Page 26 of Dead Evil
“I’m not sure, honey,” Ten lied to his daughter. He knew exactly what was going on. This was a form of biblical mass hysteria. People who ordinarily weren’t part of a Christian religion or who came from other religions entirely, were completely in thrall to Shackleton and Barrymore. Ten’s gift wasn’t working as well as it could, but something was coming and he wasn’t sure how to fend it off.
“Thank you!” Shackleton said, holding his hands up. “I can’t tell you what it means to me to get this kind of reception here in Salem, which at times has the feel of Sodom and Gomorrah.Before we begin the next deliverance, I would just like all of you to know God loves you! He wants to heal you! All you have to do is let him into your heart!”
As Shackleton spoke the crowd shouts became louder, nearly drowning out the preacher.
“Let us pray! Father God, I beg you in your infinite wisdom to forgive your children for their sins. I ask you to open their hearts to you, so that you may fill them with your promise of life everlasting. In your glorious name, I pray! Amen.”
“Amen,” the crowd chorused.
“I’d like to take this moment to announce that King of Deliverance wants to come to Salem permanently. Only you can help that dream come true. Members of my church are coming around now with information on how to join us in the joyful worship of Jesus Christ. There are also collection envelopes for your donations. Give freely what the Lord has given you.”
Ten turned his head and saw people handing out packets of information. Ronan took one and passed the rest to Tennyson. He was holding the envelope with the tips of his thumb and forefinger, as if he didn’t want what was in it to transfer to him. He set the envelope on the floor and shoved it under the seat in front of him with his foot. “I don’t like this, Ten. Not one bit.” Ronan shouted over the din of the crowd.
“Me either.” Ten had a very bad feeling about what was going to happen next. Was Shackleton going to try a group deliverance? Was he going to bring one of the psychics or mediums onstage and try to “cure” them of their devil-given powers? Maybe that was why he’d come to see Tennyson earlier that morning, to find out if he’d be amenable to being delivered. He shivered inthe warm room. His gut instinct was telling him to run, but his curiosity kept him in his seat.
“As we said, Dallas Demonologists are about to attempt something that has never been done before. To be honest, I’m not sure if this will work,” Duke said, smirking at the crowd. He had them in the palm of his hands and he knew it.
The crowd began to chant, “Duke! Duke! Duke!”
Setting a hand over his heart, Duke bowed to the audience. “I’m sure with your help, we’ll be able to cast out our toughest demon to date. This particular creature has been infesting its host since the 1960s. Its destruction began with a fire that took the life of a child and quickly spread to claiming the lives of the entire family. Its killed neighbors, friends, visitors to the museum in which she has been housed. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Agatha Louise, the demon doll!”
A man walked onto the stage carrying Agatha Louise in her box. It looked as though the lock closing her box was still intact. Ten had a feeling it wasn’t going to stay that way for long.
The crowd lost its collective mind when the man held up the doll for the crowd to see, reminding Ten of that scene inThe Lion Kingwhen Rafiki held up a newborn Simba to the crowd of animals who’d gathered to see the lion cub. Another man came forward with a table for the case. The doll was set down and the two men hurried off stage.
“Oh, shit!” Ronan said. “No! There’s no way Devin would allow this. She must have been stolen.”
“Agatha Louise,” Ten whispered. “Jesus please keep my family and friends safe.”
Everly grabbed Ten’s elbow. “Dad, we need to stop this now. She’s not gonna add just one more victim tonight. There’s gonna be more!”
Ten’s eyes bugged out. He turned to Ronan who wore a similar expression. They needed to get out of the auditorium now. Ten pointed to the end of the row. They were sitting smack in the middle and there were six people between them and the aisle. Ronan shoved at the man sitting beside him, but the man wouldn’t budge. It looked to Ten like he was in thrall to Barrymore and the doll.
“Look at this ugly thing!” Barrymore shouted. “Half burned, hair singed, demon possessed. Several ministers have tried to bless this doll over the years, she’s been doused in holy water and exorcised and yet her reign of terror continues. I’m here to tell you it ends tonight!
The crowd burst into cheers again. People around the auditorium were shouting obscenities at the doll. Ten’s heart broke for Agatha Louise. Fifteen minutes ago she’d made a friend and now a room filled with a thousand people were cursing her up and down.
“It’s rumored this doll is responsible for seven murders!” Barrymore shouted. “I’m not afraid of this demon! I say if you want me, come get me! Bring me the key!”
The man who’d brought the doll returned to the stage and handed something to Barrymore before running off again. If the man was smart he’d run out of the auditorium as fast and as far as his legs would carry him.
Barrymore approached the front of the box. He stuck the key into the lock and turned it. The lock popped open and he pulledit free, holding it high above his head. “You’re free Agatha Louise. Come and get me!”
The audience fell silent. Ten’s heart felt like it was going to beat clean out of his chest. Ronan and Everly wore matching looks of horror, while Jude and Cope looked ready to run.
“Hmm, nothing’s happening!” Duke shouted. “The power of the Lord flows through me! I am untouchable. I am holy. I am God! I am-” Barrymore paused. He removed the doll from her case and held her up for the crowd to see. “I am invincible!”
Agatha Louise’s head turned a full 180 degrees to face Barrymore. Her hands raised over her head.
“Oh, isn’t she cute! Are you going to kill me, Agatha Louise? Let me have it!” Barrymore shouted.
Shackleton came to stand beside Barrymore, with his hand on the demonologist’s shoulder, he began to pray. “In the name of Jesus, I banish thee, demon! I banish thee to the deepest pits of hell, where you belong! I beg for your-” Shackleton paused, looking as if he were trying to take a deep breath. His face turned red, then purple before he fell to the floor.
“Okay, time to move!” Ronan climbed over the people sitting to his left in a bid to get out of the row.
Ten turned to see Jude was doing the same thing, moving down the row to the aisle opposite. He grabbed Everly and pulled her into his arms and shoved his way through the seated, enthralled people. To Ten’s horror, Ronan didn’t run for the exit. He was running toward the stage.
“I banish thee, demon! I banish thee! I cast thee back to the hellfire from which you were born. Where you shall burn for all eternity! Burn! Bu-” Barrymore stopped shouting and grabbedat his chest. Agatha Louise tumbled from his hand and crashed to the floor, landing face down.
