by A. G. Hobson
Chapter 25
Hayden parks in front of my house and I look up at it. It’s cold outside and the grass is covered in a small blanket of snow. I missed Christmas with my family and the New Year. I couldn’t spend my first Valentine’s Day with Hayden. School is always roaring with love ballads and heart gifts. For the first time ever, I would have received mine. I never wanted it before but being with Hayden made me want it more than I could have ever imagined. Hayden places the gear into park and releases my hand. I take a deep breath as he gets out, hurries around the car and opens my door. I slowly step onto the ground and he grabs my hand. The door slams as we walk up toward the steps. I take a deep breath as I approach the door. I look around and the porch has signs and missing posters with my face on them. My heart sinks. I cannot imagine the pain they’ve been through wondering if I’m alive or dead. The sun is shining and some of the snow is beginning to melt. There are water puddles on the porch in the corner. Large flowerpot sit with dead damp plant carcasses and frozen dirt in it.
I release a long drawn out breath and lift my hand to knock. I barely land before we hear stumbles toward the door.
“Who’s there?!” Breeze shouts out. I’m choked by the sound of her voice. I can’t even answer before she swings the door open.
“Montana! Montana? Oh my God! Mom… dad… it’s her! I can’t believe it, she’s back!” She immediately begins to sob grabbing at me and yanking me into a bear hug, squeezing the life out of me. “Where have you been? The police and everyone is searching for you!” She looks up and sees Hayden and her facial expression turns from heartfelt relief to irritation and anger. She steps back and wipes the tears from her eyes.
My parents and Tinsley hurry to the door screaming out toe me with excitement.
My mom rushes me first as Breeze steps further back still eyeing Hayden. My mom looks exhausted. Dark circles sit in sunken bags beneath her lower lids, her beautiful skin darkened.
“Montana…” she says as she chokes out a sob. “Baby, where have you been? We’ve been searching everywhere for you.” She slowly walks over and embraces me.
“And why are you here, Hayden?” Breeze squeezes through her teeth.
“Have you known where my fucking daughter has been the whole time?” My dad shoves through them. He balls his fists and steps toward him. I pull away from mom.
“No dad. I called him to come and get me.” I raise my hands to stop my dad.
“Why? Why wouldn’t you call us? We’ve been out of our minds since you disappeared from his home. We were sure that he did something to you. You left everything.”
“Dad, please. Hayden has been just as upset as you guys about my absence. I’m sorry I didn’t call you first but I didn’t even know I was gone for so long.”
“What? Where were you Ana?” Tinsley buts in.
“Can I come in and explain?”
“Jean, call the police. They need to know that she’s home safely.”
“Wait guys. Let’s sit down and talk before you do anything.” My dad sighs and yanks me into his arms. Tears stream down his face as he whimpers. They hit my hair as he kisses the top of my head. I’ve never seen my dad cry.
“God. Thank you, God!” He mumbles into my hair. He wraps his arm around my shoulder as we proceed to the living room. Breeze hugs my mom and they follow. Hayden closes the door and I sit. My dad notices the bandage.
“What the fuck happened to your arm Montana? Who hurt you? Tell me now!” He turns to Hayden. “Who hurt my daughter Hayden? Who?! I’ll kill them!”
“Dad, please. Sit down and listen.” I mouth ‘I’m sorry’ to Hayden. “Listen guys. I was taken from Hayden’s house while he was sleeping. It’s some complicated things going on that's too much for you to understand right now.” I attempt to explain but fail terribly.
“What? Tell me who took you, now Montana! They’re going to fucking die.” My dad goes on jumping back up out of his seat.
“Dad, this is some heavy supernatural shit that you can’t fight. I was caged, starved and bitten by the most hideous creature I’ve ever seen. And trust me, I’ve seen some creatures.”
“Huh?” My mother shakes her head.
Hayden steps up and waves his hand. The four of them freeze where they are. I turn to look at him and he begins to speak.
“Are you sure you want to cross this line?”
I look back at my family that is frozen. “Are they alright? What did you do?”
“They’re fine. I just need you to be sure about what you are about to do.”
My family is as still as the dead. I walk up to my mom and the expression on her face is distorted, she is in disbelief of what I’ve said. My eyes water and droplets slide down my cheeks. She looks full of life but lifeless.
“Wake them up Hayden! Wake them up… now!” As I look into her eyes the light that I long to see when she is near me is gone.
Hayden lifts his hand and I feel an instant chill. I smell the singe of something burning.
“Ah aht aht ah… Cam. Leave them be unless you want them to see me torture your little girlfriend.” I spin around to see Nija. She is back to her beautiful form.
“What the fuck are you doing back here Nija? I should kill you right where you stand.” Hayden squeezes through his teeth.
“You can’t eliminate your future companion Cam.” She says seductively. She approaches us slowly not taking her eyes off Hayden. “Your father feels like action needs to be taken now. No more waiting.”
“What do you mean?” His voice spikes. “The battle is years away!”
“When they decided to rescue your little…” she rolls her eyes toward me then back to him. “Girlfriend, they crossed a major line. A line that we agreed we wouldn’t cross. So, now we strike.” She smiles.
“Did Belfagor know about Montana? Did he know that she was one of them?”
“What difference does it make? You must choose a side and you need to do it now. We are preparing a full-on siege as we speak. You have about an hour. She waves her perfectly painted red fingernails as she walks up to me and smiles. Hayden places his hand up to stop her, but she vanishes right in front of me.
Hayden turns toward the door and slides his fingers through his hair.
“Dammit! They are going to kill thousands of people. I thought I was ready. We need to get you and your family away from here. Now. They will come for you first. And even though they can’t kill you they will take many prisoners and torture you beyond anything you’ve ever dreamed of.”
“What can we do? What about my family?” I say in a sudden panic.
“Listen to me.” Hayden rushes to me and grabs my shoulders. “I’m going to protect you this time. You need to call your angel friend and warn her. I’ll get you guys someplace safe.”
“Right! I’ll call Synth now. But… What should I tell my family?”
“Nothing. The less they know the better.”
“How will you keep us safe if they’re in the dark?”
“That’s the thing Montana. You’re going to have to make a huge decision right now. I can leave them like this until it’s all over, or we can let them be conscious and reveal it all.”
I frantically look at my mother, father and sisters as still as statues. I quickly wipe away a tear that escapes. My heart is broken. Why is this happening to us, now?
“Leave them like this. If they don’t make it, I don’t want them to see what’s coming. It may sound selfish, but they don’t deserve my baggage. How will you move them?”
Hayden sighs. His eyes soften and he reaches out to touch me on my shoulder. “I’m going to transport us. But…”
“What? What else do you have to tell me?”
“We’re going to England. I want to hide you all in a tunnel underneath Westminster Abbey.”
“Why? Why London?”
“The gate to hell is there. The tunnel runs in the opposite direction. They will never look there. They will be too busy attacking here. Do you
trust me?”
“With my life. Just leave me coherent. I need to be awake.”
Suddenly, the door bursts open. “I’m going to need your help Montana!” Synth rushes into my home. “A huge portal just opened up near the school and demons are pouring out of it. I have been notified by some of the other reincarnates that they are trying to access full power. We need you until the battle angels get here. We can hold them off!”
She says in a panic.
“I can’t. I must go with my family, Synth. They need me.”
“You won’t have anyone to go with if we don’t contain the portal and get rid of some of those demons.”
“I don’t have the power or strength to get rid of anything.”
“I’m going to help you access the power.”
“No.” Hayden steps in front of me. “I want her safe with her family. She could get killed.”
“She has to fight. It’s what she was created for.”
“And since you know so much, Synth, what was I created for?”
She turns away and searches the room with her eyes. “What have you done to them? Why?”
“Montana was getting ready to tell them everything. I don’t believe they’re ready. It would be a mistake. One she would regret.”
“Listen. It’s my decision.” I think for a second. Why do they need me? They’ve been managing fine without my help. “Is it imperative that I be there?”
“With my power and your potential power, we can put a major dent into their army. Hayden… where do you stand?” She quickly, without warning, turns to him.
“What do you mean? I can’t fight against my father. I have a duty that I was born to fulfill.”
“You will fight against the girl you claim you love?”
“I wouldn’t even have to consider it if you weren’t here.” He snaps.
“Listen, this is going to be a bloodbath. I mind as well let you know… that… well… I am your mother.” Hayden’s eyes widen with a surprise. “What??!! Are you serious?”
“I’m so sorry Hayden, I am.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this? Why now?”
“I was with Belfagor and he murdered my human form only to be cursed to live away from the place he loves the most. Now that he has achieved his goal, he has a weapon that can kill us.”
“What? You didn’t tell me this!” I say in panic.
“I didn’t. Because the weapon is you, Hayden. You can murder one of us with just a blink. Belfagor created the perfect weapon against the world. My own son. I didn’t know until now. That is why he wanted to keep you away, Montana. They didn’t want you to have any influence on him. And if you and Nija mate he can create more of you. Do you understand? You’re a weapon against the angels.” Hayden covers his mouth. I am floored. How could he not have known? He is the very weapon that will destroy the earth. Not the antichrist, not Satan's son, but a Cambion, Belfagor’s son, my Hayden.
“Why didn’t you come to me sooner? If you are my mother, why have I never met you?” His voice trembles. “You knew and stayed away.”
“Would it have made you any difference? Would your allegiance be with heaven instead of hell? Your father already had you groomed for his purpose. I have been around to see you. You just didn’t know who or what I was. It feels like a weight lifted now that you know.” She sighs.
“Well, I’m glad that you feel better now...” He says sarcastically.
“I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant…”
“I can’t address this now. And I don’t know if I’ll be able to address it at all but… I guess it really doesn’t matter. Thank you so much for telling me before all of this begins.” He turns to walk away.
Synth bites her lip and worry crosses her youthful face.
Even though, Hayden’s seems annoyed and angry, he needed to know. He deserves to be informed as this battle begins.
“Well what now? Can I trust my family in your hands Hayden? Should I be afraid?” I began to shudder at the thought.
Hayden snaps out of his shock and reaches out for me. He places his hands on my shoulders and looks me in the eyes. “I will protect you and your family with every breath in my body, Montana. You will never have to question my loyalty, or my love for you. It is you that I am now here for. I don’t care what happens.”
“Good, now can you get my parents and sisters out of here!”
“Aren’t you coming? I want you to hide.”
“They can’t kill me Hayden. Only you.”
“All the more reason you should go with them. I don’t want my father trying to manipulate me.”
“He can’t. You’re the strong one. You’re the key to all of this.”
“We don’t have time. I’m taking your family now.” He waves his hand. He and my family disappear. I pray they come out of this alive. Shit, I pray I come out of this alive.
Chapter 26
With Hayden off trying to hide my family, I focus on surviving this. If Belfagor finds out that he is loyal to me, he will come for me again and maybe sacrifice one of his demons by having them kill me. If he wins against the reincarnates today and kill numerous humans, he will get the war he wants with God and the angels in heaven.
“Okay Synth, what do I have to do?” I turn to her. She is in deep thought, maybe preparing for the battles.
“You are so lucky, Montana. Not only do you have the greatest creature created, besides the son of God, on your side but you were reincarnated from a battle angel. JAriel was one of God’s most feared angels sent to earth next to GAbriel and MichAel. I have this for you.” She lifts her hand and grips an invisible handle that miraculously appears. A silver iced looking blade stretches from the ivory white handle. The sword is engraved with writing I can’t understand. She hands it over to me and manifests a short blade. She waves her palm in front of me and I am suddenly dressed in a Grecian white skirt and a white linen wrap that covers my breasts and ties at the small of my back, along with white sandals that slide between my toes. My skin begins to glow and is a shiny bronze color.
“As soon as it all begins, everything will come to you. Just hold the sword in your hand and the handle will light up. Your celestial soul being will take over. You will remember all lives from before. The great thing is that JAriel is on the heavenly plain and only inhabits the body of the reincarnated when necessary. You will not be able to be hurt by any demon as long as he has made contact. Now, let’s go and slow the apocalypse down.”
Synth lifts her hand and a blinding surge of light extends from it. The light nearly blinds me. I shield them with my wounded forearm. I shut my lids tightly and when I open them, we are behind the school. I feel a warmth in the air and ash is flying around like black snow or burnt lava flakes. The smell reminds me of purgatory. I search the area with my eyes and I don’t see a student in sight.
“Where are the kids?”
“We emptied the school. Everyone is gone home. And we have made sure no one enters this area. I turn and see a dozen people approaching. “They’re here.” I look her over and we are wearing the exact same attire as the people coming toward us. They have weapons drawn and they’re all glowing. There are finely crafted crossbows, axes, swords, knives and one of the angels has a… shotgun? My attention is averted when I hear a chorus of screeching screams. I turn and there is a tear in the ground by the old huge tree behind the football field. It looks like an earthquake has ripped a hole in the ground. Flames burst from the opening in the ground. The thunderous sound of horses galloping overwhelms my ears. A whooshing sound roar above us. I look up and quickly duck as a dark winged demon with outstretched claws swoop down toward the group of angels grabbing up one of the warriors. He barely misses me. As soon as the demon releases the warrior a hoard of flying and galloping heinous looking creatures shoots up from the hole like a geyser and spreads out. My heart races and terror course through me as the hoard rushes toward us. I lift my sword and my mind travels back to simpler times; beaches, swimsuits,
palm trees, tanning lotion, crushes and boys that are the focus of crushes.
I’m brought back to reality when I hear Synth screaming my name. “Montana!! Lift your sword and fight! Now!” I lift the sword as a demon is barreling toward me. His front legs land as his back legs launch him forward. I don’t know how to wield a sword, but I lift it and clench it with both hands. I take a deep breath and try to calm my nerves so that I don’t die. The creature catapults himself forward picking up speed. I plant my legs firm as they tremble beneath me. It lunges at me. I lift the sword and shut my eyes. I feel the blade slice through it as it lands on me. We both fall to the ground and Synth screams out.
“Montana!!” Warm liquid oozes onto my bare skin as I lie there with a beast on top of me. I struggle to move and finally shove it off. I’m covered in a black gooey substance which I assume is its blood. It’s smeared all over my hands and body. The white fabric is stained beyond recognition. When my attention turns back on to Synth, a full battle has ensued. There are demons everywhere covering the entire school yard. The angel reincarnates are fighting and some are lying on the ground injured. The screeches of demons howling and warriors being wounded grieves me. It’s overwhelming.
I spot Synth wrestling with a winged demon. Her dagger is on the ground and she is fighting for her life. I take off, not thinking. I run full speed in her direction. Before I reach her, I hear a horn sound. It rings in my ears. I stop right in my tracks. A bright light blinds us and I shield my eyes. I try to investigate the light. When it dims, I see a fleet of beautiful white wings flapping rapidly toward us. The angels have come to save us, to save the world!