Salem Rising

Everyone was sitting around the table holding hands. The room was dimly lit with flickering candlelight. Sarah and Mary kept looking at each other trying not to giggle, while Isaac attempted to conduct a seance. Jacob and Jonah kept rolling their eyes because they knew he didn’t know what he was doing. Despite the distractions in the room Isaac managed to center himself, and he began to read from the book that was in front of him.

We call upon you, the all-knowing spirits from the great beyond.

Jacob was trying desperately to contain the laughter building inside, so Sarah squeezed his hand a bit and smiled at him.

Shush.

Isaac continued what he was saying, and addressed the spirits.

Is there anyone here with us right now?

Jacob answered him in an exaggerated ghostly voice.

Aye, and we all think you’re full of it.

Isaac opened his eyes and looked across the table at Jacob with a visibly irritated expression.

Real mature Jacob. Mock me if you will but you were the ones that said you wanted to contact your parents.

Jacob put his hands up as if he had no part in asking Isaac for anything.

Don’t look at me, this was Jonah’s idea.

Jonah seemed disappointed as he shook his head, looking over at Jacob.

Aye, to help you. Ever since we left Ireland all that’s been on your mind is Ma and Da’s death.

I appreciate the thought little brother, but Isaac’s hardly the person we should have requesting favors from the spirits. No one in the living world takes him seriously, so how much more open do you think the dead are going to be?

Mary and Sarah giggled, but Isaac was not happy with the continued insults. He grabbed his book and jumped up from the table, but as he turned to leave the room Jonah grabbed his arm to stop him. Isaac looked down with an angry expression but then relaxed when he saw Jonah looking up at him.

Isaac, please continue. Pay him no mind. You know how much he loves getting you riled up.

Jacob laughed.

He makes it so easy.

Isaac sighed and then sat back down. He flipped through his book to find the page that he needed then looked around the table at everyone.

I’ll continue... but only because it’s for you Jonah. Your brothers an ass.

Jacob pretended to be offended, but he broke into laughter as he spoke.

Isaac how can you say such a thing, after all we’ve been through together, and what we’ve meant to each... I’m sorry, I tried.

Isaac grumbled as he shifted in his seat out of frustration.

Can we all just join hands and get this over with?

Everyone regained their composure and joined hands once again. They bowed their heads to focus as Isaac resumed reading from the book.

We call upon you, all-knowing spirits from the great beyond. Commune with us tonight, so we might share in your knowledge. Is there anyone here with us?

Jacob looked around the room and then over at Isaac.

Well, I guess they don’t take you seriously either.

Isaac couldn’t take any more of Jacob's insults, so he broke the circle, stood up, and threw his hands into the air. He looked towards the ceiling and spoke in a demanding tone.

Spirits, I command you to speak with us NOW!

A breeze began blowing through the room and the candles started to flicker. Isaac looked around the room in excitement.

See, I told you I had power!

Jacob couldn’t contain himself any longer as he started laughing hysterically.

Because a breeze started blowing? We all know you’re full of hot air, but I wouldn’t call it a power.

Isaac was about to respond but before he could he got thrown back into the wall by an unseen force and then fell unconscious. All the candles in the room blew out, and everyone started to panic in the darkness, including Jacob. A small amount of moonlight shining through the windows was all that was illuminating the cabin in the woods.

Mary screamed as she got pulled backward and everyone could hear her chair breaking as it slammed to the ground. Then Jacob and Jonah screamed as both of their chairs slid across the floor before tipping over and sending them tumbling to the ground. Sarah felt something start to grab for her, but she didn’t wait to be pulled out of her chair. She dove to the ground and scrambled across the floor screaming.

No, don’t touch me! Leave me alone!

Everyone could hear Sarah struggling as something tore through her dress. In the moonlight, they could see a shadow standing over her growling with yellow glowing eyes. Isaac was still unconscious. Jacob and Jonah both rolled over to their backs groggy and shaken as they tried to clear the fog from their heads, so they could help Sarah. They both stared wide-eyed as the shadow with the yellow glowing eyes was now standing over them.

Mary was laying on her back in shock with broken pieces of her chair all around her. Sarah was sitting underneath the table crying as she pulled her clothing together. She continued staring at the floor as the shadow paced around the room focusing in on each of them and then stopped in front of Jacob. The glow in its eyes became intense, right before Jacob thrust his hand out in front of him.

I command you demon, BE GONE!

The shadow exploded into a cloud of smoke and everyone fell unconscious. Jacob and Jonah woke up to the sound of Isaac and the girls crying in the darkness. Jonah stood up and hurried to light a lantern, so he could make sure everyone was alright. Jacob ran over to Sarah and through his arms around her. It looked like something tore through her dress with claws. Jonah sat down next to Mary and held her trying to comfort her. Isaac turned one of the unbroken chairs upright and sat down. He let his head fall into his hands as he wiped some tears from his eyes.

I don’t understand. Nothing like that has ever happened before.

Mary stood up and grabbed her coat.

I want to go home. Jonah, please take me home.

Sarah nodded her head in agreement as she wiped away her tears and stood up to grab her coat as well. Jacob and Jonah did the same as they got ready to give them a ride back to their family’s farms. Everyone was in shock after the events of the night. Jonah looked over his shoulder at Mary who was holding on tight with her head resting on his back.

I will never let anything harm you.

Mary smiled as she snuggled in close while they continued to ride. Jacob looked back at Sarah.

Ah, young love.

Sarah smacked Jacob on the shoulder.

I thought what he said was sweet. You could due to learn a thing or two from your little brother.

Jacob looked offended.

Hey as I remember, I saved everyone from a demon. I’d imagine that earns me something.

Sarah shuttered visibly.

I’d rather not remember that thank you. The nerve of Isaac trying to command the spirits. What did he think would happen bringing arrogance, and selfishness into spell work? Those energies have no place when dealing with the spirit world. It’s no wonder a demon came through.

Jonah laughed.

Well, he did get a rude awakening when it threw him against the wall and knocked him on his arse.

Everyone laughed, as Jacob responded.

I’m pretty sure he won’t be doing that again any time soon.

The mood lightened a little before they parted ways to take the girls towards their farms at opposite ends of town. Mary looked back toward Sarah and waved.

I’ll see you tomorrow Sarah.

Sarah looked over her shoulder smiling as she waved back.

Sweet dreams Mary.

Jacob laughed and continued riding without looking back.

I’m sure my little brother will take care of that part.

Jonah shut his eyes and hung his head in embarrassment, as Sarah smacked Jacob’s arm.

Jacob, you’re terrible.

Jacob smiled a devilish grin, as he nonchalantly waved to Jonah without looking to see if he was paying attention.

I’ll see you back at the cabin little brother.

Before parting ways with Jacob, Sarah decided that she would tell her parents that an animal had attacked them in the forest and that Jacob had saved her. Of course, Jacob inquired to his reward for such bravery but Sarah was in no mood for intimacy given the night's events. Jacob left looking more than a little frustrated. Sarah told him she loved him and would see him tomorrow to which Jacob nodded as he mounted his horse and rode into the darkness.

That night while Jonah slept, he had a horrible nightmare. He was sweating as he thrashed around in protest of what he was seeing. In his dream, he saw a figure standing in the forest at night, shrouded in a cloak and dimly lit by a campfire that was flickering in the wind. His hands were raised, and he was holding a dagger in the right one, while he chanted.

I call upon the realms beneath, take heed as I prepare the feast, I offer souls sent by the blade, a fee of blood they soon will pay, what once was sealed set free again, let this ritual begin.

Jonah could see a young girl struggling to his left, tied to a tree, gagged and crying. She looked like one of the girls from the saloon in town. The person in the cloak walked over to her with a sinister smile on his face. Jonah struggled to see more features but the smile was all he could see. He ran his thumb over the blade testing it for sharpness, then he slid the blade across the girl’s cheek and licked his lips in excitement. She whimpered, as the shadowed fiend chuckled in amusement at her reaction.

He lunged at her and stuck the dagger in the tree next to her head. She screamed, which brought him excitement as he laughed again, moving in close and squeezing her right breast. He licked the side of her face as she squirmed and verbalized her distress in mumbled disgust through her gag. He laughed again as he slid his hand up from her breast and grabbed her by the throat. With his other hand, he grabbed the collar of her dress and ripped it down exposing her bare chest and torso. He continued to grip her throat as he leaned in close.

I would love to take the time to teach you how to enjoy your place like every other little whore. Alas, I’m going to have to settle for watching your soul be devoured by the Great One. I’m sure it will be twice as sweet as the vessel that holds it.

He released his grip on her throat and pulled the knife out of the tree. With his other hand, he gripped her waist, then slid the flat of the blade along the waistband of her dress. He slipped it under the band along the skin. Then he grabbed the dress in one hand and tore it off as he cut it with the knife. The girl struggled as she whimpered and cried pleading for her life. He slid the knife back into the sheathe as he turned around and picked up a bowl that was lying near the fire. He turned back and began dipping his fingers into the bowl. When he pulled them out, they were covered in blood, which made the girl scream again.

Oh, don’t worry my dear, it’s goats’ blood. There’s no human blood in this bowl... yet.

He began painting symbols on her body with the goat’s blood, and as he started to speak, he looked almost orgasmic.

Time to prepare you for he who rules the underworld; Slayer of legions and destroyer of worlds. The Great Horned God, Melphisto. Your soul will burn in the fires of his kingdom for eternity. May the blood of the innocents make him walk the earth once again?

He finished painting the symbols on her body and placed the bowl back down by the fire. Then he turned back around and grabbed her bottom jaw with his left hand as he unsheathed his dagger. He looked deep into her eyes and smiled.

I send you now to your master.

As he slit her throat her blood sprayed out across his arm and face. Jonah tried once again to focus on his shadowed face but everything began to fade out, except for the baleful yellow glow from his eyes.

Jonah sat up in bed, threw his blankets off, and gasped for air as he grabbed his chest. He looked around the room frantically, making sure he was alone. He could still feel the presence of the cloaked figure like it had followed him out of the dream. Once he was sure he was safe he shifted to sit on the edge of the bed as he ran his fingers through his hair. He stood up and walked over to the window, placing a hand on the wall and looking out to make sure no one was outside. He hung his head and took a deep breath as he exhaled with a feeling of relief.

That morning Jacob and Jonah sat at the table eating breakfast. Isaac was sitting in a chair off to the side deep in contemplation. Jonah had been telling Jacob about the dream he had the other night.

That had to have been the worst dream that I have ever had in my entire life.

Not surprising after last night.

Jacob gave a sideways glance to Isaac as he shook his head and smirked. Isaac shifted uncomfortably in his chair feeling Jacobs stare on him. Jacob looked back over at Jonah.

I have to go into town to grab some supplies, you should come along. It would probably help you to get out for a while.

Sounds good.

Jonah and Jacob finished with their food and put their bowls in the washbasin. They put on their cloaks and left out the door. As they mounted their horses and headed towards town, they made sure to button their coats to shield themselves from the cold. Jonah kept breathing heavily into the air and watching the fog exit his mouth. Jacob looked over at him as they rode.

What are your thoughts on last night?

Jonah looked down at the ground as he thought about everything that had transpired.

I think we got lucky. From all the stories Ma and Da ever told us about demons, last night seemed a little too easy.

Jacob nodded his head in agreement and then shrugged.

Well, they also told us that with each passing generation the power gets stronger. It could be that we’re the generation that makes demons run away.

Jonah laughed a little.

That’s a nice thought, but something tells me it’s not over. That vision from last night seemed too real.

Now it’s a vision, is it? What happened to it being a bad dream?

Well, I wasn’t going to say anything in front of Isaac, since he is the authority on the spirit world.

Jacob and Jonah both laughed.

All bow down before the mighty Isaac, conjurer of the ages.

Jonah continued laughing along with Jacob, but his laughter faded as he looked off into the distance. He appeared to be deep in thought. Jacob noticed Jonah's silence.

What’s got you so quiet?

Jonah snapped out of his deep contemplation and looked over at his brother. He shrugged and then continued to look ahead.

Nothing much. I was thinking about what the townspeople would say if they found out what happened. I know what the preacher would say but the gunslingers would either think of us as insane or draw down on us out of paranoia.

Jacob smiled in amusement.

Well I don’t plan on telling them, do you?

Jonah laughed a little.

No, but I keep thinking about that vision from the other night. If there’s any truth to it and it does have something to do with what happened during the seance; then everyone’s going to suffer.

I think you’re putting a little too much thought into this. Besides, I’m pretty sure you had a bad dream. Everyone was pretty shaken up after what happened.

Jacob's words comforted Jonah a little.

Yeah, you’re probably right. Still, I think we should keep our ears to the ground in case anything else happens.

Jacob nodded as they continued to ride.