Demon

Part Four

Inspector Glenair looked out of the window, whilst his Sergeant searched Professor Durlish’s flat. Sergeant Ross was bored, and wanted to get out as soon as possible. A quick tour of the rooms had told him all he needed to know, or wanted to know for that matter. The book shelves were full of occult texts, mixed in with more academic tomes. The pictures on the walls were arcane and weird, perhaps even evil. The place gave him the creeps, but a thorough search was required in a missing persons case, if only to keep the paperwork in order.

'Found anything?' asked Inspector Glenair, as Sergeant Ross emerged from the bedroom.

'Nothing sir. I mean, there's weird things in there, crystals and spell books and that sort of stuff. Very New Age. But there's no sign of a break-in or a struggle. Nothing seems to be missing.'

'Only the occupant, Sergeant.'

'Yes sir.' Sergeant Ross forced a smile at the weak joke.

Glenair picked up a book and leafed through it idly. It was an academic text on modern-day witchcraft. Something had been inserted, halfway through the tome, as a bookmark. Glenair inspected it, and saw that it was a photograph. A group of men stood in a semi-circle, wearing robes and smiling at the camera. In the centre of the picture was a figure that Glenair recognised as Professor Durlish. Glenair slipped the photograph back into the book, and put it on a table, next to several others that had caught his interest.

A key turned in the lock of the flat’s front door. Someone entered, but it was clearly not Professor Glenair.

'I know you, don’t I son?' said Inspector Glenair to the youth who had just walked in.

'Yes. I spoke to you a few days ago,' said Peter. 'You were talking to students on the campus about Professor Durlish. You said you were investigating his disappearance.'

'And now here you are in his flat.'

'So are you, officer.'

'Don’t get clever with us matey,' said Inspector Glenair. He was tired and he wanted his lunch. 

'So what brings you here? What’s your relationship to Professor Durlish? Are you his boyfriend?' asked the Inspector.

Peter’s face reddened. 'No, no. Nothing like that. I’m simply, well, a keen student.'

'One who has a key to his teacher’s flat?'

'Yes, I pop in sometimes when the Professor is away, and water the flowers. And feed the cat.'

Inspector Glenair took a hard, professional look at the youth before him. Then he appeared to relax. He shrugged his shoulders.

'Ok son, we’re off.' He made eye contact with Sergeant Ross, indicating it was time to head for the pub. 

 'I’ll let you know if I hear from the Professor,' said Peter.

Glenair picked up the pile of books and documents that he had collected from around the flat. He followed his sergeant out of the door, stopping only to mutter, 'Sure, you do that,' before shutting the door behind him.

The police officers climbed into their Mondeo, and Sergeant Ross drove the car in the direction of the nearest pub.

'What do you think sir? You think that boy did the Professor in?'

'Unlikely Sergeant. But I'm sure a few pints will help us to think the matter over.'

'It's all a bit strange though, isn't it sir? I mean, all those people down at Stonely Park went missing, including the Vicar of Saint Lud’s. And the Professor seems to have disappeared as well. Into thin air, almost.'

'People don't disappear Sergeant. Now let's get to the pub shall we?  And one other thing.'

'Yes sir?'

'Use the siren and put the flashing lights on will you. The traffic's terrible today.'    

                                                                        ***       

After the police had gone, Peter sat down in an armchair. He closed his eyes. He felt very tired. When he opened his eyes again, he realised he had been asleep for some time. Glancing up at the clock on the mantelpiece, he saw that it was past midnight.

It was a cold night, but that did not trouble Peter. He walked out into the garden. In the middle of the lawn, an ironwork table was surrounded by wooden chairs. Peter sat down at the table. Above, the stars shone in a cloudless night, dimmed only by the glow of the city lights. There was no moon.

The sleep had refreshed him, and he could feel the energy from his recent meal beginning to flow into his body. He had a slow digestive system, and it would take him a while to fully feel the benefit. 

The Professor's garden was surrounded by high hedges, and no windows overlooked the lawn where Peter was sitting. But if a passing cat had been lurking in the shrubbery, it would have gazed out on a strange sight. For, relaxing back in his seat, Peter shifted silently into the form of Professor Durlish. The figure in the chair then assumed the appearance of the Reverend Halpston, and the other participants from the ceremony at Saint Lud's, each in turn. Finally, he briefly took on the dimensions of his late girlfriend Julia. A few moments later, he became Peter again.

He reached into his jacket pocket, took out some cigarettes, and lit one. He looked up, and watched a tiny white dot pass swiftly through the heavens. A communications satellite perhaps.

Peter considered his options. He'd been here a fair while now, and perhaps it was time to move on. Julia's disappearance didn't seem to have been noticed yet, but it could surely only be a matter of days. And then even the stupid local cops would realise that he was involved in the murder of a number of people.

But there was no question of travel until the meal had been fully absorbed. He could still hear tiny voices at the back of his mind, screaming to be heard. Soon they would go silent, as they were assimilated into his being. Julia had already lapsed into silence.

The hand that held the cigarette slowly became a claw. Assuming his true form, he stretched out membranous wings, and let them absorb some of the starlight that fell onto the garden. It felt good.

Soon, he thought. Soon it would be time to travel out into the darkness. Somewhere in the void there would be a place where he could while away another century or two. But perhaps not quite yet. He felt an urge to absorb the flesh and souls of a few more humans, before moving on. And Inspector Glenair and his Sergeant had looked like they would be absolutely delicious. Reverting to his human form, Peter closed his eyes. He felt that he was beginning to drift away into sleep again.