In the Nursery in the Unseen …
“Look, Candol,” whispered Anka. “Up in the corner of the room.”
Ever alert, Candol followed Anka’s gaze to the upper corner of the room. What he saw caused his wings to unfurl—legions of demons filled the upper spaces of the room.
Anka immediately touched his cohort’s arm to quiet him. “Let us not reveal our position yet,” he advised Candol. “Let’s see what Almighty God is going to do in this situation,” he concluded as they both drew back into the shadows of their corner.
The Earth-angels prepared themselves for the battle ahead. Considering their position, they observed the demons glaring at the child, hunger in their eyes, venom dripping from their ugly mouths.
Considering the adversary’s minions, Candol and Anka caught a glimpse of the atmosphere surrounding the family who had just received the newborn into their midst. Darkness spread around the family in the spiritual realm, darkness such as these protective Earth-angels had not experienced … at least not for a very long time.
Candol and Anka conferred in their corner of the nursery. Staying in the shadows, they measured their next moves as they sternly gazed at the demons floating in the atmosphere. They did not want to create a disturbance until they knew more of what was going on in the life of this child and had received instruction from on high. But one thing they knew for certain—it had already begun.
Emmaline
EIGHTEEN
Charlotte, North Carolina: May 27, 1959
She wasn’t afraid for herself.
He had beaten her off and on for the past two years. She had grown accustomed to the beatings. No, she was more afraid for the baby that was ready to be born.
Maybelle Johnson was twenty-four years old and frightened for the life of this child. Once a very pretty girl, Maybelle looked well beyond her years as a result of the abuse she suffered from the hands of her husband.
Alton, her once handsome and loving husband of five years, had already caused the miscarriage of three other babies from his brutal beatings. Hiding the pregnancy as much as she could with her slight frame, this was the only one Maybelle had brought to full term. Alton hated life and took it out on Maybelle as much as he possibly could.
“Alton, please,” she pleaded. Pain flashed in her light-brown eyes as she attempted to shelter her midsection from his fists. Oh, how I had loved this man, Maybelle thought as pain jarred her entire body. At this point, she didn’t know whether it was the pain of contractions or the pain of Alton’s fists causing her all the discomfort. All she knew was that she was enduring a pain she had never experienced before.
High school sweethearts, Alton and Maybelle attended Fisk University after graduation to follow their dreams together. Everything went well for them on the college campus. They were both popular from the beginning and thrived in the college atmosphere. Until the incident …
They met during their junior year of high school. Six foot four, Alton Wayne Johnson was the star everything at Charlotte West Negro High School: football, basketball, baseball, even bowling. Handsome, popular, and a straight-A student, Alton loved and was friends with everyone. All the guys wanted to be like him. All the girls wanted to be with him. But his hazel eyes were set on only one— Maybelle Julia Carter.
Maybelle, the second and youngest daughter of Emmaline and Stanley Carter was beautiful, petite, and very shy. A model student, Maybelle aspired to become a trial attorney. Determined to attain her dreams of being the first college graduate from her family and an attorney, Maybelle began checking her options for colleges during her freshman year. She laid out her course with a set mind. Her family encouraged her and she knew she would make it. She just hadn’t counted on falling for Alton Johnson.
After meeting and discovering they liked each other and shared many of the same goals and dreams, Maybelle and Alton were inseparable. Maybelle went to each of Alton’s sporting events. He in turn attended her major debates. When their families celebrated birthdays and other special events, they each attended the others’.
As their May 1953 high school graduation approached, Alton and Maybelle aimed their college preferences at colleges and universities they could attend together. Having above-average intelligence for the sciences, Alton stood a very good chance of winning a full academic scholarship to the college of his choice, Fisk University, for medical school. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Fisk also offered a premier law program for his precious Maybelle. Alton had faith that things would work out for them.
On graduation day, family and friends threw a huge celebration for their star pupils who were both accepted into Fisk. Because of their grades, both students had also been accepted into Harvard, but neither wanted to be that far away from his or her family. Besides, Alton had not heard very good things about their athletics programs.
Members of Greater Faith Tabernacle in Charlotte, Alton and Maybelle served as youth leaders. Their church family supported them as they went off to college, awarding scholarships and arranging for other stipends for them so they wouldn’t have to work. Instead, the stipends and scholarships afforded them the opportunity to concentrate on their schoolwork and, for Alton, sports. Their families and friends were setting them up to be homegrown success stories for Charlotte.
Greater Faith’s pastor, Alan Turner, arranged for them to become involved with Evangeline Tabernacle of Faith in Nashville. He gave his friend Pastor Anthony Boston such a good report on Alton and Maybelle that, upon meeting and observing them, Pastor Tony immediately promoted Alton and Maybelle to the Youth Elder Board to help him with the youth of his church. Everything was going well for Alton and Maybelle.
The bright young couple’s freshman year started without a hitch. Not sharing any classes but seeing each other every break they could manage, Alton and Maybelle thrived in the college atmosphere.
His physical prowess in basketball made a place for Alton with the Fisk basketball team. After attending basketball camp the previous summer, Alton was chosen for the basketball program at Fisk with high praise from the coaching staff. Once he was physically on campus, the coaches immediately placed him on first string as a guard. Alton grew more skillful with each practice.
During their first scrimmage with predominantly white Tennessee State, Nashville’s other university, words passed between Alton and a white player, Fletcher Conroy. When the coaches broke up the scuffle, Fletcher angrily made it his business to warn Alton that it wasn’t over.
Observing the interchange between her boyfriend and the other boy, Maybelle felt something discomfiting go through her spirit. It only happened for a second and she forgot about it almost instantly. Alton completely forgot about it since stuff like that was bound to happen between players on opposing teams in basketball or any other sport for that matter. But this was different.
The Fisk Bulldogs basketball team played and won their first twelve games. Well on their way to the playoffs, Fisk had the most magnificent players the school had ever seen. Alton was the leader of the pack. Although only a freshman, Alton exhibited skill and wisdom on the court his coaches had rarely seen coming through their basketball roles before, especially from such a young player.
Alton led Fisk to the NCAA championships in 1954. Major professional basketball scouts watched him. Assigned as a shooting guard, Alton averaged twenty-five to thirty points per game and gave an outstanding defensive performance as well.
Doing well in school and keeping their grades up, Alton and Maybelle were more in love than ever. Alton Johnson was on top of the world. Unfortunately, there were forces that wanted to bring Alton to the bottom.
NINETEEN
Eternity
Almighty,” inquired the deceptively respectful voice of the Accuser of the Brethren. “Will this human continue to serve You if You allow certain things to happen in his life?”
Almighty God considered Lucifer’s request. God knew the Enemy wanted to throw a wrench into the plans He had for Alton Johnson and
Maybelle Carter, for all those called by His name. Lucifer, now satan, had plotted from the beginning to turn humanity away from God and to the Dark Kingdom. He hadn’t changed and never would.
God had great plans for Alton and Maybelle. But His perfect plan for humanity called for testing and maturity through all manner of trials and tribulations during their assignments on Earth.
“What do you have in mind, devil?” God thundered, already knowing what the Enemy determined to do.
Having played everything forward in the continuum of time, God already knew the result of everything satan would attempt on the Earth.
“I was thinking, Majesty,” satan said invitingly. “What if You allowed something to happen to the man so he could not play basketball anymore? Something to test his faith, Almighty? Will the human still serve you?”
God listened to what the Adversary proposed. It wasn’t a bad idea, but …
“I have created all things for My purpose, even evil for the evil day. Whatever is in your mind to do, devil, perform it. However, you cannot take his life,” God commanded, thundering his response as He dismissed the wicked one from His presence.
Satan departed from the throne room of God. Laughing maniacally to himself, he contemplated what he would do to the man Alton Johnson. He wouldn’t kill him … just make him wish he were dead.
In the Unseen, Nashville
Slayer roamed the streets of Nashville waiting for the command from his master the Prince of Darkness. Racism, Hatred, Jealousy, and Anger roamed the streets behind him, causing minor skirmishes to while away the time until they found out if everything was a go concerning Alton Johnson.
“Oh, mighty Prince Slayer,” complained Racism to his boss. “What is taking so long? It seems as though we have waited eons to hear from the Throne of Darkness on this matter, Master,” Racism exaggerated.
Slayer processed the information Racism brought to his attention. He deliberated whether or not to send one of his assigned minions to see if there was an answer from satan as yet. He didn’t want to disturb the Master of Darkness. He knew how volatile he could be at times.
“Be patient, lackey,” Slayer said. He decided to wait until the Master sent someone to him with word. No need in stirring the old dog up if I don’t need to, he contemptuously thought to himself.
“Dog am I, Slayer?” inquired the slippery, slimy, wicked voice out of the atmosphere.
As the leader of the Dominions of Darkness, it was quite common for satan to explore other demons’ thoughts. Slayer’s black heart quivered as he considered the havoc satan could wreak upon him without much effort.
“Master, please forgive me. I meant ‘dog’ in the kindest sense, your Highness,” Slayer explained, groveling to deflect the wrath of the Fallen One.
But there was no need. From the appearance of his countenance, satan was … happy.
“No need for all that, slave,” satan said to Slayer, reminding him that he was, after all, only a servant. “We have permission to do as we will with this human. The only thing we can’t do is kill him. But we can certainly make him desire death,” satan said, a sneer on his face and a scoffing laugh emanating from his raspy throat.
Slayer rubbed his hands together at the prospect of causing pain in the life of one of those calling himself by the name of the Most High God.
He refocused on Alton. Slayer had watched this human for quite some time. Now he would see if Alton Johnson was truly a servant of God or if he would fall from grace. Slayer had looked forward to this moment. He desired to shine in the face of Darkness.
Slayer called his minions to gather around him. “Hmm, let’s see—Anger, Racism, Hatred, and Jealousy. Yes, you all will do just fine. But there are two more I want to use for this assault party—Callousness and Revenge,” he added gleefully.
Revenge would be the impetus for this siege. Callousness would lead the charge. Slayer knew once Revenge took hold of the young men as they assaulted Alton Johnson, Cruelty would step in and endue the attackers with dark power to bring forth a beating that would make Alton want to die.
Nashville, Tennessee: September 1954
Alton escorted Maybelle safely to her dorm after the Sunday night service at church. Afterward, he and a couple of his teammates went to one of the burger places for a late-night snack before returning to their dorm. He, Maurice, and Sam enjoyed the burgers and fries served at Mabel’s Diner, one of the few colored-owned establishments in town. Because they were basketball players, they received healthier portions of whatever they ordered. And they enjoyed the attention.
As Alton and his friends came out of the diner at about 10:30, a voice called to him belligerently, “Hey, boy. Aren’t you that Alton Johnson boy from Fisk?”
Always respectful, Alton turned toward the voice to answer, “Yes, sir …”
When he saw the asker, Alton changed his tact. It was Fletcher Conroy, the same guy he’d had words with during the scrimmage in the fall of last year.
“Hey, Fletcher, man, let’s not get started on that. It’s over,” Alton offered, looking at this guy and his friends. Alton felt that something was about to happen.
Blonde-haired, blue-eyed Fletcher rode on the back of the seat with the top down on the almost new sky-blue Dodge Cornette convertible. Lights shining brightly, the car rolled slowly down the street toward Alton and his friends as though the occupants had been waiting for them to make an appearance.
Looking closer, Alton could tell the boys in the car were drunk. Fletcher and his five friends brandished sticks, sledge hammers, and chains. It didn’t take much for Alton to realize that he and his friends were outnumbered.
“Boy,” Fletcher slurred, “I been looking for you for a long time. I come to get muh respect, darkie.”
Alton whispered a quick, “Lord, please help us,” before he said to Fletcher, “There’s no need for name-calling, man. Look, I’m sorry we got into it that day. I apologize for disrespecting you. Please forgive me.”
Alton looked for an escape route so he and his friends could avoid the impending altercation. Unfortunately, there was no place to go except back to the diner. Six against three, the odds didn’t look good for Alton or his friends to make it back to the diner without being hit with one of the objects in the hands of their aggressors.
In 1954 in the Deep South, colored men were still being lynched. He didn’t want anything to happen to his friends or to himself because of pride or arrogance. There had to be a way they could get out of this situation without too much harm coming to any of them.
“Please let my friends go. They had nothing to do with this,” Alton pleaded as the driver stopped the car and Fletcher and his friends got out.
If they couldn’t find a way to escape, the menacing items held in the hands of the other young men were set to inflict much damage to Alton, Maurice, and Sam.
Keeping his eyes on their aggressors, Alton whispered urgently, “Maurice, Sam, when I tell you, run across the street and back up to the diner! They only want me. You can get to the diner and call the police. Get ready! Now!”
Hoping this was a good plan, Maurice and Sam didn’t hesitate. They quickly split up and darted away from the threat. Maurice quickly sprinted across the street then back toward the diner they had just left. Sam ran past the almost empty car then sprinted across the street in a zigzag course behind Maurice.
Maurice burst through the diner door and quickly asked the waitress to phone the police. Sam entered right behind him. Both panting from the sprint, they attempted to explain to the waitress what was going on.
It didn’t take Ellie long to understand what was happening. She immediately alerted the police.
In the Unseen …
Slayer sat on the hood of a chromed black 1950 Studebaker parked in front of the diner. He watched as the situation amplified to where he wanted it to be.
Anger, Racism, Hatred, and Jealousy surrounded Fletcher and his cronies. They knew all the buttons to push and made good use of thos
e buttons.
Slayer called Anger to his side. “Look, this is what I want you and the others to do,” he said aggressively. “Surround the human Fletcher and his friends and cloud their minds to commonsense. Help them remember that Alton is a better everything than they are. Then, let Jealousy have his way with them,” Slayer instructed. Anger understood.
Slayer failed to see the figures sitting on top of the building across the street from the diner. He allowed his zeal to carry him well beyond the parameters satan had set for this assault. He would not be denied.
Holy Guardian Angels Hazmar, Kangor, and Eliasa considered the happenings beneath them on the street. Knowing what was about to transpire, they discreetly followed Alton and his friends from the diner. They saw the forces of evil gathering around the six boys in the car. Recognizing Anger, Racism, Hatred, and Jealousy, they also observed Slayer sitting on his temporary throne, instructing his minions in their mission.
Hazmar instinctively knew these were not the only demons present. The others had just not made themselves known as of yet.
“Be on the lookout, Protectors,” Hazmar warned. “I fear there are more demons than what we see at this moment.”
He spoke not a moment too soon. Like a flash, Callousness and Revenge flew toward Fletcher and his friends, Andy, Bobby, Carl, Stan, and Steve. As Callousness and Revenge touched down in their midst, the boys staggered as the demonic power engulfed them, seemingly taking control. There was no turning back.
Fisk University: Women’s Dormitory, Room 211
Maybelle suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to pray. She heard the still quiet voice say, Quickly! Pray for Alton.
She had already turned off the lamp and lay down in her bed to go to sleep. She immediately rolled out of bed and onto her knees.
The Baby Chronicles Page 9