CHAPTERS 19 & 20

Chapter 19

            “What has started?” Stacey questioned, her voice tinged with panic over the disappearance of the two angels she had come to call friends,

            “Kathleen?”

            Tess nodded her head slowly, as she laid a comforting hand on the human’s shoulder,

            “There is nothing for us to do now, but pray, baby.  Pray that they both make the right decisions.”

            “We can’t do anything else?” She cried out, tears filling her eyes,

            “I can’t just sit back at that cabin and pray!  Where was God when Kathleen showed up here and took them away?”

            “He was right there with them, Stacey.  He never leaves any of his children alone, whether they are humans or angels, and He is with them now.  Andrew and Monica just need to remember that.” Tess’ dark eyes looked up at the heavens and she sighed softly, her heart filled with worry for the two she loved deeply,

            “Please Father, let them remember that.”…

            …The first thing Monica was aware of was the darkness.  Her dreams had not done it justice, for it was even deeper and blacker, a darkness so dark, her eyes would not become accustomed to it in order for her to even make out images.  Her heart was pounding loudly and her breaths came in short, panicky gasps, even as she struggled to remain calm,

            “Andrew?” She called out, her mind pleading for an answer.  She didn’t want to be here alone.  She couldn’t be here alone,

            “Andrew!?”

            “I’m here, sweetheart,” She heard the reply and she nearly sobbed with relief.

            “Where?  I can’t see you!  Andrew, where are you?”

            “Keep talking to me, Monica,” He replied, his own voice filled with the panic he felt over needing to find her,

            “Let me come to you.  Stay where you are, okay?”

            “Yes,” She answered, her hands working nervously.  Where were they?

            “I’m scared, Andrew, I’m so scared.” She felt hands on her arm and she screamed, fighting to get away.

            “It’s me, Angel Girl, it’s me,” Andrew said quickly, his voice trembling with the strong emotions he felt over finding her.  He felt her stop struggling and she flung herself into his arms as they held onto each other tightly.

            “Andrew, where are we?  What is happening?” Monica uttered, fighting back frightened tears and wishing she could see his face and the look in his eyes that always seemed to reassure her.

            “I don’t know, sweetie, I don’t know,” He replied, pulling away and taking her hand tightly into his own,

            “Do not let go of my hand, alright?” He felt her grip tighten and her other hand grip his wrist, before he began to move forward slowly.  He had no idea of what he was doing or where he was going, but his adrenaline was flowing through his veins too quickly for him to remain still.  

            “Where are we going?” She asked, her voice laced with fear, and the silence that was all around them was almost unbearable.

            “I don’t know!” Andrew snapped, his fear fueling his temper,

            “I don’t know what else to do other than walk!  I can’t just stay in one spot and wait for something to happen, Monica!”

            He felt her pull back and he exhaled slowly, trying to regain control over the emotions that were running wild through him as they continued walking slowly.  After a moment, he stopped, feeling terrible over what he had just done,

            “I’m sorry,” He whispered, turning to face her.  His free hand found her cheek and could feel the wetness of her tears,

            “I know you’re afraid, but so am I and I just don’t know what else to do,” He rested his forehead against hers for a moment, giving them both a moment to try and calm down,

            “I’m sorry,” he repeated after a moment,

            “Are we okay?”

            “Yes,” Came the soft reply, before she drew in a trembling breath.  She had never been more afraid in her existence, not even when Kathleen had dragged her down to the depths of hell.  At least then it had only been her, but this time, Andrew was at stake as well.

            “I just want to keep you safe,” He whispered, before he felt her pull away.

            “Don’t think like that, Andrew,” She pleaded desperately,

            “You can’t think like that, not about me.  You have to remember-“

            Monica gave out a frightened cry as she felt hands digging into her shoulders, pulling her away from Andrew.  She struggled to hold onto his hand, but she soon realized that he was being pulled away from her as well.  She screamed out his name before her body was engulfed in pain and through her own cries, she could hear those of her best friend.  She tried to fight, but soon knew she was outnumbered and it wasn’t long before she lost consciousness.

Chapter 20

            Monica awoke some time later, her entire body aching from a pain that was all too familiar.  Through her pain-ridden mind, she remembered the last time she had been a victim to Kathleen’s extreme methods to try and get her to turn from God.  But it hadn’t worked then and it wasn’t going to work now.

            “I know You’re with me, Father,” She whispered weakly,

            “Please give me the strength to continue on this path and to remember the truth that You have given me. “

            Her head started to spin as she moaned softly, wanting nothing more than to sleep, but just as she closed her eyes, they opened in alarm.  Andrew!  Where was he?  Was he all right?

            “Andrew!” She called out, her voice stronger with the fear that flowed through her,

            “Andrew!  Answer me!”

            Monica listened and heard a low moan coming from a few feet away from her. She struggled to her feet, every movement causing her pain, and she bit her lip to keep from crying out.

            “Andrew!” She called out again, needing to know how far she was from him.

            “Monica?” He answered, his voice weak and pain-filled.

            “Keep talking to me, my friend,” She replied, her concern for him, fueling her to make each painful step.  Her head was pounding and she reached to brush her hair from her eyes and felt the wet stickiness of blood, from a cut on her forehead, but she pressed onward.

            “Are you alright?” Andrew’s voice, though barely audible was like music to her ears and she was soon next to him.

            She dropped carefully to the ground, stifling a cry as she did so, but Andrew was her main concern right now.  Her hands felt for him and she found his cheek,

            “How badly are you hurt?  Are you alright?”

            “I…I’m not sure,” He replied, his hand reaching for hers,

            “And you, how are you?”

            “I’m alright, I think,” She answered, squeezing his hand tightly, as her mind began to spin with what was happening to them.  She had a pretty good idea of Kathleen’s plan and she realized in that moment, that even though Kathleen knew her pretty well, the reverse was also true.  Monica knew her old friend, and knew her well.  For years, she had thought she knew her too well, but right now that knowledge allowed her to see the situation clearly, even though what she saw frightened her.

            “You should be frightened,” Kathleen replied, her voice coming from the right of the two angels,

            “Because there will be more of the same until a decision has been made.  One of you will be coming with me before the other leaves this place.  What do you think, Andrew?  Are you ready to make a choice to spare your friend?”

            Andrew drew in a sharp breath, now fully understanding all of Monica’s fears.  How could he sit by and allow his gentle, Irish tongued friend to endure more of what they had just gone through?  His love for her was great, but he also remembered her words about him wanting to keep her safe.

            “You can’t think that way, not about me-.”

            He understood now, but did he have the strength to allow this to happen?

            “I’ve told you before, Kathleen, and I’ll tell you again.  I chose God!”

            Andrew heard a sob escape Monica’s throat, one that combined joy with intense fear, before he felt her being pulled away from him once again, as the sounds of the hissing demons filled his ears.  He listened as his beloved friend tried to stifle her cries of pain, and he bowed his head and wept.

            “Are you sure, Andrew?” Kathleen chuckled, feeling no sorrow for either angel.  When he didn’t respond, she continued,

            “Of course, I’ll give you more time to think it over.”

            Though he couldn’t see her, Andrew knew Kathleen and her demons had vanished once more and he rose to his feet as he heard Monica’s whimpers of pain.  Somehow, he found her and sitting down, pulled her into his arms,

            “I’m sorry,” He sobbed,

            “I’m so sorry.”

            “Father, please help us,” Monica’s scarcely audible voice floated up to his ears as he rocked her in his arms,

            “Help us to stay strong in Your Name,” Her voice trailed off for a moment, as she listened to words that only her heart could hear,

            “I know,” She whispered,

            “I know.”

            In silence, Monica clung to Andrew, trying to calm her human body through the shock it had just endured.  Tears fell from her eyes as well as she released the physical pain and then tried to focus on the task before her.

            “Don’t be sorry, Andrew,” She whispered softly, allowing herself to relax in his arms,

            “You did the right thing and there is nothing for you to be sorry for.”

            “I’m sorry you are enduring this, sweetheart,” He uttered, his hand stroking her hair,

            “And I’m sorry I dragged you into this the day I walked off that beach in anger.  That’s what has brought us to this point.”

            Monica sighed softly, before she gathered the strength to sit up.  She reached for his hands and found them instantly.  Giving them a gentle squeeze, she drew in a deep breath,

            “Andrew, it’s time you knew what happened.  It’s time you know what happened between Kathleen and I.”