Chapter Nine
Duster and a Gun: Reaper
Gregory Blackman
Best Intentions
I woke from the dream covered in sweat and breathing heavily. I don’t know how long I’d been tossing back and forth, but I felt like I’d been dragged across through a war and lost the battle, too. I ran my hands through my hair and tried to gather my composure. It couldn’t have been too late because the moon was still prominent in the sky and shining brightly though my Tavern room window.
“Beautiful night for a snooze,” a man said from the other side of the room, sheathed in darkness and sitting in a rocking chair. He rocked back and forth for a moment and puffed on his freshly lit cigar.
I didn’t need to see his face to know that he was grinning from ear to ear, enjoying a moment of my misery and liable to proceed in any direction he pleased. A man like him was impossible to read, his agenda far from the plights of the common man and serving his own greater purpose.
“Speak your peace,” I said through gritted teeth. “I told you last time just what I thought of your brand of admonition.”
“Oh, come now, reaper,” said Gabriel as he rose to his feet and sauntered into the light. He was wearing the same porcelain white suit as before with matching suede shoes. I’m sure he thought his look came off as dapper and sophisticated, but to those close to him it just came off as pretentious. “I come to you once again not for yourself, but for those you choose to serve.”
“Always speaking in riddles,” I said. “Have you ever considered just coming out and telling me what you want? Might save a lot of time, but judging by the stupid look on your face… I think not.”
“Mock me,” said Gabriel, “do what it is that you humans do when faced with the unknown. I come to you as an ally… but make no mistake, Horace; I can easily become an adversary.”
“Then allow me the courtesy of putting on my pants,” I said, getting out of bed.
“Such an obvious defense mechanism,” he replied. “It’s no wonder, I suppose, when you’ve got such glaring daddy issues.”
“Go ahead,” I said with my weapon drawn. “Say another thing about my pa.”
“Don’t be such a fool, reaper,” said Gabriel. “We both know that trivial six-shooter would have no effect on me. Pull that trigger and it’ll be the last thing you do.”
As much as I didn’t want to admit it, he was right. There wasn’t a thing I could do to remove him from my room unless he saw fit to leave himself. The monsters I hunted were nothing more than scavengers in the night, followers of a master they knew little about. Gabriel, on the other hand, was one of the few leaders of Armageddon.
“So then, enlighten me with some revelation,” I said, putting the revolver back on the dresser. “What words of wisdom do you come to me with?”
“Nothing of the sort,” he said. “I’ve come to request that you reconsider your actions. The forces of Hell have clouded your mind, bent you to their will.”
“I’ve heard that from just about every junkie and lowlife I’ve come across.”
“Don’t be foolish,” Gabriel said. “Your fate is predestined, one that must not be deviated from. Yet, as you stand here now, I see a man who has been altered. The path you walk is no longer your own and mark my words, Horace, it’ll be the death of you.”
“It’s mighty kind of you to show me the light… being a mere mortal and all.”
“Cynicism doesn’t suit you,” Gabriel replied. “We’ve crossed paths many times… more than most that walk this land. In all those times, I’ve regarded you as barely worth my time. Now, you stand apart in a way you’ll never begin to understand. Much happened in the last two years, Horace, and it’s your duty to find out what that was.”
“You keep bringing up a past I don’t remember,” I said. “If you’ve got any information of the Abaddon I’m hunting… best spit it out or get your divine ass out of my room.”
“I know it’s your destiny to hunt the beast down,” Gabriel divulged. “And you would’ve succeeded, too… had you not taken this detour.”
“Yeah, well things kind of got in the way.”
“Ah, yes,” he said, “the boy. I know all about the boy. Let me tell you, reaper, the boy’s life is insignificant to the grand scheme of things. I would have thought a man of your upbringing would have known that.”
“Don’t lecture me on my upbringing. My responsibility is to people… not creatures like you.”
“It was a mistake to save the boy,” he said. “I shouldn’t have to tell you that. Of all the reapers in the world… you’re the only one I thought would understand.”
“Was it?” I asked. “There’s a young boy near here that would beg to differ.”
“Would he now?” Gabriel asked. “See, now that’s interesting…”
I didn’t like his tone, or his implication, but there wasn’t a goddamn thing about Gabriel that I did like. We’d known each other, as well as anyone could every truly know an angel, for over ten years now. He’d show up at the opportune time and take credit for the toils of my order. Since he was one of the only angels to grace us with his presence, we thanked the heavens that they didn’t send more, and let us carry on with our business.
“I’ve never trusted an angel before and I’m not likely going to start now.”
“That may very well be your undoing,” Gabriel replied. “Heaven doesn’t give a shit about this world… they don’t understand what they’d be losing if Hell was unleashed upon the Earth. You’ll always walk alone, Horace, unless you allow me to fight by your side. Discard my words, and you’ll see yourself in an early grave.”
“A reaper’s grave is always an early one,” I said. “First I’m barely worth your time, now you expect me to believe that you need me? You have any proof to back this up, or is it all just smoke and mirrors?”
“You must consider,” said Gabriel. “Is saving the boy really worth it?”
Before I could respond, Gabriel stepped back into the darkness and disappeared from the room. Since his arrival I had wanted him gone, but he didn’t show up unless he wanted to pull my strings like the marionette I was.
“Goodbye, Gabriel,” I said with a sigh. “Thanks for leaving me alone with my thoughts… that never turns out badly.”