Of course, a lot of humans blamed demons for their bad actions. Acting possessed or some other ridiculous notion. There were numerous religious institutions that spent all their time trying to ward off demons. And the literature. Bel had read it all.
Like the book that humans followed casting Lucifer as some fallen angel that had been thrown out of heaven because of his jealousy towards the humans. As punishment Lucifer was seen as the evilest of evil. That probably irritated Bel the most. Lucifer was not only a good friend but one of the gentlest souls in existence. And Lucifer loved humans. Had mated one and often looked after others. Humans…they just got everything wrong.
“Here you go.” The human set Bel’s order down on the counter in front of him while peering up through those long thick lashes. Seriously, Bel almost wanted to touch them. They were quite beautiful.
He shook his head, forcing a smile. “Thanks.”
“Have a good day,” Human replied before turning his back on Bel.
Bel picked up the drinks in one of his large hands and the popcorn bag in the other. Peering inside, he could see how heavily each piece was coated. At least the little human could follow directions.
Knowing he was close to escape, Bel headed for the exit. He’d done way too much interacting with humans for one day.
A hot shower was called for and then Bel would see what the other demons were doing. Bel couldn’t wait to get back to his own kind. Maybe there was something fun happening around hell. There usually was. Either in the private plane of hell where he resided or the main hell realm. Demons knew how to have a good time.
* * * * *
Atlas
Sneaking out the back door, Atlas looked around to see if he could pinpoint where the monster had gone. There! Headed off around the corner of the building. Atlas quietly closed the door behind him and sneakily followed.
This was the first time since he’d landed in some hick town in the middle of nowhere that the flickers had returned. Atlas had been moving around the country for two years, avoiding monsters that no one else seemed to be aware of. Atlas was aware. He knew just what the monsters could do. And one day he would get his revenge. And this creature was different than any other that Atlas had come across. He had to know why.
Moving as silently as possible, he reached the corner where the monster had disappeared. He took a deep breath before peeking.
The tall monster had his back to Atlas. Oh, sure the monster tried to appear human. Standing well over six foot like his monster body wouldn’t fit into the body he…borrowed. Atlas wasn’t exactly sure how that worked. But the long straight black hair and those dark eyes didn’t fool him. Not when each flicker showed Atlas the truth.
This thing had horns, black flesh with gold veins, wings, and a tail. An actual tail.
Atlas couldn’t figure out what this monster was, just that he was unlike the others. Mostly the monsters were animals. They would look human until a flicker would reveal the face or body of an animal. Lions, bears, birds, even a kind of cute bunny once. This…male monster intrigued Atlas. Maybe this was finally his chance to figure out how to take one of these things out.
His heart had a pang at the thought of hurting this thing. Maybe, hopefully, it wouldn’t come to that. Even with Atlas’s experience, he knew that not all monsters attacked innocent humans. Some did though. That Atlas knew only all too well.
The flickers revealed a red glow around the monster’s hands before the drinks and popcorn bag disappeared.
Huh, Atlas had wondered about the monster’s insistence on lots of butter, but he’d seen weirder things. But what had happened? Where did the drink and popcorn go?
And why did the monster seem to have relaxed once he no longer held the items?
Curiouser and curiouser.
Atlas wanted to move closer. Which in itself was strange. He never settled in a city for more than a few months before he became itchy and had to move on. Made finding a job difficult, which was the reason he was currently wasting time working at a movie theatre concession stand.
Monsters could show up at any time. Atlas kept his bag packed just in case. Until he had the answers he needed, Atlas couldn’t take the chance that he would be found and taken out. No one else even seemed to be aware of the threats surrounding them.
This thing in front of him…who seemed to be texting and ignoring the world around him, felt different. Atlas wasn’t sure how. He wasn’t scared. There was some unease inside him but not fear.
Atlas tiptoed forward.
The monster wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings. Atlas had no idea what he’d do or say when he reached the monster but it was like his feet were moving on their own.
Atlas was only about a yard from the monster when a loudpopstartled him and the monster was gone. Just gone.
“No!” Atlas shouted as he ran forward.
A red mist remained in the air and Atlas grabbed at it.
Breathing became difficult. There was a whoosh and it felt like his body was being torn apart before he was flying.
