Sophie, a Bedroom Door and The Devil Wit

Sophie, a Bedroom Door and The Devil Within
By Rob McConnell

Sophie woke with a start as the door of her bedroom was flung open hitting the wall and bouncing back. A black figure stood in the doorway, put a hand out to catch the door and slowly looked around. There was enough light from the street for Sophie to see a wolf- like head covered in coarse fur, penetrating green eyes and long white spiky teeth. The hand on the door was covered in fur and had sharp claws.

She screamed. It looked straight at her and stepped into the room. She froze.

The beast took another step. She could hear its heavy breathing. The room smelt of wet fur. There was a soft floaty noise from the wall behind the bed. Seven figures in grey –almost-- opaque monk’s habits moved to form a rough circle round the bed. The beast snarled and stepped closer. Sophie could just make out faint chanting, “Dominus Spiritus Sanctus. Laudate Dominum – Praise the Lord.” The beast howled, ran towards the bed, but was mysteriously hurled back crumpled against the wall. The chanting continued “Dominus Spiritus Sanctus Dieus.”

The beast shook itself and straightened up. Sophie grabbed the bedside lamp ripping it from the socket. She flung it straight at the advancing creature. Its paw flipped it to the side. Again it charged and was flung back crumpled against the wall. Sophie sat frozen terrified. The beast snarled as it drew itself up to charge again. This time it moved closer to the bed. Its piercing eyes focused on Sophie. The grey forms stood shoulder to shoulder. “Dominus Spiritus Sanctus,” the chanting grew louder. The beast hurled itself at the bed. Its claws caught in the bed cover which flew back as it again crashed into the far wall. Sophie screamed, clutched at a pillow and pulled it in tight.

It took minutes for the beast to shake itself loose of the duvet. It slowly stalked back and forth sizing up the next line of attack. The grey forms followed its movements. The foul smell was everywhere. The chanting grew still louder. Sophie lay curled round the pillow on the bed. The beast charged again. In total it attacked six times. Each time repelled by the mysterious force of the chanting grey forms.

Its chest was heaving with exhaustion. For the seventh time the beast, snarling and grinding its hooves on the floor boards, prepared to charge. Suddenly it stopped in its tracks and shivered. A long hard shiver shook its body. The hairs down its back stood on end. The shape of a crucifix was stretched across the ceiling. It took a long hard look at Sophie, howled and was gone.

An eerie silence fell over the bedroom. Sophie stared at the door swinging idly on its hinges. A sudden breeze puffed out the net curtains. The seven grey figures turned towards Sophie, bowed and melted away through the wall. The car’s headlights, that had projected the cross members of the window frame on the ceiling, were switched off.

Was this just a dream? Please take the escalator to the third floor of the Tate Modern Art Gallery and turn left. Sophie’s masterpiece The Devil Within hangs waiting for you.