Amy walked through the doors, head bowed, and a book pressed under her arm as she tapped rapidly on the display of her phone. She was typing a message or a reply to a comment, something, anything but watching where she was going.
"Careful," I said, stopping her before she collided with Susan who had chosen the most awkward time to start vacuuming.
"Huh? Oh. Sorry."
"No problem."
She didn't even look at me, just stomped around Susan and walked up the counter. I watched her for a moment and swallowed all the things I wanted to say.
That wouldn't be fair to her.
I was dead and gone. She had enough pain and some nutter coming up and saying, 'hey, I'm your dead brother,' wouldn't go down well.
Instead, I walked around to the other side of the counter and checked the book back in. "This any good?"
"S'alright."
I set the book down and held back a sigh. She had always been so bubbly and chatty, even with strangers. "You getting another out?"
"Sure."
She did glance up then, her bright, blue eyes meeting mine for an instant before they flicked away. Not before I'd seen the pain and hopelessness in them though.
I pressed a hand to my breast, feeling like my heart was about to break in two it hurt so bad as I watched her walk slowly to the shelves of books.
If anything, it just reinforced that I'd done the right thing making my deal with Orryn. She needed me.
All I had to do was figure out how to help her.
Which wasn't going to be as easy as I'd expected. The community centre was the hub of Harehills. Old, young, they all came here at some point. Alcoholics Anonymous. Gamblers Anonymous. Mother and baby groups. Health worker checkups. Library. Computer and internet use for those who didn't have it at home.
Even just for a coffee and a biscuit, or a chance to get out of the near permanent drizzle and cold. It was a place where everyone was welcome.
And a place where I could talk to people and get a bead on what the hell was happening in Harehills. Where the trouble spots were. The troubled people. Those most desperate and likely to be willing to make a deal with the devil.
People like me.
That brought a wry smile, and I shook my head. Stupid people, indeed.
"Hey."
I looked up, smile widening as Kevin walked through the doors. He paused, looking around and taking it all in without expression before walking briskly to the counter and setting down a carboard Costa Coffee cup that was hot to the touch.
"You shouldn't have," I said, still smiling. Why the hell was I smiling?
"I'm sorry," he said.
He seemed to expect a response, and I rolled my eyes before I said, "Yes, fine. I'm sorry too."
Leaning forward, his lips touched mine, briefly, before he pulled back, glancing nervously around. "Sorry, I know you're busy."
"No. No, it's fine. I'm almost done." And suddenly quite energised, the long day almost forgotten. "If you hang around a bit we could go get some food?"
"Sounds good."
A woman cleared her throat behind him, and he twisted his neck looking back and grinned as he stepped aside. I'll go check out the books.
My eyes followed him as he crossed the room, silly smile still in place, until the woman cleared her throat again. "Alright," I snapped. "Jeez. Give me a minute."
I was clearing off the counter when Father Peter caught up with me. His expression solemn, he gestured for me to step to the side, away from the few remaining people browsing the shelves.
"I'm afraid I will have to be leaving shortly."
"Everything okay, Father?"
"Peter," he said. "Please, just call me, Peter."
"Sorry." My cheeks flared as he smiled, amiably and patted my hand.
"Don't worry, Miss. You've done a fine job today."
"Thank you."
"Will you be back?"
There was a hint of concern in his voice, and I realised he was worried I would say no. He wasn't an old man, but he wasn't young either. The back end of fifty, and world-weary. He'd spent years fighting to keep the community centre open and the community itself alive, and he was tired beyond words.
It was obvious to me once I realised that. The way his shoulders hung low, the droop of his cheeks and the way his chin trembled as he chewed over his thoughts, eyes distant and worry worn like a cloak.
He needed help. Needed me, I realised.
And, I kind of liked that.
I'd been a shit most of my life, but I had a second chance. A chance to do something decent.
"Yes, Peter," I said, smiling. "I'll be back tomorrow."
His smile took years off his face, and he laughed. "That's grand, Chloe. Just grand. We open at ten, so if you can be in by nine-thirty, that would be just great."
"Not a problem."
"We'll sit down tomorrow and work out a schedule. Whatever you're willing to work will be welcome."
He mumbled quietly to himself as he walked away, though his back seemed a little straighter and I thought there may be a little more spring in his step.
Though I could have been just seeing what I wanted.
Not that it mattered. I felt useful and needed, and that felt just amazing.
Now all I needed to do was find the demons, and my day would be perfect.
Amy placed a couple of books carefully on the counter and I spun to serve her. As I worked, I asked a few questions, keeping it light, but seeing if she'd respond.
She was quiet, shy even, which was entirely unlike her, and utterly resistant to my probing. I watched her leave and exhaled softly.
"You know her?"
"Nice kid," I said, not looking at Kevin. "I thought I did, but not sure I do."
The flats weren't far from the community centre, and I'd walked the distance myself at her age. Still, I couldn't help but worry about her. I waved goodbye to Father Peter and was ignored by Susan, who was lost in her old world, and stepped out into the cold evening air as I buttoned up my coat.
It was already dark, and I stopped to watch Amy as she walked slowly along the road, head down, phone in her hand.
"She'll be fine," Kevin said, and I glanced at him, frowning. "What?"
"The kid. You look worried."
"Yeah, it's dark." I gestured at the general area. "And… this place."
He studied me for a moment in the light of the streetlamp and then threw an arm around my shoulders, then pulled me close. I considered resisting but, in truth, it was nice to feel supported.
"You did good," he said, voice soft. "I was wrong. This was the right choice for you."
"Thank you."
I think I meant it.
He was a nerd who read for fun and… well…he was male. But, aside from that, he was a decent guy. If I had still been me, we could have been mates.
I sniggered softly.
No, we couldn't. He'd have hated me for being the useless bit of scum I was, and I would have kicked his ass and stolen his wallet.
He pulled back, looking down at me, puzzled. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing." I shook my head and giggled again. "Let's go get some food."
"Sure, you go ahead and I'll follow you."
His large hand rubbed my back affectionately and he was away, headed towards his car while I faced mine. My mind awhirl and feelings hopping about all over the place.
"Damned, girl hormones," I muttered and walked swiftly to my car.
Then stopped, keys dropping from nerveless fingers as I stared at the man across the road.
He hadn't seen me; his attention was fixed on something else.
Someone else.
Amy.
For a moment, his entire head seemed to shift and change, flickering between a wolf and a sour faced man with greasy hair and unshaved face.
Demon.
A glance towards where Kevin was already in his car waiting and I chewed my lower lip. There was no way I could let the demon follow Amy.
Not a chance in hell.
I stooped and scooped up my keys before setting off, half-jogging awkwardly in the low heels as I chased after the man, I'd seen.
It wasn't long before Amy turned into the estate, that maze like warren of houses and streets that surrounded the block of flats. A voice called out my name, but I ignored it, panic filling me, setting my heart beating thunder in my chest as I had focus for the threat to my sister and nothing else.
Amy crossed a road, and down a snicket, a shortcut. We'd all taken it over the years. Overgrown with weeds and poorly maintained by the council. The houses nearby were empty. Had been for years, since a riot had driven out the families that lived in them.
Broken glass in the windows and gardens so overgrown you could barely see the gate between the thick bushes. Perfect place to harm a child.
The demon picked up the pace, and I kicked off my stupid heels and ran, arms pumping.
I'd left the knife at home.
It sat on my bedside table, unseen by anyone but me.
I was a fool.
He was a handful of paces behind Amy.
Arm rising, ready grasp her.
I reached him first. Hand gripping his shoulder, spinning him around. His eyes widening as he registered his surprise.
"Who the fuck're you?"
"Leave her alone," I hissed and swung a fist at his head.
He swayed back, out of the way and my fist flew hopelessly past. Then his eyes flashed with anger, and he grabbed my arm, squeezing painfully and threw me through the gate into the garden where I landed on my ass with a grunt.
The demon followed me in, face twisting and changing, the wolf becoming all I could see. The air was close with his musk, animalistic, foul. He stared down at me, tongue lolling, pale pink and slimy to my eyes.
"You'll do instead," he said, reaching down and gripping my arm.
I yelped as he dragged me into the house, kicking aside the rotten door that hung from the hinges and tossing me as easily a child would a doll into what had been the living room.
Dust filled the air around me, kicked up as I hit the floor, and I coughed, pushing backwards, as he advanced menacingly. His eyes were black pits, surrounded by fur the colour of stained wood. His breath misted the air, hot and hurried as excitement stirred in him.
His hand gripped his crotch, adjusting himself as his excitement strained at his dirty jeans and I felt a very real fear. But more than that, I felt anger, and a desperate need to protect Amy. If that meant I took her place. So be it.
But I wouldn't make it easy.
My questing fingers curled around a broken bottle, and I swung as he leapt at me. It cracked against his skull, and he recoiled, growling low in his throat. He pressed me down easily with his right hand while he gripped my left painfully, squeezing until my fingers spread and the bottle dropped.
"Bitch," he breathed.
Saliva dropped from his fangs, and I turned my face away in revulsion as the sticky stuff landed on my cheek.
"Scream for me."
"Fuck you."
I needed to protect Amy. To keep her safe. It was the only thing I could think of.
Outside a man called my name.
Kevin. Searching for me. But he wouldn't find me in time and even if he did, the demon would just hurt him too.
I couldn't allow that.
I spat defiance at him, and he just laughed. It excited him. I could feel that pressing against my leg.
He wanted me to beg. To cry. To scream.
Wanted the pain and the terror.
To feed on it.
I refused to allow that.
Instead, I stared him in the eye and snarled back at him. "Do your worst."
He pulled back, arm rising and falling to crack against my cheek. Lights flashed as the world spun and I gasped, pain flaring.
My fingers curled, as I drove all my anger and revulsion into my desire to hurt him.
And I felt the solid weight of the hilt in my hand.
The hum of the blade filled the air.
An eagerness to be used. To fulfil my need.
He saw the blade and his eyes filled with fear. "How-"
I drew a line across his neck with one slash, and he reeled back, hands clutching at it as I winced, waiting for an explosion that didn't come.
Light flared between his fingers, sending strobe like lines across the room. A low keen of pain and fear filtered from the demon's mouth as fire filled his eyes, bright white lines of pure fire running across his skin as it blackened and crisped, becoming ash.
I stared in shocked awe, seeing the result of the knife as it's hum rose in volume, filling the room. It sounded eager. Happy, even.
The door burst open as Kevin rushed into the room and he stopped, staring aghast at the scene before him.
Me, on the ground, the wolf headed demon astride me clutching at his throat as fire burned him from the inside out.
Then the demon collapsed in on himself, ash showering me as it filled the air with embers.
The knife fell silent, and I met Kevin's shocked gaze with my own.
"At, least he didn't explode this time," I said.