Page 86 of Malice

Farnsworth. I nod, setting my shoulders and staring directly at the Horror’s eyes.

“We should get to know each other, Horror. What’s your name? It used to be Chester. Chester Dillon, right?”

The Horror shrinks back like I hit it with something hard. It’s working.

“But you’re not Chester anymore. Chester is dead. You’re just a piece of shit. A leftover, powerless pile of fucked up energy.”

The Horror hisses, and I glance briefly at Hudson, who’s hovering in the air but watching the interaction intently.

“So who are you, Horror?” I continue. “You’ll never have Hudson. He’s with me now. A living, breathing man.”

It lets out a shrieking noise, but it’s weaker, and I can already tell it’s losing power.

“I bet you’re mad that you fucked up,” I taunt. “You killed yourself thinking you’d find Hudson on the other side, but he’s so much stronger than you gave him credit for.”

I start to see more of the house spirit’s features as the Horror’s begin to fade. I focus again, searching the space between us for his thoughts.

“What’s your name, Horror?”

I close my eyes, repeatingyour namein my thoughts. Suddenly, I’m hit with a hazy vision of letters and numbers. CDA4963.

The Horror loses it, flailing wildly in a haze of smoky red-and-black fog. I did it. I got its name.

“Malum abiit,” I say, putting my full intention behind it.

The Horror shrieks, releasing the house spirit.

“Abiit.”

It vibrates, shrieking as it loses all its facial features.

“Abiit!”

With a bright flash of light, the Horror shrinks to nothing but a pulsating blob, disappearing into the walls. Hudson falls softly onto the bed, and I rush over to hold him.

“Are you hurt?” I brush his hair from his face as he claws my shoulders. “Talk to me, Hudson.”

Burying his face in my neck, he holds on to me. “Not hurt,” he manages.

Rubbing his back, I kiss the side of his head. “Fuck.”

Hudson pulls back to meet my gaze. “Are you hurt?”

“No.” Cupping his face, I search his eyes. “You’re sure it didn’t hurt you?”

“I’m sure.” He nods even as his voice shakes. “But I’m fucking pissed. I can’t do this anymore, Aster. I can’t live like this.”

“I know. I’m doing everything I can.”

“I know you are.” He touches my cheek. “What you did just now was incredible. Did you get its name?”

“Yeah.” I blow out a breath as the reality sinks in. “Holy shit. I got its name. I didn’t have to strangle it or astral project.”

“Incredible. What now?”

“I’m… I’m not sure. That’s all I needed to finish this. I want to find the other house spirits and Crash. Then I’ll consult my resources so I know what to do.”

Hudson squeezes my hand. “I want to kill it. Can I kill it?”

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