Chapter 5 - Empty Chairs

"Demons can't be trusted. Period." Heinrich was emphatically trying to make his point to Emily as the van rushed down the highway.

"So why does anyone make deals with them?" Emily asked.

"The lure of power is oftentimes greater than the strength of reason. The summoner either disregards their knowledge of the demon's nature for deception or is dangerously ignorant of it." Heinrich explained.

"You'd think that if they had dedicated their lives studying this stuff, they'd see, I don't know, a trend? I mean, you've figured it out already. You're what, thirty? Thiry-five?" Emily posited.

Heinrich smiled. "Not necessarily. Demons are immortal. Men are not. A demon can play a game of manipulation for a very long time. Multiple lifetimes. And regardless of what you think about their character, demons are fiercely intelligent. Magnitudes above that of mortal man. It's often not clear what their end game is until years, decades, or even centuries later."

Joshua spoke up without taking his eyes off the road. "Even the purest heart can be tempted and mislead by evil. It can start small; the corruption of Darkness, and can spread so slowly that you don't even realize it's there until it's devoured you."

Heinrich and Emily gave each other a serious glance.

A large, weathered, corrugated steel building with a sign that read "J&H Furniture" doubled as the crew's headquarters. It was full of assorted equipment one would find in a woodshop. Saws of various sorts, belt sanders, disk sanders, drills, stains, and brushes were organized in their respective places. Furniture and wood pieces in varying states of completion were stacked and stored, waiting for attention.

Below the main floor, things were less mundane. One room contained a large library housing rare books and tomes on every topic from demons and angels, to ancient rites and prophecies of cultures long forgotten. In another, an assortment of modern and ancient weaponry. Guns, swords, daggers, spiked crosses, and even what looked like a hand grenade with a small crucifix atop. There were, of course, familiar sights. A kitchen for preparing meals, two separate bedrooms with multiple military cots in each, and a room containing old arcade machines and a pingpong table.

A final room contained a large wooden dining table and chairs. At the table sat Joshua, Emily, and Heinrich. Emily's head rested on her arms. Her eyes were closed and a small pool of tears formed near her hands. She occasionally sniffled and shifted her head.

Heinrich was absorbed in an old tome, occasionally muttering to himself, "I just don't understand. How could I let this happen?" He was frantically flipping pages, referencing one, then flipping back to another.

Joshua sat quietly staring at the empty chairs. His heart was aching over the loss of his companions.

"Heinrich," he said softly.

Heinrich continued flipping through pages, paying no regard to Joshua.

"Heinrich," Joshua said, reaching out and touching Heinrich's arm.

The touch jolted Heinrich's attention back to the room. "Oh. Yes. Sorry."

"This isn't your fault."

Heinrich sat quietly for a minute. "But I should have known, Joshua. It's what you depend on me for." He left the table and went into the library.

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"It was my fault.", said Emily weakly. "He saved my life and then...I just watched him die."

"This wasn't your fault. If anyone here is responsible, it's me." Joshua said solemnly. "I led you all there. This wasn't your fault." He paused. "And if what Douglas said is true, it had to happen this way."

Emily looked up angrily, her face wet with tears. "It had to happen this way? Martin had to die? Douglas had to die? Who's dealing these cards that good people have to die?" She angrily mocked his words, "Happen this way??"

Joshua sat silently staring at his folded hands. "Emily, I understand and share your pain. They were my friends, too. I know what I said brings you no comfort and does nothing to make sense of this. I have faith that it will, though. I have to believe that Douglas did this for a reason."

"You're right." She snapped. "It doesn't bring me any comfort. And you're right. This wasn't my fault. It wasn't Heinrich's fault. It wasn't even your fault. This was Douglas's fault. He lied to us. He lied to us and got Martin killed." She stormed out of the room.

"Emily!" Joshua called after her, but she was already gone.

Joshua's cell phone rang. The screen read "A. Hawkin"

"Steven. How are you?"

"Joshua. I'm fine. How are you? I just left a mess of a crime-scene in Brightwood Cemetery."

"Yeah." Joshua sighed. "I'm fine."

"Joshua." Steve's voice was quiet. "Was that Douglas?"

Joshua's head lowered. "Yeah. That was Douglas. Martin, too."

Steve muffled the phone and swore. "What happened out there? It looked like a warzone. Body parts everywhere. I couldn't even tell it was Douglas at first."

Joshua raised his head. "What do you mean?"

"What do I mean?" Steve said loudly and then lowered his voice. "What do I mean? I mean, he exploded Joshua. It's not as easy to identify someone when they're in pieces."

"Steven, " Joshua said, "Douglas wasn't..." he paused "he wasn't exploded when we left. That's not how he died. And I suspect you were just minutes behind us, judging by the sirens."

"You're saying someone or something exploded his corpse after you had already left? Why? Who would do that?"

"Someone who didn't like what Douglas had done," Joshua said.

"What did Douglas do?", Steve asked.

"He saved our lives," Joshua said.

Steve sat silent for a moment. "He was wearing a node. Douglas was wearing a node. I assume you know that."

"Yeah..." Joshua said.

"I kept the node. I left the chain so they had something for evidence, but uh, the node is safe." Steve said quietly.

"Thank you. That'll be a tiny bit of relief for Heinrich."

"So, how's the new girl?" Steve asked.

"She's tough. I mean, she had a rough time out there. She took a full psyche attack from a drekalo and she's still talking. And skill-wise, she's everything you said she would be. Quite amazing." Joshua smiled a bit.

"A drekalo?" Steve was speechless for a minute "Wow. Well, I'm glad you're giving her a chance."

"I wish this hadn't had been her first job. I'm worried it may be her last."

"Joshua," Steve spoke a little louder, "That girl has been through more than you can possibly imagine. Give her time. Giver her time to make the choice on her own and she will stick with you. I'd bet on it."

"Thank you. I hope you're right," said Joshua. "And about the incident..."

"Incident? Hell of an 'incident' Joshua. But yes, you're in the clear, for now. The going theory is a satanic ritual gone bonkers. Grave robbing, fireworks, teenage kids listening to metal. But you know, they're likely to identify Douglas sooner or later. Is there anything that will lead back to you?"

"No. I don't think so.", said Joshua quickly.

"Ok. I'll keep you posted if anything of concern pops up," Steve said.

"Thank you."

Steve added, "Oh hey, one more thing. I hate to ask, given everything on your mind, but, I need your help."

"Yeah, sure. What is it?"

"We had a homicide that is, well, seems to be delving into your areas of expertise. The victim looks as though she's been mauled, but the teeth and claw marks, well, forensics can't place them." Steve said.

"That doesn't sound like something you need me for," Joshua said.

"That's not all of it."

"Ok?" Joshua said. His interest was now piqued.

Steve's voice lowered again. "Her eyes were missing. Of course, forensics noticed that. But what they didn't see, couldn't see, were the sigils. In the empty sockets of her eyes, there were energized sigils."

Joshua stood straight up. "What do you know about the victim?"

"Uh. twenty-four-year-old woman. She was working the area. An escort. Went by the pseudonym 'Misty Miraculous', but her real name was Laura Ring. Record of minor drug infractions, solicitation, but... "

Joshua interrupted, "What did you say her name was?" He reached into his pocket and retrieved the photo Douglas had given him.

"Laura Ring. Do you know her?"

Joshua flipped the photo over and re-read the name: Sophia Ring. "Any chance I can come and see the body?" he asked.

"Sure. Of course. When?"

"As soon as possible," Joshua said urgently.

"So, I was right? You can help with this?" Steve said sounding slightly relieved.

"I'm not sure, yet.