Chapter Four "What are you watching?" "A movie I rented for research." "What is the purpose of that human wearing a chainsaw at the end of his wrist and saying `Groovy!`?" "It's his way of dealing with.....`cabin fever`." "Well,it looks stupid.Cut it off and fix my meal.After that,you will dance for me,bitch." "Excuse me?There's tv dinners in the fridge.Learn how to cook.You want dancing?Take lessons.I've been running errands left and right for you demons and all I've got to show for it,is this body.Last time I checked,I was Dorphixius' protege'.Not yours.Oh,and as long as you're in my body,don't you EVER call me a `bitch`,again.Bitch!" Ravesat looks at Mike with shock and rage.He grabs Mike by the throat and bellows,"I have seen life spring from darkness and borne the fires of Hell!I am your better and your god!" "You're not my `god`.You're a punk with powers and God sent your ass to permanent detention.",Mike grabs Ravesat's wrist and twists it,forcing him down on one knee. "Hurts,don't it?You might have `borne the fires of Hell`,but that's a new body you're in,with fresh nerve endings.So,tell me:",Mike still holding Ravesat's wrist,punches him in the jaw.drawing blood and hearing a stiffled moan of pain,"Since,you're a `god`,why are you bowing to me?Oh,does your jaw hurt?I used to have a really bad tooth right there.I guess you're just having one of those days,huh?" Ravesat begins to speak in tongues.His bones begin to make a `cracking` sound.His eyes go blank,as he looks at Mike,opens hs mouth and allows his tongue to reach out and pummel Mike's face with an onslaught of punches,until he releases him.His tongue then wraps around Mike's throat and forces him to his knees.He then holds his hand up to Mike's face and a mouth forms in his palm. "If you had tried that earlier,you would have bested me.I've been able to access my powers at a quicker rate than your mentor.You have spirit.I hate that.The only reason I don't kll you,is for Dorphixius' sake.But,since you want to show me what this body is capable of,let's continue.Shall we?Ravesat unzips his pants,while his tongue draws a struggling Mike closer.In the background,the movie continues to play.The words `I'll swallow you're soul!`,coming from the television set. ****************************************************** "I knew I'd find your butt over here.What happened to my dress you were supossed to pick up?I've been waiting for over an .......Is that spaghetti you're eating?" "Uh,I just stopped by to check on Jason and he wanted me to try some of his spaghetti,to see if you'd like it." "If I'd like it?From your mouth to my stomach,right?Remind me to kick your butt,when we get home.Oh,and you're cooking dinner tonight.Jason,you're invited.I know he's been eating you out of house and home.Do you mind if I try some of your spaghetti?" "No.I don't mind.But,I didn't cook it.Gwen did." "Oh,from next door?" "Yeah." "Mmmmm.This is pretty good.You seeing anyone,yet?" "Uh,no." "Shirl!I told you I introduced him to Angela." "Angela's a hoe and you know it.She was sleeping with her boss,while she was married and you know I don't play that!" "Her husband cheated on her!" "Yeah.And we both know who with!Face it,Woogy,that side of your family is hoe-ish." "......She said she wanted a clean start and Jason...." "Jason deserves better than that.You know people that cheat are usually repeat offenders.Jason deserves a good woman.You got one." "You're a helluva sales rep." "That's why I'm the head of my department.Jason,is there someone you're interested in?" "Well.there's a few.Actually,a little less than that." "Okay.Gwen's one.Who else?Please don't say Angela." "Angela's different.It's not sexual or anything like that.It's something else.Gwen's nice.I'm suppossed to stop by there later,to see if she needs any help around the house." "There you go.Why don't the two of you come over for dinner,tonight?" "Well,she..I mean,..." "Look,I'll go over there and save you some embarassment.See what's what.Besides,I want to know what she puts into her sauce.I'll be back.",Shirley gets up and heads over to Gwen's.Jason turns to Bill. "So,she's divorced and an adulterer." "Sorry,man.I didn't think you two would get serious or anything.Just booty-call buddies.Look,I'll fix you and Gwen a really special dinner,tonight." "You think she'll come?" "Like she said,she ain't the head of her sales department for nothin'." ****************************************************** "You wanna date?" "That depends.You a cop?" "No." "Then,yeah.We can date.No anal." "I just want some head.We can go behind that dumpster." "Ten dollars." "Ten dollars?You better get me off twice,for that much!" "Okay,seven and I'll lick your sack." "Bet!" They go behind the dumpster and he makes a makeshift chair out of some crates and sits back,while she unzips his pants. "You ain't never seen one this big,have you?" "It's the biggest,baby.",she says flatly,as she goes down on him. "Yeah.That's it!Suck it,bitch!You love this fat.......Oh,$#%&!",she turns to spit,when.... "Isn't that just like a woman?Always sucking the life out of a man and then,moving on.Business as usual.Such cold and calhous things you are.My kind almost pale in comparison." "Oh,$#&@!",the man gets up to run,but slips on a piece of rotten fruit.The last thing he feels,is something hard landing on his face. "Don't you know that throwing away that seed,is a sin?Swallow it and come over here." She swallows her late client's semen and shaking,goes over to the distorted figure sitting on the bloody corpse.Urine trickles down her legs."Don't kill me.P-please.I-I got money.I'll do anything.Please.I'll s-suck your dick.If you got one." "I know you will.Just think of me as your new pimp." "O-ok-kay,baby." "Call me,Dorphixius." ***************************************************** "I......I need a weapon.I gotta kill that $%#@!I gotta do somethin'.He....He..ra....I need help.God,I want to die.Please.I-I know I've done wrong,but I'm sorry.I used to believe in you,then I stopped.But,I need you now.Please,help me.I'm in Hell and I w-want to die.Kill me,p-please." The tears roll down the woman's face,as she slumps behind the tree.A little girl goes up to her and asks,"Are you okay?Please don't cry.You want some of my candy?It's okay.You can have some",she smiles. "I'm o-okay." "My mommy always gives me a hug and something sweet,when I'm sad",the girl hugs the woman,kisses her forehead and puts the candy in her hand."Even if nobody else loves you,I love you and Jesus loves you.That's what my mommy says.You better,now?" The woman smiles and caresses the child's face."A little.Thanks." "It don't always work that fast for me,sometimes,either.Kinda like cough medicine.I gotta go now.We're having mac'roni and cheese and porkchops and pop.Bye.",the girl runs off and disappears behind some hedges. "You were right,Jeremy.Mike showed up at the tree again,like you said.You okay?" "Yeah.Changing...shape like that,just made.....me a little winded.Something's.....definitely happened to him." "In the state he's in,I should be able to posses him,easy.I'll notify you when I can.By the way,nice touch,changing into the girl and all.Very touching." "My wife used to do that for our daughter.I'd forgotten about that,until just now." "You okay?" "Yeah.Don't forget that if something goes wrong,Charlie and Sam are in the area,too and I've already told them what's up." "Right.See ya later,Jeremy." "God bless,Tom." Tom moves over to Mike as he pulls a pistol from out of the base of the tree and places it firmly under his chin. "No!",Tom jumps into Mike's body and for a brief instant,is bombarded by a flood of images and emotions which assault his incorporeal form as hard as any fist to flesh.The experience momentarily stuns both of them and Mike drops the gun and curls up at the base of the tree,weeping and squeezing his hands. "Sweet God.",thinks Tom,"He's been raped." ****************************************************** "You're sure this is okay with you?" "Yes.I'm sure.They seem like nice people." "Oh,they are." "Plus,she got me a great deal on a five-piece dinette set,I've been wanting for a while,now." (Knock)(Knock) The door opens. "Jace.Gwen.Come on in.Bill just pulled out his triple C pie." "What's a triple C pie?" "It's a dentist's nightmare.It's made with chocolate,caramel and plenty of pecans,with a light cinnamon crust.Did I forget anything,Shirley?" "No.I'd say you remembered it pretty good,Jace." "Woah!This place smells great." "Jason's right.It does smell good in here,Shirley.What's on the menu?" "Rotisserie roasted duck,with a spicy garlic and herb stuffing,dirty rice,yams and mustard greens.I made the stuffed peppers and taco salad,for appetizers." "Whew!You and Bill should go into the catering business." "Thanks Gwen.Actually,we just started doing that on the side.Hold on a minute and I'll get you our card." "Jace!Gwen!Glad you made it.Where you goin',Shirl?" "I'm going to get Gwen and Jace,some of our catering cards,Woogy." "Woogy?",asks Gwen. "Yeah.Bill's ito sci-fi.He took Shirley to see one of the Star Wars movies and she thought that one of the characters was called a `Woogy`,instead of a `Wookie`.Since then,Bill's always been her `Woogy-bear`." "Awwwww.That's so sweet." "Man,you talk too much.Get in the kitchen and help me set the table." "Bill,are you blushing?" "Will you just get in the kitchen?" "'Scuse us,Gwen." "Okay,Bill." ***************************************************** "You got a nice house,Dorfiscus." "Dorphixi.....Nevermind.`Boss`,will do.Pull into the garage and meet me inside." "Okay,Boss." Dorphixius steps inside the house and sees Ravesat sitting in the den."Where's Mike?" "He went off on an errand." "What happened to your face?" "I fell." "Then you'd better hope that Mike is in better shape than you.I'm not done with him,yet.There's a whore named Rhonda,that will be joining us.You are not to maim or kill her.Understood?" "Yes." "Good.Now fix dinner." "Me?Have the whore do it!" "I have other plans fo her,right now.If Mike was here,then he could do it.But,you said he went on some `errands`,right?" "Yes." "Then you'd better get cooking.After that,if Mke's not back by then,I want you to clean this place up.It's filthy.And if Mike still hasn't shown up after that,then you won't be showing up anywhere.Ever." "You in here,Boss?" "Yes.This is Ravesat.Better yet,call him,Ray.For a woman who knows how to work their tongue,it's amazing how you can't grasp words over three syllables." "I can learn." "Oh,you'll be learning a lot of things,soon enough.I'll meet you upstairs,shortly." "Okay." "Oh.And Ravesat?" "Yes?" "Don't forget to clean out my litter-box." **************************************************** "I tell Jace,`Let's go in the back.`.He tells me `You go in thru the back,when you hear my signal.And put your gas mask on.Wait here.`.So,he goes to our car and pulls out a rope,a gas mask and somethin' else.Then,he climbs up the fire escape.After he reaches the roof,I got a good idea what he's up to.I just wish I'd thought of it first." "Bill,you've had plenty of creative ideas,before and after that",states Jason. "Yeah,I know.But,yours was still good!" "Oh,come on!Don't keep me in suspence.The three of you already know this story.I don't.Tell me what happened",says Gwen. "Okay.Well,we blocked the front with our car.I'm waiting at the back door,for Jason's signal.The dealers were inside getting restless and doin' the usual:sex,drugs and video games.Then.......CRASH!Jace comes thru the skylight,gas mask on and throws out these cannisters of tear gas.I kick open the door and tell everybody to come outside and lay face down on the ground.A few of them do it.Coughing and crying,like babies.A couple others ran past me,while I'm checking the ones on the ground.They stop running,after about ten feet,when Jace shoots a few bullets in front of them from the roof and tells them that they're surrounded." "The roof?!How could he be on the roof,when you said he'd just crashed thru the skylight?" "Remember that rope I said he was carrying?It was bungee cord.That way,he could make it back to the roof before they could react and cover any of the ones that might've got past me outside." "You guys are crazy!That was so dangerous.I knew you faced life-or-death situations as cops,but you two...!" "I told Bill,I better not hear about him doing something like that,or I'll kill him!" "And I haven't,Shirl.You know I listen to you." "I know you and Jason are partners and you two cover for each other.You come home dead,I'm kickin' both your butts." "Yes,ma'am",both Bill and Jason,reply in unison,thinking of a way to change the subject. "That was rather brave though,Jason.You too,Bill.I didn't know you bungeed,Jace." "I do it now and then on the weekends.I've always been into sports,of one kind or another." "Ooh!That's interesting.What about you,Bill?" "Bungee jump?Black folks and dangling ropes,don't go together!",everyone at the table breaks out in laughter. "God,don't make me laugh like that.Bill's into a lot of sports,too,Gwen.Just not bungee jumping.On the other hand,he enters a lot of eating contests and I don't.I swear,he must have the metabolism of a humming bird." "Some detective,you are.I've been entering those contests to see how the competition's cooking was.And after tasting what they have to offer,me and Shirl,ain't got nothing to worry about!",Shirley smiles with pride at her husband's words.She gets up from the table and goes over to her husband,"Excuse me,everyone",she says,"My husband forgot his dessert",she daintily,wipes his mouth and then kisses him.Jason looks at Gwen and says,"Officer down." ****************************************************** "I've never been $#@%$!#,like that.Three dicks.I hurt all over,but it still feels good." "Yes,well,I'm still a growing boy." "You mean,you'll get bigger?" "Quite." "You are the Boss,baby." "Yes,I am.Now,suck this",Dorphixius slices his palm open with one of his claws and puts it in Rhonda's mouth. "I need you to be a bit more focused and purge your system of any dependencies,other than me.Now,did you have a pimp before I came along?" Rhonda wipes the excess blood from her mouth,with the back of her hand."Yeah.His name's Leon." "Really?Where does Leon stay and how many whores are in hs stable?" "He's got a place down in Cass Corridor.Besides me,there's Michelle and Jennifer." "Excellent.I'll pay him a visit,later." "Boss?My stomach feels funny." "That's just my blood working through you.Has Leon ever seriously beaten you?" "Once." "Well,this will be much worse.The good news is,after it's done,you'll feel much better.In the meantime,I'd better tie you to the bed.We don't want you doing anything silly,like ripping your own head off,just when things get a little `uncomfortable`." ***************************************************** "I'm sick of not being able to have any fun.Millenia in Hell,for what?Cleaning $#&%!Razuel,isn't the only one with plans.I...",Ravesat catches something out of the corner of his eye and whirls around. "You!How long have you been standing there?" "I just got back.I'm going upstairs.Is Dorphixious here,yet?" "Yes.Before you go up there,you need to clean this house up.It's filthy." "Did Dorphixious,say that?" "To Hell,with him!I said it!" "Then you do it,because I'll be damned before I take orders from you.It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Dorphixius is more powerful,than you and you can't stand it.I don't think he'll appreciate what you did to his protege'.Do you?" "....." "No,I didn't think so.I will tell him",Ravesat's eyes widen. "Not right now.Maybe in an hour.Maybe tomorrow or next week.But,he will find out.And if I'm not myself in the next few days and my behavior affects my work performance and he finds out that you're to blame,well......." "He's a demon!Do you think he cares about you?" "I think he's good at being lazy and he won't like having to put in a lot of work to find another protege',that fits his criteria.I think that would make him very irritable.I'm going upstairs,now.Have fun cleaning up." Mike leaves Ravesat in the kitchen,gritting his teeth,until he takes Dorphixius' litter-box and throws it at the far wall.Mike looks back and says,"Death's a bitch and then you come back,huh?",and continues his walk upstairs. He reaches Dorphixius' room and walks in.He sees Rhonda on the bed,foaming at the mouth.She struggles against her bonds,while her skin begins to bubble and pop.The brown liquid that comes out of her pores,covers her body and starts to harden.Dorphixius sees Mike and smies,"Ah,the prodigal returns.Please,come in.Don't mind the mess." "What's goin' on?Who's that?" "Oh,that's just Rhonda.She's a whore and a junkie.I'm just doing an `intervention`." "That thing looks like some kinda coccon." "And that's why you're my protege'.Quite perceptive,Mike.Yes,that is a cocoon.Soon it will wrap itself around her and she'll only have her own liquified waste to live off of,for the next day or so." "And then what does she turn into?" "My bodyguard." ***************************************************** "Okay,you two.Come back any time." "Thanks,Shirley.Bill.If you're not doing anything next weekend,you're more than welcome to come over my house for dinner." "Just tell us what time and we'll be there." "Okay.I'll call you later and give you the details.Bye." "Bye,Gwen.Bye,Jason." "C'ya,Bill.Shirley",Jason opens the passenger side of his Explorer,open for Gwen. "Thank you.I had a wonderful time.Bill and Shirley love each other a lot,don't they?" "Yeah.They have their problems like anyone else,but they always overcome them." "They love you too." "Huh?" "Platonically,of course.But,it shows.How many people go to all that trouble of making such a grand feast and then telling their friend's date,about all of his heroic exploits?" "Well,we've known each other for a while,so naturaly,there's a closeness." "Uh-huh.They wanted me to be impressed by you.Truth be told,I already was,when I saw you in that blue and white racquet ball outfit,about a week after you moved into the neighborhood." "You were?Why didn't you say anything?" "Because,I didn't want to seem easy and I was waiting for you to ask me out."