A tale of Demonic possession and the strength to overcome the demon within |
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the first installment of a year long serial entitled: DEMONIC RAGE. Check out Elaine's Portfolio each month to read the latest chapter in this dark saga. Delicate missions rarely end well. Rachel Donovan marched through the corridors of subdued gray. Being punctual was her main concern at the moment, along with her Lieutenant’s cryptic message. She never heard anyone call missions delicate, though SAHAG (Security Agency against Hostile and Aggressive Groups) had been anything but open with their methods. The Agency’s main prerogative was to infiltrate malevolent organizations such as gangs, occult religions, and military forces inside the United States and keep close tabs on their movements. If the public was in danger or if these groups were getting too dangerous, SAHAG officers would come in and quietly dispense the group. From experience, they knew there was no true way to complete destroy such organizations, but SAHAG did its best to keep the destruction and violence to a minimum. The door to the conference room was within sight. Rachel slowed to a steady walk. She steadied her hands, trying to resist the urge to tug at her shirt. This was no time to look nervous. Instead of advising the whole Rescue Division, Lt. Dirk had asked for only me. In Rachel’s mind, this was not a good thing. She had served has one the top officers in the division for three years, and she knew from experience that solo missions were only for those who want fame and metals. A pursuit for either is foolish. A pursuit for both is suicide. She had learned this from watching her father and her brother. Both were in the Marines, and had chided her on being part of a ‘passive’ organization. That didn’t stop her in applying to SAHAG. Rachel was still in boot camp when she heard news of her Father’s ‘early retirement’ from the Armed Forces. He should have been more careful. But that didn’t matter at the moment. Rachel took a moment to catch her breath before swiping her access card through the door lock. The lights flashed green and the buzzer sounded. Rachel snatched the bar on the door pulled open the conference door to squeeze through before the buzzer stopped. Inside was four men sitting around a large steel table. The enormous monitor in the back was on in the background, showing what Rachel deduced was the hostile group in question. It had been shot secretly, but the photographer had gotten a clear shot. Several men standing together in black robes with embroidered red pentagrams all over them. The words “Devil’s Circle” spray-painted to a mildewed wall. A Satanic Cult. Shit! Personal feelings aside, she quickly shut the door and saluted the man standing at the head of the table. “Officer Donovan reporting for duty, Sir!” Rachel steeled her face into the ‘I am attentive’ mask that all good soldiers could mimic. “At ease, Donovan and have a seat.” Lieutenant Dirk, Field Operations Director, winced slightly but covered the act with his return salute. He had commented on many an occasion about her ‘military’ attitude, but often as a joke or a pun. Rachel walked briskly to the last chair and sat down. As she surveyed the other men, she realized while he seemed so tight. In the chair on his right sat Commander Todd Woo, liaison between SAHAG and the Federal Authorities. Though short in statue, Commander Woo made up for it in a fierce presence with immaculate uniform, shorten black hair and clean faced and skin. His measuring stare caused Rachel to feel very self-conscious. Next to him was a white man in a more expensive suit. He didn’t look up from the papers in front of him. Instead he slightly rocked his upper body, and his long hands shook. Still, he was well groomed and meticulous about his person. She could see the manicured nails and the expert styling of his dark gray hair. She instantly identified him as Senator Matthew Skytec, a resident in nearby Bayhope City. A politician in SAHAG Headquarters. This doesn’t look good. The man on the other side of the table was more familiar. Sergeant Joseph Johnson was one of the best infiltrators in the entire Agency. He was known for getting into the heart of any hostile organization. No one seemed to suspect him. Maybe the leaders he’s brought down would never think that their most fanatic follower was a traitor. Johnson’s zealous performance was the key behind his mission's success. She had heard many people praise his work. She wasn’t among his devoted fans, however. The man was too handsome for her liking. Johnson was tall and muscular macho-man, with a square jaw and rugged looking cheekbones. His hair was as blond a corn and bright blue eyes held all the intensity of a gemstone. Powerful arms crossed his wide chest as he grinned at Rachel. His chair leaned back, as he seemed to lounged there with no sense of dignity or proper honor. “Now.” Dirk sat back down in his seat, glancing over his papers. “To bring Officer Donovan up to date, we have a delicate situation that requires immediate attention. Sergeant Johnson’s current assignment has been the Devil’s Circle. Last month, they had acquired a new member.” All eyes immediately went to the screen behind him. There was another undercover photograph. Some of it was real fuzzy, except for the two figures in the center. One was a black robed figure with the face covered by a hood. Kneeling before him was a dark hair, fifteen-something girl in her underwear. To the casual observer, she looked bored or just uninterested, but Rachel saw differently. Drugged would be my guess. The robed figure was flinging what appeared to be blood on the young girl. Rachel automatically recognized her. “Carolyn Skytec?” Rachel glanced over to the Senator and was rewarded with a slight nod. The man’s hands were gripping the edge of the table, trying to control his emotions. Rachel wasn’t sure if he wanted to scream or weep. “Correct.” was Sgt. Johnson’s booming reply. He got up and stood by the screen. “It seems to be a trend for upper class high-schoolers to join disreputable organizations lately. Just like those in city gangs, this is where they feel most like a community.” Another photo came up but it was much of the same thing. Dark robes figures and half-naked young teens conducting some kind of ritualistic orgy. Rachel’s gaze shot back to Johnson’s face. Her neck felt very warm and she knew her face must have been flushed. His intense eyes had watched the whole thing and Rachel felt the annoying sense that this amused him. Johnson continued, “However, the leaders of the Devil’s Circle saw a chance for bigger game. They now have Miss Skytec hostage for ransom.” The screen flashed again. This time, an text message appeared. “This morning, Senator Skytec’s office received this message. Being part of the group, I firmly believe they will carry out their threat.” Rachel read the short message quietly to herself. In exchange for Senator Skytec’s daughter, we require the ransom payment of twenty people for sacrifices, preferably women and young children. Payment due in four days. Failure to comply will result in Carolyn’s sacrifice to our Master. Location will be revealed when Senator makes his answer public. There was a pentagram symbol below and some scrawled glyph that resembled a circle with horns and blood. The screen turned off and Johnson returned to his seat. That was when Commander Woo cleared his throat. “The Federal Government has identified this as a mission that SAHAG is qualified to handle. They wish to keep this from the public as much as possible. They also do not want the ransom to be paid.” “But Commander! That’s my daughter!” Senator Skytec slammed his fists into the table. He was still between anger and tears. “How can you let them murder her.” Commander Woo’s cold stare seemed to calm Senator Skytec down. Now Rachel could see the tears winning on the man. “Its her or twenty innocent civilians, Senator. We have no choice in the matter.” Then why was I sent for? Rachel felt sincere pity for the man, but the fact that this was now in SAHAG’s lap should have made him see there was another alternative. “The two officer’s here are experts in their individual fields. They will work together to get your daughter back.” While Commander Woo explained, Lt. Dirk pulled out two dark blue envelopes from his pile of papers and handed them to Johnson and herself. Rachel didn’t open it. Active Mission Orders. And since there is no one else but the two of us, this is a double mission. She now saw the reason for being ordered to come alone. But how am I going to rescue this girl without the rest of the division. The Senator didn’t look any easier, but that was expected. Commander Woo personally assured him of his daughter’s safety while he escorted the man out of the conference room. All three officers stood and saluted the Commander and the Senator as the door closed behind them. Then Lt. Dirk turned towards Johnson and Rachel. “Sgt. Johnson is in charge of handling the girl during the group’s nightly orgy tonight. He’s going to smuggle you inside the ceremony and secure the girl. “All you have to do is follow my lead,” explained Johnson. “When it’s time for her to be taken back to her room, we’ll smuggle her out.” He shook his head for a moment. “There is no need to mention that this will cause me to abort my mission and start again from scratch.” Rachel nodded. Once it’s discovered the girl’s safe, they will be looking for the traitors. Johnson has no chance of returning, then. “Understand, Sir.” Johnson smiled at her for a moment before briefing her on the details of the mission. Delicate work. Hope things go well. I do not like this! Rachel’s nervous were taunt with disgust and fear. She did not participate in their little ‘ritual’, but still had to watch. The whole scene was worst than the photograph. It wasn’t exactly an orgy, more like a drug-induced, jerk-off feast. Everyone watched two robed men ‘perform’ with a very willing female follower. Rachel tried to cower deeper in her hood, but didn’t fidget. She pretended to watch the ceremony, but her attention was at the figure just five feet to her right. Next to Johnson (who looked like he was enjoying this) was Carolyn, looking worn and dazed. She had been given more drugs to keep her pliant, and was standing with the rest of the non-participates, not really paying any attention. Steady Rachel. Just remember the mission. Obtain the victim. Calm the victim. Get out of here with the victim. Johnson assured her that this whole thing would end when everyone’s lust had been sated. She couldn’t wait. Suddenly there were screams outside the room. Followers could be seen running down the hallway at the other end of the room. One had stop long enough to explain. “Run. The Feds are here!” He didn’t have to say more. Gunshots could be heard over the din. Everyone started to panic and tried to escape through any door—clothed or naked. Rachel immediately felt Johnson’s hand on her arm. He pulled Miss Skytec and her through the back entrance. Rachel came up to the other side of their victim to look like she was helping him move her. She could hear Johnson curse under his breath. She remained from her own swearing but heartily agreed. Commander Woo said no one would interfere. This was going to be quiet. What went wrong? Well, maybe we can walk out of this. Just show our badges at the first officers we see and walk out. She didn’t have time to think about it, because two men suddenly blocked their path in the hallway. They were some of the highly decorated robed members, the leaders, and they didn’t look happy.” “What the hell happened?” exclaimed the one on the left. He was just as tall as Johnson, but seemed to have more body underneath that robe. She couldn’t tell if it was muscle or fat. “Where are you taking her, Joe?” The other one stared at Rachel, trying to find something in there he didn’t like. His eyes seemed to cut into her skin like a knife dipped in lemon juice. It was that painful. Rachel lowered her eyes and gripped Miss Skytec harder. Don’t ask me anything. “There’s a raid going on. We’re getting the sacrifice out of here.” Johnson’s stared down the two men, as if he had equal footing with them. “We need to deal with the intruders.” The large one nodded, then took out a key. He opened a side room in the hallway and ushered them in. “In here.” Rachel’s hands shook. Then she turned to look at Johnson. He stayed by the door while they went in. As he turned on the light, he smiled at her. Smiled? What the? He turned back toward the men outside. “Leave her with our sister here. We’ll come back.” He walked out with the two Leaders and left Rachel with their victim. “I still don’t like this.” Rachel silently counted to twenty before flinging off the black robe. Rachel was grateful no one bumped into her. Dressed in her black combat fatigues, Rachel pulled out her radio. She searched for the frequency used in this raid but nothing showed up. Strange. They wouldn’t have radio silence. Not for this. She then called in to Headquarters to report their status and the unexpected raid. She got an unexpected answer. “Officer Donovan. There is no Raid in progress by anyone. I repeat. There is no raid in progress.” Rachel shook her head. What is going on? “Give me that!” A hand clawed the radio out of Rachel’s hands. She turned, to find Miss Skytec smashing the device against the wall several times. The young girl was no only in a stupor. Quite the opposite, in fact. My God! She looks psychotic. To Rachel, this quiet young girl transformed into some animal. Carolyn’s face compressed into a sneer. Her upper lip curled to show a straight line of white teeth as she howled with a maddening roar. Rachel put up her hands, trying to appear non-aggressive. “Miss Skytec. My name is Officer Donovan. I’m here to take you home. Your father is very worried about you.” Carolyn didn’t seem to care. She charged at Rachel, and managed to tackle the officer to the ground. As they struggled, Rachel knew she had to get this woman under control soon. There was no telling who had heard the woman’s screams, or if there was help on it’s way. She pulled out a tranquilizer dart from her belt and jammed it into Miss Skytec’s neck. “Sorry, ma’am,” said Rachel. She pushed Carolyn off her and stood up. “But I will get you out of here, with or without your cooperation.” As Rachel bounded the girl’s ankles and wrists, she listened to the sounds outside the door. The gunshots and screams had stopped some time ago, but nothing else could be heard. Had it ended? “Officer Donovan, is everything secure?” Johnson’s voice came from another side of the room. Rachel nearly jumped, but settled herself. Settle down, girl. It’s your partner. Things are all right. She went to the door to let him in. “Secure and Ready, S…” She and stared. Johnson was still in his robe. Correction. He’s in a very embroidered robe. Much more than either of the two men behind him. Rachel attempted to pull out her revolver, but Johnson grabbed her wrist, taking it himself. The large man in the hallway proceeded to cuff her wrists behind Rachel, while the one with the cutting eyes untied Carolyn. The unconscious woman suddenly stood up, with no sign that she had been given a dose of powerful sedatives. She towards Johnson while he held onto Rachel’s arm. She had a vile smile on her face as she gave Rachel a thorough examination. Her face still had the look of madness in it, but now it was also malicious, almost vile. She licked her lips and laughed. “Quite resourceful, isn’t she?” The voice wasn’t female or young to Rachel. It didn’t seem to be human either, just a low growl of a tone. “I am very pleased with this one.” “I thought you would be.” Rachel wanted to look at Johnson, but Miss Skytec’s eyes seemed to paralyze her. “This one won’t be missed so much.” Missed? What is going on here? Her mind had only one answer. Johnson’s act of the loyal occult follower was not an act at all. This had been a set up and she had been betrayed. Suddenly anger burned in her stomach. She wanted to get away, contact SAHAG and tell them. Johnson is a traitor. “You won’t get away with this, Johnson. The Agency will come looking for us. You can’t hide.” Johnson laughed. “Don’t worry about SAHAG, Donovan. You have a new Master now.” “She will need to be conditioned,” the young girl continued. “You don’t mind if we start now, do you Johnson?” Conditioning? Rachel was completely confused. What did she mean by conditioning? Miss Skytec grabbed behind Rachel’s head, pulling it down to the girl’s level. “I’m eager to have this new body.” She then smashed her mouth against Rachel’s lips. Delicate mission? My… Her last thoughts were washed out of her mind. It felt like a massive fire rampaging through her body. Her brain, heart and blood were burning and all thought, emotion and reasoning was gone. Rachel could feel her mind shutting down as something else began to fill it. And then the endless nothingness. As her consciousness slowly returned, Rachel silently prayed that the ordeal was over. In truth, she felt strange. All the training and lectures on becoming a prisoner had failed her, but there was no sense of panic. Even now, she felt calm and serene. It confused her for a minute. Wasn’t she paralyzed in terror a few minutes ago? A few minutes—or an hour? How long have I been like this? Time seem to stop in her mind…and yet? I feel worn. Like someone had used my mind for a welcome mat. She tried to focus on what had happen to her. Something had taken over. The idea was unthinkable but there was no other logical answer. Rachel couldn’t believe it. How could something just move into my body? No. It must have been a bad dream. The rest of her senses slowly returned. First came her hearing. Sounds of roaring water floated to her from the distance. Squeaks and squawks were breaking the rhythm. The smell out open air and salt water haunted her nose. I must be by the Bay, near the harbor. A sense of cold came drifting with the wind. Her skin felt chilled, wet, and her body was cramped from lying on her back for a long time. There were strange pains on her arms and legs, not to mention the constant ache between her legs. Cramps? Rachel slowly moved her hands. She was in some sort of tub; it was filled with liquid but her nose told her it wasn’t just water. There was a decaying, rusty smell in the air. It’s probably seawater in an industrial drum. Was I dumped somewhere? Her hand fished through the liquid, hitting a stick. Her mind was in a hazy fog, but she tried to sit up and open her eyes, bringing the object above the water to see. It wasn’t a rod. It was a bone, with a human hand still attached. Rachel could not think, nor breathe. She dropped the bone as if it were on fire. The tub was full of old, watery blood. The top layer had coagulated around the edges and nauseating smell of decay grew stronger as she struggled. Rachel pulled herself out of the tub tumbled into the sand, hunching over with the pain in her limbs and stomach, tears mixing with the sandy bed against her face. She examined her arms, discovering old scar marks up and down them. Scars that had never been there before her mission. Looking up, she saw a scene of horror. Mutilated body parts all around her, circling within a five-foot radius. It looked like a shrapnel bomb had gone off at a beach party. It was fresh carnage, but too far from the ocean for the tide to come up and wash away the carnage. The sun shone through the wooden planks in the pier above her, and the breeze rustled the torn black robe she was wearing. The sight and smell made Rachel shake. What happened? Where am I? A voice answered her from within her own mind. “Wake, body. And serve me!” It was the same voice that came out of Carolyn Skytec’s mouth, but this was different. How the hell? It’s inside my head! She knew it wasn’t her own thoughts nor was it her imagination. Had she gone crazy? “I don’t believe in ghosts.” She said aloud, mostly for her own assurance. “Ghosts? Such innocence. Come, see your Master.” Suddenly the thing revealed itself in her mind. Another presence manifested slowly to her consciousness. It was like having someone looking through her own eyes. She could feel nothing but hatred and anger directed towards her—the real her—and a sense that she was insignificant and useless. Was this thing in Miss Skytec? It was a Satanic Cult. Could this be a—demon? Suddenly, Rachel was terrified. She didn’t know if it was a mythic demon or how to stop it. Again the presence was forcing her thoughts—her self—out of her mind. “Now, you will stay in darkness.” “No!” Her scream echoed on the wind, above the roar of the waves (or was that roar inside?). The voice in her head attacked. She felt the tremors in her body while she battled with the thing in her mind, jerking away from the demon Rachel cried, sobs choking her throat. “Yes, come back to me. Come back to your master.” Covering her head, she screeched her defiance into the sand. I am not weak. I am a soldier. I must fight. But doubts flooded her mind. The demon presence seemed so powerful. Was she strong enough? Could she win? Rachel felt helpless and alone. I wish I wasn’t so…weak. She hated how mousy she truly was. She wanted to be tough and hard, like her father and brother. She wished… Her heart started to race, and, with each beat, something started to form. Masses of strong emotion that Rachel had learn to subdue. Anger. Frustration. Pain. Hatred. Contempt. It all pulled away from the Rachel’s conscious and formed beside it. Linked with a very thin thread, this new personality stood between Rachel and the demon. Mentally she could see the whole scene. A strong column of ice blocked the flames and billowing black clouds. The pressure eased and Rachel could think again, but it was a weird sensation. Every reaction would be split. As if Rachel was now two people, one that was her old self and one that was feeling the complete opposite. Yet, this personality was Rachel, too. Was she, or it, here to help? “Who are you?” She asked herself. The second presence didn’t reply in words, but in emotions. There was anger and a demanding sense to cause damage. This Rachel was not afraid of the intruding presence. With no hesitation, the second persona lunged at the demon in her mind. It looked the evil in the face. Now, I will take you instead. Impossible as it seemed, Rachel felt her mind enveloping around the demon’s presence, just as it had tried to do to her. She had no control, but felt the enraged Rachel (for that’s what she called the second persona) coolly absorbing the flames, and dispersing the smoke. The demon was wailing inside Rachel’s ears and there was no way to stop it. When the demon was trapped the enraged Rachel’s wall of ice, it/she condensed, becoming a ball of ice. Rachel shook as she watched the demon finally become absorbed in the 2nd Rachel’s consciousness. I don’t understand? How did I do this? What happened? Finally the ‘air’ cleared in her mind. Though the presence was still there, it was too weak to control them. The new Rachel then addressed the original one. You’re pathetic! “Excuse me?” If Rachel was so terrified, she would have felt very silly talking to herself. You! ‘I wish I wasn’t so weak.’ You’re a poor excuse for an officer! Damn, this is so pitiful. I can’t believe this! “Who are you?” Rachel couldn’t seem to move. She could feel her arms and legs, but they wouldn’t do as she asked. A weird grin formed on her mouth. Rachel could feel the emotional equivalent of a smirk. I’m you, dumb-ass. I’m the part that you always wished for, but never showed. I’m the reason you were punished every day by your father. I’m everything you hate about them and more. I am the rage that you fear, and that’s what you will call me. Rage. Now Rachel knew she was going crazy. Didn’t shrinks have a name for this? Multiple personality? “Well, that’s fine,” she told her rebellious alter ego. “But I am Rachel. Go back to where you came from Rage. I don’t need you anymore.” Her body was still crouching in the sand, and she couldn’t make one muscle twitch. Oh, you don’t need me? Damn, you couldn’t survive without me! The anger returned. Rachel could feel it growing, and she couldn’t stop it. Let’s see if you can handle this! Rachel then started to laugh, no matter how much she didn’t want to. Rage ‘shoved’ the mental Rachel aside, taking over the body. It stood up and brush off the sand. “See,” she said. The voice was deeper than Rachel’s normal tone and had a slight cold edge of contempt to it. “No control at all.” The next moment something exploded inside Rage’s personality. It roared with hatred and seethed in violence. “Shit!” It’s the demon! Rachel wanted to cry. It’s coming back! “Shut Up! I took what was left of that thing. That’s how I can have control…” But, the control was gone, though Rage was still there. Something stronger than the new presence rose out of the wall of ice. It wasn’t the demon, but it was close. It’s like a beast. The original Rachel ‘cringed’ from this new persona. Her emotions, raw and shaky before, became flooded with full-blown terror. Stop it, Please! I get the picture. I do need you. Rage seemed stunned and slightly annoyed. I…can’t. It’s too much! What the hell is it? It wasn’t intelligent, and seemed to have no humanity. There was only primal furor, with a hunger for destruction in its thoughts and emotions. So intense were those thoughts that they took control of the body before either of its former personalities could react. Rachel’s true hands cramped up and became claws. Her vision turned red, everything around looked blood coated. Her sense of smell heightened from the blood-metallic stench still in the air. A violent urge to kill mounted from within the Beast. The Rachel cowered into a corner of her mind, while the Rage tried to regain control or at least hang on. Seizing a piece of driftwood, the beast Rachel smashed into a dismembered female torso in the sand. “Kill!” It roared at them, pounding the flesh into a mound of pulp covered in sand. The gore-feast continued, as legs, pelvises, backs and brains of the dead were mangled further and driven into the blacken sand. The primal rage ceased when the body could no longer keep up. The Rachel peeked out of her own eyes for a moment to see a dismembered head. A woman with open eyes and an expression of frozen terror. She looked alive, and afraid. “What have I become?” The whole nightmare had taken its toll. The beast, now subdued by exhaustion, seem to fall asleep. Rage covered this new evil with a thick cover of ice, trapping it inside her own. With a sense of satisfaction, she gave a sigh of relief. There, now it can’t happen again, but boy that was strange! It felt like a habit. “Habit?” Rachel had had enough. Where do you think all this carnage came from? Don’t you even know? “Know what?” She looked back down at her arms. The scars along the inside of her elbows cause Rachel to shake. “What’s happen to me? I don’t remember.” Rage suddenly became very quiet. Rachel screamed. “Rage, what happened?” You initially killed everyone here. You’ve been killing for over a year, for that cult. You’ve been…possessed. “I killed all those people?” Rachel suddenly put everything together. The madness in Carolyn Skytec’s face and what she had said. “Conditioning?” Torture. Rage. Brainwashing. Pretty gruesome stuff. “And you remember all this? I don’t.” Rage mentally shrugged inside Rachel’s mind. I’m always aware of everything that happens to you, even when you sleep. You can’t handle the truth, dumb-ass. I'm the part of this mind that’s there when you can’t cope. “Cope?” She had to live with this. Yes, she didn’t want to know what she did, or was done to here. Looking at the scars, Rachel asked, “How long have I’ve been—possessed, Rage” There was no answer. “Damn it, answer me! How long?” The tone of contempt evaporated out of Rage’s reply. Two years. Long enough to be pronounced dead. Rachel’s consciousness broke down. “Might as well be…” The persona that had been living in Rachel’s body for over twenty-five years crawled into the most remote corner of its awareness. “You want to be in charge. Fine. Go ahead. I don’t care anymore.” Rachel then went back into that darkness, now glad to feel nothing but oblivion. First, Rage was shocked. Then she felt the rush of adrenaline through her veins. With a cry of glee, she ran out from under the pier and into the ocean. The sensation of cold and water washed over her. “I’m free!” She laughed at the sun, happy for a moment to be in control. But that moment shattered as she looked back at the shore. How long would she be free? When the Leaders of the Devil’s Circle come looking for their pet demon, what would she do? Sorry, seems that your demon had a little accident. I’m afraid you’ll have to look elsewhere. Rage snorted. They would not be happy to say the least. Besides, she had unfinished business with them. I may not have been the one they tortured, but it still was my body they betrayed. Revenge lighted a fire in her soul. It was something worth doing. To make at least one person suffer just like she did. Johnson. I get Johnson and make him pay for every single second of pain. That would be the ultimate goal. And she knew just where to go for help. END DON'T MISS: Dealing with Rage in August 2003! Rage begins her plans for revenge against the Devil's Circle, but she finds herself in a trap of her own. |