Death Unleashed

by TJ Adams

  I fixated on the trolley as we drew near and then passed it, but saw nothing. Senses on high alert, I glanced around, scanning every place someone small and ugly could hide.

  When the orderly wheeled me into a bedroom I finally spoke. “Why have you taken me here?”

  “The doctor wants to admit you overnight for a full examination.”

  “And if I don’t want to be here.”

  “You will have to speak to the doctor about that.”

  “When will I see the doctor?”

  Just as I asked the question my small stalker appeared at the head of the bed.

  “I just wheel the people-”

  “Whatever, I’m fine now, you can go.”

  I only had eyes for the creature sitting on my pillow. Because the orderly wasn’t screaming and running from the room it had to mean, like ghosts, I was the only one who could see it.

  Once it was just us I said, “you’ve really inconvenienced me, so I hope your happy.”

  “Pardon me, my lady.” It bowed so deep its ugly head reached the bed, and since it wasn’t in the physical world its long, pointed ears went straight through my pillow. “I did not foresee this outcome. Please tell me how I may remedy the situation.”

  “There’s plenty. Start by telling me what you are?”

  The creature bound off the bed and landed inches above the ground. Again it bowed and this time its ears went through the floor. “Akako at your service. I am a kagi. A most useful servant.”

  Akako started dancing around in front of me. “If you have troubles I can make them disappear.”

  “And what is a kagi?”

  “Akako is a good, obedient servant. I will do whatever you request of me.”

  “I’m not looking for a servant.”

  “Oh, but you must. My lady cannot be without a servant. She must not be expected to do the menial tasks or the dirty work.”

  Like a cat, he mimicked rubbing against my leg. I backed up a pace.

  “So, kagi are the servants of the void?”

  He leaped onto the bed, hovering above my sheets and puffed out his skeletal chest. “Servants we are not.” He hunched down and rubbed his palms together. “Mischief is what we do best. If my lady has a task.” He stretched his head toward me and winked. “Akako is the kagi for the job.”

  “You’re like miniature mercenaries.”

  “Kagi perform their duty with honor.” To underscore his proclamation, he straightened and palm smacked his scrawny chest. His leathery fingers were at least twelve inches long.

  “What are you doing out of bed?”

  I spun to see a nurse standing in the doorway. “There’s been a mistake. I’m not staying.”

  She bustled in waving me toward the bed. “Let’s see what the doctor has to say.”

  “I’ll wait in this chair if you don’t mind.”

  I sat in the visitor’s chair. She stared down at me with her back to the bed, hands on hips, looking like she was mustering up a command. Behind her, Akako raised his long arms up, hands in a throttle grip, leering toward her neck, a mad glee on his face.

  “Wait!” I held up my palm. He froze.

  “I wasn’t going anywhere.” She said, with an expression that indicated she thought I was a wacko.

  He was a spirit so technically he couldn’t touch her, but I couldn’t be sure, after all, poltergeist had a certain ability to manipulate objects in the mortal realm. And by the sounds of it kagi weren’t saints.

  I focused on the nurse. “I’d appreciate it if I could have some privacy.”

  “Geez, aren’t you a bossy one. You think you’re entitled now you’re the new curiosity.”

  I smiled at her, but kept my mouth shut. Entering into an argument would prolong her presence.

  “If you want to remain uncomfortable, that’s fine by me. The doctor is busy and may not get around to seeing you for a while.”

  “I’m happy here.”

  She rolled her eyes and marched out the door.

  “My lady should have allowed me to take care of the annoyance. As your servant that is my job. You should not have to suffer these mortals.”

  “Hang on. I haven’t agreed to you being my servant. Four reapers are handful enough. I’m not interested in increasing my staff.”

  He jumped down from the bed and crawled on hands and knees toward me. “My lady would not turn me away. She could not be so cruel as to reject my kind offer of servitude.” He prostrated himself at my feet.

  “Why do you want to work for me?”

  He leaped up, his small beady eyes going dinner plate wide. “Why would I want to work for the chosen one? Such a question you should ask.”

  “Back up, little guy. Chosen one. What does that mean?”

  He smacked his hands across his mouth.

  “Don’t go clamming up now. Why did you call me that?”

  “I did not. It was an honest mistake. I don’t know what that means.”

  I quirked an eyebrow and glared at him. Likely story and by the looks of things I wasn’t going to get any more out of him. I slouched back into the chair. This was turning out to be the worst day I’d had since I died for the very first time.

  7

  I’d been awake long enough to watch the moonlight move across my bedroom wall. My hand hurt despite nothing being broken. Unable to sleep, I climbed out of bed to close the blinds, perhaps if I ceased to watch the moon I would grow drowsy. A gentle breeze swayed the branches of the trees opposite and instead of closing the blinds I opened the slider door and stepped out onto the balcony.

  I’d been in the rental a couple of weeks now, since the fight with the jinn and the subsequent destruction of my home. The place was nice, if a little cramped, and the neighborhood respectable. Bonus, it happened to be around the corner from my house, which meant I could keep an eye on the restoration.

  Bounty had offered to pay for some of the damage, which was crazy. The fault was all mine. I’d been the blind one, and once again I’d placed her in danger. This line of thinking spiraled me back to the warning I’d received from the soul snatcher. Why was it important to stay away from Bounty? I would’ve thought associating with people who meant something to me would strengthen my attachment to life, which in turn would increase the soul snatcher’s pleasure in taking my twenty-one grams.

  I clutched the railing with my good hand and stared over the balcony at nothing in particular, my thoughts too dark for sleep. For the first time in my life I faced a situation I was unable to fight my way out of. No amount of determination would save my soul.

  I’d thought about contacting Bethany. Maybe she knew a spell that could protect mom’s soul. I’d even thought of asking for another try at summoning Trinity’s spirit. Perhaps if mom could speak to Trinity…the idea withered within moments of me thinking it. Mom knew nothing about the other side of reality, and that’s the way I wanted to keep it. I could plot the downturn of my life against my ever increasing knowledge of the supernatural and mark the moments of my greatest despair. They would coincide with times of high supernatural activity. No way would I bring my parents into the truth of my world.

  The only way out of my bargain with the soul snatcher was to learn to harness what writhed deep within me; hell, everyone wanted a piece of it. Time I pushed aside the fears and doubt that kept me from my potential. Sure I didn’t want to be evil, but if it meant kicking some soul snatcher butt, I would do it. Problem was, I didn’t know where to start.

  I released the railing and slammed a fist into the palm of my other hand then wished I hadn’t as the shots of pain from my injury snapped me to attention. Eyes closed, I thought tough thoughts. Just throw it at me, gimme the bad, show me what I am and I’ll learn to make it good, after I’ve kicked the soul snatcher’s ass. I’m ready, man. Just hit me with it.

  Two breaths later and I felt the same.

  Okay, I’m going deep. I’m pushing my fears of what I may find aside. I’m solid. I’m ready. Let me feel
the other side of who I am.

  I cracked an eye open; felt nothing stirring inside. It was still just me.

  “Come on Claude. I need to do this now.”

  Was I really expecting an answer?

  There was a small park across the road from my apartment, a couple of swings and monkey bars. On the weekend some families would picnic there, let their dog run while the kids threw sand at each other. It was on this park I now focused. A flicker of light had caught my attention.

  I peered harder into the night, unsure if I’d actually seen anything. All looked still. And then another flicker of light like someone had a torch and was waving it about amongst the trees such that the beam was at times hidden from sight. At this time of morning my only thought was burglar.

  I dashed inside and slipped on jeans, t-shirt and runners. I jogged down the stairs and out the front door, while stuffing my keys and phone in my pocket. This was not the sort of suburb that would have people out in the park at night unless their intentions were bad.

  Down on the street the light disappeared. I bee-lined straight for the park and where I’d last seen the beam. At the first tree I paused to listen for footfalls, leaves crackling or twigs snapping. The park wasn’t overly big, which meant whoever it was could’ve reached the fence to the apartments bordering the area. If they were nimble enough scaling the fence would take seconds. Perhaps I was too late.

  I rounded the tree closest the road and snaked my way through the rest, pausing at intervals to listen. Nothing. The dense foliage kept the moonlight from offering me assistance. Tempted to call nine-one-one, I slipped my phone from my pocket, but froze at the sight of light. It bobbed almost out of sight, flickering because of the trees.

  Okay, so I knew this part, having been through it numerous times already. Judging by the depth and thickness of the trees, I would say I was no longer in the park and the light was a beacon for good or bad; I’d have to follow to find out.

  I left my spot behind the tree and, feeling a faint sense of déjà vu, followed the trail of light. Soon I would come across a woman, a maze or a beast. I couldn’t remember the order of events in the vision I’d received at Bethany’s, but hopefully the woman was all I’d see. My pulse climbed in increments with every step. The beast was not something I hungered to come across again. Hadn’t Claude said I would meet it ready or not?

  Creepy silence, not even a stir of wind, followed my approach. It felt as though eyes tracked my movement as creatures readied themselves to pounce. I couldn’t shake the feeling I was the prey walking into a trap. Too many times I glanced behind, then berated myself for being such a scaredy-cat. Problem was, anything could happen when I entered these alternate realities. I didn’t even know how to begin preparing myself for potential attack.

  Mercifully the light stayed where it was and I found myself quickly gaining despite my slow pace. From afar, I thought it a torch light or the glow from a lantern, but nearing the spot and the light grew, beyond the possibility of originating from a single source as small as a torch. I was definitely no longer in the park.

  Someone or something appeared silhouetted through the trees. I experienced a split-second pulse race thinking it was the beast, as my mind was on high alert; I’d met nothing friendly so far on these fantasy jaunts. But my pace slowed as did my pulse when I made out the form of a woman. My nocturnal visitor. At some point in the last few weeks I’d connected the woman from my vision with the woman who’d visited me in my sleep. Perhaps now I would find out what her significance was to my quest.

  She welcomed me with a wave. You betcha, honey. No way was I hanging out here in the cold. Despite my enthusiasm to reach her, I did so with caution. If my vision was a premonition, the beast wasn’t too far behind.

  Close now, I could make out her feminine features, the curve of her slim waist, accentuated by the flowing skirt she wore. Her dark brown hair wound thick around her shoulders, down to her breasts. Cat green eyes and plump red lips drew me closer, replacing the welcome wave of her hand. She reminded me of Bounty in so many ways, in others she was her own woman.

  I placed my hand in her out stretched palm and she drew me closer still. Being near her felt like coming home, weird and a little scary because she was something conjured out of the ether and not a normal woman—at least I don’t think-but that was the truth.

  “I’ve been waiting for you.” She said.

  “I’ve met you before.”

  A smile her only response.

  “Where are we going?”

  “An important place. You may not like it when we get there, but it’s necessary.”

  “Why won’t I like it? It’s got nothing to do with that beast, wild dog thing, has it?”

  “Nothing like that exists here. This place is just for you and me.”

  “Are you supposed to be my mentor in this crazy uber-mixed up reality I’ve descended in to? I’m not complaining, but Claude said something along the lines of being my teacher once I sorted through the shit in my mind. Whatever that meant.”

  She looked sideways at me with a creeping smile and it felt hard to believe I was going anywhere bad with her. “I’m not your mentor, Matteo.”

  “Then do you care to elaborate on what you mean to me?”

  “I’m what you need.”

  “I was hoping for a little more than that. But I guess that will do for now.”

  She stopped me with a gentle tug of my hand and turned to face me. “Don’t you recognize me?”

  “Honestly, if I’d met you beyond those two freaky supernatural moments I’d remember. Your face is not easily forgotten.”

  “It may take time, but you will recognize me in the end.”

  She squeezed my hand and a calm settled over me. I’d been emotionally and mentally manipulated one too many times, but being with her felt safe. This time I knew in my gut it was all right to feel this way with her.

  She led me toward the light, a doorway of blinding light large enough for us to walk through. For one panicked moment, flashes of crossing over into the afterlife had me resisting our forward momentum. My mystery woman was dressed in flowing white and looked good enough to be an angel.

  She placed another hand over mine. “Don’t be afraid.”

  Looking into her green eyes the fear disappeared, but I had to ask all the same. “Will we come back?”

  “When you’re no longer broken, few will be able to hold you in.”

  “Broken, how?”

  She pulled me forward with a smile that made her look like the patient mother and me the cheeky child.

  We passed through the light, with me holding my breath, and into a…school playground. Talk about an anticlimax.

  “This looks like my old school.”

  She giggled. “What were you expecting?

  “Heaven, or hell. Perhaps the latter more than the former.”

  She frowned. “That’s why we’re here. This is where it all started.”

  “What started?”

  “The division inside of you. This is where you learned your greatest fear. And so this is where we will face it.”

  “I wasn’t much into English and the librarian was pretty scary, but I don’t remember fearing anything.”

  “People’s beliefs are created by experiences, stacked on top of each other, from infancy and beyond. Some moments are more profound, the impact greater. These tend to leave a residual influence that permeates throughout your life. You didn’t wake up one day to be the person you are. The creation of a personality happens over time, and with enough subtlety, you have no idea it’s happening.”

  A group of boys bustled past us. The third from the left caught my eye. My breath stalled.

  “Bigger, broader but not too dissimilar to the young boy you were.”

  I’d forgotten about how I loved to wear my hair. Years later and I cringed to see the style. I thought I looked great. We all did. At sixteen we thought the world was at our feet and no one knew as much about life
as we did. We’d been so full of our own importance.

  The group sauntered by like they owned the path. Three girls off to the side gathered in close, whispering and giggling while they looked at the boys pass by. The young me, slowed to separate himself from the bunch and yelled something at the three, or rather one girl in particular; Marsha Green, the hottest girl in junior year. We’d dated off and on for a few years; unable to last together, but equally unable to stay a part.

  The nostalgia made me smile. The smile, however, didn’t last long. I now knew why this woman had brought me here, the purpose behind my jaunt down memory lane.

  “Is this necessary?”

  “That you ask me the question proves it is.”

  “It’s is all in the past. Why must we dredge up bad memories?”

  “Weren’t you listening when I explained the reason?”

  “You’re wrong, the incident has nothing to do with who I am now.”

  I remembered this day, but most importantly the subsequent days afterward.

  “Burying your past prolongs the inevitable. You want to win this fight, don’t you?”

  “What fight? I didn’t realize I was at war.”

  She turned square on to me, hands on hips. “How’s your mother, Matteo?” Her tone no longer light.

  “Who are you? What do you want with me?” My reply was none too friendly.

  “I’m the other side of you.”

  “Another part of me. That’s ridiculous.” I glanced down and up her body. “In case you haven’t noticed I’m not a woman.” I sounded offensive to my ears, which I couldn’t help.

  “I’ve presented myself in this form because I thought it would be easier for you. I’d hoped you would listen to a woman.”

  “I don’t believe this.” I threw up my arms. “What a screwed-up mind trip.”

  “I’m the aspect of yourself you’ve hidden. I’m the conscience you need. Don’t shut me out, because if you do you’ll forever remain divided. Don’t hide from your shadow side. If you do it will grow unruly and uncontrollable. Suppressing that which you fear will weaken you, make you vulnerable. True strength is gained through mastering that which you do not wish to face.”