James Anderson - The Altar

He knew this was the worst shape it had taken on yet. When it was a mass of burning lava it had been frightening-but instinctively people stayed away from fire and knew what it was. When it had taken on the rock shape it had been little more than a beast, almost like something out of a comic book or a bad horror movie. And as a man it hadn’t been anything, really, except a very bad person. Todd knew there were enough of them running around in the real world, so this was nothing new. He’d been taught to watch out for and avoid bad people all of his life.

But this was different. The body was so hideous. But the face was so beautiful-and so human. It almost looked friendly, affectionate, welcoming. He knew it was still the demon, of course, but this was…different. He was afraid that if the thing had completely transformed into a woman he would have just followed after it like a lovesick puppy and done whatever it wanted just to be near it.

But he couldn’t let himself think that way, and he was grateful that the monster still looked like a monster to remind him of what it really was.

He cradled his baby sister close to his chest and followed his Dad and the Indian, staying just behind them in case the demon should turn and launch an attack. He didn’t even fear for himself much anymore-he’d almost become immune to shock and pain and the fear of death-but he didn’t want anything to happen to this tiny, innocent baby that he had helped to bring into the world.

He followed along, knowing that whatever was about to happen would occur very soon, and one way or another, this thing would be over. He just hoped that whatever happened to him was final, one way or the other. He was willing to face death, if that were his fate. Or go back to the world and try to pick up his life.

He did not want to be the host body for this terrible demon, even if it did have a gorgeous face and beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes. He would rather die than face that. Because as beautiful as that face was on the outside, he had seen the ugliness, the hideousness of what lie within. Sharing his body with that thing would mean living with this revolting presence constantly, eating, sleeping, and being with it always until it grew tired of him and cast him off for something else. Anything, even death, was better than that.

He still had that sharp stone in his pocket and would use it on himself if he needed to-though he wasn’t even sure he could die while he was still in this world. But he’d keep it, just the same, in case the need arose. He knew that killing yourself was wrong-but he suspected it would be ok if you were doing it to save yourself, and others, from a demon like this one.

He looked ahead at his father and could sense his Dad’s fear. He knew his Dad was deathly afraid of spiders and scorpions and anything like that. It was as if the demon had sensed what would be most unpleasant. Todd wondered if he were the strongest one of the three right now; the thought that he might be terrified him more than the demon even.

Then his Dad looked back at him, smiled, and flashed him the thumbs up sign. Maybe they’d be ok after all, he thought.

He grinned back at his Dad and, holding the baby carefully, returned the thumbs up sign.

Erik saw Vickie sprawled out on the sand looking miserable and helpless. As soon as he saw her his heart melted and he began to run, skirting around the demon and hurrying to her side. She was weeping uncontrollably as he knelt beside her and took her in his arms.

“It’s ok, Sweetheart. It’s going to be ok.”

“Oh, Erik,” she sobbed. “I love you so much.”

“I love you. I love you so very deeply.”

“The baby….”

“Todd has her.” Erik held her up so she could see Todd and the baby, and Johnny Dovecrest. “We’re all here.”

“Even that thing,” she sneered. “It tried to take our baby.”

“I know, Vic. I know.”

The demon clicked its pincers together as it watched them. Its human head was tilted slightly to the side as it scrutinized them, as if it were trying to understand what was happening. Love was a foreign thing to its world. Its entire existence was based upon hatred, anger, fear, and wrath. Love was repugnant to it, and that was why it had been banished to this other world, far away from any kind of companionship or compassion or caring. It belonged here, not on the earth where it could infect others with its hate. There was already enough rage and hate in the world of men. The earth certainly didn’t need any more.

“So what are you going to do with us?” Erik asked. “What comes next?”

The demon laughed, still in that silky-sweet feminine voice that didn’t sound right coming from a monster.

“That all depends,” it said. “They have something I want. And I am going to have it. You can try and stop me. Or not. That is your choice.”

Dovecrest stepped forward and addressed the creature in a confident voice. “What is it you want?”

“I’m tired of being here. I’ve had a taste of the earth and I enjoyed what I found. I want more.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not supposed to be there. And because now I can be there.”

“So you’re going to go back to the earth and create more destruction? I can’t let you do that.”

“I’m afraid you don’t really have any choice about what I do. But this time I’d like to go back in a different form. As a human. As a child. I could be more…subtle…about the things I did.”

“As a child?” Dovecrest said.

“No one would even know I was anything but an innocent little boy,” it said smoothly. “Or perhaps a baby girl. I could take either one of them.”

Vickie screamed. “I won’t let you take my children! Either of them!”

“I will take one of them. If you don’t cooperate, I’ll take both of them.”

“No. Please don’t take my children. Take me. But please don’t take my kids.”

“Ah, life is so unfair,” the demon said. “I had planned to kill you and your meddling friends, then sacrifice one child to take the other. But I’m prepared to offer you a chance to sacrifice yourself and save one of the children.”

“Sacrifice myself?” Erik said. “You’re going to kill me anyway. What’s the difference?”

The demon laughed softly. “You don’t understand. I don’t want your life. I want your soul. I can sacrifice the baby, who knows no better, and take her innocent soul. That would be best, would be the most satisfying, since the rest of you are already corrupt. Or I could take another soul. One of you.”

“And end up…here in this place…forever?” Dovecrest said.

“Not forever. This is just a stopping point, really. Eventually you’d be sent directly to hell, which is much worse than this.”

Erik looked around and shuddered. He could still see the shadows of the doomed souls wandering aimlessly, searching for someone or something they would never find. This world truly was devoid of all love, of all feeling except endless despair.

“No takers, I see. Then I will have the baby.”

The monster stepped towards Todd, who turned away, shielding the baby behind him.

“No! Take me!” Vickie screamed. She jumped up and ran towards the demon.

Erik grabbed her from behind to stop her.

“I’ll go,” he said.

“No, I’m her mother!”

Erik held her tightly in his arms. “I can’t let you do that,” he said. “I’ll be the sacrifice.”

“I could take you both,” the demon said. “Unless you want to fight about it.”

“Hey, what about me!” Todd said. “I don’t want to be part of that thing!”

The demon acted so quickly that Erik didn’t even realize what had happened until it was done. The thing’s deadly stinger flashed out like a whip, shooting past him and across the twenty-foot space to where Todd was standing. Erik couldn’t believe a thing so huge could move so quickly.