An Unholy Redemption chapter 13

“Is that your phone, Ruth?” Mary asked. The theme tune from The Sound of Music came from her handbag. “It’s probably David phoning me to let me know what time he wants his dinner on the table.”

“You are such a slave,” Mary retorted jokingly.

“Be quiet,” Ruth said to her sister and answered the phone. “Hello darling, what’s up?” There was a brief pause while she listened to David on the other end. “I am with Mary at her home, why? Another brief pause. “I left him at home. I’m sure he’s old enough to look after himself.” Mary giggled as Ruth pulled a bored face whilst listening to her husband. “Yes boss, anything you say boss goodbye. Oh.” Her expression changed to a more serious and slightly confused one. “I love you too darling.”

“What’s the matter Ruth?”

“I don’t believe it,” Ruth replied. “That’s the second time in all our years of marriage that he’s told me he loves me. The first time was on our wedding night.”

“Well, that’s a good thing isn’t it?” Mary asked puzzled.

“Yes, but it actually sounded like he meant it. What has he been up to?”

“You’re such a cynic Ruth. I think it’s lovely.”

“You would, anyway he said −” They were interrupted by groaning from John next door.

“Mary! Mary where are you?”

“I’m coming John, darling,” Mary called out. They both rushed next door to find John sitting upright in his bed with sweat shining on his forehead. “He is coming Mary, he is coming. My pain is nearly at an end.”

“Ssshh, brother dear, it is just another dream. Ruth, could you pass me that towel?” She gently laid him back down and stroked John’s head until he was silently sleeping again. “I can’t take much more of this,” Mary collapsed crying into Ruth’s arms. “Sometimes he seems to be getting better, then there is an outburst like that and he tells us that he is about to die. I wish God would take him so he won’t be in pain anymore. Am I wicked for thinking that Ruth?”

“No, not at all. It must be awful to see him in pain day after day. I don’t know how you do it.”

“I’m just being silly,” she pulled herself away from Ruth’s embrace. Come on Mary, she said to herself, You have to stay strong for John. “It’s all right to show some weakness and let out emotion,” Ruth was wiping her sister’s tears as she spoke. “Thanks, your words mean a great deal and comfort me. Let’s forget about that. What did David want on the phone anyway?”

“He wanted to find out where I was. And where Luther was. It was strange, but there was a sense of urgency in his voice. He ordered me to stay here until he had picked up Luther to come and get me. I guess I will wait here until his majesty returns. Fancy another cup of tea?”

“No, let’s have some wine,” Mary said, “I have some white chilling in the fridge. We can drink that until David gets here.”

 

 David arrived back at his house. “Luther, Luther are you there?” David opened his front door, calling out. There was no reply except the sound of the television coming from the living room. A sinking feeling rushed into David’s stomach as he wondered if Lucifer had left the house and disappeared. What would he tell the brotherhood? “Pull yourself together,” he said quietly to himself, “if it’s God’s will and Luther is the one, he must be still here.” He nervously opened the living room door and to his relief Lucifer was sitting in David’s favourite chair watching the television. “Did you not hear me calling you, Luther?” Lucifer ignored David as he entered the room and turned his attention back to the television. “Excuse me, I’m talking to you.”

“Be quiet man, I’m listening to this news report about General Silas. Now that’s an ambitious man.”

“Yes and a crazy dictator who is power hungry. We all see him as a very dangerous man.”

“I like him. I have a feeling that we will be seeing each other soon, then I will introduce him to the real meaning of the word danger.”

“Well, he is only a few thousand miles away in a country that has the highest security in the world, so I don’t like your odds very much.” Lucifer gave David a stare of disapproval. Feeling intimidated by Lucifer’s cold gaze, he looked away and changed the subject. “Ruth and I would like to extend our welcome to you for as long as you wish.”

“Oh joy!” Lucifer was slightly getting bored and impatient with his current situation, and now that was going to be extended. Could it get any worse? “The brotherhood send their greetings to you Luther and wish you well. They also would like you to stick around, so they have charged me with your welfare.”

“My welfare? You think I need to be looked after?”

“No, not at all. We just want your stay here to be welcoming and we want to make the path easy for you.”

“My path easy? Easy for what?” Realising he had said too much already, David had to think quickly. “I only meant that when you decide to move on to wherever it is you want to go, all of us will be only too pleased to assist you.”

“Okay …” Lucifer said with a sardonic tone.

“Luther, I have to go and pick Ruth up from Mary’s. Would you mind accompanying me?”

“Mary’s?” Lucifer asked with a start.

“Yes, is that okay?”

“Why do you need me to go with you?”

“I did say to the brotherhood that I would look after you. Besides getting out of the house and into the fresh air will do you good. Also it would be nice for you to meet John.” Michael’s words rushed through Lucifer’s mind, returning to the time when he had spoken of saving John. “Are you trying to tell me David that Mary and John live together?”

“Yes, Mary’s caring for John.” A multitude of thoughts surged through Lucifer’s head. He knew that by doing the Most High’s bidding and saving John, he would have to come into contact with Mary again. But surely the reward of escape and freedom after saving him would outweigh the sickness he felt when he was around Mary.

“We won’t be staying long, will we David?”

“No, not at all, you can even wait in the car if you want to.”

“No, I think I would like to meet this John. It sounds like he has suffered quite a lot,” Lucifer was trying to put on his best sympathetic voice. “Okay,” David sounded surprised, “I am sure he will be delighted to see you. I know Mary will be especially glad to see you again after last night.”

“Erm, yes. Is she still angry with me?”

“I don’t know. I guess we’ll soon find out, won’t we? Come on, let’s go.” David stepped forward and switched off the television. “Here, take my keys and go and wait in the car. I just have to get something from upstairs.”

 

 

Waiting in the car Lucifer was thinking about the next day or so. He would use his powers to heal John, then when Michael and the Most High had rewarded him, he would take his angelic form and go and find General Silas to command him to start a nuclear war. He thought that if the Most High had forbade him to do any harm to humans, then a human substitute would make the perfect puppet to do his bidding. “I am a genius,” he started to laugh to himself.

“What are you laughing at?” The driver’s door had opened and David was getting in.

“Nothing much David, just drive me my good man. Take me to my destiny.”

“Okay, are you all right?” David asked in a concerned tone as he looked at Lucifer.

“Yes, I am feeling great. And I will soon be on top of the world.” For the brotherhood, David thought, as he pulled out from his drive away, For the brotherhood, I will prove myself and show myself worthy.

 

“Are you okay Mary?” Ruth asked.

“I’m fine. I just have a strange feeling in my stomach, very similar to the one I had yesterday afternoon. It’s a strange feeling, like excitement and fear mixed together.”

“Perhaps you’re just nervous about meeting Luther again?”

“Maybe, but I first had this feeling even before I met him.”

“Do you feel it too, Mary?” John had awoken and was looking at them both.

“I do John, but what is it?”

“I don’t know, but when I have my dreams and I’m talking to God, I have the same feeling, but a lot more intense. It’s like something is going to happen that you know is right, but it seems very wrong. I know it sounds strange, but that’s the only way I can describe it.”

“Well, how come I don’t feel it?” Ruth asked, feeling a little left out.

“Maybe it’s because you have been married to David for far too long,” John said. Mary and John giggled.

“I’m sorry,” John said, seeing the hurt in his sister’s eyes.

“Yes, I’m sorry too,” Mary took hold of her hand.

“They’re here,” John said as they heard the car pull up outside. He winked at Mary. “So I will finally meet the man for my sister.”

“Stop it John,” Mary said, gazing at the mirror, making sure her hair and make-up was in order. “You look lovely Mary,” Ruth said. “Now go and greet them at the door. I’ll wait with John.” In the car David was again curiously looking at Lucifer,

“Are you sure you’re okay Luther? You’ve been holding your stomach all the way here and the pain seems to have got worse.”

“I’m fine!” snapped Lucifer, as he glared at David for his over concern “Let us get this over with.”

“I can give Mary and John your apologies and tell them you wanted to stay in the car.” Lucifer glared another icy stare in his direction.

“Okay, let’s go, they’ll be waiting.” Mary was behind the closed front door with her hand on her stomach as the familiar feeling intensified. She heard their footsteps get closer and closer until they ceased and were followed by the sound of the doorbell. She counted ten seconds before answering the door. She didn’t want to seem too keen, but she also didn’t want them to wait too long in case Lucifer changed his mind. As she opened the door, Lucifer thought his stomach would explode as his eyes met Mary’s and the feelings rushed back.

“Hello Mary, how are you?” David reached forward and kissed her on the cheek.

“I’m fine, thank you David. Go through, Ruth and John are waiting.”

“Thank you,” he said and went inside.

 

“And how are you Luther?” Mary asked.

“I feel quite ill and sick in my stomach. I think it must still be the effect of the drink last night.”

“Maybe, but me and John also don’t feel too well. Perhaps there is some stomach bug going around.”

“Maybe,” he said and pushed past Mary without another word. Mary closed the door and thought to herself, This is going to be a long afternoon.

“Hello darling,” Ruth stood up and embraced her husband.

“What was that for?” David said.

“Do you know how good it makes me feel when you tell me you love me?” Ruth said aloud, wanting everybody to hear.

“Well, I haven’t said it for a long time and I really do appreciate everything you do for me.”

She bent forward to whisper in his ear. “If you play your cards right, tonight I’ll show you what I can really do for you.”

“Ahem, are you going to introduce me to your friend David?” John discreetly interrupted their romantic moment.

“Sorry yes, excuse me John, this is Luther.”

John tried to sit up and Mary rushed forward to assist him.

“Stop fussing woman. I can manage.” He held out his hand for Lucifer to shake. Lucifer looked at him and took hold of his hand. When their hands met, a strange energy resonated between their palms. To both of them, this energy felt like two magnets; one second they were repelling, the next they were attracting. Feeling uncomfortable at this sensation which challenged his own power, Lucifer broke the grip. John watched as Lucifer walked to the other side of the room and sat down.

“So Luther, I hear you made a bit of a name for yourself last night,” Lucifer looked at John coldly.

“Do you like being ill, John?”

“Luther! That is not a very appropriate question,” David had interrupted in John’s defence.

“It’s all right David. Why do you ask, Luther?”

“Well, if you had the choice, would you prefer to be ill or would you like to be healthy all your life?” Lucifer was starting to enjoy himself now that the pain associated with Mary was dissipating, allowing him to play with John’s mind.

“Well, if I was given a choice before birth, I would obviously choose to be healthy. But I don’t think we are given a choice, we have to accept the life we are given by God.”

“You see, now that is what I don’t understand. God has given you this life and you accept it.”

“With all my heart.”

“Why? Tell me you hate the Most High for this affliction?”

“No, in fact I love God more. If I am meant to have this disease then I accept it. Maybe in another lifetime, I’ll be healthy, which I will be grateful for. Can’t you see that I am experiencing this disease and pain so that when I experience a healthy life I will appreciate it all the more?”

“But what if you could change your fate. Would you do it?”

“Of course. I think anybody would if they had the power, especially if it would stop the suffering and sorrow of my family and friends. Unfortunately, I don’t have that luxury. Besides, I don’t have to worry because God talks to me in my dreams and I have been told that I will be saved and my suffering will soon be at an end.”

“Can we please stop this talk?” Mary walked over to John’s bed to puff up his pillow. “You know it upsets me John, besides they are only dreams.”

 

“They might be only dreams to you, Mary, but to me they are a sign, and if death is my salvation I gladly accept it. One way or another I will be free of this pain by the help of another.”

“Another? What do you mean?” Lucifer asked, intrigued.

“I had a vision of a man standing over me. He had the darkest of a shadow surrounding him, so much so that I couldn’t see him, but within this darkness was the most glorious of all lights. I couldn’t see this light, only sense it was there.” Lucifer was listening intently. Michael had told him that he had to save this man, but who was John talking about? Was it him? It couldn’t be, there was no light inside him, only darkness.

“What does this other person do?”

“He cures my pain. I don’t know if he assists me to die or he actually saves me from dying. All I know is that my visions inform me that my pain and sickness have gone, but I don’t know if that is through death or life.” Lucifer sat back in his chair and pondered. Michael had told him that the Most High wanted him to save John, so he already knew the answer to John’s question.

“If you were to be saved and live, what would you do with your newfound lease of life?”

“I would rise up from the bed, dress myself and put on a very good pair of walking shoes because a new beginning and a long journey would be ahead of me. I would walk and walk and spread the word that God is good and God is great and is living in the hearts of men again. My new healthy body would be a testament of his love for mankind.”

“What a wonderful dream, my dear.” Mary had interrupted as she thought the conversation was getting a bit heavy. “I am glad you have your dreams and hopes to comfort you in this painful time, but can we please now talk about something else?”

“Of course, Mary. So David, how is the brotherhood?”

“Come on Mary, if they’re going to talk about the brotherhood, I’d rather be in the kitchen making tea,” Mary took hold of Ruth’s hand and they both left the room.

“It’s going very well John, thank you for asking.”

“That’s great news David. Now Luther, what would you do if you were in my situation?”

David stood up. “Okay, I can see when I’m not wanted. I guess I’ll go and give the ladies a hand.” His words fell on deaf ears. Lucifer and John were now locked together with their eyes staring, oblivious to what was going on around them.

“If I were in your situation John, and I had finally been saved, I would certainly not go around praising the Most High.”

“Why would you not want to thank and praise the one who saved you?”

“Because that is hypocritical. Why would I thank someone for undoing what they had done to me in the first place? It would be like a child receiving a smack from a parent, then thanking that parent for taking the pain away. I would rather not have the smack in the first place.”

“That’s not the point. Surely it’s what you learn from the experience. If you had been born blind and all your life you felt the pain of not being able to see this beautiful world, imagine how much more special it would be if you were given the power of sight and saw it for the very first time.”

“You’re missing my point. Can’t you see that God is to blame for all the suffering in the world? Even Jesus, his only son, died on the cross from pain and suffering. For what? Now even today we have people killing in his name under the camouflage of religion. We have hunger, greed, rape and murder. I’m sure God and Jesus didn’t save the world then and they never will.”

 

“No, but they did free our minds and souls from sin, giving us free will to choose between good and evil. Unfortunately most of mankind has chosen the evil way, following the ways of Satan.”