Survivor's Guilt

XVIII (The Divine Infection)

Otto transitioned from a semi-normal human being to weird with the drop of a hat. He began sniffing the air like a bloodhound taking me floor by floor. Johnny keeps me posted on the Pestilence Wing. So far, Benji is the only casualty. He goes on to say the demon inside of him can sense the others are getting close. I wrap the rosary around my hand. Lilith recoils under my skin and Otto actually growls.

We finish the main floors without any sightings. The sun has set on the horizon. The nightlife stirs awake, the hellish nightmare creature that craves human flesh. The same ones I'd seen in Los Angeles. The ones that always avoided me and I'd always ask why. We stand in front of the elevators reading the directory.

"The only part we haven't explored yet is the sub-levels," Otto says in a voice so matter-of-fact; that it catches me off guard.

Truth be told, I am really hoping to avoid the basement. I don't care for being underground after Aunt Carolyn isolated me in a bunker when I was ten. She told me it was for my own good, that it would help me expel the toxic negative influence that is Spencer Charnas from my system. The bunker held plenty of provisions, I'd been able to ration. Since then, even the slightest mention of going down into the sublevels had me going into panic mode.

We have found your weakness at long last, basements.

"Are you done having a laugh at my expense?"

Nearly, get into the elevator with Otto. I will take the panic coursing through you.

"Bet you're missing the sex right about now," I smirk walking in as Otto uses a stolen keycard to access the lower levels.

I will admit, I prefer it to your frequent pity parties. How you are still alive baffles me.

"Death has a twisted sense of humor," I mutter as I slide down the wall. Already I'm having trouble breathing. My brain reminds me that Cookie put me through a similar Hell and I got out of it just fine. Lilith continues feeding and I can even see Otto doing the same.

Demons love pain. They love misfortune. They love making you believe there's no hope left in this world. This is the constant war I face, and I'm not sure I'll survive without Lilith.

Your fire will keep you alive, Kaitlynn Charnas.

I take her words to heart. Whether or not I can truly believe them is another story. The elevator door opens revealing a dimly lit corridor. The directory on the wall offers me two options. The labs are to the left and the morgue is straight ahead. The right offers sleeping quarters, locker rooms, and a break room. Otto takes a deep breath sniffing the air his eyes resting on the morgue. My heart ramps up threatening to leap itself right out of my chest. Dead bodies? That's where I draw the line.

"Are you absolutely positive he's in there?" my voice is trembling. Lilith can't consume my fear fast enough. I am a wreck without Spencer. He's my personal cheerleader. My motivator and holder of my courage.

"Yes, Miss Kaitlynn, I am certain. I can sense his presence inside. He is not aware that we are here." He explains.

"Thank you, Otto." I place a hand on his shoulder. "Will you stay here and be a lookout? If anyone comes down direct them somewhere else. Get them out of harm's way."

He nods eagerly his mannerisms innocent and childlike to the point that it makes my heart ache at the sigh. I start down the hall counting to five to keep my breathing calm. Standing in front of the double doors to the morgue I almost get pulled into my own head. The reminder that I had been in one before to identify the bodies of my loved ones.

Kaitlynn, you must focus.

Releasing a breath I didn't even know I was holding, I push open the doors. Lonnie is resting on one of the metal gurneys. My hand immediately covers my mouth. The room wreaks of decay and decomposition. He slowly sits up his white eyes find me in the dim lighting. Pulling the shadows towards me Lilith takes over. This time it feels different. This time, I feel a cord being pulled taut in my chest. It snaps leaving my thoughts quiet for the first time in what seems like forever. Daring a glance next to me my jaw hits the floor with an audible pop. A woman stands next to me, her white-blond hair cascades down to her waist. She wears a black dress made from snakeskin, upon closer examination I see actual snakes making her dress. Her snake eyes come to rest on Pestilence. Her face is an unreadable mask. One I'm having trouble deciphering as I can no longer sense her presence inside of me.