The Jinn of Harran

I just kept walking, numb against the wind. It blew through my tattered clothes, sending involuntary shivers through my body. The air was heavy with pressure. You could see the clouds rolling in, ready to drown you.

“I have to push forward. She needs the medicine. She won’t make it another day.” Her face flashed before my eyes. Tired, bruised eyes smiled back at me with love.

“Ugh.” I winced at the thought, stumbling forward from the sharp pain in my chest. My grip on her necklace tightened. “This will protect you from the scary monsters, dad.”

“No!” My teeth ground together, clenching my jaw. “I have to stay alert.” Their moans and groans were all around me now- cries from discomfort and burdened pain echoed. I couldn’t see them, but they were close.

The moon was high up now, and I wasn’t anywhere near the Safe Zone. “I don’t have any time to waste. I have to go through them.” I inhaled and exhaled- once, twice, and I jumped down from the rooftop. I started jogging, and that’s when they came.

Their mutilated bodies shone red and pale green under the moonlight. I tasted the rotting, metallic flesh on my tongue and gagged. One of them jumped out from behind a car. I twisted and turned around just out of reach. I ran forward- one, two- no, three more came in front of me. I could barely make out their silhouettes, but I could tell this area was dense with them.

“Damn it!” I turned and jumped the fence to my right, but my jacket got caught on the edge. They started jumping up on it, bloodied fingernails grazing at my skin through the fence.

“Look what we have here! A straggler.” I turned to find a group of men with shotguns pointed at me.

“BAM!” One of the biters was blown off the fence. My jacket ripped, and I fell in front of them.

“You are one insane son of a gun!” An older grey haired man pulled me up, examining me.

“I’m indebted to all of you. Say the word, I’ll do whatever you want after I get some medicine to my daughter.” They all started commenting, but there was another voice. I turned my head to listen. It was so faint.

“Dad…” It was like a whisper against the wind. My breath caught. “It can’t be.”

“Hey, you alright there, man?” I ignored him. I stood up and walked toward the lake in front of me. A hand grabbed me and I jumped, cold fingers against my pulse. “Everything has a price. Are you willing to do anything?” I looked down at his hand, a burning black mark etched into his skin, then I heard it again.

“Anything.” I stared out toward the lake, straining to hear.

“It is, and so shall it be. The sign of the Jinn of Harran. There is no mercy where there is sin.” His grip tightened, but I pulled my hand and stepped forward.

“Don’t mind him. It’s just an urban... Rose?” I turned to look at the old gentleman that spoke. His smile turned into concern, brows furrowed together, eyes blinking quickly. The man twisted around in a panic, looking at the lake. “Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?” I felt the vein in my neck throbbing. I stepped forward and fell to my knees. A deep buzzing flooded my head with pressure. “What’s… going… ugh!”

“Ahhhhh!” I twisted around at the scream. Cries and wails filled the night air. Lightning lit up the sky and I crawled back, away from the horror. The lightning casted dark shadows across the dead bodies all around me.

“These are the signs of the Jinn, so reflect. Listen closely, hear the voices connect. It’s luring you in, the ringing commences. Whips split the sky, you’re losing your senses.” Shadows swirled around me. I turned my head, but the voice was coming from everywhere. Deafening thunder shook the ground. I covered my head as crows dived around us.

“Explosions are bursting, the crows are thirsting. The numbness sets in, now witness the cursed thing.” Visions of demons flooded my eyesight. I pushed myself back, trying to escape and turned to run for it. One step, two… I fell in the water… gasping for air.

“I need to get this medicine to my daughter. I’ll do... anything.” I wadded through the water, but I could no longer see where I was going. The water was drowning me. I could no longer speak. I sank further and further below the murky waters. Hanging on to her necklace.

I rose up, gasping desperately- heart pounding against my rib cage, choking me for air. I gasped and shook, digging my fingers into the sheets for stability. I inhaled, and things finally fell into focus. I was on a cot in a small room. I looked around and my eyes landed on my daughter’s necklace laid on the desk beside me, curled up against the medicine bottle.

“It must have been a nightmare.” I smiled, exhaling with relief as I grabbed it and ran to find her. I ignored everyone on the way there. I just wanted to see her face. I made my way to her bed slowly.

“Ava, wake up sweetie. I have your medicine.” I touched her forehead ever so gently, but she broke out in a sweat and started to toss and turn. I lifted my hand in a panic, noticing the black mark on my palm. I froze, staring at it. The same mark I saw on the man’s hand in my… dream.

Ava’s body went still and her eyes burst wide open. “These are the signs of the Jinn, so reflect. A mark chosen sin to now resurrect.” I backed away from my daughter, breathless. I stumbled back against the desk and turned to catch the shaking vase. I froze. In the mirror’s reflection stood a demon- a deathly smile carved its face under black smoking eyes.

“A soul for a soul, the tale must continue. To keep man afraid, the sin is within you.” I turned to look at her, but her body went limp. The medicine bottle crashed on the floor, yellowing the wooden floor boards.

“Ava...” My voice was not my own. I felt my sanity slipping. The anguish rose up inside me and I broke.

“You want a monster?!” My eyes felt like they were on fire.

“You’ve got one.” My body turned. It no longer felt my own. I let it overtake me as it admired its new form. I caught a glimpse of her in the mirror, pale and cold. My eyesight darkened.

"Forgive me."