Chapter One

Nate mashed his eyelids together as intense pain shot through his brain. He rolled over onto his side and threw up the contents in his stomach. The sour taste of vomit was still lingering in his mouth when the sounds of sirens grew in the distance.

He continued lying on the pavement as several cars squealed to a stop somewhere nearby. There were people shouting all around him but all he could focus on was the intense pain in his head. He rolled onto his back and stared up at the night sky.

There were flames flickering out from an apartment building on the top floor. The windows up there were broken; the glass pieces from the window lying all around him and embedded in his clothes. He was aware of movement going on all around him but he was too focused on the flickering flame at the top floor.

Please, God, protect me from that demon. He thought to himself. Just the thought of the demon gave him anxiety.

Finally someone came to him and asked him questions but the voice sounded like it was coming from underwater. After a few more tries the EMT picked him up and with the help of his partner shifted him onto a stretcher.

His head throbbed again as the EMT’s jostled him around. He needed to throw up, but his head was fixed firmly in place. “Lie still sir.” He heard the EMT say as they lifted the stretcher.

Nate continued to struggle urgently trying to break free from the restraints but it was too late. A fountain of vomit erupted out of his mouth going straight into the air and landing back on his face and all over his clothes. “He’s going into shock!” The EMT yelled.

Nate's eyes remained locked onto that burning apartment. Even as his vision began to fade, he kept a constant vigil, afraid his nightmare was far from over. Just before blacking out, he saw an image that made his stomach clench in fear. The demon was watching him. It watched him from the window of the burning apartment, standing amongst the flames as if it were nothing.

…

When Nate came to, he was in a white room with bright fluorescent lights. He looked around through squinty eyes. He was in some sort of hospital room lying down on a bed. A nurse hovered around nearby.

He tried to call out to her but his throat was too parched. He then tried to reach out to her but something impeded his movement. There were handcuffs around his wrist handcuffing him to the bed.

The metal must’ve alerted the nurse because she suddenly stood up straight and backed away in fright. Nate looked at her perplexed as to what caused her fear. The nurse abandoned the rest of her duties and quickly exited the room before he could even ask a question.

Shortly afterwards two serious-looking men in suits entered his hospital room; one tall, and the other short but so heavily muscled he looked like a pitbull. They approached his bedside looking down at him with utter disgust.

“W-water…” Nate croaked.

The tall man poured him a glass and picked it up bringing it near him. Nate was about to thank the man when he suddenly felt his head being jerked back as a torrent of water entered his mouth.

Cough. Cough. Gasp. The water entered his throat making him choke on it.

“What the hell?!” Nate exclaimed when he gained control of his faculties.

“I’m going to ask you something and then you’re going to answer me with the truth, you understand? Any deviation and I’ll put you in a world of hurt, you sick son of a bitch.” The other man in the suit, the pitbull, spoke in a low threatening voice.

The tall man was gripping Nate by the hair forcing him to look at his interrogator. The bright lights made it hard to see the man’s features clearly.

“Why’d you do it?” He asked.

“Do what?” Nate replied confused.

Smack.

Nate’s head jerked to the side as the pitbull slapped him hard on the cheek. “WHY DID YOU DO IT?!”

The door opened. The sound of high heels clicking on the linoleum floor resounded in the quiet room. “What do you think you’re doing?!” A female voice sounded.

The two men stepped away from Nate and looked at the woman in a respectful manner. “We were just questioning-“

“Bullshit! That was an interrogation. The boy’s seventeen years old and you pull some shit like that? I should pull your shield!” The woman hissed.

The two men remained quiet as she finally appeared in Nate’s field of view. The woman was mature, in her late fifties, but looked just as professional as the other two men. She walked up to the bed and looked down at Nate with a face full of disdain and contempt.

“We have a set of laws for a reason. Even pieces of shit like this get representation. The case is already won. You pull some shit like interrogation and the Judge will be forced to throw it out, is that what you want?” The woman looked at the two men beside Nate. The men shook their heads solemnly.

“Good. Leave.”

The woman stayed behind as the two men left. Once they were gone she looked down at Nate staring right into his eyes. Her grin seemed impossibly long as her eyelids drew together. Nate felt his heart rate speed up. The woman suddenly brought her face to his ears. “You thought we’d let you go?” A warbled voice sounded.

Nate screamed. He pulled away from the woman as hard as he could but his hand was still handcuffed to the bed. “Leave me alone! Leave me alone! Leave me alone!” He screamed. Something slithered out from his brain and down his arm. Suddenly his body jerked forward as the cuffs on his wrist broke.

Dropping to the floor he curled under the hospital bed yelling “Leave me alone!” over and over again. The nurses found him there under the bed curled into the fetal position. They injected something into his veins and the world fell into darkness.

…

The two men in suits left the hospital after being tossed out by their Captain. With nothing else to do they got into their car and went back to the precinct. They both knew they wouldn’t get much sleep, not after witnessing what happened back at the burning apartment.

When they entered the office they were met with a bunch of stares. The whole special crimes unit looked up at them from their desks silently. When nothing came forth from the two men one of the men sitting at the desk stood up.

“Don’t leave us hanging Jake, tell us what happened?”

Jake was the taller of the two men, shaved head and brown eyes. He remained quiet. The men then looked to Jake’s partner. “Steve?”

Steve was usually the darker of the two, always making crude jokes but even he was speechless at a time like this. The two partners quietly went over to their desk and sat down. They felt the eyes of the whole department on them as they walked through the room.

They all remained silent until the sound of the TV being turned on cut through the room. Like a flock of birds, they turned as one, fixing their eyes onto the TV screen.

“We now go to Chris Andrews who’s live at the scene. Chris?”

The image on the screen changed to a downtown street that was filled with spectators and police. The news anchor holding the mike looked at the camera with an even expression.

“Well, John, I'm standing here on twelfth street where the incident took place just three hours ago. As you can see there are several dozen scared civilians lining the streets, all residents who've fled the building of where the shooting took place. Police are still questioning the residents, but we've managed to speak to some of the ones who've been released. One young man says he lives on the same floor of where the shooting took place, and he's willing to speak to us about what happened. We want to take a moment to warn our viewers that what you’re about to hear may be upsetting. Viewer discretion is advised.”

The camera turned to focus onto a young dishevelled looking man who was staring vacantly into space. “Matt, can you repeat to us what you said earlier.”

Matt finally looked at the camera but his eyes seemed to be un-focused. He was silent for a while before speaking. “I live on the top floor. Three doors down from... where it all happened. I was just opening the door to my apartment when I heard t-the screams. At first I thought it was just some stupid prank y’know? Friday the thirteenth; play horror movies and mess with people. But when I saw the blood pooling out from underneath the door I knew something was wrong. I rushed into my apartment and called the cops then went for my licensed gun. I couldn’t even hold the thing straight because of how bad my hands were shaking…

Screams kept coming from that room but now more residents on the top floor were aware something was wrong. When the fire broke out that’s when people started to run downstairs. I left my room then and passed by the apartment door, only now it was slightly ajar. I-I… I just couldn’t help myself, you know? I had to look inside. B-but when I did…”

Tears began flowing down from Matt’s face. The news anchor put a hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay son, take your time.”

“W-when I pushed it open, all I saw was red. Red everywhere; on the floor, on the walls, on the drapes. The worst part about it was the severed arm right by the door, the arm was that of a child's… she still had a teddy bear in her hand for god’s sake! How?! How can anyone…?” The man was hysterical now. The news anchor wrapped him in a hug as the man broke down sobbing.

The TV was suddenly turned off by Jake. He looked back at the rest of the department with a face full of anger. “We’re gonna get this son of a bitch.”

…

“Stand where we tell you to stand. If you don’t comply you’ll be shot. When we walk you into the courthouse, don’t falter or try to run. If you do, you will be shot. Do not speak to any of the people out there, if you do you will be shot. Do I make myself clear?” Jake snarled at Nate.

Nate nodded his head. He felt so defeated. No matter how much he plead his innocence, nobody would listen. They all gave him the cold shoulder, and the deputies escorting him were quick with the punishment if he ever gave them the grounds to. So, he complied and did as he was told. It wasn't like he had much of a choice.

“It’s go time.”

The squad car they were in pulled to a halt. Nate looked out the window and up at the courthouse. There were stairs leading up to the courthouse and a mob of people between the car and his destination. They were split in two groups, all shouting and yelling for his death. Calling him all the foul words in the english dictionary.

Nate dreaded the walk inside. There was a narrow line of empty space between the two crowds; big enough for Nate and his escorts to walk through yet small enough that if they were to reach out, they could grab onto him. Nate was so afraid of what the mob might do to him.

The door was opened and several security types grouped up around him placing him in the middle. The screams magnified. The mob was like an ocean and their little group was like a boat trying to paddle its way through.

Something wet landed on his face. Nate closed his eyes hoping it was water, but the slimy texture it left behind as it slid down his face told him something different. His hands were handcuffed so he couldn't wipe his face. More liquid flew in his direction. The security around him tried breaking it up but they were outnumbered, or maybe they didn’t care about the abuse he was receiving.

He bore it all. By the time he entered the courthouse he was covered in liquid. He could barely see out of his right eye, something that was once wet was now dry and keeping his eye stuck together. Looking at the security who looked particularly happy, he could tell they didn’t really care nor did they try protecting him from the onslaught from the public.

Aren't they supposed to protect me?! Nate thought. Not only did he witness his whole family die right in front of him, now he had to face the abuse of the public who thought him guilty. This isn't fair! Why won't anyone listen to me! God, please help me.

The security detail took him to an interrogation room where a man in a grey suit sat waiting for him. As soon as Nate entered, he stood from where he was seated and crossed over to him.

“Have a seat Mr. Walker.” The man said in an apprehensive voice.

Nate moved forward, the sudden motion made the man in grey slightly flinch. Nate looked at him strange but didn’t think much of it.

The security guards brought Nate over to the chair and handcuffed him to the table. Once he was secure they left the room, leaving Nate alone with the man in the suit.

“Its no surprise where this case is heading.” The man said with a sigh as he took the seat across Nate. “The jury has been presented with all the evidence, they’ve heard the witnesses, and now they’ll deliver their verdict for sentencing.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Nate said leaning forward in his chair. The man in the grey suit flinched again. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“The trial, Mr. Walker, it’s proceeding just like I said it would. I told you pleading guilty would-“

Nate jerked on the chains so hard the table shook. “What the fuck do you mean plead guilty?!”

“I-I T-told you this w-would…”

“Who the fuck are you?! Are you with them?!” Nate shouted cutting the man off again.

“I-I’m you’re lawyer, Mr. Walker.”

“My lawyer? My lawyer?! You’re saying I plead guilty, when the fuck did I do that?”

“You did!” The lawyer stood up from his chair, backing away from Nate.

Nate looked confused when a sudden thought came to him. “What’s the date today?”

“Excuse me?”

“The date! What’s the fucking date!” Nate shouted. He felt a pit growing in his stomach. The fear the lawyer had towards him told Nate of an impending doom. One he hoped was just imagined.

“It’s March eight.”

“Bullshit…” Nate whispered. His worst fear was confirmed.

“Excuse-”

“Bullshit!” Nate sobbed as he collapsed onto the table. “This can’t be real… this can’t be…”

“I’ll give you a moment to collect yourself.” The lawyer replied before exiting the room.

Nate thought his nightmare was over, but it was just beginning. The last memory he had was waking up in the hospital. It’s been two months since then, yet he could not recall any of it. It had to be the demon. It was responsible for all of this, somehow.

His eyes became hot with tears as reality set in. The demon had screwed him. The lawyer’s behavior made sense now. The demon must've masqueraded as Nate for the past two months. Whether it was through mind control or some other means he didn’t know.

But why? Why not just kill me? Why wake me up on the last day? The only reasoning Nate could think of was that it wanted him to know what happened. Rather than kill him, it purposefully set him up. Now he was up shit’s creek without a paddle.

The door opened, and the nervous lawyer walked in. “It’s t-time.”

“It wasn’t me.” Nate said when he saw the man. “Please, the last two months… I-I don’t remember any of it. It was the demon! It killed my family, it tried to kill me!”

“Seriously, this shit again?” A woman’s voice sounded. The lawyer was pushed aside as a woman in a black suit walked in. It was the same woman from the hospital.

“You going for the insanity defense? Well that ship has sailed, boy.” The woman spoke as she walked towards Nate, her heels clicking with every step.

Nate reeled back as far away as he could. The woman bent over at the waste so that her face was a few inches away from his. He stared into her eyes and saw her brown eyes change to pure black. She smiled at him, then began whispering, but the words sounded…wrong. They came out harsh and grating on the ears.

Before Nate could react, the woman finished and righted herself. “Today’s the day Nate.” She said before walking out.

Nate looked at the lawyer. “Please, you have to believe me.” He tried to say, but his lips wouldn’t move. He was silenced.

“We have to get going.” The lawyer said as he motioned to the officers who walked in and began un-locking the chain cuffing him to the table.

…

"Has the jury reached a verdict?" The judge asked.

"We have your honor." The first juror replied.

"I'll ask the defendant to rise." The judge paused as Nate stood up on trembling knees. "Render your verdict Mr. Foreman."

“For the first count of murder in the first degree, we the jury find the defendant guilty of murdering forty-two-year-old Andrea Walker.

For the second count of murder in the first degree, we the jury find the defendant guilty of murdering fifty-three-year-old Michael Walker.

For the third count of murder in the first degree, we the jury find the defendant guilty of murdering eight-year-old Emily Walker.

All three counts received all twelve juror signatures and were unanimous. The sentence of this jury, is death.”

The juror sat back down and the attention returned to the judge. Nathan felt so weak in the legs he could barely stand. He stumbled forward catching himself on the table. Warm tears trickled down his face. Nate wanted to cry out in his own defense but it was useless. He could not speak.

As if it wasn't bad enough, the judge when on his own tirade. “I have sentenced dozens of people to jail in my twenty-two years as Judge for this courtroom. I thought I’ve seen it all, but you Mr. Walker, are the worst person to have sat before me. I see now regular prison would be a mercy to someone like you. I’ve concluded that giving you anything less than the maximum punishment would be unfair."

“I would sentence you to death for the things you’ve done to your own family. It would only be right. Except death would be too swift for a sick, twisted mind like yours. God chose to spare you after you tried to commit suicide by jumping out of the window and falling eight stories. Coming out of that without a single scratch tells me the lord is evidence of that. Therefore, I hereby sentence you to spend the rest of your wretched life in Black Watch Asylum.” The judge banged the gavel down bringing an end to the trial.

Nate watched as everyone around him celebrated, rejoicing at his sentence to life in that hell hole. Simple prison would’ve been preferable—even death seemed like a better option—then going into that damned Asylum.