Survivor's Guilt

XXI (The Curse You Left It Ends Tonight)

We make it through the Blue Ridge Rock Fest in Alton, Virginia, in one piece. Doctor Kincaid, who had been with the tour since its start had been called away. With Lilith's knowledge, I knew my psychologist was possessed by Beelzebub. Johnny agreed to help me track him down when the time was right. We also agree to meet up in Asheville to discuss the identity of Death. Once his identity is revealed, Lucifer will finally be unmasked.

I always found the state of North Carolina to be beautiful with its mountains, waterfalls, and grassy terrain. One can find peace in the tranquility of standing outside watching the fog as it swirls around your feet. I lean back against the Ice Nine Kills bus with a bottle of Mountain Dew in hand. The sun hasn't risen, not yet. It wants to savor its slumber for a few minutes more. I don't blame it. Spencer and I barely slept; we had been wrapped up in one another cherishing the closeness. It appears my time being possessed by Lilith is all but forgotten. I wish I could share his views.

"Couldn't sleep?"

Johnny materializes out of the shadows. The dark circles under his eyes confirm he isn't getting enough sleep. We are all nearing our limits. Between the horsemen, missing crew members, and nightmare creatures we were nearing the end of our rope. At this rate, one can call the first part of the tour a walk in the park.

"I managed to get a few hours." I take a deep drink from the bottle in my hands. The caffeine burns awakening some of my senses. "Spence is passed out cold."

"I'm here to talk to you." He leans against the tour bus.

"Really?"

"You're the one who wanted to meet me when we got to Asheville, hunny." He reminds me. The words sound half-hearted today. This doesn't sound like my Johnny, the one who saved Spencer from the police station. The boy who became possessed at a young age and fell in love with my best friend.

"With Spencer and the boys of Ice Nine Kills. Okay, Amias and Otto too." I add. "Are you okay?"

"Do you remember when I told Spencer my origin story?" His hands go in his pockets.

I vaguely remember hearing his story, having been in and out of consciousness. I wonder why he would be mentioning it now. He shifts uncomfortably an action I had been getting used to lately. Even Otto showed the same behavior. Seeing him expecting an answer I nod once sliding down to sit on the ground. He follows suit and we watch the fog settle around us.

"My old man's first visit to the crosswords did not go over well. In fact, the demon laughed in his face and vanished. He was desperate to save my mother by any means. He went to every crossroads he could find and at each one, he got laughed at. Finally, he went up to Maine. I'm not quite sure why, maybe he was channeling his inner Stephen King. He conducted the ritual, only this time he got Lilith."

My heart stops beating in my chest. His words sink under my skin and send me headfirst into a panic attack. So, Lilith had a vessel of her own this whole time? Did she really need to possess me? Johnny waits for me to take a mental break before he continues his story.

"He laid out the deal for her. It is clear-cut and simple. Not much to it, his soul for my mom's health. Lilith took his words to heart, giving him a counteroffer right away. There were whispers even back then of Lucifer wanting to be released from his prison. She said she needed to house an old friend of hers topside. She didn't say what for and looking back on the exchange my father didn't ask. He accepted the deal."

"Who was the old friend?" I glance at him.

"The Prince of Greed, Mammon." He answers.

"Johnny, what are you saying? You told Spence, Hell wasn't interested in your father's soul. That they took yours instead."