The Old One (Closed for Perplexia)

[fr33ks33k]

It has been said that there are things that walk among us. Things that are from a dark place, far beyond human comprehension. The Old Ones, or so they say. Most never know about their presence, but in a small nondescript town one young man will learn the truth that lurks within the shadows.

Isaiah Townshend is in his senior year of study at the local community college, working toward attaining a degree in psychology. He liked to people-watch, gauge reactions, make notes about their mannerisms. His classmates thought he was creepy; most made jokes that he had bodies chopped up in his freezer. Isaiah just laughed and let them make their jokes. He knew he was smarter than them, and when they finally realized it, they'd be too far down the rabbit hole. Isaiah also liked reading; didn't matter the topic, so long as the subject was interesting. He'd gone systematically through nearly all of the college's offerings, finding fewer and fewer texts to hold his attention. On the last day before finals began, he found one peculiar book protruding from the shelf on one of the lowest levels of the library. The book had a title he couldn't translate, even though he was partially fluent in several. The text within was written in a deep red script, seemingly Latin in origin, but with a variation on tenses that he struggled with at first.

Isaiah quickly caught on to the scheme, reading rapidly, unaware that with every word, he stirred the resting place of an ancient evil. The first few pages were simply warnings, cautions against the darkness contained within the guts of the book. Isaiah kept going, unable to tear his eyes away from what he was reading. A sinister power, once thought impregnable, unstoppable...was now trapped within a well that was on the border between life and death. It dwelled within, scarcely aware of its surroundings. For if it ever fully awakened, the world would be destroyed.

Every word read was like a branch bending in a breeze.

Somewhere...other...a large, black irised eye opened.

Isaiah finished the first chapter, and wanted to continue, but his body was suddenly wracked with pain. He felt as though he was being drawn and quartered, melting inside, burning alive. He heard a voice in his head that was unlike anything he'd ever heard or read about in the myriad texts on demonic possession or shamanistic seances.

This voice was a chorus, many timbres and pitches all at once.

<<Hello, young one. I see that you have found my resting place. I am quite pleased that encountering it hasn't driven you insane. That will come, in time. For now, you will be my vessel. Do not fear, You cannot resist, and you will not escape.>>

The pain subsided, but Isaiah knew he wasn't alone in his head. It was as though there was a pressure behind his eyes, one that would not cease even if he plucked them from his head. He tucked the tome under one arm and left the library, barely making eye contact with anyone.

------------

In the weeks to come, Isaiah grew accustomed to the presence in his mind. The Old One, as it referred to itself, merely wanted to experience the world. The only unfortunate thing was that to do so, it had to overtake his body entirely. It was as though Isaiah was no longer existent; the twisted form of the Old One taking his place. It was a depraved form; one full of jagged teeth and long, veiny tendrils. They seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere, each with a mind of its own.

The most unnerving feature, perhaps, were the pitch-black eyes. They had no pupil to speak of, but their dilation could be seen clearly. On rare occasions, there was a golden-green light emanating from them. It was usually when the Old One felt pleased with itself, or encountered a challenge.

Despite the disturbing nature of their arrangement, Isaiah managed to maintain in his studies and his social life. Or what little he had managed to create.

The real trouble began when he realized Mariah was going to be in one of his classes. The Old One took notice instantly, reading Isaiah's thoughts and memories concerning the cute, innocent girl.

<<That one will do nicely. I've been wanting to see if my corrupting touch could extend beyond my vessel...>>

"Mister Townshend! Perhaps you can tell us the answer to the question?"

Isaiah frantically scrambled for an answer, spewing what he thought would make a suitable response. His eyes never left Mariah, fear filling his gaze. Just what did the Old One have planned?

 

[Perplexia]

Mariah Jane Fitzpatrick sat at her wooden desk leaning forward. Her auburn curly locks pooling upon the desk as her emerald eyes stared at the open notebook. Her long fingers encircled the pen making it move creating pictures instead of words as the professor spoke.

Psychology was one of her favorite classes, and needed for her degree in art therapy. Despite her appearance, she was rather shy. She had dated only a handful of men in her life. But her heart had only ever belonged to one. He was her best friend when they were in high school, and could make her laugh despite any situation.

Now they simply settled for a hello as they passed each other. Isaiah had it all he was attractive and outgoing. Woman seemed to flock to him. How could they not. Mariah, or MJ as her few handful of friends called her stayed out of the party scenes. She was focused and driven.

The bell rang startling her as she quickly placed her items in her back back and tossed it over her shoulder. The day was done, and she had a couple of reports that needed to be completed. She was one of the first out the door as she jogged lightly toward the library. The library was her haven, her sanctuary. It was one of the few places that she didn't feel alone surrounded by all of the history and knowledge of the world. "Hello MJ" said the schools librarian as she walked through the automatic doors.

To ear extra money she often did tutoring as well as regular shifts as a waitress at a local pub. "Hi Mrs Jones" she said softly "Just going to one of the tutoring rooms." Her pupil arrived shortly after her. Today's topic was Calculus. How she dreaded that class although she did ace it. For an hour they went through the motions of clarifying his confusion before she called it a day and headed out to the lot for her car.

 

[fr33ks33k]

Isaiah's terror had subsided when the Old One decided to go dormant for the rest of class. It still worried him that it had taken such an interest in Mariah. They'd been quite close before college, but their studies had taken them away from each other. This psychology class was perhaps the third one they'd had together since.

At one point, she'd glanced back at him, smiling that incandescent smile of hers. He'd smiled back meekly, hoping she didn't read the fear in his features. He'd done well to hide the Old One's presence from his peers; losing his cool now would be unforgivable.

The rest of class went by uneventfully, as did the rest of his scheduled courses. His last class let out at a quarter to six, and he walked slowly to his car. On the way, he felt a familiar tingle at the base of his neck, the hairs rising up as if there were static in the air. The Old One was surfacing again.

Isaiah closed his eyes, trying to focus on keeping his composure. The tingling intensified and again he heard the cacophony of the Old One's voice.

<<Look, young one. There she is. She's smiling at you, like she did in your lecture. Don't you want to go talk with her?>>

When he opened his eyes, this fact was confirmed. She was smiling and waving as she usually did. He wanted to turn around and walk the other way, avoid her entirely. But his body wouldn't listen. Someone else was at the wheel. His feet took him right over to Mariah at her car, his smile sheepish as he stopped before her. His throat seized up for a split second before he found his voice. It was his voice, but the words were being chosen for him.

"Hey MJ. How'd tutoring go?"

 

[Perplexia]

"Hey MJ. How'd tutoring go?" She smiled softly to him looking down and then back up catching his gaze. "Its going okay" she advised somewhat skeptical. "Are you in need of a session?" she asked. They had been close, but since college not so much. They said hi and waved, but that was normally the extent of it. Now he was here talking to her once again.

Her feelings she thought she had buried began to bubble. "I can schedule you in if you'd like." Her finger went to her glasses and pushed them up a little as her eyes looked down at the ground again. Why was she nervous. She survived his new found social existence. She didn't fit it, she never had. In high school he hadn't either. But he blossomed into the funny self confident one. She somehow missed that train.

She looked up hearing one of the girls calling for him. "Isaiah, are you coming" she called with one hand on her hips. Katherine Hicks was one of the more popular girls. She had her teeth so far into Isaiah the past few years MJ thought she'd never get the opportunity to speak to him again.

"Its ok, just send me a text or whatever and i'll schedule you in somehow if you want. Nice seeing you again" she advised sheepishly as she unlocked her car and got in. It was rare that she found him speechless. Something seemed a bit off with him but she couldn't put her finger on it.

It didn't seem that anyone else noticed. Perhaps it was just her over reacting. It was so good to talk to him again. She couldn't believe he made the time. Even if it was just to be tutored. Anything was better then nothing.

 

[fr33ks33k]

"Its ok, just send me a text or whatever and i'll schedule you in somehow if you want. Nice seeing you again"

"Yeah, that'd be great. See ya!"

Finally Isaiah could breathe properly; the Old One was laughing maniacally in his head. His body obeyed his commands once more, and he trudged over to Kathy and her friends. More of the Old One's curiosity. These people weren't really his type, but with some prodding and carefully chosen words and one-liners, he'd made a place for himself among them. Not, of course, without a bit of coercion by the Old One itself.

"So, Isaiah, you ready for the party?"

Another party...great... he thought to himself. It was all so asinine. These idiots gathered together to drink themselves stupid, then throw up for hours. He'd rather be reading.

<<Young one...it is unwise to leave your friends waiting...>>

They're not my friends! YOU wanted to know what it was like to be drunk. I....

<<Remember our deal. You will do as I request, or I will bring you pain. You wouldn't want that lovely young girl from earlier to come to harm, would you?>>

There was a spike of shock in Isaiah's thoughts, and if he were actually staring face to face with the Old One, he'd be glaring menacingly. Instead he just sighed and resigned himself to servitude. He had no idea what the extent of his power was, but he did know from previous experience that he could exert more will upon him and inflict mental and physical anguish.

He came back to his senses just as Kathy and the rest of the group were hopping in their cars to go.

-------------

After everyone else had gone home, Isaiah cleaned most of the refuse from the party and tossed it into the large bin at the end of the dorm hall. When he got back to his room, he pulled out his phone. He didn't realize that he had done so until he was already typing a message to Mariah.

Hey MJ, hope I'm not waking you. I just figured I'd text you and see when I can get fit in for a session....lol

<<That is part of your current linguistics, is it not, young one?>>

Yes, it is. But only idiots continue to use it.

<<Watch your tongue. I control it.>>

Whatever....

Isaiah hit the send button and flopped down onto his couch. The Old One was making itself even more comfortable than before in his skin. He had to find time to go back to the library and look at that book one more time...just to see if he'd missed an escape clause in there somewhere. Even though he'd been through it a thousand times and come up empty. Mariah's life might now depend on it...

 

[Perplexia]

That was probably the longest conversation she had with him in a long time. Mariah was full of mixed emotions as she got into her car. Watching him walk away toward his new crowd set reality back in for her. He would never be interested in her like he was Kathy.

She frowned backing out of her spot and heading home. Three stop lights and tears fell from her eyes. She was being stupid, and silly. Just like she felt every time he got a new girlfriend in high school.

In college it had always been a random hello. Now he spoke to her. He spoke to her because he needed her brain. That was the only reason he took the effort to talk to her. She frowned allowing the surge of emotions pass through her.

Why was she doing this to herself. She'd had random offers for dates, but she always turned them down. She was a freak. That truly was the only explanation she could come up with for herself. She was pining away after a guy that she had secretly loved. They now had different lives. MJ sighed realizing that she needed to find a way to accept this. What was, was. The would never have the friendship they had before. He would go on with his life.

Curled up with a Jane Austin novel in her snuggie and a bowl of popcorn she enjoyed the solitude of her room. Her cell buzzed and her heart leapt. It was him. 'Get a Grip MJ' she told herself as she read his text "Hey MJ, hope I'm not waking you. I just figured I'd text you and see when I can get fit in for a session....lol"

Since when did Isaiah use the slang texting? she questioned. They had sat for hours discussing how lame and lazy it was. She set her phone to the side and read a couple more chapters of her book before typing a response.

"I apologize Isai, I underestimated the complexity of my schedule. If you tell me what subject, i'll be happy to find you a different tutor."

She stared at the rejection that she was sending him. Closing her eyes a tear fell. Opening them long enough to hit send. For the first time in a long time she felt some weight being lifted from her. Yes she did it.

 

[fr33ks33k]

Her response was not what the Old One had expected. Honestly, neither had Isaiah. His pupils dilated, turning just a shade darker. His fingers moved of their own volition once again, typing words that he hadn't thought, but had heard in his head.

But MJ, you're the best tutor there is! I'm sure there's some time left in your schedule for me...please? For old time's sake.

Why are you making me sound so desperate? I mean, we have history, but Jesus...

<<My motives are my own. You are simply my vessel. She will not deny me my desires. If I must be more forceful, I shall. For now I shall appeal to her feelings for you, young one.>>

Isaiah pressed the send button, setting the phone aside. He hoped that Mariah would be firm in her refusal, but he had an inkling that she'd give in. She wasn't the strongest-willed of people. The Old One picked up on it, a mental smile forming.

<<In the meantime, we should eat. That...what is it called again...pizza, that's it. That pizza sounds delightful.>>

Mushrooms and anchovies on a pizza is...just beyond disgusting.

<<It reminds me of food from when I was free. It will grow on you, young one.>>

Highly unlikely...

Isaiah went to the small kitchenette and stood at the counter, eating the pizza with a grimace following each swallow. The Old One's tastes were eccentric, this one was particularly literal. Without realizing it, his eyes kept flicking back to where he'd tossed his phone, waiting impatiently for Mariah's response.

 

[Perplexia]

Mariah stared at the text she'd received and set the phone aside attempting to continue to read. Instead she argued with herself. "If you give in you'll just find yourself with a quart of Haagan Daas." she told herself. "But what kind of friend am I if i do?" she questioned again. "What kind of friend has he been the past few years?" She had a point with herself. The truth was Isaiah had left their friendship to move on a separate path. She had attempted to get together and he was always too busy. Now that he needed something he was back. "How is that a friendship?" she questioned herself. Always it was whatever Isaiah wanted. Because making him happy was what made her happy. But in retrospect, it also made her a doormat. In three years their friendship had been reduced to acquaintances. He did this, he made this choice, not her.

As long as they were doing this conversation by text she could keep her strength as long as she didn't have to look at that cocky grin, or hear that low rumble when he laughed. She could maintain her footing. That is what she had to do.

Her elongated fingers reached for the phone and slowly typed a message back to him.

"Sorry no time, what subject an i'll find you some one else. Sorry M.J."


Short sweet and too the point. She held her breath as she pressed send and watched the message go away. Her heart raced as she turned off her phone, and her light and curled up under her covers in an old T-shirt.

 

[fr33ks33k]

<<Rejection will NOT be tolerated!>>

Really? It just seems like MJ doesn't want to be my tutor. I can't really say I blame her. I've been kinda...distant...mostly your fault.

<<If she will not give in to the soft approach, then we shall have to be more bold. We will not be denied. >>

What's with all this 'we' talk? I'm just the vessel, right?

If Isaiah would have been looking in the mirror, he would have noticed the flash of obsidian his eyes had filled with in that moment. The Old One was displeased, and it showed. Isaiah suddenly felt sick to his stomach, like all the food he'd ever eaten was about to make a return trip.

His arms shuddered as he supported himself against the counter, his skin coated in a sheen of sweat. The sweat turned into some sort of ichor, viscous and dark, dripping and streaming from Isaiah's pores. He would have screamed if control of his vocal chords were his own. Instead he wretched and screwed up his brow, unable to stop what was happening to his body.

Soon, the ichor stopped flowing, a dark pool of it collecting at his feet. Isaiah's breaths were ragged and heavy. The puddle gurgled once, then twice. His eyes were just coming back into focus when the darkness closed in all around him.

Where Isaiah once stood, now a shadowy figure loomed, seeming to be there and distinctly not at the same time. Tendrils of smoke and something more solid moved fluidly, clenching and unclenching as if stretching long unused muscles. Its dark pupil-less eyes glanced about for a moment before it settled on the door to Isaiah's dorm.

Without sound, the figure moved, seemingly levitating several inches above the floor. The door vibrated for an instant before the being passed directly through it. On the other side, it turned its cloaked head as if listening for something.

<<Mariah...where are you? I have something to tell you...>>

The voice was Isaiah's, but also strange. It had a harmony both above and below his normal tone. The Old One could speak directly with his mind, and like skipping a rock, it could send that message out to another mind, so long as there was some sort of connection.

As if receiving a response, the figure moved down the hall, though it was a dead end. The wall vibrated as the door had, and the figure drifted out into the night. Those that managed to glimpse it would forget it instantly, or their brains would refuse to accept its presence. Surveillance equipment would be unable to record it. The Old One was beyond simple recognition, even in this diminished capacity.

The figure continued on into the night, moving steadily, stopping every so often to whisper the same words in the same choral voice:

<<Mariah, I have something to tell you...please...let me in...>>

 

[Perplexia]

MJ went to sleep with Isaiah on her mind. Of course the more she tried not to think of him, the more he was in her dreams. That smile of his was irresistible, and the way his eyes danced with excitement when he talked about his dreams.

She was such a fool for having fallen for him, all of those years just thrown away by him, for what? Because he'd outgrown her. She was the one who hadn't changed. Still her nerdy self with her goals and plans set in front of her.

Tossing in her bed she placed her pillow over her head to try and drown out his voice from her mind. He was haunting her now, haunting her dreams like an eerie ghost. Would the pain in her heart ever go away? Would she ever be able to forget him like he did her. Perhaps one day. But as long as they were in the same school it would be hard. Soon they would graduate and she would go on to graduate school. Then, and only then would she have the opportunity to live without him.

"GO AWAY" she yelled in her sleep waking herself up. She sat up looking at her clock and plopping back down into bed.

 

[fr33ks33k]

Her voice grew stronger, shining like a beacon in the night. The dark figure moved quickly, homing in on the sound like a shark scenting blood in the water. Suddenly, it was as though she were shouting directly into his ear.

"GO AWAY!"

The figure stopped just outside the window to Mariah's apartment. Its cloaked head canted to one side, as if considering whether or not to heed the voice and depart. The answer was shown in the shuddering of the window pane, which allowed the figure access as if it weren't even there.

It didn't take long for the figure to drift over to where she slept, passing through the wall as it did all obstacles. She was asleep, fitfully tossing and turning. Again the figure tilted its head, seeming almost inquisitive as it stared its pitch-black stare.

<<Mariah, I'm here. I have something I need to tell you...>>

Hovering just above the floor, right at the foot of her bed, the figure waited. The Old One would have smiled then; Isaiah's terror grew. His recognition was returning; this was MJ's apartment, and he was certainly there, but it was as if he were watching things unfold instead of participating. The only difference was that he could feel every sensation. The cool air of her bedroom, the slick, tensing muscles of...what were those? Tendrils? He felt like something out of a bad Swamp Thing remake. And he was helpless to stop whatever the Old One had in mind...

 

[Perplexia]

"Isaiah?" she mumbled waking from her uneasy rest. Sitting up in bed she rubbed her eyes and turned on the bedside light.

It was then she saw it. A scream followed so piercing it almost deafened herself. A disfigured shadowy thing with tendrils growing from its shape, hovered at the edge of her bed and mimicked Isaiah's voice.

She screamed and screamed and screamed. Picking up her pillow she tossed it at the figure and scurried off the bed in attempt to run. "help" she attempted to scream at the top of her lungs but her voice stopped working.

Tears sprung from her eyes in terror as slid backwards against the closet door. Not only could MJ not scream. Now she couldn't move. Fear seeped from her pores like smoke from a fire.

When it allowed her to speak she squeaked "what do you want?, what have you done with Isaiah?.

Please i beg you let me go.

 

[fr33ks33k]

The cloaked figure didn't flinch from the ear-piercing shriek Mariah let out. In fact, it seemed rather to enjoy the sound. It moved closer to her, a full two feet taller than she was, an intimidating presence even if it were a human. Its voice was low, still choral in its pitch and tone. It was definitely Isaiah's speech, only with the Old One's words.

<<What do I want? Simply to slake a thirst, a hunger I have found myself to be plagued by. You represent something far more delicious than the fodder I've had of late.>>

It purposely ignored her question about Isaiah; it would only complicate the matter. In his mind, he screamed and cursed the Old One, fear and anger mixing into a loud rage. The Old One ignored that as well.

From this proximity, Mariah could have reached out to touch the figure. The writhing tendrils that extended from its limbs and torso all snapped to attention, turning and moving in unison now. The stronger, thicker ones moved to her wrists and ankles, squeezing firmly around them. Two more slender tentacles moved along the hem of her shirt, following the lines and seams up and over and around until they caressed her neck, her jawline, and finally her cheeks.

The tendrils were cold to the touch; not slimy, but they did leave the sensation of having a bug crawling on sensitive skin. The strength they possessed was deceptive; not looking quite like the powerful grippers they were.

The voice rose up again, a shadowy dirge in the quiet darkness of Mariah's room.

<<You will not deny me. My will shall be done. Do you understand?>>

 

[Perplexia]

Tears sprang from her eyes in fright. This wasn't happening, this couldn't be happening. She flinched trying to pull away from his touch. Yet it only wrapped his cold tendrils firmly around her wrists and ankles.

Struggling didn't help she remained firm in his grasp. Clenching her eyes tightly as the tears came she muttered "wake up, wake up, bad dream, wake up" The coldness of his tendrils didn't leave, The voice was back telling her she couldn't deny it, couldn't deny its will..asking her now does she understand.

"No go away," came her meep voice trying to be strong, trying to some how will it away. The terror she felt caused her heart to race, she gasped for breath as the anxiety filled her. "What do you want from me?" she managed to get out.

 

[fr33ks33k]

<<I'm not going anywhere.>>

The tendrils clenched just a bit harder on her ankles and wrists, the latter moving her arms until they were raised above her head. The two at her cheeks ran back down her neck, over her collarbones, down her sides. They slithered under the bottom hem of Mariah's shirt, their cold touch feathering along her abdomen.

<<I want your fear. I want your panic. I want your innocence. I want to taste them all in equal measure....and then I want to taste your flesh.>>

The two tendrils at her stomach began inching higher, pushing her shirt up with them. The darkness of the figure's gaze was boring into Mariah's fear-riddled eyes. There was no reflection, not at first. The sun's rays started to peek over the windowsill, spilling into the room.

The figure visibly trembled as the beams of light crept closer to it. A sound that seemed like a strangled roar came from it, though it had no mouth to speak of.

<<I have found you, and I will find you again. Remember this feeling. It shall visit you again.>>

As the sun continued its march skyward, the figure reluctantly relinquished its hold on Mariah. It drifted quickly toward her door, passing through it as easily as it had all the other entries. It hastily retreated, returning to Isaiah's dorm. Once it reached the inside, it stopped.

There was a full-body shiver once again as the figure dissipated into the terrible black ichor that had poured from Isaiah, seeping back into his flesh as readily as it had exited. Isaiah came back to himself, curled up in the fetal position on the floor of his kitchen. He was breathing like he'd just run a marathon, and his skin felt clammy and cold.

"What the hell just happened?"

<<We went for a trip. We found Mariah. We would have...had her. The sun rose, and we retreated.>>

"Had her? What do you mean by that you son of a bitch?"

<<You know well what I mean, young one. We have had many. But she will be more enjoyable than the others.>>

"You bastard. Don't you..."

Isaiah's words caught in his throat.

<<Remember, young one. I own you. All that you are. It's best that you accept that.>>

Isaiah found his voice, but didn't say anything. He went about his day as normal though he felt like he'd been through hell and back. His head pounded and his muscles ached. He thought about MJ a few times; what she'd seen, what she had thought when that....thing had shown up in her room. Luckily she hadn't texted him all day. He put his head down in his last class and drifted off listening to the professor droning on about quadratics and secants.

 

[Perplexia]

"I'm not going anywhere" it hissed at her. She cried out as its grip grew stronger. Her fingers and toes were starting to feel numb. "I want your fear. I want your panic. I want your innocence. I want to taste them all in equal measure....and then I want to taste your flesh."
"nooo" MJ cried out gritting her teeth and fighting harder. Fear over riding her despite know that was exactly what it wanted. Her shirt began to rise up. She could feel its cool clammy tendril running up her stomach. Then it let out a hiss as the sun began to shine through her blinds. She winced as it began to tremble letting out a roar as it sank away into the dark crevasses of the room.

Sunlight...it hated sunlight, ran through her mind as it threatened her for its return. Today was not a day that she was going to school. There would be no way she could cope with talking to people, much less see them.

What was it, why her. Well that was obvious, it could tell she was a virgin. At least that's the best thought she had. Opening up all the blinds in her room she let the light flood it. There was no way she was going to sleep. It was coming back. Tossing on some sweat pants and a tank top she headed to the hardware store.

With a cart in hand she piled in as many UV lights as the allowance on her credit card would allow. The clerk gave her an odd look but simply rang them up. MJ was terrified. Never in her life had anything remotely like that occurred. If she could avoid it, nothing like that ever would again.

Once home she set the lamps up surrounding her bed.

 

[fr33ks33k]

The rest of Isaiah's day was spent wondering if the Old One would resurface, and what his plans for MJ were. That night, he went to bed early, hoping that if he were asleep, nothing bad would happen.

He was wrong. Sleep claimed him easily, and so did the Old One. It was a smooth transition, no pain or ichor. Simply a transference, with no resistance from Isaiah's slumbering mind. Where Isaiah had lain, the Old One now sat, tendrils flicking and snapping and flexing. It rose and again hovered an inch or so above the floor. It passed out into the night, moving with purpose. It didn't take long for it to arrive once more at Mariah's apartment.

Something was different about it. There was an overpowering light shining from the windows.

<<She seeks to keep me out with the light? She is smart, but I am determined...>>

From outside the window, tendrils reached in, crackling and withering in the light. The blackened eyes of the being narrowed from apparent pain, but one by one the lights were touched by a tendril, passing through them like water, taking hold of the filaments. They were snapped in unison, sending the room into darkness. As the shadow returned, so too did the tendrils seem to heal, pulsing with reinvigorated life.

The being's voice came through Mariah's mind as its presence invaded her room. It paused at the foot of her bed, five of its tendrils wavering like flags around her bed.

<<You are clever...but you will not deny my will.>>

 

[Perplexia]

MJ screamed at the top of her lungs when the lights were crushed one by one. Once again the creep shadowy thing stood at the end of her bed. Her eyes shed tears as her screaming stopped. She was so tired. Too tired to fight much more. Then it's eery voice rang in her ears like nails on chalk board.

You are clever...but you will not deny my will.

"I may not be able to fight you off, but you will never gain my consent. I refuse to fear you, and i will not scream again. Do your best or your worst i care not. I have little left to offer this life that hasn't been discarded. But when the sun rises and the light floods the room and you go back to the pits of hell you came from. I will end my existence, and you will never have the opportunity to touch me again."

 

[fr33ks33k]

The figure's voice rose and was for once not simply mental. The voice issued forth and hung on the air, lingering far longer than normal human speech.

<<You think I care for your consent? If I did, would I be here now, standing before you? You think I care for your life? The pleasure I take from you will be enough. And you are not unique. I will find others to sate my hungers and curiosities. This world is rife with pretty and innocent things...>>

As the figure spoke, two things happened. Its tendrils slowly coiled around her wrists and ankles, the last wavering still like a vine in a breeze. It was as though the figure hadn't yet decided where to place it. While this went on, Isaiah's mind began to awaken from its groggy slumber.

What the Hell? Where am I? Is that...MJ? Wait, why is she talking about killing herself?

<<Worry not, young one. She is simply being defiant. Her spirit is surprising. Though, if she does end her existence, it will be of little importance. On that, she is correct...>>

You son of a bitch! Don't you dare...

The muscles of the tendrils flexed for an instant, returning to a looser grasp afterward.

<<Do not presume to be the one who can control this situation, young one.>>

To Mariah, it must have appeared even more strange, to have this figure looming over her, having a conversation with itself. Its head cocked to the side every so often, eyes narrowing as though staring at something off in the distance. Its tendrils even seemed to lose focus on holding her in place. Their cold, clammy embrace slackened even more.

Listen here, you ugly old monster...I....I swear to God...

The Old One laughed deeply before it responded.

<<You swear to this...God....what? That you will end me if I harm the girl? That you'll end yourself so that I will be banished back to my prison? Do you truly think you can do these things? If I must, I will suppress you entirely. But I like you, young one. You are amusing. That is why I keep you around...>>

The figure's focus had moved entirely from its first intent. The Old One, though wise, could be easily distracted with these sorts of things. Isaiah caught a glance through the figure's eyes and saw how easy it would be for MJ to slip away. In that moment he forced enough control of his vocal chords to yell, in his own voice:

"Get out of here MJ! Get as far away as you can! I...I can't..."

 

[Perplexia]

"You think I care for your consent? If I did, would I be here now, standing before you? You think I care for your life? The pleasure I take from you will be enough. And you are not unique. I will find others to sate my hungers and curiosities. This world is rife with pretty and innocent things..."

MJ cringed at his words and his tendrils that slowly coiled around her wrists and ankles. She tried her best to fight them, but they were to strong. "Go Away, Help someone help" she screamed at the top of her lungs.

Silence overcame her as this shadow creature began to talk to itself. It was if it was having an argument. His grip loosened as it continued. She began to wiggle trying to get out of its clutches without drawing too much attention.

The monster argued with its self over harming her. Perhaps it had..oh what was the word.. possessed yes that was it. Perhaps he had possessed someone that was against harming people.
Her ears listened hoping for a clue as she seemingly managed to almost wiggle free.

Then her heart stopped for a moment as a voice so familiar to her heart came through. It was Isaiah yelling "Get out of here MJ! Get as far away as you can! I...I can't...". Her mouth dropped and mind raced her body reacting. Pulling loose she ran for the door.

The chain shaking as she tried to unlatch it. With the door unlocked she opened it and ran as fast and hard as she could. Isaiah...oh poor Isaiah. Her feet carried her to the subway station where she hopped the first train.

 

[fr33ks33k]

The figure shook with rage, lashing out with a few tendrils to attempt recapturing Mariah, flicking and flexing to no avail. She was gone, out the door and running.

<<Young one, you are wearing my patience thin...>>

Fuck you! Don't you dare try to hurt her...I...

<<Are you going to swear to your God again? Why do you care for her so deeply? If I understand her thoughts correctly, you have forsaken her anyway.>>

You made me forsake her...or do you not remember?

<<You were the one who chose to read from the book. That pact is binding. In that regard, you forsook all those you cared about.>>

Isaiah fell silent, frustration and anger giving way to a deep depression. He felt hopeless. The Old One would just take control if he tried to fight, and there was no real way he could mount an offensive, since it knew all that he did. He was just lucky that he had no clue where MJ would go next. At least she'd get a head start.

<<You underestimate me yet again. I have touched her mind. It is a spark in a sea of darkness. Even now, I can follow it. But I see that it troubles you, my interest in this girl. So she will be safe for now, while she is away. But if she is foolish enough to return, I will not be so kind.>>

There was a sudden shift and Isaiah stood now in Mariah's bedroom, breathing heavily and covered in sweat. He blinked for a few seconds, regaining his senses. He was actually dressed this time; lucky for him because he had to walk all the way back to his dorm. Once he got there, his fatigue set in and he collapsed onto his bed. He found his phone and saw the time read 4:30 am. He fell asleep just as the first rays of sun started to peek over the horizon.

 

[Perplexia]

The lights in the subway flashed disturbingly as she rode the subway to its furthest destination. Exiting she looked with distraught at where she had ended up. This part of town was just as scary as the shadow that haunted her.

What made it worse is that it seemed to possess Isaiah.. Her Isaiah.. or so she had always wished he would be. She'd never been interested in the paranormal. Horror movies still frightened her. Now she was in one, she was the stalked victim. Her heart forced her to contemplate how to save him.

Catching the next train she headed with a plan in her mind. Once at street level she walked carefully to a telephone booth. Pulling out the dirty stained yellow book that dangled from a rusted chain, she began her search.

Her fingers thumbed over the pages, the ink staining her fingers as she looked under O..oc..occ..occult shops... There was only one. Of course there would be only one. Why would there be any at all should be the question. But having witnessed first hand the reason, this some how seemed like the logical next step.

The sun slowly rose over the city. She sat on a bench waiting for the shop to open. It seemed like years. But eventually a monstrously dressed woman unlocked it and entered. MJ waited until the sign was flipped before she took a deep breath and crossed the street. Slowly she turned the knob on the door. A bell chimed as she stepped through.
"I've been expecting you Mariah." the woman said casually as she lit some incense. "Don't worry child, you are safe here."

Mj's tears flooded her face before asking "how do you know me". The woman helped her to a seat at a table before sitting down across from her.

"The spirits are uneasy, it seems your friend has stumbled upon a very old powerful book. The demon that's got a hold of him is particularly nasty. You are the key to its survival. Names Cali by the way."

MJ looked at her with disbelief "How is that even possible, i'm a nobody, a nothing, i'm just a waste of space."

"You have a strong connection to the host..your friend Issac"
"Isaiah"
"yeah ..anyway, that combined with your virgin blood, pureness, oh you will fuel him for a long time. He'd keep you alive just to have you over and over, until you were but a shell, then he would still take you. This demon has no regards for any life but his."

Mj began to cry again, as this was all looking hopeless. "What can i do?" she stammered. "I have to try to save Isaiah."

"You have to find the book and bring it to me." Cali said in a simple fashion.

"how do i know ..where do i look?" Mj asked confused at her new task.

"The easiest way is to ask Isaiah, but you can't let him know what you're up to. Or where you've found refuge."

Pulling out her cell she text Isaiah Koob eht fo eman eht deen. It had been a long time since she wrote backwards to him. They had passed notes in school and did that all the time. It was particularly amusing when a teacher snagged it. Although there was no way for her to make the letters backwards as well. It still should be easy for him to grasp. Hopefully..oh how she hoped he would just answer with the name of it.

Cali took Mj to a back room and let her lay down to get some rest. Replacing the spells upon the store it soon became undetectable, surrounded by good spirits.

 

[fr33ks33k]

<<What is that incessant noise?!>>

Isaiah's eyes opened blearily, ears finally catching the sound of his cell phone. It was a text message from Mariah. What was she doing texting him? She should be long gone by now, getting to safety.

He sat up, reaching around until his hand found his phone, flipping it open to display the message.

<<Koob eht fo eman eht deen....what a strange language....>>

Strange? Yeah, sure....

Isaiah had read the message and understood instantly. It was MJ asking for the name of the...but how did she know about the book? It didn't make any sense. Even so, if she had found someone who could help....

He clicked the reply button and quickly typed Sucifelam Munetnoc Sirbil, pressing send immediately after.

<<Interesting that you would continue to communicate with her, even after my warning. She must truly value you. That will make it all the more enjoyable to desecrate her.>>

You keep your filthy...

<<Now now, young one. Remember who is in control.>>

At that moment another text came in. This one was from Kathy.

Hey cutie, wanna come over?

Isaiah's hands typed quickly again, though the words were not his choosing.

Sure. I'll be there in 15. Better be ready.

<<This one is fun....but her innocence was lost long ago. She will do for now, but when your Mariah returns, as I know she will...>>

You dirty son of a...

Yet again, Isaiah lost control of his body, even his mind freezing as he rose from his bed and grabbed some clothes to throw on before leaving. Some of the Old One's influence abated and he could walk on his own now. It was a short walk to Kathy's house, but he kept checking his phone, hoping that MJ would have some kind of information on how she knew about the book, or what she was planning to do...

 

[Perplexia]

Having just closed her eyes they opened when her cell went off. Reading his response she turned off her phone. Latin.. she mumbled swinging her legs to the floor. Her eyes looked at her watch and came out from the back room. "I'll be back soon" she advise the woman who looked up from her book.

The streets were busy around noon in this town. Everyone running out for lunch or to do errands. With a bit of effort she caught a cab and headed to the schools library. If he didn't find it here, she would have to search the towns libraries, and from there search for it online.
She doubted finding it online was an option. This book from what she gathered was powerful. What was it with his fascination of Latin. Remembering Isaiah back when they were close, made her smile. He was certain there were secrets buried in old scripts and books. Her on the other hand, not so sure.

She spent four hours searching the shelves of library before finding it. Opening up the back she found it had no coding, that meant it wasn't part of the libraries stock. No code, no alarm, no name. Sliding it into her bag she winced at the weight of it. Careful that she wasn't observed she slid out hurrying back to the edge of campus before being seen.

This time she caught a bus into downtown where she hopped off and head to the shop. She ran as fast as her legs would carry her not wanting to be seen when she was on foot.

Opening the door to the shop she stepped in gasping. "Cali" she called out.."I" Her speech stopped when a tall ominous looking man steeped out from the back room. "hello princess" she seethed at her. It didn't take a genius to figure out that he wasn't who she wanted to meet up with. Just as quickly as she came in, she was back out the door. Her feet ran quickly as she gasped trying to catch her breath. Horns honked at her people shouting as she used the road as her track. Until she entered the subway taking it to the next town.

This was a nightmare, an never ending nightmare. She was tired, and hungry. Yet she still continued to move forward. Her tired state causing her to be more paranoid then necessary. But really at this stage was there such a thing as more paranoid?

Finding a phone booth she thumbed through o's. This city she didn't know. Feeling that she walked an eternity and asked a million people she found it. Following the same path as she had before she waited across the street until the owner arrived in the morning. Opening the door and stepping in side the gentleman stuck his hand out the door and motioned for her to come in.

They had their ways evidently to know that she was coming. Stepping in the door shut and locked behind her. "My name is Geoffrey" he said as he pulled out a chair for her. Cali is sorry that she couldn't protect you, she has our covens on look out for you."
MJ's tears flooded as she collapsed on the chair. "so she's dead" she whispered softly. "yes, it seems that this demon that has your friend is high enough to have minions. From now on we'll keep you better protected. I'm assuming you found the book?"
Mariah nodded still not handing it over. "good then that's where we'll start. It will take more then just me. So i'll make a few calls and we'll get going as fast as we can away from here." she nodded hesitantly. "don't worry Mariah, we won't make the same mistake again. You'll be safe."

With a few phone calls he led her out the back door into a grey sedan. He placed some easy listening on the radio and tried to reassure the scared sacred vessel. For her life she had always felt an outcast. Little did she know she was a descendant of an ancient bloodline of holy vessels. The last of her kind still intact.

MJ quickly fell asleep as Geoffrey drove north for the next eight hours.