DARKNESS DWINDLES Chapter Seven
The drive back home was mostly silent. Daniel switched on FX radio and played classical music. They stopped only once, to refill the van.
"I keep thinking," said Daniel as they stood next to the pump listening to the hum of flowing gas, "that the name -- Dr. Nicholas Fellers -- sounds familiar. I've heard it somewhere before."
"Sandy gave us his name," offered Joey.
"I swear, bro, sometimes you make no sense. What the hell are you talking about? Who's Sandy?"
"Last month -- she was the lady in the ER. She gave us two names. The doctor you went to see was one, and Dr. Fellers was the other."
"Shit, I think you're right. Fellers was the shrink. God damn it!" Daniel turned to look back down the highway. "Why did she give us the name of a shrink? Was that old bitch fucking with us? We should go back."
"She's an old witch, Daniel. She told us to not go back."
"Bitch, witch," Daniel grunted, "they're only one letter apart."
He slid a glance at Joey. "You know, other than those three lost days, I have no evidence that any of this Darkness shit is true. Maybe someone slipped me Rohypnol in that bar and everything else has been a giant conspiracy to fuck with my head."
"But Daniel, you turned into a bear-wolf."
"So you've said. Maybe you're in on it, too."
"But Daniel -- "
Daniel cupped the back of Joey's neck in his hand and pulled him closer. "I'm kidding, bro." He squeezed gently. "I believe you. My shoulder couldn't have healed like that. I just wish I could remember what happened."
Joey dropped his head until the hair fell over his eyes.
"Hey," Daniel brightened, "I've got an idea. Next full moon let's set up a tripod and catch the whole change thing on video. I could use it to do a series: self-portrait of the artist as a werewolf. Wouldn't that be something?"
Joey didn't answer.
Daniel gave Joey a final squeeze and released the back of his neck. "We'll see about this Fellers guy. I know the old witch said to not go back, but I swear if I need to I will."
When they got home Daniel dug out the discharge papers from Baxter County ER.
"You're right," he said. "It's him: Doctor Nicholas Fellers, trauma specialist. They've put down his number. What the hell, I'll call and make an appointment."
Two days later they went to their session with Dr. Fellers.
"So, I Googled this guy," Daniel said as he pulled his Porsche into the parking garage of the downtown professional building. "Found out he's Board Certified in Neurology and is a Fellow of the Analytic Institute of Switzerland. Got a string of credentials as long as my arm. The guy's an uber-shrink."
Dr. Fellers' office was on the eleventh floor. On the door was a simple brass plaque that read "Fellers." The door opened to a comfortable waiting room with overstuffed furniture and warm incandescent lighting.
A young man in a long-sleeved cotton oxford and chino slacks emerged from a side office. "Are you Daniel and Joseph?" he asked.
"Yeah," said Daniel.
"Welcome." Behind his neatly trimmed Van Dyke the man's expression was solemn as an undertaker's. "I'm John. I have some paperwork for each of you to fill out. Dr. Fellers should be ready to see you shortly. Can I get either of you something to drink?"
"Sure," said Daniel. "I'll take a scotch on the rocks."
"Sorry," John didn't crack a smile. "No alcohol. I have coffee, tea or soft drinks."
"Yeah, I think we're good." They sat down to fill out the paperwork.
Five minutes later a door at the far end of the waiting room swung open and a portly man with frizzy white hair and a white beard popped through. He bounded forward, hand outstretched.
"Daniel! Joseph!" he boomed, "so good to meet you both." He shook their hands vigorously, blue eyes twinkling behind round wire-rim glasses.
"My God," Daniel gaped. "You're Doctor Santa Claus!"
Dr. Fellers nodded politely and gave Daniel a pleasant close-lipped smile. His lips were strawberry red.
"Oops, sorry. You probably get that a lot."
"I like your spontaneity. Usually only the children are so direct. Come into my office."
Dr. Fellers' office was paneled in wood, with matching wooden blinds covering floor-to-ceiling windows. There was an antiquish writing table next to a large carved wardrobe. Bookshelves were filled with leather-bound books and evocative-looking artwork, and there were several comfortable armchairs arranged in an intimate conversational geometry. And, of course, there was a couch.
Daniel sat in an armchair; Joey took the chair beside him. Dr. Fellers settled facing them. The doctor steepled his hands together and regarded them with a serene Buddha half-smile. He waited.
"So," Daniel cleared his throat, "I guess I should say why we're here?"
"Oh, I already know why you're here. You're a werewolf and your brother is possessed."
"How do you -- Jesus fuck, what are you?!"
The doctor's smile had widened to reveal saliva-slickened fangs gleaming between his strawberry red lips.
Daniel leapt up to stand protectively in front of Joey.
Dr. Fellers gave a jolly Santa laugh. His fangs flashed. "Don't be silly. Sit down, dear boy, I'm not going to hurt you."
"Are you a werewolf too?"
"No, of course not." The smile widened. "I'm a vampire."
Daniel stared, frozen.
"Really," Dr. Fellers flapped his hands, "sit, sit. I never bite patients. It would be terrible for my practice."
Daniel's gaze flicked to the afternoon light streaming through the wooden blinds.
"Yes," the doctor beamed. "Sunlight. Surely by now you've grasped that the Hollywood version of the supernatural isn't very ... accurate?"
Slowly Daniel reseated himself.
"Thank you. Now that you've seen my bona fides, let us proceed to the matter at hand. You have been informed that your brother is demonically possessed, yes?"
"Yeah." Daniel regarded the doctor suspiciously.
"Of course I am, dear boy."
"Jesus fuck," Daniel breathed, eyes wide.
"What is it, Daniel?" Joey asked.
"Your brother wondered if I was reading his mind and I just assured him that I am. You have company, young man. How long has your guest been present?"
"He doesn't know."
"Actually," the doctor's twinkly blue gaze remained fixed on Joey, "he does know. How long has the demon been present?"
"He ... he came the night they called and said that Mom had died."
"Correct. And he's come to you every night for the past six years, yes?"
Joey nodded.
"Jesus, Joey, why have you never said anything?"
Joey hung his head mutely.
"Why didn't he tell me?" Daniel looked at Dr. Fellers.
"Demons are immaterial beings. What form do you imagine it chose to assume in your brother's mind? What shape has it taken in its ... visitations ... for the past six years? No, not his mother. Nor your father, although you're getting closer. Ah, third time's the charm."
"No." Daniel closed his eyes. "No, that can't be."
"I am afraid it is. The incubus has chosen to appear as you."
"Incubus?" Daniel's eyes flew open.
"Yes. Your brother is possessed by a demon that feeds nightly off of his libidinous energies. Because the demon has assumed a male shape, it may be called an incubus. You've wondered why your brother is so asexual in his appearance and demeanor. It is because the incubus is consuming his sexual energies."
Daniel stared at Joey in horror. "Oh, little bro," he whispered, "I am so, so sorry." He looked at Doctor Fellers. "Can you get rid of it?"
The doctor removed his glasses. He took a snow-white handkerchief out of his vest pocked and polished them. "Well, yes, there is one way I most likely can." He slipped the glasses back on.
"What?"
"I can bite him."
"Son of a bitch!" Daniel tensed. "You said you never bit patients."
"I don't. It's unethical, not to mention unprofessional. And you would try to kill me. I was merely answering your question, not proposing a course of treatment."
Daniel slowly unclenched. "Anything else?"
The doctor's strawberry lips frowned in thought. "That a demon would choose to dwell within a single host for so long is puzzling. There must be a reason for such unusual behavior. I propose that I communicate with the incubus to find out why it is behaving this way and what might motivate it to leave."
"I thought you're supposed to never talk to the demon directly."
"Hollywood version. You got that from watching The Exorcist on AMC one Halloween night."
"Oh." Daniel looked at Joey, still sitting hunched over in is chair. "Is that okay, little bro?"
Joey gave a tiny nod. "What do I do?" he whispered.
"You go to sleep," Dr. Fellers answered. "Now."
Joey slumped in his chair, suddenly unconscious.
"Son of a bitch." Daniel stared down at Joey, then at Dr. Fellers.
The doctor gave him a cheerful wink. "Professional trick. Now give us a few minutes of silence, please, while I have a chat with your brother's uninvited guest."
Daniel sat while the vampire communed with a demon.
"Well, well, well," Dr. Fellers finally stirred. He took his glasses off and polished them again. "Most informative. Wake up, dear boy."
Joey sat up. "Daniel," he yawned, rubbing his eyes with his fists, "I fell asleep."
"I know, bro." Daniel reached out to squeeze Joey's thigh. "It's okay. Right, doc? Everything's going to be okay?"
Dr. Fellers stood up. "I think we could all use a short break before we continue." He walked to the wardrobe and swung it open. Inside was a bar stocked with bottles, glasses and a small refrigerator. The back of the wardrobe was mirrored.
"Let's see," the doctor rubbed his hands together, "Daniel ordered scotch on the rocks, but he prefers his scotch neat. Let's do that. Joey'll take a Coke. I believe I'll have a glass of port. Ruby, of course," he gave them a wink in the mirror.
He fixed the drinks and carried them back on a small silver platter. The brothers took their drinks. The doctor settled down into his chair and sipped his port. Joey took a gulp of Coke. Daniel regarded his scotch suspiciously.
"You don't have to drink it," the doctor said, "but it's very good scotch and nothing more. I have no need to resort to drugs were my intentions less than honorable."
Daniel took a sip. His eyebrows lifted. "Nice."
"Indeed. Now, where were we? I spoke with Joey's indweller, and what I have learned is fascinating. Before the demon possessed Joey it had been indwelling within his mother. No, it was not the cause of her insanity. Rather, it took advantage of it to ... move in, shall we say. In her normal state of mind a witch of Mercedes' capabilities could have readily repelled a demon. After the breakdown she could not. "During its occupancy the demon went through Mercedes' memories. You are already aware of her quest to discover why the Darkness is dwindling. This was not an idle interest on her part; it was a consuming passion. It was a passion that your father shared."
"What?" Daniel stared at the doctor. "Is that what Dad was helping her with?"
"He wasn't merely helping her with it. They were full collaborators. It was their life's work. Their Project, they called it."
"But Dad was a physicist. He was a mathematician. He didn't know anything about magic."
"No, but Mercedes did. She taught him the nature of Darkness, and he attempted to build a model of the universe that would explain it. This is really quite fascinating."
Dr. Fellers looked at Joey. "I am sorry I never met your parents in person, my boy."
Daniel took a swig of his scotch. He coughed. "Okay, so what does the damned thing want?"
"You recall that your father died in an accident driving home from the airport."
"Yeah, I remember. He'd just gotten back from a meeting."
"Correct. Before he left the airport, he called Mercedes and left her a message. He said that he'd solved it. He knew why the Darkness was dwindling. And his message implied that he'd learned something else as well. Those were the last words from him that your stepmother ever heard. They were blazing in her mind when the demon took possession.
"When she died, it jumped to Joey because it wished to stay nearby. It wants to know what your father discovered." The doctor steepled his fingers together. "Understand, it wants to know this like a starving man is ravenous for a meal. It is desperate to know." Daniel nodded slowly. "If we can find for it what Dad had figured out, could we get it to leave?"
"Yes. Demons are open to ... contractual agreements, you could call them, of just that sort."
"Okay, let's do it. How do we make the contractual agreement?"
Dr. Fellers smiled. "My dear boy, I already have. Find out what your father discovered and the demon will leave."
Daniel grunted. "That's quick work."
"Well," the doctor's lips twitched, "I am a specialist."
"Okay," Daniel tossed back his scotch and placed the empty glass on the tray. "I guess we have some things to do. Do we pay you, doc, or the guy outside?"
"Not so fast, dear boy. We've made some inroads into your brother's condition, but thus far we have given no attention to your own issues."
"What, you mean the fact that I'm a werewolf? Two different witches told me that there's nothing that can be done about it. Is that wrong?"
"No. You are a werewolf and will be until the day you die."
"So what are you talking about?"
"I am talking about the three days of lost memory during your first transition. That is a concern."
"I thought that was just part of the moon gift."
"No. Your brain did undergo changes during transition, and animals encode memory differently from humans, but that is not the primary reason you remember nothing."
"What is it?"
"You are manifesting dissociative amnesia in response to a severe psychological trauma. Part of the trauma is the experience of transition itself. The other part is what you did during conversion."
Daniel watched the doctor warily. "I did something? Shit. Did I ... did I kill someone?"
"No." The doctor's bright blue gaze slid toward Joey, who was now hunched over in his chair, staring at his hands as they clenched his knees.
"Did I hurt Joey?" Daniel whispered.
"You raped him."
"What?!" Daniel sprang out of the chair away from his brother. "What the fuck are you talking about? That's sick! I wouldn't do that! I would never do that!"
"You wouldn't, no. But the beast would. And did."
"Jesus fuck!" Daniel wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "This can't be happening. That can't be right. I'm straight. I've never been interested in guys. Even if I were, I'd never do that to Joey!"
"The distinction between sexual orientations is not as firm even in the human mind as you might think. In the animal mind it is meaningless. You have been caring for your brother for the past eight years. You love and protect him. When you transitioned, your animal mind put him into the only category that it could understand: your mate."
"My mate? Fuck, no! He's my brother! Sure, I love him, but he's not my mate!"
"This is not something your human mind can choose. It is what your beast has decided. Human taboos have no meaning for it."
Daniel turned away to begin pacing in front of the windows. After a few moments he turned back to the doctor. "You said that you could bite Joey and make the demon go away. Can you bite me and make this go away?"
"Bite a werewolf?" Dr. Fellers' bushy eyebrows rose in alarm. "I think not. No, that would be most unwise."
"So what the fuck am I supposed to do?"
"The healthiest state you can achieve is that of integration between your human and beast selves. This will give you greater awareness and self-control during transition phases. You will, in a sense, be a bit more human in your beast form. Of course, the converse is also true. You will have a bit more of the beast in your human form. And the beast has claimed your brother as its mate."
Daniel pressed the heels of his palms against his eyes. "I can't believe this is happening." He shuddered. "I'm a werewolf, you're a vampire, Joey's possessed and his mother was a witch. Fine. I can deal with it. But this is impossible. I can't believe what I'm hearing. And you're telling me I just have to deal. This is so fucked up."
He shook his head. "I gotta get out of here. Are you done now, doc? Have you worked us over enough for one day?"
"Yes," Dr. Fellers rose from his chair. "We can stop here. It is three weeks until the next full moon. It would be best if we get in several more meetings before then. John will give you an appointment for early next week. I expect to see you both back." Daniel did not speak or look at Joey on the elevator ride down. He was silent in the car as they drove home. When he pulled into the driveway he remained in his seat, hands clamped to the wheel, as Joey got out of the car.
"Daniel," Joey asked, "aren't you coming in?"
"No, bro," Daniel wouldn't look at him. "I need to go for a drive. I'll be gone for a bit."
"Okay, Daniel."
Joey stood in the driveway and watched the Porsche peel away.
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Ah, vamps. Gotta love `em. Can't you just see the good Doctor Bloodsucker, spectacles perched on the edge of his nose, leafing through his grimoire of medieval magic? "Now, let's see," he mutters, "just what sort of demonic entity have we here? Succubus? Incubus? Omnibus?" That taxonomy don't matter so much these days, doc. Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis. Gotta change with the times, and I'm a thoroughly modern girl.
But my poor Joey. This has been a tough road for him. In his natural state the kid has an IQ that is right up there with his brilliant parents. And he's chock full of that rich Darkness I find so magically delicious. Thing is, I'm a hearty eater, and my years of dining at the Joey buffet have left him a bit thinned out. I'd feel sorry for the kid, if I only had a heart. Which I don't.
And Danny-boy, he has a few adjustments he's going to have to make. That's going to be interesting to watch.
But why, you may ask, have I chosen to assume the identity of Joey's big brother during our nightly playtimes? Too bad, I'm not telling. Figure it out for yourself.
InvertedBeast@yahoo.com