The Parish

by Clare Midgley

  “He’s not the last! He’s not the last!” Her whispers seemed to fall on deaf ears, and as she ran to Michael’s side, she stepped back fearful of what she saw.

  “It was you I know you...”

  “This is not your concern.”

  “Yes, it is you raped my mother and left her with you mortal child promising. You promised to fall.”

  “I promised nothing!” Pushing Jacob further down Eve could see the blood spatter from his mouth.

  “I was your mistake. I’m the bloodline, and that’s why you’re here. Tell me I’m wrong. TELL ME!” Throwing Jacob into the moor, he picked up Eve crushing her between his hands. Taking her into the night sky his wings beat heavily, and the sound of the world disappeared from view.

  “You are my mistake! You are my child, and you survived Jacob...”

  “Jacob is the same he was given the same choices just not the same advantages. He saved me from that darkness and brought me back to where I’m supposed to be. Reuben is not dead, and we have to go back and finish it, but I need your oath, and I need the affirmation from heaven and hell that when this is over, you will leave us be! Both of us.

  I have done as you asked and after tonight the balance, the tide whatever you require will back in place and all should be as it was. But as children as children of both light and dark we have the right to our own choices and our lives let us at least have that.” As Michael brought Eve back down to Earth, he set her on the side of Jacob and still seeing her defiance and her strength he knew she had inherited some of his mortal qualities.

  “So be it but it ends tonight.”

  “Dad…” Hearing Eve’s words the Angel turned and looked into the eyes of his daughter. He could seem the same dark pools and a mirror of his once mortal soul staring back.

  “Just tell my why? You’re an Angel. Archangel. Why did you lie to her?”

  “I came to earth that year to get reacquainted with the mortal condition. I was told I was becoming too far removed as I’m the protector of the heavens Eve. I fell in love with your mother as a man, but I had to return. I didn’t know about you until Jacob…Love is what we do best; I suppose I was only trying to protect you as any father would, in particular against a Halfling demon.” Resting his hand on her cheek, he felt the pull of her soul and confusion that lay within.

  “I needed someone; I needed a father. I needed my family.”

  “You have that Eve. Paul and the boys will be yours forever. But you have to choose, and no amount of fatherly advice can help you with that.” Feeling his wings expand and the rush of air around her, she watched as he ascended and as the beacon of light took him she knew that was the last time she would see him. Hearing the groans from Jacob, she rushed to his side to pick him up out of the dirt.

  “When did Archangel Sword up my arse get dragged into this?” Feeling his bones click and his body shift back into place Eve smiled at the whimpers.

  “Since I found out he was my father...”

  "Fuck and I thought I had problems with my parents."

  “Time to go...” Nodding her head, she took hold of his hand.

  “My turn.”

  Chapter 26

  Reuben walked through the main hall to the sounds of his family writhing in agony. Smiling at Cara’s demise, he took a cigarette from his top pocket contemplating whether he liked her better in the format Eve had left her in.

  “Help me.” The faint whispers from his wife’s lips brought a wry smile to his face, and as he walked through the garden of crucifixion, he realised Eve’s power and potential.

  “My dear Cara I told you she was special. NO wonder I wanted her…” Seeing the bright light shine like a beacon on the heath he smiled knowing her presence would soon return. He revelled in the fight and regardless of whether or not it was his son made the chase even sweeter.

  “Writhe in hell my sweet my prize is coming for me.” Disappearing into the ether Reuben’s smile was the last to evaporate. Cara now weakened in her state gasped out feeling her time coming to an end.

  Eve stood on the roof of The Parish looking over towards the old church. The pull of energy around her gripped Jacob to her side, and as she searched out into the distance, she felt Paul making his way to them.

  “We haven’t got long.” Taking Jacob’s hand Eve jumped down and landed outside the front door. Feeling the darkness from before she took a few seconds to gather her strength.

  “Jake…after this.”

  “I know you don’t have to say anything.” Taking hold of his hand, Jacob kicked open the door, and as they stood side by side, the hallway was eerily quiet.

  “I know you’re here Reuben...” Taking in the vision amounted to the top of the staircase the iridescent smoke travelled through the air as if he hadn’t a care in the world.

  “I’m impressed how you’ve disposed of the family Jacob. Mighty congratulations are in order, after four hundred years the same company starts getting a little dull.”

  “Why don’t you make this easy on yourself?”

  “The easy option has never been my way; you of all people should know that by now Evie...” Hearing him speak her name sent shivers down her spine, and as she stood in his presence, she could feel the fire well inside.

  “My dear you’re going to have to keep that under control, or else we are going to get far more visitors than required.” The red flashes of light had sparked and seeing Eve starting to wrestle again Jacob took hold of her hand.

  “We’re in this together remember.”

  “I’ve got this...” As he walked along the ridge of the great hall, Reuben ran his hand along the stone bannister. Dropping his cigarette Eve watched as it lit up the floor in spectacular heat and as the bodies of his family pulsated and burst with each flame, Reuben seemed more pleased with their disposal. Seeing his transcendence, they could hear his voice whispering and echoing around the room, and as it zoned in behind them, the doors slammed shut.

  “Come and get me.” Eve now flung into the air was dragged up to the ceiling. Kicking wildly she felt his grasp slowly tighten around her, and as he dragged her over to the balcony, the sound of the wind rushed through the corridor and around the staircase. Pulling her into the courtyard, he loosened his grip feeling an unknown presence in his midst and as Reuben's head turned Eve glanced in the same direction noticing who had taken his attention.

  “Paul…” Dropping her, she hit the beam of the stables and fell onto the solid cobbled floor. Jacob fixed on Reuben’s position contemplated his next move, and as he ran towards Paul, he saw the figure push him through the wall taking him away. Seeing his disappearance, Jacob moved back to Eve.

  “I…we need to get.”

  “He’s not going to do anything with him, he needs a bargaining tool, and now he’s got one.” Lifting her from the floor, he dusted her down wiping the small trickle of blood from her lip.

  “A fall like that should kill you...”

  “I guess I’ve got in touch with more than one side of me.” As she took off her jacket, it was evident that the fall had done more than cause a bleed to her lip. The bone in her shoulder had come through her skin and as she moved the crack from her arm was deafening.

  “A little help...”

  “Shit this is going to hurt.” Kicking open the kitchen door he ushered her in under duress. Checking the area once more there was no sign of Reuben, and as Jacob sat Eve on the large oak table, she threw back her head waiting for Jacobs’s dissemination.

  “Go on tell me...”

  “I’ll push this back in, but it will hurt like hell.”

  “Already re-created that outside remember.” Smacking her on the arm, he watched her flinch not appreciating any sarcasm.

  “You deserved that! Just hold on, bite down on this and keep still.” Passing her the torn pages of a book Eve put it between her teeth and hearing the bone crack and her scream Jacob knew it had gone back into place.

  “You’re going to be sore for a few day
s after this.” She seemed unresponsive, but as he took his time with the bandage, he stood at her side trying to contemplate their new found partnership. Seemingly dazed and confused Eve's eye’s rolled as he lay her back onto the table.

  “Stop…”

  “I didn’t say anything.”

  “You didn’t have to! Why do you always try to over-complicate things.” Jacob confused tied the bow in her bandaged harder making sure she winced.

  “I haven’t said anything so before you accuse me.”

  “You thought it.”

  “Thought what! Either you get to the point, or I’m going to do the same thing my father did to Paul.” Eve stood at the bookcase and didn’t turn around to face him. She could hear his thoughts pulsate through her mind and feel the passion he had been longing to show.

  “You can’t think that way about me. Not anymore I have Paul.”

  “I know, but you don’t control my thoughts...” As Eve lifted her brow, he shook his head not wanting to know what else she had found.

  “Do you love him?”

  “Of course.”

  “So why did you keep our wedding rings.” Throwing the book back onto the shelf Eve felt the need to scream. Jacob had invaded every private moment, and as he voice rattled around her thoughts, she couldn't help but feel the pull of his love.

  “That’s what’s she used, she used that connection back at the house, didn’t she…Why Jacob?”

  “Because…because I was wrong because I felt like I could put this right because I know you still love me even though I did see you having sex with Paul the way we used to.” As she met him at the table, she placed the old bookend in front of him.

  Taking hold of her jacket, she paused at the door not knowing how to reply.

  “We better go.”

  “Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me I’m stupid ever to think I could ever be happy with a Halfling Half Angel. Tell me I’m wrong for loving you and I’ll stop. I’ll stop pursuing you forever.” Closing her eyes all she could see was the panic of her children and Paul stood in horror. But underneath her love for Jacob was still evident.

  “Don’t make me…” As he slammed the door shut he took her in his arms and as Jacob kissed her feverishly he threw her against the bookcase knowing she wouldn’t fight back. Feeling his body against her, she felt connected again to everything that she knew. Feeling him strip her bare the fire inside her body seemed to ignite

  As the blackness set in the whole image appeared to peel away like old wallpaper dripping down a wall and with Jacob still sat at her side tying the bandages the confusion behind her eyes.

  “Are you ok?” Nodding her head, she felt as if she had taken a bullet.

  “What happened…I mean...”

  “You seemed to blackout then you started arguing with yourself. I know this maybe an Angel thing, but after I had set that bone back in place, it was if you saw stars.” Confused and bewildered Eve sat up from the table top

  “Didn’t we…I mean we were arguing...”

  “The only person you were arguing with was the imaginary one deep inside your brain. Get your jacket on cause I know where Reuben’s taking him.” Throwing on her old brown jacket, she cracked her neck again feeling as if she had made a fool of herself and as Eve pulled down her collar, she couldn’t help but question her vision.

  “Are you sure...”

  “Eve don’t worry your secrets safe with me.” Kissing her cheek, she breathed in heavily and followed him out of the door.

  As the fog drifted through the broken windows of the main hall, it made the disturbing images of the discarded corpses' stand out more. The eerie silence and the smell of rotten flesh made Eve instantly feel nauseous. Stopping suddenly she heard faint whispers on the breeze, these, unlike Reuben, were soft and quiet and as she moved they seemed to want to direct her.

  “We need to go...” Still entranced by the choir Eve focused on their mutterings feeling their guidance and protection.

  “He’s in the west wing chapel...”

  “Why would…fuck...” Grabbing hold of her hand he took her out of the front door and raced around the outside of the building. As they reached the old wing, Jacob knew why Charlotte and Cara had handed it over to Arriellan and Kazule.

  “I don’t think I ever told you about my west wing Aunt and uncle.” Shaking her head, she watched as he looked for a concealed entrance.

  “Arriellan and Kazule were cast out from heaven, not hell. They lived a secret life because of their disfigurement, and they lived here because here and only here would they indeed be accepted.” Helping him with the stones, she grabbed hold of his arm wondering where this story would lead them.

  “Why did heaven set to punish them, especially in this way?”

  “Because they exposed the link between heaven and hell and in doing so they exposed the century’s long game and all the right players.”

  “What does that have to do with Reuben and Paul?”

  “He has both books, and now he has Paul for a sacrifice.”

  “That’s impossible! The book of hell and heaven can’t survive on earth Grandfather.” Knowing Eve needed the answers he stopped with his search and pulled her towards the large stone window.

  “Why do you think we called it The Parish?”

  “Because you lot are sick twisted fucks who thought it was funny.” Seeing the dismay and impatience, he understood the small amount of levity that was needed.

  “The books survive in the West Wing Chapel because this place is built on a neutral zone. It’s a congregational ground where both Angel and Devil can meet without retribution, therefore The Parish. Kazule thought as mortals we should understand and everyone else thought different. The books depending on what persuasion you are means you can give power to those who believe heaven or hell should be given to earth.” Clutching at her head Eve wiped her Brow still feeling nauseous from before

  “In other words, because it’s Reuben hell opens up, and all the little nasty’s get out causing a myriad of problems. He also needs me to what?”

  “Eve…come on…” Smashing the window Eve dragged him up the side of the lintel throwing them both into the west wing.

  “He also has us one side created by the failure of the light and the other.”

  “By the dark Pauls blood is just an offering, and the doorway will be open.” Crouching to the floor Eve felt the surge of power surround them. The whispers now louder circulated her, drowning her in the flickering moth-like noise. As they moved towards the chapel door, the outer rim glowed with a bright orange light.

  “Hold on...” As Eve took out her mother’s necklace, she placed it around her throat knowing she needed her protection more than ever and feeling the energy surround them she saw the demons starting to crawl out from the shadows.

  “Now or never...” Taking hold of the door, she heard Reuben’s voice leak out loud and cleared over the mist.

  “What took you two so long?”

  “Who are you working with? I know it’s not...” Reuben sat in front of the alter with his legs crossed and his cigarette poignantly placed. Both books were poised and open behind him making him look more like a preacher than a demon.

  “My son you underestimate me. Why do you think I wanted her so much?” Pointing at Eve, he took another long drag of his cigarette making sure his stare caught her attention.

  Eve busy trying to evaluate the next move felt the shadows reach out trying to grab at her from the sides of the chapel and as they moved forward she felt the absence of anything good.

  “I’ve known about her parentage for some years my original goal was seeing what it would be like fucking a Half Angel to death but why not open the gates of hell and see what crawls out instead….” As Eve scoped every corner of the sparsely decorated chapel, the small wooden windows and cheaply made seats made it seem so pathetic in regards to the grandeur it was set. Paul, on the other hand, was shackled to the floor on his hands and knees just to humiliate
him in front of Reuben.

  “What do you get out of this?”

  “That’s a valid question, my dear. I get my place back at his side and away from all this human bullshit!”

  “Don’t you need Cornelius I mean an influencer is necessary after all he’s done most of the work.” As Reuben's anger built Eve saw the flicker and spit of his demon fall to the floor and as the shadows gathered at his side Eve knew they didn;t have long.

  “Cornelius is just a pawn. I am the puppet master, and you both will kneel to me!”

  “Good Job he’s dead” As Reuben grabbed hold of Jacob Eve stepped forward knowing she had to play the game.

  “You will open this door, my dear…” Elongating his fingers, it penetrated Jacobs’s spine, and as he ran his fingers, he tapped each one on his vertebrae just to hear Jacob scream. Eve now with her eye’s firmly fixed on Reuben had her undivided attention.

  “Leave him out of this IT’S me! It’s always been me you’ve wanted.” Throwing Jacob to the floor Eve slowly walked forward and with Jacob desperately pleading with her she walked past watching him writhe uncontrollably on the floor.

  “Eve…no...” Hearing the muffled screams from Paul, she knew the only way to save them both was to sacrifice herself.

  As the crack of thunder broke overhead, the storm started to develop and as the rain bashed its way into the roof Eve Knew this was Michael’s calling card. The walls split apart oozing thick black sludge which dripped from every orifice and smell of sulphur overwhelmed every sense.

  “Let them go you have me.”

  “They can stay and watch...” Seeing the fire develop behind Eve’s eye’s Reuben knew Hell's gates would be in full view.

  “As you wish…” The ropes and bindings now falling from Paul’s hands gave him the opportunity to stand. Running towards Eve, he was met by a blue sphere which trapped her inside with Reuben.

  “Go Paul…”

  “I don’t want to lose you. Eve…I won’t leave you.” The blade passed over Eve’s wrist slicing it deeply and as her blood dripped into the void which had started to open up at her feet. As it exploded a ball of fire ejected its way towards Reuben and Paul moved back dragging Jacob up from the floor.