“‘Well, I see you made it Jack. I knew you’d do it! I just knew you would!’
“‘A-a-allyson?? So that’s you up there?’ I finally recognized the little girl and was surprised I hadn’t known who she was sooner. It might’ve been her missing pigtails that’d thrown me. More than likely it was the fact she no longer was an image made of garden soil. Instead, she appeared to be a living being of flesh and blood.
“‘How do I look?’ she asked. ‘Quite an improvement from earlier, wouldn’t you say?’ She primped playfully as she curtsied before me, while the spirits of my mom and dad looked on in amusement. The angel, meanwhile, turned its gaze back toward Genovene. The brilliant light that seemed to stretch endlessly above us was rapidly filling with other angels of similar appearance descending toward the earth. Even though the brightness of the light was more intense than any I’d ever experienced before, it didn’t bother my eyes. Nor did it hinder my perception, for I could clearly see 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 mom’s spirit gently reminded me as she nodded to my dad. He then addressed me himself.
“‘We’re very proud of you, Jack, and of Jeremy, too—though, you may wonder why, in your brother’s case, sometimes,’ he told me, chuckling lightly. ‘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 suddenly grew quiet and sad, probably reflecting on all he’d missed out on over the past dozen years.
“‘Jack, we’ve only got a moment or two left before we must rejoin the others,’ my mother told me. ‘They’re about to begin the initiation for us all as a group, since there are so many of us that were hostages in Genovene’s world. Some folks were there for as long as eight to nine thousand years, believe it or not.’
“I tried to picture this ‘initiation’ she just spoke of, wondering exactly what she meant.
“‘There’s really no way to explain it to where you’d understand,’ she said, obviously knowing my thoughts again. ‘Someday you’ll know what I’m talking about—I assure you. For now, all you need to know is everyone gets to experience this event. We all go through it when our work here’s done. Your life has just begun, Jack, and you have many wonderful years to look forward to before it is your time to experience this. But, our wait was long and cruel because of Genovene.’ She looked back at her. I could see anger filling my mother’s face. Genovene seemed to take pleasure in this, hissing contemptuously as she smiled back at her. Mom’s spirit looked like she was about to go after that fucking bitch and exact some revenge, but the powerful hands of the angel restrained her.
“‘You must be diligent and finish instructing your son, Julie,’ the angel advised, and then cast its own disdainful gaze down toward Genovene. ‘We will deal with her shortly.’
“Mom nodded that she understood the angel’s admonishment and then spoke to me once more. ‘Listen closely, Jack. Put Banjo through the rails and then you must re-enter the gate in the same exact manner you left through it earlier today. Have you got that?’
“I nodded that I did and carried Banjo up to the rails of the wrought-iron gate, where I pushed him on through to the other side. As soon as I did, I laid down on my stomach and crawled underneath the gate. I stood up and brushed myself off once I reached the other side. I looked back at her and the other three smiling down at me.
“‘Tell Papa we miss him, too, and that my mother sends her love to him as well,’ Mom told me. ‘She’s doing fine, by the way, 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 the knowledge and wisdom of your grandpa, for he has much to share with you and to teach you. He knows more than you realize, and has experienced a lot,’ she said. ‘But, you must tell him your story first. Don’t be afraid, my son, and let this knowledge work to heal and strengthen all three of you. Even though we’re moving on, please remember that we’re only a whisper away and can readily hear your thoughts and prayers when you need us. We will always be with you in that way. Goodbye for now, Jack...We love you!’
“Tears filled her eyes and I noticed Allyson was sniffling, fighting back her own tears. My father’s spirit stood by stoically, dealing with this painful moment 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 was sinking in now that my parents had been dead for years—since the very day they’d mysteriously disappeared from Carlsdale so long ago. My shoulders shook uncontrollably 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 that it wasn’t meant to be was nearly 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 at last they’d completed their metamorphoses into three brilliant rays of light. A moment later, these rays shot skyward with many other rays 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 angel stepped onto the wall and reached down using his incredible strength to roll the stone sphere back to its rightful place. I breathed a sigh of relief as the sphere obscured the wrought-iron gate once more. Then, all of the angels drew swords concealed within their garments and descended directly into the area where I’d last seen Genovene, with the angel that’d rescued me leading the way.
“An intense struggle ensued on the other side of the stone wall that went on for nearly twenty minutes. I heard terrible 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 on her and just wipe her out, but then realized her comrades must’ve joined the struggle.
“I nervously glanced back toward the oak. My grandfather and brother had just climbed down from their observation point on the oak branch. They still seemed unaware of what was taking place just a short distance from them. Jeremy headed back to the house while Grandpa stood where he was, looking glumly toward my direction as if he could see me. I confirmed once more that neither of them could hear or see me, yelling at the top of my lungs while jumping up and down like a lunatic. As these antics got no response at all, I reluctantly turned my attention back to the battle on the other side of the wall.
“The fight finally reached its climax. I heard the angel and Genovene shriek at each other in one angry voice that terminated in a loud clap of thunder. Sudden and complete silence then filled the entire area, lasting for nearly a minute. Gradually, the sounds of birds and insects, along with the raging fire nearby rang in my ears again.
“I stared at the wall and the fire consuming the woods beyond it. 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 while running over to me. He wrapped his strong arms around me and hugged me tightly. ‘I thought we’d lost you for sure!!’ He started to cry, and then hugged me even tighter. I
started crying, too.
“‘Grandpa?? What in the hell’s going on here??’ cried Jeremy. ‘Th-the fire. Where in Jesus’ fricking name did all that shit come from, anyway??’ He staggered toward us nervously, obviously astounded by the fire that had engulfed the woods. I couldn’t help but feel a little satisfaction at this. My big bad brother may really be bad, but he could still get scared shitless 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!! But, hell, it looks like that motha’s been burning for quite awhile!!!’ Jeremy couldn’t pry his eyes from the blaze, and didn’t even notice I’d returned home.
Grandpa looked back at him and sighed in frustration. ‘I know, son, but call the fire department right now!’ he ordered, his voice filled with urgency. “Hurry, let’s get some buckets of water in case it gets any closer to the house!’ He turned back to me and smiled wanly.
“Jeremy ran back to the house, but stopped just before he reached the back porch. He spun around and faced me as I stood next to Grandpa. ‘How’d you get here, Jackie?’ he shouted, clearly startled that 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!!!’ Grandpa was growing increasingly irritated, but this time Jeremy heeded his request and hurried into the house and called the fire department. My grandfather now studied me, noting my cuts, bruises, and my torn and filthy clothing. He shook his head and whispered, ‘My God...what have you been up to, son?’
“‘It’s a long story, Grandpa. I’ll tell you everything—I promise—but, can I eat something first? I’m really starving!’ I told him, still wiping the tears from my eyes. ‘I hope you’re not too upset with me, even though 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 into that stomach of yours just as soon as the fire department arrives,’ he told me when we reached the tree.
“Less than ten minutes later Carlsdale’s fire department arrived. The entire department for our community, at the time, consisted of eight men and three trucks. And 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, who was our local fire chief back then, as you know, agreed this was very strange.
“At first, the largely volunteer group panicked when they saw how strong the fire was. This prompted Carl to call the Demopolis fire department for assistance. Within an hour of fighting the blaze, though, the fire miraculously died down, seemingly on its own. In a span of just under two and a half hours, the fire that’d destroyed nearly 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 on out to Carlsdale, if for no other reason than as a precautionary measure. But, as the fire began to diminish quickly before disappearing altogether, without hardly any assistance needed from his small group of firemen, Carl didn’t want to face any possible ridicule. Or, or worse yet, take the chance of jeopardizing any future assistance he might need from the western Demopolis team by not being taken seriously.
“Meanwhile, 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 to go inside, Grandpa 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 used to own at one time, he gave Banjo a badly needed bath. It only took a few minutes to do this, and once he was completely clean, Grandpa turned him loose again. He then waved to Carl and came inside our old farmhouse to finish fixing dinner, while Banjo ran around the backyard in the early evening twilight, shaking the excess water from his freshly cleaned body.”
PART VI
Revelations and a Lesson in History
Jack grew quiet and looked down at the table. He remained silent for the next few minutes, waiting for Agent McNamee 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. “I’m definitely convinced your experience and my nephew’s disappearance are related to each other. 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’d like to believe it all... But you’ve got to admit, Jack, trees with faces that talk; clouds with arms, hands, and ‘lucent’ fingers; and, statues that 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 shit.
“Still, the fact remains there is quite a bit of material to confirm most of what you’ve told me. Like the temple you described. There have been many legends throughout the world detailing similar golden structures. Even the name ‘Genovene’ has been referred to in several ancient manuscripts as a demonic entity. Furthermore, the description you gave me of the ‘villagers’ is very similar to some descriptions of alien life forms I’ve studied, and your angel description is strikingly similar to several accounts we have on file in Richmond.”
“There’s more,” Jack told him, and then raised his gaze to meet Peter’s.
“I know that,” replied Peter, matter-of-factly.
“Would you like to hear it then? I need to warn you there’ll be wilder shit to come. Although, there’ll be no more trees with faces that talk,’ said Jack, able to laugh for the first time that day.
“Yes, I’d love to hear it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes! That’s why I’m here.”
“All right, but first I’ve got to take a piss! That’s one thing I’ve found to be true about soft drinks,” Jack said as he stood up and moved over to the corner restroom. “It doesn’t stay long in your system—that’s for goddamned sure!”
“I’ve got news for you, Jack. Coffee works the same way. So, when you’re done in there, I need to take a break as well,” Peter advised, chuckling to himself over the baser facts of life.
As soon as both men had finished their ‘calls to nature’, Peter rejoined Jack at the table, stopping to grab another cup of steaming coffee along the way.
“I take it you’re not interested in another Coke,” Peter observed, once he noticed Jack without another beverage. “How’s your stomach holding out? If you’re about to describe another of your grandpa’s home cooked meals, I’m not sure I’ll be able to wait until your story’s finished, Jack!”
“Well, I believe I won’t be able to do my story justice without at least one more trip to Grandpa’s kitchen,” Jack told him. “I’ll try not to spend too long on describing food, though.”
“I’d appreciate that!” Peter teased, and then motioned for Jack to retake his seat. “Would you like a cup of water instead?”
“Nah, at least not yet.”
“All right, then. Let’s hear the rest of your story.”
“I was so glad to be home again,” said Jack, resuming where he left off. “As soon as I entered th
e back porch door and smelled the pot roast simmering in the kitchen, I felt safe and secure at last. I felt a twinge of guilt as well, since I knew dinner had been ready for the past couple of hours. A quick glance at the kitchen wall clock and the ready dinner table confirmed that fact. Curious to see if my watch was correct, I pulled it out of my shorts’ pocket. The face bore several deep scratches that looked even worse due to the grime caked onto it. The time it displayed was within five minutes of the half-past seven reading on the kitchen clock.
“Jeremy continued the endless barrage of questions he’d launched upon me from the moment I was within earshot of the back porch steps. He finished his current cigarette and flicked the remaining butt onto a barren spot in the backyard and followed me inside. At first the exchange was amicable enough, although my answers were brief and to the point. But upon mentioning my trip to the golden village, Jeremy’s response was a derisive snicker accompanied by his usual rolling of the eyes kept barely visible through his dark locks swung to one side. I was not amused, and sick of his dismissive sarcasm. I decided to end the interrogation right there. Leaving him standing in disbelief at my own brash indifference, I left the kitchen and headed upstairs.
“I trudged up the old staircase, scarcely aware of the spookiness always present. I didn’t even think about it until I’d already reached my bedroom and removed the grimy clothes from my tired and sore body, throwing them in the upstairs hamper on the way to the bathroom. About the time my grandfather entered the house after giving Banjo his bath, I turned on the shower and stepped into it, allowing the warm jets of water and soap to rinse the dirt and fatigue away, while soothing my injuries. When I was completely clean and the water’s temperature had gotten noticeably colder, I stepped out of the shower feeling refreshed enough to face Grandpa and Jeremy. After I dressed I moved gingerly downstairs, already feeling the soreness that was sure to get worse. Jeremy met me at the foot of the staircase.
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