Chapter 10 - Where I Want To Go

  Alex quietly listens to Collin’s warning. When the older man falls silent, Alex nods and sighs. “I get what you mean. Thanks.” He says, then turns at the sound of pounding hooved feet.

  “Mister Alex!” Galla bellows and nearly runs him over as she rushes through the door holding a well worn knapsack. She holds it up for him as if presenting him with the prize of the kingdom. “Momma says she wants you to take this with you!” She exclaims, beaming up at him.

  Alex takes the pack, feeling the leather under his fingers. It’s soft, worn-in, but not worn-out. The product of many miles traveled and maintained with care. He turns it in his hands, examining it. It has a large main pocket covered by a tied-down flap, and there’s two additional pouches sewn into the sides with lighter canvas material. It only has one strap, going from corner to corner across the middle. Alex pulls it over his head and feels the weight settle against his back, the strap crossing his chest.

  “Thanks Galla. And tell your mom thanks too.” He says, kneeling down and accepting a hug from the young boar. “I’m really glad I met you.”

  Galla smiles back at him as the hug parts. But Alex notices the smile is a little forced this time. “We’re friends, right Alex?” She asks, little voice wavering ever so slightly.

  Alex smiles back at her. “Of course we are! You can count on that.” He assures her and the girl grabs him for another hug.

  “I don’t have many friends, so you better stay my friend forever, or I won’t forgive you.” She says, holding on tight for just a bit longer before stepping back and nodding at him as if that statement were the most solemn of vows. Then without another word, she turns and flees back into the house, having to dodge around Mora as the mother-boar steps onto the stoop.

  Alex watches Galla go with a sad smile of his own. Then he gets up and turns to Mora. “Thanks for extending your hospitality to me. You have a wonderful home and family here.” He says, then pats the strap of the knapsack. “And for this. I wish I had something I could do to repay your kindness.”

  Mora just huffs and puts her hands on her hips. “You can repay it by making a name for yourself, so Galla can hear stories about you. There’s only one other kid in town, so friends for her are more precious than you can imagine. It meant the world to her that you took the time to talk with her and play her lil chase. She won’t soon forget you, nor shall we.” Mora says, then lifts her arms and steps in to give Alex a proper hug. “Ya best take care of yourself. Maybe when Galla outgrows this little town she can come find you.”

  Alex embraces the woman back. “I’ll look forward to that.” He says as they part.

  Collin looks Alex over, then offers one final piece of advice. “You can trust Corvus. He won’t lie to you, I think it would actually hurt him if he did. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his own agenda too. He’s getting something more out of this, you can be sure of that.”

  Alex shakes Collin’s hand one more time, “I’ll be careful, but you’re right, he’s been helpful so far.” Alex replies, then says a few more goodbyes. With a heavier heart, he steps off the stoop and starts to walk down the road again. His path heading towards the far edge of the town.

  A few houses down, Alex sighs and says under his breath, “Corvus?” As if summoned, the crow-form of Corvus flaps down from the air to land on the back of the knapsack. “Those people, that family. Is that normal in Hell?” He asks, voice colored with a fragile hope.

  The crow shifts side to side on the sack before answering. “In some places, yes. In towns like this, it is more rare. What Collin and Mora have built together is impressive and wonderful. I always cherish being able to see those I have offered guidance to flourish.” Corvus says with obvious pride.

  Then Corvus volunteers some information without Alex needing to ask. “What makes it all the more impressive, is that all three had Animus. Collin and Mora both must have had good fortune in their time here.” That catches Alex’s attention.

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  “You’re right, they weren’t Faded. And Mora mentioned Collin having the Animus to spend getting the wood for that beautiful table.” Alex says and smiles. “So he was able to get a couple extra Animus.”

  Corvus lets out a soft caw. “Oh Alex, it’s more than that. Do you recall what I said about how Animus is created?” He asks, voice heavy with implication.

  Alex considers the question as he walks. “It’s from when a Soul… enters… oh. Demons don’t come from the mortal world. Do they get an Animus at birth?” He asks.

  “I’m afraid not. Demons are born Faded. And what’s more, in order to have a child, it requires a parent to consume an Animus in the attempt.” Corvus explains before hopping forward onto Alex’s shoulder, fixing him with one of those black-marble eyes. “So at a bare minimum, between Collin and Mora, they had to collect 5 additional Animus.”

  Alex had stopped mid-step as Corvus spoke. The latter portion lost to him as his mind laser-focuses on the first part. Born Faded. “How long… How long does it take to…” He can’t get the words out, his mind rejecting the idea of Galla being Faded and unable to get an Animus.

  Corvus continued speaking, but trails off as Alex interrupts. “Months. Perhaps five or six. More, if they’re quite careful.” He says.

  Alex swallows hard. “And that’s why there’s so few kids in this town. No one has the Animus to spare.” He reasons out, the implications of it all weighing heavily on his soul. “And there’s places like that buffet-hotel place conning people out of what little they might have.”

  Corvus answers with a single word, spoken with all the contempt and quiet rage he feels. “Indeed.”

  Alex’s path takes him within sight of The 1 Buffet again, and his newfound disgust makes him choose to take a more circuitous route to avoid going right past it. But before he can get too far, a commotion at the entrance to the horrid place draws his attention. The door opens from the inside. Muffled shouts follow a figure stumbling out into the road. The doorman turns quickly to grab the figure’s arm.

  At first, Alex thinks the doorman might just be helping steady the other person. They’re quite faded, skin ashen, hair a dull mop, and even portions of their body appear not quite real. The doorman demon tries to guide the person back into the door, but the figure resists. Or rather, tries to resist. They’re so weakened by the condition that they simply don’t have the strength.

  Alex turns towards the buffet, and makes to call out. But before he can utter a word, the ram-demon lifts one of his fists and swings it through the figure’s head. Alex freezes, horrified as the figure goes limp then seems to unravel into a mist that dissipates into the surrounding air.

  It happened so quickly that Alex’s voice was still rising in his throat to shout “HEY!” But even as the word leaves his lips, it’s too late. Alex’s blood runs cold, heart hammering in his chest. Then as the sudden shock fades he screams out, “WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?” He’s about to bolt towards the ram when Corvus’s voice brings him up short.

  “Stop. If you engage him now, all that will result is the loss of two souls instead of one.” Corvus warns in a forceful tone Alex hadn’t heard him use before. Alex stumbles to a stop, eyes wild with barely contained fury.

  It’s fortunate he did abort his charge. The ram had already turned towards him from hearing the shout, and had a hand lifted, palm out towards Alex with a look of focus on his face. “Move.” Corvus’s voice breaks into Alex’s awareness, startling the man into motion once more. Even a couple blocks away, Alex barely had time to avoid the blast of force that rippled through the air right where he had been standing. A bench in the path of it wasn’t so lucky. Its boards splinter as the whole piece goes tumbling down the road. Alex scrambles around the corner of a building and ducks behind a dilapidated crate.

  Alex’s breathing comes in heavy, ragged gasps. His hands tremble, clenched into fists so tightly that drips of blood run down his knuckles. He’d just witnessed someone be murdered in the street. He’d just been openly attacked for daring to speak out. He hides there, mind whirling in a half-crazed panic. Then Corvus speaks again. “You are safe, Alex. He has not left his post. You are not being pursued.”

  Alex closes his eyes, focusing on trying to get his breathing back under control. It’s a struggle, but his heart starts to slow, his breath settles a bit, and he’s finally able to unclench his fists. He winces, the sting in his palm bringing his awareness back into focus. “He just… killed that person. For trying to leave.” He whispers, voice shaky and weak. “Just killed them.”

  Corvus’s crow-form flaps down to land on the broken-down crate. “Yes. Because they can’t risk anyone being able to tell others what the conditions inside are truly like. No one is supposed to be able to leave.” Corvus says softly. “It is vile. The Glut cares not for the people his establishments harm.”

  Alex shudders and slumps back against the wall of the building. “The Glut? Is that a title like yours?” The crow nods and caws. “He’s the one responsible for that place?” Another nod. Alex’s adrenaline and shock fueled shivers turn to the more constrained quivers of rage. “Corvus, you agreed to be my guide. I think I understand where I want to go now.”