by Ralph Smith
“You’ll blow the house up if you do it that way.” David said from the doorway. Unsteady on his feet he walked over, turned the dial until she heard a clicking sound, and a whoosh as the flames lit under the kettle.
“What are you doing up?” She said sternly, “You need some rest.”
“Clearly I’m keeping you from blowing us all up.” He said with a smile.
“You know what I mean,” she said disapprovingly at his attempt at humor.
He reached over, and lifted her chin with his fingers to look into her eyes. "I'm fine," he said in a gentle voice. “Thank you for taking care of me and my father.”
Suddenly she wrapped her arms around him burying her face against his chest and shoulder. He hugged her back and began gently stroking her hair.
"You gave me a good scare," she said, “I... Well for a moment…“ She stammered.
“It is alright,” he said in a soothing voice. “We’re alright now.”
She straightened up “I should go check on your father.”
David held her arm and said, “I just did. He’s still sleeping. We’ll check on him in a little while. In the meantime that tea you were about to make sounds perfect.”
They sat down at the table with their tea, and the food she had prepared. David said their prayer, and then turned to her. “Thank you for making this, that was very thoughtful of you.”
She smiled brightly, and said, “Oh it wasn’t any trouble. The hardest part was finding everything.” She enjoyed his praise, and marveled at how at ease he made her feel, in spite of what they just went through. "Tell me what happened today," she said, taking on a serious tone. “I was there, and I’m still confused. How did you know they were demons?”
“I think something happened to me the other night when I looked into the seal. Somehow I can see, and sense things I couldn’t before. I feel connected to the world in a way I can’t put into words,” David said. Then he went on to explain how, when he saw the shadows behind their eyes, he could sense the evil, and had guessed what it meant. When they saw his father, and he looked into his eyes, he could see the struggle between the dark and light. He could see that a demon was trying to possess his father, and he was losing the fight after all these years. He told her how as the demons pursued them, he felt power flow into him, and then he knew what had to be done. These demons had assumed a human form, and if he did not act quickly, and take advantage of the element of surprise, the two of them would have been no match for them.
After that, he remembered what she had said about them not being able to cross the seal. He came up with the idea that if they could get his dad across the seal, the demon in him would be forced to let go. He told her he didn’t want to say anything so the demon wouldn’t know what he was planning. It was only in those few moments before they arrived that he realized that he had to help his father hold on so the demon could not take him. The problem was that they were locked in battle, so the only choice was to hold onto both of them. He explained that he was somehow able to draw the demon partially into himself, so that when they hit the barrier all three of them would be forced to pass. He told her that the pain was excruciating and that the explosion of light had temporarily blinded him. In his last moments of consciousness, he was able to let some of his power leave him and go into his father, helping to keep him alive.
She looked at him, mesmerized by what he was saying. She was moved by the fact that he had so willingly risked his life to save them both. Because what he did not say that she knew, was that he made her sit behind him, knowing full well the risks he was going to take. When she was holding his shoulders during those final moments she felt his power envelope her, too, and it was his protection that prevented the demon from latching onto her when it was ripped from his father. If it had, she wasn’t sure what would have happened when it exploded as they crossed the seal.
“David, over the past 10 years I have been in many battles, and seen many miraculous things. What you did today was truly astounding. I think there’s much more going on than we know, and I hope your father can help us understand.”
David looked a little uncomfortable at her praise “I only did what had to be done, and I’m thankful that my guess was right. I’m so sorry that I put you at such risk. I was a fool, and could have gotten both of you killed or worse today. If you hadn’t been there, Eleanor might have finished me off. I hope you can forgive me.”
Aurora looked at him kindly, and said, “You saved my life yesterday. I suppose that makes us even then.”
David smiled at her and said, “Thank you,” then reached out to take her hand “I hope my father can help us understand, too. I think we can go, and talk to him now.” He stood up, and gathered a plate of food, and she poured him a glass of water. They headed to his room, and slowly pushed open the door. His father was lying there frail, and thin. It broke David’s heart to see him this way. He knelt down beside him, setting the plate on the end table. Aurora put her hand on his shoulder for comfort, she was afraid it was too soon, and could sense the pain it caused David to see him this way.
David gently placed a hand on his father’s shoulder and in a soft voice asked, “Dad can you hear me?” His father began to stir slightly. “Dad, it’s me, David. I’m here with you, we’re at home.” David’s voice cracked as his father’s lips moved a little, they were clearly parched. David took the glass from Aurora, and, gently lifting his head, tipped it up to his lips. He poured a little water into his mouth, and could see his father swallow.
After several small sips, his father said in barely a whisper “David,” as his eyes opened slightly. “Oh, my son, I never thought I’d see you again.”
David’s eyes filled with tears, but mustering a confident tone he said, “Dad, I’m here now, and you’re going to be alright.”
His father stirred slightly, “David, you need to call Molly.”
David repeated, “Molly. Aunt Molly?”
His father’s strength failing, he said, “Yes. Tell her the hour is at hand.” He was slipping back into unconsciousness.
“Dad, I will, I love you, and I need you. Please don’t leave me again”, he said pleading to him.
His father rallied slightly and said in barely a whisper “I know, son, and I love you too.” Then he was still again.
Aurora gently pushed David aside placing her hands on his father again. Closing her eyes she could feel that he was just too weak but that it was not over for him yet. "David he's alright," she said gently, “it’s just too soon after such a long struggle. We need to give him time.”
He looked at her, a single tear running down his face. “I was afraid I failed him.”
She took his hand and pulled him to his feet, and said, “No, David, you saved him. Whether or not he survives, you saved him from a horrible fate. But don’t give up hope yet, he may still recover.”
This time he reached out for her and rested his head on her shoulder. She held him tightly. He took a deep breath, and then stood tall, rallying himself, “It seems we have work to do, let’s go call Aunt Molly.”
She smiled at him encouragingly, “Lead the way,” she said.
He was pacing the floor waiting for her to answer as the phone rang. Aunt Molly was old fashioned. She only had one extension, and it was still a rotary phone. David didn’t call her regularly because talking to her on the phone was a challenge. She tended to shout into the receiver so you could hear her.
Seething with frustration after several minutes he looked at Aurora “if she doesn’t answer soon I’m just going to go there.” Aurora stepped closer smiling, and put a calming hand on his arm when suddenly, sound came blasting out of the phone.
“Hello, who’s calling?”
Aurora was startled at the sound, and David rolled his eyes. He didn’t understand why his father wanted him to call Aunt Molly, but he wasn’t about to argue.
“Aunt Molly, it’s me David.” He said, with as much patience as he could muster.
; “OHHHHH, David dear, how are you? It’s been a while since you called me. I was beginning to think you had a new favorite Aunt. How have you been dear? Are there any new girls in your life?”
Aurora snickered at David’s look of exasperation “Aunt Molly, something’s happened”
She cut him off “Oh! Really! Are you getting married? It’s about time you settle down dear, you need a woman in your life. You can’t live in that house all alone forever you know.”
David, getting more impatient, raised his voice to be heard “My father’s at home.”
Molly stammered, “What do you mean, your father’s at home. What are you saying David? You know how fond I am of you dear, but please spit it out.”
David said louder this time, “He said to tell you the hour is at hand. Do you know what that means?” For the first time David could remember, Aunt Molly was silent. “Aunt Molly, are you there?” He asked urgently.
In a somber tone, David had never heard before, she said, “David, would you please repeat what you just said?”
David, looking puzzled, said slowly “My father is home, and he asked me to call you, and tell you that the hour is at hand.”
There was a momentary pause, and Aunt Molly asked, “Can he come to the phone?”
“I went to visit him today, and we were attacked, so I felt the safest thing was to bring him home. After he rested a little while he spoke to me,” his voice unexpectedly cracked, “and he told me to call you, and give you that message. He’s asleep now, but he’s extremely ill. Please Aunt Molly, can you help me?” As much as he tried, he couldn’t keep the desperation out of his voice.
Suddenly Aunt Molly spoke to him with complete authority, and in such a commanding tone it shook his confidence. “David, do not leave the hours under any circumstances. Do you understand me?”
“But I don’t …”
She cut him off “David. Please do not make me repeat myself; do you understand me? “
Realizing she must have an idea what is going on he agreed, “Yes, Aunt Molly.”
She continued “Thank you. Now I need to know. Are there any people out in front of the house, and is there any chance you were followed home today?”
David walked to the window “I don’t see anyone out front, and no we weren’t followed home exactly.”
“David, this is not time to be coy, spit it out, what happened.”
David replied, preparing for a million questions, “OK, Dad was possessed by a demon, and when I forced it across the seal, the demon exploded. Other than that, no one followed us.”
After a slight pause, she said, “Good enough then. Is there anyone else with you at the house?”
Surprised at her reaction, and more so at her question he replied, “There’s a woman here, her name is Aurora, and it’s a long story.”
Aunt Molly lost her newly found composure, “What! Aurora’s already there! Dear Lord, we haven’t much time.”
David interjected, “How did you know about Aurora?” David looked at Aurora, her eyes going wide at the mention of her name.
Aunt Molly, in a sympathetic tone, said, ”I’m sorry dear. I don’t have time to explain now. In fact, we have terribly little time at all. Please follow my instructions, and I’ll be there shortly. When we hang up, go to the hearth in the living room, and light a fire. Make sure it’s good and hot, and made of hard wood. Do you understand?”
He agreed, “Yes I will.”
Aunt Molly continued “I’ll be bringing others with me, but under no circumstances should you invite anyone else in. If they cannot enter on their own, they are not one of us. Do you understand, dear?”
“Yes I do. Will you be able to help my father?”
“We’ll do everything we can. I must go right away, but I’ll explain everything when I arrive.”
He heard the receiver click as she hung up the line. He stood there silent for a moment, unsure what it all meant.
The Prophecy
Aurora looked at him anxiously waiting to hear what was said. He looked up from the phone, and turned to her, and said, “She knew you were coming, she just didn’t think you’d be here yet.”
“How did she know I was coming? We didn’t know I was coming. Who is she?”
David answered in a perplexed tone, “She’s my aunt, my father’s sister, my strange goofy aunt, who is always more worried about whether or not I meet a nice girl, or if I’m eating enough. She’s always been good to me but never interested in anything… meaningful.” David paused for a moment looking confused then said, “Oh, that’s right. She told me to make a fire. We better get to it.”
While they were getting the fire going, he told her word for word everything she said. Once the fire was burning hot, he said, “I want to check on my Dad again.”
She nodded then said, “I’m going to get us some water.”
David walked back to his father’s room, and quietly pushed open the door. He watched him and seeing that he was breathing steadily and still sound asleep, backed out of the room, and pulled the door most of the way shut. He returned to the living room to find Aurora sitting on the couch with two glasses of ice water on the table. As he sat next to her, she handed him a glass.
“Aurora, does any of this make sense to you?”
Pausing a moment to gather her thoughts, she answered, “I told you that only a true servant can create a real seal. My thought was that at least one of your parents, probably your father, is a servant. That may mean that your aunt is one too. Servants are not of this world, yet they live in it doing our Lord’s bidding.”
David was about to speak when they both were startled by a knock on the door.
David sprang to his feet with Aurora hot on his heels. He positioned himself in front of her, prepared to meet whatever was at the door first.
“Who is it?” He called to the door.
“It’s me Molly. I’m going to come in now even though you haven’t invited me so that you know I crossed the seal on my own.”
David stepped back, frantically looking around trying to come up with a plan in the event this was a trick. The door opened slowly, and to his relief Molly stood in the threshold. She was a tall, attractive woman who had aged well. Even as goofy as she was, David was always surprised she had never married. “Molly, it’s really you.” He said, stepping forward he placed his hands on her arms, and looked into her eyes. Behind them, he saw her light, and with a sigh of relief, pulled her into a hug. "I'm so glad to see you."
Squeezing him hard she said, “I’m delighted to see you too, dear, but please take me to your father. After I see him, we can talk.”
David said, “Of course, Aunt Molly. This is Aurora. She helped me rescue him.”
Molly moved over to her and gave her a warm hug, too. “Dear one, it’s so nice to meet you after all this time, but please excuse me, I must tend to his father.”
Aurora, slightly embarrassed by the display of affection from someone she just met, said, “I understand.”
Without waiting, Molly headed to the bedroom. David reached out, and took Aurora’s hand, and led her back to his dad’s room. As they entered, Molly was already kneeling by the bed with her hands on his head and chest, her eyes closed. Neither of them said a word, but watched, waiting for Molly to speak.
After a few moments, Molly said, “You used your gift, Aurora, and gave him some of your power.” It was a statement not a question.
“Yes, I wasn’t sure what to do. I’d never seen anything like that before.” David pulled Aurora close to him putting an arm around her, and she leaned her head against his shoulder.
“Your gift is what has kept him alive until now.”
David felt his affection for her rise in him. He turned and kissed her gently on the head. He felt the tension in her body ease as she pressed closely against him. “Aunt Molly, is he going to be alright?”
In answer to his question, he heard his father speak in a soft voice “Molly, you sure took your time in
getting here.” David’s heart lifted at the words.
“Oh be quiet, Gabe, I’m trying to concentrate.”
After several long moments, while David fought the urge to ask the barrage of questions racing through his head, Molly finally pushed herself to her feet. “David, dear, please come over here, and help me sit him up to take an elixir I brought.”
David hurried over, placed a pillow against the headboard, and reached down, lifting his father gently upright.
Through dry lips, he managed to say “I used to be the one taking care of you when you were sick.”
David smiled at him “I guess it’s my turn, then.” Once he was satisfied his father was comfortable, and not going to flop over off the bed, he stepped out of the way. Molly had retrieved a jar from her bag and measured out some unpleasant looking liquid into a glass.
Molly looked at him sternly. Gabe begrudgingly let her tip it to his lips, and drank it down. “Ugh that stuff is awful.”
Molly set the glass down on the table, and said with mock impatience, “Don’t give me a hard time, Gabe. You know you are going to have to drink every drop.” Then she smiled at him “Now, I’m going to check in with the council while you talk to your son here. Wait until you hear what he and young Aurora did.
His eyes going a little wide he said, “Aurora, really? Well that makes sense.”
Molly said solemnly “You better get your strength back, Gabe. Things are much farther along than I would have imagined.” With that, she turned and left the room. David walked over, grabbed a chair from the corner, and pulled it up to the bedside for Aurora to sit. Then he sat on the edge of the bed next to his father.
