Souls - X

One of the stranger sights to wake up to is an upside down horizon.

A billboard in the distance reads: “¡sǝʌɐs snsǝɾ”

Still in Kansas, still in an upside down van. I wince as my right shoulder is tingling with a numb pain, the seatbelt cutting all circulation to my arm. I reach down, press the seatbelt release button and crumple to the roof of the van.

Looking over to the driver seat I see exactly what I expect to; nothing. Molech is gone, only his discarded cigarette remains. I usually don’t explode that quickly or easily, but he hit some buttons, including the big red nuclear button: my child. I tried to warn him. 

I sigh, grab Molech’s cigarette and shimmy out of the van, the dirt shuffling around me. Plopping into the classic criss-cross applesauce position, I sit, smoke, and think. I’m not really a smoker, but it seems like a good idea considering. After staring at the crumpled van, and the flatness of Kansas around me, I make a decision. I reach for the pocket I keep my cell phone in, time to call home. One problem, it isn’t there. 

Throwing the used-up cigarette to the dirt, I crawl back in the van. It has to be in there somewhere. I dig through the discarded items on the roof, which is now the floor. Wrappers, cans, and something I did not expect to find.

A soul. 

There it is, glowing back at me translucently in its cylindrical tool. How’d that get there? I couldn’t have dropped it and I’m guessing if I did the boss would have noticed if I was a soul short. I pick it up gingerly and stare into it, as if the cosmic particles inside could tell me who it belonged to. My phone rings.

I turn, stuffing the soul into my front pocket. I feel it’s warmth on my thigh. My phone is in the back of the van, wedged between the window and roof. A van flipping multiple times can put your phone in some weird places. 

I answer it, “Hello?”

A female voice that I recognize greets me. It’s Melissa.

“This is the office of Legion, please hold for the Dark Lord.”

I’m in trouble, he knows. 

“Well, that was record time.”

I feel faint, but not like before. His voice is powerful but it isn’t quite as overwhelming via phone.

"S-s—sorry.”

“Quite alright, I had a feeling. That’s why I sent a lesser man. He never did learn the art of conversation.”

I sit in silence, I don’t know how to respond. I don’t know what’s next. 

He sits in silence as well, he wants me to know what’s next.

I give it a shot, “I don’t need any help. I can do this alone.”

I can somehow hear him smile.

“I was hoping for that. No offense, but I can’t keep losing men to your little, shall we call it, gift. Your assignment is living outside of Surprise, Arizona. If you walk three miles due South you will come upon a gas station. There will be a vehicle, cash, and details waiting for you there.

I had to ask, “How do I take a soul from the son of God?”

He chuckles, “No, no, you aren’t taking anything. You’re returning his soul. The one in your pocket.