Ghostly Realm - Not Even Death Could Separate Them by Cindy J. Kelley

scent of death and decay and he knew whatever was rising up out of the water was not of this world. He took a few steps back and braced himself. Out of the water slowly rose a most hideous foul creature. It’s head and powerful shoulders emerged first with a thunderous roar so loud that it shook Devon to his core. On it’s head was long tangled and twisted red hair that hung down in front and to the sides of the creature. It’s face was twisted and demonic, it’s leather-like skin covered its skeletal facial bones. It’s cheekbones were exposed as if the skin rotted off, exposing the bone beneath. It’s beard and mustache hung as long as it’s hair and was the same red. It’s distorted mouth hung wide open, it’s long jagged razor sharp teeth flashed as the dirty Mississippi water poured from it’s mouth as it arose as if in slow motion. Massive muscular yet skeletal arms spread wide open as it rose completely out of the water. It wore a semblance of pirate clothing, dark brown tattered leather pants and black boots that came up to it’s bony muscular legs, spikes extended from each side of its boots. It hoovered on the churning water and it’s solid black sunken in eyes glared down right into Devon’s blue ones.
    “I have found you at last, you bastard!” The demon roared loudly, it’s fetid breath blew in Devon’s direction.
    “What do you want with me?” Devon yelled back.
    “Your soul!” The demon rose up even higher. He pulled a long whip out, it’s length was made of black living smoke. He raised it high above it’s head and snapped it down onto Devon, wrapping him in it’s evil coiled grasp.
    Devon’s body tensed and began to glow a bright violet aura and the whip released it’s grip on him. The demon roared as it raised the whip again, cracking it in the air several times and then forcefully aimed it again at Devon’s body. The black smoke thong tightened on Devon’s body more tightly. Devon fought it harder, his body twisted as he struggled against it and again he forced the thong to release him.
    The demon started to pull the whip back to himself again but Devon grabbed ahold of the tangible black smoke and wrapped his fist around it several times and jerked it with a mighty pull. The demon was caught off guard and the handle of the whip was pulled from his long bony hand.
    “You’ll not take my soul today you vile creature!” Devon shouted as he stepped on the tail of the whips black smoke to keep it from trying to wrap around him again.
    The demon rose up higher and thundered down in a mighty voice. “Don’t you recognize your own brother? This isn’t over yet, Devon!” Devon watched in dawning horror as the demon sank back down into the water and disappeared. The whip that he was gripping dissipated and evaporated into the gentle breeze as if it never existed.
    Devon walked to the waters edge and looked to the spot the demon, who was once his half brother Eric, disappeared. The water was calm and he couldn’t see anything under the surface.
    He ran down the beach towards the path where Abigail went and he saw her step out from behind the tree with a dazed and shocked expression on her face. He didn’t have time to explain as he grabbed her hand and pulled her along with him as he ran up the path to her car.
    “Get in, let’s go!” Devon shouted as he helped her into the driver’s seat and shut her door then walked around the car and got into the passenger side and shut the door. Abigail fumbled fearfully for her car keys and then started to cry. “What the fuck was that?” She cried in panic as she finally pulled the car keys from her pocket and inserted the keys with shaking fingers into the ignition. She started the car and glanced at Devon. He was looking towards the path they just came from with a shocked expression on his face. “Devon!” She shouted. “What was that back there?” She asked in a panic filled voice.
    His attention on the path was interrupted with