AN: Bwahahahahaha…I had a brainstorm.
John left the club absolutely furious. Midnite hadn't told him that the talisman would even bind to the soul of an angel – that meant that if Chas lost that talisman, his soul would be dragged straight downward. Into hell. All because he failed at protecting it.
He was ready to scour every known demon hangout until he found out where Balthazar was and what he'd done to Chas.
But he didn't have to.
Hands suddenly grabbed him from the darkness of an alley, and a strong force yanked him in and pushed him up against the wall. He was about to grab for a weapon…until he saw the large, quivering white wings and the wide hazel eyes staring up at him.
"Chas!"
"For God's sake, for once in your life just don't talk. Shut up and listen," Chas said, his voice desperate, his eyes filled with fear. Then John saw the blood on Chas's neck, dripping from what looked like claw wounds on the side of his neck. John looked down for a moment, seeing the talisman hanging safely around the boy's neck.
"But you're-"
"Listen, John. I can't stay. I need you to go to Midnite's…he has a talisman there, it's called the Talisman of Byzantium. He'll fight you, he won't want you to have it, but you have to get it."
"Why?"
A clatter came from down the alley, and Chas became more frantic, his hands gripping John's shirt, pressing him against the wall with strength far beyond his human ability. "When you have the talisman, I need you to bring it to my grave, along with holy water and a Cross of Madrid, understand?"
"Chas, what the hell is going on!"
Another bang down the alley, and Chas literally whimpered. "John, please, do this for me. And hurry."
He dropped John and took off around the corner, and immediately the sounds from down the alley ceased. John stepped around the corner, wanting to follow, but Chas was long gone.
At least now he knew that Chas was alive, although he obviously had one or more demons on his trail. John would have to do what the boy said, and he had to do it now.
"What did he say to you, exorcist!"
The voice was accompanied by a strong blow to John's back, and he stumbled forward and spun around. A furious half breed stood there, his tail twitching and his eyes filled with fury.
"What did the angel say to you!" He repeated, trying to hit John again, but the blow was dodged this time.
John knew he didn't have time for this, no time at all. Chas needed him. He pulled out his brass knuckles, and then sent a blow right into the half-demon's jaw. He didn't even bother with the normal verbal taunting he usually did- he pulled out his gun and unloaded a bullet right into the half-breed's forehead.
John tucked his weapons away and looked around, making sure no passers-by had seen the fiasco, and then he took off at a run back to Midnite's club. He passed the bouncer without a problem, though he got quite a few weird looks jogging through the club.
"I talked to Chas," he said breathlessly as he barged into Midnite's room.
"So he is alive then?"
"He's hurt, Midnite. He told me I needed to get the Talisman of Byzantium from you and bring it to him."
Midnite's eyes narrowed. "That talisman does not leave my possession, under any circumstances."
"Yeah, he told me you'd say something like that. He was desperate, Midnite, something's really wrong."
Midnite shook his head. "John…do you know what the Talisman of Byzantium was created to do?"
John shook his head. He hadn't really thought about it till now; he just knew that if Chas needed it, he would get it to him, regardless.
"That talisman is made to deport all half breeds within a fifty foot radius of the carrier of it. Including any angels, and the carrier of the talisman, if he is a half breed. All are deported to hell."
So that was your plan, John thought bitterly. Deport all of the demons at the same time, and give up your soul for it.
"Alright, Midnite, I'll make you a deal," John said slowly. "You give me the talisman, and I take it to where Chas said to meet him, but I don't give it to him. I'll only use it if things get completely hopeless."
Midnite chuckled. "I do not deal concerning the power of talismans."
"God dammit, Midnite, Chas is hurt! I'm not leaving without the talisman, so if you want his blood on your hands, you can continue to sit there and do nothing!"
Midnite stared at him a few moments, obviously angry, but after a few moments he stood up. "You owe me, John. And I expect that talisman back."
John collected the talisman, the cross, and the holy water from Midnite, and then he quickly thanked him and left. He couldn't afford to stick around any longer- Chas could already be dead…
AN: Hmm…I think the next chapter could be the last one. If not, it's probably the second to last. Who knows.
