When Darkness Falls, page 10
This is how Ephraim and Sinclair… Heaven and Juah came to be.
They were star-born. When the stars came into being, so did they. And they were some of the most brightly shining stars I had ever created. I marveled at them. Wrapping them in flesh was even more beautiful. The other angels who came before them were jealous; I thought about banishing them along with Lucifer and his followers but thought better.
Ephraim and Sinclair were born from the same star; just as Juah and Heaven were born. When they were born, they were fully formed, though not yet fully self-aware. They were an inseparable pair, as I knew they would be. I wanted it that way, as I watched them grow, I saw they naturally wanted to be inseparable, too. Whenever they went to other locations within the Heavens or even ventured down to Earth and the other regions of other galaxies and planets, they were linked. Arm in arm; hand in hand. What started out as two friends quickly blossomed into love between the two. The way I saw it was if I created humans- mankind- to love one another, I could offer my angels the same choice.
Juah and Heaven, on the other hand, were birthed from different stars. On different days; with thousands of years between them. In Heaven, they worked. They matched perfectly. Just like Sinclair and Ephraim did. Their love was the fourth most beautiful thing I had ever seen. The first being the creation of the universe; the second being My Son returning home after the humans crucified Him and He died for all man-kind; the third being Sinclair and Ephraim’s love story. Now, Juah and Heaven stood a chance to last for all eternity.
And so, they did. Until that dastardly Giana ‘The Almighty’ came back on the scene and tried to manipulate Heaven while she was on Earth. That was never her mission. Her mission was to find Juah and find peace again; then return home with him. But, free will.
I wouldn’t dare dream of tampering with their free will. I wouldn’t be God if I did that; nor would they be human. Or angels. They would be walking zombies, clones that did my bidding. Not breathing, beautiful, brilliant souls wrapped in the most creative, amazing flesh.
So, I sat back and watched The Almighty tamper with my beloved angels until I couldn’t take it anymore. Until I placed the drive inside Ephraim to do what he did- save himself and the chosen one he loved, thus saving all of humanity.
I would deal with the remains of The Almighty; for only I could destroy her… and Satan, who, from My knowledge, put her up to all of this in the first place.
IN HELL
“To what do I owe this pleasure?” she steered, all but snapping her teeth at Me. She was behind a burning gate with flames that never ceased. They burned hotter the closer she drew near them.
I wanted nothing more than to wring her neck but chose to be the higher entity. I knew all, was all, and could feel all; that meant that rage, wrath, and anger were a part of me. I just picked the most opportune time for that side of Me to come forth.
And right now, I knew that if I let that side of Me show, I would lose everything. And I couldn’t afford that. I would lose this battle, and I wouldn’t stand for that.
Because I lost nothing.
After an exhale, and using slight force to rattle the bars that held Giana bound, I spoke.
“You didn’t win today, just like you haven’t won yet.”
We had been going back and forth for what felt like centuries. In truth, it was much longer than that. She had been with Me in the beginning. I don’t know why she was there, but she was.
And I didn’t tell her she couldn’t be there. In hindsight, that was My mistake. My error.
Even I have a weakness, and the embodiment of Wisdom was mine. There was something to be said about her though. I didn’t create her, contrary to popular belief. No, Giana… The Almighty… wasn’t my handiwork. I was grateful for that, because I knew all the Heavens and Earths before this one- plus all of the other planets and galaxies- would have smote me. Or tried to.
But I created Lucifer. Lucifer wasn’t a heinous being from the beginning, though. His viral nature grew with time.
“What are You doing here?” a snarl came from behind Me and I exhaled more deeply.
Great.
Without looking in his direction, I could sense Lucifer. Satan. The Devil. Call him whatever, but I would always refer to him as Lucifer…. For as long as he was alive.
“You can’t have her, Jehovah…” he warned, and I laughed.
“I don’t want her,” I told him, meaning every word. I didn’t want Giana… on my hands. Didn’t want that kind of pressure.
I was running and overseeing a universe. I didn’t have time to babysit a demon. That was why I banished the majority of them away. The others followed willingly, being seduced by his wild, adventurous, crazy, evil nature.
I finally looked at him. Stared into those gorgeous amethyst eyes of his and held My breath.
For a moment, I had forgotten how beautiful he was. How well had I done with him? Extraordinarily well. And he knew it. Vanity seeped through his pores even now, as he grinned at me.
“I don’t blame You. She has been a handful.”
“You created me this way, though, Luce!” The Almighty crooned, licking her lips. Her long tongue wrapped around her head, slowly sinking back into her mouth.
Disgusting.
“What purpose does she serve now that everything is back to the way it should be?” I questioned Lucifer, turning My gaze to him.
With his right hand, he placed it on his chin, pondering. His eyes glowed a bright lilac now, as he shook his head.
“What do You want?” he asked again, the same awestruck expression on his face; like he couldn’t believe I was here- better still, like he couldn’t believe I had the audacity to come here.
“You under my feet…. For all eternity!” I roared, just as the bars burst into even more flames.
I couldn’t stop the rage from bubbling up. All the years of trying to safe-guard humanity from the likes of him and his followers. All his tricks, plots, schemes had now come down to this: failure. He just didn’t realize it yet.
Lucifer staggered back, and The Almighty gave a high-pitch scream that sounded more like she had set off a sonic boom than a regular, anguished yell. I reached for him, pulling him toward the nearest well, setting his entire body on fire.
He groaned, teeth snapping at me, hands flailing everywhere.
“LET ME GO!” he roared, but I held him fast.
Held him long enough for his body to burst into flames then melt into molten, hot lava. Then, once the puddle of his remains was at my feet, his amethyst irises staring back at me from the floors of Hell, I came for Giana.
The Almighty shivered, as My gaze landed on her. She tucked her knees under her chin, rocking, whispering some indiscernible words.
I didn’t want to hear her beg for mercy; didn’t want to hear her pleas of “I’m sorry. Save me, please. Forgive me. Rescue me!”
From the way her body shook like a leaf, I could tell she was on the verge of telling me those exact words. In fact, if I had given her the chance, she would have said those words.
But, I put her out of her misery- just like how she and Lucifer had operated against so many of My Creations.
I knelt, carefully keeping my eyes trained on hers, and she shook even harder. I had her right where I wanted her, and I knew what was going to happen next would set the tone for the future.
Would set everything they ever tried to do wrong… right.
With a snap of My fingers and a wink, I was inside her mind. I saw everything. Every moment she had ever endured.
The moment when she was birthed from a black planet and taken away from her race of beings. A race of beings that had been destroyed by My angels many millennia ago. The moment when she came face to face with Lucifer. The look of pure acceptance in his eyes as he framed her face in his boney, pale hands. The moment when… she fell in love with him.
I shook my head, as I went deeper.
And deeper.
Deeper still.
I went so deep, I was afraid to stay any longer. Because her mind was so vast yet captivating; it was massive yet frightening.
It was a mind that only Lucifer himself could create, yet her will was her own.
“Just leave me alone,” she managed to say, before I watched her wince in pain. She choked, coughing hard. Coughing so much that she was turning blue. Her gorgeous, tanned skin was turning blue, and I was glad.
Because in a matter of seconds, her brain would stop thinking; her heart would stop beating. The slow, painful death would overtake her as her brain clotted, and an aneurism took over.
And that would be a sight worth watching. So, I stayed, watched as she began foaming at the mouth and her hands shook uncontrollably. Watched until she took her last breath and her eyes fluttered closed.
Then, I returned back to Heaven where the first host of angels awaited My return.
JUAH
He was waiting for me in the crowd. On the front line where My Warring Angels and my Messenger Angel stood, Juah was there. He needed to be there. I wanted him there among his brothers. He had proven himself to me time and time again, which let Me know he deserved to be seen as an equal along with the others.
His robust features were back: his jawline, his muscular arms, his hair was back to its regular shade of cherry red. His eyes…. Those were what made me acknowledge him first. They held so many questions, and he knew I had all the answers he sought.
I placed a hand on his shoulder, and as the other angels welcomed Me back with smiles, some with cheers and kisses, Juah and I walked alongside the pearly whites, into Heaven.
We had all of eternity for his questions to be answered, but I knew the one most pressing on his mind. He needed that one answer, and he would have it.
“It’s good to have You home, Father.”
I smiled. Even that term of endearment from my angels warmed My heart.
“You have no idea how good it feels to be back. A week is too long to be away from you all,” I confessed, as we turned a corner, our feet touching the lush, fresh green grass of Eden.
Yes, the Garden of Eden. I watched Juah’s eyes light up with recognition. I could sense Ephraim and Sinclair somewhere within; a smile touched my lips. Considering whose likeness in the human realm I fashioned their likeness after, it was perfectly fine for them to be frolicking amongst the beauty of The Garden. It was natural, even for angels. I felt safe with them there, seeing as The Tree was burning in Hell along with Lucifer and The Almighty.
Juah turned to me, his steps faltering, as he spread his wings.
“Can we go inside?” he questioned me, sounding like a curious five-year-old, making My heart leap with joy.
I squeezed his right shoulder, letting My Hand drop.
“Of course, we can. I’d like us to discuss whatever seems to be ailing you in private anyway.”
Juah nodded. He knew what I was saying without even saying it. Out of earshot from the other angels who were rather curious.
We walked inside, as his wings began to flap, and I watched the wind pick up every flower within the front of The Garden, the petals swirling in the whirlwind Juah’s wings created.
The whirl wind ceased soon after, and I could feel the inner warmth coursing through his body.
“No need to be embarrassed. Not a lot of you come here.”
“Why not?”
“Fear. Superstition. Whatever keeps you away of your own free will.”
Juah nodded, his hands gliding along the many petals where daisies and petunias had bloomed a second ago.
I could see that question lingering behind his eyelids, so I relieved him of his worry.
“She’s safe, Juah. She’s safe, and she’s here.”
His eyes lit up again. “Here? As in… In here… Or out there?” he nodded towards the entrance of The Garden.
“In here…” I whispered. “Follow the dew drops, and you’ll find her. She’s waiting for you.”
He laughed, and I could see the tears rimming his eyelids.
I nodded ‘Go’; he took off the next second, spreading his wings high, racing down the path I knew he wouldn’t stray from.
JUAH
Every twist and turn that led me closer to where God said Heaven would be, my heart sped up. I could feel the blood coursing through my veins, and the pounding along my neck pushed me to fly faster. Everything began a blur, until I noticed a figure sitting on the most beautiful, oak log bench, right underneath The Tree. My heart rate slowed, and I fell forward, almost falling, as my heels dug into the soil beneath my feet. My wings folded back underneath the flesh over my back. Surprisingly, this time, I didn’t wince in pain.
Maybe it was the excitement that overrode the tiny fraction of discomfort. Nevertheless, as I walked closer to the bench, I recognized Heaven.
Her head lifted from whatever she was focused on crawling along the ground. A look closer, I saw what had her so fascinated.
A black and green caterpillar wiggled along the soil.
A smile touched my lips, as my eyes held her gaze. I wondered for a second. But then I remembered….
She has to know who I am. She wouldn’t not know who I am…
For a moment, I waited. Waited with her. Waited for her to say something. Anything. Do anything.
The urge to go to her, take her in my arms, hold her, and kiss her was overwhelming. My blood began to race through my veins faster, and I could hear that familiar thump thump thump as my heart pounded within my chest.
Still, I waited for her to make the first move.
Her right eyebrow arched upward, as she rubbed her hands together. She exhaled a shaky breath, as she stood up from the bench, smoothing out whatever wrinkles there were in her long, silk white dress. Heaven’s hair was pinned up in a messy bun. Flowers dotted her hair, and the tiny halo that sat on her head shone brightly.
You actually gave her to me?
Yes, now go get her, before I push this beautiful moment along a bit faster. She’s nervous.
I didn’t expect Him to respond, yet when He did, I smiled anyway.
“Heaven?” I spoke, my feet carrying me over to where she stood, nervously playing with flowers along the ground.
Once she stood up, my breath hitched.
Damn, she was one beautiful angel.
My angel.
I have expected God to inject again, yet when He didn’t, the sounds the animals made quieted my mind- and my racing thoughts.
She smiled at me, as a deer walked past us. With a swift nudge using its head, the deer grunted. I was thrust forward, instantly wrapping my arms around Heaven’s waist.
Very funny.
Told you I would speed this along.
As the deer scurried away, I heard Heaven gasp, her eyes dancing with… something like awe, wonder, and maybe even a bit of good magic. Her hands landed on my shoulders.
God, she was beautiful. Beautifully curious. I watched her eyes fall to my lips, then quickly, her eyes landed on mine again.
“Hi, Heaven.”
Still, waiting…
The waiting was torture.
Once she smiled at me, her hands on my shoulders squeezing gently, I knew she remembered. I knew she noticed me.
“Hi, Juah. Where have you been?” she asked, framing my face with those soft, warm hands of hers.
She smelled like honey and lilac.
“I could ask you the same question,” I smiled down at her.
She was so tiny against me. The top of her head barely touched my shoulder.
But she felt perfect; was perfect here in my arms.
We were a perfect fit.
“Waiting on you,” was her reply.
“Trying to find a way to get back to you,” I told her.
We both blushed, holding each other closer.
Her eyes closed, as we both enjoyed the silence.
Then, she spoke, letting my heart and soul know that all was well…
“I knew we would find our way back to each other.”
I pressed my lips to the top of her hair.
“I knew we would, too, baby.”
ON EARTH
SEVERAL YEARS LATER…
SINCLAIR
Many years had passed since I felt the urge to return home… to check on my mother. I wondered if she was still living; if my father had divorced her or they had chosen to work it out. I wondered if she had forgiven me. I wondered about a lot of things. I found myself wandering down the street during the dead of night. I didn’t want to startle them, much less let everyone know that I was still here.
I wanted everyone in this town to consider me dead. I glanced around the street. The houses still looked the same. Same uniformity. Same paint. Same blah.
Yet, I pressed on, walking up the long driveway that would lead me to the front door of my childhood home. A childhood I was happy to have escaped from. A life I was happy I didn’t have to live anymore.
The closer I got to the black door, my heart pounded. I chose not to knock, remembering my first stance.
Don’t let them see you. Don’t let them see you. Do not let them see you, Sinclair.
I went around the back, pausing to gaze at the stars high above my head. The red hoodie I wore, along with the black jeans and black boots wasn’t keeping me warm. I was praying this quick glance wouldn’t take longer than a second and I could be home. I came down to put this town to rest. My life on Earth needed to die. The hold my mother still had on me… along with the bitter memory of the last time we spoke that still lingered… needed to die. Needed to be out of my head and heart.
I needed to be free of her and all of her crazy notions of me and about me. Even about herself. I couldn’t keep carrying her anymore- especially when I had no reason to be in Heaven.
My feet carried me to the back window, and I noticed the living room light on. It had to be about three in the morning here, and I watched the scene before my eyes.
My mother and father both sitting on the couch- a black, leather couch they had for as long as I could remember- holding mugs of something warm. I imagined Dad’s cup to be filled with some sort of spiked coffee. Mom most likely had hot chocolate with eggnog.
