The Guardian

by ROBBIE CHEUVRONT

  “Pittsburgh?” she finally responded. “My grandparents were from Pittsburgh.”

  “Yes, and so are you.”

  “You obviously have me confused with someone else.”

  “I don’t think so,” the boy said. “You are Anna Riley. Daughter of James and Elizabeth Riley. Granddaughter of Thomas and Olivia Riley.”

  “Okay! That’s enough!” She shifted her purse higher on her shoulder and took another step away. “Who put you up to this? Jane? Alex? Did they do this?”

  “Neither Jane nor Alex have anything to do with this,” the boy said. “Anna, your grandfather needs you.”

  “My grandparents died when I was six, you idiot!” This entire conversation was ridiculous. Why was she even talking to him?

  “I know that’s what you were told,” the boy said.

  “What are you, some little voodoo psychic or something?”

  “Actually,” he said, “I’m something quite different.”

  “Yeah, like crazy. I’m outta here.” She started to walk away.

  “Your grandparents did not die when you were six,” the boy called after her. “Your grandmother just died recently, and your grandfather is still alive.”

  She looked over her shoulder and found him smirking at her. “Actually, your grandmother is very much alive, too. Just in a different way.”

  Anna whirled around set on ending this ridiculous conversation. “What are you talking about? Who are you!” she demanded. “Anna, give me your hand,” the boy said. “I’m not giving you anything!”

  The boy grabbed her hand with such grace and speed that Anna didn’t even notice until she felt his little hand squeezing hers. All at once, the street disappeared. So did the buildings. She couldn’t see anything except a great white blinding light coming from behind the little boy. She tried to pull away, but as he held on, a strange sense of calm came over her. She felt warm and safe and an unbelievable sense of euphoria. The only thing she could think of was she didn’t want to let go of this little boy’s hand. She wanted to hold onto it for the rest of her life. She could only describe it as complete and total peace. She didn’t know who this little boy was or why he was talking to her, but for some reason, she knew she had to listen to him. And then the boy let go.

  Anna fell backward and caught herself just as she was about to land on the sidewalk. “Wh–what was that?”

  “Anna,” the boy let out a long sigh, “I have said more than I was sent to say. Go to Pittsburgh. Your grandfather needs you. He has something for you. It is yours by right. It is to be your charge for the remainder of your life. He will explain all of this. Go to him. Go now. He is in Mercy Hospital. His time is short. You must hurry.”

  Anna stood there in complete disbelief. The world, as she knew it, had just changed. Her grandparents hadn’t died when she was a child? Why? Why would her father and mother tell her that? Why would they do that to her? She always envied her friends in school at Thanksgiving break who said they were off to their grandparents’ for the holiday. She and her parents never did anything special. They cooked a big meal and watched football, but other than that, it was an ordinary day in her household. And what about Christmas? Of course, her parents weren’t religious, but they still exchanged gifts. Had she missed out on all of the fun times at Christmas with her grandparents?

  “Why?” Anna asked the boy. Suddenly tears filled her eyes. “Why would you do this to me? My grandparents are dead!”

  “Yes, Anna,” the boy said, “your grandmother has passed away, but your grandfather is alive.”

  “How do you know this?” she asked again, now crying.

  “Go to him. He needs you. It is your destiny.”

  “I don’t understand!” Her words were choked with sobs.

  “You will, soon. Now go. The time is short.”

  And then there was no little boy, only an empty alley filled with the sounds of Anna’s tears.

  CHAPTER 2

  New York City

  Father Vincent Marcella sat in prayer in the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine on Amsterdam Avenue, just one block off Broadway in Manhattan, New York, in the fourth pew back from the altar. He hadn’t felt much like praying these last few days. He had failed.

  A long time ago, Father Vin, as he liked to be called, was given a proposition, an opportunity that he’d been told was only given to a select few. So select, in fact, that he was only one of four people in the world who would know about it. The other three were the priest who was offering him the deal, the man whom he would be assigned to, and the pope himself.

  “This is the opportunity of a lifetime, Vincent,” Father Giovanni had told him. “Understand that if you say yes, you can never change your mind. You will be making a covenant with God Himself.”

  And there was the catch! There was always a catch. He wasn’t allowed to know what the assignment was until he said yes. But that created a whole new set of problems. What if he said yes and then was unable to do this task? What if after hearing about it he had no interest in it at all? Father Giovanni had said it would be the ride of a lifetime. He had always been an adrenaline junkie. Hadn’t he? Ever since he was a child he would do anything and everything he could to get that rush. That’s partly why he became a priest in the first place. He was so afraid of what he could become out on the streets as a teenager that he gave his life over to God. He looked to God for his strength. That was the only thing that kept him out of trouble. And he was grateful for it.

  That’s why when Father Giovanni brought this proposition to him, he barely hesitated before saying yes. If God had given him this need for action and adventure in his life, then maybe it was for God’s purpose. “Yes! I’ll do it!” he had said. And he never looked back.

  That was forty years ago. He was an old man now. Slower. His mind wasn’t as quick-witted as it used to be, and physically he couldn’t beat up a dustcloth, let alone his many enemies he had running around the earth. Times had changed. Technology had changed. He was out of date. And for all he knew, he had failed.

  “Hello, Vincent.”

  Father Vin whirled around in his pew to see who it was. Caught off guard, he also came around with a backhanded fist.

  The speaker quickly ducked the roundhouse punch aimed at his head. “I see you still have something left in you, old man.”

  “Sammael! I really wish you wouldn’t sneak up on me like that.”

  “After all these years, I still catch you off guard.”

  “I was praying. You of all people, or … whatever, should know that.”

  “Ah … but you weren’t really praying. Were you? You were just going through the motions. If you had been, I would not be allowed to disturb you. Would I?”

  “No, I guess not.” Father Vin hung his head. “I’ve failed, Sammael.”

  “Actually, you didn’t.”

  Father Vin lifted his head. “What do you mean?” “He’s alive.”

  “But … but … I saw him! Surely he couldn’t have survived that. I was too late. When I got there, they were … they were … stabbing him. I got scared, Sammael. I could see the beasts hovering above, circling over him like vultures. I’ve never actually seen them before. It was awful. Their faces were grotesque and distorted. And some kind of foul grunting noise was coming from their mouths. They were just waiting for the men to finish him. I shot at the men, but Thomas was already down. I waited until the ambulance got there, and then I ran. I think I was more afraid of the beasts than the human attackers. I’ve never seen anything so terrifying in my life—and that’s saying a lot.”

  “Some would say I am frightening to look at.”

  “Yes, but once someone knows who, or I guess I should say what you are …” Father Vin waved his hand at him, pointing out his unique appearance.

  “Still, I have this uncanny ability to unnerve some people.”

  “Is that why you show yourself as ‘the boy’?”

  “It is, at least until they get to know me.�
��

  “Well, I must say those beasts were a hundred times scarier than anything you could ever appear as.” Father Vin stood to pace.

  “My friend, I see those foul creatures everywhere I go. Do not be afraid. It seems you have been given the gift of protection.” “What do you mean? Look at me! I’m as frail as a brittle piece of paper!” Father Vin flung out his arms.

  “I mean by being able to see them, you have been given a gift. You can protect yourself from them now. And if you know that they’re there, then you may well be able to protect—”

  “Yes, yes, I see what you are saying.” He continued his trot back and forth. “But still, I abandoned him! I ran.” He sank down into the pew and ran his hand through his hair. “I am old, Sammael. I think it’s time I found an apprentice.”

  “I would hardly say you are old, my friend. I’ve been here since … Well, let us just say you are not that old. Nevertheless, I understand your concern. That’s why I am here.”

  “So, it’s time then?” A hint of disappointment colored his voice.

  “Yes, I believe it is.”

  “You know, every time you and I talk, inevitably someone comes in here and thinks I’m talking to myself. Maybe someday they’ll just commit me!”

  “They could see me, too, if they would just open their eyes. All of your kind could. Don’t worry though. We won’t let them commit you until you find a suitable replacement!”

  “Thanks! That’s just what I needed to hear!”

  Sammael let out a chuckle. “Oh, and one other thing …”

  “What’s that?”

  “She’s been found.” “What! Are you kidding me! Where?” “She’s on her way to see him.” “Does she know?”

  “I think that’s going to be left up to you and him.” “It doesn’t matter. We’ve found her.”

  Sammael tilted his head and said, “She will not be that easy to convince. You have your work cut out for you.”

  “She has to. She’s next in line. If she doesn’t, then who?”

  “She will. It might just take some time.” “How do you know that?”

  “Because, my friend, God has purposed it. It will come to pass.”

  CHAPTER 3

  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  Anna got out of the taxi, paid the driver, and then faced the sprawling old building in front of her. Mercy Hospital. This was it. This was where the boy told her to come. This was where he said her life would change forever. He said it was her destiny. Not to mention, she was about to talk to a man she thought had been dead for fifteen years.

  After a stop at the information desk, she arrived in the intensive care unit where a nurse greeted her. “Can I help you?”

  “I’m here to see Thomas Riley.”

  “Are you family?”

  “Ah … yes. Yes I am. I’m family.”

  “And who would you be?”

  “I’m Anna Riley, his granddaughter.”

  “Granddaughter, huh?” the nurse asked hesitantly.

  “That’s right,” Anna said.

  The nurse softened her face and sighed. “Ms. Riley, I’m afraid your grandfather has passed away.”

  Anna felt as if someone had punched her in the stomach. What little bit of hope or anticipation that she’d allowed herself in coming here had been stripped without warning. Suddenly, she felt alone.

  “When? I don’t understand,” she said. “The boy—he told me to come. He said it was—I don’t understand.”

  “About an hour ago. I’m sorry, Ms. Riley. We’ve been looking for any family. Trying to get in touch with someone.”

  “What happened?” Anna asked. “How long has he been here?”

  “You don’t know?”

  “We haven’t kept in touch.” Boy, was that an understatement.

  “He’s been here for about a week.” The nurse walked behind her desk and grabbed a manila folder. The tab on the top had the words “John Doe” scratched out and “Thomas Riley” written under it.

  “John Doe?” Anna was confused. “What’s that mean?”

  “When they brought him in, he had no ID on him and no one was with him. He was unconscious, and we didn’t know who he was. Just a formality.”

  “How did he get here?”

  “Ambulance.”

  “Okay. Let’s back up.” Anna ran her hands through her hair. The long night, the flight, and lack of sleep were beginning to take their toll on her. “I haven’t seen my grandpa since I was six. To be honest, I didn’t even really know he was still alive.” She put up a hand to forestall the questions forming in the nurse’s face. “Don’t ask. Long story. Anyway, I have no idea what’s going on. All I was told is that he was here. So, can you just … fill me in or something?”

  The nurse nodded with a soft smile and offered her a seat. “I’ll tell you as much as I know, but that isn’t a lot.”

  Anna sat down beside her and waited to hear what was going on.

  “About a week ago,” she said, “a man came in here in an ambulance. No ID. They said they picked him up in Point Park. He had been beaten and stabbed numerous times. A witness called an ambulance, but no one but your grandfather was there when the EMS got there.”

  “Oh my gosh!”

  “He was rushed here and immediately taken into surgery. The trauma team worked on him for a while, and then he flatlined. He was gone for nearly four minutes before they were able to revive him and stabilize him. They brought him out of surgery and sent him up here. He’s been in and out of consciousness since then. And then a little over an hour ago …”

  “But I thought you said they stabilized him.”

  “Ms. Riley, your grandfather suffered some very traumatic wounds. To be honest, it’s kind of surprising that he was able to hold on as long as he did.”

  Anna nodded. “So what now? What’s going to happen to his body? Can I see him?”

  The nurse patted her on the hand. “Sure you can. I’ll take you to his room.” She stood and motioned for Anna to follow. “His body is being released to Rome. There is a man here from the Vatican right now filling out the proper paperwork. The body should be ready for transport in just a few minutes.”

  “Rome?” Anna asked, as the nurse opened the door to her grandfather’s room. “Why Rome? That doesn’t make—”

  As she entered the room, a man writing on a clipboard and wearing a priest’s collar looked up and smiled.

  He stepped close and extended his hand. “Hello, Anna. I’ve been looking for you. My name is Father Vincent Marcella.”

  CHAPTER 4

  The Vatican

  Cardinal Louis Wickham sat in his study drinking a warm glass of brandy. Actually, Cardinal Louis Wickham sat deep inside the shell of a body that was once his.

  Many years ago he had been a prominent member of his order. He was on the fast track to becoming pope. The only problem was, he lacked something very important: faith. He believed in the Almighty, sure. He even believed in the Holy Trinity. That was not the issue. The issue was that he couldn’t control his ambitions. He had a very weak spirit and refused to give the control over to God. And because of that, he found himself involved in things that the church could never agree with. He constantly gave in to temptation. He was full of pride. He only thought of himself and how he benefited in every situation. Quite simply, he was a lost soul.

  One evening when he should have been in a prayer session with the rest of his brothers, he drank himself into oblivion, where he was approached by a strange man. The man was very sophisticated.

  He spoke eloquently and wore a fine hand-tailored suit. He had warm, deep blue eyes and a smile creasing his lips that would invite anyone to talk to him. He made Louis feel comfortable just sitting there talking, telling him his life story. Before long, they had switched from scotch to champagne, and he and the man were entertaining three ladies. It was that night that the cardinal became someone, or something, different.

  The man spoke of unlimited power and contro
l. He convinced Cardinal Wickham that if he worked for him, he would be rewarded in a way that the church could never do. This man literally promised him the world, a world that was here and now, not some fantasy of something promised by the church. The cardinal, being drunk and loose of his senses, readily agreed. The man took him outside the pub and into the alley. He told the cardinal to get on his knees, bow, and call him Master. The cardinal did. And at that moment, a shockwave of energy ripped throughout his body, like a lightning bolt had coursed through his veins. The man that was once Cardinal Louis Wickham seemed to fall into a deep pit inside his own body. He could see out, but it was like watching a movie. He was no longer able to control what happened on the outside. He had been imprisoned. The saddest part of it all was that he knew it. And he realized that he did it of his own free will. The ice consumed him and became who he was. And he had let it happen.

  Now, thirty years later, he sat in front of his fireplace a vile, corrupt man. And he was upset. He was more than upset. He was furious. And rightly so.

  He’d spent the better part of ten years trying to find Thomas Riley. Well, actually his men had. He did nothing more than give the orders and finance the work. But the call finally came. They had found him. Years of following the man around the globe, always two steps behind him, and where do they actually get him? His hometown of all places! And after all the years of searching, what do they find? Nothing! A big, fat nothing! Those stupid idiots!

  They had been told time and time again that the old man had something he needed. He told them not to harm him until they had it. Bumbling idiots! That’s all they were. The old man was dead, and he still didn’t have the scroll. And now he would have to answer for his—their—incompetence.

  The phone rang and startled him. He set down his glass of brandy and reached for the receiver. “Hello?”