Demon Cleaner / Eltorey

NINE

"I just don't know what to do," Corey sighed.

Elton had been sleeping for about a day. He only woke up once, to shuffle himself into the bathroom, before immediately passing out in his bed again.
Corey checked up on him regularly, peering in from the doorway as Elton twitched or mumbled in his sleep.
He invited Corbin and Evan over, desperately needing to interact with somebody who wasn't a part-time demon.

Corbin hummed. He was sat on the couch next to Evan, arms cross over his chest as he stared up at Corey.
"I tried finding priests in the area, but a lot of them seem pretty shady," he continued, pacing around the living room as Circa attempted to follow him, "and none of the others want to travel here to do a house call, I guess. I'm absolutely not hitting the road for a big amount of time with Elton because... I don't know what happens in that situation if he loses control of himself."

Evan dipped his head into his hands and groaned. Circa wandered over to the couch and sat between Evan's legs, always able to sense stress or sadness. He patted her head softly.

"What about Patti?" Corbin offered. He tried to give Corey a small smile, wishing he knew how to help the situation more than the other men.

Corey shook his head quickly, and put his hands on his hips.
"Patti's our friend, this is a crazy thing to spring on her with such short notice," he said, and Corbin sighed, "and I don't even know if she would be able to perform any sort of exorcism. Either way, I wouldn't feel great about doing that to her."

Corbin frowned, and the room fell into an awkward silence. This was far beyond their expertise.
Before Evan could open his mouth and break the silence, a loud thud came from Elton's room.

Corey immediately turn on his heel and jogged down the hallway. His heart pounded in his ears as he cracked the door open, licking his dry lips.

"Elton?"

The man was curled up on the floor, blankets and pillows spilling off the side of the bed, making it clear that he had fallen out.
Elton's hands were wrapped over his head, gripping tightly at his hair. His knees were curled up to his chest, and as Corey stepped closer, he realized Elton was trembling.

"Hey," he spoke softly, "Elton, what happened?"

"Run," Elton whispered.

Corey froze, his hand still outstretched towards Elton's body. He pinched his bottom lip between his teeth, and he heard Corbin and Evan standing in the doorway.
"Elton," he spoke again, pushing himself forward to place his hand on the mans shoulder as they both shivered.

"Corey," he responded in a low growl. Elton's dropped his arms to the floor, trying to push himself up into a sitting position.
He was already covered in sweat, again, and when he turned his head to stare up at Corey, there were tears in his eyes.

"I'm so scared."

Corey dropped onto his knees, placing his hands on Elton's face as the older mirrored his position.

"He's close," Elton continued, putting his weak hand on Corey's wrist and squeezing it gently, "we ran out of time."

Corey shook his head and Elton shut his eyes. He fell towards Corey, face crashing into his body. Corbin and Evan stepped forward together, still silent as they stared down at Elton.

"Ran out of time for what?" Corey asked, even though he knew the answer. Elton took a minute to respond, panting into Corey's chest and attempting to drag his legs closer to his body.

"I don't think I'm Elton anymore."

Corey felt Elton fall limp against him, chest heaving with a few low moans and whimpers. His jaw fell slack, and Corbin and Evan gasped.
Corey shook his head again, pulling Elton's body into his arms and cradling him, staring down into the man's hallowed face. He shook his shoulders worriedly, gasping out a "no,"

"Corey," Corbin said sternly, placing his hand on the mans shoulder and tugging on his shirt, "we need to go to Patti. Now."

Corey stood up, shaking, with Elton's slack frame in his arms. He turned to the other two, eyes watering as they attempted to pull him out of the bedroom.

"We don't even know if she can help," Corey choked out, "what if she can't help us?"

Corbin shook his head.
"She's the last chance we've got."