The phone of Midnite jumped on the table from an incoming call.
“Midnite, this is John.”
“Who’s here! Everyone only talks about you.”
“I need you.”
“Well, who’d have thought! I’m waiting for you.”
The door boys looked askance at John. He annoyed them with his impertinence, but it was impossible not to pass him.
“Thanks, Bobby,” John said in an indifferent voice.
“You’re always welcome here, John Constantine,” the guard grimaced.
“I see,” he grinned and entered the club.
There was a kind of techno music in the club. Half-breeds were left to their own business. John’s coming always made a depressing impression on them. They understood that no matter who they were, Angelic or Demonic ones, John sees them all in Hell.
He headed to the Midnite office. Like the sea before Moses, they parted, having given him the way. Having passed by the bar, he lingered.
“Two hot dogs and a drink.”
“Whiskey, rum, gin?”
“Rum.”
The door boy at the entrance to Midnite’s office looked John over and opened the door. When he entered, the door closed silently as well. Twilight reigned in the office.
Midnite barely changed in a few years. Running a club, he had the opportunity to keep abreast of almost all events, having kept his finger on the pulse, maintaining a delicate semblance of balance between half-breed Angels and Demons. The appearance of the Council introduced significant overlaps in his work, as they positioned themselves “outside the factions” while continuing to influence people.
Midnite broke into a smile and took a few steps towards him. John walked up to him and hugged in a friendly way, and patted him on the back. None of John’s entourage was able to find out why he treats Midnite as a friend. Rumor has it that Midnite was able to become a mentor in the crucial years for Constantine, and since then, John could always count on his help.
A waiter brought the order. Midnite invited him to sit down.
“Why did you come?”
“I need to talk to Mammon.”
From what he heard, he choked and coughed.
“Are you going nuts? Only you didn’t let him seize power on Earth. He’ll destroy you, John!”
“I’ve got an offer for him. He must help me.”
“Oooooh, Jooooohn. He owes nothing to anyone. Mammon, for eternity or more, has been looking for an opportunity to get out of the shadow of his father, Lucifer. And you, just you, prevented him. I would not advise …”
“Midnite… There’s no way out.”
“How you like to say, “First thing first.” There’s always a way out. Put me up to date.”
He ate the first hot dog and took on the second one.
“So listen. Council decided that people are bored, so they’re going to arrange a fire show in a few days.”
“Go on. If my memory doesn’t fail me, it all started with the fact that Balthazar came to you about Suicide Channel and Frank the Hell Makler.”
“Council stays behind Suicide Channel and Short Way’s activities. It was bad, but then two more events happened. They’ve stolen mediums, and Council is going to use them in order to lead the Angels into our world.”
“Really? No way!”
“But the last time… Remember? I’ve not been mistaken.”
“Power is blurred between everyone now.”
“A few days ago, I’ve expelled an Angel who tried to crawl into our world through a medium. Father Andrew has called me. I barely had time.”
“Impossible!”
“I ain’t joking! I don’t know what kind of miracle happened, but she’s escaped from Suicide Channel’s lab. Rumor has it that she was invisible, but at the same time, her suicidal desires intensified.”
“Looks like a fuse. Even if the medium escapes, he or she will still commit suicide.”
“No leaking. That’s why I need to talk to Mammon.”
“Why with him? No, I understand why, but still…”
“He used to trust only Balthazar and work through him.”
“He’s definitely out of business?”
“I’m completely sure of that.”
“Then there’s little choice. Send a note to Mammon?”
“Yes. Where does he live? We’ll move directly to his apartments in Hell.”
“You’re, as I look, a risky man. John, it’s your business. I wouldn’t have the courage.”
“Time, Midnite.”
“Mount up!”
Having grabbed the rum and the first seen pizza in the kitchen, they went down to the parking lot. Midnite pointed at an orange Mustang.
“I always imagine you at the wheel of a jeep. Hah, Mustang.”
“It’s a yolo principle. We run in such horror that it’s simply impossible to deny yourself pleasure.”
They left the club and headed towards Santa Monica. Traffic was unbearable, especially it felt near the airport. Having turned onto Manchester Avenue, they drove along Westchester. Having reached almost to the beach, Midnite stopped at the public parking.
“We’ve arrived.”
Pizza has been eaten on the way. John picked up the bottle and got out of the car. He breathed deeply into an ocean breeze.
“It’s a very nice place. He got settled comfortably.”
“I thought you were immune to the beautiful.”
“Sometimes, I have my moments.”
“Let’s go!”
After having passed several houses, Midnite stopped in front of an unremarkable door. Having rummaged in his bag, he pulled out a key with the symbols of Mammon. It slipped into the keyhole without any problems.
The furnishings were rather ascetic. It was noticeable that the owner wasn’t a frequent visitor here. This time was no exception: the house was empty. Midnite ran his hand over a table in the center of the room. To his surprise, there was no dust.
“Someone cleans here.”
Having followed them, a street calico cat ran into the house.
“Oh, a woolen monsieur, we were missing just you.”
“He wanna eat, Midnite. Check the cupboards in the kitchen. Somewhere there must be cat food.”
After a minute of looking at each other, John couldn’t stand it.
“What’s up, Midnite? He looks at me with hungry eyes.”
“John, were you born today?” There was a chuckle from the kitchen and the sounds of opening and closing cupboards. “Pet the cat. You have to work with him.”
John called for a furry beast. Without thinking twice, he hopped onto the high chair in front of him. Having realized that people wouldn’t leave him hungry, he began to smack its lips. The cat looked like … John. His ear was chewed up, shreds of wool were torn out in two places, as well as, there was a small scar on the cat’s face.
“Hello, cowboy. Streetlife, danger. I gotcha…”
John pulled a hand towards him. The cat raised a paw and laid it on top, having made it clear that he doesn’t want to be petted. He removed the hand and extended the index finger to the cat, having made a “Leonardo touch.” The cat began to sniff at it curiously. This time, natural curiosity combined with the smell of mozzarella and pepperoni coming from the hand. John, slowly, so as not to frighten him, came closer, and then gently began to pet him. The cat, in turn, began to turn his head, having exposed his neck for petting, where he himself couldn’t get.
Midnite appeared in the doorway.
“I see you get along.”
“Found? He’s going crazy with the smell of pizza.”
“Yes. Puss, puss, puss. It’s time to eat.”
The cat didn’t need to be repeated twice. He jumped off the chair and ran in the direction of a rustling bag and smell. Midnite opened the already started bag and began to sniff it.
“The smell is normal. Do you wanna eat?” He put a hand into the bag, having taken out a few pieces on the palm. The cat stopped scratching his leg and tried to lower the palm with paws.
“Meow!”
“Don’t torture the cat! What’s the problem to give a meal and water for him? Grab the glasses on the way back!”
John poured a drink, took a glass, and went out onto a balcony. The beach was not very full, the middle of the week affected. Behind him, Midnite muttered several spells, to which he received an answer almost immediately.
“Your day, John! He’ll be waiting for ya.”
In minutes, all preparations were completed.
“It may turn out that he just won’t let you go.”
“Keep cool, Midnite! I’ll only die a few days earlier than all of you.”
They drank. John unlaced his shoes and lowered his legs into a washbowl with water, having sat in an armchair. Midnite handed him the cat. Having taken him tightly, he looked deep into his eyes. Gray pupils began to fill with black.
As the cat’s eyes filled with darkness, the world familiar to us began to lose the brightness of its colors. The whole palette of colors was reduced to shades of red, burgundy, and black. A few moments separated John Constantine from the transition, and they’ve passed. He looked around, having appreciated how much the situation has changed. No matter how well he tried, he couldn’t find a single unbroken thing. John went to a broken half of the balcony door. The ocean, having teemed with human bodies mixed with waves of blood, appeared to his eyes. Instead of the beach sand, the coastline was a dump of cars, garbage, the remains of ships, both wooden schooners and ships of World War Second.
“I haven’t been here for a long time.”
He noticed that all of this is kept away from this apartment. There was a knock on the door or, in any case, it seemed to him as there was an unbearable noise around. He went to the door and opened.
“Hello, John Constantine. Long time no see.”
“I would not know you at all.”
“May I enter my house?” Mammon asked mockingly.
With his advent, the noise level decreased and allowed them to communicate without problems.
“Yes,” John stepped aside, having let him in.
Having entered, he leaned on the table. John sat on the barstool.
“How’s Angela?”
“Through your prayers.”
“John, what happened? Why are you so hurrying to join our “friendly company”? As I know, you’ll have to run at least twenty years, not less.”
“Listen! Let’s stop fooling around.”
“Hmm?”
“We’re head over heels in shit.”
“John, wake up! When was it different? You didn’t find WWII. Do you know how many people asked to pick Him up? People hated him so much that they were willing to sell their souls to me in thousands, in millions, so that I would only take him.”
“So… what did you do?”
“You know what, John Constantine, I did what you fight for. I didn’t meddle in your affairs.”
“Until recently.”
“I’m sinful. I’m the son of Lucifer, after all. It was Gabriel’s idea. She has been able to play the strings of my desires. John, I understand everything. If you’re here after I’ve killed your friends with Balthazar, then things are total crap.”
“Yes, a bad example turned out to be contagious. Angels decided to establish their rule on earth.”
“Holy fuck!”
“It’s going worse. The situation of surviving people will worsen. If we lose free will, it’ll be the end.”
“I got your despair. Yes, you heard right. How do you dream, oh c’mon, I see you through and through, to make people something significant in the Confrontation, so I want to get out of my father’s shadow, but … John, all that you listed is impossible without a deal between Heaven and Hell.”
Silence hung.
“John, I can only guarantee that I’m out of business. Balthazar, I think, too, regardless of his actions, he’ll be the first who’ll dance upon nothing at Heaven’s city gates.”
“You’re able to start a war, aren’t you? Gather your guys and deal a crushing blow.”
“Even if I do so, it’s not a fact that they’ll abandon their plans. My victory will be your epitaph.”
“I’m sure that I can keep several Angels from passing, maybe a dozen, but I won’t handle all of them.”
“How many will there be?”
“They’ve stolen a hundred mediums. So count…”
“John, don’t make anything up. I’ll come to Earth and stop any number of Angels. How do you like this idea? That sounds pretty good,” he laughed.
“Here we go again!”
“Thanks for the tip-off. I’ll think about it, but … for our “cooperation,” you have to offer me something.”
“You’re the son of Lucifer. You may ignore the conditions of any deal.”
He walked close to John. His eyes glowed with excitement.
“Just for your sake, I’ll keep my promises. Just offer something significant… something eternal… something that doesn’t lose its meaning over the centuries.”
“When I come here, you’ll immediately get in the tight spot. You’ll stop bored almost instantly. Exorcists, even after death, remain them. Usually, they end up in Heaven for hard work and hardships in life, but not me. I’m a piece of shit, Mammon. Probably, I could go to Heaven… I wanted to, but… everything that I do goes against this. Therefore, I’ll get here. If you decide to help me, you can delay this event for, how did you say, twenty years?”
“This is intimidation!” He blurted out, being surprised at John’s impudence.
“Yes, it is. This is a two-way highway. Knowing that I’ve lost and humanity destroyed will plunge me into a rage. Everything that made sense to me would be worthless.”
“But… there’s another scenario. The Lord will simply destroy your soul as a warning to everyone so that they know that to oppose His will is fraught with consequences.”
Silence hung again.
“As you can see, the wolves are sated, and the sheep are intact.”
“If I can stop this, my sacrifice won’t be in vain.”
“Well… It’s up to you…” Mammon spread his hands.
“Time’s running out. Now, you’re in the know. You’re an adult boy; you can already make decisions yourself. Wanna help? It’s your go. All I wanted, I heard.”
“I didn’t really say anything.”
“You don’t participate in the agreement. So, they’re still considered you as a sucker and loser.”
Mammon hissed aggressively.
“This is ok. For them, I’m just like you,” he made this comparison on purpose, having put a person, albeit endowed with abilities on a level with the son of Lucifer. Despite the fact that Mammon didn’t show, it hit the mark.
“I’ll look forward to hearing from you, John Constantine. I’ll prepare everything you need to receive such a guest! Say “hi” to Gabriel.”
“Time is over. See you later!”
John crushed the capsule with holy water and began disappearing, having returned to Earth.
“Holy cow! Why’s it so long?” Midnite fussed.
“He’s in business.”
“How?”
“I dunno. I managed to arouse sports interest.”
“Is he with us?”
“He’s on his own. If he wants, he helps.”
The cat meowed joyfully and ran across the table. He took out the phone and called Gabriel to bring her up to speed.
“Gab, I need your help.”
“Who’s there?”
“Midnite and the cat.”
“He knows,” she replied, having implied Midnite.
“Who? Cat?”
“No! Midnite knows that I have the access.”
“Will you come?”
“Where are you?”
“Playa Del Rey.”
“I see. I’m going to be In forty minutes.”
“We wait.”
Chapter 15. John Visited Mary. It’s Time To Know More Chapter 17. Megan and Raguel: Two Of Kind