“Okay, Mom. I won’t say anything. Can I make a suggestion for Dad? Before he tells Cameron, he had better get him a brownie with ice cream. Then I am sure Cameron will be just fine.”
I went over to the school door and waited until he came out. When I saw him, I took his bag and said, “There is my favorite boy! How was your day at school, Cameron?”
“Good.”
“Guess what, Cameron? We’re going out to your favorite bistro. You know why we are going?”
“What’s a bistro? I never heard of it before. How can it be my favorite place? Why are we going over there anyway?”
“Well, Cameron, bistro is another way to say restaurant; some people like to use this phrase.”
“Then what is a phrase, Mom?”
Sometimes I have to remind myself that it just isn’t worth it to introduce new words to him. “It means an expression, and please do not ask me what an expression is,” I said before he could beat me to it. “Tonight, ask your father the meaning of that word.”
I cleared my throat. “We’re going to a restaurant because Daddy’s birthday is coming up in a few days. That’s why you’re going to make him a birthday card. As soon as we get home, I want both of you to finish your homework. Also, we have company at home so don’t try to get out of it. Do we understand each other, people? As soon as you’re finished, we will go to the restaurant.”
“Who is the company, Mom? Do I know them? Are they coming with us to the bistro? I think I will use the word bistro from now on; it’s shorter than restaurant. What do you think, Mom?”
Those fast-talking commercials have nothing on my son. “Yes, you’re right, Cameron. Look, we’re home already, but I need to tell you. It is a surprise party for Daddy, all right?” After he nodded, he jumped out of the car and ran to the door. “Cameron! Just calm down! Don’t run! You’re going to fall and get hurt!”
When we walked through the door, I saw Nelly and Alia bonding. Tears were rolling down from Nelly’s eyes, and Alia was soothing her; it was like watching a movie. I did not want to interrupt them, so I quietly went into the kitchen. I saw Cameron already chatting away to Damien and asking him all sorts of questions that no other child would even have imagined. Shortly thereafter, Lacey came back down and gave Mrs. Adams a hug. She said, “Finally, it’s over. I can say you are my sister.”
The clock was ticking, and my heart was pounding. I started to question myself: How will Brandon react to this? Would he act like nothing had happened and open his arms to them? It would be a very fascinating night.
Alia and Damien left a little while later. We asked them to meet us at the restaurant; I requested that Alia bring her husband.
It was soon time to go, so everyone went out to the car. Melisa called and said she would be a bit late since she had to finish her assignment before she left.
I felt the presence of my mother. “Where are you, Mom? Why will you not show yourself?”
“Baby, I wish you good luck. You will see at the moment that I am a bit emotional, but I do apologize that I did not say anything to you; I hope you understand, baby.”
“Yes, Mom, I do. Very well. I just want you to be here with me at all times—and Babushka. Whatever happens, you are both my family, and families are guardian angels. Don’t forget.”
“Viktoria, don’t forget, your Babushka is there already. He is watching over the twins, so relax, baby.”
I closed the door and left. It was getting late; I hoped to see Brandon there already. I did not think I would be able to just sit there and wait.
Chapter 13
The Moment of Truth
As I thought, Brandon was there at the restaurant already waiting for us. Thank you, God! Right next to him was Melisa. For the first time, she managed to make it on time.
Nelly kept looking at me, probably wondering what I was going to say.
“Nelly, I’m fine. What I want you to do is just relax. I will not overreact and make him feel bad. We both know that he will do that himself when he sees the twins.”
“Okay, dear. I just do not want anyone to say anything that might hurt someone’s feelings; that’s all.”
We all sat down. Brandon looked happy; I just kept looking at him and wondering why.
After a while, he asked, “Viktoria, why are you staring at me? Are you okay? Is there something wrong?”
“Oh no,” I lied. “I didn’t even realize that I was staring at you. I’m sorry. I thought I saw something.” I waved it off. “Everything’s just fine.” I picked up my glass and toasted him, saying, “Honey, happy birthday. As they say, I hope you share many happy and healthy years with loved ones.”
“Yes, this is the best gift ever, Viktoria. Thank you. Here come Justin and his wife.” He was about to get up when he stopped. “Who are those people behind them?”
“They’re not strangers, Brandon. I am sure you’ve met them before. This is my little surprise to you. Look, Damien is here too! This is going to be one hell of a birthday celebration. Don’t you think so, honey?”
“What is the meaning of this, Viktoria?” he almost yelled. “What are you trying to say? I think that you have gone too far with your little psychic friends!”
“Not really, Brandon. What I really want is for you to enjoy your birthday with the family. Alia and Damien are family; you should be very happy to see the twins, don’t you think so?”
“Okay, so you found out. You can at least tell me how you found out!”
“Not really, Brandon. I know why you did it, and I am not angry. I am confused but, at the same time, happy. I want you to be happy too. Now you don’t have to sneak out and check up on your kids to see if they’re okay. Nevertheless, what I want will happen at midnight. You have to join us for a ritual. Is that a deal?” I was upset, I admit, but it was his birthday and I was glad to know my twins had lived. But still, how could he have hidden this? It gave me a feeling of betrayal. It wasn’t fair, me not knowing my kids were alive all this time.
“Viktoria, are you sure you know what you’re doing? You know how dangerous this will become if Lilith finds out! She will come after us! This means we’re asking for trouble, so think about it. Let’s not make a harsh decision. It won’t be only the twins this time.”
“I know what I’m doing. We have to close the door to hell; we will get help. We need to stop her from killing the rest of the six hundred and sixty-three. Are you with me, Brandon?”
“You know the answer, Viktoria. Yes. Just give me an hour; I need to talk about this with Leila.”
“No, Brandon. Before that, I think you should talk to Cameron and explain to him what is going on.”
“You’re right. I should—the sooner, the better.”
“Yes, he is a very bright kid; just be prepared for his questions.”
“Leila and the elders decided this. We can do this; we just have to join forces. When we get home, you need to read about everything involving Samuel and Lilith. Now go to the kids and enjoy the rest of the night with them and be proud of them. They might not have the power to get rid of Lilith, but they have the power to stop her for now.”
Brandon went to the kids and was enjoying their company. He was so happy, and we had a good time. He pulled Cameron off to the side and called Damien to try to explain what was going on to Cameron.
Out of nowhere, we heard Cameron say, “So, Damien, you are my brother? That’s why you look so smart, just like me. And, Alia, does that mean I will be in your class when I go to fifth grade? You are my sister. You know that I don’t need to do homework?”
“Slow down, Cameron; you have a few years to go.”
“Well, I am just thinking about the future, Alia.”
“Well, well,” said Alia, “Cameron, you should, because I do give lots of homework. If you don’t believe me, ask Lacey.”
When it was almost ten,
we got ready to go and do what needed to be done. My concern at the moment was keeping Nelly and the kids away from home. I could not take them to Nelly’s place; she wouldn’t be able to protect them. I had to think of something fast. Then I heard Babushka chanting my name.
“Where are you, Babushka?”
“Come outside. We need to talk. Bring Damien and Alia with you. I will tell you where to meet at midnight. “Viktoria, take the rest of the family to Father Walsh’s church. He is having a midnight Mass; they have to stay there until everything is over.”
I went to Damien and Alia and told them that Babushka wanted to talk to us. We went outside. The first thing we realized was that the sky was orange, red, and blue. It looked like it was in flames.
“Viktoria, as soon as everyone is gathered, there will be a gentlemen who will approach you. He will not speak—only use sign language. Do not talk to him or look in his eyes. Don’t worry; he will take you to places where everyone will be safe. Once you get here, there will be five chosen ones waiting for you all.”
“You will be there watching over us, right, Babushka? What happens … I mean, if it is a setup? What are we going to do?”
“Viktoria, I will not be there; I will be with Nelly and the kids at the church. But Leila will be there. Do not forget; don’t ask any questions, just go with them for everyone’s safety. I don’t even know where they will take you. I believe you should take Nelly and the kids to the church now; they are waiting for you over there.”
We went inside and got ready to leave. I decided to leave my car at the restaurant and go with Brandon and the kids.
“Viktoria, what’s wrong?” Brandon asked. “You look stressed. Is there something I should know?”
“Nothing, Brandon. I just want to get it over and done with. This case, I mean. I want to go back to my normal life as soon as possible. We need to drop off Nelly and the kids at Father Walsh’s church for their safety. Babushka will be there watching over them.”
“Why isn’t Babushka coming with us?”
“They will not let Babushka and Mom be there, because we will be picked up by some elders who are going to wait for another person who is supposed to come. Then they will take us to the place, and we are not supposed to talk to the person or ask anything. Do not stare into his eyes. This is only what Babushka knows, nothing further. They will discover the rest when we get there.”
We dropped Nelly and the kids off at the church, and a few minutes later, we met the rest of the people who would be participating. Greg looked nervous, probably because this was his first time. Right after him, Michael, Alia, and Damien showed up. We were all ready, waiting to be picked up. Finally, someone came. His face had a bright light; even in that dark, you could see his face clearly. We all got into his huge limousine. We did not question him, and we tried not to look at him. Otherwise, that bright light would have blinded us.
Everyone was anxious. We were all trying to overcome our anxiety. I was thinking of the consequences—what would be waiting for us when we got there. For a second, I thought I saw something on Michael’s face; he looked like he knew what to expect, and his facial expressions confused me. He was so calm. At one point, I witnessed him communicating with the driver.
I asked him if he was okay. He looked like he had seen the driver. Michael responded, “Who is the investigator, Viktoria? It is in my nature to investigate. I suppose I was right.”
A few hours later, we got to the destination. When we all got out of the car, there were four elders waiting in robes. We couldn’t see their faces, but they were talking. They introduced themselves; their names were Matthew, Leviticus, Daniel, and Exodus. With the elders, there was a priest, rabbi, imam, and Brahman.
Brandon, Damien, Alia, Greg, and I began to walk through the lines. I wondered where Michael was. He had suddenly disappeared. Out of nowhere, Michael appeared wearing white regalia.
“Why are you wearing those things, Michael?”
With a smile, he said, “I will explain once we’re in the boat. You don’t need to worry right now.”
Once we were all in the boat, I could no longer wait for Michael to come explain himself. I went up to him and asked for an explanation.
“What is going on? Why did you put on this regalia, Michael?”
“I am the fifth elder. I know I should have mentioned something earlier, but I could not. Whatever happened up to the present moment … well, it was all meant to stop Lilith.”
“What are we going to do? Why are we doing this in the water?”
“Well, Viktoria, as you know, since we are in the water, we will start our verse. Then Damien, Alia, Gabriellele, Azalea, and Carmella will continue with their verse; once they start, there will be demons trying to escape in between the verses—meaning there will be lightning. That means archangels are hunting them, so they do not conceal themselves in the clouds, and will bring the demons down into the ocean. You have to understand, demons cannot swim, so they will be vanquished forever. Unfortunately, we cannot contain the purge of Lilith, so we will try to close most of the exits from hell.”
Chapter 14
Ceremony
“We’re almost there,” Michael said. “I would like everyone to put on the ceremonial dresses that are on the seats. I don’t want anyone calling out anyone else’s name. Brandon, I need you to swallow this little cross. Don’t worry; it will dissolve in two days. This is for your own safety. Everyone hold out your right hand and hold on to your religious symbol. Don’t let it go; whatever happens, free the left hand, but hold on with the other very tightly to the individual next to you. Everyone has to stay in this ring. Do not move away from it. It may get very dangerous, so hold on to each other. There will be an odor of something burning; ignore it. That will indicate to your family members that someone is in danger. Call for your acting family representative. Prepare not to talk to them or allude to their family names.”
Once we were ready, the boat started making circles with the manifestation of the full moon. It made a luminous light; it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen.
The ceremonies began, and we all started with the same verse. The first time, nothing happened. With the second verse, it started to get windy and cold.
At the third verse, it was starting to get ugly. For our safety, Michael suggested that Greg, Brandon, and I go into middle and sit in meditation position. “Whatever happens, do not get up or look to the sky.”
All three of us went into the middle of the circle and sat down, our legs crossed in meditation position. We put our heads down, and Michael started the ritual in Italian.
“Preghiamo: Il Dio di cielo, Dio di terra, Dio degli Angeli, Dio di Archangeli, Dio dei Patriarchs, Dio dei Prophets, Dio dei Apostles, Dio dei Martyrs, Dio dei Confessors, Dio dei Virgins, Dio che ha il potere di dare la vita dopo la morte ed il resto dopo lavoro, perché non ci è altro …”
I felt someone grabbing and pulling me, and I screamed.
“Are you okay?” Michael asked.
“Yes, I am,” I answered, and Michael continued.
“Dio che Thee e là può essere altro, per l’arte del Thou IL creatore di tutte le cose, visibile Ed invisibile, di cui Del regno non ci sarà conclusione. Prostrate humbly prima del Majesty Glorious di Thy e beseech Thee per trasportarlo da Thy Power da tutta la tirannia degli alcoolici infernal, dai loro snares, delle loro bugie e del loro wickedness furious; deign, il signore di O, per assegnarci Thy protezione potente e per mantenerlo cassaforte e suono. Beseech Thee attraverso Jesus Christ il nostro signore. Amen.”
Again, I started to feel the grabbing.
“Michael, they’re pulling me!”
Michael continued with no response, “Dagli snares del diavolo, Tutti: Trasportili signore di O. Grant che la chiesa di Thy può servire a Thee nella libertà sicura, Tutti: Beseech Thee, li sentiamo. Deign per schiacciare giù i nemici Della c
hiesa santa, Tutti: Beseech Thee, li sentiamo. St. Michael il ArchAngel, li difende nel giorno della battaglia; sia la nostra salvaguardia contro il wickedness e gli snares del diavolo. Il DIO di maggio lo rimprova, noi humbly prega e fa IL thou, Principe di O dell’ospite Heavenly, dall’alimentazione del DIO, del getto in inferno Lucifer e di tutti gli altri alcoolici diabolici, che prowl nel mondo intero, cercanti la rovina delle anime. Amen. La maggior parte del cuore Sacred di Jesus. Amen.”
I did not understand what he was saying, but to my surprise, Brandon did. I asked, “What was he saying? Can you translate some parts for me?”
“Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle—”
“Are you saying Michael is Saint Michael?”
“I don’t know, Viktoria.”
“Please continue.”
“Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the Divine Power of God, cast into hell Lucifer and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”
After that, all of the prayers were repeated. Now it was getting really bad; I could hear the thunder and see the lightning all around. The sky looked red like a ruby.
Then they repeated the exorcism ceremonies from different religions: Judaism as well as Islam and Hinduism. Each of the religious men repeated it a few times.
At the same time, I started to hear Melisa’s voice calling me. “Mom! Help, Mom, help!” I was about to jump up, but Brandon held me down and closed my mouth with his hand.
“Viktoria,” Brandon whispered as he grabbed my arm, “it’s not Melisa calling you; they are trying to interrupt the ceremony. Don’t listen to them.”
At one stage, I could no longer help myself; I had to look up at the sky. Looking up into the flames was a horrifying experience. For a moment, I said to myself, “I must be having a nightmare.” Finally, it opened, and the water looked like it had been sucked out of the ocean. This, I could tell, was confusing the demons, because they didn’t realize that that was the door that came out of the ocean. As they tried to fly between the clouds and hide, lightning was chasing them. They fell back into the traps. There were fireballs thrown by the demons; one almost got me and Brandon, but somehow, Damien threw himself right in front of us and fought back. It just flew back at them; the light protected the boat.
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