Soul Guardian

The man working the campground check-in booth had been saddled with the name “Ignacy” at birth. He had never forgiven the universe for that slight and grown up to be a vicious, petty man. It had been given with love by his Polish parents, who thought it was a strong name for a boy. But children could be cruel, and Ignacy wasn’t very good with people at the best of times.

Most of his co-workers were decent sorts. They were the kind of people who loved nature and the great outdoors. Ignacy hated them, almost as much as he hated the families that came to camp by the lake. He wondered why they pretended to be so happy, putting on a show that nobody they knew was around to see.

As Bael pulled up to the kiosk he flashed a winning smile. “I’ve got a camping reservation for Bill Sharoth. I’d like to check-in, please.”

Ignacy didn’t bother looking up from the TV. “Check-in doesn’t start until two. You’ll have to come back later.”

Bael looked at the sign on the wall. It clearly stated that check-in started at noon. “Well, we’re here now and we would like to go unpack.”

“That’s too bad,” Ignacy said without a hint of empathy, “Come back in an hour and you can check-in then.”

The demon was very familiar with Ignacy’s ilk. They were common among the damned souls, petty tyrants who never crossed the line over to violence but made life hell for everyone around them. He pulled out a notebook and started jotting down ideas.

This got the man’s attention. “What’s that for?”

“I’m writing down some notes. You’ve inspired me,” Bael replied. He would be changing sides soon, but torture methods and ideas could easily be traded for favors from his fellow demons. They were always looking for new ways to torment people.

“Inspired?” Ignacy asked, unsure where the conversation had gone wrong. Usually guests either came back after two (only to find out that he had taken a very long lunch), or they blew their lid and he got to throw them out. He liked banning people from the park, it was an easy way to ruin their vacation.

Bael nodded. “Oh yes. You are spectacular.”

The man looked around in confusion. “I am?”

“Absolutely,” the demon said as he finished his note, “The vague pettiness combined with the way you refuse to even acknowledge us by looking our way is marvelous. I’m guessing that if I pointed out the sign saying check-in starts at noon you would tell me it was out of date? Perhaps something about seasonal hours?”

Ingacy wasn’t sure how to respond. The man didn’t seem angry. But the words didn’t match his tone. “What’s going on? Is this some kind of prank?”

“Oh no, I’m being completely serious. You are, without a doubt, a perfect representation of a horrible little man.” Bael got out of the SUV and leaned his head inside the kiosk, his pleasant tone never changing. “Now, let me explain something to you, Ignacy Kowalski. I am on a camping trip with my daughter. If you attempt to ruin that trip or diminish her enjoyment of it in any way, I will skin you alive, pack your body into a barrel filled with sea salt, then put you somewhere dark to think about your transgressions.”

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The demon let his facade slip a tiny bit, making his teeth seem abnormally sharp. “So, are you going to let us check-in? Or am I going to have to go get my tools?”

***

The campsite Bael had picked out for them was picture perfect. It was close enough to the lake to access it easily, but far enough away that people wouldn’t use it for a shortcut. The smell of pine wafted through the air. It mingled with the hints of wood smoke and barbecue, triggering long forgotten memories.

Bael got out and stretched his legs. “Wow, this place is great,” he said, “We made good time too, even with our little detour.”

Titan looked around approvingly. “IT IS VERY PICTURESQUE.”

“The article I read said it was one of the best parks in the state. There are supposed to be trout in that lake the length of my arm.” Bael held out two hands for emphasis. “Six, why don’t you help me unpack and get everything set up?”

Six got out of the car, ignoring Bael as she walked towards the lake. “I think I’ve been here before. But I must have been very little because I hardly remember it.” The young witch slowly turned around a few times as if trying to get her bearings. “I remember a little store that sold bait. It had a stained glass window, which seemed really out of place to me.”

Bael had never seen his daughter look so lost. Normally Six had four moods: aloof, angry, hungry, and happy. But this was his first time seeing her confused. It was like she was stuck in a memory.

Too late, Bael realized his mistake. He knew the name sounded familiar. It was written on the death certificate Zephyr had needed to fix before they could adopt her. At the time he had assumed it was an outright fake, something the cult had cooked up to stop people from looking for Six when they finally sacrificed her. But now he was beginning to have doubts.

Six looked at him, a frown crossing her face. “I think this is where I drowned.”

***

Her memories of the accident were hectic at best. Six remembered being on a boat at night, falling into the water, then nothing but cold and darkness. She looked at her hands then out at the water. “How weird, it’s like I’m remembering something that happened to someone else.”

Titan took up a position next to her. “ARE YOU ALRIGHT?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just weird,” Six said as she scratched behind the hellhound’s ears, “Let’s get the tent and stuff set up.”

Her father breathed a sigh of relief as he watched Six go to unpack the SUV. He had been expecting her to go off the deep end or freak out. Instead she was solid as a rock. Unfortunately, his mind was not completely put at ease. Between the car accident that killed her family, the drowning, and her accidental trip to Lou’s realm, that made three times she had cheated death.

The Baron looked up at the sky as if trying to peer into heaven. He had a vague inkling that his daughter’s continued survival had not been an accident. Cosmic forces were at work, pulling strings to affect an outcome. It was impossible to know if he should blame Six’s suffering, or her salvation, or both on whoever was responsible.

Bael made a mental note to go and find out when he took his new position. He might have been transferring over to the side of the angels, but if he found out they had messed with his daughter there would be hell to pay.