Death Wish

Chapter 6

The two walk out the door - Bob drifting along the sidewalk and Frank strolling right beside him with the remainder of his fries at hand.

Frank picks at the plate, "So what's the rush with getting back to Death so fast?"

"Don't - don't you want to get your friend back as soon as possible?" Bob squints at him in confusion.

Frank looks up, sticking another fry into his mouth. "Oh, well yeah, but he's not going anywhere. He's damned."

Bob shakes his head. "Just open the portal, yeah? I don't have much time here."

Frank quirks a brow, slowing down chewing. "Your time's limited."

"I got a curse to get a free night here . . . " Bob says before quickly adding, "So I could find you, of course."

Frank nods and stuffs the rest of his fries in so he can dust his hands off and redraw the symbol on the backs of his hands.

~ ~ ~

I'm starting to get a little suspicious Frank's taking his time in the Living Universe. Most of the time I have no clue where the guy is, he's just skipping around universes all of the time and getting into as much trouble as he can. Why would this time be any different?

Maybe he'll catch up with us later. He's never gone forever, afterall.

I sigh to myself as Ray and I go up Death's alleys, staying out of sight but still going for the center of it all. The Fallen Angels' home. Well, "home". It may be a large house full of similar beings, but it's all chaos in there. Home should not be classified under those guys' standards.

But it's where the information is for Mikey.

"So, these guys aren't always too nice to humans." Ray starts, gaining my attention.

"Nobody here is, they all want blood." I shrug it off.

"Well, yes, your blood makes the dead feel more alive, but these guys are a little more aggressive." Ray insists, trying harder to get me to listen. He puts a hand on my shoulder, "They live on chaos, they'll do anything to make it happen."

"Got it, I'll just keep auctor vitae out." I say nonchalantly, reaching the end of the alley and getting sturdy footing on the uneven wall.

Ray takes a deep breath. He can tell I'm set on going into this thing. I've waited too long for getting a lead on my brother, and I'm not letting this one go.

I grip the brick of the wall and steadily climb up to the top. I hope this doesn't scuff up my shoes too bad . . . oh well, I'm already on my way. I get to the top of the wall that cuts off a few houses from the others, and take a look around. I have my choice of either staying on this side of the wall and hopping up onto a roof, or going on the other side of the wall to get to another roof. Yikes. So many roofs. I ought to just jump to the next one on the other side. I trek along the thin edge of the wall before getting close to my choice roof. I ready myself before leaping off the wall and sticking the landing on the top of another home.

My feet skid slightly and my knees whine under the pressure. I regain my balance and put up with the slight sting. "C'mon Ray, we don't have time to waste." I say, getting a good look of the area.

Ray barely makes it a minute or so later. I look back with a smirk, "You not a climber?"

"I'm better on land." He says with a small smile.

"No problemo, we won't be up here long." I reassure, starting to jump between roofs.

Ray hurries to catch up, "I swear if I fall - -"