Death Among Us

by Jack Crosby

  The look of delight on her face made me ever harder. “I am yours master.” She bit her lip and moaned. “Take me, make me loose myself!”

  I pushed myself in and out, fast. Somehow I was at the point of no return and I wasn’t going to waste time. A few more thrusts and once again I was climaxing deep inside. She wrapped her legs around me, pulling me close. She climaxed with me, nails digging into my back.

  From there we cuddled until my stomach’s growling was uncontrollable. I should preface, as you’ve seen me big out a few times, that I really don’t need food. Like alcohol or cigarettes, it’s more an addiction at this point. Plus according to the pamphlet, this place had an amazing spread in the mornings.

  We went downstairs and I loaded up with as many different things as I could find. Eggs, pancakes, waffles, sausage, biscuits, gravy, you know it and I had it on my plate. Some of the guests looked at me like I was crazy when I sat down with that much food. A few old men watched in amazement as I put it all away. Or maybe they were staring at Roxanne, either or really.

  “I will never understand how you eat so much.”

  I had no dignity and went back for seconds. Roxanne balanced me out with some fruit and a bagel. Most of her energies were restored from the marathon sex outing we just had. After putting away enough food to feed a small country, I was ready to deal with our problem.

  “So tonight, the big night huh?”

  She looked amused. “You could say that. Any crazy plans or schemes?”

  “No, not this time. They screwed us, used us, and made fools of us. Tonight we go in guns blazing.”

  “That’s what I wanted to hear.” Her voice got low and deadly, “Maggie is mine to kill. That bitch deserves no less than a one way trip Downstairs.”

  I figured as much. I’d be pretty preoccupied with Darius. “That only leaves Beelzebub…”

  She scoffed at his name. “He won’t do anything. Not while he has his witch and bodyguard. No, he’ll be content to sit back and watch.”

  That figures. “I just wonder if Yuri was right, you know, when he said about killing Maggie. If she dies, does Beelzebub get sent back to his own little wonderland?”

  “It doesn’t seem we have many other options. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

  Looking outside, you’d never know what kinda shit was about to go down. “So how would you like to spend the rest of the day?”

  “I get to pick?”

  “Yeah of course. I’m pretty sure I owe you after all the escapades last night into this morning.”

  Her eyes lit up. “I heard from a few of the women over by the fruit bar about this amazing mall not too far away. If I die tonight, I want to look damn good in the process.”

  Being a man (or celestial being) of my word, we went to the mall. For Roxanne this was like a dream come true. We went into every clothing store the place had to offer. I lost count at how many different outfits she tried on and how many bags I was trying to carry. In fact, I had to make a trip back to Khloros and load up the trunk just to make room for carrying more.

  It was about two when the shopping spree came to an end. After another trip to the car (in which Khloros made fun of me for being a domesticated husband), we got a few ice cream cones from the food court and went outside. I found a nice spot under a tree with a bench.

  The vanilla ice cream tasted great. “This certainly has been an awesome day.”

  “I agree. I never thought all of this would happen when I first came to your apartment.” She started laughing, “That seems like eons ago.”

  “To be fair, with all the bullshit we’ve been through, it’s a miracle we’ve gotten to this point in one piece.”

  “I thought we were fucked in Tartarus for sure.”

  I wasn’t about to admit it, but that was a terrible idea in hindsight. Yeah, it worked and I rediscovered my mojo, but it almost cost all of us our lives. “That’s totally on me. If I ever say we need to go back, slap me.”

  “Can I slap for you any other reasons?”

  As tempting as that was, “Right now no, we probably should start to get ready for what’s coming.”

  “Not yet, let’s enjoy the moment just a little longer. If my end is to come tonight, this will be the memory I cherish most.”

  How could I deny such a heartfelt request? I took her hand and we just sat there. Watching the people move around so carefree was something I missed. That used to be the thing I was best at; not having a care in the world.

  “Derrick, may I ask you a question?”

  “You just did.” I snickered like a little kid at my lame joke.

  “Do you think it’s possible for a demon to love another?”

  It’s a good thing my ice cream was gone or I’d have dropped it. “I don’t know,” her eyes fell immediately, “but I will say this. We all have free will and with that comes the ability to do anything. If you think you can love someone, then you will.”

  “Thank you for that. I think we should go ahead and get going. We have a long night ahead of us.”

  She was right, only this evening wouldn’t be as pleasant as the previous night.

  Chapter 34 – A Good Day to Die

  As the sun was going down in the distance, Roxanne and I made our way down the path at the back of the Lincoln Monument. Being well familiar with the route, it didn’t take long at all for us to get to our destination. The pit was strangely quiet and dark when we arrived.

  “There is no sign of them yet. I don’t even smell brimstone, beside your signature of course.”

  Roxanne was on edge. I’m sure the thought of seeing for former master was really hard. “Beelzebub is close, he’s keeping his aura under wraps.”

  As soon as she said it, orbs of light circled the pit giving off a reddish glow. Appearing in the center was Maggie, Darius, and Beelzebub himself. My eyes went straight to the Pride demon who was no longer wearing regular clothes. He was adorned in his Hell armor. His sword was gone and he was holding Washington’s axe.

  Maggie was off to the left, still in here revealing clothing; though this time she was holding an old book. That must’ve been her tome. I cursed myself for being so stupid.

  Then there was Beelzebub. The tall former angel wasn’t dressed for a fight. No, the Arch-Demon was wearing a tuxedo and had a glass of wine in his hands. The smile on his face was one of certain victory.

  “Death, a pleasure to see you made it. And my former slut, I cannot say I am happy with you. No, not at all.”

  Roxanne pointed at him, “Today is the day I get my revenge on you, Master!” The last word was dripping with venom and sarcasm.

  “You have no rights to talk to Lord Beelzebub whore! For your impudence, I will see you suffer for a millennia!”

  Beelzebub put a hand on his general’s shoulder. “Do not worry about her. Your friend Death has returned and I sense he is much stronger this time.”

  Darius pointed the axe at me. “I will still break you. By the time this evening is over, your blood will give this axe the power to invade Eden!”

  “Oh fuck off.” I hopped down into the pit and turned to Maggie. “You’ve been a naughty little vixen, tricking me so easily. I killed a human for you.”

  “You were just so damn easy to manipulate. You feel for the poor little old me routine hook, line, and sinker. Let’s face it; you’re just a giant fuck up.”

  Roxanne jumped down beside me, “Do not talk to him like that you bitch! I’m your biggest problem now!”

  That’s when all hell broke loose. Roxanne pulled out that dagger of hers and charged Maggie. The witch teleported to the top of the arena and that’s where I lost my attention. Darius tried to take advantage of my distraction by attacking me with the axe. It almost worked, but I got out of the way just in time.

  “You’re still not in my league!”

  “Check this out jackass.” I brought my celestial fire to life and had the chains ready. As he charged again, I wrapped them around his legs and b
rought the giant to the ground. “Not quite as easy as last time is it?”

  He used his immense strength to kick and the force brought me past him. I let go of his legs, to keep from any more sudden movement. Being free, he got back to his feet and snapped his fingers. In his offhand his sword appeared. To even the fight, I brought Leviathan out to play.

  “Having your fire back only makes this more entertaining for me!” He slowly came forward, with his sword and axe in striking positions. “You know you cannot defeat me!”

  “Just to shut you up, I think I’ll have to prove you wrong.” While he’d been talking, I snaked my chain around the handle of Leviathan. With the quick movement of my hand, I swung it around and sent it straight for him.

  Darius used a quick movement to fall to the ground to avoid losing his head. I pressed the advantage and whipped the scythe down, landing in his back.

  “AHHHHHH!!”

  I knew I didn’t hit anything vital, but it felt good to cause him pain again. I called the scythe back to my hand. “On your feet demon! Let me show you how powerful I truly am.”

  His face was lined with fury. Not thinking, he charged me again in a reckless attack. I sidestepped the attack and wrapped my chain around his shoulders. Funneling all my power into them, the burning brought him down to his knees.

  I punched him in the back of the head and he landed hard on the ground. “You pissed off the wrong guy. You should’ve finished me off when you had the chance!”

  He tried to sweep my feet out from under me, but I jumped over it. The demon general got back to his feet, but no longer arrogant or enraged, he looked scared. “I will not make the same mistake twice.”

  I laughed at him. “You act like you’ve got a chance buddy. Face it, you’re going to lose and it’s going to hurt like a bitch. The angel Yuri died with more respect than you will!”

  “Good, good, this has been most entertaining!” Beelzebub was still here. “Come now my general, are you going to allow this creature to best you?”

  I looked over and saw the Arch-Demon standing there with that stupid smile on his face. “After I dispatch him, you’re next.”

  A gun blast echoed through the arena. We all looked up and saw Roxanne put a bullet in Maggie’s head. The witch fell to the ground with a look of terror on her face. Where she was going, well I didn’t envy her.

  I turned back to Beelzebub, expecting him to vanish back to Hell, but he was still here. “You expected me to leave? That’s not happening. Now, kill him Darius.”

  The demon charged one last time, a total move of desperation and I took great pleasure in ending his life. I took his feet out with my first chain, wrapped the second around his neck, and with my scythe buried the blade into the front of his head. The force of the blow made his head explode like a giant pimple.

  With Darius and Maggie dead, Beelzebub started clapping. “Well done horseman. To be honest, I did not think you had it in you to kill my most powerful general so easily.”

  “Screw you asshole.” I picked up the axe of Washington. “Without this, your plans are useless.”

  He lost the smug expression. “What do you plan to do with that?”

  “I brought this into existence and I can take it away. You will never see Eden.”

  “Destroy it Derrick! Don’t give him a chance to get it!” Roxanne was running across the arena towards us. Taking her advice, I brought the axe over my leg, shattering it into little wooden pieces.

  The Arch-Demon fell to his knees, “No!!!!”

  I looked on as I thought I heard him sobbing. No wait, something bothered me about how easy this was. That’s when his sobbing turned into laughter. “How dumb do you take me for? Darius would never have been allowed to have the real axe!”

  Standing back up, another axe appeared in his hands. “You’ve got to be kidding me…”

  The tuxedo melted off of him and reformed itself into armor. On his back, his black wings came into view and Beelzebub took off into the air.

  Chapter 35 – Good vs. Evil

  Beelzebub was lightning fast. As quickly as he got into the air, he was back down on top of me with that axe. I missed getting hit with the head, but he used the handle to whack me hard across the back of the head. With me down, he went for Roxanne.

  “You should have known better whore! Did you think you would get your happily ever after?”

  He streaked close to her, the axe held high. Without second thought, I sent one of the chains around his waist, trying to stop him. I slowed him down, but that’s because he was carrying me along with him.

  He landed and grabbed the chain. “Why do you care for a slut demon so much? Showing this chivalry will not save either of you!”

  “Stop calling her a slut! Her name is Roxanne!”

  He yanked the chain hard and I went straight for him. I rolled out of the way of a punch and wrapped around his back. I brought my chain around his neck, trying to choke him. He put his hands up and the tug of war began.

  “I care because she means something to me! Maybe if you hadn’t been such a prick, you’d know that!” I could feel him starting to overpower me. His wings were flapping against me, feeling like punches into my sides and back.

  “I showed her nothing but what she deserved! A Lust demon is nothing but a whore! Everyone knows that and treats them as such!”

  My strength gave and his flipped me over his shoulder. He brought the handle of the axe down into my stomach, knocking the wind out of me. “I never would have expected such behavior from a Horseman. You make this almost too easy for me!”

  He lifted the axe, but my chains were still around him, loosely. I yanked hard and he dropped the axe and fell to his knees. With my head being the closest thing available, I drove it into his chin. It hurt like a bitch, but I also heard the satisfying crunch of bone.

  “You don’t get to tell me how I should or shouldn’t act demon! You may be an Arch-Demon, but I’m Death you dumb bitch!” I grabbed his head and it was my turn to throw him on to his back. Like an old school wrestler, I jumped and drove my elbow into his chest.

  Beelzebub still had some fight in him and he used his knee to crack the back of my head. That area was starting to really get sore as every kept hitting me there. The force of the blow gave me stars for a moment, so I didn’t see the punch that connected with my face.

  “Today is the last day of your long existence! Just think about it, a world without the Grim Reaper to haunt it! I will be hailed among my people as the one who brought you down.”

  “I’m not dead yet!” I wrapped my chain around my fist and it was my turn to hit him. He dropped to the ground and I followed up with two more. “With your demise, that’ll be one less asshole in the world fucking it up for everyone!”

  He used his wings to push himself away from me and into the air. Both of us were breathing heavily as we stared each other down. I looked over and saw the axe. I tried to make a move for it, but his speed overtook me and he got there first.

  “You never had a chance Horseman. Your kind is powerful, but against an Arch-Demon?”

  I felt my power starting to give. “I might not be able to take you down, but you’re not invincible.”

  He laughed at me. “Oh do tell? How is it you plan to pull a rabbit out of your hat?”

  I smiled as the gun shot blasted. The bullet caught Beelzebub right in the back and he fell back to the ground like a wound duck. As he fell, he dropped the axe and I ran over to catch it.

  The obsidian laced bullet wouldn’t be enough to kill him, but the surprise and the accuracy of Roxanne’s shot was all I needed. “You forgot, I have a friend. Where are yours at? Oh that’s right, you don’t have any.”

  This time knowing it was the real axe, I slammed it into the ground as hard as I could. The wood and metal exploded, no longer able to be used to get into Eden. There was just one thing left to do.

  I summoned Leviathan back to my hand. I walked over to Beelzebub’s prone body. Roxanne wa
s already there, with her heel in his back. “Any last words before you get sent back to Hell the hard way?”

  He looked at her with hatred. “You will get yours one day whore!”

  I lifted Leviathan into the air and with a great amount of effort, removed the Arch-Demon’s head from his body. As his soul left his body and descended back to Hell, the weight of the world was lifted from my shoulders.

  “Holy shit, we did it!”

  I dropped Leviathan and sat down on my ass, exhausted. “You’re damn right, we did it. We make one kick ass team.”

  Roxanne sat down beside me. “Thank you for what you said. I know the reality is that I’m a Lust demon and all, but it’s nice to know not everyone sees me as a slut or whore.”

  “It is not just the Pale Rider who sees you in that way.”

  A flash of light blinded me and when my eyes weren’t seeing stars, Michael was back. “You guys really need to work on your entrances.”

  “I apologize; sometimes I get a little carried away. Especially when I am happy and it has been a long time since I have been this happy.”

  “I guess this has something to do with a certain Arch-Demon who got his?”

  He nodded knowingly at me. “Your actions today have been noted. The two of you have done a great service to all. In fact, the Almighty has authorized me to give you a few gifts.”

  Roxanne squealed, “Oh I love gifts!”

  Michael found her amusing, that anyone could see. “Then we shall go with you first my dear. Your gift is you no longer will be seen as a demon. From today until the time of judgment you will be recognized as an Angel Friend.”

  “Whoa.” That was a high honor to receive. Basically she was expunged of everything she’d committed and was now seen as an ally from the Big Man himself.

  “I cannot change your inherent nature, but no longer will you have the powers of Hell to call upon. I grant you the celestial fire that you have become so used to seeing.”

  Michael placed his hands upon her head and a red mist left her hands. In its place, a silvery flash appeared. Roxanne let the fire release from her hands and it formed beautiful silvery wings on her back.