Avenger

by Su Halfwerk

  She didn’t blame him for protecting himself. In a way, she was glad he’d broken ties with Sully and that underworld, but she was still shocked that someone wanted her dead. “Where do I fit in all this?”

  Luke reached out as though to comfort her, but instead tilted his head as though he was listening to something or someone. The embarrassment disappeared and in its place a cautious look appeared. “Someone is coming.”

  He withdrew to his favorite corner and cloaked himself in invisibility.

  “Perfect timing for your Casper act,” Pru mumbled.

  An orderly entered the room then turned back to check the corridor, a very unsettling gesture considering he worked here. He then closed the door—another oddity—and came to a stop by the bed. His deep-set brown eyes studied her, his gaze finally settling on her chest as she inhaled and exhaled. Lips pressed together in determination, the orderly shook his head once. He then uncovered her feet and withdrew an injection from his pocket. After uncapping it, he separated two of her tows and lowered the injection.

  “Take your hands off her,” Luke snapped and stepped out of the corner, all visible, white, and shifty. It was like watching a radio’s vibrating wavelength as it pitched and twisted. Difficult to pinpoint an eye or a nose in all that creepy whiteness.

  The orderly turned his head so fast, it must’ve hurt. “Huh!”

  Pru thought, exactly.

  “Why are you trying to kill Pru?”

  At the utterance of her name, the orderly grabbed the top layer of bed sheets and threw it at Luke then shot out of the room, injection still in hand. Dodging the flying cover and untangling himself cost Luke few seconds but he paused long enough by the door to say, “Celestine, remain with Pru. If anyone else comes, call me back.”

  With that, he rushed out of the room on the orderly’s tracks.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Luke should’ve been able to catch up with the orderly, except, a running hospital staff member was normal, a running stranger with paled features, wasn’t. At every turn, Luke had to slow down, check the corridor, and either continue the chase or go invisible to avoid passersby. Going down two flights and exiting through the lobby would’ve made a great escape route. At the hospital’s lobby, there would be the receptionist, security, and other people who would render this chase impossible to continue, especially if Luke maintained his Spirit Hunter visage. The orderly, however, astonished him by going deeper to the bowls of the hospital, the basement.

  This was the same orderly who’d shoved Luke into the room in his haste to roll in the defibrillator. At the time, the action seemed driven by the urgent situation, now though, Luke recalled what the orderly did after pushing the device in. He’d stood to the side, hands fisted, gaze fixed on Pru’s face. His presence wasn’t needed in the room, yet there he was. He’d had the gall to return for an encore within hours of the first attempt. Every ounce of possessiveness in Luke’s body flared, demanding retribution. The orderly was as good as dead.

  The basement was a musty and poorly lit space. Weak light illuminated pipes painted a sickly off-white hue. Some were covered by cobwebs while others were smeared with a dark substance. They all snaked into infinity, gurgling and clacking.

  The sound of running steps ceased and Luke slowed down, there were many nooks amongst the bigger pipes to make perfect hiding places.

  He is under a big pipe to your right just before the next light fixture, Celestine said.

  Why aren’t you with Pru? Luke asked.

  He got no response, Celestine must’ve went back.

  As Luke drew nearer to that spot, he noted the orderly’s white Crocs protruding from under a pipe. Luke sprinted to give the impression he was going to bypass the orderly but at the last moment—just as he was parallel to the hiding spot—he reached in and dragged out the orderly by the foot. The orderly’s head struck a pipe and bounced off the floor. He yowled.

  “Hurts, doesn’t it?” Luke rasped and lifted the man by his lapels. “Just like murder, it hurts as well. What’s your name?”

  A cut on the orderly’s forehead bled into his eyes, he blinked those dead orbs and remained silent, his gaze fixed to a point on the opposite wall.

  Luke checked the nametag. “So, Herbert, I guess you’re not into small talk. How about big fists?”

  Herbert didn’t move a muscle.

  “Is it possible he’s possessed?” Pru asked from right behind him.

  Luke almost jumped. “What are you doing here?” He noted a small reaction from Herbert. His eyes went round as he watched Luke side-glance and speak.

  “You didn’t answer me, is he possessed?” Pru repeated.

  “He isn’t possessed and by the time I’m done with him, no spirit will be interested in him,” Luke said while watching the man now shaking in his hands.

  “I can’t be possessed. I can’t be,” Herbert mumbled.

  Luke studied the orderly. The fear of possession was more powerful than the threat of beating. Interesting.

  “Then why was he trying to kill me?” Pru asked.

  Shaking the man, Luke said, “Listen here, Herbert. I can get you possessed and unpossessed and then possessed again. This can last as long as I want unless you tell me right now why you were trying to kill Pru.”

  To Luke’s utter shock Herbert’s eyes reflected hope. “You can exorcise people?”

  Luke nodded. “Now, tell me why you attacked her.”

  Herbert broke down crying. “I have nothing against her, don’t even know her, except, if she isn’t dead my daughter will be.”

  Luke let go of Herbert and the orderly collapsed to the floor, sniffling and wiping his tearing eyes. He wasn’t going anywhere. “What does your daughter have to do with Pru?”

  “I’m the connection. Ellen was possessed because I work at the hospital. I’d do anything for her. Anything. And if in return for releasing my Ellen’s soul I have to commit murder, I’d do it.”

  The man was devoted to his daughter and desperate. Pru’s crumbled expression broke Luke’s heart.

  “Can you really exorcise the spirit possessing my daughter?”

  Luke nodded. “How long she’s been possessed?”

  “Not long. She’s only seven but her tantrums were the norm in our family.” Herbert lowered his head. “That was until last night when all of a sudden she started walking on the ceiling and her eyes turned red as she put the conditions for the release of Ellen’s soul. I think we were talking to the demon possessing her.” He squeezed his eyes shut and sighed. “If you can release her, I promise to leave your woman alone. I have no quarrel with her.” He wiped a tear, his gaze hardening. “But if you can’t help my daughter, only death will stop me from killing your Pru.”

  The word killing shouldn’t be in the same sentence with Pru’s name, but Herbert had softened the impact by referring to her as Luke’s woman. It sounded and felt right. Pru was his to cherish, to protect, and to…love. The realization, discovered at this moment was harder than a blow to the stomach. It left Luke reeling with its brunt.

  Pru was by Herbert, looking at him with enough sadness to drown the world.

  “It’s an evil spirit, not a demon. Is anyone else contracted to kill Pru?” Luke asked

  “They came to me because I work in the hospital. I think I’m the only one. For now.”

  “Do you know why this spirit wants her dead?”

  Herbert shook his head.

  “I can’t leave Pru unprotected. Bring Ellen to the hospital room and I’ll exorcise her. You must do this while it’s still dark.”

  Rising to his feet, Herbert wiped his face. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

  Herbert wouldn’t thank him if that spirit had bonded with Ellen. At times like these, Luke hated his job. “Make sure you don’t tell her, the spirit, why you’re bringing her to the hospital.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Insanity or deliverance, which did Luke embody?

  “You’re silent,” he
said and leaned back in the chair as they waited for Herbert in her room.

  “I’ve nothing to say.” But had plenty to consider. Pru did trust him—what’s with his invisibility and paling features—but there was a chance he might have self-grandeur on his mind and would possibly end up killing a seven-year old kid with a stab to the forehead with a shiny dagger. To save Pru’s life.

  Sweet, but red roses will do nicely. Thank you very much.

  “You don’t have to be afraid. I won’t let anything happen to you,” Luke said, misreading her quietness.

  She shrugged. “Anything is a vague word. You can’t spend the rest of your life guarding me. No, wait, don’t interrupt! Have you considered the likelihood of me staying comatose infinitely?”

  “There’re lots of maybes in your mind and they’ll take you nowhere. Let’s deal with Herbert’s situation first. We’ll see what happens next.”

  Vague again. “What does it take to become a spirit hunter? Or a counselor?”

  He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “Why do you ask?”

  “Well, in case I’m stuck like this forever, I might be able to help you. I don’t want to be an evil spirit, so maybe I can be on the good guys’ side. Of course I might die and—”

  Luke pushed to his full height and glared at her. “Don’t talk nonsense.” Each word was delivered through clenched teeth. When he balled his fists, each vein stood out in detail.

  She went to him, even ran her hand on his arm. Instantly, his muscles relaxed. “We have to be realistic, Luke. If things were different, I would’ve promised you a date, something to look forward to when this thing is over. But that’s our whole problem, this thing, this unnamed situation.”

  Luke murmured something under his breath that sounded like “bad romance.”

  “What’s that?” Pru asked.

  He went down on his knees by the bed, his dark eyes fixed on her comatose form. “You don’t know me. You don’t know how I live. Your coma is only one glitch in a bigger scheme.”

  Dear, God. Is he still…? Pru shook her head and whispered, “You’re still dealing, aren’t you?”

  He blinked, as though awakened from sleep, and returned to his seat, arms crossed. “This always stood like a wall between us, Pru.”

  “How could it not? What you do—did, affects many lives. Someone is always after you, be it the law or some crooks, either way you’re in danger all the time.”

  Luke shot up an eyebrow. “With that logic you’re a dealer as well because someone is after you.”

  “I’ve been thinking about that. Why would anyone want me in a coma or dead?”

  “Maybe to stop you from doing something?”

  “My life is pretty much straightforward. Work, meet friends over the weekend, sometimes even spend the whole weekend alone at home.”

  “Where does Jason fit in this?”

  “He’s one of those friends.” She watched his solemn expression relax. “You thought he’s my boyfriend?” She giggled. “No way. I’m his beard.”

  “Jason is gay?”

  “We don’t even talk about it. It’s kind of a silent agreement.”

  Luke released the most sincere, deep, and sweetest sigh Pru had ever heard. “That leaves something you witnessed or heard and aren’t aware of its severity.”

  “Or maybe whoever is trying to kill me has the wrong person.”

  Luke mulled over that for a moment. “Mistaken identity? I don’t think so because Carmen is involved.”

  That shut her up faster than a slap on the cheek.

  Just then, Herbert entered, his daughter bundled in his arms. Blood from several scratches on his cheeks as well as the cut on his forehead dripped on his light-blue uniform, staining it. When he lowered Ellen to the floor, she pushed away from him with a huff. She had glossy blonde curls that sat atop an unusually round face, a small chin, and almond shaped blue eyes. The only feature that ruined her innocence was the flaming-red surrounding her irises. Even at that young age, she seemed compressed at the torso.

  “Your daughter…” Luke trailed off when Ellen turned and screeched at him.

  “She was born with Down syndrome,” Herbert said. “But she’s smart. The doctor says her IQ is higher than most kids her age in their group.”

  “Poor little thing,” Pru said, her heart going out to the kid for her ailment and possible possession.

  With her gaze glued to Pru’s body on the bed, Ellen said, “You lied, Herbert. Pru is still alive. That’s too bad for poor retard Ellen.”

  Luke, looking as cool as a cucumber on a chilled salad, settled on his haunches and asked Ellen, “What would you do to yourself then?”

  Pru, her eyes fixed on Ellen, asked, “Is she possessed?”

  He dipped his head once. Part of Pru wished Ellen were only misbehaving, because soon enough it was going to be dagger time.

  “Can you help her?” Herbert asked.

  Ellen whirled on him and hissed. Pru watched her in horror as she frothed at the mouth, her almond shaped eyes pulled to the sides revealing the insides of her upper lids. “No one can help your daughter now. I will work on her from the inside out. She’ll bleed to death from internal injuries caused by eating rusty nails. I’ll pour glue down her—”

  “You’re assuming you’ll be staying long enough to do that,” Luke said slowly.

  Ellen and Herbert turned to him at the same time, they gasped at the same instant. Luke’s hair and eyes had turned white and his smirk was back, even though his gaze was hesitant. The whole visage sent shivers down Pru’s back. If she didn’t know him, she would’ve had the same reaction as Ellen, who’d clamped her mouth shut and took two large steps backwards.

  Luke twiddled his fingers at her.

  Ellen turned on Herbert, a finger pointing at him. “You’ve brought me to him!” She lowered her head and her voice, “You’ve killed your daughter.”

  Herbert whimpered, his hands closed into fists and then opened again, his gaze shifted from Ellen to Luke and back again.

  Instead of bouncing on Ellen, Luke sauntered leisurely to the window and studied the sky outside. Without turning, he said to Herbert, “Restrain her now and make sure you cover her mouth. You don’t want Security crowding us.”

  Even as he uttered the words, Ellen’s claw-like hands were reaching for her own eyes. Herbert lunged forward and bear hugged his daughter’s small body, one arm wrapped tight around her waist and a hand over her mouth. She kicked, tried to scream, even head butted Herbert until his nose bled. Through his tears, Herbert held on tight. There was a catch in his voice as he hummed a nursery rhyme in her ear.

  “Can I do something?” Pru asked, then added, “Of course not. I feel so helpless.”

  By the window, Luke’s muscles tensed, his shoulders contracted, and his biceps bulged as he reached in his back pocket.

  “Oh shit!” Pru whispered.

  One long stride brought Luke to Herbert and Ellen, his eyes fixed on the father. “No matter what you see, don’t let go of her. Trust me.”

  Ellen’s eyes opened wide and she tossed her head from side to side. There it was again, a moment of hesitation on Luke’s part that stretched the time. He kept his focus on the kid, a nerve ticked in his jaw. He was stalling.

  Wisely, Luke didn’t withdraw the dagger until he had a hand over Herbert’s on Ellen’s mouth. He moved fast, even before Pru understood what was happening, he’d stabbed Ellen’s forehead and bent on that wound to suck on her blood.

  “Dear Lord in Heaven,” Pru whimpered.

  “You bastard! You fuckin’ pervert. You’ve killed her,” Herbert exclaimed. He let go of Ellen’s now still-body and struck Luke in the kidney repeatedly. Blow after brutal blow lifted Luke off his knees, he neither let go of Ellen nor budged. His mouth remained attached to her forehead, his eyes closed while he supported the listless body in his arms.

  Pru went after Herbert to push him away. “Stop, you oaf. At least go get help for your d
aughter and stop wasting time!” Herbert neither heard nor felt her, rather, his rage, hate, and loathing plodded through her like viscous matter. Yet she kept going back, hoping she would somehow affect the man, or at least share with him the wretched feelings he stirred in her. Eventually, Luke lifted his head and hobbled to the window. Once there, he leaned on the windowsill and exhaled deeply. One hand remained on his side the whole time.

  Sprawled on the floor, Herbert lifted Ellen’s head to his lap. As tears streamed down his cheeks, he caressed her hair. “You killed my baby.”

  Panting, Luke leaned on the wall by the window and slid down. “I-did-not.”

  Herbert wasn’t listening. He had gathered his daughter in his arms and rose. “I should’ve known you would do anything to save your woman, I just didn’t figure killing an innocent child was one.”

  Luke rubbed his face. “For God’s sake, do you see blood?” Breath out. “A cut?” Breath in. “No. All you see is a little discoloration in her forehead.” He took a deep breath and said, “When your daughter wakes up, she’ll remember none of this but might have a headache. That’s it.”

  Indeed, Ellen wasn’t bleeding and her breathing seemed normal.

  A feeling of utter relief filled Pru. “You’ve done it. You actually used that dagger without killing her,” she said, her voice quivering. She clapped her hands and twirled around, only to pause midway. Luke was pallid even though he’d switched off the paling effect. This spirit-hunting gig was more tiring than she imagined. “You okay?”

  He winced. “I think my kidney is busted.”

  She drifted to him and rested a hand on his shoulder. His eyes closed momentarily, his body relaxed, the expression on his face became serene.

  He said on a whisper, “I love the way you make me feel.”

  And she loved him. “Are you going to be okay?”

  He massaged his side still, but said, “You’ll be surprised at the speed of my healing.”

  “There’s no blood!” Herbert’s voice was loaded with hope. He still held his daughter, his gaze fixed on her face.