The sound of all the Ravens, as they took flight as one big mass, was almost deafening. The air being pushed by thousands of wings, beating at the same time, could be felt by the mob. As they soared overhead and blackened the sky, all the onlookers instinctively rushed to cover and let out a collective gasp. The birds became airborne and momentarily blocked the sun, giving the scene an even more eerie feeling.
All at once, the terrible siege that gripped the house of worship appeared to be over. No sound, no Ravens, no more destruction. People eventually tried to venture closer to the building, but police held them at bay, their revolvers replaced by batons in their hands. The whole battalion of officers felt the tension of being so outnumbered. A few, who were still filled with adrenaline from the excitement, hoped someone would try and cross the line. The act of protecting the people was quickly becoming a standoff.
The sudden appearance of two men in the doorway of the devastated church startled the crowd and caused everyone to take a step back. The quick movement took the police officers by surprise, and they raised their batons to form a barrier. The sight was eerie. Two figures, standing alone in the entrance to a devastated church.
“Look,” someone deep in the throng yelled out, as the two began to walk down the steps of the holy building. Some of the policemen turned to the church, while others concentrated on crowd control. Having realized one of the two was carrying a weapon, Captain Frank Jarvis, the Captain in charge, raised his bullhorn to his lips.
“Drop the weapon,” said the officer. Johann and Robert stopped in their tracks and glanced over at the commanding officer. “I said drop the weapon,” Jarvis repeated, “I'm not gonna say it a third time.”
Johann gently laid his shotgun down and put his hands in the air. Robert followed suit. Belinda came over to the Captain when she saw what was going on.
“Officer,” she said, “My name is Belinda Carstone. I'm a reporter.” He glanced at her, as though he wondered why he should care about this. “Those two men are my friends,” Belinda continued, “The taller one is Johann Gunter. You can thank him that this whole thing ended without even more people being hurt. He's a hero.”
“Really,” the policeman said, sounding sarcastic, and unbelieving. “Well, let's find out what he has to say for himself.”
Johann walked slowly over to where the commander was standing and stood before the police officer with both hands raised. He peered at the uniformed man, then at Belinda, who caught her breath, when she noticed the cut on Robert's face, and the blood on Johann's hand.
“Hi Belinda,” he said. Before the reporter could answer, the Captain interrupted the conversation.
“Do you have any ID on you,” he asked Johann.
“Yes, sir. I do,” Johann said, as he slowly lowered one of his hands, and started to reach into his rear pants pocket. “I have it in my wallet.”
The wary officer studied him carefully, as he retrieved his wallet, and opened the billfold up. He gave his driver license to the officer, who examined the small, laminated document, carefully.
“You're a priest,” the lawman asked, as he handed the license back to Johann.
“No. Not anymore,” answered Johann, as he placed the identification back where he got it from.
“But, he still kicks demon ass,” Belinda said. Johann half smiled at her. The police officer furrowed his brow, as though confused. She turned to Father Gunter, “Are you two okay?”
“We're fine,” Johann answered, glancing at his friend, “Well, I am, anyway. I think Bob probably could use a doctor.”
“I'll live,” answered Robert, rubbing his wound.
“Johann. Robert. Thank God you're both alright,” a voice from behind them said. They recognized the voice of Father Nelson, and turned around, to face him.
“Father,” said Jarvis, as the priest walked up to the two demon hunters, with his niece Sharon in tow.
“Hi, Frank,” the priest said to the officer, “These two are with me. They saved not only my life but most likely many more lives. So, if you're through with them, I have some things I need to discuss with them about the church.”
“Do you know these two, Father,” the policeman asked.
“I do, Captain Jarvis. They're both friends of mine,” answered the good priest.
Jarvis peered at the two suspiciously. He mulled over in his head, whether or not to release them to the Catholic minister. He glanced over Father Gunter's shoulder at the damage done to the church. He knew he would need to put something in his report about what happened, and who did it. After a tense moment, he locked eyes with Johann.
“You're free to go,” the police Captain said.
“Thank you,” said Johann. He turned to go with Father Nelson, then stopped, and turned back to the officer. “By the way, I'm sorry about Officer Phil,” he said. The commanding police officer gazed at him, now very confused.
“Who,” the officer asked.
“Phil. That officer, who came into the church. He -,” Johann said.
“Johann, we must go now,” Father Nelson said, intentionally interrupting the conversation.
“Phil,” the Captain asked, puzzled.
“I'll tell you about it later, Frank,” the Father said, as he placed his hand on the officer's shoulder. “Come, Johann. There is much we need to discuss.”
Johann left the police Captain, and Belinda, standing and wondering what the pontiff was referring to. He and Robert walked with the priest and his niece toward Johann's car.
“Oh,” said Sharon, realizing Johann's hand had blood on it, and Robert's face had a nasty looking gash, “You're hurt. I'm so sorry.” She reached up to touch Robert's wound gently and held Johann's wounded hand in hers. Belinda was still close enough to see this, and her facial expression reflected her displeasure.
“Thank you. We'll be okay,” said Johann, “We've had worse, and we'll have worse again.”
“Oh, now that's something to look forward to,” Robert said, a touch of sarcasm in his voice. The small group walked a little further.
“Okay,” Johann said when he decided they were out of earshot of the police Captain, “What's the deal with his Phil guy?”
“Johann. I saw Phil enter the church, and when I did, It became crystal clear to me, beyond the shadow of any doubt, he was the conjuror,” the priest said.
“How would you know that,” asked Robert. The good Father thought before he spoke.
“About ten years ago, a robbery was reported at a local business. Phil Desmond and his brother were both officers at the time. They both responded to the call. The thief knew someone reported the robbery, so he waited for them to show up. He shot both of the Desmond brothers as soon as they got out of their cars, killing Phil's brother instantly. Phil lingered on for a while longer, suffering.”
“So, you think that was why Phil started to conjure,” asked Johann.
“I have no doubt about it,” Father Nelson answered, “But what clarified it for me, was because Phil died in the hospital about a week after his brother did. So, when I was able to see his spirit enter the church clearly, I knew there could only be one reason for that.” There was a moment of stunned silence before Johann spoke again.
“But, we met him the first time the other day. He came into the café where Bob and I were having a cup of coffee. He and his partner,” Johann said.
“What café,” asked the pontiff.
“I didn't notice the name of the place. It's on the main road into town, a few miles out,” answered Johann.
“No, that's impossible,” Sharon said. Johann and Bob turned to her. “It sounds like you're talking about a café that used to be called 'Rupert's Place.' A small café with a dirt parking lot.”
“Yeah, that sounds like the place,” Bob said.
“No,” Sharon said, “That place burned down last year. Nothing left of it now, but a dirt parking lot, and a burned-out shell of a building.”
Johann and Robert exchanged glances, puzzled. T
hey were both positive they stopped at the small cafe.
“I guess we were making contact with the demons before we even got to town,” Johann said.
They reached Johann's car, and he suddenly stopped in his tracks. He could not believe the sight in front of his eyes. Debris was everywhere. Everywhere except on his car; or anywhere within a few feet of it. A clearing formed a perfect circle around his vehicle. The demon hunter glanced skyward, for a moment.
“Thank you,” he said.
“Amen to that, my friend,” Robert said, as he patted Johann on the shoulder, “Amen to that.”
The four walked to the front of the Mustang. Some large chunks of debris were on the ground. Johann and Robert removed them, so when the time came, they could pull out of the parking space easily.
Johann leaned against his auto and realized his shotgun still lay on the church steps. The pistol Robert used lay next to it. He excused himself and walked up to retrieve his beloved weapons. As he walked back, he took note that some first responders now entered the area to tend to the injured, and deceased.
He glanced at the pool of blood on the sidewalk coming out from under the badly damaged church bell. He knelt down and said a little prayer for the victim.
“Once a priest,” the padre said, as he watched what Johann was doing.
Johann returned to his vehicle and placed his weapon in its case in the back seat. He handed the handgun to Robert, who was quick to place the weapon back in his shoulder holster. He and Robert silently gazed at each other for a moment, both greatly relieved the other survived the battle. Father Nelson leaned in Johann's window after the two demon hunters got into the car.
“You two take good care of yourselves,” he said, “I can't thank you enough for what you did for this town. I can guarantee you; we will never forget you two.”
“All in a day's work, Father,” Johann answered, as he started the vehicle.
“I'm sorry for what happened to your church,” Robert said. The Father looked over at the damage, and a smile spread on his tired face.
“We'll rebuild,” he said, “I know this town.”
“Where are you going now,” asked Sharon.
“Don't know,” answered Johann. He glanced at Robert, then back to the priest, “I'm sure something will come up. War is coming, you know.”
“Yes,” the gentle priest said, solemnly, “We do.” He put his arms around his niece and pulled her close.
Father Gunter and Robert pulled away from the curb. They took one last glance at the devastation caused by the encounter with two members of Hell's royalty and headed back to their hotel room to get their belongings.
Two hours later, the two demon hunters were on their way out of town.
“Only one thing bothers me,” Robert said.
“What's that,” asked Johann.
“What the hell was that fire demon thing back at the church? It was like something out of a science fiction movie, or something.”
“You can't figure that out?” Johann glanced sideways at his companion, “Think about it. It came for the Earl and Prince of Hell. What do you think it was?” Robert thought for a moment; his face lit up when the answer came to him. He turned and stared at Johann, his mouth open.
“That's right,” Johann said, “That's our ultimate enemy. I can promise you, he won't be as easy to defeat as the last few that we had to fight,” he glanced at his friend, “He will be coming for us, you understand.”
“Oh, crap,” Robert said, quietly, turning to face forward again, “Almost makes me wish I had something to smoke.” Johann turned to him with his eyebrows raised. “You know what I mean,” Robert said.
They arrived at the “Mountainview Food and Fuel,” where they stopped to fill their gas tank before they left town. Johann was relieved that this time, there wasn't anyone at the pump with a cigarette lighter.
“I still think they should call it the Mountainview Creamsicle,” Johann said, as they pulled back onto the road, on their way out of town.
Johann's cell phone rang.
“This is Johann,” he said, as he pressed the device to his ear. The voice on the other end belonged to Belinda Carstone.
“Johann, you left before I could tell you,” she said, “Dave and I are heading to a small town called Clemons.”
“Why,” asked Johann.
“I had a dream,” Belinda said, “And in the dream, everyone there was having terrible nightmares, causing them to do horrible things to each other.”
“I see,” Johann said, calmly, “War is hell, Belinda. We'll see you there.”
He ended the call, and Robert looked over at him. He looked past Johann at something on the side of the road and turned pale. His mouth dropped open, and his eyes grew wide.
“Oh, my God,” he said. He pointed out his partner's window.
Johann turned his head to look at what Robert was pointing to. A small, burned out building with a dirt parking lot. The blackened sign was still readable. It read “Rupert's Place.”
The End
Follow Johann and Robert to Clemons in
“Night Mares”
<<<<>>>>
About the Author
Born in Coledale, PA and raised in NJ. Lived in NYC for about 7 years. Met my husband in 1978 and married in 1985. Have been happily married ever since! Now, we live in beautiful Mesa AZ.
Author of "The Mons Connection" and "Infected and Other Short Stories" as well as short stories in the SciFi / Occult / Horror genre(s) and an upcoming paranormal / occult series.
I was always interested in science fiction, action adventure and comedy. Tried my hand at writing a book back in the 1970's but did not have the direction I needed in order to complete it. The story was going along great until one day while I was sitting at my typewriter (remember those?) and the thought suddenly struck me that I had no idea where I was going with the story or how it was going to end. Now, many years later, I do have the drive and direction to write a complete book. My only regret is that it took me this long.
A lot of my ideas come from "What if?" For example, "What if there were a mountain on another planet that wasn't exactly a mountain?" or "What if we could reanimate corpses and have them perform menial tasks?" The whole world is full of "What if?" we just have to explore it.
Books by Janine R. Pestel.
The Bucktown Babies- The first book in the “Father Gunter, Demon Hunter” series, and a recipient of a “Reader's Favorite” 5 Star Review. A gripping demon hunter thriller pitting a former priest against a demon in a small farming community.
The Mons Connection- The Anunnaki and Human worlds collide. In this epic alien first contact saga, three astronauts and one cosmonaut search for alien life on Mars, and find more than they expected.
Infected and Other Short Stories- Tales of Horror, Zombies and Paranormal. A collection of four short horror stories, each with it;s own twist.
The Visit- A short, but touching, story about a visit a mother receives from her Marine Corps son.
Harry- A short psychological thriller with a twist.
The Servants- Do NOT remove the control box! Madeline was rich and arrogant. She fired her human servants and purchased “ServBots”, with deadly consequences.
Wait at the Rainbow Bridge- The story of Tommy, and the beloved German Shepherd he lost. Read about how they are one day reunited.
Thank You
Thank you for reading my novel. I sincerely hope that you enjoyed it. Reviews are very important to authors, so I would be very appreciative if you would kindly leave a review.
-Janine R. Pestel
To receive notices of new books, appearances, book signings, etc., please visit my website: http://www.janinepestel.com
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If you should wish to contact the author, you may do so at this email address: Janine.pestel@gmail
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