The car skidded across the pavement as Todd took a corner too quickly. Shaney flailed, but regained his balance.
“No! That was over a year ago,” he barked. “That demon shit is nonsense. I read that for fun now. Over the last year, I started studying something called Sacred Geometry. It’s the belief that everything in creation forms from patterns of energy. Matter is not the basis of creation. Energy arranges matter into stuff. How energy assembles into patterns is the basis for everything, kind of like energy blueprints. Physical, spiritual, it’s all connected to recurring patterns.”
“Doesn’t sound very occultish,” Shaney snarked, despite the clawing need growing inside of him.
Todd ignored his sarcasm. “The word ‘occult’ just means something hidden, something unseen, and ‘magic’ is just a term used to describe anything misunderstood. By knowing the shapes of these patterns, the energy behind them can be harnessed, controlled, and used. Cool, right?” Todd’s enthusiasm was apparent in his tone, and Shaney imagined the hazel of his eyes lightening as it always did when he was excited. When Shaney remained silent, Todd continued.
“None of this is new, and it’s more scientific than not—but symbols and patterns are used in societies and religions all over the world, past and present. The ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Islam, Kabbalah—they all have patterns and symbols. Using patterns to harness and create energy is as old as recorded time. The Pentagram can be traced back to Mesopotamia. The ancient Greeks kept many of their forms secret because they deemed them dangerous. One of those forms appears in the making of the first atomic bomb. Shit, Shaney, there are scientists and governments studying this stuff, so what does that tell you? A scientist in Egypt has shown that some geometric forms can alter the life functions of living organisms.”
If that didn’t sound like some scary shit. “All very interesting, Bill Nye, but what the hell does this have to do with me?” His goodwill was fading fast with the churning in his gut, his need for…fuck all if he knew what.
“This guy Caleb is part of a group of people who have taken the idea of Sacred Geometry and ran with it. I mean, what could be more enticing than being able to control energy at the very point of creation? There are all of these differing types of the occult, like numerology and astrology, Wicca, Alchemy, Alastair Crowley’s Thelema, even Satanism and hundreds of religions. All of these have symbols that can be used to manipulate and control energy. But they are all pieces of the puzzle, scattered throughout time and dogmas. The belief is that fitting all the correct pieces from each, will uncover the one of the biggest secrets of the universe—creation.”
Symbols and shapes and power and…the cabin. Shaney shifted uncomfortably, adrenaline speeding up his heart. Crazy shit had been happening to him since that first encounter at the cabin. He hadn’t admitted it to himself, but despite the fear, pain, and utter helplessness he’d felt at the cabin that night—part of the experience had been a heady rush. There has been an inkling of something larger, esoteric, undeniably primal. Despite every cell in his body having been seconds from exploding into oblivion, he couldn’t deny the energy—the power—he’d experienced was unlike anything he’d ever felt. And didn’t that just almost make him piss his pants?
“What the hell happened to me, Todd? What did your friend do?”
“Caleb didn’t do this,” Todd snapped harshly. “And neither did anyone he knows in the community. This community has people from all across the world. I met Caleb in a chat room online. He just happens to live in Albany. As for what actually happened to you.” Todd paused, losing that excited glow in his eyes. They were now dark and hardened. “He has a…theory.”
Why did Todd’s tone trip every warning bell in Shaney? There was no denying something fucked up was happening in Shaney’s head and body. “Tell me,” Shaney gritted out between clenched teeth.
Todd chewed on his lip. “The symbols at the cabin...some he recognized as ‘origin’ in nature; building blocks if you will. The energy patterns for the creation of something living.” Todd paused. He glanced at Shaney. “You were the catalyst to that energy, and now it’s inside of you."
“Stop the car!” Shaney screamed, throwing off his seat belt. “Stop the fucking car, Todd!” Shaney grabbed for the door handle and pushed open the door.
Todd slammed on the brakes and Shaney threw out his hand against the dash to stop from flying into the windshield. The car fishtailed to a stop. Shaney bolted before the car had even stopped.