by R. J. GREEN
Along the bank of the river Johnny P and Detective Mullson headed upstream, following three sets of footprints plastered in the mud — two pairs of boots and a barefoot with a trace of blood. The river winded vigorously through the valley. They were on the right trail, but they had no idea. Mullson got excited and raced ahead. Further up the path the foot prints had disappeared, but they continued to follow tiny pieces of clothing placed at random as if to mark the trail.
Assassin #1 stood eying the man who’d been tailing their tracks. He knew everything about Mullson: his secrets, passions, the selfless love for his family. The last time they met he got embarrassed by a wardrobe malfunction. Behind, Engulf left the assassin to do his dirty bidding, he could have easily snap a finger and get the work done himself, but with the Mullsons twin, things were a bit more complicated. As powerful as Engulf was he feared the prophecy, but would not admit.
Mullson stopped after spotting a man who seemed threatening and fitted an arrow in his bow then aimed to the side. Johnny P finally came tumbling into Mullson who’d come to a standstill. They shuffled towards the man.
“That's him,” said Johnny P, pointing towards the assassin.
“I know,” whispered Mullson, not fully comprehending.
“You're a real nice guy,” said Johnny P. “If that was my house he burnt down, I would smoke him like a piece of bacon. I'm still goanna smoke that mother-fucker for killing ma boys.”
Detective Mullson’s eyes focused on the assassin, anger raged through his body, he’d just realized what Johnny P was referring to.
“My mother fucking house?” he said.
“Yes your mother excuse me house,” Johnny P repeated, “You better whop his ass.”
Further up trail Engulf had just darted around a bend; Anna who’d being under his spell followed like a zombie. Her hands and feet were no longer bound. In her head she heard voices of her father and her boyfriend Johnny, but couldn’t respond.
Engulf came to an open area, off in the distance luscious green hills seemed to touch heaven, and most notable were the excessive numbers of butterflies fluttering across the plain.
“Tell daddy goodbye you sweet little thing,” Engulf told her. His words were followed by darkness devouring the day that became night.
Mullson wondered what was happening as he stared at the sky. Johnny P must have been thinking the same thing too, but there was no time to figure, the assassin came charging toward them. Mullson pointed his arrow, a little too late, a fist connected his midriff sent him sprawling. Johnny P became dazed after a kick to the head jerked his brain. The assassin kicked and punched, Mullson and Johnny P kept getting up, over and over. The assassin pointed a small gun at Detective Mullson and fired.
In a flash Johnny P dove before Detective Mullson when he spotted the gun.
CHAPTER 19
At a section of the woodland dominated by ciders and oaks, Jack confronted a man hidden among the shadows. A ray of light glistened through the trees as the sun passed above, the cool morning breeze faded, birds stop chirping, no more dogs growling, as if nature took a break.
“You seem to forget who we are,” said Agent Hill, his fierce eyes scanned Jack’s every move.
“I’m still in command!” Jack bellowed.
Agent Hill chuckled. “Not anymore,” he teased. “Why don't you cut me in on the deal and I might reconsider,” more evil chuckles.
“Remember your girlfriend.”
“You killed Agent McKoy, didn't you?”
“What difference does it make?” said Agent Hill. He began to laugh out of control. “She will still find time for you in hell.”
“You just got the devil crossed,” Jack whispered. “Bad move mister-”
Agent Hill punched Jack, launching him through the air, before he got a chance to break his fall he hurled him in another direction. Jack bounced off a tree and hit the ground with a thud. He got up and they fought, with incredible strength and speed, the forest trembled beneath their feet.
Jack disappeared.
An object the size of a bullet penetrated Agent Hill and ricocheted off his ribs, crushing them, the flesh beneath his skin began to eat away. Only two people in the universe could have done what had been happening to him, God and —
The day had turned into night as predicted. The knife Engulf lost and had been seeking must be driven into the heart of his father for Engulf to become the leader of the fire world. Agent Hill was promised second in command, but all his power got consumed by someone more powerful than he’d imagined, and he realized that bastard was tricking them all along. His mind raged with furry, how could this happen?
“Impossible!” he yelled, before his lifeless body hit the ground—
Within the carcass something moved from the chest to the bowel, as if alive. The skin busted open and an angel with horns towering above his head emerged and stood tall.
“Jack is back,” his voiced thundered. He was given a second chance to reign over his kingdom, for that he was grateful, and the twisted sacrifice by mankind showed him how unpredictable human nature can be. He clinched his fists and looked to the sky, anxiously awaited to exert his presence, but first he must warn the others, at the dark sky he pointed and day returned.
Earlier darkness clouded the morning sky, Father Johnson, Pastor James, Mrs. Mullson and her mother were all worried. Inside the church they sat waiting. Father Johnson begged the lord for more time, he knew what must be done to level the playing field; three years ago Father Andrew let him in on a secret, one which haunted Father Johnson ever since.
Father Johnson ran his fingers along the edge of a knife, the one Engulf lost in Anna’s room, Satan’s knife. He sensed the end was near, the warm blood rushing through his veins doubled as he raised the knife to his chest, all he thought about — piercing his heart with this particular knife will set evil free. Well, only a myth for now.
Everybody had panic written all over their faces when they spotted Father Johnson raise the knife to his chest. “Please don't!” Mrs. Mullson pled.
“There is no other choice,” said Father Johnson, his mind already made up. “I have to join Father Andrew.”
“Setting the devil free is not an option!” Pastor James yelled at Father Johnson, he’d read a passage from the book ‘Secrets to Life.’
“The prophecy must be fulfilled,” said Father Johnson, before driving the knife into his own heart.
Johnny P had a burning sensation rushing from his chest to his abdomen that intensified by the seconds, a blurry vision had him staggering. On the ground, in a puddle of blood he rolled and groaned, till he passed out.
Detective Mullson stooped over and pressed his palms against Johnny’s midriff, in the meantime glimpsing at the assassin from the corner of an eye. The gushing blood began to subside.
“Stay awake!” said Mullson, slapping Johnny P’s face, over and over.
The assassin stared at them, one down one to go. Mullson grabbed his bow; the assassin fired at Mullson and hit him square in the right arm causing him to drop the bow.
Detective Mullson bit down on his teeth, an excruciating pain made him paralyzed, but he fought and set himself free. With another attempt he fit a special arrow with razor sharp teeth aligning the length of the body in the bow; while running towards the assassin he aimed with deadly intent.
Having done many tricks in circuses before, the assassin braced himself as the arrow rocketed toward him, this should be easy, he thought. As the arrow neared his chest he got a grip, real firm, only this time something went strangely wrong — several of his fingers went flying, his chest and back ripped opened. He came towards Mullson.
They continued to fight till they were breathless. Mullson, with a burst of extraordinary strength, destroyed his opponent.
Peace at last for the soul of the assassin who’d being roaming the earth for the past thousand years, he realized Mullson was the chosen one to rid the earth of fallen angels, one of the few humans who possess
es the gift to change the universe, the last hope for mankind, if they believe... As the assassin’s life wiggled away he stretched his hand to give Mullson an envelope he’d been hiding in an inside pocket of his trench coat.
“Save yourself,” he whispered.
Thinking he was trying to pull a quick one, Detective Mullson ignored the envelope. In his head a glimpse of his enemy flashed — a ninja assassin who jumped from a sixth floor window and lived to fight another day. But, why was the stranger after him and his family?
The man died with an outreached arm.
Detective Mullson flicked away the envelope and tore it open; inside he found a picture of Nina and himself entering a hotel room. All along somebody had been stalking him, yet he had no clue. He dropped the envelope, tiny pieces of cloth, resembling those on the trail, scattered on the ground. He shredded the picture to pieces.
“Thank you whoever you are,” he said, looking down at the man he just killed.
Johnny P stirred for the first time since being unconscious. “Go get Anna,” he said, to Mullson. “I will be okay.”
Without hesitating, Mullson scurried ahead, totally forgetting his bow and arrow. He wound around a bend and spotted Engulf shoving Anna to the ground. Mullson’s heart raced, he ground his teeth, but tried to show no sign of anger.
“Why are you doing this to us?” he asked as he edged towards Engulf. “I don't even know you.”
Engulf eyed Mullson coldly. “Does the name Engulf ring a bell?” he said, followed by an evil laugh that had goose bumps popping up at the back of Mullson’s neck. “Where is my knife?”
“What knife?” Mullson replied.
Engulf extended his arms, palms up, and rose them toward the sky; Anna’s enervated body hoisted simultaneously to him raising his arms, she laid high above the ground as if held by some sort of invisible force. “Now that I’ve got your attention-” Engulf threatened Mullson.
“Please don't,” Detective Mullson pleaded while gaping at his daughter, “I’m telling the truth. I don’t know what you're talking about!”
Engulf dropped his hand to his side. Anna plummeted to the ground where she laid unconscious.
Detective Mullson rushed to her aid, but got tossed in the opposite direction by Engulf’s supernatural power, and hit his head against a tree. When he jumped to his feet the place spun like he’d just exited a merry-go-round, blurry images of his enemy stood watching. Mullson touched a spot on his head, painful at first, where blood spurted from a wound.
Humans were considered inferior to his kind, but this Mullson man Engulf admired for his perseverance, maybe he got lucky against the assassin, the thought had crossed his mind.
Mullson sprinted toward Engulf and fought with all his might, but the invincible Engulf dominated, effortlessly.
“I'm going to teach you how to become a man,” Engulf jeered, “Just the way I taught your brother.”
A battered Mullson tried to control the anger raging inside him; glancing over his shoulder he spotted his daughter lying still, tears trickled down his cheeks. Clenching his jaws and fists he moved closer to Engulf.
“The time has come,” Mullson whispered.
“I will not quit until I rule heaven and earth!” Engulf bellowed.
“That which was united will now be broken.”
Engulf chuckled an evil laugh. “The prophecy,” he blurted. “Fairy tales have no place in my world.”
Blood trickled from Mullson’s eyes.
“Look into my eyes,” he said; all along he thought he was oozing tears.
Engulf staggered.
“Impossible!” he said.
Mullson used his hands and wiped away what he initial thought were tears.
“His power is useless,” he whispered to himself, after he saw a confused Engulf backing away, yet he didn’t figure what was slowing him.
A horrendous pain ran through Engulf’s body whenever Mullson punched him. A pair of wings shredded his upper clothing as they emerged from his back.
“Keep that blood away from me!” a terrified Engulf pleaded.
Mullson grabbed one of Engulf’s wings and pulled with all his might till he ripped it from his back; he did the same to the remaining wing. Engulf pierced the air with a high-pitched cry, demons departed his body; souls of those who he’d conquered were free at last.
“How does it feel to be disloyal?” Jack’s voice echoed from the woods.
“Help me father!” screamed Engulf.
“Couldn't have said it better,” said the voice, amongst the shadows.
The devil came swiftly toward Engulf and whisked him away, they disappeared.
Detective Mullson stood transfixed. “This can’t be,” he said. He went and stooped by his daughter who was still unconscious.
Jason, with his head reattached, appeared out of thin air and stood tall. His wing span extended more than fifteen feet. Mullson hoped this man came in peace. Jason moved closer.
“You have the power to do whatever you wish,” he said, extending an arm, “But only once will it be granted.”
A smile beamed across Mullson’s face as he shook Jason’s hand. The stranger tapped Anna on her forehead before vanishing. Anna jumped to her feet and wondered where the three little boys went. She had no recollection of Engulf, the roaring river, Annie Palmer or the bloody water. In Anna’s mind, she was still enjoying the peaceful Sunday evening, but it felt weird, as if it was morning. Her clothes were raggedy, her flip-flops nowhere to be found.
“Dad,” she said, when she spotted her father. “What are you doing here?”
He gave her a big hug. “Long story,” he replied.
CHAPTER 20
In Montego Bay evening had approached. Mullson, with Johnny P braced against his chest, rushed toward Pastor James’s church. Anna followed closely. When Mullson got to the church he placed Johnny P on a patch of grass. Pastor James spotted them and came to assist. Johnny P’s condition worsened; whenever he became unconscious it was for a much longer period.
Mrs. Mullson’s face beamed with excitement as she ran toward Anna; she hugged her daughter, joyful tears flooded her cheeks. “I will never leave you again,” she said, “I promise.”
Anna was glad to see her mother. “I'm okay mom,” she said, rushing to get back to Johnny P.
“Are you sure my child?” asked her grandmother.
“I will be okay grandma,” said Anna. After giving her grandmother a hug she came and stood by Johnny P. “Why are they taking so long?” she continued, sounding hysterical.
Johnny P began to quiver out of control, as if undergoing shock.
“Everything’s gonna be alright my son,” said Magarette.
“Please don't leave me,” Anna wept, “I love you boo…”
A pickup roared in the backdrop, out yonder Detective Mullson spotted it heading his direction.
“Where is the blasted ambulance?” he said…
Along a windy and narrow country road, an old Chevy four by four pickup raced toward the town. Hills painted green with vegetation dominated the backdrop, at both side of the road trees towered, flowers and ferns flourished, straight ahead, at the bottom of a hill, the sea seemed to touch the sky. A few children, barefoot, scurried along a path leading from the road to a river below; the thundering horn of the pick had a handcart driver tucked away in a patch of bush, near a bend.
At the back of the truck, Detective Mullson and Pastor James sat tending to Johnny P who’d been crouching on the floor.
Anna, Mrs. Mullson and her mom were stuffed inside the truck next to Mr. Busy.
“Oh my God!” said Anna.
Mr. Busy swung the truck right, barely missing a dog standing in the road.
“I am a very successful businessman,” he bragged. At the main road he made a right turn in the left lane. “I man control the bus service, the car service… even the ambulance service.”
Anna chewed away at her finger nails.
Mrs. Mullson, who was i
n no mood for chitchat, glanced at the odometer approaching eighty-five kilometer per hour. “Step on it you punk!” she said, to Mr. Busy.
The truck gave a sudden burst of energy as it sped through the town, made a sharp right, and ahead approached the hospital. Mullson and Pastor James battled the wind to prevent falling from the back of the truck.
The truck swung around and backed up to the front entrance of the hospital. A sudden downpour sent them dashing towards the entrance, a nurse signaled a porter to wheel the patient to the operating room.
Inside the hospital, for the past three hours, Detective Mullson and his family had been waiting in the crowded lobby. They sat on chairs shoved against the wall. Anna shook out of control, she hugged her grandmother.
Magarette rested her head against her husband’s chest and listened to his heartbeat. “Your mom would be proud of you,” she said, rubbing a hand against his rock-hard chest.
“If they hadn't murdered her,” he blurted.
Mrs. Mullson’s jaws dropped. “Thought she died in labor?”
“That’s what I thought… let’s not talk about it.”
“Where is Jack?”
Mullson looked serious for a moment, his heart pounded faster, sweat splattered over his forehead, his fingers began to twitch out of control — he was quite certain Jack was alive. His voice echoed from the woods, but the figure that came and snatched away Engulf had horns jutting from the forehead like a Texas Long Horn Bull, blazing eyes, and wings extending more than fifteen feet across. Mullson recalled how he couldn’t move for fear.
