Suddenly Susan - Part 5


"Well, well, well." RJ purposely stretched each syllable. "Turion, my biggest fan. I didn't expect to run into you. What brings you here?"

"I was about to ask you the same question, John. You've garnered quite a reputation since we last met. One of the lead discouragers! You must be proud. And who's the little guy trying to crawl into the mouse hole?" RJ turned to see Merth trying desperately to shove his head into the hole in the wall. Idiot...

"That's Merth, he's new here." RJ whacks Merth with the flat of his sword. "Get up! You're embarssing me. - And over there, bawling her pretty little eyes out is his charge, Susan."

"Pretty girl. Love the black make up." Merth stood up and stared at RJ with a confused expression. Was he really on friendly terms with one of the heavenly horde? RJ noted the Merth's face and smiled at Turion.

"Hey, you might want to drop the 'Angel of Light' trick for right now, you're scaring the poor guy." Turion obliged by lifting his arm, and in a flash of light, he was suddenly wearing the same outfit as RJ and Merth.

RJ smiled. "Merth, I'd like you to meet field supervisor, Turion, from the destroyer division."

"So you're the guy who got the old lady next door praying. Great job." Turion threw the last sentence out sarcastically. "Wait a second... Duck!" Suddenly, a demonic figure flew through the east wall and out the west... or better said, was thrown through the wall. "Hmmm. I don't think they're doing so great out there." Then he noticed the ipod on the floor next to Susan. "Let me guess, Evanescence?"

"Amy Lee!" Merth blurted out, almost begging for an understanding response. Turion just shook his head.

"Amateurs. You didn't read the manual."

"What is wrong with what I did here?"

"Simple." RJ responded flatly. "You would have done better to get her into the senseless drivel of groups like Nirvana or the pathetic apathetic rock of similar bands. But you thought that if you filled her mind with questions, she would eventually question her faith, right?"

"And it worked!" He glanced at Susan. The sobbing had stopped and she was staring ahead blankly. It always amazed him how humans could be so oblivious to the presence of angels. And how could she ignore the clash of swords and shouts right outside the wall? Especially since they seemed to be getting closer... "I had her. She was doubting everything."

"Yeah, but you didn't know when to stop, you putrid lump of..." RJ stopped took a deep breath and reigned in his anger. "She began to question everything! Her faith AND her doubt! Once they question their belief, you switch from questions to pride. Make them proud of the questions they have come up with. Never let them continue to make more questions. Make them treat the ones they have like pets or trophies. The same question over and over... Let them stump their critics. Never let them try to actually solve the question or search for answers! That's where you messed up here! Did you even read the lyrics?"

Merth drops his head. "But it's dark, it's evil..."

"Dark... yes. Evil? What you orchestrated here was an awareness of the darkness. And like a frightened child, she cried out for the light. That's what Amy Lee is crying for, life! And you put those very same words in Susan's mouth. You reminded her to be that there was more. You killed her apathy.

"And don't forget that old lady" Turion added. "She's made that girl her personal prayer project. I don't know if my forces can hold her prayers at bay..." And in that moment, a rush of air hit the south wall and Turion screamed. RJ turned just in time to see a flash of light zoom through the room and tackle Turion. And in another flash, both figures had tumbled through the outer wall.

"This won't look very good on your record." RJ bristled. Then, he silently drew his sword and moved towards Susan.

Suddenly Susan - Part 4

The light outside the window was the only warning they would receive and both of them knew it. "Stay on this side of the room, Merth. Don't give them any reason." RJ nearly laughed as the once arrogant imp cowered in the corner of the room.

"They're coming for us, aren't they?"

"Of course, they are." RJ didn't even try to hide his disgust. "But even if they walk into this room, you stay right where you are and don't make a move." Merth nodded and RJ fixed his gaze on the window. At the right moment, he would make a break for the girl, but not too soon. For right now, however, he simply needed her attention. "Susan? Susan... you're ok Susan..." RJ stopped himself. No, he couldn't say that. That wasn't true and would definitely bring that horde into the room. What to do?

If he could have, he would have leapt out the window and ran next door. Her best friend was there. With a little prodding, he would have her call and interrupt Susan's momentary bout with self awareness. But he knew that any move would... Merth screamed. "At the window! They're at the window!!!"

RJ spun to see a large thigh walk past house. He felt a cold chill run down his simulated spine. The big ones? Why did they send the big ones? Obviously, on this plane of existence, all angels, himself included could appear pretty much however they wanted to. But usually they don't appear like that unless... And suddenly, RJ laughed.

"What in heaven or hell are you laughing at? We're about to be taken!"

"Shut up!" RJ backhanded the trembling spirit. "They're not here for us. They're here on a totally different mission. Somebody, somewhere is praying about something with great tenacity. I'm glad they all don't pray like that." A scream split the sky as small angelic armies clashed over head.

"I bet it's that old lady across the street." Merth's comment was offhandedly casual. But RJ turned slowly to him.

"And what old lady would that be?" He spoke slowly...

Merth could hear the concern creeping into RJ's voice. "Don't worry. She keeps to herself across the street. Works in the yard. That kind of stuff. I hear her mumbling a lot. At first I thought she was just senile but then I realized she was saying her prayers. She does that a lot."

One step. RJ moved towards Merth. "And when did you get close enough to hear her mumbling?"

"A little earlier today. I was riding Susan's shoulder, like in the cartoons you know? Susan was walking past her yard and I thought I'd have a little fun. So I told Susan to give a real demonic angry stare. And, she did. I hadn't suspected to have such control over her so soon. So I told her to flip the old lady off. And she did! It was great.... Hey, you're sweating."

RJ's eyes began to flit between the window and the door. The conflict outside seemed to be growing nearer. No, just his imagination. It was next door, right? Right?... "So what did the old lady do?"

"Are you ok?"

"WHAT DID THE OLD LADY DO?" RJ screamed.

"She started praying for the girl." The voice didn't belong to Merth or RJ or Susan. But in response, RJ drew his sword. Merth tried to shove himself deeper in the corner; tried to disappear but all he could manage to do was whimper. "Do you really want to fight me?" No, RJ didn't want to fight Turion. They had fought before. Turion won but not without injury to both parties. But RJ got the worst of it. He was not wanting to go through that again.