The Realm of Realism

by R M Gauthier

  “Aaron, Fallen’s brother is not like us,” she begins.

  “You mean he’s not an angel?” Aaron peers at her with an innocent gaze.

  “Well, he is. Just not the same way we are,” Nevaeh tries to explain.

  “Of for Christ’s sake—”

  “Fallen,” Nevaeh cautions in a warning tone.

  “Fine. Listen, my brother was a rebel. He resisted everything that was happening and acted out. Because of that, he ended up where we could keep him under control. Now, because of something that happened with you, he’s out and we have to put him back.”

  “What did I do?” Aaron asks.

  “Well, you died,” Fallen responds.

  Aaron gives him a puzzled glance, waiting for him to continue. When he doesn’t say more, Aaron glances at Nevaeh.

  “Look, Aaron. We don’t really know what you have to do with it, but it’s obvious he used your magic, somehow,” Nevaeh explains.

  “But you get what I do is all just tricks and illusions, right?”

  The angels give no response, only glancing at each other.

  “What?” Aaron blurts out.

  “That’s not exactly the case,” Fallen replies as he stands up, walks across the room and stares at a poster of Houdini. “How much do you know about this guy?” He points his finger at the poster, then turns and glances at Aaron.

  “Everything I could find on him. He was one of the greatest. I think my father modeled his magic after him. He certainly paid homage to him in his shows.” Now, Aaron’s curiosity is peaked. “What does he have to do with this?”

  “He was a lot like you,” Fallen points out.

  “What does that mean?” Aaron stands from the bed, wanders over to Fallen and stands next to him.

  They both stare at the poster.

  “He came from a line of powerful sorcerers,” Fallen reveals.

  “Sorcery? What does that have to do with me?” Aaron peers up at Fallen.

  “You come from the same line,” Fallen simply states, then walks over to the bed and sits down again.

  Aaron’s gaze shifts to Nevaeh, a pleading expression on his face.

  “It’s true,” she confirms.

  Aaron stares at Nevaeh for a moment, then walks over and plops down beside Fallen.

  “So, what does all this mean?” Aaron asks.

  “It means you unknowingly helped my brother escape from the realm of lost souls,” Fallen explains. “Now, we need your help to put him back.”

  10

  The three sit in silence while Aaron contemplates everything he’s been told. It’s a lot to absorb and he’s not sure if he can believe any of it, it sounds so preposterous.

  Aaron jumps up and marches to his bedroom door. He swings it open and steps into the hallway.

  “Mom, can you come here for a second, please?” Aaron calls out.

  Both angels look defeated as they stare at Aaron.

  “What are you doing, Aaron?” Nevaeh asks.

  “Just hang on a minute,” Aaron replies as he steps back into his room.

  Aaron’s mother trudges down the stairs, and glides into the room. She swiftly flutters around the room, picking up clothing from the floor and placing them in the basket. She has yet to notice Aaron’s distressed expression.

  The three watch Aaron’s mother in silence.

  “It’s late Sweetie,” Aaron’s mother says as she finally stops to look at him. “Is everything all right?”

  Aaron stares at his mother, waiting for her to notice his guests, but she just goes back to picking up the room. Aaron stares at her, blatantly.

  “How come she isn’t saying anything?” Aaron whispers.

  “Did you say something, Sweetie?” She stops and steps in front of her son.

  Aaron glances at Fallen, recognizing the pity in his eyes. He turns to Nevaeh and spots the compassion in her features.

  “No, Mom.” Aaron shakes his head. “Sorry I bothered you. It was nothing.”

  His mother reaches out and pats his cheek.

  “You’re never a bother.” She turns toward the door. “Get some rest, will you.”

  “I will, promise.”

  Aaron’s mother throws the clothes she picked up into the hamper on the way out the door.

  Aaron turns to the angels still hanging around his room.

  “Why couldn’t she see you guys?” he asks with an angry attitude.

  “Because we didn’t want her to,” Fallen replies.

  “So, I’m really crazy then,” Aaron says as he sits down on the bed, covering his face with his hands. “I’m totally insane.”

  “Aaron.” Nevaeh kneels in front of him. “You’re not crazy.”

  She places her hands on his knees.

  “We’re real. And you’re not crazy,” she adds.

  “I have to sleep on this. So, if you’ll excuse me.”

  Aaron scoots back on the bed, gathers all the papers and books, placing them back in the box. He places the box on the floor by the bed and turns off the light on his bedside table. He would get up and turn the overhead light out, but he’s not comfortable sleeping in the dark tonight.

  Nevaeh glances at Fallen and gives him a nod. She shimmers out of existence. He fades out.

  Aaron rolls over and closes his eyes, falling asleep almost immediately.

  “Aaron.” Aaron hears someone whisper in his ear. “Wake up, Aaron.”

  Aaron bats his hand attempting to shoo away the person bothering his slumber.

  “Wakey, wakey, sleepyhead,” the voice whispers.

  Aaron’s eyes spring open and he comes face-to-face with Fallen.

  “Leave me alone, Fallen.” He rolls over, pulling the blanket over his head. “You’re not real. Go away.”

  “Oh, I’m very real, but I’m not Fallen,” he chuckles.

  Aaron rolls back over and stares.

  “Azrael. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He extends a handshake to Aaron.

  Aaron ignores it, sitting up quickly. He scoots away and his back hits the wall.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I need your help,” Azrael replies, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

  “I’m not helping you. Get out,” Aaron snaps.

  “You’ll help. You won’t be able to stop yourself. But, first things first.” Azrael rises to his full height.

  On the other side of the room, a bright white light appears as Nevaeh shimmers into existence. A goddess in white, wearing battle armor, huge white wings surround her. Her attention is focused solely on Azrael, and she glares at him sharply. If looks could kill, he’d be dead.

  Beside Azrael, another bright light appears as Fallen shimmers into existence. His focus solely on his brother, expression no different than Nevaeh’s.

  “Brother, it’s been a long time.” Azrael smiles at Fallen.

  “Not long enough, Azrael.” Fallen frowns.

  “Don’t be that way. I’ve changed,” Azrael asserts.

  “Indeed,” Fallen replies. “What are you doing here, brother?” Fallen replies spitting venom.

  “Just visiting a friend.”

  “Visiting hours are over. Time to go back.” Fallen takes a step forward.

  Azrael’s smile spreads. “Not this time.”

  Fallen rushes at Azrael, but as he reaches out to grab him there’s nothing there but a cloud of rising smoke.

  “What the—” Fallen mutters.

  “What was that?” Nevaeh steps up beside Fallen.

  The two watch as the smoky substance swirls around for a moment before disappearing all together.

  “Well, that’s new,” Fallen replies.

  “I’ve not seen that before either,” Nevaeh says in bewilderment, still staring at the spot where Azrael stood. “Was he even here?”

  “I don’t know,” Fallen replies, then turns his attention to Aaron.

  “What did he say?” Fallen questions Aaron.

  “He wanted my help,” Aaron r
esponds.

  “With what?” Nevaeh inquires.

  “I’m not sure. He didn’t get that far.” Aaron slides over to the side of the bed and puts his feet on the floor. “But when I said I wouldn’t help him…” Aaron trails off, rubbing his face with his hands.

  “Continue,” Fallen urges.

  Nevaeh gives Fallen a warning glare, but he just shrugs a shoulder and waits for Aaron’s response.

  “He said I wouldn’t be able to stop myself.” Aaron peers up at the two angels with questioning eyes. “What does that mean?”

  Fallen sits down beside Aaron on one side, Nevaeh on the other. The two remain lost in thought for so long, Aaron doesn’t think they’ll give him a response.

  “Damn,” Fallen spits out.

  “We don’t know what it means, Aaron. Azrael has been away for so long there’s no telling what he’s come up with now,” Nevaeh explains.

  “What’s his problem? Why is he doing this to me?” Aaron blurts out, his voice shaky, terrified even.

  “Because he can,” Fallen simply states.

  “We have to stop him, Fallen,” Nevaeh commands.

  “Oh, I plan to. But, first we have to figure out how he got out. So, when we put him back, he can’t do it again.” Fallen rises to his full height and begins pacing the room. “There has to be something we’re missing. Something that—” He cuts himself off and turns his attention to Nevaeh. “Even they aren’t aware of.” He points his finger first to the ceiling then down to the floor.

  Nevaeh follows it as she listens to his reasoning.

  “That’s impossible,” Nevaeh whispers, as if they can hear her.

  “Is it?” Fallen resumes his pacing.

  “Yes. There has to be some other explanation,” she chastises him.

  “The answer may be in this box,” Aaron offers.

  He reaches down and picks up the abandoned wooden structure which was almost completely forgotten about. He peeks up at the two now quiet angels. They are both standing in front of him, staring at the box.

  “What is it?” Nevaeh asks, curiosity laced in her pitch.

  “My father left it for me, but it’s just recently come into my possession,” Aaron explains, his hand running over the lid. “I haven’t had time to check it all out.”

  “So, what’s in it?” Fallen inquires.

  “Newspaper clippings. All about former magicians, some of the biggest names. And a couple of books.”

  Aaron lifts the lid, reaches in and pulls out the clippings. He puts them on the bedside table. Then, digs back in the box and pulls out the two books. He hands one to Nevaeh and one to Fallen.

  The books are identical except for the symbols on the covers. The angels each hold a book, inspecting them carefully, the front then back, before each of them flips open the cover.

  “This can’t be,” Nevaeh whispers.

  “But yet—” He holds up his book to her. “—here they are,” Fallen responds.

  “What are they?” Aaron asks.

  Both angels shift their gazes to Aaron but reveal nothing. A few minutes pass before Aaron’s impatience gets the best of him.

  “Well? Are you going to tell me?” His gaze flickers between Nevaeh and Fallen.

  Nevaeh glances at Fallen, who’s staring at her too.

  “How can this be?” she whispers to him.

  “I don’t know, but I intend to find out.”

  Fallen shimmers out of existence.

  “Where did he go?” Aaron calls out.

  “The same place I have to go,” Nevaeh replies, her expression full of concern.

  “Where?” Aaron repeats.

  “Home.”

  Nevaeh shimmers out of existence.

  11

  Aaron stares at the space the angels vacated only moments ago, taking with them the only source that will explain what is happening. Left by his father, they’re one of the last connections Aaron has to him and those two just wandered out of here with them.

  How could he let them leave with those books?

  What was he thinking when he revealed their existence?

  Aaron jumps up and glances around the room.

  “Where did you go?” Aaron shouts out.

  The door to his room springs open and Aaron spins around with a glare.

  His mother enters, concern covering her features. “Who are you talking to, Aaron?”

  Aaron peers at his mother, trying to figure out what to say.

  “Aaron?” she urges.

  “No one, Ma.”

  “I heard you talking. Who were you talking to?”

  “Just working out some of my routine. That’s all,” Aaron lies.

  His mother stares at him for a moment, before turning around and stepping out of the room.

  “It’s early. Go back to bed,” she suggests.

  “I am,” he says, as he walks to the door. “Sorry I disturbed you.”

  “Don’t worry, Dear. Love you.”

  “Love you too, Ma.”

  Aaron’s mother walks out of view and Aaron closes his door, heading back to his bed to sit down.

  “Now, what do I do?” he whispers to himself.

  “Now, you let me help you.” Azrael shimmers into existence.

  Aaron peeks up, terror written all over his features. “You again,” he blurts out.

  “Miss me already?” Azrael smirks.

  “Why are you so interested in me?”

  “I know when someone needs help. You help me and I’ll help you,” Azrael cajoles.

  “Help you with what?” Aaron whispers.

  “Nothing much, but we’ll have to take a trip.”

  “Where?”

  “Somewhere you’ve never been, but I promise, you’ll love.”

  “I don’t know,” Aaron responds.

  Azrael walks over, and sits down next to Aaron turning his head to face him.

  “Trust me.” He smiles. “You’re going to love this.”

  His hand covers Aaron’s, then he squeezes it tight.

  Aaron’s eyebrows rise as high as his hairline, then they both disappear.

  The two reappear in a dark forest. Lit only by moonlight, it gives Aaron an eerie feeling. He glances around but recognizes nothing. He’s never been here before that he knows of. He feels a tad queasy which causes him to bend at the waist, placing his hands on his knees.

  “It’ll pass in a moment or two,” Azrael informs. “It happens to most the first few times.” He chuckles.

  “How did we get here?” Aaron asks while spinning slowly into a circle.

  “There’s not time for that. Caleb?” Azrael calls out and glances around.

  When nothing happens and no one responds he tries again.

  “Caleb?” Azrael shouts louder, causing Aaron to jump.

  “Azrael, what are we doing here?” Aaron glares at him.

  Suddenly, a bright light envelops the area.

  Aaron shields his eyes from the brightness, as Caleb shimmers into the space beside them. It appears he’s another angel, huge in stature, with long dark brown hair, piercing golden eyes, and white wings with gold trim sprouting from his back. He stands with his arms crossing his chest and displays an angry expression on his features.

  “What are you going on about, Azrael?” Caleb says exasperated.

  “Stop looking so menacing. You’ll frighten my guest.” Azrael snickers.

  Caleb’s attention shifts to Aaron.

  Aaron feels uncomfortable under his scrutiny.

  “What’s this?” Caleb asks, amusement spreading across his face. “A new pet?”

  Aaron frowns.

  “No,” Azrael barks. “Stop it. Where’s Mazereth?

  “He’s around. What’s going on?”

  “I’d rather not explain it twice, so can you summon him?” Azrael snaps.

  “Fine, but it’s poker night, he’ll be pissed.”

  Caleb closes his eyes for a moment.

  Aaron stares at Caleb wond
ering what he’s doing.

  Once again, a bright light fills the space and Aaron shields his eyes. When he peeks through his fingers, he spots another huge angel and wonders where the kind, caring angels he’s always heard about are. These angels are nothing like those described in all the books. No, these angels are more like—demons.

  This angel with golden hair is big and bold. He has red eyes, a strong jawline, and a huge set of black wings with red tips. He’s dressed all in black with a lot of chrome accenting his outfit.

  Next to these three, Aaron feels small—insignificant.

  “New pet?” Mazereth says to Azrael.

  “I’m no one’s pet,” Aaron spits out.

  “He’s cute.” Mazereth laughs. “And he talks, too. How adorable.”

  “That’s it.” Aaron charges at Mazereth, but is caught with an arm around his waist by Azrael.

  “Woah, there little man.” Azrael tightens his grip as Aaron struggles against him. “He’ll rip you apart,” he whispers in his ear. “But I admire your bravery.”

  Aaron struggles harder.

  “Let him go, Azrael. I’ll gladly teach him a lesson for you.” Mazereth smiles.

  Caleb punches Mazereth’s shoulder. “Knock it off,” Caleb warns.

  “Settle down, Aaron,” Azrael cautions. “He can kill you with a flick of his wrist.”

  Aaron immediately stops struggling and goes limp. He stares at Mazereth with hatred in his eyes. Finally, Azrael lets him go and steps back. Aaron’s gaze shifts from Mazereth to Caleb, then comes to rest on Azrael.

  “What am I doing here?” he asks.

  “Yes, Azrael. What are we doing here? With a tiny human no less,” Caleb inquires, as he points to Aaron.

  Slowly, a mischievous grin spreads over Azrael’s lips. He rubs his hands together looking excited.

  “Aaron knows the way back,” he reveals.

  “The way back to what?” Caleb asks.

  Aaron gives Azrael a quizzical look.

  “The. Way. Back,” Azrael repeats, slowly.

  Of course, neither of the other two angles appears to know what that means, and neither does Aaron. They all stand silently, staring at the excited angel.

  “Oh, for God’s sake.” Azrael throws his arms up in the air in defeat. “Home, you idiots. Aaron can take us home.”