The Boy Who Killed Demons: A Novel Read online

  There were hints in the story of depraved acts and other torture, but the police kept most of the details out of it. Still, there was enough there to show that these were the thirty-nine children that the demons had stolen. The demons weren’t going to be opening up hell in the next week or so. They were going to have to start all over somewhere else. The demons I didn’t get a chance to kill would soon be scattering to other cities. Maybe they’d try New York again, maybe Philadelphia. It would have to be some East coast city so that it would form a five-pointed star with the others. At least for now they’ve been stopped.

  After I read the story and fully digested what it meant, I let Curt show me the other story. It turns out when I drove into that strip mall after I killed the big cheese demon in Lynn, I was caught on video by a liquor store’s surveillance camera. The video had a good shot of the Toyota’s license plate, and a clear shot of me driving the car. I was amazed that the police were on the ball enough to track down the video, but they did, and since it had me stealing that demon’s car, I was the main suspect for his murder. There was nothing yet about this demon being connected with the stolen children, but I’m sure there will be soon.

  After I read the article and studied the photos that clearly showed me, Curt told me how everyone at school was talking about it. He told me how Sally broke down in tears when she saw it. I was okay with that. She’d see the other story about the children being rescued and she’d know I was telling the truth earlier. At least there would be that.

  Curt looked glum as he waited for me to respond. Oddly, I felt okay with it all. I did what I had to do. And really, the fact that the police were on to me now didn’t matter. Whether or not they were hunting for me, my path was already set.

  I asked Curt if he could give me ten minutes alone so I could write my last journal entry. He hesitated briefly and then told me okay, but that I had to leave his house after that since his parents were going to be home soon.

  I’ll give this journal to Curt and ask him to read it. Maybe he’ll believe what’s in it. Maybe he can explain to Wesley why I needed to steal his dad’s comic book. I’ll also ask him to send a copy to Detective Thomase. Maybe Thomase will also believe what’s in it. Maybe he’ll find a way to get it out to the public. If that happens, who knows, people might actually be suspicious if dogs start disappearing in their neighborhoods, or even consider the possibility that one of their neighbors might be a demon if they see dogs desperate to do anything to get away from that person. At least I hope that something like that happens.

  I’m going to have to find a way to fix up my hand. And I’m going to need to get a hold of some money. But if I can elude the police, I’ll go somewhere else where I can hunt demons. Maybe to Europe where one or more of those other four points to the five-pointed star must be. Maybe I’ll even start another journal.

  Acknowledgments

  I’D LIKE TO THANK CURT TUCKER FOR GETTING HENRY Dudlow’s journal to me, and of course Henry for everything he went through to write this and to save us from the Demons.

  Thanks also to my editors, Mark Krotov and Dan Crissman for all their work in getting this book in its best possible shape. A big thanks also to Kait Heacock for all her energy, enthusiasm and terrific ideas in promoting Demons. I’d also like to thank Peter Mayer and everyone else at Overlook Press for their continued support and faith in me by publishing my fourth book with them, even though for legal reasons Henry’s journal had to be categorized as “fiction”.

  I’d also like to thank all my fellow students (even the Ralph Malphi-like ones) and teachers I knew back in Newton North high school some 38 years ago—those memories and experiences made working on this book both cathartic and highly enjoyable.

  Most of all I’d like to thank my wonderful wife Judy for all her support through the years.

  DAVE ZELTSERMAN is the author of award-winning novels and short stories. His novel The Caretaker of Lorne Field was shortlisted by the American Library Association for Best Horror Novel of 2010, was nominated for a Black Quill Award, and was named a Horror Gem by Library Journal. His most recent horror novel, Monster, was named one of the best books of the year by WBUR Boston and made Booklist’s 2013 list of top 10 horror novels. Several of his novels have been optioned for film. He lives in the Boston area.

  Jacket design by Anthony Morais

  Jacket photographs: Hooded Man © Brian Jackson / Alamy;

  Man in forest © Lee Avison / Trevillion Images

  Author photograph by Ralph H. Shuman Studio

  THE OVERLOOK PRESS

  NEW YORK, NY

  www.overlookpress.com