Stealer of Souls: Apocalypse

By Will Beaudoin

The Rusegate is open and the adventure continues from Stealer of Souls: Genesis.

“There are probably lots of things about this place we don't understand,” said Al. “Let's just concentrate on getting out. And as far as Peterson is concerned, everything he told you was most likely a lie. It seems to me the only thing that limits you is your knowledge."

Peterson's anger flared and he made a grab for Mark, who jumped back at the last second. "You think you're going to get out of this alive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shusia Publishing
• Release date: Mar 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781999250294

Will Beaudoin

Will Beaudoin was born February 24, 1954 in Niagara Falls Ontario, Canada. He is an eleventh generation Canadian. His ancestor Jean Beaudoin was born in Tasdon, France in 1607. He arrived in Canada around 1640. Will’s Great-grandmother, Alexina Marleau and his Great-great-grandmother, Flavie Fournier were both full blood Algonquin from the Ottawa valley area.His Father was born in Quyon, Quebec which still has the last remaining ferry across the Ottawa River. His Mother’s maiden name was Buck and she was born and raised in Bath, Ontario, Canada, about 35 kilometers west of Kingston on the north shore of Lake Ontario. Her ancestors came from the United Empire-Loyalist who fled the United States after the revolution and others from the bayous of Louisiana. His Mother would tell him tales about her ancestors, who, while fleeing from both the Americans and the Indigenous Peoples across Lake Ontario in the winter, made it by the skin of their teeth, with the ice breaking up behind them! Quite a mix!This gives Will a unique outlook on the Canadian story. Having both British and French backgrounds along with the Algonquin connection, make him an unbiased source when writing. He is strongly connected to all his ancestral cultures.Brought up in the tumultuous time of the sixties and seventies, his skeptical and adventurous nature, took him on many daring journeys. He was in the Canadian Military in the early seventies. When he was discharged he worked the nickel mines in Thompson, Manitoba. He married a California beauty queen at twenty-two and lived in the Los Angeles basin for three years developing an understanding of Americans and how they think and work.It was at this time in California that Will went through a life changing event. He was hit by a truck which created a lot of trauma in his physical body. Not being able to pursue his martial arts and physical activities anymore he was drawn to writing.Will had always written poetry and lyrics but never a novel. It took years of starts and stops to finally come to a time in 1990, after the untimely death of his first wife, that he started Stealer of Souls. He finished it in 1993. It was also at this time that his interest in Spirituality was increased. He learned to meditate more effectively and was soon doing readings and teaching Meditation and Spirituality.Will ran his own business in the Holistic Health Field for twenty-four years before retiring. He is now a full time Author and Mystic. His intent is to write exciting fiction novels based on a bit of truth that will not only entertain his readers, but also, hopefully, help them to become a better person.Peace and joy to all!

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Stealer of Souls: Apocalypse

Will Beaudoin

Copyright 2021 Will Beaudoin

All rights reserved world-wide.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

E-Book ISBN 978-1-9992502-9-4

Print Book ISBN 978-1-9992502-7-0

Published by Shusia Publishing at Smashwords

Formatting, cover design and publication by:

Shusia Publishing, Midland, Ontario, Canada.

www.shusia.ca

Table of Contents

The Rusegate

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Character Sheet

About the Author

The Rusegate

"A gate of false light will lead you in.

A land of wishes, youth and whims.

But when you tire of mirth, you learn the cost,

The gate will yield not, your soul is lost."

Chapter One

Al realized that he was no longer on the astral plane when he and Peterson hit the hard floor. He rolled, hanging on to Peterson, until he felt his back touch a wall. Al pushed Peterson onto his stomach and bent his arm behind his back. The now very solid entity screamed. He had never felt pain like this before. You're ripping my arm off!

Al straddled Peterson's back and pulled harder on his arm, bringing on a fresh, more intense, series of screams. I'll rip it off and beat you over the head with it if you don't quit struggling. The threat worked. Peterson's struggles ceased. Al looked around The Room wondering where he was. The children stood huddled in the far corner. Frozen expressions of fear clouding their faces. All right, asshole, I need some answers! Al pulled on Peterson's arm, letting him know the consequences of not answering his questions. Where are we?

Peterson knew that he could not tell this man about the creation of The Room or even where they were. He felt Al yank on his arm again. Al's free hand reached under Peterson's chin and pulled his head back. He could see Al's face and could only groan from the pain inflicted by his adversary.

I'm going to ask you one more time, then I'm going to start hurting you. Where are we? Al released some pressure on his chin, allowing him to speak.

This is my place. Peterson's eyes glanced over to the children. I created it for them.

Al reapplied the pressure on his chin as he asked. Why are you taking the children? Again he released the pressure on his chin.

Peterson knew the consequences of telling Al why Roger had created him and this reality. He felt an increase in the pressure on his chin and arm. Peterson waved as best he could with his free hand, trying to let Al know he would cooperate. Al released his grip on Peterson's chin and his face hit the floor. Blood flowed from Peterson's nose. I'm bleeding! he screamed, watching the dark red fluid spread in a puddle on the floor.

Al brought his face down to the side of Peterson's. That's minor, if you don't give me answers… now! Peterson had noticed that Al's psychic connection with his body was gone. He's dead, thought Peterson. He started to laugh. Al again pulled his head back. Peterson felt the blood running down the side of his face. Al released some pressure. Talk, shithead!

Haven't you noticed you're missing something? Peterson smiled and looked toward the wall where the Rusegate had been.

Al glanced toward the wall then back to Peterson. What are you talking about old man?

You're part of this world now!

Al's mind started racing. He had seen the children and pushed Peterson into The Room without thinking about Raven's warning. She had told him that if he entered The Room, his body would die. Cindy! What about Cindy? Thought Al. He took his belt off and started to tie Peterson's hands behind his back. However this reality affected him and the children, it also affected Peterson. After he had finished securing Peterson's hands, Al got off his back. Peterson screamed as Al pulled his arms from behind, raising him to his feet. Mel walked up to the two men, her fear subsiding as she realized Peterson's predicament. She looked up at Al. Who are you?

Al Huesman. You must be Mel. He looked around The Room for a chair in which he could sit Peterson. He would be easier to control tied to something, he thought. Al looked back to the corner behind him as a chair and a length of rope appeared. Strange, he thought. If this was Peterson's reality, it wouldn't make sense to use something he created against himself.

Mel nodded. And this is Andy, Mark and Jason. Jason walked up beside Mel. They were all staring at Al. I think I know you, said Mel.

Al had seated the confused Peterson in the chair and tied him securely. He looked at Jason and Mel as he worked. Do you remember when you were brought here, Jason?

Jason tried to remember, but it had been almost two years since his arrival. He did not recall the trip to the Rusegate. He shook his head.

Al finished tying up Peterson, then walked over to the children. Mark and Andy had joined Mel and Jason in the middle of The Room. I saw you when he, Al pointed to Peterson took you. And, Mel. You saw me and my friend outside the door.

Jason remembered. Yeh, now I remember! He walked over to where Peterson sat, hog-tied, scowling. Are you sure he can't get away?

I don't know. He doesn't seem to be able to change in here. Al thought that if he changed into a smaller being, he could slip his hands through the rope. Do you guys know much about where we are?

Jason shrugged. We only know that we were brought here to serve a higher purpose. At least that's what Mr. Peterson says. What do you mean he can't change?

Change shape, become something else.

All four children looked at each other and shrugged. We've never seen him change. Jason stood in front of Peterson and smiled.

You'd better not say anything, Jason, threatened Peterson. It can get awful boring in this room. Jason looked from Peterson, to Al, then at his three inmates.

Mark stepped forward. Don't say anything! I don't know about you, but I'm ready to get out of here and start having fun again. The two boys stood facing each other. How do we know we can even trust this guy? Mark jerked his thumb toward Al.

Do you trust him? Mel pointed at Peterson then turned to Al. How did you find us?

I followed him here. Al was tired and wished that he had somewhere to sit. A large comfortable chair appeared. What is going on? Al stared at the chair trying to figure out where it had come from.

Mel looked from Peterson to Al. Did you do that?

Al shrugged. I was thinking it would be nice to sit down. He walked over to the chair and collapsed into it.

Mel turned to the other children. Can't you see? He can do it too!

Mark was confused. Maybe Mr. Peterson just read his mind and created it.

Jason shook his head. After he almost tore his arm off and tied him up? I don't think so! He walked over to Al and sat on the arm of the chair. Wish for something else!

All right. Al thought for a moment. I wish you guys had somewhere comfortable to sit. A large sofa appeared. Mel, and Andy walked over to it, touched it to make sure it was real, then sat down. Mark remained standing in the middle of The Room.

Come on, Mark! Andy patted the sofa's cushion. Do you think Mr. Peterson would create a rope and chair so he could be tied up? Mark thought for a moment and decided that Andy must be right. He walked to the sofa and dropped down beside Andy.

Peterson glanced from Al to the children. He had tried to free himself but found that he could not physically nor mentally rid himself of the rope. He was limited in his own reality. The old man was the only shape that he could assume here and the realities that had been created before in this room, supposedly by him, had also affected him. Peterson had found he could feel cold, hunger and any of the other physical senses that the trapped souls of the children felt. This was his place, controlled by him, or so he had thought at the beginning.

He knew that after gathering the seven children, it would be his job to take care of them here in this room. He had recently started to resent his eternal sentence. With lies and threats, it could continue as it had from the beginning, for the children, but with Al here, it changed everything. It was an occurrence that he nor Roger had anticipated. I could kill you in an instant! Peterson glared at Al. But I'll wait and find out more about you.

The threat didn't worry Al. He thought that if he had been capable of killing him, he would have already tried by now. He turned to the children. When I saw you earlier in the month, you were in a park. I think you saw us. You were swinging.

Mel thought back. He was talking about a month ago. But they had not been in a park setting for much longer than a month. She thought about the last time that they had been in a park, then remembered the day that she had seen the two people outside the Rusegate. But that had been a long time ago, years!

Exactly how many days ago did you see us? asked Mel.

Al thought for a moment Twenty-eight. Don't you remember? Al knew that she had seen him and Raven, because she had pointed.

Mel looked at the other three children. They all knew the day that he was talking about. How could they forget? The day after that was the one with the haunted house.

Mel turned back to Al. I remember seeing you, but that was over a year ago, maybe two!

Now Al was confused. A Year! It had only been five months since Mel had disappeared. How long do you think you've been here?

Mel shrugged. About eight years.

Al sat back in his chair, letting what Mel had just said sink in. He looked at Jason. Do you know how long you've been here?

Exactly? asked Jason.

Sure. If you know?

Seven hundred and six days. Jason had been keeping a record in his head. I have a thing with remembering numbers.

Seven hundred and six days, repeated Al What about you two?

We all arrived about two years apart, said Andy. We were expecting another arrival. Mr. Peterson told us that was why we were here today. Al thought for a moment. If they had all disappeared on a new moon and they all arrived about two years apart, Al now knew that time, as we knew it, did not function the same way as it did on the earth plane. It seemed that in this reality, one phase of the moon represented around two years.

He looked from one child to the other. They all looked like their pictures but they shouldn't, thought Al, as he realized the children had not aged.

Have you four looked in a mirror lately? They all nodded. Don't you realize you're the same as the day you arrived? Again they all nodded. Al scratched at his beard.

If you children continue to discuss our business here with this stranger, I will be forced to punish you. Severely punish you! warned Peterson. Now, Mark. You come over here and untie me!

Mark was about to comply. He was used to doing everything that Peterson told him, until he heard Al laughing. You are one arrogant son of a bitch, said Al, as he got up and walked over to Peterson. He checked his bonds then leaned on the arms of the chair, bringing his face close to the old man's. Peterson lowered his gaze, not wanting to look his captor in the eyes. You will sit here and shut-up while I talk with the children! If you say one more thing, or threaten them one more time, I will hurt you! Al lifted Peterson's head so their eyes met. Do you understand? Peterson nodded. Al returned to the chair.

What do we do now? asked Andy.

Al thought that he might be able to find the Rusegate. He stood up and wished for the Rusegate to appear. Nothing happened. He looked over at Peterson. How do I get the Rusegate to appear?

Peterson smiled. All you had to do was ask. The Rusegate appeared in the wall to the right of Al's chair.

The children went to Al and stood beside him. Can we go home now? asked Andy. Al thought for a minute. How was he to tell the children that they couldn't go home?

Peterson sneered at them. Yes, Al, take them home.

He was too eager, thought Al. Just like when he had invited Al and Raven into the Rusegate the first time they had found it.

Al pointed to the sofa. Sit down. The children looked up at him, their faces showing their disappointment. I don't think we can just walk out. The children sat down. I think our friend here is keeping something from us. Al approached Peterson, a hot poker appearing in his hand. Peterson looked from the poker to Al's eyes, then back.

You wouldn't use that in front of the children?

Al held the poker up, the sharp tip glowing bright red. What do you think, guys? All the anger and hatred that the children had felt toward Mr. Peterson over the years flooded over them. Mel remembered the forest, Mark the haunted house, Andy the fear that he felt every time Mr. Peterson appeared, Jason remembered Metro and his parents. Their eyes narrowed to angry slits and they nodded in unison. It's unanimous! Al brought the hot poker close to Peterson's left ear. The long white locks over the ear curled then the smell of burning hair rose with the swirls of smoke. Have you ever smelt burning flesh, asshole?

Peterson leaned as far to the right as he could, feeling the heat from the poker. All right! Stop!

Al stopped the progress of the poker but did not lower it. Talk, and it'd better be good.

Peterson answered, his voice quivering. I don't know how you can get out. Al brought the poker closer. No! Please believe me! He uses a spell!

Al lowered the poker. Who uses a spell? He brought the poker back up in front of Peterson's face.

My creator! Peterson relaxed as Al lowered the poker, then it disappeared. If you or the children leave without using the spell, you will not emerge in your astral plane.

Where will we be? asked Al.

Peterson shrugged. I don't know. He only tells me what I have to know, but he did say he wouldn't have to worry about anyone who left without the spell.

How do you get in and out? asked Al.

The Room and I are the same… Peterson shrugged. It is my place.

Al paced back and forth wishing he had more room. He felt penned in. The walls of The Room suddenly moved away from him and the ceiling rose. They were now in a room about the size of an arena.

Mel stood up and looked around. Did you do that too?

Al nodded. Who is your creator?

Peterson knew his creator by his first name, Roger. He also knew that Roger and Al had been close friends. You know him. He smiled at the surprised look on Al's face. In fact he taught you most of what you know.

Roger, whispered Al.

Give the man a cigar! Peterson laughed. And he'll come looking for me when I don't get back to him.

Al knew Peterson was right and he cursed himself under his breath for being so blind. He had let his friendship with Roger get in the way of the investigation. He now understood why Mike distanced himself from them while he was still a cop. When will he expect you?

When I have another soul for him.

It had been early in the morning when Al had entered The Room. There would be eighteen or nineteen hours left in the day of the new moon. Roger might start looking earlier, but he had at least fourteen or fifteen days in the time frame of this reality. Somehow he would have to keep Peterson under control for that period and hope that he could get the spell from Roger when he showed up. He turned to the four children. How do we get somewhere other than here?

Andy answered. We tell Mr. Peterson where we want to go and he makes it for us.

Al had to figure out how things worked here, but until he did, he wanted out of this room. The swirling walls were starting to get to him. How long have you been in here?

Mark lowered his head and kicked at the floor. Two days!

Why does he leave you here? Al walked up to Mark and knelt on one knee. Mark looked at Al and shrugged.

He knows. Andy sounded angry. He got in a fight with Jason. Mr. Peterson punishes us all. Even if only one of us screws up. Andy pointed to Mark. And he screws up more than anyone.

Mark turned and pushed Andy. I ought to kick your ass. He took a step toward him.

Al grabbed Mark by the shoulder and pulled him back. Hey, let's not fight among ourselves. We've got to figure a way out of here! Al looked into Mark's eyes and saw an angry boy. He pointed to the sofa. Mark walked over and sat down. Well, Peterson. Al walked over to him. From what the children tell me, you're responsible for creating what they wish for.

Peterson smiled. That's right! This is my reality and I say what goes on here!

Al walked over and patted the chair he had sat in. So you created this? He spun around and faced Peterson. And this fine rope and chair. Are you some kind of masochist?

Peterson squirmed in his seat. I can get out of here any time I want! I'm just deciding what I'll do with you when I do.

Al laughed. These children could probably lie better than that! Al turned to the children. Well, where do we want to be?

In my park. Mel closed her eyes and remembered the park at the end of her street. It was huge, big enough to get lost in the forest. With a cage to put Mr. Peterson in.

Yeh! Andy and Jason agreed. Mark sat at the end of the sofa sulking.

Then do it! said Al.

But what if Mr. Peterson doesn't want to go there?

I don't think he has any choice. Al looked over at Peterson. Think real hard and make it happen. Believe in yourself!

Mel closed her eyes and visualized the park. She saw the swings, the ball diamond and the pond. On the top of a large hill stood a building housing the washrooms. A large orchard bordered the park. Al watched as the walls ebbed and flowed, then the park burst forth dressed in its summer colors. He looked back to where Peterson had been sitting. Surrounded by bars on all five sides, Peterson sat contemplating his situation. The cage sat on a concrete base, much like a zoo display. Al walked over to the locked cage and yanked the bars above a large plate with a keyhole. The door hung solidly on large steel hinges. Do you have a key Mel? asked Al.

Mel pulled one from her pocket and handed it to Al. He went in and dragged Peterson close to the bars where he could get to the rope from the outside. Al stepped out of the cage then locked the door. He untied Peterson from the outside and stepped back as the entity pulled his hands free then rubbed his wrists. Peterson tore the rest of the rope from himself. Al pulled the rope from the cage. If you give us any trouble at all, I'll shackle you to the bars! Al put the key in his pocket and walked back to the children.

Mel stood tall, a huge smile on her face. I did this, didn't I? She smiled up at Al.

Al nodded. He turned a full 360 degrees taking in the beauty created by the young woman. Blue sky, puffs of clouds and bright sunshine draped over tall, mature trees standing at the edge of the park. A light brush grew at their bases. The