Just Checking up! Part Fourteen: Nightmares and Sally Sue!

Rip:

Drumming my fingers on the conference table, Sally Sue’s invitation for me alone woke up a special kind of anxiety. Dread brewed away in my head, the image of Silks floating into the air before collapsing into a soulless heap in my arms haunting me to no end. Not to mention the damn cult succeeding in summoning demons, or Silk’s ability to kill them with white magic. Cinnamon drifted up my nostrils, Silks setting down my favorite coffee in front of me. Words came out of her lips, none of them registering. Smoothing out her sleek red and black floral sweater dress, her new black boot looked lovely on her. Someone called her over, a moment of peace leaving me to fester in my darkening train of thought. What the hell was wrong with me?

“Distracted much?” Silks teased tiredly, her chair squeaking up to me. “Don’t worry about me. I have been practicing my symbols in case of an emergency. Do you mind if I leave early today? Your father wanted to treat me to a shopping excursion or something like that. Maybe something like that. Heck, it seems like Sally Sue wants him out of the house for something. Intuition tells me that it has something to do with you. Worry not with her, her soul is kinder than mine.” Pecking me on my cheeks, howls reminded me of their sense of humor. Cocking my brow, a small smirk haunted my lips. Toiling through the next few hours, the proper paperwork had been filed. Rising from her chair, every footfall away made me miss her that much more. Checking the time, a couple of hours would grant me my own freedom. Burying myself into the brunt of it, a shake of my shoulder reminded me of my appointment. Sprinting out while shouting a couple of insults, the hearse waited for me. Sinking into the driver seat, heavy metal roaring to life with the click of my key saved me from overthinking myself to death. Securing my safety, tires squealed as I backed onto the cracked concrete. Speeding home, information waited for me. Hell, missing puzzle pieces waited to be placed into the mystery named Silks. Buildings became trees, trees became cabins. Crunching up to my old man’s cabin, Sally Sue waved from the front door. Picking at her fluffy ivory sweater, her jeans reminded me of the sixties. If Marilyn Monroe were still among us, she would be her. Parking out of the way, the engine died down. Locking the door behind me, my suit felt stiff and out of place. Undoing my tie, a simple motion invited me into the warmth of my father’s home. A pristine coconut cake and breakfast casserole waited for me, her bright eyes watching me tuck my tie around my belt.

“Nightmares is why I requested your presence. She wouldn’t know the hell she put me through when her soul went God knows where.” She spoke with a bite to her tone, this side proving to be unfamiliar to me. “For hours I would sit there begging for her to come back to me with no level of success. Only you would know the fright that weighs you down with that shit. Don’t even get me started on the demons that would plague my home when she was there. Fuck, no priest could clear that shit.” Shocked by her confession, tension built in her clenching fists. Motioning for me to take a seat, a broken smile helped me do that much faster. Serving me a hearty portion, the spoon clattered into the casserole dish. Crashing into the nearest chair, a tremble claimed her hands. Help her, you dolt!

“So many ghosts haunt her. Her fucking mother won’t leave her alone. Forever trailing her to torture her.” She continued with utter desperation, tears splashing onto the table. “Those hallucinations are not as they seem. Spirits follow her. The darker ones tend to savor her more, all the exposure as a child serving her up on a silver platter.” Cupping her hand, puzzle pieces clicked together. Comforting her with one of my real smiles, those beautiful smile lines returned on her face.

“At least she isn’t crazy. How about we figure out how to protect her?” I suggested calmly, knowing full well that this would dissolve any negative emotions. “Did you know that she used magic the other day to kill a bunch of demons? A few symbols and a nose bleed, confidence returned to her eyes. Trust me when I saw her, nothing but fear controlled her. Then again, she had to realize that demons were real. Fuck, we all had to that day. What is a super awesome team going to do?” Life returned to her eyes, her hand retracting.

“Practicing witchcraft was her answer. What did it look like?” She queried while serving herself, curiosity twinkling in her eyes. “That baby is blessed to have her as a mother.” Smiling softly to myself, her complaints came from a good place. Poking at my food, an answer would calm her down further.

“Fire, it was fire. Damn did it match the heat of her determination or stubbornness. Truthfully, stubbornness. There is no stopping her once she gets an idea in that whirlwind of a mind.” I returned simply, her head nodding in agreement. “Do you like my dad?” Spitting out her food, regret dimmed my features. Seconds from repairing the damage of my question, her palms waved about as if she was a teenager. Bowing her head in shame, my heart shattered to pieces.

“Maybe you could ask him out on a fishing date. Pack him a nice sandwich and a couple of whoopie pies.” I suggested jovially, her wet eyes meeting mine. “I don’t know who you married before or whatever love life you had before but he is a sweetheart. Knowing who you are, he could use someone like you.” Pressing her palms together, joy cascaded from her eyes. Burying me in a big hug, her sweet perfume reminded me of my grandmother's warmth. Releasing me before I could squirm out of it, a million questions were shot my way. Happy to answer them, hours passed by. The front door opening broke the conversation, a pale Silks struggling to keep her composure next to father in one of his usual plaid shirts. The Swiss cheese version of my mother tapped her foot behind her, annoyance replacing the fear on Silks’ features. Shooting my mother a death glare, her spirit dissipated into a wisp of smoke. Mouthing the words thank you, Silks directed her attention to the bloodied version of her mother. Massaging the bridge of her nose, her fingers catching a bloody knife. Looking oit over, her brow twitched away. Burning it with orange flames, her mother shrank back. Sorrow dimmed the dark emotion, a stark warning resting on her tongue.

“This is all my fault. You have been allowed to stick around for way too long. Go away.” She hissed through gritted teeth, her form glitching. “For years, you have tortured me. Back the fuck off from my family.” Charging at her with an ungodly shriek, a dagger of flames formed in her palm. Jamming it into her chest, her ghostly form twitched once before crumbling into ash. Excusing herself stiffly, the door slammed shut behind her. Unsure of who should follow her, all eyes flitted over to the pile of ash. Dad wandered into the kitchen to comprehend what he had seen, Sally and I filing that into the normal sights to witness. Sally urged me to go to her, hope shimmering in her eyes. Shoving my hands into my pocket, a meander to the dock revealed her hiding spot. Laying on her side, shadowy figures clung to the dock in an attempt to contact her. Clearing my throat, water splashed as they sank underneath the glassy surface. Scratching at the wet wood, a clawed hand dug into the wood, her boot knocking it back into the water.

“Make it stop.” She pleaded into her wood, her hands covering her ears. “They won’t shut up or try to touch me.” Scooping her up, real relief showed on her face. Clinging to my jacket, something else was eating at her. Flashing me a broken smirk, fresh scratches poking out of the rips in her dress.

“Hell, your dad couldn’t see them.” She choked in pure disbelief, the corner of her lips quivering. “Unlocking this gift has only brought more trouble than any good.” Fuming with the most adorable scowl, her eyes flitted over to the water. Shadowy forms hoisted themselves onto the dock, water pooling around their feet. Sally Sue stumbled up to us, a recipe fluttering in her hand. Leaning forward with a big grin, the words salt dough ornament threw me off.

“Forgive me for doing this but I dialed up my witchy pal and she suggested this. Bake a crap ton of these and carry a couple around. Sure, they will show up but nothing can get close to you.” She sang proudly, jovial light twinkling in her eyes. “Paint them as you wish, my dear. She would love to meet you. Someone as powerful as you certainly intrigues her. Maybe the day can be ours. Rip, she is taking tomorrow off. No complaints from your lips, bub!” A simple hell yeah from me confirmed our plans, a pleasant conversation passing between them. Such things made sense, perhaps the addition of her blood potentially making it that much stronger. Staring up numbly at the reddening moon, a strange evil approaching the dock. Tugging on my jacket, my head whipped in the same direction. Hooves echoed in the distance, a scythe glinting away. Crap, no time to cower like a damn idiot. Placing her on my back, Sally Sue picked up on it. Running next to him, their footfalls pounded away. Skidding into my father’s home, clammy sweat beaded on my brow at the tip of the scythe slicing through his door. Hopping off of my back, Sally helped her limp into the kitchen. My old man clomped up to my side, his arms folding across his chest.

“Silks can see things that I can’t, right?” He growled angrily, tears welling up in his eyes. “You can too. How can I protect you guys if I can’t see what I am supposed to be fighting? Hell, I couldn’t protect you from your mother.” Averting his gaze to the floor, the poor guy did nothing wrong. Patting his shoulder, his wet eyes met my genuine smile.

“No way in hell are you failing us. I would never wish this fate upon my worst enemy.” I joked blithely, a hearty chuckle tumbling off of his tongue. “Relax and let me protect her on that end. Do your best on the crazy people end. Please tell me what you think about Miss Sally Sue?” Shooting me an odd look, a quick flit over at Sally Sue and a deep blush told me all I needed to know.

“If she asks you out, say yes. Anything has to be better than our nightmare of a monster.” I continued while watching Sally work with Silks. “True love is hard enough to find. Be cool about it. Shyness might simply be her hidden trait. Personal time together is her love language, so try that.” Shaking his head, a massage of his forehead reminded me of where I got that from.

“Kiddo, I don’t give a flying shit about others' opinions. She can steal my heart away if she wants it. Sally Sue is the dream woman for me.” He confessed freely, a spin revealing how much he liked her. “Your momster started out as a lovely lady but believe me when I say that I lost my love for her about ten years ago. Sally Sue has my heart doing something that I never felt before. What can I say?” Touched by his words, a new couple was seconds from existing. Laughter twinkled in the air, the demon chasing us in giving up. Feeling weird at the lack of fear, Silks seemed irked rather than frightful of it all herself.

“That being said, covering for Silks was fun as shit today. Acting never really was my thing but this old dog can learn old tricks.” He bragged happily, that twinkle in his eyes telling me that he meant it. “I am going to set up the second guest bedroom. No protests. We can make the ladies breakfast before you have to go to work. Speaking of that, go get your change of clothes.” Knowing that I couldn’t argue with him, the idea sounded comfortable to me. Excusing myself, the hearse felt lonely without Silks. Humming the whole way to the house, a dark cloud swirling over it. Pulling up to the flickering light show, a Swiss cheese of a human being told me who it was. Slamming my door behind me, the door swung open for me. Tucking my car keys into my pocket, the one ghost that would never rattle me was her.

“Really, mother? She smoked her mother and she could smoke you.” I pointed out simply, the lights settling into a low hum. “How about this? I banish you from my home. Does that shit work? No, of course not! All this time, you lied. How could you raise a child while killing them?” A glass whistled by my head, shards shattering across the floor.

“Your attitude is still crap.” I grumbled under my breath, a loud fuck bursting from my lips. “Get over yourself and go to hell!” Thinking back to the symbols she drew the other day, a cut on the closest sharp edge opened up my palm. Sinking to my knees, a kick had my rug flying back. Allowing ruby to pool, action had to be taken. Time to end this freaking nightmare. Drawing exact copies of the symbols, too many words raced through my mind. Slamming my palm onto the biggest one, a fiery glow cast shadows across my face. Holy shit!

“Screw this evil in my home! Bury her in the sticks like the others!” I chanted boldly, ready for this fuckery to end. Waiting for flames to devour her, wooden floors gave way. Children’s hands curled around her ankle, yanking her to the floor. Too stunned to speak, howls of Hell pierced my ears. Cupping my ears, glass creaked around me. Digging her fingers into the wood, horror rounded both of our eyes. Color drained from my cheeks, intense heat soaking my face with sweat. Silks stumbled in, fiery flames swirling around her. Her hair floated up, a cup of her palms forming a rather large ball. Thrusting in my mother’s direction, one hit knocked her into Hell. Sealing shut as fast as it opened, the lights returned to normal. Wiping the pouring ruby from her nose, Sally Sue threw a handkerchief in my direction upon entering. How was she so damn prepared?

“Seems like we have another witch in the family.” She laughed lightly, another one fluttering in Silks’ direction. “Rip, opening up a portal to Hell is impressive.” Tying the cloth around my palm, the lack of a nose bleed was alarming. Asking her where her paint was, Silks’ loving expression met mine. Limping over to me with the soaked cloth pressed to her nose, the cushion groaned upon her crashing down. Watching my blood soak into the wood, stains taunted us, her good heel dumped the carpet over it.

“God, I love you.” She exhaled honestly, her free hand resting on her womb. “Thank you for sending her to Hell. Most husbands can’t even stand up to their mothers.” Hoisting myself onto the couch, her body melted into my arms. Kissing the top of her head, seeing her going to Hell bore little to no effect on me. All those years of emotional abuse broke the love I had for her, the children getting their revenge in the end. Passing out in my arms, snores echoing in my ears. Switching gears, my hand cupped her. Holding up the handkerchief, Sally Sue came out with her packed art supplies. Smiling softly to herself, the leather of the handle creaked under the increasing pressure. Please don't break on me!

“Does it matter what suit or dress I get?” She asked politely, my simple nod giving her the answer she needed. Setting the case by the door, her footfalls clicked upstairs. Coming back down with a couple of black garment bags, excitement buzzed in her eyes. Seeing her so joyous made my day, all the stress melting away. Rising to my feet with a grunt, that much magic took its toll. Making my way to the hearse, her next statement had me stiffening into a board.

“How about you come along tomorrow? Someone who can open a portal into Hell is going to bemuse her. Also she can give you information on the demon side of things.” She chirped cheerfully, her grin growing more genuine by the second. “Bonus, it just became a work thing. Your team can handle the paperwork at the office.” Shooting her a weary thumbs up, plans had been set up. Following her out, the stars shining away reminded me that I was alive. Ready for the next part of our supernatural journey, the flames of hope burned strong within my soul.