The Jar

CHAPTER 40

It was early afternoon when Mike woke up and stretched his arms over his head. The closed door muffled the sound of the television in the living room. Swinging his legs around, he placed them on the floor, and sat down as his head spun. His entire body was one giant sore and looking down at his swollen hands, he saw the dried blood that covered them. There was a hard knock on the door, followed by constant twisting of the knob. Did he lock the door? He must have, but there was no recollection of what occurred between the time he delivered the jar to Lilith to now. Mike knew Matilda was responsible for the knocks. He could picture her standing outside with her angry face huffing and puffing like a lunatic. He tried to get up, but his head spun again, forcing him to sit back on the bed. Waiting five minutes for the spinning to subside, he tried standing up again. With much struggle, he managed it. He stared at the door while he ransacked his head for details of what happened, and how he returned home. There were a few flashes of his activities from the night before. He remembered all the killings, even the gruesome details of when he pushed the last two embryos down with his thumb to fit them all inside the jar. He recalled the squishy sound they made, and the spurts of blood that flew inside his mouth. After that, his mind was one gigantic puzzle inside a fogged cloud. Mike lumbered towards the door, and the sound of his footfalls started a barrage of knocks. This time, the blows were harder.

“Open this door!” Matilda shouted. “Mike, if you don’t open this door at once, I’m calling the police. I’ll tell them anything. Tell them you’re hurt, maybe dead. For sure they’ll hurry down here. So, unless you open this door at once, I’m calling the police.”

He rubbed his head hard, trying to work out all the cobwebs inside. He could feel a migraine throbbing slowly and he knew if he didn’t take something for it, the pain was going to explode without mercy.

Matilda slammed on the door again, and it sounded like she was using something stronger than her hand. Perhaps one of the many pipes Mike kept in the house for those emergencies that usually happened in the middle of the night.

“Jesus bloody Christ, could you calm the fuck down!” Mike barked as he got near the door. “Why don’t you go back to your television shows and leave me the fuck alone?”

“Open this door,” Matilda demanded. “What’s wrong with you? You have not been acting like yourself lately. Are you sick? You must be sick… and you’re working too hard now. Ever since that drunk died, you’re working double. Why can’t they hire another man? And why can’t that other good-for-nothing man… what’s his name? Why he’s not working a double shift instead of you? Now, Mike, please open this door, and let’s talk about it.”

As he stood by the door, Mike rested his head on it, and he could feel an incredible heat coming out of him. Maybe Matilda was right. Maybe he was sick, but could he afford to have a doctor examine him? To start with, how would he explain all the bite marks on his body? What’s more, for Christ’s sake, he hadn’t eaten anything for a long time. Nothing has gone in his stomach but the green liquid that he lactated from Lilith's hard nipples.

Before unlocking the door, Mike took a long look at himself in the dresser mirror. It was too dark in the room, but right now he didn’t give one shit how he looked. He needed to take a shower, let the water refresh him and then hurry to see Lilith. She’d make him feel whole again. She always did. With that encouraging thought renewing his strength, Mike unlocked the door and swung it open. Matilda was there, watching him, her eyes magnified by the thick lenses on her glasses. She stood there, and he was right. She was using one of the pipes to bang on the door. He tried walking around her, but Matilda refused to budge, until he shoved her, forcing her to take four steps back. Yet her eyes never left him. She was studying him, making Mike feel like a Coney Island exhibition sideshow.

“You don’t look well,” Matilda said. “And you smell like a backed-up toilet. My God, Mike, what’s wrong?”

“I’ve been working hard.” Mike came inside the living room and went past Matilda. “Someone in this house needs to. I must pay the bills for three lazy people here. If I don’t work, who is going to pick up the slack? You? Of course not, you haven’t worked a day in your fucking, pampered life. The same as those parasites we have for children. They’re even lazier than you. Boy, you sure did a hell of a job as a mother. Now, leave me alone. I’m going to take a shower.”

“Your hands are bleeding,” Matilda said, ignoring the insults Mike bombarded her with. “I’m calling an ambulance. You need to see a doctor at once.”

“I don’t have to see nothing but the fucking shower. So, woman, for the last time, leave me the fuck alone.”

“No,” Matilda said as she blocked Mike’s path. “You’re not well. You’re burning up with fever. I can feel the heat coming out of your pores. We’re going to the emergency room right now.”

He cocked his fist back and let it fly, slamming it hard on the side of Matilda’s face, the force sending her crashing onto the floor. Her head made a sickening thud when it hit the ground. Lifting one foot, Mike brought it down on her side, breaking three of her ribs. Matilda whimpered, and there was blood flowing freely from underneath her head. She moved a bit, even tried to get up, but another vicious kick from Mike made her roll over onto her back. Her eyes fluttered as they sunk inside her skull, her mouth twisted in pain, and small yelps squeezed out from her lips. He envisioned killing her, and with Matilda out of his life, he would bring Lilith here, and together they’d make this their home. With that glorious thought blossoming in his psychotic mind, he yanked the pipe from Matilda’s hand, and beat her until she stopped moving; until she stopped breathing; until he knew she was dead. Elated by his deeds—one that he knew would please Lilith—Mike sat down and, finding the television remote control, turned the babbling apparatus off. The silence that fell on the apartment calmed him, made him think clearer, and looking at the time on the cable box, he wondered when his children would be returning home. Not that it mattered. When they returned, he’d be waiting for them… oh yes… Mike’s grin spread across his lips, pulling them way up above his teeth. He would wait for them. Mike nodded and tightened both hands around the pipe—they were both going to curse the day their mother spread her legs for him.

******

It was long past midnight when Taylor went to bed. His wife, Belinda, was already asleep, and he was pleased with that. After dinner, he went out to the garage. He needed to clear his mind and was glad his wife left him alone. After fifteen years of marriage, there were few secrets between them, and by his silence, she knew something was wrong. Even his children noticed his behavior, and thank God, they all understood and after dinner his children went to their bedrooms to finish their homework. While Belinda tidied up the kitchen then settled on her favorite chair to read the latest novel by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. The solitude in the garage did little to soften his mood, for not every day did you hear your grandmother’s voice — who had been dead for over thirty years—talking to you from a psychic’s mouth. He wanted to believe it was a trick. But how could it be? When nobody in that room knew that part of his childhood, especially about his grandmother. Besides, the voice, there was no question about it, it was her. Taylor shook his head as he undressed. Not even his own wife knew the nickname his manman Grand called him; Tay-tay. He was more perplexed now than the moment it happened. Even when the thing—spirit or monster—went wild, and attacked everyone and split the table in half, Taylor still tried to believe it was some elaborate trick. However, when getting lifted off the ground and getting his head slammed on the ceiling; the trick theory went out the window. Pulling the covers carefully not to disturb Belinda, he slid in beside her. She was sound asleep, and putting his hands behind his head, Taylor stared at the wall, and surprised at how quickly his eyelids closed. His eyes fluttered, and, letting out a deep yawn, Taylor snored.

The mouth-watering aroma of fried plantains and goat stew entered his nostrils and a sweet singsong floated into his ears. Immediately Taylor knew the song. It was a lullaby his manman Grand always sang to him at night:

“Dodo Titan

Si ou pa dodo,

Krab la va manje ou

Dodo Titan

Krab lan kalalou”

(Sleep little one,

If you don’t sleep,

The crab will eat you

Sleep, little one.

Crab in Okra Gumbo)

He remembered the song well; it was one of his favorite children’s songs back when he ran barefooted in his beloved Haiti. The song always filled him with terror, for as a small boy, he fell inside the barrel his father and uncle used whenever they went crabbing. That day was when his phobia of crabs was born. Still, he could never have asked his grandmother not to sing it when he loved her so much and loved her singing voice. With excitement, Taylor opened his eyes, rubbing the sleep out of them, to find himself inside the bedroom he shared with his two brothers in the wooden house across from his grandmother’s. A heavy rain banged loudly on the side of the house, and booming thunder threatened to shake the foundation of earth itself.

“Manman Grand,” Taylor called out because thunder and lightning scared him. “Where are you? I hear your singing, but I don’t see you.”

“Fè silans tanpri,” Taylor’s grandmother said. “Tay-tay, be quiet, you’re going to wake up your brothers.”

“But they aren’t here. I’m all alone and I’m afraid,” Taylor was now in tears. “I’m scared, manman Grand.”

“Well, come here, Tay-tay. There’s nothing to be afraid, it’s only thunder and lightning. But hurry, come to me, before they get here.”

“Grandmother, who’s coming?”

“The evil one, but you need to be brave. Now hurry, Tay-tay, we don’t have much time.”

He jumped from his bed and ran to the door—to find it locked—and as much as he pulled on the knob, the door wouldn’t budge. Banging on it, he called his grandmother’s name and when he was about to give up, lightning flashed in the sky, blinding him and the door exploded into splinters. An acrid smell filtered around him, and the rain stopped. Cautiously, he went outside, feeling the intense heat suffocating him, and frightened by the strangeness of the night, Taylor ran. Finally arriving at his grandmother’s house, he desperately called out her name. The house was dark, and where was she?

The spicy aroma of goat stew and fried plantains swirled in the air and Taylor hurried to the kitchen, for he knew he would find her there. He stepped close to the entrance, and raised one hand over his mouth, when he saw his grandmother strewn on the floor. A thick black smoke spiraled out of the pot where he could smell the meat inside burning. He knelt and lifted his grandmother’s face and saw her lifeless eyes wide open, and after a second, they rolled inside her head, and he could only see the whites of her pupils. There was blood that ran from the top of her skull down to her cheeks. He shook her hard, yet he knew she was dead. He cradled her face while he cried when a movement to his right startled him. Panic rose within him when a shadow of a man entered the kitchen.

“Tay-tay, moun ou ye move ti gason,” he said, laughing while he pointed at Taylor and his dead grandmother. “You’re a bad boy, Tay-tay. Look at what you did. You killed your Mambos of a grandmother.”

Blinded by his tears, Taylor shook his grandmother again. Hysterically, he called out her name, wanting to see her smile and hear her singing one of her favorite lullabies, even if he feared being eaten alive by crabs. Thick tears blinded him, and then his grandmother moved her head and sat down, the punctures in her head overflowing with blood.

“Tay-tay, you have forgotten your manman Grand’s name. Why is that child? Why have you shamed my name by not remembering me?”

“No, please manman Grand, I have not forgotten your name.”

“The crabs are going to get you for being a bad boy,” his grandmother said with a devilish grin. “They eat you up in a spicy gumbo.”

Taylor screamed, because now, inside the kitchen, many crabs filled the tiny room. They came through the door, past the shadowed man, climbing down from the window, crashing through the walls. Their eyes were red and twinkled like many eyes of demons. They scurried around him, their claws snapping in the air, as they scrambled on top of his grandmother, then jumped on him. They clawed at him, tearing into his flesh, and Taylor bellowed in pain. He let go of his grandmother’s head—which plunged gruesomely onto the cement floor — and he attempted to run out, but the crabs hung on to him, ripping his skin into ribbons.

“Taylor! Taylor!”

He heard his name, as firm hands shook him vigorously. He stopped screaming. Still submerged within the nightmare’s terror, Taylor jumped from the bed, falling on the floor. Taylor looked up, shaking uncontrollably as Belinda turned on the light. She came to him, held him, feeling the trembles in his body subside. Finally, like a child relieved that his parents had rescued him from the boogeyman in his dreams, Taylor sighed. His breath came out in choppy, asthmatic pauses. “Oh, Jesus,” Taylor murmured, staring at Belinda’s frightened eyes.

“My God, my God,” Belinda let go of Taylor and backed away. Both of her hands covered her gaped mouth.

Taylor followed her stares, and he gasped, terrified at what he saw—blood ran freely down his arms and torso, and when he looked closely, he could see the ragged marks made by crabs’ claws.

*****

Removing her glasses and placing them on her desk, Nikki leaned back and undid her bun, allowing her long hair to tumble down to her waist. Closing her eyes, she massaged her temples and tried to relax. She had crammed too much in one day, and it was best to let everything come to a standstill and let the night take its course. Since the ferocious way the meeting had ended, her mind was still racing. And now that the DNA from twenty years ago matched to those found in Jenny Kessler’s killer, she needed time to analyze what was placed in front of her. It was a troublesome discovery that made her check the evidence more than once. In conclusion, they confirmed it, not only by her, but by a few of her colleagues—the same person did all the bite marks, or whatever was out there causing all these killings. Where did all that leave her, and everyone involved? There was only one thing, and it was validated today. They were dealing with something not from this world, and there was nothing left for the imagination. The time arrived to throw all scientific evidence and educated arguments out the window, and accept the fact that Hell was upon them—and it was playing for keeps.

It was all baffling, making her feel powerless, and kept her self-assurance off balance. To make matters worse, she had received a voice mail from Alex, and the way he tried to slow down his speech, it didn’t hide the fact that he was slurring his words. He was drunk, and it upset her because he had been on the wagon of sobriety for the past two years. Obviously, regardless of the tough persona he tried to armor himself with, what occurred today had disturbed him to a point he needed to welcome back his own demon. She was highly concerned and as much as she wanted to call him back, something advised her not to. She went through enough of Alex’s mood swings when they both thought they were couple material, but in the end, the minuses out weighted the pluses to make their romance work. It was a gigantic relief the months away from seeing him, from talking to him, but now that this case put them both on the same frontline, she had to fight hard to push aside her private life from her professional life. She did still care for him. Was it love? Nikki shook her head as if her thoughts needed a physical reaction from her. Something still lived in her heart for him, and a certain emotion rose within her as she noticed the way he kept glancing at Cassandra. Was it jealousy? Again, Nikki shook her head, this time more pronounced, as if her body wanted to make sure her mind registered the betrayal that she felt when he offered to take Cassandra home, right there in front of her. Was that his way of paying her back when she called off their love affair? Had she hurt him that much?

“You’re acting like a high school girl,” Nikki chastised herself as she pushed away from her desk, attempting to erase everything from her head. Today’s meeting. The matching DNA of one monster in two different decades. Tomorrow’s meeting. Taylor’s creepy grandmother. The leftover feelings she kept in her heart for Alex. The jealous anger that rose in her when he blatantly showed affection toward another woman. “Fuck.” That was the best defense Nikki could muster at this moment. Still, with a portion of herself feeling defeated, Nikki gathered her stuff and called it a day.

Once inside the safety of her car, she forced herself to think about tomorrow’s meeting, even though she was doing something out of her comfort zone. The idea of addressing a group that besides Alex and Taylor, were strangers, frightened her. It consumed her with doubts. How can she even begin a meeting with such an unorthodox subject that belittled her own intellectual career? To stifle all those self-doubting thoughts, she switched on the radio. In seconds, instrumental music filled the car, and before putting the car on drive, she reached in her bag and took out a water bottle. She wished it was a bottle of wine instead, but that had to wait until she was home. She downed half of the bottle in one gulp, and putting the car in reverse, she pulled out from the parking spot. Once on the street, the traffic was light, and that put a smile on her face. Hopefully, if it stayed like this, she would be home in no time, and her hands on the wine bottle. She began to hum, as she felt a soothing relaxation subdued her, but to her disappointment, it didn’t last too long. It was impossible to derail from what had taken place today. How the hell had she allowed herself to be pulled into this horror show? One thing was for sure, Nikki knew that if any of their supervisors got a whiff of the brew they were cooking, every single one of them would be drinking coffee from paper cups in the unemployment line.

With those feelings bouncing in her head, what was she supposed to do? Cancel it? Make them all believe that they were dealing with a cult of sickos and there was nothing supernatural about it? But damn, she couldn’t dismiss what she witnessed with her own eyes as a magical show. These were not strategies from a master magician controlling a group and pulling strings to expose the fear and superstitions from gullible people, regardless of their education.

There was a time in her life, she would have accepted all this wholeheartedly. Back when her upbringing in the Hinduism religion and the beliefs in Hindu mythology where the existence of evil and demon spirits was not frowned upon by her innocence. However, now with a mind educated by scientific-proven theology, tales of ghouls and ghosts, absolutely, had no place in her intellectuality.

Still, as a girl she had heard the stories, fabled or true, that filled her heart with fear and the desire to digest them straight to their core before she could accept them as real or fictional. In her early college years when she was trying to find what defined her as a person, she studied religions. Guiding her to examined the ideologies of the Bible, the Quran, Vedas, the Hebrew Bible, and many others type of religious literature. After all her research, Nikki came to one conclusion, the similarities between them were hard to differentiate. They all boasted about a Supreme Lord, and other lesser deities governing other lesser beings, and at the end of the food chain, stood humanity, fighting amongst themselves for the crumbs left behind from a gods’ feast. She couldn’t admit truly that she was an atheist, but her doubts and lack of faith in only one Supreme Lord controlling every aspect of  humanity, their emotions, and their everyday outcome and struggles, was too far-fetched for Nikki to join the line of worshippers. That’s the reason she turned to science, where formulas and equations, explained the surroundings of what is constructed in front of her. There was no hocus pocus, merely scientific evidence. Yet, this situation in front of her, in the past month had unraveled everything she had ever believed, and instead had placed doubt and fear into her.

It was twenty minutes before eleven when she finally drove into her driveway and let out a loud sigh of relief. Throughout the drive, her constant yawning advised her it was best to get some rest and get ready for tomorrow. Succumbing to that thought, Nikki stepped out of the car and hurried inside her home. The bottle of wine had to wait another day, for all she only wanted was a long shower and her comfortable bed.

A half-hour later, wrapped in a towel, Nikki came out of the bathroom and straight to the bedroom. Removing the towel and letting it rest on the back of a chair, she lifted the sheets and slid in. The pure comfort of the soft bed, the smoothness of the sheet on her bare skin was exquisite and fluffing the pillows she rested her head. No sooner than she closed her eyes, Nikki was asleep, and swiftly entranced in a dream.

She quickly recognized the hill, which was in the center of their snake park in India. Nikki stood above it, waiting for her father. Nikki could see him leaving the storage room where they kept all the equipment to maintain the grounds. He had spent all morning and most of the early afternoon repairing broken fences and picking up the garbage that was always left behind by the visitors who came to see the exotic snakes. Her father took pride in running one of the most famous snake parks in India, and it was a pleasure he was sharing with her. The school year was over, which meant she’d spend most of her summer vacation helping her father. Even though her mother didn’t approve, she was willing to allow Nikki if she also spends quality time with her and learning the proper etiquette to prepare her to be a good wife someday. Secretly, her mother’s old-fashioned beliefs appalled Nikki. That’s why she rather be with her father among the many snakes that habit the park. But today she was more excited than she had ever been, for a new snake that her father had been anticipating, finally had arrived in the morning when she was home learning how to make a proper dish of Murg Makhani— a Butter Chicken dish that her father loved and according to her mother would be a dish any young bride must be able to cook to please her husband.

Her father’s enthusiasm was contagious as he described the snake as the most beautiful species he had ever seen in his entire life. This raised Nikki’s curiosity, for her father had been around snakes all his life, learning how to care for them from his own father. Now, as he was near Nikki, she noticed he was carrying a bucket, which by the way he walked must weigh a lot. She waved at him, and waving back with his freed hand, he smiled.

“Did you finish all your chores with your mother?” her father asked when he got close.

“Yes, Father, now can I see the new snake?”

“Patience, my child,” her father said, laughing. “The snake is not going anywhere. Let’s clean the cages of the other ones. We can’t neglect our old friends because there’s a new one.”

“Can I just take a quick peek first? Oh, please Father, just one little peek and then I’ll clean all the cages by myself.”

“You know,” Nikki’s father said, waving one finger at her. “This is the special food for the new snake. I was planning to feed her later, but I don’t think it will do any harm if I feed her earlier.”

“The snake is a female?” Nikki asked, even more excited.

“Yes, and a rare one too,” her father said, breathing hard, for the bucket he carried was heavy.

“Let me help you with that bucket. It seems heavier than the other food we feed the other snakes.”

“Thank you, Nikki, but I can manage.”

“I don’t hear the scrambling of mice inside.” Nikki’s curiosity was now in overdrive. “What does this snake eat that’s not live mice?”

“It eats other things, but don’t worry your pretty head about what she eats and what she doesn’t. This is a special snake. Did I mention that she’s the prettiest snake I have ever seen?”

“Father, how can a snake be pretty? Beautiful, yes, but not pretty. You sound as if you’re talking about a woman,” Nikki laughed. “Because I’ll tell Mother and she’ll make you sleep inside the cage with the pretty snake.”

“Wait ‘till you see her,” her father insisted, and without uttering another word, resumed his walk as Nikki hurried behind him.

To her surprise they went past the cages where they kept the major attractions, right by the entrance, but not before passing the gift shop. They continued walking past where more sheds lined up a strip, and it was an area further away from the park where many signs advised everyone it was a restricted area that only ‘Authorized Personnel’ could venture beyond.

“Father, where are we going?” Nikki couldn’t help herself, because now they were entering an area that she herself had never been. “Father, where are we going?” She repeated.

“Didn’t you want to see the snake?” Nikki’s father asked, and for the first time in her life, she noticed the hints of irritation in her father’s voice. “That’s where we are going, so hush because we don’t want to startle her.”

“But Father—”

“Hush, daughter! We are here, and you best be silent and not cause any disturbance to the Queen,” Nikki’s father cut into her own words.

“The Queen?”

“Yes, Nikki, the Queen. You’ll see, a magnificent Queen, and I’m the luckiest man in the world to be fortunate that she chose me to be her keeper.”

The building where they entered was a place Nikki never even knew existed. It laid in ruins, and the smell that attacked her was foul and repugnant. She wanted to throw up, but she stayed strong for her father. She knew that he would have preferred a boy instead of a girl when she was born and, for that reason, she was stronger than any stupid boy. Therefore, this time, that’s what Nikki did, her steady eyes fixed as they made their way inside. It was an enormous cage that Nikki figured an elephant could easily have fit in with a lot of room to spare. The early evening shades were gathering, but there was still enough light to illuminate inside where the snake was somewhere in a corner. She did not know what to expect, but her young mind kept wondering why there was such a large cage for merely one snake.

A mountainous shape stood at the end of the cage and Nikki gasped; it was the snake. She had seen nothing as massive, and as it breathed, the immense body rose. The skin was a glorious dark shade of green, combined with exquisite diamond designs in colors of golden yellows and light greens, and it adorned each diamond with rich brown spots in the center. It was hard to tell the actual size of this tyrannical species of a snake, as it remained coiled on the far end of the cage. Then, as if aware of their presence, it moved, and it reminded Nikki of the waves of an ocean moving in an ever-slow rhythm. It hypnotized her. The snake was beautiful and frightening, and Nikki stared at it with excitement and terror. Her father stood still, transformed into a worshipper witnessing a statue of a god coming alive. There was an exhilarating cadence in the way his breath rolled out of his mouth, and in his eyes, Nikki saw only the purity of a religious fanatic ready to shout his undivided devotion to a demigod.

To her alarm, her father undid the locks on the cage door, and she jumped and grabbed his arm. There was no way she was going to let him go inside that cage where this monstrosity was unrolling itself to a size she could have never fathomed.

“Father, please, do not open this cage,” Nikki pleaded, almost in tears. “Please father, let’s feed this snake the same way we feed the anacondas, by opening the small trap in the cage's bottom and push the mice in.”

“This beautiful snake doesn’t eat mice; it has a different diet.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter what it eats. Let’s push it through the opening just the same. I’m sure this creature will find its food. There’s no need for us to go inside. Please, Father.”

“If you’re afraid, then go back home and learn how to sew or some other chore that would make you useful for a future husband. The day you fear these supreme beings, then it’s the day to seek another amusement. Go on little girl, go back to mother, and help her with supper, for it seems you’re more suited for that than to follow in your Poppa’s footsteps. Go on, run home, for this pretty dame needs me. This lovely madam I have named Lilith.”

Her skin crawled hearing that name, and backing away quickly from the cage, Nikki screamed at her dad, pleading hysterically not to open the cage. For she knew that was no snake in there, but a hideous demon with venom in its fangs. She tried to pull his hands away from the lock, tried to grab him by the waist and keep him from going in. But how could a child of twelve years old could possibly do to stop a man who all his life has been doing strenuous work, and had added layers of muscles throughout his body?

Taking Nikki’s hands, he yanked them away and sternly ordered her to move aside. His momentum sent her to the ground, and looking up at her father, Nikki cried. Again, she begged him not to go in, but once again her father ignored her frantic pleas and snapped the lock off the latch. He opened the rusted cage door and went in. The hinges let out a loud squeal, and the monster of the snake turned its gargantuan head around. Its yellow eyes glared more at Nikki than at her father, who busied himself in removing the lid off the bucket. Scrambling to her feet, Nikki ran to the cage, her small fingers around the wired fence and she screamed, terrified as the snake rose, a mammoth of a beast, whose half of its body was much taller than her father. Shaking the fence to get her father’s attention, Nikki finally found the courage to go inside, where now she saw her father scooped the food out of the bucket. The smell was awful; it reeked like rotten meat. The snake came forward, its slow movements matched those of a predator about to strike its defenseless prey.

Holding the large scooper over his head, Nikki’s father stood with the passion of a pagan making an offering to a deity. The blood dripped from the offered food onto the floor, dotting it in dark crimson blotches. Lunging with a speed that belittled the size of its horrendous body, the snake slammed into Nikki’s father and sent him slumping across the cage, the bucket spilling all its contents at the feet of the child. Rotating its freakish head, the snake stared at Nikki with human-like eyes, and then the behemoth grinned. Not taking her eyes off the creature, Nikki took quick steps backwards.

“Do not fear me, my child,” the snake spoke, its words like the buzzing of million bees trapped inside its mouth. “I will not harm you if you promise to stay away from my lair and let me be.”

Nikki blinked furiously, and an unexpected relief overwhelmed her, as she realized this was only a dream, and soon she’d awake in the safety of her home.

“My child do not fool yourself, for dreams are still part of your reality. Now go on, gather your father, and return to your home, and promise me you will stay there. Let my matters be my own and advise the others as well.”

From the corner of her eye, Nikki could see her father struggle to get up, and she moved towards him to help him, but the snake, using its head, bumped Nikki backwards.

“You have not promised me what I have asked of you. Why is that? Are you planning to deceive me? My child is your head full of betraying thoughts?” the snake said as it lowered its mouth by Nikki’s feet and slurped what was on the floor. Again, her curiosity won over her fear, and Nikki looked down to see what type of food this hideous abomination ate, and she wished she hadn’t—for at her feet, scattered all over where bloody human embryos.

This time, Nikki ran, but whipping its tail and wrapping it around Nikki, the snake lifted her off the ground and brought her straight to its snout.

“It’s a pity that a young child like yourself needs to be taught you do not threaten forces you do not understand.”

Heaving Nikki above the cage, above the trees, the snake delighted itself by the child’s agonizing shrieks, and unwrapping its tail from Nikki’s waist, it dropped her from a twenty-foot height. She landed on the pile of the embryos. She feared one arm to be broken, and as she gasped in pain, she saw her father running in her direction. The snake raised its head and opened its mouth, a cavernous hole filled with blood-stained rows and rows of fangs, and mercilessly, with a single thrust, ripped Nikki’s father’s head off with one sickening bite.

“I have warned you,” the snake hissed as Nikki’s bloodcurdling cries tore the tendons in her throat.

Grabbing her chest, Nikki woke up, her face streaked with tears. There was fire in her throat, and underneath her chest, she felt the pounding of her heart. She tried to bring her breathing down, and sitting up on the bed, she felt the tremor that still shook her from the vivid and horrible nightmare. She tried to lift her arm to brush her hair off her face, and a sharp pain brought another set of fresh tears. Gently, she cradled her arm, and a few inches below her elbow she felt a swelling around the joint. Attempting to straighten the arm, the excruciating pain forced her to let out a shout. Slowly she made her way to the edge of the bed, and with the good arm, she reached out and turned on the lamp on the nightstand. Looking closely at the area around her elbow, she could see blotches of red and the beginning of a large purple patch that climbed all the way to her bicep. Placing a finger gingerly on the swollen skin, she gasped—it was the same arm that she landed in the nightmare. Shaking her head, she went to her feet, and something squishy was under them. When Nikki glanced down, she saw she was standing on a pile of human embryos.

*****

To Harry’s relief, the cough had waned to a scratchy discomfort in his throat. It was a welcome surprise, especially after dropping Eddie off, he went to Sunnyside and drove around for a few hours, until finally he made his way back home. It was puzzling why he had the urge to drive around those streets, which only held terrible memories bottled up with an anger that never disappeared. He even went by the building where a monster murdered his best friend, and where a demon once lived. He had pulled over at the curb and sat there for an entire half-hour, looking at the damn door where forever in his vision he would see the stain of Bill’s blood. Reminiscing about a friendship that began when Bill was a fresh rookie under Harry’s tutelage and lasted until that tragic day when another demon roamed these cursed streets. For a place with such a lovely name, they undoubtedly had paved its streets with gore. He wanted to drive by the place where another monster supposedly lived, but coming to a garbage truck blocking his way, he turned around and came home.

Now, Harry sat on his easy recliner, looking down at the bottle of Jameson, while swirling the Irish whisky inside a coffee mug. His nerves were still rambling wildly inside, but he was convinced a few stiff swallows of whisky would settle them. Yet, after four hefty coffee mug helpings of whisky sloshing through his head, his nerves were still rattled. At least he was drunk and glancing at the bottle on the TV table next to the recliner, he knew by the time night finally fell, he would have finished the bottle. Thoughts about skipping tomorrow’s meeting has been knocking inside his skull for a few hours now, and he was already on the threshold of agreeing with his head to sit this one out. Why the hell was he needed to be there? He already did his part, and that was to bring Eddie into the mix. What more can he do, but only slow them down and become a liability? Sure, he knew, they were counting on him to accompany Eddie in keeping an eye if the killer came out to play. But even that idea was losing the luster it once had in the meeting. Besides, what he experienced inside that room, the tightness around his throat, strong unseen fingers putting pressure on his windpipe, damn, he didn’t want to go through it again.

He coughed, and a hollowness echoed around the room. It startled him, but thank God, it had lasted only a minute, and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Harry leaned back and closed his eyes. The desire to go to bed was enticing, yet he couldn’t lift himself up from the recliner. Eventually, he would end up sleeping there, which was not the first nor the last, and grabbing the Jameson bottle from its neck, uncapped it and took a long gulp of whisky before filling the coffee mug. He burped, bringing up the repulsive smell of alcohol, medicine, and blood. Paying no attention to the stink, Harry took a long swallow—this time from the mug — convinced that Death must reek just like his burps.

Aware that sleep was not far behind from his bloodshot eyes, and for no other reason, but to see if he could finish the whisky bottle in one sitting, Harry rubbed his face, then slapped his head twice. Instead of knocking the sleep out of him, all it did was give him a headache.

He drank some more, which caused a ten-minute coughing fit, leaving him gasping for air and with streaks of blood drooling from his lips. He searched through all his pockets for his handkerchief, but then remembered leaving it inside the car. Too fatigued to get up and get another one, he pulled his shirt out, and using the tail, he wiped his mouth. Trying to find comfort, Harry leaned back on the recliner, worked the handle to lift his legs up, and feeling much better, he allowed sleep to whisk him away into la-la land.

A gruff voice came to him right away, and Harry knew he was dreaming by the way it came at him from all directions.

“You’re still here?”

Harry heard the voice, but after turning in a complete circle, he saw there was no one there.

“It took you a while to see that life is not painted in plain black and white, but there’s always a nice gray to change the situation,” the voice resonated around Harry. “I’m glad you finally saw the light. But I’m sorry to inform you it’s too late.”

“Fuck you, and the fucking whore who dropped you out of her rotten pussy,” Harry’s anger rang through each syllable of every word. “Show your face or keep walking. I’m not in the mood for nonsense or invisible assholes.”

“My, my, aren’t we in a foul mood tonight? What happened? Bad day at the office? Not getting enough sleep? Mr. Cancer is inviting more of his friends and is taking over every space in your putrid body? Tough shit, but hey, didn’t the label on the pack of cigarettes give you the warning? Buddy, it’s like playing Russian Roulette and you, like a schmuck, were gladly paying for the bullets. Anyway, everything that was done, what they said, you know the drill… you can’t take it back. This is not a shirt bought at Macy’s that you can return for an even exchange or your money back. Nah, cancer plays for fucking keeps. All sales are final.”

“Unless you show your face, I’m not going to answer your shit,” Harry said, turning his head around, searching for the owner of the voice. “I don’t speak to ghosts.”

“Well, one ghost sure gave you a tight squeeze this afternoon. If you look closely, you’ll see the finger marks. That was some hell of a grip. Bastard almost choked the cancer out of you.”

Harry listened to the voice and absentmindedly touched his neck. It felt sore. Pushing himself out of the recliner, he went to the bathroom and turned on the overhead light. He stepped in front of the sink and faced the mirror on the medicine cabinet. He raised his neck and inspected it, and it astounded Harry at the red marks on his neck. They looked as if he had painted them on with red markers. Why didn’t he notice them before? Why didn’t anyone in the conference room comment about it? Damn, they looked alarming enough for someone to be at least concerned. He went closer to the mirror, and he could see some moisture around the marks. He touched them gently with his fingertips, wincing, and when he looked at his fingers, there was blood on them. Taken aback by it, Harry stood in front of the mirror, staring at his neck.

“Those are some nasty marks you got there, buddy,” the voice was back. “Damn, if I were you, I would tend to those wounds. Last thing you want is to get an infection to go with the big infection inside your liver and lungs. On second thought, why don’t you just end it. You know, get it over with. I don’t even know why the doctors keep you around. Well, for one, your health insurance is putting some serious dollars in their pockets. Maybe thanks to you, the good doctor’s kiddies will finally take swimming laps in their own pool instead of the germ-infected pool at the local YMCA. Plus, buddy-boy, they are using your ass like a goddamn lab rat. Grandma’s pin cushion never got pinned as much as you.”

Harry turned away from the mirror and fixed his eyes on the direction the voice seemed to come from. He waited for the voice to start. It’s annoying yapping. It sounded like Bill, but his good friend was dead, so that was out of the question that he was hearing a dead man’s voice.

“Buddy-boy, by now you should be an expert on the unexplained things that go bump in the night. You are an old pro by now. Isn’t that’s the reason you brought in the Master of Ceremony? Mister Séance himself. The one and only Eddie—el brujo. And come on, Harry, you saw with your own eyes what happened at the precinct. That was not George Romero’s special effects. That was a one hundred percent certified boogeyman special. Fucking grade A! They should at least have handed out a few bags of popcorn.”

Trying to ignore the voice, Harry went back to the living room and sat back down on the recliner. Taking the bottle of whisky, when he was about to take a drink, he stared at the bottle. The liquid inside was not the typical amber color, but a murky green, and staring at it, there was something floating inside. He shook the bottle and tilted to see clearly what was inside. It was a fetus, and with repugnance he dropped the bottle on the floor.

“Are you getting squeamish in your old age?” Bill’s voice mocked. “Of all the shit we saw in our career, a little unborn baby is grossing you out? Imagine that! Even better, see it as a chicken embryo, better known as a cracked egg. I take mine over easy, with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. I would have never thought to live long enough to see that my buddy-boy here would someday get a weak stomach at the sight of a little juicy human morsel. Wait, holy shit, buddy-boy, I just realized I’m dead!” Then the voice burst out into a hearty laughter that filled the living room and made the walls shake. “I’m sorry,” the voice snickered. “Didn’t mean to laugh that hard, but it was funny. Don’t you agree?”

“Where’s my bottle?” Harry asked, shaking his fist at nothing but air. “Why don’t you show yourself so I can kick your ass?”

“Harry, listen,” the voice said, and there was a solemn tone to it. “I’m here buddy to help you with the transition.”

“What he the hell are you talking about?”

“Harry, you’re dying, and if you decide to be dumb enough to take this battle, you’re going to die a painful death. Let’s go now and the transition will be painless. It’s going to feel like crossing the street on a nice summer day. Like going over a small stream.”

“Get away from me!”

“Let’s not be stubborn now, but if that’s the way you want… well, then go ahead. Although I need to tell you, others will die because of you.”

“What do you mean ‘others will die’?”

“You’re old and sick like a fucking dog. You’ll be a burden to those around you. End it now and save the others.”

“Shut the fuck up! I’m dreaming so by tomorrow morning, all this will be just a bad dream with a hangover. I should haven’t mixed alcohol with drugs.”

“Last call, Harry. Come and join me and all your miseries, your worries, the monster inside of you slowly eating you alive… all that will disappear. But, if you decide to be stubborn, you’re going to die anyway, and get all those good people to die with you.”

“Get away from my head!” Harry shouted.

“Well, to think about it, people die when they are around you,” Bill said, and there was gloom in his voice. “You’re a goddamn jinx. They involved you in two of the worse crimes in this nice little town. The first one, after twenty years, the demon comes back to finish some unfinished business. And let’s not forget the one that killed my ass, another mess that you couldn’t see till the end. Yeah, Harry, you have dropped the ball more times than the maintenance workers at Times Square during New Year’s Eve. If you stick around long enough, the other mind-snatcher demon might come in to join the party. Especially if he learns that Harry, the merry loser, will handle party goods. Come on, Harry, for once finish something in your life.”

A silence fell over the room, and Harry blinked at the pitch darkness that surrounded him now. Was he awake? Was he still dreaming? He reached out to where he knew the whisky bottle should sit nicely on top of the TV table. Blindly, he slid his hand not to knock it down if it was still there, and not on the floor where he threw it. Two fingers brushed against something and easily he wrapped his hand around the neck of the bottle, which was next to the mug. Harry smiled. If the bottle is here, that meant only one thing, he was no longer dreaming. Lifting the bottle, he put it to his lips and tilted his head backwards. The strong taste of whisky went down like hot lava, burning the coating of his throat. It was a long drink and to convince himself that he was wide awake, he put the bottle back on the table and let out a loud burp. He looked at his wrist to see what time it was, then realized he took off his Timex when he came in, but by the darkness in the room, and the quiet of the night, Harry figured it must be past midnight. Maybe he should just go to bed and get ready for tomorrow’s meeting. Struggling to get out of the recliner, Harry was finally on his feet and began the trek to the bedroom when a sound from the kitchen startled him. He stopped and turned in that direction. He perked his ears up and stayed on the spot, motionless, for a good two minutes. Silence. When he continued his walk, the sound of plates rattling came at him from the kitchen. He hurried to the recliner where on a side pouch he always kept his gun, and retrieving it, he walked cautiously towards the rattle. Thin moon rays guided him through the darkness, and once on the kitchen’s threshold, Harry lifted the gun and pointed. Someone in front of him moved and Harry pulled the trigger, but the second he did, he realized the movement of someone in the kitchen was his own reflection on the window, tinted black by the night sky. The bullet hit the metal side of the sink and ricocheted straight at his head and right between his eyes. Harry dropped dead on the floor, even before the bullet exploded out from the back of his skull.

******

Alex checked his watch and wondered what had happened to the night, especially after how promising it had started. The rejection he received from an older woman who should have appreciated that a younger man like himself was interested in her still baffled him. He waved at the bartender for the check, and thinking about Cassandra’s rejection more clearly, he felt like an asshole. It was becoming a pattern with him, and it was getting to where he was tiring of his situation. It was even worse that while he drank the beers at this honky-tonk bar, he had called Nikki. Yes, he knew he made one of those infamous booty calls, but sometimes the combination of booze and the desire not to be alone overrides your good judgement. He was glad that the call went straight to her voicemail, and knowing her too well, he could picture her spending the night cutting and studying corpses. It always amazed him the type of stomach people like Nikki must have, but she was at the top of her field, and how he lost a high caliber woman like Nikki was beyond his stupid understanding. Then again, wasn’t that his norm?

Walking out of the bar, he felt inebriated, and guilt washed over him. How long had his sobriety lasted? Not long enough to receive lengthy praise from his AA sponsor. What would the old man say when Alex confessed his failure? Maybe he’ll keep this information from him—for all Alex knew, the old weasel might still have a few nightcaps to soothe the drinking demons that never really go away. They merely stay nice and quiet in the shadows. Once an alcoholic, always a goddamn alcoholic, and soon those demons would frolic again. Brushing those thoughts away, Alex slid inside his car, which was parked at a fire hydrant. Cassandra’s face popped into his mind. He wanted to laugh, for someone who carved her husband’s heart out, worrying about him parking at a pump, was just plain frivolous. Perhaps tomorrow after the meeting he’d invite her out for dinner again, and who knows, maybe the second time getting past first base would be workable. He smiled as he inserted the key in the ignition and the engine roared to life. Pulling away from the curb and into sparse traffic, he thought about Cassandra once more and all she had gone through. You had to give her credit for how she had fought all her life, and it made sense for her to be cautious with him. She played by her rules, no exceptions. Besides, maybe she saw him as what he truly was, a cheap three-dollar Casanova.

Driving past a Pentecostal storefront church, Alex saw a group of people gathered outside after a late service. Slowing down, he stared at the crowd, remembering how many nights he had been part of such a congregation. Attending functions like this with his mother, a God-fearing woman who controlled his life and not one second went by, without her quoting a scripture from the Bible. It was a childhood from hell, corrupted with crosses and uplifting songs of crusades toward the saintly path to God’s promised land. When his mother died, he buried all those beliefs that she tried to ram into him. Alex was like his father, as she told him many times, a sinner with the thirst for liquor and a life guided by Satan’s lies. Alex never in his life could understand how those two met. And upon her death, the truth she never confided in him came out. Alex was a bastard, a child borne out of wedlock. A sin he knew was the reason for her fanatical devotion, a sin she carried with her—her own private cross. His father, as much as he understood from the bits and pieces he learned from his grandmother, was the reincarnation of the devil. A total loser too busy chasing every beer and woman in town, who never took the responsibility of fatherhood. Perhaps his father saw Alex as a ball and chain strapped to his ankles. The sentence for seducing the wrong girl, and what better way to remove those shackles than by running as far away from them as possible.

Glancing one last time, Alex took a long stare at the young kids in the group, and he wondered how many of them would suffer for the rest of their lives because of lies rammed into them from those wolves disguised as the lambs of God.

Finally arriving at his block, Alex went around the block once, and not finding a parking spot, pulled the car into a fire hydrant. He glanced at his watch, and it was close to midnight, and as he went up the stairs to his apartment, his thoughts were still frozen on his childhood from hell. Awful recollections, which he tried all his life to shove all the way into oblivion. Yet occasionally they surfaced, shaming him, like tonight. Buried memories brought out easily from the sight of the damn congregation out in the street. It was a goddamn upbringing he was adamant to forget, which he did every possible way, from alcohol, drugs, and sexual encounters that left him wondering if he had a death wish. Maybe it was not so much his growing up in such a fucked-up environment, but the circumstances his mother put him in without thinking once about his sanity.

He hated both his parents equally; his mother for putting Bibles on both sides of her head as blinders, and his father for running out of his life even before Alex took his first breath. May they both rot in hell for leaving a young boy in the hands of those who his mother trusted the most, the men of the cloth. The closest thing to God here on earth in her gullible eyes. His name was Juan, the pastor of their run-down church, who visited their home for free meals and to gain her undeniable trust. His ever-present smile in his nicotine-stained lips, and a quick ‘Bless the Lord, Hallelujah, Sister!’. The always-smiling-jolly good-spirited man. But perversion swam in his heart, and all the time his mother—blinded by her God-fearing ignorance—neglected to see the devil inside her home. Satan adorned with Jesus’s cross. How soon he convinced her to let Alex come and help at church. A boy needed guidance, especially a boy whose father was dead. He would tell her all the time as he devoured the home cooking his mother provided for him at least three nights a week.

The games started slowly, harmless, and for a ten-year-old boy, he never thought that what a man of God was doing to him was wrong. Maybe this was the way fathers and sons played, how they bonded. Alex didn’t know how a father behaved, and the pastor’s games, he thought, were how fatherhood was.

“Were you a bad boy today?”

The pastor would ask, his face red and excited. Alex would giggle and shake his head, as the pastor nodded and poked him with one fat finger. He would make him come to him and breathing hard, Juan would put Alex across his legs and spanked him, while repeating over and over, “Alex was a naughty boy.”

Sitting on his couch, Alex held his head, the too familiar anger rising; the shame and the hatred all combined, ready to explode. Where was his mother’s God then to protect him? Or where was his real father to mentor him and teach him that those were not games—like catching a baseball—a proper game played between fathers and sons? Where was his mother when her son was getting sodomized, while a fat pervert son of a bitch kept his fucking sing song, “Alex was a naughty boy’” over and over?

Angry hot tears came down Alex’s face and balling his hands into fists, he shut his eyes tight, wanting to punch something. He jumped from the couch and began pacing around the room until finally he crashed back down on the couch. He stayed there staring at the floor until he dragged himself to the bed on drunken steps and without undressing, he laid down. In seconds, Alex was in a deep sleep.

The dream came as a mist, swirling around until it clung to him. With a sudden thrust, it lifted him off his feet and pulled him into the blackness of the night. Hovering high above the trees, Alex looked down, as an exhilarating sensation overwhelmed him with an invigorating power that sped up through his body like nothing he had ever experienced. Were these the powers he fervently prayed as a boy to his mother’s God? He remembered every morning those deep prayers always went unanswered. Finally, he realized; there was no God to protect him from the terrors of a pastor and his nightmarish chant — “Alex was a naughty boy.”

“Can tonight be the time that finally you’ll hear answers to your prayers?” A voice filtered within the whoosh sounds in the wind. “Tell me, Alex, what do you want? Powers to avenge those who did you wrong?”

“YES!” Alex shouted.

“Well then Alex, tonight you shall celebrate! Tonight, revenge is yours. Look down. What do you see?”

“The old storefront church,” Alex replied as he descended. “Still looks like the piece of shit I remember. The place that after many years of slaving herself for them, they denied my mother’s last wish, to be escorted to their promised paradise with prayers. The mere decency of a godly sendoff refused because some envious women spread the hidden secret of my mother—that she raised a bastard of a son. A son borne out of wedlock.”

“Yes, and the biggest sinner of them all,” the voice in the wind continued. “Led the congregation to cast judgmental stones on her, and abandoned you, like the prodigal son their god didn’t want to save.”

From above the midnight sky, Alex came down onto the depleted sidewalk and, standing in front of the church, he spat with disgust. He glared at the crudely made sign above the entrance, the weather bleached most of the color from the letters, and now it hung crooked and faded, just like the hypocrisy that dwelt within those walls. He turned the knob around and in a whiny protest the door gave in, and inside its shadowed vestibule, Alex stood. It still held the same smells he associated with the place as a child; dirty mop water, roach spray, and the sweat of those sinners that expect Jesus’ salvation upon their death, regardless of if they never walked one step in the Messiah’s sandals.

Even after all these years, the layout of the interior remained the same, and Alex smiled, for he knew exactly where the fat pastor slept. Going up the familiar steps to the second floor filled him with apprehension. For one second Alex considered turning around and running away from this evil place that had tormented his entire life and shaped the way the little boy in him became a confused man.

“Go ahead Alex, unless you do what you need to do, forever this agony, this shame, would hold you captive in its grasp forever. I know that’s not what you want. Remember how he ruined you. Ruined your basic humanity to love and loved others without the sexual guilt that has troubled your soul. Go on, Alex, go on, and reclaim your life once and for all.”

He went to the bottom of the stairs and looked up. A night light plugged along the lower molding of the wall, threw a yellowish tint into the hallway. Taking two steps at a time, he reached the second landing, and came to a small corridor. Alex stopped for a second and looked around. He then walked to the far end and stood in front of a closed door. Nothing had changed since those agonizing days, and he reached out for the knob.

“Go ahead, open the door and end your agonies forever,” the voice encouraged Alex.

He took a deep breath and pushed the door open. The room was dark, yet he could see the fat shape of the son of a bitch. Silently Alex went in and drew his gun out. He moved to the bed, close enough where he could smell a repugnant odor that came from the pastor’s snoring. The old-too-familiar fear rose within, and confusion settled in, until the whispered voice reclaimed Alex’s strength.

“You’re not too far from repossessing what’s yours. Remember what he took from you. Now it’s time to take it back.”

The sight of the pastor was disturbing. His obese stomach, the sign of greed and gluttony, jittered with each exhale. A worn-out Bible—the book of lies and deception—sat opened on the nightstand, and carefully Alex picked it up. He leafed through it, wondering how a person could read such a book, and then go out of his way to contradict Jesus’ teachings. With a raw hatred overpowering his emotions, Alex closed the Bible and brought it hard against the pastor’s face. The old man jumped; a frightened scream rushed out of his mouth. His enormous eyes bolted out, and the pastor attempted to get up. With the gun’s handle, Alex clobbered him on top of his head, and the man crumbled back on the bed.

“Remember me?” Alex asked as he held the Bible against the man’s heart. “After all these years, Alex is still a naughty boy.” Alex said, and placing the gun on the Bible, he pulled the trigger once, twice, until the hammer only hit the empty chambers. Behind him, the shadow applauded Alex’s actions.

“My son, you’re finally free from the false heaven they trapped you in,” the shadow said, and with a diabolical laughter it swirled away.

With a shout, Alex jumped, awakening from his sleep. The vividness of the dream rattled him, and he blinked furiously. He was shaking and he couldn’t believe how realistic was the dream, even the smell of gunpowder and blood remained on his clothes. Still disorientated, Alex sat on the bed and when he was about to get up, he plopped back down. A horror of disbelief ran up and down his spine, for right there on the foot of the bed was the pastor’s leather-bound Bible with an immense hole dripping in blood; next to it was his empty gun, with smoke twirling out of its barrel.

*****

How many times Alberto had to endured the confinement, the entrapment of being sealed inside a nutshell? Surrounded with fading ideas, important tasks, which felt like useless goals no longer available for creatures like himself. Alberto still remembered when he was human. But now he took all the blame of discarding the humanity—God’s free-will gift—and trading it for the atrociousness of evil. At first, the monstrous actions he followed were justified by the lustful rewards paid in full by the sins of the flesh. There’s even guilt in whatever heart he still possessed; or the memory of one. There were moments when the lust became shame, and he wanted to run away from Lilith. But the second he fed from her, and she fed from him. Both became the drug and the addiction—each of them taking turns in who would claim the moniker.

Now, as he traveled through the threshold of the dreams of others, his soul contaminated with Lilith’s viciousness and the entity of a lesser being, Alberto followed the commanding orders given to him by Lilith. However, times like this, he wondered if he could finally defy her? Didn’t the second they both fused each other’s souls inside the jar, he became equal to her? On the contrary, didn’t he have more power, more freedom than Lilith? The all-powerful Lilith, trapped like a rat inside a basement, while he could travel with no restrictions. Wasn’t he able to merge with Cassandra’s body and became a part of her? When now, Lilith could only dispatch her astral body, but with no power to even move a candy wrapper from the street. Therefore, why in this forsaken world was he still inspired to please her? You still fear her and the ghostly terror that, regardless of what you think, you will never be her equal. Alberto smiled and nodded, acknowledging the morbid thought that loomed in his head. His voice of reason, left over from the time he wanted to stop the killings and throw himself at God’s mercy and forgiveness. But that was a long time ago. Another era he was not part of, and the voice of reason was merely a trivial nonsense that only held the purest idealism of a life he didn’t own anymore. Furthermore, the God he once knew—he once confided in—left his side the second he bowed to the rules and atrocities of Hell.

Alberto dismissed all those devious convictions and stared at the unfolding horizon. Soon, the signs of morning would streak the black sky, but there was enough time to finish Lilith’s precious plan. One by one, Alberto invaded their dreams and fused them into vivid nightmares that made them question their scheming actions. In addition, after they learned about Harry’s death, they would probably decide to abandon the battle against Lilith, and consequently give her the liberty to become the powerful entity she, with no doubt, be converted into. Now, as he hovered over Cassandra’s troubled sleep, he traced her body with eyes that once remembered his human compassion. She was the last one whose dreams he was supposed to assault, and he was grateful that another spirit would deal with Eddie, providing him with the joy of being with Cassandra at last. He still loved her, despite the abominable being he was now. Alberto nodded, realizing that love was not only reserved for godly things. Love could be part of what others classified as evil. Wasn’t the love for her daughters that still fueled Lilith’s quest for human immortality? Or the love of being a woman again?

Descending and inches away from Cassandra, he passed one hand over her head. His touch was gentle, and she shifted slightly, her breathing synchronized with her palpitating heart. Alberto longed for her own touch, her caresses—like those given with passion back when their love was young. He laid down next to her, inhaling her scent and right there and then, Alberto’s desires exploded within. He touched her again, brushing his cold, disfigured lips on her soft cheeks. Closing his eyes, he nudged his face into the crevice between her neck and shoulder. Madness consumed him, and Alberto dared to imagine the impossible. But as ridiculous as the idea may sound, it took flight and settled comfortably inside of him, giving him reasons to hope. Wasn’t Lilith, when she had the powers to roam freely, able to take part in the acts of love? Then, why couldn’t he? Wasn’t his soul embedded with Lilith’s? Practically making him equal to her, an incubus, the male counterpart to Lilith’s succubus?

He moved closer to Cassandra. Could he also use Lilith’s techniques and become a man again? An excitement took hold of him, and desperately he wanted to feel Cassandra’s warmth. Be the man he once was before Lilith inflicted her curse upon him. But what would happen to him if he dared follow those dangerous steps? Was he part of Lilith’s master plan? Would Lilith understand and support his quest for the same immortality as her? Or was the desire to live forever not one of Lilith’s options for the likes of him? A simmering rage rose within Alberto, and hovering once again above Cassandra, he pondered. Was he destined to be Lilith’s puppet for eternity? Perhaps it didn’t matter how long Cassandra incarcerated them inside the jar, how they fused together to survive the burning from the holy water. To Lilith, everyone was a pawn, a gambling chip in her little game of double-crossing whoever was in front of her. Maybe it was time to be bold and gain his dignity, his life back from Lilith’s clutches. Alberto laughed as he lowered himself and kissed Cassandra’s forehead. “Two can play the same game,” he murmured. “Gather all your chips, my sweet Lilith, winner-takes-all!”

*****

What would her friend back in Lancaster say if she knew the flirting that went on between her and Alex during dinner and the drive back home? Cradle robber? Cougar? Cassandra laughed as she stretched out on the lumpy twin bed in the rented room. Maybe it was a mistake in confiding too much information about her love life—or lack of it. She had to admit that there was a mutual attraction between them. It showed by the easiness in their conversation and obviously by his invitation to his home. She gave it a thought about accepting, but deep inside she knew that would have been a mistake. Especially since tomorrow’s meeting with the others was hours away, and if they had spent the night together, it would have shown. You can’t hide the way two people behave with one another after having sex. For that reason, now that she was nicely tucked in her own bed, she was pleased with her decision. Besides, there was at least a fifteen-year difference between them. Plus, if she dismissed the discrepancy of their age, who’s to say that she didn’t represent to him a sexual fantasy of making love to an older woman and nothing more? Could it have been that Alex was trying to cross out one of his bucket list items? Pulling the covers under her chin, Cassandra hoped that tonight’s flirtation would not create uneasiness between them come tomorrow morning, and if it did—that would be her answer—he was not ready to handle a real woman.

Turning off the lamp, Cassandra fluffed the pillow and settled on her side, and soon she dozed off. Her chest rose in a slow rhythm while soft snores filled the room.

The dream came quickly, as vivid as if she was living it. Chirping crickets surrounded her in a sweet nocturnal resonance, and in a meditating state of relaxation, Cassandra’s subconscious dove deeper into the realm of dreams. Rapid movements aroused her, and after her eyelids fluttered for a few minutes, slowly she opened her eyes. She was standing in the middle of a forest. Above her, a full magenta-shaded moon shone upon her, and illuminated the ground with thick blood-like streaks. Thick, overgrown bushes grew high on each side of her, narrowing a straight path, and when she attempted to go through the overgrowth, it was like trying to penetrate a wall. A greenish aroma tickled her nose, and it was an exotic, intoxicating smell. Memories from her childhood flooded her mind, when she spent three months with a foster family who lived in a place identical to where she was now. She remembered she was two months shy of her fourteenth birthday and was developing a young woman’s body, which didn’t sit too well with the lady of the house. That was the first time she cursed her good looks and wore baggy clothes to disguise her curves.

A small chuckle came out, as she shook her head at the idiocy of her mind, when she stumbled upon a chute that blocked her path. Again, she tried pushing through the high bushes, and like before, the wall-like overgrowth was impenetrable. She stared at the opening of the chute, turning her face away from the nauseating odor that rose from its depth. She looked back, swayed by the uneasiness she felt, wondering if it was best to turn around. Yet, the only way to continue was by sliding down the chute.

“And that isn’t happening,” Cassandra said out loud.

Once more, Cassandra took another look at the chute, concentrating more on the vines and dried leaves that covered the rim. Her first reaction was to back away, but her curiosity got the best of her, and she came closer, wondering what the purpose of such an odd structure in the middle of the road was. Inching forward, she noticed a blinking light at the bottom. Moving closer to where her knees brushed against it, Cassandra peeked in, when with no warning something behind pushed her. She went headfirst, her forehead colliding hard on the steel tube. With her arms flapping wildly, Cassandra tumbled down, her body banging from side to side, until painfully she slammed hard on the ground. Sprawled on the patch of dirt, she looked up at a grey sky that loomed above her. Cassandra tried to move but winced at the many slashes and sharp cuts all over her arms and face. With difficulty, she rolled onto her side and staggered to her feet. Adjusting to the dim light, Cassandra glanced around, and she spotted the ruins of what once were houses. She went to them, and she could see the remaining blackened walls, the only things left from homes destroyed most likely by a fire. Large black trees—bared from leaves—twisted forwards. Their branches stood out like menacing fingers. Something rustled behind her, and Cassandra swirled, but the swift movement was too fast for Cassandra to register what it was. A fear washed over her, unsure if this was still a dream. Confused and desperate to run away from this place, she lowered her shoulders and threw herself against the bushes that blocked her path. It was like hitting the back of a standing truck, as she bounced off and crumbled into the ground. An icy feeling that something was watching her made her shudder. She turned around quickly. Simultaneously, the black shadow shifted behind her. Anxiously, Cassandra jumped to her feet, and unsettled by the apparition that filled her with dread, Cassandra ran. However, to her distress, the shadow ran alongside. Fatigued, Cassandra stopped, and the shadow also came to a halt, and rather than come forward, it stood a few feet away—motionless. Leisurely, it lowered itself and with one hand swept the ground, and calmly picked up small birds that writhed at its feet. Horrified, Cassandra stared at the birds, alarmed that she had never seen them before. The shadow bowed, and there was a satisfaction in its gesture, and even though the darkness embodied it, Cassandra sensed an evil grin spread on its dark features. Then it laughed. A hollow of a chuckle, and along with the mocking grin, Cassandra saw the eyes of the creature. They were two yellow orbs, sunken inside empty sockets. Its grin widened, and the eyes sparkled while the laughter grew bolder, sending chills up and down Cassandra’s spine.

Spinning away from the jeering shadow, Cassandra ran blindly. The many sharp pebbles that littered the ground cut into her bare feet. A low twisted branch came down, shredding the skin on her back, and Cassandra yelled in agony. Still, she ran, taking quick glances over her shoulder. But it didn’t matter how fast she ran; the black thing was always inches away from her. Terrified of those cold black fingers to reach out and grab her, Cassandra scampered faster, dodging the tree branches that now snapped alarmingly at her.

“Follow me!”

A mere whisper invaded her thoughts, and it terrified her because she recognized the voice—it was Alberto’s. But was it really Alberto, or the monstrosity who had attacked everyone at the precinct? Not trusting anything or anyone who resembled Alberto, Cassandra refused to listen and kept on running.

“Cassandra, please stop!” and there was desperation in his voice.

She slowed down, and taking one quick glance behind her, the shadow vanished, and in its place a vortex spun rapidly towards her. With only one desperate thought in her mind—and that was to survive—Cassandra increased her speed into a mad dash across the dangerous terrain. A large rock appeared from nowhere, and not able to stop, Cassandra slammed into it blindly. The momentum sent her rambling to the ground. A handful of pebbles covered with maggots stuffed into her mouth, and with disgust, Cassandra spat them out. Jumping to her feet, she wiped her mouth, and glared at the whirlwind, which now a white light pulsated and blinded her with its brightness. She covered her eyes with both hands, as the strong winds from the vortex died down. An ear-splitting screech burrowed into her ears as the vortex exploded and standing in its place stood Alberto. There was a glow around him, and he smiled, filling her with the significant memories when they began a new life together.

“Cassandra, it is me,” Alberto said. “Please don’t dismiss me. I’m here to help you. Sweetheart, por favor mi princesa, soy yo. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Get away from me!” Cassandra shouted as she backed away. Turning quickly, she dashed across the hard dirt and adding to her confusion, in front of her a thick, gray fog made it impossible to see.

“Cassandra, stop! You’re running to the edge of a cliff. If you fall, you’ll die. Get that through your head. You will die if you don’t stop this senseless running.”

“It’s only a dream! You don’t die in dreams,” Cassandra screamed, but even those words were hard for her to believe. For all that was happening to her was too vivid, too emotional, and she had doubts it was only a dream.

“Just stop for one second,” Alberto pleaded. “I will not move from here. All I want you to do is stop, and then take small steps and you’ll see that I’m telling you the truth. The fog is thinning, and if you look down, you’ll see the edge of the cliff, and a bottomless pit.”

Cassandra stopped, and dragging her feet forward, she came to a point where her toes felt a stream of air rushing up. It was a hot and muggy air, and when she peeked over it, and extreme heat rose and covered her face with sweat. Alberto was right as she inched away from the edge.

“Where am I?” Cassandra asked, and she could hear the fear in her voice.

“It doesn’t matter where you are, but how to return home safe. Now do you trust me?”

“Do I have any other choice?”

“Yes, if you think dreams cannot hurt you… jump!”

Cassandra wavered and taking one last look at the edge of the cliff, she backpedaled towards Alberto, who stood waiting patiently.

“You have selected the best choice, Cassandra,” Alberto said. “Here, take my hand. I’ll bring you home and I guarantee everything will be okay. Please, come on, mi princesa, take my hand.”

Her indecision was still there but admitting to herself that her only option was to take Alberto’s hand, she reached out. His fingers were warm, just like she always remembered them, as they wrapped around her hand and gently pulled her to him. The sweet aroma of Old Spice deodorized the air, perfuming Cassandra with nostalgia, for that was his favorite deodorant. She stared at his face, his handsome youthful face, and his smile filled her with the love that was exciting and new—the love that she missed so much. He opened his arms and Cassandra went into them.

He stroked her hair, the way he used to when they cuddled on the couch to watch corny sitcoms that made them laugh hard. She closed her eyes and pressed her face against his chest, the Old Spice scent immobilizing her as she crumbled into his arms. His kisses were gentle taps on the back of her neck. Taking her face with both hands, he lifted her chin, and gently passed one finger over her lips, parting them, and slowly he placed his lips on hers. The kiss was as sweet as the first one they had shared on their first date, while the flickering lights from the movie house coated them in a kaleidoscope of colors. His breath was hot as the kiss elevated into a passion that Cassandra had longed for, for so long. Her legs weakened, and the moistness she felt in her dripped down her inner thighs. She moaned, and her desires for him, overwhelmed all sensations that she had ever experienced. She allowed him to lift her off her feet and carry her into the unknown. With her eyes closed, Cassandra felt a floating sensation, and the fear that once terrified her was now a distant memory in the powerful arms of Alberto.

Gently he placed her down, and when she opened her eyes, the dimness of the room could not hide where she was, and feeling the familiarity of their bedroom, Cassandra cried.

“Hush… hush… hush, my beautiful princesa, please hush,” Alberto whispered in her ear. “I told you all is safe, that I was bringing you home.”

Cassandra glanced around, and yes, she was home. Inside their apartment, where they both learned how to make love—slowly, tenderly, passionately.

Skillfully, he undressed her, and with each item of clothing he removed, Alberto took his time to kiss every inch of that exposed part of her body. It was a sensual massage that he was giving her with his hands, his exploring fingers, his lips, and his tongue. The same way, but this time with more expertise than when they were young lovers, novices in the act of lovemaking. In ecstasy, Cassandra gave in to his touches, to his kisses, and the way she had questioned Alex if he could handle twenty years of her celibacy, Alberto answered her.

She came out of the dream, still feeling the aftermath of the affectionate lovemaking. Sitting on the bed to compose herself, Cassandra noticed she was naked. She frowned—because she never slept in the nude, not even while married to Alberto. A bit confused, she threw off the blanket to the side and saw her clothes strewn on the floor. Swinging her legs out of the bed, Cassandra gasped at the sight of her feet; they were covered in blood, and bloated maggots wiggled in and out from between her toes. Startled, Cassandra looked to her right, and to her terror, a black shadow stepped out from the corner and vanished as the scent of Old Spice lingered behind.

*****

The downpour was liberating, and Eddie lifted his face into the hard-driving rain. A strong wind came from the east, gaining strength from the choppy currents of the East River. He could envision the waves, dark and menacing, crashing against the sea wall of the East River Greenway, where many times his mother would take them to enjoy the cool breezes on long summer days. The good old days of his youth, when life was a simple and exciting time to discover their new American home. Prior to the nightmare that came and shattered their happiness forever.

He pushed the melancholic thought out of his mind, and instead concentrated on what was in front of him. Still perplexed about what took place inside the precinct’s conference room, regardless of the many years he had dealt with spirits and forces from beyond this world, Eddie had never encountered such force as he did today. The entity who was attached to Cassandra was merely a pawn, yet the powers displayed were manipulated by a powerful demon who not only concerned him but scared him as well. Eddie wholeheartedly believed that was the reason for the demon’s spectacle, to send them a coherent message; do not intervene!

The rainstorm subsided into a faint drizzle. It thrummed rhythmically on top of air conditioners and the fire escape at the back of the building. Since he had returned home, Eddie had settled on his own fire escape, and like always, such a simple task of sitting out here made him smile. He remembered the first time he went out on the fire escape. Amazed at all the new things he was learning about his new home in New York. At first, his mother refused to let him, and his siblings go out into what she saw as a wrought-iron monstrosity outside the kitchen window. Dismissing his father’s assurance that the fire escape was much stronger than the entire old tenement. His father, living in New York for the past eight years, considered himself a connoisseur of what this brick and steel city was all about. Ultimately, with enough coaxing by his father and other family members, his mother tentatively gave in. Despite that, it took her a few weeks until she was comfortable to allow them to go out there. Of course, there were rules they had to abide by, and one of them was always to stay sitting down and nowhere near the edge. Plus, the biggest taboo—no standing!

Eddie smiled, wrapped in the warmth of those sweet memories—memories cut short by the madness of a curse that turned their lives into chaos and transformed them into strangers living under the same roof. How many times had he played that what if old game? A pathetic game, which was the leading cause for people to lose their minds, pushing them into suicidal paths.

He took a long sip from a bottle of wine, a luxury he allowed himself to enjoy occasionally. Although, after the violent death of a dear friend—a death he held himself responsible for—the luxury was becoming a permanent everyday routine. He wondered if he had inherited his father’s thirst for the bottle. The best and oldest painkiller in the world, cheaper than Quaaludes, and available everywhere with no prescription required. And more to the point, the alcohol dulled the visions and muffled the voices that were constantly filtering with abandon into his psyche. Like he told Detective Brando, this gift was a curse. The second it infected him, like a deadly virus, it killed everything that was common around him. Eddie took another swallow, this time much longer, and stared at the tree across the yard, which he saw as an old friend, for it was the only tree that stood as tall as the building and filled him with amazement the first day he ventured out here. It was one of nature’s wonders that had stood there absorbing the many lifestyles, the many thoughts, so that only those consumed by grief and loneliness could notice the serenity of what others might merely dismiss as another tree.

“Qué piensas?”

After so many years, Eddie could still hear his mother’s question. ‘What are you thinking of?’ It was her constant-never-ending question during the long months while he recovered from the coma he had suffered when he was ten years old. He knew it bothered her to find him sitting in the same spot on the fire escape where he was sitting now, staring at the tree. How many times he wanted to tell her he was thinking of the raw deal they dealt him with. That forever in his life, he would always feel the guilt of his brother’s death. The culpability that pushed his father to run away from them, and to die alone inside a shack up in the mountains of Puerto Rico. Back then, he wanted to shout at his mother, and make her see how his own sisters saw him with a fear in their eyes, because their little brother was now a walking brujo. Yes, Mami, he wanted to tell her, make her understand the same pain that drove him insane. Ask her the burning question that he could never snuff out. If I’m God’s child, then why do the Devil’s cohorts visit me more often than angels?

“Bendicíon, Mami,” Eddie said as he imagined his mother’s worried face while he finished the bottle of wine. “I’m sorry… por favor, Mamita, perdoname.”

A rustle in the tree brought him out from his thoughts, and Eddie held the empty bottle of wine, ogling at it, as if wanting an explanation of its emptiness. He wished he had another bottle to attempt to drink his pains away.

Eddie leaned back, the coolness of the brick wall bringing the same comfort it did when he returned from the hospital and sought shelter away from everyone’s eyes. Those who studied him and analyzed him. Maybe they all waited for some hocus pocus to take control of him. To finally see for themselves what they had all decided, what their little brother had become, a monster. Those were troublesome times, the nightmares that left him bathed in sweat, his throat hoarse from the ghastly screams that bolted out. His poor mother, in disarray and overwhelmed by the helplessness that strangled her as she tried to console him. Until once again she went to the old babalawo, Francisco, figuring if he could bring Eddie back from the dead, he could bring him out of whatever hell he was now.

Eddie shook his head, pressing his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. He felt a tiredness, not physically, but a mental fatigue that had tormented him since the day the old Santero revealed to him who Eddie was. Showed him the gift given upon him by the Orishas, and the honor he needed to feel to have such a gift. At first, Eddie refused to see what Francisco tried to teach him, and after his inner battle, Eddie finally succumbed to them. And what he thought would bring his sisters back to treating him the way before the coma, to the contrary, it pushed them more away from him. Now, in their eyes, he was a fully-fledged boogeyman. Even his mother shied away from him, for there’s no blueprint, no troubleshooting manual to educate a mother about how to adjust to a son who’s more comfortable with spirits than flesh and bone human beings.

Standing up, he walked to the edge of the fire escape and looked down. He glanced through the many windows where he admired movements bathed in yellow. He could hear voices, music, the banging of pots and pans; the sounds of the night settling down. Somewhere a dog growl, then barking, but not loud enough to drown the screaming of a baby and the loud arguments of the usual group of men who loitered by the corner bodega. Eddie stood there, the drizzle now a slight mist, which brought a chilly breeze. He rubbed his arms for warmth and concerned that he could catch himself a nasty cold if he stayed out here in soaked clothes, he ducked under the window, and went inside. The warmth of the apartment draped around him, and dropping the wine bottle inside the garbage can, he walked through the dark towards the bedroom. He recalled the last person he shared his apartment with, a lovely woman who he met one day as he strolled through Central Park. She always joked that he was a cat in another existence, by the way he could walk around the apartment in the dark. Her name was Sharon, and her laughter had filled these solemn walls for close to a year. Until those who came for his help and the nightly visitors from the afterlife pushed her away from him. There were times he wondered what happened to her. His sweet Sharon, who he called ‘mi gatita’, for the way she seemed to purr when they made love. After her, there was no one else, for he realized a man like him couldn’t have a normal life. Not when his work always took center stage, and whatever time left over, it was merely an afterthought for that person.

In the pitch blackness, he undressed, then sat in front of his altar. He lit a white candle, said a prayer, and crossed himself. The flickering flames filled the room with lightness, and he stared at it, meditating with the dancing movements it made. Eddie wanted to lie down and sleep, to be well-rested for tomorrow’s meeting, but there was an anxiety in him. Inhaling deeply, he held his breath for ten seconds, then slowly exhaled. He repeated this, each time holding the breath one second longer, until he reached twenty seconds. Enveloped in the soothing relaxation, his eyes fluttered, and giving in to the sedative of sleep, he snuffed the candle and went to bed.

A heavy sleep cocooned him at once, and somewhere in the distance he heard piercing cries of birds. He stirred, accepting the dream and its vividness. Eddie embraced the smell of the ocean, fulfilling and refreshing his lungs. There was the resonance of rolling waves lapping on the shore, and the whistling sounds the tall grass made, serenading the air with harmonious overtones. Strolling, with a blue sea to his right, as a hot orange sun penetrated through his shirt and blistered his skin, Eddie felt a sensation of déjà vu. But knowing he was dreaming; he dismissed the uncanny feeling.

Wiping his hand across his perspiring forehead, Eddie tried to ignore the heat and rather concentrate on the fragrant aroma that tickled his nose. There was no other smell like the sweetness of mango, and because of it, he stopped and right behind him was an enormous mango tree; its branches impregnated with the largest mangoes he had ever seen. It also overfilled the ground around with the fruit that seemed to have fallen merely moments ago. Taking a quick glance overhead, Eddie lifted one hand to shield from the tropical sun. Noticing that this magnificent tree stood in the center of this enchanting paradise, as if its main purpose of its creation was to shade the large radius around it, Eddie went to it and sought refuge from the blistering heat.

The coolness came quickly once he stepped underneath the tree, and the trunk’s massive proportion gleamed like bronze. He walked to the low-slung branches, eyeing the enormous mangoes that hung in an inviting fashion. Gently, Eddie snapped one of them, and hungrily sunk his teeth into the meaty part of the fruit. The sweetness exploded in his mouth as its syrupy juices ran freely down his hands and chin.

“You still haven’t learned how to eat a mango? After all these years, you’re still putting more of the pulp on your arms and face than inside your stomach.”

Eddie spun around in search of whom the voice belonged, but only found the green vegetation surrounding him. There was a familiarity in the voice that was troubling and, unexpectedly, he realized who the speaker was. It was hard to comprehend that after the many years in silence, why had this evil of a man come out from hiding to sabotage his dreams?

Discarding the mango pit, Eddie wiped his hands on his trousers and went to one of the many roots of the tree that jutted out. He sat down, and the ordeal caused by this man who scarred him for life flooded his consciousness. It had to be a trick, manipulated by the demon who orchestrated the trashing they received that afternoon. Convinced he was correct, Eddie knew it was best to leave this dream and reshape it to a better and soothing meditation. Many years of training his subconscious mind meant dreaming to Eddie was as easy as creating a movie, yet there was something different that he was experiencing now, and afraid to enter uncharted waters, Eddie wanted to abandon the dream and wake up.

“Why not stick around for a while. I’m sure a nice, amicable chat will rekindle our good times together. Why the rush? There’s not that much going in your life that you need to hurry back.”

The voice was clearer now, and it was him, Eddie’s, and his mother’s tormentor—and the destroyer of his entire family. But was it him? Eddie swerved in a full circle, trying to get a glimpse of the person behind the voice, to be sure it was him.

“I know we didn’t part on the best terms, but can we just let bygones be bygones and salvage the friendship we once shared?”

“Show yourself, for your deceptions are old and pathetic,” Eddie said as a thick fog gathered around him. He waved his hand to fan the fog away, and through the dispersing mist, at a distance, he saw a shack. A loud gasp leaped from within as he knew exactly where he was. Eddie backed away, but without warning, something unseen wrapped itself around him and pulled him away from the safety of the mango tree. He thrashed furiously, trying desperately to free himself from the powerful force, and he knew he had to wake up. He jerked backwards, eager to snap out from the overpowering energy that grew stronger the more he struggled. A tornado-like gust lifted him off his feet and yanked him straight towards the shack. An icy terror washed over him and Eddie, a prisoner of this invisible force, let out a long and painful NOOO!

Another powerful gust elevated him and, at a dizzying speed, carried him above the sunbaked terrain that surrounded the shack. He slammed hard on the shack’s depleted porch, and Eddie let out a painful yell. Below him, the ground swirled violently as a mixture of rocks and dirt rained upon him, while the red earth buckled, transforming itself into large moving human-like shape. They crawled out in jerking motions as hundreds of misshaped, knotted fingers reached out. Eddie moved backwards as the creatures emerged from the blood-colored dirt, filling the air with terrifying roars.

The once strong wind settled into a soft breeze, while the thick fog dispersed under the scorching sun. There was a loud growl that rumbled and juddered the shack, and to Eddie’s surprise, the creatures burrowed back inside the maggot filled earth. Bewildered and trying to understand what had just occurred, Eddie glanced at the mango tree. Did he dare leave the safety of the porch and run back to the protection of the mango tree? And if he did, would the earth come back to life? Carefully, he went down to the top of the stairs, and placed one foot on the first rung. The earth bubbled for a second. He stared at the ground, and took another step down, and once again the earth bulged out. Something was underneath the porch. This is madness, Eddie wanted to shout, and to test whatever was inside that reddish dirt, he stepped down onto the third stair, when the snout of something huge, protruded out of the ground and let out what sounded like the clearing of a throat.

“The Soul Searcher!” Eddie bellowed as he ran back up to the porch. He could see the creature lift itself a few more inches, and now Eddie receded towards the threshold of the shack. But it was impossible, for this monster that he knew so well, only devoured the souls of the dead, not of the living. For a long time, the beast remained still, its blind eyes blinking, its snout sniffing the air. As if realizing that Eddie would not be easy prey, with a grunt it submerged back into the earth.

“This is not real,” Eddie said in a low, unsure voice. “It’s only a dream, I can’t control it, but it’s still only an awful dream.”

Tentatively, Eddie came forward and peered at the ground. There were no movements. Regardless, Eddie knew it was still there—playing possum—ready to jump out. Looking at the stretch of the dwindling porch, Eddie saw that the red terrain surrounded the entire shack he remembered correctly, from the time he was a boy trapped in this twisted purgatory. Any open land is where the monster ruled. Squatting down, he took his face into his hands and prayed to God to wake up, when gradually, he detected a creaking noise that rocked back and forth a few feet behind him. Eddie turned slowly, shielding his eyes from the dazzling sun rays, and he gasped at the sight merely inches from him. Startled, he stood up, shaken by the dreadful sight — because there, smiling like the diabolical fiend that he was, Eduardo sat on the familiar mahogany rocking chair. A perpetual grin elongated his thin, cadaverous face, and even in silence, Eddie could hear Eduardo’s hideous asthmatic laughter. The same one that petrified him when he was a ten-year-old boy trapped in this crossroad between Heaven and Hell.

“Hola, Nene, it looks life has not been generous to you. ¿Pero que se va hacer? Or even better, what’s being expected from someone who carries my name, and shares my own disappointments as well. I’m sorry I couldn’t give you more, but as we both know, they crashed our private party even before it began.”

“Get out of my head!” Eddie yelled, as he reached out with both hands and squeezed his temples, hard enough to wince in pain. “You’re not real. This is a dream induced by the alcohol and the insanity of the day.”

“Eddie…” Eduardo stopped rocking and leaned forward. “Believe whatever your little mind wants to believe, but please understand that I’m here for a good reason. I’m here to warn you that the path you’re taking is a big mistake. Let it go. Walk away. This is not your fight… don’t you tire of getting involved in situations that always end badly?”

Eddie shook his head violently to snap out away from this crazy dream. But no matter what he did, he knew he was still in the hold of a madman who once imprisoned him inside this same piece of hell.

“Madman? Oh, my young friend, that’s how you see me? As a madman?” Eduardo placed one hand in an overdramatic fashion over his heart. “Please, Eddie, on the contrary, everyone around you were the mad ones, for I was the only who was there to help you, and I’ll tell you a secret… you were to die at birth, not by my doing, but by what your Lord wrote on your book of life. Instead, I defied all beliefs taught to me by my parents and my Catholic upbringing, because I wanted you to live. That’s why I went against it all. If it meant saving your life and keeping your mother—my love—from suffering, then I was willing to go to the bowels of Hell and agree with the devil to guarantee your life. I infused in you part of my soul, and I gave up my salvation in God’s paradise, just so you could live. Now, you might wonder why no one, you with your gift or your Padrino,didn’t see it. Well...us renegade spirits have our own tricks up our sleeves.”

“You’re a delusional man. Still the same sad little man who trapped me here, and the same one who always hid in the shadows just to get a glimpse of my mother,” Eddie said, and he accented each word with venom. “I do not know the meaning of this dream that I’m imprisoned in, but eventually, it will end. Maybe this is another cheap trick of the demon bitch, and you’re just another one of her puppets.”

Eduardo passed his hands with gentle care around the armrest of the rocking chair, a grin twisting his lips. “My, my, you have changed. Life has truly soured you. But it’s understandable, considering the hate those who once loved you have for you now. The little prince grew up to be an ugly toad of doom, with no one to blame but himself.”

“Go ahead, insult me as much as you want. This is a dream controlled by Lilith. Maybe I have taken her lightly, but this little charade is going to backfire against her, and any useless, lost spirit who sides with her. Tell me, are you Eduardo, or another maggot from her bag of tricks? Remember, if she’s trying to deceive me, I witnessed when the devil’s Soul Searcher devoured your soul. That means you are not here. All of this is just a cheap hallucination from a lesser demon who Lucifer no longer favored!”

“Correction Eddie, I’m still here, because I outsmarted the devil himself. He possesses only half of my soul. You are carrying the other half.”

Eddie recoiled, leaning against the rail as an urge to vomit rammed down his throat and bending over the porch, a dried heave came out. For the first time in his life, Eddie was frightened. NO! It was beyond fear. It was more like terrified of the world of the dead, a place he once knew he was part of. Shutting his eyes, tight, and willing with all his might to snap out of this troublesome dream, Eddie tried to be strong, yet he noticed he was trembling.

“Muchacho, this is no dream. You are once again inside my lair,” Eduardo said, not hiding his glee. “When you were here with me, you were slowly dying in the hospital. There was no hope for you. That’s why I created this makeshift paradise, a piece of our Puerto Rican childhood, to give your life back. Mi’jo, I did all this for you. Your mother blamed me, cursed me, for trying to take you away from her. Little did she know it was her God doing the evilness to kill you, and I was doing the good deed to fight Him and take you back to her. Sure, there was some selfishness behind it, because I also wanted to return to your mother’s arms through you. But please do not condemn a man in love. For I truly loved your mother. I loved her the first time I saw her. I was a coward not to let her know. But what did I have then to give her? I had nothing to offer her. No future because they did not bless me with one. Eddie, I was dying with a sickness that was destroying me slowly and painfully. I was counting the days before my death. Then you became part of the equation. My reason to fight for my life… our lives. You were her son, and even before you were conceived, even before she knew about your existence, I was already part of you. All along, I knew what God’s plan was; to make my lovely Josefa suffer and give you a taste of the sweetness of a mother’s love and then yank it away from you. And more cruelly, make Josefa feel the love of a child in her, and then live with the guilt that her unborn child died in her. Making her feel like a failure. Now, Eddie, can you blame me for what I did? I did it for you… I did it for your mother. I was not the monstrosity who you thought I was all these years, I was your guardian angel who never received his wings.”

“More lies!” Eddie spun away from the porch’s edge and stabbed the space between him and Eduardo with his fist. “I saw with my own eyes demons’ pitchforks piercing your flesh and throwing you down into the flames of Hell. So please spare me your lies!”

“An awful melodramatic experience,” Eduardo smiled. “But soon you’ll learn that when you deal with Satan, the perks are in abundance. Now I must tell you, since the day you escaped his grasp, he hungers for your soul, and I promised him I’d deliver it to him. Nene, you must understand, he expects to be paid in full. And I have only given half of my soul. You have the rest… and he doesn’t believe in payment plans. Now, a question for you. Why do you think the red earth shrieks the way it did? Exploded itself into an abomination, hungry to get a piece of you. Even the Soul Searcher made an appearance. Do you know why?”

“Merely stupid tricks from a demon who doesn’t want to go back home, and knows her days are numbered, the same way as you, Eduardo, or whoever is playing the role to satisfy Lilith. Your goddamn days of foolishness are over! It’s amusing that someone who claimed to have peeked in the book written by God about my life doesn’t have the same liberty to see the book He wrote about you. Why is that? Maybe the real Eduardo is fulfilling his book’s prophesy already in Hell.”

“You just have to love your attitude,” Eduardo said. “But why don’t we forget for a few minutes your conspiracy theory, and please, niñito, let’s be civilized. How about giving me the respect to answer this simple question? Why did the same red earth where you had no problem standing on suddenly erupt in your presence? I’ll tell you why. Because it smelled the dead soul in you, my soul, and their hunger became an uncontrollable craving, they cannot wait to sink their fangs into you. An interesting fact I learned, the Soul Searcher will wait for centuries to devour the rightful soul his master yearns for.”

“Enough with your childish nonsense.”

“There’s nothing childish here!” Eduardo shouted. “It’s time you learned everything, and the consequences if you let your stubbornness dictate your steps.”

“I don’t have time to play along with your old games,” Eddie glared at Eduardo.

“What are you expecting to do? Wake up from a dream that you’re not having? So, come on Eddie, let’s play a little game like you say... the old games. Remember when I used to come to your room and make you laugh? It scared the hell out of your mother. Many times, she would stand close to your crib. Trembling with fear at the sight of seeing you laughing, waving, squealing with happiness. She would call out your name, shake you by your shoulders. And you would act as if she wasn’t even there. Because I was there with you, and that was the only thing that mattered. Do you remember? Sure, you do!”

“I’m not the frightened, naïve little boy who you deceived. I defeated you then—”

“Ha! It has nothing to do with being naïve,” Eduardo cut Eddie’s words. “It all has to do with the choice you choose. ¿Me entiendes?”

“Go to Hell!”

“I’m already here,” Eduardo laughed. “We both are.”

Closing his eyes tight, Eddie knew that as soon as he opened them again, he would be in control of his dream, and finally wake up.

“Eddie, that will not work. I keep telling you, this is no dream. I have submitted part of your soul that still listens to me, and its loyalty didn’t falter at all. It willingly came to me. It heeded my call. And here we are, again in the crossroads between both worlds. Now go ahead, scream, curse. It doesn’t matter what you want to drill into your stubborn head. One thing you must understand… unless you do what I want, I’ll decide when you return to your world.”

“And what the hell do you want? You have taken everything away from me. You took everything away from my father, and slowly destroyed my mother until she was a shadow of herself before she died. Tell me, what the hell do you want? There’s nothing more to give. Wait, you want that piece of shit you claimed you put in me? Half of your soul? Is that it? Is that the reason Lilith sent you? She fears me.”

Eduardo’s first impulse was to hug Eddie, show him he was not the enemy the poor boy was so convinced he was. But really, when someone cements an idea in their brain, is there anything that can be done to convince them otherwise? In Eddie’s case, Eduardo knew it was going to take a lot to gain his trust again.

“Lilith fears no one,” Eduardo said as he stopped rocking and went to his feet. “She’s obviously intrigued by who you are, but afraid of you? Never. Fear is not in her vocabulary. The blood of the first woman God created as Adam’s mate still runs in her veins. If the first Lilith defied God, why can’t you believe this Lilith is an extension of her? One thing I will tell you… this woman will kill you the same way she’ll kill the rest. You can’t deny her legacy. Eddie, listen to me, the guilt you carry in your heart is all that she needs to destroy you.”

“You’re a snake, just like your master. Your words are empty and desperate.”

“Eddie, I have a question to ask you. Why everything you touched, every person who comes near you, always ends up running away from you? And they all have died miserably… some even have died violently. Go ahead, deny it, but deep inside you know I’m right. And that’s what she will use, the culpability you carry like some tumor growing inside of you. Your weakness is her strength.”

“So, if I’m to believe what you’re telling me, this demon… this thing… is aware of me, and is concerned about what can I do,” Eddie nodded, and a small smile spread his lips. “Then that’s all I need to know. Lilith is afraid of me.”

“I can assure you she is not. For centuries, she’s been on her quest to become who she was before they wiped her entire world out. She has faced many obstacles, but regardless, she keeps coming back. There’s no quitting in her. You do not present her with anything but another hurdle she needs to jump over. Eddie, if you continue walking this path you have chosen… please Eddie, I just don’t want you to suffer a senseless death.”

“And if I refuse to back down, then what? I’ll be here forever? Which means I have chosen another way to die. I know the boat man is by the shore, and if at one time he offered to take me on his boat, I’m sure I won’t turn down his offer now.”

“The boat man only takes the souls tainted by death.”

“Excellent! I’m already halfway there with your putrid half of a soul in me. My other half will be dead as well the second I refuse to listen to you. Don’t you think the boat man will accept that as full payment.”

“I have been by your side since the day you stirred in your mother’s womb, and I have followed you ever since. I suffered and rejoiced with you at every moment in your life. Like a proud father, I have watched you grow into the man you have become, and I did it all by standing in the shadows, hiding from you. I promised myself that I’d let you go, the same way I let go the love I had for your mother, the beautiful Josefa.”

“So why break that promise?”

“I want you to reach your God’s paradise, where Josefa, your dear mother, waits for you.”

Taking a long look past the red dirt and casting his sight where the waves of the Styx River crashed into the shores, where the boatman Charon waited, Eddie’s thoughts were a fusion of doubts. He turned back and stared at Eduardo. “If you care for me, then release me from this dream.”

“Then there’s nothing more than I can do to change your mind?”

“Not a single thing, and if you refuse to set me free, then at least supply me with the coin for the boatman.”

“I have never kept you as a prisoner. You are the one responsible for your self-inflicted incarceration. Now go ahead and chose your destiny, but this I will tell you, my dear friend: Lilith will supply you with the boatman’s coin. If you continue this ill journey of yours, you will perish under her wrath.”

“Go on, Eduardo, let her know that her days are numbered,” Eddie said. “Tell her I’m not backing down from this fight. Tell her that nothing, but killing her is my goal.”

Eduardo nodded, and stepping aside, pointed to the rocking chair that swayed gently by the wind. “It took you back home many years ago. It will take you back once more. Goodbye, Eddie, and here, take this mango. There’s nothing sweeter than a delicious meal as you travel back to where you belong.”

Opening his eyes, Eddie remained motionless. The room was dark, and there was an eeriness clinched to the night. Exhausted by the residue of the vivid dream that still held on to him, and not wanting to sleep anymore, he tossed the blanket to the side and swung his feet to the floor. Rubbing his eyes, he stood up and taking one step forward, something squishy lodged on the sole of his foot. Eddie looked down to see the floor covered with mangoes, and next to the altar, Eduardo’s rocking chair squeak up and down. Coming closer, something was on the seat of the rocker, and Eddie picked it up. It was a gold coin.

CHAPTER 41

Detectives Munro and Taylor sat shrouded in silence. A sun-filled morning shone through the windshield of their car. Sounds of gates from stores around the quiet Brooklyn neighborhood announced the beginning of a new business day. Only two minutes had passed since they had come down from Harry’s apartment, yet they were both stunned by what they saw.

“Is that the way we’re going to end up one day?” Alex asked, his eyes hidden behind dark shades, staring at a sanitation crew dumping the city’s filth inside a grimy garbage truck. “Sprawled in your underwear with a fucking bullet between your eyes?”

Taylor remained quiet, his own thoughts still burrowing through his head about how a death like Harry’s put everything into a different perspective. From what he could gather from yesterday’s meeting, Harry was not a healthy man, but regardless of what the old man was going through, was that enough to put himself on the express track to God’s playground? He took a quick glance at Alex, and he could smell the alcohol in not only his partner’s breath but reeking through his pores. Even the dark shades couldn’t hide the fact his partner was nursing a hell of a hangover. Such information concerned Taylor a lot, for Alex had freed himself from drinking for a long time. Now suddenly, he had lifted that addictive bottle again. Was Harry’s suicide bombshell, and Alex hitting the bottle again connected to this demonic creature they were facing? Did his own nightmare that left his body scarred with crab bites also relate to this demon? Did something also happen to the others?

“We need to get in touch with Nikki,” Taylor finally said, as he closed his eyes and lowered his head. “Let her know what happened here, and maybe it’s best to call the others and cancel the meeting.”

Alex stifled a yawn and bobbed his head. “Are you going to tell her how he died? That Harry decided to eat a bullet rather than face a demon?”

“She’ll find out eventually after the autopsy reports. Besides there was no evidence of foul play. You saw it for yourself. No signs of forced entry. The super had to open the door. Damn, he was still holding the gun.”

“Yeah, I know,” Alex said as he removed his shades, rubbed his eyes, and placed the shades back. “But what’s strange is… why kill yourself in the kitchen? It was obvious he was sitting on the recliner and drinking. For crying out loud, he was in his boxer shorts. Don’t you think that would have been the place to do it? Right there, where he was getting drunk?”

“Maybe the gun was inside the kitchen.”

“How many cops keep their gun in the kitchen? Especially a retired cop living by himself. Plus, he was not even all the way inside the kitchen if we are to believe he went in there to get his gun. He was on the threshold, which means he was already holding his gun.”

Taylor exhaled loudly and massaged his temples. “I’m sure after they do a thorough investigation, they will answer all those questions.”

“Nah, we both know, shit, maybe as we speak, they are already writing in their report the cause of death as suicide. No reason to stir a cold pot with last night’s leftovers.”

“Alex, can I ask you a question?” Taylor took a quick look at Alex.

“No need for your question. I already know what you’re going to ask, and the answer is yes, I got drunk last night.”

“Any reason after all these years—”

“Come on, buddy,” Alex raised a hand to stop Taylor. “I’m a big boy, and the only person who I needed to explain myself to is now six feet under wearing the only good dress she had.”

“I’m not asking you to explain, but I’m concerned. Especially when here we are ready to go into battle with something not from this world. Your actions and Harry’s death are quite alarming, and it’s hard to sweep it under the rug as pure coincidence.”

“You think the boogeyman, or in this case the boogeywoman, is behind Harry swallowing a bullet and me deciding to have a few drinks? Come on, brother. Me having a few drinks after being sober for a few years is nothing supernatural, but because of a fucking job that drives you to drink. I bet the reason you are such a straight lace is that you already know the high percentage of alcoholism and cops. And I bet you also know this too. Cops and suicide are up there as the leading cause of cops’ deaths. Last night, two statistics went up a few decibels, and Harry added two decibels all on his own.”

“Ok, Alex, I see you want to take this lightly, but I bet everyone who was at the meeting yesterday experienced something last night.”

“In that case, let’s start that study with you,” Alex faced Taylor. “What did you experience last night?”

“I dreamt hundreds of crabs attacked me in my grandmother’s house.”

“So, you had a nightmare.”

Taylor raised the sleeves of his shirt, exposing his arms. The fresh crab bite marks were red, and there were swelling around them. “Does this look normal to you? That’s what happened to me in my nightmare last night. As you can see it became real. Now, besides getting drunk, what else happened to you last night?”

“I blacked out,” Alex said, but to Taylor there wasn’t much conviction in his words.

“Nothing?”

“Nada, but just a nasty hangover, which, for sure, is going to be reason enough to stay away from the sauce again.”

“Fair enough,” Taylor nodded. “Let’s call Nikki now and see if there was anything peculiar about her night.”

“What about the meeting?”

“On second thought, I think we should keep it as scheduled.”

“I agree,” Alex said as he snapped on his seat belt. “Go ahead, drive, and I’ll call Nikki to tell her we are on our way. We’ll wait when everyone is together to tell them about Harry.”

CHAPTER 42

Nikki’s office was a tidy place tucked away at the end of the second floor in a medical building, which, from the outside was as nondescript as any other structure in the industrial neighborhood. A small window faced the side of the building, lacking any scenery to soothe the mind when work needed a slight distraction. On the conference table for four—maybe six if they wanted to make it tight and cozy—a box of Dunkin’ Donuts remained unopened. The large Box O’ Joe sat next to the donuts, also neglected, although the strong coffee aroma was inviting.

Transfixed by the late morning sounds outside, everyone sat spread out. Two torch lamps placed diagonally, covered the office in a dull pale light. Everyone’s silence was eerie and subdued until Eddie cleared his throat and raised his head. He took his time looking at everyone. Some met his stare. Others kept their gaze away, still numbed by Harry’s death. Eddie was the last to arrive, and when he entered the room, everyone greeted him solemnly, and he wondered how far they trusted him. Plus, if they were to go into battle against Lilith, they needed cast aside all private opinions and realize what was at stake.

“Here we are again,” Eddie said. “It’s been quite a day, and with Harry’s awful news, I think most of us would rather be home than—”

“Excuse me,” Alex glared at Eddie. “But who made you the leader of this group? Shit, you’re not even—”

“Let the man speak,” Taylor intervened.

“No, wait one second,” Alex said, his voice went up a decibel. “I will not sit here and have a meeting that’s officially police business with… I don’t know what the fuck to call this guy anymore… a fraud? Yeah, that sounds right.”

“Come on, man, that’s out of line, and you know it,” Taylor said, not concealing his displeasure at Alex’s behavior.

“Isn’t that some shit?” Alex looked at Taylor hard. “Yesterday you were ready to walk out, now… ever since you heard grandma talking to you from his fucking mouth, suddenly you’re acting like one of his groupies. Really, that kind of sucks.”

“Well, Alex,” Cassandra knocked on the table to get Alex’s attention. “Again you keep flip flopping about Eddie, but if it makes you feel better, why don’t you start the meeting instead?”

“You know, it’s not so important who starts the meeting. What I’m angry about is that I’m wondering if we can trust this guy. Look, the only one who vouched for him is now dead. Doesn’t matter if Harry killed himself, or one of the demon’s goons pulled the trigger. All I’m trying to say is that since yesterday, this entire investigation has taken a totally different direction, and it seems it all started with this man. And what do I get for my concern? A tag team against me,” Alex said, raising his hands in disgust. “How’s this, Cassandra? Maybe you should start the meeting. I mean… shit… you were the one walking around with fucking Casper the Ghost attached to your hip. So, yeah… I think you should get the ball rolling. Weren’t you married to the original boogeyman? That makes you the perfect authorized voice in here.”

“Jesus Christ, come on Alex.” Taylor turned and grabbed Alex by the shoulder, which he quickly yanked Taylor’s hand off. “Why don’t you cool off? I don’t know what the hell is going on inside that head of yours, but it’s getting old. You’ve been, like Cassandra said, flip-flopping about Eddie since yesterday. Why don’t you make up your mind for once?”

“Enough with this bickering!” Nikki’s shouted. “It’s obvious something happened to all of us last night. My God, in a horrible dream, I saw my father killed by a monstrosity of a snake. And what’s crazy is that he called the snake Lilith, and he was ready to feed her human embryos. I was frightened and when I tried to stop him, this monster of a snake took me with its tail, raised me up so high.” Nikki lifted her good arm above her head. “And then dropped me. When I woke up, I discovered my arm was sprained. The same arm I fell on. It sounds crazy, but what happened in that dream became real. This was no hallucination; and worse, my floor was littered with fetuses. How did they got there? I’ll tell you, the same way, I hurt my arm. In a dream, that became real.”

“Jesus,” Cassandra whispered.

“And I’m frantic,” Nikki continued. “I tried calling my parents, who are still back home in India, and I can’t get through. I’m afraid that if what happened to me in my dream…” Nikki stopped and lowered her head. Fighting back her tears, she took a deep breath and resumed. “I pray my father is not dead. Now yesterday we were all on board that we are facing something evil, and we were going into battle as a team. But now here we are fighting about something as trivial as who should be the right person to start this meeting? Didn’t Harry warn us? This demon wants to separate us, be at each other’s throats. She’s manipulating us right now, and her first attack was in our dreams. Now, people, if we don’t get our act together, we are going to let this thing win.”

“I also had a crazy dream last night,” Taylor said as he rubbed his face with both hands. “I’m the first one to admit that I didn’t buy into this hocus pocus bullshit, but after what we all experienced yesterday… and what happened in my dream… I must agree. We can’t let our guard down. That’s what this monster wants.”

“And what was your dream?” Nikki asked.

“As a child, I was afraid of crabs. Once I fell inside the barrel full of crabs after my father and uncle came back from crabbing. I dreamt of my grandmother. I relived the time they killed her. As vivid as when I saw it as a boy. It was a disturbing dream, but what was more disturbing was that I was inside her kitchen and the entire place filled with crabs. They attacked me. Bit me all over my body. I woke up screaming, and when my wife turned on the light,” Taylor rolled up his sleeves, to reveal his bitten arms. “There are more on my back and chest.”

“I also had an upsetting dream.” Cassandra leaned backwards and then pushed away from the small table and began taking off her shoes and socks. “There was a black shadow, which I was running away from. I was barefooted, and sharp rocks covered the ground. When I woke up, my feet were bleeding and when I tried to get out of bed, I almost fell on the floor because of the pain. My feet are all cut up,” she said as she raised her feet for everyone to see. She thought about adding the sexual encounter with Alberto, but decided not to reveal something, which to her, was too personal.

“Alex, do you care to share with the group about your night?” Taylor said.

Glancing at Taylor, Alex’s face was stoic, and for a second, it looked like he was about to get up and leave. Forcing a smile, he removed his dark shades, revealing bloodshot eyes. “After two years and a few months, I fell off the wagon. I got drunk last night, and I remember a little of the night. I don’t think I dreamt, and if I did, I forgot everything the second I woke up,” Alex lied. There was no way he was going to disclose the dream, and part of his life that he was ashamed of.

“It looks that most of us had a vivid dream last night, leaving us all vulnerable, angry, and afraid,” Eddie said. “And it makes sense. We are dealing with a succubus, a demon who invades people's dreams.”

“What about you?” Cassandra asked. “Are you safeguarded from her manipulation?”

Eddie knew that this question was going to come from their conversation, and there was no way out—no room to wiggle out from answering it. Besides, if he expected to gain their trust, he needed to come clean. He couldn’t lie to them, like he knew Alex did when he refused to share his dream with the others. Leaning back on the chair, he started from the top.

“I understand how all of you feel about me. The only person who knew me was Harry, so I get it. I don’t blame any of you for not trusting me, especially because of the things you saw I can do. For those reasons, if we are to face this demon, we need to trust each other.” Eddie paused for a second, and then continued. “This is my story. They named me after a dead man. A man who was obsessed with my mother when he was alive and became worse than obsessed when he died. It’s a long story, but let’s say I was dying when I was born. The doctors in Puerto Rico left me for dead, they even recommended that my mother allow them to transfer me to a hospital where they took any patients with no hope of surviving. My mother refused, and took me back home, where a woman who was a curandera, brought me back to health with various herbs, teas, and lotions. Some will tell you it was her Santeria’s practices that cured me. I remember at an early age I could see the spirits, and one of them was the man who loved my mother. He never left my side, because his passion was too great, and that passion… that obsession drove him insane. He felt if he couldn’t be by my mother’s side as her husband, then he would be her son through me. At ten, he possessed my soul, and trapped me inside a purgatory of his creation. With the help of a Santero, a Santeria priest, my mother fought to bring my soul back. And they did, but something in me changed. I gained an insight while I was at the crossroads of our world and the world of the dead. But during that time, the spirit of this man used my captivity as an opportunity to reincarnate himself through me. He wanted so bad to be part of my mother’s life that he would do anything for it. Last night I dreamt I was back in that purgatory with this man. He begged me not to follow the path to kill Lilith. He fears that I’ll lead you to your death. Of course, it was only a dream, and I know he’s wrong. We will defeat this demon. I know we will kill her, even if I must take her to Hell myself.”

“Sweet Jesus,” Cassandra said, leaning towards Eddie. “My God, you’ve been through a lot.”

“Not as much as you,” Eddie said. “And that’s why I’m here. To end this once and for all.”

“With a goddamn story like that, I’m in with you, my voodoo-man,” Alex said with a wink, but Eddie saw right through him and Alex’s suddenly chummy-chummy attitude.

“Someone needs to keep this crazy man in check,” Taylor said, putting one hand on Alex’s shoulder. “I’m in.”

“Count me in as well. A snake is a snake, regardless of the size of it, it is still a creature that’s petrified of us,” Nikki said. “My father taught me how to keep them in check, and even how to destroy them. So yes, Eddie, I’m in.”

“I came back here for a reason, and that’s finishing what I started twenty years ago,” Cassandra said. “We’ll send this bitch packing. And we’ll use her fucking skin to make her suitcases.”

CHAPTER 43

Johnny’s exhilarated shouts were still ringing in his ears after Mike told him to take the day off. Johnny didn’t even ask why, which didn’t surprise Mike, and truthfully, he didn’t care. There was no way he could get rid of the bodies of his wife and kids with Johnny around. Mike already knew the perfect spot. There was a large room with a dirt floor in the next building across from him. They had done some repairs on the floor a while back, but when the cost skyrocketed, the Management left it alone. It was the ideal place to bury his family, and with the loose dirt, digging a hole large enough for all three bodies wouldn’t be that hard. Afterward, he’d put a layer of bricks and some cement on top of the dirt to seal it for good. Then he’d have Lilith with him in his home, and like a fairytale, they would live happily ever after.

Inspecting the bodies on the floor, he figured it was going to be impossible to transport them, without raising suspicion. As macabre as it played out in his head, Mike decided the only way was to cut them into pieces. He studied them, and knowing what he needed to do, he went to the shack outside where they kept most of the heavy-duty tools. He wheeled a wheelbarrow and began gathering the proper items and tools. First, he dumped a box of large heavy duty garbage bags, a few drop cloths, a pair of work gloves, goggles, a chainsaw, and, for good measure, a crowbar. In case he had to snap a few bones from their sockets. Satisfied, Mike wheeled all the goodies back home.

Back in his apartment, Mike looked down at the three bodies scattered in their pool of coagulated blood. Deciding to start with the larger body, which, of course, was fat-assed Matilda, he stripped her clothes off to make the job easier and to avoid getting the clothing tangled in the chainsaw. When he was about to start, he also stripped buck naked to avoid getting blood on his clothes. Covering the furniture and the entire area with drop cloths, Mike took the chainsaw, and grabbing the pull start, he fired the engine up. Mike smiled, and thinking of Lilith, he became aroused as he guided the chainsaw through Matilda’s neck.

*****

Lilith’s breathing was shallow, and her lungs were on fire. The strength fueled by the embryos was slowly losing its potency, and the more her body was becoming human, the more blood and flesh she needed. At least she was pleased about seeds she had planted with Alberto’s help in those who were foolish enough to think they could defeat her. Still, it was worth every drop of blood and flesh she digested. Despite all she achieved, it took its toll. She could hardly move, and when she did, all she managed was to take a few steps before she staggered back down onto the cot. What really mattered was the first maneuver to start the war, and she gladly crowned herself as the victor. She rolled on her back, and after she summoned Mike to come to her, Lilith could not understand why he was not here by now. Yet, based on her weakness, perhaps her command was not strong enough to reach him. Not that she was pleased with that, for flaws and impotence were qualities she refused to entertain, although this time she’d dismiss it, and instead celebrate last night’s triumph with a well-deserved rest.

For a few minutes, she shut her eyes and concentrated on her breathing, willing it to slow down. Once more, she thought of beckoning Mike to come to her again, and feed from him; regain some of the vigor she had dearly lost. She wondered if that would be a smart thing to do. More than ever, she needed him to go back out tonight and hunt for her. Rather than call him and come to her, perhaps it was best to let Mike rest and be ready for another night of carnage. Lilith stretched out on the cot and, and as much as she wanted to bask in the glory of last night’s success, something was disturbing her. She could feel it—gnawing at her—something about Mike. Struggling, she sat up and lifted her head. Closing her eyes, she pushed her mind and allowed it to fly. Soaring through the small room, she guided her astral form to travel beyond the brick wall and across the courtyard, until she located what she was scanning for, and what she saw infuriated her.

What had this fool done? Flabbergasted by what she saw as she hovered above Mike, a rage stirred as she watched him ripping apart the bodies of his wife and children. What type of barbaric madness had fallen upon this imbecile to do such a stupid thing? Didn’t he realize he was putting everything she had planned in jeopardy? Wasn’t he aware that someone would discover his deed before the damn blood on his hands dried? The insanity of the man, Lilith spat with disgust, was without words to explain. And these were the chosen ones the Almighty had created in His image? No wonder He sent His legion of warriors to annihilate her race, for she knew it disheartened Him to witness His fallen angels and His human creations generate a race superior to His. Forcing herself to control her anger, Lilith observed Mike and contemplated the situation presented before her, and it was bleak. Finally, after giving it thought, she knew that today after he completed his duty, Mike would die by her hands.

*****

Unaware that Lilith was watching him, Mike plopped down on the couch, not caring if the blood and the mixture of bone and brain that covered his body would stain the furniture. He was tired, and he never realized that cutting up bodies with an industrial chainsaw was going to be so hard and time-consuming. There were no instructions on the operator’s manual warning that cutting through human bones, especially around joints and gummy-like tendons, could jam the blade. Besides, all the blood made the blade slippery, forcing Mike to be more careful, even stop and let the chainsaw cool down. Maybe an ax would have been better, Mike thought as he sat and hunched forward on the edge of the couch. He stared at Matilda’s body. He stuffed half of it inside the garbage bags, but her lower body was still intact. Glancing at the time on the cable box, he realized that since he had started, four hours had passed by, and by the looks of what was left to chop, he calculated another four more hours before he completed the job. Either way, he felt every minute spent was worth it, as a broad smile splashed across his face. He could not wait to see Lilith and tell her the good news. No more dark and damp basement for her. No more rats running on the floor. Mike couldn’t wait to tell Lilith that by tonight, she’d be sleeping on a proper bed, and come morning, she would wake up with the sun rays on her beautiful face. He’d take her shopping; buy her all the pretty clothes she wanted to enhance that voluptuous body of hers. Maybe he’d take her far away where nobody knew him, and parade Lilith like the trophy that she was. He’d relish the envious stares of other men, to see such a magnificent woman walking next to him. Mike beamed as he spat on Matilda’s mutilated body, he had never felt pride walking with her.

“What have we done here?” Lilith’s dominating voice was inside his brain, and Mike leaped at the unexpected intrusion.

He looked around, startled, as an icy fear seeped through his pores. The long speech he had repeatedly recited in his head while dismembering Matilda vanished and was replaced by stammering words. He swirled, as if expecting to see Lilith behind him. “I’m doing this for you,” Mike said. “My beautiful Lilith, you deserve more than living in a cold basement. I did this for you.”

“And what makes you think I want this? To live in another woman’s home. Don’t you think I merit more than someone else’s leftovers? You disappoint me. I thought you were far smarter than this. Your children have friends, schools to attend. Didn’t it occur to you someone will miss them, and soon the authorities will come knocking on your door to find out why they are not in school?”

“I’ll tell them they left with their mother. Moved out of town,” Mike said.

“And what are you planning to do with their bodies? Have a big cookout and invite all the neighbors to eat the evidence?”

“I’m burying them close to here. Nobody will find them.”

“Until a stray cat digs up and carries out a hand or a foot. Then what?”

“Ha,” Mike let out a nervous laugh. “I’m sealing it with bricks.”

“You have thought of everything? Haven’t you?”

“Yes—”

“No, you imbecile! You let your prick think for you, and for that, you have put me in a grave situation.”

Silence fell over Mike, and he couldn’t decide if Lilith was still in his head or if she had moved on. Looking down at the butchered bodies, confused about what to do. Should he continue with what he was doing? He had no other choice. He couldn’t leave these bodies here. As of now, more flies were coming through the window. He also wondered how soon until the smell would attract rats. Mike was about to start the chainsaw when Lilith’s voice commanded him to stop and come to her at once. He wanted to protest, tell her that first he had to clean up this mess, but in the end, he dropped the chainsaw on the couch, and going to the bathroom he went inside the shower and let the water remove the goriness from his skin.

*****

Johnny was still fuming when he arrived in the courtyard, and he didn’t know who was to blame most for his rage. Mike for telling him to take the day off, or Management telling him that Mike didn’t have the authority to do so? Either way, what started early this morning as a gifted day off was now an emergency call to investigate a smell coming from the basement. He also received a scolding from his cousin of all people who was also the supervisor of the complex. How many times had he told not only Mike, but Management that he didn’t feel safe going inside the area where they found Frank dead? He even voiced his concern that when the investigation took place, everyone wore head-to-toe protective clothing, so why was he expected to walk in there with only street clothes? He quickly found out that when you’re still the new kid on the block, you have no saying in anything they tell you to do. Wait till he saw his cousin on the next family outing. Johnny slapped his work gloves together; the pleasantries of nice to see you would not be part of the dialogue.

Arriving at the top of the stairs that led to the basement door, he unsnapped the key chain from his belt and rummaged through the various keys until he found the right one. Thoughts of turning around and calling his cousin and telling him what he could do with this job ran through his mind, but he knew he couldn’t be too hasty. Johnny took one step down and ran one hand through this hair. Damn, he wanted to scream. Why him? All this was because some tenants were complaining of a foul smell coming from this area. But what Johnny couldn’t figure out—didn’t these assholes realize that this was the area they kept the garbage? Foul smells went hand in hand with dumpsters filled with bags stuffed with food and dirty pampers.

That’s it! Johnny grinned. That’s exactly what he’d tell Management. The smell was coming from the garbage because those complaining tenants were the reason for the rotten smells from not putting their food scraps in plastic bags. Still grinning, he realized that this was not a job like repairing a broken pipe or unclogging a sink where the evidence was there for everyone to see. A smell was nothing but whatever report he’d give them. How would they know if he went inside or not? Happy with that conclusion, Johnny turned around, when a man who he recognized as one of the biggest complainers of the complex came walking down with a bag of garbage. Johnny shook his head, and he could easily bet the bitching about the smells came from this asshole. To confirm Johnny’s suspicion, the man held two fingers over his nose and pointed with his chin towards the basement.

“When are you people going to do something about that damn smell? With the type of rent I’m paying, the least they should guarantee me is the ability to open my windows and get some fresh air.”

“There’s not much I can do about the garbage,” Johnny said with a shrug. “The weather is still warm enough for all these foods they keep throwing inside greasy paper bags to rot under the sun.”

“That smell is not coming from the garbage,” the man said as he lifted the cover from one of the trash cans and threw in his bag. “There’s something inside that basement. It all started a few days before the drunk died. Now it is even worse. Did you already check in there?”

Johnny thought about lying, but he knew damn well this man was a sneaky bastard. He bet that was the reason the fool had come out, using a small little trash bag as an excuse. It was all a scheme to watch his every move.

“Why are you asking such stupid questions, when you know damn well I just got here?” Johnny said, not hiding his frustration.

The man, taken aback, frowned and slammed the lid of the garbage can, before he stomped away, but Johnny knew better. The asshole would hide behind the side door to make sure Johnny went inside the basement, and then maybe call the Management office to complain about how Johnny had spoken to him.

Again, the idea of quitting on the spot flashed in Johnny’s mind, but after losing three jobs in the last year, he couldn’t be that impulsive. Maybe, if he played his cards right, there could be a future here for him. He had seen what Mike’s job comprised, and it was nothing more but to delegate jobs to other people, and if he was willing to kiss his cousin’s ass more frequently, who knew what good fortune could fall in his favor? With a new attitude at his disposal, twirling the key, Johnny descended the three stairs and standing in front of the basement entrance, he took a long deep breath. He inserted the key, and, in no time, he was swinging the door open.

*****

Strewn on the floor, Lilith reached out and crawled back on the cot. Her breathing was shallow and coming in surges; her weaknesses more pronounced. She fumed Mike was still not here, and regardless of how excellent he performed in bringing her the many human fetuses, after tonight she would drained his life from him. With today’s poor actions, he had proven he was someone who was more of a liability than a person she could rely on. Besides, she was too close to into battle. She couldn’t afford the stupidity of a fool to spoil all her plans. Hearing the opening of the front door, Lilith could relax now. She’d give him a little taste of what he wanted, then she’d send him out to hunt, and after his duties were no longer needed, she’d feast from him. After tonight, she’d be able to haunt those weak fools while they dreamt, and willing slaves would be as many at her disposal. Lilith even smiled. In no time, this pathetic world will be her own altered Eden, and her father as their god.

*****

Dry heaves scratched Johnny’s throat as he pushed the door open and went inside the basement. Never in his life had he smelled anything as awful as the stink that swamped him. He could feel it lingering in the air, and if he knew any better, it seemed to seep right through the walls. He coughed and his eyes quickly became watery. What could be inside to cause stench so bad? As a kid, Johnny once punctured his thigh climbing through a hole in a fence. The rusted chain links ripped a good chunk of meat and, to prevent any infection, they stuffed the wound with gauze and every week, when they replaced the dressing and gauze, the smell of his exposed skin was horrendous. It was a combination of rotten meat, pus, and dried blood. The odor in this place had the same identical smell but multiplied by a hundred. He wanted to turn around, but now that he had gotten a good whiff of what the tenants were complaining about, he couldn’t fake it and tell Management it was only the garbage. Besides, and this thought slipped deviously in his head, if he found something that Mike should have notified them about, would that put Johnny in line for a promotion? They might even get rid of Mike and Johnny would be in the best position to take his place. He slapped his hands, and lifting his shirt over his nose, he went deeper inside the basement, guided by the illusion of better days ahead.

*****

There was something wrong in the way the steps sounded near to her room. Lilith sensed the hesitation in the footfalls, the apparent uncertainty in the movement. She grasped it was a stranger out there, and moving with caution, Lilith sat on the cot and tried to determine if it was only one person or many. An abrupt panic took hold of her, and she feared the unthinkable was upon her; Cassandra’s group was finally here. She stood up, her weakness now more accented by her anxiety. She listened closely, and then let out a sigh of relief—it was the steps of only one person, which she already gathered was not Mike. In that case, who could be out there? One thing Lilith noticed was the way the person shuffled around, gave her the notion the individual was looking for something. She tried to lift her astral vision, but she was in no shape to abuse her diminishing strength. Instead, she waited, judging the distance between the footsteps and where she was. She sniffed the air, and closing her eyes to concentrate better, she could hear the person’s muffled breathing, but a quick cough from the person revealed to Lilith that it was a man. She smiled, nodding with mischief.

*****

A long, narrow, and dark corridor snaked in front of him, and Johnny stared at it for a long time. The stench was not as bad as when he came in—it was still there—but not as overpowering. His eyes were watery, although the itching stopped, and the cough attack that ambushed was down to occasional dry hacks. Not familiar with the layout of the basement, he took his flashlight from its holster and sent a beam throughout the place. Johnny started working in this complex only four months ago, and the only time he had ever ventured here was when he helped Frank bring some equipment in for storage. On that day, following Frank’s instructions, he dropped a large bucket of loose pipes and a ladder by the entrance, and turned around and walked out. Today was the first time he had gone further than the front door, and the deeper he went, the thicker the shadows were, and the smell was stronger. Johnny already decided after a few more minutes inside this unnerving spot, he was turning around and get the hell out of here. He did what they had asked him to do, and unless he found a stray cat or dog that wandered here and died, it was up to the Management now to get on Mike’s ass and let the asshole earn his pay.

Halfway inside the passageway, he noticed two doors on the opposite side, and his heart quickened. Lifting his shirt higher over his nose and mouth, he went to the first door and turned the knob. It was stiff, but with a good push with his shoulder, the door creaked open. It was dark, and Johnny shone the light in. He spotted an old refrigerator and a bunch of wooden chairs; all stacked up against one and another, but besides that, there were no dead animals. He stepped to the other door, and the first thing that caught his attention was that it was slightly ajar. He flashed the beam through the small opening, and something moved inside.

“Oh, fuck,” Johnny said, and there was a nervous edge in his voice. He went closer, and with his free hand, he pushed the door. The hinges were quiet, and when he looked inside, stretched out on a cot, was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

She lifted herself on one elbow, and with one hand caressed her naked body, arousing her nipples as dark milk squirted onto the cot. Her dark eyes resembled black shining stars; they melted Johnny’s own eyes. Gracefully and sensually, Lilith stood up, displaying her voluptuous body—a temple of lustful promise. Johnny went inside, hypnotized by this exotic creature, which he desired to have at whatever cost. He pulled down his shirt away from his face, and her scent was a mixture of musk and the aroma of dirt after a rainstorm. Her bewitching smile held him captive, and opening her arms, she invited Johnny to come to her. Disarmed by her lusciousness, he went to her, and once wrapped in her bosom, Johnny drank hungrily from her breast. Lilith moaned, and trembling within the frenzy of his passion, she brought her lips down to where Johnny’s waited faithfully for her kiss. She nibbled on his lips, and with a scream of hunger, Lilith bit down. Lost in the excitement this enigmatic woman was satisfying him with, Johnny crumbled into her embrace. Giving in to her full lips, her wild tongue inside his mouth, her groping hands that shredded his clothes. Johnny cried with the pleasure this enchanting woman was fulfilling him. Blinded by her seductiveness, he allowed her to take him down on the cot. Her soft legs entangled around his waist, gyrating her hips into his erection, exploding his shameless emotions into uncontrollable orgasms. He accepted Lilith’s hard nipples, that she thrusted into his mouth. He slurped her green milk with a delirious delight, squeezing her round ass and lifting her up in the air, and then ramming her sweat-soaked body aggressively against his. Again, Johnny shrieked, matching Lilith’s own uninhibited screams. Her sturdy legs felt stronger, wilder, tightening around his torso. Johnny trembled. He gasped for air, for Lilith’s embrace was now ferocious. Johnny tried to release himself from her powerful hold. He struggled to free himself and, to Johnny’s horror, the once gorgeous woman of his wildest dreams was transforming into something alien—into a monster. Terrorized, Johnny squirmed from under the gargantuan body that Lilith had become. Johnny hollered, for the crunching pain was intolerable. Violently, he punched the monstrous body, which to his agony had become a massive snake. He glared in fear as the once beautiful face was now a demonic mask of pure insanity. She opened her mouth, and what Johnny saw was a cavernous trap, filled with large, blood-stained fangs. He screamed as Lilith’s green saliva leaked out and covered Johnny. Tears that blinded him gushed from his bulging eyes. Lilith licked her lips, and as she roared with a sadistic delight; she sliced half of Johnny’s face off, straight into her hungry belly.

CHAPTER 44

With one hand on the doorknob, Mike hesitated to open it. What he had foreseen to be a great day had become a living nightmare. Lilith was angry, and the way she ordered him to come to her made him think twice about going, especially when he remembered how Frank had died. Was that the fate that waited for him? Removing his hand from the knob, he went back inside the living room and sat down on one of the couch’s armrests. The butchered bodies of his family remained on the floor, covered with drop cloths, and Mike noticed jerky movements coming from underneath. He flinched, for he knew why—rats fetched by the smell of blood. An urge to yank the drop cloths from the bodies and stomp the rats to death tempted him. But if there were too many—then what? Dismissing the idea and repulsed by what was happening under the drop cloths, he dashed out of his home.

The fresh air relieved him of the horror story his life had become. He stepped into the small courtyard in front of the building and looked around. Was he expecting Lilith to jumped out from the bushes? On unsteady steps, Mike went and sat down on one of the beach chairs he and Matilda used during hot summer days. There was an icy fear in his heart, knowing that eventually, he had to confront Lilith. But he couldn’t help thinking that it was suicide if he did. Really, what were his options? After ransacking through the choices, only three popped into his head. The first one was the worst one to even contemplate, but he was staring at a thin list. Aware of what was in front of him, he rolled that crazy idea, and it was time to turn himself into the cops. Confess to all the killings he did and mention that he did it because a demon named Lilith controlled him. For sure, they would declare him insane, and they’d put him away for the rest of his life inside an asylum. The second idea, which he thought was the best, was to pack a bag and take off, and by the time they discovered the gruesome scene in his house, he would be far from here, perhaps in another state. And the last one—which he feared the most—he could just face the damn music and go to Lilith. Hadn’t he proven to her how valuable he was? All he needed was to convince her he’d go out there every night and bring her not one jar filled with embryos, but two jars of bloody strawberries.

With an added boost of confidence running through his body, Mike went to Lilith, and he would present his argument to her. He could easily make her see that Frank was a useless drunk, and those in love with the bottle were not reliable individuals to count on. He’d assure her he was not a boozer. Sure, he enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine on special occasions during dinner, a taste of champagne to celebrate the New Year, but other than that, he was a coffee and Coca Cola kind of a guy. Satisfied with his reasoning, he went up the steps to the sidewalk, past the garbage cans, and glanced across the street, where Lilith waited for him.

*****

Alex and Taylor arrived at Sunnyside before the rest, and turning off the ignition, they remained in the car. Alex in the driver’s seat, Taylor riding shotgun. They had reduced their conversations throughout the ride to meaningless nonsense, which, after a while, both men simultaneously decided that silence was the way to go. Despite all the planning, both men were vague about how they were going to tackle a monster who was supposedly trapped inside a basement. There was no Police 101 training to prepared them for such a task.

“Don’t you feel you’re inside a bad horror movie?” Alex broke the silence as he turned around looking for Nikki’s car, thinking she should have been here by now. “After getting our asses chewed and spit out by the captain, if what we are doing goes to shit, we’ll be lucky if we can get a job as night watchmen on a construction site. And all we have is to trust in a damn man who speaks to the dead.”

“I believe in this man, and remember Harry vouched for him,” Taylor said.

“I know, but the confidence level goes a few notches down when the old man ate a bullet,” Alex said as he glanced quickly at his partner and shook his head. “This voodoo man should have seen that coming. Damn, he was the last one to be with Harry. He should have known what was going to happen.”

“Brother, it doesn’t work like that. That was the same shit people said when they killed my grandmother. Just because you have what they call clairvoyance, the ability to see things before they happen, it doesn’t mean that everything in front of them comes out in living color.”

“Question for you?”

“Shoot,” Taylor said while unsnapping the seat belt off.

“Do you have the gift? You know, like your grandmother… like Eddie?”

“Put it like this, if I did, unless I seek to learn more about it, it doesn’t matter if I do or not.”

“Maybe after we’ve finished with all this shit, our own voodoo man could show you the ropes,” Alex said with a laugh.

“I have enough problems dealing with the real street thugs out there. There’s no need to add spirits and ghouls to my repertoire.”

“Hey, you never know.”

“Alex, I kept this stuff about my family a secret for a long time. What makes you think I want to embrace it now?”

“I don’t know. Maybe now that’s out in the open, you’ll consider it.”

“Talking about things out in the open,” Taylor turned and stared at Alex. “Why didn’t you share your dream with the others? We all did.”

Taken aback by the quick change of topic, Alex shook his head. “Come on, man, like I told everyone. I got drunk, and I passed out. If I dreamt, which I don’t think I did, I forgot it.”

“You know you’re lying?”

“Now you’re calling me a liar? Damn, bro, that’s not nice.”

“But you know I’m right. Hey, listen, if you don’t want to tell anyone what you dreamt about, that’s understandable. That’s your prerogative.”

“I dreamt I killed a man,” Alex blurted out. “But not before flying like fucking Superman to get to the place he was at. When I woke up, the man’s Bible was on my dresser. The same Bible that in my dream I placed on the man’s heart and shot him dead. There was a bullet hole right through it, and my gun was next to it with smoke coming out of the barrel.”

“Damn.” Taylor looked at Alex for a second. “Did you know the man?”

“Yes,” Alex’s voice was low, each word struggling out of his mouth. “He was the church’s pastor my mother was a member of. The bastard had a thing for boys.”

“I’m sorry, man,” Taylor said, turning his head away from Alex, and angry with himself for pressing the issue.

“Sorry for what? For asking a question and getting an answer you didn’t want?” Alex took a deep breath, held it, then exhaled. “But one thing is for sure, it was liberating killing the motherfucker. Maybe I should thank this demon instead of trying to kill her.”

“Are you sure you actually killed him?” Taylor asked. “Remember, in Nikki’s dream, her father was killed, and although she hasn’t heard from either of her parents, something tells me that nothing happened to her father.”

“This morning, I called the precinct that’s assigned to his neighborhood. I spoke to a buddy of mine who works there. The janitor found him. Shot dead point blank… in the heart. No forced entry, and the only thing missing was the Bible that’s on my dresser.”

“Lord, what the hell are we getting ready to tangle with?”

“Anything with that type of power… how the hell can we beat it? And why didn’t she or it, or whatever the fuck that thing is… why didn’t she make us kill ourselves? Like Harry.”

“She needs all of us alive. Without us, there’s no Cassandra. This monster knows Cassandra will hightail out of here if she’s left alone to tackle her. And I’ll tell you this much. I think those dreams were only meant to rattle our cages. Make us go in there fearing her.”

For the next ten minutes, both detectives remained lost in their own thoughts until a car pulled over alongside them and honked the horn. Finally, Nikki with Cassandra and Eddie had arrived. It was time to Rock and Roll.

CHAPTER 45

He could feel her strong vibes rushing at him, pulling him with the same energy a giant magnet draws a heap of metal. A frigid fear consumed him, and Mike hesitated to take one more step.

“Your childish games are exhausting,” Lilith’s voice pierced through his brain. It scorched him with enough fire that made Mike reach out and squeeze his skull. “You have taken too long to come to me. Do you know you’re testing my patience? Maybe I have been too easy on you? I have forgiven you, when maybe I should have trashed you like the imbecile you have proven to be. Is that the reason you are making me wait?”

Ambushed by Lilith’s angry words, Mike crossed the street when, from the corner of his eye, he spotted the two detectives from the night before, and he ducked quickly by a parked car. What the hell were they doing here? At least to his advantage, they didn’t know where he lived. He turned and went back to the courtyard and glared nervously at the fence that separated his building from the other property next door. It was only about twelve feet in height, which he could easily climb, but the tumbles of barbed wire on the top stopped Mike from trying. He went back and once on the sidewalk he searched for any sign of the detectives, and satisfied that the coast was clear, in a crouched position, he walked using the parked cars as shields. Once at the corner, he looked back one last time, and satisfied, Mike hurried down the street, when to his shock, the black detective was there, blocking his path.

“Well, well, isn’t Mr. Super sneaking around like a frightened rat,” Taylor said, and when Mike turned to go the other way, Alex blocked that path.

“What’s the hurry?” Alex said, giving Mike a slight push. “You remind me of a convict on the run. Is that what you’re doing? Running away?”

Mike twitched nervously, then let out a loud sigh as he tried to go around both men. He dropped his arms to the side when he was unsuccessful.

“Any place we could have a nice little chat?” Taylor asked. “Like … I don’t know, maybe inside a nearby basement?”

“This is harassment, and you know it,” Mike attempted to sound tough, but his voice cracked.

“Can it!” Alex pushed him again. “You had a few busy nights. What happened to your hands? Some victims put up a fight?”

Mike looked down at his hands. The deep scratches on them seemed to glow brighter. He shrugged, but kept his mouth shut.

“Hey, Mr. Super, the man asked you a question, and where I’m from, answering is an act of politeness and courtesy. Not the time to shrug as if the man standing in front of you is a pile of shit,” Taylor said as he waved behind him.

Following the direction where Taylor waved to, Mike saw the door of a car open, and two women and a man stepped out of the car. Both women stayed by the car as the man started walking toward them. He was maybe a foot taller than Mike, but slim, and the way he glared at him made Mike feel small and helpless.

“So, what’s it going to be?” Alex said, making the motion that he was going to punch Mike.

“I don’t know what you guys want from me,” Mike said, but the man who was now inches behind Alex was troubling.

“How about starting with the truth,” Alex said, as he turned sideways to give room for Eddie to join the circle they had formed around Mike.

“You got the marks of evil all over you,” Eddie said, and the first thing Mike noticed was the monotonous way he said those words, like someone in a trance. “I can smell the scent of death coming out of your pores. There’s a woman and two children around you. They’re confused and before they continue their journey, they want to know why. I know who they are, but they want me to tell you they want to hear it from your lips.”

“Man, you’re talking crazy,” Mike blubbered. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”

“Let’s stop playing games. The least you could do for them is give them that send off to their destination. All they want to know is why you killed them in cold blood. Because of her? That’s right, the demon has you collared like a dog, but I’ll tell you this much… she’s angry, and she wants to kill you. Do you know you can’t bargain with someone who’s been around since the beginning of time?” Eddie said.

“She needs me!” Mike yelled and waved his fist at Eddie.

“You’re used goods to her now. She’s going to kill you in the most painful way anyone deserves to die… even a killer like you,” Eddie said, his words calm. “You saw the man who was doing her bidding before you came along. You saw with your own eyes how she ate him alive. And let me tell you, that’s exactly how you’re going to end.”

“She loves me.”

“Demons don’t know the meaning of love, but I could help you stay alive… all you have to do is come clean.”

“She’ll find me and kill me.”

“She’s trapped. She can only travel through her spirit, not her physical self.”

“But she’ll find me anyway and kill me,” Mike said as he sobbed. “She’ll control the mind of another and have me killed.”

“That will not happen. If you die, and not by her hands, a bit of her will die as well. Like I said, she’s trapped and with your help, I’ll destroy her forever.”

“What the hell are you? A demon?”

“Don’t worry about who I am. You need to worry about yourself.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“First, deal with those who are confused and in limbo, still waiting for your words to release them from this world that is no longer theirs.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Mike yelled. “I have had enough of you motherfuckers. Now get away or I’ll start screaming right now. Everyone knows me around here. They’ll come to help me out.”

“Detectives,” Eddie turned and nodded towards Taylor and Alex. “Arrest this man for the murder of his wife and children. You’ll find their bodies… their dismembered bodies inside his home. And before the night is over, we will avenge every girl that he killed for this monster.”

“What did you say?” Alex said, as he grabbed Mike by the collar.

“This man killed his family,” Eddie made it clearer. Then he turned his sight to the corner building where the intense powers of Lilith were coming at him. He could feel her presence, the anger, and Eddie knew that this would not be a simple task. He feared for those around him, but there was nothing more left to do. Closing his eyes, Eddie silently recited the Lord’s Prayer. Afterward, he stared at the building, where the demon waited for them. He wished for everyone to sit this one out and let him face Lilith by himself. But he needed them, even though he was sure that many would die before the night’s end.

CHAPTER 46

“My God,” Taylor said as he covered his nose and turned his face away.

“What the hell?” Alex stopped short and, lifting the sunglasses from his face, he stared over Taylor’s shoulders in disbelief. “When we did a quick check on this man, we couldn’t even find a parking ticket. What the fuck are we about to face that can make someone do this?”

The entire living room reeked of blood and raw meat. A once beige rug was now saturated in a dark crimson color. Most of the nearby walls were plastered with splattered blood and fragments of bones. Gummy, purplish strips of veins hung sickeningly from the ceiling fan blades. The few drop cloths could only cover some of the dismembered bodies, but the gruesome scene was impossible to hide.

Most of the rats that feasted on the bodies scurried away when the lights came on. Although some still gnawed away until Alex took one of the many pipes inside a pail and banged on the floor, causing the rats to scamper away. Bloated water bugs skittered in a frenzy and buzzing flies swooped around the bodies and overtaken by the repulsive sight, Alex ran out of Mike’s house. His first instinct was to go straight to Mike, who was sitting handcuffed in the first squad car to arrive at the scene and shoot the piece of shit.

“That bad?” Nikki took Alex’s arm and held him. She saw the rage in his eyes, and she could only imagine what was on his mind.

“If you’re going inside that slaughterhouse, I guarantee that even you, with everything you have seen inside the morgue, could never prepare yourself for what’s inside that house.”

“I’ll be okay,” Nikki said, still holding his arm. “But are you okay? I have seen that look in your eyes before, and it worries me.”

Alex placed one hand over Nikki’s and nodded. He tried to pry her fingers off his arm, but Nikki tightened her grip. They watched as Taylor stepped out of the house and looked their way. They both could tell he was shaken.

“Why don’t you join Taylor and the rest?” Nikki released Alex’s arm but moved her hand to his chest. “Please tell me you won’t do anything dumb.”

“I won’t,” Alex whispered.

“I must go inside and see for myself what has spooked two of the best detectives in the force. But please, Alex, let the law deal with that murderous bastard. We need you if we are still planning to go inside that basement. Promise me.”

He gave her a quick smile and, slipping his shades in his breast pocket, he patted Nikki’s hand and walked towards where the others were standing.

“I won’t blame you if you decide to get the hell out of here,” Alex said to Cassandra, noticing the paleness of her face. “I’m glad you didn’t go in, because lady, of all the years doing this job these past few months have put me face to face with shit I thought only existed in slasher movies. But goddamn, what happened inside that house? Only the devil could be responsible for such a massacre.”

“And to think that it might get worse,” Cassandra said as she brushed her hair away from her forehead. “Why don’t you guys call for backup? You know, those guys with the machine guns.”

“Sorry to tell you, but this is not a cops and robbers’ television show. Our superiors know we are here because of the slaughter that took place in there. And according to them, we did an excellent job of apprehending the killer. So, in their eyes it’s a good win, it’s time to hit the showers and go home.”

“But we can’t stop now,” Cassandra frowned. “There’s still unfinished business—”

“We know that,” Taylor interjected. “But imagine if we tell them that now we are getting ready to battle a demon. Alongside a woman that was involved in similar killings twenty years ago and a man, not an ordinary man, but someone who speaks to the dead. How do you think that’s going to sound?”

“Gotcha.” Cassandra waved a finger at Taylor. “We are on our own.”

“Yes, we are,” Taylor said as he pointed towards Eddie, who sat on the same beach chair where Mike had sat less than an hour ago. “What’s up with him?”

“I don’t know,” Cassandra said. “When you guys went inside, he stood in the middle of the yard with his eyes closed. At one point, I thought he was going to faint, because he staggered backwards. Then he went to the chair, stared at it for a long time, and finally sat down. He was mumbling… maybe praying… I don’t know. I kept my distance. He still gives me the willies.”

“You’re not the only one, especially how he knew exactly what happened inside that house. But if he’s part of this team, let me see if he’s okay,” Taylor said as he started walking to where Eddie sat.

“It takes a while to get used to dead bodies and blood,” Taylor said as he came close to Eddie. “And the terrible thing that happened in there. How that sicko killed and dismembered the bodies, man, I bet even Nikki is going to flinch—and she has seen it all.”

“Dead bodies don’t affect me.” Eddie said, and his voice was flat. It sounded robotic.

“Oh, yeah, you’re right,” Taylor laughed. “I forgot not only do you see dead people, but you also talk to them.”

When all he received from Eddie was a weak smile and a nod, Taylor continued talking. “Can I ask you a question?”

Eddie nodded.

“How do you do that? I mean… contact with spirits and all that?”

“It just happens. I can’t really explain it. After a while, it’s as normal as answering a telephone that only you can hear ringing. Your grandmother had the gift as well… if you want to call it a gift.”

“You don’t see it as a gift?”

“There are times it’s more of a curse than anything,” Eddie shrugged. “Right now, I’m feeling the sadness and confusion of those three people inside. They are here with me, expecting me to show them the way. In any normal circumstance, when people die of a natural cause, loved ones have already designed their journey and their instinct tells them that death is near. Usually Azrael, the Angel of Death, is here to guide them to the afterlife, but in cases like this, especially because of the brutal way he killed them, their vision is clouded. Imagine getting dropped off in a strange town, and you’re expected to know exactly where to go. That’s how they feel. Besides, with their bodies mutilated, and even though they were already dead, their spirits, their souls, felt the pain much greater, as if they were still alive. Plus, the betrayal… it’s still hard for them to accept someone who they loved did this to them.”

“And you know all this?”

“They are telling me all this… especially the kids. They are still in shock, and they question why Daddy hurt them. But the consolation for their father, they soon will understand that a power of evil controlled him. And once in their additional elements, these spirits will forgive him and go on their spiritual journey.”

“And if they don’t keep that journey?”

“What do you mean?”

“These… spirits… what’s going to happen to them if they stay in limbo?”

“Hopefully, they will hear their loved ones, those who have already passed, calling them from the shores of the River Styx.”

“And each one will give a coin to Charon, the ferryman, to take them there?”

“Yes,” Eddie glanced up at Taylor and smiled. “I’m impressed. For someone who at first didn’t believe that there’s another world besides ours. It’s nice to hear you have accepted that not everything is black and white.”

“But what happens to those who stay behind?” Taylor asked, ignoring what sounded like a compliment from Eddie.

“They stay in limbo and become those spirits that roam within the realms of the world of both living and the dead. And many times, they do the deeds of demons or other entities that are here on earth to do harm.”

“Like the spirit who attacked us?”

“Yes, and the ones who came in each of our dreams last night.”

“So, that’s what it was… spirits doing the demon’s bidding?”

“Yes, leeches looking for favors to cash in later. Remember, their human instincts still control the spirits who stay in limbo. Even though they can differentiate between both worlds, they feel like supreme beings because of what they can do now.”

“Can we defeat them?”

“They are many rituals to protect us from evil spirits, but only if you truly believe.”

“I believe, I think I always did.” Taylor looked as two men entered the courtyard. “Would love to talk to you in more detail when all this is over, but in the meantime, back to business; the morgue workers are here. Man, you can’t pay me enough to do that job, especially because of what’s waiting for them inside.”

Eddie sighed, staring at the men from the morgue going inside as Nikki was coming out. She quickly joined Cassandra and Alex. Spotting where Taylor and Eddie were, Nikki waved.

“So, what’s next?” Taylor asked Eddie as they began walking to reunite with the others.

“Time to send a demon back to hell.” Eddie said in his nonchalant, morbid way.

CHAPTER 47

Intoxicated by the smell of blood, Lilith surrendered to the raw power that ran through her veins. It had been a long time since she had felt this vigorous, and as she looked down at her body and marveled at the transformation that was developing at an incredible speed, she rejoiced. The young man’s flesh and blood didn’t have any resemblance to the putrid rubbish she had fed from Frank and Mike. Of course, it was not as fresh and life-giving a source as the embryos, but his youth made a big difference. She could see her vital organs expand, and new flesh appeared over her skeletal body, but more importantly, it was the agility she noticed in her movements. Lilith turned from side to side, gyrated as lithe as she could remember when she was a real Nephilim woman—a wife and a mother.

This last revelation saddened her, and she bit down on her lips to bring out the agonies she always kept within her. For those painful memories were the only thing that kept her going—kept her fighting. Making sure she would never forget the savage way God’s winged warriors descended upon them — engrossed in their vicious orders to wipe them all from the surface of the Earth.

Thankfully, her true father took her into the bowels of the netherworld, where she nurtured her wounds, mourned the death of her daughters, and finally the death of her human-like self. Yet every night, Lilith would venture into this world as an exotic goddess as no man could resist the offered kisses from her full-ruby lips. Nor could they escape the warmth of her embrace, the intoxicating aroma of her copper skin, nor the salacious sexuality that discharged from her womanhood.

She invaded the dreams of mortal men, seduced them, performed acts they could only romanticize in their wildest fantasies. She made them her slaves with her sexual prowess. But what those men didn’t know was that their touches also aroused her, and soon, she wanted more than to be merely a token of their lucid sexual dreams. She strived to partake in the human longings, in the human life, in the human love she once tasted. Lilith wanted to be part of it once again. And while bathed in the flames of Hades, Lilith planned her vengeance. She consulted with the elders, those who have haunted humanity in their sleep-induced hallucinations. Disturbed their nights until she wrapped their minds in terrorized madness. She learned their ways, their secret rituals, until she was ready to reclaim what was hers.

Now, as Lilith stood on sturdy legs, she passed her hands over the fine curves that accentuated her form, and she screamed with pleasure. She touched the young man’s blood that still ran through her body. Then she licked her arms and hands, savoring every drop, for each filled her with life. She walked to the door that led to the outside world and pressed her face to it. She felt the coolness of the metal doorway and envisioned how it would feel the second she crossed the threshold and went into freedom.

Then, the reality of her position washed over her, and again, she felt the man’s vibration; the one they called Eddie. Lilith could smell death and life fused in his veins. She wanted to send her astral body into the night’s wind and learn more about him and perhaps get a glimpse of their plans. Shaking her head, she dismissed that idea, for it was a careless one. It would be a big mistake to overextend herself, and waste precious energy. The battle—the last clash—would require all the strength gained from the young man’s blood and flesh. She could not allow herself to be foolish. It was wise to be smart. Returning to the room, Lilith sat on the cot and looked down at the floor littered with Johnny’s bones. She reached out and picked up the skull, and moved her tongue around the eye sockets, where bits of pieces of meat were still embedded. Ferociously, she ripped each morsel with gusto. With one finger, she poked at the tongue, which now drooped out of the skull. With one quick yank, she ripped it out and swallowed it whole.

Turning the skull around, and convinced that no more meat coated its bones, Lilith tossed it over her shoulder. Satisfied, she rested for a while, then she commanded for Alberto to come to her. And she was pleased when, like the faithful parasite that he was, he stood in front of her. Lilith grinned.

“The battle is about to begin. Are the warriors ready for battle?”

“Yes, my Queen.”

“Then, there is nothing more to do but wait,” Lilith said, her red eyes piercing through Alberto. “This time Heaven’s gate will crumble and when all is final, and I will stand victorious—we shall hold the key to their kingdom. They will hear our message loud and clear. The true leader will rule their paradise. My father will hold the throne, and his daughter shall sit at his right side. These God-fearing humans will fear me instead. They will learn the truth of my name. Lilith: the first woman created by God! I am Lilith, and no one will deny me the kingdom of Eden. The kingdom their God created for me!”

*****

It felt like they had dropped his entire brain inside a frying pan filled with boiling oil, and Alex winced. He was glad he had gone back to the car to retrieve his cell phone he had left on top of the dashboard, otherwise he couldn’t explain to the others the jolt he was zapped with. Maybe it was a late reaction from the alcohol he polluted his body with after being sober for over two years. Not sure if that was the cause, regardless, it hurt him. He slid the phone into his breast pocket and closed his eyes for a second, hoping for the pain to go away. But the aching was still in his head as he plopped down onto the driver’s seat and rubbed both temples. From the side-view mirror, he watched the others, huddled as they waited for him.

After five minutes, and feeling better, he exited the car. He watched them as they stood in front of the building, and unexpectedly it occurred to Alex. Did anyone have any proof that there was something evil in there? Maybe all along, those were crimes committed by two sick individuals. Wasn’t the gruesome scene inside the super’s home evidence enough?

“Maybe everyone is naughty, except you Alex,” a whispered voice slithered inside his head, and made Alex get back inside the car. Was he losing his mind?

“Relax, my old friend. You’re not losing anything but your dignity and maybe your life if you continue this charade. Let them march on like willing-dying sheep, guided by the voodoo man. Just remember, I helped you get rid of that awful reminder that kept telling you how naughty you were.”

“You’re not real,” Alex said, clenching his teeth at the burning buzzing in his head.

“Pretty painful. Isn’t it? I could make it go away. Alex, do you want me to take the hurting away?”

“Yes,” Alex said, his face bathed in sweat. “Please take it away.”

“Fantastic! But before I do, I need you to do me a favor.”

“Fuck,” Alex spat out the curse like something clogged in his throat. “Goddamn anything.”

“I’ll let you know in due time. But I need your promise that when I asked for the favor, you will abide with no hesitation. Do we have an agreement?”

“Yes,” Alex could barely speak because of the pain was horrendous.

“Excellent. Soon you shall feel my loving embrace.”

Two seconds later, the pain went away, as well as the voice that vibrated in his ears. When Alex looked up, Taylor’s face peeked from the other side of the car window.

“Hey, man.” Taylor took hold of the handle and swung the door open. “Damn, you look like shit. What the hell happened?”

“They warned me about these bouts during the meetings,” Alex said, as he tried to smile, but all that came out was a crooked line.

“What meetings?”

“The famous Twelve-Step meetings people who love the bottle attend inside a dim church’s basement. Alcohol withdrawals are a bitch, and breaking sobriety is even worse. But give me a few, and I’ll be okay.”

“You got it,” Taylor said, but not liking the way Alex looked. “Hate to tell you this, but it’s time to get this shit rolling. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“You know, partner,” Alex stepped out of the car and wiped his brow. “One thing talking about it, now that we are about to go for all the marbles… damn brother, it really takes on a whole different meaning.”

“Yes, it does,” Taylor said. “Eddie got something for us. Man, that’s some serious dude.”

“What he got for us?” Alex asked, and there was a certain defiance in his voice.

“I don’t know,” Taylor responded, but he noticed a certain change in Alex. However, knowing that all of them had been under a heavy strain these past couple of months, he merely dismissed it as what he bet was simply jitters at facing a demon, or perhaps the side effects of getting drunk after being clean for so long.

“Taylor, I need to get this off my chest,” Alex stopped short from joining the others. “I don’t like that man, and what he fucking represents.”

“Man, you keep contradicting yourself. It’s an all-back-and-forth love and hate with you and Eddie. There’s a name for that, passive aggression.”

“Bro’ it’s not like that,” Alex said as he slowed down his steps. “Who’s saying he’s not controlling us in some type of group hallucination?”

“For what? What in the world is he going to gain by that? Brother, you’re not making any sense. Are you sure you’re okay? You’re pale and there are red blotches on your face. And damn, you’re perspiring.”

“I’m okay. Stop worrying about me and keep an eye on that voodoo man. That’s all I’m saying.”

“Cool,” Taylor walked faster. “But for now, we all agreed to this. So, let’s get the ball rolling.”

“Okay, I hear you.” Alex wiped his brow and followed Taylor.

While both men inched closer to the group, Taylor noticed how quickly Eddie turned and fixed his sight on Alex. Perhaps it was the way his partner’s haggard appearance was quite alarming, yet it bothered him. Could Eddie see something beyond what the rest of them couldn’t observe? Eddie had the same look when they were at the precinct’s conference room and Eddie drew out the spirit from Cassandra. It made Taylor apprehensive; then again, maybe it was all the shit they all had been dealing with, and he was making too much out of nothing. Brushing it off, Taylor took the lead and walked down the steps to the courtyard. It pleased him the rest followed, and soon Alex went around Taylor and positioned himself in front of the basement door. Removing from his pocket the key chain he saw hanging in the super’s home, Alex jingled them. First, he tried the knob. “Of course, it’s locked,” Alex huffed. Rotating the keys on the ring, he wondered how anyone could know where each key belonged as he randomly selected one. He inserted it and was not surprised it was the wrong one. After trying five more keys, Alex stopped and, with an exasperated look, held the ring in front of him. “Anyone want to try their luck? I’m ready to empty my gun on the fucking lock.”

“You must have missed the line when God was giving out patience,” Cassandra said, grabbing the key chain.

“Touché,” Alex answered, and stepped aside.

Cassandra examined the keys, spinning them on the ring, and on the eleventh one she noticed a small round tag with the letters ‘BM’. She inserted the key, jiggled it, and the lock clicked open. Cassandra winked and gave the keys back to Alex, and pushed the door in. A repugnant smell rushed at them, and they all raised their hands to their noses in an almost orchestrated unison.

“We need our heads examined or fucking gas masks,” Alex said as he gagged.

“Probably both,” Nikki added as she let out a dry cough.

Once accustomed to the stench, they filed inside, but before they went any further, Eddie motioned them to gather around him.

“After what has happened in the past forty-eight hours, and the vicious murders across the street, I don’t need to tell you that what we are facing is something evil. We are about to tangle with a powerful demon and by the smell in this place, she has claimed this as her fortress, and we need to be alert. I feel and I sensed many spirits gather around her; all waiting and ready to abide by her commands. They present many dangers and because of it, I have made these beaded bracelets, each using the colors of my Orishas, they are called idé. You must wear them on your left wrist—”

“Wait, wait,” Alex interrupted Eddie. “Whatever is that contraction you came up with, I’m going to tell you from the start. I’m not wearing any shit that even resembles anything that has to do with religion.”

“Come on, brother, let the man finish what he started to tell us,” Taylor said as he took one bracelet from Eddie. He turned it around, then dangled it between his fingers.

“Okay, go ahead, man, you got the floor, but whatever you have to say, I’m not putting that thing on. What’s next? A necklace made from garlic?”

“Alex, please!” Nikki frowned at Alex.

Not pleased with how Nikki reprimanded him, Alex raised his hands and shook his head, but he remained quiet.

“Detective, my beliefs and faith are not everyone’s cup of tea. I’m sure you have your own personal reason, and I won’t stand here to judge you, but out of mutual courtesy, please respect, if not me, at least what I’m sharing with the group. I’m surprised that after what we all experienced yesterday, and let’s not forget the controlling dreams we all had last night, you still do not see that we are facing is a dangerous monster. And if you failed to see the danger, we are all facing, not only you could get yourself killed, but others as well.”

“Not everyone had a dream,” Alex disagreed. “Maybe the danger is us putting too much faith in every word you keep spitting out.”

“Really?” Eddie stared at Alex with an intensity that made the detective uncomfortable. “Sir, I’m not even going to entertain your attitude. It’s not that important for now, but my concern is that we all need to agree. If not, this demon will toy with us like a cat smacks a mouse from one corner to the other. So, my question, sir, are you one hundred percent with us?”

“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be here.”

“Yes, you are here, and Judas also sat next to Jesus before he betrayed him for thirty pieces of silver.”

“Motherfucker! You’re calling me a fucking traitor?” Alex raised his voice and inched towards Eddie, but not before Taylor intercepted him.

“Alex let’s save the fighting for the one who we came here to fight,” Taylor drove his partner away, and after a bit of a struggle, Alex relaxed. “Now, let’s hear the man out. After, whoever wants to wear the bracelet or not, it will be okay.”

“Pretty colors,” Cassandra said as she accepted one of the bracelets, and with no hesitation, she slipped it on her left wrist. “What did you say you call this and why only on the left wrist?”

“It’s called an idé, and we must wear it on the left hand, which is the symbol of life as the right hand symbolizes death. Orúnla an Orisha, who was present at the beginning of time and controlled our destiny, made a pact with Death and the pact was authorized by the idé. It protects the wearer from death. I prepared them last night, in anticipation of what we are going to face.”

“What kind of hogwash—” Alex voiced his opinion but was quieted down quickly by Cassandra’s fierce look.

“You know, man, how a person behaves facing an unknown adversary tells a lot about that individual, and so far, mister, you’re not putting any points on the board.” Cassandra said to go along with her stare down.

“Oh, Jesus, now I’m getting rated? What’s next? A surprise quiz on Friday?” Alex’s sarcasm laced his words. “Are we going to do this, or are we just going to stand here trading insults?”

Fed up with Alex’s strange behavior, Taylor grabbed him by the collar and pinned him to the nearest wall. He stared at his partner’s stunned eyes, and he wondered after this ordeal was over, how many of them would go insane. Was that what was happening now? Maybe, gradually, the demon was making them turn against each other. He let go of Alex and glanced around. By the way everyone stood in silence; Taylor knew something was happening to them. Possibly it all started last night when they slept. Or did it all begin in the meeting when they got trashed like rag dolls inside the conference room? There were too many questions and not even one solid answer. Over and over, Taylor asked himself how the hell two men with no criminal history—and one of them a family man—unexpectedly became sadistic monsters. Killing with no remorse. Even now, something was wrong with Alex. He saw it out in the car when he found him shaking and his face covered in sweat. When you work with someone for such a long time, you get to know that person better than you know your own self. Yes, Alex could be quick to temper, but this was beyond his lousy bed side manners. Unexpectedly, a thought popped into his mind that sent chills down Taylor’s back—was Alex being possessed?

Taylor exhaled and the air that came out from his lungs was sporadic, leaving a bile taste in his mouth. He turned away from the rest and spat, and that action was so unlike him, it embarrassed him. Eddie watched him closely, and Taylor wondered if this outlandish man could read minds, too. He gave Eddie a nod and then looked straight into the shadowed corridors in front. A tremble ran through him, and he took a swift glare at Alex. Absentmindedly, Taylor slipped the bracelet on his left wrist, then helped Nikki put on hers.

*****

They were slowly coming apart like a damn cheap suit, and Cassandra felt like she needed to say something. The confrontation between Alex and Taylor was a big surprise and created an uneasy cloud of doubt and mistrust. She could feel it perched on top of them—like a starved vulture waiting for the first casualty. Cassandra had watched Eddie’s reaction, and it troubled her, as if he had lost confidence, but she was not sure if it was on them or himself. Nikki was in her own heavy thoughts, and the way she gingerly avoided anything to come near her sling arm, Cassandra wondered if Nikki should even be here. Was this all the doing of Lilith? Of course, it was! Cassandra didn’t have any doubts that the demon was behind it, and she was sure it all went back to their dreams. Furthermore, the oddness in Alex’s behavior and bickering was troublesome. Because of all that was happening, Cassandra’s primary concern was that they must regroup. If not, they would lose everything in an blink, and Lilith would have no problem in taking them apart. Still, what bothered Cassandra the most was that everyone was here because of her, and that reason was enough for her to feel obligated to bring them back together. It had been almost ten minutes since they had stepped inside, and merely for the sake of breaking their silence, she waved her left arm, showing off the bracelet.

“Now, are these bracelets like those of Wonder-Woman’s?” Cassandra joked, hoping to make them all relax, and to add to her joke, she mimed as if she was blocking bullets with her bracelet.

“They are just pieces of leather and beads if the wearer lacks faith,” Eddie deadpanned without making eye contact, for he was staring straight ahead.

“Aren’t you the life of the party?” Nikki said.

“We are in a grave situation, but it looks as if everyone is more concerned about other matters than the real reason we are here,” Eddie said as he turned and glared at Nikki. “This is no joke. And unless we stop bickering with each other, playing childish games, we are all going to die.”

“Easy voodoo man,” Alex came forward and stood two feet away from Eddie. “There’s no need to bite her head off.”

“If we don’t start taking this seriously, I will not be the one biting her head off.”

“Are we supposed to believe you?” Alex waved a hand of dismissal towards Eddie. “If you’re this great Santero, or whatever the fuck you want to call yourself, why do you need us? Aren’t you savvy enough to go against demons without having to hold our fucking hands?”

“Hey, Eddie, what do you see?” Taylor asked, ignoring Alex’s taunts, which were now frivolous and childish. “You have been staring at the corridor intensely. What’s going on?”

“She’s inside one of those rooms. Exactly where, it’s hard to tell, because she’s surrounded herself with the aura of spirits and warriors from Hell. They are shielding her from us. She’s the Devil’s daughter, the Princess of Hades, and their job is to bring her the victory she’s been craving since she and her people were wiped off the earth.”

“Do you have some kind of eye scanner?” Alex asked, as he noticed Eddie’s eyes fixed on the long corridor in front of them.

“Alex—” Taylor protested.

“Wait one second,” Alex argued. “Listen, I know I’ve been a pain in the ass lately, but hear me out,” Alex said, as he looked at the group. “Maybe I didn’t phrase it correctly, but I’m serious. Eddie, how can you see what you’re telling us now?”

“There’s no specific way, but the best way to explain it. It’s like the intuitions we all get that warn us about danger. That’s how I see or feel things.”

“Okay, so that means she’s here… this she-demon, but you can’t see where she’s at, because she’s protected?”

“Yes,” Eddie said as he tried to see through Alex’s questions, but something was bothering him. There was a shield around Alex’s aura as well, and Eddie shuddered, knowing that Lilith was behind it.

“Then, what we need is to split up,” Alex said, and there was an enthusiasm in his words. “As I can see that hallway breaks down into two. Why don’t we split the group?”

“And how do you think we should split up? Who goes with who?” Eddie asked, although he knew Alex wanted to divide the group at any cost. “I don’t think is a good idea. Our strength is as a group.”

“We will not be far from each other; besides, it’s not like we are underneath Grand Central Station, this building is a hole in the wall… we’ll be within each other’s earshot.”

“I’m not too keen on splitting up.” Taylor scratched his forehead and then sighed. “But the quicker we find her, the better. And I must agree with Alex, this is not an enormous building, we’ll still be near each other.”

“You damn right,” Alex said and there was a giddiness in his response. “Cassandra and I could take the left side and the rest of you guys take the right. I figured each group needs a person with a gun, and because of Nikki’s bump arm, she’s better off with two men than just me. Plus, Cassandra knows a lot more than any one of us about this demon, and Eddie… well… he knows more about this whole hocus pocus, which it’s important to have one of them in each group. What do you think, Taylor? I mean, I don’t want to hog up the leadership limelight here, but I can’t see it any other way.”

“What do you think, Eddie?” Taylor adjusted his bracelet.

“I don’t like it, but if Cassandra and Nikki have no objections, then—”

“I have no problem with this,” Nikki said quickly. “And if it’s okay with Cassandra, then let’s go. Besides, like Alex said, this is not the cavernous underground of Grand Central Station. We’ll still be close.”

“No problem here,” Cassandra nodded as she walked to her left. “Let’s kill this fucking bitch once and for all.”

CHAPTER 48

A guttural curse slithered out from Lilith’s mouth, and she jumped to her feet. She scowled and turned her attention towards the direction of the basement’s front door. She could detect the odor of a life tainted by death, and Lilith shuddered; she sensed the gifted man’s presence. A jolt zigzagged through her, and quickly she wrapped her arms around her. Mixed emotions erupted within, bringing forth the identical apprehensions that washed over her when God’s legions of Angels invaded her home.

Lilith tapped her fingers on the cot’s frame, accepting the rage in her. A bestial wail arose as the harsh memories of her past erupted in her mind. She lowered her head and closed her eyes, pushing everything away and remain still. She listened to the beat of her heart as it settled into a rhythm of calm. Lifting her arms, Lilith summoned her father.

“Father, will you join me in battle? Will you pound on the drums, the rhythm of war, and lead me to my much-awaited victory? Our enemies are here, invading my home with the same imprudent arrogance they invaded our paradise before. There’s blood in their eyes, revenge in their souls, desire for destruction running through their veins. Oh, my father, the Morning Star. Can you shield me with your avenging wings? Comfort me with the strength of our doomed ancestors. Allow me to quench my thirst with my enemies’ blood. Satisfy my hunger with their rotten flesh. Let me sacrifice their souls and place them on the pedestal of your kingdom. Yes, my father, we will rejoice with a victorious cry that will shake Heaven’s foundation. Father, I implore for your presence. I beseech you to become my armor in battle.”

Bowing her head, Lilith meditated, before she cried: “The time for battle has arrived!”

There was a shift in the air, and Lilith acknowledged the spirits summoned by her father. “Come to me! Yes, you lost specters who roam the purgatories. Come out, and I’ll reward you for our victory. Come to me, and I shall make you Satan’s warriors.”

One by one, they appeared. They assembled and bowed in front of Lilith. Their cadaverous eyes shone with a newfound determination, for they knew that after the battle, they’d reign like conquering heroes in the hallways of Hades. Feeling powerful, all the evil spirits raised their fists and shouted the cry of war. “For our Queen Lilith!”

*****

Giddiness. Even the word gave a childish meaning to it; but that’s exactly the feeling which was surging through Alberto. It was like the overexcitement a child might experience going to bed on Christmas Eve. The anticipation, too great, the euphoria beyond comprehension to even think about getting one mere second of sleep knowing what waited for them come morning. Yes! That’s what Alberto was feeling now. He felt alive, more than he had ever felt for a long time. Now he understood Lilith’s obsession. It was an exhilarating sensation that no words could define it. He had made love to Cassandra. Him, a ghost who belongs in the land of the dead, and her, a human who belongs in the land of the living, still able to coexist in the doorway of both worlds. He had made love to Cassandra. He had whispered that statement to himself. Spoken like a secretive taboo, guarded by jealous ears. Even though the thrill that gushed through every fiber of his being wanted him to shout it for every entity here on earth and in Heaven and Hell to hear it. Alberto had made love to Cassandra, and her kisses, her scent, were entrenched in him forever.

For a long time, he had felt like a man once again. In that case, what was next on his agenda? Did his act of passion alter Lilith’s plans? He still did not know what Lilith wanted from Cassandra, but one thing he knew for sure was that his beloved wife’s death was part of her scheme. Yet, the enormous question that disturbed him the most—would he stand docile and let Lilith kill Cassandra? Of course not! Did he cross a threshold that he couldn’t return from? Definitely! He knew the battle was near, and witnessing the arrivals from Satan’s legions of phantoms, he knew there was no turning back. Would there be any consequences for his actions? Alberto didn’t know, and in his newfound assertiveness, he really didn’t care. To hell with Lilith! She had destroyed his life, and after last night, when he familiarized himself with what he lost after falling under Lilith’s lustful spell, he refused to be another lame duck. Lilith needed him now more than he needed her. They had trapped her, but he was not. Alberto’s grin grew into a satisfied, wide smile. Maybe it was time to claim what they had taken from him. He glanced in the direction where Cassandra and the others had gathered, and he wondered if he went to them, to speak with the man who was part of both worlds, would they believe his allegiance to them? Would they accept him as leading them in the battle against Lilith? Troubled by the decision he must make; Alberto was startled when Lilith’s telekinetic voice invaded his thoughts. He hesitated, and the previous assertiveness that possessed him faltered, for the too-familiar fear immediately recaptured him.

“Alberto!” Lilith shout thrashed violently in his head once more, and even though his loyal servant mindset wanted to run and bow at her feet, his new defiant attitude held firm. But a force took hold of him, and to his astonishment, it yanked him from where he stood and threw him inside Lilith’s lair.

*****

“The many years we’ve been together have taught us a lot about each other,” Lilith said, and the calmness in her words bothered Alberto. For someone who was on the brink of facing her death, if Cassandra’s group could achieve such a feat, she didn’t show any strain or stress. Her carefree attitude was plain frightening. Alberto wondered how much she knew about his escapades from last night. Perhaps he had assumed that her weakness and her entrapment had lessened her powers over him, when probably nothing in her persona had faltered. If that was the case, had his actions angered her? Had it put a massive burden on her preparations? Instead of talking or even asking her, Alberto remained quiet. No need to volunteer information; it was best to see how much she knew and what the consequences were—if they were any.

“Now answer this, my dear Alberto,” Lilith continue in a monotone speech. “My plan was a devious one, if we executed it precisely how I drew them. Like any battle planned carefully, the slightest obstacle could easily destroy it. Isn’t that the way wars are lost and won? By how the accuracy of those schemes are followed or not. Now, I understand a meek human like yourself dare to think the unthinkable. Not that I blame you. Humans have always strived to surpass the idealism of gods, and you, my dear fool, are no different. But how did it ever cross that little mind of yours that you were beyond my equal? Your desires blinded you. Made you think I was vulnerable, and soon you could best me in the game I was born to excel at. My sweet, silly man, you’ve not so much disappointed me, but you tried to deceive me. Why the disloyalty? You thought an act that defied all reason could be hidden from me?”

Alberto was speechless, and he glanced around, wondering if there was a way to escape the wrath, he knew was coming. His mind raced frantically, trying to come up with a solid defense that would pacify Lilith, but only fear clouded his thinking.

“Your silence freely admits your guilt.” Lilith came closer to where Alberto stood, and he could see how her eyes were now two dark slits. She grinned, showcasing her sharp fangs as her forked tongue quickly flickered with the movement of flame. It almost touched his face. “Do you realize what your stupidity has caused? Answer me! Do you?”

Alberto gulped loudly before his mumbled answer reached Lilith’s ears. “I’m sorry, my Queen, but nothing has changed. I’m still loyal to you and our battle. What did my time with Cassandra do to sabotage your soon to be victory?”

Lilith let out a laugh as she shook her head. “Plenty! You fool, everything I did since the first night we fucked, and right through all the years Cassandra trapped us in the jar, I planned my vengeance and victory. Tonight, the ultimate steps for me to claim my supremacy were within my reach, but you have jeopardized everything.”

“What can I do to correct my mistake? I’ll do anything. You know my loyalty—”

“Silence! Don’t speak to me with your pathetic, empty words. Just listen, for you have one more chance to redeem yourself. But first let me educate you, and why your little pecker’s adventure with Cassandra was such a grave mistake. I was to make her body a vessel to my soul, but with your foolishness, I must alter my scheme of gaining a human form. I still hold the winning hand, and I didn’t lose everything. However, Alberto, if you fail me again, your suffering will have no end.”

There was a sigh of relief in Alberto, and the fear in him subsided. He wanted to ask her what was so wrong with what he did and how he was going to correct it, but he decided against it. Instead, he remained silent and watched as Lilith walked to the door and stared out. It was a matter of time before they would gain access inside these premises. Lilith smiled. It didn’t matter when, or how soon, the gifted man and the others will faced her, for she had faith in her warriors. Already they were dispersed throughout the basement to stop them ambushing her. Still, she wondered how powerful this man was. One thing she must protect against him was what Cassandra was carrying in her. For such information could be valuable to them; and could easily be used for her destruction. She turned to Alberto, a rage made her tremble, but at the end she merely nodded to him and waved him away. She needed to be alone and prepare herself—the battle was about to begin.

*****

A sharp pain thrusted ferociously in the middle of Alex’s brain, and he clasped his head while reaching out for the wall for support. He shut his eyes. There were black dots dazzling within, blinding him. He struggled to stay on his feet.

“Easy there. Are you okay?” Cassandra asked as she put one arm around Alex’s waist. “Man, you almost passed out. What’s wrong?”

He opened his eyes and shook his head a few times before he could finally focus. When he tried to speak, the words were muttered, and he glanced over Cassandra’s shoulder, and to his horror, a black mist was rushing at them. He tried to warn her, but its velocity was too fast that before either of them knew what happened, it engulfed them in darkness. Strong hands groped at them, pulling, and hitting them, until they both hit the concrete floor. A sulfurous odor rammed up their nostrils, suffocating them, and maddening shrieks ran into their ears, digging into their eardrums.

Desperate to get back on his feet, Alex fought back, but how can you fight what you cannot see? Panic settled in him. He flung his arms, as he struggled to stand up, when powerful hands grabbed him from behind and slammed him to the ground. A barrage of punches landed savagely upon him, and finally succumbing to the onslaught, Alex lost consciousness.

Merely two feet away from him, Cassandra heard the blows and his loud painful screams. She tried calling Alex’s name, shouting out to the others for help, but she could only achieve a whimper. Slithering thuds came from behind her. Terrorized, Cassandra scurried on all fours, but in less than ten inches, she slammed her head against a wall. She tumbled to the ground, as warm blood ran freely from her forehead. She passed one hand over the wound and panicked at how quickly a lump developed. Blood spattered from it onto the floor as her head spun, surrendering to a bout of vertigo. With no more strength in her, Cassandra collapsed into oblivion.

For how long was she under? Cassandra did not know, but when her eyes fluttered open, she found herself on the floor inside a large storage room. She tried to move, but soon discovered both of her wrists were tied down to a rusted pipe. From under a stack of cardboard boxes, scraping noises came and went, and an icy fear clamped upon her heart, for Cassandra knew exactly what was making those sounds, rats! She yanked on the ropes, hoping to loosen them. But the knots were firm, and for her struggle, all she was doing was chafing her skin. She needed to be strong. Cassandra scanned her surroundings, and with the exemption of the boxes, the room was bare. She tried to climb to her knees when, from under the boxes, a gigantic rat came out. Cassandra screamed, and her agonies echoed throughout the entire basement.

Alex heard the screams, but they were faint, and he could not place where they were coming from. He was groggy, and pushing himself from the floor, he sat. Alex tried to remember what had happened but could only come up with bits and pieces of when they were attacked. He labored to stand up, and realizing that Cassandra was not with him, he bolted out of the room where he was and stepped into a long hallway where many doors lined the walls. Possessed with an urgent mission to find her, he slammed his shoulder on every door that he came to and looked inside. Those that were locked, he pounded on them and shouted Cassandra’s name. The last door he came to, he noticed it was barely open. A scent of freshly dug earth and musk tickled his nose. Alex reached out, but before he could touch the knob, it opened wide by itself. There was a small cot in the middle. He walked in and standing next to the cot was a stunning naked woman—and their eyes locked. She smiled and weakened by her exotic beauty; Alex went willingly to her opened arms.

*****

“Wait one second,” Taylor said, tilting his head. “Did you hear that? It sounds like Alex calling for Cassandra.”

Bewildered by Alex’s shouts, and adding more to their confusion, there were also desperate bloodcurdling screams of a woman, and all three feared it was Cassandra. But the mixture of shouts and screams seemed to ricochet against each other, making it impossible to detect the direction they were coming from.

“Let’s go back to the spot we split up. I doubt the screams are coming from any place in front of us,” Taylor said as he hurried down the corridor, and both Nikki and Eddie followed. They hadn’t taken more than twenty steps when they heard a rustle coming from one room that lined the corridor. The door was ajar and with his gun drawn, Taylor pushed it open and looked inside. A naked bulb swung from an electrical cord and a weak breeze rotated the bulb in small moving circles. In one of the twirling movements, the dim light fell on something wrapped inside a burlap, and coming closer, they heard faint moans coming from underneath the heavy cloth.

“Cassandra!” Taylor hollered. “Cassandra, is that you?”

“Get away from there!” Eddie came around Nikki, and grabbing Taylor by the shoulder, pushed him away from the burlap, which was now rousing in a savage way. At first, Taylor resisted. Even trying to shove Eddie away from him, but a shriek within the heavy canvas cried out, and Taylor took a few steps back.

The burlap jutted, and the shriek turned into the hysterical laughter of madness. With a blinding flash, it burst into fire and when the flames extinguished into billowing smoke, a gnome-like being blinked at them. Taylor went a few inches closer as Eddie came around. It didn’t look menacing. It resembled a cartoon character from one of Disney’s fairytale movies. If the creature stood over four feet, it would have been a generous measurement. The way it moved, and with the giddy grin displayed on its face, it appeared like a child—a demon child—for on the side of its forehead two minor bumps protruded out, which could have been two sprouting horns.

Its chubby body was the color of ashes, with hands that twisted into sharp talons, and webbed feet that ended in crooked dark nails. When it moved sideways, a tail like a piglet’s curled around its thigh. The thing ogled at them in total stillness, which if they have not seen it move before, it could have fooled them all to think what they were looking at a macabre garden statue.

With no warning, it leaped, its lips pulled back, exposing razor-sharp teeth, its talons raised over its head. Taylor pulled the trigger and was astonished how the bullets exploded like firecrackers before hitting its target. The creature landed about two inches from them, as Taylor kept firing his gun, but still getting the same result. Once more, the gnome leaped and if Eddie didn’t push Taylor out of the way, the creature’s jagged talons would have ripped Taylor’s throat. The thing recoiled, and it hissed at them, yet as the body lowered itself, it was clear it was ready to leap at them again.

Knowing it was best to run out of the room, all three turned towards the door, but to their shock, it slammed shut with a loud, terrible bang.

How can they battle this fiendish being? Eddie wondered in desperation, then to his surprise a calmness washed over him, and pushing both Taylor and Nikki behind him, he stared down at the creature. Their eyes locked and Eddie saw a hesitation spread throughout the thing’s face. It blinked, and Eddie could see it was confused. Just like the Soul Searcher so many years ago when he, as a boy, stood in the middle of a make-shift purgatory and the beast was captivated by the old soul of a dead man that was in him.

The demon took a few steps back as Eddie went forward. Swinging his backpack, Eddie held it in front of him, and while one hand rummaged through the items inside, he never lost sight of the creature that was now scrimmaging. Removing a small bottle from the backpack, he flipped the cap off and, in the shape of a cross, Eddie sprayed the monster from top to bottom. In a rage, the thing jumped sideways, while Eddie didn’t stop dousing the creature with the holy water. The hideous thing cried out in pain and thrashed on the floor. It convulsed in its fatal agony. Where the drops of water fell, puffs of acrid smoke curled up to the ceiling. The thing's excruciating screeches were deafening, and it echoed in intense loudness. The screams filled the room, and it burrowed painfully into their ears with enough thrust to make both Taylor and Nikki wince in pain.

Eddie ignored the ear-splitting shrieks and went down on one knee. He made the sign of the cross and prayed, while he threw more water at the beast. With a final loud cry, the creature exploded into a ball of fire. The flames went up along one concrete wall and soon smothered into a pile of ashes.

“What the hell just happened?” Taylor asked as he tried to gather himself.

“Another lost soul is finally going to Hell for good,” Eddie said nonchalantly. “But let’s not celebrate. There will be more to come.”

“Who the hell are you?” Nikki asked, a combination of fear and awe lacing her words. “I mean, I have seen nothing like it. Damn, I thought my eardrums were going to explode, but you stood there like nothing was bothering you. What are you? Are you one of them? Are you a demon as well?”

“What’s the difference, Nikki? I thought we have settled once and for all who I am.” Eddie said as he placed the bottle in one of his front pockets of his jacket. “We have more pressing issues now than if I’m fully human or not. Don’t you agree?” Eddie said, as he moved closer to the locked door. “After we have finished, we’ll share a cup of coffee and I’ll tell you all about it. But for now, let’s get this over with. We need to find Alex and Cassandra. They are both in danger.”

“Look, mister, we are in the middle of something evil and deadly. All I want to know is if you’re really who you said you are.”

“That’s fair enough.” Eddie nodded as he turned the knob just in case the door magically unlocked itself. No such luck. “Let’s say, being part of both worlds, I picked up a few things along the way.”

“Like powers to do what you just did? You destroyed a monster that I was sure it was going to kill us. Taylor’s bullets disintegrated before hitting it, which I’m still trying to comprehend. I mean… you went against that thing with merely a small little bottle of water. That, mister, in the mind of a scientist, is hard to believe. I saw it, but… I think I’m still dreaming because I cannot process what I just witnessed.”

“You’re not dreaming, Nikki,” Eddie said, turning around to face them. “All of this is real. And I hate to tell you, what we just went through is nothing to compared to what’s waiting for us.”

“Will this little bracelet keep us safe?” Taylor asked as he pullet on the bracelet.

“If you believe, yes,” Eddie said. “And I think it did a pretty good job just now.”

“You got me there,” Taylor said, rotating the bracelet on his wrist.

“What you guys need to know,” Eddie turned his head and waved a finger toward the door. “Is that there’s so much out in the world that many people do not know or are too afraid to seek understanding about. This much I can tell you. There’s only a thin veil that separates both worlds, and because of it, both the living and the dead have no problem crossing that threshold.”

“A threshold? Like a doorway?” Taylor’s right eye brow arched up.

“Yes.” Eddie stopped and gazed at them. “It should be a revolving door. That’s how often both the living and the dead go through it. Our human bodies are only shells that hold our spirits. Because we are spirits, we can travel with no problem to the afterlife. Have you ever experienced waking up from a dream and feeling that you’re paralyzed? And there’s a certain pull that seems to want to take you down into an abyss?”

“A few times,” Nikki said. “Pretty scary, if you ask me.”

“That’s when you wake up before your spirit has not fully returned to your body.” Eddie said, with the same mannerism you tell someone that it’s going to rain.

Taylor and Nikki exchanged glances, but before any of them could say another word, a woman’s scream echoed through the walls of the basement. This time they had no doubts, it was Cassandra’s scream.

“For the love of God, we need to get this door open and get out of here.” Taylor said, not hiding the desperation in his voice. “We need to get to Cassandra.”

All three felt helpless as they stared at the locked door and, for the first time, took an inventory of what was inside the room. It was littered with old and rusted machinery.

“Dammit!” Nikki said. “We should never have agreed so willingly with Alex. I think Lilith is separating us one by one.”

“Well, there’s nothing we could do about that now, but get the hell out of here,” Taylor said as he slammed the door with one foot. The door didn’t even budge. Exasperated, he backed away and looked first at Nikki, and then at Eddie. “Any ideas?”

“Maybe we could use something from these machines to remove that damn door from its hinges.” Nikki said as she went to one lawnmower.

“Come again?” Taylor gave her a puzzled look.

“When I was a girl, I locked myself inside one of the snake cages by accident. I wanted to surprise my father. Make him realize that even though I was not a boy, I could still be as good as any boy who came to the snake park to help him out. One morning, I snuck out of the house and went straight to a cage he was planning to clean. He was expecting the shipment of two pythons. I wanted to surprise him by cleaning the cage all by myself. I was so excited and couldn’t wait to see his face full of pride, but all I accomplished was locking myself in. To make matters worse, I lost the key, and I panicked. When my father found me, I was crying. I was so disappointed and angry at the same time. My father, incredibly calm, told me to relax. Then, meticulously using a screwdriver, he pulled the pins from the door hinges and removed the door. I was out of that cage in no time.” Nikki pointed at the hinges of the door in front of them. “Who wants to be the first one to take a whack in removing those pins?”

*****

Alex watched her stroll towards him, her nakedness arousing him. Lilith’s smile was radiant, and it lifted her slanted, dark eyes with smiles of their own. Her raven hair fell over her shoulders—accentuating the perfection of her ample breasts. Scented musk oil coated her curved body and made her copper-colored skin sparkle. Her legs were long and shapely. Golden rings adorned her toes, and bracelets encrusted with diamonds and rubies hugged her ankles. Her voice was a mixture of passionate nights and cool rainy mornings—each word accented with her sensuality and uninhibited coitus sensations.

“Who are you?” Alex asked.

“I’m Lilith,” she said, and again her smile was like a thousand sunsets.

“They said you’re evil.”

“Do I look evil?” Lilith spread her arms. “I’m not as evil as your God, who deserted you.”

“What do you know about my God?”

“The one who handed your innocence to a prophet of His words. Isn’t that why you no longer believe? An atheist, you proudly call yourself. Am I right?”

“How do you know all this?”

“I’ve been watching you,” Lilith said, now only arm’s reach away from Alex. “I was the one responsible for your vengeance. You finally slew the monster of your deepest and shameful nightmares. And you achieved it all because of me.”

“Why?”

“The whys are meaningless.” Lilith placed one hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Now let’s rejoice in a new life without guilt or shame.”

Her scent was intoxicating, her attractiveness was paralyzing, and when she touched him, it filled Alex with a fire of lust. He had wanted nothing as much as he wanted to be taken into her embrace. As if Lilith read his mind, she wrapped him in her bronzed arms, and he became lost in her ardor. He heard the beating of her heart, and it was like listening to raindrops on a tin roof—it soothed him. There was a peace that embodied him for the first time in his life.

“My poor child, how much have you suffered? Do not worry, those sufferings are over. I’ll fill every day from now on with only joy. Do you want to join me and live in eternal euphoria with me?”

“Yes,” Alex said, but Lilith’s breast muffled his words as she took his face and guided his lips to her nipples.

“There, my sweet man, kiss them. They are yours to enjoy. Go ahead, drink from them, for my milk is the only essence for you to survive this cruel world that wants to destroy those who refuse to listen to the lies of a Draconian God.”

With abandon, like a hungry child who has woken crying in the middle of the night, Alex drank from Lilith’s breast. Slurping with a ravenous thirst—and soon he became her slave.

He was not aware of how long their lovemaking lasted, but one thing Alex knew, he couldn’t wait to be lost in her sexuality again. For the first time in his life, the ecstasy was real, not the guilt-filled sex since the first time they had robbed the innocence from him. The tranquility that overwhelmed him removed all thoughts about why was here. Yes, he had come here to destroy this woman, the one they called a demon, but now, as he rested his head on her lap, those plans had drastically changed. He would fight them all. He will kill them all if that was the only way to assure her freedom.

“You would have been a mighty warrior in the days of Caesar,” Lilith said as she gently massaged Alex’s head. “And you will be a mighty one now. Will you rise and stand next to me?”

“Yes, Lilith,” Alex said, as he gazed into her hypnotic eyes. “Your enemies are my enemies, and I’ll destroy them.”

Stroking his hair, Lilith smiled as she gently lifted his head and nibbled on his lips. Standing from the cot, she stretched one hand and pulled Alex to stand next to her.

“The enemies will be here soon; therefore, we need to prepare. Are you ready, my warrior?”

“I’m ready, my Queen,” Alex said as he got dressed, ignoring the fresh blood that dribbled down from Lilith’s bite marks. “What do you want me to do?”

“Here,” she handed him a knife and a blood-stained jar. “There’s a woman in the next room who, many years ago, tried to kill me, but trapped me here instead. With her death, I shall be free, and I will again unite my spirit with my soul. But before you strike the fatal blow and bring me her heart, first I need you to slice her stomach and remove what my foolish servant deposited inside. Then take her heart and put them inside this jar and bring it to me. For I am famished, and I need to eat.”

“Consider it done,” Alex said in a monotonous tone as he followed Lilith to a room a few feet away. Standing in front of the door, Lilith nodded to Alex to open the door.

“Now, don’t let her words fool you, for her treacherous tongue will try to deceive your mind. Remember how she played you like a schoolboy? She displayed her charm, made you believe that the night was yours, and in the end, she sent you off with not even a kiss. Those are the games she plays, and now she’ll try them again. But do not listen to her words, or be distracted by her phony tears, because, as you know, she’s a cold-blooded killer who murdered her husband because he desired me instead. Now imagine, my warrior, what she would do to you. You, who in her eyes is merely a charmed lad with a crush. Now, bring me her heart and the insides of her womb, and I’ll be complete again. Go, my warrior, bring to Lilith what belongs to Lilith.”

CHAPTER 49

It was a weird sensation that Alex noticed, and he believe somehow Lilith enhanced his senses. Not only he could smell the corrosion on the metal door in front of him. He could also sniff out the pungent stench of rats mixed with Cassandra’s sweet perfume, along with the odor of her fear. He placed one hand on the door, it was warm to the touch and moist from a drip above it. The door was open and all he had to do was give it a slight push and it swung easy. He expected a piercing whine from the hinges, but they were as silent as if they had just oiled it. Alex hesitated to enter as he listened to the sound of what appeared to be feet stomping on the floor. A minor discomfort jolted in the center of his forehead, like the sharp one he felt when he was in the car, and abruptly, he felt Lilith’s presence. He pushed the door all the way, and the first thing he saw was an enormous rat scurrying wildly around Cassandra, while staying away from being stomped. He hurried and in a swift action grabbed the rat by the tail. The rat hissed, and Alex could see the fury in the vermin’s eyes. He dangled it, amused at the savage way the rat attempted to free itself. He looked down at Cassandra, winked, and swinging the rat by the tail, slammed it headfirst against the wall. Blood splattered, and the rat juddered. Alex smiled as he smashed it a few more times until the vermin limped and became still. He flung it over his shoulder and moved closer to Cassandra. Their eyes met, and he saw her happiness and a relief wash over her tear-stained face. She let out a long exhale, as if she had been holding her breath for a long time.

Without uttering a word, Alex stared at her, and like the first time he saw her that night, which seemed to be so long ago, her beauty overwhelmed him. A stronger jolt erupted in the middle of his head, and he clenched his teeth at the unexpected pain. He stumbled a few feet backwards and he steadied himself when the pain left him as fast as it hit him. Was that Lilith sending him a reminder of the reason he was here inside this room? Shaking his head, he moved closer to Cassandra, and this time, he showed her the knife.

For a second, Cassandra believed Alex was about to free her by cutting off the ropes, until she saw the madness that bolted from his eyes. Cassandra let out a yell and swung her feet at him. Alex backed away slightly and for a second, he could not imagine it was going to end like this. How had it happened that in less than twenty-four hours, a woman who he had shared dinner, drinks, and laughter with, he was now ready and willing to kill? Compassion arose in Alex’s heart as he watched Cassandra pull at the ropes. It pained him to see the way she struggled. But what alarmed him the most was the way she glared at him—and it was a look reserved for monsters. He glanced away from her, because despite whatever sympathy was surfacing toward her, the reward he would receive from Lilith outweighed anything he would gain by sparing Cassandra’s life. Even if it meant dismissing the small voice of decency that frantically shouted at him to stop. Alex knew damn well what he was about to perform was an act of barbarism. Yet how could he reason when the only thing in his mind was to feel, once again, Lilith’s exhilarating sexuality?

Still, once more, his inner voice argued. Wasn’t that the similar promise the perverted pastor gave him? Didn’t he hate having to enter that room, where the man’s action belittled all the religious artifacts that surrounded that unholy place? However, when his arousing body betrayed his emotions and he welcomed it for the moment, afterward he hated himself—felt dirty—a sinner damned to Hell. Well, wasn’t what was going on here with Lilith similar? As he allowed his desire to betray him. Even after he had learned all about Lilith, her evilness, he would he ignore it all in the name of lust? Regardless of if his argumentative mind questioned how accurate Cassandra’s story was, did lust make him a hired killer for a demon? Then again, could all this be a made-up story by a scorned woman whose husband left her for Lilith? Or, even wilder, could Cassandra be another demon in battle with Lilith for some coveted supreme power? Wasn’t Cassandra accompanied by a spirit, or whatever the hell that thing was? Was it possible that all along Cassandra had been pulling their chains, acting as the victim, when she was really a predator, and all of them were mere pawns in this meaningless melodrama taking place in the bowels of Hell?

Alex rocked his head and lowered the knife. He shot a bewildered look at Cassandra, searching in her riveting eyes for the right answer.

“You are under her spell. Aren’t you?” Cassandra’s defiant question disarmed Alex. “You’re better than this. You’re stronger than this. Alex, you’re a good man. Do not go down the same path that will only lead you to your own destruction… even to your death. Already three men, that we know of, one of them my husband, all became damaged goods, while that bitch keeps breathing. Alex, is that what you want? To become another disposable ragdoll to be replaced as soon as your duties are no longer needed?”

“Your confused thoughts are muddling your head with garbage.” Lilith’s telekinetic message burrowed inside Alex’s mind. He cringed. “All your life, the acts of a man of your God stained you. But, my warrior, didn’t I remove that stain from you? I know that you have never been a loyal man to a woman in your life, and it’s because a charlatan in God’s cloth took away your innocence. I will bring to you the comfort you have searched all your life. But first you need to make me whole again and for all eternity I will reward you with the sensuality of a real woman. Trust me, my fine warrior, and I’ll pledge to you that by tonight for the first time in your life, you will feel, finally, like a real man.”

Reluctantly Alex turned to Cassandra, and what he saw in her, instead of fear, was an intensity that made her eyes flare with fire. He took a few steps and raised the knife again. In his mind, he calculated where the first thrust of the knife would fall. First it would fall on her heart, and then her stomach, where whatever was there waited to be removed by him.

Alex smiled, and it was a diabolical smile. He came closer. The knife held high and ready to plunge into Cassandra’s chest.

“Come on, motherfucker, closer,” Cassandra shouted. “Come on, you pathetic bastard, come and take another step.”

A slight tingle of hesitation made Alex stop, and closing his eyes for one second, he demanded his mind to shut up. By now, he was close enough to Cassandra that he swore he could hear the thumping of her heart.

Cassandra waited, watching Alex’s slow approach, for she knew that her actions at this second had to be executed perfectly. She held her breath, afraid that one exhale could throw off the timing of her attack. She kept a mental count of Alex’s steps, and when he stopped at the exact place that she judged he would, Cassandra dug her feet on the ground, and simultaneously leaped and kicked her legs up with every strength in her. They bashed squarely on Alex’s chin, and the momentum lifted him off his feet and knocked him hard onto the concrete floor—the knife and jar flying from his hands and across the room.

*****

“Is it me, or did the basement get bigger?” Taylor asked as they hunched close together, looking down at the shadowed pathways that crisscrossed in front of them. “I could swear we are standing in the same spot that I know we’ve passed more than once. It seems we’re going in circles.”

“I know what you mean. It feels like they have dropped us inside a corn field maze,” Nikki agreed as she adjusted the arm sling. “I’m thinking the screams are not real. Like an added attraction to keep us off balance. First, they sound as if they are coming from that direction,” she pointed to her right. “And then it sounds like they are coming from where we just left.”

“She’s playing with us.” Eddie walked towards two doors that stood side by side and peeked inside; and like the prior rooms they had passed there was nothing but cluttered junk. “It’s obvious she wants us as far as possible from where Cassandra is. For now, we are not in her plans. Maybe after she gets what she wants, but for now, she’d rather keep us walking in circles. To her, I’m sure we are the only distractions she thought her lowly ghoul could handle.”

“Brother, what I really think is that she wants no part of you.” Taylor looked inside another room. He frowned and slammed the door close.

“And if she saw what happened back there, and I’m sure she did, she’d rather not deal with you,” Nikki added.

“As much as I hate to say this,” Eddie sighed, not paying attention to their praises. “We need to split up. You two search for Alex and Cassandra on the side by the entrance, and I need to go back to where all this started.”

“No way, man, that’s a lousy idea, and that’s not happening” Taylor shook one finger in front of Eddie’s face to emphasize his point of view. “Maybe that’s what she wants.”

“Taylor is right. If we separate, we’re losing our strength. Besides, the way you dealt with that monster, I feel safer with you and whatever you have inside your bag than to trust Taylor’s gun.”

“Thank you for your vote of confidence,” Taylor saluted Nikki cynically.

“No offense, but I saw how your bullets exploded like popcorn.”

“Sorry, I didn’t have enough time to get silver bullets.”

“Detective,” Eddie ignored the friendly trashing between friends. “I understand your concern, but this is not open for discussion,” Eddie added, and there was a hint of urgency in his voice. “I decided I need to go back there and remember the idé will keep you protected; as long as you believe.”

“The what?” Taylor tilted his head in Eddie’s direction.

“The bracelets,” Nikki said, lifting her left wrist with difficulty, for that was her injured arm, where the bracelet was on.

“Oh, I see, I already feel safe.” Taylor couldn’t hide his sarcasm as he gave the idé a yank.

“With that attitude, you may as well take it off,” Eddie glared at Taylor.

“Look man, I’m not trying to disrespect you or your beliefs, but after what happened back there, this little tinker toy is not doing anything for me but giving me an awful itch.”

“Guys, let’s stop the trivial bullshit and plan what our next step is.” Nikki grabbed Eddie’s arm. “Do you know what we are doing? We are doing exactly what she wants, playing straight into her schemes. Don’t you see it? First, we are talking about breaking up the group. And now we are bickering like children. We can’t allow her to play mind games.”

“We won’t let her,” Eddie said. “But I’m telling you, I need to go back there. If not, she is going to win.”

“Okay, if that’s how you feel, then we understand, but unless you tell us the reason behind it, we can’t help but only believe this demon is dictating our moves… your moves.” Nikki said, while she scratched her left wrist absentmindedly.

Eddie felt Nikki’s compassion, at it took a lot for him not to agree, but he knew that staying together would bring more chaos. Lilith wanted to stop him at all costs, even if it meant the death of many of them. But had not too many people died because of him in his life? Eddie swallowed that observation the way you swallow a large bitter pill. He was determined there was no way he was going to add them to his morbid list of those who had perished because of him. He wanted to explain this to them. Make them understand everything that was bombarding his head. But in the end, he turned around and started walking to where something was pulling him with intense strength.

*****

For a moment, an impulse of triumph took hold of Cassandra as she watched Alex go down hard on the floor. It elevated her confidence. She spotted where the knife landed, but it was too far, regardless of how much she stretched her legs. At first when Alex came in, she was relieved, even elated, that she was going to be safe, but she couldn’t believe how soon that bubble burst. It was a hell of a blow, but somehow, she was not surprised, for she had sensed the change in Alex when they had gathered at the front of the building. She was angry with herself. She should have followed her instinct, but now was not the time to reprimand what she did or what she did not. Now it was time to come up with another way to free herself. But how? Her mind demanded as Cassandra yanked hard on the ropes. She called out once more the names of the others and she could not understand why they were not coming to her rescue. Were they also tied down in another room? Had Alex already killed them? Shaking her head viciously, she ordered her mind not to think like that. She needed to stay positive. She had bested this demon once; she could do it again. Her confidence soared again, for she had to keep her faith, especially knowing what Eddie could do. Soon, she nodded, Eddie and the others would be here. All she needed to do was keep herself alive, and when Alex came around from the wallop she gave him, she’d keep kicking as wildly and for as long as possible to keep him from plunging the knife into her. Out of the blue, a bright thought emerged like a swift prophesy—Lilith could not destroy her with her own hands. Lilith needed stooges, pawns to do her bidding because either she was too weak to do it herself, or as it exploded in Cassandra’s head, Cassandra possessed something more valuable than what was just pure vengeance as everyone had been led to believe.

A smile blossomed on Cassandra’s lips, and with a new purpose, she shouted the names of the others, Eddie! Nikki! Taylor! Ignoring the hoarseness in her throat and the incredible itch on her left wrist.

*****

An unforeseen blow hurled Lilith roughly from the cot. She tumbled backwards, then staggered forward as blood trickled from her nose. A bout of dizziness spun her, and with difficulty, she shuffled back to the cot. Only one thing could have caused such pain; Cassandra had done something to Alex. But that was impossible. She was tied down—she had made sure of that—and there was no way Cassandra could have loosened those knots. Lilith lowered her head and with her eyes closed, lifted her astral body, and drifted to where Alex was. The sight of Alex sprawled on the floor infuriated her. He was barely conscious, and Cassandra was on her knees, biting at the ropes that kept her prisoner. Cassandra’s determination convinced Lilith that unless Alex regained his total consciousness, the woman would escape. Lilith probed into Alex’s head, and he responded with a weak cry. His face, just like her own, was a bloody mess and Lilith speculated that Cassandra had taken him by surprise, and she couldn’t help but to give this woman—who she hated—some credit. Perhaps it was ironic that someone like Cassandra—a fighter—was the person Lilith needed to become human again. Both she and Cassandra were so much alike, and Lilith couldn’t help respecting her, for in some other circumstance, they probably would have been friends, even sisters. However, regardless of those sentiments, unless she came inside the room, Cassandra would win once again, which Lilith vowed, would not happen. Already fatigued, Lilith returned to her body and rested for a while, feeling the strength she had gained from Johnny’s flesh slowly seeping away.

With both hands, she pushed herself up from the cot and, once on her feet, she moved to the door. There were running footsteps, and Lilith acknowledged she had to be quick before the others arrived. The spirits had slowed them down, made them confused about their surroundings, but she knew it would only be a matter of time before her spirits’ strength, just like hers, would succumb to exhaustion. Even demon and spirits got tired.

*****

It started with a throbbing that slowly developed into a massive pull, which was too strong to ignore. At first, Eddie thought it must have been the overpowering force that was released when the demon disintegrated inside the room. But watching Taylor and Nikki closely, and not seeing anything out of the ordinary from them, he realized the intense tug he was getting was only reserved for him. Deciding not to fight it, he gave in and now that he was alone, he allowed it to guide him. There was a stench of evil the closer he came to a door, and the pull became more controlling. Where did this door came from? Eddie studied it. Bewildered that nobody, especially him, didn’t see this door when they came in. How could they have missed it? It was covered with ripped yellow tape and in black bold letters huge CAUTION was printed throughout. Besides, there were hundreds of steps embedded on the floor starting from the entrance of the basement. Lilith must have hidden it from them, but thankfully, she couldn’t block the magnetism that the area lured him to. It all became clear to Eddie; inside this place was where all this ordeal had started. There was a vibration that filtered from within and Eddie moved to the door, turned the knob, and pushed it open. Pitch blackness ambushed him at once, and the stink was unbearable; it reeked like roadkill left for days in the sun to rot. He waited a few seconds to adjust to the darkness and the stench before he ventured in.

A rustle to his right made Eddie stop as he strained to see through the black shadows. He waited a minute, and a hum fluttered into his ears, as if a fly was trying to burrow inside. Eddie waved his hand at it and then resumed his walk. He went through a narrow hallway that opened into a small foyer littered with garbage, and a doorway where the sickening aroma was stronger. He passed one hand over the wall and, finding the light switch, he flipped it on. A dull yellow light spilled into the room—a kitchen—and sitting by a small dining table, a man stared at him.

Green drool hung from his disfigured lower lip, and the flesh on half of his face was layered in ribbons, revealing tendons that dangled from his cheekbones. One good eye blinked rapidly, a sure sign that a nerve had gone haywire, and now it moved involuntarily. With difficulty, the man pushed himself away from the table and stood up, and Eddie noticed the torso was a mass of twisted flesh and bone fused together as if crushed by something powerful. With a loud slurp, the man swallowed the green drool and Eddie watched the sickening action of the man’s Adam’s apple go up and down.

“I’ve been waiting for you. What took you so long?” the gruesome man said in a voice that quivered and made the protruding jawbone sag down. “You might not be too late, but unless you get your ass in gear, Lilith will easily win.”

“Who are you, and why did you summon me here?” Eddie asked as he spotted a dark green stain on the kitchen floor where the awful smell was more concentrated and a thin green mist rose.

“Maybe we could make a pact,” the man said as he slumped back on the chair and, with a deformed hand, motioned Eddie to join him. “Are you interested?”

“You haven’t told me who you are?” Eddie said as he pulled the chair across from the man and sat down.

“Does it matter who I am?”

“If you’re proposing a pact, I need to know who I am dealing with. For all I know, you could be the devil trying to help Lilith.”

“You know I’m not the devil,” the man said, and he waved his hand. “For you already met him.”

“Isn’t he the master of mischief and treachery? So, reveal who you are, or I’m just going to dismiss you as what you probably are, another lost spirit thinking he can bargain a better place in Purgatory.”

An asthmatic laugh spilled out from the man, and he tilted back on the chair. “This is my home… or what’s left of it after Lilith invaded my bed and made me her slave. My name is Frank.”

Eddie studied the abomination of the specter in front of him, and he could sense sadness in the man’s words.

“You know what I did?” Frank asked when Eddie remained silent. “I killed for this demon, and even if there’s a hint of guilt, I’d do it again. Her intoxicating sensuality is an addictive drug that only through death can you be rid of. But now as we speak, I want to reclaim my human soul, and not of the monster I became. I seek God’s forgiveness, and I know you can help me.”

“I still hear it in your voice. You’re still her slave,” Eddie stared at Frank, not totally convinced of the man’s remorse. “Why should I even listen to you? You were one of her pawns when alive. What makes you think I believe you have changed?”

“I was never comfortable with my doings for her. At the end, I tried to stop, and of course she saw right through me. Now, if you don’t believe that I changed, I have what it will take to destroy her. That’s the pact I want to make with you. I’ll give you something that will be the difference between her victory or your death.”

“If you possessed something like that, why didn’t you use it when you were still alive?”

“Because I love her… even now, but only someone from this world can yield its power.”

“But regardless, when you were still part of the living and you didn’t use it, yet, you want to destroy her now?” Eddie got up. “I don’t believe you. Nice try but tell Lilith that you failed her again. I’m out of here.”

“Please wait,” Frank said stretching both arms out to stop Eddie from leaving. “Please, just hear me out.”

“A woman is in danger,” Eddie began to walk away. “And she could die if I stay here wasting my time talking to you.”

“The woman you are protecting is safe… for now, that is. But unless you listen to me, it won’t matter if you get there before she’s dead. Lilith will kill her right in front of you, and there’ll be nothing you can do about it. Do you know she fears you? But that’s not enough to keep her from killing Cassandra and you… and the rest of your friends.”

“Well, go ahead, I’ll give you a minute, but make it worthwhile.”

“When I found Lilith, I thought I discovered a treasure.” Frank sat and motioned for Eddie to do the same. “One day, while removing dead vines from the side of this building, I found a jar inside a hole. The first thing that I thought was that it was someone’s savings or even priceless jewelry. When I took the jar out, there was something inside, and you can imagine my excitement. After I finished, I ran home and when I opened the jar, I only found dirty green water that smelled like shit and a picture inside.”

“What was the picture of?” Eddie asked, although he remembered Cassandra’s story, he knew it was Alberto’s picture.

“A man, standing by the same window, right below where I found the jar. I wanted to show it to this old woman whose been living here for a long time. You know, to see if she knew who he was, but I never managed it. For that same night was when Lilith came into my life.”

“Where’s the picture?”

“Hidden.”

“Why?”

“While I was turning into the monster I became, part of me wanted to fight back. Get away from her, from her seductions. By then I knew Lilith came out of that jar… like a fucking genie… I’ll tell you… I should have never opened that jar. I opened my own Pandora’s box.”

“And what makes this picture so important?”

“I’ll tell you and then you can decide if it’s important or not. While I was still alive, the picture spoke to me, but by then I thought I was losing my mind.”

“And what did the picture tell you?”

“Strange stories. Biblical stories. Tales of God’s angels and avenging demons,” Frank cleared his throat and Eddie saw a glob of phlegm spew up into Frank’s mouth, which he quickly swallowed. “The voice also explained to me who Lilith is and what her vulnerability was. The picture finally revealed who the person in the photograph was. His name is Alberto, the husband of the woman who you are here to save. He was one of Lilith’s slaves.”

“I know, but why are you telling me all this?” Eddie asked, still on his feet. “If you possessed all this information, why is Lilith still standing?”

“I didn’t trust the voice that was in my head. Like I told you, I thought I was losing my mind.”

“If Lilith was possessing you, why wasn’t she aware of the photograph and his messages?”

“I don’t know, but one thing I learned was she would go into trances, especially when she had not fed for days. Maybe it weakens her, and the voice of the picture knew exactly when to come in my head.”

“Why the sudden change of mind?”

“Once dead, you see life clearer,” Frank said, and smiled. It was a horrible smile that spotlighted his crooked, green-tinted teeth. “Of all people, you should know that more than anyone. Am I right?”

“Don’t worry about what I should know,” Eddie said. “Go on.”

“Lilith’s blind obsession will be her downfall. The way she makes mortal men her slaves are by feeding them her green milk that pours out of her breast. It becomes the only nourishment they need to survive. But what she’s doing is giving the slave part of her spirit. It’s the only way to control them, and only when she kills that slave is when she’s able to get her essence back.”

“She killed you. Didn’t she?”

“The only way she gets to claim part of her spirit is if she inhales the slave’s last breath. If not, her spirit is not complete. I was still alive when the detectives came in. I died a few hours later, away from her. My last breath remained within my spirit.”

“In that case, that picture means nothing. He exhaled his last breath, with Lilith by his side. I’m sure she inhaled it.”

“Cassandra inhaled his last breath.”

“But Lilith was there as well.”

“Yes, she was, but she was also feeling identical pain to Alberto as he was suffering.”

“I don’t understand,” Eddie said as he pulled a chair and sat down; mesmerized and puzzled by Frank’s narrative.

“Because each slave carries part of Lilith’s spirit, it connected her to them. Any harm that comes to them by the hands of a human, she feels as well. It’s simple: you kill the host, and you kill Lilith the same way. Now, the key is the jar. It’s more than what it appears to be. Anyone who sees it, dismisses it as a dirty jar. But it’s not. That’s her home away from hell, and the more blood stains it accumulates from the embryos collected by her slave, the stronger the jar makes Lilith. Now, to destroy her, Alberto’s picture must go back inside the jar, along with Lilith’s spirit and the slave’s spirit she has now. If you do that, nothing in this world, in Hell or Heaven, could save Lilith.”

“If all what you’re telling me is true, and you were once her slave, why doesn’t she feel your presence?”

“Lilith is weak and getting weaker each minute. Plus, her passion and vengeance for humanity has put blinders on her. She has summoned evils spirits to become her army, and because of her arrogance of being one of Satan’s daughters, she thinks she’s invulnerable. Her foolishness left a window open for me to come back into my home, overlooked by her. And I’ll tell you this much. When she finally realizes I’m here, it will be too late. I’ll be nowhere near this evil place.”

“And what do you want from me? It looks like you could have your vengeance by yourself.”

“You belong to both worlds, and only you have the means to battle her, if you have the proper weapon. And when you defeat her, my penance for my salvation will be there to receive God’s forgiveness.”

“And the picture is the weapon?”

“Yes,” Frank answered as he paced around the kitchen, and then stopped by a small window that faced the courtyard. Under the windowpane, close to the floor, was a compartment embedded on the wall. He tried to open the tiny door, but his fingers could only brush the knob. He let out another of his asthmatic laugh and looked sheepishly at Eddie. “Dying is quite a liberating thing, but it also takes away some of your humanity. Take for instance, that now I can travel anyplace I want, haunt whoever I please, but something as simple as opening a door becomes an impossible task. The picture is in there. Go on, take it. It’s time to destroy Lilith for good.”

“Now I have one question,” Eddie said, holding the photograph. “You said you possessed some of Lilith’s spirit.”

“Yes, and if you help me, I’ll use that as the coin to pay the ferryman.”

CHAPTER 50

The metal door thundered against the wall. Chunks of plaster and cement blocks rained down onto the floor. Cassandra’s eyes widened and she screamed when standing in the doorway was Lilith. Unlike the last time Cassandra saw this beast, scampering in pain on her living room floor, this time Lilith appeared as gruesome as if all Hell had rolled into an infernal bulk. The low ceiling forced her to hunch over, and although the room was at least the size of a high school gym, Lilith seemed to fill every corner. Cassandra turned her head away and shut her eyes tight. The violent memories from that night twenty years ago rushed at her, slamming hard against her, reviving that terror once more. Slithering deeper inside the room, Lilith’s snake-like form stooped over Alex’s body. She nudged him a few times until Alex stirred. With her long tail wrapped around his torso, Lilith lifted him off the floor and held him high. His legs dangled lifelessly, and when Cassandra thought he was dead, he shook vigorously.

Cradling him like a newborn, Lilith skidded away from Cassandra and again gave Alex a shake. He groaned and his eyes fluttered, and Lilith wondered if by taking bites of him, he was too weak to do her bidding. If she had known Alex was nursing a hangover and lacked sleep, and thus robbed of stamina, she probably would have been more careful. But how was she to know such trivia? She shook him again and, taking one breast, Lilith squeezed her milk into his mouth. At first, he took a small amount of her green fluid and gradually sucked harder. Immediately she felt a vigor surge through Alex, and his body buckled. He wrapped his arms around Lilith’s head, and awkwardly took one of her breast in his mouth. He thirsted for her green bitter juices, and within his own powers, Alex gulped hungrily on the erect nipple.

Green streaks weaved down his chin and neck, and the way he moved, it showed signs of a renewed strength in him. Lilith thrusted forward and lifted her face, feeling the ecstasy from Alex’s mouth. With his potency once again running through his veins, Lilith placed Alex on his feet, and taking a quick nibble from his flesh, Lilith let out a roar. There was satisfaction in her guttural scream as she slowly transformed back to her female form.

Turning towards Cassandra, Lilith glared while standing majestically in the center of the room. A crude smile elongated her full lips, her bloodstained fangs and strong teeth sparkled like ivory keys. Satisfied with Alex's steadiness, she went to where he had dropped the knife and jar and cradled both to her blood-soaked bosom.

“My dear Cassandra,” Lilith said, her diabolical smile brimming with arrogance. “In some other existence, I’m sure things would have been different. If there’s any consolation—from woman to woman—I respect you. I even have some admiration. But such sentimentality must end, especially when you only hope to destroy me. I wish I have the time to tell you my story, because I’m sure you will wholeheartedly understand my position. Have you ever been a mother? Of course not. I know more about you than you know about me. I was once a mother. A loving mother of two of the most beautiful gentle souls this wretched world had seen. Unfortunately, not created by your Lord, but created by a love He refused to acknowledge; He killed them. Yes, my dear Cassandra, your God and His jealousy sent his winged goons to rip that love away from me. It left an emptiness, a painful hole and not one second goes by without reminding me of everything that was taken away from me for no other reason, but your envious God could not love us the same way He loved His own children. He refused to be our father and felt it was best to wipe us out—get rid of us—rather than love us. I am a Nephilim, the offspring of His heavenly fallen angels and His human daughters. A race He chastised, rather than love. You, Cassandra, of all people, I’m sure you understand. Your father planted his seeds, and your mother birthed you, yet your God removed them from your life and threw you into the world like unwanted baggage. Well, sister, that’s how your God, that symbol of the cross around your neck, treated me; like garbage best to be thrown out by the side of the road. There is no love in my heart, but anger and the passion to extinguish His precious Eden, that even His own chosen children sometimes loathe. Let me tell you this, my lovely Cassandra. In another lifetime, we would have probably gossiped as evening turned into nighttime, while sharing a few glasses of wine. Sadly, you hold the key for my salvation and the destruction of this world. That’s why I need to kill you. Your death will be my life.”

Lilith turned away from Cassandra and commanded Alex to come to her. “Here,” Lilith handed him the knife and bloody jar. “Do not disappoint me again. Go on. Take from Cassandra what belongs to me.”

With no hesitation, Alex took the knife and jar and moved towards Cassandra, a devilish grin painted on his face. For a moment, their eyes met, and he saw the mixture of horror and rage in Cassandra’s eyes. Part of him wanted to turn and plunge the knife into Lilith’s heart instead, but a burning jolt in his brain removed such foolish ideas. He shut his eyes for a second, then raised the knife and lurched forward. Cassandra screamed, for she knew death was knocking on her door.

*****

The fear of dying came to Taylor and Nikki in the bloodcurdling screams of Cassandra. They boomed through the basement, paralyzing them where they stood.

“Sweet Lord,” Taylor yelled. His voice was desperate. “We need to get to her.”

Across the long hallway, they both gawked, unsure of their next move. Until another of Cassandra’s cry decided for them and, pointing to his left, Taylor dashed with Nikki not far behind. They turned a sharp corner, led by the sickening screams, when to their horror; a giant grey blob waited for them. There were movements from its depth, and with a loud bang, four hideous spirits jumped out—their horrific shrieks sent cold shivers down Taylor and Nikki’s spines.

“Fuck! Not again!” Taylor cried, and aiming his gun, he opened fire. The bullets ricocheted off the wall and straight back at them. At once, they both hit the ground, Nikki crying in pain as she fell clumsily on her fractured arm.

“Where the hell is Eddie when we need him?” Taylor shouted, while helping Nikki to her feet. “Dammit, this is not the time for him to go sightseeing.”

Maintaining their sights on the phantoms, they retreated, but no sooner had they moved backward, the spirits leaped and rushed at them. They swooped down, their loud screech piercing into Taylors’s and Nikki’s eardrums, smothering them. The demons’ long nails slashed down as they rushed forward. Ruthlessly, they attacked Taylor and Nikki from every angle. Crouching down, Taylor swatted at them with his gun, for he knew firing at them was worthless. Their awful squawks pierced inside their ears, keeping them unbalanced. Nikki’s arm was on fire with pain, which limited her movement, and with no other resource, Taylor pushed her behind him and, by pure instinct, lifted both arms to shield them from the assault.

In confusion, the ghouls stumbled against each other, two of them crashing against the wall. A sensation rose through Taylor’s body, every vein within stiffened as a vibration ran though him. A throbbing pulsated on the top of his head, and something in his brain rustled, if an entity that had been asleep finally woke up. A shout exploded from the deepest cavity of his being. The spirits, bewildered by what was taking place before them, twirled away from Taylor and rather turned their attention towards Nikki. Two of the creatures lunged and seized Nikki and lifted her off the ground. Nikki screamed. Taylor jumped and wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled hard. Once, twice, until he had snatched her from the ghoul’s hold. Another spirit came from the left and with one outstretched hand, slashed wildly, slicing Taylor’s cheek and the side of his mouth. He hollered as warm blood ran down his neck. Swinging with both fists, frustrated by the fact that his punches were useless. The clutches of fatigue smothered him, while an intense itch ran around his left wrist. Ignoring everything that was consuming him, Taylor grabbed Nikki by her good arm, and they both ran as the spirits kept their attack, but not as fierce as before.

At a dead end of the corridor, Taylor pushed Nikki behind him and faced the phantoms. They hovered at the end of the hallway, but there was a hesitation that Taylor couldn’t understand. The surge that had run through his body was now reduced to a slight tremor, and Taylor questioned where it had come from. He was still scratching his left wrist. He looked at Nikki and pointed at the bracelet.

“Goddamn, what the hell did he put on this? Itching powder?” Taylor said as he tugged on the bracelet.

“Oh, my God, I thought it was only me,” Nikki said as she pulled on the bracelet as well. “I’ve been scratching for the past hour.”

“Stop scratching and whatever you do, keep them on,” a voice came at them from behind. Taylor and Nikki swirled as Eddie was coming at them at full speed. Coming close to Nikki, Eddie put his hand over her left wrist. “That means they are working.”

“Working?” Nikki asked as she noticed the spirits retreating further down the hallway.

“Yes, the scratching you both are feeling is the power of the idéand its protection. Lilith’s spirits are desperate, and they are trying to make you take them off. They cannot harm you if you are wearing them. The only thing they can do is cause the itching, hoping you get rid of them.”

“Don’t you think you should have told us that before?” Taylor asked, not hiding his annoyance. “We were about to rip them off. But I guess dealing with demons and monsters is an on-the-job-training kind of thing. Anyway, looking at them, I think they are afraid of you,” Taylor pointed at the spirits, who now hovered a good twenty feet away from them, their black infuriated eyes trained on Eddie. “They know they are dealing with a pro.”

“No, Taylor, they fear all of us and your aura has them confused,” Eddie said, taking the bottle of holy water from his jacket.

“My what? My aura? What do you mean by that?”

“This much I’ll tell you, Detective, before this night is over, we are going to see many changes in our lives. That, my friend, is why Lilith and her phantoms are afraid of those unstoppable changes. They know this battle is ours to lose, and not theirs to win. Detective Taylor, you are the wild card Lilith never anticipated.” Eddie shouted as he pointed at the spirits. “These four ghouls have seen your gift up close, and they no longer desire to join the battle with Lilith. They filled their hearts with false bravado.” Eddie said as he sprinkled the holy water at the shrieking ghouls, and each drop was like venom. With tormented cries, the spirits exploded into one giant flame, which soon dissipated into a gray, rancid mist.

*****

The uproar outside the room was impossible to ignore. Alex stopped and quickly glanced at the closed door. He then stared at Cassandra, noticing a smile on her face.

“They’re coming for you, bastard,” Cassandra spat. “Now, if the real Alex is still there, you better let him out, or you and your bitch are dead. Do you hear me?”

“Shut up!” Alex screamed, but there was indecision in his actions. Glancing quickly at Lilith, he could see an exhaustion clouding her eyes. It troubled him to see her weakness displayed so vividly, and Alex wondered if the nourishment she gave him through her green fluid was responsible for her feebleness. There was a force seeping through the door, like some unseen poison gas, and he watched Lilith stooped to the ground and gasped for air. How much longer could she survive? Alex wondered as he took one last look at Lilith, who now slithered anxiously into the deep shadows that hid most of the back of the room.

He understood what was going on, and there was no time left, and Alex knew he must act fast, otherwise they would lose everything. He could not fail his beautiful Lilith—his radiant Queen. The running footsteps were now more prominent. They were approaching the room fast, and concerned by Lilith’s inactivity, he selected to act for the two of them. He rushed towards Cassandra, knife over his head, but before Alex could take another step, a booming explosion shook the room. It was the sound of the heavy door slamming wide open, and Cassandra heaved a loud yell as Taylor rumbled through.

Alex sneered and glowered at Taylor, who stood with his gun aimed at him. Their eyes locked, their stares washed over with confusion and disbelief that two friends now faced one another like enemies. Behind Taylor, he caught Nikki’s incredulous expression of distrust, and not far from her, he saw the accusing eyes of Eddie.

“Stay back and put the knife down,” Taylor commanded. “What the hell it’s going on? Jesus, man. What happened to you? You’re one of the good guys!”

“Taylor, this is not your fight,” Alex yelled, the knife still held over his head.

“I don’t want to shoot you, but I will if you don’t put the knife down and back away from Cassandra. Back away! Goddamn it, back away!” Taylor hollered as he came closer.

Alex spun and lunged at Taylor—the knife finding flesh.

*****

Alberto, throughout the ordeal displayed in front of him had decided to stay neutral, yet Cassandra’s screams unraveled him. It filled him with madness mixed with rage, and urged him to help her, but in the end, he was afraid. It pained him to see her in such grave circumstances, and there was nobody more to blame than him. He wanted to console her pains. Tell her everything was going to be alright. But in his spirit form, there wasn’t much he could do but watch helplessly. This was no simple task, as knocking a cookie jar to the floor. Maybe he had been foolish when he made love to Cassandra while she slept. Driven by his angst, he hadn’t taken enough time to balance the pros and cons. How could he? When her vulnerability moved him. Besides the love and passion, he always had for her, despite the outcome of their marriage and his downfall, those sentiments had never vanished. Perhaps they had stayed dormant, waiting for the right time to come alive again. Yet one thought troubled him. Why did Lilith allow it? Could this have been Lilith’s master plan? She could have stopped him. She was still in control, since the first night she appeared in his own dreams and seduced him, like no other woman had—not even Cassandra. At this moment, he didn’t doubt she still had the open hand over him, but she altered something once he transferred what was left of his soul and Lilith’s partial spirit into Cassandra. Was that a clever way of Lilith to have a backdoor plan, if she found defeat once more?

But regardless of the outcome, for the first time in what seemed to be a lifetime, Alberto felt free. It was a liberating feeling not to have Lilith brooding inside of him. Did she realize what she has done? He didn’t know, and frankly, he didn’t care anymore. All he knew was her downfall would be her prudent superiority complex. He saw it first when her arrogance caused her to be bested by Cassandra. In addition, blinded by her vengeance, she was making mistakes along the way. Plus, dismissing him, instead of destroying him, could have been the biggest and most costly of her errors. Especially now, as he hid from her roving mind, he could see the disaster unfolding in front of him. Did Lilith forget who he was in his other existence? If she had forgotten, he hadn’t.

Nevertheless, at this moment, it didn’t matter, and by the looks of what he was witnessing, he couldn’t believe it but there was fear in Lilith’s eyes. The way she cowered and kept away from attacking Eddie. Alberto could see a grey aura that radiated around this man, which grew darker, almost black, then shifted to a lighter grey, and it finally cemented the identity of this man. He was an abomination of all that was holy and evil, because both emotions lived comfortably inside of this man. Alberto realized that death held no fear over Eddie, because, as mad as it was, he had been dead more times than alive. At this instant, as he confronted Lilith, Alberto knew she saw it as well, and it frightened her. There was a wicked gratification that swelled in Alberto, satisfied that Lilith, even if she finally noticed his presence, could not afford to let down her guard against this man. Alberto nodded with triumph, for tonight he would become greater than Lilith.

*****

Taylor winced as Alex’s knife cut right through his sleeve jacket and straight to his forearm. Thankfully, the heavy tweed fabric absorbed most of the damage as he spun around and threw a punch. It connected with Alex’s jaw, knocking him to the ground. Quickly he kicked him in the ribs as Alex huffed in pain.

Still hiding at the back of the room, Lilith doubled over, blood streaming down her face. Jeering wildly, she slithered sideways and with hooked hands lunged towards Taylor but stopped abruptly when Eddie jumped in front of her. The extreme energy that came forth from Eddie made Lilith coil back. Her rage coming out in sputtering hisses.

“Damn! What the hell is that?” Taylor shouted as, for the first time, he got a glimpse of Lilith’s demon-snake body. At least not for long, as Lilith met him and shook her gargantuan head back and became the illusion of a woman. Her sexual pheromones poured out from her pores, her smile bright and seductive; it smitten Taylor with her false impression.

In front of him, Lilith stood, and to Taylor, all he saw was a beautiful, exotic woman, making him take a few steps to her inviting arms.

“Taylor, snap out of it!” Eddie shouted. “The first thing you saw is her true form, a snake demon, not what she wants you to see. That is not a beautiful woman in front of you, but a hideous monster. Now come on, snap out of it. Don’t let her get inside your head.”

“No man, you’re wrong,” Taylor said, enchanted by Lilith’s loveliness. “Man, look at her. I have never seen no one as gorgeous as her.”

“Taylor it is only a vision. Come on, shake your head, and see what’s truly in front of you. Look at that thing!” Eddie screamed. “She’s repulsive, and the stink that’s coming out from her deformed body is putrid, just like the hell hole she crawled from.”

Taylor took more steps forward, his eyes fixed on Lilith’s voluptuous naked body as he felt an erection in his loins. There was a goofy smile plastered on his face, until Nikki ran to Taylor. She grabbed him by the arm, swung him around, and smacked him hard across his face.

Taylor jumped back and glared at Nikki, lifting his gun, and aiming it at her.

“You’re going to shoot me?” Nikki confronted him.

“But Nikki.” Taylor lowered the gun, his eyes glassy. “She’s—”

“No, Taylor, she’s controlling your mind. Keep your eyes on me and don’t look at—”

“Taylor, look out!” Eddie shouted, bringing their attention towards Alex, as he was back on his feet with his gun out.

“Hey partner,” Alex said, waving the gun at Taylor and Nikki. “I saw her first, and you guys are not welcome to this party. So, how about turning your ass around and taking your little friends with you? Me, Lilith, and Cassandra here, we have some unfinished business… you know, a nice ménage à trois, that you’re not invited to.”

“Alex, snap out of it. You know what this thing is,” Taylor said, but keeping his gun on Alex and doing his best not to look at Lilith, even though the force to turn and look at her was too great. “Brother, if you want to be her slave, that’s your problem. Right now, it doesn’t matter what you decide to do, but Cassandra is coming with us.”

“I beg to differ, partner. She’s staying nice and put.”

“Alex, please, this thing has you hypnotized, but I know you better,” Nikki said, getting closer to Alex. “You’re much stronger. Let’s do what we planned to do, and that’s killing this demon.”

“Well, well, my little Nikki,” Alex grinned. “Maybe if you would have picked up the phone last night, we wouldn’t be here. But it’s all right. It was business as usual. Nikki being Nikki. Frigid Nikki, because stiff bodies inside the morgue are more charming than a stiff dick on a live body.”

“You are a disgusting pig. Maybe you and this demon deserve each other.”

“Alex, listen to me,” Taylor interferes as he kept his eyes on Alex’s gun, although Lilith’s pull on Taylor to look at her was becoming too strong to ignore. “We all came here for a reason. We need to stick with it, and the only way to start is by cutting those ropes from Cassandra’s wrists.”

“Can’t do that, buddy,” Alex said, as he glanced quickly at Cassandra and winked. “We got some important plans here, so get lost while you have the chance.”

“What are you going to do? Kill us?”

“If that’s the only way to get you out of our hair,” Alex raised the gun and aim it at Taylor’s head. “Then that’s the only way to go.”

From the corner of his eye, Taylor saw Eddie, still standing as a shield between them and Lilith, and following Nikki’s advice, Taylor made sure not to look at the demon. Instead, he concentrated more on Alex. He knew his partner was under the demon’s spell, and he was past reasoning with. Yet, he couldn’t hurt Alex. For crying out loud, they were more than workmates; they were like brothers. But something had to give.

“Taylor, I always said that you read too much for your own sake. Too many big words cloud common sense. It makes you over analyze everything—and that’s what you’re doing now. So, let me help you with this one. Don’t think about it, just turn around and let us be. Besides, what’s Cassandra to you, anyway? Remember, she killed her own husband. Cut the fucker’s heart out, and that’s all you need to know, buddy. This bitch is no saint, and maybe this is what she deserves and it is goddamn overdue.”

“Alex, for the last time, let Cassandra go. Then we’ll leave you and this demon to do whatever you want to do.”

“Nah, you and I know that the second Cassandra is free, you and voodoo man there are coming after us. You will not allow us to go on our merry way. Besides, if Cassandra is alive, it will always keep Lilith here like a fucking rat. I will not allow that. Now, for the last time, get the fuck out!”

His trigger finger seemed to have acted on its own, or perhaps absentmindedly, Taylor took Alex’s advice; and that was not too over overanalyze the situation. The bullet from Taylor’s gun ripped through Alex’s biceps, forcing his partner to drop on one knee as the gun landed by Cassandra’s feet. The bullet tore through the artery and left Alex’s right arm useless and in much greater pain.

Immediately, Lilith shrieked, and just like Alex, she plummeted to the floor, bleeding from the same arm where Taylor shot Alex. As she writhed in pain, Taylor finally saw the true form of the demon.

Half woman and half snake. Mesmerized by the mythical-like creature, Taylor watched as Lilith rose. What once he thought were voluptuous breasts, were two misshapen sacks with dark green pus oozing from them. Her encrusted face stretched downward, accentuated by an elongated snout, which ended on an enormous mouth crowded with blackened fangs and dagger-like teeth. Her breathing came in and out in rasping snores as her plum-colored tongue moved in flickering motions.

Stepping over Alex, Taylor stood in front of Nikki, yet he couldn’t remove his eyes from the mammoth of a beast when, unexpectedly, Lilith whipped her massive tail across the room. Bowled over by the quickness of the attack, it threw Eddie off his feet; the momentum driving him into the wall. Lilith skidded forward, and wrapping her tail around Alex’s waist, lifting him off the ground. Fatigued and dizzy by the loss of blood, Alex held on to Lilith’s torso for support. Once she was sure of Alex’s steadiness, Lilith swerved her tail, crashing it dangerously in front of her three enemies. Peering over his shoulder, Alex spotted the knife a few feet away, and he shuffled to it and scooped up it from the floor. He took two steps toward Cassandra but losing blood had weakened him and blurred his vision. He shook his head, trying to stay focused. Alex knew, at any cost, he must cut out Cassandra’s heart and what was inside her belly and feed Lilith. That was the only way if he expected to survive and live forever with Lilith. He could see Cassandra, once again, on her feet, biting on the ropes. To his delight, her back was to him, unaware of his intentions. Alex smiled. Using the distraction Lilith was creating, Alex hurried forward.

Now only arm’s length from Cassandra, Alex raised the knife, but using his less dominant arm, his hand trembled. Despite the soreness, he grunted and lurched toward Cassandra. But his laboring approach made enough ruckus to warn her. Moving fast, Cassandra twirled sideways; the blade slashing her upper arm. It barely broke skin but was enough to make her cringe. She spun again and brought one leg up, her knee ploughed hard in Alex’s groin. He stumbled backwards and cried out in agony; Lilith roared in torture as well. Blinded by pain, Lilith charged towards Cassandra, lashing out a scream of death. In total hysteria, Cassandra pressed her back against the wall, anxiously pulling at the ropes.

Pushing Nikki out of the way, Taylor fired his gun as a volley of bullets pierced Lilith’s grotesque body, generating sickening, thumping sounds. However, to Taylor’s horror, the gunshots only made her angrier, deadlier, as Lilith’s tail squirmed up in the air and landed mere inches from him.

Motionless and still staggered when thrown against the floor by Taylor, Nikki gasped at the turbulence revolving around her. She could not keep her eyes away from the humongous snake-woman and she shivered at the viciousness that eclipsed her mind. Her horrible dream was right now manifesting in its realistic gory right before her. Nikki wanted to scream, shred all her anxieties spawning within her, and finally face this nightmarish terror that was engulfing her. This awful nightmare that made her feel small—a child once again trying to impress her father. She shook her head, determined to cease the horrible dream from becoming a reality. Cassandra was not her father in a dream, and unless she snapped out of it, Cassandra would end up killed by this demonic monster. Nikki watched as Lilith’s tail again spiraled above and somersaulting in mid-air, it came down with deadly force. Zigzagging to her feet, and by pure luck, Nikki noticed Alex’s gun close to her. Ignoring the burning pain that cannonballed through her, she ran to it, glided on the floor, and snatched the gun. Steadying herself on one knee, Nikki emptied the gun into Lilith’s trashing tail. The bullets tore into Lilith. Black scorching smoke and flashes of fire exploded. Dark green blood sprayed out. The demon shrieked in anguish.

Across from Nikki, Eddie wobbled back to his feet, still flustered by getting his head slammed against the wall, yet there was enough fight in him. He avoided Lilith’s tail that thrashed ferociously on the floor. Spotting the knife near Cassandra, he ran to it, grabbed it, and quickly cut the ropes. At last Cassandra was free, and he quickly helped her to her feet.

Exuberated by witnessing Cassandra’s freedom, Taylor reloaded his gun, and with accuracy, discharged the entire clip into Lilith’s body. The beast shrieked, and with one desperate thrust, lunged up in the air, her talon-like hands aiming for Cassandra’s throat. With a roar that seemed to come from the deepest part of his soul, Eddie screamed and elevated his arms. A blinding energy exploded from each fingertip.

Stunned in mid-flight, Lilith’s humongous body stopped, then slammed hard on the cement floor. Loud, excruciating gasps blasted within her, and as she lifted her head, Lilith let out a bloodcurdling howl.

While Lilith contorted in a spasm of pain, Eddie turned towards Taylor and yelled above her grisly screams.

“Taylor, I need your help. You need to keep her in control.”

“What do you mean? Aren’t we going to kill her?”

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to do, but I need your help in controlling her, to give me time for what I need to do.”

“Man, I don’t get it,” Taylor shouted in frustration. “How the hell you want me to control her? How? Damn, bullets are not doing much!”

“You have something better than bullets. You have the gift. Taylor, you have your grandmother’s gift,” Eddie shouted. “You have held them back for so long. Now it’s time to release them.”

“I don’t know how,” Taylor protested. “I was only a boy.”

“She’ll help you,” Eddie said as he pointed at the apparition that was revealing itself; it was Taylor’s grandmother.

In disbelief, Taylor stared at his grandmother, her sweet smile filling him with love. “Tay-tay,” she said in her singsong Creole voice. “We have work to do.”

Holding Taylor’s hand, the old woman chanted, and soon Taylor joined her. It was the old Creole hymn she had taught to him as a boy.

Senyè, kondwi mwen chak jou (Father, lead me day by day). They vocalized the words together, and Taylor’s voice resonated loud, and with each verse, Lilith squirmed.

Bouncing across the room, Eddie stood in front of Nikki and Cassandra, all along taking glances as Lilith thrashed in her torment.

“Nikki, look over there. It’s the jar where Lilith belongs,” Eddie instructed as he ripped two large strips of his shirt. “Here, when is time, use one strip to seal the jar, the other strip to wrap it around it.”

“What am I supposed to put inside?” Nikki asked, bewildered.

“I’ll be putting the souls of Cassandra’s husband and Lilith’s in there,” Eddie took out the bottle of holy water and handed to Nikki. “After both souls are inside, pour the Holy water in and seal the jar. Do you understand?”

Nikki nodded as she ran to where the jar was at. She reached out, and ignoring the aches on her fractured arm grabbed the jar; the repulsive odor made her heave.

Eddie watched as Nikki hurried back, and even though he knew they were working with borrowed time, he tried to stay calm. He glanced quickly at Lilith, and he wished he knew for how long Taylor and his grandmother could keep the demon under their control. But Lilith was still too resilient—he could feel her strength—and quickly he stared at Alex, who was coming at them, his arm swinging sickeningly at his side. Then, abruptly, it dawned on Eddie. Lilith tainted Alex’s soul, and if Alex was alive, they couldn’t destroy Lilith’s spirit. A jumble of thoughts flipped in his mind, and Eddie concluded; he must enter inside Alex’s brain and either remove the satanic spell Lilith put in there or take possession of Alex’s soul. He had no other choice. But first he needed to instruct Nikki on what was her job if he expected for them to succeed.

“Nikki,” he called out as he removed Alberto’s picture from his bag. “Take this and listen to me closely. I need to bring both Alex’s and Lilith’s soul inside the jar. When I do, put the picture in there as well and don’t forget to pour the holy water. Then seal the jar, and if I’m right, Taylor and his grandmother will open a vortex… a doorway to hell. When they do, with every strength in you, throw the jar inside the vortex, and pray that this demon and her killing ways will finally end.”

“But—” Nikki tried to protest, but before she could continue, Eddie yelled.

“Woman! For the love of Christ, there’s nothing to analyze. Just simply do what I’m telling you to do.”

“But what about you?” Nikki asked, and she was almost in tears. “What about you? Will you be okay after you put their souls inside the jar?”

“Eddie, what the hell are you going to do?” Cassandra placed her hand on Eddie’s shoulder as she heard the conversation. “How the hell are you going to do that?”

“Astral projection,” Eddie said. “Now, one last thing. If I tell you to kill Alex, do not hesitate. He’s no longer the Alex you both knew. The real Alex died the second he drank from Lilith’s breast. He died the second she fed from his flesh and blood. Please remember that and do it. If not, we wasted all that we have done.”

Again, Eddie looked at them, squatted down on the floor and closed his eyes. Before Nikki’s and Cassandra’s incredulous eyes, they witnessed the translucent astral body of Eddie soar and burrow inside Alex’s chest. They watched Alex’s body tremble, then stiffen as if his flesh and bones turned into stone.

*****

Alex jerked backwards and then leaned forward. An urge to throw up ravaged his insides, and he trembled violently as dry heaves rushed out. With involuntary steps, he shifted sideways and then dropped to one knee. He tried to get up, but realized he wasn’t in control of his body. Was he dead? That was the first thought that popped into his head, and for a crazy reason, he was comfortable with it. Maybe there was a God after all, and now He was here to claim a wasted soul, a corrupted spirit that, like a machine, needed some in-house repair before they sent it back into the spiritual world. Was that how this God-fearing prophesy worked?

“There’s still time to save your soul.”

A foreign voice boomed inside his head and Alex couldn’t resist making the comparison between now and when Lilith entered his head. At first, he wanted to believe it was Lilith, but from the way the voice came out forcefully, Alex knew it was an entirely unique entity trying to take control. Again, the thought of death and a God he rejected floated in his head.

“Who are you?” Alex asked.

“No need to know who I am, but it’s wise for you to listen to me if you want to live.”

“You sound like the church’s pastor, which my mother dragged me through when I was a boy. Everyone wants to save you from a boogeyman that only exists in their twisted minds. How’s this? Maybe I don’t want to be saved but left alone. Maybe you are the boogeyman.”

“Lilith is an evil demon who will throw you aside the second you are no longer useful.”

“And maybe you are a demon who wants to make false accusations. Or even the one who rules with fear instead of love. Are you God?”

“I’m just a friend who only wants to help you, but time is not in our hands.”

“In our hands?” Alex asked.

“Open your eyes, Alex, open your eyes wide and look around this room. These are your friends. Are you willing to cause their death because of the lies and lust of one of Satan’s daughters?”

“I have known none of Satan’s worshipers, but I have known many of God’s. And they all lied to me. They lied to my mother. And if that’s your argument of who I should believe, then save your breath.”

“Eventually, you shall see her true colors, and when you do, it will be too late. Because then her fangs will be taking pieces from your heart. She will eat you alive.”

Alex clenched his teeth, and with his fist on the ground, pushed himself up. He staggered, but at least he was ultimately gaining control of his body. But his victory was short-lived as his knees buckled and he went face first on the hard floor.

“It’s not too late,” the voice was once again burrowing in his head. “There’s still goodness in your soul. We can fight Lilith together and destroy her, and I promise I’ll remove the evil she has placed in you.”

With great effort, Alex rolled onto his back and, using his good arm, wobbled back to his feet, and a sudden realization floored him. It was the voodoo man’s voice inside his mind.

“Get the fuck out of my head, you fucking freak!” Alex growled.

“Alex, listen to me, please—”

“Voodoo man, get out!” Alex screamed and across from him he saw Nikki and Cassandra standing over Eddie’s body, who seemed to be asleep. To his left, he spotted Taylor and an old woman, their arms raised, shouting incoherent words, as Lilith squirmed on the floor, visibly in agony. They were killing her.

“Nooooooo!” Alex hollered within the confinements of his mind, and in desperation, he dragged his broken-down body towards Eddie. The first one to notice him was Cassandra, and she quickly searched for something to protect themselves with. Nikki gasped and switched the jar to the fold of her injured arm, shocked at the person who inched towards them. Any resemblance of the Alex, who she knew was no longer there, instead what was stumbling near them was a monster. An extension of the diabolical wickedness of Lilith.

Eddie was losing the power he had over Alex, and even as Lilith was succumbing to Taylor and his grandmother, her evil forces were too strong. Now it was a question of time, when Alex’s unconditional adulation would feed her flailing spirit with enough power to reverse the outcome of their battle. He tried his best to help Alex, but he was too far in his blinded obsession that there was only one thing left to do if Eddie expected to annihilate Lilith and kill her. Alex needed to die, while Eddie’s astral body—his spirit — remained inside. It will be the only way to put this horrible abomination to an end, even if it meant that he would also die tonight.

*****

Wounded and more seriously hurt than in any other time in her centuries of existence, Lilith was still as dangerous as ever. Moving as fast as she could away from Taylor and his grandmother, she held her talon-hands in front of her. She could feel her colossal bulk riddled with bullet holes; thick green fluid leaked out. Taylor watched Lilith closely, confused that his grandmother had stopped their chants. He was exhausted and his throat was sore. Glancing at his grandmother, he wondered when he would wake up, for this entire night seemed like a horrible dream.

“Tay-tay,” his grandmother touched his shoulder. “It’s not a dream.”

“Manman Grand, I don’t understand what’s going on. How can I be standing next to you chanting prayers I thought I have forgotten them?”

“When you return home, I’ll teach you about our gift. But your friends are in great danger. Go on and help them,” Manman Grand said as she pointed, and Taylor followed her finger to see Eddie’s body on the floor and Alex, now armed with a knife, approaching Cassandra and Nikki. “Go Tay-tay, I’ll deal with the demon.”

Taylor wanted to protest, ask more questions, but he knew all his confusion must wait for the proper time, because staring at Alex, he saw only death shone in his partner’s eyes. He ran and jumped in front of Cassandra, who was the closest to Alex.

“That’s close enough,” Taylor shouted. “Please Alex, put the knife down. The next bullet will not be in your arm, but right between your eyes.”

Alex nodded and grinned, yet he kept coming.

“Taylor, don’t shoot,” Cassandra called out. “Eddie is inside Alex’s body.”

“What?”

“Trust me. I don’t know how, but we both saw Eddie’s spirit come out of his body and inside Alex’s. You can’t shoot him, if you do, you will kill Eddie,” Cassandra said, as both she and Taylor joined Nikki. He glanced down at Eddie’s body, and he could see the chest rise slightly, otherwise, Taylor would have thought that Eddie was dead.

There was a commotion to their left, as Lilith regained some of her strength. Taylor’s grandmother kept up with her chants, but with the way Lilith was thrashing on the floor, he doubted those chants were going to stop her. In front of him, Alex continued his march toward them, and the way he glared at Cassandra, Taylor knew he had to keep her safe. What Cassandra possessed was not so much the issue, but whatever it was, Taylor knew it was the key to Lilith’s victory and survival.

It was too much to digest, and as he watched Lilith raise from the floor, and sidetracked by her mammoth tail viciously swaying in the air, Taylor didn’t see when Alex dashed at them. He moved to his left, shielding Cassandra at all costs, but at the last second, Alex stooped over, clutching at his chest. A bright white flash discharged from within, and Eddie’s astral body flew out. He soared above them, and with a raucous unhuman screech, Eddie plummeted into Lilith’s body.

It was an explosion that shook the entire basement. It rocked everyone as Lilith went down; her face a grotesque mask contorted in torture, and her bullet-punctured tail crashed savagely on the floor.

Lilith quivered, feeling a sharp pain from Eddie’s spirit plowing into her. She felt him burrowing through her flesh, tunneling straight into her soul. Again, Lilith bellowed, laboring with difficulty to get back up. She twisted in agonizing pain. Between the aches from Eddie’s spear-like body inside of her, the old woman’s sacred chants came at her like daggers. She staggered forward, and Lilith feared she was doomed.

CHAPTER 51

Before today, Eddie had only transported his astral form into another body once before. Indeed, he had traveled in this manner across the bridges of both worlds, and even though he had sworn he’d never project his spirit into another living thing, tonight was different. He had no other choice. Lives were at stake, not only those who were here with him battling this demon, but other innocent lives who would perish if they allowed Lilith to walk among them. He thought by entering Alex’s mind he was going to end all this, but he was wrong. Yes, there was a part of Lilith in Alex, and his pains were her pains, but Alex’s death would not guarantee Lilith’s death, it would only prolong her vengeance against the world. It would weaken her, but she could easily siphon herself back to her chosen purgatory. Until she was strong enough to go back in controlling the dreams of those easily manipulated by their sexual addictions. In that case, he only had one way to end this once and for all, and that was for him to yank out her wicked soul and take it where it would harm no one.

While he adapted to be a part of Lilith, nothing would have prepared him for the repulsion which attacked his body at once. The first thing was the heat that generated from the mass of thick flesh and the hard plated scales that pulsated with each breath the demon took. With impulsive jerks, Lilith reacted with loathing to the intrusion, and the contractions of her muscles desperately tried to block Eddie’s path. Appalled that another entity had violated her body by his presence, her instinct was to crush the intruder before he traveled deeper into her. Still, throughout Lilith’s counterattack, Eddie groped through organs that growled as he went through them, and rivers of body fluid threatened to drown him. While the same horrible stench that seeped from the walls of the basement crammed inside his nose. Despite it all, Eddie kept on, following the pounding of Lilith’s heart. Finally, he saw it—a massive and dark purple nugget. Around it, a thin reddish sack hung heavily on its side, moving with each beat. Eddie went near it and the sack shifted desperately towards him. A soft murmur came forth, and Eddie could hear soft sobs. He went closer as a white light illuminated from within the sack. It blinded him for a moment. Overwhelmed with emotion, Eddie right away knew what was in there; the souls of the children whom Lilith had devoured. He felt their immense joy, elevated that soon they would achieve their freedom and salvation. Infused with a firm determination to guide them to where they belonged, Eddie reached out, and as his fingers brushed the linen of the sack, a stream of bile erupted from under him. Thick blue veins ripped from Lilith’s organs, and in a rage, they slashed out in a whipping frenzy. Claws-like bones jabbed Eddie’s hands in a desperate struggle to keep him away from Lilith’s heart and the sack where the unborn spirits were kept.

The demon’s body erupted in vicious spasms, and her bulk spun to stymie Eddie’s actions. Lilith roared, and then she screamed. She shuddered wildly and her loud shrieks rippled through Eddie’s eardrums. He held both hands over his ears as blood poured out, yet Eddie hurled himself upward and with one hand he tugged at the sack. With both hands, he dug deep into Lilith’s core. Still, the fleshy bag didn’t budge, but shrunk deeper inside the heart’s chamber, and Eddie feared soon he would lose his grip. Regardless of the struggle, he refused to let go. Instead, he pulled and pulled, while he cursed the name of this monstrosity and the suffering she had caused to the lives of both the unborn and their mothers. The prize of these innocent souls was too much to lose, and Eddie understood that if he didn’t save them, he could never forgive himself. With a determination that filled him with strength, Eddie took a different approach; if he couldn’t remove the sack, then he would take Lilith’s entire heart.

He maneuvered his body to float above, and with wild punches, he stroked the thick wall that coated and protected Lilith’s heart. The top was a layer of thin skin, but the lower inner layer was a thick rubbery substance and clawing his fingers through the opening his punches created, Eddie grabbed the top part of the sack and pulled. After a few tries, it finally tore, and he thrusted his hands through a hole that formed on the side. Furiously, Eddie grasped and yanked part of the heart’s aorta. Lilith cried out, and she squirmed, while her body flapped hard on the cement floor. Inside, Eddie crashed from side to side, wrestling with the pulsating vein. He pulled hard, and the aorta spiraled and unexpectedly flew out and attempted to wrap itself around Eddie. He pushed away from the impulsive assault, and, to his shock, the throbbing vein tore from Lilith’s heart, twisted sideways and, to Eddie’s horror, there was a mouth on its end. Sharp, minuscule teeth protruded and chomped blindly at the air, then it rotated in mid-motion and bit down on Eddie’s arm.

On the ground, Eddie’s entranced body twitched and to the bewilderment of everyone who stood near, they saw punctured holes surface in Eddie’s arm as blood gushed out. While inside Lilith’s repulsive body, Eddie grabbed the snake-like vein and snatched it from his arm. He screamed as part of his flesh was in the jaws of the creature. The thing flung back, its teeth a continuous grinding machine, and slithering out, it wrapped around Eddie’s arm, and it pressed down and snapped its teeth at the sack. A fear climbed into Eddie’s guts, and the longer he stayed inside this demon, the more vicious the surprises he was going to expose himself to. With that thought, he smashed the serpent-like vein hard against Lilith’s chest cavity, and once the thing was near Lilith’s heart, it leaped and burrowed itself inside. There was no time to lose. Eddie grabbed the sack, and, with one last tug, he ripped the sack from Lilith’s heart. With the sack secured, Eddie burst out from Lilith’s bulk and straight into his own.

Groggy, Eddie got to his feet, his back stiffened and when he tried to take one step, he plummeted to his knees. A thick stream of blood streamed out from one ear as he looked at his injured arm. Part of the flesh was mere bloody ribbons and with every breath he took, he felt painful stabs in the middle of his chest. Across from him was Lilith, her mouth agape and, unbelievably, she was still breathing in quick gasps. A vast hole palpitated right in the center of her chest as green fluid leaked out.

Eddie watched her move gingerly. He knew Lilith was dying, but he couldn’t feel safe until she gasped her last breath. There was more battle left, and the only way that it would end was by depositing Lilith’s soul and Alex’s inside the jar.

Burrowing her nails on the ground, Lilith crawled towards Eddie, and it brought her a perverted joy that Eddie was hurting as much as her.

Lilith cursed and cried out when she saw the sack in Eddie’s hand. She could see clearly the light pulsating within, and looking closely, Eddie saw the energies of all the unborn spirits who, until then, were part of her lifeline.

“Manman Grand,” Eddie called out to Taylor’s grandmother. “The children wait for your guidance to take them home. If you’re ready, say farewell to your grandson, and then be on your way. Poets will sing and celebrate in Heaven for our triumph over Satan’s daughter for many years to come.”

She came to him, holding Taylor’s hand. She reached out and embraced her grandson and gave him her blessings.

“Taylor,” Eddie called out. “Remember our deal, my good friend. Never neglect the gift of your grandmother. Use it well, as well as you used it tonight.”

“Nikki,” Eddie called out. “Our victory would have not been possible without your quick thinking. I shall save a place for you when we meet again.”

“Cassandra,” Eddie called out. “They gave you a task without even asking you if you wanted to take it. Yet, your performance was more than expected from you. But if I tell you, Cassandra, that you have not completed your task yet, would you believe me? I mentioned before that you remind me of the many assertive women who also crossed my path, and one of them was my mother, my dear Josefa who soon will have me in her arms. I’ll tell you this, my brave woman, before this night is over, your bravery will once again shine.”

“Lilith,” Eddie called out. “Your story could have enhanced legends magnified in mythological books, yet you fought battles already lost before they even began. I pity you. Perhaps once you abided by the rules here on Earth, but you neglected to understand that human life is not forever. You desired to quest a path that not even our Lord created, therefore you built it with the sufferings of others. Tonight, you fought a valiant battle, but it was a selfish battle, because it was all about you. Look at me, Satan’s daughter! Today you will feel his hooves on your throat, defeated and put to shame.”

“Josefa! Mi madre mia, my sweet mother,” Eddie called out. “Your prodigal son is coming home. Would you be there to greet me when the ferryman brings me to your shores? Will there be a celebration with tight embraces and kisses on my cheeks? Or will the curse within me live on?”

In solemn thought, Eddie bowed his head, then stared at Lilith, who hissed, her now yellow eyes glaring at him with hatred. She snapped her fangs and spat green fluid from her tongue.

With the sack now in his hand, Eddie pointed at Taylor’s grandmother. “Old woman, take these children to their home,” and with those words, Eddie flung the sack, and, in midair, Taylor caught it and handed it to his Manman Grand. She took it, nodded at Eddie, kissed Taylor on his cheek, and without uttering a word, ascended into a portal that manifested above her. The sack exploded and the bright light of the children’s souls became shooting stars streaking into Heaven’s skies. Once they had vanished, the portal closed behind them.

As she watched the children leave, Lilith cried in agony. She thrashed her body and whipped her tail, and life drained from of her precious form, Lilith could only lower her head in defeat.

*****

Smothered in a grasp of delusion from blood loss, Alex’s vision came in and out. Finding it impossible to focus, he strained his eyes. Through blurry shadows, he could make out the aftermath of the battle that had taken place in the center of the room. He could see Taylor standing over Cassandra, and not far he could make out the silhouette of Nikki. On one knee, he saw the bloodied body of Eddie. He could hear the difficulty in the voodoo man’s breath. Yet, the sight that disturbed him the most and rammed his heart with sorrow was to see his beautiful Lilith sprawled on the floor. She was suffering as congested and nasal sounds came out of her panting mouth. His queen was dying. Digging his good elbow on the ground, he came forward. Delighted that everyone was paying attention to Eddie and had forgotten about him, Alex crawled to Lilith. In his mind, a cunning plan was brewing. A simple scheme, and if executed to perfection, he could be by Lilith’s side and let her feed from him. Alex was damn sure that all she needed was his flesh and blood and soon she’d be on her feet and ready to kill everyone who dared to come between them.

He went forward, inch by inch, still enraged at how Eddie had invaded his body; no human being who possessed such power should live. Alex took a deep breath and held it as he pushed himself to one knee. He ignored the exhaustion and the aches that peppered his entire body, and as he exhaled, he got to his feet. He stood hunched over for three seconds and then, in stumbling movements, he hurried to where his precious Lilith lied.

Both Alex’s and Lilith’s eyes met, and with a weak smile, she nodded with encouragement, but that small reaction was enough for the others to notice Alex. In a mad dash, Taylor shouted for Alex to halt, yet when he continued, Taylor had no other choice but to lift his gun and pull the trigger. The bullet tore through Alex’s thigh and the momentum carried him to Lilith. She turned to her side and stretched her arms as Alex tumbled into her embrace and with one sickening movement, she sank her fangs into his heart.

There were no screams as Alex hung motionless from her clutches. Voraciously, Lilith bit down. She jerked her head backwards and ripped Alex’s remaining heart into her chomping teeth and hungrily devoured it in one last swallow. Alex’s rich, red blood ran freely through her snout, and with the sudden new strength, she whipped her tail and wrapped it around Alex’s torso. She squeezed hard, pulverizing his bones, forcing Alex to open his mouth wide. From its depth, a grayish mist fizzled—Alex’s spirit—but before Lilith could inhale the dead man’s soul, Eddie let out a loud chant. Paralyzed by Eddie’s cry, Alex’s spirit dangled in midair. It waved for a few undecided seconds, and then, at Eddie’s command, it floated in Nikki’s direction.

“Nikki,” Eddie shouted, yet his eyes never left Lilith’s sight. “Lift the cover off the jar and don’t let it escape.”

Nikki lifted the bloody jar in her outstretched hand and watched in confusion as Alex’s spirit swooped rapidly inside. Quickly, with the piece of cloth from Eddie’s shirt, she covered the jar. There was a vibration, like a nest of hornets trapped inside, and a heat, which almost made her lose her grip. To avoid such catastrophe, Nikki disregarded the pain in her fractured arm, and grabbed the jar with both hands.

The rage and the roar that erupted from Lilith was something those who survived that night would never forget, for it was the sounds of the disruption of every demon in hell—it was the ruckus of the Devil losing another war. With the savage wrath that boiled in her shattered being, Lilith leaped. Her monstrous mass somersaulted in the air and went straight into Eddie.

There was no time to prepare for her attack as Eddie braced himself for the powerful collision, which he knew was unavoidable. He felt Lilith’s bulk slam against him, and he staggered backwards hard against the floor. Every breath in his lungs exploded, and with a maddening crunch, Lilith’s weight snapped his spine in half as her talons wrapped themselves around Eddie’s neck, the sharp nails goring through his skin. Warm blood bubbled and ran down his chest. With both hands balled into fists, he punched Lilith’s brutish body. Each blow landed harmlessly on her stiff bulk. Part of him wanted to give up, for there was no more fight in him, until close to him he spotted his knapsack. With a new strength in him, Eddie reached out and quickly rummaged inside the bag. He grinned as he put his fingers around what he was looking for; the worn and old Bible that once belonged to his older, dead brother.

“Felix,” Eddie cried out as he pulled the Bible out. “Help me, my brother, once more, and soon I’ll join you in our Lord’s paradise.”

The Bible pulsated, as the pages vibrated, and the leather cover burst in a reddish glow. With the Bible high above his head, Eddie smashed the Holy Book into Lilith’s forehead and watched as flames sprung out. She tried to writhe away, but with every move Lilith made, Eddie clobbered her with severe blows. Lilith’s face was ablaze, and long wails erupted from within. She buckled hard and tossed Eddie across the room as the Bible combusted.

Eddie tried to get to his feet, yet the excruciating pain from his broken spine was too much to bear. He looked up and saw the fear in the eyes of Taylor. Slowly, he turned his attention to Nikki. Her face grimaced, and he noticed the way her hands shook as she held the jar tight. He glanced at Cassandra, admiring the fierceness in her eyes, and Eddie noticed she was holding on to a gun. It was Alex’s gun.

Wheezing heavily, Eddie knew there was only one way to end this. He looked at Lilith. The flames on her face had scattered now throughout her body.

“Taylor do not fail me now,” Eddie said, and there was strength in his voice. “Use your grandmother’s gift and open a portal where I can take these corrupted souls into the gates of Hell. Go on, Taylor, it’s time to end it all.”

“I don’t understand,” Taylor shouted as Lilith screamed, the flames from the Bible an inferno which covered her body.

“There’s nothing to understand,” Eddie yelled. “You’re a descendant of Vodou’s Houngans and Mambos. You have the gift in you. Didn’t you, along with your grandmother, already put a hurting on this demon? Now it’s time to finish the job. Don’t think about it. Open your mind, and your grandmother’s spiritual chants will come to you. Open the portal to Hell!”

Holstering his gun, Taylor closed his eyes. He thought of Haiti, his grandmother’s kitchen, her sacred herbs, and her singsong chants. He lifted his arms and, like Eddie said, didn’t think about it, he merely let the gift take over. Taylor chanted, at first in whispers, but soon his voice was sturdy. Above him, the air crackled, and a strong breeze entered the room. It twirled in cyclonic rotation and thunderclaps boomed throughout the room. The vortex moved rapidly as it opened into a blackened void. Menacing light illuminated the room in gray-bluish strokes as the strong wind turned the ceiling into dark skies. From its depth, it unleashed the destruction of a strong tornado that threatened to suck in anything that came close to its force.

With abandon, Eddie jumped to his feet. His spine exploded, and with one deafening yell, Eddie hurled himself into Lilith’s smoldering body. She was still alive, and there was still a lot of fight in her, and with no indecision, Eddie sent his astral body into her. When both spirits collided, the explosion rocked the wall, and the building shook. Lilith flinched for a second, and that was all the time Eddie needed as he wrapped his arms around Lilith’s heart, the home of her malicious soul. Entwining his soul with hers, Eddie pulled, dislodging Lilith’s soul, trapping it inside of him. Her lifeless body rumbled and then exploded, as the flames died out, and only a giant, dark green blot remained. Yet her soul was alive, a prisoner in Eddie’s grasp. Lilith struggled to free herself from his clutches.

Both souls wrestled in the air, the vortex dragging them in, and Eddie knew that if he didn’t put Lilith inside the jar, the victory would not be theirs, but Lilith’s instead. A body is merely a vessel to a soul, and with that thought, Eddie went back to his ruined body. It was the only way he will become the vessel for both souls and once in is human form, all he needed was to die, and then could easily take Lilith’s body into the jar.

Eddie’s body vaulted, and dark green bile gushed out from his mouth. His inside erupted with Lilith’s demonic soul inside of him. He wobbled to his feet; his broken spine being held upright by Lilith’s fighting soul. Hot bolts of energy trickled through his pores, burning his skin, and attacking his brain in a maddening blast of destruction. Lilith was trying to overcome his soul and reincarnate within him.

Eddie lurched forward, nodded at Nikki; she returned the nod.

Then Eddie turned to Cassandra and gave her a smile. “My brave woman, you did it,” Eddie whispered. “You’ve almost finished with what you started, and now I need to help me fulfill my task.”

Cassandra shook her head from side to side.

“Don’t fail me now, Cassandra,” Eddie could barely speak, for his insides were slowly disintegrating by the foul energy from Lilith’s blackened soul. “Please pull the trigger. We need to end this now.”

“I can’t,” Cassandra sobbed. “I can’t.”

“Cassandra, please shoot me. Please… shoot me… Cassandra… please SHOOT ME NOW!”

Blinded by her tears, Cassandra took a few steps back. Alex’s gun trembled in her hands. She blinked with pity at Eddie’s pleading eyes. Then, lifting the gun, she aimed at Eddie’s head.

*****

Eddie gulped the stale basement air. There was a tang of burnt flesh and the acrid taste of blood on his tongue. His body shuddered. He was cold, and he remembered he never went to see Millie and pick up his Dominican leftover breakfast; the one she claimed he was going to love eating for dinner with white rice.

He wondered if any of his sisters would stop by the old apartment—their old railroad apartment—and take whatever they wanted. The old photos perhaps, which he kept neatly in photo albums. Maybe one of them would reminisce about their mother’s arroz con gandules and take the old calderotheir mother bought at La Marketa one week after they arrived from Puerto Rico.

His mind was rambling and biting his lips, Eddie put a stop to it. He needed to concentrate. Savor one last time what they had accomplished as a group. But more importantly what they had prevented from happening. A claustrophobic situation and no one would ever know what they had sacrificed for others to live free from evil and senseless deaths.

He could hear the loud pounding of his heart—THUMP—THUMP—THUMP. Until it lowered into a muted hammering echo. At least there was no pain. Maybe that was a sign that he was dead; finally, dead.

The warmth of his blood froze; maybe that’s why he felt so cold. Barely opening his eyes, he looked at Cassandra. He felt so much pride for this brave woman, who now stood with the gun in her hand. The gun that put a bullet right through his brain. Eddie smiled and thanked her and, wondering if she saw his smile, he closed his eyes. His head stumbled to the ground. Another sickening thump.

A tomb-like silence took hold of the room, and even the once roaring thunderclaps from the vortex were a mere whisper.

In that eerie stillness, mystified, all three watched as Eddie’s body adjusted. Then it was immobile again, but in a rotating motion, they saw the translucent essence of Eddie lifting itself up with the dark figure of Lilith clutched to him. There was no way he was going to let go. They all knew that. They watched as Eddie’s ghost-like body went up in the air and hovered above Nikki. For a second Nikki seemed lost, then as she remembered what her duty was, she removed the cover from the jar. Both semitransparent souls slid inside. With shaky hands Nikki poured the holy water, wrapped the cloth over the jar and with the other piece from Eddie’s shirt, she tightened around the brim. The jar bubbled, and it shook aggressively.

“Here, let me have it,” Cassandra said as she threw the gun down and took the jar. “I started it, and I came here to end it.”

Cassandra winced at the heat that protruded from the jar, and raising it above her head, she threw it inside the vortex. The strong wind swallowed the jar into the void of the portal and with a boisterous outburst, it shut down and vanished.

They all stood, like statues rooted to the floor. Taylor. Nikki. Cassandra. In unison, they looked down at Eddie’s body, and the first one to drop to his knees and cry was Taylor, while he murmured his grandmother’s prayers.

“Senyè, kondwi mwen chak jou. Father, lead me day by day.”

CHAPTER 52

An orange, blistering sun penetrated through his shirt, and Eddie opened his eyes. At a distance he heard roaring waves crashing into the shore. He blinked, and gradually opened his eyes. The sand underneath him was moist. Had it rained while he slept? Hard to imagine that his clothes were dry. Lifting his head, he looked up and stared for a while at the cloudless sky. Its blue colors seemed to run into the far-away mountains. It reminded him of a watercolor painting. With both outstretched hands, he pushed himself to his feet. The tropical sun was blinding, and he raised one hand to shield his eyes from the white glare of the rays. He dropped his head and walked to where a reddish ground stretched out into marshland. There was an army of ants marching into their hill, each carrying pieces of leaves and tiny twigs. Bright, colorful butterflies fluttered and descended around him. One landed on his shoulder, then flew away.

A flock of birds flew, eclipsing the sky, and Eddie sensed the frantic fear in their high pitch shrieks. At a safe distance from where he stood, a cloud of dirt rose from the ground and Eddie squinted to get a better look. He could make out a solemn caravan traveling on the dusty road, yet they were still too far for him to see the finer details of the group. Regardless of the space between them, the piercing squeals from the wagon’s wheels and the heavy footsteps of warriors came to him loud and clear. Now that they were closer, Eddie could see raised wooden shafts with black flags that snapped furiously in the wind. Twenty feet before him, the image was clearer, and on a wagon built with sun-bleached bones, Lilith’s body rested. A veil encrusted with shredded snakeskins covered her body, as thin streams of her dark green blood left a trail on the reddish ground. The procession stopped short before reaching Eddie, and coming forward, demons dressed in dark purple armors marched in unison. Above their brawny arms, they held pitchforks adorned with dark green roses. Their eyes, fire-red orbs with black dots that floated inside their cold-blooded pupils. Their noses twisted in elongated beaks, gave them the appearance of vultures, and their twisted mouths grimaced downward. Sharp ivory fangs hung menacingly on each side of their cheeks. Sinewy arms pushed out from the metallic spaulder that covered their left shoulder, and the Sigil of Baphomet, embedded on their armored chests, with fine red outlines of the serpent Leviathan, a goat, and the inverted pentacle—Satan’s symbol in glorified splendor.

Eddie watched the procession. Not one demon glanced towards him, yet Eddie knew they were aware of his presence. Why shouldn’t they be? Wasn’t he the one who had killed their queen?

“Each take their own to where they belong,” a voice behind him spoke. Eddie kept his eyes on the caravan until they faded in the glaring sun, and then he turned to where the voice came from.

“Where are they taking her?” Eddie asked, still staring at the passing procession.

“To the valley where Cerberus rules.”

“The three-headed watchdog of Hell? The monster who devours anyone who tries to escape the kingdom of Satan. Sounds like Lilith will be punished.”

“Or perhaps sent to learn from her mistakes, and when the time is right to return, she’ll be better prepared.”

“In that case. Will Lilith return?”

“That’s not my concern, and neither do I desire to learn the destinations of those who travel using other mean beyond my boat.”

“What about the other one who I brought in?”

“The one called Alex?”

Eddie nodded.

“He’s already on the other side.”

“That fast?”

“His only sin was falling in love with a demon. His loved ones pleaded his case in an emotional, eloquent speech. I gather it was his mother. It’s usually like that. Mothers never give up on those who go astray. Mothers are the closest to saintly beings on the land of the living. For such devotions, they carry such prestige to the afterlife. One of God’s best creations.”

“Who pleaded for my case, then? Also, loved ones? My mother as well?”

“No Eddie Santiago, they pleaded for your salvation on the day that you were born. They all waited for you patiently if I may add.”

“I was told I was living a life that didn’t belong to me.”

“You were told right, but that should not concern you now. Now, if you’re ready, come onto my boat and I’ll take you there.”

“You offered me the same boat ride a long time ago.”

“Yes, I did.”

“If I would have known, I should have taken it.”

“You almost did, regardless of who you were, you were merely an influenced child.”

“Why didn’t you insist?”

“My job is to take each soul to their destination, not bargain. If they have their coin, that’s all that matters.”

Eddie put his hands in his pocket and came up empty.

“I’m afraid I don’t have the coin for my fare.”

“Just like the light and prayers honored for you, they already provided the coin on the day you were born.”

“I see. Is your name Charon?”

“Eddie Santiago, shall we begin our voyage?” the ferryman said, avoiding Eddie’s question.

“Are we going to Heaven?” Eddie asked.

“There was a time your brother put it best. You’re going to a place better than Heaven. You’re going to your mother’s embrace.”

Eddie smiled as he boarded the boat. The ferryman lowered his oars as shouts floated in the wind and into Eddie’s ears.

On the other side, Eddie saw a crowd jumping exuberantly. Their arms waving, their gleeful shouts awe-inspiring the sky. Eddie smiled as he noticed the one jumping the highest. It was Felix. Next to him was his Mami, standing still with her arms held tight across her chest. A beautiful smile shone on her face; a few inches behind his Papa stood. Eddie cried. Not out of sadness, but from the high-spirited joy that consumed him now. He clapped his hands and waved, and Eddie Santiago cried some more—because finally—he was going home; to that place he knew so well. A special place that he missed so much. Thank you, my sweet Father, for I’m going to my mother’s warm embrace.

EPILOGUE

Taylor folded the New York Times newspaper and glanced at his watch. He looked at the Departure Board, keeping track of his flight and what gate it was leaving from. His phone rang, and he glanced at the screen; it was Nikki.

“The answer is still no,” he said, followed by a small chuckle.

“You haven’t heard the question yet.” Nikki sounded happy and relax, something that was not part of her character for all the years he had known her.

“Okay, shoot, but the answer is still going to be a big assuring no.”

“Aren’t detectives supposed to be open-minded? Isn’t that one high qualification to pass the test? And if I heard correctly, your score is as untouchable as Joe DiMaggio’s 56 hitting streak. Nobody, and I heard this from reliable sources, no one in New York City’s law enforcement history has ever scored a perfect grade like you. Too bad you’re not a baseball player, otherwise there would have been a stampede of teams throwing you astronomical money contracts to play for six months. And let’s not forget how much Nike would have paid you to wear their cleats.”

“Nikki, I like this side of you.”

“I never knew I was a complex person,” Nikki said. “I guess only a brilliant detective could detect that.”

“Lady, my flight will leave in the next twenty minutes, and if I miss this plane, I will arrest you.”

“Under what charges?”

“According to you I’m such a bad ass detective, I’m sure I’ll find a reason that will stick all the way to the Supreme Court.”

“Wow, with a threat like that, I better squeeze a two-hour long conversation into a twenty-minute chat.”

“I usually stop by the bathroom before boarding a plane, so you have only five minutes.”

“Can I have fifteen? What are you planning to do? Take a ten-minute dump?”

“Lord, I rather prefer your analytical side… you know… all business… than this side. But how’s this, Nikki? Today I’ll make a bathroom detour but the second I see my flight posted; I’m shutting you down. You got fifteen minutes.”

Taylor heard a sigh of relief on the other end of his cell phone, and he wondered if he should be concerned or just run for the hills. Too much had happened since that awful nightmarish night. Everything had changed a few hours right after they slayed a demon, a good man died, and his partner got killed; and two of the bullets that killed him came from Taylor’s weapon. The arrest of Mike the super, and his crazed confession that he not only murdered his entire family but also killed those girls for Lilith, took a lot of heat away from Taylor. But the desk assignment and finally suspension was unavoidable.

Now he was on the threshold to lose everything he had worked so hard for, but as he waited for the plane to take him back home—back to Haiti—perhaps destiny was the pilot guiding his plane. And now, with Nikki on the other side of his cell phone, maybe like some high roller in a casino, it was time to let the dices take their toll.

“Have you heard from Cassandra?” Nikki was back in his ear. “She high tailed it out of here even before we took the stench of that demon from our clothes. We are both standing on the bureaucracy’s watchdogs, and like damn pit bulls, they will not release their jaws until we shout ‘uncle’ or something like that.”

“Nikki, yes, I understand one hundred percent where you are coming from, but there’s not that much we could do. Remember, I made sure that you and Cassandra were out of there before I called my department. I was the one who cleaned Alex’s gun from Cassandra’s handprints and then made sure the only fingerprints on that gun were Alex’s and Eddie’s. I faced the music.”

“We both did, Taylor,” there was a bitterness in Nikki’s voice. “Remember, I lied in my report about what had possibly attacked both Eddie and Alex. A gigantic snake that now has become another urban legend. And now that they’ve gone over my head, there are now questions about my work ethics.”

“Telling them the truth would have landed us as cellmates inside an asylum. But we did what we had to do. And that was to fabricate a story. Damn, I lied about a shootout between Eddie and Alex, which never happened. I believe they were probably going to buy all that, but the five bullets I fired on Eddie’s dead body were a bit too much to be ignored. They could not understand how a man beat up as bad as Eddie was, with a broken spine for crying out loud, needed to be shot five times by me. And to make it worse, at close range. My superiors did not buy that, not even from a detective who you portray as the DiMaggio. Yes, Nikki, there’s a lot of blood on our hands, plus the goddamn nightmares that will haunt us until the day we die. But really, what can we do by asking each other questions when the only ones who have the answers are a demon, a good cop blinded by lust, and a goddamn man who lived in both worlds. And all three are dead. Really Nikki, where can we go? I don’t know about you, but I’m going back home. Eddie awakened something in me. I stood with my grandmother’s spirit, chanting words that I have forgotten, and with those chants I kept a demon in our trap. That’s why I’m going home. Maybe you should too. Who knows? Probably that’s where we’ll find the answer.”

“Taylor, you might be right,” Nikki sighed. “It’s time to go back home. I’m sure as we speak, Eddie finally found his home. I pray Alex did too. Damn, I’m hoping that even Lilith finds her final resting place. But what about Cassandra?”

“Honestly, that woman went through a lot. And coming back here to finish what destroyed her life twenty years ago. If she’s the only one to get back home with the least baggage, then I’ll say Amen and Hallelujah. She deserves it.”

“So, it’s out of the question to look for her?”

“And do what?”

“Taylor, I keep thinking that she was inside that room for a long time with Alex and Lilith. Who the hell knows what happened in there? She was screaming mighty loud.”

“I understand your concern, but that’s a tough woman. She’ll handle whatever comes her way. She has proven that many times already. Besides, I doubt she’ll be willing to come back here and be your personal lab rat.”

“That’s not what I’m proposing here,” Nikki said, not thrill with Taylor’s words. “Merely a few tests to make sure nothing happened to her.”

“How’s this?” Taylor said as he stood up and grabbed his carry-on-luggage; it was time to board his plane. “I’ll be back in a month. By then, time will have answered a lot of questions. Let’s meet for lunch then, and we take it from there.”

“But—”

“Nikki, that’s the best I can give you. I need to catch a plane,” Taylor said.

“Okay,” Nikki said. “Safe trip Taylor.”

“You too. Goodbye Nikki.”

“Goodbye Joe DiMaggio,” Nikki said and slipped her phone inside her jacket, right next to the picture of Alberto. The photograph Eddie instructed her to put inside the jar, but in the heat of the moment, she forgot, and that mistake had haunted her since.

*****

Cassandra was nodding off when they called her name. She gathered her belongings and followed the medical receptionist down a narrow corridor to an examining room.

“The doctor will be with you shortly,” she said, flashing a bright smile that belonged in a dental care commercial, and then walked out.

Cassandra yawned and gave her stomach a quick squeeze. She hated doctors, but after being bedridden for two straight weeks after coming back from New York, and the last four days throwing up everything she put in her stomach, she knew it was time to put the doctor’s fears away. Her first visit had been ten days ago, and now here she was, back after receiving a call from the medical center. The test result had come back, and it was urgent for her to come in.

She looked at her watch and when she was wondering where the doctor was, the door opened, and he walked in. It sucks growing old, Cassandra thought, when the damn doctors looked like school kids dressed up as doctors on Halloween.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Quiñonez,” the doctor pulled up a stool next to the examination table where Cassandra sat. “How do you feel today?”

“Would love to tell you I feel perfect, but if I can’t be honest with my doctor, why even come here? I feel worse than the last time I came in.”

He smiled, and Cassandra figured that both the doctor and the receptionist must use the same dentist. Their smiles were bright and perfect. He opened the folder he was holding and scratched his lower lip.

“I see you were born in 1964,” he said while flipping the few pages in the folder. “That makes you—”

“Fifty-seven,” Cassandra said.

“Excellent genes. You look ten years younger.” He took a quick glance at Cassandra and smiled, then dropped his eyes back to the chart. “We received the results of your blood work and, to be honest, I had to make sure there was no mistake, especially at your age.”

Cassandra nodded but remain quiet.

“Do you remember when your last menstrual period was?”

“My period?” Cassandra asked and laughed. “Are you serious?”

“Yes, Ms. Quiñonez. I’m serious,” the doctor answered, and this time he replaced his smile with tight lips.

“I don’t know… maybe when I was fifty. I don’t know, but let’s say it was a long time ago. Why are you asking me this question?” Cassandra asked.

“Well,” the doctor cleared his throat, took another glimpse at Cassandra’s chart, and placed the folder on his lap. “After menopause, a woman no longer produces eggs. It’s part of a woman’s biological clock, still through having a donor egg implanted into the uterus—”

“Hold on!” Cassandra raised her voice as she interrupted the doctor, and she almost doubled over at a sharp pain in her guts. “Why the hell are you telling me all this?”

“Ms. Quiñonez, I’m telling you all this because you’re pregnant.”

Cassandra lurched forward and stared down at her stomach. A coldness ran down her spine and she shuddered at the revelation that exploded in her head. She was carrying what Lilith needed to stay alive.

She gasped, then lowered her head. Her business was still unfinished.