“Daemonophobia is the fear of demons (evil spirits). The origin of the word daemono is Greek (meaning demon) and phobia is Greek (meaning fear). Daemonophobia is considered to be a specific phobia, which is discussed on the home page. Daemonophobia is also called Demonophobia and related to Bogyphobia (fear of the bogeyman), Satanophobia (fear of Satan, Satanic control or devils), Hadephobia, Stygiophobia and Stigiophobia (which all mean fear of Hell), Wiccaphobia (fear of witches and witchcraft), Phasmophobia (fear of ghosts) and Spectrophobia (fear of specters or ghosts).”
– Daemonophobia; http://common-phobias.com/Daemono/phobia.htm
It’s 6:30pm on a Saturday night. I have nothing to do and nowhere to be, so I get in my comfy clothes and sit down in front of the TV.
“Hmmm, what do I wanna watch?” I say out loud to myself. A variety of things are on but I’ve seen them all. Except for one, the original Alice in Wonderland. I know, I know. How could I not see it? Well, I haven’t. So I turn it on and lay down on the couch. I soon begin to drift off and in no time, fall asleep.
I’m in a nightmare. I know it because I always have this one. I’m in my childhood home with my mom. Sometimes I’m back to 6 years old, sometimes I’m still 22. This time I’m still 22. It began in the kitchen at probably right after dinner time, based on the activities occurring. Mom is doing dishes. Everything is normal, that is until I see how dark the far corner is. I realize something is off.
I stay put determined not to have this nightmare again. I’ll wake up soon. Just gotta wait it out.
“Oh, that’s where you’re wrong child. Waiting won’t let you escape tonight.” The voice is unfamiliar and seemingly coming from nowhere. All the sudden the darkness is not just in the corner. It spreads into the whole room, dark tentacles engulfing every nook and cranny. Then once I can’t see a foot in front of me, a light pops on. Like a spotlight. It’s on my mother, who is no longer smiling and has stopped washing our plates. Now she looks at me. Expressionless. She starts taking all the dishes out of the sink, never looking away from me.
“Mom?” I say wearily. She doesn’t respond. Once all the dishes are out of the sink, she flips the switch to the garbage disposal. The unknown voice speaks again. “My oh my, what do we have here?” Then a man appears behind my mother, smiling from ear to ear. My heart starts to race and body shakes.
“Who are you…” I say weakly.
“Let me introduce myself. My name is Phobos,” his face turns quizzical, “but I thought you’d know of me by now. You do take Greek Mythology for college, don’t you?” he asks. I did take that. And now I do know who he is. “You’re the creator of all phobias. Right?” He smiles again and nods. “Yes, correct child! And do you know why I’m here?” I shake my head because I know it isn’t good. He puts a hand on my mothers back then walks to me.
“I know you and I know what you’re scared of. Demons. I just happen to make a hobby of making those fears come to life. My plan for you is quite special, in fact.” He’s standing in front of me now. His breath reeks of rotten meat. “I’m going to posses you. Then you’re going to kill your mother and father,” he leans to my ear and whispers, “and you can’t do anything about it.” He laughs so loud my ears ring, then he’s gone.
“No I’m not. I’m in your head. Ready for playtime?” Then I’m walking forward. “No! Stop! Please!” But I can’t stop. My mother looks at me with blank eyes until I’m beside her. Then my hand is on her back. Then it’s on her neck. Phobos’ laughter roars in my head and the drain grows wider. I see the garbage disposal blades shredding nothing. “What do you want from me! Please! I’ll do anything just stop!!” I scream out loud. “If you’d do anything, you’ll have no problem shoving your mothers face in the garbage disposal,” he says. Then I’m pushing mom’s face down.
Blood spurts on the counter, the sink, and on me. I still don’t stop, even as I hear and feel her skull cracking and her flesh tearing, I just push harder. I’m screaming and screaming. Then half my mother’s head is gone. She didn’t struggle. She didn’t scream. I start to cry as I let go of her neck. Her body slumps to the floor in a puddle of her own blood.
“Please… please stop.” I manage to beg softly.
“I’ll tell you a secret, Andrea.” I hear in my head. “This isn’t a dream.” Then I feel his force leave me and manifest in front of me once again. His smile goes from ear to ear. “Look what you’ve done. Killed your own mother, and made such a mess. What will you do now?” I already knew what I was gonna do. I had a feeling he did, too.
I clutch the bottle with certainty in my hand. I read the label. “Hydrochloric Acid” Then I drink while he watches me. Smiling. “Say hi to Zozo for me. He gives the newcomers tours in Hell.”