by Aiden James
“Neither one heard me, though I yelled at the top of my lungs. Nonchalant, they both looked at where I stood, then away again, as if unable to see me either.
“Just a few feet away from the back gate, I started coaxing Banjo to go underneath it like I’d done earlier that day, instead of forcing him through the railings. The sky began to morph into the deep purple of twilight. All of a sudden the earth shook again, throwing us both to the ground. A large hole opened in the earth next to us, and Genovene in all her hideousness rose up through it. Towering above me, she bent down, bringing her putrid face close to mine.
“‘So...you think you’ve won?’ she asked, sneering at me. ‘You think you’ve defeated me, Jack Kenney?? THINK AGAIN YOU MISERABLE FUCKING CURR!!!’
“Her shrieking voice brought immediate severe pain to my eardrums.
“‘I shouldn’t have played with you the way I did! I should’ve conducted business as usual and taken you when I had the chance to do so yesterday!!’ she snarled. ‘Mark...my...words! I’ll never make the same mistake in dealings with you humans ever again!!’
“She looked around, as did I, while I fervently prayed in silence for someone to rescue me.
“‘Hel—’ I tried to scream, but she grabbed me, cutting off my words. Her slimy claws covered my mouth. I thought for sure I’d hurl my guts up when the gelatinous mess oozed into my mouth.
“‘Well, Jackie boy...this day won’t be completely wasted!’ she continued, lowering her voice to a gruff whisper. Her breath was as foul as a ripe outhouse. ‘I’m going to break your grandfather’s spirit! I’ll leave him your mutilated little corpse to discover, but I’m taking your heart and I’m claiming your soul!!! What do you think of tha—!’
“‘LEAVE HIM ALONE!!! LEAVE HIM ALONE, NOW, GENOVENE!!!’ a thunderous voice shouted from behind her.
“A brilliant white light filled the area, and a look of utter surprise spread across Genovene’s face. She backed up, reluctantly releasing me from her powerful grip as she slowly turned her sneering head toward the sphere. Upon it stood yet another amazing creature…But instead of some new fiend, it was an angel—feathered wings and all!
“My God, the sucker was the most magnificent being I’ve ever seen—and you already know what I’d witnessed up until that point. Roughly twelve feet in height, its features were a mixture of male and female perfection. Its long lustrous hair flowed as a full golden mane upon its broad shoulders. Eyes green as emeralds, soft and luminous, with long golden lashes—as beautiful as any woman I’d ever seen. Yet, the rest of its face bore masculine traits, such as a sleek prominent nose and powerful jaw line.
“The angel’s body was slender and yet its arms and legs were defined by powerful muscles that flexed continuously beneath bronze skin. Dressed in a shimmering white tunic, its wingspan was incredibly wide. Iridescent lavender and white feathers filled both wings that extended outward and behind from its shoulders. Unlike pictures and paintings I’d seen depicting such heavenly beings, the wings on this angel seemed to have a life of their own, moving and twitching as it stood there gazing down at us from atop the sphere.
“So enthralled by the angel’s appearance, I didn’t notice right away that my mom also stood on the sphere. My mouth dropped open, widening further once I recognized my father next to her. He had his arm around my mother’s waist, while she in turn had her arm wrapped around the shoulders of a pretty little girl who stood just to the right of her. They were all dressed in shimmering white tunics similar to what the angel standing behind them wore.
“Mom looked like she did when I last saw her in the village, and I imagine this was how she looked when she and Dad disappeared so many years before.
“‘Mom? Is that really you, too, Dad??’ I cried, so happy to see them. Before either one could answer, the angel spoke again.
“‘Stand up, Jack, and come here!’ it commanded, its voice so unusual, but at the same time pleasant to my ears despite its force. ‘Bring Banjo with you!’
“I picked him up and walked past Genovene, determined not to look at her. I felt her heated stare as I walked by, but she didn’t prevent me from obeying the angel. Instead, I looked up at everyone standing on the sphere. The little girl spoke first.
“‘Well, I see you made it Jack. I knew you’d do it! I just knew you would!’
“‘Allyson?? So that’s you up there?’
“It surprised me that I hadn’t recognized her sooner. It might’ve been her missing pigtails that’d thrown me since her dark hair hung down below her shoulders. Or the fact her form was no longer made from garden soil.
“‘How do I look?’ she asked. ‘Quite an improvement from earlier, wouldn’t you say?’
“She primped playfully and curtsied, while the spirits of my mom and dad looked on, seemingly amused. The angel, meanwhile, turned its gaze back to Genovene. The brilliant light that seemed to stretch endlessly above us filled rapidly with other angels of similar appearance descending to the earth. The light’s brightness more intense than any I’d ever experienced before, it didn’t bother my eyes. Nor did it hinder my perception, for I clearly saw everything around me.
“The army of angels soon hovered around the sphere, as if guarding all of us.
“‘I told you we’d be with you, didn’t I, son?’ my mother’s spirit gently reminded me as she nodded to my father.
“‘We’re very proud of you, Jack, and of Jeremy, too—though, you might wonder why, in your brother’s case,’ he said, chuckling a little. ‘We’ve been catching up on what we’ve missed since we last saw you boys. I’d say Marshall’s done a helluva job raising you both.’
“He grew quiet and sad, perhaps reflecting on all he’d missed out on.
“‘Jack, we’ve only got a moment or two left before we must rejoin the others,’ Mom told me. ‘They’re about to begin the initiation for us all as a group, since so many of us were hostages in Talusha’s world. A few were imprisoned there for several thousand years.’
“I tried to picture this ‘initiation’ she spoke of, wondering what she meant.
“‘There’s really no way to explain it to where you’d understand,’ she said, privy to my thoughts again. ‘Someday you’ll know what I’m talking about, I assure you, since everyone gets to experience this event. But your life has just begun, Jack, with many wonderful years to look forward to before it’s your turn. Our wait was long and cruel because of Genovene.’
“She looked back at her. Anger filled my mother’s face. Genovene seemed to take pleasure, hissing contemptuously as she smiled. Mom’s spirit looked like she wanted to go after that monstrous bitch, but the angel’s powerful hands restrained her.
“‘Be diligent and instruct your son, Julie,’ the angel advised, casting its own disdainful gaze at Genovene. ‘We will deal with her shortly.’
“Mom nodded thoughtfully.
“‘Listen closely, Jack,’ she said. ‘Put Banjo through the rails and then you must re-enter the gate in the exact manner you left through it earlier today. Have you got that?’
“I nodded that I did and lifted Banjo up to the rails of the wrought-iron gate, where I pushed him on through to the other side. Another small swarm of rust and paint flakes spiraled to the ground. I then crawled underneath the gate.
“‘Tell Papa we miss him, and that your grandma sends her love to him as well,’ she said. ‘She’s doing fine and looks forward to their eventual reunion. You might ask him if he feels her presence sometimes, because she visits him whenever he needs encouragement in raising you boys or to cheer him up when he gets down thinking about her... and about us,’ she added with a tinge of sadness.
“Mom looked up at the angel who towered above her by a good six feet. It nodded to her and she turned one last time to face me.
“‘Be attentive to your grandpa’s knowledge and wisdom, for he has much to share. He knows a lot more than you’d ever guess,’ she said. ‘But, you must tell him your story. Don’t be afraid, my son,
and let what’s happened heal and strengthen all three of you. Even though we’re moving on, please remember we’re only a whisper away and can readily hear your thoughts and prayers when you need us. We’ll always be with you in that way. Goodbye for now, Jack.... We love you!’
“Tears filled her eyes and I noticed Allyson sniffle, fighting back her own tears. Dad’s spirit stood by stoically, dealing with our pending separation in his own way, which I guess was so like him. The angel’s compassionate expression never changed, as if this kind of moment was nothing new for it to witness.
“I wanted so badly for them to stay and not go, though I realized they no longer could be a part of the world I lived in. It finally sunk in that my parents had been dead for years—since the very day they’d mysteriously disappeared from Carlsdale so long ago. My shoulders shook from the wave of emotions I’d kept bottled up inside my heart since I was little. I’d always hoped for a happy, lasting reunion with my folks, and the realization it wouldn’t happen was almost more than I could bear.
“Drawing every ounce of courage I had, I managed to subdue this tidal wave of feelings for the time being, wiping the flood of silent tears from my face with the back of my hand. In that very instant, the three former prisoners of Genovene and her wicked village began to mutate, lengthening and dissolving until they’d completed their metamorphoses into three brilliant rays of light. The rays shot skyward with many others from souls I hadn’t even noticed before then.
“The angel and its comrades also watched this spectacle, but only momentarily. As soon as the ethereal beams of light left the immediate area, the magnificent being stepped onto the wall and reached down using his incredible strength to roll the stone sphere back to its rightful place. The sphere resting in front of the wrought-iron gate once more, all of the angels drew swords concealed within their garments and descended upon Genovene, the one that’d rescued me leading the charge.
“An intense struggle ensued. I heard horrible screams of pain as bones snapped and both fabric and flesh were gruesomely ripped apart. I began to worry why so many angels weren’t able to swoop in and just wipe her out, but then realized her siblings must’ve joined the fight.
“I nervously glanced over at the oak. My grandfather and brother had just climbed down from their observation point on the oak branch. They seemed indifferent…so unaware of what took place a short distance away. Jeremy headed back to the house and Grandpa just stood there, while I yelled at the top of my lungs again, jumping up and down like a lunatic.
“When the battle reached its climax, the angel and Genovene shrieked at each other in one angry voice that culminated in a loud thunder clap. A death-like silence followed, until gradually the songs of birds and insects and the raging fire nearby filled my ears.
“I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh, or if I should feel sad, happy, or some crazy combination of both emotions.
“‘There you are, Jack! Where have you—what the hell?? Jeremy!! Call the fire department!!! There’s a fire burning the woods down!!!’ Grandpa shouted. He ran over to me and wrapped his strong arms around me. ‘I thought we’d lost you for sure!!’ He started to cry, hugging me even tighter. I cried too.
“‘Grandpa?? What in the hell’s going on here??’ cried Jeremy. ‘Th-the fire. Where in Jesus’ frigging name did all that shit come from, anyway??’
“He staggered toward us, staring at the fire that’d engulfed the woods. I couldn’t help but feel a little satisfaction at this. My big bad brother could still be amazed and greatly surprised now and then.
“‘I mean...what the fuck?? Just a moment ago I looked out toward the woods and not a goddamn thing was going on!! Hell…it looks like that mother’s been burning for awhile!!!’
“He couldn’t pry his eyes from the blaze, and didn’t at first notice my presence.
“Grandpa looked back at him, sighing in frustration.
“‘I know, son, but call the fire department right now!’ he ordered, his voice filled with urgency. ‘Let’s get some buckets of water in case it gets any closer to the house!’
“He turned back to me, smiling weakly. Jeremy ran back to the house, stopping just before he reached the porch.
“‘How’d you get here, Jackie?’ He’d just now noticed my presence in the backyard. ‘We’ve been looking all over God’s creation for you—’
“‘Just call the fire department, damn it!! We’ll quiz Jack later on!!!’
“This time Jeremy heeded his request and hurried into the house to call the fire department. Grandpa studied me, noting my cuts, bruises, and my torn and filthy clothes.
“‘My God...what have you been up to, son?’ he whispered.
“‘It’s a long story, Grandpa. I’ll tell you everything, I promise. Can I eat something first? I’m really starving!’ I was trembling, and still wiping the tears from my eyes. ‘I hope you’re not too upset with me…sorry I let you down.’
“‘Well, that all depends, Jack,’ he advised, eyeing me thoughtfully. ‘Your story had better be a good one.’ He put his arm around my shoulders and motioned for us both to walk over to the oak together. ‘We’ll get you cleaned up and get some good food in you just as soon as the fire department arrives.’
“Less than ten minutes later Carlsdale’s fire department showed up. The entire department consisted of eight men and three trucks. One of those trucks looked like it belonged in a museum.
“The fire never spread to anywhere else outside the woods, even though the grass and weeds separating the woods from Ben Johnson’s farm and our place were fairly dry. Carl Peterson, our local fire chief back then, as you know, agreed this was real strange.
“At first, the largely volunteer group panicked when they saw the blaze. This prompted Carl to call the Demopolis fire department for assistance. Within an hour of fighting the fire, though, it died down, seemingly on its own. In a span of just under two and a half hours, the fire that’d nearly destroyed the entire wooded area beyond the frontage road was safely under control.
“Carl called his Demopolis fire-fighting buddies again before they’d gotten too far out of their own city limits, and they turned around and went home. He would’ve had them continue their trip to Carlsdale, if for no other reason than a precautionary measure. Once the fire diminished quickly, he didn’t want to face possible ridicule. Worse yet, it could’ve jeopardized any future assistance he might need from the western Demopolis team.
“Once Grandpa learned the fire wouldn’t be difficult to contain, he had me go inside the house and get cleaned up. He also told me to let Jeremy know our supper would be on the table soon.
“As soon as I left him, he decided to put the dozen or so buckets of water he’d prepared to fight the fire with to good use. He coaxed Banjo to sit still long enough for him to secure the billy goat with his leash by the oak tree. Using the dog soap he kept on the back porch for the hounds he owned at one time, he gave Banjo a badly needed bath. It only took a few minutes to do this, and once completely clean, Grandpa turned him loose again. He then waved to Carl and stepped inside the old farmhouse to warm up our dinner, while Banjo ran around the backyard, shaking off the excess water in the early evening twilight.”
PART VI
Revelations and a Lesson in History
Jack grew quiet and looked down at the table. He remained like this for the next few minutes, waiting for Peter to respond to his story. But the agent sat in silence as well. Finally, Jack grew irritated enough to broach the question himself.
“So...what do you think?” he asked without looking up.
“About your story? I find it very compelling, Jack. You should already know that,” Peter replied, sitting up straight and pushing his glasses further up on his nose. “I’m definitely convinced your experience and my nephew’s disappearance are related. Now, and don’t take offense, memory is a funny thing, Jack. You were an adolescent when this happened. Given the trauma, and all the time that’s passed since then, it’s likely some
of what you remember could be embellished a bit. I would like to believe it all.... But you’ve got to admit that faces inside trees; clouds with arms, hands, and ‘lucent’ fingers—not to mention statues which one minute are inanimate fountains and the next come to life, are not just strange. They sound like pure fantasy. I guarantee you anyone else around here would find that sort of stuff, to put it bluntly, a load of bull.”
Jack nodded in silence, while his irritation gave way to sullen anger. A load of bull, huh? Easy to say if you’ve never been there, asshole!
Peter studied him before going on. He shrugged his shoulders as if able to hear Jack’s thoughts, or more likely, in response to his annoyed expression.
“And then there’s your personal history to consider,” he continued, much more gently. “Even without the more fantastic details you’ve shared, the agency will look at it all through the filter of your past…. Like the fact you underwent extensive counseling for severe depression while attending St. Andrews Academy. Not to mention your therapist, Dr. Ashton Rutherford, officially diagnosed you with a mild form of schizophrenia.”
“Then why the FUCK am I doing this for you??”
Furious, Jack knocked his chair over as he hastily stood up. He leaned over the desk and glared at Peter, who seemed surprised, taken aback by the outburst.
“You’re overreacting to what I said—“
“The hell you say!” hissed Jack, interrupting him. “That’s it, man—we’re through!”
“If you’ll just give me another minute to explain, I’ll—“
“No! It’s over, dude! Call your buddies in here now, to get me out of here! I’ve got nothing more to say to you!!”
Jack motioned to the door, and Peter followed his gaze, anxious. Obviously, this wasn’t the reaction the agent thought he would get. Before Peter could stop him, Jack headed for the door, pounding on its unforgiving cold steel surface once he got there and shouting for someone to come let him out. Peter dropped his journal on the table and ran after him, grabbing his arm to pull him away from the door.
