Page 4

You got a roommate?

Yeah, didn’t I tell you about the demon that’s possessing my body?

Not funny, Theo

You know mom thinks that shit is real

Do you think it’s real?

Idk

I have to feed these kids

Do you, though?

By law, yes

Go take a shower, I can smell you across town

Nah, I’m gonna show up to Tab’s game looking like Robin Williams in Jumanji

I always wanted to do that

GOODBYE THEODORE

I snort and throw my phone back onto the couch. The TV is back on now, the sun is shining, and there’s no sign of any demonic presence, but I can’t help myself. As a recovering Catholic and a movie-lover, I have to look it up. I open the browser on myphone and type in ‘how do I know if I’ve been possessed by a demon?’ A stupid amount of articles that I don’t have time to read come up, ranging from satirical to deadly serious.

How do you not believe what you have seen with your own eyes?says the creepy voice in my head.

“Because it’s literally insane,” I respond out loud. “Demons aren’t real. Possession is just something people made up to explain actual, diagnosable mental illnesses or other health problems.”

Give yourself over to me and I shall show you what is real.The voice is soothing now, almost sweet, cloying, with a distinctly feminine tone. I wonder vaguely if demons even have genders. Then I start to wonder if it would be so bad to let someone else drive for a while. I’ve done a spectacular job of fucking my life up so far. What more could a literal demon do to it? The fact that I’m even considering it is probably a sign that I should call my doctor immediately.

“What happens if I…give myself over?” I ask.

Freedom,croons the voice.We will sow fear and discord through the land, such that has never been seen before, and you will finally understand what it is to–

“Wait, you want me to…do bad things? Like, violent things?”

I will show you the release that comes with sin, debauchery, and hedonism. No more self-denial, no more striving to be good or pure. I will allow you to give in to those base instincts, to take what you want, to hurt those who have hurt you. Revenge, destruction, lust, power.

“That sounds…like a lot of work,” I sigh. “I can’t even take a shower right now, and you want me to commit crimes against humanity?”

Give yourself to me and I will be in control.

“I mean, I’m not really one for vengeance or debauchery anyway. It’s all a bit dramatic.” I laugh and the weird, pulsating feeling in my chest gets stronger.

Why do you not obey me?!the voice screeches.You are a useless lump of human flesh, unfit for possession! If you will not do my bidding, then I shall be forced to take drastic measures.

“Like what?”

You shall know when I take them, human!

“Alright, well…see you then, I guess.” I settle down on the couch and flip channels for a while. The voice goes quiet, but just to make sure, I grab my phone and write an email to my doctor about possibly getting on some antidepressants…or maybe antipsychotics. Demon or no demon, I have to do something to get myself out of this rut, and drugs seem like as good a solution as any right now. Once I send off the email, I go back to my search page and type in ‘list of demons’. I open the first Wikipedia link and read through the ‘A’ section.

“You’re not on here, Anck-su-namun,” I say out loud.

My name is Annoth’zagoz, you vile little worm!