I've been working on this one for a little while. I intended to present it for a short story contest but it seemed inappropriate for a newspaper contest. I know it can be read and accepted here.
It's difficult to explain how I came to write this; let just say it was based on the concept of the power one person can hold onto the world.
It's not perfect but I don't think that correcting it further without feedback would help
And I tried something that I don't like: dialog. It always is my downfall
I called it
Apocalypse now although I am not sure I can technically
~~~~~~~~
She looks down; the entire place is a wasteland. Death is everywhere she looks.
It started some weeks before; disasters unlike anything before. Acts of God they call it. Rather of his angels to be true but the result is the same. The fight between God’s and Samael’s armies is destroying the world. For every woman, man or child who dies she feels the pain. Lost souls who have nowhere to go: the gates of hell and heaven are closed to them so they wander hopeless. She can see them. It is unsettling. Azrael is not here to gather them and they are frightened.
She looks for him although she knows he won’t come. He is in India fighting the water demon Gaap who has started a tsunami to attack the angelic legions. To protect themselves, they are moving the Himalayas and separating India from the rest of Asia. More than a billion people die in a minute and at least a legion of angels that she feels go out in flame. Each death feels like hers before it passes and leaves sorrow and regret.
This is the end of the world and not as the Scriptures revealed it, because a man made a choice out of love and despair. He is a just man and his intentions were good, but these pave the way to Hell. Now she must find him: he opened the doors of hell and paradise onto the world, and so he is the one to close them.
Suddenly pain explodes in her. It is so deep she almost falls. In her heart she knows a mighty one is fallen: Kerubiel, exalted prince of Heaven is gone. She feels the sorrow of the legions. But mostly she feels Michael’s fury. Kerubiel claimed the fight against the Leviathan and his forces in South Africa and he let him. Unless Jehoel steps in, the forces of Heaven will all be decimated. But she can’t let it stop her. She must push them away. They are part of her but she can’t let them render her crippled. And so she closes the door inside; they’ll still come in but she won’t feel them.
Something pulls at her; he is praying. She can only feel him when he does and it’s the first time in weeks. And it’s her fault. In a moment she finds herself in another nowhere. There is no one within a few kilometers except those she is following so she becomes visible. She’s ever been a woman here but her appearance changes; when she meets the man she will take the shape he will trust most. Hopefully the second person won’t interfere. The church is small, tiny even; what is it doing so far from anywhere? Don’t they want people to come?
She pushes the door open and it creaks. The man turns and nods to her; he is in his late twenties, handsome for a mortal. His eyes hold a deep sorrow however; and for some reason he will trust a pregnant woman. That could make things complicated. She sits two pews behind him and prays too. When she looks up he is staring at her.
“Yes?” she asks softly.
“I am sorry I did not mean to interrupt your prayers. You seemed so peaceful.”
“Is it not the purpose of prayer? Find peace with the Lord above?”
“He is hard to find.”
“He always finds you. If you let Him.”
“Not me. Not anymore.”
“What could you have done that He would not recognize you?”
He hesitates… And says nothing. Not that trustworthy.
“We all have doubts. And we all sin.”
“You don’t seem to do either.”
She laughs softly.
“I did. Doubt. Sin. The result is for all to see.”
“Do you have regrets?”
“That I did not hear your call and caused the death of so many? Every day,” she thinks but instead she says. “Sometimes. But I cannot change the past. I can change the future though. And make it brighter.”
“What if I can’t?”
“One man has more power than you know. He can change the world if he has faith and hope.”
“Nathan?” And so it becomes clear. He made his choice to save his twin brother. He exchanged this one life for the world. “Are you ok?”
“Yes. This is…”
“Estelle… Desanges,” she offers as she extends her hand to his brother.
“That’s French?”
“It is.”
“I’m Jeremy.” She smiles. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
“I did not see a car; did you walk?”
She knew it would become complicated.
“I did. I like a daily walk and today it brought me here. But I overreached I think. I won’t make it back to town. I am getting heavier.”
“We can give you a ride.” Jeremy offers.
“That would be nice, thank you.”
It is interesting to see how different they are despite their identical appearance. Where Jeremy projects hope and faith, Nathan seems to be wrapped in despair and doubt. Is it possible he realized what he did?
As Jeremy drives Nathan seems to forget her. She lets him be. She can’t force his trust. And if he does not speak to his brother, why should he speak to her? This entire thing might be impossible in this guise.
Jeremy stops in front of a pizzeria.
“I’ll grab something to eat for the hotel. Do you want something Estelle?”
“I’m good, thanks.”
When Jeremy is gone she asks Nathan.
“Not from here?”
“No. You?”
“Nope. Passing by.”
“So are we.”
“Headed where?”
“Hell.”
“How do you mean?”
“Haven’t you seen all that happens in the world these days?”
Of course she has. First hand too. The only reason she is not fighting is because she has her own role to play in this war. And if she fails they all are doomed.
“I have.”
“It’s my fault.”
“How could it be your fault?”
“You said a man can change the world.”
“I did.”
“Well I did. And for the worst so now I wonder what to do.”
“You may have the power to change the world; but here it sounds more like the end of it.”
“Precisely. You know, some believe that the choice of one man can doom humanity. I think I did that.”
“How?” So he knows, and it may not make things easier at all.
“My brother should be dead. But he is not because I made a choice.”
“What did you do?”
“God was deaf to my prayers. So when Jer passed I turned to Lucifer.” He had not called any demon to make a deal. He had summoned Lucifer out of hell and by doing so had opened the gates.
“I know how it works.”
“You do?”
“I read Faust. What did he ask in return?”
“That I forsake all I hold dear beside my brother… I did not know.”
“Of course. The just man rarely knows he cares for the world.”
“I brought down the Apocalypse on us.”
She shakes her head.
“Not really. It was not meant to be that way; there is no sorting of souls. They are lingering on earth until the fighting is down.”
“What fighting?”
“What do you think is creating all these disasters Nathan?”
“The four horsemen?” The expression on his face could have made her laugh in other circumstances. She shakes her head.
“Demons… and angels. In their real form our leaders reach the skies; and they do as they see fit. Since Lucifer fell they have free range when fighting demons. But now it means that humans are dying and their souls wander because those who should reap them are fighting. And if they wander for too long they will be lost. We cannot let that happen.”
“What can I do? Should I kill Jeremy to restore the balance? I can’t. There is no hope. I damned us all.”
“There always is hope Nathan. But you cannot kill your brother.”
He sighs heavily. He is relieved. That was what he was praying for in the church, a way to make things right even if it meant killing his own brother. Even though, there still is no hope in his heart. And without hope they cannot do anything.
“Your soul is not lost yet.”
“You are not human are you?”
“No.”
“This appearance?”
“Is what you wanted me to look like when I entered the church.”
“What do you really look like?”
“Not important. Will you come with me?”
He nods. She takes his hands. A blink she has Jeremy and they’re gone. The scene is bleak; corpses are everywhere, some partially buried some not but all burnt beyond recognition.
“Where are we?” Jeremy asks.
“Pompeii.”
“The first destruction.” Nathan adds. “After Jer came back.”
There is no way to make this easier.
“The door to hell. Hellhounds erupted out starting the fire before legions of demons led by the one you call Satan and the other fallen angels. They are more deadly and dangerous than demons, because they were princes in heaven and they fell by choice.”
“Why are we here?” Nathan asks.
“Because what we need is here. And it must be retrieved by the soul saved.”
“Jer?”
She nods and as she does she understands something.
“An angel has been hiding you from hell. Lucifer certainly knows he should not let you live.” She wonders at that. She thought all were fighting.
“The healer. He was with us until you arrived.” Jeremy’s conviction is surprising. Or maybe it is not for someone who has come back. “But he can’t heal Nathan’s guilt.”
“Do you know what we are looking for?” Nathan inquires.
“Your brother will.”
As it happens, Jeremy seems to be looking around.
“Jer? You ok?”
“I am. It’s just…”
“You feel the pull?”
“I feel “a” pull. And it is strong.”
“Follow it.” They walk through the dried lava. Dark and ashy, the air is still hard to breathe. They must be careful; something may guard the key. But she can’t feel anything; she closed the door she must open it again. When she does the pain causes her to fall. She gasps in pain; so many lights blown out. Michael fought here she can feel the remnants of his presence. She should have been with him. Still, they kept this place free of demons for her to come.
“Are you alright?”
“No. But let’s continue. We won’t be stopped here.”
“How do you know?” Nathan is uncertain.
“Trust her Nate.” Jeremy stops. “It’s here.”
Poiting towards the slope of the volcano Jeremy runs leaving the two of them rooted where they stand.
“I envy him.” Nathan says.
“For what?”
“His unwavering faith. He never doubts.”
“Maybe he does but keeps hope.”
“What hope? The world is at an end.”
“Only if we let it.”
“What will happen?”
She smiled to him.
“There are many possibilities still. But somehow, it depends on you.”
“Can you show me?”
“I’ve got it. All will be well.” Jeremy interrupts with a smile The box he is holding in his hands is black and engraved with old symbols. Jeremy makes to open it.
“Don’t!” she urges him. “You must not open this. Only your brother can, and not here.”
“Where?” She takes both their hands and in a blink they are in another pile of ruins. Angels and a tidal wave had left little of this city.
“What’s here?” Jer asks.
“The door of Heaven. It opens where the just man’s heart belongs.” She pauses. “This was New York.”
“Nate… Was it Jess?” Something she does not know. But she can guess. “You left her to be with me.” Jeremy is not asking. He knows. Nathan shrugs.
She interrupts. They have no time.
“Jeremy, give him the box?”
“What will happen?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t?!”
“I have faith in you.”
“I don’t.” Nathan says.
“Then have faith in Him.”
“How?”
She smiles and touches him. His eyes open wide as both look upon a woman, hair dark as night, eyes green as an emerald. She is pregnant and looking at him.
“Jess?” Nathan whispers.
“We’re waiting Nate. I miss you. Come back to us.”
“Is she really alive?” he asks her.
“It’s only a possibility, Nathan. But you can make it true.”
“It’s possible then?”
“One can only hope.”
“Hope?” She nods.
“Can I be forgiven?”
“You have but to ask in your heart of heart. This is why I am here.”
He closes his eyes and she feels his heart open, ripping through the doubt and the sorrow grabbing hope of redemption. Her own light seems to bloom and she knows He allows her to grant forgiveness. She kisses his brow then and speaks.
“Open Pandora’s box.”
“Pandora? As in the Greek stories?”
“Indeed.”
“So who are you?”
“It doesn’t matter. Open that box Nathan; it’s the only way to banish evil.”
“And angels?”
“They’ll come here.”
“Why?”
“Because I am the guiding star.”
“You mean your name? Star of the angels.”
“I am the one who shows the way to God. But I can’t be without you.”
“What if I can’t?”
“I know you can. Hold onto the ones you love.”
When he opens the box a maelstrom engulfs them; screams and yells of fury fill the atmosphere as the demonic legions vainly fight the pull of the box. The sound is frightening and Nathan looks scared. He must believe in his heart he can change the world before she can do anything. But Nathan doesn’t close the box.
“I can’t.” he cries.
“Be her.” Jeremy yells at her.
“What?” she doesn’t understand.
“Be Jess.”
She changes shape again. Nathan gasps.
“Kiss him!” Jeremy orders. She does and Nathan’s eyes widen. How could she not understand there were two he wanted forgiveness from? And as his heart soars, she starts burning brighter and brighter.
“Close your eyes both of you”. Although they resist, her siblings are called to her and pass into her onto Heaven; the way to God. Suddenly it stops and she falls on her knees. Nathan is at her side helping her up.
“Are you ok?”
“I am. You?”
“Yes. Jer?”
They look at Jeremy standing by the box; she can see the white halo around him. She understands then why.
“Hope.” She whispers.
“What?” Nathan asks.
“That’s why Raphael was walking with you; you’re Hope.”
“What does it mean?”
“It means that I will always be with you Nate… Hesediel, please bring him to Jess.”
“You know.”
“It could only be you: Forgiveness, Mercy. She’ll be there.”
“And you?” Nathan asks.
“I keep the box safe. Not here.” Suddenly, he disappears.
Nathan sighs.
“Are you alright?” she asks.
“I will be.”
He will be; his heart is open now to hope and love. She finds Jess there and brings them together. Their laughter follows her on her way home.
From the skies, she looks down on earth; the entire place is a wasteland still. But they will fix it.
©sbourquard