Mane of Redemption

by Aaron D Brinker

  The man held a hand to his face. “Yes. How will you know? Is it through a super power or something like that?”

  Jude bellowed low grunting laughter. “Nothing that complex. My eyes from above are the eyes of the Archangel Michael. So, if you fail to live up to your promise, I will know. Whenever someone asks you about the marks, you are to tell them they are a reminder of past discretions. Are you clear on all this?” The man nodded. Jude motioned over his shoulder with his massive head and mane. “Now go tend to your friends, Simon.”

  Simon began to walk towards his friends. He stopped after walking past Jude and turned. “How did you know my name?”

  Jude turned to face him. “My eyes are also my path to knowledge, unknown by my human form.” He lifted his head with piercing golden eyes toward the pile of men. Simon turned and walked to his friends. The next time he looked up Jude was gone.

  *

  A week later Jude sat at his desk. His normal day consisted of emails, meetings, and scheduling appointments with clients. It was almost lunch time, and he had not yet thought of where he wanted to go for lunch.

  Jude rarely shut his office door. Meetings, phone calls, and confidential conversations were usually the only situations when the door was closed. A face appeared from the door frame. It appeared to be levitating. “Hey Jude! What’s up?”

  Jude looked up and smiled. “What’s up man?”

  His coworker moved into the doorway, walked in, and sat down across from Jude. “Not much. Do you have any plans for lunch?”

  Jude sat back in his chair and shook his head. “Nope. I was actually thinking of where I wanted to go for lunch.”

  His coworker nodded. “There’s a café around the corner that has pretty good food. Want to go?”

  Jude nodded and smiled, “Sounds good. Just give me a few minutes to finish up a couple last emails.”

  “Right on.” The man stood up. “Just text me or swing by my office when you’re ready.”

  “Will do.” Judes coworker turned and left the office.

  Jude walked through the door ten minutes later. “Sorry for the delay. Are you ready to go?” After he had spoken, Jude realized his coworker was on the phone.

  He nodded and motioned to the seat across from him. Jude sat down. He looked around the coworker’s office to find pictures hanging that weren’t months before.

  “That sounds great honey. Love you too. I’ll see you when I get home.” He hung up the receiver.

  “Jessica and the kids come back?”

  The man nodded. “Yeah, about three months ago.”

  Jude smiled. “That’s great man. I’m glad to hear it.”

  “Thank you. Are you ready?” Jude nodded, both men stood up, and walked out of the office. As they made their way towards the elevator, Judes coworker stopped at another employees desk. “Chad.”

  Chad looked up. A scrawny face and build, he wore thick rimmed glasses and seemed anxious. “Yes, sir.”

  “Are you almost done with that report I asked you about last week?”

  “Yes, sir. I should have it for you by the end of the day Mr. Campbell.”

  Adam smiled. “Thanks Chad. I’ll keep a look out for it.” Adam and Jude walked to the elevator. When the bell sounded and the doors opened they both stepped inside. As the doors closed both began to look around the floor. Jude asked Adam, “Do you smell that?”

  Adam’s mouth was open. “My nose has been stuffed up the last few weeks. Dang allergies. I can taste it though. It’s almost musty.”

  Jude nodded his head. “It is a kind a musk.” He shrugged. “Maybe someone’s cologne.”

  Adam nodded and laughed. “You’re probably right, especially with how much some of the staff go overkill with cologne.”

  Jude laughed. “That’s a good point. So, what brought Jessica back? You don’t mind my asking, do you?”

  Adam pursed his lips and shook his head. “I don’t mind at all. I actually cleaned up my act. I quit drinking and started being more active in her and the kids’ lives.”

  “That’s great to hear.” The doors opened and they stepped off the elevator into a crowded lobby.

  As they stepped out onto a crowded sidewalk, Adam asked, “Why have you never married?”

  Jude shook his head laughing. “I guess I was always terrified of commitment.”

  Adam laughed, “I couldn’t picture you being afraid of anything.”

  Jude smirked. “Surprising, isn’t it?”

  Adam placed his hand on Jude’s shoulder. “No kidding. Man, you have no idea what you’re missing.”

  “You’re ecstatic to have Jess and the kids back, aren’t you?”

  Adam grinned, “That I am. Having a family is amazing. The kids are getting so big.” His elated expression dropped.

  Jude’s brow furrowed. “Everything okay?”

  Adam nodded and looked up at the buildings. “I’ve made so many poor decisions. I just wish the possibility existed to change the past.”

  “Living with regrets is never easy. Granted, we can never change what we’ve done. We can only learn from those decisions, and make amends to those we’ve wronged.” Jude opened the door to the café. “You’ve got plenty of time left with Jess and the kids. Just do your best with the time you have.”

  The two found an empty table by the window and sat down. After looking through the menus and placing their orders, Adam spoke, “Thanks for the advice. If you normally give advice that in depth, you would make a great father. What’s the real reason you haven’t settled down?”

  Jude took a drink from his cup, and sat back in his chair. “To tell you the truth, I don’t really know. I guess time just got away from me, and everyone I have ever dated never seemed like the type of person I could grow old with.”

  Adam nodded. “Those are definitely valid enough reasons. There’s got to be someone out there who’s perfect for you. Is there anyone that piques your interest at the office?”

  Jude shook his head. “Not really. Jane from accounting is gorgeous, but I don’t really think that she’s my type.” Adam sat back and touched his fingertips together creating a void between his hands. “I really don’t see the benefit of the whole “office romance” thing.”

  “If one person doesn’t work directly for the other, it could work out well. The individuals involved would work similar hours and not have the back and forth travel to meet for dates.”

  Jude’s brow rose as he looked from Adam to his cup. He took another drink. “You may have a point there.”

  The waitress approached with their orders in hand Adam glanced out the window. Lucius stood across the street watching him. He gasped, stood, and grabbed his plate of food. “Sorry Jude. I just remembered something at the office that can’t wait. I’ll see you back there.”

  “It’s cool, man. Believe me, I’ve been there many times. Enjoy your lunch.”

  Adam went to the counter, paid, had the staff place his food in a container, and left. Jude ate as he watched Adam walk out the door. He expected him to walk by the outdoor seating area and was shocked to see him walk across the street and up to a man he didn’t recognize. Jude saw the man’s face for an instant. As Adam approached the man, the stranger turned his back towards Jude. If Adam were to look up, would be looking right at Jude. Jude began eating his lunch and stole glances towards Adam.

  Lucius snarled, “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “Attempting to have lunch with a coworker. Why the attitude filled interruption?”

  Lucius’ tone softened, “Is he watching?”

  Adam glanced at Jude who was looking down eating his food. “No, he’s not watching.”

  “Good. Know this, you,” Lucius jabbed two fingers into Adam’s chest, drew his hand back, and motioned towards Jude with his head. “And your friendships will be tested. The time is coming very soon to prove your loyalties.” With that said, Lucius disappeared. Adam stared into the void Lucius’ form had, a moment earlier, filled. He looke
d up and found Jude looking at him. Had he seen? Jude waved, Adam returned it, and began his walk back to the office.

  *

  Jude sat in the silence of his apartment. After finishing what he could of his meal, he had taken the rest of the day off to gather his thoughts and get advice. In truth, after waving to Adam, he had not eaten another bite. He sat, for a while, with a blank stare on his face, then called the office, paid for his food, and went home in a daze.

  Now, he thought of the past year at the office. He had noticed Adam’s disheveled appearance and his deteriorating attitude. Adam seemed to have done a 180 during Judes time in the hospital. Jude thought that Adam had received a major wake up call, but the events at lunch had obliterated that perception.

  He stood up from the couch and fixed a pot of coffee. Once it was brewed he poured two cups full. As he placed the pot back into its cradle, he asked, “Care to join me?”

  Michael appeared in the living room chair. “Don’t mind if I do.” Jude paused. Michael was dressed in sneakers, knee length cargo shorts, and a baggy sleeveless t-shirt. His hair was shoulder length, blonde, and his skin had a tan complexion. At Judes lack of movement, Michael looked up and grinned. “Something wrong?”

  Jude shook his head and started walking towards the living room. “No, not at all. What’s with the attire?”

  Michael laughed. “Would you prefer me in a robe or cloak?”

  Jude smirked. “No, you’re fine. I just didn’t think angels wore human clothes. In reality, I don’t feel as intimidated by you dressed like my fellow man.”

  “It’s usually the best way for us to blend in. I actually just left Huntington Beach California.”

  “Vacation?”

  Jude handed the cup to Michael. “Thank you.” Jude sat down on the couch opposite Michael. “Actually, I was tending to my duties.”

  “Escorting souls or delaying the inevitable by saving lives?”

  Michael smirked. “Both actually. It’s usually a mix whenever I’m out and about among men. It’s also easier to blend in dressed like a member of human society.” Jude nodded. Michael leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “I know you didn’t call me here just for a cup of coffee.” Michael took a sip. “What’s on your mind?”

  Jude sipped his coffee. “You know what’s on my mind.”

  Michael nodded. “I would like to hear it from you and see how you piece everything together.”

  “Fair enough.” Jude sat forward with his coffee cup in hand. He looked at the cup as he thought of where to start. “I suppose the odd events started as Adam and I boarded the elevator to go to lunch. As the doors closed, I noticed an overpowering musky, sickly sweet stench. I think it would be similar to a mix of blood and pheromones. I smelled it throughout lunch. Adam talked about how happy he was to have Jess and the kids back, talked about regretting poor decisions, asked me why I’ve never started a family, and if there was anyone in which I was interested. The strangest thing of all happened right after he left suddenly.” Michael’s brow furrowed in interest. “He ran out right after the food was delivered to our table. He said he had forgotten something at the office. I expected him to take the same path back to work that we had taken. Instead, he walked across the street and began talking with some guy.”

  Michael adjusted in his seat. “What did he look like?”

  “I only saw his face for a moment, but even in that moment, I felt that he was someone you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley. He wore a black suit, silver tie, shades, and short, brown hair.”

  Michael’s brow and tone rose. “Did he have marks of any kind that you could see?”

  Jude lowered his gaze as he thought. His brow furrowed as he looked back up at Michael. “Yes he did. From a distance it looked like an upside down star tattooed on the back of his neck.” Michael’s expression went blank. He set his coffee cup on the table next to him. “You know him.”

  Michael nodded. “The tattoo you saw was not a star but a very intricate tattoo of a goat. He usually has it when taking human form.”

  “Human form? Is he an angel as well? And if so, than who’s the threat?

  “I would say, maybe both. Your coworker is definitely involved. The man you saw Adam talking to, at one time, was an angel.”

  “So, he’s a fallen angel.”

  “Not a fallen angel, but the fallen angel.”

  “Wait a second!” Jude set his cup down on the table and leaned so far forward he almost fell off the couch. “You mean to tell me that the man Adam was talking to, is the Devil?”

  “Yes. He usually goes by Lucius while in human form.”

  Jude nodded and looked towards the floor and to Michael again. “Has all the training and getting stronger been to prepare me to face off against Lucius himself?”

  “No, this is an unforeseen factor in the scope of the situation.” Michael leaned back in his chair once again.

  “Is Adam a threat?”

  “If he’s involved with Lucius, he very well may be. It just all depends if he truly is remorseful for his actions and decisions. Time will be the only thing that can reveal that now. Keep your distance for the time being. I know this leaves you with more questions than answers, but keep in mind that things will be answered when they need to be. Believe me, in some ways I’m right there with you. Up until a moment ago, I thought the only ones we would be dealing with were demons and a poor soul that had been chosen as a scapegoat.”

  Jude nodded. “Well, at least I’m not alone in my confusion.”

  Michael laughed. “No one is ever alone. Keep up with your tasks and remain diligent. You’re going to need the training, especially if Lucius has his hand in this.” With that Michael disappeared and left Jude to his thoughts. Jude stood and collected the cups of coffee, washed them, and went in to lay down. He needed sleep to prepare him for a long night.

  *

  Adam had not been to the office in a week. Jessica had called the office, at least, once a day to find out if he had shown. Jude had not seen Adam since waving to him from the café window. Jude sat in his chair looking out his office window at the cityscape. A knock came from his door. “Who is it?” His tone low and distracted.

  “It’s Jessica.”

  He turned to find her standing in his office doorway. He stood, walked over to her, and his brow furrowed a moment before they hugged each other. They had known each other for years, and as they released the embrace a moment later he asked, “Any word yet?” She looked towards the floor and shook her head. When she looked back up her eyes were welling with tears.

  Jude gestured for her to come in, she accepted, and walked over to one of the chairs facing Jude’s desk. She turned to face him. “Can I confide in you?”

  He closed his office door and walked over to his desk. He motioned for her to take a seat. Jude cleared a space on his desktop and sat with his legs dangling over the side. “Jess, as long as we’ve known each other, you should know by now that I am always willing to listen.”

  A tear slid down her cheek as she nodded and began. Jude grabbed a tissue from the box on his desk and handed it to her. “It all started about six months ago. I’m sure you noticed Adam’s declining attitude and appearance.” Jude nodded. “He also kept late hours at work. What people also didn’t realize, is that he was drinking heavily as well. He would come home reeking of booze. I reached my breaking point, packed up the kids, and went to stay with my mother.” Jude continued looking at her as she spoke. He gave an occasional nod to indicate he was listening. “About three months ago he did a complete 180 overnight. Something told me to call him, and when I did I found out he had started coming back to work during regular business hours. When I agreed to meet him for lunch, I found myself flabbergasted to see him clean shaven and looking very sharp. He also smelled like his old self. The kids and I came back a couple weeks after that.”

  “I noticed the change when I returned from being in the hospital. All the staff here noticed his decline an
d some of the staff even grew fearful of him.”

  “I meant to tell you a while back that I’m glad you made it through alright. Did they ever catch the guy?”

  He shook his head. “I have it through a reliable source that he’s changed. The person told me that he came across someone stronger.” Jude smirked. “The person changed him for the better.”

  “That’s good to hear. I wonder if someone made him feel like a victim for once.”

  Jude nodded. “If things were going so well with Adam, what caused him to disappear?”

  Jess lowered her head. “It happened the day he met you for lunch. He came home and told me that you guys had talked, and that it had made him think of all the ways he’s screwed up recently. He flew off the handle. In a strange way,” She looked up with a distant look in her eyes. “It seemed like he was almost warring within himself. His voice scared us the most. When he talked about changing and making up for poor decisions…his voice was normal.” She paused to try and compose herself. Her tears and shaking voice and hands portrayed her failure. “His voice while defending those poor decisions sounded almost demonic. It came out as a low growl with an increased hiss.”

  Jude dropped his hands to his side and allowed his arms to catch the weight of his upper body. “Are you saying his voice took on a reptilian quality as if a snake could speak?”

  Jess shot him a puzzled look. “Yeah, actually, that’s exactly how I would describe it. I almost packed the kids and left again, but he stormed out the door and I haven’t seen or heard from him since.”

  Jude nodded and handed her another tissue. “Knowing how smart you are, I know you’ve already notified the police of his absence. How long have they been looking?”

  “They allowed me to file the report 48 hours after I had last seen him. They haven’t spotted him anywhere. I found his car in its usual spot, so he started out on foot.”

  “I’m sorry you’re having to deal with so much. Hopefully we can find him and get him back to his old self. Are the kids holding up well enough?”