Demons and Diners

Explosions and Exposure

I fall back, the rumble of the building breaking our kiss as dust drifts down from the ceiling. Everything freezes for a moment, and the silence that settles around us is almost as deafening as the explosion itself. Then both Phil and I leap to our feet. He's through the door faster than I am, the adrenaline battling with the alcohol still coursing through my bloodstream.

I manage to stumble after Phil, climbing the stairs I'd run down only minutes before - had it only been minutes? At the first floor landing, I hear the crash as the door above me slams open and sounds of chaos echo around the stairwell. Phil's well ahead of me, as he's less inebriated, and I find myself fighting a crowd as the party guests flee frantically.

By the time I've reached the grand ballroom, only a few stragglers are making their way to the stairs, and I'm able to assess the situation. Well, assess it as much as my muddled brain will allow. There's smoke pouring out of the smaller ballroom, and it looks like a disaster zone even from the outside.

Once I'm inside, it's far worse. I cough against the smoke, though it's clearing a bit, and pick my way around the debris that's scattered across the floor. A few of the guests are leaning against the walls, or sitting on the ground, but I don't see any grievous injuries. And no dead bodies, my head kindly chimes in. It's at that exact moment that I realize I haven't seen any of my friends - PJ, Louise, Chris, they may have all been in the room when...well, when whatever happened happened.

I scan the room again, focusing on anything moving, when I notice Phil crouched behind the bar. Thank god he was downstairs with me...I stop that train of thought, though, when I realize how terrified he looks. Power returns to my legs, and I make my way around the scattered remains of tables to the aisle behind the bar.

Where Chris is lying. He's not moving, his chest isn't moving, is he dead oh my god. I've seen death more than once, though, and the rational side of my brain takes over - not dead, not dead, but passed out, probably hit his head, from the looks of that cut. Phil hasn't moved, though, and I notice PJ running over from the entrance.

"PJ," I hold up a hand, but he's shoving past me, holding his arm at an awkward angle. He drops to his knees in front of me, next to Chris, and a choking sob escapes his throat as his free hand covers his mouth. "PJ, calm down, he's not-" the green eyes turn to mine, then fill with black, and I swear I can almost feel his presence inside my head.

"Why can't I hear him!" PJ shouts at me, and I shake my head. Phil's managed to glance up, now, and he stands. I don't think he's even noticed PJ's arrival, or mine for that matter. He circles around the bar, and I follow his progress toward the back door I'd noticed during setup earlier in the day.

Rather, he makes his way toward the terrifying void that's replaced the door, and my eyes widen as I stare. Was that door a portal? Phil's examining it, doing something I can't see from where I'm standing, so I turn my attention back to the two guys at my feet.

"PJ, he's alright, just unconscious - look," I add, leaning down, "can you see his breathing? It's shallow, but it's there." I'm a little surprised when he puts his ear and hand to Chris' chest, closing his eyes for a moment. When he lifts his head, green has once again replaced the black and he nods solemnly.

Suddenly composed, he casts another glance at Chris before standing. "We need to get everyone down to the diner. I'll get some first-aid supplies, but can you find Wendell? He's got the most medical experience." I nod, glad for a simple task to focus on, then falter as I remember Phil.

"Will he...?" I start, but PJ's already stepping past me.

"Phil's fine, he's trying to figure out what exactly happened here. Go find Wendell, and tell him and anyone else you see on your way to gather in the diner." I nod again, satisfied for now, and pick my way back to the door. By the time I've tracked down Wendell, he's already on his way to the diner. I relay the message and follow, trying to figure out how else I can help.