Helping out the support group

After giving Patricia and Alyssa the gift of Lilith, Alex and Carla thought over their options. And then it hit them: in times of crisis, people come together. Some take solace in religion, others through common activities, still others grieve and heal in lay circles. So many souls to take at once!

The thought of fucking mothers and brothers and spouses and friends into eventual carnal reunions with their loved ones was so hot, they were almost ashamed they hadn't thought of it sooner. That left the where and when and how of the matter. The city was out. Too overrun already. Great for fun snacks, not so much for the buildup to a feast.

But if they could fly far enough, they could find the sweet spot of a less affected populace coming to terms with an encroaching horde of demons and all that meant for the remaining humans.

So they took to the sky and flew and flew until they came to a large town, Buchanan Falls, largely untouched by Lilith. Draped themselves in glamours and looked at postings on the street and in the library and at the Happy Bean and eavesdropped on tiresome gossip and dull conversations until they finally had it: the improv class at 8 at the community arts center was canceled so a group could talk about the rise of Lilith.

That evening they walked into the building with their best looks of concern across their borrowed forms and took seats in the circle of chairs. Once the session started, they introduced themselves as Bob and Renee, despite knowing no one here would recognize them. They both filled out their sweaters, improved versions of their human selves but still far from their demonic glory. Around the circle was a motley group of men and women of various ages with various emotions playing across their faces: fear, anxiety, anger, worry.

A middle-aged somewhat heavyset woman named Valerie with gray hair and bags under her eyes said she hadn't heard from her sister since last week despite call after call. Shawn, a blond skinny college kid, wondered what the plan was to contain Lilith and keep the demons from Buchanan Falls. Alison, a plain Asian woman in her 40s, said she was barely sleeping because she couldn't get the demonic plague out of her head, and various heads around the room nodded. Quinn, a mousy thirty-something with glasses, asked what they all could do to defend themselves if the horde escaped the city. A tedious sort, Frank, queried where all their tax money was going if the government couldn't defend a city from some sex demons. Miranda, a trim Black mother of three, proposed a telephone tree be put in place to speed an evacuation if needed. Several others, including an apparent cute young couple holding hands and sporting crucifixes, listened intently but said nothing.

"I, I know it's not the point, well it shouldn't be the point of why we're here, but has anyone else thought those things are ... hot?" an overweight, busty brunette Latina named Violet said. "I mean, they censor the images on TV but you can still tell how perfect their bodies are. I know it's wrong and that we need to stop them, but how can we fight them if our own thoughts and bodies betray us?"

Now this they could work with.

"Maybe we can't," Carla said. "Maybe we're doomed to have our brains fucked out by a gang of demons."

"Dominated by sexy devils," Alex added.

"Now, now, let's stay positive," the group leader, Chet, cautioned. The brunette guy in his 30s dressed in a button-down and khakis projected confidence, but Alex and Carla smelled fear rolling off of him behind his glasses. "I'm sure Father Cho has some ideas."

The man of god nodded. "Steven, please. No need for formalities at times like these. It couldn't hurt to strengthen our faith in the lord right now," he said. "If we listen diligently to the lord and observe his commandments, he shall smite our enemies before us." He paused. "But if we turn away from the lord, we will be cursed in the city and the field. Old Testament fire," he smiled grimly. "Let's hope it works out for us like it did for Moses' people."

"Why don't we stop on that note?" Chet said. "You've all raised some interesting questions I hope we can answer quickly, and I hope by hearing others share their thoughts you've realized you're not alone in this. We can meet again next week and hash out our thoughts on any new developments, OK?"

The group rose from the chairs, the low chatter and grumbles indicating they knew nothing has really changed since they arrived.

At the array of snacks and hot drinks in the back, Carla threaded her way to Violet. "I think it was a brave thing to acknowledge how sexy they are," Carla said, reintroducing herself while cranking up her pheromones. "Every time I see them it sends a little electric jolt through me even though it shouldn't. Bob too, I think." She paused and looked around conspiratorially. "More and more after the news lately we need to comfort each other if you know what I mean." She added without really pausing, "Fucking. Like, hard. It's like we're newlyweds again. Anyway, if you feel the need to ... talk ... before the next meeting, we're great listeners. Call any time," she said, offering her phone so Violet could enter her number and then texting Violet so she could do the same to her own. "Or stop by," she said, pointing at her text, which contained the address of a vacant furnished apartment she and Alex had found earlier. "Bring a friend if you like."

Violet mumbled thanks around a mouthful of cake, and Carla reached for a cinnamon and sugar-dusted doughnut to go with her coffee. Alex rejoined her and smiled. "I gave Alison a little something to make her sleep easier," he said. "Little special juice," he said, shaking a flask of ... demon-spiked rum? Truly wicked whiskey? He obviously had picked up something during the day and improved it. "Then the kid wanted some too," he added, gesturing to Shawn. "Told 'em to call or knock on our door if they wanted some more."

Carla laughed. "I told Violet we're horndogs that fuck like rabbits after seeing the demons. Guess we'll see who calls first."