by Paul Seiple
“He’ll know,” Jaime said.
“Know what?” Don asked.
“How do we explain this could be paranormal? I can’t have anyone confronting this thing,” Noah said.
“I’ll take care of it,” Debbie said, walking by Don and toward the cops.
“Excuse me, ma’am, you can’t…”
Debbie waved her arm as if she was shrugging off the command. The officer froze mid-sentence.
“Wait… did she…” Noah asked.
“Debbie’s a witch,” Don said. “And yes, she did.”
Debbie waved her arm in the crowd's direction. Everyone froze.
“She did that too,” Terrence said, stepping out of the car. “You get used to it.”
Noah looked at Jaime.
“It’s better than having all those witnesses,” she said.
Debbie came back to the car. Mason and Remi joined her.
“What’s in there?” Debbie asked.
Noah stared at her, saying nothing.
“You can speak,” Debbie said.
“It’s his first time seeing a witch in action,” Terrence said.
“I saw something,” Kim said.
“In there?” Debbie asked.
“No. Earlier. I saw Murmur and the kids that follow it. And I saw an old lady who seemed to be a projection of Darkness,” Kim said.
“Did the old lady say anything?” Debbie asked.
“She… I mean, it tried to convince me to attack Noah,” Kim said.
“Me?” Noah asked.
“It’s something that tries to lure the things you don’t like about yourself out,” Kim said. “Sorry. I don’t really want to attack you. Sometimes, I’m a little angry on the inside.”
“The True Self brings your secrets to light,” Debbie said. “Everyone has parts of their personality they wish to keep hidden. The True Self wishes to pull the curtain back.”
“To darken the world more?” Noah asked.
“In a weird way, yes. the True Self feels by exposing these things it’s spreading evil,” Debbie said.
“And it is. So, what are we going to do?” Noah asked.
Billy Mark stepped off the bus. His face and clothes were covered in blood. Noah pulled his gun and aimed for the kid.
“Put that away,” Debbie said.
Billy took a few steps toward Noah.
“OK, well, freeze him or whatever it is you do,” Noah said.
“We need to get information from him,” Debbie said. She turned her attention to Billy. “What’s your name?”
“What’s yours, bitch,” Billy said.
“All right, we’ll play your way,” Debbie said. She moved toward Billy.
“What is she doing?” Noah asked.
“She’s about to metaphysically wash his mouth out with soap,” Remi said.
Billy tightened his grip on the pocketknife and pointed it at Debbie.
“That’s cute,” Debbie said. She held her right hand out, palm facing Billy. He levitated about two feet from the pavement.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Billy asked, looking down.
“Teaching you a lesson. That is no way to talk to a lady,” Debbie said.
Noah looked at Remi. She smiled.
Debbie inched closer to Billy with her hand still out. He floated away from her with each step she took until he was pressed against the bus. Billy swung his arms and kicked his legs, but it was as if he were caught in an invisible spiderweb.
“I’m going to ask again. What’s your name?” Debbie asked.
The energy had been drained from Billy’s body. Guilt replaced jealousy as he inspected the blood covering him.
“What… happened? What did I do?” Billy asked.
“What’s your name?” Debbie asked again.
“Billy. Billy Mark.”
“OK, Billy, something is inside of you making you do these things. I need you to tell me the one thing you dislike most about yourself,” Debbie said.
Billy thought back to Jake and the overwhelming feeling of jealousy when his friend smiled at him on the bus. The image of the knife tearing into Jake’s neck was next.
“Oh, god, I killed him,” Billy said.
“Killed who?” Debbie asked.
“None of your business, bitch. I’ll kill you, too.” Billy’s voice was deeper.
“I’m terrified,” Debbie said.
“I’m sorry. I… don’t know what’s happening to me,” Billy said.
“Who did you kill, Billy?” Debbie asked.
“Jake. He was my best friend,” Billy said.
“And why did you kill Jake?” Debbie asked.
“The same reason I’m going to kill you.”
“Oh, it’s you again,” Debbie said. She smiled. “You’re jealous, aren’t you?”
Billy’s neck snapped back. His head slammed against the bus.
“I hit a nerve,” Debbie said.
“You can’t save the boy, witch.”
“Witch? We’re making progress,” Debbie said.
“He belongs to Darkness. You know that though.”
The True Self was right. Debbie couldn’t save Billy Mark. The only thing she could do for him was to end his suffering. The thought that a nineteen-year-old kid’s life was being cut short by Darkness nearly penetrated the protection she had against it.
“Is that a tear I see in your eye, witch? Don’t tell me your true self is a caring soul.”
Debbie looked to the sky, taking in the brilliant blue color before closing her eyes. The crisp air stung as she took a deep breath before she chanted.
“What is she doing?” Noah asked.
“Shhh,” Mason said.
Billy’s arms and legs shook like he was seizing. His chest lurched forward as Debbie chanted louder. The skin over Billy’s neck rippled as if a parasite was lurking beneath. His mouth opened. His jaw contorted and seemed to dislocate. Debbie never opened her eyes.
A plume of black smoke bellowed from Billy’s mouth. It held a darkish green outline. Billy gagged ejecting the shadow like projectile vomit. It took the shape of Billy.
Debbie opened her eyes and lowered her hand. Billy fell to the pavement. The shadow rushed forward, only to be sliced into pieces as it got inches from Debbie. Her protection spell held.
A small ball of green light formed over Debbie’s shoulder. Aura appeared. She held her hands at arm's length apart. The remnants of the shadow floated into the space between Aura’s palms and disappeared.
“It’s like she’s a vacuum cleaner for demons,” Terrence said.
“What’s happening?” Noah asked.
“Aura is cleaning up the mess,” Remi said.
“How did that thing get sliced up?” Noah asked.
“Debbie invoked a protection spell,” Mason said. “This threat is contained.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. We don’t know what’s on the bus yet,” Debbie said.
Debbie sat on the curb drinking water. No one got close to her. Noah feared her, and everyone else knew Debbie needed space.
“Is she OK?” Noah asked.
“Debbie just needs a few minutes to freshen up,” Mason said.
“I can hear you,” Debbie said.
Mason chuckled and patted Noah on the shoulder. “Welcome to the supernatural, son.”
Kim pulled Remi away from the group. She walked to the back of one of the police cars.
“What’s up?” Remi asked.
“I saw Murmur again,” Kim said.
Remi smiled. “It’s OK. You didn’t really see it. The True Self came to you. Demons know nothing about personal space. They know everything about us. It knew about your past with Murmur and used it to try to scare you.”
“It almost worked,” Kim said.
“Keyword there is almost,” Remi said. “You’re getting stronger, Kim Strode.”
“OK, I think Debbie is awake,” Mason said.
“You’re getting more annoying with each year,�
� Debbie said, handing the empty water bottle to Mason.
“What’s the plan?” Noah asked.
“You’re staying out here,” Debbie said. “You’re all staying out here except Kim.” Debbie turned her attention to Kim. “I need you in there because you’re seeing the woman.”
“Yeah, but I don’t know what she is,” Kim said.
“The woman is how the True Self portrays its energy to you. That’ll be helpful,” Debbie said.
“All right, let’s go kick some old lady demon ass,” Kim said.
Terrence grabbed Kim’s hand as she walked away. “Be careful.”
She placed her other hand on the back of Terrence’s. “Always.”
Kim ran to catch up with Debbie just as she stepped onto the bus. The silence provided an eerie soundtrack to the horror awaiting them. Allie was the first person they encountered. She was flat on her back in the middle of the aisle. Kim ignored her when she saw Jake, who’s neck looked like a pound of ground beef. She then saw Danny lying facedown with a pool of blood around his body.
“Looks like Billy wasn’t being completely honest about how many people he killed,” Kim said.
“Do you see anything?” Debbie asked.
“I don’t see the old lady, if that’s what you’re asking,” Kim said.
“The shadow can’t survive in this world without a host,” Debbie said.
“It’s just like a virus, isn’t it?” Kim asked.
“Darkness is a virus,” Debbie said.
A rustling sound behind Kim caused her to jump into a seat. Allie’s hand swatted at Kim, barely missing her ankle. Kim fell over the back of the seat onto another. Allie stood. Her glasses magnified her blackened pupils. She faced Debbie.
“We met again, witch.”
“Yeah, it looks that way,” Debbie said.
“Did she touch me?” Kim asked.
“You’re fine,” Debbie said. “It missed you.”
“You cannot protect the world from us.”
The absence of light startled Kim when Allie opened her mouth to speak. Allie’s pupils were shiny like the backside of an eight ball. Her voice was deep. Her words were mangled between gasping breaths.
“That’s tough talk,” Debbie said, unfazed by Allie’s transformation. “What’s your name?”
“You know we are the True Self. Do not insult our intelligence, witch.”
Allie moved toward Debbie, using the back of the seats to keep her balance. A trickle of blood traced the hairline on the left side of her face. Debbie didn’t flinch.
“What’s your name?” Debbie asked again. Her tone was softer this time.
“A… Allie.”
“What are you keeping from the world, Allie?” Debbie asked.
Kim eased back into a seat. This wasn’t the first time she had witnessed Debbie interact with Darkness. Kim was still in awe of how Debbie handled herself in the face of evil.
“I… don’t… know,” Allie said.
“Do you keep rage inside?” Debbie asked.
“No. Not really.” Allie wiped the blood with her fingertips. “I want to be desired.”
“What happened here?” Debbie asked.
“That’s enough, nosy witch.”
“I’m really sorry, Allie,” Debbie said.
“Sorry for what? She’s going to Darkness, and you’re coming with her.”
Allie lunged forward. Debbie took a step back and held her hand out, palm towards Allie. It was as if Allie hit a wall. Her body jerked back. She fell to the bus floor. Debbie chanted. Allie’s back arched. Her head and feet stayed on the floor. Allie’s body formed a bridge. She coughed before dry-heaving. A plume of black smoke seeped from between her closed lips. Allie’s mouth opened. She expelled the shadow, using her as a host. Allie’s back slammed into the floor.
The shadow held a cherry reddish outline. It floated upwards and spread over the roof of the bus like a storm cloud.
“What’s it doing?” Kim asked.
“Trying to intimidate us,” Debbie said.
“Darkness will come, and there is nothing you can do about it.”
“We’ll see about that,” Debbie said.
She chanted again. The shadow shrank until it was just a speck on the roof. The ball of green light appeared beside Debbie. Aura transformed from the glow. She reached toward the roof and took the dark speck in her hand.
“Is this all?” Aura asked.
“The others were dead when we got on the bus,” Debbie said.
“OK. I’ll take the trash out,” Aura said. She smiled at Kim.
“They didn’t have to die,” Kim said.
Debbie bent to a knee and raised the sleeve of Jake’s letterman jacket. He bore the mark of the shadow, but the dark roots faded from his forearm.
“They were touched,” Debbie said. “They were already dead. Evil isn’t about survivors.”
“How do we stop this? Cleveland is turning into the apocalypse,” Kim said.
“Find the host, and it ends,” Aura said. “I’ve learned more as I’ve disposed of the remnants. The True Self only possesses the summoner. These projections are spreading evil and will continue to until the True Self is confronted.”
“What about the people already infected?” Kim asked.
“The shadows are only imprints of the True Self. We banish it, and they will leave the infected,” Aura said.
“Are you sure?” Kim asked.
“I’m positive. A demon cannot create another demon. It can only manifest itself in a host,” Aura said. “It’s like that saying about cutting the head off the snake.”
“So, if we quarantine those infected, we can save them by banishing the True Self from Julian Paulson?” Kim asked.
“Yes… but that’s easier said than done,” Debbie said. “The inner shadow is strong and once it sees light, it needs to make itself known. We still must be diligent in dealing with the inner shadow and handle it accordingly.”
Kim took a seat again and eyed the carnage at the back of the bus. She felt better knowing what they were dealing with, but the burning in her gut hinted that more destruction would block their path.
Thirty-Five
Noah paced from squad car to squad car, mumbling words under his breath. This was too much for him. Noah was used to confronting evil. He had sat across from more murderers than he could count on his fingers. Most didn’t hide the evil lurking inside. Noah found strength in knowing a killer’s hand without having to see the cards. This evil was different. No one would believe that a shadow of darkness was turning calm people violent. And there was the problem of not being able to see the evil. Noah paused his stride and stared at the frozen crowd. Anyone of them could be infected, he thought.
“You’re going to wear a hole in those boots if you keep pacing like that,” Jaime said, catching up to Noah.
“This can’t be real. I keep thinking I’m going to wake up from a bad dream,” Noah said.
“It’s real,” Jaime said. “But at least we have Debbie.”
“Should we check on them?” Noah asked.
“Debbie is more than capable of handling the situation,” Mason said, stepping into the conversation.
“Kim can hold her own, too,” Terrence said, moving in beside Mason.
“Of course, she can,” Mason said. “What we’re saying is they’re much better off without us getting in the way,” Mason said.
“I don’t know how I would handle this if you hadn’t shown up,” Noah said. “How do you fight a demon?”
“We don’t. We just provide support when needed,” Mason said.
“And since this is your first, and probably not last, encounter, let me give you some advice. Be very careful around old people,” Terrence said.
Noah looked at Mason.
“Hey. He isn’t talking about me. I’m young at heart,” Mason said.
“They seem to be magnets for demons,” Terrence said.
Mason shrugged his shoulders. “
I can’t really argue with that.”
Don pulled Jaime away from the group.
“How is Noah holding up?” he asked.
“He wishes this was a bad dream, but I think he’s starting to believe. How could he not? Debbie pulled evil out of that kid,” Jaime said.
“And how are you?” Don asked.
“I’m good. I know it’s been awhile since we’ve seen each other, but this isn’t my first dance with the supernatural,” Jaime said.
“I mean with the divorce. Did you tell Noah?” Don asked.
“I’m fine. Now, is not the time to talk about that. And no, I haven’t told him. Why would I?” Jaime asked.
The conversation ended abruptly when Kim stepped off the bus. Terrence ran to her.
“You OK?” he asked.
Kim nodded.
Debbie followed Kim. She walked by Terrence without saying a word.
“Is she OK?” Terrence asked.
“Yes, Terrence, I’m OK. You can ask me, you know?” Debbie flashed a grin as she walked to Mason.
“Is the threat contained?” Mason asked.
“For now,” Debbie said. “The True Self touched four people still on the bus. They’re not capable of infecting others. I need to check them…” Debbie pointed to the bus passengers huddled on the curb. “… before releasing the spell.”
“Already done,” Remi said. “I was bored while you were having all the fun, so I checked them out. None have the mark. The driver is clear, too.”
“You’re just going to wake them up?” Noah asked.
“You could say that,” Debbie said.
“But how are we going to explain this to them? They’re four bodies on the bus and another out here. Cops like to solve murder cases,” Noah said.
“Really? I didn’t know that,” Debbie said. “Seriously, I’ll handle it.”
“How?” Noah asked.
“Cops like to interrogate too, don’t they?” Debbie asked.
“Well, yeah,” Noah said. “Wait…”
Billy Mark’s body disappeared from beside the bus.
“No one else saw that?” Noah asked.
“Yeah, we saw it,” Terrence said. “But, I can’t get used to seeing it.”
“You’ve seen people disappear before?” Noah asked.