Jim looked for Mortimer, but it was as if the earth had swallowed him up. Not a trace. He hadn't returned to Brian's house, and Jim didn't find him in his human apartment either. Maybe Mortimer had gone back to the demons without telling him, Jim thought. Maybe there was something important that needed his immediate attention.
But why didn't he tell me? Jim wondered as he paced around Brian's living room. I would've gone with him. Or did he want me to stay here with Brian, Sally, and Adam for a little longer?
These thoughts buzzed around Jim's head on a foggy Tuesday morning. By then, Jim had already made up his mind. He was going back to the lair of the demons. He dressed in his familiar black clothes - black shirt, black pants, black boots - and prepared for the dangers ahead. The sky was still overcast, as it had been for days. The sun hadn't appeared in what seemed like forever, and Jim took it as a bad omen. He didn't tell anyone where he was going, not even Gabriel. He didn't want to face a barrage of questions or arguments. Gabriel probably wouldn't agree with his decision anyway, and Jim wasn't ready to oppose him directly.
He left with mixed feelings. On the one hand, the moment he stepped outside, he missed the warmth and safety of home - the sense of security that came with being a child. But on the other hand, he longed for adventure again. He wondered how the demons would react to his sudden return. Did they know by now that he had never really been on their side? Or were they so busy with their plans that they wouldn't notice?
Can I just walk in, pretend nothing's changed, and continue my role? Or will they see right through me? Jim knew this was a dangerous game. If they suspected him, he'd be in for a brutal fight. They'd probably try to interrogate him, find out how much the Angels knew about their plans. But Mortimer wouldn't risk that without a good reason. If there was danger, Jim had to help. They had been partners for years - friends, even.
I'll have to be extremely careful, Jim told himself as he approached the familiar hidden entrance. He crouched down and waited, hoping to overhear something useful. The rain dripped steadily around him, soaking his clothes, but he didn't move. Hours passed before two demons finally appeared, deep in conversation.
Jim held his breath and remained completely still.
"Everything's going perfectly according to plan," said one of the demons, a tall, scarred brute. His companion nodded silently.
"It's going well, yeah."
"Sending a spy back to the Angels was a smart move. Now we know exactly what to expect," the demon added with a grin as they disappeared into the lair.
Jim felt his blood run cold.
A spy?
His mind raced. We didn't expect that. Why would the demons send a spy to us? What could they possibly gain?
Then it hit him. Of course! They want to know how much we know about their plan, what we're going to do to stop it.
Panic gripped him. This is bad. They know everything. But who's the spy?
Suddenly, the realization hit Jim like a punch in the gut. If there is a spy, why haven't they discovered our mission in the first place? Maybe because we told no one.
Mortimer had warned me not to reveal our true purpose. If we had, we'd be dead by now. Jim felt a brief sense of relief knowing that Gabriel hadn't told anyone the source of their information.
But if they have a spy, they may already suspect Mortimer and me. And if that's true, then Mortimer is in serious danger right now. Maybe he's being interrogated as I stand here.
Jim's mind raced. Who could the spy be? It had to be an angel, right? There are no demons among us who pretend to be good. But who could be so corrupt?
Jim debated whether to tell Gabriel right away. Or would that take too much time? Maybe I can find out more now...
Heart pounding, Jim made his decision. He would go down there. He had nothing to lose.
Arriving at the oppressive, dark entrance to the demon lair, Jim was surprised by the calm that greeted him. He had expected chaos, suspicion, maybe even a trap. Instead, everything seemed calm, almost peaceful. Mortimer was there, standing with a group of demons. As their eyes turned to Jim, he felt a knot tighten in his stomach.
He cleared his throat, trying to think of a believable lie or excuse, but before he could speak, a young demon stepped forward with a cruel grin - Sawan. Jim knew him only too well.
"We expected you much sooner," Sawan sneered. "But don't worry, you're just in time for the beginning... or is it the end?"
Jim narrowed his eyes, trying to make sense of the situation. "What are you talking about?"
Sawan's grin widened. "You know exactly what I mean. The virus. It's time to release it."
Jim's blood ran cold. He turned sharply, searching Mortimer's face for answers, but his mentor avoided his gaze.
"How... how are you going to do that?" Jim asked, his voice breaking slightly.
He spun around and saw it - a vial in Mortimer's hand. It was filled with a red, gaseous substance.
"Mortimer!" Jim yelled, panic rising in his chest. "The virus! Destroy it! Do something!"
But Mortimer just shrugged. "I'm sorry, Jim. I'm not who you think I am."
With that, Mortimer handed the vial to Sawan, who vanished in an instant.
Jim's heart sank. "What... what do you mean? We infiltrated the demons together. I don't understand."
Mortimer's face softened, but there was no kindness in his eyes. "I thought I could turn you, make you see things my way. But you're too... pure. It didn't work. Still, I've enjoyed playing with you. You were a good companion. Clever, too - figuring out the virus plan all by yourself. But the truth is, I've been pulling your strings from the beginning. You were so predictable, Jim. Every move you made, I saw it coming. But it was fun while it lasted."
Jim's fists clenched at his sides. "So you were the spy? This was all planned from the beginning? Why, Mortimer?"
Mortimer sighed. "I like to play games. Doing good all the time gets... boring. You understand, don't you? Haven't you ever wondered what life would be like without duty? Without having to protect those useless people? Hurting people is so much more exciting. Admit it, you've thought about it."
Jim's head spun around. "No!" he shouted, even though deep down he knew it wasn't entirely true. He lunged at Mortimer, swinging with all his might, but Mortimer caught his punch with ease.
"You're not using your angelic powers? Or is it because you can't?" Mortimer smirked. "Oh, right. There's someone here who can block all of that."
Jim felt his stomach drop. "Lucifer..." he whispered, the name chilling him to the bone.
"You'll regret this," Jim spat. "Just because humanity dies doesn't mean our war is over."
"We'll see," Mortimer said calmly. "But for now, let's enjoy the show."
Before Jim could react, he was dragged outside and teleported into the middle of the city. What he saw made his heart stop.
Everywhere he looked, people were coughing, gasping for breath, collapsing to the ground. Some were already dead. The streets were in chaos.
"Noooo!" Jim yelled, breaking free of Mortimer's grip and running to the bodies.
Angels appeared moments later and tried desperately to heal the people, but it was no use. Those who were saved needed constant healing - the virus attacked the lungs, causing instant suffocation, and burned the skin like acid. The air was thick with death, and the demons laughed in the background.
"The two-component poison works well," Sawan remarked from a nearby rooftop, holding the now-empty vial.
Jim's hands shook as he tried to heal the humans around him. The sight of their blistered skin, the sound of their labored breathing, the stench of death—it was too much.
Why, God? Why didn't we stop this?
Images of Adam, Sally, Brian and Gabriel flashed through Jim's mind. They must be facing the same nightmare all over the world. And there was nothing anyone could do to stop it.
Everything I did... it was all for nothing. All the sacrifices, all the lies, even killing humans... None of it mattered. I couldn't change a thing.
Tears streamed down Jim's face. Is this how it ends? Will I watch humanity die before my eyes? If only I had seen what Mortimer was planning earlier. Maybe I could have stopped it...
This was my mission... and I failed. It's all over now.
"Mortimer..." Jim whispered, his voice barely audible as he looked at the man he had trusted, tears still falling.
For a fleeting second, Jim thought he saw a glimmer of remorse in Mortimer's eyes, but it faded quickly.
Maybe I'm dreaming. God, please, let this be a dream. Let me wake up and find that none of this has happened. Please... God.
Jim sobbed like a child, feeling abandoned, helpless. He felt like an orphan again, powerless to stop the horrors unfolding around him. He was too small, too weak, completely crushed under the weight of his emotions. He wished it would all end. Maybe it would be better if he just disappeared.
Everything had happened so fast, too fast for him to process. He wasn't prepared for this.
"I'm sorry," came a familiar voice behind him - Mortimer's voice, the man Jim had once considered his friend, his mentor.
"It's too late."
Jim stood up and wiped away his tears. In a matter of moments, the world had turned to hell. The people... they were gone. The only sound left was the wailing and rage of the angels, bitter and filled with grief. Too much grief and anger and hatred filled the air.
Jim's first instinct was to attack the demons, to take revenge. But a voice in his head stopped him. If I do that, won't I become like them? And what about the others?
"Come on, fight back! You've lost, so just give in to it!" the demons taunted, their laughter ringing out.
"No!" Jim shouted. "You can't fight in anger!"
The angels hesitated, torn between Jim's words and their own anger.
"This is exactly what they want. They want us to become like them! If we do, there'll be nothing left but demons and fallen angels to rule the earth."
But Jim's words fell on deaf ears. The demons struck first, and the angels had no choice but to fight back. The battle had begun, and Jim knew it was futile. It wouldn't solve anything. There would be no winners here.
Jim watched the world descend into chaos. He could see it all now - a future without humans, without angels. Only fallen angels and demons would be left, in endless conflict. There would be no love, no understanding, no mercy. Only hate.
Sobbing uncontrollably, Jim let the demons attack him. He didn't resist. He welcomed the pain. It felt right. It felt deserved. He didn't even try to heal himself. As he lay on the ground, among the dead and dying, Jim stared up at the sky. The clouds drifted lazily, blocking out the sun. He could hear nothing now, not even the sounds of battle.
Why didn't You do anything? You could have saved them. You could've saved us all. But You didn't. Why?
Jim's mind was going. You let everyone die. Even children. Innocent people. Was that punishment? Why didn't You intervene? What was the point? Tell me there was a point to all of this! God, please!
If You can hear me, at least forgive me for what I've done. I thought it was important. But now it all feels meaningless. I was lying to myself all along. I should've stayed on the right path. But what now? If we all turn evil, will you even hear my voice in this chaos? Heavenly Father...