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Flashes of gunfire fill the night sky as we drive over the Poplar. Lifted from its veil, the true riverfront is visible for the first time in months. Complete with a brand new arch that would have dwarfed the old one.
“How are you feeling?” Sara asks, placing her head on my shoulder.
“Better with you here,” I say. In truth, I feel empty. As hard as it is to believe, I grew attached to having Eunie around. Not just for the powers he gave me, that just gave me an attitude. He was a familiar buzzing in my head and body. An alarm that would tell me if things were going too far.
Sure, I hated to wake up to the bloodbaths that would ensue if I took things over the edge, but I never really had to worry about my life.
Just by looking at her, I can tell Sara is feeling the same way. She may only have been possessed for a short time, but it has changed her. Made her darker. It makes me wonder about the people I exorcised. Did they feel the same?
“You sure you want to do this?” I ask Sara. “When I pull off on Clark it will be too late to turn around.”
“I’m sure,” she says before turning her head to watching the action just north.
Once I’m off 64, I shoot down 9th before making a right on Walnut. Up ahead, I see the lower part of the portal. It is a large black tower of metal with glowing red runes etched all the way to the top. Approaching the overpass, I see the demon’s have yet to complete the portal as the three remaining pieces still sit on the nearby barges.
Around the structure are three large cranes, the type they would use to build a large building, or skyscraper. They are very odd to see here since our buildings aren’t really that big.
“Looks like Nal got here right in time,” I say, stepping on the gas.
After crossing the highway, I pull off behind the remains of the Old Cathedral Museum to park the car. Even missing half of the wall and all the roof, it will give us cover from the demons hoarded near the center of the portal.
“Look who finally decided to show up,” Commander Stevens says, approaching from the nearby parking lot. “I see you got your lady friend back.”
I nod. “Nal around?”
“He has the command station set up underneath the bridge,” he says, pointing south. “He’s going to be glad to see you.”
I turn around without saying another word to Stevens. If he had any clue that I was here without my powers, he might get a little upset. The rest of the soldiers with him. I know they were hoping to rely on my power to turn the battle.
We run down the service road, keeping close to the remains of the once luscious tree line for a bit of cover. Most of the gunfire is aimed towards the demons under portal, but I hate to risk a stray shot.
The sound of gunfire lessens as we get further from the pillars, so we turn our run into a fast walk to preserve some energy.
An explosion rocks the nearby building when we step onto Poplar, sending us flying to the ground. I come down on my right arm, the force of the impact jarring my shoulder, sending a sharp pain down my right arm. When I first open my eyes I see nothing but white to go with a loud ringing in my ears. Eventually the cloud clears enough for me to see Sara on her knees in front of me.
“You OK?” Sara says, helping me up.
“Think it’s dislocated,” I grunt, arm dangling loosely at my side. I’ve only been here for ten minutes and already I can already be listed as a casualty. I miss my powers already.
Sara helps me to my feet, carefully avoiding my injured arm.
Three people rush out from under the bridge all wearing camouflage military outfits. I wave the woman with a stretcher off while I walk to the man right behind her.
“Nancy close?” I say to Nal who has a large grin on his face.
“No, but Uriel is.” Nal takes off his jacket, wrapping my arm in it like a sling. There is a sharp pain when we move it into position, but it fades
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