AN: Aaaaaand here's chapter 2!
John hadn't been back to the cemetery since the night when Chas had made his first appearance as a half breed. He didn't see the point in going, since Chas obviously had a better chance in heaven than he'd eve had working with John.
Maybe if he'd just given the kid a chance, he wouldn't have to end up getting all his glory after he died. Chas could've been one hell of an exorcist…
…if only he'd been given the chance.
The grass around the gravestone was pristine, untouched by human feet for many weeks, and leaves covered the base of the gravestone. John sighed as he approached, half in relief and half in shame. What if Chas was insulted that John hadn't visited his grave in so long?
Now he was just being paranoid. Chas didn't care; he probably had much better things to do now than watch John's petty dealings with mortal life.
"I'm sorry, kid," he finally said, staring at the name carved deeply in the stone. He'd been hoping there would be something here to show him a sign, a way out of the nightmares he'd been having. Every nightmare was based here, at this very spot, and every single one brought Chas to an untimely, bloody end.
But there was nothing here to point to anything being wrong.
"Just your imagination," John muttered to himself, feeling a lot like an idiot, coming out here and standing like this. What did he think was going to happen, heaven would open up and Chas would fly down for a conversation? It was bizarre. He pulled out his new lighter and started to light up a cigarette; he'd cut back, of course, but old habits die hard.
"You never learn, do you?"
John spun around and came face to face with Midnite, leaning against a nearby tree and watching on with amusement. John simply shrugged, not answering the question.
"What are you doing outside of your cave?"
Midnite smiled. "You are not the only one he's trying to get through to…he's just getting through to you the strongest."
"You've been having the dreams too?"
Midnite nodded. "Yes. Troubling indeed…and I believe it's just the tip of the iceberg."
"How much do you know?" John asked, stepping toward him and putting the lighter away. The cigarette could wait.
"Not much. I just knew that I had to come see you. I'm assuming you know more."
John sighed lightly. "All I know is that there's some kind of issue in the afterlife involving Balthazar and some kind of talisman. And somehow, Chas is involved in all this."
Midnite walked over to the boy's grave, gently running his fingers across the rough stone. "He should have been able to tell you this in person. He is a go-between for Heaven between the arch angels and the half breeds on Earth…I don't understand why he hasn't shown himself."
John's expression turned to one of concern. "I haven't seen him since the night after the funeral. Right here, in fact."
"He's been quite busy with his new job," Midnite explained with a smile. "You of all people know it's impossible to keep up with him sometimes."
"So what does this mean?" John asked, once again fixing his gaze on the gravestone. "What would keep him from showing up in person? Do you think he's alright?"
"There are many reasons for that," Midnite said, beginning to count on his fingers. "The arch angels could have put him under protection, but I doubt that would be the case. Angels are arrogant…not to mention Chas would never allow himself to be restrained. The demons can't have destroyed him, because he's still sending messages."
"Which leaves…"
Midnite's expression darkened. "He could be captive. Either that or he cannot risk coming out into the open…someone might be after him, for any number of reasons."
John fell silent for a few minutes, lost in thought. These messages were a cry for help, a cry from the very boy whose death he caused a few months ago.
He wouldn't fail Chas again.
"I need to talk to Balthazar," he said darkly, and Midnite looked up at him and laughed.
"Balthazar is banished in hell. There is no way you can reach him. And even if you could, he would most certainly kill you on the first chance he got."
"Well then, I need to talk to a demon who has seen him recently. And I need to ask Beeman…" He stopped in his tracks; it was hard sometimes to remember that Beeman was actually dead. "I need to find someone who has an extensive knowledge of talismans. I need to know what kind of use Balthazar would have for a talisman, and why Chas would know about it."
Midnite nodded, stuffing his hands in his pockets and starting to walk away. "I'll see what I can do. I'll call you tonight with information, if I can get any."
John nodded, and then waited for Midnite to leave. After the man was out of sight, he turned back to the large marble gravestone.
"Don't worry, kid. I won't let you down. Not this time."
AN: Woohoo, a mystery! Makes me wanna dance. And eat cookies. And get reviews.
