Testimony of the Man

PART ONE

Marked. the old woman said as she hobbled on an old, gnarled cane, grasping it with both hands, as her eyes left the floor. She started speaking as the congregation was finishing the song ‘I Will Trust in the Lord’, an old hymn that she hummed so many times when she was alone. They started humming it softly as she continued hobbling, looking up briefly only to look back down with a vague smile on her face. She was careful not to look at anyone at this particular time; the spirit of prophecy was heavy, and she was sensing a manifestation, somewhere. Not here, but from somewhere close by, she just could not pinpoint it. However, she knew it was from the unseen. A dark, unseen area that was oblivious to the one that would look through the eyes of the flesh. She stopped on the far right side of the crowd, shaking her head slowly as she breathed slowly and deeply, savoring the air she inhaled. Eyes closed as if meditating, she lifted up her head with her lips tightly closed and shook slightly.

My God, she muttered. My God, … help me, she whispered. She turned around and walked a little more, visibly in some sort of pain. There was dead silence all around the tent outside, as well as the inside. Everyone’s eyes were transfixed on the old prophetess, who had been around a long time. She did not come out much, but when she did, everyone knew that she brought a message; either a birth certificate, or a death certificate. Some of the people in the city that did not believe in God thought that she was just an old crazy psychic. However, no one dared to call her one aloud, for fear of a curse on them and their families. The ones that believed in God valued her decrees and judgments whenever she would give them a word from the Lord, and that was very rare, because of her appearances.

She always came out on the new moon, and never bothered a soul when she did, unless it was necessary. No one knew that much about her, where she lived, or how long she had been living. Some of the elderly knew that she use to spend much of her time at the church with a priest named Simeon. When he died, she disappeared into the woods. The people who usually saw her leave the city always saw her going that way, but they would never see her coming out. No one dared follow her. She never left a trail. Even if a person were brave enough to send bloodhounds to track her after she would disappear into the woods, they would only find their bloodhounds confused and whimpering later on, distraught and lost.

My young son, the prophetess began to speak, breaking the dead silence. You are marked for me, and you are well beloved. She dared not look up. Everybody under the tent looked around to see whom it was she was talking about, and talking to. There were many young boys in the gathering that evening, being held closely by their mothers. Her voice now rising and falling with passion, continued. You will save many people, and also, many people will resist the truth of you … She stopped short suddenly. She then turned around and began hobbling and pacing the crowd more briskly, looking straight ahead, with deep piercing eyes. She rapidly turned again and her long, single, silver plait of hair that reached down past her buttocks, whipped over her left shoulder in a wide swinging arc, then wrapped around her neck, to rest over her right shoulder like an oversized Boa Constrictor, all the way down to the small of her back. She stopped suddenly, frozen, as if time itself was suspended. No one dared say a word, let alone breathed aloud. Even the dogs that were barking across the street stopped fussing and sauntered off somewhere else. The old woman began speaking in other tongues that the people could not recognize, and as she was doing so, the sky was darkening, quickly. There had not been any previous indications of an approaching storm.

It was early Friday afternoon, and although it was only 3:46 pm, the sky continued to darken, for no apparent reason. Clouds gathered and swirled, and took on eerie forms. The small, bewildered, crowd under the tent began to look around anxiously. Some stood up, looking into the darkening sky, while others peeked at their watches sheepishly because the sudden weather change made them uncertain of the actual time. In a matter of minutes, the city was dominated with mammoth dark clouds. The old prophetess continued to stand in her same frozen posture, eyes fixed, as if in a deep trance. Her breathing slowed down tremendously, becoming shallow, and her cane dropped to her side. Gusts of wind began to blow through the tent, and many that were under it began to sit down frantically. Parents used their arms to shelter their children. Others stood and looked around at the chaos while battling the wind for control of their garments, desperately trying to button or zip their coats.

The sky was now black, and the winds grew even stronger. Outside, the only source of light that shined were the streetlights some thirty feet away, their brightness fading into the city’s darkness. There was only one light under the tent; a single flood lamp, that hung down the center of the tent by an orange extension cord. It started swaying back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth, attempting to hypnotize anyone who dared look at it. The atmosphere was unnerving. Yet, everyone held his or her gaze on the prophetess, who remained immovable and was oblivious to what was going on around her. Despite the wind blowing and the leaves that tickled and danced around her ankles, she remained unfazed. The Bible she was reading on the podium began to quickly flip through the pages on its own and then stopped. Immediately the pages started flipping again, and then for the last time, stopped.

You will have help, my son, she began prophesying again. Be watchful of who you keep company with, some will be loyal to you, some will deny you … some will even sell you out in deception, blowing kisses in exchange for your existence … discernment, will be your main ally … stray not … stray not … stray not … Suddenly, a swift and powerful gust of wind swept through the tent, killing the only light they had. The young children screamed at the unannounced plunge into the darkness, and some of the grownups gasped.

Peace, my children, all is well, she turned around and looked at the crowd now. Though no one could see her, they all heard her soothing voice, which was also strong and authoritative to the elements. Do not be afraid, she stroked them with her words with a mother like tone, and the people calmed a little. The crowd slowly grew still again as the noise died down to a few whispers. The wind abruptly stopped for about twenty seconds, then started back stronger than before. A couple of men clutched their hats that were on their heads, and the women held their children close. This time the wind was much colder, making some of the people shudder. It had dropped to forty-eight degrees, down from seventy-three, in a matter of seconds.

As the spectators eyes were adjusting to the sudden darkness, they noticed the old woman with her arm outstretched towards them, eyes once again closed. One man’s hat flew off his head, hit the ground, and took off as if it was running a forty-meter dash, towards the woman. He took off after it, and stopped dead in his tracks, suspended in the air mid stride, feet off the ground. The others looked at him, astonished, some gasping, eyes wide open, hands over their mouths. And that’s how they all remained … frozen, and suspended in time … it was an impromptu Kodak moment.

Anna slumped down in the chair behind her, her face visibly exhausted. She was 88 years old, and though her face showed signs of weariness, it was still taut and young looking, and showed no signs of stress. She started rocking back and forth in her chair.

Thank you … thank you … thank you … , she was whispering, with her arms in front of her, hanging between her legs, limp. Thank you … thank you … she rocked back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth … she was smiling, not worried about anything. She knew what was coming next, she just didn’t know exactly when. She kept rocking, back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth …

Anna … The sound was scarcely a whisper, barely audible, but she picked it up with keen ears. Without answering, she continued rocking, preparing, waiting …

Hey, Anna … This time the voice was a little louder, a little deeper, and had a much throatier sound. I KNOW YOU HEAR ME, OLD WITCH!!! This time, aggravation was detected in the voice, and it sliced through the dark, dead, silence. Anna remained silent; careful not to feed into the vibes she was feeling. She, instead, smiled and stopped rocking, and looked up towards where the voice had come from, and she slowly stood up.

We just came to see how you were doin’ sweetie, seein’ that we haven’t seen you in a while. The voice called out, almost taunting her. Anna did not move. To act in response to the taunting voice meant that it would have control over the situation that was rapidly unfolding.

You look well, the voice sneered at her.

Yeah, we missed you, darlin’, another said.

Shut up idiot, I got this! the former voice had spoken to the second, violently rasping, and making deep gurgling sounds, like he was drowning in his own saliva. Anna did not entertain the conversation. She did not know how many there were, although she could count shadows.

Three, four, five, six … , she counted out loud to herself, barely audible to them.

Ten! the voice said, booming across the silence, letting her know that she was heard. Anna was calm, despite the fact that she felt physically out numbered. She dared not look around, sensing that they were drawing closer to her. She was right, and she continued to stand her ground, unfazed. Taunting and teasing her was a game to them, and although she had gotten too old for this, she knew, however, that she was strong enough to hold out. Although for them, time was limited. They knew it too, but it was fun, tormenting her until they had their fill. They came and went when they felt lucky, which wasn’t very often.

The talking voice took form and appeared out of the darkness that birthed him. He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a cigarette, toyed with it for a few seconds, and lit it with a cupped hand. She never saw him reach for a lighter. Maybe he pulled it out with the cigarette. Maybe he didn’t. She did not have time to think about that now though. Anna’s mind was racing, and she knew she was up against pure devils. The gang of entities in the background stood motionless, while the leader took a long drag of his cigarette. Dusting the ashes off his shirt, he began to walk towards Anna, swaggering.

The rest stayed behind, with their hands in their pockets, slouching like some alley gang thugs hanging on the corner, waiting for something to go down. They knew better than to follow. The dark figure stopped, looked back at the group, and motioned for them to follow him. They remained where they were, unflinching.

Cowards. he snarled, taking another long drag of his cigarette. He then took it out of his mouth and extinguished it by crumpling it in between his thumb and index finger until there were no more burning embers. Lifting up his head, he blew out a great plume of smoke, and it took the shape of an oversized mushroom, looked back down at Anna, and sucked his teeth. He walked a little closer, until he was about ten feet away from Anna, only to stop again to pull out another cigarette. She could tell that he was building up his nerve and he had no back up behind him. He twirled the cigarette in his fingers until it caught a flame. Sliding it into his mouth, he began to ease closer to Anna until he was right upon her. He reeked of pure sickness.

You know what, Annie-Bell? he began. It amazes me that you’ve been around all these years and still haven’t aged one bit, except your hair, of course. He was about two to three feet away from her now, and started circling her as if she was a wounded animal, and he was a hungry cheetah that had not eaten in a week. He had a bad humor of sarcasm and malice in his voice. He towered over her, almost engulfing her petite stature. He cleared her height wise by almost five feet, and she could smell the stench coming out of his clothing, reeking of pure death and sulfur.

Even though she almost gagged from the smell, Anna showed no emotion. Sulfur was the most common scent among demons, and one would think that she would be used to it by now, but she wasn’t. He smiled and continued his taunting.

I’m not going to waste any more time with you, witch. Her silent responses to him were quickly disturbing him. You know why I’m here … why we’re here, he turned his upper torso halfway around his body, extending his arm towards his friends that started to finally move a little closer, after they saw that Anna had remained silent thus far.

Oh, and by the way, thanks for the gift. You know, we had a helluva time at first, but after it was all said and done with, it was well worth the waiting for. He was talking about Anna’s only son, abducted by the group almost a year and a half ago. They caught him alone, walking from the store one night. She had warned him, pleading with him not to go, but he assured her with his boyish smile that he would be all right. He left and she never saw him again. She knew what had become of him.

You’re quite welcome, she finally retorted with a slight hint of anguish in her voice. She had regained her authority in her voice once again. This time, when she had spoken with renewed strength, the force of her voice blew him backward. He, of course, having sure footing, dragged his firmly planted feet in the dirt as he flew backward, causing three-inch tracks. The others, however, had stopped where they were at, knowing better not to come any closer. The eyes of the demon changed suddenly, as he was shocked and surprised by Anna’s response and the power that had flowed behind it. She looked at him intensely; unflinching, and as her breathing slowed, she focused. Anna was calm beyond understanding, and then she spoke again.

How dare you come against the power of God with false intimidations and bringing weak infidels as reinforcements, she said, looking beyond the demon and at the small group behind him. They drew closer together, as if gathering up strength amongst themselves. It was difficult for Anna to maintain her emotions, but she maintained. She knew that if she showed any fear, he would capitalize, to break her down to make her reveal what he wanted to know, seeing that he was deceived all along. He searched her intently, quietly, looking for an open door. He searched her eyes, facial features, body language, but he found no entrance. Usually when demons imitate long lost loved ones in front of whomever their tormenting, they took that person with ease through the emotions, and eventually kill them, because they have lost their will. Anna, however, was a different story. She had a hedge of protection around her, and her emotions very well fortified. God had divinely warned her in a dream of the impending meeting with the entities. She just did not know when it was going to take place. She just had to be ready when they came.

The air was still as death itself. Anna had stood her ground, and the demon had also, only thing was that he stood back a little farther after been blasted back by the force of her voice. For a moment, time stood still as neither one of them moved in the darkness. She knew that he had more to say. Studying him closely, she looked for signs of what he might do next. She had no clue. Her eyes traced his sunken, black eyes, and the sharpened, chiseled face that was motionless, as if made from stone. She knew that he was toying with her in any way that he could, to bring her to a breaking point, to make her reveal to him what he had come for.

Finally, without looking away from her, he raised his arm in front of himself slowly towards her, revealing a hideous calloused hand with one inch pointed nails on each of his fingers. Anna’s eyes squinted slightly, preparing for whatever he had up his sleeve. It was amazing to her how they could possess dead bodies and walk among the living any time they got ready, and dispose of them when they got done to go back into the spirit realm. If he was to kill her now she knew that she would be in heaven, and he would never find out the location of the child that he was seeking. Instead, he took his arm, pointed it behind him, and motioned a gesture to the group of demons to come closer, but none came. Instead, they all shifted this way and that, then a short figure walked of the bunch.

He moved with ease, sliding across the grass, having the form of floating instead of walking. His clothes flowed behind him, possessing a deep gloomy facade, never taking his eyes off the hand that beckoned him out of the darkness. The demon looked at Anna, looking for alterations in her appearance.

Studying her from head to toe, he again was looking for an open door, but he found none. Memories flooded her mind of Casey, and his life on earth. His boyish good looks and the smiles he always had for his mother filled her with joy every time she looked at him. Deep dimples punctured his face, fashioned in between his high cheekbones, and a chiseled chin covered with a well-groomed goatee. His eyes had always looked dark and mysterious, yet had a distinct twinkle about them, and brightened every time he manufactured a smile to his mother. However, Anna saw none of that now, as she witnessed the demon, which had taken on the form of her deceased son, gliding to the huge entity. It stopped and stared at her, with a hollow expression of emptiness and loneliness. Then, all of a sudden, he did the very thing that he always did to make Anna’s heart burst with pure love many times over; he smiled at her.

Hello mommy, Casey said in a voice that Anna did not recognize. She just closed her eyes and breathed softly and deeply. Refocusing, she opened her eyes again and looked him squarely in the face. She knew that he was gone, no longer of this world, but now part of a world full of the tormentors that she hated so much.

Hello mommy, he said again, still smiling, but sounded kind of melancholy, empty, perhaps even hollow. He was no longer, and she fought within herself to keep her emotions buried deep. She wanted to cry. Tela seemed like he stood even taller and stuck his chest out as if he was the proud father. He put his arm around him, turned, and kissed him on the top of his head.

Mommy, aren’t you going to speak to me? Casey tried to talk with an apparent false concern. Tela looked at Anna, smiling.

Go ahead, Anna, and speak to your son, he said with a drawl, adding more fuel to the fire that was beginning to burn in her. Demons never did play fair, capitalizing on the emotions, especially those that were weak minded. They displayed false imageries of loved ones long gone, to gain possession of the tested one’s soul. However, Anna was not a part of the weak-minded league. God had showed her in a dream six nights ago that she would get a proposition; a quid pro quo for what she held in her heart so dearly, and she had to be ready for confrontation. Only the outcome of Anna’s withstanding right now, at this very moment, would determine God’s plan for the next twenty years.

Casey left from under Tela’s arm and took one step towards Anna. He was careful not to get too close. He couldn’t. There was a power around her that terrified him, and it really made him want to turn and run far away from where she stood.

I have a gift for you, Tela said, smiling, and showing his perfectly aligned razor sharp teeth. Anna knew that as much as she wanted to succumb to Tela’s offer, it was impossible for an exchange. He was toying with her emotions, and it was working. She was easing farther and farther into her flesh, quicker than she realized. It was the longing. The love for her son, snatched away in a vanishing instant. Inwardly she fought. She almost could not help becoming emotional, but she had to withstand, she must.

I could restore him, he said, placing his hand on Casey’s shoulder. He could be made whole again. He continued, feeling that he was gaining some kind of ground.

You lie. Anna replied in an even tone, recognizing, realizing.

All you have to do, he said, methodically ignoring her, is to hand me the young child. He is of no good to you. God has lied to you so many times, and you can’t even keep count on when was the last time HE told you the truth. Tela started circling her like a hungry shark, and continued to pound her verbally. How many times have you spoken, claiming to have said that ‘God told you … ’, and it hasn’t come to pass, hmmm? He was behind her now, still walking. Anna kept her eyes on her son, now dead, an entity just like Tela and the rest of the demons, a foul empty spirit. How many times has HE shown himself to you, when you really needed for HIM to move on your behalf, and HE didn’t? Hmmm? Has he ever materialized gifts and presents before your eyes like I have now? Tela was maximizing the moment, and running with it.

You lie, Anna said more gravely. Her inner strength was starting to rise up inside of her to banish his blasphemies, yet for the most part, she kept quiet, careful not to feed his sarcasms with feelings. By this time Tela had moved in front of her, his eyes fixed on her emotionless face like a cat waiting in the bushes looking at a squirrel. He was still looking for an entrance. She would not give him any; he kept hammering away at her.

What is important in this world … and the world to come … a mother’s love? Tell you what. I will give him back to you right now, restored, if you would just give the boy to me, now. I can do that for you. Give you the one thing that you love … and care about … the most. Tela was playing hardball. Anna could tell that this was his specialty above everything else; taking souls through the false pretense of loved ones. It made him high, and he was addicted. It had him salivating.

I love God, she said defiantly. HE will restore everything back to me that I have lost, … she looked him squarely in the face, and everything that was stolen from me. The demon became unglued, but kept his distance.

WITCH!!! He came and stood in between her and Casey, who was still manufacturing a plastic, empty smile. GOD CANNOT GIVE YOU ANYTHING BACK THAT YOU LOST!! NOTHING!! YOU HEAR ME?! Tela pointed to the dark sky and said, HE’S UP THERE, RIGHT NOW, MAKING FUN OF YOUR OLD ASS BECAUSE YOU WON’T LISTEN TO ME!! I KNOW!! HE DON’T!! I’M HERE, AND HE’S NOT! Anna kept her eyes on Tela. GIVE ME THE BASTARD SON, AND I WILL GIVE YOU YOURS!! SIMPLE!! Anna could smell the stench of burnt acid coming from his breath. Yet, she maintained her composure in the midst of his burst of outrage. Then, just like a split personality, he became dangerously calm, smoothing out his mustache as he continued his game.

You know babe, maybe we’re having some kind of misunderstanding. First, pardon me for calling you names. My apologies. He bowed slightly. It was so unprofessional and so unethical of me, Tela said. He sounded off with false sarcasm in his voice. Next, I want to offer you a truce … a deal in good faith, perhaps. Waddaya say? He was on a last ditch effort, out of options, hoping that she would bite. Anna was a strong-minded, strong willed, not easily bullied into being afraid, but maybe perhaps she could be sweet-talked into the deal, just maybe. He hoped that she would play, and even just her mere acceptance of saying yes would give him all that he needed to proceed with his plan to wreak mass havoc without having to worry about the ‘so called savior’ that he had heard so much about, the savior that was supposed to bring all mankind unto salvation and repentance. HE would be out of his way, never interfering in his business.

I would never make a deal with a low life such as you. You don’t even have a life. You have to take over someone else’s. You disgust me. She walked towards him slowly, and he was backing up. Casey was stepping out of the way. He wanted to run and disappear anyway, afraid of the power that surrounded his mother, who he could no longer communicate with because of his affiliations. She continued. You are a lie, and you’re trying to bribe me by bringing back what supposed to be, or shall I say, what used to be my son, she was looking directly at Casey now, who became wide eyed, then flashed his empty smile that used to fill Anna’s heart with joy. It didn’t work. She continued. You blaspheme my God. She did not blink as her eyes honed in on Tela. By God’s power and anointing, you and your cohorts go … to the driest of places where you shall find no rest, and … he abruptly cut her off.

Very well, then, Tela said. You don’t have to go through this again. I know the song and dance. You do not have to read me my ‘rights’. He sneered at her, saliva dripping from a long, pointed tooth. Besides, he continued, He will be gotten, one way or the other, I can assure you of that. He folded his hands behind his back and looked up into the black sky, darting his eyes back and forth as if searching for what to say next. And you know what else? The sad part about it is that HIS death will be the hardest thing to see despite HIS impact, and I will be right there to see it, and there would be nothing you could do to stop it even if you wanted to.

Anna knew what the prophecy entailed. She could not do anything about that. She did know, however, that he was saying these things so he could do away with the child now and would not have to worry about all the lives that he would affect along the way. It was a no brainer. He knew that more would be fashioned in his image, to operate just like him. It was all about the cup of the will. He was supposed to die, according to the scriptures, and then the prophecies would be fulfilled by God’s design and of the prophets of old, to not let them have spoken them in vain. He was to die to bear the sins of all who lived, that they might have free course in salvation and power, to be Gods in the earth. It was the will of God for him to die, the divine planning from the creator, who designed everything before the foundations of the universe. But, she dared not tell Tela, because if he learned of the divine revelation of what was to come, he would simply leave and let evil and sin run rampant until the end of time. Then his power would not be defeated so easily and the will for the world would not be done. He had almost won with his play of words, and his sureness, that he could convince her, that it would be to her advantage to do his bidding. Instead, she looked him squarely in the face once again, and he could tell seriously that she was not going to back down and he was just wasting his time.

GO!!!!! The authoritative command was so decisive from Anna that it caught him by surprise and brought him out of the daydream he was having while gazing into the black skies. He looked at her sternly. Casey backed up about three steps, and the rest of the clan shuddered, clinging closely together for moral support. Even they were unsure of what was going to happen next. They just knew that a command was coming very soon, that would put them in misery for a season. They wished for the millionth time that their leader would know when to quit running his mouth and just leave.

Very well, Tela said. But if you ever decide to change your …

I won’t … GO!!! She interrupted him with no hesitation, not giving him a place to say anything else that would cause her mind to become distracted. Bringing the lost soul that used to be her son, to persuade her to succumb to his wishes was mind draining enough. Casey stepped back a few more steps with a wicked grin that almost made Anna sob on the inside. His eyes turned solid black, which was a sign to her that he was hopelessly lost forever, and she needed to just let him go.

Tela was angry now, and became very bold. He moved around Anna in a winding, orchestrated movement and glided over to the man that was suspended in a frozen motion, reaching for his hat. As Tela looked at him, he studied him for a moment, and then bent over himself, imitating the man and mocking him, before standing back up. He placed his hand on the man’s back, as he looked at Anna.

Leave him alone, Anna said solemnly.

He’s just a reminder, Anna, just a reminder. You know I always like to leave a remembrance everywhere I go, to let people know that ‘Elvis’ had been in the building. He was being cynical and sadistically evil. He looked at her gravely, almost like a look of a lost, wandering child in rainy streets. Ever so slowly, he produced the most wicked grin on his face that made Anna shudder and turn cold on the inside, but her outer composure remained the same; indifferent and unfeeling. She had to, or else he would feed off her feelings and continue his sadistic game.

Sure enough, he looked at her, as he was standing over the man with his hand on his back, looking for an open door, and again, finding none. He looked down at the man, eyes flitting back and forth from Anna to the man. He had his long, razor sharp index finger fixed on the center of his spine. Tela began to apply pressure to the man’s back, making a small indentation with his fingernail. He pressed down slowly first, then a little bit harder, and then a little more deeper. He parted his mouth slowly, aroused by what he was doing to the man. Anna looked at him with great disdain. Tela was severing the nerves in the man’s back, causing instant paralysis.

No, she said softly. Don’t. He hasn’t done anything to you. He has nothing to do with this.

No, he don’t, but he has done things to others, Tela added. He deserves this.

No one deserves anything bad enough to get what you are doing to him right now.

Well, if you are a true prophetess, why didn’t you warn him of this night? Tela asked with a false sense of concern.

He has yet to be saved. Everyone has flaws, shortcomings … everyone deserves a second chance … he is human, he makes mistakes. said Anna.

Don’t care. Tela was quick to retort.

Of course you don’t. But now, as I have commanded, you must go Tela, right now. You have done your damage. GO NOW, commanded Anna, in a lower, more dangerous and convincing monotone voice. I won’t say it again.

Whatever. But, this night, his soul is required, as a reminder that I was here. He is mine. Tela said, pressing his nail further into his back. She could tell that his nail broke the skin on his back because there was a dark spot on the back of his shirt, and by her eyes, it looked like blood. It was beginning to spread. Tela removed his hand from the man’s back and put his finger in his mouth. He closed his eyes, and relished the moment. Turning abruptly, he walked from up under the tent with his hands in his pockets, whistling, heading towards his companions, who never made it closer that twenty feet, until he heard a faint sniffle. It was as clear as a bell, and it was not Anna. He stopped in his tracks immediately, and turned around. He scanned the crowd intensely, with squinting eyes. He heard a sniffle. The sniffle of a child, he was sure of it. He stood still, eyes focused, looking like a lioness in the bushes of the Serengeti, studying a herd of prey, looking for the weakest animal. He knew he heard it. He knew it. This was a young sniffle of a frightened child.

Anna stared at him and said, Help you with something?

What was that? A fear that I’m feeling something coming from someone other than you … the fear of a young child, Tela said menacingly. He looked even harder, and even started to take a step back towards the tent. Anna was walking towards him.

Leave this place, you have been here long enough, she said.

Did I hear a child? Tela asked, stopping. Anna was heading towards him slowly, and he backed up. Anna had her hands raised towards him, pointed towards him. The impact of her outstretched hands was powerful enough, and prevented Tela from coming any closer …

What was the noise, old prophetess? he asked dryly.

I didn’t hear anything. Be gone, foul spirit, and do not return to this place. You are to go to dry places, where you will have no rest. She had spoken to him for the last time, and he knew it. Next time, there would be more serious issues to contend with. His best option at this point was to obey her command. But she did lie to him about the sniffle. She had to. Anna prayed earnestly to herself that the child would not sniffle again, that he would keep quiet at least until the demons were out of sight. Moreover, that he would stay motionless. If there were to be any movement, all hell would literally break loose. There would be nothing Anna could do to physically stop the small crowd of demons who were just waiting for a word from Tela, even though they were cautious.

Tela, on the other hand, was frozen stiff for the moment with his eyes on the crowd, looking and waiting for anything, a movement, an eye blink. He was smart. What seemed like hours was only a few seconds.

Backing up slowly, Tela kept his eyes on the crowd suspended in time by the supernatural. But everyone was not like that. Someone was exempt, but smart enough to stay still. He had to be there, but Tela could not make him out, nor did he have the time to stay and flush him out. His time was up.

Fine, he said. Fine. I’m leaving. But mark my words, old woman. I will get him. It is inevitable. I know the prophecy, I will become a part of it, interrupt it, so to speak, and you will belong to me before then, and he will also. He was trying to bluff, but was cut off.

I suffer you to speak no more, Tela. Anna was walking towards him again, arm still outstretched, every word she spoke and every step she took was full of power. Simultaneously, Tela started backing up, more quickly now. He knew she was unfazed by his threats, tricks, or bribes. The power of God was very visible in her now, and he dared not test it. He was afraid to.

Playing with God’s power would bring on more trouble than he could handle right now, but at least he had fun taking a shot at it. He was a sick, twisted thinking demon, and he relished it. Besides, he had Anna’s son, and he knew that she was affected in some way about it. He’ll just have to wait for the next opportunity to torment her more about it.

Anna stopped at the edge of the tent as Tela continued backing up towards his group. He shot Anna the finger, and grabbed his crotch, while smiling at her. Just then, a wind began to blow, the same wind that started before the darkness came, and it was starting to warm up a bit, but not much, though. It was still a little chilly as the ominous figures faded out into the darkness that brought them in. The floodlight that the wind blew out under the tent was trying to flicker back on again, and the black sky was vaguely showing signs of light. Anna squint her eyes, as she looked in the direction of where the evil entities were seen last. They were gone. Just as suddenly as they came, they left, just like a bad dream.

Anna heard another sniffle. She turned around, produced a faint smile, and relaxed a little. It seemed like hours since the demons appeared, and she was grateful that they were gone. However, her mind lingered on the only son that she ever had. She had seen him again, or what used to be him, and tears started welling up in her eyes. How could they do this? Why did they bring him? Could she have brought her son back if she had taken him? All of these things she pondered in her heart, and she was quickly brought back to the reality that devils usually bring tricks and illusions when they want to gain access to an open door. It was resourceful ammunition to them, and it usually worked, especially on the children of God who lost loved ones that were being put through tests and trials, and Anna was no different. Nevertheless, the spirit of God within her rose up beyond her flesh to shield her from the attack. For they knew, and God himself knew, that her only son, Casey, was very close to her heart.

The sky was lighting up rather quickly now, and the sulfuric stench that the demons had brought with them was dissipating quickly. The air was much crisper, lighter, and easier to breathe. She closed her eyes and lifted her head upwards towards the sky and breathed deeply, and felt the immediate warmth and love from God going through her whole body; from her head all the way down to her fingertips, through her legs, down to her toes. She experienced this before, the healing power of God filling her body, and her spirit, for her encounter left her drained. She dared not become familiar with it, because