Molech had returned, after years of imprisonment in the mines he had found the right sacrifice to bring himself back from his exile and now was ready to assume his terrible reign over the Earth. Molech, who demands child sacrifice by fire, who ruled the ancient world, now intended to extend his rule over this new world as well. Muriel was right to run, Molech’s power was growing stronger and stronger. Doctor Forrester watched from the top of the stairs in horrid fascination.

“And now,” said Moloch, “To my faithful Acolytes… A reward.” The Acolytes all cheered and roared, finally, their dark work was complete and would pay off as promised. The cheers died down though as they realised what was happening. Slowly at first, but then more quickly and more frantically the Acolytes, as well as the other men in the bar who had turned on Muriel, started pulling at their faces, gouging their fingernails in until they were drawing blood. They kept at it and started screaming in agony but kept going as if compelled by some evil force until they had clawed their faces completely away.

They then reached for any sharp object they could find, knives, glass, nails, anything they could use as a blade and began to cut their own hearts out. Molech stood and laughed as all of his followers maimed and brutalized themselves and conformed to his dark standard of perfection. They all collapsed where they stood and the room was quiet except for Molech’s laughter.

“Now,” He said, “Rise, my true Acolytes! Having been baptised in blood, rise, you army of Molech’s right hand!” Slowly the bodies started to stand up. Molech walked out of the bar, still holding the now beating heart of Aaron McGreggor in his right hand, and the heartless zombies followed close behind him.

Forrester stayed upstairs until the bar was empty, then quietly crept down to the main floor, trying to avoid being in range of any windows or doorways so as not to be seen. He peeked around the swinging doors to the outside, no one was there. He had to find Muriel. As far as he knew Muriel was the only person who knew how to trap the demon once more. He sprinted across the street to the doctor’s office to find his book on demonology. What he was going to do after that, he wasn’t sure.

He ran upstairs to his bedroom and was surprised but relieved to see Muriel lying on his bed reading his book.

“We’re in trouble, Sug.” she said.

“I was just coming for the book!” He said, “We have to find a way to stop him!”

“This book is garbage, hun. It’s based on silly superstitions instead of actual demon facts.” said Muriel.

“Ok…” He said, “In my defense, I just found out there was such a thing as ‘actual demon facts,’ like, an hour ago…”

“I’m not holdin’ it against you, Sug, I’m just lettin’ you know.” she said. “But we gotta get down to business.”

“Right, how do we stop him? what did you do last time?” He asked.

“It won’t work a second time.” She said. “I tricked him into loving me, and then during our bonding ceremony, I had my girls come in and use blood magic to help trap him. But, he needed to trust me first or it wouldn’t have worked.”

“So, what do we do?” He asked.

“We have to get close to him so we can hit him with the blood magic” Muriel said.

“How do we do that?” Forrester asked, desperation sounding in his voice.

“It’s gotta be you, Sug.” She said. “You have to pretend to be an Acolyte. Or at least, you have to tell him you want to be an Acolyte.” Forrester was at a loss for words. How could he pull this off? Muriel’s tone turned somber.

“You need to be careful, though.” She said. “If you have even the hint of corruption in your heart he can turn you. It’s said no man can resist him. At the heart of all men is the desire to be like a god, and that’s what he’s offering: unholy union with him.” Forrester paused and thought.

“I can do this.” He said. “I’ll be ok.”

“Are you sure?” She asked. “You can run. No shame in that.”

“Yes there is.” he said. “Teach me the blood magic.”