Seanday Repost: Devil Dog

As it's Halloween thought I'd re-post this story from way-back. Hope you enjoy it.

-- Trick or Treat...

-------------------

It was late afternoon when I went to meet Edmond, he'd just finished work. I could tell he'd been working hard as the sweat on his body glistened in the sun, I really couldn't resist taking a photo.

As I looked through the camera I saw Christian, one of the guys that worked with Edmond. Then something quite strange happened, the image blurred and refocused on him but his face had changed into something quite different. It showed the head of a dog on his shoulders; it had brilliant red skin with large ears. I returned my gaze to Christian, only this time I saw this creature without the need for the camera.



"Holly SHIT!" I screamed.

Turning I grabbed Edmond and ran as fast as I could. Looking over my shoulder I gasped as Christian came running after us, he was catching up fast with giant inhuman strides.

We both ducked down a side alley but suddenly my grip on Edmond's hand was torn from mine. I turned to see Christian crouched on all fours on my friends back, and with a leap he launched himself tripping me up. I tumbled into some trash cans cracking my head and a dull darkness enveloped my consciousness.

I don't know how long I was out of this living nightmare, but when I opened my eyes I could hear voices; one I knew as Christian's the other a woman.

Blinking a couple of times the visage Christian's dog like face came into sharp focus. I gasped under my breath as I saw Edmond still unconscious, the creature had it’s boot squarely in my friends back. Inside my heart was pounding but had the sense to remain still. it looked over, but then returned its gaze to the woman who appeared to be called Melissa, I slowed my breathing trying to keep calm as I listened.

"Its amazing how manipulative I can be in this woman" Melissa purred as she pulled up close to the creature stroking its stubbly muzzle.

"You revolt me wearing that bitch-skin. It's below your standing to be seen in such a weak form." It growled deep from within its throat.

"It was my choice," Melissa retorted, "means to an end." She traced a finger down the creature's chest looking up into its stony cold eyes.

It snorted, pushing her hand away. "You enjoy the form too much, you've become weak." There was an air of superiority in its voice.

"Really?" There was a sharpness in her tone, and without warning she lashed out. Long claws ripped through her finger tips as she slashed across its pectorals.

It flinched, but made no sound. Blinking slowly it looked down, as streaks of crimson appeared. Its face contorted in anger, it growled, "Stupid bitch! You forget who you’re dealing with." With a backhand swipe, it caught Melissa across the cheek sending her flying over my head and into the garbage cans. Showing no concern for the girl its face contorted into an unnatural grin, filled with rows of canine teeth.

Looking down the creature picked at the open wound, "Pity, this form pleased me. It had an air of superiority that made other human beings uneasy; a useful tool."

Without a second thought it slipped its fingers inside the wound and pulled. A sickening unearthly groan could be heard, though not from the lips of the creature.

The firm toned body parted, falling to the ground revealing its true form; Anubis, guardian and the protector of the dead. With a growl it stretched, a muscular body with the head of a jackal. With distaste the creature kicked the discarded skin away leaving a trail of blood.

With a tip of the head its cold eyes turned to look in my direction, a shiver snaked its way down my spine.

I quickly realised it was Melissa who'd caught its attention. I could hear her growling behind me, but I dare not move; not yet.

I felt her step over me, like some kind of discarded waste, I closed my eyes again as the hairs on the back of my neck prickled. Hearing talking again I dared a look, she was talking to the creature. She turned and I gasped again, her beautiful face was ripped revealing the same jackal face.

"You fucking idiot." She snarled in its face. It turned showing little interests in the threats.

"I need a new skin now," She looked down at Edmond and with a toothy grin, "He'll do for now." I watched in horror as she grabbed his foot and dragged him out of sight. I wished and hoped that somehow Edmond would escape but all I heard was the ripping sound I'd heard before, a tear formed and I closed my eyes.

My heart skipped a beat when I heard Edmonds voice, through the tears I looked up to see him walking over to the creature. He was brave, fearless with a look of contempt in his eyes.

What he said next made my heart sink to its lowest.

"This form is adequate, perhaps you were right; the bitch although manipulative was weak," The creature that appeared as Edmond flexed its bicep, "Yes, this one is strong."

I knew Edmond was lost.

Time was running out for myself, so with a jump I was on my feet and running down the alley. I'd gotten half way when I felt a chill, a cold hand grabbed my shoulder pulling me to the ground.

It growled, "This one has cunning and grit."

With ease it pulled me to my feet, and for the first time I was face to face with the creature, it had an evil loathsome look in its eyes. It sneered at me; bearing it's teeth. I knew what awaited me, I was grateful for the fact Edmond was unconscious when his time came but I feared I wasn't going to be so lucky.

With a single lunge, the creature opened its jaws taking my whole head and then my life turned to darkness. I was surprised when I regained consciousness, if you could call it that. My vision was upside down, my hearing dull my mouth dry. I could hear Edmond talking again; his voice was getting louder.

I tried to turn but was too weak, I could only wait. Then it occurred to me why the world was upside down, I was tossed over the creatures shoulder like a piece of clothing. It was then I realised that's all I was.

The creature pulled me from his shoulder and held me up turning me from left to right as if studying my form; "Yes, I think this will serve me well."

Edmond spoke, "Yes, from what I've gleaned they're more than just good friends."

The creature held me up high looking into my eye's knowing that I was able to see and hear. "Soon you will have the honour of concealing, my true form. Allowing me to continue my duties on this earth."

I was shocked when it's clawed hands pulled at my mouth stretching it wide. My gag reflex, shuddered as it pushed a leg into my mouth closely followed by the other.

My own weakened form, became stronger; much stronger than it had ever been before as more of creature invaded what was left of my body. Euphoria flushed my senses as it wriggled and pulled my form up over it's own, ultimately forcing its arms down my throat and into mine.

Tired and exhausted, suddenly my eyes blinked open and I saw Edmond's smile in front of me. That smile, that disarming grin he always used when he was in trouble. Then I remembered he was nothing more than a puppet, like myself bending to the whims of those we where concealing.

In a window I saw my reflection and felt sick. It was just as I had always seen it, perfect in every way - my life belonged to someone, something else now I was just a passenger in whatever it desired.

A deep loathing of the creature that inhabited me surfaced as I was made to sling an arm around Edmond's shoulder and leave the alley like nothing had happened. I still felt his soft lips as he kissed me on the cheek, my stomach would have turned if I had one knowing it was the other creature using poor Edmonds form.

I would have cried if I could.