The P.O.E. & a Gateway in the Basement

Chapter Seven

Jacob and Nick enter Jacob's apartment complex still searching for Britney. But once they get to the second floor they notice that there is something amiss inside the complex.

"Something isn't right." Nick kneels down and feels the carpet that is right in front of the staircase that leads the third floor.

"Let me guess... the master demon once again has lurked into our domain and probably killed some people and took their souls."

"I couldn't have put it any better even if I wanted to." Nick slides his sword out. "A master demon only enters the realm of the living to steal souls, unless he has specific instructions from a higher-ranking demon to do something other than to steal people's souls." Nick tries to explain a master demon's psyche to Jacob. But it is not that easy since he is new at hunting supernatural forces. Nonetheless, Nick begins to walk up the flight of steps with his sword ready to strike and his eyes are fully open and alert. Once they reach the top floor they enter the first apartment they come across. Everything inside seems normal. But once they get into the master bedroom, they realize that they were right and Balthazar has been here. There is a middle-aged male lying upon the left hand side of the bed. He has holes all over his body, missing limbs and even his brain is missing.

"Zombies really went at it on this guy." Nick re-sheathes his sword, knowing that there is not any danger in this apartment, unless you count seeing dead bodies everywhere being in danger.

"Shall we go into the other bedroom?" Jacob enters the hallway with curiosity and bravery on his mind.

"I guess we shall." Nick follows him. Once he enters the final room and realizes that there is what's left of two toddlers inside the crib. Knowing that this is not a good omen; Nick exits the room feeling a little uncomfortable at recent tragedies.

"Now that is a damn shame. Why would a demon want to kill a baby?" Jacob follows Nick out into the hallway.

"Normally they wouldn't. But this master demon seems to be different." Nick begins to walk out of the apartment knowing that there is not anything more he can do, unless he can get some help.

"Different... how?" Jacob again follows.

"He is not like any other master demon I have faced before. This has been a first time for one of them to kill an infant. He is more powerful than I originally assumed." Nick gets to Jacob's apartment door and turns the knob. Jacob would have been a fool if he did not notice there is a slight hint of fear in Nick's voice. Once they enter Nick and Jacob see that Britney is already seated upon the couch. She is sitting next to a girl that is dressed like Nick, a little older then him and a lot prettier.

"Becky! About time you showed up. This master demon is more powerful and sadistic than the headmaster originally thought. I could desperately use your help. So what did the headmaster tell you before you were sent up here?"

"He told me that this master demon's name is Balthazar and he is more powerful than any other master demon that we have ever faced before." Rebecca stands up and gives her younger brother a huge bear hug.

"Who's your sister, Nick? She's very pretty." Jacob elbows Nick trying to get him to introduce the two of them.

"Her name is Rebecca and she doesn't play games with guys younger then her. So give up before you begin because you won't get anywhere with her."

"Hello Rebecca... my name is Jacob. How are you?" Jacob ignores Nick and stretches out his hand in greetings.

"I'm okay." Rebecca shakes his hand. Even though she knows that Britney does not like Jacob's reaction towards her. She still has to be polite. Jacob however does not want to let go of Rebecca's hand. She has to take her hand back with full force, almost knocking Jacob off his feet.