Demon Breathing Down My Neck: Rainbow Angel Series, #1

By Nick Mikel

Haunted houses are an angel's day job. The monsters in the closet won't get the kids on my watch. Not again. I don't care if I'm the last angel on Earth, nothing will hurt them. Not. One. More. Time.

My first family to save here on Earth-3457. Different Earth with darker demons. The mom called us. Her baby's dead. I have to find out what did it. Typical sick case. But something's off with these kids.

The warrior angels look down on us house cleaners. We do the hard work on the ground. All they do is fly around in their fancy Silverwings. So out of touch with reality. Or are they not as stupid as they seem?

All across the versions of Earth, dark things keep haunting families.

How are all these demons getting in the houses? Who's planting them there and why?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nick Mikel
• Release date: Jan 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798985551808

Book preview

Demon Breathing Down My Neck

Nick Mikel

Copyright © 2021 Nicholas Mikel

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, contact [Nicholas Mikel, (979)-285-4575,[e-mail]].

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

ISBN 979-8-9855518-0-8 (e-book)

ISBN 979-8-9855518-1-5 (print)

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

I dedicate the Rainbow Angel Series to my Beloved, and to all who have felt Love in the blackest night.

Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth – Isaiah 60:2a(NLT)

Table of Contents

Chapter One: It Killed Her Baby 1

Chapter Two: Mutilated Toys 13

Chapter Three: Come Inside and Play With Me 26

Chapter Four: Part of the Family 42

Chapter Five: Big Baby 59

Chapter Six: The Dark Room 79

Chapter Seven: Weiner Dog’s Instinct 98

Chapter Eight: The Realtor 115

Chapter Nine: Evil Network 136

Chapter Ten: Mind Tricks 145

Chapter Eleven: Sunshine Realty 167

Chapter Twelve: Neighborhood Management 181

Chapter Thirteen: Trouble With the Boss 196

Chapter Fourteen: Liya’s Husband 214

Chapter Fifteen: The ShadowWeb 224

Chapter Sixteen: The Baby Room 240

Chapter Seventeen: Our Other Family 257

Chapter Eighteen: Angels of Death 274

Chapter Nineteen: Cops and Hellhounds 296

Chapter Twenty: Secret Drones 313

Chapter TwentyOne: Eternal Life 329

Chapter TwentyTwo: Sneaking Into Heaven 347

Chapter One: It Killed Her Baby

It killed her baby.

I shake my head, blonde strands whipping over my sunglasses’ lens.

You don’t think so?

We shouldn’t draw any conclusions yet. I hold my breath for a second. Just because one took Roger doesn’t mean that every baby death involved in our cases was caused by one of them.

Liya’s pencil thin, brown brows distort into a V-shape. You weren’t on the phone with her! She was so sure it killed her baby! She crosses her arms. And you have never been pregnant either!

I put my hands up. Sorry, sorry. It’s just that last case…

I still think there was something there.

We didn’t sense anything. I think Alicia was a bit dark crazy.

Liya glares at me. And you think Kayla is dark crazy too? What even is ‘dark crazy’?! You can’t just make up terms!

I raise my palms up once again. I said I’m-

Have you ever had a miscarriage?!

You already know the answer. We have a case to solve and all she wants to do is fight.

Please don’t bring up Roger again. Or you’re staying in the Lotus!

My lips quirk. Is banishing me to my own car a punishment to you?

Liya stops speaking and stares at me.

A shiver runs down my spine. I really am sorry.

She keeps staring at me.

I pout my lip out. Please stop looking at me like one of them.

Then stop.

I try to put my hand on Liya’s shoulder, but she pulls away. Are you sure you want to take this case? I could do it by myself if you want. It almost seems a little bit too-

A little bit too what?!

Too personal.

Liya nods slowly. That’s exactly what it is. That’s why I wanted this. Even if I have to work with you.

I pull my hand back from Liya’s cool, leather seat. ‘Even if you have to work with me?’!

Well, we don’t exactly have the best track record of working together.

Are you really going to be like this on yet another earth?! We don’t know what to expect here and I really need to know that you have my-!

Liya puts her hand up. You’re the one who started this! I was trying to be civil with you but you had to go and bring up-!

I hope you realize there’s people’s lives at stake here. We can’t have any personal differences interfering with our work.

Liya scowls. Fine. Be that way. From now on it will just be work.

I arch an eyebrow. Was it ever anything but work?

Oooh ok. Yep. All you are is work.

I thought we were done fighting. But if you really want to… Our work is fighting. That’s why we’re so good at it.

See this. This. Is why I-never mind.

I extend my right hand. We need to come together as one unit in Christ before we begin. Demons love divided teams...

Liya hesitantly takes my hand. Hers is shaking ever so slightly. Yes, yes. Even if I don’t like the way you talk, that doesn’t mean that we’re not sisters in Christ.

I stare deep into her eyes, which are the color of rich earth. Yes, we are sisters. And I can prove it.

She cocks her head and looks at me.

Sisters sometimes really get on each other’s nerves, don’t they?

Liya laughs. Her hand steadies a bit. Yes, I guess they do.

It’s okay to be scared.

I just-I always get-before we do this.

It will be, well, I can’t promise it will be okay. But I can promise that God will be with us. Shall I pray? Liya nods, so we bow our heads. Our dear heavenly husband, we dedicate ourselves to you before entering this dark home. May we accomplish your will, and your will alone. Your beauty, love, and might will go before us, and we will drive the devils out of this house! So be it done!

Liya stares at me with watery eyes.

There’s something else. She’s not just nervous about the mission. How’s Johnny taking it? I mean, he knows everything now, right?

I told him.

I know that. He’s not giving you a hard time, is he?

Liya hugs herself. He-he thinks I’m crazy.

What?! How?! You showed him, right?

I don’t want to scare him.

Hmmm. No wonder he thinks you’re crazy. I carefully and slowly pronounce my next words. You told him, but you showed him nothing?

I’m afraid he’s going to look at me differently. Also, once he really believes he will realize I’ve been lying to him all along! What if he leaves me?

I put my hand on her shoulder. I only have Jesus for a husband right now, so I’m not sure what it’s like to be married to a human. But I’m sure that he’ll think you’re even more beautiful as an angel than just a human woman. I smirk. We’re like every human man’s dream wife! Imagine how many men have the fantasy to be married to an angel! You are giving your man that!

Liya shakes her head. He keeps talking about getting me an appointment with a psychologist.

Then show him your big, blue wings!

What if he doesn’t-what if he doesn’t love me anymore? Liya puts her face into her palms. What if he thinks I’m a freak for having wings? Or going through walls? Or watching him invisible while he-?

I jerk my hands up. Whatever you are about to say, I don’t want any TMI!

She rubs her eyes. What if?

OMG. This is too intense before a mission. But maybe I don’t understand because all I do is work. Isn’t that right, Liya? I’m sure that he fell in love with you for you, no matter if you have wings or not.

How do you know that?

You won’t know until you show him. You’re just torturing yourself.

Liya fingers the black leather edge of her seat. Maybe. And what if he doesn’t keep his mouth shut? We could become a target.

I frown. If you want to keep him safe, maybe him knowing less is better.

But you just told me to show him!

I don’t know what you want, Liya. Only Liya knows what Liya wants.

I-I don’t know what to do.

Gosh, girl, I’m not your counselor! This isn’t good to have on your mind right before a mission. We should give this to God to put your mind at rest.

Liya’s lips tighten. I don’t know if, well, Jesus will help me with trying to figure out lying to my spouse.

I take a deep breath. Just think about it like this. Do you think deceiving someone about their surprise birthday party is wrong? Or a spy in a terrorist organization lying to them about their identity is wrong? Or a secret agent angel pretending to be a demon? Or-

But it’s my Johnny.

You are trying to protect him, right?

Liya nods. I’ve been afraid if-if he knows…

They will get him.

I think he’ll be in danger. But I can’t stand it anymore.

Considering the mortality rate of angels in this business, I’m glad I don’t have a partner right now. Jesus is enough for me.

Maybe-I don’t know why I-I always lose myself before missions. I’ll just shut up and-and-why did I just blubber all that to you-I’ll just shut up and we can get down to business.

I put my hand on Liya’s gray suit’s silky shoulder. We can pray together about this if you want.

She pulls away from me. No, no, it’s okay. Just forget I said anything.

She’s closing down again. I don’t like working with her. No, make that I really hate working with her, but I am worried about her, Jesus. I pray you will help her and Johnny. I also need your help before we go into this house. Why does it always seems to end badly? Let us actually save these people. I sigh. Hopefully, there’s nothing wrong here. We just get in and out.

Movement catches my eye through my side window. The black and glass front door of the little sky-blue house opens. A small black-haired woman in a stained gray T-shirt pads out onto the concrete porch. She peers around, then goes back inside. I smirk. Kayla would’ve seen us for sure if my flashy silver Lotus was sensible to her eyes.

I motion with my hand at the Smith house. Looks like Kayla is expecting us.

Hee-hee, she doesn’t know we’re already here.

Ready?

Liya nods. Her seatbelt unbuckles with a sharp click. It whirs up into the Lotus’ wall.

I unbuckle mine as well. Race you to the porch?

Liya frowns. No.

My back muscles contract and stiffen as hard as steel. My wings spray backwards through the driver’s seat’s stuffing and leather. Bet I’ll beat you there!

Liya’s blue plasma wings thunder boom out of the back of her gray suit. I’m sure you will. Because I’m not racing you.

Electric energy sparks down my spine, through my arms and legs. My fingers and toes curl. My vision zooms in on a fat, brown roach skittering across the porch. I stand up and crouch down, my lower half sliding through my driver’s seat. The leather, metal, and cushion stuffing soar upwards through my legs and slam up through my pelvis. My feet settle on the concrete below my Lotus and I brace myself.

Liya is still sitting down, staring at me like I’m a little girl. Whatever. She’s no fun. I crackle my wings and shower her with rainbow sparks.

Hey!

I surge through the warm, crisp glass windshield and into the breezy air above the whispering oak trees in the Smith’s front yard. Up and up and up, then I fall like a lightning strike through the white, wood paneling of the porch’s roof. The air goes out of my lungs as my stomach feels like it got splinters stuck all through it. A millisecond later, the feeling is gone and my black boots are firmly planted on the porch. My feet begin sinking into the concrete like gritty sand. I yank them out and make them a bit more solid.

Liya flashes over next to me in a blue-gray blur. Remember what we talked about. I’ll talk with the family, you look around.

I said I’d let you direct the talking, not that I’d be let out left out of it completely.

That’s what I mean.

I frown at her. That better be what you mean. Okay. Let’s get in there in the name of Jesus and send this thing back where it came from!

Liya stares at the frosty, blurry glass window that dominates the black front door. Then she turns around and glances at the shadowy front yard. I don’t sense anything yet.

I smile. Those are the good ones.

Why are you grinning?!

You know I like the challenge. I think Jesus made me for this.

She glares at my outfit. Is that why you insist on embarrassing me by dressing like a crazy spy?!

I peer down at my tight black bodysuit and smirk at her. Maybe I do it just to annoy you… So, I like to look cool. What’s wrong with that?

Just take this seriously for once. You’re not in an action movie. Liya motions at the front door. Let me make sure they’re not watching.

I stick my lip out in a pout. I am in an action movie. And I’m the star.

Liya thrusts her head through the door.

I cringe, waiting for the demon in the house to rip it off. No such luck. My soul twinges. Gosh, Jesus, I’m just kidding. You know I love our little Liya.

Liya yanks her head back through the frosted glass. Kayla is pacing by the door with her cell. I think she might be about to call.

She’s not looking, is she?

Liya shakes her head. But she might be now.

Then let’s convert back on either side of the peephole.

Liya motions at the narrow windows on either side of the door. Let’s go to the other wall.

I follow her to what could be a bathroom or bedroom wall with a two paned window. We each go to one side of it and press our wings against the smooth, sky-blue panels. Nodding at each other, we retract our wings with a crackle like a Taser going off. My back presses against the wooden panels, sinking slightly into them. Splinters up and down my spine. Yanking myself out of the wall, I shift out of the spiritual realm. The change is barely perceptible, like a very slight breeze suddenly quitting. Liya does the same.

I thump over to the door, my boots no longer sinking into the concrete. Liya hustles after me like she’s afraid I’m going to take over. Calm down, sis. I’m not that legendary, am I? She cuts in front of me and knocks on the door sharply. Okay. So, I can’t knock. So predictable, Liya.

Coming! shouts a beautiful bass voice from just on the other side of the door.

They’re here already, mutters another voice under his breath.

Who’s here, daddo?! shrieks a girl’s voice.

Go back to your room, Kiara! Don’t come out until I tell you!

The black door yanks open. Kayla’s brow is drawn at first but lifts as she stares at me. Her dark brown eyes swirl like muddy ocean waters. Her black hair is messy and strewn everywhere. She obviously hasn’t put makeup on her light brown skin in a while. Her jeans are torn, and coffee stains her gray shirt. Her breathing is shallow. I wrinkle my nostrils. Her body odor clearly tells me she hasn’t showered at least a week.

Liya extends her hand. Hi, Mrs. Smith! I’m here for our-

Kayla points at me. Who’s this? (But her tone of voice sounds more to me like she’s really asking, Why the hell is she dressed like that?!)

Liya glares at me. This is my colleague, Dr. Starwing.

I swiftly remove my sunglasses, stuff them in a black pouch on my belt, and hold my hand out. Just call me Stella.

Kayla shakes my hand instead of Liya’s. Her grip is sweaty and shaking. Nice to meet you, Dr. Stella.

I wish it were under better circumstances, Mrs. Smith. But don’t worry, we will help your family.

Kayla turns to Liya and shakes her hand. Her eyes are narrowed. And you are both licensed Christian psychologists?

Liya nods. Yes, we are both from the Starfall Institute.

And you really think you can help?

Liya smiles softly. Yes, we will help your family.

This is the-the first time any psychologists came to our house.

We specialize in houses, I say. Liya’s mind pokes mine. I’m not accepting calls.

Kayla looks at me with her head cocked. What?

I mean, we do house visits with our clients quite often. All the time.

Oh, okay. Kayla lowers her voice. Jayden isn’t too happy about this. He keeps demanding to know how long you’ll be here.

I smile. Oh, trust me. If he’s going through anything that you’re going through, and I’m sure he is, soon he’ll be falling on his knees thanking us.

Kayla glares at me. Sshhhh. He’s right there on the couch.

I peer past Kayla into the Smith family living room. Jayden is lounging on their black, leather couch with their toddler Tyrone in his lap. He is dressed in a black/red colored shirt with all the buttons undone as well as nice black pants. Tyrone giggles as Jayden tries lift him up and eat his belly. His little red-bootied feet flail and his miniature hands flap, but he cannot escape. As soon as he sees me looking, Jayden stops smooching Tyrone’s belly and gawks at me.

Jayden puts Tyrone on the black cushion next to his ratty brown teddy bear. Tyrone grabs the bear and hugs it close. I hate it when little kids are in these houses! They’re too young for this evil! Jayden rushes over with his arms crossed, giving me a generous once over. I feel violated, mister. You’re staring at an angel here! I suppose my outfit doesn’t really help… maybe it wasn’t supposed to...He barely even looks at Liya. I hold my lips stiff against the smirk fighting to form.

Kayla gestures at Jayden. This is my husband, Jayden.

Jayden sighs. I’m sorry, but what the hell are you wearing?

I cross my arms too. You will realize the importance of this later. I extend him my hand. I’m Dr. Starwing and this is Dr. Davis.

Jayden’s handgrip doesn’t shake or sweat at all. Interesting. Could you be a demon? So, you two are the counselors who my sweet wife here invited to a sleepover?

Liya nods. Yes, but I prefer to use the term psychological observation session.

Jayden laughs. So, you think I’m crazy?

I grin. Maybe.

Liya gasps. I’m so sorry-she didn’t mean to-

Jayden flashes a very brief smile my way. It’s okay. So far from what I’m seeing, Dr. Starwing might be a little crazy herself.

I mimic Liya gasping. How dare you, Mr. Smith! I giggle. Actually, I get that a lot. Did you know that being crazy yourself enables you to help crazy people?

Jayden and Kayla both crack a smile. I think I just broke the ice, no thanks to Dr. Davis. So, how long do you think you’ll be gracing my house with your craziness? asks Jayden.

Liya still being speechless, I must answer for little Mrs. I Want To Do The Talking. We won’t leave until your family is completely healed or you kick us out.

Jayden frowns. Which is how long?

That’s up to you. But please give us a chance first, before making up your mind.

Jayden just stares at me, then slowly nods. All right, all right. He turns to Kayla. Even though I don’t think this-this stupidity will work, I’ll humor you for a while. He turns back to me. But keep me out of it. I’ve got a big project coming up and I don’t need any more distractions right now.

Liya nods vigorously. Yes, yes, of course. In your house, Mr. Smith, we have to abide by your rules.

I didn’t promise that.

Well, I guess I can deal with that, says Jayden.

Like someone turned an invisible switch, Jayden and Kayla move out of the doorway. Jayden sweeps his arm toward the black couches. Come in, come in.

Liya bustles in first and heads straight for Tyrone. Hi, buddy! What’s your teddy bear’s name?

Jayden motions me in as well. Come in. He stares down my black jumpsuit. Before I regret this. Seriously, is this a joke?!

I make my expression as flat as I can. We’re not here to pester you, Mr. Smith. We’re here to help your wife and kids.

Kayla jumps up a little, staring wide-eyed past me. Where did you park?!

On the street.

Where? I don’t see any new vehicles out there.

I point way down the street. It’s pretty far down there. We didn’t want to crowd anyone, considering were going to be spending the night.

Kayla nods. Okay, okay. I was wondering because I didn’t see your vehicle.

Is it okay if I take a look outside first?

Jayden narrows his eyes. Why?

I just want to make sure that there’s no environmental factors affecting your family’s health.

What sort of environmental factors are we talking about here? I open my mouth to answer him, but he puts his hand up. You know what, never mind. Jayden turns to Kayla. You deal with this. I’m not getting drawn in. I’ll be in my office. He walks briskly past the black couches, past Liya sitting next to Tyrone, and down the pale-yellow hallway. I hear a door slam somewhere in the darkness.

I turn to Kayla. Is it okay if I-

Kayla nods. Go ahead. Her eyes are watery. I’m so glad, thank you for, thank you for convincing him. I wasn’t sure he would go for this.

I slowly extend my hand out and put it on her shoulder. She lets me. Don’t worry, we’ll get to the bottom of this. And we’ll only leave if you both want us to go.

That’s a comfort. Her eyes get watery. I don’t know-I don’t know what to do. I mean-I’m sure you’ll see.

I rub her trembling shoulder. Don’t worry, we are used to this.

Kayla looks at me with wide eyes. Seriously, where’s your car? She points her thumb towards the shadowy hallway. I didn’t want to push with him around. Her face hardens. But now, I want to know.

Liya didn’t tell her that much. Never mind that. Would you mind-

I didn’t even see you pull up or come to the porch! Why won’t you tell me where your car is?!

She’s more open-minded than most. Probably because of her experiences here. It’s invisible.

She stares at me, her mouth open slightly. What? she whispers.

Chapter Two: Mutilated Toys

You can’t see it. It’s invisible.

Dr. Davis-Dr. Davis, she said you were-were special. Special psychologists? Kayla closely examines my face. She said I’m not having hallucinations. She said-she’s only one who’s believed me. I knew at that moment the Starfall Institute was-what is the Starfall Institute?

I slowly smile. Don’t worry, before we leave you’ll know the truth. Before we get into everything ethereal, let’s focus on saving your family.

No, no. I want to know now. What kind of special psychologists are you?

It’s not that I don’t want to tell you. It’s just that I don’t want you going into shock. We need you levelheaded and working with us.

Kayla grabs my right hand fiercely. Tell me! You must be special to understand my situation. To not think I’m lying or crazy.

I lean forward, getting so close to Kayla’s ear that her wispy black hair tickles my nose. I whisper, We’re angels. Happy now?

Kayla’s breathing quickens. Oh.

Are you in shock?

No, she says softly, no.

You seem like you are.

You can’t be angels. You’re women.

That’s sexist. I cross my arms. But I think that you already suspected we were something out of the ordinary. If you’re dealing with a fallen spirit, you must also assume that there are light spirits.

Kayla stares hard at me. Prove it, she whispers.

There’s a reason I prefer to do all the explaining after the job is done. Time is precious when dealing with these crafty dark ones. I don’t have time for Kayla to change her whole worldview right now.

I take a deep breath. I’m going to have to fix this. Okay, Mrs. Smith. You want Jesus to deliver you and your family, correct?

Why do you think I called you?

Then, I’m going to need you to save all of your questions for afterwards, please. Because I have a whole lot I need answered from you.

Kayla grabs me by the shoulder and squeezes, her long nails digging in tight. Show. Me. Please. Her eyes feel like they’re drilling into mine with diamond tips. She’s so focused on me a shiver runs down my back.

I pull away from her grip. I’m going to take a look around your yard before I come back. Then, I’ll talk to everyone and examine the house itself.

Why can’t you just show me? She tries to grab me again. Just. Show. Me.

Then you won’t give me a moment’s rest. Or you might start screaming your head off. Or faint. I need to concentrate on beating this thing or things that’s troubling you and your family. I turn away from her face, which is scowling yet with eyes as wide as an owl’s. Walking down the concrete block steps, the slight, warm breeze tickles my cheeks. No more distractions.

Front yard first. Jesus, open my eyes. I scan the shadowy lawn spreading out in front of me. Freshly dug dirt? The thick weeds and grass look undisturbed. Nope. Any disturbing symbols? Statues? All I see is five towering oak trees, the breeze quietly rustling their leaves. Nope. Any clues whatsoever?

The Smith family has no signs in their yard, not much decoration whatsoever. It doesn’t look like they’ve mowed in a while. I slowly walk over to one of the thick, gray trunks of the shady oak trees. I see little black beetles scurrying along the bark. Good. There’s life here. I crane my neck back and peer upwards. The thick branches vanish into stems and a sea of fluttering green leaves. Chills down my spine and I have the urge to just fly off into the sky. After this. After this job I swear I will.

However, now I will just have to be satisfied with checking out these branches. At these houses, you never know what sick stuff you might find or where it will be. I turn around and stare back at the porch. Kayla is watching me like a hawk. Her eyes don’t move or blink. Another twisted thing about these houses is you can’t even trust your own clients. I swear if she turns out to be a witch or demon, I’ll-no, stop thinking that. Just handle it if the situation arises. No sense in torturing myself.

I guess I can vanish in front of her, it’s not like she doesn’t know already. I just won’t let her distract me. I let the spiritual dimension wash over my body like slowly sinking down into a tub. Kayla’s mouth drops open, but she doesn’t make a scene like I expected. She just keeps staring, her jaw not going back up. She rests her arm on the side of the front door and holds her head up so she can keep bug-eying the spot where she last saw me.

All my muscles tense as I look around for anything weird. My Holy Spirit alarm isn’t going off yet. I slowly crackle my wings out of my convulsing back. Rainbow sparks shower over my head and kiss my skin in little fiery pricks. On the edges of my vision, I can see the edges of my wings, like looking at a faint rainbow in the dark sky. I let my heart settle into time with my wing beats.

My black boots leave the soft grass by about an inch and I hover in place for moment. As I begin to fly upwards again, I watch the green grass slowly pull away from my pointed boot tips. The warm air buoys under my sensitive wings, the breeze gently stroking them. So glad I’m not a fledgling anymore. I turn my gaze upwards towards the massive network of gray-green branches stretching out across the sky. Time to see if anything is hidden up there.

I flash my wings back and forth in rainbow neon strokes that I barely catch on the edges of my vision. I am looking down at the vibrant green tops of the oak trees. The breeze carves rustly currents among the myriads of leaves. I scan each of the five trees’ tops over and over. I see nothing but an ocean of green.

Wait. What’s that? I see what looks like wooden beams that are half rotted away sticking out from one of the large branches. I flash down to it in a sharp crackle of rainbow sparks. Oooh. That’s what it is. Most of the beams are gone from the roof and half the walls are missing. The beams that remain are covered in ivy, so thick some of them are hardly visible. I carefully descend past the swishing bunches of oak leaves that rake my face. Don’t touch the ivy.

I flip in midair so showers of my pale yellow hair slap onto my face. Blood rushes into my skull like a cup filling up with hot tea. I brush the hair out of my eyes. You know what-I don’t know why I always do this to myself. I reach into my black belt’s third pocket to the left of my buckle. Feeling around, I fumble with rectangular foil. My Extra gum. Nope. My fingers grab a thin string of fabric with a smooth metal section. I yank out my rainbow hair tie and drag my messy blonde waves back into a neat ponytail.

I refocus my attention on the deteriorating treehouse. The floor has ivy all over the place, so much it is hard to see. But it seems to be in better condition than the walls and former roof. I wonder if this is the Smith’s families’ treehouse or if it belonged to a family before them. This looks really old. I may need to clear some of this away so I can examine it for any occult symbols or anything else out of the ordinary.

I stare at my pale hands that poke out of my black leather sleeves. Starting at my rainbow painted nails, and traveling down through my fingers, a prickling. Then a burning. Rainbow flickers like candle flames flash out of my fingertips. I shift the energy up the rest of my hands until rainbow light forms gloves around them. I harden and sharpen the rainbow energy around my fingers until they form knife like, buzzing claws.

I surge the same rainbow light out of my neck like fire burning my blood vessels. I smooth and cool it over my face and hair. Normally, I’d be using my shields to defend against dark spirits. Now, it’s just crappy ivy! You never know what you learn for one thing that could be useful for another thing. My hands heat up again as I begin whirring my newfound claws into something like laser knives.

Where to cut first? I randomly choose a section of rotting wall and begin carefully slicing ivy off. Soon, little green snippets cause the already messy floor to go from bad to worse. Nothing but brown wood reveals itself. I move on to another section. I flip myself back over in midair and land on the creaky, unstable wood floor. It seems to hold my weight. I kneel down and slowly cut away multiple thick stems of ivy at a time. I smile as I imagine that the treehouse is a giant ladies’ head and I’m giving her the haircut of a lifetime. More green snippets fall to the floor. I sigh. This is going to be a long haircut.

For what I guess is an hour, I shear off pounds of ivy from the Rapunzel treehouse’s walls. I find nothing on the walls, so I proceed to shave the floor as well. This big lady is not going to be too happy with me. We’re going all the way to bald! Once ivy is piled up all over the place, I stand up. I steady myself on the slightly moving boards beneath me. I extend my arms and probe the air mass between my palms. I grab hold of the warm air with my invisible energy field and flash my wings. As I fly upward, I spray the air all over the treehouse.

A huge woosh and green snippets rushing up and then falling down, down, down. The Smiths’ yard is already so overgrown with weeds I’m sure they won’t even notice the ivy. There are still some stubborn bits clinging to Rapunzel’s scalp. Time to turn the blow dryer up even higher. The air around me invisibly sparks with my energy field. I rush a gale through the remaining strands of her hair. A thin cloud of green snippets billows out of the treehouse.

I flash my wings back and forth, up and down, slower and slower. But slow for them is still in microseconds. I alight back as gently as I can on the now bare boards. Some of them are sticking up with half rusted away nails poking out. I kneel down, being careful to avoid the nails. I scan back and forth, back and forth. No carvings, no paint, nothing. It looks like there’s nothing here. It’s just a junky treehouse. I stand back up and bend my knees in preparation for takeoff. What a waste of fu-

Wait a minute. I kneel back down and stare at the boards that are sticking up. I reach out and grab one of the boards with my rainbow claws. I rip it up with a harsh splintering.

Is that you up there?!

My body tenses as my head pops up. Kayla must be at the bottom of the oak. No distractions. I grab another board and pry it up. I take both the boards and crush them between my hands, cutting and smashing them at the same time. Splinters and sawdust rain down on the floor of the treehouse. There is another layer of boards that is rotting under this one. In between is a gap of about half a foot. So, there could be something in here. As soon as I saw this thing so far up in the oak, I thought it was in an odd location.

I hope that’s you up there!

Go away, Kayla! Please! Jesus, please distract her with something else. I need to focus here. I hold my