by Michael Todd
The demon looked at Katie again. Its eyes moved over her body, which looked so frail and fragile strapped down to the table. He squinted his eyes, almost as if he could sense the trick, then turned back to the other two demons and began to bark.
The sound echoing through Damian and Korbin’s ears and was unlike anything Damian had experienced. He pulled his hands up to his ears, his bible still firmly in his hand.
A wind whipped through the room, and the temperature began to drop steadily.
The demon was running out of time. He had to make a choice and he had to make it soon, or he would find himself dead along with Garrett.
Slowly his ghostly body crawled farther out of Garrett and onto the table next to him. Garrett gasped in his unconscious state and then relaxed, his skin brightening with color and his blood pumping faster.
His body was already healing itself.
Finally, after a long drawn-out debate with himself, the demon bolted toward Katie’s body and dove headfirst into her. Her body shuddered and clenched, but she didn’t rouse.
The demons inside Damian and Korbin laughed loudly, watching with delight as the fire demon struggled to survive. The sound of their laughter filled the room with a ghostly bellow. The wind whipped harder, blowing papers around the room.
After several moments the wind died down, and the demons continued to laugh until the fire demon raised its head out of Katie’s chest. There was a look of pain on its face, and a shrill scream coming from its throat. A massive clawed hand reached up through her body, grabbed the demon, and pulled it back in.
Damian closed his eyes and began to pray out loud, never having seen a demon of that size before. There could be no doubt any longer—the demon inside Katie was one of the Seventy-Two.
Only, any time they were captured or spotted, they were too powerful for any one human to hold.
Katie could be the exception to that rule, one Damian really didn’t understand.
She was just a normal girl, fragile and innocent when she came to the compound. She had built her strength with others’ help, and helped wherever she could. He couldn’t fathom what kind of struggle she was going through now.
At the sight of the large clawed hand the other two demons jerked themselves back into their bodies, now knowing exactly what kind of trap the fire demon had fallen into.
They could sense just how powerful Pandora really was, and they were not sticking around to take the chance of having their souls pulled back to Hell to face their ruler—or worse, ripped from their human bodies and dissolved to dust right there in the hospital room.
Everyone stood poised, their eyes flashing back and forth between Garrett and Katie. Damian snuck over to Garrett’s side and checked his pulse. It was normal, even lower than earlier that day.
Damian looked at Korbin with a smile, letting him know that at least part of it was done. Now all they had to do was bring Katie back from the internal battle and verify that the fire demon had been destroyed.
Korbin walked over to Damian and together they watched as Katie’s body writhed and shook, moving the bed she was strapped down on back and forth. They wished there was something they could do for her.
It was difficult to simply watch and do nothing, but the only two things that could save her at that point were her demon and time.
Outside the room Calvin and Derek stood watch, glancing nervously at the ceiling as small tremors shook the hospital ground and the electricity flickered wildly. The men gazed at each other, clasping the guns in their hands tightly.
They were to stand guard and not enter for any reason, no matter what happened. And when all was said and done, they would see who stepped out of that room first.
Calvin looked at the entrance to the hall, putting his gun behind his back and stepping forward as the doctor in charge of Armani’s care approached.
He was one of the demon hunters’ inside men, taking care of injured teammates and looking the other way when it came to the truth.
“Hello, gentlemen.” He nodded to each. “I’m Dr. Albert Pewter. I need to talk with Korbin about his soldier Armani Royce.”
“Yes,” Calvin spoke first. “Unfortunately, Korbin is in a meeting right now and has left explicit instructions not be interrupted. I am, however, the second in charge and you can pass the word to me. I will deliver it securely to our boss.”
“Very well.” He turned to Calvin. “Armani was a fighter, but unfortunately he did not survive the post-surgery time in ICU. I was there when the man took his last breath. He mumbled something, so I bent down and listened closely. He said that the light was so bright, so beautiful. Then he said, ‘Jenny, you are even more beautiful.’ I held his hand tightly as he passed from this world into the next. I have to say, it was one of the most beautiful, calm, and touching passing I’ve ever experienced.” The doctor reached up and pulled his eyeglasses down, cleaning them on his coat. “Wherever your friend went, he is in complete and total peace. In fact, the staff couldn’t stop talking about how they could feel the weight being lifted from the room around them.”
“That is beautiful,” Calvin said. “That is very beautiful. Armani was one of our brothers. Our best friend, and the man I owe my life to countless times over. Though we will miss him gravely, we know that he was never happy here and that his destiny was to find his lost love once again. I will pass the news on to Korbin and the others. Thank you for doing everything that you could.”
“It was my pleasure,” the doctor said, shaking both men’s hands before walking away.
Calvin breathed heavily, choking on the emotions in his throat.
He looked down at the floor and shook his head. He’d known it was unlikely Armani would make it, but he’d still had hope. He wished the man would ride in, ready to take on the town, ready to continue to rid the world of demons.
Armani had been a tortured soul, one that was too strong for a demon to control, but too weak for his own sensibilities to keep him safe. He mourned his girlfriend every day, and every day he got a little bit closer to the end of his rope.
He had found his peace now, leaving behind that trapped anger, resentment, and fear. He could live his afterlife like he had lived his life: open, ready, and with a heart of gold.
“You okay?” Derek asked, grabbing Calvin’s shoulder.
“I’m not sure anymore,” Calvin replied. “Everything that we care about is affected by this calling card, and I couldn’t change it even if I wanted to.” He looked up. “This is our destiny.”
“Hear, hear,” Derek agreed, clapping Calvin on the shoulder twice.
Calvin nodded and turned toward the double doors, knocking on them loudly. He looked at Derek, knowing he had to give Korbin the difficult news that Armani had died. There was silence for a long moment and Calvin started to get nervous, but before he could knock again Korbin’s voice rang out.
“Come in,” he said.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Korbin looked at the door as a knock echoed through the room, then checked Katie over before he called, “Come in.”
Calvin pushed the door open and stuck his head inside. It was obvious from the look on his face what news he was bringing, but none of them would feel the closure until they heard him say it.
Calvin cleared his throat and sighed deeply.
“Armani has passed,” he told them. “They did everything they could for him, but in the end the wounds were too much for him. The doctor said he talked about a beautiful white light and then began speaking to Jenny. He said it was the most peaceful passing he has ever seen.”
“Thank you, Calvin.” Korbin nodded, sadness in his eyes. “You and Derek can come into the room now. Garrett will be awakening soon. He has been exorcised, and will need tending. You and Derek are in charge of that. I want his family notified as soon as possible. They have lived in grief and sadness for too long. Today a family will be reunited,” he looked over at Garrett, “and a man brought back from the dead.”
&n
bsp; As if he sensed those words of his family, Garrett’s eyes shot open and he gasped, sitting straight up in the bed. Everyone stood perfectly still, waiting to see what his reaction would be. He scanned the room, acting as if he didn’t recognize anyone.
“Welcome back, Mr. Simmons,” Korbin said, walking to his bedside.
“Where…where am I?” he stuttered, looking at everyone.
“You are at the city hospital,” Korbin explained. “You have been in a coma for six months, but no one was able to identify you. You have been missing, but we have finally found you.”
“My family?” he asked.
“They will be notified, and you will be with them very soon,” Korbin replied honestly.
Korbin was glad that exorcism wiped the mind. He could see that passion, that love, and that caring in Garrett’s eyes all over again. The red ring in his eyes was gone, and he didn’t doubt that Garrett was completely free.
It was a bittersweet reunion that he wouldn’t even really think about after that day. Garrett was moving forward…or backward, if you really thought about it.
He would resume his life and his role as a father, provider, and protector, just as he had been six months prior. He would get to do what so many never had the chance to do: make a clean, fresh start.
“Well, I guess it’s good to be back then,” he said, rubbing his head.
Everyone smiled, the feeling of success pulsing through them. Damian looked as if he were going to cry, but instead he walked forward and put his hand on Garrett’s. He pulled up the bible and opened it up, finding the line he wanted.
“May I read this to you?” Damian asked, glancing up for approval.
“Of course, Father,” Garrett said, bowing his head.
Damian read, “A new day will dawn on us from above, because our God is loving and merciful. He will give light to those who live in the dark and in death’s shadow. He will guide us into the way of peace. May you go forth and prosper, giving light to everything you touch, Garrett.”
“Thank you.” Garrett smiled. “I have never been a super-spiritual man or even sure of what is out there, but for some reason that was the perfect reading.”
“I had a feeling you would like it,” Damian agreed.
“Maybe it was my favorite in another life.”
Damian smiled. “I wouldn’t doubt that.”
Korbin turned. “Calvin, Derek, let’s help Mr. Simmons to his private room on the fourth floor. Room 417,” he said. “We will need to contact his family immediately to let them know that he has been identified and is out of his coma, and is asking for them.”
“Of course,” Calvin said with a smile, coming over with a wheelchair from the hall and helping Garrett off the table and into it.
“Thank you all for everything you have done, even if I can’t remember it.” Garrett waved.
“It was our pleasure,” Korbin said, watching as they pushed the wheelchair from the room and out of sight. He idly wondered what they would do with Garrett’s clothes. Sure hoped those guys had tossed them in the trash.
There was a sadness mixed with joy lingering in the room. They had done it; they had freed Garrett. He would be reunited with his family, free to be the man he always knew he was. That was a beautiful thing, but it also meant they would likely never see him again—at least not until their own sweet release from that life.
Korbin walked over to Damian and patted him on his shoulder.
“That was a good quote,” he said.
Damian shrugged. “It was Garrett’s go-to at services. He always felt strongest when he read the whole passage. I figured it was too good to bury.”
Damian and Korbin looked at the bed where Katie lay quietly, breathing heavily as she slept, and made their way over to her bedside. Damian put his hands over her stomach and closed his eyes.
“Well?” Korbin asked.
“There is only one demon in there,” Damian answered. “And it’s the original one she was Damned with.”
“Good.” Korbin sighed. “Now all we have to do is wait for her to wake up.”
“I wonder what she is dreaming about at this moment,” Damian said with a smile. “Or if she is dreaming at all.”
“I don’t know,” Korbin said. “But I do know that she and that demon were heroes today. They saved a man’s life and gave him back everything he loved, and did it without expecting anything in return.”
“They should put up a statue of me,” Katie whispered, her eyes still closed and her mouth curling into a smirk.
“Katie,” Damian said, putting his fingers to her neck to feel her pulse. “How are you feeling?”
“Like there was a bar fight in my body.” She cough-laughed and opened her eyes.
“Do you remember any of it?” Korbin asked as he undid her wrist straps.
“Not the actual event,” she said, looking around and then trying to sit up. “Wait, Garrett?”
“Shh,” Korbin said, pushing her back down on the bed. “He is alive, and he is free. He had no recollection of the time he spent with us. I was hoping you would get to see him, but we had to get him transferred to the room the higher-ups had set up for him. The light was back in his eyes.”
“He was happy?” she asked with a smile.
“Happier than I have ever seen him,” Korbin assured her. “He radiated peace, contentment, and love.”
“That is so amazing,” she said. “I wish I could be there when his family sees him again. I can’t even imagine what it would be like for them. They thought he was dead, and now they get to hold him once again.”
“And all because of you.” Damian smiled.
“Oh, I can’t take all of the credit.” She chuckled. “I had some help from unlikely places.”
“That you did, which we will talk about later,” Korbin said. “But for now I want you to lie there until you have your strength back, and then we will take you home and get you into bed.”
“I have training.” She smiled.
“You get a day off.” Korbin winked. “I do have some other news, though.” His voice softened. “Unfortunately, Armani didn’t pull through. The injuries he sustained were too extensive.”
“I know,” Katie told him.
“How could you know that?” Damian asked.
“He came to see me while I was unconscious, or at least his spirit did,” she replied. “He stopped by to thank me for being his friend and letting him die on his terms. He also told me to look after you, and I quote, ‘unrepentant fucktards.’”
“Of course he did,” Korbin said, rolling his eyes. “Even in death he’s busting our balls.”
“Did you expect anything less?” Damian laughed. “I sure as hell didn’t.”
“No, I suppose not,” Korbin grumbled. “We will have a memorial for him as soon as we are all feeling better.”
“It’s funny,” she said. “All I wanted was for Garrett and Armani to be at peace, but now that I got my wish I kind of want them back. But as their old selves, not the tormented men I watched every day. It’s that selfish human instinct, I suppose.”
“It’s only natural,” Damian said. “We fight relationships when we are alive, but when someone dies we crave the things that we can’t have. It’s part of our curse as humans.”
“I don’t know if it’s a curse,” Katie said. “I think it makes us realize what is important, like Armani and his girlfriend. Who, by the way, is utterly gorgeous. She was there with him. She told me to tell everyone here to keep up the good fight, whatever the hell that’s supposed to mean.”
“We will never give up on the good fight,” Korbin said. “It’s in our veins. There’s a reason we were chosen for this task. We’re like the secret army.”
“We’re superheroes, though I don’t feel so super right now.” She laughed.
“Superheroes.” Korbin chuckled. “I think I’m too old to be a superhero.”
“It depends,” Katie told him. “If you’re from another planet like Superma
n was then you would be considered young, but if you were Batman—well yeah, it would be time to hang up the bat wings.”
Both guys stopped and looked at her, strangely surprised by her superhero references.
She shrugged and laughed. “A girl can be into comic books. At least, the old me was.”
“The old you is still in there,” Damian said. “I was reminded of that when I stared into Garrett’s eyes. Every bit of pain drifted away when that red ring disappeared.”
“I forgot about the red ring,” she said. “It’s the weirdest symbol of a job I’ve ever worn.”
“At least we are easy to tell apart from the normal people.” Korbin chuckled.
“Right,” Katie scoffed. “Like I need to be any more different.”
“Different can be a virtue.” Damian smiled. “Come on, let’s get you up so we can get you home and in bed.”
“That sounds so amazing.” She groaned as she sat up.
“What hurts?” Damian asked.
“I think it would be easier to tell you what doesn’t,” she said.
“All right,” he said. “What doesn’t hurt?”
“That spot right there on the end of my pinky,” she said, holding up her right hand and flexing her finger.
“Smart ass,” Damian grunted, helping her turn her body and dangle her legs over the edge of the bed.
Just then the doors swung open, and Derek and Calvin walked into the room with big smiles on their faces. Katie looked at them and smiled, relieved to see her friends. It was just the five of them now, at least until they could get some new people in. Their friendly and familiar faces felt like home, even more so than any time before in her life.
“Katie,” Calvin said. “We just left Garrett. His family is on the way to the hospital right now. The Fire Chief personally went to their house to give them the news, and is escorting them over as we speak.”
“That’s great,” Katie said, her heart swelling. “How are you guys?”
“We’re fine,” Derek said. “Ready to get home and get settled back into our lives there. Today was enough excitement for a couple hours or so.”