Chapter 3 (Veritas lux mea)
‘‘When I heard of this prophesy, many years back, I can honestly say, I did not believe it, but youth does that, it allows you to look at life with shades on. Abigail, that blood your Mom had on her mouth, marked her, and she swallowed it, she might have only been thirteen, but seven years later she gave birth to one of the chosen. There are seven of you, and six will give birth to sons. Sam is not a demon, but, his seed, and the dormant blood in you, will create a demon. You cannot run from him, I wish I could say run, but he will find you, even in a church. He will take you, even if you marry Michaelus, he will force his seed into you. These sons will bring a new order, they are the keys of Hell, and they will release the Principles of Hell unto the earth.
Ruth was innocent, she was only a vessel. You on the other hand have gifts, and you are marked, the blood in you, will never go away, it is meant for your son. Michaelus might be one of the Fallen, however, he is not evil. Sam is evil personified, he will seduce you without your consent, he will do anything to have this son. Even if it means killing Michaelus. I wish I could say this can be wiped under the carpet, but that would be a lie. I know the others are expecting, some don’t even know it, yet. Sam is getting impatient, do not fight him, he will hurt you. I am terribly sorry, Abigail. If suicide was an option, I would let you take it, but I will not condemn your soul, you are as innocent as Ruth was in this choice. I can give you things to protect your home, the Angel figurines and the crucifixes will not work on Sam, as I said he is Fallen, not a Demon. He will do what he wants to when he wants to”.
“What happens to Michaelus when I fall pregnant? I asked Lydiana.
“He will continue to watch over you, he chose this path inadvertently when he stepped into your room when you were only three years old. As time went by, he fell in love with you, even if you had his child. Sam will come back, to claim what he perceives to be his, and that is the drop of blood, that will create a “key”.
“Won’t my blood create a demon, if I had a baby with, Michaelus?”
“No, because the blood your Mom drank, is Sam’s blood, not Michaelus”. I nodded, yeah that made sense. “I have one last question. Do I have to marry Sam?”
“Yes, for your mortal soul, it will be the right thing to do, whatever happens after that, know that you are innocent, the Archangels will protect your soul, but they cannot interfere with this prophesy, the War, in Heaven has never stopped. Let’s say, hypothetically, Ruth was not there that night, someone else would have been chosen”.
“Thank you, Lydiana for your brutal honesty”.
“My dear, regard me as your friend, please, come to me. Sam will not enter my door, he is banned. What I am about to give you, I need you to place in the four corners of your apartment, I can’t keep him out of the shop, rightfully, it belongs to Lucille, so he can come and go as he pleases. However, your home is yours, and you have the right whom you invite in”. Lydiana left the room. I drank the rest of the sherry, and I will stop at a store on my way home, I am in desperate need of another drink, not that I drink much. I thanked Lydiana, and paid her extra, at least she told the truth.
I drove home. When I unlocked the door, I knew I was not alone, and it was Sam waiting for me. “Where have you been?”, he asked in not his usual hushed tone. I made my mind go blank. I poured a sherry, and I warmed up soup.
“You are not my Mother, Sam, I do not need to answer to you, so if that is all you came to say, please feel free to leave, now would be preferable”. I was shocked when he did leave, I placed what Lydiana gave me around the apartment, I had forgotten to ask her if it will keep Michaelus out as well, and I know it will work, because, Sam had no idea where I had been.
I phoned my Mom, I almost thanked her for ruining my life, then I thought, being petty, won’t change the facts. So I told her about work, she spoke about Rosemary, Rosemary was a saint in my Mother’s eyes. So I said good night, and I cut the call. Michaelus was making tea when I entered the kitchen.
I automatically embraced him, then I told him about Lydiana.
“So even if I took his place, he won’t leave you alone?”
“No, according to Lydiana, my Mom, drank his blood, and only his blood can create a key.” Michaelus did the most unbelievable thing, he poured himself sherry. I think my eyes nearly popped out of my head, he poured another for me, by now I was borderline, drunk, but what the hell. I drank it, and I was really drunk for the first time in my life.
I kissed Mich, I don’t know what his tolerance toward alcohol is, but mine is zero. The kiss deepened, and I did not let go, no, miss responsible was not home. I pulled him to the bedroom, and I undressed him. He was stunning, I have never seen him naked. I expected Mich to protest, but he didn’t, our passion grew, and he entered me, it hurt, but I was too drunk to acknowledge the full extent of the pain. Or what I was doing. It all felt surreal, like a dream, I know I fell asleep, then woke up thirsty, I drank water and showered, then wondered why I felt pain. Mich was not in the apartment. When I reached my bed I saw the blood, and nearly lost my mind, yeah unhinged would not describe what I felt at that moment. I pulled clothes on and the sheets off, then I put it in the washer. “Oh my God, what have I done?” I actually watched my sheets wash, then I placed it in the drier. “Shit, what have I done?” I am shell shocked, I cannot believe, I had sex, and with Michaelus.
I sat on the couch. I had no idea what to do with myself, I had done the worst thing imaginable. I won’t blame Michaelus, I started it, under those wings is a man, and I think I took advantage of him, not him of me. I sat with my face in my hands. I felt his hand on my back.
“Don’t do that, don’t turn what we shared into something sordid, please, Abi, I have never asked anything of you, and neither shall I, but, don’t sit here and call that a sin, not even sex, I thought I meant more to you, and no one took advantage of the other, I have been in Heaven Abi, and nothing could have prepared me for what I felt, being one with you. I know what Lydiana said, and I believe her, but, I am asking you to marry me. Allow me to fight Sam, I cannot, now in good conscience allow you to marry him. Please”.
“Mich, give me a few hours, I need my head to clear. Then I promise I shall give you an answer.’
He went and made the bed, and carried me to it. “Sleep, you look as if you want to go semi-insane”.
“I am semi-insane Mich”. He smiled, I was awed by his stunning flawless smile, he bent over me and kissed me, and no, I did not learn the first time, why would I learn the second? He felt so good, everything about him, was different and familiar. This time it did not hurt, he took me to places, and I let him. I knew I would marry him. And I knew that would get both of us into deep shit, but I had to, I had now willingly given myself to this being, and I will put a fast forward on the marriage.
I called my Priest the following morning while Mich was out. I asked him not to involve my parents. As my Priest, he was obligated to keep my secrets. I flew home. Mich met me at the church. And we got married legally and binding. I did go to confession, after the fact. Our marriage certificate would arrive within the week. I flew back to Deadwood. A married woman. I opened the shop. I apologised for being late. And work resumed as normal. Except for the gold band I now wore on my ring finger. Mich walked through the entrance, he had bought us lunch. His ring shone on his finger. Of all people, I tell you, Lucille has a damn radar built in. “Oh, so the dashing young man is your husband, there was no need to lie on your application, Abigail”, accosted Lucille. It was Mich that got her to shut up. When he told her, we only decided to get married this morning, and no I am not pregnant, we decided we want a new life in Deadwood, she will receive a copy of the marriage certificate, once he received it. Then of all things, she asked what surname to use on the lease.
“Michaelson. Our surname is Michaelson”, That settled that.
When Lucille left, Sam walked in the door. If looks could kill, I would be dead. “This is not over, it will never be over. Abigail, so be warned, the day will come, and you will give birth to my son”.
“Abi, we can leave, we can go anywhere, and start over”.
“No, am not running again, we will take things as they come, I promised to love and obey you, and I will, but no more running. What is done is done”.
We ate and Mich helped me in the shop. It was nice to have him at my side, and not hiding in the back room. I phoned Lydiana, she blessed us both, and prayed for us. More so for our protection from Sam’s wrath. I have to admit, hearing someone congratulate us, made me feel a tinge of happiness. I just married my best friend, whom shall not disappear when the mood arose. I need his protection. We worked well together, women stared at my husband, oh my soul, my husband. But I felt no jealousy, only pride, he really is gorgeous. We stayed open till way after five, then we went to the store together. I felt the relief in Michaelus. “You are really happy, Mich?”
“I am, wife, I have not felt any joy since I fell to earth, but standing here choosing milk, with my wife at my side, I never knew such joy, and I shall cook, do you want a honeymoon? That is what humans do, right?’ I smiled up at Mich. “Yes, I would love a honeymoon, surprise me.’ We finished our shopping and Mich squeezed his bulk into my little car. I laughed, his knees reached under his chin. Damn he looked funny. He got stuck, so I tried to pull him out of the car, it was so comical, that Mich laughed. Deep down we knew we were in deep shit, but we will take what joy and what horrors comes our way, that is what one does as a team. He read my mind.
I watched him cook, we each had a small glass, and by definition, a shot glass of sherry. We ate and did the dishes together, then I went to bath, Mich climbed in the tub, and caused a mini tsunami all over the bathroom floor. This time, I felt no guilt, only joy as we merged as one.
“Mich, please don’t leave me tonight.’ I lay in his arms. “I promise I won’t, this is where I want to be”. I fell into a deep sleep, the last few days had taken a toll. When my alarm went off at five, I reached out to touch Mich, he was not in bed. I was sure he had to be making coffee. He was not in the kitchen, I called him, he was not in the apartment, then I saw the crystals had been shattered. Fear and bile rose in my throat.
I bathed and dressed and opened the shop. It was busy. But no Michaelus. I phoned Lydiana, she told me to come to her as soon as I closed the shop. And I did. “Do you know where he is?” I asked before I greeted her. She poured me a whiskey. “Sam took him”.
“No!”
“Yes, Abigail, he took him and has him tied up, I can’t see where or I would send a rescue team, on my life, if I knew Michaelus whereabouts, I would tell you. You need to take new crystals home, or maybe you should go home”.
“No, my parents do not know I am married.’
I can’t protect you Abigail, Sam will come for you next”.
“I knew what I did, Lydiana, and I gambled, and I lost”. I took the crystals, she would not accept my payment, so I left it on the table. I went home, and I placed the crystals around the apartment. Not that I believed it would work. I cried, I sobbed. But I knew, I would pay for, running away, above all else, for thinking I could marry Michaelus, and get away with it.
On Friday, I received my marriage certificate. At first I was not sure what to do with it, so after I locked up. I placed it in the safe. I had not eaten in days. I felt ill. I missed Mich, I ruined his life, because I got drunk.
The crystals lay shattered. So I cleaned it. I did not eat. I sat and I waited for Sam. I did not wait long.
“We can do this the hard way, or the easy way, up to you Abigail. Once I know you are pregnant, I will return him to you”. I walked to the bed and I lay down. I really expected Sam to rape me, however, he entered me gently, released, then he thanked me and he left. I scrubbed myself from head to toe. I did not sleep. I got up early, and I stayed at Tinker-bell, well after the other shops had closed.
Sam came in and locked the door. I got up, and walked to the storeroom, and began to pull my pants down. “No, Abigail, I am not an animal. I came to see if you have eaten, so please, eat, you do not look well”. I ate because he told me to. And I was unsure of his duplicity, what was kindness and what was an order. The food made me feel ill. My tummy had been empty for too long, and I had not slept in days. “Lock up. I will take you home”. I did as he commanded. Once I got home, I got really ill, the food would not stay in my system. Sam, made me tea, then he put me to bed. I waited for him to do his thing, but he lay next to me. “Abigail, I never wanted it to be this way, I wish you had not married him, if I knew you would listen, I would force you to get an annulment, I do not want him to raise my son. So an ultimatum, one you are forcing on yourself, get an annulment, or I will make sure you never see him again”.
I got ill again. Sam drove me to the hospital, the doctor assumed he was my husband. They did a pregnancy test, and it was negative, I was dehydrated and my blood pressure was frightening low. The doctor would keep me over night. The drip helped, but sleep would not claim me. So Sam asked the doctor to sedate me. I was released on Monday morning, I went straight to my shop. Sam brought me food and watched me eat. I called my Priest, and that ended up in an argument, I had consummated the marriage, so according to the Vatican, it would take seven years for me to be legally divorced. I lied, and told my Priest, Mich had run away with another woman. God forgive me, but I was in so deep, what would another lie cost me. I got my annulment, on the grounds of infidelity. I did not get Mich back. The doctor that attended to me called in the late afternoon.
“Mrs. Michaelson, I hope you are much better. I am sorry to do this over the phone, but when we did your pregnancy test, we noticed that you are infertile, if you want children, you and your husband will have to adopt. Please see your GP, soon. You need a follow up appointment, if you can’t get an appointment, please come see me.” I sat staring at my mobile. Sam took it out of my hand. “Well”. That was all he said, and I fainted. I woke up back in the hospital bed. Sam was at my side. “This concludes our arrangement, Abigail, carry on with your life, you will never see me again”. Sam kissed my head and left. I was unhinged in a bad way. Yes, I deserved to be punished. But shit, I am only human.
I went home the following morning, I bathed, took my medication, and opened my shop. It was another busy day.
I ate, well I had to, either eat or pass out. Lucille asked where my husband was. I said on business. I closed at four, and went home. I got really sick again, so I made a mug of soup.
After a bath I climbed into bed, and sleep claimed me. It went on like this for a week. I would puke my guts out, then sleep. I went back to the doctor, I had lost a considerable amount of weight. I contemplated moving back home, but that was not an option. My life was a cluster fuck. I worked, went home, puked and went to bed.
After a month in Deadwood, I was mere skin and bone. Lucille mothered me. But no one had a cure for a broken heart. Lydiana phoned me, but I did not answer her calls. I was in hell, I did not need to be reminded. My Christmas stock arrived, and I hired an assistant, I became weak, so someone had to do the heavy lifting. Lucille made an appointment for me at her doctor. He was shocked at my condition, and wanted to admit me again. I refused. “Mrs Michaelson, this is not good for the baby”.
I looked at the man if he had just lost his bloody mind. “Doctor, I am infertile.’ I told him to call the doctor who treated me in the hospital. That doctor did not exist. Doctor Monroe did a sonar, and there it was, the heartbeat, and my fetus, I was two and a half months pregnant. The question in my mind was. Who’s baby am I carrying, and in hindsight, who was the doctor, that saved me from Sam?
I never got an answer for the latter. I started eating, and my regular clients noticed my growing belly. Lucille, became extra motherly. Time passed, new year arrived, and my belly grew, I went for my second ultrasound, and the fetus, was strong and growing well. I gained weight. I have to admit, my Mom, did not intrude in my life. She phoned on Christmas day, I spoke to my Dad, Jack. They had Rosemary. And I had a problem. My assistant became permanent. Veronica needed the job, she was young and a single parent, and she did not pry, nor would I divulge anything.
I need Mich, but I was the reason he was gone, and I was too scared that the child I carried was Sam’s. I have not seen Sam. I did go to Lydiana, I needed a friend. We did not discuss the pregnancy, I was not ready for the truth, either way, it would hurt. Our friendship grew, and so did our trust, she came with me for my next ultrasound. We were amazed at the baby, doctor Monroe confirmed it was a boy. My blood pressure spiked, so he admitted me.
I woke up, to a light pressure on my hand. I looked directly at Michaelus. “Hi.’ He greeted me. I sobbed. He reassured me that he was well, and whomever the baby belonged to, he would help me raise it. I told him about the annulment, then he left. I could not blame him. All I did since I moved to Deadwood was one mistake after another.
My son was born on the first of July. I baptised him three months later. And three months later, I knew who the Father of Michael was. I did the best I could, he was a good baby. Veronica, taught me so much. Lydiana became his Godmother. When Michael turned six months old. Sam walked through the shop entrance, I was not fast enough to hide Michael.
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