by Michael Dean
I didn’t say a word and smirked at his humor.
“That’s all I’ve heard about since you proposed, Leo. Thanks for that.”
“I guess I’m a gift to you in many ways.” I teased, trying to jar a reaction out of him from behind that magazine but got nothing other than a playful huff.
“Mr. Lewis, I was thinking…”
“About what?” He interrupted while never shifting his gaze.
“Well…seeing that I really don’t have any friends my age besides Scruffy…”
“Mmmm hmmm.”
“It’s kind of hard to fill up a line of groomsmen with just one. Since you, Benjamin, Sheriff Taylor and Scruffy have been like family to me…well…I was curious if you all would be my groomsmen at the wedding?”
There was an awkward moment of silence as he flicked the magazine in front of him before folding it back together and placing it beside him. Finally, his eyes met mine.
“Give my daughter to you and stand behind you as you take her away from me?” He smiled, “Leo…I’d be honored to stand behind you at my daughter’s wedding. Thank you for asking me.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He started rubbing his hands back and forth across his legs and breathed out in a nervous fashion.
“Something bothering you, sir?”
With a slight pause, he answered.
“You know, Leo, I don’t want you to get the wrong impression about what I’m about to say.”
I looked at him perplexed.
“I am thrilled to have you as my son-in-law, and am very glad that you love my daughter as much as you do. It’s easy to tell that she means a lot to you.”
“She does. She’s my whole world.”
He tucked his bottom lip under his top one, “I know she is…and you’re everything to her. Which is why I’m worried about this union between the two of you. Even though no one is saying anything about it…everyone else is worried about this also.”
“Sir?”
“Leo, you’re a demon. That alone is an astronomical obstacle for a father to overcome and comprehend when it comes to someone dating his daughter. Not to mention you’re a demon in a very highly volatile situation. What is my little girl going to do if one day something happens to you and you don’t return to her? It would devastate her. I’m not sure if I could stand to see her go through that much pain. Like I said, no one in our families are saying anything about this because the two of you are so happy together, but it is at the forefront of our minds.”
“I guess my situation is similar to a husband going off to war. No guarantees of a return home there either. I don’t mean that to sound harsh, but we all live on borrowed time.”
“Well, true, but…” He paused.
“I understand what you are saying, though. I’ve had the same concerns myself. Like I’ve said before, I can’t guarantee that I can win this thing with Hell. As a matter of fact, it’s more than likely that I won’t. The only thing that gives me hope and keeps me strong is the thought of always coming back home to see her. She is my will. Without that, my one percent chance falls to zero. I know it’s not the most logical thing to do, not like it’s ever been done before that I know of, a demon marrying a human girl, especially given my circumstances on top of that, but it just feels right. I love her and I have no other way that I can think of to let her know she is one of a kind other than to commit to her for as long as I have here on this earth. It feels like we were meant to do this together. I can’t explain it.”
Richard just stared at me with a comforting smile.
“Well son, you’ve heard my reservations. I thought it was only fair to the both of you that I made my thoughts known. You two have my blessing and I wish you the best. I will be there to give my daughter away as well as support you, and stand with you at the altar.” He reached over and patted me on the leg as he stood up from his chair.
“That means a lot to me, Richard…thank you.”
Before he walked out of the room, he turned back to me.
“Take care of her, Leo. She is my whole world too. You must always come back to her...for her.”
“I will sir…I will.” I nodded at him in affirmation.
He looked at me with an insecure smile and then looked behind me as if someone was standing there. I turned to look and see that Shade was present. Richard walked out of the room.
“Did you hear everything we just talked about?”
“Pretty much.” She leaned over the top of me and wrapped her arms around my neck in an embrace, softly kissing me. “You’re my whole world too, baby. Always…always come back to me. I will wait on you for eternity.”
I smiled and caressed her arm, kissing her once again.
CHAPTER 2
ILL
Time screamed by. Although mayhem was still breaking out throughout the world here and there, I decided to stick around, close to home. I began to get frustrated with Argento and Elysia—with the heavens. I figured, if they weren’t coming to mankind’s aid, why should I? My world centered on protecting my loved ones and seeking out War. I was tired of playing the middle man between Heaven and Hell.
So, I stayed home. Christmas came; it was a white one, naturally, in Colorado. I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the human tradition of sitting around a hot fireplace with the people I care about, trading gifts, listening to holiday music with everyone as snow fell outside foggy windows. Watching our family and friends all get together, the food, the festivities—this is what I had always dreamed of doing all those days and nights sitting alone up in my tree. I was a part of something now and I didn’t want it any other way. It was as if, at least during this time period, the outside world and the troubles within it had no bearing on our time together. It was great.
As winter came closer to an end and spring began to draw near, something started to happen around me, something I had always known would occur if I lingered somewhere for an extended amount of time. Something that only Shade and I were aware of. The humans around me began to get sick. Benjamin, Anne, Scruffy, even Shade, and her family started to fall ill. I was spending too much time with them. I hadn’t taken a day away from them to even visit my tree for a few days just to give them a break from me. I was constantly around both families as of late and it was beginning to show. To be honest, I had nearly forgotten about this issue.
It was getting to where Scruffy was missing college days, work days, and not going to his MMA classes. His parents were in the same predicament along with Shade’s mother and father. It got to the point where they had gotten so weak they couldn’t even get out of their beds. Doctor and hospital visits started becoming frequent with the families, the healthcare workers couldn’t find anything wrong with them all, but I knew what was wrong with them…me.
Our wedding had taken a distant backseat to this dilemma. I knew what I had to do. I decided to leave for a while, but before I could leave, I needed to see my fiancée. I bid farewell to my very sick and pale family, citing the excuse that there was another breakout of malevolence I needed to tend to and took off for the Lewis home for a brief visit.
Shade, for some strange reason, was showing some resiliency. Although she was very weak, coughing and aching all the time, she was still able to get around to answering her front door.
“Hey baby.” She greeted me with a weakened smile as she coughed through her hand covered mouth.
“Hey,” I reached out and rubbed her cheek which seemed to make her go into a coughing spree, causing me to recoil my hand, “I know you don’t feel well. Do you have a minute?”
“Of course,” she murmured, reaching over to grab a blanket to wrap herself in as she stepped outside to sit on one of her front porch chairs. She fell into it like a sack of rocks, sighing as her butt hit the seat.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” I stood over her.
She reached up and grabbed my ice cold hand within hers.
“At least my temperature finally matches yours now.” She tried to joke, bu
t I could only feel shame at what my presence was causing.
“You know what’s causing this…right?” I asked.
“Yes…yes I do.” Her head sunk.
“You know that I must leave for a while so everyone can get better, right?”
“I know.” Her hand squeezed mine before going limp and falling upon her knee.
“Are you going to go all over the world again?” She couldn’t raise her sagging head to even address me. Not because she may have been sad, but I think more because she was too weak to lift it.
“No,” I answered and then her head lifted, “I’m going to my spot. I’m not going anywhere. Sure, I may get restless and go for a short flight, but I’m staying home, near you. War can come to me. I’m tired of trying to stop the flow of evil all by myself while Argento sits idly by and does nothing. I’m not playing Christian’s sick game anymore either. The planet is no longer my concern. Only you, those we care about, and our home here is all I’ll fight to defend now. I’m done being their play-toy”.
“That’s good. I like knowing you’re nearby. The world around us may be in disarray, but somehow it seems all the more safe when you’re close.”
I smiled and leaned down, kissing her forehead.
She cracked a half grin and closed her eyes.
“With that said, don’t you think the events going on around the world will eventually spill over into Mountainside?”
“I’m sure it will, and I’ll be ready when it does. I just can’t keep running all over the place while Christian formulates whatever plan he has in store for me. I’m getting no help from the other side, therefore, I will not aid them anymore.”
“When will you be back…well, back enough to see me?” She pulled her weakened hand up to the back of my neck and held my cheek to her head.
“When your strength returns, your full strength, call me.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out a cell phone.
She snickered and I joined in as well. “I’m so glad you’ve had a cell phone for a while now.”
“Remember, because you don’t see me, doesn’t mean I’m not within reach.” I leaned away from her and helped her stand up.
We stood and embraced for a while. I could feel the sickness within her body making her tremble within my grasp.
“I wish you could pull out your wings and wrap them around me right now and just hold me forever.”
I didn’t say anything, I just held her tighter to me.
“I will see you soon. I promise, if all signs point back to everyone regaining their health, I will be back for the wedding.”
“And if we don’t get healthy in time?”
“Then push back the date, silly.” I tried to comfort her.
We both smiled and softly kissed.
“Everything will be fine. Just get better. The wedding will happen.” I reassured.
She didn’t reply and we broke our embrace and I watched her hobble to her front door and open it.
“Leo, how can we live together if this is always going to be the norm when I’m around you…never mind, forget about that. I know we can find a way.” She answered her own valid concern.
I just smiled. “Hey babe, don’t let everyone know that I’m the cause of this, please? Keep that secret between us. Not that you would tell them. I just don’t want their worries to heighten even more about our union. I don’t want your parents to worry about you being with me more than they already do. Understand?”
“You know I will, our secret will always be between us on this matter.”
I nodded to her and we exchanged goodbyes, time for me to go back to a familiar and lonely place. I’m sure my tree hasn’t missed me.
CHAPTER 3
CLARITY
When I returned to my old stomping grounds, I noticed that in my absence some of the vegetation had come back. I could tell even though it was the tail end of winter. Fallen leaves were all around, the area felt lighter, weeds had started to sprout up and there were footprints from the local wildlife all over the place. Life had returned to my old home while I was away. It was sprouting everywhere except for my old tree. That was as dead as ever, towering above the edge my scenic overlook. It was as if the stain of my presence upon it could never be washed away.
Doing what I’d always done, I leaped up upon my branch and hunched down, staring down into my area of residence in the town below. Out of habit, I turned to look for Shadow and instantly came to my senses—my old friend would never be back again. For the first time in a while, I was lonely again, almost on the brink of despair.
To avoid wallowing in self-pity like I used too, I spent the days exploring the land around me and taking flight on short journeys when I knew I could get away with being unseen. As time slowly passed, I felt a full change in the air, the change of seasons. A sliver of warmth began to return to the environment, animals started to come out all over the landscape, spring was unveiling itself. I knew the wedding was getting closer, but yet, no phone call from anyone, no visit from Shade, nothing. No good news or bad about their health. I figured, no news, was good news though. If one of my loved ones had succumbed to their illnesses, I would have surely received a call from Shade about it. At the very least, I could take solace in that at the moment.
I knew nothing about what was going on in the world around me either. How much of Christian’s and War’s reach upon the earth had extended. Deep down, I guess I cared, but I remained stubborn about it. Heaven can clean up their own mess, that’s their job. I belong to no faction anymore. I was very bitter about the lack of presence from either Argento or Elysia.
One early morning, I returned from a short flight out and perched myself upon my branch. From out of the woods nearby, a very familiar bright white light began to illuminate from deep within the woods. I knew who’s presence it was, and when the two figures softly stepped out from amongst the trees, it was confirmed that finally Argento and Elysia had returned.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the absentee landlords. What are you two doing here?” I scoffed at them, never turning my gaze to them as I kept staring out at the mountaintops around us.
Argento and Elysia pulled off their hoods and approached the base of my tree, staring up at me.
“I sense a bit of aggravation coming from you, Leo,” Argento said, humbly.
“Ya think?” I shook my head.
“What’s troubling you?”
“What is troubling me?” I scoffed again and continued to shake my head in frustration. “Don’t play stupid with me.”
“I’m afraid we do not understand.” Argento sounded confused which only angered me further.
“How can you not understand?” I looked down at them in disgust. “How can you not know? The world is descending into madness around us all and the Heavens have done nothing! Not a word from either of you, not a helping hand, nothing!”
“You do not understand, Leo, the Heavens are always helping—because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean we’re not there. Events must play out until a time comes when they must cease, I’m afraid we can tell you no more than that to comfort you,” Argento said, a little more forcefully.
This infuriated me enough and I reacted by leaping down from my branch and landing in front of them to face them.
“That’s it, that’s your answer? When will the time be right for you, Argento…Elysia, to make your move? Hmm? When the world is burning and lying in ruins? When all are dead? When Christian's hold upon mankind is so strong that nothing can be done to stop him? Is that when Heaven will step in and clean up the mess they ignored long enough to let happen? Is that when?” My voiced got higher and higher with each question.
“I’m tired of being pushed aside by the two of you…told things on a need to know basis. Maybe Christian was right. Maybe I am the pawn in this sick game, being used by both sides to achieve a goal that serves no one other than the two parties pulling at me and my friends. Then when the time comes, when we are all dead, one side or th
e other will achieve their means after we, and the world around us, have been discarded like trash. Well, if that’s the case, then I no longer need your help either, none of us do. I no longer seek your counsel.” I pointed at the two of them before turning my back to them.
“Is that what he’s told you, Leo? Is that what Christian has diluted your mind with? Have you forgotten that he is a master at deception, feeding you lies to isolate you? Making you weaker in the process and more easily defeated?” Argento asked.
“I don’t know what to believe anymore…or who. All I know is that I do feel like I’m being used for some other purpose other than just my quest for Diccittidel, and I can’t have that. I don’t know what Heaven and Hell are really fighting over this time, all I know is that I’m fighting for my freedom and those that I love. That’s it. Nothing more.”
“We know, Leo.” Elysia stepped up to me and placed her hand on my shoulder from behind as she spoke, “we know what you’re motives are. We would never do anything to hold you back on your quest.”
“Then why…why aren’t you helping? Where were the two of you when I was hopping all over the world trying to stop the madness like some comic book superhero? I received nothing from you. No help, nothing, nor did the humans that were having horrible acts committed to them, by them. You were absent.”
“We are never absent when man commits his atrocities. We are always there,” Argento said and I turned to face them as Elysia’s hand slid off from my shoulder.
“I sure didn’t see you around,” I said sarcastically.
“I know it doesn’t make sense to you, and even frustrates you, but like we’ve mentioned before, events must unfold before pieces can be put into place to counteract.” Argento pushed.
“But what does that mean? All I hear from my perspective is that you must turn a blind eye until it best suits you to intervene. No matter the collateral damage. That doesn’t feel righteous to me. I can’t trust in that.” I pushed back.
Argento and Elysia turned to look at each other in assurance then glanced back to me before Argento spoke further.
