Infernal

by J. Ashburn

  ###

  Nicki surveyed the chaos and carnage. The highway was an utter mess and they were lucky they were even able to get on the scene. They parked on the opposite side of the highway and climbed over the median.

  She and Micah came upon the first car. A man had climbed out of his vehicle in a daze and collapsed. His head bled profusely and his face was covered in lacerations. Nicki surmised that both legs might have been broken. She checked his pulse and listened to his heartbeat. It was weak. She grabbed her bag and tried to stop his bleeding.

  Just finish him off.

  Nicki looked up and around her. At first she thought it was someone behind her, talking to her. She looked over her shoulder but no one was there. Then she realized it was that voice. The one she’d heard before.

  He’s a lost cause. You know how you hate lost causes when there are others that need you. No one will know. Just do it.

  “No.”

  Do it. It would be so easy. Just cover his nose and mouth with your hand. It’ll be quick and painless, a mercy killing, really.

  “Stop it, just stop it.”

  “Nicki?” Micah reached over and touched her seemingly breaking the spell.

  “Huh?”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Micah goddammit, leave me alone!”

  “Nicki? I don’t think you’re ready to be back on the job. After this one you should probably go home.”

  Tears rolled down her cheeks and her hands trembled but she pressed on the man’s wounds harder and stopped the bleeding. She looked up at Micah. “All right… all right… I’ll go home after we get this scene cleaned up.”

  “I’m calling for back up,” Micah said. “We got more accidents than we can handle.”

  Nicki watched him grab the radio and call in. She wanted to cry out for help. She wanted to beg him to find out what was happening to her but the darkness stirring within her refused to let her.

  She was more terrified than ever.

  3.

  The work shift had ended but Nicki had returned to the hospital. She stood in the maternity ward and stared down at baby Zach. The baby cooed and squirmed as Nicki put her hands on the crib. Her heart fluttered. Her brow dampened. She felt lost. Alone. Not herself.

  Go ahead… take him.

  She knew that voice. She knew it. Who the hell was it?

  You know you want to. Reach in and take the child.

  Nicki shook her head. “No.”

  Zach let out a muffled squeal then yawned, his mouth stretching ever so slowly and his eyes flashed open for just a second before closing again. Still Nicki stared.

  She stood unmoving, watching the baby sleep. A sweet smell wafted in the air. Something cold, something icy caused the hair on the back of her neck to stand up. Her arms broke out in gooseflesh.

  Take him.

  “No. Stop it. Go the hell away.”

  She caught her breath suddenly, realizing that tears rolled down her cheeks. A salty taste hit her lips and she let go of the crib.

  Nicki stepped back and looked around. Panic swelled in her chest. “What am I doing here?”

  She couldn’t remember. Footsteps sounded out in the hall.

  Another yawn from Zach and Nicki bolted from the room.

  Soon you won’t be able to stop my urges.

  Those were the last words she heard before disappearing from the ward.

  ###

  Nick kissed Jake’s chest, circled his nipples with his tongue and slid down his lover’s body as the hot shower water washed over them. Steam filled the bathroom, hanging lazily over the tub. The air, thick and warm, wrapped Nick like a blanket as he clutched Jake’s thighs.

  He got on his knees and gently brushed his tongue over Jake’s shaft before going all the way down on him. He bobbed slowly, listening to Jake moan as his own dick grew stiff. The water pattered on the tiles around him like soft rain. He lost himself in the music of their lovemaking.

  Jake cupped the back of Nick’s head with his hand and thrust, bracing his other hand on the tile wall. Water gushed over his back and head, pouring down Nick’s hunched body. Jake gasped, thrusting some more. He pulled Nick up and climaxed. Nick kissed him deeply, passion filling him from head to toe.

  The two embraced before Jake returned Nick’s favor, going down on him as the shower christened them. Nick threw his head back, letting the water patter his face and run down his chest. His thighs quivered at Jake’s touch. His entire body trembled as he felt the release building inside of him, Nick’s core tingled, his muscles tensed. Jake worked him quickly, bringing him to climax with a feverish rush. Nick gasped and Jake met it with a kiss, wet lips against wet lips.

  They embraced again, Nick basking in Jake’s arms. Jake reached behind him and turned off the shower.

  “Caleb came into the ER today,” Jake said.

  “He did? Why?”

  “He looked like he’d been in a fight. He was all banged up. Scratches.”

  “Shit… why didn’t you say anything?”

  “I just did.”

  “Is he okay? What happened to him?”

  “He’s fine. He heals remember? He wouldn’t tell me what happened he just wanted to see Micah but he was out on a call.”

  “Oh my God…what if it was another demon? What if it was something worse? I wonder if Micah’s okay. I should go home…I…”

  “Nick, I’m sure everything’s fine.” Jake held onto Nick tighter even though he tried to leave the shower.

  “You should have told me. What if Micah’s in danger?”

  “It was probably just an accident. I calmed Caleb down and cleaned him up.”

  “Calmed in? Was he scared? Angry? This could be bad. I need to get a hold of Micah or Rick to check in on them. I—“

  “Nick wait…don’t go. I need you too.”

  “But my friends.”

  “Your friends have each other. They’re doing just fine. Caleb wasn’t really hurt… you know… he’s not like us.”

  “I still care about him.” Nick pushed away from Jake and grabbed a towel.

  “Wait please,” Jake followed him from the bathroom to the bedroom. “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything earlier. I didn’t want to spoil the moment. Please stay with me. Give Micah a call if it makes you feel better.”

  Nick put his hand out to Jake who took it. “I’m not mad. I just care about my friends… I hope that’s okay. You aren’t jealous are you?”

  Jake shook his head. “Of course not. I love your friends.”

  “Good.”

  Jake kissed him and gently took the towel from his grip. He kissed Nick again and eased him onto the bed. “Round two?” he whispered in Nick’s ear.

  Nick smiled, already growing aroused again.

  ###

  “Caleb!” Micah called the moment he got home. “Caleb! Oh God… are you all right?” He had discovered the door busted off its hinges, lying crushed out in the yard.

  Footfalls rushed down the hall.

  “Micah!” Caleb emerged out of hiding and ran to Micah’s arms. “We have to go… now. He’ll be back.”

  “What’s going on? Who will be back?”

  “We must go before he finds me.”

  “Caleb what happened to you?” Micah noticed the bandages on Caleb’s hands and arms. “Is it another demon? We can fight him together.”

  “It’s not a demon.” Caleb pulled away from Micah and paced around the room. “It’s an angel.”

  “An angel?”

  “We need to get out of here.”

  “But we can talk to him. It’s an angel…they’re like all good and love and…”

  “You don’t understand. We are enemies. We made war with them. I was a part of Lucifer’s rebellion. He is part of the Archangel Michael’s warriors. He will smite me if he can. There is no stopping him. No sending him back. We just need to run and hide. That is all we can do
.”

  “Caleb, we just can’t run every time someone…”

  “Micah please!” Caleb raised his voice. Panic was evident in his eyes. His chest heaved as if he was out of breath.

  Micah walked up to him, halted his pacing and put his arms around him. “Then we’ll reason with him. He doesn’t understand that you’ve repented. You’re different. You help people and you found love. Surely, he understands what love means.”

  “He won’t. He can’t. I’ve been marked now.”

  “Marked?”

  Caleb nodded. “I’ve been labeled Infernal, a great abomination to both Heaven and Hell. I don’t belong to either now. I’m an outlier in the divine order of things. A rogue being. They think I’m dangerous to all they know, to the balance between good and evil. See, there is a balance to both sides, neither can have complete and total victory over the other. It keeps the universe in order. I can disrupt that now.”

  “Maybe you should. Maybe it’s time this stupid war was over.”

  Tears welled in Caleb’s eyes. “I can’t, my love. I am but one fallen angel and they will not rest until I am dust. Nehemiah will never stop coming for me.”

  Micah took both of Caleb’s hands. “Okay,” he caught his breath. “Okay. We’ll go somewhere. We’ll hide this out.”

  “I’m sorry, Micah. I’m so sorry. We’ll never find peace. There will always be someone after us. You will always be in danger because of me.”

  “Stop.” Micah put both arms around him again and Caleb responded by laying his head on his chest. “This is not your fault. You can’t help any of this. I’ll be okay. We’ll be okay. I’m gonna call Nicki right now and see if we can stay…”

  “I do not want to put any of your friends in danger. Are you sure we should call her?”

  Micah paused, staring at Nicki’s contact into on his phone. He remembered how strange she was behaving and how sick she’d been. He reconsidered. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe we should hide out in a hotel. If we don’t even know where we’re going maybe this angel will have a harder time finding us.”

  “We can only try.”

  “C’mon.” Micah headed for the kitchen threshold with its missing door. “Let’s get in the car.”

  Caleb followed him hesitantly, watching the skies as he exited the house.

  ###

  The sky burned with red as the sun set and the shadows stretched across the condo complex. Nicki looked out her window waiting for Jim to arrive. She called him up and invited him over. It was unexpected but she just had to see him. Actually, she couldn’t wait.

  A pair headlights glowed on the horizon and a smile curled on Nicki’s face. Jim had arrived. He pulled up into the visitor parking space and got out, heading to her door. Nicki scampered from the window and yanked the front door open before he had had a chance to knock or ring the bell.

  “Come on in,” Nicki beamed.

  “Whoa, hi Nicki. It’s been a while.”

  “I know. I’ve been dying to see you.”

  “Really? Then why didn’t you return any of my calls or texts? I’ve been trying for months.”

  “Are we gonna stand and talk in the doorway or are you going to come in?”

  He mustered a smile and nodded before stepping inside. He looked around the room noticing it in shambles.

  “So, how have you been?”

  Nicki licked her lips and smiled at him. “Missing you.”

  Jim cocked his head. “Are you feeling all right? You don’t sound like yourself.”

  “I’m feeling just fine.” She put out her hand. “Let’s sit down on the couch.”

  “Okay.” Jim took her hand gently and followed her over to the couch. She flung trash and clothes off of it and pulled him onto it with her.

  “Nicki… what’s this all about? This is really unusual…I mean… for you.”

  “You think you know me, Jim?”

  “I thought I did but…”

  “Please. I know what you want. I know what all of you men want.” She leaned in and kissed him. She climbed into his lap and pushed him down on the couch.

  “Nicki… wait. This doesn’t feel right.”

  “I can make it feel right… very right.” She grabbed his shirt and ripped it open, buttons scattering to the floor. Nicki ran her tongue down his chest and to his bellybutton.

  Jim squirmed, half-resisting. “Oh…”

  She unbuckled his belt and unbuttoned his pants. His legs quivered as she ran her hands over his dick. He grew hard in her hands.

  “This isn’t right… I should go…”

  Nicki looked up into his wide eyes. “Don’t you want me, Jim? Because I really want you.” She went down on him, gliding her tongue up and down his dick. He tried to sit up and stop her but Nicki slung her arm across his chest and pushed him back down. He was alarmed with the strength she suddenly displayed.

  She smiled up at him and his face was white. A cackle escaped her as she went down on him again.

  “What’s happening… this isn’t you Nicki? Something’s wrong—I—oh my God—I—“

  “I want you…I need you… don’t you want me…”

  “Not like this!”

  “Fine!” Nicki sat up suddenly and seized him by the throat. She hurled Jim across the living room.

  A thud echoed in the room as he crashed onto the floor and hit his nose. Blood seeped from his nostrils and Jim held his fingers to them as he crawled to his knees. “Holy fuck…” he turned to stare at Nicki.

  She stood up, relishing the terror in Jim’s eyes. The couch tipped over behind her and slid against the wall. “Get out!” she screamed. “Get the FUCK out! You filthy human! You waste of flesh…. You dare to resist ME!”

  The voice coming from Nicki was not her own. Inside she cowered, realizing she was barely in control of her own body.

  Jim stumbled to his feet, his pants around his knees. He pulled them up, almost tripping over himself as he escaped out the front door. Nicki screamed. The room shook. Walls creaked. Ceiling thundered. She rushed to her bedroom, the door slamming behind her.

  “What is happening to me?” Nicki crawled onto the bed, clutching the covers to her chest. Laughter rose in her chest. She sat up on the bed and glanced into her dresser mirror.

  A familiar face flickered over her own… the demon that had tried to destroy Caleb and Micah. Sebastian. His human guise leered at her before melting into a scaly beast with horns, barbs and fierce yellow eyes.

  “NO!”

  ###

  “We’ll leave town, find a hotel,” Micah said to Caleb. “We can hide out there until we come up with a plan.”

  Caleb glared out of the car window silently.

  “Caleb… Caleb!”

  “Huh…I’m sorry.”

  “It’s going to be okay. We’ll figure this out.”

  Caleb shook his head. “It’s not that simple. I am not strong enough to fight an angel. He will inevitably win and smite me. I will cease to exist, Micah. That will be it. I will face my oblivion.”

  “No. I’m not gonna let that happen.”

  “You can’t do any harm to him.”

  “I can talk to him. Reason with him.”

  A half smile drew across Caleb’s face. It brought tears to Micah’s eyes. “I love you Micah… but I’m afraid our time together is drawing to an end.”

  “I won’t accept that…I just found you. I—”

  A loud flapping sounded across the sky. A thunderclap boomed and something crashed on the roof of Micah’s car.

  “Jesus!” Micah’s heart leapt into his throat. He fought to maintain control of the wagon as it screeched all over the road.

  “He’s here!” Caleb screamed.

  Pounding rocked the car’s roof before a large shadow looked over the windshield. Nehemiah flipped onto the front of the car, landing on the hood. His glorious white wings spread wide balancing him as he knelt on the hood and brandished his mace.

  “He’d going to break the
window!” Caleb called, his human skin rippling with scales.

  Micah’s heart slammed against his chest. The steering wheel jammed form side to side. Micah’s arms ached trying to control it. He looked straight at Nehemiah and was struck by his brilliant blue eyes and stark white hair. The angel was stunningly beautiful, supernaturally perfect, so magnificent he seemed unreal, a being from a lucid dream. Micah’s breath was almost taken away.

  Then he saw the mace draw back and panic swept through him. Micah reacted and slammed on his brakes as hard as he could. The car jerked to a stop and Nehemiah pitched from the hood and rolled across the road. The mace flew out of his grip and into a nearby ditch.

  “Hold on!” Micah cut the wheel and hit the gas. He spun around in a U-turn and roared down the street in the opposite direction. He glanced into his rearview mirror and saw the angel soar straight up into the sky.

  “He’ll be back on us in moments…” Caleb said.

  “Just hold on!” Micah cut the wheel again, turned around and started back in the direction they’d been heading. “I got a few tricks up my sleeve.”

  “Micah!”

  The station wagon veered off the road onto a gravelly surface. Tall weeds loomed all around them and their path became a trail into the woods. Micah drove the car deeper and deeper into what appeared to be marshland. The trails were strewn with tree roots and jagged rocks and the car bumped and hobbled the entire way.

  Mist rose off the water to their left and gave Micah an idea. He turned to Caleb. “Can you mess with the weather?”

  “Yes but what good would …”

  “Cover the entire swamp in fog.”

  “Okay.” Caleb rolled down his window and held his hand outside. He wriggled his fingers and a thick rolling fog slithered into the marsh. The entire area became nearly impassable. Visibility quickly became nil.

  Micah pulled over and turned off the car. “Hummer Rock Swamp,” he said. “My brother and I used to ride our bikes through here and play. You could get easily lost in here. We never did but if someone wanted to hide here it would be very easy, especially now with this fog. One time Cole and I found the remains of someone’s camp in here… like blankets, old food cans, a makeshift tent. It was probably some homeless guy but it was kinda creepy. We used to make up all kinds of ghost stories about this place.”