Zombies (6 page)

Upon hearing that account of the incident
, Angelica noticed one of the students becoming very disturbed.  The professor sensed something was wrong; but before either of them could head it off, the student began speaking in a loud blood curling tone.  It was so loud and annoying that many covered their ears.  Suddenly the student began shaking violently while screaming in an unknown dialect.  This frightening episode sent the other students scrambling for the exit.  Seconds later they were out the door, leaving behind the trio of researchers with one student.   

Chapter 5

Standing in dismay,
the professor, Michael, and Angelica quickly noticed the student that had caused the commotion was now lying on the floor.  With his eyes rolled completely back in the socket and speaking in an unknown language, the demonic spirit provided some sort of warning.  Michael turned to make eye contact with the professor.  Neither of them had any idea what was going on, but whatever it was disturbed them.  Yet, for the sake of their friend, they fought off the urge to run away.  But listening to the babbling did nothing to ease their concerns.  

Only Angelica was privy to what was being spoken.
  Michael and the professor could only watch, being afraid to speak out of fear of distracting Angelica.  Obviously the spirit had something important to say, and neither of them wanted to miss it.  Finally, the frightening episode ended, leaving the room filled with silence.  The student lay perfectly still with his eyes closed. 

Unable to hold back any longer
, Michael was the first to speak.  “What in the hell just happened?”  Before she could answer the victim’s eyes popped wide open, and the student leapt from the floor to run out the door.  They could only watch in dismay.  “We are in a heap of trouble now.”

“I hate to break it to you like this, but we were in a heap of trouble before this incidence
,” said Angelica.  Looking to the professor, she asked, “Do you think the students will ever come back to classes?”

“They will be okay
.  Just leave it to me,” said the professor.  Sensing he had a plan, the others attempted to relax. 

Meanwhile
, Angelica needed to check something out on the computer.  She left the others standing in awe and approached her laptop.  A few strokes of the keys provided the dreaded answer.  Without hearing it, they knew she had deciphered the warning from the demonic spirit.  “We have been instructed to mind our own business, or we will regret it.”

“I have news for them
—I already regret it,” said Michael.

“It has only just begun,” said Angelica.

“You already said that, remember?” asked Michael.

“Get used to hearing it, because I have a tendency of repeating myself,” said Angelica.

“Then what are our plans?” asked the professor.

“We are on to something
, and they know we are getting close.  So I say we turn up the heat and see what happens,” said Angelica.

“Are you crazy?  You saw what they did.  What if that happens to us, then what?” asked Michael.

“It has already happened to me, and I am fine as you can see,” said the professor.

“Yes, but it’s only because Angelica was there to rescue you.  What happens if she is not around to do that?” asked Michael. 
The young man thought for a moment.  “What was that like anyway?”

“I felt driven by some uncontrollable force
from within to harm people, but I knew I shouldn’t.  No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t shake it off.”

“Wow
, man, that must have been scary,” said Michael.

“Tell me about
it.  But as you can see, I am not having any problems now.  That makes me think there is a cure for people possessed with demons,” said the professor.

“You are right and it is Angelica.  But she can’t
protect the whole world,” said Michael.

“Alone you are
correct, but with help it just may be possible,” said Angelica.

“Is that what you have been trying to tell us?” asked Michael.  A nod indicated the answer was
yes.  “Is that what you meant when you said the professor and I were a threat to the demons?”

“Yes, but in different ways.  I promise I will eventually tell you all about it,” said Angelica.

“What’s wrong with now?” asked Michael, looking around at the empty room.  “It seems you have run off all the professor’s students.”

“I am sorry about that.  Actually it was something one of your students said that triggered this
episode,” she said, staring at the professor.

“What was it?  We don’t ever want to say that again,” said Michael.

“You may be wrong about that too.  Only time will tell.  However, when a student read from the account of demons being cast out, it was what she repeated that caused the demons to fear us,” said Angelica.  It took a moment for them to recall that incident, and then they knew it was the command “go” that had set this in motion.

“So that means the demons are already here, in this very classroom
in fact,” said Michael.

“They are everywhere and it is only going to get worse.  That is why we must step up our efforts t
o prepare for the battle of immortal spirits,” said Angelica.

“So I was right after all.  People thought I was loosing my mind
, and now you are confirming my suspicions.  How long do we have?” asked the professor.

“I can’t give you a timeframe because it d
epends upon our efforts.  Every time we win a battle against them, it weakens the demons ever so slightly,” said Angelica.

“Then we need to go after them until they are no longer able to launch an attack,” said Michael.

“It’s not that simple.  We must work together and make sure we never loose a conflict.  One little slip-up and they regain all the powers we have taken from them.  In fact, if they were to take your soul, we may never overcome them,” said Angelica.

“Me, why me?  Why not the professor over there?” asked Michael.

“They only want the professor because he has the knowledge to weaken them.  You, on the other hand, can destroy them,” said Angelica.

“Are you
only attempting to build my confidence so you can use me?” asked Michael.

“No, it’s true.  Your parents were
only a threat to them, but you can destroy their power,” said Angelica.

“So that is why you asked for my help.  You already knew this
, didn’t you?” asked Michael.

“I had my suspicions, but
last night confirmed my beliefs.  However, before you go off half-cocked, you cannot win this battle alone.  It is going to take all three of us, working together, to prevail against the powers of darkness,” said Angelica. 

“You have been awfully quite
, Professor.  What is your take on this?  Can we trust Angelica?” asked Michael, anxious to hear his reply.

“She speaks the truth.  I have been researching this for years.  I perceive the demons got wind of it just like Angelica
indicated.”

“Then you are in just as much danger as
I am,” said Michael.

“He is in more danger. 
While the professor has the knowledge, he doesn’t have your powers,” said Angelica.

“Just what sort of powers are you referring to?” asked Michael.

“Last night was only a glimpse of what you can do.  However, you need to learn to harness those powers in order to be effective against the more powerful forces that are sure to come after us,” said Angelica.

“So you were telling the truth when you said it would only get worse,” said Michael.

“Why do you doubt me?  I already told you I can’t lie,” said Angelica.

“I am trying
to believe, but you must admit this would be difficult for anyone to swallow.  Yesterday when we first met I had a normal life.  Now you have turned it upside down,” said Michael.

“If you will kindly remember
, it was you that invited yourself to have a cup of coffee with the professor and me,” said Angelica.

“Why did you ever let me do that?  I would have never known any of this,” said Michael.

“That’s not true.  Are you not listening to me?  It’s your destiny and you just as well accept it.  Now you need to start searching for a way to fulfill your purpose in life,” said Angelica.

“Can I ask about something that is bothering me?” asked Michael.

“Your parents were good people, and they were heroes even in death,” said Angelica. 

“That’s good to know.  I always wondered about them
; but every time I mentioned my parents, people refused to discuss it,” said Michael.

“That’s not surprising.  People are afraid of what they don’t understand,” said Angelica.

“I would be the first to admit that this scares the crap out of me,” said Michael.

“You will learn to deal with the fear.  Actually a healthy amount is good, even I respect my limitations,” said Angelica.

“There didn’t seem to be any limitations to your abilities last night, although you were about to lose the battle before I stepped in,” said Michael, with chest out and head high.

“Remember what I said
, Michael.  Pride goes before the fall.”

“You need to listen to her
, Michael.  This is not a game.  There is a lot at stake here.  Not only is your soul in the balance, the whole world is depending on you,” said the professor.

“
Thanks a lot for the added pressure,” said Michael.

“The professor is right.  If you listen
to us, you can do this,” said Angelica.

“I will have to take your word for that,” said Michael.

“Now you are learning.  Trust me; there is no benefit in my lying.  While you still do have the ability to speak untruths, I cannot,” said Angelica.

“That is amazing!  So if we were dating and I asked you something personal, you would have to tell me the truth?”

“First of all, you need to put that thought out of your mind.  Secondly, if I didn’t want to answer, I could just remain silent,” said Angelica.

“That would be the same as saying
yes; and as far as our dating, why not?”

“I already explained all I can at the moment.  When you are ready
, I will reveal anything you care to know,” said Angelica.  The professor smiled as he perceived the young man was entreating matters of the heart.  Yet, he knew more about Angelica than he was letting on.

“Well
, don’t expect too much of me.  I am only a kid in case you haven’t noticed,” said Michael.

“Oh, believe me
, I noticed,” said Angelica in a teasing manner.

“Hey, you didn’t seem to think so last night when you called for my help.” 

She chose not to answer, leaving Michael to consider what that could mean.  Instead, she decided to change the subject.  After checking the time, she asked, “Where are your students?  Shouldn’t your next class be showing up by now?”

“I figure word has gotten out
about our earlier class.  After our little incident, they are afraid to show,” said the professor with a chuckle.

“Is that a problem?  What if you get fired?” asked Michael
, concerned about the professor’s position.

“
Let me worry about that.  I have tenure at the university.  Besides, I can always use the excuse that we were conducting research.  After all, we did create quite a panic among the students similar to what happened in Salem centuries ago.  I could always say this was an experiment to prove a point,” said the professor.

“You think they will buy
it?  Besides, isn’t that lying?” asked Michael.

“Like you I have no such restr
aints, yet,” said the professor, smiling.

“Will it ever get to the point when the professor and I will not be able to tell a lie either?” asked Michael.

“I am not sure about that,” said Angelica in deep thought.  This left many unanswered questions for the two gentlemen.  However, they both perceived the answers were not attainable at the moment, so they dropped the matter for now.

“Okay
, guys, we need to conduct more research while we have a break.  I am expecting plenty of distractions soon,” said Angelica.

“Could I ask
another question?” asked Michael.  While it was obvious he didn’t really want the truth, he asked for it anyway.  “What if we don’t prevent the demons from getting the power they need?”

“Then we
must to be prepared for Armageddon.  Up until now, this has been a battle of the spirits.  If they get their wish, it will escalate beyond that,” said Angelica.

“I don’t understand.  What could be worse?” asked Michael.

“Once they take over enough souls to wage the battle, it with come at us in a different form,” said Angelica.

“Oh, I get it.  They will raise the dead,” teased Michael.

“Yep, and you guys love those zombie movies.  So, you should really love this,” said Angelica, patting him on the stomach.

“Then it
’s true.  The rise of the zombies is not fantasy as most believe,” said the professor.

“Are you seriously expecting us to believe that bunch of crock?  There is no such thing as zombies
, and you know it,” argued Michael.

“Don’t be so sure
, Michael.  Have you not been watching the news?” asked Angelica.

“You are not referring to
the flesh eating mad man, are you?” asked Michael.