Bedeviled

by J. Ashburn

  He exited the church as growls, howls and Father Sullivan’s screams filled the air. Sebastian crossed the street back to the shelter and saw one of the residents smoking out in the alley.

  “Hello friend.” Sebastian placed his hand on the man’s shoulder and stared into his eyes. “See the church across the street there?”

  The man nodded.

  “Go ahead and set it on fire. When the police arrest you just tell them the devil made you do it.” Sebastian smiled and laughed, walking off into the night, swallowed by the darkness.

  6

  “Dude, there’s a man in your bed.” Micah heard Rick’s words before he came up behind him and grabbed his shoulders.

  “And he’s hot,” Nick said as he entered the kitchen behind his twin.

  “Yes, yes, I know that but thanks guys.”

  “Score one for Micah,” Rick said.

  “It’s about time,” added Nick.

  “Cut it out both of you. It’s not what you think. I slept on the couch.”

  “You slept on the couch? Really?” Rick had doubt in his voice.

  “That’s right. He needed help and a place to stay. That’s it.”

  “Micah, you are a disgrace to gay men everywhere,” Nick said. “Have you learned nothing from me? How can you let that beautiful man sleep alone? It’s just not right.”

  “C’mon guys… not everything is about…”

  “Yes it is,” the brothers said before Micah could even finish.

  “I hope I am not interrupting?” Caleb framed the doorway, wearing nothing but a pair of white underwear.

  “No, not all.” Micah stood up from the table. “Come sit down. These are my friends, Rick and Nick. They were my roommates all through college and now we share my apartment. I don’t know what I do without them.”

  “I do.” Rick smirked and nudged his brother.

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Nicholas.” Nick put his hand out to Caleb who shook it hesitantly.

  “I am Caleb.”

  “Hey.” Rick stepped over and put his hand out as well. “We were just going.”

  “You do not have to go because of me.”

  “It’s not like that,” Rick said. “We always go on a morning run before we go to our jobs.”

  “Excellent.” Caleb cracked a nervous smile.

  “C’mon, Nicholas… let’s go.” Rick tugged at his twin’s hand and led him to the front door.

  The brothers exited the apartment as Micah went to the refrigerator. “Can I make you some breakfast?”

  “Breakfast?” Caleb cocked his head.

  “Yeah, something to eat?”

  Caleb looked down at himself. “I suppose this body does need nourishment. Yes, I shall accept your sustenance.”

  “My sustenance? Sounds kinky.”

  “I am sorry, I did not mean to offend you.”

  “You didn’t… it was a joke.” Micah smiled at him and placed a friendly hand on Caleb’s shoulder. His hand filled with warmth. His heart fluttered. “Um… how about eggs and bacon.”

  “Whatever you think is sufficient.”

  “Okay. Why don’t you get dressed while I whip something up.”

  Caleb nodded and returned to the bedroom. Micah watched him stroll down the hall.

  This is crazy…what am I doing? He’s probably not the slightest bit into me. Am I just being an idiot? I can’t help it… he’s….incredible.

  Micah pulled out a frying pan, some mixing bowls, a bunch of eggs, oils and bread for toasting. He got to work, setting the table while everything sizzled and the apartment filled with an irresistible aroma.

  “That scent is tantalizing,” Caleb said, returning to the kitchen in a pair of Micah’s jeans and one of his t-shirts.

  Micah looked up, noticing Caleb in more of his clothes. Wow, he looks good in my stuff. “Well you should see how it tastes. Sit down, it’s almost ready.”

  Moments later, Micah served them up steaming plates of food and joined Caleb at the table to eat. “You don’t have any other clothes of your own?”

  “I should not have just taken yours… I am sorry. I thought you were sharing…”

  “Oh I was …of course. You’re welcome to any of my clothes. I just meant maybe I could take you to get more.”

  “That would be nice.”

  “Okay great. In the meantime, I can throw the ones you were wearing into the community washers. I have the day off today. If you’d like I can also help you find a place to rent or something.”

  “Rent?”

  “Yeah, an apartment or room of your own?”

  “Sure. If you think that is good for me.”

  “Well, it wouldn’t be bad. You need a roof over your head.” Micah wasn’t sure he should press the matter any further and watched as Caleb wolfed down his food.

  “This really tastes good,” Caleb said with his mouth full.

  “Thank you. I’m glad you like it.”

  “I appreciate your generosity. I knew when I first saw you that you were a good man.”

  “Please… I should be thanking you continuously. You saved my life and I never even saw you coming. “

  “It was just luck. I just happened to be there at the right time.”

  “That’s some timing. So where are you from?”

  Caleb paused and went silent. Micah could tell he was searching for the right words. Finally, he looked up: “Someplace you have not been to.”

  “Well, that covers an awful lot. I’ve haven’t been to many other countries. I’ve been to Canada of course and a few places in Europe. Oh and I’ve been to Rome, Italy.”

  “Oh Rome…I remember it well. Barbaric. Savage. The carnage I witnessed… my brothers reveled in it.”

  “You have brothers. What were you all doing there? Was there a protest? A terrorist act?”

  “Terrorism? Not in the way you think…I…I…”

  “You didn’t just get out of prison or something did you? A foreign prison?”

  Caleb shook his head. “You have no idea. It was not a prison…but it felt like one.” He looked down at his plate and said no more.

  “I’m sorry. You don’t have to talk about it. It’s none of my business.”

  Caleb smiled. “I wish that I could, Micah.”

  “It’s fine really. Let’s get you to a store for some clothes. This will be fun.”

  ###

  Nick ran ahead of his twin in Jessup Park, they were as competitive as any other brothers. Trees and thick greenery surrounded the park, attracting everything from birds and deer to joggers and dog walkers. A small lake was at the center of it. Nick and Rick always ran around the lake, challenging each other, trying to one up the other and see who was indeed the fastest.

  This time Rick lagged behind but he didn’t care, he was enjoying the weather and the cool air. Nick looked back once in a while and smiled at him until the hunky dude passing him in the opposite direction distracted him. Nick had to crane his neck to keep his gaze on him and that sexy body, beautiful blonde hair and a nice ass.

  Nick rounded the lake again and the blonde guy came around the corner, their eyes met and smiles were exchanged. They both decided to pretend a little longer… passing around the lake one more time and exchanging glances to one another.

  Finally, the other jogger stopped and nodded to Nick. “Hey,” he said.

  “Hey yourself.”

  “Why don’t we talk somewhere private?” The blonde man gestured for Nick to follow before he headed away from the lake and to a wooded area.

  “Sure.” Nick began to follow just as Rick caught up to him.

  “You’re ridiculous,” Rick said.

  “I am who I am.” He smirked at him.

  “I’ll be at the car…don’t take too long.”

  “Don’t spoil all of my fun… it takes as long as it takes.”

  The brothers waved goodbye as Nick followed his attraction up a slope into a thick group of trees.

  The blond guy wait
ed for him beneath a large maple tree. Nick walked slowly up to him, his eyes scanning the area for anyone else. Before long he was face to face with the stranger and a second later they were kissing.

  They explored each other’s mouths with their tongues as a rushed excitement dominated their encounter. Nick pulled his lips back and whispered into the man’s ear. “I’m Nicholas.”

  “Jake,” the man said back, his breathing heavy.

  “Cool.” Nick said and kissed him again. Jake grabbed him and swapped places with him, pushing Nick up against the tree trunk. He slid his hand down Nick’s jogging pants and grabbed his dick, then fondled his balls.

  Nick sighed. “Oh yeah…” He reached behind and grabbed Jake’s ass and squeezed it as hard as he could. “So awesome.”

  Jake ran his tongue down Nick’s neck and then dropped to his knees, he pulled Nick’s pants down to his knees and went down on him.

  “Oh God… oh yeah…” Nick cupped the back of Jake’s head and pushed him on, encouraging every stroke. Faster and faster, waves of pleasure shot through Nick’s body, his legs trembled and his hips undulated. He moaned softly as Jake finished him off.

  Jake stood up as Nick melted in his touch. “You want it…” he whispered into Nick’s ear.

  “Oh yes.” Nick slid his hand to Jake’s crotch to gently squeeze his rock hard cock. He followed Jake’s lead and got down on his knees. He pulled Jake’s shorts down and pleasured him, licking balls while he jerked his shaft, enjoying the smell of him and the musky sweat of his recent exercise.

  Jake gasped here and there but was mostly restrained, controlling his ecstasy-laced outbursts. Nick swallowed him down, and continued mercilessly until he climaxed. He stood and Jake pulled him close, kissing him passionately. Nick hugged him tight, closed his eyes and basked in the warmth of him for a moment.

  “That was fun,” Jake said. “I gotta run.”

  “Yeah, me too. Maybe next time…we can do a little more?”

  “Sure, I’d like that. I run here at various times maybe we’ll run into each other again. I just discovered this park. I’m new to town. Maybe you could show me around?”

  “I’d love too.”

  “Great. See ya.”

  Nick watched Jake run off into the trees and vanish from sight. He smiled, despite himself, realizing although he barely knew Jake, he hoped to see him again. Nick headed back to the park to meet his brother at the car. He thanked his lucky stars he had such a supportive sibling.

  ###

  Sebastian strolled downtown after dark. He sniffed the air like one of his hellhounds and smiled. “So much vice here. So much pain. This place surely is a delight.”

  He turned down an alley. His hands twitched, fingers wiggled. The hellhounds materialized beside him, steaming foam drooling from their snouts.

  “Caleb has been here. I can sense him.”

  Some people, denizens of the streets, fled at Sebastian’s appearance but one or two remained. They stared at the arch-demon absently, wondering who he was and if he were a cop. Sulfur scented the air.

  “Please,” Sebastian addressed them. “Carry on. Be true to your nature, primates.” His eyes glowed red and the two men in the alley returned to their needles. They then sat on the ground and shared a bottle of whiskey.

  Sebastian walked by them, his steps echoing in the alley, the hounds snuffling and scratching along the street, trying to pick up Caleb’s trail again. He could smell the rot inside of the derelicts and it stirred pleasurable sensations inside of him.

  “Joey…. What the fuck is that?” One of the men began to panic as he noticed the hellhounds shifting in and out of reality right before him.

  The demon stopped, turned to the men and sidled up to them. He leaned into the panicking man and whispered. “It is your nightmares come true. The sin of your deeds, the destruction of your bodies, your temples. It is the reward for your life of nothing. And you want more.” He nudged closer, his nose pressed against the side of the man’s head, sucking in the fear and shame the man that he exuded.

  “Tomorrow morning you will find your stash spent and you will rob for more. You will compound your sin and take from others to fulfill your desires. Let nothing stop you. Kill if you have to. You need your fix.”

  Sebastian patted the man on the shoulder and walked away. The men looked at one another knowingly, smiling, riding on their highs until the suffering crash of the morning.

  “Where is he? Do not let me down, my boys.” Sebastian let his fingers roll through his hounds’ prickly tendrils and burning spirits. He crossed the street and paused. A flash of goodness assaulted him. “What has that traitor been doing? Caleb! Caleb! Come to me. Lucifer is going to be so angry with you. You will taste his wrath for all of eternity. Fool.”

  “Don’t move, fucker.” A man appeared out of the darkness, standing behind Sebastian. “Give me your wallet.”

  “Wallet?” Sebastian grinned, turning slowly. “I have no such human appendage.”

  “I said don’t move…I’ll stick you man.” The thief pulled out a switchblade but it became red hot, burning his hand. The knife plummeted to the street as he squealed with pain.

  “Hungry boys?”

  The hellhounds formed out of the shadows and descended on the thief as Sebastian continued his path, whistling as he walked.

  ###

  “I can’t believe you didn’t like any of the apartments today,” Micah said as he and Caleb returned from shopping.

  “I just did not feel good in any of them…. Not like here.”

  Micah shrugged and smiled. “That’s okay. At least we got you a whole new wardrobe and a wallet. You really shouldn’t carry wads of cash around like that. Just keep it in your new wallet.” He fished the black leather wallet out of the bags and handed it to Caleb.

  Caleb looked at it quizzically and slid it into the pocket of his new jeans. He followed Micah around like a puppy, watching him walk down the hall and enter his bedroom, switching on the light.

  Micah removed a few shirts and pants from the bags, along with socks and underwear and starting folding them onto the top of his dresser. “We can look again at apartments day after next, I’ll have the entire weekend off.”

  Caleb stared at Micah, watching him stretch and bend, examining his smile and the light glinting in his eyes. The night had grown dark and this was the only room of the house lit up and the two of them were alone. He didn’t know why, but Caleb was nervous for the first time since escaping purgatory. Micah had an affect on him that was unexplainable but real. He felt his body, his vessel change whenever they were near each other, a rise in the body’s heartbeat, the tingle of his skin, the funny feeling in the pit of his stomach. Even his breathing was strange.

  He liked it. All of it. And he liked Micah. He was good and decent, he gave himself to whoever needed him. He had yet to come across a man like Micah, now and in all the times he visited the earth to tempt the innocent and torment the faithful. Oh how he loathed what he was, how he regret every moment of suffering he’d inflicted upon them.

  “Will it be okay with you if I remained here?” Caleb asked.

  Micah turned to him. “Sure, of course. Anyone who saves my life is a buddy of mine. I can sleep on the couch a few more nights.”

  “You do not have to resign yourself to the couch.”

  Micah looked at him, his face flushed red. It was adorable. “What are you saying?”

  “This is your abode. You should not sleep elsewhere. I think we should share your quarters.”

  “Quarters? Yes, of course. I could sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor or we could set up a cot or something. It’s nice that you don’t want to put me out. The floor wouldn’t be very comfortable though.”

  “The bed is large enough.”

  “It is isn’t it?” Micah scratched his head and his gaze swept from Caleb to the bed then to the floor. He shifted his stance and seemed uncomfortable.

  “Surely you have shared the bed
before?”

  “You have no idea.” Micah chuckled nervously. “Although it has been a while.”

  “I would very much like to stay with you.”

  “Then you will. No problem.” Micah stepped closer to him. “You are welcome here as long as you want.”

  “Thank you. You are so kind and generous. I see why the others stay here with you.”

  “They’re my closest friends. Of course they…”

  “Am I your friend?”

  Micah lost his thought. He searched for words but only one would come out. “Yes.” He stared into Caleb’s eyes and the two of them found themselves dangerously close.

  Caleb’s entire body flushed with warmth as Micah leaned in and kissed him. Their lips met softly, tracing one another until the kiss deepened and a rush of sensations shot through Caleb. He lifted his hand slowly to reach for Micah…

  The front door burst open. Footsteps clapped on the floor.

  “Why is it so dark in here?” Rick’s voice bellowed.

  “Micah!” Nick called.

  Caleb jumped and he pulled away from Micah. “I should not…” he lowered his head and slipped from the room. Micah stared, mute.

  7

  Nicki checked herself in the mirror one last time before heading outside. She got into her car and drove off. She was a bit nervous. She was on yet another first date with someone she’d met online. Been chatting with him for a month or so. Now they had agreed to meet at a small Italian café in the city. She hoped he wasn’t another weirdo or control freak. The last one wouldn’t stop calling her, even after she’d ended it. The one before him was ready to marry her after the third date. Then there was the cop that expected anyone who’d marry him to stay home to bake pies and have his children. Yeah, right.

  Despite all this, she still wasn’t giving up. The man for her was out there she just knew it. Nicki took a shortcut through the back roads with very little streetlights and thick woods on either side. The moon added much-needed glow to the darkened roads. Her mind drifted back to Jim and his online pictures, his auburn hair and beard, his green eyes and killer smile. He was athletic, adventurous and smart. He seemed too good to be true.