Hear the Blood Scream
The world-famous psychologist Dr. Fredrick Brenner stood in his apartment and looked over the dark street outside. Wind whistled through the broken storefront windows, and streetlights cast a rippling yellow glow across the rain-smattered sidewalks.
“Damn Seattle weather.”
Dr. Brenner strode across the tattered Victorian carpet and tried to ignore the shadows that flitted across the crumbling white walls. He was deathly tired but he knew that he couldn’t fall asleep. If he fell asleep, the imp would return.
“Damn single-star hotel.”
He glanced about the room warily. Aside from a single filthy cot pushed against the far wall, the apartment was completely empty. He noticed that the bathroom door hung crooked on its hinges, and he could smell strong industrial strength cleaning fluid in the air.
“Damn lazy-ass landlord.”
Brenner released an agitated sigh and lapsed back onto the creaky cot. The springs were stiff and poked into his back, but it still felt good beneath his weary muscles. He hadn’t slept for almost three days and the psychological stress was beginning to play games with his mind.
Every night Brenner awoke with the sallow little imp beside his bed. And every night he tried to escape from the malicious little demon, without any success.
No one really understood what it was like to struggle with inner demons. That was why Brenner decided to study psychology in college; he wanted to help those people who suffered from similar psychological problems. It gave him a sense of purpose among such a harsh and trivial world.
Suddenly Brenner froze. He heard a sound behind him, originating from the repulsive little lavatory. Darkness cloaked the apartment, creating an invisible barrier between the doctor and his uninvited guest.
The imp had returned.
Brenner sat up and stared into the oppressive darkness. A repulsive, earthen odor crept into his nostrils. The scent beckoned a thousand vivid nightmares into his weary head. He could see a pale figure standing in the shadows.
“Welcome back, Dr. Brenner.”
“What do you want with me?”
“You know exactly what I want.”
“I know you aren’t real. You’re just a figment of my imagination. You can’t hurt me.”
The sallow-skinned little imp released a melodic, child-like laugh. His black eyes flashed with malicious contempt, and his long skeletal fingers traced intricate patterns through the air.
“Don’t be so certain, doctor.”
The imp leapt toward Brenner with claws extended. The doctor screamed and tumbled backward onto the floor, wrestling with the hairless little demon. He felt the sharp talons dig into his head, and then a sharp pain resonated throughout his skull.
The imp chortled merrily and thrust his fist into Brenner’s brain. Blood and brain matter gushed from the open wound, spattering over the walls and seeping into the filthy carpet.
Brenner awoke with a scream. His clothes were disheveled, and the grimy old mattress was covered with sweat. The nightmare was over and the imp was gone. He must have fallen asleep when he lay down.
The doctor shook his head, running a hand through his oily brown hair. His head was throbbing. Suddenly his crown exploded. A slimy little creature emerged from the bubbling crimson mass, laughing and tossing bits of brain matter across the room. His eyes shone with delight.
“I want your brain, doctor! I want your brain!” it giggled.