Lister Crowe

by Matthew Kenny

  “How’s this?” she asked.

  It was a bit too large for her but the fit was close enough. The hood hid her horns which was of utmost importance but it also hid some of her other features which would surely give way to questions from anyone who might look too close.

  “That will work.” Lister replied. Vita smiled and clapped her hands together.

  “Let’s go!” she sounded excited and made for the door with the superhuman speed she had exhibited many times.

  “You might not want to move so fast either. It will raise some eyebrows.”

  “No problem.” she said not losing any of her enthusiasm.

  Lister was worried she was going to give away her origin without thinking about it. Sure, they were just going to the electronics store down the street but she would be thought of as odd if she showed off her true nature. Lister doubted anyone would be able to guess the truth of the situation. Would he believe such a tale had he not lived it?

  Chapter Fourteen

  Donovan watched the screen for a moment until her heard the door close then he looked up to see Lister Crowe and the demon leave the apartment. The camera had not been difficult to hide as Donovan had some practice at it. He had been a detective after all and there had been times when just such things needed to be done.

  They looked like a young father and daughter out for a walk as he was sure was their intention. He had come to the obvious conclusion this Lister Crowe was no nefarious villain and was in no way trying to use dark magic. The revelation had made him feel a bit more at ease about the situation but he was still waiting for a sign of his enemy. Alton was dangerous and if he was here then things could become complicated pretty quick.

  He lost sight of them as they walked down the street and they became obscured by the houses. Donovan knew this neighborhood very well now for he had taken more than enough time to learn every alleyway and backyard. The neighborhood was quiet during the day but it did become more active at night. More than once in the two days Donovan had been staking out Lister’s apartment he witnessed drug deals and sex workers plying their trade. When he had been on the force it would have been his concern but now, he was a private citizen going about the business of his new employers.

  He put the car in gear and made for an adjacent street. In the light of day the possibility of him being made was greatly increased but the implication of what he had seen was too great to let them out of his sight for too long. Donovan knew they were unknowingly in over their heads and had no clue what their workings could bring upon them. The Cabal would stop at nothing to get their hands on such technology and Donovan knew Alton would take a personal interest in such a device.

  He kept an eye on them from between houses in the residential/industrial neighborhood. They walked as though nothing were out of the ordinary. It was just a mad scientist and a demon he had summoned out for a walk on a chilly spring day. What could be odd about that?

  They turned a corner and headed away from him. He stopped and did not follow. The vehicle he was in was not of the inconspicuous type so he made sure to keep his distance. They had only gone three blocks from the apartment when they went inside the electronics shop Donovan had scoped out. It was one of many run down shops within walking distance.

  Donovan waited down the block not worried about losing his prey. They did not even seem to suspect his presence so they had no reason to try to go unseen. On the street were the nomads of the urban jungle wandering on their personal missions.

  His phone buzzed for he never had his ringer on. It had betrayed him once and he would not let it happen again. He looked at the screen, it was Magda. With a sigh he answered.

  “Hello.”

  “Mr. Donovan, what have you found?” Magda was always no nonsense so her immediacy did not surprise him.

  “Not much.” Donovan lied.

  “Really? We have been picking up some chatter about your target.”

  “Just him and his girlfriend going out and picking up something from the electronics store.”

  “Girlfriend?”

  “Yeah.” Donovan gritted his teeth at his mistake.

  “I was assured he had no attachments.”

  “Well…” he began, searching for the right thing to say. “maybe not a girlfriend but a friend that’s a girl, you know.”

  “I do not know Mr. Donovan.” he hated it when she called him mister. “So do you think this is a dead end?”

  “No.” the word popped out too abruptly and Donovan knew it.”No,” he continued more calmly. “I think there is something here but I am just not sure what it is yet.”

  “Are you keeping something from me Mr. Donovan?” the question was not a surprise.

  “Of course not Magda. I would never do that.”

  “I would hope not Mr. Donovan. We have a great deal of history between us and I would hate for me to have to take back the gift of the Temple.”

  “I am not hiding a thing Magda, I promise.” he was worried now but it was too late to make an admission. The gift of the Temple was all that was standing between him and the dark void of insanity which always hovered at the edge of his mind.

  “You will let me know if anything changes.” it was not a question. It was an order and she expected it to be obeyed.

  “Of course I will Ma’am.” with three beeps the phone went dead.

  Donovan found he was sweating. He did not want to have to lie to Magda. She had saved him after all, and he owed her but he would not let his chance at freedom and revenge be stymied. If there was a chance to free himself from the grip of Alton’s curse would Magda do it? He was theirs to command now and it put him in a particularly vulnerable spot. Perhaps they would let Alton go if a choice was to be made. As for himself, he had already made up his mind. Eventually there would be a showdown and Donovan longed for it.

  Lister and Vita exited the electronics store and started back down the sidewalk obviously heading back to his apartment. Lister was carrying a bag and the two looked like they were in a heated discussion. He did not put the vehicle in gear and drive immediately. He knew where they were going.

  Alton had not made his appearance yet and it bothered Donovan. Magda had seemed so certain when he had first been sent here. Then he wondered: Maybe Alton is already through the portal. Perhaps he was wrong about these two. The idea they could be in league with him was not out of the realm of possibility. Alton was a conniving bilge rat. If there was a possibility, however remote, Alton was on the other side of the portal then it was imperative Donovan take a look.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Once they were back at the apartment Lister began to make their preparations to leave. He was tired and his eyes itched at the dry sleep which had set in.

  “You promised you would show me around your world.” Vita said as she sat on the sofa, pouting. For being an amazing warrior and the most dangerous being he had ever met she still seemed a child to Lister. He looked at her now as she stared at him, her head cocked, her determination evident.

  “We have to get these back to Merrill.” Lister pleaded holding one of the motion sensors up as proof of his argument. “Regardless, I have school.” the words felt strange as they exited his mouth. The thought of going back to school after all he had seen was an alien idea.

  “What is school compared to a promise?” the pointed question was on target.

  Lister paused for a moment realizing he had crossed a line of some sort. A line which could not be seen but existed none the less. It was not as if he really wanted her around. Did he? He did not need anyone had been his credo for so long. This whole situation was so strange and beyond anything he could ever have expected.

  “Vita, listen.” he walked over to her side and hunkered down on his haunches. “This is not going to be the last time we are going to see each other. I know things now I had only imagined yesterday and I am not going to let it go.” Vita did not answer but instead kept her gaze on him for a moment obviously trying to judge the truth
in him. Lister smiled as he wondered how many times she had pulled this move on Merrill.

  “Once I drop the sensors off and make sure your grandfather knows how to use them I am going to come back home…” Lister held up his hand to his apartment. The finality seemed to darken her mood. “but I am going to be coming back after a really long and much needed nap.”

  “Then you are going to bring me back here so I can see the rest of it?

  “Well, not the rest of it, the world is a very big place but I will show you as much as I can for as long as you want.” Vita began to look a bit more upbeat. Lister was not sure why he had promised her so much. He did not go and didn’t like people. He was not the type of person anyone would want as a tour guide.

  “You promised before, why should I believe you now?” she asked her eyes boring into him and he could feel the heat from the lakes of fire within. Lister felt as though he was stripped of all pretense under that gaze.

  “I did bring you back and I did show you around.”

  “Ha,” she coughed “you call that showing me around. Some dusty, musty old shop. My Pappy might like that sort of thing but I am not a wizard.” her eyebrow raised which bespoke her incredulity.

  “Yeah, I suppose it was not the best place to take you on your first trip out into the world.” Lister’s eyes were heavy and he closed them for a moment. He felt as though he could fall asleep right there.

  “Alright.” Vita said softly breaking Lister from the sandman’s spell before it took him.

  Lister lifted his heavy lids to look at her and saw the transformation which had taken place. Rather than the pout on her lip, a smile had appeared. The smile was warm and friendly, showing she did believe him and he could feel the empathy within them. Lister smiled back weakly. The bags under his eyes were dark with the weariness he felt.

  “Thanks Lister.”

  Lister set the portal to reopen in six hours he figured it would allow him enough time to deliver the sensors and make sure they worked before he had to leave. As he had before he set the portal to activate again every hour after until he deactivated it. The thought of getting stuck on Vita’s home world still filled him with an undeniable sense of trepidation but now he knew what lay on the other side and the thought was not so terrifying.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Donovan, watching the camera he had installed, saw they were about to open the portal and it was time to make his move. Magda had told him to keep an eye on the boy and he was going to do exactly as she had ordered. He did not know how much time he would have but he was not going to take any chances. He had always tried to be inconspicuous but now was not the time for keeping his cover intact. If he was going to have any chance of getting through the portal and find Alton he would have to move.

  He heaved his girth out of the SUV and started out at a medium jog which was not easy. He ran across the street and down the block toward Lister’s apartment building. He tripped on an upraised crack and faltered, his arms outstretched for balance but did not fall. He had never been a graceful man and as a matter of fact he had figuratively been born with two left feet. There were the graceful big guys of considerable size which were light on their feet, like angels. Donovan was not one of those.

  He climbed the stairs two at a time and burst through into the patio. The door slammed against the wall with a metallic bang which made him grimace but he did not stop. If they had heard him then he would have to deal with the repercussions momentarily but regardless Donovan needed to get inside.

  He got to the door and listened. There was no sound from within which made him panic. Either they had heard the door slam and were waiting for him on the other side or they were already gone. Sweat was coursing paths down his face as he quickly picked the locks.

  The portal on the table caused harsh shadows in the dim room. The light from the afternoon sun struggled to make it’s way in but the curtains and drapes would not allow the intrusion save for a couple of shafts of light which managed to sneak in around the edges. The sight gave Donovan pause but only for a beat of his heart which was racing.

  He closed the door and reengaged the deadbolts behind him. For a moment he wondered if this was a trap set for him. Without pausing to indulge the thought he made his way to the dining room table. If it was a trap then Donovan was falling into it completely and with gusto.

  He knew from the overheard conversation he had a limited amount of time before the portal closed and this once in a lifetime opportunity was missed. If Alton was on the other side then he was going to be in for a serious shock when Donovan tore his head from his shoulders with his bare hands.

  As quickly and safely as he could he clambered onto the table without a bit of agile grace. The table creaked and wobbled below him in protest to his size. He had seen the portal before and he thought he could fit his bulk through. As he stood looking down at it he began to doubt. He was not as thin as Lister or the girl but he was a good shot.

  Was he going to be himself on the other side? The thought gave him another moment of concern but he banished it from his mind. Holding his breath he dropped through the static hole in the table with a hiss.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Alton had seen Donovan run at breakneck speed up the steps and into to the apartment building. His heart was pounding and a cloud of fear began to build as he watched wide eyed. His sisters instructions were crystal clear and though he was loathe to go against them in such an overt way, he had not wanted something so bad in his entire life. He was pacing the room which had begun to reek of it’s past tenants deaths and the smell bolstered him. After all, if he could take life so easily what was he afraid of? His mind immediately went back to his adversary Donovan.

  “Damn him!” he spat with a hate promising violence. The others he had brought with him to help in his task all looked in any direction but his. He did not take notice of this but continued his pacing.

  “Damn him!” he barked again. His stomach was in knots and his head was filled with all of the possibilities of this ending badly and how Donovan would have bested him again. If there was one thing in this world he hated more than losing it was being made a fool of and Donovan had done so twice. It was not going to happen again.

  He turned and started to the door. He was not going to let this opportunity slip through his fingers. His egress was slowed as his phone began vibrating in his pocket. He put his hand on the door knob ready to go and face his enemy. He knew who it was and he did not want to answer it. His anger and haste was already fleeing. He did not know if it was of it’s own accord or if she was causing it to dissipate even from such a distance. Alton had pulled the phone from his pocket and answered without even realizing he had done so:

  “What Cassie?”

  “Don’t do it.” she whispered but her icy tone was enough to tell him the threat which hid behind her words.

  “Do what?”

  “You know exactly what Alton.” she sounded like a hissing cobra, something Alton had heard rarely but it always sent a chill through him. “If you do this you ruin everything.”

  “I am not doing anything.” Alton let go of the doorknob.

  “You need to let this happen. The whole plan is hinging on this and you are making it more difficult than it needs to be.”

  “So you said.”

  “Alton, my dear brother.” Cassie’s voice had taken on a more loving tone. “You are a great part of this and your contribution will be regaled when this is over and I…” she corrected herself “we have won.”

  Alton knew she was trying to butter him up but it was not working. He had already decided he was not going to be The Cabal’s good little soldier anymore but he could not let his sister know of his deception.

  “Yes but Donovan is here.”

  “I know he is but your revenge is going to have to wait. Once we have what we need then you can put him in his place.”

  “A hole in the ground. Where I should have put him at our first meeting.” Alton soun
ded like a angry child.

  He had sown the seeds of rebellion and they were growing strong in his chest. Though he loved his sister and his father’s legacy was important to him, his pride took precedence. As long as Crabtree was leader of The Cabal his ego would not be contained nor his ambitions denied.

  “Are you going to stick to the plan?” Cassie asked with a tinge of condescension which irked Alton a bit but he hid the feeling lest his sister glean his intent.

  “Of course Cassie. I was never going to do otherwise.” he lied knowing she heard it for what it was. Alton was a liar and worse, his spots could not be changed.

  “Good. We will talk soon, it is time to prepare. You need to get everyone ready and in place.” Cassie sounded excited after she had calmed the inferno which was her brother.

  “I will make sure we get the catalyst. We will be back soon.”

  “I love you brother.”

  Alton hung up the phone which was not unusual. He had never really liked to express the kinder emotions. Rage, hate and cruelty were the emotions he indulged and they had made him powerful. He was staring out the window at Lister’s apartment as he slipped his phone back into his pocket.

  “Pull the truck around to the front.”

  Cassie was right. He would have his revenge. For now she would be allowed to call the shots and Crabtree could live his fantasy. He put his hands on the window sill and fixed his eyes on Lister’s apartment the heat from his hate calming into a cold knot in his chest.

  Chapter Eighteen

  A loud thud followed by some urgent gasping erupted from behind them. Lister and Vita both turned at the same time with quizzical looks on their faces. They quickly made their way back to the clearing now in the purple hued darkness of night. Someone had followed them through and he had made the same mistake Lister had when he first entered this realm.