by Scalzo, Russ
Mrs. Crowder reluctantly agreed and the two walked out the door and stood in the hallway.
Jack slowly walked over to Louise who was awake but not very responsive. He reached out, touched her hand and, in a calming tone, said, “Hi Louise. My name is Jack. I need to ask you a few questions, okay?”
Her eyes widened. She looked straight at him and responded in a low whisper. “He’s coming. That’s what it said. He’s coming.”
Jack leaned a little closer and asked, “Who is coming Louise?”
Her eyes widened and her voice trembled. “The spirit of Babylon. He’s coming.”
She continued staring at him, not blinking, not moving a muscle.
Jack knew full well what Louise meant. The spirit of Babylon was a Biblical reference meaning a spirit of rebellion. It’s the one Jack had been writing about. This spirit had a long, ugly history starting with the rebellion in Heaven when Lucifer gathered a third of the angels in an attempt to overthrow God, but was defeated and banished from heaven eternities ago. Jack knew those ancient scripts by heart.
Isaiah 14:12-13 reads, “How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."
And Ezekiel 20:14 says, “You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.”
Jack had heard all he needed to hear. He knew what he was up against. No more questions were needed.
Jack’s heart was breaking to see this young girl so distraught. He leaned in, took her hand and said in a low gentle voice, “Louise, I am going to pray for you. Okay?”
She didn’t say a word, her eyes still steadfastly fixed on him. Jack could now feel her squeezing his hand tighter and tighter, and could see and feel the desperation in her eyes. This wasn’t what Jack was known for, but nobody really knew how Jack solved all of the difficult and mysterious cases he was assigned to, except his old buddy Frank. Only he knew about Jack’s secret weapon. If anyone else found out about it, he would be labeled as a religious freak and lose all of the awesome opportunities the government sent his way.
Jack looked up towards heaven and simply said, “Father, in the name of Jesus, your son, I release this child from the bondage of evil and fear.”
Suddenly, Louise sat up. She looked around the room and then back at Jack. With tears welling up in her eyes, she grabbed onto his arm and cried, “Thank you! Oh my God! Thank you!”
Jack quickly said, “Thank God - not me.”
At that, the hospital room door flew open and in came Mr. Crowder with his wife right behind him.
Mrs. Crowder ran to Louise. “What happened? Are you alright? I knew we shouldn’t have left her alone!”
“Mom, Dad, I’m alright,” Louise said, tears streaming down her face.
“I’m not sure what happened. This man prayed for me and now I feel so much better. It’s like a door opened up and I walked out into the sunlight. ”
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Crowder turned around to say something to the mysterious man who had given her daughter back to her, but he was gone.
Jack got out of the elevator on the ground floor and headed for the parking lot. He wasn’t into hanging around. After all, he figured God did the work so how could he take any credit. Besides, he didn’t want that kind of thing to get around just yet. He had to keep his secret agent status. He was on a mission and nothing was going to get in his way. Not the seen or the unseen.
CHAPTER THREE
CJ’s Street Café was a great place to get a quick bite and a strong cup of coffee. Frank Lederman loved CJ’s because he could get out of the office, sit outside, and get some fresh air while observing the people hustling by. It was a beautiful spring day with a light breeze and warm sunshine, the kind of day that induces a heavy dose of Spring Fever.
Frank enjoyed reading people and he was good at it. That’s what made him such a good detective. He took a sip of his hot black java and patiently waited for his buddy Jack to arrive, hoping to hear some good news about his hospital visit.
Looking up, he could see Jack leisurely coming down the street. Frank shook his head and smiled. He could never quite figure out how Jack could always be so laidback and calm even in the midst of some of the most bizarre circumstances. Finally, Jack pulled out his chair and sat down across from Frank. Catching the eye of the waitress, he politely greeted her and ordered.
“Hi there. Coffee, please. Cream and sugar and an egg bagel toasted with butter. Thanks.”
Frank looked at him and teased, “You know, you should drink your coffee black. You ruin it with all that crap.”
“Is that a truth? Should I write that down?”
Frank lifted his cup in a mocking toast and said, “Funny. So what did you find out? When we got there, she wouldn’t or couldn’t talk at all. I hope you fared better.”
“Well, it is as I suspected. She was right. The thing that attacked her boyfriend wasn’t human. It was a demon.”
After all the years Frank had spent working with Jack, he kind of figured that it would be something he didn’t really want to hear about.
Sarcastically, Frank responded, “A demon. Of course! What else could it have been?” Changing his tone a bit, Frank took another sip of his coffee and asked, “What did the girl say?”
“It told her that the spirit of Babylon was coming. It’s a Biblical reference to the spirit of rebellion that, according to my research, has been growing stronger since the early 1960’s. Over the last ten years, it has grown exponentially.”
Jack paused for a moment as the waitress arrived with his coffee and bagel.
Frank took a deep breath and said, “You know I hate this crap. It gives me the creeps. Why can’t it be some madman that I can track down and put in the slammer? With you, it’s always got to be a spirit or a demon or whatever. Geez Jack - so now what?”
Jack knew he had to get Frank back to more familiar turf so he redirected, “Well, first off, I need you to pull the file on the Oslow’s. I’ve got a feeling it starts there. What do you know about these people?”
Feeling a little more at home Frank said, “It was before my time, but the story goes that they were into some strange stuff. They belonged to some weird secret society called The Sons of Marod or something like that.”
Jack interrupted, “Could it be The Sons of Nimrod?”
“That‘s it Nimrod. The Sons of Nimrod. You’ve heard of it? Wait a minute. Of course you have.”
“That explains a lot. The Sons of Nimrod are an organization based in the Middle East. They believe in a world without religion; a world where everyone is free to live any way they want - no rules, no boundaries. The Sons of Nimrod are waiting for a new world leader, one they believe is coming soon.”
Frank motioned to the waitress for a refill. “Before I ask this, I need more caffeine. So, who is this Nimrod character?”
Jack pointed at him and said, “This is why you need to read the Bible. Nimrod was the first leader and king in recorded history. The ancient historian Josephus says that it was Nimrod who excited the people of his day to have contempt for God. He was the grandson of Ham, the son of Noah. He persuaded the people not to give God credit for their lives or happiness, but to believe that it was their own courage that procured their happiness.
“He also gradually changed the government into tyranny seeing no other way of turning men from their fear of God into a constant dependence on his power. He said that he would be revenged on God if He should have a mind to drown the world again. For that, he would build a tower too high for the waters to be able to reach and so he built the tower of Babel, which was located near ancient Babylon. He promised that would avenge himself on God for destroying their forefathers.
&nb
sp; “What is even more interesting is that what Josephus has written is precisely what is found in the Gilgamesh epics. Gilgamesh also set up tyranny. He opposed God and did his utmost to get the people to forsake Him. Many believe Gilgamesh and Nimrod are actually one in the same. The name Nimrod probably has to do with the Hebrew word marad meaning ‘to be rebellious’ or ‘we will revolt.’
“All these gods were worshipped in ancient Babylon thus the meaning of what the demon told Louise: ‘The Spirit of Babylon is coming.’”
Frank soaked Jack’s words in and finally responded. “Wow! Why is it that every time I’m with you, I feel like I’m back in a class at the University?” He shook his head in disbelief and continued, “So this Nimrod or Gilgamesh guy was a real person and this organization believes he is coming back?”
Jack finished his bagel and answered, “He was a real person, however they don’t necessarily believe he is the one coming back, but rather another that will walk in his footsteps.”
“This secret organization, The Sons of Nimrod, are they mentioned in the Bible?”
“No, no one is really sure when they got started. Some say the early 1700’s.”
“So this demon thing that is or was in the Oslow House - you think it had something to do with their deaths?”
“I have no doubt. They had no idea what they were getting into. They invited the demon in and it killed them. I can’t prove it, but I’m sure that’s what happened.”
“Okay, so now we’re back to what?”
“Well, I have to pray about it, but it feels like the next step is to go back to the house.”
“Back to the house and do what?”
“Not sure, but I’m probably going to have to confront this thing.”
“Are you crazy?”
“If I do, it will be God who confronts it, not me alone. I’ll give you a call tonight and keep you updated. In the meantime, get me that file on the Oslow’s.”
“You got it.”
The two men got up from the table, shook hands, and went back to work.
CHAPTER FOUR
The local police station was jammed with the usual low-end criminals. The agency made it a priority to partner with local police to help carry out investigations and assess local and regional crime threats, so for Frank to walk in and out of the station was not unusual. They knew him well and furnished him with a place to work when he needed it. Frank walked through the chaos, sat down at his desk, logged in to the computer, and pulled up the Oslow files.
He began reading when he heard, “Hey, Frank! Where you been, man? Long time, no see.”
It was Donny Westelton. Not one of Frank’s favorites.
Donny walked up behind him and said, “The Oslow file? What the heck are you looking at that for? You Feds thinking of going cold case on us or somethin’?”
Frank swung his chair around. “Just checking a few things out, that’s all. Pretty interesting case.”
“I wouldn’t get too wrapped up in that one. That’s one case better left alone. You know what I’m saying? Unless you’re writing a book or somethin’?” Donny laughed out loud. “You writin’ a book, Frank?”
“Don’t you have a crime to solve,” Frank paused for a moment and sarcastically finished, “or somethin’?”
Donny shot him a quick flick of the chin and walked away.
From a distance, Detective Heidi Macaulay stood listening intently. She was thirty-five years old, tall, very good looking, and known for being smart and tough when the situation called for it. She waited a few minutes and then slowly walked over to Frank’s desk. She was trouble in more way than one.
“I couldn’t help but hear Donny being his normal jackass self. Checking out the Oslow murders, huh? It’s awful what happened to those two kids. Weird, right?”
Frank looked up at and thought, Wow! She looks great today but then, she always looks great.
Heidi had been after Frank ever since his divorce two years ago and even a little before that, but Frank knew it would not be a good move to get involved with a fellow cop, especially Heidi. Clearing his throat he said, “Yeah, very weird.”
“Donny is annoying, but he might be right about this one. Some things are better left alone. It was thirty years ago. The guys who worked that case aren’t even here anymore. From everything I’ve heard, it’s nothing I’d want to get into.”
Frank thought to himself. What’s this all about? Something’s not right. Why is everyone trying to push me away from this case?
He didn’t like the way it all felt. Turning back to Heidi he said, “Well, I’m not really getting into it. I’m just curious, that’s all.”
Heidi sat down on the corner of Frank’s desk and leaned in, her long brown hair falling down around her face framing her incredible green eyes. “Wanna grab some lunch today? I got some time.”
Frank took a deep breath and politely said, “I have a ton of work to do and besides, I don’t really think that would be a good idea. You know, people talk.”
“Let them talk! They’re gonna do it anyway. So what!”
“No thanks. I’m really buried.”
Heidi stood up and said, “Maybe another time?”
Frank nodded and went back to work. Once she was out of sight, he shook his head, took another deep breath and thought to himself, I gotta get outta here.
He pulled out a small USB drive, copied the Oslow file, put it in his pocket, and left. He needed to get that file to Jack ASAP. Only God knew what Jack Bennett was going to do next, and whatever it was Frank wanted to be there.
* * *
It was now six o’clock. By this hour, Jack had spent some real time in prayer. He relied on those conversations with God- for wisdom, direction, and strength. He voiced his concerns, even though God already knew them all. The silence served as the most sacred, a time to listen-mind, heart, and soul.
He now knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that he was to confront and remove the demon from the house that it had called home for over thirty years. He grabbed his Bible off the desk and headed out the door. Before Jack could get into his car, he saw Frank pulling up the driveway. He stood with his hand on the door handle and waited for Frank to get out of his car.
“Hey! I got the thumb drive with all the Oslow files. Where are you going?” Before Jack could answer he added, “Wait, are you going to the house?”
“Yeah, I have to take care of this. And Frank, I have to do it alone.”
“Are you sure? You might need backup.”
Not that Frank really wanted to be there, but he was conflicted as to what he should do. He had seen Jack do this kind of thing once before. If he hadn’t, maybe he would have pushed the issue more. He would have insisted Jack take him for backup. But he had. Frank wasn’t really a believer, but he was confident some things existed that he didn’t understand and Jack did.
Jack opened the car door and said knowingly, “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t go if I didn’t have backup.”
Frank wasn’t exactly sure what he meant by that, but knowing Jack he had a pretty good idea.
He tossed the USB drive to Jack who caught it and got into his car. Jack gave him a reassuring nod and smile, and headed off to do what God had called him to do - confront the demon at the Oslow House.
CHAPTER FIVE
The sun was nearly done for the day and darkness was slowly taking over the night when Jack pulled up in front of the Oslow House. He turned off the car, sat there for a moment, and said a silent prayer. He opened up his Bible to a chapter he knew well, 2 Corinthians 10, and read verses three and four out loud.
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, the weapons we have been given have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
Jack knew this was a major stronghold that needed to be torn down and destroyed. It had cost two very foolish people and one naive and rebellious young man their lives. Jack also knew
that the influence of this kind of evil was not limited to this one house, but was affecting the whole town. Strengthened by his faith and the gifts God had given him, he opened the car door and headed for the front door.
He slowly pushed the heavy wooden door open and walked in. Looking around, he could now sense a cold dampness emulating from the stairway to the second floor. He knew he didn’t have to find the demon because the foul creature would come to him.
Suddenly, he heard a loud anguishing scream and then, there it was. It was ten feet in front of him hovering over the lower landing of the stairway. Jack could feel a new strength coming over him - one he had come to rely on and expect. The demon’s eyes glowed a reddish orange and, rearing back its head and opening its mouth wider than what seemed possible, it let out an awful sound that started out low and deep, and ascended to a high pitch squeal that nearly broke what was left of the glass panes in the windows. The sound even shook the pictures left hanging on the wall. Jack knew it would do all it could to strike fear into his heart, hoping it would overwhelm and paralyze him, preventing him from completing his mission.
Finally it spoke. “Jack Bennett! This is MY home. I was invited here and here is where I’m going to stay! You can’t move me. I’m not like the others you have dealt with. I am a prince. I have dominion in this area.”
Jack suddenly felt a new presence enter the room. It was strong and powerful and it was growing stronger by the second. Feeling his faith rise up, Jack gathered himself with renewed confidence, stood firm, and declared, “I did not come here in my own strength and I did not come here to talk, but to remove you from this place. In the name of Jesus the Christ, the son of the living God, I bind your power and the Lord Himself casts you from this place. Be gone from here!”
At that, the demon let out a howl, the likes of which Jack had never heard before. It swirled around the room, stopped right in front of him- mere inches from his face, let out an even louder roar, shot up through the ceiling, and was gone.
