Murder On The Air Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten: “Friends on the Other Side”

It wasn't long before Alastor discovered the secret room behind the bookshelf. Well, he had actually been there before when he was little when his mother had showed it to him. She had talked him through how to request help and guidance from the Loa and the Crowley ancestors. They would practice together in secret.

That was all before Louis became more distant from them…before the death of Alastor's beloved grandmother.

Before Alastor became a lonely adult orphan.

He glanced at the ancestral altar, with the pictures of saints, deities and old photos of his mother and grandmother. The bowls of water and earth were empty, cleaned for the next use.

If his mother were alive, she could do her rituals with everything mostly all set up.

Alastor gathered seven red and black candles and arranged them in a circle, lighting them up. Three were black, three were red and one was both colors. He drew the veves of Papa Legba, Baron Samedi, and Met Kalfu on the floor, red light trailing from his finger. The elaborate symbols were soon complete.

A bag of cookies, a bottle of liquor, and some of Alastor's old toys were positioned around the veve for Papa Legba. The veve for Kalfu had a bottle of rum mixed with gunpowder, a bull figure and a circle of seven leaves.

He sat down and invoked Papa Legba.

"Papa Legba, bridge between here and the other world, open the gate for me. I humbly request your presence and guidance."

A white X shaped portal appeared and the elderly spirit stepped through. He was dressed in his usual farm clothes and overalls, a wooden cane in his left hand. Papa Legba limped over and peered with silvery eyes from underneath his straw hat.

"Greetings, mortal Alastor Crowley," he said.

He glanced around the room. "Usually I'm summoned outside on dirt crossroads, but as this place is close enough to several, I'll make an exception."

Alastor stood up. Papa Legba put a dark cigar pipe into his mouth, then took it out and exhaled smoke. He slowly sat down on one of the comfy chairs. Alastor stood up and grabbed the bottle of liquor, handing it to the Loa. Papa Legba took it and nodded in thanks, opening the bottle with a pop and swallowing several mouthfuls. He ate the cookies and appeared satisfied.

"May I speak now?" Alastor asked, not bothering to ask how he knew his name.

"You may."

"I need some advice," he said. "My father and mother…they're all gone. I'm here all alone in a world that…that shuns people like me. I'm…always hungry it seems. Hungry for power, entertainment, blood…it never ends. What am I supposed to do now?"

"Good question, indeed," Papa Legba replied. "Alas, it will only be up to you to decide what's next." He examined Alastor some more, eyebrows furrowed. "Though based on your recent killings and cannibalism, I don't think your next path will be entirely pleasant."

Alastor kept his smile on his face, despite the uncertainty in his eyes.

"My parents…are they alright?"

"You'll need to ask Baron Samedi that. I'll allow you to speak with him."

Papa Legba waved his hand and a dark purple portal appeared. Baron Samedi walked through, a living skeleton elegantly dressed in a black tailcoat and top hat, carrying a skull topped cane in his bony hands.

"What is it this time, Legba?" he asked, the sounds of grinding teeth splitting through the air. "I'm getting kinda tired of all these mortals calling us day in and day out. Little shit bags don't show any kind of proper reverence anymore."

"That's our purpose, Baron," Papa Legba replied, not approving of the Baron's brash attitude. "Be glad that colonialism didn't wipe out our culture and thus us as well."

"Thus us, thus us," he sang as he took a swig of liquor. He turned to Alastor.

"What is your request, mortal?"

"Baron Samedi sir," Alastor asked. "Where are my parents?"

"Their bodies are in the ground, technically speaking," he replied with a wide grin. "But their souls are elsewhere. You'll be pleased to know that your grandmother Antoinette resides in Heaven. Same as your uncle and one of your grandfathers. I made sure their souls arrived there safely."

Alastor breathed a sigh of relief.

"Your father is in Hell," he added.

"Where he belongs. Good riddance," Alastor grinned.

"Now, about your mother…" Baron Samedi began. "Her situation is a little more complicated. Due to her being a good person and worshiping God, she should be able to go to Heaven."

He paused. "However, she did other things that were quote on quote "unforgivable" in the eyes of the angels. Leading you to your father so you could kill him. Helping you prepare human meat. Teaching you about the Voodoo religion and the kinds of mortals deemed "unworthy." The criminals, thieves, prostitutes, unfaithful etc. Basically, she's currently in Hell, awaiting approval from the Christian God and the angels to go into Heaven. She may or may not be there when you arrive."

"You mean, I'll go to Hell?"

"Most likely," Baron Samedi replied. "Though there's the matter of a second permanent death that even I have trouble comprehending at times. But let's worry about one thing at a time. By the end of this, you'll have a better sense of who you are."

Papa Legba looked at Alastor and continued. "Yes, we Loa know everything about the actions of mortals. In regards to your hunger, it appears to be similar to that of a wendigo. Endless hunger, though it appears to be more metaphorical in your case."

Alastor almost looked guilty at the path he was going down. At this moment, he appeared to be going down the darker path not taken by many.

"Just as there are crossroads between the living and the spirit world, there are also many directions to choose from in your life," Papa Legba explained.

"Why tell me all this?" asked Alastor.

"I'm only telling you all this because you need to know the truth."

"The truth? About what?"

"Not about what…but who."

Alastor pointed to himself, almost without awareness. "Me?"

Papa Legba nodded. "It's time you knew how you were created. You had your mother to thank for a lot of things. Not only did she give birth to you…she also saved your life."

A stray tear escaped Alastor's eye. "Yes, she comforted me during the bullying and violence, and uncertainty…she taught me everything I know. So she did save me."

"Literally as well," Papa Legba added. "Before you were even born."

"What?"

"It's true. Many years ago, your mother stood in this very same room, asking for my guidance. You were an unborn baby on the brink of death. I called the other Loa to talk with her and try to help. Alas, they could not. Yemaya could help with childbirth but only if it were natural. Erzulie and Loco dealt with beauty and plants respectively. Loretta was determined to ensure your survival, so she requested that I call upon Baron Samedi and Met Kalfu. As Baron Samedi only deals with dying or dead individuals outside the womb, Kalfu was the only one who could directly change fate."

"And did he?"

"Yes. It was only later that I found out what had happened after Loretta made the deal with him. As you grew stronger and more proficient in your magic, I knew why. Kalfu had granted you a fraction of his dark magic."

Alastor stood, stunned. Suddenly, everything made sense. The talk his mother and grandmother had about her making a deal with Kalfu. How his grandmother envisioned him with a wendigo behind him. Alastor's fondness for fire, weapons, blood, and destruction.

"By the time I knew, it was too late to change things. Loretta didn't know that Kalfu had done his work, but both of your caretakers knew you had a greater potential of going down a dark path. Not that you would be evil, per se. Just more…prone to vengeance."

"Vengeance?"

Papa Legba nodded. "Kalfu has grudges against lots of individuals. Me, other Loa, God and his angels, those who disrespect him. There's a reason he is feared and not well-liked. It's hard to tell when he's messing around and when he means business."

"You mean, his evil ways could only be an act?" Alastor asked.

"No one knows. Again, my brother's very unpredictable. Yet he is part of our Loa family. The Rada and Petro balance each other out. With no balance, there is no evolution."

"May I speak with him?"

"Un-advisable," Papa Legba countered. "You never want to get caught up in his unfair schemes. And although you have magic in you, he won't hesitate to take your soul if he wishes."

Alastor gulped. "I figured. That's why I prepared myself." He mentioned to the bottle of gunpowder infused rum.

"There is one other thing," Papa Legba said. "You cannot know too much about your future. Therefore, crucial parts of this encounter will be erased from your memory when the session is over. By my hand."

Alasor looked flabbergasted. "Then why tell me stuff in the first place?"

"Because," explained Papa Legba, "when the time is right, you'll remember all of this and be ready. You will remember that your mother saved your life while you're here on Earth. Once you go to the afterlife, you'll then be able to see your parents."

"I'd like that."

Baron Samedi chuckled. "So, you offering your soul to me?"

Alastor stepped back. "No, no, no!"

"Just kidding," he replied. "I'll only guide your soul when you depart from this realm."

"I'd like to speak with Kalfu," Alastor said. He felt strangely excited as well as terrified.

"Yes, there is another reason why your memory will be altered," Papa Legba added. "Kalfu has a tendency to mess with minds and reality. But rest assured, I won't let him kill you or drag you to the other world."

Papa Legba waved his hand in a circular motion… space and time flashed by. The altar table, the items, and the group had transported to a dirt crossroad outside near a forest. The veve of the Loa had appeared in the dirt. Alastor's house was walking distance away. Up above, the sky was black, a full moon illuminating the area. The candles flickered brightly around them.

"Sorry Alastor, it was much too cramped in that room."

Alastor's head spun at the sudden teleportation. He fell sideways to the ground and lay still until his head stilled from the vertigo. He then stood back up.

Baron Samedi stepped back into the dark purple portal and promptly threw up. "I'm out, fuckers," he said in a slurred voice. "My work here is done, Legba. Good luck in life and death, Alastor Crowley."

The purple portal closed.

"Now then," Papa Legba said, clearing his throat. "You wanted to speak with my brother?"

"That'd be me!" called a voice as a red and black x shaped portal appeared. Alastor's eyes widened as Met Kalfu stepped through. He wore his usual blood red elegant tail coat, suit and top hat, and carried a cane with a bull skull on it. His dark brown skin and dark hair were flawless in appearance. In a belt he wore near his waist was an ax and a few pistols. The Loa's red eyes landed on Alastor, who looked small in comparison to the towering bull-like spirit.

"Alastor," he remarked. "Da little one ya motha begged me to save."

Alastor bowed in respect.

"How are ya powers comin' along?"

He conjured red flames in his dark palm. Alastor held out his own hand and concentrated. Yellow flames soon flickered to life.

"Not too bad," Kalfu remarked. "Perhaps Ah was right in choosin' ya all along."

"Why, sir?"

"Ah have mah reasons. Let's just say Ah wanted to have a lil' fun, make ya boring life more excitin'."

Alastor sensed there was more to it than that.

"'Ya have had quite a lot goin' on in ya life. Violence, hate, a craving for something more. Wealth, perhaps? Immortality? Love?"

"A little bit of everything," he admitted.

"Perhaps Ah can make things easier for ya in da future. There will be costs involved of course…"

Alastor was suddenly intrigued. "I thought only Baron Samedi made deals with humans?"

"He does sometimes, but here we are now."

"Alastor," Papa Legba hissed. "Whatever you do, do not make a deal with him."

"Stay outta this, brotha," Kalfu scoffed, brushing aside his remark. He leaned in closer to Alastor. Alastor could feel radiating heat coming from him. It was like being close to an open oven; he was careful not to get too close.

"You are powerful, Alastor. Even if Ah didn't give ya a small portion of mah powers, y' probably would've done just fine with magic. All thanks to your heritage, and of course, practice. But how would ya like ta be near invincible?"

"Oh, yes please, sir!" Alastor said. "I can't wait…"

"Hahahaha, slow down mortal," Kalfu chuckled holding up a clawed hand. "Ah'm not talkin' about ya current life. Ah'm referring ta ya next life."

"You mean, after I die?"

"Exactly."

"Kalfu…" Papa Legba warned.

"Tis fine," Kalfu added, turning to him. "The mortal won't rememba a thing afta dis."

He turned back to Alastor. "But rest assured, ya will be granted your powers. Control of shadow demons and voodoo imps, teleportation, fire, creating things at will…it's all in da package. Oh, and ya signature power…you'll get ta broadcast ya killings and victories so others can hear. A showman like me who loves bein' center stage…isn't that right?"

Alastor found himself nodding. "You know me too well."

"Well we Loa can sense what ya humans are like so there's dat."

He chuckled again. "Of course, the costs. You'll still have limits, especially with usin' blood magic. You'll be no match for any angels and Loa, for you'll still be a being that can die again. But perhaps, ya can teach some sinners a good lesson…make sure dey know their place?"

"God did have a demon named Alastor as his executioner," Alastor said, remembering what he had learned from a Greek book long ago.

"Yes," Kalfu said. "Ah wouldn't be surprised if he helped out with da final process. Ya know, when ya die and before ya go to the afterlife…"

"Right…" Alastor said, unsure of what exactly he was talking about.

"Yes, indeedy!" Kalfu affirmed. "I sense plenty of good things comin' your way and who betta to help than Ah? Just one otha thing…if ya do accept dis deal, you'll more than likely die an early death."

"When?" Alastor asked in worry.

"Why Ah can't tell ya dat now can Ah?" he laughed. He held out his dark palm and his face and hand illuminated red light. "Do we have a deal?"

Alastor glanced back at Papa Legba who shook his head in warning. He knew it was risky but then again…he needed any opportunity that came along.

Alastor took a deep breath and extended his hand. Their palms met and they shook hands. Red streaks of lightning briefly trailed up their arms.

"Excellent, Alastor," Kalfu smiled as they let go. "How about I introduce ya to…some friends of mine?"

He winked at Alastor as another smaller back hole opened up.

"Oh no, this is not good," Papa Legba muttered.

Out flew a few shadow demons and a couple of voodoo imps with horns, sharp teeth and fancy clothing on their bodies.

"Here's a bonus," Kalfu added. "Your shadow will be your guide in the afterlife."

"My shadow?"

"All in due time. How about some brief fun before we end dis."

Kalfu's bull horns glowed in red flames. He concentrated as another portal opened up.

A figure stepped out of the hole.

"Alastor, allow me to introduce you to…your counterpart, Alastor!"

A tall dark skinned hideous looking man emerged. It was actually a demon who looked like a muscular man, save for his large ears, long pointed nose, and rows of visible teeth along his long mouth. His eyes were small and reptile-like, and his hair was scattered and wild. He wore nothing but a white loincloth, fitting with an ax at his side. In his right hand, was a thick bladed dagger with sharp edges like an outline of a flame. His left hand held a cat o nine tails whip.

"Why have I been summoned?" he asked in a harsh voice. "To what family do I have the duty to spur wrath on?"

"Umm…hello?" Alastor said meekly. "You're me from the future, right?"

Papa Legba looked ready to erase the human's memory right then and there.

"Don't know who you are," the demon replied.

"I'm Alastor…same as you?"

The demon scoffed in disgust. "You're nothing but a human. You don't remotely look like me, nor how I was before. I was a mortal once until Hercules killed me."

He peered close at him.

"You kill anyone recently?"

"My father."

"He must have done you wrong big time. I hope you took the time to torture him."

Alastor laughed. "Of course I did."

"Your parents were definitely not my father king Neleus nor my mother Chloris. Anyone else in your family do you wrong?"

"No," he replied.

"I'm a chief of the Malebranche demons. We torture demons in the Eighth Circle of Hell. Something a puny one like you wouldn't understand."

"I enjoy torturing too," Alastor replied. "I already told you that."

"It's an exquisite art, isn't it?" asked the demon, his teeth bared. "How about… I give you a taste of it right now!"

Alastor gasped out loud, rooted to the spot.

The demon leaped at Alastor as he screamed but was soon frozen in mid-jump by Kalfu. With a push of his hand, the demon was sent back through the portal.

"Sorry about that," Kalfu said. "I believe this one will be your actual self."

The Loa focused again as another portal appeared after the last one closed.

"Behold…"

Through the portal stepped a short teenage demon with long deer-like ears and branches of dark antlers from his head. His eyes were large and red, his face a light gray shade. His teeth were yellow and sharp, his tongue red. He wore a tattered black tailcoat with a red undershirt, complete with a black upside down cross on it. He wore red boots and black pants.

"Hello human! I'm Alastor," he greeted. Human Alastor shook the demon's red claw tipped hand. "I'm Alastor, too. Why do you look like a deer?"

"I don't just look like a deer…" the demon explained. In a flash of darkness, he had turned into a red fawn with spiral designs within his large deer ears. "I am a deer!" He briefly shape-shifted into human Alastor before reverting back to his demon form.

"That's cool," said human Alastor. "I didn't know I could shape-shift in the future!"

"Heh," Kalfu said. "Too bad you won't remember any of this."

Demon Alastor glanced over and spotted a wandering deer in the dark. "Watch this!" he called, running off.

Demon Alastor dashed through the night for several moments. He came back, proudly carrying a dead gray stag. The demon had already bitten into it.

"Deer meat sure is delicious," he said between mouthfuls.

"Doesn't that make you a cannibal?" human Alastor asked.

"Yep!"

"Why I'll be the bee's knees! You are me after all! Cannibal, dark magic, and everything."

"I like making deals, too."

"Already made one," human Alastor mentioned.

"Wanna see a magic trick?" the demon asked. He held up some red cloth decorated with golden leaves and a golden design shaped like his head. "I sing this to hypnotize mortals where I'm from."

He sang out loud.

"Smile, though your heart's aching

Smile, even though it's breaking

When there are clouds in the sky

You'll get by…"

Human Alastor laughed. "That's hilarious."

"So then," said human Alastor. "What shall we…"

"Wait," Kalfu cut in. "Before you bond any further…" he turned to the demon.

"When was Alastor born?"

The demon froze. "Um…you mean human Alastor?"

"Of course," Kalfu said. "If I'm correct, demons should still have some memories of when they were alive. So when was he born?"

The demon paused. "Uh…October thirteenth, nineteen hundred."

Human Alastor shook his head.

"How about…February twenty seventh, nineteen zero three?"

Human Alastor joined in, with a grin. "What's my favorite food?"

"Deer meat!"

"Close but no cigar."

"My favorite color?"

"Red. No brainer."

"You're right on that. Who… were my parents?"

The demon was stunned into silence. "I'm sorry, I don't know."

Kalfu clicked his tongue. "Still not da right one…"

Demon Alastor didn't frown. "Okay, I need to get back to Hell and then get ready for Zoo Phoenix Academy. My classmates are probably wondering where I…"

The deer demon suddenly screamed as a clawed hand grabbed hold of his waist. The fellow was pulled in the hole. The sounds of crunching, tearing and pained yells echoed through. A burst of cracking magic that sent the ground rumbling. And the hum of static over wheezing gasps.

Something was tossed through the portal and back outside. It landed with a roll beside Alastor's feet. It was the demon's severed head, eyes gouged out, the grin still on his frozen face.

Human Alastor gasped and stepped back. Another figure stepped though the portal, humming a cheery tune. This demon was even taller than the previous one, but he still had the deer-like ears and smaller black antlers from his head. His hair was red and black, stopping past his face. Like the other demon, his face was gray and his eyes were large and red. This demon's dress coat and pants were blood red, his shoes black with red deer tracks on the soles. He carried a microphone staff in his black gloved hands with red tips. A monocle rested under his right eye, connected by a thin chain.

The demon picked up the severed head and consumed the rest of it in rapid, primal bites. He wiped his bloody mouth with his sleeve when he was done.

He revealed a wide smile of sharp yellow teeth and spoke in a strange filtered voice. "Hello there, fine fellow. You must be Alastor of New Orleans, yes?"

"Yes. I'm Alastor."

They both eagerly shook hands. "And I'm…you!" the demon declared.

"Prove it," human Alastor smirked.

"You were born in January. You're favorite food is jambalaya. Your parents are Louis and Loretta. And I believe right now is shortly after they passed."

Human Alastor looked stunned. Kalfu grinned.

"What am I thinking of right now?"

"How intimidating I look and sound."

"You can read my mind?!"

"Why couldn't I? I'm you after all."

"Why can't I read yours?"

"Because you don't have the ability to. At least not as a human."

Human Alastor shook his head. "I swear this must be dream."

He glanced over and saw demon Alastor's shadow by his side, his smiling mouth and eyes red.

"So…that's your shadow, huh?"

"Yep," said his counterpart. "He spies on other demons and acts as a bodyguard of sorts. These guys…" he mentioned to the shadow demons and voodoo imps scurrying around, "are my minions. It's how I've been able to take over many areas of Hell and topple Overlords."

"Who?" human Alastor asked.

"Overlords, powerful individuals in Hell who rule territories and sometimes slaves."

"I don't think Hell is very safe," human Alastor mentioned.

"What's the fun in sitting around, anyway?" the demon asked. "Hell is…or will be, lots of fun."

Demon Alastor shared a devious look with Kalfu and grinned.

"Met Kalfu says that he needs me here to help seal the surreal deal."

"Whoa, what a minute," said human Alastor. "I already made the deal with Kalfu."

"Yes, that's true. But there is one last thing to be done…"

Demon Alastor had a very hungry look on his face. His black antlers inched further out from his head. The air filled with heavy static. Human Alastor was staring into his counterpart's eyes, which had now turned to moving red radio dials. A cheery jazz song played from the demon's microphone staff…"You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile."

"That's your favorite song, isn't it?" asked demon Alastor, his mouth un-moving.

Human Alastor nodded, somewhat transfixed and definitely terrified.

Fleeing instinct kicked in and he did a running start in the other direction.

Thick black tendrils appeared from the ground out of nowhere, quickly wrapping around his waist and chest. His hands were bond behind his back. They were cool to the touch like black snakes. A few more tears fell from his eyes. Another tendril slithered up and wiped them away from his light brown cheeks.

He found himself being pulled back to his demon self.

"Now, now, there's no need for any of that," said the demon. He morphed into shadow and then materialized again.

Only now it was his father staring at him.

"You…" human Alastor spat, still trying to get free.

Louis stared at his son with wide eyes and a look of fear on his face. "No, Alastor, please don't hurt me!"

The tendrils moved away, freeing Alastor.

Louis fell on his back, whimpering. "I'm just a horrible sack of deer shit! Don't use your magic on me…"

Strangely enough, Louis was pressing two fingers to his throat every time he spoke.

Human Alastor grinned and shot a ball of fire at him. Louis screamed in pain as flames spread over his body. Alastor let out a laugh.

"What are you playing at?"

Louis and the flames vanished, and a shadowy figure stood up. Human Alastor then saw his mother standing there.

She pressed two fingers to her throat. "I love you so much, my son. Do not let anyone stand in your way."

"What…" Alastor gasped as Loretta closed in for a hug. Human Alastor closed his eyes, grateful for the sense of comfort. He hardly noticed when the figure changed again. He opened his eyes, stepped back and found himself starting at…himself.

There was his light brown face, brown eyes, glasses, and short brown hair. There was his white and brown top with a large black bow tie under his neck.

Human Alastor reeled back with a yelp.

"Enough, Alastor, have you gone mad?"

The Alastor in front of him pressed his fingers to his throat. "Enough, Alastor, have you gone mad?"

It was strange and unsettling to hear his own voice being reflected back to him. Human Alastor tilted his head. The other Alastor did the same. Human Alastor moved a leg and so did the other one. It was like competing with his reflection.

"Stop copying me!" they both said at the same time, pointing at each other.

Human Alastor glanced over and saw Kalfu eating from a bag of popcorn. Papa Legba was busy fighting off a horde of shadow demons.

The other Alastor laughed as his eyes glowed red. He used his regular radio sounding voice. "Whoever would've thought I would have fun messing with myself?" He morphed back into his demon self.

The red deer demon leaned in closer to his human self and spoke in a low voice. "Let's begin my own personal show!"

The static consumed human Alastor's senses. He saw the demon open his mouth wide and soon all was black.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be possessed by your demonic self? Being possessed by any entity is a strange experience. Your body moves on its own with no reason or willpower. The entity's thoughts intermingle with your own and you often can't tell which ones are yours. You can usually only experience what goes on through the eyes of your body. It is like how one subconsciously performs an action or behaves with no second thought.

Every once in a while, you feel adrenaline rush through your veins and your gut. A sore feeling that feels light at the same time. Your body tingles with excitement, like getting ready for a date or a special event. You hear a voice in your head that won't go away. But it's not a negative one. It is you thinking positive thoughts, almost out loud. Encouraging you to pursue your goals, to seek happiness…making you feel unstoppable against the world. It is as if your previous insecure self has been shoved into the background, and a new one has taken over fully.

That was how human Alastor felt in that moment. All the holes in himself and his life now felt like they were being filled up. When he stared into the demon's eyes, he saw many things in his facial features. The way the demon looked at him was almost…father like. He felt like this demon was a long lost friend, a father figure he never had.

But he also felt a much deeper feeling towards him. Something that went beyond ordinary affection.

Human Alastor began to dance to his favorite song playing from the microphone. He didn't even plan to do it…it was all involuntary motion. Demon Alastor watched in amusement as human Alastor happily swayed to the beat, tapped his feet, and lifted his legs. He sang "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" out loud, even though he didn't know the lyrics previously.

With a stride in his steps, demon Alastor made his way to his past self. Human Alastor finished dancing and walked over to him. Demon Alastor leaned down and kissed human Alastor's knuckles before taking his hands in his. Both of them danced in each other's arms as another song played from the microphone. Demon Alastor curled one of human Alastor's hand in his, lifting them up in the air as they moved side to side and sometimes in a circle. Their other hands supported their waists.

"I usually don't like to be touched," demon Alastor said.

"Neither do I," human Alastor replied. "Then why are we doing it?"

"Let's just say, I feel very comfortable when it's with you."

"Couldn't have said it better myself."

They performed a few fast-paced dances and then some slow ones. Human Alastor leaned his head into the Radio Demon's chest. A four fingered gloved hand gently stroked his brown hair. One of the demon's fingers made gentle circular motions in his left ear. Human Alastor grinned so wide, his cheeks got sore, but he didn't care. Not when he was in the comforting embrace of the person he could trust fully. He noticed that the demon had black gums, yellow teeth and a lavender tongue.

"You're not gonna…eat me, are you?" human Alastor asked.

Demon Alastor laughed. "No, no. I'm not gonna kill you." He paused, his smile inching wider. "I could taste you a little, if you'd like. I'm always hungry for fresh delicious flesh…"

Demon Alastor tilted human Alastor's head up with his hand under his chin. He gazed into the crimson depths of the demon's eyes. The glowing orbs had small circular arches in them that appeared hypnotizing. The light shining from his microphone was somehow…holy energy. The red eyes peered at him like an all-seeing eye. Papa Legba sensed a mixture of three powers emanating from the demon and his staff: Kalfu's chaotic magic, holy energy from God, and Alastor's unique energy signature.

So the Christian God had decided to make Alastor an unofficial executioner of sinners after all. Neither Alastor knew about any of it.

Human Alastor was at the mercy of this strange demon…and he didn't want it to end.

The anticipation was agonizing.

"Just…take my soul already," he breathed.

Demon Alastor chuckled. "I'm not gonna kill myself. But perhaps, you'd like this…"

He slowly leaned his face in, so that their noses were touching. Their lips made contact, a gentle meeting of their mouths. Demon Alastor pressed in some more with a brief pause. Human Alastor's pupils dilated. After a few seconds, he returned the kiss.

The two Alastors chuckled and moaned after a few minutes…their kisses going deeper and longer.

"Alastor," said the demon in a seductive voice.

"Say it again," human Alastor breathed.

He repeated his name several times in a sing-song voice.

Human Alastor unbuttoned the demon's coat, revealing a gray skinned chest with a few long scars across it. There were no stripes along the sides of his body. He traced a finger along the scars, the skin cool to the touch. He peered behind his demon self and saw a red and black wagging deer tail.

"I didn't know you had a tail!" he said in surprise.

"You may touch it," he replied.

Human Alastor didn't hesitate curling his fingers deep into the fluffy soft fur. He ran his fingers along the fur in a downwards motion a few times. Judging by the smirk from his towering self, he appeared to be enjoying it. He stood back, grinning like a kid. "Can I do more?"

"Be gentle on this next part, please," he said in his radio voice.

Demon Alastor turned around and bent down slightly so human Alastor could pet his large fluffy tufts. Red and black fur brushed the skin of his palms, creating a warm pleasant felling in his hands and body. It almost felt like petting an affectionate animal at home. Demon Alastor wagged his tail again and involuntarily let out happy deer noises.

Human Alastor paused, snickered and then let out a hearty guffaw. He leaned over and almost fell down. "What was that?" he asked between laughs.

Demon Alastor blushed a bit. "Did not mean to do that. Sometimes the deer and radio noises are beyond my control. Be glad that you're me touching me and not someone else."

The two men leaned in closer again after several minutes.

Human Alastor felt something damp prodding his lips. He opened his mouth, letting it through. The demon's lavender tongue explored human Alastor's cavernous mouth, lapping at his own pick tongue. He fought back, somehow enjoying the texture of the demon's tongue. A series of sharp pains flared from his tongue and lips. Coppery red substance flowing from holes in his tongue and lips. Human Alastor let out a low growl as his demonic self in a state of pleasure. After biting human Alastor's lips and tongue, he lapped up the salivated drops of blood. In retaliation, human Alastor scratched into the demon's neck with his hands and nails. The effort was in vain, however, as the demon had already reached back toward his light brown neck and left several red marks there.

Human Alastor gasped out loud as the demon's teeth sank into his neck. Red blood sputtered out. Human Alastor's head was supported in place as the demon's tongue and teeth did their work. The demon was careful not to go in too deep.

"Human flesh is always so tender," demon Alastor mused. "It tastes a lot fresher than demon meat."

They leaned in to kiss again. Then both of them glanced around.

"Are you bucking filming us right now?!" both of them yelled at the same time as Kalfu grinned and held a video camera in his hand.

"That's quite enough," Papa Legba said. "Take your leave demon Al…"

"One last song before we go," Kalfu grinned. He snapped his fingers as another portal appeared. Two versions of Dr. Facilier appeared…the current tall black man wearing purple clothes like Baron Samedi…and his green humanoid snake demon form.

"That's my song!" the human Facilier cried out as shadow demons began to play a catchy jazz song on instruments.

"Thanks for giving it to us," Kalfu laughed as he pushed a screaming human Dr. Facilier back though the portal.

"Get back to work," demon Alastor grinned at the future demon Facilier. The snake shivered and raced back into Hell.

Demon Alastor snapped his fingers and both of their outfits changed. Demon Alastor was now wearing a fancy red dress coat with a white tuxedo and a black bow tie. His hat was also red like Kalfu's and adorned with stitches and a few pins. He also wore black tap dancing shoes. Human Alastor's new outfit matched. He looked down at it in amazement.

The two Alastors grinned at each other and began to dance and sing. The shadow demons and voodoo imps raced around and danced with them. Shadow skulls of deer and bulls hovered in the air, moving to the beat. Voodoo imps pounded on rows of animal-skin drums, the beats booming repeatedly like heartbeat inducing music at a sacred ceremony.

Right as the song ended, the two Alastors slid beside each other on the ground in a perfect finish.

Demon Alastor began, turning to his other self:

"Don't you mess with me little man,

Don't you hold back your thoughts or pride

You're in my world now, not your world

And I got friends on the other side"

"He's got friends on the other side," the spirits sang.

"That's an echo, gentleman

Just a little something we have in Louisiana

A little parlor trick don't worry"

"I've got voodoo, I've got hoodoo

I've got things I haven't even tried…"

Demon Alastor opened a box and stopped a roaring shadow from escaping.

"And I've got friends from the other side"

"He's got friends from the other side," sang the spirits.

"In your future, the you I see

Is exactly the man you always wanted to be

It's none other than good old me!"

"So Alastor, won't you shake a poor sinner's hand?"

Demon Alastor held out his gloved hand, his face illuminated by green light.

Human Alastor grinned again. This was the moment to accept or decline his destined path…his demonic self. After it was done, he'd lose his humanity for good.

He slowly reached forward…more and more…

"I'm sorry Mama…"

Both of their hands met. Alastor's shadow flew around and laughed in victory. Green electricity trailed down their arms before they let go.

"It's a deal!" human Alastor declared.

"Yes, are you ready?" sang demon Alastor

"Are you ready? Are you ready?" called the spirits in song.

Both Alastor's sang along.

"Transformation central

Transformation central

Transformation central

Transformation central"

"Transformation central, can you feel it?" Demon Alastor asked his human self.

A grinning human Alastor stared as his veins turned black, his nails grew sharper, his eyes glowed bright red. His white teeth felt sharper, too. His itch to kill was stronger than ever before. He looked at his reflection in a mirror and his demonic face was smiling back at him.

"You're changing, you're changing, you're changing alright," he sang in his radio voice.

"I hope you're satisfied, but if you ain't don't blame me,"

"Cause you've got friends on the other side."

"I've got friends on the other side," human Alastor sang.

Both Alastors danced their hearts out as green fireworks and voodoo symbols lit up the night.

They finished with the ultimate duet, the spirits joining in:

"Cause we've got friends on the other side

Cause we've got friend son the other side

'Cause we've got… friends on the otherrrr…siiiiiidde…"

Both Alastors slid next to each other on their knees, their mouths open wide, a wild happiness in their eyes.

Appearing behind them, Papa Legba whispered "hush" and placed the palm of his glowing brown hand over human Alastor's forehead. His brown eyes rolled back and he slumped to the ground. The static, music and symbols faded. The clothing the Alastors wore changed back to normal.

Kalfu's voice flowed through both Alastors' heads as he sang in a deep voice:

"The dark desires you've been serving

You can bet that you're deserving

No regret for who you're hurting

Why, it's almost like you're flirting

You only live twice and you'll be mine

'Cause you signed on the line

All the souls you'll confine

Everything will be just fine

Come into my world

Take a look at me

I am the nightmare on the dark side of the moon

I'm your first last resort

So call me

When you need a helping hand

Play your cards wrong

And I'll see you soon."

Kalfu waved his hand near demon Alastor's forehead and he shook his head in confusion. He had altered certain parts of his memory but not to the extent that human Alastor had endured. It was all to keep time and space in order.

"You were lovely entertainment."

Legba's entire form glowed, pushing the demons, shadow spirits, and Kalfu back into their respective dimensions.

"Stay tuned folks," demon Alastor grinned before he was sent backwards back to Hell.

Kalfu laughed as he was sent back. "So long, brother!"

After everything was quiet, he glanced down at the unconscious human Alastor.

"You have sealed your fate via Kalfu and yourself. Your destiny now rests with you and God. Farewell, Alastor."

The human would never know that after a decade, dogs would be a part of his death. A nod to Papa Legba's warning that he didn't listen to.

Papa Legba vanished into the white portal and all was quiet. The candles had all blown out. There was no sound except a few chirping crickets.

Human Alastor groaned and shook his head. "What a dream," he mumbled as he stood up on shaky legs and headed back toward his house. The only thing he remembered was that his mother had somehow saved him when he was little.

He had a great feeling that his life was about to get very entertaining.

And boy, was he ever ready.