Watchers

Chapter Three

Fingering the knob, the cool press of the metal allowing her to collect her thoughts, Mackenzie reminded herself of the project that needed working on. It was probably a mistake inviting Joss into her home anyway. It would be a distraction and it would give her parents the wrong idea. Her mother bothered her regularly about why she didn't bring home a boyfriend. It would be like leading him into a trap.

What a strange day ; meeting a new person, one different from anyone else she knew. He wasn't anything like the high school boys she knew. Most of them were interested in sports or science or girls. Hardly any of them were exactly serious about their future, even for seniors. The way he held himself seemed so calm and so sure. It was like everything around him was beyond him, like he had a plan and the frivolities of life weren't going to interfere. How many boys her age did she know like that?

None.

Could that be what made his company so addicting? Mackenize remembered liking a few boys, having a few crushes, but never an interest like this. She didn’t want to date him. Being with him instead felt like the head rushes that plagued her from hanging upside down on the monkey bars as a child. For all she knew, the intensity of it was dangerous; maybe it was reason enough to let him walk to his home and see him at school like any other classmate.

Demons. The lock on the knob bit into her palm.

The last time she one came to her, she remembered being ten. The day her mother told her that her grandmother passed away, the day she realized she would never see her again. The only person who understood her, who loved her as she stood, and she couldn’t be there when that person lay dying.

Mackenzie should have realized how lucky she was then, that they stopped coming to her. Or that she stopped seeing them. Now she understood the loss of her grandmother became the catalyst that blocked the demons. Not being allowed to go to her side taught her an intolerance she hated to admit she feared would come from others too.

Though she held a lot of anger toward her mother for it at the time, she knew her mother wasn’t necessarily a bad person. Mackenzie realized later that people intrinsically shunned what frightened them, that it protected them from shattering their minds and their comfortable lives. And the way Joss had put it just a few moments ago, she realized she became one of them.

Meeting him and the experience with the demon left her unsure of her footing. It gave her the knowledge that no matter how she pretended, those things which she chose to ignore existed.

"Mackenzie?"

Twisting back, she looked at him and into his dark eyes as the air picked up strands of his nearly black hair and tossed it around, making him look more like a warrior than a mess. In that moment, she realized there was an otherworldly way about him, almost like he belonged in a different time or another planet. Nothing about him seemed ordinary. So she knew, that whether she ever talked to him again or not, her life was altered. It wouldn’t return to that comfortable existence that she craved.

"Sorry. I was just thinking. You're probably right. I should let you get home. I'm sure your parents are wondering where you are and I'm sure you have things you have to do. Being new to school means catching up where you left off at your other one."

That smile again, full of a meaning she couldn't grasp. She felt like the subject of his own personal joke, one she would never understand the punch line for.

"My parents are pretty trusting of me," he said, almost imperceptibly shifting his body. It reminded her of just how tall he was in comparison to her measly height. "And to be honest, my school was rather ahead in a lot of classes."

"I guess you get a break then."

"Yeah, maybe."

There it was again. Always that edge lurking around his words, making her feel as if he meant something entirely different from what he said.

There were things she wanted to ask him, and then there were things she didn't. If they talked about Mephistopheles, the moment would become more real to her. Worse, she wondered if speaking his name aloud was going to make him a regular visitor, always when she was alone, in the dark. But Joss had given her the medal... And any girl would have been grateful. If she had been any other girl... But something told her that by giving her the medal, Joss was acknowledging the danger she was in and making it apparent the demon wanted more than just to terrorize her, as she had thought they all did for the sake of doing, when she was a child.

No, she and Joss were going to have to keep talking and keep spending time with one another because she was determined to figure out what was happening. He knew far more than he was telling her and the way the demon spoke to him, she knew Joss wasn't just another ordinary teenager with the ability to see evil. Now that it was there again, and she could no longer deny it, Mackenzie knew she couldn't afford to back down from the challenge.

"So... I guess I'll see you tomorrow?"

Slipping his hands into the pocket of his woolen coat, Joss said, "I suppose so," and then, as if on afterthought, added "Have a good night, Mackenzie."

She watched him walk, waiting until he stepped off the sidewalk and into the distance before releasing the breath she hadn't known she was holding.

"Too many questions... Not enough answers."

***

Progress on her science project eluded her. Mackenzie found herself unable to give it her full attention if she couldn’t stop thinking about earlier. She kept repeating in her mind the entire meeting with the demon, everything it said to Joss and the way it made clear it wanted her soul. What was so important about her soul?

"Ugh!"

Shoving the project away from her, she picked up her notepad and started drawing, finding what started out as a few stray lines was becoming Joss' face.

"Oh, jeez." She closed the notepad and slammed the pencil down on it.

Touching her chest with her fist, she felt the rapid flutter of her heart rate.

Between Joss and the fear of seeing demons again, Mackenzie couldn’t settle herself. It became worse when she thought of her unsafe soul. How could she protect it when she didn’t know how it could be taken from her in the first place?

She believed God protected those who loved Him, but she also knew that demons interfered in the world and God couldn’t always save people from their own choices. Her Grandmother taught her that demons were tricky. They enjoyed making people fall apart and helping them choose poor decisions that pulled them away from God.

That would not be her. No matter what Mephistopheles did to her or wanted from her. That could not be her.

Her ratty, old stuffed penguin was sitting on the desk next to her. Pulling him up to her chest, she pressed him just over her heart and hugged. It was a comfort, even if she was 17. When she and Chester the penguin were younger, she kept him in bed with her at night, needing some protection against the unwanted visitors. Now, the poor animal became so worn and loved, she knew she couldn't keep him forever.

"Faithful old Chester. You won't ever go away, will you. You'll stay until you fall to pieces," she said, holding the stuffed animal at out in front of her.

Of anything she did know, Mephistopheles would not harm her or take her soul if she stood and fought. In this instance, she supposed that stubborn will her mother said she possessed would help her mind resist whatever temptation he offered in exchange. He couldn't take anything from her if she didn’t offer, which maybe made it all the more dangerous for her. She didn’t know for sure. And not knowing made it all worse.

Mind coming back to Joss, she remembered him holding that vial of what she assumed to be holy water and also the knife. Did he carry those on him everywhere? And what of his familiarity with the demon and of them talking about fighting with one another and neither winning?

"What are you?" She asked, opening her notepad to see the outline of Joss' face. "And what do you want with me?"

She hated sounding paranoid and it seemed selfish to think Joss came to the school to specifically meet her. What if God meant for them to meet? What if it was coincidence of another kind?

"Questions, questions, guestions, no answers!"

Abandoning her project and settling Chester in his place on her desk, she rose and went to the window. A man stood on the sidewalk looking up. The pace of her heart, the one that just settled, picked up again. Though she wanted to jump in bed and pull the quilt over her head, she stood, gripping the window pane tightly.

It wasn't Mephistopheles. It wasn't Joss.

"Who are you? If you're a demon, you need to leave. I don't want you here."

Though the window was shut, she knew he could hear her. He smiled, a wicked smile full of promise. Nausea rolled over her, causing her to break out into a light sweat. That sick feeling again. It made her realize that it was some kind of instinct, a warning of monsters close by.

The man on the street started to blur and shift even though he didn’t move. She saw it: black wings, features twisted and so nasty that not even a make-up artist could capture it so perfectly. This was what they truly looked like. She knew now, she would see them again. Everywhere she went, she would see them. On the bus, on a walk, shopping... There would be no safe place for her now.

It lifted its half skeletal hand in a wave and walked away.

What is going on?

Not one demon, but two showed today, both wanting her. She wondered why. The first wanted her soul, but this one did nothing except stare and walk away. She didn't know why any of this was happening and she hated not knowing. It led to helplessness, frustration, fear... None of these emotions she liked.

Tomorrow, she would talk to Joss. He knew more than she did. With her soul at stake, she couldn’t relax until they figured this out.


* * * *


Leaning over, Kady lifted the medal around Mackenzie's neck to read it. "Where did you get this? Are you Catholic now?"

In a desk two seats away from Mackenzie and Kady, Joss pretended to read A Tale of Two Cities for English class though he already knew it. They needed to read it and write a paper on it comparing it to another book. While his responsibilities lent little time to reading, he read whenever he could. Father Luke schooled them himself as they trained to fight demons, and the priest made certain they learned as well as any child in public school.

Besides that, picking up a book once in a while gave a sense of normalcy to his life that didn’t actually exist.

"No. A friend gave it to me. It's a medal of protection."

Glancing at them from behind the pages of the book, he waited to see where this conversation would lead.

"Mac, why would you need protection? Protection from what?"

"Life, Kady."

"Uh huh. Your life is not terrible, Mac. You aren't telling me something and I don't like it. Am I not your best friend?"

"Of course you are."

"Then you are supposed to tell me everything."

Mackenzie lowered her head and giggles started escaping out from under her chin. "Kady, there are just some things people keep to themselves. I promise it's okay. I'm fine and you don't have to worry."

Folding her arms, Kady gave a pout that even impressed him. "Okay, but you are going to tell me. You just don't know it yet."

"Oh Kady, I love you."

"Love you too." But she was still pouting.

They sat in free period or what some called study hall. Already done with his homework, Joss figured he would read. Mackenzie made no motion to talk to him past giving him an almost shy 'hi'. She frequently fingered her medal though. Joss didn't know why he gave her the necklace. How was he going to carry out his mission if he kept protecting her?

Kady wandered off to talk to someone else. As Mackenzie rose and looked in in his direction, he dropped his head and pretended to be reading. Energy emanated from her, but it pulsated stronger this time. Something changed overnight. The girl was opening herself to her own abilities. He could now detect a faint glow around her.

"Hi Joss. Can I sit down and talk to you."

He looked up and studied her face, held her eyes. The power she put off made her more attractive. People would be drawn to her without knowing why. Where she kept herself below the surface, just visible enough to survive and get by, she would now shine. He knew she wouldn’t like it, but it wouldn’t be anything she could help now.

He gestured to the empty desk in front of him. "Have a seat."

She sat backwards in the chair, leaning over the top to get closer to him. He could smell her lotion. It was like vanilla with a whole array of flowers. It left a glittery sheen on her skin. It looked like it belonged, with the energy surrounding her.

"I saw a demon again last night. When I was home," she said, keeping her voice at a near whisper.

Two demons in the same day? He couldn’t recall them being so hyper vigilant. It appeared almost like they sensed her abilities now that her birthday was drawing closer. So they would torment her? For a month? Why should that thought bother him? They were tormenting her, but he came to kill her.

Who’s the hypocrite here?

Sleep refused him throughout most of the night because he couldn't stop thinking about the mission, about her and what the world stood to lose if he didn't kill her. Meeting her turned out to be a mistake. Had his instincts been so off? What did he expect exactly going this route? As an innocent girl, she was confused about what was happening to her. In her place, anyone would be.

Joss trusted Father Luke. The priest had yet to give him a reason not to. But this mission was unlike any assigned to him. While the priest stressed the importance of it, Joss never leapt blindly and he never ignored his instincts. Experience taught him what happened if he did.

The fact was, he liked her.

Though he fought against the thought, he couldn’t lie to himself. The medal was important to him, yes, but he could fool himself all he wanted. He could say he wanted to give her a false sense of security to simply kill her later, but he wasn't a sadist. It would be quick and she wouldn't be in pain.

You've never killed a human before, only demons. They deserved it. Does this girl deserve to die?

Father Luke entrusted him with this mission, more important than any of the others. Did he fail the priest, fail the world?

Who am I to judge whether or not someone should die. It isn't like God talked directly to me or an Angel came down from Heaven to give me instructions.

"Joss?"

"Sorry. I was thinking. Did he say anything to you? Cause you any hurt?"

"No... He was down in the street, I saw him from my window. I-I sensed him. And when I got to the window, I saw him for what he really was. Then he just waved and walked away."

"You're a demon magnet, lady."

Reading her face was like witnessing a confessional; her every emotion was visible in her expressions. Demons would love that if it ever came to them physically harassing her.

"I-"

"Don't say you're sorry. It's not like you asked for this. The big question is, what are we going to do about it?"

Was this his decision? Joss didn't want to get to know her, to care about what she felt, thought or did. As he lay in bed last night, he considered that there must be another way. It would be difficult. It would require a whole lot of time, money and effort.

"We?"

Determination blazed in his eyes. It wasn't right for them to kill her. Mackenzie did not deserve to die. There would be another way, there always was. For now, until they formed a plan, he would protect her. Either way, her fate, be it with the demons or killed by him, could not possibly be the route to take.

"Yes. We."

Her shoulders lowered and air forced out of her lungs abruptly. He could see her body visibly relax, as if she had been holding it as taut as guitar string. Without a word, she reached out and grasped his hands with her own.

"Thank you, thank you. I didn't know what to do. I hate to be a burden, but-"

"Didn't we talk about apologies? You didn't ask for this. We need to figure out what's going on and we need to stop it."

Squeezing his hands once, she let go.

I'm sorry Father Luke, I hope you understand.

"Do you want to come over after school? We can work on homework and talk about all this," she said, waving a hand in the air.

“That’s a good idea, yes.”

Homework. It sounded so trivial in consideration of her life. Joss knew what this meant and none of it would be something Mackenzie could imagine. Why would she? One moment she was a normal high school girl and the next he showed up bringing death and demons.

Though the demons... Father Luke told him as little as possible he realized. Enough to make him understand the importance of Mackenzie’s death in relation to the end of the world, but not enough of the why of it. Why was Mephistopheles involved? Why did he accept this assignment to begin with?

You know.

He didn’t trust anyone else to do a lone mission. Arrogant of him, yes, especially knowing the others were skilled and intelligent in their own right. But Father Luke came to him, specifically chose him. More than anything, Joss felt he owed so much to the man and did not want to disappoint him if at all possible.

Yet here I am...

Looking into Mackenzie’s face, he remembered the information Father Luke gave him. A location, a few details, and a picture. That face stayed with him for days before he left for the mission. It bothered him that a photo could have so much of an effect. Yet, seeing her now, he knew it was but a shadow of the reality of her.

“Ok, so...” She seemed uncomfortable with his scrutiny.

“You know, Mackenzie, you can’t be left alone now.”

Brows drawing together, she sat back. “What do you mean? I don’t understand. The demons haven’t hurt me.”

“Yet.”

She wrapped her arms around herself. He couldn’t tell if it was a defense mechanism or her way of distancing herself from him.

“Joss, this is silly... It’s not like you can move in or something.”

“No. But you can stay with me.”

Alarm was evident in her expression. “No I can’t! How would I explain this to my mom? Not to mention, I hardly know you. I appreciate your concern and all your help in this, but I don’t need a bodyguard.”

"Yes you do."

Sitting back, eyes narrowing, she gave him a glimpse of that fire lurking beneath the veneer, the one he sensed when he first met her. It was obvious she would not accept this idea easily.

"Then why did you give me the medal?"

The bell rand before he could answer. They both grabbed their books, her a little more forcefully than necessary, and headed into the herd of teenagers in the hall.

He followed her to her locker.

"Why are you following me? We're meeting after school."

"What's with the attitude?" He wasn’t intending to make her a prisoner. How the hell could he protect her if she didn’t cooperate?

Stuffing her books into her locker so that they hit the back with a loud echo, she said, "I really appreciate what you've done, Joss, I do. But I asked for help, not a bodyguard or someone that's going to tell me what to do."

Unable to recall saying anything so terrible, he bit back irritation and wondered what was wrong with protecting her after yesterday. Especially considering another demon showed up at her house when he couldn’t be there to help her if it decided to do more than show off.

"Do you think a medal is going to fully protect you if a demon tries to attack?" His tone was low, furious.

"No, but-"

"But what? Tell me what you know about demons other than what they look like? What do you fight them with? Give me some Latin, give me prayers."

He didn’t realize that he backed her into her locker until she pressed her hands against his chest and shoved.

"Stop it!"

Jerking his hand through his hair, he backed away, not liking that the look of fear on her face was his doing. He knew better than this, should have more control than this.

"Look-"

"Just leave me alone! I have to go to class."

"Mackenzie, wait."

But she was already hurrying down the hall, books clutched to her chest and head down as if hiding her face from anyone passing by. He hoped like hell he didn’t make her cry.

He felt like an ass. Joss didn’t mean to get rough with her. The people he spent most of his time around could handle themselves. If he got that way with one of them, they would fight it out one way or another until satisfied. Mackenzie didn’t fall into that category though. She wasn’t taught to take whatever was thrown her way and to handle anything.

Nice job, idiot.

Although today he didn't feel like he was handling anything as he was trained to do.

* * *

Sitting on a bench outside the school, Mackenzie pulled her wool coat snugly around her and wondered when it would rain. The skies kept threatening to do so with no results yet. The gray above certainly matched her mood. She didn't know why she got so upset with Joss. Maybe because they barely knew one another and he kept trying to push her around. Push her around like...

Shaking the thought away, she admitted he was doing a lot for her by protecting her from the demons that re-entered her life without asking her how she felt about it. He frightened her though, showing her that he was capable of a violence she never wanted in her life again.

Mackenzie knew she would see him again, whether he forgave her and found her today or after the weekend. What did she say to him? I'm sorry? Or you were a jerk? She overreacted and he was overbearing. Neither of them knew the other well, and this wasn't an ideal situation to begin with.

She needed answers and while she could do her research, he was the one who could provide the best ones and help her find out why this was happening. It shouldn't be because she could see them, because he saw them too. There must be people in the world that were burdened with it too. Mackenzie just couldn't wrap her brain around why they wanted her.

There would be a part of her that could never fully relax now. They could be anywhere, and she doubted they would announce themselves first. From church with her Grandma, she knew they could take any guise. It was like they could be the most evilest of tricksters in existence. In some way, she guessed she should consider herself lucky to be able to see beyond the outside, to the true form within. It gave her leverage many didn't have.

"I'm surprised to still see you here."

Pushing from the bench, she forced herself to face him. He looked more relaxed and if she could read him right, contrite.

"I didn't know if I would see you either."

"Look Mackenzie, I apologize for losing my temper."

"It's not a big deal."

His eyes roamed her face, making her feel as if he could look into her eyes and see the truth.

"No, it is."

Struggling with herself to say the nice thing over the right thing, she pulled her eyes from his and looked away.

"Mackenzie." She liked the way he said her name. Very precise, very purposeful, as if it meant something more than just a name.

Was it worth it to say it?

Giving him a half-smile, she said, "No, really."

"I can see you aren't going to admit it. But I'm telling you it's not okay and it won't happen again."

Mackenzie liked that. She could hear the sincerity of his words and knew he truly meant it. She felt partially responsible for pushing him to it by getting upset with him when he only wanted to protect her. So she felt she owed him an apology too.

"I'm sorry for getting upset with you too."

"Fair enough."

"Come on. Let's walk. We have a lot to do and talk about."

For a time, they walked in a silence that felt comfortable enough. Every so often she would glance at him, wondering what went on in his mind. For all he was straight forward, she realized he kept a lot to himself. Many of her questions he only half-answered. It made her wonder. Was there something she shouldn't know or was there something he didn't want to tell her?