Chapter 10

The world is changing. Why do you people not realise? Evil is spreading throughout the world. Everywhere there is immorality, there is no order, and the people are allowing the world to go to the dogs. You allow them to enter, influence you, and infiltrate you slowly, desensitizing you and making you unaware. This does not soften the blow; it makes it worse. And verily I say to you, the world was once destroyed by water, through fault of wicked men. They saw not the error of their ways; neither did they try to serve their Lord. The Lord shall not again destroy this world through water, for that has been His promise. The next time, it shall be worse. The world shall be destroyed by fire, and this shall be the end of days.

"For many will come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, see that ye not be troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not as yet." Matthew, Chapter 24, vs. 5-6.

The Lord does not destroy without due warning. Look around you. His signs are evident. Men worship money, sex, fame, power as their God in their heart, though on their lips are words which revere His name. There are those as well, who do not know their Lord, and shall not know unless they are taught. It is wrong for those who know to hold back, and not share with the world. But He sends His signs, and His chosen to pray for you, and they fight for you, many times without you knowing that your life has been saved. May the Lord be praised. Amen.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Delmar Eduardo's Side

Remi was sitting across from me. I couldn't hear a word she was saying. I was too engrossed in what was about to happen. I was too engrossed with what was to become of me after this mass exorcism. There would be no real need, after that, for me to work with her closely again. But I had to. We were connected in a way most people weren't. I never thought I'd get to meet her. Then again, how could I not, if I was immortal?

There were many girls that I have loved over the years. Many of them are centuries dead, and many of them I never stayed with long enough to see their hair grow white and their bodies turn to dust. I always left before then. They all missed me terribly, and I missed them. I loved them all dearly, but equally. I have found many true loves.

None of them were Remi.

Remi knew my deepest secret. The thing I hid from everyone, all my previous loves, was also a part of her. She lived it every day, as did I. She may never know what a curse it is to be immortal, but at least she knew the danger. Actually, I may not even love her. But I love what she knows.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kevin Richardson's Side

I drove through the Hernandez Circle in a daze. It was almost midnight, I was hurting, and I didn't know why. As I stopped at the stoplight, I propped my head up on my chin. Why, is it, that all my life, NOTHING WENT MY WAY? Oh sure, I was the 'big brother'. I basically ran things. Yeah, right. What is it about me that no one can take me seriously?

"Aw shut up and quit wallowing in your own self pity."
I turned around in my open topped convertible and saw a woman. She was tall, thin, blonde, smiling. She was a vision to me.

"You were thinking aloud," she stated simply. She held out her hand to be shaken.
"Kristen. And you would be?"

I looked at her a little warily, slitting my eyes a bit. She retracted her hand and blushed a little embarrassedly.

"Okay then…"
I felt a little relaxed and shook her hand.
"I'm Kevin. Sorry for being a little rude. I got stuff on my mind."
"Yeah, I can tell. Listen do you think I could get a lift? If you can't it's okay…"
"Yeah, sure. Actually, maybe I could use a new face right about now."
She smiled.
"Well in that case… thanks very much."
She got into the car.
"Now… where are we going?" I asked, suddenly smiling.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Remi Osuna's Side

I was determined to smile. You know why? Because suddenly I realised, we were all getting so depressed. Delmar was walking around like the sky was going to fall in; Kevin was moping as if the apocalypse was raging in his head. And well… the whole population was looking as if they were going to die. I flashed smiles at everyone I met, which fact must have scared everyone I met, for I rarely smiled. I breezed through the studios, running around, bumping into various people and grinning like a fool. I bumped into Kevin.

"Hey, wha's de scenes?"
He looked at me as if I was a case of presenile dementia.
"Um, nothing much, are you okay?"
"Yep, jus' jibbin. Although I heard something about you and a certain lady friend who is - thank GOD - not Mallory."
He smiled, actually no, he blushed like a fool.
"Well, yeah, but it isn't anything much, I just dropped her home, and she invited me in for some coffee and stuff… that's about it?"
"Hmm, I wonder what stuff means in Richardson language…"
"It means conversation."
He laughed a bit and punched my arm.
"Why are you so happy?" he quizzed.
"Because everyone's so dead these days, Delmar especially…"
"He's always dead."
"Really? Not around me so much."
Kevin gave me a knowing look. I laughed.
"Nah," I said, "Anyway, laters."
"Alrighty then."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kevin Richardson's Side

I was at a coffee shop. I ordered a big mug of steaming black coffee, and left it untouched for the hour or so that we were there. Kristen was sitting across from me, smiling, her blue eyes sparkling, her blonde hair shining, and her cute nose wrinkling with laughter at everything I said. So sue me. I'm in love, if I want to be saccharine I can, okay?
"So, Kevin…" she began, "what are you doing on Friday night?"
I was about to say that I was free. But then Mallory's tear streaked face flashed in front of my eyes. I made an apologetic face.
"Oh, no, Kristen… I'm so sorry, I have to go out… with my ex-girlfriend."
She looked a little hurt by that statement.
"Oh, no, it's not like that Kristen, it's just, she's a little touched in the head, she was in one of her trances, but she remembers what I promised alright."
"So where were you two planning on going?"
"Oh, this little party somewhere… open house…"
"Oh that!" she exclaimed, "That's where I was inviting you. I'm one of the co-ordinators."
"Oh really? Didn't know that was part of your job description. So I might see you there?"
Her eyes flashed.
"Sure. Meet me at the entrance, say, 11:30?"
I smiled.
"Well, I'll see you then?"
"Sure, see you then."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kristen Willits Side (I beg poetic license for her role in this story)

I left the coffee shop that day and headed straight for an apartment building in one of the shadier, dirtier parts of town. I entered the elevator, and knocked on a door with an emerald knocker. He opened the door.

"Yes, Kristen. Have you done what I asked?"
"Of course. Actually, you didn't need to bait him, he was coming anyway."
"Oh. That would have been fortunate. Still, your presence might induce him to stay longer. We only need her to see him. Then she might change her mind."
"Sure, Kane."

I sighed and took off my overcoat. Underneath it I wore a spaghetti strap top. There was an X-like scar above my breast, but I hardly felt it these days. I was a mistake. Kane knew this, but what he did to me made me into what I was. I could no longer live a normal, human life. I was also tied to Kane until I died. The mixing and the simmering of blood did that. Remi was the Impure Virgin, sure, but Kane could no longer use her. This was his bitterest and most terrifying obsession. He had missed his chance, and she was anyone's for the taking. Anyone except him.

He determined to kill her. It was a straight case of 'if-I-can't-have-her-no-one-will', and he stated this quite as calmly as if he was stating the weather. And because we were now tied by blood, it was my duty, willing or unwilling to do his bidding.

Chapter Eleven
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