Free By the Fire: Issue 3 by Stewart Felkel Page B

That Be drafted me.”
    The reverend just sniffed at me. “What do you want?”
    “Can’t a guy just come speak with a man of the cloth and visit his local church?”
    “You’re dead. And a devout sinner. You never just come to visit.”
    Did I forget to mention that the reverend knew about my condition? The back from the dead part doesn’t bother him what with resurrection being kind of a prime tenant of Christianity and all. It’s more the method of my coming back that he doesn’t approve of. I spare him any more witty repartee and drop the newspaper on his desk. He pushes his glasses back up on his face and picks it up. After a minute he lays it back down. He looks nervous.
    “Do you believe what this letter claims?”
    “Hey, I don’t have any trouble believing in demons. And the Man in the Suit hinted that I should take this seriously.”
    He starts tapping his finger on his desk rapidly.
    “What do you need from me?”
    “Information mostly. They didn’t cover how to kill demons in basic training.”
    He nods his head for several seconds while he stares into space. I’m not sure he realizes that he he’s doing it and I get a little afraid that his head is going to roll off of his shoulders.
    “Uhm, reverend?”
    “What? Oh. Yes. I’ll need a little time to do s ome research. We covered exorcisms of course but we never covered demons with axes. Come back this evening about 6:00.”
    I tip my hat at him and stomp my way back out slamming his door behind me. I told you that he loves it when I dropped by unannounced.
     
    Beignet s. That’s what I need. Especially since I missed breakfast. I start walking towards Café Du Monde. I can already taste my first cup of coffee laced with chicory. Someone bumps into my shoulder hard enough to spin me around. I turn and shout at whoever it was but they don’t even turn my direction. I can see him as he walks away. He isn’t any taller than me but damn is he wide. Heavy set and built like a steam engine. I can tell that even under his long coat. A slouched hat rests on his head. I really want to chase him down and kick his ass. I even start his direction before a hand catches my arm. I jerk around to see who has grabbed me.
    “Hey there sugar, what’s with all the aggression?”
    I see Ashley and I realize that I’m scowling. I relax and let the tension drain out of my shoulders.
    “Sorry darlin, that man back there almost knocked me down without so much as an apology. I was thinking about going to teach him some manners.”
    She looks which way I’m pointing and shivers. “Don’t chase him honey. I don’t have a good feeling about that.”
    I smile. “Well, you are the psychic so I’ll take your word for it. I’m headed for b eignets. Interested?”
    She puts her arm through mine. “Ooh, I would love too. But I can’t afford to get plump. You might not love me anymore.”
    I poke her in the ribs and she giggles. “You know I like my women a little plump. More of you to love.”
    We laugh but I can’t help and look back over my shoulder as we walk.
    t
    The bell was chiming 6:00 when I walked into the church. You can say what you want about me but I’m a very punctual person. I even made it to my death on time. The reverend met me at the door to the sanctuary. I whistled when I saw that he was wearing his full robes. He rolled his eyes at me and sighed.
    “Follow me” he said.
    “Where we go in preacher man?”
    “To my idea of hell. Confession.”
    “Uhm, what?”
    “What part did you not understand? You and I are going to the confessional booth.”
    “Whoa there reverend, I ain’t the confessin’ type.”
    “Of that I have no doubt, but if you are going to hunt a demon you’ll have to do it with a clean soul.”
    I push my hat back to run a hand through my hair. “Exactly how much confessin’ do I need to do.”
    “Just get in the damn booth already. We don’t have all night.”
    “Now now, no need to be swearin in the house