The Dark Genesis of Daniel James

By Kevin Riley

They were coming, he knew it, and there was nothing he could do to stop them. But once they came, 16 year old Daniel James found himself thrown into a world very few people even know exists. As he struggles to fit into a society he did not grow up in, Daniel must learn how to control the growing power inside him in order to save the girl he's fallen for and to stop the man responsible for the evil that forever changed his life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kevin Riley
• Release date: Dec 17, 2013
• ISBN: 9781386226819

Kevin Riley

Kevin Riley grew up near Pittsburgh where many technologies and innovations have pioneered. He has a BS in Earth Science from Edinboro University and an MS in Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The voices were back, but they were different this time; they were getting closer. In the past they were distant, like hearing a conversation through the keyhole of a door. At first he was frightened of them. The voices had always been angry, always filled with hatred and violence, but they had always just been distant voices. Over time he grew to feel that they were so far away that he had nothing to fear. Now they were coming for him.

He should have been afraid, and he was a little, but surely not enough. He should have run, hid, warned someone, done something, but he didn’t. Instead he sat on his bed and waited. The thought of finally knowing what it was intrigued him, but it was more than that. Right then, he was determined to confront whomever or whatever it was.

Daniel ran his hand through his short dark hair as he continued waiting on the edge of his bed; his other hand absentmindedly moving to the cross around his neck. It wasn’t just any cross. The Celtic cross with the blue stone in the center of it was a gift from his mother, just holding it brought him some peace.

His eyes went to his bible lying across the room. At one time it too had brought him a sense of peace; eventually it became just a neglected paper weight. His mother was extremely religious, but she didn't question his choice when he had stopped attending church. It bothered her, sure, but she loved him regardless of his choice and she made sure he knew it was his choice.

His eyes drifted around his room. It was the same as most any sixteen year old’s; sports and music posters stuck to the walls and CDs and magazines lining the shelves. By every appearance he was just a normal kid but how many normal kids had to deal with voices like these?

They’d stopped talking, but he could tell they were much closer. He didn’t know if they would try breaking in the front door, or come in through a window, all he knew was they were coming and they were angry. Practically holding his breath, he listened intently for any sound.

In an instant they were in his doorway, his eyes widening in disbelief when they appeared. They hadn’t come up the stairs, or broken in through a window, they were just suddenly there. At first they appeared completely human, but as Daniel stared in amazement, he saw through their disguise. Their faces were actually like those of a deformed goat. Beneath the illusion of flesh were hairy bodies with horns protruding from their heads. He knew instantly they were demons.

They turned towards him as he sat unmoving on the edge of his bed and he could see the lust for violence in their eyes. He quickly glanced around the room for any sort of weapon but found none. Panic struck as the beasts leapt at him with astonishing speed from across the room. He was about to be killed, and all he could do was put up a hand in a feeble attempt stop the onslaught. Immediately fear overtook him as he thrust his hand forward, palm open. His adrenaline surged as an unbelievable heat rushed from the very center of his body and raced to his outstretched hand. Blue flames exploded from his palm throwing the creatures back across the room. The flames continued to engulf the demons, but did not spread to any object around them. His bookshelves and dressers remained untouched.

The beasts writhed in agony, the blue flames nearly obscuring them from Daniel. Their demonic faces twisted and contorted with pain. A moment later the flames disappeared leaving two human bodies lying on the floor. The flames did not do any visible damage to the two men, but somehow he knew they were dead. They just laid there, not moving, not even to take a breath.

Daniel felt like every ounce of heat and energy had left his body. He was in pretty good shape, having played soccer for years, but the encounter left him exhausted; barely able to stand. Unsure what had just happened, or what to do next, he fell onto his bed hoping to regain his strength.

A noise downstairs caused his thoughts to immediately go to his mother. She should have been in bed, sleeping. A scream from below made him jump to his feet. His physical exhaustion was pushed aside by fear and anger as he rushed down the wooden stairs.

He reached the landing in time to see two other demons leap across the room and pounce on his mother like a pair of jungle cats. The beasts were tearing at her with unbridled fury. All his fear and anger rushed forth and once again erupted as a blue flame from his palms.  These demons too, were thrown against the far wall, their bodies pinned halfway up as he continued focusing all his fury on them.

Finally he let the bodies drop, all his energy gone. Looking back towards his mom, Daniel saw her lying on the floor, not moving at all. A wave of panic rushed through him as he started to run towards her. Immediately his head started pounding, blackness overtaking his sight as he fell unconscious to the ground beside her.

Chapter 2

Opening his eyes took tremendous effort. Daniel’s body had never before been so weak. Many thoughts rolled around his head, but he couldn’t seem to focus on a single one. Every part of his body ached in a way he had never experienced before. His head was pounding, and colorful spots were dancing before his eyes. He closed them again, concentrating on focusing his mind and gathering his thoughts.

 Slowly the fog started to lift. The clock on the wall showed that it was just after 2AM. He had not even been unconscious for an hour, but it felt as if a week had passed. From his position lying on the living room couch, he could see the silhouette of a man sitting at the kitchen table. Using all his strength, Daniel managed to lift his body from the couch and slowly made his way towards the kitchen.

Fear and anger started to gather inside him again as the memories of the demons came to mind. He had no idea what happened to his mom, who the man in the kitchen was or what he wanted, but he was going to find out. Daniel stood and tried to conjure up the blue flame he had used earlier but nothing seemed to happen. His knees wobbled as he started across the room but he forced himself to keep going. His mom didn’t keep any guns or knives in the house, she hated violence, but with the anger he felt almost any object would do. Grabbing a soccer trophy off the shelf he kept going. It took all his strength just to make it to the kitchen but even without the flame he was prepared to physically express his anger.

As he got close, the man at the table seemed to sense his presence and turned around to face him. The trophy crashed to the floor, breaking into several pieces as Daniel stood for a moment without saying a word.

You’d better watch your step, the old man said pointing to the shattered mess on the floor. And though I am glad to see have recovered enough to stand, please sit down.

In a dream like state Daniel did as he was instructed, still unsure why his mother’s priest was there. More specifically, it was the priest of a church they hadn’t attended in years. Daniel had a few memories of the grand building they had once attended, but they had left there years ago when they moved to this house and started going to a much smaller protestant church. So many thoughts and questions ran through his head at once, but there was one overwhelming question.

Where’s my mom? Daniel asked lowering himself into a chair. It was the first question that came to mind, the only question that mattered.

A wave of sadness washed across the Priest’s face. Immediately Daniel knew he didn’t want to hear the answer.

I’m sorry, he replied, pulling off his thick bifocals and rubbing them with a cloth. Her injuries were severe. He paused, trying to find the right words. She had passed before I was able to make it here. There was nothing I could do.

Pain gripped his heart threatening to rip it from his chest. His entire body went limp, and he couldn’t breathe. ‘He’s lying,’ Daniel thought, though one look at Abram’s eyes and he knew what he said was true. Without warning the tears started flowing down his cheeks. The priest tried unsuccessfully to offer some comfort but Daniel just sat there in his anguish, unable to truly comprehend what had happened.

When the tears finally stopped, he felt numb, unsure of what to do. It had always been the two of them and now it was just him.

You will come with me tonight, stated Father Abram.

What? asked Daniel, sure he hadn’t heard correctly.

You look well enough to travel, so we will be leaving shortly.

Daniel looked could not believe what he was hearing. My mom was just killed and you expect me to just up and leave? This is my home; my life is here.

You cannot stay here. The power you have shown tonight makes you both an asset and a target. The demons were after you even before you killed four of them, now they’ll be even more aggressive. You will need to come with me so we can protect you, to help you utilize your unique ability properly.

What do you know about my ability? he barked.

Not nearly enough, the priest replied. but that’ll change. We’ll develop your skills together. You’ve got so much potential; what you were able to do here tonight is a testament to your ability.

But my ability wasn’t even enough to help my mom, growled Daniel.

The priest understood his anger, You mustn’t blame yourself for her death. Very few people could stand against one of those creatures, let alone the four you dispatched. With what you were able to do tonight, I feel you have a unique opportunity to do even greater things.

But I don’t even know how I did that.

That is why I am here. I will help you learn, help you understand things that have been withheld from you.

But everything I’ve ever known is here. What about my school, my soccer team?

Arrangements were made some time ago when we first realized this might happen. Your education will continue, but not in the same school or with the same activities. Your life will be different now.

Daniel sat there for a moment trying to make sense of the old man’s words. What do you mean? You thought this might happen?

Now is not the time for a history lesson, replied Abram. We must hurry before more demons are sent to find you.

Daniel didn’t know how to respond. He didn’t want to leave his home, but he didn’t have any strength left to fight if another one of those creatures showed up and the priest didn’t look like he’d be much help either.

You will need to pack quickly. Again, I’m sorry, but you will have to leave many of your things behind.

There was a knock at the door and Daniel immediately tensed as Father Abram moved to answer it. He knew didn’t have the strength to fight, and even if he did? How could he summon the flame again?

 Two men entered. The first was Seamus, the church’s groundskeeper. He was a large, burly man easily dwarfing the priest. He had the physique of one who toiled in physical labor all day, with bulging muscles, calloused hands and sun dried skin like leather. Daniel had seen him around the church years ago but had never spoken to him. In the years since Daniel had last saw him, his red hair had become speckled with gray but he was still an intimidating figure.

The second man was introduced as Darius. He too was tall and muscular, but not quite as bulky as Seamus and maybe a little younger; his dark hair did not yet show any sign of gray. He seemed to be about an inch taller than the other man as-well, giving him more of a basketball player’s physique. Though he should have been just as intimidating as Seamus, he had a much more gentle face. Even though Daniel hadn’t recognized him from the church the man glanced over, giving him a soft, almost apologetic look before moving on.

Neither man went to the kitchen; instead they headed to the back porch on instructions from Abram. Daniel assumed that was where the priest had moved his mother’s body. Part of him wanted to follow them, to throw his arms around her one last time but the other part of him couldn’t bear to see her now, to know that she truly was gone.

I wouldn’t suggest it, the priest said as Daniel shifted in his chair. Remember her as she was, not as those things left her.

Daniel paused, looking from Abram to the doorway and back. Thoughts swirled around his head yet he had no way to focus on even one.

There will be other opportunities for you to say goodbye to her. Right now, let’s get you ready to leave.

He felt lost at sea, alone and numb all at the same time. He wanted to cry again, but there were no more tears. Reluctantly he gave in to the old man and headed upstairs.

Determining what to pack was nearly impossible. The house had been his home for almost a dozen years. Now he was trying to fit those years into a single duffel bag and backpack. The tears threatened to return a few more times, but he was determined to hold them at bay. When he was sure he couldn’t fit another item into either bag, he headed downstairs.

Seamus and Darius had already left, taking his mother's body with them and for that Daniel was thankful. Abram went to the front porch, leaving him alone to take one more look around the house. Everything was still there, every piece of furniture, every photograph, every knick knack, but it had already begun to feel empty without her there. Quietly he turned and met Father Abram by the front door.

A clap of thunder broke the silence as they headed to a dark sedan waiting patiently by the curb. Somehow the storm moving in seemed to mirror what he was experiencing inside. Daniel had just placed his belongings into the trunk when the rain started. A knot formed in his chest as he glanced back towards the house. He stood there for a minute letting the rain fall upon him. It was a cleansing shower, but it still could not wash away the pain.

Chapter 3

At 2:30 AM there was little traffic even on the main road. Daniel stared at the window watching the patterns formed by the rain drops. Everything that had happened that night was nearly incomprehensible. Demons had killed his mother, and they still wanted to kill him. That thought alone should have sent him over the edge, but then somehow he’d managed to kill four of them with blue flames. He looked down at his palms, not seeing a single sign of how that’d happened. It had all been surreal, none of it made sense. He stared out the window again trying to collect his thoughts but he couldn’t focus on anything, he didn’t even ask where they were headed. He was just along for the ride. Thankfully the priest didn’t try to engage him in any meaningless small talk. They just traveled in silence.

We’re here, said Father Abram.

Daniel had been so thoroughly immersed in his own thoughts that he didn’t realize the car had stopped. The hour long ride had taken no time at all. The church in front of them was a beautiful building, quite old with a distinctly Gothic quality. It was only partially illuminated at this time of night causing the building to take on an eerie appearance. Somehow it seemed appropriate.

As the pair walked up the stone steps leading to the front of the church, the priest, somehow sensing Daniels apprehension, still said nothing. He simply let them inside in silence. It had practically been a lifetime since Daniel had been there, but to his surprise everything looked the same. Every aisle, pulpit, confessional and pew was just as he remembered them, only less inviting, less accepting. He knew nothing there had really changed; the only difference was within him.

They continued to the Sacristy room behind the main altar. Once inside, Father Abram went to the ceremonial vestments storage. From the cabinet he removed a large ornate walking stick. It seemed like an odd item to retrieve, but after everything Daniel had been through that night, he didn’t give it another thought.

After the priest retrieved a few more items, they headed back to the sanctuary. Instead of heading down the main aisle to the front door, Father Abram led him beside the pews to the confessional.

Listen, said Daniel, I don’t think now is the best time for confession. I stopped attending church a couple years ago and-

I am well aware that you have separated yourself from the church, but we are not going to address that tonight. The priest replied. This confessional, like many objects, has more than one purpose. Please enter.

Not for the first time that night, Daniel was confused but he followed the priest anyway. After everything that had happened, it seemed pointless to ask any questions. He climbed into the partition for the penitent, and Father Abram went to the priests’ side. Once they were both seated in their respective compartments, he spoke through the lattice partition.

That is your mothers cross around your neck, is it not?

Daniel had forgotten about it, the result of wearing it for years. Automatically he reached up for it, his fingers caressing it absentmindedly once again.

Yes, he replied, suddenly curious as to how Father Abram knew about the cross.

Place it against the plaque in front of you, the one that has the act of contrition inscribed on it.

It seemed like such an odd request that Daniel hesitated but the priest insisted. Reluctantly he gave in, bending forward and raising the cross to the plaque. As soon as he did, a light began to emanate from the blue stone at the center of the cross.

The plaque slid down to reveal a set of buttons, numbers one through six. They looked like the same ones you would find in an elevator, but these were aligned horizontally. Above them was a dynamic symbol, like a stylized letter A.

Push number 4, Father Abram said from his own compartment.

As soon as he had pressed the button a blue light started to radiate from the symbol on the plaque, eventually swelling to envelop the entire confessional. It was too bright; Daniel was forced to shut his eyes. A high pitched noise seemed to emanate from all around him. He suddenly had the sense of flying through space, though he remained seated on the same wooden bench. Daniel knew this must be