The Judas Coin: a ghost story

By Chucky Iceheart

Cherry Green is haunted by what appears to be delusions that are turning her life upside down. She cannot come to terms with the fact that they could be more than just her mind playing tricks on her.

Events in her personal life force her to go back to Swallow Town. She is forced to break bread with an overbearing mother who she loathes or be evicted from her home. Moving into her late sister's old home seemed to be a good idea for Cherry, until the entity stalking her starts to manifest itself even more forcefully.

She does not know the entity's presence is tied to an old relic in her possession. It is the reposition of curses. it is the Judas coin.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chucky Iceheart
• Release date: Sep 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9788822850799

Book preview

11

Chapter 1

A Diligent Prayer

Miss Cherry used to frequent the church a lot. She wasn’t after quick fixes or anything of that sort. There was a community with warm hearts and the youth programs run by the church were very child friendly. She could always find an eager child minder amongst the faithful.

Father Miguel was not the typical priest-though he appeared to be exactly that to the average church goer. Sporting a long main of dark hair and wearing a glum face-he delivered his sermons from the pews every Sunday morning.

One peculiar Sunday-Miss Cherry had a troubling issue on her mind that she could not put up with for much longer. She sat nervously on one of the long row of pews. The pews were way too many, outnumbering the thin herd that graced the priests Sunday sermons.

She twiddled her fingers and bit her lips softly, as impatience gnawed away at her senses. She wanted to jump off her seat and drag Father Miguel straight to her doorstep.

Sarah-Lou was sat next to her and seemed to be quite occupied with staring at the dark corners of the Church. There seemed to be odd shapes moving across the wall. Sarah-Lou giggled to herself and knocked her ankles together, as shimmering lights cascaded across her giddy face.

After a few harrowing hours of enduring the priest’s lengthy sermon, the mass was finally over. The priest proceeded to the exit and engaged in shaking hands with people, as they trooped out of the arched passage way at the front of the large cathedral.

Miss Cherry waited patiently for everyone to leave. She held tightly unto Sarah-Lou's wrist and did not allow her to leave the pew where they were sat.

I am bored mummy!

Isn’t it time to go yet? Sarah-Lou muttered, as she attempted to pull her arm back from Miss Cherry’s grip.

Miss Cherry turned her face away from her unruly, impatient ward and caught a glimpse of the approaching priest. Father Miguel was flicking through the pages of a Bible, as he walked towards Miss Cherry’s pew. He seemed to be so engrossed in what he was doing that he started to walk straight past them without noticing that they hadn’t left yet.

Miss Cherry leapt from her seat and dragged Sarah-Lou along with her and trailed behind the priest.

Father Miguel! A moment of your time, please! Miss Cherry waved at the jumpy priest, as he turned abruptly to face her.

Oh! Cherry! I didn’t see you standing there!

Is there something I can do for you? father Miguel laughed, as he tugged on his collar with his fingers.

Miss Cherry looked behind her and around her-then she moved closer to the priest and spoke discretely, I need some help with something; something that the doctors haven’t been able to help with. My daughter-she sees things and won’t stop talking to some woman that just isn’t real. She doesn’t even sleep much anymore.

Will you do a blessing at my home?

Uh, I guess that could be arranged. I haven’t got much on my plate at the moment, so I guess I could come to your home right now. Wait here while I get my tools. Father Miguel gestured with his hands, as he walked away from Miss Cherry and Sarah-Lou.

The priest soon strapped himself into the front seat of Miss Cherry’s old beetle car.

Okay, I am all kitted up now! Lets get out of here! Father Miguel grinned, as he casually wrapped a religious scarf round his neck.

Miss Cherry drove the car slowly away from the front of the cathedral. It was a slow, silent drive. The priest had his eyes shut during the entire journey. It was almost as if he was doing some sort of meditation ritual.

When they arrived at Miss Cherry’s home, She and Sarah-Lou entered the front door first. The priest trailed behind them. He took off his black hat and placed it on the coat hanger.

Shall we hold hands and make a circle. The priest stretched out both of his hands, wearing a stern but reassuring look on his face.

Miss Cherry placed her hand in Father Miguel’s coarse, and wide hand. Sarah-Lou was a bit skeptical about participating in what the priest was about to do. She looked up at him with apprehension in her eyes.

Go on Sarah-Lou! Father Miguel isn’t going to hurt you! Miss Cherry winked at Sarah-Lou.

With frayed nerves, the hesitant child reluctantly placed both of her hands in Miss Cherry’s and Father Miguel’s hands.

The priest proceeded to recite verses from our lords prayer and the psalms. He repeated the lines several times.

Unexpectedly, there was a disturbance in the house. The floor beneath their feet tremored violently and things started to fall off the shelf. An aery wind tore through the insides of the house.

This is bad! This is really bad! The priest shouted, as he looked at the ruckus that was unfolding around him.

He quickly disentangled his hands from Sarah-Lou and Miss Cherry. He sprinted towards his black bag and fished out some odd-looking items.

The Native American priest grinded some animal bones to powder and burnt it in a small crucible. He smiled to himself and waved his hands over the bowl, doing a chant. His eyes brimmed with confidence, as he moved closer to the little girl.

Don’t let him near me. He is going to hurt me mummy.

No! No! Sarah-Lou screamed, clutching tightly to Miss Cherry’s leg.

Miss Cherry tried to bury her emotions. She wanted so desperately to spare