Chapter 101
Andrew and Patrick had been on their way to the warehouse when they heard something that sounded like a sonic boom. They were joined by Craig who followed close behind.
'What was that?' Patrick asked halting in his tracks.
'Probably something to do with the portal,' Andrew said. 'I think most of the danger is gone now. All you have to do is to take the staff and walk into the portal.'
'What about Victor and that other guy you couldn't find?' Patrick asked with an expression of fear.
'Don't worry about them. That's my job. I will protect you if they are still around. They don't know what we came here to do remember. They asked me to come to this place, but we're going to end this here tonight.'
They proceeded walking towards the warehouse in the distance. Andrew kept his senses sharp to any sound that might lead to an unexpected attack from the few cowards that got away including Victor and Numbers. He focused on the luminous light shining from the side doors of the warehouse. He knew where the light was coming from and what the portal of hell looked like, but he was afraid what Patrick's reaction would be once he had seen it. Would he have the courage to close the portal? What was waiting for Patrick on the other side? Would he lose his brother in the end or will he come back as a stronger man, the man who saved the world. Andrew knew the body parts that lay scattered over the warehouse floor would not make the situation any better and neither would the smell protruding from the carnage, but Patrick would just have to try his best.
The dry grass cracked underneath their feet as they approached the warehouse. They were not too far from the entrance Andrew had used the first time when he felt an odd vibration coming from the battle axe. He had felt it before, but not as strong.
'You okay Pat?' Andrew asked.
'Yeah, I'm fine.'
'You got the staff ready?'
'Yes, it's right here,' Patrick said. He pulled down the zipper of his sweater top slightly exposing the top of the staff. The end of it was stuck into his pants. Patrick noticed that the amulet on the staff was glowing brighter than before radiating a blue light that he had not seen before. 'Look at this. Something's happening here.'
'I know,' Andrew said. 'I can feel it in my axe too. It wasn't doing that earlier. Something changed. We need to be on our guard, okay? I will protect you with my life, don't worry.' Andrew looked at Craig over his shoulder. 'Dad, are you ready?'
'As ready as can be,' Craig said.
'Remember, anything can happen,' Andrew said to Craig. 'I can be distracted or even confronted by demons, anything. In that case, I need you to stay by Patrick's side. We are moving into a danger zone and I don't know what is waiting for us.'
'I'm with you,' Craig said. 'I'll do my best, son.'
The warehouse was close. The light streaming out of the side doors was brighter than before. That was when they saw something that caused them all to halt. Although Andrew expected the element of surprise lurking in such a place, nothing prepared him for what he saw coming out of the warehouse a few meters away.