I Saw the Devil

“Don’t do it!” grunted a man from behind her, probably a police officer. She peeked over the ledge. The city traffic below looked like little ants, scurrying to and fro. Her arms were stretched in front of her body, holding the taped up blanket.

“You don’t understand!” she shrieked. In that moment, she let the blanket fall from her shaking fingers so it could be swallowed up by the unaware city below. As soon as dropped it, the high pitched cry of the blanket’s contents, sent chills down her spine. Her baby went tumbling to the street.

A gun fired and the woman fell to the roof of the skyscraper. Red liquid poured from her neck as she choked on the bubbled blood, gasping for air.

“Forgive me, Lord,” a low and painful whisper came from her body. She placed her hand to the wound in her neck, trying to stop the bleeding. The police officer walked up to the injured woman. She was white as a ghost as he stood over her.

“Burn in hell,” he spat to her dying body.

“Not anymore,” the man could almost not make out her words. Instantly, her eyes became glassy. She lay there motionless on the gravelled roof. The police officer sent his boot into her body, causing her limp body to move from her back onto her side. The hand she had used to attempt to stop the bleeding opened from the impact to reveal the bloody beaded rosary.

Two Days Earlier...

“Her name is Annabelle, Father,” the woman uttered to the priest. He nodded his head as he took the baby in his arms. He focused on the infant for only a moment.

“When did you start to notice there was something wrong?” he replied in a panicked voice. The woman shook her head.

“Right after she was born things started to go wrong. People would just die, everywhere we went. I remember all the deaths. They all linked back to her. Father, you must help me! You’re my last hope!” she pleaded. The priest stared down at the baby again, then handed her back.

“I simply cannot help you. This child is beyond saving. I do not know what it is but there is something very unholy about this baby. The vibe is just not right and I don't think it ever will be. I am so sorry, Angela,” he handed Angela back her child and she held her close to her heart.

“Is there anything I can do, anything to save her, Father?!” Angela’s eyes filled with water. The priest was silent for a moment.

“There may be something. Here, follow me,” he led her through the church to a small backroom. It was full of bookshelves. Dusty books were scattered among the room. He took a brown book in his hands. The cover was on the verge of falling off, “this is all I can offer you. Do not be deceived by the pages. You will find the answers in these pages. All your questions will be answered,” the priest handed the book to the woman and she grasped it in her free hand. She glanced at it quickly before speaking.

“But Father! I do not know this language!” she stared at the man.

“Do not let it deceive you. Now, you must go this very instant. You are inviting evil in here every moment you stay with that,” he pointed to the child in her hands. She nodded and suddenly fled the church. She pushed through the stain glassed doors and into the chilly day. She didn’t dare drive a car. Bad luck seemed to cling to the child. If she tried to drive, misfortunate would surely find her. Angela ran down the paved street, glancing behind her every so often. She nearly tripped on several occasions.

A few minutes later, she arrived at her apartment building. She quickly glanced both ways before entering, making sure nobody was watching her. Once inside, she placed the baby on the counter top and hurriedly settled herself on the black leather sofa. She turned the book the priest had given her in her hands. The pages were ripped and water logged. The book had been printed on an ancient parchment that had not been used in centuries. She flipped through the book, looking for the answers the priest said were within the pages. Nothing. She turned the pages again. She could not read a single word of the unknown language. In frustration, Angela threw the book to the floor and clutched her face in her hands. When she finally looked up at the book, she noticed a white piece of paper, sticking out from its pages.