Category: Chapter 2

A cabin emerged through the thick, unkempt foliage. A log cabin of early nineteenth century architectural remnants, kissed by spray paint, a twenty-first century commodity, wrote the word “PIGS” in red on the side of the structure. “This used to be a charming little cabin. I went with Dad once about five years ago. They really let this place go. Hopefully the inside is better than the outside,” Jamie said disappointedly. 

We approached the doorstep of the battered antique. The windows were caked with mildew and grime, obscuring it’s transparency. “Okay how do we get in? Break through the window? I know those old guys don’t hear as well as we do, but I think they’ll hear glass breaking,” I said trying to think through the next steps. Jamie reached out, grabbed the door knob, twisted and pushed. The door slowly creeped open, revealing a dusty, dim and dank ambiance, which would repel even the most desperate of visitors.

“Cozy,” I said sarcastically. 

Jamie strutted in first. She began to flail, gag, and spit incessantly. “Gross! I just walked right into a spiderweb. Got it in my mouth! Disgusting!” Jamie exclaimed. I pulled my phone and pressed on the flashlight icon. “Right, we should see what we’re walking into. I’m such a ditz,” Jamie said rolling her eyes to herself. My flashlight revealed a cabin which has long been deserted. Large wooden desks were filled with dust and webs. Boxes were lying all over the floor, and webs were draped all over the room. 

“This looks like the ninth circle of hell. You really think we should hang out here? Chillin with rats and spiders, while we come up with an explanation as to why we survived the ambulance fire and fled from the scene of the accident?” I argued.

“Do you have a better idea? We can carve ourselves out a little place to rest somewhere. Let’s check out this room,” she replied.

My older sister, Jamie, greeted me as I came to consciousness. “I know this sucks, but you were out cold for a while. We need to know what the doctors say, so we can help you,” Jamie said. I studied the two paramedics sitting on the far side of the ambulance. Both men were studiously writing on documents attached to clipboards. The two civil servants seemed too preoccupied to be engaged with their patient’s conversation. “I stopped taking my meds okay? I thought I could make my mind right without the pills but I was wrong. I’ve embarrassed myself in front of the whole school. How many people saw me loaded into the ambulance?” I conjectured. Jamie’s pale cheeks blushed ruby red, as her lips pursed tightly. ‘The whole school was out there Andy. Don’t freak out about it. So what? The whole school saw you picked up by the medics. We have more important things to talk about. I know anxiety isn’t the only thing wrong Andy. I heard you the other night, begging and pleading in the kitchen. I was in the bathroom. Who were you talking to?” Jamie inquired. 

I felt my heart disintegrate into a million microscopic fragments into my hollow chest. I felt a lump the size of a grapefruit in my throat. “A demon is haunting me. I thought he was God at first, but he showed his true colors that night. He tells me to do things… horrible things. Don’t be scared.  I’ll never carry out the evil he has commanded me to do. I don’t know how to shake him. He keeps coming back,” I explained. 

Jamie’s body began to quake. The stretcher shook violently as she slowly slinked off. Her icy-blue glare of indignation pierced through my eyes, as she raised her manicured finger at me. “What sin have you fed, to surrender your temple to satan? What evil have you brought into our house?” Jamie pleaded. Jamie ferociously let loose a barrage of kicks against the side of the stretcher. “What the hell is going on? Calm down!” The Paramedic exclaimed. He waffled in his chair, then Jamie glanced at the paramedics and swung her head over to me. She had murder in her eyes, accompanied with a mischievious grin. She dove on top of me, sending the stretcher crashing to the floor. The Paramedic bellowed, as I heard the scattering of his large boots against the metal ground. 

“Trust me,” Jamie whispered. She reached into her leggings with both hands, pulled out two tasers, one in each hand. Jamie extended her arms and rested them on top of my shoulders. I turned my head and skewed my eyes to the ceiling. The two paramedics poked their heads over the capsized stretcher. Four electric tentacles flew through the air and attached itselves to the Paramedic’s lips, left cheek, and chin. A split second later, four black strings of lightning launched onto the other Paramedic’s sprawling forehead. The two medics started convulsing as the electric currents lit them up like a christmas tree.