Digging the Bones (section III: parts 9-12)

Digging the Bones 3: 9: Conversation with the Devil The demon lunged towards Hal, but fell back as if it had hit an invisible barrier at the circle's edge. It flailed its arms and screeched - an ear-splitting howl of dark rage. "Demon, speak your name," said Hal, in a remarkably calm voice. "I, who have summoned you, command it." The creature scowled and hissed - like a hundred snakes all at once! "I am Asmodeus of the Shaitanic Brethren," it said, quite clearly in a strange booming voice. "Puny human! Who dares interrupt my slumber and disturbs my resting bones?" Hal was visibly sweating - even I could smell his fear. "I seek enlightenment, " he said. "Information and power!" I was shocked at his audacity, but kept quiet. I did not want to draw attention to myself just then. "I do not bargain or make deals," said the shaitan. "What, exactly, is it you wish?" "Immortality," replied Hal, without hesitation. Asmodeus shrieked with laughter... obviously greatly amused. "Foolish human! You want something you could not handle. You are incapable of managing your lives, as short as they are!" "I have summoned you to do my bidding!" said Hal. "As I will, so mote it be!" Asmodeus laughed again. Then, without another word, he turned his back on us and vanished into thin air. Hal was visibly shaken. "Th-the circle was supposed to imprison him to my will!" he stammered, wiping off sweat. I could not help chuckling at his heartfelt disappointment. "Obviously not," I said "Of course, now he's out in the world free to do whatever he wants... thanks to your meddling." Hal gave me a dirty look. "Ok, ok... I dug him up... but you brought him back to life!" 10: Advice I really felt that I needed more input as to what to do next. To that end I paid another visit to the gypsy with the answers. She scowled at me as I told her of Hal's attempt at necromancy and what Asmodeus had said. "Your friend is indeed foolish!" she said. "It is a wonder he has been allowed to survive. The demon must want him for something." I hadn't considered that as a possibility, but it made dreadful sense. Asmodeus was not restrained by the chalk circles and could easily have ripped both Hal and myself to shreds if he so desired. I pondered the significance of this revelation, and it did nothing to lull or allay my feelings of impending doom. These feelings were heightened by the insistent and incessant nightmares that now daily plagued my sleep. For these dreams the gypsy also had no answer - to my great disappointment. I pressed her for more response, and finally she indicated that maybe... just maybe, returning the relics to their ancient resting place and re-sealing the crypt might release me from the curse. I was determined to give anything a try that might relieve me from the maddening nightly terrors. Hal was not so easily convinced. He became more and more obsessed with ways to control the shaitans and the stacks of strange and esoteric books grew daily as he added to them. 11: Insanity I worked on convincing Hal as I collected the bones and returned them to their crates. I could not help noticing a sense of electric warmth within each piece I touched. The dreams intensified - as if that were actually possible. On Friday I got the phone call - Hal's mind had apparently snapped - he was going to resurrect the whole bunch of them! He cackled madly into the phone "I'll get them to listen to me! They can't deny me!" He hung up on me at that point. It was futile for me to talk to him in this condition anyway. I raced over to the museum as fast as I could - but it still took almost an hour to get there. The place was sealed like a tomb - I had to break in at the side door and hope Hal hadn't set the alarms. The place was permeated with a scent of spices mingled with a sulphurous tinge of brimstone... not a good portent. I headed straight for the cellars where I knew Hal would be plying his necromantic skills... such as they were. The cauldron still smoked and the 12 candles were still lit. My crates had been dragged into two of the circles and were lying in jumbled pieces. Of the bones there was not a sign - I suppose I was not surprised. The third circle contained nothing but the cauldron - and a large, dark, irregular stain - blood! I turned around, and was sickened by what I saw! Little bits of unrecognizable flesh splattered the wall in the rough outline of a man! The pieces were connected by splash trails of blood, and a single eyeball stared blankly up at me from where it had fallen to the floor. 12: Full Circle It was a full week before I could force myself to leave the dubious safety of my house. I expected at every turn to hear the whoosh of leathery wings or feel the impact of claws in my flesh. I had lived it often enough in the nightmares. I visited the gypsy and she gave me a small bag of herbs to wear around my neck. Oddly enough, for the first time in over a month the dreams actually subsided and I was able to get some much needed rest. I knew I had to go back to Phoenix. The name - another coincidence? I thought not. I loaded my truck with what I would need - tools and dynamite. During daylight hours I worked my way into that hidden crypt. The bones had come back to rest on their own - without my help. They lay strewn about the chamber just as I had found them the first time. I touched nothing, but set about my work. I strategically placed charges along the corridor where they would do the most and lasting damage. At last, at sunset, I was done. I stood outside and pressed the detonator. The rumble began deep below me. Dust and gases spewed from the opening as it collapsed into itself. I had successfully sealed the chamber. Oh no, I had not sealed anything in - of that I was fully aware - the shaitans would emerge in their own time as they wished. I had sealed myself and others of my kind out! ~fin~ 4/8/2002 Written April 8th, 2002 © on Apr 08 2002 05:02 AM PST, Heinz Scheuenstuhl    0 • 10