But scenes just like this were being repeated not just in the U.S. capital but in cities and villages all over the world. Some people were walking about calmly, while others were cursing, biting themselves, striking themselves, and rolling on the ground, begging invisible tormentors to leave them alone. The vehicles that were making their way through clouds of volcanic ash were swerving violently on roadways as their drivers wrestled with invisible assailants.

Pharmacies sold down to bare shelves their supplies of painkillers. Prozac, Valium, Librium and other tranquilizers were soon exhausted. But all to no avail. Nothing would stop the torment that was driving men and women insane. Those who were not being attacked tried to offer assistance. Not only were their overtures not appreciated, but they also found themselves being physically and verbally assaulted by the sufferers. There were cries and curses everywhere. The entire world had seemingly gone mad. There was no relief in sight.

In this milieu, naturally all meaningful work stopped. Farmers could not plant or harvest. Factories could not produce. Salesmen could not sell. Some people were tormented all night long, and in the morning they would appear with bite marks all over their bodies. Others developed welts from poisonous stings by invisible insects. The minute sleep would come, another torment and another horror would wake them. Millions of men, women, and children went about during daylight hours like zombies.

Others could sleep, but they could not work. Every time they began a task, they suffered sharp, excruciating pains that no painkiller, no antibiotic, no salve would heal. Before long, the mental torment far exceeded the physical. People lived through hell every day in their own minds. All they knew were pain, torment, and curses.

As a result of these disturbances, an extraordinary phenomenon developed. The only group of people who could produce or get restful sleep were those sealed by God. All others were under unrelenting assault. Those who had always considered spiritual matters beneath their dignity or something to be postponed until later often seemed the most undignified and disturbed of all. Those who were fully committed to God’s side were able to continue their work.

The mental and physical torment by unseen demons was more than some people could bear. They alternately cursed God, then begged to die. After a few days of torment, many were driven completely insane. The torture continued, but their minds seemed disconnected from what was taking place. Suicide attempts were increasingly common. People shot themselves, hanged themselves, took poison, and jumped from bridges. Yet, whatever they tried was unsuccessful. Nothing could save them from the torment. Even death would not come.