Hell's Captive(First 8 Ch.)

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Ch.12

13

Mallory awoke in the dead of night, the air a moist and humid oven that engulfed the dreary landscape of the world bathed in obscurity just beyond the window. Having suffered from chronic insomnia for the past five years, she awakened in an altered state of mind finding it hard to distinguish between what was reality, and what remained a dream. Stumbling out of bed, she drowsily staggered towards the French double doors, gateway to the balcony that lay beyond it. She glanced over the black, iron bars that held it firm in place, the bars were icy and frigid to her touch, sending a new series of shivers down her spine. The wind howled in the night, making a gust of wind carry leaves past her face, they danced and twirled as if they were marionettes controlled by a puppet master at the end of the invisible strings. She shivered and pulled her robe close to her, it’s velvet softness warming her body. She stopped in mid thought when she sensed another presence besides her own. Wearily, she tilted her head to look behind her. Strong, muscular arms pushed her against the railing and inserted a damp cloth into her mouth. A scream caught in her throat as she shivered under the man’s ice cold stare. 4

"If you move I’ll kill you." He snarled coldly, as he pulled her close to him and descended the rope that hung below the balcony. The man skimmed the rope effortlessly as they vanished into the cold, barren night. 5

26

Mallory awoke in disarray, as she frantically scanned the contents of the dark, damp room. Glancing down, she noticed that both her hands and feet were bound in thick ropes. Where was she, what was going to happen to her? She asked herself silently, afraid of the answers and consequences that might follow. The hollow sound of footsteps echoed throughout the room. A tall man knelt down in front of her and forcefully grasped her trembling chin to look him in the eyes. Those same dark, cold eyes that haunted her before she had collapsed into her unknown pursuer’s arms, as they plunged down into a dark oblivion.7

"You look frightened Mallory, what’s wrong?" The man asked in a hauntingly solemn voice.8

Having no other choice in the matter she looked him square in the eye and braced herself to speak.9

"You said my name, but I’ve never seen you before in my life, who are you?"10

The stranger seemed genuinely amused at the girl’s ability to transform a grim, unpredictable situation into a passionate interrogation.11

"My dear, I did not bring you here to harm you, nor would I intend it. And please, spare me the formalities and call me Brian." 12

Brian wore a face of a gambler; a solemn smirk heightened his cold features. Not a day over 30, his dark blue eyes seemed to be as misleading as starring into a murky ocean, his straight black hair hung in an attractive layered cut just below his ears. Although his complexion was gothic pale he was indefinitely handsome. A face that could easily belong to your average serial killer, but unfortunately she wasn’t a psychologist and couldn’t interpret his motives, she had nothing more to do then play the waiting game.13

Several hours later she was resurrected from her submerged thoughts by a light, but startling tap of the shoulder. She jerked upward to meet Brian’s gaze.14

"What?" she asked almost embarrassed by the way he was scrutinizing her.15

"Nothing, I was just noticing how beautiful you are, and that it’s almost time to go."16

"Time to go where?" She asked in an accusatory tone.17

He cocked his head and charmed her with an intimidating grin.18

"In a hour’s time, you will come with me to get our next guest." Her eyes widened in surprise as she took a hard blow to the head. Brian brushed the blood off his forehead, as Mallory lay unconscious in her chair-confined prison.19

The exhaust of a car sounded the dead night, the constant trembling of the engine’s low groans disturbed Mallory’s peaceful state of sleep. Brian turned around and grinned at her. 20

"Oh, your awake. Sorry about knocking you out there, it was what had to be done." He admonished with a wink.21

Mallory heaved a great sigh as she pressed her cheek to the cold glass window. The dreary landscape made her appear much paler then normal, and her unruly captor appeared to resemble a ghost. Mallory’s long, espresso colored hair framed her thin face, and her large sapphire eyes appeared to be exploring a distant land with a far off gaze. She shifted in her seat, she was in a harness that bound her legs and arms in place just incase a sinister thought of escape should happen to cross her mind. She let her gaze wander outside the window, the tops of evergreens danced wildly in the wind, as if to display their beauty and magnificence to any onlooker that might pass by. In Mallory’s mind, she was swinging on a swing from the tree nonchalantly, her face was evident in immense laughter and emotion as she swayed back in fourth. Back to reality, her cerulean eyes remained glazed over, as a sheepish grin crossed her otherwise placid face. The sweet dream was shattered when the Chevy Tahoe screeched to an abrupt stop causing Mallory to spring forward, but heavily under the influence of the harness she remained unscathed. Brian looked back at her and nodded towards the large house on the left.22

"It is time." He said while slamming the door shut, sneering all the way to her door.23

He thrusted the door open and pried her out of the harness so forcefully, she had to catch her breath. Grabbing her slender wrist, he cuffed her and led her towards the house in such an elegant manner she thought she was a celebrity fit for adulation. But as they drew nearer towards the house, she came into realization that it wasn’t the red carpet of fame and fortune she would be walking upon, but the red carpet of pain and suffering. A road that would most likely lead to a cul-de-sac of death if she wasn’t determined enough to find a safe lane.24

325

The door was open. The girl watched as Brian slowly turned the bronze knob inward, he planted his feet on the front step and guided her inside. He detected movement in the foyer area. Curious, he turned his head towards the plush armchair over flowing with pillows. He cuffed Mallory to a metal chair and smiled. "Stay here." He told her affectionately. He stood in front of the arm chair and eyed it suspiciously, it stood solo in the darkened corner bathed in shadows, beams of darkness stretched longingly at the bare, luminous ceiling as if it desired nothing more but to engulf the paleness into it’s shadowy realm. 26

Brian drew a .38 Caliber Special from the pocket in his dark wash jeans; he cocked his head to the side in amusement, 27

"Look I know your there, so let me see you David." He said in a smooth, melodious tune.28

Reluctantly the man edged away from the chair and shook the choppy blonde hair in place that fell at his shoulders. His intense green eyes burned with conciliation. He wore a loose brown corduroy jacket with a white tank top underneath, and his light denim jeans flowed copiously down to his charcoal colored boots. Although Mallory was cuffed to the chair her gaze lingered on the man. He seemed to be an apparition from a distant land, a silky beam of light seemed to lap up his celestial prescience. He was young, probably only 25, but his eyes were wise for his years, although no age lines were visible on his alabaster skin he had the ability to glimpse into your soul. 29

He noticed her staring at him and smiled, and then refocused a stony gaze on Brian. His smile radiated all the heat in the room around him, he was too peaceable to be true and he made her heart quiver wildly against her chest. Who was this mystery man? She asked herself.30

"What is it David?" Brian questioned. "Why do you continue to look at me with such defiance in your eyes? You know I just want what’s best for you." His ice blue eyes glowed with self-righteousness.31

"Will you not come with me willingly?"32

David shook his blonde mane in contempt.33

"In that case, I’ll have to change your mind." Brian walked towards Mallory and jerked her wrist up. She winced in pain as the chair rose with her cuffed arm. A snap broke the silence as the metal leg of the chair penetrated her wrist bone. A sharp cry of anguish and fear exploded through out the room as she hung her head in despair and tremors consumed her body.34

David hugged himself and dropped to his knees and shook violently. He wiped the sweat from his face and glared furiously at Brian, his eyes no longer angelic but enraged.35

"Enough!" he shouted angrily. "I’ll come."36

Brian looked satisfied with the reaction and halted in any further misery towards the girl and approached David.37

"Well then, this could prove very interesting indeed." And with the jubilant smile of a five-year-old being presented with a chocolate cake spread across his face he left the house, with Mallory in cuffs and David following willingly behind. 38

439

The drive back to Brian’s house was spent in silence. Every now and then the sound of Mallory fidgeting in the harness arose, but otherwise it was deathly quiet. Mallory looked out the window to notice dusk befalling the California city of San Diego. A canvas of gold’s and shades of violet cascaded across the sky in marvelous shapes and designs. The painter in the sky had been busy with his colorful palate and skillful brush. David stared longingly at the masterpiece and tears breached the surface of his eyes. The look was so unique that Mallory had to do a double take. There was a yearning and sense of loss concealed in his eyes, as if he had remembered something valuable to him that now dangled in front of him by the fishing line of fate, by gazing at the colorful sky.40

An hour passed and the sunset had been swallowed up in the behemoth of darkness, the bewitching hour, as some would call it. She had to squint to make the architecture of the houses visible, they stood huddled together in the shadows, only the occasional glimmer of light in a passing house could disturb the relentless darkness that occupied the sky for hours to come. Mallory couldn’t explain why, but the dark made her feel uneasy. Although she was a mature age of 19, she couldn’t shake of the malevolent effect the night bestowed upon her. Brian glanced back at Mallory and David, a wicked smile stretched across his face revealing two rows of jagged edged teeth, Mallory had to get around the thought of a great white shark preparing to launch at it’s prey. His eyes were dilated and alive in the night, treacherous to look at.41

"We’re almost home precious." He said to Mallory in a sickening sugary voice. If she had endured anymore of his chivalrous words she felt that her teeth would decay from the creepy sweetness of his voice. She looked over at David for comfort, but was faced with a distant gaze in his heavenly green eyes most likely exploring a sanctuary of comfort and serenity. The car drove on, and the nightmare continued down the chilling path of the unknown. 42

543

Mallory turned her head to the side when she noticed Brian walking towards the parked car, they were in front of a three-story lake house. A brick mailbox stood anchored to the ground with bold black letters scribed on its surface, she squinted to make the letters visible. "3560 Brian Wexler." She assumed that Wexler was Brian’s last name, and that it was his house that they were parked in front of. This was the first time she was able to see his house clearly, considering when she was initially brought to it was during night fall and she was too incoherent to register anything. The white stucco Mexican house was charming and rather credulous. If she hadn’t known any better, she would of thought the house belonged to a well off suburban family. Leafy Azaleas and bountiful bushes of Oleander stood swaying in the wind, the alluring pink and white flowers of the Oleander looked innocent standing aside the house, as if to masquerade their true poisonous features to a calm, and appealing sight. She looked over at David and saw that his eyes were wide and anxiety ridden, making her a little worried at his all of a sudden startled appearance. 44

"When he comes to your door, duck." He told her with his warning eyes lingering on her.45

She looked at him and turned her head to one side in confusion, "What?" she asked, not grasping the situation.46

The sound of un-oiled hinges creaking forced her attention to the door as Brian un latched her from the harness. 47

"How is my little Angel?" he replied cynically.48

"As good as I’m going to be in a situation like this." She said through clenched teeth.49

"I’m glad" He voiced sweetly.50

The punch had come so quickly and hard to her face she hardly had time to hear the uneasiness in David’s voice rise as he said her name.51

"Sorry Sweetie." Brian said sourly, as he carried her to his unearthly haven, forcing David at gunpoint to follow behind.52

David passed through the alpine doorway, A record’s music was echoing throughout the acoustic walls of the shadowed entrance. He recognized the rendition as "These Eyes" by The Guess Who. Although the band was before his time he enjoyed them nonetheless, today’s music wasn’t what it was all hipped up to be, he liked the good old fashioned rock n’ roll. He surveyed the room diligently, mahogany wooden floors covered the vast space of an unfurnished living room complete with only a shabby love seat and a tattered lazy boy armchair, the leather interior was falling apart and the upholstery was in great need of a sprucing. Cobwebs clung to each shadow infested corner of the room. At a moment’s glance he expected to see a spider crawl out from the depths of an over hanging web, the eight-legged abomination would sooner or later show it’s true impish behavior. 53

"These eyes, cry for you every night, these arms long to hold you, again the hurtin’s on me yea, but I will never be free, oh my baby no, no." The song’s lyrics haunted the room with an out of this world affect, he shivered at how it clashed with the darkness that shrouded the room in maniacal prescience. 54

Brian looked back at David and smiled at him, "Wonderful song isn’t it?" he said.55

David glared at him, "Just wonderful." He said full of animosity. 56

"What’s wrong boy? Have I got you all upset? Does the seraph dislike seeing me carrying a violated innocent?" 57

"You sick bastard." David said getting ready to draw a punch.58

"I wouldn’t be too hasty David. You see, this gun here in my hand is aimed at your head, make me cross and these walls will be covered in your blood. What an un pleasant sight for dear Mallory to feast her waking eyes upon the insides of her so called savior embellished upon the interior of my house."59

Brian turned Mallory’s unconscious head up to face him and pressed his cold lips to her still warm ones. 60

"These eyes, are crying, these eyes have seen a lot of love, but they’re never gonna see another one like I had with you, baby, baby, baby." He serenaded to her mockingly as the song concluded and the lyrics of "Laughing" followed. 61

"I would just hate to see anything happen to her, wouldn’t you?" Brian replied sadistically.62

"Don’t you even think about it you bastard!" David yelled.63

"My, for an angel of God, you sure have a crude mouth. Words like that offend me greatly, so please refrain from using them." He wore a twisted smile plastered on his face and a matching set of crazed eyes. 64

"I have nothing more to say to you." David stated while quivering with rage.65

"Maybe so, but please be ever so kind to follow me to the room you and your precious Mallory shall be staying. For the time being, that is."66

Brian chaperoned David to a dark cellar and ushered him inside, while setting Mallory gently on an oversized cushion. 67

"Try not to get too comfortable," Brian said, "For I shall be returning soon."68

Ch.269

Mallory surveyed the room with her eyes taking in every miniscule detail that the dark, dreary cellar consumed. Her eyes widened in panic as she realized the room was familiar to her. The same room she was bound to a chair in, where she first met the infamous Brian, most likely to be a serial killer or a psycho gone berserk who secretly stored bodies by the dozens in the somber corners of the ominous room. It hadn’t even been 24 hours since those frightening events occurred, but it seemed like days to her. What was going to happen to her? She asked herself. She held her knees against her chest and rocked back and fourth, the perpetual motion of the rocking equaled the swaying of a ship tied to a dock in a foreboding harbor with water black as night, the gentle movements of the boat sending miniature waves across the waters surface.70

"Mallory, what’s wrong?" David said while scooting closer to her. She looked at him through her large blue eyes, sorrow and fear could easily be seen in the depths of them. Dammit! He shouted to himself. He hated seeing people display signs of fear and sorrow, to him emotions like that shouldn’t be allowed to exist, but he had to except the fact that people in the world wouldn’t be able to enjoy the happiness and simple pleasures in the world, if it was all overly impish. But what he hated most of all was that a person he cared about more then he himself could ever realize was sitting beside him wracked with pain. He put a comforting arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to him.71

"Don’t be afraid. I know it’s hard, but we’ll find a way out of this mess somehow, you just have to believe in me."72

She looked at him, her eyes no longer exploring distant expanses, but clear and focused on her speaker.73

"Believe, Mallory." He repeated with a smile.74

She heaved a sigh and stared at him, an uncomfortable silence was held for three minutes before she finally spoke.75

"So what are your suggestions?" she said frightened, but steady.76

"Well for starters, we could get out of this hell hole and teach that prick a thing or two."77

A small laugh escaped her tightly sealed lips as she struggled to remain brave.78

"Can I ask you a question David?" she questioned timidly. 79

He looked into her eyes, she was so beautiful when she smiled, he liked the way she brought life and light into a macabre situation. "Sure." He acknowledged.80

"Why did Brian abduct me tonight? What was the purpose? How did you get into this, and why are we being held captive?" She interrogated him. 81

David’s smile vanished as he took her hand in his and squeezed it tightly, she was going to need comfort to take in the information he was about to share.82

"He wants your soul Mallory…" He said in a solemn voice.83

"What do you mean? Is this some kind of sick joke?"84

David shook his head in disagreement. "No, but I wish more then anything I could tell you it was, but I cant. Nothing is for certain in this situation, Brian is…unpredictable, but I do have a connection with him. Call it a sixth sense if you will."85

"So it isn’t a joke. Well, explain it to me!" she cried out as she glanced in to David’s refreshing verdant eyes, not a trace of darkness lied in them.86

"I will explain it to you. When the time is right, but right now you have to promise you will trust me." He looked at her with concern and refuge in his eyes.87

"I promise." 88

"Good. I will tell you shortly, but for now stay close to my side, while I get us out of this foreshadowed graveyard. I will do everything within my power to keep you safe, I will not lose you to that corrupt man, I just won’t!" He voiced while blinking back tears, tightening the grip on Mallory’s hand.89

190

David awoke from his abyssal state of sleep. He opened his eyes as he let his mind wander foreign lands. He had to be able to think clearly without distractions if he was to formulate a plan for Mallory and him to have a clean escape. He looked down at her, she had her head rested on his arm and her hand gripped around his wrist for comfort. Her eyes were focused not upon him, but on something off to the side. He noticed she was fingering something in one of her narrow jean pockets. A jagged piece of metal breached the surface as she displayed it into the open. A metal loop held a solo metal key with jagged edges along the side of it, a black plastic square rested above it, on the black square bore the words Mercedes and the recognizable logo. He was so focused on her he almost didn’t realize what its purpose could be. His eyes livened as he studied the key.91

"Mallory, that’s it!" he exclaimed. 92

Clearly understanding what he was trying to convey she placed the small key into his open palm.93

"I hope you have a plan. Just be thankful I have it at all, it’s a miracle he didn’t check my pockets. I’m so glad I wear jeans when I go to bed." She said with glistening eyes.94

"I have a plan, Jeans at night? That’s unusual, but hopefully your odd antics will get us saved."95

He got up from his confined floor tile and stretched his muscles, because he had been sitting on the same tile for quite some time his butt was sore and numb.96

"Have you ever had your ass fall asleep?" He asked while looking at Mallory.97

"Yea." She said giving him a look of amusement. 98

"It’s not pleasant." He replied smirking.99

"I know, don’t need to tell me that." She admonished with an adorable wink.100

"Do you see that window over there?" He indicated to the small four -pane window at the end of the room.101

"Yea, but I tried opening it before, it’s sealed shut."102

"I know, I also tried. But if you look closely you’ll notice a small keyhole on the latch. If we turn it hard enough, we might be able to get it to budge."103

"I sure hope so." Mallory said.104

"Me too." David took Mallory’s hand as they walked to the window together, the key their only beacon of hope in a sea of despair.105

2106

He walked in silence, the night was his. He wandered the deserted street of his neighborhood and laughed to himself. Two souls would be his tonight, the first belonging to an innocent girl just on the brink of adulthood, the other an angel from Heaven. The last one was sure to get him bonus points with Satan so he could relive his life in the fiery home of magma and decay he was so accustomed to. The dark prince Lucifer would welcome him back with open arms praising him on his good deeds. He squirmed with delight, today was a joyous occasion. He thought it was a perfect bargain for him and the two in his cellar. He would be granted with internal damnation in which he sought, and Mallory and David would be freed of the unclean and vile life they lived on Earth and would be his children to teach in Hell’s fiery depths. There, he would teach them to live out their true desires. Mallory would become his obedient and beloved wife. Occasionally he would travel with her to Earth so they could take pleasure in massive killings, aiding suicides, and ridding the world of unclean filth and so they could enjoy new company and loyal servants in Hell, it gets lonely there sometimes. David would be an angel no more, but just to make sure he didn’t plead to his miserable God for help, he would torture him until he would beg to become his puppet of darkness. And because Brian was such a compassionate and forgiving man he would show him redemption and teach him the ways of Hell, his angel ways would forever be left behind. His thoughts had excited him so much he almost didn’t notice one of his neighbors standing in front of him.107

"Hey Brian, what are you doing at this time of night out here? I was just taking out the trash and I noticed you with a dazed look on your face, what are you thinking about?"108

The man was highly annoying, he lived two doors down and went by the name of John Transky. He was a squat little man, around 50 years old, under 5"9 ft, and at least 45 lbs overweight. He was balding and had heavyset wrinkles around his face, but his crystal blue eyes shined with such generosity and amicability that it made Brian almost want to vomit right there on his bare, stubby little feet. 109

John waddled towards Brian and smiled at him. "So neighbor, what’s on your mind?"110

"Salvation." Brian said calmly.111

"I beg your pardon?" John asked with growing puzzlement on his face, but still continuing to keep up a stupid little grin.112

"John, I’m sorry I never got to know you well." Brian said with a smile. 113

John’s face lit up with excitement. "Hey, no sweat neighbor! I’m throwing a party tomorrow night at my house, please stop by and keep me company if you can. My bean burritos are out of this world!"114

"No, I’m afraid I’ll be far too busy, but thanks for the offer."115

The man’s face sagged in disappointment revealing the early beginning of a double chin.116

Anger and animosity seethed through Brian’s body as he came into realization that he hated this man. The world had no need for filth like him polluting it, he considered himself a recycleist. 117

"I’m sure you will have a much better life in Hell John." Brian said pleasantly.118

The man hardly had time to widen his sparkling blue eyes, the only quality worth mentioning of his sorry appearance. He dropped to the hard asphalt with a thud, making no last cries as he left the world. He laid face down in the crimson liquid of his own blood, his eyes gazing off into the grim face of death, and his mouth ajar. Brian dragged the man’s lifeless body and dumped it in a large trash bin. Before he left the yard he glimpsed one last peek at the dead man. Mustard and ketchup stains adorned the dirty white tank top that was plastered to the man’s body. Brian shook his head in disgust. Gluttony was one of the worse human traits. 119

"Farewell John, hopefully we will become friends in Hell, and if you’re on your best behavior you could be presented with a new body. Don’t worry buddy, you can thank me all you want later." He said affectionately to the dead corpse. 120

He closed the lid and used the garden hose in the front lawn to hose off the blood stained asphalt. He hated messes; cleanliness was always treasured when slobs were banished for their disgusting way of life. John Transky was defiantly a slob, Brian had done a good deed for the world by removing John from it, he was a sad little man and no one would come looking for him. Brian was obsessive-compulsive about cleaning, and was proud of it. People were glad to have him for a guest in their houses, for he left no mess. And they were rewarded for their hospitality with a VIP ticket to Hell. He swung his bag over his shoulder and stored his Beretta back inside, his favorite gun of his large collection. The perfect weapon of choice for ending pitiful John Transky’s meaningless life. The gun was equipped with a silencer, so no one would of heard the sound of death befalling poor John, he was spared from the tedious authorities interrogations and protocols. He skipped off to his car while humming AC/DC’s catchy tune "Hell’s Bells" and drove off into the night.121

"Mallory, David." He said. "Wait for me."122

3123

"Just turn it to the left, and pull with all your strength." Mallory coached to David as he forcefully turned the key in to the hole.124

She stared at him putting fourth all his energy to make the key budge. A sinking feeling filled the pit of her stomach, he wasn’t going to get it open. She was angry with herself for having ever thought that her car key could possibly work to open the dead bolt in the indisputable window. Tears filled her eyes as she futilely tried to blink them back, she was going to be stuck in the contemptible cellar with David forever! She turned her focus back on David to notice his progress was improving, blinking back tears she watched him intently. Something was happening.125

David’s hand luminously glowed with thick pearly light as he pressed it against the window. The frame crashed viciously to the shadowed ground below it and shattered into a million tiny fragments of jagged glass. Mallory’s eyes doubled in size, as she stood awestricken while speculating David. 126

"What happened? You just touched the window frame with your hand and it caved in! Why is your hand glowing, is this your power?"127

David sauntered over to Mallory and pressed his nose to her’s.128

"An angel only reveals their powers in times of emergency and chaos, you know that."129

He moved his lips down to hers and looked into her eyes. Serenity and ease were at peace in her composed, reflective gaze. A minute after his lips lingered upon her sweet ones, she jumped back in surprise and reached her hand to touch her face. An emerging rouge lighted her face in a rose tint, and her mouth opened meekly as she struggled with her words.130

"Oh." Was what finally came out.131

David almost laughed to himself, she was so innocent and sweet that it humored him. He was glad to be saving her from the despair that she would surely succumb to if he hadn’t been by her side.132

He stepped forward and grabbed her hand, while he pointed at the open window with the other.133

"Mallory, lets go. Now is our chance, you can finally be released from all your suffering and anxiety. Come with me, your free."134

She nodded with a smile as she shadowed him through the window leaping down to a sanctuary of liberty. The moist blades of grass felt so good on her skin, she was almost compelled to kiss the heavenly shrub. The night ahead was so dark and full of surprises that expectancy was rising within her. She looked over at David to notice him pointing towards a highway beyond the dusky forest. Together, they sprinted towards the obscure trees and disappeared into the infinite realm of darkness beyond. 135

Ch.3 136

Brian’s car drove through the thick blinds of darkness; no light could penetrate the ominous clouding that settled in the sky until 5:00 in the morning on a good day. Brian figured he had close to 3 or 4 hours until that time arose, plenty of time to take care of his admirable chores and his meager tasks of hospitality and sending people to better places. Yes, Brian Wexler was a good- natured man and prided himself on the very thought of it. 137

The car screeched to a painfully abrupt halt as he slammed his foot on the gas aggressively. He flexed his neck muscles and strained his head back wards against the headrest. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as he closed his eyes in immense concentration. His sixth sense was tingling. 138

"Son of a bitch!" he vexed aloud.139

David and Mallory had escaped the cellar in his house, but how? The very thought of the greasy bastard leading his precious Mallory to safety rubbed him the wrong way. Why couldn’t David of waited just an hour longer until he arrived? Mystery and anger twirled about his head in a cyclone of rage and turmoil. Brian was going to have to be much more stern this time around with David, he knew he would hate him for it but he would gradually learn to understand the true meaning of his intentions, and look up to his wise ways. A sneer spread across his pallid, stony face making his azure eyes liven with excitement and anticipation, he was going to find Mallory and David to teach them a lesson. Disobedience was a sin, the Lord himself stated "Thou shall not disobey" And his majesty Satan thrived on carrying out that sin with a stern and healthy punishment. That’s how life’s lessons were learned after all, there couldn’t be sinners and fascists wandering around without redemption. Brian’s heart skipped a beat, Satan himself had said to him that he was the one to administer that salvation, not a trigger happy, eccentric angel, or even God himself, but Brian. Such a large duty and responsibility would have been too much for a mortal, but Brian was no mere mortal, but an archfiend and hellion to Satan, he would not let his fair Lord down. He beamed with pride as he placed his foot back on to the gas and rode of into the waning hours of the morning. His way of business was in great need nowadays, and he was happy to oblige by granting quick and painless routes to the fiery paradise down below. 140

1141

Mallory’s body ached with weariness and pang, but she forced her aching body to carry on the journey to salvation. David kept a steady brisk pace ahead of her glancing back constantly to see if she was in need of assistance, she had assured him she was fine just a little slow and that she would catch up to him in no time. He had already saved her from the fearsome cellar, she would hate to impose anymore on him by whining about her pathetic mortal weaknesses. Although he was an angel and pure at heart and mind, she thought even he would get arise out of how pathetic and troublesome she was and would reconsider saving her commiserable life, she couldn’t even begin to risk that with her petty whining and discomforts. Swirls of color and abstract shapes clouded her vision as she struggled to keep a steady gaze, the sounds of the woods were amplified to echoes and infinite distorted sounds and voices. Her knees weakened as she tumbled into an endless dark tunnel with a distant echo of demonic whispers and twilight eyes among the shadows and perplexing atmospheres surrounding her. 142

"Mallory, can you here me? Mallory!"143

She awoke to David’s frantic voice of concern, she opened her eyes halfway as she gazed into his serene face, a drowsy smile marked her face in an euphoric half dream state. She wrapped her arms around David’s neck and sloppily kissed him on the lips, her hand traced swirls on his powerful chest. David blushed slightly as he laid her hand back by her side and settled her in the cot he had prepared by the fire.144

"Mallory, you’ll be okay. The spell will wear off soon. I should of known not to bring you into these woods, but I had no choice. The highway beyond it is our only escape route. I should have paid more attention to your weariness, but you insisted you were fine. Why must humans be so stubborn and prideful, did you think I would look at you any differently? Silly girl, I would never judge someone just because their abilities are less then mine. I’m an angel for God’s sake!" 145

Mallory’s eyes opened all the way as she sat up suddenly in her cot, gazing at the woods around her. She met David’s eyes and frowned in confusion.146

"What happened? Why am I here?"147

David sighed and smiled at her weekly. "You fainted Mallory, but your okay now. You were tired to begin with, and the woods absorbed all of the strength that you had left."148

"But why? It’s just a damned forest!"149

David shook his head in disagreement and held her gaze.150

"This is the forest of Necromancy, spirits, magic wielders, and sometimes even demons inhabit these woods. I am not of this world, so I was unaffected by their spells and lullabies. However, if a mortal or a wounded animal should wander into these woods, they would be lulled to sleep by the songs and incantations of the inhabitants and drained of their strength."151

"If you knew this would happen, why did you bring me here?" Mallory snapped.152

"I’m sorry, I had no other choice. In order for us to escape we had to cross this forest. But it won’t happen again, I assure you that."153

"How can you be so sure?" Mallory said while rising from the cot and throwing the blanket aside. 154

David walked towards her and placed a silver chain necklace with a large snowy feather in the center around her neck.155

"This necklace holds an angel’s feather. It will prevent the woods from draining anymore of your strength and keep you safe."156

Mallory fondled the feather in her hands and glanced up at David.157

"It’s beautiful, thank you."158

He nodded as he began to walk briskly towards the trees.159

"Come on, we must quickly depart from here if we want to get a good head start from Brian, he most likely knows of our escape by now. That necklace should liven your pace a bit so you won’t fall too much behind."160

Mallory sprinted to catch up to him as they embarked on their exciting and suspenseful journey ahead, she felt invigorated with each step she took and with her guardian angel smiling at her side.161

2 162

"How could they disobey me like that?!" Brian howled with rage, kicking an over turned box into the wall as he passed through the cellar in chaos. He spun in a circle hastily and collided his fist into the wall fiercely as a fiery ripple of pain jolted through his arm.163

"Dammit!" He yelled aloud, blinking back angry tears that still heavily caked to his dark eyelashes. He stopped walking when his trip led him to the open window. He stood in place while grinding his teeth together loudly in exasperation.164

"How could they? They broke my window and left!" He screamed at the top of his lungs in maddening fury while focusing on the open window. Sheer curtains billowed out at the sides in the wind’s play and shards of sharp glass littered the floor and the shadowy grass below. He molded his hands into tightly clenched fists as the nails on his fingers sought the soft flesh of his hands and sunk their piercing edges into them. He watched the floor as crimson streams of blood cascaded down his arms rapidly and formed two small puddles of rouge at the bottom of his feet. 165

A fiery red source of demonic light leaped from him to the walls, bathing the room in a rose tint. He backed away from the window and touched his hands to his face. His eyes were no longer a cold blue, but reptilian like, with two yellow slit pupils in each not white, but red eye. His breathing ascended from shallow to rugged as he dug his inhumanly sharp nails into his arm.166

He stood silently for a few minutes when a grin spread across his face. He knew where David was. He was heading towards his own house with the girl in his possession.167

"David, when I get my hands on you, I’m going to crucify you!" He shrieked as his cry escalated to maniacal laughter that could be heard miles away. 168

3169

David led Mallory out of the woods as she rested her elbows on her knees and exhaled loudly. She had done a reasonably good job with keeping up, most likely because of the necklace, but enough was enough, she bent her knees to a dangerously low angle as she squatted on a blunt tree stump that rose from the ground.170

"God I’m tired! We’ve been walking for hours and I was fine, but now I have to rest. You don’t mind do you?" she looked up at him with her magnificent blue eyes, they sparkled with determination and tranquility. They really should be moving on, but he couldn’t refuse her, not this perfectly lovable girl. He locked gazes with her and returned the smile revealing a brightness and sense of assurance that only an angelic being could insure.171

"No, I don’t mind. We can rest for an hour." His words seemed to take a tremendous load off her. She sighed loudly and arched her back over the stump and reached her hands backwards to touch the ground. Long locks of her lustrous dark hair fanned out on the dirt matted ground below her. She had no fear of getting dirty, she was as carefree as a small child. A painful feeling stabbed at his chest as he took a step back and averted his gaze. He knew love with a mortal was forbidden, but he couldn’t deny his feelings. He loved this girl. If he couldn’t express them freely, he would lock them up inside for only himself to see and feel. They remained at the exit of the woods in eerie silence. Neither had spoken a word to one another in more then thirty minutes. Mallory was still suspended over the stump. She could be resting peacefully. Infact, he was almost positive she was, but he couldn’t take a risk. He walked briskly to the stump and looked down at her. Her pale complexion was hinted with a slight rosy tint, and her eyes were closed with her long lashes fanning out from her closed lids. Her generous lips remained slightly parted and her thin arms dangled limply off the stump while her hair lay in a heap on the ground. He could almost imagine that when she woke up she would be stricken with sleep pains in both arms. He hovered over her for a minute to make sure he was in no danger of her waking. Her lids remained closed. He pressed his lips to hers softly as his heart raged wildly in his chest. To his surprise, she returned the kiss with immense force, touching her tongue with his. She sat up, shook her hair back and looked him in the eyes.172

"Hey there." She replied with evident affection. He lurched back in surprise and blushed heavily. "I-It’s not what you think!" She got up from the stump and walked towards him with an impish smirk on her face, she stopped two feet in front of him. "Then what was is?" She leaned in for a kiss when he shoved her backwards, she went down hard to the ground, her features contorted to pain and shock. A scowl replaced her grin as she glared up at him and attempted to get up. "What the hell was that for?!"173

Surprised and embarrassed by his actions he helped her up then stepped back.174

"I’m sorry," he said remorsefully, "But this cant happen. WE can’t happen, for reasons you cant even begin to understand. Please disregard what I did earlier, and find it in your heart to forgive me for shoving you, but we need to go now." She looked at him with reproach in her eyes and cursed angrily. "Fine." She replied. 175

They breached the exit of the woods at a distance as they walked on through the waning morning light. He hated to leave it this way, but there was nothing he could do now. They had to make it to his house before Brian got there first. 176

Ch.4177

Arthur Brooks sat facing the computer in immense concentration, the glowing numbers on the screen shown vibrantly on the translucent surface. A calculator laid patiently for use to his right as he strained his eyes to see a complicated math problem more clearly. He sighed occasionally between calculations while gazing towards the single office window, but continued working as studious as an eager to learn schoolboy. Arthur had been with the police force for close to nine years and one of their most capable and dedicated agents, it was his life and his fellow colleagues in the bureau were his only family. He was a Yale graduate student with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Accounting, which he practiced on the side of his man hunting. He was known as Arty to his fellow companions and was growing accustomed to the ever-comical nickname. Arty had not been married in eight years, and to make matters worse hadn’t had anything more then casual coffee and movie dates with women. He had been celibate for seven years and counting and could easily shave his head, adorn a loose robe, and become a dedicated monk basking in his celibacy and optimistic views. He was unusually thin for 6"2 and had dark, close cropped hair. His olive complexion matched his large hazel-brown eyes, his face was slack and long, and his lips thin and colorless. Arthur was no closer to an ugly man then he was an attractive one, he was on the verge of homely and plain, but once he flashed his perfectly straight pearly whites he leaned towards almost charming. The childish names: Arty the artist, Arty the arsonist, and Arty the aardvark seemed to go with his attire. He looked rather foolish in his aqua button down shirt, black and purple plaid tie, and high water black slacks with battered brown suede shoes with more scuff marks then material on them, he rather suited these frivolous titles.178

"Arty my man, found anything new?" Ted Mason his chief in command said while beaming down on him but frowned when he saw the calculator.179

"You haven’t been doing more math equations when your supposed to be looking for leads have you?" His bushman eye brows furrowed in contempt reminding Arthur of twin caterpillars.180

"I’m sorry sir, but I already finished my load and I’m on my break so I thought I would get some practice in."181

"Arthur, I don’t pay you to think, I pay you to work, now put those things away and indulge me with those leads!" He stomped his heavily shined shoe on the ground eagerly.182

Arthur tucked the calculator in his brief case and pulled up the file while retrieving a pair of small framed reading glasses.183

"Yes, I have done some research on the murder of John Transky, neighbor remarks of an attractive young man close to his early or mid thirties with black hair and unusually vibrant blue eyes lead me to the file of Brian Wexler. But the files are heavily encrypted."184

The chief smiled at the progress and scratched his chin with the intent of tearing a new one.185

"How do you suppose we get these files to crack?" He asked raising his insectile eyebrows once more.186

Smiling while twiddling his pen Arthur said, "Bring me Sherry Carson."187

1188

After much walking and silence, David and Mallory finally arrived at David’s house just beyond the woods. Nervously turning his head to look at Mallory, he contemplated weather or not to break the silence.189

“How long are you going to give me the silent treatment Mallory?” he asked wearily. She turned towards him, her eyes fuming with anger, her lip curled defiantly. 190

“However long it takes.” She said coolly as she brushed past him and continued walking ahead of him.191

“Wait!” he cried out. Grabbing her wrist, he pushed her against the house, their faces inches apart. Mallory winced in surprise as she raised her hand to slap him. 192

“What do you think your doing?” She demanded. David caught her fist and held her hand in his.193

“Stop Mallory, this isn’t you. I know you have feelings for me, and I assure you this isn’t one sided.” 194

She gasped in surprise while relinquishing her grip on his hand. “You do like me? Then why did you shove me and crush my hopes?”195

He sighed while looking into her eyes. “Because I am an angel, and you are human. It wouldn’t work. But if you can be patient, I can make you one. Then we could be together.”196

“Really, an angel? Will I have wings too?” She asked excitedly. 197

“Maybe, it depends. Angels don’t just fly around all day, you’re confusing that with fairy tales.”198

Just as she was about to speak, he leaned towards her and planted a kiss. She greedily pulled him towards her, clumsily fumbling with his shirt buttons. He gently quieted her hand and stepped back smiling.199

“That should hold you until the time comes, will you be okay until then?”200

She blushed, but concealed her passion. “If I have to be.”201

“You do.” He replied.202

“Then yes. Can we go inside now?”203

“Sure.” He said smiling broadly while holding the door open for her.204

Mallory stepped inside, her heart beating like an entire percussion section inside her chest. The wooden, small house looked run down from the front, but once inside she felt she was in a palace. Tall ebony beams rose up to meet the tall arched ceiling, while a crystal diamond chandelier dangled from a long, golden chain. The fire in the beautifully furnished fireplace blazed brightly. A plush white, suede couch and a leather recliner were displayed in the middle of the room. She walked towards the couch and sat down; relief was in her face as she rested her exhausted body on the soft furniture.205

“Wow! I had no idea you were this rich.” She exclaimed wildly.206

“That’s the general idea.” He said grinning.207

“What do you mean?” Mallory asked perplexed.208

“Well you see, this is a crime populated area where I live, so I figured if the house looks like shit on the outside, no one will bother to break in and play thief. Common thugs and criminals don’t go by Don’t judge a book by its cover.” David explained.209

“I guess that makes since.”210

“Hey, are you hungry?” David asked.211

Smiling and patting her slender stomach, Mallory rose from the couch with the impression of a spirit rising from its host and sauntered over to David. 212

“I thought you’d never ask! I’m famished.”213

“Spaghetti okay?”214

“Sounds perfect. Where’s your bathroom? I just need to freshen up if it’s okay.”215

“No problem. Down the hall, 5th floor on the right.”216

“Sounds complicated, but I’m sure I can manage.”217

“Do you need help? I can show you where it is.” David offered.218

Mallory held out one hand in retaliation in front of her blushing face. “No that’s okay, I’ll manage. But thank you.” 219

David nodded as he went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. 220

Walking down the obscure hallway Mallory squinted to see through the penetrating darkness. The lights were on just a minute ago, maybe David turned them off. She thought silently to herself. When she approached the bathroom, she could see the shadowed outline of a toilet, twin sinks, shower, and spa bath. Fear churned and brewed in her chest like chemicals in a witch’s black cauldron, but she over came her sudden paranoia and walked through the entrance of the bathroom. She turned on the lights and glanced over the room. No demons lurked in the shadows, no great beasts of darkness awaited to devour young girls who might wander into its cave. The bathroom was anything but a haven for beasts, but instead, charming and luxurious. She blushed when she realized a place wear people do a different kind of business was twice the size of her bedroom. She leaned against the wall and sighed, brushing back a piece of loose hair. She looked into the large crystal mirror and jumped back in surprise. Her face was gaunt and ashy, her eyes sunken, her mascara smeared in rich globs across her face, and her face pasty and shockingly pale. She picked up a hand towel from the golden brass ring embedded in the wall. She held it under cold water as she applied it to her skin, the mascara marks vanishing under the cool, moist cloth. She had no make-up with her, so she had to go all natural. She didn’t mind, people had told her she was beautiful with no make-up and had a flawless complexion. But after two days of no bathing and food, grueling physical endurance, and cold stark fear harboring inside her, she could hardly be called beautiful. She rubbed her cheeks furiously until a slight pink tint rose above her cheekbones. She wet and turned up her eyelashes with her finger and smoothed down her fly aways on her eyebrows. She picked up a brush on the counter and ran it through her knotted hair until it was transformed to sleek and shiny. She was amazed that after two days of not showering it could still look out of a shampoo commercial good, and not in the least bit greasy. She spotted a tube of Vaseline on the counter and smoothed it on her lips with her finger, instantly banishing blisters and leaving a soft pink shine. Before she returned it to its place it fell out of her grasp, rolling down into a crevasse of the floor, clinking loudly on the tile as it tumbled out of her hand. She bent down to retrieve it but as she came up to meet her reflection she was faced with another besides her own. Brian’s black, straight hair hung in a tangled mess in front of him as he hungrily licked his lips. 221

“Boo.” He growled ravenously.222

Before a scream could escape Mallory’s lips, a liquid soaked cloth came to her mouth, causing her to pass out on contact.223

“Good, good, sleep my child.” Brian cooed to her as he threw her over his back. He escaped through the open window with creaking hinges above the hot tub, hoisting her up higher as he descended to the ground and bolted into a jog to his car parked in the adjacent neighbor hood.224

2 225

David swooned as he wafted the warm, hearty fragrance of the spaghetti towards him. Each angel hair noodle was cooked to perfection and encased in a creamy marinara sauce. The pot on the left burner held six plump meat balls simmering in a velvety cheese sauce. He got a large glass bowel and began chopping fresh vegetables in preparation for a salad. He decided on: carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and olives and sprinkled them into a bed of crisp lettuce. He drizzled a blanket of cool, ranch dressing over the vegetables and set the salad tongs inside the bowel. Lastly, he poured two glasses of red whine and set them on the table along side with the prepared food. He wiped the sweat off his brow and washed his hands, cooking was hard work. 226

“Mallory, dinners’ ready, I promise your going to love this!” He cried out with a broading grin forming on his face. He tapped his fingers on the table and frowned in puzzlement when there was no answer. 227

“Girls,” He thought to himself, “You would think they would spend all day in the bathroom primping if they could.” 228

He walked down the dark hall to the bathroom and rapped on the door lightly. 229

“Mallory?” 230

No answer. 231

“Mallory are you in there?” David was beginning to grow worried as he paced back and fourth beside the door. After he could no longer stand it he burst open the door and stood in shock. Towels and other toiletry items were askew and small crimson droplets of blood incased several squares of tile on the floor. He stood in place and felt like the world was caving in around him as all the blood began to rush to his head. 232

“How could this happen?” he asked himself, “How could Mallory of been taken right from under me in my own house?” It was as insulting as much as it was painful. 233

He smashed the glass Kleenex holder on the ground as he fought back streams of tears. When he looked in the mirror, he didn’t recognize himself the man’s face in the mirror was disfigured by rage and sorrow. 234

“Brian.” David said angrily while gnashing his teeth together, “I will never forgive you!” 235

3 236

Brian sprinted across the moist grass as pebbled and rocks rustled underneath his feet. Mallory was draped over his shoulders, and out cold. He traced her inner calf with his fingers and tugged at the thin jean fabric. He licked his lips and hoisted her up higher as he made his way towards the car. He set her down and belted her into the harness in the back seat while he smoothed down her flyaway hairs. He wanted her to look perfect for the ceremony, his gateway back to Hell. He shut the door and hopped into the front seat while nonchalantly turning the key into the ignition. He stared at the serrated edge of the metal object and squirmed with glee when he imagined the pain he could bring to Mallory. Maybe he would hold the key up to one of her beautiful eyes and make her confess her love to him. After that, he would give her a farewell kiss promising he would see her in the next life, and ram the key into the liquid membrane of her eye, but he would be careful not to completely tarnish it. He would hold on to it as keep sake, maybe store it in a jar or encased in a glass pendant for a necklace. 237

“Perfect” he thought to himself. Every time he would look upon it he would be reminded of his hard earned work he did for his little trophy. He cracked his knuckles in imitation with the popping of sparklers going of in a Fourth of July parade. He stepped on the gas and drove off, with the ear piercing screech of his brakes sounding. He narrowed his eyes, as tears began to breach the surface. He wiped them with the back of his hand. Today was such a joyous occasion, such a redeeming event for his return. He squirmed in his seat blissfully. He could hardly wait. 238

Ch.5239

1240

Arthur felt the heat rise to his cheeks when Sherry Carson entered the room. Even though she was wearing conservative work attire he couldn’t stop imagining what she might look like under them, detecting hints of suppleness around her bust and buttox. He couldn’t believe himself, he hadn’t lusted over a woman like this in years. He swallowed hard as she made her way to his desk, tucking a silky, charcoal colored piece of hair behind her ear.241

“You called Mr. Brooks?” she asked, her steel gray eyes glowing with perception.242

Arthur set his work to the side of his desk and folded his hands’ strenuously in his lap.243

“Yes Mrs. Carson, thank you for coming so soon. I was wondering if you could help me get into some secure files regarding this man.” She reached for the glossy photo he was holding and looked it over. Scowling, she flipped to the back and tightened her lip when she saw the name.244

“Brian Wexler? THE Brian Wexler?” she asked taken aback. 245

Arthur took the photo from her and raised his eyebrows, “You know him?” 246

“Not personally, no. But I wish I did, then I could take by revenge on that son of a bitch once and for all.”247

“Revenge?” Arthur asked, engrossed in her melodic, light southern accent.248

“My little sister Anna, bless her heart, used to be my closest family member and I loved her dearly. But that bastard, Brian Wexler, was going out with her at the time. It wasn’t long, only about a month, but a week later I got a call from the prescient to investigate a murder. You can imagine the horror I felt when I saw my Anna lying in a pool of her own blood…” Sherry buried her face into her hands and broke into spontaneous sobs.249

Arthur looked up startled, “Mrs. Carson, you don’t have to finish if you are uncomfortable, I can see this is a touchy subject for you to discuss.” 250

She wiped at her tearing eyes and blew her nose. “No, this will help you catch him, I have to continue no matter how hard it is. After I witnessed the horrific site, I regrettably bent down to examine the body, hoping that it wasn’t my sister, but instead someone identical not of my blood. When I bent down, I saw a note safety pinned to the skin of her slender stomach. The note read, “May Hell hath pity on you and close your gates to Heaven. It was fun Anna, but I had enough of your Christian bullshit. It’s better this way can’t you see? We will be reunited in Hell one day, and you will thank me and I will kill you again.” Yours truly, Brian.251

“Once I found out who had murdered my sister I vowed my revenge. I never kill for personal purposes, but seeing this prick’s face again starts a furnace inside of me. I will graciously help you on your research. And Arthur?”252

“Yes?” Arthur asked.253

“You better kill this son of a bitch, once and for all.”254

Arthur smiled and took her hand in his, his heart jumping through hoops in his chest.255

“Sherry, you have my word I will do the best I can.”256

Sherry wiped her eyes and smiled. “Thank you,” she said gratefully, “ Now let’s have a look at those files.” A smirk of vengeance and righteousness spread across her face as she cracked her knuckles and made her way to the seat beside Arthur.257

2258

Brian arrived outside his house at exactly midnight. The waning, crescent moon was blazing its waxy surface off in the night sky. He opened the car door and pried Mallory out of her harness and cradled her in his arms. He laughed to himself, the whole scenario seemed all too familiar, but luckily there was no David to save the day. He opened the front door and swung it shut once he and Mallory were inside. The slamming of the door echoed throughout the room like exploding fireworks. He walked towards his bedroom down the hall the old, wooden floorboards shuttered and groaned beneath his thundering feet.259

As he was throwing Mallory on the bed, a ravenous hunger ignited inside him, he started growling uncontrollably. He straddled his legs over Mallory and thought about retrieving his manhood, but decided to wait. He grasped his hands to her throat and licked the edge of her cheek, using every ounce of his strength to resist sinking his teeth in the sought flesh and feeding upon her sweet blood. He released his grip from her and retreated from the bed shaking with reluctance.260

“Just a little longer,” he said to himself, “Just a little longer before I can carry on the ceremony and feast from the girls blood. So I can mark my territory and brand her eternally, she will be mine.”261

He walked out of the room and went to the backyard; the obscure darkness welcomed him and engulfed his presence into the realm of infinite shadows. He hugged himself and swayed to the side, he yearned for Hell’s fiery depths. The inferno of scarlet and golden flames, flickering their tongues in sequence waiting to devour the pitiful souls that came by the thousands each day. Once Mallory and David’s souls were added to the fuel, the serpents of flame would dance triumphantly in rejoice at the accomplishment. The fair lord Lucifer would flourish with the lives of an innocent civilian, and angel. He would then be able to exact his revenge on the King of the Heaven’s and send him hovering in fear beneath him. A not entirely sane laugh escaped Brian’s lips as his eyes began to water with streams of joy. He dug his serrated nails into the flesh of his arm until tears of crimson poured down its pale surface. His eyes livened at the sight of blood, as he greedily slurped it hungrily. He trembled as he wiped his bloody lips and uttered small cries of pleasure; goose bumps plagued his arms as he shuffled his feet in the moist dirt. He looked at his watch, there was just five more hours until the ceremony was to be carried out. He let out a savage howl, and returned inside with his arm leaving scarlet trails behind him as he descended to his waiting place.262

3 263

Arthur glanced at Sherry and glided his hand over the mouse to locate Brian Wexler's files. He reached for his reading glasses and squinted immensely. Sherry took the mouse and curled her full lips into a smirk. 264

"I'll take over from here Arthur, sit back and watch the master work." 265

In the quiet office room that Arthur and Sherry occupied, the only sound that could be heard was the frantic clicking on the mouse and failing pop up blocks flickering across the computer screen. Sherry put her hand to her head and groaned in frustration. "Why isn't this working? I've never had difficulty like this before!" Arthur raised his eyebrows and cracked a smile. 266

"Maybe this Brian Wexler's files are more secure then we realized." 267

Sherry glared at him and took the mouse in her hand again. "Impossible, I know I can get it, just be patient." 268

After much clicking and noises of frustration an access admitted flashed across the screen. Stunned, Sherry opened up the file with intense curiosity, but her hopes drowned when she saw what the content read. 269

"That bastard! All that's in this file is the information gathered from civilians of the murder of John Transky two days ago. My sister's murder isn't even mentioned, who knows what other crimes this man has committed." 270

Tears of anger and pent up grief streamed down her bronzed cheeks as she futilely tried to subdue them with a Kleenex. 271

"It's okay," Arthur said, "We'll go to the place John Transky's murder was said to take place and track him down from there. I'm pretty sure this file was just sent to send us on a wild goose chase, distracting us from the real issues or crimes at hand." Sherry looked up at him with the innocence and perplexity of a child. "But I'm not qualified in the filed to investigate. I work with computers, deciphering codes and files, not playing detective." 272

"Your a smart woman aren’t you Sherry?" 273

She looked up at him smirking. "I suppose I am." 274

"Then that's all I need, come with me." He linked arms with her and set out the door to start their rogue investigation. 275

4276

When Mallory came to, she awoke to a pair of steel, blue eyes glowering at her through the darkness. If she had to look into Satan’s eyes, this is what they would look like. Not dark and in flames like Hell’s fiery depths, but a beautiful, alluring blue masqueraded by dementia. Never before had she been at the mercy of a being so malevolent, a being that flourished on hatred and fear, a true bogeyman in the flesh. A chill crept through her veins as Brian lay a hand on her cheek, she squeezed her eyes shut, determined not to let him feed on her fear. He stroked her affectionately and blew in her ear, she shivered under the icy breeze he admitted and suppressed her need to scream.277

“Mallory dear, don’t be scared it’s almost time. You won’t have to live in fear much longer, I promise.” Brian said tauntingly.278

No longer playing the timid mouse, she braced her back bringing her chest forward like a mighty cobra might do in the heat of danger. Her eyes flashed with defiance as she bit down on her tongue to prevent Brian’s lips from touching hers. That was where she made a mistake. Something about the blood that dripped from her lip stirred an inhuman lust within him. His blue eyes danced with desire as he pounced on her, the slamming of her skull against the hardwood floor echoed throughout the room like a rock being thrown against the hollow of a cave wall. He pressed his lips to hers, and swallowed the blood hungrily with each touch of tongue. She kicked and bucked wildly under his hulking form, but her cries remained muffled by his lips draining the last of the drying blood. His breath was hot and stale in her mouth, and she could taste the copper flavor of blood trickling down her throat, she felt heat rise to her cheeks as she tried not to gag. 279

He came up gasping for air and licked his lips contently. That would last him for now, but he could already feel the furnace inside him starting up again, he would need more blood soon. It was only a matter of hours now. 280

Mallory covered her mouth with a shaking hand and regarded him with the at-most disgust as she scooted into a crab crawl to the back corner.281

Brian laughed derisively as he eyed her like a dieter would a pastry. With a longing desire, that he knew he would have to restrain for the time being. An axe of thunder cleaved across the sky in pulsing, earthshaking blows. She was in over her head now, she knew the hours on the clock had begun it’s final countdown. 282

Ch.6283

1284

David spun hastily around to look at the open bathroom window one more time. As he looked over the sill, he saw a pair of footprints imprinted in the moist grass, as if an unseen God had wandered through the marshes leaving behind only its foot- prints, body unseen. But David knew that wasn’t true, it had been Brian. Not exactly a God, but far from human. David shuddered with rage as he gripped the edge of the windowsill until chips of plaster broke free, occupying the space under his nails. He flicked his fingers, as the flecks of paint flew towards the open window. He walked out of the bathroom, taking care not to glance at the ashen man filled with sorrow trapped in the mirror. What he was feeling was unlike anything he had felt before. Sadness and anger boiled inside him like an overflowing pasta pot left to cook on the stove too long. There emotions were foreign to him compared to the joy and positive out look on life he normally relished in. For the first time in his 25 years, he felt useless, fearing he would be unable to rescue Mallory again. He balled his fists and let them drop at his sides, he resisted the urge to cry out by telling himself he would prevail God was on his side. He could already picture the saintly creator walking down an aisle of stark white marble and high, fluorescent ceilings, while clad in loose robes the color of writing chalk. A smile spread across his face while he held out his arms, eyes twinkling with amicability. He was telling David he would bestow on him the power to take Mallory back and defeat the demon, Brian. David bit his lip; his dreams and thoughts were always so vivid sometimes even giving him visions and fragments of prophecies. But he had to bite his lip to keep from crying when he realized he didn’t have the new found powers God had bestowed on him, he would have to look inside himself to find the courage to fight, he had to believe. He walked to his room and sifted through his closed settling on a pair of khakis and a white polo. His clothes seemed to be sucked up by an imaginary vacuum as they lifelessly fell in a heap onto the floor. He dressed, and touched up a few of his grooming needs as he headed out the door with a bible tucked under one arm, concealed in the compartments of the olive wind breaker her grabbed on the way out. He stood in silence in his driveway, bathed in an ocean of endless leaves sporting a variety of different fall colors. As he concentrated, he learned the whereabouts of Mallory. His eyes twitched under his closed lids she was with Brian, at his house. He was casting fevered glances at her through the darkness, while she was huddled in the corner trembling. Brian licked his lips as he looked at his watch, four more hours. David broke the connection and dashed out of the woods to the street his car was parked on. His moistened skin boiled with determination and a bittersweet taste livened his mouth. He didn’t have much time left, every second counted.285

2286

Brian’s smile heightened with each squeal of pain that escaped Mallory’s lips. Her fevered glance darted frantically from the ropes fastened at her wrists, to the metal shackles constraining her ankles. She tried to maneuver the chair around, but only fell to the ground. She lay on her side, both arms and legs incapacitated as she writhed helplessly on the cold, tile floor. Her eyes widened when she saw Brian walking towards her, the eyes a frightened rabbit might have while starring death down in the face of a hungry fox. His thick-soled shoes echoed through out the dungeon inspired room as he knelt down beside her grinning.287

“Mallory, look what you’ve done now. You’ve gone and tipped yourself over, I was trying to grant you generosity by letting you speak freely, but now I’m going to have to go back on my word. You’ve been a naughty girl.”288

He retrieved a thick piece of masking tape from a pocket in his loose jacket and sealed it tightly across her lips. Her eyes shuddered in fear as her cries became muffled, unintelligible.289

“Remember,” he said tenderly, “I will be a God soon enough, and then it will be me who decides what to do with your life. Understand?”290

She nodded vigilantly.291

“Good, I’m glad we’re on the same page. I’m going to finish the last preparations for the ceremony. Can I trust you to be by yourself for an hour?”292

He answered his own question with maniacal laughter.293

“Why am I asking, you can’t answer me. Hell, you can’t even move!”294

His laughter demoted to a hearty chuckle befitting of a demonic Santa Clause with ribbed horns and scowling, ruby eyes. He withdrew a knife from his pocket and waved it in front of her like a conductor commanding his unseen orchestra.295

“If I come back and find that you even tried to escape, I’ll disfigure you in such a way, no one will ever recognize you. Or want to for that matter.”296

His threat was met with silence.297

“I’ll be back soon darling, keep in mind what I said and maybe I’ll let you have a fresh piece of cake from the fridge before the ceremony, you’d like that wouldn’t you?”298

She nodded feigning interest, taking extra care not to upset him.299

“I thought so.” He said while he exited the room, leaving her shrouded in darkness, his laughter lingering in the walls like a nightmare she was forever imprisoned in.300

3301

The excited voices caught Arthur’s attention as he pulled his plain wrap Civic to the curb. He glanced at Sherry in the passenger’s seat and smiled, the sun reflected off her hair making it appear as glossy as ink. Her face paled when she caught sight of what the crowd of people were looking at.302

“You ready?” Arthur asked as he helped her out of the car.303

“Yeah,” she said through pursed lips, “But I’m not really cut out for this line of work.” She indicated toward the rusty pool of blood by the large trash bin.304

“You’ll be fine, you’re strong.” He took her hand in his as they vanished in the sea of people. He was met with angry shrieks as one civilian shoved past him, giving the bird.305

“Hey watch it buddy!” he snapped, “We’re trying to look here, your messin’ up my photo opportunity! If you want to see, wait your turn.”306

Arthur grimaced at his pasty complexion and piercing, brown eyes. Maybe he would be doing the kid a favor by grabbing him by his infected lip ring and pitching him across the lawn. He withdrew his police badge and held it in plain sight so the vagrant could see. He hesitated for a moment, then smiled, revealing his discolored and crooked teeth. Clearly this boy only new dentists to be fictional characters in storybooks. 307

“Big deal,” he said in a heavy New York accent, “You gonna arrest me? I’d like to see you try!”308

The kid spread his feet apart and balled his fists, extending them in front of his body. Arthur laughed. He couldn’t help it, the kid looked pathetic, with his bone thin stature and unfortunate features, he reminded him of a scarecrow picked dry by a swarm of crows, still itching for a fight.309

“What’s so funny?” he demanded, scowling.310

Sherry gave Arthur a look of concern and nudged him. “Arthur.” She warned. 311

The vagrant looked her up and down and smirked. “That’s a fine lady you’ve got there, she yours? Maybe I oughta take her off your hands and show her what a real man is like.” He stated proudly.312

“What’s your name?” Arthur asked ignoring him.313

“Mickey. What’s it to ya?”314

“How old are you Mickey?”315

“20, what’s with all the questions? I ain’t answering anymore, I’ve got my legal rights.” His eyes pierced through Arthur, challenging him.316

Arthur pushed Sherry back and smiled.317

“How’s this for your rights?”318

He punched the vagrant so hard. He actually did slide across the lawn. He staggered to his feet covering his bleeding nose and busted lip.319

“Your crazy man!” He cried as he picked up his camera and proceeded to hobble down the street.320

Sherry looked at him, mouth agape.321

“What was that for?” she asked.322

“The kid was really starting to piss me off.”323

“Yeah, but Arthur…”324

He interrupted her, “He was going to hurt you, I know that look. Don’t worry about it, we’re better off now.”325

Sherry blushed as the crowd of people parted to let them through.326

“Damn, look at this guy.” Arthur said disgusted.327

John Transky stared up at them through his milky, decomposing eyes. They covered their noses from the stench partly from rotting flesh, the other part from the metallic odor of blood. He stopped in his analysis when he noticed a shadow among shadows behind the building, a gleam of a sliver blade. Arthur extended his arm in front of Sherry and retrieved his walkie-talkie from his belt.328

“What are you doing?” she asked.329

“Calling for back up. In the mean time, we need to stake out somewhere safe. I’ll explain everything to you once we take cover.” 330

She met his worried glance as she took his hand and allowed him to lead her back to the car.331

4332

Brian watched the two police agents leave the crime scene in a hurry. Their shuffled movements reminded him of a crap scurrying to its hole in the sand where it could retreat to safety. Brian sported a toothy grin; the agents would not be as lucky as the crab. He ran his finger along the honed blade of the steak knife and smiled when his blood smeared its surface. He swiftly plunged the knife back into his coat pocket as he watched the flesh of his torn finger mend together in rapid succession, new skin formed over his would and the aching migraine he was experiencing subsided. He flexed his hand, admiring the new flesh. This would almost be too easy, but Brian wasn’t a cheater nor was he a sore loser. He liked a good game, he would give the other players a fighting chance at survival. He was the king, the world his chess board, and Mallory, David, and the two police agents’ just pawns at his disposal. And when he had finished his game, there would be four less pieces to play with. He pouted genuinely, he was always sad when a game ended. He enjoyed the hot pursuit, the endless hours of scheming and out smarting, and eliminating the other players to rise to the top, it was immensely satisfying. But when it ended he was always bored, he would need to find something else to occupy his time.333

He watched, as the car drove off, he would follow after them shortly. They were police agents, surely they would catch on to his tailing and loose him, that was something he couldn’t take a chance with. Before he could go to the ceremony and finish off David, they had to be eliminated first. They were too suspicious and resourceful; Brian hated that quality in people. He always harbored a grudging hatred for law enforcement branches of any kind, they were busy bodies who needed to mind their own business and keep to themselves. Brian licked his lips, playing his games was just as satisfying as a warm brownie served with French vanilla ice cream and hot fudge would be to anyone else. Killing was his desert, and he had always had an achingly large sweet tooth. 334

When the car vanished out of sight, Brian followed them stealthily making sure to stay a good three to five-cars behind.335

“Let the end games begin.” He said to himself while tapping the excellerator. 336

5337

Mallory writhed in her constraints and wailed helplessly angered as much with herself for not being able to break free, as with Brian. She jumped with the chair, it moved forward a few inches then tipped over sending her crashing to the ground, her face kissing the cold tile. She exhaled loudly and fought back tears as she struggled to move the chair to her side. Tears shimmered in her eyes like jeweled droplets of water trailing soundlessly down her cheeks in liquid rhapsody. She closed her eyes, forcing the tears to pour down the corner of her lids as she thought about how she was going to get free. She couldn’t allow herself to succumb to defeat and fall into a deep sleep, only to wake up to a cold embrace with death.338

“Why am I so afraid of death? Everyone dies eventually.” She said allowed, only answered by her words echoing off the acoustic, stone walls. An aching pain filled her chest, a feeling of extinguished hope. Faded drumming erupted from the one, small cellar window located in the upper right corner of the room. Mallory shuddered as a cold sweat encased her body. Brian was back. “What will happen when he comes in here, will he kill me?” she asked herself shaking. It wasn’t death in general that scared her, it was an untimely one. She was only 19, and had a whole lifetime of adventures and oppurtunities awaiting her, and in an instant it would all be cut off. All she would know would be darkness, endless obscurity. She tried to avert her eyes when she heard the tapping again, but couldn’t.339

“Mallory!” a muffled voice exclaimed.340

Her spirits lifted when the voice wasn’t Brian’s.341

“Mallory, it’s me! I’m coming in.”342

Her heart pounded violently against her chest when David called out to her, she didn’t want to dwell on how he had found her, or if he would save her in time, all that mattered was that he had come. A pool of light flooded the window as shattered glass fell nosily to the ground. Before she had time to think about how he would possibly fit through the tiny window he was standing in front of her, glass glistned off his jacket like an icicle dangling from a roof in the bright, morning sun. Tears of joy welled in her eyes as she wept with relief. 343

“Mallory,” He said smiling down on her, “It looks like I made it just in time.” He reached for the ropes binding her hands and broke them effortlessly with a snap of the wrist, her shackles disintegrated with a swift kick from the heel of his boot. He reached for her hand and squeezed it tightly.344

“Let’s get out of here.” He said, his face brightening. 345

Ch.7346

1347

Mallory stumbled over a hidden rock, obscured by the shadowed night and earthy soil beneath it. David slowed to look back at her, his feet in mid motion as if someone had freeze-framed him in his unfinished stride.348

“You okay?” He asked concerned.349

Mallory stepped cautiously over the rock and tested the earth with her feet the way a blind person might do. “I’m fine, it’s just dark is all. You never did tell me where we’re going.”350

David edged closer as he tucked his thick, blonde hair behind his ears, displaying the makings of a nervous grin. 351

“I wanted to take you to a friend of mine. He has a house about six miles from here, my cars only a few blocks away, we should have plenty of time to get there without Brian noticing. When he finally does, we’ll be long gone and into phase one of Sick the Bastard.”352

When a laugh escaped his lips he froze as a look of horror washed over his face, his skin icing over to powdered snow. His eyes became clouded and distanced from the world around him, the laugh that came fourth was that of a stranger, a strangled, haunted voice he could hardly call his own. He and Mallory stood in silence, each of them a mirror image of the other’s perplexity, An orchestra of saccades serenaded the moist night in an ethereal drone.353

“What’s wrong?” Mallory asked thin lipped.354

David glanced at her nervously not wanting to upset her, but he could see that was too late. Behind her mask of feigned confusion, was a stark fear that burrowed itself in her thin bosom, a fear that had to be reassured and allowed to submerge into the cool chambers of her mind.355

“It’s nothing, I’m sorry if I worried you. It’s been a long stress filled day, and to be honest I’ve been having some doubts.”356

Fear circumferenced her eyes as she took a few steps back. He couldn’t imagine how she was feeling if her guardian angel was having doubts and scared shitless, would she even have a chance at survival? 357

He walked over to her and took her in his arms, he could feel her thin body shaking violently against his own.358

“Don’t be scared. Everyone doubts, but I’m not going to let anything happen to you, it’s my duty to protect.” 359

She looked up at him, her soulful blue eyes pierced through him in such a way, he felt an invisible chain tug at his heart.360

“Just trust me Mallory.” 361

As they rounded the block, he walked her to his car, time slowing to an inchworm’s crawl.362

2363

Brian glanced at the clock and smiled surreptitiously. He pulled over to a 7-11 gas stop and got out of the car, the soles of his shoes shuffled the gravel in the dirt road he walked on. He had four hours left until the ceremony and he needed to kill some time. He would wait half an hour before he would continue to pursue the detectives; he knew which routes they would take. He submerged his hands into his deep, coat pockets and opened the door with a slight kick of his foot, the automated bell announced his entrance in a cheesy pre-Christmas jingle.364

“Good afternoon.” The clerk said tipping his hat.365

“Afternoon.” Brian said, raising his voice to be heard over the chiming bells.366

He walked over to the junk food isle and eyed the snacks hungrily he was ravenous. He choose a large bag of salted pretzel rounds, another of Funions, and two Chunky bars and a Hershey’s with almonds. He went to one of the freezers and retrieved two 1-liter bottles of orange soda and walked to the register, pulling a folded twenty from his jean pocket. The clerk narrowed his eyes at the large amount of junk food.367

“Road trip?” He asked friendly.368

Brian nodded. “Something like that.”369

“You meetin’ anyone up where ya going?” he asked in a southern, country droll.370

Brian glared at the scrawny man in the Ranger’s cap, his face thick with a scraggly beard and stained, crooked teeth. He stared into his watery blue eyes, other then the iris the only color he could see clearly was a blood shot red. He continued chewing on his toothpick and winked at Brian.371

“Anything wrong Mista? If I didn’t know any betta, I’d say you’d be checking me out.”372

“Wrong again.” Brian said scowling.373

Before the clerk had time to blink, Brian was behind the counter sinking his serrated claws into the flesh of the man’s neck, applying force in time with spraying blood. The man’s tortured cries stopped when Brian broke his neck. He grabbed his snacks, left the money, and stormed out of the store.374

“Maybe you’ll think twice before making an ass of yourself again.” He muttered resentfully under his breath as he slammed the door.375

Suddenly, Brian realized the stupidity that had just occurred. He had murdered someone in cold blood without gloves or wiping his hands. He sighed with relief when he remembered his prints were nowhere on file. He grinned broadly, he was a slick bastard, and he knew it. He got into his car, immediately inhaled the Hershey’s bar and set the first Chunky bar on his lap for easy access. Thirty minuets had elapsed and he was ready to get on with business.376

“Why must work be so demanding?” He asked himself while laughing eerily.377

“Level one completed.” He said aloud, as he drove off smiling.378

3 379

Mallory ands David stopped outside a mini mansion on the edge of the woods at 2:30 in the afternoon. The sun shone down on them, engulfing the neighbor hood in a fierce golden glare, shrouding it in perpetual saffron. Mallory looked up at David, tears welling up in her eyes. Startled, David reached for her trembling hand. 380

“Mallory, what’s wrong?”381

She swallowed a sob and wiped at her tearing eyes.382

“We’re finally at a house,” she said disbelieving, “finally, after 35 hours. You said we would be there in a few hours, not over a day. But I guess that’s irrelevant now, we’re here right? That’s all that matters.” 383

“Mallory I…”384

She put her hand on his chest and pushed him back lightly. “It’s fine.” She scolded.385

David furrowed his brow in worry, he was afraid Mallory was on the brink of a mental break down as he observed her. Her clothes were caked with dirt; grass stains, and ripped in some places. Her dark hair was badly knotted and sleek with oil, but her face was the worst of it. Her complexion had changed from pasty to ashy. Dark, foreboding circles lay beneath her eyes threatening to transform into craters at a moment’s notice. Her blue eyes were irritated, with an angry red and watered down liquid; a tweaked smile played her lips. He was about to take her in his arms to kiss her; to assure her everything was all right, when the door opened. David and Mallory looked ahead as a solemn man stepped onto the porch. His hair was wild and graying in some areas, and he had a hardened face. His small beady eyes searched watchfully over Mallory and David as his slightly arched, partition nose sniffed the air like an animal hunting its prey.386

“Edward, how did you know we were out here? We we’re just about to ring the bell.” David asked apprehensively.387

Edward sighed and set his large hands at his sides. “I was waiting. I’m always waiting for someone to come but I don’t have much of a social life anymore as you can see. My job left me robbed of the life I had, ridding me of all of my dear friends.” He glanced down and made eye contact with David.388

“Except for you.” He said. 389

“Are you still working?” David asked, nervously awaiting the answer.390

“Oh, Heaven’s no! I’ve been retired for five years now, shortly after the last time you cam to see me.”391

Edward ushered them inside and took their coats, hanging them on a standing, oak wood coat rack.392

“Please, take a seat,” He said ushering to the large coach, “I made some coffee and cake, just finished about ten minutes ago. It’s fresh.”393

“Edward?” Mallory asked hesitantly looking up at him.394

“Yes dear?” 395

“Do you mind if I use your bathroom to wash up? I would like to clean before I visit.396

“Why certainty dear, there’s fresh towels on the rack and I’ll set a pair of my wife’s old jeans and a T-shirt. They should fit you nice.”397

“Thank You.” She said gratefully as she walked up the stairs to change. 398

Mallory made her way down the carpeted hallway, she winced as each step she took sluiced mud off her shoes. She leaned against one wall and removed her filthy sneakers by setting them aside in the corner. She sighed with relief when she opened the door leading to the bathroom. The mere thought of being clean again excited her. Twin golden sinks encased in a coffin of black marble glazed off one another, revealing luster and shine. One sink, a man’s cologne, toothbrush, and hairbrush occupied its surface. The other, a woman’s array of cosmetics and designer perfumes ranging from Lancôme to Isadora. 399

Her eyes froze when she glanced at the mirror, trapped between the Waterford crystal glass and golden frame was a girl she was unfamiliar with. A face clouded by fear, bewilderment, and a mass of dirt and traces of malnourishment was evident in her stark white complexion. She grimaced as she averted her eyes away from the mirror and transfixed on the walk in shower, embroidered in platinum silver and intertwined with flecks of marble. She dug her way out of her grim riddled clothes like a jack in the box breaking free from its constraints; they fell in a heap at her feet. She slicked her hair behind her ears and stepped wearily into the high drop of the shower. She turned both nozzles to a comfortably warm temperature and immediately exhaled with ecstasy. The warm beads of water transpired into her moistened skin as she reached for the bar of soap in the dispenser, gently lathering her dirtied skin with a silkening cream. She winced as she grazed over the lacerations and bruised muscles she had obtained from the journey. She poured a palmful of shampoo into her hand and lathered her hair until she could feel soapsuds forming. She chased the shampoo with a conditioner and finished rinsing, relieved she had escaped the uncomfortable feeling of having her hair plastered to her scalp with the persistency of oil, due to prolonged lack of shower escapades. With her cleaning complete, Mallory had nothing more to do then linger drowsily under the hot streams of water admitting from the showerhead, the steam felt good on her pores. She bent over, clenching her breasts between her arms as the steaming water arched down her back like a wooden roller coaster making its way down a slippery slope. She relished in the warmth until she could no longer take the stinging heat. She turned both nozzles back to their resting position and stepped onto the cold magnlium, retreating to the embrace of the clean towel to escape the icy aftermath that normally occurred after a hot shower. She dressed in the jeans and T-shirt that Edward kindly lent her and slipped into them. The jeans were slightly loose at the waist, but the shirt fit comfortably. Edward’s wife had to be tiny, considering Mallory herself was slender by normal comparisons, she had lost about ten lbs. from her ordeal and was intent on gaining them back she had already been trying to build muscle prior to her kidnapping. 400

Now content in her fresh new clothes and state of cleanliness, she leaned her back against the wall “The kidnapping” she thought to herself. It seemed so long ago, a distant memory lost in the expansive sea of the past, memories better left forgotten and hidden in the mist that shrouded her sub consciousness. Perhaps deep down, that was what she truly wanted. 401

She walked over to the mirror again and smiled at her improved appearance, her eyes stopped at the small collection of make-up in the corner. She picked up the mascara and swept her lashes to an upright position and used the peach colored lipstick labeled “Ginger Rose” on her lips. She brushed the tangles from her wet hair and returned it in place behind her ears. She then sprayed a little of Isadora and placed the bottle back into its resting-place. Once she had retrieved her dirty clothes in her hands, she made her way down stairs. She stooped to pick up her shoes on the way down, nearly tripped, then regained her balance and started back down the steps. She froze to the side of the wall when she heard voices; the shadows of David and Edward played eerily off the walls like hulking leviathans rising up from the smoldering depths of Hell.402

“When did Jessie die? I’m sorry Ed, I didn’t know.” David said, lament filled his voice.403

“About three years ago, I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to trouble yourself over this old man.” The wrinkles in Ed’s face creased in modest grief, making him appear a man much older then 56.404

“Ed, you’re never a trouble to me, how long have we been friends?”405

“15 years, I’ve known you since you were a boy. A extremely troublesome and hormonal one, but a boy nonetheless.”406

“Right. So how could you not tell me something as important as this? You and Jessie were like my second set of parents, I was always over here. One time, when mom was mad at me for missing dinner again because I was with you, she asked if I would rather live here, and I seriously considered it.”407

Ed’s face erupted in laughter, erasing the extra creases that had formed on his face when he recalled painful memories. David furrowed his brow, “Hey, what’s so funny old man?” he asked with mock anger.408

Ed wiped his tearing eyes with the back of his hand and then his ruddy cheeks. “I forgot all the good times we’ve had Dave. I hadn’t seen you in five years before now, and I’ve known you since you were 15, a mere tyke, what kept you from seeing me? I have no bite left now.”409

“How hard was it quitting the CIA? I bet the bastards gave you a hell of a time considering your position.”410

Ed chuckled to himself, “Not at all. I was getting tired of being a hitman, and besides, 56 is ancient for an active position in law enforcement, let alone my job.”411

David couldn’t help it, he could feel the great beast stomping inside of him, laughter was contagious, and he couldn’t help but succumb to it. He half hid his laugh in the palm of his hand, as his eyes remained transfixed on Edward. 412

Mallory’s heart jogged in her chest as she pressed further against the wall, she had only heard fragments of the on going conversation below her. Words clouded together in her mind, leading her to dead ends and the persistent fog that shrouded her thoughts like death lingering over the terminally ill.413

“CIA, Hit man, dead wife.” These words spun in thick circles around her, she tried to shout but only managed a dry wheeze.414

“What was David doing with an ex hitman, did angels know those kinds of people?” She wondered contemplatively. Her blood turned to ice water when she realized she was wearing Edwards’s dead wives clothes. She grimaced, the clean feeling had dispersed, she felt soiled and half-dead. She swallowed her fear and approached downstairs leaving her dirty shoes on the top step, she was going to get some answers weather they were willing to give them to her or not. When she reached the second to last step, it creaked announcing her arrival, both men’s heads whipped forward and smiled at her presence. 415

Ed grinned, “Mallory, how good of you to join us, I was just catching up with David. Care to join?” He asked briskly.416

She nodded timidly, “Sure.” 417

She joined David on the far side of the couch and pressed her legs together, her hands folded on her lap her eyes intent on listening.418

Edward’s eyes narrowed. “So you heard our conversation, did you?” He asked Mallory.419

She straightened her back and coughed involuntarily, quickly covering her mouth to counteract. “H-how did you know?” she asked, her speech wavering.420

“Child, did you think you could fool me? I may be old but that doesn’t mean I’m stupid, I learned a great deal in my line of work.”421

She swallowed hard and feigned a smile.422

“ I didn’t kill my wife,” Ed intercepted as if reading her mind, “My line of work was for the good of the Country, not one perp I killed was guilty of anything less then treason or manslaughter.”423

A cool relief swept over her as she erased the unprecedented suspicion of being in the presence of a serial killer.424

“Can we stay the night?” David asked abruptly.425

“Why sure, “ Ed said with a smile, “This old man could use some company, maybe after dinner you can share with me the extent of the predicament your in.”426

Mallory’s eyes swiveled uneasily; “This man is good.” She thought.427

Ed rose from the couch steadily resting one hand on his lower back like an old man combating arthritis. 428

“Mallory, David, help me get dinner started will ya? Then we can have the cake I made after, I bet your starving.” Ed cried out behind him as he walked towards the kitchen.429

Mallory and David rose in unison as they shuffled in a lazy line behind Edward, eager to take part in a menial task such as preparing dinner, only God could be know if it would be one of their last.430

Ch.8431

1432

Instead of following directly after the detectives, Brian decided on a detour. He cruised down Meadow View Rd, the neighborhood he had grown up in. The house was a brick red two story with a neatly trimmed lawn and two large bushes of Jasmine on either side. He got out of the car and walked towards the bushes, cradling one of the waxy green leaves in his palm and plucked a Jasmine blossom off and smiled insidiously. The strong scent filled his nostrils as he restrained himself from inhaling it whole. He closed his eyes and reminisced about the past, his mother always smelled of Jasmine. When he was young, he referred to her as the princess from “Aladdin,” his favorite Disney movie. He opened his eyes abruptly when he sensed movement behind him, he turned his head to see the shadowed outline of a slender woman carrying a pie to the table, a boy that looked around 11 was seated in one of the chairs, his face mad with delight. Brian crushed the flower blossom in his hand, extinguishing its life as snowy petals drifted briefly in the air and descended to the ground, disappearing in the depths of the bush. He dried his palms on his jeans and felt for his .42 millimeter, it was still where he left it, in the back pocket of his jeans obscured by the curtain his loose jacket provided. He grinned derisively and focused his attention on the boy in the kitchen again. He watched as a fresh piece of apple pie was placed in front him. His eyes swooned with pleasure as he picked up the piece in two hands and sunk his teeth into the pastry, inviting the succulent, golden apples to his lips. The boy’s eyes watered and he immediately put the pie down as he drank the glass of milk beside him like it was the only beverage left in town. His mom smiled and handed him a napkin to wipe his scalding lips.433

“It’s hot.” He saw her mouth. Brian’s smile faltered when he witnessed the mother hugging the boy. His fists remained clenched at his sides as he thought about the joy he was denied with his own mother.434

“Damnit,” he scoffed out loud, “The little brat didn’t even make an important contribute to society and he’s being rewarded with pie!”435

Brian forgot his anger when he realized he had never taken a kid’s life before, perhaps he could kill the boy, he would receive the joy the boy was feeling and praise from Lucifer. He walked around to the backside of the house and twisted the knob. It was unlocked. He sauntered into the house through the garage and hid behind the adjoin door that opened from the laundry room to the house. He checked his watch; all that was left to do now was to wait.436

2437

Cloaks of darkness swallowed up the depths of Clay Chesterfield’s lab. He swiveled in his rollaway chair and blinked owlishly in the obscuring darkness. He reached for a match and lit the gas lamp on his desk. Commodious burnt orange and yellow flames flickered their tongues feverishly like a plethora of serpents slithering up from the depths of Hell, their reptilian eyes burning like twin sets of sulfuring coal fires. With his desk lit by the hulking flames, he began to work on his latest research update, his pencil levitated off and on his paper leaving behind graphite trails in its wake.438

“Clayton, I’ve found something that might be worth your interest.”439

Clay looked up from his cluttered papers to see Layla Whittington standing in front of his desk, her from a shadow among shadows. Only the fair skin of her face masked by her pale blonde hair and steely blue eyes could be made out through the opaque light. Clay raised his eyebrows as she came to his side, her white lab coat trailing on the floor behind her.440

“Layla, what a pleasant surprise. What have you found?” he asked grinning deviously.441

“The Shadow aspect of the project is perfecting itself.”442

“Oh?” Clayton said while uplifting his expressive brown eyes, “please elaborate.” 443

“Sources reveal that Brian has already contemplated on taking a young boy and his mother’s life.”444

Clay tapped his fingers on the ebony, oak wood desk and rose to a stand.445

“And what of David?”446

Layla puckered her full, rosy lips into a disappointed pout. “When last checked, he was on the run with the girl through a forest. After that, we lost track but I assure you we will find out of their whereabouts.”447

“See to it that it’s done. We will continue to record Brian’s Dark progress, and further our investigation of David’s Light. I am interested to see what will become of the Booth girl.”448

Layla nodded as Clay took her hand in his. “I am eager to know the outcome. Come with me to my lap so we can further the investigation.” A tweaked smile plagued his lips as he gripped her firm buttocks and walked hand in hand out of the room. 449

3450

They sat in silence at the robust oak table in the dining area. It was set for 3, but prepared for half a dozen. China glazed plates were centered around the middle advertising the succulent feast they would soon partake in, wine glasses as well as cups, soup bowels, and salad plates; everything was cooked to immaculate perfection, as if to impress the president himself. Mallory glanced at David uneasily, smiling at Edward appreciatively and a little embarrassed.451

“Edward, you really didn’t have to go to all of this trouble of making this for us…I feel bad we barely did anything to help.”452

He craned his head forward and looked at her adoringly, his blue eyes still glistening under the wrinkled areas around his eyes diminished by age.453

“M’dear, it’s my pleasure. It has been far too long since I have had company. David is a very good friend of mine, it’s been years since I’ve seen him, and it’s always a honor to be in the company of such a pretty young lady.”454

Mallory blushed averting her eyes, and stared instead towards the creamy fettuccini Alfredo placed in front of her.455

Ed looked at her and smiled. “Dig right in Darling, you too David. Don’t be shy now y’here?” 456

The fettuccini Alfredo was simply divine. Worthy of any five star menu. Mallory savored the taste with each creamy noodle and tender piece of chicken. The wine, like the fettuccini was divine. Some of the finest red wine she had tasted. David seemed to enjoy the shrimp scampi and the freshly marinated pasta, while he choose instead a Supuro beer of his beverage of choice, a fine Japanese drink. 457

After the meal was finished, they helped Edward clear the table and wash the dishes; both contently bloated from the large variety of rich, but delicious food. Ed smiled at David, “Was the meal to your liking Dave?” David finished with the dish he was washing, and nodded his head enthusiastically. 458

“Yes, it was superb. How did you learn to make such wonderful food?” Ed grinned. “Well, after I retired from the force I took part in a series of culinary classes, I had always wanted to be chief. I hadn’t cooked for anyone in quite some time, so it was a pleasure cooking for friends.” Mallory walked up and gave him a hug. A brief moment of surprise flashed over Ed’s face, but transformed into a smile as he reciprocated the hug. “I feel like I owe you so much. I just met you yesterday, but it feels like I’ve known you for years. I can’t thank you enough for your kind hospitality and delicious home cooked meal. As you may have already noticed, it has been days since David and I have had anything of the sort.” She thought she saw tears glistening in his eyes, but if they were there, they were gone now. “Thank you dear,” he said while putting the dishes away into the cabinet, “I’m glad I could make you happy, but it really is no trouble at all to cater to you and David. Quite the contrary actually.” 459

“You needed a distraction after what you’ve been through, please stay another night. My treat.”460

“Thanks Ed,” David said, “I think we’ll take you up on your offer, but when morning comes we have to leave immediately. We are nowhere out of the woods yet, Brian is still lurking around and surely by tomorrow he will have figured out our location. We’re hardly safe.”461

David and Mallory marched up the stairs shoulder to shoulder, exchanging “good nights” to Edward as they departed to the bedrooms. They’re were to bedrooms side by side, but they choose the one with twin beds instead, so they would be able to share a room. The dark feeling in the pit of David’s stomach was churning violently, as if a maelstrom of darkness was brewing up something wicked. They settled off to bed, after David gave Mallory a chaste good night kiss, and tried to get the best sleep they could muster before they had to set out again. 462

4463

Peeking from behind the doorframe isolated in obscuring shadows, Brian’s head appeared in the only lighted crack. He pulled the door back and planted one foot in front of the other, carefully venturing out into the hall. The aroma of fresh apple pie clung to the area like crisp rose bushes planted close by. His Nike squeaked when he stepped forward, but no one paid any mind. He rounded the corner and boldly stepped into the kitchen, the mother’s apprehensive shock clashed against his increasing joy. The hot pie she had been cradling in her thin arms crashed to the floor with the loud clanking of metal tin against the cold magnolian tile. 464

“Well hello there.” He greeted with a smile and a quick bow of the head.465

Glancing nervously at the ruined pie contents on the floor to her son’s startled expression, she carefully edged back and reached for a nearby butcher knife.466

“Who the hell are you, and how did you get into my house?” She asked, worry filling her voice.467

“Madam, let that not be any concern of yours. I merle wanted a piece of your delicious pie. It smelled so heavenly from outside I figured I’d let myself in and try a piece. Your not mad are you?” He grinned broadly while his eyes salivated on the gleaming blade.468

He moved forward, pleasure waves pulsing through him each time he saw her shiver with fear. A tremor that passed through her body, causing her to convulse and shake.469

He reached for the knife and wrapped his forearm around her neck, locking it in beneath his elbow. The woman felt a sharp sensation of pain as the blade seared through her abdomen. Her eyes glazed over as scarlet entrails of blood flowed from her mouth leaving a crimson puddle on the floor. She collapsed down to the floor and landed in a heap of tangled limbs and bones. He sheathed the knife in his pants pocket as her looked at the small boy who was quivering in the eye of fear. 470

“If you don’t do exactly as I say from hear on out, consider yourself dead. Like mother like son.”471

He motioned for the boy to follow as he walked towards the front door while the boy trailed frigidly behind.472

5473

Liquid rays of sunlight poured through the room with a golden haze. David sat up in bed and adjusted his eyes to the morning glow. Mallory lay on her back, arms outstretched, and mouth agape, she was so beautiful when she slept. Her dark hair was damp with perspiration and spilled over the pillow like chocolate ribbons. He smiled at her and stroked her arms with his outstretched fingers, gently tracing shapes in her skin. She stirred and muttered sleepily, then turned to her side. Worry set in David’s stomach like a shot puncturing the flesh. A pins and needles feeling overtook his body and he groaned at the uncomfort. Brian was close, he didn’t know where exactly but he could tell he was nearby. He could feel it in his prickling flesh.474

“David are you okay?” He snapped out of his drowsy daze and turned to face Mallory.475

She sat up in bed like him, a crisp white sheet draped across her bare breasts as she hunched her shoulders to the cool draft. Even with her eyes lazily open and morning crusted on her face, she was gorgeous.476

“Nothing is wrong with me.” He said with a shrug, “But I can feel Brian getting closer. I had the feeling again.”477

Her eyes winded as she inched closer to his side.478

“Again? You’re not in pain are you?” Worry creased in her brow as she took his hand in hers.479

“I’m fine. It only lasted a few seconds. But its you I worry about. He wants to kill me, but you’re the main objective; his prize trophy.” He clenched his teeth and shuddered, gripping the bed sheets with his fists. “Only God knows what he would do to you, and there’s no way I’m going to take that risk. I’m going to keep you safe, or die trying. It wouldn’t matter if I did, you’re the only thing that’s keeping me sane, you’re my world Mallory. You’re that one thing I can’t get enough of, I’m addicted to your touch.” 480

A smile played her lips as tears glistened in her eyes.481

“Do you really mean that?” she asked.482

“Of course I do!” He exclaimed. 483

She gave a little laugh and stroked the side of his face. “I’ve just never heard you talk like that before. It sounds like a script from a sappy romance flick, but it makes me melt inside to hear you say it. I suppose I truly am a romantic at heart.”484

David looked into her bright blue eyes and cradled her face in his palms.485

“I love you. Don’t ever forget that, I’m not going to loose you to him.”486

She closed her eyes and kissed him deeply, pulling him into her.487

“I love you too. Let’s wait an hour before we wake up Ed.”488

“Deal.” He said, as he stroked his hands down her body, returning her kiss with burning passion.489