“Behm!” Jessica cried out in surprise as she pressed her balled fist tighter into the small of her back. “What are you doing here?”

Nikki cast a nervous glance at the growing mass of ice crystals on Jessica’s arm. Chills ran down her spine from the rapid drop in air temperature. “Umm, Jess,” she tried to quietly grab her friend’s attention.

“We need to prepare for the party,” Behm smirked as he made his way through the room and set a cat carrier down on the coffee table. A quiet mew cried out from its dark confines.

“Did you bring a cat?” Jessica eyed the carrier suspiciously as Behm ignored the question.

“Oh, you’re having a party and didn’t invite me?” Mrs. Loving scolded Jessica. She placed her hands upon her lap, “That’s quite alright. I’ll forgive you.” She scooted to the edge of the couch and stood up as she adjusted her shawl. “I’ll even help you set up.”

“No!” Jessica cried out.

The room stopped in their tracks to stare at Jessica. Taken aback by the sudden outburst no one was brave enough to speak up. Only the sound of the furnace roaring to life to fight the drop in temperature could be heard.

“I mean… You don’t have to do that. We can take care of things ourselves,” Jessica said with a face red from embarrassment.

“Oh nonsense, what sort of guest would I be if I didn’t help out? Now come here Jess and help me hang up some decorations.”

“I need to use the bathroom!” Jessica declared as she bolted across the room.

Mrs. Loving gasped in disgusted shock and placed her hand upon her chest.

Once inside, Jessica shoved her back into the door to slam it shut behind her. She gasped for air when she saw the ugly mass of jagged ice that clung to her forearm. Surprisingly, she couldn’t feel the cold against her skin.

“Bad timing, Jess!” She muttered through clenched teeth. She turned the tap on as hot as it could go and shoved her arm into the stream. Just as quickly as the ice could melt away, it reformed, thicker than before.

“Shit,” she yanked her beanie off in frustration and flung it across the room. It landed in the open toilet bowl with a wet plunk. “Shit!”

“Are you alright in there?” Mrs. Loving called out from beyond the door.

“I’m fine!” Jessica called out over her shoulder. She shut her eyes and wished for it all to go away. Just a couple of days ago she was having coffee at her favorite shop, and now her arm was encased in ice with the threat of Lucifer coming for her soul.

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If she could just calm down a little everything would be alright. She let out a slow controlled breath and opened her eyes. To her surprise, her arm was free but the entire bathroom was encased in a thick layer of ice. The mirror cracked from the sudden change in temperature, the towels were as stiff as a rock, and the toilet bowl was frozen solid. Her beanie was now trapped within it’s own icy prison.

“Jess, I don’t think you’re fine. I’m coming in,” Mrs. Loving called out. She grabbed the door handle and began to jiggle the knob.

“No!” Jessica cried out as she lunged for the door. She slipped on the ice and reached out to catch herself. She barely managed to wrap her fingers around the towel rack only to yank it out from the wall. On her way down her head smacked into the kitchen sink leaving her in a crumbled, whimpering, heap on the floor.

“Jess, are you doing drugs in there? Open this door right now!” Mrs. Loving demanded as she pounded the door.

“Mrs. Loving, stop!” Nikki yelled, “I think it’s time you go now.”

“Get off me you filthy whore!” Mrs. Loving snapped. The distinct sound of a hand making contact with someone’s face rang out. “You’ve been a bad influence on my Jess ever since you two met.”

“You just smacked me…” Nikki muttered in shock. “You bitch!”

Jessica’s head roared with pain as she staggered to her feet. She couldn’t just cower in the bathroom until her mother got tired and left. She was a relentless woman that could make an angry bull repent for charging her, but like her stubborn friend Nikki, angry bulls don’t think twice before charging.

She had to face her mother, maternal fury and all. She gripped the doorknob and squeezed tightly. She put her weight into the door as the knob crumpled like a wet paper bag. A few audible cracks of the ice rang out before the splinters flew and the hinges gave way.

She was unsure what her mother was more horrified to see. The pair of demonic horns that were growing from the top of her head or the fact she tore the bathroom door off.

Mrs. Loving worked her jaw a few times as she desperately searched for her voice. Her face turned pale as she trembled and slowly backed away. “The devil…” She pointed an accusing finger at Jessica. “You’ve been possessed by the devil.”

“No mom. It’s just me,” Jessica said with a stern voice. She glanced toward the others in the room. Nikki was rubbing a her bright red cheek while Behm was simply giddy with glee at the drastic turn of events.

“This is far worse… Devil worshipers!” Mrs. Loving cried out like a sick cat. She backed up toward the door as if the room were filled with hungry wolves. Her judgmental finger landed upon everyone, “I hope you all burn in hell!”

Behm erupted into a boisterous fit of laughter that shook the room.

Mrs. Loving snatched her purse from the end table and ran out the door as quickly as her short legs could carry her. “Mom!” Jessica ran for the door.

Behm moved across the room with surprising speed and grabbed Jessica by the arm and pinned her against the wall. With his other hand he pushed the door shut. “What exactly is your plan here? As satisfying as it would be to have a horned half-demon running through the streets to chase down an old lady I need you here.”

“She’s delirious!” Jessica pleaded, “I have to go talk with her.”

“You can do what ever you want after tonight when Lucifer isn’t looming over our shoulders,” Behm growled with intensity.

“He’s right…” Nikki muttered, “We don’t have time to deal with her right now.”

“Fine,” Jessica said deflated. “What do we do now?”

“Lay out the welcome mat for our good friend,” Behm grinned.