Alex backed away from the guard and raised his hand. “I’m sorry, you should have listened to me and let us go.”
Jenna gasped as an invisible force hit the guard and he flew backwards smashing into the cement wall by the elevators. She couldn’t take her eyes off the unconscious guard as Alex hurried over to the van and climbed in behind the wheel.
Jenna turned toward Alex stunned by what she had just seen. “What just happened?” she asked fighting the urge to run.
“Jenna, listen; I know you’re scared, but you need to trust me. Your mom is waiting for you and this is your only chance to escape,” Alex pointed out. “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine. Just to be safe though I need you to hide under the tarp in the back until I get through the security check point.”
Knowing Alex was right she climbed into the back and slid under the tarp making sure to cover her whole body.
Alex started up the engine and pulled out of the parking spot. Jenna prayed nobody else would stop them before they could get out the gates. They stopped a few minutes later at what she assumed was the main gate.
“So, how was your day?” she heard Alex ask someone.
“Fine, how was yours?” the person responded.
“Okay I guess. This is my last load for the week. I’m going on vacation tomorrow.”
Jenna couldn’t believe he was making small talk with the guy. Why didn’t he just leave?
“Well, I guess I better let you get out of here then,” the guard told him.
“Thanks. I’ll see you when I get back,” Alex responded as he pulled the van through the gates and to safety. They drove for about five more minutes before she felt the van pull over, and the engine turn off. The front door creaked open, and a few seconds later the side door of the van slide open.
“All clear,” Alex announced as he pulled the tarp off her. “Come on, we have to switch vehicles quickly. I’m sure they know you’re missing by now and will be looking for the van.”
Jenna quickly climbed out as a dark blue Jeep pulled up behind them and her mom jumped out. “The alarms sounded as soon as you turned the corner. We don’t have long before they know it was you,” her mom told Alex.
Jenna ran headlong into her mom’s open arms and hugged her tight never wanting to let her go again.
“Are you okay?” her mom asked releasing her and looking her over from head to toe.
“I’m fine,” she assured her.
“Erin, Jenna, I know you two are anxious to talk, but we really have to get going,” Alex insisted as he got in the driver’s seat of the Jeep.
Erin quickly ushered Jenna into the front seat and then climbed into the back.
“Wait, we’re not going anywhere until one of you tells me what’s going on!” Jenna exclaimed as she reached over, turned the Jeep off and pulled the keys out of the ignition.
“Jenna, honey, I know you have a lot of questions, but now is not the time. We have to get out of here before they find us!” her mom exclaimed.
Jenna turned her attention to Alex who lifted his shirt to reveal a scar on his chest. “I know this is hard for you, but it’s important you know you’re not the only child they’ve captured,” Alex told her. “A few years ago I was walking home with my mom after a basketball game when we were ambushed by two men who shot my mom when she resisted and threw me in a van. I can still see her lying on the sidewalk in pool of her own blood. They brought me to a facility like this one. There they subjected me to all types of tests before I was finally able to escape, but not before I was stabbed by one of them. Luckily, it was only a flesh wound and it healed quickly. When my father managed to get word to me that your mom needed my help, I knew I had no choice. I couldn’t let you go through the torture I did. I had to try to help you. So please give me the keys so we can get out of here.”
Jenna reluctantly handed him the keys. She knew she owed him her life. He had taken the chance of being captured and studied again just to help her.
“So, what do we do now?” Jenna asked as Alex started the jeep, gunned the gas and pulled out onto the road.
“We get as far away from here as we can,” her mom replied. “And start a new life as Erin Jensen and her twins Alex and Jenna. Alex has agreed to stay with us and teach you about your heritage. You look the same age so it shouldn’t be a problem. As long as we stay together we should be safe. I have everything we need to start a new life.
Jenna stared out the window as they drove. She wasn’t sure what the future held for her, but she did know that after what Alex had told her about his time in the compound she would never allow herself to be captured again
THEY drove for two days before Alex pulled down a dirt road and stopped in front of a small red cottage that was bordered by a dense forest on all sides.
“We’re here,” he announced as he shut the engine off.
Jenna climbed out of the car, stretched and looked at the old two-story house with a wide front porch. If her mom was looking for privacy this was the place. She examined the house, which had definitely seen better days. The front steps were old and rickety and looked like they were ready to fall apart. The paint was chipping off all the window frames and littered the front porch. There were planters attached to the railing, but they were all filled with dead flowers.
Erin walked up beside Jenna and put her arm around her. “I hope you like it. It’s the best I could do on such short notice. With a little work it’ll look good as new in no time.” Erin walked over to the porch and picked some chipped paint off the old the railing. “The owner said he would supply the paint and wood if we wanted to fix it up. We weren’t sure when we would be here so he left the key under the flower pot.” Erin walked over to an old red and white flowerpot, tipped it on its side and grabbed the key up from under it. “Here we go,” she said as she carefully climbed the stairs making sure to stay to the left where they seemed sturdier. She put the key in the old lock and clicked it open.
Jenna bit her lip and followed her mom and Alex up the stairs and into the house. It was a small fully furnished house with a fireplace in the corner. They entered into the living room that smelled of dirty mildew. The carpet was a shade of brown that Jenna guessed was designed to hide dirt and the curtains that hung from the windows looked as if they were homemade. There was a small room just off the living room, and then the kitchen was adjacent to that.
“All we have to do is air the house out and it’ll be perfect.” Erin pulled the window open to let in the warm summer breeze.
Alex walked over to the small room located off the living room. He pushed the door open, its hinges creaking as it slowly opened. He peeked his head in the room and looked around. “I’ll take this room,” he announced. “You girls can have the upper level.”
“Are you sure?” Erin asked. “I’d be more than happy to have the smaller room.”
“No, you and Jenna take the upstairs. I’ll be fine here.”
“Okay, if you insist.” Erin turned back toward the front door. “Let’s get the stuff out of the car then inspect the house to see what we’ll need from town.”
“STOP!” Jenna screamed her pulse racing. “How can you two act like nothing is wrong? So far, I’ve been in a horrible car crash, been held captive in a facility by people who told me you were dead and wanted to study me. For what, I have no idea. Then Alex comes along and tells me I’m special and that you’re not dead. Then I see him throw a man across the room with nothing but a flick of his wrist.” Jenna folded her arms across her chest. “So before we start acting like some kind of normal family, I want to know what the hell is going on. And I want to know now!”
Erin stopped and looked at Alex as if trying to avoid answering her.
“Don’t look at him, look at me. I’m the one who needs answers, and unless I get them I’m not moving an inch.” Jenna plopped down on the dusty blue and white striped couch and pressed her lips together tight.
“I’ll leave you guys alone to talk,” Alex said as he wal
ked over to the door. “I’ll be outside checking out the property.” He glanced at Jenna, gave her a half-hearted smile then left the house, closing the door behind him.
Jenna’s mom sat down on the couch beside her. “Listen, Jenna,” her mom started. “What I’m about to tell you, you may not believe. But I promise you it’s the truth. I would never lie to you about your father.”
Jenna hesitated. Her mom very rarely spoke of her dad. “My father? What does he have to do with this? Was he some kind of criminal?”
“No, Jenna, just the opposite.” Erin smiled as if remembering a special memory. “He was a good man who did great things and that’s why he was allowed to come back.” Her mom gently touched her cheek.
“Come back?” Jenna asked confused.
“I guess I should start from the beginning.” Her mom took a deep breath in, and then released it. “I met your dad when I was in college. I didn’t have an easy life. I was failing most of my classes and knew that when my parents found out they would insist I drop out and come home.” Erin sighed and lowered her head. “I couldn’t bear the thought of living under the same roof as my dad again. He was abusive towards my mother and me my whole life, so as a way to avoid that I was considering suicide. On the night I had decided to end my life I was walking back to my dorm from my last class. As I got closer to the building I tripped and dropped my books. That’s when a handsome man appeared out of nowhere and helped me up. He introduced himself only as Thomas. He must have seen how upset I was because he refused to leave until I agreed to have coffee with him.
A small gasp escaped Jenna’s lips. “Mom, I never knew…”
Erin grasped Jenna’s hand and squeezed it tight. “And it was something I hoped I would never have to tell you. It’s not something I’m proud of. The more time I spent with him the more I fell in love. But, I could tell he was hiding something from me. He would never talk about his past. Then one day he came to me and told me he needed to tell me the truth about who he really was. That we couldn’t go any further until I knew and had time to decide if it was what I really wanted.”
Confused, Jenna shook her head. “What you really wanted?”
Jenna’s mom took her hand. “You see, Jenna, at times, God sends his angels to earth to help those in need. Your dad saw I was in need of a friend. Someone to show me that life was worth living. What he didn’t mean to happen was for us to fall in love. He knew the moment I told him I loved him that he had to tell me the truth. That the only way we could truly be together was for me to know who he really was.”
Strange thoughts began to race through Jenna’s mind as she prepared herself for the worst. The way her mom was talking made her believe her father was some kind of criminal who was looking for forgiveness.
“Mom, just tell me already. Stop delaying,” Jenna exclaimed pulling her hand out of her mother’s grasp. “I have every right to know the whole truth.”
Her mom stared at her for a moment, then took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “Okay, but you have to keep an open mind. Jenna, honey, your father was… an angel.”
Shock flew through Jenna. “What!” Outraged she jumped up off the couch. “If you didn’t want to tell me the truth then you could have at least made up a better lie.”
“Jenna, it’s the truth. If you are to survive, you need to know the truth about your heritage.” Erin stood up. “Those people kidnapped you because they wanted to study you. There hasn’t been a female Nephilim born in over three centuries and the last one was very powerful. It’s forbidden for an angel to be with a mortal woman. But, we were willing to risk it. It’s when I found out I was pregnant with you that things changed. It’s one thing for an angel to father a child, but when that child is a female, it changes things. He knew he had to hide us and that he would have to leave. There was no way he could stay. The other angels would be able to detect him, but alone we stood a chance. So, to ensure your safety I left, but before I did he gave me this book to give to you when I decided it was time to tell you the truth.” Her mom pulled the old leather bound book out of her purse that Jenna had seen her take out of the attic the day of the accident. “You have to promise to never tell anyone about this book, not even Alex. It must be our secret.” Her mom glanced around as she handed it to her. “The only way to open it is for you to say ‘To thee with love’, and it will only open for you.”
Jenna nodded and stared at her mother, her mind racing. Can it be true? Am I really… a Nephilim? “Is Alex one?” she asked sitting back down on the couch.
“Yes, he is. When that man gave you the necklace at the flea market, I knew someone had found out about you, and I had no other choice but to run.
Jenna’s mind was swirling with so many questions she wasn’t sure where to start. “If they were after me, why did they wait until we were on the highway to try to take me?”
Erin sat back down on the couch beside Jenna. “That part I’m not sure of. I’m assuming it was because they needed to make it look like an accident and that we both died in the crash. That way no one would look for us.”
Jenna shook her head. “I don’t understand. They took me so there would have only been one body in the car. How did they think the cops would assume I was with you?”
“When I came to beside the car you were gone and in the car was another teenage girl’s body. They had set the car on fire and left. Alex showed up just in time to save me. He said your father sent him and that he was going to help me get you back. He would then help you learn how to use your abilities so if they ever came for you again you could protect yourself.”
Jenna was trying to understand everything her mom was telling her, but her head was beginning to hurt from all the confusing questions she had.
“Wait… abilities?” Jenna asked. “I don’t have any abilities?”
Jenna’s mom took her hand into hers. “You do, you just don’t know it yet. That week when you were really sick was the beginning of your transformation. Alex will teach you about being a Nephilim and how to use your abilities when they manifest.”
Jenna sat motionless for a few minutes before her mother spoke again.
“I know it’s a lot to take in. Why don’t you go upstairs and pick your room.” Erin gestured towards the stairs. “Alex and I will unload the car while you get some rest and think about what I’ve just told you. We’ll answer any questions you have later.” Her mom hugged her tight and whispered, “I love you.”
Jenna stood up and headed for the stairs. Her mom was right. She did have a lot to think about, and she needed to be alone to do it.
She slowly climbed the stairs. Her whole world was falling apart and she didn’t know what to do about it. She now knew she would never see her friends again, and that her life would never be the same. How could they think she would turn into some kind of special being with abilities? They had to be crazy. She was just Jenna, ordinary Jenna.
At the top of the stairs, she saw three open doors. Two lead to bedrooms and the third to an adjoining bathroom. At this point, she didn’t really care which room she picked. All she wanted was to be alone to think everything over.
She turned to the right and entered the room to see a small wrought iron bed, a long modern style dresser and a wooden bookshelf. She lowered herself onto the bed, which looked to at least have clean linens, and looked at the book in her hands. She ran her hand over the angel on the front of the book and whispered, “To thee with love.” Then she slowly opened it. On the inside was an inscription that read:
To my sweet angel girl,
I know it may seam that I have left you to live in a world that will never understand or fully accept you for who you really are. I am truly sorry for that. This book will help you come to learn what a Nephilim is and all about their history throughout time.
Someday there may come a time when you are in a dire situation and feel as though you are all alone. Be assured that although it may seam that way, I promise that you are not alone. All you need is this b
ook. I pray you will come to understand that what I have written for you is the truth. That there will always be times when you seam all alone, but be comforted by the knowledge that I am always with you.
Love, Your Father
Jenna shook her head. What kind of an angel doesn’t know how to spell seem? she thought as she shook her head. It’s a simple word. Jenna skimmed through the rest of the book. She knew she probably should read it, but she just couldn’t deal with anymore today. Remembering what her mother had said about keeping the book a secret she got off the bed and walked over to the closet. She was about to put the book on the top shelf until she could find a better place later when she noticed a small hole in the floorboards. She stuck her finger in it and pulled up. To her surprise, the board came loose. She peeked inside to see that it was just big enough for the book so she slid it in and replaced the board. She would make time to read it later when she had thought everything over
JENNA ran as fast as her legs would carry her through the dense forest. Twigs snapped and branches cracked beneath her as her feet pounded over them. She knew he wasn’t far behind. She could sense him closing in on her. She quickly scanned the area looking for a place that would provide enough cover for her to stop and decide what to do next. She spotted the big oak tree that stood along the river. Perfect, she thought as she ducked behind the massive trunk. She leaned against the tree and tried to catch her breath.
“I know you’re close, Jenna. So why don’t you just surrender?” Alex called to her as he glanced around the forest.
Jenna forced herself to settle down. She wouldn’t win this battle if she didn’t control her emotions. “I’ll never give up,” she yelled back, immediately regretted it knowing Alex would now be able to locate her. The sound of twigs snapping under his feet told Jenna he was close. Realizing she had no other choice but to face him, she gathered her courage and stepped out from behind the tree as Alex came into view.
Revelations (The Revelations Series Book 1) Page 5