Phoenix

Chapter Three: Dempsey.

The morning was born and all I could think about was the very last words from Killian on his journal. wasteland eternity. After I feed Milo, I hurry up to get out of my condo as fast as I can without forgetting the journal, of course. I rush to climb into my car and start driving.  Before, I would thin that the drive to work was the easiest, most relaxing time. Those thirty something minutes would pass like five minutes in real life. Today, my drive to the library was eternal. That's a nice word to describe it. 

I parked where I usually park but surprisingly wasn't my best parking technique. I rush into the building to find Dempsey doing what he likes best, read. I run towards his desk and immediately ask " Is this real?" looking right into his eyes. He observes me, not surprised at all, closes his current read and stands. "I see you're intrigued." He starts to converse. "Of course I'm intrigued. My question is: Is this real?" I ask him with authority, something that I've never done before in front of him. "Yes." He finally answers back. The word yes is not the answer I was expecting. Yes he said. I was hoping for him to tell me that I was crazy. That I was weird. That I was insane. But no. He, with all the calm in this world just said yes.

"I want to know everything about this book." I tell him after I realized he was taking the conversation seriously. I want to know everything. Is Killian alive? He must be, that's the whole concept of eternity.

Dempsey gets up of his chair and takes a sip of his coffee to finally say "What do you want to know about it?"

"Well, how did you find this? Every single detail that you may know." I say. Dempsey goes wondering around the room, and finally stops by adding "Not long ago I was a professor at Salem and while I was working there I met. . . Killian." I could not believe what I'm listening. So, everything about Killian's journal is true! "He was an arts professor there. I believe he was just starting a new life but at the same time I assumed he was also looking for something, not sure what but you don't just come back to Salem and not look for something, specially if you were raised there." Dempsey gets closer to me adding "Killian used to live in Salem. That's how he met the witches that once took care of him but short after they were killed by the witch trials. After that he had no choice but to run away from home, leaving his family, as he calls it, behind and never go back until I met him."

"What was the reason he had come back?" I ask him while I was sitting on his desk. He turns around and just as I thought he would say something that might lead to Killian that I would find useful but he responds "Not sure. . . but he sure got what he wanted at the time."

"And what was it?" I ask desperately to know all about Killian. 

"He was looking for witches." He replies. Fascinated with the answer I finally ask "Do you think he is looking for an apprentice now?" I felt immediately stupid once I asked the question but I had to otherwise what else he gave me the book for?

"What? you're not thinking that . . ." I don't let Dempsey finish his sentence by standing up and finally say that I wanted to meet Killian and that he needed to tell me where he was now.

"Look, Elle, I gave you the journal so you don't feel alone. I was hoping that maybe it would make you feel not left out anymore." 

I took a look at him, chained to his eyes and reply "It did! I think I am meant to meet him. I think he is the only one that can explain me my dreams, Specially the one that I had not to long ago."

"Wait, what? What dreams? What are you talking about?" Dempsey asks concerned. As soon he asks that questioned I felt like I spoke too much. Did I do a good thing by telling him? Ever since I was a child and abandoned I had dreams with fire. Never told anyone because they might think I am crazy but since I already can't keep a secret with Dempsey, I clearly needed to explain myself. "Sometimes, I have dreams. . . nightmares. I'm always on fire and I am laying down on a bed with someone that I think to be my mother. It's strange but in those dreams there's a man, he hugs me and tells me that everything will be fine. Still on fire I fear that i would burn him but it seems that He is immune to that. I felt like it was. . . home. When I was reading Killian's journal I felt identified not because of what he could do but I think he might have answers for me and why I'm having those dreams. I feel that he can help me with that by turning me." I finally say. Dempsey does not look convinced, in fact, he looks the opposite of it. 

"I don't think that's what you want." He adds. I can't stop by asking him "You're one of them, aren't you?" I ask completely sure that I know what I'm asking him. There's no way he met Killian and not be turned. Otherwise, how does he have his journal?

"Yes." He answers.  Scared to death i finally ask "Where can I find him?" Dempsey looked at me like if I was a little girl that needed protection but I know what I was getting myself into. Or I think I do.

"He goes to this bar sometimes in Salem called 'phoenix beak'. As a matter of fact he owns the place. If you want Killian or even Samael you'll have a chance to meet them there. I haven't spoken to Killian in years but if i was looking for him, I'll start there." I immediately start to take my things to take the day off when Dempsey grabs me by my arm and stops me. "Elle, I want you to be careful. Phoenix Beak is only for witches. So, take care of yourself." Looking back at his blue eyes and brown glowing skin I had to ask "What is your power?" Dempsey looked at me not wanting to tell me but I insisted. "Ice. My element is ice." He finally answered. Knowing how unlikely is for Dempsey to show affection, I hug him and promise him that I will come back to him and that I will be fine. 

After I asked to take the day off, I start driving directly home to prepare to go to a trip. I have to go to Salem and go to this bar. I need to meet either Samael or Killian. I need to know why am I having this dreams and why I've always felt left out. I have a feeling that they might have answers for me. 

*****

Hello readers! My name is Emely E Saldivar. I'm glad you got until this chapter of "Phoenix" 

This is a story in the making but there's going to be new chapters every Sunday! I hope you like this story and that entertains you. 

Thank you and Gos Bless!

Picture: Dempsey Guerra 

Actor: Jesse Williams