Chapter 21

A heavy knock was heard on the door that night. Randal grumbled, getting off the sofa from where he was watching a sports show. He opened the door and saw Julian at the other side. Without a word, Julian stepped in, leaving Randal staring at the spot he previously stood. "Sure, come in." Randal muttered sarcastically and shut the door. He turned around to see Julian pacing about his living room, a worried expression on his face. At that moment, Randal forgot about the feelings of envy he previously had against his friend. With the way Julian moved about, he knew something was not right at the moment. "Julian," Randal rushed to him. "What's the matter? What's going on?" "It's Nancy, " Julian replied. "She took her. She took Nancy." "What are you talking about?" Randal asked. He gripped Julian by the arms to halt his excessive pacing. "Who took Nancy?" Randal asked again. "The parapsychologist." Julian replied. "What parapsychologist?" "The one that was meant to solve my problem." "I don't understand, Julian. You're not making any sense at the moment." Julian sighed. He breathed deeply and shut his eyes. Then he opened them and faced his friend. "Are you calm now?" Randal asked. Julian nodded. "Good," Randal released his friend. "Now, explain. What happened to Nancy?" "Remember the time you came over to my house the day my neighbor died? The day you said I should get a solution to my problem?" Julian asked. "Yes." Randal nodded. "Also, remember the time we both went to Nancy's and she made a mention of a parapsychologist?" Julian asked again. "Yes." Randal said. "Well, I went to meet Nancy earlier and she referred me to a parapsychologist, Loretta. It turns out Loretta is the one responsible for the tattoos I've been seeing and the death of Sam, Mr. Wyatt and the guy who stole my car. " Julian said. "What?" Randal was surprised. There was still a mix of confusion on his face. "Look, Randal," Julian sighed. "I know there are lots more to explain but what you need to know right now is that she's a witch. An evil, deceptive, demonic witch. And right now, she has Nancy. I need your help." Randal knew that wasn't the time for resentment or questioning. This was his best friend and Nancy was also precious to him. There was more at stake at the moment. "Do you know where she took Nancy?" He asked. "Yeah. But we need to go to my family home first. I need to get that sword." "Sword? You mean the one your Dad banned you from ever touching? " "Again, it's a long story." "This had better be worth it. Hold on, let me get some supplies. You're going to explain some parts to me on our way." As Randal turned to leave, Julian gasped in shock. "Randal, stop!" He cried out. "What?" Randal asked, turning around. Julian didn't answer. He did not want to believe what his eyes just saw. He had to be dreaming. He moved towards his friend and spun him around. Julian's eyes widened as his heart skipped a bit. On the back of his friend's neck was the dreaded tattoo. The number 6 was drawn inside it. Realisation dawned within Julian as he stared at the cursed symbol on the back of his friend's neck. Randal was the sixth sacrifice. "No," Julian clutched his head. "No! No! No! This is not happening!" "Julian, " Randal spun around. "What's wrong with you, man?" "Randal," Julian's voice was hoarse as he faced his friend. "I've seen the tattoo. It's on your neck." "No," Randal shook his head, his face turning white. He rushed to Julian and held him by the shoulders, shaking him frantically. " You're joking!" Randal cried out. "Julian, tell me you're joking!" "I'm not!" Julian bellowed in return, clutching his friend's wrist. "Look, we need to-" A high pitched sound filled the air at that moment. It was the sound of laughter. The duo jumped in fright and backed each other looking around. The laughter stopped. "Did you hear that?" Randal whispered. "Yeah." Julian whispered in return. They looked around the living room. Everything seemed normal. Suddenly, a deadly voice has heard out of nowhere. "One of the men. Where your fate lies. It shall happen then. You are sacrifice." Before they could take any further action, there was a sudden explosion within the living room. The impact took the men off their feet and they landed roughly on the ground. As they tried to stand up, smoke suddenly filled the living room. "What the hell is going on?!" Randal cried out. "She's here." Julian answered as he glared at the smoke which had now dissipated. In front of the two men, stood the dark figure. The figure stared at Julian squarely without an expression on it's face. It then turned to Randal and grinned widely, revealing it's now grotesque sharp teeth. "What the hell is that?!" Randal jumped back. His skin went pale as he shrunk in fear at the gaze of the monstrous entity. "That's her," Julian replied, glaring at the figure. "The parapsychologist, Loretta. Or better known as-" Julian paused as his glare intensified. "Malorca." He snarled. The figure shrieked and charged at the two men. Julian stepped in front of his friend but the figure knocked him aside. The force of the hit sent Julian across the room. He collided against the wall and fell to the ground, barely conscious. It now stood in front of Randal. Randal was petrified at the terrifying sight of it. Fear had filled his body. He couldn't move. With a predatory grin, the figure whispered; " Sacrifice. " Julian opened his eyes just in time to see the figure penetrate through his friend in a puff of smoke and materialize behind him. Randal dropped to the floor, clutching his chest in pain. "No!" Julian cried out. He charged towards the figure in a fit of rage. The figure merely stretched a finger and Julian found himself floating in the air. He couldn't move. He couldn't speak. The figure smiled maliciously and floated in the air, pausing in front of him. "I should kill you right now and complete the sacrifice," It said. "But it would be of no worth and no sport to me. I have better plans for you, Thalatian." It waved it's hand aside. Julian found himself thrown across the room and landing roughly on the ground. As he struggled to stand on his feet, the figure smiled and waved goodbye. Then it disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Julian's heart shattered in many pieces as he saw what was left after the smoke cleared. For the first time in many years,tears streamed from his eyes as he dropped to his knees, staring in intense sorrow at the burnt corpse of his best friend. $Chapter