by David Belau
That was heavy for me to take. “How bad do things have to get?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know, man. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
There was silence between us while we contemplated that.
“Why don’t you hang out here for a while and recuperate,” he said. “It would be good to have your help around here. Just like old times.”
The next night was a busy one. Sederah and I hunted side by side like we had so many years ago. We made quick work during most of the calls we went on. The hides here were slightly better than the ones back home. I managed to salvage a few and promised Sederah I’d make him some boots.
“Now listen,” Sederah said when we pulled up to the next job. “This place is crawling with vermin.” I looked at the place. It was a typical upper-middleclass house with a manicured lawn and a BMW in the driveway. “Believe it or not, the kids put in the call. The dad’s been snorting cocaine and has a mistress on the side. Typical middle-management garbage. The mother has been drinking herself silly.” He looked back at the house. “I’ve been scouting it for a couple weeks and know I can’t do it on my own.”
As he was talking, another BMW pulled into the drive. A man got out, straightened his clothes, and started walking to the front door. A demon lazily hovered behind him. “I think that’s the one that encouraged the affair. They usually are aggressive at first to get it started, then they just let it take its course.” We watched as he went inside. A light turned on upstairs when the front door shut. A few moments later yelling could be heard inside the house.
“Okay, so this whole thing has been building for a few years. There are a lot of demons entrenched here so it’s going to be quite a battle. You ready?”, asked Sederah.
I pulled my 12 gauge out of its holster and checked my shells. “Let’s roll.” We crept up to the house and listened to the yelling for a moment. Seems the wife was onto the husband’s misdeeds, but he was denying it. The yelling reached a crescendo and ended with some heavy footsteps upstairs and a door slamming. Sederah directed me with a subtle tilt of his head, “Let’s go.”
We crept in the front door and observed the wife leaning against the kitchen counter with a glass of wine. Her eye-liner was running down her cheeks. To her side, also on the counter, was a grotesque apparition leaning on her ear. I couldn’t see any others at the moment, even though Sederah said it was crawling with spirits.
“I’ll take it,” I said, moving closer. In one swift motion, I broke cover, ran toward it and punched it square in the face. It reeled backward, spinning, sputtering. No sooner had that happened, then all the cabinet doors flew open and plates began hurling themselves at me. Dodging the first, I ducked and missed the second. The third shattered when it hit my shoulder. Turning to see what was happening, a fourth whizzed past my head. The cabinets were filled with demons, growling, hissing, snarling. One lunged at me, claws bared, when Sederah tackled it and snuffed it with a quick twist of the neck.
My shotgun was useless in close quarters like this, so I reached for my blade. Before I could get it out, another demon latched onto my shoulder; its claws digging in. I cried out and reached for it with my free hand. Grabbing it by its fleshy neck, I tore it free and flung it against the wall. Another came, but by this time, I was ready with my blade and cut it in half lengthwise. Sederah’s blade was out— flashing and ringing with each slash. Demon parts flew through the air and littered the floor. It was over in a moment, and soon, the only sound left was our heavy breathing.
My heart was still pounding when I said to Sederah, “It’s been a while since I’ve had to kill that many. Didn’t realize they were in the cabinets.”
“There are more upstairs. Are you hurt?”
I felt my shoulder where the demon dug in its claws. “Not too bad.” One of the demons on the floor started moving— must’ve only stunned it. Silently, I gestured with my head toward it. Sederah got ready, holding his blade like a batter at the plate. Using the toe of my boot, I pitched it toward him and he swung for the fences— netting him a double.
“There are more upstairs in the bedroom,” said Sederah. “I’d rather not get ambushed again, but I don’t know where they’ll be tonight.”
“We’ll take it slower this time.”
“There is one complication with the husband. He’s got one in his body. After we take care of the other ones, we’ll have to extract that one.”
We made our way upstairs to the bedroom. It was quiet and dark, except for a sliver of light coming from under the bedroom door. Soft snoring was coming from the kids’ room.
“Let’s check the kids first,” Sederah whispered. We made our way into their room and peered around in the dark. The kids, two brothers, were fast asleep under a blanket fort. No demons were around. “The older brother has been taking care of the younger. He’s been scared since his parents started fighting. They’re good kids.” Sederah looked at them with the love of a guardian for a moment longer. “Okay. Let’s go take care of the dad.”
We entered the master bedroom silently. The father was sitting on the edge of the bed facing away from the door. He was looking down at his phone, madly typing a message. His body seemed tense. A small vial was next to him on the night stand. On his right shoulder, I could see the tail of a worm poking out of his flesh. It was in deep and slowly writhing back and forth to get deeper. Three other demons encircled him on the bed— they seemed to be directing what he was typing on the phone.
Crouching on the other side of the bed, we decided what to do. I’d take the left demon, he’d take the right, and whoever was finished first would take the third. Leaping across the bed, blades high, we both came down on our targets. The third demon shot up and across the room.
It let out a grotesque chuckle. “You’re too late. He’s about to pass to our side.”
“You get the worm,” Sederah said and leapt toward the demon.
I turned toward the man and gripped the tail of the worm. I started to pull, but mucus covered its body and made it hard to get a grip. The tail started wagging harder— it was agitated. My next grip also failed and I had to think of another way. The other demon was giving Sederah a fight. They crashed around the room exchanging blows. I tried a third time to grip the worm and failed— that was when I had an idea. Stabbing my blade through the worm, I threaded it like a fish hook. Then I gripped both sides of my blade, placed my foot on the man’s back and pulled with all my strength. I strained, then I felt it start to give. It came out, all three feet of it, and landed on the bed. Its grotesque head had no eyes, but bared its spiny teeth at me and let out a hiss. The man fell to the floor with a thud and started convulsing. The worm was on the move, so I grabbed it by the tail. Those spiny teeth doubled back and tried to bite my arm— reflexively, I whipped it away from me, smashing its head into the wall. With its skull crushed, it wasn’t much longer for this world— I let it drop to the floor.
Sederah had dispatched the other demon with a well-placed strike. He walked over and observed the man on the floor. Foam was dripping from his mouth as his muscles convulsed. “He’ll be okay. He’s overdosing, but his wife heard him fall. She’ll get help. Hopefully, he won’t invite these vermin back. He won’t get lucky a second time.”
For the next month, I stayed with Sederah helping out. I was getting calls from my little town, but did not go. It was hard because it sounded like things were getting bad. Damien Jones had won his election as I figured he would. Sederah suggested sending a scout up to see how bad things really were. He had a young apprentice named Tor that we sent up after about a month had passed. He spent a week there, observing what was happening.
When he returned, we sat in Sederah’s place and Tor gave us a report. “Things are bad, Tsayad. Mayor Jones has stated that there is not enough money to fund the police force fully. They have reduced the number of patrols during the day and as such, crime has increased. During my week there, three arson fires were set. Something is up with the ma
yor, his actions seem to be orchestrated by another force. I also have a feeling that he is corrupt.”
I looked at Sederah, “Is it time for me to go back? Is it bad enough?” My heart was torn hearing this report.
“How many calls are you getting? Do you think the people are waking up?” he asked.
“I’m getting a fair number of calls from my regulars.”
He shook his head, “I’m not sure that’s enough. You need more than just your regulars asking for your services.”
“But you heard Tor! How long?”
“You can’t go back on your own. You can’t win against the power that is manifested there.”
I sat there frustrated. He was right, but it was difficult to hear this report and do nothing. I felt a strong pull to go back. “I need to go back. My town needs me.”
“You will be on your own, Tsayad. Unless more people wake up, you are on your own.”
“I’m sorry, I have to go.” I stood and gathered my things.
Sederah caught me by the arm and looked me in the eye. “I’m worried for you. Please be careful.”
I nodded and headed out the door. My trusty Dodge fired up and split the peaceful morning with a roar. It was time to go home. Driving back took all day and I pulled into my camp right at sundown. Everything was still in place as I left it. The hides I’d left were fully preserved by now and ready for use.
Despite the long drive, I felt ready for action. The time in the car had amped me up. The bellowing exhaust was a rallying cry. Thoughts of my town being taken over by the demonic hoard fueled my aggression. Thoughts of my regulars being haunted poured gas on the fire in my soul.
Tor told me that there was a political event tonight where Mayor Jones was set to speak. I wanted to make some statements of my own— I loaded shells into my 12 gauge. My blade took a few swipes from the sharpening stone to get its edge back. I laid it on my cheek and drug it across severing the whiskers growing there. It was good. The other cheek shaved just as cleanly. I whipped the blade in a tight circle at my side and its steel rung in the cool night air.
My Dodge barked and rumbled through town— its sound echoing off buildings. It was cocky, but I wanted all to know I was back in town. At a stoplight, I looked to my left and saw a group of demons loitering on the corner. Their eyes narrowed at the sight of me. I dumped the clutch and burned the tires off before smirking and waving. This is my town.
I made a lap around the town, surveying the damage. I rolled past two buildings downtown with graffiti featuring the goat-horned demon. They leered down at me and if I didn’t know better, I’d be intimidated. After that was a burned-out building, still smoking. All of this was feeding my resolve. I was ready to take out this general, Aluf.
I pulled into the parking lot of the event and parked right in front. Two demons, posted by the door, started heading toward me. Their faces were arrogant.
“You have no authority here…” the first started to say. My shotgun said otherwise. The second turned to get away and I gave him a new haircut. The smoking casing fell at my feet. It felt good to be home.
I slipped into the foyer of the building and surveyed what I saw. There was no activity, but I could hear the mayor giving a fiery speech blaming the town’s problems on everyone but himself. A set of double doors lead into the hall where he was speaking. I opened the door a crack to get a view of what I was dealing with. A Sokhen stood by the door, keeping an eye on the crowd. A few more Sokhen were scattered in the crowd and I could see Aluf’s shadow up front, manipulating the mayor like a puppet.
I holstered my 12 gauge and slipped my blade from its sheath. If I offed the Sokhen by the door first, quietly, it would give me a few moments to get ready for the rest of them. Silently, I slipped into the room and moved toward the Sokhen. Before it could turn, I slipped my blade into its back, right into its filthy heart. It went limp and thudded to the floor. Suddenly, the room went silent. I looked up front and noticed all the Sokhen in the room, more than I could see from the door. Though I could not see him clearly, I felt Aluf’s eyes on me. The screaming started in my mind, just like before. Fear flooded into my being like the first time I’d confronted Aluf, and I felt suddenly very small. The mayor continued with his speech, but haltingly so. Aluf was no longer pulling his strings. I managed to pull my 12 gauge from its holster despite the pressure in my brain. This was a bad idea. I fired to my left, taking out one Sokhen and spun to my right to vanquish the next. There were too many coming at once. I fired as fast as the pump action would allow and soon, I was out of cartridges.
For a moment, the room was silent but for the mayor’s voice. Despite the torture happening to my mind, I could hear the speech clearly. The moment seemed to last an eternity. I watched the Sokhen approaching me but the speech seemed to go on and on. He grew agitated and raised his voice— about what, I could not tell. He started calling out his political adversaries and blaming the city’s problems on them and even accused them of breaking laws. Aluf did not seem to notice his charge’s tantrum and continued toward me.
Just like that, the moment was over and I felt a strong arm lock around my neck. Another took hold of my arm and twisted it behind my back. The pain was minor compared to the pounding in my head. Aluf drew near me, still a dark shadow. I could not see his form as much as feel his presence. The sound of a hurricane wind roared in my ears and grew louder the closer he got.
“You’re back,” he said. “I thought we made it clear that this was our town now.”
The floor felt like it was swaying and my limbs felt like rubber.
“We’ve got a handle on this place now. The economy is dead and everyone is depressed. It makes it so easy to control. Everyone turns to drink or drugs. People have given up! Nobody is using your services and they’ve really settled into their new reality.” He chuckled. “Soon, we’re going to start exporting people from here. Politicians— real inspiring rags to riches types. Tortured musicians that know how to make that catchy brooding music. Our message will spread.” He paused. “But as for you, we need to get rid of you. You keep trying to mess things up. Problem is, if we kill you, someone will replace you. No. We need to send a message to your kind.”
His focus shifted to my left and I saw a Sokhen coming toward me, carrying something. “This is a tapiyl. Are you familiar?”
I wanted to struggle, but my arms and legs would not respond. It was a small, wriggling demon with barbs.
“These little guys like to burrow and they’re really hard to get out.”
The Sokhen raised the tapiyl to my ear and I felt it burrow in. What was left of my ability to think suddenly disappeared and I stared dumbly at Aluf’s shape. “That’s better,” he said. “Now you’re going back to your camp and you’re going to leave the town to us.”
All I remember about the next few minutes was that I was placed in my car and, despite my mind, I was able to drive back to my camp. Once there, I opened the door and fell out on the ground where I stayed for a few days. I am not sure how many, but that was where Sederah found me.
Sederah said that I was very confused when he found me. He could barely wake me, and when I did come to, I was just babbling. He sat me up against the car and looked into my eyes. The tapiyl was evident there. He wasted no time in attempting to pry it out. He picked me up and laid me out on the hood of the car. Behind my ear, he said he could see my skin moving, so he started there. With his blade, he sliced my skin open. The tapiyl’s tail popped free and wiggled in the air. He pulled, but the tail broke free, leaving the rest of the body inside. It took a few more attempts to get everything out. Over the course of a few days, Sederah would watch my head for movement and then dig out what he found. Finally, he said, the light began to return to my eyes. Then I slept for a few more days.
“Sederah,” I said, “you’re a true brother.” We were sitting at the campfire when I was feeling better.
“Tsayad, it was nothing. You would do it for me,” he replied.
&n
bsp; “Why did you come?”
“I was concerned for you.”
“I thought I was going to die. Has that ever happened? I’ve never heard of demons killing a hunter.”
Sederah shifted on his seat and looked up at the sky. “I’ve never personally seen it, but I’m still relatively young. I remember overhearing some of the older hunters talking about it though.”
I looked at him intently. “Well, what did you hear?”
He sighed. “They were discussing it quietly and when I asked them about it, they only gave a few details.”
“Sederah. Give me the details. It concerns me.” I gave him a look.
He sighed again and looked down. “All I know is what they said. It sounded like it happened a long time ago. When I asked, all they told me was that the people in the town had completely given in to the demons. The hunter then had no authority left and was taken.”
The campfire popped and crackled while I pondered this. Surely, my town had not completely given in.
“I’ve never seen anything like this. They were so powerful,” I finally said. “Normally, they’re content with just side-tracking you, but I really got the feeling that they were going to kill me.”
“But, why didn’t they?”
“Why?” I looked at Sederah. “I think it was a warning to us. A threat. I’m not sure they have complete control of the town yet, but they want to intimidate us.”
We stared into the fire, silent. I’d been struggling with mental clarity since the tapiyl was removed. The first day I could barely speak and every day since got incrementally better. Today I was feeling almost back to my old self.
“What’s next for you?” asked Sederah without looking up.
I stood, picked up a log and tossed it into the fire. I took my seat again and stirred up the coals with a stick. I paused, then sighed heavily. “I don’t know.”
Sederah leaned back and looked at me. “You know it’s not up to you— saving this town.”
