CHAPTER 12: NOT WELCOME IN HELL

Joaqin catches his breath as he chases a criminal which is a massacre murder suspect. They have been trying to catch the man for 3 months and they finally discovered his location. The man started running as soon as he revealed that he’s a police.

“Need my help?” He heard Linus’ voice in his head. Joaqin ignored the demon and kept running in hopes of chasing the man but he already lost him. He looked around and there’s so many possible route he have taken.

Joaqin pushed his hair back in frustration, “Damn.” he muttered.

“Where is the suspect?” He asked, finally giving up. Linus appeared beside him, “you still need my help after all.” The demon grinned.

“Stop talking nonsense and tell me where the man is.” Joaqin impatiently ordered.

Linus snickered, his day wouldn’t be complete without Joaqin scowling at him, “On his way to a market…” Joaqin started running and left the demon.

“Oh, he’ll probably hostage someone. You should stop him before he kills someone again, Mr. Superhero.” Linus sounded so excited which irks Joaqin to the core. He hates how the demon sees everything as a form of entertainment.

He immediately took a shortcut route towards the nearest market and true to Linus’ words, he saw the criminal already running towards the exit of the market. He immediately blocked the man’s way and pointed his gun.

“Put your hands up to your head.” He ordered.

The man freaked out and grabbed a teenager at one side. Panicked screams were heard from the boy’s mother rang on Joaqin’s ears. The boy froze as the man pointed the knife on his neck.

“Don’t you dare take another step forward! I’ll slash this kid’s neck.” The man threatened. Joaqin has no choice but to put his gun down. He raised his hands to show that he’s totally unarmed.

“Let the child go.” He firmly said. The man laughed manically, “Do you think I’m an idiot?!” he yelled and put the knife closer to the boy’s neck.

The mother of the child is also pleading the hostage taker to let go of his son, but she’s relentlessly ignored. Other people have been stopping the woman from running to her son.

“No, but we should talk this out. If you kill that child, your sentence would only lengthen further. I’ll help you but please let go of the child and let us talk.” He had to buy time for the backup team he called.

The man laughed again, “Now you’re pleading to me? You’re disgusting.” He insulted.

Joaqin didn’t budge. How he wanted to knock the man out.

“Guess you need my help again.” Linus materialized beside Joaqin. He looked around and the backup is nowhere to be found. There are too many people around and he can’t risk firing.

“Tik tok tik tok time is running,” Linus chanted as he looks at his wrist while looking at his imaginary watch.

“Fine.”  Joaqin mumbled.

“Finally!” Linus exclaimed and disappeared beside him but he could hear his laughter.

He saw the culprit froze, like he is seeing something. It was Linus’ doing, the demon simply messes up with the human’s mind. The man looked afraid, his grip from the child instantly loosen up.

Joaqin immediately used the distraction to disarm the man and pin him on the ground. The knife was thrown in a few distance, and the boy safely got away and is now with his mother who’s been crying the whole time.

He immediately took the man’s hands at the back and handcuff him, “Mr. Raynolds, you are being arrested for murdering your own family, you have the right to remain silent-” the man resisted but Joaqin is a lot stronger, “-Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney and if you can’t afford an attorney, the government will provide for you.” He finished reciting the man’s Miranda rights and he heard the sound of the siren approaching.

Finally, the others are here.

“Tss, always late in the scene.” Linus commented.

The man is immediately taken inside the police car.

Joaqin looked around and approached the boy that has been taken as hostage.

“Thank you so much for saving my son.” The mother is still crying. She almost wanted to kneel to thank the officer. Joaqin gave a comforting smile, “I’m just doing my job, ma’am.”

Joaqin leaned and checked the boy who’s around 14 years old, “Are you okay, do you want to be taken to the hospital?” He asked the boy even though there is no visible wound in the child’s neck and body.

The child smiled, “You’re so cool earlier!” Joaqin couldn’t help but to chuckle at the sudden compliment. He ruffled the kid’s hair affectionately. This is the reason why he is ready to sell his own soul.

“Your son looks okay.” Joaqin said to the child’s mother and invited them to the police station so they can also press appropriate charges.

--

“What do you mean the case is already closed? Sir, I just arrived to give the summary of my report and I already scheduled a questioning for the suspects.” Joaqin couldn’t help but ask. His superior gave him a warning glare because of how he raised his voice. Joaqin didn’t back down, he needs to know the reason behind this!

“Sorry sir, but I deserve an explanation. You made me in charge of this case and I’m doing my job-” his superior cut him off “-the family chose not to proceed with the case. I received direct orders to stop the investigation Joaqin. If you like to peacefully stay in your place then forget about this case.” He cannot accept this, it is impossible that Chris withdrew the case. He saw the child and all he could see is his desire to get justice for his deceased parents. Surely, there is something he didn’t know.

Joaqin glared at the demon who’s been laughing like crazy at the back of his superior.

“Are you glaring at me, Mr. Carter?” His superior challenged. Joaqin wished that demons could die from laughing too much or maybe he could try killing Linus by strangling him.

“No sir. I’m going.” He answered and straight to the interrogation room to handle his other case.

“What was that?” the man they just arrested asked.

“What is?” Joaqin responded but his mind is still on the closed case. He must do something to open the case again.

“I saw them.” The man shuddered, “I-I saw that woman and those noisy kids in the market. They were laughing at me.” Joaqin quickly understood that it was what the demon has shown to the man earlier.

“Did you mean your wife and your kids?” the man laughed.

“Those kids aren’t mine, that woman has been cheating to me all along,” the man laughed, “but she’s still has the guts to yell at me. She kept on blabbering nonsense so I shut her up!” Joaqin glared at the man.

“And the children, what did you do to them?”

The man smiled grimly, “they kept crying so I did the same thing. I stabbed their throats as much as I can so they wouldn’t be able to cry anymore.”

“So you are admitting that you killed them?” Joaqin asked.

The man shook his head, “I was so sure that I did, but I saw them there. They were laughing at me!”

“I barely tapped on his mind and this is how he reacted? He must be feeling guilt.” Linus chuckled beside Joaqin.

“Do you regret killing them?” Joaqin asked, but the man glared at Joaqin like he said something hideous.

“Regret? It was the most exhilarating thing I’ve done in my life! I would do it over and over again if I could.” The demon snorted.

“Okay, maybe he’s not guilty.”

--

“It’s impossible that they got Chris’ consent to stop the investigation! The higher ups are covering something again.” Joaqin exclaimed. His face is tinted red because of infuriation.

Linus laughed beside him, he really loves seeing Joaqin’s irritated face.

“Can you calm down? The last time I checked, greed is your sin. Are you going to delve in wrath too? That will be a sight.”

Joaqin glared at the demon, “Shut up, Linus.”

“You obviously didn’t know something, maybe in that company. What is the name again….Fantasia! Right, that company looks very suspicious.” Linus said then slyly grinned.

Joaqin stopped from walking, “And you?” Joaqin answered, “You probably know something but you’re not telling me because you wanted to play.” He ascertained. The demon’s smile grew wider.

“Maybe I know a thing or two? Maybe I don’t? Don’t worry, it’s in our contract after all. I’ll tell you eventually.” Joaqin is an intelligent host, he knew that both parties are allowed to demand things from the other party for the contract to be consensual.

One of Joaqin’s imposed conditions is for Linus not to ever lie to him, but demon contracts always favored the demons. There is always a loop hole that the demon can use. In their case, Linus is not allowed to lie to Joaqin but he can also choose to stay quiet and don’t say anything at all. Joaqin painfully realized it few days after they formed the contract.

Joaqin wouldn’t admit, but the demon is doing a great job helping him. He was able to arrest a lot of criminals thanks to Linus.

Maybe his soul is a small price to pay.

“Your demon friend told you to stay quiet, no?” Joaqin asserted, Linus smiled brightly and nodded.

“He said I should let you satisfy your greed and he got a point so… enjoy.” Linus chuckled and continued enjoying his chocolate drink. Joaqin didn’t even know where the demon got his drink but he’s already assuming that Linus stole it somewhere.

“Go back to hell.” Joaqin goaded but Linus only gave him another laugh. People must be wondering what they are talking about that the other man keeps on laughing like a child.

“Sorry but I’m not welcome in there,” Joaqin’s brows knitted with Linus’s answer. A demon not welcome in hell? Is Linus that troublesome that even hell vomited him?

“What do you mean?” Joaqin asked before he could think. Why is he suddenly curious about the demon’s story?

“It’s because I’m not a demon in the first place. I’m a bit different from them.” Linus answered without any hesitation, no humans have dared to ask him and he’s bored, so why not?

“Oh great, I made a contract with a creature I don’t even know what. What are you then, Linus?” Joaqin looked more stress after the revelation. He’s suddenly regretting that he rashly agreed to the contract.

“I’m a fallen angel, at least that’s what humans call it,” Linus took a last sip of his drink and threw it somewhere. Joaqin sighed and went back to pick up the demon’s trash and threw it in a nearby trash Linus.

“You? An angel?” Joaqin sarcastically laughed. It was the funniest joke the demon have said so far, “You can’t even throw your trash in a proper place. Stop fooling around, your far impossible to be an angel.”

“Did you forget that I can’t lie to you? I’m telling the truth. I was banished because I broke a sacred rule…” The usual goofy smile from Linus is gone, his eyes seemed distant too.

“I’m banished from the heavens and not welcome in hell. That’s what kind of creature I am,” Linus’s playful smile came back but somehow his eyes are telling the opposite. Joaqin felt a weird sting on his chest.

Is he feeling bad for Linus?

The demon continued walking as if nothing happened, “Hey, why are you still standing there? Let’s go, my time is precious!” Linus complained as he stood beside the police car.

“Shut up, you have all the time in the world.” Joaqin retaliated but followed Linus anyway.