THE MONAHAN DEMON

He was now trapped.
Never in his life did Jeremy Morrison think that he would be part of something fulfilling and meaningful, at least in his mind anyway. He would now follow Monahan to the ends of the earth, proclaiming this message that he was now a slave to. But he still clung to the past…wife, and child…parents, brothers and sisters. There would be so much he would have to give up. This was Monahan’s way. He wondered if it would be worth it in the end. He remembered the first time he heard Monahan speak. Monahan’s words spoke truth into the soul and Jeremy was in the front row when the Organization came to his town that autumn day back in ’83 when he was at that age where the questions spewed out of him like rusty water out of a fire hydrant. But he still would have the questions…even now as he traveled with the Organization and with Monahan.
After finally ridding himself of his old ways, Jeremy felt alive, brimming with anticipation at what lay ahead of him. The Organization called for the total demise of all that he held dear. This meant the ultimate sacrifice which happened on November 12th 1983.
“All that you have must be given to the Organization; this is the word of the Lord.” An excited Monahan declared. “You must purge all that is evil in your lives, get rid of it and be completely transformed in his likeness.” Monahan’s breathing was heavy. Sweat poured out of his brow, the white handkerchief soiled in his own bodily fluids.
“I know that this may be hard to digest right now.” He continued to wipe his forehead.
“You feel like there is a burden on your chest that needs to be lifted…I know…I felt it once myself.” Monahan said lifting his Bible up in the air.
“He understands your pain, your suffering. Give it up to Him now.” Monahan’s voice was the voice that seemed to calm the waters in the spirit.
Jeremy needed this. He craved it. But what was it that he was craving. He still had the questions that fueled within his head. What was the Organization? How could one institution bring life and the answers that he so desperately needed to know? It was now time to meet with the mysterious Monahan for those answers.
“Mr. Monahan, Sir?” Jeremy’s eyes were wide.
“Yes.” Monahan’s grin nearly scared Jeremy to death.
“Can I talk to you?”
“Certainly, what do you desire to know?”
“I need to know more about your Organization.” Now Jeremy was drawn in by Monahan’s charisma.
Monahan bared the likeness of a man ready for action. He was tall, lengthy, his hair jet black as was the hair upon his face. He was prepared to face the demons and fight for the poor and destitute. He always wore grey…Jeremy remembered that…and his demeanor was that of the most heinous of salesmen. Jeremy was sold, though, to that one thing.
“To be part of this fold means to give up all that is within you, around you and finally know the peace that He offers.” Monahan’s delivery was quick and Jeremy held onto every word. “You cannot serve two masters, it says so right in this very book.” He held his Bible in front of Jeremy’s face.
“This is the ultimate authority, Jeremy.” Monahan continued. “There is no other that we live by.”
“Are you willing to become like Him?” Monahan said in a gentle tone.
“Yes, very much so.” Jeremy said.
“You must prove yourself to the Organization.”
“How?”
Monahan pulled out a picture that he used as a bookmark in his bible. It was a picture of Jeremy’s wife and child.
“How did you―
“Never mind.” Monahan’s voice was stern now. “You must not worry about this lovely woman and this innocent child.” He snarled. “You will have given them a new life in Him; this is the entrance fee, so to speak.”
“What do you mean?” Jeremy was puzzled.
“Kill them.” Monahan said his smile was wide and menacing now. “You cannot enter freely without a sacrifice.” He said. “Everything must be given away, these are not my words, Jeremy, they are the words of Him who gives and takes away.” Monahan was frightening now.

November 12th 1983
The start of the winter season began early. There was that chill in the air that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. Along Morgan Street, the trees were bare; their limbs seem to resemble the long, scraggly fingers that reached for the heavens in some sort of dismal, hideous display of futility. Jeremy was poised to do the Lord’s work. The purging would be today. The Morrison household sat back in a wooded area just west of town. It was the perfect place because it was secluded and out of the prying eye of the public. Jeremy started a fire in his upstairs bedroom which eventually engulfed the entire place. He stood back a far distance and watched the home go up in flames. The life that he had created with his wife, Emma and his daughter, Sarah was now charred and black. Billows of smoke plunged out of the ashes like a bat out of hell. He knew there would be no turning back now. He waited for Emma and Sarah to come home.
Emma came down the winding road off of route 212 where she could see smoke from one hundred yards away. Her eyes became wide and her heart started to race. She pushed harder on the accelerator. Jeremy stood in front of the black clouds that surrounded him, his back facing her as she came up the drive. Stopping the car, Emma threw open the door and ran up to Jeremy, leaving Sarah inside the vehicle.
“Oh…My God!” Emma screamed. She fell to her knees and began to weep.
“Don’t cry, Emma.” Jeremy said. “It will soon be over.”
“What do you mean? She cried. “Jeremy... Jeremy!! Emma stared as he walked toward the car. He opened the trunk and fumbled around in it, finally pulling out something big and foreboding.
MY GOD, WHY DOES HE HAVE THAT AXE?
Emma’s eyes looked in horror as he came towards her wielding the monstrosity.
“What are you going to do, Jeremy?” Emma said in between sobs. “Please…please…Jeremy…don’t…DON’T― her pleas were silenced and Jeremy proceeded to the car where Sarah was.

Jeremy told Monahan everything that he had done. But he was not completely done, at least not according to Monahan.
“Like I said before, this is only an entrance fee.” Monahan said. “You have other things that will cloud your mind and alter your future judgments.” He continued. “You still have Lucas and Mary, don’t you?”
“Yes, but why can’t they just be left alone?” Jeremy was apologetic.
“It’s not my will, but the will of Him.” Monahan said dryly.
How does he know their names?
Monahan was a mysterious man. Nothing was known about him; at least Jeremy didn’t know anything. There were others in the Organization that knew very little about him. Still others said that he just came out of nowhere, automatically taking possession of some twelve individuals. They were stripped of everything and commanded to honor Monahan and obey his statutes. Jeremy was blind and mute to the entire thing. Only wanting to serve in any way, shape or form.
“After Lucas and Mary, there will be others.” Monahan put his hand on Jeremy’s shoulder.
“But they are only children.” Jeremy said. “They can’t do any harm; they can’t stand in our way of making a better tomorrow.”
“They are preventing you from exercising your right to an eternal life.” Monahan was indignant. “He is the one who must be appeased, not me.”
“I can’t do this.”
“You can and you will.”
“After they are gone, you will kill the ones who gave you birth as well.” Monahan said with delight. “Won’t you?”
“I will do as you ask of me.”

The killing spree had begun. Monahan and his disciples raged a savage war upon the citizens of New Castle. Jeremy was second in command and after the deaths of Lucas and Sarah came the slaughter of his parents which only fueled his fire and bloodlust. He couldn’t stop it now. Monahan was a juggernaut and he slammed through town like a boulder, killing everyone in its wake. Soon many of the town’s women and children were like lambs to the slaughter. The men were dragged out into the streets and crucified on metal crossbeams, telephone poles used as makeshift center pieces. Through all of this, Monahan’s appearance seemed to change. No longer was the gentle façade of a man in the grey suit. There was only the evil now. His human attributes took on a demonic glow. He now crouched on all fours, eyes yellow and large. His hands were now claws that elongated every time he took a life. He was the one who was fed. He was the answer to their problems. Jeremy knew that he was part of something meaningful and fulfilling. He sighed and a smile rose upon his face. But he was trapped, the Monahan demon beckoned Jeremy and his other followers to the center of town.
“I am He who answers your prayers.” Monahan growled.
“I have slaughtered the inhabitants in this town to appease myself.” Monahan continued. “You are mine and no one else, follow me to the next feeding ground, for I must continue to feed.” Monahan’s voice gurgled and dragged.
“Look upon all of this destruction.” Monahan commanded.
“We see the destruction, Lord.” His followers said in unison.
“We must bring this message to all towns and cities and country sides.” Monahan’s eyes brought forth a haunting, yellowish hue.
“We must obey you, Lord.”
Monahan turned and started toward the edge of town. It was now time for another place, another people. Jeremy followed right behind him. Into the night they walked, feeling as though they were meant for something more…something more.