Army of Angels

by Marcus Brown

  She could tell Patrick was out of the shower. The old floorboards in the bedroom above the kitchen began to creak as he walked across them. He was heavy footed, so she always knew where he was.

  “Pat. Is Holly up there with you?” she shouted from the kitchen.

  “No. She called before to say she was staying at Gemma’s. I forgot to tell you.”

  “Oh, okay. I’ll lock the front door then.”

  Amanda felt uneasy. Was somebody in the house?

  Reports in the papers had unsettled her and she’d finally had enough and told Patrick she wanted to move. He didn’t want to leave his childhood home behind, but he too was tired of the constant harassment and the streams of people coming to see the haunted house next door. Finally, he agreed to sell up if the owner of number six wouldn’t sell.

  After locking the door, she walked into the living room and slumped onto the sofa, but a sound like cutlery dropping to the kitchen floor startled her

  “That bleeding dog,” she cursed, leaping up and shooting back into the kitchen. “If he’s jumped onto that table…”

  She stopped dead in her tracks.

  The dog wasn’t there,

  One of the large serving spoons was lying in the centre of the floor with that night’s casserole splashed around it.

  “Pat, that bloody dog of yours,” she grumbled.

  She grabbed a cloth from the sink and dropped to her hands and knees and began to wipe the mess from the floor.

  A moan from behind made her jump.

  Quickly turning around, she was shocked to find a child standing behind her, wearing what she thought was a mask.

  “What the hell are you doing in my house?”

  He made a moaning sound, but that was the least of her worries.

  She spotted what he held in his hand.

  The scream never escaped her throat as he swung his arm and smacked her violently in the forehead with a meat tenderizer, shattering the front portion of her skull.

  Her forehead split wide open and the force of the impact caused her left eye to bulge out of its socket.

  Amanda fell face down as blood flowed from the open wound and onto the tiled floor.

  The boy moaned and sniffed the air wildly.

  The scent of her blood seemed to excite him as he brought the meat tenderizer down on the back of her head.

  “Mand! Are you coming up?” Patrick leant over the bannister and shouted again. There was no reply. “Mand, have you fallen asleep down there?”

  He returned to the bedroom and pulled his shorts on and made his way towards the open tread staircase.

  It had been his wife’s idea to have the staircase installed, but he’d never liked it.

  It reminded him of a horror film he’d seen as a kid. The killer was waiting behind the stairs to grab at the poor sod’s ankles. He’d never forgotten it, but as usual where the house was concerned, Amanda always got her own way.

  “Amanda,” he bellowed impatiently. “Have you gone deaf?” He charged down the stairs and lost his footing, tumbling to the bottom and landing in a heap. He lay at the bottom of the stairs winded and in shock, but it only took him a few seconds to realise why he’d fallen.

  Someone had grabbed his ankles, he was certain of it.

  He lay on the floor for a few seconds and felt the onset of pain in his left arm and lower jaw. He was having a heart attack–his father had the same symptoms before he’d dropped dead in front of him when he was twenty-two.

  “Help me, Mand,” Patrick croaked breathlessly. He was scared and needed his wife. but she never came.

  Despite the pain, he crawled towards the kitchen.

  “Oh, my God,” he cried, stopping at the door.

  Amanda was lying on the floor, her head caved in.

  Her blood had run into the grout channels of the tiles and was pooling by the entry to the kitchen. Chunks of brain matter clung to her once ash blonde hair. Panicking, the pain in his ankle intensified. He had to help her and forced himself across the floor, repulsed at having to crawl through his wife’s blood.

  Patrick got to her, but it was too late, she was dead. He lay sobbing against her as the patter of feet alerted him to another presence in the house.

  Rolling onto his back, he struggled to breathe as a monstrous face loomed over him.

  Was he in hell?

  Adam stood over him, brandishing a carving fork.

  The pain was almost unbearable. Patrick clutched his chest with his left hand but put his right hand up in self defence.

  The boy stabbed the fork clear through his hand. Patrick screamed and pulled his hand back, the fork sliding out.

  “Please don’t kill me,” he choked on his words.

  The boy moaned.

  Patrick tried to crawl away, the blood pouring from his hand.

  He heard the child sniff the air then pain shot up his leg. The pain in his ankle intensified and, screaming out in agony, he glanced behind him–the carving fork had been stabbed through his ankle.

  The boy yanked the fork out and chuckled.

  Screaming in pain, he attempted to kick out at the child, but it was no use. His whole body was racked with pain.

  Patrick rolled onto his back, his breathing more laboured by the second as the child stood over him once again.

  The boy raised the fork in the air and brought it down, stabbing it into Patrick’s left eye. White hot pain paralysed him, and he lost all strength to fight.

  He felt the fork being ripped out of his eye and heard the boy chuckle before bringing it down again.

  The fork pierced Patrick’s right eye. The last think he heard was the prongs hitting the tile underneath his head.

  Holly Breen returned home the following morning.

  “Mum. Are you home?”

  She walked into the kitchen, her mum’s familiar haunt, but there was no sign of her.

  “Mum,” she shouted again as she entered the living room.

  On the fireplace was a hand-written note with an envelope stuffed with twenty-pound notes.

  Holly,

  Daddy and I decided to take a holiday.

  Just one of those last-minute deals!

  See you in a few weeks.

  Be good and don’t annoy the neighbours with loud music, or parties.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Hilary handed Jason a tissue. He’d finally stopped crying but hadn’t spoken for a few minutes.

  She hated herself for upsetting him so much, but she needed his help. “Jason. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah,” he said.

  Even though he was considered a minor, she grabbed a beer out of the fridge, opened it, then handed it to him.

  He slugged it back. “I need a cigarette. Do you mind if I go out to the garden?”

  “I’ll get you an ashtray.” She grabbed one of Tim’s from under the kitchen sink. Another reminder of her amazing husband. “You can have it in here,” she said, passing him the ashtray. “My husband smokes so I’m used to it.”

  He lit the cigarette and inhaled deeply. “What happened to him? I need to know.”

  “I don’t know, Jason. I wish I did.”

  “Call me Jase.”

  “They’re both gone, but she’s keeping them prisoner there, somehow. I just don’t understand any of it.”

  “I need to know what you’ve seen and don’t bullshit me.”

  “All right, Jase, but remember, I’m not telling you to hurt you. You need to know that.”

  Hilary told him everything. He listened and sat mulling it all over. She presumed he’d be upset but didn’t expect the level of anger from him.

  “We need to go and get my fucking brother. Now! She won’t stop me from giving him a funeral.”

  “Jase, we can’t just rush in there. You don’t know what she’s capable of.” Hilary stood up and retrieved the little wooden box from the table. “I want you to look inside the box, but I need you to prepare yourself first.”

  He opened
the box and heaved, dropping it on the floor. The eyes rolled across the floor. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Jason yelled as he reeled backwards.

  Hilary panicked and grabbed the box from the floor.

  She bent over to retrieve the eyes and heaved. Closing her eyes, she picked the sticky orbs up from the floor and put them back inside the box, before closing the lid. “Juliet took Sandra’s eyes.”

  “At least you’ll get to bury your friend with hers. We never found Ashley’s.”

  “I’m sorry, Jase. You shouldn’t have to deal with this. You’re just a kid yourself.”

  “I might be a kid, but this bitch, whoever she is will pay for what she’s done to Adam… and Sandra.”

  “Before we decide what to do, you need to go home and check in with your mum and let her see you’re okay because we can’t take the chance you’ve been seen with me.”

  “Okay, I’ll go now, but I’ll be back here for eight. What’s the plan?”

  “Don’t come back here. Meet me outside St. Jude’s on the high street at ten pm. Do you know it?”

  “Yeah, I know it, but me and church don’t really mix.”

  “We’re not going there to worship. Call it whatever you want, but I had a dream last night, of an old friend, and I’m hoping to meet him there, so don’t be late.”

  “See you at ten.” He headed out the door.

  “Oh, and Jase,” she added. “Be careful.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Hilary stood dithering on the church steps–the wind cutting through her.

  It was ten o’clock and as agreed, she watched as Jason swaggered down the street towards her.

  “So, who are we meeting then?” he asked, looking better, and cleaner, than he had earlier that day.

  “I’ve got a feeling David will be waiting for us.”

  “Haven’t a clue who that is, but I’m here anyway. How we gonna get in there?”

  “This church is always open.”

  “Well, let’s go in. I’m fucking freezing.” He held the door open for her.

  “Did you say anything to your mum?”

  “No. She’s passed out in bed now. Pissed as a fart.”

  She could see he was hurting. “Don’t judge her, Jase. It’s hard enough for you, but she’s lost two kids now.” She knew her words had cut deep and instantly regretted them. “I’m sorry. I know you’ve lost them too. I didn’t think.”

  “Can we just get on with it? I don’t need all this mushy shit right now. I can’t handle it.” He walked down the aisle towards the altar. “I’ve always hated churches. They give me the fucking creeps.”

  “They bring comfort to a lot of people.”

  “Only if you’re stupid enough to believe in religion.”

  Hilary didn’t want to argue about religion, but felt smug, hoping he’d be forced to eat his words once David appeared. She didn’t know for certain David would even be there, but she had an inkling he would be.

  “So where is this dude?” he said looking around. “I can’t be out all night. My mum’s mate is looking after her and I told her I wouldn’t be gone long.”

  “I don’t know how long he’ll be, but I’m sure he’ll come.”

  “Can’t you call him and tell him to get a move on.”

  She chuckled. “I don’t think mobile phones work where he comes from.”

  Jason seemed confused, but she knew he wasn’t in the mood for playing games.

  “I’m sure he won’t be much longer. Come over here with me and we’ll light candles for Ashley, Adam and Sandra.”

  “I’m not into that hippy dippy shit. You do what you need to do but leave me out of it.”

  “This is a house of God, Jason Lee. Watch your tongue.”

  Both Hilary and Jason spun around to see David standing behind them.

  “Where did you come from?” Jason asked.

  “Oh, somewhere far away.”

  “I recognize you.” Jason squinted in the dimmed light of the church, approaching David cautiously.

  “Yes, you do.”

  “I’ve seen you before, at Promised Land Lane. You were there the night Ashley was killed.” His anger was becoming increasingly evident. “My brother’s dead because of you.”

  Jason clenched his fists and rushed at David. His face was contorted with rage.

  “Jason. No!” Hilary screamed.

  “Leave him be. He’s entitled to his anger, but he cannot harm me anymore than he could when we first met.”

  Jason rained blows on David but caused no damage to him.

  Despite the brutality of Jason’s attack, he spoke softly. “I’ve come to help Adam.”

  Jason stopped dead, tears flowing down his face. “They were only kids, why did they have to die?”

  Hilary rushed to Jason’s side. She pulled him into a tight hug.

  “What are we going to do, David?”

  “I can help, but it won’t be easy.”

  “I don’t care how hard it’ll be,” she said. “We have to help them. Both of them.”

  Jason pulled away from Hilary and wiped his eyes. “How?”

  “Juliet’s Grimoire holds all her power. We have to find a way to destroy it before she can bring Samantha back. If we can do that, she will fail as her sister did before her. Any power Juliet has over Sandra and Adam will be undone.”

  “And then what?” Hilary asked. “What will happen to them?”

  “They will come with me, into the light.”

  Her eyes suddenly widened. It wasn’t what she was expecting to hear. “No. I want Sandra to stay here with me.”

  “Hilary, you know that’s no longer possible. Sandra’s human body is dead and only her soul remains trapped. No matter what I do, I can’t restore life to the dead. I know it’s not what you want to hear, but it’s the best I can do. I’m sorry!”

  Hilary bowed her head.

  “And what about Adam?” Jason asked.

  “The same is true for your brother,” he replied, sadly. “I wish I could do more.”

  “Will he be with Ashley again?”

  “Yes. They’ll be together again, as they always should have been.”

  “Swear that to me.”

  “I don’t tell lies, Jason, but if it makes you feel better, you have my word.”

  “That’s good enough for me.” Jason seemed happier knowing his brothers would finally be reunited. “Tell us what we have to do,” he demanded. “Do you agree, Hilary?

  “Yes, of course I am.” She looked to David. “What about Sandra. Where will she go?”

  “She’ll be reunited with her sister and one day, many years from now, you will all be together again.”

  “And what will happen to you?”

  “I’ll go back. My time on Earth was over a long time ago.”

  “But you love her.”

  “I do.”

  “Are you allowed to be with her in Heaven?” Hilary didn’t know how it all worked, but if she was going to lose her best friend to Heaven, it would make it easier if she was to be reunited with the man she loved.

  “Yes, but that is a choice Sandra will need to make. If she wants me, I’ll be with her until the end of time.”

  Jason interrupted. “Enough of the lovey-dovey shit. Just tell me what I need to do to help my brother.”

  David shook his head. “It won’t be easy, Jason. For any of us.”

  “I don’t care. I just want my brother away from that bitch.”

  “I have a plan, but I must insist our conversations don’t leave the walls of this church.”

  “Who would believe any of this anyway?” Hilary had told the cop what she knew, and he thought she was barking mad.

  “Inside these walls, I’m invisible to Juliet, and anybody else that would wish to stop us. I can’t leave here and return to the lane until the time is right, but when that time does come, I’ll do all I can to stop Juliet.”

  “How will I know where to find you?” Hilary asked.
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  “I’ll know when you’re here,” he stated. “Do I have your word?”

  Hilary and Jason agreed in unison.

  “Come. We must discuss the path forward.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Hilary stopped the car around the corner from Jason’s house. Neither could afford to be seen with the other.

  “I’ll call you,” he said.

  “Remember what David asked of us. Not a word, okay?”

  “Gotcha.” He closed the door and rushed down the road.

  He could see flashing blue lights as he turned the corner of his road. Bile rose in his throat upon the realisation the emergency services were outside his home.

  Rushing along the road, he peered into the ambulance. The doors were wide open. He was expecting to see his mum lying inside, injured somehow. Relief washed over him—the ambulance was empty.

  The neighbours were out in force, wondering what was going on, but none of them would look at him. The lady from next door was crying. He caught her eye, but she turned away.

  “Mum.” He shouted as he approached the path to his house.

  A uniformed policeman stopped him.

  “I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t let you in there.”

  “Where’s my mum?” He was starting to panic.

  “Could you tell me your name, please?”

  “Jason Lee, but my mum’s in there. Jeanette. Her name’s Jeanette Lee.”

  The policeman stood aside.

  Jason rushed past him and ran down the path. He pushed the front door open and yelled again. “MUM.” She didn’t answer him. He had a horrible feeling in his stomach. Flying down the hallway toward the living room a WPC stopped him.

  “Are you Jason Lee?”

  “Yes, what’s happened? Where’s my mum?”

  “I’m sorry, but I’ve got some bad news for you.” She put her hand on his shoulder, but he shrugged her off.

  “Get off me.”

  “Jason, it’s important you understand what I’m going to say to you.”

  “I wanna talk to my mum, where is she?”

  “I’m sorry to inform you, but your mum was found unresponsive in bed earlier this evening. Paramedics attended the scene, but we couldn’t resuscitate her.”