The Seventh Gate

By Jackie Pace

There are very few days that are truly etched into my mind but those that are, I find myself constantly reliving on a day to day basis. Almost anything can trigger some sort of a memory from one of those events. Some of these events are happy, like the day of my marriage or the day that my sons were born but there is one event that I couldnt forget if my life depended on it. It is the only series of days in my entire twenty-eight years of living that has left me scarred. I havent spoken of those events, from the day of December 19th, when it started, to December 21st, when everything horribly ended.

The only way I have to explain what we did and why we did it is that we were stupid eighteen-year-old boys who loved to play with what we didnt understand.

So, as I tell you my tale, well really our tale, you must keep in mind that everything I tell you is true. I would swear on my life that these events truly happened. But, you must also keep in mind that this tale might disturb or frighten you but you cant say I didnt warn you.

Ive lived in the small town of Madras, Oregon all my life, or until I turned nineteen and went off to college. Madras is the sort of town where everyone knows everyone else and kids could play on the streets and in their yards way after dark and feel safe, the only thing they had to worry about were the monsters under their beds. I guess you could say I was one of those kids at heart, the only monsters I believed in were the ones that lurked under your bed.

So, when my best friend, Larson, came over to my house one night with a Ouija Board, I was practically in hysterics when he suggested we try it out. For those of you who dont know, a Ouija board is a flat board (which you could also make yourself out of paper) with the alphabet, yes, no and goodbye written on it in black lettering. There is also a plastic triangle with a clear plastic circle at the top called at planchette; through the clear plastic, you are able to read the letters. The point of the Ouija is to make contact and talk with dead sprits.

I couldnt believe that Lars would be stupid enough to actually buy one of those things, and let alone be stupid enough to think that they would actually work.

Lars, however, wasnt sure that it would work exactly but he was sure it would pass by a couple of boring winter hours. To that, I had to agree, since I was bored to tears until Lars arrived with the Ouija. Lars took the Ouija up to my room while I phoned our other friend, Alex, and told him about the Ouija. Alex decided to come over as well.

When Alex arrived, we started the Ouija board under the solemn promise not to move the planchette by ourselves.

After fifteen minutes of playing, we finally made contact with a sprit named Agaton. Of course, I didnt really believe that we had contacted anything but Alex and Lars didnt pay any attention to my dubious words.

Agaton soon had us all intrigued, yes even me, when he told us that he was one of the original fallen angels, having followed Lucifer when he revolted against God. Agaton said that he had wings like a decayed bat and had a wingspan of 100 feet.

Unable to keep ourselves from talking to Agaton, we decided to ask him questions; I was to copy the question and then his answers, word for word.

Alex asked, What is happening in Heaven that church doesnt teach us?

After a split-second pause, the planchette began to move across the board. There is a battle being fought in heaven, every day thousands of demons die in that battle. Agaton answered finally.

Intrigued now, even more than before, Lars asked, What is Hell like? If Agaton was a fallen angel, he had no where else to go than Hell and Lars wanted to test if this was really true.

The planchette zipped across the board so fast I had trouble writing the words; even Lars and Alex looked surprised at its speed. The air in hell has no oxygen, only burning flesh. the only smell in hell is burning flesh.

Agaton told us about the constant sounds of human screaming and the pain that the damned were in. When it came to human suffering in Hell, Agaton left out nothing.

Like I said before, we were stupid teenage boys so we fascinated by the information that Agaton spelled out for us. At first, I think the only reason we werent afraid of Agaton was because we viewed him as something short of an evil comic-book character. It didnt matter to us if the stuff he told us was real, it fascinated us anyway. By the end of the first day of talking to Agaton, I had filled a spiral notebook with the questions and answers. Before he had to return home, Alex had read the notebook through three times, as though it contained the secrets to life itself.

The next day, December 20th, Lars and Alex rushed over to my house to contact Agaton once again; Lars and Alex were to talk to Agaton while I was the designated writer. It was that night that Agaton was to tell us something that would seal our lives forever.

At 11:30 P.M. we finally managed to make contact with Agaton. As soon as we contacted Agaton, Alexs eyes seemed to glaze over with a evil blackness; all the candles in my room, which I had lit to create a false theatrical drama-like feel, blew out when the planchette slid to yes.

Alex began to start up a conversation with Agaton; yesterday, it had become clear that Agaton liked Alex best, though Lars and I didnt know if that was a good thing.

Agaton, Alex asked, how many souls have entered Hell today?

Millions. Agaton spelled out through the cream-colored plastic planchette.

Lars rolled his eyes. You mean to tell me that a million people went to Hell today? He asked, his disbelieving suddenly showing through.

The planchette zipped away from Larss fingers and went to Yes; Lars was surprised and decided to let Alex play by himself for a while.

Alex didnt seem frightened by Agatons temper and continued to ask him questions.

Agaton, can you talk to people on Earth? If you can, how? Alex asked.

The planchette began to move almost immediately. Yes. Telepathy. I wrote down Agatons response.

Alex looked at us and then back down at the Ouija. Agaton, are there any Christians in Hell? If so, why? Alex asked, asking the question that we all had had on our minds since we started talking to Agaton.

Yes, there are many Christians here. they have turned their backs on the one who created them and loved them. Their punishment is most horrible. there is a river running through the center of my palace. the Christians are chained to the bottom of the blood river. this is a mockery to them since they have turned their backs on the blood that would offer them salvation. they are forever tormented by blood.

When Agaton finished, we all stared at each other, completely dumbstruck and perhaps and little frightened. Though, being the men that we were, would never admit it to each other.

However, no one was ready to stop talking to Agaton, especially Alex, who quickly began to ask Agaton questions once again. For an hour, Alex asked Agaton quick and simple questions; however, when he began to ask about murders like Hitler and Jeffery Dahmer, things got even more interesting.

Agaton, where is Hitler? Lars asked, now back on the playing field, tried of just watching.

In hell. Agaton answered, the planchette moving the slowest it ever had.

Being Jewish, Alex asked the next question. Is Hitler being tormented and in pain? Alex waited impatiently for the planchette to move.

Agaton began to tell us, No, he is a very respectable person in hell. he is part of the grand plan that mortals will never know of until it is too late. Those who kill on earth are very respected here. when Hitler committed suicide, I allowed the seventh gate to appear. Agaton took his time answering this question.

I think I was the only one truly disturbed by Agatons answer; how could someone so evil, someone who murdered millions of innocent people be treated like a king? Then it hit me: in Hitler was evil and in Hell, the evil were honored.

Alex asked, What is the Seventh Gate? Until then, I had forgotten all about the Seventh Gate, which Agaton had included in his answer.

My own palace, the grand place in Hell. No one can enter without my knowledge. the Seventh Gate exists in the shadows of the mortal world, everywhere there is a shadow, that it where the Seventh Gate is. The only way to enter is by murder or suicide. Agaton answered, the speed of the moving planchette seemed to signal how excited Agaton became when talking about his Seventh Gate.

Has anyone else entered the Seventh Gate? Alex asked, eagerly anticipating Agatons response.

Yes, Jeffery Dahmer. Minutes before Dahmer was killed in prison, I allowed the Seventh Gate to appear for him. He is also a hero. Agaton answered, another quick response.

As I was writing Agatons responses, questions of my own were zipping around in my head. What exactly is the Seventh Gate? How can it be everywhere at once?

I wanted to know more, more than Agaton was telling us, I wanted to know it all. Despite my want, maybe my need, to know, I knew that everything Agaton was telling us so easily would shortly come with a deadly price. Little did a know just how shortly that price would arrive.

After a little less than an hour, we finally ended our chat with Agaton. Alex at first seemed hesitant to do so, but finally did; once he put the planchette down, his eyes fell on the notebook in my hands.

Can I borrow that? He asked, motioning to the notebook. Without hesitation, I handed Alex the notebook, which he eagerly took.

As Alex and Lars left, I wondered if they were thinking about the same thing I was: the Seventh Gate.

The next day, December 21st was a mild day for winter; when Alex and Lars arrived at my house, we quickly went up to my room, eager to talk to Agaton again.

Alex handed me the notebooks back; Alex was in high sprits about talking to Agaton again, even more than me or Lars.

Once we were upstairs, I light the candles again, turned off the light and drew the shades. Lars placed his Ouija in the center of the room and we all sat down, taking our usual positions. Alex and Lars with the Ouija on their laps and I with the notebook flipped to a blank page.

When Alex asked to talk to Agaton, he got the same glazed look in his eyes. The planchette when to Yes very quickly and Alex was clearly pleased.

Agaton, tell me more about the Seventh Gate. Alex demanded, looking down at the board.

The Seventh Gate exists in your world where ever there is a shadow, as I have told you. there are nine gates in your world but the Seventh Gate is the only truly evil one. It can only be accessed with my knowledge. Hell is expanding everyday but the Seventh Gate will always remain where it is now. Agaton answered.

Before Alex or Lars could ask another question, the planchette began to move again. Since I have confided in you everyday, I will privilege you and let you see the Seventh Gate. No other mortal ever has but you are never to tell anyone about anything I have said to you. You also mustnt EVER enter it, you are not worthy. Agaton told us.

Alex grinned broadly, but all Lars and I could do was look at each other, unsure whether we really wanted to see the Seventh Gate. I think I liked the idea of the Seventh Gate a lot more when it was unreal to me.

Where is the Seventh Gate? Alex asked, biting his lip as he impatiently waited for Agaton to answer.

Go to the barn behind the large hill, just past the bridge on Thunder Road. Agaton told us. He also said that once we arrived, we were to contact him and he would show us the Seventh Gate.

The barn that Agaton told us to go to his a little more than three miles from my house. Alex suggested that he go to the barn tonight; I thought it would be better to go now but both Lars and Alex disagreed so it was settled. We would meet at my house at 10:15 that night and Lars would bring his Ouija.

At exactly 10:15, Alex arrived and waited impatiently for Lars to arrive.

I bet hes not coming, Alex spat angrily, the little coward.

I was shocked because Ive never heard Alex speak so cruelly about anyone before, especially Lars because he and Alex had been friends longer I had know either of them.

Alex, Lars will be here, just calm down. I muttered. Alex glared at me but didnt say anything.

I should have known that something was amiss right then and there and called off the whole adventure but I didnt. Lars arrived shortly after Alexs short-lived attack of rage and we started off toward Thunder Road.

We traveled light, with only the Ouija board, a flashlight and the notebook I was to right in. When we got closer to Thunder Road, I turned on the flashlight, scanning it around the woods, looking for the top of the hill that would take us to the heart of Thunder Road, then to the bridge and the barn.

As the hill rose in front of us, we had to cross a completely empty field, devoid of trees and bushes. There was something about crossing the field in the moon light that still creeps me out to this day. Lars kept saying that he saw something running along side us but when he turned to look, it would run away.

Lars, of course, wanted to return home; not that I couldnt blame him because I was feeling that way myself but I knew Alex would never go for it and I didnt want him going to the Seventh Gate by himself. Something had changed in Alex, something I didnt really like but couldnt put my finger on.

Lars, if everything thing that Agaton has told us it really true, then well really see the Seventh Gate and know its true. This trip will all be worth it. And if we dont see the Seventh Gate, it wont be a deal and well just go home and never think about it again. But, we have to see for ourselves. I told him, looking him straight in the eyes.

Lars nodded and we set off again.

Finally, we reached Thunder Road and crossed the rickety bridge, heading to the barn. When we arrived at the barn, I took in the sights, as though trying to remember everything about this night. The barn was more than fifty years old and had been abandoned for almost thirty years, to my knowledge; rotted, almost green, hay was still in the loft and scattered on the floor. The barn still smelled remotely of horses and the pungent scent of decay.

As we entered the barn, I looked the structure of the object to avoid looking at Alex, who was nearly mad with anticipation. The structure was so weak and flimsy that I was sure that the barn would collapse if the wind blew hard enough.

While Alex paced around the barn holding the Ouija, Lars and I took some of the old wood that had fallen from the loft and roof and made a fire, as though we were trying to get rid of the fear induced shivers that were racking our bodies.

Soon, we had a fire going that not only warmed the place but gave us decent like to work by. As Lars and Alex sat down, I looked at the shadows dancing on the brown walls of the barn. I thought about what Agaton had said: the Seventh Gate exists in your world wherever there is a shadow.

Attempting to shake these thoughts from my head, I sat down beside Lars and flipped the notebook open.

With the same glazed over look, Alex called for Agaton to make contact with us. The planchette slid to yes and Alex grinned broadly, almost evilly.

Agaton, you know why were here. Alex said, matter-o-factly. The planchette zipped to yes once again.

Agaton! Alex commanded. Show us the Seventh Gate! He commanded, his voice raising.

The Ouija began to shake and the planchette seemed to hop to the letters. Yes, the Seventh Gate. The planchette spelled out.

I looked up, looking around frantically for the Seventh Gate. The almost playful shadows I had seen on the wall before now began to twist violently and take shape, unifying with each other. I couldnt believe what was happening; even though I was too surprised to think, I knew that I had never been so scared in my life.

Look! I screamed and pointed to the shadows on the wall. I could vaguely hear Lars groan, Oh my God, as the Gate formed. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before and I know I can never describe the way it truly looked. The only way to describe it is that it looked as though I was peering into the very mouth of Hell; fire seemed to brim from the very Gate itself and I could vaguely hear screams coming from the gate.

Surprised, Alex took his hands off the planchette and whirled to face the gate. Suddenly, his attention was back on the Ouija, where Agaton was spelling out the same four words over and over again.

Alex enter the gate. Alex enter the gate. Alex enter the Gate. Those words were spelled out more times then I could count.

Suddenly, Alexs pale expression turned to one that mirrored one who was insane. He began to laugh hysterically and maddenly, a crazed look crossed over his face.

I have to enter the gate! Alex yelled and stumbled toward the hellish thing on the wall.

I jumped forward to grab him. Alex, you cant go near the gate! I yelled. Agaton said never to enter the gate! Remember?

Alex shoved me aside and I toppled to the ground; once he was free of me, Alex rushed toward the pile of burning wood that had become our makeshift light. With a mad cry, Alex kicked the burning wood with his foot and scattered it everywhere; the embers hit the ground and the hay instantly burst into flames.

Lars bolted outside, screaming for me to follow him. I knew that I should but I didnt feel right about leaving Alex, even though I knew he would never come. Alex stared at the gate, almost as though he couldnt believe it; the walls of the barn had caught on fire as well and the weak timbers began to crack.

Alex, lets go! We know the gate is real now, thats all we came for! I exclaimed, praying that he would listen, even though I knew that he wouldnt.

When Alex didnt even look at me, I knew he was lost and ran outside to where Lars was standing. It was then that I heard an awful scream come from Alex.

AGATON! Alex screamed as the barn collapsed, turning into nothing more than a burning pile.

Lars and I ran as fast as we could, it didnt matter where we were going, just as long as it was far away from the Seventh Gate.

For the next few weeks, I didnt speak to anyone, not even Lars; I had to sleep with the light on because I was afraid of the shadows that came out at night. No matter how hard I tried, I couldnt forget what happened that horrible night; every time I closed my eyes I saw that horrible Gate and it seemed that all I could hear where the pained screams of the damned.

I still have nightmares, to this day, ten years later, about what happened that night. I havent seen Lars since then but not a day goes by that I dont think of Alex and the Seventh Gate.