ANGEL IN THE SHADOWS

ANGEL IN THE SHADOWS - Chapter Two - Excerpt

"Megan, when you look at me, what do you see?"

"You glow." I can’t look at him as I say this; it sounds so strange.

"Do you see anyone else who a—‘glows’?"

I look out at the lake, everything is so beautiful, "No."

I voice the only explanation I can think of that isn’t supernatural, "Mr. Z. is there something wrong with you? Are you dying?"

Tears are welling up in my eyes. I take a deep breath and will myself not to get emotional. That must be the reason. Nothing else makes sense.

He chuckles, "No. But let me ask the questions. You’ll get your chance in a minute. When did you first notice?"

"Last year."

"Have you told anyone, discussed this with anyone?"

"No. Except last year, when we were around the campfire, I mentioned you look like an angel. The kids teased me, so I never mentioned it again."

"Am I shining now?"

I look up at him, "Yes."

Now I’m getting scared. I’m afraid of what Mr. Z. is going to say next. I sense my world is changing, the same way water becomes an ice cube. It’s still H2O, in a different form.

"Well you’re right; you’re not imagining things. Some people I can’t hide from. Those that have the gift.1 Like you." He looks me in the eye.

"Megan, what do you think I am?"

I can’t breathe. This is the moment where I expand.

I whisper, "An Angel."

"My name is Zadok."

Suddenly his brightness arises.

I see wings. I see his glory. He is beautiful. He is air. He is real. I am small and earthy next to this immortal angel. Zadok cloaks himself once again in his human form. Unbelievably, no one else in camp seems to have noticed.

I am changed. I am forever. I am more. I am afraid.

* * *

"Megan, I am a messenger of God. I’m here to do what he wants.2 You have the gift of seeing spiritual beings3, that’s why you can see me. If you can see me, you will also be able to see others. The good, and the bad."

"Others? The bad?" I’m still in shock. I can’t think.

"It’s in the Bible, Megan. We’re in there. We are at war with the forces of darkness, even on a beautiful day like today."4

"When the evil ones notice you, and they will, you and your loved ones are going to be targets.5 You need to be prepared.6 They will come after you. You are in danger."

"You have eight days to ask me questions; you have the gift to see and the responsibility of free will.7 You can choose to fight evil or join the devil and his angels."8

"But what can I do? How can I fight spiritual beings?"

I start to panic. Waves of fear slip over my head. I’m drowning in it.

"You can’t, but He can," Zadok points to heaven. "God is in control and he’s already won."9

I start to calm down as I realize Zadok is right. "Be still and know that I am God,"10 I pull up from memory.

"That’s right," Zadok smiles. "Every one on God’s side has special gifts. Seeing angels, demons and other spiritual beings reminds you that we are involved in something much bigger than your universe, more mysterious, wonderful and dangerous than most people care to think about."

I let my fear go and keep repeating my simple scripture until I am calm.

I manage to smile at Zadok, pushing back my fear, "I can do this. I guess I have to."

"You were chosen for a reason," Zadok says. He gets up and stretches.

"Zadok," it feels funny calling him that, "why do you think God chose me?"

He looks at me and smiles, "I don’t know for sure, but in the Bible, He indicates that a child’s faith is powerful.11 You are at the end of childhood. I remember when David, just a boy, slew a giant that a whole army of armed men were afraid to face.12 Maybe you have that kind of faith." Zadok looks at me and smiles, but in his eyes I see that he is serious.

ANGEL IN THE SHADOWS - CHAPTER - SEVEN - Excerpt

Tonight, I have a meeting for our TV show, which runs live on Friday. The meeting is running at least an hour late, with all the bickering between Emma and Clint on who is going to be the on-air talent for each story. They’re acting as if it is a matter of life or death. Finally, I suggest they do rock, paper, scissors for the lead story and the loser can do next week’s lead. Mrs. Hixon our advisor has already left, as she was late for picking her son up from soccer practice. All we have to do is lock up before we leave. Clint and Emma walk ahead to the parking lot where our parents are waiting to pick us up; I ask them to let my mom know I’ll be out in a few minutes as my bladder is about to burst.

It is dark outside. Leaving the building, I can see the glow from car headlights bouncing off the buildings in eerie patterns of light. The outside overhead lights are still off. They haven’t been reset for it getting dark this early. The science building blocks my view of the parking lot, so I stop and wait for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. That’s when I sense, off to my left, movement. I look over and see in the shadows the glow of a cigarette. I feel drawn toward the glow to find out who’s there. My heart starts to race as the stranger steps into a pool of light leaking from the building doors.

My heart sinks as I realize it’s Jude/Judas/Damon.

He’s as handsome as usual but I can feel his hatred rolling over me like waves in the ocean’s surf. It takes all my strength not to take a step backward from the heat of his anger. I can see he’s barely in control, but I know he can do nothing to hurt me without God’s permission.

I want to run toward my moms’ car and safety, but then I feel foolish for not having the courage to face him. I boldly walk toward Damon and try to think of what to say. Saying hi seems too ordinary, friendly and dorky. Confronting him feels dangerous.

Before I can speak, he turns to me, tilts his head away to blow out smoke and offers me a ghost of a smile. He speaks menacingly, "What—do—you—think—you—could possibly say—to—me?" pausing between the words.

Damon’s superiority and disdain for me are dripping from each accentuated word.

My heart sinks as I realize I’m playing right into his hands. His meeting me tonight is intentional. Damon was waiting for me. He’s not pouring on the charm the way he does for everybody else. Damon doesn’t have to maintain a façade for me. I realize now that all he wants to do is destroy me and every other mortal who happens to gain his attention. I’m disappointed and angry with myself for wanting him to be charming, so I blurt out, "I know what you are, Damon. I’m going to stop you."

He looks down at his feet and takes another drag off his cigarette before he answers, "All men are like grass

And all their glory is like the flowers of the field

Grass—withers-

And the flowers—fall,"40 with this Damon knocks his ash off hiscigarette.

He looks at me and continues, "I am the predator and you the prey, mouse," he moves slowly closer,

"I am a roaring lion seeking whom I may devour."41 Damon takes a step towards me, and crushes his cigarette.

I’m afraid to stay but more afraid to show my fear, so I stand my ground. I know he’s quoting scripture, but my brain is paralyzed just thinking about how fast, and strong angels are. The only thing I can hang onto right now is my faith that God is protecting me, since I can’t even speak.

"I’m asking to sift you, mouse."42 He whispers in my ear. I can smell the cigarette smoke lingering on his clothes.