Devil moon by Jason Brown

12 December 2021 { Historical Fiction }

Devil Moon

It was that time again, the white reflector orb shining clear above the silent rooftops, bathing them in a silvery shimmer. Satan emerged from his lair in Peter's gate, stretching his aching bones. He grinned fiendishly, as he always did at the full moon, wondering how the good St. Peter would react to giving shelter to the Devil himself. With the ability to become invisible, Satan could commit many unsolved crimes.

At each full moon, he made the same journey, looking to cause mischief or even harm. Down High Street towards the Oaks Yard, then a sharp left onto Main Street. Passing the brewery, he noted that even though production had stopped for the day, the hoppy aromas still lingered in the night air. The clockwork soldiers chimed the jeweller's clock. It was one o'clock. Stopping opposite the Old King's Head, he looked up the stepped alleyway that rose to the marketplace. Smirking, he remembered how his previous actions had led the townsfolk to name the steps after him. Devil's Steps had a certain ring about it.

Beginning the ascent, his breath condensing in the cool night air, he arrived at a familiar spot. Here was where the dance hall used to be located. Being a handsome young man then, he made the acquaintance of his one true love. Clarissa, who was the daughter of the Churchwarden, and she would sneak out at night to meet him at the dance. Satan's pet name for her was the Pink Lady because of the stunning pink ball gown she wore when they met. The last time he'd danced with her, he'd made the shocking discovery of a crucifix sewn into the lining of her gown. Recoiling instantly at her betrayal, he morphed into the Devil and furiously stamped his foot onto a step, leaving the imprint of a cloven hoof that remains to this day.

Clarissa ran off sobbing, and the mental stress she suffered gave her the madness that even the church's ministrations could not cure. After her death, she made an appearance dancing around a mound in the consecrated gardens of the Rectory to celebrate every full moon.

Satan made his way through the market and up to the Rectory where he could watch from outside the gates, her dancing, and he marvelled at how beautiful she remained.

Holly's evening had started well. After meeting up with her friend Janice, they decided on a night out at the cabaret club. After watching an entertaining show, they made their way onto the dance floor, which caused a problem, with them both eying the same young man. They had a tiff that festered until a pouting Janice decided enough was enough and stormed out of the club. Holly stayed until the club closed its doors.

Shivering in the cool air, Holly tried to book a taxi on her mobile. She had no response from three companies and started walking in the direction of the town centre and hopefully flag a black cab down on the way. Marvelling at how much illumination the full moon was producing, she was regretting her wardrobe choice of high heels, a miniskirt, and a diaphanous pink top. Town street was quiet, and she reached the market approach without seeing a black cab, and realised her best choice was to walk to the taxi rank in the main square. Approaching the Rectory, she became nervous and although she didn't believe the Pink lady urban myth; she crossed over the road. Even though she dismissed the Pink Lady urban myth, she gave the marketplace a miss and headed for the main street. Apart from the clip-clop of her high heels rebounding from the walls, it was eerily quiet as she passed the brewery, and the chiming jeweller's clock startled her. It was two ‘o'clock. She kept glancing behind her but looking for other things because taxis didn't travel this far down. As she passed the Old King's Head, her spirits lifted at the sight of the taxi rank.

'Not far now,' she gasped.

After watching his ex-lover dance, Satan retraced his route through the market. Hearing the clock strike, he hurried to the Peter's gate entrance to his steps. Looking down, he spotted a figure hurrying along towards the White lion.

His eyes gleamed. 'The Pink Lady?'

Wrapping his cloak tightly around him, he gave a grim smile and began the descend the steps. Reaching main street, he followed his former love.

'Now, we can finish our dance,’ he growled.

Holly passed the bank and, looking up, saw there was a solitary taxi at the rank. Only a few yards to go, when, to her horror, the cab moved off towards Peter's gate.

'Oh no!' Holly exclaimed, looking behind her.

She couldn't see anything, but felt a presence.

Satan rose to his full height, his foul breath condensing as it filtered through his rotting tombstone-like teeth. His fingers resembling talons, he approached Holly from behind.

His croaky voice startled her.

'I've waited a long time for this moment; we can dance again. Argh, what's that?' Two beams of light blinded his rheumy eyes.

Holly stepped into the newly arrived warm taxi with a sigh.

'Where to Miss?'

'South Reddish please.'

Satan stamped his hoof in frustration and scuttled up the brew towards his Peters gate lair.

'Next time, lady,' he croaked. 'Next time’