Ghostly Realm - Not Even Death Could Separate Them

by Cindy J. Kelley

  Abigail’s heart hammered in her chest with fear. Devon had never spoken to her like that before and she was scared. She peeked her head around him and looked again towards the dark water as Devon spread his legs wider in the sand and secured his balance. She gripped the back of his shirt tightly afraid to let go.

  Devon and Abigail’s gaze was riveted several feet out into the water where a dark mass appeared just under the surface. The water unnaturally churned and twirled around as something was moving underneath the water.

  Devon sensed something evil and he quickly turned around and gripped Abigail by her arms forcefully. “Run back up the path, NOW! I’ll follow as soon as I can!” He gave her a little shove and she stumbled back and put her hand to her mouth in fear.

  “Dev...” She said fearfully.

  “Go!” He yelled and Abigail turned and ran towards the path they had just walked down from. She stopped up the path a little ways and hid behind a large tree and peered around it to watch the scene below, frozen in fear. Her trembling hand covered her mouth to keep herself from screaming as she watched with wide frightened eyes. She was afraid for Devon’s life and didn’t know what was happening.

  Devon watched as the water churned more ferociously. He caught the scent of death and decay and he knew whatever was rising up out of the water was not of this world. He took a few steps back and braced himself. Out of the water slowly rose a most hideous foul creature. It’s head and powerful shoulders emerged first with a thunderous roar so loud that it shook Devon to his core. On it’s head was long tangled and twisted red hair that hung down in front and to the sides of the creature. It’s face was twisted and demonic, it’s leather-like skin covered its skeletal facial bones. It’s cheekbones were exposed as if the skin rotted off, exposing the bone beneath. It’s beard and mustache hung as long as it’s hair and was the same red. It’s distorted mouth hung wide open, it’s long jagged razor sharp teeth flashed as the dirty Mississippi water poured from it’s mouth as it arose as if in slow motion. Massive muscular yet skeletal arms spread wide open as it rose completely out of the water. It wore a semblance of pirate clothing, dark brown tattered leather pants and black boots that came up to it’s bony muscular legs, spikes extended from each side of its boots. It hoovered on the churning water and it’s solid black sunken in eyes glared down right into Devon’s blue ones.

  “I have found you at last, you bastard!” The demon roared loudly, it’s fetid breath blew in Devon’s direction.

  “What do you want with me?” Devon yelled back.

  “Your soul!” The demon rose up even higher. He pulled a long whip out, it’s length was made of black living smoke. He raised it high above it’s head and snapped it down onto Devon, wrapping him in it’s evil coiled grasp.

  Devon’s body tensed and began to glow a bright violet aura and the whip released it’s grip on him. The demon roared as it raised the whip again, cracking it in the air several times and then forcefully aimed it again at Devon’s body. The black smoke thong tightened on Devon’s body more tightly. Devon fought it harder, his body twisted as he struggled against it and again he forced the thong to release him.

  The demon started to pull the whip back to himself again but Devon grabbed ahold of the tangible black smoke and wrapped his fist around it several times and jerked it with a mighty pull. The demon was caught off guard and the handle of the whip was pulled from his long bony hand.

  “You’ll not take my soul today you vile creature!” Devon shouted as he stepped on the tail of the whips black smoke to keep it from trying to wrap around him again.

  The demon rose up higher and thundered down in a mighty voice. “Don’t you recognize your own brother? This isn’t over yet, Devon!” Devon watched in dawning horror as the demon sank back down into the water and disappeared. The whip that he was gripping dissipated and evaporated into the gentle breeze as if it never existed.

  Devon walked to the waters edge and looked to the spot the demon, who was once his half brother Eric, disappeared. The water was calm and he couldn’t see anything under the surface.

  He ran down the beach towards the path where Abigail went and he saw her step out from behind the tree with a dazed and shocked expression on her face. He didn’t have time to explain as he grabbed her hand and pulled her along with him as he ran up the path to her car.

  “Get in, let’s go!” Devon shouted as he helped her into the driver’s seat and shut her door then walked around the car and got into the passenger side and shut the door. Abigail fumbled fearfully for her car keys and then started to cry. “What the fuck was that?” She cried in panic as she finally pulled the car keys from her pocket and inserted the keys with shaking fingers into the ignition. She started the car and glanced at Devon. He was looking towards the path they just came from with a shocked expression on his face. “Devon!” She shouted. “What was that back there?” She asked in a panic filled voice.

  His attention on the path was interrupted with his name being shouted and he looked at Abigail. He saw how scared she was and tried to be calm but it was hard. He had to protect her and he knew they were’nt out of danger yet. He would calm her down later, right now they had to go! “Just go Abby! It could come back, we have to leave NOW!!” He said firmly.

  Chapter Ten

  Abigail backed the car up and turned around and drove down the dirt road that led to the secondary highway and peeled out as she turned left out onto the road. Neither of them spoke the whole way to her apartment. Abigail had a million questions she needed Devon to answer for her. She’d never been so frightened in her life. When she saw the hideous creature wrap his whip around Devon she thought surely he would die somehow or be taken away from her.

  Devon’s mind raced with a million thoughts. My brother is a demon and wants my soul? Why? Why God, why? He thought to himself.

  They arrived at her apartment building and she parked her car underground in her assigned spot and turned off the ignition. She tried hard to collect her thoughts. They both got out of the car and took the elevator silently up to her apartment and went inside.

  As soon as they were inside and Devon locked the door, Abigail couldn’t remain silent any longer. “Dev...” She began as tears flowed down her cheeks. “That creature wanted to kill you! How could he kill you though, you’re a ghost!” She put her hands over her face and cried hysterically as the horrific scene played over and over in her mind. “He said he wanted your soul! That he was your brother?” She couldn’t control her hysterics and began to hiccup as she cried.

  Devon walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her and she clung to him and cried harder. He was just as concerned and scared. What if he finds me with Abby? I’m not sure I could protect her. He thought as he held her. “Abby, my love,” He said, trying to make his voice sound soothing but it came out scared. “I think it’s best that I leave.”

  Abigail clung to him tighter. “No Dev, don’t leave me!” She cried out. “I couldn’t bear it.”

  “I don’t want to, believe me. But if he finds me and I’m with you...” Devon’s voice broke off emotionally. “I don’t know if I could protect you from him and I couldn’t bear it if you were hurt...or worse.” He said as he held her closer to him. Her body trembled and he knew how afraid she was. He never felt so afraid for another person his whole life until now.

  Abigail lifted her tear stained face up and gazed into Devon’s tearful eyes. She ran her hand through his hair and gripped it tightly in a fist as she raised her mouth up to his and devoured his mouth in a heart wrenching kiss. Devon groaned as he let her claim him lovingly. She spoke hotly into his mouth as they kissed feverishly. “Please don’t leave. I would die without you.”

  Devon cried silently, his body shook and trembled at the emotions she brought out in him as he claimed all the love she gave in that kiss. His lips moved from hers to kiss along her cheek to her ear and he whispered. “God help me Abby, I can’t leave you.” His hand pressed her head to his shoulder a
nd she cried in relief as they held each other closer.

  He slowly released her when her trembling and crying quieted down. He backed away from her but held onto her arms. He looked down into her eyes as he gently squeezed her upper arms. “We have to think clearly what to do next.” Devon said seriously. He reached up and placed his hand on her cheek and she tilted her face to rest it in it as she lifted her hand and placed it over his. “I love you and I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” Devon declared. He wasn’t sure he could protect her but he prayed he would do whatever was necessary to make it so.

  Abigail took his hand and turned her face to press her lips against it and kissed it. She looked up into his eyes again. “We’ll face this together love.” She felt relief and love so strong that it gave her a lump in her throat.

  Devon led Abigail to the couch and they sat down and he held her hand in his. “God gave me the strength to defend myself the way I did tonight.” He began. “I’ve never encountered anything like that before and I had no idea what would happen.” He said with emotion.

  Abigail gave his hand a squeeze. “Do you think he will come back?” She asked worriedly.

  “Yes. He’s here to take my soul down to Hell with him.” Devon said knowing as he said it, that it was the truth.

  “What are we going to do?” Abigail asked.

  “Well dear, I think it’s pointless to run or to hide. He would find me regardless.” Devon said. But he did think of something he could do, he just wasn’t sure how she would react. “I will go back to the cottage and if you insist on going, you must stay there where you would be safe. I plan on going back down to the beach and I’m sure he will come.”

  Abigail was quick to respond. “What? You want to go back and let him attack you again?” She asked in shock.

  “He will find me anyway Abby and I’m no coward.” Devon said. “I think it’s best this way.”

  Abigail knew there was no talking him out of it. “I’m just so scared Dev.” She said in a tearful voice. She tried to be strong but the thought of losing him was overwhelming to her.

  Devon put his arm around her and pulled her close to him. “If he could have taken me down to Hell with him, he would have. I’m not sure why I feel so confident but I just feel that he won’t succeed in his evil plan against me.”

  Abigail had to be satisfied with what Devon told her. She knew Devon had a great deal of power, she saw for herself when she watched him triumph against the hideous demon that was once his brother. She didn’t trust herself to speak so she nodded her head.

  Devon gave her a smile as she looked up at him. “Besides, why would God bring us together only to let that thing come between our love?” He asked.

  “You’re right love.” Abigail said as she offered a small smile back.

  “Tomorrow we’ll go to the cottage again. I don’t want you to worry too much, I’ve always been able to take care of myself. I won’t lie and say I’m not afraid but I have a feeling that all this is happening for a reason.” Devon said, trying to assure her.

  Chapter Eleven

  The next evening Abigail and Devon drove back out to the cottage. She didn’t get very much sleep the night before, she was too worried about Devon and what could happen to him. She slept in his arms restlessly, waking up several times and Devon was there to comfort her until she would fall back into a fitful sleep. Deep down she knew this was horribly real and that it had to be played out and she was powerless to stop it.

  When they arrived, the sun was beginning to set. They went into the cottage and Devon cleared off an old chair that was still intact that was covered in dust for her to sit on. He turned and looked at her with a serious expression and she walked over to him “Abby, listen to me. You must promise me that you will stay here and not come down to the beach.” He said sternly. He had to make her understand the importance of staying right here and out of harms way. “I don’t want to have to worry that he will see you and hurt you in any way.”

  Abigail started to cry softly. “I promise Dev.”

  Devon took her into his arms. “Darling, it will be okay.” He put his fingers underneath her chin and tilted her head up and gazed into her tearful eyes. “You are so beautiful Abby. From the moment I gazed into your beautiful eyes I knew you were destined to be mine.” He lowered his lips to her eyes and kissed her tears away and then kissed his way down to her mouth and pressed his mouth to hers tenderly. He lifted his head reluctantly. “I will come back for you. I promise. Nothing will stop me from that!” He said with assurance.

  Abigail closed her eyes briefly and swallowed the lump that was in her throat. She knew there was a possibility that she would never see him again. “Dev, my love, I prayed for so long for you to come into my life. Please be careful and come back to me!” She hugged him tight.

  Devon held her tight in his arms and then he walked to the door and looked back once more. “Stay here. I’ll be back.” He said then left.

  Abigail sat down in the chair he had cleaned off for her and started to wring her hands. What if he doesn’t come back? She thought. What if his brother did win and took him to Hell with him? Calm down Abby, he’s strong, he’ll come back!

  She waited for what seemed like forever and she couldn’t stop feeling that something was wrong. She felt he should have been back by now, it had been over two hours since he left. She didn’t like not knowing what was happening. Even though Devon warned her not to go down to the beach she couldn’t stay in the cottage another minute. She swallowed her fear and left the cottage and headed towards the little path that lead down to the beach to see for herself what was going on.

  Chapter Twelve

  Devon stood silently on the beach near the spot he saw his brother the night before. He had just about given up, when he watched the water churn again and he knew his brother was about to make his appearance.

  Devon offered up a silent prayer to God, to give him strength to win the battle against him. He had faith that he would prevail but he was still afraid. He was more afraid of losing Abigail than of losing his own soul and it was that horrible thought that gave him the strength and determination to see this finished.

  The hideous creature that was once his brother rose up out of the water and Devon braced himself. The creatures piercing black eyes stared with grotesque pure hatred at Devon. He held the black whip in his skeletal bony hand, the smoky thong danced on the water causing water to splash up. “So, the bastard son grovels on hands and knees to beg for mercy!” The creature roared. He snapped his whip and it snaked out and sliced Devon across his chest knocking him down on one knee and Devon glared up at his demon brother.

  Devon struggled back up on his feet, his violet aura began to glow bright and his body grew massive than ever before. Devon’s muscles bulged and filled out as his confidence grew, he knew his spirit was impeccable and that he would win this battle. He towered as formidable as the demon.

  Damon rose up and hovered above the sandy beach at eye level with the demon. Devon’s bright blue eyes shone with ethereal light that bore into his brother’s evil black eyes. “I grovel at no ones feet especially to the likes of you!” He roared in a mighty voice as powerful beams of light radiated from his eyes and sliced through the creatures chest.

  The demon laughed grotesquely, his long sharp razor teeth snapped and gnawed as he rose his whip and snapped it at Devon’s body and it curled around him and clutched him tightly.

  Devon caught hold of the whips thong and unwrapped himself as the beams of light from his eyes focused on the demon’s hand that was holding the whips handle and severed it off. The demons hand dropped into the water and the whip went with it. The demon roared in outrage and flew at Devon, the full force of his impact knocking them both to the ground.

  The demon’s long red beard came alive and wrapped around Devon’s neck and tightened as the demon flung it’s head back and forth and slammed Devon around like a rag doll.

  A woman’s piercing scream mad
e the demon raise it’s head up. Abigail stood at the bottom of the path and the demon’s eyes narrowed. Devon heard Abigail’s scream and gripped the demon’s beard and twisted it in his fist and pulled with vigorous strength as he slung the demon aside.

  Devon ran towards Abigail to protect her but the demon pushed past him and flew at her full force. Abigail screamed again and turned to run away. The demon wrapped his living beard around her and picked her up so that she hung suspended in front of him above the ground.

  Devon’s heart stopped when he saw the evil creature pick Abigail up in it’s beard. He watched as she struggled to loosen his hold on her but it was futile.

  “NO!” Devon roared as his body slammed into the creature and it released Abigail and she dropped to the sand. The beams of light from Devon’s eyes grew hot and solid as he stabbed the creature over and over again. The hideous creature slammed Devon with a mighty fist and Devon went flying through the air and landed in the water with a heavy splash. The demon’s attention turned once again to the woman on the sand that was trying to crawl away.

  Devon rose up out of the water and saw the demon about to attack Abigail again and Devon roared so loud that Abigail covered her ears with her hands. Devon was about to attack the demon again when suddenly there was a bright white light that shone so brilliant that the demon covered his eyes with his bony arm to ward off the pain of it. Devon looked up and saw a colossal pirate angel. His wing span was enormous as he flew down to stand on the beach between Devon and the demon.

  The angel had a bright white aura all around it. When Devon’s eyes adjusted and he could see the pirate angel clearly he bowed down on one knee reverently then looked up into the warrior angel’s blue eyes. “Father?” Devon asked astounded.

  His father turned towards the demon without answering Devon and glared at his son Eric. His wings rose up and spanned even larger as the demon cowered in fear at his father’s feet. “You will come with me and face God’s judgment!” Their father declared in an ominous powerful voice. His father bent down and picked up his son Eric and wrapped him in his left wing and closed it tightly. There was no escaping his powerful hold.