Blurry Nights

Tales of Six

Episode Two

Six stared at the naked reflection of herself in the mirror, feeling like a complete retard. Should I at least do my hair up or put on some make-up― or something? she wondered in absolute confusion. I can't even remember the last time I was on an actual date. . .

You look like you have the body of a six-year-old! A taunting voice from her past rang out inside her head. Her mind suddenly grew dark. Now she wanted to put her tattooed fist through the fucking mirror.

No. . .

That wasn't a date back then, she reassured herself. That was something totally different.

But still, it was the last time she'd handed over her heart to a Demon. Should she be so trusting again after what happened last time?

The simple answer was yes.

What other choice did she have? It was either trying to land a Demon or getting brutally murdered by the High Priestess in The Field after her nineteenth birthday. Well, she could just die with her dignity. That was supposed to be her plan all along. . .

But that's only because I never believed I'd be given another chance! Six reminded herself. "Fuck it," she finally told her more certain reflection. "We're going through with this shit, and if that bulgy-eyed mother fucker does anything to embarrass me, I'm gonna slice his fancy ass to ribbons."

Yes, she promised herself at least that much. Demon or no Demon, she wasn't going to allow herself to put up with any shit from any man. Hell, she really didn't have much to lose. Either she would marry Adam Pearson or some other Demon or be sacrificed in The Field. If she died a few years earlier to protect her dignity, then so be it.

Six gave a decisive huff and put on some blood-red lipstick. There wasn't much point in putting on any more make-up because her dark, straight bangs covered half her face. And she definitely wasn't going to put her hair up because that shit would just make her look weird. Well― weird in the fact that most people were already used to her usually weird appearance, so anything else she might do that was considered normal would seem way out of place for her. The already out-of-place Hell Child decided she should at least dress up a bit. She didn't want to look like a complete slob on her first actual date with Pearson from wearing one of her usual short-skirted robes that she could never entirely wash the bloodstains out of. But what else could she throw on that might have the slightest bit of class? Not too many options, really. Her only other option was to wear her Black Sunday best, which consisted of a tight-fitting, strapless black dress that barely clung to her overly toned and not-so-curvaceous body.

Six let out a depressed sigh while she looked at what she considered a not-so-impressive reflection. I don't understand what Adam Pearson sees in me. Carrie was so much prettier than I was, and he dumped her ass on that cross in front of everyone―

He's just using you to try to dispel all the rumors about him being weak, said Mazzy Campbell into Six's subconscious.

Six whirled around and searched for the telepathic speaker, knowing that the Demon must be in close proximity to have read her thoughts. She felt utterly exposed now. Not at all from her nudity but from the sudden invasion into her mind. "Mazzy? Where the fuck are you?"

The door to her bedroom slowly crept open, and the floating Demon awkwardly hovered into the room.

"Jesus fucking Christ!" Six wailed. "How fucking long were you hanging out there spying on me?"

I wasn't spying on you! Defended Mazzy. I just couldn't help overhearing what you were thinking about when I got to the door.

Six eyed Mazzy suspiciously. Was it really that hard to control their prying minds? Or was her excuse just complete bullshit? When she finally decided that there was no way to find out for sure, she gave up and forgave her best friend for the sudden intrusion. "What the Hell did you mean by that, anyway?"

By what?

"By that shit you just said about Adam using me."

Mazzy rotated a few clockwise rotations in mid-air, wondering if she regretted speaking her mind― so to speak. Since the cat was already out of the bag, she repeated herself. Well, it's pretty obvious that he decided to replace Carrie with you to draw attention away from him adopting that Pig.

Six rolled her eyes behind her overgrown bangs, then walked to her closet to extract her Sunday dress. "He never adopted that brat. That's the stupidest rumor I've ever heard!"

You assumed the same thing a few nights ago.

Six allowed herself a rare naive smile. "Yeah― well, now everyone knows that that kid is getting dropped off at the Church of Satan when he gets outta that hospital."

So Adam says. . .

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Six suspiciously after she slipped the one-piece outfit over her head.

Did you know he goes there to visit him? 

Six cocked her head to one side from the shock. "At the hospital?"

Yup. That's probably why he was hanging around there so much. I doubt he ever gave a shit about Boris. . . Or you.

 That's kinda weird, thought Six.

I know, right?

The frustrated Child let out a quick sigh after she remembered she couldn't even have any private thoughts around the telepathic snoop. "I really don't care what his interests in me― or that Pig either, OK? All men are usually selfish pigs anyway. So― who cares if he's just after me for my body― or using me to help him get rid of that pussy ass reputation of his?"

All I'm saying is that I think you could do a lot better, Mazzy finalized.

"Could I really, though?"

Sure― I mean, maybe― I dunno. Maybe I could try to fix you up with one of my cousins―

"Ha!" Six belted out with amusement. "Don't make me laugh! Everyone in Hell knows that Campbells only go for the intellectual type."

Not all of us, defended Mazzy meekly.

Six just realized she must have struck a nerve because Mazzy was, in fact, dating an oversized simpleton that probably had the same IQ as the Pig she clotheslined off a bridge. "Look― we promised each other we'd stay out of each other's love affairs. Remember?"

Mazzy couldn't argue with that. So that's what you're gonna wear? she said to change the subject.

"Sure. Why the Hell not?"

It looks like you're getting ready to go to Church. Or a fucking funeral.

"Yeah? Well. . . I don't have anything else to wear," admitted Six. She self-consciously put on an extra coat of lipstick as if to compensate for her lack of wardrobe.

That's no excuse, Mazzy objected. You're in Annabella's gang of six now. You could walk right into any clothes shop you want in Hell and send the Kubrick's the bill.

Six thought about this briefly, then imagined the Dark Lord opening a bill from her little shopping spree. "Yeah… I don't think I'm completely back in their good books quite yet," considered Six while she recalled getting personally whipped by Annabella's father before He sentenced her to six months in the slammer.

Why don't you just borrow something from somebody else, then? reasoned Mazzy. I mean, shit― you just got outa jail, for fuck's sake. I'm sure someone could help you out.

Six sized up Mazzy briefly and then let out a small laugh when she imagined trying to squeeze into one of her doll-sized, frilly dresses and floppy-brimmed hats. "Umm. . . I don't exactly have a lot of friends I can borrow shit from."

What about Lilly?

Six's eyes widened with shock. "Lilly Kubrick?"

Of course, Lilly Kubrick. Do you know any other Lillys in Hell?

"What makes you think that I could ask her for anything?"

You're still friends with her, aren't you?

Six needed a moment to consider her relationship with the High Priestess. Lilly had chosen her to be her right-hand girl in her gang of six. Until Six fucked that up. Still, Lilly had taken the time to visit her in jail repeatedly to make sure she was holding up OK in there. Six also suspected Lilly must have recommended her to Annabella when she was forming her own gang. But now Six was dating the Demon that stole Carrie away from her…

"I dunno, Mazzy. I suppose we're still friends― I guess. It's just complicated now because of Adam. And I seriously doubt Lilly wants to see anybody for a while after what happened at Carrie's Death Day."

Well, then? Now would be a perfect time to show Lilly what a good friend you are by going over there to check in on her. And then you can try to bury the hatchet about Adam. And if all that shit works out, I'm sure she'll be happy to lend you something for your date.

Six was generally concerned about Lilly's well-being and wondered if their once-close friendship still even existed. She took another long look at herself in the mirror and sighed defeatedly. She had to admit she did look kinda ridiculous wearing her Black Sunday dress on a date.

That decided it.

***

When Six finally made her way to the top of the long ass stairs that led up to the Kubrick's mansion, she took a brief moment to revel in the view, remembering her glory days when she was in the Priestess's gang of six. The reflective Child didn't waste too much time reminiscing, though. That shit was the past, and Satan obviously had a new plan for her life that needed to be fulfilled. With that final thought, she rang the front doorbell. Both Six and Mazzy marveled at the chimes resembling the bells from the Church of Satan. The Hell Child enjoyed the sound so much that she pressed them again without hesitation after the first ring went uncalled.

With an impatient force that looked unbelievable for a woman her size, the Dark Lord's stunning (but strung out?) wife, Lisa Kubrick, flung open one of the oversized wooden doors. "I heard you the first time. It takes a while to get down here― ya know? It's a pretty big fuckin place if you hadn't noticed."

"Umm… I noticed. Sorry, Mrs. Kubrick," said Six bashfully.

Lisa calmed down a bit from the sincere apology and finally took the time to size up her guests. "Are you here to escort Anna somewhere? Where's the rest of her gang? I swear― you kids today have no respect for our traditions―"

"We're actually here to see Lilly," Six cut in to stop the unneeded reprimand.

"Oh." Mrs. Kubrick's attitude quickly changed to surprise and then slowly into concern. "I'm not sure if Lilly is in the mood for any company right now. She's been quite upset ever since Carrie's Death Day― for some reason."

For some reason? Six thought to herself. Your daughter just had to disembowel her ex-girlfriend in a god-dammed Field full of her dead friends― just because it's one of your stupid god-dammed traditions―

Woah simmer the fuck down, warned Mazzy after she read Six's thoughts. Don't go picking a fight with this woman. She doesn't know any better.

Fine, Six agreed acidly, internally, then said over politely, "That's why we're here, Mrs. Kubrick. To see how Lilly's doing."

Lisa let out a defeated sigh. "Well― I just told you she's not doing very well… But if you think you can help get her out of this funk, then, by all means, come right in."

Six and Mazzy followed her lead. They were both surprised that the woman was leading them straight to Lilly's bedroom instead of leaving the girls to fend for themselves.

Lisa rapped on Lilly's bedroom door.

"What!" yelled the testy Priestess in reply.

"Some friends are here to see you," Mrs. Kubrick replied curtly.

"I don't have any fucking friends!" Lilly hollered back, sounding close to tears.

"Well, apparently you do because Six and Mazzy are here to see you!" Lisa shouted back.

There was an awkward silence inside Lilly's room for a while, and then the Dark Lord's wife stormed off, leaving the two girls to fend for themselves finally. Six took a deep breath for courage and slowly opened Lilly's door to let herself and Mazzy inside.

The High Priestess was a sight for sore eyes. She was slumped on the side of her bed and idly sharpening her crescent-shaped blade, with little or no feeling into it.

"Hey," said Six in an attempt to start a conversation.

"Hey," returned Lilly with no emotion.

Six didn't really want to ask, but she felt the desperate need to start a conversation. "So, how are you doing?"

Lilly let out a tiny huff while she continued to sharpen her weapon. "I've been better," she stated, a bit snarkily.

"Yeah, I can tell," Six joked. "You've definitely looked better, too."

Oh, Jesus. . . Mazzy trailed off in Six's mind. Nice approach!

To Mazzy's surprise, Lilly laughed and put on a wan smile. She got up off the bed and placed her blade and sharpening stone on a dresser, selected what looked like a pornographic magazine, and then sat in a more comfortable-looking bone chair. "So, how's life going for you on the outside?" she asked while she thumbed through the mag. "Are you finally managing to keep yourself out of trouble?"

"So far," Six joked again, then wondered if she might have been serious.

Lilly laughed again.

Mazzy was amazed at how fast the recently devastated Priestess's mood had changed, but Six wasn't very surprised. She understood Lilly a lot more than most people in Hell. She knew her friend needed a bit of tough love right now. "So, I suppose you've heard about me and Adam?"

Lilly let out a guffaw. "Are you kidding me? Everyone in Hell has heard about you and Adam because you're such an odd couple."

"Well… we're not really a couple yet," Six admitted. "We haven't even gone out on our first date. I mean― he came by to see me at the hospital a few times when me and Mazzy were looking after Boris― but that doesn't really count."

Now Lilly set aside the magazine and eyed her friend. "Well, I sure hope you didn't come over here to ask me for any dating advice."

Six took advantage of the sudden opening. "Nooo… Umm― actually, I was just hoping you'd lend me something to wear?"

The humored Priestess sized up the lanky Child, who looked like she was dressed up to go to Black Mass instead of a hot date. "Well, you definitely came to the right place for that." She tossed her mag back onto the pile, walked over to her immense walk-in closet, and opened the folding doors invitingly. "Help yourself to anything you like."

Six practically ran into the Priestess's treasure trove of expensive, sexy Hellish garments.

"Just don't bring anything back here if you get a bunch of Demon spooge all over it," joked Lilly, with much truth in the gest.

Six instantly grabbed the outfit Lilly had worn to Liam's epic Death Day bash. She held it close to her frame to see how it might fit and then asked uncertainly, "Can I really borrow whatever I want?"

Lilly chewed her bottom lip, imagining how Six would look in that cute outfit. "I said take whatever― didn't I? So go ahead, try it on for size."

Six wasted no time and tossed the full outfit onto the foot of Lilly's bed and then stripped off her Sunday dress like it had already gone out of style. Lilly wasted no time either and soaked in the Child's brief nudity and put it into her spank bank for later. She never admitted it to anyone, but the Priestess always harbored a huge crush on Six. That's probably why she not-so-secretly always granted her bias favors. After Six dawned the short, white frilly dress and low-cut black leather jacket, Lilly fondled the skirt portion to pretend to size Six up but was actually taking advantage of the situation to steal one last glance at the Child's sex. "Oh yeah, this suits you perfectly! Adam Pearson won't be able to keep his grubby hands off you."

Six didn't look so sure. "Mazzy thinks Adam is just using me to get rid of his weak reputation."

Lilly looked over at Mazzy accusingly. She had never considered this, but now that she did, she had to admit it made total sense. "She's probably right."

"Well, I don't give a shit why he wants me," Six said honestly. "All I care about is not having to have you spill my guts all over the fucking Field someday."

The statement stung Lilly a bit, causing the memories of her sweet Carrie to flood back in―

Well, who knows? I could be wrong, Mazzy broke in to squash the elephant in the room.

Lilly didn't believe that but played along anyway. "Sure! I mean―Adam could have picked from hundreds of girls to straighten out his pussy ass. But he probably chose you because you're so unattainable."

Six appreciated the compliment, if that's what it was.

"So― you decided what you're gunna wear. Now we just need to do something about this hair." Lilly casually brushed Six's bangs out of her eyes, causing the defensive Child to flinch like she received a blow.

Shit! Lilly reprimanded herself internally. That was probably too bold.

Totally, agreed Mazzy.

Lilly's awkwardness was luckily interrupted by her mother pounding on her kid sister's adjacent door. "Annabella Kubrick!"

"What!"

"I just got a phone call from the school! What's this shit I hear about you ditching self-defense class?"

The three girls in Lilly's room smirked and eyeballed each other from the hilarious confrontation in the hallway. The situation intensified when Anna said, "I don't need to learn how to defend myself anymore! That's what I gotta fucking gang of six for!"

"God dammit!" Lisa retorted, "I swear to fucking Satan; you damn kids today have no respect for our core values―" she pounded on the door again in frustration. "Open up this damn door and look at me while I'm talking to you!"

Annabella swung open her door and overdramatically looked up at her mother with her baby blue goat eyes.

"Anna, you still need to learn how to defend yourself," said her mother in a much softer and more reasonable tone."

"Why?" questioned Anna challengingly. "So everyone will think I'm all bad-ass like Lilly? So that everyone in Hell will be totally scared shitless of me?"

Lilly's eyebrows shot up from the remark in the other room. Six kicked at the shag carpet awkwardly, trying to avoid eye contact with the Priestess, while Mazzy rotated a bit faster from the sudden tension all around her.

"Not everyone is afraid of Lilly," Lisa Kubrick defended. "In fact― Six and Mazzy are over here right now to cheer her up."

Annabella looked down the hall at Lilly's closed bedroom door, now coming to the embarrassing conclusion that everyone inside that room must be overhearing this fucked-up conversation. "Look," Anna reasoned a bit more quietly. "I just don't wanna waste any more of my time going to self-defense, OK?"

"No, it's not OK. And since when has your time been so precious? It seems to me you waste most of your time hanging around those damned goats. Or making those ridiculous masks and sock monkeys."

Lisa's harsh words stung Anna. Her face flushed, and she could feel tears begin to well up in her eyes, but she would be truly damned if she showed any weakness in front of her mother, so she stormed off.

"Where the Hell do you think you're going?" Bellowed Mrs. Kubrick.

Annabella never answered her with words but thought, I'm going to the same damn place you go when you need to escape the world! You think you're so dammed special because you have your secret little hideout? But I know exactly where it is, and I have an extra key that you probably thought you lost when you were too high!

Mazzy Campbell considered that internal confession to be very interesting indeed. Ummm, can you girls please excuse me? I uhhh― I just remembered I have to take care of uhhh… A thing.

She didn't even wait for an answer and began to follow Annabella from a safe distance to find out where exactly this secret location was.

***

Six began to chug down the first pint of draft beer served to her to take the edge off her first legit date with Adam Pearson at Hell's Kitchen bar and grill. Adam looked around the nearly empty place because it was still so early during first night. "So? I think we're alone now."

Six nearly spit her drink in the Demon's face because it reminded her of a ridiculous song from the First Leg of Hell. Of course, there was no way Pearson could have been referring to that song because the Hellspawn was deaf and, therefore, never listened to music.

"What's so funny?" asked Adam after she choked down the mouthful of beer.

Six wiped her mouth awkwardly. "Never mind, it's stupid."

"Go ahead, you can tell me. What's the matter? Didn't you like my little joke?"

Six stared at Adam with puzzlement through her elongated bangs. "Wait― that was a joke?"

Adam grinned mischievously. "Sure, why not? Just because I can't listen to music doesn't mean I never heard of it."

Six returned his smile somewhat. She suddenly felt more comfortable around the Demon, hoping they might find more in common. Well, at least he has a sense of humor. Maybe he's not as pompous as I imagined all royalty in Hell to be. Her spirit darkened a bit when she recalled a conversation with her friends recently. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure! Ask me anything you want. I'm not exactly all ears, but…"

Six let out a tiny laugh that helped break the tension a bit, then asked, "Why did you ask me out?"

"Because I like you," Adam stated matter of factually.

Six wasn't buying it. "You mean that you like me? Or do you just like my reputation?"

Pearson allowed himself a small smirk now that the jig was up. "Can't it be both?"

Six considered this briefly, then decided, "Yeah, I suppose it doesn't matter."

"I'm glad we cleared that up," Adam hopefully concluded but mistakenly added, "Anything else you wanna know?"

Six squared her shoulders defiantly. "Yes, actually. When you came to see me and Mazzy at the hospital, were you coming to see us? Or did you happen to be there because you were visiting that little Pig you saved?"

Adam was unintimidated. "Can't it be both?"

"What's the deal with you two?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean― why did you bother to spare him in the first place? But more importantly, why do you continue to spend more time with him?"

Adam squirmed in his chair, feeling slightly thrown off by the question. He was suddenly relieved by the distraction when the server delivered their food. He subconsciously signed the waitress a "thank you" in his sign language, then foolishly realized she'd have no idea what that meant.

"Well?" persisted Six, not allowing the food delivery to change the subject.

Adam wanted to dig in but knew his date would never drop this subject. He decided to just get this over with. "He had a sock monkey."

"What?" Six laughed at the absurdity, thinking it must have been another one of his jokes.

"It was in his bed when I found him."

"You're serious?"

Adam nodded.

"But where in Hell would he have gotten one of those? I thought only Demons get those on their birthday."

"They do. That's why I took it as a sign from Satan that he should be spared."

Six backed off a bit. She wasn't overly religious herself per se but strongly believed in omens or signs of divine intervention. Was not her second chance at being in a gang of six and presently dating a Demon a sure sign of reward from Lucifer? "OK," she had to admit. "I can understand why you spared him. But why do you still continue to spend time with him?"

Adam considered the question briefly, then answered, "At first, I was just going there to escape everyone's constant scrutiny and judgment upon myself. I brought him one of my favorite books and read it to him while he was still in a coma. When I heard that he had awoken, I returned to see what his condition was like, you know, to see if he'd suffered any brain damage or anything like that, and when I got there, he was already halfway through that book and begged me to bring him more. We just sort of became friends afterward because we had those books in common, and his fully functioning brain was like a little sponge, so thirsty for more knowledge. I found it quite admirable."

Six allowed herself a slight smirk after that whole spiel.

"What?" asked Adam accusingly.

"Don't you find it a bit ironic that someone who spies on people all day would feel like they needed a break from everyone's scrutiny and judgment of them?"

"Seriously? Like after I poured my whole heart out to you; that's the only point you got out of it?"

Six shrugged. "I guess so. I guess you could say I'm kinda insensitive like that."

Adam laughed uneasily. He realized how different his new love interest was from his previous one, but he wasn't sure yet if that was a good thing. "Speaking of spying on people. Would you like to come up to the top of my tower sometime?"

Six flushed a bit from the sudden invitation. Geeze! This guy doesn't waste no time, does he? she thought to herself, then said, "How about right now?" to possibly call his bluff.

Adam let out a small huff from the bold statement. "OK; no better time than the present, I always say. But let's at least finish our food first. I'm fuckin' starving."

***

Six gazed upon the wonderous view from the top of Adam Pearson's tower. The scene was breathtaking! Never in her short life had she ever believed she would be here in this situation. Indeed, Satan must be pleased with her work. She couldn't help but notice the small beach she would sometimes sunbathe in the distance. She'd always assumed that there was nobody around to see her. The Child of Hell suddenly blushed slightly after realizing that any of the Pearsons could have been watching her the whole time. Six jumped a start after Adam crept up behind her and placed his hands lovingly around her hips. "I know what you're thinking," he whispered in her ear.

She placed her left hand over his and then turned around to caress his cheek with her right hand. "How the fuck could you know what I'm thinking? I thought only Campbell's can read minds."

"That's true," Adam laughed shyly. "But I'd still like to try and guess."

Six smirked doubtfully to accept the challenge.

"You were probably wondering if I ever saw you on that beach?"

Six's eyes widened with shock behind her long bangs blowing slightly in the wind from being on top of the tower. The breeze wasn't strong enough to give away her emotions, though. "Nope," she lied. "I was just thinking about how close you came to getting your ass killed after the last time you snuck up on me like that."

Adam let out another laugh. "Are you glad you held back and never stabbed me in the neck?"

Six rolled her eyes playfully, but even Adam didn't see that. "Ummm, I guess so― I mean― so far."

Pearson accepted the fact she hadn't regretted killing him (so far?) as an invitation, so he moved in for a kiss. Surprisingly, the seasoned Hellcat returned the gesture lovingly. Somehow, Adam had assumed the girl would be either ridged and awkward, or she would have tried to rip the skin off him. He expected one extreme or the other. The make-out session slightly intensified, so the Demon slowly moved his hands down to Six's toned buttocks. The firmness of the fit girl's glutes was extremely impressive, so Adam instantly reached under the girl's frilly short-skirted dress so he could grope her bare ass.

Six moaned slightly from the Demon's forcefulness and then jammed her tongue deeper into the beast's mouth for a response.

The action had Adam's libido whipped into a frenzy now, so he quickly unzipped the Hell Child's thick, black leather jacket so he could have full access to her entire body. Why does her outfit look so familiar to me? Pearson suddenly wondered. He couldn't quite place the memory, so it continued to play in the back of his mind. It was right there! He could almost remember it…

Frustrated now, Adam tried to give up on the lack of memory and began to feel the girl up.

Six tensed slightly the moment the Demon's hands began to fondle her small breasts. You look like you have the body of a six-year-old! A familiar taunting voice appeared in her mind.

Lilly! Adam remembered triumphantly. This is the same outfit Lilly was wearing at Liam's Death Day bash. I wonder why Six decided to wear that tonight. Was this supposed to be some kind of fucking joke?

Six tried to ignore the voice in her mind. She knew she shouldn't feel so insecure, but she couldn't help feeling that way anytime anyone paid any kind of attention to her chest. Especially if that someone was another pompous Demon with bulgy eyes…

Adam didn't want to go back down memory lane either, but the seed of doubt was already planted. Now, the weeds of conspiracy were growing wild in his mind. Lilly was the one who disemboweled Carrie shamelessly in The Field. Would Six be so cruel to wear one of her outfits to mock me? The possibility of the personal attack on Pearson made him slow down his affections until they stopped.

Six automatically assumed that his sudden lack of interest must have been from her lack of breasts. I fucking knew it! All men are exactly the same! "I gotta go," she said before she would clothesline the bastard Demon off the tower, then walked briskly towards the exit.

Adam wanted to stop her, but he was still confused. Shit! He thought to himself. Am I just being a paranoid piece of shit by thinking that she would play games with me?

***

Six stomped down the vast hallway to her room near the Church of Satan. When she finally arrived at the single dwelling, she slammed the door behind herself, then all but tore off her outfit, feeling suddenly disgusted by it. What a fool I was! Six berated herself while she scrubbed the make-up off her tear-filled face. I swear to Satan― never again!

As if her internal scream had just summoned the Demon, Six heard Mazzy in her mind say, knock knock?

"Seriously?" Six fumed verbally. "How the fuck did you get here so fast? Were you fucking following me?"

Of course not! Mazzy answered guiltily. I was just hanging out at Amelia's place next door until you got home.

Six let out a disgusted huff, then thought, Well, that's almost as bad. What were you waiting for? To find out how I would fuck up my first date?

Nooo. . . Mazzy answered defensively. I just couldn't wait to tell you the good news.

Six let out a defeated huff now, then admitted sadly, "There's nothing you could possibly tell me right now that would cheer me up."

Mazzy finally let herself into the room, confident she knew her friend better than she thought. This wasn't like Six to be all mopey and full of self-pity over a stupid boy.

Six glared at Mazzy in the reflection of her mirror. She wasn't impressed by being denied her self-pity. "This better be good," she warned.

I finally found it!

"You finally found what?"

Shhh…Mazzy cautioned.

Sorry, Six thought more discretely. You finally found what?

The secret place where The Circle meets!

"Shut the fuck up!"

I said shoosh!

Six covered her mouth involuntarily, then thought, How the fuck did you find that?

I followed Annabella, Mazzy admitted a bit shamefully.

Annabella? But why? How did you know she would lead you to that place?

Just call it a hunch, Mazzy lied.

Bullshit! Six accused. There's no fucking way!

OK, fine. Mazzy admitted. I just read her thoughts a little bit after she had that argument with her mother.

Ha! Six declared. I fucking knew it! Her thoughts briefly went back to her assumptions that Mazzy probably spied on people's thoughts more than she admitted, but she let it go with a shoulder shrug that said, "Sometimes you win some, and sometimes you lose," then thought, But surely, they must keep the place locked the fuck up.

Of course they do.

Sooo?

So what?

So how the fuck are we supposed to get in?

Mazzy allowed herself a few rotations to let the stupid question soak in, hoping her friend would figure out why that was such a ridiculous question. When Six just continued to stare at the floating Demon like an idiot, Mazzy finally gave up. C'mon, now. Do you really think something like a lock would matter to somebody like me? Or did you just forget who the fuck you were having a private telekinetic conversation with?

Six thought harder about this, but she still didn't get it. Well, can you just blast the doors off the hinges? If we're going to do anything sketchy in there, then it's gotta look like nobody was there, or people will be asking a lot of fuckin' serious questions later―

Jesus Christ! Mazzy snapped impatiently. Just stop worrying about the stupid lock already! I can't believe you would think I'd do something so desperate and so sloppy.

OK, OK, I trust you already, Six admitted honestly.

Of course, you do, Mazzy stated a bit too smugly as far as Six was concerned, then asked, So, when do you wanna do this?

Six needed a moment to think. It had been a seemingly impossible dream to kidnap and torture Lost Souls somewhere that they would never be seen, but was it worth the risk? She had just recently gotten out of jail; she was lucky enough to have done that. She was also given a second chance to be recruited into Annabella's gang of six to do The Lord's work. Not many Children of Satan were privileged enough to have that. And, as if that were all not enough, she had just started dating a Demon, which might eventually spare her from being sacrificed in The Field―

But was she still dating Adam Pearson?

The memory of being rejected by another pop-eyed Demon (again!) sent a burning rage right through her soul. Six allowed herself that murderous smile that she was so famous for. "There's no better time than the present," she said to purposefully mock the heartless Demon that most recently broke her heart.

***

Six and Mazzy continued with their internal mental monolog while they made their way through the vast maze of botanical gardens on the grounds of the Church of Satan to ensure that any spying Andersons could possibly hear nothing they said. Jesus wept! thought Six. I had no idea this place was so big whenever I saw it from the outside. This place must be bigger than The Field!

Intentionally so, I'm sure, agreed Mazzy. No doubt this is why The Circle picked this spot to have their secret meetings.

For sure! resolved Six, looking overhead. Shit, there's like a full canopy above us; no Pearson could see through this shit.

But the Andersons could still hear us, Mazzy pointed out while they advanced deeper into the foliage.

Six "heard" the sense in that and followed the floating Demon with her mouth shut. Eventually, the pair came to what looked like a brick shithouse. Well, here we are! concluded Mazzy.

You gotta be shitting me! exclaimed Six. There's no fucking way the whole goddamn Circle could fit inside here. And look! There's a lock on the door anyway― just like I said!

Wow! Mazzy exasperated disappointedly. If you're really that stupid, these next few minutes will blow your mind.

Without hesitation and no effort, Mazzy unlocked the door telepathically and swung the thick wooden door wide open.

Six felt pretty damn stupid after she saw the telekinetic Demon pick the lock with a simple trick of her mind, but she felt like a complete retard after she realized that the masonry-designed shack was only covering a long winding staircase that went deep underground.

Oh. . . Six thought to herself shamefully. So, this must be so the Andersons can't hear what they're saying.

Mazzy ignored the comment and then further taunted her friend by thinking, Oh shit! I forgot to bring matches! Oh well, I guess we can just forget about going down there because it's so dark. . .

Six was about to say she had a book of matches, but Mazzy beat her to the punch by illuminating every lamp in the place with her mind.

Ya know― ya don't have to be such a smart ass, protested Six. Most of us are used to doing everything the conventional way.

Sorry, Mazzy apologized sincerely. It's not easy knowing everything, either.

Well, you never knew about this place, Six pointed out as she made her way down the concrete stairs.

That's true. But I know now.

Both girls kept their thoughts to themselves until they got to the bottom. When they finally entered what looked like a vast library and meeting area, Six finally thought to herself, Wow, what a fucking dump! This place smells like it's hundreds of years old.

Almost two thousand years, actually, Mazzy corrected. This place probably dates back to the colonization of the Second Leg.

Wow, really?

Really. And it's safe to talk now, pointed out Mazzy.

"Oh, Ok." Six couldn't wait to escape from her thoughts. She began to walk through isles of books instead, suddenly fascinated by their possible age. "So, what are these books about? I mean, why aren't they at Hell's Public Library?

Because they're all about Driftwood Blackheart, stated Mazzy matter of factually, clearly unimpressed.

"No Shit? How the Hell do you know?"

I came down here after Annabella left to scope the place out.

"And you read all these books?" asked Six, imagining that the extraordinary Demon could absorb all the volumes in minutes if she wanted to.

Nooo, hissed Mazzy rather testily, internally. I don't give a shit about Driftwood Blackheart. I hope he rots in The Loop someday.

"What the fuck is The Loop?" asked Six confusedly.

Mazzy kept her silence mysteriously.

"I heard some people think he's still alive," Six pressed.

It doesn't matter if he's alive or dead because his life must be a living Hell, hopefully.

That shut Six up. She didn't know much about the enigmatic Driftwood Blackheart because it was a touchy subject in Hell. One thing she was sure of, though, was that nobody hated Driftwood more than the Campbell's. "So, what's the plan now?" she asked to change the subject. "How the fuck are we going to sneak any of our victims in here without being seen?"

You just leave that to me.

"Ummm… OK…"

Just wait here and read up on Driftwood since you're so curious about him―

"I wasn't curious about him. I was just wondering―"

As I was saying, Mazzy cut Six off curtly. Just wait here for me, and I'll be right back.

"Fine," said Six testily. Clearly, she had struck a nerve by even trying to start a conversation about the Once Man. She obviously had no idea how much the Campbells detested Driftwood.

After Mazzy levitated out of the large room, Six grabbed one of the dusty old texts off the shelf and pulled up a seat at the large round table used for the private meetings. She did this mostly to spite her overly sensitive friend, but she had to admit privately that she wondered what all the "Driftwood" fuss was about. She selected the ancient book entitled Escape from Toronto: Driftwood Chronicles Volume Eight.

Six flipped open the hardcover, skipped over a few unimportant pages containing useless credits, and began reading.

Chapter One:

The Bloody Antagonists had no other choice than to return to their place of origin after being stranded on The First Leg of Hell and being pursued by the ever-watching eyes of The Beast. . .

Six continued to read on with much more interest than she had anticipated until she nearly reached the end of the third chapter, then considered, This is fascinating. Maybe I should start reading volume one―

Six never had time to finish that thought because she was shocked to attention when she suddenly heard a deep grumbling thunder coming from outside of the library/meeting area. Instinctively out of fear, Six quickly replaced the book she was reading in the exact same spot she had retrieved it from, then stood at attention nervously like a child that was just caught doing something wrong. She didn't wait long because the room soon filled up with a family of Pigs running for their lives from the Demon that followed them close behind like pigs going to slaughter. They all stopped dead in their tracks when they saw Six in the room and realized they had just reached a "dead end."

They all huddled together while they awaited their fate.

Six just remained in her spot, staring with bewilderment at the trapped Pigs, which consisted of a mother, father, and two young boys. What the fuck just happened here? she puzzled in her confused mind. How the fuck was this even possible? The only possible answer suddenly clicked in her mind like a fitting puzzle piece. Oh my fucking god! Teleportation!

Seriously? Mazzy asked in Six's head. You couldn't even fuckin figure out how I could unlock a door, but you figured that shit out?

Well, it was pretty obvious. Defended the not-so-stunned Hell Child. But I still can't believe I just saw this―

Well, forget it, warned the all-powerful Demon. You might be the only living witness after tonight, so. . .

I won't say a fucking thing! Six promised after the not-so-subtle threat.

"What are we doing here, Masters?" the father, Pig, was brave enough to ask. "What have we done―"

Shut the fuck up! Mazzy roared in everyone's mind.

Six felt more confident after ensuring her friends' trust but still decided to let Mazzy call all the shots. "So, which one is mine?" she asked excitedly. "Who gets it first?"

It doesn't matter; pick one, I guess. Just don't do anything to the father; I need to make this look like a murder-suicide when this is done.

Ingenious! thought Six. Wow, Mazzy obviously must have been thinking this through for a while. . . Without warning Six grabbed hold of the older boy and dragged him away from his pleading family. The heartless Child ignored their pitiful groveling and choke-slammed the kid onto the round wooden table. With lightning speed, she withdrew her butterfly knife, flicked it open, and then plunged the blade just below the boy's plump adolescent breastplate. The musty old room became a choir of screams from the victim and his family that was music to Six's ears. The aroma from the suddenly familiar tang of spilled blood and uncontrolled excrement was a pleasant, nice, reminding touch. She suddenly felt the long-missed "death dampness" between her legs as she slowly dragged her prick down to the young Pig's groin. The demented Child allowed herself a gratifying shudder and then pulled out. She panted a few times, then stuck the point of the knife on the table beside the now lifeless body, suddenly feeling a bit disappointed from getting off, so to speak, so soon. In frustration, Six began to reach inside the kid's anatomy and haul out slippery handfuls of his guts. "I'm Lilly Kubrick!" she said in a whiney mocking tone. "My life just sucks so bad because I gotta kill all my girlfriends!"

Oh! Mazzy picked up. Now it's my turn! Guess who I am?

Mazzy telepathically levitated the younger boy, hurled him against the adjacent wall, and forced his arms to spread eagle. A volley of rusted nails was suddenly pried mentally out of the ancient woodwork and was launched at the kid. The first two missiles pinned the boy's hands to the wall to secure him there while the rest penetrated his body in various places (including his crotch) like a firing squad. The cruel Demon allowed herself a moment to watch the hung Pig suffer in its present state. She could now understand how Six must have felt during her first kill. Of course, now wasn't the perfect time to pleasure herself during this erotic experience. Still, she would use this mental image of the dying victim screaming out in pain and slowly bleeding out to masturbate to later and probably for years to come. The look on Six's face suddenly interrupted Mazzy's euphoric bliss. What? She asked innocently.

"Seriously?" Six asked accusingly, not thinking the apparent impersonation of her supposed-to-be boyfriend was at all funny right now because she was still pissed at him.

Too soon? Thought the berated floating beast.

"Um ya― like what the fuck―"

Sorry, my bad, cut off Mazzy, feeling a bit like shit and not needing any more guilt. The next kill is yours, she added to change the subject and hopefully cheer up her obviously still heartbroken friend.

That did the trick.

Six applied her famous death grin to her half-covered face and marched toward the insanely grieving parents. Their screams of anguish from having to witness their only offspring being so savagely slaughtered were deaf to the remorseless Hell Child's ears, much like one of the Andersons. The moment Mazzy released the mental hold she had on the helpless mother, she backed instinctively into a corner of the immense room and raised her hands defensively in surrender. Six reveled in the other woman's weakness momentarily, then began to slash at her exposed extremities. Long arcs of blood flew away from each newly opened wound and splashed against the corner walls until the open gashes bled out profusely and began pooling around the dying woman. When she finally lowered her mutilated arms in defeat, Six made in for the kill and drove the blade of her butterfly knife directly into her barely conscious victim's right temple. The stuck Pig convulsed uncontrollably from having its brain scrambled, then its eyes rolled up when Six twisted the blade. The sudden ignition motion had the reverse effect and immediately shut off the woman's life cycle. Feeling quite satisfied with her third kill, Six extracted her weapon, wiped the blade on a spot that wasn't already covered with blood on the dead mother's dress, and then casually replaced the knife in its proper holster. 

Well, that sure was fun, thought Mazzy. I guess I should clean up this mess so we can get the fuck outta here. Unless you wanna stick around and continue with your studies?

Six gazed at the rotating Demon vindictively. "You're fuckin hilarious."

Mazzy let out a sadistic laugh in Six's mind. Well, I like to think so. Maybe you just don't know how to take a joke?

Before Six could respond, a blinding flash of white lightning filled the room, followed by a deafening crash of thunder. When the shocked Hell Child's eyes finally readjusted, she immediately noticed the three bodies and every ounce of evidence that they were ever there had vanished entirely. The confused Child of Satan cocked her head to one side while she stared in bewilderment at the blubbering mess that had once been a proud father figure. Surely, she wouldn't have forgotten about him? Six wondered.

To answer that question, a ball of light with the same brightness as the earlier blinding flash appeared over the grievously mourning man. He didn't even bother to look up, so he had never seen the noose shoot out of the porthole's center before it wrapped around his neck and pulled him inside. The orb winked out upon his entry, leaving the remaining witness completely amazed but equally baffled. "Jesus Christ," Six allowed herself to curse, knowing that there was absolutely nobody in Hell that could have heard it.

***

Adam Pearson was more than a bit surprised when he opened his front door in response to his Hellish doorbell and saw Six standing before him.

"Hey," said Six bashfully.

Adam found her non-threatening posture and sincere voice almost apologetic. Well, as close to as apologetic, he imagined, coming from Six. "Hey," the Demon finally responded with the same tone.

Six allowed herself a shy smile. "I don't suppose you wanna finish with our first date?" She awkwardly kicked at the front patio, unable to face him through her overgrown bangs. "I'm uh― I'm sorry about taking off like that earlier." She let out a troubled sigh. "I guess you could say I don't handle rejection very well."

Adam thought back to the erotic make-out session earlier that led to her sudden disappearance. "It wasn't you; it's just―" He couldn't bring himself to say it.

Six looked up at him now. "It's just what?"

Adam let out an equally troubled sigh, then admitted. "It's just that outfit."

Six looked down upon herself in confusion for a few blinks, then asked almost shamefully. "You don't think this looks good on me?"

Adam let out a humorous huff. "Actually, I think it looks great on you," he admitted honestly, then added. "It's just― It brings a lot of memories back for me, that's all." Now, Adam rubbed the door frame awkwardly. "I thought maybe it was supposed to be some kind of joke at my expense, maybe?"

Six looked at herself afresh at this new information but was still puzzled. Then, the obvious answer came rushing in and almost swept her away. Oh my god, Lilly! she suddenly realized guiltily. Adam has such a troubled past with her because of Carrie. What was I thinking? I'm such a fucking idiot! "Christ Pearson, I'm so sorry," Six stated honestly. "I had nothing to wear tonight, and Lilly is like one of the only friends I have so―"

Adam cracked up at the hilarity. "Of course!" he cried out with relief. He stated more seriously, "So, I'm the one who should be sorry then. I should have never thought that you would―"

Before Adam could finish his sentence, Six flung herself at the remorseful Demon and pushed her tongue as deep as she could into its mouth. The shocked Hellspawn savored the moment while their internal muscles wrestled with each other. When the game finally began to tire out, he said, "So, um, you wanna go back up to the tower?"

Six gave Adam a devious smirk, then told him, "I got a better idea."

 The End

of episode two. To be continued in episode three

Party all the Time