The Unexpected Exorcist: Episode 4

Incident At The Airport, Part II

Jun 13, 2024

Last time on The Unexpected Exorcist: We met our hero, TSA Officer Uziel Axe. He works the Concourse E Security Checkpoint at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. While on duty, he encounters the same Class-One demon that Sister Catherine flushed out of The Lake Geneva Supper Club. He is in pursuit.

If you are new to The Unexpected Exorcist, click here to start at the beginning.

I publish new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday at 3:00 PM PDT.

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, Main Terminal

The main terminal of the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport was cavernous. Modern brutalist architecture with a modern flair. Giant round concrete columns throughout and a big open courtyard with a glass roof. The typical airport kiosks and stores lined the courtyard.

Uziel bolted out of Concourse E and paused to survey the main terminal. No sign of Gunther. He checked the corners near him. Nothing.

Where the hell is that son-of-a-bitch? What the hell had he seen on the scanner?

A scream went up from a crowd near the escalators. A purse flew into the air.

Uziel got on his walkie, “This is TSA Officer Axe, I need police support in the main terminal. We have a major disturbance from an… um… unhinged passenger.”

“Copy that. En route. Three minutes out.”

“Roger that. Officer Axe, out.” He always hated calling himself ‘officer,’ which is what he was, but a TSA Officer. Not an FBI Agent or even a police officer. Just TSA. Not what he had trained for.

Uziel briefly considered how he was going to handle Gunther Schnell. The Transportation Security Administration agents didn’t carry service weapons. He just carried pepper spray. And his walkie. He wasn’t even allowed to carry pepper spray until he made assistant manager.

Pepper spray. How the hell am I supposed to do anything with stuff that was about as powerful as the Diablo Sauce from Taco Bell?

Uziel dashed toward the disturbance. It was halfway across the big courtyard. Gunther Schnell stood there with people rushing away from him.

Uziel was a natural runner. Most days, he jogged for at least an hour. In high school he was the second-fastest runner in both the 100-yard and 200-yard dash.

“TSA!” he yelled. “Everybody, stay calm! Gunther Schnell, get on the ground! I’m detaining you!” Another scream, followed by a low growl in the crowd.

Gunther bolted out of the crowd, knocking over two traveling businessmen. They both fell over haphazardly in their suits. Papers went up in the air and spilled all over the floor.

Gunther was still running on all fours like an out-of-control dog. He jumped up and over a couple with their two children sitting at a little table in front of the Orange Julius. Uziel watched in amazement.

He can jump...

Uziel tracked Gunther who galloped into the airport bookstore.

Uziel immediately headed to the store. He stood outside, just around the corner from the entrance and caught his breath. Took his pulse on his neck almost automatically. Took another breath.

He unholstered his pepper spray and carefully tilted his head into the shop. The cashier’s counter was freestanding at the front of the store. The only way in and out was a big front opening.

Uziel crouched and entered the bookstore.

***

It was a typical airport bookstore. Various best sellers, magazines, snacks and beverages.

Uziel made his way along a row of various candies and chips and held his pepper spray like a pistol.

Blood trickled down the back of his neck, but he ignored it.

This is the most fun I’ve had in years. And my migraine is gone!

Except for the bump on the back of his head he felt like a million bucks.

He peeked around the corner of the snack rack towards the front of the store. The cashier stood frozen, hands up in the air. She pointed down towards the floor with one finger.

Just under the counter was Gunther on all fours with a full, open bag of Cool Ranch Doritos. He was quickly eating the chips, one by one, bringing them into his mouth with his tongue. Uziel did a double take.

The guys at the gym were never going to believe this.

Uziel slowly emerged from behind the rack, pepper spray in-hand.

Gunther looked up quickly, seemingly surprised. “You again? Leave me to my food!” Gunther commanded in the same strange voice.

“Stand and slowly put your hands behind your head unless you want to get seasoned. The police are coming. I hope you’re looking forward to spending the night in jail. Goddamn meth-head.”

Gunther laughed a horrid, sickly laugh. He rose from the ground and stood upright, holding the bag of Doritos.

Uziel didn’t know quite what to do. He had never been in that situation before.

Where are those airport police!

“Put your hands up! Now, or else…” He didn’t quite know what to do. The guy was so obviously crazy. Definitely high…

But the monster in the scan…

“Or what, Uziel Axe? What will you do? I thought you were Exorcist. Do your worst. You and your brethren won’t exorcise me this time. I’m here to stay! I am rather liking the Earth-Plane.” He smiled at Uziel and ate another Dorito.

“Alright, you asked for it buddy!”

Gunther let out a low, guttural growl, and without warning threw the bag of Doritos right at Uziel.

Uziel dodged the chips like a boxer and pulled the trigger on the pepper spray. Gunther easily slid under the spray and bolted back out of the store. The cashier, however, was directly behind Gunther. The spray hit her smack dab in the middle of her face. She screamed and fell to the ground.

“Jesus Christ,” Uziel mumbled to himself.

Yeah, I’m gonna’ get written up for this.

He grabbed a bottle of water from the case and threw it to the cashier. “Put this in your eyes. Sorry!” She kept screaming.

He ran out of the store.

***

Uziel stood in the middle of the main terminal. He looked everywhere. Gunther was gone once again.

This isn’t normal.

The terminal was dead silent for a moment.

Travelers everywhere were frozen in place. Everybody stared at TSA Officer Uziel Axe.

The big open space didn’t give him any clues until a man’s scream came up from the north side of the terminal. A Lutheran pastor ran out of the Interfaith Meditation Room. He didn’t stop running until he had disappeared out the front doors of the airport.

Uziel got back on his walkie, “This is TSA Officer Axe. Again. Where are you guys?”

Dispatch responded immediately. “Two minutes out.”

“Two minutes? You said that five minutes ago!”

“The guys were on break. It’ll take them a few more minutes to get there, Uzi.”

“Jesus Christ,” Uziel muttered off-walkie. “The suspect is in the Meditation Room. I’ll meet them there. Over.”

“Copy that. Let our guys handle this from here. Just guard the front entrance, Officer Axe.” She sarcastically emphasized the word officer.

“Fine. Over and out.” He was sick of everything. There was no way he was going to let the Milwaukee County Sheriffs get the collar.

Uziel had previously attempted to join the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department. He had practically begged them for a transfer from the TSA to the MCSO Airport Division, but of course they said no. Everyplace in law enforcement where he applied said no. Why would they want him?

Uziel jogged over to the Interfaith Meditation Room. The lights flickered inside. He took a deep breath and looked around for the sheriffs. They were nowhere to be seen.

Screeching from inside the meditation room rattled the floor under his feet.

He was going in.

Thanks for reading!!

- Adam Lutzi Rockwell

Inspired By True Events With Adam Rockwell

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