DETHROE'S DARK FICTION BLOG: The New Age Bank Robbers excerpt

The New Age Bank Robbers excerpt

Wicked Witches, Devils & Dragons

© Paul DeThroe 2016

https://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Witches-Devils-Dragons-Collection/dp/1543010792

Tony felt a strange, supernatural-type magnetism towards an old leather bound book that was water damaged on the outside and had ripped pages sticking out crudely. The antiquated tome seemed out of place that it appeared ready to jump off the shelf to get away from the newer, better kempt books that surrounded it.

Tony’s attraction to the book was immediate and intense. When he pulled the old book from its place he could feel a bizarre feeling enter him. He’d have to take this book with him even if he had to steal it. He glanced at the front cover and he almost dropped the book. The book was entitled, ‘Book of the Law’, by Aleister Crowley.

Tony had heard of Crowley before, from listening to that famous metal song that bears reference to him talking to the dead, but he’d never been properly educated about him. Despite the attraction between him and the book, he was a little fearful of it. His curiosity got the best of him though, and he slowly opened it.

Upon reading the first page, which was blank except for a hand written message, Tony’s jaw dropped. The message read, “To Tony, from Aleister. Best.” How could this be? His mind raced and he flipped the pages to until he found that the book had been printed in 1904, which had to be well after Crowley had passed away. He quickly closed the book and took it to the clerk, who’d finally left him alone and gone back to the register.

“This is an exceedingly rare work, young man. Despite its flaws, it could still fetch thousands or more at the right auction. For you, it will be ten dollars,” the crabby old lady glowered.

“I only have one dollar, ma’am,” Tony replied dejectedly, as he pulled a wrinkled Washington from his pocket.

“Then I’ll give it to you on discount,” the lady tried to smile but couldn’t. “That book is bad luck; I just want it out of here. I bought it at an auction last week and ever since I put it on the shelf I haven’t had a single customer until you walked in here today. You look like an evil bastard anyways, all dressed in black wearing women’s lipstick, black fingernails and all those piercings. Take that book and get out of here, quickly!”

“Thank you ma’am,” Tony replied politely, even though he wanted to flip her off being rude. But he was glad that she’d given him the discount, so he bit his tongue and walked out with this peculiar book.

He walked to his girlfriend’s home at a quickened pace, and it seemed that everyone was staring at him as if he were the devil himself. The buildings seemed to shake as he passed them, as if trying to scare him into not stopping in front of them with his wicked book.

Tunnel vision took over. With every step he trod, his destination seemed to move farther away. He became terror stricken by the hallucinations and panic set in. His fast walk turned to a jog and then a sprint. Even though he travelled at a much faster pace than usual it still seemed like it took ten times longer to make it back to Violet’s apartment.