An Unholy Redemption Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

A small bird was offering its song to the morning sun as it sat on the branch just outside Lucifer’s bedroom window. It wasn’t long before a chorus of other birds joined in, causing Lucifer to stir from his slumber. He opened one eye. His room was still dark apart from a streak of light shining through the partly opened curtains. He tried to remember where he was and then at once all of the previous evening’s events flashed back into his memory: the brotherhood, the meeting, getting drunk and Mary. He quickly sat bolt upright from his bed at the memory of Mary. Who was this woman and why had she made him feel so uncomfortable and sick to the stomach?

“Arrrrgh! My head,” he shouted as he put his head in his hands.

“Are you all right?” His door swung open and Ruth stood in the doorway.

“I heard you shout.” Lucifer shielded his eyes from the light of the corridor.

“It’s my head it won’t stop hurting and my stomach feels strange, as though it wants to jump into my throat.”

“Your first hangover, is it Luther? That’s what happens when you have too much to drink. Basically, you’ve poisoned your body.”

“Poisoned, what? Will I die?” Ruth laughed. “No, silly. It might feel like you’re going to, but the feeling soon goes after a good hearty breakfast and some painkillers.”

“Damn, why is my mouth starting to moisten? My stomach feeling is getting stronger.”

“I think you had better get into the bathroom quick. It sounds as if you’re going to be sick.”

Lucifer pushed by her into the bathroom, put his head in the sink and vomited. Ruth smiled as she spoke through the bathroom door. “When you’ve finished ruining my bathroom, there’s breakfast and some painkillers waiting for you downstairs.” Looking at the bottom of the sink, Lucifer asked himself how he could have let myself get into such a situation.

 

 Here I am, a mighty powerful angel, reduced to being sick in some human’s bathroom.

All these things were a stark reminder of his predicament. He was still imprisoned in human flesh and, for the time being, there was nothing he could do about it. That thought made him sick again. After drinking some water from the bathroom tap, he splashed cold water over his face and through his hair. Looking in the mirror, he decided that although he was in disgusting flesh, he still wanted to look good. Taking one last look, he turned off the light and made his way downstairs to the smell of a freshly cooked breakfast.

“There you are, do you feel better now?” Ruth was at the fridge with a carton of orange juice in her hand. “Alcohol is definitely not something I will be partaking in again,” Luther muttered. Ruth allowed herself another smile when looking at his pale face.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, it’s just that you make me think of a small child who is trying things for the very first time.” Lucifer glared at her with an angry look that could melt the whole Arctic Circle.

“I’m sorry,” she said nervously. “Breakfast won’t be long. Please sit down and afterwards I’ll

find you a change of clothes. Help yourself to some orange juice, tea or coffee.”

“Coffee, with lots of sugar.”

“I spoke with David this morning and we’re both very happy for you to stay as long as you like. I think David has something very important to tell you. He wouldn’t elaborate on what it was about, but insisted you stay to hear what he has to say.”

“I don’t know how long I’ll be around. I have something myself to do, something that’s of the utmost importance.” Lucifer was now thinking that it might be time to move on, but wasn’t sure to where,

“What’s that? Excuse me.” Ruth placed a plate of scrambled egg in front of him.

“Nothing really, just to return to my former glory and take over mankind.” Ruth lifted an eyebrow. “No really, do you have anywhere to go or anybody to see?” Lucifer pondered on her question as he tucked into his scrambled egg. He realised he didn’t. If he left, he would be wandering around aimlessly. “Well, like I said, you’re most welcome here for as long as you wish. Sit there and finish your breakfast. I’m just going upstairs to find you some more of David’s clothes, I won’t be long.” Lucifer watched as she left the kitchen, then added more sugar to his coffee. After finishing breakfast, he thought he would go somewhere quiet to concentrate on his power and seek guidance about what to do next. It wasn’t long before Ruth returned. “I have laid some clothes on your bed and a towel to dry yourself after a shower. I’m going out in a while. Mary‘s picking me up to visit our brother John. I fear he’s not going be on the earth for much longer. His cancer is doing its worst and he’s in so much pain, God bless him.”

“God bless him! You talk about God blessing him and yet the Most High is the one who most probably caused him to have the illness, the one who is causing him so much pain. You humans really confuse me.”

“Luther! I will extend the hand of friendship in my house, but the one thing I will not tolerate is blasphemy. It is not up to us to know God’s plan, but if it’s God’s wish for John to die early then so be it. At least he will be closer to God than I am or ever could be alive.” She paused, allowing herself to calm down. Lucifer stared at her. “Just make yourself at home. I’ll be back about four o’clock to get tea ready. David will be home about six. The brotherhood has summoned him to an emergency meeting after work. Luther, promise me you’ll hang around. David so much wants you to be here when he gets home.”

“I won’t promise anything because I don’t know where I’m going or what I’m doing. But after a little quiet time to myself, I’ll exactly know where I’m heading.” They both turned to the window as they heard a car’s horn. “That’s Mary. I told her not to come into the house after last night. I hope you understand.”

 

Lucifer was relieved as he was feeling sick enough from the drink last night and having Mary

in closer proximity would have him running up to the bathroom again. “Take care, Luther I hope to see you later.” Ruth’s words faded into the distance as she ran the length of the hallway, grappling with her coat to put it over her shoulders. The door slammed shut and then there was silence apart from the sound of the clock on the kitchen wall. He heard the faint sound of Mary’s car driving off in the distance, then he was finally alone.

 

In the car, Mary was intent on quizzing her sister. “How is Luther this morning?” Mary fiddled with her car radio, trying to tune it at the same time as driving.

“He’s okay apart from the hangover from hell.”

“Serves him right, drinking that much and acting the way he did. It was strange but also sad to see. He was like a frightened little boy running from a fear of the unknown. When I tried to comfort him he totally flipped. Please, Ruth, tell me, did I do something wrong?”

“No, not at all, Mary. As I said to David last night, we don’t know anything about him at all do we?”

“You’re right, but I feel as though I’ve known him all my life. That’s what’s freaking me out.”

“Enough talk about Luther. How is John? I really should come over and see him more often.”

“Not too good. Every day his physical health deteriorates and he’s getting thinner. The only thing that raises his spirits and brings a smile to his face is his visions. They’re getting more frequent than ever now. Last night he was saying that God was telling him that he would soon be saved and I had to know a love that defies the boundaries of the earth. Only then would truth reveal itself.”

“Poor John, they say when someone is close to the end they hallucinate and ramble on about meaningless things.”

“Yes, at least it makes him smile and if it makes his passing easier, I’m quite happy to let him carry on talking about these visions in his make believe world.”

 

Back at the house, Lucifer had finished his breakfast and poured himself another cup of coffee. He picked up the sugar bowl and made his way through to the living room and sat himself down. I will just finish my coffee then I will prepare myself to get in touch with my inner strength. Looking around the room he observed photographs of David and Ruth lovingly wrapped in each other’s arms. Love, what a stupid sentiment and yet nearly all humans spend their life looking for it. When they find it they are frightened to lose it, and if they do lose it when one of the partners takes it away, it destroys the other person. Yet they still keep on looking for it. Stupid humans. He finished the last of the coffee then stood up and closed the curtains. He was once again in the darkness alone with only his thoughts to keep him company. “Right,” he said aloud. “Come on Lucifer, let’s feel the power of my light, let its glowing red remind me of where I hail from and why I am Lucifer.” He closed his eyes, took in a deep breath and started to meditate. Immediately he was conscious of slowing his breathing. The air made its way in through his nose and out from his mouth. His breath became so light and slow it was as though he was not breathing at all. The sound of his beating heart pounded in his ears like a slow drum in the confines of a temple wall. Soon, earthly thoughts and memories of the previous evening had dissipated into darkness. Lucifer was now free in his mind to bring forth his energy. He visualised the colour of his being forming in his mind; the more he thought about it the redder it became. His breathing was now starting to get heavy as his energy began to flow and meet its master. It was not long before he was in a trancelike state with a red aura surrounding him. The red glow moved back and forth over his body like waves surging and receding in time with his breathing. The whole room was alight with red flashes bouncing off the walls and reflecting in the mirrors. He started to speak quietly to himself. I call upon the word given to me before time began, may it bring forth my power, hear me ancient word, the word which is only known to me and the Most High. Do my bidding, show me the way. The more he thought about the word, the stronger his energy became, and just before it reached its pinnacle, a picture started forming in his mind. It started off as a small speckled blue light, then it slowly began to grow in size until Lucifer recognised its form. It was Mary’s smiling face. At once his energy started to fade. He started to fight off the image in his mind, but the more he tried to fight it off the more strength it gained. His red life force was now fading, it was giving way to a heavenly blue colour. “No! I will not let this happen.” The sweat was pouring from his head and his breathing had become very heavy and erratic. He squeezed his eyes tightly together for another attempt to remove the image, but to no avail. It was hopeless; the red light had now totally vanished. He was now held captured in a blue prism of light. With the image burning in his mind, he contemplated his predicament. The blue held him fast like a disease; he couldn’t fight it because doing so it only added to its strength. He was certainly not going to accept it, because that would be denying who he really was. “I curse you the Most High for filling my head with such things.”

“Now that is showing a great disrespect,” Mary’s imagined face had now turned into Michael’s and he was smiling, surrounded by a golden glow and looking down at Lucifer What do you want?” Lucifer asked with contempt.

“All in good time, how do you feel in your present situation?”

“Sick to my stomach and your presence is just about killing me.”

“You still don’t see it, do you my brother?”

“See what? All I see is your face in front of me, the face I want to annihilate.”

“Still wanting to destroy everything and everybody? Have you not learnt that fighting the impossible only leads to frustration and anguish for you.”

“It doesn’t, it only fuels my power and makes me stronger so I am unstoppable,”

“Strong, unstoppable? That is not how I am seeing you now. You can’t even release yourself from the light around you.”

“Why, you!” Lucifer lunged forward but was unable to remove himself from the chair, “Let me go now!”

“One day, you will learn that nobody is holding you against your will, you are just imprisoning yourself,”

“Rubbish, I will learn of a way to defy the Most High and defeat your army of angels. What do you want anyway?” Lucifer felt defiance surge through him.

“Very well, as you still have not grasped the full extent of your punishment, you have to perform another task to please the Most High. It is up to you if you decide to go ahead with it, but remember if you decide not to do it, you will only prolong your pain and suffering.”

“Still treating me like a puppet, I see. The Most High is quite twisted don’t you think?” He looked at Michael hoping to find some crack in his fidelity. “You should know me better than that, Lucifer. The Most High wants you to save Mary and Ruth’s brother John. He’s critically ill and is almost crossing the threshold between the two worlds. It is the wish of the Most High for him to live. He is of great importance and has a story to tell, a story the world needs to know.”

“What! You expect me to help that Mary and save her brother. Have you gone mad? Have you not seen what effect that woman has on me?”

“Yes, we have been watching very closely and it is not for me to question the Most High’s decision. God be with you Lucifer, I will pray for your salvation, my brother.”

“Wait! Come back, how dare you go when I have not finished. I will not do it, do you hear me? I won’t!” Despite his demands, Michael had gone.

 

Mary held the door open for Ruth as they both entered the long corridor of Mary and John’s house. “Let me take your coat, Ruth,” Mary said. “Go through, John’s waiting to see you. He’s been talking about it all morning. I’ll be through shortly, I just have to go to the toilet.” Ruth entered the living room and heard the faint sound of classical music being played on the stereo. She was slightly ashamed to look at the corner of the room where John’s bed was placed. Months had passed and she hadn’t been to see him. He was lying on his side with his back to her, facing the wall. Mary had turned her living room into a makeshift bedroom because of its easier accessibility to the bathroom and toilet.

“Hello, John,” Ruth said quietly, in the hope that he might be asleep so she wouldn’t have to face her guilt. “Ruth! My darling sister, how are you? I’ve been waiting all morning to see you.” John turned his frail body as quickly as he could. “Please come over here and give your brother a loving hug. It’s been a long time.” She dropped her handbag on a nearby chair and ran towards him where they affectionately embraced.

“I am so sorry John.”

“Why are you sorry? Easy Ruth, you don’t want to kill me off early do you?”  John was finding it hard to talk and breathe as Ruth held him tight. A tear rolled down Ruth’s face as she released him and sat on his bed.

“Why are you crying? What has happened?” Ruth looked into his sad eyes, sunk inside his gaunt skull. She put her hand on his bony face. “I‘m so sorry that I don’t visit you more often John. It is just that it hurts me to see you like this, especially when I remember how fit and active you used to be. It tears my heart apart to see you like this. I’m so sorry.”

“If you say sorry one more time, I’ll have to give you a slap. Listen, I understand, but remember this disease is not only destroying my body, it’s also destroying my mind. It would be very helpful if you visited me a little more, so you can help me remember how I used to be.”

“Do you have any tissues?”

“Yes behind you on the table over there. Ruth, I understand, just visit me when you feel the time is right.”

“I am so − ” Ruth stopped herself repeating her apologies, as John jokingly started to lift his hand.

“Now tell me about this Luther. Mary has been speaking non-stop about him since their night out together.”

“It was certainly not together,” Mary had returned and interrupted their conversation. “The way he conducted himself was appalling. I doubt we’ll ever be together.”

“But Mary, you’ve spoken of about nothing else since you’ve met him,” John retorted. “Really? Tell me more,” Ruth asked John, adding to Mary’s embarrassment.

“Stop it, you two. The only reason I’ve been talking about him is because I find him mysterious and confusing at the same time. It’s like he doesn’t belong here. He’s like a lost child trying to find his way home. I felt strange because I felt connected to him and yet I didn’t want to feel that way because of the way he behaved. He certainly was not a gentleman, someone who −”

“You see what I mean, Ruth?” John interrupted Mary with a wry expression on his face.