Just Checking Up! Part Sixteen: That Darn Hidden Journal

Rip:

Blonde waves floated up as Callan crashed into the passenger side of my hearse, his cross earring glinting in the morning light. Fussing with his light gray suit, a bit of a smirk haunted his lips. Donning a similar height and build, our bond over heavy metal and such things kept me sane in the past. Fresh Hell really did follow my every footfall before meeting him, bad luck warming up to good luck. What a good treat to cherish.

“Why are we keeping Silks behind at the office?” He inquired with a couple of blinks, a long sigh drawing from my lips. “From what I experienced, she is more than capable of handling herself in the field.” None of that was the problem, the cabin we were heading to had a bit of demonic infestation. Motioning for me to spill my secrets, our friendship would mean nothing if I didn’t indulge him.

“You know how we can see things, right?” I choked out awkwardly, his head nodding. “Her soul detaches itself and the journal we are looking for is in a nest of demons. Do you still want to go?” Laughing to himself, the ghost hunts we used to go on would be considered cake walks compared to this. Plucking a worn cross from his neck, an answer had been given.

“Bro, demons can kiss my ass. If it means protecting that firecracker of a wife, you can always count on me. I take it that a cult used to live there.” He returned calmly, my silence answering his question. “Liz has a good sense of humor, do tell her that when she comes around you.” Shocked by his admission, a gift must have awoken within him. Guilt ate at me, a crumpled up napkin hitting my face before I could zone out.

“Not today, buddy.” He uttered loudly, a big grin dancing across his lips. “Switching subjects, becoming a father is the greatest thing in the world. I treasure every moment with my little monster.” Grinning ear to ear, Cal meant every word. Changing for the better had occurred for him, a bit of hope sparking in my soul. Many questions rested on the tip of my tongue, the engine rumbling to life shutting them down. Blasting heavy metal, skyscrapers became trees. Vibrant trees decayed to rotting black twisted claws of wood. Eerie scarlet fog curled into the sky, a rundown trail head waiting for our potential doom. Hopping out with Cal, a gust of rancid air slammed our doors shut. Blowing our hair back, war had been declared. Part of me wished that Silks was next to me, her very presence keeping my nerves at bay.

“Someone has grown addicted to their wife’s presence.” Cal teased mercilessly, his hands digging around my new bag of supernatural tools in the back. “Then again, you never shut up about her. Will this voodoo crap help us out?” Dropping a salt dough cross around his neck, orange flames glowed to life around his aura. Poking at them, wonder brightened his eyes, his lips parting several times. Curiosity drove him, learning making him as intelligent as Silks. Such things could be a curse in a rotten situation, or a gift in a pinch.

“Hell would freeze over before you go in without the best protection.” I chuckled heartily, a big old thank you bouncing off of his tongue. Dancing with the flames, that sense of humor carried me through high school. Packing the necessary supplies into a brown leather satchel bag, such a hike bore dangers of the shadows. Tossing our jackets into the back, a roll of sleeves had us ready for this horrible job. Leaves crunched with every footfall, my eyes flitting from the crinkled map and to shadows darting in between the decaying trunks. Silence condemned the land into an endless cycle of torture, a quiet fear lingering beneath Cal’s big grin. Horror rounded my eyes at trees moving around on their own, fright freezing us in place. The color drained from my cheeks, silver spikes shattering them into shards dawned the longest sigh of relief. Liz floated over to us, a bagged lunch hanging off of her belt. Branches shattered it to bits, our hunger dying with it.

“Silks sent me to rescue you.” She pointed out simply, her eyes meeting Cal’s. “Thank you for the compliment. It isn’t too often that I get to be seen how I want to be! Shall we continue on this journey?” Grinning deviously, the adventure bug had bitten her. Donning her usual look, a bit of fussing cleaned it up. No wonder Silks and her were peas in a pod, my eyes narrowing in her direction.

“No offense, aren’t you supposed to protect her and not encourage her to endanger herself.” I shot back impatiently, her brow cocking. “How is she being protected now?” Folding my arms across my chest, scarlet energy swirled over something to the East. Slumping forward with an attitude, a loose strand swung in front of her eyes.

“Can you stop her from doing stupid shit? If you can’t, how the hell do you think I am going to do that?” She returned hotly, spikes creeping up from the dirt. “Do you know my level of exhaustion of keeping her enemies at bay? Don’t register me incorrectly, I love my job but it is difficult on an easy day.” Agreeing with matching sympathetic smiles, no apologies needed to pass between us. Huffing out the word right at the same time, our grievances lay with Silks at the pinnacle of fright filled nightmares. Perhaps the more concerning parts were how calm she felt while facing them, lack of emotions permitting her to function at an abnormal rate. Coming to the edge of an ill-kept lawn, a decrepit cabin loaded with the cult’s symbols taunted me. Liz shuddered next to me, a giant scarlet dragon-like demon poked his out of the swinging door. Jet black horns curled into the sky, a book bound with human skin poked out of his matching claws. Muddy gray smoke curled out of his nostrils, Cal’s nerves beginning to fray. Dusting ash off of his ornate Gothic suit, his massive form ducked back into the crumbling wooden structure. Cal shot a look of pure disbelief, Liz doing the same.

“I didn’t know that he was going to be that big.” I whispered harshly, neither of them letting up. “Stop that. At the end of the day, the bastard is a demon. One way or another, he can die. Well, again?” Choking on that last sentence, fresh dread bubbled in my gut. Motioning for them to follow me, trees kept us hidden. Approaching without being detected would prove difficult, a tap on my shoulder causing me to jump ten feet into the air. Silks waved in my direction, mixed emotions flashing in my eyes. How the fuck did she get here?

“Someone spilled something about this mission at the office, so I decided to come. Sally Sue lent me her truck. Sorry for not listening.” She apologized sincerely, her genuine smile stealing my heart away all over again. Tugging at her casket embroidered black and white sweater dress, another growth spurt had occurred overnight. How big was my kid going to be? Also how could I be mad at her? Addressing Liz, their bond was undeniable. Leaning in closer to my ear, something told me that she had a horrid vision.

“Death would be sure to follow if I didn’t show up.” She whispered brokenly into my ears, her fear of losing me shattering my heart. “Whatever you had planned would have never worked.” Tears shimmered in the corner of her eyes, our fingers intertwining for a small precious moment. Not wanting to let it go, impending darkness wrecked it.

“Time to work a bit of my magic. One way and no way out for him. Cover for me.” She chirped cheerfully, the bright smile not fooling me. Sinking to her knees, a cut allowed ruby to pool in her palm. Humming as she drew a new set of symbols, her presence seemed to scare the freaking smaller level demons away. Rubbing her palms together, a wet plop brought the symbols to life. Singing a song under her breath, a fiery cage crackled to life over his home. Rising to her feet, ruby dripped off of her fingers. Crossing over into the other side, a storm brewed to life. Offering her hand, a devious grin danced across her lips. Fighting the urge to take her right there, time stopped the second our palms met. One yank had me on her side, an earned concern returning at how fast ruby poured dribbled onto her boot. Rushing over to her side, an eager Liz sealed her cut into a raised scar. Tapping her boot a couple times, miniature flaming circles roared to life. Winking in Liz’s direction, silver spikes groaned from the flames.

“Let’s poke the bear and send him back to Hell! That is where you come in, my dear Rip.” She spoke with a shimmy of her shoulders. “Cal, are you down to be a distraction with me?” Tossing him a gun with a box of salty looking bullets, curiosity peaked in my expression. Passing me my own, the shine on the bullets mesmerized me.

“I played around with a bit of salt and discovered how to make these. They won’t kill them but they will paralyze the fuck out of them.” She explained with growing pride in her eyes, my fingers tracing the sleek pistol. “Now be careful. Howdy, dragon boy! We need something that you are guarding!” The door creaked open, his minions descending upon us. Loading up our pistols, a few pops causing them to hit the ground in twitching heaps. The door of the cabin creaked open, Silks shooting me a pleading look to open up a portal to Hell as the beast of a demon stomped out. Cal and Liz stood behind her, scarlet glowed to life underneath his scales. Intense heat sucked the moisture out of the air, ash flying up as I sank onto my knees. Cutting my palms on the closest rock. Watching the blood pool in my palm, a clammy sweat beaded on my brow. Rolling the tip of my finger around, scarlet painted itself with every strange symbol. Scanning my work, a rub of my palms woke them up before they met contact.

“Create a circle of spikes!” I ordered over the rumble of his heating flames, Liz snapping her fingers to accommodate my request. Silver spikes scraped into a dome over them, their safety had been guaranteed. Meeting his death glare with a wink, a splash pinning him down by his ankles with angry flames. Struggling away, his jaw began to open. Time to send him back to where he came.

“I call upon whoever is listening! Send this bastard back to Hell!” I chanted impatiently, a jolt of agony threatening to end my concentration. “Open, damn it!” Earth crumbled away to reveal the fiery pits of Hell, screams of agony piercing my eardrums. Breaking free from his shackles, panic wrote itself all over my features. Pouring more energy into my spell, a trail of flames crept up to his ankles. Burn scars informed me of Silks aiding me, a well defined end curling up his leg. Yanking him down, a massive tug of war began. Releasing bright white flames, orange flames canceled hers. Wheezing captured my ears, Silks’ flames began to fizzle out from exhaustion. Cal crawled out of the spikes with a giant grin, time slowing down as he sprinted towards the clawing demon. Cocking his gun, a single pop paralyzed the bastard. Another wave of anxiety flashed in my eyes at our salvation closing up. Rolling him casually into Hell silenced it, his thumbs waking up a cautious smirk. Stepping back, another wave of flames purged the land of any darkness. Ending my spell, ash danced in the air much like snow. Spikes receded into the dirt, the feeling of victory melted to nothing at Liz holding a limp Silks. Popping to my feet, ash flew behind me with every footfall towards her. Wiping the ruby off of face with her sleeve, an apology lingered on her tongue. Sucking in a deep breath, Silks blinked a couple of times before leaping clumsily into my arms. Snuggling into my chest, bloody tears soaked my shoulder.

“I am so happy you didn’t die! God knows what I would do without you!” She sobbed with relief dripping in her tone, a close embrace bringing her face inches from mine. “Rip, take me every single time. Please!” Kissing away her tears, a valid point had been verified. No words needed to be said, Cal shouted from the door of the cabin. Grazing my cheek gingerly, her palm dropped to her lap weakly. Must she push herself so damn hard!

“Count on it.” I whispered huskily, a bit of light returning to his eyes. “However, you need to get stronger.” Acknowledging my words with a tired smile, both of us understood the work that was ahead. Shame dimmed her eyes, hatred for my natural talent flaring in my expression. Don't hurt her, idiot!

“How come everything happens naturally with you?” She choked out dejectedly, her eyes scanning the sea of dead trees instead of meeting mine. “When will I ever be good enough for you?” Seconds from breaking down again, an idea popped up in my head.

“Who would cleanse the land after I open the portal to Hell,my dear queen?” I queried playfully, a strained huh escaping her lips. “Doth thou not see the balance of light and darkness we bring? Light will always be more powerful than the darkness. Of course it takes more out of thee!” Cal rolled his eyes in the doorway of the cabin, a devious grin causing my brow to cock in response.

“Right, good sir.” She returned shakily, her finger lingering on her lip. “I suppose a kiss would suffice, my darling king. A united kingdom runs better. Besides, who else would you have more fun with? Please know that my heart beats for you and only, my darling husband.” Hearing her say the word husband fluttered all sorts of butterflies in my heart, my breath hitching. A loud shout destroyed the moment, Cal brandishing a couple of boxes of journals.

“Check it out! One journal is a joke, a treasure trove is right here! By the way, camping here is the safest option. A storm is rolling in and it doesn’t look small.” He pointed out jovially, dark clouds rumbling to life in the distance. Sprinting towards the front door, a squeak had us locked away from the claps of thunder outside. Heavy rain stained the worn wooden floor, a flash of lightning casting shadows across peeling wallpaper. Noticing a fireplace, a ball of flames crackled to life in Silks’ palm. Throwing it onto the dry logs, orange flames roared to life. Warmth crashed through the space, silver spikes filling up the holes. Thanking Liz at the same time, camping didn’t feel so crappy after all. Setting Silks by the fireplace, Cal plopped down across from her with the two boxes. Leaning against the beat up leather couch, dust floated into the air the second the top of the boxes flew behind them. Putting her finger up, a brown bag dangled from her fingers. Where did the bag come from? Why even bother asking?

“Sally Sue sent me out with food. How could I say no?” She laughed lightly, scarlet flushing her cheeks. “Let’s eat up and dig through these, ‘kay!” Passing out wrapped sandwiches and bags of chips, Cal and her broke into a pleasant chat. Happy to see her getting along with my best pal, his respect for her had the others on her side on day one. Zoning out while focusing on that gorgeous smile, a snap of fingers whipped me back into reality. Liz hovered next to me, her gentle eyes flitting between Silks and me.

“Sorry for not keeping her safe today.” She apologized sincerely, a single tear glistening on her cheek. Soaking in the orange glow of her form, nothing was her fault. Silks’ determination drove her to the most rash acts, our safety coming first. Shrugging my shoulders, the perfect team was right here.

“Nah, don’t worry about it. The way I see it, our powerhouse is sitting together at the moment. To be fair, Silks was going to show up somehow.” I comforted her with a pat on her back, half of her stress melting away. “Shall we work together from now on to protect her?” Nodding at the same time, Silks calling my name had my breath hitching all over again. Crawling over to me, the weight of her curling into a ball in my arms healed my soul. Snores echoed in my ears, sweet slumber stealing her away. Clutching her salt dough bracelet, Liz stood by to keep watch. Staring out at the raging storm, a new prayer rested on the tip of my tongue. If you are listening, please protect our stupid asses from whatever Hell occurs next.