by Michael Todd
The sun rose into the Nevada morning sky, casting spikes of blue and pink into the hazy horizon. Sofia had gotten up early, unable to sleep. Instead, she’d made some coffee and gone up top to take in the scenery before it got too hot. It was really beautiful here, she couldn’t deny it, although she definitely missed the sound of the waves and that refreshing California air. But now that she had Calvin, she couldn’t imagine being anywhere that he was not.
She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes, letting the light sun warm her already bronzed skin. She lifted the cup of coffee to her lips and took a long sip. As she swallowed, she felt her phone buzzing in her pocket. She smiled and pulled it out, expecting it to be Calvin wondering where she had gone. However, as she pulled it out, she saw her mother’s name on the screen.
She answered with a grin. “Hola, Mami. ¡Es bueno escucharte!”
“Hello, my princess,” her mother responded in English.
“I feel like I haven’t talked to you in forever.”
“Well technically, it’s been forever and a day,” her mother teased. “We figured you were face-deep in your books, so we didn’t want to disturb you.”
“I’m never too busy for the two of you.”
“Good,” her mother replied and then paused. “We are going to be flying to San Diego in the morning to see you.”
“Really?” Sofia half-laughed. “Why? I mean yay! But why so quick?”
“I don’t know. We had a little time off, and we miss you. You are our baby, after all. Hold on, your father is talking in the background.”
Sofia stood up and looked at the military vehicles making their rounds. She could hear her mother talking to her father in Spanish. Her heart started to beat wildly in her chest, and she stood frozen, not sure what to say. She couldn’t put them off; they wouldn’t understand why she wouldn’t be home. They knew nothing about Manuel, and she couldn’t tell them. It would break their heart to know she had gotten caught up in something like that. She had always been a good girl, wanting to make them proud, always making good decisions—until him.
“Okay, he needs food. He is grumpy.” Her mother laughed. “We will see you tomorrow. Kisses, mijita.”
“Kisses, Mami,” Sofia replied nervously.
As soon as she hung up the phone, she took off across the sand, ran over to the elevator and pounded on the button a hundred times until it finally opened. She stood in the elevator freaking out, bouncing up and down, waiting for it to hit the right floor. When the doors opened, she ran through the halls to Calvin’s room.
She jumped on the bed and shook Calvin roughly. “Calvin, wake up.”
His eyes flew open. “What, what? What’s wrong? Is it a demon?”
“She shook her head. “No, worse! My parents, they are coming to San Diego in the morning, and I’m not there. That is not okay.”
She sat down on the edge of the bed and put her face in her hands, mumbling to herself. “Oh, estoy tan muerto, tan muerto. Mis padres me van a matar. Voy a tener que decirles, y luego me negarán, me arrojarán a las gallinas. Le dirán a mi abuela y ella me sentenciará a una vida de vergüenza. Ni siquiera saben que no soy virgen.”
She sobbed into her hands. Calvin sat up and placed his hand on her shoulder. It was obvious that she had to get back to San Diego and fast, but there was no way that he could let her go back without some sort of protection. Sure, they had gotten the head guy, taken his demon out, but they hadn’t been back to see if that had fixed the problem or not. There could very well be people still hunting her down, and he was not going to throw her back into that situation without someone there to make sure she was safe. The problem was, his vacation ended in three days, and he had to get back to work. Katie was counting on him.
“I need to find someone to be there with you, someone I can trust, and someone who will protect you if anyone comes after you, or even you and your family.”
She looked at him with wet eyes. “But I thought it was over.”
Calvin shrugged. “And it probably is, but we haven’t been there to make sure. These were not just run-of-the-mill drug lords. The one we took care of, he had been infected for almost ten years. We pulled his demon out, but that doesn’t mean that he is magically a good person. I can’t send you home alone, and I have to get back to work.”
Sofia was pale but adamant. “I have to be there, though. My parents will take me back to Mexico in the blink of an eye if they think I am unsafe or caught up in anything like that. My family is very strict and very old-school Mexican when it comes to those things. They expect me to be where I need to be at all times which does not include being shacked up with you in Nevada in an underground bunker.”
Calvin chuckled. “I know, I know you need to get back. Just let me think for a minute. If you want, go ahead and start packing. One way or another we will get you home for your parents. Did they say how long they were staying?”
She shook her head. “No, just that they were flying to San Diego in the morning to see me.”
She got up from the bed and opened up her suitcase, pulling clothes out of the drawers and tucking them in neatly. She had done some shopping with Timothy online while she had been there, collecting a new wardrobe since the old one was left in her old prison where it should be. She was really glad she had bought those clothes, though, her mother would have died if she showed up and Sofia was scantily clad looking like one of the women from the soap operas. She was a young single girl, and though they tried to understand the times, that didn’t mean they didn’t expect modesty and good behavior. She was over eighteen, so she was an adult, but that wasn’t how things in their family worked.
“What about Timothy? Could he come with me? It would be very easy to explain his presence, a roommate or friend that went to school with me. And he is gay, so my father will not have concerns about him sleeping under the same roof as me.”
“He really isn’t combat-trained, so he wouldn’t be prepared for these men. Besides, we need him here. He is the only person that can work intel for us. He is our IT guy and set up the whole system. None of us know how to work the thing, and we struggle if he leaves the base for just a few hours while he runs an errand or something.”
“Ugh.” She threw her head back in exasperation. “I can’t seem to keep myself out of trouble.”
Calvin got up and walked over rubbing his hands up and down her arms. “Heeey, it’s going to be just fine. Everything is going to be okay, I promise. We are going to fix this. I am going to go topside and make a phone call, okay? I will be back in a few. Just keep packing and getting ready to go.”
She nodded, and he leaned down and kissed her on the nose. He grabbed his phone from the dresser and made his way to the surface, walking over behind the armory where the wind would be blocked. He shook his head and dialed Katie’s number.
“It’s a bit early for you,” she answered.
“I’m assuming Pandora woke you up?”
“Of course, if she can’t sleep no one can. What’s up? Everything okay?”
“Not really,” he replied.
“Why? What’s wrong? Is everyone safe?”
“Sorry, yes, everyone is safe. It’s Sofia. She got a call from her mother this morning. Her parents will be arriving in San Diego to see her tomorrow morning. She is freaking out, and I can’t go to protect her because I only have three days left on my vacation.”
“Why doesn’t she tell them she’s out of town?”
“Her family doesn’t work that way. They are very old-school Mexican. They expect her to toe the line with them until she finds a husband, and do the same when she marries.”
Katie rolled her eyes. Sofia was nice and all, but she couldn’t imagine just handing the reins over to some man. “Right, I get it. I went to college with a girl like that. So, what’s your plan?”
“I wanted to know what you would think about asking Korbin and Stephanie for help?”
“Korbin and Stephanie? But they won’t even know wh
o you are, and they are living a happy life on their little farm.”
“They have a life, yes, but it isn’t real. They have to know something is up by now, with all the demons coming out. And we need them, no matter what we want for them. I’m not saying we have to go and infect them, just ask them for their help. Think about what Korbin would say if he were in this situation with any of us.”
Katie sighed not wanting to say yes but not seeing any way around it. He was right, they not only needed Stephanie and Korbin, but the world also needed them. Things were much worse than they were when she sent them off in a blissful haze. However, now that their team was split up, Katie didn’t have backup anymore.
“All right, fine. There is enough known about demons now to fully explain to the two of them what happened. I don’t want to come with you though.”
“Why? I thought you missed them like I do.”
“Of course, I do. But remember, I took their demons, I exorcised them, and to do it, I tricked them into telling me yes. I basically forced a life of happiness on the two of them.”
Calvin gasped and chuckled. “How dare you.”
“It’s not funny, you know how Korbin can be, and that was not his demon being stubborn. You have to go on your own and explain to Korbin, what I did and why I did it. If I am there, he will just start blaming me and getting upset. He won’t truly understand it, because he doesn’t remember any of it. I think you should do it alone. You know him better than any of us besides Damian ever did.”
“Maybe you’re right, but you can’t hide from them forever. You know once they know they won’t be able to stand by and let it happen.”
“I know,” Katie sighed. “And that’s what I’m afraid of.”
Chapter Seven
Calvin stood on the top of the hill, looking down at the quaint farmhouse. He hesitated, wanting to delay a moment before he made his way down the long dirt drive, which led past a beautifully manicured lawn with bright blue and pink flowers planted close to the wraparound porch. To the right, a white picket fence surrounded a patch of garden where tomatoes, corn, and several different herbs grew.
Calvin swallowed, the guilt of interrupting that perfect existence weighing heavily on his mind. He took a step forward and stopped when the front door opened. Korbin stepped out carrying a cup of coffee and smiling back at Stephanie, who bounced out of the house behind him.
Calvin thought about all the conversations over the years he had with Korbin, and how pissed he was going to be when he realized the truth. Not angry, but pissed because Calvin and Katie had been kicking ass and taking down demons while Korbin had been sowing the seeds of his little private heaven.
Calvin chuckled and headed down the hill and up the driveway. As he got closer Korbin and Stephanie stopped, Stephanie moved to Korbin’s side and took his hand. They smiled kindly at Calvin as he approached and for just a moment he thought maybe they knew who he was.
Korbin wiped his hands on a towel hanging from his belt loop and walked over, extending his hand to Calvin. “Welcome.”
“I hope you don’t mind the intrusion,” Calvin replied.
Korbin’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “Not at all, we don’t get too many visitors out here these days.”
“Or any days,” Stephanie added. She laughed and came over to shake Calvin’s hand.
Korbin tilted his head. “What can we do for you?”
“I... um...” Calvin wasn’t sure how to start the conversation. He couldn’t just blurt it out.
Korbin narrowed his eyes. “Wait, I know who you are.”
Calvin’s eyebrows shot up. “You do?”
Korbin grinned and shook his finger. “Sure. You’re one of the mercenaries who battled those demons in France. We watched the live feed of the whole thing. You were definitely kicking ass out there.”
Calvin smiled ruefully as he realized it wasn’t the past they remembered, it was the media. “Thank you. We train hard every single day.”
Stephanie nodded. “Your skills are amazing. I could see martial arts, weaponry skills, and of course the power from your demon. It was a terrible situation, sure, but I have to admit you and Katie are fascinating to watch.”
“Oh sure,” Korbin nodded. “I imagine you have to, there are so many threats out there now, not just human on human anymore. The evil sometimes feels like it has taken over this world. So many attacks, especially since Incursion Day, but I have a feeling they were going on a lot longer than that.”
Calvin laughed. “Yeah, things don’t just pop up out of nowhere like that, that’s for sure.”
Korbin scrutinized Calvin’s face. “We even went out and drove two hours and got us some of the special bullets and such. Out here it’s quiet but you never know, you want to be prepared.”
“That’s smart. I’ve learned that these demons don’t always have rhyme or reason for what they do. It's not a normal war situation.” Calvin looked at Korbin and back to Stephanie. “How are you guys doing out here? You like the area? Are you happy?”
It was an odd question, but Calvin didn’t know quite how else to ask.
Korbin looked at Stephanie. “It’s beautiful out here, just how we always wanted things. But I have to admit, we enjoyed it a lot more before we really understood what the demons had been up to.” He pulled Stephanie close. “When Incursion Day happened I thought it was a fluke, a bad day. But as time has passed, we see that it is more than that. We see that they are looking at bigger things, making bigger plans, attacking cities overseas, going after people who are just innocent bystanders, you know? Like us, I suppose.”
Korbin and Stephanie exchanged a firm glance. Calvin smiled and nodded, seeing the fight still in their eyes. He knew he couldn’t leave there without asking for their help, it was too important.
“We’ve been talking about coming to help since we saw it on the television,” Stephanie told Calvin.
Korbin nodded with enthusiasm. “That’s right. I am ex-military, combat-related, and Stephanie is trained in martial arts. We may not be infected, but I think we have a lot to offer.”
“That’s actually refreshing to hear.” Calvin smiled. “I came here today with a specific purpose, I wanted to find out if the two of you would like to help me.”
Korbin furrowed his brow, still smiling kindly. “That’s an interesting request, but let me ask you, why us? How did you even know about us to come out here?”
Calvin chuckled, pushing his boot through the dirt. “You may not remember it, but I do actually know you. Much better than you realize. The thing is because of the way the story played out, you just might have a really hard time believing the stories.”
Korbin looked down at Stephanie, and she smiled at him, nodding. “Actually, with everything going on in the world, you might be surprised what we believe and what actually starts to make sense.”
“Then you will hear me out?”
“Of course, we will,” Stephanie replied. “Why don’t you come on in. I’ll pour us some iced tea, and we can sit in the air-conditioning and talk.”
“You all right with that, Korbin?” Calvin found it strange to say his name again.
Korbin was equally surprised. “I sure am. Life is funny that way, you never know what will come walking down that old dirt road.”
“Or who you’ll find standing up on the hill in the distance,” Stephanie added with a wink.
Calvin smiled and followed them into the house, hoping what he was about to say would be received as well as he was at their front gate.
As it had been for the past couple of weeks, the police station was loud and boisterous. There was a steady stream of arrests coming in and out of the office as well as a plethora of calls and 911 dispatches connected to the demon activity throughout the area. The city was barely even focused on the normal crime, and in fact, it had gone down quite a bit. The normal criminals were too afraid to run into demons to be out ruining lives.
Travers sat behind his desk, scrolling th
rough the numbers as Schultz flipped through the enormous file of the day’s arrests. “Arrests are up sixty percent since this time just a month ago. Just today I would say ninety-five percent of the arrests were demon related. Some are just petty crimes, general mischief, but there are murders, cultist weirdness, and violent crimes all over the place.”
“I know.” Travers sighed and ran a hand over his hair. “We even got a call from one of the heads of the crime families out here asking for some assistance with a demon issue. Their activity has been pretty much non-existent for the first time since the twenties, the 1920’s. Can you believe that?”
Schultz rolled his eyes. “I think I would rather deal with the mob than with all of this. How do you do detective work on a dismemberment and portal opening?”
“That’s the thing,” Travers explained when Katie made a face. “They all seem to be green. They stay at the scene or very close by and are caught almost immediately. We are shipping these infected out left and right. It’s a good thing we aren’t housing them, we would have to build ten new facilities just to keep up with this year’s catches.”
Schultz sighed and rubbed his face. “My daughter is coming home from college early. She says the campuses just aren’t safe right now. She said she can’t even walk home at night. It’s no longer if you will be attacked but when and by how many red-eyes waiting in the shadows. The campus police just aren’t enough to keep them safe.”
“Hell, I’m starting to think the regular police aren’t enough to keep everyone safe. We just don’t have the training, the gear, or the know how to keep this up. The military is stretched stupid thin, and from what I’ve been told the governor is being pressed hard to bring a military presence into the city. He thinks it would only make things worse, push the city to riots and looting.”
“He may be right.” Schultz sighed. “If we are understaffed now, think of what we would be like when on top of everything people are rioting and looting in the streets. We already have a group of nutbags chilling in Central Park waving their This is the Rapture signs, throwing their religious tracts in everyone’s faces. All of the nutbags would come out of the woodwork, and we would have cults summoning demons in the middle of Times freaking Square.”