by Ciara Knight
“Alex’s too weak. I’ll fly her home.” Sammy reached down but Boon took her hand in his.
“No Sammy. You can’t change into your angel form. It could kill her or you. We can’t take the chance. We’ll have to walk.”
It took all three of them to carry her. With each step Alexander weakened further. Her skin burned his hands as he fought to hold onto her. He grasped tighter welcoming the penance for what he’d done.
“Sammy, are you—” Alexander tried to mutter the words.
“Yes, just keep walking, we’ll make it.” Sammy managed through gritted teeth.
“It’s Gaby. She’s draining you. We have to hurry.” Boon ushered them on.
They picked up speed ignoring her screams and growls that echoed through the darkening woods.
If only he could calm her, touch her, kiss her, heal her. He’d give up his own life if he could.
To their relief, when they reached her house no one was home except Patronus. He barked and jumped at them as they opened the front door.
“Sammy, find Grace. She’ll know more about what to do.” Boon said while he and Alexander maneuvered through the tight hall.
“Alex you go.” Sammy pleaded.
“No, Sammy, I need Alexander’s help. You have to get Grace.”
“I can’t leave you two alone, you might kill each other.”
Alexander looked up at Boon and the hatred was gone. All he cared about was saving Gaby and if Boon could help even a little, he didn’t care if he was demon, angel, or hunter. He’d take it.
“Go, now. We don’t have any other choice.” Boon insisted.
Sammy’s eyes pleaded with Alexander.
“I won’t harm him. I promise.” He couldn’t if he wanted to. Not in the state he was in. Gaby had drained all energy from him.
Sammy rushed to the front door, pausing to grasp the wall for balance. It was obvious Gaby had weakened her too.
“Hurry, Sammy.” Alexander called out before the door slammed shut behind her.
Alexander’s body shook, not only from the pain, but the gravity of the situation. His chest tightened and he fought back tears. He couldn’t cry now, there’d be time for that later. Right now he had to focus on getting her upstairs.
They fought their way up to her room while Patronus followed close behind.
“Why isn’t Patronus barking and attacking you or Gaby?”
“He doesn’t have a problem with me, and as for Gaby she isn’t exactly a demon.”
Not a demon. Then there was hope. “What do you mean?”
“I’ll have Grace explain when she gets here.” Boon fell to his knees as they lowered Gaby on to her bed. They sat across from each other on the floor, holding her down, while she continued contorting and twisting in obvious pain.
Alexander brushed the dirt stained hair from Gaby’s face. Her eyes looked vacant and unresponsive. He didn’t know what was worse. The episodes of screaming and cursing or the deafening quiet when she appeared lifeless. Each made his insides twist in all directions.
“Why do you think Grace will know what to do? How do you even know her?” Alexander asked.
“I’ve known Grace for years.” Boon looked away. “It’s a long story. One I don’t want to share.”
Alexander didn’t have time to ask any more questions before Gaby went into another fit. His skin blazed as he struggled to keep control of her. Even his heart caught afire, although not for the same reason. Wings started to emerge from his body without warning, as if he’d lost all control of himself.
Patronus started barking wildly at him.
“Patronus, it’s okay, I’m trying to help her.”
“You have to stay in human form. She’ll drain you completely if you change.”
Alexander concentrated on holding her down while staying in human form. But instinct took over and his healing powers were controlling him.
Gaby’s fit slowed to a dull groan and whine.
Patronus sat back down and rested his head on his paws. Every so often when Gaby growled too loud he would sit back up and whimper.
After a moment, his wings relaxed and he could breathe again.
“Alex, we’re here.” Sammy’s voice echoed from the stairway. His heart leapt with hope.
Grace entered the room and leaned against the doorframe, trying to steady herself between labored breaths.
Alexander pleaded with his eyes for Grace to do something.
Grace shuffled toward him. “I’m afraid there is little I can do to help, son.”
Alexander’s mind and body collapsed in despair.
“You’ve got to do something. Boon said you could help.”
Boon held up a hand in defense. “I said she would know more.”
Grace glanced at Boon and lifted a brow.
“What is it?” Alexander wanted to know this secret past between them, especially if it could help Gaby. “How do you know Boon, and why haven’t you told me before? I’m tired of secrets. Look at what secrets have done.” Alexander’s voice broke.
“I’ve told you that I knew demons in my past. Some good, some lost, some doomed.” Grace spoke with a hushed calm voice.
“You never mentioned Boon specifically, why?”
Another fit raged from Gaby. The wound on her shoulder oozed greenish-brown mucus and Alexander gagged at the putrid smell. Each breath brought pain. His heart ripped open like her wound, at the sight of her struggle.
“Stand back.” Grace made her way to the bed and knelt using the nightstand to brace her descent to the floor. “Gaby, can you hear me? You need to keep fighting, my child. Don’t give up. I know it hurts but remember God will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Grace touched Gaby’s forehead and she calmed down.
“How’d you do that?” Alexander stood over them. “I tried and couldn’t—”
“I only calmed her soul enough to fight. I didn’t heal her. She still wages a war within herself.”
“Is she going to—” He couldn’t get the words out, it was too horrifying.
“No, she’s not turning into a demon, not exactly.” Grace’s words came heavy.
Gaby stirred in the bed “Mom? Is that you?”
Alexander cringed; he’d taken her mother from her. The tears escaped and he turned to face the wall. Bile rose in his throat as he flashed back to the accident again. Smoke, cries, her mother’s arm resting limp from her father’s embrace.
“Alex.” Gaby whispered.
“Gaby, sweetheart, I’m here.” Alexander raced to her side to take her hand in his. His heart leapt at the thought that she wanted him there, he hadn’t lost her forever.
In an instant her eyes changed to yellow and the skin on her arms started to bubble as if small bugs crawled beneath it. Alexander fell back when she swung her arm to hit him.
“Murderer, murderer, you murdered my mother!”
Grace pulled Alexander back and caressed Gaby’s hair. “It’s time to rest child.”
Gaby’s skin stopped moving and her breathing steadied.
“What is going on? How can she still be alive? I’ve never heard of a human lasting this long.” Alexander managed through choked breaths.
Grace looked at him with haunted eyes. “You’re right. No ordinary human could survive.”
“What are you saying?” Alexander’s mind reeled with possibilities.
Grace traced the scar on Gaby’s shoulder from the accident that he had caused. “All I’m certain of is that there is something special about this child. Something not of this world is helping her. Only time will tell if she will survive.”
“You failed me. You’ve failed everyone and everything. Give up and go to hell.” Gaby’s voice came deep and demented. Alexander looked away unable to face her.
“Alex, she doesn’t know what she’s saying.” Sammy embraced him.
“It doesn’t matter, she’s right.” Alexander yearned to help.
Grace faced him with loving eyes. “Alexander, you have to leave.
The evil raging within her is feeding off your grief. You can stay near, in another room, and we’ll call if we need you.”
“It won’t work. I’ve tried to stay far enough away so I wouldn’t harm her and close enough to protect her. Look at what that accomplished.” Alexander turned for the door arms stiff by his side.
“Is there anything I can do to save her?” Alexander held his breath hoping he could do something to make amends.
Grace touched his shoulder. “Pray.”
“I’m not sure I can.”
Chapter Eleven
The rising morning sun was too beautiful a sight for Alexander to watch. He shifted in the tree outside her bedroom window. How could life go on without Gaby in it?
A car coming down the long drive startled him to reality. Instinctively he flew into Gaby’s window.
Boon, Grace, and Sammy were all still by Gaby’s side. The sight of them all there caused a stab of jealousy that he couldn’t be by her side, but he refocused.
“Gaby’s father’s coming.”
Gaby started to scream obscenities at him.
“She’s alive?” His heart jumped in his chest as if it beat for the first time. The smell of her wound still over powered him with the scent of rotting flesh, but he didn’t care. All he cared about was hearing Gaby’s voice. It didn’t matter it came with a deep demonic tone projecting expletives. The corners of his mouth twitched with excitement and he made his way to the bed. It was morning and she was alive.
Grace clutched his arm. “Yes, but I need her quiet. I know it’s hard, son, but I need you to leave.”
Leave? Was she serious? “But if she survived the night that means—”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I said it increased her chances of survival if she made it through the night. Right now we have to focus on protecting her.
Sammy stood up from the floor and took his hand. “Alex, trust me. I’ll stay by her side no matter what.”
Boon stepped forward from the window. “Alexander, we need a distraction. We’ve got to get her out of here. Can you handle that?” The thought of Gaby alive had distracted him from the fact her father barreled down the driveway as they spoke.
He didn’t have time to think since Gaby’s screams could be heard from outside. He grabbed Patronus and took the stairs two at a time heading for the back door. The car door slammed shut and he rounded the corner to the front of the house.
“Excuse me, Sir.”
Bruce quickly turned and reached his hand around his back. Alexander could sense the anger and panic rioting inside Bruce.
“I believe this dog might belong to you. I found him running lose in my mom’s garden. I thought it’d be safer for him to get out of there before she saw her vegetable garden tore up.” Alexander tried to seem nonchalant but he felt the pulse in his neck thump against his skin belying his tension.
“How’d you know it was our dog?” Bruce’s words came slurred.
“My sister’s captain of the cheerleading squad. She mentioned one of her friends had a new dog, I figured it was probably this one.”
“How’d you know where I lived?” Bruce shuffled forward, swaying as he walked. Was he injured? Alexander scanned his face and saw a few small cuts that appeared to be a day or two old but nothing to indicate a head injury.
“My sister mentioned you guys lived in the house on the other side of the woods. My sister talks a lot.” Alexander’s laugh was laced with nervousness and he cleared his throat.
A loud thump startled them both. He knew it came from the back of the house, but as if on cue Patronus started barking toward the woods on the other side.
“Let me have the dog. You best go.” Bruce’s breath smelled rancid and his eyes jetted in all directions. He was drunk. Not just drunk, bone sloshed barely able to stand drunk.
Was this an isolated incident or commonplace? Oh God, did he cause this too? Did this man start drinking after his wife’s death? If so, had Gaby seen him like this? Yes, she’d told him about the picture of him drunk and wounded. Choking down the acid taste of regret, he stepped away. All he wanted to do was escape and check on Gaby.
“I’d better clean up the mess before my mom sees it.”
“Do you know if Gaby’s home?”
Alexander thought he should be cautious with his answer. But would Bruce even notice in his current state Gaby was missing?
“I don’t know, but I believe there’s a cheerleading camp today so probably not. I think it’s an all-day thing.”
They heard another noise this time louder, and Patronus started barking again.
“Go home.” Bruce ordered.
There were no more exchanges of pleasantries. Alexander took off in the opposite direction of Patronus barking, relieved to be away from Bruce. When he reached the edge of the woods, he saw Gaby’s father pull a gun that had been tucked in the back of his pants. Something wasn’t right. Alexander sensed terror from the man when he heard the noise. Was it the alcohol affecting him or something else?
Alexander walked away unable to shake the feeling something more haunted this man. Yes, he knew he had lost his wife and he worked in a dangerous job. But something else plagued Bruce.
****
“How is she?” Alexander stirred the sugar cube in his coffee and passed the cream to Grace.
“Alive.”
A mixture of relief and grief haunted him. “I love her.”
“I know. I also know many things she said caused you great pain. You have to understand that she has no control over her hatred right now.”
“It doesn’t matter. She’s right. I murdered her mother. If I hadn’t—”
“Alex you have to have hope. There is a chance she’ll make it. But she may never be the same. If she doesn’t recover, you can’t let it destroy you. She wouldn’t want that.” Grace’s words were soft and loving.
“She doesn’t care what happens to me. Even if she does live she won’t want anything to do with me.” He choked down a sob at the thought of her hatred.
“You don’t know that.”
“How could she?”
“Grief is a mysterious thing. Gaby has suffered a great loss. She didn’t just lose her mother in that accident she lost her father too. He blames himself and can’t even look at Gaby.”
“How do you know this?” Alexander longed to hear of a way to win her back, a chance or inside information that could help.
“Remember I was a soul searcher with the ability to see and calm souls. I know her father is a troubled man and he needs our help.” Grace patted his hand and kissed the top of his head. “Just have faith, son.”
Alexander went to Gaby’s house to cover her absence. One day turned into many. It wasn’t that hard considering her father barely returned home, and even when he did, he never seemed too concerned about Gaby’s whereabouts.
Alexander finished making some dinner and left a plate of food on the kitchen table when he heard the car coming down the drive. He quickly went upstairs to Gaby’s room and watched from the doorway.
Bruce sat at the kitchen table alone eating the dinner Alexander had left for him, but he hadn’t checked on or called out for Gaby. Instead he’d gone to the freezer, pulled out a bottle of alcohol and went to his room.
Alexander’s heart sank as he watched and imagined what Gaby had to live with every night. How many people had let Gaby down, including himself? He didn’t know how but he would spend the rest of his days on this planet trying to make her life better.
Closing the bedroom door, he wondered around her room looking at her things. It seemed like an invasion of privacy but he wanted to know more about her and her life. He sat in the rocker in the corner holding a picture of the family obviously taken a few years ago.
The family looked like something from television. All were smiling from ear to ear, Gaby’s silver braces reflected the flash. He placed the picture down where he’d found it and sat on her bed. Leaning back, he clutched her pale yellow p
illowcase to his chest and breathed in the light scent of spring flowers. He yearned deep within his soul to hold her, but would she ever forgive him?
Hours passed while he stayed in her room daydreaming about her everyday life. A pale blue shirt hung over the back of her desk chair and he imagined her pulling it over her shoulders. And her slipping on the flip-flops left on the floor in the corner.
Making his way to her desk, he tossed the pillow on her bed and picked up some of her paintings. He ran his finger across the brush strokes envisioning her sweeping her brush up and down the paper. The muscles in his cheek tightened as he remembered the way she would chew on her bottom lip while she looked over her finished work.
Another picture caught his attention. It depicted a man’s body laying face down next to what appeared to be shards of glass. Blood oozed from cuts on his wrists and hands.
As he placed the paper down on the desk, he heard a disturbance from downstairs. Waiting by the door, he listened. The sound of glass shattering ruptured the quiet darkness.
He tried to maneuver down the stairs without making a sound. Each step squeaked and cracked, but he couldn’t fly because Patronus would bark.
A loud thump sounded from Bruce’s room, Alexander stood outside the door straining to hear what was going on inside. He sensed anxiety and remorse from inside the room but danger didn’t seem imminent.
Holding his breath, he pressed his ear to the door. Bruce’s heart still beat but his breathing was shallow. Another loud crash gave cause for concern and Alexander couldn’t help but push the door open.
Bruce’s body lay face down next to broken glass on the floor. Blood oozed from cuts on his wrists and hands. An exact replica of the picture he’d seen in Gaby’s room. A chill made his wings ruffle inside his body as if bugs ran around inside his ribs. Gaby was right. She could paint the future. He wanted to yell up to Heaven and ask what kind of game they were playing. Hadn’t they all been tortured enough?
Patronus pranced into the room and started licking Bruce’s face. He didn’t respond. The sight was heart wrenching. How many nights had Gaby put him back in bed after a drunken stupor?
A few minutes passed and Alexander tried to figure out a course of action. If Bruce woke, he’d demand to know why Alexander was in the house, not to mention where Gaby was. And that would be disastrous. Then again, he didn’t look like he would remember anything come morning. Patronus’s wide brown eyes stared at him with conviction. He didn’t have a choice, he had to help him.