“Because where your friends are going, it will no longer be possible for them to do much of anything… ever. By the way, this is our business.”
“If this big girl is all you have doing your business,” the Stevens demon laughed, gesturing at Abaddon, “you all will need a bigger boat.”
The demon’s arm he had been gesturing with lay at his feet an instant later, blood spewing from his shoulder in great gouts of brackish colored fluid. Abaddon laughed appreciatively as the demon fell to his knees, screaming and gripping the bloody stump of his shoulder with his remaining hand. Abaddon caught the Kostas demon up in a death grip by the throat as it lunged at him. With ease, Abaddon sheathed his sword and snatched the Kostas demon up over his head. Kneeling, Abaddon broke the Kostas demon’s back over his extended leg, releasing the howling thing to flop on the floor, its body held together only by skin. Cheers echoed from the cages as the human scarecrows watched the bizarre battle with hope.
Abaddon looked around at the cages, and then down at the rapidly healing demons. He drew his sword again.
“My Father said, ‘Thou shalt have no other Gods before me’. I will show your human friends what kind of Gods you two really are.”
In the next few moments, with Kostas and Stevens staring in shock through the translucent shield, Abaddon hacked the screaming demons apart mercilessly and relentlessly. Catherine comforted the woman prisoner while Angelina stood next to Raphael, watching Abaddon finish the demons off. His heaven sent flame of judgment purged the remnants of demon flesh from the white dungeon in a cleansing flash of white fire.
Raphael turned to the dismayed Stevens with a smile. “Like I said, this is our business, and business is good.”
Abaddon resumed his human guise. He tore the cage doors off carefully after gesturing for the occupants to step away. The filthy survivors spilled hesitantly out of their prisons, clutching at Abaddon with cries of joy bordering on insanity. He held each one for a moment, the immense power he had drained from the demons healing and soothing the emaciated men, women, and children. Raphael quickly joined Abaddon. Catherine herded the healed toward the stairwell, listening to their confused voices and comforting them.
Angelina watched Kostas and Stevens, fists clenched at her sides. The two men looked furtively toward the exit to the dungeon, glancing over to see where the Archangels were and gauging their chances of escape. Angelina stepped quickly between the two men and the stairwell.
“I hope you boys don’t think we’re just going to let you walk away.” Angelina reached under the back of her blouse. A split second later she fired off an arc from a handheld stun gun. “If either of you move, I’ll zap you until your eyeballs pop out. Now, get over there against that far wall and drag this other meatball with you.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Stevens and Kostas gripped Chuck’s arms and dragged him against the wall opposite the stairwell. Angelina stood guard over them for the next half an hour as Raphael and Abaddon attended to the prisoners. Catherine needed only to keep the happy survivors together and calm while the Archangels finished freeing the remaining caged victims. In total, Catherine counted five men, thirteen women, and six children varying in ages from four to nine years old. Once touched by the Archangels, understanding and healing flowed through the prisoners’ minds and bodies, enabling Catherine to simply guide them until all were helped.
Raphael noticed Abaddon glancing at Stevens and Kostas each time the Archangel touched one of the victims. Raphael blocked out the horrendous suffering, knowing what had been done could not be undone, but only healed. Reaching out, Raphael grasped Abaddon’s shoulder after his brother released and healed the last victim, guiding the teenage girl into Catherine’s arms. Feeling the tightly reined in rage surging through Abaddon, Raphael pulled him a few steps away from where Catherine grouped the survivors together.
“Are you well, brother?”
“What can we do with those two fiends?” Abaddon gestured at the three men Angelina guarded. “They were not innocent in this. The demons were like symbiotic brothers to Kostas and Stevens. There were many these people watched die and others I am sure are unknown to them. It is one thing to release the toady to the authorities. It is unacceptable to simply turn those other two in as common criminals. They are beyond evil.”
“I made no bargain with Kostas and Stevens. Deal with them. We’ll figure out some way to explain this to the authorities later. Wait until I lead the survivors out of here before you help them see the light.”
“I will keep Chuck the toady with me so he may see what is in store for him if he strays from our guidelines.”
“Be careful, Abaddon,” Raphael whispered. “Their deeds will reveal themselves to you. Perhaps Angelina should remain behind until you finish.”
“Sister Angelina would be welcome.” Abaddon nodded in agreement, looking over at Angelina. She returned his gaze with a smile and wave. “Otherwise, the toady may not see the sunlight again.”
Raphael clapped Abaddon’s back. He then walked over to where Catherine led the kneeling group in the Lord’s prayer with Abaddon close behind him. The purity emanating from the hushed chorus of survivors huddled together in fervent thanks eased the horror plaguing both Archangels. When the group finished their prayer, Raphael put his hand on Catherine’s arm.
“Come, Sister Mary Catherine, we will lead these people out of this tragic place.”
Catherine made a gentle lifting motion with her hands. The group stood up as one, looking in stunned wonderment at Abaddon and Raphael.
“We must leave now, folks. Follow me.”
With Catherine and Raphael leading the way, the survivors threaded their way up the stairs and into the makeshift office. Angelina smiled at Abaddon as he walked over to her. She put away the stun gun and took Abaddon’s hand in both of hers. Closing her eyes to the powerful images his touch evoked, Angelina quietly stroked Abaddon’s hand until the intensity faded.
“Of course I will stay with you,” Angelina stated, her eyes still closed, sensing Abaddon’s unasked questions. “We’ll keep the toady alive.”
“Thank you, my love.”
Angelina nodded her head. She opened her eyes, releasing Abaddon’s hand. She looked down at Kostas and Stevens without any aspect of compassion in her gaze. The two men jumped to their feet, huddling against the wall. Angelina knelt down next to Chuck and began slapping him lightly with her right hand. After a few moments, Chuck regained consciousness and groaningly rolled away from Angelina’s blows.
“On your feet, Chuck,” Angelina directed, tugging on the big man’s arm.
When Chuck regained his feet, he could only stand unsteadily with Angelina’s help. Abaddon approached Kostas and Stevens, his grim features causing them to begin whimpering in fear.
Angelina sighed. “I guess you two should have tried for the door.
Abaddon shed his human guise once more. Sleek black wings fanned out around the two now screaming men.
Raphael shut the trapdoor as the last survivor cleared the stairwell. Catherine looked at him curiously but with a dawning apprehension. Raphael shook his head warningly.
“They are not victims, Sister Mary Catherine. Their judgment is upon them.”
“What of Angelina?” Catherine tone of resignation signaled her understanding.
“She will help keep Chuck alive.”
“Kostas and Stevens knew everything, didn’t they?”
“They were as Abaddon mentioned to me: symbiotic brothers with the demons. I don’t know how or why it happened but it explains the complete abandonment of what you’ve seen the other demons striving for - power. Even if the demons we handled before didn’t follow Lucifer blindly, all realized their power emanated from evil they could evoke in humans.”
“What will we do now with these folks?” Catherine looked out into the warehouse where the group of victims waited patiently. “They are unharmed now thanks to you and Abaddon. They’ve surely lost loved ones and it will be difficult for th
em to face the authorities.”
“We must wait until Abaddon brings Chuck up to us. He will be the key in the authorities’ involvement. He literally knows where all the bodies are buried. After what he sees down there I believe Chuck will be most cooperative.”
“I hope…”
The trapdoor opened slowly under Abaddon’s steady pressure. He allowed Angelina and a badly shaken Chuck to exit the stairwell first. Chuck stepped out into the office and immediately stood off to the side with his head down. Angelina grinned at Raphael and Catherine, unfazed by what she had seen take place. She clung to Abaddon’s arm as the Archangel stepped up into the office.
“Chuck here wants to confess in the worst way to the police,” Angelina explained. “He says he’ll show them where the burial ground is and tell them in detail what’s been going on. Ain’t that right Chucky?”
The big man nodded rapidly without looking up. “I’ll…I’ll tell ‘em everything.”
“That’s a start,” Raphael said. “Anybody have any idea what to tell the police about Kostas and Stevens?”
“They died of spontaneous combustion when we discovered them, right Chucky?” Angelina asked.
“Yep… they… just burst into flame,” Chuck agreed without looking up.
“It seems you have been coaching our toady,” Catherine remarked.
“Believe me, he didn’t need much coaching. This is going to be a long process. Let’s go rip apart Chuck’s trailer and pass out food and drink to these folks while we wait for the police.”
“Does Chuck know who we can call since Kostas and Stevens were the deputy sheriffs?” Raphael asked.
“I thought it might be a good idea to call the tow truck operator. We’ll ask him to come out here,” Abaddon suggested. “Once he realizes what has been happening here he will know the best person to call.”
“Not bad,” Raphael replied. “Chuck, do you have the tow truck driver’s phone number?”
“I…I’ll go call him right away.”
“You do that. Do you need me to send Abaddon with you?”
“No!” Chuck looked up, his face a mask of terror. “Please… I’ll be right back. After I call, I’ll bring out everything I have to eat and drink. Just let me do it alone.”
“Very well. Go ahead.”
“I’ll help him with the food.” Angelina pulled on Chuck’s arm to get him moving around Abaddon. “It might be a good idea to get together with the family from the Saturn. They were the last ones taken and can back up what Chuck and the tow truck driver piece together for the cops.”
“We will, Ange,” Raphael agreed. “I’m more worried about our part in all this.”
“Innocent Samaritans,” Angelina called out over her shoulder, “just doing our duty.”
“That may be simplistic, Raph, but it may also be the easiest way to explain our presence,” Catherine added. “We did see the Saturn. We did follow the tow truck guy and we did meet up with Chuck who showed us Kostas and Stevens’ hell on earth.”
“Is there any way we can avoid notoriety?” Raphael asked.
“We could just take off but then we wouldn’t be able to make sure things come out right for these folk out there. We know what Chuck will do if we’re here but…”
“I know what Chuck will do even if we are not here,” Abaddon cut in.
Raphael chuckled at Abaddon’s statement. “We’ll stay. We can refuse publicity, especially since the police won’t need our testimony with a confession from Chuck. I’m sure the police won’t want it advertised they had this going on right under their noses. Baker is a nice little stop on the way to Las Vegas, famous for the world’s largest thermometer. The residents don’t want Baker to become known as the last stop on earth.”
Moments later, Angelina entered the warehouse again where the shade provided some relief from the desert heat. She pulled a large wheeled ice chest behind her. Stopping in front of the rescued victims, Angelina opened the chest lid and began passing out bottled water and sodas. Following her a few minutes later, Chuck carried a large cardboard box full of snack food, cereal boxes, bread, meat, condiments, and picnic utensils. With Catherine’s help, Angelina began making sandwiches and passing out bowls of cereal with milk from the ice chest. Raphael and Abaddon intermingled with the awestruck people, simply holding their hands for a moment and sitting next to the children.
Raphael found the family of four who owned the Saturn huddled together on the warehouse floor next to the ice chest. He could see they were the most traumatized, even though their captivity and torture had lasted mere moments compared to the others. The young mother who had been on the gurney being flayed clutched her two children to her, afraid if she let go they would disappear. The father passed drinks to his family, Catherine handed him. Raphael knelt next to the woman and took her hand in both of his. Instantly, the soothing touch of the Lord’s Archangel made a sweeping change in the woman’s demeanor.
“Be not afraid,” Raphael said quietly. “The demons are dead. We must ask your help in forming a plausible story for the authorities.”
“Why not reveal everything to the authorities, my Lord Raphael?” The husband asked. “Your heaven sent presence could mean wonders on earth. If…”
“It is not the Lord’s will at this time,” Raphael interrupted. “My brother and I must work in secret for now. Will you help us?”
“We will help you,” the young woman promised, gripping Raphael’s hands. “I have never been a believer. I thought religion was nothing but silly superstition. I…I’ve been so stupid and arrogant. I…”
“Think only of the future,” Raphael said, patting the woman’s hand.
“Your brother is awesome,” the older of the two little boys said between sips of his soda.
Raphael laughed. “Yes, he is. Can we keep that between us?”
“A secret?” The other little boy asked. “Sure, we can do that. Can we play with your brother?”
Raphael looked over to where Abaddon had four children riding his back as he galloped gently on the dirty warehouse floor. Angelina and Catherine were laughing at the Archangel of the Abyss as they circulated amongst the adults, making them understand what would come next. Raphael nodded at the two boys. The boys ran over in front of Abaddon together. Abaddon halted, smiling at the two boys while listening to their peas for a ride. Glistening black wings jutted out into place as the Lord’s Avatar glided with six children around the warehouse. The adults kneeled in fearful prayer at the sight. Raphael motioned for Angelina to come over.
“You had better look out for Frank the tow truck driver,” Raphael told her when she jogged over next to him, still laughing and glancing back at Abaddon’s antics. “This would be a little much to spring on him along with everything else.”
“I’ll get Chuck on it. He told Chuck he’d come right over.”
Angelina walked to where Chuck stood with his head down next to the warehouse entrance.
“Signal me when you see Frank’s tow truck coming, Chucky.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Chuck answered without looking up. He turned immediately and kept watch out the front entrance.
After Angelina left him to rejoin Raphael, Chuck glanced into the warehouse, watching the winged Archangel for a moment. Icy fear gripped him. His hands trembled in terror. Quickly looking back in the direction he had been ordered, Chuck shuddered. He remembered clearly the last moments of Kostas and Stevens’ existence. Chuck knelt down at the entrance, and silently began to pray for the first time since his childhood as he watched for the tow truck driver.
Chapter 21
Connecting Threads
Two hours later, Chuck was showing the county Sheriff and five of his men where he had helped Kostas and Stevens bury the bodies of forty-seven other victims. Ambulances had been called to the scene and initial statements taken from all the victims. The Archangels waited with Catherine and Angelina in the shade of the warehouse. One Sheriff’s deputy watched them suspiciously. The s
tory of Kostas and Stevens’ murderous debauchery had not been well received by their fellow deputies who thought the two demonic miscreants had been great guys. In spite of all testimony and Chuck’s confession, Abaddon and Raphael were under orders not to move from the warehouse. The tow truck driver corroborated Chuck’s confession completely, filling in dates he had towed vehicles matching the statements of the survivors. Seeing how badly shaken Frank was, the Sheriff had ordered him to go home and wait there until the initial investigation ended.
“Uh oh,” Angelina said, seeing the deputy ordered to watch them walk over with his hand on the butt of his holstered 9mm automatic. “Here comes Deputy Dawg.”
Catherine giggled at Angelina’s cartoon reference, causing the approaching deputy to assume an even more aggravated posture as he stopped ten feet away from the group.
“What’s so funny about all this, young lady?” The deputy with Roscoe on his nametag asked. “People tortured and dead - you think that’s funny?”
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