A Witches Revenge, Is the Devils Parade

By D.P. Pankratz

Anole Brecken, a sinister minister with a passion for torturing women of all ages, as witches, between the 15-16 centuries. Alexandria, known better as the devil’s daughter plans on releasing her father on 06/06/2016. Glenda and Rachel become pawns in her game, learning all too late the consequences. Everyone involved must find a way of stopping the devil from ruling the world once again. With weapons in hand, Gage and the others must find a way to kill him before the end of the world begins.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Perry Pankratz
• Release date: Mar 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781777156404

Book preview

A Witches Revenge, Is the Devils Parade

A witches revenge, is the devil’s parade

By

D.P. Pankratz

Copyright

A Witches Revenge, is the Devils parade is a work of fiction that takes place in/near Hepburn Saskatchewan. All people and some places are fictitious, but all events are from the author’s imagination. Any incidents and resemblances to actual persons, living or dead are coincidental.

Copyright © 2020 D.P. Pankratz

Published in the United States by Lulu.com

LIBRARY AND ARCHEIVES CANADA CATALOGING-

IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Pankratz, Perry (Perry P.)

A Witches Revenge, is the Devils Parade/D.P. Pankratz

A Witches Revenge, is the Devils Parade Part 1/D.P. Pankratz

ISBN 978-1-7771564-0-4

Printed in the United States of America

Lulu.com

First Edition

Dedications

To my wife, kids, and friends alike. Teresa, for putting up with my writing habits. I’m sure you’re tired of hearing the words ‘sorry, what was that’. I love you all the same. I love you four like nothing else, and I appreciate all the times you left me alone to write, only interrupting me from the hours of 3 P.M. to 11 P.M. giving me the rest of the night to write, and I love you all.

Where to begin, so many friends that have helped me throughout the years. Crystal MacKenzie, my gratitude for everything you’ve done to help me knows no ends. From honoring our friend Crystal Douglass’s memory, by becoming the main character Nicole Kate in Unseen Terror, to allowing your daughters to become the faces of the many characters in, Emily, Red Dead Jane, and Fearing Sara. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Amanda Williams, who edited this book from beginning to end. Thank you!

Magen Baxman McMinimy for creating the cover. Beautiful as always, thank you!

Thank you to anyone else I didn’t mention by name, without you, there wouldn’t be any reasons for me to write, so I thank you all for being with me on this interesting journey. And the many more to come. D.P. Pankratz

Prologue

Watching Maria skip a rock in the lake, it bounces four times before it disappears into the water. Her wavy red hair tizzies in the breeze freely, smiling while she turns, and walks up to where I’m sitting. Grabbing my hand gently she helps me up and leads me to where she was standing. Opening up my hand gently with her hand, palm up. Lightly placing a rock in my hand, standing right behind me, gently placing her hand over mine. Maria’s red hair covering my face, as the fragrance of orchids catches my nose. Laughing as she takes her hand, softly moving her hair off my face, as she smiles at me. Maria leans down, placing her cheek on mine as she whispers softly,

Okay, Gage…I’m going to pull your hand back and fling your hand forward fast. You let go of the rock when your hand gets to here…okay?

Nodding my head understanding, Maria’s soft hand cups my hand tighter, slowly pulling my hand straight back, quickly flinging my hand forward as the rock Plops into the water barely a foot in front of me. Maria, quickly let’s go of my hand, cupping her mouth, as she begins to giggle. Looking back at her confused, but her smiles extremely contagious, as I begin laughing along with her. Maria leans over, and hugs me while responding kindly,

Don’t worry Gage. You’ll get better with practice. Would you like some Lese Fryes?

Nodding hungrily while Maria quickly makes her way over to the basket while I answer excitedly, Yes please. We both sit down on the ground, Maria lifts the piece of cloth covering the basket, passing me a piece on a plate, so cheesy! Thank you, Maria, I answer, as my smile grows, Maria returns the smile, taking a bite, she answers softly,

You’re welcome, Gage. I hope you enjoy them, Mom taught…

Looking into her eyes, so green, like shiny emeralds. Maria smiles while wiping a single tear away. Not wanting to upset her, knowing where those tears are coming from, I’ve had many nights of the same since those men forced their way into our house and took Mom away for being a witch. Inching my way closer to Maria, she passes me a pouch containing water. Hearing a cracking noise in the bushes behind us, we both turn and look startled.

A man in black pants, torn jacket about our father’s age stands there. His eyes coldly staring towards Maria intently… He growls out demandingly while pointing at my sister,

YOU! What’s your name child, tell me now!

Watching the man closely, he’s only focused on Maria, feeling her hand latch onto mine tightly trembling, as she responds frightened,

Maria Ovelet and this is Gage.

He stands there grimacing, gripping his book while he stares down Maria, who fearfully begins standing up, as I follow her until we’re both standing. Maria trembling more fearfully while squeezing my hand tighter, as I look up at her, and the fears written on her face. Not recognizing this man, as he slowly makes his way towards us, grins slightly, and begins nodding towards the trees while he exclaims,

Ah, yes, your mother was a witch! You must come with me, come to me Maria, NOW!

Maria, abruptly shakes her head (No) worriedly, as he holds a bible in his hand, raising it to the heavens, closing his eyes, as he lowers the book to his chest. Suddenly pointing it towards Maria, as he shouts judgingly,

I proclaim you a witch, and as such, you will come with me now! The lord shall cleanse your soul!

He thrusts the book into his chest even harder, then holds his hand out. Watching the terror in Maria’s eyes. I run towards the man angrily. That’s the last thing I remember of that day. Days later, father tells me with tears streaming down his face,

Maria was killed by Anole Brecken, the self-proclaimed speaker of God.

My heart shattered into a million pieces at that moment. First my mother, now my sister. Neither of them witches and yet, both

condemned as witches. My hate grew right at that moment, for these witch hunters who could proclaim witchery on anyone they wanted, without evidence, just accusations. That night, father, and I moved as far as we could from our home on what used to be peaceful prairies.

Upon father hearing the church charged us both with conspiring with witches. Father begged various church leaders along the way to get Anole Brecken to back down on trying to murder off his whole family. After being denied, and held for Anole’s men to come pick us up for our judgement in the church. A convoy of native traders travelling along what would later be called, the South Saskatchewan River. While they were trading their goods with the people, we escaped from their ill-constructed jail.

The native travelers helped father and I make our way to the Americas. After leaving us, father eventually changed our family name to Temple. Father died months later, I believe from a broken heart. Being the only one left sucks, I no longer have anyone to turn to for help, or love.

From that day forward, I spent my life learning from witches, how the dark crafts work, trying to find any reasons why my sister Maria had to die in such a gruesome way? Why would these men of God torture women? Death for being a proclaimed witch. As I would come to learn years later, Maria had none of the qualities that witches possess. Maria’s death was for nothing!

Witches tell me, every five-hundred years, dark lords are to be released from the underworld. That is when the Devils’ daughter is prominently around. She goes by the name Red Velvet, and can grant me, the revenge I seek. They say her hair is as golden as the sun, eyes of the bluest skies, and if you cross her, your death is more desirable than the journey she’ll take you on to get there.

They tell me, the last time they tried to release him was in June 6, of 1516. The next time is June 6, 2016. Knowing I’ll have to wait for my revenge, but when I do get my revenge, Maria will smile upon me as I do. I take everything they say in. As I sit here, my mind wanders,

Twenty-three years without my sister Maria, by my side. A thousand great memories of her in my heart, and only one that shatters them all. One day, I will pay back the devils, who said Maria was a witch, with the same kindness they showed her…

June 6th, 1516 Prairies

Watching the sun starting its descend in the west. Groups of men and women begin arriving at a circle of mysterious stones. Standing twenty-feet tall, caked in unknown scripture. The north stone, a solid rectangle. The East stone, shaped like two horns. The south stone, circular. The west stone round, a hole in it big enough for people to walk through. Each person walks through the west stone, chanting Rise! in the native tongue of origin, as they pass through. Once through the west stone, they begin undressing. A couple of people clean off a rock slab at the center of these massive pillars. As people pass by, they place their index finger on a sharp tip of a blade, drawing blood. Laying a single drop of blood on the slab.

After leaving the blood drop on the stone slab, the first young man’s directed towards the North rock. Touching the stone with his hands, he shakes as his veins begin turning black, dropping to his knees. A woman heads to the East Stone. A couple head to the Southern rock, they all drop to their knees, once their veins turn black.

Once there’s a ring of blood around the center slab in the middle. The rest of the people make a semi-circle from one end of the west stone to the other leaving the western rock light shining through.

A man, draped in a dark cloak walks through the stone of the West. A cold breeze follows him through the entrance, he walks to the east side of the slab. Placing a black book down. Everyone’s heads bow down. A woman draped in white then comes through, as the sun’s light begins to fade behind her. She walks to the slab, and places a white book down. The man and woman walk to the south side of the center slab, passing through the horde of people facing it. Damian grins as he quickly bows his head, while happily stating loudly,

We wish you welcome, to our sanctuary. We know, many of you have traveled many months to be here with us today. As you know, we are your humble servants, and only wish to serve our dark lord. Today marks the five hundredth day of our lord’s enslavement in the underworld. Tonight, we are going to release him from his horrid torment. We have brought, Ander, the Warlock, and Empress, the witch. Their power combined with the ruin stones will release our Lord from his enslavement.

Standing straight up, watching Ander turning to the people, raising his hands above his head, and roars loudly,

Yes, together with Empress, we will revive our Lord, the dark one, who sits in our souls, granting your wishes, and needs. With his daughter by our side. We will cut down any crusaders who want to abolish us to the underworld with our Lord. We must not fail. If we fail, we’ll be another five hundred years before we can try again.

Ander lowers his hands, looking around delighted, people nod approvingly.

Empress begins glancing around, as the people gaze upon her beauty. She nods, and shouts, looking at Damian.

Yes Ander, the longer our lords here, the more people will pay! Crusaders are relentless in attacks on our populations. Everything’s going according to his plan. If we fail, we will have to wait five hundred years to raise our dark lord.

Damien looks at Empress sternly, as he answers knowingly while bowing his head,

We won’t fail. Our dark lord will rise again, and rule these lands. Bring forth the young man from the north.

The boy rises from his kneeling position, he comes towards the slab looking like a zombie and stands beside Ander, a dead blank stare on his face. Ander places his hand on his shoulder, asking,

"You are pure of heart and soul?

The young man nods mechanically while answering,

Yes.

Ander acknowledges this, as he removes his hand, and motions to the table, and states,

Lay on the table,

Everyone watches, as the boy’s helped on the slab, resting in the middle. He closes his eyes laying perfectly still. Ander grins evilly, as he stares at the boy. He holds his hand towards the table, as he asks,

Child, you say you are pure? Who’re your parents, and where they from?

Ander glares intently, as the boy answers,

Yes sir, I am. My parents are John, and Helena Da Scarano of Rome.

Ander nods as he replies,

Rome! You’re far from home son?

The boy responds,

We came here four years ago when I was nine.

Ander ponders momentarily, then asks questioningly,

Have you ever committed a sin against our dark lord?

The boy shakes his head slightly to the side, as he answers,

No sir, my body is his to do as he sees fit for me.

Ander nods approvingly, as he places his hand on the boy’s forehead quickly. Stepping back, Empress steps forward, glancing around, then stating loudly,

Let’s begin. Come here child, a girl of the East.

The young woman stands up and walks over to the slab. Empress runs her hand through the girl’s dirty blonde hair, as she asks,

Your name please,

The girl stares blankly, as she answers quietly while lowering her head,

Alexandria.

Empress grins happily, as she answers,

Ah, named after Alexander the great. A name is worthy of respect. Where’re you from?

Empress watches closely, as Alexandria replies,

I am from Ireland,

Empress pats Alexandria’s head lightly, as she asks,

And your parent’s, their names?

Alexandria, replies,

Kevin and Iris Barre, 

Alexandria looks up at Empress, eyeing her with a concerned expression. Ander shouts urgently,

Light the North stone. Empress, do you have the stones from the six corners of the world?

Empress responds, as she pulls out a satchel, and begins placing the stones in a circle on the boy’s stomach,

Yes Ander, they will be ready shortly.

The yellow stone shimmers in the fading sunlight. The stone begins to glow a bright yellow and shoots a beam at the north rock. Encryption’s on the stone starts to emerge. Then the green stone shines bright, followed by the purple stone. A beam shoots out striking the east stone, which also reveals an encryption. The blue and red stones start to shine. Only when the sun disappears, and darkness falls, that all the stones shoot a beam at the southern rock simultaneously. The southern rock erupts into dark red, and black flames. Empress holds Alexandria’s face up, as she states,

Alexandria… please go place your hands on the rock, it will not burn you! 

Alexandria’s eyes say no, but her body begins walking over cautiously, she places her hands on the stone. The dark lord’s face, looking at Alexandria, through the flames. The flames slowly absorbing into her hands. As she turns towards us, we bow our heads hurriedly. When we lift our heads, back up, Alexandria’s eyes burn blood red. She lets out a howling scream, as she fights to remove her hands from the stone. Within seconds of screaming, she stops while the black and red flames surround her. She slowly turns and starts walking towards the slab table. The earth scorches black, beneath her feet as she walks. Alexandria pleads helplessly,

Help me… Please? Ow…please, it burns!

Everybody watches anticipating, as Alexandria thrashes around trying to free herself of the flames dancing over her body, her screams of pain go unheeded. Watching as the tormented child slowly falls against the stone table, her dirty blonde hair flailing in the heat of the fire. The smell of sulfur becomes present. Alexandria’s screams for help stops. Soon, she begins to stir, struggling to stand. Facing the Southern stone. Alexandria, turns around, facing the table in the center, everyone quickly drops their heads down. Standing before them, the devil himself. Flames bursting out of her skin, as he shouts,

My children, at midnight, I will walk through the door, and together we’ll cause havoc for the millions, who dared spit on you! After tonight, they will only know pain and agony! We will bring their families back to life, and we will watch, as they feed on their very souls. Ha-ha-ha!

Ander raises his head, and states,

Yes, we welcome your justice, for the many who have fallen.

The devil grins, as he answers demonically,

They will burn forever, wrapped in their tormented minds. Pain and torture will be their friends.

Empress nods while a smile, as she answers,

Yes, my Lord, everything is in place for your arrival! The only piece missing is the moon, that’ll be showing itself soon.

The devil turns his deathly cold eyes to the sky, as he answers,

Yes, Empress, I have indulged in your many victories, your reward… a place by my side, and you as well Ander.

Empress, bows graciously, and replies,

Thank you, my Lord, I am forever in your gratitude,

Ander responds, bowing towards the Devil,

As am I my Lord. Here is the dagger, which belongs to you.

Ander unwraps a gold-colored cloth, removing a dagger from its sheath. Holding the blade towards himself, as the Devil walks over, and grasps the dagger, as he states,

Thank you, Ander. I’ve waited many years to hold this in my hands once again, to use it once again on humankind.

The devil stands there, looking at the shiny point, forged in hell, made from the evilest souls who have ever lived on earth. Holding it to his finger, as blood sizzles as it touches the blade. Empress states, pointing towards the boy on the slab,

My Lord, we have a gift for you as well!

The devil stops looking at the blade, as his eyes turn intriguingly towards Empress, as he asks,

What’s this gift, Empress?

Empress stands proudly, as she declares while pointing at the boy,

This boy is our gift to you,

The Devil walks around the table, staring at the boy, a dark black vapor follows behind him. People’s heads lower even closer to the ground, as he walks past. The ground sizzling beneath his feet. He stops, and looks at Empress, and Ander, as he answers,

I accept your gift, and when the time is right, his blood will etch my return permanently.

Empress, quickly nods, as she replies,

Perfect my lord,

Ander replies, as he points towards the emerging moon,

My lord the time is right,

The Devil looks towards the sky and laughs demonically. Everyone begins chanting,

Our dark lord. The black creator of all that’s good on earth, salvation, from the evil of men. He strikes fear in their hearts, as he strikes them down. Rising from the ashes of hell, to bring us hope and joy, forever, and ever, Dark Lord saves us from this place.

Damian, glances up, and states loudly, as he turns to watch for crusaders.

The moon is creeping, once we have the power of the moon, we can begin the ceremony,

Ander replies excitedly,

Good,

Watching as the moon moves through the sky, it begins to turn a dark shade of red. Finally, the moon is in place high in the sky. The etchings on the stones glow even brighter, almost blinding. The light climbs to the heavens. Beams of dark light from the stones from the six corners of the earth, shoot straight up at the moon. Creating a black radiance that grows, and starts descending towards the stones.

Empress replies, her excitement of the moment clear,

Times coming, my lord, soon you’ll be free again, to rule over the land.

People still chanting, Empress opens the white book, and starts reading,

We are here to witness, your rise of the almighty, Lucifer.

The ground begins trembling violently, as the moonbeam shoots a black beam between the six stones on the boy’s stomach. The black beam begins spinning slowly, picking up speed until it’s spinning as fast as a tornado. The boy begins convulsing uncontrollably. A dark shadow of a clawed hand pushes the boy’s stomach up, and rips his stomach open from the inside. Sending his insides sprawling all over

the table. Rising from the opening, a hand with claws dripping with the boy’s blood, followed by two horns, and the dark lords head… Damian yells louder,

CRUSADER’S!

Most everyone grabs a weapon. Crusader's fire arrows into the crowd from all directions. People scatter while a man catches an arrow in the face. Some Crusaders come running in, swords drawn. Cutting people down with long swings of their blades, as they yell,

DIE SPAWN OF HELL!

Ander, is the first of the top cult members to drop from an arrow straight into his heart. Another Crusader runs for Lucifer, and just as he looks into his eyes, he stops, screams while bursting into flames, and melts to the ground instantaneously. Horrific screams come from those who meet Lucifer’s evil stare. Alexandria falls to her knees at the base of the slab. The battle continues around her. Another man’s blood splatters all over Alexandria as his falls next to her.

A crusader runs over, avoiding the Devil’s stare, bringing his sword down, across the boy on the tables head, completely severing it off. The beam of light disappears immediately. Crusaders continue to take out the cult members. The black mass slowly begins seeping into the ground smoldering. Howls that are ear-shattering to the people fighting. Some of the cult members make their way out of the rock formation, and scurry away to freedom.

Finally, only a few of the cult members are left for the Crusaders to take. Most people lay, mutilated, or dead, the Crusaders walk among devil’s temple, collecting anything to do with the devil, and stabbing those men and women who are still barely alive. Empress crawls towards Alexandria, an arrow through her chest, as she weakly states,

Take this stone…

Another arrow hits Empress in the back, as the arrowhead sticks out of her throat. Sending the stone rolling towards Alexandria. Empress’s head falls to the ground dead. Alexandria slowly reaches for the red stone. Quickly pulling it towards her, as a Crusader responds,

What spawn of Satan, do we have here? I am Erik Devo, leader of the crusaders, and what’s your name child?

Alexandria fearfully looks at him while curling into a ball, as he stands their drenched in blood, as she quietly replies confused,

Alexandria. What am I doing here?

Erick, looks around at the dead people, then at the girl lying before him, as he answers,

Alexandria, it appears you’re kidnapped by this devil’s cult. We’re here to rescue you.

Erick glances at the saddened look on her face. Alexandria tries to get to her feet, stumbling on her weak legs. As she replies thankful,

Thank you!

Alexandria looks up at the man, who wears a suit of armor. Erik responds sternly,

No need to thank us, we are doing God’s work. Let me help you up my child.

Putting his blooded gloved hand out towards Alexandria. He helps her up the rest of the way. Gazing around, the mass of bodies being stacked in a pile almost six-feet high. Men walking around, pointing at the pillars, and shaking their heads confused at the etchings. A man comes walking up to Erick, stating,

Sir, we have collected the books, and any stones we could find, there were five stones, and two books. All of the devil’s people are dead!

Erik holds Alexandria up with his right arm, waving his left, as he shouts,

Good, burn this place down in the name of CHRIST! Burn the dead and send them down the dark path, they have chosen to follow!

Other crusader’s start yelling,

Burn down this unholy place, let the devil eat the ashes of failure!

Alexandria holds the stone close enough to hide it within her dress. Looking around as the crusaders run around determined to destroy everything. One man hits the East wall with a battle hammer repeatedly. Others join him, as Alexandria looks at Erick asking,

Can I go home now?

Erick nods slightly, as he replies with a cunning grin,

Yes child, first we will take you to the priests to be cleansed of evil,

Erick keeps smiling while looking at Alexandria. She asks worriedly,

What are they going to do to me?

Erick begins walking with Alexandria, as he answers,

That I cannot speak of, I do not know their ways. 

As the crusaders move just out of the temple, watching the structure begin to burn in the darkness. After a night’s journey, listening to wolves howl in the distance. Reaching an outpost of a town by mid-afternoon. Arriving at the church, surrounded by trees, people cheer victoriously, and bow towards these crusaders’ feet, as they pass by. The church doors swing open, and a priest of sort’s steps out, and puts his hands together pleased, as he states smiling,

Welcome home my children. I trust your journey was victorious?

Erick bows, as he replies gleefully,

Yes Father, it was. We sent the nonbelievers to be with their master once and for all.

The priest catches a glimpse of Alexandria while his smile fades, as he asks intrigued,

Who's that with you, Sir Erick?

Erick nudges Alexandria out into the priest’s view, as he answers,

This is Alexandria Barre, they kidnapped her from her parents, to sacrifice her to the devil,

The priest motions for Alexandria to come closer, as he states,

Oh yes child, please step forward.

Holding his hands towards Alexandria, as he walks ever closer. Stopping at the bottom of the stairs to the church, in front of a crusader. Patting Erick on the shoulder, as he moves to the side, and stands in front of Alexandria, his eyes intensify, as he asks curiously,

What did they do to you, my child? 

He begins feeling her shoulders. He gives her a look like she is lying. Alexandria nervously answers,

Nothing yet, they made me kneel by a stone that is all,

Alexandria looks at Erik concerned about what the father is doing. As he slides his hands along her shoulders. The priest continues to rub down her arms, as he asks,

I see. Did you have to speak any words to the devil? 

The priest’s smile fades while he violently grabs Alexandria’s head, and holds her head still, as she replies frightened,

No sir, they just made me kneel,

The priest stares into her eyes, as he states angrily,

We will make sure the devil has no hold on your soul, Alexandria, come, and we will clean your soul.

The priest let’s go of her head, grabbing, and holding Alexandria by the arm. As Alexandria’s reluctantly pushed up the stairs, and disappears into the church, a strange cold breeze passes by. As the crusaders turn and look around concerned. As the father leads her across the room of benches. He turns to Alexandria, as he angrily responds,

Now child, be honest with me, lies will condemn you to hell. What’d they make you say?

After the doors to the church close, the father grabs Alexandria’s arm even tighter. Causing her to cry, as she answers, screaming,

Nothing, I swear!

Fearing the look in the father’s eyes, as his anger grows. He turns to another father and states confidently,

Take her to the cleaning room. We’ll get the devil out of this child, saving her soul for our Lord!

Alexandria screams even louder,

NO, I SWEAR THEY DIDN’T MAKE ME SAY ANYTHING TO THE DEVIL!

Alexandria screams as a bunch of fathers gather around, and take hold of her. As she fights them every step of the way. One father shouts,

Calm down child, we know how the devil works. 

Holding his hand over Alexandria’s mouth, muffling her screams. As they arrive at the room downstairs, Alexandria’s screams heard by the priests upstairs, who come down to watch? After they have torn all of her clothes off, they place her in a wooden barrel of water, and pushing her head underneath the water. After about a minute, they yank her up. Alexandria coughs, chokes and throws up water. The priest watches closely, then shouts,

Now tell us, what those ungodly people made you say?

Alexandria continues to choke, as he grabs Alexandria’s throat, and shakes her violently. She continues coughing, wheezing, and

choking. He releases her throat, as she gasps for every second of breath, she whispers,

…Nothing…

Trying to gasp for air, he slaps her hard across the face, this time causing her to bleed. He points at her angrily as he shouts,

LIAR! WHAT DID YOU HAVE TO SAY?

He continues slapping Alexandria across her face multiple times, as the anger in his eyes shows in each slap. Alexandria cries, as she screams,

Nothing I swear!

The priest slaps her once again. He grabs her face, angrily pulling her close to his face. His eyes squinting as he whispers,

My Child, we have ways to make the devil succumb to our lords will. This I promise you!

He lets go of Alexandria, causing her to fall under the water briefly. He walks over and grabs a stick from a nearby table. Walking back over to Alexandria, patting his hand, as he dips the stick in the water. The other fathers bring Alexandria to the surface, as they hold her up by the arms. Another one comes over with two ropes in hand. He ties her wrists, one with each rope. He hands each priest a rope and walks away. They pull upwards, holding Alexandria into a standing position. The priest lifts the stick up. The father begins to

bring it across her face softly. Her eyes filled