“We’ll send him on a field trip there when we find Kirk this time,” Mike stated as they resumed their walk to the kitchen. “How did you do on patrol, brother?”
“Nothing to report last night.” Mongo fixed Demon’s coffee bowl. “I found no stalkers or unknown vehicles.”
Mike sipped his coffee. “Wow… this is really good. What would you two like for breakfast?”
“How about scrambled eggs, rye toast, and of course bacon,” Demon suggested.
“That does sound very good, El Capitan,” Mongo agreed.
“It does. I’ll get to work on it.” Thankful for something to do while he sipped his coffee, Mike began scrambling eggs with Mongo making the bacon and toast. Mary arrived a few minutes later, in time for the first batches of everything. Mike kissed her and kept working. “How many for breakfast, D?”
“Infidel, Frodo, and Joanie. Everyone else went home safely last night and texted Frodo when they arrived. Your duties as short-order cook will be minimal.”
Denny and Nazer joined the group as Mike and Mongo served the first orders to Mary and Demon. “Go ahead and eat, Mongo. You have enough bacon in the warmer for the morning. I can take care of the toast.”
“Okay, Mike.” Mongo loaded his dish and gave Demon a few more pieces of bacon. He sat next to Denny and Nazer. “How are you guys doing this morning? We have Rayden business to sort out.”
“That attack was bad,” Denny said. “I told Naz about it and Mike’s wound. I will find Kirk today. Count on it. We’ll coat the building with Haunt mix too. The residue will seal it from attack for at least a month, if past experience with the Haunts also works with the Radalia. If it had attacked one of us mere humans, it would have eviscerated us before we could blink.”
“Good input, Frodo.” Demon poked his head over the table. “Could that Rayden guy have absorbed some residuals from Ripper? Maybe he tagged Cap for the Radalia to attack.”
“That is a scary thought,” Nazer replied. “I know Mongo and Demon are always on alert at night, but a Haunt monster can pass through anything. I will coat the buildings first thing this morning. We have a full tank in our tanker-truck.”
“I’ll help Naz,” Denny said. “Mongo can check our work.”
“Find that jackass Rayden first, Denny. Wherever he’s living, we may need to take the team with us and do a cleaning. Laura told us he wants San Jose inroads for his new cult plans, but I don’t want to take any chances with the guy. She believes he has a place across the Bay from us. He called in a monster strike on us last night. We hit back full bore. I should have mind wiped him the first time we ran into Kirk.”
“Coulda’, woulda’, shoulda’… Ripper. We’ll fix this, but like you said, we take no chances. We used our luck quotient last night,” Demon replied. “Back to business. We were interrupted last night during Laura’s briefing. Which jobs do we get a paycheck on?”
“If we solve the Stinson Beach people disappearances with video and plot, the SyFy will pay big, especially if they can throw it in for the Halloween Week of Horrors,” Denny answered. “According to Laura, they won’t make an offer until they see some outtakes of the action. We get nada from everything else, unless we face demonic bad stuff in Rayden’s place. Naz and I will get busy right after breakfast on the missing persons background and Rayden’s whereabouts. Did anything happen on the Haunt mutating front from the wound, Mike?”
“Sort of,” Mike admitted, putting plates of food in front of Denny and Nazer. He refilled all the coffees from the new pot using Mongo’s formula. Mike elevated a few feet from the floor.
Mary gasped, but Denny and Nazer just chuckled.
“Good one, Mikey,” Denny said. “Pretty soon, you’ll be a real Haunt.”
“I do not know what to say, my friend,” Naz added. “This does seem the most innocuous of possible side-effects. Can you now fly like Mongo?”
“I believe so.” Mike lowered to the floor and began to stir his eggs. Mary came over to hug him with her head against his back.
“Doesn’t this stuff scare you, Mike,” Mary asked. “Could you mutate into a Haunt if you’re wounded again?”
Mike finished his eggs and toast before answering. “I don’t know, Mar. On the bright side, I would be a good Haunt, like Mongo.”
Everyone enjoyed the humorous word picture except for Mary. “I think one Mongo is enough.”
Mary’s startled, grim featured face dampened the humorous bend Mike meant his words to achieve. Mike grasped her hand. “We can’t pretend to know what will happen, Mary. Mongo, Demon and I figure we’ll probably at some point be alone. Naz is dedicated to Sandy, but she will eventually be with us and Naz at some point. My sister Joanie loves Denny and I believe he loves her, but they’re young. Whether they will be with us depends on Joanie’s perception. The rest of our group care for our paranormal club, but the future may become too bleak to stay in close contact with the brotherhood and sisterhood of the strange.”
“We’ll always protect you, Maid Marian,” Mongo promised. “Mike will always be Mike inside, no matter what happens because of the wounds.”
Demon watched Mary’s face with cynical acceptance. “It’s okay, Mary. Mike will understand, no matter what you decide. Don’t beat yourself up. You were a trooper last night, immediately pressing clothing to Mike’s wound until Denny could get there. That took guts.”
Mary pulled away from Mike. “Thanks, D. Don’t be mad, Mike… but I think I better go. I need to think this through.”
“Of course, Mar,” Mike replied. “Let us know when you’re ready to leave. Mongo will walk you out.”
“Thank you.” Mary left the room.
“You saw that coming, huh, D?”
“I’ve studied you humans carefully, Frodo. I can sense nuances deeply embedded. Mike revealed it in entertaining fashion. That Mary stayed freaked out meant she may not be able to abide the closeup paranormal aspects. Mike was honest. None of us know what will happen with the wounds. He could indeed mutate into a Mongo… God forbid.”
“Bad Bluto!”
“I need to stick with the truth.” Mike sat down to eat. “No use in pretending weird stuff doesn’t happen to us on nearly a daily basis.”
“Amen to that,” Denny said. “I’m not going anywhere… by the way. With these powers of yours escalating, the threat of Middle Earth and Sauron increases with them. They’ll want to make you into a weapon or clone you.”
“I don’t plan to go outside and fly around, but I know what you mean. That’s why we didn’t end Rayden. All of his followers would have had to go with him.”
Moments later, Mary ducked her head in the doorway. “I’m ready, Mongo. Thanks for… you know… your understanding, Mike. Bye everyone.”
Mongo escorted Mary out after the guys waved and returned her farewell.
Demon was the first to air his thoughts after Mongo returned. “Mary didn’t change her mind a bit, or hesitate. That does not bode well for reconciliation in paranormal central.”
“I’m afraid you’re right,” Mike cleaned dishes with Mongo’s help. “Mary was uncomfortable with my mom too.”
“We all are,” Demon added. “Your mom freaks me out. Remember when the Bad Casper got into her. That’s how I see her all the time, like I’m one step away from a beat-down.”
Mike chuckled. “I told Mary that.”
“I think Mary thought of you as an experiment. When she began considering where your relationship’s future would logically go, reality seeped in.”
“You’re quite the Dr. Phil this morning, D,” Mike replied. “Let’s leave my relationship problems alone for now. C’mon, Naz, we’ll take Mongo and go coat the building right away, while Denny takes a whack at finding Rayden. Dr. Phil Bluto can be the job foreman. After Mongo checks our work, we’ll all take a shot at finding threads and links in the Stinson Beach missing persons case.”
* * *
“I am Groooooooooottttt…” Mongo led the way into the kitche
n, where Denny worked on his satellite laptop.
Mongo’s work party companions followed. Mike made more coffee. “Mongo found a dozen spots we missed during the coating. He obviously is very proud of himself.”
Denny grinned at the prancing Baby Groot. “Well done, Mongo. Theta Crossman texted me she has not heard or seen Rayden, but I found him. I checked everything in the North Bay Area, Laura mentioned, for anything with Rayden or Kirk. He owns a warehouse in Sausalito on Bridgeway under the firm name of Kirk Enterprises.”
“Great job, Denny.” Mike sat down with fresh coffee. “Anyone else feeling we have a possible thread between the Stinson Beach missing persons and Kirk Enterprises warehouse? I wonder now if Rayden was powerful enough to block my knowing he had been sacrificing people for an indeterminate time. I wasn’t looking for it.”
Mongo changed and served Demon coffee while Nazer fixed his and Mongo’s. “We must move on Rayden quickly, El Capitan. When he discovers we stopped his Radalia minion, he may go after our unprotected friends.”
“Agreed. We still need the full team. We don’t know what the hell he has in the warehouse. Have you already gotten a lock on his phone, Den?”
“Yep. He’s at the warehouse now. I’m in line to get satellite images on it. We will have numbers soon on heat signatures there. It’s wise to go visit with the full team, Mike. If he did block you from something inside his mind, he’s much more dangerous than we thought. We need to attend the game this afternoon. When Stan and Jerry recover from the game, we’ll suit up. Mongo can do reconnaissance with a simple invasion of the warehouse – flit in and flit out.”
“I have thoughts on that too,” Mike replied. “I think I can sync with Mongo and prevent anything capable of seizing control of him.”
“That would be a big relief, El Capitan,” Mongo said. “I am constantly worried when engaging in recon of unknown enemies.”
“We have a plan now,” Nazer said. “Perhaps we should journey to the Pantoll Campground and see if Mongo or D can sense anything of Rayden. I know you two forget nothing about evil scents.”
Demon poked up over the table immediately, head butting Nazer’s shoulder. “I never forget a scent of evil and its origin. I vote we journey to the campground. Mongo can go airborne and I’ll do the ground work. We have a lot of hours before the game. Let’s do it.”
“Pack up, Denny. I want satellite surveillance at all times on this,” Mike directed. “Finish your coffee and we’ll get it in gear.”
* * *
Mike moved toward the exit. Demon jogged next to him. “We have a problem. Check the monitors at the entrance, Ripper.”
Mike sampled the gate video and muttered curses under his breath. An entire cavalcade of people in burkas and keffiyeh male head gear were having an Islamic service in front of the Demon Inc gate, complete with prayer rugs and chants. “You do know what my first impulse is, right D?”
Demon snickered. “Oh yeah! When you have the power to alter reality, it hangs within your grasp begging for an outlet. Have you thought about converting the devil worshippers as you did Naz?”
“Yes,” Mike admitted. “I don’t pretend to know God, but I know Sharia Law belongs to the Devil. I presume you’ve been listening to this newest invasion. How did they get the media out here again and what the hell do they want now?”
“They want Infidel. They think we’ve captured him, brainwashed him, and use his knowledge to do evil.”
Mike slapped hands to face. “Oh my God! I bet Naz is really boiling.”
“That’s why I’m here, brother. Naz wants the confrontation. He’s been watching with his fists clenched and murder on his mind. I see he’s in sync with you.”
For the first time, Mike noticed his clenched fists. “Yeah… I guess he is. Should I do a repeat of this morning?”
“Oh, how soon you forget about Sauron and Middle Earth. Besides, Naz wants a piece, in case he may sway a few brainwashed mutants to his thinking.”
“I’m in, D. We do this with you, me, Mongo, and Naz. If things go to shit, Mongo must maintain human guise. Denny stays inside to alter recording angles for the Demon Inc archives of lost souls. We need to go old school on this.”
“Let’s get ‘er done, brother.”
* * *
Mike led the way to the gate. He opened it, startling the kneeling and bowing contingent. “Clear our way out of here or we will clear you.”
A bearded imam jetted to his feet, pointing at Nazer. “We know you have possessed a true brother of Islam. He does the devil’s work because of you.”
Nazer walked in front of the imam and smashed him to the ground with a bitch slap of retribution that had been building within him. “No one brainwashed me, you mind numbed idiots! You follow Sharia Law misogyny with female genital mutilation, wife beating and enslavement, the murder of gays, the honor killings of your own children, pedophilia of children as your Satanic prophet decrees, and the murder and pillaging of anyone who does not believe as you do. Embrace the truth! You follow the devil!”
A man leaped to his feet, pulling a weapon from his coat. Mike juiced him immediately, ripping away the hate, while filtering in common sense and logic. The man halted in mid attack. He looked at the 9mm handgun with disbelieving comprehension. After holstering the weapon, he pointed at Nazer.
“He is right! Sharia Law belongs to demons and pedophiles! I do not want my wife adorned in a slave costume.” He pulled the burka clad woman next to him to her feet. “I want others to see my wife’s face in public. I am not ashamed of her! I do not care what others think of her or if they desire her. I disobeyed. I did not make her go through the procedure to take away her pleasure. It is hideous to do such a thing to a woman! Forgive me, my darling.”
The man removed his wife’s face covering. He kissed her startled face, and then her lips with passion. “I love you. We must turn away from this demon’s cult.”
“Oh… my husband!” The woman embraced him as others in the group jetted to their feet for verbal and physical subjugation.
“Stop! No one touches this man or his wife without facing me in open combat!” Mike walked through the kneelers to the man. “Take your wife and lead a new life, my friend.”
“Thank you… I…I must pay for this sin of blasphemy and violence. I will change. So, will my family.”
Mike handed him a card. “If you are threatened, we will defend you instantly.”
The man hugged Mike with a sob after accepting the card. “I have been so stupid.”
Mike patted his back. “It is good to have another friend. We confront the evils of Islam each day. Live your life. Follow God. I have felt his goodness. He is not the God of Sharia Law.”
The man released Mike and gripped his hand in both of his. “My family will thrive outside Islam for the first time.”
Mike paid little attention to the others as he watched the man hurry away in front of the cameras with his wife, clinging to each other by the hand. Demon ripped the one nearest Mike, inches away from plunging a knife into his back. Mongo tore the weapon from the man’s hand. Demon batted at the man’s face with his paws.
“Oh… you are so lucky we are the touchy/feely Demon Inc this morning. Otherwise, I’d rip your throat out, moron! Pay attention, Ripper!”
“I have you and Mongo guarding my back. No one alive can get past you two to get me.” Mike held up his hands. “Get the hell away from our entrance. Do you have anything else to cover, Naz?”
“Yes!” Nazer gestured at himself. “Come wife-beaters and child molesters. No one will interfere. I want to be here. I deny Islam and its pedophile prophet! If you wish for vengeance on behalf of your devil prophet, come and do so against me, one on one! Do not think we will allow you to do your devil worship here in front of our gate.”
A man stood, his finger pointing at Nazer. “I will break you, little man! You will never blaspheme Mohammed again!”
“Uh oh… Ripper. I will tear this asshole’s throat out
if he touches Infidel!”
“The race will be on then, D,” Mike answered on their telepathic network.
“Stay out of this, D!” Nazer replied silently, gesturing at the man as the kneeling cultists moved away. “Come on, big man. Show me violence. I now know common sense and logic, thanks to my friends. You follow the devil. I will not.”
The man leaped at Nazer, reaching to grip Nazer’s throat. Nazer gripped the man and threw him over his hip to land and bounce on the hard surface, jackknifing to clutch his back. Nazer walked over and kicked him in the head, muffing his bleats of pain. Nazer turned with a final midsection kick to his downed adversary.
“Come and get some! I will defend my life!”
Seeing their Goliath on the pavement, gasping for air and grasping at pained parts in a nearly unconscious gesture of angst, they backed away.
Mike gestured at the rest with open armed urgings. “Go away! There will be nothing here for you but pain and suffering. Nazer is our brother. He belongs to our family. Anyone threatening my family will pay dearly for the attempt.”
Not for the first time did it take an iron will to control the darkness. Mike clenched his fists as the vocal crowd began once again to chant. Demon noticed. “Calm down, Ripper. He’s about to explode, Mongo.”
“This is my fault,” Nazer admitted in projected thought. “I thought perhaps to turn them away from our gate with the truth. That was stupid.”
“Don’t worry about it, Naz,” Mike replied. “From now on, we’ll handle it from behind closed doors in a more comical way.”
“You made that man and his wife happy, Mike. Couldn’t you do it to all of them?”
“He can, but he won’t,” Demon answered for Mike. “It screws with his perception of reality, Naz. Think if every time Mike feels like changing someone, he blasts into their minds and simply alters them. Soon, he would be wondering what was real and what was his own projections.”
“Yes… I understand. It is temptation beyond belief. I am happy I do not have such power. I doubt I would be strong enough to resist using it constantly.”
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