Chapter Eight

It took all Kermit possessed to stand in place and listen, instead of tearing up the road to Braselton, but he managed. The thought of his sister's family enduring even more trouble made his blood boil. They'd been through so much; it seemed cruel for them suffer any more, especially with this kind of trouble.

TJ stared at him with an intensity that mushroomed Kermit's agitation but he spoke before Kermit could go nuclear. "From what Marilyn told me, your niece, Mitch, is going through much the same thing as Peter. Not quite as vicious, but just as scary."

TJ squared his shoulders and continued, "It's a bad omen. What with the demon here attacking Peter, and another demon at your sister's attacking your niece. It – it sounds like Caine was mistaken when he thought they'd closed the portal to hell. If we don't do something fast, the horrors your family went through this weekend will only be a prelude to something much, much worse."

"Dammit, she's just a kid," Kermit muttered, unable to keep the worry from his voice.

"You can't go up there alone, Kermit. If you do, everyone will die, and it will be an unnecessary sacrifice. We must go together," TJ said softly, but firmly.

Kermit didn't like it, but he accepted TJ's statement at face value. As much as he hated to rely on others, he had to trust TJ's judgment in this matter.

Kermit rubbed his face, and asked, "Will Peter be okay here or should we move him to the hospital?"

TJ placed a hand on Kermit's shoulder. "Kermit, Peter isn't going to be okay anywhere. He has to go with us, too."

A graveled voice chimed in from the bed. "He's right, Kermit. I have to go to Braselton with you."

"Peter," Kermit said, as he moved toward the bed.

Jody straightened in surprise. She had been listening to TJ and Kermit as she sat at Peter's side. With Peter's comment, she took his hand.

The only one not moving was TJ and he stood in place, shock evident in his stilted movements. Finally, he spoke, "Peter, I thought you'd be out for a while."

Peter grimaced as he struggled to sit up and failed. "Wish I was."

"But is the pain gone?" Jody asked, placing her hand lightly on his bare chest as his blankets slipped down.

Peter nodded slowly, fatigue lining his features, and placed his hand over hers. "Yeah, mostly. Now, it's just my head where I hit the wall at the precinct."

His dark gaze met each of the three surrounding him. "So, it worked?"

TJ smiled and did a pretty good Kermit Griffin imitation. "Oh yeah."

Jody brushed her fingers across Peter's shoulder. "Look, Ma, no scars."

Peter's eyebrows knitted together in confusion as he pulled back the blanket. He verified what he was seeing by bringing his own fingers across the smooth skin. "How the hell?" he started.

Peter swallowed and Kermit could only imagine what was running through Peter's head. For a moment, Kermit was sure Peter's thoughts were about what he'd just survived, but as usual, they were on those still in trouble.

"I heard what you were saying about Mitch, Kermit," Peter said, finally able to sit up. "We better get up there fast. This nightmare is hard enough to tolerate as an adult, let alone as a kid. I guess I'm the only one around who can imagine what Mitch is going through right now. Besides, this whole mess started at the Gables and that's where it's going to end... one way or another."

"Fine, if we're all going to go, we better get moving. It's a long drive," Kermit said.

oOoOoOoOo

The night's cloak of darkness cast the rural road they were traveling on into a forbidden wasteland. TJ shook his head slightly, forcing himself out of the self-induced hypnotic effect of night driving. It was long after midnight and he was tired, tired and worried about the events yet to come.

He caught a glimpse of a full moon cresting on the horizon behind them in his rearview mirror. Gratitude mixed with relief as he looked at the sight. For with the slow rise of the silvery luminescence behind them, TJ felt hope rise within his heart. Hope that could chase away the bleakness the darkness had been painting on the landscape of the night. Hope that eventually night would give way to day. Hope for the survival of all those involved in their battle against the demon. Hope, though such a fragile thing, could also inspire mighty strength of spirit from nothing.

TJ glanced around the car's occupants and he was glad they had taken his sedan. The extra room in his car had allowed Peter to stretch out in the backseat. He was leaning against Jody, using her for a human pillow as he dozed fitfully. Everyone had been locked into their own silent musings, so words had been kept at a minimum on the way up.

Then, in the quiet stillness of the drive, Peter asked, "Isn't that the turnoff for Marilyn's house?"

TJ nodded, but Kermit answered for him. "Marilyn's at a friend's house nearby. The friends are out of town, but gave her a key to keep an eye on the place while they are gone. She felt safer there when things started up again at the Gables."

"Did you talk to her?" Peter asked, sitting up a little straighter.

"Yeah, briefly. You were sleeping," Kermit replied, and then grunted. "Scared the crap out of me when the cell phone rang. That thing hasn't worked for hours."

"How is she?" Peter leaned forward.

Kermit didn't say anything for a minute. "How's she supposed to be with this shit going on?"

Peter sighed. "Yeah, I know what you mean," he whispered and patted Kermit on the shoulder before sitting back in his seat beside Jody.

All of a sudden, the car started lurching, its engine racing one moment, then missing the next. The entire group stiffened, immediately suspecting more demon mayhem. The car sputtered once more, then it died. TJ tried to restart the engine, but it wouldn't turn over.

"Pop the hood," Kermit said.

He opened his car door and stood, but stopped when Peter spoke. "It won't work," Peter said, dropping his head back to the seat.

"What?" Kermit asked, leaning inside.

Peter slammed a fist against his car door. "Don't you get it? We didn't hear a peep from that thing the whole trip up here, but the moment we pass the turnoff to the Gables, the frigging car breaks down! It doesn't want us to go anywhere but there!"

TJ turned in his seat and nodded. "I should have thought of it myself. It's been too easy."

Jody leaned forward. "How far is it to Marilyn's friend's house?"

TJ scratched his head. "Not far. According to the directions she gave us, about half a mile, I think."

Jody patted him on the shoulder. "Then we walk."

TJ opened his car door and stood, then warily stretched out the kinks from the trip. Jody emerged from the passenger door behind his. She caught TJ's eye and winked. "Ghostbusters, on the job," she whispered, apparently hoping a little humor would lighten the mood, but it didn't.

"Wrong movie, sweetcheeks," Kermit said as he walked around the front of the car. "This scenario is playing out more like Poltergeist, but in living technicolor. And there's not a damned thing funny about what's been going on."

Peter got out of the car and slammed the door closed, then ran a hand through his hair, deep in thought. His action drew the attention of the other three, but it took a moment before he noticed. His head jerked up when he realized they were all staring at him.

"Ah, come on, are we going to stand around here or are we going to walk?"

Not waiting for an answer, he headed down the road with his hands shoved into his jacket pockets. Jody sighed and took off after him. TJ caught Kermit's eye, holding it a long moment before turning to follow the others.

TJ glanced around the darkness surrounding them nervously, and then shuddered. The moon and its shimmering light had gone behind a cloud. He couldn't suppress the deep sigh that escaped as he realized hope could disappear just as quickly as it came.

A howling wind started up out of nowhere, causing TJ get back to the business at hand. He buttoned his jacket to keep it from blowing around, then popped open the trunk to his car to pull out his duffle bag. He quickly checked over its contents before the trunk light blinked out without warning. TJ glanced at his watch and saw the sweep second hand of his watch was frozen in place.

He reached in and grabbed the bag. Slamming the trunk closed, he hustled to catch up to the others. "Like Yogi Berra said, 'It ain't over til it's over'," he whispered to no one but himself, then added, "And this definitely ain't over."

oOoOoOoOo

Minutes passed slowly as the foursome walked along in complete silence. The only sounds that could be heard were the growing breeze and the crunch of leaves under their feet. Every once in a while, Peter heard a nearby owl hooting in the darkness and each time it happened, he couldn't keep himself from jumping.

Peter folded his arms in front of him and glanced over at TJ walking beside him like a silent sentry protecting his charge. With his duffle bag slung over one shoulder, the unassuming man gave no hint of the strength of his spirit.

Peter cringed as he recalled his initial impression of TJ Kincaid. He hadn't treated TJ very well that first morning, assuming judgment against him only because his father was the police commissioner. But Thomas Jefferson Kincaid had proved himself to be made of stronger stuff and a good cop to boot.

Peter cleared his throat, breaking the silence between them. "When you said you'd brushed against the dark forces before, I really didn't think you were as involved in the subject as you indicated. I'll never make that mistake again. If you ever want to talk about a case, or how you lost your girlfriend, or just to shoot the breeze, I hope you'll feel like you can do that with me."

TJ smiled. "Thanks, I appreciate that. I know it seems like we are from different worlds, but your world isn't so different from mine. We're both men who's known loss in their lives. I heard about you losing your mother as a child and then your father. You've seen hard times, but the important thing is that you don't let the hard times beat you."

Peter nodded appreciatively, and then took a deep breath.

"How are you doing with all of this?" TJ asked, slowly his pace slightly.

Peter chuckled. "I'm doing okay. What else can I do? Like you said, I can't let it beat me. I'm a survivor. Besides, I've seen stuff in my life that you wouldn't believe possible."

He flashed TJ a big smile and patted him on the shoulder. "All I can say is I'm glad you are here as my backup."

The moon slipped behind the clouds again, making their progress more difficult. TJ pulled a small flashlight out of his bag, providing some slight illumination.

Peter turned to TJ. "How do you know so much about the demons and satanic influences?"

TJ sighed, but didn't avoid the question, though it looked like that was exactly what he wanted to do. "When Lydia was taken, I was devastated. I thought if I could learn everything that was known about the dark forces, I'd be able to get her back."

A wistful look came into TJ's expression. A part of Peter knew he should be respectful of TJ's grief but another part was too curious to remain quiet. "But you weren't able to?"

TJ shook his head. "No. Not yet."

"You still miss her, don't you? I can see it in your eyes whenever you talk about her."

TJ's gaze dropped down to the ground and remained that way for several paces. "Every minute of every day," he whispered.

Peter's heart went out to TJ, understanding that type of grief very well. Silence ensued until Peter asked another question, this one said in a much more somber tone. "So, just what do you think is ahead of us?"

TJ kept walking, but didn't reply at first. "I take it you aren't talking about the house we are in route to?"

"No, I'm not."

TJ took a deep breath. "I wish I could say that it will be easy going."

Peter kept silent, allowing TJ time to continue.

"A battle lies ahead," TJ said finally. "One that may leave none of us unscathed."

Peter glanced over at him, and then smiled slightly. "We'll be ready for that battle, TJ. This is one of the most determined group of individuals I've ever met."

"I know, but I also know the forces of darkness don't like to lose," TJ began.

"Neither do we, my friend, neither do we."

TJ eyed him carefully, and then nodded in agreement. He looked like he was about to add something else, but didn't. The owl trailing them hooted in the night, piercing its silence with its warning and Peter shoved his hands back into his jacket pockets and walked on without saying another word.

After a bit, Peter noticed there was more than one owl in the area as echoing hoots bounced around the night. Maybe even three or four of them. He slowly became aware of the sound of flapping wings intruding upon his thoughts. TJ glanced upward at the same moment and Peter followed the gaze, freezing in his tracks at the sight.

The darkness was so oblique that they couldn't see far, but what they were able to see was horrifying. The sky was full of birds and bats and only God knew what else. They were circling above the foursome, but each pass brought them lower to the ground.

"Ah, geez," Peter muttered, when he was finally able to speak.

With the sound of his voice, the flying creatures above them began to caw, squawk, and hoot. Not in the normal manner of birds and bats, but more menacing, more evil than God had ever intended for them to sound. The noise blended with the rising windstorm.

Then, the birds, in an eerie display of precision, began diving at the detectives. Jody screamed out as a hawk's talons caught in her hair as it whisked past her head, ripping out several blonde strands as it flew away. Kermit pulled her down as another bird dove at them.

Within moments, all of them had suffered scratches from the sharp claws or beaks of one bird or another. Kermit pointed to a grove of trees beside the road. "There, the trees will give us some protection!" he shouted as he waved the others to follow him.

They began to run to the leafy shelter of a grove of trees. Peter cursed when a large vulture landed on his shoulder. Its razor-sharp talons dug through his jacket and clothing and into recently healed tissue, ripping new wounds in the process.

He screamed with the new assault and tried ineffectively to loosen the bird from its perch. The vulture only squeezed tighter and as Peter looked up, he swore there was a red glint to the bird's lifeless eyes. Finally, TJ batted the bird of prey away with his duffle bag and scooped an arm around Peter's waist to keep him from dropping to his knees.

"Shit!" Peter exclaimed, using his gun to knock aside a persistent bat trying to land on his head. He took several rapid breaths, trying to manage the pain of his torn shoulder before taking a few tentative steps forward.

"He got you pretty bad, Peter. That shoulder is really bleeding now," TJ said as they started toward the trees.

"That's not our biggest problem at the moment," Peter said, grimacing as he swung at another bat circling his head, then cursed as a small hawk zinged across his right temple. "Dammit!"

They were nearly to the trees when TJ was hit in the stomach by a large blackbird, hard enough to knock the bird out. It dropped to the ground, unmoving. The blow staggered TJ and he almost went down, but Peter grabbed him in time to keep him from falling. Still, TJ was shaken, gasping for air, trying to recover the breath that had been knocked from him.

The howling wind now pelted raindrops that felt more like small rocks instead of falling water. Bracken and small twigs blew across their path, hindering their escape, seeming to be part of a deliberate plan to trip them up.

The group made it to the trees, but not without injury. They were bloodied and battered, but in safer territory. The bigger birds were unable to navigate through the canopy of overlapping branches, but it didn't stop the little ones. And it seemed the smaller birds were the most vicious in their attacks, scratching and scraping any exposed skin.

Images of 'The Birds' by Alfred Hitchcock, one of Peter's favorite movies, flashed through his mind. The building suspense of one bird attack after another had always thrilled Peter, but now he swore to himself he'd never watch the damned thing again. Well, that was if he survived.

Kermit and Jody were doing their best to help one another, just as Peter and TJ were watching out for one another, but at least the intensity of the attack had weakened since they didn't have the larger, more dangerous birds to deal with anymore.

Peter froze when he heard a horrific laugh cackling over the maddening din of the wind and the birds. It was a familiar laugh, one he'd heard for the first time only hours before and one he'd prayed he would never hear again.

Peter slapped a hand over the back of his neck when the burning began anew, and then he pulled his hand away in shock at how warm the site was. It was hot, feverishly hot, devilishly hot. Peter swallowed in realization, but his throat had already gone dry as he remembered he was still connected to the demon in some mystical way.

The windstorm died off abruptly. With its quiet, the birds just flew away, leaving them all winded and shaken. Then came an echoing resonance, a voice but not a voice, whispering, "Peeettterrrrrr..."

The eerily sighed name terrified them, most of all, Peter.

Ignoring the heated area at the back of his neck, Peter turned. Her forced his hand from his neck to hug his bleeding shoulder as he slowly spun around, looking for signs of another attack.

Unfortunately, he didn't have to wait long.

oOoOoOoOo