Chapter 26 - Corriendo en circulos

 Chapter 26 – Corriendo en círculos

            Antonio’s heart thumped in his chest as the imposter’s deep eyes pierced through his own. Where Gil had stood a moment ago was nothing more than air; Where his friend went Antonio only wished he knew.

            The creature before him grinned and took a small step closer, but Antonio made no movement to the gesture, instead he studied creature. A deep gray cloud hovered around the pretender, much like the one he’d seen surround Damien or whatever his name was.

            Antonio was starting to see a sort of difference between the people or things he’d run into – the guy before him, along with Damien, had that odd air about them, whereas Cain had the lighter glow and Gil? His glow about him had almost been white, almost like a “holy” glow that really reminded Antonio of Saintly paintings that were hung upon the walls of chapels.

    Every person or creature had this cloud around the, and it was almost as if these clouds or mist or whatever were some sort of marker about the things in this world.  As if it were a way to pinpoint what to approach, and what to run from.

Maybe Cain was right?

Maybe he did have a “gift”?

    The main question Antonio did have, however, was why he hadn’t seen a glow of any kind around José. He’d seen nothing around the man – he looked normal, for the most part. Yet that was what made him different, and there really wasn’t any reason to why he was different.

    Another step closer from the copy broke Antonio from his thoughts. With a quick breath and a shot of courage he shouted at the look-a-like, “Where is he? What did you do to my friend?”

            “Oh, relax,” The imposter smiled as he took yet another step forward, “I just sent him back home. I don’t have to kill him just yet.”

            Antonio’s widened for a moment before he furrowed his brows, “How are you able to do that? His body isn’t here!”

            “So what?” The creature laughed, “Just ‘cause Cain tells you one thing doesn’t mean that’s the only way to get things done. Think something like that can stop me? Hah!”

            “I wouldn’t be so cocky,” Antonio’s heart thumped behind his ribs, “you might end up eating those words.”

            “Oh, and you won’t?” The creature grinned, “You don’t control me, kid. This world is my world and you and your friend’s are nothing more than my new toys.”

            “Thought this was Damien’s world?” Antonio tried to keep is composure, but his shaky hands made his heart beats elevate.

            The man snorted, “That guy things everything is his, but always seems to forget he’s not the only one roaming around this wasteland.”

            Antonio wasn’t sure how to reply to that – he really wasn’t sure why this creature was having small talk to begin with.  But there was one thing Antonio was pretty sure of: if that thing wanted him dead it would have happened by now.

There had to be something else he wanted, but what?

            “Who are you?” Antonio questioned as he clenched his fists, “just some other creature—”

            The man cackled, “Just some creature?? ME?? Oh, no no no no no! I am much more than that. I am any enemy of your kind – a temptation you humans never seem to rid of. My friend, calling me a simple creature really brings me down. Puts me in a bad mood. But hey, you’re new. Shouldn’t blame you.”

            Antonio titled his head as the creature took a bow.

            “My friend,” the imposter rose his head, “You can call me ‘Pride.’ Pleasure to meet ya.”

            Antonio’s eyes widened, “Pride? As in one of—”

            “The best of the Seven!” The copy grinned wide, “And soon to be the best nightmare you’ll ever have!”

            Before Antonio could question the remark a massive red sphere hurled in his direction. He managed to dodge the orb, and took off down past the row of trees to the side of him. He pushed as hard as he could, and took a quick look over his shoulder. The imposter was closing in – much quicker than any of the other creatures that had chased him in this world.

            It seemed that making him run was the main thing this world liked to throw at him – at least he was getting some exercise!

    He held his breath as he swung his head forward. The cold air hurled past his face as he scanned around him. As far as his eyes could see he was surrounded by trees, but if he played his cards right maybe he could find a town. Maybe he could find a church!

            Not a moment later the scenery started to shift – the trees became large concrete buildings, and the dirt below his feet became dark, slick cement. Once more the scene changed to the heart of Downtown. Why this place had a constancy of morphing only fueled Antonio’s confusion, but he still urged his burning legs onward.

            He rounded the vacant street until off in the horizon he saw it – the massive cathedral on the way down to his house. The structure had been there since he was a child, and right now it sure was sounding a lot like home!

            “Don’t even think about it!” The creature hissed behind him, “That shit only works in movies!”

            With another push Antonio picked up his pace and neared the ivory doors of the church. He could almost smell the incented candles, almost feel the smooth wooden pews. To his surprise the front door was wide open, but he noticed something else. The edges of the doorway were warped inward as if the door was closing in on itself.

            Antonio could hear the creature laughing behind him as the doorway continued to close.

If he missed that portal we was as good as dead.

            Though he wanted to look back to the creature he fixed his eyes forward and gave himself one last push. He wasn’t too sure if he was even breathing, but he did know every inch of his body was on fire.

If he managed to get inside, he might just collapse.

Buy hey, better to do that in there than out here!

            He leaped up the marble stairway as the hole continued to constrict. Then he felt a sharp tug at the back of his shirt collar, but he pulled away hearing the cloth tear. With another quick leap he plunged for the door, praying his entire body would pull through. He rolled across the ground a few times until his body stopped and his eyes were fixed upon the many angels painted on the ceiling above.

            He started to pant as he looked to his side – the massive doors had been shut tight, and there wasn’t a creepy-crawly in sight. He took in a sharp breath as he returned his gaze to the ceiling.

He made it!

He collapsed, but he made it!

            After he caught most of his breath he sat himself up and marveled at the structure surrounding him. Though this wasn’t his own church he couldn’t help but feel welcomed – maybe after being chased by a demon anyone would!

            His quivering legs made it difficult to stand, but once he was on his feet he leaned against the pew beside him. He inhaled the musky aroma that filled the air before he strode down the aisle before him, his fingertips gazed over each cold pew he passed. He couldn’t remember the last time he went to church – he used to go all the time, that is until his parents passed away and he got caught up with the work his father had left him.

            Though he was a grown adult Antonio couldn’t help but still feel like such a child – inexperienced, naïve, reckless. Sometimes he wasn’t even sure how he could get through a day without at least one slip up.

            He heaved a sigh as he reached the end of the aisle and his eyes fixed upon a stature of the Virgin Mary.

            “Santa María,” He sighed once more, “what on earth am I even doing anymore?”

            “Antonio?” A familiar female’s voice called to him, “Please, tell me that’s you.”

            With a quick turn Antonio’s eyes fell up Lizzie as she slowly made her way to him.

            “Lizzie!” He exhaled as he noticed the almost white light that surround her, “Yeah, it’s me!”

            The Hungarian’s eyes lit up as she ran to him. She threw her body into his and she wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers grazing through his hair.

            Antonio returned a tight squeeze, and breathed in her familiar sweet perfume. He wasn’t alone and that felt wonderful!

            Lizzie pulled away a bit, her hands now pressed against his face, “Are you alright? God, you look awful.”

            “Definitely could be better,” his laugh echoed around them, “what are you doing here?”

            “I don’t even know,” she released her hands and took a small step back, “Basch told me that you were missing, so I went to Gil’s place to tell him, but when I got there Arthur and like everyone else told me Gil was gone, too!”

            “Yeah, he’s here,” Antonio rubbed the back of his head, “or at least he was until I lost him a bit ago. Lizzie, this place is really dangerous.”

            “Tell me about it,” she folded her arms, “One minute I’m alone, then Arthur and Lovino showed up—”

            “Lovi?” Antonio’s heart skipped, “Is he okay? And Arthur, too?”

            “I think so,” she looked away for a moment, “I found them when I somehow got into Francis’ café, or a place that looked a lot like it. Lovino was. . . a little injured–”

            Antonio tried to say something but Lizzie put up her hands as she continued, “He’s fine! Really, he is. Arthur used a home remedy of sorts to help him out. Within a few minutes Lovino was back to his old ways.”

            Antonio huffed as he glanced over to one of the pews.

What happened to Lovi? Why was he hurt? Who hurt him? Where was he now? Was he here? Was Damien near him? Was José near—

            “Antonio?” Lizzie’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

            “Lo siento,” He said in a low voice, “my head has been a mess lately.”

            “I think all of ours have been.” She gave a small smile, “Like you with Gil, I ended losing them too. The three of us tried to find out if anyone else was here, but we got followed by these. . . weird looking creatures. I don’t really know what they were, but they weren’t trying to make friends with us. We tried to out run them, but this wall-thing came out of the floor and separated me from them both. So I ran for my life and found this cathedral, and have just been sitting around here.”

            “At least you’re okay,” Antonio gave a weak smile, “Hopefully, those two are also.”

            “I’m sure they are,” She reassured him, “they’re both strong, and I know they can handle their own.”

            “You’re right,” Antonio sighed, “I shouldn’t let that kind of stuff mess with my head—”

            It was then that the entire building shook. Antonio grabbed for Lizzie and held her close as the shakes grew more intense.

Was this an earthquake?

            Then the front door of the church slammed open and in stepped the Gil imposter from before, but this time he wasn’t alone. Beside him stood another person, but this person looked just like Antonio.

            “Well,” the black-haired Antonio grinned, “Looks like someone let his guard down!” 

            Antonio’s heart skipped as he tried to understand what that meant. Then he shot his eyes around the room in search of another exit. To his left he found a hallway, but not much else. His eyes shot back to the duo inching closer.

            “Get back!” He yelled as he stepped in front of Lizzie.

            The duo before them exchanged looks before their laughter filled the room.

            “Oh, he’s got balls again?” the Gil one, or rather ‘Pride’, wiped the corner of his eye, “mortals are hilarious!”

            Antonio glared as his own copy neared him. The copy grinned as he stopped a few feet away.

            “You’re still so new to this place,” His grinned widened a bit, “you’ll never make it out of here in one piece.”

            “Watch me,” Antonio snorted as he grabbed onto Lizzie’s hand.

            The look-a-like laughed, “Pride, you weren’t kidding about this one.”

            “Course I wasn’t,” the other stood beside him, “when am I ever wrong?”

            Antonio stood his ground as he looked between the two of them. They were so close it would be a bit of a challenge to get away without some sort of brawl. Plus, it made it worse with Lizzie being there. Of course she wouldn’t play the damsel-in-distress, but that’s really what he worried about.

All he need was for her to pull their eye out and them to rip off her arm!

            “Well, isn’t she a looker,” Pride smirked as he reached toward Lizzie.

    “Don’t you dare,” Antonio growled as he smacked Pride’s hand away.

    There was a sudden shift in the pale man’s face that made Antonio’s stomach lurch. He hated that this thing looked like Gil – he hated that it almost acted like him too.

    Not even a second passed before Antonio was thrown hard into one of the pews. His head slammed against the wood, and his vision blurred for a few moments.

            “Unhand me!” Lizzie yelled.

            Antonio rubbed his head and felt himself being yanked up by his shirt.

            Then he was thrown back down into the pew which caused it to tip over with him. Antonio’s back pulsed as he tried to get back up to his feet. He staggered a bit as he glanced up to find a red light coming his way. The orb struck against his chest and caused him to fly back. His body slammed against one of the far walls, and he feel to the ground. He let out a groan as he rolled got on all fours and looked up at his copy just a few feet away.  

            “You’re pathetic!” His doppelganger laughed, “Cain has faith in you??”

            Antonio managed to pull himself to his feet, and at the corner of his eye he noticed something. He looked over and upon the wall was this massive staff with some sort of blade at the very end of it. He shot a look at the monster, then back to the staff before he reached for it and tugged it off the wall. He pointed the blade at the creature, it’s blazing red eyes met his accompanied by a twisted, amused smile.

            “Call me what you want,” Antonio growled as his grip tightened around the staff, “you guys aren’t winning this! Even if you do have the upper hand!”

            The copy chuckled, “you don’t believe your own words, do you?”

            Antonio tensed as the creature took a few steps closer, the blade a few inches from the front of the dark shirt he wore.

            “You’re just putting up a charade,” the doppelgänger inched closer, “you don’t believe in yourself. You don’t even believe in Cain—”

            “Shut up!” Antonio barked as he plunged the blade forward into the best, “you don’t know what I—”

            “Oh, but I do,” The copy grinned, the blade penetrated deep within his chest “I know all about you. I know how you tick, Antonio.”

            “You’re wrong!” Antonio’s voice quivered as he tried to pull the blade out, but the copy placed a tight grip upon the staff.

            “Am I wrong?” The copy took another step closer, the blade sinking in deeper, “What about you? Mister ‘I can do anything’ so long as no one tells me what to do? Face it, Antonio. You’re weak – you’re all weak. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you’ll all learn to give up.”

    Past the creature Antonio could see Pride continuing to harass Lizzie – he was pulling her around, obviously trying to piss her off, and it was definitely working. Antonio shot another look back to the creature before him.

            Antonio took in a deep breath, then spoke, “you’re right. I am weak, but that’s not my weakness!”

            The copy laughed as Antonio continued, “No, weakness doesn’t define me. But you know what does? My willingness to fight! Much like you Wrath!”

            The creature’s eyes widened for a moment as Antonio continued on, “That’s your name, isn’t it? You may know me, but so do I! And I sure as hell know how hard it can be to control myself sometimes!”

            The building started to shake as Antonio felt an energy coursing through his chest. He couldn’t explain it, but he continued on.

            “But you guys don’t scare me!” Antonio took a step closer this time, the metal between his hands started to heat up, “you guys are nothing without us! You wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for us. You should fear us!”

            The shakes grew more violent as Wrath tried to take a step back, but Antonio grabbed hold of his shirt. Wrath let out a loud his but this time Antonio didn’t flinch – he didn’t even move a muscle. He remained in his spot, the ground shaking harder than the second before.

            “Wrath,” Pride’s voice called out, “the hell’s going on?”

            Wrath made no reply. His eyes were fixed on Antonio’s for a moment. Then he hurled a hard punch against the at Spaniard’s cheek.

            Antonio’s grip loosened as he was slammed down to the quivering ground. One of Wrath’s hands were wrapped tightly around Antonio’s neck, the other now carried the staff above his head.  

            “You’re going to regret your words!” The creature shouted as a section of the ceiling crashed to the ground beside them, “Mortals are nothing compared to us! Nothing!”

            “No,” Antonio whispered as he tried to pull the hand from his throat, “you’re wrong. . . that’s. . . why you’re scared.”

            The grip tightened which made air harder to reach his lungs.

            “Wrath!” Pride called again, “we’ve got to get out of here!”

            Another chunk of ceiling slammed to the ground as Wrath lifted the staff a bit higher, then he forced it down.

            As the blade reached closer to Antonio’s face he shut his eyes tight, but as he did so the pain around his throat vanished, and he started to choke on the air that filled his lungs. He couldn’t feel Wrath sitting on top of him any longer, but he wasn’t sold on the idea that he was dead, so he opened one of his eyes just to check. He noticed the Chapel ceiling once more, then turned his head and a few feet away he saw Wrath’s hellish eyes locked onto his.

            Antonio furrowed his brows as Wrath rose to his feet. The creature gave a smirk and shook his head as he vanished into the air.         

    “Antonio!” Lizzie yelled as he helped Antonio sit up, “are you alright? How on earth did you do that?”

            “Do what?” he coughed again.

    “I don’t know,” Lizzie ran her hands through her bangs, “vanish then reappear somewhere else?”

“Is that what I did?” Antonio rubbed his neck, as he felt the ground quake more, “Liz, we’ve got to get out of here.”

            Lizzie aided Antonio to his feet but as soon as he was up the ground below them caved in. The two of them plunged through the whole, and Antonio grabbed hold of Lizzie.

            “Hang on!” He wrapped his arms tighter around her.

     His heart beat raced as the fell into the blackness. There wasn’t anywhere they could go but down. He tried to scan the area around him, but he couldn’t find anything at all. Then his back slammed against hard ground, and Lizzie fell hard against his chest.

    When Antonio opened his eyes to look at her he was blinded by an intense light. He shielded his view with his hand, and squinted up to a few familiar faces. There were two faces to be exact: Jesus and Javier. His two workers eyed Antonio with great concern, and Antonio did the same.

    What were they doing here??

    “Señor?” Jesus tilted his head, “I thought you were dating Lovi? Don’t go cheating now.”

    Antonio lowered his eyes to meet Lizzie’s: an equal expression of confusion was set on her face.

    Antonio sat up as he, and Javier, helped get Lizzie to her own feet.

    “Where are we now?” Antonio looked around and noticed the familiar area.

    He was in a field of tomatoes – his tomatoes.

    “We’re in the fields, Señor,” Javier laughed, “did you go into hiding and lose your memory?”

    “Hiding?” Antonio looked at him, but noticed there was no glow about him.

    There wasn’t one on Javier either, and not even Lizzie this time.

    “Señor,” Javier said as he took hold of Antonio’s arm, “what’s this?”

    “Señor has a tattoo!” Jesus shouted before he gave a strange look, “. . .Wait a minute.”

    Antonio looked down at his arm and found that blasted dark mark still embedded into his skin. He grit his teeth as he pulled his arm away from Javier.

    “Antonio,” Javier spoke, “why do you have that mark?”

    “Thank pinche José!” Antonio barked, “Dammed bastard did this to me, like I’m some kind of animal.”

    “José?” Jesus’ eyes widened, “he found you after all?? Señor, the detective lady told you to be careful!”

    “I was being careful,” Antonio frowned, “the asshole kidnapped me when I wasn’t looking, but I’m not dead so don’t worry about it.”

    His glance fell on Lizzie’s then – Terror filled her emerald eyes as she looked from the mark up to Antonio.

    “Don’t worry, Liz,” Antonio forced a smile, “It only hurt for a second.”

    “That’s not funny,” She folded her arms.

    “Liz—”

    “Don’t worry, pretty lady!” Jesus put an arm around Lizzie’s shoulders, “Señor is a lion!”

    “Thought I was a bull,” Antonio shook his head as he looked at Javier, “there’s something really weird going on, and I think you should hear about it.”

    “You have my ears,” his foreman smirked.