The Devils Possession

This standalone story is much rougher than my usual stuff- please read the tags!

~Happy Halloween!~

Well, that was a fucking disaster.

I kicked off my shoes, leaning against the front door. Embarrassment heated my cheeks. If he was going to break up with me, did it really have to be on my favorite fucking holiday?

And in the middle of a damn restaurant too!

I tossed my jacket on floor and made my way into the apartment.

I rummaged around the fridge until I found a bottle of wine, and then thought better of it and grabbed the boxed wine I kept hidden in the cupboard. I ripped the box open and poured a glass full to the rim.

As I gulped down my wine I glared at the large round bowl on the granite countertop. I'd spent the morning making the apple cider, complete with little skull shaped apples and everything. Halloween was my favorite holiday.

Used to be.

Honestly, I felt almost... relieved? It felt like a weight was finally lifting off my shoulders. We'd been on the rocks for a few months now. I had wanted to get married. And James had wanted.... Well, he hadn't exactly made up a great excuse when he'd broken up with me. Maybe he needed more space, I guess? I cringed into my wine glass.

It's over now.

My apartment was small, the kitchen only separated from the living room by a large granite island. I had been going for a spooky fall vibe, turning off all the lights and just leaving candles lit. The room was doused in shadows, warm orange light dancing with the candle flames.

I had rearranged the furniture, moving the coffee table to the side of the couch and putting a nest of blankets and pillows on the floor. There were fake pumpkins and little bat decorations on the wall. Naked twister sat in its cardboard box on the coffee table, as well as a Ouija board. We were supposed to come back to my place after the restaurant. I had planned out the evening meticulously.

"So much that," I muttered. I finished my glass of wine and poured another, drinking until I felt a warm buzz. I waited for the tears to come, but there were none.

I sat on the couch with my wine. I contemplated calling Kelly, but she was probably already asleep. And I wasn't exactly a wreck yet. James and I had been together a year. We still had our separate apartments, still had our own friend groups. Disentangling our lives would be almost easy.

"Happy Halloween," I murmured.

I sat the wine glass down on the coffee table. My stomach churned, thinking of having to explain what had happened to Kelly.

Ugh

, it was going to be so embarrassing to tell my mom I was single again.

Christ, she's been asking for grand kids!

Tears of frustration welled in my eyes.

I am sick of starting over.

I felt stupid for not paying attention to the signs- it seemed clearer now how uninterested in our relationship he'd been. Always texting and hanging out with his friends. Anger flared up, my face flush. I scrubbed my hands over my face. No, I wasn't going to spend tonight moping around. Tomorrow maybe, but tonight was my favorite holiday. That asshole wasn't going to ruin it.

I sat on the floor and cleared a space for a board game. Naked twister seemed a bit pathetic to play alone, so I grabbed the Ouija board instead. I slapped it down over the blankets on the floor.

"James, James, James," I started. No, that probably wasn't right.

You can only summon dead people.

I stood up and grabbed one of the candles from the corner of the room, bringing it carefully to the blankets and setting it beside me.

Good. Better.

"Too bad it isn't a voodoo doll," I muttered. "Then we could have some

real

fun."

I placed my hands on the little triangle pointer the board came with. I wasn't exactly sure how the whole thing worked.

Screw reading the instructions

. "Jesus, Satan, the fucking ghost of Christmas past. If someone is listening out there, show yourself."

I tilted my head and waited for a sign, or for a ghost to appear. Nothing happened. A bit of hysterical laughter suddenly bubbled in my throat. Maybe I was going crazy, talking to a boardgame now.

"Hmm... What if I made an offering... how about some wine?" I reached for my glass, but the cup was empty.

Or maybe I was supposed to be the sacrifice, like in my favorite horror movie

.

I squared my shoulders, taking a deep breath, "I, Hannah Marie Nestler, offer myself as sacrifice. I know it's not much. James certainly doesn't think so. But I'm all yours!"

I squeezed my eyes closed and then opened them. Again, nothing. "Well, it was worth a try."

My vision swam slightly as I stood up. Finishing the box of wine in bed seemed like the perfect way to end my Halloween night from hell. I stumbled towards the kitchen to fetch the box.

I woke up sometime later in the living room. There was still a drunken buzz in my head. My mind was foggy, a slight pounding beginning behind my eyes. I squinted at the blinds.

Still dark out.

I grabbed my wine glass and began making my way into the kitchen when I heard a muffled

thud

.

I froze, glancing between the kitchen and the hallway.

Thump

.

It sounded like it came from the end of the hall near the front door. I tiptoed to the hall. I glanced around the corner. I peaked my head out just intime to watch the front door fly open. It banged against the wall, the hinges screaming in protest. There was an explosion of glass as I jumped back, my wine glass falling from my hands and shattering on the floor.

"What the fuck!" I screeched. My shoulders slumped when I saw James standing in the doorway. "Fucking hell, have you ever heard of knocking?" I glanced at the glass pieces on the floor. "Just wait a sec' and I'll get this cleaned up."

I jumped over the worst of the glass and went to get the broom. I swept it up hastily, glancing at the doorway where James was waiting. His black hair was dishevelled and his leather jacket slightly askew. His expression was unreadable, dark eyes following my movements.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. I swept up the debris into the pan. "You can come in now."

James stepped over the threshold into the apartment and closed the door. I went to the kitchen to throw out the glass.

"Keep your shoes on! I think I got most of it." I banged the dustpan out into the trash can and turned to face him.

He had followed me down the hallway, stopping at the spot where the living room met the kitchen.

There was a lump in my throat as I stared at him. I crossed my arms, trying to keep my composure from slipping. "Was breaking up in the restaurant and the car not quite enough? Did you wanna break up in my apartment too?"

"No." His voice was quiet, but with a sort of gravelly tone I hadn't heard before. It must have been the alcohol in my system, it was playing tricks on my mind. I had never heard his voice so deep.

"Then what are you doing here?"

He took a step towards the living room. He slid his leather jacket off. He seemed... larger than usual, taller and wider than I remembered.

"Answer me!" I hissed. "James!" I stormed around the island and reached for him, grabbing a hold of his wrist.

I paused, eyes stuck on the object in his hand.

A little black box

. A ring box. The blood thundered in my ears. I glanced up at him uncertainly, "What's that?"

James grinned at me, "It's a gift."

His teeth were all pointed. Up close his smile was almost a little sinister. His eyes were different too- catlike slits instead of rounded pupils. They had to be contacts, even the irises were coloured red.

Just a weird Halloween costume,

a small voice whispered in my mind.

I tried to focus back on our conversation, "A gift for who?"

"Its for you," he said. He took a step forward. A strange sort of warmth emanated from him.

I had to resist the urge to step closer, forcing myself to move backwards instead. "You said you wanted to spend some time working on yourself. Why would I want that?" I tried to keep my tone icy, but I was failing.

He realized your breakup was a mistake,

the small voice crooned again. My bottom lip trembled, "Did you- did you change your mind?" I whispered.

There was a playful smirk on his lips. The hand that came up to cup my chin had pointed claws. "My pretty little witch. You have wanted to get married ever since we met, remember? After our second date you decided it. You even prayed to Freya after on that little altar in your closet. I don't think she was listening. But

I

was."

I swallowed. "How- how do you know about that?" I could feel my cheeks growing hot with embarrassment. I kept the altar hidden away on purpose. I bristled, waiting for him to begin teasing me. Instead, he opened the box, holding it out to me.

The breath left my lungs. There really was a gold ring inside. It was a wedding band. It was battered and worn, visible chunks missing in some spots. The yellow texture glinted in the low candlelight. It was the prettiest thing I'd ever seen.

"Is that... A family heirloom? It looks so old."

His grin widened. "Yes, something like that. Won't you try it on?"

He pressed the box into my hands. My fingers shook as I took it out. "I- I don't know if this is such a good idea," I laughed nervously. "We should really talk about it-"

"Go on, just try it on."

It was all the coaxing I needed. The ring was heavy, the metal cold between my fingers. It looked like it would be too big for my ring finger at first. But when I slid it on it moved snuggly into place. The perfect fit. I blinked. The gold was suddenly gleaming, the cracks and worn edges fading. It was brand new looking again.

"I think I've had too much to drink," I mumbled.

"Oh, I don't think so. I like it when you're a little confused," James said.

There was a ripple in the air, almost like a crackle of energy between us. The room suddenly felt hotter. He tilted my face up, so I was forced to stare at him again. His red eyes bore into mine. I watched as his skin slowly began to change, turning darker pink and then red.

I had always loved his chiseled jawline, the way he kept his facial hair not quite shaved, not quite beard length, but a nice scratchy in-between. Now he looked... different, but familiar. There was something sharper about his features, something more primal and powerful in the way he stared at me.

"James? What's going on?"

He chuckled, "You don't have to call me that anymore, little witch.

Husband

is fine. If that doesn't suit you, then you may call me Sir."

His thumb brushed over my mouth, the rough pad of his finger slowly pulling on my bottom lip. I could feel the sharp tip of his claw. Slowly, some of his warmth pulsed through me, a shudder of awareness flowing along with it. I squeezed my eyes open and closed. The hairs rose on the back of my arms.

I spoke the words slowly, a horrible twisting fear slowly creeping over me, "You aren't James."

He chuckled. "No, I'm not."

"Then who are you?"

His grip tightened. My heart hammered in my chest. He didn't even look like my James anymore- his cheek bones were more prominent, lips a little fuller. I glanced higher and my stomach dropped. There were small

horns

peeking out of his tousled black hair.

"You called upon me, remember? I think it was something like,

'Satan, I'm all yours.'

Well? I answered your call

.

"

Something about the tingling sensation creeping through my body told me he wasn't lying. I knew innately there was power thrumming through him, something close to magic.

"You're a demon!"

His eyes narrowed. "Yes, and you are mine now."

I tried to bolt for the door then.

I've really lost it.

I was drunk and going crazy and I somehow summoned the fucking devil into to my house-

Laughter echoed down the hallway, chasing me as I ran. His voice was a gentle purr in my ear, "You want to run then? Go on, I'll give chase."

I opened my mouth to scream, and I was plunged into inky darkness. When I opened my eyes, I was no longer standing in my living room. The temperature had plunged. My teeth were chattering with the cold. I was sitting on the ground, dirt and grass beneath me. I stumbled to my feet.

It was fully dark out. The moon was round in the sky above, the white glow softly illuminating the dark shapes of the surrounding trees. My breath fogged in front of my face. It was freezing.

I wasn't wearing my t-shirt and shorts anymore.

Oh no.

I was wearing a tight black dress, the material barely reaching my thighs. Beneath my dress were black fish-net stockings. Not even shoes.

"What the fu-"

There was a loud smack, and sudden pain burst across my ass. I whipped around, seeing the devil grinning behind me.

"You were running remember? The faster I catch you the worse your punishment will be." He raised his hand, poised to smack me again, but I was already running.

I screamed, tree branches whipping against my arms and face. I jumped over a log, stumbling. Something stabbed my foot, but I kept going. I tried to focus on the forest, but lost in my bubbling panic everything was blurring around me. My lungs began to burn. Icy tears streaked from the corners of my eyes. The cold air only made the pain worse.

There was a noise behind me in the distance. When I looked over my shoulder, he wasn't far behind. I screamed louder, running as fast as I could. "Help me! Please! Somebody!"

My dress tore when I had to climb over a boulder, and then again when I dunked under a large tree branch. I kept running, trying to pump my arms faster. His laughter sounded like it was in my ear again, taunting. I was gasping for air now. It was so cold it was hard to breathe. My chest heaved with every breath.

My eyes blurred with tears. I swear I could feel his breath on the nape of my neck. He was too close. He was going to catch me- I tripped, hitting the forest floor hard. The breath was knocked out of my lungs. I rolled as I fell, twigs twisting in my hair and rocks digging into my barely covered flesh.

Eventually I came to a stop. I took a deep breathe, the stench of dirt filling my nose. My face was flat against the damp cold earth. I pressed my hands into ground, rolling onto my back, the world swimming before my eyes.

I forced the breath back into my lungs. It took me several moments to catch my breath, gasping and choking in air. It felt like sharp bits of ice as it filled my lungs. I wheezed and coughed. I needed to keep running.

You can't stop!

The panic was threatening to choke me.

"Not bad. You only made it about... half a mile?" The devil was standing a few feet away. He looked different too, wearing a black-on-black suit. The first few buttons were undone on his dress shirt. One hand was in his pocket. The other was yanking his tie loose, winding it around his fist as he pulled it off his neck.

"Just leave me alone!" I screamed. My eyes scanned the forest. The trees towered above in every direction.

There is no one else here,

the little voice whispered.

The pain in my foot roared to life as I tried to stand. I stumbled and fell. Turning away from him I tried to crawl away, clawing my hands through the dirt. I felt a sudden pressure on my back- he had his boot between my shoulder blades. Then I was flat against the ground again. I turned my head to look up at him. He was standing over me.

"Are you ready to give up yet?" He asked. He rested his elbow against his knee, staring down at me with a lazy smile.

"Never," I gasped.

His lazy smile widened into a feral grin, showing off his sharpened teeth. "Oh, I was hoping you'd say that."

He reached down. I began to thrash, but with his foot on my back it was useless. He grasped my wrists, yanking them behind me. It took him seconds to tie my hands together. I could feel the silky material of his tie biting into my flesh.

"I think you meant to say 'never,

sir

.' I'll forgive you just this once for that."

I whimpered at the burning pain in my wrists. "Please just let me go!"

He grasped me by shoulders and yanked me to my feet. I screamed, trying to thrash in his hold. The heel of my foot connected with his shin. He grunted in response.

"Careful, you might hurt yourself," he mocked. "Now are you going to be good and quiet, so I can take you back to your apartment, or are you going to keep screaming?"

"Fuck you!"

He clucked his tongue. His breath was hot against my face, "It's a bit cold out here. You have fifteen minutes until hypothermia sets in. I would like to keep all your toes as-is, but if you want to keep running..." He let go of me, and I stumbled a few feet and then fell forward.

I landed on a soft blanket. Panicking, I managed to roll over with my arms still tied behind my back. Warmth enveloped my body. It took me several moments to place where I was- back in my apartment, lying on my living room floor.

I sat up on my knees, looking quickly around the room. Satan was in my kitchen, rummaging through the cupboards. There as a loud banging noise. The horns on his head were longer, the red staining his face now staining his hands too. He found what he was looking for, leaving the kitchen to join me in the living room. I tried to back away, my legs tangling in the blankets.

"No no no-"

"Save the begging for later," he said.

There was rope in his hands- he must have found it in the utility drawer. I could remember buying that rope, thinking it would be perfect for hanging the huge painting in my bedroom, only to realize afterwards that it was comically way too thick. James had convinced me not to throw it out. He had argued I should keep it in utility drawer in the kitchen until-

"It seems we've finally found a use for this," the demon said. His voice sounded more like James again. As if he could read my mind. My stomach churned with horror at the thought.

He came to crouch in front of me. He grabbed a handful of my hair around the back of my head, yanking my face upwards and holding out the rope.

His voice was a threatening growl, "Bite this."

Tears streamed down my face as I bit into the rope. He grabbed either end, securing it tightly around the back of my head. Even my sobs were muffled behind the rope. He stood up and stared me over. A triumphant smile danced on his lips. He snapped his fingers, and the living room speakers clicked on.

The last song I had been playing,

The Season of the Witch

, blared from the speakers. It was my favorite song on my Halloween playlist.

The devils grin widened, "How fitting." He shrugged off his suit jacket and began to undo his sleeve buttons.

I struggled in my bindings. The silk tie burned against my wrists as I yanked back and forth, trying to loosen the material. My cries were muffled by the gag of rope in my mouth.

My words came out garbled and senseless, "mmmfffrrr! Ffffmmm yyyyuuuu!"

The devil rolled his sleeves up, taking his time as he went. I tried to stand. A sudden pressure enveloped my body, holding me still.

Magic

.

"The veil between the living and the dead is thin for only a few more hours. Your time here is almost up. I intend to have you a number of different ways before then." He sat down on my couch, spread his legs out comfortably like he owned the place. "You offered yourself to me, remember. Now come here."

There was magic lacing his words. I blinked and my hands were free. I was crawling towards him. When I reached the couch, his magic compelled me to hold out my arms. He took my hands and pulled them over the back of my head. He forced me to lace my fingers together behind my head.

With my hands behind my head I could almost feel the knot of rope that was gagging my mouth, but I couldn't undo it around all my hair. Frustration seethed within me.