The Parish

by Clare Midgley

  “Wait in the car you will be summoned once you are needed. Understood.” After being scolded a second time, Angel stomped back to the car making sure her feelings were known as she slammed the door.

  Jacob watched how she made love to him; she had risked everything to be with him and opened up a door in which he had used to find her. As he slid down the wall, he watched every intimate moment replaying his heartache and misery for losing her in the first place. As he watched every minute, he followed her to the window running his fingers down her neck drinking in her scent.

  “You felt me didn’t you?” Curling his fingers around her cheek, he looked deeply into her eyes hoping for any sign of warmth towards him. Feeling cold, he knew he had to make his presence known, and he also knew she was smart protecting every doorway especially that of the children. Going to the jewellery box on her dressing table he looked for something he could use, and as Jacob delved further, he was met by an old charm.

  “After all this time you still kept it my darling…” Sick of waiting Angel had come to collect him.

  “Just in time use this and break all the protection spells and Darling leave a mess.” As Jacob kissed her gently on the nose, she smiled knowing it was her time to have fun. As he stepped out of the house, he paraded down to the car and waited for the explosion and true to Angel’s style she didn’t disappoint. As she walked to the car all the windows on the property blew out, pleased with herself, she greeted Jacob unaffected by her destruction.

  “What next?”

  “We find Grandma.”

  “I thought we had come for her.”

  “We have but we need her on form my dear, and the best way to make a mother want to kill is by threatening her children. Wouldn’t you agree?” Seeing Angel smile he knew it wouldn’t take much to manipulate her into doing anything he bid. He also knew this was a race against time and if he didn’t find her soon, the others would.

  “Drop me off here.”

  “I thought….”

  “Angel do as I ask and I will meet you later.” Jacob walked into the hotel lobby as if he was its rightful proprietor. Taking off his gloves and coat he left them with a departing member of staff and as he sat in one of the winged leather chairs he picked up a newspaper and waited patiently.

  Eve graced the staircase like a movie star; her short black dress was every bit Audrey Hepburn chic and class. Paul was also dressed to kill, and it was hard for anyone not to notice them. Taking her hand, he placed it on his arm and escorted her proudly down the marble staircase.

  “I’m going to take you dancing, and then I’m going to sweep you off your feet.”

  “I thought you said romance didn’t happen anymore.”

  “I think I’ve just found my inspiration.” Kissing her hand Eve felt like a princess, however, unlike most princesses, each nerve ending was dancing around her throat.

  “Are you ok?”

  “It’s just kids and stuff you know me a helicopter parent.” As Eve laughed nervously, she scanned the room knowing someone was out there and as the maître d showed them to their table Eve felt the prickles increase, and the old presence move slowly towards her. Paul, on the other hand, couldn’t help but notice how uncomfortable she had begun to look.

  “Are you sure you’re ok? We can...”

  “NO…” Shouting she quietened her voice trying to calm her nerves.

  “No, I’m fine! Listen you promised to dance with me, and I’m not leaving this room without you acquiescing my request.” Taking her by the hand, he led her to the dance floor and as the music softly played he pulled her close kissing her softly on the cheek.

  “I don’t think we had the first dance at our wedding.”

  “No, we didn’t due to unknown forces.” Playing with his fingers, he pulled her close, and as she brushed down his shoulders, she felt the love exchange between them.

  “I like being in your arms. I’ve missed being in your arms.”

  “I’ve missed having you there.”

  “I just wanted say…” Feeling the presence stronger Eve looked at Paul as the colour drained from his face.

  “Carry on darling a man can’t wait forever.” Taking her arm, Paul tried to move her away.

  “You see I didn’t really have a problem with you at the beginning, but now you're just rude. So I think you need to sit down and wait your turn.” As Jacob pushed him to the floor, Paul flew across the room hitting the wall near the stage, and as Eve pushed Jacob away, she tried to run to him knowing they were always stronger together.

  “Not this time.”

  “What do you want Jacob? I know you’re in league with them and I know because Cornelius told me.”

  “I don’t recall us having a first dance either.” Taking hold of her arm, he pulled her closer to him making sure she was gripped in his embrace.

  “Shhhh you see Eve I can make this really easy or really painful, and you don’t want that do you.” Paul started to scream as the buzzing of the overhead lights penetrated his brain. Seeing him thrown to the floor in agony Eve didn’t have a choice.

  “Let him go! Please let him go, Jacob.” Jacob saw the chairs rise above his head knowing Eve was starting to regain her strength. As the doors slammed shut on the ballroom, Jacob dragged Paul up onto a chair. As the cords from the drapes wrapped around him, Paul knew Eve was back at the mercy of the Brow.

  Eve stood in the middle of the dance floor trapped between them both, her head swam trying to reach the children, but under his spell, she knew she was at his mercy.

  “Please don’t do this, please. If you ever loved me, Jacob, you wouldn’t do this.”

  “I HAVE NO CHOICE!” His voice echoed and boomed around the dance hall reverberating back and forth as it crashed upon them.

  “They want to use you don’t you understand.”

  “You’ve been searching for me I felt you!”

  “They used me to get to you to restore the balance, and they want you to do that. That will destroy you it will destroy us.”

  “There is no us! You tried to kill me, and I put everything on the line for you. MY life my world even a family. I was willing to sacrifice everything and you destroyed that.” Tears streamed down Eve’s face, and her temple pulsated with the humming of Jacobs temper.

  “You left me to die.”

  “I wanted you to live I did it so you could be free. I did it so you could get away from that place and so that I could at least experience what it was like to be loved by you. Don’t you see that! Don’t you understand I can never actually separate from what is in that place? With everything that has happened and is still happening neither can you!” Eve choked on her tears with the realisation of his actions. Looking back at Paul she couldn’t comprehend what she had done to either of them.

  “This is all my fault Eve all of it.”

  “He’s my life Jacob I can’t…Their babies I can’t live without them. All of them. Help me…” Jacob collapsed onto his knees holding her hands in his, mimicking his actions Eve dropped to hers

  “I saw him make love to you I saw how he held you in his arms and caressed every inch of you. I tortured myself with the image trying to convince myself that some part of you still loved me.”

  “I felt you I knew it was you, and I tried to convince myself otherwise, but I knew. Of course, I love you, but everything is different now. Where are my children Jacob? Please if you feel anything for me at all…”

  “The Church above The Parish...” Standing Eve began to shake her head, and as her dark eyes met his, she knew he was telling the truth.

  “You did this! Why? You brought them to me, and now you take everything from me...”

  “Eve…”

  “Don’t…”Drawing up her hand she felt the energy build and the violet sparks dance in front of her eyes, and as her breath panted heavy, she forced everything out towards him. As he slid up the wall, she took the curtain rail and speared each limb with each rail.

  “YOU LIE
D TO ME!” Paul able to stretch the ropes pulled and toiled falling over the debris being left by his wife.

  “EVE…EVE…” Taking her hand tears flowed freely, and she huddled into his chest looking for any relief. As Paul took in the grim picture, he realised how powerful she had now become how every moment had led them to this point.

  “They have our children Paul they have them at the The Parish…”

  Chapter 22

  Eve crashed through the wreckage of the house tearing her way through cupboards and boxes. The house was desecrated, and each door frame had been ripped out of its settings displaying the charms and crystals which lay underneath. Paul arrived panting and sweating profusely; Eve had taken off at speed and had commandeered the car, leaving him with the chaos at the hotel.

  “Eve, Eve...” Searching through the wreckage, he found her stood in front of the full-length mirror.

  “Eve we need to get the police our children.” Taking the scissors off the floor, she frantically started to cut at her long black hair ripping through each length and throwing it violently to the floor.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I don’t….”

  “The old man Paul the visionary they found me because of that day. Why didn’t you tell me?” Bemused by here questioning he smoothed some of the rubble off the bed and took off his jacket.

  “I didn’t think. How do you know?”

  “Doesn’t matter now they have our children and I’m going to get them back.”

  “No, we need the authorities...”

  “Really after everything! What are they going to do? Arrest him!

  Capture a half angel and its demon offspring sent by God. I would be put into a mental institution, and if by some miracle they got our children back we would never see them again!” Ripping at her clothes, she threw them to the floor, and as she slashed through the boxes, she pulled out the clothes from the Brow. As she dressed, she stood quietly looking at her reflection in the full-length mirror.

  “You look the same as you did when I met you that night on the Brow.”

  “I thought! I thought you were unconscious.”

  “You were my Angel. You saved me. I want to do this with you.”

  “It’s too dangerous it’s too much, and I don’t want you seeing me.”

  “I love you, and I want my wife and my children home and safe, and I’m willing to sacrifice everything to do that.” Taking his hand, she rested it against her cheek trying desperately to give him a reason to stay.

  “I’m sorry I can’t let you. Forgive me.” Feeling the energy well in her muscles, Paul saw her eyes glow violet, and as her fist met his temple, it was too late. Kissing him sweetly she stroked his head apologetic for her actions.

  “Forgive me….” As she stepped over him, her black coat wrapped its way around her shrouding her from the night air. Grabbing the car keys she raced through the city streets, retracing the journey she had made eleven years previously.

  Reaching the outskirts of Inlands Brow she stopped the car, sitting in the blackness she could feel the evil coursing around the Moor inviting her to take steps into the darkness.

  “What are you waiting for?” Hearing the old familiar voice, she gripped the steering wheel unable to comprehend the mess which was unfolding.

  “You knew this would happen didn’t you.” Cornelius sat in the rear of the car staring at her in the rearview mirror.

  “This place would have always dragged you back. It was just a matter of time.”

  “You knew the day I married him DIDN’T YOU!” Losing her temper Eve tried to regain composer.

  “All I needed to do my child was to whisper in his ear, and I knew you loved him, so the rest was easy.”

  “You brought a set of Angels with you as well…”

  “You’re very perceptive…”

  “I know that Jehoel is involved…” Cornelius crinkled his face knowing she had found out too many secrets.

  “Where are my children Cornelius?”

  “You don’t have the right to question me.” Stepping out of the car Eve flung open the rear door and as she dragged him out by last the few remaining strands of hair, she pushed him into the dirt.

  “It’s…too…late...” His shallow breaths and whispered screams gargled into the dirt.

  “The Demons on the Brow hate the dirt I never understood it until I realised that the Brow itself is sacred. The ground is given to the people by the hand of God. Funny how these little games have to be played.” Hearing the muffled screams, she picked him out of the dirt throwing him on the bonnet of the car.

  “I will ask you again…”

  “And he will not tell you.” Jehoel stood in front of the car towering over both of them. The stench of death penetrated everything around them and Eve pitied his mutilated appearance. As she strolled to meet him her fear eradicated in the dirt and fog and the only vision she had in sight was being reunited with her children.

  “What gives you the right?”

  “The balance needs to be restored, and you will be the one to make sure it’s done.”

  “I have done nothing to deserve this, and neither have my children.” Jehoel laughed and as the echo reached out into the blackness Eve felt sick.

  “You married a demon under God a Halfling like you needs to know their place, and you betrayed that.” Turning to see the smile on Cornelius’s face she felt suddenly vulnerable.

  “Why would you say that? My mother and father…”

  “Your mother was human your father wasn’t. You serve the same bloodline as our Lord your mother protected you the best she could, but halflings have always been attracted to the Brow. Especially the ones who never have their true family.”

  “You’re lying…” Hearing Cornelius laugh she scooped him up by the throat and dragged him to the feet of Jehoel.

  “And him…”

  “He has no consequence he walks a different path speaking on an even platform no light or dark.”

  “He’s an influencer he influenced the imbalance, and he was there to influence again with my children. He should have no part to play, but in turn, he has caused most of this.” Cornelius crawled along the floor looking more like a serpent than a man.

  “Ask yourself Jehoel he’s given you everything you desired. Why? If he’s the impartial talker, he should have walked away giving each party an equal platform. He wanted The Parish…look into his soul and tell me I’m wrong.” Dragging Cornelius from the ground Eve felt the cold rush of air, and the ground start to shake. Cornelius was held lifeless in the blood red light which appeared from beneath him.

  Eve shuddered to feel both heaven and hell swallow the air around her and as the shards of light ripped Cornelius limb from limb, the bloodied misshapen hands dragged him down piece by piece to the depths of hell. Jehoel now an onlooker closed in on Eve shrinking his size and form to mask her from the sentence. After the last remaining piece had been dragged down by the fire and blood, Jehoel took Eve by her hand.

  “This was never your fight, but you are still part of the balance and the line which has been crossed still needs to be put back in place. You and Jacob were always given free will, but unfortunately, you are now the hand that we need to end this and Jacob is still part of you.”

  “My children Jehoel. Paul, they are my life.”

  “Your children are safe for now go to the old Parish Church and ask for Sofia. My daughter will show you what to do.” Seeing her tears, Jehoel placed his hand on her cheek almost providing some comfort.

  “We come from the same place. Free will isn’t presented to you lightly, and it’s only for those who deserve the chance to prove themselves. You have always shown your strength, just a little word of advice; don’t lose yourself in the darkness. The lines get blurred just remember who you are.” As Eve got back into the car, she sped from the Moor seeing Jehoel disappear from view. Eve knew the next part of the task would be difficult and seeing the church come into view
she looked across the ridge taking in the steeple which had towered over her for many years.

  She was back.

  She was scared.

  She was alone.

  Stepping into the old church, she shuffled to one side as the old heavy door creaked shut. The cold, stale air surrounded her, and her breath could be seen from the cold. Walking towards the front of the church memories of her wedding day came flooding back thick and fast and not expecting the bombardment she dropped to her knee just before the girl which stood in her way.

  “You must be Eve.” The sweet sounding echo of her voice lifted her from the floor.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know what.”

  “It’s hard to remember a memory especially when it’s being forced upon you. We haven’t got much time.” Walking slowly to the back of the church Eve followed trying to guess the age of the child.

  “My father said you were kind. I didn’t understand why a kind woman would need something as brutal as his swords.” Presenting Eve with the blades, she stepped back unable to comprehend what the girl was going to show next.

  “It’s ok. Jehoel said that in any fight you have doubt, just don’t doubt yourself.” Dropping the cloth, it exposed the perfect square edges at the end of the blades.

  “I can’t. I don’t know what you expect me to do.” Seeing the fire burn heavily in the corner the girl took hold of Eve’s hand.

  “Do you trust me?” Shaking Eve looked deep into her eyes trying to understand where this would lead.

  “Every amount of faith starts with a leap. Do you trust me?”

  “Yes…” Throwing Eve’s hand into the flames, the girl held it down.

  “Fire cannot hurt those who are created from light. The hand and the sword are needed to break the flesh, and the flames will always cleanse the wicked. You are here to purify and absolve all those of their sins. You know your path it’s time to let the blade pass through theirs.” Her words seemed to make sense of everything around her and as Eve lifted her hand no mark was present.

  “Sofia I need to get to The Parish.”

  “I have just the transport.” Leading her to the old stables at the back of the church, the building now half dilapidated didn’t look as if it could house something more than mice.