━━ CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE / body
episode five, part one

Once they returned back to Portland Row, Demi headed straight upstairs. She had initially intended to go straight to her own room but as she stood in the room with her pyjamas in hand, she didn't want to be there. And so she went down to Lockwood's room. He wasn't in there so she decided to get change, ready to collapse into his bed the second that she had.

But it was as she pulled her shirt off - with her pyjama pants already firmly on - that the door flew open and she let out a yelp of Lockwood's name, turning away from the door completely. Thankfully, she still had a bra on.

"Sorry, I didn't realise you were in here," Lockwood stumbled out as he firmly closed the door behind him. Demi ran her fingers through her hair, squeezing her eyes shut. It suddenly felt like a horrific idea to come into Lockwood's room to sleep. The guilt was eating her up for shouting at him but she knew that it was needed.

"Yeah, I-" She tried, stumbling over her words and suddenly she didn't know what to do with herself, "Do you want me to-?" But before she could finish her sentence, Lockwood had cut her off with a very stern; "No."

Demi nodded and she reached over to the bed, grabbing her pyjama shirt. She then went to pull it over her head and Lockwood instantly noticed the bruises on her wrist. It was like someone had gripped her arm, he could see the hand marks across her forearm and his mind went to the worst place. Chase.

"What's wrong with your wrist?" He asked as he walked over. Demi pulled the shirt over her head before she whirled around to face him. She forced a nonchalant look onto her face, wanting to just ignore it and how much it hurt.

"Oh, uhm, I think I bruised it at the cemetery? The... uhm, visitor did it, I think. It's all sort of hazy," She mumbled out. Lockwood's eyebrows furrowed. He didn't believe that for a minute. The way she was stumbling over her words was always a tell when she was trying to cover something up and he reached out for her face.

His left hand cupped her cheek as he tilted her head up so that they met gazes, "You don't have to lie," He mumbled. Demi's eyebrows furrowed and she averted her gaze for a moment before he gently stroked her cheek.

"I'm not. It was hurting when we went to get George, I just didn't want to say anything," She responded and he could tell that that was the truth. After everything that they had talked about only a few hours earlier, he knew that she didn't have the heart to lie to him. He drew her into a hug and she buried her face in his chest.
"Why didn't you say anything?" He asked curiously. Demi didn't really know what to say, so just stayed pressed against him for another few moments. She was squeezing him with her good arm, she needed the comfort. After her conversation with Chase, she needed to know that someone still cared for her. Even when she was rash and stupid.

"It's just another thing to add to the list," She admitted, an awkward chuckle leaving her lips. He nodded and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

"Do you need any painkillers?" It was such a soft question but Demi shook her head. They had already stopped dulling the pain that seemed to throb through her body at any given moment so there was no point, "Are you sure it's not ghost-touch?" There was more worry in the way he said it and Demi nodded.

"I'd be dead if it was. Do- do you want to look?" She asked, her words muffled against his chest still.

"Please." Demi then pulled back and she pulled her sleeve up over the bruise. It was still the same. A harsh mark, like someone had gripped onto her forearm. It was like someone had tried to drag her, he could see the finger marks, "Did you feel it?" Demi nodded.

"Uhm, yeah, when you had to help me up at the very start is when I felt it the first time but then when the Source was uncovered, I felt it again. It was stronger the second time. He was angry and I could hear screaming. A lot of screaming," Demi explained, stumbling over her words a little. She felt awkward and she just couldn't shake it. Like she should have told Lockwood this earlier but she knew that it didn't matter now. It wouldn't have been useful. What Demi felt was just what everyone else had felt, she was just lucky enough not to pass out.

"Are you sure you want to go out on this case?" Demi nodded again and he sighed, almost wanting to force her to stay home and rest. But he knew better. They needed her and she needed him. Even when she was angry at him, they needed each other.

"Do you want to get some sleep?" She asked. Lockwood nodded and he finally let go of the brunette. She stepped back and brushed her hair behind her ear before she looked up at him, smiling softly. He had a way of calming her anxiety down and she was so glad of it. It never fixed it. It never made it better but it made it manageable.

"Get in, I'll join you in a minute," He retorted. Demi nodded and she clambered under the covers, snuggling up to the pillow while Lockwood headed downstairs to get Demi a glass of water, like he always did now.

Demi hadn't really been able to sleep as much as she had tried to. Even with Lockwood snuggled up to her and his fingers running through her hair in that simple but comforting way, it didn't help. She was restless and she hated it. The pain wasn't helping either. The constant dull ache that seemed to spike up whenever she shifted in the wrong way left her with so much anxiety. It was infuriating so after some interrupted sleep, she slipped out of Lockwood's arms early in the morning.

There was a grunt of annoyance from him but he seemed to roll over and fall back asleep, without even noticing the loss. Demi was glad because she knew that she would feel guilty otherwise.

The brunette headed to the shower first and once she was done with that, changed into a fresh set of clothes. Loose denim jeans and a white t-shirt, coupled with her green jacket (as always). Then, she picked up her black converse and slipped them on. Once she was sure she looked decent enough to face humanity, she headed downstairs to make breakfast for her - and maybe Lockwood. Though he would probably want to rush out whenever he had woken up and got ready.

So, she opted for two slices of toast but when she walked down into the kitchen, Lucy was sitting, staring at the skull. She looked annoyed, as if she was trying to suss the skull out. As if the skull had done something to greatly offend her, Demi ignored the look in favour of making her toast.

"Did you even go to sleep?" Demi asked curiously as she snatched up two slices from the packet. She dropped them in the toaster and put it down before she turned around to face the brunette, who had lifted her chin off the table now.

"Yeah. Slept a bit," Lucy mumbled dismissively. Demi narrowed her eyes, not believing that for a second. Not that she was much better, but that was besides the point, "I made coffee. Do you want some?" Lucy asked. Demi thought it over before nodding. Lucy grabbed the mug while Demi grabbed the milk and sugar. Demi hated the bitterness of coffee. She hated the smell but she needed it if she was going to make it through the day.

"Has it said anything else?" Demi asked curiously as Lucy poured the coffee. The toast popped at the same moment and she twisted around, going to butter it while Lucy put a dash of milk and three sugars into the mug for Demi.
"No. Not yet. I'm trying," Lucy responded, a small frown appearing on her lips. Demi glanced back, noticing how annoyed at herself Lucy seemed to be. Demi hated that. She was the strongest Listener that any of them had come across and she could talk to Type Threes. Only Marisa Fittes could do that. She was extraordinary.

"Do you think it knows something about Bickerstaff?" Demi wanted to try and distract from the conversation regarding the Skull but she had to know. It was important especially if they were going to beat Kipps in this stupid bet that Lockwood had set. Demi supported him, as she always did, but it was still stupid. She wasn't at all surprised that George was annoyed about it.

"I'm not sure," Lucy admitted as she picked up the coffee and took it over to Demi. She placed it down next to Demi's plate and the girl gave her a soft smile in return, "If it does, I'll get it out of it." The determination in which she spoke made Demi smile a little wider. That was the kind of attitude she expected from Lucy.

"I'm sure you will, I have faith in you," Demi insisted which made Lucy smile. The brunette moved back to the table and Demi began to sip her coffee and eat her toast, leaning back against the counter. Lucy was staring at the skull again but Demi wasn't quite sure whether it was talking or not. It didn't seem active so she merely assumed not.
"I was wondering where you'd gone," Lockwood said suddenly, the door to the kitchen opening. His gaze was clearly on Demi and she sent him a half-smile in response. That familiar guilt churning in her gut again. Lockwood then looked away from Demi and seemed to notice that Lucy was there, "Oh, hey Luce." He crossed the kitchen to the fridge and grabbed some juice from inside.

"Hi." Lucy's response was a little clipped but she didn't seem all that annoyed. She was definitely more annoyed at herself. But now that the trio were in the kitchen together, it wasn't long until George came in and after a small spat between George and Lockwood - which Lucy placed peacemaker on - they headed back to the cemetery.

They had to stop off for George's coffee on the way but it was mostly without a hitch until they reached Kensal Green Cemetery. And as the quartet headed down the path towards the Chapel, a DEPRAC van was zooming down the road.

"Oh shit, there goes our edge," Lockwood said as Kipps and Kat walked out from the other side of the van. Demi's frown deepened and she suddenly had the incessant want to punch one of them in the face. Kipps deserved it after the shit he had spewed last night but she held herself back as they continued to walk.

"Afternoon, Tony," Kipps said. He just couldn't resist but Demi tried to ignore him. Taking another step forward, not even giving him the time of day.

"Piss off, Kipps. We're busy," Lockwood responded and that made Demi smile. They were busy and they were going to blow this case wide open long before the other lot did. They had too much ego and as much as she wanted to see Erin succeed, the conversation with Chase left her wanting him to fail more than ever.

"Kat and I were just wondering, when you lose this case and your little mates have to crawl under their rocks," Kipps began as he bashed Lockwood's shoulder as they walked past each other. His tone was full of arrogance and so when he finished with; "What are you gonna do by yourself in that big, empty house of yours?" The annoyance had fully taken root in Demi's bones. Both Kipps and Kat had stopped as the quartet continued to walk towards the Chapel. But Demi suddenly turned around.

"Breaks my heart," Kat said sarcastically. Demi's glare landed on Kipps and the trio came to a stop a few steps behind Demi. She had gone a little closer to the pair of Fittes agents, her hands balled at her sides.

"Say that again, Kipps, go on," Demi snapped as she watched him. There was a protectiveness to the way she spoke. A bite to her tone and she knew that she would do something silly if Kipps continued to talk. But he didn't. He kept his mouth shut, "Good choice because if you don't keep your mouth shut, I'll give you another black eye, yeah?" She watched Kipps' face change with her words and the embarrassed look on his face morphed her annoyance to pride. Kat was looking at Kipps with confusion and Demi grinned.

"Dem," Lucy said, grabbing Demi's injured wrist. The touch nearly made Demi flinch but she kept her composure as she looked back at the trio. They then nodded their head towards the chapel and Demi nodded. The four sped-walked up to the Chapel where Joplin and Saunders were walking out. They looked to be in a rush but Lockwood still asked how Joplin's head was. Demi didn't really care about the older woman and her mind was distracted by thoughts of Kipps and how he had become such an arsehole.

But in her half-listening, she heard Saunders accuse the Night Watch of stealing a relic which Lockwood promptly pointed out would have been a bad idea the second that they headed into the Chapel. Relic men were dangerous and the Source had been like nothing else that Demi had ever come across. None of the Night Watch would have wanted to go anywhere near it. The discussion was quick and Demi didn't have much to say as they theorised on how it had actually been taken.

And then George found something. A pin or badge of some sort and Lockwood promptly informed the group that it was a Tendy's badge. Which meant that it was very likely that an Agent had something to do with what had happened. Demi didn't see it as being particularly likely but they had to explore all avenues.

Which is why she wanted to go to the Archives with George. Demi didn't have any particular theories but she felt too injured to really be on her feet too much and she wanted to see what else she could research about Bickerstaff. That and George's lack of stress cleaning the previous night had meant that Demi wanted to get George alone so she could check up on him.

That want was only exacerbated when she noticed how he was staring into his cup of coffee. It was like something was in it or he had zoned out but George was not the type to zone out. It was only when she nudged his arm that his head snapped up. Lockwood then insisted that he headed to the Archives and there was a slight spat over whether Demi should go with him before she basically gave Lockwood no choice and looped arms with George, walking out of the Chapel by his side. The teasing smile disappeared off her face the second that they headed down the steps and she let go of George's arm.

"Are you okay?" Demi asked curiously as she let her hands rest in the pocket of her jacket. George nodded his head.

"Yeah, just a little tired," He responded. That made her eyebrows knit together as she looked into his eyes. That wasn't like George at all. I mean, he was always tired but it never usually bothered him all that much.

"Did you not want your coffee?" She glanced back to the Chapel where he had left it on the table as she spoke. But George didn't seem all that bothered. He was focusing on putting one foot in front of the other as he shook his head. Demi's eyebrows furrowed deeper before George tugged her arm to swerve off the main path, "Where are we going?" She asked, a frown spreading across her lips. George sent her a playful grin.

"The long way around." Demi rolled her eyes but she went along with it. Her entire body was still aching and thankfully George had let go of her injured arm. They were trekking through the overgrown grass as they headed towards the wall by the canal. George suspected that the relic men or whoever had taken the mirror had gotten in by the canal and so, he was dragging Demi along, curious about his theory. And she didn't seem to mind all that much.

Well, that was until they got closer to the wall and Demi noticed blood on the gravestone closest to the canal. The sick feeling appeared in her stomach and George pointed out the blood on the leaves. Demi said that they should go back but George ignored it, following the trail. Demi cautiously walked behind him and George yelped, stepping back, practically tripping over Demi when he saw the dead body.

The better part of Demi knew that she shouldn't have looked but she did and she shrieked. The eyes of whoever it was were bloody and she was pretty sure the eyes had been scratched out. The body was bloated from laying in the water for so long and Demi felt actually sick. She took two steps back towards the wall and covered her mouth with her hand.

"That's... who is that?" Demi asked but before George could even answer, Lockwood appeared. He was followed closely by Lucy, giving the pair a confused look.

"What are you two doing here? I thought you were going to the Archives?" Lockwood asked but the gusto to his words seemed to fade when he saw how pale Demi had gotten all of a sudden. Her usual tan skin had paled to almost white.

"Look, in the water," George insisted and Lockwood stared at Demi for a moment before Lucy stepped forward. She leant forward to peek over the river bank and pressed a hand against her mouth, equally disgusted by the sight. But then Lockwood stepped forward and his face dropped.

"I know him..." Lockwood said softly. Demi didn't even know what to say but the image of the body hadn't gone out of her head. She had seen plenty of dead bodies. She had seen the bodies of her teammates but this was different. The bodies had never looked like that and she wanted to throw up. The only thing that distracted her from it was Lucy gently tugging her into a hug. It was tight, her arms gripping onto Demi as Demi rested her head against Lucy's shoulder. It was a few beats before she pulled back.

"I'll get Barnes," Demi insisted and then she took off before anyone could object. She needed the distraction but Lockwood was quick to follow behind. She heard his footsteps in the leaves and he grabbed her hand, intertwining their fingers as he walked with her.

"Why did you and George go down there?" Lockwood asked as he pulled her to a stop. Demi shrugged.

"He just wanted to check it out. I followed him," Demi dismissed it with a small smile. Lockwood's eyebrows furrowed and he glanced over at the wall where George and Lucy were talking quietly. Demi tucked some hair behind her ear, "We need to get Barnes," She insisted. Lockwood let out a soft sigh and he squeezed her hand. Lockwood wanted to ask her if she was okay and Demi wanted to ask him if he was okay but they both knew it wasn't the time. They needed to get to Barnes, they could check on each other later.

So, they headed back towards the Chapel to call the Inspector to the cemetery.

RUBY'S NOTES

- it's been a little longer than i intended but i had a severe inspiration dip last week for demi but i'm back now!! and we're getting there!! i've already started working on the next chapter so that should be up in the next few days!
- i feel like there is so much to say but so little to say, so imma keep my notes short and say that the next chapters are gonna be an absolute chaotic storm, we've got some interactions with winkman, the return of erin (the loml) and the fittes ball which is gonna give us some very cute and  angsty moments so y'all better be prepared
- i hope you enjoyed and thank u for reading <33