“You need to protect yourself and where you live you can protect your apartment with sea salt. We can show you how to do that.” he assured her, then looked over at Tabitha. “I need to get this thing back to my apartment. The movers should be done by now. Can you escort Stacia home and show her how to protect her home?”
Tabitha nodded, “Yeah. Should I meet you at your place or are you coming back to mine?”
“Let me call you. I don’t know whether I should start trying to get samples from it or if I should just observe, I just don’t know. It’s all new territory since I was able to capture one without actually touching one.”
“Ok, I’ll keep my phone on while Stacia and I take care of her place.” Turning to Stacia, she looked a little worried. “Can you let the staff handle everything back at the office?”
“No problem. There’s not too much going on, it’s vacation season and more people are going to tropical climates as opposed to doing major renovations. I can let the staff handle it for now.”
“Good.” Justin seemed satisfied. “I’ll call you within an hour or two.”
Tabitha grabbed his arm and leaned in to give him a big kiss. “Just be careful. They have more to lose now and may be more aggressive.”
Justin nodded and walked back towards Stacia’s office to grab the demon. Tabitha found herself holding back, wanting to go with him and hating the idea of him being by himself but she knew he would argue that Stacia needed more protection than he did, since he already had experience with demon attacks.
“He’ll be okay.” Stacia assured her but even Stacia heard the doubt in her own voice. She hesitated a moment before using her cell phone to call Kashia and tell her she would be working at home and didn’t want to be disturbed.
When Justin came out into the lobby, both women shuddered, hearing the growling and scratching coming from the tarp clad carrier. Seeing Stacia suck in her breath and close her eyes, Justin quickly moved out towards the elevator, nodding his head in that direction, indicating to Tabitha to follow him out. When he made it through the doors, Tabitha put a hand on Stacia’s shoulder.
“Will you be ok for a few?”
Stacia opened her eyes, appreciation showing on her face. “I’ll be fine. Go say goodbye to your man.”
Tabitha smiled at her and quickly followed in Justin’s direction. He’d set the carrier down and had the doors to the elevator open and locked, waiting for her to come out. They quickly moved to embrace each other, wanting the nearness and the comfort but underneath, he felt her fear.
“I’m going to be fine, I promise but I need you to be super careful too. These things are going to be pissed at the fact we’ve shown another person how to handle their gift, so to speak. It’s going to leave you and Stacia open to their wrath. We don’t know yet if she is as strong as you.”
“Or you.” she said softly.
“I have no fear. That’s what you need to remember, I think they need your fear somehow. Since Stacia is new to this, she may not be able to control her fear as well as you.”
Tabitha smiled, “This is Stacia, remember? She has a reputation of having brass balls, so to speak.”
“In the interior design industry, maybe, but not this. Don’t underestimate them, Tabs, it could be dangerous.”
She melted when she saw the worry spread over his face, worry that was for her. “I won’t. But I won’t underestimate her either. We’ll be fine, I promise, no fear.”
“No fear.” he agreed, “Just remember, Tabs, I …” he hesitated and then pulled her in, crushing his lips to hers, the passion overwhelmingly present in his kiss. When he released her, he smiled confidently. “I’ll have my cell phone on.”
She nodded and moved away, waiting until he stepped into the elevator and the doors shut. Taking a deep breath, she walked back into the office lobby, wondering what he had almost said. I love you. She was sure he was going to say those words and then he kissed her instead. She knew he thought it was too soon to tell her and she understood, she had wanted to say the same words but had also worried about it being too soon. Maybe they were both worrying about the wrong things. She sighed and strode back into the office where she found Stacia waiting at the lobby desk, purse and phone in hand, waiting for her.
“Ready to go?”
Tabitha smiled and nodded. “Yep. Just one stop at the grocery store for some sea salt and we’re ready to go.”
They both began walking towards the elevator, wondering what the night would hold.
TWENTY FIVE
They warily opened the doors to Stacia’s lavish penthouse, neither one knowing what to expect. After walking into the living room, Tabitha, being guard for any shiver, became aware of her physical surroundings and sucked in her breath. Stacia whirled around to stare at Tabitha with wide eyes.
“What is it? Do you sense one? Did you see one?”
Tabitha raised her palms up in a calming gesture. “No, sorry! You’re place, it’s so beautiful and breathtaking!”
“God, you scared me to death, Tabitha! But thank you, I do call it home. I’ll show you around as you show me how to use the salt.”
They moved through the six-thousand square foot penthouse sealing doors and windows while Tabitha ooh’d and aaah’d over the décor. Stacia’s living room had been decorated in silver and light blues, the hues on some of the silks for the furniture so subtle, they seemed to change in the light. She had marble statues and large etched mirrors that made the room look twice as large as it really was, which was already huge.
Her library was done with cozy comfort in mind, red and dark brown velvets covered the walls while the sofa and matching wingback chairs were done in a chocolate suede leather. Bookcases lined three of the walls, the dark pecan wood intricately sculpted, it’s shelves filled with older classics and newer best sellers. There was a large, river rock fireplace that adorned the far wall. One of the wingback chairs with an ottoman was placed strategically, seducing any avid reader to grab a good book and curl up on the chair, a fire offering warmth for a relaxing session. There were three bedrooms in her home, though the size could have offered more, each one decorated with a different theme. One bedroom was exquisitely done up with Victorian furniture and lace, the colors pastel and white. A large, four poster bed was the focal point, appearing much larger than the California King Tabitha was sure it was. The second bedroom was more masculine, dark woods, basic butcher block furniture and earthy greens, reds and grays made up the colors in the curtains and bedspread, the bed just as big as in the Victorian room. The last room was Stacia’s and Tabitha was actually surprised by it’s décor. It was done up very basic, with light wood end tables, a copper wrought iron headboard and footboard, a red, blue and white colored quilt with bone colored walls and basic prints that adorned them. The only comment Stacia made was that simplicity allowed her to sleep better, she didn’t like all the frills in her bedroom. Tabitha shrugged and smiled, knowing that everyone had their little quirks.
As basic and plain as her bedroom was, Stacia more than made up for it in her entertainment room. The legal sized pool table, air hockey table, full length, stocked bar and the media screen and leather theatre type seating was impressive and amazing. Again done in rich browns and taupe’s, it was comfortable, relaxing and inviting all at the same time. The furniture was of different fabrics and patterns but blended well together, defining specific play areas but allowing it to flow harmoniously.
When they walked back into the living room, Tabitha noticed a large, very thin plastic screen across the wall. She groaned slightly, moving closer to it.
Hearing Tabitha groan, she smiled, mistaking her noise as jealous desire. “I know, awesome, isn’t it? Straight out of the movies almost, it’s a proto type tv screen. In about five years, anyone can buy one, if they can afford it. Lucky for me, I decorated this scientist’s home for his twentieth wedding anniversary and we bartered for me to be his guinea pig. I…”
“No, that’s not it. I mean,
it’s amazing and all but how long have these spots been here?” Tabitha pointed to the lower right of the screen. Stacia moved closer for inspection and shook her head.
“I’m not sure. I don’t get to watch it all that often but my cleaning lady comes in once a week, she has a special cleaner to use on it. Don’t tell me she isn’t doing her job! It took me forever to find her.”
“No, I don’t believe she’s been slacking, see, the rest of the screen is crystal clear. These can be made overnight. I think you’ve had visitors, probably keeping tabs on you.” Tabitha quickly reminded Stacia of the reflective demons and then of her experience that morning.
“Bastards!” Stacia seethed, “Well, we’ll show them who they’re messing with. How do we stop them?”
Tabitha sighed and sat down on the lush, oversized chair. “That’s the problem, we don’t know how to keep them out yet, only the larger demons, with the sea salt around the openings.”
“Can’t we just pour it around the areas to keep them out?”
“We haven’t tried it.” Tabitha admitted, “Basically the issues it presents is not only would it be messy but anytime the salt got disturbed, the protective seal would be broken…” she wandered off.
“There’s go to be something.” Stacia argued.
“Mmm. Maybe, I’ve got an idea. What if we dissolve the sea salt in water, then use it to wipe down the surfaces?”
“You’re brilliant! Where should we start first?” Stacia stood up and eagerly looked at Tabitha.
“Well let’s start on the surfaces that won’t get damaged. I don’t know what could happen to the surfaces. We won’t touch the tv screen yet.”
They quickly got a bowl of warm water and started to dissolve the sea salt. Unsure of how strong to make it, they continued pouring until the water turned cloudy. After getting a few rags, Stacia and Tabitha looked around to decide which things they should start with that would cause the least damage.
“Let’s start on the refrigerator. I’ve been thinking of replacing it with a cherry-wood deep freeze so it won’t break my heart if the surface gets ruined.”
“Stacia, that’s a five thousand dollar, stainless steel Amana.”
“And this is my life, so how can you put a price tag on that?”
Seeing her point, Tabitha conceded and they both dipped their rags into the water. Looking at each other for a moment, they both began wiping down the shiny appliance, starting at the top and working their way down on each of the doors. They both jerked to a stop when they were halfway down, hearing a faint scream.
TWENTY SIX
“Oh my, God! Did you hear that?” Tabitha quickly stood up and started backing away from the appliance.
“Yeah, what the hell was that?”
Before Tabitha had a chance to answer, she was wracked by an intense shiver. “No, no, we did this wrong! I should have been prepared!”
“What?” Stacia yelled but Tabitha was already grabbing the sea salt and heading towards the front door.
“What, you’re leaving me? Tabitha, what is going on?”
Tabitha didn’t answer, quickly pouring a line of salt along the front of the door. “Quick, take some of this and start sealing the windows. I’ll get under the sinks and the bathrooms. Do you have another outside door?” She shoved some salt in Stacia’s hands.
“Yes, I have a balcony with French doors. I’ll go get it.” Stacia took off towards the back of the kitchen while Tabitha focused on the bathroom and kitchen water lines under the cabinets. She finished the kitchen and was working on the bathroom when she heard Stacia’s screams. Running towards the sound, she found Stacia out on the balcony, flailing her arms about madly. Tabitha was frozen for a moment in confusion, unsure of what was wrong before she saw millions of tiny insects covering Stacia’s body. She flew through the doors swiping at the creatures that were covering her friend but as soon as she’d swat fifty away, a hundred more swarmed in. They appeared to be small winged ants, flying in a frantic frenzy, as if stuck in a spider’s web.
“There’s too many of them! We need to get back into the house and seal the door!” Tabitha yelled.
“I can’t see where to go!” Stacia’s panicked voice broke through the tiny buzzing that filled the air.
“Grab my hand, they’re not covering me like they are you, I’ll pull you in then we’ll kill whatever follows us through.”
Stacia blindly reached out for Tabitha, swiping at the insects with her other hand. They made it through the doors, Tabitha slamming it shut on the insect cloud that tried to follow them inside. Tabitha quickly sealed the opening with sea salt while Stacia slapped and killed as many of the offenders as possible.
Hearing a noise coming from the kitchen, both women ran into the room, unsure of what they would find. What they didn’t expect was the creature trying to emerge from the refrigerator. It was a reflective demon, the same ones Tabitha had seen in Justin’s apartment but this one was in a world of hurt. It had tried to come out of the left side of the refrigerator door but when Tabitha and Stacia had run out of the room, streaks of the salt water had run down and apparently trapped it half in and half out of the appliance. The running water had created bars behind it’s head, preventing it from pulling back into it’s domain or pushing it’s body out into Stacia’s home. It appeared that more water had run down and dripped onto the creature, causing big, open weepy sores. It was slowly dying, trapped in both it’s world and this one.
Feeling fear and pain, Stacia actually felt sorry for it. “We can’t just let it suffer, we need to put it out of it’s misery.”
“Yeah but how? The only way I know is by touching it and I’m not there yet.”
“Well, I’m sure as hell not there yet either but we can’t just do nothing.”
As they were quickly debating over who would end it’s suffering, Stacia screamed out at the same time as the creature, dropping to her knees, wrapping her arms protectively over her ears and neck. As Tabitha dropped beside her, she saw something fall from the refrigerator. Worried that it had freed itself, she started to pull Stacia to her feet. She risked the time to glance in it’s direction to gauge their time when she saw what had fallen. It was the creatures head.
“Oh my, God!” Tabitha gasped, “It’s head fell off!”
“No, they cut it off. One of the ones on the other side, they won’t risk anymore exposure and since it was stuck, they fixed the problem.” Stacia slowly rose to her feet.
“But it’s head is still here…”
Even as Tabitha was talking, a long proboscis looking appendage slipped out of the refrigerator door, narrow enough to slip in between the streaks of water. Both women sat silently, their mouths open in a combination of horror and awe as the fleshy pink tendril extended down to the floor, blindly searching for it’s treasure. When it came into contact with a drop of water, it jerked back and a painful sounding mewl came from what sounded inside the refrigerator. When it extended to continue it’s search, they saw an oozing sore appear where the water had touched it. It blindly continued the search for it’s pray and when it found the bodiless head, cautiously moved over the cranium, almost as if caressing it.
“What is that thing doing?” Stacia whispered. “It can’t pick up that huge head with no arms or anything.”
But as she was whispering the words, the end of the appendage flared out to a large, cavernous opening, millions of needle sharp teeth filling the mouth. In on quick snap, it enclosed the head, engulfing it much as a snake would engulf it’s pray. It rippled, causing the head to move farther back into it’s body, a softball sized bulge was the only proof that the head even existed. It began it’s retreat back into the refrigerator door, stopping when the bulk of it’s prey reached the streaks of water that were drying on the door. The slimy pink surface of the thing started rippling and pulsing before suddenly collapsing in upon itself, a wet snapping sound of bones being crushed as the bulge was pulverized inside. Regaining it’s slender shape, it slither
ed back through the clean area of the door that it had emerged from.
Stacia was standing frozen while Tabitha quickly leaped to her feet, grabbing the bowl of water and a rag, washing and sealing off the rest of the doors. Avoiding the spot where the head had lain, she sank down onto the floor and looked at Stacia.
“Oh my God, oh my God! Did that just happen?” Stacia’s voice sounded on the verge of panic.
“It did and we’re ok.” Tabitha tried to sooth, “and this is actually awesome.”
“What do you mean, this is awesome? That was the most horrific thing I have ever seen!”
“It definitely wasn’t pretty.” Tabitha agreed, “But look at what we learned. The salt water works and it also appears to be deadly to them, maybe to all of them!”
They both jumped as Tabitha’s cell phone began to ring and she fumbled to answer it, knowing instinctively it was Justin but still shook up from their experience.
“Justin! Are you alright, because if you are, we need you over here right away.” she paused, listening to what he was saying. “Good but we’ve had our own situation and we need you to get over here right now!” She looked over at Stacia who was still pale and nodded. She gave Justin the address and hung up.
“He’s on his way. Let’s wait for him in the living room, okay?” She got to her feet, feeling stronger after talking to Justin and helped Stacia up.
“I need a drink.” Stacia stated somewhat shakily.
“I’ll agree with that.” Tabitha chuckled, trying to ease the tension.
After she got Stacia seated, she went over to the corner bar and made them both stiff drinks. They sat sipping their beverages, the noise of the refrigerator turning on making them both jump.
Stacia laughed nervously. “You know, I’ll never be able to go near that thing again, let alone eat anything out of it. Come to think of it, I doubt I’ll be able to eat for a long time.”
Shadows Page 14