After-Life

Chapter 23. Pardoning a Sinner

The rest of the European leg of the tour went by drama free. Asmodeus had made it his mission to become a regular among the band's entourage. To avoid raising suspicion, he had taken on a multitude of guises: a photographer one day, an interviewer another, and at one point a long-lost cousin of Eric's. Mabel couldn't help but feel his decision to loiter close to them, stemmed from either a secret pact of protection made between the demon and Thet; or a surreal fondness he had developed by being incorporated into their group. It hadn't escaped her attention that Asmodeus had somewhat softened in his demeanour toward her and wasn't as bothersome for Kristoph, like he used to be.

Whatever Asmodeus's reasons, one thing was certain; aside from their demonic friend staying close by, all other communication with Thet and Limbo seemed to have fallen quiet. Not that any of them would admit it out loud; but Eric, Mabel, and Kristoph were all quietly relieved. After the ordeal with Pan, it was a silent agreement between the three of them, that they had earned a reprieve from moving souls on from Limbo, for the time being at least.

Besides, Kristoph and three of his fellow band members had found themselves taking on the somewhat cumbersome act, of being Pete Campbell's counsellors. The Dark Omen's drummer, Pete Campbell, had regularly stressed that a cruise to the States would be far more relaxing than an intensive flight. Much to his chagrin however, his suggestions had fallen on deaf ears. As the US stretch of the tour loomed closer, the thought of getting on to an airplane and flying, had filled him with no end of dread.

Even Asmodeus had groaned loudly, while in the guise of one of Kristoph's personal guitar technicians. Pete had started to act out. One of his more regular tactics if his complaints fell on deaf ears was to start throwing drumsticks at each of the band members, purely for the satisfaction of having aggravated them as recompense for their making him suffer in silence.
As Kristoph and Eric focused on carefully packing away their gear after the final European show, in preparation for their trip to the States in just a few short hours; Pete had started to wield his drumsticks like a baton. He smartly tapped Jésús and Adrian over the head in a steady four-beat rhythm, while singing:
"5 band members sat on a plane in the air, 5 band members sat on a plane. One passenger freaks and opens the door... 4 band members sat on a plane in the air..."
"Y'know, I have a host of kin, down south, who might be able to sway Mr. Campbell's mind. Just say the word!" Asmodeus slyly suggested to Kristoph and Eric as he shook his head at the small scuffle that had ensued from one too many taps on the head by a drumstick.
"Why are you so eager to help Pete out?" Eric asked as Adrian desperately tried to grab one of the drumsticks out of Pete's hands, only to have it jab him sharply in the ribs.
Asmodeus shrugged, "who said anything about helping the guy? I've been touring with you guys for how long now? If I hear one more whimper about the dangers of flying, I might be forced to take over Kris and open the emergency exit, mid-flight."
Kris and Eric gaped at him open-mouthed, "why on earth would you do that?" Kris hissed, angrily.
"Peace in our time? Less drumstick related injuries? Offering Pete, the chance to actually have something to complain about as he spirals down to earth..." Asmodeus smiled wistfully at the thought.

Finally, the day of the flight to Orlando, Florida arrived. Eric and Adrian had been forced to drag a heavily sedated Pete, through to customs, while Mabel and Kristoph headed the remainder of their band's entourage into the duty-free lounge. Since their moment of closeness in Germany, the two were inseparable and had been eagerly anticipating the chance to skirt around the airport's delights and seemingly conduct themselves as a new couple.

There was something about the way cosmetic displays looked in the duty-free stores that made Mabel want to part with her hard-earned money quicker than if she were held at gun point. Dousing themselves in a range of perfumes and colognes, like misbehaving school children, they dipped and dived between the other early morning travellers and snuck out of view of their colleagues, stealing kisses behind the corners of stores. It was the most enjoyment either of them had experienced in any lifetime they could recall.
Finally, they slipped into a newsagent and bought a large bag of sweets and puzzle books to work through while on the flight and flopped down in the private lounge's plush armchairs. Quietly, they started to work through a series of codeword puzzles, while keeping an eye on the boarding monitor.
As the rest of the band members finally joined them, the nearest café finally noted the potential for custom outside of just two loved up travellers and decided to switch on their television to entice the group to spend a few notes on an overpriced bagel.