Velli

We go forward in silence until we reach the end of the hall, where the stench of fried human flesh licks our noses. Pool rooms stand on either side of us now. Mist from the hot tub room rubs against the red carpet. The stench of chlorine lofts in the air. Splashes and cheers make a melody behind the blurry glass doors. In front of us, though, is the very last room. The one we need.

“Velli, you have not been yourself recently. Can we talk after this?”

“Yeah, yeah, we’ll talk.”

“Your house?”

Can’t do that, Velli. You think she looks at you like a loser now? Wait until she steps into your house.

“Um.” I scramble for another spot and an excuse. “Our landlord is making some repairs. Creepy guy, you probably won’t want to be around him. How’s yours?”

“No, my parents are around. I’m sure we’ll find somewhere.”

You’re doing a great job on that promise to never lie to her, by the way.

I’m not trying to hurt her. I’m trying to help us both.

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“I’ll take you out to eat at Marg’s.” It’s her favorite spot. How’s that for friendship?

You can’t afford that. You’re about to spend all this money trying to get powers from Prometheus after you save the kid.

My heart sinks. He’s right, I can’t afford that.

Dream smiles at my suggestion. “Yes, that’ll be so fun! Thanks, ghost. They have this ice cream for dessert we have to try.”

Dessert? Fate asks.

Dessert. That’s fine. I’m clever. I’ll figure something out.

Then why are you sweating?

It’s the heat from the door.

White steam escapes from the cracks in the door and floats upward.

Dream sniffs the air. A strong scent blasts from the room. The smell overpowers the stench of chlorine. “Speaking of animals… is that barbecued pork?” She grabs her stomach and wrinkles her tiny nose in disgust. “It’s not cooked right. That smell is making me sick.”

My stomach turns. The smell strengthens and beats against our senses. It’s tasteable now, thick in the air. I twist my face in disgust and shut my mouth to stop the sensation. It smells like beef in a frying pan and fatty pork on the grill, two loves of mine, most days.

I step up to the warm silver doorknob and grab it, but I can’t twist it yet. I look back on all the other rooms, all the atrocities in each room, and I know why my stomach churns. That smell does something awful to every human with a soul.

“It’s not pork,” I say. It’s human flesh. I don’t need to say more.

She nods, unfortunately coming to the same conclusion.

“Wear my shirt around your nose to block out the smell.” I begin to pull it off.

“No, I can take the smell. If you can take it, I can take it.” She removes her hat. “I should take the hat off now too. They should know who I am.”

I nod and open the door to save baby Bailey from being eaten alive by Mogvaz Main.