The Boy and the Bears Chapter 3
This is a rather dark chapter. I would advise you not to read this chapter if you can't handle topics of cults, kidnapping, and sacrifice. I'm sorry for the slow disturbing start. I promise you, the story will pick up after these next few chapters.
The Boy and the Bears
An unofficial book by LikeCascade70
Chapter 3
After what felt like hours of driving and bumps, the car stopped and the lid to the trunk opened up. The man grabbed me and my sister out of the trunk and in front of us was what looked like an old rundown cathedral. But what really caught my attention was the air and the trees. The trees looked different compared to Washington. And the air felt warm too even though it was January. I looked over at my sister.
“We’re not in Washington anymore, are we?” I whispered.
“No,” She said. “From the looks of the trees and the warmth of the air, we’re either in Alabama, Louisiana, or Mississippi.”
“Quiet back there, brats!” Said a nun in a mask. “We’re on holy ground, so you mustn’t speak unless you want unnecessary demons to come on us!”
The group led us into the cathedral. Looking around, the place looked ordinary except for some rotting wood and holes. A monk walked to the end of the building, lifted a rug and opened a trapdoor. Me and my sister were pushed forward and forced to descend down the steps. The chamber below was incredible! Blue crystals were everywhere. The fact that whatever state could afford such a mining business like this is beyond me. It’s crazy. We were led to another room full of cages and chains. The room shook me deeply. But what really disturbed me was the fact that there were other kids in the cages. Me and my sister were shoved into one and the monk who had put us in locked the door.
“Enjoy whatever time you have left, brats,” He sneered. “Because tonight at the new moon, one of you will be sacrificed in order to summon the greater demon.”
I almost wanted to start crying. But no. I had to be a man. I was scared, yes. But I had to be strong. I looked over at my sister. She looked just as terrified as me, but she was probably choosing not to cry either.
“Please, let me die.” One of the kids pleaded.
We looked over to see an Indian boy who had to at least be 12 sitting with another boy.
“I pray to Shiva “let me die”. But I do not. Now the power of the greater demon will take me.”
“What demon?” My sister asked.
“Every month when the new moon appears the cult that kidnapped us holds a ritual where they sacrifice us in order to summon the greater demon. It’s happened multiple times.”
“What is this ritual they do?” I ask.
“They choose one victim to sacrifice and make us all watch.” Said another boy who also appeared to be 12. Unfortunately, because we’ve gotten used to so many failed rituals, we no longer give the reactions they’re expecting.”
I look at my sister worried. Even among these kids, the thought of one of us getting sacrificed was too scary to imagine. I eventually lost track of time being in the cage. Was it still day or was it night already? Then a nun came into the room, pulled out a pistol, and shot it in the air.
“Alright, listen up, brats!” She said. “In your time you’ve slowly lost yourselves, we have chosen the victim whose sacrifice will summon the greater demon! You…”
She pointed at the boy who had pledged his devotion to Shiva and not the demon. His eyes widened, but he didn’t scream. He slowly got up and walked to the gate. A few monks grabbed his arms and dragged him away.
“The rest of you are coming with us to watch the ritual!” The nun continued. “So I suggest you don’t try to pull anything unless you want a bullet in your head!”
Other monks and nuns entered the cages and grabbed or dragged the other children out. They put us in shackles and walked us to a huge circular room where seats formed as steps. I found myself seated next to my sister and the other boy who had spoken. The monks and nuns began kneeling and chanting at the table where the first boy was laid. A door off to the side of the chamber opened, and outstepped a man with a mask entirely different from everyone else’s.
“Father Lucifer has arrived.” Whispered a nun.
The man known as Father Lucifer stepped forward and grinned evilly at the victim.
“Another month and the new moon is upon us tonight,” He announced. “We sacrifice yet another young life in order to summon the greater demon to eradicate the disease known as the government that runs this country! All the gods of love and kindness will be forgotten and in their place will be the gods of the Underworld, death, and Satan himself. But in order to summon the greater demon, we must sacrifice the victim!”
The monks and nuns roared and cheered. I felt cold and scared just hearing this stuff. I leaned into my sister, who awkwardly wrapped her arms around me.
“Hand me the knife.” Ordered Father Lucifer.
A monk walked forward with a wooden box in his hands. Lucifer opened it, revealing a sharp clean blade. He walked forward to the boy on the table and looked down at him. The boy still looked terrified, but he did not scream.
“Do you have any last words, my boy?” Lucifer asked.
“Yes,” Said the boy, whose terrified face turned into a glare of defiance. “I have prayed to Shiva to let me die. Even if you continue to sacrifice many children, your greater demon will never emerge because he doesn’t exist. The gods of love and kindness will judge your souls when you die. All of you are not monks or nuns at all. You’re merely people pretending to be them. I strongly believe that goodness will prevail over evil.”
Lucifer merely chuckled. Around the room I saw the monks and nuns shaking with fury.
“Thank you for your words, young man.” Said Lucifer as he took the knife.
He turned to face everyone again.
“This child displays the strength of bravery and optimism! The latter of which is so cheesy to the point that it makes you want to vomit!”
The monks and nuns began jeering loudly.
“SACRIFICE HIM!” Several monks shouted.
Lucifer raised a hand, silencing the room.
“I’m not finished yet,” He said curtly. “The point I’m trying to get across is that this victim has bravery and courage. These are traits that will potentially allow the greater demon to emerge!”
The monks and nuns started cheering again. I looked down at the floor, terrified of what was to come. I raised my head just high enough to see Lucifer walk forward with the knife in his hand. Several monks had surrounded the table, blocking the boy from view. The only thing I could see was Lucifer raise the knife then plunge it down, followed by blood spraying out.