Chapter 12

A Fortunate Death

The only person behind DD, and thus the only person who saw him draw the knife, was Bruni. At first he thought it was a joke. A lame joke—it came from DD, after all—but a joke nonetheless. However, when he saw the blade arc up, and when he saw DD's muscles (if they could be called such) tense for attack, Bruni knew this was for real.

There was too much distance between them, so he needed a projectile weapon. The only thing he had on him was an empty flask, so he went for it. Just as the knife began its descent, the flask clanked against the back of DD's head. The blade went astray; only the handle came into contact with Zim, and that was against his shoulder.

Everyone turned around to see what the commotion was about, and when they saw DD on the ground, the knife still in his hands, they were baffled.

Except for Lorne. "His eyes are glowing! He's a Dementemum demon!"

Angel didn't hesitate; he hurled his sword at DD's prostrate form, and it landed through his torso, pinning him to the ground. As this happened, Gunn snapped his wrist and his hubcap axe spun around and around through the air until it came to rest in DD's neck, severing his head in one fell swoop. It rolled away, and blood gouted from the stump. Because the axe blocked the flow, it hit the hubcap and sprayed up, covering Zim from head to toe in DD's blood.

Zim spat, and some blood came out. He ran his fingers across his face, clearing his eyes of the mess. "This is just . . . just fucking great."

Lorne held up a finger. "Guys? You shouldn't kill people possessed with Dementemum demons. They can be cured."

"Not this guy," Fitz said. "This is no big loss."

"Well, that may be the case, but—" Lorne stopped when he saw the golden glow in DD's eyes flow out and disappear into the night. "Well, as I'm sure you just saw, it's still alive. And it will probably haunt us later."

Zim started walking back to the tree. Fitz said, "Where are you going?"

"I hope the Shelpshov demon has a shower," Zim said. "I'm not going to Tailgators covered in blood."

"It's not that bad," Brandon said. Something twinkled in his eye, and it was a miracle that he restrained himself from laughing.

"IT'S HORRIBLE!" Zim yelled. "First he attempts to kill me, and as a final insult he sprays his blood all over me! I hate my life!"

"We don't have time to screw around," Angel said. He retrieved his sword. "We have to stop Krimskep before it's too late."

Gunn grabbed his axe. "Yeah. You have no idea how vicious his horde is. Just one of them slipped into this world, and he nearly killed us all. Gave even Illyria a run for her money."

"Then let's get this bloody show on the road," Spike said. He laughed and turned to Zim. "Sorry, mate. Too good to pass up."

"I hate you all," Zim muttered.

Bruni grabbed his flask and polished it before putting it back in his pocket. "Fuck the pen. Booze is mightier than the sword."

When they got back to the cars, Zim started getting into the van. Brandon held up his hand. "Hold on."

"What?"

"I'm not letting you in this van like that."

"I thought it wasn't so bad," Zim said.

"There's a tarp all the way in the back," Brandon said. "Get that first. If I see any blood on my upholstery you will never sleep a wink again. I will badger you and badger you forever."

"You'll do that anyway," Zim said.

"Yeah, but not as badly as I will."

Zim let out a tremendous sigh and retrieved the tarp. Only after it was placed over the seat was he allowed into the van. With that done they drove to Tailgators, toward what might be the end of the world. Toward Zim's grand destiny.