The Kill Society (Sandman Slim 9)

Then there’s Wormwood. I know they’re involved somehow, but I can’t figure out how or why. The Magistrate has more secrets, too, I bet. Goddammit. I don’t know what to do. I want off this crazy train, but there’s nowhere to jump and people I care about will get hurt if I go. Maybe even Alice. I got her killed once. I won’t let that happen again.

“Okay,” I croak. “I’ll try.”

“You must do more than that,” says the Magistrate. “Help me up. We will go to shore immediately.”

I help him onto the deck, where he uses Charon’s staff to steer the ships out of the deep water to shore.

Alice comes over.

“Nice trick back there,” she says.

“Thanks,” I rasp.

“Oh, you poor thing. You’ve ruined your voice. Let me see if I can help.”

She puts a hand on my throat and mumbles a few words.

“How’s that?”

The pain is gone.

I look around at the havoc. People seem happy that we’re heading to shore. Without me making half of them uncomfortable, the dog pack seems happy, too. Cherry lifts her respirator enough to sip a beer as she talks to the big blond angel.

I take Alice aside.

“Have you ever heard of Wormwood?”

“No. What is it?”

“Mortals. Very bad people. They make money on everybody else’s misery. They might be arranging these attacks.”

“Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure. I need you to keep an eye on things. Angels are good snoops. If anyone acts strange—well, stranger than a bunch of idiots on a mission from God—let me know.”

“Okay. Do you know why we’re heading for shore?”

“I’m going bowling with Death.”

“No. I mean, do you really know?”

“Seriously—I’m going to meet Death. We’re sort of friends.”

“I’d like to think you’re lying, but I know you aren’t.”

“Nope.”

“Do I have to tell you to be careful?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Be careful anyway.”

We stand by the side of the ship watching the shore get closer.

She says, “Do you ever wonder what it would have been like if you didn’t go to Hell and I didn’t die?”

“Only a few thousand times.”