The Parish

by Clare Midgley

  “We need to move...”

  “Paul we can’t leave her you don’t understand.” Seeing darkness move and the earth shudder Paul recognised energy.

  “Get down…”

  “Paul no we have...”

  “Trust me.” Throwing themselves to the floor the ball erupted and exploded throughout the chapel, Eve eyes wild with lilac shattered Reuben’s demon and left it scattered and dying on the altar. As Eve looked towards the heavens, Michaels wings beat down the fire, and as the light settled, she knew her guardian had been watching. Taking hold of the books, she tossed one into the void seeing the fires drag it down to the depths.

  “Forgiveness of demons only happens when their flesh is purified. Your sins have are forgiven, and you are now cleansed.” Clapping her hands the remaining book dripped through her fingers burning the demon’s remains. Reuben screamed feeling the light penetrate him and as the blackness shifted the whole room become still.

  Lifting themselves from the floor, Paul saw the natural lights walk towards him. Taking her in his arms, he pulled her close feeling the relief in his heart. Jacob dusting himself off smiled as the couple became reunited.

  “How did you...”

  “That’s nothing you should have seen what happened when she gave birth.” As he kissed her softly, Eve kept hold of Paul feeling his warmth and security wash over her. Taking hold of Jacobs' hand, she kissed his cheek lingering slightly as he moved slowly away.

  “Thank you."

  "I think this time it should be me thanking you."

  Chapter 27

  The acrid smoke from the Main Hall had touched the west wing, and as the trio reached the broken window, it was evident that they didn’t have much time. Taking down the large velvet curtains Jacob threw them out of the window coaxing Paul firstly down the steep incline. As he reached the bottom, he saw Eve look longingly look back at Jacob, her glance too long to be mistaken as fond made the small amount of jealousy inside him grow. Jacob taking his leap pulled the curtain to signal her descent.

  “Evie come on we need to go...” Hearing the flicker in Paul’s voice and a strange pull back into the room, she took one last look around.

  “What’s wrong?” Jacob now concerned watched her expression change feeling the small well of something rising from beneath. Seeing nothing but smoke she jumped confidently landing at Paul’s feet.

  “Do I need to know?” Seeing his expression, she felt like she needed to explain herself. The inadvertent amount of guilt welled inside feeling uncontrollable and unexplained at the same time.

  “Cause and effect Paul nothing more.”

  “I didn’t ask for you to explain.”

  “You two shhh. Do you feel that?” Feeling nothing the pair now equally concerned looked around at the burning building.

  “Eve…” Placing her finger on his lips, she rolled her head around her shoulders feeling something unexplainable inside. Moving her hand over the stone, she could feel the heat building inside the manor.

  “It’s not over…” Tackling Jacob to the ground, she turned feeling the heat inside fire again.

  “I trusted you….”

  “You have to let me explain that was before...”

  “Before what before we made a pact and I saved your arse again or before you ripped my family apart. How could you?” As Jacob stood, he brushed himself down realising his thoughts were no longer a secret, and as he tried to carpet them she was already inside his head.

  “Paul go please…”

  “I told you before I’m not leaving you!”

  “You don’t have a choice…” Bemused at the exchange, Paul stood his ground taking hold of her hand.

  “Whatever happens we do this together.”

  “He did this Paul don’t you understand he planned this all of it…He took our children and forced me back here. I was in control...”

  “You were never in control Evie never, and neither was I. I did what I had to do to end it. Haven’t I proved?”

  “Nothing you’ve proved nothing! This place is being sucked down into the voids of hell, and you brought me back to witness it...” Seeing the embers starting to burn behind her eyes Paul grabbed her arm forcing her to look at him.

  “That’s over. They are gone, and Jacob helped you. I see the way he looks at you, and I see the way you equally looked at him, and it scares the shit out of me, but I’m defending him, he helped when no one else would, and he stayed to see it through. Eve, I’m supporting him because I know what he’s sacrificed. Now you're scaring the shit out of me just tell us what we need to do so we can finish this...” Eve pushed her fingers through his hand, and as she hovered tentatively, she glanced back at Jacob she knowing he was right.

  “Something’s here. I can feel it. I feel it move. Look” Pointing towards Inlands Brow the sky was a ball of blood red light as Eve looked again towards Jacob he saw the panic written on her face.

  “What?...Evie…What?”

  “It’s here for you…”

  “You said you made a deal.”

  “I did with my father. Think Jacob, is there anything you did which would cause this.” Relaying his actions over and over he looked over to Eve.

  “Shit...” Paul more confused than ever took hold of Eve for the second time.

  “Fancy explaining this to the mortal? I’m having a hard time understanding riddles.”

  “He’s not forgiven, the blackness can manifest here. Almost like a demon bounty hunter.” Looking back at the house she knew they had a fight and she also knew she needed a weapon. As she reached the main door, the flames engulfed every crevice, and as she kicked open the door, they once again surrounded her.

  “Eve…”

  “Paul no watch...” Eve walked through unaffected by the heat, and as she disappeared into the house, Paul fell to the ground wondering how much more he was going to have to take.

  “What the fuck! Do you want to explain this?”

  “The hand of God is unaffected by the heat of a flame. A demon can only die within them. The passage goes that the sins of the damned are cured by fire whereas the light of God expels the fire back to hell. Trust me she’s fine.” Seeing Eve return she walked to the pair with both blades strapped to her shoulders. Extending and retracting them she counted to ten still knowing how susceptible she was to the darkness. As the sky grew black and rain starting to pour she knew it wouldn’t be long until their visitor was upon them.

  “We need to get to the Old Parish Church. Jacob take Paul. I will meet you there.” Seeing the steely determination in her eye’s both of them knew there was no point trying to argue and as the dust cloud engulfed her, she felt the presence move closer.

  The walls of The Parish crumbled and collapsed all around her and as the ashes fell she extended her blades.

  “You’re the last Halfling I wouldn’t have expected you to be defending him.” An old man stood in front of her dressed all in black. His long fingernails seemed to reach out from his jacket like spikes as he tapped them on his cheek waiting patiently for an answer.

  “I know you! You were the one that visited me at the hospital.”

  “I see your perception has grown my dear but answer this… Who am I?”

  “You’re the blackness the nothingness. You’re the predator used by both sides to make sure we all play fair and when we don’t your called in..” Hearing the clink of her blades, he stepped forwards smiling as she stood on guard.

  “Michael’s misfortunate bastard is very well read. I like hearing stories, but unfortunately, I have a job to do.”

  “What has he done? I was promised.”

  “No, my dear you were promised and only by one side. He owes his debt.” Seeing the wind swirl around them Eve cut through the air with her blade and jumped into his path.

  “Tut tut...” Throwing her into the moorland Eve seemed to spin in mid-air landing on her feet. Taking her opportunity, she whistled to Neith.

  “I’ll give you a hea
d start...” Eve galloped into the moorland racing towards the blood red horizon. Seeing the man shift his shape she knew it wouldn't take long for him to catch up. Hearing the pounding of feet, Eve saw him run on all fours; his spider-like limbs seemed to stretch and bend as he bounded over the hillside. Eve clicked her heels forcing Neith to run faster and as her black coat dripped with heat and sweat as she pushed her up the brew and as she reached the church, she met the car face on as it screeched to a halt.

  “Get inside quickly…” Seeing the green eyes bright on the horizon she knew they're where seconds to spare. Standing at the door, she shut it tight forcing Jacob and Paul inside.

  “Let me pass little angel this isn’t your fight.” Spinning the blades before him, he seemed to slip through like mist rolling in from the shore. Throwing her into the side of the church she felt her shoulder crack for the second time. Spitting blood out, she stood to move quickly towards him.

  “I will not let you take him...” As the blackness scrambled up the walls of the Church, his legs bent backwards over his head twisting and contorting his body as he moved.

  “That isn’t your choice.” Seeing him rip through the roof tiles she pounded on the door and as the lock clicked she forced her way inside slamming the large door behind her.

  “Sofia...SOFIA...”

  “He’s here...” Her head now tilted to one side saw the face of the blackness staring back at her. As she gathered the children, she opened the font pushing them quickly inside.

  “They will be safe...”

  “Sofia the blades…I cannot.”

  “He answers to no one Eve those will not harm him.” Taking hold of Jacob, she dragged him to the altar once again feeling the reverberation around her.

  “Forgiveness Jake! Forgive and swear.”

  “Eve” Paul stood behind them feeling the dark cloud starting to descend.

  “Paul it’s the only way...”

  “You know what happened...” Jacob on his knees in front of the altar started to scream as the small flickers of darkness began to penetrate his body.

  “Sofia. Please”

  “I cannot Eve he’s here for him, and I cannot get involved.” Seeing the desperation in her eyes, Paul reached out trying to make her understand

  “Eve you have to let him go...”

  “I can’t….Paul”

  “Evie…”Hearing his whispers and the blackness drip down the walls, Jacob took hold of her hand.

  “I’m sorry…” Seeing her tears, he ran his hand down her cheek feeling the pull again inside. As the suck of air cascade around them, the old gent stood behind her tapping his fingers together.

  “I win….” Dragging Jacob off the floor, he took him in his arms, and as the tentacles took hold of him, they fused themselves to his body.

  “Jacob…”

  “I love you...” and with that, he was gone.

  As she stood in front of the altar, the air seemed calm and still, except for hearing the children’s cries from the font, Eve ran to the back of the church ripping open the door and spilling the children into her arms. As she kissed them furiously, she clung to them tightly feeling her heart fill with their love. Paul watched anxiously from the last pew feeling like his world had been dramatically turned upside down and as he watched Eve fall over their children his mind wandered back to glance she’d given Jacob at the manor.

  “Do you remember your first wife, Paul?” Startled by Sofia Paul jumped back violently.

  “Yes. Why do you ask?”

  “Love and giving love is the easy bit making it real and making it last is harder that's why God created a woman and her womb because of the capacity she has to love funny thing is no one knows how significant this capability is.” Smiling under his breath, Sofia skipped back down the aisle knowing her words had struck a chord. Seeing Eve scoop the children up into her arms Paul sauntered across to help her with the load.

  “Paul I need.”

  “No need Sofia helped me out already.” As Eve kissed him softly she rested her head against his chest understanding how lucky she was to have him.

  “Now just to ask backflips, sword fighting, jumping off large objects. When were you going to tell me about that...”

  “One time only deal while saving the greater good.” Smiling Paul kissed her temple and pulled the children in for another hug.

  “I love you…”

  “I know lets go home.”

  Chapter 28

  Settling back into home life and the pre-existence of routine seemed to suit all them not least of all Eve. Getting up every morning at six and taking the children to school by eight made life easy to bear. Trying to explain what had happened to the in-laws, however, had been a little more complicated let alone the devastation to the house. But after a couple of months of grovelling and story telling everyone soon came around to the fictional tale which was being spun.

  Paul had settled back into work and revelled in the new more relaxed Eve who turned up at his office every morning with breakfast. The worry and stresses of having to hide had disappeared, and the freedom which came with it infected everyone in the household.

  Seeing Eve's car pull up Paul looked eagerly out of his office window waiting for the new found delicacies to tempt him. Waiting for the rap on the window Paul opened the door willingly watching her breeze in.

  “I’ve been to the pharmacy and picked up your mum’s pills already, Tom’s school trip is tomorrow, so I’m not going to be able to come as early...” Tapering off her conversation, she felt Paul’s arms snake around her waist and small tender kiss which lingered on her neck.

  “What was that for?”

  “Because I can. Well, I can now without the fear that Heaven and Hell’s retribution isn’t going to come crashing down upon us.” As he toyed playfully, she slapped his arm witnessing the sarcasm in his voice.

  “What do I have today then?”

  “Coffee, oh and theirs some pastries in that end bag” As she moved into the cloakroom she watched as he carefully dissected the contents one by one. Leaning on the doorway, she counted to ten as he pulled out a little white stick.

  “Eve…what's.”

  “What does it look like?” Coyly moving towards her he waved the item in front of her face.

  “Another one! I mean how far?”

  “I’m twelve weeks are you happy I mean we weren’t planning.” As he lifted her up in his arms, Paul spun her around gently placing her down on the same spot.

  “I guess the sex session we had before you know hell and damnation…”

  “It was an exquisite day...” Running her fingers along his collar, she kissed him softly, and she collected her coffee. As Eve sat in his chair looking out into the ocean, Paul cherished the moment of calm which at once would never have appeared to happen.

  “What are thinking about?” Taking hold of her cup, he took a taste and handed it back to her.

  “Thank you...”

  “For what?” Sitting on the desk, he folded his arms interested in where the conversation was heading.

  “For being so patient with me all these years. I just kept thinking that maybe if I’d have confronted them earlier, we could have been I don’t know.”

  “Dead...” Wiping her brow, she shook her head knowing he was trying to elevate her mood.

  “No….The way we all are now is the way it should have been a very long time ago, and it just makes me feel that we’ve missed out as a family and us.” Taking hold of her, he pulled her close wrapping his arms around her waist.

  “You did what you thought was right…”

  “And us…

  “Oh, us you mean the fact that before this I was lucky to book you into the sex clinic once a year.” Resting her head on his shoulder, she breathed in his touch.

  "Well, I think I've made up for it in the last few months!"

  "I think theirs another clinic one of us is going to have to be booked into when baby number three hits the deck." As she
took back her cup, Eve lost herself in the blue of the ocean waving her thoughts out onto the tired as if they could pass the years of torment away.

  "Seems to be I get pregnant every time theirs a disaster. What does that tell you!"

  "It tells me that I need a vasectomy."

  “Your mum and dad are over for tea later. I’m only going to be back at six cause both boys have got football practice.”

  “You’re so good at changing the subject.” Taking hold of her bag, she placed her glasses on her head and wiggled her way to the door. Watching her saunter through she blew a kiss and as he waved, he could see the present she had left him on his desk.

  Taking hold of the pregnancy test he spun it around in his fingers watching the blue line go around and around and around. As Paul set it down at the top of his desk, he pulled the large wad of receipts towards him and delved into the morning dredge of accounts.

  What if it’s a girl?

  Hearing the question circulate he felt the incessant need to vomit and as he pulled the waste paper bin before him he wretched feeling his stomach pull and churn. As he sat back, he looked at the bile in the bucket feeling as if the question itself had prompted his response.

  As the morning made way for the afternoon, Paul watched the clock, feeling like time had passed by unknowingly and as the hand struck four he packed up his things. He could feel the need to reach Eve and the question once more starting to circulate. On arriving at the football ground, he fell out of the car prompting him to pant uncontrollably on his hands and knees. A few of parents trying to give him a wide birth made their way to the pitch, and as Eve heard the commotion, she made her way to the car park. Seeing Paul’s car, she knew something was wrong.

  Paul lay on the floor pale and shaken, and as she arrived, it was as if he had been transported back to the cow shed on the brow. His lungs felt tight and cumbersome, and as he forced himself to breathe, he could feel the cold penetrate his skin. Sitting up Paul could see the old dilapidated white washed walls and feel the wet, uncomfortable straw against his skin. Making his way down the ladder, he fell to floor coughing and spluttering gasping for breath.