“Pete…this is Peter.” Ripping off her blindfold both of her children stood in front of her pale and frightened. Reuben now frustrated by his game cut the last child in the queue apart.
“Don’t look, babies, look at mummy.” Something primaeval grew inside the pit of her stomach, and with the blood now circling her feet the force inside seemed almost unbearable to hold. As Reuben pushed his way through Eve met his gaze stopping him in his tracks. Eve’s eye’s burnt blood red as if the fire from hell had risen inside of her. Tearing her bindings off one by one she stood looking at the fallen corpses of the children.
“Tom, Peter. Do as mummy says. Run! Run as fast as you can. Daddy will be waiting for you at the Church.” Kicking open the large doors both boys disappeared down the staircase doing as their mother asked. As the door closed Eve ripped off her coat exposing the blades underneath, extending them fully she scraped them along the stone staircase making sure each demon saw the full extent of her wrath.
“Time for my playtime.”
Chapter 25
Jacob stepped out of the car feeling the vibrations shake the earth around him. The fog that lay around The Parish was thick and dense, but a strange glow gave him concern that they may be too late. Paul watching his stare followed it across the moorland, but unlike his concern, he saw two images running across which he couldn’t ignore.
“Peter…Tom! Peter…Tom”
“Paul…wait.” Paul ran out into the heath seeing the two small boys running for their lives. Jacob following couldn’t help but feel an evil that he’d never once before witnessed. Dropping to his knees, the kids ran desperately into his arms collapsing in tears and relief. Paul kissed them frantically checking each piece of them.
“How...”
“Mummy…Mummy knew she knew.” Crying into his father’s chest Peter couldn’t hold back. His desperate calls wailed into the air pulling on Paul’s heart.
“We need to get inside quickly…quickly” Following Jacob Paul picked up both children and followed him into the old Parish Church. As Jacob closed the door, he felt the wrath and pain hit his chest.
“Nice to meet you again Sofia...”
“Likewise Demon.” Paul sitting the children down in the isle heard the commotion and raced to his assistance.
“Can we please stop….my boys...” Sofia now turning towards the children took in their frightened glances and insecure pose. As she stepped back, she stood quietly under the pulpit waiting patiently again for the demon’s response, and as Paul helped Jacob off the floor, he took hold of his hand making sure Sofia kept her distance.
“Am I really going to find out what happened there?”
“I think you already know.” Adjusting his tie and taking off his coat, Jacob sat at the back of the church deep in contemplation. Paul on the other hand concerned for his children approached Sofia for some help.
“Sorry…I’m.”
“I know who you are and I know why you’re here. I suppose I knew he would come but it doesn’t mean I have to be glad about it.”
“No, No, it doesn’t” Coughing Paul edged forward trying to approach the conversation in a different way.
“I’ll get you some water and some food for the boys. I won’t be long.” As she disappeared through the vestry a small part of him felt the comfort of being inside the church and even though he wanted to know what was happening Paul had a feeling it would all be revealed very soon.
“Daddy is mummy ok?” Paul stroking Tom’s hair pulled at the clumps of congealed blood which had started to dry.
“I don’t know little man; I really don’t know.” As Sofia returned, she brought a large metal bowl filled with warm water.
“They are covered with the blood of the innocent which means they will need to be burnt. Please put their clothes in this blue bag. New ones have been left near the altar.”
“Blood of the innocent! What next frogs, locusts...” As Tom smiled at him, Paul nodded his head in quiet resignation to her requests.
“Ok kiddos you heard the lady strip and bag it.”
Taking off his blood-soaked clothes Tom seemed eager to talk and as he babbled on Paul listened intently. Peter, on the other hand, remained quiet and solemn, and as Paul began to coax him into the water, he recognised a part of Eve he had never seen before.
“Want to take little man?” Shaking his head his dark eyes and intense glare burnt deep into Paul.
“Ok want to tell me anything at all.” Taking hold of Paul’s hand, Peter lifted it to his temple.
“Mummy…needs you. Look” Paul appeared to be transported through a film on time-lapse watching as the images flew at him thick and fast. He watched as the boys lined up in front of Eve each time feeling his wife die a little every time one died. As his breath began to hold Paul felt like he was suffocating, he felt paralysed in Peters stay and to make it worse the lasting image of Eve burnt its way into his memory. Her face lingered over him, and he could feel himself choking in her hold. Breaking Peter’s hold, he fell to the floor gasping for breath.
“How when did you?”
“Mummy showed me! Mummy taught me how.” Sofia now stood over the pair smiled sweetly taking hold of the child.
“Come with me...” Sitting him down she seemed to calm him, and as she wrapped the blanket around him, Paul saw the same dark eye’s look through him.
“Sofia how? When?”
“Trauma brings on the strangest things; he’s had more in the last twenty-four hours than some visionaries have in their whole life.” Paul catching his breath looked longingly at his son.
“She knew he was different. Eve nearly died giving birth to him she found Tom on luck and perception but Peter she feels because of it.” Wandering over to them he sat down with both boys, kissing them he took them in his arms feeling the enormity of what Eve had achieved
“Did I scare you, daddy?”
“No baby no just took me by surprise. Go to sleep.” Seeing Paul take on his fatherly duties Sofia turned her attentions to Jacob. His forlorn look and sallow prowess were not befitting of his usual cock assured self.
“You know what must be done. Why are you here?”
“Because…”
“You lied to me before demon I will not have it again. Not in my house.” Jacob now infuriated with her advances clenched his fists feeling the bonds which had brought him back time and time again.
“Will she turn? I mean without him.”
“You need to take him to her; she needs to be reminded of what she’s fighting for or else this just goes full circle, and the balance is offset once again.” Sofia edging for an answer glared intensely at him as if she was examining the deepest parts of his soul.
“I see...”
“You see what?” Jacob confused slid away feeling her encroachment.
“What will be. Free will Jacob…” With the feeling of burnt sulphur rising in his throat and the pain once again in his heart, he grabbed hold of Sofia’s arm.
“What have you done?” The girl who only looked in her teens smiled. Not in the usual way a girl of that age smiles but in a way that makes you understand she’s been here before.
“Sofia please.”
“I’ve never heard a demon say please. Funny that.” Leaving Jacob confused and alone his thoughts raced, and his head spun. Paul now laying down the boys for some sleep wrapped them in the blankets which had been so kindly left by Sofia. The cushions and fittings from the church had made a makeshift bed, and for now, they seemed comfortable enough to rest. Sitting beside Jacob, he expected him to flinch.
“So what’s next?”
“It’s nightfall it's not safe for either of us to be out there.”
“Why? I mean Eve used to tell me stories of the Brow, and they seemed to always be at night.” Jacobs’s image now in full flicker cascaded between human and demon.
“You don’t scare me, Jacob. If anything I pity you. You and Eve have had to battle this out for all of your lives, and
it must get tiring. The constant pull between good and evil. It’s pretentious.” As he clenched his jaw together, Paul could hear the sound of Jacobs' teeth grinding.
“I mean we all have light and dark within us as we are all made in someone’s image and as I was once told in the alternative story is that not even God is infallible. I mean I was told that just before my visionary died. Now, what was the reason you killed him again.”
“Fuck you! You think you are so smart you know shit.”
“I know enough that if I don’t get out there, I’m going to lose my wife forever and whether you like it or not she’s mine. This perversion you call help isn’t fooling anyone Jacob at least of all me.” Sofia taking stock of the argument hovered over the children making sure the sounds of the gentlemen were muffled enough for them to sleep.
“You feel her, don’t you. This connection this element that you have which pulls you two together, I know you’re lying to me, and I know you’re torn. It’s obvious.”
“What if I am? What does that mean to you?”
“It means we can save her together; it means both of us can put right the promises we made and make sure she’s the same person we both love at the end of it. I’m not stupid I know you love her and I can see that it kills you every time you look at me.”
“I think you’re sadly mistaken.”
“Am I look at yourself! I see how you watch me when I'm with my children. It kills you inside, and you have a look that makes me think you’re going to rip my throat out.” As the Pew flew backwards into the archway Jacob took hold of Paul’s throat, his demonic alter ego shining through.
“You won’t kill me...” Throwing him down Jacob placed on his gloves and dragged him to the stone archway.
“I fucking hate you…”
“Good I would feel the same and if it suits the feelings mutual.” Sofia now stood at the end of the isle cocked her head to one side understanding the agreement which had been made.
“The children will be safe under my protection. Paul think of my church as Switzerland.”
“What are we waiting for?” Jacob shook his head knowing what was waiting for them.
“Get in the car...” Grabbing his jacket, Paul thanked Sofia for knowing her words had instigated some response in Jacob. As Paul met him at the car, the weather had turned wild and the wind now freezing cut deep into their skin. Jacob stood looking into the distance feeling the echo of his family calling.
“You get in the car.”
“Jacob…”
“We haven’t got time and if I transcend I can be there quicker.” Paul clenched his fists around the wheel of the car knowing he was right.
“What do I do?”
“Follow this road for as far as it goes I will meet you there.” As the wind blew his form seemed to shift like dust in the fog. Seeing the last of the darkness disappear Paul shifted the car into gear and raced behind him.
As Jacob hit the stables, he heard Neith’s cries from within, and as he moved the fallen beams, he realised he was being watched.
“Didn’t take you long.”
“It didn’t need too I smelt your stench from the old church you were cowering in.” As Jacob turned slowly he dreaded the picture, he was about to meet, and as the vision came into focus Jacob realised it was worse than he'd imagined.
Eve’s eyes burnt red with fire, and her once the perfect skin was now chard, and fragmented fell like dying ashes in a fire. She was also covered in blood, and her blades dripped endlessly as she carried them at her side.
“This is not you I know you.”
“You know nothing this is what you wanted me to become this is what you were waiting for all your life. Now you have me! Aren't I everything you've ever wanted?” Feeling her hatred and anger, he knew reasoning was out of the question.
“Where’s my family Eve...” As she laughed, she gurgled out a noise which pierced his ears.
“Why don’t you have a look for yourself…” Stepping aside Eve smile seemed to spread from ear to ear. As Jacob walked through the ruins of the house, the floors appeared to run with blood which washed like rivers around his feet.
“What have you done?” Jacob surveyed the vast hall in horror as the blood ran down the central staircase and the mutilated body parts of his family now crucified and pinned to upside down crosses scattered across the main hall like party decorations. Eve now barefoot sauntered through the rivers of blood to the screams of her mutilated victims. Her head swayed from side to side relinquishing every format of pain which was being displayed.
“Do you like it? Do you like what I have created for you and I’ve saved the Piece de resistance.” Taking hold of the large velvet curtains Eve pulled hard revealing Cara. Jacob now in full view of his mother saw the evil that he had been born into and Eve had stripped her back to her original form. Cara's entrails dripped from her body and as she glanced back for approval Eve smiled knowing she had re-created hell.
“Eve this isn’t you…this...”
“Don’t you like it, Jacob? Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted.” Seeing the fire grow deeper in her eye’s he realised he was out of his depth.
“Do you remember when I first told you I loved you, Eve...”
“You’re a coward…” Her tongue now forked hissed and spat at him as she began to take form. Jacob staggered back searching the victims for any signs of his father, seeing the opportunity he needed he surveyed the wreckage one last time to make sure.
“Where’s Reuben Eve? Where’s my Father.”
“You don’t fool me, Jacob, I know what you are trying to do.”
“You said if you were going to take any form of revenge he would be the first. I don’t see him anywhere do you.” Nonchalantly walking through the rows of crosses he looked as if he was taking a stroll down a country lane.
“I mean if you are the epitome of evil itself then where is he?Now my mother is sick, but my father surely he would make an excellent masterpiece.” Gulping deeper the undeniable stench of hell lay all around him and as Eve came closer so did the dark accompaniment which followed.
“Let me show you my trick.” Eve starting to transcend took hold of Jacob pulling him into the ball of fire which spun around her. As they began to rise, he took his opportunity to seize control. Eve knew better taking hold of his throat she plunged the knife into his body and as the blade passed through his shoulder, Jacob was aware that they were connected and as he waited for his blood to reach her fingertips he transcended to the Brow.
Standing on top of the waterfall Eve’s eye’s glowed like red beacons into the darkness transfixed on the falls. Feeling the pull of the Brow Eve let Jacob slide down the blade like butter slipping off a knife.
“What have you done?” Eve screaming stood over him ready to commit to another attack.
“I did what I had to. You needed to remember.”
“They all must die! They all must...” As her head swam her voice tapered off whispering into the shadows of the night and as she retracted the blades she dropped to the floor unable to comprehend her revenge.
“What have I become Jake?” The flashing images of her rampage pulsated through her brain and as the fire in eyes started to dampen her mortal thoughts pierced her heart. As Eve stood with her back towards the edge of the shard she saw the wound in Jacobs' shoulder.
“Forgive me...” As she fell back into the falls, Jacob screamed after her running to the edge.
The cold waters pushed her down under the waves and as she started to sink her life came flooding back into focus. The cold penetrated her body, and as her children and Paul came into view, she could see her body let go.
Not able to see her resurface Jacob jumped into the brook desperately searching through the dark waters and as he saw a small glint below he followed hoping Eve would come into view. As he dragged her from the waters, Eve was pale, cold and not breathing. As Jacob beat her chest, he breathed deep into her lungs.
“Don’t do
this to me I can’t...Eve please...” His tears fell onto her cold frozen face, and as he threw his body onto hers, he refused to give up.
“I won’t let you. Come back to me baby please, please I love you this is my entire fault. Please. I never wanted this. DO YOU HERE ME! I NEVER WANTED THIS! I beg you please baby; please forgive me, please forgive me.” Stepping back Jacob slid down the sharp stone face of the wall, and as he placed his head in his hands, he felt the pain envelop his chest.
Eve fluttered her eyes looking out into the thousands of stars that aligned the heavens, and as she stood, she took hold of Jacobs’s hand feeling the anger no longer part of her soul.
“I thought. I”
“No, I just wasn’t ready to come back.” Cupping her cheek, he pulled her close feeling her heartbeat strong against him.
“I thought I lost you.”
“We made a deal remember.” Pulling her into his embrace, he kissed her cheek.
“Has crazy psycho chick disappeared for good. Or am I going to have endured another stabbing to bring you back.” Smiling Eve took hold of his fingers placing his warm touch against her. Feeling her tears and the same torn soul he took hold of her again.
“You know what we have to do and I just want you to know...” Touching his lips, she kissed him feeling the memory of their love fill her heart.
“What’s that for?”
“For saving me for bringing me home.” Feeling his body limp her arms she saw the light in his eyes starting to fade, and as he was dragged up the quarry she felt a pull inside, and a light pierce the horizon.
“JACOB!” Running to the top of the Shard, Michael stood with Jacob under his foot.
“Let him go...”
“He defied the balance he also needs to pay the penalty.”
“What about me? What about me? Haven’t I defied you? I took in the darkness and let it consume me.” Eve stood on the ridge screaming at the Angel, his broad wings and majestic pose bared down crushing Jacob into the dirt.
“You did what was needed now they’re dead, and it’s my turn to rid of the last one.”
The Parish Page 19