“If you kill yourself. I will do everything to bring you back, and kill you myself.” Those were the last words I heard Mat say to me.
I walked out of coffee shop and back to my apartment. What was meant to be, was not meant for me. The clouds looked normal, the sun was nice on the skin and cool breeze swept across my cheeks. Today was a good day to die. The last thing I remember is looking down at the street and timing my jump. This was my journey, no one else’s. If I hit someone on my way down, well let’s just say I wouldn’t be able to forgive my self. I heard that many people regret it after they jump. For me, it was just pure terror mixed with excitement. What comes next? Will this actually hurt? Hopefully it’s quick. And it was over. Nothing. No transition, no evolution, just emptiness. That was until my eyes shot open.
Everything hurt, the world was so blurry, but I could move somehow. Had I made it somewhere, reborn? Someone was speaking to me, their voice muffled at first then……fuck. How in gods name?
“You stupid son of a bitch, do you think I wouldn’t. Spiritual pact. Remember that. We die together. On fucking Venus.”
I rolled over and dead weight carried me off on onto the floor. I tried to speak, but it felt like blood was still trying to get to the outer parts of my body.
“How” I croaked worming my way across the floor.
Mat took his foot and rolled me over on my back. He shoved a book in front of my face. The same one that said to be taking me to another plane of existence. It didn’t work on me though.
“Killing your self doesn’t get you to the other side man, I tried telling you that. It’s a ploy to weed out people, it’s a trick. You fell for it. I know it’s been hard, we have been on this for at least ten years, but you know, you have to sort it out, and take it slow. I almost didn’t think I could get you back. I mean fuck, your body was all over the place, it was like a bag of soup when I dragged you here. Almost ruined my car with all your blood and whatever.”
I sat up against the counter. My vision sharpened and I could feel everything coming back to normal. Good as new?
“You brought me back with a spell or something? Which one?”
Mat flipped to a page and scratch his forehead “Look, you left me no choice. Just, you know, play it cool”
I looked at him in confusion “What are you talking about?”
A pool of darkness spread from where my body was. Like a living shadow it swirled around extending further until it filled most of the apartment. Everything seemed to dim then a flame extended from the middle blinding me and making my ears ring. It went out as soon as it appeared and the light regained its muster.
A being stood where the flame was, it’s figure slouched against the ceiling as it was to tall to fully stand. It wore old Victorian clothes that twirled in golds, blues and a shimmering silver. Puffy sleeves and pants. It’s feet were long and curled at the end. Arms gloved in shadow like nit gloves that hung from it’s sides.
“What the fuck is that?” I said. My mouth hanging open from shock.
“Gentlemen” The thing swung itself around. Two large black beedy eyes bulged out of it’s dark furry face. Sharp overgrown teeth smiled at us both. A bowlers hat rested on it’s head, which was still sideways from being slouched. “It’s looks I have a new partner, you”
“Me?” I stammered
“Yes, you, name and occupation please” The thing melted down into a crouch and moved it’s way towards me. It’s arms and legs moving in liquid smooth motion.
“Tyler…Tyler Smitten, I am a tailor.”
It stuck out it’s long gloved hand. I shook it reluctantly.
“Smitten? haha not for you, but you will do I guess. You ever kill anyone before?” It smiled sweetly at me.
“No”
“You will learn”
I could see Mat starting to back away.
“Summoner, you are in this too”
“Come one man, I just needed to bring him back” Mat whined.
“You two, wizards? Not much, but there are others like you. Abusing the powers of the othersides, messing around us demons. Disturbing our black jack games, slots, and fancy times with those sweet sweet tender things”
“Bro..come on”
“yeah we don’t need to -“
“regardless you humans are fucking things up and not all of them are unknowingly as you to are. Our job, hunt these abusers of our magic and wasters of our time, and slay them. Then return to the world of endless indulgence, to reep the benefit of everything pleasurable. You accept?”
I looked at a Mat. He had that dull stupid look on his face when he had no choice. I looked at this thing that had come back with me.
“Is there a choice?”
“No” It responded quickly “Honestly, I don’t want to do this either. You pulled me from a blackjack game where I held blackjack. Let’s get this over, maybe I can get back before the game ends”
The thing proceeded towards the door and went right through it.
“Was this worth it?” I shook my head at Mat.
“Bro, Venus, totally worth it” He smiled and ran after it.
I really didn’t know what to think, but I was alive and now in league with a demon. What else could happen?
Inspired by the first line. I think of this sometimes in a dark comical sense. Like it’s a threat that seems so absurd. If someone is going to kill themselves, or going on a suicide mission where they won’t return. It is a line that seems so absurd if said, but even more absurd if carried through with. Something that one might brush off, but what if the person saying it, is completely serious. Even if Mat doesn’t kill Tyler, the line still holds some meaning. Stay away from magical books that promise something after death.
There is nothing good about suicide and if you are thinking of it, please talk to someone.