Broken (Endurance) (45 page)

Cressida laughed, but was curious to know more. "So, did he learn to do what he does?"

"They were trained at a very young age. They’ve had years of meditation and prayer. It's amazing to me how Maxwell still ended up with Jenna. When you think about it, he probably felt he could help her. Anyway, it's science and it's not." Makayla glanced at Cressida and knew she’d lost her.

"Okay, here is an example. What is the most amazing machine?" she asked Cressida.

"Man, I don't know… an I
-
pod?" Cressida joked.

Makayla laughed. "No. The human body. Well, animals, too, but let's not get lost. The human body is so amazing that when I was a little girl I would stare at people a lot. My cousin just figured I was easily amused or just plain weird. The truth is I was amazed by what God had created. How can you look at another human being and not believe in God?"

"I never thought of it that way?"

"We can do so much, yet we are only using a small portion of our brain. Now scientist will say that if you use more of your brain you’ll die or you won't need a body, whatever. Tamarius and Maxwell, over time and with true dedication, have learned to use a larger portion of their brain than most people. They’re not crazy and they’re not floating brains. Anyone can do what they do; we all have the same tools, but all through our lives people have told us we can't, it's impossible.  The list of negatives and pessimistic remarks goes on and on."

"But what about science? What about scientist who do believe in
telekinesis and teleportation?
They have years and years of research, and most of them believe in evolution," Cressida pointed out.

"Yeah, all those brains and no common sense. Those scientists are studying the body of God... and they don't even know it."

"Okay, explain that one because, I’ll be honest with you, I do believe in evolution. This world is so cold, I question if people even care about their own children."

"Okay, the computer.  What does it work like?"

"The human mind."

"Right and who made the human mind? You think we come from a fish or a monkey. And, if that is true, why did it stop? And who stopped it? How did we come to be on a planet that just so happens to have everything we need to survive? I could really go on all night, but then it comes down to this. There had to be a supreme being to start the process, right? Can we agree on that?"

"Yeah... I guess we could."

"Okay, so God or The Supreme Being created us in his own image and in his likeness. So when a scientist designed a computer, he used his mind as a basis of how is should work.   Even studying the human brain then take it back who's brain is he really studying?"

"I understand you, but you know most people don't even want to hear that," Cressida said.

"They are too busy being angry at God. Cressida, don't be angry at God. Even though you didn't believe in him, someone who loves you did and, because of his constant prayers and his never ending dedication to God, he has taken care of you. You’re exactly where you should be and at the right time. Nobody is upset with you and nobody is blaming you. I have my own problems trying to chase me around."

"You’re right. My mom, she was a God-fearing woman. She had a hard life, but a friend in school introduced her to Jesus and it changed her life. I want to know what that feels like."

"You’re feeling it now." Makayla turned on her side, her eyelids heavy and refusing to stay up. "Just be present and you will feel it," she mumbled before falling asleep.

Cressida was speechless as she glanced at Makayla. She looked up at the ceiling feeling inspired to pray. She got up and knelt beside the bed. Cressida prayed a sincere and earnest prayer, asking God to come into her life.

***

In Florida, Tamarius and Maxwell finished preparing for battle. They walked around in full armor feeling completely rested and filled with divine strength, wisdom, understanding, and incite. They walked boldly towards the mansion.

God sent fleets of his warring angels to fight alongside Maxwell and Tamarius. There was one demon Tamarius instantly recognized. With his one horn, he was hard to miss. It was personal; this demon came looking for Makayla.

Tamarius didn't let the Soul Reaper get to him as he fought his way through hordes of demons, hacking them to pieces. He watched from the corner of his eye as the demon ran up the stairs to the family’s bedroom suites. He began to make his way to the stairs to follow him when he was slammed to the floor by a demon.

A nearby warring angel knocked the demon off Tamarius and shot him across the room. He helped Tamarius up. "I will cover you... go!" He cleared a path for Tamarius and stayed with him as he searched for the Soul Reaper.

Tamarius found him in his walk-in closet, sniffing Makayla's clothes. "You are pathetic!" Tamarius smirked.

"Where is she?" Soul Reaper yelled.

"Give up. You will never have her."

"I've already had her."

The warring angel stood guard over Tamarius. "Just say the word and I will put an end to this rapist," he told Tamarius.

The Soul Reaper laughed, filling the room with his demonic energy. "I will not stop until she is destroyed. I will find her and when I do, I will savor the taste of her flesh."

Tamarius lunged forward and attacked the demon. The warring angel quickly joined in. Before they could kill him, the demon disappeared into another dimension.

Tamarius yelled as he stabbed his sword into the floor, opening the portal the demon had gone through. The warring angel quickly held him back. "Don't chase after him. It is a trap," he warned.

Tamarius instantly understood and pulled his sword out of the floor, closing the portal.

The angel approached Tamarius.  "My name is Lahael. I am Michael's lieutenant general and I know all about Makayla. That demon has a one track mind with her, but now he has met his match.  You will defeat him. Right now we need to secure this home for the family."

"Thank you for helping me," Tamarius said

"We have a lot of work to do. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Follow me and I will teach you how to turn a demon into ash." He took off.

Tamarius didn't hesitate to follow him.   He absorbed all that Lahael had to teach him and used his newfound skills immediately in battle.

New Year's Eve

Max woke early. It was hard for him to sleep as he continually thought of what his father had told him. He got up and showered. How can I help my father and uncle? he wondered.  He smiled the moment the inspiration struck.  He would fast. "That's what I'll do," he said to himself.

Mei slowly fumbled into the bathroom and smiled at her husband. Max looked at her and shook his head, amused by her drunken sleep state. "Am I in your way?"

"Yes, your son is sleeping on the bed. Can you watch him?"

Max finished brushing his teeth and stepped out of the bathroom. Uriel was stretched out on his back, sleeping with his arm covering his eyes. Max lay beside him and caressed his son's soft, curly hair. "I love you," he whispered. Max looked at his son with admiration, proud of what he and Mei had created.

"He is getting so big," Mei mumbled as, she came out of the bathroom brushing her teeth.

"Come here. I need to speak with you." Max turned to his wife.

"One sec." Mei returned to the bathroom to finish brushing her teeth and quickly came back to Max "What's up?" Mei sat on the bed next to Max.

"I am going to fast...for three days." Max told his wife as he sat up and faced her.

"Okay, what do I need to do for you?" Mei wanted to support her husband anyway she could.

"Just take care of our son. I’ll go and stay at our hut for the three days. I have to seclude myself."

"Okay."

"Today is Monday, so I’ll be back Thursday morning," Max informed his wife, pulling close. "I love you."

Mei closed her eyes, her lips awaiting his.

Max smiled as he kissed her cheek. "This is why I must go away from you while I fast."

Mei opened her exquisite green eyes and Max wanted to drown in them.

"I can't resist you when you’re so close," Max teased.

"I love you."

"If anything happens, let me know."

"I will."

"I’ll let Winston know of my plans on my way out. He’ll be able to reach me should any emergency arise here.  Now, go back to bed. You need as much rest as possible."

"No argument there." Mei crawled over her son and curled in beside him. "See you on Thursday."

Max nodded as he stood and turned to leave.  With his hand on the doorknob, he glanced back to see Mei already falling back to sleep.

***

Cressida quietly crawled out of bed, careful not to disturb Makayla. She made her way to the bathroom to shower and change then left the room, closing the door behind her.

It had been a rough first night for Cressida and Makayla, but they had made it through. Cressida smiled at Marla as she entered the kitchen. Breakfast had already been prepared and Lin was enjoying her meal.

"Have a seat Mrs. Martinez. I will bring you a plate?" Marla said, smiling at Cressida.

"Thank you," Cressida pulled out a chair next to Lin.

Lin placed her fork down and looked at Cressida. "Okay?" she asked, placing her hand on Cressida's wrist.

"Okay." Cressida nodded and smiled.

"Makayla?" Lin questioned.

"She is sleeping," Cressida answered, assuming she wanted to know about her niece.

Marla brought a plate for Cressida.

Mei stumbled out of the room. “Come on, Uriel.”

Cressida smiled, remembering that Maxwell told her that Mei was pregnant.

"Mei, do you need help?" Cressida asked.

"No, I'm okay,  just tired and hungry." Mei stopped to give her son time to catch up to her. "How are you doing?"

"Better. Makayla helped. She really made me think about my life," Cressida replied.

"Well, we are all in the same boat now. Max is going to stay at the hut until Thursday."

"Why?"

"He is fasting. I never fasted a day in my life, well not intentionally.  I wouldn't know the first thing about it."

"Neither have I," Cressida said.

"I admire his strength." Mei walked to the table and helped Uriel onto the chair next to her.

"So it's just us girls." Cressida smiled.

"Yeah, I just wish it was for a better reason," Mei replied.

"I wish there were something we could do."

"Beach... We can go and relax on the private beach. Uriel loves it and I think you and Makayla can use the relaxation."

"You know that does sound nice. Makayla did mention the beach last night."

"Where is Makayla?" Mei asked as Marla brought a plate for her and Uriel.

"Sleeping, I think," Cressida answered. "She might be up by now."