The Porter

by Ashley Dotson

  “I know. You didn’t want anyone to see.” I began.

  “No! It was something else. I jumped up and ran, but I didn’t think about it. It’s like I didn’t even make the decision- something else did.”

  I understood, “That’s your daemon. That’s the part you have to fight when it comes to decision making. It will always act on instinct.”

  Heath just nodded, “That explains a lot. I’ve felt like I’ve been at war with myself. And Mr. Dougherty kept grabbing at me. I didn’t want to hurt him. He kept begging me to help him and I didn’t know what he meant. And then you swooped in and I just froze. He came at you.”

  “It’s. Not. Your. Fault,”

  “Yes! Yes it is.” His voice rose shaking the windows of the truck’s cab. “You tell me I have all this new strength, then why can’t I use it? Why didn’t I use it? If I am this mighty daemon who can rip holes through worlds, then why didn’t I? I don’t know how to do it?”

  “It will come.” I whispered.

  “You don’t understand. I don’t know how to make you understand.” Heath turned to me and grabbed my shoulder violently, “You’re the only thing holding me together anymore. My strength is just an illusion. The knowledge of you, even when you’re not with me, I know you are out there, not far away. You say love me and that you came here- for me.”

  I tried to back away. He had just been through an ordeal. I remembered how vulnerable I was after my first encounter with a daemon- Lillith. She had come into my house to provoke me. My father’s presence was the only thing that allowed me to hang on to my remaining shred of control. If I lost it, I knew he would get hurt in the process. Orrin had come over quickly after made it all better.

  I needed to do that. I knew what he needed- it was me. He needed me, not the same way I needed him, but the need was still there. I tried to stay away, do what was right. I tried to give him space so he could find his way back to me. I didn’t want to force or coerce him. I had to know that as Heath he could love me as Orrin did.

  I scooted closer and Heath didn’t protest. I slipped my hands over his torn shirt touching his skin. He watched me remaining still, letting me put my hands where they may. My lips touched his. I was drawn to him, igniting like a flame hitting the cool night air.

  “Tell me you love me,” Heath whispered.

  “I love you,” I caved. “I’ll love you forever.” We tore into each other, our kisses still bitter but were a salve on the scars from today. We madly used each other to heal the riotous emotions.

  He would regret this later, and I would cry, but I needed him. I need to be with him, and as long as it was me that he wanted I would deal with whatever came next.

  Heath was right. His strength was an illusion and so was mine. His strength was hindered by fear and mine was broken by love.

  Chapter 20

  Skipping Class

  I walked to the house that night and was greeted by the sight of Valerie and Ross sitting on the tailgate of his truck. Daisy was talking with them wearing that big Texas grin, which disappeared the moment she spotted me.

  “Hi,” I said with a small smile. They looked like they were up to no good.

  “Hi,” Valerie smiled back. “You coming tomorrow, Layla?”

  “Where is that exactly?”

  “The Springs, remember? It’s Senior Skip Day?” She eyed Ross for approval.

  I finally noticed the camping gear and bags and cooler in the back of the truck. “Looks like yall are ready to go tonight.”

  “Here’s the plan,” Daisy chirped in. “We packed up tonight and are all going to go to first period tomorrow. We’re going to meet up in the parking lot about eight-thirty and caravan from there.”

  “And the school is okay with us just leaving?” I asked incredulously.

  “It’s a tradition,” Daisy continued, “In a small town like this we can bend the rules every now and then.”

  They all seemed to be holding their breath for the moment waiting to see if I would buy it.

  What they didn’t know is I could sense they were lying. Their deceit fed the evil within me, so I went with it. What they didn’t know was that their Senior Skip Day would change all our lives forever.

  Again.

  ***

  I can’t believe they fooled me so easily.

  I knew they were lying, but I couldn’t quite figure out their plan.

  The student parking lot was almost empty, which was my first clue that something was wrong. I arrived to first period and took my seat in the front as usual. I watched the doorway waiting to see Heath walk through, or anyone else for that matter, when the principal, Mr. What’s-His-name stormed in. He ran his fingers through his thinning hair staring at the empty classroom.

  “They’re at the Springs, aren’t they?” He directed his question to me.

  “Um, I guess.” I didn’t want to be a rat, but I was pissed.

  “Every year…” He walked out mumbling and shaking his head and then whipped around to me again, “Don’t think you’re going anywhere, ma’am. Today is a normal school day, just like any other. I expect you not to deviate from your schedule.”

  He left before I had any chance to respond.

  The teachers gave pop quizzes in all their classes. They all had similar looks of irritation when I alone walked into their class. They were secretly hoping all the students would be gone, and they would have the day off. No one was happy to see me that day.

  I thought about ditching and just showing up to the springs, but after last night I needed some space. I couldn’t stand the thought of Heath with Daisy. He wanted to keep us a secret. After last night I needed the time alone to compose myself, and thanks to Daisy, Ross, and Valerie I had it.

  I walked from school that day. No one was around to give me a ride. I didn’t mind the exercise, but instead of heading to the Reese’s house I made my way to our practice field. I laid in the tall grass listening to the cicada’s rhythmic hums.

  Something didn’t feel right though. The humming sounded like words barely audible through the breeze. It became louder and more persistent, pulsing, moving the air with it until the extreme noise surrounded me. It swirled around me, like the familiar movement of invisible angels. I could feel my mother’s presence the same way, but there was never a noise- it was more of a recognition.

  Something evil this way comes…

  Something large and hungry. It wasn’t on its way to Balmorhea, or it had just arrived.

  I looked hard at the horizon, but there was nothing. I couldn’t hear anything beyond the incessant buzzing. I tried to single out them out, and see if they were voices. It wasn’t a language I was familiar with, and it was certainly inhuman. It spoke to me nonetheless, and I could feel my daemon rise up to meet it, longing to fly free with it.

  I could fly away from it all. Just give in…to the evil.

  No more pain…

  No more tears…

  No…Orrin.

  I snapped up wondering if it was my daemon whispering those words to me. Could it be Lillith. Could she reach me from Hell, or was it the voice of my daemon tired of feeling so powerless? What about Orias? More Vagabonds?

  Not knowing was worse. And I was alone- mind, body, and spirit.

  I had been alone for a while. But alone had turned to loneliness, and then to desperation.

  Where is Heath?

  It was the invasion. My mother had warned me, and it was happening. I cursed myself for being so stupid. My feelings for Heath had clouded my judgment and now we were separated.

  I didn’t know where the evil was or which direction to turn, but I knew it was coming for Heath. It didn’t matter if he was ready or not, as the Porter he had only one job. I could beat them down, Mr. Reese could exorcise them, but those were only stalling tactics. Heath had to figure it out and fast.

  My legs pumped faster than any Earth-bound creature. I was moving on pure instinct, toward the loud humming, and hopefully toward Heath.

&nb
sp; The Springs

  North of town.

  It took a few minutes, but I had to pick my jaw up off the ground at the sight awaiting me.

  I was stunned at the seniors’ camp site at the Springs. Trucks and carswere overturned, even Daisy’s Jeep smashed as if someone large crushed it in from the top. Tents were shredded, and the bloodied husks of my classmates were dazed, confused by an attack. Most would live- a few looked beyond medical help.

  Was this the invasion?

  I stopped short when I saw Ava. Her head was bleeding and she was cradling her arm to her chest.

  “Where’s Heath,” I demanded still deafened by the buzzing.

  “I don’t know.” She winced and stood up but didn’t cry. I knew I could rely on her. I looked her over as well as a few others that limped over to form a group. I grabbed hold of Ava trying to heal her as I had done before.

  But nothing was happening. Ava watched me, wondering what I was doing, but never questioning me. Her lips quivered. I could feel her pain, but I couldn’t take it away and I didn’t know why.

  I can’t fix this.

  “I need some help over here,” One girl cried.

  “Anyone got their phone?” Someone said.

  “There’s no service,” Ross said from behind me. His clothes were torn but he stood straight and confident staring at me. “Get that truck rolled over and get everyone out of here.” He pointed in a direction over my shoulder, “Leave that crap! Just go!”

  The buzzing stopped abruptly and I looked to the sky, but still there was no sign of what made that noise.

  “What was that?” I wondered aloud shaking the dizzy from my head, “Did you hear that noise?”

  “I don’t hear anything now.” Ava followed my eyes, still confused.

  “You didn’t hear that buzzing?” I asked Ross and Ava franticly.

  “No. I mean yes! I did hear them. But they’ve been gone for a while,” Ava continued.

  “What was it? What were they? Did you see them?”

  “It was bugs.” Ross cut in, shuddering. “Large, mutant grasshopper-things.”

  “Bugs?” I asked, confused. “You mean actual bugs did this?!”

  “It was the biggest swarm of locusts- except they weren’t normal. They were huge, as big as me! Some had red or black eyes and they came at us. Cut us up. They had longer daggers for teeth. They’re faces looked human-ish. Some of them tried feeding on us.”

  “I’ve never been so damn afraid. They were so strong. It wasn’t natural. There’s no way this is really happening.” Ross grimaced, trying to wake himself up, “Why do I think you had something to do with this?” He asked me accusingly.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Before those…things even got here, Heath had some kind of panic attack and said he had to find you.”

  “Really?” I whispered.

  “Yeah. He said ‘something’s coming,’ and took off. He just vanished.”

  “Where did he go?”

  “I don’t know. But he just disappeared, right in front of my eyes. He was standing in front of me and then he wasn’t. That’s when the buzzing started.” Ross tended to the large gash on his arm.

  “The horizon became spotted with those black creatures,” Ava shivered. “We watched the moving closer and…and…there were so many of them. They were disgusting. They hand hands like slimy white bones.”

  I remembered my dream from the airplane ride to San Angelo. I could still feel those same fingers on my skin, feel them tear at my body, except mine was only a dream. Those hellish creatures had actually emerged from somewhere and attacked Ava, Ross and everyone else here.

  They attacked innocent people in their efforts to find the Porter. This was exactly what Mr. Reese and my mother warned me would happen. This was why Heath’s birthright was so important.

  “Ross, you seem to be taking this freakish experience rather well.” I thought out loud.

  “I’m pissed!” He yelled. “This is our Senior Skip Day and now it’s ruined.”

  “I think we have bigger problems than a ruined trip to the Springs.” Ava said.

  “Tell me more,” I interrupted, “I’m not involved like you think, Ross, but I need to find Heath. You haven’t seen him since the attack?”

  “No,” Ross was shocked at my omission. “Where the hell is he? I know you know something!” He stepped closer trying to intimidate the truth of me.

  “That noise you heard? Those creatures that attacked you? He led them away. They were coming for him and he knew it.” I was relieved that his senses kicked in and he led those daemons away from our classmates, but he was just a little too late.I just don’t know if he was able to open the portal and get them back into Hell. The thought of a daemon hoard moving around unbidden was too dangerous.

  “I don’t even have time to tell you about it right now, Ross.”

  We aren’t on Neutral territory, so they could come back!

  Let them come, my daemon hissed knowing my thoughts, I will melt the flesh and tear it from their bones.

  I turned, “Ava, can you and Ross get everyone else back to town? I have to find Heath and make sure he’s okay. I thought I could help here. I hoped that…I can’t seem to…”

  I laid my hands on Ross then, “What the fff…”

  “Stop,” Ava warned him before he could pull away.

  It was useless. My prayers went unanswered. It was just as I had thought. I could not bring the healing my classmates needed.

  I was growing more and more frantic, “Layla your eyes.” Ava whispered.

  “Holy shit.” Ross mumbled noticing what Ava did too.

  I decided not to hide it. I walked up to Ross and he took a few hesitant steps back. “You say he’s your best friend?”

  “All of my life.” He stated. Tears gathered in Ross’ eyes as he gathered his courage. That day would have been too much for anyone to handle, but I didn’t need him to fall apart.

  “Do this for him.” I gestured to the mess around us. “Take care of them right now,” I heard sirens begin their wails from Balmorhea, “The ambulance is on its way. Get back and tell Mr. Reese what happened. You and Ava are the only ones who I trust with this job. Tell only Mr. Reese what happened-exactly. Tell him I’m going to find Heath. He’ll know what to do.”

  Both of them nodded. I had the strange urge to hug them, so I went with it. Ross squirmed and Ava hugged me back.

  I searched the rock formations around the Springs in vain. If I needed to create a portal I would definitely go somewhere far away from people.

  I spent the afternoon and most the evening scouring the fields around town waiting to sense him, to feel him near, but it never came. My heart raced with fear not of the returning Vagabonds, but with the thought that he was powerless against his own daemon.

  Or dead.

  I ended up at the field between town and Heath’s farm- our practice field. I was out of breath and reaching the limits of my control. I wanted to burn something, ruin something, tear someone apart to ease the mounting frustration within me.

  “I knew you’d be here,” Came a voice from behind me.

  “Heath?” I was riled. My world had just come apart at the seams. After hours of searching I grabbed him and held in close. I was too much in love and too relieved to see him alive.

  His knees buckled, his fists were in his eyes and his shoulders were shaking.

  I pulled him close but he wouldn’t stop crying. Scared, I waited for the sobs to fadeand tried to absorb his pain and heal this hurt. I had done it with Mr. Reese and Mr. Dougherty. I took their pain away by touching them and wishing it so. But Heath’s ache was one that only time would ease.

  “She’s gone.” He croaked.

  I sighed, knowing who the she was he worried about. Heath had just been attacked by a swarm of bug-like daemons and lived to tell the tale. But the only thing on his mind was Daisy. It was always Daisy. I didn’t notice her at the campsite earlier that day. I guessed that
she and Heath had an argument or she found out about his birthright- the former hopefully. Heath was heartbroken, but I was relieved that she was out of the picture, at least for a little while. But that’s not what he needed to hear.

  “You wanna tell me what happened?” I offered.

  “I did it. I don’t know what happened. I don’t know what I did. I need to undo it.”

  I sat up to looked at him. He was wrecked. I had never seen him so upset before. “I could feel the daemons coming. In my gut.” He grabbed his stomach, “It hurt- like something within me clawing to get out, to rips its way through my middle. I wanted to fight it, but I didn’t know where it was coming from. I just shut down. I was barely able to leave the campsite before I lost it.”

  “Yeah, I know the feeling.”

  “I had to get out. I was afraid of hurting someone. I didn’t know what was coming. I didn’t know what would happen to me when it did. But something within me told me what to do. I could feel that evil sliding under my skin, moving my body like a puppet. The daemons were hideous. They attacked everyone. The noise they made sounded like locusts, but I understood it. They were talking to me.”

  “What were they saying?” I asked.

  “They kept repeating the same question over and over- ‘where is the Porter?’ They descended on everyone, slicing their skin open. They wanted blood. Everyone was screaming. I jumped, I had to. I don’t know where, it all happened so quickly, but I knew they would follow me.”

  “Did you send them back?”

  “Yeah, I think. It was like I was watching myself in a movie. Nothing felt real. I made a fist in the air and instead of grabbing nothing, it felt like I was holding cloth in each hand. I pulled it apart. There was this vicious ripping sound and the ground shook with it. I didn’t even have to call the daemons or look for them, they were just right there, waiting for me.” He gestured forcibly with his whole body. “They went right through it.”

  “A portal? You made a portal? That’s a good thing. I know how scary it was…”

  “No, no, no! I’m not done!” His face contorted with mania, “They took her. One of them was holding on to her! She was reaching for me and screaming. She was screaming my name.”