Hunter at the Door
Friday, the 26th, March 2024
Tim Hunter, dressed in baggy jeans and faded t-shirt, stands outside the closed door, waiting in the busy corridor. He is first in the queue, leading a long procession that snakes its way along the passage, down the stairs and out into the street. He is acutely aware that he is the only one breathing.
"Enter."
The door swings open on its own accord. Tim enters, hiking the straps of his backpack further onto his shoulders. The door closes behind him. He doesn't even need to touch it.
The room Tim finds himself in is a little attic in a London townhouse, converted by magic into a little private office space. The walls are lined with bookshelves, the spines of each text colour-coordinated. There is an open cupboard to his left, filled with children's board games and trinkets, including a magic 8-ball, that sits on an elevated metal stand so as not to fall off and roll away. The name Niko has been printed on the black surface of the plastic sphere in pink and clear plastic diamonte.
At the far end of the room, in front of two large windows, is a wooden desk and a set of chairs. Three of the four chairs are occupied by Edwin Payne, Crystal Palace Surname-Von Hoverkraft, and Niko Sasaki. Charles Rowland sits on the edge of the table, his feet dangling.
Rowland, a boy of sixteen with a kind face and one pierced ear smiles widely at Tim.
"Alright, mate? Been way too long."
Rowland and Hunter fist-bump one another.
"Hello, Charles. Edwin."
Adjusting his greeting, he offers a hand out formally for Edwin to shake. To which he does. It is quick and simple, just as Edwin liked it.
"Timothy Hunter, to what do we owe the pleasure?"
"Always so formal Edwin. Please, Tim is just fine. And erm, hi, I don't think we have been introduced."
"Oh yes of course my manners. Timo- erm, Tim sorry, this is our medium Crystal Palace and our expert in inter-plane travel and customs, Niko Sasaki."
Niko, a teen girl with flowing silver hair the colour of moonlight chirps in, excitedly.
"Oooh cool. I didn't realise that was my title."
"It wasn't until just now when I made it up. I ... was having a hard time quantifying what your main role was here."
"A pleasure to meet you both."
"You too. Now please take a seat." Crystal says. She has a thick American accent
"Thank you."
"So, how can The Dead Boy Detectives be of assistance."
And who said School was out?
"Yes, well ... as you and Charles know, Edwin, I was a student at White School for several years, where I was training under Merlin to control my powers."
"Hang up a minute. Merlin? As in Merlin, Merlin? Prince Arthur's Merlin?"
"I mean, the man is a magician and has been subject to a myth or so, yeah."
"Cool, cool. Good to know."
Edwin clicks his tongue.
"Anyway... there was an ... incident and me and my fellow students had to be relocated to ensure our safety. "
"I'd imagine that must be very troubling, being as you attended the same place for a long time. Are you alright now?"
"Yeah. I'm fine now. We all are. We are currently boarders in a school outside of London, called St Hil..."
"St. Hilarions School for Boys." The words felt like poison on Charles and Edwin's tongues as they spoke at the same time.
"Yes. Well, when we arrived everything at first was okay. Well, not really it is a British Private School with all the stuffy and tedious elitism you would expect to find. But we did our best to adjust. And for a time we were fine. But then it started happening. One night, I could hear movement from up above us. Creaking. Heavy breathing. Coming from the attic, as though it were alive."
"Which attic?"
"An attic in the West Wing. Naturally, I went to investigate it. But what we found was ... It was horrible up there. There was a demon revelling in mystery woe and despair. Feasting on it. Well, we tried our best to banish the demon but we found that we could not."
"You, the all-powerful Tim Hunter, wizard extraordinaire had problems with banishing a demon? I find that hard to believe." Edwin's tone is colder than usual.
"The demon itself is a lesser demon. A minor one. Nothing that could match me on my own terms. Yet ... there was some kind of ward protecting the demon from my spells. A ward that made it impossible to touch or hurt. I did my own research and it came to me. This lesser demon is bound to the school by invocation and blood magic. Only the one whose blood was used to bring forth the demon can end the enchantment and send that demon back to Hell."
"And whose blood was used in the ritual?" The room was awkwardly silent. Hunter and Rowland's eyes flick towards Payne. The latter gazes at the floor in melancholy. Crystal asks again, "... Well?"
"... Mine." Edwin's voice was small. "It was my blood, my flesh, my life that they extinguished to bring forth this beast. He does have a name, by the way, it's Sa'al. As you say a lesser demon, but one with a name. And a demon with a name is a significant problem."
"Sa'al? Are you sure about that, Edwin?"
"I assume so from the ritual. Though I didn't ask for its bloody identification papers as it was dragging me to Hell, Charles..."
"What is it you are asking of us, Tim?"
"Isn't it quite obvious? He's already said it. The demon's link must be purged, and the only person who can do that ... is me."
"Yes."
"And I am assuming that this highly complex and dangerous bit of magic needs to take place at the site where the ritual took place."
"Yes."
"No. No. Absolutely not. No." Charles was on his feet, furiously pacing back and forth, muttering curses under his breath. "Surely there is another way? There must be? You are an all-powerful magician, surely there is something within your power"
"I have tried everything I know! Maybe there is something, but it is not anything I know how to do and we are running out of time. He is attacking students. Has been for decades. He attacked Adam. My friend. He is in a coma. A magical coma and he won't wake up. He ... he may never wake up."
"Charles, Crystal, Niko, a word in the cupboard."
"So let me get this straight. This guy wants you two to go to the place of your deaths? To perform a piece of magic we do not know how to perform? All to stop the demon who dragged you to Hell and could possibly do again? Just so I'm one hundred per cent clear about how fucked this assignment sounds."
"In a nutshell."
"About that ... what is my likelihood that he may drag me back into Hell kicking and screaming? Niko?"
"Erm... we could consult the eight-ball?"
"Great, this could be my final case and we may have to resort to the stupid eight-ball."
"Okay, let's just all calm the fuck down for a moment here. Edwin ... This is a big decision. But no matter what you choose to do, we support you. No matter what. Remember that."
"Agreed. I won't let anyone take you away from us mate. Even if it means fighting through Hell ... again."
"As I recall you only had to fight your way out of Hell. The trip in was a cakewalk."
"Hey, you try dealing with all those bloody steps. I would have died of boredom if I wasn't already dead."
"So... as this seems to be a more light-hearted conversation, I take it we have agreed to go on a highly dangerous mission that we may not return from?"
"So it seems. Besides, if Hunter is there, then that might make it easier."
"Fine."
"Fuck it. I had hoped I would never have to step foot in that Hellhole again."
"Alright, Hunter. We have agreed to accept your case. And all that matters is our payment."
"A protection amulet. In advance..." Tim Hunter removes a horrible necklace - a single eyeball threaded onto a chain - from his jeans pocket, placing it before the team. "I have rings that can tap into the power of the necklace and share its protective magic. So long as the wearer has close emotional ties to the amulet's owner."
"I've read about this. If my memory is correct, this is a protection amulet from the court of Beelzebub. This was in the possession of the Mistress of Fawny Rig, Ethel Cripps."
"Passed down to her granddaughter, Heather and won by me in an auction after her wedding to a mortal. Well, technically won by my mentor Zatanna, but details. Point is, this beauty can hold back the powers of Hell, so should protect your pretty little heads."
"A very generous payment. When would you like us to start?"
"Hah, well no time like the present. I have a taxi waiting outside."
Deja Vu
The cab trundles along the winding country roads, out into the verdant fields of the spring farmlands. Sheep graze and bleat as they pass. Edwin is counting them. He had grown accustomed to counting animals of all kinds since his time in Port Townsend and the constant activity keeps his mind pleasantly distracted from the looming dread awaiting them upon their return.
"72." He mutters. "73. 74. And a badger."
"You're counting sheep now? Oh, here we go. Don't tell me, you pissed off the King of Sheep mate?" Edwin ignores him, continuing his ritual. "That would be Woolraising."
"For your information, Charles, I am merely clearing my mind and grounding myself in the here and now before we go into the when and where. And no, there is no sheep monarch. I checked."
"You never know, you may find a sexy monarch who is Mutton dressed like Lamb."
"Charles! I told you that in confidence. It is unfair to flaunt my recklessness in front of everyone."
"Oh, we all saw it."
"I thought he was sweet, in a prowling, arrogant way. Very full of himself." Niko said, clutching hold of a bell jar filled with dandelions.
"He was all that." And the tone in his voice was almost reverent. He closes his eyes, and there he is. The Cat King. Running his tongue over his lips. Emerald eyes narrow and look him up and down like prey. He inches in closer and whispers his soft, seductive voice into his ear. "No. I refuse to be haunted by such eroticism."
"I knew you and the Cat King got it on! Told you he did."
"I did nothing of the kind. He was boorish and shallow and totally toying with me for his own gain. Besides trust my luck, the only two boys who show me any attention are a Cat King and a Witch's Familiar."
"What about my friend, Simon? Did you get on well with him? He is super fit and super into you. Oh, and also, he's human."
"It was most pleasant. I just ... don't know. Felt something was missing. I can not think what it might be."
"Sure." Rowland gives him a knowing smile. Edwin kicks him hard in the shins. "I felt that... nice. You've been practising."
"If you are trying to insinuate what I think you are, Charles, then it is not so. Simon is a gentleman, and I would love to partake in another stroll with him when this is all over, Niko."
"Great. I'll let him know. Yay! My matchmaker curse has been lifted."
"Easy, now, Cupid. Don't go celebrating just yet. We want no repeats of what happened last time."
"You promised not to bring that up again."
"No, Jenny did."
"According to the map, we should be at St. Hilarions before the Crow ... I mean raven flies. Jee, I can not do with the sight of crows at the moment. I see you can't either." Charles said, tracing his finger along the map.
"It's fine. About the Cat King, I mean. It was bound to be public knowledge to the girls. I just don't want you both to think less of me for having 2 potential suitors in a period of a few months. It would be scandalous back in my day."
"That isn't many, mate."
"Yeah. Before David, my body count was in the high thirties."
"Wanted to ask about that. Can I be on your body count if I'm dead?"
"Really, Charles! What kind of a question is that?" Edwin splutters. If he could, he would be blushing, looking from Charles to Crystal and then at the floor. Niko is watching intently, as though this were an episode of some reality TV show, filled with plot twists and love triangles.
"No. You don't. Besides, the body count is for only those you have no real connection to."
"Get in!"
Edwin's attention quickly b-lines back to the field, wishing to be as far away from this conversation as possible. He presses his face against the glass, hiding his expression.
"Charles. Don't rub our relationship in Edwin's face. It's not nice." Crystal's words are a whisper.
"But he's happy for us. He said it himself."
"He also said it while playing with his lip. You know what that means. Yes, he's happy for us. But he's also ... you know. He'll come around in time. But until then, perhaps not tease him so much about the Cat King or Monty."
"You know I can hear you both perfectly well."
"Oh shit."
"Can we kindly change the topic from birds and crows and cats and kings and focus on the matter at hand. What will we do when we get there?"
"Most definitely."
They spoke little after that.
New School Term
The sun had just set by the time the taxi pulled up outside the open main gates of the large Gothic schoolhouse of St. Hilarion's School for Boys. It had changed little in the time Edwin and Charles studied there, still a quadrant of stone and outhouses, backed by fields, forests and a nearby lake.
"Wow." Niko gasped in amazement. "This place looks amazing."
"I suppose the building was sound enough. It was the pupils and staff that made the experience anything but pleasant." Edwin said, disembarking from the cab first, followed by Niko and Tim. Crystal and Charles remained for a minute longer, no doubt to finish their conversation from earlier.
"Are you sure you are alright being back here?" Tim asked Edwin, placing a reassuring hand on the young ghost's shoulder.
"I mean, I can think of many places I would rather be than here. But it is necessary I am here. I ... I don't want to have anyone else suffer my fate. Not at the hands of Sa'al or any other demon. Lead on. This is your school now, after all."
"Erm... what about me?" Crystal asked. "With you three dead, you can pass unnoticed. I don't have that luxury, and as you may have noticed, this is an all-boys school."
"I didn't think of that. You could always use one of our disguise glasses to change your appearance. But they have been known to cause eye strain for long periods of time being worn by livings. Unless you have a better solution, Tim."
"I do actually." Tim reaches into his pocket, the same one that held the protection amulet and hands Crystal yet another pendant. This time it is a crystal moon, carved from Topas, held together by opal links. "This is a glamour charm. A handy little trinket I used to use a lot back in the day. Using it will drastically alter your physical form, to everyone but the five of us, who know you. I made sure to make the necessary changes, couldn't well have you transform into Mary, could I?"
"Whose Mary?"
"Another part of Tim, innit. A stunning beauty, as ever I saw one. Those were some fun times, weren't they?"
"Remind me which time you thought was fun? You're interrogating me for a case, or that night we spent on Danny. One was far more pleasurable than the other."
"I have so many questions."
"As do I."
"No time for questions. Crystal, if you could put the charm on, we can begin. I don't like the look of these clouds. Nor how quickly it changed, so think it best we get indoors, pronto."
"They don't look like clouds. More like mist?"
"Mist? Oh no! Run!"
The group sprinted up the drive as a thick blanket of fog swept across the grounds, consuming everything in sight. It was almost upon them when a burst of vibrant colour whizzed past their faces.
"Hurry, quick. I can't keep the fog back forever." The speaker was a student of Egyptian descent, dressed in a pair of striped pyjamas and slippers. He was holding a door open for them and beckoned frantically. They didn't need telling twice. They dove into the building and slammed the door shut behind them. Save for Crystal and Tim's panting, the school was unnaturally quiet. No rustle of the wind. Or the caw of the birds. There was just a haunting stillness.
"Thanks for the save, Daniel. I'd hoped we got here before that happened." Tim pushed himself to his feet and hugged their saviour.
"I'm sorry. Before what happened? What the hell was that?!"
"It's mists from Hell," Edwin answered. "When I escaped, it was known as The Season of Mists. A rare phenomenon caused when Lucifer Morningstar closed Hell and turfed out its residents. It seems that despite all that, sorting itself out somewhat, the Mists linger on."
"Are these the people you told us about? The ones to save us."
"They are indeed."
"Then you are most welcome."
"Come on, let us find the others."
The dorm was large and spacious, with uncomfortable metal single beds lined neatly in a row. All but five of these beds were occupied.
"Thank goodness! You're both back! I thought the mist had claimed you!" Toby Henderson rushed over to hug Daniel and Tim, dropping his copy of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in his haste.
"I told you they would be." The occupant of the furthest bed, Lachlan Fischer, said. He was a handsome boy of sixteen, dressed in shorts and a baggy ice hockey jersey. His ginger hair is long and shaggy.
"I fortified the building as you told me to. The mist can't get in. But it's getting worse. Thick and has more of a grasp. And I saw... I saw... things in there. Lurking in the folds. They don't look human. They don't sound human. They sound awful."
"Toby, mate. Breathe. We're here now with our backup. Lads, might I introduce you all to the Dead Boy Detectives?" Tim said, motioning to each one in turn. "Edwin Payne, Charles Rowland, Niko and Crystal Palace."
There was a murmur of greeting as each gave their how-does to one another.
"Are you here to help us? I mean, I know that's what Tim says. But can you really help us?" Toby asks, his face pink and flushed.
"We can certainly try," Charles said, offering Toby a reassuring smile.
"Trying and doing are two very different things. We tried, and look where that got us. Really Hunter, are these the best you could find?" Tyler Kleine snarled.
"We've been over this. It's blood magic far beyond us."
"But this group. A trio of ghosts and I am assuming ... what, their mascot?"
"Medium," Crystal said tersely. "And did you have any luck dealing with the demon before Tim came to us?"
"Well... I would have if he'd allowed me to look at the Books of Magic."
"No. Those are not to be used under any circumstances! We've been over this!"
"You've been over it. But I can't be the only one who thinks you coveting them is ..."
"Coveting? They were entrusted to me, as ..."
"If you are going to say you are the next Sorcerer Supreme, I will..."
"Enough! You are both acting like children, squabbling." Daniel's voice commanded silence, and Tyler and Tim listened. "We're happy that you are here. Especially since while you were away, Tim, Rupert and Amir have also been attacked."
"What? How?"
"They were banging in an empty classroom when they were set upon by the demon."
"They are in the medical wing. Just like Adam."
"We will need to see them. Maybe their condition holds some secret as to how to defeat Sa'al."
"Sa'al? You know the bastard's name. That's good to know."
"Fine. Just don't get in my way. I can do this on my own."
Tyler stormed out of the room, barging past Tim with a deliberate bump of his shoulder.
"Charming."
"Please do ignore, Tyler. He means well. He is just not used to being powerless."
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