Chapter 6

Hellboy took a deep drag off his cigar as he stood hiding in the shadows of a large thorny bush. His tail held a six-pack of beer he stole off of an unsuspecting couple absorbed in their fascination for each other. He waited a moment and then grinned when he heard the voice of a woman from his past, Liz Sherman.

"Back so soon?"

The beer floated in the air, dangling from his tail, "I brought beer."

An eyebrow raised, Liz shot him down, "To wash down my Lithium pills? I may get a few perks H.B, but I'm still a patient."

The tail went down and the beer landed on the ground. Hellboy came around from his hiding place revealing himself to Liz. The arm that Sammeal had latched onto, bled heavily.

"You better have that looked at."

He shrugged, "Just a scratch. I wanted to see you."

Liz sighed and led him to a nearby bench. They sat down. A moment of silence before Hellboy spoke up.

"We miss you at the Bureau. Abe's crazier everyday, and Father's still mad at me. Come back, Liz. Come back. I-"

Liz shook her head, "No. Not this time, H.B. It's been months since I've had an episode. And you know what? I'm learning to control it.

She brought up a hand and a spark of blue flame erupted, caressing her skin. She continued, "I'm learning where it comes from and for once in my life, I'm not afraid."

She clenched her fist and the flame disappeared. She looked up to see a car surrounded by familiar people and one she didn't know. Hellboy followed her gaze and glowered.

"Looks like your ride is here," Liz commented as she stood up.

Hellboy scoffed, "The Nanny Squad."

She gave him a little smile and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Listen H.B., I've got a chance out here. If you truly care about me, don't come back anymore," Liz said before she turned and walked away.

He watched her with a sad smile, "Goodnight then."

He heard her voice in reply, "Goodnight."

He sighed and then slowly stood up, which turned out to not be a good thing as he became lightheaded. But he ignored it and spied Maizie coming towards him. She stood next to him watching the female she never met walk away.

"What took you so long?" Hellboy said, catching her attention.

Maizie shook her head and replied, "Come on, time to go home. Tape you up. Then yell at you."

She gently took ahold of his arm, ignoring the blood stain.

"What are you, a girl scout?"

She grinned, "Too bitchy to be one."

He let out a short laugh then winced, "Go away."

Then suddenly Hellboy dropped to his knees and Maizie kept a hold of him, kneeling down with him.

Clay and two other agents came down the walkway and joined them, helping Maizie pull him up.

"Come on champ, you look a little woozy there," Clay said.

Hellboy weakly replied, "This? This is nothing. You know what'll kill me?" He turned back and Maizie followed his eye line to see Liz standing in the doorway. "Her."

The agents helped Hellboy towards the car as Maizie watched the woman go inside the building. She turned and quickly joined the others. Clay opened the door to the car and Maizie stopped him.

"You know that car isn't going to fit him," She said.

"What do you suggest then?" Clay replied.

She looked back at Hellboy, who looked despondent, "Let me take him. I can get there faster and smoother."

Clay let out a short laugh, "You?"

She bristled, "Yes. Me. I'm stronger than I look."

Clay started laughing and the other two agents joined in. She narrowed her eyes at him and went to Hellboy's side. The red demon looked at her.

"I would suggest you talk to Broom after this. Assholes."

Hellboy grinned as Maizie pulled an arm over her shoulder and held a good grip with a hand onto him. Her other hand came up in front of her face and as the other men watched in astonishment, grey wisp of smoke quickly rose from their feet and enveloped them. In the next second, they were gone. Clay and the other two agent's jaws dropped.