Monster Hunting My Baby

By Nick Mikel

"Let's get this party started!"

The multi-devil's planning something big on this earth. World leaders meet with the Blackburn Board. Every president is a demon is disguise and no one knows it. The new CEO of Blackburn holds revival rallies in the skyscraper of hell. The dark star hovers over Tulsa. Nightfall is creeping ever cl

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nicholas Mikel
• Release date: Sep 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798987156384

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Monster Hunting My Baby

By Nick Mikel

Copyright © 2023 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 marked (NLT) 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.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

ISBN 979-8-9871563-8-4 (e-book)

ISBN 979-8-9871563-9-1 (paperback)

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.

Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother's womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.

-Ecclesiastes 11:5 (NLT)

Table of Contents

Chapter One: My Big Belly

Chapter Two: Demons Love Burgers

Chapter Three: Party Girl Pastor

Chapter Four: Mirror Queen and Mother Earth

Chapter Five: The Nightmares in Basements

Chapter Six: Hello Baby, Bye-Bye Baby

Chapter Seven: Bloody Thorn Street

Chapter Eight: City of Monsters

Chapter Nine: Red is for Blood

Chapter Ten: Orange is for Fire

Chapter Eleven: Yellow is for Light

Chapter Twelve: Green is for Garden

Chapter Thirteen: Blue is for Water

Chapter Fourteen: Purple is for Poison

Chapter Fifteen: Battle for Baby

Chapter Sixteen: War in the Heavens

Chapter One: My Big Belly

My arms wrap tightly around Jesus’ trembling body. We both shake together, breathing heavily. His breath fills the air with roses, his chest rapidly rising and falling. His muscular arms squeeze me close and don’t let go. My butt hasn’t left his lap since he let me sit on it. And it doesn’t want to. Ever.

A brilliant, white glare surrounds us. The luminescent rainforest faded away long ago. I don’t know how long I’ve been wrapped in God’s arms. The angels who’ve claimed to encounter God always said they lost track of time. With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

Torrents of electricity spark along my body everywhere I come into contact with Jesus. The energy pouring off of him into me is so intense that every time I open my mouth to speak, nothing comes out. I want to ask him so much. Can I see my parents? Can I see Darl? Everyone the multi-devil took from me? Can He rescue all those who fell into hell on my watch?

But everything falls away in the heavy presence of Jesus. His Spirit, weaving through the light, whirling through me, is a roaring wind so loud it silences even my thoughts. Yet this place of illumination is silent, so quiet that Jesus’ ragged breathing fills my ears. His chest slams into mine as we cling to each other as if life itself depends on it. I’m not sure who hugs harder: me or him.

My face has been buried in Jesus’ shoulder for ages. Jesus shifts, his arms lessening their grip. My arms crush Jesus to me so hard that I’d probably kill him if he wasn’t an immortal. Jesus retightens his grip. I don’t want him to ever let go. This is where I belong. This is where I was meant to be. With him.

Even though he is solid like a man, astral energy unlike any I’ve ever felt from other angels or heavenly creatures pours off of him. The vitality of his weighty Spirit rushes out of him and into me. His Presence stretches off into the light, in me, around me, as far as I can see and beyond. His Spirit extends so far that my head spins when I try to journey to his edge. He doesn’t seem to have one.

Jesus’ hand starts stroking my hair, so soft and gentle. His fingers comb through my waves, then smooth them over, then comb through them again. My arms tremble from the shivers tearing down my back. His hand ruffles my hair, then strokes it back down. His fingers scratch in little circles from the nape of my neck to my scalp. His fingers gently rub through my hair. Tingles burn their way down my spine.

I pull back from Jesus. His palm runs through my hair, his fingers dividing up bunches of it. My eyelids are tightly shut, wetness squeezing out of the corners of my eyes. I take a deep breath. My eyes snap wide open. I stare right into Jesus’ eyes. They are creamy brown. I let out my breath in a whoosh. I was expecting to see the whole multiverse in his eyes like before. But nope. Just ordinary, brown eyes.

I peer closer. Jesus peers back at me. His gaze slices through me so much that I jerk backwards, gasping. No, not ordinary at all. God’s eyes seem so soft, so human, but they cut through me like swords. The longer I gaze into his eyes, the more his eyes are the only thing I see. Jesus’s gaze paralyzes me like I’ve been shocked by an electric eel. I am convulsing on the floor from a taser, but I’m stock still, staring deeply into his eyes.

Jesus sighs deeply, then pulls back from me a bit. You know nothing, remember that.

My voice comes out in a whisper. I know nothing?

When you’re immersed in the darkness, you can’t think clearly.

I kind of know that already.

Things aren’t as they seem. The Veil wants to turn all of you against me, and dissolve all reality into cold loneliness.

I pull back from Jesus, sitting up rigidly on his lap. Why allow it? Why?

Do you know what it’s like to have the power to do anything you want? With no one to account to?

I squint at him. What do you mean by that?

I had to choose what kind of a person to be. He waves at the brilliance shining around us. What to make. What to do with it. I decided to create more like me. If you are from my Spirit, you must make the same choice I had to.

That just sounds like an excuse for allowing people to suffer. To go to hell. And I’ve seen so much hell.

Jesus frowns. Hmm. He snaps his fingers in my face. Let’s see what happens if I don’t give you free will, then.

My lips and body move without my consent; I lean closer to him, whispering to him, You are the most amazing God! I agree with everything You do, and will remain faithful to You forever! I trust in You completely! My face flushes, but praise keeps gushing out. You are glorified forever and ever! You are my one and only God!

Jesus snaps His fingers in my face again. How did being my robot feel?

I jump out of his lap, glaring at him, spluttering, But that’s not the point! The point is allowing hell to reign!

Jesus nods at me. Have it your way.

I’m suddenly forced to bow down to him. You are perfectly right in all that you do. I apologize for questioning you, Your Holiness.

How do you like being forced not to question me? Not pleasant, is it?

His control leaves me. I leap to my feet and point a shaking finger at Him. You’re not answering my questions, just abusing your power!

Jesus slightly lifts his eyebrow. So, you think that me controlling someone against their will is abuse of power, is that right?

I stomp my foot down on the shimmering light, causing a shock to travel up my leg. I want you to explain to me why the multi-devil is allowed to roam free and torture your humans! What explanation could you possibly have?!

You have to remember that the multi-devil isn’t the only one who’s fallen on the earths. She keeps all of my people hostage to delay her sentencing to the Multiversal Abyss.

I throw my hands up in the air. Then, get your people back from her! You’re God, for goodness sakes!

If I intervene directly, I will have to give all those who don’t want me what they want.

A cold wind sweeps across my cheeks. I whirl around, and a portal to a dark ocean yawns open before me. Chunks of black ice swoosh around in the roiling waters. Chilly spray splatters across my face. I lick the sea salt off of my lips.

I turn to Jesus, but he’s already behind me, putting his hand on my shoulder. He says softly into my ear, I know you want to believe the best about the humans we care so much about. But they’re very, very sick. They long for the darkness. His grip tightens on my shoulder. I see everything they do. Everything they think. I won’t heal them if they don’t want to get better.

I pull violently away from Jesus’ hand, pointing at hell. But this? This? I shake my head. You’re God and this is the best you can think of? Really?

What would you have me do? Either I mind control everyone, which you just told me you think is abuse. Or, I let them into the perfect heavens. Then, what?

You heal them! You get rid of the evil that is destroying all these poor souls!

We’ve been over that option already. If they don’t want healing, I would basically be mind controlling them. And if fallen spirits are allowed free roam in the heavens, why, they would turn into hells.

But-but you don’t even try! You don’t do anything...

I gave myself for you all. Jesus’ face hardens. Who says I didn’t already try everything you’re saying? Do you remember when I told you that you know nothing? He motions at the black ocean in front of us. That used to be a heavenly place. But the ones I let in there slowly twisted it. Without my presence, everything crumbles to mirror the condition inside those who dwell there.

But you’re God! You’re in control!

Jesus gazes with watery eyes into the portal to hell. Not quite. I let you creations be in control. And so many times you choose anti-reality.

Shaking, I turn away from the portal. I’ve seen so much horror. I can’t even put into words why I’m so pissed at you.

This sounds awfully like a conversation I had with her before she snapped over.

I stiffen at his low tone. Who?

The multi-devil. Once that network was a single angel, a Stella. She decided at one point that if I wanted to give her free will, she would use it until I took it back. He rubs his temples. And use it she has.

I place my trembling hands on my belly. You let that monster impregnate me. Why?

Jesus reaches for my stomach. May I?

Why?

So I can bless her.

The edges of my eyes smart. Her? It’s going to be her?

Jesus gently places his hand on my belly. What the multi-devil meant to curse you, I will use to answer your prayers. Your little one shall not be a daughter of the darkness, but a daughter of the stars. Before her giants will fall. The angels of the outer darkness shall not overcome her. I will use her to slay the seven headed dragon.

My stomach sloshes around. Jesus’ hand seems frozen in place on my belly, as the light around us grows brighter and brighter. I blink, and stumble backwards, suddenly very heavy. My stomach bulges under my leather jumpsuit. Something, no, someone twists around inside of me. A little fist pushes against my womb. Or maybe it’s a foot.

Jesus takes his hand off of my stomach, and gives me a pointed look. The humans in Tulsa will need you able to fight for them. I sped up time so you will give birth soon.

My eyes are glued to my massive stomach, expanded outwards like a basketball. I squeak, She won’t be a monster?

I blessed her, remember? She won't be born a monster, but a beautiful baby angel girl.

I wrap Jesus in an awkward hug, trying not to squish Baby. Thank you. At least you’ve saved Baby.

Her name shall be Eshmayim. Or, in English, Skye. My fire will burn in her water and she will bring the heavens to the earths.

You’re naming Baby?! Whatever happened to my say?!

You even whine about the great honor of having me name your baby? Jesus shakes his head at me. I suppose it’s my fault, huh? I made you like this.

I hold my swollen belly. I want to name her after Iris.

That would be very confusing.

Why?

Trust me, name her Skye.

But what if I don’t like that name?

Jesus smacks his hand to his forehead. Stellas.

And what’s that supposed to mean?

Jesus points at the portal to hell. Would you rather argue about your baby’s name or go on a mission I have for you?

Mission? Now? I rub my belly. You’re crazy if you think that I’m bringing Baby into hell.

Jesus waves his hand at the dark gateway. It shimmers, then blurs. When it sharpens, a shadowy cave lit up by glowing, red maggots squirming over the walls appears. Daggerlike stalactites and stalagmites hang like a demon’s fangs over the mouth of the cavern. On the floor of the cave, three very familiar shadow giants huddle around a tic-tac-toe board scratched into the black rock with laser claws. The Xs and Os are jagged, carved pieces of volcanic rock.

Heat pours out of the eerily lit cave, sweltering over my cheeks. It’s as if I’m standing in the Sahara at noon, the sun beating down and no water in sight. Just endless burning dunes.

Big Daddo, Big Mama, and Big Baby lean over the shoulders of Kayla and Kiara. The two Smiths are bloodstained and naked, holding Xs and Os in their quivering hands. Sweat trickles down their backs. They play tic-tac-toe as their other family leers at them. Near the makeshift game are two red smeared chairs carved out of the rock walls. Shining maggots plop down from the ceiling like raindrops, skittering over the chairs.

Big Baby giggles into Kiara’s ear, You’d better take your turn. And don’t make a mistake, or you’ll go in the chair, hee-hee.

Her back is stiff, she doesn’t answer. But she puts her X down on the board.

Big Mama nudges Kayla with her claws. Your turn.

Jesus points at the cave, his face all screwed up, his expression so completely twisted I can’t tell whether he’s going to burn them up or burst out bawling. One thing I do want to make clear. Hell right now is temporary, until my final judgement and my opening of the eternal hells. Think of these places like jails, where convicts are held awaiting trial. The actual prisons are empty right now.

I turn on Jesus, grabbing his face, and forcing him to peer into the portal. You just watch this?! How can you just watch this?!

He rips out of my grasp. They know I’ll get them out if they ask. If they trust me. He rubs at his eyes. But they don’t. They believe their psychotic fake family. They have them convinced I’ll torture them even worse...

Then get them out and show them you won’t!

Spirits create their own realities out of their beliefs. I’ve given you creative abilities like me, you ultimately form your own world. And I honor your wishes.

Quit making excuses and get them out!

Why am I showing you this? Jesus pushes me towards the portal. Instead of yelling at me, go see for yourself. This is your opportunity to help them!

I hesitate at the portal entrance. I point at the demons with one hand, my other hand pressed on my stomach. Promise me they won’t hurt Baby.

Jesus shakes his head. My father gave up me to save you dark spirits from hell. Will you risk doing the same to try to rescue Kayla and Kiara?

I peer at Kayla and Kiara. Kayla loses the tic-tac-toe game.

Big Baby approaches her, his shadowy sockets narrowed. You lost. Again. Get in the chair.

Jesus comes up behind me and says in my ear, If you wish to challenge me, you must understand me. You must be willing to do what I did.

I take a deep breath. Images of Sunshine Power Company surge across my mind’s eye. The cold. The crying. And my baby in one of the bloody cages. No, calm down. Jesus is just testing you. He won’t let the demons take Baby.

My energy armor erupts out of my skin. My wings flap forcefully, and I hurtle into the gateway to hell. The heat hits me like a truck. My throat is instantly parched, and I have to constantly blink my dry eyes. I rocket straight towards the Smiths.

They both leap away from me and huddle at the feet of the demons. Big Daddo and Big Mama stand in front of the Smiths, snarling at me. You can’t be here!

Big Baby points a chubby shadow finger at me. Hee-hee, it’s the naughty girl. Mama, mama, the naughty girl’s here. His empty sockets widen as he spots my gigantic belly. And she brought us a baby.

I hold out my arms to Kiara and Kayla. Please, come with me! I can get you out of here!

Kayla glares at me. You promised to save us. Instead, you got us trapped here.

You let them torture mama. You let them torture me, says Kiara. Her eyes look puffy, but the heat has dried her eyes out so much she can’t even cry.

Big Mama’s empty gaze is riveted on my stomach. Her energy claws form around her fingers and she hisses, You killed my Big Baby. I’ll kill yours!

She lunges at me. I soar to the side, letting her crash into the wall of the cave. Maggots and rock fragments scatter everywhere. Big Daddo pounces on me. I blast him off with surges of sparkles. Big Mama grabs me from behind. The intense heat makes my head spin, my breaths are shallow. I buck around and try to throw her off my wings.

Baby kicks me in the bladder as Big Mama drags me towards the two makeshift torture chairs. Baby goes crazy inside of my womb, kicking me, knocking he breath out of me, almost like she senses the fight. Big Mama yanks me down into one of the chairs. Her claws knife into my wings’ shields, and she just about rips them out of my back she pulls so hard. She twits my wings around the back of the chair, trying to tear them off.

I blow my outer shield off, rainbow light exploding all around me. The chair disintegrates and a loud thump and grunt comes from Big Mama as she hits the wall behind me. But then, Big Daddo is on me, slashing me with his buzzing claws. I throw him off of me in a burst of electricity. He tumbles through the air wildly, his inky shields smoking.

Words swirl up from somewhere deep inside me, a quiet whisper. I catch a glimpse of Jesus giving me a thumbs up through the portal, which only I can seem to see. Do I still trust him? Even after everything, he’s still way saner than all these psycho demons. I shout, For Yahweh your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory!

White fire erupts out of my mouth, crashing into the demonic couple just as they rocket at me. The blast detonates them into the wall of the cave, causing crimson maggots and jagged stones to rain down from the ceiling. I swirl the brilliant flames in my hands, turning on Big Baby. He is gazing wide-eyed at me, puffing his tubby chest out, trying to look intimidating.

I yell the Word again, and a white lightening strike dances out of my palms. It strikes Big Baby square on his chest, sending him smoking into the wall. A pile of maggots and rubble collapses over his squirming form. He looks so weird, a distorted shadow baby pitching a fit in a hell cave. A thought briefly flits through my mind: What the fuck is my life right now?

But my next thought is only one: Grab the Smiths. I flutter to where they are cowering on the rocks. I snatch them up and fly us to the portal.

Kiara spazzes in my grasp. Help! Help! She’s kidnapping us!

Big Mama throws herself at me. Don’t take my daughter!

Big Daddo rushes up out of the ground, trying to grab my feet. No, you don’t!

White flames blaze out from my burning lips, hitting Big Mama in the face. She spins out of control, colliding with the wall of the cave. Another luminescent inferno crackles Big Daddo into the other wall so hard that the cave trembles. Black rocks and glowing worms fall in a downpour. One last powerful wingbeat propels us through the gateway.

Breathing raggedly, I toss the bloody Smiths at Jesus’ feet. Was that so damn hard?

The Smiths pop up, take one wild-eyed, paranoid look at Jesus, and run for the portal to hell.

I flutter in front of them, blocking them from jumping back to their doom. What are you doing?!

Kiara glances behind her at Jesus, checking to make sure he hasn’t moved any closer. She motions at me to move. He’s going to get me!

Jesus buries his face in his hands, and in a muffled voice says, Maybe you can convince her to trust me. Every time she sees me she runs back in the portal. I’m very afraid she won’t repent before the final judgement. That she’ll choose to go into the eternal fire forever.

I slowly approach Kiara. Hey, calm down. It’s okay.

Kiara snarls at me. Don’t come any closer.

My eyes strain to see any demonic mind control strands, but I don’t make anything out. Surely she can’t be doing this by choice. Jesus must be wrong. She can’t really want to go back in that cave.

Jesus uncovers his face, his under eyes swollen. He wipes at his eyes, then snaps his fingers. White strands of light burst out of the ether, binding Kayla and Kiara to the brilliance surrounding us. They squirm and yell, trying to break free from Jesus’ ropes.

I raise an eyebrow at Jesus. Is tying them up really going to help their paranoia of you?

They’ll run from us if I don’t restrain them. The darkness can’t stand the light.

How do I help them? What do they need to do for you to clean their minds of this insanity? My hands curl into fists. And don’t you dare tell me there’s nothing you can do.

Jesus approaches Kayla and Kiara slowly. They spasm, their eyes almost leaping out of their heads as they watch him coming like he’s a lion stalking them in the tall grass. Jesus reaches out and tries to pat them on their heads, but they try to bite him. He withdraws his hands rather rapidly.

I put my hands on my hips. Okay, clear the demonic mind control from them right now, mister.

Jesus points at the Smiths. Stella, I know your heart is in the right place, but you can’t always blame the demons.

What? How can you say that? You know, better than anybody, what this poor family went through!

Jesus waves at Kiara. This one fell in love with the demon family. He motions at Kayla. And this one hates me because I gave her daughter the right to do so. Therefore, Kiara loves the demons more than me, and Kayla loves her daughter more than me.

She’s not in love with them! They’re making her do it. I know they are.

Jesus exhales loudly, wiping at his eyes. What you love the most is where your heart will end up in the end. And anything besides loving me will lead to death.

Kiara’s only eleven! I don’t see why you would let her be consumed by this-this evil! What is wrong with you?!

The spirit world doesn’t function according to what you think is right or wrong. You value age, I value whether someone has the capacity to know what they want. Kiara knows what she wants. I assure you, everyone that is unable to choose ends up in heaven until their time of choosing. He massages his temples like he has a headache. You have so many questions, but so little faith.

Why are you letting the demons inject babies with their damned hell on earth formula, then?! I rub my temples. Of course, I have so many questions that I’m just dying to ask you! I’ve seen so many be destroyed, be consumed by the shadows smothering the earths! Why? Why are you telling this twisted story?

Jesus is very quiet when he answers, Am I? Or are you all telling your stories?

You didn’t answer my question!

Jesus spreads his arms out to the bound Smiths, who have stopped squirming. They’ve been listening to our conversation, breathing heavily, like they’re having a panic attack. Touch them, and I will let you enter their spirits, to see I speak the truth.

I hesitate, then rush forward. I press my hand to Kiara’s blood encrusted cheek. I blink, and I’m no longer in the never-ending light. I’m in some sort of dark hallway, lit only by red nightlights plugged into the walls. Soft whimpering comes from a shadowy doorway further up the hall. I flutter up to it and peer into the room.

Kiara is laying in a velvet bed, so frail she’s just skin and bones. Her spindly hand reaches up towards the red flames flickering softly on the chandelier suspended above her. But she can’t even keep her arm upright. Her hand falls limply back onto the thick blankets. She moans and rolls over onto her side.

Jesus appears by me, his face in his hands, and his chest heaving. He whispers, You don’t know how I long to gather her in my arms.

Then, why don’t you? Wait, why are you whispering?

A door on the other side of the bedroom opens. A figure in a black cloak drifts out of it. The creature hovers in front of Kiara’s bed, snickering. It climbs onto the bed, puts its gloved hands around Kiara’s throat, and begins to choke her. She gasps and croaks, but is too weak to resist. The monster tightens its grip on her neck, straddling her, its snickering turning into crazed laughing.

I jump up, pointing at the demon. See? See? I told you!

The cloaked figure pulls back its hood. The demon has a face just like Kiara’s, except this Kiara is a bit chubby, not starved. And she has pitch black eyes. What are you doing here? Did I say you could come in?

Jesus grabs my arm. I don’t have permission, we must go.

Bright light blinds me, making dark spots swirl in my vision for a minute. I rub at my eyes, then look around. I’m back in the glowing presence of Jesus. Kayla is screaming her head off, something about getting out of her daughter. Kiara is violently thrashing back and forth, her eyes glazing over black.

Jesus is still tightly gripping my arm, his hand sweaty and trembling. Do you see now?

There’s a demon in her! It’s keeping her mind kidnapped in that creepy bedroom! I try to drag Jesus towards Kiara. We have to go back inside and rescue her!

He shakes me off of him. You don’t understand. There was no demon.

What? Are you out of your mind? I saw the demon!

I can only speak the truth. When I say there wasn’t a demon, I mean there wasn’t a demon.

Then what was that thing attacking her? I twirl my finger at my temple. Or are you going to tell me that you didn’t see that either?

Jesus grips my shoulders, looks me squarely in the eyes, and says in a low tone, That was Kiara you saw.

Yes, no duh, I know it was! She was getting attacked, remember? By some doppelganger demon freak! I raise an eyebrow at Jesus. I thought you were supposed to be smarter than this...

You still don’t understand.

I don’t understand what?!

They were both Kiara.

Oh, don’t give me that- I take a deep breath. I’m talking to God, not some idiot fledgling. What if he’s right?

Jesus gives me a half-hearted smile. You’re finally listening. His face falls. Unfortunately, what I’m trying to teach you isn’t very pleasant.

How can that monster be Kiara?

That was her shadow self.

Shadow self?

Every fallen spirit has one. The ones who choose the light kill their shadow selves. Jesus’ forehead creases. And those who choose the darkness, their shadow selves kill them.

Wait, but Kiara’s still alive! She’s not dead yet!

He nods. Yes, but time is running out. Once the process is complete, one way or the other, it’s nearly impossible to reverse.

I thought nothing is impossible with God?

I have resurrected people from some shard of their real selves deep inside before, yes. But most, once they snap over into insanity, won’t come back.

I run my hands through my hair, my eyes bouncing between the Smiths, Jesus, and the hell portal. The three family demons are running around like chickens with their heads cut off, trying to figure out where I took their little playthings. I let out a snort. They’re absolutely losing it right now. At least that’s one funny thing. I bet they thought that they’d have them forever, the psychotic shitheads.

I comb my matted hair back down with my fingers. So, say I believe you? Then what?

Jesus shrugs. They run from me, they won’t let me help them. What do you propose?

Give me a minute. I need to think.

I pace back and forth while Jesus questions the Smiths over and over about whether they would like to accept his sacrifice and repent. They scream at him like he’s going to torture them at first, then, when that doesn’t faze him, they just stare at him with foggy eyes. Kiara’s eyes are still as black as ink, rolling around in their sockets this way and that.

What could get through to them? Jesus won’t get rid of their shadow selves, he’s too obsessed with free will. They have to somehow be convinced to turn away from the darkness themselves. That the lies their other family pumped into their heads for years aren’t true. The only ones who might be able to do that are...aha.

I flap my wings behind me franticly. I got it, Jesus, I got it!

He nods and gives me a small smile. Do it.

I carve a white line in midair, barely visible against God’s luminescence. My portal is blurry, then sharpens into the crisp image of a field of glowing, pink roses. Lavender strokes right below my nostrils. Amid the shining grass, Mr. Mellow’s white, wavy hair is blown every which way by the warm breeze. Malik and Tyrone are running around, gigging, and throwing little stars at each other. They are dressed in glittery angelic armor. DeAndre is sleeping peacefully in a golden crib nearby, blue sparkles flowing over him.

Malik and Tyrone run out of their little dodgeball stars. They both stare at Mr. Mellow expectantly. He waves them over to the silvery sack he’s holding. He gathers thick fistfuls of the super bright stars out of the bag, and pours them into their little hands. The stars crackle and pop, making them giggle even more. Malik and his brother start back to their make believe battleground at the center of the field.

My forehead creases. Malik never really got to have a childhood, did he? He sounds so mature, but maybe he’s a lot younger on the inside than I thought. And now, I have to interrupt his fun with the darkness again...

Before they can start lobbing stars at each other, Malik looks up and spots me in the portal. The stars drop out of his hands and he runs for me. Stella angel!

Tyrone’s face scrunches up; he’s about to wail. But he follows his brother’s gaze, his eyes lighting up as he sees me. Raibo! He toddles towards me. Raibo-raibo-hee-hee-hee!

I flutter through the portal and scoop up Tyrone, pressing his warm, tiny body to my chest. Warm, wet drops spill out of my eyes as Malik wraps his shaking arms around my waist. He pulls back, his hands stroking my swollen stomach. Baby rolls around inside of me, then delivers a sharp kick to Malik’s probing hand.

Malik stumbles backwards. You’ve got a baby!

Tyrone wiggles out of my arms, plops to the ground, and gazes up at my belly. Baby?

I rub the black leather covering my stomach. Tyrone and Malik, meet Baby. She’s already quite naughty.

Malik creeps up to my belly and attempts to rub it again. Baby kicks at him, sending a quick shot of pain through my stomach.

I shoo him away. Stop it, stop it, she’s in a bad mood.

Tyrone points at DeAndre, then at my belly. Baby.

Mr. Mellow glides gently over to me on his blue-white wings. Have you come to take them? Aww, but we were having so much fun!

We tap our wingtips together, then I give him a quick hug. Thanks so much for taking them in. And no, their earth is still in chaos. I just need to borrow them for a bit.

He glances behind me at the portal. To where?

Their dead family.

His eyes grow as wide as saucers. Is that a portal to the real heaven?

Kind of.

Mr. Mellow rushes past me and into the portal. I want to visit!

I grab Malik and Tyrone tightly by their hands and drag them into the portal. They squeeze my hands as they see their mama and sister tied up. Mr. Mellow bows down and worships Jesus. My energy armor buzzes out of my skin. No time to waste. I double check that I’m touching Malik and Tyrone, then touch Kiara’s cheek with my wingtip.

I’m back inside of the dark hallway. Kiara’s shadow self’s laughter echoes from the doorway to the bedroom. I hustle Malik and Tyrone down the hall.

Malik pulls back from me. Where are we?

Shh. We’re in your sister’s spirit.

Her spirit?! Why?!

The Kiara in the sickbed is your real sister! Convince her that you’re okay! That God is good! Or the, well, I guess the way to explain it fast is, your evil sister will kill her! I’ll distract her shadow self!

The black cloaked figure steps out into the hall. She pulls back her cloak, glaring at Malik and Tyrone with her coal black eyes. You two little shits.

Malik huddles around my legs. Get me out of here!

Tyrone waddles towards the fake Kiara. Ka-ra!

Her shadow self takes an inky dagger out of her