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Wednesday, August 27, 2014 – 2:52 PM EST – The Compound – Old Saybrook, Connecticut

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FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Where the hell is he!?”



Father Asmodeus screams as I enter his small cottage on the eastern side of the Compound. Last week he gave me orders that I'm struggling with. My loyalty resides with Sebastian Duke. Yet, at the same time, I'm bound by vows and swore an oath. The Illuminatus vows and the oath you take upon entering are both sacred. He's relayed the order, yet I can not bring myself to actually even contemplate killing my best friend and my brother.



JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “I... I don't know where he is, Father.”



Asmodeus slams his fists against a wooden table behind his antique sofa. He brings his left hand to his chin, rubbing as if in thought as he starts to pace back and forth a bit.



FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Jacob, you've been an important part of the Illuminatus since you were quite young.”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Indeed sir.”

FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Have I asked too much of you?”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “How do you mean?”



He stops pacing and takes a seat in his chair near the fireplace. With his cane resting against the side of his chair, he starts to try and rub out the pain in his right knee.



FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “In your years here with us, have I asked too much of you? Things that seem unreasonable.”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “No. I've willingly done whatever I have been asked, and then some.”

FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Has it been a displeasure to you?”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Not in the slightest. In fact, I've always found a great deal of honor and pride in everything I have done for you, Father.”



Grabbing his cane, he bolts out of his chair. As he gets to his feet, he swings the cane and points it toward me.



FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “THEN WHY THE HELL IS MY SON STILL AMONG THE LIVING!?”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “I beg your forgiveness, sir. But I just can't bring myself to do it. He's been my best-friend since I was in the seventh grade.”

FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Jacob, I know the two of you have bonded.”



Asmodeus calms himself down and sits back in his chair with his cane once again resting against the side of his chair.



FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “It is unfortunate that it has come to this. I know. If there was any other way, I would not hesitate to take that option, Jacob. His mind... It is far too gone now to go back.”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “With all due respect, Father, I believe you're wrong.”

FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Perhaps you should enlighten me. Tell me, young Jacob. What part of my son gives you any indication that sanity is present?”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “I think he's always been somewhat insane, Father. What I'm saying, is that he's no longer hanging out in the dungeon. He's no longer mumbling to himself. He's no longer wearing that hideous mask. He's speaking now, and probably showing more authority than he ever has.

“While I agree, he's not yet ready to retake the reigns of the Illuminatus, I do believe he'll get there sometime soon.”



The old, tired man takes a sip from a chalice on his end table.



FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Did you know, Jacob, that he talks to Thaddeus?”



Huh?

I stare at him blankly. Unsure whether to accept what he says as truth or as fiction.



FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “You didn't know that, did you?

“What kind of sanity is it, Jacob, that has a man speaking to his dead son?”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “I've spent a lot of time with him, Father. I've never once heard him talk to Thaddeus.”

FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Eric tells me different.”



Eric. Better known as Enigma. He's Sebastian's younger half brother. He's also half the man Sebastian is in every conceivable way. I don't think its a secret that he and I, just don't really get along. Now I feel like Eric may be positioning himself to steal the Illuminatus from Sebastian. I don't think that is what is best for us long term.



JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Just give me time. Let me try and convince him of some things. I can talk to him, Asmodeus, you know that.”

FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Unfortunately, my son, we do not have the luxury of time. Time is of the essence.”



His phone rings. He holds up his hand, basically telling me to hush as he takes the call.



FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Yes Matthew, what is it?

“Is that so?

“Very well. Thank you.”



He ends the call and places his phone on the table beside him.



FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “That was Matthew.”



You don't say? I never would have guessed.



FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “It seems your friend has been found. He's currently en route to, or even already arrived at the airfield.”



I feel defeated. I feel like everything is pulling and tugging at me in a thousand different directions. So much that I no longer know what is right, what is wrong, who I should believe, who I should trust.



JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “What is it you want me to do?”

FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Get on that plane, Jacob. Do not be seen. Follow him to wherever he goes.”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Then what?”



He stands up with the aid of his cane. Above his fireplace is an enormous painted portrait of the King of Darkness in his full royal attire. Father Asmodeus stares up at it.



FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Son, this is not a negotiation.”



As if I ever thought it was.



FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Kill him.”



For the first time, I see remorse in his eyes. As if this is something he thinks he must do, rather than something he wants to do. Also for the first time, I put myself in his shoes. I think about what it might be like to fight the forces of parenthood and just nature in general, and sign your own sons death warrant. He knows I'm anguished about it, but now I finally see that he is too.

I take my leave without another word. I have my orders. I now know, no matter how much I don't want it to be. No matter how much it hurts me inside to have to do this. That I must follow through upon my orders. It kills me inside.

I step inside the brand new Chevy Tahoe in the garage and turn the key. As I start out of the garage, I realize I've reached the point of no return. In just a few hours, Sebastian Duke will meet his end. He will not live to see August 28.



To be continued...