Demon Hunters

by JKMelby74

  “That sounds nice and I’m sure it helps those who need to believe such things, but the bottom line is weather is just weather.”

  “Do you think it’ll ever clear up? I’ve never heard of a rainstorm lasting this long before.”

  “I’m sure it will. Probably sometime around my birthday.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “The sun has always shined on my birthday.”

  “When’s your birthday? When can I expect to see the sun again?” He says and flashes a smile at me.

  “Two weeks from this Friday.”

  “I won’t dare ask how old you’ll be. But if you want to tell me...”

  “Twenty five, as a matter of fact.” I say proudly.

  “Wow. I wouldn’t have guessed that.”

  “Because I look so much younger or older?”

  “Younger. Definitely younger.”

  “Thanks.” I notice Mike has been fidgeting for a while. He seems uncomfortable for some reason. “Are you all right?”

  “Fine. Really.”

  “You seem a little on edge.”

  “It’s just, there’s something I need to tell you.” He says in a familiar tone.

  “You’re gay.”

  “What?”

  “It’s okay. I’m cool with it. I shouldn’t have just assumed you were straight. Figures. Finally meet someone decent and he plays for the other team.”

  “I’m not gay. And thanks, by the way. No, I need to talk to you about my job.”

  “At the law office?”

  “I kind of lied. I don’t work at a law office.”

  “Where do you work?”

  “The Church Of Corba.” He says through clenched teeth. The words shoot through me like ice. I set my cup down.

  “Get out.”

  “Larissa, wait.”

  “Get out of my house now!”

  “You don’t understand!”

  “I told you guys to keep the Hell away from me! I don’t want anything to do with my father or his church!” I bark. Mike is making no movement toward the door, so I help him. I grab his neck and yank him to his feet and drag him over to the door.

  “He’s been asking for you!” Mike shouts. I stop.

  “Who?”

  “Who do you think? The Savior. Your father.” I release Mike and he steps away quickly.

  “What does he want?”

  “You said your twenty-fifth birthday was coming up, right?”

  “Yeah. So?”

  “The Savior prophesied that upon your twenty-fifth birthday, you will be the one to open a gate that will usher in a new golden age for Earth. He needs you. The world needs you.”

  “Don’t make it sound so grandiose.”

  “It is! This storm is just the beginning of your father’s prophecy. He said a great, dark and cold storm would plague the sky. Then, when his daughter reaches her twenty-fifth year, she would be the one to open the door to the light and begin an age of new prosperity and life.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  “This storm will only go on and grow stronger until the world dies.”

  “It’s just been cloudy for a few weeks. It’s hardly the beginning of the end.”

  “Perhaps, but what I’ve been taught to believe is that this storm is the first step to a major crossroad for all of humanity. It may just be the ramblings of a crazy man, but what if it isn’t? What if he’s right? Couldn’t you at least force yourself to meet with him and hear his side of this?”

  “They sent you here on purpose. You don’t live in this building, do you?”

  “No. The church owns the apartment. They just sent me to make contact.”

  “God damn it!”

  “I’m sorry for the deception, but I do like you! In these few minutes, I have seen the wonderful, interesting person you really are and I am asking you to meet with The Savior, if only as a favor to me.”

  “A favor to you? Why would I do a favor for you? You’ve just been sitting here in my living room, wolfing down my cookies and lying to my face!”

  “Everything else I’ve told you is the absolute truth! I just didn’t think you’d talk to me if you knew I worked for the church.”

  “You were right about that at least. Get out!” I say as I hold the door open for Mike. He trudges towards the hall, but turns quickly and pulls out a business card.

  “If you change your mind. He’s ready to see you anytime. No appointment needed.” I take the card from him and look at it. Jake Corba. The Savior.

  “Well, isn’t that big of him!” I say as I tear the card and toss it to the floor. I slam the door against Mike’s face and I wait until I hear his door close before locking it.

  Chapter 48

  When It Rains, It Pours

  I wake up the next morning to the sound of rain beating on my window. I pull myself out of bed and pad to the window and look out at my patch of view. A thick downpour is falling on the city. I peer down to the street and I can see how hard the drops are pounding down. I sigh to myself. I feel heavier. I guess I’m still a little disappointed by Mike. Just as I was letting myself believe I had met a real human being, he had to pull that crap with my father. Damn it! Okay. Put it away. I guess I’ll have hamburgers for dinner tonight. I can take my frustrations out on the ground beef. I look over my shoulder to see that I got up ten minutes before I had to. I don’t want to go back to bed, so I guess I’ll just get a head start on my day.

  As I emerge from the shower, I hear that the rain hasn’t eased but I feel a little better after washing. I quickly dress and head out to the kitchen. I get out a bowl and pour some cereal for breakfast. I feel a twinge of regret as I begin to realize I have to go out in the rain to get to work. I really wish I hadn’t blown all my sick days on that trip to Vegas last month. I begin to eat and realize I didn’t have my coffee. I turn to the coffeemaker but the pot is gone. I turn back to the living room and I remember I didn’t put the coffee away after Mike left. I was just too mad to bother with it. I figure I can just get a small cup from the vendor outside my office building.

  I grab my umbrella and hurry out the door. I can’t help but stop when I notice Mike’s door just a few feet away. I stand there, as if hoping it’ll open and I’ll see him. Maybe if he sees me, he’ll try to convince me again to go see dad. I don’t know why I want him to, but I feel that tug. I’m brought back to reality by the sharp tone of another door slamming. I turn and see Mr. Bradley storming out of his place and down to the elevator. Mike probably left last night anyway, so I get on my way. As I walk out, I can barely hear the traffic over the rain. I open my umbrella and step out into the thick of it. It’s coming down harder than it ever has before. I can see the gutters are beginning to overflow already. I get caught up in the foot traffic as I head toward my subway station. I feel like I’m caught in a herd of grumbling monsters. I break from the pack and find a clear spot just next to the stairs leading down to the subway platform. I look up at the sky and the clouds are looking even darker. I thought I had seen a patch of blue yesterday on my lunch hour, but if I had, it was long gone now. It was just a few shades away from being as dark as night. I continue on my way down.

  As I get out of the rain, I quickly fold my umbrella away, but I’m amazed that I can still hear the rain coming down from above. As my train comes and everyone piles in as they always do, I begin to think about what Mike said the night before. I find a seat rather easily, since it’s so much earlier than normal. I hadn’t heard of any prophecies before, not that I ever paid much attention. I know I eschewed Mike the other night, but he was right. The rain has been hanging around for an unnaturally long time and it’s just getting worse. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to at least see dad. Hear him out. If nothing else, I can just say no to whatever he’s bound to ask of me. I hate doubt. I’ve lived most of my life knowing what is fact and never questioning that, but once in a while a little sliver of doubt manages to slip in and as sure as I am the world is not ending, there’s
that little bit of me that wonders if it really is, and if it is, I feel a little obligated to do something about it, if I can.

  I walk into the office and it’s quiet. Quieter than normal. I find my desk and start up my computer. It hums to life. I still can’t hear anything. Usually Julia in the cubicle next to me is on her phone laughing and giggling with whomever she’s talking to. I expected to see her. She’s the resident early bird. No matter how early I get here, she’s always here first. I also notice my supervisor Larry Pinter is missing. I get up and peer over to his office at the other end of the room. The light is out. I walk over and notice that he’s not in. He should be in, since his day always starts two hours earlier than mine. I hear my phone begin to ring. I race over and grab it.

  “Apex Computers. How may I serve you?” I ask as I fall into my chair.

  “Larissa? It’s Larry.”

  “Boss man. Where are you?”

  “At home. I had a feeling no one told you.”

  “Told me what?”

  “Apex is caput.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “They moved all their customer service over to Tel Aviv.”

  “We’re fired?”

  “Repurposed. They said they’d find us new positions in the company, but you know how that goes, right?”

  “We’re fired.”

  “Right. Sorry. I just called your place but when you didn’t answer, I figured you came in to work.”

  “Yeah. Silly me.”

  “I’m sorry. I really am. Your severance check should come in the mail in the next couple days.”

  “How can they do this? One day we’re working and the next day they box it all off?”

  “This stuff moves fast, babe. Maybe they’ll find a place for you somewhere.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you.”

  “Nothing. It’s been fun, Larry. I’ll see you around. I guess.” I say and hang up. I let out an internal scream. I forced myself up early and fought my way across town just to find out my job has left the building. I grab my purse and storm out. I decide since I’m in the neighborhood, I might as well get something to eat. I’ve already burned up that bowl of cereal. I head down the street to a small cafe I go to when I have some extra time. I walk in and quickly notice it’s also empty as a tomb, with only one soul behind the counter. A kindly old woman with silver and black hair tied up in a tight bun on top of her head. Her smile is warm and gracious as I walk in. I think I’ve seen her here before. I think she’s the proprietor's mother.

  “Can I get you something?”

  “Yeah, thanks. Could I get the Eggs Benedict? And coffee.”

  “All right. Coming up.” She says brightly. I turn with a smile and find a table near the dessert case. It’s early, but since I’ve been fired, there’s no reason I can’t enjoy some cheesecake before noon. I look outside and notice the rain has lightened considerably. I hope it lasts until I’m ready to head back home. I hear some sounds in the kitchen so I’m hoping my food is coming soon, but I’m already bored. I pick up my purse from the floor and start going through it. It’s like cleaning out a desk. I usually always find some silly thing I thought I had lost years ago. I sift through my crap and discover a business card. It looks like the one Mike gave me last night, but I hadn’t torn this one up. I look at it thoughtfully. It’s weird to look at my dad’s name. It’s familiar but alien to me all at once. No one calls him Jake anymore, I suppose. When they refer to him in my presence, they always call him The Savior, but that was a long time ago. As I look at the card, I can’t help but remember. My fifth birthday is the one that sticks out the most.

  It was my first party. I still remember what a big deal he made of it. The house was done up like some kind of fairy tale fantasy with crepe paper and balloons everywhere. All the kids from my class came and Uncle Ivar was dressed like some kind of mountain monster and greeted them outside the front door. ‘None may pass without a gift for Princess Larissa’ he would say. Mom and dad were done up like a king and queen and of course I was dressed like a princess, but it wasn’t some cheap Halloween costume princess getup. It was a custom tailored dress made special for me. The wand was glass with a crystal star on the tip and my crown was laced with pure silk ribbons. Needless to say, everyone thought I had about the coolest dad on Earth after that day. I thought I did. I remember the whole day in some kind of candy colored light and as time goes by, the memory gets sweeter, which makes my return to reality all the harsher.

  The sound of my food being delivered wakes me up. I look up at the smiling old woman and smile back as best as I can as she hurries away. I begin eating my food, but quickly notice the card sitting next to my coffee cup. It’s like it’s staring back at me. I grab it with the full intention of putting it back where I found it, but I can’t. I look at the card once more and notice on the bottom an address is printed. I know where the official church is. I would pass by it on a daily basis after it was constructed, but this address is on Sixty Third Street, which is only a few blocks away from me now. I finish up my meal and hurry out. I start walking toward the subway station, but I ignore it. I proceed on toward Sixty Third. Mike’s words ring in my ear as I fight my way through the growing crowd. ‘He’s asking for you.’ My curiosity begins to grow stronger and stronger.

  Chapter 49

  My Meeting With The Prophet

  I turn one last corner and there it is. The sign on the front of the building is enormous and reads ‘The Corba Foundation.’ It’s a pretty modern looking building. Lots of metal and glass. Pretty typical of the surrounding buildings with very little to distinguish it. The symbol of the Church of Corba is chiseled into the sidewalk just below the front doors. A snake coiled around a cross. They say after Jake founded the church, God appeared to him as a snake to thank him for his deeds. I laugh off such things, but if it gives them something to put on their greeting cards, more power to them, I guess.

  I push through the doors and walk into the main lobby. I notice right away that a lot of these people look more like they belong on Wall Street than The Vatican. A lot of business suits and smart phones. Not exactly the pious crowd. I head to the greeting desk. I walk up and a bubbly young girl with red hair looks up at me with a bright smile.

  “Good afternoon. How may we direct you today?”

  “Hi. I’m here to see Ja..The Savior.” I say flatly. Her smile disappears quickly.

  “I’m sorry, but an audience with The Savior just isn’t possible.”

  “It’s not?”

  “No. Only a select few ever get to meet The Savior, and even then, it’s by appointment only. He must ask for you.”

  “Fine. He asked for me. Or, that’s what I was told.” I tell her. She looks me up and down and her lips curl into a mean little grin.

  “He asked for you? Really?” She says with a severe tone of doubt. This girl’s attitude is really starting to piss me off. I’m just waiting for her to figure out who I am. Freakoids on the street seem to be able to figure out who I am from across the street. I’m standing right in front of this nitwit and she still isn’t quite getting it.

  “Yes, he did.”

  “Okay. Name?” She asks as she sits down and opens up her appointment book. I can see it all over her face. She can’t wait for me to tell her my name so she can look down, not find it and smugly have me escorted out. My mind is switching quickly as I am still deciding if I really want to do this. I could just turn and walk away, or give her my real name and watch her short circuit right before my eyes.

  “Larissa. Larissa Corba.” I’m just too vindictive sometimes. The girl sits frozen in her place.

  “What did you say?”

  “I said my name is Larissa Corba.” I repeat louder. Now the whole lobby has stopped. All eyes are on me. I feel like I’ve got wings popping out of my back.

  “I am so sorry, Ms. Corba.” The nitwit says desperately. Just as she’s about to get up, another woman sails out from seemi
ngly nowhere.

  “Larissa! Dear! So good to see you!” She says. The woman is quite a bit older than the nitwit and dressed twice as nice. She’s wearing a striking red dress and black jacket and her hair is black as night. Her lips are stretched in a wide smile and I can see her teeth are exceptionally white, particularly in contrast to how red her lips are.

  “Do I know you?”

  “I’m sorry. I’m Morgan LaGrange. I’m one of the regional directors here. I just heard your discourse and felt I should come and see what the trouble was.” She turns to the nitwit and smiles a penetrating smile. “What exactly is the trouble?”

  “Uh, Ms. Corba is here to see The Savior.”

  “Her father, yes. And why have you not let her in?”

  “Uh..I..I didn’t know. I just...” She stammers. Morgan flips her hand up quickly and just like that, the nitwit shuts up.

  “I think now is a good time if you take a moment for some personal reflection.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Praise The Savior.”

  “Praise The Savior.” Morgan says and the nitwit runs off through some door along the wall. She turns back to me. “Larissa. We have waited for you to come for so long.”

  “You have?”

  “Yes. I understand one of our subordinates made contact with you and told you about The Savior’s requests to see you.”

  “Mike, right.”

  “Mike. Yes. I am sorry for the deception, but some of us are aware of your reluctance to see your father. Me being among them. It was our opinion a small subterfuge was the best way to deliver the news to you. I honestly didn’t think you’d come even after you heard.”

  “I wasn’t at first, but I guess I just got curious.”

  “Well, for whatever reason. We’re happy to have you. Come with me.” She takes my hand and I notice her fingernails are about the same shade of red as her dress and her grip is oddly cold. Like ice. She drags me toward the elevators and pushes a button. The doors slide open and we walk in. A very luxurious elevator. Plush carpet on the floor, soft lights along the ceiling and marble tile along the walls. Morgan pulls out a key and pushes it into a small button on the control panel and then calls for the penthouse level.