Demon Hunters

by JKMelby74

  I shambled over to Jackal. He was out cold. I checked for a pulse, just in case. It was weak, but it was there. I went over and helped Gwen up to her feet. I looked her in her eyes and I was surprised to see her smiling.

  “Are you all right?”

  “I’m great,” Jackal mumbled something. We both turned to him. He was still out cold, but it seemed he was having some kind of flashback or nightmare. “What about him?”

  “He’ll live.” I picked Jackal up and walked back to the elevator, which lay in complete destruction.

  “Great. How are we going to get out of here?” I looked around and I noticed a small staircase built into the cliff. Gwen gave a huff of disapproval. I secured Jackal over my shoulder and we started up.

  We finally made it to the top and Jackal was still out of commission. We trudged back to the car. I found some rope in the trunk and tied Jackal up and dumped him in the back seat. Gwen mentioned that she thought she might like to stretch out back there on the way home at some point, so I transferred him to the trunk and we were on our way.

  As we passed through town and headed back to the interstate, Gwen put her hand on my leg. I looked over at her to see her smiling at me.

  “What’s that for?”

  “You were great back there.”

  “I did what I could. How about you and that elevator thing? Nice stuff there.”

  “Thanks. So, what are we going to do about your situation?”

  “What situation?”

  “You’re still wanted by the police.”

  “It’ll be fine. We’ve got Jackal and when he wakes up, he’ll be able to tell the police the truth about all of this and I’ll be back to being only a minor public threat.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Well, they already know I didn’t kidnap or harm Demonica. Jackal can clear me as far as Tyler’s concerned and as far as I know, it’s not illegal to run from the law when you’re innocent.”

  “What if he doesn’t talk?”

  “He will. Trust me.”

  “So that’s it? We’re done?”

  “Yup. Case closed,” Then a little bit of reality began to creep in. “What are you going to do now?”

  “I don’t know. I guess I could go back to Blue Haven. My house is probably still a mess, but salvageable.”

  “That’s an option.”

  “Did you have something else in mind?” I looked over at her and in the glint of her eyes, I saw a reflection of Tyler and I felt the guilt come back up to haunt me. Whatever good was done, I still felt responsible for Tyler’s death and the pain I caused Gwen.

  “I don’t know.”

  Chapter 34

  The Return

  When we got back into town, we were pulled over by a police cruiser almost instantaneously. It seemed like an alert had gone off in every police car in the county the minute we crossed the city limits. We were escorted back to police headquarters where we received a lukewarm reception from Detective Reynolds. It took some doing and a lot of shouting, but I finally convinced her to listen to reason. I explained again what happened and I was able to force a little truth out of Jackal. He confessed to everything, after I threatened to never release him from the trunk, and I was cleared of all charges, much to Reynolds’ chagrin.

  She also informed me that once Ivar’s trick had worn off, he had been taken into custody. She took me to the holding cells where he was meditating quietly in a dark cell. As the door opened, his eyes flinched. He quickly came to and stood to his full height. I could see the corner of his mouth twitch slightly. His version of a smile.

  “You are alive.” He said, almost surprised.

  “Yeah, we scraped by. Gwen’s fine too.”

  “You destroyed the dagger?”

  “Yeah. I’ll tell you all about it later. Right now I just want to get home and sleep for a thousand years.”

  “Understood.”

  We met with Gwen in the lobby and she seemed rather happy to see Ivar. She tried to give him a hug, but as usual, it was like hugging a tree. He just stood there, ramrod straight, as she tried to get her arms around his frame. She gave up and merely offered him a gentle pat on his arm.

  “As it stands, Corba, you’re free to go, but just so you know, I’m going to be keeping an eye on you,” Detective Reynolds said. “You’re a troublemaker. I don’t like troublemakers.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, Detective. It would seem people like me keep people like you in business,” I said with a smirk. “Did you ever check out that Dr. Zucker?” Samantha’s eyes darted away from me.

  “Yes.”

  “And?”

  “He doesn’t remember signing anything for Jackal. He doesn’t even remember going to the asylum to see him, but we have him on the security cameras meeting with Jackal. He was volunteering some of his time there, though. The best we can figure is that he was under some kind of influence. We tested him, but there were no drugs in his system, but according to some of our more specialized investigators, he did carry some traits of some kind of mind control. Hypnotism, most likely.”

  “Sounds about right.” I said with a deep satisfaction. Detective Reynolds looked back at me, supremely pissed. She was clearly a woman who did not like to be proven wrong. Not really an exclusive trait.

  “I’ll see you around, Corba.” She turned and walked away.

  “I’m sure.”

  We stepped out of the precinct. It was a clear, crisp day. Despite what we had been through, I felt rather energized and oddly happy. I looked over and saw Jackal being helped into the back of an ambulance. He was strapped into a wheelchair and seemed to be giving his caregivers a real hard time.

  “Hold on.” I said to Gwen and Ivar and hurried over to Jackal. I could see the orderlies were about ready to smash his head in with a bedpan, but I quickly diffused the situation.

  “Take five, boys.”

  “Watch him, man. He’s wiry.” One of the orderlies said as they stepped back. I looked down at Jackal. His wounds hadn’t healed as quickly as mine had. He just looked up at me with his crazy eyes and sick grin.

  “You look pretty happy with yourself. Considering you’re heading back to another round of electroshock treatments. I was just wondering, since you were big enough to confess everything else, you think you could tell me how you suckered Zucker into getting you out of the looney bin?” Jackal’s grin just tightened even more. “Did you hear me?” Jackal just began to giggle and spit at me.

  “He had a weak mind, Zucker. I don’t know why he signed to get me out. It just happened.”

  “You told me the Reborn got you out. Did they arrange it with Zucker?”

  “I don’t know, Corba! And even if I did, why would I tell you?”

  “I don’t know, Jackal. Maybe some goodwill?” I locked my eyes onto his. I could feel them squirming in my head and suddenly Jackal started going nuts and thrashed around. The orderlies rushed over and stabbed a syringe into his neck. Within seconds, he was out like a light.

  “Sorry. When he gets like that, knocking him out is all we can do.”

  “It’s fine. I’ll catch him later.” I went on back to the car where Ivar and Gwen were waiting.

  “What did he have to say?”

  “He didn’t know anything, or at least claimed as much. It could be he was nothing more than a pawn. It’s no big deal.”

  “We should really find out for sure.”

  “We’ll come to that when we come to it. For now, we are closed for business.”

  Chapter 35

  Parting Ways

  Ivar had gone on to his home while Gwen and I took some well-deserved naps at mine. I woke up close to six and stepped out of my room to see that she was already awake and had gotten a modest little dinner set up on the table. It was just a bowl of pasta and a green salad. Simple, but not unappreciated.

  “Thanks.” As I sat down, she set a plate in front of me and slopped a healthy spoonful of noodles on it.

  “I got
up a few hours ago and I felt the need to do something. I also cleaned your fridge.” She said as she served herself a helping of pasta.

  “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “I know. I wanted to. By the way, do you ever clean that thing? I found something in there that I think had a pulse.” She asked. I put my hand to my mouth to keep my mouthful of pasta from spraying out as I laughed unexpectedly. I swallowed quickly and took a sip of water from a nearby glass.

  “I knew I missed something. I guess you can tell I’m not exactly Donna Reed.”

  “No kidding.”

  “Look, after dinner, we can get on the road and get you back to Blue Haven. Cool?”

  “Sure.”

  We ate in relative silence with only a few spurts of conversation here and there. We were both careful to avoid the big subject. My eyes would meet hers and she would look away and vice versa. I was about to get up my nerve to speak, but something in me told me to stop. It wasn’t the demon. It was something else. Something deeper.

  “It’s really silly for you to drive me all the way back. I can just take a bus or get a flight.”

  “It’s fine. I know the way now. I think I can get you there before dawn.”

  Gwen smiled as only she could and went back to her dinner. There was a knock at the door. A slight panic came over me and I could see Gwen felt it too. I walked over to the door and pressed my back to the wall next to it.

  “Who is it?”

  “Please open the door, Jake.” A familiar voice said in a cool, steel tone. I opened the door and saw Dontavius standing before me. He stood there like a pillar of black cloth with an angular head stuck on top. His hair was brilliant as always and I felt my skin crawl when his eyes found mine.

  “What is it?”

  “I’ve heard about what has happened and I wished to come and thank you for your service on behalf of the Black Flame,” He said. “I’m so glad to hear you and your friends survived the ordeal. Relatively unscathed.”

  “Thank you. I guess you won’t have to worry about Morgan anymore, now that she’s dead. For good.”

  “Well, her body was destroyed. Jackal held her soul and it left his body as well.”

  “You think it’s still out there? Morgan’s soul, I mean.”

  “I could not say. I can only tell you that since all souls are a form of energy, even Morgan’s, there is a slim chance her soul may have survived. Although with no body for her to roost in, only time will tell where she has gone. Until then, we can only hope for the best.” He shot a smile at me that just felt like steel wool being rubbed against the hairs on my legs. He was definitely different from Tyler. A totally different vibe.

  “Was there something else you needed to discuss with me?”

  “Actually, yes,” Dontavius dug into his coat and produced a small slip of paper. A check. “I realize you never quoted an exact price, but I hope this amount will cover your troubles.” I took the check and nearly fell to the floor. I hadn’t seen such a large number written on a check that was payable to me in a long time.

  “This’ll do.” He merely nodded and turned around on his heel and walked away. I shut the door and tucked the check away in my pocket. I felt Gwen walk up behind me.

  “What was all that?”

  “Just payment for services,” I said. “Now, I just need to get a shower and then we’ll be on our way. Okay?”

  “Sure.” I nodded and went on into the bathroom and turned on the water in the shower.

  I stripped down and got in. It felt like it had been years since my last shower as I scrubbed the muck and dirt of Slater off my skin. I winced as my hands found a few cuts on my arm I had not seen. They seemed deep, but I knew they would heal in time. I finished up and dressed in some clean clothes. I felt like a new man. I stepped out into the living room, but discovered that Gwen was gone. I saw a note on the table. It appeared to have been written rather hastily.

  ‘Dear Jake,

  I think it would be best if I just went on without you.

  Thanks for everything.

  Gwen’.

  I crumpled it up and tossed it aside. I ran to the balcony, but there was nothing below. No car speeding off. Not even the vapor trail of one that had just left. She must have seriously booked to cover her getaway that easily. I sat down on the couch and listened to the silence of my home. It was familiar but unwanted. It seemed emptier somehow; lonelier. There wasn’t much else to do, so I flipped on the TV and that was that. After an hour of trying to find something to watch, I decided to cut my losses and I headed out to Fielding’s Pub, a little hole in the wall bar I would frequent.

  The pub was just a few blocks away from my building so I just walked there. The name was a lot more impressive than the actual establishment. It was located next to a small gas station at the corner of the street. The exterior was quite plain with a sickly shade of blue splashed across the front, a modest sign hanging over the door and blacked out windows in front. I pulled the door open and the stale air from inside washed over me. I walked in and quickly noticed how quiet it was. I sat down at the bar and with a wave of my hand; I had a beer in front of me. I sipped it slowly and listened to the music playing from the jukebox. It was an upbeat tune, which was odd. Usually the patrons chose more sobering songs and they usually were country-western songs. I turned to see a dark figure standing over the music machine. A woman and for some reason, she looked familiar. As she turned, I felt a shock come over me.

  “Kassie.”

  “Jake. Long time.” She crossed over and sat down next to me.

  “Long way from home, aren’t you? Out on business?”

  “Sort of. I felt you needed to talk.”

  “You did?”

  “Don’t ask me to explain it. I don’t quite understand it myself. It’s just what us cupids can do,” She said with a smile. “Of course, I think I know why I was able to zero in on it. It’s about love, isn’t it?”

  “Maybe.” I took another sip of beer.

  “I know you want to talk about it.”

  “I don’t, really.”

  “Fine. I already know everything anyway. She lost her brother and part of her blames you.”

  “She said she didn’t, but she does. She should. She’s right to blame me.”

  “Perhaps, but I also know part of her really wants to forgive you. The only real problem is that you won’t forgive yourself.” I looked back at her quickly.

  “I did the one thing I swore I’d never do and it got a good man killed.”

  “Yes, but from what I understand Tyler knew these kinds of risks existed and he was ready to face them. It wasn’t your fault.”

  “Well, none of this matters, because Gwen left town and that’s it.”

  “You sure? I could always track her down and give her a little shot o’ love.”

  “You could?”

  “Sure. I’ve got a little of the old magic still in me. How about it?” I thought on it for a moment and ran the scenario through my head.

  “No. Thanks, though, but I don’t want it like that.” Kassie then gave me a firm pat on my back.

  “Then how about shot of Tequila?”

  “Bless you.”

  Chapter 36

  Secret Motives

  The next day, I went by the office and saw an army of trucks parked along the street and a lot of building materials piled up near them. I stepped out of my car and heard all the noise coming from inside. Dust was drifting out of the open windows. I could only imagine that Ivar had contacted our landlord and informed him of our recent maintenance issues. Ivar always was good at taking care of things like that.

  I walked into the main lobby and there were tarps and buckets of paint lined up against the wall and the commotion from upstairs was getting louder. I assumed I was getting closer to the epicenter of the activity.

  I went on up to my office and I saw a large gathering of workmen in the hall outside my open door. Some were measuring things while others were r
ipping up tiles or driving nails into the walls. I pushed past all of them and went into the office and saw a large work crew busy making repairs to it. I saw the floor had been patched up as I walked in. The walls were still months from being stable, but for all the noise and dust, I could tell it would get done. I noticed a big pile of lumber sitting on my desk and dust coming from everywhere. I noticed by the state of Ivar’s desk, he had opted not to even show up for work, and I was in no position to argue.

  One of the workers came waddling up to me. He was a heavyset guy with a thick beard and a protruding belly. His tool belt was stretched to the limit with each step he took towards me.

  “Hi. Are you Jake Corba?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m Willie. The owner of the building got me to fix your place up.”

  “Great. How long is this going to take?”

  “Oh. Not too long. Just a few weeks. A month. Maybe two.” He said very easily. I felt a shock push through me, but it was nothing compared to the shock I got the night before. I simply wadded up all the frustration I was feeling and tossed it aside and replaced it with a smile.

  “Good to hear. I guess I’ll just have to work out of my home.”

  “That’s what I’d suggest. It’s gonna be pretty much Hell on Earth here.”

  “I kind of doubt that, but yeah,” I turned for the door. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw one of the workers admiring a small clay pot I had found years earlier. I turned to Willie quickly. “Uh, if it’s all right with you, I’d prefer it if your people wouldn’t touch my stuff.” Willie followed my eyes and saw his boy holding the pot.

  “Sure. No problem. Hey, Benny! Put that down!”

  “It’s just a pot!” Benny complained as he put the pot back where he found it. I leaned over to Willie.