#v; de incendio gehennae

[losinmortalesperdidos]

Well, it was a bit sloppy, but on the other hand, he got the information he could use later. What could be the better way to learn about your enemy than the infiltration? Well, it went slightly out of plan, but he could always say, he was provoked. That soldier could just run for his life, but he chose foolish bravery, and once the creature's jaws closed on the poor man's throat, it couldn't stop...

They caught him literally red-handed, mauling what was left of the soldier's body. His first instinct was to fight, of course, and the reverberating roar made them step back, although all their weapons were aimed at him, and they could turn him into a colander in the blink of an eye, but then he suddenly changed his mind. He had an idea. "Fine, fine, you got me," he spoke raising his hands and holding them up. It was quite amusing to see that his clear speech seemed to spook them more than his growl. "I surrender, but I won't talk to anyone except Ed Warren, you know, the one from TV shows, the demonologist."

@coinquinatvs

[losinmortalesperdidos]

Righteous people always think they're right. They cry over a lion shot by poachers, but they also cry over an antelope killed by a lion. They always need martyrs and villains, Davids and Goliaths, to feel the strength of their faith and the power of their God. Righteous people see the forest but they refuse to see what it's grown on.

"In this world, everyone is someone's food, Lorraine. And I'm still a pacifist, so, please, don't try to appeal to me with duty and serving." She was probing him, trying to get to his humanity or his soul, trying to find something worth saving, although there was no one and nothing to save. Of course, she came prepared this time with the information she had been given or had gathered about him. She needed to know him in order to push his buttons and sympathize with the antelope.

How did it come to be? "I found it, the entrance to Hell. And I entered. And I was welcomed, I was taken, and opened, and scrutinized, and understood, and approved. And it was agony. The only right thing your holy book says about Hell is 'weeping and gnashing of teeth'. You can't lie when you scream from pain in every particle of your being. And then I was pushed back through the womb, and it closed behind me. I am Professor Stanley Robert Sands, PHd, forged in the Gehenna. Do you still think you have a say in the matter? Because I think, you should tremble."

She had taken the time, between their first meeting and this one, to do her research. To read over the files that had been provided to her by the military intelligence officers that were involved in this case, as well as doing her own studies into the man (or the shell of the man, depending on what she believed to be true) that sat in front of her. A man of learning, but not of faith: ironic, given his chosen field of study. The nature and history of religion across the world. A husband, though, rumor had it, philanderer, despite his marriage vows, and family to provide for. That was perhaps the least relevant of the details she'd absorbed, and she was not here to pass judgment ... but it was something that she could never understand.

Marriage vows were sacred, and even if one was not religious, and did not believe in union of souls, the idea of that kind of betrayal of a loved one ... it was near unfathomable to her.

Of course, what he had done to his wife, after his ... psychotic break, or possession, whatever it was that had happened to him? That was heartbreaking. What life would there be for him, if -- once, they had found a way to free him?

Her thumb pressed against the rosary beads in her palm again, a silent prayer on repeat in the back of her thoughts as she tried to keep her inner thoughts and emotions from being on open display. Sympathy was only something the entity would prey on.

Witnesses.

Pride, and vanity. "There are easier ways to get attention, Professor. Ones that don't cost the lives of men and women doing their duty and serving their country." She couldn't help but remember how close she had come to spending her life alone. Raising her daughter, alone, with nothing but a folded flag and a medal to remember Ed by. Her lips thinned. Back from hell. "This ... rebirth, that you experienced. How did it come to be? Surely, that's a story worth telling? After all, how often do any of us have the ability to remember our entry into this world?"

[losinmortalesperdidos]

Both of Ed's comments caused another smile on his lips, but as much as he would love to taunt the Warrens more time was of the essence. "Hmm... You know how writers like to start with citations exploiting the dead great minds to emphasize the magnitude of their own? I've done this a few times myself in my books. Although I mostly used lines from the Beatles, I thought it was funny." He took another drag and continued, "At the beginning of this story I'll give you two quotes. The first is, 'Give me a fulcrum on which to plant my lever, and I will move the world'. And the second..." He looked straight into Ed's eyes, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."

He paused watching the demonologist's reaction to him quoting the Revelation without choking on the words. This should've given him food for thought. Meanwhile, he brought the cigarette filter to his mouth once again inhaling the smoke and letting out the white cloud like a magician before disappearing. Except he wasn't going to disappear, not yet.

"My name was Professor Stanley Robert Sands, PhD." He chuckled and flicked the ashes against the metal armrest. "I studied religions and their history throughout the existence of humankind. Starting from the first avatars of nature forces up to the modern heresies. I found interesting patterns no one had paid attention to before. These patterns led me to a conclusion, and this conclusion led me very far and you might say, deep... What do you know about Hell, Ed? Have you ever thought about the place that begets the demons you fight?"

Scared? Ed wasn't scared, for his own sake. He was always besieged by fear for Lorraine and Judy; the fear of what would happen to them if something went horribly wrong and he ended up getting himself killed. The fear of being possessed - he never wanted to experience that again. The fear of Lorraine getting lost in the darkness she was so often thrust into.. Ed was afraid, but not of this man.

The difference between bravery and recklessness, however, was vast; every move Ed made had been calculated. The risks he'd taken in that moment had been carefully thought out and deemed worthwhile, even though they'd served only to fan the flames of his ire - which wasn't helping matters any.

Immediately upon releasing the other man's hands, Ed turned back to retrieve his cane. Once his long fingers were curled tightly around its handle, he made his way back around the table and over to the Colonel with the key to the shackles outstretched. ❝ — Keep a close eye on him, but don't try any heroics. If things get out of hand, just get Lorraine out of here. ❞

Just as the Colonel reached out to accept the key, his Lieutenant returned with four enlisted men in tow: two carrying another table, and two others wheeling the chairs from the Colonel's office along. The Lieutenant himself was carrying the pitcher of water Ed had asked for earlier, and a number of paper cups. — Without awaiting instructions, they set about the task of positioning the table they'd brought along parallel to the table at which the prisoner sat. They placed both chairs on the side of the table that would allow Ed and Lorraine to be seated facing the prisoner - with enough space inbetween to ( hopefully ) insure their protection.

❝ I doubt the Colonel would've bothered to call us if he'd had that in mind, ❞ Ed replied, his words lacking the icy edge they'd held earlier, but still sharp. As for the accusation in the guise of a question, Ed waited until he'd made it back over to Lorraine's side to even consider answering. ❝ — You tell me, since you seem to know so much about my Wife and I. ❞ Would they have opened their home to him? Absolutely not. Would they have agreed to meet him somewhere to talk? Yes, though Lorraine wouldn't have been too happy about that either.

❝ So, you have our undivided attention.. let's hear it. ❞

[losinmortalesperdidos]

He leaned back and relaxed when Warren approached him, more for the man's tranquility sake than his own. His eyes though followed Ed's moves constantly, and when Ed leaned especially close to him, his nostrils drew in the air between them. If the demon hunter was scared he hid it perfectly. It was a matter of experience probably, and it was good. The Professor wouldn't find any pleasure in talking to someone constantly shaking in his boots.

The moment after the handcuff bracelet fell off his wrist was very tempting. Just one move was separating him from taking Ed's life. He could do this with his bare fingers, squeezing the air out of Ed's throat or simply breaking his neck, or he could grab the cane and use it in one of the several different ways. No one would have any time to stop him, and no one would be able to save the poor man. He remained still and smiled at the other when he stated his conditions.

"If I didn't want to talk, I wouldn't pull you out of the comfort of your house." He took a cigarette from the pack, put it between his lips, and lit the match almost effortlessly using only his right hand, like a longtime smoker he was. "I'm sure, Colonel Stephens would love to use some of his wartime skills on me or ask his subordinates to pour water on my face while holding me down. After what I've done to that soldier, he would definitely take his time. Unfortunately, I have to disappoint him. I'm going to tell you everything I know because it's in my interests as well to put things straight. For quite a while I had no one to discuss this with. I could come directly to you, of course, but you wouldn't be so hospitable, would you, Ed? " He brought the half-burnt match to the cigarette's tip and took a drag, then dropped what was left of it on the concrete floor.

That look from Mr. Warren had been read loud and clear; Colonel Stephens immediately sent his Lieutenant off to fetch the good chairs from his office and a pitcher of water. Before the Lieutenant could leave, however, he leaned in close and whispered for him to also make sure the base's Chief Medical Officer was on standby.. just in case Mr. Warren ( or any of his men ) needed attention.

Though he was still livid, Ed drew in a deep breath and forced his fingers to relax their grasp on his cane. He knew well that being overly emotional when dealing with any entity was dangerous, and the consequences could be grave. Even deadly. ( Especially when said entity was Demonic. )

His lips pursed faintly as his gaze shifted over to Lorraine, uncertainty glaringly apparent in his darkened blue eyes. — He definitely didn't think it was a good idea, but he was aware that showing even the smallest amount of mercy would buy them some good will.. ❝ Colonel Stephens, I would appreciate if you'd be willing to hand over your cigarettes. ❞ It went against his better judgement, but he turned and started making his way over to the Colonel with his free hand outstretched. ❝ — I'll make sure you get more. ❞

The Colonel didn't like that idea any more than Ed, but as he was way out of his league in this situation, he reluctantly reached into his pocket to retrieve his cigarettes and matches. He said nothing, opting to place them in the heart of Ed's hand with a pointed look of his own.

❝ I'll need the key to his shackles, too. He can't smoke if he can't lift his hands. ❞

" Mr. Warren, surely you can't mean.. "

❝ Colonel, the key. ❞

Begrudgingly, Colonel Stephens placed the key in Ed's hand as well, then stepped back and shook his head as Ed turned to make his way over to the table at which their.. whatever the hell that guy was was shackled.

It took a moment, but Ed made it to and around the table without incident - stopping only when he'd come to stand directly next to the other. He turned slightly at the waist to rest his cane against the table's edge, then placed the cigarettes and matches on the table - well within his reach. ❝ One cigarette, ❞ he stated clearly, reaching over to trace the tips of his fingers over the heavier shackles that rendered the other's hands practically useless - searching for the keyhole. ❝ And then you're gonna start talkin'. ❞ Once he found the key hole, it was alarmingly easy to slip the key in and unlock the shackles. ❝ — Understood?? ❞

[losinmortalesperdidos]

Lorraine was a very smart, strong, and beautiful woman. Had he met her before all this, he would probably have courted her despite the risk of getting on her husband's righteous wrath. A brief thought even ran through his mind, what if he could get her on his side? With her brains, her willpower, and the strength of her beliefs, she could've been a perfect companion and much more in the realization of his future plans. But it was too soon, he had to wait, and she was withering and mortal like all humans. And of course, she would've never gone after him, exactly because her faith in good was so solid.

"I don't need to pretend. I said I used to be that man because I had changed. Everyone changes, everyone becomes someone else at least once in their life. People just lie to themselves or don't notice the moment of their rebirth." Why. She was asking the right questions, dangerous questions. He needed to choose the words and tell her all she wanted to know without telling her the main truth. "Is there a better way to know yourself than facing your enemy? I needed to know more about the new me, so I came into the den of the mightiest blunt force on the earth, the army. What did I gain besides that? Ed. You. Even the Colonel with his soldiers. You are my witnesses. Why would I get back from Hell and then hide what I become? I love to be seen."

There were many things beyond her understanding -- while she had seen, and experienced examples of the divine and the demonic that most of the world was oblivious to, she was not arrogant or conceited enough to think that made her anything resembling all knowing. But this case? This ... man, whatever he had become, whatever had taken him over, fit very little of the boxes of the known.

She had seen feats of inhuman strength, stamina, willpower from the possessed before, she had seen the human body pushed passed any of its natural limits, surviving days without nourishment and physical punishment from the parasite that would have destroyed most human bodies. She had seen people do unthinkable things to their loved ones, their families, their friends, only to have no memory (sometimes, she considered those the lucky ones) of it after their possession had ended.

The ability to mimic the host, with access to their memories and emotions, the ability to ferret information from the spirits to use against her, or the others involved in the exorcisms - these were all things that, while she never grew comfortable with, she at least recognized.

The eyes. The eyes were disconcerting. The reptilian yellow was familiar enough. All too recently, they had confronted the spirit of Valak, with the glowing yellow eyes that still haunted her, but these... these did not glow, or shift, or change. They were a constant, but so far as she could tell, that was the only physical manifestation that he had presented -- other than the reports of overwhelming strength, and ... the consumption of human flesh.

Her thumb rubbed, again, against the beads of the rosary that sat in its familiar position, wrapped twice around her wrist, the cross nestled comfortably in the palm of her hand that rested on the bend of knee. "It's rarely as simple as you make it seem," Lorraine admitted, "but ... yes. In cases of possession, that is the simplified version of events." When all went well. Which was not as often as she'd prefer. "You said yourself, you used to be the man called Professor Stanley Sands," she pointed out, recalling the words he'd spoken to her husband while she'd watched, and listened. "And I don't believe the world is binary. The world is filled with an infinite amount of wonders, and horrors alike. I've seen many, but hardly all. I've seen enough to know that it's very easy to pretend to be someone, when you know their mind, their thoughts, their hopes, their dreams, their fears. An inhuman spirit often knows every intimate aspect of its' host. Even the things they would never admit to, or know, consciously. I'm curious, why."

A hand raises, gestures to the seat that he is confined to, his confinement. "Why, when you could so easily pass through the world, unnoticed, would you come here? Would you allow yourself to be captured, confined - submitting yourself to this? What do you gain, by making yourself known?"

[losinmortalesperdidos]

Of course, Lorraine was by Ed's side, they were never seen one without another. As far as he understood, she was a clairvoyant, a medium. She was Ed Warren's eyes in the realm of the paranormal and supernatural, she also was the love of his life, his best friend, his second half, the mother of his child, and so on, and so on. Beautiful. If the Professor still cared, he would get a little envious. He and his wife had gotten divorced not long before his trip to Afghanistan, and this probably saved her life, as well as the fact that they never had children. Stanley had wanted to procreate, but she had been infertile, and nothing had been helping. This and his barely hidden interest in young students had put an end to their marriage.

Ed was a warrior. Even now when his heart struggled to pump life through his veins, his hands were shaking and his temples were sweating. Even now he had to hold himself back from sticking the edge of his cane right into the creature's Adam's apple for daring to talk to his wife. They completed each other, and that was a sight to behold.

"Don't worry about me." He licked the dried blood from the corner of his mouth. Dehydration wasn't going to threaten him for a long time. The abilities of his body were extended and amplified, even he still couldn't say how much exactly. "Although, if I may, I would request a cigarette. There are incurable habits, and the situation is conducive. Colonel has a pack and matches in his pocket."

❛ We shouldn't be doing this, Ed. ❜ Lorraine sighed as she helped him pull his shirt on, her gaze lingering on the thick, raised surgical scarring that marred the center of his torso. ❛ You're not up to it. ❜

Swallowing harshly, Ed lifted his hands in an attempt to help her button his shirt but it seemed his fingers had a mind of their own, keen only on trembling violently. — As much as he hated the mere idea of admitting weakness, she was right. But he had already given Colonel Stephens his word, and both he and Lorraine were mostly dressed.. ❝ I'll be alright, honey. But, I guess it'd be better if you did the driving. ❞ He forced a lop-sided smile for her sake, then even went so far as to jerk his head over in the direction of her nightstand - where his pills were on prominent display. ❝ I'll even take those with me, ❞ he promised as she finished buttoning his shirt for him.

❛ You weren't going anywhere without them anyway, ❜ she hummed, then allowed herself a moment to run her hands over his chest. ❛ You're taking your cane, too. And you're going to use it. ❜ With that said, and a great deal of reluctance, she let her hands fall away from his chest, stepped back, then turned away from him to grab one of his lighter cardigans from their closet.

Even before he'd stepped into the room behind Lorraine, he'd been struck by a marrow-deep feeling of dread. He sensed that something was very wrong.. and as his grip on the handle of his cane tightened immensely, he began to regret having come.

❝ Something tells me you wouldn't have settled for anything less, ❞ Ed replied coolly, letting his gaze drift to the heavy shackles that held the other man firmly in place, and then up to his eyes. They definitely weren't human.. ❝ Maybe that's for the best, ❞ he mused a few moments later, before throwing a pointed glance in the Colonel's direction.

His already painfully tight grip on his cane tightened further still, causing his knuckles to blanch a deathly shade of pale when the other man spoke to Lorraine.. and it really was all he could do to keep his temper in check. — Thankfully, Lorraine didn't respond. Instead, she shuffled closer to his side and brought her rosary-clad hand up to rest on his forearm - her fingers curling inward to give a reassuring squeeze. ❝ Yes, I'm sure the Colonel's accommodations for my Wife will be more than adequate. ❞ As for his comment about water, Ed's head tilted ever so slightly. ❝ — Maybe a pitcher of water wouldn't be such a bad idea. When's the last time you had any?? ❞ He ignored the remark about his appearance; he and Lorraine hadn't come for a discussion about his health.

[losinmortalesperdidos]

All this time he's been docile like a lamb and hasn't said any other word, just like he had promised. He let them cuff and chain him, bring him to an empty chamber that looked very much like a prison solitary cell (what they would be using it for, huh?), sit him down on a very uncomfortable metal chair, fix his legs, his arms, and his neck, so he could barely shift in place. They were so scared, that they stunk with fear, and he allowed himself to snarl at them a few times just to see the reaction. Some of them wanted to put a bullet in his head but had been ordered to stay calm. He didn't want to get shot either, but on the other hand, there would've been some pleasure in disappointing these strict plain people.

For a while, they left him relatively alone. Two guards stood by the door, holding their rifles at the ready and trying to avoid looking at him directly. Their guts were ordering them to flee, but there were higher orders. Then he heard many feet walking through the corridors again, and the door opened. First in walked the Colonel, and then two people he knew but never met before, Ed and Lorraine Warren, famous demon hunters.

"They actually made you come here." He smiled, glowing yellow eyes looked into both faces. "Ed. Sorry that I can't shake your hand." He moved his wrists firmly shackled to the armrests. "And ma'am. Pardon me for my unpresentable appearance. It had been a rush. I hope these blockheads will offer you seats better than mine and maybe a glass of water, you don't look well." The last words he spoke while staring into Ed Warren's eyes.

Some days were better than others. Some days, he didn't even remember that he'd had a massive heart attack only six months ago. And then there were days like today; he'd just barely made it out of their bedroom ( without his cane, against Lorraine's wishes ) and into the kitchen for breakfast. Just that much had completely drained him of strength and had started his heart trying to pound itself right out of his chest.

Lorraine was worried; she'd been fretting over him since the second he'd emerged, his face already flushed and his breathing harsh and ragged. He could see it in her eyes: she wanted him to go back to his doctor. And she was probably only a split-second from making that suggestion ( which he would fight for a while.. then surrender to because he couldn't stand to see her upset ), when the phone rang.

❛ Ed, honey.. ❜

❝ No.. No, it's okay. I've got it. ❞ Before Lorraine could get even halfway through her plea, Ed was already pushing his chair back and struggling to his feet. ( It was a damn good thing the phone wasn't too terribly far away from the table.. he might not have made it otherwise. )

❝ Hello?? ❞

" Is this Mr. Ed Warren? "

❝ Yes. To whom am I speaking? ❞

" Thank God, " the unidentified voice on the phone sounded strained, but it was impossible to miss the relief derived from Ed's confirmation. " Mr. Warren, my name is Colonel Stephens. I'm sorry to bother you at home like this, but frankly.. I've got a situation here that's right up your alley. "

Ed's grip on the receiver tightened slightly, and his gaze wandered over to Lorraine, who was seated at the table with her coffee.. watching his each and every move like a hawk. ❝ Well, Colonel, I'm sorry. But right now.. ❞

" Mr. Warren, I just pulled a man off of one of my soldiers. That man had not only killed this soldier.. but was EATING him. — Now, he says he won't talk to anyone else but you.. and I want to know just what the hell is going on with this sick son of a bitch. "

❝ —— Alright, Colonel. Will a phone call be good enough, or do I have to come to you?? ❞

" I'd really appreciate it if you could come here. You have my word that my men and I will protect you.. and Mrs. Warren, if she comes along. "

Of course Ed didn't want Lorraine involved in this, but he knew there was no way she'd let him deal with it alone. ❝ Fine. Just, give me your address. And make sure my wife and I won't have any trouble getting to you. We'll be there as soon as we can. ❞

[losinmortalesperdidos]

He wasn't going to underestimate her. Lorraine Warren had seen a lot of horrors in real life and her visions, she was afraid of him just the right amount to not show this and even to fight him if she would have to. However, he was the one strapped to the chair and in his right to throw sarcastic comments and poorly veiled innuendos. There was no other way for him to have fun after all (so far). He even felt a little sorry for poor Ed and his poor heart, letting his wife spend time alone with the monster must have been very hard.

"You still think I'm possessed. Or more specifically, that I'm a demon possessing the body of Stanley Sands. It would be so simple if it were like this, right?" He smirked and looked away, "You would recite a prayer, sprinkle me with holy water, shove your rosary into my face. I would show you all the circus you're used to. Job done." There were actual notes of offense and indignance in his voice. "Well... Even though I don't have to prove anything to you... How can I make you understand that I am who I am? That the world, and even what you call evil is not so binary as you think?"

@losinmortalesperdidos / the professor sent a starter.

"Does your husband know that you're here to see me?" What a deja vu after so many days, except the room was different, a little bit warmer, and much more secure, the chair he was tied to was more comfortable, and Lorraine was there alone with him. "Do you have questions the answers to which are not for Ed's ears maybe?"

'The Professor's' words, most likely intended to rankle her, were given little more than a faint smile of acknowledgement that could be called passive, at best. She had faced entities and demons were tongues far more barbed, and far more foul than his, and she had spent a lifetime learning how to thicken her skin against the pokes and prods offered by the possessed, and the inhuman entities that sought to puppet their human hosts. "My husband and I don't have secrets from one another." It was mild, simple. Matter of fact.

She would have preferred to have Ed here with her. That, too, was fact, but their last visit to this makeshift prison had taken its toll on him, and she had insisted that he stay home, despite his many protests. "I believe in honesty as the best policy, in all parts of my life, so I will be frank with you. I came here, not for you. Or me. Or for the men that asked us here. I'm here, solely for the sake of the man whose body you have commandeered for your ... purposes."