“Shit, there’s no power.” Dontae’ explains.
“No problem, I got it.” Jessi rushes to the door that reads “stairs.” She takes the bat and beats the handle until it falls off. At this time, the police are almost overwhelmed by what looks like hundreds of the possessed.
“Wade!” Jessi shouts. “You got this. I need to stay here to make sure no one goes up these stairs. Go do what you got to do. You’re all we got” She winks as she throws him the bat, which he catches.
Dontae’ didn’t disagree. He knew what had to be done, and he knew that he couldn’t do it with an army at his back. He could handle Roland, something that he had been waiting on for a long time. He starts up the stairs.
After a painstakingly run-walk up twenty-eight black-dark flights, Dontae’ finally makes it to Roland’s office door, which, surprisingly, he finds open. He pulls his gun holding it tightly in one hand while he holds the bat in the other. He turns the corner gun pointed. No one is there. The thoughts ram shacked his brain, and he knew they had to be here. Where were they? He thought about a basement before recalling the two missing elevator buttons. “floors 29 and 30,” he thought. He holstered his gun and began to look at the large paintings. He recalled the one behind Roland’s desk with the writing. “Rochelle was trying to tell me something,” He thought. He puts the bat on Roland’s desk and tugs at the painting. It swiveled and opened to reveal a door. He pulled open the heavy door, which led to another stairwell. He picks up the bad and goes up the stairs.
Ω
He enters a room to see Rochelle in a trance. Her arms spread wide with shadows hover around, in, and out of her. He notices Roland and Salvita standing in awe at the sight. He can see the body of an old woman lying on the floor next to him. He slowly steps in, trying not to draw any attention when Harrison suddenly blindsides him. The bat goes flying across the room. He regains his composer after the nice punch and readies his fist. Before he could take a swing, he is grabbed from behind by Ford. Harrison walks over and punches him in the stomach sending him to the floor. Clenching his stomach, he pulls his gun and manages to shoot Harrison directly in the forehead before Ford knocks it out of his hand and grabbing him from the back. He elbows Ford and gives him a backward headbutt causing blood to splatter from his nose at an alarming rate. Dontae’ dives for his gun as Ford charges him. He’s able to get two shots off, causing Ford’s body to fall on him hard. He struggles but manages to push the large man off. From the corner of his eye, he sees Salvita scurry out of the room. He stands and walks a little closer to Rochelle, who seems oblivious to what’s going on. Roland walks towards him.
“You are resilient my boy. Too bad you chose the wrong side.”
“What’s wrong with her? Dontae’ asks, not taking his eyes off Rochelle.
Roland turns to look at Rochelle also. “Even the strongest has to concentrate to control an army of millions,” Roland explains.
“You can stop this now! Are you really going to let demons take over the world? What the fuck man! This is crazy!”
“Crazy is all subjective. Did you think that the world was going to come together one day and sing Kumbaya? Huh? All of your stupid religions have one thing in common, the fake-believers. Muslim, Jew, Christians, all have your “on the fence” congregations debating faith. All divided! Faith is pure. The believers of Baphomet are pure. Ones that believe in the one true king believe wholeheartedly without doubt. Now, you all will too. He has shown his power, and we will have everlasting peace with our lord and savior at the helm.”
“There’s no peace in hell. He’s using you!” Dontae’ yells.
“Who is your lord and savior? Jehovah? Where is he? When has your God ever showed up and did anything that couldn’t be explained away by science!? Look around Dontae’. This is real. Your God is not. Baphomet is the one true king.”
Dontae’ thinks for a second. “Rochelle is sending shadows across the world.The fucking sky is purple. People are really possessed. This is real. That thing that I killed- It was real. It killed Sandy!” He then looks up at Roland with gut-wrenching anger.
“Fuck you.” Dontae’ retorted, pulling his gun and sending four shots into Roland’s chest. When the man fell to the ground, Dontae’ was surprised. In the back of his mind, he thought that Roland was so deep into this devil shit that he must have been a demon. In the end, he was just a man. A really fucked-up man.
He holsters his gun, turns, and runs over to Rochelle, gently slapping her face to try and wake her.
“Rochelle? Rochelle? Are you in there?” Shadows start to flow back inside of Rochelle, lifting her body about a foot into the air. Her eyes open wide. Dontae steps back.
Rochelle floats to the ground slowly. She looks down at Dontae'
“Rochelle? Are you ok?” he asks.
Baphomet speaks from Rochelle's body with a thunderous, devil, male voice.
“The man that walks between worlds. We finally meet.”
“Where is Rochelle?”
Baphomet ignores the question.
“You are quite interesting. Tell me something. Why do you think heaven would accept the man that you have become?
“I don’t think I’m going to hell if that’s what you’re asking,” Dontae answered.
“Interesting. I wonder how you remained a secret. Hidden in plain sight. I could use you on my team.”
“I would kill you the first chance I get.”
“That doesn't concern me. What could I do to persuade you?”
“Fuck you.”
“What if I brought Sandy back?”
He waves his hand, and one of the monitors illuminates a video of Sandy smiling and enjoying a sunny
