Rise From Darkness

by Ciara Knight

  When he pulled her close, their hearts beat as one and she’d nearly gone mad with the passion of his kiss. It took everything to pull away, but she couldn’t be with him knowing Sammy’s condition.

  At least they didn’t have to live in secret any more. Her father swore he’d be welcome in their home, even encouraged her to spend time with him. It was one thing to accept a boy in his house, but a fallen angel? That would be way too difficult to explain.

  Her father? He’d be back by now. She’d have to get home.

  They landed, dirt flying up around them from the beach. He released her and ran for the front steps. Grace intercepted him on the front porch.

  “There might be a chance to save Sammy’s wing but there’s not much time.” Grace’s voice was winded. Her hair tussled about.

  “Can I see her?” Alexander stepped around her but Grace clasped his hand.

  “I need you to hurry. You’re the only one who can get what I need in time, so please make the visit short.”

  Boon came out of the front door, lips curved down and eyes vacant. “I’m sorry. I tried—” He choked unable to complete the words.

  Grace turned to him. “We know you did everything you could. Right now we need to focus on what we talked about. Take Alexander and explain on the way. There’s no time to waste.”

  “How much time do we have?” Alexander asked.

  “A day, maybe two. I’ve been able to stop the spread of the decay, but I can’t heal the damage already caused. At least not without some help.”

  “I’ll do anything. Please just help Sammy.” Alexander turned to Boon. “I’ll go see Sammy and then we’ll go.”

  Gaby stepped up to the porch. “Is there anything I can do?”

  “No child. You can’t go inside. Her powers are too unstable.”

  “I have to go, Gaby.” Alexander kissed her cheek.

  She closed her eyes and lifted her chin for one more kiss before he departed, but all that greeted her face was the wind. The front door stood ajar. Her heart ached to touch him again. For the first time she envied Alexander’s powers. If she could fly or heal, she’d be of some use to them. This was the first time she’d ever felt truly worthless to anyone.

  ****

  “Just tell me where to go,” Alexander begged.

  “No, I have to take you to him.” Boon followed him up the stairs to Sammy’s room.

  “Him?”

  “Yes, his name is Herak. He lives in a remote region of the Pindus mountain range in northern Greece and southern Albania.”

  “How do we find him?” Alexander pressed in hopes of making a hasty departure.

  “I’ll take you to an isolated area of the mountain where he lives. After that don’t worry, he’ll find you.”

  “You need to tell me how to get there. I can’t carry you all that way. We’ll waste too much time.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I’ll keep up.” Boon gave him a mischievous smile.

  What was this demon playing?

  They entered Sammy’s room. She lay unconscious with her wing bandaged. Alexander knelt next to the bed and stroked Sammy’s silky hair. She looked so frail and unnatural in half-human half-angel form.

  “Hold on, Sammy. I’ll be back soon with a cure.”

  He was thankful a bandage covered the wound because if the sour stench was any indication of what it looked like, he didn’t want to see it. Choking down the sorrowful acrid taste he stood and faced Boon.

  “There’s no time to waste.” Boon grabbed a black bag Grace handed him, and pulled Alexander from the room.

  They exited the front door and Alexander followed Boon to the beach. “Now what? You going to swim all the way to Greece?”

  “Don’t worry about me. Just try to keep up.” Boon retorted.

  “Keep up?” Alexander scoffed at Boon’s arrogance. Typical cocky demon. He’d probably hitch a ride on Alexander’s wing as he lifted from the ground.

  Boon’s little frame twisted and turned, bones cracked and skin stretched. His face elongated and changed into a large nostril-flaring beast. No horns protruded from his head but the veins and muscles ran under dark leathery skin. His clothes shredded and fell to the ground. He grew from just over five feet to over seven feet tall.

  “W-what are you?” Alexander stammered.

  Tremendous wings bolted forth from behind Boon. They spread in bat-like form to over seven feet in length.

  “Try to keep up.” Boon shot up into the sky. Alexander stood on the beach speechless. What kind of demon had wings? He looked more like a gargoyle than a demon. But did they even exist?

  The black figure darted back down from the clouds. “Snap out of it Alexander and get moving.” The oversized gargoyle-like creature vanished into the clouds again. This time Alexander followed.

  He flew faster and harder than he even dreamed possible and still struggled to keep up with Boon. They covered half an ocean before an hour passed.

  The sky grew dark as they approached the European continent. Somehow the darkening sky made the trip seem doomed. He was determined to find this Herak guy before the sky became pitch black. Would this man even venture out in the darkness to find him? He should have asked more questions, made Grace provide more details. They landed in a rocky area between some trees. There was no one around. Not a single human or earthbound creature.

  Alexander’s senses should have been able to pick up on something. An animal? Insect? There wasn’t a sound or a smell. Not so much as the trees swaying from a coastal wind. Something was wrong. This place was unnatural. Too quiet, too remote. Why would anyone live there?

  Alexander turned to find Boon back in his human form dressed in a pair of jeans, pulling a shirt out of the small bag. Why didn’t he just take the clothes he had off before he turned into an oversized black raven, instead of shredding them. Probably to show off. Typical demon. “What is this place?”

  “Follow the grassy path down the hill. Herak will find you.”

  “That’s it? You’re just dumping me here? If you know where this Herak fellow is, go talk to him. There’s no time for games. Just get what we came for.” Alexander pleaded.

  “I cannot.” Boon insisted.

  There was no time to argue. He started down the grassy path and when he looked back Boon had vanished. That demon was really starting to grate on his nerves.

  Alexander grew anxious and paced around the area. Walking from tree to tree, grassy path to rocky ridge, there was no sign of anyone.

  “Herak?” He called out into the night but no response. Should he fly back and try to find Boon? He didn’t even know where Boon went and with his senses askew he didn’t stand a prayer of finding him.

  “Herak!” He yelled becoming more and more irritated by the minute. “We need your help. Grace sent me. Please, my sister will die.”

  He picked up a rock and threw it but no sound came when it landed.

  “Calm yourself son, you almost caused an old man to fall off a ridge.”

  Alexander spun around to find an old grey haired man leaning on a wooden stick holding a rock in his hand. “Who are you?”

  “I’m the one you seek.” The old man replied.

  “I’m looking for a man that will help me heal my sister. He’s supposed to have something that will stop the decay of her wing.”

  “How much wing has been lost?” The old man stepped forward.

  “I don’t know exactly, but it’s bad. Are you Herak?”

  “So I have been told.”

  “Listen, there’s no time for games. Can you help my sister or not?”

  “Grace spoke of your impatience.” The old man took another slow step forward.

  If they had to go any great distance to retrieve this cure, it could be too late by the time he returned home. “I have no time for patience.”

  “There is always time.”

  Alexander looked up. The man straightened and continued forward, towering over Alexander. He wasn’t crippled at al
l. Alexander winced. An angel, demon, he wasn’t sure but whatever it was no human could move that fast. “Who or what are you?”

  “I see I have your attention.” Herak’s eyes shone red but his body stayed human. Grace must’ve been desperate if she needed help from a demon.

  “There are no demons on this mountain.”

  “But you-I-there-”

  “Yes, I know what you think. The disgust you felt the minute you believed me to be demon. The judgment of my abilities when you first looked upon this body and distrust of something you do not understand. Grace did not reveal everything to you but there is no cause for concern. I can help.”

  Alexander tried to ignore his ranting and discharged it as senility. Hopefully he was at least in control enough of his faculties to provide the treatment Sammy needed. “Is the treatment nearby?”

  “No.” Herak stated with no further information as he leaned on his cane.

  “Then we should get going. I could fly us there.”

  “No.”

  “But it would be quicker.”

  “No.”

  “Tell me how to expedite this so that I can return to my sister.” Alexander’s patience drew thin.

  “You seem to misunderstand.” A devious smile played across Herak’s lips.

  Alexander’s body shivered. “What do you mean?”

  “You will not be returning to your sister.”

  A chill erupted goose bumps on his skin at the realization his angel form didn’t try to take over even when he was startled by this man. No sign of him turning at any point. Even when he wanted to fly back home something kept him firmly planted on the ground.

  “The only way to save your sister is to stay here with me.” Herak continued.

  What did Herak mean by that? He wasn’t going to stay. Alexander would force him to give up this charade. The muscle in his thigh twitched but nothing else happened. Not even a wing fluttered. “What’s going on?” Alexander’s voice cracked at the realization he was powerless.

  “You will stay with me. Come.”

  No, he wouldn’t give up that easily. He lunged for him, powers—or no powers—he would make him listen. But he was stopped in mid-step, an invisible force holding him back.

  “Yes, Grace was right. There is great trouble around this one.”

  “I’m right here. Why are you speaking to yourself?” Clenching his fists, he concentrated on spreading his wings but only experienced a burning sensation in his muscles.

  “Come, we have a long journey ahead. If you want to save your sister I suggest you follow me, before you exhaust yourself.”

  Exhaust himself? Angels didn’t tire like humans. Only when they overused their angelic abilities did it drain them. Yet, his leg started to shake under him. There was no other choice. Alexander couldn’t leave. He couldn’t fight. He couldn’t convince this strange creature to help. All he could do was follow this old man through the darkness in hopes of saving his sister. And hopefully discover a way out of there.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Gaby took a deep breath and tried to calm her raw nerves. The house stood quiet and she wondered if her dad had left. She peered into his room and her heart sank.

  Her dad sat on the bed looking down at an unopened bottle of whiskey clutched in his hands.

  Gaby tiptoed backwards. She’d learned a long time ago that confrontation just drove him to drink more. Sting of tears threatened to spill out, but she wouldn’t let them. Instead she opened and slammed the front door. “Dad, I’m home!”

  The clank of the bottle hitting the floor followed by faint curses sounded from his room.

  “I’m in here G-Bear.” His clear speech indicated it wasn’t too late.

  Gaby stepped into his room and embraced him. A long hug. A pleading hug. She wanted to scream that he should stop for her. Wasn’t she worth it?

  They stood there for a moment, neither speaking, until Gaby pulled away.

  Bruce cleared his throat, “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, Dad. Of course, everything’s great. How ‘bout you?” Gaby didn’t look him in the eye. Secrets, always secrets surrounded his drinking. This time it was her keeping them.

  “I’m fine. Are you hungry? I can fix us something for dinner.” Bruce offered.

  “No. I ate at Sammy and Grace’s. I-I’m tired. I think I’m going to head to my room. Unless you need something.” Her heart squeezed tight in hopes he’d ask her to dispose of the bottle.

  “No.” His gaze traveled under the bed. “Actually, if you’re okay, I think I’m goin’ to grab a bite out. Just take a drive and get some fresh air. I’ll be back in an hour.”

  Yes, out of the house, away from the bottle. She’d remove it once he was gone, not that he couldn’t buy another one.

  “Do you need me to go with you? I mean…” Gaby heard the stress in her voice and tried to give a reassuring smile.

  “Am I goin’ to drink? No. I’ll be fine. Now. Thanks.” Bruce walked over and planted a kiss on her forehead. “You get some rest. I’ll check in on you when I get home.”

  She remained in his room and listened for the click of the front door closing.

  Wind blew the trees out back and she stood there for a moment watching them sway outside the window.

  Alone, again. She reached under the bed, retrieved the bottle of caramel liquid, and wondered if it would dull her pain like her father once said. She turned the cap and sniffed the strong bitter yet sweet aroma.

  No, it wasn’t the answer. Even if it dulled the pain and loneliness for a while, it would return eventually and bring a hangover with it.

  She poured the liquid down the drain and stuffed the empty bottle in the bottom of the trashcan.

  Achy and tired she ascended the stairs to her room. Her colored pencils still sat out on her desk as a reminder of her mission. She had to draw a picture to help them, before it was too late.

  ****

  “Where are we going?” Alexander slipped on another loose pebble.

  “I will take you where you need to go. There are many things in this world, and other worlds, you do not understand. If you want to save your sister you will stay with me, you will discover how.” Herak didn’t look back as he spoke.

  “I’m trying to be patient. I would follow you anywhere if it meant saving my sister, but please hurry. There isn’t much time.”

  “What I will give you, time does not affect.” Herak stated.

  “What’s that suppose to mean? Why do you speak in riddles?”

  “Do I? If I spoke clearly in your language, would you comply? It seems the more you have to focus, the better you listen.”

  “Why do I feel like you’re playing me old man?” Alexander was plagued by a strange sensation that trouble waited around the corner.

  “You will understand.” Herak lifted a large stone as if it were a feather floating in the air and held it out for Alexander.

  Alexander cradled it in his arm, the weight of the rock knocking him off balance. “What? Why is this s-so h-heavy?” Straining to take a step, he tried to balance his body weight against the rock.

  “Alexander, you carry burdens heavier than that stone each day of your earthbound life.”

  “Maybe, I can’t carry this for long. Where are we going?” Alexander could barely see Herak around the large rock.

  “If your burden is too heavy than cast it away.” Herak mimed the toss of a rock over the cliff.

  Alexander tried to drop the rock but it wouldn’t roll from his hands. Knees locked tight he couldn’t kneel to the ground. An unforeseen force made him stand in place, rock in hands. How was Herak controlling him?

  “You are not ready to cast your burdens. You must continue to carry them.”

  Alexander tried to protest, but like his immobile body his lips were frozen shut. He had never felt so physically weak and vulnerable. Unable to open his mouth, for the first time in his existence he was forced to listen without argument.

  “We
go there.” Herak pointed up the side of a cliff.

  Alexander swallowed hard. There was no way he could climb all that way. And he suspected Herak wouldn’t allow him to fly the two of them up there, assuming he could get rid of the rock. It also wouldn’t surprise him if Herak could fly himself.

  A small steep path emerged between two cliffs as they approached. Herak lead them up the hill. Alexander’s arms trembled from the weight of the rock. His legs threatened to buckle beneath him.

  An opening between two boulders led to a dark cave with a few pieces of wooden furniture decorating the stark interior.

  “Here, sit my young friend.” Herak gestured to a wooden bench. An old dusty, rust-colored cushion covered the top.

  Alexander collapsed onto the bench. How did humans live like this—without strength, endurance or stamina? Never before had he so appreciated his angel abilities, even the limited ones on Earth.

  “Please, Herak, you have to help my sister. I beg you to give me what she needs. I promise to return and stay as long as you want.”

  “Interesting proposition. I will soon provide, son. Now listen and your sister will be saved.”

  His mouth drew shut again as if Herak commanded it. Alexander tried to place the rock on the ground yet was still unable to release it.

  “In the beginning, I was a great man. Ruler over many. I was blessed and raised up. I honored Heaven by dethroning those who were unworthy and protecting the less fortunate during the thirteenth century.”

  He was old, but Alexander hadn’t realized he was ancient.

  “I am from the thirteenth century B.C., what does that make me? Yes, I guess ancient would be a good term. Yes, I am old because I am not of Heaven, I am of Earth. I live an old man’s life, aging slower than any other Earth creature.”

  Alexander still couldn’t figure out how he read his thoughts.