by Derek Adam
As I stepped closer, it finally stopped licking itself and straightened, looking up at me. It was unsettling having something without eyes look at you.
Made worse by the wide mouth full of fangs.
Having it cock its head and smile at me nearly sent me running.
“You’re just a bundle of creepy shit, aren’t you…” It was behaving almost like a dog. “So, why’d they put you in here if evil Mr. Rogers is the one driving?”
It opened its mouth as it stood on two legs, like a skeletal child with an oversized head. Its long arms dangled and hung low at its sides, its long talons nearly reaching past its knobby little knees.
It grunted and seemed to mutter a mouthful of squishy words, or else it was chewing something. I just stared as I crouched in front of it, putting me at just about eye level with it.
The bodekin spun suddenly and started to run away. It was unsteady on its feet, wobbling as it went, grunting with each seemingly-drunken step. I frowned over the idea that I was about to chase a creature around inside my own head.
There are expensive therapy sessions for stuff like this.
It wasn’t even running fast. Putting a few long strides down let me catch up to it, and I snatched it up in my hands.
The bodekin’s arms and legs kicked wildly, but it wasn’t trying to fight me. I fumbled with it as it writhed, and managed to turn it around so it was facing me as I held it up. It was clearly upset, but it seemed scared more than anything else.
These damn things were terrifying, the way they acted when they were coming at you.
But it was like a damn puppy or a toddler right now, and was nowhere near as fierce or strong as the one I had tangled with before.
“You’re just a clueless little padlock, aren’t you? You’re just here to pin me down. And you don’t even know it.”
It had stopped writhing in my hands and just hung there, looking pathetic, nervous, and tormented.
I slid one hand to its throat and started to squeeze. Its mouth opened and it choked, its little hands gripping at mine. It wasn’t clawing at me or fighting, but it was trying to break my grip.
My grip loosened, but I maintained my hold on it. It started to writhe again.
“Dammit, hold still.”
It stopped moving and just hung there in my hands, lifting its face toward me.
Jesus Christ, really? It was that simple?
I wanted to kill the thing, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it for some reason. But if it would listen to me, I had another idea.
It was a worth a shot…
I pulled it close to me, holding its face near to mine. The bodekin tried to lean back, turning its head to arch away from me.
“Get out.”
Chapter 18 – Emma
I had no idea what Eli did to me, or what he gave me. Every part of me felt different. I was refreshed, energized, and felt the need to move.
It was uncomfortable, to say the least. But I also felt powerful.
Bella had been staring at me from the passenger seat the entire time I drove. I would expect her to have her snout to the wind pouring in through the broken windshield, but she was oblivious to it.
Once again, I was envious of her ability to shut things off like a switch. I’d give anything to be able to ignore the putrid stench hanging over the town.
It may be stifling my ability to pick up their scent, but what Eli had given me made it incredibly easy to zero in on Luca. I had connected with him. I tasted his lips and had let him in. I could feel him, though faint and distant.
But it grew as I drove.
I felt at war with myself. I wanted nothing more than to get to Luca. But if all Eli had said was true, then what would the next step be?
Was I supposed to declare war and just start killing? I didn’t have answers. I doubt Luca would be able to provide insight or ideas.
I’d have to worry about it later.
My mind was split between Luca and what I was capable of doing now. Eli didn’t exactly provide instructions on how to use any of this. That would be helpful.
Like so many times before, I’d have to figure this out alone.
I could feel Luca more intensely now. I could even pick his scent out over it all. Slowing the truck along the highway, I started watching through the trees on either side of the road.
That’s when I saw him, and I couldn’t help but smile. He was unmistakable, standing out among the grouping of vehicles.
Sutter was kicking and swinging, waving his hat around, throwing a silent tantrum that only I could see. I pulled the truck into the drive of the property, scanning around, but saw no one other than Sutter.
Bailing out with Bella right behind, I could hear his unending stream of nonsensical cursing that came to an abrupt end when he spotted me.
I drew a pistol and crossed the yard, walking quickly toward him.
“Holy shit, girlie, you’re a sight for angry eyes.” Sutter looked like he was on the verge of crying there was so much concern in his face. “He’s inside, and I’m stuck.”
“Where’s the gun, Sutter?”
“In that car where that damned fool left it.” He pointed to the Jeep as I moved past him. The door was unlocked and I snatched up the gun belt, fastening it together and looping it over my shoulder to lay across my chest.
I didn’t have much need for that revolver, but Sutter would come in handy.
“Oh, you make that look sexy. Might even make me question my love of happy trails...”
“Not now, Sutter.”
“Yes ma’am.” He tipped his hat and fell in behind me as I ran back to the truck. Throwing up the cargo door, I found myself looking up at Virgil.
And Hitch.
“He was laying in the back when we left, and I didn’t know what to do.” Virgil shrugged and I looked to Hitch. He was visibly shaken and had a small sigil burned into the side of his cheek. “Oh. And he can see me. And he’s a bit upset.”
I climbed into the back of the truck and stood, looking at Hitch.
He was white as a sheet, drenched in sweat, with great wet stains around his chest and armpits. His eyes were as big as dinner plates as he looked between me, then to Virgil, then down at Sutter, standing outside the truck.
“You’re not a nun.”
“No, I’m not a nun. But you’re a cop, and Luca is in trouble. So, pull it together and help.” I pulled the gun belt from my shoulder and pressed it to his chest. He fumbled with it and took it from me, still looking shaken.
He turned the belt to look at the revolver. “I have a gun.”
“That one is better, trust me.” Opening the cage on the wall, I looked over the swords that hung securely within the rack.
It had been a while, but like riding a bike, there are some things you never really forget how to do. It was really just a matter of which one I wanted.
But two in particular were singing to me.
“Oh, don’t give him my gun, Go-lly woman…” Sutter pulled his hat from his head again, and slapped his leg with it.
“Virgil, are you alright to come with me?”
Virgil inflated his chest, standing proudly as he made a pair of fisticuffs. “Let’s go fist them in their analbums.”
“Well, now I’m horny.” Sutter made the motion to spit. “We gonna stand here and tongue fuck, or we gonna get Luca?”
Hitch looked terrified as he adjusted the gun belt to hang opposite of his duty holster. Sutter just shook his head at him. “You’re a sorry excuse for a badge, ya big fuckin’ pansy.”
I hopped from the truck, with Virgil and Hitch following behind me. If it weren’t for the smell of trash, and the now intense scent of Luca drawing me toward the house, I imagine I could have smelled the fear rolling from Hitch. He already had the revolver out of the holster and was holding it, shakily, as we hurried toward the front door.
“Don’t piss yourself, Hitch, but feel free to shoot yourself in the dick when this is all done… ya sorry sack
of s-”
“Shut it, Sutter.” I glared back at them all as we climbed the steps. Sutter had his revolver out as well and Virgil… well, Virgil was walking with fists up, like he was stepping confidently into a boxing match.
It was the most ridiculous, rag tag thing I had ever seen, but felt strangely comfortable.
Testing the door, the knob turned freely and I pushed it open. I had no intention of entering quietly. There was no stealth in me.
Not after the events of the day.
Not with the knowledge that something might happen to Luca.
The fact that I could feel him reassured me that he was alive, and I was driven to make sure he would stay that way.
The entry was a vaulted foyer, empty, leading to a hallway ahead. An ornate staircase spiraled up to the second floor along one wall.
Straight through the hall, I could see them. Several figures were gathered, looking in one direction through a doorway. They were dressed in the same robes I’d seen their kind in before.
What surprised me was the lack of muscle. There were no soldiers here. No gunmen, or bodyguards.
Whether it was stupidity or a brazen belief that they had no need for guns, I took the opportunity. They never saw us.
I opened fire, the house shaking with each round fired, leaving little more than splatters on the walls and bits of fabric.
That gave some inclination of the power Eli had given me.
“HOO! Now I AM horny!” Sutter exclaimed loudly in response to the newly discovered power of my pistols.
It was too much to use in such a confined space without understanding how to control it. I couldn’t risk it. I holstered the gun and drew the katana from the sheath secured within my belt.
The shots had announced our entrance and a handful of bodekin came pouring down the steps from above. Some were leaping down the railing.
I cut one from the air, amber sparks exploding as I cleaved it in half. Before I could swing again, Sutter was hooting and popping off shots. He was dead accurate, dropping one after another as they came running down the steps.
Continuing down the hall, two more robed figures appeared through the doorway at the end. These two had shotguns, and they came out with barrels raised.
The revolver went off behind me in quick succession, and I winced as my ears rang.
Hitch made short work of them. A quick glance at him and he nodded to me. The color had returned in his face, though he still looked like a deer caught in the headlights of a bullet train.
I pushed forward to the open entry and rounded into the room, as Hitch spun to point his gun into the room opposite us.
One of the robed figures was dangling in the grasp of a massive…demon? It was clearly female, but its form was divided. Its left side was burned and charred, with a deformed wing that hung at an odd angle, and a long black horn coming from the side of her head.
Her other side was a stark contrast of soft, milky white flesh. There was no horn on that side, but she had a crisp, white feathered wing, contrasting the other.
The white flesh of one side and the charred, glowing flesh of the other mingled like tiger stripes across her nude chest. She was sneering at the robed figure, her long fingers wrapping easily around the man’s neck. He was gurgling and convulsing, finally going quiet as a loud snap sent him limp and lifeless.
She tossed the body to the side, bounding it off a wall as her eyes settled on me. Both were black as pitch, and they narrowed when she saw me. I raised the sword to enter when Luca came between us, appearing with a stern face that quickly melted into a smile.
“Mother of God…” Hitch came up behind me, and I could hear the terror in his voice.
“Oh, not at all, but she’s still just as magnificent, isn’t she?” Luca continued to smile as he spoke. “She’s absolutely radiant. We’ve been waiting a long time for her.”
Hitch had the revolver pointed into the room as he stood just behind me, his hand trembling as he held the gun up. “Luca, what have you done?”
“That’s not Luca.” I put my hand up and pushed the revolver to the side. I didn’t want Hitch to shake right into accidentally shooting Luca. “At least not on the inside.”
“Oooh. You got me.” Luca put his hands up. “I don’t mean to be rude. I would invite you in, but our lady here is not the social type.”
The demon behind Luca was standing straight, her shoulders back, as she watched quietly. Her single horn was nearly scraping the high ceiling in the dining room.
“I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
Virgil and Sutter spread out on either side of Hitch and me. We filled the double-door entry of the room, the only entrance and exit. The demon’s eyes narrowed at us and Luca clapped his hands.
“No? Well, I tried to be pleasant.” Luca’s hands erupted in a fiery orange glow, the skin charring and cracking up to his elbows. Anger and malice filled his face as he reached out.
I was paralyzed, as the dream came rushing back to me, and I felt his hands close on my face. My sight filled with stars and pain exploded through me. I struggled to keep upright as I dropped the sword. Hitch was pointing the gun again, and it took everything I had to grit through the burning and tell him no.
Sutter and Virgil both hollered at him as well.
I had no idea what to do, and darkness was creeping in from the edge. As my vision started to blur and fade, I could see the demon spreading her wings behind Luca and stepping closer.
“Luca…”
Chapter 19 – Luca
The bodekin slumped in my hands.
At first, I thought it was responding to me and was acting depressed or dejected. It didn’t take long to realize that it had died almost instantly in my hands when I told it to go.
Or… it left and the lifeless form was what was left. It was weird as shit, trying to wrap my head around the fact that I was in my head, and none of it was technically real.
It dried and shriveled in my hands before crumbling to a fine dust that scattered and blended in with the surrounding darkness.
And then the darkness began to change. Light returned, and I could see again. I was looking through my own eyes, back in the room, and…
What in the HELL was that?!
I watched the thing choke the life from one of the robed figures, not sure who it was. The rest were missing.
Oh, please let that be Michael taking a dirt nap. Whatever joy I felt at the thought was quickly gone when I looked on the demon that tossed the body to the floor. I blinked and felt frustration welling up in me.
I’d hoped getting rid of the bodekin would somehow give me back control, but this twatwaffle was still driving.
I strained and fought, trying desperately to break and run for it.
If I managed to get control of my own feet, I had every intention of getting the hell away from that thing, jumping headfirst into a vat of holy water, and finding Hitch so I could run his ass over.
I was moving suddenly, which actually made my head spin. I wasn’t one to get carsick, nauseated, or off balance, but having my body move when I felt stationary was disorienting.
Blinking again, I saw Emma, and Hitch.
Oh, son of a bitch, it’s about time.
Virgil and Sutter appeared as well while this guy stood, running his mouth. I could even see Bella’s fur behind the group, along with a fuck ton of blood all over the hallway.
Points for the messy entrance, but it would’ve been nice for them to show up before the friendly neighborhood demon used me to fast-pass his buddies.
Hitch was pointing the gun at me now.
If you shoot me, I swear to God, I will haunt your fucking diner and shit in your coffee for eternity. You better put that down, you…
I strained again to take control and heard his voice ringing inside my head.
‘What are you doing, Luca?’
Get the fuck out of me, guy. I’m not playing this game anymore. I’m not taking a bullet, and I’m not letting
you play Fantasia with my body anymore.
‘I told you… your body would be fine. You’re testing my patience.’
Screw your patience. How ’bout you come back to me and we see who can go a few rounds on my home turf?
‘You can cooperate, Luca, or I can kill your friends. These are your friends, right? I can feel you looking at her.’
If you touch her…
‘Oh, there it is. I can see it. That was quite a kiss! You like her very much. Don’t make me be unpleasant, Luca. I don’t want to be.’
I could feel a fire growing inside my body beyond my control, coursing through my veins like surging, scalding water.
‘You think you can stop me before I kill her, Luca?”
Before I could reply, I watched my hands close on Emma’s face. Hot, liquid energy was coursing through my arms into my hands. Her face contorted in pain, and I could see that she was desperately fighting to hang on.
No, let her go! I will claw you from my body with my bare hands.
I heard her speak. It rang above everything else, as if she were speaking directly to me. She said my name.
That stirred something from deep within me.
I never would have guessed the trip would unfold like this.
I had no idea, when I met her, how important she was going to be to me. But seeing her like this, for the second time, was too much.
On a scale of one to ten, my tolerance had hit ‘fuck you.’
No one else was moving; they didn’t want to hurt me, or were stuck in stunned, paralyzing fear like Hitch. Abigor was leaning in close to her, and I knew I had to break his hold.
Digging deep, I could feel him somewhere. Every ounce of focus went to wrapping my mind around him. I didn’t know what I would do once I got my hands on him, but if I could get my hands off her, then Emma stood a fighting chance.
Emma looked like she was losing consciousness.
I groped and reached for anything, something. I didn’t even know if I was actually searching for anything.
It felt like it, but it was little more than the thought of searching and groping blindly.
And then I found it. Amid the nothing that I seemed to be floating in while watching things unfold, I felt like I had grabbed onto something.
