Perry, I heard a voice. It came from behind me and yet it came from everywhere. At first I wouldn’t let myself believe in it, believe I could be hearing it.
But she spoke again, her voice drifting softly through my head like feathers. Perry.
I swallowed and gingerly turned over on my back.
The door had returned to normal and in front of it was Pippa.
Pippa!
I couldn’t believe my eyes but there she was. She was faint, looking more like a hologram than anything real, but she was there, glowing wildly.
“You’re here,” I said before I lapsed into a coughing fit.
She nodded, giving me a sweet smile that was laced with worry. Use your inside voice. Save your strength.
I understood. Okay. What are you doing here? I thought I’d never see you again.
I’m not really here, she said, and when she caught the confused look on my face, she quickly elaborated. I have moved on but…I thought I could help. I can help. I can push through, make holes from where I am into this part of the Veil. I can take people, demons, away.
Where are you?
I am in death, she said but she said it with a smile. Almost at peace.
Except for this whole thing.
There will be peace when I help you. I had warned you this would happen. I knew to expect it, even though I didn’t want to believe it.
Yes, well her warning was rather cryptic but I didn’t bring that up.
Do you know where Dex is? I asked as I got to my feet. Please tell me you do, I thought, that isn’t all for nothing.
She nodded. He is upstairs, but he is not alone. This is your Hell, Perry, and it’s his too, and the ones that brought him here will use what scares you to kill you, to keep you here. They know you are coming. They planned it this way.
Why? I cried out. Why do this? Why us?
Because sometimes…there are energies that just want to destroy. They aren’t picky. It all brings them pleasure and strength. And, of course, you’re both very powerful, very unique. You’re something they covet. They always have. Why do you think you both have seen so much while others haven’t?
That means they have coveted you too.
I could have sworn she blushed, like it was a compliment. I suppose for her, there wasn’t really much to fear anymore.
They did, of course they did. And I still have some aspects they desire, but they know now they can’t have them. In peace you can’t be touched. But I can surely touch them.
Her face fell, her eyes turning grave, and despite her serious expression, I was struck by how pretty she was. Unlike the last time I had seen her, now she was looking younger and vibrant, even as she was transparent. Peace suited her.
We must go, she said. And you must block your thoughts. No matter what you see, what things they have arranged, do not let them hear or sense your fear. I will take care of everything. All you have to do is get Dex and run for the door.
What door?
You’ll know it when you see it. I’ll created a distraction, and if I can destroy the demons, I’ll do that as well.
Michael?
Michael is an angel’s name, she said sharply. This is a demon. And if you don’t do as I say, he will keep you here as he has kept Dex.
Glowing and brilliant, she turned to the door and it opened before her. She stepped through it, floating a few inches above the ground like a radiant ghost.
Wait! I cried after her and she quickly swiveled her head around to give me a look. Sorry, I thought, reminding myself to concentrate, to imagine walls up around my mind, blinders around my thoughts.
I caught up to her and she began to ascend the stairs, I asked, What happens after? When I get him out? Will he be okay?
She didn’t answer at first until we made it to the second level, a foyer of wriggling kelp strands, twisting around each other like snakes. I kept my eyes away from them, they were only there to scare me.
As we climbed up the next flight she said, He is stronger than you think. He should be okay.
I didn’t like the sound of “should.” And the demon? If you don’t destroy him?
He will be weakened, that will be for certain. I will do my best, what I can from where I am.
And if you can’t? I pressed. Then what? What can I do to protect ourselves on the other side?
Kill the body and the head will die, she said after a moment. I was reminded of what Maximus said, his theory that if Michael had been inside of Dex while Dex killed himself, that would have killed Michael too. Of course, that didn’t seem to be the case here.
Are you ready? she asked.
I wasn’t. You couldn’t be ready for something like this. But I nodded anyway.
We went up the stairs, her floating waves of gold a few feet in front of me. I stayed as far behind as I could without losing sight of her and I worked on holding up those invisible walls.