Demon Hunters (40 page)

“She could have at least tried.”

“How about you?”

“How about me what?”

“Dating. Do you date?”

“Not very often these days. It’s so hard to
weed out the freaks. And then the time comes when I have to tell
them who I am and after that, it pretty much goes to Hell.” I
notice Mike looking around the apartment with some degree of
curiosity. “You like the decor?”

“Oh. Yes, it’s just your place isn’t like I
thought it would be.”

“How did you think it’d be?”

“I don’t know. Maybe a little more? It just
seems very sterile and minimal.”

“I don’t like clutter, frankly. I like
coming home to a nice, clean looking apartment. The less crap you
have, the cleaner it looks.”

“I get that, I just think it’s the little
touches that make a home warm and inviting. Not that your place
isn’t!”

“It’s all right. I guess it’s just something
I don’t think about too seriously.” I say. Mike is looking at me
very thoughtfully.

“You seem very dark.”

“Do I?”

“Yeah. I notice a lot of people acting like
that. I think it’s this rain. They say weather can affect people’s
moods.”

“I go along with that. Although sometimes I
think it’s the other way ‘round.”

“What do you mean?” He asks. Somehow I’m
thrilled he wants to hear my theory.

“Think about it like this. If the clouds
above can make us sad, why can’t it work the other way? I believe
the world is one, large living thing and I know it may sound like
some backwards thinking, new age crap, but sometimes I think we, as
a small part of it, can affect the Earth.”

“We can change the weather?”

“I know. Stupid theory.”

“I don’t know. I kind of like it. For all we
know, you may be right.”

“Maybe, but probably not. Besides, it
doesn’t matter. It’s still raining now.” I say as I take a sip from
my cup.

“I was told once that when it rains, the
water comes down and washes away all the bad. Then the sun comes
out and it’s like life itself has been washed clean. A new
beginning.”

“That sounds nice and I’m sure it helps
those who need to believe such things, but the bottom line is
weather is just weather.”

“Do you think it’ll ever clear up? I’ve
never heard of a rainstorm lasting this long before.”

“I’m sure it will. Probably sometime around
my birthday.”

“Why do you say that?”

“The sun has always shined on my
birthday.”

“When’s your birthday? When can I expect to
see the sun again?” He says and flashes a smile at me.

“Two weeks from this Friday.”

“I won’t dare ask how old you’ll be. But if
you want to tell me...”

“Twenty five, as a matter of fact.” I say
proudly.

“Wow. I wouldn’t have guessed that.”

“Because I look so much younger or
older?”

“Younger. Definitely younger.”

“Thanks.” I notice Mike has been fidgeting
for a while. He seems uncomfortable for some reason. “Are you all
right?”

“Fine. Really.”

“You seem a little on edge.”

“It’s just, there’s something I need to tell
you.” He says in a familiar tone.

“You’re gay.”

“What?”

“It’s okay. I’m cool with it. I shouldn’t
have just assumed you were straight. Figures. Finally meet someone
decent and he plays for the other team.”

“I’m not gay. And thanks, by the way. No, I
need to talk to you about my job.”

“At the law office?”

“I kind of lied. I don’t work at a law
office.”

“Where do you work?”

“The Church Of Corba.” He says through
clenched teeth. The words shoot through me like ice. I set my cup
down.

“Get out.”

“Larissa, wait.”

“Get out of my house now!”

“You don’t understand!”

“I told you guys to keep the Hell away from
me! I don’t want anything to do with my father or his church!” I
bark. Mike is making no movement toward the door, so I help him. I
grab his neck and yank him to his feet and drag him over to the
door.

“He’s been asking for you!” Mike shouts. I
stop.

“Who?”

“Who do you think? The Savior. Your father.”
I release Mike and he steps away quickly.

“What does he want?”

“You said your twenty-fifth birthday was
coming up, right?”

“Yeah. So?”

“The Savior prophesied that upon your
twenty-fifth birthday, you will be the one to open a gate that will
usher in a new golden age for Earth. He needs you. The world needs
you.”

“Don’t make it sound so grandiose.”

“It is! This storm is just the beginning of
your father’s prophecy. He said a great, dark and cold storm would
plague the sky. Then, when his daughter reaches her twenty-fifth
year, she would be the one to open the door to the light and begin
an age of new prosperity and life.”

“And if I don’t?”

“This storm will only go on and grow
stronger until the world dies.”

“It’s just been cloudy for a few weeks. It’s
hardly the beginning of the end.”

“Perhaps, but what I’ve been taught to
believe is that this storm is the first step to a major crossroad
for all of humanity. It may just be the ramblings of a crazy man,
but what if it isn’t? What if he’s right? Couldn’t you at least
force yourself to meet with him and hear his side of this?”

“They sent you here on purpose. You don’t
live in this building, do you?”

“No. The church owns the apartment. They
just sent me to make contact.”

“God damn it!”

“I’m sorry for the deception, but I do like
you! In these few minutes, I have seen the wonderful, interesting
person you really are and I am asking you to meet with The Savior,
if only as a favor to me.”

“A favor to you? Why would I do a favor for
you? You’ve just been sitting here in my living room, wolfing down
my cookies and lying to my face!”

“Everything else I’ve told you is the
absolute truth! I just didn’t think you’d talk to me if you knew I
worked for the church.”

“You were right about that at least. Get
out!” I say as I hold the door open for Mike. He trudges towards
the hall, but turns quickly and pulls out a business card.

“If you change your mind. He’s ready to see
you anytime. No appointment needed.” I take the card from him and
look at it. Jake Corba. The Savior.

“Well, isn’t that big of him!” I say as I
tear the card and toss it to the floor. I slam the door against
Mike’s face and I wait until I hear his door close before locking
it.

When It Rains, It Pours

I wake up the next morning to the sound of
rain beating on my window. I pull myself out of bed and pad to the
window and look out at my patch of view. A thick downpour is
falling on the city. I peer down to the street and I can see how
hard the drops are pounding down. I sigh to myself. I feel heavier.
I guess I’m still a little disappointed by Mike. Just as I was
letting myself believe I had met a real human being, he had to pull
that crap with my father. Damn it! Okay. Put it away. I guess I’ll
have hamburgers for dinner tonight. I can take my frustrations out
on the ground beef. I look over my shoulder to see that I got up
ten minutes before I had to. I don’t want to go back to bed, so I
guess I’ll just get a head start on my day.

As I emerge from the shower, I hear that the
rain hasn’t eased but I feel a little better after washing. I
quickly dress and head out to the kitchen. I get out a bowl and
pour some cereal for breakfast. I feel a twinge of regret as I
begin to realize I have to go out in the rain to get to work. I
really wish I hadn’t blown all my sick days on that trip to Vegas
last month. I begin to eat and realize I didn’t have my coffee. I
turn to the coffeemaker but the pot is gone. I turn back to the
living room and I remember I didn’t put the coffee away after Mike
left. I was just too mad to bother with it. I figure I can just get
a small cup from the vendor outside my office building.

I grab my umbrella and hurry out the door. I
can’t help but stop when I notice Mike’s door just a few feet away.
I stand there, as if hoping it’ll open and I’ll see him. Maybe if
he sees me, he’ll try to convince me again to go see dad. I don’t
know why I want him to, but I feel that tug. I’m brought back to
reality by the sharp tone of another door slamming. I turn and see
Mr. Bradley storming out of his place and down to the elevator.
Mike probably left last night anyway, so I get on my way. As I walk
out, I can barely hear the traffic over the rain. I open my
umbrella and step out into the thick of it. It’s coming down harder
than it ever has before. I can see the gutters are beginning to
overflow already. I get caught up in the foot traffic as I head
toward my subway station. I feel like I’m caught in a herd of
grumbling monsters. I break from the pack and find a clear spot
just next to the stairs leading down to the subway platform. I look
up at the sky and the clouds are looking even darker. I thought I
had seen a patch of blue yesterday on my lunch hour, but if I had,
it was long gone now. It was just a few shades away from being as
dark as night. I continue on my way down.

As I get out of the rain, I quickly fold my
umbrella away, but I’m amazed that I can still hear the rain coming
down from above. As my train comes and everyone piles in as they
always do, I begin to think about what Mike said the night before.
I find a seat rather easily, since it’s so much earlier than
normal. I hadn’t heard of any prophecies before, not that I ever
paid much attention. I know I eschewed Mike the other night, but he
was right. The rain has been hanging around for an unnaturally long
time and it’s just getting worse. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to at
least see dad. Hear him out. If nothing else, I can just say no to
whatever he’s bound to ask of me. I hate doubt. I’ve lived most of
my life knowing what is fact and never questioning that, but once
in a while a little sliver of doubt manages to slip in and as sure
as I am the world is not ending, there’s that little bit of me that
wonders if it really is, and if it is, I feel a little obligated to
do something about it, if I can.

I walk into the office and it’s quiet.
Quieter than normal. I find my desk and start up my computer. It
hums to life. I still can’t hear anything. Usually Julia in the
cubicle next to me is on her phone laughing and giggling with
whomever she’s talking to. I expected to see her. She’s the
resident early bird. No matter how early I get here, she’s always
here first. I also notice my supervisor Larry Pinter is missing. I
get up and peer over to his office at the other end of the room.
The light is out. I walk over and notice that he’s not in. He
should be in, since his day always starts two hours earlier than
mine. I hear my phone begin to ring. I race over and grab it.

“Apex Computers. How may I serve you?” I ask
as I fall into my chair.

“Larissa? It’s Larry.”

“Boss man. Where are you?”

“At home. I had a feeling no one told
you.”

“Told me what?”

“Apex is caput.”

“Excuse me?”

“They moved all their customer service over
to Tel Aviv.”

“We’re fired?”

“Repurposed. They said they’d find us new
positions in the company, but you know how that goes, right?”

“We’re fired.”

“Right. Sorry. I just called your place but
when you didn’t answer, I figured you came in to work.”

“Yeah. Silly me.”

“I’m sorry. I really am. Your severance
check should come in the mail in the next couple days.”

“How can they do this? One day we’re working
and the next day they box it all off?”

“This stuff moves fast, babe. Maybe they’ll
find a place for you somewhere.”

“Yeah, right.”

“I don’t know what to tell you.”

“Nothing. It’s been fun, Larry. I’ll see you
around. I guess.” I say and hang up. I let out an internal scream.
I forced myself up early and fought my way across town just to find
out my job has left the building. I grab my purse and storm out. I
decide since I’m in the neighborhood, I might as well get something
to eat. I’ve already burned up that bowl of cereal. I head down the
street to a small cafe I go to when I have some extra time. I walk
in and quickly notice it’s also empty as a tomb, with only one soul
behind the counter. A kindly old woman with silver and black hair
tied up in a tight bun on top of her head. Her smile is warm and
gracious as I walk in. I think I’ve seen her here before. I think
she’s the proprietor's mother.

“Can I get you something?”

“Yeah, thanks. Could I get the Eggs
Benedict? And coffee.”

“All right. Coming up.” She says brightly. I
turn with a smile and find a table near the dessert case. It’s
early, but since I’ve been fired, there’s no reason I can’t enjoy
some cheesecake before noon. I look outside and notice the rain has
lightened considerably. I hope it lasts until I’m ready to head
back home. I hear some sounds in the kitchen so I’m hoping my food
is coming soon, but I’m already bored. I pick up my purse from the
floor and start going through it. It’s like cleaning out a desk. I
usually always find some silly thing I thought I had lost years
ago. I sift through my crap and discover a business card. It looks
like the one Mike gave me last night, but I hadn’t torn this one
up. I look at it thoughtfully. It’s weird to look at my dad’s name.
It’s familiar but alien to me all at once. No one calls him Jake
anymore, I suppose. When they refer to him in my presence, they
always call him The Savior, but that was a long time ago. As I look
at the card, I can’t help but remember. My fifth birthday is the
one that sticks out the most.

It was my first party. I still remember what
a big deal he made of it. The house was done up like some kind of
fairy tale fantasy with crepe paper and balloons everywhere. All
the kids from my class came and Uncle Ivar was dressed like some
kind of mountain monster and greeted them outside the front door.
‘None may pass without a gift for Princess Larissa’ he would say.
Mom and dad were done up like a king and queen and of course I was
dressed like a princess, but it wasn’t some cheap Halloween costume
princess getup. It was a custom tailored dress made special for me.
The wand was glass with a crystal star on the tip and my crown was
laced with pure silk ribbons. Needless to say, everyone thought I
had about the coolest dad on Earth after that day. I thought I did.
I remember the whole day in some kind of candy colored light and as
time goes by, the memory gets sweeter, which makes my return to
reality all the harsher.