Demons at War

by P A Minyard

  “What did you just say?” Mr. Parker asked hesitantly. He wasn’t sure he should give the doctor another chance to speak.

  “Whatever it was, it has run its course, and I can find no signs of the disease. She is the picture of health.”

  Mrs. Parker’s eyes welled up as she grabbed her husband’s hand. Beth smiled and jammed her shoulder into Jonathan’s.

  “Looks like you’re stuck with me,” Beth said.

  “It works both ways, you know,” he replied, smiling back at her.

  “I hadn’t thought of that,” she said, feigning disappointment.

  “Well,” the doctor said, and stood up, “I will come back in a month to follow her progress, but if all is well, I see no reason to continue my visits.”

  “Thank you, Doctor.” Mr. Parker stood and shook his hand.

  “Yes, thank you,” Mrs. Parker repeated gratefully.

  “I’ll find my way out.” The doctor smiled as he left the room.

  No one said anything. They just sat looking at each other.

  “I told you all not to worry,” Beth said, smiling at her mother.

  Mrs. Parker rushed to Beth and pulled her up into a hug. Her eyes closed and she breathed a sigh of relief. Beth’s eyes also welled up.

  Mr. Parker stood and took his daughter’s hand in his. Beth was taken aback; she could feel her father’s hand trembling in hers. He rarely showed emotion around her, but now his warm smile spoke volumes.

  “Who would like some pie?” her mother asked as she wiped away her tears.

  “That sounds like a wonderful idea,” her father replied.

  They walked out of the room, and Beth was about to join them until she noticed Jonathan staying put. He was overjoyed to hear that Beth was well, but he couldn’t help but keep his distance. He wanted Daniel to be a part of this. He didn’t even know where Daniel was; none of them did. Since leaving, he hadn’t written.

  Jonathan stared down at his feet. He looked a bit unkempt as part of his shirt was hanging out of his pants. Beth knew what was happening.

  “You wish Daniel was here, don’t you?” she said.

  He began fidgeting with his suspenders and still couldn’t look at her.

  “I thought you promised to talk to me about anything,” she pressed. “I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”

  “We don’t even know where he is. Why hasn’t he written?”

  “Maybe he can’t just yet,” she said.

  “Or maybe he won’t,” Jonathan replied.

  “Jonathan,” Beth said, now concerned, “Daniel would never abandon us.”

  “Then, why does it feel like he did?” Jonathan said, and finally turned to look at Beth.

  She stepped up and placed her hand on his shoulder. “He only did what he thought was right. We can’t make his choices for him just like he can’t make them for us. Please don’t be angry with him.”

  “I’m not angry with him,” Jonathan answered. “I just want him here. How can he feel like he hasn’t done enough?”

  “I don’t know.” Beth shook her head. “You’ll have to ask him that yourself.”

  “But he’s a hero! Heroes don’t have to go back. Heroes get to come home.”

  Beth sat down next to her little brother and put her arm around his shoulders.

  “Maybe that’s exactly why he feels that he should do more,” she said softly, “so that others will get to come home too.”

  Jonathan put his arm around Beth and pulled in close. They sat together, side by side.

  “I’m happy you’re not sick anymore,” he said.

  “So you do enjoy my company.”

  “There are moments, I suppose,” he said slyly.

  “I know what you mean,” she said as she squeezed his arm.

  12

  DEVIL INSIDE

  Skirmishes broke out in mid-March, signaling that the war would soon start again in earnest. Daniel and his men were sent to Virginia along with other regiments. Though the railways were a boon to the Union army, helping them swiftly move troops into position, the latter portion of the trip would include a long march, and they would need to be ready to fight upon arrival.

  Daniel was enjoying the journey. The countryside was beautiful and reminded him of home. He loved the rolling hills filled with trees. The dark evergreens took him back to his days as a child roaming the woods near the house. It was peaceful now, and he tried to soak it all in. The voice had retreated, maybe for good, and the roar of battle would certainly drown it out. But questions still gnawed at him. Why couldn’t he remember what he had done or whose power he had taken? Although he had promised Bernard that he would not cross the gate, there might be answers on the other side. And the power still called to him; the temptation was overwhelming.

  The men were setting up camp and would be allowed a short rest before continuing. He felt he could slip away without notice. He left his tent and walked to the outer perimeter of the camp and looked from side to side, as if assessing the safety of their location. He spotted an abandoned shack to the south and casually walked to it. Once inside, Daniel opened the gate and found his way to a street-corner pub.

  The last of the patrons were stumbling out as he walked in. Clearly, the place was about to close. He noticed a young man leaning on the end of the bar. He was short in stature, clean-shaven, with thick, well-groomed, brown hair. He couldn’t have been older than Daniel, but he wore a beautiful three-piece suit complete with a white-gold pocket watch and bob. He played with an ebony walking stick that had an embossed silver knob at the end.

  “I knew you would come,” the young man said. “It was only a matter of time.”

  “How could I not?” Daniel replied, not wanting to give himself away. He had no idea who he was speaking to.

  “Yes. How could you not?” the young man repeated. “There are rules to this game you play.”

  “Why let rules get in the way?” Daniel continued cautiously, hoping to find answers.

  “Unseating a demon such as Donovan does not come without a price.”

  “Donovan?” Daniel asked.

  “It is well known that you’ve been searching for him of late. And very effectively cleaning up after yourself, I might add.” The young man smiled.

  “My apologies, but I feel you are mistaken.” Daniel looked down at his left hand as if inspecting his nails. He desperately wanted to know where this was going, but the ache in his chest told him he was playing a very dangerous game.

  “There’s no need for worry. In fact, I find this entire situation utterly fascinating.”

  “I dare say that ‘amusing’ is the better word.” Daniel cocked his head to the right and looked back at the young man.

  “Well, it’s not every day that one of my minions possesses a Beloved.”

  “Minion? Is that all I am to you?” Daniel said, pressing his luck. “I tire of this game, Benedict. Do not take me for a fool.”

  Daniel swallowed hard and tried to maintain his composure. He felt sick to his stomach but knew he could not reveal himself. “The voice — it was Benedict the whole time.” It suddenly all made sense; the willingness of Benedict to surrender, the ease with which he took the power.

  “And what if I did take the body of a Beloved?” Daniel said, hoping to cover up his surprise. “What’s it to you?”

  “Arrogance will be your downfall.” The young man twirled his cane in amusement as he laughed. “Still, I will allow this.” He left the bar and walked up to Daniel, stopping beside him. “Do what you must with Donovan, but when you are done, you will share with me all that you have learned of those bastards the Father so favors.” The young man moved away as a wicked grin flashed across his lips. He walked out the front and disappeared into the midnight air.

  Daniel began to panic, and he became angry at his own arrogance. He let this happen, he knew that. Deep down there was no denying his willingness to be taken in. But he also garnered resentment for
Bernard. Why wasn’t he told that this could happen? “Shouldn’t he have protected me?” he thought. Daniel was fit to be tied when he crossed the gate back into his tent.

  “I thought we had an agreement,” Bernard said, greeting him.

  “Keeping an eye on me now?” Daniel replied, irritated to find Bernard waiting for him in his tent.

  “I was merely worried about you. Our last conversation was a bit unsettling.”

  “Am I Beloved or am I not?” Daniel said defiantly.

  “You have a mind of your own. You have proven that.”

  “Is that why you didn’t tell me what I was facing?” Daniel’s breath quickened. “You could have warned me but you didn’t. He’s taken...” Daniel paused as the dizziness stopped him in his tracks. His body halted, staying put as his face dropped and his eyes went blank momentarily.

  “Too much knowledge can be a danger to a Beloved,” Bernard replied, seemingly unaware of Daniel’s change in demeanor.

  “You always were so short sighted, Bernard,” Benedict said. His eyes flashed black as night, and he turned elegantly on one foot to face the angel.

  Bernard was taken aback by the words. He had heard them before, knew exactly who had said them years earlier.

  “The boy is mine,” Benedict continued. “It was so easy. I still can’t believe how easy it was. And now that I have Nick’s blessing, I see no reason to hide anymore.”

  Bernard’s cheeks flashed a red that rivaled his own hair, his steely eyes piercing Benedict’s very being. “Give him back, Benedict!” he demanded.

  “Don’t you want to know how I did it? Aren’t you even going to ask?”

  “I should kill you where you stand!” Bernard shouted, and grabbed hold of Benedict’s coat.

  “If only you could,” Benedict said, smiling. “But we both know that only a Beloved can take the power of another Beloved.”

  “How is it that you have come by that knowledge?” Bernard growled.

  “I have come by much knowledge. Hagen was so helpful in his last moments,” Benedict replied. “I must tell you how impressed I was with how long he held out.”

  Bernard was at his boiling point and Benedict found his pain delicious.

  “Bit by bit, I slowly ripped him to shreds. His agony was so delightful. I thought he would die long before telling me anything useful. I can see why he was your favorite.”

  Bernard’s eyes closed tight as he thought back to the day that he found what was left of Hagen. A single tear rolled down his cheek.

  “How many Beloved have I stolen from you now?” Benedict teased. “I believe this one makes four.”

  “I should have finished you off that day,” Bernard roared.

  “Why didn’t you?” Benedict asked. “Were you frightened by what you had done, by what you had become; nothing more than a common thug?”

  Bernard only grit his teeth and said nothing.

  “I will deal with Donovan. He will pay dearly for his betrayal. And you have given me the tools to exact my revenge upon him. How ironic, don’t you think?”

  Bernard released Benedict’s coat.

  “Oh, and don’t worry.” This was Benedict’s final barb. “I have every intention of taking very good care of Daniel. He’s been so helpful, unwittingly sharing his thoughts, teaching me everything I needed to know about being a Beloved. Such a good boy — you should be proud. I dare say that I’ve become quite fond of him; I see no reason to keep him in the dark anymore. He knows he is mine, and I can feel his regret right now, such an exquisite pain.”

  Bernard closed his eyes tightly, and his face winced with pain.

  “If only someone had shown him how to use his own power more effectively,” Benedict said, fixing his icy gaze on Bernard. “He resents you, you know. He feels like you abandoned him, like you left him to the wolves. He and I have so much in common.”

  At that moment, Bernard’s heart broke. His private war with Benedict had waged for hundreds of years, and the Beloved under his care had become nothing more than fodder in its wake. He had used those boys, and they had paid a dear price.

  It was unusually warm for a spring day, and Jonathan meant to take full advantage of it. He set to his chores early in the morning so as not to waste a minute of the bright sun and clear sky. It must have been around 10:30 a.m. when he started chopping wood, his last chore of the day. His sleeves were rolled up, and tiny beads of sweat formed on his brow and face, making his skin glisten. He noticed his father standing near the house watching his progress. He set down the axe, and his father motioned for him, his brow furrowed. Jonathan could see that something was very wrong.

  “There’s been an accident,” his father said, trying to stay calm. “Joshua is dead. He was out with his father’s hunting party and was fatally wounded.”

  Jonathan stared back at him blankly. He had to be mistaken.

  “Do you understand what I’m trying to tell you?”

  “Are you sure it was Josh?” Jonathan asked slowly, trying to comprehend the words as they came out of his mouth.

  “I’m sorry.”

  Jonathan brushed past him with his head down. He barreled through the front door, letting it slam behind him. He rushed straight up the stairs to his room in a thunderous roar. His mother and Beth sat in the kitchen. His mother began to rise but Beth stopped her.

  “Give him some time,” she said.

  They sat together listening for his reaction.

  Jonathan threw himself face down onto his bed. He clutched at the quilt, balling it up in his grasp. He tried to hold back his tears. Josh would have laughed at him for crying, he thought. His chest heaved and the bed jerked as he let out bursts of anguish. He didn’t want to believe that this was happening. And now, with Daniel no longer at home, he was alone.

  The day dragged into night as Jonathan stayed locked away in his room. Even Beth’s gentle coaxing from outside the door would not sway him. He refused food or company for the next two days. He kept to himself, only leaving his room to do his chores.

  On the third day, as the family dressed and readied themselves for the funeral, they barely recognized Jonathan when he appeared in the foyer. His skin was pale and his eyes dark and sunken. They could see how shaken he was. His mother threw her arms around him and held him tight, but he just stood there.

  The service was small and was held at the local cemetery. The grey, cloudy sky set a somber mood. Only family and close friends were in attendance. But Joshua’s brother Benjamin was not present.

  Jonathan tugged at Beth’s dress and whispered, “Why isn’t Ben here?”

  “Maybe he was too upset and stayed at home,” she offered.

  “Something’s wrong.” He pulled harder at her dress.

  “Jonathan,” she tried to keep her voice down, “show some respect.” He looked around at everyone, watching their faces. Someone knew the truth. Benjamin loved Joshua far too much not to be here. Jonathan was visibly distracted and nervously fidgeted with his coat during the service.

  As they left the cemetery, he overheard two women talking. They said that Benjamin had run off the night of Joshua’s death and hadn’t been seen since. Jonathan stopped in his tracks and burst into tears. Beth came up alongside him.

  “What happened?”

  “They said that Ben ran off,” he sobbed. “He would never do that — it’s not in his nature. He’s gone, Beth! He’s gone — just like Josh!”

  “You don’t know that,” she said, trying to calm him down. “Stop and think. Where would he go? Maybe he’s just hiding. Maybe he’s too scared to come back.”

  “No! He knew this would happen. He had to have seen it.”

  “Jonathan, what are you talking about?” Beth asked, and put her arm around her little brother. He was scaring her now.

  Others began to look upon them with concern as they passed. He noticed their stares and pulled himself together.

  “I don’t want to go to the wake,” he told Beth emphatically.
/>   “You don’t have to,” she said. “I’ll go home with you if you like.” He nodded, and they walked off together. Beth had never seen her brother so distraught and couldn’t see what was causing it. Once they were far enough away from prying eyes, she began to question Jonathan.

  “What did you mean when you said Ben knew about this?” she asked.

  “I promised Josh I’d never talk about it.”

  “Jonathan, if you have any idea where Ben is, you have to tell me. He could need our help.”

  Jonathan hesitated. He was sure that Beth wouldn’t believe him. He kicked at the rocks on the road, turning his face from hers. He shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his pants and rolled his shoulders. Finally, he broke the silence.

  “Benjamin could see the future in his dreams,” he said, “and his father often beat him for it. He would have tried to stop Josh from going on that hunting trip, even though revealing his dream would put him at risk.”

  “And you think his father took the beating too far?” she asked cautiously, stunned by the disclosure.

  “I don’t know,” he replied.

  Beth grabbed his arm.

  “You must never speak of this. Without proof, you might very well be condemning an innocent man.”

  “I knew you wouldn’t believe me.” He pulled away.

  “Jonathan, listen to yourself. Listen to how this sounds.”

  “Josh never lied to me about anything! And he didn’t lie about this either!” His face became flushed as he yelled at her.

  “I believe you,” she said. She could see how much this meant to him.

  “What?”

  “I believe you,” she repeated. “I believe you are telling the truth. I just don’t know what to do with it.”

  “Neither do I,” he replied. “I guess that’s why I’m so upset.”

  They started walking again but the mood had become tense and unsettled.

  “You really think their father could have done something like that?” Beth asked.

  “Josh told me that there were times he’d never seen someone so angry.” Jonathan looked at Beth with such desperation. He could see it was breaking her heart. Her lower lip quivered as she stared back at him. He knew she didn’t have an answer for anything he had just shared with her. He took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. He didn’t have any answers either.