Inside Lucifer's War (22 page)

I can tell Mike wants to say something, but I hold up my hand for him to wait. I then move away from the spiritual aspect to my real-world application. By this time, I’m pacing the floor. I spell out Satan’s proposition to me: tell his story and advance the work of the Principal. I tell them about my meetings with Kinsley McKee, and I give them details of the trip to Dallas. I don’t tell them about Andrew and Megan, but I have to explain why I’m helping Ashley. So I tell them that she’s caught up in the Principal, and I’m helping her to get away, which isn’t a complete lie.

When I finish, neither one says anything. I’m a bit surprised since Mike wanted to say something a couple of times during my discourse. I don’t know if they are stunned, speechless, or waiting for me to continue.

Finally, Mike says, “Thomas, I want you to accept Christ as your personal Savior right now. Put all of your trust in Jesus. He can free you from all of this.”

“Not yet,” I respond. “Like I said, I have a plan. If I do what you are asking, I will lose my position with Lucifer and with the Principal. I have to expose this to the world. I’m . . . I’m like an undercover agent.”

“You’re an idiot is what you are,” Stacie says. “Who do you think you are that you can fight these forces on your own?”

“I can do this,” I say. “Look, they’re asking nothing of me that I wouldn’t have done prior to all of this insight. I was put in this position for a purpose: to lead this fight.”

“Listen to yourself!” Stacie says, her voice cracking. “Lead the fight! God doesn’t need you to lead this fight. God simply wants you, Thomas. If you want to fight for God, then pray. Show your faith. Don’t do this.”

“Please, Stacie. Have some confidence in me. I can keep all of us safe. I know what I’m doing. I can handle this. I just need to go a little deeper and then I’m out. I promise.”

Then Stacie says something that catches me completely off guard. Standing up, she looks into my eyes and says, “If you love me like you say you do, then stop this madness. You can’t tell me all of this and then . . . go down the path you’re following.” Tears swell in her eyes and some drop to the carpet.

“I do love you, Stacie. This is why I have to do what I’m doing. Look, you’ve always been right about me. I’m not any good for you. You have a better life waiting for you,” I say with a hidden confidence. I know what I’m doing is right. I also know I’m speaking the truth. Regardless of what I do, it will destroy Stacie, and that’s simply something I can’t handle.

“What now?” Mike says.

“For us, I think this is good-bye for a while. I’ll find a way to stay in contact. I do want, no, need your prayers. Don’t give up on me.”

“Please reconsider,” he says. “Give yourself to Jesus. Let him handle this fight.”

I smile and shake hands with him. I turn to hug Stacie. She obliges, but with a last protest, she whispers, “Don’t do this. Please.”

I kiss her on the cheek and tell her good-bye.

Mike puts his hand on my shoulder and prays for me. He prays that I will accept Christ. He prays for my protection and guidance. He gives thanks to Jesus for being in control.

Silence fills the elevator riding down to the lobby, save for a few sniffles from Stacie. As the elevator doors open, I see a woman at the courtesy desk. She looks familiar, but I’m not interested in her at this moment. I want to say good-bye to my friend and the woman I love. But my attention is drawn back to the courtesy desk when I hear the host say, “Good timing, Dr. Fields. This woman says she is here to see you.”

I’m horrified when I recognize Josephine. She’s looking right at me. I’m more horrified to see that her eyes are not her own. She is possessed. I swear they are the eyes of the creature, the messenger. The Fischers are in danger. I know it. I start to walk toward her quickly, hoping to keep the Fischers out of harm’s way.

“Josephine, I am so glad you are here,” I say, hoping to control the situation. If I can just talk with the creature, I know I can handle this. I can keep everyone safe.

The next few moments move in slow motion. Josephine’s hand rises from her handbag, pulling out a shiny object. A gun. She raises it toward me, but I don’t move. How has it come to this? I have no control.

I hear the ring of a shot. I feel someone push me hard from the left, causing me to crash to the ground to my right, as I hear another shot ring out. My right knee and shoulder hurt from slamming into the floor. I tell myself it must be a good thing. If I’d been shot, something else would be hurting. Lying there on the ground, I see a mouse scurry behind a wall. It’s an odd sight to see at the moment. Then I hear a third shot, and I hear someone else hit the floor.

Suddenly, I notice that the left side of my abdomen burns. I’m feeling tired now. I see Josephine lying on the ground in front of me. Her eyes, though open, are lifeless. I can see that she has killed herself with the final shot.

My side no longer hurts. Nothing hurts. I think I’m fortunate, but then I see blood soaking my shirt. I start to close my eyes. I hear Stacie scream. I’ve never seen Stacie out of control, but now I see her kneeling by me, her palms open in front of her face, and she is screaming.

I try to tell her that I’m okay, but nothing comes out. I can tell she isn’t only concerned about me. I strain to look over my left shoulder. I’m so tired. I see her kneeling next to Mike, desperately trying to stop the blood flow pouring from his chest. That’s the last thing I see before I lose consciousness.

C
HAPTER 21

Awakening

I hear a familiar voice calling my name. I see a silhouette of a man standing in front of a bright light, beckoning me toward him. “It’s wonderful, Thomas! It’s glorious!”

I approach him slowly, though my feet feel as if they aren’t moving. It’s as if my mind is telling my body to move, so I do. I recognize Mike, but he is different. He’s younger, and his voice isn’t quite the same, but I know without a doubt it’s him. He’s excited. He has a huge smile and radiates with happiness. I not only see his happiness, I feel it.

“I have been in his presence,” Mike says. “It’s more wonderful than I ever imagined. I saw his hands and feet, and I know what it cost to purchase me. In that moment I was sad and completely aware of my sin, but he touched me and took away all my sadness, replacing it with joy. I must go back to him, but he sent me here to tell you something. Submit yourself to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

“Is that it?” I ask.

“That’s all you need to know,” he says. “Good-bye, Thomas.”

He is absorbed into the light. The peace that fills him flows over to me, and I feel at ease in that moment. I feel no sadness for Mike, only joy.

It doesn’t last, though. Once Mike is gone, the light begins to fade, and darkness engulfs me. It reminds me of the caves near Austin. There is not a shred of light. The peace I felt is now replaced with anxiety and fear. Like the darkness, it surrounds me, penetrates me. In the darkness I can feel Lucifer coming toward me, though from where I can’t tell. I can hear his legion moving, but I can’t see them through the darkness. I hear his voice.

“You’ve been accused and found guilty. You belong to me. Was this day not foretold?”

I weep uncontrollably.

“Why do you cry?” he asks. “I told you that I would make your life comfortable if you served me well. Do you cry because you know you have failed me and thus should reap the consequences?”

I say nothing. An incredible depression has taken hold of me. A depression so deep, unlike anything I’ve experienced in the past.

“Speak, I say!” he bellows as he slashes at the right side of my forehead.

“I am weak,” I respond, not knowing why, though it is the truth. I feel very weak.

“Yes, you are weak. That’s the smartest thing you’ve said since we met. You are weak, and you need me for strength.” He continues, “You disobeyed me, and the consequences were death. I told you I would punish your friend, and I have. You have questioned my authority, and that I will not tolerate.”

His words hit me, and the truth finally sinks deep into my heart. Mike is dead. I must be dead too. Our fates have been sealed by Josephine. What a fool I was! I thought I could control it all. I thought I could handle Lucifer and the Principal. I thought I could protect the people I love.

“In my goodness I have decided to give you a second chance,” he says, allowing some light to fill the area. I can see him now. His back is to me. “Tell me, do you think you can do better for me this time, or should I have my disciples destroy you now? I know one, in particular, is anxious to destroy you.”

“No, please give me a second chance,” I reply.

“Please,
Master!”
he says.

“Master, please give me a second chance,” I ask.

“On your knees. Say it again,” he says.

Kneeling before him, I ask again. It is difficult to look at him without anger, fear, and sadness welling up. I try to contain it, though. I want to be strong, but it’s easier said than done.

He lifts me up with cold arms. He tells me of the wonderful things he still has planned for me. He tells me of the gifts he will give me and the life I will live if I serve only him. He also reminds me of the pain he will put me through if I don’t obey him. Worse, he reminds me of the pain and death he will wreak upon my friends if I disobey him. When he tells me this, I think of Mike and how happy he was. It was unlike any happiness I’ve ever seen. That happiness is hard to recollect, though, in the presence of Lucifer. It slips from my mind, and I begin to think of Therese and the twins. I feel sadness penetrate me again.

Lucifer continues, “I’m going to leave you now. Understand this, I will not give you another chance. I will soon be in touch with you again.”

As I watch him fade away from me, I remember Mike’s question to ask. I yell to him, “Master, could you allow me to speak to my father? Please, while I’m here, may I speak to him?” I hear his legion scurry at the request.

He stops but does not look back at me. “Do as I tell you, and then maybe I will grant you that. Though, I must warn you. You may not be able to take his condition. He is gruesome to behold.”

“Please, Master. I wish to tell him good-bye. I never had that opportunity.”

“Do not press your wishes upon me, boy! I’ve heard your request and will take note of it. Do as I ask and I may grant you this. Do not do what I ask, and you will be food for the wretched.” With those words, he kisses the back of my head, sending a shooting pain through my skull. I cover my head. When I remove my hands, he is gone, and so is his legion.

The room becomes brighter. Too bright. I hear people moving around me, not the legion, but people. I can feel pain in my side and my head aches bitterly. I blink and try to open my eyes. Someone comes close to me and moves some things around. I gradually open my eyes, but the room is too bright, so I shut them again. I hear others come near me. I try to place where I am, but I can’t. I hear voices, but I don’t recognize any of them. The happiness I felt with Mike and the dread I felt with Lucifer are all gone. Now I feel only confusion and pain.

A man says, “So, our patient is waking up.”

“He’s trying,” a woman responds.

The man says, “Hello, Dr. Fields. I’m Dr. Gunthry. You’re in the Brackenridge Hospital trauma center. You were in a shooting and have been asleep for several days. Can you speak?”

I lie motionless, trying to process the question. He repeats the question. I move my lips, but they are very dry. I try to generate some saliva with my tongue, but very little materializes. “Water,” I manage to croak aloud.

“Certainly. It’s great to have you awake. Can you tell me your full name?” he asks as a nurse lifts my head and gives me a sip of water. “Sipping water, that’s a great sign. It may not mean much to you, but for as long as you were out, it’s a very positive sign. Back to your name.”

“Thomas Fields. I am a professor,” I say quietly.

“Outstanding!” the doctor replies. “How do you feel?”

“I have a horrible headache and my side aches,” I respond.

“We’ll give you something for the pain.” He barks out some instructions. “I’ll come back in just a bit to check on you. Don’t rush this. You have been through a lot. If you feel sleepy, it’s okay to sleep.” I feel him tap my leg, and then I hear him walk out of the room.

I slowly blink my eyes, trying to fight through the brightness. “Can you shut the curtains or turn off the lights?” I ask no one in particular. A moment later the room is darker. I open my eyes and look around. It’s a fairly large room. There is a chair next to the bed. There are instruments to my left. Some tubes hang down from above me. The window is to my left, and the door is to the right. Under the window is a brown faux leather couch. I see a television near the ceiling in that corner.

A nurse enters the room. She has a clipboard and some syringes. A short brunette, she has a pleasant face. She smiles at me. My eyes follow her and watch her inject the syringes into the tubes running into my arm.

“The pain should subside shortly, but you might feel sleepy. Do you understand, Thomas?” she asks.

I nod but don’t say anything.

“I’m going to leave for a minute, but I’ll be right outside. We’re monitoring you at the nurses’ station, so you’re being well looked after. My name is Mary. Do you want some more water before I leave?”