Rise From Darkness (17 page)

Looking out the bedroom window, he noticed the first ray of light starting to break through the trees. He got up and made some toast in hopes Bruce would be ready to eat something, yet he couldn’t stop reflecting on his dream and the whispers that woke him. Had the dream been a warning? If it was, what did it mean?

Maybe somehow
Forras
was messing with him. But he’d never heard of a demon affecting an angel’s dreams, only a human’s. Maybe he was affecting Gaby’s dreams and somehow Alexander was hooked into them. He tried to reach out and sense if
Forras
lurked outside, but he didn’t locate him. He couldn’t sense anything. Not one person.

He returned to Bruce’s room and stood on the threshold. Alexander rolled his shoulders, trying to ease the ever increasing tension.

Bruce sat up with a smile on his face. The man who screamed during the night now looked almost ready to get out of bed.

Exhaling, Alexander entered with toast in hand. “I thought you might like something to eat.”

Bruce nodded, the arrogance was gone leaving only a humbled far away stare.

“Thanks.” He lifted his hand to take the plate.

It was shaky, but a good sign nonetheless. Bruce was doing well, a little too well.

What should have taken days or even weeks to detox happened overnight. Something wasn’t right. If his powers had returned, the healing would have been more immediate.

What could have changed between the hours of two and five? Who or what could have interfered?

“How’s your head?” Alexander inquired.

“It feels like I’ve been hit by a truck.”

“I’ve got aspirin if you’d like.”

“Not sure my gut can handle it, maybe after the toast.” Bruce fidgeted with the edge of the fraying bedspread. “Is Gaby okay. I-I didn’t hurt her did I?”

“No, she’s fine, staying with my mom until you get better.”

“That’s good. I don’t really want her seeing me like this.” He looked down in obvious shame. “What now?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you going to have me committed? I mean, I think I said some crazy stuff, and I obviously can’t do anything for myself. Heck, all I want right now is a drink.” Bruce looked away as if he couldn’t face Alexander with the truth.

“No I’m not committing you, not today anyway.” They both chuckled as Alexander helped him from the bed.

“So, you spoke a lot to
Eliana
. Did you dream about her last night?”

“Yeah. I kept seeing her standing over me. Just the alcohol I guess.”

It didn’t make any sense though.
Eliana
was a human, granted she was in Heaven now, but she couldn’t possibly be communicating with Bruce. A human couldn’t become an angel.

Maybe it was
Forras
, but he’d try to torture not comfort Bruce. Something was happening and he needed to discover what it was. He knew Bruce never spoke about
Eliana
, but he didn’t have a choice. He needed to figure things out. Hopefully it wouldn’t send the man over the edge again.

Alexander helped Bruce out of bed and shuffled toward the bathroom.

“Did you um…smell her?”

“Excuse me?” Bruce appeared perplexed by the question.

“I mean—”

Bruce held a hand up to Alexander and grasped the door molding.

“I got this man. I promise I won’t sneak a drink while I’m in the bathroom.”

“I know you won’t, even the cold medicines are out of there.” Alexander tried to give him a reassuring smile as Bruce closed the door on him.

A few hours later, Alexander returned with a bowl of broth on a tray and set it in Bruce’s lap. The man’s body convulsed in protest over the lack of alcohol and when he tried to feed himself soup spilled everywhere.

Alexander pulled up a chair and spoon-fed him lunch and, later, dinner. Initially nothing stayed down. But with each meal a little less came back up. Alexander tried to bring
Eliana
up any chance he could but Bruce wouldn’t talk about her.

Later that night, once Bruce fell asleep, Alexander decided to probe Grace to see if she knew anything about this possible angel visit.

After he fed
Patronus
and fixed him a bed on the floor next to Bruce, he headed out of the house.

The moon shone through the intermittent gray clouds as he stepped outside. At the absolute silence in the midnight air, the hairs on the back of his neck rose. He stopped and listened. Stretching his wings, he glanced down at the blue hue of his left wing. Extending his wings further, he took a step and crouched. Closing his eyes, he envisioned the woods around the house. Something was moving. A demon perhaps? It was difficult to sense. Why couldn’t he sense what it was? Maybe his emotions were too raw or he was too exhausted. It didn’t matter. All he knew was the creature raced toward his home.

There was no time to track the creature. Too tired or too weak he couldn’t chance it. He had to warn his family. Acid rose from his stomach as he shoved off from the ground and raced to his home and his family.

Chapter Fourteen

Alexander flung open the front door. It slammed against the wall, cracking the glass window.

A dark figure stood in the hallway at the bottom of the stairs.

Blinding light exploded as his wings knocked the door off its old rusty hinges.

“Step away from her now!”

He recognized the small frame. Boon turned, his eyes glowed orange, oozing darkness and betrayal.

Alexander’s skin burned with the surge of evil that filled the room.

“Don’t!” Sammy raced into the room. She stood between them, her eyes wide with fear. “Please. Don’t.” She whimpered. “It’s not what you think.”

“What’s all the commotion about down there?” Grace’s soft voice came from upstairs.

“Grace, hurry.” Sammy cried.

Alexander ignored her pleas. All he wanted to do was strike Boon down where he stood.

“Not in my house boys.” Grace maneuver down the stairs, her aging body slowing her. “What happened here?”

Grace’s eyes flashed with fear when she saw Boon, and Alexander’s wings ruffled behind him.

She gestured at his wings. “Put those things away.”

Sammy giggled.

“You don’t understand. He’s here to kill Gaby.” Alexander said with determination.

“If he wanted to kill Gaby, do you think you could’ve stopped him just by coming in the front door? Your pride’s going to be your downfall, son.”

Boon smirked and his eyes turned to a yellow hue. “I’m here to warn you. Not to hurt anyone.” Boon’s voice held his usual steady tone.

Alexander’s blood boiled at their ignorance. He waited for Boon to make a move, but instead he turned away from the confrontation.

He lowered his wings but remained alert.

“What’s going on?” Sammy asked.

Boon wrung his hands. “I’m sorry for the intrusion, but I have to hurry.”

“No time for tea then?” Grace asked, leading them all toward the front parlor.

“No ma’am, thank you though. My news is urgent. I know why
Forras
disappeared. He wasn’t hiding from Alexander. He went in search of a weapon. Legend claims it can kill angels.”

There was silence in the room. Alexander’s anger morphed to fear.

“Why now?” Sammy sat down on the gold couch next to Boon. “He’s never been a threat to any of us. A typical local demon trapped on Earth.”

Alexander clutched the sofa pillow and snarled at them. The couch creaked as Boon scooted away from her, his eyes meeting Alexander’s.

“It has something to do with Gaby. I’m not sure he meant to harm her. He wanted to torture Alexander.”

A deep growl rumbled from inside.

Boon continued. “Something happened to
Forras
. It twisted him to a darker place. I’m not sure but I think harming Gaby made him more corrupt. He kept muttering something about it happening again.”

“I see.” The color drained from Grace’s face. “This weapon. Do you know what it is?”

“No. All I know is he should return any time now. Weapon in hand.” Boon grasped Sammy’s hands in defiance of his growls. “I won’t let anything happen to you. To any of you. I’ll find a way to get the weapon from him.”

“Why should we trust you?” Alexander asked through gritted teeth.

“You have no choice. I’m your only hope. If
Forras
has the weapon and you go after him it’ll be a slaughter. If I steal it we’ll have a fighting chance.”

“We? You say it as if you’re one of us.”

“He is,” Sammy said.

Every muscle in his body tensed and he bolted up from the couch at the sight of Boon squeezing Sammy’s hand.

“I mean he’s been here helping with Gaby and taking care of us.”

A sharp knife of regret pierced his heart. He should have been the one by Gaby’s side, not some demon.

“More trials to come.” Grace whispered.

They all looked at her. Her lips formed a firm line and her eyes appeared distant and worried. Even she was concerned.

“Alexander, remain by Bruce’s side. Do not fight
Forras
alone. It will take us all to defeat him if…” Grace paused

All the tense muscles in his body relaxed. He stood and walked over to Grace’s side. “I promise Grace. I won’t let my anger get the best of me.”

“I couldn’t survive losing you, too.” Her grayish-blue eyes welled up with tears.

“You won’t.” He clutched her hand one more time and stood to face Boon and Sammy. He towered over them, his jaw twitched.

Sammy’s hands trembled and Boon squeezed them with reassurance.

Alexander shot a warning glance back at Boon before he sat down next to Grace.

Boon stood up and pulled Sammy from the room into the entryway. “I have to go.”

Alexander watched as Sammy bit down on her bottom lip. Boon covered it with his finger. It took every ounce of restraint not to yank Boon out by his scrawny little white arms and throw him across the ocean.

“Everything will be okay. I’ll keep an eye on Alexander for you.” He leaned in and kissed her before he bolted out the broken front door.

Grace clutched Alexander’s hand and he gritted his teeth so hard his cheek ached.

Sammy’s eyes welled with tears. “What will happen if one of us dies by this weapon?”

His gut wrenched as he thought about the possibilities.

“Will we fall to Hell, there to burn for all eternity, or return to Heaven, but as a lost soul, not an angel?” Sammy’s voice cracked.

“Perhaps we’d renew in another body, like Grace has all these years” He tried to reassure her but all he could think about was being separated from Gaby, forever.

Chapter Fifteen

“You seem better today.” Alexander looked around at the spread of food on the table.

“I used to make breakfast every Saturday morning when Gaby was small. Her mother always sat at the table and talked while I worked in the kitchen. I thought it was about time for me to take care of Gaby again, instead of the other way around.”

“So, you were close? Did your wife work?”

“No, she stayed home with Gaby. You really think I’m better?” Bruce’s voice sounded hopeful.

Better was an understatement. He went through detox faster than humanly possible. An angel must have healed him; there was no other possible explanation. But could it be his wife? If there was a possibility his wife was an angel, certainly Bruce would’ve known. And if she was an angel that meant she was resurrected. Could it be possible another angel had resurrected after falling to Earth? It was a stretch, maybe wishful thinking, but he had to know.

“I heard you again last night. Were you dreaming about your wife?” Alexander clutched his fork until he noticed it was bent in half. He quickly pulled it under the table and fixed it. This could mean he and Sammy had a chance. A real chance at resurrection.

“I’m craving a drink like a person in the desert craves water, but I’m focusing on
gettin
’ better. It’ll take awhile. As for my wife, well, it’s
kinda
funny. You know when you asked if I had smelled my wife?” Bruce asked.

“Yes.” Alexander could barely get the word out.

“Funny, I thought you were crazy. But I guess you did your research on detox, or you put the idea in my head. Either way, I smelled her. Same shampoo and perfume she always wore.”

Alexander’s heart slammed against his chest. He had smelled her, too. It had to be her. But if that were the case did it mean she’d been a fallen angel?

Alexander tried to calm himself as he ate breakfast with Bruce, concentrating on each bite when a welcomed connection returned to Gaby. The evil was gone and he could feel her soft sweeping touch against his soul once more. His own drug of choice. The last week he’d experienced his own detox alongside Bruce.

Gaby waking on the same day as Bruce getting out of bed was too much of a coincidence. It made sense though. If it was Gaby’s mother, she’d want to heal both of them. But could a fallen angel even have a child? Grace might know. She’d been on Earth a long time, certainly she’d witnessed something that could help.

“Bruce, I’m going to head out. I think Gaby will be home soon.”

“Do you think I’m ready? I mean, is it safe for Gaby here? Should she stay away awhile longer?”

It was funny to watch this strong man go through so much only to crumble at the mention of his daughter’s name.

He had grown fond of Bruce, maybe because he appeared broken like Alexander felt. Maybe it was because they both wanted to make up for their past mistakes with Gaby. But it didn’t matter. Even as close as they’d become there was always the secret lingering in the room. Alexander knew Bruce would never forgive him. Of course, he doubted Gaby could tell him without explaining too much and being committed herself. Because of him, Gaby was forced to keep a secret from her father. Another mistake he couldn’t take back.

He wanted to deny the connection but he could feel Gaby’s presence as if she was in the room next to him. The longing to hold her grew stronger. They were perfect for each other, the way her head fit under his chin and her arms around his back, his around her shoulders. As if they were made from the same mold and separated on Earth.

“You’re a good man, son. Thanks for everything you’ve done for my daughter and me.” Bruce pulled him in for a man hug and slap on his back. It almost felt like he had a father himself for a brief moment. His heart warmed at the realization Bruce was proud of him.

You can’t be proud of me. I murdered your wife
. His chest tightened and he turned to the door. “Just take care of Gaby.” He closed the door behind him and ran for the woods, taking flight the minute he was out of sight.

The second his feet touched the ground outside his house, he bolted for the front door in hopes of finding Grace. He had to find out if what Bruce told him really meant his wife could be a resurrected angel.

As he approached the front steps, he heard the sweet sensual sound of Gaby’s voice. It filled him with renewed hope.

“Grace, I don’t know how to thank you for taking care of me. I know I said some horrible things to you, Sammy, and Alexander. I just couldn’t help it. I didn’t mean—”

“It’s alright dear. No need to worry, I understand. Be comforted my dear, school will be starting soon, and you can get on with your life now.”

“I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I wish we’d move again. How am I going to handle seeing Alexander at school every day? I’d miss you and Sammy but—”

“You would miss more than that. You just need time.”

Alexander’s shoulders slumped forward and he kicked the porch step. All he wanted was for this nightmare to be over, for Gaby to get better. How could he have been so stupid? She would never forgive him, how could she? It didn’t make a difference if her mother was an angel, he still caused her death.

He heard
Patronus
bark in the distance. Looking over his shoulder he saw a violet hue radiate through the trees. An angel’s light. But this was an angel he’d never seen.

“
Eliana
?”

The whisper barely passed his lips before he took off from the porch headed for the woods to find the angel.

****

“Thanks again Grace, for everything.” Gaby gave Grace and Sammy a hug and opened the door.

She remembered some crazy things during her demented state but it couldn’t be true. Her mother talking to her? It was the poison, it had to be. If Grace really communicated with her mother, she would have said something.

Her lips parted to ask her the question but she hesitated. They’d think she was crazy, march her back upstairs, and strap her to the bed. She wasn’t going to take the chance. Her body trembled at the memory of the restraints and the overwhelming sense of death.

Gaby turned and walked out of the house she had grown to feel as her own home. What would her house be like now? Was it true her dad was sober? Did she really have to move back? She could easily take her art set and
Patronus
and return.

No, she couldn’t, it was Alexander’s home, not hers. She sighed at the thought of him returning home. Part of her longed to stay, be part of the family and see Alexander’s dimples every morning. But, she couldn’t, not now, not ever.

Gaby walked through the woods. When she exited the path to her backyard the shack stood a few hundred yards away, unchanged. Yet, it seemed different somehow.

She turned the knob on the front door and stepped over the splintered threshold. Her father got up from the couch the minute she entered the house. The humble look on his face told it all. Embarrassment. He couldn’t look directly at her. Instead his gaze scanned the floor and the walls all around her, but not once would he make eye contact.

“Gaby, I-I’m so—”

“It’s okay, you’re here now.” Gaby ran into his arms. Not sure what possessed her but she had longed for him to love her again. To even acknowledge the fact she existed. Now he was sober. He embraced her, a real bear hug, straight from her childhood and some of the loneliness melted away. For a moment, she regressed to a little girl with pigtails, fully relaxed in her daddy’s arms.

“Is it true? Have you really stopped drinking?”

“Yes.”

“I’m so proud of you. I know it had to of been hard. I’m sorry I wasn’t here to help you. How did you do it on your own?”

“I wasn’t alone. Your friend’s brother helped me. If it wasn’t for him I would’ve failed, maybe even died.”

“You mean Alex?” The name could barely cross her lips without her eyes welling with tears of longing.

“Yes. I can’t believe he was
willin
’ to stay here with me.”

Why would he help her father like that? Guilt over killing her mother maybe?

“He’s a good guy, Gaby. Actually, I was wondering if there was something between the two of you.”

Was her father seriously asking about a boy in her life? She couldn’t help but scan the room for packed boxes. Maybe it was a trap, a question to see how she would react. Still, would it be so bad if they left now?

Her father took her hand and guided her to the kitchen table. “I know I haven’t been a great father. I haven’t even been a parent. It must’ve been lonely here and I’m sorry for that. If this boy means
somethin
’ to you, it’s okay. I trust you. You can see him if you want. I won’t tear you away from here now.”

“There’s nothing between us,” Gaby stated bluntly.

“That’s a shame. I was actually hoping you had someone in your life besides me.”

“It doesn’t matter I have you now. You’re sober and that’s all I need.”

“I love you G-Bear.” He choked out.

G-Bear? He hadn’t called her that in forever. Happy tears trickled down her cheeks.

“I’m going to clean up. I’ll be down in a minute. Maybe we can go for a walk. I’ve got something to show you.” Gaby said, turning to the stairs.

Gaby made her way to the bathroom and turned on the faucet to wash her face.

Be comforted my child. You are loved. Forgive and embrace.

“Mommy?”

Yes, my child. I’m here. I once roamed Earth condemned but now I’m raised. Be strong for the trails to come. Trust Alexander. He’s innocent.

Her body started to shake until a warm hand rested on her shoulder. She turned but nothing was there. “I-I don’t understand. You were a-a fallen…” She couldn’t continue.

Grasping the sink, she tried to stop her head from spinning. Her knees buckled, she collapsed to the soft fluffy bath rug. Resting her head against the cabinet, she clutched the counter. A flash of events bombarded her mind.

A vision of her mother falling from Heaven.

Meeting a man, her father.

Falling in love.

A wedding.

Baby.

Shouldn’t have been able to have baby.

She was a gift.

Gasping for air Gaby fell back hitting her head against the wall.

“Gaby, are you okay in there?” Bruce’s voice invaded her dream.

It is not his time to know.

Gaby understood. Her father couldn’t handle this. Not now, not when he was trying to get sober. “I-I’m fine dad. I-I’ll be out in a sec.” Her voice quivered and she was sure he’d demand she open the door immediately.

“Okay G-Bear. I’ll go take
Patronus
out. Be back in a bit.”

She waited for the door to close. The moment she heard it click, she pushed herself off the floor and bolted to her room. Pulling paper and charcoal pencils from her desk she started to draw. Black charcoal smeared all over her hands and desk. Dust fell to the floor.

Her hand danced several more colors across the rough page. Greens and browns formed trees. Orange and yellow rays broke through the leaves. Silver lined with white flakes. Red small ovals fell from the silver.

She turned the page around and around until the white space left on the paper revealed angel wings. Swallowing down the rancid taste rising up her throat she fell to the floor clutching the paper.