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Matty:
Fuming in what should be the loud woods, the silence was unsettling. Nature should be louder than this. Growling to myself, the dark energy swallowing me whipped me away into another dimension.
Rolling across a foggy landscape, the heavy smog prevented me from seeing anything. Feeling icy fingers graze across my skin, the silence was deafening. Opening up my mouth to speak, nothing came out. Panic widened my eyes, the smell of sulfur was getting stronger. Left with only my smell and touch senses, my luck wasn’t going my way. Spinning around in circles, fingertips kept grazing my goose bump riddled skin. The color drained from my face, sweat drenching my skin. Standing here would be pointless, every breath shortening. Raw terror rounded my eyes at the lack of me hearing my breathing, my increased heart rate not even registering in my ears. Bursting forward, the fog never let up. Tripping several times, a silent scream hit the ground with the last one. Feeling my wild mane stick to my face, my t-shirt and jeans were now slick with sweat. A clawed hand scooped me up, a lump forming in my throat. Closing my eyes, a rock smashing into the hand forced him to drop me. Hitting the ground, my wife’s hand burst from the fog. Seconds from reaching it, something ripped her back. Broken by fear, my body curled into a ball. Paralyzed by another wave of terror, my body trembled. A touch on my shoulder snapped me out of my panic attack, Victoria pulling me to my feet. Her lips moved but no sound came out, frustration burning in her eyes. Fishing around her boots, her hands tied a silver rope around her waist. Placing the end of the rope in my palm, she flashed me a comforting smile. Tying it around my wrists, her steady steps had us walking through with a new vigor. Shaking a leaf behind her, the fact that my wife could handle this made her much stronger than me. This world seemed to overflow with danger, Victoria glancing back at me to check on me. Shooting her thumbs up, my eyes fell on the glowing rope. Ignoring the fingers tracing my skin became easier with each step, the lack of noise unsettling me. Sucking in a deep breath, the silence of it threw me off. Pushing through the brewing anxiety, we both stopped at a single cage sitting in the center of a circle. Lily grumbled under her breath, her hands searching for a way out. Giving up, she laid on her back. Playing with a single black key, it must be another one of those keys she kept mentioning. Our weary eyes met, her finger searching around boot. Pulling out a piece of paper and a marker, the tip danced across with ease. Holding it in front of her, the words on the paper relieved my nerves. Reading the words I love you melted my heart, an arrow pointing to a wall of keys. My relief melted into raw impatience as a rough snarl curled to life on my lips, Victoria rolling her eyes. Dragging me over to the wall of keys, my brow cocked in response. Untying the rope from my wrist, my eyes scanned the lock on the cage. Counting the ridges, I selected the ten that matched the closest. Rushing over to her, our palms pressed together. My heart fluttered, her real smile stealing my breath away. Presenting her with the keys, her fingers curled around the correct one. Unlocking the door, her body smashed into mine. Kissing my lips feverishly, a warmth bathed me. Pulling out another piece of paper, the words we have to get him into Hell scared the shit out of me. Grumbling her breath, she made makeshift crosses with the scraps of metal. Dropping one into my hand, she showed me how to spin it around. Copying her movements, a thumbs up was the reward. Jamming the tip into the ground, little balls of light flickered to life. Hooking her elbow into mine, our feet took one step in front of the other. Following the trail, childlike wonder brightened my eyes at her display of power. Victoria hovered on the other side of her, the two of them scanning the fog for something. Hot air blasted a pathway to a scarlet door, her face falling at the flames peeking out from the door. Spinning on her heels, one single lift of her cross blocked a navy demon covered in ivy. Pushing him back, a wicked grin danced across her lips. Spinning the cross in her palm, sparks flew into the air as claws clashed with metal. His fingers snapped, the fog fading away to reveal a vast inky landscape of sand. Attempting to move, the hands holding Victoria and me down wouldn’t let go. Dodging his attacks clumsily, she slammed the tip of her cross into the sand. Freeing us from our bindings, her finger pointed to my cross. Hating myself for what I was about to do, the sand slid away with every step towards him. Using the distraction to unlock the door into Hell, one shove had him falling into its fiery pits. Grabbing my ankle last second, Lily’s hand ripped me to safety. Slamming the door shut, the key locking the door sending a wave of relief over me. Pressing her palm against the wood, the door sealed shut for all of eternity. Limping over to me, her arms clutched me close to her chest. A bright light blinded me, her loving gaze was all I needed.
The sound rushed back the moment I sat up, her lips kissing mine feverishly. The sound of her voice broke the oppressive silence, her hand cupping my face. Tracing my cheek with her thumb, my heart couldn’t stop fluttering. Burying my head into her shoulder, a loud scream burst from my lips. It felt so good to scream, the release of my fear melting my nerves away. Lifting up my chin with her finger, her real smile brightened her puffy face from all the crying
“You are okay, Matty.” She assured me sweetly, kissing my forehead. “You survived your first time on the other side. Let me make you some tea to ease your nerves.” Stumbling back, my head shook. The noise from the forest was becoming too much, the weight of it all hitting me.
“What was that place!” I demanded fearfully, a sad smile dimming her eyes. “I thought I was going to die!” My lips parted to speak, a sudden fire breaking out. Stealing me away, the sound of sirens sang down the street. Dragging me into our store, her steady hands sat me down into a chair. Sitting down across from me, her palms pressed together as a long breath escaped her lips.
“I would prefer you don’t ever go back again. You heard silence because you are essentially deaf in that realm. That puts you in grave danger.” She explained calmly, inching closer to me. “Let me check you out.” Tucking my hair behind my ears, her fingers grazed his face. My breath hitched at her beautiful face being so close, mixed emotions flashing in my eyes. Victoria floated up to her, her lips pressed into a thin line.
“Is there any trace of possession?” She questioned anxiously, Victoria holding her hand over my heart. Shaking her head, her finger tapped her chin. Sitting down next to us, her crossed hands rested on her lap. Curiosity twinkled in her eyes, a nervous smile twitching on her lips.
“I hate to say it but he couldn’t be possessed even if he wanted to be. Something is blocking his soul. He is only deaf to them because of that reason.” She mused playfully, her eyes falling on her attic. “I would like to take a nap now.” Floating through the ceiling, Lily was nowhere to be seen. Limping back in, she had a bucket with a wet cloth. Taking her seat across from me, her good hand tied my hair into a bun. Wiping the sweat off of my face, a serene expression dawned on her tired face.
“I placed that protection on you. I am afraid that I went too far. Don’t tell Victoria. I figured that evil spirits would come after you as well. They can’t possess you as easily if you can’t hear them.” She informed me calmly, the news pleasing me. “I find that the screams and such can be loud enough to pierce my eardrums. Sorry for taking that initiative.” Understanding where she was coming from, her precaution really didn’t bother me. Taking her hands, she didn’t have to worry about it. My spiritual strength was here while hers was down there, the question of her knowing how to fight resting permanently in my mind.
“That’s all fine. I would rather not hear any of that. One thing though?” I queried cautiously, watching a pensive expression come over her face. “How did you learn how to fight and make those little balls of lights?” Chuckling softly to herself, her warmth coming over me as she plopped onto my lap. Sliding my hands around her bump, the tips of her fingers pressed together.
“I remember what the cross did at the last job and Victoria showed me how to make guiding lights. They keep the bad ones away and lead the way to the door to Hell.” She admitted with a sheepish shrug, acting like throwing bad spirits into Hell was nothing. “Oh, you are here.” A hooded figure entered the shop, yellowed bony hands reaching for something. The color drained from my face at the reaper hovering inches from us. An icy breeze curled off of his torn cloak, Lily’s unfazed expression bothering me ever so slightly. Dropping the sleek back key into his palm, his body floated into the floorboard. Choosing not to ask, her loving gaze fell on me. Pecking me on the cheek, her head rested against my chest. Yawning groggily snores were soon filling up the shop. A knock on the door nearly caused me to drop her, my old man stood on the other side with a nervous grin on his face. Storm clouds rumbled, a heavy downpour soaking him to the bone. Struggling to my feet, her body still felt light in my arms. Unlocking the door, his mane clung to his face while his simple navy t-shirt and jeans weren’t doing much better. Holding a container of his infamous bean dip and chips, he let himself into the kitchen. Sliding it into the microwave, his shaking finger typed in a time.
“I was wondering if I could stop by. I know you guys are closed today. Forgive me for wanting to spend time with you.” He blurted out awkwardly, his hands waving around. “I made my famous bean dip. Shall we have an early dinner?” Letting out a long sigh, the opportunity for him to make up with me was staring me in the face.
“Fine but I am not talking to Mom yet. She had no right.” I snapped hotly, my mother running in with her violet scrubs on. “You invited her, didn’t you!” Lily stirred in my lap, her body sliding back into her deep slumber. Guilt dimmed his eyes, my favorite cake rested in her palm. Cursing under my breath, there was no way in hell that she was going to buy my affection with a coconut cake. Silent tears stained her cheeks, my lips pressing into a thin line.
“You lied to me and I am still mad about that.” I vented bitterly, sitting back down. “All you had to do was let me see him. You should have tried harder but no you didn’t. That being said. Please take a seat. I am willing to forgive you. From now on, I require honesty. Deal?” Wiping away her tears, the microwave beep stole the moment. Rushing off to get the dip, my mother set the cake on the counter. Walking over to her, she fussed over her. Holding her bump, her wet eyes met my steely gaze. Fighting back the urge to yell at her, the warning glare from my father caused my expression to soften.
“I am sorry that I lied.” She whispered dejectedly, rubbing the smooth surface. “She is really growing.” Hating that we were fighting, an honest apology flooded from my lips. Yanking me into one of her bear hugs, Lily snapped awake. Smiling warmly in my mother’s direction, her hands cupped hers. Chatting pleasantly, my heart melted at the way Lily’s eyes lit up at the sight of her. Setting the dip on the counter, her nose sniffed the air. All the color drained from her face, a clammy sweat drenched her skin. Rushing to get the nearest trash can, hot vomit flew up her throat as my mother held it for her. Unleashing bout after bout, her finger pointed to the bean dip. Motioning for my father to put it in the refrigerator, Lily shivered in my arms. Apologizing profusely, my mother wouldn’t have that. Comforting her, the look in her eyes asked if we had a bedroom here. Shaking my head, my old man raised his hand.
“You guys can spend the night at my place.” He offered sincerely, my heart seeming seconds from beating out of my chest. A shrill ring from my mother’s phone caused my mother’s smile to fade away, a steady stream of curse words flooding from her lips. Excusing herself to get to work, regret dimmed my eyes. Scooping her up in my arms, the rain slowed to a stop. Carrying her to my father’s apartment in a worn Victorian mansion, the stairs weren’t helping her. Pulling out the couch, her weak protests fell on deaf ears. Tucking her in, a rough slumber soon stole her away. Sitting down next to her, the only thing I could do was play with her hair.
“Should we have that checked out?” He fretted adorably, my real smile illuminating my features. “What is so funny, Matty?” Shaking my head, he must have forgotten how pregnancy worked. Laying back, he hovered a couple of feet away from me.
“She should be fine. Certain smells trigger morning sickness.” I informed with a hearty laugh, the moment stealing away any anxiety I had brewing. “People like her are way too strong for that. Every appointment gets better and I can’t wait to meet our little nugget.” Sinking into the warmth of the moment, the presence of my father relaxing my fraying nerves. Pride glistened in our eyes, his next words sealing the deal.
“Becoming a grandfather has always been my dream. I am off to bed. Good night, Matty.” He uttered oddly, the bright moon bathing his quivering expression. Laying down next to her, my arm draped over her bump. How could she be so calm and eloquent while I struggled to even come close to her level of patience? A ghost boy with twinkling caramel eyes bounced up to me, his wild brown mane bouncing with each step. Dirt stained his white blouse, his fingers resting in his belt loops.
“Hiya, I am Toby and here to guide you spiritually. Congratulations on moving up a level in the psychic world.” He introduced himself jovially, my eyebrow twitching at my guide being an eleven year boy. “Me being a child throwing you off? I was drowned in a river but don’t let that count me out. I am one of the best.” My lips parted to speak, nothing coming out. Pulling out a wooden bracelet, he slammed it onto my wrists. Attempting to take it off, any effort proved fruitless.
“You can’t go into the underworld anymore.” He proclaimed proudly, sitting crossed legged on the bed. “Now let’s begin. You can see and hear people up here so let’s protect your wife from the shop. I can find the correct spell book for you. I can turn you into a proper white witch. Are you ready?” Stunned by his words, ninety percent of them weren’t registering. Frustration brewed in his eyes, his hands cupping my face.
“Something big is coming for her and you need to be prepared. You thought this guy was bad, he is a piece of cake. The reapers made a mistake by giving her a key to Hell. Every time she holds one, all eyes fall on her.” He warned me urgently, my color draining from my face. “They call him the Dark One. I know the name is simple but he is not. His title is the lead demon of chaos. He started every war and is now hungering for her. As is, she doesn’t stand a chance against them.” Taking his warning seriously, Victoria floated through the wall with her arms folded across her chest. Sitting on the other side of her, her eyes rolled.
“He’s not lying. I can only do so much.” She admitted dejectedly, wishing that it wasn’t true. “If you learn witchcraft, you could be her light when she enters that dark place. Please do it for her.” A long sigh poured from my lips, my eyes falling on the slumbering Lily. Curiosity glinted in my eyes, the fact that I couldn’t be possessed gave me a security blanket. Sitting up, my hands rested on my lap.
“So I can help her without going down there again. Sign me up.” I answered with a nervous grin twitching on my lips. “Protect me along the way, ‘kay.” Both of them cheered, a worn leather book landing in my lap. Flipping through the pages, none of it made sense. Letting out an irritated sigh, concern darkened their eyes. English wasn’t my strongest subject, Lily always helped me out. Setting it to the side, sleep was what I needed. Choosing to ignore them, I let sweet slumber steal me away.
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