The black boots stomped through the book store, their heavy foot falls making themselves heard by the other customers in the shop. The bitter, cold, Canadian wind blew through the doorway as the door swung closed. Blue denim clad legs marched purposely, knees showing through the designer tears. A metal studded black leather jacket was left unzipped revealing a Black Sabbath t-shirt.

Zack made his way towards the supernatural section. His long, dyed black hair fell irritatingly in front of his face. He whipped it out the way with a flick of his head. His eyes gazed at the book titles as he walked down the aisle. He dismissed each book he came across until he saw something that caught his eye. It looked ancient. It was bound in brown leather with a layer of dust upon it. It truly stood out amongst all the clean and new books in the store.

"Weird."

He slid the book off the shelf and wiped off the dust hiding the title. The book was called Satanic Spells and Rituals.

Zack felt his pulse race and the corners of his lips lifted involuntarily.

"Ace!"

The shop assistant was surprised to see the book himself. It had no barcode and it wasn't recorded on their system. He'd looked totally confused. "If it's not one of our books I can't charge you for it. If you want it, you can have it."

"Aren't I having a lucky day," Zack said before thanking the man enthusiastically.

****

Back home Zack dug out the score of the music he'd composed. He was sure he would find something amazing to use as lyrics inside the book. Zack hung his electric guitar over his shoulder with the strap and plugged it into the amp. He started playing his music. Before he could start singing the volume suddenly became deafeningly loud.

"Ahhh," Zack covered his ears with his hands dropping the plectrum. He twisted round from his seated position on the floor, his music score and Satanic Spells book spread out in front of him. Behind him was his eight year old brother, Kevin, covering his own ears and howling with laughter.

"Kevin!" Zack shouted.

"It was Jojo."

"Stop blaming your imaginary friend."

Their dad appeared in the doorway. He stepped forward, bent down and unplugged the guitar.

Standing up again he stared down at Kevin with his hands on his hips.

"Are you up to your tricks again, Kev?"

"It was Jojo."

"Kevin," his father said sternly.

"It was me. Sorry daddy"

"Don't apologise to me. Apologise to your brother. His working on a song of his by the looks of things. You shouldn't disturb someone when they're busy. Especially when they love what they do. Now come away, Kevin."

"Oh but dad, I want to listen. I'll behave I promise."

"Is that alright with you, Zack?"

Zack stared at his little brothers cute, pleading face.

"Alright. But if you mess about your out of here."

"Well that's sorted then. Oh and let's not mention this to your mother. You know how she feels about your music. I don't think it does any harm but her beliefs are part of who she is."

"Tell me about it. I'm surprised she hasn't disowned me out of shame."

"Don't say that, Zack. Your mother loves you. She'd never do that."

"I know, dad. Sorry."

Now both of you behave yourselves, okay," their father said before he headed back downstairs.

Kevin sat down in front of his brother. "Okay Zack. Let's melt some faces."

Zack rolled his eyes but couldn't help laughing. Picking up the dropped plectrum and remembering to turn down the volume on the amp and plug the jack back in, he started playing. He looked down at the words in the book. He sang:

Rise up spirits
Rise up spirits
Rise up from the depths of Hell

Take control
Take over from innocence
Rise up from the depths of Hell

Corrupt and compel
Make them complicit
Rise up from the depths of Hell

Rise up demonic creature
Rise up and overwhelm
Drain them of goodness
Drag them down to Hell

"Cool song," Kevin said "Don't let mum hear those lyrics though. She'd do her nut."

A growling sound began and a black smoke rose up from the floor. It whirled around Kevin's head then poured down his throat.

"Kevin!" Zack cried out. He moved towards his little brother but it was too late. Kevin's eyes had gone black as night and he stared Zack in the face with an expression of terrifying malevolence. And then he smirked.

"You had your own little brother possessed, Kevin said in a chilling voice that was not his own. He threw his head back and laughed then faced Zack again. "I'm impressed. For a human that's positively demonic."

"What do you mean I had him possessed?"

"Oh Zack. You don't even realise what you've done do you? You poor naive little fool. You summoned me."

Zack's face was flushed. Tears filled his eyes and his breathing became erratic. "What have I done? I didn't think they were real spells" he managed to say through his desperate gasps.

"Don't get yourself so upset, Zack. We're going to have fun. You're brother has a sense of mischievousness I rather admire. We could take it to a whole new level."

Suddenly Zack was angry. "Get out of my brother, you fiend!"

The demon laughed again. "Come on. I've done nothing wrong. They do say that possession is nine tenths of the law don't they. And after all. You did summon me."

"Don't remind me."

"I thought I told you two to behave." Their father had returned having heard the shouting.

Zack looked up at his father.

"You've been crying. What's going on?"

"It's Kevin. He's...."

"He's what, Son?"

Zack looked at Kevin. His eyes were back to normal and he looked as sweet and innocent as he ever had. There was no way he could convince his father that his youngest son was possessed. He'd probably say something like "I know he's a little demon. What else is new."

"We're fine, dad. Don't worry."

"Hmm. Alright then. Just no more shouting."

He left leaving Zack alone in the company of pure evil.

****

Trapped inside his mind Kevin looked about him. There was nothing but darkness. He didn't understand what was happening.

"Is anyone out there? I don't know where I am. I'm scared"

A voice came from the darkness. "Hello Kevin."

"Jojo. Thank goodness you're here. Where are we?

"Where would you like to be?" The demon asked in the voice that Kevin imagined Jojo sounded like. "If you could be anywhere. Where would you choose to be?"

"I like this game. Let me see. I want to be at Disney World and meet all my favourite characters."

"So it will be," the demon said as the darkness around Kevin began transforming into all the bright colours and wonders of Disney World and his favourite film characters came bounding towards him to introduce themselves. Kevin had never been happier.

****
To be continued.

© Andrew J Sinclair