MONSTER

(A/N: Wow, it’s been a long time since I updated this. O_O Much has happened and, for a while, I considered leaving this story since my absence has been too long. But, I made a promise when I began this story: this would not be one of those stories that abandoned its readers. >.< And when I started getting comments from readers on my DA page not long ago, I knew I had to return to this story and finish what I started. This story has really been with me; from when I explored concepts of sex that initially made me uncomfortable, to the death of my mom, to when I entered my first relationship, to after I graduated and now search for a new life to call my own.

So here I am, uploading the next chapter. ^_^ Much has changed since I was last here. In fact, looking at my previous chapters, the new changes made in AFF during my long absence has created some coding issues. O_o I’ll be fixing those chapters then. In the meantime…)

| The Ultimatum |

 

                Days past and more mutilated bodies were being discovered. At the banks of rivers. Inside garbage bins. In the trunks of a car lot. Even under an abandoned home in the ghetto side of town. If not for the horrifying stench neighbors reported, no one would’ve discovered the dismembered group there. The police had a trouble time pinpointing their suspect because it skipped from one area to a completely different one. Wild Beast was the name news casters used to explain the horrifying murders, with eyewitnesses claiming it was an eleven-foot-creature that was black and full of hair. Talks of a second Cleansing was in the works. Many supernatural investigators took the initiative, though. Despite the curfew, they floored the streets, anxious to capture the phenomena, scared shitless if they did.

                Among the investigators, was Paranormal Five.

                The stars were out as a Paranormal Five’s van, blaring with alternative music, drove down an empty street near a river. It spat out gas and when it stalled for a moment, it made more noise than when it was in drive mode.

                “Dudes, we’ve been circling around this fuckin’ neighborhood for hours,” claimed Agent Scully who drove on. His voice was very slow and drawn out. He took a hit from the skunk he sucked on, wincing a bit. Then he steered the wheel of the van to make a turn. “Dudes, there’s nothin’ here.”

                “Put that crap away before a cop spots you, jackass,” advised Radar who sat next to him. He, too, was high and his warning lacked the firm tone it needed to be reinforced. “Anyway, it’s gonna happen here. I can feel it. This is the spot, man. This is the spot.”

                “Hrrr… that’s what you said two hours ago,” muttered Chewbacca behind.

                He sat with Damsel and Spook at the back of the van. Everything from the equipment and its occupants was covered by a huge cloud of smoke. Spook giggled while his fingers worked frantically on a controller’s buttons. He and Chewbacca were both playing a videogame, pausing only to take a hit and a bite from their cheeseburgers. Damsel viewed the monitors, trying to concentrate on the video feed the camera placed outside the van was getting, hoping to get something that resembled an eleven-foot creature. Her eyes were half-opened though. Exhausted, intoxicated, and having abdominal pains.

                “Maybe we should give this a rest,” she said, “I don’t feel so good.”

                “Dude, you better not puke in my car,” warned Agent Scully up front.

                “God damn cramps,” she mumbled back, clutching her stomach. “I just had to start today…”

                “Gah, don’t tell us about that girly shit.” Spook gave her a hard look. “You keep that to yourself, Damsel. It’s disgustin’.”

                “You creep. It’s normal. You’ll never get laid with that attitude.”

                “Dude, you better not bleed in my car,” Agent Scully modified his first warning.

                The van turned again. It was quiet with all the doors of business buildings bolted shut. Even the laundry mat, which was opened twenty-four seven, was closed. Agent Scully turned the radio off. If not for the dogs barking, they would’ve thought the entire neighborhood high-tailed it out of here. No one was out. The curfew placed by the mayor had sent the entire city asleep.

                “This is really some fucked up shit, dudes,” Agent Scully said, shaking his head.

                The comment prompted Spook to put down his controller. He headed to the front, peering between Agent Scully and Radar, noticing the streets empty of life.

                “Still think it’s a serial killer dressed in a furry suit?” he asked Agent Scully with eyebrows raised.

                “Yeah.” A long pause. “Maybe.”

                Agent Scully, being the skeptic, was convinced it was a stunt by the city officials. He felt the entire reports of bodies being reported were bogus, used to initiate a curfew. But things were too quiet and unsettlingly. The remaining members at the back tried to squeeze through and see for themselves. Spook winced when Damsel stepped on his foot’s heel. In turn, Radar got poked in the eye by Spook’s Mohawk. After a few moments of bickering, they became silent again.

                “Wouldn’t it be cool if zombies came out and attacked us right now?” chuckled Spook.

                “How would that be cool?” Damsel shot back. “I’d take off if that happened.”

                “Heh, you’d be the first to get it.” Chewbacca grinned “It’s always the women who get it first.”

                Damsel elbowed him and he grunted. “No, it’s always the cocky ones that do.”

                “Dudes, I can’t believe we haven’t even nailed this asshole.” Agent Scully shook his head in disappointment. “I mean… we had the head start. We knew what was going on way before everyone knew. Dudes, I’m so gonna kick Enzo in the ass next time I see him.”

                “It was bound to happen,” inserted Damsel and sniffed, dreary from the smoke.

                “Well, so long as we get him before anyone else does, then whatever.” Spook sounded determined. “I’m not letting Han Solo get the last laugh.”

                They grew silent again. Agent Scully kept scanning the environment. The car’s headlights illuminated a blank road. Familiar buildings they passed by were only empty silhouettes. They almost looked evil. He was glad no one from his team noticed how white his knuckles were as he drove. Taking another hit, he tried to get rid of the nerves that started to collect at the center of his stomach.

                “Hold up,” Damsel suddenly said. “Stop the car.”

                Agent Scully nearly yelled in reaction to the woman’s unexpected request. He rolled his eyes at himself and took a deep breath. He slowly put on the brakes.

                “What?” asked Spook.

                For awhile, Damsel didn’t say anything. Her eyes were locked to scene outside the windshield window. The thin lines of her eyebrows pulled together.

                “What?” Spook asked again, louder.

“Shh!” she hushed him, frustrated. Damsel focused on the view ahead. Finally, she said, “I thought I saw something, over at that building. Right there.”

She pointed at a family convenient store. It was a one story, flat roof building, stuck between two taller ones. All members of Paranormal Five leaned forward.

“I knew it,” whispered Radar, even when there wasn’t anything there.

A few minutes passed and the building remained just another building. Aside from needing a new paint job, there wasn’t anything off about it. They waited anyway. They waited in anticipation and in fear. Nothing happened. No beast. No beady-red eyes looking back at them. No ominous music playing in the background. Nothing. The wind blew calmly and the dogs barked as they usually did. Just when someone was going to speak up, a loud siren wailed behind them. Terrified, they all leaped up in unison, banging their heads on the car’s roof.

“The hell!” screamed Spook.

“We’re gonna die!” immediately yelled Radar. “We’re gonna die!”

“Hrrr… where’s the gun?” Chewbacca ran to the back, tossing equipment left and right. “The gun! Hrrr… Didn’t anyone bring a Goddamn gun? Where’s a gun? Where’s a gun? Don’t tell me you shit heads didn’t bring a gun! Hrrr…!”

“Shut up! Stay calm!” hollered Damsel, even when she was pissing in her pants.

“Get us the hell out of here!” ordered Spook Agent Scully.

Agent Scully froze. He was about to pass out, his eyes starting to roll back behind his lids. It took a slap at the back of his head from someone to snap him out of it.

“Push the gas!” Spook commanded in a high-pitched voice, “Push it, damn it!”

Agent blinked once and was about step on the gas until he caught a glimpse at the rearview window. His eyes widened. “Ah, sheeit!”

“What? What?” yelled Spook, hysterical, “God damn, I told you to push it already!”

“You son-of-a-bitch,” cried Radar and looked at Agent Scully with tears running down his face, blubbering like a baby, “If I die I’m gonna… I’m gonna kick your ass!”

Amidst the wailing from Radar, the stench of piss and spoiled fish from Damsel, the mess Chewbacca was making at the back, the incoherent shouting from Spook, and Agent Scully frozen in place, there was a knock on the driver’s door.

“Roll down the window!” a man shouted. A second later, “Roll it down!”

Agent Scully opened his mouth, seeing the red and blues lights coming from the car behind him. He managed to say, “Cop…”

The police officer knocked on the driver’s door again, louder this time. “Roll it down! Now!”

Radar’s wails were reduced to sniffles, Damsel held her breath, Chewbacca froze, Spook gaped, and Agent Scully slowly rolled down the window.

Coughing, the cop frowned at the large puffs of marijuana smoke coming from the opened window. It was so much that he had to back off, cursing at how the cloud literally soaked through the street like morning fog. He muttered an obscenity and said something in his walkie-talkie. He sneezed.

The reaction on the officer’s face was enough to make Spook regret it wasn’t the beast after all. Orders from the cop to get out of the van made everyone else feel the same way too. Sliding the door aside, Paranormal Five filed out, one by one. The cop walked to the other side of the van and nearly gasped at the large amount of smoke coming on from the slide door. His mouth was still opened as the young group lined against their vehicle.

Outside now, Spook saw there was a second cop inside the patrol car. He started talking in the radio. Even if he couldn’t hear what he was saying, Spook cursed. Meanwhile, the first cop came around and studied each of their faces.

“Uh, so what seems to be the problem, officer?” Spook asked and smiled innocently.

The cop gave him a hard look. The patrol car’s door opened and closed and the second cop approached, joining the first. He paused, wrinkling his nose at the heavy smoke. His eyes grew a bit wide and he coughed. He nodded to the first officer who gazed back at the kids. There was a look of disappointment and disbelief in his face, not knowing where to start.

“Do you kids know there’s a curfew in place?” he asked, shaking his head. “You’ve any idea how dangerous it is to be out here?”

They were quiet.

“Aside from getting doped up, what were kids doing out here anyway?”

Nobody talked. Radar, Damsel, Chewbacca, and Agent Scully all turned to Spook. It was then the leader of Paranormal Five hated being the leader. Spook cleared his throat.

“We’re, um…” he started, “We’re here to investigate the beast that prowls the streets, officer.”

“You’re what?”

Again, he cleared his throat. “We’re paranormal investigators. Perhaps you’ve heard of us? Paranormal Five?”

“Paranoia Five?”

“No!” Spook remarked quickly, shocked. “Paranormal Five. It’s Paranormal Five.”

The two officers exchanged glances.

“Our equipment’s at the back if you’d like to see it.” Spook cocked a thumb behind him.

“Ugh, not another group…” muttered the first cop to his partner.

The second officer shrugged and slid inside the van, soon having another coughing fiasco. The first gave the young group another uneasy look.

“I don’t care what you kids are, it’s dangerous. We’ve got enough problems as it is. Let the professionals handle this investigation.”

Spook glowered, as did the others. There was a small tapping sound coming from somewhere in the van and the officer gave the kids a questioning look.

“The van,” piped Agent Scully, “It makes weird noises, even when it’s turned off.”

The first officer nodded and then gazed at the opened slide door. “Richards?”

“Yeah?” the second one answered, hidden from view.

“Whatcha got?”

“Looks like the kids are right,” he said within the van, “They got video feed and other equipment here. They’re saying the truth.”

Paranormal Five grinned together.

“… And they also got ten pounds of weed.”

Paranormal Five frowned together.

The first cop grunted and decided to check for himself. He didn’t get the chance to. Something large and dark grabbed him from above. The officer’s yell was cut short and a flood of crimson flushed down. The young group ran away from the van together and Spook screamed.

They couldn’t see it well, even when they caught enough distance to look up at the top of the vehicle. The haze from the marijuana smoke prevented clear details. But they did see darkness; it was darkness in the shape of two legs, two arms, and an awkward shaped head. And there were teeth, yes, there were teeth. The animal hunched on top of the van snarled at them. It looked at Damsel, gazing at her mini skirt, gazing at the run-off of piss and blood running down her legs. Piss and blood. Blood.

Paranormal Five scattered when the creature landed near Damsel.

“Help!” she yelled.

By then, the second officer had emerged. Surprised was written in his face. Another scream from the girl, however, forced him to react. He punched several bullets into the creature with his Glock pistol, and then cursed when the massive animal turned toward him. He screamed when it pounced on him, instantly tearing off his arms.

Spook grabbed Damsel’s hand and the group quickly entered the van. Agent Scully struggled with the keys as he took his place behind the wheel. He whispered a blur of dirty, obscene words to his van, anything to keep it from stalling. Meanwhile, the others struggled to slide the door close. The animal had already devoured the officer, chewing off the head. It returned its attention back to the group, sensing its prey getting away.

“Oh god…” whispered Damsel and couldn’t breathe. “Oh my god, oh god, oh god…”

The group got away from the door and Spook held Damsel in his arms, trying to calm her. The rest of his teammates sat paralyzed in the van, looking at terror stare back at them. Agent Scully’s hands were still fiddling with the keys, muttering nonsense.

The creature stood, in the meantime, ready to charge into the van. It howled loudly, its sound smashing the van’s windows and causing Damsel to scream. With its large teeth wet and ready, it snarled and snorted. Then it paused.

Sniffing the air again, the large animal stumbled a few steps back. It whimpered from the smoke of marijuana.

“The pot!” realized Radar, half laughing and half crying. “It smells the pot!”

“Screw that, let’s get out of here!” Spook shut the door closed hard. “Scully! Now!”

The tires squealed when Agent Scully pushed the petal to the metal, his van starting the moment his keys found the slot. He swore he’d really uphold his dirty promises and sped away, not looking back.

 

***

 

                Dante waited outside Seth apartment building, sitting on the footsteps leading to the front door. Gazing upward, there was no full moon but it was certainly a hot and humid night. He came to understand they played a big factor in the werewolf’s appearance too, suggesting werewolves didn’t need to bloom during full ones. In fact, that was what Seth mentioned in the survey. According to him, the full moon amplified a wolf’s power and served as a signal to mate. That certainly explained what happened at the park. But there were still a lot of questions Dante had concerning these mythical creatures. He was bitten and his blood healed the wounds. But could Seth have contaminated his blood? Would he change too? A full moon was going to come soon. Dante already had trouble being part Devil. The last thing he wanted was to be part wolf too. Indeed, that type of transmission was worse than any STD in the streets. Was he being paranoid? Probably. Superstitious? Yes. Awkward? Oh, most definitely. But within each story there was always an ounce of truth within it, manipulated by time and place. Dante needed to know to prepare for the worse. While he never believed in stories passed down by word of mouth, he did create a clip of silver bullets based on what Seth wrote. His own bullets did nothing against Seth in the park. While one silver bullet didn’t outright kill a werewolf, Seth mentioned several of them did. And they also stopped the blood’s healing factor. At this point, Dante was grateful for even the smallest of favors.

The supernatural investigator sighed. He didn’t really want to be here. He avoided this entire neighborhood for a week, not wanting to confront the emotions that bottled up inside. But the reports coming in… There were more bodies, double the number than before. The killings were more vicious too and each day ten cops were slain while they tried to combat the threat. As more people fled the city in fear, many came in astonishment. News of a dangerous animal managed to wrap around the minds of the curious. Worse, the idiots wanted a second Cleansing event, with everyone joining in a citywide effort. All they were missing was the modern version of the torches.

No, the cycle of killing wasn’t going to stop. There wasn’t going to be a short supply of food as more people replaced the ones that left. The Cleansing event would be like bringing a giant buffet straight to the doorsteps of the monster. His monster. He couldn’t allow the vicious cycle to continue. As much as Dante wanted to ignore the news, anything to avoid what was to come next, he couldn’t. Today was the day he’d have to clear the air and set things straight.

Get out of town or I’ll kill you.

Those were the words he needed to say when Seth arrived at his apartment. As much as Dante didn’t want to see him again, as much as he remembered telling Seth he’d never hurt him, he was still a hunter of the unnatural. Those who killed humans couldn’t be tolerated. Remembering that day Seth was in his office, he understood why he acted the way he did. But like he told Seth then, he had a strict policy. Three strikes and you’re out. Dante just never knew he’d be one of those people he used to frown upon, the ones who fell in love with these types of monsters.

The wind dragged in a familiar scent and Dante sat very rigidly. Nicotine from the cigarette he smoked. Raspberry from the shampoo he used. Big Red from the soda he drank. And raw meat from the dinner he just ate. Dante forced himself to relax by taking a deep breath. He turned and saw Seth emerging from the left. He seemed lost in thought, his hands in his jean’s pockets. A slightly torn, faded black shirt with red striped sleeves hung loosely against his lean body, including his red leather pants that jingled with chains. Seth was still a punk, his tiny stubs on his head highlighted in purple. With the exception of a nose ring, though, Seth kept his face clean of makeup and other accessories. Even the blush he always used to add color was gone. Dante took a deep swallow. Seth may have appeared miserable and lifeless, but he was still beautiful and lovely to look at it.

Seth hadn’t noticed his visitor until he took two more steps. Then he looked up and locked eyes with Dante. His expression changed from surprise, to delight, to melancholy in matters of seconds.

“Dante…” he started. “What are you doing here?”

“You and I,” Dante responded after awhile, “We need to talk.”

Seth recognized the firm tone in his voice. He nodded and Dante followed him into the apartment complex. The elevator ride to the sixth floor was a silent journey. Dante studied Seth at one point. The other man’s face was moist and he felt his aura. An inhale of his odor indicated he was in heat. Seth kept it to himself, though, only chewing on his lip and staring down at the floor. It remained quiet between both men, even when they entered Seth’s apartment.

Dante stepped inside and waited for him to wash his face. As he did, Dante took a moment to recall the details of the room. He noticed many things missing. The pink sign was gone, as was the naked woman. Half the pictures on the walls and stuffed animals on window sill were taken down. It felt empty. The place that was once trapped in time, filled with bubbles, laughter, and dreams, was slowly seeping into the cold, sterile version of the modern world.

“Do you want something to eat?” asked Seth from the bathroom. “I got leftovers in the fridge.”

“No. I won’t be here for long.”

Seth entered and Dante took a seat on a chair. Scratching his neck and still flushed, Seth went to close the window and switched on all of the room’s lights since it was only dimly lit by the lamps. The lighting was terrible and Dante was surprised he hadn’t noticed it before. Then again, they always had the pink neon sign on.

Seth sat on the bed and didn’t say anything, waiting for him to talk. Dante took a moment to gather his own thoughts, not knowing what to say himself. Yet, he knew the longer he stayed here the more he got… depressed. Dante needed to be firm and to the point. He needed to treat Seth just like any Other who’d been selected on his chopping block list.

“Have you seen the news lately?”

                Seth hesitated before answering. He offered a slow nod.

                “It’s my job to put a stop to this mess. It’s what I do for a living. My whole life has revolved around putting the unnatural in their place, protecting the ones who can’t protect themselves. Right now, with what’s going, I can’t… I…” He had trouble swallowing and closed his eyes for a second to gather strength. When he opened them again, he found the other man again. “Leave, Seth. Please. Get out of town before I do something I might regret.”

                Seth bit his lip.

                “I already got a ticket,” he replied softly and looked at Dante. He halfway smiled when he added in a low voice, “Would you believe I picked the ocean this time?”

                Dante’s throat went completely dry then. While it explained why there were many things missing in the room, it didn’t make him cope any better with the news.

The ocean… That damn fool.

“That’s… good. That’s very good, Seth.”

                “Yeah. I think so too. It’ll be an interesting trip… And it’ll just be me.”

                “Sounds like fun.”

Seth took a deep breath. When he stared at Dante, his eyes were wet. “I’m sorry for what happened to you, Dante. I didn’t think… I didn’t think you’d get hurt.”

                Dante didn’t speak for a long time. His mind kept thinking about the fight they had at his office. He kept remembering Seth walking out, their relationship almost coming to a close. Maybe Seth was right all along. They should’ve broken it off then. Maybe they never should have met in the first place.

Dante’s voice was soft when he found it again. “Why didn’t you tell me all of this in the very beginning? I would’ve understood.”

                “It’s… complicated. I also didn’t think… we’d make it as far as we got.” He scoffed at himself, his words echoing Dante’s thoughts. “It was supposed to be a one-night stand, remember? It shouldn’t have ever gotten this far.”

                The silver-haired man stood and sat beside him on the bed. “I won’t lie to you. I feel the same way. I guess that’s why this… is hard for me. I wasn’t prepared for it. And, I guess, I shouldn’t have judged you so harshly the last time we spoke. I shouldn’t have been that cruel. After all… I’m different too.”

                “Yes. I know.” He offered a timid smile. “Your scent, it’s not entirely human. A part of it is. But… What’s your story, Dante? I’ve always been curious about your scent’s signature.”

                He shrugged. “My mother was human. My father was a Devil.”

                Seth’s mouth opened slightly. At first, he appeared baffled and skeptical, thinking Dante was avoiding the question like he usually did. When Seth noticed Dante’s demeanor hadn’t changed, he blinked and studied the man sitting next to him more closely. He sniffed him and that made Dante laugh loudly, his sound echoing in the nearly empty room.

                “Are you serious?” Seth immediately asked, half in disbelief and shocked.

                “Serious,” he managed to say, nodding.

                “No… but… you look… human.”

                “Yeah. So do you, dimwit.”

Just as the Devil didn’t believe in werewolves in the beginning, the werewolf didn’t believe in Devils either. After Seth finally accepted that revelation both men guffawed together.

                “Oh god, this world is full of wonders, isn’t it?” Seth paused and added with grin. “Who knows, Big Foot may very well be alive. And we might live long enough to see aliens!”

                “Yeah. It is. But… I’m not sure about that other stuff you said.”

                “So…” Seth covered half his face with a hand, a bit embarrassed now. “Have you… battled God?”

                “Jesus Christ!” laughed Dante.

                “Holy shit, you’ve battled Jesus Christ?”

                “No, stupid! It’s a figure of speech. Or… something. Forget that I said it.” Dante was chuckling too much that he started to choke. “Oh Buddha, you’re really something, Seth.”

                “Buddha’s real?”

                Dante grabbed a pillow from behind and smacked him hard with it. “Listen, ya clueless dork, the whole good versus evil thing isn’t as simple as black and white. Just because I’m a Devil doesn’t make me automatically at odds with God. And so far, I haven’t seen God.”

                “So there’s no God?”

                “I didn’t say that. I said I haven’t seen God.”

                “Do you think there’s even one to begin with?”

                “Well, if there are really two sides of a coin, I don’t see why not.”

                “But… if you, a Devil, are out here in the open…?”

                Dante shrugged again. “Who knows? Maybe God prefers to stay backstage rather than hog up all the spotlights like that idiot, Mundus.”

                “Mundus?”

                “It’s a long story. But hey, while we’re on Q-and-A, am I going to turn to a werewolf?”

                “Huh?” Seth looked at him as if he asked the stupidest question in the world.

                “I was bitten. I healed, but I was bitten.”

                Now it was Seth’s turn to laugh his ass off. It was obvious they had a lot of misconceptions about each other. For awhile, the two exchanged fact-and-fiction information regarding their species. Thankfully, Dante learned he didn’t have to worry about transforming. Werewolves were born and only able to mate with each other to produce offspring. He also discovered that werewolves were a species on the verge of extinction. Seth was one of its last members. On the other hand, Seth realized Devils were created and only the powerful ones were given seeds to reproduce. Of course, Seth was one of the people who still imagined Devils in red outfits holding pitched forks and Dante had to smack him on the head again.

                “So your father was some big shot Devil who took down another big shot Devil, right?” asked Seth, his eyes bright.

“Uh-huh. And while we’re on the subject of pops, what about yours?”

Seth hesitated, his face sober. “He’s dead. He died a long, long time ago. He used to be a condottiere.”

“A what?”

“Um…” Seth tried to think of another way of translating the Italian word. “A military commander of a mercenary army.”

“Ha. So he was basically a hired man.”

“Yeah. Italy used to be run by war lords who hired these mercenaries, using them to gain control of other lands. My father’s group was pretty exclusive since it consisted of his wolf brethren. People called them Moondancers. The Church and war lords acquired their services a lot.”

“Your father was really something. He must’ve been real rich too.”

Seth remembered the family legacy left to him but decided not to mention it “Yeah, he was really something. He was a war lord himself and settled in Rome. He wanted his pack to live out their lives in peace. He was an artist too so he did many murals and portraits.”

“And your mother?”

“She was part of my father’s wolf pack. She was really beautiful. But…” Seth paused when he remembered something and laughed a little.

“But what?”

“She was real strict. I never got to have a real son-and-mother relationship.”

“I’m sure your mother loved you.”

Seth shrugged his shoulders. “Yeah, I guess. My father and mother loved me. And they loved each other too. There was no question about that. But…”

“But what?”

“Things went pretty sour between them towards the end. My father was having an affair.”

“Oooh, and now the story gets interesting.” Dante grinned. “So who was the other woman? Wait, let me guess, the housekeeper?”

“Ha, whatever. No, it was a man.”

“Holy shit.”

“Well, bisexuality wasn’t invented in the twenty-first century, Dante.” Seth rolled his eyes. “We werewolves are also bi-gender.”

Dante remembered that tidbit from the survey he had answered. Looking at Seth, he wondered if Seth was capable of turning into a woman like he said.

Seth continued, “I was never told his name and I can only recall him being a passerby. He was a major big shot though and he hired my father’s army to assist him in some important matter. From then on, they had a relationship. It turned into this BrokebackMountain scenario though.”

“Huh?”

“Yeah, you remember that movie, right? Two guys fall in love with each but then they start families and the shit hits the fan when one of them dies. It was the same deal. My father was wed to my mother while his lover was engaged to someone else.”

“So I guess that was it for them. Did you ever see this man?”

“Once. I can only vaguely remember him. It’s strange. I was too young to really take in his details, my inherit abilities hadn’t taken hold then. But I do remember him having weird blue eyes. They were the clearest and most beautiful thing I ever saw. Kind of like yours.” Seth smiled a little. “Funny, huh? Anyway, they continued seeing each other, just in secret.”

“That must’ve been a heavy relationship. No doubt their wives were pissed.”

“Yeah, my mother had made several attempts to kill his lover but failed each time since my father’s lover was an Other too. Nothing could tear them apart and no one could deny how radiant my father was after meeting him.”

“But eventually something broke them apart. Otherwise, you’d have remembered this lover.”

“I… don’t want to get into it. It’s complicated. And painful.”

“I understand.” Dante paused. “How long ago was this, may I ask?”

“Heh. Nice try, Dante. I’m not going to give you clues about my age. Let’s just say it was a long time ago.”

“Hey, I’m pretty old myself. I may look like I’m in my twenties but I’m already heading for my forties.”

All of this talking and being completely open with each other made it harder for Dante to breathe. Seth was leaving. As horrifying as the casualties were, Dante was more pained by the fact his significant other was leaving him. He would no longer gaze up at this apartment building and see the familiar pink light on, nor would he be able to hear another eighties song the same way again. It’d be too painful.

The other man was probably thinking the very same thing. Seth’s attention kept drifting from Dante to the acoustic guitar on the floor, the one he let him use the first time they played together. Seth’s chest rose up and down a little more than its normal pace. He was still in heat, but more than that, he was terrified of the future. When they finally saw each other again and didn’t speak, the harsh light of the room was too much for them. It reflected bitter faces filled with broken promises and dreams.

They didn’t speak a word when one stood to open the window again while the other turned on the stereo. They met at the bed again and stared at the night sky through the window, one arm over the other and leaned against each other. The close contact made Seth tremble.

                “When will you be leaving?” Dante asked gently.

                “This Friday,” Seth murmured back, his face was moister than before. “I’m expecting a couple of pay checks from my latest gigs. I’d like to cash them before leaving.”

                The more Seth talked about the details of his leaving, the more Dante’s stomach got upset. It was getting harder and harder to talk again.

                “Seth… I wish it didn’t have to be this way.”

                “Me too.” He laughed softly. “I finally meet my other half, a unique and wonderful person… who’s a Devil of all things. And I can’t have him anymore.”

                Dante kissed the top of his head. He shut his eyes. “You know, I can… We…”

                “No,” Seth cut him firmly, already knowing what he was about to say. He sat up straight and looked him. “You can’t come with me, Dante. You already see how bad things are. I don’t ever want to see you hurt again.”

                “But I can handle myself,” he started. “Yes, I was caught off guard last time. I admit, I was a jerk for acting the way I did. But… now I know what you are. I can help when you change, intervene and hold you off until -”

                “Dante, I love you.”

                Dante froze, immediately shutting up. The words took Seth by surprise too because he blinked right after saying them. Eventually, however, he regained himself again.

                “I love you, Dante,” he continued again, softer. “And because of that, I’m going to leave you.”

                The words felt like icicles piercing into warm flesh.

                “Is this why you left the other man?” Dante asked, trying not to sound frustrated.

It took a moment for Seth to respond, his eyebrows pulling together. Afterwards, he nodded slowly. “The situation with him was different, much different than the one we have. But yes, I left him for that reason too. I loved him and I left because I didn’t want to hurt him anymore. The difference, though, was I didn’t want him hurting me either. I hated the way things were between us. I had to leave.” He closed his eyes. “I only wished my leaving changed things. But it hasn’t. I’m still stuck in the situation I was in before. I may be in another place, but the situation is always the same. No matter how hard I try, I can’t control that.”

                “What happened? What happened between you and him?”

                Seth looked away. “What difference does it make anymore?”

                Dante thought about the question. It was supposed to be a rhetorical one, or something that resembled it. Yet, he knew the answer and it bothered him that he did. He was a strong and capable man, after all, who didn’t get caught up in things like this. He didn’t need anyone and had no trouble with remaining committed. But Seth… He couldn’t deny why he needed to know.

                “I need to know, Seth. I suppose it’s because I’m… a bit jealous.”

There was a moment’s pause before Seth reacted. He was surprised by Dante’s answer.

Seth smiled. “Dante. Don’t be jealous. You’re a hundred times better than him. No, a thousand. You mean everything to me. Gabriel’s a cold and manipulative bastard. I don’t even know why I let him control me the way I did.”

Dante frowned. “If he’s so terrible, then why did you love him?”

“Haven’t you ever had a love-and-hate relationship before? A relationship that both sustained but killed you at the same time?”

Pausing, Dante thought of Vergil, the twisted brother he tried to forget. Yes, Dante understood very well the type of bond Seth spoke of. There was no incest involved in his relationship with Vergil. And yet, their connection to each other went beyond it, more sinful than incest itself. Knowing that, however, made Dante even more jealous of Gabriel. No lover could ever come between Vergil and him. Dante knew no lover could ever come between Gabriel and Seth either.

“He and I were one and the same,” continued Seth and gazed at Dante, almost sad. “I’d give my life to him, as terrible as that sounds.”

“But…” Dante felt hot and his voice rose a bit. “But Gabriel was an asshole who controlled you.”

“Yes.” Seth held back a scoff. “Now you see why I had to leave him. He meant the world to me. He got away with using me because of I loved him so damn much.”

“Did he know about…?”

“Yes,” Seth answered and slid his hand in between Dante’s. “He loved me because of it. In fact, he wanted me to embrace the animal. He was a really twisted son-of-a-bitch. He killed Phil Le.”

“Phil Le.”

Seth sucked on his lower lip. He took a deep swallow. “Phil Le… he was the first love I ever had. He was the one who showed me the light. His name wasn’t really Phil Le, though. We only called him that because, originally, he was sport.”

“Sport?”

“Phil Le… it really means fillet.”

“I… still don’t understand.”

Seth exhaled. “Fillet… as in… fillet mignon, a steak. Dinner.”

Dante blinked. Then he finally understood. Jesus. “You mean to tell me…”

Slowly nodding his head, Seth sucked on his lip. “Yes. Gabriel and I used to pick people off the streets. Gabriel, he had made up this… terrible game. Basically, we picked people at random. The first person who got him or her to fall in love with either of us, got to kill him. We made up this game because the old one got boring.”

Dante narrowed his eyes. “Old one?”

 “You asked me why I don’t sing opera anymore … I don’t sing that type of music because I used to lure victims to one spot with it. I used my voice to gather them into particular, secluded areas, under the impression they were attending a performance. I’d sing while Gabriel locked off the area. Then we’d kill and eat everyone trapped.”

“Jesus…”

Seth’s eyes grew watery with tears. “Not a day goes by that I don’t regret what I did. I suppose I could put it all on Gabriel since he was the one who planned it all out. I could also use the horrific massacre of my family to account for my hate toward humanity. In the end, though, it was all me. I was the one who acted on my hate. I used my talents to pursue vengeance and lust.” He shook his head. “I don’t ever want to be that man anymore. I promise Phil Le I never would.”

“Phil Le…”

Seth sighed. “Phil Le was just a boy, barely pushing out of his late teen years. He was very beautiful and kind. He was also very idealistic. He thought of the world as one, big romantic movie. I met him during the eighties, a runaway trying to make his living as a musician. At first, I went along with Gabriel’s game, making him fall in love with me with the intention of eating him afterward. Things changed and I fell in love. Gabriel got jealous. One evening, Gabriel invited me over for dinner. We ate and I… remember this horrible face he made. He was laughing when he asked me if my steak was good. I told him it was. Then he told me Phil Le was worth the wait.”

“Oh god…”

Seth wiped away a tear. “Yeah… That was my reaction too. I had no idea I was eating Phil Le until Gabriel told me he killed him just an hour before I arrived and that we were eating his remains. After that, I hated Gabriel. After that… I wanted to change my life.” Seth looked up at Dante, his eyes still wet. “See? I’m a horrible person, Dante. I did terrible things in the past. Nothing I do today can atone for them but… damn it… I’m really trying…  I hate being what I am. I hate having to fight the animal within. I…”

Seth stopped and wiped his face. Dante stared at him, unable to reply. After awhile, though, he asked, “Where’s Gabriel now?”

Seth paused, looking at Dante. He sucked on his lower lip. “He’s dead.”

Good riddance, Dante wanted to say. Instead, he squeezed Seth’s hand. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s… okay.”

Dante regretted finding the letter under Seth’s bed now. He also regretted seeing the words, Return to Sender. But most importantly, he regretted feeling insanely jealous from the recent news. Dead lovers were the worse to overcome. No matter how cruel or horrible they were in their lifetimes, they became holy saints in the eyes of those who loved them. Dante didn’t doubt Seth thought the world of Gabriel. And it was probably because of that unhealthy love for him that explained Seth’s lack of control. Being a pawn for a manipulator usually left behind an ugly taste in the mouth. Dante may not have met Gabriel but if he was anything like Vergil, he used Seth’s abilities for his own gain.

Seth changed from calm to a state of mourning. In his eyes, he was seeing Gabriel. Dante tried not to crush his hand or scream in his face. Instead, he forced Seth’s hand to the hardness in his pants. Blinking, Seth turned to him. His mouth was partly opened while his breath slightly shuddered.

Dante knew he’d been struggling with the heat and preferred that to ghosts in the closet. At last Seth massaged it, slow at first and gradually faster. Dante moaned softly, missing his rough but sensitive touches. He was also glad he managed to kick Gabriel out of Seth’s mind right now.

Any emotion Seth was slowly given way to the heat he’d been fighting. Dante expected the animal to come out, demanding satisfaction. Instead, Seth leaned forward and hungrily kissed him, attacking him with powerful and passionate kisses. There was nothing cold or indifferent about him or his actions. It remained Seth throughout. As they removed each other’s clothes and exchanged embraces, Dante noticed Seth didn’t tell him to ‘fuck faster’ or ‘ram it harder’. Those words were replaced by other words. I love you. You’re everything to me. I’ll always belong to you. I’ll miss you. Remember me. With the heat heavy in the air, Seth didn’t hold back either. His touches were like fire and the speed, a smooth and slow one, made Dante climax harder and longer than he ever done before. It was Seth unlike Dante ever had before. Even the Devil within found itself enthralled by the experience and sighed.

As their tongues played together Dante held Seth close to him. He told himself not to worry about tonight’s late breaking news.