[Den of Demons] Chapter Five

Chapter 5

[.The Tasks.]

“I’ve been expecting you, young Devlynn. Are you pleased

With the book? I am very pleased with the dragon’s blood.

I know how hard it is to acquire a kind as red as this.”

Entering the house,

I am time and time again taken aback by his possessions.

His house always smells of fresh herbs.

Animals of all sorts float in glass jars next to tables stacked

With books and parchment.

Behind a huge bookshelf I see him

Sitting at a desk.

Head bent over a book as he writes.

“Sir, this book….is it as true as you say?”

I say to him, looking at his back through the cracks

Between the books.

He quickly answers.

“But of course it is, dear. I would never give you false information.

Especially, my only helper.”

I consider his question carefully before I answer.

I run my fingers along a certain jar.

Inside, I see an odd creature.

Tiny horns poke out of its head

And I see that its body is encased in thin

Bat like wings.

Leaning closer, I study it.

Its little body moves.

I step back and look at the old man.

“Don’t be frightened, it is safe inside that glass jar,”

He assures me.

I walk over to him and look at what he is doing at his desk.

His body is covered in a thin black hooded cloak.

Even though he is inside, his hood stays on his head.

I cannot see his face.

“I need a way to contact demons. I want to find the brooch and mirror

This book talks about. If you say it’s true. Then there must be a way.”

The old man stops writing and puts his quill down.

Folding his hands, he lets out a sigh.

“Devlynn, I don’t think you know the extent of what you

Are asking for.”

I contain myself from disrespecting him.

“I know what I’m asking for! All you have to do is give me a way and

With this book I can figure out the rest. Please sir, please.

All my life I have felt like I have no purpose, but

Every since I got this book I feel like I can redeem my life.

I have a purpose. I must go to Lilith.”

I am on the verge of tears.

The old man picks up his quill again and begins writing.

He replies,

“Silly girl, I don’t dabble with the devil anymore.”

Begging on my knees, I grab his cloak.

“Please, give me any task. Anything you need. I will find it.

The finest herbs for your science, I will search far for them.

In exchange for a gateway. I know you have the power. You

Were not banished to this hill for no reason.”

The old man slams his fist down on the desk and turns to me.

For the first time I see his face.

It frightens me.

Half his face is scarred, like it was badly burned at one point.

His right eye has been melted shut.

A tattoo lies under his left eye.

A language I cannot make out.

I scramble backwards as he rises from his chair.

He grabs the collar of my dress and harshly whispers,

“You want a gateway, girl? You are to find me three objects.

The first is the skull of a human who has only been dead for less than

Twelve hours. This human cannot be impure. I only want the skull, not anything else.

It must be clean. The second is a string of the finest diamonds you can find.

The third and final object is a journal. Now, the third object will

Be the hardest to acquire. There is only one of its kind

And the owner is in our very own town.

The journal is in the town’s library. It’s located inside of another book.

You must be clever enough to find it.

I cannot acquire any of these objects on my own.

If you complete this task you can have your precious gateway.

Now be on your way, you have work to do.

I will give you only three days.”

With this he lets me go.

I watch as he straightens his cloak and takes his

Spot back at his desk.

He picks up his quill and slowly dips it in ink.

He begins to write away.

As if nothing ever happened.

On my way out I spot the jar with the tiny

Bat like creature in it.

I pick up the jar and am almost to the door when the

Old man says,

“Devlynn, take the leather satchel by the door.

You’re need one anyhow. The objects you

Constantly carry will get you killed.

Hide them in this satchel and they will

Be safe.

Your new friend too. Throw him in there.

People will think you’re a witch if you go carrying around

That demonic looking creature.”

I am taken back by his gift.

A fine gesture.

I open my mouth to thank him and ask him why he would

Do such a thing but he answers before I have a chance.

“It’s not really about you. If you are caught people will know those

Objects came from me and I cannot afford to

Lose my place of practice. Too risky.

Take it and leave.

By the way,

Your creatures name is Legion.

Keep him in the jar.

He’s much cuter in there.

Be careful NOT to drop him either.”

I look down at Legion.

He’s kind of gross looking,

But I know I liked him from the first curious glance.

I put him in my satchel and walk out the door.

Picking my book up off the porch I place it in the satchel as well.

For such a small satchel it sure can hold a lot.

I leave the scientist’s house determined.

As the satchel hang across my body

I feel like heat emanating from the bag.

It’s probably my imagination.

I run down the hill,

I can feel mud splashing my legs.

I have to make it home before the moon has hung

Completely in the sky.

Father starts heading home when it peaks.

When I reach the pasture I bring my satchel

Into my arms and sprint across the tall, thick grass

As fast as I can.

Before I know it I am at the edge of town.

I sneak through alleyways and on the sides of houses

Until I make it to my home.

A small shack on the poor side of town.

Someone is still awake because I see light through

The window where the kitchen is.

Knowing I can’t bring my new possessions inside

I dig a hole under the house just big enough to fit

The satchel.

Before I place it under I take Legion out.

I can’t see him because it’s dark, so lift him up

To the moon.

The moon illuminates him and I can

Actually see through him.

Through his wings.

His bone structure.

I can even see a tiny heart beating inside his body.

The old man was right.

He doesn’t look like any animal

I’ve ever seen.

His form reminds me of the demons

That are pictured in my book.

I gently place him back in the bag.

Before I go inside I conclude that

Legion is not an animal at all.

I conclude that he is not even of this world.

I push the bag gently under the house and

Dust my dress off.

I pray none of my siblings find it.

I have to face my mother.

If not tonight then in the morning.

Unless if I can be gone before they wake up.