The Man Behind the Makeup

Chapter 28: Is Everybody In?

Author's Note: This chapter is going to be pretty long because I am using a specific scene from Deliver Us From Evil and if you want to watch that while reading this to get a good sense of what is happening, then go right ahead. Also, I don't want to offend anyone with the continuous mentionings of God and the Devil, so if you are very religious, then I am apologizing in advance.

I slid the small rug across the floor to reveal the symbol I have sat in the middle of just about everyday of my life. I smiled at it and sat down on my knees, whispering the words I have said oh so many times.

"Invocamus re vt ingrediaris ab inferus." Instantly, I was brought into the underworld and my demon took over my body. The scars burned and my eyes stung while the blood dripped from them. I walked over to my dad's throne and he smiled at me.

"Annabelle, it's been a while. What brings you by?" I smiled at him and gave him a hug. I pushed back my hair and made sure to make the ring noticeable to the naked eye. "What the hell is that?"

"Andy proposed to me. This is my last goodbye before we leave tomorrow to go to the church." His eyes widened and he stood up, taking my hand and inspecting the ring on my finger. No words were spoken as he let go of my hand and stared at me. What is he thinking in that old head of his?

"Anna, I am very proud of you. Here is something for you to remember me by." He gave me a picture of him, Dustin, and I when we were kids and he was in the human world. Wow, I didn't even think he owned a correct photo of himself. All the stuff in the holy bible is completely incorrect and not accurate at all.

"Won't you fade away though after the exorcism?" He smirked and pushed a some hair behind my ear as he stared into my pitch black eyes.

"The devil never fades, honey. Goodbye. I'll always be watching." We hugged and I left.

A huge gasp of air came into my body as my eyes opened and I looked at my surroundings. I was still sitting in my living room in the same symbol. I gotta replace my floorboards now. I am going to miss him, but I will be so much happier now. I looked over at the coffee table to see the picture sitting in a frame. I picked it up and went upstairs to see Andy asleep in my bed. After I closed the door, he woke up and turned on the lamp.

"Was he upset?" I shook my head and took off my makeup, shoes, and clothes.

"Nope. He gave me a family picture, without my mom of course, and said that he was proud of me. He's happy, but he was prepared for this moment. He already got his anger out on Dustin." He laughed and I slipped on a tank top and some silk shorts. I climbed into bed and Andy shut off the lamp while I snuggled into his side. He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight. "Are you nervous about it?"

"I'm horrified. What if something goes wrong and you die? I don't know what I'd do with myself." I leaned up and kissed him.

"I won't, but you have to promise me something. No matter what happens, you can't trust me until the priest says that it is over. There are stages and until each stage is successfully passed, I am still half demon and very dangerous. Whatever I say and do, is not the real me. It's my other half taking over and fighting against God." He nodded and squeezed me tight. This is going to be definitely interesting.

Andy's POV

My alarm went off for our flight and I groaned as I shut it off. Anna was sleeping peacefully in my arms, but that was all going to change. I gently shook her and she inhaled, letting out a deep growl. That was freaky. I shook her again and kissed her.

"Anna, you have to get up. We have a plane to catch." She let out another growl and turned over, rubbing her eyes as she started to sit up. They were the usual white color and we got dressed. I already talked to the priest a couple days ago and he promised to help me through this.