Nobody's Angels

-CHAPTER 5-

-Chapter 5- 

2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

James 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

"It is necessary only for the good to do nothing for evil to triumph."--Edmund Burke

The apartment walls seemed to be made of paper. Each sound carried even if whispered, but the sound coming now was anything but a whisper. The desperation grew in pitch just as the man's rage also increased. 

"God no! Please Sam no, don't! Please stop!" The woman cried as she cradeled her broken arm. Her eyes grew large as her husband raised his fists now to the child, who bravely tried to shield her mother. The mother tried to move quickly to guard her daughter, but Sam took a firm hold of her once luxurious hair and yanked her back--a thick patch of hair remained in his hands.  

The child whimpered, any bravery or defiance that a moment ago was on her sweet face was gone, replaced with cold fear. Sam took her and threw her mercilessly across the room. When she landed on the hard linolium floor of the kitchen, her head hit hard and there was a sickening thud. Before the world she had grown up with dimmed to a darkness that would terrify any child, she saw a radiant light. It was warm, and it did not blind her, so she knew it was not the sun. A man clothed in such a clean white robe stood above her--shielding her. His eyes were gentle, and as he raised his hand to wipe her tears she saw scars. In those last few moments she thought that something painful must have happened to this man too, so this man understood he fear and pain. As He took her hands in His, she closed her eyes...and heard music. 

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The angels called Him many names--for one name could never fully encompass His greatness, passion, love, and sacrifice. To Gabriel, He would always be Immanuel. Indeed as the human race screamed that God didn't exist, the Savior's very name defied that--just as He had defied death. They claimed that God did not care, His name prooved otherwise. Oh, the power of a name, Immanuel: God with us--and Gabriel thanked the Most High that Immanuel was with this child. 

Now, he turned from the sight of the Savior and the child and went through the walls into the apartment next door. He had his mission--a mission he had tried many times, but the enemy was strong.  

Gabriel, unlike his comrades, did not transform. He didn't take human form as he might have in times past. This was a test of deeds, for faith without works was dead. It was not an angel that needed to be seen this night, no, not this night. 

And so, he descended into the adjacent apartment as he had done so many times, to whisper, to prompt to action. He hoped this time his charge would listen, for this time if she did not, three souls would disappear from the earth on this black starless night. 

Cassandra cowered in fear, covering her ears as if by so doing she would stop the screams. With each scream her fears which were countless intensified. Images not at all forgotten took on a vivid form in her mind and her heart which had never quite healed. 

Gabriel saw the Dark Ones lurking. He opened his mouth and a roar came forth like that of a lion. The Dark Ones cringed. The images in Cassandra's mind subsided--but the Dark One called Fear clung to her still. This one had been with her since she was a child, and no matter how hard the Spirit prompted, Cassandra would not cast it aside.  

Gabriel's sword flashed as it swung, temporarily maiming Fear. He had just enough time to whisper the words he had whispered many times in her ear. No, this time he shouted them, hoping her spirit would open and hear. 

"He didn't give you a spirit of fear Cassandra, but One that cries Abba! Father! In the name of the King, do not fear!" 

And the Dark One called Fear laughed. 

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Oceans away a Watchman heard. Seraph fell to his knees at the sound of the angel's voice. He knew, as only a Watchman would know, that the battle cry had been given. The battle lines were now drawn, and the world would never be the same. The time had finally come.