“Guess you won’t be winding up in the choir of angels during these Trials,” X joked.
“You think that’s the worst thing that can happen during the Angel Trials?” Michael said again, noting the fear in Vero’s eyes.
“Well, yeah . . . isn’t it?” X said.
“No, dying means nothing to an angel. Dying does not separate us from God,” Michael explained. “Evil separates us from God . . . forever.” Michael caught the angels’ confused looks. “The Angel Trials are not just a game. Do you know the history of the games? Of the very first one?”
Vero shook his head. The others looked to Michael to explain.
“The original Trial took place in heaven, and only angels from two spheres, not three, competed. One from the first, and one from the third. Myself and . . . Lucifer.”
Vero’s eyes went wide.
“He was far superior to me, for he was an arch cherub of exquisite beauty, and his wisdom had no comparison. Anointed above all angels. He defeated me in every challenge until the very final one, a test that God had allowed. He had shown us His newest creation — man.”
Ada gasped, twisting her finger through her long curls.
“Man is a much more complex being than angels. He has dual natures, both physical body and spiritual soul.”
“But I thought angels were higher on the totem pole, being pure spirit,” Vero said. “At least that’s what I learned in Sunday school.”
“Me too,” Greer said. “But then again, if angels are higher, why are we training to guard humans? Maybe we’ve been wrong all along.”
There was a moment of silence in the gym as the angels considered this novel idea.
“And God asked that for our final challenge, we pledge our love and protection of man always,” Michael paused, letting the words sink in for the fledglings. “I did so willingly. Lucifer would not do it. He became jealous of God’s new creation. He feared God loved man more than He loved him, that he was being replaced. His pride was wounded. He raised his sword and swung at man to slice him in two. At that moment, a newfound strength coursed through me, and I met his sword with my sword, sparing man. Lines were drawn that day in the heavens, as one-third of the angels fought on Lucifer’s side. During the battle, as our blades crossed and pressed against one another, I stood eye to eye with Lucifer. I watched as his effervescent violet eyes turned red with hatred. His beautiful face turned gruesome as the rest of him transformed into a diabolical monster. The light that had once shown through him was replaced with darkness. Lucifer spat in my face, vowing one day he would exalt himself higher than God and destroy man through sin. I shoved him, and he fell from heaven like lightning, taking his followers with him. After the battle, God created the Ether. A barrier to heaven, so Lucifer could never have access. And our battleground to fight him and his demons.”
The angels were silent, trying to comprehend the story.
“God no longer tests me. However, for you fledglings, He still allows you to be tested, until the day you chose your destiny. So be very careful. God allows evil in the Trials. It serves a purpose and going to the choir of angels is nothing compared to falling victim to the evil forces out there.”
A tear ran down Ada’s face.
“I’ve seen the evil,” Vero said, his fear evident in his voice. “She’s the long-haired creature.”
Michael nodded. “Which is why you need to learn how to control your sword.”
“Who is she?” Vero asked Michael.
Michael paused as he studied Vero for a moment.
“Lilith.”
19
PEP RALLY
Don’t ever do that!” Mom shouted as Vero held a butter knife over the toaster.
Vero jerked his hand away.
“Unplug it first,” Mom said, pulling the plug out of the outlet and breathing a sigh of relief. “You’ll get electrocuted.”
Vero looked around. He was back in his kitchen — his sword training obviously over.
“Sit down and finish your eggs,” Dad said, lowering his newspaper from his face.
But Vero had Lilith on the brain.
“I’m full,” Vero said. “I just remembered, I need to check something on my computer!” He dashed from the kitchen to his bedroom and shut the door. Vero turned on his laptop. He had to know who Lilith was. He typed her name into the search bar and began to read. There was a lot more information than he had expected.
Lilith was the wilderness demon who was shunned by the prophet Isaiah, but in later translations was referred to as the ‘screech owl.’ It was believed she was the mystery woman of Proverbs 2:18 – 19: “Surely her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead. None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.” She was also mentioned in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Vero read that Lilith was the ‘night hag’ who snatched souls, and she especially loved to possess women through mirrors. Then Vero gasped when he read, “she has enchanted hair, resembling a serpent.”
“Vero, come finish your eggs!” Dad yelled.
Vero closed his laptop and walked to the kitchen. He sat down to his plate of now cold, scrambled eggs. He poked at the eggs with his fork, distracted by his thoughts of Lilith.
“Aren’t you going to have some breakfast?” Dennis asked Clover as she rushed into the kitchen wearing a purple bike helmet.
Vero looked up from his plate of scrambled eggs. Mom put a glass of orange juice down on the table.
“It’s getting late, so hurry and sit down,” Nora said.
“Nope, gotta go!” Clover said as she picked up her backpack and slung it over her shoulder. “Kira’s out front.”
“Kira? Who’s Kira? Did you know about this?” Dennis asked Nora.
“Relax, you met Kira at the mall, remember?” Clover said. “We’re riding our bikes to school today.” She grabbed the glass of orange juice and downed it. “Had my breakfast.” Clover ran out of the kitchen.
“Clover!” Dad yelled, but she was already out the front door.
Vero watched through the window as Clover got on her bike and pedaled off with Kira. When Vero turned back to his parents, he noticed their worried looks.
“At least she’s wearing a helmet,” Vero said, hoping it would comfort them some.
“We need to come down harder on her,” Dennis told Nora. “She’s out of control.”
“She’s not out of control yet,” Nora said hesitantly, “but I agree we need to do something.”
“Nora, you’re being naïve here,” said Dennis. “She’s rude and inconsiderate, and I’m sick of it. She behaved like a little brat at your birthday last night!”
“What do you want me to do about it?” Nora raised her voice.
Vero hated when his parents fought. It happened rarely, so that when they did, it was all the more upsetting.
“I want you to stop putting on a hurt face every time she’s rude in the hopes that she’ll feel bad and come around. I want you to punish her!”
The doorbell rang. Vero jumped up from the table, happy for the excuse to get away. He opened the front door and saw Vicki standing there.
“Hey, Vero. Is Clover ready?” Vicki asked.
Vero looked over her shoulder and saw Vicki’s older sister Molly waiting in the car. Dennis and Nora walked over and stood behind Vero.
“Clover already left with Kira.” Vero shrugged.
“Oh,” Vicki said, crestfallen.
Dennis shook his head at Nora. “Looks like her rudeness isn’t just directed toward us.”
“I’m sorry, Vicki,” Nora said. “She must have forgotten to call and let you know.”
“If it’s any consolation, she forgot to let us know too!” Dennis’s voice rose and his nostrils flared angrily.
“That’s okay. I’ll just see her in class anyway,” Vicki said, forcing a smile. “You want a ride, Vero?”
“Sure.” Vero picked up his backpack and walked out with Vicki. He glanced over his shoulder and saw the worried l
ooks on his father and his mother.
“Is Clover mad at me?” Vicki asked Vero as they walked up the school steps. “Did she tell you anything?”
“No,” Vero answered. “She’s just not herself lately.”
Vero couldn’t help but feel partly responsible for Clover’s behavior. He thought she was most likely rebelling because of him. She was freaked out about him being an angel. He knew she was having a hard time accepting his inevitable fate.
“Ever since Kira came to this school, she only hangs out with her,” Vicki said. “It’s like I don’t even exist anymore.”
“Well, it’s not only you. She’s been that way with me and my parents too.”
“And that’s supposed to make me feel better?”
Vero shrugged. Vicki gave him a peck on the cheek and walked into the school.
“You animal,” a boy’s voice said, admiringly. Vero looked over his shoulder and saw Tack racing up the steps.
“Not what you think,” Vero quickly replied.
“Yeah, I figured,” Tack said. “But I thought I’d try anyway. Hey, you ready for today?”
“What’s today?”
“The pep rally. How could you forget?” Tack asked.
It had completely slipped Vero’s mind. With everything that had been going on in the Ether, it was easy to forget all that was going on down on earth. And maybe subconsciously, Vero wanted to forget because Coach Cindy was forcing them to dress up in the hot, humiliating mascot costumes. He was dreading it.
“Wishful thinking,” Vero said. “I was hoping they’d cancel it.”
“You’re nuts. It’ll be a blast. We’re gonna whip up the crowd.”
Vero saw Davina heading toward them. Tack elbowed Vero. “Here’s your chance,” he said. “I hear she’s done with Danny.”
Vero stopped walking and looked at Tack. “Over the whole Kira thing in the library?”
“Yeah, but there was also something he posted online.”
“What?”
“I dunno,” Tack said.
“Hi, Vero,” Davina said as she walked up beside him. “Can’t wait to see what you guys have planned for today.”
Tack elbowed Vero, “See?”
“Oh, thanks,” Vero said.
“You too, Tack,” Davina said as she walked ahead. “I just hope they don’t cancel the rally.”
Vero’s eyes went wide with hope. “Cancel it?”
“There’s still no water in the gym.” Davina gestured behind her.
Vero looked over her shoulder and saw two plumbing trucks parked on the school property. A manhole cover sat on the blacktop as several plumbers worked on the main waterline.
“It’s been a couple of days now,” Davina said.
“And everyone reeks after gym class,” Tack said.
“I wonder why they can’t fix it,” Vero pondered.
“Probably because they’re looking in the wrong place down there,” Tack said.
“How would you know?”
“Don’t know. Just a feeling,” Tack answered. A troubled look came over him as he continued to stare at the plumbers.
The Attleboro Middle gym was packed solid. The bleachers were filled with students and teachers. The noise was deafening as kids banged inflatable thundersticks against one another, smacked noise clappers, rang cowbells, and blew horns. Others held up signs and flags. Some shook pompoms. The air was electric.
A small but mighty marching band marched in place on the gym floor playing snare drums, bass drums, tubas, and trumpets. Coach Randy, wearing his ball cap, stood on the gym floor. He waved his hands, trying to quiet the crowd.
“Hold up! Everyone quiet down!” he shouted into a mic. It didn’t work, so he put his index fingers in his mouth and loudly whistled. The marching band stopped playing. Gradually, the crowd grew silent.
“I love the enthusiasm,” Coach Randy said. “We are . . .”
“Attleboro Middle!” the crowd shouted back.
“We are . . .” Coach Randy shouted.
“Attleboro Middle!”
Coach Randy gestured to the marching band. They began playing the “Chicken Dance” song as two ridiculous costumed chickens ran across the gym floor. The crowd got to its feet.
Vero had a hard time looking out through the costume’s beak, but he glimpsed Tack in front of him dressed in a matching costume. They were covered with bright yellow feathers with a red wattle and red corn on their heads. Each had huge blue eyes and a large beak. It was a most unfortunate mascot — the fighting chickens. A big poultry farmer donated all the land for the school years ago, and, as a requirement, he wanted the school to name its team “The Fighting Chickens.” Apparently, he had a cruel sense of humor.
As the music grew louder, Tack and Vero began to do the Chicken Dance to entertain the crowd. They flapped their wings and wiggled their tail feathers, and the crowd responded in kind. Even Coach Randy and Coach Cindy joined in the dance, especially the shaking of the tail feathers part. And when Vero and Tack stood up and clapped their hands four times, the noise in the gym was almost deafening as everyone joined them.
After repeating this part of the dance several times, Vero and Tack were supposed to link elbows and turn around in a circle for the grand finale. The crowd always went wild at this part. But when Vero turned to link elbows with Tack, he nearly stumbled. Tack was not there. Vero searched through the eyeholes in the beak for him. It was difficult with limited vision, but then he spotted him. Tack was standing in the middle of the marching band, staring up at the ceiling. Vero wondered if Tack had planned some gag that he wasn’t in on. As the crowd continued to dance, Vero walked over to Tack. He ruffled a few feathers as he squeezed his way through the band.
“What are you doing?” Vero shouted. “Don’t leave me hanging out there.”
Tack’s eyes remained peeled to the ceiling. Vero grabbed his shoulder and spun him around, bumping into a tuba player who hit his teeth against the mouthpiece.
“Sorry,” Vero said.
Tack jerked his head toward Vero. “We have to get everyone out of here!” Tack shouted.
“What?”
“They’re gonna die!” Tack yelled through his beak.
“What are you talking about?”
Tack grabbed Vero and looked him in the eye, their beaks nearly colliding. “The ceiling is full of water, and it’s going to collapse,” Tack said with utmost seriousness.
“How do you know that?”
“Trust me.” Tack let go of Vero and plowed through the marching band, causing the tuba player to hit his teeth on the mouthpiece once again. He raced over to the bleachers. “Everybody needs to get out!” Tack screamed.
But Tack couldn’t be heard above the noisemakers and marching band. Vero looked up. He saw that a large portion of the ceiling was indeed sagging. Tack grabbed Coach Randy’s mic from his hand. “Get out! Quick!” Tack shouted into the mic.
But no one paid him any attention. Throwing down the mic, Tack dashed over to the conductor and barked some orders to him, flapping his wings. The crowd thought it was all just mascot antics and laughed. After listening to Tack for a moment, the conductor gave the “cut” direction on the chicken dance song and held his hand up high with four fingers raised, indicating a song change to the band. Vero ran over to Tack to find out what he was doing as the band began to play the Conga Dance. Everyone was still laughing and dancing. “Grab my waist and follow me!” Tack screamed through the heavy costume.
Tack and Vero made a beeline to the stands doing the Conga. It was a new dance for the Fighting Chickens, but the crowd loved it! As they got to the stands, Tack started grabbing a few students and pulling them to their feet. He placed a girl’s hands on his hips, bumping Vero off the line.
And that was all it took. The entire crowd flowed simultaneously into a conga line and latched onto Tack’s lead. Vero continued to pull everyone off the bleachers and attach them to the line.
“Everybody, conga!” Vero
yelled to the crowd, gesturing wildly.
Kids delirious with laughter rose from their seats and made their way down to the gym floor as the band played on. The entire student body conga’d across the gym toward the exit. Tack pushed open the gym’s wide double doors and led the conga lines out into the football field. Still in the gym, Vero heard a loud noise. He looked up and saw a huge crack running down the ceiling directly above the band. Drops of water dripped onto the floor. Vero ran to the drum majorette and grabbed her baton.
“Hey!” she yelled. “Give that back!”
“The ceiling’s gonna collapse!” Vero said turning her head upward. “Lead them out!”
Panic came into the drum majorette’s eyes when she saw the bulging ceiling. She grabbed the baton from Vero, turned to the band, and marched them toward the door, following the conga line out to the field. The crowd was still dancing on the field as the band marched out, waiting to see what Tack had planned next. But the band stopped playing, and the crowd calmed down when Tack ran back inside to the now quieter gym. He yanked off his chicken head and raced over to the few remaining people in the bleachers.
“Get out!” he screamed at the top of his lungs.
Loud cracks pierced the air. The ceiling in a corner of the gym collapsed. Water gushed as if a dam had just broken. People sprinted for the doors. Mercifully, most were already outside. Then other parts of the ceiling collapsed. Vero’s eyes scanned the gym, looking for Clover, but he didn’t see her. It was total chaos as the final kids and teachers raced for the doors. Heavy sheets of plaster, beams, and lights fell as people scrambled out the exit. Vero and Tack barely got out the doors when they turned around to see the gym ceiling completely collapse.
Pillars of Fire Page 19