― Solange Nicole
Unsettling
I had a simplistic view of the universe―space was matter extended―everything with hard surfaces made up of atoms and tangible. There were no spirits.
My night terrors were simply that―horrific visions but nonetheless, hallucinations and my monsters, mere confabulations of banal fears, shadows across the psyche.
Such was my interior landscape, trite and prosaic―hardly painting a fear that might unman me, except perhaps only to frighten a grandmother.
No wonder I scoffed at the supernatural, limited as I was in imagination and confined to only three dimensions.
But now the curtain had been pulled back allowing me to see the full scope of reality. I was completely ill-equipped to defend myself let alone protect the girls to whom I valiantly offered refuge.
Angelica had rescued me from a demonic attack and now I was trying to do the same for Brooke but was frozen. Angelica, however, could peer into the spirit realm and she told me the hallway was filled with demons.
I groaned in despair and frustration feeling completely impotent.
I turned to her in desperation and saw her eyes grow wide with wonder.
"What is it―what are you seeing?"
"Beings of light pushing aside demons."
She grasped my wrist and pulled me toward the door. "It's okay now―the way is clear."
We entered Brooke's room and I gasped in awe and dread. A bizarre bat-like creature was hovering over her, teeth bared as if intending to bite her.
A wave of anger swept over me and I grabbed a candle holder from the hall table and rushed the creature intending to kill it. It vanished into thin air.
At that moment, Brooke's eyelids fluttered and she gave a slight moan. I dropped to my knees beside her and gathered her into my arms, cradling and consoling her.
She awoke and clung to me, her fingers painfully digging into my arms, but I let her. "You're okay―you're safe. It's gone now."
"Don't leave me," she pleaded.
"I won't. I'll stay right beside you all night."
"My throat is sore," she rasped. "Was I screaming?"
I shook my head. "No, I had been attacked and Angelica rescued me. We came to check on you. Maybe, I should get you a warm drink to soothe your throat."
"I'll come downstairs with you. I'll feel better near the fire."
I looked to Angelica but she had gone, so, I helped Brooke up and she clung to me all the way downstairs.
There was a fire lit and three mugs of rum hot chocolate on the coffee table. The sweet aroma of the drink and its warmth seemed to invigorate all of us.
Angelica rubbed Brooke's back, "Are you feeling well enough to eat? I made toast."
"Toast sounds good right now," she smiled gratefully.
We huddled close to the fire, Brooke with an afghan draped over her, while the storm raged outside and the fire bubbled merrily.
Finally, Angelica broke the silence. "Are you up to talking about it or do you prefer to wait till the morning?"
"I need to talk. It helps to put it into words."
"What can you remember?"
"Everything," she shuddered, "That disgusting little imp somehow prevented me from moving but he wasn't what terrified me―it was the large, black figure that spoke to me―I'll never forget that gravelly voice and the way he tried to intimidate me."
"What did he say?" I asked. "Did he threaten you?"
She shook her head. "No threats―it was bizarre, the way he hovered and peered down at me. The only thing he said was unsettling. He said, 'I want to be as good as you.' It wasn't a threat but it just seemed sick and perverted. He disgusted me."
"So, you didn't feel as if he meant to harm you?" I asked, puzzled.
"No, it was weird as if he were observing me. I felt more like I was stalked and my privacy invaded...yes, that was the feeling, like he was a creeper, or some kind of voyeur."
"That is bizarre," I agreed, "I'm not sure what his game is but if I see him or that imp again, I'll be prepared this time."
Angelica had been sitting back quietly listening, but now spoke up.
"You didn't banish them, Zach. I saw a vision of a white haired man in a study praying. Your weapons mean nothing to demons―but this man―this old man, he intimidates them."
I pictured Breton with bell, book and candle, standing in the gap and waging battle for us. It was comforting.
I had a lot to learn about the spirit realm and how to protect us, but I had Breton and he was there for us.