The Resurrectionist

by Michael Gesellchen

  We reached the city wall and hid in the entryway of an abandon building. “This is as far as I can take you. I am not permitted to pass beyond the great wall.” Jimmy said.

  "Why?” I asked. “I am indebted to you forever for what you have done for me here. Please, come with us. We’ll leave this place together.”

  Jimmy smiled. “In time, I may rejoin you, but now is not that time. My work here is not yet finished.”

  I nodded my understanding. We embraced and Jimmy faded from sight. An aloneness, more intense than before, crept into my being. It was loneliness I wanted to feel. Loneliness makes the heart grow fonder. I eagerly awaited the time when I would see my friend again. I was made a better person because he crossed my path.

  I reached over and loosened the chain around Sarah’s neck. She still hadn’t spoken a word. I leaned into check on Allison. Her eyes were open. She tilted her head towards Sarah. “Mom.” A faint whisper passed from her lips.

  Chapter 21

  I stood wrapped in stunned silence. Sarah picked Allison up in her arms and held her tight. A faint circle of light radiated from their bodies. A tear fell from my eye, moistening the soiled ground. Sarah finally spoke.

  “It was dark and cold that night. The mist rolled off the river near our home. I had been harboring two young men whom couldn’t have been much more than fifteen. Jamison and Ned were their names. I cooked us dinner since the boys looked like they hadn’t eaten anything in days. They were very grateful and appreciative of the meal but said that they had to get moving. I gave them some food and they parted wanting to take advantage of the darkness and fog. My husband begged me to stop. He didn’t think it was my place to help people escape the life. Frustration was setting in, that was evident. After the boys left he took off. I guess he needed time to cool down and think. At the time, my husband’s paranoia was intensifying, because of his work. It was a lot for him, and me.”

  I looked at Sarah. “His work? Were the Puritans pressuring him? He didn't have a great following, at least not until you went missing."

  "Before we moved to Millersville my husband was a scientist, that was his day job. His mission, his real work he would say, was from God. At least it started that way, until it twisted itself into what it is now. The Puritan leaders got word of my husband's work and saw fit to keep it protected."

  "A couple hours later I heard a knock at the door. It was the boys. Jamison had blood pouring from his left shoulder. Off in the distance I could hear a faint voice and the loud barks of bloodhounds. My heart dropped and my stomach turned over. I pleaded with the boys to leave but we were all very frightened and not thinking with clear heads. I hurried them into the tool shed at the back of our home. I had some medical supplies back in the house and ran to get them. I grabbed my kit and as soon as I turned around a giant of a man was standing in the doorway. I couldn’t breathe. He had a long silver beard and a rifle in his hands. His face had wrinkles and his skin was dry and cracked. His eyes were beady and penetrating. I recognized him immediately, though I had only met him once. He called the shots amongst the Puritan leaders. He was a mysterious figure, choosing to remain behind the scenes."

  “You been helping them two boys ain’t ya,” He spoke with forceful intent.

  "I nervously denied my involvement, but Jamison’s blood was all over the door. I was frozen. Sweat poured out, my shirt was soaked. My worst fear, my biggest nightmare, becoming a reality right in front of my eyes. By gunpoint I was forced onto the ground where my hands were bound and my mouth gagged. He forced me to my feet and to lead him to the boys. I had no choice but to give up their hiding place. I was terrified for my life.

  When we reached the shed Jamison was unconscious. The Puritan commander hit Ned across the face with the butt of his rifle. While on the ground, he bound and gagged him. He forced Ned and myself to watch as he pointed the barrel of the gun right between the eyes of Jamison. I remember each word he spoke, not every secret is meant to see the light. He pressed his finger against the trigger and murdered Jamison. Thank God he was still unconscious and died quick, but for us it was horrific to watch. I cannot think about it without crying.

  The commander forced us back to his van where he loaded us into dog cages and took off. The road was bumpy but we didn’t travel far. When we stopped we were blindfolded and taken out of the van. I could hear no sounds of traffic or the town. Only the chirping of crickets and the stillness of the air. He hurried us into a building where there were more cages waiting. We spent the night there, we got no sleep.

  The morning passed and evening came. Our stomachs growled. We were given no food or water. Dehydration had intensified my headache to pounding levels. That night, late, past midnight, we were brought into a smaller room within the building. Sound proof panels lined each wall. The commander stood against the wall, silent. Two additional men whom I had never seen before entered the room. They were dressed in suits which I thought was odd. They wore masks over their faces so only their eyes shone through. Their eyes didn’t look like yours or mine. They were different, almost without pigment, gray. As if they were once bright but the brightness was gone. Like the smoldering ash of a once brilliant fire. The eyes studied Ned and I intently. Their mouths never uttered a sound.

  I prayed to God to send an angel to rescue me, but no one came. Maybe it was our time to go. For the second night in a row I found no peace.

  The next day came and past. It was night again. Still no food or water. Panic was intensifying. The body panics when it has nothing to nourish it."

  "Get up," the Puritan commander said.

  I whispered a short prayer for the strength to carry on. We were forced out of our cages and into a back room that opened up to a big warehouse. My legs shook and felt like jelly as a huge knot formed in my stomach. In front of us stood the gallows that would eventually consume our lives.

  My husband stood next to a wall in the warehouse. His face pale as death. His look was one of guilt and horror. Our eyes met and I could tell that he felt responsible for what was happening to me, but was powerless to stop it. An overwhelming sense of compassion towards my husband welled up within me. Oh how I wish I could tell him that it wasn’t his fault. That it was I who chose to carry this burden. I knew full well the consequences and the risk I was taking by revealing the secrets. Even if I could have talked to him I don’t think it would have mattered. He would still blame himself and carry this guilt for the rest of his life. I wanted so badly to run and hug him and tell him it was going to be ok, wishful thinking.

  My hands and feet were bound in the very chains I helped so many people break free from. Time was running out. I clung to the thought that a hero would rescue me, but no white knight would come that day. Fear coursed through my being, indescribable terror. The kind of terror one can only know by first had experience. My body wanted to vomit, but it was too weak. I hadn’t eaten in three days.

  My faith and conviction had always been my greatest strength. I remembered the crucifixion story. A story I had heard my husband tell a thousand times. I tried my hardest to look toward him for strength. How did he do it? How did he look upon those Roman soldiers with eyes of compassion and love? I wanted to be at peace but it was impossible. I didn’t want to suffer, not like that. I could hear the hangman speaking but didn't know what he said. My mind was too anxious to comprehend anything. I was just wanted it over. Then I might find peace.

  We were lead to the unforgiving gallows. I took my first step up and felt a sharp blow in the back of my head. Warm blood rushed from my head to my bare shoulders. The blow caused me to miss the first step and stumble forward, scraping my knee on the second step. There was a stern cold look on the Puritan commander's face. It was unemotional and had an air of pride about it, as if he was doing something good for the world and not only himself.

  Then, my world went black. Thick nooses were quickly placed around mine and Ned’s necks. Black cloth hung over our heads. I heard the creaking of the lever that wa
s holding the trap door we were standing on.

  'It’s stuck. Damnit!' I heard the hangman say as warm liquid ran down my legs.

  'Pull!' The commander's voice sounded.

  The rope tightened and strangled my neck. My legs kicked and screamed, searching for something solid, desperately trying to save my life. Nothing but air was beneath my feet. Soon my body felt lighter, like I was floating, and then nothing. I lost consciousness. The next thing I knew, I was standing beneath the gallows. I watched as the two men with gray eyes examined our bodies. They motioned for the commander to come and remove them. I glanced over my shoulder. A very bright and illuminating figure was standing next to me. He seemed to appear out of nowhere. He smiled at me and motioned me to follow him. I could feel warmth flowing from his body. It was over.” Sarah took a deep breath, her body shook, trauma reborn through her story.

  “What were you protecting?” I dared to ask.

  “It’s not a matter of protection. Quite the opposite. It’s about exposure, exposing the truth. Hurry, we need to be getting on. It’s not safe here.” Sarah looked at Allison who had once again fallen unconscious. “I will divert their attention. You take Allison and run in the opposite direction.”

  “Wait. What about-"

  Sarah jumped up and ran screaming out of the building. Two guards chased her past the gate, gaining fast. Sarah stopped abruptly, placing her right hand on her forehead and bringing it to her chest. She then raised it to her left shoulder and crossed over to her right. She was engulfed in flames. The guards hit a brick wall, just like I experienced during my exorcism.

  “Go now!” She shouted. I grabbed Allison and threw her over my shoulder, running crazed through the gate.

  My eyes had grown accustomed to the darkness. I could see for long distances with very little help. In hell you don't have to worry about trees and vegetation blocking your sight, just barren wasteland. A loud cry sounded behind me. “Sarah!” I stopped to turn and look back. The fire surrounding her was fading. She struggled to keep the guards at bay. She wasn’t strong enough. I ran towards her.

  “Will no!” She cried. “You must go. Get out of here. Get Allison out! She won’t make it if you don’t.”

  “I won’t leave you!”

  “Yes you will!”

  The fire vanished. Sarah was overcome by her attackers. I fell to my knees. Just inside the gate peered the same red eyes I had seen in the dark alley. A hideous looking creature emerged from the city. What was more terrifying was the demon sitting atop the beast and Sunny riding behind his master. Sunny jumped off the beast and dragged Sarah’s body into the city walls. The demon stared at me, pointing it’s long bony finger in my direction. “Will! Run!” Sarah’s last screams were loud enough to curdle my blood.

  I scanned the environment with confusion and pressure. There was nothing. I fled on foot, unable to feel my legs below. Behind, the demon was gaining. The hellsteed it rode upon was something out of a nightmare. Its ribs were exposed from rotting flesh, which explained the smell of decaying dog filtering through the city. The little bit of muscle covered by skin bulged with each powerful stride. The demon's robe flailed in the wind as he gave chase. Its form continually changed from physical to mist. It was faster in the mist but seemed unable to hold that form for very long. I cried with each step I took.

  A burnt out muddy bog filled with tree stumps and driftwood appeared in my peripheral vision. I took a hard right. The hellsteed was temporarily thrown off course, digging its claws into the dirt to slow itself and adjust its route. The bog was close. The dark mist hovered on top of us, ready to devour, before I dove head first into thick muck which covered our bodies. My neck slammed into a tree root, pinching a nerve down my spine. My right side was numb. I grabbed onto the root as my lungs choked, fully expecting the mist to consume and haul us off to some godforsaken place of torment.

  The grit from the mud bore its way into my left eye as I opened it. The demon had taken to its physical form. It surveyed the ground with intense focus. Flailing and swinging its arms in extreme rage. It bent down to one knee and slammed it’s fist into the ground. Vile, disgusting insects and spider like creatures came pouring out of the cracks. Snakes and serpents slithered out of every tree stump in the bog. The demon commanded them like soldiers, barking orders, “seek them out!” I swallowed the mucus in my throat and closed my eye. Snakes slithered over my body. The pitter patter of a thousand spider legs grew louder and louder as I tried not to scream. Every inch of my body was coated. They burrowed into my garments, biting and gnawing at my skin. The ground shook as the demon drew near. It mounted its hellsteed and stood no more than three feet from us. My fists clenched tight. The foul breath of the hellsteed down my neck made the tiny hairs blow in its wake. The pressure behind my eyes was unbearable. If I opened them, tears would explode out.

  The demon dismounted and stood above Allison and I. One leg on either side of us, its tattered wings spread far across it’s back. Fear owned me in its paralyzing grip. I thought of Jimmy and wished so badly for his presence. The demon stood there, unaware we were right beneath him.

  "Stop!" I broke down screaming. The floodgate of emotion once again pouring out. "I'll finish the ritual. Give me the Reverend. Let Allison go. It's all I ask."

  I pulled my body up, using the root as leverage. My shoulder was still numb but I could stand. I released a small pocket of air from my lungs, and dared to open my eye, nothing. We were alone.

  I reached down, pulling up Allison's body and laying her on solid ground. I sat confused. Maybe the mud camouflaged us long enough for the demon to move on. Someone whittled writing into the tree root I had clung to. I brushed away the mud and dirt. “Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.”

  Did Jimmy write this? Did he distract the demon and scare it off? The demon looked right through me like I wasn't there. Was this how Jimmy moved unharmed through the crowds in the city?

  When feeling started to return to my right side I picked up Allison and threw her back over my shoulder. We walked along, her weight was bearing down but I had to keep moving. Doubt simply could not enter my mind though it desperately tried, bombarding me from every angle, jeering and laughing at my aimless wandering. No direction. No goal in sight.

  I walked till my knees buckled under the weight of Allison’s body, sending us tumbling forward. “It’s too much! Take this from me! I need help!" My pleas were in vain. I had to get up, back on my feet. I drove myself harder than any taskmaster would dare, until we reached a cliff. The only way to proceed was to climb. I let out a moan of self-pity and exhaustion. “What’s the point! We can’t go on like this forever, being chased, knowing no peace.”

  My arms and legs burned when I grasped the last rock and pulled myself up to the ledge, wheezing and gasping for air. Allison was out cold. I pulled her body and my own closer to the mountainside. We laid on our backs looking up at the blood red sky. The air was freezing cold. There was no way to climb any higher. Behind us into the mountain was a small opening not much wider than my shoulder blades. I stuck my head inside. It opened to a larger cavern, maybe four feet wide by three feet high. On the side of the wall were symbols scratched into it. I didn't recognize them. A piece of a fingernail was lodged in the rock. I took a moment to calm my shuddering body. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

  I sat with my back against the wall of the cavern. Defeated. “Enough with the damn riddles!” I yelled to no one. I would have given anything to understand. To have illumination in this forsaken place of eternal blackness. There was no light here. I pounded the ground with my fist and rolled over to exhausted unconsciousness.

  My mind flooded with childhood memories when I woke up. For a moment I was lost, a second of happiness. Feeling a surge and renewal of spirit, I sat up. The words stared back at me. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” The rest provided a different frame of mind. Maybe there w
as light here in the darkness. Maybe all hope should not be abandoned. “Where's the light?” I said aloud. My eyes scanned the cavern. All was darkness except for the eerie red glow that perpetually permeated this land.

  I squinted my eyes further into the cavern. A small opening lead into a narrow tunnel. I told myself there was light at the end of the tunnel, willing it to be there, refusing to believe anything less. I crawled army style, Allison positioned firmly on my back, until the skin was ripped from my knees and forearms. The more I strained, the bigger the light grew. We reached an opening in the crawl space that allowed me to stand. Belief made the light appear, my faith.

  There was a rock, big enough to rest upon, next to a wall. I sat rubbing my arms, contemplating my next move. Small beams of light stretched across the room. They couldn’t be coming from the sun, there were no cracks in the rock. We were deep within the mountainside. I stretched my arm and placed my hand into the light. It burned to the touch, my blackened hand smelling of burnt flesh. “I need help!” I cried. “I don’t understand?” The light was so painful, but it must hold a key. What was the fire that guarded Sarah, the light that protected the boy and prevented me from getting in.

  One beam in particular seemed brighter than the others. It poured into a large rock. I moved closer to inspect it but found nothing. I walked back to Allison when I heard a faint groan coming from underneath the rock. I bolted to gather Allison and find an escape. The only way out was the way we came. Groans grew louder as I tried in vain to block them out. It was useless. I summoned my courage to face the unknown, to face what was beneath the rock. Great risk lay under the stone. Risk that could seal our fate by releasing some pungent, vile creature. The coldness once in my heart warmed when I braced my legs against the side of the wall and my back against the rock. I strained. The rock slowly rolled away. The groans stopped. I dared to look inside.