There comes a time in every man's life where things change. And I don't mean shit like getting a puppy or a mid-life crisis car. I mean an honest-to-God change. Like one where nothing will ever be the same again. Meeting Jenny was one of those kinds of changes. Losing her was another. I've been to hell and back twice. I've killed hundreds of people. Let's get one thing straight—I'm not the good guy. Never have been. Never will be. But I figure I can be a decent enough bastard to save the one ordinary person who thought there was more than a murderer in me.

"Welcome home, Boss. We all missed you. Sorry about the mess, but we're kinda restoring the place." Vinnie explains.

I nod, and manage a smile.

"Yeah, thanks Vinnie. It's good to be back."

"Where'd you get to, anyway? Those Brotherhood bastards, did they have anything to do with it?"

I nod again.

"Yeah…my 'thing' was involved, and well, I kicked their asses and ended up taking a very bad trip after. Let's just say things got hot under the collar."

Vinnie nods. He's got the message. It means we'll probably talk later in my office. Right now, I just gotta get upstairs and rest. I start limping up the stairs.

Predictably I trip and fall right on my friggin' face.

Dolfo's at my side in an instant, giving me a hand up. I thank him. He's a good guy, Dolfo. Not the brightest, maybe, or the sanest, but a good guy nonetheless.

"Oh, and Jackie, one more thing!"

Jimmy the Grape's waiting nearby.

"Listen, Jackie, Johnny wants to speak to you when you're feeling up to it. He's very…agitated. You know how he gets."

"I know, Jimmy, I know. I just need some me time.'

So that's when I go into my room, and close the door.

This was one of the few places that didn't get too badly fucked up by the Brotherhood. I wander over to the table near the door, and sit down. There's Jenny's picture sitting there, along with a lit candle. Vinnie must have kept lighting it while I was gone. Sure enough, a little note confirms it.

"For Jackie, who I hope to God isn't gone, and if he is, I hope he's with you, Jenny-Your old pal, Vinnie."

Vinnie is one of the few people left who knows just how much Jenny means to me. Sure, he'll try to get me to see other girls every once in a while, but that's mostly because he can't stand to see me moping around the mansion. A few minutes later, I've got a warm bath run and I'm slipping inside. Crazy, I know, taking a bath at a time like this. But then again…I just got out of hell and I'm covered in dirt, blood, and God knows what else. I figure I'm entitled to one.

So I'm just enjoying the water and suds and that's when The Darkness decides to have a little heart to heart with me.

RESTING now JACKIE? YOUR NEMESIS is LOOSE in NEW YORK.

"Your nemesis, maybe. I don't give a flying fuck at the moment."

You will NOT save JENNY WITH that ATTITUDE.

"You kept her locked up! You only wanted me to save Jenny when it suited you!"

YOU are MY PUPPET. YOU should not REBEL LIKE YOU do.

"Let's get one thing straight, you Japanese porno reject, I don't take orders from you. I'm the Don. I only put up with you because you're too dangerous for anyone else to have."

YOU will OBEY!

"In your dreams, fright-face. Now shut up and let me enjoy my bath."

Pretty soon, the nightmares living in my shoulders slide back in and the voice goes away. You know, it's not easy being the host of what's basically the Godzilla of shadows, but it isn't always so chatty, and I thank God it knows when to keep it down.

After soaking for a good half hour, I get into a new suit, and come downstairs to find a very jumpy Johnny Powell waiting for me.

"Jackie! J-Jackie! I-I need to speak to you, if that's alright and you have time and stuff, because…because, uh, well, you see, y-you, well, uh, The Angelus is loose, alright? And uh, well..."

I cut him off.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. She stranded me in hell. The Darkness got me out. Used what little power it had left."

Johnny shivers.

"Listen, Jackie. That-that's not a good thing, ok? The Darkness isn't something you want around, no, b-but with-with The Angelus, you don't stand a chance without your Darkness power at full. Y-you are f-f-fucked without some serious firepower!"

I give him a steely look.

"I need to get Jenny back. Get The Angelus out of her. Can I do that? Can I seal The Angelus?"

"Get Jenny out? Probably. S-seal it? No. Well, I mean, yeah, but you don't w-want to do that. Balance thing. Equi-equilibrium stuff. Also it's hard as hell to do."

"Equilibrium? The fuck are you talking about, Johnny?"

"I'm s-sayin' that darkness and light can't exist without each other. Lock one away, bad shit happens. Angelus reigns supreme? The world's so bright you g-gotta wear shades, except, nope, you die for being too chaotic for it. Same with Darkness. The Darkness would make the world hell. Or blow it up. Either one. This is why they exist. To oppose each other."

"And what do we exist for, getting screwed over by them?"

"I'm a-a paranormal specialist, Jackie, not a philosopher."

"Alright, alright. Go back to what you were doing and try to find something I can use to take Jenny out."

"C-can do, Jackie."

He stumbles off, muttering. He's crazy as a loon and he lives in a cardboard box under the bridge, but he knows his shit when it comes to the supernatural.

I feel like shit, so naturally I go to watch some TV to get my mind off things. Wonder what's on the classic movies channel…

To Kill A Mockingbird.

Fuck.