Note: Rambling John is the demonic Head of the Department of Gossip, Slander and Discouragement Division of WAC (Whiners And Complainers).Continued from Chapter 6...
"Now!" Merth drew his sword and raced towards Michael... RJ, however, made a dash for the wall. It was just like RJ had planned it. After all, he is one of the top deceivers. Why in the world would anyone believe him?
He didn't look back to see the obvious battle that was about to ensue, but he heard the screams of the young discourager's last brief stand. "Serves him right", RJ thought. "Botching an easy job like that."
Maybe if he had attacked alongside Merth, they may have at least driven Michael off, but why take the chance? RJ had places to go, people to deceive. Freewill to exploit!
To the average passerby, the sky was clearing and the night was falling. But Rambling John could see the battle going on in the heavens. The old lady next door had called down some heavy fire power. I mean, Michael? She had archangel prayers. That's someone to stay away from.
RJ ran a few blocks, trying to draw no attention to himself. Then, flexing his membranous wings, he ripped into the sky like a rocket. Angels and demons alike paused for a moment, impressed with the speed of his departure. A few of the demons, however, got the hint and immediately followed suit. This was not a battle to be won. Still RJ, knew that there would come a major battle someday, and then there would be no place to hide.
As he disappeared into the air, Michael stared for a moment and then turned back to Susan. Calcon, another chief angel, entered the room, landing beside him. "They've been routed, sir. Other than those who have the right to stay, the forces en masse have been turned away."
"Good." Michael said softly. "Did RJ get away?"
"Doesn't he always? Such a coward. I can't wait till I get my hands on him someday."
"Don't underestimate the power of deception, Calcon. And RJ is one of the best. Even angels have fallen from his words. And as for his power, it grows everyday." Michael couldn't help but smile. "I will, however, be amused one day when he finds out what we did today. You'd think he'd know by now there's no such thing as a "chance meeting". I'm just glad that old Miss Parker really does listen to us."
"How did you work that out?"
"Well, she was singing some of the hymn favorites. So when she sang Precious Lord, Evangeline (you know her, right? She's really good at what she does.) Anyway Evangeline 'suggested' that she really should let the Lord lead her right then. So Miss Parker asked the Lord what he wanted her to do. Evangeline used a slight breeze to switch the pages in her hymnal to a different song. 'I Come to the Garden alone..."
Laughing, "So that's why she was outside gardening?"
"Yes. It made her realize she needed to do some gardening which put her out there just about the time we expected Susan and Merth to come trudging by. The rest just played itself out. We knew when trials and troubles come her way, the old lady would pray. And we would have access to this situation."
"So we made her go outside to confront..."
Michael looked at Calcon disapprovingly. "We don't make... we suggest. Demons possess people and take over their free will through deception. We suggest but leave obedience of that suggestion up to their own free will. They can choose to work with us or not."
"Either way, this was excellent! I guess it's time to go. We can let the guardians handle the rest of this, right?"
Michael turned back to Susan who had climbed into her bed and dozed off. A small breeze pushed its way through the crack in her window, which Michael then used to softly brush the hair back from her tear stained face. "No, the battle is far from over. But I think I'll just sit here awhile and watch over her tonight. She's been through so much. I can see the echoes of a great destiny. It moves me. I think I will stay."
Calcon shrugged his confusion and then was gone. Michael continued to stare at the young girl and then turned his gaze to the sky beyond the ceiling. "Master, after so many left your side in heaven, I asked you then, was it worth the price of free will. And You said, it was. Now as I sit here beholding innocence scarred and twisted by the enemy, I think I am beginning to understand." He blinked back a tear and leaned against the wall next to the bed. "Sleep sound, young Susan. For tonight, you are under my protection and under my wings. And the gates of hell will not prevail against me."
