“Wait.” Cara said. “What’s going on? Where are we? And what is that?” She pointed at Jascia, who scowled, but didn’t say anything. Cara’s confusion made sense. I brought her here without telling her where we were going. It probably looked like we were teleported to some ancient ruins or cult hideout.

“Oh, sorry.” I replied sheepishly. “We’re inside your soul.”

“I don’t understand.” Cara’s eyes betrayed her horror. “This is what my soul looks like?”

“No. No.” I reassured. Considering what she must be thinking, this was probably a good time to dumb things down, so she’d easily understand the situation. “Ok, so, imagine your soul is a city. This is the rough part of town where people struggle to survive and Jascia decided to rise up and radicalize the citizens in the area, intent on taking down the government that’s kept them down.”

“What?” Jascia and Cara said in unison.

“What part of it don’t you understand?” The analogy made perfect sense, but somehow they still didn’t get it.

“All of it.” They said, once again in unison. My brow furrowed. I racked my brain on a simpler analogy.

“Hmm… alright, let me try again. Here – this is a smaller scale example. Cara, you’re the alderman of an area, and Jascia is a slumlord making the area look bad and give the neighborhood a bad reputation.” Their expressions hadn’t changed and that frustrated me even more.

“That still doesn’t make sense.” Cara said.

“How does it not make sense?!” I exasperated. “It makes perfect sense.”

“We’re inside your soul. I live in it, and this is the part of it I’ve claimed and changed to feel like home.” Jascia interjected. A mix of confusion and overwhelm flashed across Cara’s face.

“I was dead and you brought me back to life. Having seen and gone toward the light, then getting pulled back. Ok, fine. When I come to, you tell me there’s a demon inside me, I try to understand, but it doesn’t seem real. Now, we’re in my soul and you’re introducing me to the demon. This has to be an elaborate after-life joke.” Cara replied.

I was starting to understand her struggle. She still hadn’t come to terms with being alive again, let alone the current situation. Earlier today was the first time she was lucid after being given a second chance. She shook her head as if giving up on understanding and just accepting the crazy, but it seemed to work for her. She no longer seemed all that concerned about the appearance of the demon standing in front of her.

“Great, you get it, but just to clarify, I’m not a demon.” Jascia said. “I’m an Ivitor from Vas’raoul.” The two words sounded like ethereal, echoing whispers worthy of a horror movie like they were spoken in a demon language. Well, obviously they were from a demon language. Even knowing that, it gave me the creeps.

“Ok…?” I said, hesitantly. “So, you’re a visitor from Vazrule.”

“Ivitor from Vas’raoul.” Jascia corrected. I shook away the shiver that ran down my spine. She eyed me with disdain, but Cara seemed unperturbed at this point.

“Whatever. They make deals, and that’s what we’re here to do. So, let’s make a deal!” I said like it was a gameshow host’s trademark phrase that made the audience and camera angles go crazy. The two women glared at me with a strange expressions. No one appreciates the effort I put into things. The corners of Jascia’s lips rose and her mouth widened into a sharp-toothed smile.

“Yes.” She said. Her fanged teeth made the expression look predatory. Come to think of it, it probably was. “Here’s the deal. I won’t hurt your friends – in exchange, all you have to do is give me your soul.”

“No.” I butt in. “Why do you guys jump right to taking people’s souls? It’s really affecting your image.”

“I may not know what’s going on, but I won’t be giving up my soul.” Cara scoffed.

“Fine.” Jascia pouted. “What do you propose?”

“How about you just leave?” Cara suggested.

“Absolutely not.” Jascia shot back. “If you give me control, I can make your prison here a paradise.”

“How is that any different than giving you my soul?” Cara exasperated. I took a deep breath and exhaled my annoyance.

“Hold on, I’ll be right back.” They didn’t seem to notice my departure as they started arguing. Everyone stared at me curiously, except Shawn who was waving his hand in front of my face.

“Stop doing that!” I said, pushing him away.

“I can’t help it.” He said. “You were just staring at each other without blinking. It’s creepy.”

“Yeah, well I’m trying to work and you’re distracting.” I lied. It only bothered me if people were messing with my body. I mostly ignored it, especially when I’m in a desperate situation.

Time seemed to move slower when I invaded someone’s soul. I assume it’s because I’m intruding on their subconscious thoughts and the speed of their subconscious mind is much faster than their conscious one. I’d need to test how much slower at some point. I realized that, based on my recent mind-delving experiences with Poison, Jascia, and now Cara too, I could have been in a lot of trouble if Al hadn’t been drawing away the hoard or if I hadn’t moved so quickly against the convicts.

“Al.” I said with a sigh. “I have a bit of a situation.” She observed me cautiously.

“What do you mean?” She asked suspiciously.

“I’m trying to broker a deal between Cara and Jascia, but they’re just arguing.” I complained. “I need you to do lawyery things.”

“I’m a defense attorney, not a mediator.” She explained with a hand on her hip. I threw up my hands.

“You can still do it can’t you? Don’t they cover it in Lawyer 101?” I asked. She rolled her eyes, then approached. I reached out to grab her arm, but she paused.

“If you try anything, I’ll tear you apart.” She warned.

“Yeah, yeah. C’mon.” I said, grabbing her proffered hand. With a tug, we zoomed into the cavern that Cara and Jascia were shouting at each other in. As I’d assumed, Al seemed completely unfazed by the whole soul transportation thing and our surroundings.

“Ladies.” I said trying to regain control. “Ladies, calm down.” They weren’t listening. Al watched somewhat amused. She shook her head and took a step forward.

“Shut up.” She said, barely raising her voice, and the arguing stopped. It was as if she cowed snarling beasts by exerting her killing intent. I wished I could do that. They watched Al intently.

“Jay, told me that you’re trying to make some kind of deal.” She explained.

“I don’t want to make a deal.” Cara gestured. “This bitch just wants to take over my soul.”

“Language.” I announced, trying to exert my own killing intent which had little effect. Al, waved me off and turned to Jascia.

“She just wants me to leave.” Jascia gestured. “But I can’t, she should be honored that I’ve chosen her and as my vassal, she should give me her soul.” Al rolled her eyes and redirected her attention to me.

“Can you just get rid of her?” She asked. Her annoyance was evident, she clearly wanted nothing to do with the iVisitor.

“I tried that once.” I complained. I motioned to myself. “Look how well that worked out for me.” Al resigned herself to negotiations.

“Fine.” She sighed. “Is there somewhere we can sit down?” Jascia and Cara pouted with their arms crossed and looked at each other. With a flick of Jascia’s wrist, a table appeared with a throne and two stools. Al glared at her. Jascia huffed and three identical seats replaced them. They all sat, but Cara gingerly took her seat as if the chair would attack her.

I was somewhat offended that a seat wasn’t conjured for me, so without the silly hand gesture, because I was better than that, a recliner appeared with a bowl of popcorn and a soda. I plopped onto my luxurious throne, which started to vibrate with a massage feature. Al eyed me then shook her head and returned to her new ‘clients’.

There was a back and forth between the two parties, while Al mediated. I was surprised by her patience and control, even though she had to constantly settle down the pair. She worked methodically. Assessing each of their concerns and negotiated every point. There were a few things that came up where I had to jump in to explain with insightful metaphors, which Jascia summarized in less obvious and boring ways. She also brought up information about souls, which I hadn’t known, but acknowledged that they seemed possible. Finally, a deal was struck and Al laid it all out.

“In summary, Cara retains her soul and Jascia’s allowed to reside in it. Neither party will take any action detrimental to either the soul or the body without the express permission of the other. Cara may use Jascia’s abilities so long as she is given permission, except in cases of emergency.

Jascia is allowed control of the body for one day per calendar week. The day of the week is to be determined by Cara during the prior week. The duration of Jascia’s control will be from midnight to 11:59PM, on the day selected, based on the time zone the body is located in at the time of the switch. During this time, Jascia may use her abilities, as she sees fit, so long as it doesn’t violate any of Cara’s morals which are subject to change.

Both parties will act in good faith, and neither will attempt to subvert or circumvent this deal by any means including, but not limited to, mind control of or threats to the other party. Jascia will retain access to Cara’s memories and knowledge. Cara is allowed access to Jascia’s knowledge, but not her memories.

Violation of this agreement will result in Cara having full control of the body for a period of 1 year or Jascia having full control for a period of 1 week, depending on the violating party. No other deals or alterations to this deal may be made unless facilitated by Jesse or I, so long as neither parties’, nor the facilitator’s, minds have been compromised.” Al summarized. It was clear that she did her best to tone down the legalese for everyone’s benefit, but I still zoned in and out. “Do you both agree to these terms?” Al, looking at Cara first, then Jascia, who both nodded. Al then looked to me. “How do we make it official?”

“It already is.” I said and pointed to them. “See?”

Glowing blue lines weaved around the pair. It looked like ancient runes that one might see in fantasy movies. The pattern and script across their bodies were mirrored on the other’s. The lines converged then shot between them. Their eyes flashed blue, then all of it melded into their bodies as if it were never there. Both of their eyes widened, and they looked at each other. For the first time since meeting, they acknowledged one another. Their shoulders relaxed.

Al nodded, got up, and started walking away as if she knew where she was going. I hastily maneuvered my way out of the massage chair, gracefully spilling soda and popcorn on the floor of the cavern. I joined Al’s departure and Cara followed me. The real world reappeared around us. Dale had Shawn pinned to the floor.

“What the heck?” I asked.

“This guy was about to grope Al, so I stopped him.” Dale explained.

“That’s a lie!” Shawn defended. “Suddenly, this brute said he had a funny idea and tackled me out of nowhere.”

“I believe both of you.” I commented. Al shrugged and went back to the table to finish her wine. Dale and Shawn watched her with confusion and disentangled from one another. Out of nowhere, Jascia appeared sitting next to Cara with her arms and legs crossed. I jumped back in alarm.

“What the death?!” I shouted. Both Cara and Jascia rose an eyebrow.

“You can see me?” Jascia asked curiously.

“Of course, I can. You’re right there.” I replied, gesturing. As expected, Al was unmoved by my outburst, but Dale and Shawn looked confused.

“Great. Jesse’s gone crazy.” Shawn commented. I looked at him incredulously and was about to ask how he couldn’t see her, but I stopped myself. How would he know?

“No, he hasn’t.” Cara explained. “Jascia just appeared next to me.” Jascia rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

“Interesting.” She said. “I’m projecting myself to communicate with Cara, but I’m technically still in our soul.”

“My soul.” Cara corrected.

“Whatever.” Jascia dismissed her with a wave. “It’s like you can see into her soul. Fascinating.”

“What’s going on?” Shawn asked. I looked at him and scoffed.

“I just discovered a new power.” I said with a shrug as if I weren’t amazing. I mentally patted myself on the back for being so humble. “Can’t say I’m surprised.”

“You can see me, that’s not a very impressive power.” Jascia said, Cara nodded in agreement. I looked between the two.

“It’s very impressive.” I defended. “And what? Now you guys are friends.” They looked at one another and shrugged. I’m not sure why, but that kind of bothered me. My exasperation was cut off when Dale’s cellphone rang. He answered it.

“Dale’s phone.” He answered. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why? – Really?! Am I on there?” He asked, then his face fell in disappointment. “Oh. Yeah, Al did that. It was kind of a distraction while I did the real work.” Al scowled at him. “Shawn got tricked by Jesse’s sister and Cara escaped. Obviously, I saved the day. What can I say? That’s just the kind of guy I am. – Yes I’m telling the truth. – No, now we’re at Shawn’s family mansion. They have truffles and caviar. – Babe, I have to go. I’ll see you back at home.” He made kissing noises into the phone. “Love you too. See you back at home. – buh bye.” He said and hung up. I gave him a look of disgust at his gushy display.

“What?” He asked, eyeing me up and down as if sizing me up for a cat fight. “At least I have someone, unlike some people.” I crossed my arms defensively for a moment, then pointed to Shawn eager to redirect my disdain.

“Hey!” I admonished. “I have a bone to pick with you.” I didn’t even have to death-ify that saying. “You stole my girlfriend.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Shawn said unconvincingly.

“You guys can fight about that later. Jesse’s apartment fire is on the news.” Dale butt in. As if to further save Shawn, a new Jeeves arrived, I wondered how many they had on staff. He cleared his throat.

“Ahem. I’ve taken the liberty to arrange the viewing room for your group.” The butler said. I shot Shawn a dangerous look of warning that told him that our conversation would have to wait, but if I was being honest, I didn’t really care to discuss the topic. I was over my ex, when she left, I realized our love was never real.

The Jeeves ushered us into another room. There was a huge projection screen on one wall, and theater seats in front of it. Shawn had a small movie theater in his house. The level of his family’s wealth was starting to sink in. On the movie screen, the top of my apartment building was smoking. The sight was somehow familiar, like a candle with a tendril of smoke trailing from it.

“The firefighters have managed to get the fire under control.” The reporter said. Interestingly enough, it was the same one that had covered Cara’s story. Jascia was the first to speak.

“That was the lady that did our interview.” She confirmed.

“Yeah, I realized that too.” I added.

“Realized what?” Shawn asked.

“I wasn’t talking to you.” I said grumpily.

“Then who…” He started.

“Jascia.” Cara answered his half-asked stupid question.

“We have an eyewitness that can share her account of what happened.” The reporter said, and next to her, a woman appeared. To my surprise, it was Selena.

“Hey, that’s the woman that said she was Jesse’s sister.” Shawn pointed. Cara and Jascia both nodded in affirmation.

“Yes, I saw a woman walk into the building. I recognized her as Aloysia Warmacher, she’s a defense attorney.” Selena explained. It gave me chills hearing her voice in so long. It almost brought on tears. “Moments later, the whole top of the building exploded! I couldn't believe my eyes, but she came out shortly after that carrying a teenage girl, and stuffed her into her car." Selena said.

"That's not what happened." Al said with her brow furrowed.

"It kind of is." Dale said. She crossed her arms to look at him then back to the screen.

"I think that woman, Aloysia Warmacher,” my sister emphasized. “caused the explosion and she should be considered extremely dangerous. I was terrified, and I can't help worry about the people that may have lost family because of her." Selena said and Al’s face darkened. My sister looked directly into the camera, thankfully her eyes were the dark brown eyes I remembered from our childhood and not the black of possession. "That’s why I’m going to go home tonight and hug my own family."

"I can't agree more." The camera panned back to the reporter. "Just to be clear to those watching at home, we do not endorse the claims of the people we interview, and cannot confirm or deny the involvement of any individuals at this time."

“She must really have it out for you.” Jascia said to Al, who obviously couldn’t hear her. She shook her head, and looked between Cara and I. “I woke up in control of our body.”

“My body.” Cara corrected.

“Whatever. She told me to kill Aloysia Warmacher. I don’t know why, but I just knew it had to be done. So, that’s the command I gave to my thrall.” Jascia said. I didn’t want to believe it, but Cara’s passenger was right. Selena had been very adamant about targeting Al. Tucking away the thoughts, I’d forgotten that Jascia had spoken to my sister.

“Did she say anything else?” I asked in a rush. The others ignored me.

“No, just that, then she left.” Jascia answered.

The screen split, and there was a news anchor on one side of the screen, with the reporter on the other. As I expected, it was also one of the news anchors from before.

"You know it's getting really hard to follow you talking to yourself." Shawn said.

"It's not like you'd be able to follow anyway." I replied.

“Jenna, I can’t help but notice that that apartment was featured in a story earlier today.” The man at the news desk said.

“That’s right, John. This apartment is none other than that of Jesse Gil. The man responsible for the attack on the Hasbrook family.” Jenna the reporter said.

“How curious.” John said, then turned dramatically. Obviously, the news crew had planned this all along. “After our story, we discovered that Jesse Gil was arrested. However, it appears that he’s already broken out of jail. We have Anderson Riley, live, at the facility where he escaped from.”

“Yes, John. I’m here at the prison that had custody of Jesse Gil for only a few hours before he’d caused destruction similar to that found at the Hasbrook home.” Riley said. “The warden gave us special permission to speak with Jesse’s cellmate, Eustace Holtz, who goes by the name ‘Bucket’. He’s here with me now.”

“Heh heh, yeah, Jesse, or Ghost as we call him, he and I go way back. Actually, I was going to call him Glaucoma on account of his weird looking eyes, but after I thought about it a while, he reminded me of my dog, Bark Kent, get it? Bark Kent? Anyhow, when I was out on parole – ”

“Sir, please focus on the events that unfolded here with Jesse Gil.” The reporter said.

“Oh, right. So, these four guys with magic powers, well it was five guys, but one of them wasn’t there. They were all mad ‘cause, Ghost allegedly killed him. Anyhow, they captured me on account I took back something they stole from me. Ghost showed up with this crazy lookin’ claw thing and was all, ‘Atom’, that was the leader’s name, ‘Atom, you stole my best friend, now you’re gonna pay.’

Ghost charged in there like some sort of demon. They were throwing lightning bolts and fireballs and all kinds of stuff. You had to have been there. Anyhow, Ghost threw me all the way into the hallway, then grabbed one of them. The man fell like his soul was sucked right out of him. Then Ghost raised his hand up to the ceiling,” Bucket demonstrated the gesture. “and yelled, ‘This is for Bucket!’ and this red cloud spewed from him. And would you believe it, those guys started melting like candle wax!

They were real scared, and pleaded with him for their lives, but Ghost just laughed. ‘I told you’d pay for stealing my best friend.’ He said, then he punched out that wall,” Bucket pointed at the hole I’d made. “and those guys started chasing him, but Ghost was like a ghost and they couldn’t catch him. Then I heard gunshots, and thought, ‘Oh no, not even my best friend Ghost could survive getting filled with bullets,’ but then I remembered that guy Atom stabbed him threw the chest with a spike! You had to have been there. Anyhow, that’s when I knew he’d get away. That’s Ghost for you, always surprising you, that’s why he’s my best friend.” Bucket explained.

“Thanks – Bucket.” The reporter forced and the camera focused on him. Bucket tried to stay in the frame, but the reporter pushed him away. “With the state of the Hasbrook home, his apartment, and his escape from prison, it’s hard to believe, but there may be some merit to all of the outlandish claims surround Jesse Gil. To further corroborate this man’s story, a body was found dead inside the prison, and the clothes of two other inmates were found amid an unknown gelatinous substance. When a count was done of the prisoners, besides Jesse, two other inmates were missing and are thought to have escaped with Mr. Gil. Back to you, John.”

“Wait, what?!” I exclaimed. “I didn’t escape with anyone and I definitely took them all out.”

“Thanks Anderson. Viewers at home, these suspects are still at large and considered to be armed and dangerous.” The news anchor said. My mugshot appeared next to that of Atom and Bullseye. “If you see them, do not approach, call the police immediately. Does the devil truly walk among us? Find out after this.” A commercial started to play of a woman with a red stuffy nose, but Shawn turned it off with a remote.

“Hey. I wanted to watch that.” I complained.

“You’re the only one.” Shawn replied. I made a face, but thought back to what the news story had revealed.

The body was Pain, Poison’s body and Stitch melted, but Atom and Bullseye were missing? How could those two have survived? I saw them melting. Then I remembered Atom’s ability to change matter, apparently it extended to their bodies. I hadn’t actually saw them melt completely, I just assumed they were goners. I’d just set two dangerous monsters loose on the city. I groaned.

As much as I wanted to return to running my business, it looked like I wasn’t done demon slaying. I turned my eyes away from the screen and to my companions. They all wore looks of astonishment, except Al, who looked pensive.

“Your elaborate story was actually true?” Shawn asked in disbelief. I shrugged as if it were no big deal.

“Obviously. I’d never lie.” I said. Dale’s eyes twinkled with admiration.

“I knew it was all true.” He nodded. “But holy crap dude, you murdered those guys and melted two of them, that’s cold-blooded.”

“Allegedly murdered.” I emphasized. “But that’s why they call my Ghost, I turn people into ghosts.” My comment brought Al back to the room. She chirped a single ‘ha’ of laughter.

After my news story, we returned to the sitting room. The next hour or so was spent scarfing down food while the others hero-worshipped me and my incredible feats. They were all like, ‘I’m sorry I tortured you when you were a kid. It was wrong and I’m very proud of you,’ and ‘I wish I was as strong and cool as you,’ and ‘omg, you’re so handsome and I’m falling in love with you,’ and ‘you’re right, I’m stupid and I don’t deserve a mentor as smart as you.’ They really said all that. I mean, after discovering my true abilities, who could you blame them?

“I’m going home.” Al announced in the middle of me retelling my prison break story. She’d been quiet, deep in thought, after watching the news.

“But I was just getting to the best part.” I said.

“I heard it the first four times you told it.” She said walking away and was out the door without acknowledging anyone’s goodbye.

“Psh, whatever.” I said under my breath. Looking around the room, everyone looked tired.

“Well, that’s my cue.” Dale said. He got up and stretched. He nodded to each of us and walked after Al, but I stopped him. She’d leave with or without him, so I wasn’t worried about her being privy to my plan.

“Hey Shawn, mind if we borrow a car?” I asked.

“Yes. I mind.” He replied.

“C’mon.” I said. “This is all your fault, after all.” He coughed and glanced over to Cara who quirked an eyebrow. I rolled my eyes.

“Ahem – I suppose I could get you a driver.” Shawn covered.

“Great, let’s go Dale.” I went to grab his arm, but awkwardly touched him with my stump. He recoiled in disgust. I gave him an I-only-have-one-hand-and-you’re-going-to-look-at-me-like-some-kind-of-freak,-that-upsets-me-greatly look. He understood and gave me an sarcastic apologetic grin. Jerk.

I shook my head as I walked away, he followed. We exited through the front door, and I wasn’t surprised to see Al was already gone. We waited for a car to pull up and when it did, we both got in back.

“Where to?” The driver asked. I gave him an address and he started driving.

“Where are we going?” Dale asked curiously.

“My family’s house.”