Free The Human Side (The Demon Side Series) by Heaven Liegh Eldeen Page B

need help getting set up.” John pulled a shoe box from under his bed. Inside were stacks of money, papers, and identification cards.
    “I wasn’t planning on giving these to you guys until Monday. I wanted to sweat you out a bit before deciding to help or not. Here’s an I.D., Social Security card, and about five thousand in cash.”
    “I’m not worried about that. I’ll figure it out.”
    “Take it. You’ll need it.”
    “Daniel Andru Ramen?” I asked as I inspected the cards in my hand.
    “I’ve always liked the name Daniel. Etta’s mother wanted to name her Andru if she were born a boy, and Ramen suited you.”
    “Thank you for all you have done. I am deeply sorry for all I have put you and your family through.”
    “Are you sure about this?”
    “I’ve never been more certain in my life. Oh, one more thing before I go. Vetis is your Demon.”
    “I know. Gabriel told me.”
    “Then this is our farewell.” I put my hand out, half expecting John not to take it.
    “Take care of yourself,” he said as he grabbed my hand and pulled me into a brotherly hug goodbye. As I stepped out of the front door, Gabriel followed.
    “I am leaving, Brother. You may come with me or stay behind.”
    “I had the feeling that is what you decided. Wait for a few minutes. Amy will give you a ride wherever you need to go.”
    “So you are staying?”
    “I don’t think it’s wise for both us to leave.”
    “I will notify you when I settle. Take care of the girls, Brother.”
    With a snug embrace that seemed to last a lifetime, we said our goodbyes. I hadn’t a clue where I would go or what I would do as I took off on foot down the road. A new life lay ahead of me, and for the first time I in my existence, I felt truly frightened.
     
    ***
     
    Traveling as far as my feet would carry me, I settled into the town of Fredericksburg, Virginia. The passing weeks blurred into one another as they became routine. I moved into a shabby motel, bought a rusty old 1985 Yugo and found a job as a cashier at a local burger stand. I made friends with some of my co-workers, but never pursued any connections outside of my job. When I didn’t have to work, I sat in my room watching television or reading true-crime novels borrowed from the library. My existence had become bland and meek.
    One exciting thing in my new life was my weekly Thursday lunch with Gabriel. Watching the clock as I took orders for super-mega-sized burgers and fries, I eagerly waited for my lunch break at two-thirty. Silly as it was, I couldn’t wait to tell him about my small promotion from cashier to cook and the ten-cent hourly raise.
    As I punched out for lunch, Gabriel showed up with Amy in tow. Passing an apologetic glance, he ordered his usual barbecue bacon cheeseburger and seasoned fries as I took a table for us outside. Not that I minded Amy being with him, but Thursdays were our days as brothers. If we weren’t sharing stories of past glories or our lives now on Earth, we’d eat in silence to avoid the topic of Etta. I hated to imagine how hard it must be for him living with John, dating Amy, and attending college with the girls. Before his butt touched the grid metal bench of the table, he had un-wrapped his burger and began eating as if he’d been starving for months.
    “Since Benjamin here is going to chicken out, I guess I’ll have to do it. Etta wants to see you,” Amy said while Gabriel kept his eyes down on his food. Without a word, I stood up to walk away when she stopped me.
    “She’s not doing too good and believes you’re the only one that can help her,” Amy called out.
    “I can’t help her.”
    Gabriel followed my heels. “She’s out in the van. She just wants to talk to you, Brother.”
    “You brought her here?”
    “I had no choice. She insisted.”
    “Leave now,” I demanded as I walked back into the kitchen. Forget the fact I promised John I would never see her again; I couldn’t look her in the eyes after what I said to