Survivor's Guilt

XVII (Oh Sweet Catastrophe, Where Have You Been?)

We lost Toshi and Kambria in Cleveland, Ohio.

With back-to-back exorcisms, my body collapsed from exhaustion. Spencer had enough time to get me back to my merch crew before Dev took over. I'd spent the majority of the day in my bunk with a fever that sent me through a revolving door of consciousness and unconsciousness. From Cleveland, we traveled to Scranton, Pennsylvania, the birthplace of Motionless in White. I emerge from my bunk my fever breaking with some demonic intervention. Grabbing a glass I pour myself some orange juice. The bus is unusually quiet; which is not surprising with today being an off day. My plan is to hit up Angelo Parente's shop for another tattoo. It may be cool to have one arm tattooed, but now I want the other one done. A tribute to The Trinity of Terror tour, one I know Spencer would love. I finish my orange juice setting the glass in the sink. Checking my phone and the one I got from Cookie I open the door coming face to face with Justin Mauro.

"Hello Kaitie, mind if we have a chat?"

His eyes flash red giving me no room to object as he steps inside. Lilith stirs underneath my skin. I draw the shadows to me giving her the reins. A click of his fingers renders her powerless leaving me standing there in shock. He closes the door his red eyes have my heart struggling to beat normally around him. The Prince of Pride is determined to keep his identity a secret from me. I'd sus him out my plan would work, it had to.

"Just you." He shakes his head. "You've been busy, haven't you Little Porter?"

"I'm so glad you've noticed, we're a little understaffed at the merch tables. You see, some asshole has been swiping my staff."

I see we are choosing an early death to start off the morning.

"You've been hanging around Jonathan too much. His infuriating habits have rubbed off on you."

"This is my default setting." I shrug. "Speaking of which, when am I going to see your true vessel. Not that I don't adore Motionless in White."

"Seeing as how you've taken two of my horsemen already, you'll get your reveal soon." He raises his hand slamming me up against the wall. "I should shred your soul and have Lilith take you over by force."

"Yet, you're not going to." I meet his eyes. "Are you Lucifer?"

His eyes narrow in warning. I can see he wants to follow through on his promise. If he shreds my soul, it doesn't go to him. I never made a deal with Hell. I never made a deal Lilith, ours was an agreement. If he shredded my soul, he wouldn't get a chance to corrupt it. I had a slight advantage.

"No, I'm not. I'm here merely to commend you on your strength and ask how you of all people managed to take down two of my people." He lets me go.

"I got sick of Hell thinking they could have my soul as part of their well-balanced breakfast." I glare at him. "So, I decided to show you pompous assholes what happens when you cross a member of my family."

"That does not explain how you've managed to exorcise War and Famine." His eyes never leave mine.

"Oh yeah? That makes two of us. I have no clue how I did it." I shake my head. "All of you say there's power in being the last survivor and maybe you're right. I know I'm not going to stop. Not until every single one of you freaks are back in Hell."

"Do you believe you can put a stop to us?"

He walks over staring me down. Lilith is still paralyzed I can still feel her trying to create a body from the shadows. Is it smart to taunt Lucifer? Is it smart to show him my hand? The answer is no, but I am done cowering in fear. I stand up straighter facing him down with the same confidence my husband showed onstage.