Corpse Eater: The Return

New Orleans

Year 1932

20 years later

It had been years since terror almost consumed the town, if it wasn’t for the holy angel taking the evil and removing them away to leave the remains of smoldering houses. Though the myth and tales that had been brought back up again of how ancient Egyptian spirits possessed three humans. The line of houses by the riverside had been rebuilt, even more so the vacant block where the Edward’s house use to stand.

Few knew that the Edwards perished in the house which one Egyptian demon set a blaze. Though for the Parkers the family was the kind that doesn’t believe in ghosts. Though Jack Parker, being an archeologist and member of the science society is intrigued by ancient Egyptian history and artifacts.

Recently Jack Parker and his restoration crew been busy getting Egyptian exhibit up and running at the museum, his friend and co worker David was staying back with Jack as it was after opening hours. The summer night settled in as the pair work over some ancient books and statues with care.

“You know, that so-called legend of the Corpse Eater is big here. I can prove it to you, what if we can bring it back to life.” David said over Jack’s shoulder. Jack shot a glare at him and proceeded to study ancient scroll. “I wish you stop talking about this Corpse Eater, it’s not real, and it’s just a myth that doesn’t have much evidence to prove it existed.” Jack said as he carefully dusted the parchment.

David groans as he moves around the room in search of something to do. David is an apprentice who is after big opportunity to become well known. He was surrounded by highly intelligent hard working people, though Jack was head leader of the pack and he wishes to take him down.

Jack stroked his slick black hair with his fingers as his blue eyes remained focused on the page in front of him through his glasses. Feeling under appreciated he wishes to prove to the society that the Corpse Eater is as real as its hieroglyphics painted. David dug around the items and shifted a couple of statues to stumble across something he never seen before.

A large stone crypt, looking back at Jack who seemed engrossed with his work David proceeded towards it. Being a young and curious apprentice he just wanted to feel noticed, his blonde curly hair reflected the light and his hazel eyes glazed over the stone crypt at his feet.

Kneeing down he looked over the carvings closely before retrieving the parchment he pocketed and compared them. A smirk formed on his lips before getting back up. “David what are you doing?” Jack said in a stern voice.

The young man looked at him as his eyes went to the parchment in his hand. “Mr. Parker, I’m going to show you that Corpse Eater exists!” David said pointing to the crypt.

Jack arched an eyebrow at him. “David, I wish you will give up on this shamble of a myth. You can not bring that beast back, if you did human kind will be in horrid danger according to the scriptures.” Jack said as he stood next to him.

David wasn’t going to let Jack’s warning put him off. “You don’t scare me, Mr. Parker. I can’t wait to show the rest of the team this.” he said as Jack shook his head.

“You will not show anyone this; it will not be going out on display.” Jack said coldly as he tried to lead David away from the crypt yet he flinched away. “Look, David I tolerated your insolence enough already. You have been a disruptive apprentice; I agreed to teach you due to your father being head boss of the archeology society. I’m sure you could tell him that you’re not worthy of being what he wanted you to be.” Jack said as he tried to grab the young man by the arm.

“Don’t touch me!” he said as he slugged the older man in the stomach sending him stumbling back and clashing with statue of Isis. “Oh no...” he cried as he tried to keep the statue from tipping over and smashing.

David pocketed the parchment which also contained chant in raising the hellish beast. Though the beast needed a body to thrive in, his eyes shot to Mr. Parker who regained his stance and rolled up his sleeves.

“How dare you hit your superior!” he said grabbing the young mans collar both hands and dragged him away from the artifacts yet he received blow to the face as he struggled to keep upright. His glasses fell to the floor as David stomped on them and shoved Jack away before grabbing a wooden club from the display table.

Jack looked at the young man who seemed determined to hurt him. “I can have my father take you out of the society!” David said as he swung the club about Jack dodging it best he could.

“David, I don’t understand why you’re turning against me?” Jack said as his dance about in circles before he tried to grab the club’s end yet his hands couldn’t catch it, before he smashed in the hand causing horrible pain in his wrist.

His face coiled up as he felt that his wrist been broken before he was smashed in the head couple of times, soon his eyes were closed and was in a heap on the cold stone floor. David chucked the club away before hauling the man towards the crypt.

“This will be for everything you taken credit for. I will prove that the beast is alive and well.” David grunted as he dropped Jack’s body down before shoving the crypt lid open to reveal empty tomb.

David looked around the place before he pulled the parchment out and placed it on the shifted lid. “This be better than anything in this room, a real life Egyptian spirit, no mere statues, parchments or anything will bring in the money unlike a real thing.” he said as he pulled Jack’s body and placed him into the crypt before grabbing the parchment and flipping it over.

The hieroglyphics for chanting the beast, David had kept hidden away in fear of loosing it. Grabbing a magnifying glass and lamp he laid the parchment on the table new by the crypt where Mr Parker laid unconscious.

He recites,

“Anubis give me strength, give me the power I beg of you, gives me the beasts life as I summon thy, arise corpse eater and live again on this planet in all of your glory!”

There was silence as David looked towards the crypt. “Why didn’t it work?” he said as he proceeded to go towards it before he leapt back from the bright light that shone out of the crypt. Covering his eyes he rushed back behind the table and watched as a pale hand grasped the edge of the crypt.

David watched as the beast attempted to leave, “You’re not going anywhere!” he hissed before he tries to close the stone lid on it. The monster was becoming restless yet David struggled to shut it in its prisoner completely. The white hand withheld the lid from closing up fully and started to shove the lid away.

“No!” David grunted as beads of sweat glistened on his forehead. The beast growls lowly as he struggles to get his other hand out to help, yet David grabbed a book and smashed it across the white knuckles as it coward back into the coffin letting David close it completely.

Wiping his brow with handkerchief he smiled as he proceeded to leave the premises. Making sure all the evidence was taken care of David turned the lights off and left with satisfaction.

It had been quiet late, as Mrs. Parker waited up in the front room her blind son Darren had been resting in her arms.

“Is father coming home?” he moans as she stroked his hair “I think it’s time you went to bed.” she said as she led Darren into his bedroom. “I wish father spent more time with us.” he said as he climbed into his bed with care, Charlotte, his red headed mother brushed some of the soft reddish black hair away from her son’s blue eyes which were empty looking.

Being born blind Darren never got a chance to see anything, having a father who was more wrapped up in his work her spends most of the time with his mother who stays at home. “I know dear, but your father is helping us live well,” Charlotte said as she bent down to kiss Darren on the forehead. “Goodnight dear,” she said as she moved away from her son’s bedside. “Good night mother,” he replied before falling asleep.

Sighing she closed the door a bit and returned to the front room. It was never like her husband to come home so late, he usually came home at least 10:00pm but it was almost 11:00pm. She was itching to call someone yet she couldn’t call the museum, though she grabbed the address book and made a call to Mr. Adrian, head of the archeological society.

Being in late hours, Charlotte was feeling anxious about waking them up kind of hope someone will be working late. As the phone ranged eventually an old man’s voice crackled over the receiver, “Hello?” Mr. Adrian said as Charlotte sighed quietly to herself, “Hello Doug, I was wondering if you have seen my husband?” she said coiling her fingers in the phone cord.

She waited for a response “I know he and my son were working late at the museum tonight for the big opening tomorrow” he said as he coughed a bit. “He hasn’t come home at his usual time; he hasn’t called me I’m worried about something might have happened.” Charlotte said in a worried tone.

Mr. Adrian took a quick sip of water before talking again, “Look Charlotte, my son just came home and he told me that your husband should be on his way home by now” he said as Charlotte looked out the window.

“Doug, my husband’s car isn’t in the drive way, what is going on?” she said as Mr. Adrian tried to calm her down again “I wouldn’t worry Charlotte, just go and sleep he will be home.” he said before hanging up. Charlotte put the phone down disappointed, she yawned a bit before heading towards her bedroom.

It seemed so empty without Jack there, she hoped he come home and snuggle next to her. She put her dressing gown on the back of the chair kicked off her slippers and climbed into bed before turning out the light. Outside the moon glisten over the river’s surface and reflect the lovely night sky. The humidity hung around as Darren struggled to sleep comfortably.

Far up in the night sky, congregants of angels were having a meeting which Michael, or Saint Michael was main key. “Michael we call upon this urgent meeting to bring up the fact that someone has summoned the ancient demon you once harbored,” Gabriel said to the council.

Some of the most well known angels were listening while Michael stood in prime middle. “How is it possible?” Michael said as he had forgotten about his days with the beast inside him. Now for it to be coming all back wasn’t what Michael had planned at all.

“We had been watching the resurrection area, occurring over the museum. Someone has summoned the beast spirit back to the earth again,” Gabriel said to Michael. The angels talked amongst themselves as Michael was feeling like he is being blamed for this incident.

“Look I will take care of this matter, but I need to be returned earth in a human state in order to seek truth.” he said confidently as the council silenced for a moment. “If I do this, will I gain my higher lichens wings and halo?” Michael asks the council.

Gabriel stroked his chin as he noted the asking for a reward for doing a good deed. “Since you were the one that brought this hellish beast to the lands you should take care of it at once. Your request for recreation will be considered. Yet….you must realize you can’t come back to heaven.” Gabriel said which Michael gave a surprised look at him.

Raphael intervened on the conversation “You can’t recreate him; he is a vital importance to the guardian angels,” he said as Gabriel sighed, “We need him as a human, he can’t go down there and assist in the situation being invisible,” he replied. Raphael pulled Gabriel away as Michael was left alone, he felt at home up here being blessed as a hero.

Everyone was so youthful and young, now he must return to earth below and face old demons of the past. He had never seen Anima or his daughter Nicole anywhere and completely fazed them out of his mind. Soon Gabriel and Raphael returned after small deliberation.

“Michael, if this task is successfully done, you will be granted back into heaven as your angel state once more. We will be ever so grateful for you to prevent evil plaguing the lands.” Raphael said as Michael smiled humbly.

The council of Angels soon left back to their protectors leaving Gabriel and Michael alone. “I do feel afraid; I didn’t wish to go back face everything again.” Michael said as they walked along the cloudy path way in the night sky.

“I understand, yet you’re considered the great warrior amongst us all. It shouldn’t be too hard for you. If something does happen to you we will bring you back.” Gabriel said in a sincere voice. The pair of them stopped where a gap in the clouds formed a hollow decent towards the grounds below.

Michael gives Gabriel a hug before he stepped over the holes fresh hold and descended. Gabriel watch on from above as Michael floated downwards slowly taking up a human state before he reached the grounds he was fully human again.

The glow faded away leaving Michael took look over himself, he was no longer a holy being yet a living human like everyone else. It had been about twenty years since he left earth, yet to return to see a lot of things had changed.

The morning sun was starting to peak up causing the skies to slowly lighten up as a new day dawns. Inside the Parker’s household, Charlotte was stirred awake by her son Darren who seemed very upset. “Mother, father didn’t come home,” he whimpers into her ear as she opened her eyes to see her son on the bed.

She noticed the vacant spot and started to worry, “Come here dear, it’s very early in the morning darling don’t you want to go back to bed?” she yawns as Darren shook his head as she pulled him over to her side and help him under the covers. “Mother what if something bad happened to him?” Darren said as Charlotte held him close to her.

Charlotte was feeling more and more worried as she stroked her son’s hair and looked towards the window. The sun was creeping in through the curtains and lighting the room up, she fell asleep for a bit before knock on the door woke her.

“Maybe that’s him,” she said praying that it was as she leapt out of bed and grabbed her dressing gown and slippers “Mother!” Darren cried as he just laid there helpless as she went to answer the door.

Charlotte felt a huge wave of relief flow over her as she opened the door to feel herself drained at the sight of the white skin stranger. Michael looked at the red headed woman, “Sorry for waking you up,” he said softly.

Michael’s youthful twenty nine year old appearance sent the woman stumble back a bit, “I thought you were my husband, he hasn’t come back all night,” she said as Darren came out of the bed room to pause in the hallway. Michael looked around in the house; it had changed a lot everything he knew was gone.

“Mother, is father home?” Darren said as she grabbed his hand and held him close “No darling, it’s just some stranger. Look, sir my son and I need to sleep,” Charlotte said as Michael remained in the door way, he stared down at the child “I understand, but I’m here to help you,” he said which didn’t convince the pair.

“May I come in please?” Michael asked as Charlotte was a little skeptic as she awkwardly ushered him inside before closing the door. “This use to be where I lived.” he said as he sat down on the couch.

Charlotte scratched her head before sitting down “I don’t understand; this lot was vacant for years. We had a house built on it.” she said which Michael looked at her confused.

“There was a house here, my parents, where are they?” Michael said as he felt lost. Charlotte was a little weary of the stranger’s looks, “Who are you anyways?” she asked as Michael paused in his fretting “My name’s Michael Edwards.” he said in a soft tone that waver touch of sadness, guilt and confusion.

Charlotte nodded slowly before she introduce herself, “I’m Charlotte Parker and this is my son Darren,” she looked over to the blind boy that walked over with aid of a stick. “Hello there,” he said to Michael hung his head before running a hand through his silver hair, “I do apologies, for my intrusion. The next part of what I’m going to tell you may not believe.” he said as he sat back in the chair, his hands folded on his lap.

Charlotte sat her son on her lap as they waited to hear what Michael was going to say next. “I don’t know if you have heard of the story about how evil nearly consumed New Orleans,” he said as Charlotte remained confused.

Michael could tell the pair must have not been aware of it until Darren spoke up, “I knew a friend of my father’s talking about that. My father is an archeologist, they made a discovery recently of ancient Egyptian artifacts they putting in the museum on display,” he said as his mother nodded her head.

“A display at the museum you say?” Michael stood up from his chair. “Yes, he was there last night but hasn’t come home at all. I was planning to alert the police,” Charlotte said as Michael made a dash to the door.

“Can you please take me to the museum?” he said as Charlotte laughed a little dryly and pointed to the time on the hallway clock. “Think breakfast might be necessary first, besides you can talk more about it,” she said as Darren had climbed off her lap allowing her to move into the kitchen.

“Yes of course, breakfast.” Michael said with a small embarrassing smile. Charlotte reminded him a lot of Anima, the red hair, blue eyes full figure, Michael soon stopped day dreaming as he felt a tug on his jacket sleeve

“Are you going to join us Mr Edwards?” Darren said as Michael replied with a yes. In the kitchen Mrs Parker was busy cooking away as Michael sat down with Darren at the table. “I can see you have a very nice home here, I don’t know what happened to my parents,” Michael said as Charlotte cooked breakfast.

“All I know is people think this place is haunted. Stories say that…..” Charlotte paused as Michael looked at her “They were killed, weren’t they?” he said feeling sadness poor into his eyes. “The house burnt down….” Charlotte paused again as Michael eventually got the idea.

“Oh…so…” he said as he dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief. An awkward silence in the kitchen as Michael cried a little Charlotte feeling horrible for him. “I’m so sorry for bringing this up,” Charlotte apologies as Michael sat upright in the chair “Its ok, it’s been so long I forgotten about everything.” he said in a sad voice.

Charlotte plated the food and placed it front of Michael and Darren, “I understand Michael, we need to find him.” she said as she sat down with her plate of food. Darren remained silent as he slowly ate his breakfast along with Michael “I think we should try and find him ourselves, who knows what could happened to him,” Michael said as he prefer not to jump to conclusions and scare the pair.

“You sure you can help us, Mr. Edwards?” Darren asked as Michael bit his lower lip and looked at the boy, “I’m sure I can.” he said in a reassuring voice. After breakfast was clear away and Charlotte and Darren got dressed Michael waited in the front room patiently.

Soon Charlotte emerged from Darren’s room after helping him get dressed the pair entered the front room arousing Michael from a short nap. “We are ready to go, Mr. Edwards,” Charlotte said as Michael looked up at her. Michael seemed to love the colour green; Anima worn green a lot always suited her.

More memories flooded back yet he shoved them aside as he stood up “Well, lets go then.” he said as he opened the door and the pair of them went outside as he closed it Charlotte accidentally brushed against Michael “Sorry,” she said as she locked the door.

Michael gave a smile as Charlotte turned around and realized they don’t have a mode of transportation. “My husband took the car, I’m sorry we might have to catch the bus.” she said as she took Darren’s hand and led him along the pathway out of the gate and Michael followed behind them.

“I haven’t been on a bus in a long time,” Michael mutters as they walked down the road together. “A lot has changed, Mr. Edwards,” Charlotte chirps to him as crossed over the road and walked along the pathway. “Such a lovely day….I can’t feel happiness, without my husband here.” she said as Darren squeezed her hand.

“Yes...” he said as they soon stopped at the bus stop. “What I don’t understand is….didn’t you die?” Charlotte said which Michael shined away from them “Well I prefer not to tell you about that. I’m sorry I’m afraid you won’t understand,” he said as they waited for the bus. Charlotte sighs as they waited patiently.

“You can tell me if you wish, it will be fine if you prefer not too. It’s just nice to have a husband who’s into the strange stuff,” she said as she looked down the street. “I guess it’s unsettling for you. I mean some of this stuff is scary.” Michael said as the bus soon rolled down the street and pulled into where they waited.

They boarded the bus and got seats as the bus continued on its route, Charlotte exchanged occasional look at Michael who sat opposite to them. As they were traveling to the museum, out the back of the place David and cult members were waiting upon his discovery.

“In this crypt lies the Corpse Eater, ancient beast that eats carcasses. It’s been said if the master of the Corpse Eater is the Sekhmet yet the one that brought the beast to life, is its controller over both,” David said cocky-like as he gave the lid a hard shove. His friends waited as David looked into the crypt to discover it was empty.

“Well where is this beast of yours?” one said as they all noticed David’s horrid look. “It was in here!” he growled as he whirled around to face his friends who weren’t impressed. “You promised something big David, you better come through or else we crush you,” another said as David smiled cowardly.

“I’ll come through; I guarantee it though I need to find a woman close to the corpse eater. I need to kidnap Mrs. Parker and perform the summoning on her,” David said as he strode away from the group. “You better or else!” one of the men called as David was feeling the pressure upon his shoulders; he sweated on his brow as he left the cult alone.

Outside the Museum a long line of people were slowly passing through the doors into the large building filled with historical items, most of them there to see the Egyptian exhibit. “Wow so many people here, Darren stay close to me and Mr. Edwards,” Charlotte said looking at Michael who was blushing.

As they paid their entry donation they were allowed to drift through the gathering crowds who waiting for tour of the exhibit. “I think I can give you a tour myself,” Michael said as Charlotte spotted the head of the archeology society “I think I need to see someone first,” she said and headed straight towards Mr. Adrian, a old astute man with grey hair and podgy figure turned to see Charlotte approach him.

“Ah Mrs. Parker nice to see you here, came to see the exhibit I see,” he said as Charlotte wasn’t pleased. “Mr. Adrian, my husband didn’t come home last night, I’m worried something happened to him while he was here” she said sternly as Mr. Adrian gently led Charlotte away leaving Michael with Darren.

“Mr. Edwards, what did you mean when you should you know a lot about ancient Egypt?” Darren asked as Michael walked Darren into one of the rooms. “I just know a lot about that particular time…” Michael trails off as he walked into the room of statues.

All of them he recognizes, their lifeless stares sent chill into him. “Mr. Edward, are you ok?” Darren stutters as he felt Michael shake a bit, “I’m fine, it’s just a little cold in here” he said.

Outside the room Mr. Adrian and Charlotte were in deep discussion. “Mr. Adrian, I trusted you to take care of my husband. I need the police to go and search for him.” she said as Mr. Adrian frowned upon her, “I’m sorry your husband didn’t come home last night. Let’s check out the exhibit with your son Darren,” he said as she stepped back from Doug’s arm.

“I’m sorry Mr. Adrian, aren’t you at least bit concerned for one of your top archeologists?” she said angrily. Mr Adrian gave a surprised look,

“Of course I’m concerned, dear, I had the guards informed me that his car is in the staff parking lot, no sign of it being tampered with,” he said as Charlotte folded her arms.

“I’m going to go and see the guards, to try and get some answers,” she said as she walked away from Mr. Adrian.

Back inside the room Michael was walking Darren around the place, “A lot of great gods existed in Egypt a lot of them half animal, half human all had their roles. Some were good some were bad,” he said as he paused in front of the statue of Ra, the sun god.

Powerful god that he foreseen when it taken over priest Jacob Anderson, the memory came flooding back, as he noticed Darren had drifted from his hand and stood in front of the statue. He stared up at it as if he knew it was there. “Darren, are you ok?” Michael said as he tried to retrieve the child’s hand yet he shoved it away as he was in a trance.

“Darren…” Michael said as he looked up to notice the eyes on the Ra statue had a reddish glow to it. Darren was engrossed by this statue as if he can see it right in front of him. Michael whirled around to hear foot steps coming as tour guide voice below through the corridor.

Michael tried to pull Darren away only to be flung backwards by a strong force. The light from the statues eyes connected with his, “No!” Michael cried as he scrambled to his feet to watch Darren become possessed by RA’s power.

The tour guide heard the cry as he rushed in to see Michael cradling Darren in his arms. Darren had lay limp as the energy flittered through his young limbs. “Is something wrong here?” the tour guide said as the crowd waited in the door way.

Michael got his feet and Darren stirred and stood upright, “Nothing wrong sir, he just fainted,” he said as he pulled Darren out of the room and way from the other people. Michael was embarrassed yet worried for Darren’s safety as he walked down the hall way only for Mr. Adrian to see them.

“Darren, what are you doing here?” he said as Darren wasn’t quick to talk, the effect of the spirit’s possession was overwhelming for him. Mr. Adrian then looked at the man besides Darren with concern, “I don’t think we met before? Are you a friend of Charlotte’s?” he said as he offered a hand to Michael.

“Oh yes, I’m a friend of hers, out of town. The name’s Michael Edwards, and you are?” Michael hand met the other man’s for a handshake, “Doug Adrian, head of the archeology society.” the man said as Michael nodded and let go of the man’s hand.

Darren was still oblivious to the situation as Michael kept a tight grip on the child’s hand “So have you seen where Charlotte went too?” Michael asked as Mr Adrian change the subject “Why don’t we go and have a look at all the artifacts we have on display here today? I wouldn’t worry too much about Charlotte, she will be back” he said trying to guide the pair away.

“But Mr. Adrian, I must see Charlotte now please!” Michael demanded in a tone of which inflicted stubbornness. The tour group started to pass them, Mr. Adrian turned away “I’ll take you to her,” he said as Michael pulled Darren along. Charlotte had been hunting around for a guard who disappeared into the back area.

David had hid away behind a statue to see Mrs Parker wandering around the complex alone. He thought if he can lure her away by giving a fake lead to where her husband is he can perform the summoning upon her. Charlotte lost sight of the guard and soon enough David swiftly appeared.

“Hello there Charlotte, you shouldn’t be back here,” he said as he tried to lead her away but she shoved him off. “Where is my husband!” she demanded yet he stood his ground blocking her way, “I did receive a message about where your husband is. I’ll be delighted to take you to him,” he said as he looked up the hall to see his father with two other people.

“Where is he David? You were with him last” Charlotte said as David lead her into a side room and closed the door leaving the pair in the dark. “David, turn the damn light on!” Charlotte barks before she was struck down by a heavy object, David started to haul her body away.

Outside in the hall way Michael, Darren and Mr. Adrian approached the guard who returned “Have you seen Mrs. Parker” Michael asked as the guard looked blankly at them “No sir, what does she look like?” he asked them.

“Are you sure? She was a red head woman wearing green dress. This is her son,” Michael said to the guard who still looked confused. “I can see that she didn’t come by here, why don’t we just go and look through the display she might be in the ladies room,” Mr. Adrian said as Michael walked Darren back up the hall way.

“Darren seemed pretty quiet today,” Mr. Adrian said as Michael looked down at the boy.

“Where’s mother?” he quirks as Michael looked at the older man. Mr Adrian cleared his throat as they sat down on a bench together. “She is in the bathroom Darren, we are just going to sit here for a while and wait until she comes back,” Michael said as he felt something very wrong with the whole thing.

After a short period of time Mr Adrian stood up, “Well I must be going, I’m sure Mrs. Parker will return,” he said as he quickly walked away Michael stood up with Darren, “Something’s wrong here, we’re going to check this out,” he said as he walked Darren along the hall way noticing the lack of activity.

Outside the building David had bundled Mrs. Parkers body into his car along with the aid of a cult member, “I told you I will get her, let’s get out of here quickly” David said as they climbed into the vehicle and sped off from the scene.

Back inside the crowds were filtering in and out of the building and Michael had pulled Darren around the entire place only to come back outside, no sign of Mrs. Parker anywhere. “This isn’t good, something or someone got Mrs. Parker, oh no!” Michael said as Darren overheard him, “Isn’t my mother here?” he whimpers as he guides the youngster down the flight of steps onto the sidewalk.

“No your mother disappeared, I think I know what is happening I don’t know how or what is behind it” Michael panics as he pulls the child along in a brisk pace. It had been a long time since Michael walked; having no money for the bus being out in public he felt like everyone was watching him.

“What are we going to do, Mr. Edwards?” Darren queries him as he paused suddenly; Michael saw a familiar yet horrifying face up ahead of him staring. It was James, at least someone that looks so much like him, “Mr. Edward’s what’s wrong?” Darren said before Michael pulled Darren along.

The man kept looking at him as he hurried along through the crowds. “Hey!” the man cried that caused Michael to pick up the pace into a jog. “Mr Edwards, why are we running?” Darren squealed as he slacking behind as struggling to keep up. The man was on their tails as Michael took a hard turn into an alley way Darren almost breaking free from his grasps.

“Mr. Edward, slow down!” Darren almost falling over himself as the man behind them was catching up easily. Michael looked behind in fear, oh how James scared him so he thought he was at least safe from being terrified again. The man took a short swift move and over took the pair causing Michael to whirl around only to crash to the ground with Darren stumbling over and joining him also.

Michael was panting and wheezing as the man stood over them “Please don’t hurt me” Michael cried as he got to his feet “I’m not going to hurt you. What made you think I was?” the man said as Michael stood upright, Darren managed to get up feeling a little shaken by the sudden fall.

“Darren you ok?” Michael said as he held the boys hand once more to feel it slightly grazed. “I’m sorry to startle you two, but I’m sure you that you look familiar,” the man said as Michael started to back away with Darren.

“You look horribly familiar to me; you look like foe of mine named James…” Michael said as the man’s eyes widen, “James Faulkner was my father. I’m Richard Faulkner, his son.” Richard said as Michael had a sighed of relief yet still not trusting the stranger.

“I heard about you Michael, he kept talking about he tried to destroy your life, I’m not like him, in fact I’m more obliged to help you out,” Richard said as he produce a business card with Michael took from his hand.

“Mr. Edward, my knees hurt, I think I’m bleeding!” Darren sobs as Richard notes the child’s injuries. “Detective huh, strangely enough we needed one,” Michael said as Richard smiled. “Come with me to my car, I’ll take you two to the station get fixed up,” he said to the pair.

Michael helped Darren walk along as they followed Richard to his park police car. “Climb in,” Richard chirps as the pair sat in the back while Richard remained in the front. Michael felt a little stupid now “I never liked your father, he hated me,” he said in a soft tone as they drove along.

“I understand being different these days that people wants something to prey upon.” Richard replied to Michael. Darren whimpers loudly as Michael dabs his handkerchief over the wounds, it was then Richard looked in the rear view mirror at Michael and the child.

“Your kid doesn’t seem to look like you,” he said as Michael shook his head “No, this isn’t my child. I was looking after him when his mother disappeared,” he said. Richard founded that bit odd “His mother disappeared? What, today how come you haven’t alerted the police?” he said as he slowed the car down.

“We were going to, we don’t know if she still in the museum or I don’t know,” Michael panics as Richard turned to look at the panicking ghost. “Calm down, as long as you didn’t kidnap the child, you’re fine,” he said as they got out of the vehicle and entered the police station. Michael followed Richard through to his office where they all sat down.

“I’ll get the first-aid kit for the kid’s boo boos,” he said as Darren rolled his eyes. Darren wasn’t a little baby; he was fifteen year old whose mother takes good care of. “Look can you tell me what you know about this incident please?” Richard knelt down and placed band aids over the boy’s grazed knees.

“All I know is her husband disappeared last night, while working on some the artifacts that are on display,” Michael said as Richard jotted it all down on a notepad. “May I ask how did you get involved with the Parkers?” Richard asked which made Michael feel nervous, Darren notices Michael’s reaction and quickly step in.

“You see Michael is a friend of mine, he came over to see how we were going and ended up learning about my father’s disappearance,” Darren said as Michael just nodded to what the kid said.

Richard noted the sweat on Michael’s brow, “I take it you have met this boy on several occasions, thus meeting the parents,” he said as Michael just nodded “Yes that’s true, huh it’s quiet, funny really we often run into each other out in the street and that,” he laughs lightly as Richard looked at him seriously.

“Ok then, do you have any idea on how Mr. Parker or Mrs. Parker disappeared?” Richard asks the pair. Michael looked at Darren and mopped his brow with slight dirty handkerchief, “No; I don’t know them well enough,” he replied as Richard noted it down. “So you don’t know anything about who could have done this, anyone with grudges against them?” he asked as Michael shook his head.

Richard could see that they don’t know a lot about the kidnapping and decided to put the pen down. It was then another officer came into his office, “Sorry to bother you but we had reports about a crazy driver on the roads. Almost ran over pedestrians, we have polices pursuing it since it left the back lot of the museum parking lot,” the officer said.

Richard stood up from his chair, “Ok keep following them, Michael can I take you home?” Richard said as they left his office and went back outside again. “Yes just drop me off in Darren’s house that would be great thanks,” he said modest tone as they climbed back into the car again.

As Richard drove the pair home, not many words were spoken as they pulled into the driveway of the Parkers home. “Call me at the station, will call you if anything comes up. Keep the child safe,” Richard said as Michael and Darren got out of the car. “Thank you,” Michael acknowledge as the detective drove away.

He turned and walked along the path towards the front door. “So Darren, do you have a spare key somewhere?” Michael asks the boy who looked blankly ahead at the locked front door. “I do recall mother hiding one under a rock” he said as he tried to poke where the rock was with his walking stick. Michael knelt down and looked under the rock to find the spare key.

“Phew, I’m glad you had one out here,” Michael said as Darren smiled a little “I hate to be out here Mr. Edwards, especially with people out to get me,” he soon frowned as Michael opened the door and led the child inside. The moment they went inside and closed the door, the awkwardness set in.

Michael doesn’t know Darren well as much as he knows him. They lied bluntly to a policeman; it was all a mess now. “Mr. Edwards I’m hungry. Isn’t it lunch time?” Darren whines as Michael sighs as he went into the kitchen.

“Forgive me, I don’t know where everything is kept so a little from you,” he said with a weak smile on his face. After shuffling through cupboards, draws and digging into the fridge lunch as slapped together as Darren and Michael ate at the table.

“So Mr Edwards, I do tend to wonder about why are you here?” Darren said as Michael put his sandwich down and sighs and looked at the boy. “I’m only going to tell you the truth, I’m not real, Darren, I’m an angel well was one of the major guardian angels St. Michael,” He said playing with the sandwich lid.

Darren was a little taken back what Michael just said as he too decided to reveal something. Darren placed a hand over Michael’s, “I think I have seen your parents’ spirits around here. They wanted to know what happened to you,” he said as he looked directly through the doorway into the front room.

Michael looked that way and stared, he swears he could see a slight difference in the air, something liquid like water as it was drifting towards them into the kitchen. They listened as they could hear someone talking to them as Michael stood up from the table, “Mother….Father” he cried as he watched them move about slowly.

Being daylight ghosts weren’t visible to see, yet for Darren to sense ghosts surprised Michael. “They’ve been here all the time, they have been in pain because they can’t leave the earth without knowing what happened to you,” Darren said as he turned his head to face Michael.

Michael moved away from the table as he walked around to where his parents stood. “I can see them, barely. I can feel they are overjoyed or just shocked to see me,” he said as he tried to hug them.

“They do feel that way, Mr Edwards. You must tell now,” he said as he chewed on some of his lunch. The moment was slowly becoming too much for Michael, he wanted his parents to be able to leave the earth and live up in the sky. He decided to leave Darren alone and talk to his parents in the next room.

As Darren sat alone, another voice crept into his mind. One of great depth and power, Darren paused his eating as he heard it. “Are you my conscience?” he thought as the voice replied, “No, you must find the evil. You must destroy it before anything happens. With my help you must co-operate with me or else,” the voice bellows as Darren’s vacant eyes widen as he rose from his chair,

“You I choose to live upon until I’m needed in battle” the voice added as Darren wanted it to stop talking to him. “Battle…. What battle” he asked it as it went silence inside his mind. With his mouth slight opening, small breathes came out as he heard Michael returned to see him standing there in shock.

“Darren what’s wrong?” Michael asked as he held the boy in his arms. “Something in my mind….something scary talked to me…..” Darren said as Michael tried to work out what he was going on about.

“I think I might know what that is. Don’t fear it….there is a reason why you have this spirit inside you,” Michael said stroking the boys head. Darren calm down as he moved away from Michael and walked into the front room, “Did you tell your parents?” he asked before sitting down on the couch.

The boy must been scared and alert to his surroundings more as if his sense are very sensitive. “I did, though they left now. I think you shouldn’t worry about Ra,” he said as Darren’s ears perked up at the name. “Ra, the sun god?” he said as Michael replied with a yes. “My father was fascinated with the ancient civilizations. He liked to travel a lot, I hardly seen him much,” Darren said as he felt Michael sit down next to him.

Placing an arm around the boy he watched Darren rest his head against him “I understand it is hard to live without your father here. Also being different to everything else around you, you’re not alone Darren,” he said in a comforting tone as Darren let a small yawn.

Before Michael could continue talking Darren had drifted in a deep sleep. Feeling exhausted himself a nap wasn’t going to hurt him either as he closed his eyes joining the boy.

Time passed by as night fell out in the swamp lands, a large wooden house wedge between the heavy foliage of the weeping willows and over grown shrubby, a group of hooded figures gathered inside the candle lit house. David had hauled the unconscious Mrs. Parker into the room to be greeted by lifeless stares.

“I brought the victim for Sekhmet. Don’t worry we lost the cops,” he said as he was pulled aside by tall leader of the cult “You better not lead anyone here. I want the Corpse Eater to come out to us,” he said as he let David go.

They laid Mrs. Parker’s body on the wooden floor over a large pentacle while at the foot of a large statue of Sekhmet. “Did you bring the parchment of the chant?” the leader said in a low tone that David pulled it out from his jacket pocket.

“Of course, shall I be performing this ritual?” David said before the parchment was taken from him and pulled to a side of the room where he was met with lashings of ropes to his arms and legs. “Hey, this wasn’t part of the deal!” he said loudly.

Mrs. Parker’s body stirred a little as the cult leader ignored David’s cries. The cult leader took a club from his servant to bluntly bash Mrs Parker to death. David became silent with a gag as the cult members gather around in a circle.

The leader laid the parchment out on the table and they began the ceremony. The members started to chant while a Mrs. Parker’s wrist was cut open bleeding into a cup before piece of the stone statue was place in.

“O Sekhmet, Uraeus on the head of her master, who hides (i.e., protects) him with her flame! Come towards the Living Image! Liberate him; put your protection around him! Protect him from every arrow and from every pestilence of the year! Preserve him from the one who plots against him, for it is he who in his name of Ra is eternally in the sky. --- O Sekhmet, the one who opens the mountains, the one for whom the desert animals have been killed on account of the fear which she inspires! Come to the Living Image, the Living Falcon! Save him; do not permit that your massacre is exercised on him; do not strike him, for he is the one who is protected by his eye.---O Sekhmet, the one who fills the ways with blood (and) who slays to the limit of all she sees! Come toward the Living Image, the Living Falcon! Protect him, (and) save him from every contagion (and) from every arrow of this year hurled against his faculty of sight.”

Soon enough the statue eyes glowed as it started to surround the body before the transition of the spirit’s power went into it while Mrs. Parker’s spirit left itself. David watched as the exchange had processed through and soon the Mrs. Parkers body had reformed Goddess of Chaos Sekhmet and soon settled into her knew frame.

The cult members were successful in the summoning as David wriggled about in his bindings. The ritual was soon over as the Sekhmet awoken to the cult members. Though the members waited patiently for the goddess to call the beast she controls out of hiding.

“Oh Sekhmet, goddess of chaos, call upon your beast,” the cult leader said as she just stared straight through him coldly. “Are you my master?” she said in a cold tone, the spirits form improve and covered Mrs. Parker’s form making her immensely beautiful and deadly to them.

“I am the one that summon you here,” the leader said as David squirmed about in the corner angrily his discovery being ripped away from him by traitors.

“I have no master,” Sekhmet said as she wield a staff towards the cult leader and struck him down. This sent a shock wave through the other cult members who tried to make a run for it yet the goddess lashed out blow after blow until all that remains was David.

Terrified as anything, he shakes violently as the ancient spirit approached him “Don’t hurt me oh great Goddess of Chaos,” he muffled as she held her staff out in front of her. She watched him coward away as small smile crawled across her lips,

“I see you’re not part of the people who awoke me,” she said as she removed the gag from his mouth. David looked to the glowing golden eyes of the woman as she broke the ties setting him free. “Get on your feet now, you’re my prisoner,” she growls as David did as told and the pair left the house into the night.

David walked beside the woman as she paused and let out a long high pitch cry into the swamplands. David plugged his ears as Sekhmet called to the Corpse Eater who soon appeared from the midst and walked over towards them.

David couldn’t believe his luck, he had both spirits in his presence all he needed to do is show the archeological society and get the recognition he deserved. “I can’t believe my luck. I wonder if I could gain some trust with these two,” he thought to himself as the two spirits were reunited again.

The roaring echo far from where Sekhmet was which alerted Darren to stir and wake up to see he had fallen asleep on the couch with Michael. The signal triggered the spirit of Ra inside him causing him to rise to his feet and head towards the front door.

Michael stirred a bit and noticed the weight on his shoulder hand gone his eyes flew open to see Darren opening the front door. “Darren….” He leaped up and grab the boy and closed the door, “You can’t go outside, its night time” he said as he led the child away.

“I heard something, that spirit alerted me that...” Darren’s voice stooped to a deep low, “Sekhmet and the Corpse Eater are together… we must find them,” he said as Michael stepped backwards surprised as Darren’s eyes change to a yellow colour.

“Ra, great sun god, I know you killed…” Michael was soon cut short as Darren glared at him sternly. “I know you harbored the Corpse Eater, Michael; I also know you came back to try and help. I suggest you don’t so much interfere,” Ra spoken as Michael nodded in fear.

“But if I don’t help, I will never be able to return to heaven as an angel,” he said as the boy proceeded forward without awkwardness he used to have, “It’s not the time to think about ones wishes, we must go find them,” Ra said as he whirled around and headed towards the front door.

As he reached for the door handle there was a knock which Ra soon left the scene and Darren returned to normal as Michael opened the door pushing Darren aside to see detective Faulkner was there,

“Michael I received a word who have kidnapped Darren’s parents,” he said as Michael lead Darren out of the house closing the door behind them. “It’s a bit late for Darren to be up and about,” Richard said as Michael bit his lower lip “I think I better put Darren to bed, let’s go back inside,” he said as they went back inside.

“Come on Darren you must be tired,” Michael said as Darren shoved Michael away

“I’m not tired, I want my parents!” he barks as Richard looked at Michael before he knelt down to Darren’s level, “Darren, we don’t know where your parent’s are. I don’t want to worry you.” he said in a soft calm tone as Michael sighed as Darren pouted before he stalked away from the detective.

“He isn’t happy, Mr. Faulkner. I’ll tuck him in bed, we will talk more later,” Michael said as Richard stood up again his face showing disappointment. “Poor kid, I’ll sit out here and wait,” he said as he sat down on the couch. Darren was inside his room tossing toys about before digging out his pajamas from under his pillow.

He was frustrated and upset his blue eyes were teary as Michael entered the room Darren throw a toy at him which he dodge landing against the wall. “Go away!” he cried in vain as he flopped onto his bed crying.

“I’m sorry Darren, I know this is hard. Luckily you got someone here who cares about you,” Michael said in a sincere tone as he sat down on the end of Darren’s bed.

Darren had buried his head into his pillow as Michael, “You don’t understand, Michael,” he mumbles into the pillow as Michael gentle rolled Darren over to face him. “I do Darren, please let me help you out,” Michael said to the boy.

Darren’s eyes soon changed as the golden glow of Ra’s shown through as Michael was drawn into hypnotizing stare. Michael could see the dusty sand lands of Egypt; even feel the heat that the sun showers upon the wastelands. He couldn’t pull away it was like he was being pulled in deeper and deeper before he knew it everything around him changed.

Michael closed his eyes to wake up to the blaring sun light cooking the sands under him which cause him to immediately leap up. Overwhelm by watch happened Michael pinched himself to discover he was wearing linen garments.

“What happened?” he said as a shadow skewered the light, one of which was great power than him. “Welcome to Egypt, I made the times change for a reason. I can’t afford the corpse eater and Sekhmet to cause chaos in the future,” Ra said as he glares at Michael.

Michael could still feel he was entranced by the god’s power; the chances of him breaking back to the real world could be done. “They won’t be spirits in the day time; you expect to see them around the place. Only night time when they are active,” Michael said as Ra grabbed the loose linen drape and pulled roughly towards him.

“Don’t underline my judgment. You’re lucky that I haven’t killed you, if I did then the beast wouldn’t exist either,” he said as Michael’s eyes widen with horror or shock. Ra let Michael go before he started walking, the ghost keeping his distance from the overpowered man.

“Do you know how or why your beast was made?” Ra said as they climbed up a large sand hill to see the pyramids and small camps around it. Michael was still reeling from the transition, where is the holy god he serves? He would be still alive. “I dare ask why oh great Ra,” he said as he stood next to the man.

“Your beast was designed, yet not one we use. You know we preserve our deceased. Yet I believe an evil force created you, designed to scare us. Eventually Sekhmet taken advantage of you,” Ra proceeded down the hill with Michael trailing behind him.

As a hot wind blew across the land and the slaves that working tirelessly for the pharaoh who sat in his palace watching them builds him a new pyramid. “Wait Ra we should stay back here,” Michael cries as Ra turned to face him.

“We aren’t visible to their eyes, besides I shall continue telling you the tale,” he said as Ra led Michael through the camps. “Before my Hathor; that was before Sekhmet infused with her making her complied to destroy man kind. She had fallen for a commoner,” Ra said as he took and turn through the tents and stopped outside the door way of one where Michael looks inside.

He almost gasped to see a man much like himself cowering in the shadows. “You worshipped Hathor, one night she came to see you to discover you’re not what you appear to be,” Ra said as Michael was going to walk into the tent until and strong hand held him back.

“You were somewhat an unknown person here. All we know is that you raided tombs just for carcasses,” Ra said as his face showed anger and hatred. Michael hanged his head as Ra looked at him.

“I have no idea….this may have appeared to me before. Many accounts, but to hear it from someone else I’m shattered,” he said as he walked away yet Ra followed him. “You just carried the evil along, throughout centuries into the future. Many were cursed with the spirit,” Ra said as Michael kept walking, not looking at the great god.

“I deserve to die, I don’t care. I already did die now I’m back to try and end this,” Michael said as he flopped down onto the sands feeling utter sadness conceal him. The hot sands let like acid against his pale flesh, as Ra’s shadow blocked out the sun cast shade over the weeping ghost.

“I hardly show remorse for people who had to carry such a beast. Yet, I know you’re still good in your heart,” Ra’s voice echoed throughout Michael’s head as soon enough the vision had washed away allowing Michael to wake up to a new day. He had fallen asleep on Darren’s bed yet he had curled up with the sleeping boy who was under the covers.

His face was cover with tear trails, his nose was red and sniffling as Michael climbed off the bed and looked up to see Richard standing there. Michael got up a feeling mixed of emotions as he straightens himself up. “You fallen asleep, you kind of left me out there waiting all night. Though I let myself out,” Richard said as Michael walked out of the room closing the door behind him.

“I’m sorry Mr. Faulkner, I didn’t do anything wrong,” he said timidly as he walked towards the kitchen. “Would you like some coffee?” he offers to try and make up for last night.

“That would be fine thanks. We did go out and searched the swamplands. We made a grim discovery,” Richard said as he sat down at the table. Michael fumbles with the kettle and coffee, as his mind played over and over the strange dream he had last night.

“Grim discovery….” Michael mutters under his breath hoping it wasn’t Darren’s dead parents’ bodies. “Yes, several cult members bodies inside an old shack. Apparently they must have been doing some strange voodoo,” he said as Michael handed him the cup of coffee.

Voodoo…could that be part of the great existence of the Corpse Eater. Michael hand little idea of how much or how many people seem to practice this art in New Orleans. “What else did you find?” Michael asks as he nurses his cup of coffee, he showed the signs of distraught restless night upon his face.

Richard notices how Michael looked and patted him on the shoulder, “Rough night, all this worrying you seem to have for this boy. I’m surprised,” he said as he drunk his coffee. Michael sipped his coffee and just nodded sleepy like.

“Wouldn’t you do the same thing if it was your child,” Michael said as his red eyes looked drained and dry. “It’s not your child, though if it was to happen to me…I probably do the same thing you are,” Richard said as he continued to pat Michael on the back.

The pair was alone for a moment as sound of a door opening and feet on the wooden floor. Darren eventually wander into the kitchen yawning and still in his clothes from yesterday all frumpy and bed like.

“Morning Darren, I see you didn’t seem to sleep well,” Richard said as Darren looked at Michael, “I didn’t have a lot of room to move” he said as he folded his arms. Michael gave a small chuckle before he got up from the table and moved away.

“Darren, did you have any unusual dreams last night?” Michael asked out of the blue trying realizing how wrong that seems. Richard watched how shaky Michael seemed got as he put some bread into the toaster. Darren remained silent as Michael sighed.

“Mr. Faulkner, I think we better look on the bright side. Darren gone through a lot I think I don’t want him even more distraught,” Michael said as he waited for the toast to cook. Richard got the idea as he finished his coffee and stood up from the table.

“I’ll inform you of anything new Mr. Edwards. I’ll go myself out,” Richard said as he left the kitchen, he wished he could have told more, thought here are still pieces missing to this case. Meanwhile after a hellish night David managed to get back to his house to be greeted by two concerned parents.

He was covered in mud and dirt and couple of cuts and scratches which altered his mother to his aid. “Where have you been”? His father barks as his son sat down; he was shaking after what the two spirits did to him.

“I…I….” he struggled to form words as his father assumed the worst. “You weren’t robbed or attacked were you?” he said as he headed towards the phone. His mother started mopping the wounds as David was still in shock mode.

It took a lot to try and place the two carries of the spirits somewhere out of the way. By the time daylight fell upon them they had turned back into their human forms which made it much easier to dispose of.

“I’m calling the police you need to tell me who did this to you?” his father said in harsh angry tone. “David is in shock, give him time to recover please,” his mother said as his father moved away from the phone.

David was feeling relief; he is cunning acting his fearful form out so he doesn’t have the law involved into what he was doing. His father looked at him sternly; it wasn’t like he is aware of his son’s mischief side he hides.

“I’m going to the museum today, the exhibit have been a success at pulling the crowd’s in. Later on tonight we will have the party dear. As for you David, I recommend you stay home,” he said as David tried to get from his seat to protest.

“I like to come with you too father, I’m part of the archeological society too,” he said as his father shook his head in dismay as his mother finished up mending his wounds. “Now dear, we will talk to the police about your little run in. I think your father is right your better off staying at home and resting,” she said as she left the room followed by her husband leaving an anxious David alone.

“Phew that was close, now what am I going to do. Should I attempt to bring the spirits to the party? No, that be too risky,” he thought to himself as he slowly got out of the chair and moved into his bedroom closing the door behind him. Far out in the swamplands in a run down shack Jack Parker had recovered from last nights’ torture.

He could feel his wrist was still broken and his memory is fuzzy as to what occur. He knew that David double crossed him, though he turned to see his wife in a heap. “Oh no!” he said as he gently moved her to discover she wasn’t responding.

“Charlotte?” he whispers as he placed his good hand against her neck to discover no pulse. His eyes wield up with tears, the sight of the giant gashes to her head area was grim and dark shade of purple. “He is going to pay; I can’t believe he got both of us. Poor Darren I hope he isn’t alone,” he said as he got to his feet feeling very tired and sore.

He looked down at his wife’s body, inside him the anger raged wildly as he headed out of the shack into the swamp lands. It was going to take Jack a long time to try and find himself back to the town area, yet he was determined to push forward. He quickly paused to put his broken wrist in a sling.

“I’m going to find David and crush him, or at least report him into the police,” Jack grunts as he felt his joints seemed too seized up on him as he walked along awkwardly.

It was going to be a long trip which he could almost make it by nightfall; even then the corpse eater will resurface and consume him once again. Jack was finding it hard to get out of the maze of endless trees, swamps, weeds and avoid the odd alligator yet the sun was disappearing fast from the skies above him and darkness loomed in unexpectedly.

Back in town, the Archeological Society party had begun. Heaps of cars parked in the streets as many couples and families who are part of the organization arrived in the best dress. Inside, Mr. and Mrs. Adrian were greeting guests and mingling around the crowds, with the absence of their son which a handful notices him not to be there that they claim him to be ill.

Ensuring the safety of people at the party, Detective Faulkner was there with couple of police guarding the perimeter, though he tends to wonder if it was really necessary. “I’m going to ask Mr. Darren some questions,” Richard said as he went inside the party in search of the host.

Over at the Parker’s house Michael spent another evening babysitting Darren. After cooking simple dinner, he made a bath for the boy “Darren, bath is ready I hope it’s not too hot for you,” he said to the boy. Darren tested it with his fingers.

“I really appreciate all the help Mr. Edwards, I thought by now they would at least found my parents,” he sobs as he buried his head into Michael’s shoulder. “I know Darren, but are you going to be ok on your own in here?” he asked the boy who shook his head in disagreement.

Michael was feeling awkward right now, “Are you sure, you’re not a baby?” he said as Darren pouts. His eyes has hidden behind his fringe of red hair as tear streams down his cheek which got Michael feeling his pain. “Look I’ll go outside, here you take your bath and so after that you can wear your pajamas on there over here,” Michael placed Darren’s hand on the pile of clothes so he recognizes it.

“Thank you,” Darren said as Michael got up and headed out of the door closing it slightly. Darren was left alone, as he got undressed and climbed into the bath tub. Michael moved away from the door; gathering his thoughts he felt powerless to do anything drastic.

Though he wonders if the ancient spirits will be coming out tonight and starts their chaotic terror upon the town. “It has seemed like forever since I been down here,” Michael thought to himself as he was about to sit down when there was a knock on the door. “Mr. Edwards, where’s the towel?” Darren chirps as Michael decided to open the door first then tend to Darren’s aid.

Michael opened the front door to see Detective Faulkner there “Hello there, did you want to come in?” Michael said to Richard as he carrying his note book and pen, “I got some more information, possibility that could have done murdering of Mr and Mrs Parker,” he said as Michael’s eyes widened in shock.

“Well I guess that’s good news, but is there solid proof?” Michael said as he notices Richard looking straight past him as Darren was walking towards them, slight soaking wet and dressed in his pajamas. Michael gave an awkward smile.

“He just taking a bath, I can see he needed more help than I thought,” he said as he looked away feeling embarrassed. “It’s understandable Mr Edwards but I require the pair of you to come with me,” he said which sent a chill into Michael “What… I haven’t done anything wrong?” he panics thinking he is being accused for molestation.

“I need you to come to the party; Mr Adrian is there I need you and Darren to be present for your own protection,” Richard said as Michael grabbed Darren’s hand “Sorry Darren we have to go out, get dressed and dried off properly,” he said as he led the boy back to the bathroom.

Richard waited patiently as Michael returned with Darren in tow, “Sorry if that has taken a while, I….” he was cut off as Richard led the pair out of the house quickly into his car in the drive way. “You have news about my parents?” Darren said in a delayed reaction as he seemed to be off in another place as they drove away.

“Yes kid, but for now we going to sit and wait a bit,” Richard said as he looked into his rear view mirror to see Michael huddle away from Darren’s side liked he had done something wrong.

“You know Mr. Edwards you shouldn’t be ashamed of looking after someone else’s child especially one with a disability” Richard said as Michael looked at him with his red eyes.

“I know, but it’s strange I don’t want him to become so dependant on me” Michael replied as he fumbles with his white hands in his lap. Darren remained fixated ahead and not listening into the conversation the older men were having about him.

Michael managed to straighten out the only suit he was given from the angels, he watched the scenery go by yet a quick flash of white seemed to pass them which made him jump. Richard looked at Michael’s surprised face which soon relaxed a bit yet remained fearful.

“Did you see that?” he said as Richard shook his head and pulled into the street busy with park cars and people. “Well here we are, climb out and follow me,” Richard said as he parked the car and turned the ignition off.

Michael got out of the car first before going around to the other side and opened the door and helped Darren out who shoved his hand away “I don’t need your help all the time,” he said abruptly. Richard looked at Michael who backed away from Darren.

“The kid is a rather stubborn one, isn’t he?” Richard chuckled as they walked across the street into the building. Music flittering through the air which was almost washed out by the number of people talking, Mr. Adrian saw detective Faulkner return with some extra guests who weren’t invited.

He strode over to them sternly as he wasn’t impressed with his son being a prime suspect in the case. “Mr. Faulkner I suggest you and your friends come with me,” he said as he led them off to a side room away from the party.

Closing the double doors behind them Michael was in a plush lounging like room, book shelves galore, large windows dressed in heavy drapes. “Please sit down,” Mr. Adrian said as all three took up the large couch as Mr Adrian sat alone. Smoking a cigar and carrying a glass of whiskey which he settles down on the coffee table.

“Mr. Faulkner I know your doing your job, but to accuse my son of this grim crime is ridiculous,” he said as he took a drag of his cigar and blew it out into the air making coil swirls of gray.

“I know Mr. Adrian; we have already combed over the scene of the crimes and collecting evidence. Though he have found a club that has your son’s finger prints on it.” Richard said sternly as Mr. Adrian couldn’t believe his response, he started to feel very guilty.

Outside in the bushes a set of eyes watched the activity inside; David could make out bits and pieces of what is being said. He knew that the police could be coming after him. All he hopes is his father covers for him; his other problem was looming closer and closer to him. The Corpse Eater was closing in on him; this triggers the Ra spirit inside Darren who sat still on the couch next to Michael and Richard.

Michael had a sudden flash in his mind as he notice something was wrong. Immediately his attention went to the walls behind them that were soon disappearing. The place started to shake as the loud sound of sand pouring in alerted Richard and Mr. Adrian.

Michael looked at Darren, “Darren, please stop!” he cried over the loud sound. Even more so it was affecting everyone in the function room. Mrs. Adrian was flipping out as people try to escape the place that was crashing in around them. “What’s going on?” Mr. Adrian almost had a heart attack watching everything around them disappearing into the sands below feet.

Outside David spotted the Corpse Eater who made a swipe at him as he jumped through the window and the beast followed him smashing the remained of it. Michael, Richard and Mr. Adrian were all dragged into the ancient Egypt thanks to Ra’s teleportation powers. “David, what you doing here?” Mr Adrian blurt as David lay sprawled out on the sand.

Everything had changed; the desert sun beat down on the large group of people. Darren had changed into Ra and somewhat left also the Corpse Eater too. Mrs. Adrian rushed over in a flurry, “Honey what happened?” she squeals as her husband got off the hot sands dressed in linen drape clothes she clung to her husband in fear.

Mr. Adrian was even more scared as Richard was confused; Michael knew Ra planned this to seal the corpse eater and Sekhmet into this world. Richard turned to face Michael, “Where is Darren?” he said as Michael cover up his head with a hood, “I don’t know,” he said as Richard gave him a cold look. The party of people came over to where they all stood as David was pulled to his feet by the Richard.

“Ok David, what the hell is going on here? I know you’re responsible for killing the Parkers,” he said as David shoved the detective away. “I don’t know what happened, I don’t know how we got here,” David said as he was as baffled as the rest of the group.

It was a disaster, especially for Michael who can’t escape the large group of panicking people. Though Michael looks around the desert as he tries to find Ra, though it seems he might have to go and search for him.

Michael had given the group a side look as he tries to sneaks away yet Richard grabs his arm, “Michael, you can’t just wander off out here!” he said as Michael flinched out of Richard’s grasps. “Richard I know what I’m doing. Problem is what we going to do about them,” he said as the pair looked at the worrying lot.

“I really should arrest David now,” he said as he walked over to the man who was with his parents. “Mr. Faulkner you can’t arrest my son at this time, look where we are,” Mr. Adrian said bluntly as Richard knew. “We are some desert, god knows how we got here,” Mrs. Adrian cries like a helpless lost child.

“I suggest you all stay together, and move alone,” Richard said to the group of socialites. As the people eventually bunched up around the Adrian’s; Richard went back over to Michael.

“What you expecting to do?” he asked him as Michael looked over at the group and sighed. “Richard, I can tell what occurred just now,” he said as Richard gave a puzzled look as a hot breeze kicked up the sands stinging their faces. “Do you believe in parallel worlds or Time travel?” Michael said to the confused detective.

Richard took his time to respond noting the serious in Michael’s eyes before drawing a breath of hot air. “I read about them, I didn’t think they actually exist,” he mutters in a low tone which Michael just nodded. “They do, but for their sake we must have them stay here. Have them go to sleep make them believe it’s a dream,” he said in a soft clam toning which Richard founded the idea to be ridiculous.

Scratching his head through his hat he turned to address the group with the unusual plan. Michael kept looking out along the horizon to see a lone figure covered up in linen garments, struggling along the hot desert sands heading slowly towards the hill they stood on.

Michael venture away from the group before Richard watched him run down towards the figure. “Michael!” he cried out as Michael ignored him and reached the stranger before he halted.

The stranger looked at the Michael before straighten up his bent back. “Who are you?” Michael said as he eventually heard an eerie voice respond, “I am….no one. The man let corner of his mask go to send a chill into Michael’s back. “Oh my god….” he was looking into a man that could be his ancestor.

The man was surprised to see himself and then reached out a hand towards Michael. “You are me... how is it possible?” the stranger said as Michael was weary about touching this mans hand. Richard was still with the group of people trying to explain everything.

People were more in awe or just not believing the possibility of them being shifted to another world. “This is ridiculous detective,” Mr. Adrian barks as the man could see he wasn’t going to convince them at all.

“Michael is with someone,” Mrs. Adrian said as she moved from her husband and headed towards the edge of the hill to strike an invisible barrier. “We are boxed in somehow,” she cried as she thumped the barrier several times.

Her husband came over and started feeling the wall and then turned to the detective, “What is the meaning of this” he barks as everyone tried to spread out to find out the area they were in was fenced off. Richard joined them to see and felt it too, “Michael!!” he thumped on the invisible wall to notice that Michael can’t hear him.

“How are we going to get out of here?” David said as he scratches at the wall, his chance to see Egypt and the gods have been ruined. They were all imprisoned inside a box. “Michael got out of the box, why can’t we go?” he added in an angry tone. Richard was more puzzled now but will everyone believe in the impossible being possible theory now.

Outside the cube Michael and his past self were faced to face. “Where did you come from? I know you weren’t from here,” Michael said as the man retracted his hand back to his side again.

“I was banished to here, because of Romans due to my horrid curse. I can show you everything,” the man said as he flung his hand back out openly as Michael felt his hand jumped into his and then they soon disappeared from the desert.

It was like being in some strange time rift as Michael was scared now as they flew through a blur of images soon enough the trip stopped as they arrived in some roman settlement.

Feeling like he left his stomach back there somewhere Michael wasn’t feeling he was all there, as the stranger begun his narrating. “This is where it began, ancient Rome. My name is Cronous,” he said as Michael found it easy to have a name against a face.

“How did you become this horrid creature?” Michael asked as Cronous saw how impatient his future self is. “I was like this, and felt the horrid brush of being different. It wasn’t until the day which the entire town decided to throw me into the arena to fight for my life. It was horrible, I didn’t want to fight at first but something snapped inside me that made me win,” Cronous said as they moved from the spot they stopped in, to the next spot where Michael could see the fight in the coliseum.

Michael could see the Caesar and his royal party along with Cronous and his challenger all in armor and armed with weapons. “The crowds were all against me, they wanted to see me die yet they were horrified to see me win. From there my grim taste for flesh began,” Cronous covered his eyes as Michael winced at the sight of him gnawing on the body. The Caesar was disgusted as Cronous was taken away from the booing crowds.

“It got worse; they imprisoned me for a while then proceeded to use me as way of disposing dead fighters. I proceeded to grow into this horrid creature,” Cronous said as he skipped through these grim images fast, Michael was feeling very emotional right now.

He wishes he was never probed into this, though now he learning answers he wants to know more. “Of course then, it got too much and being the beast only in the darkness, my human form allowed me to be carried out of Rome and placed in the harsh desert lands of Egypt,” Cronous quickly taken Michael back to where they were again.

Michael was shock to feel everything come back to him as Cronous looks into his red eyes “I was eventually saved by traveling Arab who took me to a settlement” Cronous said as Michael watched once again they jumped to another place.

This time it was in the settlement where the Egyptians and some Arabs live in tents, while some of them were slaves force to built palaces and pyramids for the pharaohs. “The Arab let me stay in his tent, where I learnt about Egypt and the gods and goddesses they worshiped,” Cronous lead Michael to the tent to show what occurred inside there.

“Ra showed me this before,” Michael thought though the scene he saw was different altogether. Watching the Arab accept Cronous into his home was hard to believe, though it’s at least one positive thing in his life.

“Though eventually I fell in love with Hathor, who is the eye of Ra; she was very beautiful, and I pray to her,” Cronous said as he walked into the tent and stood next to himself.

Michael followed inside, “I can see you experience a lot of pain, a lot of pain that didn’t end here,” he said as Cronous looked at him. It was pretty silent between the pair as Cronous turned to face Michael, his eyes filled with emotions. “I know….” his voice sounded husky as he felt his throat was dry out.

Cronous soon walked out of the tent and wipes his eyes, “I wish I died, I didn’t want this at all,” he said in a sad voice he looked down at the ground, the sun stretch his shadow out of proportion. “Cronous, you don’t know how much damage this whole beast has done,” Michael said as he placed a hand on Cronous shoulder.

“Please, I’ll be happy when I’m destroyed. Reason why I came back to the future is to start a new life. I could see that being brought back has brought everything with it,” he cried to himself as he turned and held Michael onto him. The connection they shared was deep; this could change a lot of things even Michael’s existence.

Michael held the man in his arms, “This could mean that I never existed,” he said in a soft tone as Cronous looked up at him from his shoulder. “From there, Sekhmet came... Hathor-Sekhmet the lioness of chaos…. she took me away and made me into the horrid pet for her,” Cronous said as Michael gently rubbed Cronous back, comforting the man as he continued telling his story.

“If it wasn’t for Ra stopping Sekhmet and burning the Corpse Eater, mankind could be completely wiped out,” Cronous said as then something intervened with the situation. The pair stayed close as they traveled once more into a dark interior of a temple, the Ra towered over them.

“Finally I found you,” he said in a loud voice sending the pair apart from each other. “Which one of you is the Corpse Eater!” he asked as Cronous was engulfed by the darkness which brought the beast out of hiding.

Michael moved away yet he saw Ra approached Cronous. “Michael!” Darren cried as he turned to see down on the back wall. The Parkers are together and yet chained up to the wall. “What’s going on?” Michael thought as he moved away yet to be blocked by Hathor.

Michael had nowhere to go yet watch Ra begin to fight the Corpse Eater, Cronous couldn’t stand a chance. “You look like the corpse eater,” Hathor spoke in a deep silvery voice, “No! I’m not the beast,” he said in a panicking voice as he watched the Corpse Eater get smashed into a wall causing slight shake in the room.

“Please let them go!” he said as he tried to get pass Hathor. “You can’t leave, you are to be destroyed!” she cried as she raised her staff, Michael watched in horror as he tried to escape the goddess’s blow which sent him down hard onto the cold floor.

Only Darren was awake as his parent’s remained in a deep sleep “Michael!” he cried again as he wriggled about in his restraints. “Please Hathor, let them go send them back to their time!” Michael cried as he received another blow causing painful cry escape his lips.

Ra had continued to fight the Corpse Eater as struggling to defend himself. “You can never beat me, you will be destroyed and then you will never harm anyone ever again,” Ra hollers as he struck the beast down onto the floor. The beast could only growl and yelp in pain as he was soon beaten and left on the floor like Michael was.

“Is this how it ends….please god…help me… help me and the Parkers…” Michael prayed to himself as he was pulled to his feet by Hathor. It was then, Michael’s miracle occurred as Michael had closed his eyes waiting for the end, yet everything was washed away.

A subtle breeze blew across him as he soon woke up to see a familiar face. “Gabriel...” Michael said in a tired voice, everything around him was white and bright “I brought you back, I couldn’t let you be hurt again...”he said as Michael was surprised by Gabriel’s rescuing.

Feeling a little sore he sat up to look around, “What about the Parkers and Cronous? I don’t know if they stopped it,” he said in a worried voice as he tried to leave his bed yet Gabriel gently restrains him, “Michael, everything is ok…” he said reassuring Michael who soon relaxed.

“You did what was requested, you took care of the situation. We will honor you with your wings and halo,” Gabriel said as he held Michael’s hand in his own. “What happened?” Michael asks as he waited patiently for Gabriel to answer, he couldn’t allow the Parkers to be killed or anything that wasn’t supposes to happen.

Gabriel took in a breath before he started talking again; looking up into the blue sky calmly “The Parkers are back to normal, Ra destroyed Cronous and the Corpse Eater. Cronous will not be resurrected which means you weren’t born when you were alive” he said as Michael sat up a little confused “Then why am I here?” he said as Gabriel placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I know this changed everything, it rearranged history. As for the rest of the people who were taken into that world. They are back where they belong. Nothing on the Corpse Eater exists so no one can bring it back again,” Gabriel said with a smile.

“Michael, you didn’t live after the birth. Without Cronous’ spirit willing you to live, you have been living up here for most of your life,” Gabriel added which left Michael speechless. From there Michael was granted his wings and halo, as for his memories he requested for his past to be erased as so he didn’t even existed at all.

The Parkers were together again with one small change, Jack Parker quit his job as an archeologist and became more of a father to Darren. The Egyptian exhibit was still a big success yet no artifacts on the Corpse Eater were present and the image and legend about the beast was lifted from people’s minds and mouths. No one spoke of the beast ever again.

The End