“Good news, I hope?”
“No. Not really. I'll tell you when I see you.” He ended the call and finished fueling his car.
Fifteen minutes later, Johann was standing outside Bob's door, waiting for him to answer. The door opened, and Bob's face quickly changed from a broad smile to one of grave concern as he studied Johann's face.
“What happened to you,” Bob asked, stunned by Johann's appearance.
“Banshee,” the former priest said, dryly, “Can I come in?”
“Oh, yes of course,” Bob said as he allowed Johann to enter his home. Father Gunter entered the house with his baggage, and Robert glanced at the long case he was carrying.
“Is that it,” Durling asked, “Is that what I think it is?”
“What,” asked Johann, as he put his belongings on the floor. Robert gestured toward the long, black case.
“Yes,” Johann answered, looking down at the case, “That's it. That's my shotgun. I take it everywhere with me. Except to the hospital yesterday. I was sure I wouldn't need it there. Besides, I didn't think anyone would appreciate me shooting up the place.”
“No,” said Robert, “You're probably right. I don't think that would have been appreciated much.”
The living room, in which they were standing, was nicely, but modestly, furnished; as Johann had expected. The furniture was very rustic, and many photographs adorned the walls. One, in particular, caught Johann's attention.
This particular photograph was of two young boys with a man. All three were holding fishing poles in one hand and a fish in the other. He glanced at Robert as though asking a question.
“Yes,” Robert said, as though he were reading Johann's mind, “That's me, Johnny and my…well, our…dad. We were on a fishing trip that weekend. Mom took the picture.” His facial expression told Johann how much that little memory meant to him, so he didn't pry any further.
Johann put his suitcase on the floor near the sofa and sat down. Bob closed the door, walked over and sat in a chair next to the couch. On the coffee table in front of the two men, Bob had laid out some papers and books.
“What's your news,” Johann asked. Robert, who was still gazing at the photograph, turned his attention to the task at hand.
“I used to study demonology when I was younger,” said Bob, “I stopped at the library to pick up a book on the subject. I wanted to test my hunch.” He sat, motionless, for a moment, merely gazing at Johann.
“And,” Johann asked.
“And,” said Bob, “I found some information.” He turned one of the books and placed it so Johann can better read what it said. “Notice the name of the demon of infant mortality and miscarriages,” Bob said, as he pointed to an entry in the book. Johann read the name.
“Son of a bitch,” Johann said, “That makes perfect sense.” He slapped his hand on the coffee table. “Damn it. How did I miss that?”
-10-
Johann sat on the couch a moment. He was motionless as he stared at the paper. He was furious with himself for not noticing before what was so obvious now. He slowly gazed up at Robert.
“What's her name,” he asked, “The lady doctor. What's her first name?”
“Abigail,” Robert replied.
“Damn it,” Johann shouted, as he slammed his hand down on the coffee table again. “I noticed her name tag had the name 'A. Zou' when I was meeting with her and Doctor Silverstein in Miss Olsen's office. I don't believe I didn't make the connection.” He leered at the paper. “So, her name would be Abby Zou.”
The name on the paper almost taunted him as he stared at the page. In large, black letters he read the name of the demon they were fighting; Abyzou. Next to the name was an artist's rendition of how the devil would manifest itself. The demon appeared as a serpent with a woman's head, long, scraggly hair, and glowing red eyes. Two horns were atop its head, and its fingers were almost skeleton-like.
“Damn, this thing is ugly,” Johann said, “But, then, they all are, aren't they?”
“Well, I guess now we know why she always seems so cranky,” Robert said, half joking. Johann glanced at him, but didn't laugh.
“Any idea how to kill this thing,” Johann asked.
“I'm not sure,” Robert answered, “Didn't you learn this stuff when you were a priest?” Johann gazed at him for a moment and didn't answer.
Robert studied Johann's face a moment. “You know,” he said, “You really should put something on those scratches. If a Banshee gave them to you, we don't want them to fester.” The coroner got up from his chair to lead Johann to the bathroom where he kept the household medical supplies.
Johann followed him. His attention now drawn to his wounds, the sting of the cuts and scratches became more evident. He rubbed his hand on his face to try and relieve some of the pain.
Johann thought about how to vanquish the demon while Robert cleaned and dressed the wounds for the demon hunter. Now, with a better idea who the monster was, the two could start about the business of devising a plan to vanquish the beast.
“We'll need either a circle of salt,” Johann said, “Or a devil's trap. Maybe even both.”
“I agree,” Robert said, as he worked on Johann's wounds, “That will work to trap the thing. But how do we kill it, or get rid of it, or whatever we're supposed to do with this creature?” He asked, as he dabbed a little alcohol on a cut, which caused Johann to wince in pain and pull back.
“Sorry,” Robert said, and tried to be a little gentler.
“I usually use a shotgun with shells blessed with holy water. That always worked in the past,” Johann said. Robert abruptly stopped working on the wounds and made eye contact with his patient, when he heard what Johann was saying.
“We're going to have to find another way,” he said, “I don't think the local police around here will take kindly to someone firing a shotgun without a damn good reason. Believe me when I tell you that you'll have a very hard time convincing them you were shooting at a demon.”
“You're probably right.”
After the two men finished taking care of Johann's scratches, they returned to the living room, Johann now sported some new band-aids on his cheek and chin. Both men sat on the couch. They began to study the material in front of them. The books Robert picked up at the library were very detailed in what they said about the demon. The two men learned how the devil appeared, and what the monster did, but nothing on how to vanquish the creature.
An hour after they started to study the books, Johann put his down and sat back for a moment, disgusted at how little progress they were making.
“I can't find anything,” Johann said, “Can you?”
“No,” answered Robert, “I can't seem to find anything either.” He placed his book back on the table and sat back as well.
“Damn it. I studied demonology at the Seminary. I shouldn't need to use books to find the information I'm searching for. Everything should be right here,” Johann said, frustrated, and pointing at the side of his head.
“Perhaps we're trying too hard,” said Robert.
Johann glanced over at his new partner for a moment. He was almost feeling happy about not being the only one in the fight.
“You've been told all about me, and why I left the priesthood,” Johann said. Robert studied Johann for a moment before he replied.
“Yes. I was. Like I said before, I'm sorry about your sister,” he said.
“Well,” said Johann, “What I never told anybody is this; When the demon took Theresa, my sister, I tried to fight the slimy thing off and protect her. It was a hell of a fight and a powerful demon. He eventually overpowered me.” He dropped his gaze momentarily, then made eye contact with Robert. “I was so overpowered, I was helpless. I couldn't fight him any longer, and along with my sister, he took some of my knowledge of demonology,” he paused, and gazed down at the floor, “And some of my faith.”
“I see,” Robert said, as he placed a hand on Johann's shoulder. “Well, you have me now. I'll b
e your partner in this for as long as you want. I'll not only help you kill these damned creatures; I'll help you find your sister.” Johann gazed at him and adjusted his glasses on his face. “So, what do ya say,” Robert said, offering Johann his hand, “Partners? You see, I studied demonology, too.” Johann mustered a slight smile and grabbed Robert's outstretched hand. “Partners,” he said, as he shook his new partner's hand.
“After Johnny came out of the Seminary,” said Robert, “We talked a lot about what he had learned. The part about demonology utterly fascinated me, and I knew I had to find out more about this fascinating subject. I read so many books on the subject, and learned as much as possible without an instructor.” He glanced at Johann, his face wore the excited expression of a child with a new discovery. “I used to have Johnny test me. He would tell me what the demon did, and I would say the name,” his lips curled into a broad smile, “I got damned good at it, too. So, when this whole thing started with the infants and miscarriages, I got suspicious right away.” He glanced at the books on the coffee table. “When I found out Doctor Zou's first name was Abigail, I really became suspicious.” He turned back to Johann. “But, of course, my logical mind kicked in and stopped me from pursuing a 'demon hunt' any further. I would have chalked this whole thing up to coincidence if I hadn't discovered the marks on the babies' necks.”
Johann listened intently to what Robert was saying.
“So,” Robert said, “When Johnny told me his idea to try and coax you to come here, and he was going to talk to a television news show about what was going on, I was all for the idea.” He gazed sincerely at Johann for a moment. “And, I must tell you, We're certainly glad you're here.”
Their conversation ended abruptly when the sound of a siren in the distance broke the lazy late afternoon silence. At the same moment, Robert's cell phone rang.
“This is Robert,” he said, answering the call. “Yes… Certainly. I'll be there as soon as I can.” He ended the call and almost stared at Johann. The demon hunter could read the sadness on the coroner's face, and the same sadness began welling up inside him.
“Another one,” Johann asked, not wanting an answer.
“Sadly, yes,” replied Robert, “I'd like you to come with me.” Johann opened his mouth to speak, but Robert stopped him. “Don't worry. I have a way to sneak you in without anyone even knowing you're in the building. I'd like you to check this one out with me.”
“Alright,” Johann said, “My car, your car, both cars?”
“We'll take my car,” Robert said, “When we arrive at the hospital, I'll drop you off near where the funeral homes park to pick up the corpses. No one will see you enter the hospital at that door. Just make sure you don't allow any of the security cameras to photograph your face, just in case they're on.”
“In case they're on,” Johann asked. It didn't sound logical to him that a hospital would have security cameras, and not use them.
“Bucktown is a very small town. We don't have much crime here, so the cameras aren't always on. They're mostly a deterrent, because nobody except Administrator Olson and the board, of course, know if they work or not,” said Robert.
Johann made a facial gesture and quickly opened his suitcase to take out the flask that was laying on top of his clothing. Robert flashed him an expression of surprise and stared at the container.
“This isn't what you think,” Johann said as he tucked the metal container in his pants pocket, “It's filled with holy water. I always have it with me.”
“Oh,” Robert said, “I see. Is that what they call it now?”
“Ha, ha. Very funny. Remind me later, and I'll laugh.” Johann said.
The two men walked out to Robert's car, a 1998 Dodge Caravan minivan. Johann examined the vehicle. A painful expression was in his eyes.
“What,” Bob asked, as he got into the minivan.
“I expected something with a little more, I dunno,” said Johann, “A bit more oomph, I guess.”
“Well, we can't all own hot rods, you know,” Robert said as he started the vehicle and the two men began the short drive to the hospital. By now, the late afternoon sun was sinking on the horizon. When they arrived at the hospital, Robert pulled up to the curb a short distance from the parking lot. He pointed to a set of double doors positioned in a very discrete area. After all, who wanted to see a hearse leaving a hospital?
As Johann made his way to the double doors and into the morgue, he was very careful not to glance up at any of the security cameras, Robert parked his car and joined his new friend. Johann made sure to remain hidden when the orderly came to the morgue with the gurney that held the recently deceased infant. After the orderly left, Robert beckoned for Johann to join him.
For a moment, the two men gazed at the infant. This one was a little boy who, according to the tag on his big toe, was no more than five months old. Sadness overwhelmed Johann as he stared at the infant, who almost appeared as though he were merely sleeping. He was a very compassionate man, and he fought back tears as he thought about the life this infant would never get to enjoy.
“Well,” whispered Robert, “I suppose we should begin.”
“I suppose,” Johann said.
Robert turned the infant's tiny head to the side, which revealed a mark near the right ear. He and Johann glanced at each other. They knew what the impression meant. As he turned the tiny skull back, both men were startled when the eyes of the infant abruptly opened.
“What the Hell,” Robert said as he and Johann took a step back from the corpse. The mouth of the child opened, revealing snarled, jagged teeth. Its eyes turned black, and the creature stood up on the gurney.
“Fucking priest,” the corpse said. The sound it made when it spoke sounded more like hissing than speaking. It spread its arms out and levitated in front of, and above, the two men, “You're gonna die.” The creature said. The monster quickly grew to be the size of an adult. The face became almost like a skull and its body, skeleton-like. A stench, like the odor of death mixed with sulphur, filled the room and the demon quickly moved toward the two men. As the ghastly apparition approached, Johann pushed Robert away from him, which allowed the devil to pass between them.
“Robert,” Johann yelled as he took the cross from around his neck and tosses the crucifix to the coroner. Robert caught it and held it up in front of himself. The demon turned and eyed the cross with intense disgust.
“Pitiful mortal,” the beast said, “You think a piece of wood scares me?” He thrust his face to within inches of Robert's and snarled. Durling almost vomited when the foul stench of the demon's breath entered his nostrils. Robert fell backward onto the floor from the intense aroma.
The beast let out the most horrid sound the coroner had ever heard. Almost like several people screaming in pain at the same time. Robert covered his ears, as the demon began his vicious attack.
He picked Robert up and tossed him across the room. At the same time, Johann reached into his pants pocket, took out the flask of holy water and opened it.
“Hey. Ugly,” Johann shouted at the demon. He was holding the container high and ready to splash the blessed liquid on the beast. The head of the monster turned completely backward to leer at Johann. The creature opened its mouth, stretching, and grotesquely deforming, its face, so the cavity was as large as a small melon and used its tongue like a whip to grab Johann's raised arm.
“Son of a bitch,” Johann said, as the flesh of the demon's tongue burned his flesh. “Here, have some,” he said, as he tilted his hand to allow some of the holy water to drip onto the beast's tongue. The water made a sizzling sound as the blessed liquid struck the demon's flesh, and steam rose from the site of the contact. The beast let out a scream and loosened the grip, slightly, on Johann's arm.
Father Gunter pulled his arm free and quickly stepped to the side, while the demon prepared to launch another attack. Seeing his opportunity, Robert ran over to Johann and the two men once again stood together.
Robert
held the cross in front of him, and Johann started splashing the holy water as the two men slowly began to approach the demon. The beast lashed out with an attack considerably weaker than only moments before. The devil sprouted wings as the two men moved closer.
“What's the matter, ugly,” Johann said as he splashed holy water on the beast, “Can't take it?” The monster began to back up from its attackers. Suddenly, the creature released a high-pitched shrieking sound and vanished in a puff of putrid smoke. At the same time, the infant reappeared on the gurney as though nothing had happened.
Johann and Robert stood together in the silence for a moment, before they approached the tiny corpse. They walked over to the gurney and gazed down upon the unfortunate child. They were about to examine the body again, when the infant's eyes and mouth opened, and let out a loud hissing sound. The little corpse began to shake and vibrate violently on the gurney.
“God damn you,” Johann said, as he used the holy water to make the sign of the cross on the corpse's forehead, while Robert did his best to hold the tiny body in place.
“I think he's already done that,” the coroner said, responding to Johann's remark.
The infant lay still, and a thick, black slime seeped from its mouth, nose, and ears. It made a deafening roar as the ooze passed through the concrete floor of the morgue, and went back to Hell.
“The son of a bitch is gone,” Johann said, as he wiped sweat from his brow.
“Glad you brought that with us,” Robert said, pointing to the flask Johann was now putting back in his pants pocket.
“We gotta get rid of this thing before it takes over the whole damned town,” Johann said.
-11-
The two began once again to examine the tiny corpse. After only working for a few moments, it became apparent to the two men a small sound was coming from somewhere very close by. The sound started off as an almost inaudible murmur, but slowly grew louder. Johann and Robert looked at each other, confused.
The Bucktown Babies (Father Gunter, Demon Hunter Book 1) Page 8