Pestilence Meets the Chuglet
In the back of the SUV, it was deathly quiet as the two demon dogs stared at each other.
Malachi took in the quivering form of the dalmatian-lab mix across from him.
He didn’t want to switch to human form, as he would be naked and had nothing to cover himself with.
Conversely, if he changed to demon form, he wouldn’t fit in the small compartment.
He would have to settle for his furry form and hope he didn’t have to rip her throat out.
Chuck would never forgive him for the blood splatter it would create.
Watching the other demon’s eyes darting about warily, and the way she shifted on her paws, he groaned to himself.
She was still quite nervous, and this would require more delicate handling than he might be capable of giving.
He was willing to bet she would jump right out of her fuzzy skin if he said boo.
Chuck was better suited for this kind of quiet and persuasive conversation.
As gently as he could, he inquired, What’s your name?
I… uh… I don’t really have one. The demon who gave birth to me didn’t give me one before dropping me off at the Pentagram Facility for Unforeseen Offspring.
The other orphans there called me Pestilence, but I don’t like that name if I’m being honest. Her eyes widened.
I guess I’m not supposed to be honest; I’m sorry.
She sank lower to the floor, her thin body quivering, waiting for a punishment of some sort.
A low humming moan sounded from his throat as Malachi shuddered at the name of the facility she’d mentioned.
The Pentagram was the demon equivalent of an orphanage.
It wasn’t unheard of for demons to abandon children—nurturing wasn’t one of their strong traits after all—but out of the multitude of places to dump unwanted offspring, the Pentagram was by far the worst. Stories of maimed residents, hazing and bullying, torture and degradation were rampant amongst the survivors of the place.
Unsurprisingly, the mortality rate, especially for quasi-immortal beings, was extremely high.
According to the rumor mills of Hell, it was done to toughen up the unwanted demons for the fighting legions.
It was a terrible way to live, even for a demon.
Look, I’m still working on being nice; he glanced meaningfully at Chuck as he explained, so I might come off as rude with some of my questions.
I’m not trying to be; which is honest. Up here, that’s alright.
The female demon nodded slowly in understanding.
How old are you? Because you seem really young. And honestly, you’re kind of timid for a demon. Especially one raised at the Pentagram. How the fuck did you survive that?
Lowering her head once more, the younger demon sighed wistfully.
I get that, I do. Because you’re right. I’m only twenty-two Hell years.
And I’ve always been scared of everything because of where I lived, I guess.
I survived by learning to hide and go unnoticed.
No one sought me out anyway because they all thought they’d catch what I am, which is ridiculous because it’s not contagious.
Catch what you are? That doesn’t make sense.
I mean, I can tell there’s something different about you, but I’m not sure what it is.
Are you going to tell me? Malachi flopped down on his side, lolling out his tongue and panting like a harmless happy dog, trying to encourage her to relax as well.
She was trembling, clearly not wanting to reveal this next part.
He barely refrained from rolling his eyes at her reluctance as it clashed with his impatience.
You sought me out for a reason. Does that have to do with what you are?
Nodding miserably, a small tear rolled down her furry snout. I’m only half demon, which isn’t so bad. But it’s the other half that… well, makes me a pariah. Even in a realm full of misfits. It’s why they treated me like a disease and named me for all of them.
What could you possibly… hang on. Malachi leaned forward slowly, cautiously inching closer to keep from startling her. That other scent… It’s so familiar. He took another deep whiff and growled slightly frustrated. It’s on the tip of my tongue!
My other half is… angel. My father was apparently an angel.
I don’t know his name, and I don’t know my mother’s name.
Only that she was a succubus. That’s why I came to you.
You’re half incubus, she’s half angel. She tossed her muzzle toward Chuck.
I was hoping you could help me learn to mainstream and deal with these emotions I have.
I’m not allowed in Heaven, but I’m also not accepted in Hell.
I don’t belong anywhere, and I can’t control how I feel.
More tears coursed down her furry cheeks as she sniffled.
“Is she crying?” Chuck called back softly, her voice full of concern for the stranger. That was Chuck, a heart and halo of solid gold. It didn’t matter to her that the young person was a demon; she was still a lost girl in need of a helping hand and a kind heart.
Yeah, she’s just a kid really, he explained wearily, just to her.
His voice wavered as he explained, a gross symptom of having his own emotions and feelings.
With no one to guide her on them, it must have been Hell growing up.
Pun fully intended. She had a shitty upbringing and some pretty crap circumstances that were out of her control.
I… Chuck, I feel… Ugh. I don’t know how to describe it.
My stomach is twisting, and I’m angry. But not at her.
Not at you. At those other demons. It doesn’t make sense.
It doesn’t involve me; why am I so bothered by what I’m hearing?
“Empathy, Mal. That’s empathy, and it’s wonderful.
You’re upset at the injustice done to her even though you know that’s demon nature.
It means you care and it’s just the sweetest thing ever,” Chuck explained with a happy sigh.
A silly smile curved her mouth, plumping her cheeks, and her aura flashed purple swirled with red.
Huh, you’re making me soft. I’m tying you up and whipping you later.
Empathy… gross. He kept his back to her so she couldn’t see the small grin curving his own lips.
It made him feel good—which was weird—but in a pleasant way that warmed his chest. Shifting his gaze to the other demon, he remembered the enigma before him and sighed.
Alright kiddo, here’s the plan. First, we’re going back to our house and regrouping; second, we’re gonna figure this out.
Do you have any other forms besides this and your demon form? Can you do a human shape?
Nodding quickly, eager to please, the half angel-half demon hybrid reassured him.
Lifting one paw in excitement, she loudly exclaimed, I do!
I can! She was panting now with happiness, her tail thumping heavily on the floorboard of the compartment.
I’ve been working on it while everyone else is asleep as a way to hide.
No one at the Pentagram knows what I look like because I’ve kept it secret.
It’s how I was able to sneak out through the portal.
Right, well, when we get to the house, I’ll have Chuck get you some clothes. Oh, and one more thing you need to be aware of, and it’s a big one. There’s someone else that lives with us, and if you even so much as breathe on her too hard, I will gut you without remorse or hesitation.
Taking a wary step back, the other dog shook her head emphatically. The white of her eyes was showing in distress, and a whimper escaped her throat. I wouldn’t, couldn’t! I will keep my distance from everyone.
Squinting hard and studying her closely, his gaze searching for any hint of duplicity or deceit, Malachi finally nodded.
The tiniest bit of guilt wormed into his mind for scaring her so much.
I guess I shouldn’t have resorted to threats immediately.
Habit. Once she meets you, I’m sure you won’t be able to keep away from her.
She is going to love more company. Do you like reality TV?
I… I don’t know… she answered uncertainly.
Well, the Chuglet will be happy to change that for you.
What’s a Chuglet?
At the house, Malachi quickly trotted to the bedroom to grab a change of clothes.
While he hurriedly shoved his legs into his jeans, he smirked at the happy grumbles coming from the living room.
As he expected, Reena was extremely excited to meet the newcomer.
She barked and spun in circles while making her piggy snorts that indicated she was over the moon about something.
When Malachi explained that the other dog was a demon like him but also angel-like, Chuck and Reena tilted their heads and stared in confusion, unsure what to do with this information.
Despite her participation in Amaryllis’ ruse a year prior, she still wasn’t up on her celestial hierarchies.
However, when he added that the young woman needed their help, Reena paused, placed a tiny paw on the other dog’s leg, and whimpered sympathetically.
Then she spun around in three circles yipping excitedly about her new friend.
Once he explained that Reena was a mix of Chihuahua and Pug—thus the Chuglet— the other demon relaxed and chuckled at the small brindle-coated whirlwind.
She could speak directly to Reena the same way Malachi could, so she chatted for a bit before Reena began to spin in circles once more.
The opposite way this time. Her curly tail was wagging so hard it threw off her trajectory, and she ended up wobbling right into the base of the sofa.
The other demon gasped in alarm, while Chuck merely sighed and carefully righted Reena.
“Um, sorry, I don’t know your name… but would you like to change into human form?
I can probably loan you some clothes, maybe, if we’re the same size.
” She glanced at Malachi helplessly. “Alright, how about just come on back here.” Turning on her heel, she marched toward the spare bedroom, a nervous dog following her slowly, glancing over her shoulder as if expecting an attack any moment.
That was when Malachi took the opportunity to rush to their closet to throw on some jeans and a t-shirt before hurrying back to the living room.
There he found Chuck and Reena curled up on the sofa, a re-run of the Chuglet’s favorite show on the screen.
“Well?” he asked breathlessly, holding his hands up as he looked around for the newcomer.
“Well, what?” Chuck replied with an arched eyebrow, exasperation in her tone and aura.
“You know more than I do at this point about what’s going on with her.
I set out some basics and a robe in case they don’t fit her.
I don’t know what size she is in human form, and after the last time I tried to guess someone’s size…
” She smirked at the reminder of the T-shirt she’d given him the first time he turned human in front of her.
A slight laugh slipped from her pursed lips as his hands flew to his biceps, also remembering the too-small sleeves that had dug painfully into his skin.
Her expression turned serious then, the small smile curving down and her brow furrowed.
“Mal, what’s going on with her? Why did she come to us? And what’s her name?”
“She doesn’t have a real name,” he sighed heavily and scrubbed his hands over his face as he thought about her situation and how to best explain it.
“Her parents abandoned her at a demon orphanage, which is actually fairly common in some families, but they also didn’t name her.
She has a name that others call her, but she doesn’t like it, and it’s kinda mean. ”
Chuck’s eyes hardened, and she ground her teeth together, her aura flashing a dark, rich purple.
The deep eggplant shade was reserved for her frustration at the injustice in the world, when her background as a police officer demanded retribution.
“Poor thing, no wonder she ran away. Well, we need to give her a good name.”
Reena woofed low in agreement and panted happily.
“I’d like that,” came a soft voice from the hallway.