The Legend of Darklore Manor and Other Tales of Terror by Joseph Vargo, Joseph Iorillo Page B

agent who has been sanctioned by the Church to cleanse human souls of the evil spirits that contaminate them. Her dedication is fierce and unswerving, and her methods may seem cruel, but we have found that pain is the surest way to drive out an invading entity, thus purging the host. Physical torment is often too much for these spirits to bear, for they experience every sensation that your body feels. While you will not perish, the pain will bring you to the brink of death, but only in order to cleanse you of the cowardly spirit that now hides behind your innocent soul."
     He stepped toward Elizabeth and slid the base of the iron device beneath her right palm, avoiding any direct contact between her hand and his own. Her manacles made it impossible for her to resist as he clamped her fingers into the steel rings, tightening them just below her fingernails.
     "No, please... no!" Elizabeth's voice cracked as she pleaded, but her captor persisted in his work, fastening the Hand of Truth to the chair's arm with a leather strap.
     As he finished his work, the man took notice of a silver medallion that hung from a thin chain around Elizabeth's neck. Brushing a finger against the engraved image of a Catholic saint, he studied the familiar icon intently.
     "Saint Christopher, the protector," he said, "This evidence of your faith does you credit, my child. Saint Christopher will keep you strong through this ordeal."
     Elizabeth desperately tried to reason with the madman. "If I were possessed by a demon, like you say I am, would I be able to wear this—a blessed medallion?"
     The inquisitor paused for a moment and turned away, as if contemplating the logic of her argument. Then he said "During my years of service to the Church, I have borne witness to many things that defy earthly explanation. I do not question such matters, for I know full well that the Father of Lies uses such deceits in his unending attempt to divert us from the righteous path. The loathsome beast that lurks inside you has concealed itself well. But fear not, my child, with proper persistence, this unholy entity can be driven out and destroyed." He turned back toward her, resting his fingers on the steel levers of the Hand of Truth and said "Shall we begin?"
     "Please don't do this," she begged, "I haven't done anything wrong. I don't deserve to die like this."
     "It is neither my desire nor my instruction to kill you," the hooded figure said. He selected a long, ornate dagger from the table, extending his arm until the tip of the blade pressed against her sternum through her blouse. The point drew a solitary drop of blood and Elizabeth cried out. "But, sadly, death does sometimes occur during these sessions because of the weakness of human flesh and the human will. This dagger, however, will bind your blighted spirit to this girl's body, wretched demon." He gestured to a series of other daggers, each of which was engraved with mystic sigils and Latin prayers. "Each of these sacred blades has a specific designation and must be inserted in the proper sequence, penetrating the eyes, the base of the spine and finally the heart. These blessed tools will destroy you, demon, purifying the girl's soul before she expires."
     Elizabeth wept and screamed, "There's no demon, you sick bastard! You're going to murder me!"
     "Your pleas will do you no good, demon," the man replied tiredly. "I've heard them all before. I know exactly what you are and nothing you say or do can convince me otherwise."
     "You've done this before? You're sick," she sobbed. "You're just a sick, twisted psycho who gets off on torturing his victims! Take a look in the mirror. You're the demon!"
     "No, my poor child, I am a humble inquisitor, acting on behalf of your eternal soul." He took hold of the lever beside Elizabeth's index finger and, without warning, cranked the handle toward her. The mechanism