by Judi Calhoun
Early morning raindrops pelted the Jeep’s windshield sounding like tiny rocks striking glass. I was already missing my beloved sunshine.
I eyed mom suspiciously, knowing something was definitely up. She had insisted on driving me to school. It was not my hair she was worried about, since I had walked to school in monsoon-like weather in the past without her even offering so much as an umbrella. No, mom wanted to talk.
“You don’t like him, do you?” she asked. “It’s important to me that you like him, because I think I’m…well, I think I like him a lot.”
I had trouble understanding what she saw in this guy. Sure, good looks, but completely slimy underneath. Even if she didn’t have my Slayer ability to smell demons, couldn’t she at least see right through his act? He was genuine plastic all the way.
I studied her pouting face, it was killing me to see her so miserable. I wanted her smile back. “Mom you know I’m happy when you’re happy.” Which really was the truth.
She let out a long sigh and her shoulders sagged forward. “Did I tell you how wonderful he is?”
Only about a million times! I knew I should have walked, even if it meant looking like a drowned rat all day. I stared out the window hearing Cold Play’s lyrics in my mind; otherwise, I would have to slice off my ears if I heard one more thing about Ian Corbet.
When I closed the Jeep’s door, a parade of mom’s former loser boyfriends marched through my head; all her dates ending in Ben and Jerry’s Triple Caramel Chunk. Why couldn’t this guy be like all the others and just disappear?
Now I was in a deep funk, losing it in the brain department or whatever you want to call it. I sunk lower and lower as the day progressed. I was not even the slightest bit aware of how my own thoughts were depressing me. By lunch, it had gotten worse; the storm of mental torment built up to the point that I wanted to stand in the middle of the cafeteria and scream, “Love sucks!”
There was one thing I knew for certain might help...talking to some sympathetic ear. I couldn’t just share my screwed-up life with the next face I saw. I needed someone who understood darkness. Who had been around the Underworld and could unravel this mess. I was feeling quite desperate when I scanned the cafeteria, finding no likely candidates. Everyone seemed to be involved in his or her own little world. After grabbing food I headed for the Warrior table. Jake had already made a space for me, and a flash of brilliance hit, of course…Jake.
“Hey Slash,” said David, his new pet name for me. “Did you hear the latest?
I shrugged my shoulders as I slid down on the bench next to Jake. Not really interested.
“Mr. Gregg got bit by a poisonous snake,” he said.
I remembered hearing gossip in the halls about our principal and a snake, but my mind had been on a different snake, Ian.
“Old Gregg’s in the hospital. They’re not sure if he is going to make it. The snake attacked him in his own back yard,” said David. “They’re saying it’s one of the weirdest medical cases they’ve seen in years.”
“Why?” I asked, now mildly interested.
“Dude, we don’t have that type of poisonous snake here in the US.”
The whole thing was bizarre. I doubted it was an accident. “Do you think someone tried to kill him?”
Nate squinted at me. “Why?”
“Well, what are the odds of a snake just suddenly showing up in his yard, miles from its natural environment?”
“The logical explanation...” said Jake, “...he’s got a neighbor who raises exotic snakes, and one escaped.”
“You’re probably right,” I said noting his intelligent response, while I sounded completely crazy. Now I was wondering if Jake was the right person to talk with after all. On the other hand, didn’t I need that kind of logic right now?
The trick was finding the right opportunity to ask him, since the subject of the snake was endless. I glanced at my watch; lunch was almost over. I couldn’t wait any longer. I leaned toward Jake. “Can we talk privately?”
“Is everything all right?” he asked frowning.
“I don’t know, I’m not sure.”
“I can drive you home after school, okay?”
I nodded.
The rest of the day I managed to keep the darkness at bay. When final bell rang, I made a dash for the parking lot, searching for Jake or his white Mustang. I found him chatting with some senior girls. When he saw me coming, he said something soft, meant only for their ears. One by one they all shot me dirty looks and reluctantly walked away.
“Your groupies?” I asked.
“Very funny,” he said, coming around to open my door. I slipped in and fastened my seat belt.
“So what’s up?” he asked, once he was in the driver’s seat, and starting the engine.
“I think you’re probably the only one I can talk with about this,” I said. “My mom’s dating... this is going to sound really crazy, oh well, here goes. I think he’s a demon or possessed by one.”
Jake frowned. “What makes you think that?”
“She brought him home last night and I had to fight the urge to shift.” I shook my head. “I mean, he’s only a man, yet the smell is there and something else too. I’ve been having strange nightmares that have actually come true.”
Jake’s forehead wrinkled as he studied me. He was hopelessly cute, even when he looked concerned. I glanced down at my fingers nervously playing with my zipper. “How can I explain what happens…it’s like I’m living them, yet I wake up in my own bed? The weird part is, even the stench lingers, long after I’m awake. Can anyone actually smell things during a dream?”
“I don’t know,” said Jake, “I never have.”
“There’s more,” I said. “During one of my dreams I watched a man being murdered.”
The Mustang slowly accelerated as Jake turned onto the main road. “I know someone who can help,” he said, “...do you think you might want to talk with him?”
“Is he a Slayer?”
“Yes, he’s sort of my mentor. He’s cool. Everyone calls him Gauge, you can trust him, I promise.”
I nodded.
As he drove, Jake went on and on about Gauge and his history as a Slayer. What impressed Jake the most was that he’d been an aid to an Ancient. Gauge also had a major part in the Elder Wars with over Eight thousand confirmed kills.
A few minutes later we pulled into a wide driveway, stopping directly under an old rusty blue sign...Waters Auto Repair.
Two gigantic garage bay doors were attached to a smaller building. One red bay door was closed...the others wide open, and a Dodge pickup truck was up on a lift.
We stepped out of the Mustang to the sound of air guns and power tools. I followed Jake inside.
“Hey!” said a muscular man with dark blond hair, wearing gray coveralls, smeared with black and yellow grease. “What have you been up to, Bro?” He pulled a dirty rag from his back pocket to wipe his hands.
“The usual,” answered Jake, smiling. His voice dropped. “Can we talk?” he jerked his thumb towards the office.
“Sure, come on in,” he said, suddenly noticing me. “Who’s this beauty?”
“Shonna Wells,” said Jake, taking my hand.
“Wells?” he repeated my name, his smile fell and his eyes scanned my face like I was someone he knew, yet hadn’t seen in years. “I’m Brian Waters.” He held out his dirty hand for me to shake. “It’s an honor to finally meet Sam’s daughter.”
“You knew my dad?” I asked, finally taking his hand. Instantly I felt oddly tranquil. The tension in my shoulders relaxed. I stared at our hands. What power was this to exude such serenity? It was as if Brian Waters held a piece of sunshine in the palm of his hand.
“We were friends. This really isn’t the first time we’ve met,” he said, “You probably don’t remember me.”
I strained my memory to recall…nothing came to mind. “Sorry.”
“You were younger the last time I saw you.” He smiled. “Your father and I go way back.
..you look just like him, you know.” He grinned sort of sideways. “Come into my office.”
We followed Gauge past a customer waiting area, and through a dirty brown door. A hot rod calendar hung from a black nail. He dusted off two old metal chairs, and motioned for us to sit as he closed the door.
“Jake tells me you’ve inherited more than just your dad’s good looks. He said you could really fight.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks. “Thanks,” I said wishing I could hide my face as I sat down.
“How is Terry?” He asked.
“Mom’s okay…well, that’s sort of why we’re here…”
“Her mom’s boyfriend might be connected to the Underworld,” Jake said finishing my sentence. “Shonna’s been having some weird nightmares. I thought you might be able to help us figure it all out.”
“What happens in your dreams?” Brian asked.
Strange. I should probably be feeling uncomfortable telling a total stranger about something so personal, yet Brian’s friendly eyes and soft-spoken voice reminded me of dad. I felt calm, as if I had always known him, and perhaps I had.
I watched Brian’s reaction when I told him about my first nightmare and the events that followed. When he didn’t comment I continued. “Did you hear about the Kellogg murder?”
They both nodded.
“The same night...at the same time, I watched as Kellogg was murdered.” I took a deep breath. “Do you think I’m crazy?”
“No, highly gifted maybe…not crazy,” he said. “You’re having prophetic dreams.”
“Prophecies?” I asked.
“More like open visions of real events while you sleep. If you’re blessed to have this gift, you’ll often get a glimpse into the future, and sometimes your spirit might travel to some event related to someone else’s future,” said Brian. “Did you know what your gifts were before this happened?”
“I thought maybe…well, I can take out more than one demon at a time.”
“So you have multiple gifts,” said Brian. “I’m not surprised, it runs in the family.”
“Thanks.” I looked away, my face turning red again.
He must have realized I was embarrassed. He cleared his throat. “In your dream did you happen to get a good look at this guys face?”
I shook my head. “No. I just remember the blond hair.”
“Exactly what does this have to do with your mom’s new boyfriend?” he asked.
“It’s just a gut feeling,” I swallowed hard. “The first time he came into my house, the demonic odor… Asmodeus!” I suddenly remembered the man from the Underworld.
“That’s what Belial called him.”
“It’s probably his demonic name,” said Brian.
“Mr. Waters-”
“Please. Call me Gauge.”
“Um…Gauge, do you think my dreams are connected somehow?”
“Perhaps they’re both the same man,” he said.
“They’re blonds, like Ian, like you.”
Gauge leaned back; the old office chair creaked and groaned. “I have a strong feeling you’re right; they’re probably connected.”
“What am I going to do?”
Gauge dropped his gaze to the desk. “I believe you were given this gift for a purpose. Could be Yesher wants you to know what Belial is planning, so you can stop it. How serious is this thing with Terry?”
“She seems excited, but she’s been like this before.” I sat up straight. “Wait a minute. I just remembered something else. I saw a green light on top of the gravestone and there was a man with a snake. I knew he was from the Underworld, but I didn’t see his face.”
“He could be a high-level demon, taking on human form.”
“Like demonic possession?” I asked.
“No. It’s more complicated than that. I think he might be a Familiar Spirit. That would explain the portal. Familiars are like empty shells desperate to be filled with human flesh. They rob graves, and sometimes kill people to get a warm body. They live amongst our unsuspecting community like normal people.”
“That’s disgusting,” I said. I was starting to wonder how difficult it was to get rid of a Familiar. “Have you ever fought one?” I asked.
Something unreadable passed over his face. “Yes. One killed my best friend.”
Jake leaned on top of the metal desk. “Gauge, we can take him out. Ambush him. There are enough of us against one Familiar...”
“Why do they need a portal?” I interrupted, my eyes locked on Gauge.
“They can’t afford to damage human flesh. That green light you saw is an entrance into the Underworld.” He glanced at Jake. “Familiars are way more deceptive. They may look like your neighbor, or be your neighbor for that matter. That’s how easily they blend into society. They are personable, well-dressed, and find jobs that give them some power, status or advantage over others.” His eyes shifted between Jake and me. “Promise me you two won’t do anything crazy, like taking him out by yourselves. I suggest you find out who he is before deciding his fate.
* * *
Chapter 7