Sarah and the Battle for Fortress Street

By Cynthia McCormick

All around us is the battle for our souls. God loves us and wants us to come to Him but the Devil wants us also. He wants to get back at God for kicking him out of heaven and he and his devils do everything they can to lure people to the pathway to hell.

• Language: English
• Publisher: New Harbor Press
• Release date: Nov 9, 2017
• ISBN: 9781540172372

Book preview

Sarah Meets The Ungers

Sarah was spent after a long day of packing, getting to the airport and arriving late at her hotel only to find they had given away all the rooms to a private party who just arrived.  Fortunately her taxi was still there and knew of rooms to let nearby. As it was late and out of options, she went with him to see if the room was available for the night. Just a block away was an old Victorian home with a nice front porch and a beautiful stained glass door. It had shades of red and black, unusual but enticing and welcoming her in. The driver walked Sarah to the door and waited with her. They could hear someone walking then the door opening slowly to reveal soft lights and beautiful wooden paneling. It was like standing before a time machine going back to the 19 th century. And in the middle of the doorway was an intriguing woman. Hard to tell how hold she was but she was dressed in brocade, of the most beautiful shade of red. Good evening, Mrs. Unger, said the driver. I have brought you a stray lady who needs a room for the night. Is the front bedroom available?  Well, hello Sam, how is the new business going. Getting lots of riders?  Not waiting for him to answer she looked at Sarah directly and her face broke into a slow smile. Why, yes, the front bedroom is available. Come in, my dear, come in. Bring her bag into the foyer.  You know my dear, all old homes are built with a front bedroom for renters to add income for the lady of the house.  We have a special one, I hope you like it.  Why thank you, madam. I am just spent and could use a comfy bed to sleep in.  The door was a beautiful mahogany like the rest of the paneling. It had a brass door knob and lock. When, Mrs. Unger opened the door, Sarah gasped. The room was beautifully decorated with a four poster bed, satin coverlet and thick rugs all in the same hue as the front door stained glass. There was a thick cushioned chair and table for reading by a fireplace, which was not lit nor was there a need.  In spite of the cold outside it was warm as toast inside.

There is a bathroom also just beyond that door and there is also a closet to hang your clothes, said Mrs. Unger as she gracefully walked into the room to invite Sarah in. It is nice and cozy in here, Sarah said, even without a fire. The house must be well insulated!! Oh, I don’t know about that my dear but we have a warm fire downstairs that serves our needs quite well. I will have to show it to you when you settled in. Thank you, Sam. I will take care of Ms., what is your name dear?  It is Sarah, just like in the Old Testament.  Oh yes, I remember her. She could not wait to have a baby, so she asked her husband to sleep with her maid! She looked at Sarah and did not blink. I don’t know about that, Sarah said.  I have not been married but I do have a beau and we plan on setting the date soon. I would like to have a big old fashioned wedding in a church with 6 bridesmaids.  How marvelous, said Mrs. Unger, so you go to church, .....often?  Every Sunday," Sarah said and yawned as the warmth in the room was making her sleepy.

Sam left and closed the door slowly and quietly, smiling as he went. Sarah thought he was happy he was able to help a damsel in distress, and how thankful she was that he did.

The next thing was Mrs. Unger turning down the covers on the bed and fluffing up the pillows. Here, my dear, all ready for you. Would you like some hot tea before you go to sleep? Oh, that sounds lovely, Sarah said and yawned again.  I will be right back.  You just go and make yourself at home.  She left, quietly and gracefully, closing the door slowly. Sarah thought she heard her speaking to someone outside but her mind was befuddled and she just opened her suitcase and got out her pajamas. Sarah wondered how much Mrs. Unger charges for the room. It is nicer than any five star she has stayed in. Not that she ever stayed in a five star room. She decided to take her shower in the morning and quickly put on her pajamas. She sat on the bed to say her prayers as usual.  A habit from  her  childhood that has served her well all these years.  She closed her eyes.  Heavenly Father,  thank you for bringing me to this lovely room and the nice people who own it.  You have always protected me and I pray you do so now. Send your angels to guard around my bed just in case there is a mouse in here. You know how afraid I am of mice. Tomorrow have the Holy Spirit guide me as I go about my day and make the right decisions. All to bring honor and glory to you, in sweet Jesus name, I ask.

Sarah heard a knock on the door and called to come in. She heard the rattle of a cup and saucer and then saw Mrs. Unger with the steaming cup coming in.  Here you are my dear, where you waiting for me?  Oh, I was just saying my prayers for the night, Sarah said reaching the tea cup. Mrs. Unger’s  hand stopped short, almost spilling the tea on her. Oh, I hope I did not disturb you, most of our guest don’t say prayers.  In fact you may be the first. Umm, did you pray for anything specific?  Oh just thanking God for bringing me to this nice home and His protection.  Mrs. Unger just looked at Sarah and said nothing. Sarah looked at the tea cup, it was very old.  There was a small chip on the rim and the tea was a funny color. She took a small sip and tried to smile as she found the tea most bitter with no sugar or cream. Thank you again Mrs. Unger. I think I am more than ready for bed.  Goodnight dear, see you in the morning.  She turned to go but hesitated. Sarah, if you hear noises in the night it might be my husband. He is retired now and doesn’t sleep well and likes to walk about the house. He won’t come in to your room but he does have a heavy kind of shuffle walk.  I will introduce you to him tomorrow. Well, sleep well, goodnight. And she left the room in a hurry.

Sarah put the cup of tea on the side table then laid back against the sheets. Pulling the covers up over her, she was soon fast asleep.

Sarah knew she slept because it was morning and the sun was peeking through the drapes. Sarah thought she had been dreaming because she remembered hearing shuffling and talking. Someone saying, they are in there standing around the bed. This has never happened before, what will the leader say. This is the most prized one yet and he desires her more than any other.

Sarah pulled the covers back, and dragged herself out of bed. Oh where is that bathroom, oh yes, this door.  She turned on the shower to warm the water as she relieved herself. It was only a minute before the water was steaming, must be that heater in the basement. She quickly showered and got dressed in her best business suit, combed her hair and put on makeup.  Oh, I really just wanted to go back to bed but I know I have to go to the business meeting. The reason I am here in this city. It was about 7 o’clock and there was a knock on the door.  Sarah, are you up?  It was Mrs. Unger. Come in, come in. She opened the door and was dressed in the same brocade dress she wore yesterday. Lovely as it was, it seemed strange.  I am sorry, we have no coffee but you can stop at the deli down the street.  How was your sleep? You were not disturbed or restless last night? Oh no, she said as Sarah put on her shoes and grabbed her coat, scarf and purse.  I hope you will be staying another night. We so enjoyed having you. The rent is cheap, just um, whatever is agreeable to you say ten dollars?  A night,said Sarah shocked, the hotel charges $125.00 a night.  Oh, really, well, we don’t care about money. Ten dollars is ok with us, if it is okay with you.

Why thank you Mrs. Unger. I don’t know how long I will stay, it depends if my business meeting is successful. I will let you know later today, if that is alright? Can I leave my suitcase here?  Of course, of course, she said.  Oh by the way, Sam is here to pick you up. He is!! Oh yes, I think he feels responsible for you and he won’t take no for an answer. Sarah put on her coat and scarf and headed for the door. Sam was there waiting. He helped her into the car and off they went to her meeting.

The door closed with a bang and Mrs. Unger started to pace up and down the hallway.  I can’t believe it, I just can’t believe it. Those angels were standing around her bed. In here, Satan’s lair, she screamed. The nerve of them coming in here, Satan’s lair for crying out loud.  What are we to do?  If she stays and it happens again, oh what will he say, what will he say!!!!

Now, now, I am sure he won’t forget all the others we brought to him over the centuries.  We are retired now, he can’t expect us to bring him souls like we used to, said Mr. Unger.  Remember our old tricks, well, we can use them again. Let’s make her feel safe so she won’t need to pray. You know those souls only pray when they want something or when there is trouble. Soooo, she won’t pray if there is nothing to pray about. We will make her think that we are her friends, then gently lead her down to the basement where the pathway is and she will not turn back if she trusts us.  But this one prays to the Almighty. She has direct line to Him, said Mrs. Unger.  It was that Martin Luther. He stirred everybody up. We had the people fooled up till then.  Now they all pray to the Almighty from their hearts. It has been tough going since then."

Listen, my dear, this world is Satan’s domain, you know that. His followers are everywhere, making such progress. Souls are coming to hell by the millions. And it won’t stop. We have fooled them to thinking that as long as they are good, they are going to heaven. Well, if we can’t go back, neither can they. Now let’s get to work and make sure we get her soul. They spent the day planning and toasting to their past successes.

Sarah's First Day

Sarah spent the day giving her presentation to managers of a large company. Hoping she prepared enough, she had a sigh of relief when it was all over. Waiting in the foyer of the office, she almost dropped off to sleep, when the secretary received a call for her to go into the office.  With shoulders back and a couple of deep breaths, she opened the door. The vice president, Mr. Smith, greeted Sarah with a gentle handshake.  Sit down, Sarah, please.  Well, we have gone over your presentation and are very pleased. We would like you to stay in our city for another week, so we can fine tune your proposals to match our company’s development.  Thank you sir, I would be happy to stay as long as you need me. I have found a nice room to rent and I am sure I can stay there as long as I need.  That is just fine, Sarah. So shall we say, we will see you tomorrow at nine o’clock and you will be with Ms. Thomas in the morning and Mr. Curtis in the afternoon.  Do you have plans for dinner? You are welcome to come to my home. I am sure we can find and extra chair.  Thank you sir, but I would not think of interfering with your home time. I will be fine. There are so many nice restaurants on the way to my room.  I will be here at nine then.  Thank you, sir and good night. With a slight handshake, Sarah was off to go to dinner than back to that delicious room for the night.  Oh how, she longed to sleep in that bed again.

Walking out the building, Sarah was elated at the prospect of the company accepting her proposals. The world looked rosy, she smiled at everyone and they all smiled back.  She stopped by a window of a dress shop and admired a beautiful red dress. It had a v neck and short sleeves but the fabric was stunning. It looked like liquid mother of pearl, iridescent, shimmering when the light hit it. The top was fitted but the waist was gathered to the side, held there by a flower made out of the same fabric. The gathered fabric flowed down from the waist to the hem.  If she signs the contract, she would buy this dress for sure. One thing Sarah liked is clothes. It was her weak spot and she never missed a sale at her favorite store. She always liked red dresses but now she really liked red dresses. She did not bring one with her for this business trip thinking it too bold. But this dress was special, and she would need shoes also. She smiled at the prospect of going shopping.  But right now she was hungry.  Further up the street, there was a sign for a restaurant and she made her way there. She heard a beep, then another beep. It was Sam, in his taxi.  He jumped out and said hello and offered her a ride.  No, no, I am walking to the restaurant and then back to the room, thanks anyway, Sam.

Oh Sarah, please let me do the honor of buying you your dinner. I promise to take you to your room right after. Such a lovely woman should never eat alone. I promise to be on my best behavior, a gentleman. Sarah was tempted at Sam’s flattering remarks. She wasn’t a great beauty but she was attractive and always tried to dress nice. But what would her beau say? Better ere on the side of caution. Her mother always said to use good judgment.  She heard that since she was a child and her mother was always right.  No thank you Sam, I am tired and would not be very good company.  Perhaps another time, and she saw the disappointment in his eyes.  I will be waiting with baited breath, until then. He turned to go and went to the driver side of his car. He stopped and took off his hat and bowed.  Sarah had to laugh until she caught a glimpse of his ears, they were pointed!!!! She turned to go in to the restaurant so he would not see her face.  She gave him a backward wave as she opened the door.  The waiter seated her in a