Bitesize 3.11

Bitesize 3.11

"So you're the one we've been chasing all this time?" said Ed to the now clothed T-alpha. Despite her appearance the girl was still inside the high security cage.
"T-alpha? That's what you guys call me? Hah! I've had some names in my time but that's cold. So clinical."
"So what do I call you?"
"I was called Engracia once upon a time. You can call me Grace though, it's less of a mouthful." She grinned wickedly on the final word.
Ed shook his head,
"Why? Why'd you keep making more?"
"Loneliness, boredom. Did it ever cross your mind I might just want to settle down with someone who can actually understand what it's like? But no, every time I make a friend your guys show up with your pitchforks, your swords and your damn guns. Sometimes I think the only thing that's changed over the centuries is the speed at which man kills things. You know technically I'm an endangered species." she sat down and hugged her knees closer to her. "So what now bounty hunter? Tests? Needles? Vivisection?"
"Not exactly, no."
"Ah yes. You specifically mentioned help didn't you? And what could you possibly need from me, hmmm?"
"Assistance in taking down a much bigger threat."
"Something more of a threat than me?" She raised an eyebrow, "I've been around you know, seen a whole lot of crazy shit."
"It's a demon, well many demons, led by Aleister Crowley."
"Crowley? Didn't he die like decades ago?"
"No. He, or maybe a demon posing as him, is still around. Have you heard of the Onigawa?"
Grace's face took on a shocked look.
"The Onigawa? That's just a legend."
"Humour me. What do you know?"
"I remember being told the stories when I really was just a kid. I had a gran or an aunt or something that was mad on all those crazy old tales. Goblins and faeries and mirror demons. She said they'd eat me if I didn't eat my vegetables." she paused, "They came from the mountains I think she said. Took on human appearance and tried to blend in with some villagers but their resident shaman or druid or whatever, he found them out. It led to a big fight, things got really nasty. The onigawa tortured the humans that they captured. In the end the druid guy cast a spell that sealed them in the mirrors and sometimes, if you look just right, you might see one looking out at you."
"Yeah that sounds familiar. Who was this druid guy?"
Grace shrugged.
"I dunno. I didn't believe in all that crap."
"What country did it happen in?"
Again a shrug.
"I dunno. So, where do I fit into all of this?"
"Crowley. He messes with men's minds. He has a way of, I dunno, immobilizing people. It's like you're a rabbit in his headlights, you know? You can't tear yourself away..."
"sounds like you're speaking from experience. So let me guess. You want to find this guy and make me do the dirty work?"
"I wouldn't put it exactly like that..."
"But that's exactly how it is, right?" She sighed, "Well I suppose I could help you. On two conditions."
"What kind of conditions?"
"No tests."
"Ok." said Ed, nodding, "No tests, that's one."
"And I want my spawn."
"Dennis?"
"Dennis? Yeah. I want him. You're not allowed to try and turn him back or anything. You let me live, peacefully, with Dennis afterwards."
"I can't promise that."
"If you let us leave and settle down I won't make any more spawn."
"I'll look into it."
"Good. Now how about some food. I'm starving."
"Ok fine. I'll get some food sent up. I need to go talk with someone else anyway."


Ed left her and made his way to Odolf's room. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together slowly but they still needed more information if they were going to beat Crowley to the other onigawa. He rapped on Odolf's door and went in. The German was lying on his bed, reading.
"Good book?" asked Ed.
"Not particularly." said Odolf, setting the book down. "I could use some better reading material."
"I'll mention it." Ed sat on the bed beside him. "Look Odolf. We don't have a whole lot of time here. Can you remember the names of anyone else that Crowley had in that room?"
Odolf shook his head.
"What about Leclair? Remember him?"
"Leclair? No I don't think so..."
Ed sighed.
"He was the big guy, the guy who you said bust through the wall and escaped with Raddick. You probably know the names Odolf, you've just forgotten them. We could try and find them out using hypnotic regression. Take you back to that day in a way that lets you clearly remember the details."
Odolf looked nervous but said nothing.
"I know you're worried." Ed went on, "About the onigawa. We can't know for certain whether this would wake it up or not, but I'm guessing not and right now, this thing is bigger than just you. We're all risking things to stop Crowley, Odolf. Will you help us?"
Odolf looked down at the bed and poked the sheets with his finger.
"Well I suppose you did get me out of Germany. I can't not help you, but that thing inside me. It scares me, Ed."
"Don't worry. We'll do everything we can to keep you you."
Ed could still see a trace of fear and hesitation in his eyes but Odolf smiled.
"I'll do it."