Survivor's Guilt

XXII (You're the One Born To Save)

The revelation of their identities leaves the three of us in shock. My stomach, on the other hand, starts to revolt against the Mountain Dew I consumed. I run to the bathroom and throw up. I'd gone to Andy for help with exorcising Lilith from my body. I told him everything, confiding in him like a close friend does. To discover that he was the Prince of Pride? The betrayal tasted bitter on my tongue like acid.

Spencer's steady hands hold my hair back. I don't have time to dwell on this. There was a show to get ready for. My conscience slides in playing the ironic Devil's Advocate. The tour was almost done, after tonight only five shows remained. War failed, Pestilence got one casualty, and Famine failed. Death would plan something big. Lucifer wouldn't want to wait for his Hell on Earth. No, Lilith had a body of her own now. Andy would want to continue but with how long he'd been possessed was there any part of Andy that still remained?

"Miss Kaitlynn! Miss Kaitlynn!"

Otto's voice reverberates in my ears giving me a migraine. My stomach decides to rebel for a second time. Spencer holds my hair back once again, rubbing small circles into my back. Otto runs into the bathroom breathing heavily, without his powers he had to run here. A task I had a feeling was no easy feat. I rest my head on the cool porcelain trying to my stomach to cooperate and calm the fuck down.

"Otto, I am going to ask you to give us just a minute." Spencer raises a hand.

"Y-Yes, of course! I am sorry Mister Charnas." His footsteps recede down the hall.

I stay stationary until my stomach and I come to terms. Spencer skips out on soundcheck opting to stay and keep an eye on me. In the living room, I hear Otto talking the ears off of the members of Ice Nine Kills. When I have a free moment, I will need to tell them his story.

"Are you okay?" Spencer asks, his voice quiet. I lift my head slowly, an uneasy alliance formed between my body and my mind. Taking my time I rise to my feet. Spencie is there with his arm around my waist. I will admit to missing his closeness. He's the one who kept me grounded, my anchor.

"I think so, lets go see what Otto wants to tell me." I rest against him for a moment. He holds me squeezing me one just because he can. He doesn't kiss me. I actually brush my teeth to get the taste of bile out of my mouth.

"Miss Kaitlynn! You must come quickly to the venue." Otto says in a rush. "It is him, Death! He...there are so many bodies."

My body tenses, why did I leave Death for last? He's the strongest of the four. I didn't get the luxury of being gifted a dagger to take him out. I'd have to find a way to lift the ring and then exorcise him. Remembering how I barely took down Pestilence my confidence went on vacation. The members of Ice Nine Kills exchange glances. Would this become a team effort? The fear of them in the crossfire took me over the edge.

"Otto, can you take us there?" Spencer meets his eyes.

"Not anymore Mister Charnas. I have my humanity back thanks to Miss Kaitlynn." He goes towards the door. "We must go, there is no time to waste!"

He's out the door before we have the time to say our piece. We would have to go. We couldn't leave the final horseman to his own devices. I grab my flannel and check to see if my rosary is in my pocket. The members of Ice Nine Kills form a line behind me. This feels like a Death March. Our funeral procession with the venue as our final resting place. Otto waits for us patiently at the entrance to the backstage.

"I warn you, it is not pretty." He leads on his voice grave.

Hesitantly we follow behind him the bodies of the stage crew are perfectly posed. They are still and silent. Their eyes are vacant and blank. I approach Dio placing my hand on his chest expecting to feel his heart beating strongly underneath my touch. I choke back a sob. There's nothing.