The Hole

29

“Ri linn dioladh na beatha, Ri linn bruchdadh na falluis, Ri linn iobar na creadha, Ri linn dortadh na fala.”

The neon lights failed all at once, exploding in a burst of fragments that fell around Janet and Bill and causing the chant to falter and come to a halt.

Silence descended in the chamber. Darkness crept in the corners, and red eyes stared out at them.

Bill washed light from the gun where he could, but as soon as he passed a dark area, the shadows firmed again and demons came forward. He stepped away from Janet, obviously intent on getting closer to the alcoves. She tugged at his shirt.

“Stay in the circle,” Janet said. “We need to start the chant again.”

“We need to get out of here. Right now,” the sheriff replied, and sent a volley of shots towards the bookcase alcove where the shadows were thickest.

“No,” Janet said softly. “The chant is the only thing stopping it. If we leave now, it wins. We need to buy the others time to escape.”

She started to chant again, feeling her throat tear, but putting everything into it, almost a scream this time.

“Ri linn dioladh na beatha, Ri linn bruchdadh na falluis, Ri linn iobar na creadha, Ri linn dortadh na fala.”

Bill looked her in the eye.

“Janet. We need to go.”

He put out a hand. She took it, and pulled him close. She couldn’t stop the chant; she knew to do so would be the end of them all. Bill pulled against her, but not for long. She saw it in his eyes first before she felt his body relax.

He’s staying.

The sheriff joined his voice to hers and once again the chamber rang with a chorus of chanting. Demons crowded all around the circle, red eyes flaring.

But none would cross the lines in the rock.

The encroaching figures moaned.

Weemean.

The floor underfoot shook, threatening to throw them off balance. Dust, then pebbles fell from the roof as the tremors increased. Janet kept chanting.

“Ri linn dioladh na beatha, Ri linn bruchdadh na falluis, Ri linn iobar na creadha, Ri linn dortadh na fala.”