The Known/Unknown Quantity

Chapter 129: This Isn't Over. Nothing is Over

Chapter 129: This Isn't Over. Nothing is Over

"Too many loose ends, B.G. No one robs my little girl's grave."

                Crowley ripped off the bandages.

                "So sure you want to hang around with me for the shit show?"

                Two huge scabs canopied his bloated eyes. A pin-prick sized tunnel bore into the center of each crusted encasement.     

                "Well, in that case, know thy enemy..."

                As if in demonstration, he took his thumb and smeared the clotting blood from the rims. For a moment the holes sealed. Then there was a disgusting glooping noise, and the molten matter sprung away, and splattered on the floor.

                "Gonna take a lot of mettle."

                His next act was too gruesome for the more squeamish of them. One at a time, he peeled the scabs away from his corneas, and like tiny China they smashed and crumbled at his feet.

                "High stakes game we play now. Getting dicey, in fact. Requires substantial urgency, wouldn't you say?"

                Glaring back at them, he displayed the horror of the homunculus's reflection dancing and jittering across his irises. Her cackling screams echoed around him, and made his expression tick, his face muscles spasming.

                "That little ghost you see in there, woll, it's for my eyes, not yours. This thing started there, so that's where it might as well end. You'll have to forgive me if I've been unenthusiastic to...allot my share of this burden to you. But you insist."

                Anathema and the others froze like statues, astounded that the demon had any strength left for such a display. They weren't sure exactly who was really behind the wheel.

                He was actually smiling, and started to look about the room, to saunter. "Nice to see you lot again. I'll miss the sight of you." His finger went up to Shadwell, and he winked, making a clicking noise. "Even you, you scheming bastard. Elll, sorry." With finger still up, he turned at the waist, and aimed the finger at the bewildered angel. "That was directed toward you, Beloved."

                He made a high-pitched giggle. Eyes still owlishly wide, he let the rest of his face fall. It still spasmed, but no one could hear the screams any longer. Except, apparently, him. His demeanor completely changed.

                "A moment more, that's all I-" his nubile lips writhed"-w-w-wanna s-sseee be-before—Angel."

                "Crowley?" Aziraphale pled, rising to his feet, his arm raising.

                The demon wrenched his tortured eyes away to his own emaciated body. He seemed suddenly aware, and terrified, by the extent of his condition. He rose his arms, touched his chest, and his nose went to the air as more feathers rained down from above. And then, he fell with them.

                 Aziraphale reached him first, catching him before he doubled over. Shadwell was next, smacking at his face to prevent his fainting. But the witch shouted at everyone else. "Give him space! Let him breathe!"

                "Angel," the demon whispered, pulling on the angel's collar. Terrified, Aziraphale pressed his ear to the demon's lips. "Make them go away. I—I know what to do."

                "What did he say!" Shadwell exclaimed.

                "He wants a private word."