Broken (Endurance)

by Thomas, April

  "Of course not. I love him too much."

  "You know most couples have this talk before they get married," Tamarius teased.

  "Yeah, you’d think I would have learned that the first time," Maxwell joked.

  Tamarius smiled at his brother's remark. "Give it another try. You had Max young. Wouldn't it be great to have a child with the woman you love?"

  "Yeah. She said she would only want one child, maybe two depending on if she feels she could handle parenthood."

  "One thing that always amazes me with women is how they will blossom into a mother the instant their baby is placed in their arms." Tamarius thought of his wife.

  "I miss Mom," Maxwell said as he thought about what his brother had said.

  "She was a great woman."

  "We should get some sleep. It's going to be rough." Maxwell made himself comfortable and closed his eyes.

  Tamarius looked out the window and gazed over the ocean. He reclined his seat and fell into a deep, yet troubled sleep. He couldn’t understand his dream and when he awoke he couldn’t remember anything about his dream.

  It was around noon when they arrived at the mansion. Neither looked forward to what lay ahead. They decided to enter through the back way. In the family’s secret wing they met with Archangel Michael. The room had been converted into an efficient military bunker where Michael, Gabriel and Lahael stood around an architectural drawing of the Martinez mansion.

  Maxwell and Tamarius instantly fell right into place and gathered around the mansion's layout with the angels. "We will need to secure these secret passages." Michael instructed.

  "They have already gained entry into the home," Lahael replied.

  "I'm more concerned about the portals they keep opening up," Gabriel stated.

  "Maxwell and Tamarius, you need to go prepare yourself." Michael instructed.

  They nodded and walked away. After they’d finished meditating and praying, Lahael approached them with two new swords in his hands. "Give me your old swords."

  Maxwell and Tamarius handed Lahael their old swords as he handed them new ones.

  "These are your upgrades." He smiled.

  Tamarius smiled as he ran his fingers along the intricate designs that ran down the blade.

  Maxwell was equally impressed as he looked at the weapon in amazement.

  "It's time." Lahael turned and walked away.

  For six nights and five days they fought Satan and his army. Maxwell moved relentlessly forward, running on pure adrenalin. When he became tired, he thought about his wife and family and he was filled with a new explosion of energy.

  Tamarius was aggressive as he tore through the horde of demons, killing as many as he could get his hands on. He didn't notice when the demon he’d been fighting with for the past few months, the Soul Reaper, stood in the midst of the chaos.

  The Soul Reaper grinned because now he knew where Makayla was. Today he would go after her. Satan's plan was to abrade their energy so that when he sent his demons after their family they would be too weak to fight back. "I will enjoy feasting on Makayla; the feel of her flesh and the taste of her blood." He growled with a show of razor sharp teeth just before he vanished.

  Tamarius stopped fighting. His heart began to pound loudly in his chest. He screamed out in pain as he was stabbed in the back and hit across the back of his head. He turned and swung his sword, but he felt lightheaded and lost consciousness. As his sword flew across the room, he fell to the floor.

  Devious

  "What day is it?" Makayla asked Cressida as they sat on the beach watching the waves crash in.

  "Saturday, the seventh," Cressida answered.

  "I feel so helpless. I hate this."

  "Yeah, but seriously, we would get them killed if we tried to... Hell, I can't fight so I would be dead, too," Cressida said.

  "I don't think I could do what they are doing," Makayla said.

  "We haven't heard from them and tomorrow will make it one week," Cressida said, looking over at Makayla.

  "Something is wrong, Cress, I can feel it," Makayla said.

  "What do you feel?"

  "I can't tell exactly, but I keep having this foreboding feeling," Makayla explained as she looked out at the shore where Max and Mei played with their son.

  "Did you pray about it?" Cressida asked.

  "Yeah, I did."

  "Then don't worry. God knows best," Cressida replied.

  "I just married the man of my dreams. What if...?"

  "Don't even go there. If this family were to lose Tamarius... I can't even think about it."

  "That’s what I’m afraid of," Makayla whispered

  Cressida looked at Makayla who seemed to be miles away. She thought about what she was saying and began to think about her own husband. What if they lost both of them? "Kay, this is serious." Cressida was not even aware she had spoken out loud.

  Makayla looked at her realizing that she just shattered her peace. "I’m sorry. I shouldn't... we need to stay positive." She struggled to find the right words to say.

  "No, it was only a matter of time before reality came back again," Cressida said.

  They grew quiet as they watched Uriel running by, laughing as his father chased him along the beach. It was three in the afternoon and Makayla felt restless with her thoughts. "I'm going to take a walk. I need to clear my head." Makayla got up and dusted the sand off of her arms and legs.

  "Okay, I'll be here," Cressida replied.

  Cressida watched Makayla walked off and take the path that led into the woods. Her mind wandered back to her last conversation with Maxwell. She’d told him she wanted to have kids. Something they should have spoken of before. Maxwell seemed reluctant, but had listened to what she’d had to say. Right now she just wanted to see his face again. She didn't care if he wanted more kids or not, she just needed to hear his voice again.

  Makayla walked along the path, enjoying the solitude of the lush green forest. She stopped occasionally to stretch her back. Since the day before Makayla had been getting back pains, and had assumed her period had finally arrived. She continued walking, ignoring the slight cramps that came and went.

  She was unaware of the demon watching her in the distance as she walked deeper into the forest. She made sure to stay on the path so as not to get lost. She found a spot where she could relax for a while as her stomach and backache became more painful. Realizing she had to get back to take some pain killers and relax, she started to make her way back to the vacation home.

  Suddenly Makayla was hit with a sharp pain in her stomach. She doubled over, holding her breath for a long moment. She breathed heavily as the pain passed. These are the worst cramps I have ever had, she thought.

  She straightened up and looked up into the trees. Someone was watching her. She could feel it in every fiber of her being. She walked quickly, the sense of being followed propelling her forward. Her brisk pace was halted by another wave of pain. She went down to her knees, holding her stomach with both hands as she groaned in pain. "What is happening?"

  "Hello, Makayla."

  Makayla turned to look behind her. Soul Reaper stood there gazing at her with a vile grin. She froze as her mind searched for an exit route.

  ***

  Maxwell held his brother's head and screamed out for help. Blood was everywhere and Tamarius was not responding. Raphael came quickly to Tamarius' side while other warring angels encircled them, forming a protective barrier. Maxwell struggled to hold it together as he looked upon his brother’s lifeless body. Raphael and his assisting angels worked quickly on Tamarius, pulling his spirit back.

  "Is he...?" Maxwell began, not being able to say the words.

  Raphael work feverishly on Tamarius. "Maxwell, I need you to step back," he said as an angel helped Maxwell to his feet. Raphael placed both hands on Tamarius’ chest, sending a bolt of energy through him. Tamarius immediately sat straight up and began coughing.

  Maxwell pushed through the angels, grabbing his brot
her and hugging him. "I thought I’d lost you," Maxwell cried.

  "What happened?" Tamarius asked. "Where's Makayla? I just saw her in the forest?"

  "Can you stand?" Raphael asked Tamarius.

  "I think so." He stood, wavered a moment then steadied himself.

  "Take a deep breath." Raphael placed his hand over Tamarius' lungs. "How do you feel?"

  "I feel... good," Tamarius mumbled.

  "Physically?" Raphael replied, knowing he was worried about his wife.

  Suddenly there was a loud boom of thunder and a bright crack of lighting that seemed to erupt on the back patio where everyone was fighting. Out of the lighting bolt walked Archangel Uriel, dressed all in white. He walked directly to Archangel Michael and spoke to him in an angelic language unknown to men. They both walked over to where Tamarius, Maxwell and Raphael stood.

  "Tamarius, Maxwell, you both must come with me," Uriel spoke quickly.

  "Wait," Lahael yelled as he approached them. He handed Tamarius his sword. "No matter what, do not lose sight of your sword in battle. If you don't know where it is, you will not be able to retrieve it."

  Tamarius nodded as he took the sword then followed Uriel who seemed very upset about something. Uriel, Michael and Gabriel all walked Maxwell and Tamarius to the makeshift bunker in the family’s secret wing. When they were safely inside, Uriel turned to face everyone.

  "While Satan was pleading his case to God, he sent a spy to follow you guys. He now knows where your family is hiding and has sent the Soul Reaper to destroy your family.

  "I need to get there now!" Tamarius yelled, thinking about his wife.

  Without hesitation Uriel walked over to Tamarius and Maxwell. He took a hold of their arms and a bolt of lighting shot up from the ground as all three disappeared.

  Michael looked at Gabriel and smiled. "Let's keep up the charade. You look like Maxwell and I will look like Tamarius."

  "I like your strategy." Gabriel smiled and changed his appearance to look like Maxwell. Michael did the same as they ran back out to battle Satan's army. Michael and Gabriel fought together and made sure Satan did not realize they had discovered his devious plan.

  Portal

  Max laughed as he chased his son around the beach, enjoying his silly little run. Mei relaxed next to Cressida enjoying the warmth of the sun. Makayla had been gone for an hour and Max made sure to keep a mental note of that. He felt he had to be protective over all the women in his family while his father and uncle were away. As Max grabbed his son and tickled his belly causing the boy to laugh uncontrollably, he was hit with a blinding vision. He set his son down and fell to his knees.

  Max could see Makayla in trouble. Without any further thought, Max screamed at Mei to watch Uriel. He took off and ran down the path Makayla had taken.

  Alarmed, Mei rushed to pick up her son who now stood crying, frightened by his father's sudden departure.

  Cressida walked up to Mei. "What happened?"

  "I don't know, but something has to be wrong with Kay. He's heading in her direction."

  "We should get inside." Cressida looked up at the sky. A very bad storm was coming.

  Before they could make it inside, a loud boom of thunder echoed over the water and a brilliant flash of lighting blazed over the ocean. Cressida and Mei stared in amazement as a tall angel appeared out of the lighting. On either side of him were Tamarius and Maxwell. All three ran across the top of the water and arrived onto the shore where Mei and Cressida stood. Archangel Uriel smiled at little Uriel who cheered wildly in his mother’s arms. He walked up to him and placed his forehead against the baby's, sending him warm and loving energy.

  "Everyone needs to get inside." Maxwell walked up to his wife and gave her a quick hug.

  "Where is Makayla?" Tamarius asked.

  "She went for a walk," Mei said. "But Max just ran off to look for her. We don't know why."

  "I will stay with them and protect your family. Go and get Makayla now!" Archangel Uriel yelled. He led Cressida and Mei back to the vacation home.

  Maxwell and Tamarius vanished and reappeared standing next to Max, who was stooped looking at some tracks.

  "What is it son?" Maxwell asked, approaching him.

  Max spun around, happy to see his father and uncle, but his joy was short lived as his mind quickly returned to thoughts of Makayla. "I don't know. I can't figure this out. These are Makayla's tracks, but whose are those?" Max pointed to the tracks that led to where it appeared that Makayla had stopped to rest.

  "Makayla!" Tamarius screamed, thinking the worse.

  Max walked a few feet off the path to see more tracks. One was a set of footprints while the others were drag marks. "Unk!" Max pointed to the tracks and all three men quickly began following the tracks to see where they led.

  ***

  Makayla fought her attacker aggressively, hitting him with a large rock over his head. When he groaned in pain and fill backwards, she took off running through the woods only to be yanked back by her long dark hair. She was slammed to the floor and gasped for air as the wind was knocked out of her. The demon straddled her when she began kicking and screaming. She clawed at his arms and legs.

  He laughed. It was a deep, demonic roar that caused fear to course through Makayla. She wouldn't let him rape her again, even if it killed her.

  The demon bent over her, and used his long black slimy, scaly tongue to slowly lick her face. Makayla screamed as she beat on his chest. She reached up and shoved her finger into his left eye socket. He flew off her, screaming in pain. Makayla jumped up and ran, and this time she could hear her name being called from somewhere in the distance.

  She stopped and turned around. The demon was still cursing and covering his eye. He stopped when he heard Makayla's name being called again. He looked at her and knew she was unsure as to what to do. He scrambled towards her and she instinctively began running again. He chased her, leaping from tree to tree right next to her. He was enjoying every minute. Makayla stopped and changed her direction, attempting to make it more difficult for him to follow her.

  She was so focused on survival that she didn't feel her last three contractions. The demon

  laughed, certain of his victory.

  Tamarius got a glimpse of his wife running through the woods. "Stop, guys. She's over there," he said to his brother and nephew.

  "What should he do?" Max asked breathlessly.

  "I will cut her off. It looks like she's running in a circle. Maxwell and Max, cut off that demon. I’ll get her somewhere safe. Hold him off until I get there," Tamarius said before vanishing.

  "I got to learn that." Max watched his uncle vanish.

  "Come on. We need to move fast." Maxwell ran past his son then vanishing also.

  Tamarius appeared in front of Makayla and caught her in his arms. He pulled her out of sight as the demon flew past them. Makayla was breathless as she held onto him. "Are you hurt?" Tamarius pushed her back and inspected her. He could see cuts and scratches on her arms and legs.

  Makayla grabbed her stomach and shut her eyes tightly as she tried to fight back against the pain she felt. Warm liquid flowed between her legs and pooled at her feet.

  "Not now," Tamarius groaned.

  She doubled over in pain, muffling her own scream, but it was too late. The demon had heard her and realized he’d been fooled. He jumped out of the tree and turned to back track his steps. He was hit across the back of the head and fell to his knees.

  Max stood behind the demon with a large tree log in his hands. Maxwell caught up to him and watched in amazement. "Good job, son." He patted Max on the back.

  "Yeah, but we need to kill him." Max didn’t take his eyes off of the demon, but stood waiting for him to make another move.

  Maxwell put out his hand and his sword appeared. Just as he was about to stab the demon, the beast disappeared only to reappear a few feet a head of them, running sluggishly. They ran after him and tackled him to the floor.

  Again he vani
shed and reappeared further ahead of them.

  ***

  "How do you feel?" Tamarius asked his wife.

  "I don't know. Something is wrong. My back and my stomach hurt so bad. Maybe my appendix?" Makayla doubled over in pain.

  Tamarius knew what was happening and needed to get her back to the house, but he could not teleport with her. He could only teleport himself. He picked up his wife. "Everything is going to be okay. You are about to give birth." He carried her out of their hiding spot only to come face to face with the demon who was being chased by his brother and nephew.