Michael had been expecting the call from Joshua, he had dreamt of it every night since the tent revival, which had seen him devote his life to God more intensely than before, and a young girl Sheree healed from cerebral palsy. Michael had been watching the nightly news, shaking his head when it was reported another serial killer on the loose, this one mutilating the bodies of his victims, when the phone rang startling him.
Michael slowly slid out from the large brown leather recliner that had become his favourite chair, feeling the creaks and groans of his bones and muscles as he slowly went to the phone.
Hello? he said, his voice tired and weary, the days seemed to be getting longer and Michael was finding himself more tired. His house too had become more tired, the paint taking on a yellow stain instead of the bright white it had once been, the carpet stained and loosing thread from too much wear and tear, and the curtains fading.
Hello Michael? a voice he didnt recognise startled him out of his daydream, clearing his throat, unsure of how to answer, feeling like a little boy caught at school for not listening.
Ah yes, I am Michael, how can I help you? he said.
Hi, this is Joshua you may not remember me Michael remembered Joshua, his mind cast back to the day, standing in the tent, as a large angel, its lions face looking full of fright and glory, came forward, peering down at him, while Michael curled up in the corner, sobbing. Feeling unworthy, wanting to run like the rest of the congregation, realising he was not in control. Watching as a young girl bound to a wheel chair all of her life step forward to the three angels who had been following close behind the first, no fear, just determination to be wrapped up in their arms, her parents lying face down on the floor, her mothers guttural sobs, the only thing to be heard. And then the lone face of Joshua, his head thrown back, looking up to the heavens, his arms raised, tears streaming from his eyes like crystal blue waterfalls. Screaming glory, in a voice so shrill it sounded like that of a parrots cry. The droplets of white light dripping and then overflowing like a rushing river, flooding the entire tent, leaving nothing untouched, everything soaked with light so bright that even sunglasses would not have removed the glare. Michael had felt such fear as the voice that shook the tent, and vibrated the stage spoke, calling his name.
Michael you are My son, and you I need to war in the battle of righteousness, for there will be a time in which you will be needed, and your knowledge and wisdom is the power in which the other seven will rely. Michael shuddered at the memory of the voice so loud, yet so gentle and loving.
Michael are you there? Michael came back again from his daydream, his hand hurting from holding the receiver too tight, his legs trembling at the memory of the tent revival. Sweat starting to prickle at his neck, causing his shirt to cling to his back, feeling as if it may suffocate him.
Yes sorry Joshua Im here, what can I do for you? Michael felt himself fighting the urge to hang up, he knew why Joshua was ringing, and he felt he wasnt ready to hear the phone call just yet.
Michael it is time, can you organise the young girl and be ready in two hours for me to arrive? Michael let out a loud sigh; even though he had known the time was near he wasnt prepared.
Michael had known the time was near when the murders had started again. When the news began to be filled with sorrow. It was that night that the first of his dreams began. The angel with the lions face had come to him in the dream. He had walked him through the valley, on either side of the valley, were cavernous walls reaching as high as the sky, hidden within the cave walls were eyes, eyes black and filled with ash, they were the eyes of death. Michael had felt no greater fear, all of his teaching throughout Bible College, was lost in the fear that he felt. Above the caves watching down upon him, were the dark shadows, looking like a black flapping rag, but in the centre of the rag were two eyes and a toothless smile, watching always watching.
Michael shuddered, hearing Joshua still speaking about the time they were living in. He shook his head to clear the thoughts of his dream, trying to concentrate on Joshuas voice, his mind threatening to drift off into another realm of thought, circling around his dreams, the lions face and the ravenous eyes that followed him.
I will have her ready, and we will be waiting for your arrival he said his voice thick with fatigue, tired, not being able to sleep for fear of the dreams returning, fear of evil attacking. But now the time had come, his nightmares were no longer about to be just nightmares, they were now a reality.
Searching through his book he found Sherees number, he hadnt wanted to involve her, she was only so young, and had been through a life full of tough times and misery already. But he knew that she was an integral part of the battle of righteousness. Packing his clothes into tattered suitcase that had become dust covered under the bed, his mind was reeling. He was considering just getting in his little Celica and running for the caves in his dream, hiding with all the other demons, he didnt feel worthy to be chosen as one of Gods seven. Michael felt that he would hold them back; he could feel Satan within the walls of his house, smiling, waiting for him to trip up again. Waiting for him to make the same mistake that cost him the life of his daughter and wife, this time costing him Gods people. Michael knew he was the weakest link, he knew that Satan would try to use him.
Michael fell this his knees in the darkened room, his tears falling down his cheeks and over the unshaven stubble on his chin, dampening his shirt. He began to pray, praying for strength, and guidance. He was afraid; he needed to know that he wasnt alone. Kneeling on the soft carpet, he threw his hands into the air, his cries turning into sobs, shaking his entire body.
God please just take me now he begged, no longer did he want to be a part of this world, he wanted to be taken up into the heavens he believed in, the heavens in which he believed held his only child Marissa and his wife Bev. He had blamed God for so long for taking them, he had blamed himself. It was he driving the car, he fell asleep, even after Bev had told him to stop and have a nap. He had snapped at her telling her to be quiet and mind her own business. He hadnt even felt sorrow or remorse when her tears trickled down her cheeks, her makeup running and smearing under her eyes.
Why didnt You punish me? Why didnt You take me away? Why do You want me? Michael screamed into the quietness of the room, thick with tension and fear. Anger beginning to fill his body, as no response came to his questions.
Why wont you answer me damn it? Michael screamed, feeling his lungs stab with pain, his hysterical tears working into sobs, his cries quieting down, his shoulders only shuddering, feeling defeat, pain and remorse.
Im sorry Lord, Im sorry Bev, Im sorry Marissa, he said quietly, opening his eyes turning his hands over in his lap, noticing how old he had become. Suddenly he felt pressure on his shoulder, turning he saw Sheree standing, petite, blonde and humble.
He forgave you a long time ago she said in a matter of fact way, then kneeling down to look him straight in the eye, Michael could see the ice blue colour of her eyes, a colour he recognised but couldnt quite place. Her frown furrowed deep into her brow. She reached for his hand, clasping it tightly in hers.
Come you need to see something.
Following Sheree out to where she stood on his front step, feeling heavy with emotion, regret, sorrow, and tiredness, he looked up to where she pointed, falling to his knees at the vision of two hands. So large that they cupped his entire house, standing on either side of the hands were two enormous angels, their wings touching at the tip, their hair golden in colour, their robes white, the faces of a chiselled man. Their eyes, a dark blue, like that of a tropical ocean. Light shone from them in every direction, dimming the light of the stars and moon that had shone above. They stood with their swords in front of the house, drawn ready to fight. A majestic sight, that took Michaels breath away and seemed to exhilarate Sheree. He grasped her hand, and looked up at her. She had been watching them with love on her face; his admiration for this little girl grew. Wishing his faith had been as tall, regretting his anger and outburst toward God.
He loves you, she stated in a monotoned voice, not taking her eyes from the angels that surrounded his home.
Sheree, you are a wonder to me, he said smiling, Sheree simply smiled down to him, and turned back to watch the angels, waiting for her time to fight the good fight.
Michael slowly slid out from the large brown leather recliner that had become his favourite chair, feeling the creaks and groans of his bones and muscles as he slowly went to the phone.
Hello? he said, his voice tired and weary, the days seemed to be getting longer and Michael was finding himself more tired. His house too had become more tired, the paint taking on a yellow stain instead of the bright white it had once been, the carpet stained and loosing thread from too much wear and tear, and the curtains fading.
Hello Michael? a voice he didnt recognise startled him out of his daydream, clearing his throat, unsure of how to answer, feeling like a little boy caught at school for not listening.
Ah yes, I am Michael, how can I help you? he said.
Hi, this is Joshua you may not remember me Michael remembered Joshua, his mind cast back to the day, standing in the tent, as a large angel, its lions face looking full of fright and glory, came forward, peering down at him, while Michael curled up in the corner, sobbing. Feeling unworthy, wanting to run like the rest of the congregation, realising he was not in control. Watching as a young girl bound to a wheel chair all of her life step forward to the three angels who had been following close behind the first, no fear, just determination to be wrapped up in their arms, her parents lying face down on the floor, her mothers guttural sobs, the only thing to be heard. And then the lone face of Joshua, his head thrown back, looking up to the heavens, his arms raised, tears streaming from his eyes like crystal blue waterfalls. Screaming glory, in a voice so shrill it sounded like that of a parrots cry. The droplets of white light dripping and then overflowing like a rushing river, flooding the entire tent, leaving nothing untouched, everything soaked with light so bright that even sunglasses would not have removed the glare. Michael had felt such fear as the voice that shook the tent, and vibrated the stage spoke, calling his name.
Michael you are My son, and you I need to war in the battle of righteousness, for there will be a time in which you will be needed, and your knowledge and wisdom is the power in which the other seven will rely. Michael shuddered at the memory of the voice so loud, yet so gentle and loving.
Michael are you there? Michael came back again from his daydream, his hand hurting from holding the receiver too tight, his legs trembling at the memory of the tent revival. Sweat starting to prickle at his neck, causing his shirt to cling to his back, feeling as if it may suffocate him.
Yes sorry Joshua Im here, what can I do for you? Michael felt himself fighting the urge to hang up, he knew why Joshua was ringing, and he felt he wasnt ready to hear the phone call just yet.
Michael it is time, can you organise the young girl and be ready in two hours for me to arrive? Michael let out a loud sigh; even though he had known the time was near he wasnt prepared.
Michael had known the time was near when the murders had started again. When the news began to be filled with sorrow. It was that night that the first of his dreams began. The angel with the lions face had come to him in the dream. He had walked him through the valley, on either side of the valley, were cavernous walls reaching as high as the sky, hidden within the cave walls were eyes, eyes black and filled with ash, they were the eyes of death. Michael had felt no greater fear, all of his teaching throughout Bible College, was lost in the fear that he felt. Above the caves watching down upon him, were the dark shadows, looking like a black flapping rag, but in the centre of the rag were two eyes and a toothless smile, watching always watching.
Michael shuddered, hearing Joshua still speaking about the time they were living in. He shook his head to clear the thoughts of his dream, trying to concentrate on Joshuas voice, his mind threatening to drift off into another realm of thought, circling around his dreams, the lions face and the ravenous eyes that followed him.
I will have her ready, and we will be waiting for your arrival he said his voice thick with fatigue, tired, not being able to sleep for fear of the dreams returning, fear of evil attacking. But now the time had come, his nightmares were no longer about to be just nightmares, they were now a reality.
Searching through his book he found Sherees number, he hadnt wanted to involve her, she was only so young, and had been through a life full of tough times and misery already. But he knew that she was an integral part of the battle of righteousness. Packing his clothes into tattered suitcase that had become dust covered under the bed, his mind was reeling. He was considering just getting in his little Celica and running for the caves in his dream, hiding with all the other demons, he didnt feel worthy to be chosen as one of Gods seven. Michael felt that he would hold them back; he could feel Satan within the walls of his house, smiling, waiting for him to trip up again. Waiting for him to make the same mistake that cost him the life of his daughter and wife, this time costing him Gods people. Michael knew he was the weakest link, he knew that Satan would try to use him.
Michael fell this his knees in the darkened room, his tears falling down his cheeks and over the unshaven stubble on his chin, dampening his shirt. He began to pray, praying for strength, and guidance. He was afraid; he needed to know that he wasnt alone. Kneeling on the soft carpet, he threw his hands into the air, his cries turning into sobs, shaking his entire body.
God please just take me now he begged, no longer did he want to be a part of this world, he wanted to be taken up into the heavens he believed in, the heavens in which he believed held his only child Marissa and his wife Bev. He had blamed God for so long for taking them, he had blamed himself. It was he driving the car, he fell asleep, even after Bev had told him to stop and have a nap. He had snapped at her telling her to be quiet and mind her own business. He hadnt even felt sorrow or remorse when her tears trickled down her cheeks, her makeup running and smearing under her eyes.
Why didnt You punish me? Why didnt You take me away? Why do You want me? Michael screamed into the quietness of the room, thick with tension and fear. Anger beginning to fill his body, as no response came to his questions.
Why wont you answer me damn it? Michael screamed, feeling his lungs stab with pain, his hysterical tears working into sobs, his cries quieting down, his shoulders only shuddering, feeling defeat, pain and remorse.
Im sorry Lord, Im sorry Bev, Im sorry Marissa, he said quietly, opening his eyes turning his hands over in his lap, noticing how old he had become. Suddenly he felt pressure on his shoulder, turning he saw Sheree standing, petite, blonde and humble.
He forgave you a long time ago she said in a matter of fact way, then kneeling down to look him straight in the eye, Michael could see the ice blue colour of her eyes, a colour he recognised but couldnt quite place. Her frown furrowed deep into her brow. She reached for his hand, clasping it tightly in hers.
Come you need to see something.
Following Sheree out to where she stood on his front step, feeling heavy with emotion, regret, sorrow, and tiredness, he looked up to where she pointed, falling to his knees at the vision of two hands. So large that they cupped his entire house, standing on either side of the hands were two enormous angels, their wings touching at the tip, their hair golden in colour, their robes white, the faces of a chiselled man. Their eyes, a dark blue, like that of a tropical ocean. Light shone from them in every direction, dimming the light of the stars and moon that had shone above. They stood with their swords in front of the house, drawn ready to fight. A majestic sight, that took Michaels breath away and seemed to exhilarate Sheree. He grasped her hand, and looked up at her. She had been watching them with love on her face; his admiration for this little girl grew. Wishing his faith had been as tall, regretting his anger and outburst toward God.
He loves you, she stated in a monotoned voice, not taking her eyes from the angels that surrounded his home.
Sheree, you are a wonder to me, he said smiling, Sheree simply smiled down to him, and turned back to watch the angels, waiting for her time to fight the good fight.
