“That is the nature of sin and evil. It leads men to their own pain and destruction.”
Dovecrest sat back and rested his head against the stone wall. This man seemed to understand. But what would he be able to do?
“Ok,” he said, finally. “Last night I met with Erik Hunter. I wanted to show him how to find the sacrificial stone.”
“Show him?”
“That’s right. The stone is not of this world. It is not always in the same place. It must be found by feeling not by seeing.”
“Ok.”
“So I took him and I showed him. He’s a quick learner. He headed right for the stone.”
“So he’s found it?”
“No. At least not then. The police followed us. They took us back. I was arrested.”
“And Erik?”
“They let him go. But I’m afraid he went back looking for the stone today. If so, he’s in serious trouble.”
Pastor Mark paced in front of Dovecrest’s cell. “I should let someone know.”
“The State Police and the F.B.I. won’t believe you. The sheriff might. But even he’s skeptical. You might tell him Erik went off into the woods and you’re worried about him.”
“Hmmm. That would work. Now what about you?”
“Don’t worry about me.”
“How can you say that? Didn’t you say we need to destroy this thing? You’re the only one who knows how to do that.”
“When the time comes, it will work out the way it needs to. How do you say it, Pastor? God will provide.”
“Yes. God will provide. But God also helps those who help themselves. Does the Narragansett Tribe have an attorney?”
“Yes. But he’s arrogant and doesn’t believe in the old ways.”
“Johnny, that’s exactly what we need right now. Call him right away. We need someone else on our side, even if they don’t believe us.”
“He will make it a war between the white man and the tribe,” Dovecrest said. “He will claim I was arrested because of my heritage. I do not want this.”
“Maybe not. But it would be best for your case right now. If nothing else, he may be able to get you out on bond. Then we could worry about the real fight.”
Dovecrest nodded. “I will take your advice, then.”
2
Erik had no idea how he found his way home, but it was with intense relief and thankfulness that he stumbled out of the woods and into his back yard. He looked up and saw Todd waiting for him at the back door. As soon as the boy saw him he raced across the yard and hugged him so hard he almost knocked him down.
“Dad! You made it! I called and called for you.”
“You led me home,” Erik whispered.
“I guess so. I tried to stop the rock from getting you.”
“How did…. Never mind.”
Vickie hurried over and hugged him as well.
“What happened to you? You look like you’ve been in a fight.”
“I have, Vic,” he said. “I have.”
“Where’s Sheriff Collins?”
Erik raised his hands in a pathetic gesture. “He’s…he’s dead.”
“The rock got him,” Todd said matter-of-factly. “Just like it got the girl.”
“Erik, what is going on around here! Has this place gone crazy?”
“I’m afraid it has, Vic. But before I explain I need to call the police. Maybe now they’ll understand what’s going on.”
He found the number of Special Agent Thralls.
“Do you really think that is such a good idea? They’ll think you had something to do with it. Look what they’ve done to Johnny Dovecrest.”
Erik put the phone down and thought for a moment. Just then, Pastor Mark’s car pulled into the driveway and he rushed to the front door. Vickie let him in.
“Erik, thank God you’re all right! Dovecrest told me something was wrong. The sheriff found you? I tried to call him but….”
“Collins is dead,” Erik said.
“He’s….”
“The rock got him,” Todd said.
“Oh my Lord. Tell me what happened.”
Erik sat both the Pastor and Vickie down and explained.
“You mean to tell me there’s a demon running around in the woods? Really, Hon, you don’t believe that, do you?”
“I know what I saw, Vic.”
“It’s true, Mom. It tried to get me, too.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “But this is all happening way too fast for me.”
“I understand,” Erik said. “That’s why I didn’t want to tell you. I didn’t want to upset you.”
“Upset me? Erik, this goes way beyond upset.”
Pastor Mark put his hand on her shoulder. “Vickie, maybe it would be best if you and the boy went somewhere safe for a couple of days. Back to the city. Just until this thing blows over.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think this will ‘blow over’, Pastor. It’s not going away by itself, is it. And, mind you, I’m still not sure I believe all of this is happening.”
She suddenly began to sob, and Erik went over and held her. “It’s ok,” he said. “We’ll fix this thing.”
“How?” she sobbed.
“I don’t know yet. But we’ll fix it.”
“God will provide,” Pastor Mark said. “We must place our trust in him.”
3
Seti staggered back to his campground feeling worse than ever. He felt tired, weak, and old. The monster on his neck had grown larger now and was taking on a grotesque form. It was so bad he dared not even look at it. He no longer felt in control of his own body, but was merely a puppet of the other.
“Please, Master. Let me rest,” he pleaded.
But the monster only responded with a shock wave of pain that jolted his entire system, from his hair to his toes.
“Stop whining!” it commanded. “Keep moving.”
It was obvious that the monster was taking over his body. But at this point he was powerless to stop it. The thing could control him completely now, even as it had controlled that stupid pig-like sheriff, forcing him to shoot himself full of holes until he look like moldy Swiss cheese. That had been amusing. It had also showed him just how much power the thing had already. Better to do what the Master commanded.
Seti’s brain felt as if it were filled with fluid, as if he had submerged his head inside a huge bowl of pudding. He could no longer think clearly. He wasn’t sure of who he was anymore, or of what he even wanted. Vaguely, he
