Supernatural in Real Life 5

Chapter 67

"Bailey."

I look around, trying to find whoever whispered my name, but as far as I can tell, I'm still alone.

"Bailey!"

I stand up, slamming my hand against the wall to steady myself. My world is spinning, and I can barely see past the throbbing pain in my head.

"Who — who said that?" I ask, my voice scratchy and dry. My throat burns, and I find myself begging for a drink, but no one has been here in days. Maybe it's only been a few minutes; I don't know. Without the sun shining in, I don't have a clue how long I've been here. Maybe Gabriel will come soon and help me out. It doesn't even have to be Gabriel. At this point, I'm willing to accept help from anyone.

"Hey, Bailey."

Except him.

"You might want to sit down," Lucifer suggests.

As much as I'd like to sit down, and probably would have if he hadn't brought it up, I don't want to give him the satisfaction, because right now, all I have going for me is that I can slightly inconvenience him, so I say, my voice so quiet I can barely hear it, "No."

Lucifer sighs. "Alright, fine. Just don't fall and hurt yourself."

"Why do you care?"

There's a brief pause before Lucifer answers tentatively, "Well, we're not on the best of terms, but there was a time you were the closest thing I had to a friend. I figure, the least I could do is make sure you're still alive and kicking."

"For Gabriel," I finish. He's here for Gabriel. Obviously. But why does he care if I get hurt? As long as I'm still alive, he shouldn't mind, right?

"Well, yeah, kinda," Lucifer replies. "He still feels really bad, if that's any consolation. I figured it's probably better that he doesn't come himself."

"You said he didn't want to come," I remind him, thinking back to our last conversation.

"I guess I misspoke, then," Lucifer replies uncertainly. "I don't know. I don't remember saying that, but if I did, I'm sorry, I guess."

"How do you not remember?" I demand. "It was the only time you came here!"

"What are you talking about?" Lucifer asks, seeming genuinely confused. "I've come down here three times — four, now. Now, maybe I did say something that made you think Gabriel didn't want to come, but I don't remember talking about him at all, honestly. In fact, this is the longest conversation we've had since you realized begging me to let you leave isn't going to do anything."

"No, we —" I trail off. I know he's only been here once before, and I know we were talking about Gabriel at the time, but he seems to be convinced that's not true. Granted, he is the devil, and lying is his strong suit, but he really does seem to believe this.

"Oh, I get it," Lucifer says, which is something I can't relate to. "It's the whole detox thingy — it's messing with your memories. I would've expected hallucinations, and judging by the fact you were just talking to no one before I showed up, that's probably also true, but you usually talk back when I'm here, so you were aware at the time, at least."

"Hallucinations," I repeat incredulously. "Dude, I'm not crazy."

I can hear him bite back laughter at that, trying to appear composed as he says, "Yeah, of course not. So, do you need anything while I'm here?"

I'm about to tell him to fuck off, but now that I think of it, I would like something — answers. 

"How long have I been on here?" I ask.