CHAPTER 5 (No one is promised tomorrow)
Liam Woods died during the exorcism. Natty went into a comma, the night we burnt down her house, she had over dosed, so the doctors decided to switch off the machines. The thing inside Liam, was evil personified, it used Liam, to keep Bradley “alive,” so Bradley could conjure more lesser demons, those that spread disease upon the body and the soul. This thing was anthropomorphic, and too big for the child’s body, personally, I feel this was a mercy death. Liam had lost the war when he became a key, I pray for his deliverance.
We all attended the funerals, we had watched this child suffer, do unspeakable things, in the name of Satan. No child should have to suffer, they are not tools, they are young innocent souls, born with an open third eye, and that should be used for good not for evil. I worried about Tyler, that which ran through his veins, was not natural. I wanted to see the boy, but I will always fear, that I am being watched. Lydiana attended the wake, then left, not that I blamed her. All this crap is messing up the balance. The vale between earth and hell is being breached too often. I cannot pray for peace on earth, I think that concept is redundant, the second we fell. We started this vicious circle, we will have to be the ones to see it to the end.
Lydiana and I got married, in a small chapel not far from her home. I didn’t have cold-feet, no, but I did feel concerned, was I being selfish? I will live on until Judgement Day, and I will bury my wife, I hope to old age. I will live on in this body, whether I am damned or not, I will not age, she will. But, I did it, I wanted her to be my wife. I was happy. I gave Sam the cat to Guile, and my home to Ryan, it sure is a hell of a lot better than the trailer park he lived in. I have to acclimatize, I don’t know how to be human. Go the store, buy the cat food. Make my bed, share a bed, man I am terrified, this is what was going through my mind during the reception, at my new home. Samuel took me one side, and I think he gave the Father to son talk. And I was truly thankful. Thomas attended the wedding, still mending, but he was out of danger, you get my drift, and he even danced with a friend of Lydiana’s. Samuel I could see, was uncomfortable, too many memories came flooding back. Michaelus, was not at the reception. Ariel sent us a stunning vase, I am sure it had to belong to a queen. When the reception came to an end, and everyone left, I got the jitter bugs, and not in a good way.
Lydiana and I were packing away the last of the dishes, when I knock came at the door. We were both confused. “Maybe it is a belated well-wisher?” I suggested. Lydiana went to open the door. “Hunter, please come here.” I ran to the door. There was a box, on the welcome-mat. A very sinister looking box, large, and unmarked. “Lydiana, step back into the house.” She did as I asked. I moved the box off the porch. Something was making my hair stand on end. I opened the box as if it contained a bomb, and metaphorically it did. I called to Samuel and Michaelus, they literally dropped from the sky, and gazed into the box. Samuel reached in and removed three playing cards, yes you guessed it, three, sixes. And underneath lay a photo of Tyler. “You have got to be shitting me. Do they ever give up?” I was mad to my core. “No, they will go for the jaguar every time”, answered Samuel.
“Hunter, keep your wife safe, they now have her smell, I will send Ryan to Tyler, and we will get back to you. Don’t touch this box until we return.” Oh hell no, I am not touching the cursed piece of crap. I went inside, and I stood against the door. “Why? Why do they always have to fuck things up?”
“Because they can, my love.” Lydiana took my hand, I followed her into the den. She pushed me onto the couch, and sat on my lap. “Honey, you do know you have a target painted on you. Liam had the same affliction. Albeit his mark, was the mark of Satan, yours is the radiance that shines from you, I can see it, and demons can see it, so yes, life on earth, as you know, will never be a walk in the park. But, honey, you are not alone, we are one, your cross, is mine to bare, remember that. “Lady, I love you.” We were about to kiss when I heard the Angels land. I scooted my wife over, and asked her please to stay out of view.
“Ryan says, Tyler is missing. Debbie and Matthew have opened a missing persons report on him, Tyler has been missing for three days.” Thomas was not here. “Does Thomas know?” I asked Samuel. He shook his head no.
“Hunter, we will have to go this one alone. Thomas is not well, and this will put him way over the edge, I apologise for doing this on your wedding day, but I need you to track the boy.” I looked over my shoulder. “Let me explain this to Lydiana, and get rid of that box.” I went inside, and as I expected, my wife blessed me. “I am so sorry.”
“Don’t be, Hunter. I know what I married. Just know I will be keeping the bed warm.” Hell I blushed every damn colour of the rainbow, even if it was just brown. I kissed her head, hugged Noodle, and made wings, I can’t make tracks, I fly. We ended up in my most favourite place on earth. I took the jacket Matthew offered me. Hell I don’t like the cold. “Run me through it, day by day.”
Debbie poured us whiskey, I drank mine in one go, this was not how I had imagined the day to end.
“There were no strange phenomena, Tyler did exceptionally well at school. He no longer has to use the contact’s. He has many friends, he plays ice hockey for his school. Three days ago, I dropped him off at school, as I do every day, he didn’t have practice, so I was on time, and he never showed. I asked his friends if he was at school and they said yes. The second the last bell rang, they said he headed towards my car. I waited, but he never turned up”, explained Debbie. I could feel Samuel was rattled to his core, he was not in a good place. “I need to see his room please.”
Samuel and I followed Debbie. The room was lovely. A real boy’s room, an ordinary boy’s room. I looked under the bed, no boxes, nothing to indicate anything Satanic. I looked in his closet, nothing. “He attends Mass with us, every Sunday.” That did not surprise me, there was nothing “off “ in this room, or in this house. Samuel and I had the same thoughts. Debbie left us alone. “So if there is nothing evil in this house, is it at the school?” Samuel just looked at me. “We need to go have a look.” I nodded.
It was late afternoon when we landed at the school, we obviously first surveyed the area. It was snowing, so not a human in sight, we went through the roof. It was freezing inside the school, hell I have never been to school. We found a few cold-spots, well colder spots. No sulphur though. That is a tell-tale sign we look for in any demonic activity, the smell is enough to alert you to it. “Samuel, there is no demonic-energy anywhere in this school, so who the hell took the boy?” We left the way we had entered. We scouted the grounds. We went back to the Fletcher’s. I called my wife, damn that gives me goose bumps. I explained it all to my wife, oh yes I can say that, it’s the truth. She said she would call me back. I answered my mobile on the first ring. “Hey honey. Listen closely, this is what I found. Hon there is a severe snow storm, one that is more severe than normal. The thing that took the boy is not a demon, she is a witch.
An ancient being honey, she needs Tyler’s blood for a sacrifice, I assume a demon told her that the boy is special. People have made sacrifices since the beginning, you know that for a fact, and someone, told her about Tyler, that storm is affecting businesses, lives, and productivity, so the only way to bring a smidge of normality, is to appease the Gods. This woman, is barren, unmarried, a recluse, she has a distinct limp, her left foot is deformed, her home will have snails and caterpillars, even in that weather. I am sorry, honey, this is all I can see.”
Samuel was listening, he took the phone from me. “Lydiana, you are a gift, thank you, don’t ever apologise, we would be sitting snow men, if not for what you told us, bless you, and thank you.” I said good bye, and cut the call. Then we narrated what Lydiana had told us. “I know who she is, Hunter. Here are the directions to her house. Oh, wait, I can give you an aerial description.
She is a known witch, we never really believed it, but my Mother did, she when to her for all her ailments. I never believed it, but I guess, now I do.” Debbie described to us exactly how to get to Aster’s house. I bundled up. Hey it’s bloody cold. The sun does not set for a while though. We found Aster’s house. We sat in a tree, the damn tree was covered in green leaves, a herb garden flourished in this weather, and true to form, there where snails and caterpillars. “How do we deal with a witch?” Samuel looked at me like I am the ultimate witch-hunter. “No, never met one.”
Samuel jumped off the tree, knocked on the door, and punched her lights out, then he tied Aster to a chair, and we found Tyler locked up in a cage. He could barely fit, this is some real Hansel and Gretel BS. “Take Tyler home, then come back.” I did as Samuel instructed. “Good to see you son.” He smiled and hugged me. I dropped him off the blizzard was in full force. When I returned to the candy-house, nah, it was an ordinary house. Aster was awake and not very impressed, well neither were we.
I waited while Samuel did all the talking. He was calm, me not so much, I don’t particularly like witches, as I said I have never met one, and neither would I want to meet another any time in the near future.
“Aster, if you answer my questions honestly, you live. If you lie you die. Simple and easy to understand, right?” Aster glared at Samuel. He moved a chair closer to her, and sat down, he towered over her, even seated, but then he towered over the entire human race. He folded his hands. “Ready?” Aster looked at me, then back at Samuel.
“You know we met during the 1500’s. Do you remember? I was at your witch trail, damn you really fooled them. Hunter they put the witches through a series of tests, back then to determine whether they were actual witches or not. They would place the women in water, well Holy water, if the floated, they were deemed a witch, if the sank, they were off the hook. They were publicly stripped, and shaved, if a mole, or a birth-mark were found, they would pierce it with a needle, if it bled, it was considered the mark of the devil. But this lady here, passed with flying colours. I knew what she was, but, hell that was not my fight, but now the tables have turned. So Aster, why did you kidnap the boy? Who did you want to appease?”
“Belial.” Samuel sat forward. “Who?” he asked again, and Aster answered. “Belial.”
“Hunter do you know of Belial?”
“Not much, only ancient lore, what I do know is he used to possess humans, there were six, that really preyed on the humans. I know Judas Iscariot was supposedly possessed by one of the six. Belial was known as the master of deceit. I heard of Legion, either a name of a demon Jesus exorcised. Mm then there was Cain and Nero whom were supposedly possessed. No, my knowledge doesn’t stretch very far, in connection with Belial.” Samuel looked at me.
“It is only fitting that the blood of one of the six would be offered to one of the six cardinal-demons.” Samuel looked around the room. He pointed at her altar. “The symbol of Baphomet, she is actually telling the truth. So Aster, why now? And who ordered this offering?” Aster looked away from Samuel. One thing was for certain she was terrified of him, and more terrified of the answers she had to give him.
“Lou, Thomas’s Lou, came to see me, she wants Thomas dead, and she wanted me to kill Tyler, she said they ruined her life, and now it was time for payback. She lost her job, and she is sick. So she paid me to practice black-magic, only, those were here words, that I must use Voodoo, and kill them both, I could use, anything from Tyler, to make a doll for Thomas. In order for this spell to have worked, I would need the help of the dark-lord, Belial, I am not equipped to kill an Angel.”
“You had Tyler for three days, why didn’t you complete the ritual?”
“I can’t kill a boy. The reason I got away during the 1500’s is because I do not practice black-magic. Yes I took her money, and I kidnapped the boy, to make it look legit, but I took care of him, and I would have set him free. The earth, and balance, is my grimoire, the alter is for show, I don’t do blood-spells. And I will never kill an Angel. I have seen the effects hell has on a soul, just like you, Samuel, I have lived a very long time, spoken to a thousand souls, and I chose not to go to hell, even though I am a witch, I was born this way. I never knew my Mum. I treat ailments, I grow herbs, and when the dead speak I listen, but I draw the line, at some rituals. You can believe me or not. I did give Lou, a potion, she has cancer, she won’t live long, but the potion is to ease the pain, only.”
I believed her, yeah her home was decorated to make anyone believe she is a bona-fide witch, and I am darn sure she is, but no, she would not have sacrificed the boy, you don’t live this long if you dapple in voodoo and dark-magic, that’s sacrificing your soul, and whomever it belongs to, would have come to collect a long time ago. Samuel and I shared that thought. He untied her. “Well, Aster, I hope we never cross paths again. Stay out of trouble, and please never, and I mean never! Go near Tyler again, if you do, I will personally drag you to hell, is that crystal clear to you?” Aster nodded yes. We left.
Back at the Fletcher’s Tyler was eating ice cream. Really, ice cream, well everyone to their own. Samuel embraced him. “Stay good, son. Know that we will always watch over you. Know that your Dad loves you more than anything on earth. Just hold that in your heart, and stay good. I am so proud of you. Thomas is exceptionally proud of you, we don’t visit, because we are protecting you. Live a normal life, just be a boy for as long as you can, one day, fate will decide your destiny.”
I hugged Tyler. He truly had a good soul, a fighter. Thomas would be proud. “That went well.”
“Yeah, it did, hey. Most of the old witches, we don’t hassle, they believe in balance and nature, this new religion, is going to send many women to hell, they are not aware that they have made a deal with the devil, they willingly put that drop of blood on the contract, and brother, come collection day, they are so screwed, that is a binding contract, that not even an Angel can break.” I shuddered. Samuel and I parted ways, him back to Thomas, and me to my wife. Wow that hit me like a wrecking ball. I sat on a bench, outside my house for a while. It had been a long day. I got married, I met a witch, I think we saved Tyler. But that ominous box still troubled me. Aster never mentioned me, or Lydiana. I don’t think she even knows who I am. So who the hell sent that box?
Lydiana came and sat next to me. She lay her head on my shoulder. “I am glad the boy is safe, and I am even happier to have you home. Now, purge, what’s up doc?” I smiled. “It’s that damned box, I can’t put my finger on it, but that box was meant for me.” Lydiana took my hand and led me into the house. “Shower, and sleep, and in that order, that’s an order. We can talk about that damned box, after we had some rest.” I had a shower, climbed into bed, and Lydiana was fast asleep. I covered her, and watched her sleep for a long time. Whoever sent that box, knew it was my wedding day, I have not consummated my marriage. Tyler was gone for three days, why tell us now? Of course I am relieved the boy is well, and unharmed. It’s those cards, I know it’s a message. As long as I live, I will be harassed, they will never allow me to live in peace, that much is perfectly clear to me.
Noodle jumped on the bed, and curled up on my chest. I kissed his head. I lay awake for a long time, the sun was just rising when I fell asleep. I slept for most of the day, and I felt guilty as hell. Lydiana was as understanding as a saint. She had made us lunch, it was drizzling outside, so we sat in the den. “The cards, those that were lying in that enormous box, what do they mean in your world?” Lydiana placed her glass on the table. “That is the mark of the beast, the devil’s mark, to us.”
“That is not very reassuring.” She came and sat on my lap. “According to the bible, the mark will appear in the end of days, before the coming of the Lord. Well hon, the bible is very cryptic, this is what the churches tell us.”
I was still mulling this over in my mind when my wife seduced me, oh I am not complaining, I came willingly. Shame on you. I was as nervous as a pig in a bacon store, but she was gentle. Now I have had many experiences in my time on earth, but nothing prepared me for this. I think it will take time, honestly, I am scared I break her, there is this switch that pops on, and there are a million emotions all whirled into one. I am huge, no shame on you. As in large, oh hell no, tall and muscular. Yeah, that’s what I thought. So yeah, I basically bit into the pillow and willed myself not to lose control.
The second Noodle walked into the room, I jumped up, and ran for the shower. Lydiana was in fits of laughter. No, and hell no. I will not run around in my birthday-suit in front of the cat. My wife found it hilarious. She finally joined me in the shower. “We need to go to the store, hon. You eat more than I had anticipated.” I blushed, I don’t know why the hell I blush. I went to my car, after I was dressed, and retrieved, a generous amount of money. Lydiana, thought I had taken offence. “No, sweetheart, I have been meaning to give it to you, it’s our money, right, it was the Tyler thing that made me forget, and yes, I eat like a donkey, or something bigger, I have had every intention of contributing to the home. Now please stop crying, I feel like a giant jack-ass, as it is.” We went to the store. Damn this is so much fun. I took a whole hour shopping, and Lydiana, was as patient as ever. “I never knew there were so many different cheeses, or different kinds of milk, it’s like shopping in paradise, just chose what you want.” She giggled at me when we arrived at the bathroom section, yeah I really wanted to run at that point, who ever thought being married, is this, how shall I put it, none private. And she made me chose the bathroom tissue, I grabbed the ones with the flowers, yes, flowers are safe. “Who did your shopping before, we met?”
“Oh, my neighbour, Guile, she literally, did it all for me, and cooked most of my meals, or she would leave me fresh fish, and bread, seriously, I love it.”
“Well, then that is good to know.” We waited in line to pay, the cart stacked to the brim. Many people greeted Lydiana. She introduced me as her husband, I got a few dirty looks, then I frowned. She noticed, she always noticed my moods. In the car she tried to explain, and that didn’t sit so well with me. “Sweetheart, I was there when slavery was invented, but in heaven, there is no colour, we all know our place, and our duty, but colour, no. We are family. Even Lucifer, was my brother, the most handsome, perfect creation. And he accepted us all. I will not be looked down on, not that-that is even physically possible. I know I am super new to your life, but, I am not a door-mat, and I will not be judged, not by man.” Shit, I should have worded that differently, I sound pompous. Did I make a mistake by getting married? I wish I knew the answer.
I helped Lydiana unload the car, the silence was deafening. “Sweetheart, please. Come sit down. What I said in the car, it all came out wrong, I am not superior to you, I love you. I was created to obey you. It’s the racist thing that got my goat, and I will not apologise for that.” Lydiana came and sat on my lap. “I know, believe me I do know. It’s me, Hunter, I feel inferior to you, and the way those folks looked at you, it angered me, the next time, I will not bite my tongue, you can stand and listen or walk out of the store, but I will never make an excuse for loving you.”
We kissed and made up. Thank God for married life, it really does have a secret weapon, for now the store-thing, lay on the backburner. The box, what’s in the box, is weighing on me heavily. We made dinner. I asked Lydiana if I could invite Samuel, and she truly had no qualms. I needed to bounce this box around, it was gnawing at me. It was good to see Samuel, it felt like ages, and yet it had only been two days. He narrated how Thomas was. Thomas could finally move his wings, he had told him about the Tyler incident. “Have you given any thought to that box?” Samuel nodded. “Yes, I have.”
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