Night Mares

by Janine R Pestel

  “Actually, I guess I may have been a little harsh. Mister Tibbs isn’t really evil. I don’t think so at least.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  She looked away, then back to him and said, “When he first met my mom, he was a really nice guy. He was one of the nicest people I ever met. That was why my mom picked him to be her running mate in the election last year. Together they were gonna spread goodwill all over the town. They had big plans.”

  “So, what made you say he was evil?”

  “Well, right after they got elected he suddenly changed. He became obsessed. His sense of humor disappeared. It was almost like he didn’t care about anyone anymore. The only thing he seemed to care about was his ‘pet project’ as he called it.”

  Robert asked Belinda and David to wait outside. He then walked over to where Becky and Johann were talking and stood next to Johann.

  “And what was this pet project of his?” asked Johann. Becky looked at him and winced.

  “His pet project was the new water treatment plant. My mom and everyone on the council agreed that we needed one, but everyone was against where he wanted to put it. At first, he was fine and only pushed the matter a little. But then one day he somehow found out about the legend. He just had to go out there and see for himself. You do know about the legend, don’t you?”

  “Yes. We’ve heard about it. What happened after he went to the church?” asked Johann.

  “Nobody knows exactly. He went out to look at the site. When he came back he seemed…no…he was obsessed with removing all the debris and putting the water treatment plant there. Actually, it got to the point where it seemed he didn’t care if we put the plant there or not, as long as we removed the rubble.”

  “You say he became obsessed?” asked Robert.

  “Yes. Anytime he and mom were together the subject would always come up. When he didn’t get his way, and she wouldn’t allow it, he would get really angry. There were times I almost called the police. I thought he was going to get violent. It was almost like he was possessed or something. I swear sometimes his eyes looked black.” Johann and Robert looked at each other with their eyebrows raised.

  “Possessed? Really?” Johann asked.

  “Black eyes?” Robert said. She looked at him with her brow furrowed and her mouth slanted.

  “Of course, they weren’t. I mean he is only human. He just acted like a devil or something.”

  Johann began to stroke his mustache.

  “Yeah. I’m sure he is. By the way, there is one more thing I was wondering about. There’s a photo in your mother’s casket. It has her and another woman in it. I think the woman was someone I met recently. Emily Thomas,” Johann said.

  Becky’s shoulders slumped, and she dropped her eyes to the floor. She reached up and wiped away some tears that were falling.

  “Yes. I was told Emily was killed last night,” Becky said.

  “I know. Can you tell me anything about her? Why were she and your mother at the church in the photo?” Johann asked.

  “They were doing a memorial,” Becky answered. She looked at Johann as though he should have known that. He cocked his head to the side and knitted his brow.

  “Emily was the great-granddaughter of one of the people who was said to be possessed. One of the people they were doing the exorcism on when the church collapsed. She was there with my mom placing flowers on the site on the anniversary of the day it all happened. That was part of the reason why she was in town again. The anniversary is coming up in a few days, and she and mom were going to do another memorial.”

  “That was part of the reason?” asked Johann. Becky looked at him. “Do you know what the rest of the reason was?”

  “Yes. She also wanted to lobby the council.”

  “What was she going to lobby the council about?” Robert asked. Becky turned to him.

  “She heard that Malcolm removed the rubble. She wanted to see if she could talk the council into returning the rubble, so the site would be in its original condition.”

  “Of course,” Johann said, looking at Robert. “I think we should go and talk to the new mayor, don’t you?”

  -11-

  After they dropped Belinda and David off at the motel, Johann and Robert headed for the mayor’s office. Johann’s silence during the drive was making Robert uncomfortable. He knew that when Johann was quiet on the outside, an inferno was raging on the inside. He looked sideways at Johann. He didn’t want the demon hunter to know he was nervous.

  Johann stared straight ahead. He steered the car with one hand and stroked his mustache with the other. He almost looked relaxed, but Robert knew better. After the fifth time that Robert glanced at him, Johann spoke.

  “I’m not going anywhere. You don’t have to keep watching me,” Johann said without looking over at Robert. Robert raised his eyebrows.

  “I’m not watching you. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” answered Robert quickly. He pouted his lip trying to look and sound nonchalant. Johann looked at him, a little annoyed. He hated the feeling of being scrutinized, and it made him nervous.

  “Don’t know what I’m talking about? Of course, you do. You’ve been watching me since we dropped off Belinda and Dave. You think I’m blind? What’s the matter with you, anyway? Why do ya keep staring at me? You’re starting to creep me out.” He gave Robert a fast look.

  “Nothing’s the matter with me really. I’m just not sure it’s a real good idea to talk to this guy.”

  “Why wouldn’t it be a good idea?”

  “Well—I mean—he doesn’t sound like the nicest of people. He sounds like he’s got a nasty temper and he’s easily set off. Frankly it sounds like he’s got an ax to grind, and I’m not sure it’s a good idea to put our heads on that chopping block.”

  Johann knitted his brow. He looked at Robert, then back out the windshield. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing from his demon-hunting partner.

  “Easily set off? Ax to grind? Chopping block? Are you afraid of him, Bob?”

  Robert looked at Johann, then down at his lap for a moment.

  “Afraid of him? No. I don’t think so. It’s just that he reminds me of someone who does scare the hell out of me.” He looked back at Johann.

  Johann gave his friend a questioning look. He’s right about that. That guy did look like that bastard Malphas now that I think about it. Hmm, I wonder. Maybe there’s more than just a coincidence going on here?

  Johann pressed harder on the accelerator and the car lurched forward. Robert clawed at the dashboard as he was unexpectedly thrown back in his seat. His eyes grew wide and he turned to his friend.

  “Johann. What’s the rush? Did your water break?”

  “Ha-ha, funny funny. The sooner we get to this guy, I think the sooner we’ll be done with what we have to do here. Don’t worry. You’re not going to die today. At least not in a car accident.”

  “Oh, not in a car accident. Well that makes me feel a whole lot better,” said Robert. Johann looked up at his rearview mirror. His lips curled into a smug smile when he saw a familiar sight.

  “I can guarantee you Malphas ain’t at the mayor’s office,” Johann said. Robert pulled his eyebrows together.

  “How can you guarantee that?” he asked. Johann again looked in his rearview mirror.

  “Because he’s behind us,” Johann answered as he pointed to the back window with his thumb.

  Robert’s heart skipped a beat, and he caught his breath. He looked in this side mirror. There it was. The familiar, black Dodge Challenger that had plagued them since Bucktown. This time he could easily see someone in the passenger seat—a woman. He strained his eyes to try and get a better look. Is that who I think it is? He turned to Johann with a confused expression on his face.

  “I thought we wrecked him in Mountainview?” Robert said. Johann looked at him

  “He’s a demon, Bob. He can do pretty much anything he wants, remember?”

  “Oh, crap,” Ro
bert said, closing his eyes. “And us without our guns.”

  “No worries, Bob. I still have my cross. If something happens he still can’t get past that.”

  Johann looked in the rearview mirror one more time. He could also see that there were two people in the car, but he couldn’t make out who the passenger was. A short distance ahead Johann could see a vacant lot. He slowed and turned on his turn signal.

  Robert’s eyes widened. He thought he was about to have a panic attack when he turned to Johann.

  “Johann, what are you doing?” Robert’s voice was panicked.

  “Pulling into this lot.” Johann answered casually.

  “Why? Why the hell would you want to do that?”

  “He’s harmless at the moment. If he was up to no good, we would have known about it. He was following us, so he obviously wants to talk to us. I want to find out what he wants.” He turned to Robert who was pale as a sheet.

  “Oh, obviously he just wants to talk,” Robert said, mimicking Johann.

  “Look, I’ve been doing this long enough to know when we’re in danger and when we’re not. And right now—we’re not. I’m going to go to the driver side. You go to the passenger side,” instructed Johann.

  He pulled the car into the vacant lot and stopped. The Dodge Challenger pulled up and stopped behind him. The low throb of the two engines was the only sound that broke the quiet afternoon air.

  Johann sat in his seat watching in the rearview mirror. He wanted to fully assess the situation before he got out of the car. When he was satisfied, he looked at Robert and nodded.

  The two demon hunters got out of the car and walked back to the Challenger. Johann on the driver side, and Robert on the passenger side. Robert’s heart raced, and his mouth went dry when he realized the passenger was Theresa. He looked at Johann. He could tell from Johann’s expression that he saw her too.

  As Johann approached the driver side door, the window rolled down. As he had anticipated, Malphas was behind the wheel. He looked the same as he did in Mountainview. He appeared as a middle-aged, slightly overweight businessman whose hair was thinning on top. He looked up at Johann and gave the demon hunter a smug smile.

  “And to what do I owe this pleasure?” asked the demon sarcastically. Johann stared at him. He was doing his best not to punch Malphas in the face. He didn’t want to do anything that might jeopardize his sister in the passenger seat. He leaned down and placed his hands on the top of the door. The demon hunter peered into the car at his sister in the passenger seat.

  “Hi, sis. Are you okay?” he asked gently. He swallowed hard at the sight of her. She turned to him and smiled. Johann blinked. It looked to him as though she were glowing. As though she had a visible aura around her. He quickly searched the inside of the car to see if there was anything that could possibly be reflecting the bright sunlight of the day.

  Realizing there was nothing in the car or anywhere nearby reflecting so much light, his mouth went dry. You son of a bitch. You thought you could convince me that my sister was here. Hiding behind a woman’s skirt? You’re nothin’ but a coward.

  “Yes, Johann. I’m fine,” she answered. “Are you okay?” Johann looked at her and nodded. He then drew his mouth into a straight line and turned his attention to the demon in the driver seat.

  “You know I’m going to get her back one day, right?” Johann said menacingly. The demon gave him a smug smile.

  “So, what did you want to talk to me about? You want to tell me you’re leaving before I bust your ass and send you back to hell again like I did in Mountainview?” Johann said.

  “Oh, you really burned me that time,” Malphas said, narrowing his eyes.

  “Don’t blame me. I didn’t burn you. That was your boss. Maybe you need to get into a better line of work.”

  “Oh, you’re a funny man. Tell you what. Have your people contact my people to remind me to laugh.”

  “Are you going to stop wasting my time and tell me what you want, Malph-ass, or are we just going to meet up later, so I can kick yours again?”

  Malphas looked at Johann and gave him a forced smile.

  “Actually, I wanted to invite you to a wed-—"

  “Oh, that’s right. I understand you think we’re going to be in-laws,” Johann interrupted.

  Malphas reached over and took Theresa’s hand. They smiled up at Johann like a teenage couple in love.

  “She loves me,” Malphas said, knowing the effect it would have on the demon hunter. Johann looked at the ground then back at Malphas and forced a smile.

  Robert looked in the passenger window and could see the passenger seat was empty. He knitted his brow and stood upright facing Johann.

  “Johann,” Robert said. Urgency was in his voice.

  “Not now, Bob,” Johann said, staring at Malphas. His temper was rising, and he was enjoying the feeling. He didn’t want anything to stop it.

  “But, Johann,” Robert insisted. Johann rolled his eyes.

  “I know, Bob. Later.”

  “But—”

  Knowing that Robert wasn’t going to stop, Johann’s forced smile turned into a scowl. He reached in and grabbed Malphas by his shirt collar.

  “Okay, shitbag. I know she’s not really there. I’m not stupid. I know when I see an illusion. I’ll give you two seconds to tell me what you know about the new mayor of this town, then I’m going to punch your face in,” Johann said.

  The demon looked at Johann’s hands then up at his face. The irises of his eyes turned red and his lips curled into an evil smile.

  “You really think you scare me, Priest? All I’m going to tell you is the war has started. Now if you want to punch me and let people see a young, virile man like you beating up a weak, defenseless, old man, go right ahead. Don’t let me stop you. Oh, and one more thing. Take my advice. Sleeping can be hazardous to your health.”

  As Johann pulled his fist back ready to punch, the car vanished. Johann and Robert were left standing in the vacant lot with nothing between them. Robert stared at Johann, a confused expression again on his face. He looked over Johann’s shoulder and saw several people had gathered on the sidewalk. They were all staring in disbelief at what had just happened. Some were blinking and shaking their heads. They were murmuring among themselves.

  Johann turned to the small group. He took his wallet out of his pocket and opened it up to expose what looked like a badge.

  “There’s nothing to see here. Go on your way,” he said, sounding very much like a law enforcement officer. The group slowly turned and dispersed as instructed. Johann turned his attention back to Robert.

  “Bob. I knew Theresa wasn’t there. I was able to see that. I wanted to find out if that son of a bitch would tell me anything at all about what was going on. Even a little clue might have helped.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know…” Robert said weakly. Johann’s expression softened.

  “It’s alright. You’ll learn. Come on. Let’s get back on track to where we were going. I really want to talk to that guy now. He and Malphas could be brothers, they look so much alike.” The two got back in the car and continued on their way to the mayor’s office.

  It was late afternoon when they pulled up in front of the medium-sized steel-and-glass building. It had a well-manicured lawn and a sign on a gleaming stainless-steel pedestal that simply read “Clemons City Hall.” There were two shrubbery-lined sidewalks, one on each side of the lawn, that went to a central staircase. At the top of the short staircase were the glass doors.

  Johann stared at the building then scratched the side of his forehead.

  “Somehow this looks way out of place around here,” he said. He looked up and down the block. Most of the buildings were older buildings constructed of wood. With the exception of city hall, it looked like the whole street was out of a movie from the 1950s. Johann half expected to see children playing with hula hoops and men wearing fedoras.

  Robert scratched the bottom of his chin.

 
; “Yes, it does. It must be newer.” Robert said, stating the obvious. Johann looked at him.

  “Ya think?” Johann said. “Well let’s get crackin’. It’s gettin’ late and I’m gettin’ hungry.”

  The two walked into the building. Judging from the outside, they expected to see an armed security checkpoint when they entered. Instead, they found nothing. The lobby was large, marble, and empty—except for some chairs and one couch arranged in a circle in the middle of the room. The floor was black marble and very shiny. Other than the chairs and a few potted plants there were no other furnishings in the lobby. Not even an information desk.

  There were three hallways. One in front of them, one to the right, and one to the left. Like the lobby, all three hallways had white marble walls and a black marble floor. There was no one walking in any of the hallways. It appeared that Johann and Robert were the only people in the building who weren’t in an office.

  On the wall near the hallway to the left of where they were standing was a large photograph of Mayor Benson, framed in oak. Around the frame was black bunting. A candle burned on a tall candle holder in front of the photograph, releasing the fragrance of frankincense and myrrh into the air. Next to the candle was a small arrangement of roses on a wooden tripod with a banner on it that read “R.I.P. Beloved Mayor.”

  “She was a very attractive woman,” Johann said.

  “Yes, she was. What a warm smile,” agreed Robert.

  They walked toward the directory on the wall near the hallway in front of them. Their footsteps echoed off the cavernous walls. Checking the directory, they could see the office of the mayor was a few doors down in the hall to their left. When they reached the office, they didn’t need the words “Office of the Mayor” on the glass to tell them they arrived. The black bunting around the door frame said it all. Johann opened the door, and the two demon hunters entered.

  Inside there were several office workers behind the counter doing various tasks. Each one was dressed in black. Obviously, they were in mourning for their late mayor. As Johann and Robert approached the counter, the woman directly in front of them looked up. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying.