Survivor's Guilt

XVI (I Can Be Your Monster, I Can Be Your Slave)

The venue is silent, the only sound I can hear is my own breathing. I take in my surroundings the merch booths still perfectly organized. I already know where my crew is. They're in our bus indulging in their forbidden desires. What those were? I can't say. I only know I have to put a stop to Famine, Of course, I have no concrete plan. The only thing I have going for me is the rosary tucked away in my pocket. I have the knowledge of who Famine is, another member of Black Veil Brides.

Two is a coincidence and I never write those off. The horsemen have to be them. CC and now Jake, who was Pestilence? Death? Is Lucifer hiding amongst them? I wait for Lilith to chime in with her commentary. She remains silent secure in the prison I built for her. It makes sense if she's in there I can do this without hurting her.

It will hurt like a bitch but it will be less unpleasant within the confines of your handiwork.

"If you were strong enough to leave my body once, you can do it again." I put an earbud in to make myself appear somewhat sane.

Are you willing to indulge in your own forbidden desires? That's what it'll take to get me a body of my own.

Biting my lip, I take my phone out of my pocket. I need to find Famine and stop him before the doors are scheduled to open. I have several hours remaining. The sound of a door opening down the hall sends me into a panic. My body relaxes at the sight of Andy. He gives me a smile, one that looks nervous. What was his desire? What horrors did he just escape? He flexes his hand; the gesture looks like it is physically painful.

"Andy!" I call out making him jump.

"Kaitie!" He crosses the room in a series of long purposeful strides. He brings me into a hug. I bite back a moan, returning it. I'm tempted to bring Lilith out of her prison to give me immunity.

"Do you know what's going on?" He takes a step back, flexing his hand again. Looking closer, I can see the ink stains on his fingertips. Of course! He is a writer and he indulged in the comic book world. Creativity could be a forbidden desire especially when you have a taste of something from the dark side.

"Famine has reared its ugly head, it's why there's no one around. I need to find Jake right now," I explain.

Disbelief flashes in his eyes like he can't believe the words coming out of my mouth. A part of me wonders if I should tell him about CC to give him context for the situation at hand. I also didn't have a plan for this; a sense of dread begins to form in the pit of my stomach. I place my hands on Andy's shoulder needing him to understand the severity of this.

"Why do you need to—"

"I need you to listen to me, Andy. Jake Pitts is being possessed by the Horseman of the Apocalypse. This particular horseman is making everyone on this tour gorge themselves in their deepest and darkest desires. If I don't find him, if I don't stop him, we can say goodbye to this tour and everyone on it."

I turn walking down the hallway with purpose. I don't look back to see if Andy is following me. the sound of laughter makes me pause, my attention turning in the direction of the Ice Nine Kills dressing room. Specifically, the person coming out of it. Spencer, no, Dev steps out of the room with an axe in his hands. His eyes are black, and his grin chills me to the bone.

"I see we are refusing to heed my warning." Dev shakes his head his dark hair falling into his pitch-black eyes. "Oh, how I am looking forward to putting your husband through unspeakable torment."

Let me at him. You know how to summon me.

"What about Famine?" I ask. "You seemed perfectly content with relaxing in your prison a few minutes ago."