The Gods of Rock 'n' Roll

It'll Pass Soon: Phillip

Chapter Eleven

"Zendaya!"

Phillip seethed with anger. How the hell had she managed to fully possess the boy? Somehow she'd grown strong enough, wherever she was, to take full control of his body. He could see by Sal's movements that he was trying to fight her influence, but it was too late.

Allison's limp body rested among shards of glass and blood. Demetrius, and Aramis had followed him into the room and positioned themselves to keep Sal from getting past them. Dario hurried out the door, and Phillip saw him emerge onto the balcony through the next room's slider. Phillip breathed a sigh of relief when Dario nodded that she was still breathing, his phone already out to call paramedics.

Sal staggered like a pathetic zombie out of a George Romero film towards Phillip, his eyes blackened again. His face twisted and changed from a pained expression to a sinister smile.

"Lover, I have come for you. Set me free so we can be together. Unless you prefer this body. He's quite attractive. Let us be together once more. I want to feel your music again."

Bile rose into Phillip's throat along with his anger. "I will never, ever, submit to you again. Leave his body!"

"But I'm not through with you! I want what you have! I want your power. I want to be free!" Sal's eyes narrowed, and he stumbled back towards the window as the other men reached for him.

Phillip reached him first and grabbed him by the biceps. His expression went from that evil smile to a horrified expression, and for a moment, his eyes went back to their normal state.

"Please, Phillip. I can't stop her. She won't let go of me and I can't... I can't fight her. I'm sorry." Tears spilled from his eyes. Phillip loosened his grip slightly, but then Sal's eyes went black again.

"Leave this body," Phillip growled once more, only to be greeted with that sickening laugh.

A surge of energy pulled Sal from his grip and hurtled him through the broken window. Phillip followed him onto the balcony, and Sal took a moment to look down at Allison's unmoving form.

"Allison, I'm so sor—"

Laughter interrupted as Zendaya attempted to wipe out all of Sal's control.

Elvis appeared at Phillip's side and grunted. "This chick just never gives up." He turned and gave Phillip a sad smile. "This ain't gonna end well, my friend."

Sal fought against her possession one last time, long enough to say, "I'm sorry, Phillip," before he dove head first over the railing. Phillip rushed forward to see Sal's body hit the stone below with a sickening crunch. All breath left his body.

This couldn't be happening.

Elvis leaped over the balcony and dropped to a crouch next to Sal's body, speaking quietly over him.

Phillip fell to his knees beside Allison and pushed her hair back from her face. She had small cuts on all of her exposed flesh and a larger one on her leg. Blood was leaking from the side she lay on.

Dario tended to her. "Ambulance won't be here—"

"To hell with the ambulance. I won't lose her."

"Save him," Allison moaned. She opened her eyes, and they locked on Phillip's. "Please don't let him go. I can't lose him, too."

"She's stable, boss," Dario said quietly.

Phillip cursed, but if it meant earning her trust, he would do what he could for the boy. Phillip jumped over the balcony and landed gracefully next to Sal. He looked to his boss, who shook his head.

"There's a lot of damage here," Elvis said sadly. "Once his heart stops, she'll have no choice but to leave. We'll have to locate the source of power she's tapped into to truly stop her."

"Can I save him?"

Elvis rubbed a hand across his face, his black hair in disarray. "It'll cost you, my friend."

Phillip had to try. He placed his hand on Sal's back and felt his heartbeat weaken and stutter to a stop. He made eye contact with Elvis, who nodded. He then concentrated all of his energy into his hands and laid them upon Sal. He knew he could transfer lifeforce to another being. That's how he'd kept his guys with him, but to heal a person near death, or bring them back, might just take everything he had.

It would be worth it if it meant Allison would be happy. Nothing else mattered to him at this point, not even his godhood, without her forgiveness and acceptance. He'd gladly go into the ether if it meant she had a chance at happiness.

Sal's body began to glow as Phillip's essence was ripped apart. Weakness threatened to knock him to the ground. He broke out into a sweat as his heart pounded in his chest. He could feel the faint vibrations of healing bones and tendons, ligaments, and joints, as they mended in Sal's body under the power of his lifeforce. The synapses of Sal's brain slowly began to fire, and the tissue wove together once more.

There was no way to tell if he would be whole, but Phillip made every last effort to heal the young man, without whom he'd never have had warning of Zendaya's dealings.

"That's enough, friend. Don't lose yourself."

Phillip fell back onto his hands and gasped for air. His eyes went wide, and he looked to his mentor.

"It'll pass soon, my friend. I'm awful sorry."

The rim of Phillip's vision darkened until hiseyes rolled back into his head and his head cracked against the payment