Darren Shan - Hell's Heroes

I miss Cal, Dervish says. We fought a lot when we were young, like all brothers, but we were always there for one another.

Were lying in the mouth of a cave, admiring the desolate desert view, sheltered from the fierce afternoon sun.

Its funny, Dervish chuckles. I thought Id be the first to go. The life I chose, the risks I took I was sure Id die young and nastily. I pictured Cal living to be eighty or ninety. Strange how things work out, isnt it?

I stare at the hole in the left side of Dervishs chest. Blood is seeping from it and I can see bone inside. Yeah, I grunt. Hilarious.

Dervish shifts and grimaces. Hes in a lot of pain, but he wont have to suffer much longer. My uncle was in bad shape before we took on an army of demons. Now, having come through hell, he doesnt have a prayer. Hes finished. We both know it. Thats why we came up here from the underground cave, so he could die in the open, breathing fresh air.

I remember one time, Dervish continues, not long after Cal married your mum. We had a huge fight. He wanted me to quit being a Disciple, marry and have kids, lead a normal life. He thought I was crazy to do what I did.

He wasnt wrong, I snort.

You love it really, Dervish grins. Blood trickles down his chin.

Save your breath, I tell him, trying not to shudder.

What for? I wont need it where Im going. He raises an eyebrow. You dont think I can survive, do you?

Of course not. Im just sick of listening to you whine.

Dervish laughs softly. The laugh turns into a blood-drenched cough. I hold him as he shakes and moans, spewing up blood and phlegm. When the fit passes, he asks me to move him out of the cave. I dont think I need worry about sunburn, he murmurs.

I pick up my dying uncle and carry him outside. He doesnt weigh much. Thin and drawn, overstretched by the world. He rests his head on my chest, like a baby cuddling up to its mother. I prop him against a large rock, then settle beside him. His eyes stay closed. Hes dozed off. I study him sadly, memorizing every line of his creased face, brushing the wilting spikes of hair back from his forehead, remembering all the nights he comforted me when Id had a nightmare.

With a jolt he wakes and looks around, alarmed. When he sees me, and the hole in his chest, he relaxes. Oh, it was only a dream. I thought we were in trouble.

Nothing can trouble us here.

Dervish smiles at me lopsidedly. I loved having you live with me. You were like my son. Billy was too, but I never got to spend the sort of time with him that I did with you.

If you were my real dad, Id have asked to be put into foster care.

Dervishs smile widens. Thats what I like to hear. Youre a true Grady. We dont do sympathetic.

His eyes wander and he sighs. I hope I see Cal again. Billy and Meera. Even Beranabus. So many whove gone before me. Do you think theres an afterlife, Grubbs? Will I be reborn? Or is there just nothing?

There has to be something, I mutter. Why would the universe give us souls if not? Itd be pointless.

Dervish nods slowly, then frowns at something behind me. Whats that? he wheezes.

My head shoots around and I scan the surrounding area for danger. But I cant see anything except dry earth and rocks. Theres nothing I begin, then stop. Dervishs eyes have glazed over. Hes not breathing. His face is calm.

I tremble and reach out to close his eyelids, blinking back tears. My fingers are just a few inches from his eyes when snap! Dervishs teeth clamp together and he bites the tip of my index finger.

Hellfire! I roar, toppling backwards, heart racing.

Your face, Dervish snickersalways the bloody joker!

Try it again, I snarl. Next time Ill dig a hole and bury you alive.

Dont be so sensitive, Dervish coos, still giggling. He runs an eye over my unnatural muscles, the tufts of red hair sprouting from my skin, my wolfish features, yellow eyes, jagged claws, and blood-spattered fangs. Youre a real mess.

With a role model like you, I never had a hope, I sniff.

Poor Grubbs. Dervish makes goo-goo eyes at me. All you ever wanted was for someone to show you some love.

Get stuffed.

We both laugh.

Im going to miss you, Dervish sighs.

Yeah, I mutter. Ill yknow you too.

Part of me wishes I could hang on and see how it all turns out. But then I think about the odds He shakes his head.

Dont worry, I say grandly. Ill take care of the Demonata. The Shadow too. Ive seen enough movies to know how these things end. Well all be high-fiving each other and celebrating a glorious victory by this time next month. But you wont see any of it. Because youll be dead.

Dervish scowls. You really know how to comfort a dying man.

Were silent awhile. The flow of blood has slowed, but I dont kid myselfits only because he doesnt have much left. Theres no getting better, not this time. Dervish has cheated death for the last few months, but he played his last card when we faced the demon hordes.

Whats going to become of you, Grubbs? he asks. This new look the way you kill so freely

Ill be fine. I poke the ground with my bare, hairy toes.

No, he says. Youve changed, and not just on the outside. He lays a weak, bloodstained hand on mine. Dont become a monster. Remember who you are, the people who love you, why you fight. Beranabus acted inhumanly, but he was never fully human to begin with. You were. You are. Dont lose track of that.

Is this really how you want to go? I squint. Lecturing me like some second-rate TV psychiatrist?

Im serious, he growls.

Dont be stupid, I smile. Its far too late for that.

Dervish rolls his eyes, then shrugs. Dont say I didnt warn you.

I wont.

Dervish shivers and glares at the sun. Its so cold. Whys there no warmth in that thing?

Eclipse. Its the first thing that pops into my head. Dervish cocks an eyebrow but otherwise ignores the inanity.

I wish we could have had more leisure time, he says. Apart from the trip to Slawter, I never took you on any vacations.

If Slawter was your idea of a vacation, that was probably a good thing.

Orlando, Dervish nods. Thats where we should have gone. Roller coasters. You, Billy, and me. Wed have had so much fun.

We were never meant for a life like that, I mumble. I used to think I could choose it, just turn my back on magic and demons. But Ive been locked into this course since birth, just like you. Bec, Beranabusall of uswe never really had a choice. I hate the unfairness of fate, but

I pause. Dervishs head has slumped. I tilt his head back, keeping my fingers clear of his mouth, expecting him to bite again. But this time it isnt a joke. His eyes are closed. The last breath has slipped from his semi-parted lips. His heart has stopped beating.

Guess the last laughs on you, old-timer, I croak, letting his head rest on my shoulder and patting him clumsily.