Depths of Chaos Ch. 11

Depths of Chaos Chapter 11

This story is part of a series. Although it can be read on it's own, parts of the story may make more sense when read in order. I highly recommend reading the story "The Demon" in order to discover the origins of our beloved Kali. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy.

Relief and hope flooded Kali the moment Simon walked through the door. She didn't know what was real and what were lies anymore. Armageddon seemed perfectly sincere in his answers, and willingness to tell her. Unfortunately, she found it hard to believe someone who began a relationship, professional or otherwise, by kidnapping her. Simon would free her. Simon would know what was the truth and what were lies.

A blond slipped past Simon into the room. The woman seemed to be everything that Kali was not. Athletically lean to Kali's average, small pert breasts instead of unwieldy double-D's. Blue eyes the color of the afternoon sky and worst of all full, long, blond hair. She even seemed to be a couple of inches shorter than Kali. In total, she was the epitome of men's wet dreams. And Kali noticed the hand that glided possessively across his back and elbow as she slid past. She tried to make it look like a sign of nerves, but Kali understood. The vixen wanted Simon for herself. A moment later Armageddon confirmed the tramp's motivations.

"Ah, my faithful pet, I see you have delivered the good agent as promised."

Were it not for Simon's smirk, as he turned to regard the Sorcerer, Kali would have attacked someone. She wasn't sure who was the bad-guy, but it didn't matter to her. That expression told her that Simon had a plan.

Meanwhile, Armageddon continued. "There's no need for weapons, Agent Pie, but if it makes you feel more comfortable feel free to keep it out." He sat completely upright and waved at the big table. "Please, sit. I can have them send up something to eat. I particularly suggest you," he motioned to the woman, "should eat. Aside from the novelty, you should soon discover the debilitating effects of hunger."

Kali didn't understand, but it was clear the other three all did. When Simon rolled his eyes and the woman bristled it was clear it was an insult. Heck, Armageddon's tone implied insult.

"You might have stuffed me in here today, but that doesn't mean I was born yesterday."

The woman's retort only confused Kali more. She guessed this was the other demon. Like her it had been shoved in a living person, only it would have to be less powerful, or else why would the Sorcerer need her? She wished she could test her theory, but a quick attempt demonstrated either that he still jammed her powers or that her powers simply refused to bow to her will. Either way she couldn't prove anything.

Simon glided around the far end of the table from Armageddon and moved to sit next to Kali. Her heart began to flutter at the sign of favor. It leapt when the blond woman simply shifted along the wall and seemed to try to become unseen, not by any mystical means but through purely socio-psychological methods. She hugged the wall with her head down and shoulders slumped. She gripped her wrist and held her hands before her waist. Her long blond hair fell forward to cover much of her face. She hoped no one would notice her.

And why not? She's killed people and dragged us in to mortal peril.

Simon's hand rested briefly on Kali's shoulder as he finally pulled out the chair and sat. "Interesting. The agent has a connection to the demon-child? Hard to believe that the infamous Agent Pie feels for anyone beyond his job." Simon opened his mouth to respond to Armageddon. Kali couldn't blame him, she bristled at being calmed a demon-child. But the Sorcerer held up a hand to stall them both. "Forgive me, but I only relate what rumor and appearances would have us believe."

"In essence, that is why I wished to speak to you Agent Pie. I had hoped the PIA would not become involved here, but given the apparent circumstances it is hardly a surprise that you did. I am sure that my associate here," Armageddon nodded towards the woman who shrunk deeper into the far corner, "has explained that the 'gruesome murders' were nothing of the sort. Given that the reason for the bodies has disappeared there should be no further difficulties on that account."

"So you're saying that the apparent serial mutilations will cease?" Simon seemed very skeptical, as suspicion dripped from his tone.

Kali didn't know what to think. Aside from the initial questioning, the man had been fairly civil towards her. Of course, a mad man could very easily be civilized. After all, Jack the Ripper was said to have been a doctor or even a gentleman. Then again, wouldn't he have been more concerned about proper attire and professional appearance? She had a hard time reconciling an aristocratic persona with a surfer's countenance.

Armageddon nodded in response to Simon. "It has also transpired that we found your assistant unconscious and wished to assure you that she was well and untouched. My associate found her unconscious and brought her to me. Now that I know the nature of my failure to contact the demon, Tral'zla'thor, I shall move on to other pursuits. Had I but known the varied consequences of my attempts to summon it, I can assure you I would never have pursued them. There are numerous other methods by which I can achieve my goals."

Simon simply nodded, pushed his chair back and stood. "You understand we will keep an eye on the situation here. Fortunately, this trip has also laid to rest our fears about Tral'zla'thor. I thank you for your time and explaining the situation and will be sure to record your assistance in this matter when I hand in my report tonight."

Kali knew far more was being said than the mere words spoken. Unfortunately, her lack of understanding caused her to miss so much subtext. From the way the blond woman drew her brows together, it was clear she missed as much as Kali. She couldn't help but compare it to reading computer code without the relevant subroutines. However, she was so focused on her attempt to ferret out the meaning that she almost jumped when Simon once more placed a hand on her arm. This message was clear; it was time to leave.

She stood and Armageddon stood politely and walked them to the elevator. The moment the doors closed Kali opened her mouth to confront him. Instead, she found herself wrapped in his arms, her mouth covered as he kissed her. After a brief moment of confusion she melted against him and began to return the kiss with equal sincerity. All of the tension and fear that had built up since her capture began to fade.

She didn't care what the Sorcerer said, she had been kidnapped. She couldn't figure out how they had managed to get her away from the police, but somehow they'd stolen her right out from the police car, where she'd fallen asleep on the way to a crime scene.

Simon broke the kiss but continued to hold her close. His eyes seemed to glow with a mixture of relief and desire. When he spoke, it was soft and from inches away. "I'm sorry Kali, I've just been so worried."

"Are we really just going to leave?" Simon's expression showed brief confusion but when it cleared he brought a finger to his mouth to silence her. She remembered that they still might be under observation and nodded her understanding. They'd be able to talk freely once they were out of the building.

The remainder of the ride seemed interminable. The one grace Kali was given was Simon's solid presence. She smiled as she turned her head to rest her cheek against the muscled chest and closed her eyes. If it had to take forever, at least she could enjoy it.

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Simon slid into the driver's seat and closed the door, but the key didn't hit the ignition, neither did he buckle up. Instead, he simply leaned back and ran his fingers through his hair. A glimpse of the action in the rear-view mirror brought a very random thought to mind.

"Do you like my hair like this or should I cut it short?" This length always reminded him of Prince Valiant, even if he did have a much better style.

When Kali didn't respond Simon turned to her. He burst out laughing at her priceless expression. He would have expected just about the same reaction if he'd sprouted a second head. Or possibly not, given her power's tendency towards body modification. Her horrified confusion quickly changed to anger as he failed to reign in his laughter.

"What the hell is going on?"

Kali punched his shoulder, but that only served to spur his laughter. He couldn't help it. He wasn't entirely certain what he was laughing at, but her confusion was disproportionately hilarious. Likely it was nothing more than a release of the worried tension he'd held since she disappeared. It had only been a handful of hours, but between the Sorcerer and the dragon too much could have happened.

She glared at him with the full might of an offended young woman's wrath.

Finally he managed to control his reaction, fortunately before an embarrassing case of the hiccoughs, and turned a serious expression to her. She continued to glare, but at least she favored him with a chance to explain. He gave her the quick and dirty explanation.

"Look, we know the people were dead before they were ripped apart. Are there really dragons, by the way? And how could no one have seen it? And don't try to tell me anyone would mistake that for a costume."

Simon smiled at the disbelieving look Kali shot him.

"No, they would not. The few who could see them, that do not already know of such things, frequently think they are hallucinating. The problem is that dragons are spirits. What's more, they're fairly reclusive beings so even most mystics have little or no dealings with them."

"Okay, I understand that, but what about Armageddon? What was with your dialogue?"

Armageddon? It must be the Sorcerer's alias. If it was, it didn't bode well at all. Simon thought briefly about the double meanings that both he and the Sorcerer had exchanged. "Well, he denied any responsibility for either the deaths of those people or kidnapping you. Further he told me my presence was no longer needed, which was basically a way to tell me to 'get the hell out of his town.' To which I responded that the whole line was a load of shit and I would be watching him like a hawk."

The skeptical look intensified. "You two managed to get all of that in between the lines." Somehow, it was both a question and not.

"Well, I'll admit that that's what I read into Armageddon's statements, but I'm fairly certain that was his intent. Likewise, I can only assume he understood my subtext."

Kali sighed and leaned against the door. She looked confused and resigned. "I dunno. Look, I know Armageddon sounds like a suspicious name, but this is the digital age. Lots of people use that kind of thing online. And he did treat me pretty well while I was there. I mean, at first I was a little nervous, but he was very polite. All he did was ask a few questions."

"Kali, what happened in the park in fall?" Simon knew it would take her a few seconds for Kali to register the apparent non-sequitur. "I don't mean in general that night, but right when the guys grabbed you and your friend."

He knew it might hurt her to think about it, but he needed her to work out the answer herself. Her eyes widened and he could see her neck tense. She had to wonder if this was another test. It was, but more to get her thinking as a PIA agent needed to.

"They grabbed me, and even though they never said anything they made it very clear it was going to be a gang bang. Then they slit Vanessa's throat. Next thing I knew Tral..." Kali's eyes had drifted down as she relived a fraction of the pain and terror of that night. Now, they spun back up to meet his. "You mean something about the fact that the spell to summon Tral'zla'thor required a human sacrifice."

Simon nodded, as much to inspire Kali to continue as to confirm her realization that that was what he was getting at. The silence hung between them for a moment, at which point she realized that he expected her to work this out. Some of the tension that had built around his heart, when he forced her to think back on such a traumatic event, melted away as her expression changed from pain and fear to thoughtful interest.

Too many of his colleagues, both male and female, would never have looked past the initial terrified teenager to see the mind beneath. Then again, too many of them would have shot her the moment they found out she had absorbed a demon. Maybe a researcher would have reprimanded them for the further inability to learn from the unique situation, but otherwise there would be little censure.

"From what I know of the ritual it is required." She looked up in surprise. "Hey, his memory is back." Simon vowed to ask about that when she was done, it could be important. "Anyway, as I was saying; the sacrifice. While a Sorcerer can typically cast a spell without any of the usual trappings of a spell, a demonic summoning is different. In part, the act simply demonstrates the caster's intensity, proves they're serious. Another factor is that it acts as the first seal between the summoner and demon, sort of a down payment on the entire soul."

Simon was excited to see her in full swing. Of course, all of this had been theorized and 'confirmed' by the PIA, but like everything else regarding demons, inevitably their information traced back to inherently deceptive beings. If nothing else, he knew he could win quite a bit of support for Kali among the PIA researchers if he assigned her the entire demonic database to proof. He continued to listen intently as she confirmed his own suppositions.

"Okay, so a Sorcerer with a sufficiently strong will can get around the first part; the intensity. And demons don't want people to know that just the act of summoning them buys them a little bit of your soul, but it really isn't necessary for that aspect. The truth is, theoretically, a Sorcerer could get away without the sacrifice." Now that she had mentioned the Sorcerer specifically, Simon knew that Kali understood a large part of what he suggested.

"However, the final use of a human sacrifice is the energy that it provides. Again, it's possible for a Sorcerer to forego this if he has sufficient energy, but if he seeks a demon's power then likely he's loath to use his own when he can simply make a sacrifice. Any mystic who reaches for diabolism is either very desperate or lacks a fair amount of morality."

Simon beamed by the time Kali finished her reasoning. He was fairly certain, by this point, that she had come to the same conclusion as he, but he wanted to make sure. "All quite well reasoned. In truth we only suspected much of that so it is good to hear a confirmation, but the real question is what does all of that really have to do with Armageddon?"

Kali smiled and he knew before she spoke that she truly did understand. "Armageddon never lied when he said that his dragon tore apart nothing but corpses. What he failed to mention was that he had killed all of those people as part of the ritual to try to summon Tral'zla'thor, well, me really."

Simon nodded and smiled across the car at her. "And when he needed that very same dragon back under his control, he stuffed it into the readily available corpse. And he can guarantee that no more 'murders' will be discovered because the dragon is too honorable to kill a live woman in order to make good its freedom."

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Kali stared in horror. The vague sense of Tral'zla'thor's memories had been impressed by Armageddon's ingenuity. It felt a little odd to her that the memories and spirit that had been the demon's retained some sense of itself, yet the being that was Tral'zla'thor was truly gone. Perhaps it was just the residual memories and knowledge interacting with her own intelligence.

Whatever it was, it barely registered this time. Kali couldn't believe that Armageddon had forced a dragon into the body of a live person. Any jealousy she had held for the blond evaporated instantly, to be replaced with a mixture of sympathy and pity. They were much the same now, both regular people who had been forced into the world of the paranormal. At least Kali could safely say that the intruder in her body was merely a residual rather than a full blown possession.

And what was terrifying for the poor woman would be equally horrible for the dragon. Spirits that remained trapped in a human went insane. Even though humanity had lost its ability to see the spiritual realm, they still remembered enough lore to recognize the signs. What had once been correctly identified as Lycanthropy was still recognized today as spirit possession, even if they did misinterpret it as demonic rather than a spirit gone mad.

"So... so... the blond..."

Simon nodded. "Up until this morning Sacha was a normal, functioning part of society. I'm actually fairly certain she will continue to be if we can get her away from the Sorcerer. I have confidence in a dragon's ability to maintain its sanity, even through decades of captivity. Likely it will simply view this as a unique experience through which it can gain a corporeal perspective."

Sascha? Who was she? What did she do for a living? She looked like she was in her early or mid twenties, so likely she already had a job, a profession, a life. Kali only hoped that she didn't also have a lover or husband who would also suffer through this. Worse still, did she have kids?

But all of that was secondary. "Simon, if you knew all of this, why did we just walk out? How could you just let him get away with it all with nothing more than a couched warning that you'd be watching him?"

Simon slumped against the door of the car. "That's the problem. I may suspect all of this, but I have no proof of any of it. Heck, I don't even have anything more than Sascha's word that she had been alive to begin with. A talented spirit can make even an animated corpse look alive. And there certainly are no spirits more knowledgeable than dragons. While I've never heard of a weredragon before, all of the stories of dragons taking human form could be nothing more than draconic Revenants, which I can't believe I didn't think of before."

Revenants were spirits which animated the body of the dead. The most common were dead souls that tried to regain their life, or avenge their death, by crawling back into their bodies. However there were plenty of spirits that needed temporary use of a corporeal form and lacked the requisite power to transubstantiate.

Kali shook her head. The other memory had begun to integrate more smoothly into her own, to the point that the knowledge she needed popped unbidden into her thoughts.

"So," she paused for a second to collect her thoughts, "what about Sascha? We could use her as the excuse to take him down. If he's like you assume, Armageddon won't think of the fact that there's a human to deal with now and not just a draconic Revenant. He might not have broken any magical laws, but he's using magic to kidnap someone. That's got to be a way for us to move in and bust him down."

Simon turned to her and flashed a smile. That one look sent Kali's pulse racing. She knew it was more of the look a teacher gave an exceptionally gifted pupil than one which was given to an equal partner, or even a lover, but it filled her with a deep satisfaction nonetheless. With enough time and training, those looks would turn into the respect of an equal.

"That, my love, is exactly what I expect. Unfortunately, her silence as we left must be interpreted for acceptance in this circumstance, especially in light of our little sub-dialogue. If there had been any confusion, she would have been expected to speak out. If not at the end, she could at least have said something when he referred to her as 'his dragon.' Her lack implied that she was truly still the retainer he claimed. Although I suspect that she didn't more for fear or necessity rather than any truth on his part."

"So you don't think she was instructed to bring you to him as he claimed?" Kali wondered how he had found the weredragon, or if she had found him. Kali quickly pushed aside the flare of jealousy that demanded to know what else they had done in the brief time alone together.

Simon smiled gently, as if he could read her mind. "She found me and told me where I could find him. So it's possible that he instructed it. But somehow I don't think so. Her first words to me were for help. I think it's more likely that he simply reacted when he saw me arrive with her. Sow confusion between his opponents."

Simon stopped and looked thoughtful. It was a look Kali had already learned. It was a look that made her wish for telepathy. Her eyes widened instantly as she felt her power begin to flare within her. Afraid of the potential hazards of telepathy, especially when she already had little control over her powers, she tried to think of something, anything, to divert the chaos.

The very air in the car exploded in a flurry of rose petals. Simon's eyes widened. He watched her from the moment the power began to flare. She could even sense the curiosity, see the interest on his face. He had wanted to see how she would deal with it this time, but he seemed unconcerned of a relapse of the lust power. The storm of rose petals clearly took him by surprise.

"It was the first thing I could think of when it began to build." Kali knew she sounded guilty, like a child who tried to explain how the paint on her clothes was better than if it had been on the walls. "I thought if I could create a flower out of nothing. True conjuration always takes so much more power than almost any other magic after all."

"Einstein proved why," Simon said absently as he nodded and surveyed the inch thick coat of rainbow petals that began to settle throughout the interior of the car. Kali noticed that although every color of rose was represented, most of them were yellow, pink and red, with the last a distinct majority. "I'm very impressed actually. It's a difficult skill even for most Demons."

Simon dipped his hands into the floral dusting and lifted them. As petals began to spill through his spread fingers, he looked up and laughed. "And I think I can safely say that acts like this are sufficiently chaotic to appease your power's nature.

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This was certainly a pleasant surprise! The display told Simon so much. While he was quite curious what had prompted the rise in her powers, the end results were truly spectacular. She was correct that her conjuration quickly displaced all of the built energy, and did so in a completely harmless method that would raise few eyebrows. Although he assured her that people would explain strange circumstances on their own, too many or too large displays would eventually attract suspicion.

What's more, the display went very far to demonstrate the limitations of her abilities. Or rather, that they held virtually none. Very few Demons held the capability to create something from thin air, and while it was entirely possible she had inadvertently summoned them, such as transporting them from various flower shops, Simon thought it much more likely that she had indeed wished them into existence. The sheer power that had built quickly accounted for many blocks worth of petals rather than a small car. Of the Demons that could, mostly it related to angelic and demonic weapons.

The final revelation made Simon blush with a mixture of embarrassment and appreciation. The chaotic element of her powers worked through her subconscious. After all, what could be more chaotic within a human than their id, their hidden, primal, desires? So when she called upon her power to create a rose, or in this case a flurry of rose petals, her id moved in and colored them according to her emotions. And most of them spoke of love, lust and true friendship. True to himself, he admitted any such display from his own powers would have yielded the same color scheme.

Simon shook the thoughts from his head and returned to the subject at hand. "Armageddon has crossed from the territory where he keeps his magical and criminal enterprises completely separate into those where they merge. Now is when I begin to act with complete impunity, but not without some measure of proof. And for that, I'm going to need to make a phone call."

Simon quickly dialed the lieutenant's number. The corner of his mouth quirked as Kali began to shovel fragrant petals into the back of the car. He was almost afraid to open his door, for fear that a few inches near the edge would spill out, but he decided it was a necessity lest there prove too many beneath the petals to drive. With no cars immediately behind him, he dared risk the look. He was bent over and sweeping clear the area beneath the petals when the other end of the line began to ring.

"Agent Pie? This is Michaels. I hadn't expected to hear from you so soon. What can I do for you?"

With his ability to drive safely ensured, Simon quickly jumped back into the car and devoted his full attention back to the phone. "Lieutenant, I have some good news. Unfortunately I also have a request to make. Would it be possible for me to meet you somewhere?"

"Well, I'm actually off duty at the moment, so wherever you would like to meet would be fine. There's a bar downtown where we could meet."

Simon thought about it for a moment but decided against that plan. "Well, my assistant is a minor, and I would really like the two of you to meet in addition to everything else. That way, if something happens to me, or if I am otherwise occupied, I can send her to you in my stead."

He could almost feel Lieutenant Michaels nod in understanding. "Okay then, how about Pappa Leone's? It's a small Italian restaurant downtown."

Simon agreed and quickly got directions. It wasn't too far, which he appreciated. Although buckled in, Kali continued to bail flowers through the short trip. By the time he found another place to park, the wells and seat in back were full of rainbow petals. Simon smirked and locked the doors, although few were likely to think of stealing it at this point. It would be too easy to distinguish, and a single petal could lead to a conviction. Easier to find a less conspicuous vehicle.

Simon brushed a few stray petals from his clothing and waited for Kali. The moment she came around the car he slid a hand onto the small of her back and started forward. While part of his mind concentrated on what he needed to tell the lieutenant, another part simply enjoyed the feel of her body pressed to his. She molded against his side perfectly, as if the two had been made for each other. With only a couple of inches difference between the two, every angle just seemed to fit.

Lieutenant Michaels was easy to spot. A very large man, he seemed to loom in the corner. He looked up when the two entered. He didn't look particularly happy to see them, but Simon noted he relaxed slightly as he waved them over. A gentleman, Michaels rose when they neared and extended a hand towards Kali.

"Lieutenant Michaels, this is my assistant Kali Donnoly. Kali, Lieutenant Michaels."

"It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am." He waved at the chairs. "Please sit. Order whatever you like, the department is buying." He added a wry smile. Kali took a seat where she could see most of the room, since the lieutenant monopolized the one which viewed the entire room. Simon, unconcerned, sat with his back to the crowd. If anything physical threatened, their reactions would alert him quickly enough, and anything which could breach his metaphysical defenses would take him before he could react anyway. This was his life. He trusted in his own abilities enough that he didn't fear the paranoia which some field agents eventually fell to.

The waitress came over and offered them menus. Simon declined, secure in his order. "Caesar salad, extra dressing, and a pop." Kali declined the menu and ordered the same, with the exception of a smaller size for the salad. Simon waited for the woman to leave before he turned back to the policeman.

"Mostly good news for you. The best news is that unless I am horribly mistaken, the murders are over. Further good news is that I'm fairly certain all of the victims were dead quite a bit before they were torn apart. The true cause of death was probably a blade wound to the neck."

A slight narrowing of the lieutenant's eyes was all the warning Simon got that he was about to be interrupted. "How could you possibly know that?"

Interesting! Not 'what makes you say that' but 'how could I know that.'

The lieutenant had withheld information from Simon. "I was able to track down the real killer through a very unexpected informant. While he didn't directly admit to killing them himself, I'm certain of it. As to the method of death it's nothing more than logical conjecture based on the reason for their deaths."

"And that would be?"

"They were human sacrifices." Simon would have preferred not to have revealed that little tidbit but he wasn't going to lie to the officer either. "I won't go into details as to how I know both that the sacrifices will stop and why the mutilations will, but I can assure you that they will be done, for now at least."

Simon took a breath and held up a hand to forestall the obvious complaint about his qualifier. At that moment, the waitress returned with their salads and a plate piled high with pasta drenched in a red sauce, with chunks of sausage and hamburg liberally strewn throughout. They all nodded their thanks and took a sample bite before the waitress obliged to leave. Lieutenant Michaels smiled ruefully.

"The daughter of the owners. Who, incidentally, are the chefs. Family tradition to wait by the table to make sure the food is to the patron's liking. Maybe even a Mediterranean tradition."

Simon cocked an eyebrow at the larger man. "She doesn't look Italian."

Michaels chuckled. "Greek. But somehow they still manage to make some of the best Italian outside of the truly high class places. If you'd taken the menu you'd have seen a fair spattering of Greek food. They just focused on the pasta because they're friends with the family that owns the Greek restaurant in this neighborhood."

Simon wasn't surprised at the depth of Michaels' knowledge. This was his city, these were the people he was here to protect, so he needed to know them. That fit right into his request. After a few more bites of salad, and a swig of his drink to clear his throat, he broached the subject.

"Here's the thing. I know who he is, I know what he's done, but like you I live under the burden of proof. That's where I need your help. Don't worry, I'm not asking you to look into him, or even anything disreputable. What I need is a very specific report, which I'm fairly sure will come in eventually." Michaels listened with rapt attention. "I need to find out if there's a missing persons report for a woman named Sascha. Don't worry, she's alive, but I suspect she's being held at least partially against her will, and if she is, then I am free to act."

A smile spread slowly across the Lieutenant's lips. Simon hadn't claimed a connection between the two idly. Both were constrained to uphold the law as much as they were champions of justice. As such, there were often times when they were unable to act. Michaels appreciated this fact now and he quickly pulled out a notebook.

"What can you tell me about Miss Sascha.?"

"Five foot six. Long blond hair and light blue eyes. Athletic body with smaller breasts, maybe B or C-cup. Unfortunately I don't know her last name or profession, but she's early to mid twenties and seems to be moderately affluent. Probably works in the business district." Simon figured the lieutenant would make the connection and wasn't disappointed.

"That's somehow related to the most recent murder, or rather crime scene I suppose, isn't it?"

Simon nodded. "Unfortunately, and why I am certain the mutilations will stop." Simon took a deep breath and prepared himself to explain the situation to the still-skeptical man.

Copywrite June 2007, by Deathlynx