Flux

nothing,” suddenly unsure of what to say next. Ah shit, now you’ve done it! What could he say, that he was collecting evidence for Armageddon or trying to prove Gods existence? “I’m cutting out the letters for ransom notes.” He blurted, giggling as he did and trying to divert from the subject with humour. What the fuck? She raised an eyebrow. “More tea?” Iain hurriedly asked, changing the subject.
    “No thanks,” placing her hand over her mug. “I really must be going.”
    When she left, Iain leaned his back against the inside of the front door and breathed a massive sigh of relief.

    That night he dreamed he was a great warrior in the age old battle of good versus evil. At his back stood a host of angels, while facing them was an army of darkness. Demons, ogres and the spiders he’d already met were joined by a whole host of abominations. Both sides were charging towards each other at full pelt, battle cries issuing from the lungs of all. A sword of polished steel shone in his hand, its hilt gold to match the gauntlets he wore.
    The opposing forces were upon each other in no time at all, chopping and stabbing, biting and clawing. A vicious looking demon, about nine feet tall with fire red eyes, razor teeth and long black talons took a swipe at Iain. Without thought, his sword appeared to take on a life of its own as it parried the blow, leaving the demon’s hand lying in the dust. With a pirouette he turned and drove the blade straight down and through the creature’s eye before moving onto the next. The battle raged and one enemy after another fell before Iain’s sword. He was exhilarated, in his element as the blood splattered, feeling all powerful and invincible.
    A babies cry could be heard through the din, the shrill sound cutting through the clanking of weapons and the screams of battle. He knew the sound, had heard it before. Somehow, even though he knew he was in a dream, Iain understood that the child was important, key even, to unravelling the situation in which he’d found himself.
    Pushing forward, swinging his weapon wildly there seemed no end to the demon hoard and yet he did not tire. Waves of monsters kept coming, keeping him from his goal; the child. Gore piled on the ground and he was soon slipping in it but still he fought, and yet found himself no closer to where he was needed.
    He woke with a start.

    “Delusions of grandeur eh?” Bert was sitting on the end of the bed, still wearing his stained pyjamas and still stinking of shit.
    Iain rubbed his eyes, wondering whether he’d simply slipped from one dream to another. “I wondered when you’d show up.”
    “Fine way to greet a friend,” feigning insult.
    “You’re no friend of mine.”
    “Charming. Now I am hurt.”
    “What do you want?”
    “The same, I’ve come to see if you’ve made a decision?”
    “What decision?”
    “What side you’re on? Whether you want glory in the kingdom of darkness, or death?”
    “Neither!”
    “You have to choose.”
    “Says who?”
    “Says me!”
    Iain laughed, “I’m not scared of you anymore. You’re vile, repulsive and pathetic and I wish you’d just leave me alone.”
    “Can’t do.”
    “Why not?
    “I’m your guide,” he said, quite matter of factly.
    “Guide! Why would I need a guide?”
    “You’re at a critical juncture. I’m here to make sure you make the right choices.”
    “I don’t need your help.”
    “Oh, I think you do,” smiling wryly.
    “Hmmm.” Iain sat and thought for a moment while Bert picked what looked like dried blood from his fingernails. “What’s the baby got to do with things?”
    Bert’s face changed, taking on a cold stony appearance. “What baby,” he asked.
    Ian knew he’d struck a chord and the old man pretended not to know. “The one I hear crying in my dreams, on the radio, the phone. Everywhere!”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” said Bert, shuffling on the edge of the bed.
    “Liar!”
    Rage flared in the old man’s eyes, he pressed forwards towards Iain: “Now listen to me butt-munch. Don’t go meddling in things which don’t concern you.”
    “But I think it does concern me.”
    “I’m warning you!”
    “Or what?”
    “Or you’ll be in some deep shit, that’s what!” Bert had started to look decidedly uneasy.
    “Tell me!”
    “Oh, is that the time; I really must be going.”
    “Eh?”
    “Until the next time…” With that, the stinking man steadily became transparent until