Havon

Dawn

The cars passed each other as water rained down and splashed back up.  The drivers focused on what they hoped were not reflections of light from the rain.  Passengers were serenaded by the beautiful notes echoing off the metal cabins of man made objects. 

            The taxi cab driver pulled to a stop at a red light.  His light shined brightly on the top of his cab marking an empty back seat.  The light changed and he eased forward.  As he got up to speed, he couldn’t help but notice the soaked woman on the sidewalk.  He eased up on the gas hoping and watching for a hand to waive him over.  But she stayed still, head lowered, and as he watched he couldn’t help but notice the shape of her belly hovering over her waist.

            The taxi passed by another car, the rain continued to poor, and the woman slowly looked up to see the opening in front of her.  She still didn’t know what to make of her situation.  Pregnant without a father, disowned by her parents, and left to fend for herself.  If abortion was a realistic choice, she might chose it.  If abortion wasn’t another word for murder she would have sought out help several months ago.

            She didn’t always feel this way, though.  When she was first late with her period she had even taken advantage of an overly generous health care system and purchased a pill.  They said it would take her problems away.  They said it would be quick and easy.  But just when she was about to swallow the pill, she was struck by an unavoidable and very real voice.   She could not see someone speaking, but she could hear a voice.  She could not determine where the sound came from.  But it was there.

The voice simply whispered, “Don’t.”  Following the voice came an insatiable need to spit the pill out.  As she did the pill ricocheted in the sink and then fell down the drain.  For a brief moment she considered getting down underneath the sink and taking it all apart to find the pill.  Before she was even able to register her next decision her arm seemed to move without a second thought to turn the water on full blast.  The pill was gone.

She then when to her upright shower, put the water on as hot as she could stand, and sat down naked on the tiled floor.  She pulled her knees to her chest and let her head fall into the crease between her legs.  Her tears then blended into the water.  Time disappeared for a moment as she sat there and tried to let her pain wash away and down the drain.

At first she thought she could handle the isolation and the scarlet letter that would be branded upon this unwed mother.  Even though society did not bat an eye at her situation, they also were not going to buy her groceries either.  Even though one night stands happened all the time, she knew that no one would truly take the time to give her a break.  Somehow she had gotten into this mess, now she had to deal with it.  But she did not count on the early contractions.  She did not count on the how urgently they would come.  If she prayed, then she would have bowed her head.  If she had a husband she might have her hold her closely.  If she had anything, well, then things would have been different.

Now she stood in the rain and the tears started coming down again.  But it wasn’t because she was unsure about giving birth, she had come to terms with that.  It wasn’t because there was no father.  He had reappeared some time ago telling her that he would help.  And it wasn’t because she didn’t pray.  She now prayed often and fervently.  She cried because she had seen this moment in her dreams.  She knew what was going to happen next and it wasn’t going to be pretty. 

In fact, she had seen how this would end:  the birthpangs, the bleeding, the screaming, and then the end.

The rain began to dissipate, but the darkness began to settle in.  Although the woman was drenched, the hairs on the back of her neck began to raise.  Her eyes widened, and her eyebrows raised.  She took a deep sudden breath.  This is the moment she had been waiting for.  This was the moment she feared.

Then she heard the noise.  A noise that shouldn’t be in the current climate, but there it was as clear as a bell ringing in an empty sanctuary.  The rustling became deafening as if every leaf from every tree blew upon an endless concrete floor. 

The urgency she now felt was as clear as a still small whisper. 

Move. 

Now.

*****

He watched her from the shadows.  The rain did not touch him.  Time could not hold him.  The darkness was there because of him.  Light flickered in his dark eyes like flames hungry for oxygen.  He was aware of the legion around him.  They had followed him from the beginning.  They now worshiped him for eternity.  And they were hungry.

He had been watching this woman for some time.  A predator had to be patient.  Such an animal could not show itself too soon and could not be late.  No, someone like him had to lurk in the shadows.  He had to wait.  When the time came, he would pounce.

Even though he waited, that did not mean he wasn’t active.  He was there at the facility where she originally bought that pill.  His smile was wickedly filled with anticipation when she took the pill from its plastic and put it in her mouth.  He was grinning from ear to ear.  Then, without warning, she spit the pill out and it sailed right to the sink and then down the drain.  Every part of his being wanted him to jump out of his hiding into the light to grab the pill and force it down her throat.  But something stopped him.  He knew what it was and was thankful for it.  His inner voice whispered:  Wait.

Patience, however, did not mean that he would sit idle.  His hand was upon the woman’s womb as he pressurized the baby’s lungs.  The baby would move and kick causing the contraction that he hoped would bring on an early birth.  If it was just early enough, the child would not make it.  But that hadn’t worked either.  Again, Wait.

Now the waiting was over.  The woman was exposed.  Her agony was about to begin.  With one thought the venom that stood around him began to move.  And then he followed.

But as he stepped out of the shadows she was already moving.  For a split second he was infuriated.  How had she heard him?  He hadn’t made a sound.  Did she see him?  No, there was nothing to be seen.  But then he knew.  Then he smiled.  He had been waiting for it.  The bloody, terrific, horrific, and unequivocally excellent moment of battle was here.

So in the next second he was skating forward.  His motions were fluid and almost more of a dance than a run.  The legion came behind him, but then sensed his commands and went ahead of him. 

*****

            She didn’t know where she would even go, but she was moving.  The fear she now felt built up on her heart as if it would simply collapse her arteries at any moment.  Her breath became short and desperate, and with her current state her body slowly became desperate for oxygen.  Yet, she could not stop.  She would not.  She would run until her oxygen depleted.  She would only stop if she fell to the ground dead and gone.  At least whatever came now wouldn’t be able to enjoy or long, slow death.  With this though came true terror.  She was going to die here and now.

No, not here and now.

The same voice as before came as it had before.   She did not fully know who was talking, but she was confident who was sending the voice.  And so even in the midst of her undeniable fear, there was stillness.  Even as she ran, time seemed to slow around her.

Then the noise came again so quickly that she thought they were already on top of her.  She turned to see a massive cloud halting in front of her.  She could see eyes spinning around one another in an unorganized circle.  They were watching.

Just when she thought she saw fangs and claws coming towards her he appeared.  He was a massive presence that no one would ever confuse as a man.  At 7’ tall with a wingspan to match it’s height the sword was already out and slicing through the black cloud.  The sword did not cut, but rather glowed with a light akin to the core of the hottest flame.  The demons scattered and re-gathered and the fight began. 

The Angel looked over his shoulder and instantly his eyes connected with the women’s.  She was moving again.  Her legs were renewed.  Her energy renewed.  Her lungs full.  As she was back on her feet and running she took one glance over her shoulder only to no longer to see the massive presence.  The cloud of darkness was now outlining the Angel.  The last thing she saw was that they now surged towards her.

She took a sudden turn and saw the steeple which she could only hope was her safe haven.  She quickly was in front of the church and heading up its steps when she tripped.  He spun around onto her back and started feeling for the next step. 

With one thought the leader had more Demons.  He now had legions and they all gathered like a water ready to surge forward on an unexpected town. 

Take her.

And then there were two massive presences between the woman and the Demons.  They both held two swords and started sweeping them with broad strokes trying to scatter the Demons every which way.  This time they didn’t need to look back.  The woman knew this was her chance to get through the steeples massive doors.  And this time, she didn’t look back.

Now she ran down the main row between the wooden pews stumbling and ever trying to keep her footing.  The priest came from the front corner of the Sanctuary only to see her fall onto her knees.  He came to her as quickly as he could.  She looked up at him with desperate eyes.  The priest didn’t need to hear an explanation.  The terror her saw reflected in front of him was enough. 

            Before the priest could do anything though, the steeple doors blasted forward and hung in the air.  As the sole intruder walked forward each row of pews shot up into the air one by one.  In that moment was mass chaos.

            The priest had heard of exorcisms and demon possession – but this was not something he was trained for.  No one had ever spoken of this type of enemy.  No one had ever said that he would see Satan face to face in this lifetime.

            Luscious smiled as he moved forward.  This priest had no idea who – or what – he was dealing with.  This woman had been promised to him from the beginning.  And now not only would he take her heart directly from her bosom, but he would devour  the light that gathered in her womb.     He licked his sharp teeth with his calloused snake like tongue.   He could almost taste the pure evil of it all.

            The priest simply dropped to his knees and began to speak in Latin with hopes that the ancient tradition of his priesthood would begin to pray for and with him along with this woman.  He opened his eyes one final time to see something he never thought possible.

            The sword swung upwards and collided with Luscious’ claws.  Instantly Luscious grabbed the sword and swung this new Angel with just one hand.  The Angel went straight into the far wall.  But this Angel was not like the others, and was back on his feet as quickly as he hit and flying towards Luscious. 

            Luscious watched this new Angel with only one thought:  Gabriel, you never stood a chance.  Then he shot forward and caught Gabriel’s neck in mid air.  He held the Angel high as his eyes glowed blood red.

            Gabriel breathed firmly, and even though his airway was clinched shut, he spoke calmly.  “Stop this.  You cannot defy Him.”

            “But I can.  It is what created me.”

            Then Luscious throw Gabriel over his shoulder to the other side of the room.  And with letting go the Demon was right on top of the Angel as soon as it smashed against the wall beating his face in.  The Angel stopped moving within seconds.  The Demon stood and turned around only to see both the Priest and the woman to have disappeared.

            Fire seeped from his eyes.  He looked back towards Gabriel to see if he could take his anger out on the already beaten Angel.  Gabriel was gone as well. 

            Cowards.

            Luscious whispered, “This is not over.” 

           

            Anyone who had heard the commotion came running.  They knew it was coming from the steeple, but when they reached the steps all they saw was the massive doors closed as they typically were during the week.  A few dared move forward and open the doors to peak in and see what in the world was going on only  to see the same still, peaceful sanctuary.  All the pews were in tact.  There was no commotion what-so-ever.   And so they went along their way.  As some of the people walked away, they could not help but notice the sound of leaves blowing in the distance.

Rev. 12:1    A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.  2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birthpangs, in the agony of giving birth.  3 Then another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.  4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born.  5 And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. But her child was snatched away and taken to God and to his throne;  6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, so that there she can be nourished for one thousand two hundred sixty days.