Part 42 (1/2)

My father was in me possessing me. I could feel him.

. . . so that when the day of evil comes . . .

My chest was so full of demons I could barely breathe.

. . . you may be able to stand . . .

The voices! I couldn't think for all the voices! Covering my ears couldn't shut them out. Fight them. Think. Don't let them take your mind.

. . . and after you have done everything . . .

There were too many of them. And they were too strong. I couldn't . . . but I had to . . . I couldn't let them take my mind. Think! After you have done everything . . . what? What comes next?

They were too strong.

After you have done everything . . . to stand.

Yes!

To stand . . . to stand!

They tried to rip the thought away. I wouldn't let them. I clutched it. Protected it. Pushed them away.

Stand firm, then . . .

I fought them for control of my arms and legs. Ignoring other areas, I concentrated on my arms and legs. There were too many of them. And they were too strong.

It was no use. I couldn't do it. I tried. G.o.d knows I tried. But they were too strong. And there were too many of them. It was humanly impossible.

Stand firm then.

Humanly impossible . . . humanly . . . but I was only part human. The other part of me was angel.

On the bay hadn't I seen the angelic realm? I didn't know I could do that, but I did it. I saw with angel eyes.

I clung to that thought. I was part angel. What else could I do?

Standing over me, the circle of angels chatted as though they were at a c.o.c.ktail party. Renewing old acquaintances. Exchanging stories about business, swapping stock tips. One of them laughed. They were oblivious to my torment.

It infuriated me.

Somewhere inside of me was angel and I was going to find it. I reached deep, summoning strength I never knew I had. Summoning angel strength . . .

To stand. Stand firm, then.

I clenched a fist. Then another. It was a heady experience. With excruciating effort I managed to do what most six-month- old babies can do, I rolled over onto my stomach. Then, winning the tug-of-war for my arms, I placed my palms against the gravel.

. . . and after you have done everything, to stand.

The demons rallied. But they fought each other as much as they fought me and my determination was greater. I pushed myself up onto my knees.

. . . so that when the day of evil comes . . .

One foot hit the gravel.

To stand.

The battle for control of the second foot took longer. A surge of strength came to me when I realized I was kneeling. I couldn't stay like this. I hadn't fought this hard to kneel. I was going to stand. My second foot hit the gravel.

Screaming with exertion, I managed to straighten up. Screaming. I heard it. I had my voice. I wanted sight as well. If they were going to kill me, they'd have to do it while I was standing and looking them in the eyes.

My chest heaving, sweat streaming down my temples and cheeks, holding off counterattacks of demons who wanted my arms and legs, I fought the battle for my optic nerves.

I saw angels. Blurred. Standing as trees. Then clearer.

The chatter stopped. They were looking at me. I looked at them.

Abdiel.

Semyaza.

Azazel.

Granite angel.

All of them.

I knew that at any moment any one of them could strike me dead and end the feast of demons. But for this moment I had their attention. I stood in the center of their circle.

With voices screaming in my head, with demons tearing at my insides, fighting for every breath, every heartbeat, somehow, I managed to speak.

Fighting to form each word, I said, ”Hi-ho, the derry-o, the cheese stands alone.”

There was stunned silence.

Fuming, the granite angel said, ”Enough of this foolishness. Finish him.”

The next moment the darkness hid and the night became light all around us. A ring of angels, larger than the tribunal, encircled us, a hundred count at least. Then circle upon circle filled the sky, until there were thousands of them, ten thousand upon ten thousand.

With one voice they were singing.

Great is the Lord and worthy of his praise His kingdom endures forever.

Let the seas resound and the rivers rejoice, On the day of the Father's visitation.

I felt a presence of such magnitude and weight, I could stand no longer. I sank to my knees. All around me the angels of the tribunal knelt and bowed their heads. Not out of duty, nor of fear, but out of the sheer energy of His nearness. Every inch of my being, every molecule came alive, charged with new life as it had never been before.