The Horsemen

by Marutectz552

Those who walk among man are no longer are bond to chains, nor are they hidden or care not for anything. Four of One, as one among them stands freely, no longer bound and that alone is damning. Heaven, or Hell matters naught when they walk, for they are the beginning. It is the beginning of an end, though which one is for man to stand isn't the question. Will a man stand, or fall?

7. Chapter VI

High School DXD

The Horsemen

Chapter VI

The cold autumn hadn't alleviated an internal burning when gusts swept past buildings leading to a shop. Last night's events were what I'd consider an interesting turn of events, "Told you swapping numbers will be worth it." Among my contacts on a phone's screen faintly did one name stand out given few were on it at all. But after downing two full rounds of miracle inspired wine, I'd slept akin to the dead once my bed's familiar mattress came around. Chase had his cut of sixty grand, as I had forty and time alone would determine more cash flowing.

Esther, huh? One text message had been left when morning rolled around in bringing my body to burn unnaturally. See you next week, Rex. It still appeared surreal when walking among people again, if their day to day lives not ever realizing how close they'd been prey. Devils, angels and fallen angels apparently were right inside this city, on my streets and turf. I knew one day it'd change only because it threatened my ability to survive. As much as this shit hole for a place stood, I considered it home since I'd lived within it for an entire life.

Abruptly I gnashed together teeth by bracing myself against a brick wall that bordered Slim's shop, "Son of a bitch!" Churning nail like pangs meant for hunger seemingly circulated inside my stomach, it got worse after every hour and no matter how much I drank, or ate? It's not helping, it's getting fucking worse and worse. And I'm practically a walking sauna for fuck's sake, better yet I don't know what's happening to me!

Sharpened throbbing continuously kept up as I tore off a ragged hood breathing in deeply to allow a trailing stream of steam whisking backwards. After two minutes standing in place, I smashed a fist hard against granite which sent off skin sweltering pressure. Flames rippled into churning once faded red into an ever ugly scorched blackened imprint, "Unreal." I stuffed both hands into pockets realizing that boiling temperatures wouldn't get any better, it'd only grown in forcing both sets of teeth gnashing to tolerate it.

Sweat got swept away onto a sleeve before continuing towards Slim's back door where stranger product tended to be in stock. Not like I can't just pretend he wouldn't know something, it's just like back then after school. Learn streets to sell off whatever I'd get my hands on, learn to know whose easy pickings and stay ahead. Only thing that threw myself into confusion was finding out what, or else lingered to make mankind think twice. And unfortunately, I'd have to humor Slim-Jim's despite wanting him to die off from overdosing.

Walking down concrete steps did a small haze of steam ooze underneath clothing making myself strictly enduring internal smouldering. But god damn, I swear I'm boiling alive! Lingering in favor of inhaling colder air did I step through inside. And immediately something was incredibly off, if due to bells ringing. Seems like he'd installed three silver bells or at least I'd never noticed them going off, so it was certainly eye catching.

"You look like shit, Rex." Slim's voice rang out from a counter as I slammed a door shut, "You really are pushing your luck, I mean ya drank divinity off that one of all things!" His cackling sound muffled when he stood up lazily smoking a similar cigar from last night, "And now guess what? Old Slim's been hearing some feathers getting ruffled, I told ya stick to devils cause those ones are trouble for everything else!"

Not even two days ago most of his shelves had been fully stocked yet it got cleared noticeably. Those supposed bullets which were an expensive relic were gone, as well as several other trinkets and strangely enough? He looks like a healthy man, I thought it was only that place. But guess selling your soul to live longer, I can't believe it really. Youthful facial expression, clean shaven hair and the man seemed to be twenty years younger given he'd been only a month or two from dying off, I'd bet folding money in collecting guesses.

"I'll survive." Grunting out two words in order to slightly lean against a glass counter's top as sweat kept running down my neckline, "I need answers, Slim. And I'm warning you now, I'm not humoring your bullshit today." He lazily puffed out smoke looking over my inflamed face that rivaled a bright sun burn, "No shit, right? You ate up fire like you'd snort lines of white powder, I don't envy ya stomach probably."

Leaning over into lightly pulling apart possibly a safe before pulling up some ragged book that sported silver chains wrapped across it. He nicked a finger in allowing reddish droplets to just trace over some kind of jewel that glowered underneath lighting, "I can't say, I'd know personally if I can help ya sonny. I tend to scrap together anything someone sells, or just finds around. But I guess there's someone in my book who'd know given it's been around since devils popped up, though are ya squeamish in putting yourself out there?"

That crooked grin exposed teeth when I didn't even remotely find it all funny, "Remember you asked about what's been happening few days ago? Murder, rape and people ending up in pieces with all that fun?" I nodded mainly into alleviating sweat drenching my sweater's interior, "Old Valac came by asking once you'd left, now I'm no spring chicken so I made a deal. But it seems there's a bit of trouble in their world. And as they say, if you see a stray with rabies then ya gotta put one down before someone else notices."

Despite being tight-lipped Slim's grin extended further only due to my silence alone, "I'll make it easier since it's a whole new world, kiddo. Devil's have their own territories, least in this city it's only Valac since he's come back for whatever reason." Reaching down in pulling out a vial of liquid which got my throat demanding to soothe irritated flesh, "But they're not the only ones! It seems like there's a bunch of problems happening around, or else Valac's own little den would be considered being said problem's source...Rex."

The latest string of murders had been catching headlines mainly from local news broadcasts, or on radio's mentioning it. Sounds familiar, but what's stirring them up? Although trying to gain an edge did I ask quietly intrigued, "Whose damned turf is where, Slim? And what I can do if it helps me get answers, if only to make some cash for getting in on it? You know enough, but for what cost does anyone leave you out of it?"

Swishing liquid contently before he had a loose cross gesture garnered my unspoken answer, "How well do ya like going to church?" It was possibly nearly five, or six years since ever going into one of those buildings. Well long before as a once upon a time home turned my folks into dead, or whoring drug users that I'd let them rot to their ends. Hell is for devil's, Heaven is where angels, or not come from I'd bet. Yet how does a church make itself fair game, I mean wouldn't priests or something be for us as humans?

"You may not be that eager, if ya think church is a place of holy folk." He cackled in spoiling possibilities given the man leaned over placing a vial of liquid down, "Couple around here aren't for normal masses from what Valac, as well as your new friend like to gossip about considering they call shots in this city. That kind of shit is where I keep a deaf ear, less I know then the better I am for keeping eyes free."

My impatience boiled over to grind out words, "Get to the damned point!" The man glanced me over once humming lightly which meant hesitation, "You're looking paler than usual. What's eating ya alive?" Every moment became excruciatingly a test of patience yet it wasn't going well enough since something snapped internally. It was akin to a string, but I felt every pull and everything turned brighter when I'd had enough stalling.

I'M NOT HUMORING YOUR BULLSHIT! YOU JUNKIE FUCK! In a fit of sudden rage I slammed an enclosed fist straight down onto a glass counter's top. Hot and potently pure adrenaline surged in mind numbing levels that wasn't possibly humane. Beyond that I wanted to reach over and strangle him until he screamed, it almost killed me falling into that temptation for too damned naturally. And as a result glass, metal or what was within became rightful collateral in an explosive display of fragments shooting everywhere.

An entire counter from end to end shattered into hundreds of raining glass pieces! The entire panel crackled openly when a tremor of uncontrollable indentation rippled across, as sections caved in a skewing mass of dust and debris, smaller than rain drops that whisked past my infuriated snarling. And yet alone it wasn't only just that fit that'd snapped me back to senses. It was Slim who barely managed in holding up a book to step back whistling lowly. Even if he spoke rather guarded in wiping off glass shards threatening to cut open skin, "Rex."

Panting extremely loud to shake off glass flakes that seemingly sizzled into dust, "Your eyes are literally bleeding out fire...I'd think? Ya sure you'd want to figure that out, or do you really think you're fine?" My entire vision seemed brightened given colors were more prominent, if only having a swelter mix into being locked away in some sauna. However Slim's rare flat expression practically boiled in guarded concern, "I'll say it again: you're not human if you're eating fire, spitting it out and having your eye's boiling in that face sonny boy."

Metallic interior case holders began turning bright red as I scowled yanking them off in seeing a perfect smoulder grip. I was getting too damned hot, it'd melt aluminum as if it were clay and just watching how it'd cooled off? What the fuck is happening, I can't even think yet alone imagine how I'd figure out this insanity. God damn, it's going to be a long fucking week. Breathing steadily got myself into looking up despite sweat contagiously forming, it got to a point where it'd been similar for someone running a potential marathon.

"Please give me answers, Slim or I don't know what will happen." I stressed tensely in making him click his tongue momentarily, "There's a church down town. One of them few good places plus I know someone who'd might be able to purify devil magics, or whatever they call it. An old priest called Father Gino, man's been here longer than I've set up my little shop of wonders since coming back from war's in my youth, Rex. Long story short, he buys up all those 'expensive' holy bullets you'd shit on, if I find any usually."

Anywhere potentially in at least dealing with whatever kept burning me inside seemed too damned good, "You think those bastards did something to me in that cage?" He wryly grinned in offering a genuine guess, "Hell if I know, sonny. Anything down there is their world, so ya eating fire or sucking it all up? Maybe it's in ya?" He gestured loosely into hearing sizzling clothe struggling in remaining somewhat inflammable, if by us smelling it burning. Either I found a way now, or else I'd be a walking bonfire by morning at this rate.

Though seeing a vial of water became too much when I snatched out of his hand, "Uh, Rex!" Downing said vial provided ample relief due to steam exhaling out as I leaned over, "What? Water, or anything would do me a solid." Sweat dripped down until it literally boiled when hitting metal, floor and carpet to eat away in small glassed pools. It might as well have been acid, I barely could ward off an urge to last out again.

Slim's jaw twitched quite aggravatingly, "You just drank purified holy water blessed by some angel, or least according to who sold me that from some yard sale down south." Apprehensively I checked an emptied vial, rotating it and quite frankly seemingly not understand how, or what had made it considered holy. Tastes like regular water if that's possible, maybe just a bit warmer but sure as hell not unwelcome. I can actually think without going off, if only barely!

"Devils and angels don't mix, Rex." He said it so flatly wincing even though he'd been eying my gut a bit concerned, "And if devil fire mixes with that inside your keg of a stomach? You'll be feeling it, sooner than later." He warned nearly pitifully when I felt a lurch bubbling upwards akin to vomiting yet I held it down reluctantly. But at least a furnace inspired stomach remained partially tolerable, even though it'd turned over into glass swishing within.

Still it made a rare stern expression border on near outright urgency, "Rex, I'll give him a call. Head up downtown, to that Orthodox church place. It's the only one around here, but avoid them Catholic places because they're not...friendly. Your new ass of a friend, she's got eyes and ears in those places and I'm saying that because Valac's been around them personally." I didn't doubt said information because fallen angels were just as dangerous as any devil in my book. And seeing an actual one would be somewhat surreal.

"Sorry about uh, that little fit." I mentioned shaking off another growing light headed sense of swaying over as he clicked a tongue, "I'd hate to be a lucky bastard who'd get you pissed. You're not like two days ago, so sooner you get whatever that was a head's up? Sooner I can see what might help, or not since I can pay for this much without a problem. Because next week, I'm betting on ya cause this shit ain't right...to me!"

That alone made my smirk turn unusually away to ignore concerns beneath a priority, "I can eat fire, Slim." He wryly grinned due to an old instinct that made him less of a heroin junkie and more veteran who knew trouble brewing, "Only thing right is me knowing, I can rip a devil's head off and still walk away to get more done. Hopefully your guy can tell me a few things, or else I'll burn your shop until I piss on the ashes to call it a weekend."

Sweat kept running down my face as steam exhaled out thickly due to him retorting, "Then you'd be stuck burning alive, Rex. You're not one of us, as men because that's your only ticket from being a dead man among devils." I snorted in response when he slipped over an address to which I pocketed into leaving this tourist trap of a con-artist. And yet he wasn't wrong, I may have been something entirely considering what had happened.

"Until I figure it out, I sure as hell bleed red like everyone whose got my skin." I spoke when the man cackled finding that a little too defensive, "Blood is blood, Rex. You know that since the neighborhood went to hell years ago, sonny. Only difference is you look like me, but don't cry yourself to sleep when it finally gets attention...you're not human." The sheer confidence in those last three words were enough to have myself viciously slam a door shut, if only to leave behind ingrained fingers because of steam arising from inflamed flesh.

Bastard loves running his mouth when I got nothing to say, but if this knock off priest can figure something out? It was always a gamble, another damned gamble and regardless it was probably my safest bet to see another week. Inhaling deeply to allow steam to fade away, an internal heat kept surging until my hands clenched tightly. I'm starting to wonder if Angels and Devils exist, what else is hiding on my streets...everyday.

---

Downtown was too damned clean in terms of people and often were the most infamous considering I stood in front of a church. Glancing down at an address, I scoffed due to seeing how run down this damned place looked compared to most other buildings and storefronts. The pale white exterior looked grayed out, fencing was in disrepair considering rust and other sorts of neglect were showcasing coloration's of reddish brown. What was once probably perfected blackened paint, polished and all was literally crumbling when steps leading up to thick double doorways, I earnestly believed Slim was going to get kill me killed faster at this rate.

"Least Catholics have some decency, because this is an utter shit hole!" My disbelief skyrocketed when a lack of statues on fading green pasture that was meant to be grass, it all looked dead and dying, but several iconic crosses were embedded on stone archways leading up to where a functional bell tower signaled an end to mass. Orthodox, I really don't see a different from where I'm standing and that say's enough considering I fall asleep in these places. But if this knock off priest Gino, or whatever can explain this heat stroke...I can take the pain being in church, for once.

Constant pangs inside my gut were a mix of heat and glass as I had to hunch over resisting an urge to gag again. Ever since walking downtown, I'd been nearly going crazy with steam and skin sweltering heat potentially burning me alive! It was getting ridiculous using side streets, or outright avoiding crowds of people who'd noticed consistent inflamed wisps combating chilling gusts. And it was getting old, if only for staring to make me divert an already long walk into a near endurance test that nearly forced my legs caving onto knees consistently.

"Unbelievable!" I rasped out furiously to stand upright while moving up to a doorway and pulled one entry way open. May look like a run down slum on the outside, but damn man! An interior white tiled floor looked absolutely polished to where gleaming bands of light remained, windows of coloration displaying imagery and numerous drapes of clothe covered windows giving off diligent care for those who'd enter. Above figures looking down holding a cross of sorts remained in place as a long purplish rug separated enough benches to cater nearly a hundred, if not more who'd normally go for public masses.

Pillars of stone whiter than snow were ingrained with a winged figure pointing one lone spear as I eyed the silence. Stepping through in closing a doorway, I looked down reading over directions and the name of the supposed 'priest, if Orthodox churches called them as such? And yet no one's home, or am I just early? Slim, you better have called ahead, or else I really wouldn't humor setting a fire in burning down this place to ashes. Droplets of sweat pooled down forcing a sleeve in wiping them away to no alleviated sense in stopping them, I kept getting hotter and steam got exhaled frequently with my hand rubbing a neckline seeking cool liquid.

Not one person, or sound beyond faint traffic outside enclosed doors gave myself an humoring thought someone was inside this church. Need water, or anything because I'm about to burn up faster than anything at this point! Unbelievable! Scowling while bypassing scented candles that were dutifully placed in circular rings, every pillar lazily let off odors of sweet fragrance and overall it got my throat itching consistently. Exhaling loudly in warding off an urge to kick one nearby bench, I strode forward coming to where some sort of altar and cross were on display looming behind twelve figures of men peering downward.

The cross itself looked brownish comparing to complete bronze considering it wasn't made of wood despite sharing similarities to those I'd seen rarely in my life. Steam kept arising out of my collar, I had to visibly yank clothing aside in allowing cooler air and temperatures only climbed gradually leaving myself to gnash on teeth, "Too hot!" Vividly glaring in finding anything remotely liquid in origin, I spotted a glass case just underneath where said cross loomed overhead. The prospect of finding relief proved too much, if I had any choice left humoring.

An altar where some massive book left out gave me an eyeful of scribbling words to which only appeared something not in my native language. Chicken scratch, I bet! Kneeling down to brush aside clothe did an entire glass case revealing nothing but icons, a cup and literally nothing to quench an ever urgent need for thirst. Anger naturally came with a fist slamming thunderously onto tiles floor, if only causing hissing due to exterior paint flaking off. Hell I didn't imagine how much more hotter I'd be getting, but this was getting absolutely insane to figure out visibly!

"Sacramental wine is usually stored underneath the altar of the Lord." A man's voice spoke up mildly humorous as I jumped back breathing heavily to ward off rightful surprise. Standing just behind clad in blackened robes with some sort of cross hanging in open view, "And I suspect Jim's call about a steaming boy wasn't his usual routine for selling off relics of blessed fortunes. But don't be too frightened, if you weren't a believer then you'd have been ash and those who protect the faithful would have appeared...immediately."

A priest who looked far older than I was, or roughly a bit as Slim absently pulled on one meager pouch to toss over graciously. He certainly had palish skin yet had a full goatee with tinges of black and grayish hair maintained considerably grooved, "You maybe right, Father." I retorted with a leering look as I caught an entire weight in immediately downing cold water. It was genuinely able to keep churning fires within my gut subdued, if this was supposedly Gino then I gave Slim credit for having old friends who wore uniforms in their younger days.

"No, boy." He said with wry exasperation when swiftly bypassing myself to clean up any deficiencies with tailored clothe, "Slim is not a man I wish to know anymore than those who hide behind greed as their saving grace. And you are not here for healing, if he urgently contacted myself while offering future relics for heaven itself." Every-time he'd said boy, I came close in drawing a revolver to make him change his attitude. I hadn't been a child for years, but the fact cold water made everything tolerable was worth ignoring for a bit.

My throat eased up partially to reply flippantly, "Wouldn't that be a shock? Slim doing things for free, if you think like that then I sure as hell think you're insane." If the man looked concerned than he never showed much beyond humming partially, "Free to wallow in degeneracy and filth! Johnathan is still using that ridiculous call sign, even when he was once a better man. And now he sends a sinful boy like yourself to me, as if he's pawning off another piece of merchandise."

Downing another mouthful of cold water helped when I exhaled asking, "Slim-Jim?" I questioned utterly amazed he had a name beyond shooting up all underneath a needle's point, "So you must be Father Gino? Sure as hell know Slim's got no friends, or 'contacts' as he called ya!" I quoted him using a pair of fingers to make the priest snort loudly, it wasn't hard to figure out he either loathed Slim or just hated him for doing whatever he'd wanted.

"I'm well aware of what John mentioned, boy." Gino who made no attempt in deflecting a name stood upright clasping both hands in making several gestures and an entire case glowered briefly. What the hell? Glowing right, holy blessings...who'd have known! It took me several moments in seeing said glowering die down, not before a priest who headed this particular church moved to an altar flipping through pages with an aggravated expression. Even though water helped my churning gut, I still felt heat surging once his face tightened gradually.

Eying behind to sit down, I found myself with legs crossed giving this man an impatient urgency to get on with whatever would happen. Gino's blue eyes finally closed with him grumbling aloud, "You are an absolute headache, boy. Johnathan mentioned you weren't human and yet you are still able to consume blessed water without falling to your knees!" I raised an eyebrow while downing another mouthful of supposed blessed water of god, to belch loudly with steam escaping to linger lazily as it faded away with my smug look.

"Love and hate the bastard, so enjoy it father." The priest visibly grimaced when he raised a hand sending some sort of powder upon an altar to have it start smouldering, "Wrath." A singular word made my curiosity peaking to comment about last night's events. Devil's said the same thing, I'm full of sin and apparently wrath isn't common. Call me a believer, because I sure as hell want to break more of them in to get cash flowing for a future, pal.

Gino reluctantly listened when crossing both arms clearly not finding an answer, "Slim give you the quick version? Or did he mention I tore a devil's head off?" I asked grinning widely to see him frown absolutely in retorting slowly, "You killed one? Inside their territory and you're here alive, after this occurred with your episode at Johnathan's shop?"

The pouch of cold water practically started to boil due to my hands sending wisp scurrying freely against leather, "All true, father. And should I start confessing my sins next?" I mockingly used one hand in making a blabbing motion to have him blink owlishly. Beside him sizzling smouldering grew until smoke arose with him eying a now slightly on fire book, or it may have been the altar given no sense of smell came with burning material. It just oozed off leaving little imagination, I had no idea what he'd done since having me drink literal water.

"You're not human, boy." Gino affirmed what Slim had probably mentioned considering he gripped a cross twirling it idly, "But you're no devil, or else their blood would have reacted fatally in bringing out any signs. In fact I dare say you're closer to us as men..." He stopped abruptly while cautiously pulling some sort of parchment out of chicken scratch writings to really peer at smouldering embers, if anything his face kept scrutinizing texts consistently mystified. It certainly became flattering when he didn't speak for a minute, or two.

Eventually my sardonic grin became too much, "You sure you ain't Catholic? Least they're intent young boys, or am I that too good looking?" Laughing loudly to see him visibly scowl when he replied absolutely annoyed, "Johnathan failed to mention your sense of humor is not easily a jest, to either I or the Lord, boy. Clearly your profound sense of an obnoxious nature is among many who enter a place of God, is there anything you find amusing in being no less human than devil's who masquerade among us?"

Absently I picked out an ear while downing more liquid water somewhat unconcerned, "Too many words and so little time, Father. You going to explain to me why I can eat fire, while I do this to you without someone getting pissed up in the clouds?" Casually lowering fingers until one lone middle digit remained upward gesturing provocatively. After several moments Gino's scowling became bordered on a disbelief to literally gawk in sheer amazement to state, "You are a petulant child who enters seeking guidance from those who've lived, boy. Even a miscreant such as Johnathan for all his filthy habits knows that answers are not given, but only sought and earned if they mean nothing to children's whims."

My grin stretched partially after chewing over an almost decent attempt in getting me to seem insignificant. Yet the Priest's tone certainly got anger boiling underneath inflamed flesh that assisted adrenaline rushes, "Are you seriously comparing me to that junkie fuck, priest?" I leaned forward dropping any semblance of humoring what this guy would say, I could take most insults yet it was making a distinction when I was damn well above Slim! I sold product, I stole, I fought for every dollar scrapping by and I'd damn well use Slim-Jim for the tool he'd been selling all weird kinds of shit to anyone gullible on good days.

"Your guilt trip isn't working pal, it's getting me pissed to let you know!" An almost boiling pouch of water seemingly ceased being cold when I sat it down gesturing for him to come closer, "I'm not afraid to start a holy war in some run down half ass place called a church, father. And I'm fairly certain I ain't gonna be gentle, I already killed a devil that wasn't human." Gino's eyes narrowed furiously, as if I had the balls to start some rumble inside a place of so called worship. He knew Slim, so therefore he wasn't beyond my annoyances to get blood flowing quickly.

Leaning back gnashing teeth to ward off an urge in letting loose old fashioned aggression, "You know what? Just where in your mind does it make you think you'll last half as long? Huh, Father?" I questioned all too happily with hands tightly flexing in cracking all my knuckles all too tempted, "If a cocky fuck of a devil couldn't make it out alive? What chance you got against me, if I start turning up the heat in here?"

All too gradually my smile kept curling until I exhaled out enough steam obscuring Gino's entirety in seeming him twitch a jawline. Oh, he expected me to be come some 'nice' guy? Welcome to my world pal, I don't have time to play nice and sooner I find what the shit is happening to me? Sooner you and I never see each other again, god willing of course. Once pacified insides churned strong, urgently and a sense of glass being mashed together got my patience peaked. And as the moments kept on dragging alone, I found myself seeing a variety of coloration illuminating a once dim church's interior as a subtle snapped triggered it!

I bellowed out impatiently and beyond furious, "ANSWER ME, PRIEST! I stood upright unable to stop myself as an entire wooden bench meant for dozens got sent upwards. A hand gripped with flames burning through wood, leather and made an awful smell with it smashing loudly into splinters against two pillars. Smoulder embers upon an alter made Gino swiftly sweep them onto tiles floors where they sunk inward due to their sheer intensity!

Sizzling tiles practically broiled from embers he'd swept off an altar to glare somewhat amazed at my outburst, "It seems you have no less of a chance in being a man who is consistently proving another right, boy." Reaching into robes did he uncork some small metallic cork in blatantly downing what amounted to wine, or alcohol to exhale loudly. It hardly appealed to my willingness in wasting any more time inside this run down church that supposedly was meant for answers, as well in tempting myself returning to Slim-Jim's shop to fully enact what I'd promised. Just burning down that small ass store might just kill me, if I don't humor it!

All too easily steps came up from behind with a younger voice warily voicing out, "Father? Is everything all right in...here?" I turned glaring sourly in seeing some other man who looked about Chase's age eying splintered remains of an entire bench meant for dozens. His hand had dipped into robes of similar to Gino. And yet I had a pistol's grip prepared, if I thought what I'd glimpsed glinting to provoked an all too happy confrontation. I was seriously considering in throwing this altar-boy through a window at this point.

From behind an elder priest seemingly reluctant just spoke up, "It is only a petulant child causing more questions than answers, so be at ease." He warily side stepped smouldering embers staring constantly at them, although not before mentioning, "And put that away! Drawing a blessed weapon won't be expected if you assumed an enemy had sought this house harm. For this one isn't a devil or anything against heaven's light, Thomas."

Crouching down near broiling holes which gradually simmered into cooling pits did he frown deeply disturbed, "You're also early." I kept eying an equivalent for of an alter-boy who stiffened upon seeing my own firearm being deliberately exposed, "I've found a lead in where the...stray has taken refugee and I need blessed munitions in eliminating it. Several have already fallen victim to it's rampage, I gave them rites of passing to those I could determine were legible." I wasn't immune into being tempted even though I remained in place overhearing that term again, it'd been the second time in almost two days of hearing about strays.

"The hell's a stray?" Voicing out somewhat curious and equally tempted, "Slim mentioned there's been a bunch of bodies cropping up!" Thomas scowled visibly when Gino explained wryly in maintaining some sense of civility, "Devils, boy. And the kind that are not liked even among their own, strays are an unreasonable creature driven mad with sin, power or simply become what they seek to emulate from our souls. Uncontrollable, unlikable to their own and they prey upon those who are ignorant of such dangers wherever they emerge."

He partially nudged cold embers despite going about six inches deep within tiled stone frowning as he took another swig of liquid. Gino's eyes did look up expectantly towards an approaching younger clergyman to ask, "Were you noticed by them? Or by it? The one's here have no bound for greed, it'd be best by the Lord and his servants to dispatch it, or risk them attaining another with their influence starting to grow on our blessed grounds."

Thoma's brown eyes flickered to where I stood obviously mistrustful, "It's been moving among the homeless lately. It keeps hunting and chewing on those who stumble into it, but..." He stopped briefly trying to make sense of slaughter in continuing slowly, "I tracked it, it's moving towards John's neighborhood and has taken up residence nearby a liquor store. Just where a small park is at, I fear for the young and families who are unaware of the danger lurking, Father."

That description alone got my spine shivering out of delight, or familiarity as I stared disbelievingly at this younger priest. One block away from where I live, well...I'll be damned. Matches up where I usually sell off product to addicts, so maybe someone's listening after all! I pocked my revolver as an adrenaline rush certainly got my unrelenting anger appeased, in fact I almost found myself savoring the information. I sure as hell wouldn't put up with a devil, or anything messing with my only means of attaining money for another week's pay.

"Hey, altar-boy!" I spoke up smugly gleeful, "That liquor store have iron windows and is run by some foreigners who seek garbled English? It's got a red sign, or two?" Thomas ignored me at first, if only for Gino to piece it together effortlessly. And truth be told, I was starting to think Slim-Jim may have been actually useful for having old friends.

Although it all got confirmed with him inquiring wryly intrigued, "You live where this stray has been moving towards, boy? And last night your episode happened?" I shrugged all too nonchalantly despite ignoring glass and fire churning inside my gut, "Tore a devil's head off, pal! All I know is that Slim said you, or maybe altar-boy could give me something for eating fire like it's nothing. But I ain't putting up with competition on my block, I got product selling to junkies and them dying off quickly by this devil won't make me end's meat."

Thomas outright scoffed looking to Gino earnestly disgusted, "By the Father in heaven, is this John's idea of a joke? This gangster miscreant?" He looked back towards splintered remains of a bench that was utterly in tattered pieces with chips of wood staining an entire tiled floor, "This degenerate lunatic killed a devil? In that damned place?"

Arms were folded as though I were being judged to which I replied cynically, "Sticks and stone, bitch boy. Words just give me motivation, if you're lucky!" Internal heat kept building up until steam escaped my own mouth whenever I exhaled deeply, I needed something or anything to cool enough or risked premature arson inside this church's interior. Reluctantly through effort alone in crushing an urge for breaking this altar-boy's neck, I apparently had some sort of devil picking off addicts who were my bread and butter between weekend stints in the Cage.

"Will you shut your mouth?" Thomas snarled when I leered by beckoning him forward, "Only if I put my size twelve boot up your ass to taste your own shit, choir boy." Raw anger graced this younger wannabe priest as Gino sternly quelled conflict, "Enough! The both of you act like bickering toddlers over candy for Christ's sake. Go prepare yourself, Thomas in doing the Lord's bidding in safeguarding those who still hold faith."

All too happily he stomped past going towards a meager doorway that provided access behind into this church's interior. And as he bypassed me, I wasn't blind in seeing loathing despite grinning daringly in seeing him twitch furiously. Grow up choir boy, not all of us have the luxury when surviving day to day in this world. I'll remember your face, oh I love it when they always think their better until a bullet brings them down onto their knees. Even though anger kept coursing inside my veins, I sure as hell felt better knowing I had better to look into tonight and what little patience returned in favor of eliminating a threat for competition on my home's turf.

"Maybe Slim's right after all father, I think found an answer for a problem when it's on my doorstep. Guess the man upstairs is listening, who'd have known?" Gino's gaze hardened with fairly distinct irritation to remark, "Those who seek conflict are not favored, heard or protected by the Lord in heaven boy! But your circumstances from Johnathan's account is quite strange, if only for a stray edging it's way closer to where you and he reside upon those who'd we driven off returning. So, by the lord's grace will I humor your involvement since you clearly won't ignore a threat."

I practically swooned with finding the first words this man said all too happily, "Threats to business and competition won't last long around my block, Father. Those homeless pay for my life, so I give them what they need and they'll die slower for me to squeeze them dry, I don't try bothering getting hooked when green paper makes a world better off." His visible disgust became palpable even though he stood upright eying holes on a tiled floor. Smoulder wisps of smoke from within had all but died away leaving ashy remains, I didn't bother wondering why when I had prospects in cleaning out a devil without being distracted by friends.

"You're not one of them boy, but you emulate their sinful nature enough to where I suspect this stray can scent it." Gino partially theorized while taking another swig of drink inquiring, "If you know where the area, I can allow your assistance only if you adhere to Thoma's experience. And in return?" He paused gauging my widening grin that spoke enough in playing tolerate bystander, "I will try to figure what this all means since Johnathan and I have a debt. You aren't apart of us, but this stray takes priority since it's been feasting on those who don't know of this world's dangers creeping closer into their homes for weeks."

My guts internal turmoil kept itself known even though I was gleefully willing to point out, "Maybe I'll be your little choir boy's ticket for a dinner and drinks with it, Father! Seems like we have a problem with someone, so I guess I can stick myself out there for a...price?" I held out a hand rubbing dollars together in seeing him visibly annoyed, "Your answers for your unique situation will be compensated, if you prove to be capable in following Thomas's word, boy. And by the lord's grace, I do wonder how that ragged bb-gun actually wounded one of them."

That comparison to a dented up revolver made myself cringe externally, "I picked it up from a junkie who thought he was too good to pay up." Gino grunted unsurprisingly, "Indeed! Bullets not blessed will not do much, boy. Pray you don't learn too late, or else Johnathan would be impressed. The only reason why I'm advising you, is because I'd rather not have Thomas be caught flat footed with yourself tailing him since you know those streets...hopefully well."

The entire deal wouldn't be cutting out for practical needs involving something materialistic to quench an invaluable prospect. Blessed bullets means better firearm, so to hell with answers on your word father. I need something to bring down what isn't human, so let's amp this up! I leaned back onto a pillar whistling lowly in pointing out, "Throw in some blessed bullets, or tell me where I get something to take down a bear instead of this hunk of junk. And I'll happily watch over your choir boy, or ring the dinner bell for this stray to come knocking!"

Gino countered heatedly trying to avoid getting outright flabbergasted, "You're demanding far beyond what can be considered, boy. You have nothing beyond serving a purpose, but if you're that eager to press your fortunes?" I wasn't fazed considering I'd had odds stacked against me ever since being born out of that whore of a mother's womb long ago, "Then learn humility, if you seek conflict to meet the heavenly father so quickly. You are entering a war for mankind's place in this world, but only as fodder to those who safeguard your own soul!"

I let off a barking laugh finding that utterly priceless, "Sure, father!" Gesturing back behind where I'd walked in humoring enough to stall off what a world had in store, "The only war I'm entering is living everyday and now it's on my turf, which is my problem to clear up. One devil's back where it belongs, in hell and I sure would love to wonder if the man upstairs is all too willing in sending another! Since I got nothing left to lose beyond red liquid inside these veins."

Again the priest snorted finding my words simply as such, "Spoken like many in their youth, boy and I know because far worse has happened and can, if you believe in worse off things. This peace we see only lasts because men like Thomas and I, tell those like you it can remain if we maintain it." I rolled both eyes clearly not buying that waste of thought alone. World was always looking for ways to ignite some blood being split, I was just fortunate enough to wander streets were anything kicked off it all rolled down hill from somewhere.

"Seems like that's a person problem, father." He twitched irritably debating internally in throwing my wise ass out past doors, "And if your idea of playing peace keeper is being threatened? Then it was never peaceful, it was only simmering since I have junkies dying quicker than I get them with this stray devil pissing on my income. Besides..." I trailed off looking to a cross with an overt sardonic smile wondering aloud, "If He is allowing all of this to happen? Whose to say peace was never on the table if you're arguing with me of all people."

Gino's face never once moved from stern to retort unhappily, "Wait outside these halls, boy. Whether you indeed killed a devil inside that wretched place, remains to be see. But I sincerely pray you assist Thomas in cleansing out one that cannot remain among us." I couldn't resist leering in following the only piece of wisdom this so called drunkard of a priest said for once. As far as I was concerned, I wasn't getting answers anytime soon and this probably became a waste of time itself. Truthfully I never liked churches, on good days but coming to one on Slim's word alone awfully left myself reconsidering seriously.

Alcoholic priest probably does his altar-boy's in the back room anyway! I rationalized while kicking aside splintered wooden pieces that stained an entire floor. At least they'd have something worth preserving if nothing came out of this exchange, I did at least appreciate an internal hunger had disbelievingly lightened up though. Still looks like Slim's info wasn't entirely shit, I got a nuisance knocking off my only means of selling product too. And the only I have to worry about, is whether this choir boy can actually put it down before I do.

Bypassing doorways with one being slammed behind myself, I stood underneath an overhanging slant of stone staring out towards dwindling traffic. Cars both expensive and not, big rid trucks and an occasional police vehicle kept on going leaving very little change with the city going towards a nocturnal setting. Throughout it all, I kept breathing relatively despite a lingering fire inside my gut churning again. And unlike before entering the church, I swore ever so slightly it actually became tolerable with my smile growing wider knowing that there was something near my home block causing trouble.

"I need a cigar." I muttered chortling finding that craving easier in sating an internal fire, if only barely to exhale reluctantly, "Slim would know which ones are the best, I bet. Shit, I can't believe I'm actually considering he's better than useful for once." Crossing both arms I leaned against a church's exterior impatient yet expectantly to look behind at closed wooden doors. One way, or another I had a problem that needed to be solved with it threatening my only means beyond the Cage in attaining an income on others addictions.

Whose to say that it can't get me places? Might as well win a few fights, earn a killing and go from there to start up something I've never considered. Perhaps greed, or maybe ambition made such prospects tempting yet I had everything potentially in place to take over other blocks. But that was down the line, I had priorities in paying myself off and dealing with some devil that kept knocking off homeless that were my hard earned business alone. Either way I couldn't contain an eagerness in finally realizing that if I wasn't human, then so be it when I bled red and considered myself a man for taking care of problems without complaint.

The horizon dimmed with a sun setting within hours leaving me relieved in cooling temperatures with shadows stretching from various buildings. Wonder if the choir boy and that priest are... That thought ceased immediately when a cool fleeting touch along an arm made my own eyes snap aside towards rustling hedges to the right. Outright tensing up, once I stared seeing nothing out of place as a shivering sensation along a spine rode up prominently in making teeth gnash due to how sudden it'd been really.

After a few moments nothing seemingly appeared again out of place, or disrupted traffic veering by the church's property line. Someone touched my arm, else I'm getting a sense of deja vu from that bastard's club all over again. Uncrossing arms I walked past an overhang looking around cautiously until a fleeting brush made me jolt back! A thin shape lazily fell swishing in gentle breezes as it landed precisely at the base of feet, I wiped away an agitated eye before blinking away disbelief which rightfully kick started adrenaline for realizing absolute details. That wasn't there before when I walked in, because holy shit I know I'd have seen it!

Kneeling down I plucked up some soft yet distinct blackened feather which felt warmer than the air itself. I frowned deeply unable to believe it was some bird, or any animal considering it stretched from my palm towards an elbow briefly hitting an upper arm due to a cocked angle. An angel's...feather? Twirling it around and over several times, I twitched my jawline considerably chewing over that fairly real possibility. Yet it begged a question, as to how did any of them tail me when nothing was at all following me and I was entirely wrong.

Pulling out my phone from a pant's pocket eying my newest number and messages previously empty for an entire day. But something had changed, I stared hard until inevitably smirking. Well, I'll be damned. One lone text message had appeared not even a few moments ago. It seemingly only asked how my day had been innocently enough. Let's play ball, angel. I knew despite being freshly new into this so called world of creatures that weren't human. But apparently I was in that category even though I bled red liquid out of my veins.

Regardless I figured in hindsight, by that logic and small hope, I'd have to start working to unravel said topic. And to start it off, I was playing to go beyond what any person would believe was possible given I had angels stalking me. Between devils knocking off homeless and addicts on my side of town, I wouldn't be able to get as much out of them. As I scrolled down a screen, I clicked briefly to bring said piece of plastic up to an ear. There wasn't any doubt inside my gut, I expected soon I was going to find out just how, or why a Fallen Angel had been tailing my ignorant ass for an entire day without myself knowing.

---

Evening had descended by the time I sat across from where supposedly this stray devil had taken up residence close to my home itself. Sitting rather bored despite taking a trip into the liquor store left little imagination, I sat there smoking all too blissfully some off-brand cigar that granted me relief even among colder gusts. Cheap despite everything, but I guess it's not too bad! Christ, I think Slim's habits are rubbing off on me because I want what he gave me that night. Tingling sensations strongly coursed up arms and legs equally stemming off churning glass inside my stomach's interior, although it seemed someone didn't appreciate constant reinforcement of patience.

"Must you smoke that disgusting thing?!" A younger priest grumbled lividly when I glanced over blowing grayish smoke right into his face, "Got a problem, choir boy?" Considering he had no vehicle in making chills dampen at all, I still found myself comfortably enjoying some strange sense of staking out a devil supposedly killing off homeless addicts. And yet many were wandering around after sunset behind us in a park without much difference of their habits, but a few did group together behind public restrooms in shooting themselves up.

Thomas coughed loudly to sneer angrily, "Is this all a joke to you? Don't you have some self-respect to not indulge in sinful..." Another cloud of smoke sent him reeling away as I gave him an annoyed look after hearing enough preaching for years, "Would you stop bitching about me? This is the only thing keeping me from putting a bullet up in that thick skull of yours, choir boy and daddy Gino isn't here to play Catholic...so do me a favor." I held up two fingers preferably my middle one came up first, as another on an opposite hand followed suite.

Two words were needed to have him gnash teeth rightfully infuriated, "Shut!" I listed off casually, "Up!" Turning away while gazing hawkish towards homeless who moved akin to shambling from behind a restroom, if only pulling out covered bottles of cheap booze bought for maybe a dollar or two at most. It wasn't difficult knowing their usual routines, but already tonight a lot of them were grouping up nearly buildings or side streets with myself frowning openly. It took about an hour, though finally I noticed subtle signs of unease among them all.

Alright, something's up with them! I gauged mildly while looking at a liquor store and apartments above it with relative interest. They weren't splitting off into their usual hangouts, or sat in open view which meant someone had them spooked. And ironically, I was more eager in seeing how terrified they'd get when I had product on my person in plain view. But not a singular junkie, or addict made way across an entire playground with tree's separating small building meant for public usage to indicate one thing.

"Well, I'd be damned. They are all scared shit less from this stray, choir boy." Thoma's face scowled obviously not impressed despite myself mildly pointing out, "Grouping up in confined spaces? Means they'll haul ass back to their holes, or run to a cop whose snoozing a block up the road, plus not buying what I sell tonight and all? Only question I got is how do you know, if this devil shows it's face do you and I figure it out?"

Occasionally one truck, or car bypassed us on the main street with distant sirens going off to indicate a nightly life kicking off. Although Thomas visibly twitched when I kept looking around seeking any sign of something out of place, "It'll appear hungry and devour all those who are full of sin. And if it gets close?" He pulled out a small trinket of metal and wood leaving me to cock an eyebrow almost seriously amazed, "The faith of the Father will burn and those who believe in him will alert me, unlike you who I sincerely doubt has any at all."

Outright bemused did I retort, "I have faith you can suck my right nut, choir boy." His jawline tightened when I implied somewhat smug, "But I think you do it easy enough. Hell I think for not being Catholic? I just might believe you and Gino could have something in common with them after all in hindsight." Inhaling deeply on a cigar all too pleased, I swore I heard him curse aloud and that was too damned funny.

"The Lord is testing me, or else your existence is among many that allow our world to fall further into perversion." I hardly blinked to retort equally aware in getting him riled up, "Oh lord, I'm hurt!" I drew out sarcastically amazed to outright laugh loudly finding his sense of understanding our own natures, "Like Gino, I'll ya the same thing. It seems like that's a personal problem you got in working off for being shit at your job, pal. World's always been shit, but you're failing in keeping it from doing what it always does...in fucking off."

Robes black enough in concealing arms shifted rapidly as if he debated in striking my blind side all too tempted. Do it to make my night, choir boy and prove me right! All too readily at the prospect seeking out a potential exchange of aggression, quickly did an internal heat surge over nicotine keeping myself pacified. Glaring almost daring the supposed priest created wonders in having him rigorously turn away snarling visibly, "And what do you suppose we do beyond waiting in this filthy park surrounded by drug addicts since you know them better?"

I nearly swooned while cooing out mockingly, "Well I'll be damned further, I think that's the first thing I can actually work with tonight. Keep it up!" I implied dourly into leaning back in gauging known side streets and hummed loudly after several moments. Puffing out smoke all too gleefully, I figured if this stray wouldn't come out for them? Then maybe it needed some incentive considering what I knew about what devils, or fallen angels said about me because I still needed to figure out what it all meant technically speaking.

To hell with it, let's bait it out and I got product to unload anyway. Taking a minute in eying some partial locals loitering between a playground, bathroom and some ragged looking basket ball court illuminated by shoddy lighting? Plenty of space to move around, plenty of places to hide out and let choir boy hope God shows him a warning. I'd be impressed if he answers, because I'd almost feel jealous for being ignored like everyone else in this world.

Sitting upright in cracking my back soothingly due to hardened wood, "I'll do my usual thing and get them hooked up, choir boy. If God warns you of a devil coming closer, then I guess being live bait works like a fish out of water!" Thomas blinked visibly stunned as I started walking off with hands in pockets humming a tune absently. I nearly wanted to tell him off, but this was my block and these addicts were my problem in deciding their life span for a few more months, or years depending if they didn't overdose sooner than later.

"You're an absolute selfish man." He mentioned absolutely disgusted when I turned around leering with a cigar smouldering strongly, "At least I got the balls to get something done, choir boy. And if you can't do your job, I'll make it easier for you to look good to father Gino. I'm sure you'll enjoy being behind an altar praising the holy spirit!" Cackling undeniably amused in seeing him scowl disgustedly, I went about in doing what I tended to do on normal days. I had plenty of time to make a quick buck, as well checking out anyone who normally never showed themselves in my block without offering some incentive in being hooked up.

Rushing gusts of air swept along an entire sidewalk when I exhaled out smoke as an abrupt turn lead myself further into a playground. Very few loitered around, but half a dozen remained sitting close together on benches and tables underneath swaying trees. Leaves got blown off in wild abundance crackling among nearly bare branches, they'd been the last stubborn pieces of nature with coloration's of red and yellow. Let's find out, if stray devils are just as arrogant. So where would it hide, if it wanted to consume sin and soul?

Lightly chewing over any thought left me absolutely floored as I flicked ash idly off unable to come up with anything reasonable. Worst of us? So how do they know when our souls are ripe to be gorged on like an addict... I stopped that line of thinking in order to loudly scoff ever bemused, a devil wanted the worst of everything until we had nothing left. And in that case alone? I had something to go on in drawing this rabid creature out, I'd make all of these junkies have a hell of a time in shooting up on my good will alone.

Approaching one decent sized group left little imagination when withdrawn gazes met my own eager grin, "You dealing?" A haggard man questioned somewhat impatiently, as he began scratching his neck as another wiped blood from a runny nose, "Oh...is that you, Rex?" He stepped away uneasily with others looking up rather eagerly due to my lack of usual deals, "Shit man, we want no trouble tonight! We're not exactly in a good way to pay ya, I know last time you and I had a little issue but I can get something..."

The small plastic bag full of white capsules shut his mouth immediately when I interrupted rather friendly, "Not looking for green paper tonight, pal. Looking for a new face, if you catch my meaning and I think a free bag ain't worth too much." Immediately several pulled out rusty spoons, or spare lighters with them freely tearing into a bag as syringes utterly dirtied were brought out. And yet I stood there casually puffing out smoke eying them all rather keenly, I'd never freely gave out product so it'd get a point across easily.

If choir boy can't find out whose wearing our skin, then maybe one of them would know who's acting a little too cheerful. Casually pulling out another palm sized bag of hardened gray goop that would melt into liquid drew eager eyes far too quickly akin to starving animals. Sweetening a deal with some surreal amazement running through their heads, if only due to highs kicking in naturally, "You tell me whose new among your addict friends. And then?"

Lightly tossing a bag up and down all too smugly, "I offer more of this if someone tells me, or let your friends know around here. Cause I got a problem, a stray problem that's getting me quite annoyed in playing hide and seek." None of them seemingly caught on which left me to check out others groups despite leaving crumbs for a creature not human to be tempted, "Believe me! I don't do charity and offer product without cash often unless it's worthy my time, pal."

My hand secured a bag loosely with eyes drawn to it ever damning in craving an unstoppable need called addiction. Some outright began injecting themselves to exhale pleasurably, or lean back onto grass smiling in their own lost highs, "Anyone?" I asked again in seeing very few of them take notice despite being on cloud nine, if only it'd kill them quicker than being consumed and torn apart by a creature not human. It didn't take long until someone whistled sharply in waving an arm lazily, as other homeless stumbled over seeing lighters lit up.

Oh, I love it when idiots kill themselves! None of their eyes seemed to have turned blackened, or made effort beyond falling in droves as a drug kick started personal others slowly came over after familiar whistles inviting them for plentiful gatherings made my smile widen. It only took about five minutes for having an entire dozen, or more shambling over as I inhaled on a cigar casually taking in expressions. They can't get enough until their skin bleeds out from burning out veins, but whose a new face in this sea of shit, eh?

Inhaling deeply to exhale out smoke causing a few to wrinkle their faces into edging them away from myself proved helpful. It gave me space, it gave me plenty of ease in peering at those slumping over with half dead smiles enjoying themselves immensely. Starting to wonder, if it'd be easier overdosing them in starving this thing out. But they're my problem, if they live longer than I get more out of it while seeing them enjoy themselves. Walking over towards a vacant bench and table, I sat down eying them all while fondling another small bag of their addicted lives, if anything their had been more mostly weeks past due to my reputation in selling affordable product.

"Anyone going to bite?" I spoke up mirthfully in dangling plastic wrapped heroin, "First one who tells me what I need to know, I give some high pure product if it's worth it." Heads awkwardly rolled with sunken eyes widening in sheer disbelief, I'd have been concerned too if I were high enough. Yet unfortunately I never made it a habit mixing pleasure and business, I preferred to live a tad bit longer instead of dying by those syringes by forty at most. And as always, it was their own decisions that gave them an unstoppable force of addictive cravings.

Several ragged clothe individuals spoke slurring words among themselves yet most awkwardly edged away despite having needles in arms. Dirtied faces refused answering much to my internal delight since they had known something was wrong. They all know each other, homeless are very keen and they would spot new faces around. Can't exactly find a decent place to sleep, or scavenge if there's too much competition screwing them over. And ironically it gave me clarity, a lack of familiar faces meant someone new had started making their lives hell daily.

"Don't snitch!" One man whispered fearfully despite having a slumped over posture, his pupils while dilated had quickly caught on to sporadic words nearby. I turned towards him leering widely in order to quell that age old stigma, "You know? I reward snitches, pal. You make my business and profit better, it's common sense if you need to get a leg up on someone here, so there ain't no snitch getting stitches on my block."

Others in their mindless haze of gazed expressions grinned with one man retorting, "Rex ain't no joke, pay him off and we'll all have a good night!" Yet the man who fearfully warned them shook his head quivering in place, even though a high burned inside veins. It meant only one thing, he was afraid and deathly so of whatever he'd known. And despite that revealing sensation in striking gold since a witness watched possibly a devil preying on them, if he was afraid then I was too fucking curious to not push said topic!

My tone hardly changed beyond implying an eagerness, "You willing to snitch out a face? For some of this little piece of pleasure?" Holding up a bag of one extreme bit of product, it'd certainly get their minds fixated as he shifted nervously despite sweating visibly afraid, "C'mon pal, I reward anyone getting a leg up on competition and you're on my block. Keep it that way, then you'll get first look on anything if it leads me to finding out whose causing trouble!"

Various folk kept pressuring him with some visibly gesturing towards a dangling bag as he swallowed openly fearful, "No...Rex, it ain't someone!" I cocked an eyebrow by striding over exhaling out smoke into bending over to ask him directly, "Who is it, pal? I thought I misheard ya, it is someone new around here? Causing everyone in my block knows I'm the trouble, because it's my problem if it is and you know something's up!"

The haunted looking addict kept rapidly eying various grinning faces, or greedy smiles hinting at him in coughing up an answer quickly. C'mon you junkie, please make my night! I humored savoring in figuring out where this devil kept preying on all of this sin, more so after he abruptly turned around see nothing but an empty park mostly of dried leaves being whisked around, or hearing an occasional traffic with nocturnal routines of drivers. Overall he had nothing to fear visibly, but I couldn't help save to frown in seeing him tremble openly. He genuinely was so afraid of someone that wasn't human at all, if I had to guess in all honesty.

"Rex..." He whispered hugging himself fearfully to again repeat, "I can't! I can't say it man, it's...it's..." I opened a plastic bag immediately allowing free access to what lay within, it made hooting and groans of greed begging the dirtied and malnourished man in answering. His eyes were wider than anything with myself pleasantly weighing said contents. And my chest all too gradually burned while inhaling in garnering a leer in exposing teeth all too naturally tempted, I only needed to hear him say a name to get an idea.

The man practically bit his tongue refusing cravings unusually profound as it confirmed my suspicion he'd seen this devil physically, "Tell me, who." I only demanded smugly when his hand shakily kept reaching for a bag, if only for myself dangling it further away. You want what's got you so hooked, earn it and offer me something valuable. Although must be scary enough for a junkie like him to almost say no to this stuff, I'm a little impressed! Puffing out smoke proved enough in sating a churning sensation of fiery glass to make patience ever so rewarding, I counted up until a solid thirty seconds before he inevitably cracked.

His quivering tone alone indicated a god awful burning inside veins craving to sate a killer habit, "It's that...kid!" Although I paused immediately blinking owlishly, I must have been so surprised to have him say it again. Lips were licked eagerly, "A kid showed up...but it's not a kid! Walked up and asked my girl...one moment she was there and then..." The man's voice broke down with tears gnashing teeth as he fell onto knees screaming in a hollowed out tone. And everything clicked in place for me to get an idea despite blinking several times.

"Are you bullshitting me?" I mouthed out even though I tossed a bag right into his chest and miraculously he ignored it snarling angrily, "Does it sound like I'm lying to you, Rex!" He scrambled away from a bag as if it were an explosive device, he pointed trembling while yelling a mix of fear and rage that sent shivers up my spinal cord, "See for yourself! It was that fucking kid, him right there behind you on that swing!"

Slowly turning around due to an audible tingling sensation sending instinctual surprise and outright urgency proved absolutely worthless. You got to be kidding me! I stared openly towards a previously empty playground when it was damn well clear, not a soul or kid would be caught dead alone in this part of a city alone. It was only myself, junkies, addicts and homeless yet I nearly inhaled too deeply in choking off lungs to breathe. And if I hadn't known devils, or angels existed then I'd have chalked what I saw as a sign from God himself personally.

Thomas despite dressed like a priest was walking side by side with a tearful boy who kept pointing towards some abstract corner of the park itself. The man hardly seemed aware of anything beyond kindly kneeling in offering a cross forward, as if explaining and this devil wearing a child's flesh looked at it curiously with reddish eyes. I swear you have more in common with Catholics, choir boy! Either that, or you wouldn't know if a devil bit you in the damned ass! I ranted absolutely stunned to barely see a livid junkie weeping with fists pounding onto brownish dead grass, if only causing for others nervously catching on that something wasn't right either.

Staring pointedly at a kid before gruffly confirming with the junkie, "Are you bullshitting me? Or is that what you're scared shit-less about?" I kept staring to squint in seeing nothing extremely out of place, if only blinking away skeptical doubt. And yet from behind a junkie practically yelled in a fit of anger that hardly seemed misleading, "It told me, Rex! I saw it, it laughed and she...she was gone, screaming when I ran!"

An audible shiver ran along arms as I inhaled unable to quell gleeful temptation. It was a surge of adrenaline when I gave him a look still bordering on debatable, "It said if I snitched, it would find me again and make me wish it wasn't as hungry! My girl screamed for me to help, but...I was too damned scared and it ain't human!" This junkie gripped hands until dried skin started tearing away with his teeth gnashing so tightly I'd bet it chip yellowed teeth, "And it got her alone, it showed up around here couple days ago!"

Throughout it all two distinct words and coincidences got my attention beyond intrigued into pooling over an earnest grin of excitement. Those two devil escorts on Slim's arms said, they grant wishes and want our souls. And couple days ago this thing shows up since bodies have been cropping up around town, plus that other night I was tearing that one's head off? It all seemed to fit leaving me without much beyond watching a priest gently laughing as the devil wearing a child's skin hadn't once physically touched the cross oddly enough. Thomas offered it, but it seemingly shook it's head pointing towards another end of the park shuffling in place utterly pitiful.

"You're sure that kid isn't a kid?" I halfheartedly questioned leaning back onto a table's edge watching Thomas stand upright beaming somewhat in agreement, "Don't like kids too much, but gunning one down isn't exactly..." The junkie stood up ending my half-ass attempt of stalling to a point absolutely enraged screaming to the limit in which his voice practically carried over a distance. And as a result, I saw a child stiffen with Thomas looking up alarmed due to him not being aware of who exactly lived in this park after sunset.

This addict who I'd hardly cared in every case, even I found myself partially stunned. He struggled yet a vicious snarl had stood up shouting wildly desperate, clinging to some conflict sneer of absolute confidence and remained visibly fearful due to said child staring behind at where we stood, "It's not human! It's something else! Sam's dead because it tore her apart, it laughed when I came back to where we'd been sleeping and I hear her screaming for my name to help her live, please for the love of God Rex!"

Tears kept streaming leaving my smile fading until an indifferent aggravation arose unintentionally for seeing how pathetic a grown man begged another. This junkie whose name I sure as hell wouldn't want to know, or humor in guessing was snarling despite visibly malnourished. Ragged clothing, yellowed teeth and yet his face wasn't remotely close to an entire group of subdued addicts, in fact almost all of them were wide eyed despite being in their own highs. Maybe that phone call to an angel wasn't exactly worth it, because this isn't anything less but pathetic! Says she'd be interested if a stray could stop lingering inside this city, or else attention comes from a bunch of devils who'll tear through everyone drawing it out.

Exhaling out smoke hardly appeased an ever churning sensations becoming urgently hotter to where steam started wafting off my exposed face. What am I even doing? I lamented internally to inevitably scowl when a man who'd die from an overdose probably months from now promised, "I don't care what you offer, I'm sick of this shit! You like snitches, then do me a favor and do what I can't! I fucking hate this...I hate it!" He practically balled into slumping onto knee's staring depressingly at an exposed bag of product even if others kept trying to fail in obviously wanting to snatch it up, I certainly hadn't encountered any junkie up to this point in all honesty seemingly breaking down. It was surreal in hindsight to my understanding.

Unwillingly Chase's words came back hauntingly as we'd discovered in the Cage about devil's seeking out our souls. They take until there's nothing left, as that devil with Slim said. They don't have souls, but we do? I chewed over another moment until glancing over towards Thomas who glared disgustedly to where I stood, as if I were the source of this man's erratic mental breakdown. Truth be told, I never once told these junkies to die off outwardly, but on occasion some did manage in delaying addictions if they did try to become clean rarely.

"Sounds like you got issues, pal." I eventually remarked chortling to flick off ash onto a table before gesturing to his pitiful posture, "But you're not wrong! You want me cleaning out personal problems, that's between you and I to hash out...if I'm in a good mood. And guess what?" I coyly grinned in seeing some potential use out of this snitch, if he knew what to look for and really wanted a devil off my block? Then I'd do a favor as my good deed of the month, if it wasn't for a friend of course and yet it was too tempting.

Taking an ever dire need of nicotine in warding off churning glass shifting through my abdomen, "I'm in a really, really good mood." Casually turning away while exhaling out smoke did I call over a shoulder moving towards Thomas who hadn't noticed a devil using him as a shield, "You and I got business to hash out, pal. If you're as good as you are in seeing strange shit, I'd pay top dollar to see if you got balls in keeping my block clean for someone to die happier. So do us both a favor, if you really want it!"

I pointed towards an exposed bag with him gritting teeth, "Lighten up a bit and spread the reward to make your night." I honestly couldn't decide whether if this was impatience, or eagerness yet it'd all work out if things kept going. Thomas may have had the blessings of 'God', some supposed trick in figuring out who was a devil and all I had was a junkie who'd be considered crazy. But terror and rage weren't something one could hide without genuine reason, so the priest fell for a clever trick in using what anyone would consider as pity.

Pity is what gets you killed on these streets, it makes anyone who thinks what they know in catching them off guard. Adrenaline kept surging in causing tingling sensations along arms become into constant awareness, I couldn't stop leering because a devil caused me problems. Problems that weren't worth thinking over, but really it was too damned ironic to not rub this priest in thinking he'd known that these things weren't human. They would do anything to get what they wanted, to consume and devour us because they had no humanity yet used it against us, I almost found myself impressed because it was too damned effective.

"They use us, because they will never be us." I muttered going over what I'd learned between the Cage and now noticing a fallen angel shrewdly who'd tailed me, "Once we see them, they follow us because we know they're real and around us. Talk about sly as shit..." I trailed off laughing lightly since it was the only thing that made sense to me rationally. Between the phone call with Esther, Slim's sense of humor and a pair of priests who found my existence loathsome left me little beyond assuming there was so much more in figuring out.

I killed one of them with my bare hands, if I can do that much? Fingers tightened into fists whereas heat and surges of adrenaline cracked protesting bone into relived bursts that loosened muscle. My leer only grew in anticipation that outside of the Cage, I had only my blood, wit and guts holding myself together for better or worse. And yet despite this surreal situation? It hadn't done anything less except making me more alive in knowing I had a chance in going beyond what would've been my corpse dropping from surviving against a city filled with things other than human. If had to get up off my lazy ass in doing something, I only figured doing a good deed for some junkie could get me started on expanding outside a block I called a business.

Steam kept rising off any exposed flesh making it akin a shimmering as chilled gusts hardly dampened an internal temperature. It kept building, circulating and even the cigar failed in stemming off an eagerness in my very steps. Thomas noticed immediately by lightly placing a child behind him to sneer visibly irritated and absolutely concerned, he wouldn't care even if I had told him because he assumed I was the cause of these people's misery. And ironically in made my bemusement growing when the truth was they did to themselves, I was a product of their choices in which he wouldn't understand due to believing in faith alone.

Underneath shoes an ear prickling sharp like sizzling followed an odor of burning rubber as I lazily blinked in seeing smoking edges turning a prominent reddish glowering. If I'm not human, Slim? I chortled quietly again until ignoring an inferno making every breath akin to fog being pushed out, I placed a hand casually into my jacket's pocket puffing away on an almost finished stick of nicotine. Then I guess I'm more of a man who just can't stop what needs to get done, I still bleed red and as far as I'm concerned? Devils, or angel are only another trick to the trade of surviving in this world, I'll find answers until I drop dead if someone pulls it off!

This was my city, my home and unfortunately it was also my problem considering I'd just offered in cleaning up a mess. This was my block, my territory and these addicts would get what they wanted as long as I around for intensive purposes. Devils, Fallen Angels, or whatever is around aren't going to do whatever they want. Not in my side of town, I make a living off these people and God can kiss my ass for being a selfish son of a bitch when this world is already worse off. And as I grew closer, I could see everything in open view despite Thomas acting like the blind choir boy who saw that somethings never had a chance to do better.

The child like devil's pupils contracted from behind a robed clergyman who spoke up strongly in delaying an inevitable clean up, "Do not cause any more misery for these people...creature." His eyes took in signs of an obvious steam, a streak of flame and ember burning on my shoes. Smoke wafted upwards when dried leaves began igniting, if they came into contact with anything remotely close to cause ash to flickering dying orbs of orange aside. It nearly made me outright laugh again, his next accusation bordered on sheer misguided conviction.

"Father Gino must have made a mistake if the lord's protection is burning around my neck. And my suspicions have been proven about your motive in seeking us out...devil." I cocked an eyebrow whistling rather amazed considering that his cross only began burning, or warning him due to a child gripping his arm. This thing wasn't stupid, or beyond reason to know it'd use what harmed it as a shield to get satisfaction in mocking an enemy. And Thomas was playing right on death's door, or else I was too impressed to spoil a surprise for it's dedication.

Leaves burned freely if they got swept closer due to gusts once I planted both feet inhaling on a near stub of tobacco, "Oh really?" I drew out to chortle absolutely shocked, "I'm a devil now? First it was lunatic, degenerate and all those fancy words choir boy. Hell, I'll drop a hint for your sake if you're so keen on playing a white knight." His face twisted visibly when I whistled simply by poking a finger into one circular ring curling on an opposite hand, it implied an almost clear picture of getting absolutely fucked over seamlessly.

"For someone as devoted to getting bent over an altar?" Thomas's mouth became a tightened line with a hand dipping into robes, "I hate to say it, but I think even God himself can't fix a thing called stupid in this world." From behind a child that wasn't human twitched visibly, it stared with blackening eyes unable to hold back a toothy grin. Apart of me wondered if the priest would take a hint, but it seemed I wasn't the best person in telling white lies. But unfortunately I enjoyed watching being proven right into an amusing hobby of choice.

Robes were rigidly placed aside exposing some sort of firearm that wasn't a pistol, "You are a petty creature acting as if you're a man, devil." Underneath an exposed collar an entire cross burned brightly as drifting leaves were set ablaze if they got too close to where I stood. And yet I looked over staring attentively towards an actual source of said issue. It looked utterly eager, if not outright savoring when tugging on a priest's coat sleeve moving closer. I hardly gave anymore warnings because the priest believed what he want to believe, I doubted genuinely who'd listen to someone that stopped caring about idiots playing hero.

Regardless I only looked back towards a group of people who were shifting away either out of concern, or were fulfilling their need for addiction. And yet only one person remained staring with an agonized look as a bag of heroin got snatched from numbed limbs. Sin, huh? It never failed to annoy myself that doing good never meant looking the part, it was simply getting it over with and not thinking about what it'd turnout. They were my issue in cleaning up, or else I'd lose out on keeping what little consistency in maintaining survival in this world entirely.

"Says a priest who likes a kid so easily?" I dryly retorted after turning around grinning widely to see him visibly angered. It was too damned easy to not rub salt in wounds, "Seems like you and your Catholic friends have something in common. Always those little boys, huh? Or you going to prove me wrong?"

A cross practically fully engulfed in light burned strongly in making Thomas's face twist, "I am the Lord's servant, I am not like you!" The man's infuriating mood peaked with himself stepping forward snarling utterly fed up with my insults. He honestly pulled out an actual firearm that made eyebrows raise accordingly shocked and utterly impressed due an envy inside my imagination. Well, well, well now that's what I call a fine ass piece of hardware to put someone down, why haven't I bought a shotgun? Damn me, maybe it's a sign?

Staring down twin barrels of grayish design did my heart remain constantly beating and despite everything in this situation? By God, I wasn't afraid considering I'd walked out against a devil, but if this priest wanted to play hero so badly? Then who was I to tell him otherwise, if anything saying I was a devil was too damned insulting! Don't say I didn't warn ya, choir boy. Looks like playing white knight is gonna pay off...now.

The child which wasn't remotely what it appeared, or even human twitched visibly as grass began igniting from lingering embers. Flames were spreading gradually, if only in small patches yet I stood rooted giving off a fair warning for Thomas in humoring, "It's your funeral." He stared with convicted resolve to never once have time to spare. And it all came to a crashing head quickly, if only for myself to whistle aloud in sheer pity as an audible tearing of flesh sent him onto knee's choking on crimson liquid spewing from his throat.

Thoma's cross practically burned when a crimson drenched hand viciously snapped it backwards through a gushing hole out of his abdomen. And he screamed out a gurgling agony when serrated teeth dug into an exposed neck, as if though a rabid animal clamped down to violently tear out chunks of meat being sent wildly aside. Rest in peace, pal. Let me know if God's around, because I sure as hell gave you a warning! Staring partially amazed in seeing a figure half my size bring down a full grown man proved this thing was a killer, it knew how to take down people and used anything in order to feed on whatever it'd desired.

This stray devilish creature shrieked endlessly until throwing a smouldering cross aside where it'd burst into flames from being snapped into pieces. It once humane eyes were no longer resembling a man's, or what should have been a kid's expression. It was an animal, plain and simple. It didn't care about what it used or who it'd come across if only to sate whatever it wanted. And there wasn't anything on earth to convince me otherwise, devils were my problem to handle on my block at all times. But only one question remained lingering inside my damned skull, as in how did something as rabid manage to find it's way into my block without anyone else knowing?

Glaring slightly ahead to where an obviously still cocked firearm fell out of bloodied fingers, I should have been anxious or concerned. Yet only a surreal sense of confidence arose when a stray devil's head snapped upwards with fresh flesh seeping downward over a dying man's gagging shallow breaths, "What kind of man are you to allow me a meal?" The guttural glee was so obviously impressed and almost intrigued when I exhaled out smoke. Smouldering brownish leaves continuously ignited in glowering patches of orange repeatedly whenever wind pushed them closer to my smouldering pants, I could practically smell flesh being cooked externally.

Somewhat humoring I smiled ever impatiently to retort smoothly, "I'm the the kind that doesn't spoil someone's last supper." It's eyes blinked owlishly when roughly shoving a dying man's face aside as flesh started darkening akin to being split at seams. Wrinkled at first, but grew wildly as shambling limbs extended to bulge out with a predatory leer seeking it's next meal. And unfortunately it chose not prey, but another predator who got off on giving it an advantage it'd believed was supposed to be a humane instinct known as fear.

The cigar's stub burned strongly with traces of ash waning what little remained due to an interior temperature surging too rapidly. Flames began licking along clothing yet hardly burned, but nothing came close to it's sheer intensity. As long as I believe in God, two slugs will put this thing in it's grave and I can really figure things out. Too bad I love and hate the bastard up on his throne, I wonder if it'll work considering a priest thought I was a devil! I stepped back several paces tensing up briefly, to pull a crumbling stub of ash into my palm casually seeing it blow into gradual winds as nothing but dust remained at it's conclusion.

Serpentine like appendages sprouted from it's spine curling and claws extended from peeling vestiges for fingers whereas a tongue slipped out tasting air, "Wrath! Pride!" The voice was undeniably twisted giving no clear sign of feminine, or masculine yet it was utterly guttural at it's core, "So much...too much and you're not one of us? Are you?"

That was the second time one of them had asked me, if I was supposed a devil. I earnestly believed it was insulting to be compared to them, "You know, I was going to give you a warning to haul ass out of my block. But really?" Arms straightened with my leer widening as it snarled visibly infuriated for something it'd normally hunted to showcase nothing except for arrogance. Flames gradually grew until flickers of their tips were in my peripherals with reddish mixtures illuminating shadows with voices yelling out in sheer surprise. It seemed the homeless had noticed an inferno brewing, so most were probably running yet I'd bet only one of them would stay to watch. After all, if someone gave me something worth wild then I'd do them a favor with no strings attached because that was how I got a leg up on this world.

"You reek of arrogance! You'll be a meal worth hundreds of your own!" This twisted creature crooned when another tearing of flesh revealed spiked edges pooling out of knee caps, it looked like a god damned nightmare at this point. Wrinkled flesh peeled backwards fully diminishing what little humane appearance into what I assumed was a devil's true face, they were not human and anything they took from us hide what was underneath superficial natures. There was nothing more to say, or witness beyond putting this thing six feet under back to where it belonged...in hell, a place I knew existed without doubt.

The creature could only savor what it tasted from a forked tongue rapidly exposing nearly sulfur slit eyes of wild abandonment, "Do me a favor, devil." I made a casual cross gesture from my forehead down towards a chest and whispered, "You better pray to God now! Because if you don't? You better kill me when I start moving...so, amen." As a man lay dying not even a few feet away, I never once realized that the heat inside my chest and flames had turned towards a darker hue of crimson when a stray animal shrieked pouncing forward.

End Chapter VI

Author's Note: Moral of this chapter is mostly watching what you do, being careful in how faith, conviction and good in some people can literally get you killed for being blind to the world around you. Now, I'm sure many aren't fazed or shocked to see someone get killed off as a minor character/appearance wise. But the point is telling you, even 'faith' can have mistakes if you blindly try to be the good person all the time. And as for 'Rex', War...well, you can see reasoning why he's so different from most because the fact is: he's not entirely human, anymore.

Gradually you make the argument, he's getting worse and between that with himself acting naturally do you notice an interaction of future events. His very presence, word and it all naturally ferments what he's the aspect of war itself. There's no peace around him, even if we do see attempts of dampening said presence? How does one in this situation stop what is akin to breathing, what is already your natural understanding and you throw in the attempt of conscientiously catching yourself from instigating said observation? There in lies the story of War, it's a battle of soul, mind and body when there's nothing you can do, except do damage control for your own well being in this case, in my opinion.

Couple things to point out, why are 'angels' suddenly appearing or following him? That's already been explained, they have reasons and so do devils yet that's all that matters for them do so. They aren't human, they do things like following observing because that's what they've always done...effortlessly. Most humans don't even know they are there, but if you notice them? Again, the world is a different place and if you're wondering how? I'll give you a hint, it's all about what's inside of you in making you noticeable to them in this unique circumstance. It's already implied, they don't know what the hell Rex is and the fact is, this will be a common question among both Angel/Devil respectively.

Of course not everyone one of them will suddenly know of him, but I can say they know of similar occurrences that rarely get their attention in the history of humanity's arrival since created on earth. Both Angel and Devil exhibit one thing that is common, a lack of control over their supposed selves. Devils, excess of sin and become uncontrollable urges seeking out greed, envy, lust, wrath, pride, gluttony and sloth...to showcase their real faces of mindless consuming entities that want what humanity has in spades. And as for angels, a supposed opposite yet face the same problem.

They can't control themselves if they dabble into a thing called lust, which for all intensive purposes is surrendering themselves to become the perverse 'fallen' for all intensive purposes. Humanity is the cause for both, because they are not human...they both seek what they don't have, whether you call it will, soul or purpose remains to be seen in this interpretation. Of course, I maybe putting too much meaning behind it yet the case is made: even in the source material, it's perfectly implied that humanity (sacred gears) are highly sought after...at all costs, as the main character was allowed to die in order to be 'reincarnated' into a servant (slave). Now isn't that a thought provoker, or am I just that shallow sighted?

Personally, I call giving it a critical eye and laughing the light heart manner of said source material glossing it over a humorless attempt. But at least next chapter, things begin kicking off and soon you'll get an idea of how much these 'Horsemen' can do. I will reveal this much, they can be killed...problem is this little wrinkle, it only buys you times when there's constant forces, absolute shifts of momentum of nature and defeating them just prolongs an inevitable realization. Can you seriously defy nature, or the universe's existence for creating signs of creation (life) when everything you do, is feeding into it by simply living? I've had questions sent to me, so this is just my way of answering them generally beyond boring most, if they read these notes at times.

Regardless, leave a review if you wish and I hope everyone's staying strong amidst this schizophrenia, yes I did call it as such. The writing was on the wall, as they say and expect an interesting time ahead. Stay safe, be prepared and I hope everyone has a safe weekend ahead. Until then, we'll find out more about the journey of this character for the future to come!