"So, you wanna know about my experience with these demons, huh?" The girl sighed. "Well, I was in this state, playing a show with my band. My group was all set up to play, when one of those portals appeared, and demons started pouring out of it."
"And your bandmates...I'm guessing they..."
"You see, there's the thing. I don't think the demons killed anyone. At least, I didn't see it."
"Wait, they didn't kill anyone?"
"Well, I didn't see anyone get killed. My friend tried to fight it off, but her hand got stuck, and she got…absorbed into it, I guess? And then me and my other bandmate also got attacked and stuck, and we were dragged into the portal with a bunch of other people."
"Yeah, the demons don't seem to be solid." Ulrich chimed in. "But still, they didn't attack you? That was basically all they did to my town."
"All they did?"
"A portal showed up, and a bunch of demons instantly started killing everyone. And I just so happened to be one of three survivors."
"What happened to the other two?"
"Well, you probably won't believe this, but some Icelandic girl showed up looking for an acquaintance of mine, and dropped some gloves. And then these gloves turned out to let me shoot fire. So then this lady thinks that leaving me to defend my hometown would be a great idea, and here I am." Ulrich muttered, taking the gloves out of his pocket.
"Damn, so what now?" It was a weird statement, but at this point, she had no reason not to believe it.
"Beats me. She said she'd come back for me, but if not I'll probably just move in with my dad, and maybe start college if it isn't destroyed by the time I get there. You?"
"Well, my parents want me to move in with my grandmother because she lives in the middle of nowhere, but we kinda…hate each other. So I'm gonna go look for whoever's running these demon fuckers, and take em out. I got people to find."
"You think they're alive?"
"Did I not tell you? I was in that alternate dimension. When I was there, I saw their leader, walking around, about to step into a second portal. He saw me and charged at me, but I blocked it with my guitar, and was thrown out back to the venue. And when I woke up, I had a demon. So if I can get out, then maybe everyone else can too."
"Well, good luck with that. If you want my gloves, feel free to use them." Ulrich replied. "If you need me, I'll be in Denver."
Just as he said that he heard a knock in their door. He opened it, and a worker was there.
"Ulrich Hart? We just got a phone call for you, and we're putting you on to the landline in the room."
Ulrich picked up the phone, and immediately the voice sprang up. The same Icelandic accent.
"So, you've survived?" She asked.
"Uh, yeah. Barely. Lady, I was face down in concrete for three days. Wait, did you know I would be here?"
"All was foretold. I will be waiting in England, and I expect you and Lainey to come. I'm outside. Bring the gloves."
As quickly as she called, she hung up. Leaving Ulrich with an answer, and about twelve more questions.
"Hey." Ulrich asked. "Your name wouldn't happen to be Lainey, would it?"
The girl looked at him in bewilderment. "You heard of Trik Mystik?"
"No, I just wanna know if your name is Lainey."
"It…is. Why?"
"Because the person on the phone. It was that Icelandic lady, and she wants to see you."
"Sure. I'll call my parents." Lainey replied.
"Wait, like that? I expected more uncertainty."
"Dude, I was gonna go try find out anyway. Beats living with my grandmother for three months, anyway. Just let me call my parents first."
Ulrich stepped outside, and immediately noticed the girl across the street from him, wearing a light blue shirt, with two gold spirals not quite meeting. She was eating a croissant, looking incredibly bored. She noticed him, and immediately walked across the street.
"Hey. Where's Lainey?" was the first thing she said, sounding as bored as she looked.
"She's…getting ready. How do you know her, anyway?" Ulrich asked. "Also, where did you get that croissant?"
"Stopped in France on the way here. we'll be in England once Lainey gets ready."
"Yeah, she'll be a few minutes, so can I ask you something?" Ulrich asked, ready to ask why she abandoned him.
"No. Once Lainey gets ready, we'll be in London in a few seconds. After that point, you can ask Gene and I any questions you have."
Ulrich sat there in silent anger with her for a few minutes, but then Lainey came out, sporting her leather jacket and combat boots, smoking an electronic cigarette with her left hand, holding a guitar case with her right.
"This the girl?" She asked.
"Yep." Ulrich replied. "So, you ready to take us to England?"
"Sure." The girl looked around, finding a dark alleyway, and directing them to it. Once the three of them were huddled around it, Ulrich was blinded by light, forced to shut his eyes, and when he opened them, he was in a house. Beige walls, some black leather couches, and various framed pictures of things like cityscapes and bridges.
"Are we in someone's house?" Lainey asked.
"Our house. We'll be staying here for the next few days." The girl responded. "You two are gonna be sleeping on the couch."
"Sure, sure." Lainey replied. "We getting food?"
"Yeah, got a guy getting us pizza, he's just collecting it now. Should be back in a few seconds."
Just as she said that, Gene came in. Still wearing the same cheery look and short blonde hair, but the white hoodie with black sleeves was new.
"Ulrich! How you doing, man?"
"Fine...enough." Ulrich replied, forcing himself to answer.
"Well, I got you pizza! Pepperoni and mushrooms!" He said, handing him a small pizza box.
"Well, that's nice, anyway." Ulrich muttered wearily, trying to force a smile.
"And for you, Lainey, a jalapeño and mozzarella. I know London probably can't compare to New York, but it's either that or not getting you here."
"It'll be…fine. But how did you know I liked this pizza?"
"Oh, Vivi told me."
Ulrich looked at the girl. "I'm guessing you're Vivi?"
"Vivian, yes. And if you're wondering, I was told what pizza she liked."
"Told? By like, some kind of deity, or something?"
Vivian stared directly at Lainey, going straight up to her. She stood up fully, and Lainey straightened her posture as well out of some weird instinct, and her one exposed brown eye aligned with her blue eyes perfectly. And suddenly, she shot a hand out.
"Vivian Rikkadottir. Agent of the enlightened one. Pleased to meet you, fellow chosen one."