by Ted Hill
Pain burst through Hunter’s back and something else took over.
The angel had arrived.
* * *
Instead of blacking out this time, Hunter’s consciousness was shoved to a corner in the back of his skull. The angel swept forward with grace and grabbed the downward swinging head of the baseball bat right before it struck its intended target. Tommy had no opportunity or will of his own to stop his impending death, but the angel did. With a jerk, the angel ripped the bat free from Jimmy’s hands.
“This is not your way, James.”
“Hunter, what are you doing?” Jimmy stopped. The fury in his eyes cleared and he stepped back. “We can’t allow him to leave. We can’t let this monster live.”
Hunter felt his head nod and the strange sensation of his wings folding in on themselves as they settled upon his back. The voice in control answered, “That is not your decision. You are not meant to kill. You are meant to lead. This creature is beaten. I will decide his fate according to our Father’s will.”
Jimmy narrowed his eyes. “What about my brother? What have you done with Hunter?”
The angel smiled.
“I’m right here,” Hunter said, and was surprised when he spoke aloud.
“He’s right here,” the angel copied his words. “My presence is only temporary. Your brother will not be harmed while I am with him.”
“What are you talking about?” Hunter spoke. “I was getting my ass handed to me before you decided to show up.”
“You were doing just fine on your own.”
Hunter found himself unable to voice another comment. He figured the angel knew what he had in mind and most of the words were made up of four letters.
“So what happens now?” Jimmy asked.
“Now you must rebuild. This battle is won. You understand the hardships this winter will bring. There is no time to rest.”
Jimmy surveyed the smoking ruins. Half the buildings of Main Street were destroyed. The rainwater pooled in the cobbled street. Jimmy raised his face when the sun broke through the fleeting gray clouds. He smiled. “I guess the first thing I need to do is find me a new hat.”
The angel laughed. “Yes, James. You do have your priorities.”
Hunter felt trapped with the sensation of joy and happiness he was unable to express. He wished the angel would depart now that the trouble had been averted. Hunter desperately wanted to hug his brother.
The angel turned quickly. Barbie lay silent in her own pool of blood some twenty feet away. The angel went to her and knelt beside the wounded saint. He brushed a lock of her dark hair from her eyes.
Barbie blinked and tilted her head. “I’m bleeding.”
“I see that.”
She frowned at him. “And?”
The angel placed Hunter’s hands on Barbie’s wounds and bowed his head. “Dear Father, please bless Your servant and heal her so she may continue to serve Your will.”
Blinding light poured from Hunter’s hands. The angel filtered the power, channeling it through Barbie’s body and mending the torn flesh. The healing took seconds, and soon as the light winked out, Barbie stood and hugged the angel.
Hunter felt awkward from the affection he’d been forced to partake in. He tried keeping his thoughts as pure as possible with Barbie pressing her body against his, given the fact that the angel probably wouldn’t appreciate Hunter taking pleasure from their embrace.
“Michael, about the conversation we had last night,” Barbie said.
“Yes, I accept your desire for a normal life. I won’t be in the way any longer.”
Barbie crossed her arms, looking cold, tired, and also very sad. “You sort of are in the way though.”
Hunter really wanted off the tracks to wherever this conversation was headed. He had his own relationships to deal with without being embroiled in the tangle between Barbie and her angel boyfriend. That thought alone left him queasy in the corner of his head. How did they even hook up in the first place? Weren’t angels supposed to be in Heaven instead of dating human chicks? Of course, Barbie was more heavenly than earthly because of her sainthood.
Hunter fell back into the conversation as the angel nodded their collective head. “I see. When I have finished with this horseman, I will step out of the way. Our Father only allows me access to Hunter when needed. You may pursue whatever course you desire. I too understand how hard our relationship has been.”
Barbie reached out and touched Hunter’s arm. “And you’re okay with this?”
The angel smiled. “I will live.”
“Thank you.”
The angel and the saint embraced one more time.
“Now I will take this creature someplace safe and return Michael to you when we have finished.”
Hunter wondered what the angel meant by that last bit. The angel walked over to where Jimmy had been standing wary guard over the fallen horseman.
“James, remember to keep hold of your goodness when everything around you seems lost. Your leadership will save the children in the end. Use this rare gift of a second life wisely.”
“I will. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me.”
Jimmy nodded.
“Are we going on a trip?” Hunter asked, finally able to rejoin the conversation.
“We are indeed, Michael. I hope you’re not afraid to fly.”
“Dude, I was born to fly.”
Forty-One
Scout
The rain slowed with big fat drops thumping Scout in the head. Sunlight parted the dark clouds, ending the storm. Humidity rose from the ground, thick in the air. Puddles made finding a dry path tricky. At his feet, Catherine and Molly lay sleeping after performing another miracle. Billy slept in a tight ball beside Molly with his tiny fist curled under his chin. He looked innocent, like a little boy should.
The freakiest thing Scout tried wrapping his head around was seeing Jimmy shoot off the ground after Catherine finished. Jimmy, healed and alive, didn’t say a word, but tore off running towards Main Street.
“Did Jimmy just get up and run off?” Dylan asked.
“That’s what I saw,” Mark said. “This has been one hell of a day.”
Samuel’s laughter rolled like a train off its track. “That’s the greatest understatement in the history of mankind.”
“Let’s carry everyone to the church.” Mark gave Samuel a funny look when they both bent down to pick up Molly. “I can get my sister, Samuel.”
Samuel stepped back, scratched his head, and slipped a goofy grin on his face. “Okay, sure. I’ll carry Catherine. She’s lighter anyways. I mean, not that your sister is heavy or anything. Please don’t tell her I said that. I mean, I don’t want her to get her feelings hurt or anything because I said something stupid.”
“Are you okay?” Scout asked. “You’re being kind of jumpy.”
“It must be stress.” Samuel scooped up Catherine and walked away without another word.
Mark shook his head. He stood with his sister and grunted from the effort. “She is heavy.” He smiled nervously before following after Samuel.
“I’ll carry Billy.” Dylan lifted the little kid and caught up to Mark and Samuel.
Left alone, Scout turned the other way for Main Street, keeping his feet out of the water. His shoes squished over the damp earth. He avoided the muddy road and was happy once he finally stepped on the brick cobbles.
Scout’s mouth dropped open in shock and disbelief. Hunter stood in the middle of town with a pair of large brown wings protruding from his back. At first Scout thought his imagination was running wild, until they flapped. Then Scout realized he’d stopped moving altogether and felt really stupid when Jimmy waved him over. Every step Scout took toward the amazing creature Hunter had become seemed like an eternity.
There was no smirk when Hunter looked his way and nodded. “David, it is a pleasure to meet you at last.”
Scout fell to his knees and bowed his head.
A stron
g pair of hands gripped him under his arms and lifted him up. Scout slowly raised his head. The smirk was there. “That’s the first time you ever showed me any respect.”
“Hunter?” Scout said, searching the familiar face of his friend.
“I’m going to get to fly,” Hunter said.
“Please allow me to speak without interruptions. I have something important to say.”
“Who are you talking too?” Scout said.
“He’s talking to me.”
“Who’s talking to you?”
“I am,” Hunter said.
“I’m confused.”
“Join the crowd. We’re all inside my head.”
“Please, both of you,” Hunter said.
Scout was afraid to speak. Hunter released him and stepped back. The wings rose above Hunter’s shoulders and tapered down his back. This time, he gave him a normal smile.
“David, we are proud of the work you have done here. We know your faith was tested as it always will be. We are happy that you have chosen to believe.”
“Who are we?” Scout asked.
Hunter’s smile widened. Scout thought his friend glowed and realized who “We” must be, and his legs trembled.
“David, keep strong in your faith. Your flock will need that in the coming days and beyond.”
“I will. I promise.”
“Good,” the angel said. “Now, I understand that you’re the one to ask for rope.”
“Rope?”
“Yes, rope. I need this creature bound for transport.”
“Transport?”
“He wants you to tie this dude up so we can fly him somewhere for safe keeping,” Hunter said, regaining his voice behind his smirk. “Go get some rope.”
Scout ran to his room, thankful that it survived the fire. He gathered enough rope to tie up all four horsemen and ran right back down, his heart hammering in his chest the entire round trip.
Wings stretching behind him, Hunter held the tall creepy dude while Scout lashed his arms and legs together. Scout finished and stepped back. Hunter walked over to the girl, Barbie. Scout finally noticed Jimmy standing beside him.
“Pretty amazing,” Jimmy said.
“If I woke up in my bed right now, I wouldn’t be surprised,” Scout said, staring at the wings on his best friend’s back.
Jimmy nodded. “I don’t ever want to sleep again.”
Hunter hugged Barbie. Scout didn’t understand the sadness involved, but why should that be any different. With a nod towards Jimmy and Scout, Hunter lifted the tied-up creepy dude and leaped into the air, beating his wings and creating a rush of wind. Scout heard Hunter cry, “Wahoo!”
Jimmy walked over and placed his arm around Barbie. Her eyes were a blurry mess and she buried her head in his chest. Scout waited for them to come over to him, figuring space was needed, if not required.
“What now?” he asked Jimmy.
“Now we rebuild and replant and prepare for winter. But first I’d like to go spend some time with my family.”
Scout watched Jimmy leave with Barbie, helping her along the path back to the church. When they were gone, he looked up and down the empty stretch of Main Street. The thick smell of smoke mixed with the scent of the recent rain. Scout spun in a tight circle trying to figure out where he was needed and where he wanted to be. Everyone else was at God’s house, creating the perfect opportunity for spiritual connection with his congregation. It was selfish, but Scout needed to be alone.
Back in his apartment, he found his sermon on the table and after a cursory glance he ripped out the notebook pages, crumpled up the message, and made a perfect three-point shot into the wastebasket.
Scout stared at the wall, waiting for something that wasn’t coming as memories of Raven chased him around the room before he fell to his knees and buried his head in the couch cushions. He prayed, for a long time.
When night arrived like an ominous shade, Scout lit a candle, searched for hope, and then he wrote a different sermon.
Forty-Two
Jimmy
Jimmy’s hand shook as he reached for the handle on the church door. The sun hung high overhead, drying the water from the land. He figured that’s why he was sweating so much. It was either from the humidity or the thought of Ginger totally freaking out over his resurrection.
He tamped down his fear and opened the door. A ripple of excitement followed as he entered. Some who hadn’t heard about his return gasped, and others calmed them as they dealt with the surprise.
Vanessa walked up and embraced him. “I don’t believe it, but I’m glad it’s true.”
“Me too,” Jimmy said, keeping his thoughts as still as an untroubled pond so he wouldn’t be overwhelmed by his emotions.
Mark hugged him, and then a progression of Independents kids surrounded him, gripping his arm, reaching out to touch him and welcome him back.
Samuel stood from where he sat next to a sleeping Molly. He walked over and punched Jimmy a staggering blow to the shoulder. The crowd took a huge step back.
“That’s for not taking me to Denver with you,” Samuel said. Then he wrapped his arms around Jimmy and squeezed. “I’m never leaving your side again, unless you’re going to the outhouse. Then you’re on your own until you come out.”
Jimmy patted Samuel on the back. “I missed you too.”
They broke apart and Samuel returned to his seat next to Molly. Jimmy followed.
“Are Catherine and Molly okay?”
“She’s called Margaret now,” Samuel said. His face turned red as he regarded the sleeping Margaret. “I think so. They’ve been asleep since bringing you and Billy back from beyond.”
“Bringing people back from the dead isn’t easy,” Barbie said from behind Jimmy. She knelt next to Catherine and felt the little girl’s forehead. “They’ll be okay after a while. I’ll watch over them.” She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes.
Jimmy nudged Samuel’s foot. “The food storage building is gone. The fire wiped it out.”
Samuel’s eyes bugged out and his mouth dropped open. “That Famine dude really F’d us up for good.”
Jimmy nodded, okay with Samuel using “F” as a word instead of saying the “F word.” “Do you have seeds we can use to start crops?”
“Yeah, but I don’t think there’s enough time for anything to grow. We’ll have to greenhouse everything and we’ll need to build a bigger one. I might have another option that I’ve been looking into since you died. Only problem is the process requires a lot of electricity. It’s called hydroponics and we could grow our vegetables indoors away from bug threats.”
Jimmy frowned at Samuel. “Please tell me you’re not growing weed in our basement.”
Samuel squirmed and looked around, probably for eavesdroppers. He lowered his voice. “Man, I’ve been dealing with a lot of stuff, starting with the death of my best friend.”
“You told me the same thing when you started making your homemade wine right after Greg died.”
“Yeah, well. I’m a big boy now. I can make my own decisions.”
Jimmy stared at Samuel and Samuel stared right back.
“Setting up a hydroponics system would be a good option if we can figure out the electricity. Maybe we can find some solar panels, wind turbines or something like that. We’ll start with the greenhouse first.”
“I guess we should get to work.”
Jimmy scanned the crowded church of soon to be hungry kids, but Ginger and his son were missing. Vanessa caught his attention and pointed to a closed door. Jimmy nodded before turning back to Samuel. “I think we can take the rest of the day off. We’ll start early tomorrow.”
Samuel smiled. “Good luck.”
Panic rose in Jimmy’s chest. “Do I need it?”
The smile dropped. “You were dead, dude. That took some getting over. But she loves you. Go talk to her.”
Samuel’s pep talk didn’t help. Tension and stress strung Jimmy’s nerves tighter than a ba
njo string. One pluck and all the emotions he’d lost in death would play like a forgotten tune.
Barbie suddenly snored so loud that the blue and green stained glass window above her rattled. She opened her bleary eyes and wiped the drool off the corner of her mouth. “What?”
“Nothing,” Jimmy and Samuel said in unison.
Barbie closed her eyes again.
Jimmy departed. Vanessa met him at the door and held him up. “Let me go inside and tell her you’re here. She’s still a little shook up.”
Jimmy waited by the door while Vanessa went in to check if it would be okay for Ginger’s resurrected boyfriend to visit. He leaned against the wall, trying to settle his shaky limbs.
The crowd in the church headed toward the exit. With the bad guy defeated, everyone appeared ready to get on with surviving. Jimmy’s plans hinged on the reception he may or may not receive.
Vanessa returned and left the entrance open. “You can go on in. She’s ready.”
Jimmy hesitated.
Vanessa patted his arm. “It’s going to be okay.”
Jimmy stepped inside the bright room and found Ginger seated on a couch, holding their son. She was staring into the baby’s round, sleeping face. He looked so peaceful that Jimmy believed Independents now had two angels. Jimmy moved silently toward the center of the room. He stood there waiting, unable to come up with anything intelligent to say.
“I’ve missed you,” Ginger said, still not looking at him.
“I’m sorry I ran out on you. I couldn’t let my brother die. I never wanted to leave you.”
Ginger faced him, stopping Jimmy’s heart with her beauty. “Don’t do it again.”
He spread his hands. “I won’t if I can absolutely help it.”
“Come hold your son.”
Jimmy sat next to Ginger and took the sleeping baby in his arms. Little James was wrapped in a fuzzy blue blanket. He smelled like warm summer sunshine, and Jimmy kissed him on the forehead.
Ginger placed her hand on his cheek and kissed the other. It was hard to keep his tears from spilling over her hand and lips, so Jimmy didn’t even try.
