by Nesly Clerge
He spit out a laugh. “Understandable that you’d think I’m unbalanced, but I swear I’m not. This is why I said to look at the world with different eyes, observe what it is you see. Even pay attention to what you don’t see and should. Who would want to destroy the world, it’s people, freedom, free will, souls, and all God provided that’s bright and beautiful?”
I balled my hands into fists. “Is nothing sacred to you?”
His expression softened. “That’s the point, Gayle: Everything God created is sacred to us. We’re watching our world and people be destroyed, ripped asunder, bit by bit. Life and humanity are being shredded by the sharp teeth of the beast. And it’s only going to get worse.”
“You’re talking about the devil. You can’t possibly believe in such an entity?”
“It isn’t God running amok on Earth. Look, even if you don’t want to believe in the devil, you can’t deny that you know the difference between good and evil.”
“The Order says evil is nothing more than energy expressed in a negative way.”
“Is that what you’d say if someone hurt one or both of your children? The attacker was just having a bad day?”
“Of course not. And although it wouldn’t make up for the harm, the attacker could be reformed so that some good would come of it.”
“Only if he or she didn’t work for or was a pawn of the Order.”
“They’d never do that!”
“There’s so much they do you don’t know about. There used to be information available about all of this, provided by people who recognized the signs for what they were and people who’d studied the Bible. You can’t find it now that the Order’s banned it. Unless you know where to look. They removed all of it from public view, as though it never was part of our history. Or our present and future.”
“Even if that’s true, you can’t possibly believe in some cloven-hoofed, pointy-tailed, horned being with bat wings.”
Michael shrugged. “Lucifer’s a trickster who can take any form, including of great beauty or innocence. The greatest trick he’s pulled on humanity, in the last century especially, is to convince most mainstream people he doesn’t exist—others are well aware that he does. I can believe in him because God does. The Bible warns us about the devil and his demons. Often. Ancient myths and legends mention the devil; though, they used a lot of different names. Made it easier to fudge the truth about the one who originally was known as the lightbearer.”
I cocked my head. “Like the name of the churches?”
Michael nodded. “The Order fooled everyone with that bait-and-switch. Built those churches to celebrate Lucifer, originally the angel of light, until he fought God because he wanted to be God. God booted him and the fallen angels who fought with him out of Heaven. Lucifer, or as some call him, Satan, is alive and active on planet Earth.”
I crossed my arms. “Surely you realize those are nothing more than stories—parables—to get us to think a certain way so we behave.”
“You’re wrong.”
“It’s a church, Michael. They celebrate mass there.”
“You ever been to one?”
“I’m not one for rituals.”
“Stick with that. It’s kept you safe. So far. Do you know what Illumined refers to?”
“Enlightened.”
“That’s part of the deception. It doesn’t mean, as they’ve been telling people, that you’re a better person because of esoteric knowledge you have. It means you know the truth about who Lucifer is and that Jesus is exactly who the Bible says he is—and you still choose to serve Lucifer.”
“I repeat: I don’t appreciate scare tactics.”
“If only it were that simple.”
ENTRY 24
Michael reached into his other front pocket and brought out a wooden cross about three-quarters of an inch long. It was secured to a thin leather cord long enough to wear around the neck and so that the cross could rest against the breastbone. “It’s oak,” he said. “Small so it’s not obvious if you wear it or carry it in a pocket. I carved it for you myself. Sanded it so there’s not a splinter anywhere.” He handed it to me and said, “In the Gospel of Thomas, not included in the Bible, Thomas wrote that Jesus said, ‘Split a piece of wood and I am there.’ Keep it on you at all times. Just don’t let KATE see it.”
“A talisman? I’m not superstitious.”
“I don’t do superstition, nor would I do that to you. If anyone not in the system approaches you, show this cross to them. If they’re one of us, they should show you their tattoo. Then you’ll know it’s safe to talk to them. When you need to be contacted, I’ll try to make sure it’s me, since you know me.”
“I don’t know you.”
“But in case I can’t make it … If something happens to me …”
I told him about my taxi crashing through protesters. “Overseer Monroe said they go to the intervention center, but I never hear what happens to them afterwards.”
“They select some of them for their hideous purposes. The rest of them are processed into …”
Michael studied me a moment then began to recheck the contents of the refrigerator and every cabinet in my kitchen. After a minute of watching him dig through everything, I asked, “What are you looking for?”
“To see if you have Sinfully Delicious salami in here.”
“We don’t eat that. Too many preservatives. As a scientist and mother—”
His gaze was hard. “Never eat it. It’s more of Lucifer’s foul ways. Do you understand me?”
He stared at me until I understood what he wasn’t saying outright. I felt my blood pressure drop from the shock. I clutched the countertop. “No. No-no-no. That’s forced cannibalism. They’d never … That’s a disgusting lie. Get out. Now.”
Michael rushed to me. “Breathe. Slow breaths in, slow breaths out. That’s it. You have no idea about these people, Gayle. They’re more often possessed by demons than not. How else could they do the evil they do?”
I began to weep. Michael patted my arm then handed me a dish towel. I sobbed as silently as possible into the folded cloth.
ENTRY 25
“You gonna be okay, Gayle?” Michael asked.
“What’s happening to my calm, ordered life?”
“The facade’s cracking and falling away. It’s going to happen to everyone eventually. Can’t be avoided. You’re just learning what’s behind the curtain sooner than later. Speaking of later, I need to get going. You know Rev. Kingsley?”
“Not personally.”
“I meant you know of him.”
“I saw his interview with Karl.”
“He’s holding one of his forums on Monday, at ten after five—afternoon, not morning, obviously. It’s his attempt to get non-believers on board and to inform people of what’s happening and what will.”
“Won’t KATE have already reported him, or will, if he tries to go through with it?”
“They know about his forums, but not from KATE. Kingsley’s not chipped. The Order allowed that because they see him as unsubstantial, no real threat. Not even bothered when he tells the truth, which the Order explains away as a religious zealot’s fantasy. There’s a fly in that ointment: They aren’t entirely sure about the number of his followers—we deliberately never congregate in one place. The Order’s aware of this and suspects if they push or harass him too much, they risk starting a major revolution. For now, they see Kingsley as still relatively harmless and that his message furthers their agenda.”
“What agenda?”
“To eventually identify all of us, round us up, and give us what they think we deserve. The more the merrier, as the old saying goes. The more people he draws in the more people they’ll have to play with.”
“They may not arrest him in public, but they could capture him at home in the middle of the night.”
Michael shook his head. “They track his whereabouts as best they can, but he’s managed to keep where he lives hidden from them. The guy�
�s pretty cagey.” He grinned.
“Probably uses one of your gizmos.”
Michael chuckled. “I’ll let him tell you, if he has a mind to. You should go to his forum. As it happens, he’s holding it in the small park across from your office. Can’t get any more convenient than that.”
“More than convenient, I’d say.”
Michael chuckled. “If you mean arranged, you’re right. He’s going to say things you need to hear. I’ll leave it up to you to take it further, as far as talking with him goes. He’s hoping you will. However, I told you what we need from you. We have no right to ask more. If you’re willing to do more, we won’t refuse. And, we’ll protect you as best we can.”
“I don’t know how I’d manage it with KATE.”
“I told you: That’s what the deflector I gave you is for. All you have to do is think of something to tell KATE. You’re clever enough to figure it out.”
“What if someone with a chip is there and looks at me? KATE would see I’m there.”
“The deflector won’t allow it. Someone could stand inches from you, talk to you, and all KATE’s watchers would see was the person talking to someone else, to him- or herself, or to a post.”
“I can’t do it. I can’t risk doing anything that would affect my children.”
“Gayle, your children are already affected. You just haven’t connected the dots yet. Now, I really need to make tracks.”
Michael started toward the back door. I followed him, and as I did, I slipped the cross necklace over my head and tucked it beneath my pajama top.
“One last thing,” he said. “After I leave, I’ll give you five minutes to get back to bed before I stop the loop. Is that enough time?”
I shrugged then nodded. “I’m not suited for any of this.”
“You are. More than you know. You’re intelligent, clever, and you have a mother’s instincts.”
“I’d do anything for my children.”
“As will God for his.”
ENTRY 26
I locked the door behind Michael and made a mental note to ask him how he’d unlocked it in the first place. Then I realized I was being ridiculous. With all that was going on, that was the least of my concerns. I couldn’t add another lock to my front and back doors without drawing interest via KATE. I’d be questioned or they might insist on electronic locks linked to their system. Reticence about that extra security surprised me: I was concerned about how Michael could get in again, and wondered what I was thinking.
I was thinking I’d been put into a no-win situation. I didn’t appreciate it.
I checked on my girls, pulling the covers up they’d kicked off then returned to my room, saw the silk flowers on my bed and sped to the kitchen to get the vase, rushed back, put the flowers and vase back in place, and did my best to get into the position I’d been in before Michael showed up to turn my life upside-down the second time in one week. I counted to three hundred, since I’d lost track of time, and then shifted my position so my face was between the two pillows. I didn’t want my expressions recorded, even if the watcher thought I was dreaming.
I woke when Nellie and Kellie jumped onto my bed.
“Mom. Mom. Wake up, sleepyhead.”
I pretended to growl then gathered them into my arms. We cuddled until Sara came to the door and waved a cup of coffee at me.
“I could use that,” I said.
Sara put the cup on my nightstand. “You look like you could use more sleep. Rough night?”
“I have a lot on my mind. Work stuff. Transitioning to a new facility and all.”
“Right.” She glanced at the vase. “Looks like it’s time I give this place a good dusting. And tidy the kitchen. Breakfast is almost ready.”
The girls flung themselves from the bed, squealing as they raced to the dining table.
“I’m right behind them,” I said.
Alone again, I glanced at the vase, and at the slight shift from its original position and the flowers askew. Then I remembered the dish towel. I’d left it on the counter rather than returning it to its usual place. Food had been eaten, a spoon used and left unwashed in the sink. No way Sara would miss seeing any of these inconsistencies, especially in her impeccably kept kitchen. I hoped she believed it was me behaving out of character as a result of a restless night. I was the one who knew KATE’s true function, but Sara was too prudent to ask questions. I didn’t know how or when I’d be able to convey to her what was going on. There was no safe way I could think of to do that without endangering us all.
From now on I had to be more careful.
I was on my own.
ENTRY 27
The weather was calm that Sunday, which meant we could go outside. We’d missed our appointment at the glassed-in gardens the day before, so decided to do whatever we wanted to do, which turned out to be walking to the nearest place for ice cream sundaes. Before I showered, I asked KATE what the high temperature would be. Ninety-two.
It was a risk to take my clothes with me into my bathroom—I’d always dressed in my bedroom. It took all I had in me to tamp down my fury at the thought of how long some unknown person or persons had watched all of us dress, as well as knowing I couldn’t say anything to change that without drawing suspicion, not even to my girls. As it was, altering my routine in this way was curious enough. I prayed the watcher, via KATE, didn’t ask me about it. Such a query was unlikely, though; it would blow their cover.
I put on a sleeveless turtleneck sweater and hid the cross underneath it. Michael was right to use the scale he did for the cross and cord—neither showed under the fabric.
It was another movie that evening, with me staring at the hologram but not hearing or seeing what was going on. Not that my attention was necessary. It was the girl’s favorite movie, one we’d watched so often I knew the dialogue by heart.
Monday, I went to work as usual, often pretending to study a sample while attempting to come up with a viable reason or excuse to give KATE so I could attend the forum. Every now and then, I brushed a finger over the deflector in the right pocket of my slacks.
At five minutes to five, I informed KATE I was going to work a short while longer—with no request for overtime—that I was at a point where it wasn’t good to stop. I had her place a call to my girls and told them and Sara I’d be home about a half hour or so later than usual, and that they didn’t have to wait to eat dinner if they were hungry.
With those tasks taken care of, I got into position at my computer and pressed the button on the metallic disk. The clock on my screen showed the time as 5:03. Praying the deflector was real and not a trick, I dashed downstairs.
ENTRY 28
The crowd was small—about fifty people. Around half were those without chips, obvious because of their thinner bodies and scruffy appearance. How many of them bore cross tattoos was unknown. Nor was I going to attempt to find out. I assumed the rest were workers from Levels One, Two, and Three. It would be atypical for anyone from a higher level to attend. I took up my position at the back, in case I needed or wanted to get away quickly and with as little notice as possible. Kingsley climbed onto a bench, raised his hands, and asked everyone to settle down. The crowd quieted.
“Brothers and sisters,” Kingsley began, “as written in Isaiah, chapter five, verse twenty, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.’ Brothers and sisters, beware that you do not fall under the spell of Lucifer. Many of you already have; though, you don’t realize it. Lucifer is the great deceiver who will use any means for his ends. He’ll tempt you. He tried to tempt Jesus in the desert. He failed, but his audacity is unlimited. You must heed the words of Jesus Christ.”
“I’m Buddhist,” a man called out. “I don’t believe in your Jesus.”
A few others made similar statements, proclaiming their different religions or spiritual belief systems, and I wondered how Kingsley would address that
. After all, if God was a loving Father of mankind, wouldn’t it make sense that all paths led to him and to eternal life in Heaven? I couldn’t believe that God would do otherwise.
Kingsley nodded and looked sad. “I only know what the Word is in the Bible, and I adhere to it. Throughout the New Testament, it is stated that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. John, chapter fourteen, verse six says in Jesus’ own words, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ Since Jesus relayed what God wanted said to mankind, who am I to question his teachings?”
“Yeah, well what’s that supposed to mean for the rest of us?”
“Seek with your hearts. Seek the truth and you shall find it. Seek it now. We’re running out of time. Lucifer is on the march. Many events happening now, past, and to come are his doing. Pain, torture, sorrow, despair are entertainment for him and those who serve him. Nothing is too heinous or despicable an act for them. In the Gospel of John, chapter ten, verse one, Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.’ In verse ten, Jesus says, ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ Those who willingly follow Lucifer or allow possession by his disembodied demons believe he will save them; that he favors them. They are in for a rude awakening.
“The ability for the masses—and that includes many of you—to engage in critical thinking has been deliberately repressed by forms of entertainment and subtle mind control starting the moment you entered the system after you were born. These are controls cleverly intertwined into our culture by Lucifer. Indoctrinated into such compliance, you and others are too easily convinced that some matters of common sense are actually intolerance that upsets the false peace promoted by the Order.”
He pointed at the crowd. “You’ve been taught to tolerate atrocities and loss of freedoms, as well as other things you know you shouldn’t allow, and do so compelled by the fear of being persecuted or ostracized. Lucifer and his minions in the Order have you behaving in ways that take you down the wrong path, despite the devastation that results, and will. You’re puppets in their evil agenda. Confusion works for the devil because people have been conditioned to not think for themselves nor to rely on the teachings of Jesus and on Jesus as their Savior.”