Part 19 (1/2)
”Roy's right about the demons,” Steven said. ”I think the woods are full of them.”
”Did you see one?” she asked. ”Was it Aka Manah?”
”I don't think so,” Steven said. ”It saw my markings and it turned away.”
”Interesting,” Eliza said. She had started up a small propane burner and was boiling some water for coffee. ”So we're surrounded by demons and hanging bodies. Great. Those markings are going to come in handy while we're here. I'm sticking close to you! So, congratulations...was that the first time you initiated a trance on your own?”
”Well,” Steven said, ”the second. The first time was when Roy and I were dealing with Lukas. He set it up, and I did it without even realizing it. But I hadn't been able to do it again, until today.”
”Well,” Eliza said, ”everything happens for a reason. I'm glad you weren't able to trance when we were focusing at the Unser Estate. It's what saved you and saved us all, really.”
Darkness was settling around them. Eliza turned on a camping lantern, and Roy joined them. ”All done?” Eliza asked Roy.
”It's ready. Can I show you two the setup?” he asked.
”Sure,” Steven said. They walked with him over to where he'd been working. Eliza brought the lantern.
”Here's the ropes. I've tied them off on these branches,” he said, grabbing one. ”When Steven has the demon anywhere in this area,” he said, pointing to a spot on the ground, ”Eliza, you and I will each pull a rope, and hold it in place. Let's give it a try.”
Eliza handed the lantern to Steven, and grabbed one of the ropes Roy had indicated. ”Ready?” Roy said. ”One, two, three pull!”
Two large mirrors rose from the forest floor, facing each other.
”Steven,” Roy said, ”you can see exactly where you've got to position the demon for this to work. Eliza and I can only hold these mirrors up until you're done with the amplification. That's it.” He lowered his mirror, and Eliza did the same. ”I'm going to cover them with leaves. Any questions?”
”No, I don't think so,” Eliza said. ”I'm worried about getting the demon positioned though. You've only got a narrow s.p.a.ce to work with.”
”About fifty feet square,” Roy said.
”I think,” Steven said, ”I should set up right here, facing the spot.”
”That's a good idea,” Roy said.
”Let's get something to eat before we start,” Eliza said. ”I'm starving, and I left a pot of coffee boiling.”
They all walked back to the tent, Steven leading the way with the lantern. The last of the light was leaving, and it was becoming difficult to see the edge of the clearing.
Once they reached the tent, Eliza poured them all some coffee and Roy pa.s.sed around some MREs.
”Usually I'd expect to see some insects buzzing around that lantern,” Roy said, looking at it. ”Not even mosquitoes seem interested.”
”Nothing normal wants to be near here,” Eliza said.
”From what I saw in the trance,” Steven said, ”I'd rather not be here either.”
”So you did it?” Roy asked.
”Yup,” Steven said. ”It was just like you said. Can't get distracted or you lose it.”
”Now you know why I use the blindfold,” Roy said.
”I should try that,” Steven said.
”Did you move around?” Roy asked.
”Do you mean in the trance, or for real, physically?” Steven asked.
”Either,” Roy said, slurping hot coffee.
”I think I stayed seated physically,” Steven said. ”I did stand up and walk in the trance though. There are bodies hanging everywhere, and bones in the ground. Some kind of red substance on the ground here in the clearing.”
”Oh no,” Eliza said. ”Are we sleeping on blood?”
”Looked like it to me,” Steven said. ”But I'm no expert.”
”Sleeping on blood-soaked ground is a guarantee for extreme nightmares,” Eliza said. ”So brace yourselves.”
”I walked into the forest a little,” Steven said. ”There was a blue fog everywhere. I saw a demon. I came towards me, until it saw my markings. Then it turned and walked away from me. I got the feeling there were a lot more of them in there.”
”Well,” Roy said, ”we only need the one. The next time you trance, once we're set up, focus exclusively on Aka Manah. It would be nice to go to bed tonight having taken care of him.”
”I'll do it however you think is best,” Steven said. ”I was thinking I'd place a chair about ten feet in front of the spot where we need him to be, then I'd start the trance and call him.”
”And the amplification?” Roy asked. ”Are you prepared to do it?”
”The book says I only need to think about the markings while in a trance,” Steven said, ”after drinking that concoction you've made up. So I'll start with that, then go into the trance, and amplify his a.s.s if he shows up.”
”Once he's between the mirrors,” Roy said. ”Don't do it until he's positioned. Both Eliza and I will be in the River, waiting with the ropes. We'll know when he's there. If you see those mirrors go up, you zap him, OK?”
”Alright,” Steven said, finis.h.i.+ng off the last of his meal. ”I'm ready if you are.”
”Me too,” said Eliza. ”The sooner we do this, the sooner we can leave.”
”Let's go,” Roy said, grabbing the lantern.
Steven had been sitting in the camping chair for over an hour, trancing.
He's becoming exhausted, Roy thought.
Why don't you have him take a break? Eliza thought.
Roy dropped out of the River and walked over to Steven. Eliza joined them.
Steven left his trance and dropped out too. ”Wow, I feel like I need to sleep,” he said.