My Demonic Ghost #3: Hunters and Creators

by Maree, Jacinta

  It was such a long drive that I fell asleep and woke up twice. We had to stop to let me stretch my legs, get something to eat, and go to the bathroom, before we were back on the road again. As morning crept into view Gargoyle shifted over so he could see through the front window. We were on the outskirts of an unfamiliar town. There was a bit of forest life meddling in with the houses; but not to the extent as Whitehaven. We drove up a steep hill and I could tell that the car was struggling by its loud, revving engine. I shifted again in my spot, feeling restless and uncomfortable. Even Chō seemed to be fidgety and as he murmured incoherent words into my ear. He was quite large for a butterfly, his folded wings big enough that they brushed against my earlobe.

  “We’re nearly there.” Chaos assured while Gargoyle snorted arrogantly.

  “A prison? An interesting choice of camp considering you’re trying to get yourselves out of a cage.”

  “It’s a constant supply for the Banished and we only use the souls of men already condemned. Thought you would approve, Gargoyle. We could have easily chosen a hospital or school yard.” Gargoyle growled, as Jordon quickly laughed, “I’m kidding.”

  He turned the car down towards a long, narrow driveway, the trees on either side purposely cut down to keep the plane open and bare. At the end of the stretch were large concrete walls with barbed wire coiled on top. As we crept up to the heavily armoured doors, Jordon typed something into one of the keypads stationed on the side. It beeped and opened the doors, leaving us enough room to fit the car through. I had personally never been to a prison before, so I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. There were the typical barred windows and large open basketball courts that were used for exercise and dwindling down their free time. I bolted upright when I noticed the yard was littered with convicts. I don’t know why but I expected it to be abandoned.

  “Wait, you actually live in a prison?” I looked around shocked, “And it’s full of real criminals?” Jordon pulled the car over and parked it. We all got out and Jordon walked over and opened the door for me, noticing how I pulled at my hair nervously.

  “Don’t worry, they won’t disturb you as long as you stick with us. In fact,” He shrugged out of his cloak and passed it over to me (I felt incredibly small in the bulk of the material, but as soon as it touched my shoulders and fell into place around my frame the weight lifted off of me) “Wear this. They won’t look twice your way, a nice little Reaper trick. We blend in.”

  “But, don’t you need this?”

  “Eventually I want it back; it’s the only way I can shift between the two worlds. Before you start panicking, you’re not going to slip into the world of the dead, it’ll just cover you so others won’t notice you.”

  “Okay, thank you.”

  Once inside, Jordon lead us through the security gate, the Reapers cleverly having placed some of their own as watchmen. Their backs tightened at our approach, quickly sniffing the two Hunters trailing behind. Jordon merely nodded and they returned the polite bow. After walking through a colony of tunnels, we finally reached a barred and locked door deep in the west wing. Jordon looked back at us a little uncertainly.

  “The door is permanently shut, the only way for Rachael to get through is to transport into the spirit world.”

  “You can’t make her do that.” Gargoyle growled, “There’s no guarantee she’ll even make it through onto the other side. Can’t we just smash the door down?”

  “The blue spirit has put a binding spell on it, there’s absolutely no way you can penetrate this room by force or magic.” He then turned to me, “it’ll be okay. It’s very simple, just pull the hood over your head and go through. Don’t stop moving, okay? We have set up a barrier in there to prevent outside Reapers and Hunters from just walking inside. I have to wait here, but Raix will go with you.”

  “Your wolf?”

  “Yeah, he’ll look after you. Chaos, you can lead Gargoyle in. Theresa and Elliot will be waiting once you get to the other side. Give them my cloak so they can return it to me.”

  He nodded at Chaos and Gargoyle, who still appeared reluctant to leave me behind, before they shattered into dust. They disappeared into the wooden door. I carefully lifted the hood up and over my head. As it fitted on me, a strange breeze blanketed my body, almost like I was covered in breakable tissue paper. Jordon signalled for Raix to appear and the giant wolf rose up from the floorboards. He sniffed around me and I became tense; he wasn’t friendly looking at all.

  “Jump on.”

  “Y-You want me to ride the giant demon dog?” I stuttered. Jordon laughed at my unease.

  “It’ll be quicker and safer; I’ll tell him to go slow, so you won’t tumble off.” He reached out his hand blindly before motioning for me to get onto the wolf. Raix lowered his head and sunk his shoulders, making it easier for me to clamber onto his broad back. His coat was hot to touch, like cooling embers from a dying flame. I could feel every exhale - its beastly body panted heavily, and the smoke and light that emanated from his skeletal body glowed.

  “Hold on tight and keep a hand on your hood at all times, you don’t want it flipping back and removing the shield.”

  “Shield?” I jerked my head back. Jordon urged Raix forward with a slap to his rear. I fell onto the wolf’s body, quickly winding one arm around his neck and with the other I pinched onto the hood’s hem. Raix took off with a powerful lurch, tipping me backwards and causing my stomach to drop.

  Like a hand pushing down on us, a shadow engulfed us and darkened everything out. Behind the door, a strange static cosmos interwoven like a gigantic web, was revealed. I craned my neck up as we ran into the centre of the mess. Raix’s body was strong, and without falter he charged towards the centre point. The grey smoke was pungent; every inhale had my eyes watering and my skin prickling uncomfortably. Even Raix seemed to sneeze with irritation. The closer we got to the pinpoint the thicker the smoke seemed to collect. Soon enough, it wasn’t just weightless air; but now a type of cellular force teaming together to both blind and slow Raix down. He struggled to step through the mass as it formed an unbreakable band around his chest, pushing back stronger than he was pushing forward.

  Raix barked and fired a silver bolt at it, the crack of electricity multiplying inside the dome. It did very little to help. Suddenly a force cupped me around my midriff and around my throat, prying me off Raix’s body, despite my struggle to keep my grip. In a simple shove, I was thrown off and Raix was able to run forward without struggle. But the shove was so forceful that my hand let go of the hood, allowing the fabric to slip to my nape of my neck. In an instant, the irritation that had tickled my nose suddenly turned to acid; the world around me was sinking into darkness and I could barely keep myself upright. Before I fainted, I snatched at the hood again, quickly covering myself beneath the cloth. The sensation dulled back to normal and I let out a relieved breath. Raix turned and bounded back towards me, whining as he circled my position before trying to pick me up with his snout.

  I climbed back on awkwardly; the wolf was the size of a horse and I had never been one for horseback riding. Again he turned back to the web, but we encountered the same problem. There was some sort of barrier keeping me from getting any closer. Raix started to pant and tried to force his way through by quickening his speed and lowering his stance, but it just wasn’t working. It was like we were on a treadmill; we were running but not going anywhere. I could feel the pressure building around my midriff again, preparing to catapult me off. Just as it tightened and tried to lift me again I shouted, “No! Let go of me!”

  Something snapped and Raix bolted forward, the force shield parted, so we were able to reach the centre and teleport through to the other side. We crashed through and I fell off the wolf with a loud thump. Raix was panting hard and snorting trying to cough up the grey smoke.

  “Oh, she made it!” Chaos bounded towards me as I rolled over, cradling my stomach. Inside, the room was set up like a bomb shelter where bunkers and shelves of weapons we
re layered all across the walls. But it also had stained glassed windows like you see in churches positioned in the front. Mockery I would presume? It was so gloomy that the colours seemed to fall flat like they were covered in grime.

  “What took you so long?” Chaos helped me to stand.

  “I couldn’t get through. Something kept blocking me.”

  “We forgot you were carrying Chō.” Gargoyle was next to him, sitting on one of the benches that faced towards us. He wasn’t cradling his chest anymore, suggesting the poison was now finally out of his system. “I would have a guess that’s why it wouldn’t let you enter.” I glanced around, but Chō wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

  “Chō isn’t with me.”

  “Chō is always with you. Whether you can see him or not is a completely different question.”

  “Chō must’ve blasted a hole in the shell then.” Chaos mumbled as Elliot approached us from behind. He was still displeased by their arrangement, but at least he smiled at me.

  “May I take your cloak?” He opened his hands and I shrugged it off and handed it over. The Reapers and Banished pressed themselves away on the other side of the room. A mixture of anger and fear twisted their faces.

  “We’re not very welcome.” I whispered.

  Chaos shrugged, “We’re Hunters and you’re carrying a Creator. I’d be more suspicious if they were pleased to see us.” A lone female Reaper approached us from the other side, carrying a bottle of water that she handed over to me. I recognised her from earlier at my house, she was the one disguised as Mrs. Patcher.

  “It’s nice to finally be able to speak to you.” She grinned. Gargoyle and Chaos took their leave, turning away to talk privately.

  “You were Mrs. Patcher?” I queried.

  “I was assigned Rachael watch for the past year. Nearly died of boredom too, well if I wasn’t already dead that is.” She laughed.

  “Rachael watch?”

  “Just precautionary. Evan’s idea. Considering he couldn’t stay with you, they instead assigned Reapers; we took turns ensuring nothing came lurking about that shouldn’t be there.”

  “So, it was you in the park that saved me from the drunken man?”

  “Actually, that was my Goon. We have a strict no touching the living policy. I’m Teresa, one of Jordon’s friends.”

  “Hi, and thank you for saving me.” I shook her hand and took the water off her with thanks, downing it quickly.

  “We’ve heard about Nathan becoming a Hunter, and there’s Evan and now you too. Your family really likes to get into trouble. I knew I should’ve stayed away from Jordon when I first saw him. He’s been nothing but a pain in my neck. Damn idiot attacked my Goon the first time we saw each other.” She motioned towards the Vulture behind her, which was too busy scoping the room. I smiled awkwardly; it reminded me of a pterodactyl. It’s hard to look at them and not feel uneasy.

  “No kidding.”

  She took a seat and I followed, “You should’ve seen his face! I’d never seen someone so terrified as Jordon was when he first met Raix. Back then, Raix had a much more explosive temper; there was no way he could be in a room with all of these Goons.”

  “I noticed the wolf is a bit feisty.”

  “They are territorial creatures. Bite first and ask questions later. Not my Hook though, she’s always been obedient. First, which is Elliot’s hyena, is more on the shy side, but Raix has always demanded alpha dog spot.” She stroked the creature’s neck.

  “So, do you control them?” I asked with a subtle wave in the vulture’s direction.

  “I think they control us mostly. We’re the head and they’re the muscle. If they want it bad enough, there’s really nothing we can do. It’s more a matter of pulling on the leash and hoping they’ll comply. Does a lone man really have control over a lion, even with a whip? Once you have an understanding with your Goon, that they’re your partner and not your pet, they are more likely to listen. We fear them as much as we respect them. Hunters used to use Goons as a means to punish us. Not too long ago, the very beings that we hunt and live with were forced to rip us to shreds if we ever disobeyed a Hunter’s command. Humph, folks seem to have it in their head that when we say ‘sit’ Goons just blindly obey.” She scoffed. The vulture opened its beak and let out a strange, hollowed squawk. Teresa glanced over her shoulder in time to watch Elliot and Jordon return with Goons in tow.

  “Teresa” Jordon greeted her with a nod as she stood up. She went up to Elliot and stood close enough that their shoulders brushed. Elliot gently ran his hand along her arm, whispering something into her ear prompting Teresa to smile grimly.

  “How are you holding up?” Jordon asked me.

  “Yeah, I’m okay considering.”

  “And the Creator?”

  “Umm… I think he’s alright too.”

  “Good. Well, come through and I’ll introduce you to some of the locals.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight:

  He took me through the aisles without Chaos and Gargoyle, who were both embroiled in their own little conversation near the back. Jordan introduced me to the other Reapers; some were friendly enough, though dismissive. I met a few other Banished as well. A young girl, probably no older than eleven, sat on her own by the back table. She had long black hair and eyes that were a shocking shade of violet. She looked over at me once, before splintering into ash and disappearing. Another Banished stepped up from behind, another lone woman who stroked her rounded stomach out of habit.

  “Rachael?” She called to me and I spun on my heel. Her eyes were fiery red, a complete clash from her warm smile and bloated cheeks. “It’s so good to see you again. My you’ve grown into quite the beautiful young lady.”

  “I’m sorry, have we met… wait, this probably has something to do with my memory loss doesn’t it?” I exhaled.

  The woman only smiled brighter, giving me a brisk nod, “It’s okay dear, my name is Nails. We met when you and Evan were a pair. Quite inseparable, too, might I add.” She motioned with her head over towards a wall where a cork board hung with newspapers and pictures pinned to it. There were pictures of hundreds of different faces; of different people in different profiles, with a small tag next to each name like a signature. I ran my hand along the papers, there was just something uncomfortable about the whole set up.

  “Who are these people?”

  “They are past Hosts; we call this the Memorial board.” Nails sidled closer as she indicated a picture of a young woman, the name Melanie scribbled next to her with Nails’s signature. There were some faces that tickled with familiarity. I ran my finger across before I pulled back on a male’s face pinned to the heart of the board, with a female attached to him. “That’s Eric with Betrayal. They died together five years ago when the Hunters ambushed us.”

  “I recognise him… and this guy too.” I pointed over at a good looking male that had dark long bangs and a shadow of a beard growing along his jawline. His eyes were a gentle brown with thick eyebrows only intensifying his stare. My heart fluttered for a moment.

  “Oh yes, that was Dean. He belonged to Sabotage the young Banished. He died not two years ago from heart failure. And over here,” She motioned to the right of the board a column of hosts. “These were Lock’s. Before the Blue Spirit gave us internal power, we had to live off and kill hosts. It is only recently that we can survive on our own, giving us the ability to move freely.”

  “All these people were killed by Lock?” I ran my hand along the faces and swallowed uneasily. There was even a picture of a man that looked so much like my father that I felt sick.

  “Most Hosts died after we had been with them; by then the damage was already done, so time just took over. We’re not proud of our history, so we put up this board as a way to pay our respects. Before the two of you got together, a dead Host was just a passing thought.”

  “If Lock had been with me then why isn’t my face on this board?”

  “Because he didn’t let you die.” Nails ge
ntly smiled.

  “Can you tell me about it? About Lock and I?”

  “Of course.” She floated around to my other side, motherly placing her hands on my arms to ease onto a seat. Of course, it was just a gesture; she really couldn’t put her hands on me. “What is it that you want to know?”

  “Everything I guess. I don’t have any memory of meeting Evan, or saving him from damnation, or anything to do with spirits.”

  “It was quite the tale. You see, not too long ago, Banished were cursed to be destroyed in the seven realms of Temptation. We couldn’t survive out on the surface on our own, and we sure couldn’t remain in the spirit world for fear Goons and Hunters would sniff us out. So, we did the only thing we could, which was to attach to living souls. Our only salvation was the idea that there was a world out there where Miira could not hurt us. That there was a place called the Third Realm where no God or Royal had any power. Beforehand we thought we were searching for a type of key or instrument known as the Staff to get us there…turns out it was actually a gentle Blue Spirit kept caged in the Heavens. We had to find the spirit so we could break away from the curse of banishment. When you and Evan got together, it was the beginning of our freedom. You managed to fuel Evan’s courage with both gentle love and unquestionable bravery. You saved more than just Evan’s life, you saved all of ours.”

  “If I saved you then why are you still here? Why are you still cursed?”

  Nails glanced down at her feet for just a moment, processing her answer, “Because we chose to remain. Getting the blue spirit was our first step, keeping her from Miira and heaven’s angels is a completely different task. The Blue Spirit can take us into the Third Realm, but it was Miira who tainted us. As long as she rules, we’ll always be tainted.” I nodded my head as Nails scooted over. “You look cold, can I grab you a blanket?”

  “Why are you so nice?” I asked without really thinking. It had sounded rude and I quickly added, “Sorry, I don’t mean that all Banished are meant to be mean or anything. But, Evan is always so snappy and now Gargoyle is having problems controlling his temper, it just seems to be a pattern… So, why are you so nice?”