The Battle for the Gift

By J.D Panas

The world has started to experience unprecedented climate change and violence. It's like all hell has let loose, and only a few with the gift to see can do anything about it. Tyler, a selfish, addiction-ridden criminal, shrugs off the horrifying visions with the booze and drugs until his hardened lifestyle gets him beaten to within an inch of his existence. There is a battle between the angels and demons for his soul as he sinks into a place that is so real—the smells, the fear, the pain. A voice calls and wrenches him from its depths. After a lengthy hospital stay, Tyler is surprised to find his bill is paid in full. He decides to see the priest who befriended him and his grandfather, who he feels had something to do with his survival. The priest is right where Tyler expects him to be, assisting the poor from his church slash home and shelter. It is here Tyler receives a gift. He visits his grandfather and learns of the love and prayers that went out for him. Their conversation goes to the time his grandmother was dying of cancer and how his grandfather discovered the wretched beasts that tormented her. Tyler thinks about his brush with death: So it wasn't just a dream? Tyler is compelled to go back to the alley where he nearly lost his life, and there he meets his destiny. His guardian angel directs him to a struggling community and marketplace that is plagued by a ruthless gang, with a mysterious monastery run by monks who live by the Oldest Book in the world and a girl who shows up when terrible things happen. Tyler's eyes are opened to the truth of two worlds—the natural and the supernatural.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9781684561476

Book preview

Chapter 1

The police radio crackles, Break and enter at Hilltop Mansion Church, Danny’s Liquor Store and the Smoke Shop, suspect last seen on Fourth Avenue and Broadway. Described as approximately 5'11, shoulder-length brown hair, wearing jeans and overcoat."

This is car 51, responding. Officer Tolley hits the lights and siren.

His partner, Officer Frank, sarcastically notes, Sounds like someone’s been busy, as he watches out his side window for anyone matching the description.

A man sitting behind a garbage container is taking a few sips from a bottle tucked inside his coat and then a couple of long drags from a cigarette. He chuckles to himself.

You should have seen the look on that preacher’s face, ha. Standing there in his fancy suit and tie, he didn’t know what to do, but once he realized I had the cashbox, that guy turned into a real alley cat.

He takes another swig. Too bad God didn’t teach him how to block…pfff. He sucks on the cigarette again and slowly blows the smoke into the air. He’ll have to do some lying and whining for more congregation money…nice big church and car to go with it…dickhead.

Just then, a shadow slithers along the building.

What’s that? The man scrambles to his feet and strains to see. Who’s there?

Swoosh! He cowers under his arm. Looking around, he cautiously moves along the wall. Leave me alone, you bastards!

Officer Frank points. There…in the alley.

I see him… Officer Tolley steers the car, obstructing the roadway, and comes to a screeching halt.

Both cops get out.

Hey! yells Officer Frank. Hold it right there! Put your hands where I can see them!

The suspect shields his eyes from the headlight’s glare. He sees two giant figures lumbering toward him. Ahhh! he screams as he slides down the wall and crumbles onto the pavement.

Officer Tolley, using his portable shoulder radio, calls in, We have the suspect.

Roger that, responds the dispatcher.

Okay, buddy, you’re coming with us! Officer Frank rolls him onto his stomach and clamps on the handcuffs.

Officer Tolley, who’s been on the force for a couple of years, comments, Not sure what this guy is on…Did you get a look at his eyes?

Officer Frank, 6'2, who works out at the gym and believes he’s seen it all, yanks the suspect to his feet. A half bottle of whisky falls from inside the suspect’s coat and smashes on the ground. There’s your answer…"

Tolley shakes his head. Humph…that’s hardly the thing to get those wild, crazy eyes.

He’ll dry out in the cell and get over it…, answers Frank.

Struggling, the suspect starts to resist.

Officer Frank grips on tighter. Hey, fella! You can either go the easy way or the hard way! It’s up to you! But I suggest easy!

They wrestle back and forth to the car.

Tolley, the door! Officer Frank commands.

He starts pulling it open while still holding on to the suspect.

No! No! yells the suspect. I’m not going with you!

The hell you’re not! hollers Officer Frank.

Using the cops as leverage, the suspect rears up, bringing his knees to his chest, and stomps the door closed with his feet.

Well, that’s going to cost you! vows Officer Frank.

The car looks like we’ve been broadsided for Christ’s sake! exclaims Tolley.

I’m not going to hell! screams the man. Stop!

Frank has his hands full as he shouts, Get the damn door!

Tolley flings it open!

You can’t do this! growls the suspect.

Relax, man!

The two officers position behind the suspect. One grabs the collar, the other the seat of the suspect’s pants, and together they heave him headfirst into the back seat of the patrol car.

Slam!

Jesus, that guy is strong! Frank pants.

Huffing, I’ve never seen booze react that way before…It’s like he’s possessed! remarks Tolley as the cops jump into the car.

The suspect is wildly throwing himself against the doors and protective shield. Save me! Someone, help me!

Relax back there! hollers Frank, and he punches the shield between them.

Ahhh! screams the madman. Snap!

What the hell! Tolley looks over his shoulder. He’s broken the damn handcuffs!

The suspect twists the metal bands around his wrists and tears them in half. He spins, lying back on the car seat, and with one powerful kick knocks the back window flying and scurrying out across the trunk. He runs.

Tolley gives Frank a Told you so glare. Holy shit! That’s not human! Tolley throws it in reverse and steps on it.

This is car 51, Frank radios in. Suspect has escaped and is on foot heading down Broadway, requesting backup. Suspect is…dangerous!

Roger that. And the dispatcher repeats the details to all cars in the vicinity.

Huff! Wheeze! The suspect keeps glancing behind, half running, half staggering.

What’s that? He ducks as something swoops at him. The suspect’s face was stressed with fear. In desperation, he yells, Jesus!

There he is! shouts Officer Frank.

Officer Tolley stops the car, and Frank lunges out.

I’ll circle around the block and cut him off, Tolley utters as he speeds off.

I’m in pursuit of the suspect! The One Hundred Block Broadway and Sixth! shouts Frank as he scales a chain-link fence and turns the corner. Shit!

The dispatcher responds, Officer Frank, what’s your status?

There’s a pause. Ah…I’ve lost him…dammit…he’s either superfast or holed up somewhere!

Backup is on its way.

Roger that, grumbles Officer Frank.

Trying several doors along the block, the suspect gets lucky and bursts into an unlocked building. Slamming the door shut and locking it, he presses his ear to the peephole. There’s the sound of heavy footsteps stomping up the stairs outside. The doorknob is tried. A muffled voice says, Locked! Keep checking down the street!

The suspect breathes a sigh of relief, his heart pounding hard in his chest.

Can I help you, young man?

Ahh! He pivots around.

I didn’t mean to startle you? Are you all right? asks a man in a soothing, concerned voice.

The suspect stays pressed to the door.

Let me introduce myself. I’m Pastor Seth. He reaches out to shake hands.

The suspect just looks at the gesture. Surprisingly, his heart rate is coming back to normal, and for some reason, he is feeling profoundly calm. I’m…Tyler…

The pastor, taking his hand back, asks, Well, won’t you come in? He turns and walks toward the pews. I’m working on tonight’s service. Not sure what kind of a group I’ll get…although it being a full moon, I’m sure it will be interesting. Can I get you anything?

Tyler is suspicious of the pastor’s kindness. Umm, I’m thirsty. Tyler glances at the door as he makes his way to a back row pew.

Okay… The pastor heads into a room off to the right of the pews.

Tyler can hear water running. Beads of sweat drop off his brow. He thinks to himself, I really could use a hit right now.

The pastor hands Tyler a glass of water. Here you are.

Tyler grabs it and downs it in seconds.

Would you like more?

Yeah…, replies Tyler.

He brings another full glass of water, which Tyler grabs and makes short work of.

More?

No… Tyler hands the glass back.

Pastor Seth heads back to the room. If you need anything, I’m here preparing my message. My door is always open.

Tyler thinks, He’s probably calling the cops. He gets up and saunters over to the pastor’s office.

The pastor is sitting behind a desk, writing on a tablet of paper.

No phone? Tyler notices out loud.

The pastor looks up. No sense in having one when you can’t afford to pay the bill.

Humph. Tyler casually cases the place. Smoke?

Nope…can’t afford that either. The pastor motions to a chair by the window, overlooking the street. Have a seat. I could use some company.

Tyler spots a police cruiser driving by slowly. He moves the chair so he won’t be seen from the outside and sits down.

So…Tyler, right?

Umm… Tyler’s eyes are on the street below.

How long have you been in the city?

Tyler watches the cops moving from building to building and crisscrossing the street. He thinks, I better stop gazing at all the action before good ol’ Seth is on to me. Tyler turns his attention to the pastor. Awhile.

Pastor Seth asks, Do you have a place to stay?

Tyler, making note of his tattered and worn clothes, answers, I’m between jobs right now. He has a smirk on his face. The five-finger discount stores and here.

Just then there’s a pounding on the front door.

Tyler jumps to his feet and peers out the window. Police are still searching. Looking back, the pastor is gone.

Welcome…come in…

Tyler panics. That son of a…

Chapter 2

H i! greets a tiny voice. Standing in the doorway is a small child with runny nose and curly yellow hair.

Ah…hi.

The child giggles and runs out.

Gotcha! The pastor scoops her into his arms.

The little girl points. There’s a stranger.

That’s Tyler, the pastor replies. Did you get a treat?

She shakes her head no.

Well, let’s do something about that. Pastor Seth takes a handful of candies from a jar on his desk and tosses one to Tyler. Then reaching for his tablet, he says, Come join us, Tyler. I’m sure we can squeeze you in.

Tyler replies, Maybe some other time.

There’s biscuits and soup after, entices Pastor Seth.

Tyler thinks, I can’t even remember the last meal I’ve had. He nods.

Pastor Seth sets the child down, who rushes to her mother’s side and hands her some candies.

Tyler gazes at the empty church, a few people scattered here and there in the pews. What the…This is church…Eight people? And by the looks of it, I’m the best dressed? Pfff, it’s a far cry from the mansion on the hill.

Thank you for coming, Pastor Seth says from the podium. The weather has been unseasonably cold, except for probably those who enjoy jogging… Some chuckle, but Tyler hangs his head.

Today’s message is…

Tyler thinks, Here it comes, judgment and damnation. I’m outta here…

God loves you…right where you are! No matter what you’ve done, He will never forsake you.¹ The pastor comes down from the front and walks among the parishioners. He goes to one knee beside the single mom and pats her arm. We are all here for a reason. He smiles at the little girl. There is no such thing as accidents in God’s eyes. Standing up, he moves around the room. Is life fair? Does it make sense? Is there some grand plan we don’t know about?

Tyler watches the pastor’s audience, how their eyes follow his every move. Tyler snorts. Time for the snake oil pitch.

I’m reminded of a story in the Bible, about a demon-possessed man. This guy was tormented day and night. Can you imagine being controlled to do terrible things to yourself and to others? People tried to bind him with chains and shackles, but he just pulled the chains apart and broke the shackles in pieces.²

Tyler looks down at the bruises on his wrists and casually rubs them.

But when Jesus came into his life, the man was changed. Pastor Seth rests on a pew, facing a couple behind it. The man wanted to follow Jesus, but he told him to go home to his friends and spread the good news. He pauses. Seven billion people in a world where we are told we don’t count. Being alive now, that is our contribution. He walks back to the front and sits on the raised platform.

That’s the truth—pure and simple, everyone. You are all significant to God! The pastor folds his arms across his knees. Society says, ‘It’s not about you,’ but with God…it’s all about you! We matter so much to him that he gave his Son to die for us!³ The pastor sighs. So that’s it, folks. If you need prayer, come. If you need food, there’s warm soup and biscuits.

Tyler notices the young couple going up to talk, while everyone else makes themselves at home around the lunch table. Like the rest, Tyler takes a bowl of soup and a couple of biscuits. Mmm… The food melts in his mouth.

The pastor and the couple come and help themselves to what’s left.

Don’t leave without checking through the clothing items that were just donated, and there’s personal hygiene packages too, Pastor Seth advises. Take what you need.

He hugs the little girl. Good night, Sandy, sweet dreams!

She giggles as her mom shyly whispers, Thanks. And they leave.

The pastor sees each of the unlikely parishioners out with a personal blessing.

Tyler wraps his coat close. The zipper has been broken for months, and he heads for the door.

Wait, Tyler…I have something for you. The pastor rummages through the remaining pile of clothes and pulls out a jacket. Just like new.

Tyler shakes his head and thinks, Accepting charity is not my style…now stealing.

The zipper works!

Tyler takes a closer look at it. How much?

Pastor Seth replies, Nothing.

Humph. Tyler mumbles, No wonder you can’t pay your bills. He puts it on over what he is wearing and walks out into the chilly night air. He stops. There’s a cop car at the end of the block. He puts the hood of his new jacket up. Tyler looks around and hesitates as a strange, uneasy feeling falls over him.

Seth suggests, You know you can stay here.

Tyler swallows hard, thinking, I’m a thief, why should anyone…

I’ve set up a makeshift retreat here at the church, just for nights like this…if you’re interested.

Tyler murmurs under his breath, Better than the can… He turns as the pastor ushers him in, closing the door behind them.

Aren’t you going to lock up? Tyler recalls the church on the hill he recently broke into, the dead bolts and security system.

Pastor Seth looks at the doorknob. To tell you the truth, until you came in and locked it, I didn’t even know it worked? This place stays open 24-7.

Are you crazy? Tyler is shocked. Even police stations are locked with camera surveillance.

Believe me, I’ve had some moments. Been stolen from, threatened, caught in the middle of a drug war…but I look at it this way, God has me here, and if it’s to help one person, then it’s all worth it. Pastor Seth leads Tyler to a cot in a small room.

How do you keep going? Tyler asks. Noticed no one putting into the collection trough.

Pastor Seth is not offended by the comment and chuckles. Well, it’s been difficult. I’ve sold everything of value.

I can see that…, observes Tyler.

Seth carries on. I’ve invested all that I have into this place, but there’s times when I think I should just turn it into a homeless shelter.

Yeah, that’s where the money is…, Tyler sarcastically comments.

Pastor Seth sighs. Extra blankets and pillows are stored in the closet, and the bathroom is down the hall.

Tyler flops back on the cot.

I bunk in the far room, marked Arts and Crafts. Good night. Seth leaves.

Tyler makes himself comfortable, placing his arms behind his head, the pastor’s message ringing loudly through his mind. That possessed guy… Tyler’s body starts to tremble and shake. I need a drink. He quietly rolls off the cot and silently creeps into the pastor’s office.

There’s gotta be some holy water around here somewhere… He moves stealthily in the darkness slowly sliding desk drawers open and checking behind books on the pastor’s shelves. Aha… Tyler finds a Mickey and pops the cap off and starts guzzling. He strolls over to the window and cautiously peers out. Streets are clear…I’m outta here.

Bam! Something hits the window, rattling the pane of glass.

Tyler flinches. What the… He leans in for a closer look. Is that birds? he muses as he sees black images flying around in the night.

Suddenly, a dark form charges toward the window. Tyler’s eyes get large. That’s no bird! Tyler throws himself to the floor, expecting shards of broken glass to rain down on him. But nothing happens! Tyler scrambles to his knees. To hell with this! Not looking back, he crawls to his cot, drinking all the way.

Chapter 3

Outside the church building stands a heavily armed, majestic soldier, glowing weapons in each hand.

That was a close one, Nations, remarks someone from on top of the roof.

Yes, Chase. They know time is short and it’s escalated to suicide missions. Smoke from several fallen demons vanishes into the air.

Mankind’s insatiable lust for control and supremacy has opened heaven’s doors and granted authority to those bloodthirsty swarms of demonic forces to infect the earth. Chase adds, The weather extremes are evidence of their presence to carry out their fury to steal, kill, and destroy.⁴

Nations searches skyward. Reinforcements are on their way, but it’s an intense battle breaking through the second heaven. Thousands of warring devils are fighting to the death so no one gets past their realm.

Chase replies, Shield is on his way here…

There’s hidden intelligence agents stationed throughout that barren wilderness, and they are highly skilled in reconnaissance. He’ll get through, Nations says confidently.

Chase nods.

As Chase and Nations settle in for the night, storm clouds invade the city. Torrents of rain hammer down, and sheet lightning violently flashes across the angry sky. Chase pulls his hood over his head as he positions himself in a squat on the church steps. Dressed in regular street clothes of the average person, if anyone were to see him in the natural, they would never guess he’s an angel.

Morning finds Pastor Seth cooking eggs on a hot plate and burning toast.

What the… Tyler sniffs as he rolls over, the empty Mickey hitting the floor with a thud. Tyler kicks it under the cot and makes his way to the kitchen area.

Sleep well? asks Pastor Seth in a cheerful voice as cracks of thunder rumble outside.

Tyler nods. He’s still wearing his new jacket over the rest of his clothes as he wraps his arms around himself like he’s cold.

I’m frying up breakfast. You want some? asks Seth.

Tyler shivers. Anything to drink around here?

Sorry, I just have water…gave the coffee maker away a week ago.

Tyler looks away disgusted. Humph, water…

Quite the weather we’re experiencing, adds Pastor Seth. I’ve never seen lightning like that before.

Tyler does not reply as he rubs his face.

You know it’s the sign of the times we’re living in, and it’s only going to get worse. Pastor Seth flips a couple of eggs onto a plate with a slice of dry, burned toast and sets it beside Tyler.

Tyler glances at the food and says to himself, I feel like puking.

Pastor Seth breaks another egg into the pan and pops a slice of bread in the toaster. He goes to the cupboard and brings out a small jar of peanut butter and places it on the table.

Another crack of thunder shakes the building.

Tyler responds, God must be really pissed off.

Pastor Seth flips his egg over in the pan. Actually, Tyler, it’s the god of this age that’s up in arms against us. He truly hates us with a passion, and that drives him and his demons to attack relentlessly.⁵

Tyler scoffs. Pfff.

You disagree? Seth sits at the table with his plate.

Whatever…, Tyler answers with outright skepticism.

Tell me, what’s on your mind? Seth opens the peanut butter jar and, with a knife, spreads some on the crunchy overcooked toast.

Scare everyone into believing so you can steal all their money…a guy like me does time for such deals, but the church?

Pastor Seth nods. Well, I can’t really argue with you there. Serious damage has been done hurting and turning people away from the church.

Humph, Tyler replies. We’re all going to hell anyway, so why doesn’t the devil get it over and done with already.

Pastor Seth eases back into his chair, munching on a mouthful of egg and toast. Good point…one catch though. God answers prayers.

Dream on, man, Tyler argues.

Have faith, Tyler. Someday you’ll see.

"You’re full of