Chapter 1
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here.”
- William Shakespeare
Ben stared out the passenger window as the red, orange, and yellow trees that lined the empty freeway whizzed by. The only thing he wanted was to get home, get in the shower, and scrub the demon stink off. After that, fall into bed, curl up next to his girl, and sleep. Two weeks in bed seemed like it might be sufficient. Except he wouldn’t get two weeks. He’d be lucky to get two hours before he and his brother were off again. They had promised a friend a favor, and it wasn’t something he felt right backing out of. No matter how exhausted he felt.
The exorcisms were really starting to take their toll. They’d never been easy, but lately, they seemed more chaotic, more violent, the demons even cockier and more belligerent than usual. There was a time not so long ago when sending them back to hell had given him a rush of power. Even after being banged and beaten up he’d felt good, almost like being high. But now, it left him physically and mentally drained. Perhaps he was just getting old. He was only in his mid-30s, but right now he felt 3 times his age.
He glanced over at his older brother behind the wheel of the black escalade. Aaron was wearing his priest’s uniform even though he wasn’t officially a priest anymore. He’d broken too many rules for that. But he insisted on still wearing it during an exorcism, convinced the clerical collar made the family of the afflicted feel more comfortable and confident in his ability to perform.
Ben felt the SUV start to decelerate as they went around a bend. ‘Welcome to Cold Rock Creek’, the sign read, and shortly behind that a familiar shack-like-looking structure came into view. The red neon light blinked urgently “open,” beckoning in anyone passing by before they made it into town.
Ben groaned and pressed his palms to his eyes regretting the decision to let his brother drive. “We’re almost home. Can we just get home?”
“It’s been a rough day, and I need a drink. The only thing I have at home is sparkling water.”
“You drink sparkling water now?”
“Yeah, I’ve ditched the soda. I’m only two years away from 40 now. And you’re not far behind me. We’ve got to stay healthy if we’re to keep up this life. Drink sparkling water, hit the gym more often, stuff like that.”
“You do realize beer is not healthy?” Ben pointed out dryly.
“Neither is losing your sanity because you’ve spent your entire existence chasing demons and trying to stay sober.” Aaron pulled into the dirt parking area right next to the only other car on the lot. A rusty old Ford that belonged to the only person willing to work the dingiest bar in town. For some reason, Aaron had a soft spot for the waitress and always wanted to make sure she had at least one regular customer.
“Come on,” Aaron said shutting off the car and giving his brother’s shoulder a squeeze. “Just one drink. Beers on me.” Ben sighed, he tended to avoid any substance that might dull his senses, or alter his sense of reality in any way. But after the day they had, he had to admit to himself an ice-cold beer did sound tempting right now. Not as tempting as a shower and a nap, but sometimes one can’t be too picky.
***
“Oof, you boys just get back from an exorcism?” The waitress called out wrinkling up her nose. Pam was in her mid-fifties, with bleach blond hair. Her roots were always an inch or two grown out, she wore too much makeup, smoked too many cigarettes, and probably drank more alcohol than she actually sold. But she was friendly, always had cold beers ready, and never complained too much about what shape Aaron and Ben arrived in.
“Yeah, sorry Pam,” Aaron said sheepishly, “we caught a little vomit on this one.”
“I ought to take you two and hose you off out back,” she tsked picking up a can of Febreeze and spraying around them. Now the bar smelled like puke, urine, and lilacs, which wasn’t all that different from its regular smell. “If I have any more customers come in, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
“No problem Pam,” Aaron said dropping two $20 bills on the counter, knowing that it was likely an idle threat.
Pam scooped up the money promptly tucking it inside of her bra. She huffed like she was upset, but in truth, she was pleased just to have paying customers.
“How’s business Pam?” Aaron asked wrapping his hands around the beer she offered.
“Oh, I’m managing,” Pam responded. She handed Ben his drink, but he barely acknowledged it as their conversation floated into the background. An all too familiar ice-cold snake curled around his spine and slid up his back to wrap around his neck. Even before the back door opened he knew something bad was about to enter.
He twisted the ring around on his finger, hiding the four stones embedded there. Instinctively he knew to keep it hidden, to keep it safe. It was something he’d had since he was a boy although he never remembered how he obtained it. The ring had grown with him, always fitting perfectly from small child to man, and he never took it off. The touch of it comforted him and the noose around his neck loosened.
Aaron and Pam stopped their conversation in mid-sentence, surprised as the bar door slowly creaked open and a man in his early 30′s wearing an expensive double-breasted suit stood framed in the doorway. He stayed motionless for a moment, poised as if ready to have his photograph taken, allowing just enough time for the room to admire his beauty.
“Holy shit!” Pam whispered, unable to hide her excitement. “Is that who I think it is? Inmybar?” Aaron looked over at the man and then quickly over to his brother. The expression on Ben’s face was all he needed to confirm his suspicions.
“It’s Derik Draven.TheDerik Draven.” She huffed in exasperation at the lack of excitement from the two brothers. “Lead singer of A Jolly Apocalypse! I heard rumors that he was taking a break from the music business and was hiding out here. I guess they weren’t just rumors. God damn, he’s even hotter in person.”
“There’s a band called the Jolly Apocalypse?” Aaron raised his eyebrows. “And you listen to them?”
Pam blushed, it was the first time the brothers had seen her face so red. “Hey, that man can croon. He’s not just a pretty face, he has real talent. When he sings it’s like your eardrums are being caressed by velvet. And his lyrics, he writes them all himself, they hit you right here,” she said jabbing a finger in Aaron’s chest. “This is once in a lifetime. I’m getting a picture with him.”
“Pam,” Aaron tried to grab her arm but she shook him off.
“He’s not going to hurt her,” Ben said. “He’s not here for her.” He watched as Pam gushed and the demon politely agreed to pictures and an autograph. “Tell me he isn’t signing her boobs right now,” Ben said as the demon leaned in and Pam giggled like a schoolgirl. The demon smiled over Pam’s shoulder, his perfect white teeth flashing like a rabid animal.
“Yup, he sure is,” Aaron said. “I think I just threw up in my mouth. This is one of the big boys isn’t it?”
“There’s only one demon higher up than this one.”
"Shit...”
The demon took one last selfie with Pam and slapped the old jukebox that had sat broken and neglected in the corner. A puff of dust scattered into the air and as if by magic a burst of music made Pam jump and then laugh out loud with joy. “That old thing hasn’t worked in years!” She exclaimed.
The demon sauntered over to the brothers his arms open wide as if about to offer a hug, “Pam, go get the good stuff out of the back room. These two look like they could use something a little stronger than what they’re drinking.”
“Um, there’s not really anything good in the back...” Pam said looking embarrassed.
“Go double-check, see what you can find,” the demon said with a wink. His dark eye rested on Aaron, “And you, that beer is running right through you. You should really use the little boy’s room before vomit isn’t the only thing soiling your garments.”
“It’s fine Aaron,” Ben said at his brother’s objections. “I’ll be fine.”
Suddenly Aaron did have a terrible urge to use the toilet. The demon watched with amusement as the ex-priest grabbed his crotch and danced his way to the bathroom, unable to hold it any longer.
“You can thank me later for sending your brother away, Abednego,” the demon grinned. Ben flinched at the use of his full name as a heavy hand landed on his shoulder. The only people that called him Abednego anymore were demons, and his mother when she was angry. “I figured he wasn’t aware of just how well acquainted we are.” The demon grinned and did a little turn. “So what do you think of my new meat suit? Rock star suites me, don’t you think?”
“I think cockroach would suit you better,” Ben said blandly.
The demon laughed, “I always appreciate your sense of humor. So, I heard you sent one of my good friends back into hell today.”
“That just could not be. You don’t have any friends, Maleck. Or should I call you Derik now?” Ben’s smile was humorless, his hand wrapped around the beer he had no intention of finishing. It had gone warm by now anyway and he squeezed it, his knuckles going white.
“Oh how you wound me,” Maleck said, his hand mockingly going to his heart. “I thought we were friends. We worked so well together. Made such an extraordinary team. Like Bonny and Clyde, Frank and Jesse James, Sid and Nancy...”
“Sid killed Nancy.”
“So he did,” Maleck said. “Perhaps if that woman had been less argumentative.”
“Perhaps Sid was just a dick. Tell me what it is you want, so I can politely decline and get on with my evening.”
“So hostile Benny. I just don’t understand it. You act as if our last agreement wasn’t mutually beneficial.”
“It bought her some time is all.”
Maleck leaned back on his heels affronted. “And ungrateful too. To some immortal creatures, yes, time is meaningless. But to the rest of us who on are the clock, time is a precious thing. Especially when it is running out. I would have expected a little more gratitude.”
Ben turned to look at Maleck in the eyes for the first time. “I would have a lot moregratitudeif you actually lived up to the second half of our agreement. The part about you staying the hell away from me.”
“Ah yes, about that Abednego, I’m going to have to break that part of our arrangement. As you know we demons tend to do that sort of thing. And I need another favor from you,Gatekeeper,”Maleck emphasized the last word and Ben flinched. It was what the demons referred to him now, Gatekeeper. A nickname coined by Maleck himself. ”Of course, in return, I’ll do something for you.”
“I want nothing from you Maleck. You should leave. Before things start going badly for you.”
“I’d like to see you try in the shape you’re currently in. Wouldn’t that be a hoot?” Maleck’s smile was a bearing of teeth. “But sadly I don’t have time to hang around and watch you show off. An old mutual friend of ours has finally come out of hiding, and I just can’t wait to see her.” Ben looked at him, his brow furrowing in confusion. In the back, they could hear Pam whooping in disbelief.
“Looks like Pam found the good stuff. Water into wine? Bah! Try turning Bud Light into Dom Perignon.” Maleck’s smile widened. “Think about my offer though.” He squeezed Ben’s shoulder. “There must be something you want. No matter how righteous a man thinks he is. There is always something wicked he desires.”
writing here…
