Chapter Text
Having to get up and go somewhere when someone calls him wasn't new for Janus. He usually relies on the local news or stories to go by but there are a few people that are well aware of his profession and even fewer of them possess his personal number.
One of those people was Patton Dobrovich. A rather optimistic fellow Janus met years ago. There, in the small town he served in, a young girl went missing for two weeks and then suddenly started appearing everywhere she used to visit before her disappearance. Of course it wouldn't be a problem if she were still alive. Luckily, or perhaps unfortunately, she didn't have many friends or people in her life so not too many people had to watch her corpse wander the abandoned places she used to frequent the most.
Patton knew her the same way he knew almost everyone in that small town, through his job as a local priest. He gave Janus some good advice as to where to look for her. She used to sing in the choir and apparently was rather close to him. He seemed restless, one could say in mourning. He spoke of her as if she was his own child. Without him it would take ages just to find her, let alone get rid of her.
After that experience they stayed in touch. Not only because Patton gave off an aura of peace and calm Janus found incredibly rare and almost non-existent in his world, but also because he became Janus' holy water supplier. Once in a while he'd stop by and refill a few bottles, maybe staying for coffee and a chat.
He was probably the closest Janus had to a friend at the moment. Even if they never spoke too often.
The man was always happy to see him, even if Janus managed to barge in in the middle of a service. He almost started waving and yelling at him instead of blessing the bread and wine but even if he somehow kept it together, he still smiled widely as he raised them towards the sky.
Last time Janus went to visit, it was right after he lost his hunting partner. Not that he died or anything, at least according to his sources. He has simply decided that he didn't want to die in the claws or teeth of a monster.
Patton insisted on him staying for the night that day. Mostly because it was already dark outside and the storm wasn't helping either. Janus likes to think that Patton was just scared of him crashing into a tree and haunting the church forever. They ended up drinking too much of yet to be blessed wine and eating a pack of communion wafer cutoffs.
It was as relaxing as Janus could afford, mostly because he didn't have a job at that moment. Patton even convinced him to stay for the mass next morning. That was something Janus regretted deeply. Turns out mass wine and the sound of the organ don't mix too well. He felt like passing out whenever he had to stand up or kneel in his seat. At least it stopped him from thinking about Avery for a moment…or whatever his name was those days.
This time, Patton called him for work related reasons. Odd things seemed to be happening around the town. Sudden rat infestation in almost every building, flora wilting and dying, the previously moderately religious community suddenly refusing to leave the church, seeking Patton out without leaving him a moment of peace. That was, of course, Patton's biggest concern. He prided himself in helping the town's people and always welcoming them with open arms but his hoard seemed to grow more and more miserable each day.
Janus drove his truck, a paper cup of unfinished coffee in the cup holder. Litter from a fast food place he passed, occupying the front seat. He was tired. He didn't even get to rest before Patton called him. If this was anyone else, he would wait until the morning but Patton has already earned special treatment.
He went on the way right away, not even needing to look at the map, the path was already familiar to him, even if it was pitch black outside.
Finally, he pulled up to the church parking lot which was empty considering the time but one of the lights was on, shining through the ornate window.
Janus placed a hand on his holster instinctively, just to be safe. The big door was unlocked. He slipped inside the church.
It was empty.
He walked down the aisle. Making out paintings telling the story of Jesus' crucifixion as well as a table with a collection of different fliers and of course the donation box.
There seemed to be voices coming out of the church's office. He stepped closer. There was laughter. He let go of his gun. Probably not a monster then.
The door opened with ease. Patton was laughing and sitting in an arm chair, sipping on a glass of wine as the other person sat in front of him in an odd way. It was like they didn't know how to sit in a chair properly.
“Janus!” Patton suddenly left his spot to go hug him. His face was slightly flushed. Janus wasn't sure if it was from the wine or the apparently hilarious company. “I didn't know you'd be coming today! Did you sleep at all? I'm sorry, this is my fault, I shouldn't have told you to come as soon as you can- Anyway- Come, come! Sit with us! I'll get you a glass!” He said it all in one breath.
How? Janus himself wasn't sure. He spent years researching, looking for and killing supernatural creatures but even as a regular human, Patton was impossible to understand properly.
He sat in the empty armchair which was offered to him and soon enough he was holding a glass of wine.
“Oh! I almost forgot! Janus, this is Remus!” He gestured toward the other visitor who offered Janus his hand.
Remus did not possess the looks of someone who would visit the church frequently. He had messy hair and a mustache paired with light stubble. There was purple around his eyes. Either a result of sleep deprivation or just a poor choice of make up. He was wearing a green button up shirt only held close with five buttons at the bottom. The rest of them seemed to be nowhere to be found. The holes were there but it was as if someone had decided to cut the buttons off. Still, he shook his hand.
“Hey, I know what you're thinking. What is a snack like me doing in church? Well, Jan, my dear. I lived a really sinful life and I have decided -very recently- to try and fix it!”
Janus looked unimpressed. He looked him up and down and took a sip of his wine. “Maybe you should start with adding a few buttons to that shirt.” Remus beamed back at him.
“I already did!”
The hunter almost spit out the wine. This man was beyond shameless. The only question was what he was doing with Patton of all people.
They sat in silence after that. Even when Patton joined them, Janus barely got a word in. Remus did enough talking for all of them.
“Patton, maybe we should talk about the reason you called me?” At this point he would do anything to get away from the odd man next to him.
“You're totally right! I almost forgot! So what happened was-”
Janus basically had to cover his mouth.
“Perhaps we should…talk about it in private?”
Remus of course couldn't help but butt into a conversation of any kind.
“I don't mind! Go on, Jan-Jan.”
Janus had a rule of never killing innocent people but this one might as well become the only exception.
“I'd rather talk alone, Patton, please?”
Patton nodded but was interrupted before he got a chance to speak.
“If this is about the weird shit that's been going on, I can help!”
Janus looked at him, unimpressed. Maybe he could make a good bait but that's only if the monster in question had very poor taste.
“Oh really? How so?” He already regretted asking him because his eyes lit up at the slightest hint of interest coming from Janus'.
“Well, I used to…dabble in some dark shit! Also there was this guy I dated who said something about being a vampire- not that I actually believed him but he did like to bite and suck-”
Janus wasn't even surprised at the idea of him being queer. He's seen summoning circles straighter than him.
Patton on the other hand looked slightly mortified. Either at the insinuation of vampires being real or at Remus' crudeness.
He was not a Christian by any means but he at least understood that neither of those things belonged in church.
“Interesting. I am afraid this might not be your expertise, however.”
“Come on, Janus! Maybe he has something that could help you!”
He did not. Janus was sure of it. All he had to offer was many uncomfortable situations and possibly unwanted advances. As much as he admired Patton's ability to see good in everyone, he was also sure that it would once be his downfall.
Surely he would rather tell Remus to fuck off but not now, not when Patton's smile was so soft and when he's finally decided to look at him. Only him.
“Alright but when things go south, I'll blame you.” Patton clapped in glee and Janus pulled out a map of the town. Nothing too fancy, just something he got himself printed out on his way there.
“You told me about some stuff already but it would be best to know which areas were affected the most.” He pulled out a thin marker and opened it.
Patton stared at the map for a bit, tilting his head to the side, deep in thought.
“Could I maybe mark…all of it?”
Janus let out an exhausted sigh. “Patton, please.” The priest lifted his hands in defense “I know! I really want to help! But I'm afraid there is no pattern to it. All parts of the town were affected one way or another!”
He pointed to specific places on the map. “Trees started to die because of some infestation, the worst cases being in the park and Mrs. Edison's garden. Grass began to dry by the river and so did Mr. Humphrey's field. The rats started at the store and spread all over, including here! I caught one of them eating the communion wafers!”
“What have you done with it?”
“I…murdered it?”
The hunter looked unimpressed. Patton wouldn't hurt a fly…actually, he did. Once. He cried. Janus had to help him bury it.
"I gave it some unblessed edges and let it run away…"
“That's more like it-” He looked at the map again. “Whatever we're dealing with is strong, yet old fashioned. Destroying crops and starting an infestation? Of course it's not ideal and it did cause some damage but in today's age, one can still get almost anything in a store. There was nothing too drastic. No deaths, no sickness, the livestock is apparently well.”
“More than well!” Patton almost screamed. “Miss Dorothy came by a few days ago with a goat kid! She's adorable! She even let me pet her! Precious little creature.” Janus remembered Miss Dorothy from an incident that took place after the dreaded hangover service. It seemed as if Dorothy truly enjoyed the father's services. Maybe too much.
Patton told him she likes to come by with homemade cheese and freshly baked pastries. So nice. That's what he described her as. She was nice, if you were as oblivious as the priest. To anyone else, she was a woman who has unfortunately yet to realize that Patton is already engaged to a man in sandals and a rather fetching flower crown.
“So…whatever it is, it doesn't want to cause too much damage…or kill anything.” Patton seemed relieved. “That's good! Right?” Janus nodded. “Yes, but only if it stays this way. One day it's rats and a few plants, then next day it could be the Plagues of Egypt all over again.”
“So…free blood?”
Janus was so close to hitting that man. The only thing stopping him was the unending lecture from Patton that would follow.
“Yes, Remus. If all the water got turned into blood, it would be free.”
“Nice.”
Patton didn't even seem surprised by his antics anymore. Janus was starting to feel like he's crazy.
“So what are you going to do?”
He met the priest's curious eyes. The truth was, he didn't know. It was too powerful for a vengeful spirit. It must have been a demon. A demon with no clear motive or patterns. It was either the smartest or the dumbest one he's even dealt with.
“I am not sure. I'll try to find some more information…one way or another.”
“What about Avery? Could he help?”
“I don't think he'd want to hear from me.”
They haven't exactly split on good terms. Janus regretted the way things ended every day. He should have at least tried to be supportive. Avery has been his best friend for so long. Always there to have his back and he couldn't even wish him luck when he decided to leave hunting behind.
“Who's Avery? Your ex?”
“None of your business, Remus.”
“Sounds like a yes…”
The two never actually reached anything past friends, even if they were really close.
“It's late. We should get some rest and continue searching tomorrow.”
“Where are you going to stay?”
“Probably in my truck. Wouldn't be the first time.”
“Nonsense! I won't allow my friend to sleep in his car!”
Janus didn't even try to find him and soon enough he found himself in a spare room of the small but cozy clergy house.
“I'll be just next door if you need anything! Good night, Janus! Don't let the bedbugs bite!”
“Good night, Patton.”
That night, his dreams were filled with frogs and various insects occupying every surface, the water had become undrinkable and dirty beyond recognition, the animals were lying in the streets, if not already dead then close to it, the sky was red, looking down at him with judgment. He was not able to stop it. The town was lost and forgotten and soon it spread to other towns and villages nearby, the culprit slipping away like smoke.
He woke up with a tight feeling inside his chest. There was no time to wine and dine with Patton and any charity case he might drag in. They had to take action now while they still had time.
Janus got dressed and headed towards the kitchen and living room area. As expected, Patton was already up and ready to seize the day.
“Good morning, Janus! Did you sleep well? I made coffee! You want some?”
As always, this was too much energy for normal Janus, let alone still tired Janus.
“Coffee sounds wonderful, thank you.”
A mug was set on the table for him. He sipped at the wonderful elixir, unexpectedly tasting some sugar and a bit of milk.
“One sugar and a teaspoon of milk? Did I do it right?”
Janus was speechless. Of course, Patton of all people would remember such an insignificant detail.
“Yes…it's perfect, thank you, Patton.”
The priest beamed at him, pleased with himself. He was going to be the death of him some day.
“I thought we could walk around the town today for a bit. Talk to some people. Try to find any leads.”
“We? You want me to come with you?” If Janus was just a bit more tired, he would have thought he accidentally told the man it's Christmas. “Yes, I don't think the folks would be too fond of a stranger coming into their home to talk…especially a stranger like me.”
It was true that his looks didn't work in his favor when it came to not being intimidating. Be it the sharper teeth, different coloured eyes or the scars that spread across the left side of his face. For some odd reason most people weren't too fond of him showing up out of nowhere to ask them questions.
Patton on the other hand could probably walk into a bank with a gun and they would still welcome him with open arms. He often felt taunted by the purity and holiness he emitted. His light brown hair, almost golden in the sun, shining like a halo. An entire night sky of freckles set what he imagined must be all over his body. The round thin white gold rimmed glasses. It was ridiculous.
“I'd love to come with you! They're going to love you!” Janus seriously doubted that but stayed quiet.
Patton placed a plate with a slice of apple pie in front of him. “I'm not letting you go hunting until you eat something!”
He dug in without a protest, wanting to get going as soon as possible. It still took a while before they finally headed out. Who knew Patton would take so long to get ready?
“Alright, Patton. Where should we start?”
“Oh! Let's go to Mrs. Edison!”
"She's the one with the ruined garden?"
"Yeah, such a shame. She grew the best apples and don't get me started on the strawberries!"
"Lead the way, father."
Apparently nobody in the town actually knew what was going on. They didn't see anything suspicious. Everything seemed to just happen out of nowhere. Just like Janus thought, they seemed uneasy when they looked at him but Patton supplied enough safety and comfort to get them to talk.
Miss Dorothy offered them brownies and coffee. Even with her smile, Janus clearly saw the hint of frustration that has begun the moment she noticed him in the doorway behind Patton. She spent a good chunk of the questioning gushing about Patton's last service. Shameless woman.
Mr. Humphrey probably took the whole disaster the hardest. A whole field ruined, beyond saving. He said it would be a miracle if the ground managed to get out of it at all.
The store owned by the Flint family seemed to be doing somewhat well. Except for some of their inventory succumbing to the rats. Nothing they can't recover from though.
Janus' afternoon research was interrupted by Patton putting another cup of coffee and a plate of pasta in front of him.
"You can't survive off of books."
He can't deny that he tried very hard but apparently his flesh still craves sustenance.
"Thank you."
"Found anything new?"
"Nothing." He started twisting the spaghetti onto the fork.
"Did you ask Remus for help?"
The answer was a resounding 'no'. Janus had no reason to beg that creature for help. He didn't care if he fucked inside a pentagram.
"Not yet, I still have things to try."
"Alright, I'll ask him for you."
"Please don't."
They ate in silence.
"You know…" Patton pushed his pasta around with his fork "I used to know a really nice fella. He loved reading about demons, even online. He was like a walking encyclopedia with that stuff. Always so dark and gloomy…"
"I'm not calling him."
"Have you heard from him?"
"I don't want to talk about this Patton"
In a perfect world, this would be the end of the conversation.
"I'm not trying to rile you up, Janus…I was just wondering, how he was doing and where he was and stuff."
Janus sighed, stabbing a meatballs with what seemed to be personal hatred.
"He moved to Florida. He's living a nice life. Works at a café."
Patton's smile lit up, even though with pasta sauce around his lips.
"I'm so glad! I was praying for him. My poor child."
Of course he was.
Janus spent the next three days researching anything he could. Looking through the history of the town. But the truth is, it was just a small and peaceful town. No dark and morbid past. No towns people who are so cheery it's creepy. Just a bunch of humble folks living their lives, raising their families.
He tried everything. But there was nothing he could do. He even tried calling Avery but he hung up before he had a chance to pick up the phone. He's fought various demons, monsters, ghosts, but reaching his old friend was where he drew the line, apparently.
That evening, he came back to Patton's house. Shoulders hung in defeat. He told him he was going out to try something. It was a lie. There was nothing for him to try. He spent the day sitting by the river and throwing stones while everything fermented in his mind.
He failed the town. It was doomed together with all the people in it, it was just a matter of time before the mysterious force doubled down and made everyone suffer.
Patton rubbed his shoulder, squeezing a cup of tea in his hand. Chamomile. He didn't deserve for his community to be destroyed. Ever since he met him, he was working hard to make everyone feel safe and happy…heard. It would be more than a shame for something to disturb that.
"Remus is going to stop by later, I almost forgot to tell you."
"Sounds great." Yes, that's how bad the situation has gotten. A visit from Remus now sounded great.
"If you'd rather go to your room, I understand."
"No, it's alright. I'd be grateful for the company." Truth be told, he simply didn't feel comfortable leaving those two alone.