Brogan

 

He was almost afraid to walk through the door Jericho led them too. If his mate who was a demon was nervous, what chance did they as mortals have?

“You guys ready for this?” Jericho asked as he took a deep breath and opened the normal looking door.

Brogan, Rook, and West all gaped in astonishment at the room before bursting into laugher at the terrified look on Jericho’s face. “Babe, this is what you’re afraid of?”

“You mock me now, but we’ll see in a few minutes how you feel.” Jericho grumbled with a glare. “He who laughs last and all that.”

Brogan stepped farther in the room and took it all in. “So, what we have to find our way through the maze of mirrors?”

“Yes, the shortcut out is on the other side. It will lead us back to the forest where you arrived. Just be careful, looks are deceiving in here.”

Jericho grunted and moved to the entrance of the mirrors. “This is such a bad idea.” he mumbled as he stepped inside and there quickly became five of him. “Try to stay together.”

The three men followed him in and within seconds became disoriented and lost. Brogan saw Jericho and then he was gone. “Jericho?” he called only to turn and run directly into a mirror with a thump.

“Shit. what was that?” Rook hollered. “Did anyone see that shit?”

“What?” Brogan called back in alarm. “Where are you?”

“A creepy ass clown, with a bunch of helium balloons tied to his right hip and he was making balloon animals. His smile was full of jagged bloody teeth too.”

“Clowns?” Brogan whimpered. “Seriously?”

“I saw one too.” West called. “Except mine was holding a bloody butcher knife and he was crooking his finger for me to come to him, oh, and he was a little person clown.”

“Jericho, what is this place?” Brogan demanded.

“It’s the hall of mirrors, your fears are projected and stalk you.” Jericho cursed as a loud thump filled the room. “Guys we need to stick together. Is anyone next to anyone else?”

“I see five of Brogan and two Wests. And oh fuck, way too many of those clown assholes.” Rook called as he turned and ran right into a mirror, “Shit that hurts.”

“Babe, can they hurt us?” Brogan asked as he put his hands out and took slow cautious steps feeling for the mirrors to try and save himself a smashed nose.

“This is Hell, hun. They can more than hurt you. They can make you suffer in ways you can’t even begin to imagine.”

“Brogan if we get out of this alive, do you think we can get a group discount on therapy?” Rook called in a shaky voice.

“Rook stay still. I’ve got you.” Jericho called. “Okay guys, we’re together. Now to find you two and avoid the fucking clowns that are multiplying. Are all three of you afraid of them?”

A chorus of hell yeahs filled the air making Brogan laugh. “Babe, they are the creepiest, evilest things we mortals normally face on our side of the veil.”

“Sheriff, duck now.” Jericho called.  Brogan couldn’t see any of them, but he heard the thunk as something hit a mirror. “What’s going on?”

“I’m fine. Thanks man. That was a little too close for comfort.” West called to Jericho.

“Brogan, babe, sit tight and keep an eye around you at all times. A clown almost took West down.  We’re coming for you.”

“Um, you guys might want to hurry. I’m kind of surrounded here and….” Brogan trailed off as his voice went higher and higher in fear as the clowns creeped closer and closer. “I’m going to die by bozo the clown. This is so not right.”

“Do you still have your flashlight?” Jericho yelled. “If you do turn it on and point it at the mirrors.  It’ll cast them away for a few minutes and allow us time to squeeze past them to get to you.”

“Okay,” Brogan said with a trembling voice. He felt like a scared child, but it wasn’t often you had to face one of your biggest fears head on while knowing they were trying to kill you.”

“That’s it babe. I see you now, we’re almost there. Keep waving it around.  Want to hear some fantastic news?”

“Yes, desperately.” Brogan grunted and yelped, “That one got a little too close. I’m okay though, just tore my shirt a bit.”

Suddenly a strong set of arms wrapped around Brogan and he screamed as he turned to fight and instantly relaxed when he realized it was Jericho holding him. “The exit is right around the corner. We’re almost home free.”

“Thank you.” Rook whispered in a shaky voice. “I don’t know how many more clowns I can handle right now. They are getting more and more demented as the minutes tick by.”

“Hold hands,” Jericho demanded. Brogan didn’t hesitate he grabbed Jericho’s hand and then latched on Rook’s who in turn had a death grip on West.

“Lead the way home, please.” West cried. “They’re moving in. Hurry.”

Brogan was afraid to turn and look. Jericho had been right; this room was by far the worst thing he’d ever faced. They were just reaching the door when a small voice called his name and made him freeze in place.

“Brogan, don’t leave me here. Take me with you.”

He turned slowly wide eyed and petrified of what he’d see behind him. It was her voice and inflections, he’d know those tones anywhere.

“Grandma?”

“Yes, my boy. I’ve been waiting for so long for you to come rescue me. Please come back and help me. I don’t belong here.”

“Brogan, listen to me. They are playing tricks with your mind. That is a demon, not your grandmother.” Jericho pushed in front of him until they were face to face. “Babe, focus on me. You know that pain you have blocked up, it’s time to let it out. Use it to feel the truth. Let your love and pain for me blend into one of hope, life and eternal love. Blast them away with the power you’ve got locked away. I swear to you, it’s not your grandmother. That’s a demon. Blast the facade away and you’ll see the truth.”

Brogan glanced away from his mate’s eyes and stared at his grandmother’s pleading ones. Her hand outstretched and crying out for his help. “Grandma?” He asked as tears fell unchecked down his cheeks.

“Let it out,” Jericho begged as tears began to fall from his eyes too. “I can’t lose you now that I’ve got you. Trust me on this babe, let it out and set us free.”

All at once Brogan crashed to his knees and screamed until his throat was raw and the tendons on his neck stood out in stark contrast. Slowly the sound faded and he was once again able to see what was before him. Nothing but shattered glass, and black-eyed creatures stood there in awe before turning and fleeing.

“She’s gone?” He asked softly.

“No love, she was never here to begin with. Let’s go home.” Jericho whispered as he helped him to his feet and they walked to the door their friends had slipped through a few minutes before.

“You guys okay?” West asked softly as Brogan emerged into the forest of maggot infested trees.

“More than ready to go home, but yeah we're going to be okay.” Jericho replied with a sad smile.

“Boys, if you can hear me you must hurry. They are fighting me and I don’t know how much longer I can keep this open.” Cadence’s voice filled the air around them.

“Run,” Brogan screamed as the four of them bolted for the rapidly shrinking rip. They dove through and landed on the soft turf of the grass they’d left a few short hours ago. A loud popping sound filled the air as the zippered space closed once again.

“Welcome home, boys. We were getting worried you wouldn’t make it back.” Cadence whispered before she collapsed into a heap beside them.

“Is she okay?

“She’s fine. Just exhausted.”

All four guys jumped in surprise as Barbara Wolfe walked up. “I’ve been coming out here checking on her every two hours since you left. She’s refused to let the portal shut for more than a couple minutes at a time. She’s worn herself out.  Tristan and Rogue are on their way. They’ll get her back home to rest and recover.”

“How long?” Jericho asked cautiously?

Barbara sighed, “It’s nice to finally meet you, Jericho. I just wish it was under better circumstances. That being said I’m glad you’re home with us now where you belong.” She held up a hand forestalling his next words. “Four days. It’s been just over four days since they went through.”

Brogan gaped at her in shock. “That’s a joke, right? We were only gone for a few hours.”

West and Rook nodded in agreement before turning to look at Jericho.

“Time is different, it doesn’t run in a straight line like it does here. How long was it since I was sent down with that demon?”

“Seven months and ten days.” Brogan answered without hesitation.

“For me the time frame was different. I was gone two years, five months, thirty-six days and eleven hours.”

“Gentleman if you’re up for it there are quite a few guests waiting to welcome you home.” Barbara smiled and gestured behind her to a waiting truck. “Your chariot awaits.”

Brogan climbed to his feet and paused beside Cadence, “We can’t leave her out here.”

“I’ve got her and welcome back.” Rogue said through their pack link. Brogan spun and spotted the man a few yards away in the trees.

“Okay let’s go, she’s in good hands.”