Battlefield of Angels: 1

By D.R. Tracy

                        Do you really believe in angels and demons or that the eyes of heaven are constantly upon you? What if the heavens gave you a small glimpse of the spiritual realm around you? Would it change the way you live your life today? David Anderson was given such a glimpse as a youth, and now, at the age of 32, he's been called and predestined to partake of a heavenly calling placed upon him that would change his life forever. To be transformed into a man of faith, it will take the power of the Holy Spirit and God's heavenly host of Angels to prepare, protect, and safeguard Mr. Anderson along his path. "Don't forget to entertain strangers, for by doing some people have entertained angels without knowing."
Hebrews 13:2

                       Battlefield of Angels welcomes you into the reality of the spiritual realm that takes place all around us that we cannot see through our physical eyes. The realm that operates behind this world ordaining your every step and influencing your very thoughts, battling against your mind and waging war for or against your souls that may or may not protect your very existence. May God lifts the veil from your eyes as you look closer into the Holy Scriptures and allow the light of the Lord to begin to shine brightly through your heart in this dark world and your mind… that is the battlefield. "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Ephesians 5:14. Would you change the way you live your life if you knew the spiritual realm was watching? Maybe this will help you decide.

• Language: English
• Publisher: D.R. Tracy
• Release date: Apr 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201320188

D.R. Tracy

D. R.-Tracy is a freelance writer, spiritual educator, second language teacher and minister of spiritual warfare. Several certifications in Biblical Studies and more than 15 years experience of spiritual conflict, has inspired him to write and complete the first of the five novel series Battlefield of Angels. Though fictional in content he shares with his readers the reality of spiritual warfare that has taken place around his life and those individual lives close to him since his early childhood. Mr. Tracy enjoys the challenges of creative writing that continually keeps him researching and sharing his experience that offers insight to others. As a man of faith his work, research, and experience gives readers the opportunity to seek spiritual truths for themselves through scripture according to their beliefs. Born in the small town of Harbor in Indiana, as a youth and first born grandson he accompanied his grandmother who faithfully attended the community Baptist church as an usher and volunteer felt the spiritual influence on his life at an early age. His years of experience has shaped and molded the inspired writer into several projects that are in progress such as his second novel Battlefield of Angels, Duality, Puppets and also the completed work of the Gossip Corner…The Serpents Tongue. He is currently a member of the Spiritual Writers Association where spiritual views are shared by other members. He’s looking forward to his work reaching and bringing inspiration, hope and a rekindled faith to his readers worldwide.

Book preview

Words cannot express how very grateful I am

to my Father and Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who during

the course of writing this novel has sustained me in the face

of opposition. Who has also provided every need and every

person by divine appointment. Glory, praise and honor unto His

Holy name.

Prologue

The life of David Anderson the main character of this novel is a shadow of my life throughout many years. Several events and encounters in this novel are actually true. Others came from dreams, spiritual conflicts within my life and spoken words by strangers that I’ve encountered. For many years, I believed that accepting Christ as Lord and Savior was the beginning and the end of being pulled by the Holy Spirit to become part of the kingdom of heaven, without the realization of who I had really become in Christ. Most of us that are called and predestined by God, since the beginning of time, walk through this world — the valley of the shadow of death — with a concept of God only in our minds and without Christ reigning as Lord within our hearts and I’m no exception to this fact. Having veils over our eyes, we still remain blind to the fact that we are just passing through this life having received the great commission of our Lord to continue the work passed on to us by Him and our forefathers of faith. I believe that as we begin to move our Lord, our God, eighteen inches from our mind into our hearts, a new spiritual birth will begin to take place within our hearts and the veils over our spiritual eyes will begin to open clearly to see the heavenly things that go on around us. Even as men and women of faith, we sometimes lose sight of our purpose in this life by this forever changing world around us with the hope in our hearts of having our heaven on earth, when in reality forgetting that Christ made it very clear that; If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. (John 15:19). For those of you that continue to doubt and waver in your faith wondering if God truly exists or not, I’m here to tell you as a brother in Christ that He does and that our Lord Jesus Christ is alive and at the Father’s right hand. I suppose this would bring us to another question. Does Satan really exist? The greatest trick ever performed in the world was that of Satan’s, making the world believe that he doesn’t exist. Yes, he does. And is a real enemy of our Lord and those who are chosen to inherit the kingdom of heaven. I don’t honestly believe that our Lord would state in Luke 10:18; I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven. if it was not a fact. The truth is, Satan is the ‘Prince of this world’ and that spirit of hatred from the world is actually his hatred toward the existence of man. The only thing we have in this world is our faith in Christ, and every day that God grants us his grace to face another day there will be spiritual warfare to battle against the souls of men and women over the plan of salvation. God is real. Our Lord is alive. Heaven is real. Hell is a real place and angels and demons do exist. Don’t be mistaken, though this novel is to be entertaining with Scriptural truths, its message is loud and clear. It is a choice between eternal life and eternal condemnation.

––––––––

Battlefield of Angels welcomes you into the reality of the spiritual realm that takes place all around us that we cannot see through our physical eyes. The realm that operates behind this world ordaining your every step and influencing your very thoughts, battling against your mind and waging war for or against your souls that may or may not protect your very existence. May God lift the veil from your eyes’ as you look closer into the Holy Scriptures and allow the light of the Lord to begin to shine brightly through your heart in this dark world and your mind... that is the battlefield. Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Ephesians 5:14.

Acknowledgments

I am deeply indebted to the following people who assisted me in the process of bringing this novel to completion:

My family whom I love dearly and has constantly encouraged me has been a pillar of support from the beginning until the end of this project with patience and consistent love.

Special thanks to Holly Muñoz... who has spent endless hours assisting me with this project with prayer and careful research.

Special thanks to a very good friend and brother to me whom without I couldn’t have completed this project Carlos Salecedo...May God bless you and your family.

My friends in Mexico who have believed in me, opened their doors and hearts to assist me during the course of this project and those in the making in every way possible.

I dedicate this project to my daughter, Jyllisa Rain, and my son Daniel Jr. who has captured my heart from the first day I’d laid eyes on them. I love you with all my heart.

––––––––

Introduction

In the third year of Cyrus, King of Persia, 536 B.C., the Angelic hosts of Heaven faced great opposition from demonic forces in the heavenly realms. Those fallen angels that once stood side by side with their angelic brothers and that rebelled against God’s authority were now under the leadership of Satan, or as ancient scriptures have made known to us: The Accuser ... of man. For centuries, the heavens shook with war from these super powers, good and evil, for territory and the advancement of God’s children on earth to be reconciled back to the Father through a Savior... our Lord Jesus Christ. In the interest of Satan, after his fall, many demons were captured and imprisoned to await final judgment while others remained free to roam and were crowned with titles in their demonic order, from foot soldiers to Kings... Moreover, earthly territories were given unto them in the spiritual realms. During Cyrus’ reign, the angel Gabriel was held for twenty-one days by the Prince of Persia, (a demon) and detained under guard by the King of the Persian empire in the spiritual realm (another demon), in an attempt to prevent the prayers of the prophet Daniel from being answered. Gabriel was released with the help of one of the chief Princes the Archangel Michael; Prince of Israel... Daniel 10:13. After the defeat of Satan and the angels that fell with him, four hundred years later by our Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary, the spiritual conflict has reached its peak here on earth. The children of God continue to labor for the advancement of the Kingdom of Heaven. Even now, after centuries of the veil being open to the children of God by our Lord and Savior, there are still those who remain captive by these spiritual forces... unaware of their freedom... unaware of their identity in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Now, in our days, the battle has intensified against those that are the chosen children of God and those that are predestine to enter the kingdom of heaven...  Therefore, now, with the aid of the Holy Spirit and the Angelic warriors of the armies of God, there is one among us with the fire of God that burns within his mortal body to relight the flame of faith that was lost beneath the centuries of division of the body of Christ.

Chapter One

The fog began to thicken around the small industrial town of Harbor Port, and the lighthouse turned slowly signaling to the remaining ships and small vessels out on the lake. The wind began to pick up as the clouds darkened and lightning began flashing throughout the sky above. In the nearby Baptist Church of Christ on that summer afternoon, the spiritual realm was shaken. The church choir rang out praises with their beautiful bright colored togas to God followed by prayer and thanksgiving faithfully. The rain began to beat against the big custom stained window panes of the church and the wind whistled through the open cracks of the wooden doors. The hymn Amazing Grace ushered its way in following the choir’s vocals and within minutes, the entire congregation was praising and singing with hands lifted high above their heads as if they were standing in the presence of God himself. Crouched on top of the lighthouse, the demon sat, watching the small community church and listening to the praises ring out with the sound of the music. Patiently, as the storm rose, his eyes were burning with rage and his hands tightly griping his wrist as he rested his elbows on his knees. As he stood up on the lighthouse and spread his wings, he looked up and down Harbor Port cautiously as he gave a push from his legs and took flight toward the shore. His leather-like wings spread like a black cape that shadowed the waters below as he gave what sounded like a war cry camouflaged by the whistling wind as he was joined by two other demons flying by his side. Five-year-old David Anderson stood in the middle of the church aisle watching the light from heaven in the spiritual realm shine brightly above where the pastor was standing. The strong inspiring voice of the Pastor, having his eyes fixed upon David with tears streaming down his face, quoted the verse by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:12; Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. The verse seemed to penetrate and echo through the young spirit of David. He looked around the ceiling of the old Baptist church at the celestial beings that shone with swords in their hands and fire in their eyes... they appeared to be as big as trees to the young boy. David also saw other creatures with wings and swords that didn’t shine as bright as the first celestial giants did. Why are they fighting? He questioned his young mind unable to understand. Landing on shore, the demons must have stood ten or eleven feet tall, hideous looking with the darkest of black eyes and very powerful in stature. Each of them had swords that hung around their waists, the leather sandals they wore had straps that tied all the way up to their calves and they wore leather bands that covered their wrists up to their forearms. Without uttering a word to each other, they knew they were there for one mission only; to stop David Anderson from becoming a problem with their plans for the future. As the demons began walking, they transformed into human beings, one with pale white skin and dark brown hair that hung over his shoulders, carrying an ancient dagger in the back of his waist belt. The other two demons, one with darker skin and the other equally as pale as the first, with long dark hair flowing behind them were following closely behind their leader as the leather-like wings became long leather coats. They were walking in military cadence drawing closer to the church. Once they crossed the avenue, the three demons stood patiently waiting for the church service to end. As the doors of the church opened up, the three demons made their way toward the parking lot where the car of David’s grandmother was parked. Holding a plastic bag over her head to avoid the rain, she fumbled for the keys to unlock the car door. The demon in charge reached behind his coat placing his hand on the dagger. The angels around the church began to take positions on the nearby cars and trucks, however, in spirit, unable to prevent what appeared to be happening so fast before their eyes in the physical realm they felt powerless to aid David and his grandmother. Oh, David... forgive grandma, baby. I left my Bible in the church. Let me run in and grab it, don’t move I’ll be right back, okay? Slamming the car door, she returned inside the church. Okay, grandma! David yelled from inside the car. Looking through the passenger window, young David saw the three men approaching the car and quickly, the demon pulled the dagger from behind his overcoat. David was now terrified with his eyes wide open and unable to scream or make a move; he sat frozen to the window glass as his breath began to cover the window with fog due to the mist of the rain. Out of nowhere, before he could reach the young boy, the demon was tackled with such a force by another man that left the dagger sliding across the wet parking lot. The two other demons engaged in a fight with another man that accompanied the tackling man. Young David wiped the fog from the window glass to watch the scuffling finding himself jumping out of his seat surprised by the demon that was violently thrown into the side of the car. Startled, David looked into the black eyes of the man who stared back at David. The young child noticed a medallion that hung around his neck before the man and his two companions could take off running into the fog. Before they were completely vanished out of sight, David saw wings spread out from behind them as they took flight into the fog of the lake. As the demons raced through the fog, they sensed that they were still in the vicinity of danger. Close behind them and moving at the speed of light, just inches above the lake, two heavenly warriors with radiant glows about them searched above their heads while in flight looking for the trio that attempted to take the life out of young David. "Aaaaaaaaaaah! Coming from above the heavenly warrior’s head sounded a yell, which intensified in a matter of seconds. Splash! They went straight into the lake, the celestial warrior found himself underneath the rushing waves of the harbor being driven deeper and deeper toward the bottom by one of the demons. Using his wings to roll within the current of the water, he placed one hand around the demon’s neck and with the other hand...he held the demon’s arm that had drawn his sword. Tucking his knees into the adversary’s chest, the heavenly being was able to catapult away from the demon. Both headed toward the surface of the water with the demon in a desperate pursuit of the angelic being. Thooshhhh! Thooshhhh!" Both beings shot out of the water simultaneously like torpedoes. Face to face in mid-air, the demon and the heavenly being circled one another. The medallion on the demon’s neck carried a name in the ancient language of Aramaic that read... Solon, Prince of Darkness. The heavenly host glanced down at the water and saw the wings of his companion laying spread open... he knew his companion was no more, and looking back up with fire blazing from his eyes, the demon was gone... 

Years later in Metro City...

Metro City was like any other city in the year 2012. The city, which sat encircled by snow-capped mountains to the west and uprising skyscrapers to the east, offered its open doors for any individual, family or company willing to make a change toward prosperity. Over the last five years, the city had undergone heavy construction in the downtown area with the building of new loft apartments, and many restaurants from all over the world crowded in the lower downtown area. Mountain homes on the outer city limits were rapidly becoming safe havens, so to speak, for people wanting to escape from the rat race of the inner city’s hustle and the crime rate that had escalated throughout the Metro area. Every night it appeared as though new nightclubs were given birth throughout the city, and entrepreneurs from all walks of life were there to stake their claim. Pleasure seekers gathered themselves with the multitudes satisfying their fantasies, and whatever their hearts desired could be found within the city. However, beneath the beauty of this city laid another foundation was at work unlike any other city across the nation had... something evil...something...demonic. The city that shadowed itself in spiritual chains with a Sodom or Gomorrah lifestyle was unable to see the ancient accent of Roman oppression for those believers in Christ in the spiritual realm. Many religious beliefs had flooded neighborhoods and various spiritual practices had clouded the minds of those seeking something to believe in to fit their way of life. Even in these last days, the Christian faith had become tainted by such influences, that all appeared to be walking in their own direction, having a form of godliness, but denying its power. (2 Timothy 3:5). Twenty-six-year-old David Preacher Anderson, stood with both hands in his pockets looking down from the fifth-floor window of his bedroom along the old fire escapes, and into the alleyway listening to the springtime rain beating against the glass in the lower downtown district of Metro city. Glancing back over his shoulder toward the nightstand, the electric alarm clock read 10:22 p.m., walking over to the bureau grabbing his cigarettes; he took one from the pack placing it in his mouth and returned to the window. It was his moment to be alone; his time to think about what direction his life was heading in. Leaning to one side of the window pane lighting the cigarette and crossing his arms, everything seemed so peaceful and quiet around Metro City. Looking into the night sky seemed to bring back the memories of his early childhood... the vision he had captured in his mind when looking up at the small Baptist church ceiling watching the presence of angelic warriors engage one another in warfare had never erased itself from his mind. In addition, he remembered that life in Harbor Port didn’t have much to offer for the youth in those days. It gave them three choices.1- To graduate from school and go to the armed forces to serve their country, which was discouraging for most considering those who had returned home to spend the rest of their days drinking cheap wine on the corners of the city or getting hooked on drugs.2- To join the local neighborhood gangs and everyday wonder if they would live long enough to see their 21st birthday. Or,3- Dedicate their lives to the service of God through a local community church and try to offer hope to those living under the crushing economy of higher taxes and unemployment since the Steel Mill Industry was coming to its end. David wanted to help people by becoming one of those pastors he’d seen over the years encouraging the masses with the same message of Christ that inspired him so much in faith. During his school days, he never could get his life off the ground as he intended to in the past. Dabbling around in college in Biblical Theology and Sociology... studies in the history of the bible, never seemed to satisfy David’s hunger for what was missing in his life, besides... heaven appeared to be waging as much war as the world. Could this war in heaven be for the new Heaven and Earth... the new Jerusalem, which the Word of God spoke of for centuries? He thought to himself looking down at the rain splashing along the ground of the alleyway. So many years had passed since sitting next to his grandmother in that small community Baptist church where she attended so faithfully three days a week, so he began hearing the echoes of the sermons being preached, and the people... so many people, shouting, praising and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Slightly smiling, he couldn’t deny the joy and peace he felt as he saw himself as a little boy dancing in the middle of the aisle to the worship music the choir would play and sing during that time. He was among family... even those he did not know personally, he felt were part of his own... there, was a sense of belonging... unity. He found himself looking at the people around him that were praying, and speaking in different languages. Surely, he knew these people were speaking directly to God himself... more strangely, the words they spoke out with their eyes closed, sounded foreign to his little ears, but as he listened even more closely, they sounded familiar and clear... he could understand bits and pieces of what was being spoken: My little Preacher. His grandmother would say from time to time... "There is something indeed very special about you, David. Always pay attention to the hand of God in what you do, because He is with you, and will never leave you... so you stay faithful to the calling on your life, my son." She said placing both hands on the sides of David’s little face. Suddenly, a disturbing look crossed his face as he envisioned that day in the church’s parking lot. Flicking his ashes in the window seal, he couldn’t understand why someone, or something, would want to bring harm to an innocent young boy. His eyes brighten remembering the glimpse of the wings that he saw disappear into the fog that rainy afternoon. Preacher ... a name that grew along with David after being found by his grandmother and other relatives in front of his bedroom mirror imitating the pastors he’d recently heard at church services. Quite often, he would spend his time alone being the only child of his mother and father who had been divorced since he was four years old. He found comfort spending most of his time at grandma’s house, besides... there he had older uncles and aunts whom he would pretend most of the time were his older brothers and sisters he never had, and by the age of seventeen, young David was sure that his life was set on its path. Having gone through more experiences in life than any other young teenager, David felt he was prepared and ready to face life, but nothing could possibly have prepared David for what he was about to encounter next. One summer night, there he was on his knees in his bedroom saying one of his routine prayers before bedtime. Something David found pleasure in doing faithfully as he talked with God, telling him about all his desires and hopes, David thought it was a perfect opportunity to offer his God thanks and praises. But this night was a little different, He found it very difficult to stay focused on prayer. He was agitated and was concentrating on other things... bad things that continued to enter his mind. Thoughts of people hurting one another, people cursing God and shouting horrible things toward Him. He began to feel fear, as he sensed that something or somebody was with him in his bedroom. He lifted his head up staring at the wall glancing from each corner of his eyes trying to see behind him. He slowly started to rise from his knees turning around only to find something standing in his presence he’d never seen before... not even like the creatures he had seen in the church when he was a little boy. As he stood paralyzed unable to speak or mutter a whisper, within his heart the only words he found himself repeating were:

Lord Jesus, help me. Please, help me Lord Jesus. Clinching the sides of his pajama pants with all his might, his deep dark brown eyes began moving slowly upward as his heart was beating like a drum within his chest. It appeared to be that a ten-foot giant was standing in his bedroom. He began to hear every bone in his body rattle as he stood trembling before its overwhelming presence. His mouth hung open as he continued looking upward toward the ceiling, it was massive with wings that relaxed behind him, as a cape would drop to the floor. Surely, he’d seen these beings before in the past. He had heard about them during church services and read many stories about angels in the Bible of how they would aid God’s people in time of need. However, something was different, it didn’t make sense, something was wrong. Though as huge as the angels he’d seen, this creature was not glowing like the ones in those stories. It was dim, it appeared angry, and its eyes... the deepest of black darkness. Its face was that of a man, its hair was long draping over its shoulders and its wings were a grayish black in color. Its breathing was very deep and its presence in the room was very powerful. Around its neck hung a medallion with all kinds of different stones and inscriptions of different symbols and letters that he could not understand. Something was definitely wrong; it was very cold, evil and filled with hatred unlike David had ever known. The giant being began reaching slowly toward the huge sword that hung on its side within its sheath. Staring back intently into David’s eyes, he closed his eyes repeating the words he had spoken earlier: Lord Jesus, please help me, please help me my Lord Jesus. When he opened his eyes, the being was no longer there. Since that day, David knew that something else existed outside the beautiful splendor of heaven’s walls... opposite to God’s goodness. Watching and waiting from every corner in the shadows for that opportunity to squeeze the planted seeds of the Word of God out of the human heart and increase their demonic influence by whispering into the mind to manifest those evil desires that are present from our sinful nature. Has God forgotten about those that are still here awaiting the return of His Son? Or, have we replaced God for that which has become customary to the human eyes, left behind to fight for ourselves against something we do not understand?" David asked himself sorrowfully as he took a deeper look within his own heart. His life for many years was nothing like what he had envisioned when he was a teenager. The thought of becoming one of those inspiring ministers of the Word of God. Preaching at the early morning Sunday services, or standing in the middle of a congregation laying hands on the sick... no..., he had found himself trapped by the glimmer and gold of the world... in chains and bondage unable to break free from the enemy’s lure of that painted illusion. Deny your heart nothing... eat, drink and be merry..., but remember, in the end you will have to answer for everything you’ve done. David remembered the famous quote from King Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes as he shook his head pondering the thought. However, life showed him the opposite of what the Word of God spoke from its pages, that somehow life and the scriptures were intermingled. Why the struggles, the pain, the inner turmoil for just being a human and what he felt was normal in life, if there was such a thing. Again, and again he would encounter these strangers... messengers of God, so to speak, always present during his hours of need as a child of God, that would prophesy over the young man’s life. A plan that God had in store for him and something he couldn’t quite grasp. David knew that God existed, and was the creator of all things including those beings, and had plans for the lives of many people, but for him, it was a fleeting hope as he looked in the mirror of his life. Like most people in the world... God seemed distant, in heaven tending to heaven’s affairs. Besides, as humans, there were enough things going on in the world, in people’s everyday lives to even consider the thought that God would be right there listening, and watching to see if we would call on the name of His son to set us free from what we could not see, nor understand in the spiritual realm. Maybe it would take that direct calling in one’s ear directly from God. Perhaps then, we could hear what God has prepared for us that no human mind could ever fathom, especially a man like David, who lived such a reckless lifestyle. What could God possibly have planned for such a man like me? Or, maybe I’ve missed that calling some time ago, and haven’t realized it yet. He thought to himself looking toward the closed bedroom door listening to the voices in the front room. Life presently was not much different for David than anyone else’s. Parties, girls, drinking, fast lifestyle living... plugged into the world and its system that comes with a worldly attitude. Living life as he knew it. From behind the veil, he could vaguely see a blurry vision of the hand of God still moving in other people’s lives. However, that night, David recaptured a special moment where God indeed had mercy upon his own life as David remembered... Knock...! Knock...! Knock...! The sound came out from the door and over the music and the voices inside David’s apartment. Who is it? David called out going toward the door. It’s Will, David. Opening the door, David found his friend standing there with blood dripping from his head. What happened? He asked allowing him to enter the apartment, quickly grabbing a towel to help stop the bleeding. Hassan is going around shooting and robbing people tonight. I heard he was headed this way. Will explained trying to control the bleeding from his head. Knock... knock... knock! The sound came across the door as David and Will stood still looking in the door’s direction not moving. The guests in the apartment had the look of panic on their faces as David unlocked the door. Standing before him, Hassan and a companion stared at David. How’s it going? Upon those words from behind his jacket the black 357 pistol was drawn pointing in David’s face. Everybody get into the back room! He yelled out. Everyone began to cry and shuffled to the only bedroom of David’s apartment. What’s going on Hassan? David asked trying to stay calm. What should we do? Hassan asked his companion who had two pistols in his hand pointing at everyone else. Kill everybody, and let’s go. He replied not even paying attention to the guest in David’s apartment. Something was strange... different, because only David was summoned to stand against the wall. Looking down the barrel of the pistol pointing in his face while the others stood on the side watching. Was this how it was supposed to end? A bullet to the head... surely David knew his end had come. Pulling the hammer back on the pistol, Hassan squeezed the trigger... but the gun didn’t fire. Unaware to the physical eyes of those present in the room, in the spiritual realm the guardian angel stood face to face with the demon in charge sent to murder David. It was the perfect moment. There were drugs on the counter and girls in the bedroom, a child of God that had fallen out of grace once again and returned to a life of sin. With his hand over the demon’s hand that was controlling the gun and his other hand gripping tightly around the demon’s neck. Look at him...why protect him? He made the choice to live as he does. He belongs to us. The words could be heard slithering from the demon’s mouth trying to convince the guardian angel. You have no permission to take his life. The reply of the guardian was spoken with authority. God’s mercy showed that He still had plans for David’s life. David and Hassan looked at the trigger wondering why the gun wouldn’t fire, then back up at one another with fear coming across Hassan’s face and tears in David’s eyes. Through the wall of the apartment, the guardian angel drove the demon out at the speed of light. Hassan stood there with his hand slowly dropping down as if the whole thing was a surprise to him... Boom! Like a canon, the gun fired the instant it was pointed toward the floor scaring David, Hassan and his companion as they jumped out of fear. Swinging upward, David was hit across the face with the gun and slowly slid down the wall with warm blood dripping from his cheek. David realized later that the hand of God was there that very moment and that the eyes of heaven were watching, whether guardians for our aid, or those fallen angels... demons, that seek to destroy us. David was aware that they knew who the children of God were from birth. The visions and images he never spoke of had seared his mind forever and the veil of his identity in Christ, still remained. Snapping out of his thoughts of his lifestyle of the past, David closed the light beige blinds to his bedroom window, and walked to his bedside where he kneeled down and began to pray; Our Father who art in heaven, hollow be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. "Knock... knock! David, what’s up...? Pete asked opening the door peeking in to see David slowly rising from his knees by his bedside. Sorry to bother you, man..." Pete said slowly looking around the room feeling a different peace that was present. An evil spirit was latched on to Pete with its eyes bulging looking all around in fear as it witnessed the guardian angel standing in the room. Don’t go any further. There’s something in the room, you don’t want to go in there. The spirit frantically whispered in Pete’s ear keeping him from entering. ... but we do have company in the front room waiting to go hit the new Club X... Pete said rather mockingly. "What are you doing in here all by yourself? Thinking ‘bout God again? Don’t get me wrong, but I personally think you’ve given God enough time for one night... so let’s go. He said whispering with a smile on his face looking around the room once again before closing the door. Yeah... give me a sec., I’ll be right out. David said walking toward the closet to find a shirt to wear with his denim blue jeans and made his way to the living room. David stood in the entrance shortly looking at Pete playing the role of hospitable host keeping the three young women entertained while waiting for David. Man, I thought you were never coming out of there. You ready? Pete asked looking down at his watch. In the spiritual realm from the eyes of the guardian angel, he could see the small spirits clinging tightly to the ladies in the room as if they were trying to hide themselves from his presence. Hey David...! Dawn and Julie said, the two young ladies that David was familiar with and that lived in nearby apartment complexes stood to their feet ready to leave. David, I would like for you to meet Melissa... a very soon to be close friend, of yours, or mine. Pete whispered close to David’s ear. Hi David I heard so much about you." Melissa said extending her hand. Be very careful with him. I think he likes you very, very much. The spirit attached to Melissa whispered while keeping its eyes closely on the guardian. Please to meet you, Melissa. And don’t believe a word this guy has told you about me... there all lies. David said smiling as he walked over to the coffee table grabbing his keys. Your car or mine...? Pete asked putting on his jacket. Your car is fine. David replied as they all headed out the door of the apartment. Peter Carlson was no ordinary friend of David’s. He was special to David after finding out sometime later that Pete had gone through a period of depression due to an excessive lifestyle of alcohol and drugs, something David had known to be around in his own life for quite some time. Peter’s life of sin led to an attempted suicide, so David thought that embracing him as a little brother in need of guidance, in spite of the lifestyle he had lived himself, would bring Pete some sort of comfort and hope so he wouldn’t feel he was alone. Since then, the twenty-four-year-old had found a new hope in his life that David was unaware of, and was living as though that episode had never occurred, something David hasn’t been able to understand until this day. Wait right here. Let me unlock the car door for you guys. Pete said rushing toward his car parked in front of the apartment building. Holding on to the railing of the stairs, Melissa pulled off her high heels as David handed her his jacket to cover her head from the drizzling rain. Thank you. She said smiling up at David who stood on the stairs watching as the ladies ran down the stairs jumping in the back seat of Pete’s car. As David walked down the stairs to get in the car, two men passing by bumped into David rather aggressively as if he weren’t there on the sidewalk. Excuse you! David shouted at the gentlemen as they passed by. Is that the puppet? One of the men asked the other looking back over his shoulder in David’s direction with a devious smile. That’s him... the puppet in the flesh. The other man replied as they continued walking. Man, can you believe these people...? David said after opening the door to Pete’s car. ...they act as if they owned the streets these days. David complained, as the ladies were busy rustling through their purse for last minute make-up. Look on the bright side... Pete said fixing the mirror and turning on the stereo to his car. ...It could’ve been worse. They could’ve mugged you in front of your apartment building. Pete replied laughing aloud at David’s frustration. So, listen... consider this night our celebration night, professor Anderson, there’s no more schooling, studies or research needed to have a night of relaxation... if you know what I mean. Pete stated looking in the back seat at the girls. David smiled and shook his head then glancing back over his shoulders. Okay... okay, let’s have some fun. He said shaking off the encounter on the street. Pete pulled away from the apartment looking in the rearview mirror at Melissa whose eyes were fixed on his as though speaking without a word. The two spirits from Pete and Melissa smiled at one another hideously as they sat still looking around inside the car. On the top of David’s apartment building in the shadows of the night rain two other gentlemen stood quietly watching Pete’s car make its way down the street.

Hal and Alise made their way through the path toward Tinsletown Lake with their flashlights pointing toward the high trees and all around them. The young couple that had been engaged for nearly a year was staying in a cabin in the woods where they were trying to spend more time with each other away from the rat race of the city’s everyday life. Not very far the bonfire burned dimly as the people gathered along the porch area of an old cabin to drink beer and chat. Hal and his fiancée Alise drew closer to the cabin, and saw a man that stood among the six individuals gesturing with his hands and speaking like one who had authority because of the attentiveness of his onlookers... "We all know that it has been far too long that other people’s religious ideas have enslaved us into thinking that we need to follow them and their way of faith... that their beliefs are the true way to freedom...! The tall slender gentleman that was in his late thirties carried the appearance of a vain corporate business man-model, moved with such grace, and spoke out with such confidence and conviction that the people agreed to his every spoken word. However, no human eyes could see in the spiritual realm the spirits that were attached to the spokesman whispering things from his heart and stirring his every thoughts while guiding his words as these creatures took turns landing back and forth on those around as they opened themselves up to his words that came alive within their hearts.... I’m so sick and tired of sitting on the sideline listening to them telling people if you want to become free, pray this way, or say this and you’ll be in your god’s good grace and you’ll make it to heaven. People this world, is your heaven or hell. It’s whatever you want it to become... for you and your families! He shouted with his arms spread open turning around slowly. Noticing Hal and Alise approaching, the man turned in their direction with a warm welcoming smile. My brother and sister...! He yelled out. Come! Join us and learn how you too can become free..., free from the financial worries of this world! How you can become stress free from the burdens and pressures of this life! We are all in this together, it is a free gift! The man shouted out to the young couple inviting them over.  Come on Hal, let’s go and see what he’s talking about. Alise asked pulling Hal’s brown leather jacket in the direction of the group. You can’t be serious, Alise? Just listen to the guy... calling two complete strangers over to party with their little group, the guy might be drunk or something, he sounds like a nut case. He replied jokingly still trying to head toward the lake to spend some time alone with Alise. Hal Steadman... the thirty-one-year-old marketing expert for the firm Associate Fidelity Marketing Corporation had few friends, but was very happy, and having found his niche in life, what possibly more could the young corporate marketing wiz ask for than to share his life with the one who was so dear to his heart, his beloved Alise? Hal found it difficult to please Alise at times, being as demanding and controlling as she was; she was quite the opposite of him. She was selfish and not satisfied with just being the future ‘Mrs. Steadman’. The beautiful twenty-nine-year-old with shoulder length wavy brown hair, hazelnut color eyes and a smile that could entice even the most faithful, was looking for her place in society and... Not just any place. Living together was difficult and trying for Hal and their trip to the mountains served its purpose for relighting the candle of their dying flame of romance before the wedding day came. Please... just for second, then we can go, alright? Alise asked him begging as she held the flashlight under her chin to show Hal the puppy dog expression in her eyes, it was all Hal needed to give in to her plea. As they approached the porch where everyone was seated, the people began to greet them as part of the group with a warm welcome. Hello, my brother and sister. The man greeted extending his hand to Hal. Standing slightly taller than Hal, he gripped Hal’s hand with a strong handshake looking him straight in his eyes as though he were trying to see through him. Wearing a gold embroider ring containing a black stone surrounded with seven diamonds, the man turned his hand to display his finger-worn crown as a position of power and dignity that Hal glanced upon. My firm name is Sirus Jamerson. He introduced himself. Sirus... I’m Hal Steadman and this is my fiancée Alise Tucker, pleased to meet you. Hal replied with a polite smile more out of obligation than friendliness. This here is Rob, Nancy, Gabe, my wife Kathy... um, Tom and Drew. Sirus introduced as they greeted and invited Hal and Alise to their circle. All the people introduced to Hal and Alise had one thing in common: all appeared to be happy and so they smiled with the illusion of freedom. However, Hal also noticed something different on the face of Sirus’ wife, Kathy, who sat with her hair in a parting ponytail that showed her natural dark roots within her fading shoulder length blond hair. She seemed... different, and Hal could sense it within his spirit... a tormenting sadness within her small frame. Her eyes seemed tired and deadened without a sign of life in them as she held tightly to the beer bottle, which she clutched in her hands scrapping her nails through the paper that was wrapped around the beer bottle. The appearance of rest of the people’s outer glow faded rapidly when Hal noticed the darkness that couldn’t be hidden through their eyes, they were empty and seemed hollow deep inside. So... what’d ya guys got going on over here on this late night? Hal asked adjusting his glasses. We, um..." Kathy tried to share from her nervous lips, but she was met by the piercing eyes of her husband Sirus that silenced her very thoughts. With a humble smile, Kathy looked away from Sirus, then back down at the beer bottle in her hand taking a drink and submissively allowed her husband to speak. The spirits attached to Kathy were rooted firmly in her being with their boney structured hands running through her mind and their talons sunk deeply within her, day and night she was tormented from the sounds of their voices and the hateful things they would say... about her and toward God, and it showed physically. A spirit of depression, guilt, fear, low self-esteem and lies had its complete control over the woman’s existence. Ha, ha, ha... he did it to you again, Kathy. You’re worthless. You don’t have a voice. He doesn’t love you anymore. Just look at the hate in his eyes toward you. The spirits taunted as they took turns speaking in her ear as the tears formed. The polished deceiving speaker knew his cue as he turned toward his new arrivals with a winning smile. The groomed dark haired tall gentleman who spoke with convincing authority rolled up his denim sleeves as he looked straight at Hal finding in him some sort of opposition. Brother...what everybody has been searching for...a freedom from the bonds and chains that this life has placed on us... Sirus stated sternly. ... Please have a seat. Would you guys like a beer? He asked popping the top off one of the bottles with his bottle cap opener from his key ring. Sure. Alise replied without giving it a second thought and slowly, she began to feel very comfortable and accepted around the group. Not very surprised by Alise’s response, Hal looked at her from over his glasses being able to show a pair of deep blue eyes. "Listen, I know in the past you’ve heard of all kinds of things in reference to different faiths and beliefs, do this or say that... and you’re saved, right? But, how do we really know the right or wrong way to follow that leads us to peace and oneness with our higher power and prosperity in our lives? We don’t, do we...? Sirus stated as he continued. ...we’ve been shut down and brainwashed to believe whatever other people wants us to believe, and that’s a fact. We’re so starved as people for attention and the need to be loved and accepted by other individuals that we will go alone with just about anything people tell us to please them... Sirus expressed seriously as Hal listened on in unbelief. This guy is really a work of art. Hal stated to himself smiling as he took a drink of his beer. Just look around you... Sirus continued. ...the lake, the stars, the trees, we are all part of these things... part of creation itself and they too are born free just as we are, and nothing chains them down. May I ask? What religion do you follow, or do you believe in anything at all, Hal and Alise? Sirus asked with a sympathetic look upon his face. Well, I was raised a Catholic. Alise stated as if searching for something more of what Sirus had to offer. What about you, Hal? He asked immediately turning to Hal waiting for the chance to approach him with an open door. I try to stay neutral in all of this; I really don’t have any kind of faith, Sirus. Hal coldly stated as he frowned feeling uncomfortable with the question. Alise, can we go now? Hal leant over and whispered in the ear of Alise having heard enough. Hal knew that there was something that was not right about this man. He could sense something deep inside of his being was pulling him away from that place. He couldn’t have suspected that it was his own spirit trying to give him a warning. No. Alise replied keeping her focus on Sirus as he continued to preach to the group. Hal sat back against the cabin on a small old wooden chair that he found and continued drinking on his beer slightly shaking his head disapproving his decision to have joined the group in the first place. Here’s an exercise I would like for everyone to try. Close your eyes, all of you...Hal? Sirus asked looking in Hal’s direction. No, thanks for the offer, but I’ll just sit this one out and watch, if you don’t mine, Sirus. Hal stated firmly looking eye to eye with Sirus who appeared unsatisfied by Hal’s defying answer. Taking a deep breath, Sirus continued with his instructions to the rest of the group. Visualize your surroundings, breathe slowly. Be as one with the water of the lake; listen to its sound, the wind blowing through the trees. Picture the moon and the stars; reach for your inner self. Release the pressures of this life... that’s right, let it all go. Sirus continued as he was lifting up his arms to the dark filled starry sky. Hal, who was still counting the minutes to leave, could see that Sirus, closing his eyes, got into a very deep concentration, almost like some kind of a trance. The spiritual beings hovered high above the group like vultures would over their prey, began one at a time descending over the individuals that sat around the porch sinking their talons in their minds like poison venom in their veins. They began to see images of pleasant winged creatures that looked like winged angels, lifting them up and filling them with positive thoughts as they became very relaxed. The group repeated chants led by Sirus and others began calling out names silently within themselves inspired by the spirits attached to their person. Take all of me and make me apart of you, I’m yours." They called out from individual’s hearts as they swayed and rocked slowly back and forth. Their true desires were exposed giving birth to powerful hideous looking spirits that began taking residence within their minds and controlling their thoughts. Spiritual images that flashed as a guided light in the dark started whispering... Invite me in; allow me to take away your pain. You are one with everything around you; you are in control of your destiny... no more pain... no more suffering or struggles. Positive thinking is ALL you need. I will teach you all there is to know. A spirit whispered to one member of the group. Tears were flowing down some of their faces as the spirits showed them the life they were living... and Alise was one among them with her hands held high as if she’d found a new freedom and outlet to her pressures and stress of life. That’s it; release yourselves to your higher power. Another spirit whispered gently around Alise’s mind waiting for his invitation as it sought to know the desires of her heart. What is it that you desire, Alise...? Tell me. The spirit whispered waiting for her to utter the words in her mind. I want to be someone in this world. She found herself speaking in her mind. And so, you shall. You are part of the world and all that’s in it. The spirit whispered as it worked its talons inside her mind to give her the image of her desires within her heart. Among the trees, a demon stood watching in his spiritual form. Standing around ten-foot-tall with leathery wings that hung behind him as a cape, he had a sword that braced itself tightly at his side. His eyes darted throughout the forest as he stood his post on guard for any enemy attack that might interrupt their party or that could bring harm to Sirus. Now... open your eyes. Sirus spoke softly opening his eyes pampering his new recruits. Hal sat with a puzzled smile upon his face looking around at the faces of the people among him. Within his gut, he knew something was definitely wrong about this gathering as he witnessed the change on their faces... even Alise appeared a different person to him. Hal slowly looked up at Sirus as he stood peering at Hal with a demonic smirk on his face that showed a little bit of irony as one who had the most valuable treasure ever... the souls of many in his hand.

Chapter Two

The music rang out at Club X through the streets of the lower downtown area promoting the opening of the new nightclub as many cars were filling up the parking lot. David and Pete made their way toward the crowded line with the girls holding on to them tightly due to the shoving and pushing of anxious people trying to get inside. There were people yelling at one another and presenting false I.D.s trying to make their way in past the experienced bouncers who escorted them out of line and away from the door. Others were offering money to the doormen to move ahead of the crowded line. Hey, Pete...? There’s no way we’re going to get in this club tonight, it’s just too many people. David shouted as people pressed more against them from the back of the line. Are you kiddin’ me...? Everybody that’s anybody is here tonight besides, we have an appointment right in here and we can’t allow something like a few unimportant people to ruin our night. Give me a minute, I’ll be right back. Pete stated as he jumped out of line and went toward the front entrance of the club. Pulling the bouncer aside, the big guy bent over slightly to listen to what Pete had to say. Signaling for David and the girls to come forward, he jumped out of line with the girls tagging close behind and headed toward the door. The bouncer removed the rope and allowed the group to pass through. What’d ya say to that guy? David asked surprisingly as they walked into the gigantic club. I told him my name and that I knew the owner, and if he didn’t let us in he wouldn’t have a job by the end of the night. Pete replied cynically looking at David with a smile on his face. "Now, come on... let’s have some real fun! Pete shouted over the loud music as the group of them made their way in.  As they entered the main floor area where everybody was dancing, crowds of people seemed to crush against one another where the bars were. People screamed and shouted jumping up and down to the techno music that blared from the speakers above everyone’s head. David and Pete stood for a second looking toward the upper deck of the club where people hung out watching the faces of those who entered in the dance area. Where did the girls go? David asked looking all around. Don’t worry about them, we’ll see them soon enough... believe me, I’ll be right back." Pete said pushing his way through the people. The video images flashed on the huge screens as the music played along, and many different colored lights flashed on and off as the D.J. switched various songs. On the wall, the video caught images of people’s faces that were dancing on the floor and transformed them into different creatures that made David pause walking up the stairs to the second floor. David’s attention was captured noticing Melissa dancing alone in her short white dress that seemed to stand out in the crowd. He’s looking in your direction. Make him want you, desire you... men are all the same. You’re beautiful and he knows it. Just look at him. The spirit whispered inside her mind as the music took her away. Looking in his direction, David stood motionless on the stairs drawn by her beauty. The sound of the club seemed to fade away as she turned in slow motion inviting David with her fingers to join her on the dance floor. David smiled and continued to watch from a distance. The image of the young lady was caught on the video screen as she turned, and he watched as she was transformed into a winged evil spirit, or was it real. Her eyes appeared as crystal and her tongue slid from her lips like a serpent. To David, her hair was longer in the image that covered her serpent-like body of nakedness with soft leathery talons behind her. Looking back at the young lady on the floor, David looked toward the D.J.’s booth to see how he was transforming the images on the screen, but the booth was empty. Then again, his eyes darted toward the dance floor, and he could see her laugh, but the sound was very clear in his ear as though she was standing right next to him and with the flashing of the club’s lights she was no longer dancing on the floor... she was gone. Turning to search for Pete, David saw no sign of any of them around. Turning his attention toward the dance floor once again, David searched through the crowd, but was unable to find Melissa anywhere. Reaching the top floor, David stood against the railing looking down through the crowd searching for Pete. Excuse me; what can I get you to drink? The club waitress asked with a big smile catching David off guard. Oh... Jack Daniels with Coke is fine. David ordered smiling back at the young waitress. The images continued to flash upon the video screen with David now able to witness the D.J. making the images change. David shook his head as he looked around noticing women with women lip to lip and small groups of guys crowded on one girl. This is crazy. He thought to himself with a slight smile and as he turned around behind him the same with some of the men as they hugged arm and arm. Demons were among the people transformed as