Chapter 18

Any guesses as to what was on the other side of the door? I'll give you a hint: your guesses are probably wrong. The sight for sure caught me off guard. Because inside this vacant shell of bricks... was a bar.

Yes, this 'abandoned' building housed a thriving pub. One with people, loud music, and one where the windows were intact. How? That is one good fucking question.

Outside, there weren't any cars, any people, any lights or sounds coming from the busted windows. Now, it was like we stepped into a different place. There wasn't one broken window. Not only that, but the high-paned windows were mosaic and red-stained glass. And for loud it was in here... I certainly would have heard the music and voices from the outside, weather the windows were intact or not.

Most tables were occupied, including the long bar-top against the right wall. Exposed light bulbs dotted the copper-plated ceiling, but the sting lights strung behind the bar illuminated everything in a red hue. The walls were covered in strange art, personal pictures, and weird décor like metal street signs and old medieval clothing. There were several religious paintings too. Just as out of place: a pink and silver 50s-style jukebox, playing some heavy rock. Yes, this place gave off one very distinct vibe.

Among the obnoxious people, many sized me up the moment we stepped inside. I received outright stares and smirks. I wish I could have conveyed the same confidence Famine had. Standing tall, he weaved us through the tables like he owned the place. The dark and rough atmosphere forced me to feel a sense of safety in his guiding hand.

My face must have showed I was second-guessing my decision. Once we sat across from each other at a round table, he tried to reassure me. "You don't have to worry. As long as you're with me, you're safe."

"I wouldn't be safe without you?"

"Not here."

"That sure makes me feel better," I mumbled.

"Would a drink make you feel better?" Smoldering gaze in mine, he snapped his fingers. Like a command. It must have rung clear over the noise because a second later, a waitress appeared. "Tanqueray and tonic. For you, doll?"

"I'm... I'm 18."

"You don't have to be 21 to drink here."

I looked between them. Should I even bother asking why anymore? When my surroundings literally made no sense? "Um, I don't know. Amaretto sour?"

Famine seemed intrigued (either by my choice or the fact that I knew enough to have a preference). Honestly, I was just curious if she would actually deliver. Not that a drink didn't sound great either. Don't worry though, guys. I'm not stupid and not a lightweight.

Once she nodded and left, I cocked a brow. "You're a big deal in here then, huh?"

"Big deal?"

I elaborated by mimicking him, snapping my fingers with overdramatic swag.

"What? As a waitress, when someone snaps their fingers, you don't drop everything and run over to serve them?" he asked with a warm tease.

"No, I can't say I do," I smirked. I had to remember to ignore his charm. "I also can't say I've worked anywhere that serve minors. That's... not legal."

"Neither is hiding the body of a young girl."

Chest fumbling, my hands under the table gripped my legs. How did he know? Peter was adamant nobody would ever know. This happened just last night! Ugh, I shouldn't have believed that asshole, I should have known it would get back to me. If Famine blabs, I would be in serious trouble.

Relaxing back in his chair, my lack of a response brought amusement to his face. "You don't actually feel guilty, do you? The girl was strangling you."

"How do you know about that?" Our drinks arrived (mine as well shockingly).

"It's my job to know. I monitor certain people and situations. Like the one you're in."

"Monitor?" I offered a disgusted laugh. "You mean you stalk me too? Inside and outside of dreams?"

"No, I do not stalk you. I'm not pathetic and I have a high level of respect for you. There are other ways I gather my knowledge."

"Well, have you gathered why that chick was trying to kill me?" I asked sharply, running a tense hand through my ringed hair. "You said you would give me answers, you said you want to protect me. You said we can help each other, whatever that even means. So why did she attack me last night?"

With a humored smile, he sipped his drink. As if my question took us into exciting and entertaining territory. Setting his drink aside, resting his arms against the table, his dangerous eyes danced in mine. Something big was flirting behind his daunting front.

"Are you religious, Josephine? Or spiritual in any fashion?"

Oh boy. Where was he going with this?

"Not really. I do hope there is something more though beyond this life. Why?" I asked, taking a sip.

"Well... there is something more," he said, placing emphases on each word. "You don't have to wait until the end of your life to find that out."

"How do you mean?"

His alluring voice paused. Each passing second added momentum and an intensity to the air. There was a reason why he was milking each moment, soaking me in with delighted eyes. Because what he was about to share... what he was building up to... was life-changing.

"The girl that attacked you last night... was a demon."

Well, slap me silly guys! I was trying to be open minded, but come on. "A demon?"

"Yes. Listen carefully," he said, voice shifting to a low tone. "You see, people like yourself are born half blind – and they are born that way for a reason. People are not meant to know the truth of what's out there. The most they can do is have faith something is waiting for them on the other side. But I'm telling you... there is a Heaven and there is a Hell. The girl that attacked you... worked for Hell."

"You start speaking in riddles and metaphors again, I'm going to get pissed."

"I wish I wasn't speaking literally, doll, but I am."

He was serious. Famine answered the million dollar question everyone wondered about. He was stating, as a solid and unmoving fact... that there was more beyond this life. Including demons. My gut reaction to that though: how was I supposed to take such grand words seriously?

"Do you understand how insane you sound? That's like me saying 'bigfoot exists, and we hang out all the time.' Would you believe me if I told you that?"

He couldn't hide a toothy and pretty smile. "I would if the proof is all around me."

"Alright, where is the proof? Where is the proof that the chick that tried killing me worked for Hell?" I scoffed, flustered. "That sounds stupid. You can't even know that! What, she would have received a paycheck from Satan for killing me?"

"Well, it wasn't a regular 9 to 5 – and I don't think Satan has influence in the payroll department – but in a sense, yes."

"You are batshit crazy."

Looking into my eyes, he spoke with a more sincere note. "What other unseen force could have physically grabbed you in the ocean, from under water, and nearly drag you into the depths and drown you? Or what sense is there for someone to stand in the road to make you crash your car? Or strangle you at a party? Those were all demons. Yes, it sounds impossible. So does sitting with someone who visits you in your dreams."

I sighed and closed my eyes for a long moment. That was a good and scary point. Applying the past to the present, I was forced to face the undeniable truth. I came here for answers. I knew they would be difficult and shocking answers. All the unexplained things... were 'unexplained' because there was no logical explanation. Meaning I better get used to accepting illogical explanations. I just... didn't expect something like this.

I took a couple deep breaths. I had to suck it up. I was realistic (and had to accept this could be the truth), but I was not impressionable. I wanted to take everything with a grain of salt. So there were demons, they wanted me dead, big deal, right? Beyond that sucker-punch, was the higher arching bomb he dropped.

"And... Heaven and Hell are real? You actually know this as a fact?" How? True or not, the magnitude made me unable and unworthy to process the scope of it.

He nodded. "It's not just knowing. I manage and deal with these things every day."

"How though? That's not something you can know. People only find out after they die if what they believe is actually true. That's how it works."

"That is how it works, but I'm an exception. I'm integral to the inner workings of these layers. I know the framework of life. I know what happens after life. There is work to be done behind the scenes." He paused in thought, mindlessly fiddling with one of his vest buttons. "You see... there is a huge business aspect to the other side. Things are not black and white. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"I don't even understand how I got my amaretto sour, dude."

"You won't understand a lot right away. This side of reality is cloudy and murky."

Cheeks inflating, I let out a deep exhale. "No offense, but if I hear one more philosophical non-answer, I'm going to lose—."

"I will make this simple then. Heaven is a business.... Hell is its competitor. One stands for good, one stands for evil. Those are their causes and what they fight for. However, to achieve those causes... things get gray. There are politics, dealings, structures, and different laws for each side. There are different motivations and intentions. Fowl-play is a constant on both sides. So weather you serve Heaven or Hell, everyone's hands get dirty. But overall, they have two different agendas. For whatever reason... you are on Hell's agenda."

"Yeah, why? Why me?"

"You are somehow a threat to Hell's cause."

"Yeah right," I laughed, unable to even consider his words. I've been going (rather tripping) with the flow so far, but this reached a new level. "I'm a real and dangerous 'threat' to the underworld and all the fire that burns there, hmm? That is why demons are after me? I am a threat to all of the devil's work?"

"It sounds silly and absurd, but you are dangerous, Josephine. You have qualities and abilities they find threatening. Depending on which team you bat for, your abilities could be seen as a wonderful thing – or something that needs to be snuffed out."

This came from left field. Far from left field. No, this fell from fucking space. He needed to back his ass up. First of all, I was feeling exhausted and drained; probably because he was causing more questions in my already overwhelmed head! Second, how in the world was I supposed to grasp any of this? What about me was a threat?

Before that last part, my mind was already spinning. My perceptions of Heaven and Hell, even though I wasn't religious, were erased and defined in pen. Defined as two active and competing businesses (which blew my expectations out of the water). Because of that, demons wanted me dead. That was a handful and a half already! So add on the reason they want me dead... it was too much. Too crazy. Each grain of salt started to become smaller and smaller....

I could only stare at the smugness on his face. It was almost as if his brown eyes gained more life from this conversation. Then again, I would take pleasure in revealing this whole other reality to someone too.

Time to come back to my reality first. "Listen, I am not saying you are lying. Clearly, impossible shit is possible. It's just... that is really out there, like Heaven and Hell. They are competing businesses like Apple versus Android or McDonalds vs. an evil Burger King. And now, on top of that, I have 'abilities' that threaten evil BK so they need to take my ass out? I—"

"Those are exceptionally flawed comparisons."

"Whatever. I'm just... I... don't know what to believe." Rubbing my temples, I sighed.

Thriving from this, he leaned in closer, voice soft and adoring. "Doll. I know this is a tough pill to swallow, but you need to. Okay?"

Breath catching, I stared at him. I could see the scary truth in his eyes. I could see he meant every word. It derailed my mind... made my gut sink. This really was true. Famine was removing a blindfold I never knew was there. Now, I just had to learn how to open my new eyes.

"Whether you accept it or not, you need to know what's out there. There are angels, demons, and complicated things in between. They aren't in the sky, in your church, or in your head. They're physically in your life, secretly interfering... and have powers that negate everything you thought existed in life."

"Wait. So there are things besides demons that look human, but aren't?"

He nodded. "There are many different beings. They blend in, look just like me and you."

"What else is out there? What do they want?" Despite getting my world turned upside down about five different times since we sat down... that may be the creepiest revelation. Who have I passed in the street that wasn't a real person?

"It depends on who they are. It depends on what they are. They all have their own motives." Speaking more intimately, he stressed his next words. "One of these beings tried to kill you last night. Two of these monsters are keeping tabs on you."

Famine was dropping bomb after bomb on me. Probably because this was normal stuff for him. Probably because he was enjoying my shocked expression. Those last words definitely kept my bewilderment going too. Two monsters keeping tabs....

"Peter and Jamie," I whispered.

"They are not human. Remember that."

"They're... they're not?"

"No. I couldn't give you any details before with them around either."

"What are they then? Demons too?"

"No, but they may as well be. They are scum, a waste, a complete nuisance," he said evenly, but venom was leaking into his tone. "Jaime is basically a meaningless mutt who is overdue to be put down. Peter is the most pitiful fallen angel you'll ever meet and a complete embarrassment to his own community."

There were obviously underlying issues between Famine and the two brothers. But within those metaphor-laced insults was an answer. An answer I did not expect. "Wait.... Peter, the rude and bitter asshole, is an angel?" I snorted.

"Fallen angel. He's like the opposite of an angel," he said with humored disdain. "Which better explains his jaded, uncaring, not-so-angelic personality."

Peter had been such a huge mystery to me. For all the strange happenings, I never expected him to be a fallen angel (whatever that actually meant). Hell, I didn't expect any of this. However, I was more struck by the disgust in Famine's voice. Believe it or not, their potential drama was more intriguing to me than Peter being otherworldly. Then again, I felt somewhat... numb to everything he dropped on me. It was all overwhelming and disorienting. I would have to stomach it all later. But I was also so... weirdly exhausted and tired.

I shifted my aching body and propped an arm against the table. "What's your beef with him? He's an asshole, but he's saved me."

"Yes, he's protecting you. For now. He'll toss you aside without a thought – or try and use you and your abilities for his own purposes. Sure, it's better than getting killed by demons... but he is not your safe haven. A rancher raises and fattens his cattle for a reason."

For once, I understood that last analogy – and it was disturbing. I watched him for a long moment. "Whether today or tomorrow... the slaughterhouse is on my radar."

"Precisely."

"All because I have 'abilities' that don't exist?" I exclaimed.

"You do though."

What was he talking about?! "But I don't! My 'powerful abilities' consist of running fast and never getting sick of pop-tarts. Oh, and I can bend my arm at a weird angle. Because of those stellar qualities, everyone wants me dead or to use me? What's so special?"

"I actually don't believe I have had a case more special than yours. I have no idea what your abilities are, and I should. It's usually very obvious."

"You're somehow able to see them when you look at someone?"

"Yes. You're an enigma. There are walls around you, which is not normal. I don't know what abilities hide behind those walls, but they are clearly there."

Alright guys, we already went off the deep end, but I guess we were going even deeper. So, I would officially like to welcome you to 'The Infinite Deep End.' Have fun (and beware of demons drowning you, by the way). This was getting so weird.

"If you can't recognize my abilities, how do you know I have them? How can you tell?"

"It's not a coincidence I visited your dreams the first night you moved here. I sensed something powerful enter my district. Unfortunately, others also sensed you. Like the Ellisons. Like those demons. The energy and color of your aura give it away too. It shows you have a dangerous level of mental reach."

His husky voice was inviting. I took in his toned arms under his sleeves, but promptly looked away. "You can see auras?"

"Yes. Auras reflect everything about a person. They are quite beautiful."

I tried ignoring his effect on me. My head was already a congested mess without meeting those deep round eyes. Why did I have more questions when the answers I already received were hard enough? Why was I too dazed to think of them? Why was I still so scared, but too invested to bother leaving? Plus... why were my muscles aching and my eyes heavy? I was getting more and more tired. I blinked and shifted my weight. Wow, I was even more sore than before.

"Why do I feel so tired and weak?" A tinge of fear ran through my body. "Did you put something in my drink?"

The table felt even smaller. He leaned forward, face just inches away. "No, I did not, doll. You still have no faith in my intentions to keep you safe," he whispered, reaching forward to rest his thumb and index finger under my chin. "Let your anxiety go. Let me take care of you."

Taking a shaky breath in, his cologne was spicy and floral. I loved it. I loved how close he was, but I hated it too. He was terrifying, yet wonderful. That dangerous vibe was present, but so was his reassuring seductive voice and eyes. It made me want to throw everything and all I was worth away just to make this moment last. But that was a foreign feeling, one I refused to accept. What was happening? What was he doing to me? This was not natural.

Looking down, I abruptly leaned away. "What are you doing to me?"

He also sat back in his chair, offering his open palm to me. "Don't be scared. Take my hand again and you'll feel better. I'll make you strong. Trust me, doll."

"You said you would answer anything. What's with the hand thing?" I demanded.

"I can give back some of the energy you're losing. This place tends to be draining for humans."

"No, there's more to it. You had me take your hand before we came in here. And you wanted me to take your hand before in my dreams." Several times at that.

"Physical contact can do multiple things. Aside from transferring energy, it can help better read or sense people. It might help me pinpoint what your abilities are, the cause and why they are so dangerous. Might help us figure out why you were never a target before you moved here. So if you take my hand, I can make you feel better and hopefully realize how to solve your problem."

I studied his open hand. It was too alluring, too convincing. He was over-stimulating – maybe just because I had no energy compared to him. It was hard to even contemplate what he was revealing. I was so weak! I took his hand earlier anyway, so what could it hurt? With an exhausted breath, I placed my palm in his again.

There was no static shock like earlier. There was... nothing. Nothing happened. Well, nothing that I was aware of. His face remained blank too. He held my hand for a long minute, as if waiting for something.

Finally, he let out a humorless hum. "You truly are a mystery, doll." Then, when he withdrew his strong hand... a chunk of my remaining energy disappeared with it.

The moment my fingers were free from his, my eyes burned from tiredness. Shoulders sagging, a rough breath slid from my lungs! My muscles ached more. Fuck, I almost felt sick. "You said you'd give me energy, not take more from me," I breathed unevenly.

"You said you don't have a clue what's happening."

My half-shut eyes grew. "I don't! I have no idea!"

"Why can't I read you?" The chestnut color in his narrow eyes were strangely brighter. "I should have access. No, I do have access, but something is blocking me. It's not natural either. What have you done?"

"What? Nothing... I-I don't understand. What could I have done? I don't even know anything about this. Jesus, you said you would make me feel better...." I trailed off.

He said nothing for a moment, instead just watching me with a frustrated focus, but also confusion. All the while, I tried not to panic. I tried to stay calm, but my body and eyes were heavy. God, why did I come here? Why was I so stupid? My arms, my eyes, my body took on added weight. I wanted to sink to the floor, sleep, and maybe get sick.

Over the chatter, over the low rock music... a loud slam echoed behind me. Weakly glancing over my shoulder, the pub door whipped open and half knocked off the hinges. I'm not sure if it was my growing aches or the sight of the source, but my stomach flopped.

It was Peter.