Prey

by Carlos King

  “You’re right. It sounds completely crazy,” Alex asserted.

  Jade releases Drake’s hand and walks over to Alex. “Think about it, Alex. Drake could’ve beaten you to the punch and turned me over to Hell when he had the chance. He didn’t. I’m sure that puts him in just as much trouble, if not more, than what we’re in right now.”

  Drake interjects, “Trust me…It’s definitely more. Do you know what happens to someone who pisses off the boss? Let’s not forget, when God is upset with someone he sends them to Hell for their punishment.”

  Jade continues to talk to Alex. “There you have it. So isn’t it fair to assume he would rather help us more than he would them.”

  “Regardless of what his intentions are, he’s helping them nonetheless. What your demonic pal hasn’t told you is that if he really wanted to help he should’ve stayed as far away from us as possible. Right now he’s serving as a tracking beacon for the remaining three demons.” Alex walks pass Jade and up to Drake. “What? You forget that whatever one of you knows, the others know, too?”

  “You mean they might know where we are?” Jade asked fearfully, taking a step back. “You think they’re coming here now?”

  Drake attempts to comfort her, deliberately bumping into Alex as he passes him by. “They might be heading this way. They know that I’m with you, but they don’t really know where we are. They only have a generalization of the area. Over the years, I’ve lived like a normal human. Because of that, I’ve learned how to burry my inner darkness so deep inside of me that it’s hard for any of them to pick up on. Hell, I even forget what I really am sometimes.”

  Like a light being switched on in of his mind, Alex blurts out, “And that’s why I didn’t pick up on your scent at the store until you were right in front of me. You don’t smell like the rest of your savage friends.” Alex moves closer to Drake. “I mean, you still stink like a demon; you’ve just learned how to cover your odor.”

  “You know, angel, you’re quick to put my business out in the open. I say it’s about time we tell Jade a few of your secrets now.”

  Alex’s face turns to stone. “There’s nothing to tell.”

  “Oh, really?” Drake readily responded. He approaches Alex, smiling. “That’s a real nice bluff, angel. I think you’re forgetting something. We’re both still angels…Only difference is I’m of a darker descent and you’re not. Just as easily as you can read my mind, I can read yours.” Standing right in front of Alex, Drake leans forward and inhales deeply through his nostrils. Drake reverts back to his original stance, all the while maintaining a smile. “You’ve been a bad boy, haven’t you, Alex Henley?”

  Alex becomes nervous at the sound of Drake’s question. By Drake addressing him by his full name without ever being told it, Alex knows Drake has accessed his mind through the mental link that all angels share. Alex also knows that this unfortunate doing means that the one secret he was holding back from Jade is now in Drake’s possession. For the first time since the two have met, Alex actually appears to be uneasy towards Drake.

  “Jade, sweetie,” Drake softly called out. “Can you indulge me for a few seconds and answer a couple quick questions?”

  “What questions?” she curiously asked.

  Cutting Drake off before he can ask his first question, Alex pleads, “Don’t do this. She doesn’t need to know.”

  Jade’s interest in the conversation has now spiked. “I don’t need to know what? What is it I don’t need to know, Alex?” she said, softly gripping him by his arm.

  “There are things I didn’t tell you because their irrelevant, and there are some things I didn’t tell you because it would only cause you to worry for no reason.”

  “What didn’t you tell me?” Jade sternly asked. Alex says nothing and continues to stare Jade in her eyes. When Drake realizes that Alex won’t willingly reveal what he’s been holding back, he takes it upon himself to do so.

  “Since Alex doesn’t have the heart to tell you what you want to know, I will,” said Drake. “First off, did he tell you the real reason behind why you’ve been selected to be sacrificed?”

  “No,” Jade stated.

  “Okay. Did he happen to tell you why the powers that be in Heaven have left you to dangle in the wind?”

  Jade answers again, “No.”

  “Don’t do this,” Alex implored Drake.

  Drake shrugs off Alex’s request and continues with his line of questioning. “The last thing I wanted to know is if he told you clear details on what it is he did to get sent back to Earth to protect you?”

  “He told me how he got here,” Jade pauses for a second to look at Alex. “He didn’t really go into a detailed description.”

  Like a kid in a candy store, Drake is bursting with anticipation. “This ought to be interesting. Well, allow me to answer my first question. When God first molded Earth, it was covered in darkness and ruled by savage, primeval demons. God then said, “Let there be light” and just like that, the demons were cast away into the darkest realms of the universe.”

  “Unfortunately, the universe always finds a way to balance itself out. When God banished those demons out into the universe an imbalance was created. So in order to restore balance, every twenty thousand years an astrological event occurs far off in the universe that’s—further out than any man-made device could ever reach.

  “During this event, several stars, the realm of demons and Earth will perfectly align with one another. The celestial event marks the anniversary of the day God cast the demons from this planet billions of years ago. It was noon when God created light, so in order for balance to be restored, the portal opens will open on midnight on this very day. If Lucifer can free this powerful army of demons he can unite them with his own army and command both sides. This would magnify Hell’s army millions of times over, giving him more than what he’d need to ignite and win wars against both Heaven and Earth.”

  The thought of such a happening sends chills throughout Jade’s body. As Drake continues to speak, Alex tranquilly leans against the kitchen sink with his arms crossed, monitoring everything Drake says.

  “At the peak of the alignment, an invisible portal that connects their realm to Earth will form that could bring those demons here in a matter of minutes. The only problem is a cataclysmic deed of pure evil must be performed at the exact time the portal reaches its full strength. The day the portal is scheduled to open is midnight, January 1, 2013.”

  Fright covers Jade’s face. “The first of January? That’s my birthday.” Jade looks at Alex, hoping he’ll reject Drake’s story as true, but he never does. Instead, the only thing Alex can do is avoid eye contact with her.”

  “Not only is it your birthday, it’s also the exact time you were born. Out of the six billion people on earth, there are only ten people that share that date of birth. Two died of old age, six died by way of tragic misfortune, and the other two died in disastrous events of nature. You’re the last remaining key, Jade.”

  Jade turns to Alex and asks, “What’s going on up there? If all of what Drake’s saying is true, then why isn’t God doing something?” Alex looks at Jade in silence. He knows the answer to the question, but he knows it isn’t one she’d want to hear.

  “You raise a good question, Jade,” said Drake as he takes a seat at the kitchen table. “To answer to that question, allow me to raise another. Why did all nine people who shared the exact same birthday as you die within the last ten months?”

  Alex and Jade wait on pins and needles to hear his explanation.

  Drake continues. “Now, how much sense would it make for Lucifer to kill the people who are most important to him at this current juncture? It seems to me, having ten people who could act as keys in opening the portal would only better the odds for success. So why would he order the deaths of nine and limit his chances to just one?”

  Unsure of what to say, Jade simply responds, “I don’t know.”

  “That’s because he would’ve never
allowed it,” Drake answers assuredly. “Those nine deaths had nothing to do with Hell. The hits for those nine poor souls came from Heaven.”

  “Liar!” Alex shouted as he angrily swiped a coffee machine off of the counter. Upset, he aggressively marches toward Drake. “I should kill you right now for that!”

  “Alex, no!” she beseeched, stepping in front of Alex.

  “Think about it, angel. Is it so farfetched to think a few angels have fallen away from grace? I mean, come on…It’s not like it’s never happened before, right? Let me ask you this. How is a problem looked at when it affects only one human? I’ll tell you what happens…It’s viewed as a test to that person’s will. And when one person’s will is being tested, what is the rule?”

  Humoring Drake, Alex dully responds, “Interfering with human nature is forbidden.” Alex cools down from his heated state and looks at Jade, who appears to be confused.

  Alex goes into a deeper explanation to clarify his response, “God created man after he created angels. Angels are the servants to God. They were made to abide by his every command. Man was also created to abide by his word. Only in our case, God gave us something that he didn’t give the angels—a soul. Because of our soul, we have the free will to make our own decisions. And while God wants us to live a righteous life, he also wants man to do it on their own recognizance. Every choice man makes leads us down either the path of righteousness or the path of evil. Whatever it is, God forbade all heavenly beings from interfering with or influencing man’s nature.”

  “He’s right,” Drake agreed. “Now, if ten people were taken by entities from the underworld, this would’ve been quickly thought of as a breach of contract. The assault of one person could be considered a test of one’s faith. But the assault of ten people, all with similar ties to one another, would’ve been a sign that Hell was up to something. Heaven’s governing bodies should’ve notified God of this instantly. So how’s it possible that nothing’s been resolved yet?”

  Alex cuts Drake off. “Like I told you before, Jade, God’s weighing your problem—night and day. He’s going to help you.”

  “When will that be, angel?” Drake asked. “Jade would already be dead if it weren’t for you. Too bad saving her life is gonna cost you your soul, though.” said Drake, grinning devilishly.

  With a lost look on her worried face, Jade inquires, “What’s he talking about, Alex? She turns to Drake. “What’re you saying?”

  Drake tells her, “Your golden boy here has broken two of the cardinal laws. From the time he turned his back on Heaven to come back here, he’s been a wanted angel. And he’s been making the target on his back bigger and brighter every time he saves you.”

  “Why would he be in trouble for helping me? And what do you mean, ‘turned his back on heaven’? What’s going on?”

  Smiling, Drake retorts, “I’ll let him answer that one.”

  Jade redirects her focus to Alex. “What is he talking about, Alex?

  Alex takes a moment to collect his thoughts. It’s evident that Alex doesn’t want to go into the specifics of the troubles with Jade, but he understands her need to know. With reluctance in his heart, he takes a deep breath before telling Jade about all he’s done to be back by her side.

  “It’s goes against the laws for an angel to come back in a physical state without permission.” Alex pauses, “And I didn’t have permission.”

  “You didn’t?”

  “No. Me and a few of your relatives individually asked for permission to come back and watch over you until a decision was reached, but they kept telling us no. God was taking so long to reach a decision…waiting for him to make his verdict on your case could’ve meant your life. I couldn’t stand by and let something bad happen to you.”

  Jade is in awe. “I can’t believe you did that.”

  “Don’t look at me like that,” said Alex. “You don’t know what those”—glances at Drake—“things are capable of.”

  Taking offense to Alex’s remark, Drake responds, “It isn’t ‘those things’ you have to worry about for the most part, angel. It’s your own kind that she should fear most. At least demons are upfront and clear about what they want. It’s the angels that hide their evilness behind their golden-halos.”

  “Shut the hell up! You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Don’t I?” asked Drake. “I saw everything on your mind, angel. The night you saved Jade from those punks, did you pick up on those guys being under any kind of demonic influence?”

  Taking only a second to consider Drake’s question, Alex heatedly asks, “What’s your point?”

  Drake raises another point. “While in Heaven, you learned about all the dangers Jade would encounter, right? That’s what made you come back for her. But in all the things you learned of, did you ever hear anything about her being killed by a group of punks?”

  “No,” Alex answered, beginning to see the reasoning behind Drake’s questioning.

  “Exactly,” Drake boasted. “Hell needs her alive. What sense would it make for them to kill her? Those guys were sent by angels.”

  Jade retorts, “That doesn’t make any sense. Why would angels want to kill me? Wouldn’t killing me break one of those cardinal rules you were talking about?”

  “Of course it would,” said Drake. “There’s an inner conflict going on in Heaven that your friend is too naïve to see.”

  Confused, Jade and Alex both look at each other in bewilderment. Before either of them has a chance to respond, sounds of the television, accompanied by a mysterious laughter, emanates from the living room. All three of their heads spin toward the opening of the kitchen that leads out to the living room. Jade is sent into a sudden state of fright. Both Alex’s and Drake’s eyes ignite instantaneously.

  Drake takes the initial lead and scoots Jade behind him as he exits out of the kitchen to investigate. Alex gently takes Jade by her forearm and escorts her to safety behind him. Once she is positioned behind him. Neither Drake nor Alex show any sign of fear at what awaits them in the other room. They’re both willing to protect Jade from whatever it is, and they’ll both do it gallantly at the risk of their own wellbeing.

  And while Alex chooses a more cautious path, Drake decides on a more direct approach. Brash and full of zeal, Drake intrepidly saunters into the living room. Alex and Jade proceed after him

  Alex enters the living room mentally and physically ready for anything, but the one thing he isn’t prepared for is the one thing he must now face. Jade notices a look in Alex’s eyes that she’s never seen before. For the first time since his return, Alex, the man who’s been powering through demons left and right, all while maintaining a persona of total fearlessness, is now exuding an expression of pure fear.

  CHAPTER 17

  Comfortably seated on the couch with his feet resting on the coffee table was an older male, who appeared to be in his late-forties—early-fifties. His black, shoulder-length hair is hinted with streaks of gray.

  Laughing hardily as he watches The 3 Stooges, the man is aware of the presence of Jade and the two angels that accompany her, but continues to watch the show. Seconds later, the television show goes to commercial. The stranger uses the remote control to turn the television off.

  “I forgot how funny those guys were back in their heyday,” the older male said to himself. He turns to Jade, Alex and Drake and says, “It’s been over fifty years since I last watched a TV show. It’s amazing the progress man has made in developing their televisions to look so lifelike, yet they still can’t find their way to creating a less damaging fuel source, or find away to stop killing one another. I tell you, the priorities of the human race baffle me.”

  The nature of the older man seems to be anything but threatening, or at least that’s how seems to Jade. To Drake and Alex, this seemingly harmless man is anything but. Alex indiscreetly makes sure Jade is behind him as he keeps a close eye on the uninvited house guest. Foolhardy as usual, Drake wastes no time trying to e
stablish his toughness by confronting the visitor.

  “I smell the disgusting odor of another angel,” said Drake, nearing the couch. “I can deal with the odor of one, but now it’s starting to get a little thick in here. I feel like I’m gonna puke.” Standing right in front of the mysterious man, Drake forcefully says, “Why don’t you get the hell out of here? This is a private party.”

  The older man remains relaxed. He’s clearly not intimidated by Drake’s aggressive tone. He keeps his feet crossed on the coffee table and stretches his arms across the back of the cozy couch. He stares blankly at Drake for several short seconds before a bright smile spreads across his partially wrinkled face.

  “There’s no need for insults, friend. First off, I don’t carry the odor of good or evil. I can move anywhere at any given time without ever being noticed. And second, if you’re insulting me is just your juvenile way of testing my humor”—the older man literally blinks out of sight, reappearing in front of Drake, viciously choking him with one hand. The pupils of his eyes are engulfed in golden-flames, giving off an intense glow—“you’ve succeeded in only testing my patience.

  “Don’t make the mistake of thinking I’m some kind of runt just because I can move around without being noticed. If I ever felt the need to make my presence felt everyone would feel my fury,” said the old man, choking Drake out.

  Drake’s lack of oxygen causes his legs to give weigh. He’s desperately trying to pry the man’s hand from around his throat, but the attempt if futile.

  “Do something,” said Jade to Alex as the two fearfully watch the one-sided demonstration go on.

  “Why?” said Alex.

  Let down by Alex’s answer, Jade understands that there’s probably little Alex could do anyway. If he and Drake are evenly matched in their strengths, then it’s safe to say the older male would do the exact same thing to Alex.