Reaching her fingers through the gaps, she strokes her daughter’s tiny fingernails. Content with her touch, she closes her eyes and breathes in deeply. As she exhales, she hears, “She is truly beautiful.”
Eve’s eyes shoot open. Turning, she sees there is no one in the room but her and Honey.
“Hello…?”
“Forgot me already?” the male voice responds.
An instant warning sound sets off inside her head. She now recalls who this voice belongs to. Scanning the room, she soon sees the young male who was taunting her at school. He is wearing the same white outfit, sitting on the wicker rocking chair in the opposite corner of the room next to the bedroom door with a glowing smile on his face.
“You,” she whispers.
“Yeah, it’s me,” he replies. His smile now appears somewhat enchanting.
“Who are you and why are you following me?”
Crossing his legs, he places one hand upon his knee and one under his chin. “Did you know that alongside evil there is good out there in the universe?”
Rolling her eyes, Eve responds, “There’s no such thing. Believe me, the sisters at Moycullen tried to convert me many times. Judging from your know-it-all attitude, I’m guessing you are aware of their fate.”
“Hmm, okay, so let me ask you this – who do you think is protecting your daughter’s soul from your captor right now?”
“Captor? I think what you meant to say is my creator.” Eve looks to her daughter and smiles before turning back to the irritating man. “And I’m not protecting her soul, I’m embracing her purity for a little while, that is all. I don’t want her having to go out night after night, entering home after home. She is much too young to take on such a huge responsibility just yet. Not that it is any of your business, but let me assure you, Honey will be welcomed on the right side, the dark side, with her family when the time is right.”
“Stop trying to kid yourself, Eve. I know you better than you know yourself. And I know that you have no intention of permitting this gorgeous little girl to join you.” Sniggering he continues, “Nope, no siree. There isn’t a single fraction of a millisecond in a day when you agree to submit her to the dark side. You want her to stay pure, sweet and innocent, like all the other children on the planet before you take over their souls in a hideous and cruel fashion.”
“Hey!” Eve snaps. “I resent that comment. We are not cruel to any children.”
“You take children away from their parents. I consider that cruel,” he says as he crosses his arms and legs.
“What a naive and uneducated young man you are. You have no clue what we do. We do not remove them from their parents. We return them to their rightful owner,” Eve snarls. “There is only one way to live upon all universes out there, and we are the ones who have that rightful passage. We are saving them from death.”
Waving his hands and placing them on the armrests, the man says, “Word it however you would like. Believe the dribble coming out your mouth. I really don’t care, because deep down I know that you’re slowly recognising that all may not be as it seems.”
“You know nothing.”
“Well, I clearly know something you don’t, or else why would I be here?”
“To annoy me…?”
Chuckling, he continues, “Good one. Well, I guess we’re going to have to agree to disagree on the subject.”
“Maybe I just don’t care what you think. Ever thought about that one?”
“Oh, you will care if you don’t already. You see, Eve, what I’m sensing is, and hear me out, the biggest issue you’re currently facing is that you really do know deep down that your precious princess can’t remain pure for much longer because your captor, not creator, has a different set of plans for this planet which are soon to come into effect and this factor confuses the internal hell out of you. So much so, that it eats you up inside pretty much every minute of the day. And, if you really want to get into it, it confuses not only you,” He leans in closer. “But her daddy, too. He doesn’t know why you won’t just let her join you all and why you have to fight it so much. Believing in the Lord’s protection while you worship and dance with evil, huh, what sort of hypocrite have you become? Tut, tut, tut, I swear, if it wasn’t for the fact that you’re being brainwashed, we might have actually disowned you by now.”
Stunned by his level of awareness of her tormented thoughts and unsure on how he could possibly know this, Eve decides it’s best to say nothing.
“Answer me this, Eve… Where do you think the souls of those who pass over on earth go?”
Again, Eve says nothing.
“Come on, you know the ones I’m talking about. Those innocent souls that aren’t claimed by your so-called creator, however you want to describe her.”
Still, Eve doesn’t respond.
“Okay, let me put it in more brutal terms: the souls that she has zero interest in which she casts aside like that of a decaying carcass just waiting to be scavenged by wild animals. Huh, where do those people’s souls go?”
Tired of the interrogation, Eve snaps, “Personally, I don’t know, nor do I have any interest in what you’re talking about.” Getting up and dusting off her dress, Eve continues, “What do you want from me? And what’s your name, or should I just call you ‘annoying man’?” She sniggers at her insult.
Ignoring her question and keeping his legs crossed, the man places his thumb under his chin and his forefinger to his nose as he appears to be deep in thought. “Did you know that we are collected by the biggest angel up there?” He points in the direction of the window. “And, did you also know that if you die on this planet as a child, you get to pick what age you grow to in the spirit world? Even those babies that die before they ever get to take their first breath on this planet.”
“No,” Eve says. She crosses her arms in protest and stands tall at the side of her daughter’s crib. “And like I said, I have no interest in any universe that may, or may not, exist outside of the one in which I was created in and the one in which I belong. So, I’m afraid that you’re talking to the wrong girl.”
“I’m not talking to the wrong girl at all. You are very much the right girl for this job.” He smiles. “Well, Eve, I’m going to give you some information about myself to bring us closer. I want to educate you a little about why I’m here. Sound fair?”
“Oh really, now you want to tell me… Well, I’ve only been asking you for that information repeatedly, but whatever.”
“Fair enough. So, I’ll tell you. You see, I was once one of those babies who never got to take their first breath. Referred to on this planet as a stillborn.”
As a new mother herself, hearing the word stillborn makes Eve’s insides curl up.
“And, I wasn’t just any stillborn. I started out sharing my mother’s womb with another. I was part of a set of twins, following the long line of genes from my mother’s side. She was a twin, you know. She had an identical twin sister. Her name was Christina.”
Humouring him, Eve smiles.
“Two little babies sharing the same woman’s body at the same time. There is nothing more intimate than that. I had a beautiful twin sister. Magical, it was. We started our journey so closely together. You see, I can remember everything, as one of the perks of passing over is that you get to retain all knowledge of your time on earth. I remember everything down to the last detail. I can see us both sharing a sack, kicking one another, and I can always feel her presence next to me. It felt like we were in there together for an eternity. And then, with a thud and a kick, the water started to drain from around us, and somehow I just knew it was time to get the show on the road. I was getting ready to say hello to the world. My sister went first, and I wasn’t too far behind. I was so ready to join the people behind the muffled voices I’d been hearing for as long as that sense had developed.” He pauses and stares at Honey inside her cri
b.
“What happened?” Eve asks.
“Sadly, I never made it out alive. I died during labour. Complications with the cord. My sister lived. Fortunately for her.”
An unexplainable strange lump begins developing at the back of Eve’s throat. Swallowing, but unable to shift it, Eve whispers, “I’m sorry, I know it’s really sad, but I’m struggling to see what this has got to do with me?”
Ignoring Eve’s question, the man carries on with his story. “You see, when I was cradled by an elderly lady, I was just a crying baby. I had no clue I was a crying spirit baby and that this lady who had a huge glow surrounding her was my spirit mother and not my birth mother. I had no clue that the light which mirrored her and surrounded me was one that meant I wasn’t a living being. And I had no clue where my sister had gone. I just felt a loss around me. I felt totally alone.”
Eve’s heart starts to race. She feels a deep internal sorrow.
Continuing with his ramblings, the man becomes animated. “Huh, ironic really. You see, the elderly lady would bring me to the home, to the place on earth where I was supposed to live out my childhood. I’d get excited to speak to my earth family. But I’d be distraught because they’d never answer me back.”
“How sad,” Eve says as tears well up in her eyes.
“I didn’t know that they couldn’t see me. All I knew was that I could see them so vividly. I suppose you’re right – it is sad.”
“It must have been hard for you.”
“It was during one of these visits when it finally sunk in what I was. I spoke to my spirit mother and began accepting this over time, and then I decided that I wanted to get to know my sister. Strong-headed, fearless and loved by all, she was.
Eve smiles, as she sees all these qualities in her own daughter.
“A special girl with a big heart. And my, oh my, was she gifted. She had the most magical talent for all types of musical instruments. Our father and mother doted on her because they knew what it was to lose a child. Me. Never was I mentioned in my sister’s life. My death became the dark secret amongst the family. I was the hidden taboo. Never to be discussed again.”
“I can’t imagine,” Eve replies empathetically.
“Huh, they didn’t want their precious surviving daughter to develop some sort of issue about the loss of her twin brother, and so life continued without me. I suppose, as sad as it was, watching the family continue like I never existed, helped me to learn over time how to create my own memories with them. Each year I’d help blow out the candles on the birthday cake. I’d get excited watching my big sister opening her presents on our birthday and at Christmas. I’d go hunting for eggs with her and watch as she stuffed chocolate in her mouth like it was going out of fashion on Easter. I even joined her at school on her first day and every day after that. I was a highly proud brother. Pretty cool really, isn’t it?”
Slightly concerned where he’s going with his story, Eve replies with an air of caution, “I suppose so – and honestly, I find your story quite moving, but what has this got to do with me?”
Appearing to be inside his own world, much to Eve’s frustration, the man ignores her request once more and continues, “Did you know, I chose for my growth age to be twenty-one? I think that’s also pretty cool, wouldn’t you agree?”
Huffing and puffing, Eve replies, “Wouldn’t know. I’m not there yet.”
“Me either, but it looks pretty fun.”
“Look, I’m getting fed up with this now. Tell me exactly who you are and what you want.”
Smiling, he says, “You really haven’t worked it out yet, have you?”
“Worked what out? That you’re stalking me for no apparent reason? Yeah, I’ve worked that out.”
“Ah, you see, that’s not true. She had no use for me. I was a mistake. I wasn’t supposed to catch on, but I did. There was only ever supposed to be one chosen one. Much easier when you’re working alone to snatch one child unsuspectingly than two. Going against everything she believed in, she came to the conclusion that if I hadn’t been born, no soul had been created, therefore no sacrifice of an innocent child had been made. And with that loophole she continued with the evil deed. Haunts me still. I can still feel the cord around my neck. It’s as real today as it was back then. Like it’s happening all over again.”
“Right, I’ve had enough of this now. Who had no use for you? What are you on about? I’m about to get mad real fast. I’m sorry for your outcome, I honestly am, but what has this got to do with me? Either spit it out or leave me alone.”
Smirking, he replies, “There’s a real good reason why I’m here, and there’s a real good reason why you are the only one who can see me after all these years. Evelyn Jade, I’m your twin brother.”
Eve stiffens with shock. A gut-wrenching pain ploughs through her stomach and her palms become moist with sweat. “You’re lying.”
“I do not lie. My name is Thomas Noah Honey and I’ve been sent to tell you the truth and deliver the outcome of the path that you’re on. It is time for you to know the reality of what is to come. It is time for you to understand that you out of all the people around you will be responsible for the outcome of the world’s fate. You and only you. You are the chosen one. The fate of the world is in your hands. You will have to decide to either save humanity or destroy it. Eve, you must do the right thing. Evelyn Jade Honey is your rightful birth name – look it up, if you don’t believe me. I am here to tell you that you’re being—”
The door creaks open.
Peering his head into the room, Lewis says, “There you are.”
Stood with her mouth slightly ajar, looking like a rabbit in headlights, Eve whispers, “Impossible.”
Lewis glances behind the door at the empty wicker rocking chair that is moving back and forth ever so gently. “What’s impossible?” With no reply from his wife, Lewis asks, “Baby, is everything okay?”
Blinking and shaking her head, Eve replies, “Erm, yes, yes, I’m fine. I’m okay. Yes. I was, erm, just making sure Honey was alright while she’s sleeping, that’s all. I’m fine. She’s fine.”
“O-kay… What do you say, shall we go for a walk while she’s sleeping? Just me and you? Might be nice to have some alone time, huh? I’m sure Elisabeth will keep an eye on her for us.”
“Have you lost your mind? You know I won’t leave Honey. Especially with her.”
“Aye. Aye. Aye.” Lewis says with his hands in the air. “That’s fine. I just haven’t seen you all day, that’s all. No need to get defensive.”
Aware that she’s snapping at him for a reason that is not his fault, Eve seats herself on the side of the bed. Twiddling her fingers, she says, “Lewis, what if I was born like you and not created?”
“Oh Eve, I thought we went over this a while ago?” Rolling his eyes, Lewis sighs as he says, “Where’s this coming from again?”
“I know we did, but I just can’t get it out of my head. Honey is pure, we know this to be true. Like, what if I am a tainted human too, and I just can’t remember my captivity?”
“But you know that Jezebel created you. Why would you even begin to question that?”
“I don’t know that. All I know is what she’s told me. What if everything she has said has been a lie…?”
Looking around the room, Lewis says, “Shh, you know you cannot question her. She hears everything. Please, just let this go. I beg you. Come on, you’re just tired and I think it’s making you slightly delusional. Here, why don’t you lie down,” Lewis says as he makes his way to the bed and places her head on the pillow before he snuggles up next to her.
“I just—”
“Eve, please. If she hears you, we’re in for. You’re exhausted, end of discussion. Just go to sleep. You don’t need to worry yourself about these things. Remember, soon everything we have been working for will come together. It doesn’t
matter how you got to this point, what matters is that you’re right where you should be with the people who look out for you the most.”
Eve breathes deeply and resumes staring intently at her sleeping daughter. Questions begin to circulate inside her mind.
‘Is there is more to my existence than what I’m living? What if I am living a lie? What if Thomas is telling the truth? Is he really my brother? What if I have an actual human family? How can it be that the fate of the world lies solely with me? What if it is possible to save Honey’s soul?’
Eve’s head begins to pound.
“I love you.”
Looking at her husband, Eve can see the fear inside his eyes. “I love you, too,” she replies.
“We have a complete family. What’s there to worry about? We are right where we should be.”
Drained, and aware that she must leave in a few hours to conduct her nightly duties, Eve decides against pushing for answers. Instead, she’s going to try and switch her thoughts off, block Thomas’s visit from her mind and watch her daughter sleep while she embraces her husband’s touch.
Chapter Eight
“Suspicious”
Locked away inside his room on the top floor of the orphanage, Principal Jesiah sits at his desk, completely focused on the task he has set himself. The space is lit only by candlelight and his shadow can barely be seen in the far corner of the five-thousand square foot bedroom. The room is bare but for a black queen-sized four-poster-bed layered with black silk sheets, a cracked oval mirror with gold trimming, which is the first thing your eyes are drawn to as you enter the room, and the black, wooden, gothic desk where Jesiah is sitting.
There is a sinister reason for the vast amount of empty space. The room is used to conduct sacred one-on-one sessions with the children to ensure that each one is aware of their infinite potential and unique possibilities. Their time is soon to arrive, and every bit of power and every skill is going to be required in order to secure the outcome of which the Dark Empress has dreamed for many centuries now.
The Broken IV: Vengeance Page 8
