Demon's Nature

By Frank F. Atanacio

If a picture is worth a thousand words... then this ghostly image of author JD Howes should scare you to death! Okay, now that youre dead, where did you end up? Heaven? Hell? Oblivion? - Not sure? Life and death are all part of being human. And eternity is just a heartbeat away! So, what awaits you? Readers travel with Jack Davis as he discovers the frightening truth about the hidden spiritual forces fighting over his eternal soul in this one-of-a-kind adventure story. In Forever: A Godyssey Adventure, author JD Howes takes readers on a whirl-wind tour through Heaven, Hell and Judgment Day! Be ready for anything! Family, friends & neighbors will want to read this intriguing novel and visit author: JD Howes on his web site at: www.jdhowes.com
Authors Disclaimer: Warning...Read this novel at your own risk! Your life will never be the same!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 11, 2001
• ISBN: 9781462836413

Frank F. Atanacio

Frank F. Atanacio was born in Hartford Connecticut. He has published several books which include: The Scar On Gods Journal, Paradise Experience, Participants Of Spiderlake, Child Behind The Darkness, Demons Nature, Sea Ghosts, Weakening Of Acee Ramsey. Frank has also published over a hundred short-stories and poems in various articles and publications. He loves collecting baseball cards, and sports memorabilia. His love is baseball, but his passion is writing. He now resides in the Huntington section of Shelton Connecticut.

Book preview

PART ONE

CHAPTER ONE

Darkness boiled over before my dream had actually ended. The light continued playing tricks as it bounced off the walls of my room. They were pretty lights as they came in from a distance. They continued dancing around, mostly in my head until I was fully awake.

I’m up, I’m up! I shouted.

I crawled reluctantly out of bed and stared into my dresser mirror. It was a nice mirror given to me by a friend of a friend. He had his initials carved into the wood frame, but it was still in great shape. I looked into the mirror and I surely looked crappy, and I felt tired. The nightmares were relentless. They were no longer powering up and dominating my sleep. There was a purpose behind them, and I wanted to at least finish one all the way through.

God, please give me a break, I said softly to the image looking back at me from the mirror.

There was a postcard on my dresser wishing me a happy birthday. I knew that my birthday was coming on Saturday, and I’d finally be in double digits. My grandmother mailed that card from Florida. It was a nice card, but I liked it best when she sent money. In the past she’d always send large amounts of money. I was hoping that turning ten would have increased the amount. In fact, it was just the opposite.

Sammy, come and eat! my mother shouted from the kitchen.

Coming, I shouted back.

Now Sammy!

I smiled.

I stood in front of the mirror long enough to realize I was in some sort of a trance. I was almost sure that something was standing behind me. The state of mind I was in kept me from actually seeing what was behind me. I just had a funny feeling. I guess it was just a weird afterthought left over from my troubling nightmares.

I have been experiencing these nightmares for sometime now. At first they were overwhelming and frightening. A dark creature with eerie green eyes visited me. It appeared afraid of light so I developed something I called a white light system. It was actually just in my thoughts, but what the system did for me was protect me from the creature. I put a night light directly in the socket across from me, and I was able to incorporate it into my sleep. It was a clever idea, and it made me adjust to the terrible dreams. I’m sure there was no child in this world that could have ever thought up of such a system. It was ingenious as well as unique, and effective.

I sat at the kitchen table as my mother poured herself another cup of black coffee. I took a small sip of my orange juice, and she winked at me.

How are you feeling? she asked.

I nodded.

Are the nightmares going away?

Yes, I lied.

Thank God, she said softly. Probably more to herself though.

My mother had long brown hair with slight gray streaks. She stopped coloring her hair when dad died. It wasn’t that she was letting herself go. I really believe she was still mourning his death. I was five when he died. She doesn’t think that I remember much, but she was wrong. I remember plenty.

My mother always had a grin on her face when I was around. I knew however that she was putting on her happy face for me. She wanted to protect me. She loved me dearly, and I loved her for that.

Did you want me to warm your eggs up in the microwave oven? she asked as she reached over to my plate.

No thanks mom, this is great.

Sammy, it’s no problem.

I know.

She smiled.

I love you mom.

Now what brings that on? she asked.

I smiled.

Well?

I continued smiling.

I know, she said sheepishly. Your birthday is Saturday, and you’re just trying to soft-soap me, aren’t you?

My birthday? Of course not. I almost forgot about it, I said as I giggled.

Grandma sent you a card, so I know you didn’t forget, she added.

I stood up from my seat and walked over to her. I kissed her cheek and simply smiled. She looked at me quizzically, and then grabbed me quickly.

You are a snake in the grass! You know how to press my buttons you worm! she said as she began tickling me. I tried to fight the outburst of laughter but I couldn’t. I started laughing uncontrollably. I couldn’t stop, and she knew it. She continued until I was almost completely out of breath.

What a sight you are, she added.

I know.

I sat back down and I continued sipping my orange juice. I tasted the egg, but it was too cold to eat.

You know grandma is coming, she said.

She is?

I knew you would be excited.

How is she getting here? I asked.

She is flying, she replied. She wants to spend some time with us.

So she is staying?

Yes.

Great! I shouted.

My mother’s slightly bagged brown eyes narrowed and her thin eyebrows shifted downwards as though she was lost in thought.

What is it mom? I asked.

I was just wondering. She said. If she knew she was coming why did she send you a birthday postcard?

My mother was still talking about my grandmother, but I wasn’t paying any attention to her. What caught my full attention was a dark shadow near the stove. I suddenly got a queasy feeling, and I couldn’t stop it. There was an intruder in the house, and I didn’t know how to tell my mother.

For a moment I couldn’t see the image, but suddenly there it was. He stood by the stove extremely plaint. The intruder was calm, and almost relaxed. He had sharply trimmed nails on his fingers and a cold, wicked smile. His features were somewhat Gothic, and demonic. His green eyes had no warmth, and his teeth were all canine. His facial expression was that of the dead.

Are you listening to me? my mother asked.

I read her lips, but I didn’t hear her ask that question. I slowly nodded, but I kept my eyes on the intruder.

The intruder took a half step forward. He didn’t want to startle me, but he knew that I knew who he was. He was the image that kept haunting my dreams. He was the creature that was trying to invade my nights. I tried to clear my throat and at least utter something audible, but I couldn’t. I was lost in another trance. I looked at my mother, but she was still talking about grandma. She was in an almost slow motion state. I couldn’t hear her, and her body was moving at such a slow pace. I felt my adrenaline building, and fear overwhelmed me.

The intruder took another step toward me, and I had no choice but to cling onto the little sanity I had left. I felt the adrenaline in my body trying to push out a scream, but it didn’t happen. I couldn’t force anything out of my mouth. I wanted my mother to look behind her, but she was still in her state. I was alone, and I couldn’t be saved with my white light system. I couldn’t because I was wide-awake.

The intruder had a dark ball in his hand with a little light coming from the center. He held the ball up and wanted me to catch it. I knew it wasn’t a game, because the intruder was no longer smiling. He looked as if he was in pain. He looked uncomfortable.

Mom, I managed.

What?

I see something behind you," I muscled out.

She slowly turned around and the image was gone. What are you talking about Sammy?

I was aware that her eyes were drilling at me up and down. She was confused, and I had no explanation. I simply did not know what to tell her. The intruder was gone, and left no clue behind.

My mother drew a breath. Her eyes were tight and the bags beneath them almost consumed her. She was tired, but she always had time for me. She looked at me patiently waiting for explanation.

I don’t understand, she said softly.

Clapping my hands together and looking pitiful, I decided to come clean. I had to tell her the truth, because my sanity was surely in jeopardy. Mom, my bad dreams are still with me, and standing behind you I saw an image that keeps appearing in my dreams.

I said that all in one breath as my mother just looked at me. She didn’t know what to say. Her mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.

Mom, I am still having bad dreams, I said slowly.

She nodded.

I’m seeing things too, I added.

Sammy, is it because of your father? she asked.

No mom.

Can I take you to see a doctor? she asked. "I really think you should tell someone about your nightmares. I don’t want you to suffer from them anymore. Honey, I love you very much, and I do hear you scream at