Chereads / shadows in the world / Chapter 31 - The Demonic manipulation. 31.

Chapter 31 - The Demonic manipulation. 31.

As Tamara entered her office, a wave of exhaustion washed over her. She took a deep breath, allowing the weight of the day to settle on her shoulders. Her maid stepped forward, serving her a glass of a rich, red liquid. Tamara accepted it gratefully, letting its coolness calm her nerves. With a sip of the liquid, her gaze flickered at the television screen, where news anchors reported the recent missile strike. The military and press officials filled the frame, speaking about the successful attack on the location of the human-killing vampire led by Deborah. They discussed the heavy casualties, emphasizing the operation's necessity to protect human lives.  And the uncovering of the secret blood factory of Deborah that was uncovered by the FBI, Mrs. Charlton and her team. And the mayor of Uptown, Mr Frank, had publicly congratulated the FBI officials for a job well done. A satisfied smile crept onto Tamara's lips as she watched the chaos unfold on screen. Moments later, a security officer approached her office, his expression serious. Ma'am, you have some visitors who wish to see you. Let them in, Tamara replied, curious yet eager for a distraction from the day's grim realities. The door swung open, and in walked her parents, Mrs. Becky, her father, is followed by her two younger brothers, Ethan and Lucas. The moment their eyes met, Tamara felt a rush of emotion; her heart softened, and tears of joy welled in her eyes. "Tamara!" Mrs. Becky exclaimed, rushing forward to envelop her daughter in a warm embrace. Oh, my dear, we were so worried about you! I missed you all so much! Tamara replied, holding her mother tightly, feeling the warmth of family after everything that had transpired.  Mr. Daniel stepped forward, a proud but guarded expression on his face as he pulled Tamara into his arms. You've done what you had to do, Tamara. And I am proud of you. Thanks, Dad, Tamara said as she hugged him tightly, Ethan and Lucas, who had been standing back, finally stepped forward, each giving Tamara a heartfelt hug. "You're a hero, Tamara!" Ethan said, his eyes wide with admiration. Yeah, we saw you on TV! Lucas added, jumping on his toes. "You're famous now!" Tamara chuckled, wiping away her tears. It's just a job, guys. I'm glad to see you all safe. As they settled in, the room filled with laughter and stories. Tamara felt a sense of relief wash over her, knowing her family was together again. The chaos outside faded momentarily as she soaked in the warmth of their presence. But as the laughter subsided, the reality of her responsibilities began to creep back in. "I have a lot to tell you about everything that's happened," she said, her expression turning serious. And there's still so much work to do.

Negative manifestations of the ancient dark demonic power.

In the quiet town of Hollow Creek, Dr. Elias Gray was known as a brilliant scientist. After returning from a research expedition deep in the forest near Uptown with his six colleagues, things changed. They had accidentally unsealed an ancient witchcraft power that had been locked away for centuries. Though Elias had returned seemingly normal, something within him was different; he felt an incredible surge of brilliance, an almost supernatural might that sharpened his skills, yet there was an unsettling force growing inside him, gnawing at the edges of his mind. At first, Elias thought it was just the adrenaline from the research expedition, the thrill of discovering something ancient, something forbidden. But soon, it became apparent that it was more than that. In the days that followed, Elias's work as a scientist reached new heights. He solved complex problems with ease, his insights more precise than ever before. His colleagues marveled at his genius, and his reputation within the scientific community soared. He could do no wrong, every experiment perfect, every theory flawless. Yet with each success, the force inside him grew darker, more oppressive, whispering in the quiet moments when he was alone. At first, it was a subtle whisper and easy to ignore. But soon, it became a constant presence, a shadow lingering at the back of his mind. He'd wake in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat, feeling as though something was watching him from the darkness, something ancient and malevolent. One evening, while his wife Sarah prepared dinner and his daughters were watching TV in the living room, Elias sat at his desk, staring at his laptop screen. He was trying to focus on his latest project, but the whispers had returned, louder, more insistent. His trembled as he squeezed his head, Trying to block out the sound. His two daughters, who had been watching cartoons, noticed their father's strange behavior. Daddy? One of them called softly, fear creeping into her voice. Elias staggered, his vision blurring as the urge intensified. He slammed his laptop shut and stumbled toward the kitchen, where his wife, Sarah, was preparing dinner. Honey, are you okay? Sarah asked, rushing to his side as he grabbed his head and groaned in agony. His body shook, and his eyes, once kind and gentle, turned dark, almost inhuman. Elias's gaze locked onto Sarah, and suddenly, without warning, he lunged toward the kitchen counter, grabbing a knife. The dark voice urged him on, filling his mind with visions of drink-blood. 

Sarah screamed, stumbling backwards in horror, her eyes wide with fear as Elias's face twisted into something monstrous. His once-gentle expression was gone, replaced by a hunger she couldn't recognize. He moved toward her with the knife raised, the dark command echoing in his mind: Drink blood. Drink blood. Please, Elias! Stop! She begged, tears streaming down her face as she tried to reach the door. Her heart was beating fast in her chest, but there was no escape. In a blur of motion, Elias bounced, stabbing her repeatedly. The kitchen filled with the sound of her cries, but they quickly faded as he bent down, his lips pressed to her wound, drinking her blood. His daughters, paralyzed with terror, watched as their father turned into a monster before their eyes. "Mommy! They screamed in unison, their small voices full of shock and horror. Elias, now soaked in blood, looked up, his darkened eyes looking at his daughter. Driven by the same unnatural force, he lunged at them. The two girls scrambled to flee, but they were too slow. In his madness, Elias caught them, stabbing both in his frenzy, his hands shaking as the blood of his own family stained him further. And then, as suddenly as it began, the voice in his head stopped. Elias blinked, his mind clearing, the knife falling from his hand with a loud clatter. He looked down at the bodies of his wife and daughters, horror and disbelief twisting his features. What have I done? He whispered, his hands trembling as he took in the blood that covered him. The crimson liquid smeared across his shirt, dripping onto the floor in grotesque splatters. Panic surged through him as he staggered back, his mind racing to comprehend the horrific scene before him. His heart beat fast in his chest, a rapid drumbeat of regret and fear. He could hardly recognize his reflection in the darkened window; the image staring back was of a stranger, a man consumed by a darkness he could not control. The silence of the room pressed in on him, heavy and suffocating. The echoes of his family's cries still rang in his ears, a haunting reminder of what he had just done. He stumbled toward the living room, each step feeling like a betrayal of his very existence.

The echoes of his wife's screams still rang in his ears, haunting him as he moved through the blood-splattered rooms. The bright colors of his daughters' toys, once a source of joy, now appeared grotesque in the light of the horror he had unleashed. His heart raced as he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the darkened glass of the living room window. The man staring back at him was a stranger, his face smeared with crimson, his eyes wild and unrecognizable. Panic surged within him, a desperate need to understand how he had come to this point. What have I done? He whispered, his voice breaking as the weight of his actions crashed down upon him. His mind replayed the horrific moments, his wife's terrified face, his daughters' screams. Each memory felt like a knife twisting in his gut, forcing him to confront the unspeakable reality he had created.