The Eye of the Knife

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Not So Sweet Surprise.

I looked into the glazed over eyes of the Smalls family. The last bit of my spell to erase their memories should be waring off at any minute, but for now they were still in a trance like state. I sat on the couch and watched their reaction with trained eyes to make sure nothing went wrong.

I had changed into a maids uniform and made up a fake sheet of paper for them to sign that stated that the family approves of my work. I hated doing this to people, it was the worst part of my job, but it needed to be done.

With out the memory being erased, then everyone would know about the existence of demons and the world would go into a panic. So my job is very important to the human race, and its survival, or at least that's what they tell you in training to make you feel better about taking innocent people's memories away.

"Who are you? And what are you doing in my house?" a male voice rang out. I jumped up from my seat as if it were on fire.

I held a hand to my chest in attempts of calming my racing heart. "Do you not remember me Sir? You hired me for the day to clean your house and do the gardening. You were just about to pay me."

He looked like he didn't believe me, but then looked at the newly cleaned house. "Oh okay. I guess it slipped my mind." He reached to pull out his wallet.

"Sir." I said stopping him as he held his wallet in his hand about to open it. "You agreed to pay me digitally." I stated motioning to the laptop that said on the coffee table.

"I have never paid anyone this way before." Mr. Smalls stated as we watched the loading bar a few minutes later. "It certainly is different." He had to talk over his two children as they were playing race car around both of our feet.

I nodded in agreement as a pop up came into view on the screen telling us that the transaction was complete. The smell of the dinner Mrs. Smalls was making, came creeping in from the kitchen. My stomach growled in anticipation, and I took that as my cue to leave.

We stood up and Mr. Smalls shook my hand telling me what a great job I did on the house and thanking me for the cleaning that I did. Little do you know what you are actually thinking me for. Lucky for him and his family, the cleaning was just part of the job to get rid of the demons. I had to get rid of the aura before the Rogues sniff it out.

The rogues are the people in my community that decided they wanted to do things their way. They are the people that aren't trained properly, therefore can't get rid of demons. This is part of the reason we have to clean up the aura after the demon is gone. The rogues will come, tell the family about the existence of demons, then will 'help' the family for a 'small' fee.

Then came into play the Cleaners. They come in and clean up all the messes the rogue's make, hence the name. They are the people that come in and restore order to peoples lives by erasing the memories of the rogues and the demon tales, and by cleaning up any aura they can find. But some of the cleaners are nicer than others. Some, if they come across a rogue, will simply let it be. But others will kill it where it stands because of the belief that rogues cause more trouble than they are worth. I couldn't agree more.

My father was killed by a rogue. My father was hunting a demon and a rogue in hiding thought he was the one being hunted. So when my father was close enough, the rogue took the killing strike. My father's body was found three days later, when the lady that had hired him called his partner, Len. Len was like an uncle to me and I haven't seen him in many years. The only advice the man gave me after my father's passing was to not look at the body. Apparently it had been so mangled that he was almost unrecognisable. Len also told me never to travel alone, or to go hunting alone. But me being me; I didn't listen.

I walked in the cool Oklahoma night air, towards my hotel. I like it here, nice and quiet little town, and not too much traffic either. It was so much different from the big towns I'm used to going to. In cities like The Big Apple, or L.A. I could stay there for days from the amount of people that had a problem and needed my help. I didn't mind much, that was less traveling and more money in one spot. But sometimes you like to get away from it all, and go to small towns like this one.

I walked into the lobby of the Ramada I decided to stay at, and was hit with a big blast of cold air. I said hello to a few people that were in the lobby taking advantage of the TV or the quietness to read. In the distance you could hear the splash of the pool and squeals from excited children.

I walked into the restaurant of the hotel, ordered a burger with a side of fries, and sat at the bar. It was a night to drink. Any time I remembered the death of my father, I would drink, needed to drink. I ordered a screwdriver and then watched as the talented, and sexy, bartender mixed up the drink. Usually I would go with something easier like Coke and Rum, but I was in a Vodka type of mood today.

"Max? What are you doing here?" A voice asked from behind me. I felt my eyes widen as i recognized the voice. No. How is it possible that he is here? Did he follow me? I told him where I was going but I didn't tell the town. Is he stalking me?

I grimaced as I saw him sit in the barstool next to mine. The bartender slid my drink in front of me, and shot me a worried look as I took three huge gulps of the fruity drink. I made the motion for him to bring me another as I mentally worked up the courage to turn and face the man that was now sitting next to me.

"Rough day?" His voice rang in my ear as I turned and my eyes met his perfect blue ones.

"Yes as a matter of fact." I said looking into his eyes.

"Hello again Christian." I stated flatly.