Chapter 6 (Aspiciens in humero meo)
“Merry Christmas to you, Abi. I have missed you, how are you? How is the baby?” “Mich, there was no baby, there was an it, but I did not give birth to a Key, I thought Sam told you?’ I asked. I felt the unease in Michaelus, so I waited for the bomb to drop, I knew it was coming, the second I feel a dash of contentment, it gets ripped away by an invisible hand. Happiness is like a butterfly, it is not easily caught. “Mich, what is wrong, and cut the BS, you did not call me to wish me a bloody Merry Christmas, this entire call is under pretence, I saw you at the funeral, Michaelus.’
A long awkward silence followed, by another long awkward silence. Finally Mich spoke, I was ready to cut the call.
“He is gone, Abrux, he escaped from the devils-trap, and he thinks you know where the fifth key is.’
“Mich, I don’t. I no longer live in Deadwood, so because, this conversation started on pretext, I will cut the call, I don’t want you to get a hold of where I am living now.’ So I did cut the call. Grabbed my jacket and went to the pub for lunch. The name of the place is “The Pub”. Good enough for me, and in the corner sat Thomas. “Busted!’ I smiled or are you hiding your family under the table.’ Thomas laughed good naturedly. “Yeah, I am so busted, boss. I knew you would feel bad, if I told you my family bailed on me, but fate has smiled upon me, here you are, so boss, would you join me for Christmas lunch, minus the turkey?’
“I would love to, thank you, Thomas.’ We ordered eggnog, and a variety of vegetables, baked potatoes, and gravy. The meal was just right. We spoke about mundane subjects. The owner lit a fire, and he played all the songs from the eighties, Thomas asked me to dance, he could shake it, there was no doubt. It was fun, more so, I felt safe-ish. I have to admit, I have looked over my shoulder since I was eighteen, and it’s becoming a pain in the neck, literally. We were dancing to Footloose. The atmosphere in The Pub was jubilant, even the owner, and elderly man joined us. We were a small group, all single, and lonely, but not now, now we found camaraderie, and family, in the strangers amongst us. The next song was a Billy Idol song, damn, it was amazing, I moved muscles long forgotten, and I might be stiff for a week. Worth it.
Thomas ordered us beers, and we took a breather. We watched the younger generation break it down, oh how I envied them. And I felt sorry for them. I went up to the owner and introduced myself, and I thanked him, for what he did for us. His name is Johnny, his wife passed of cancer two years before, so he didn’t want to be alone either. He had a foreign accent. “I opened, and I knew, the lonely ones would come, and they did, now my heart smiles, so drink, dance, I am not closing early.’ I thanked Johnny, and ordered another two beers. Lady in Red was playing, so Thomas and I slow danced, at first as awkward as two ducks in high heels, but we got our rhythm, he was tall, not seven ft tall. And broad. And he smelled like soap and cologne.
The longer we danced the more comfortable I became, I leaned into him, and he pulled me closer. Damn there are many sublime things on earth, but the feel of a real man surpasses them all. I knew he wouldn’t kiss me. I was boss, and that was it. We had a late supper, sang carols. Then I said its bed time, it was already the next morning. Thomas thanked me for an unforgettable Christmas, and I had to thank him in turn. He walked me to my car, and I drove home. I pulled off my boots, damn my feet hurt, still worth it. I got into bed around two am. And I slept, thoroughly exhausted. I didn’t hear my alarm go off at five. I slept until eight. My phone woke me. “Hello.” I said, while dry washing my face. “Hello, Mommy, did you have a nice evening?” He sure looks like a nice fellow, I followed him home. So Merry Christmas, don’t forget to put the location of the fifth key in a stocking for me, see you soon, mother dearest”. Abrux cut the call.
I dialled Thomas’s number. He was up, feeding Draken. “Good morning boss, you sound a little sleepy, are you all right?’ The fucking bastard, he played me, not Thomas, the hell spawn. “Yeah, I just woke up, sorry, I actually called to say…’ WTF do I say? I was scratching my head. “Oh thank you for yesterday, and you can take tomorrow off.” I could feel the uncertainty in Thomas. “If you, won’t mind, boss, I would rather come to work, I am already feeling claustrophobic, knowing I have to spend the day in doors.’
“What the hell, come over for lunch.’ I offered. If Abrux is going to drop a bomb, then I am going out with a bang. I got into the shower, washed and scrubbed, made my bed. And made stir-fry for lunch. I put a bottle of wine in the fridge, and made trifle for dessert. Thomas arrived at twelve, the snow covered everything, and I really hope Abrux’s balls will freeze off in this weather. I did scan the road, when I opened the door for Thomas. “Thanks’ for the invite boss.’
“Oh it is my pleasure, hang up your coat, and there is a pair of slippers, boots are too uncomfortable inside the house, and before you ask. They are new, I bought them too big, so now they have a purpose.”
“Boss, I would not have thought to ask such a dumb question, I have bought shoes, either too big, or too small, and they gather dust in my shoe rack. You really are paranoid, and I do not mean that as an insult.”
“Are you hungry, or can we have a drink and chat?”
“I would like the drink first please, point me to the kitchen.” I did and I placed another log on the fire. First I locked the doors. We placed pillows on the woolly mat by the fire-place. Thomas handed me my wine. “Thomas, I did this before, I purged to a man I thought I could trust, and he told me to f-off and die, well I told him, he could, after, I purged, if he didn’t like what he heard, so he did, and I can’t hold that against him. So, I am giving you the same option, my life is very complicated, but I need a friend, if that is all you want, fantastic, if you only want a working relationship, fantastic, just please don’t resign, if this is too much of a shock, I shall move again, I promise.”
“Abigail, think of me as that pair of slippers, if I do not fit, and you still want to keep me, do so with an easy heart, I am really not a bastard, and I care for you and about you, the fact that you are trusting me, warms my soul, so speak, and I promise I shall not interrupt you.”
I told Thomas my life-story. I told him more than I told Kloud, I felt I could, so I held nothing back, I watched for any changes in his body language, but he sipped his wine and he listened. The tears streamed down his face. “I am so sorry, I know those are pitiful words, but Abigail I am so sorry, you must have felt so alone, and the fear, no wonder you are so skinny, and the bastard called you this morning, what a piece of shit!”
I was really surprised at his reaction, he asked me to describe Abrux, but I told him, Abrux could change his appearance, he asked if I knew where the fifth key was, and I said no. he asked if I knew where Sam was, and I answered no.
“This must be a hell of a burden for you, feeling as if your life will fall to crap any minute, this is honestly not a healthy life.”
I fetched the wine, while Thomas kindled the fire. “So, what are you going to do about Abrux?”
“I honestly don’t know, I don’t know where the keys are, so even if he tortured me, I do not have the information he needs.”
“That is a shame.” I nearly gave myself whip lash. Oh for the love of God. “You need to learn, mom, that we are called Deceivers for a reason, oh shame, look at you, all pitiful, boo hoo, life has done you so wrong, shame-shame-shame, so now bitch, do I get to fuck you? Or do I have to find another job?” I grabbed the bottle and I smashed it against his head, then I ran to the door, fuck, why did I lock it, I opened the door, and he grabbed my hair, and yanked me back inside, but Thomas was standing on my door step, he looked at me, then at his own reflection, he pulled a revolver from his coat pocket, aimed and hit Abrux in the arm, he let go of me, then vanished. “Oh my God, boss, are you hurt?”
“No, not really, I guess, you want answers, well I will tell you, then you can decide, I just told that thing what I am about to tell you, so get another bottle of wine, please assure me you are you.”
I re-told the effing story. May the real Thomas please not rebuke me, I thought once I finished, he didn’t, he held me. “We will find a way, I have no idea, how, but we will. And I am not leaving, or judging you for something you had no control over, that thing looked just like me. I really am sorry, for your pain, and for the misery you live in, boss, if it is okay with you, I will run home, and get a few things, and I will sleep on the couch, or in my car, but there is no way, I will leave you alone, Abigail, no one should have to face this alone. Look I have a tattoo, on my wrist, when I shot him, I noticed, he didn’t have one, so I will make sure, it is visible, so you will know it’s me, I have another on my back, that he can’t see. So if he tries to fool you, lift up my shirt, I have a dragon for protection, on my back, look. And I have a rosary around my wrist, the crucifix, lies in my palm. I wear gloves, so that was a good mistake he made.” I looked at his tattoo’s. I memorised it. The real Thomas drove home, and brought Draken and an overnight bag. “It is lore, that cat’s are Guardians of the underworld, so that thing won’t try and step a foot into your home tonight.”
We ate, then I petted Draken, he was a fuzz ball of pure love. “Thomas, why aren’t you fazed?”
“I spent my life in libraries, the supernatural has been one topic, I have tried to educate myself on, so yeah, what you have been through I have only read about, and seeing a demon, well, that was not so bad, and I got to shoot one myself, how many people can say that?”
“So, you don’t hate me? Or find me repulsive?”
“No, Abigail, hell no, you are beautiful, and brave, and a survivor, I take my hat off to you. I need you to know, you are not alone, now when you look over your shoulder, know I have your back.”
I cried, I don’t know why, but I really sobbed. Draken came and lay on my lap, and Thomas held me. I wanted to feel safe, really I needed it, but Abrux mind fluffed me, so my trust has gone out the window. As for feeling safe, no, I lost that a long time ago. Thomas told me about his parents, he called them snobs, they travelled the world, and all they cared about was money, his Dad forced him to be an engineer, and all he wanted was to have a small shop, and to study the occult and such.
Thomas went to shower, and I played with Draken. I made tea, and we had dessert. I did not feel well, so I excused myself, had a bath and got into bed. Thomas knocked, and lay next to me. “I know you can’t trust me, however, I am here because I like you, just you, Abigail. Your past well yes, it does come and nip you in the butt, however, that is not your fault. I don’t care about an unborn baby, or Sam or Michaelus, the fact is, I am here and they are not. If they cared about you, as they professed, they would be here, protecting you, from that thing they created. But, I am glad they are not here, I want to protect you, I want you to earn my trust, and if I am very lucky, my love.”
I looked at Thomas. I wanted to believe him, I tried to, but the day was a cluster-fluff, and I felt tired. “Thomas, I have run, I have tried to accept my fate, if that is what the universe had in store for me, but I am exhausted, all the way to my soul, I want I normal life, I don’t want Sam, I don’t want Michaelus. I want normal, I need to look up the entymology for the word Normal, because its meaning eludes me.” Thomas held me, I was shaking, fear, and disgust flooded my being. “You are safe, I promise you, try and sleep, I will be down stairs, just sleep.”
I did dose off, but I think I woke up ten times, I watched Thomas and Draken sleep. I placed another log on the fire, then I warmed milk. And looked out the window at the falling snow. He waved to me, I had such a shock I dropped my glass. Thomas ran into the kitchen and cut his foot. Mother of pearl, I swore at Abrux, the bastard knew, I did not know where the effing keys where. I cleaned Thomas’s foot, I felt so bad. I cleaned up the mess, Thomas opened the window, and shoved his middle finger at Abrux. “Hey ugly, if you don’t leave right now, I will call the cops, you are loitering.”
“Do it, I dare you, I will turn into you, and you will be behind bars, then I will eat your cat, and that bitch will be mine to do with as I wish, do it Thomas, I fucking dare you.”
Thomas removed a rosary from his neck placed it in a deep bowl of water, and prayed over the water. “Watch this.” He opened the window as far as he could. “Hey satan-balls come, here, I want to tell you something.” Abrux actually came closer. Dumb ass. Thomas flung the water into his face. His face melted, and steam rose off it in the cold night air. Thomas closed the window and lined the windows and doors with salt. “The bible says salt is pure, so the psychics have tested it, and from the books I read it, keeps them at bay.” Thomas pointed at the window. Abrux had vanished. “Thomas, this is my first victory.” I exclaimed in utter joy. “Then, boss, I will make bottles of holy water for you, and salt the shop, and I have a few more tricks up my sleeve, if he wants to fight dirty, so can I, and I have the Big Man on my side, he has nothing.”
I hugged Thomas. “Thank you, and sorry about your foot.” He limped up to my room, I carried Draken, he curled up into a ball at the foot of my bed, the cat, not Thomas. So we slept. Until my alarm went off at five.
I got into a shower, and went down for coffee. Thomas showered, and I place a clean band aid on his foot, I told him about the time, Abrux, sliced me with a razor, anger reflected in his eyes. Draken slept on the couch, we would leave him here for the day. When I locked my front door, I froze, and not because it was freezing. “WHORE”, was spray painted in red all over my white front door. “Wow, that is real mature, I will call a buddy of mine, he will deal with this.” Thomas drove with me to the shop. Then he phoned his friend, who assured him, the door would be good as new, within an hour. I went to the store and bought salt, incense, and the herbs on the list Thomas gave me. I was about to leave, when a man grabbed me from behind. I knew it was Abrux. He pulled me in between the shops, then he punched me out cold.
Abigail had to be back by now. I put the sign on the door, and limped to the store, the packet got my full attention. “Shit, he got her, I should have gone, how the hell will I find her now, fuck.” I picked up the packet, and placed protection all over the shop. Then I took her car, and Matt, was busy with the door. Matt is a good buddy of mine, so I offered him a drink and I confided in him.
“Shit, he could…Thomas, how do we find her? Do you think he could like take her to hell, or is he earth bound?”
“From what I read, if a demon is born, on earth, it will try to stay on earth, they are terrified of Hell.”
“Then let’s start with the list of abandoned buildings, or buildings under construction. I will get the list, it is in my truck, get your shit together, for our protection.” I did. I bandaged my foot, and pulled on a pair of boots. We started at the top of the list. One house caught both our attention, it has always been abandoned, since I was a boy, it is rumoured to be haunted. I took the holy water, salt, and my revolver, if it can bleed, I can hurt it. Matt and I placed flash lights in our coat pockets. Then we climbed through a broken window.
The place was ancient, cob webs all over the place, Matt used his baseball bat, to clear a path for us. The damn floors creaked. We tried to make as little noise as possible. The first floor was clear, but I did point out scuff marks in the dirt, we walked up the staircase, this had to have been a very beautiful house once upon a time. We reached the second storey. We opened each door, I covered Matt. At the second last door, I told Matt to wait, and to listen. We both listened, we could hear it feed, yes, feed is the correct word, bones crushed and its prey squealed. It was eating something alive. I gestured to Matt, to open the door.
I hesitated for a fraction of a second, what I saw, made the bile rise in my throat, I aimed for Abrux’s head, and I pulled the trigger, the decapitated rat fell to the floor, its body spasmodic, in the final throes of death. Matt threw the holy water at Abrux, he screamed obscenities at us, Abigail was nowhere in sight. Matt and I tried to tie Abrux down, but he disappeared under our hands, I tried to wash his blood off, it felt like goo, and it smelt even worse. We searched the house. Abigail had been there, I found strands of her long blonde hair, but I also found blood, human blood. It did not smell like sulphur. “Matt, who else can we trust, we need to broaden the search, he doesn’t need Abigail, so he will kill her, to get at me.” Matt thought for a second. “My brother, Sean, he will believe you, we are really into this kind of stuff, so he will be our best ally right now.”
“Phone him, this blood is fresh, maybe half an hour old, so get Sean here, we need to move, and the snow is pretty deep.”
I knew Sean, the brothers looked identical. Sean is the oldest. We spoke and I told him everything I know. “I know where she is, the only logical place, she is at the Moriah Cemetery, if this dude is looking to raise hell, then he will start in a grave yard.” We grabbed our gear, and we climbed into Sean’s truck, the snow slowed us down. “She will freeze to death out there, Matt.”
Sean looked at me. “I think that is the point, Thomas. She won’t or can’t give him answers, so he has put her on ice, we have to call the cops, and an ambulance.” said Sean.
“We can’t get the cops involved, he can take on any form, he could look just like a cop, or a paramedic, let’s play this until we have no other options, I have my book, keep the circle closed, and I will send him back to Hell. My Latin has improved, and guys, please don’t shoot me. He doesn’t have tattoos.” They nodded. We arrived back in Deadwood, in the late afternoon. We head for the cemetery. The snow would keep the folks in side, while we banish a demon to Hell.
I found Abrux, he had dug up a new grave, and he was feeding on the corpse, a female, he had ripped her clothes off. We tried not to think, this is way above our pay grade. He was feeding on her genitals. His penis was out of his pants, it was very large and grotesque. We had to wait for him to hide the thing, I have no other comparison, the thing is a demon that is going to have necro coitus. The second he does, we can move in and send sick demonic fucker to Hell. I looked over my shoulder as he entered her mutilated genitals, and I puked. Sean jumped up, he made the circle. Matt placed the candles. And I tried not to look at it. I opened the Book, and I read out loud, only then did it realise it had an audience. The exorcism worked. He started to glow, and almost boil, the smell was terrible. I tried not to puke again. Abrux, burst into flames. Shame the defiled corpse caught fire.
I was on the last page, and Abrux, was nearly done, as in gone. When the cops arrived. Oh the things they said to us. I had one sentence left. I tried to read it, but a cop hit me with the butt of his rifle in the mouth, my lip split open. I was face down in the snow being cuffed. I watched Abrux float away, he showed me the middle finger, then he was gone. We were locked in the back of the van. I couldn’t speak, so I banged on the door. A cop hit me again, splitting my eye open. I motioned to Matt. Abigail was tied up to the tombstone, of her supposed baby. She was naked, and bloodied.
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