Part one
~1~
(Ecstasy)
Deep in a forest untouched by man to this day a cold and seemingly lifeless body lay. His eyes were hard and cold and any one could tell by the lack of color in his face he hadn’t seen the sun in a long while. The contrast of his dark black hair and his pale white skin seemed to match his surrounding; a forest with out life, completely black with darkness except for where the white moonlight shone through the branches shedding spots of light to the ground. With a jerk the body came to life, its eyes wide open and alert.
Slowly he rose from the ground, his knees week and his head spinning. He tried to look forward but his eyes slid in and out onf focus and the trees surrounding him seemed to be slowly revolving around him. He tried to walk forward, one bare foot and then the next. But it was very hard to keep his course straight when his mind was so out of tune. Then his eyes met something in a clearing up ahead of him. It was a still, shining pond in a clearing of the trees just up ahead. Drawn to the light reflecting off of the lake and to his eyes like a moth to a beacon of light he continued to stumble forward with no thought other then that racing in his mind. He needed to reach the light; once he did this he would be okay. Not much further.
Then sound broke the silence like the shattering of glass. Shrill and terrible the high-pitched noise grew louder still until the point where even with his hands over his ears the sound caused so much pain he walked even slower still. The boy, frightened by the sudden violent disturbance looked around in search of the source of the sound. Suddenly the noise took form as words. Pleas for help magnified in the silence of the forest. The voices sounded as if they belonged to children, but too horrible were they to belong to anything human. Surely nothing of this world could make such an unearthly shriek. Suddenly the screaming stopped and the pain lifted. Then, with out warning the boy was knocked down from behind by something unseen. He looked up slowly, blood dripping from his brow from where his head must have hit a rock on the ground. Something was running up ahead, it seemed to be an animal of some sort. Getting up slowly he followed the creature towards the water’s edge.
There, above the water. Suddenly he understood where the sounds had been coming from. He fell back in horror. Nothing could have prepared him for this. Nothing. Hanging from a large branch, which reached over the water in the pond, were two children, a young boy and a young girl, hung at the neck by thick rope. The small bodies spun slowly in the wind. Blood was dripping from the girl’s lips. He tried to let out a scream but his voice was lost. To terrified and engrossed by the sight before him. He looked down to the water not but a few feet in front of him. He knew he had to get to the water for all of this fear to leave. He got up to his knees and slowly crawled to the water’s edge. He looked across the shimmering surface of the pond. And then he saw the reflection of the children revolving above the water from a tree branch. And from their reflection the water’s shine left and was replaced by more darkness.
Suddenly he heard his name being called. "James, James, will you not come out to play with us?" called two voices. He knew to whom the voices belonged. Slowly James’ eyes rose from the reflection to the children themselves. The little boy stretched out his arm in the direction of James. James fell again to the ground and acted as if he had a seizure. He was shaking, twitching, and screaming with vicious ferocity. While the children laughed a creature began walking from one end of the water to where James lay in seizure. Slowly it crossed the lake, walking on the water and not leaving a ripple beneath it. Finally the creature reached its destination and lifted up James. Who had become still when he had felt the presence of this dark entity. The creatures, which somewhat looked like a man but was completely dark and much bigger then any man like the shadow of a man took James to the middle of the dark pond, which now seemed more like cold, black, shining marble then water. Right there James was laid, floating just above the water’s surface. His hair fell and just barely touches the water. Causing ripples to flow from the place where his hair touched the black surface.
James opened his eyes to see the creature over him with the two children standing at its side. They were all slowly repeating his name and drawing closer to is face while kneeling down over him. He saw the pale eyes of the children; they had no color but were only white. Fear paralyzing him he began to sink into the depths of the water. The darkness over took him and he saw nothing more. Slowly, sinking James was no more.
~2~
(A very respectable family, you know)
This neighborhood was the same as all the others in the suburb which was named after some picturesque scene from nature, peaceful meadow. All white houses with a tree and neatly trimmed grass in the front yard. The same minivans and Volkswagens were parked in the house’s garages. Stay at home moms and fathers who all left at the same time for work every morning and came in late that night. All the children played on the street and knew each other well. It was a neighborhood like all the others. And the last house on the block was no different from the others on the street. And the family was the same old story, predictable. Or at least it seemed like all the other houses and all the other families in suburban America, on the out side but inside the walls of this particular house laid a secret. One the Wilcocks, owners of the house, didn’t even know about. This secret was well hidden…
This was a normal Sunday morning in the Wilcock residence. The children awoke to the smell of bacon and pancakes, traditional Sunday breakfast before church. A woman busied herself in the kitchen setting the table while her husband went to the front door to retrieve the morning paper. "Interesting news Beth…" The man said thoughtfully to his wife as he walked into the kitchen, looking over the paper open in his hands before his face. "What’s that dear?" she replied with out giving much thought. "There’s some new party drug out on the streets. It’s supposedly very strong and not that hard to get a hold of. There was a party where 3 teens died not long ago and they say that this new drug was involved. Imagine that! In our own town something like that happening!" "Dreadful news Tim, it’s really becoming sad to live in this day and age. Now could you please put down the paper and help me set the table? At this rate we’re going to be late for church."
With that the paper was laid on the counter and silverware was put on the table. Then Beth called for her children to come and eat before it got cold.
At the same time two teen-aged kids walked into the kitchen already dressed in their Sunday’s best for church. The oldest one, a boy sixteen years old with dark black hair and black eyes skipped breakfast saying he wasn’t hungry. Then he went off and played video games in the living room. The younger one, a girl, who was barely 13 years old sat at the table with her mother and father and said the blessing for their meal. Then they started to eat. They seemed to be a perfect family, those three. All had blond hair and blue eyes and were quite attractive. It was the boy who seemed out of place in this family with his black hair and dark eyes. Everything about him seemed to be darker. The family finished breakfast and started off to church. "James, Kayla! Come get in the car or we’ll be late!" Tim yelled after a few round back in forth of "No you can’t stay home, James!" and "Yes dear, you look fine lets just go!" they were off.
The Wilcocks’ green minivan pulled up to the church right on time, twenty minuets after the service started. Mr. Wilcock was dropping off the rest of the family while he searched for parking. "Alright, James you take Kayla to Sunday school and then find us in the service. Dear, please save us three seats, I have to find a parking spot in this nightmare" and that was it once the order was given there was no complaining or back peddling. So Mrs. Wilcocks went inside the seat to reserve a seat in the back. A much hated place of low social standard in the church. Since social standing was very important to the Wilcocks this seemed quiet the disgrace to Beth. But she bore her pain in respectable silence until her husband came. ‘A very successful doctor you know’ she could repeat after the service just to remind them of who’s who.
James walked Kayla to the Sunday school building outside which was separate from the main church building. From a bird’s eye view this building looked like a giant cross. They knew it would be much more luxurious if the children had their own youth and children’s building which was bigger its self then most other churches in that state. The Fellowship of Southern Oaks was a church that rose in attendance by 500% when the suburbs districts were added. It was a once nice little town now filled with grand real estate perfect for any respectable family. A perfect little family town where nothing bad ever happened. Who went to a perfect giant, industrialized Church. The youth pastor greeted them at the door. Robert Kingsley was some one all of the youth looked up to and he understood them. Maybe it was because he looked so young himself. He was defiantly the only person in the church wearing spiked hair, a red Hawaii style dress shirt, baggy khakis, and an earring. Though this wasn’t the proper attire for the youth pastor at such a prestigious church this was overlooked because the kids simply loved him.
The two Wilcocks kids went and found back seats at the youth buildings main room. Later they would split up into individual groups divided by gender and age. So the youth pastor told them about up coming youth mission trips and all the great stuff happening with the youth. Kayla was very excited, James was thinking about the breakfast he passed up. Then with a clap Robert let the children and teens go to their classrooms. A flood of children left through a large hallway lined with classroom doors and more hallways intersecting. At the intersection of hall ways James and Kayla went different ways; Kayla to her class, James to the bathroom until every one was settled into their lessons.
~3~
(A deal and a plot in the woods)
A beautiful wood filled with the life of creation sat just behind the town of Grapevine, Texas. A stream ran through the middle of this wood and lead out into a pond. Bird’s song filled the air while animals went about their business. The green trees and moss-covered rocks even seemed to be filled with joy and life. This was a beauty to behold and marvel at the creation of a greater being. But not today, today the beauty is tainted. Today it is used as refuge for something evil, something just beyond the shadows. It was not a sudden change but gradual. For the ways of evil are subtle and growing. The wind that once played games with the fallen leaves died. The song of the birds lessened and slowly halted. The air was cold and the sun hid his face behind clouds. And darkness slowly crept in.
"Jeez! This is really creepy; I hope this kid is good for it! It’s our butts on the line here!" Two men in their mid twenties were standing by the pond waiting for some one. They seemed nervous and agitated. You couldn’t see their faces because they wore hoods. One of the men clutched a brown bag of something and held it to his chest. Just as the two men considered leaving they saw what they were looking for. A young teenage boy that couldn’t be more then 16 appeared out of the woods. He was panting and was kneeling over with his hands on his knees to catch his breath; obviously he had run here from somewhere far away. The boy was also holding a brown package similar to the one that was in the hands of one the strange men. He gathered himself and walked slowly towards the two men. They didn’t say anything; they just looked at each other and nodded as a greeting. Then the boy held out his package in his for the men to take. One of the men hesitated and took the package out of his hand and pocketed it. Then the other one tossed his package to the boy. When the boy caught it the two men where gone. With that he took off back to where he came from, leaving the scene as if no one was ever there…
"Master, we have another one, the plan is almost complete with him." said a shrill voice from another world. "Good, another sheep strayed from the flock and into my grasp! How weak, how pathetic these people are. How easily pulled astray you are. You have pleased me with your work, serpent." Spoke the master. This voice did not belong to a man or a woman. Nothing of earth possessed such a powerful and hideous voice. "Now go faithful servant! Make sure this plan falls through. Take any two with you for this task. This man’s time is near and I want his death to be complete." "Yes, my Lord. It is my honor to serve you." Then the bodies left.
Slowly the shadow was lifted off of the forest. Though no one heard the conversation between master and servant it happened. Right there in that place evil dwelled and plotted. If one returned to that place they would see no sign of the evil that just fled. It returned to the lovely thing it was before it was touched by wickedness. Now it was only peaceful and pure.
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"Where were you today? We saved you a seat at church today, dear." Enquired the concerned voice of Mrs. Wilcocks, who did not like the image it made to have her son absent from church one bit! Especially after being thirty minutes late. "I decided to stay at the youth lessons today" was the quick reply from her son. Rather irritably because he did not like being questioned. "But I saw you leave the building after the group talk from Robert so you couldn’t have stayed." Said Kayla. "What were you doing out of your class room?" James said quickly; as if to try and change the subject redirect the questioning to some one else for a change. "Well, err, I was asking Robie about the youth mission’s trip. Because I’d like to go…" James knew that his parents were over come with thoughts of pride that she’d have the heart to go do something like that and hope that she soon forgets all about it. "Well that’s wonderful dear! We’re so proud of you."
After a car ride that seemed to last hours to James, the Wilcocks family returned home. With no words to anyone he went straight inside and locked himself into his room. His room was like that of any other guy his age. Posters of rock bands and supermodels covered his walls, a stereo and computer on his desk, an unmade bed and clothes lain out all over the floor. He turned his hard rock music on loud enough to feel vibrations from its speakers a few feet away and took a small brown package out of his pocket. Set it onto his desk and started to open it but then decided to hide it until later. "No need to be wasteful with this." he told him self and then hid the package under his bed for another time. He spent the rest of his day working on school homework assignments that he neglected until the last minute. Then he went to bed.
~4~
(The party)
Though James went to bed he rarely slept. That was why when he went to school the next day he slept through most of his classes in the back of the classroom. He seemed to be able to sleep in school and church better then any other places. He was his usual self that Monday. Black, messy hair, rings under his eyes, pale white skin, and mismatching usually black clothes. His sister Kayla on the other hand was one of the most popular children in her class. This was her first year in high school and she already stole the show. All the boys loved her of course, Blond hair, and blue eyes, attractive in every way. The teachers loved her, never disruptive and always respectful. She was a model student. People found it hard to believe that she was related to the wash out-near drop out kid who rarely spoke and seemed closer to a zombie then a human on Monday mornings. But James was used to all of this, his sister had always been quite "perfect" and he had always been "such a disappointment".
The bell rang and woke James up at the end of his last class before lunch. He lifted his head slowly off of the desk, which had much graffiti on it and under it. He didn’t even know what class he was in. "Oh well" he thought "only two more years of free food and free naps and then I’m a full fledged bum" he managed to smile at himself. He found pride in the fact that he wouldn’t amount to anything. Suddenly he got up, grabbed his bag and went to the lunchroom.
He opened the double doors to the lunchroom and slowly stepped inside. The doors closed behind him with a clank of metal doors on metal doorframes. The sound of undecipherable words from thousands of kids all engaged in pointless chatter about social standards and issues rose over him like water. He even found it hard to breathe. He then realized he was just standing there. So he went and found a seat in the far corner, pulled out his brown paper bag with some self prepared food and decided to throw it away and find something else to do. He grabbed his backpack and his brown bag and made his way to the trashcan, dodging a game of hacky-sack and some giggling 8th grade girls who were no doubt ably talking about some cute boy or something of the sort. When he got to the garbage can he tossed his food inside and turned around to go outside. But then something or actually someone was standing in front of the doors to the way out the made him jump.
There he was, the little boy who haunted him in his dreams. The boy had on normal clothes and looked much more alive here, though, he seemed, real. The boy was looking directly at him, just standing there in front of the double doors that he, James, just came through not long ago. The two were locked at the eyes, staring at each other. One with a look of horror on his face the other with a pleasure of a child on his birthday party. He was grinning. This was too much for James. He turned to use the other doors that lead straight outside from the lunchroom. But there was a little girl with the same exact expression upon her face. She too he had seen before but only in his nightmares never before in reality like this. "Okay I’m hallucinating, that’s all." He told himself. Then with out warning something grabbed his shoulder and almost made him gasp. He turned around expecting the worst and was very much surprised to see a fellow classmate. She was a pretty girl with long dark hair, he’d seen her before, and she was in his class. "Hey, James right?" He was surprised to see that some one knew his name. He nodded. "Well, James, I’m having a party this Friday night and my parents told me to invite the whole class. So that means you as well. Come if you can alright?" "Sure" he heard himself saying. But normally he hated these school parties, mainly because he was never invited. Oh well he might enjoy this one and he might ditch it. "Well see ya ‘round, James" "uhhh later" Then he turned to see if the children had moved from their position of haunting at the doors. But they were gone. Was it just a hallucination? Or were the children real and just happened to look like kids that he dreamt about? He decided to pretend it hadn’t happened and continue with his day like normal.
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"Friday night, nothing else to do… I might as well go to the party. Bring a little something along with me too." Thought James as he grabbed his stuff and started heading out the door on Friday night. He walked out the door with out a word to his parents or sister and headed down the dark suburb alleyways. He preferred using the dark back streets. They were faster though darker and if there were a place of danger in this town it would be there. Though the most danger any one had experienced in Peaceful Meadow was a cat knocking over a garbage can at night and that seemed to warrant a call to the police and a lot of gossip for the house wives. James chuckled. "How pathetic" he said aloud. It was a good thing that girl lived in his neighborhood; it was as chilly spring night. It was interesting how he knew where she lived but didn’t even know her name. Every one knew where she lived though it’s the same place all the parties at their school took place: the hot girl’s house.
James checked his watch before he entered the house where the party was defiantly happening. He could tell by looking for the only place on the block that still had its lights on. 11:30, kind of late but he didn’t plan on staying long. Then he knocked on the white door that looked exactly like all the others on that street. There she was, answering the door was the girl that invited him. She was obviously doing a good job at playing hostess. "Hey! Come on in James. Thanks for coming". Yeah defiantly being a good hostess. "Thanks" he muttered and stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "You don’t talk much do you?" she said trying to make conversation. "Guess not" he replied. Socializing and witty banter weren’t exactly his strong points and he didn’t care to try. "Well I better go, don’t want the house to be too trashed when the parents get back". "Yeah, okay." Said James and she was gone.
The party was dull for James. He just sat in the corner and watched every one have fun, crazy drunk teens dancing around and making out typical party. Boring as heck. Then he remembered the brown package he slipped into his pocket before leaving home. Pulling it out of his pocket he decided this time was as good as any for some fun…
~5~
(Soul)
It was a pure black cat with bright green eyes that woke him up, affectionately rubbing up against the boy’s face and nudging him as if to talk to him. The boy lifted his head looked around. He was in the forest surrounded by dead trees. But this time there was no moon shining through their branches. He rose slowly and looked at the cat. He saw one, then two, then three, and then one again. His eyes couldn’t focus properly. He kneeled down to pet the cat but then it hissed and started walking in the opposite direction of the boy. He started to walk after it. He followed the cat along a pathway in the forest. The forest was still, no leaves, no animals other then the cat, and no sound other then the crunching of the occasional stick beneath his feet. He continued to follow the cat. This cat gave him comfort. It was his hope in the desolate place. It felt like this cat was a part of him.
Suddenly there was sound that came from some where just off of the pathway. The boy jerked his head in the direction of the sound. It sounded as if something was moving slowly towards the path. He stayed completely still and waited for something to jump out from the darkness. But nothing did. So he turned to continue following his guide. His eyes widened and his mouth fell open. There was the cat but it was decaying, maggots from the inside out were eating his body! He had holes in his sides where maggots fell to the ground out of his body. The animal reeked of death but was still moving and living. The boy was transfixed and horrified by the sight of this animal then as if from nowhere two figures appeared beside the cat. One was a boy, noose hanging from his neck, blood running from his mouth. His head leaned to the side because his neck was broken. There was also a girl, long golden hair, pale white skin. She seemed to be crying her hands where covering her eyes and tears of blood were dripping from them. Then the boy kneeled down to the cat and stared at it. Then he lifted the animal’s body from the ground. Hundreds of maggots fell to the ground. And slowly the child began to eat the animal. The boy ran with all the speed he could gather. He heard the children’s voices calling from behind him in mutilated voices. "Come James, eat with us! We know that you hunger! Don’t leave!" But he didn’t look back.
He was still running. He would run forever if he could. But then something grabbed him from behind. It was a man. But it was not a human man. It was completely black, like a statue come to life. Its wild black hair blew as if in the wind but there was no wind to blow it. He wore a black crown upon his head. His eyes were closed and his hand was on James’ shoulder. "Don’t come near me!" Shouted James as he fell to the ground. Then the man opened his eyes and smiled a horrible smile. Even the inside of his mouth was completely black. His eyes were like balls of flame. Then he spoke. "James, do you not recognize me? I am the one who brought you here. You chose me long ago, James." When he spoke his mouth held flames as well. James couldn’t speak. Then the two children appeared by the man’s side. They moved slowly and their feet dangled just about the ground. It was if they were drawn to the creature before him. The girl was now crying tears of blood and holding the carcass of the cat, which had been feasted upon. "y-you’re just a dream" James managed to say. "No boy, we are very real. We’ve always been here. My children and I were there when you bought the drugs and we are here now. It was our job to bring you here to the master." Said the man in a voice too hideous to describe. "It cannot be." He said but he had given up the hope that this was all a dream. "James, you really are pathetic. You were given the world and some. But drugs still so easily lured you here. You chose this. We did not have to put in much effort. There’s no hope for you now. You’re family cannot help you once you are here. You’ve turned your back on everything, every one. You now belong to us." James could not move. He was trembling, shaking, and having a seizure. He began screaming and throwing up everywhere. But in the back of his brain he could still hear the voice laughing shrilly.
Part two
~6~
(Emergency)
The serene silence that surrounded the suburb district called peaceful meadow after dark was abruptly broken by the sirens of an ambulance tearing through the streets at break neck pace. A siren of any kind was a foreign sound in that area. All of the chaotic happenings of the city could never seem to penetrate the calm, quiet suburbs. As the ambulance passed house after house bedroom lights would flick on as the disturbed inhabitants wondered what was going on. The on looking neighbors watched from afar as the ambulance found its destination and screeched to a halt in front of the Newman’s residence. They always were an irritation to the neighbors. As soon as the parents left town for some sort of conference their daughter would throw a party. They watched as the men inside the ambulance rushed inside with a stretcher. There were a lot of kids in the front yard. Half of them looked drunk and half of them looked concerned. A few minuets later they were seen leaving the house. This time the stretcher had an occupant. Though it was dark they could tell that it was a teen-aged boy who was shaking violently. By the time the boy was loaded into the ambulance police cars had arrived at the residence and one of the officers was questioning the Newman girl. Then the ambulance rushed back down the way it came.
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"Where is he?" came the concerned cries of a middle aged woman who was rushing down the halls of the local hospital at 12:30. "Right this way Mrs. Wilcocks, room 102. The nurse who worked the night shift at the hospital guided the concerned woman to the appropriate room. Mrs. Wilcocks, followed by her husband and her daughter stormed into the dark room. All three of them were almost afraid to look. They had gotten a call from the hospital in the middle of the night telling them that their son, James was in trouble. They rushed to his side as fast as they could. She turned on the light of the hospital room. As the room was illuminated her eyes fell on her son. He was lying there unconscious on a hospital bed. She could hear the beeping of a heart rate monitor. Kayla broke into tears when she saw her brother lying there, lifeless. "What’s wrong with him?" asked Mr. Wilcocks in a somber tone. He had been quiet since he received the phone call from the nurse. The nurse replied "Maybe you should take a seat; we will call in a doctor to make the diagnosis on your son. Until then you should just be patient." And with that she slipped out of the room and gently closed the door behind herself. Though she had medical training nothing can prepare some one for the tears of people who fear for loved ones or how to handle those types of situations.
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The Wilcocks spent a restless night at the hospital at their son’s bedside. Finally Doctor Ambrose arrived. He sent the nurse in first to awake the family of James Wilcocks before he explained his condition to them or what had happened the night before. Dr. Ambrose was a respected family doctor in the Peaceful meadow suburb area. He was tall, slim, good looking in a smart way and had the eye of all single women in peaceful meadow. He worked on the PTA and always volunteered to help out with the yard work. He was famous for BBQ cookouts and annoyed James to death. He made tons of money when he made the decision to run a private clinic in the suburbs and was one of the on call doctors at the local hospital. The nurse told him that the Wilcocks were awake and waiting for him to come and speak to them. "Alright, thank you Martha, you’ve been a big help." He said wearily. He dreaded going in there and seeing the tearful faces of a tragedy stricken family. But they deserved to know what happened to their son. But that was what made things all the worse. Then he straightened his white doctor’s jacket and walked in room 102.
Timothy Wilcocks rose and shook the doctor’s hand. Bethany Wilcocks nodded and said "hello" while dabbing her eyes with a tissue. The girl, Kayla, was still asleep in a ball on the other bed in the room. It appeared she was the only one who slept much that night. Dr. Ambrose cleared his throat and stroked his dark brown mustache. By now Kayla had been woken by the presence of the doctor, though she did not move from her spot or show any signs of being awake. She just listened to what the doctor had to say. "Let me just come out and say it" he said hesitantly. "James is in a coma, there was a call to the hospital and when the ambulance got there they reported that the boy was violently shaking in an unconscious state. It appeared he was having a seizure. When he was brought here the nurse did an initial examination, by then he stopped shaking. She found that he had taken a massive overdose of drugs. He was found with this brown package containing a large quantity of illegal drugs. It appears that he was at the party and took an over dose of the party drug. This drug has been in wide circulation in the past few months and more and more teens are found in a seizure-like state and many of them end up with fatal consequences." The doctor paused here and allowed for some sort of reaction but the two people sitting across from him seemed to be in a state of shock. He continued, "I have done some further study on James and I do not think he is going to die, but right now he is in a coma. There really isn’t much we can do for him right now, nothing but pray. I’m so sorry to bring this news to you. If there’s anything I can do please just let me know. I will certainly be in contact in the next few days, which will be crucial for James. For now please just get some rest and I’ll talk to you more later today." Dr. Ambrose looked into the eyes of the Wilcocks; they stared at him with what seemed to be disbelief. Then Tim Wilcocks rose and shook his hand again and said, "Th-thank you doctor" then sat down again. With that the doctor slipped out of the room. On his way out he murmured a short prayer on James’ behalf.
~7~
(Search for comfort)
Robert Kingsley the second woke up at 8:30. He went through his regular morning ritual. Take a shower, get dressed, have breakfast while reading sports illustrated and watching ESPN and got ready for the day, wearing his traditional Hawaiian shirt, khaki pants, necklace and spiked hair. He lived in a small youth pastor home provided by the church. It was convenient because his father was the pastor, so he only had to walk down the block when he needed milk and he didn’t need a car to get to work. Though he really only had to work on Sunday morning during Sunday school and Friday nights at the weekly youth meetings he was still constantly active around the church, helping out where every help was needed. He was just about to head off to the church when he heard some one knocking on his door. This was odd because normally people didn’t look for him at his house; they all knew to find him at the church. He opened the door to find a young girl crying at his doorstep. He recognized her from the youth functions he always ran. "Kayla! What’s going on? Are you okay?" he said while ushering her into his house. Between tears she said, "Its James, he’s at the hospital." in a sobbing voice. "What happened? I’m so sorry, would you like me to come with you to see him?" he said in a comforting tone "He’s in a coma; there’s nothing they can do for him. We just have to wait." After a long pause, Kayla broke the silence. "They said it was drugs that caused it. We knew he had been distant lately but we never would have guessed something like this, I just don’t know what to think. I don’t know who my own brother is!" "How have your parents reacted?" Rob asked slowly. "They haven’t yet; they’re just sitting there, like they’re in disbelief. My mom looked furious and my dad just sits staring into space. I had to get out of there and you were the only person I felt like I could come to." "I’m here for you Kayla, more importantly God is." "Thanks, thanks, Rob, will you pray with me? Please I can’t just sit by and do nothing." "Sure, sure, that’s the most power action we can take. Let’s pray."
Dear Lord, please give the Wilcocks the strength to deal with this tragedy that has fallen onto James. Please help him and heal him. Only you can make something this bleak become well. We trust in your strength and we have comfort that your will be done. Put your hand on James and protect him. Lord, we know that James has fallen into a dark place in his life. He’s been dealing with drugs. We hope that redemption can be found for him. Just show him the light. Remove him from the darkness that’s befallen him…
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"James, wake up, your destiny has come." James woke and found himself tied to what seemed to be an ancient, stone altar of some sort. It was completely stained with blood. In front of the alter he was tied to there was a small stone table with only a book on top of it. The time was night, and the alter to which he had been bound to stood right over the pitch black water of the lake. The only light came from a blood red moon, which oversaw the lake but left no reflection. Then something happened, he could hear something inside himself. He knew there was a deep evil in this place. James heard screams of pain in the back of his mind. They were growing clearer and more vibrant. He felt a sharp pain in his brain. He felt like his mind was going to split. The voices took form, it sounded like children being tortured by something. "No, no! Leave me! Ah, please! You must leave! It’s too late, it’s too late!" James’ screams of pain echoed through the forest in which his soul lay. There was nothing he could do but cry into the empty place surrounding him. The voices haunted and tortured him. For what seemed like an age of endless evil that voices stopped and all was quiet. James had bitten through his tongue and was shaking violently as some blood ran from his lips. Then around the black lake on which he was captive he saw something; creatures hooded from head to toe in black garment surrounded the lake. They created a perfect ring around him. They made no noise and didn’t seem to notice that he existed. Then directly across from him he saw one who was larger then the rest. It appeared that the creature felt James’ gaze, because at that moment the beat lowered its hood and exposed a solid black face, which looked more like a statue then a person. It was made of black marble and hatred. It was much like the demon that haunted James’ dreams. But James knew that this was not a dream. This was a sick reality.
The demon then opened his eyes and returned James’ gaze. He did not have eyes, just empty sockets. From which a red liquid oozed. James thought it was blood like the blood in him. But this creature didn’t even seem to be alive. It was between life and death. The demon then walked forward in the direction of James. It seemed more to glide then to walk. Its cloak hid any limbs that may be apart of the creature. The creature kept moving until it was directly in front of James. The only thing that separated them was the table at James’ feet. The creature then spread his arms out like a great bird and lifted his head to the red moon above them. James then noticed that in the demon’s right hand there was a dagger. He knew the dagger was meant for him. He knew he was about to slip away forever. The creature was now doing something strange. It was still looking at the moon but now his mouth was open and it seemed like he was having his breath extracted from him. A strange hissing sound could be heard coming from the creature. Then suddenly the creature turned his attention to the book on the table and carefully placed the dagger on top of the book. James now noticed that the ring of hooded creatures had closed in around him to make a tight circle; they now stood shoulder to shoulder, their faces and bodies still hidden by their cloaks. They began chanting around him. He could not understand their voices or what was happening. All he knew was fear. The chanting continued. James could feel his heart pumping furiously. He had no idea what to do except let himself lay at their will.
***************************************************
… In your name, Amen. "Thank you Rob, you have no idea how much that means to me." "Anything I can do, anything at all." "Rob, I should probably get back home. My parents would probably be worried and we’re going to visit James at the hospital after lunch." "Oh, well here, I don’t have a car but let me give you a ride in the church’s van. It’s the least I can do." "Alright, thanks Rob that would be a big help" "okay you just wait here while I go and get the keys. You’ll be okay wont you?" "Yeah sure, I’m okay, really." Then Rob rushed out the door and jogged off to the church to get permission to use the church van. Kayla sat in Rob’s living room. Now that she was alone she just sat and wept. She didn’t know if her brother was going to be okay. She felt weak for crying but she couldn’t stop it.
Rob pulled up to his house with the white church van and went to get Kayla. When he got to the wooden door he could hear her crying. So Rob gently opened the door and sat down beside her. "Its okay, cry all you need to" and so they sat there. Rob just let her cry and comforted her in her tears. After a time Kayla stopped crying. "I’m sorry Rob; I just don’t know what’s going to happen. Rob, will you please come with me to lunch? My parents are so stressed out. They’d be glad to see you for sure." Rob sat there for a moment and looked into the little girl’s eyes. They were still filled with tears but he could tell she was determined not to cry again. He smiled and gave her a hug. "Of course, let’s go." and with that they went and loaded up into the van and Rob started the drive to peaceful meadows.
~8~
(A true power)
The white church van, which was driven by Robert Kingsley, pulled in front of the Wilcocks residence. Robert got out of the van, walked around the vehicle and opened the door for Kayla. Rob was always a polite person, raised in the south, manners where always important. Both walked silently up the front yard and stopped at the front door of the wilcocks home, Kayla’s home. After a few seconds of silence Rob rang the doorbell of the white, wooden door and they both waited a few minuets in more silence. Rob was just wondering if any one was home when finally some one could be heard behind the door and the sound of a door being unlocked, then the door slowly swung open exposing a very tired looking woman. Rob saw that Mrs. Wilcocks, who had answered the door, was crying when they arrived. Rob slowly stepped in side, gave Mrs. Wilcocks a hug and told her, "Hello Beth, Kayla told me about James, I’m really very sorry to hear it. I will available to help any time and in any way." She nodded as a tear ran down her check "Thank you, we’re okay. We will be okay." She smiled and welcomed the young man into her home. "Robert, thank you for giving Kayla a ride home. Would you please stay for lunch?"
Timothy Wilcocks, Bethany Wilcocks, Kayla Wilcocks and Robert Kingsley all sat down at the antique wooden table in the dinning room. It was a pleasant room with a homey ambiance. An afternoon sun shone through the windows illuminating the dinning and living room and gave it a warm look. The entire house was filled with eloquent yet pleasant decoration and furniture. It was a house that looked wealthy and was meant to prove class. This was what this family had strived for, proof of self worth. This was most likely because they were out of the job and poor until Tim’s wealthy grandfather, who owned a ranch, died and left him everything. Of course the ranch and lands were stripped and sold giving the Wilcocks more money then they ever could need, though right now this seemed less important. If under different circumstances the Wilcocks would be explaining how they inherited this multi-thousand dollar vase from Tim’s rich father or the impressive features the BMW in the garage had. But that day they ate in silence.
After their meal in silence had come to an end Rob, sensing the emotional turmoil this family was going through suggested that they spend some time praying over James and his well being. After a few moments Timothy spoke for the first time since Robert had arrived. "You know what; I think your right Robert." He paused before continuing "To be honest that’s something I have not done in a very long time." Robert thought for a moment then asked him "Would you like to lead us in prayer for your son?" "I would like that." For the first time in years Timothy Wilcocks turned to God. It was hard for him to admit that he needed God, even though he went to church every week he knew on the inside that was just for social image. But now he saw that he couldn’t handle this on his own. He needed God. Finally the emotion came flowing out of the man; all that had been stored up for a very long time broke open like a bottle of champagne. With tears flowing down his eyes he prayed, "Dear Lord, I know it’s been along time. Sorry to keep you waiting, so sorry. Until now I didn’t want to admit that I need you. But I do, I need you. It’s all so big. Now I see that you have just been waiting for me to call out to you. I understand now. I’m sorry. Please remember my son James; right now he needs you so much. I’m afraid he’s going to die. Please don’t take my son from me. Please don’t take my son."
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It was mid day and Julie was working her regular shift at the hospital. The short, pretty oriental woman worked as a nurse to help support her family. It was almost her time to check out when she decided to check on a patient that had been worrying her that day. She approached room 102 and gasped at what she heard. It sounded like voices were coming from the room. She couldn’t understand what they voices were saying but it sounded like some one was struggling. She pressed her ear against the closed hospital door. It sounded as if some one was trying to kill James Wilcocks in his hospital bed. She worked up her courage and swung the door open. What she saw was not what she expected. James Wilcocks was shaking rapidly and speaking gibberish. She needed to get Doctor Ambrose. He was in the hospital today.
Dr. Ambrose was sitting in his office drinking coffee when some one burst into his room. It was Julie, the small oriental nurse that worked on weekdays. "Dr. Ambrose! Come quick! The patient in 102! Help him!" No more needed to be said he grabbed his jacket and sprinted down the hall with Julie right at his heels. He didn’t stop until he was in front of room 102. The door was ajar and James was screaming something. "Julie please call the Wilcocks" Said doctor Ambrose in a somber tone. Julie looked into the doctor’s face and asked him "Is the boy going to die?" "I’m not sure, just call them, please."
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The chanting continued around him. But the voices of these creatures burned him like an acid on his soul. It was unexplainable. The very words that surrounded him in unison seemed to be speaking not to him but in him. It felt as if his strength was being drained of him. His senses seemed to be dulled. As James listened to the chanting around him he was feeling drowse and less aware. The chains wrapped around him were tied so tight they were beginning to draw blood. But he hardly noticed and after a time the voices seemed melodic to him, almost pleasant. James looked up at the towering statue looking over him. Its face, though dark seemed to be a strong face, a powerful face. But it seemed less scary now. Then James heard the chanting, not with his ears but with his heart and a voice, a sweet voice rested on his mind. "James, James, why have you been fighting against us? We don’t want to harm you. It is they, the people you called family and friends who pushed you away and rejected you. That is how the followers of that Christ treated you. If God is so loving and forgiving why were you so alone? See James, you’re not alone now. What has this God ever done for you? Are you even sure he’s real? Have you ever seen him? James, you can see me, I’m real. I was there when you bought the drugs and I was filled with joy, because I saw that you were getting what you wanted. God tries to keep you from what you want. But I help you to attain it. Who do you want to follow? A God that sets all these foolish, aging rules and leaves you in your pain or some one that helps you find what you want? The Christians try to tell you that I’m some sort of evil being who will come in the night to destroy you. But look at me, do I seem like I want to destroy you? I’m trying to help you." James thought for a moment. "What’s that you wonder James? What about the children that haunted you? James, you truly do have a simple mind, but don’t worry all will be explained. Those children were sent to show you how weak the church is. They once were beautiful little children but they are rotting. Just like the church was one childlike and strong but now is weak and rotting. The church is dead! We can give you power. The Church is full of hypocrites! Who eat their sin even though they preach against it. How many Christians have told you how sinful you are and then they go and do the same thing once they turn their back to you? This is the church! Lying and weak. We sent them to bring you to us so we could show you the truth. God wants to keep you below him. But we want you to find the strength with-in yourself and with-in us to be a God yourself!" James listened to what the voice had to say, it sounded good, very good and true. James searched the circle around him, Looking, and trying to find honesty. Then his gaze fell upon something in the distance. It was hard to see but James felt sure it was a man in gray garments. He wondered why the man was just standing there on the edge of the water. James looked harder and saw the man’s face. It was kind and gentle, modest and pure. His eyes were blue and staring right at him. Not an intrusive threatening stare but a searching kind one. Suddenly James turned his face downwards. For some reason he couldn’t bear to look that man in the face, he felt guilty and dirty when he looked at him. James wondered why. Then his thoughts were interrupted. James noticed the sweet chanting that surrounded him had stopped and the sweet voice in his mind now almost seemed worried. "I notice that you’re looking at the old man over there. Do you know why he isn’t coming to your rescue? It’s because he’s afraid. He knows that he cannot come in contact with our power. He’s too week to even tread upon the place where we are! Your precious Jesus is weak." Then suddenly there was another voice in the back of James’ mind. This voice was just like the gaze of the man across the river. It was kind and pure. It was so pure that it made James feel uneasy. "James, I know you, I know everything about you and I am watching you. Just call my name and I will set you free." Then James remembered everything he had been taught in Sunday school. "Don’t listen to him! He’s lying! He’s too weak to even walk on this water! How can he save you? Besides, James, it’s too late. You’ve betrayed him. You’re worse then the worst sinner James. Because you had everything placed right in front of you and you did nothing!" the voice of the creature didn’t seem so sweet any more to James. Now it seemed angry and cruel. "The truth is James. You’re a failure and God will never forgive you and you know it."
~9~
The wilcocks family was in the middle of prayer when the phone rang. Rising from the dinner table, Mr. Wilcocks walked to the phone and answered it. "Timothy Wilcocks?" replied the voice on the other end. The Asian, female voice had a tone of panic and fear to it. He responded slowly. "Yes, that is I." He waited for an answer, but the person on the other end didn’t say anything. "What is it? What do you want?" "Sir, it’s your son. Please come to the hospital right away." And before Timothy could say anything the phone line went dead. He just stood there for a few minuets in thought. Was his son dead? Was he awake? What was going on? It was just then that his wife came in looking worried. "Who was it?" he waited a second before answered and said, "Beth, we need to go to the hospital. Something’s happened to James." "What? What is it?" a panic was in her voice. "I don’t know but we just have to go, now." So the pair walked back into the living room and told Kayla and Robert that they had to go to the hospital. They thanked Robert and were heading out the door. Then Robert stopped them and said "I’m coming with you, here you can ride in the van and I’ll take you there." The wilcocks accepted his offer. They all get into the white church van and Robert drove them in the direction of the hospital.
The group rode in silence, as all of the people were deep in thought and anticipation. No one knew what news was waiting for them at the hospital and all of them were afraid to find out. The only thing that could be heard was tired rolling over pavement. After a few moments Kayla broke the silence. "You know it’s a beautiful sun set." She said while admiring the colors of the sun as it was fading beyond the distant horizon. Robert hummed in agreement. While he was looking at the sky he noticed that clouds were coming in. "It looks like a storm is coming in. I hope we get to the hospital before it starts to rain. I hate driving in a storm." And the four of them continued in silence until they would eventually reach their destination.
Night had fallen in the 45 minuets it took the Church van to get to the hospital. Robert went around and opened the side doors for Kayla and Mrs. Wilcocks. Once the van was locked up they rushed into the emergency room of the hospital. Nurse Julie was waiting for them. Before they could say anything she began to explain what was going on. "We think your son may be having some sort of heart trauma. While Dr. Ambrose was able to stabilize his heart rate for the time being we’re not sure how much longer the medicines will work. Don’t worry; your son is in good hands. We need you here to made decisions on your son’s behalf. Please follow me to his room. The doctor is in there now." The wilcocks and Robert didn’t know how to take the news but followed the nurse as instructed with out a word. When they got to the room the nurse walked away only after telling them that the doctor was already in the room and would take care of them as need. She made sure to be on her way out before they opened the door of room 102.
Though She knew her son was not doing well Mrs. Wilcocks still was brought to tears at the sight of her son hooked up to a heart monitor with IV’s stuck in his arms. She took a seat in the corner and sobbed softly. Timothy Wilcocks turned to the doctor. "Tell me, is there anything we can do for him?" The doctor hesitated and said "To be honest we’re still in the same place as before, there’s not really anything that can be done, it’s up to James now. The only thing I can suggest is that you pray." Timothy fought back tears and said, "Okay, thank you doctor." Then Mr. Wilcocks went and comforted his wife. After a while Robert offered to run down and pick every one up some drinks at the café. After he got their orders he started to walk down the long, quiet hospital hall. Robert had been a youth pastor for 3 years but never had he faced a situation like this before. It was out of his hands. He wanted to fix the problem but he couldn’t. He didn’t know what to do. He found the café, went in and got their drinks. On his way back to room 102 Rob realized what he needed to do and that was to trust God. He stopped just short of James’ room and prayed, "Lord, what ever happens tonight please let it be your will. Please give this family and me your strength to take what ever is thrown our way in stride. Please give them courage and hope. I know now to not rely on my own understanding but to trust in your power. It’s in your hands God. That’s where I should have started. Though my intentions are good I am powerless and you are strong. Let your will be done, Amen." He turned the doorknob and entered the room to find the Wilcocks family huddled in the corner. He brought them their drinks and sat in a chair by the window and watched the clouds slowly pass over and across the moon.
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James looked one more time into the kind face waiting across the lake. The warm blue eyes bore into his own cold black ones. A part of James wanted nothing more then to call out to him. But then something came over him, maybe guilt or maybe fear. James didn’t know. But slowly he turned his head. But as he did so he saw a single tear run down his father’s cheek and onto his chin. James closed his eyes, it was more then he could bear to see his father weep. "Yes James, you have chosen and you have chosen wisely. Now all the power you ever dreamed of can be yours." James turned his head to the demon in front of him. Its strong face seemed to don a smile, though it was difficult to tell because the cold, stone face didn’t move at all. Then the creature began to move forward. Its feet were suspended just above the surface of the water and the rim of its cloak hung just around its ankles. The black water beneath rippled slightly outwards as the creature moved forward in the direction of the book just in front of James. Then he reached out one cold hand and placed it on top of the black knife, which lay there. Its fingers wrapped around the handle of the knife and slowly lifted it into the air. The demon stared at it admiringly. "You see James; this dagger was made for you. It’s very reason for creation lies in your death." Then with a quick motion the demon raised the dagger above his head and reared back for the strike. James looked into the eyes of his murderer. Except he did not have eyes, now the empty sockets where eyes should have been were filled with flame. A red flame shone horribly from the demon’s eyes directly at James. For the first time the demon opened it’s mouth to scream, spewing blood onto James’ face and exposing black, jagged teeth. This creature’s scream was spiritual. It was not that of a woman or a man. It was strong and evil. It sounded as if the winds of a tornado came swirling out of the creature’s mouth and were trying to suck James in. The creature had no tongue. Instead it was replaced with a tongue of fire. Glowing furiously from behind the demon’s teeth were the very fires of Hell. There was nothing James could do but watch as the demon took aim and swung his fist down with all of his strength into James’ heart.
His eyes opened wide and his breath was stolen from him as the evil dagger was plunged into his heart. He could feel a poison spreading through his body from his heart. Into his very finger tips, which had gone black. The demon then pulled the dagger out of James and repeatedly plunged it into his heart. The sound of the knife sinking into James’ body and being pulled back out multiple times was gruesome. The demon’s face showed nothing but pure pleasure as James’ blood was splattered against his body and face. He would not stop until James was dead. Then with one final blow the creature stabbed James in the neck and twisted the blade into his throat. James eyes had turned from white to stone like that of the demon. His face was pale and motionless. His eyes were open and his body lay still. Once the demon was satisfied with his work he backed away. The dagger, which was in James’ neck suddenly, began to glow. The color slowly changed from a black of stone to a glowing orange of heat. The dagger trembled in its place. Still standing in the flesh of the boy a flame surrounded the dagger. The waters surrounding James Wilcocks were pushed back as if by two invisible hands. There was a great thunder from the heavens and lightning struck the sky. The waters collapsed on James and alter on which he lay. As the waters receded from the alter it caught fire and the fire devoured the entire alter. The flame engulfed James. If there were any doubts of James’ fate then the doubts would be put to rest now. The boy was dead and now the flames of Hell ate him. It was too late for his soul. James Wilcocks was condemned to eternal death and separation from God.
~10~
(Battles 2)
The room was silent and the air was heavy. The only sound was that of James’ heart monitor. The other four people in his room sat in silence, just waiting for any sign, any signal. The feeling of powerlessness was one that Tim Wilcocks wasn’t accustomed to. His wife had been in tears, his daughter hardly spoke and he was more confused now then he had ever been. What could he do? Was all of this his fault? Was there a reason James took the drugs? Was it his fault for failing as a father? Tim had no idea why his son would do that. But the most important thing is his son’s safety. The rest can be saved for another day. He gazed around the small room; the dull hospital light flickered against his son’s sweating face. He wondered why he never told the boy that he loved him. It was true, but why had he kept it a secret from his son. Water was rising in his eyes when a hand on his shoulder interrupted his thoughts. He looked back and found Robert Kingsley standing behind him, his face was solemn and his eyes were dark. Suddenly the big, blond man broke into tears. Water dripped down from his blue eyes. He couldn’t say anything. But he didn’t have to. Robert just stood there and let the man cry. There isn’t anything a man can say to another man who’s losing a son. It’s impossible to imagine the pain. Then he had an idea. "Tim, would you like it if we all prayed over your son? Prayer can do amazing things." Timothy quickly choked back his tears and rose up out of his chair. Exhaling deeply he beckoned his wife and daughter to join them in prayer over James. The group formed a lose, half circle around James’ hospital bed. Then Timothy started them off.
He prayed "Lord, you know all the words of my heart and you know every thing I want to say, probably better then I do myself. But I want to lift my son up to you once more. Lord please heal him. I love him dearly and it would kill me to lose him. The love a father has for a son is great, and you know it best of all. Then to lose one, is harder than anything I’ve imagined. Lord I understand now, how much pain you went through when your son died. But you were willing to let your son die for me. I thank you for that. In your name father, Amen." The group fell silent once more before Bethany Wilcocks started to pray. "Father, you gave me this child, 16 years ago. He has always been a challenge but thank you. Thank you for the time I’ve had with him. If it’s your will I ask that you give me more time with him. I don’t think I’m ready to lose him, or any of my children. They’re the greatest blessings you’ve ever given me, along with Tim. Lord I ask that you protect my child and put your hand on him and make him better, in your timing, not ours." Another silence overcame them as she finished her prayer. It was Kayla’s turn. "Jesus, I’m scared. I’m very scared. I’m scared that my brother is going to die. Please don’t let him die. I know we fight a lot but he’s still my brother. He was always there to look out for me and that kind of thing. Please let him come back to us. The truth is that I miss him. I miss everything about him. Please don’t separate us, even though we fight I still love him and would miss him if he died…" she broke off. Kayla couldn’t say any more. She felt like she was going to cry soon. But she didn’t. Then another voice started to pray and that was the voice of Robert Kingsley. He prayed "Lord, thank you for this boy and his amazing family. Even when they were tired and at the end of their ropes they still brought me into their house and gave me food. Lord I know this is a family that serves you. James is a part of this family; please don’t break apart this family. I can hardly bear to see them in this kind of pain. I pray that you would bless them and bless their son. Let him live a long, healthy life serving you and bringing glory to your name." Just as the words had come out of Rob’s mouth, a crash of thunder shook the room. The group stood still, all praying silently. But at they did something supernatural happened. The storm grew stronger, lightning flashed across the sky. The room began to tremble. In their hearts they could feel a dark presence in that room. The group continued to pray. The winds howled around them with the voices of demons. Thunder made earsplitting noise and caused the windows to rattle. The floor shook like there was an earthquake. It seemed that something spiritual was at war that night in that room, a spiritual war for one boy’s soul. Then as suddenly as the storm broke the boy began shaking, screaming and foaming at the mouth. His heart monitor was off the charts. His eyes rolled into the back of his head. Kayla started crying under the pressure of the evil surrounding them. She thought she heard Rob’s voice but couldn’t tell for sure. All she heard was "Keep praying! Keep praying!" So she did. She fell to her knees and prayed "Jesus! Help us!" and the howling and shaking continued. Then the light switch flickered out. The room was filled with darkness. Kayla heard screaming, inhuman screaming. She didn’t know from where but she was not afraid of it any more. A strange courage over came the group. Kayla rose to her feet. She could feel her brother shaking in the darkness. But she also felt something else, something comforting in her heart. She grabbed her mother’s hand and her fathers. Together they prayed hard. They were unmoved by the chaos swirling around them. They were unafraid of the evil prowling by their sides. Kayla heard Robert yell into the darkness. "In the name of Jesus Christ, God the Father, and Holy Ghost, be gone!" Then all at once the howling stopped, the lights returned, and the thunder and lighting lifted. All of them felt drained of all their strength. But all of them noticed the same thing. James had stopped shaking. His heart monitor stopped working. A calm over came the room. But it was a deathly calm that they had feared. All of them had no idea what to believe. Was it true? Was James dead? As quickly was quiet came, so did the realization that James had been lost that night. They could only wonder if they would see him again in the after life.
~11~
(Is there hope for redemption?)
…Do you only believe in one chance at life? Do we get only one chance to choose? What happens when we choose wrong? What lies in the path of James’ soul? Does it all boil down to our choices? Or do we have a destiny? What for James… The crackling of the fire was audible in the silence of the wood. It had ended and the battle was over. The demon felt triumphant, he had done his job and another soul was the cost. But why was the father not weeping for his child? What was the demon missing? No he had won and that was the end. He had beaten Christ. The foolish boy was now dead and there was nothing Jesus could do about it. Now Satan could be proud of his great victory in the life of James Wilcocks. Or that was what was supposed to happen. But something else happened. Something that the demons had not counted on, the one thing that could foil their plans happened just when they thought they had found victory. The boy cried out from the fire. "Jesus, save me, Lord, save me!" A prayer was lifted from the fire. The breath of life was still in him. There was nothing that could be done. The evil spirits evaporated at the man’s wish. Rain began to pour as Jesus walked across the waters, which became clear as He stepped over them. The father walked over to his child and broke the chains that were binding him. Then the father embraced his son and everything that had happened disappeared. James felt alive again. He felt the love of a savior. Then he knew everything would be all right. Then Jesus put his hand over the child and he was healed. All the wrong had been forgiven and undone by faith.
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The group of people huddled around James was weeping for his loss. None among them could believe he had really been lost. But the sobs were broken. James’ eyes opened and he breathed in deeply. The heart monitor was beeping madly. The nurse and doctor who had been waiting behind the door, not ready to enter and face the people inside heard it and came rushing in to see if it was possible. What they saw was a miracle. They knew they heard the heart monitor die off while the Wilcocks were praying inside but here was James Wilcocks, with them and alive. No one, not even James could believe he was alive. James wept as he softly spoke "Thank you Jesus, thank you so much. I didn’t deserve to live but you gave me life." And then he was quiet. All of the people in that room just witnessed a modern miracle of God, something none of them would ever be able to forget.
(Either the end or the end of part two)
Why this story was written: Since I believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit from the bible and I believe in the words of the bible. I also believe in the presence of the fallen angels and Satan. Too many people think of Satan as a fairy tale to explain why bad things happen or only active in ancient times. It’s easier for people to think of him this way, especially for Christians because the presence of evil things can scare people or it can make people realize that they need saving. Many Christians focus on the pretty things the bible teaches and gloss over the warnings of evil. The problem is Satan is very real and very active in today’s world. He’s working just as hard or harder to corrupt God’s creation today as he was in bible times. I wrote this book to help people recognize how real Satan’s threat is today. Not just in some spiritual world we can’t see but also in our physical world. Though his methods are quieter and less obvious then portrayed in this book they are just as lethal and the end result is the same. His purpose is to lead us away from Christ.
A lot of times when people realize the true sin that is present in their lives they feel they are beyond hope, beyond forgiveness. They seem to forget that God loves us, died for us, and will save us if we love him. Or they reject God because they’re afraid of their sins being recognized. These feelings of lost ness and fear are only things Satan wants us to feel. Once we realize that Jesus loves us and wants to forgive us and is waiting for us to ask for his forgiveness we will find that Satan’s lies cannot hold us down anymore. The chains holding us down can be broken. This is the main reason for which I wrote this book. To let people see reality and what is needed to stop the evil in our reality. But you cannot take measures to defend yourself against sin if you don’t acknowledge its presence.
Characters:
- Beth Wilcocks
- Tim Wilcocks
- Kayla Wilcock
- James Wilcocks
- Rob Kingsley
- Dr. Ambrose
- The Newman Family