7 First Day on the Job

Zack:

Doctor What's theme song plays loudly as I try to drown out the screams of the latest sacrifice my parents brought home. I don't approve of their religion, and the only reason I don't call the police on them is because they are my family. I'm so glad that Michael didn't freak out about the fact that my entire family is involved with a cult of devil-worshipers. I'm worried about him, he disappeared for almost two weeks, and I know for a fact that he wasn't home sick like he claims. I pause the show when the screaming stops, because I know that my mom will run up here all crazy-eyed and tell me about the results. Her nonchalant attitude toward murder makes me sick. I mean, she even tried to kill Michael! Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Three loud knocks on my door, she's here. I open it with a neutral expression. If I show any displeasure with her... activities... she might try to sacrifice me to her dark god or whatever they do down in that creepy basement. My mom walks in my room and sits on my bed.

"Darling! I have some exciting news!"

"And what would that be?" I answer neutrally, good news for her is definitely bad news for me.

"I have recieved a sign from our Dark Lord Reficul that The Savior has been reborn in the land of the living! This is excellent news, we must find him and help him bring our Dark Lords to this side of the veil." she has a manic look in her eyes as she shakes my shoulders. I have a bad feeling that only grows as she says, "The message also states that the Savior is someone close to you! You MUST find the Savior and bring him to us."

"Sure, and how am I supposed to do that, Mother."

"He will have the Mark of Death on his left pectoral. You must investigate everyone close to you."

"Fine, whatever Mom." I tell her to appease her, "What does it look like?"

"It is in the shape of a skull, and will look kind of like a tribal tattoo," she replies.

"Alright Mom, I'll try to keep an eye out," I say as I head out to school.

Michael:

It is very early in the morning as I fly over the city. It isn't fun, however, as I have talons stabbing into the skin of my shoulders and a bad-tempered demon that could drop me at any time. All of a sudden he starts diving. I scream and try to grab onto his arm, but I can't reach it because it is so small. He slows as we near the ground and lands in front of a house that feels very familiar in the suburbs. I watch as an kindly looking old man walks out of the house keys in hand and whistling. My face turns ugly as I recognize this man. He was the man in my dreams. Malphas set me down in an alley near by.

"Kid, summon your equipment." I stare at him questioningly. The demon sighs and puts his head in his hands. "Jeez, do I have to teach you everything?" he says condescendingly and explains to me like I'm a child, "Put your hand on your left pectoral over the Mark. Close your eyes, and mentally will your equipment to appear."

I do as he says and shout in surprise. A shimmering black cloak with a deep hood and a tiny scythe, about the size of a pencil. I look at it, perplexed at its size and purpose. Malphas sighs again. "Will it bigger, dumbass."

I do as he says, and grows as tall as I am! it is about 5 foot 8 inches tall, about an inch thick at the handle, and about 3 and a half feet long at the blade. It radiates a sharp, malevolent aura. Of course I love it. I swing it experimentally and accidentally hit the edge of a dumpster. The part I hit disintegrates into a white ash before blowing away on the breeze.

"Are you done?" Malphas asks exasperatedly, "Look at that old man. His name is Ethan Calloway. You recognize him, right?" I nod and scowl as he continues, "He is a very bad man, as you may know, bad enough, apparently, that he disrupts the balance between good and evil. You need to go up to him, tell him that he needs to be cleansed from this earth in order to save humanity, then plunge your scythe into his heart. That's where the soul is, you see."

"What if someone sees me? Won't I be arrested?" I ask, worriedly.

"No, when you are wearing this cloak, only your target can see you. To the rest of the world, you don't exist right now."

I take a deep breath before releasing it. I had to do this. Not only to stay alive, but also because this man was evil. I saw his crimes, and he deserves this. "Okay, I'm ready," I say to Malphas. He almost looks impressed at my resolve. I stalk across the street and up to this guy's driveway. I never realized that I had such a sense of justice. He looks at me like I'm crazy for wearing this weird getup. Maybe I am, for accepting this. I decide to spice it up a bit.

"Ethan Calloway. You are a blight upon all of humanity. You must be cleansed from this earth and your soul extinguished in order to save it." I say dramatically.

"I don't know what you are talking about young man, but I must ask you to leave my property." he says politely, but I can see his real soul behind his eyes, and I know he is evil.

"So you didn't murder over a hundred children, and do terrible things to them?"

His expression changes as he moves to run inside. I stab him through the back and into his heart with my scythe. A man such as him doesn't deserve to be killed honorably. His eyes turn white and he coughs up white ash. Then he is still. There isn't any blood even with the gaping hole in his back. I believe the ash is his soul being extinguished, but I'm not sure. I feel a little sick at taking a life, but I push it down and return to Malphas. For once he actually looks somewhat respectful.

"Nice touch there with the 'blight upon all of humanity' bit, kid. Since this is your first job, and you did so well, the boss has let you have a few days off. I'll fly you home, get some rest."

Him calling me "kid" seems much more affectionate than condescending now. The return journey, while still slightly terrifying, is much more comfortable now that I have earned some of his respect.