The Parish

by Clare Midgley

  “Yes, baby?”

  “He’s frightened of you?”

  “Who?”

  “The man in the black suit...” Confused she scooped him up in her arms placing her hand on his temple.

  “How do you know that?”

  “Because he’s watching daddy...” Hearing the words, she screamed upstairs to Tom and as the footsteps came running she bundled both of them into the car. Placing Peter in the front seat, she raced around and jumped in.

  “Mummy told you not to use your sight unless I was with you.”

  “But you know who he is you saw it with me.” Looking concerned she moved into traffic feeling the urgency rise and fall in her stomach, and as she reached the dock, she screeched to a halt throwing herself from the vehicle.

  “Stay in the car…”

  “Mummy please...”

  “Both of you stay in the car...” Running down the wharf side, she ran straight into the offices screaming Paul’s name. Unable to find him she ran back along the jetty and down the quay. Seeing him stood with his team she screamed knowing it would get his attention.

  “Take one more step my beautiful little Halfling, and he will not know what’s hit him.”

  “I know who you are?” Feeling the hiss of air between his teeth, he squeezed his hand tighter around her bump.

  “Don’t try any tricks your family is not what we require well not all of it.” As his hand rubbed her bump, she could feel the anger well inside.

  Paul saw Eve still and stiff on the jetty, and as he started to make his way towards her, he knew something was wrong. He thought he had heard a scream but hearing nothing after he continued to concentrate on his team. But now feeling his conscious prick Paul saw Eve, and he could see the outline of a figure tucked in beside her.

  “He’s here….Eve…EVE!” Dropping everything Paul ran down the jetty meeting the figure which had haunted his dreams for so long.

  “Paul…its ok…”

  “Why don’t all of us go for a nice quiet chat?” Paul taking hold of Eve’s hand helped her up the steps and on the wharf side. As they walked towards the car, Paul could see Tom and Peter desperately looking out. On hearing the click of the door, Peter started to climb out, feeling the energy change the little boy began to walk along the wharf.

  “PAUL!” As she screamed out his name, Paul started to run at his son. As Eve grabbed hold of the demon, she forced him to the floor making him contort under her hold. She pierced him with her flame-like eyes dragging him with her as she moved.

  “Kill me all you want to bitch.” Seeing the darkness unfold Angel stood behind Paul, and as she dropped hold of the demon, she started to run along the jetty. Angel took hold of Paul around the throat throwing him into the side of the boat, and as Eve stopped sharply, she saw her smile.

  “Two for the price of one how did one little Angel get so lucky.”

  “Let him go.”

  “Or what...” Seeing the flames dance around her eyes Angel revelled in how tortured she felt.

  “I tell you what I’ll do you trade…” Seeing her tighten her grip she could see his breath being slowly squeezed from him.

  “Take me. I’ll rebuild what you need, and I will come freely just let my children go.” As Angel dragged Peter along the floor, she stood toe to toe with Eve making sure her dominance towered over her. Eve was now opening and closing her fists felt the heat radiate from her palms as Angel ran her finger along her face.

  “Meet me at the Spinnaker Tower. Oh, and if you try anything, I’ll kill him in front of you.” Striking her hard Eve stepped back seeing her walk into the void leaving the demon she came with behind. Seeing Peter disappear into the blackness forced a feeling she had suppressed since the destruction of The Parish.

  “I guess we have a deal...” Eve stared down at the demon in front of her waiting for him to stand and as he adjusted his clothes, he brushed back his hair seemingly pleased at the chaos he had caused.

  “See you soon. Bitch.”

  “Not before you’ve seen me put you into the depths of hell!” Taking hold of his throat, she squeezed tight and as the heat of her hold increased so did her strength. Hearing the screams Eve took hold of his brow dragging out his demon into full view, and as she pulled it from his skin, she leant closer to his face.

  “I am nobody’s bitch least of all yours.” As Paul arrived at her side, she knew he was ready for the ceremony.

  “The Lord is my shepherd...” Hearing Pauls words the screams became louder and louder until it was time for Eve’s final parting shot.

  “The Lord has forgiven you are now cleansed of your sins.” Paul flicked the lighter setting fire to him in Eve’s arm, and as she held onto him, she wanted to see the lights die in his eyes.

  “Remember my face as you rot in hell” As Paul hobbled over to Tom he scooped him up in his arms wiping away the tears.

  “They took him Daddy they have Pete...” Looking back at Eve Paul watched as she conducted every last part of the ceremony.

  “Mummy won’t let anything happen to him. I promise.”

  Chapter 32

  “What are you doing?”

  “Paul get out of my way...”

  “Eve you’re scaring him and your scaring me. Just talk to me.” As Eve threw the box down on the bed, she took hold of Paul’s hand trying to make him understand.

  “I’m going to make all the monsters go away. It will be like Tom has had a nightmare. He’s fractured, and we need to mend it or this room, and this existence will be the rest of his life.” As the lilac flickered through her eyes, Eve shook her head trying to focus on dragging out the darkness.

  “I can feel him, Paul I know what they’re doing...” As the tears flooded down, she gripped his arm knowing there was nothing she could do until tonight.

  “I believe in you...”

  “I believe in you too mum.” Seeing Tom stood at the door she signalled for him to come into her arms.

  “Do you know how much I love you?”

  “Yes.”

  “How much?”

  “The whole wide world and back again.” Watching him stretch out him arms Eve felt the fear inside him.

  “You always said monsters weren’t real.”

  “I did baby, but I didn’t want you being scared. You see you are magnificent and you have your daddy’s soul which means no matter what you will always be safe. Those monsters are there because sometimes people aren’t good and they make sure they stay like that. Most people will never see the fight, and I suppose it’s a bit like.”

  “Goodies and Baddies...”

  “Yep exactly….” Taking him in her arms, she knew her explanation had helped, but she also knew there was a lot more to explain. Wrapping him up in her blanket she closed the door quietly to her bedroom, and as she sat on the top step of the stair, Paul hobbled up placing the ice pack on the back of his head.

  “We will wait for Peter if.”

  “We will your mum’s coming around. How are we going to explain?”

  “Maybe we won’t have too.” As Paul rubbed her shoulder, he could see the odd flash pang through her eyes. Taking her time and making sure she didn’t disturb Tom she tiptoed around the bedroom getting ready, and as she sat down at her dressing table, a familiar sight greeted her.

  “Hi, Sofia…”

  “You look stunning this evening Eve.” Taking her mums necklace, she placed it around her throat smoothing it down around her neck.

  “She’s got, Peter Sofia.”

  “She was always going to get him. Feel it. Peter did, and he trusts you.” Taking hold of her hand, she saw the scars which lined her wrists.

  “I was a suicide, and Jehoel saved me. He wasn’t supposed to, but he did, and he was reprimanded for it, and I don’t think I’ve forgiven myself for his sacrifice. There are drawbacks of course...”

  “You’re an immortal! You’re a keeper. I thought.”

  “I’m the last one...” Stroking the end of the b
ed, she saw how soundly Tom slept.

  “I will keep him safe until you return and Eve remember you are half of an Archangel powerful, beautiful and deadly. You are also mortal, and that bit makes you conflicted, do not doubt yourself light and dark are in you. But you need to be a genuine form of who you should be. Not what made you.” As Eve made her way downstairs, she sucked back the tears and anxiety and making sure she put on a smile they were out of the door with minimal effort. Seeing Sofia at the window, she waved knowing her house would truly be under the protection of God.

  “I’m starting to like that kid...” Eve smiling felt the nerves return and as she followed the streetlights, she knew it wouldn’t be long until the darkness confronted her again. Reaching the café Eve smelt the familiar lingering stench of death and as she reached her table, she realised the game had already started.

  “I need the loo.”

  “Please be careful! Please, you never know.”

  “I hate heights, I’m desperate, and I potentially could have Angel’s army of death eating monster demons after me. I think I know.” Biting her lip Eve found Paul’s outburst amusing and under other circumstances, she would have laughed loudly.

  “I’ll meet you at the bar...” Taking her purse, she glanced around the room, with every nerve ending pulsating she felt the force evil gather together. As she ordered two drinks, she felt a hand on her stomach and Angel press her lips against hers.

  “I have something I want to show you!” As Angel knocked back her drink, she took hold of Eve’s hand.

  “Walk with me...” Angel transported Eve into her memory, she could see The Parish in its evil glory and as she dragged her through the main door Angel pointed out the devastation almost as if it was being viewed on time lapse.

  “I didn’t think you had it in you I’ll be completely honest...”

  “What do you want from me?” Eve defiant stood at the stone archway refusing to move another step.

  “I never wanted that stupid influencing moron, he was a means to an end and imparted some rather spectacular information. But Evie my goal from the start has been you!”

  “Where’s my son?” Putting the memory on pause, she walked back indifferently annoyed by another outburst.

  “Your son is locked in the bathroom with his father because I put him there.”

  “You’re lying...”

  “Sweetheart I’m on a bigger mission. Especially when I have a Halfling and not some pint-sized pissy arse visionary.” Clicking the memory on full speed Angel cocked her head to one side pleased with the next set of slides.

  “Something funny happened. I mean do you see, something's missing.” Eve felt her breath shake, and as her heart pounded in her chest, she felt powerless seeing the events in front of her unfold.

  “I mean babe on a kitchen table is so cliché, but I get it. A little bit of tension, unrequited love.”

  “Get to the point...” Smiling again Angel tossed her long blonde hair back from her shoulders, and as she ran her tongue along her teeth, Angel made sure she took as much time as she needed.

  “The evil inside you is so much stronger than the light. I feel the power which flows through every part of you, and I want it. I want my own coven, and you’re going to give it to me.” Erupting in laughter Eve flickered between light and dark and as she broke Angel's hold she brought she back to reality with a bang.

  “Can you control me Angel” Pushing her towards the glass Eve’s eyes flared red and as her brow creased and contorted she saw the fear in her eyes

  “Can you control this are you strong enough to deal with me? Cara wasn’t, and neither was Reuben. I ripped them apart, and I tore Cara’s demon from her body. Could you handle the pain, Angel?” The glass window rippled with the heat and as the room went on standby, the lights buzzed and hummed violently overhead.

  “I don’t take kindly to my family being threatened Angel.”

  “It’s your coven. I promise…just please I don’t.” Hearing the door splinter Eve felt Peter reach out to her, feeling the relief she continued to remove the danger from her family.

  “You took my son…”

  “I did what I’m made to do. At least I know who I am.” Stopping Eve loosened her grip feeling the memories of a lifetime pulsate through her core. Seeing the light change and the darkness lift Angel dropped to her knees.

  “I know your kind. Today’s defeat is tomorrow’s battle. I know who I am. I’m Eve the last of the Halflings sent to this planet…and the last thing you will see.” Picking up where she left Angel dangled from Eve’s hold. Forcing her through the liquid glass the flames licked at her feet.

  “Any last requests...”

  “Fuck you…” Letting go of her hold Angel dropped from the Tower window in a ball of flames. Seeing the ball engulf her and her fate waiting at the bottom Eve walked away.

  Seeing the army of red eyes watch her every move Eve slowly walked through them feeling the fear cascade around her.

  "Tell your side that my fight is over, and if anyone attacks my family again I will put them back to where they once came."

  As the slow blinking disappeared into the night Eve regained her thoughts and control. Breaking down the door, she freed Paul and Peter from their prison at least thankful that neither of them needed to witness any more killing. Grabbing hold of Peter she picked him up in her arms making sure Paul was wrapped around both of them as well. Seeing the muted reality and the lights humming he stroked Peter’s face as he watched carefully.

  “Count to ten Pete.” Hearing them count together and the hum and noise resume Eve smiled kissing them both.

  “Did you do that mummy?”

  “I did that just for you sweetheart.”

  “Do I want to know?” Shaking her head, she kissed him softly.

  “Let’s go home.” Grabbing her bag from the bar, she felt the baby move and kick.

  “I’m sorry pregnant women stuff…pee break.”

  “I’ll take him to the car and meet you outside.” Kissing her again, she watched them disappear before making her way to the toilet. As she took one final look around, she stood at the door waiting for the car.

  “It’s getting frosty...”

  “Yes, it is...” Answering on auto pilot, she was taken by surprise and feeling the kiss on her lips she stared at the black pools hesitantly. As the gentleman kissed her stomach the memory time lapse flooded back into place and with the taste of his lips and his hands on her skin she stood paralysed in his grasp.

  “That’s my girl.” Turning down his jacket and disappearing out of the door. Eve looked longingly holding her breath. As she pushed the glass open, he turned around smiling fondly at her. Getting into the car, he winked before disappearing into the blackness. Touching her lips, she placed her hand over her stomach resting cautiously back on the glass.

  She knew it was him.

  She knew he was back

  “Jacob.”

  THE END