by Carlos King
The older male lifts Drake up so that the two are face-to-face. “You’re lucky I’m here on business. I didn’t travel all this way to kill you, demon. But if you ever speak to me like that again, I’ll take great pleasure in separating your head from your neck and handing it back to you so you can watch me spit down your throat just before you die. Understand?”
Drake begins to black out. With an effortless flick of his arm, the man tosses Drake aside, throwing him out of the living room and into the dining area. Drake violently collides into a china cabinet, destroying it and all of its contents. Following the dwindling noise of shattering glass, the only sound that can be heard now is Drake’s coughing and his abundant gasps for air.
The man regains his friendly composure. He tilts his head to pop his neck, creating a loud crack. He eyes returns back to the original shade. The man turns around to face Jade and Alex.
“I’m sorry you guys had to see that. I hate being so belligerent in front of humans. It’s a bad reflection on Heaven.” The man moves closer to Jade and Alex with an endearing smile. Unsure of his true intent, Jade conceals herself behind Alex. “Alex, don’t be rude. Introduce me to your attractive, young friend.”
Alex unwillingly introduces the two. “Jade, this is Gabriel. I’m sure you’ve guessed it by now…He’s an angel, too.” Gabriel stares at Alex in an unpleasant manner. “Oh, I mean he’s an Archangel.” Gabriel’s objectionable expression goes away.
“I’m sorry about the cabinet, darling. I didn’t plan on being a part of such senseless violence. There’s just something about a disrespectful demon that really pushes my buttons.” Gabriel extends his hand out to Jade. “I hope there aren’t any hard feelings.” Jade doesn’t budge an inch from her spot behind Alex. Gabriel releases a lighthearted laugh. “Darling, I promise I’m not going to hurt you. And trust me, if I wanted to, you’d need a lot more than him to keep you safe. Isn’t that right, Alex?”
“What do you want, Gabriel?” Alex asked.
Gabriel retracts his hand. “Always to the point, huh, Alex? That’s what I like about you most. Well, I guess the time for formalities has passed. The reason I’m here is because it’s time to take you back home. You’ve broken the laws, Alex. You knew there’d be consequences for your actions, and now it’s time to face the music.”
“I had to come back. She could’ve been killed if I stayed,” Alex explained.
“No, you’re right. She definitely would’ve been killed if you hadn’t intervened.”
“Why wasn’t that foreseen?” Alex asked. “Of everything I heard about, I never heard about her facing death on that particular night, on that particular road.”
“That’s because it was a sneak attack. We believe there’s a sinister plot brewing amongst a few of our brethren. In order to prevent the possibility of war, they went behind God’s back and set a hit out on you,” Gabriel said, staring at Jade. “To avoid bringing any attention to themselves they utilized the talents of some probable suspects. The fight Drake had with those thugs that day gave the rogue angels all the opportunity they needed to finish you off.”
“But they had to have known God would’ve found out eventually.”
“Of course they knew. They figured that if they’re plan worked, they’d be looked at as saviors to Heaven and Earth. Unfortunately for them, they were wrong.”
Jade steps from behind Alex and asks, “So it’s true then. The guys who tried to kill me were sent by angels and not demons?”
“They’re not angels anymore. God doesn’t condone that kind of thing. He doesn’t believe an evil deed can bring about a positive resolution. He cast those rogue angels out of Heaven the moment he found out about their misdeeds.”
“And what about the other nine people who shared birthdays with me? What happened to them?”
Gabriel walks over to a large window in the living room that overlooks the Harris’ front yard. “We’ve known about Lucifer’s plans for ages, and we prepared for it as best as we could. Over the decades, we discreetly and strategically organized the ten people all throughout the world. Two of them actually did die because it was simply their time. The other seven…Well, let’s just say that those rogue angels were very good at executing their evil endeavors.”
Jade feels comfortable enough to stop using Alex as a screen and steps out in the open.
Alex asks, “How can seven people be killed before their time and no one in Heaven notice?”
Gabriel turns away from the window and looks at Alex. “Truth-be-told, I can’t answer that question, Alex. But you’re absolutely right. There’s no way that kind of thing should’ve gone unnoticed.”
“I’ll tell you how,” said Drake, slowly heading back into the living room, still a little woozy. “It’s because Heaven’s problems run higher than a group of low-level angels.
“As much as I hate to admit it, the demon is right. The threat of a final war has corruption and betrayal spreading like wildfire up there. We’re not really sure who’s on the up-and-up anymore. Nonetheless, there are laws that we still must follow.” Gabriel walks toward Alex. “You broke those laws, Alex.”
Perplexed, Jade interjects, “He broke the laws? Am I missing something? Didn’t you just tell us about rogue angels who killed seven people and other angels in Heaven that are possibly acting as double agents? Why is Alex being singled out? He’s the only one that seems to be doing something right. Go punish them.”
“You raise a good point, darling. Problem is, those rogue angels have already been cast out. And as for the double agents, God is going to deal with them when He feels the time is right. Don’t you worry your pretty little head,” Gabriel told her, gently tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “He’ll take care of everything soon enough.” Jade steps back, pulling out of Gabriel’s reach.
After pondering over his next move, Alex reaches a conclusion. “I’m not going back.”
Drake and Jade both look at Alex in bemusement. They stare at Alex in silence, but it’s clear what they’re both thinking. They’re thinking that after what Gabriel did to Drake, it may not be wise of Alex to get into a dispute with him.
“I’m sorry, Alex. I didn’t quite hear you. What did you say?” Gabriel politely asked.
Nervous, but unwilling to back down, Alex repeats, “I said, I’m not going back with you. I’m staying until a decision is reached to send more angels here to protect Jade.”
Gabriel walks up to Alex. “You’ll only make things worse for yourself by not coming back with me. Are you sure you want to risk it?”
Alex boldly faces Gabriel, staring him square in the eyes. “I’m not going back,” he declared one last time. “I don’t care what the consequences are.”
Not caring for Alex’s insubordinate tone, Gabriel aggressively grabs hold of Alex’s arm. In a low, assertive tone, Gabriel tells Alex, “Who do you think you’re talking to? Don’t you forget who I am and what I can do to you, angel. Now I’ll respect your wish and let you to stay, but that’s only because I wasn’t given authorization to forcibly bring you back. You just better remember that by staying here you’re going to get everything you’re asking for.
“If you want to be the lone angel that takes on Hell’s entire army, be my guest. But if I were you, I wouldn’t put too much faith and trust in your demonic friend,” said Gabriel, looking at Drake. “His goals for wanting to help aren’t as pure as they seem. And the second it comes down to either him saving himself or saving one of you, he’ll think of no one but himself. Keep that in mind.”
Gabriel releases Alex’s arm and heads for the front door. After pulling the door open, he stops to look back at Jade, Alex, and Drake. “I hope your parents have insurance on this place. Three demons and one of those rogue angels I was telling you about are closing in at this very moment. You guys have about…” Gabriel pauses to sniff the air, “Fifty seconds until they’re tearing this very nice home apart. Have fun kids.” Gabriel leaves the house, closing the door behind him as he whistles t
he theme to The Andy Griffith Show.
Dreading the very thought of what Gabriel has just said, Jade utters, “Oh, please tell me he’s joking.”
Drake runs his fingers through his hair to remove any remaining pieces of broken glass. “Speaking from experience, Archangels have no sense of humor whatsoever.”
Alex doesn’t respond to Jade’s question or to Drake’s comment. His mind focus is currently elsewhere. It doesn’t take Jade long to notice Alex’s concern. She calls out to him, but he fails to answer her. Whatever it is, it has his complete concentration.
Jade elevates her voice and tugs on his arm. “Alex! What’s wrong?”
Alex snaps back to reality. “They’re already here.”
“What?!”
“He’s right,” Drake confirmed. “I can feel them, too.”
The three spot a dark figure approaching one of the living room windows. The figure rapidly elevates above the window, disappearing out of sight just as quickly as it appeared. Immediately after the figure jumped above the first-floor window, they hear the simultaneous sounds of breaking glass and something fairly heavy touching down on the upstairs floor. The three tilt their heads up toward the clatter.
“Great,” said Alex. “They’re strategically placing themselves in position for the attack.”
Jade hysterical states, “What are you talking about?! That’s only one of them! Let’s get out of here before the rest of them come!”
Alex clarifies, “They’re trying to lead us into an ambush. I’m picking up on three more them outside. All three are surrounding the house. The one upstairs purposely made all that noise so we’d panic and run outside trying to escape. It’s a setup.”
“So what do we do then?” Jade asked.
“I don’t know.”
Drake removes his over shirt and readies himself for a brawl. “Well, somebody better figure out something quick because in a minute or so they’re gonna hit this place like storm troopers.”
Alex takes one last glance around before settling his eyes on Jade. “I’ll handle them.” To keep the demons from overhearing his plan, Alex whispers, “Jade, as soon as I distract the one upstairs, run into your room and grab one of your body spray bottles—preferably one that’s full. Once you guys are out of the house and a safe enough distance away from here, spray all of it on you. That should mask your scent and make it harder for them to track you.” Alex turns to Drake and gives him a stern stare, “I’m going against my better judgment and giving you a chance…Guard her with your life.”
“No hands could be in safer…” said Alex. “Not even yours.”
“Alright, after I go for the one upstairs I’m pretty sure the rest of them will come. Once you guys hear the other demons barge in, blow out of one of the upstairs windows. It’ll be on you, Drake, to take her as far away from here as you can. When you get a mile or so away, stop somewhere and load up on the body spray and then get back on the move.”
“What about you?” Jade asked. “You can’t take all of them on by yourself.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I’m not ready to leave you just yet,” said Alex, hoping to ease her worries. “Get to your Uncle Rick’s old house, okay? I’ll meet you there as soon as I can. Make sure you two use some form of transportation to get there.” Alex turns to Drake. “Don’t use your powers unless you have no other choice.”
“Why?” Jade asked.
Drake explains, “Because every time an angel or demon uses their powers it creates a traceable energy that other angels and demons can pick up on.”
Seeing the discomfort in Jade’s eyes, Alex gives her a smile so endearing it could make anyone’s heart melt. Just as he’s about to climb the stairwell he tells her, “I’ll see you again real soon. I promise.” Tears run freely from Jade’s reddish-eyes. To keep his mind focused on what he needs to do, Alex forces himself to turn away from Jade and advance up the stairs. Jade takes hold of his arm and tries to stop him.
“No, you can’t do this!” she vehemently exclaimed. Drake wraps one of his muscular arms around Jade’s waist and uses his free hand to cover her mouth. Neither Drake nor Alex like doing this to her, but they know there’s no other way. Demons and angels possess extremely sensitive hearing. Jade’s irate shouting could give away their plan. Alex turns around and bravely walks up the stairs.
CHAPTER 18
Alex makes it to the top of the stairwell and prior to heading to the room where he believes the intruder is held up; he takes one last heartfelt look at Jade. Looking at her put a great deal of doubt in his mind about going through with this current plan, but he ignores this doubt and moves forward.
Drake and Jade wait for the signal that’ll mark their phase of the plan. Jade’s watery eyes are fixated on Alex as he walks out of sight.
Upstairs, Alex has neared the bedroom door. Not wanting to give up the element of surprise because of a miscalculation, he presses his ear to the door, hoping to verify that this is the room the demon is held up.
A single fist punches through the door and grabs hold of Alex’s sweatshirt. Alex places both hands on opposite sides of the doorframe and vigorously tries to pull away. A second hand bursts through the door, also grabbing his sweatshirt, making it even more difficult for him to break free. The owner of the two hands pulls Alex through the wooden door. Alex is hurdled across the medium-sized bedroom and is thrown head-first through the bedroom’s closet door. Alex sits up and swipes himself free of debris and splintered wood. When he regains his composure he initiates the next step of their plan.
“Go now!” he shouted to Jade and Drake.
Hearing the signal, Drake and Jade take off running up the stairs. Just in case they come across any unanticipated trouble along the way, Drake takes the lead. Once they’re safely at the top of the stairs their roles flip. Jade leads the way to her old bedroom.
In the other room, Alex has managed to get back to his feet. He shakes his head to alleviate his dizziness. Alex spots his attacker, who just so happens to be Trent, one of the demons responsible for the Starbucks massacre. Still dressed in his fashionable suit, Trent stands at the bedroom’s door, carefree and relaxed.
“So I take it you’re the disobedient angel I’ve been sensing, huh?” he said, smirking.
Stepping out of the closet, Alex replies, “I guess my reputation precedes me.”
Trent tips his head and pulls his glasses to the tip of his nose, allowing him and Alex’s eyes to meet. Trent then takes off his glasses and suit jacket, tosses them to the ground. As he rolls up the sleeves he tells Alex, “Funny…I thought I was gonna have to wait until after our mission was complete before I’d get my share of fun in.”
Alex’s eyes flare up.
Trent continues, “I’ve never done it personally, but I’ve heard that killing an angel is one of the most gratifying things a demon could do. I can’t tell you how excited I am to experience the feeling for myself.”
Trent’s eyes suddenly turn black and then bright red. Alex’s eyes also turn black. Without further delay, the two charge at each other, colliding in the center of the room. With their arms interlocked, they struggle against the other’s strength. The two are so furiously engaged, they tussle all around the medium-sized room, crashing repeatedly into all of the room’s walls.
Despite all the noise they were making, Alex could still hear the other three demons bashing their way into the Harris home, which was followed by the shattering sound of glass that came from Jade’s bedroom. Everything appeared to be going just as they planned.
Unfortunately, the one thing Alex hadn’t planned for was the ferocity of the four demons. The monstrous beings are so rage-driven that instead of using the stairs to gain access to the second floor, they simply jumped from the first and crashed up through the second-floor’s floorboards.
Alex knows the demonic evils are closing in on him. While tussling with Trent, Alex catches a glimpse of the other three demons out in the hallway. And even though
the view he had of them was short, he had no doubt they were coming his way.
To avoid being cornered, Alex uses all of his strength to throw himself and Trent out of one of the bedroom’s windows. The two not only take out the window pane, but a good portion of the wall as well. It’s only when their bodies slam into the grassy lawn that Trent and Alex release their holds on one another.
Both men are dazed after the impact. Alex’s haze wears off first. He slowly rises to his feet, trying to regain his composure before Trent can pick up with the attack. Luckily for Alex, a sharp piece of wood fragment from the window’s pane has pierced Trent’s stomach, which is causing him to bleed out badly. Trent removes the object and sprawls out on the lawn, allowing his body time to rejuvenate.
Before Alex has a chance to react to this unforeseen opening, his concentration redirected to an overhead noise. He takes his eyes off of a slowly recuperating Trent and looks up. Alex sees the three demons leaping out of the opening he and Trent created. One-by-one, the three demons touch down on the grassy-turf.
Among the three evils is Trent’s older brother, Zavior. The other two Alex intuitively knows as Jasper and Ezekias. Jasper is another evil spirit that is occupying the body of an average-sized male who appears to be in his mid-thirties. Ezekias is one of several rogue angels Gabriel talked about earlier. There’s no doubt that the rogue angel is now a demon of Hell.
The evil beings surround Alex, cutting off any path for escape. Trent is back on his feet, fully healed and fuming. With his back against the house and demons facing him from every angle, Alex has found himself in the precise predicament he had been trying to avoid. He’s encased by four powers equal to his own and all are carrying strong desires to do him bodily harm. All of the demonic entities, except for Zavior, have revealed their inner demon. Surrounded by glowing red eyes, sharp teeth and hideous faces, Alex nervously readies himself for a fight.
“I definitely should’ve planned this out better,” Alex said to himself. Taking an aggressive stance, Alex takes a deep breath and says, “Okay…Let’s do it.”
