by Matthew Buza
The two men pushed themselves up against the walls and reached for the blades on the floor. Zinn's eyes cleared and she saw Lazarus for the first time.
“The psychiatrist? From…from the trial?”
Lazarus held the side of his face and stumbled up against the wall. A wry smile spread across his face. “Yeah, that was me.”
“You put me in that hell hole. You stripped away what dignity I had and forced me to live with that thing for years.”
Lazarus breathed heavily.
“Well, to be honest, you are a psychotic woman,” Lazarus said.
“I thought you believed me, but when the time came you turned.”
Luke stood and inched his way back down the hall. “Lazarus stop fucking with her.”
Zinn's head curled, her eyes burned with anger. “Lazarus? LAZARUS?”
“Yup, that's me.”
“You're no goddam shrink. You're the fucking necromancer.”
“Bingo. Got to keep tabs on the crazies.”
Zinn fell to her knees and drew in deep breaths. Her words were muffled, “A necromancer…you fucking shit pile.”
Her teeth ground together and her face wrinkled with anger. There was a loud pop in Zinn's shoulder that accompanied a high-pitched squeal. A second pop sounded as her back bent forward.
Zinn's voice deepened into a robotic growl. “Lazarus. You will pay. I will enjoy this.”
There was a third pop and Zinn's right arm dislocated and hung limp along the ground. Her fingers folded over and fused, slowly melting together to form a sharp pincer. Bones pressed together and slowly forced themselves out, breaking the skin and sending blood splattering over the ground.
Luke's voice was nervous. “Lazarus, is this?”
“Shit. Shit. Shit,” Lazarus choked out.
The two men backed up down the hall as Zinn continued to morph before their eyes.
They reached Isaac. There were no words to describe the melting and contorting body that lay along the floor. The squeezing and popping sounds of bones breaking and reforming.
“Lazarus, tell me Jalon knows we’re here. He knows right?” Luke said.
Lazarus was silent as his mouth repeated the silent word, Fuck.
Lazarus’s eyes danced around the hallway and he shot a quick look towards the exit. He knew that was their only escape. If they could make it to the Lincoln in time they might get out alive.
Luke pressed again. His voice was nervous. “Lazarus is she possessed by something? I haven't seen this before.”
“Shut up. I know. Dammit, dammit, dammit. What do we have left?”
Luke's arm lifted and pointed down the hall. “Nothing for that…”
His voice fell off and the three men saw the horror that was unfolding before them. Down the hall, the tiny woman had elongated into a large mantis form. Her hair now brushed against the ceiling and her crooked arms hung in wide arcs that spanned the width of the hall. Her legs tucked under her body as she began to pulse up and down, shoving her back against the ceiling.
Isaac asked, “Can we run?”
Both men answered, “We wouldn't make it.”
From down the hall what was left of Zinn cried out in a deep throaty tone, “Lazarus!”
Luke's eyes opened, his face was hopeful as he turned to Lazarus. “The pledge.”
“The boy doesn't believe.”
“We can't do anything about that, but the pledge can.”
Lazarus turned to Isaac and put his hands on his face. “Isaac, do you believe?”
“Believe in what?” He had trouble focusing on the necromancer's face as Zinn danced in the background.
“Christ, boy! Do you believe?” Lazarus yelled.
“I'm not sure.” Isaac recoiled.
“Do you see that over my shoulder?”
“Yeah.”
“You're telling me you can't believe a man died two thousand years ago and was the son of fucking God?”
“I don't know. I don't know what to think anymore,” Isaac yelled back.
“We have a shot here, but you need to believe.”
“OK fine, what do you want me to do?”
Luke and Lazarus circled around Isaac. Their hands reached up and touched both sides of his temple. Their free hands touched the small of his back.
“Isaac I need you to close your eyes,” Luke said.
“Guys she’s moving,” Isaac said.
“Don't worry about that, close your eyes.”
Zinn's dancing slowed as her burning red eyes focused on the three men at the end of the hall.
“Isaac forget her, focus. Close your eyes.” Luke's voice was panicked.
Isaac fought his instincts and closed them. He could hear Zinn's feet pinching against the ground. Her legs struggled to learn the body as she stumbled and slid against the concrete floor. There was a thunderous scream that shook the hall. Isaac could feel each step as her enormous frame began to crawl down the hall towards them.
With a rushed voice, Luke began, “As it was said in Matthew, Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
There was a pause and Isaac could feel the ground shake beneath him.
“What do you see, boy?” Luke asked.
Suddenly, Isaac was outside along a river bank. Low-hanging olive trees kissed the water’s edge as a swift current rippled over shallow banks.
Above and all around there was the distant voice of Father Luke, What do you see?
He responded as a warm breeze drifted through the trees. “I am at a river.”
Do you see anyone?
There was a loud pounding that echoed across the river.
You need to hurry. Luke's voice was nervous and rushed.
Isaac scanned the river’s edge and saw two men quietly standing together in the water. One man wore an animal’s fur and had a swarm of gnats flying around him. His hair collected in mats and his beard was thin. The man next to him wore a thin linen robe and carried a full beard with long hair down to his shoulders. The dirty man took the other by the head and slowly lowered him into the water. He lifted the man back up as the water fell off in sheets.
Another boom shook the bank, but the two men carried on as if nothing happened.
“I see two men.”
Who do you see?
“I don’t know, one just dipped the other into the water.”
Isaac, you are seeing a window into the past. This is important. Do you know who they are?
“I don’t.”
Luke's voice softened to almost a whisper, We need you to believe what you are seeing.
Another boom shook the ground around Isaac and the water rippled out.
“I don’t know what you want me to think, It looks like a baptism. Should I…” Isaac lost the words as the old story his grandpa told him came roaring back. His breath stopped. “That’s John, isn't it? And that would make him…”
Luke’s voice finished Isaac’s thought, Jesus.
Isaac could hear the faint voice of John the Baptist in the water preaching to Jesus.
“After I comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Luke’s voice came again, We are running out of time.
“Is that really him?”
Now say it! Do you believe?
Another boom shook the trees around Isaac as leaves slowly fell down to the ground. His voice was weary and broken, “I… I…believe.”
Another boom.
AGAIN!
He cleared his voice. “I believe!”
With all the conviction you have, boy!
Isaac reared back and yelled, his eyes closing. “I believe!”
The world slipped away into th
e darkness; the colors and the smell of the stream disappeared into a single point. Isaac's mind was blank as the white dot grew back. He opened his eyes and he couldn't breathe. His heart felt like it was ready to burst from his chest and crawl out onto the ground. He felt the fingertips on his temples. He gagged for air and it felt like he was breathing for the first time, like a baby pulled from its mother and thrust into the world. His eyes cleared and he saw Zinn's monstrous face in front of him. Her arms pinching down into the concrete only feet away and long strands of spittle dripped from her mouth and dragged along the ground.
Isaac pulled in a breath and yelled once more, “I believe!”
The ground shook as a ghostly white aura flew out from Isaac's chest. It dug deep through the concrete and split the ceiling above like a hot knife through butter. The world slowed to a crawl as Zinn's long arm reached back to strike down. The aura slowly tore through her flesh and cleaved her in two. It continued through her body and raced down the hall before blowing out a large hole in the wall and disappearing into the night's sky.
Zinn's towering body broke in half and collapsed against the wall in a heap. Red blood oozed out onto the ground and crashed against the men's legs like waves at a beach. The smell overwhelmed Isaac and he fell to his knees and vomited into the receding lake of mucus and blood. He collapsed down, his face striking the liquid as he lost consciousness. His last memory of the night would be that of Zinn's eye twitching in its socket as her head slumped to the ground.
Betrayal
Lazarus propped Isaac against the wall and helped Luke to his feet. “I wouldn't have thought of using The Pledge.”
“It's helped me out of a few binds, but dammit that was close,” Luke said.
Lazarus patted the old man on the back. “Every Sunday, eh?”
Luke focused on Zinn's remains. “Until I tell you to stop.”
Lazarus didn't want to fight it, and based on what had happened he owed Luke this.
“I can't wait,” said Lazarus.
“What do we do about him?” Luke said.
“He's alive. We need to get him out of here.”
“We should leave this city for godsakes.”
“That wouldn't be a bad idea.” Lazarus chuckled. “Did Zinn come from downstairs?”
"It looked like it.”
“I am going to go and check it out.”
“Just be fast and no heroics. You see any shit you run. We won't be able to stop anything like this again.”
“Clean him up and I'll be right back.”
Lazarus jogged down the hall, his feet splashing through the slow river of blood and bile. He grabbed the stairs to the lower floor. The stairs opened to a landing and Lazarus saw a green light emptying into the hall. There was an open door. He entered and saw Natious suspended like a marionette on invisible strings. Natious was pulled back towards the ceiling, his chest curved up and his head dropped back towards the floor. Lazarus could see his full black eyes and twitching nose.
“Well, well. I thought you would still be here, but I didn't expect this.”
Lazarus rifled through Natious's clothes and pulled out the small sack of coins and spell box. “My coins and my spell. You’re almost too predictable.”
Lazarus pulled out a small vial from his coat and dropped the liquid into Natious's eyes. Slowly color flowed back into his face and the black smoke swirled and dropped out of his eyes. Natious's lips quivered breaking the paralysis. “Fu….fuck…ing…scum.”
Lazarus looked around the room and then pointed at himself. “I'm the scum? You were working with a possessed woman who escaped from the institute. Also, you hanging around these lunatic cults is bad for your health, Natious. I expected more from you.”
Lazarus slowly walked around the suspended body. His hands reached out and touched the man and he slowly dropped to the floor.
“If I were a lesser man I would’ve left you here to wallow in pain.”
Natious rubbed his neck, he could feel his strength returning as the cramping pain slowly melted out of his joints.
“You're not worthy of the role you have. I've never known such a cruel necromancer.”
“I'm sure, but I'm all this city has between the good and people like you. Now, did you know that Zinn was possessed or had residuals from possession?”
“Possessed? By whom? She could do tricks. Good ones at that. But I have no idea what you are you talking about? Possessed by a demon? No way. I didn't see anything like that.”
“She put you into a frozen state. Normal conjurors struggle to obtain that level of control. And then she left you there.”
“I don't know what you are talking about.”
“You better tell me if you knew she was possessed. You know the crime. Have you remembered the last thirty minutes?”
“The ceremony just started.”
Lazarus smiled. “She put you under and left you for dead. I just woke you up.”
“You're playing games with me. You just play games with people. You don't own this city and I'm not the only one who thinks that.”
Lazarus shook his head as he scanned the tables. It was clear that Natious didn’t know about Zinn’s special abilities.
“We don't assume to own anything, that's your mistake. But, listen to me, we manage this city. We direct it. We damn well steer it.”
Natious spat on the ground. “Just shit talking from a shit talker.”
“I allow you to function.” Lazarus pulled the man up off the ground. “You wouldn't have half the reputation without me.”
Natious stumbled out of the room and into the hall. He walked with his arm pressed against the sheetrock and kept his distance from Lazarus.
“I hope you’re happy. Did you get what you wanted? Ruin another good group? I knew I shouldn't have worked with you,” Natious said.
They continued down the stairs and out through the exit. “A good group? What good did the Mortem do?”
"We provide balance to other organizations. You know that.”
Lazarus rubbed his head. “I'm sure that woman you killed was part of it and whatever you were planning for Isaac? You might want to find another prayer circle.”
“Fuck you man. No one can trust what you say. You just sit there and serve yourself. Ya’ll do. All the way up.”
Lazarus leaned in, anger spread across his face. “I don't have anything to do with the ‘UP’.” He pointed to the ceiling. “You of all people know that.”
Lazarus pressed hard against Natious and he stumbled down onto the building exit.
Natious turned walking backwards towards the door and pointed at Lazarus.
“Remember you came to me and I did what you asked. I didn't want to do it. I don't give a shit about that kid. And now I get treated like scum. I brought Isaac to her. Just like we talked. I worked to the letter of the agreement. What were you expecting would happen?”
“Hanging him from a steel cable? You think that was part of it? I wanted him with her. Not part of some sick cult experiment.”
“What does this matter to you? Why here? Why him? I don't get it.”
“That's not your business to know why.”
“What are you just playing sick games with your apprentice? I'm sure Jalon would love to hear what you are up to.”
Lazarus pushed Natious out of the double-door exit and threw him up against the wall. Natious could feel Lazarus's hot breath pressed down onto his face.
“The seraphim? You think I am scared of him? This isn't his business and it's none of yours. If I want to throw my Apprentice into a fire there's no one to stop me. Got it? I wanted her with him, that's it. Now go fuck yourself if you think you’re going to threaten me like that.”
Lazarus turned and disappeared into the building.
Before the door closed Natious let loose a barrage of insults. His voice slowly faded to a murmur as Lazarus climbed the steel stairs. He hadn't felt this excited in years. The wave of anxiety and nausea swept over him as if he
were a little boy ready for his first speech in front of the class. His fingers thumbed the small wooden box in his pocket. It had taken years to get here and now the pieces were in place. A steady stream of coordinated events and favors had been called in. All of them had pushed Isaac to this point. Lazarus just needed to execute the plan and maintain a strong will to see it through. The stakes were high. For Isaac it would be a week of discomfort, but for Lazarus it was a matter of salvation.
As he continued up the stairs, he thought back to Cilas and the book that was tucked under the driver's seat of his Lincoln. He had spent years reading the latin scrawled over the old parchment paper. He could close his eyes and see the ancient words written by the Apostle John. They were forever etched in his mind.
Lazarus reached the top landing and stared down the hallway as Luke cradling Isaac's limp body. A twinge hit Lazarus and he felt nauseous. This was more than just a book, it was now real life.
“How's he doing?” asked Lazarus as he stepped through dense piles of flesh.
“He's hanging in there. Just sleeping,” Luke said.
“Good, I need him.” Lazarus let out a small smile.
A Friend
James had been sleeping on the couch in Isaac's apartment when Lazarus and Luke stumbled in carrying Isaac's body. The initial panic and confrontation was pitched and a quick duck and push off spared Luke from having a glass lamp smashed across his face. The lamp and hanging shade shook above James's head. He could feel the panicked beats in his neck as his heart slowly wound down from the initial shock. Seeing Isaac was the only thing that stopped James from continuing to attack the two men.
Luke and Lazarus inched their way around the room keeping their distance from James. They lowered the body slowly into the bed.
Lazarus tugged at Luke's shoulder. “Let's get out of here.”
Luke nodded. “Just a minute.” He turned. “Are you James? Isaac mentioned you.”
“Who are you?” James barked back.
“My name is Father Luke, I'm a priest at a Catholic church north of the city. And this man is Lazarus, he employs Isaac at his internship. Isaac was busy tonight and was injured. He's alright, but he's going to sleep for a little while.”