THE GHOST RIDER'S PROTÉGÉ 9

Rowan left for Slate's. Once she got there Slate was digging out a grave.

"Slate, where's my dad?"

"Inside, healing. Where were you?"

"Having a day off. In your house?"

"Yep… be careful, he's kind of… twitchy" is all Slate could describe him. 'Twitchy'.

She passed headstones to the house. Her dad was sitting with a bandage around his arm reading a book.

"Dad? What happened last night?"

"Heh, long story" he put the book away and sat up straighter.

After agreeing to let Rowan sleep John drove off into the darkness. He wasn't planning on killing any one, instead he went the abandoned subways.

He walked his bike passed some drunks that were passed out. He looked to his left than his right making sure no one was looking. His hand flashed over the fire-engraved number pad. He typed in 333-666-4242. And the door cracked open and he entered. The office was filled with chatters and rumors from the night before.

The administrator didn't ask any questions, she just lead him to the devil's office. The devil was reading a newspaper.

"Hello, Satin" John spoke sternly

"Hello, Rider" Satin responded harshly. "This is about your daughter, isn't it"

"Yes, can I read the contract please?" John asked politely

"I already did, I read the fine print. The contract hasn't been tampered with. I don't know hoe she did it, it's miraculous."

"Is it even possible?"

"I think it's her scars that are protecting her. I would like to relieve you and your daughter of the curse."

"What? Really?"

"Yes, here" He passed John a sign off sheet. John read most of each paragraph, just to be sure.

"pass me your envelope opener" Satin handed John the serrated metal opener, about to make himself bleed on to the paper he stopped.

"Why?"

"What? isn't this the sheet you've been waiting for?"

"Why are you doing this? Are you scared of her?"

"To be truthful, I am… but she will forever be a half shinigami and rider. I'm sorry"

"hmm. I'll have to talk about it with Rowan, may I?" Satin nodded and John took the paper and left. Feeling excited and nervous.

He was about to be on his way home but he got caught up with those drunks from before.

The fat one hackled loudly "well, I like your bike"

John started to feel nervous and just kept walking.

"Where you goin'"

Kept walking.

"Git' back here"

John hopped on his bike and tried to rev it but the tall drunk ran over and stabbed the tire. 'damn' thought John.

The drunk grabbed his knife and stabbed John in his shoulder. John didn't flinch, it didn't hurt. He was just annoyed so he switched to his demon side, Rider.

"Hey! Guys, it's the skelet'n on fire!"

Rider's shoulder didn't hurt either. The blade melted in his shoulder. He grabbed the tall drunk and looked into his soul. The drunk did many felonies, but none were that bad. Rider released him and tried to scare the drunks away. His hand splayed as fire shot out. It didn't scare the drunk. Instead the drunk pulled out a gun and He pulled the trigger.

The bullet lodge in the right arm of Rider, no pain, but John will for surely feel it. Rider road off to Slate's house.

He got there as the sun started peaking through the sky. As he got off the bike he switched to John. He clenched his arm as he somewhat limped to Slate's house.

Slate opened the door before John could knock. He looked at John's arm and said "Come in"

Slate pulled out a first aid kit and took out some bandages and alcohol rub.

"What happened tonight?"

John told his story as basic as possible.

"And you rode here on a flat?"

"uh, uh yeah I guess. What do think? Should I sign to release form?"

"I don't know."

"hmm"

John stayed a long after Slate bandaged him up but he didn't care.

A few hours later Rowan showed up.

"What should we do? Sign it?"

"I don't know, I wouldn't have the curse on me nor would you but only you would keep your powers, but not as a bounty hunter."

"hmm, this is tough"

"I know, should we sign it?"

"I'm not sure. I love having powers but I hate working for the devil.'

"you're right, I think we're ready to go." John stood up and flinched a little from shock and nothing more.

They drove home. Rowan just had to tell John what happened today.

"Dad, guess you I met?"

"Another shinigami?"

"yeah, his name is Keita Sato, cousin of Nara. But he's different. He has the same tattoos as me! Apparently they protect my from forces. Like magic and whatnot but it can't protect me from like a punch. Get it?"

"I think I do."

"What will we do now? Does the devil fear me?"

"He does fear you, we can use it against him."

"Cool, I'm hungry for bacon"

"I thought you were never going to say that. Turkey or chicken?"

"Who are you and what did you do with my dad? There's only one kind of bacon. Pork."

"How could I forget?"