The Incubus

by Len du Randt

‘So you’re telling me that there is no angel that can stop this demon?’

  ‘Oh,’ the man said and a grin formed on his face. ‘There is one.’

  ‘Me…’

  ‘Correct.’

  ‘This is unreal.’

  ‘You’re our only hope, Simon,’ the man said. ‘The fates of millions lie in your hands.’

  Simon waited a long moment before he spoke again. He stared blankly at the wall in front of him as thoughts, questions, and doubts shot through his mind. After what felt like forever, he swallowed hard and asked, ‘What happens if I fail?’

  ‘I don’t think we can begin to understand the terror that will be unleashed on this world. If he grows up in the company of the wrong kind of people, he will be responsible for the largest slaughter in human history.’ He paused for a moment to let his words sink in. ‘But if you succeed, the result would be quite the opposite. He will be responsible for leading millions to our Lord, Jesus Christ.’

  ‘And all of this will happen?’

  The man nodded.

  ‘Through this one child?’

  ‘Hard to imagine, isn’t it?’

  Simon was dumbstruck. The fate of millions of people rested upon Justin’s unborn son as much as on Simon. If he managed to stop the demon, everything would be fine. If not, hell on earth would be unleashed. Simon looked up at the angel in his apartment. ‘What about Timmy’s parents? They’re being accused of fraud for something that I did.’

  The man shook his head. ‘It is not my place to know how this will all turn out,’ he said. ‘But everything works out best for those who love the Lord.’

  Simon knew the scripture. He thought about the task at hand and his encounter with Dominic earlier. He had to focus to keep himself from becoming nauseous again. ‘This demon,’ he finally asked. ‘What type is it?’

  ‘It’s one of the dark one’s highest ranking,’ the man said and the grave expression on his face revealed his concern. ‘An Incubus.’

   

   

  *    -    -    -    *

   

   

  All you need to do is ask.

  Justin wondered if there was any alternative. He could think of none. The past bound him, preventing him from having a fulfilling future with his wife. According to Simon it was as simple as asking for forgiveness. According to Justin, that in itself wasn’t as simple as it sounded. He knew that Rebecca believed in God, Jesus, and the whole ‘salvation’ thing, but because he insisted, she never spoke about it out loud.

  It was even before they were married that he put his foot down on any talks about religion or politics, and for the first time since then he wished he hadn’t. He longed to know more about her religion and what fuelled her faith. He wished he knew more about her dreams and goals for the future. He realized that he stood on the brink of divorce with a woman he didn’t really know half as well as he should have. He felt selfish and ashamed for the first time since their marriage.

  All you need to do is ask.

  He saw Simon sitting underneath a tree in the little garden and walked over to him.

  ‘Hey,’ Simon said as Justin approached him. ‘You’re just in time to join me for a sandwich.’

  Justin sat down in front of Simon on the soft grass and crossed his legs. ‘I need to ask you something,’ he said.

  Simon nodded. ‘Shoot.’

  Justin took a sandwich from Simon and took a bite. He chewed a while and swallowed. ‘I really need your honest opinion. It’s matter of life and death.’

   

   

  *    -    -    -    *

   

   

  ‘Dominic?’

  Justin nodded.

  Simon pondered the question for a moment. ‘Do you want my honest opinion?’

  ‘Nothing less.’

  ‘I don’t like him,’ he said and bit into his sandwich. ‘Not one bit.’ He studied Justin for a minute as he slowly chewed on the sandwich. ‘Why do you ask?’

  ‘Not sure,’ Justin said. ‘There’s something about that guy that creeps me out.’

  ‘Yeah, me too.’

  ‘And I think he’s messing with my wife.’

  Simon paused in mid-bite and slowly took the sandwich away from his mouth. ‘Why do you say that?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Justin said. ‘It’s just a feeling I get. You know? Almost like those you got about me.’

  ‘Did you speak to Rebecca about it yet?’

  ‘Not yet, no.’

  ‘Well, I think you should.’

  ‘I wish that I was as laid back about everything as you are,’ Justin said. ‘Things just aren’t that simple in real life, you know?’

  Simon laughed. ‘I wish that we could exchange shoes right here and now, my friend. But we can’t. You have your quest to fulfil, and I have mine.’

  There was a moment of silence between the two and in the silence; Justin pondered the actual reason for striking up the conversation with Simon. ‘This whole sin and forgiveness issue,’ he asked. ‘Is it really that simple?’

  Simon nodded. ‘It is, yes. People tend to over-complicate the matter, and in doing so manage to make Christianity a burden not only on themselves, but on others as well.’

  ‘But there are all these rules,’ Justin said. ‘All these rituals and dogma.’

  ‘Not so,’ Simon said. ‘Do you know what the biggest rule of Christianity is?’

  Justin thought for a moment. ‘Thou shalt not kill?’

  Simon shook his head. ‘The biggest command to a Christian is to love the Lord your God with your whole heart and mind. The second biggest command is to love your neighbour as yourself. The foundation of Christianity is love.’

  Justin didn’t say anything. He merely finished his sandwich and allowed Simon to continue.

  ‘God is able to love in a scale that human minds simply cannot comprehend. It is for that reason that Jesus Christ had to die. So that we don’t have to. You’re a father, Justin. Imagine if by the painful torture and death of your only son, you could ensure the survival of the human race. Would you allow it?’

  Justin thought about the miscarriage. ‘I don’t...know.’

  ‘Well, God made that sacrifice for you. The best part is that you don’t have to do anything physically to earn it. You merely need to accept. All you need to do is ask.’

  Justin felt convicted for the first time in years. The feeling was alien, yet not at all uncomfortable. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and stood up. ‘I have to go now,’ he said. ‘Thanks for the chat.’

  ‘Anytime,’ Simon said.

  Justin turned to leave.

  ‘Oh, and Justin?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Good luck; and God speed.’

   

   

  *    -    -    -    *

   

   

  Rebecca opened the door. ‘Dominic,’ she said. ‘What a pleasant surprise.’

  ‘I thought you’d be in a desperate need of a coffee break.’

  ‘I don’t drink coffee,’ Rebecca said. ‘But I do have a craving for some tea. Please, come in.’

  Dominic entered the apartment and joined her in the kitchen as she boiled the water.

  ‘Your husband still at work?’

  ‘I’m afraid so,’ she said. ‘Traffic usually keeps him on the road until about seven.’

  ‘That’s just terrible,’ Dominic said. ‘I’ll simply have to keep you company until then.’ He said, but hesitated. ‘That is, if you don’t mind.’

  ‘Not at all,’ she said. She felt doubly blessed. Not only did she not have to be alone in the apartment, but she had the companionship of one of the most attractive men she had ever seen in her life.

  ‘Does he work late often?’ Dominic asked as they sat down in the living room.

  ‘It’s not really working late,’ she reminded him. ‘It’s the traffic.’

  ‘Oh yes,�
� Dominic said as if he had forgotten already. ‘You must trust him an awful lot then.’

  Rebecca frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘The traffic thing,’ Dominic said. ‘You must trust him a lot to think that he actually sits in traffic.’ He shrugged. ‘I don’t know about him, but if I had to sit in traffic, I’d rather find something to do or someone to visit until most of the traffic’s died down. Why sit in rush hour madness and frustrate yourself if you could just wait it out?’

  ‘Someone to visit?’

  ‘Oh, you know. People around the office, perhaps. Maybe a friend?’

  ‘Like a lady friend?’

  ‘Perhaps,’ Dominic said and nodded.

  ‘He doesn’t have any female friends...’

  ‘None that you know of,’ Dominic said. ‘Do you really think that you’re the only female companionship he has?’

  ‘Well...he knows Tanya...’

  ‘True,’ Dominic said and rubbed his chin. ‘Well, it was just a thought. I could be wrong, of course.’

  Rebecca thought about the past few weeks; Justin’s constant late working, him losing his ring, going to sites, and his mood swings. She also remembered her discussions with Tanya, and slowly, a fear started becoming a reality. ‘Are you implying that Justin is having an affair?’

  ‘Not at all,’ Dominic said and laughed heartedly. ‘I’m merely saying that there is a gap for opportunity, wouldn’t you think?’

  I think he’s having an affair, Tanya’s voice echoed in her head. The evidence is there, and it’s all pointing to one thing.

  ‘I...I don’t know what to believe anymore...’

  Denial is a terrible thing.

  ‘Again, I might be wrong,’ Dominic said. ‘But I’m just giving you a man’s perspective on the situation.’

  For the first time since she suspected Justin having an affair did Rebecca actually feel angry. She felt like a blind fool, being mocked and duped in front of the world while blindly following the man claiming to love her. She was angry and for the first time she actually considered divorcing Justin Greene.

  Dominic placed his hands over hers. ‘I didn’t want to mention this,’ he said and hesitated. ‘But I can’t hide this from you anymore.’

  Rebecca didn’t say anything. She merely waited for Dominic to continue.

  ‘I’ve been having these...strange dreams about you.’

  ‘Dreams...?’

  He nodded. ‘Well, they were dreams at first. After I’ve gotten to know you better I realized that these dreams were mental representations of my actual feelings for you.’

  Rebecca just sat there, dumbstruck. She felt faint, unable to process the information. Finally she conjured the strength to speak again. ‘Feelings...?’

  ‘I like you, Rebecca, I really do,’ Dominic said and—holding her hands in his—shifted a little closer to her. ‘I’ve never felt like this about anyone else before.’

  Her mind reeled; her heart beat faster than ever before; her breathing was short, and her stomach tightened. ‘I...I’m married...’

  ‘To what?’ Dominic asked. ‘A good for nothing, cheating husband that doesn’t care about you or your baby?’ He established eye contact with her to make sure she soaked in what he said. ‘I, on the other hand, care greatly for you and your baby. I will always be with you and will never leave or forsake you.’

  Rebecca wanted him to embrace her. She yearned physical contact. ‘You...you have to leave,’ she said.

  Dominic gave her hand a slight squeeze before he got up. ‘Think about what I’ve said.’ He headed for the door and gave her one last look before leaving through it.

  Denial is a terrible thing.

  To Rebecca, everything between her and Justin was spinning out of control: their love life, their communication, and their marriage. ‘Oh, come home, Justin,’ she whispered, and then she cried.

   

   

  *    -    -    -    *

   

   

  Demons battled angels. Simon was surrounded by the foul smelling creatures. They advanced at a rapid pace, all baring fangs and waving swords.

  ‘Elrisk!’ Simon shouted. ‘Where are you?’

  The demons advanced quicker.

  ‘Elrisk!’

  ‘Right here beside you, my old friend,’ a voice spoke from his left.

  Simon looked to his side and saw the man that had been in his apartment only a week ago. The man was clothed in robes of gold that radiated light. He brandished a flaming sword in his hand and had huge, powerful wings.

  ‘Looks like we have company,’ the angel known to Simon as Elrisk said and pointed at the advancing horde.

  Simon didn’t make a move until they were almost upon him. He instinctively reached for his side and unsheathed a flaming sword. With one forceful arc through the air, Simon slew four demons at once.

  ‘Welcome back, Yuriel,’ Elrisk said and laughed out loudly.

  The two of them slashed their way through hordes of demons until, finally, there were no more to slay.

  Simon looked at the angel next to him. ‘I accept,’ he said.

  ‘Accept?’

  ‘The truth.’

  Elrisk didn’t say anything.

  ‘I accept the truth and embrace the knowledge of who I really am.’

  Elrisk smiled and his teeth radiated a blinding light that engulfed Simon. He woke up and slid off the bed. On his knees he prayed while the tears flowed. But they were not tears of sadness. They were tears of victory and joy.

   

  Chapter 13

   

   

  ‘You what?’ Justin asked louder that he intended to. ‘You gave me your word!’

  Lance frowned. ‘I know I did,’ he said. ‘But I would really not have asked you if you weren’t my only hope.’

  ‘Is there no one else in the entire company that can go?’

  ‘This is our biggest paying client,’ Lance said. ‘We simply can’t afford to lose them. Richard made such a mess of the site that they’re threatening to cancel the contract, and if that happens...well, then who knows how many people we would have to lay off.’

  ‘That’s not my problem,’ Justin said. ‘You gave me your word that I wouldn’t have to go.’

  ‘You’re up for a review next month,’ Lance said, ignoring Justin. ‘Just imagine to what advantage it could be, career wise, if news would reach the board members that you single-handedly saved the company.’

  Justin bit his lip. He wanted to single-handedly smack Lance across his large desk. But there were bills to pay, a wife to take care of, and a baby that would soon need a lot of diapers. All of those things meant money, and money was something that Justin could use more of.

  ‘It’s all in your hands now,’ Lance said. ‘You alone control the fate of this company.’

  Justin thought about the comment for a while. ‘And who controls the fate of my marriage?’

  Lance smiled. ‘I know you’ll sort something out with the wife,’ he said. ‘You always do.’

  Justin wanted to strangle Lance with his own tie. Why don’t you go, mister family man, he wanted to shout as Lance’s face turned from red to purple. ‘I’ll see what I can do,’ he said instead.

  ‘You do that,’ Lance said and exposed his teeth in his perfectly practiced corporate grin. Defeated, Justin took a deep breath and left the office.

   

   

  *    -    -    -    *

   

   

  ‘I don’t think you should go,’ Simon said, ‘I really have a very bad feeling about this.’

  ‘So do I,’ Justin said. ‘If I go, Rebecca will leave me. For good this time. I know it.’ He sighed. ‘But if I don’t, the company will lose its biggest paying client and most likely fire or retrench me; something we can’t afford now that there’s a baby on the way.’

  ‘They can’t put that kind of pressure on you,’ Simon said. ‘Is there no
one else they can send instead?’

  Justin shook his head. ‘Not according to Lance, no. I’m the chosen one that will save the company. The corporate messiah.’

  Simon didn’t laugh at Justin’s joke. ‘Have you spoken to Rebecca about your concerns with Dominic yet?’

  ‘I haven’t, no,’ Justin admitted. ‘Didn’t have the time to do so yet. She was troubled about something when I got home the other night, so I didn’t want to upset her any more than absolutely necessary.’

  ‘When are you going to the site?’

  ‘Tomorrow afternoon; after work. Just have to shoot by the apartment to pick up some stuff and say goodbye to Becky before I leave.’

  ‘Will you be able to talk to her tonight?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Justin said. ‘I guess I could at least try.’

  ‘I still don’t think you should go,’ Simon said.

  ‘Tell that to Lance.’

  Simon rubbed his face. ‘This is really bad.’

  ‘Why couldn’t they just send you?’ Justin asked. ‘No offence.’

  ‘I have that roll-out to finish,’ Simon said. ‘It has to be done by Friday, and there’s no way that anyone could be brought up to speed in time for me to take over your site.’

  ‘This sucks,’ Justin said. ‘Guess I have no choice but to face the music then, do I?’

  ‘Everything will turn out fine,’ Simon said. ‘I’m almost sure of it.’

  Justin shrugged. ‘Tell that to my wife,’ he said and walked off.

   

   

  *    -    -    -    *

   

   

  Rebecca sat on the couch with her face in her hands. She didn’t know what to believe anymore. Was Justin having an affair? Should she just leave him and get it over with? Did Dominic really care for her and the baby as much as he claimed that he did, or was it merely an infatuation? Did she really like Dominic enough to cheat on her husband? Tit for tat, Tanya would say. Rebecca switched on the television. She desperately needed companionship right now.

  ‘People of Kelwick are baffled about the heat wave that has been ravaging the small town for the past five months. Many have been hospitalised due to dehydration and heat stroke, and many more have been treated with severe sunburn.’

  She muted the television. White noise would have to do.

  A soft knock on the door made her jump. She instinctively knew who it was, and as she walked down the corridor she secretly hoped that she was right. She opened the door to find flowers blocking her view from whoever was at the other side. So many flowers.

  ‘A kiss-and-make-up present for the most wonderful lady on earth,’ Dominic said.

  Rebecca held her hand to her mouth and then stepped aside and let him in.