by Dora Blume
Chapter 9
Erik hopped out of the car. Campus was busy, students with backpacks hurried down the sidewalks into buildings. “Do you feel the vibration in the air?” He looked to Sloane.
“Yes, there are definitely demons around.” She started scanning the faces walking down the sidewalks between buildings on the U of M campus but she didn’t recognize anyone from the gathering.
“You, said your vision was of the future right? How far in the future? Did you only see a few hours into the future because they’re definitely here?” Erik was tense, muscles taut ready for battle. He moved his hand to the gun he kept in his waistband. It wasn’t enough to deal with the current threat.
“That vision was of the future but I can’t tell how far in the future. If it’s happening now we have no back up, we need some reinforcement if we’re going in.” Sloane pulled out her cell to let Bryant know what they’ve discovered.
“Shit, if we go in there now, even with reinforcements we’ll all be dead, you said there were hundreds and we don’t have enough fighters in the city to handle that many demons. We’ll be outnumbered; going in there would be suicide Sloane. Besides, when was the last time you trained for battle?” Erik was trying to be realistic; they couldn’t go in there and fight them. They had to find another way.
“I’ve had as much training as you, Erik. I’m calling in some help. Regardless of whether there are too many of them, I’m finding out what’s going on.” Sloane hit the call button and moved the phone to her ear.
“Bryant, hey we’ve got a problem. Erik and I just got to the West bank and there are demons here, lots of them. We could use some assistance.” She waited a minute “uh huh, yeah. Good call everybody because we’ve got problems.” She glanced over to Erik who had picked up his cell as well. “No, Bryant, fuck that if she’s here, I’m going to find her. We’ll wait for some help but I’m going to find out what’s going on.” She waited again tapping her feet on the pavement. “Whatever, goodbye,"
Sloane looked to Amy, “Hey I might have an idea. Why don’t we send her in to assess the situation? She’s human so she won’t set off their radar like we would.” She smiled wide at Amy, she was now grateful that she stubbornly chose to go with them.
Erik shook his head. “No, Sloane that’s crazy. She has no way to defend herself. What if they figure out she’s with us, then what?” Erik didn’t want to see anything happen to her. He was surprised Sloane even suggested it since they were supposed to be friends.
“Come on, she’ll be fine we’ll be watching her the whole time. Do you keep a sniper rifle in the trunk of the car? I can cover her from above and you can follow close behind and read their thoughts so if anyone thinks about hurting her we can get her out of there.” Sloane thought she was ingenious.
Erik studied Sloane and crossed his arms over his chest, “Yes, there’s still a rifle in the trunk, but I still think this is a bad idea. We should at least wait until there are a few more people here to back us up.” Erik was hesitant. He wanted another voice of reason to tell Sloane that this was crazy. She tended to act first ask questions later, but she was playing with another person's’ life.
“No, we need to do this now. If others show up, it could alert the demons that we’re onto them. If we act now, we might get the information we need. That meeting had a purpose and there’s some seriously big shit happening. We need to act now. We don’t have time to wait and show our hand. Come on Erik, I know you can keep her safe with your ability and I’ll keep us safe with mine.” She stared at Erik.
Erik shook his head, he kept his hands in fists at his sides. “Sloane, please listen to reason for once. We need to wait.”
“Amy what do you think? Can you go and get the information we need? I promise we’ve got your back and nothing will happen to you.” She stared at Amy, figuring it was her decision.
Erik looked to Amy, “Don’t do it, this is your life we’re talking about here. It’s dangerous.”
“Oh, now you include me in your argument over a decision that’s mine to make. I’ll do it. I trust you guys and I agree with Sloane they won’t see me coming. I’m a college student just looking for a place to study.” Amy smiled at Sloane, she liked that she was being included. Not exactly how she wanted to be included since according to Erik her life was on the line.
Erik threw up his hands and walked away from the car, “I can’t believe you two want to do this, it’s insane.” He walked back over, “Fine I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe.” He eyed Sloane, “You better do the same.” He walked away from them and lit a cigarette.
Amy watched Sloane put together the rifle. “I didn’t know you could do that.”
Sloane stopped a minute and looked at Amy, she realized although they were friends, Amy knew little about her. “Yeah, I’m sorry to say there’s a lot you don’t know about me.”
“Apparently,” she turned away and looked at Erik. She liked that he was worried about her. She thought it was sweet that he’d stood up to Sloane for her, she was a hard person to go to bat with and he’d done it for her. She walked over to join him. “Are you okay?” Her voice was soft as she spoke.
He looked down at the innocent girl before him. “Yeah, I’ll be fine; it’s you I’m worried about.”
“I know but I really do think everything will be okay.” She smiled sheepishly.
“That’s good I’m glad someone here is optimistic. I’m sorry but I think I’ll stay firmly planted in reality and save us all if it comes to that.” He blew out a heavy breath. “I don’t like this. I wish Sloane had more sense than having to rush into everything without thinking. I know you think you know her but she’s been like this her whole life and it only gets her into trouble.” He looked down at Amy and sighed, “I’m afraid someday she’ll get herself or someone else into trouble she can’t get out of.” He took a long pull from his cigarette.
Sloane walked over to join them, “Ready?” She’d packed the gun away in a duffel satisfied that she had everything she needed. “I’ll just be at the top of the parking garage there. Erik if you hear anything fishy nod your head twice in my direction. Amy keep your cell on vibrate in your pocket. If you feel it, get out immediately, do you understand? Walk straight out of the building and head toward the ramp, I can cover you there. Got it?” She looked serious but her eyes were wide with excitement. She was obviously ready for action.
Amy swallowed hard; she wasn’t sure if she was ready but she was just going in to see what was going on. If she got into trouble she’d just leave, easy as that. She kept saying in her head, just a college student looking to study. “I got it. So, who’s calling me if there’s trouble?”
Erik stepped forward, “I will. I’ll hear thoughts before anyone knows it. I’ll call you if I hear anyone discover you or if you’re in trouble. I’ll be just outside the building at the bench there so I can see Sloane and hear everyone’s thoughts inside.”
“You don’t think that people going in and out won’t notice a hunter sitting at the bench outside where the demons are gathered?” Amy was skeptical.
“I need to be close so I can hear them. I’ll do my best not to be noticed.” He stepped forward and brushed his hand along her cheek. “I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
Sloane huffed out a breath. “It’ll be fine, they won’t see him. Besides, I don’t think this is the big meeting. There are just a lot of them here. We need to know why. You need to go in the building and see what you can find out. Look for that woman from the photo. If you find her I need to know, also try to see what she’s doing here.” Sloane stood on the balls of her feet with her hand on the duffel.
“Out of all that, just be careful, okay. If you feel like something isn’t right follow your instinct and get out of there. We can always come up with another plan later.” He stood close to her and was staring deeply into Amy’s eyes. She smiled shyly up at him then looked down.
Sloane glared at Erik, “She’ll be fine. Now le
t’s go.” She headed to the stairs. Erik and Amy were close behind, Sloane headed to the top and Amy and Erik headed to the street. Erik was trying to figure out why they would be here, especially if this wasn’t the meeting Sloane saw in her vision. He started listening to the thoughts around him and on campus as far as he could. There were definitely demons but he couldn’t pinpoint why they were here. He was having a hard time differentiating the various conversations which wasn’t good. He needed to focus if he was going to make sure Amy was okay. He tried to focus as best he could on the thoughts of those around him. He did his best to tune Amy out, but she was obviously more scared than she let on. He reached down to take her hand as they headed toward campus.
“I’m here if you need me.” He smiled at her and nodded.
She looked at his hand and then up into his eyes, “Thanks.” She pressed lightly on his hand in hers. He brushed his thumb over her knuckles, calming her. His hand felt warm holding hers. She thought as long as he was looking out for her she’d be okay. She felt butterflies in her stomach when she looked at him.
They reached the front of the building and he moved her hand up to kiss it before letting go. He walked over to the bench to listen but kept an eye on her as he walked. He lit a cigarette when he got there and causally sat down with one arm stretched across the back of the bench. He looked up to the parking garage, hoping that Sloane was there and ready. She was a good shot, better than he was which he would never admit to. They’d been raised shooting guns, training in all use of weapons. They’d been exceptional at fighting but she’d always been the better shot. He took a deep breath to steady himself and listened, trying to pick out the thoughts of the demons. It was easier now that he was closer to where they were. He could hear them thinking about plans for a meeting. They were getting a room ready and talking about their strategy. Ha, she didn’t even need to go in there, he could hear everything right outside. He wanted to a motion for Sloane that he was getting her out of there but paused. Sloane was right, they needed to find the woman, especially if she was the leader. He listened intently to see if anyone thought anything about Amy. He growled deep in his throat when another college student’s thoughts turned sexual as she walked by.
Amy walked in and looked around, trying to look for the woman but also trying not to be too suspicious in scanning the crowd. She wanted to look like a typical college student. She remembered it was a little late to be looking for a class considering the semester would’ve started a few weeks ago. She wasn’t seeing anyone that even resembled the woman from the picture. She walked down the halls and tried to investigate each window without being noticed by those in class. Reaching the end of the hall, she turned to head up the stairs.
“Hey,” she heard from behind her. She thought they were talking to someone else.
“Hey, you,” she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around quickly, eyes wide.
“Yes?”
“I know you from trig class, right?” he smiled at her.
“No, I’m not in trig. Sorry, you must have me confused with someone else.” She turned to head up the stairs.
“No, I know you from somewhere, hold on let me think.” She turned back to face him, rolling her eyes. She didn’t want to be rude, her heart began racing.
“I have to go I’m running late for class.” She went to turn again, but he grabbed her shoulder. “Hey!” she said, appalled.
“If you’re so late, where’s your stuff?” he asked skeptical.
She hadn’t even thought of not having a backpack or anything with her. She looked up at the guy, “I was running so late I forgot it.” She turned again and headed upstairs. This time he let her go. She hoped that he hadn’t followed her up the stairs because she didn’t actually have a class to go to. She glanced behind her and he was still there, walking behind her after she’d reached the steps. Something about the way he grabbed her made her feel uneasy. She quickened her pace down the hall. She couldn’t risk looking into rooms with this guy behind her. He’d be suspicious and he could be a demon. They said there were tons of them in the building.
She took a deep breath and started glancing around her trying to find a way out of this situation. She didn’t want to give them away. If there were tons of demons in here, they’d surely find Erik and Sloane and kill them. Erik’s words about suicide were rushing through her head. She needed to find a legitimate place to go. She investigated one lecture hall full of students, she thought she could slip into the back and not be noticed by the class. There was no way this guy would follow her into a packed class. She went for it, she opened the door quietly and took a seat in the back of the lecture hall. No one in the class noticed, except for a few people sitting around her. She sighed in relief when she didn’t hear him come in behind her. There was something weird about that guy. Breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth like she’d been taught she finally unclenched her fists.
***
Erik was pacing in front of the bench. He’d heard the thoughts of the demon who approached Amy. He hadn’t realized how many of them were in there when she entered. He realized the error in their plan. Most of the people in the building were possessed and Amy wouldn’t be able to pull off regular college student. A simple move would set them off, yet if he were to go they’d all know for sure what he was and there would be no escape for him with all those demons. He paced back and forth, he knew for the moment Amy was okay but for how long before they realized she was human. She could be possessed herself. The demons brought humans to the school to be possessed by other demons.
Sloane wasn’t kidding something big was going on. Several students were called to campus to be next. He couldn’t believe what was happening. He could hear people being possessed and there was nothing he could do about it. They didn’t have any incantations that would work on a building full of demons. He could only expel them one at a time. Trying would be a death sentence. He took out his phone to call Amy. Stopping, he texted her, since she was sitting safely in a class. His text was short, but he gave her the information she needed. Head to the nearest exit. He paced the sidewalk. He sent Sloane a text. He waited for their reply. Sloane sent him, oh shit, immediately. He was waiting for Amy; she was still sitting in that classroom.
***
Amy looked to the front of the room, a woman was lecturing but the content caught her attention. She looked to the front and recognized the woman from the picture. Amy’s eyes bugged out, and she gripped the chair. She was teaching chemical mixtures to create gas bombs. Amy was not supposed to be here. She whipped her head to the side and craned her neck to look down the rows. No one seemed to notice. Her phone vibrated. Erik sent her a text, everyone’s a demon, head to the nearest exit. She looked around the room. What was this, a demon school for how to kill humans? What next, how to ace taking over the world. She shook her head at the Pinky and the Brain flashback.
Her heart rate increased, she could hear it beating in her ears. She glanced around again and got up quietly and headed for the door. She’d just have to hope that the guy who followed her moved on. She would play lost college student if all else failed. She was good at playing dumb when she needed to. Reaching the hallway, she headed toward the stairwell. Clenching her fists at her sides she tried to take deep breaths but ended up breathing faster. She just needed to get to the exit.
She practically ran down the stairs, taking a breath when the glowing red exit sign appeared. Her beacon of hope. She went for the door but the weird guy was leaning against the wall, blocking the exit. He noticed her immediately at the bottom of the stairs. Shit she thought and headed in another direction.
She saw a light coming through the side of the hallway and hoped it was a side exit. It was, several men stood outside smoking. These were probably demons, so she dropped her head, pushing the door open. She dared a glance behind her and he was talking to the two guys she’d just passed smoking. She took out her phone to call Sloane. She tried to walk faster, but she was
already practically running. Sloane answered on the first ring.
“Hey, I had to go out the side door, I think I’m busted. This one guy followed me outside and then talked to two out here smoking. I’m going to try to get to Erik and the side where you can see me as fast as I can.” She was breathless and her words ran together. She hung up the phone and as soon as she did she was grabbed from behind. She went to scream but when her lips parted a hand covered them.
“Shhh,” it was Mike, which was a total shock. He let her go immediately and grabbed her arm and started walking with her to the front of the building.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Erik called to tell me what was going on and I was in the neighborhood.” He smiled down at her. “Besides, who could resist saving a damsel in distress.” He winked at her.
She smiled and shook her head. “Does Erik know you’re here?”
“Not yet, he’s going to be pissed at me for stealing his thunder. He likes to be the savior for pretty girls, it gets him laid often. I don’t need such antics,” he laughed.
He walked around the corner and nodded toward Erik. Mike shielded his thoughts from Erik years ago but Amy didn’t have that luxury and he would’ve been following her thoughts.
“So, this isn’t like you. Where’s Sloane?” Mike smiled at Erik when they reached him.
Erik pointed to the parking garage, “Up there, which is where we should be. There are too many of them here and we can’t take them without help.”
“I agree, I could feel the vibrations a block away.” Mike turned to head toward the garage.
