickly looked over to see jesse was still asleep. At least there was that, she wouldn’t have to see her father in that state.
This is why he needed to keep going.
Jesse was the only family he had left in the world. The shadow is still out there, Rayan knew it would be looking for them. It needed them for something. If he gave up now he would never see her again, and that thing would have an easy time getting to her. But Rayan for whatever reason could see it, and that was their only shot to survive.
Standing up and almost collapsing from the pain in his head, Rayan walked to jesse and lifted her quickly before the pool of blood reached her. Rayan was surprised by how little his arms were hurting. Almost all of his skin halfway up the forearm burnt away leaving a messy red and pink speckled with blisters.
‘Must be the adrenaline, to bad its not helping with my head.’
Rayan set Jesse in the living room sofa, so if she woke she wouldn’t see the horrid scene in the study. Rayan knew that he couldn’t just run away without a plan and supplies. So he got to work dumping out his and Jesse’s school bags, and collected what would be needed. He knew jesse probably wouldn’t like his fashion sense but he packed her an armful of shirts and pants. His own was the same he didn’t even bother looking at what he grabbed. When he finished with regular clothes he picked out a simple hoodie for both of them with no designs in hope of going unnoticed.
Further in his room he took several other items a folding pocket knife, that every boy around his age carried and his life savings. Which was an astonishing $115, twenty five of which was on a Pizza Hut gift card. Rayan sighed leaving the room and made a quiet note on how he should have saved his money.
He then made a stop by his father's room. It was a simple single bed with a dresser and walk-in closet. The walls were adorned with pictures of Rayan, Jesse and their father’s younger self. Rayan quickly opened the closet and found what he was looking for, a black metal case about the size of a shoe box. On the front was a combination lock.
Rayan remembered what his father told him when he showed the combination.
‘Never open this box unless it is absolutely necessary.’
‘I have a feeling this counts.’
“03-25-99” Rayan mouthed the numbers as he turned the combo. His heart grew heavy when the lid opened with an audible click.
A clip of money, his and Jesse’s birth certificates. But the sight that dominated the box was a silver revolver. Rayan wasn’t familiar with different brands and types of guns. His father always teaching him to settle things with his fist. However, his dad made sure he could always protect himself and Jesse, and when his own hands wouldn’t be enough this was the last resort.
Rayan cautiously picked up the firearm placing it deep in his own bag.
‘Hopefully I’ll never have to use this’ Rayan thought to himself but he knew in his heart if that thing comes back he wouldn't hesitate. Not even for a second.
Next was the money. $300 all in twenties.
“Well at least dad was more prepared than I was.” He said placing the monet directly in his pocket.
Rayan had fished getting everything he thought might be useful, but the adrenaline from the fight was starting to wear off. Pain was building up even more around his head and and forearms. He began to sweat from the shear agony. Rayan dizzily walked to the bathroom. When he flicked on the light to his horror he saw his reflection in the mirror. Rayan was absolutely covered in blood. He knew he couldn’t leave like this but the pain was overcoming his need to wash. Knocking over pill bottles and soap he found what he was looking for. Rayan took two painkillers and pocketed the rest. They were going to take a while to work so Rayan wetted a towel with cold water
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The relief was almost immediate when he pressed the cool cloth it to his face.
‘Wait’ …’Is that steam?’
It was, the water seemed to evaporate almost immediately as it touched his face. Finally back from his trance like state Rayan remembered what happened earlier. The intense burning and energy that seemed to explode from Rayan when he needed it.
Rayan continued to wet his face until it seemed he cooled down enough that water stayed on his skin. His head seemed to have been relieved the migrain as he cooled down back to his normal body heat. After changing his shirt and wrapping his arms in bandage he leaved the restroom.
Rayan knew it was time to go.
Rayan went down to the living room, both of the packs slung over his shoulder. When he reached the corner of the stairwell he looked up to find a light around the corner quickly moving across the wall. Rayan took a step backwards, but still dizzy, he stumbled barely catching himself. The beam of light shot towards him.
“Police! Hands up!” The silhouette shouted to Rayan.
‘Oh, no’ Rayan thought to himself. He had no idea what to do if he went to jail, jesse would be left unprotected. Rayan thought over his options. ‘Should I try that thing with my hands again? I don't want to kill him.’ Rayan didn’t know if it was possible to use that power and not kill. In fact he wasn’t sure if he could do it again at all. Rayan was left with only one option that he could think of.
“Please! I need help!” He whimpered to the police officer placing his hands into the air. The cop lowered his weapon.
“What happened? We got reports of screaming coming from this location. The door was open.” The cop questioned Rayan.
Rayan thought this was the best option. Sure the cop would want to bring him in, but first he would search the house and Rayan and Jesse could make their escape.
“Aaaahhh!” A high pitch scream came from upstairs.
Rayan Looked at the sofa and saw Jesse was missing.
“Stay here!” The police officer quickly shouted to Rayan as he ran up the stairs. Rayan completely disregarded what he was told and followed close behind. As they came to the source of the scream Rayans heartbeat intensified at the sight he saw.
Jesse was near the door staring wide eyed at the headless corpse of her father. But something hung in the air. At the top corner of the room Rayan saw the shadow perched like a bat. Rayan saw it much more clear than before. The form was made of an all black twisting void, with a clear, if horrifying face. Two protrusions came from its forehead resembling horns. The whole creature was about the size of a house cat. Rayan had no idea of what to do and in an immediate response he pointed at it and yelled to get the cops attention.
The Demon turned to look at Rayan, a smile already across it ‘face’.
‘This just might work out…’ The shadow thought.
And so the creature awaited the the gaze of the uniformed individual.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tony Edelman was a good man. The father of two children, both of which were now in college, an active member of the community and an active up holder of the law. Found himself in the most insane night of his career. Responding to an assumed domestic dispute was now a body with no head, two children, and some kind of satanic circle on the wall.
Tony had always been a devout christian man the Deacon of the local church. So when the beaten and bruised teenage boy started to scream and shout next to him, pointing at the corner of the room,Tony had taken it very seriously. When he looked at the spot the boy was pointing at he had trouble seeing anything, but when he went to look away out the corner of his eye he saw it. The only word he could use to describe it was demon.
“Oh my God….” Tony said in a trembling voice.
Tony lifted his gun, but before he could get at shot off. The demon was already launching itself at the man. The thing latched on to him, Tony had tried to pry it off, but the blurred form passed right through his grip.
“Aaaahh!” Tony screamed hunched over in pain. The creature on his arm seemed to slowly sink into his flesh.At this point Tony new he had little chance of escape. But the children still had a chance. All he had to do was stall it.
“Run! Get out of here!” The cop screamed with all of his breath. Rayan who was watching dumbfounded didn't need to be told twice. After grasping Jesse wrist ran full speed out of the house. Tony kneeled to the floor placing his palms together he prayed.
“It won’t work” The demon whispered into Tony’s ear. “You’re already going to be mine. Thanks to that little Rayan boy.”
The cop knew how this would end, he could already feel his connection to his mind waver. But still he prayed louder.
“You belief may be strong.”The creature continued. ”But your god isn’t listening.”
“Demon, You may take my body and freewill from me, but I will fight you for as long as it take for those children to get away.”
And with that Tony Edelman fell over unconscious.
“That boy is very interesting.” Baal knew would it will take awhile to claim this body because the previous owner was still fighting him. But that was okay, he was a patient being, he would get his prize.
He always did.