by Wendy Owens
Gabe stood, looking at Uri directly and asked, “Do you have a place in mind?”
“Yes, Haim and I would go ahead and scout it out of course, but there’s a small college town in Ohio. Since the war broke out the school has closed its doors leaving only the townies. I think it’s isolated enough it could buy us some time,” Uri laid out his plans to his friends.
“I’m in if Rachel thinks it’s a good idea,” Sophie added.
Rachel looked around the room, her stare lingering on her husband before she looked up at Uri, “Do it.”
Uri peered at Gabe, waiting for his okay. Silently, Gabe nodded in affirmation.
Rachel woke up just as dusk was upon them. The colorful sky outside their sheer curtains slowly faded into the darkness of the evening. For two glorious weeks they remained in that sleepy little town Uri had found. Rachel had even begun to wonder if the residents were truly aware of what was happening in the world around them.
Earlier that day, she and Gabe had taken a stroll down the town’s main street, little brick shops lining the cobblestone way, sweet smells coming from the local bakery, and children playing in the small park. It all seemed too good to be true.
Gabe had even begun to relax, which surprised her. Since he had discovered she was pregnant he tended to hover, constantly, certain they were always moments from an attack. But since they came to the little town that Rachel referred to as heaven on earth, he was a changed man.
He began sleeping more than ten-minute naps. He was eating again and actually seemed to be enjoying the company of those around him. It brought Rachel tremendous comfort to see the parts of her husband she loved return.
She looked down at him, his face still mashed into the pillow, his hand tucked between his legs, his body curled up against her. After everything they had been through, she had come to accept that she would most likely give birth to their child while running somewhere. They had reached the point where they were never staying more than two days at any one location. Strangely enough, two weeks made this place feel like home.
Their baby would be here within the week, most likely. Gracefully tracing the dark line that ran up her stomach, Rachel felt a chill run down her back and she shivered, causing the bed to rock. Gabe stirred and opened his eyes with a grunt.
“Umph ...” he huffed groggily, propping himself up to look out the window. “How long were we asleep?”
“A couple of hours I think,” Rachel replied.
Gabe reached out and ran his hand over Rachel’s bare stomach, “With all these naps I’ve been taking, you’d think I was the pregnant one.”
Rachel smiled, “They’re sympathy naps.”
“I suppose,” Gabe stated before inquiring, “How are you feeling?”
“Really good actually,” she replied. “I was thinking about baby names.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah, I don’t think we’ve had enough time to slow down and even talk about something as simple as a name,” Rachel remarked.
Gabe thought for a moment, then with a smile pointed out, “We don’t even know if it’s a boy or girl, how can we pick a name?”
“A lot of people pick one out for each,” she suggested.
“Oh, I see, and what do you think a good name would be?” Gabe inquired.
Before Rachel could reply there was a knock at the door.
“Who is it?” Gabe called out as Rachel slipped her shirt into place to cover her stomach.
“Uri. Can I come in?” They heard from the other side of the door.
“It’s open,” Rachel replied.
The door swung open, Uri stepping inside. “I did a perimeter check and it looks clear. I just wanted to make sure everything was good in here with the two of you.”
“All good, captain,” Rachel said with a smile and awkward salute.
“Oh yeah, Dina wanted me to tell you she’ll be up later to check on how the baby’s doing,” Uri added before backing out of the room.
“Hey,” Gabe called out. “See if the others are interested in a game of cards. We’ll be down in about ten minutes.”
“Sounds good,” Uri added before closing the door.
“He’s pretty sweet,” Rachel chimed, looking over at her husband.
“Don’t let him hear you say that,” Gabe warned, then noticed Rachel's beaming smile. “What’s that grin all about?”
“Huh?” Rachel sighed.
“You’re smiling from ear to ear, what’s going on?” Gabe pushed.
Rachel thought about it for a moment, “I didn’t realize I was, but I guess it’s just being here, with you.”
“In a four bedroom inn that hasn’t been redecorated in thirty years?”
“Well … not the inn, but ... I don’t know, it’s hard to explain,” Rachel started.
“Try.”
“It’s like this cloud of hopelessness was on top of us, but since we came here it’s seemed to evaporate. Do you feel it?” Rachel inquired, wondering if she was alone in her feelings.
“No, I do, but Rachel, you can’t get too comfortable. We have no idea how long things will last here.”
“I know,” she quickly defended herself. “I’m just enjoying it while it lasts.”
Gabe leaned forward, kissing her on her forehead and then stood to leave. “I’ll send Dina in to take a look at you. Meet me downstairs when you’re done, all right?”
Rachel nodded and Gabe slipped from the room without another word.
“Hey man. I was just headed downstairs,” Uri said, catching sight of Gabe in the hall.
“Me too,” Gabe replied, walking next to Uri around the banister and side by side down the wide, rickety staircase. Had the home been updated at all in the last century, the inn might have actually been a pretty cool place, but the age was showing on the ancient beauty.
Either way, it was cheap, and by renting out all four rooms for their group, there would only be the innkeepers for them to have any contact with. Based on their ages, Uri assumed they probably had trouble even making out what each person’s gender was. It was even difficult to make out their faces. Then there was the fact that the husband never got up from his recliner that was planted in front of the old television in the living area.
“I gotta say, this place is perfect Uri,” Gabe offered.
“Yeah, too perfect,” Uri replied apprehensively.
Gabe laughed, “You’re starting to sound like me. Oh, Dina, Rachel’s ready for you.”
Dina smiled and stood from the table where she sat across from Sophie at. “Great, I’ll head right up.”
“I thought you were going to sleep the day away old man,” Sophie joked, looking to Gabe.
“Hey,” Rachel said, “their sympathy naps.”
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that,” Sophie laughed.
“Where’s Haim?” Uri asked looking around.
“He said he was going to give one last look around outside,” Sophie replied.
“I already did that.” Uri grumbled.
“He’s been gone a while, I’ll go see what’s taking him so long,” Sophie offered, standing up and walking past them.
Uri watched as Sophie exited, then asked Gabe in a soft tone, “Are you nervous?”
“About what? Becoming a dad?” Gabe asked.
“Not exactly,” Uri hesitated.
“Then what?”
Uri glanced at the front door, wishing now he had never started the conversation. They all had been thinking about it, and even discussing the elephant in the room, when Gabe was not around. But the way Gabe strutted around, it was like he didn’t have a care in the world. It was like it didn’t bother him that he had created the path to his own end.
“Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?” Gabe pushed.
With a hard swallow Uri inquired, “Aren’t you scared at all about the prophecy.”
Suddenly, Gabe’s expression shifted, as if a light had gone off, “Oh, now I see what this is all about. I was
wondering why none of you have said anything to me.”
“What in the heck are we supposed to say?”
“Look man, Rachel and I have discussed it a lot. We don’t have any idea exactly how the prophecy is supposed to be fulfilled. What if it’s not exactly what we think? What if all it means is the kid’s destiny won’t become activated until I die, like all other Guardians. I could be looking at a long life with my family, and when I pass away he becomes the prophet,” Gabe explained.
Uri shook his head as he began fidgeting with his fingers. Gabe’s lack of obvious concern didn’t make him feel any better about the impending birth.
Gabe reached across the table, touching his friend’s arm, “I’ll admit it, I’m scared, but I can’t let Rachel see that. I just keep hope in the fact there has to be a bigger plan for us,” Gabe leaned back in his seat and shifting the conversation asked, “So do you think we might actually be able to stay in this town until the baby’s born?”
Uri remained quiet, hesitating for a moment. “I’d rather not make guesses about something like that.”
Gabe laughed, “Geez, you really do need to lighten up. We’ve been here a week with no sign of …” Suddenly Gabe clutched his stomach and doubled over in pain. “Do you feel that?”
Uri winced, grabbing his side, and sucking in a breath through his teeth. “You get upstairs to Rachel and Dina, I’ll go check on Sophie and Haim.”
Gabe nodded and in a flash he raced down the hall and up the wooden steps. His augeries were going off like a five alarm fire. Something was close … something bad. Realizing Dina no longer had her augerie sensory, Gabe thrust his body forward, propelling himself down the hall and into his bedroom.
Rachel sprawled out on the bed and Dina leaned in close to examine if there had been any dilation, both freeze and look up at Gabe who is now panting. They instantly knew by his expression that something was wrong.
“What is it?” Rachel asked, sitting up after Dina pulled away.
“I don’t know, Uri and I both felt it, though. Something’s wrong. He went to find Sophie and Haim. Dina, can you head over to Sera’s room and tell her we need to be ready to go, like now?”
“Of course.” Dina replied and was out the door in seconds, heading towards the room at the end of the hall.
“Come on Rachel,” Gabe instructed extending a hand to help his extremely round wife out of bed. “We’ve got to get you out of here.”
“I knew this was too good to be true,” Rachel grumbled, scooting to the end of the bed, placing her swollen feet and ankles on the floor.
Gabe helped Rachel into a standing position, and rushed to the bedroom door, peaking out to ensure the coast was still clear. Catching a glimpse of Sophie rushing up the stairs, she stopped on the landing, in order to keep an eye on the front door.
“Gabe!” Sophie shouts.
“What’s going on?” Gabe called back.
“They’re everywhere!” she yelled, we have to get Rachel out of here, there’s no time.
“Who are they?” Gabe inquired.
“They have to be Valafar’s men, I’ve never seen anything like them before. Uri killed a couple, but they can cast, we don’t have much time,” Sophie explained, frantically looking back and forth between the door and Gabe.
Gabe realized his mouth was hanging open in response to the information. He quickly snapped his jaw shut and glanced in on his wife to see how things were coming along. She fumbled with the broken clasp on their suitcase.
“Just leave it,” Gabe instructed, “Grab what you need and let’s go.” Casting had always been something only a high-ranking demon could accomplish. If Valafar’s soldiers had this ability it would make them much more difficult to defeat.
“How’s it going?” Sophie asked, not taking her eyes of the door at the bottom of the steps.
“Almost ready, did Uri say where to meet?” Gabe asked.
“He said you had the perfect hiding spot, whatever the heck that means,” Sophie answered. Gabe knew exactly what that meant. He had hidden from the demons in his copper rich valley for more than a year. Gabe knew Uri was trying to hold that one in his back pocket in case of an emergency. Even though the demons occasionally patrolled the area since he left it, it was rare enough that they would probably be safe if they were in a jam.
“Can you help Rachel, and I’ll tell the girls where we’re going?” Gabe asked.
“Of course, we need to hurry, I don’t know how long Uri and Haim can hold them off,” Sophie added.
Gabe raced down the hall, bursting into Sera’s room, “We have to go now!” He demanded. Dina was helping Sera toss her and Uri’s belongings into an oversized duffle bag. “Do you know the cabin I built?”
Before either girl could answer, Gabe heard an odd rustling behind him. Looking back at his door he saw Rachel emerging.
“What’s going on out here?” Rachel called from her doorway.
From the corner of his eye, Gabe spied a hooded, humanoid figure, dressed in black, climbing through the window. The idea of a ninja instantly popped into Gabe’s mind. Through the openings in the mask, he could see the creatures eyes looked like they belonged to a serpent. His hands were raised and a green sphere of energy was growing in his palms.
“No!” Gabe cried out, but it was too late for him to do anything, the charge had already left the creature’s hands.
Gabe watched helplessly as the green ball of light hurled through the air, in the direction of his wife. It was as if all things around him were moving in slow motion, but as fast as he compelled himself to move forward, he felt stuck in one spot.
Just as the spell was about to make contact, Gabe caught sight of Sophie, her body rocketing through the air. Gabe’s breath stuck in his throat and he winced as he watched the scene unfold. When Gabe was certain there was no time left to save his wife and child, Sophie appeared, pushing Rachel out of the way.
His sigh of relief lasted only a moment as he saw the blast make contact squarely with Sophie’s chest. Sophie fell to the ground with a thud as Rachel stumbled backwards into the open door, and falling against the bed, as she watched with a horrified expression.
Once what had happened had a moment to register, Gabe heard his wife crying Sophie’s name over and over in a wild and hysterical panic. In an instant, rage consumed him, turning to face the ninja-like demon, Gabe raised his arms and prepared himself for battle.
Gabe could hear its breath as it hissed under the black mask. Rushing forward, he thrust a fist at the creature’s face, which it easily blocked. With each punch or kick the monster seemed to anticipate his movements, quickly blocking them, until finally it managed to land a shin kick against Gabe’s torso, sending him stumbling backwards.
Rachel’s screams still filled the hall, causing Gabe’s anger to intensify into a fury. He didn’t have his sword and quickly tried to think of a way to improvise. Suddenly, the agile demon pulled out two daggers that had been concealed at the back of his belt.
Just then, Haim rushed up the stairs, two at a time, the entire house shaking from his monstrous movements. His eyes almost immediately made contact with Sophie, then his gaze shifted to Gabe, who was grabbing a nearby painting off the wall.
Haim stared, frozen to the spot where he stood, as if his body was trapped in some sort of cement. The scene didn’t seem real. There was no way this could be happening. The demon launched the daggers towards Gabe’s head, first one and then the other. Lifting the painting high, and tilting it at just the right angle, he used it to deflect one of the weapons, and then the other.
Gabe tossed the battered art to the ground, then looking over his shoulder briefly he shouted to Haim, “Get Rachel and the other girls out of here, now!”
Haim hesitated, resisting the urge to rush over and help his friend take care of the demon. Seeing Uri coming up the steps behind him, Haim shouted, “You have to help Gabe!”
He then rushed down the hall, stepping over Sophie’s body and into
Rachel’s room. Sera and Dina were trying to calm her, but Rachel couldn’t seem to shift her eyes from Sophie’s body, still screaming hysterically. His heart racing, Haim wrapped his arms around the three girls and disappeared into a puff of smoke.
Though heavily engaged in battle, hearing his wife’s cries stop gave Gabe a sense of calm. Uri reached the top of the stairs, wasting no time after hearing Haim’s words. Across the landing and down the hall, by the window, Uri saw the humanoid figure interlocked in an intense battle with Gabe. He knew all too well how difficult these new foes were to beat after his encounters moments ago outside. Instinct kicked in and he rushed towards his friend. Much to his shock, as he rounded the corner of the banister he caught sight of Sophie’s body.
Uri freezes for a moment, a confused mixture of disbelief, anger, and even fear washing over him. As if a switch went off, he rushed forward, leaping over Sophie, and raising his sword above his head. Uri crossed the distance in only a few bounds, though he was screaming a rage filled cry all the way down the walkway. The demon didn’t even have time to shift his focus. With a single swipe across the creature’s neck, Uri relieved it of its head. He said nothing to Gabe, didn’t even look at him. Instead he dropped his sword and rushed back to Sophie, scooping her up into her arms and repeating her name while shaking her. She doesn’t respond. Gabe cringed, the pain in Uri’s voice made him sick to his stomach.
Suddenly there was the sound of footsteps downstairs, dozens of them. “We have to go!” Gabe shouted. Uri wasn’t unaware of anything that was happening around them. Gabe ran into his room, making his way carefully around Uri and Sophie. He retrieved his sword, and just as the first demon made its way to the top of the stairs, Gabe wrapped his arms around Uri and Sophie, disappearing.
Gabe continued the transportations, one, and then another, covering their trail as best he could. The entire time Uri never looked up from Sophie’s face. At last they arrived in front of Gabe’s cabin. The tattered and weathered appearance didn’t make it feel any less like home when he saw it. Though he was finally home, a sadness filled him, unlike any one he has ever known. His mind shifted to Sophie.
