The Devil's Highway (Journeyman Book 4)

by Golden Czermak

  With her face pushing itself deeper into the soft fabric, something stirred and she swore that Joey’s voice rose in the back of her mind, saying her name softly.

  Ady… his voice whispered to her; it was so feeble and his words stuttering. That… you?

  “Yup, I’m here,” she answered aloud. “How are you holding up?”

  Hurting… I hurt all over.

  She was deeply distressed by what she heard, knowing that he must have been in a lot of pain. Yet hearing it, even if it was only in her mind, was overpowering – the blankets already damp with her tears.

  Stop… crying… his voice said, louder than before.

  “I wish I could, J,” she said, “but I wish more that you were back to normal.”

  “No, I mean stop crying; you're making the covers wet and not in a good way.”

  That statement was like a switch and she realized the voice was not inside her head at all. Popping up so fast that she cricked her own neck, she turned and saw that Joey was conscious, his heavy eyes open but narrow.

  “Oh my God… you're awake!” Adrienne exclaimed, nearly falling off her chair – though it probably would have been a damn sight more comfortable.

  “Seems so,” Joey replied, building his strength for a brief conversation. He tried to sit up, wincing in pain before sliding back down flat on the bed. “Least for a little while; I'm so sleepy.”

  “I imagine so,” she said. “You've been through a lot.”

  “Where am I?” he asked, slightly stupefied.

  “We’re back at HQ,” Adrienne muttered, sniffling briefly. “In the hospital wing under the care of Dr. Ross and Henry.”

  “Good peeps Wen and Henry,” he stated groggily, staring at the ceiling. His throat was getting parched and he licked his lips a couple times before smacking them.

  Adrienne saw. “Do you need some water?” she asked, standing up to stretch.

  “Well I would prefer juice, but I'll take what I can get.”

  She stepped over to a small tray that was mounted on wheels and plucked a plastic bottle of water. Twisting off the top, she moved over to Joey and placed the end on his lips, allowing him to take a few satisfying gulps.

  “That enough?” she checked. When he gave a half assed thumbs up, she set the bottle down and returned to her seat.

  “So how long has it been since I was… taken?” he croaked, coughing a couple times.

  “Too long,” she answered, “but it's been a couple days since we rescued you. Is the last thing you remember being on the Odyssey?”

  “Yes… and no. I remember the ship and Dajjal coming at me – I'll never forget those eyes Adrienne; they were so terrible. I can still see them lingering in the darkness when my eyes are closed.

  “I also recall a lot of pain, a few loud booms, and that horrible gut-yanking feel. Thankfully that's all I can clearly remember, the rest a blur. That other stuff, Ady, scares the living and as yet unborn shit out of me.”

  “I have no doubt about that, J,” she reassured him. “It's impressive that you manage to find the humor in everything, even the worst of it all.”

  “I have to; it's all I've got at times.” Tears started to well up in Joey’s eyes, an obvious sign something was weighing heavily on his mind. “Ady… I have a confession to make…”

  Oh boy, she thought, already knowing where this was going. “Joey…”

  “No, Ady, listen to me. I have to tell you this, especially in light of everything that’s happened and what you've done for me.”

  “You’ve done nothing wrong, J,” she said directly to him, having taken out all her anger on Gage before they arrived at Pine Springs for the vampire negotiations. Joey had been in the Otherworld at the time with Marcus and all of them never got a chance to talk about things before his kidnapping. Honestly, Adrienne never thought she would mention it to him.

  “Ady, you don't even know what I'm going to say!”

  She tried not to smirk but did. “Actually, J, I do. Gage told me all about it.”

  “Oh good God,” he groaned, gently trying to smother his face with one of his pillows.

  “He sure did and I let him have a piece of my mind for sure, but I don’t hold any kind of grudge against you… at all. Him either now. Hell, if I’m completely honest Joey, I knew how you felt about him – we all did – and I half expected something to have already happened between the two of you. You're absolutely dreadful at keeping secrets.”

  “I am not,” he said, pouting.

  “Yes, you are,” she responded, tossing him a ‘don't argue’ look, “but thank goodness you waited for me to be dead before jumping his bones. Don't look at me like that J! What I'm trying to tell you is that doesn’t matter one damn bit. You are who you are and most importantly, you’re real. Joey, you're my brother and I love you so much. I'm so glad you're here… and alive.”

  “I love you, too, Ady,” he said as he wiggled his fingers – at least the couple that remained on his right hand. She noticed them and placed her own in his waiting palm. “I guess that you’re right about Gage, too. I’ll give you that one.”

  “He give you the ‘I’ll make you scream’ pitch?” she asked to lessen the stress.

  “In a manner of speaking, yes.” He laughed, then coughed. The sound was phlegmy. “At least I have Marcus around to help me recover. Speaking of him, where is he?”

  She sighed, tipping her head back toward the window where the buildings were now glowing bright orange from the sunset. “He’s out there with Gage, trying to get the fifth item, whatever it is.”

  “Either the crown, or the scythe if my rattled brain is working.”

  “Indeed,” she concurred. “You love him, don’t you? Marcus, that is.”

  Joey continued smiling. “Yes, I do. All of you very much so. Marcus’ has managed to make me feel wanted and special… something I’ve wanted for such a long time and had really assigned myself to never getting.”

  “Now that you have it, cherish it like I do.” Adrienne brought around her left hand and set it on the blanket, her hex nut ring displayed proudly.

  “Oh lord. He asked you to marry him, didn't he?” Joey said while smiling with all his strength.

  Adrienne nodded. “Yup, sure as he shits in the morning.”

  “Well, did you tell him to piss off?” Joey asked with the most serious look he could gather and to that, Adrienne laughed more than she had in a long time, reminding her of times before.

  Joey struggled hard not to join her, but failed when a little chuckle slipped out. It was so painful, yet he didn’t care.

  “That has Gage written all over it. Congrats sis, you both deserve this.”

  “WELL I'LL BE damned,” Gage said with his mouth hanging open, lips puckering a short time later to let out a long whistle as he took in the sights.

  The adventurous pair had made their way around the edge of a rocky outcropping at the top of a long and dark flight of steps. Gage was leading the way, his large hands skimming the damp stone lightly while Marcus was fairly close behind, shifted his backpack while dawdling in thoughts about Joey and the tasks that laid ahead.

  They had trudged up from deep within the bowels of the mountain, a journey that seemed to take forever after dodging several traps between the car – left invisible on the side of the road – to the exterior of the mountain itself. Now entering what looked like a once a grand chamber, cool night air spilled in through a jagged hole in the roof, mixing with a torrent of snow that was blowing out from two demolished doors.

  If the sight of that massive structure wasn't enough to fuel questions for days, the huge carcass of a wolf sprawled out and bloody on the stone floor certainly would.

  “Well that's somethin’ ya don't see every day,” Gage said as his eyes surveyed the monstrous body. “This damn thing’s ginormous.”

  “Yeah…” came a distant reply from Marcus, his attention fully ahead.

  “Ya know, I hope this guy didn't have fleas,” Gage conti
nued as he passed his hands through the wolf's bushy hair, searching for telltale signs. “Can ya imagine those fuckers runnin’ around in the dark? Hell they’re probably as big as Om.” His eyes widened. “Or bigger…”

  Marcus didn't say a thing this time, continuing to stare at the hypnotic whorls of white pouring out of the darkness.

  “Oh come on,” Gage pressed, adding emphasis to sound slightly offended. “Ya gotta admit, that was a good one.”

  “Huh? What? Oh sorry,” Marcus said back at him. “Yeah that was....”

  “That wasn't all too convincing,” said Gage through a half pout.

  Marcus pointed ahead. “No, seriously Gage it was. My mind just drifted off for a second, seriously wondering where that black hole might lead.”

  “Is it a portal?” Gage asked. “Like the one we rescued Ady through in Peru?”

  “I think that it may be one of the twelve doorways. If so, I’ve got a lot more questions – like why is it here, in New Mexico of all places… inside of a damn mountain? Never heard of a lay line around here.”

  Part of Gage really wanted to continue looking over the wolf’s body, but hesitantly he stepped away toward Marcus. “I've no idea brother,” he said, feeling an icy blast across his face, “but I do know that we’re a lil’ underdressed for the other side, wherever that is. Gotta admit, I wasn't really expecting another globe-hopping adventure so soon.”

  “Me either… I mean the Otherworld was nice, but I'd like to stick around Earth for a little while. That is, after we stop the apocalypse right?”

  “That we will, my man.”

  Marcus frowned. “You know, we really don't have enough time to head back to New York for more gear and I'm fresh out of fire runes for warmth.”

  “Yeah,” Gage agreed, “ya have a point. Our shoppin’ options are kinda limited around these parts, too. I didn’t see anywhere we could snag a fur coat or two.”

  “Not surprised,” Marcus chuckled. “We are in the middle of a desert after all.”

  “No shit, Sherlock,” Gage responded, his hands planted firmly on his hips. As if he just remembered something, he reached his left hand into his pocket. “At least I have a few of those fire stones on me. Here, put them in your backpack. Ain't much else in my pants that'll help in the current situation, but those should.”

  “I'm sure whatever you have in your pants will always bail us out big guy, but unless you have a means of conjuring some outfits that are a lot warmer, we’re pretty much screwed for now.”

  Gage unfortunately agreed again. Turning, he stomped back over to Fenrir and gave the beast a hearty kick to his oversized paw. As the fleshy piled jiggled then came to rest, an idea sprung into Gage's mind that was so outlandish that it might actually work.

  “Marcus…” Gage began anxiously. “Would ya say this creature lived on the other side of the doorway? Or at least was there for some time…”

  “Probably so…” he replied trepidatiously while leaning against a nearby stalagmite. “…why are you interested in knowing that Gage?”

  “Look at this thing… it is covered in fur…”

  “Gage,” Marcus groaned, suddenly realizing what he was alluding to, “you have got to be kidding me. Of all the crazy ass ideas…”

  Gage pulled out a dagger. “I ain't joking boss… now best pull yours out so we can get to work.” He saw Marcus rolling his eyes, hearing a nearly inaudible mutter about where Gage could shove that shining blade.

  Metal met flesh and the soft sounds of cutting, along with the stench of stale meat, became Gage and Marcus’ companions for the next half hour. Once they had stripped back the flayed hide, they used materials out of a travel sewing kit to fashion the final touches on their makeshift cloaks. They were smelly and the polar opposite of fashionable, but by some miracle, they worked to keep out a good bit of the cold, at least from their cores.

  “You ready for this, M?” Gage asked, a smidgen of nervousness undercutting his otherwise confident tone. Shifting the new outfit now caressing his shoulders – the damn thing itchier than trimmed pubes in a pair of woolen pants.

  “I'm as ready as I’ll ever be,” Marcus replied, snow breezing all around them. Breathing a big gulp of the wintry air, he led the way into the portal and the wastes beyond.

  THE BRIGHT LIGHTS of the night skyline twinkled through the rain-kissed window, Adrienne sitting beside Joey, who had remained conscious and entertaining for the past couple of hours. He did slip out of it every now and then, but thankfully less now than when he had first come to.

  While awake he seemed to be his normal, jovial self, but Adrienne could sense something beneath his skin, crawling around like a cancerous snake. Despite that, she put on her brave face and smiled her way through the worry.

  Dr. Ross had finished an extensive examination of Joey about ten minutes earlier, having found it odd that his vitals were hovering just above the red zone, yet by all appearances he seemed fine.

  There was a light knock on the door and Adrienne thought the Doc had returned.

  “Come on in, Wen,” she began, the door opening slowly. “Oh, my bad…”

  Henry’s head had peeked around the panel. “Just little ol’ me, not the dreamy doctor with a swoon worthy voice.”

  “Oh hush,” Adrienne tittered. “How are things?”

  “Going well,” said Henry, joining the pair on a quick break from the labs. “And it’s good to see Mr. Mosely awake for a bit.”

  Despite the heavy workload and pressure to find a cure for Joey, Henry couldn't have continued in good conscience if he'd missed the opportunity to actually talk with him. Talk they did, nonstop, relegating Adrienne to the corner. She didn't mind, as it was good to see the both of them in good spirits, especially considering they'd gone through the famed torture house and made it out alive, yet with gifts to forever remember their time there for the rest of their lives.

  “Yours is bigger than mine,” Joey observed loudly with quite a large frown.

  Adrienne shot her eyes toward them, confused, until she saw Joey pointing to Henry's automaton.

  “About time I won that contest,” Henry said before the two of them resumed comparing wounds, although it wasn't long before Henry was shouting, alarms starting to blare while Joey’s vital signs plummeted.

  “Adrienne!” he yelled. “In the drawer there is an orange syringe; bring it to me, quickly!”

  Without hesitation she flew to the portable stand and pulled it open forcibly. She blinked as heat coursed through her body, like someone had turned on a dryer at above her head which cascaded all the way down to her feet. The contents of the drawer jostled and inside, she saw the pen sized unit – unmistakable amidst an array of other contraptions. Grabbing it, she rushed over to Henry and gave it to him. What she saw made her heart drop.

  Joey was convulsing wildly, foam starting to collect in the corners of his mouth. His eyes rolled back, so far they looked pure white as his head thrust up and down.

  Henry flung back the blankets and jabbed the syringe into Joey’s thigh. Pressing the end, there was a hiss and the entire thing emptied. The syringe was now clear.

  The two of them watched and waited for the solution to take effect. There was no change and the alarms kept sounding as their hearts sank with each passing second.

  Joey was literally dying and they were helpless to stop it.

  Suddenly, the door to the room flung open, smashing into the doorstop. For a split second Adrienne thought Marcus had returned, but it wasn't him, the blonde man in the black leather jacket snapping his fingers and opening his fingers before the door had closed. His hand began to radiate furiously and a dim glow encased Joey’s entire body.

  Henry pulled back, yanking Adrienne with him to the corner as the light around Joey grew more intense. A fast paced chittering filled the air, slowing before it all faded away.

  Adrienne waited a few moments; things seemed normal. She rushed back to Joey’s side to check on him, inspecting him from head to
toe. The seizures had stopped, unlike the heavy beating that filled her chest, and he laid still – almost too still.

  Henry tiptoed over to Adrienne, taking in her confused expression before glancing over to the stranger. He eyed him suspiciously, demanding to know who he was.

  In reply, the man removed his thick-framed glasses, sliding them into his coat pocket before looking back at the two of them.

  “My name is Ty,” he answered, “Ty Sheridan. I need to see my brother, Marcus. Now.”

  THRYM WASN’T EXAGGERATING when he said he wouldn't be using any space in the dungeons; Botis had been shoved into a small cage, the iron box sitting atop a large table fit for a giant’s feast. Although the metal was worn out and rusted, it was still strong enough to contain what little power Botis still had in him.

  The room around him was dark and brooding, just like everything else here in Thrymheim, cast in a blue hue that threatened to overtake the captive’s weakened senses. Botis had taken a seat in a corner of the cage, just shy of touching his back to the metal in order to avoid getting burned. Looking over to a large window that boasted views of the central plaza, from his current angle all Botis was met with was an amazing view of ebony walls.

  “Well this is certainly a turn of events,” Botis muttered, holding a smoldering nugget of rust between his fingers.

  Well, did you expect them to roll out the goddamn red carpet for a Hell Knight? Jesus Christ man, they don't even know what that is, nor who he is for that matter.

  “Hello there, Dozer,” Botis replied with detest, the rust now burning into his skin. He tossed the piece aside. “It's been a few hours since you last interjected your opinion on these demonic matters. I was worried that you might have actually taken your place in the back and allowed me to lead the way… unhindered.”

  Dozer was Botis’ host, known by his MC crew, but otherwise he was JJ to friends and Jonny James to everyone else. He had hurriedly allowed the Hell Knight to possesses him willingly while in Bolivia – the deal centering on revenge against Dajjal for killing the Jonny’s family. Dozer’s patience was growing thinner with each passing hour, Botis apparently doing everything except holding up his end of the Pact. Therefore, as the vessel, he gave zero fucks about interjecting his opinion on demonic matters whenever he wanted to.