I do not own anything related to Damien or The Omen series, either thru television, written books, or film. Everything belongs to David Seltzer and A&E. I do own all the created characters. I do not own any songs, or literature mentioned. They are included to enhance the written words. Please read, review, and enjoy!
Chapter 4
Song(s): Ave Maria (Schubert), Black Gold (The Foals), Eat Me Drink Me (Marilyn Manson),
Armitage Global, 234 Broadway, New York City…
Staring up at the hand chiseled engraved sign that advertised Armitage Global, Damien removed his sunglasses and tucked them into his brown jacket pocket as the lunch crowd began to head back inside through the double doors like herds of cattle.
Walking behind a navy suited man holding a briefcase, Damien caught the door and stared at the wall directory. Not finding the name Rutledge anywhere on the board, he turned and approached the security desk waiting his turn in line.
"I'm looking for an Ann Rutledge that works for Armitage Global?" he spoke, catching the furrowed brow of the overweight guard.
"Name doesn't ring a bell, but you can sign in and have a visitor's badge to get onto the sixteenth floor. Ask the receptionist at their desk, perhaps she is a new hire" the guard spoke tiredly as a courier slammed down a packet of mail on the desk.
"Sure, do you need a piece of ID?"
Grabbing the pen, Damien scribbled his name as the guard stared at the New York driver's license.
It's all for you Damien
Tucking his license back into his wallet, he watched as the guard handed him perfectly clean visitors badge with a sudden smile.
"The sixteenth floor, have a nice day Mr. Thorn."
Clipping the badge into his shirt, Damien turned towards the elevators unaware of the guard removing the signed visitor's log bearing Damien's name as he tore it up into pieces and shoving it into his mouth, chewing quickly.
Keeping his eyes forward as the elevator climbed, Damien held his breath at the strong stench of perfume invaded his nostrils.
Three more floors
Hearing the ding of the doors, he stepped out and rounded the corner towards a young blonde seated behind an expensive looking wooden desk.
"Hello, I'd like to see Ann Rutledge please."
Without looking up from her notebook, the blonde continued to scribble on the blank white pages as Damien rested his hands on the desk, almost willing the woman to look up.
"I'm sorry Sir, that name does not ring a bell."
Feeling the irritation building in his shoulders, Damien reached forward and grabbed the end of her pen in a bid to have her pay attention.
Raising her eyes, the young woman dropped her pen and quickly settled her back against the chair.
Oh my God
"She must be employed here. She wrote down this address on the back of her checque when she bought my photograph from the Art Gallery" he added with haste as the receptionist continued to stare at him. Standing quickly, she nearly knocked her glass of water over as she folded her hands over front and stared at Damien with flushed cheeks.
"Mr…Mr. Thorn?"
Blinking in surprise as his name fell off her lips, Damien moved his hands off the desk and straightened up.
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry Sir, I didn't realize it was you. Um, Ms. Rutledge is away for the day on business outside the City, but I will tell her you were here to see her" she spoke in a shaky tone as Damien narrowed his eyes.
"I will leave my number for her."
Scribbling his digits down in her notebook, Damien laid her pen back down as the woman stepped forward and held out her hand with evident nerves.
"Miss, how did you know who I was?"
Hearing his question, the woman lowered her hand back down to her side as she bowed her head and blushed.
"I've…heard your name, from Ms. Rutledge. She speaks very highly of you Mr. Thorn" she offered, feeling the immense thrill of speaking with the handsome man standing in front of her.
"Well, please have her call me" he spat as he turned to leave. Catching sight of the young woman's outstretched hand once more, Damien closed his mouth as he reached out and shook it.
Her grip was surprisingly strong as he released her fingers and shoved his hands into his jean pockets.
"Thank you" he spoke, leaving the desk for the elevators once more.
"Damien Thorn, Damien…Thorn."
Repeating the name over and over quietly, the receptionist felt warm as she looked down at her hand with a smile.
"Damien Thorn, I can't believe it."
…
St. John the Baptist Church, 213 W 30th St, New York City…
Walking down the sidewalk, Kate paused beneath the shade of a skimpy tree as she took in her bearings.
She had taken a taxi cab from JFK and as soon as they had reached mid-town, she requested to stop. Handing over a few bills, she waved away the change and breathed in deeply as the taxi drove away.
"God, I hate taxi's."
Moving on down the sidewalk, her eyes spotted a church sign before the actual building came into view.
"Wow."
She had always loved the outside architecture of Churches. The skill, the time, the amount of work that had been put in was utterly magnificent, and at this very moment, in the sweltering New York City heat, she felt the pull of the open doors awaiting a cool interior.
Entering through the opening between a set of iron wrought gates, Kate spied four well-tended and well-watered green plants lining the staircase as she stood at the threshold of the Church doorway.
She was not afraid to go inside, but rather, feeling cautious about how she would be received.
"God Kate, it's just a building" she cursed herself as she smelled the stale air coming from inside.
Why do Churches always smell musty?
Hearing footsteps behind her, she felt a hard force against her shoulder as she crossed the threshold and found herself straightening up her composure. Turning around to have words with whomever had found it necessary to crash into her, her eyes narrowed as no one stood behind her.
"Jesus Kate, get a hold of yourself. You probably tripped over your own God damn feet" she swore as her eyes watched pedestrians crossing the road in front of the Church.
Following the pathway towards the wooden pews, Kate spied the Holy Water that sat beside the entrance. Hovering her hand over the water, she had no desire to dip her fingers in and anoint herself as she continued on, taking a light seat in the first pew to her left.
Breathing in deep, her eyes caught sight of three nuns lowering their heads simultaneously in prayer just as the Church bells began to ring signaling the welcoming of Mass.
Swallowing hard, Kate closed her eyes as the bells sounded off in her head.
Noise…Noise….
Groaning as the final bell rang, Kate re-opened her eyes and spied an old woman leaving the Confessional Stall.
Rising to her feet, she crossed the floor and pushed back the green curtain before taking a seat.
"I am not a Catholic Father."
Hearing Kate's words, the Priest nodded his head as he balanced his Bible on his knee.
"We are all God's children my dear, he welcomes all in his House" he spoke as Kate felt her stomach lurch. Rubbing her hand against her forehead, she felt warm as the Priest tapped a finger against the wooden barrier.
"You are…uncomfortable in a House of God."
"Is it that obvious?" Kate breathed as the Priest turned the face her.
"Would you like to confess your sins?"
Sins? Sins are the least of my worries. I do not feel any burden with my sins She thought as she shook her head.
"No, there is nothing I have done that I can't live with. Father, I was diagnosed with Schizophrenia when I was sixteen, and I've been hearing voices more and more" she began as the Priest pressed his fingertips against the barrier.
"Do you fear that your Faith is waning because of this diagnosis?"
"Who else is there left to blame when I've been told by Doctor's it's not my fault?" Kate spoke calmly as she heard the Priest breath out.
You're not helping anything here Kate
Looking down at her hands, she folded them in her lap before leaning her head against the wood.
"Every day since I was baptized, I have felt like I am being pulled further away" she began as the Priest grunted.
"You were recently baptized? Not many remember such a profound experience so early in their lives."
Feeling her head shake, Kate heard a shuffle of movement outside her curtain as she closed her eyes.
"I was ten. My mother said she wanted me to be old enough to remember it. Who knows why, because I think the Minister will never forget. Apparently, I made quick a fuss and nearly knocked over the basin filled with Holy Water" Kate spoke as the man breathed in deeply.
"My advice for you dear child, is not to give up on God. God works in mysterious ways, and He has a special plan for all of his children."
That's it?
"I would like you to take a New Testament after our conversation. Read it faithfully, and remember what I have told you."
Nodding her head, Kate Lewin folded her hands in her lap and listened to the wooden barrier sliding shut, lapsing her booth into silence. Hearing
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
Hearing the booming voice of the Priest from the pulpit, Kate heard no movement from the booth connected to hers.
Do I just, tap on his curtain?
Rising to her feet, Kate pushed aside the dark green curtain as her eyes fell on the standing parishioners engrossed in the spoken words of the Minister.
"Father?"
Keeping her voice low, her eyes found the cross above the curtain dark.
He left?
Reaching out, her fingers made contact with the velvet curtain and as she slowly pulled it aside she felt her stomach sink.
The cubicle was empty.
Feeling the curtain fall from her fingers, Kate turned and took a heavy seat in the first pew, shutting out the booming microphoned enhance voice of the Priest.
I'm now having visions
Wanting to throw her fist into the wooden back of the pew in front of her, she thought better as she bit her tongue and noisily walked to the back of the Church. Spying the alters for prayer offerings, Kate ripped out the lighting wick and stabbed it into the flame of an already lit candle. Watching the flame growing, she moved it to the wick of a small white votive candle and furrowed her brow as it refused to light.
Why am I doing this?
I don't expect God or Jesus to help me at all.
Fuck this!
Slamming down the long thin sharp wick, she cursed as her fingers slid, catching the sharp instrument as it easily sliced against her index finger. Feeling the pain, Kate shoved her finger in her mouth, tasting the rusty liquid as her eyes fell onto a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Guarding over the candles are you Mary?
Feeling her eyes staring hard into those of the statue, Kate felt her upper lip turning into a scowl as she taunted the stone figure.
"What the hell are you looking at?"
…
Mott Street, Chinatown, New York City…
Shoving her key into the door lock, she didn't even check first to see if it was open as she twisted and pushed it open.
Throwing her bags down hard on the small table, she heard the clatter of dishes as Sosie came out of the kitchen holding a dish towel.
"Kate?..."
Who else would it be?
"I thought you were leaving for California?" Sosie questioned as she tossed aside the towel and enveloped her best friend in a hug.
"So did I. But apparently, there are no trains, planes, or buses available" she spoke as Sosie pulled back.
"Seriously? That can't be right…there are thousands of people every day…" she began as Kate rolled her eyes.
"Yes, I know Sosie, but for some reason, I am the only person who can't seem to leave New York City." Plopping down on one of the wooden chairs, Kate ripped her sunglasses off her head and tossed them down onto the table with a clatter.
Something is keeping her in the City.
Or someone…
I will have to relay this information to Father Mallory as soon as I get the chance
"So you are staying in New York then?"
Raising her eyes, Kate shrugged her shoulders.
"I'm going to get in touch with Amy who runs Women in Need and see about writing a piece."
Nodding her head, Sosie folded her arms across her chest.
"Well, I am heading into the parlor in about an hour if you think you'd be up to getting your tattoo?"
Stretching her arms up over her head, Kate nodded as she went into the kitchen for a drink. Rummaging through the sparse fridge, she found the last bottle of cranberry kombucha and nearly down it all without stopping.
…
White Rabbit Tattoo Studio, 121 Essex St, New York City…
Rounding the corner of the red doorway, Kate followed Sosie up the stairs to the second floor which housed the tattoo studio and was met by the booming music of The Foals.
"I don't know how you manage to concentrate with the music so loud" Kate spat as Sosie dumped her bag behind the front counter.
"It's therapeutic. Have I ever messed up on you?" she smiled as Kate cocked her head.
"There's a first time for everything" she smiled as Sosie gave her the finger.
"I'm going to go set up, just wait here for a minute."
Taking a seat on the well-loved and well-worn red couch, Kate stacked the vintage pillows against the end as she swung her legs and stretched out the entire length. Feeling her black flats dangling off her toes, she closed her eyes and steadied her breathing as the lyrics of the song met her ears…
Cause the future is not what you've seen
It's not where you've been to at all
"You're Sosie's friend, aren't you?"
Hearing a deep voice sounding from overhead, Kate opened her eyes and found herself staring into a set of brown's belonging to one of the artists.
"Yes, I'm Kate" she spoke, struggling to sit up properly as the heavily tattooed man shoved his hands in his back jeans pockets.
"I've seen you around, and Sosie talks about you all the time. I'm Alex, I just wanted to introduce myself" he smiled, holding out his hand as Kate griped it.
I'm gonna kill you Sosie
"Oh hey Alex, I didn't know you'd be here."
Hearing her friend's cheery voice, Kate shot daggers her way before standing to her feet.
"Alex is going to come with us tonight to Cielo for the Manson cover band."
"I agreed to go to this?" Kate questioned as Sosie huffed.
"Roommates do everything together. Remember last year I went with you to that gallery exhibit before you took off for France?"
"Alright then. We'll be even" Kate replied as Sosie swung her arm out towards the work area.
"I'm all set."
Taking a seat on the reclining chair, Kate moved her eyes to the window and watched as three pigeons bobbed along the fire escape.
Watching her friend slid along the floor on a white padded stool, Kate felt her latex gloves rested on her arm as she flipped it over to bring her wrist face up.
"So these geographic coordinates are going right under the ones from Paris?"
Looking down at her wrist, Kate nodded as Sosie took up her needle.
Hearing the buzz of her needle, she brought her eyes back to the window as a fire engine screamed down the road.
Stenciling the coordinates with an outline, Sosie pressed the needle down and concentrated on the numbering 33 30'36" N, 36 17'26"E just as the blood started to pool beneath the needle. Pulling the needle away quickly, Sosie watched as the blood started to slowly run down the length of Kate's arm.
Impossible, your arm is level
Tossing the needle aside, Sosie grabbed a hand towel and slammed it down on Kate's arm as she turned her eyes back around with a startle.
"What's going on?" Kate shouted as Sosie pressed down harder.
"Shit, Jesus, Kate!"
Catching Sosie's worried eyes, she lifted her arm to see a trail of blood running down to her elbow before dripping onto the titled floor.
"God Kate! I don't know what happened I am so sorry" Sosie breathed as she called out for Alex.
"Just let it bleed."
"What?..."
Lifting her eyes onto her friend's face, Sosie gasped as she watched Kate stare at her arm.
"I said…let it bleed" she spoke with a harder tone as Sosie carefully lifted up the towel. Breathing hard, her eyes went wide as she stared at the towel.
Kate's arm had been a river of blood, yet beneath the towel, her skin was clean. Lifting the towel up more, her eyes fell on the only spot of red and she closed her mouth firmly, stifling the scream that built in her throat.
666
The number of the Beast
Of all the numbers I had stenciled on her wrist, only the three six's showed up with her blood her mind screamed as Sosie stood to her feet, wrapping the towel up for the trash.
"I'm going to need a minute before I finish" she spoke, steadying her words as Kate flexed her wrist.
"The bleeding stopped" she called after Sosie as the black-haired artist strode out of the room and straight towards the phone at the front counter,
…
Damien Thorn's Residence, W 13th and Washington Street, Meat Packing District, NYC…
Later that evening
Rubbing his tired eyes as he blinked at the screen, Damien reached two fingers out and touched the pixeled eyes of the unknown young woman whom he had captured the month previous in Syria.
"Who are you?" he questioned just as fist stated banging against his door.
Giving his head a shake, Damien stared at the laptop screen before looking at his watch.
6:34pm
Blinking his eyes quickly, Damien rubbed his chin as he moved off his chair and into the kitchen. Focusing his eyes on the clock above the sink, he couldn't remember the past two hours passing just as the fist pounded once more
"IT'S OPEN!"
Feeling the growl rising in his throat, Damien watched as Amani shut the door behind him holding out his mobile phone.
"I've been calling you from the car, do you know how much of a pain it is to get into your building?" Amani cursed as he watched Damien climb the stairs to his bedroom level.
"The ringer must be on silent" he called down as he stripped off his shirt and grabbed a grey crew neck from the bureau.
"Or you've been preoccupied with something else" Amani chuckled as his eyes caught sight of Damien's laptop
"Or someone else…"
Narrowing his eyes as he focused on the girl in the picture, Amani straightened up as he clicked through the photographs.
All pictures taken from when they were in Syria
Jesus, Damien, you've got to stop looking at these.
Dragging the cursor to close the file, his eyes narrowed as the laptop background reverted back to the unknown female poised with her camera. "Feeling a little stalkerish?" he kidded as Damien pulled his shirt down over his chest.
Noticing Amani at his laptop, he pushed the lid down before grabbing his keys that rest beside the detachable hard drive.
"I wonder if she survived the rocket?" he questioned as Amani followed him to the front door.
"There's a thing about us Journalists Damien, we always manage" Amani replied as Damien locked the door. Walking down the concreate hallway, Amani reached into his pocket and withdrew his phone just as it vibrated.
"I…think I should let you know that Kelly is going to be meeting us at the bar."
Taking in a deep breath, Damien shot a glance at Amani who was smart enough to keep his head down.
"Just because you two don't work as a couple, doesn't mean friendship is impossible"
"A perfect after school lesson" Damien chided as they entered into the warm summer night.
…
One Star, 147 W 24th St, New York City…
"Claudia called me this afternoon, and…well she's under pressure from King to release our contract. King is under the impression that we are too reckless when it comes to our safety and our shots."
Downing the last of his Budweiser, Damien pushed the bottle away as his eyes landed on Kelly's face.
"With the publications that we have already under our belts, you shouldn't worry" he spoke as Amani shifted uncomfortably.
"One can't help but worry about money, however, I am worried what the words "reckless" and "dangerous" will do to our odds of selling our work" Amani spoke as Kelly nodded her head.
"I'm not worried about the money" Damien offered as Amani tucked his chin into his chest.
You have a sizeable trust fund
"Damien, it's not just about money, it's about your reputation" Kelly broke out as he moved his eyes onto her face.
God, when he wants to stop you dead in your tracks, his eyes certainly do the trick
…..
Cielo, 18 Little West 12th St, Meat Packing District, New York City…
"So, this is a Marilyn Manson cover band?" Kate shouted as she, Alex, Sosie, and Kyle pushed through the crowd towards the bar.
Feeling the beats of the music as she laid her hands on the wooden bar, Kate felt a hand on her shoulder as Alex spoke into her ear.
"What would you like to drink?"
You seem like a nice guy Alex, but I'm not interested
"Just a bottle of water actually" she shouted back as Alex nodded.
Hearing the lyrics to the song being sung by the tall dark haired man on the stage, Kate felt her lips curling into a smile.
Eat me, drink me
I was invited to a beheading today…
Following the others onto the crowded dancefloor, Kate held on tightly to her water bottle as she felt Alex's arm snake around her waist.
"I'd like to dance with you if you don't mind" he shouted, moving in close as Kate brought her hand to rest on the side of his neck.
Tracing her fingers along the corners of the shaded cross, her eyes felt cloudy as Alex's face started to melt.
Wrenching her hand back, Kate blinked quickly as Alex smiled.
Feeling herself being spun around, she felt Alex behind her as she opened her eyes onto Sosie who ran her hand down the side of her neck, pulling away skin and dropping it on the dark floor.
Stiffening against Alex, she felt his breath against her neck as another dancer winked at her. Raising her arms up in the air, the woman spread her fingers wide as she tilted her head to the ceiling and let out an ear-piercing scream.
My drink has been spiked
Pushing Alex away from her, Kate let the bottle fall to the floor as she pushed her way out of the crowd towards a door marked exit. Stumbling out into the night, she felt the light rain against her face as she tilted her head up to the sky.
For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust
Not caring about the rain washing away the makeup on her face, Kate opened her mouth and tasted the drops on her tongue as the voice screamed.
And that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name
Opening her eyes, Kate wiped at her eye as her fingers went black with runny mascara.
"Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast for it is the number of a man: His number is 666" she whispered, hearing a rumble of thunder in the far-off distance.
…
Armitage Global, 234 Broadway, New York City…
Walking down the silent hallway towards her office, the dark haired, red lip sticked woman wanted nothing more than a glass of Bourbon and to be free of her heels.
"Good evening Ms. Rutledge."
Spying the young receptionist standing behind her desk, Ann narrowed her eyes as she approached the girl. Feeling the low growl in her throat, she splayed her hand and brought it up hard across the girl's cheek as a cry cut through the office silence.
"You stupid little bitch!"
Watching the girl cower as Ann spied two long deep nail scraps across her cheek, she stood over her and narrowed her eyes.
"I find out hours after he has been here, and you didn't think it was important enough to inform me?"
"Ms. Rutledge…I…"
"Shut your mouth. Damien Thorn is everything to Armitage and you are nothing. If you ever try to present yourself to him again, I will have you killed. Do you understand me?"
Feeling her lips shaking, the young woman quickly nodded her head as the sting across her cheek set in.
"Good. Now leave my sight."
…
Damien Thorn's Residence, W 13th and Washington Street, Meat Packing District, NYC…
12:45am
Downing four beers surprisingly had no effect on him as he walked in a perfect straight line down his building hallway. Spying the red door of his loft, he took out his keys and inserted the correct one without difficulty.
He wasn't tired in the slightest though he knew he should be.
There were no pressing matters that required his attention, and he had almost thought to act on one of the female advances that had made eyes at him.
But alas, he had come home alone.
It wouldn't have been fair to Kelly to flaunt sex in front of her.
Closing the door behind him, he had just taken three steps before a soft knock sounded on the door.
Who the hell could that be?
I passed no one in the hallway…
Gripping the door handle, he leaned close to the door and listened for any sound that might identify the knocker.
Hearing the soft knock once more, Damien slowly pulled open the door and glanced down into the face of a dark-haired woman who wore a pleasant smile despite the hour.
"Hello Damien."
….
Thank you to pwashington, and Nirvana14 for reading, subscribing, reviewing, and following!
P.S. I will be aiming to update this story the 2nd of every month while I write my Hannibal fanfic. (fingers crossed x) so stay tuned!
P.P.S. Next update will be on March 27th (for April's monthly update) as I am going away on vacation.