Void

It is hard for the mind to grasp the concept of nothingness. A person thinks they understand, but soon realize that by thinking, there is still something. Pure nothingness is devoid of any singular thing, thought, sound or sensation. That was my first memory. “I am nothing.” That was when the paradox began. First, there were words. I didn’t even know what words were until they bombarded my brain discordantly. I had a brain. I had… a name. “I am Abignal.” I stated with finality. “What does that mean? What am I? Why do I exist? Father… Is that you?”

Benji spent weeks possessed by Abignal, with control taken of the most minute things. First, the nauseating odor of brimstone was inescapable, invading every bite of food and drink of water. It was tiresome, since Abignal made him summon monsters from the book relentlessly. He cited that it was practice for the “real deal”, the day he pulled Abignal into full existence, and made him more than a spirit possession.

Benji always had trouble in life, constantly accused of living in a fantasy. It began in his childhood, when his stories of bringing characters to life from books were taken as mere acts of defiance. When it carried on into his adult life, he spoke to therapists, took drugs, and did whatever they said. He only wanted it to end, but it seemed fate would grant him no reprieve. He experienced blackouts when he tried to refrain from using his ability. Invariably, he’d awaken to some new book he didn’t remember buying, with a migraine that indicated some new monster had used him as a gateway. Benji wasn’t sure why he had been cursed, only that he had been.

Abignal was different. He came to Benji in a dream and built kinship between them. They were both orphans and both wanted to find their father. Benji hadn’t realized that Abignal was from a book, or that he was a demon. Those details would come to light far too late. In the perceived safety of dreams, Benji went on great adventures with Abignal. They spoke of existence and literature, and of course Benji’s curse. It was the first time in his life that Benji hadn’t been treated like a freak or an outsider.

Abignal promised Benji that if he pulled him from his world into the mortal plane, he would rid him of his affliction. Desperation was the only thing that kept Benji going, so he agreed. A deal was struck. Abignal would enter Benji’s consciousness through dreams, and strengthen him so he could pull him through without ending up exhausted afterwards. Abignal would empower him in exchange for his future release.

In his dismal apartment, Benji studied his haggard reflection in the mirror with a dead gaze. He’d not eaten or slept properly in weeks. His clothes sagged on his frame for all the weight he’d lost. Today was the day though, and so he began to prepare, then laughed at himself bitterly. “How do you prepare for a demon to use you as a doorway? Idiot!” he admonished, shaking his head. He left his apartment and headed to the alleyway behind Darian’s apartment.

He kept to the shadows as he stared into the window of the coffee shop. With the powers he’d been granted by Abignal, he was able to make people see illusions. In this case, with the demon in control, he was able to make those illusions more tangible, due to the connection between Abignal and the man he called Father. A satisfied smirk that didn’t belong to him made its way onto Benji’s lips as Abignal delighted in watching Darian sprint from the shop. It was time to begin.

Much as before, the monster clawed its way through Benji physically, willed into existence by whatever power was granted to him. This time, it felt different. He could feel Abignal’s claws shredding him apart from the inside. As he came out, Benji convulsed while he coughed up blood. His expression filled with terror as the bloodied demon stepped out of his mouth and looked down upon him apathetically. Benji pointed a finger at him in an accusatory fashion. “Y-you... promis- “The word ended on a strangled sound as Benji choked on his own blood and heaved his last breath with a rattle of death. Abignal watched all of this and could only grin maliciously. He crouched beside Benji’s body and grabbed his head with a yank of hair. “I promised I would end your curse Benji. You really should read the details when you consort with demons.” He threw his head to the ground and faded from sight. It was time to meet Father.

Darian froze in Abignal’s grip, his hand shook as he clung to the doorknob, unable to move. “No Abignal. You don’t exist. I made you up. This can’t be happening! Abignal spun him around forcibly and slammed him against the door, hissing in his face. Since he wasn’t possessing a host, Darian looked upon him in his true form, just as he’d written him. Abignal was vaguely humanoid but made of ash and fire. He had goat’s legs, a lithe torso, and enormous twisted horns that jutted from his forehead boldly. Darian stared at him in terror, and shook in his grasp. Abignal leaned closer and hissed softly in his ear.

“I am not going to kill you old man. I have a far better plan for you. I will learn once and for all why I exist and where I come from. You will build a new world for me. I shall never die, Father.” He then dissipated into thick sulfuric smoke and forced his way into Darian’s mouth. Darian choked as the demon took over his consciousness and then blissfully passed out. When next he awakened, he sat in front of his typewriter that had a blank page. “Time to get to work, Father.” He mumbled aloud as he began to type.