Jesse returns from India, ten years later, in his arms a Katemara. But he is not returning to the world he left. Demons are possessing humans on a regular basis. Committing crimes and leaving the humans to suffer the consequences, the demons are amassing huge sums of money.
Left to wonder what the demons could be plotting, Jesse knows they are after more than just mischief, pain, and pleasure. But when Cole confesses to one of Starke's murders, believing himself responsible for not having stopped Starke, Jesse and the gang have more than just demons to worry about. And when overwhelmed by demons bent on killing them, they must run.
Will Jesse take his rightful place as the chosen one, or will the demon occupation prevent the ascension?
Excerpt
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New York, 2035
“Jesse? Is that really you?” Christian stood and came around to the front of the desk.
“Christian? Look at you, all grown up and sitting in the boss’ chair.” Jesse crossed the floor of the massive office at the Pearson building. “What are you now, twenty-six?”
“Yep.” He gave Jesse a hug. “Looks like India’s treated you well. Maybe I should go there for ten years and study with the yogis or swamis, or whatever you call them.”
“It takes a certain discipline.”
“Are you saying I don’t have it in me?”
“No, you just have to reach a point where you come to a life altering decision, that’s all.”
“Oh, is that all.” Christian chuckled. “Well have a seat. I’ll have Jessica bring us something.” He motioned at the plush sofa chairs arranged around a huge coffee table.
“No, actually, I just stopped by to let you know I was back and to see how Cole was. I didn’t know you were…”
“That?” Christian thrust a thumb over his shoulder at the desk. “I’m just watching over things until he gets in.”
“Is everything all right?”
Christian sat in one of the chairs. “My dad has been having dreams about what happened while Starke possessed him. For the most part, he’s suppressed them, but every now and then he remembers. And lately, some pretty disturbing stuff has come to the surface.” His gaze met Jesse’s. “I’m worried. He’s talking about murders Starke committed, and I mean some really cold, gruesome shit.” He dragged a hand down his face. “He thinks he should have been able to stop him.”
Jesse sat opposite Christian. “There was nothing he could do.”
“I’ve told him, but he has all this guilt. He feels responsible.”
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“Starke never left any witnesses. And he was always careful not to leave any physical evidence either. But…it turns out he did leave one witness.”
Jesse sat back. “Why have I never heard about this?”
“Because Starke did some sort of mind wipe on her. This must have been earlier on in the possession, while he still had control over some of his demon abilities.”
“Starke left a witness?”
“That’s what I thought. Why would Starke do such a thing? It turns out she reminded him of his girlfriend, when he was younger, and he couldn’t bring himself to kill her.” Christian shifted on his chair. “But here’s the thing. Dad wants to go to her and make amends.”
Jesse stared.
“Yeah, that was my reaction. He can’t do that. It wasn’t him, and if he admits to it, he could be tried for her husband’s murder. If he triggers her memory, they will have an eye witness.”
Jesse paused. “He can’t possibly consider doing time for something Starke is responsible for.”
“The guilt is eating him alive. He’s become more reclusive and withdrawn. I’m beginning to run out of excuses for why he hasn’t come into the office once in the past week.” He hesitated. “You’ve got to talk to him. Maybe he’ll listen to you.”
“What makes you think he’ll listen to anything I have to say? Have you asked Quinn, or Smithers to talk to him?”
“Yes.” Christian pressed his palm to his forehead. “You’re my last hope. Other than tossing him in a private loony bin, for his own good, and telling everyone he’s taking a much deserved vacation, I don’t know what to do. If they find out he has become mentally unstable, the company stocks could plummet, the share holders could lose their shirts, and the employees could lose their jobs. But that’s the least of my worries. I never cared about the money, and yes I care about our shareholders and employees, but I’m afraid for my dad. I don’t want him to go to prison for something he didn’t do.”
“He wouldn’t last five minutes on the inside.” Jesse rose and went over to the window. “The ashram was fairly reclusive, but stories still managed to reach us. Is it as bad as everyone says?”
“Yes. Over the past ten years, demons have been able to possess humans more easily. Sometimes, for only brief periods of time. They commit some crime, just for the fun of it, and leave the human to suffer the consequences. But more and more lately, they’ve been funneling money from the possessed human’s bank into an account in the Caymans. God only knows where it disappears to from there. They are amassing huge sums of money, and even though demon possession is becoming more prevalent, there is no way to tell which crimes are demon possessions and which are humans claiming they were possessed.”
“Is it true they are able to maintain their supernatural abilities while possessing?”
“Yes. Those performing short possessions are almost fully capable of all kinds of supernatural abilities. And others are ignoring the human pleasures or even building up a resistance, somehow. It’s become a serious problem. Their numbers are increasing, and it’s starting to get really bad out there. Anyone they consider a threat is being eliminated. The only difference between them and Starke is they take the time to make it look like an accident, or a mugging, or a burglary gone wrong.
“Jesse, we need your help.” He glanced at the door. “You didn’t, I don’t know, happen to bring one of those Katemara things back from India, by any chance?”
“As a matter of fact, I did. She’s waiting for me in the car.”
Christian chuckled. “You always did know how to make me laugh.”
“Where’s Cole now? Maybe I can talk some sense into him.”
“That’s just it. I don’t know. He managed to lose his security detail. Jesse, I’m worried he’s gone to find that woman to apologize for killing her husband. If he triggers her memory…”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you!” He jumped up and captured Jesse in a bear hug. “I’ve missed you, Jesse.”
Jesse patted Christian on the back. “I’m here now. And I’m not going anywhere. Is Quinn still in New York?”
“Yes. He’s even living in the same apartment. I’ve talked to him about Dad and what’s going on. He has some ideas.”
“Maybe if we pool our resources, like we did for Starke…”
Christian’s face lit up. “I had the same idea. I didn’t think you were arriving until tomorrow.”
“Part of my plan. Always keep ’em guessing.”
“Good idea. I’ve told Smithers, and Steadman says he’ll help in any way he can.”
Jesse backed toward the door. “I’ll see what I can do.” He turned, but then paused. “I am sorry, Christian.”
“For what?”
“I never should have left, like I did. It’s just…I felt if I stayed, I would be putting all of you in danger.”
“Don’t. Jesse, there was nothing you could have done. How can we possibly take down every demon on the planet?”
“I could have tried.”
“We did. Remember?” Christian came to his side. “Look, all that matters is you’re here now.” He put his hand on Jesse’s shoulder.
“Right.”
“Besides, didn’t they teach you about these things over there?”
Jesse nodded. “Something like that.”
“Good. And, Jesse, thanks.”
“I almost forgot.” He reached in his pocket and removed a card and pen. “Here’s my cell number and where I’m staying.” Jesse handed the card to Christian.
He left the office and strode the length of hall to the elevator. A window washer had just sudsed a window. The suds formed a pattern, as they slid down the pane. He passed the reception desk, the woman behind it pouring cream into her coffee—the cream forming the same pattern as the suds on the window. For a moment, he paused, but then got on the elevator and rode it down. He stepped into the parking garage. A man, deep in conversation with another, bumped head on into a woman getting off the elevator. The man dropped his drink, the liquid spilling out onto the cement in the same pattern.
Jesse pulled up. “What the hell?”
Shaking his head, he walked to his car. He got in and locked the doors.
The black cat on the passenger seat raised its head, its tail twitching.
“Don’t give me that look.”
You leave me in the car?
“What did you expect me to do, waltz in with you on display?”
I’m not a pet. I could make myself invisible. No one need see me.
“Yes, and with you making your smartass comments, I could forget myself and reply to the invisible Katemara. That would be so much better.” He pulled up. “Wait, did you say you could make yourself invisible?”
Yes. I think it might come in handy. And, by the way, I followed you in anyway.
“You what?”
It wasn’t difficult.
“I told you, it’s safe in there. I don’t sense any demons in the building.” His brow wrinkled. “How’d you get out of the car?”
It doesn’t matter. I told you, I am to watch over the Chosen One. Should anything happen to you… And, as you already know, I can block you from sensing me, if it is for your own good.
“I thought you said I couldn’t sense you because you are a Katemara. Now you say you are blocking me. Why is that? Is there something I am not to know?”
You will know all…in time.
WEIRD RHODY is a short story collection featuring five strange tales all set in Rhode Island and written by five Rhode Island authors. The anthology is a tribute to H.P. Lovecraft, the Ocean State's famed author of pulp horror.
