Demon Hunters

by JKMelby74

  “Larissa.” I hear a voice come from behind. I turn and see a large framed man in a heavy looking coat standing a few feet away.

  “Uncle Ivar!” I call out and run over to him. I throw my arms around him and feel his warmth. Mom used to tell me how he and dad used to work together. She told me how big and imposing he used to be and I sort of remember him being more Hulk-like when I was a kid, but the perspective of time has changed all that. Just like dad, he’s gotten smaller and less larger than life than I remember. He’s always been very loyal to our family. He came out here with us when we moved east and though he and my father stopped their investigation business, he remained a close friend to us all. I look up at his face and his eyes are tired and I see a wisp of gray hair peeking out from under his hat.

  “Talking with your mother?”

  “Of course.”

  “I don’t see a blanket. An unplanned visit?”

  “You could say that.”

  “May I ask why?”

  “Sure, but first you have to answer the same question. What are you doing out here?”

  “I don’t really know, to be honest. I woke up this morning with a kind of irksome thought in my head. A voice somewhere inside was telling me to come to the cemetery today. I guess now I know why.”

  “A psychic flash?”

  “If you must call it something, that would be as good a name as any. Now, what are you doing here?”

  “I saw my dad today and I needed to blow off steam with mom.”

  “You saw him?” Ivar asks with a look of astonishment. I don’t blame him. I’ve been the president of the ‘I Hate Jake Corba’ fan club for a lot of years of my life. I’m just about the last person on Earth who would ever voluntarily visit him.

  “It’s a long story.” I assure him.

  “Did you talk? What did he say?”

  “A lot of crazy old guy stuff. Nothing important.”

  “Clearly it was important enough to send you to your mother.”

  “It just stirred up some old business. I wanted to talk it out.”

  “I see.”

  “Don’t give me that tone.”

  “What tone would that be?”

  “The tone that sounds like you’re just humoring my mood while in reality you’re analyzing me. Believe me, I know I’m a field day for any amateur psychiatrist, but that’s just the way it is.”

  “Then we’re agreed.” He says as the rain begins again in earnest.

  “Perhaps we could go somewhere else to talk?”

  “Sure.”

  We find a little coffee shop down the street. It’s pretty quiet so we take the counter. He orders his tea, as he always does and I, of course, get the coffee. He grills me a bit more about my meeting with dad. I can’t blame him for being curious. He and dad used to be really close, from what I understand, but after dad ran off with his church, they never saw each other again. He had tried more than a few times over the years to make contact, but failed each time. He still misses him a lot, I can see that much. That’s the only reason I humor him and tell him all about my meeting. He listens quietly, per usual. He absorbs every word and his eyes begin to click.

  “I did the right thing, didn’t I? I mean, it’s nuts what he’s asking.” I say.

  “I believe you did what you perceive as correct.”

  “Doesn’t really answer my question.”

  “In my experience, there are very few questions in our world that have any true answers. The question as to whether one has taken the correct course of action is top among them.”

  “I just don’t know. After seeing him today, I kind of realize how long it’s been. Sometimes I wonder if I should just put all the old garbage away and forgive him. Reconnect with him. Then he trots out all the old crazy again and I change my mind again. I think maybe inviting this guy into my life now would be nothing more than an act of self-destruction.” I say. I notice Uncle Ivar looking at me oddly. “What?”

  “Your mother always said you took after him.”

  “I know. I got so sick of hearing it.”

  “It’s true though. I can see the same spirit in your eyes as I saw in his. I also sense the same insecurity you have in closing the door on someone who is so close to you. Whether you like them or not. He always was a difficult man to know. He wanted to let the love in, but at the same time he feared it. He feared hurting those he cared most about. I see that same concern in you. You keep too many people at arm’s length, but that’s no way to live your life.”

  “So you’re saying I should forgive him?”

  “I didn’t say that either. He was always good at keeping people away. Mostly due to the demon.”

  “The demon. He said something about that today. Are you telling me he was really possessed? Mom told me about that, but it seemed so unbelievable.”

  “He was indeed possessed by a demon due to the curse of the Corba family. I was witness to the power of the demon on more than one occasion. That was the reason he had for keeping people at arm’s length. You, however, seem to keep people at bay for more conventional reasons.”

  “So, I have issues. So what? Who doesn’t? Look, this is getting confusing. Whose side are you on here? What are you telling me I should do? Should I forgive him or not?” I ask at last. Uncle Ivar smiles softly and gets up.

  “As always, I’m on your side, Larissa, and I’m just telling you to allow yourself to feel what you really feel and do what you feel is right. That is all.” He says and gently kisses my forehead and turns to walk out of the diner. I remain to finish my coffee and figure out what the Hell he just said.

  Chapter 51

  A One Size Fits All Bullseye

  I get back to my life and push away my father once again. I have more to worry about than some bad winter storm. Finding a job for one. I’ve been sending out resumes for the past week. I’m hoping I can secure an interview at least before my birthday, which is only a few days away at this point. I don’t want to ring in my twenty-fifth year on the unemployment line.

  It’s Monday morning and I’ve done my early round of resume send outs. I search all the job boards and the local networks as well. I have a lot of experience in a lot of different things so it’s pretty much wide open for me. Craigslist has a lot of possibilities, but as I click send on the last email of the day, I feel a sense of futility. I rewrote my resume and updated all my cover letters, but I was still getting zero response. I look around and realize I’ve been trapped in my four walls for days now. I decide it’s time to get out and greet the world once more. I dress and check myself in the mirror. The hair needs a little attention and a coat of makeup wouldn’t kill me, so I rectify those sins and head out the door. I figure a quick cup of coffee at the coffee house down the street would be good exercise. As I turn from my door, I stop in my tracks as I see Mike standing in front his door at the same time.

  “Hi.” He says.

  “Hello. I thought your church owned that apartment.”

  “They do. I sub-let it from them. It’s good rent. Can’t pass that up, right?”

  “Are you here to work me or what?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I’m sure they told you that I met with my father last week. Aren’t you here to pressure me into doing his bidding?”

  “Uh, no. I didn’t know anything about that. I’m glad you met with your father though. It’s important to be with your family.”

  “If you say so.” I say and turn from him and start on my way. I hear him race up behind me.

  “Look, how many times do I have to say I’m sorry?”

  “I don’t know. How many times does that make?”

  “I was only delivering a message. You act like I was going to drug you and drag you off.”

  “Weren’t you?”

  “No! That’s not what the Church Of Corba preaches.”

  “Don’t talk to me about the Church Of Corba. I know all I need to know.” I continue on my way and he is like my shadow. “D
o you mind?” I ask as he follows me into the elevator.

  “I live here too. I have every right to take the elevator.” He says quickly.

  “Fine.” I say and mash the button for the lobby. I stand apart from Mike on the other side of the car.

  “You’re really mature, by the way.” He says.

  “Shut up. I can be any way I want.”

  “Wow. I really got under your skin.”

  “What did you say?”

  “You heard me.”

  “You got under nothing.”

  “Then why are you being so hostile?”

  “Because I hate you, that’s why!”

  “They say the opposite of love is indifference. Not hate.”

  “What does that have to do with anything? Do you think I like you or something?”

  “As a matter of fact, I do. I think you like me.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “Because you invited me to your place for drinks after nearly breaking my spine.”

  “That was guilt. You’re better now, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then we’re good.” The elevator stops and I run out the doors. I hurry out of the building and I can see the coffee house just ahead.

  “Mmm. Coffee. Good idea.” I turn and see Mike right next to me.

  “What the Hell is this? Are you stalking me?”

  “No. I was going out for some coffee too. I come here all the time.”

  “You can’t come here. This is my coffee place.”

  “Yours? You own it?”

  “No, but I was here first.”

  “Seriously.”

  “I have two sanctuaries in this world. My apartment and my coffee place. This is a part of my world. Mine!”

  “How about you just pee on the door here? Then I’ll know to keep away.”

  “Don’t be gross.”

  “The world outside your apartment is public domain. I have as much right to come here as you do. That being the case, we may run into each other once in a while. That is something you are just going to have to deal with. So you can either accept it and sit down for a drink with me, or go back to your apartment and wait for me to die.”

  “Don’t tempt me.”

  “I’m buying.”

  “Fine. I’ll have their most expensive drink. Large.”

  I take a table far in the back while Mike gets our drinks. He gingerly walks over and places the cups down on the table and sits across from me. He smiles that smile of his and I can’t help but clench my teeth.

  “Smells good, huh? Peruvian, I think. I put a shot of Hazelnut in mine. You want a taste?”

  “Why do you have to be so damn nice?” I snap.

  “I’m sorry?”

  “Why did you have to be so cute and so nice and so, so, perfect!”

  “Perfect?”

  “When I saw you looking at me on the subway, I thought you were just another crazy fanatic, but you were also a lot better looking than most of the other freaks who stalk me. You looked normal. You looked like you had a brain in your head. When I found out you weren’t stalking me, I, for the briefest of seconds, thought there could have been a future there. You were so charming and sweet. I felt so, I don’t know, at ease with you. Then you ruined it.”

  “How did I ruin it?”

  “You told me you were there for the church. You told me that my father was asking for me. You ruined everything I had built up in my mind with those few words. You destroyed it all.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

  “I know. That’s what kills me. I know it’s me. I let these things happen. I just wish for once, one good thing could happen for me and not be spoiled by my father or that damn church!”

  “We can start over. I gave you my message so I’m a free agent now. I just won’t talk about my religion.”

  “You won’t?”

  “Not a peep. So, maybe we could try this again?”

  “I guess.”

  “My name’s Mike Barnes and I am an Atheist.” He says with a bright smile. I can’t help but laugh.

  “Hi, Mike. I’m Larissa.”

  “Lovely to meet you, Larissa.”

  “Thank you. You should be warned however, I am unemployed.”

  “What? For real?”

  “Yeah. They slid my job out from under me last week. One of the reasons I had to get out. I can’t stand being trapped up there with nothing to do but worry.”

  “You’ve been checking online, right?”

  “Of course. I’m not an amateur.”

  “You should check the paper.”

  “No one checks the paper for jobs anymore.”

  “It doesn’t hurt to try. Hold on.” Mike then gets up and hurries to a small wood table set next to the door, which has a pile of discarded newspapers sitting on top of it. He quickly returns with a thick stack.

  “Those aren’t all want ads, are they?”

  “No. I scored. Today’s paper still intact. Here,” He says as he hands me the classified section. “While you look for a job, I can check the sports page,” He pulls the paper open and a headline catches my eye. I grab it quickly and scan the article. “What is it?”

  “The Church Of Corba has made an unprecedented announcement. Their leader, Jake Corba, has proclaimed that the current storm hanging over New York is actually the first sign of a coming apocalypse.” I read. Mike grabs the paper from me and finds the same article.

  “He goes on to say the only person capable of stopping the imminent disaster is his daughter, Larissa Corba, who as of this printing, refuses to help.” Mike continues. He looks up at me.

  “What else does it say?”

  “You don’t want to know.” Mike says as he crumples the paper away.

  “They can’t do this. That article’s going to incite riots.” I say just as a small packet of cream lands in my hair. I look past Mike and see a little old lady looking right at me with her eyes blazing at me. I can hear whispers begin to take speed in the room. People start pointing.

  “Maybe we better get out of here.” Mike says as he helps me up and guards me as we hurry to the door. Just as the door closes, a full cup of steaming coffee slams against the window. I turn to Mike.

  “They can’t do this!” I say. I can instantly feel the poisonous glares of everyone on the street.

  “I know, but maybe being out isn’t the safest place to be. Let’s get you home.”

  “Okay. Fine.”

  We hurry back to our building. Mike wraps his coat around me in an attempt to block me from sight. It seems even more people are recognizing me, which I find odd. We brush past Will as we run into the building.

  “Bitch.” Will says loudly. Mike stops suddenly and goes over to Will.

  “What did you say?”

  “You heard me. I called your girlfriend there a bitch. We’re all going to die and she’s just going to let it happen. I’m not too surprised though. She never tips. People like that are just the kind who’ll let the world die, and the only word that describes a person like that is ‘bitch’.”

  “Is that right?” Mike says and then lays Will out with one punch.

  “Don’t expect any tips from me either.” He says and quickly bundles me into the elevator.

  We get back to my place and I can barely find words. Mike clearly picks up on my distress and does what he can to calm me down. He finds some Herbal tea in my pantry and starts up the water as I flip on my computer. If there’s any breaking news on this whole mess, it will be online. I jump onto my browser and the whole story fills my screen right before my eyes.

  “No wonder they recognize me. They put up a big picture of me online!” I call to Mike who brings me the tea.

  “Don’t read that now. It’ll just upset you.”

  “I don’t have to read it! There’s a video! Look at this!” I say as I click on a small window and a video of a press conference begins. There’s my dad flanked by Morgan and Damon on eit
her side. He begins talking, but the words seem so alien to me. He just about organized the lynch mob and sicked them on me himself. I shut the computer down.

  “This isn’t so bad.”

  “It’s gone viral! You saw them out there! It was like some damn zombie movie. I guess I can kiss any job interviews goodbye.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Who’s going to hire the woman who let the world die?”

  “Well, look on the bright side. Maybe your dad’s wrong and none of this will matter anyway.” Mike says with a weak smile. I give him a look and that’s all it takes for him to turn away meekly.

  “Maybe he’s wrong? What is that supposed to mean?”

  “I’m just saying if the weather blows over soon, everyone will know the world is not coming to an end and you’ll be off the hook.”

  “And if it doesn’t? You believe him. You really think this is the end of the world.”

  “I didn’t say that. I’m just trying to keep an open mind.”

  “He is wrong! There is no apocalypse! I know what he’s really doing. He’s blackmailing me. The only way I can redeem myself now is to agree to help him and make his flock fall even deeper in love with him than they are now. Otherwise, I lose everything. Right now, according to a poll conducted by People Weekly, I’m more hated than Hitler. You can’t come back from that.”

  “So you’re going to do it?”

  “Hell no! I’m not letting him force me do something like this. I’m just going to let the week go by and when the world does not end, everything will go back to normal.”

  “Okay.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  “You sounded a little unsure.”

  “I’m just saying I’ve seen some pretty convincing stuff at the church.” Mike defends.

  “I don’t believe this. People have been predicting the end of the world since the beginning of it. Everyone was nuts over twenty twelve being the end of the Mayan calendar, but here we are!”

  “I know that, but this storm. You have to admit, it’s pretty strange. The sun hasn’t been seen in weeks and it barely ever stops raining. It just feels like something’s coming to an end.”