Demonic possession!

It was Saturday night and Willie, along with his three guests, had the big cathedral all to themselves. Every member of the Bishop's staff was required to be at the arena, to serve all the wants and needs of the Mafia.

Willie had finished preparing his sermon for the next morning, and since the building was deserted, the four of them decided to go to the kitchen to see what they could find to eat.

As they went on their way, they all joined in a hymn of praise to the Lord. This was the first time the Lord had ever been praised in song, in this building, and it seemed a little strange for the quartet to be praising God, here. It was a little hard for Willie to translate the old familiar hymns into French, and sing along with his companions, but he sang along with his black friends as best he could.

They were nearing the kitchen when the three diminutive Africans stopped dead in their tracks and held up their hands for Willie to stop and to be quiet. Their jungle trained ears had picked up a sound which they had heard many times before in the jungle. Their ears had saved their lives many times in the past, when they heard the sound of teeth grinding sinew and bone. The quartet crept forward slowly, so they could peer around the next corner and discover what kind of creature was creating those gruesome sounds.

Willie speculated, it might be the mysterious creature which had kept the rat population in check in the big building. They reached the corner and cautiously took a peek.

Willie and the Pygmies were aghast at the sight which meet their eyes. Old Mr. Shagnasty was sitting on his haunches, about forty feet down the corridor. He was bent over, engrossed in what he was holding in his hands, much like a squirrel might hold a nut. He seemed to have, what appeared to be, steel false teeth, which were made after the order of a dogs teeth. He was tearing at the head off a rat, trying to chew and rip it off. He had already eaten the contents of the rats stomach cavity. Blood was running down the old man's chin and covering his hands. He seemed to be greatly enjoying his grizzly feast, judging by the broad grin on his bloody face with the little cooing sounds emanating from his throat, as he ripped at the rat's flesh.

The four friends slipped back behind the corner and quickly changed their minds about going to the kitchen. Even the three Africans, who were used to seeing gross displays by wild beasts and wilder men, were getting nauseous. After they had quietly retreated slowly, a respectable distance, they started for Willie's room on the run.

As Willie closed and locked the door, they all heaved a sigh of relief. The young female pygmy asked, "What was that thing? I've never seen anything like it, in my life!"

"Believe it or not", said Willie, "that was a man. His name is Mr. Shagnasty and he seems to be second in command in the Bishop's organization." "Oh yes!", she exclaimed "I've seen him before, when he and the Bishop came to inspect his prisoners. I just didn't recognize him all hunched over - and with those teeth!"

They all sat down for a minute, to catch their breath and to sort out their thoughts, when they heard the sound of a key being inserted into the lock in Willie’s door. They all scattered, as the sound of the sliding door latch came to their ears. The door opened and there stood Mr. Shagnasty, blood stains on his face and hands, with an evil smirk upon his face. His canines gleamed in the candle light as the old man surveyed the room.

He shouted, "So, Mr. Willie Wilson! You've found our missing stock for us. The Bishop will be pleased. It's too late for the games today, but there'll be other games."

Willie couldn't believe the change that had come over the old man. The old gentlemen stood erect and moved in quick, cat-like motions.

All at once, the old man's eyes narrowed as he realized the significance of the little black people being here in Willie's room.

Mr. Shagnasty screamed, "Why are these prisoners here in your room? And what do you know about the foreign singing which I heard a few minutes ago? I was on the way to find those responsible for the singing, when I came across a meal which I just couldn't pass up. Afterward, I came straight here to ask you what you knew about this sacrilege going on in my church. Now I find you harboring fugitives in your room! What about it, Mr. Wilson?"

Willie stood up straight and looked the old man straight in the eye. "Yes, Mr. Shagnasty. It was my friends and I, who were praising God with our hymns. You see, we're all Christians and we can't help but praise Him."

At this revelation, fire came into the old man's eyes. He leaped for Willie's throat, with his false fangs snapping in the air as he came. Willie jumped back and grabbed the first thing he could lay his hands on, so he could defend himself. It was his Bible.

Willie shoved the Book into Mr. Shagnasty's face and the old man instantly bit down on it. His sharp fangs went through the tough leather cover and into the first few pages of the Book. All at once the old man realized he had clamped down on the Word of God, and it surprised him so much to see that Book in this building, that he froze in his tracks.

Willie saw the damage which was being done to his Bible and was horrified, as he realized his only link to sanity in this place was in danger of being destroyed. He gave a terrific tug on the Book. All at once, the Bible, teeth and all, came out of the old man's mouth. Willie lost his grip on his Bible, as it suddenly came free. The Book and teeth went sailing through the air. Everyone in the room had a look of surprise on their faces, especially Mr. Shagnasty. The Bible and teeth hit the floor in the corner of the room with a loud "CRACK". The teeth shattered and pieces went flying in all directions. (The teeth were made of stainless steel but the gum material was of the usual composition.) Willie couldn't believe his eyes, as the old man crumpled into a heap on the floor, right in front of him. All the fight had gone out of the old man and he had reverted back to his former frail condition.

"I always knew the Word of God could save me," Willie confided to his friends, "but I didn't think it would be in this way!" They smiled at Willie's little witticism, as they helped him tie up the old man.

To be continued.

To purchase goto a secure site:

https://www.createspace.com/3379721