Army of Angels

by Marcus Brown

  Adam cried out as the flames burned through him, cleansing his damaged soul. It was over within minutes, then a calm, eerie silence descended on the garden as a pearl coloured orb rose from the flames and floated towards Jeanette. She wiped away her tears and stood to face Samantha. “You’ve lost, we’re too strong for you.”

  “No,” Samantha screamed, as she rushed towards the flames, trying to pull his remains out of the fire. “What have you done?”

  “He’s where he is meant to be, and you’ll never be able to hurt him again,” David said. “It’s nearly time my friends,” he announced to the army gathered before him.

  Samantha beckoned her sister, her face flushed red with anger. There was defiance in her eyes. “I’ll take you all to hell with me,” she screamed. “Juliet, now.”

  They linked hands and began to chant–attempting to summon Moloch from the flames.

  The wind picked up sending branches and leaves flying in all directions.

  “Come to us, Master. Strike our enemies down. We give ourselves to you in our hour of need.” Both sisters screamed over the howling wind.

  The flames rose high in the air as a shadow emerged from within.

  “Come to us, Moloch,” they cried excitedly. “Strike our enemies down. We give ourselves to you in our hour of need,” they repeated.

  Samantha picked up the blade and slashed at her wrists, offering her blood as a sacrifice. “Come to me,” she screamed. “I’m your loyal servant.” She slashed her wrists again, the blood spraying into the fire.

  The shadow grew larger as Juliet snatched the knife from her sister’s hand. “Come to us now and send your enemies to hell.” She too slashed at her wrist, offering her blood to Moloch. “Come to me. I order you.”

  Hilary and Jason covered their ears as the wind began to howl around the garden.

  The Army of Angels looked on.

  “Come to me. I order you,” Juliet screamed again, as the howling wind intensified. Leaves and branches fell from the trees. The wind continued to howl, then without warning, Juliet began to scream in agony.

  Samantha looked on in horror as her sister was snatched off the ground and lifted into the air.

  “Please, Master, have mercy,” Samantha begged. “She only lives to serve you.” She looked up as her sister screamed and writhed in agony. She could hear Juliet’s bones breaking. Samantha turned to the Army and begged. “Help her.” They did nothing to interfere and stood silently observing the unfolding events.

  As quickly as it started, the wind died down and a loud crack echoed around the garden as Juliet hit the floor with a loud thud, her back broken. She lay on the ground, her face frozen in pain and fear. Twisted out of shape, her eyes were wide open and staring up to the heavens.

  Samantha rushed over, screaming. She cradled her sister’s slain body, kissing her gently on top of her head. “Wake up, Juliet,” she begged, desperately, shaking her. “I need you.”

  “She’s gone, Samantha.” Mark walked towards his wife. “It’s over.”

  Samantha began to chant, but knew it was hopeless. She had failed her master again and looked up at the army of light surrounding her, fearful of what was to come.

  “Our Lord is merciful, Mother,” Maisie said, stepping forward. “Ask him to forgive you.”

  “I’d rather burn,” she cried. “And never call me Mother,” she spat. The look of disgust on her face was plain for all to see. “I rue the day I gave birth to you.”

  “You don’t know what you’re saying, Samantha.” Mark grabbed his wife. “For God’s sake, repent and in time, he will forgive you for everything that has taken place here.”

  “I’ll burn before I ask for your God’s forgiveness.”

  “If that is your wish, Mother,” Maisie said, sadly. “So be it.”

  Samantha charged toward the daughter she hated so much but wasn’t fast enough.

  Maisie held out her hand, palm facing her mother, releasing a blinding light. It struck Samantha above her right breast, forcing her backwards and towards the fire.

  She shrieked as the light burned her skin. Refusing to give in, she pushed forward again, staggering a little–the pain she was in obvious to all surrounding her.

  Maisie was too powerful, holding her own. “Please, Mother. Don’t make me do this.”

  “I hate you.” Samantha fell to her knees, unable to get to her feet. She screamed in defiance. Not wanting to be defeated so easily, she forced herself back to her feet, but Maisie was too strong.

  David stepped forward quickly. “Now, my friends.”

  His army held out their hands and their combined heavenly light forced her back down to the ground.

  Samantha continued to fight them with what power remained but didn’t have enough strength. Blisters appeared all over her body as the light burned her skin.

  Staggering backwards toward the fire, she collapsed onto her knees again. She was beaten and knew it.

  Then, the heavenly light faded.

  She looked round at the faces before her, her eyes settling on Luke.

  “My son.” Her burned and blistered face came to life as her eyes settled on Luke.

  He walked toward her, and she found the strength to stand and greet her beloved son. “It’s time for this to end, Mother.” Luke held out his hand as she gazed adoringly at him. She couldn’t fight anymore and nodded her agreement.

  She reached out and took his hand.

  Luke led them both into the flames.

  Samantha screamed as the fire consumed her.

  Seconds later, both were gone.

  With a wave of David’s hand, the Grimoire flew from the ground and followed Samantha into the flames.

  The cries of those souls bound to the book echoed around the garden, and one by one, the chained souls were freed, racing toward the light. David nodded his head, wishing them farewell and sending them on their final journey.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Darkness fell across the garden once more, as one by one, the Army of Angels returned to the heavens.

  Hilary looked up as they ascended and smiled. “Thank you, all,” she whispered, blowing a kiss skyward.

  She turned to speak to Jason but couldn’t see him. “Jason,” she called out. “Where are you?”

  David walked toward her. “He’s gone, but he’ll find you again, one day.”

  “Gone where?” She began to cry. “I’ll take care of him now, he doesn’t have to be alone.”

  “He will never be alone. I’ll make certain of it.”

  Hilary smiled, but inside she was desperately sad. She’d grown to love him like he was her own son and would miss him. However, she knew Jason would eventually find his way back to her when he was ready.

  “What now?” Hilary asked.

  “It’s over and you can live your life again,” David said.

  “My life will never be the same.”

  “You’ll learn to smile once more, you have to believe that.”

  Hilary walked toward the table, wondering where Sandra’s body had gone. “Where is she?”

  “I’m here, Hils,” Sandra replied.

  Hilary turned and watched as her friend walked toward her. She looked beautiful once more, her skin flawless, her hair once again shiny and lustrous.

  “Oh, Sand.” Hilary’s voice cracked. “You’re okay?”

  “Thanks to you, yes.”

  “You can come back now, can’t you?” She sobbed.

  “The dead can’t come back to life,” Sandra replied. “It doesn’t work that way.”

  “But I need you, Sand.”

  “You don’t need me, you just want me,” she replied. “But I’ll always watch over you.”

  “Please don’t leave me,” Hilary begged.

  “I've got to move on now,” Sandra replied, crying. “This was always my destiny.”

  “No, your destiny is to stay here with me,” Hilary choked. “I don’t want you to go.”

  Sandra pulled Hi
lary into a hug and kissed her gently on the cheek. “I’ll never forget you, my beautiful and kind friend.”

  Hilary buried her head into Sandra’s neck and sobbed. “You better not, because in fifty years or so, I’ll be up there banging on the pearly gates demanding a first-class room right next door to you and Mr Handsome over there.” She gestured to David.

  They both laughed through their tears.

  “What am I going to do without you?”

  “You’ll live your life until we can be together again. You, me…” she hesitated. “… and Sarah.” Sandra looked past Hilary as Sarah waved at her. “See, she’s waiting for me. It’s been so long since I’ve seen her.”

  Hilary twisted around and smiled. Her heart was breaking, but she was happy Sandra and Sarah were reunited. “Sisters together,” she sobbed.

  “The three of us, forever.” Sandra whispered, stroking her friend's face. “I’ve got to go now, Hils.” She looked at David and held out her hand.

  “I’ll be happier if I know you’re together.”

  “He got away from me once.” Sandra turned to David and smiled. “But not this time.”

  “I love you, Sand,” Hils said.

  “And I love you too, your Ladyship. Be happy and look after the little ones for me.”

  “The little ones,” Hilary asked, curious to know what she meant.

  “You’ll meet them soon enough,” she said, patting her friend's stomach. “Don’t forget to tell them both about their Aunty Sandra,” she winked. “But leave out the juicy parts.”

  “It’s not possible, Sand,” she replied, disbelieving. “You know I can’t have kids.” Hilary was stunned, but even as she tried to deny it to herself, somehow, she could feel the tiny miracles growing inside of her. She cradled her stomach protectively. “But how am I going to manage two kids, and Tim, without you?”

  “You have a husband who loves you more than life itself. Remember!”

  Hilary dissolved into tears. She was losing her best friend and shouldn’t feel as happy as she did right then.

  “I have to go, but I’ll always be with you.”

  “Promise me.” Hilary threw her arms around Sandra and didn’t want to let go.

  “Cross my heart,” Sandra replied.

  Bravely she pulled away. “Goodbye, Sand. I’ll miss you.”

  “Best friends forever.” Sandra bowed her head and walked away.

  “Goodbye, Hilary. And thank you.” David leaned in to kiss Hilary’s cheek.

  Sandra patiently waited, a look of serenity had settled across her beautiful face.

  “So long, David. I’ll miss you, more than you know. But before you go, I need you to promise to look after her for me. You know how much trouble she can get herself into.”

  He nodded in agreement and patted her stomach too, before holding out his hand for Sandra and walking away.

  Sarah was standing at the bottom of the garden waiting for them both.

  Hilary watched as Sandra embraced her sister.

  She knew how much Sarah’s disappearance had affected Sandra and tears of happiness rolled down her cheeks.

  “Go,” she called out, “before I change my mind and make you all stay.”

  Sandra and Sarah turned and waved. They were smiling.

  Hilary waved back as a blinding light illuminated the garden once again. She rubbed her eyes, convinced what she was seeing was a trick of the light.

  David had risen high into the air, and from his back an enormous pair of white wings had appeared.

  It was the most beautiful sight she’d ever seen.

  She stood in awe as David’s wings opened to their full majesty.

  Both Sandra and Sarah watched as his feet gracefully touched the ground.

  He held out both hands, an invitation to Sandra and Sarah.

  They accepted his offer, and seconds later they rose into the air.

  She looked up and waved as they glided into the light and returned home to Heaven.

  Epilogue

  “Twin girls,” he said as they approached the doors of the Town Hall. “What am I going to do if they grow up as badly behaved as you and Sandra were?”

  “You’ll love them regardless,” Hilary replied, staring adoringly at her two precious daughters.

  “I never knew I could ever feel this happy. I love you so much, Mrs Baines.”

  “They’re our very own miracles.” She was mesmerised by how precious they were. “A gift from God.”

  The clerk, a beautiful looking pale skinned, androgynous, blond-haired gentleman, introducing himself as Mr. Gabrielson, beckoned them into his office and gestured for them to sit. “What adorable little girls,” he said, gazing down at them.

  “We’re crazily in love with them,” Hilary admitted.

  “What names have you given the little darlings?” he asked.

  “Sandra Baines and Maisie Baines.”

  “Oh, such lovely names. What date were the little darlings born?”

  “Thank you,” Hilary replied as she looked across at her little bundles of joy, happily sleeping in their pushchair. “Both were born on the sixth of June.”

  “Wonderful. And their times of birth please? We’ll start with baby Sandra if you’d be so kind.”

  “Sandra was born at six am precisely and Sarah came fifty seconds later.”

  “Twins born within one minute of each other–how rare that is,” he stated, smiling.

  “Yeah, I guess it is,” Tim added.

  “So.” Mr Gabrielson was gazing curiously at the piece of paper in front of him. “We have both young ladies born on the sixth of June at six am. That’s a strange coincidence.”

  “What is?” Hilary asked.

  “Born at six am on the sixth day of the sixth month,” Mr. Gabrielson clarified.

  Hilary’s heart sank to her stomach when she realised the significance of what the clerk was telling them, and although she was never superstitious before, after the events of the last year and a half, she had good cause to be worried. “Oh, my God,” she whispered. “I didn’t think of that.”

  “Don’t worry about stupid stuff like that,” Tim said, obviously trying to make her feel better.

  Hilary could see how irritated he was by the clerk’s insensitive comments.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset either one of you,” Mr Gabrielson said, doing his best to backtrack. “Only a ridiculous superstition, that’s all.”

  After their daughters’ births were registered, they idled along the high street.

  Hilary looked down at her daughters. She had to resist the temptation to sweep them into her arms and cover them with kisses, but they were settled in a routine she couldn’t mess up.

  They were approaching St. Jude’s Church and suddenly she felt guilty. It had been months since she last went inside to say a prayer.

  Despite that, she still said her prayers every night, but it didn’t seem enough, especially after the precious gifts she’d been given.

  She owed a debt she knew she could never repay to whoever was in charge up there.

  “Do you mind if we pop in and light a candle?” Hilary asked.

  “Of course, I don’t.” He put his hand on the back of her neck and pulled her gently towards him for a brief kiss. “Should we all go in? I’d like to say a prayer for their namesakes.”

  “That’d be nice.” Hilary smiled, adoring her husband that little bit more than she had five minutes earlier. He knew everything that had happened, and surprisingly, had taken it all in his stride. “I’m sure Sandra will be watching… wherever she is.”

  The babies stirred and began to cry as they entered the beautiful church.

  Hilary bent over to try and comfort them. “Listen to me, you two,” she said softly. “Daddy will be walking you both down this aisle in about thirty years, or so,” she cooed, “so the quicker you familiarize yourself with this wonderful place, the better.”

  “Try about forty-five years,” he joshed.
“They won’t be allowed to date until they’re at least forty.”

  “Take no notice of Daddy, my little angels, he doesn’t mean it.” She winked at him.

  The twins screamed at the top of their lungs, becoming more distressed. Parishioners sat in the pews near to the altar glared unforgivingly at the unwanted disruption to their prayers.

  “Sorry,” Hilary whispered, as she picked baby Sandra out of the pram and handed her to Tim. She picked up baby Maisie and held her close to her breast. “Now, now, what’s all this fuss about?” She gently rocked her daughter, but nothing she did seemed to console her. Tim was having the same problem.

  “Come on, we’ll light the candles and head home,” Tim instructed. “Perhaps they’re hungry.”

  “It’s not time for their feed yet, but you’re right, let’s light the candles and head off before they scream the place down.”

  They placed the screaming babies back in their pram.

  “Tell you what, I’ll walk them down towards the doors and try settling them – give you a few minutes on your own, love,” Tim said, thoughtfully. “Light a candle for me please. I owe Sandra a lot.”

  She looked at him, her eyes filled with love. “All right, Daddy. I won’t be long.” He kissed her quickly on the lips and rushed away with the babies still causing a fuss.

  Hilary turned to face the altar.

  “I miss you, Sand,” Hilary whispered, as her words travelled into the ether. She knew her best friend would always be with her and that was good enough, well until the day they were reunited again anyway.

  Tears filled her eyes as happy memories enveloped her, bringing comfort when she needed it most.

  She looked up towards the heavens. “If you’re listening to me David Price, make sure you’re looking after my friend, or else.”

  She leaned in to light more candles–one for every person that had suffered because of Samantha Whitmore and Juliet Oswell. “I hope you’re all at peace now,” she whispered.

  A loud cracking noise momentarily distracted her, quickly followed by a strangled scream from the elderly lady sat in the front pew.