A Tale Between Two Devils (Excerpt)
A southern gothic horror
She hears a creak; the old wooden floors bend and wane. Under the door, a shadow emerges. It swings open.
His figure is tall and large, encapsulating the doorway. His gnarled, black fingers crawl the walls, searching for the lamp, which flickers on.
Reverand Ezekial, my father. Mother shyly hides behind, in his shadow.
He shines a light onto the bed, revealing my cold glare. I gnash and snarl, the cold metal cuff slashing my bloodied wrist.
I growl; unadulterated and animalistic madness envelopes me. I thrust my body towards him, nails curved, seething with joy at the idea of slicing his face. My body contorts with rage. Mockingly, my Father and my mother desperately shield themselves with crucifixes.
I mustered up my slobber, now a scarcity, spatting at them. Anger flashes across my father's face; he lunges at me! I’m inches from his clutch, bracing for our customary fight. He stops dead in his tracks, irritated, his eyes turn back; it’s a white man. He grips my father, restraining his arms, keeping his face relaxed and calm. Immediately, I cower away, trembling at the sight of this white stranger, huddling in the corner of the bed.
The white man releases his grip and treads towards me, inspecting my cuffs. I stiffen in fear as he kneels beside me. His pale palm grazes my forehead.
“Who are you?” I shiver.
He lifts a glass of ice-cold water to my chapped lips.
“Dr. Schultz, I'm a child psychologist. I’m here to help you.” His voice is gentle and velvety.
My eyes narrow, gulping the water down.
The fresh nectar soothes my arid mouth. I empty the glass in only a few seconds, continuing to watch him suspiciously.
He is not here to save you, the voice whispers gently inside of me.
“Don’t get too close to her, Doctor.” My mother blurts, revealing her bandaged hand.
I stare daggers at her, and a crucifix falls, barely missing her head. She gasps.
“I think it is time for both of you to leave the room.”
Dr. Schultz stands and dismisses my parents. I glare at them as they scurry away, slamming the door shut. Dr. Schultz let out a great sigh and then returned his attention to me.
“I have traveled from New York to investigate the first case of a colored girl allegedly possessed by the devil.” He stares at me, marveling at me as if I were an unknown creature. I sit nervously, avoiding his gaze.
What devil have I come across?