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LaShawn and DeMarcus look at each other. Their eyes race around the huge front room of the thrift store.
After a few minutes of looking around, they both shrug their shoulders and get back to their drawing competition. DeMarcus attempts to draw, from memory, the Scorpion Locusts that tortured man for five months. LaShawn is trying to invent his own creature, one surely scarier than what his brother is drawing up.
They both lie on their bellies facing each other. A dirty but fairly sturdy cardboard box separates the twins. It is keeping their drawings top-secret until the reveal of who can draw the scariest monster.
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Both boys' eyes enlarge.
"What is that?" DeMarcus asks.
LaShawn shakes his head. "I don't know. But it's creepy sounding."
They eye one another, distrusting that the other will not peek before the reveal. They each place several sheets of construction paper over their masterpieces so no one can see what they are drawing. The identical brothers rise in unison as if choreographed for years by a professional stage instructor. They stand back to back and begin desperately searching the rafters.
A shuffling sound echoes from above. The boys lock their eyes on a specific section of the rafters. As if on cue, they both hunch down, leaving their eyes glued to the few remaining broken tiles in the ceiling fifteen feet high. Both front room defenders turn their pencils around, holding them as a sharp weapon. Something scary is up there.
The shuffling and rustling have their minds racing at terrified speeds. Something is definitely going to lunge out after them at any moment. No question it will be demonic, trying to kill them both.
RAWWWR!
Charcoal comes flying through the air, just missing the ceiling tiles holding the creature. The cat lands a couple of feet from where the boys are huddled, watching and waiting.
The cat lands awkwardly and hurts his paw. "MEOOOOW!"
The exact moment the feline lands and screams out, the boys KNOW the monster is coming.
"AGHHH!!"
Gwen and LaTroy come running to the front. Gwen has some sewing scissors. LaTroy totes his iron bar. They are there in an instant.
"What's going on?!" LaTroy asks, near shouting volume.
The boys come to, no longer concerned with the demons in the ceiling. They both rush to a limping Charcoal. They hover around him, petting, protecting.
Then DeMarcus remembers the creature and looks to his protective father. He points to the ceiling. "There's demons up there, Dad."
LaTroy grips his iron. His knuckles crack. His grip is unwavering. He looks to Gwen and whispers, "Get the boys against the wall."
Gwen offers a single nod, then watches the ceiling as she slowly ushers the boys over to the wall.
With Gwen and the twins off to the side of the room, LaTroy focuses on the task of extermination, or protection, or survival. He will sacrifice himself if he has to.
He takes a few deep breaths. His face grows rigid, determined. "In the Holy name of Jesus, demons, I command you to show yourselves!"
The twins nod their heads vigorously. They approve. Gwen does too.
The Holy command echoes. Whatever monsters are hiding in the ceiling tiles feel the power of the Lord's authority. The rustling starts again. White dust from the broken ceiling tiles falls on LaTroy's face. He takes a few steps back and winds up the rusty iron bar. He is ready for the unholy spawn to come rushing his way.
Nothing.
The rustling ceases. The stirring behind the tiles fades.
LaTroy tilts his head in confusion as he looks over to Gwen.
She shakes her head and mouths, "I don't know."
Ellis, Rose and Becca come rushing into the front of the thrift store. They see LaTroy's posture and the trio pinned against the wall. LaTroy holds a hand up, stopping them in their tracks. He places his index finger against his mouth, silencing any potential noise or talk. He slowly points up to the tiles before regaining his firm grip with both hands on his weapon.
Seconds feel infinite. The creature is still hidden, frozen by the name of Jesus. LaTroy does not move a muscle. He is a protective statue waiting to pummel the demon when it strikes. It will most definitely strike.
Silence. Tension. Unease and fear are the lead characters of this encounter.
WHAM!
The front door flies open with Tanner tripping and falling through the entrance. The supply run goods roll and are strewn across the floor. Jake is quickly inside behind him.
The monster flies from the ceiling with purpose. A brownish-gray top dresses the demon with dull, earthly colors. A light-orange belly which fades into a paler buff color toward the chest can be seen as it hurls its body at the team. It has a black tail. Skinny, twig-like legs with sharp talons on the feet are nothing short of terrifying. The attack has begun.
Gwen loses it, hunching over and cracking up. She half speaks, half laughs aimed at the twins. "That? HA HA, THAT is your demon?"
LaTroy lowers his iron and shakes his head in annoyance. "A bird? Really?"
Ellis, Rose and Becca join in on the laugh-fest. The tension giving way to comical relief is far better than what they were all worried about.
LaShawn, mildly embarrassed, reaches for a distraction. "Well, um, Charcoal got hurt. Don't laugh!"
The plea falls on deaf ears. The roar of laughter eventually has every single person present rolling. A much-needed team release can be heard for a hundred yards.