The Fallen and the Elect
Page 25
Chapter 9
“You haven't spoken a word since we left the studio,” Brenda commented to her brother, who sat withdrawn in the passenger seat of her car, his flesh tones pallor and pasty white. “Did you see something back there?”
Stephen remained quiet.
“Look, I didn't drive down here over 12 hours to help you out if you're gonna just ignore me. I can always go back to Bill and the kids. Lord knows I already miss them.”
Still no response.
“Or have you even thought about what you're gonna do long term now?”
Stephen still remained silent.
“You know you're starting to scare me keeping quiet over there.”
Stephen turned in the direction from which he heard his sister's soft-spoken voice. “Sorry sis, I'm still thinking about what happened back at the studio.”
“What did happen back there?”
Stephen turned his head straight ahead. “I can't explain it. I saw an angel and no else could.”
Brenda, troubled by her brother’s comment, said “I thought you were blind?”
“I am. It’s just for that quick instant the angel showed up and came at me, staring face-to-face. I swear I was going to piss in my pants.”
“You know that doesn't sound sane. Especially since no one else could see anything.”
“Yeah, but I thought they were all watching the other angel on TV. Didn't you see it?”
“I was reading a book until that little earthquake. You know I don't go for all this religious b. s. When one of the stagehands came in saying something was happening, that’s when I started watching the monitors in the green room. By that time, everything was pretty much over.”
“It’s what the angel said that scared me. I don’t know why.”
Brenda glanced over in disbelief at her brother. “You're starting to worry me. You’re seeing angels again? And what do you mean what the angel said?”
“I don't know. It said a word that I’ve heard or seen somewhere before, I just can't remember where.”
“Well what did it say?”
“Aurora.”
“Aurora? Who's Aurora? Is that the angel's name?”
All Stephen could do was stay quiet. The name made him anxious, he didn't know why. At this point, he was confused because the first time he thought the angel called itself Abriel. Now the name Aurora stirred a memory, one he couldn't place.
“You know you can stay with me and Bill. We have enough room. I'm starting to get worried about you. How will you take care of yourself now? Your insurance won't keep paying for therapy or an aide or long-term training.”
Stephen remained quiet. Brenda found herself becoming frustrated with her little brother.