“VD! How did you manage to get close to me without being sent to torment and the agony of the fire?”
“You may not believe this, but I asked the Lamb Himself.”
Her jaw dropped. “But…but how…? Why…?”
“Very simple, my malicious girlfriend. I’m here to lend support.” VD smiled.
Poisonous got up and high-fived her old partner. “I will give you this: you obviously showed great determination to talk directly to the Lamb of God! Although I’m not sure why he let you do this.”
“You know, Poisonous—”
“Wait,” she said, shuddering, “Let me make something clear: should we be around other humans, and I am in human form you should call me Perri. Otherwise, if it is just you and I, you may call me by my proper name, ‘Poisonous.’” Her shoulders jerked up and down, conceding to her human form. “It’s better to deceive when you seem like one of them, and they must call me by a human name. I have many plans for using this flesh, even though I look like those I torment.” The irony shook her head. “Besides—I’ve already thought of a few ideas…”
“Ooh…you’re right, Poisonous. So, what made you want to pursue this course of action? I’m sure you have your reasons, but I don’t understand how it is more effective that just being a regular demon.”
Poisonous moaned and held her hands to her temples. “You and I have plagued mankind through the ages by twisting their view of love, sex and righteousness.” Her head shook with a sigh. “I used to take great satisfaction knowing that we did a lot of spiritual and emotional damage, but no longer. Don’t you see, VD? I have to try something different. I have to corrupt them as an agent of evil from the inside, so to speak.”
VD frowned. “Really?”
“Yes. The only bad part is, I’ve been made to live with a roommate who prays for me. In fact, she prayed for me today, and the Spirit of Light made me feel guilty for all the things I have done. It was awful. I started to regret ever being evil. I felt sad, for crying out loud. It was embarrassing.” Tears pooled in her eyes. Realizing what happened, her eyes averted VD’s.
“Poisonous! Are you crying?”
She turned her head towards VD, averting direct contact with her eyes. Her chin quivered as she answered in a very soft voice. “Yes...I’m ashamed of myself. I’ve never felt so... weak.”
Then her eyes locked with VD’s. “Please don’t think badly of me. I can’t seem to help myself.”
VD stared at her for a while, saying nothing. Then, “Well, you are in human flesh, and you’re always subject to the power of prayers of the Light. You can’t get away from those consequences. Besides, I’ve cried too: in fact, that day I talked with Evie.”
“Yes, I remember. I still don’t know what possessed you to do that.”
“She’s nice. I like her.” VD’s face brightened and looked straight into Poisonous’ eyes. “You know, just because you’re in human flesh doesn’t mean you can’t stir up trouble. You won’t need me to influence you…” VD stopped, winced and held her peace. No angels came to carry her off to the Abyss. A sigh of relief followed.
Poisonous, however, thought, “You know, you’re right, by all that’s evil. You don’t need to influence me. I can come up with all sorts of evil myself. You know what? I intend to do just that! They can try, but they can’t stop me from being evil.” A long and loud cackle echoed off the walls. “And by Lucifer, I’ll do it with a vengeance.”
* * *
Sunday, June 29th
1:47 pm beamed from the clock. She still tried to avoid Evie, who had come home from attending church. Pangs of hunger rumbled in her human stomach, no longer to be ignored. Evie’s previous offer to eat had been avoided, and she couldn’t… well, wouldn’t beg Evie to feed her. After all, she had her pride. She ventured out of her room, and decided to go out and get something to eat.
“Where are you going, honey?”
Vermin! “Oh, hi Evie! I’m just going to go out and get some fresh air. Been cooped up in the condo all day, and I thought I’d go out and take a walk. You know... explore my new world. D.C. is a fascinating city, you know.”
“Aren’t you hungry? You haven’t eaten since you’ve been here.”
“Oh…um... no. I’m fine.” Her stomach betrayed her and started to rumble.
“Was that you?”
C’mon Poisonous. Just make up a good lie. “Oh... that. I think I have something you humans...” It occurred to her: that appellation now applied to her current state. But she forced nonchalance, and said, “…um, I think I just have gas. I’ll be all right.”
“Are you sure?”
A thought crossed her mind for a second; then she pasted on a big smile. These humans had a saying; something about attracting more flies with honey than with vinegar. She walked up to Evie, and gave her a warm hug. . Just as long as she thinks I’m cooperating and—she mentally gritted her teeth—lovable. It was worth the pretense, because it distracted Evie from her real intentions, and her real intentions made her quiver with intense excitement. “Oh, yes, sweetie. I’m sure.”
Evie stared at her. “Wait. I thought you didn’t like those terms. Now you’re calling me the very things you disdain. Further, you just hugged me. What’s going on?”
“Oh, you know. There’s no point in fighting it. I might as well be nice. Couldn’t hurt.”
She hoped she hadn’t poured it on too thick. Walking out the front door, she went in search of something to eat as Evie stared at her, eyes squinting and eyebrows creased.
A short walk to the corner of K and
