A Demon Made Me Do It(18)

Tatiana makes a clucking noise and scoops up some mashed potatoes. “She has her talents and you have yours. So tell me, how was your day? Better than yesterday?” She has an odd smile on her face.

Sometimes I wonder just how much Tatiana knows that she doesn’t let on. I know she has the freaky ability to sense anything that moves, human or not, and can read the energies of clothes, even down to knowing what color and material they are. I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me if she knows I’m obsessing on something.

“Today was…okay,” I say. “No hostile takeovers.”

“How are classes going?”

“Fine. Same. Boring.” As much as I want to not think about the horrifying news article, I can’t shake it from my mind. Sighing, I put down my drumstick. “Tat, what do you know about the murders in Pine Canyon? I read about them online and it’s just awful. Is it anything… supernatural?”

She lets out a long breath and stands up. Walking over to the window she wrings her hands nervously. Now I wish I hadn’t asked.

“I, too, have seen the death. I wish I could say it was a random act of human on human violence, but I fear it’s not. There is a blackness surrounding the poor souls, and I am unable to decipher the meaning or motivations behind the actions. I do not know what caused it, nor why. I only see an impenetrable darkness.”

My heart starts racing. Tatiana usually tries to keep me in the dark about demonic activity, or at least use gentle euphemisms—like referring to Michael and Kayla’s murders as “the unfortunate incident”.

“Am I in danger?” I ask, not sure I want to hear her answer. But, really, when am I not in danger? Lucky risks our lives with alarming regularity.

“I do not see this as a threat to you at this time. Perhaps it will be an isolated unfortunate event. Of course, if anything changes you will be the first to know and I will implement safeguards.”

“Okay, sure, whatever you say.” I can’t eat anything more so I clear away the plates and give her a kiss on the cheek. “I better get going. See you tomorrow.” I grab the bag of money and the keys to my Mustang.

The afternoon sun is beginning its final descent on the horizon. I jump in my car, crank up the stereo, and speed off down the dirt road.

******





This main stretch winding through the heart of Dove Creek is the only source of commerce for miles. Besides the bank, there’s a movie rental place, a pizza parlor and ice cream shop, and a few novelty stores that specialize in hunting and fishing.

Several people are milling along the sidewalk, so I lean back in the driver’s seat and make myself comfortable. I still have a few more minutes, but I really hope the dinner crowd disperses before it’s time for me to change. I can’t do it in the car…She won’t bother to lock it up or leave the keys in a safe place. Usually I go to the alley behind the bank to transform, but right now there are too many people. Damn Pizza Pete’s and their Tuesday night special.

After a few minutes the crowd thins. My plan is to sit on the bench until I feel Her approach, then move into the alley way. No problem.

I lock the car and make my way across the street. Then, I spot Kieron walking down the sidewalk.

Oh, no. No no no!

He hasn’t seen me yet…at least I don’t think so. But I have to get away; I can’t let him see me this close to a transformation. Who knows what Lucky will say or do? Especially if Kieron tries to talk to her like she’s me. At best, she’ll laugh in his face. At worst…ugh, I don’t even want to imagine...

He stops and looks inside the window of The Stinky Fish Bait & Tackle. I dodge into the alleyway, press my back against the side wall and hold my breath. Then I start thinking—the bait shop is closed; he’s not going in there. So unless he turns to go into the bank, he’s most likely heading to either the movie rental or pizza place. That means he’ll have to walk right past me. Crap! All it will take is one little glance in this direction and he’ll see me cowering like a cornered rat…

I need to hide.

But there’s nowhere to go. The alley is a dead end. If I go back on the street he’ll surely see me. She’s only seconds away from coming, and so is he. And I will do anything in my power to prevent the two of them from meeting.

I have no choice.

Darting over to the enormous grey trash dumpster against the back wall, I struggle to lift its heavy lid. It falls on my fingers, and I have to bite my lip to keep from crying out. I have to get in.

Finally, I manage to open it wide enough to squeeze inside. “I’m so sorry, Lucky,” I whisper. I don’t even want to think about what I’m sitting on, much less what Lucky will do when she sees where I’ve left her. As the stench of rotting garbage fills my nostrils, I take a last quick breath of fresh air and close the lid.