Synthetic Lover

“Ricky? What is all this?”

I watched as Josh scanned the room, holding Devin in his arms.

He still hasn’t woken up.

I placed the last candle in the circle and lit the wick before I grabbed the notepad.

“In order for everything to return to normal, I have to perform some sort of ritual. If it works, then Devin will be okay. Place him in the middle of the circle.”

Josh did so and stepped away.

I grabbed the black marker that rested on the desk and knelt down next to Devin.
I lifted his shirt up until his chest was revealed. I began to draw the Flower of Life over his heart.

I finished and grabbed the notepad again.

“No matter what happens, you are not to step inside this circle until the ritual is completely over. You’ll know when.”

“What’s going to happen to you?”
I gave him a sad smile.

“Please, take good care of Devin for me. And, even if I can’t remember, I’m glad I was friends with you, Josh. I’m sure I felt the same for everyone else too.”

His lip trembled slightly as a small tear escaped.

“Stand back. This is goodbye.”

He nodded and moved farther away.

I grabbed the black book and opened it to the dog-eared page.

I have to read this spell. Then Devin…He’ll be okay.
I’ll be gone, and no one will have to worry or suffer anymore.

<Tempus factum est.
Itaque sacrificatum non desideretur.>

The fire from the candles turned purple.

<Converterent in sacrificium.>

An ache started to form in my chest as the flames grew and started to resemble hands.

<Revertere ad vitam reduceret manibus amissa anima.
Revertere in inlaqueaverunt Mors Principium animae, tergum ut manibus.>

The hands began to descend upon me and grabbed a hold of me.

<Mox omnibus, bene erit.>

The pain was unbearable, but I couldn’t scream out.
Soon, everything began to grow dark.

<Sempiterna jam non.>

BA-BUMP!

<Sempiterna jam non.>

Ba-bump.

<Sempiterna jam non.>

Ba…bump.

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