DEVILS DRINK

Ch 4

So its been two weeks now, how are you doing? John said as he looked over to doctor Rebecca Kelly. The wind was pleasant and the weather was beautiful. I dont know. Rebecca replied. She didnt even look back at the priest. How are you feeling? John in his all black priest attire stared on at her. Horrible. Rebecca rubbed her hands together, and held them as if she was praying. The sunlight came down on the two of them, making John warmer and Rebeccas hair shiny. Its not your fault. Said John as he sat next to her. Rebecca felt it was oddly familiar. Yes it is. A woman died. If I hadntdone my thing, stupid thingshe would have kept on living her life. I know it looks that way, faith has a strong meaning for you here. Your guilt is natural. You didnt know what would happen when you brought her to the hospital. Shes deadand things have only gotten worse. Thats not true! You told me yourself that things are happier now, that the hospital is at ease. You even said at that the hospital is at peace. But Im not! Im not Rebecca turned her head away from John, though they still sat together on the park bench. Rebecca, has anybody else died because of those ghosts? Rebecca looked back at John, but didnt say anything. And what about your visions? Youve been having less of them correct? Its only because one-by-one Ive been helpingthese ghosts. Pierce and youisnt that what you meant? Pierce and yourself, the two doctorshave been saving not only lives, but souls as well. With a subtle noise Rebecca adjusts and reaches for her pager that is strapped to her waistline. Its Pierce, I gotta go. Standing up Rebecca feels the beautiful grass underneath her. The park had a great view of the hospital, as from its higher ground. Looking at the parking lot of the hospital Rebecca could see cars entering and leaving. I can offer you forgiveness. Rebecca stopped walking and listened to what John had to say. For whatever you feel youve done wrong. Rebecca you and him of all people deserve that peace. But if you stopped what you do it would make life more miserable for everyone. I cant accept that father. Rebecca looking back at John now. The world is a pretty big place, I cant solve its problems. To me this world, is just one big graveyard. Rebecca began walking down hill and cross the street to the hospital parking lot. Passing by a meal truck that had a line of people waiting for food John watched from the park above.

Afternoon had struck and Saint Gabriels hospital was busy with incoming patients. The waiting room was packed with people who argued for how long they have been waiting, some claiming their issues were more important then others. Rebecca passed by these people and asked the staff at the desk as to doctor Pierces location. Once given his current position Rebecca fast walked her way through the hospital walkways. When she finally caught up with Pierce he gave her a stern look and began questioning Rebecca. Where have you been? With Johnwhat do we got? Rebecca entering further into the room sees the patient, he is asleep and strapped to the bed. Why is this man in restraints? He was extremely violent, he came in that way. I had to sedate him. So Johns here? Not really, hes outside. Rebecca takes a look at the medical chart. Brad Conwayso whats his story? Pierce raising his hand points back at the patient. Rebecca turns and sees a woman now standing next to the patient. The woman placed her hand on his, but she did not attempt to hold his hand. Her face was badly beaten, bruised and bloody. The woman stood there sadly and lovingly looking onto the patient, Rebecca calling out to her the woman looked up but this was just as she faded away. Rebecca stomped around the room checking to make sure the ghost was gone. Pierce moving out of her way closed the door to the room. What is your problem? Im sick of these ghosts! Im sick of this fucking problem! Even when we do help these people, more keep coming! This hospital is like a huge bus stop for the dead to converse! What? Pierce was confused, Rebecca frustrated walked over to the window and looked outside. The view was not as great as the one at the park. Look Im sorry, I dont know what I did wrong but Im sorry. Im tired too. We both need some time off. Sick of this fucking hospital! Rebecca turning around to shout at Pierce looks over at a strange glow coming from the patient. What is that? Raising up the patients shirt she finds an odd symbol on his stomach. Glowing a subtle green it was two large green circles. Inside the circles were strange symbols. What do you see? More ghost writing? Nono Ive never seen it before. Rebecca did not know what this strange drawing was on the mans stomach. She looked at Pierce but he just looked at her, Rebecca knowing he cant see some of things she can; she has to do it. Placing her palm on the symbol the green light grew bright as Rebecca was pulled through to another vision. Wind ripped past Rebecca with a fierce and sharp calling. As she felt her hair rest endicating the end of her travels she opened her eyes. Her vision was dark and hard to see, Rebecca squinted and looked around try to make sense of the place. There was loud music that made thumping through the room. Dark figures overcrowded her view, unable to recognize their faces Rebecca moved forward to try to go through the crowd. As reached out to touch one of the dark figures the wind struck her body hard and she immediately closed her eyes from the rush.

Her body being pushed through the vision she could hear the sounds of drinks pouring, the sounds of glass getting tapped together. From the unexpected wind Rebecca turned her back to the wind, opening her eyes she saw nothing but darkness, the people in shadows were gone. As the wind stopped Rebecca was left alone in the darkness, waiting for another vision Rebecca sees a human shape form in front of her. The figure was at first blurry, but came clearer, then shattered. The sound of glass breaking was louder then the music before, a loud bang that surprised Rebecca. Glass from the formed human body came flying towards Rebecca, shards ricochet against her arms, her body. She could even feel the glass touch her face, leaving knicks across her body. Raising her arms to cover her face Rebecca felt the air was different, the mood was different. Lowering her arms she found herself back in the hospital room, the patient Brad Conway resting in the bed, and Pierce staring on at her from the far side of the room. Rebecca rubbing her arms couldn't make eye contact with Pierce. She still felt as if the glass had cut her arms, as her eyes darted around the room Rebecca realized that nothing bad had happened to her. All of sudden Brad Conway awoke in his bed. The clinging of the straps against the bed rails made Rebecca swear and back away in surpise. The patient pulled against his restraints, as he moaned in anger he looked straight at Rebecca as she stepped back to Pierce. Brad didn't say anything just continued to struggle in his restraints, wanting-needing to escape. Pierce pulled Rebecca behind himself, as a sign of protection. However she felt uncomfortable and quickly opened the door and left the room. "Rebecca wait!" Pierce running after her turns her around. "What happened? What did you see?" "Glass, there was a lot of glass..." Rebecca answered. "Wait! Thats it?" Pierce grabbed firmly at her arms. "...I don't know!" Rebecca stated clearly, while looking at him straight on she still could not stare into his eyes. "There was loud music, a bunch of people, I think it was a party. I gotta go!" Rebecca tries to leave but Pierce only gripped her arms tighter. "A party? What do you mean?" "I have to go!" Rebecca tugged against Pierce even more. "Rebecca-" "Let me go!" With her shout Pierce released his grasp and she ran away. Pierce confused, believed he had missed something important. He went back into the room to feel two hands grab at his doctor's coat. Being pushed back against the wall of the room Pierce now saw it was the patient Brad Conway. One strap was still wrapped on his wrist as he saw it was clearly broken along the buckle. Looking past Brad Pierce saw the rest of the straps on the bed, Brad had broken free. The patient shoved Pierce around to another part of the room. Pierce looking into his eyes saw that they were far from normal. His pupils were black, with a bold hornet-color yellow ring to them. It was as if Brad was infected with a disease. Pierce instinctively raises his knee and hits the patient in the nuts. The reaction from Brad gave the doctor enough space to rush to door, feeling Brad pulling on his coat collar Pierce hits the code blue button on the wall next to the light.

With the code blue now flashing the two continued to tussle. In the dark patient's room Pierce and Brad threw each other against the walls, a sink, and even the hospital bed. A nurse appearing at the doorway immediately calls for security as she rushed in to help doctor Pierce. Brad throws a hard right elbow into her face, knocking the nurse to the ground. The nurse holding her nose in pain Pierce wrapped himself around the patients abdomen. Lifting up the patient he slams him against some medical equipment. In the thrashing of the two Pierce slips around behind Brad and now holds him hard. Unable to throw fists Pierce used his body weight to bring the patient to the ground. More staff rushed into the room, one helped the nurse who now had the bloody nose. The other was part of security who knelt down to give Brad a needle. "NO! I don't want to go back! I don't want to go back..." The patient snapping his arm back was unable to fight the strength of the security guard along with an additional nurse. When the needle plunged into his arm his shouting went to mumbling and his eyes grew heavy. HIs body giving in Brad fell unconscious leaving Pierce on the floor breathing hard underneath him. The staff came together to lift Brad up back onto the hospital bed. As they restrapped Brad's arms and legs Pierce moved on the floor so that he would not get stepped on. Realizing that he was being ignored Pierce reaches over to a small white card on the white tile. The card must have slipped from Brad's pocket while in the fight. Slowly standing up Pierce reads the card: Alcohol Anonymous. Slipping the card into his pocket his actions he took a final look around the room, his actions were unnoticed. Rebecca went to the locker room where she changed out of her medical attire. As she was heading for the exit of the hospital along the way she crossed paths with John again. Rebecca didn't stop to talk to him this time, as John stated hello she passed by ignoring his presence. The priest calling out her name was unnoticed as the entrance doors to Saint Gabriel's slid open. John did not follow after Rebecca, for a sick patient near by grabbed his hand, asking for a prayer. The day was still beautiful, so Rebecca remained standing by a metal pole with the bus sign posted on it. Waiting for the bus she looked around to see busy people go through their daily routines of life. Rebecca watching people cringed with jealousy. The noise of the world around Rebecca was overhauled with the sound of the city bus pulling up to the curb. The bus doors popping open, Rebecca put her hand on the rail and stared at the bus driver. "Getting on or what?" Standing next to the driver was a small young boy. Dried blood was on his clothes and his face. The boy stood there picking his nose as he stared back. The kid must have been no older than five or six, Rebecca was seeing yet another ghost. Contemplating over walking home Rebecca remained silent and motionless on the bus steps. The bus driver repeated his statement from earlier, and Rebecca finally made her decision. Stepping up and into the bus Rebecca retrieves a bus card from her purse. Sliding it through the machine a dull green light turns on with a singular low beep. Rebecca walking past the ghost child finds herself a seat. The boy keeping his finger in his nose comes up to Rebecca as the bus driver closes the doors. As the bus begins to move Rebecca can tell that this ghost knows she can see him. Rebecca however did not look at the boy, she stared straight forward at

two other riders. An older couple, the elderly woman looked back at Rebecca. The elderly man had his head buried in the newspaper. Rebecca went into a daze. Her mind wondered while the movement of the bus made people shift in their seats and while standing. The bus driving away from the hospital John finished talking to the patients requesting his help. It didn't take John too long to locate doctor Pierce. When John did find the doc he was outside the doors to the labor and delivery area. "Doctor Pierce! God has a calling for you." John said to grab the doctor's attention. "Something just happened John. I don't know what to make of it." Pierce walking further down the hall with John they passed some of the medical staff. Double checking to make sure that no one would hear their conversation Pierce pulled out the card he found earlier. Handing the card over to John he took a glimpse over the fine print. "I didn't know you had a drinking problem doctor." "Its not mine! This card was on a guy. A patient. He came in and was extremely violent and aggressive. There was a ghost, and Rebecca had another vision." "This sounds like an actual case doctor." Grabbing the card from John's hand Pierce hid it back in his pocket. "What is going on? John, I get it okay, I can't 'seal' these ghosts. But what is a case?" "Pierce cases are what I document and report. Certainsituations involve evil that is more powerful then the usual spirits." "So whatever Rebecca saw could be something really bad." "Indeed. Part of your job Pierce is to save lives. The other job you have is to make sure that none of these things get to our living world." "Things what do you mean?" "Demonsthey are the most powerful of the Otherside. And all they want is to escape to our world. Trust me you don't want to know what they're capable of if they do." "Oh my god" "Yes, you're gonna need him. Along with all the help you can get. I'll contact Maggie and you two can meet at the AA meeting." "Maggie? Haven't seen her in a while." "Yes well the hospital isn't really her type of place. And please don't call her Maggie. She hates that nickname." "What?" "Nevermind, just forget it." John walked away and Pierce pulled the card out again from his pocket. An address in small font was on the bottom of the card. A case? Pierce was curious and excited. There was information about cases in the book John gave him a while ago. As Pierce went back to the labor and delivery area he tried to put together the information from the book about this. On the highway leaving the city the small diner of Heat N' Eat was very busy. People were inside having good food, good conversations, good times. When John pushed the door open to the restaurant a bell got hit indicating another customer was coming in. Taking a look around

the establishment John walked up to the counter waited for the lady behind the counter to approach him. "In the back isn't she?" John asked the employee who shook her head knowing of exactly who John was talking about. Walking through the restaurant John exit through the back door of the restaurant. In the middle of the day there was Margaret, standing next to a singular lonely tree. Margaret was wearing all black, and held a bouquet of flowers. Making sure the door was closed behind him, John walked across the dirt, seeing just how desolate it was behind the restaurant. "I'm sorry" John said as he continued to approach Margaret from behind. "Maggie! I'm sorry!" "Why did you take her!" Margaret shouted. "It wasn't my decision. The Circle had to make sure. You know they don't like taking chances." "SHE WAS SUPPOSE TO BURIED HERE! IT WAS WHAT SHE WANTED!" "I know" "Fucking Circlethey can't even keep someone's burial wishes." "I KNOW!" John stopped in his tracks and took a deep breath. Looking around at the desert surrounding them. "The Circleis far from perfect, but that comes with being human! You have to keep faith. BELIEVE!" "And what if I don't?" "Then all is lost." The two stood there quietly. Margaret placed the flowers down at tree base. "Sara" Margaret whispered to herself as she closed her eyes. "I have a case for you" No response. "An actual case, it involves alcohol." Margaret opened her eyes, turned around and faced John. "Say that again." "The two doctors have stumbled upon a case. You know these demons are pretty powerful." "Ofcourse they are. Even if we do defeat it, our fears, our needs, our emotionsthe monsters they just come back." "That is our purpose Maggie. To stop the cycle, the repeating mistakes that mankind makes. What the Otherside feeds on." Said John as Margaret took a few steps toward him. "I know how important a case like this would be to you-" As Margaret walked past John the priest did a quick step to catch up to her. "Save it. I'll do it." "Thank you. Pierce will definitely need your help." Praised John. "And what about the other one?" "You mean Rebecca. I don't think shes gonna take part in this one." Margaret looked at John expecting a different response. Margaret then gave a look of not caring and continued heading back to the restaurant. Meanwhile in a lowly small apartment complex Rebecca opened the door to her apartment a set of keys. Placing the keys back in her purse she closed the door and made her way to the kitchen. Her apartment was small, pathetic, blank. Opening the refrigerator Rebecca grabbed herself a beer from within. Popping off the lid she realized the cold glass she held in her hand, opened the refrigerator again to see that the beer was pretty much all she had for food.

Reaching for the phonebook on top of the refrigerator Rebecca flipped through the pages until she found what she was looking for. Retrieving her phone from her purse she ordered a pizza delivery. Rebecca's apartment was small and not very comfortable. After the kitchen was a small area that was to be the dining and living room combined. Turn left you from there and you find her bedroom. On the left wall were two doors, one was to a closet, the other the bathroom. Bored Rebecca sat on her bed and turned on her television. The television could be seen straight from Rebecca's bed in the adjacent room. Next to the television was a shelf with a stack of movies inside. Against the far wall of the living/dining room was a small desk with Rebecca's laptop. As Rebecca watched television she looked over at the alarm clock on the small end table next to her bed. There behind the alarm clock was a photo of her with a man. Picking up the photo Rebecca smiled as she remembered better times. When a knocking came at the door Rebecca realized how much time had passed as she stared at the photo of her standing next to this other man. The stranger in the photo was taller than her, he had short auburn colored hair. With a gentle smile and a arm wrapped around Rebecca in the picture, the stranger looked kind and sweet. Placing the picture back behind her alarm clock Rebecca turned the television off and answered the door. It was the pizza she had ordered hot and ready. After eating her meal Rebecca went to her desk. Opening a place on the desk where many folders and paperwork can be stocked Rebecca pulled out a thick book. Opening it up Rebecca checked to make sure when it was due back, the book was borrowed from the library, and was about epilectic seizures. Turning on her computer Rebecca googled information about people with that symptom. Night had bestowed upon the city, as Pierce sat quietly alone in his car. Parked on the street Pierce watched people enter a commercial building. Looking over the card for the alcohol anonymous Pierce verified the address as black numers were posted along the gray wall of the gray building. Leaving his car Pierce checked for his keys, no longer did he wear the doctor's white coat but now just a blue denim jacket. "Doctor Pierce!" While crossing the street Travis heard his name called out to him. Turning he sees Margaret out of the darkness of the sidewalk appear. "What are you doing here?" "I followed you. Its a case right? Demon's looking to prey on the living to make itself more powerful. Beats dealing with ghosts." "Aren't they the same thing?" "What?" Margaret stared back at Pierce. "I meant-aren't they both from the Otherside?" "Doctor-ghosts are people. They have souls. They can be good or bad. The choices they made in their lives made them that way. The Otherside is where evil is born. There is a HUGE difference between them." "What are you doing here?" Pierce asks as Margaret starts walking toward the gray building. "I'm here to help."

Inside the gray building many of the hallways were dark with doors showing they were inaccessible with a chain and lock around the handles. Margaret along with Pierce went down ventured through the only hallway that had light. In the hallway Margaret stuck her head into an open doorway to find what was a small classroom. Instead of desks just plastic chairs remained along the room. There was six people sitting in the room with one man standing at the front of the room. The man in front of the chalk board looked very professional. He had a white button down shirt with cargo pants. "Newcomersplease join us." The man said as he pushed up his thick black framed glasses. "Oh wait tell us your names, if you can, tell us a little bit about yourselves." Margaret found herself a sit in front, a red chair. Pierce had to sit two rows behind her in a green chair. "I'm Margaret..." The silence in the room along with the stare from the man in the front pushed her to say more. "Oh-and I'm an alcoholic." "Hi Margaret." The other six people chimed in together welcoming her. Pierce saw that now everybody including Margaret was looking at him. "Hello I'm Travis. And I'man alcoholic." "Hi Travis." The group of people's voices were dull and half-assed. "Well Margaret, Travis, I'm Kyle. Thank you for joining us today. I know it takes a lot to come here, I know it can feel-intimidating. But the willingness to come here for support and knowledge will lead you toward recovery." Said Kyle from the front of the class. With everybody back to looking at Kyle, Pierce leaned forward to try to get Margaret's attention. Two other people were sitting in the front row of the classroom. Both of them looked were much older, the man looked to be late fourties along with the woman sitting next to him. In the next row sat three people. Another older gentleman with balding hair and no coat, a woman with long blonde hair, and a shaved head man who was overweight. The last person in the room was sitting next to Pierce, however he got up and was pouring himself coffee from the back of the room. This man wore a blue coat and had on a gray newsboy hat. As he sat back down he held his styrofoam cup of coffee with both hands. The man seemed occupied with staring into its blackness. His face had wrinkles along with freckles, Pierce could tell he had irish in his blood. Kyle had written some words on the chalk board and turned back to the room. "Today I wanted us to get into conflict. We all have it, conflict with family or friends. But theres another kind of conflict-the battle with ourself. You can't be truly free of alcohol if your not truly honest with yourself. Thats rightI'm talking about acceptance." Kyle took a few steps closer to the first row and looked on at his guests. "Patrick," As Kyle called out the man sitting in Pierce's row looked up from his coffee. "Haven't heard from you in a whilehow about you talk to us about your own conflict." Patrick looked back down at his coffee, afraid of what to say or do. "Come on Patrick, tell your story." At last Patrick stood up and walked through the two rows of chairs to make his way to the front of the class. Once there Patrick sipped his coffee and only nodded his head. Kyle taking the

coffee away from Patrick patted him on his shoulder. Patrick licking his lips was scared, but no one could tell whether if it was from stage freight or from fear of admission of guilt. "So my battlemy conflictits on going" Patrick looked at Kyle who opened the AA book, flipping through the pages he nodded back at Patrick, this made the man continue. "You see I'm unfortunate. I lost a lot in my life. Hell I lost everything. I feel like I'm to blame for it all." "Its not your fault Patrick." Someone said from the front row. "It sure feels that way." Patrick responded. "Its a disease. We all have it!" The younger man claimed from the second row. Kyle looking back to Patrick. "Continue." "I know but I'm powerless against it. You guys know what I'm talking about. Self esteem's shot, lifeflushed down the toilet. This is just one more thing to hang myself up on. I just can't stop thinking about ityou know? When will it end? How will it end? Cause the only thing I know is that alcohol will be the reason. Its gonna be the trigger. I wonder which drink will be my last one...believe me new people, its a monster. I've never been more afraid of anything in my life." The meeting continued for another hour, it ended with the usual serenity prayer which was read by Kyle. As people congregated around the table in the back Pierce and Margaret quickly met in the front by the chalkboard. When no one was noticing Margaret pulled Pierce in to whisper to him. "Who is it?" Margaret asked. "I don't know!" "I thought you knew which person had to do with the case!" "No! The guy was in the hospital he just had a card with this address." "What?" Margaret said with her hand cupped to Pierce's ear. "It was all I had to go on okay?" "What guy? What was his name?" "Brad. His name was Brad Conway." Pierce stepped away from Margaret and smiled as two older people from the front row left the classroom. Margaret walked off to go after them as Pierce headed for the table with coffee. Once there Pierce took a moment to look over the items available: foam cups, sugar, cream, stirrers, and coffee. As he grabbed a cup and slowly poured some coffee Pierce noticed to his left hand side now was Patrick. "I liked your story" Pierce mumured as Patrick refilled his cup with coffee. "How long have you been coming here?" "Too long" Patrick once filling his cup turned to walk away, but Pierce grabbed his arm. "Wait a minute a friend of mine suggested this place to me. Brad Conway? Did you know him?" "Who?" Asked Patrick. "Brad Conway?" People around the coffee table were quiet in conversation. "Sorry buddy doesn't sound familiar. Wouldn't tell you even if I knew. Not suppose to talk about what we hear in here outside these walls, that includes people's names." Patrick left the classroom as Kyle seated himself in the front reading some paperwork.

"So you know Brad?" Pierce looked to his left and saw the man with the shaved head had approached him. "Yeah" Pierce acknowledged. The blonde haired girl threw on her coat and quickly glued herself back to the man's side. "Haven't seen him in here for a while when did you last talk to him?" Pierce now realizing the shit he just stepped into took a quick gulp of his pride. "Well thats why I'm hereyou see I haven't seen him for a few days. Do you guys know where he might hang out?" "Your guess is as good as ours umm-" The man tried to remember his name. "Travis." "Right, Travis. He could be in any of the many hole in the wall bars around the city." "Or he could be locked up." Said the blonde woman that remained strapped to his arm. Pierce stiriing his cup of coffee tried to think how the best way to lure out more information. "Last time I saw him, we were at a club. I don't remember much, Brad was my wingman you know? He helped me out." "A club? Doesn't sound like Brad at all!" The guy said with a laugh. "Maybe he means Twister." The blonde haired girl mentioned to her man. "Yeah that bar is right near a strip of clubs, he could be there right now." Pierce thanked the two helpful people and left the classroom. Grabbing Margaret the headed for the car, and quickly drove downtown to look for this bar called Twister.

Part 2

Meanwhile in Rebecca's apartment, the cardboard box where the pizza once laid was now empty. Napkins were carelessly left on the box and on the floor nearby. Closer to the computer desk Rebecca had many empty beer bottles resting on the ground. One was on its side and had rolled up against the pizza box. Rebecca was tuned into her laptop. The medical books were still open but sitting on top of them was a paper plate with crumbs from her meal. She was drunk, and thus was fully investing herself into the project at hand. As she swayed in the chair Rebecca was getting quickly sick of researching the medical information about epilectic seizures. Rebecca returning to google began a new search, this one for ghosts. The results were long and extensive. Images, videos, websites, chat forums-all of them weren't as helpful as Rebecca wanted them to be. Frustrated Rebecca knocked her medical books off her desk. Breathing hard as she looked over the mess in her apartment, Rebecca calmed herself down, and began another search in google. This time she was looking for information about angels. This was pretty extensive, and had more information that Rebecca wanted to know and care about.

Pulling into the nearest parking spot Pierce paid a toll and was able to leave his vehicle there for a specific amount of time. Pierce put in change for one hour, unsure of how long they would be. Margaret and Pierce left the parking area and walked along the street to find themselves on a very busy street. Night had hit and all the bars and businesses open at this time at night were packed. Walking down the street Margaret pointed to a big on the upper portion of a building. The word Twister was wrapped around a drawing of an actual twister. The letters lit up in a light blue. The two of them fast walked to the bar, and entered to find the place suspiciously empty. The bar was a solid oak wood, it had a nice shine to it. All the chairs that hugged the counter had red cushions and shiny metal legs. There was a few tables, one pool table in the back, along with a place to play darts. As the two walked in Margaret called out, but no one answered. No music was playing, the silence made them both worry. A large click came from the door to enter and Pierce quickly walked back to check if he could leave. Pulling on the door hard nothing happened. "Can I help you?" Pierce turned around and Margaret looked at the man who appeared instantly behind the counter. Wearing a clean white button down he was using a rag cloth to clean out a glass in his hands. "What can I get you to drink?" The man smiled but never looked up at either of them. Margaret shook her head at Pierce. "I don't like this. Pierce get us out of here." Said Margaret. "What? How?" "Use your powers!" Pierce stood still for a moment, he had forgotten about that he turned back to the door and placed his palm on it. "A guardian" Said the bartender. "I have just the thing to calm your nerves." The bartender placed the empty bottle on the counter. When he hid the glass with his rag Margaret lost sight of it, when the bartender lifted the rag the glass was full. "Don't listen to him hes just trying to get into your head!" Margaret shouted as Pierce closed his eyes to concentrate. "You lookin' awfully thirsty." The bartender waved his rag like it was a magic show, and there appeared a shot glass before her. "How about one for the road?" Margaret backed away slowly from the bar counter. She smiled and shook her head. "Youre a fucking fool! Allowed yourself to get taken in by the demon!" "I didn't allow for anything I chose it!" When the bartender admitted his submission it made Pierce turn his head to them. "KEEP GOING!" Margaret called out. Pierce placed both hands on the door and closed his eyes. "You gotta take the good with the bad in life." The bartender said as walked towards Margaret. "Your such a bastard! Everything comes at a price and your soul is not for sale!" "I see nothing but misery in my life" The bartender said as he slowly walked toward Margaret she had hit her butt against the pool table. "Sorrows, bad memories, bad choices. You know what I learned from all that?" Margaret feeling with her hands the pool table found herself around it but dared not to look away from the bartender. "That those monsters that everybodies so afraid

of? They're the only ones that understand." As Margaret reached the end of the pool table she turned to run but there stood the bartender. Shocked Margaret turned and called for Pierce, in this moment the bartender pulled her in from behind. Holding her head to the side with one hand his other hand slowly raised a broken glass shard to her neck. "LET HER GO!" Pierce forgetting about the door rushed to close the space between the bartender and himself. However the bartender grabbed at Margaret tighter, this making Pierce stop before getting too close. "Drink it." The bartender demanded as Pierce held his hands up as if he was in a robbery. "No." Pierce looking over the glass of beer did not find it difficult to fight it. "DRINK IT!!" The bartender ordered. No reaction from Pierce. "You don't want to do it? Then I know somebody who will!" The ground shook hard as Pierce braced himself against the bar counter. The light swung from the ceiling, as the glass with beer shook against the counter. Then the shaking stopped, and Pierce looked to the mirror along the different alcohol bottles. Ripples appeared on the mirror, as if someone had skipped stones over the reflection. As the ripples expanded an image appeared from the mirror. In disbelief Pierce found himself stepping back in shock. The image was exactly like Pierce with the exception of color. This copy of Pierce was different shades of gray, and bold red eyes. Margaret struggled to get loose, but the bartender stayed firm with his threat of Margaret's life. The duplicate of Pierce staring directly at Pierce put his hand out towards the bar counter. The real Pierce followed his steps exactly. Unable to resist it he grabbed the glass of alcohol on the counter. "Pierce snap out of it!" Margaret shouted. "I CAN'T!" Pierce shouted back. "YES YOU CAN!" "I CAN'T CONTROL MY ARM!" As he lifted the glass of beer from the counter his hand shook with fear. As he brought the beer towards his lips he could see the tattoos on his wrist. Closing his eyes Pierce remained calm and focused. Pierce's hand shook stronger as a glow came from his wrist. The light glow took over his hand as he brought down his arm and stared at himself, the one with red eyes. With a yell Pierce did a windmill pitch and threw the glass at his duplicate self. The gray form of Pierce broke into hundreds of small glass pieces. A loud ring screamed from the glass being broken. The bartender took his hand away from Margaret's throat to cover up his ear to dull the noise. Margaret with this opportunity smashed the back of her head into the bartender's nose. Bartender quickly released Margaret to cover his nose from the pain. Margaret free turned around and grabbed a pool stick off the pool table. With a loud scream she swung the stick like a baseball bat hitting the bartender across his face. The bartender covering his face hit the wall from the force and fell to his knees. Margaret raised the stick high and broke it across the top of the bartender's head. Collapsing to the ground unconscious Margaret exhaled deeply. Margaret dropping the broken pool stick on the ground walked over the broken glass shards and back to Pierce. The doctor went back to the entrance to close his eyes and focus on releasing the lock on the door.

Margaret took one final look around the bar. The mirror behind the bar counter was severly cracked. With a loud click Pierce was able to pull the door open successfully. Margaret walked with Pierce back to his car she couldn't help but notice just how out of breath the doctor was. Once inside the car Margaret was able to see the sweat on his forehead, and this caused Margaret to worry. "We're not done here." Margaret said getting the doctor's attention. "We need John." "We have to go back to that bar?" Pierce asked as he tried to recover from his use of his powers. As Pierce and Margaret left to go pick up John, Rebecca was still wasted in her apartment. She had gotten sick of reading and had turned off her computer. However she strolled around her apartment trying to think. Rebecca in this mind state believed she might be able to make sense of it all now better then when she was sober. However her pacing only made her more tired and sick to her stomach. Thus she fell to the bed with an intent to fall asleep in hopes of feeling better tomorrow. Closing her eyes she could feel the darkness cover and surround her. Rebecca feeling the wind blow through her hair she opened her eyes to find herself getting pulled into an unwanted vision. Rebecca looked around and found herself standing up now, and the vision became clear from the darkness. Unsure of how this happened Rebecca was forced to watch and be a witness of an event from the Otherside. Standing in a desert Rebecca could see a long wall that stretched to the horizon. Protuding from the walls were these ugly gargoyle faces, extremely large and old. Rebecca could see cracks along the faces as a black liquid poured from the mouths. These gargoyle faces stuck out of the wall every quarter of a mile or so. There at the bottom of the wall ran a clear river of this black liquid. This was when Rebecca started to hear the moaning. Endless amount of people were drawn to the river of black, on their knees these people drank from the river as if they were drinking water. Rebecca began to feel parched as well as she began to walk towards the black river as well. Getting inevitably closer she saw just how tall the wall actually was, it blocked the sky and gave Rebecca a fear of being overwhelmed. The river was heavily overcrowded, people pushed other people out of the way just to get themselves a drop if possible from the black river. Unable to stop herself Rebecca began to push and fight with these complete strangers, in an attempt to find an opening thus she could get herself something to drink. Rebecca was scared for her life, she knew that it wasn't water, and yet she needed something to hydrate herself. The crowd was too big, as Rebecca felt the endless hands amongst her the darkness drew the curtain on the vision. Rebecca awoke on her bed and ran to the bathroom. Throwing up from her alcohol intake she wiped some of the dry chunks from her mouth. Just what the hell did she experience just now? Rebecca spent the night curled up on her bed, under the blanket she felt warm and protected. Though safe there she couldn't stop thinking about the horrible place. Pierce and Margaret returned to the same parking lot but not joining them was father John Clark. The party made there way back to the Twister, where once within John took a look around at the damage that had been done. The mirror was still broken behind the bar, the smell of

alcohol reeked in the air. No sign of the bartender, as the broken pool stick with some blood was where Margaret left him. John pulling out a book opened it and flipped to the page he was looking for. "Is that a bible?" Pierce asked as he looked over John's shoulder. John however turned his back further to hide his sight to his book. "I believe in the teachings of God. This is not that type of book." John replied. Margaret slowly walked further into the bar, seeing the broken pool stick with a bit of dry blood on the floor. Margaret also noticed that the bartender was nowhere to be found. John began to read from the book in his hands, the lights flickered as a fog overcame the floor of the bar. Pierce braced himself along the bar counter again and so did Margaret as the three ventured into the Otherside. The fog filled the room and within a blink the bar counter was gone. The fog lifted the three of them stood in a long corridor. "Whatever you do, don't drink the water." John said as Pierce looked to see a black liquid flowing along the edges of the hallway floor, running along the walls. With John taking the lead Pierce and Margaret walked behind him. "None of this feels right." Margaret said as she rubbed her arm against Pierce's arm. The corridor was very narrow making them at times touch. "Well we're here, might as well save the world." John stated. "Whats wrong?" Pierce asked Margaret. "This demon...is just too powerful. Promise me Pierce you don't stagger. You will stay focused and do everything you can!" "...I promise." Pierce replied. "We're in god's hands now." John said as the corridor lead them into darkness. John, Pierce and Margaret marched onward through pitch black. As a room appeared around them John held in one hand a book and in the other a cross. Margaret as well had one her book from her satchel and was ready to read from it. The party appeared inside a palish-tan room, same color as the corridor that was before. The room was square with four walls: behind them the wall was blank with just a few cracks along it. The left and right side walls had holes decorated along it. The holes were small as if someone had fired rounds through the room. Black liquid leaked from these holes into small square pools that snug both walls. In front of them was a tall glass bottle. Much bigger then any ordinary glass, it was clear with no label. The glass looked almost like a pitcher but with no handle. Sitting inside the glass curled up and crying was the bartender. Margaret noticing him right away saw just how sad he was, as he rocked himself back and forth, holding in his knees to his body. The wall in front of them fell apart leaving a large gap in which something emerged. At last the demon showed itself to the party. As the muscular beast entered the gap filled itself back in as if it was getting layered with bricks. The demon's skin matched the pale-tan color of the walls. The monster had incredibly built arms, abs, and legs as it stomped to the black river. The only clothing the demon had was a gray loin cloth that hung to its knees. The demon placed its hand in the river a pitcher appeared, the demon began to fill it with black liquid.

At the same time giant glass with the bartender inside began to fill. It didn't pour in from the top, the black liquid just 'appeared' and began to increase, getting higher and higher in the glass. The bartender did not panic for it seemed he could not notice. Tears ran over his face as he merely continued to rock himself back and forth. John stepped forward and placed a hand on the giant glass and read from his book. Immediately the demon grabbed John and threw him back. The demon clearly territorial did not appreciate three uninvited guests. A crack revealed along the giant glass as this made the demon roar. Pierce backed away in shock, for from the brow up on the demon's head was cut clear off. All you could see was a blackness. Its eyes gone, and its face looked as if a human but with no skin or muscle. With a fury the demon waved a hand as black liquid from the river leaped towards the party. While Margaret was able to dive out of the way Pierce was still too in awe over the demon that stood before him. The black liquid splashed over Pierce, leaving him soaking wet. Falling to his knees Pierce could not move. Margaret reading from her book chanted as a glow came from the book itself. The demon in fury stepped forward with an intent to knock Margaret back. However the glow exploded, as the black water came and wrapped itself around the demon. Margaret held out her hand as she did what she could to contain the demon. John rushed to Pierce's side. The doctor was licking his lips and also was now staring off into nothingness. John placing his hand to doctor's chest he read from his book as a white light glowed. "Hurry! I can't hold him for long." Margaret shouted as the demon twisted back and forth to try to break free of the black water. As the white light hung on Pierce's chest the more his clothes and body dried. The demon hardening its muscles broke through the black water and grabbed Margaret by her hair. Margaret screaming the demon merely tossed her to the wall, looking on to John who had his back turned to the demon. For the priest was still focusing on healing the doctor, as Pierce looked totally dry he still wouldn't awaken from the stare. The demon lifting John up by his clothes turned him around. John holding the cross up closed his eyes and stated three words. A bright and sudden white flash overcame the room. The demon stepping back covered its disfigured face. The light fading John knelt back to Pierce to awaken him from his trance. The demon shaking off the blinding light hears a whistle and turns to see Margaret with her eyes closed had four stones glowing and spinning in the air. Opening her eyes at the demon the stones shot through the air and through its body. The holes along the demon's body caused from the stones quickly began dripping of black liquid. John finally snapping Pierce out of it, the doctor stands up with the help of the priest. The demon yelling in anger at Margaret turned and yelled with the same amount of rage at John and Pierce. Margaret looking past the demon sees the crack growing larger along the glass with the bartender inside. The liquid filling the glass had reached the bartender's neck. "Its working hes getting weaker!" Margaret said as the demon clinched its fists and lumbered towards her. Pierce clinching his fists as well ran to cut the demon off. With glowing wrists

Pierce throws the first punch to knock the demon back against the wall. The demon throwing a punch back Pierce was able to catch it but not without staggering back. The two of them faced off there in the room, throwing punch for punch, back and forth. This went on for a good thirty seconds, before Pierce fell backward, unable to keep up. Out of breath the glowing stopped on the doc's left wrist as he held it as if in severe pain. The demon looked as if none of the fists that were thrown caused any damage. With a mighty kick he sends Pierce back to where he coughed up blood. John in response to this immediately reached into his pocket and pulled out a knife. The demon seeing the blade laughed. John cutting his palm drops the knife and puts the cross in his bleeding hand. As he chanted his fist grew incredibly bright, the demon stopped laughing and charged the reverend but it was too late. A large cross about the size of a shovel appeared in the hands of John. Made of a white color that you could see through the end of the cross had a sharp edge much like a sword. With this huge cross John forced it down into the chest of the demon. With a mighty roar it pushed John back. As the demon fell back itself against the opposite wall and tried to touch the cross to pull it out yet it seemed to burn him. John took this chance to pick up Pierce. "Hey! You gotta wake up! You need to do this!" John with one arm of Pierce over his shoulders helped walk Pierce to the demon. With tears in his eyes Pierce held out his hand, shaky and no glow he got closer to the demon. That was when the wall caved in and the darkness sucked the demon back into it. Pierce stared into the darkness wondering what had happened only sees two large red glowing eyes of death staring back at him. John now hugging Pierce brings the two of them to the ground as a huge roar overcame the room. Small rocks and dust crumbled around the party. The roar grew even stronger as suddenly a fog overcame the room, and the three found themselves back in the bar. John and Pierce helping each other stand up Margaret found herself a seat to sit down in. "What just happened?" Pierce asked with a moan as he tried to bend backwards. "It kicked us out. It didn't want to lose its power." John answered as he put his hands on his knees to take a few more deep breathes. "I thought we were stuck in there until the job is done? It can do that?" Pierce looked to Margaret this time for a better answer than the last one she gave. "They canif they're powerful enough. Some battleswe just can't win." "Oh my god" Pierce said and quickly turned to see John giving him a stern look. "Sorry! But look, the bartender" John peeking over the counter saw that the bartender layed on his back along the floor. With his eyes wide opened liquid seemed to be coming out of his mouth as he layed perfectly still. "We couldn't save him" John said as pounded the bar in anger. Pierce facing Margaret just stared on at each other. "Heyyou saved my life. Don't make that a common thing doctor." As Margaret said this Pierce remembered not only fighting off the demon but saving her ass from the bartender as well. "Does it at least raise me a couple of knots on your level of trust Maggie?" Pierce questioned.

"Yeahmy dad was an alcoholic. Thats the real reason why I wanted this demon so bad. It just feeds and feeds and feeds.until it overuns the world. And don't call me Maggie." With a stern look she leaned forward. "You told him didn't you?" Maggie giving a fierce stare to John, he slowly walks toward the exit. "We should get going, the rest of this is up to the Circle to clean up." Ducking the question John is the first to leave. Margaret followed by Pierce as the aftermath of their battle was present along the inside of the Twister. Two days later Pierce was back at the hospital performing rounds. Rebecca looking from the perfect hiding spot came around the corner to sneak up on the doctor from behind. As she crept down the hall. She waited to be directly behind Pierce to whisper the following: "Doctor Death.oooooOOOOoooo." With an attempt to give a chilling spook after Pierce turned around with a smile on his face. "Good to see your doing better!" Pierce said as Rebecca giggled. "Why thank you! You could say I have been lifted from my heavy spirits!" "Good. So did Johndid he debrief you?" "Yeah-yeah he did. I missed out on all the action. I don't mind, really!" Rebecca holding her smile through the entire conversation. "Okay. I just, I think its time that maybe you patch things up with Maggie." "Uh sure!" "Really?" Pierce was ready for the worse not for that response. "Ofcourse why not?" "Cool! I gotta go, see you later!" "Bye!" Pierce walking away stunned by Rebecca's reaction didn't think anymore of it. Once the hallway was clear Rebecca took a look down the halls and quickly entered a dark room. Making sure that the door was totally closed Rebecca didn't turn a light on, she used her key attached to her waist to open a cabinet full of different kinds of medications. Reaching in Rebecca pulls a plastic bottle of what she is looking for: muscle relaxers. Stashing the pills in her pocket Rebecca left the room as quietly as she entered it.