by S E Brower
She knew these items held such pure energy it would be unbearable for evil forces to cross the threshold. The Author had of late, removed himself so far from their heavenly Father it was unlikely he would venture there. It was a perfect hiding place.
As she made her way there, she noticed out of the corner of her eye, a certain pesky demon. Each time Lucifer arrived in the Library, this little red misted irritant, skulked and slithered around. All the while watching Aalonray’s every move. He didn’t fool her, not understanding his stinking stench gave him away every time.
She entered the Relic Room knowing he would not follow as she slipped behind a large podium, blocking his view of her, and the crystal containing Garret’s spirit.
Aalonray wanted to help Garret but found herself in a bit of a conundrum. When a spirit is placed within a carrying crystal by a Guardian, as far as she knew only that Guardian, The Author, or The Father himself could release it. Alone, she could not free Garret, but with help, there may be an alternative.
Worried they would intercept her confession, she was cryptic in her plea. Closing her eyes, she whispered, “Father, forgive me. I know you approve not, but there is no other way…” Reaching down into the front of her gown, she extracted an ‘Empirical Wand’.
Holding the crystal in her left hand, the wand in her right, she trained the tip of the wand close to the crystal. Without making a sound, it opened in her hand. Using the wand once again, she extracted Garret’s soul setting him free in front of her.
Placing a finger to her mouth, signaling him to be quiet, she motioned for him to stay hidden, while she took the now empty crystal towards the room’s entrance. Aside of the opening, her heart pounding, she concealed herself, waiting for the little demon to slither by.
When he did, she pointed her Empirical Wand at him, using it to force him into the crystal, locking it up tight. Taking a quick look around, she concealed the wand once again within her gown. Her eyes narrowing with contempt, she shook the crystal, all the while thinking “You miserable little…” and then, said aloud, to any potential witness, “just confirming this crystal is secure.” A satisfied smile crossed her lips.
She passed over the Relic Room threshold causing the little demon a world of hurt. It bounced round, and round inside the crystal. Aalonray didn’t care. Repulsed by the stinking varmint, she moved a large hammer on a high shelf, throwing the crystal behind it. “And stay there,” she said, dusting her hands, as if to remove the ick of demon slime. Aalonray returned to the podium to find Garret. “Are you all right?” she asked.
Garret had been through much and was less than polite. “Let me see, one demon murdered me, then six more tortured me… yeah, not all right. Tell me what’s going on. Where is my brother?” he demanded.
Aalonray hung her head. “I’m so sorry, Garret. I know only that they descended him into Hell. Where he is, I have no knowledge. I never meant for this to happen.” She looked away, reflecting on the torture he suffered, because of her. “Are you still experiencing pain?”
“Yes!” he snapped. But seeing her distress added, “but nothing I can’t handle.”
“Do you know who I am?” she asked.
“Yeah, Evan said your name was Aalonray. I saw your face coming out of a bookmark, and while we’re at it, did I just see you using a wand?” his voice holding a hint of suspicion.
“Yes, an Empirical Wand given to me by my…” she hesitated, “someone I was close to once, a long time ago. I would not have used it if there were another way. There was not, and I am asking you now, to stay silent on this matter.”
“Fine,” his tone interested, yet accusatory, “what do I care, an Angel with a wand isn’t the slightest bit interesting, is it?” The blue mist starting to once again sparkle as it swirled in a circle. Garret sighed, “Someday though, you will tell me more about that wand.”
She smiled at him. “Yes, perhaps someday I shall. Thank you, Garret, for not giving me up.”
“I didn’t do it for you,” he told her, “I did it for Evan. I would not tell them anything.”
A tiny smile spanned her lips, but her expression changed when she asked, “Garret, can you tell me how you died?” She knew he did not have the benefit of a Guardian when he passed, to make him forget his death. She hoped he could tell her what happened. He was quiet a long while. Talking about one’s own death turned out to be more difficult than he imagined.
Aalonray waited patiently until he spoke. “Yes, a demon smothered me. I think The Author called him, Dreck.” Aalonray shook her head with disgust. She hated Dreck. He was Lucifer’s favorite, making him even more despicable.
“He smothered me, but right before I died, The Father spoke.”
Aalonray brightened. “So, you could get a message to him?”
“No, no I’m sorry. I couldn’t talk. I could only listen.”
“Oh,” her disappointment showed. Her shoulders slumping, she turned away. “What did he tell you?” she asked, her back still to him.
“He told me I was to let what was happening, happen, and to follow Lucifer into Hell to find Evan… but I don't know how to do that.”
“I do,” she said, turning around to face him.
“How?” He desperately wanted to find Evan.
“It’s very dangerous.”
“Really? Because the last time I looked, I’m already dead… so, there’s that.”
“You have no conception of what you would do.”
“Yeah, I do. I’ve always told Evan I would walk through Hell, and back for him. Now’s my chance to prove it. What do I do?”
Aalonray paused before she answered. “You must change your essence, attach yourself to Lucifer, and descend into Hell along with the rest of his demon hordes.”
“What do you mean by change my essence?” Garret didn’t understand, so she tried re-phrasing her instructions.
“You must change the nature of your spirit.”
“I still don’t know what you mean,” he grumbled.
Aalonray sighed. “In the simplest terms, you must change the color of your spirit from blue to red.”
“Why didn’t you say so? How would I do that? Change my spirit from blue to red?”
“You must think the most hateful, negative thoughts you can think, and hold those thoughts as long as you are in Hell, as to not give yourself away.”
“What if I can’t?”
“You must.”
“I don’t think I know what you mean. What kind of hateful thoughts?”
Aalonray needed to make him understand. So, she asked, “Garret, whom do you hate the most?”
“The Author, Lucifer, and Dreck, they killed my brother. They killed me. I hate them, I hate them all.”
“Good, use that hatred, hold on to it.”
Garret thought about them. As he did, the anger rose within his spirit, changing the blue mist into somewhat of a purple. “That’s not good enough,” Aalonray told him, “you must find what angers you the most.”
Garret didn’t have to think, he knew. He was angry he never got to say good-bye, now Evan languished in Hell alone. The Brothers Driscoll always stuck together. His essence turned a flaming red. “Yes, yes, Garret. That’s it!” Aalonray urged him on.
“Okay… so, how do I get back out again?”
“You think of Evan. Think of the love you have for your brother. Love is the key. You will find your way back.”
“It sounds simple enough.”
Aalonray shook her head with sadness. “That is where you would be wrong. It is not simple, Garret. Hell is most dangerous. You will feel despair, such as you have never known. If you allow it, you will feed on the hatred, and negative energy. If you are unclear in your mission, it will be easy to get swept into a vicious torrent of fear, hate, and anger. You could never find your way out.”
Garret ignored the warning. “It doesn’t matter how dangerous it is, I’m going in, and I will find my brother.”
Knowing he was obeyin
g The Father’s wishes, Aalonray nodded her agreement and opened the door to the Relic Room peering into the main Library. Listening quietly, she could hear the voice of Lucifer and guided Garret towards it, stopping just before they entered the chamber where The Author and Lucifer still talked.
She turned to Garret, “Now Garret, change your essence now! Keep those negative thoughts,” she whispered, “when Lucifer comes close, you must jump. Wait for my signal,” she held up her hand, “now!” she instructed, whispering as loud as she dared.
Just as Lucifer turned to descend back into Hell, Garret made his move shooting into the fray, joining the hordes of swirling demon mists. He attached himself to Lucifer, who paused, as if he sensed Garret’s presence.
Thinking they foiled their plan to find Evan, before it began, Aalonray watched in horror, holding her breath when Lucifer looked around. To her amazement, he shook it off, continuing on his way.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she then realized, she hadn’t the chance to say good-bye to Garret, or wish him good luck. “May The Father bless you Garret,” she said under her breath. With hope and fear balanced within her heart, she resumed tending her many tasks throughout the Guardian Library.
Lucifer descended into Hell. Upon arrival, the evil hordes disbanded. Garret moved away beginning his search for Evan. Losing all concept of time, he scoured the depths, finding nothing. He searched in vain, all the while keeping up the pretense of a demon spirit mist, which drained him all the more.
Garret asked questions when he could, careful not to draw too much attention. Hell was ripe with rotting flesh, gray and bleak, filled with horrors one could not even imagine. Not knowing if he had spent hours, months, or even years there, he explored the desolation coming up empty.
The only thing he knew was pain, regret, loneliness, and every other negative emotion accosting him at every turn, with never any sign of Evan. Aalonray was right, it was dreadful. He could feel himself slowing. Mired down in the despair, he knew he wouldn’t last much longer.
Losing hope of ever finding his brother, his interest piqued when he heard shouting. The angry voice was not an unusual occurrence. Arguments ensued all around him, but this one drew his attention upon hearing the words ‘Rogue Soul’ followed by “No! I will go! No, I was here first! Get out of my way, I will go!” Garret moved closer to the disturbance, forcing his way in front and center.
To his surprise, he saw a dazzling light churning round and round a darkened center. He didn’t know why, but like a moth to the flame, it drew him to it. He was trying to understand what he was looking at when he realized, “It’s a portal. It has to be,” he thought, but in his excitement, his spirit essence turned to a reddish purple.
Garret panicked. The portal was his only escape from Hell, and he knew he had no choice but to go through it, before someone found him out. Garret hesitated, not wanting to give up on finding Evan, but the urge was too great. “I’m sorry, Evan,” he whispered, “I’ll find another way, I promise.”
While the other entities argued, Garret darted past them into the churning abyss. His spirit felt stretched and pulled in every direction. The portal twisted and spun him with dizzying speed for what seemed an interminable time, abruptly coming to a halt. He remained still. The faces of three people surrounding him, came into focus. Faces he did not know. However, he did know that he was no longer in Hell.
Chapter 6
Losing Faith
Nearly home now, thoughts of losing her mom too painful to bear, Jessie thought of her own childhood. Faith and Harrison filled their home with love, raising their kids to be strong, well-rounded individuals. Though cut short, Faith’s aspirations of a career in music didn't keep her from sharing her love of the piano with her children.
However, only Jessie shared the passion, composing her own ‘little ditties’ as Faith referred to them. Travis had more of a flare for the theatrical which was why he went into communications. While Jessie also didn’t go on to a career in music, she became a music teacher. For Faith, that was close enough.
A sad smile stole across Jessie’s lips recalling their time as a young family. Her heart ached imagining the house without her mother in it, the thought made her shiver. Jessie had lived a charmed, protected life, unaware not everyone’s childhood was so idyllic. It wasn’t until she was older, she understood the horrible things her mother endured as a child, realizing now how blessed her own life had been.
“Just a few more minutes,” she thought, “hang on Mom, I’m coming.” She would stop at her brother’s house a few miles away to drop off the kids. Carrie welcomed them with beds made up ready for her kids to slip into for the night. Jessie had been there millions of times, but tonight something seemed strange about the house. She couldn’t put her finger on it. Then it hit her, there were no Easter decorations.
Carrie taught elementary school, and she bedecked the house for every single holiday. Carrie would have decorated, but there was no sign of Easter anywhere. It was becoming clear the holiday had vanished for everyone but Jessie. “But how?” she wondered, “and better yet, why?” Worried, and quiet, she tucked her kids into their beds.
“Why are you so sad, Mommy?” they asked.
She told them the truth. “I hurt here, in my heart,” as she pointed to her chest, “because Mae Mae will go to live in Heaven, and I will miss her very much.”
“I’ll miss her too, Mommy,” Alex cried, hugging her mother’s neck.
“Me too,” Logan repeated pulling the covers up over his head, turning away from Jessie. She kissed them both good night turning out the light.
Thanking Carrie for taking them, she hurried out the door, Carrie not knowing the true extent of her burdens, Jessie not knowing if she would make it home before her mother passed. Nervous energy pulsed through her in sickening anticipation of seeing her dad, and brother under such sad circumstances. Her mother had been ill for some time now, but while this day had been long coming; “just because you are expecting it, doesn’t make it easier,” she thought.
Five years ago, her mom experienced a decline in health. At first, it was small things. But then, her mind failed, her energy evaporated. It wasn’t long before Faith could no longer perform normal everyday tasks. Walking any distance became impossible. Harrison took her to doctor after doctor, none of them able to help. All the while, Harrison watched and worried as her condition spiraled ever downward.
After months of searching, they happened upon a doctor who understood what was wrong with her. Although Dr. G could give her alternative medicines to prolong her life, he couldn’t stop the slow degeneration of her cells. This meant death would come, it was just a matter of when.
This doctor also suspected there was something traumatic in Faith’s past, something she’d never confronted. The stress it posed drained her, contributing to her poor health. Without the care of this doctor, Faith would have died in the first six months.
As Faith felt somewhat better, she agreed to see a therapist to unravel the sordid details, long buried, of her childhood rape and attempted murder. Her therapist explained that even if she didn’t realize it, she was reliving the trauma daily.
While Harrison loved her, doing everything he could to help her feel safe, it was never enough. Her illness had a name, Mitochondrial Failure combined with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and her therapist suggested a companion dog to help make her feel safe.
Well, that was all it took. Once Jessie understood what her mother needed, she made it her mission to get her mom a dog. But it couldn’t be just any dog it had to be the perfect one. There was a breeder kennel nearby Jessie’s home in Chesapeake. Without understanding why Jessie became friendly with the owner who told her about a small male dog showing up one day.
Although the breeder put up flyers and asked around town to find his owner, no one ever claimed him. They intended to breed him because he was so beautiful. However, they soon realized he was too old, but kept him anyway.
After hea
ring about the little dog from places unknown, Jessie felt compelled to take him home. She knew he would be the perfect dog for her mom. Someone had trained him to be obedient. His disposition was friendly, taking an immediate liking to Jessie, running over to greet her. When she bent down to pet him, he licked her cheek. The problem was he’d become somewhat of a house pet to the owners, and they were reluctant to give him up.
Using her powers of persuasion, Jessie talked them into letting her purchase the dog for her mother. Harrison had often laughed saying she should have gone into sales instead of teaching, she could talk anyone into doing anything. Jessie bought the dog, and for reasons she didn’t understand and even though it wasn’t his name, she felt compelled to call him Dax.
Faith and Harrison didn’t get a choice about adopting the little Mini Aussie. Jessie got Dax for her and that was that. It turned out to be the right thing. When Dax met Faith, it was love at first sight. He seemed overjoyed to be in her company as if they were long-lost friends. Faith and Dax were inseparable. He was always at her side, sitting by her in the evenings and lying beside her each night for a while until Faith fell asleep. He would then take his place on the floor, at her bedside.
On the rare occasion Faith left Dax at home, upon returning alone, she no longer felt afraid to put her key in the door or was afraid of an unseen threat behind her because Dax was there. It was freeing. Her health still declined, but her fears subsided. The last five years she experienced a kind of calm not present since that tragic day so long ago. For all the comfort Dax provided her mother, Jessie was grateful.
She took a deep breath opening the door to her parent’s home, and after some long, sorrowful hugs from her dad and brother, she tiptoed into the bedroom where her mother lay deep in a coma, Dax as always, by her side. Jessie reached over scratching the dozing dog behind his ears. He never even lifted his head; just looked up at her, his blue eyes sad.