The Cornerstone: The Evil that Lurks

My solemn duty was to rid the world of evil spirits and demons. Here I was, standing before the infamous abandoned church, The Cornerstone, known for harboring one of the most potent evil beings. Rumors said that the priest had been murdered here, filling him with hatred and causing him to get rid of ANYONE who dares to step foot in his sacred home. A sense of dread washed over me as I stood outside the eerie church, ready to fulfill my deed.

As I ventured deeper into the crumbled church, a presence that I felt when standing outside the church earlier only grew stronger, making my heart race. Dusty statues, resembling people, were scattered on the dusty church floor. The moonlight shone through the shattered windows as the sounds of quiet footsteps, belonging to me, echoed through the church once more. Thunder boomed, echoing through the church as I felt unseen eyes watching me with an intense and overwhelming hunger. Taking a closer look at the so-called ‘mannequins’, that was when it hit me. All of these statues weren’t mannequins, they were stoned people! Chills went down my spine as I hesitantly pressed on.

At the end of the church laid a coffin, its contents a mystery. It was certainly most unsettling. I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed just by the sight of the eerie coffin. It had a sketchy resemblance to it, making my body shiver with anxiety. Unfortunately, there was no turning back now. This was my duty: to cleanse this place of evil. Trembling, I stood before the coffin and slowly raised the lid.

Suddenly, a spirit emerged, hovering before me. My heart pounded as anxiety took over. My breath got quicker as I started to hyperventilate. The spirit had crimson red skin as its eyes seemed like it was gauged out of the eye sockets as its body was twice the size of mine. It bore scars from head to toe and grinned menacingly at me.

“A human? Ah… it’s been so long since I’ve seen one.” it rasped, revealing its yellow razor sharp teeth. Fear gripped me as I reached for my exorcism book, fumbling through the exorcism procedures. The spirit let out a loud threatening laugh that echoed through the whole church.

“Why are you laughing?” I demanded, my fear undeniable.

“Humans, always the same—predictable, pitiful. Tsk, what a shame.” the spirit scoffed before emitting a bloodcurdling scream.

I covered my ears, but the scream persisted, tormenting me. When it stopped, I could still hear the scream, ringing in my ears. I was terrified. What was he planning to do to me?

Out of nowhere, a cold pale hand grabbed my shoulder, forcing me to the ground. I scanned my surroundings frantically, only to see the stoned people coming to life, advancing towards me like zombies seeking their next meal. I screamed in terror, attempting to flee, but the exit was mysteriously blocked—no way out.

Desperation fueled through my body as I ran through the church, determined to unlock the exit. My trembling hands struggled with the lock. The whole time, the spirit merely floated on its place, cackling madly as fear fueled through my veins. Just when the door finally unlocked, a hand suddenly grabbed me by the neck, slamming me roughly to the ground as my head smashed onto the porcelain floor. With my head throbbing in pain and blood trickling down it, I was pinned to the ground as more and more of the stoned people surrounded me. Slowly but painfully, unbearable pain coursed through my veins as their nails dug into my skin, making me squirm and scream in pain. The pain was excruciating and unbearable as they began to tear me apart, limb by limb. My final thought was a desperate plea for help: “Help…me…please…” before the spirit’s laugh echoed through my head once more as everything went dark.