by Joe Fowler
“That’s a laugh. By the time it would register in my brain what one of them was doing, my body had already countered and struck back. It was almost more like I was watching others fight, than being in a fight myself.” It hit home fully about the instincts then. “I understand what you are saying now.”
“Fighting your father will not be so easy though. There are a lot of demons, not all of them are fallen angels. He will be stronger than you are. I don’t know who will have the quickness advantage, or about his skill versus your instincts.” Keith sounded worried. “Just try to keep fighting until we can reach you.”
“Can he be killed?” I asked.
“Yes. If you can rip his heart out or decapitate him, he will die.” Keith said this, but I got the feeling he didn’t think I was capable of doing it. We all sat there for a minute thinking our own thoughts.
“I hate to change the subject since that was so much fun. Seth, have any of the others said they wanted to go with Josh?” Alicia asked.
“No. That doesn’t mean anything yet though. They know they have some time to think things through.” Seth answered but I still didn’t know for sure what they were talking about. I looked at Alicia and back to Seth.
“What are y’all talking about?” I figured I had to ask to find out since they didn’t seem inclined to elaborate.
“When a member of a pack reaches alpha status, sometimes some of the other members of the pack leave to join the new alpha.” Seth said. I was thrown a bit by that. The thought of leaving Seth’s pack to follow me seemed absurd. “If some are thinking of leaving they would wait until today had worked itself out anyway.”
“That’s true.” Alicia said.
“I thought of the timing thing. You said two weeks or so. I graduate on the twenty-fifth, which is two weeks from today. I was hoping the twenty-sixth or twenty-seventh would be ok with you.” I said it believing he would agree to that.
“That should be just fine. I will find some options for you where there aren’t any other werewolf packs. You will have to make the final decision as to where you go.” Seth seemed ok with after graduation.
We talked about other stuff for a while. Just a group of friends having a quiet day sitting under a tree. We didn’t want to talk about what was about to happen. We just wanted to enjoy good company for a little while. The pack wolves were doing much the same. They had splintered into groups and were talking and laughing. Then we got the call we were all waiting for. I reached for my phone.
“Hello.”
“Josh, you are causing problems. We have got Crystal and Sarah here with us now. They don’t know anything is wrong yet.” Mom took a deep breath before she continued. “I am going to give you an address and you are going to go there. If you don’t show up, Crystal and Sarah will suffer. Do you understand?”
“Yes. Why would you hurt them? Why do you need me so bad, you never have before?” I tried to play outraged and confused.
“This day has been planned for a long time. We can’t let you mess this up. This isn’t some game. Are you going to do what we say?” Mom’s voice was a mixture of fear, anger, and frustration.
“You aren’t giving me a choice. Give me the address and I will be there.” We all heard the address and directions that my mom gave. She hung up as soon as she was finished.
The pack had a laptop out on a table with the address punched in. We were looking at the Google maps ground view. Everyone was familiarizing themselves with the layout. We saw a lengthy driveway to a very large house. There was an electronic security gate with cameras at the road so everyone would need to park elsewhere. Larger vehicles to carry more of them would be easier for the pack. Jimmy’s van and Cynthia’s Tahoe would be enough for everyone. I walked away while they planned.
“I wish I could go with you.” Alicia hated being left out.
“This may be the only time I will be happy that you are not by my side. It is so much more important to me that you will be here safe.”
“I know. Just try to come back to me.” Alicia had tears in her eyes.
“I will do everything in my power to annoy you for years to come.” I lifted her face and kissed her. “I love you.” She laid her head on my chest and we hugged each other for a moment.
“It looks like now or never, Josh.” Seth came walking up. “We will leave in front of you to try to be in place as fast as possible. Wait about two minutes after we leave, then get in your car and go.”
“Thanks Seth.” I said and hugged Alicia a little closer.
“Anna, you watch Alicia closely. Don’t let her leave.” Seth turned to make sure Anna had heard and understood.
“Damn.” Alicia’s secret plan wasn’t going to work.
“Planning something were we?” I said it with a smile. She didn’t respond, she just squeezed harder.
I watched everyone load up. I was still holding Alicia. As the van and Tahoe pulled away, Anna pulled Alicia away from me. There were no more words to be said. I smiled at each in turn, Anna then Alicia, then turned and walked to my car. All my life had been average, now I was a psychic werewolf headed to fight my demon father. This was definitely going to be a Metallica drive. I put in the ‘Ride the Lightning’ cd and drove away.
Chapter 14
I tried to just drive without thinking, but that never works. I knew this could go bad in so many ways. I followed the directions and knew I was getting close. I was startled when my phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Are you on your way?” Mom again.
“Yes, I am almost there.” I was getting worried. Why would she call?
“You need to drive past the address I gave you. I will talk you through how to get here. If you hang up the phone, one of the girls will die.” Mom sounded like she meant it. “We are being careful in case you are trying something.”
“Then you need to know this. Have Sarah and Crystal ready to drive away when I get there.” I was trying to think quickly. Unfortunately this had never been one of my strengths, and being under this kind of pressure wasn’t helping.
“That’s not going to happen.” Mom said it flat like there would be no discussion. I had to change her mind about that.
“Then you will never see me again. You are dealing with a demon. He will kill Sarah and Crystal as soon as they become unnecessary. If Adramelech wants me so bad then he will have to let them go free.” I tried to sound more sure of myself than I actually was.
“How do you know his name or what he is? I was careful to never let you hear any of this.” She was shocked.
“I also know that he has until midnight to take possession of my body or he will have to go back to hell. Now, are you going to let the girls go, or am I driving cross country tonight?” I let that sit there.
“Okay. We will let them go, but not until you are here. Have you passed the address I gave you yet?” Mom was pissed.
“Not yet, still a mile or so away.” The directions would give me a little time to gather my thoughts
“We are about five miles past there. We will know if anyone is following you. Remember, do not hang up this phone.” She was calming down but was still noticeably pissed off by the tones she was using.
“I want the girls in a car when I get there. You can hand the keys through the window when I step out of my car. I want to see that nobody is in the car with them and that they make it to the highway without being stopped.” I hoped this would be enough to ensure their safety.
I passed by the address she had given me and saw Jimmy’s van on the side of the road ahead of me. I slowed some to see if I could see any of them but they had gone deep enough into the woods. I would be on my own. Sorry Alicia, I doubt I will make it home. I resolved myself to making sure Sarah and Crystal got away.
“We are outside in the driveway now. This is a very deep half circle driveway, so when you pull in one side they can pull out of the other. Is that good enough?” Mom was sounding reasonable, at least.
“I want
all the doors open so I can see that there isn’t anyone in the car with them. It wouldn’t do me any good to get them out of there if one of your cult members is in the back seat with a gun.”
“We can do that.” As Mom said that I heard Sarah in the background. It sounded like she was being handled roughly.
“Mom, put the phone on speaker so Sarah and Crystal can hear me. It will be on speaker so you will hear every word too. I won’t be able to sneak anything past you.” I hoped she would do as I asked.
I heard her call for the girls to be brought to her. She was warning them to behave if they wanted to be let go. I could tell when she put the phone on speaker. It sounded like Crystal was crying.
“They are here, say what you got to say.” Mom was matter of fact on this.
“Sarah they are letting you two go. I will be there in a couple of minutes. When they give you the keys, you get the hell out of there and don’t stop for anything. You go somewhere very public and stay there. Do you understand?”
“Yes. I understand. What is happening?” Sarah asked but I didn’t get the chance to respond.
“There you spoke to them. Now hurry up and get here.” Mom was being a bitch. I heard the sound quality change and knew she had taken us off speaker. “You will see one of those stupid dolphin mail boxes. We are about a half mile past that on the right side of the road. You need to enter in the first driveway, you will see what I mean.”
I kept driving. An instant of panic hit me. I should just drive away. Leave the demons and the cults to themselves. Then I saw Alicia in my mind. What would she think of me if I left Sarah and Crystal to die in my place? Keith would be done with me, I know Mr. Righteous would never speak to me again. No. I would be brave if nothing else. This thought occurred as I passed the dumbass dolphin mailbox.
I slowed to a crawl to enter the driveway. I was looking for any problems that might cause me to try to get away or any problems that would hinder my getaway. I saw the girls standing next to Sarah’s car on the outgoing side of the drive. I stopped my car even with hers so I could check to make sure the car was empty, it was. I got out of my car with my keys in my hand and motioned for the girls to leave. Crystal and Sarah hurriedly got into the car and pulled away. I walked up the drive to where my mom stood waiting.
“You never said how you know about all of this. I know none of the members would dare speak a word, so how do you know?” Mom sounded casual now.
“Not quite two weeks ago, I started having visions when I touched people. I see the things that people want to hide the most. Usually it is a sin, or some crime, or just something that person is embarrassed about. I saw your cult summoning a demon in one of the visions and I saw you having sex with him in another. I figured he was my father.” I didn’t mind saying this part. I decided not to say anything about the werewolves or Keith.
“Are the visions the only change you’ve gone through?” Mom was curious now.
“I’m stronger now. Some of my senses have improved too. I can hear and smell a lot better now.” I left it at that.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” How could she really be sounding offended? “I’m your mother, you are supposed to come to me with things like that.”
“The cult thing threw me for one. We have never been that close anyway.” She started to say something but I put my hand up to stop her. “Overall, you were a good mother. You always made sure I had the things I wanted and needed and all that kind of thing. You always kept me at a distance though. I understand why now that I know about all of this demon stuff. You knew you were going to lose me to Adramelech when I turned eighteen. I think you were trying not to get too attached to me. During the past two weeks we have been closer than ever in some ways. I think you wanted to get to know me while you still had a chance.”
“You came here knowing you are going to die. That makes no sense.” Mom wasn’t the kind who would understand.
“I would rather die than live knowing an innocent person had died in my place. I couldn’t let anything happen to Sarah or Crystal just because I was afraid. I like to think I am a good person, even if I am half demon.” I enjoyed saying that. I was extremely happy that I hadn’t panicked to the point of running away.
Mom was silent as she thought about what I said. I looked around to see what I could of this place. It was a very large house with woods close to the house in the back. There was a tall brick fence line to the right and small clearing to the left that was filled with cars. There were several men with guns standing around. Two were pretty close to us to make sure I didn’t try to run. In a window on the second floor, I saw my father watching me. My blood ran cold then hot as we stared at each other. Mom saw my gaze and followed it up to my father. She grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the door.
“We better go in now.” She said.
The inside of the house was filled with people. Most were lounging on huge comfortable looking sofas and large expensive armchairs. Others were standing in groups. All eyes turned to me when I entered the room. There seemed to be a collective sigh of relief throughout the place. Their precious demon had his vessel here now. The only sounds were mine and Mom’s footsteps and the settling of ice in glasses. What a surprise, it was a little spooky being in a room full of demon worshippers.
Mom led me to the stairs leading to the second floor. This was far and away the nicest house I had ever been in. Expensive paintings lined the walls as you went up the stairs. At the top of the stairs was a small gathering area with hallways branching off in each direction. We turned down the hallway to the right. It had more of the expensive paintings lining the walls. We stopped outside a door. Mom knocked twice and entered. I felt his evil before I even entered the room.
The room was an office of sorts. It had a large antique desk with two professional looking chairs in front and a big comfortable chair behind it. The room was huge though. On the left and right walls were bookshelves lined with legal type volumes, you know those really thick books that lawyers and law students are always reading. A long bank of windows lined the wall behind the desk. No art or other furniture, just a huge room with very little in it. My father’s presence seemed to fill the room though.
“He knows who you are and what we are doing. He said he started having visions a couple of weeks ago and saw you in them.” Mom didn’t waste time spilling the beans. “That is why he ran this morning.”
“Then I am very shocked to see him here. I was expecting him to have acquired some of his demon heritage. Let me guess, you are stronger and your senses have improved.” He stopped talking and looked at me for confirmation. I nodded. “Why would you come here knowing what I am going to do to you?”
“They were threatening innocent friends of mine. I wasn’t going to run and make my friends suffer in my place. I am half demon but I can still choose not to be evil.” I said this proudly with my head held high. He laughed briefly.
“Another shock. All demons, whether half or whole, have darkness in them. You should have wanted to hurt people, to do bad things, as well as take pleasure when you saw bad things happening, even if not by your doing.” He shook his head in wonder. “Let me guess about the visions if I may. You see peoples crimes, embarrassments, and sins, am I right?”
“Yes.” I answered wondering if I was going to get answers as to why I saw those things instead of good things.
“Part of a demon’s job is to corrupt. If you already know that person’s weakness, then pushing him toward that sin is easier. It also helps you manipulate people into doing what you want them to.” He was smiling as he said that. He looked over at the clock. I followed his gaze seeing it was four o’clock. “Do you know how the possession works?”
“No.” I didn’t trust myself to speak much. I was feeling the same confrontational stuff from this morning.
“There are two ways it can happen. The first is the easiest for both of us. You give me permission in a certain ritual and I take over. You will be sent to hell, but in a glori
ous way. You will not face torment there. There will be all the women you could want and they will do whatever you tell them for as long as you want. Food, drink, and any luxuries you can imagine will be yours.” He looked at me to let all that he had said sink in. He wanted me to have the full effect.
“What is the second way?” I didn’t want to wait for him to get to it.
“I beat you down until you are weak enough and close to death. Then I forcibly take possession. Either way you decide to do this, is fine with me. I just thought you would like to hear the easy way first.” He had a cocky smirk on his face.
“Can I have a little time to think about it?” I asked.
“You can have one hour. At five o’clock you will give me your answer.” He said that to me, then motioned for my mom to pay attention. “Take him to the area at the top of the stairs. Make sure he has food and drink as necessary. Post three armed guards, one at the top of the stairs, and one for each hallway. They should aim for the legs only.” With that he dismissed us and turned back to the window. We left immediately.
“Why don’t you just take the easy way? Think about what he is offering to you. You will be treated like a prince. Everything you want will be yours.” Mom saying this, showed me just how little she knew about me.
“I will think it through. Can I get a coke and something to eat? I’m starving.” I was hungry, but it was more to get rid of her sooner.
“Sure. Hamburger and fries sound ok?” She actually smiled at me like she was being a good mother or something.
“Yes, two burgers and a lot of fries sound better, though.” I said it sweetly, trying to feed her delusion.
She smiled again and turned motioning for guards. She gave them their instructions and went downstairs for my food. I sat in one of the huge armchairs and closed my eyes for a moment. The girls were safely away. Keith and the pack were too, damn it. It looked bad for the home team.
