Chapter two : The double
"Who the hell are you?" Constantine asked in a hoarse voice, aiming his shotgun at the intruder. There was something strange about the creature. He's never seen a demon like this in his entire life.
The monster's hand moved swiftly and the weapon fell to the ground, disintigrated. The exorcist just raised his eyebrow. "Nice trick. Let's continue then. Wanna kill me or what? Or, if you've just come to have a little chat, let me make us some tea, you know, pick up the remains of my shotgun." Demons's face twisted a bit. It looked like he wanted to smile.
"Not exactly a little chat, Constantine. But I'm not planning to take your life...yet." He turned around, walked to the window and looked at the rainy street. "I'm Maer."
Constantine swallowed nervously. He didn't like the situation at all. His flat was protected quite well and he knew it. But this being obviously wasn't bothered by the fact that it was supposed to die if it walked trough the door. "Interesting. So, can I know, Mr. whatever-was-that-name, why you're here? I suppose not only to turn this," he nodded in the direction of the metal pieces, "into a jigsaw."
The green eyes turned to Constantine. "You've supposed right. I'm here to warn you."
"Really, what about? Is your boss concerned?"
"Somehow he is, although I'm not really sure if you know who exactly my boss is."
"That's not that hard to tell," Constantine shrugged his shoulders and gazed at Maer with a clear look of disgust. "Either the Big Bastard or the Bastard junior. Which one is it?"
A sharp hiss escaped the creature's lips. "According to your speech, I'd answer the second one. However, you must be very courageous to call him that. Or are you only stupid?"
"According to my ego, I'd answer the first one." the exorcist smirked. "So, how about the warnin'? It's not like I desire to spend the whole evening with you. Actually, I'd prefer to go to bed much more. Some of us have to work tomorrow."
"Yes..." Maer whispered, turning to Constantine, "...that's it. The case. Don't work on it. Don't even consider it."
"You don't give me too many options. What if I will?"
"Then you must die."
"How original!" John smirked. "You half-breeds or whatever you asshole are have always been very surprising. It's always die this, surrender that, you'll end up in Hell...starts to feel a bit stereotyped. You know what? It's the right time for your master to buy you a vocabulary. Seriously. It will help."
The green eyes met his black ones again. "So what is your decision? For the first time in years, you're given the priviledge of choosing your own destiny, Constantine. What will you do? And, by the way..." he added, seeing the exorcist gazing at the golden pieces of the shotgun, "...you can pick it up. If you can repair it, of course," he added mischievously.
"I'll do my best," Constantine muttered, kneeling down and piecing the bits back together.
"Will you answer me?"
The exorcist looked up, smirking. "Let's see. Who's Mammon, huh?"
The question has surprised Maer, confusing him. He didn't realize that Constantine was being ironic. However, he decided to answer. "My master- he's the only son of Satan, only he can outdo the Most Unclean, he can-"
"Yeah, exactly." Another smile curved John's lips. The situation was bizarre and very dangerous, he knew that he might die every second, but he was having a great time, making fun of this whatever it was called. "So, tell me, am I supposed just to sit here and not care whether he'll turn this world into the second Hell or not? I suppose he hasn't given up yet, has he?"
"Well, not exactly, no." Maer smiled, revealing yellow, sharp teeth. "But if that happens, you may not have to die. If you help the woman...be sure about it. Another question?"
"Sure. Do you have a glue?" Constantine replied, pointing at the weapon.
"I meant IMPORTANT questions, stupid mortal."
"For me, it IS important."
The fallen angel was losing his patience. "No, I don't. So, once more and for the last time: what is your decision?"
"Well...try to imagine this. One nice evening, you're walking into your clean and comfortable apartment." As he heard a chuckle that escaped Maer's lips, he sighed. "No, not like that. Again. One rainy, dark and equally unpleasant evening, you're walking to your flat, if I can call it...never mind. The look of the room is slightly awkward. It's cold, it's dark, the ceilings are too high and there's rot on the walls sometimes. Nevertheless, still it's your flat, so you're going there. You're hoping to get some sleep because today you're feeling pretty tired. Then some freaky whatever you are scares you to death, destroys your favorite weapon and forces you into not helping one very attractive lady. What would YOU answer?"
"Should I take it as no? It's better for you to stay out of it."
"It's better for you to get out before I find some way how to kill you without a weapon." Constantine snarled at him.
Maer sighed. "You leave me with no choice." Before John could react, the fallen angel rised his hands, knocking him over with a powerful telekinethical shot. The exorcist tried to get up, but the creature held him to the ground. A red light appeared and then there was a strange sensation in his body, like he was splitted into two halfs. The pain lasted only a few seconds, then there was just darkness. Constantine fainted. The last thing he saw was somebody leaving the room. The problem was...
...why the hell did he hear more than one being walking away?
--
John shook his head, slowly waking up. He saw somebody standing before him, it took him a while before the memories came back to him. The visitor's face couldn't be seen, he was standing with his back to the window so his features were hidden in a shadow. Yet there was something oddly familiar about the person. Probably Maer, thought Constantine and leaped to his feet.
Then he saw the person clearly.
John Constantine spent his whole life facing the demons and ghouls. He never screamed. The creatures he fought would shock every normal mortal, yet they had almost no frightening effect on him. He was used to it. He grew up lonely and constantly scared, having to take care of himself. Blocking all the fears from his mind, he's promised to himself that he would not allow himself to be weak.
After many years, he broke the promise. A long, terrified scream escaped his lips.
He was looking at an exact copy of himself. John Constantine was standing before him, smirking.
"I see you finally woke up," the clon chuckled.
Did I drink again the last night? "Well..." started Constantine, staring at the other person, "this indeed is a really strange hallucination..."
The wraith seemed to enjoy the exorcist's shock. "I'm NOT a hallucination."
"Then you're a dream or a very bad joke."
"Nope."
"Then...then what the fuck are you?!"
"Let me introduce myself. My name's John, John Constantine."
"Asshole," Constantine muttered and grabbed the shotgun lying beside him, aiming it at the double.
An usual smirk curved the copy's lips. "Good thinking, Constantine. But I wouldn't do it if I were you. And since I am you..." He smiled and sat at the table. "Call it whatever you like. Two bodies, one soul."
"You know what? I'm willing to take the risk of dying." With that, John punched the clon in his face. But suddenly, something knocked him over, as if someone has hit his chin. The double just chuckled and within a second, he was gone. Just a silent click! of the closing door could be heard.
I would like to thank kedicct for the review I've got. It's always easier to write when getting some feedback. So...reviews, please? O:-)