 
# Jasper and the Shelter of Angels

by

Robert A. Hunt

Smashwords Edition

© Copyright 2012 WORDPAINTER BOOKS.™ All Rights Reserved.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

First Wordpainter Books printing April 2012

Cover art by Stacey T. Hunt

Printed in Canada

<http://genationofficial.blogspot.ca/>

# Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author

#  Disclaimer

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. No attempt to add or subtract from our formal theology has been made. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. This story was written for the purpose of entertainment and to arouse discussion.

# Dedication;

This novel is dedicated to my Daughter, Cindy. I look at you and I know there is something much bigger than us at work in the universe.

Cindy, only four years of age, you look at the world around you with such intrigue. Everything is new. Looking at the world through your eyes, I realize nothing should be taken for granted. Everything is new and exciting. So, here's to all things new and exciting, and the little things that mean so much.

# A terrible sight in the doctor's office

-"Ugly, isn't he?" West said as he casually pointed his thumb at the stout little Demon. "This is a Scout, a type of childish Demon or Imp. They find weaknesses in people and report them to larger Demons and they also look for opportunities to complicate life for people with annoying distractions from putting an eye lash into someone's eye to over reacting to someone's comment. These Demons are cunning and they strike when their victims least expected. It's the only thing they're clever at, but it's often more than enough to start a chain reaction that leads to larger consequences."

The Demon began to reach its massive claws over the doctor's head. The long sharp talons phased into the doctor's skull and slowly raked deep lacerations back through his crown.

The Doctor removed his glasses and set them on the desk-top. He then pinched the bridge of his nose, between his eyes.

Jasper was shocked. He looked at Starr, not sure how he should respond. Starr shook her head, _'No,'_ and placed her finger to her lips for him to remain quiet. Coincidentally, she was under attack and locked in a sword fight which rendered her unable to come to the doctor's aid. Her adversary was a red skinned female Demon warrior. The two appeared to be evenly matched.

Nodding to comply with her, Jasper tried not to say a word as the doctor lowered his head in pain and dropped his fist to his solid oak desk-top. "This head-ache is relentless." the doctor declared. "Please bear with me a moment." Doctor Adam's slid open a desk drawer and fished out a small medicine vial. He popped the lid off and tapped out three capsules. Tossing the pills into his mouth, he swallowed them without a gulp of water. "It will pass shortly." he whispered with constrained vocals. Behind him the Demon chuckled and clawed at the doctor's scalp some more.-

# Author's Testimony

Like Jasper, I felt like a regular person up against substantial odds in this world. To me, my future seemed easy to fail and difficult to succeed and I was right in that assumption. From my perspective, everyone seems quick to tear one another down and slow to build one another up.

Also, like Jasper, There came a time when I shed he idea that I was insignificant. It helped when I was eighteen and first heard that God loves me. It was a new and exciting concept. No longer did I have to feel like I had to go up against the world on my own. I could be connected to someone (God) much bigger than myself. My belief in God gave me a considerable boost to my self-worth. If God could see something special in me then perhaps I could find something special in myself too. This notion was something I tried to convey in the novel as part of Jasper's journey.

Each of us are capable of accomplishments that are much greater than we think possible. Belief in God is a personal choice we all make in our hearts. God is not fond of those who are on the fence when it comes to their belief. Do your own research. You might surprise yourself like the true story of Lee Strobel, who was an atheist who set out on a personal quest to prove definitively that God wasn't real. Through his efforts, he unearthed evidence that changed his life forever. (*See the movie; 'The Case For Christ')

The belief in God shall remain a personal journey for everyone throughout their lives here on earth. You shouldn't have to feel you have to prove anything to anyone, but continue to seek answers for yourself. What might await you could be the greatest gift of your life.

May an Angel touch you deeply,

May God bless you richly,

-Robert A. Hunt-

#  PROLOGUE

"THE EYES OF THE DARK CREATURE twitched with the intension to maim. Its sharp teeth were revealed behind curled lips like unsheathed swords. Lunging forward it spread its claws and took hold of the grand Angel Shelton. Such a spectacle of awesome magnificence was this towering form. His spiritual shape; vaguely human, was clearly superior.

"Shelton was quick to retaliate as he sunk his two swords deep into the Demon's torso, shouting, "May your heart know what it is to gleam this day, like all the stars shining as one with such intense brilliance as found only in Heaven!"

"While the colossal Angel Shelton said this, darkness expelled off the dark Demon like a festering smoke. Its claws shredded the Angel's armor; its teeth bitten deep into the mighty protector. Now, what happened next?" A teacher next to a lake was about to bring his lesson to a close but he expected an answer.

The teacher looked like a young man of Israeli descent. He wore loosely fitting pants with a shirt made of woven cotton.

He stood before his seven students of whom were equally as young.

"Teacher Stephen?" Called the young boy; Wilson, "The Grand Angel Shelton could call for support from his friends, could he not?" he tenaciously but carefully tested his instructor.

"Very good, Wilson. That is a possibility." Stephen answered kindly.

A young girl with long strawberry blond hair shot her hand up and answered, "If I were the Grand Angel, I'd call on the power of the Lord to send a blast of glorified light at the Demon." answered Taila then she lowered her hand.

"And with such glorified light, you'd purge yourself of the beast's venomous bite?" the teacher asked her, eyebrows raised.

"Of course, teacher Stephen." she smiled sheepishly. Taila's name meant, Golden Dawn. In the sunlight it was clear by the way her strawberry blond hair lit up along with her young and beautiful complexion, she was flawlessly named.

"I'd cast the Holy fires of Shelton's sword upon the beast while his blade was still within it." came Joel's outburst of exuberant excitement.

The teacher turned to Joel, "And what would you speak, Joel?"

"I'd say, "Behold Demon! The sound of your roars and the destruction of your rage will be heard no more!" Joel answered without hesitation. His voice was like quicksilver.

The other students were anxious to tell their teacher what they would do in the Grand Angel's place but Stephen told them. "I'm sorry to have to cut our lesson short today. I know each one of you have marvelous answers for today's question but I have to be on my way." Walking by each of his students, teacher Stephen handed each one a golden envelope. Each of the envelopes were marked with the student's name; Joel, Elana, Charmatrien, Starr, West, Taila and Wilson.

"Thank you teacher." each one spoke when they were handed an envelope.

"You'll all have to open them on your own time, I have to get going. Congratulations to you all. You've all been brilliant students and good personal friends." Waving his departure, teacher Stephen turned and sauntered away along a path next to the lake.

Before he was too far away, Elana called out to him, "Teacher?! Before you go, what did the Angel Shelton do to defeat the Demon?"

Teacher Stephen raised his voice and resolutely said, "There has been much speculation concerning Grand Angel, Shelton. As it stands, he went missing and no one is certain where he is." He gestured, shrugging his transparent shoulders.

With that, the students huddled together and spoke excitedly amongst one another. Walking in the opposite direction from their devout and caring teacher the students also followed the path. Beside the path, the lake drained to a trickling brook for a short distance before it drained over a sheer cliff's edge to a long waterfall that fell many miles straight down.

The young people stood dangerously close to the edge. Fearlessly they admired the spectacular view. Rolling hills far below basked in the daylight for as far as their eyes could see.

Joel called, "Hey, why don't we crack these envelopes open right now?" his cobalt eyes gleamed.

"I agree. I'll go first!" answered West, with a voice of melody.

"That's not fair." Joel protested, smiling like the sun.

"We do it together then." saluted Wilson as he tore his envelope open.

They all followed suit, unsealing their envelopes.

"This news will concern each one of us." Wilson added with a hint of warning in his tone.

The document within each one was identical. It was a certificate that declared they had all been accepted into the service of shepherding humans.

Charmatrien slid out his certificate and read, "To your exemplary capabilities, you shall all be rewarded to serve in our contributions to marshalling the people." His deep baritone voice was freed from his wide chest.

Elana's soft voice rose like the call of a bird. "We've worked so hard for this and for so long. Remember when it was nothing more than a dream of ours?"

A tall young woman enjoyed the wind as it blew through her white-blond hair. She stepped to the edge of the cliff with a white dove perched on her shoulder. Then she said, "I'm releasing this dove to commemorate our future. Let the winds guide our freedom as it does this dove." Starr's bold voice faded out eloquently. Then she released the dove to the sky and it fluttered from their height towards the valley below.

"Here, here!" came the strong male responses of Joel, West, Charmatrien, and Wilson in unison.

Happy for the news of their certificates, they congratulated each other.

Joel slapped Elana on her back and commemoratively said, "What great news! I'm so proud of you!"

The slap seemed friendly enough but it almost caused Elana to lose her balance and fall over the edge. She giggled and said, "Be careful, Joel, I could've fallen."

The others didn't see any danger, they just laughed in their care-free adolescent manner. So often had they chuckled in the face of danger.

"Oh, like this?" Joel gave Elana a full arm extension shove.

Elana's mouth opened and her eyes went wide as she stretched her arms out to be saved, but she just dropped right over.

The five remaining friends gathered together at the ledge and craned their necks to watch their companion as she fell.

Elana giggled and laughed as she shrank into the distance.

Straining their eyes to look closer, wings promptly sprang from their fallen friend's back and began to flap. Such a majestic spectacle carried Elana safely out past the dove that was set free just moments ago.

Unexpectedly, the large young man, West, came up with a plan even more daring than Joel's. Stretching out his arms, he tackled the entire group of students over the edge.

They all fell in a mess of sprawling arms and legs. Scrambling vigorously to hold onto something, they grabbed and pushed at one another. Though they intended to prevent themselves from plunging over the edge they soon realized the inevitable was also the unavoidable. One by one, wings exploded from their backs and they began to laugh and fly effortlessly in intersecting circles.

A light shone from the horizon and lit up the sky. The light came not from a sun nor a star, like it might on some other world. The source of this light emanated from the very throne of the living creator of all things. He was surrounded in a rainbow ring of light and colours. A field of light also surrounded Him. Because the origin of the light was the pure energy of love it didn't hurt their eyes. Radiating from the being who sat in the throne, the energy of love filled the land completely and penetrated every shadow. At their distance and because of the great light, the throne was barely visible. Above the throne were four living creatures; the Seraphim.

Surrounded by a spacious open court, the throne, raised up, had water pouring out from the bottom of it in cascading waterfalls running down each of the four sides. Around the open court were tall walls built at the sides of the temple of pure gold like transparent glass. Beyond the temple were rolling hills of smaller temples and place of worship and even further out from them was the great Holy City.

As striking and powerful as the light was, it remained gentle on their eyes. The group peered around, their faces glowing joyously.

Turning his head to look at Starr with his big brown caring eyes, Joel confirmed the solidarity of their friendship.

Smiling back at him with something of a playfulness in her eyes, Starr couldn't contain a small giggle. Her stark blond hair was pressed back at the sides with beads that looked like dew drops lining a spider's web.

Unable to contain his smile, nor his excitement, Joel stretched out his wide, chiseled wingspan and glided upwards. Changing course, he rolled into a lazy turn then gallantly and gracefully punched through the clouds.

With bushy brown hair and side burns, Joel wore the shimmering breast-plate of armor on his chest. Mounted to the center of it was the front half of a golden crown. On his left fore-arm Joel wore a silver gauntlet. His silk tights were a soft green. Dark brown boots rose up above his knees and brimmed with a large fold.

Meanwhile, Starr beamed with a knowing smile as she glided amongst the others. She was tall, staturesc and arrayed in Heavenly glory. Then she turned to the others. "We'll be right back!" With a bold visage, she dashed into the distance in pursuit of Joel. Her white feathery wings were quite similar to his, only fluffier, feminine, sleek and softer.

The two friends streaked through the sky with no limits to the speed of their desire. Starr came within arm's reach of Joel.

Smiling at Starr with a mouth of perfect teeth, Joel playfully teased his friend.

Starr, for her part, hadn't yet stopped smiling. For a moment, they flew in unison. Then Starr surprised Joel, reaching out and slapping him on the shoulder lightly.

"Tag!" Starr shouted spiritedly, "You're it!" she teased him back as her eyes sparkled like light blue diamonds.

Joel laughed as he delved into a bouncy good-natured sport of amusement and tumbled through the air. Jokingly he acted like she used too much strength. Making some distance from Joel, Starr smiled and bolted from him. She knew his sense of humor all too well which made it easier for her to tease him.

Starr, an athletic youth with very light blond wavy locks of hair wore a short skin-tight under-dress. On top of this, Starr's outfit was primarily a thin see-through fabric that floated over her body loosely and moved as though it had its own realm of gravity. She didn't wear any other items except for the small white flowers in a couple of thin braids tied back in her hair. Where they came from, it wasn't popular to wear shoes or jewelry or make-up. Regardless of this her natural beauty was so prominent anything more wasn't needed.

The smile dropped from Joel's face as he focused, before launching from his position and darting toward Starr. The both of them picked up enough speed to whistle out of the sky as they streaked toward the ground.

Starr headed for the southern boundary of Heaven's Gate.

They descended like missiles, but at the last millisecond, they flared their great wings breaking out of their speedy decline so their feet lightly touched to the ground. It was a beautiful setting with lush green foliage of growth surrounding them. Starr ran to the foundation of the massive gate where she unknowingly disturbed a group of about twenty Cherubim who were lounging there.

The Cherubs looked like small children; every one of them. They wore very little in the way of clothing, but they were the most innocent and perfect children. Each one had many differences by way of hair colour, skin colour and character expression. Despite the small wings at their backs they had no problems fluttering about. This wasn't more evident than when Joel came blundering out of the forest behind Starr.

The Cherubims lifted from the area and flew off like a flock of birds down the road, back through the valley to the Holy City. They were more precious than rubies or diamonds.

"Gotch'a!" Joel announced when he came up behind Starr and gripped her shoulders. Starr hardly flinched because she was captivated by the beauty of the Southern Gate. Joel noticed this and took a step to Starr's side. Together, they looked on in awe as they tried to drink in the awesome magnificence.

Of course they had visited the gates many times before but seeing the spectacle again was no less as captivating and tranquil as the first time their celestial eyes gazed on its beauty.

The gate itself was a great pearl harnessed in a masterpiece of golden artistry. Embedded in the rich golden designs were gems of many colours. The gems encompassed a power of some sort, causing them to glow with a life of their own.

The gate marked a way through the tall, impenetrable wall that surrounded the entire land of the great city of Heaven.

Then Joel broke the silence and uttered, "Thousands of years ago, I tried to open some of these big gates, but they are so sturdy and solid, they couldn't be budged."

"Why did you try to open a gate?" Starr mediated. "Did you want to leave?"

"Oh, no. I was merely curious and saw it as a challenge."

With an astounding leap, Joel glided away from Starr to the gate. Slowly curling his fingers around the silver and gold workmanship that intricately laced the gems within, he gave a little push.

The sound of a heavy latch clicked and echoed off into the distance. Then the entirety of the enormous gate jarred loose. It was so large the gate looked like a continent on hinges and parted at a vertical angle. Joel let go of the gate immediately and quickly turned back to look at Starr. His eyes grew as wide as halos with amazement.

The bolted brazen gate yawned open slowly on protesting hinges. The sound was a howl alerting all to the breach.

Wonderment and confusion spoke from Joel's tense eyes. He didn't expect the gate to react. The gate, now slightly open; 'this _wasn't supposed to be possible.'_ he marveled with amazement.

Simultaneously, Joel and Starr took a deep breath. Anticipation gripped them both. Each of the four gates were supposed to be locked at all times. For this gate to be open was a mystery. "Is evil at work here?" Joel inquired.

"No, it is impossible for any detail to escape the Lord's notice. Everything has meaning and purpose. All things happen for a reason." Starr answered her friend.

Taking a step away from the gate, Joel couldn't stop looking at it.

Starr stepped up behind him and placed her gentle luminescent hands on his shoulders. The gate was still closed for the most part. Solid and beautiful, perhaps their eyes deceived them. "Perhaps it's not really open. You and I are mistaken." Starr suggested.

"But the gap..." Joel shook his head, "Yes, you must be right." Laughing, Joel lowered his head as he swung around to look at Starr.

She also laughed at their foolishness.

Joel wanted to confirm their silly misunderstanding as he stepped up to the gate once more and gave it a hardy push. This time the sound of the hinges could not be heard for the baritone horns of Heavens defense sounded even louder.

The great gate swung open wide and Joel stood looking out to the wondrous world beyond. Mesmerized by what he could see, Joel found himself petrified. His perfect facial features were framed in the Holy luminescent power of God's love.

A sound arose from the darkness beyond. It was a shriek of madness followed by deep growlings of Demon creatures of unfathomable depravity and utter decadence. Then, like a sudden swarm of locus was upon them, the Demons of countless numbers attacked through the open gate.

Double their number arrived to meet them as silver and gold Angels drove them back out the gate. Still this was barely enough. The demons were innumerable and threatened to force their intrusive ways in. Then a flaming sword arrived and was set in place by God at the gate. The massive golden blade struck with such force and speed, the Demons could do nothing to drive it back.

Meanwhile, outside the open gate, the battling Demons continued to rage on trying numerous tactics to gain entry.

"Joel, stay here, I'll get the others. Wilson will know what to do." With that said, Starr shot away to the sky in a dazzling streak of light.

Like a bolt of white light, Starr returned to the lake only to discover all of her friends had already ventured elsewhere. Tracking where they went, Starr flew to the heart of the great Holy City of Heaven. The aura surrounding Starr was much like the aura of the city, only vastly smaller in scale.

Flying into the heart of the Great City, Starr found everyone was moving quickly to either take up arms and join the fight to drive back the Demons or make preparations to fortify the Holy City.

Below her she caught sight of her friends, Elana and Taila. They were busy guiding and directing about fifty of the scared Cherubs to the safety of a nearby sanctuary along the street of gold.

Starr landed in the midst of them and helped to herd them all inside.

After they closed the tall double doors, the three of them stood together. Elana still cradled a Cherub in her arms.

The winged infant wailed and cried with fear. Starr's two friends were busy tickling him under his chin saying, "Kootchey-Kootchey." They were doing all they could to calm the little soul.

Finally, Starr tapped them on their shoulders from behind. Her icy blue eyes were full of urgency and seemed capable of freezing time.

Her friends had never seen Starr so worked up this way before. _'What could possibly affect her so?'_ Elana contemplated.

"What is the problem?" Taila asked, though she openly didn't believe there could be a problem at all, least of all here in Heaven. "It sounds like we are at war!" With such a youthful complexion, Taila flipped her, strawberry blond hair.

Dressed in a one-piece leather white-washed outfit, her V-cut at the front of her dress was composed of an aura that surrounded her like a loose second layered dress. This covered her like a cloud in constant motion. Taila was such a comfortable and care-free presence that could put the most callous soul at ease. She also wore leather boots that rose up almost to her knees along with matching fore-arm bands that had tassels dangling off the cuffs.

"It's Joel!" Starr told her two friends, "He pushed the Southern Gate and it opened right up!"

"He did _what_?" Elana asked as she pursed her full red lips. A breeze caught her long dark hair, but no matter how her hair fell, each strand returned to a rightful place of perfection. She peered at Starr with a new found intensity in her large green eyes. Wearing white jean shorts with a large shimmering belt buckle and a white sleeve-less T-shirt under a light blue vest, Elana floated weightlessly and ready to counsel her friend. It was all about giving from the goodness of her heart and she did it with style. Her warm gracious presence was as welcoming as her white cowgirl hat and boots. Sparks of light gleamed from the silver bull whip wound at her hip.

"Demons are trying desperately to invade our Holy domain. That's what all the chaos is about!" then Starr repeated. "Joel opened the Southern Gate!"

"Why would he do that?!" Taila asked, but she was cut short when Elana countered her question.

"Where is he now?!"

Starr looked at Taila, then to Elana. An anxious drive to do something twitched in her eyes. "He's still there; at the Southern Gate!" Starr informed her two friends. Immediately, an impressive wingspan sprang from Elana's shoulder blades as she darted away so fast it looked like she just vanished before their eyes.

The Cherubim, who was nestled warmly in Elana's arms, remained floating in the air weightlessly for a moment. Soon, it lazily unfolded from its cradled sleep with wings flapping like a humming bird. As it stretched with a sleepy yawn, so too did its wings that were as soft as angora.

Disappearing in much the same way, Taila also flew off to her friend, Joel.

The Cherubim looked at Starr with a sleepy expression and rubbed its drowsy eyes.

Starr reached out and held the Cherub's small infant hands. "You've got to send a message to the Tri-Guardians for me."

The Cherubim became alert, nodding its head to her.

"Tell them that the Southern Gate has been opened. The one who opened the Gate is waiting for them there." Starr released the hands of the Cherubim and in mid-flight, it smiled widely before it flew away in careless, casual arcs.

' _Now,'_ Starr thought to herself, _'Where will I find the rest of the_ Seven _?'_

* * *

Countless Angels charged in at the multitude of Demons. The celestial warriors were clad in shimmering armor. They welded mirrored double edged swords with blades so sharp, even a razor's edge would seem dull by comparison.

Their shields were weightless and impenetrable. When a Demon came in contact with them, they were repelled great distances.

The bows of the angel protectors retaliated the negatively charged black arrows launched by the attacking the Demons. Though the Angels proved they could hold off the Demon masses equally as well as the gate could, it wasn't a job they particularly wanted for the rest of eternity.

The horrific Demons were dark, shadowy and spikey. Hey were so energetic with such desperation they gnashed at the Angels with sharpened pointy teeth.

The weapons of the enemy were forged of blackened bones and they utilized them with such hostility and cruel madness, there seemed to be moments when their fervent fierceness might actually succeed at entering the Holy realm of Heaven.

* * *

A separate taskforce of Angels worked to reseal the Southern Gate. Amongst these brave heroes was Wilson, West and Charmatrien. They were virtually undetectable behind the open gate. As an added precaution, they dumped buckets of Aurora oil on the massive golden hinges. The three boys wore only white shorts as they had been playing on a beach together just moments before.

In West's mind, the situation would never be catastrophic, for evil had no power in Heaven. It was a rule, or law of their spiritual reality. Emergencies were a rare thing in the Holy City. West's thoughts never left the beach. He fully believed the situation would correct itself and they would be right back where the sand was soft, white and powdery under his feet. Daydreaming, West presumptuously imagined he was back where other souls also occupied the endless shore and not one of them had a clue about the urgency Starr carried in her heart.

As the Angelic boys worked at pushing the enormous gate and beams of Heavenly Glory penetrated their translucent forms, their gallant white wings flared and fluttered with the speed of a humming bird. The strong young Angels pushed the Southern Gate and it began to close. They barely noticed Starr appear before them.

Waving her arms for the boys to take notice of her and stop, Starr shouted. "Hey!" she grabbed the attention of her male companions and quickly explained that the South Gate had been opened by Joel.

Charmatrien and West began to chuckle. They had grown accustom to all thing being one big joke, but Wilson recognized the seriousness in Starr's eyes. Looking at how hard the other more experienced angels worked he began to fathom the urgency of the situation. Looking at the others with his short hair and long bangs combed to one side, Wilson snapped his fingers. The smiles instantly disappeared from Charmatrien and West and suddenly they were dressed in their appropriate attire. Instantly and equally, the Angelic young men paid attention to Wilson and Starr. In the blink of an eye they were all ready to go and assist their friend, Joel.

The Lord saw Wilson as a leader, so the others simply respected him as such. Contrary to his title, he was quite humbled and thinly framed, but when he called for his armor to collect on him, his stature became much larger. Usually, Wilson was the quiet one; slow to a temper just like he was to laughter.

The tight curls of Charmatrien's dark hair resembled a young Michael Jackson. None of the Angels had skin or any such skin colour, but Charmatrien's wide nose and full lips gave him an exotic Nigerian complexion. Charmatrien's bold and chiseled features were usually relaxed but when he heard of such a monumental event happening to one of his friends, he tightened and stood ready to assist. Charmatrien wore a simple muscle revealing white T-shirt with a long leather necklace that had a golden coin dangling from it. His simple attire with light blue pants and dark leather shoes made his wide black belt and huge gold buckle stand out as a focal point. His belt buckle was of an Angel with lightning bolts for wings and the design was finished with black, gold and silver.

West was the tallest of the group and well built. His loosely fitted shirt was open at the chest and tucked in tight at the waist. His long blond hair and striking blue eyes carried a sense of warmth and boldness with them.

Starr couldn't wait knowing her closest friends were at the mysterious open South Gate with Joel. She headed off in a streak of speed to join them.

In an instant explosion of white cloud, the boys were fully dressed. Propelling into the sky toward the South Gate the boys raced to aid their friend.

* * *

Amongst the striking colours of the garden, sitting on a rock with his elbow to his knee and his fist to his chin, Joel was in deep thought, staring at the chaos of warfare at the open Southern Gate. One by one, his Seven Angel companions arrived. As they first began to appear, it looked like they were dressed in striking garments of lightning.

First Elana appeared in an urgent flash of brightness. She looked at Joel and took a step toward him but the sight of the open gate stopped her in mid stride. The battle of good and evil was a complicated mix of violent thralls.

Behind Elana, Taila arrived.

Shortly after, Wilson, Charmatrien and West accompanied them.

When Starr appeared, she immediately noticed Joel on the rock and wen to him.

He was looking away upward at the conflict he was responsible for. The violence was a foreign affair of Heaven, yet it continued to pump, filling the wide open space of the gate. The others also gazed at the mayhem with Joel. They all seemed to share his guilt. Such a sight of misery enraptured their hearts like a snare.

Before anyone else muttered a word, Joel said, "Wilson, do you think this will anger the Lord?"

"I-I'm sure there's a perfectly good explanation for what's happening here." Wilson replied calmly, but the shrill distant cries of both Angel and Demon seemed to seal their doom in the eyes of their creator. "Let's go back to the City and bring this matter before the Lord."

Starr quickly spoke up, "I've already sent news of this to the Tri-Guardians. Should we not stay here and wait for them to arrive?"

"What did you see on the other side of the gate, Joel?" West asked, craning his head to get a better view past the fray of fighting and clashing.

"It's not easy to tell. I've never seen anything like it before, but there's definitely, something. Like you I haven't ever been outside these fortified walls. Wha I did see though was like some other far-off world." Joel answered, though his mind seemed to be so distracted and many miles away.

"You were looking through a rift. When a gate is opened, a dimensional gateway to another world is also opened." explained Wilson like this was the lesson of the day. "You probably saw earth."

The girls took a step forward in one accord as their curiosity called to them. "Can _you_ see earth?" Elana stepped up behind West, elevating on her tip toes and leaning forward to peek through the gate better. With a smile and sparkling green eyes, Elana added, "Why don't we just get close enough to take a look? I mean, the Tri-Guardians will be here any moment." The friends looked at one another, before they began to smile with delight at the suggestion. They had wanted to see earth for a very long time and such a notion had dominate many of their conversations and dreams. Grouping themselves together with Joel in front, they cautiously took a stealthy step closer, then another. Before they knew it, The Seven young Angels looked up to find they were under the wrangle of battle blows and quarrelsome strife. The warriors struggling at the boundary of the open gate seemed to stretch upward infinitely.

At the frontline of the gate's threshold, Demons began to swoop down at them. The Seven armed themselves.

Wilson took the lead naturally. His hands lit up with bright white flames and he began to throw bleached blazing fireballs which effectively began to drive the Demon horde back, but it wasn't enough. Gracing his efforts, his companions also stepped up with him.

Starr welded her remarkable pearl bladed sword while she called forth a flock of bright pure doves. The Blissful birds seemed to blind the Demons and discourage them from further reproach.

Taila had a four foot long sword blade extend out of each of her top wing knuckles. Her wings moved with extraordinary agility and strength which enabled the double edged blades of her swords to slash and reach better than they would if held in the palms of her dainty hands. The great span of her wings doubled as shields to protect her from the incoming arrows of the dark agents. As she fought she showed her love through the golden morning light emitted from every extremity of her striking yet exquisite figure.

West took hold of his long handled sledge hammer. Extending the handle of his condemnatory hammer, he twirled it expertly like it was a heavy ended staff. Each strike he landed against the attacking Demons sent them sprawling thousands of miles into the depths of the disparaging darkness beyond.

Charmatrien gripped the hilts of his water bladed swords and twirled them expertly. The Holy water of his swords were like fire to the Demons and perhaps the most effective weapon the Seven were in possession of against such evil.

Joel let his arrows of light fly from his golden bow.

Elana lashed out with her silver bull whip that always ended with a predominate crack and a slew of spectacular sparks.

"Let us not cross the entrance of the gate, agreed?" Wilson said, being the voice of caution.

"Of course." they agreed, peering to the other side of the open gate, as it became clear that the distant world on the other side _was_ earth. This was a mysterious realm of wonder to them according to the many tales they had studied and dreamt of throughout the years.

Looking harder, one at a time, they used their ability of telescopic vision to see earthlings living their day to day lives. The swirling mouth of the spiritual firmament distorted their vision and made it considerably harder to see.

"It doesn't appear to be as terrible as we were led to believe, does it?" Taila asked her friends. The Seven worked fervently to protect one another so they could all get the best view possible before the Tri-Guardians arrived.

"I'd like to get a better view." Charmatrien said as he leaned forward straining his eyes.

"Look!" West said pointing to the ground at the other side of the open gate. "The ground ends abruptly at that cliff beyond the opening of the gate's perimeter. Perhaps if we stand just a little closer, at the cliff's edge, we will be beyond the firmament's distortion so we can see better."

"Just to there." Starr agreed, cutting a line into the ground with the tip of her pearl bladed sword. "We will go no further."

"I don't think so." Wilson protested, crossing his arms, "How would we explain what we are doing to the Tri-Guardians when they show up?"

"You're right." Elana agreed with a confident nod, "I just need one moment more though and I'll be satisfied." she pushed past Wilson and Joel and leaned forward. Straining her eyes to focus her telescopic vision, she excitedly remarked. "Oh, wow! Y'all've got to see this. It's better than I could've ever imagined."

Starr expressed. "Oh, look at the dark side of the earth! It glows with speckles of light. When did that start happening?"

"How long have you been away?" Joel asked her.

Starr shrugged.

The rest of the group rushed out to the ledge with Elana where they too were amazed at what their eyes beheld.

Wilson, on the other hand, stayed behind an eerie chill came over him. Tilting his head up to take in the grand sight of the magnificent battle that continued to fill the gate's frame, he realized they were all in breach of the vow they made to willfully remain within the limits of Heaven's Gate. Quickly, Wilson moved to bring his friends back behind the limits again. "No, don't! Come back!" Wilson said as he reached out to them, but he realized too late that by doing so, he too was outside and shared a much better view with his friends.

"Oh, wow!" Elana shouted with excitement, "Wilson, don't you see? Everything is so much clearer from here."

When the others saw Wilson take a moment to focus his telescopic vision, they all leaned out on the ledge and peered out at the surface of planet earth. Wilson stood up and said, "All right everyone, that's enough. Let's get back now." But before the last word sprang from his lips, the extravagant Southern Gate of Heaven slammed shut behind them and they found themselves trapped on the other side of it.

The group of Seven turned around with a start and to their horror they found they had become outcasts of their beloved Heavenly home. Upon a small area of ground, an isolated coolness blew over the Seven as they found themselves trapped between the great gate of Heaven and the firmament barrier that separated it from the earth's realm. Feeling a sense of severance from the magnificent glory of the Lord, fear gripped their hearts like never before and they charged at the massive pearly gate and beat their fists upon it with all of their strength.

The masses of Demons swiftly descended upon them and chewed into their backs.

Ignoring the Demon's assault, the Angels hammered their fists against the pearl's surface more desperately. They pulled to open it and some of the Demons assisted them with this effort.

The Seven cried and pleaded for someone with authority to hear them and permit them back in.

Finding the gate as solid and unmoveable as it was and locked with no way to re-enter, each of the Seven became grief stricken with guilt and sadness. Huddling together, they comforted one another for encouragement.

Demons continued to scratch and tear into them, but the Angels had no fight left within them. The Demon influence quickly enveloped them and drew away their hope and faith as though they drank and slurped it up. The hope and faith of the Angels, when unguarded, was like liquor to the Demons and quickly intoxicated them.

"We need to make a shield of our wings!" Taila told her companions.

Large wings sprang from each of the Angels and stretched out over the clustered together group. As the wings interlaced, they became an umbrella of protection over them.

Passing through the pearl of the sealed Southern Gate, came four gigantic sanctified figures which were composed of hallowed light. Beams of light from these divine individuals repelled the masses of Demons away like great arms. From within the halo of light that enwreathed them, a sound became discernible. It was the sound of music and with the melody arose the singing voices of the Cherubim. Their sweet vocals were innocent like children; "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come." They repeated this song over and over. The Seven friends recognized this song. It was the song that went with and followed the Seraphim.

Realizing they were no longer under Demon attack, the snuggled bunch cautiously relaxed their tense wings and parted the dome they had fashioned for themselves. That was when the eyes of the outcast Angels beheld the distant outpouring of the Heavenly hosts. It was as though the surrounding dark clouds had been punctured and they were bleeding golden treasures out their wound. The massive parade kept coming until the surrounding masses blocked out the four giant guardian seraphims from sight.

The Seven Angelic friends were tired. Guilt weighed heavily upon each one of them for giving into their curiosities and venturing out through the open gate. They believed they committed a great sin. Shivering in fear with eyes of the multitude upon them, the Seven friends pushed in close to one another for security and encouragement.

From amongst the billions of Heavenly spectators, the four living creatures emerged and approached the young fearful Angels. Each of these creatures had four faces, six wings and moved together as though they were of one mind. Above each of the creatures was a large disk shape that appeared to be covered with eyes. Their prominent face was that of a man and the other faces seemed to be part of a great head-dress. The left side was the face of a lion, the right side was the face of an ox and the top face was of an eagle. They wore garments of pure light and their feet were like burnished bronze. These wondrous Seraphim emanated the great authority that was granted to them under God.

When they spoke they spoke all at once and beyond them the song of the Cherubims never ceased. "Angels of God, servants of the mighty Master of Creation." spoke the Seraphim from the base of the gate. "Have strength and do not fear." at these words the Seven friends were strengthened, replenished and at ease. "Don't feel guilty for what has transgressed for it was pre-ordained by our King of Kings. Rejoice, for you have been selected for a great task." This was both exciting and inspiring news for the Seven Angelic friends. Long had they yearned for such a calling. It was, to them, an opportunity to serve their Lord and Master, whom they loved.

Then the Seraphim rose up high and their mighty wings merely stretched out and high for this to happen. In place of the Seraphim the Tri-Guardians gallantly approached. These three giant Archangels had wide golden wings that stood like swords from their backs. Each of these Angels loomed over the Seven. They were three stories high and smiled down at the group. The Archangel at the center began to speak, "You will all be assessed. One of you will be subdued by the enemy."

"Hold true to your faith and hold true to each other, now go!" exclaimed the Archangel to the left.

"Soar through the firmament to the earth. Follow the escort of your brethren." spoke the Archangel on the right.

At once the three great Archangels tentatively spoke, saying, "The entire planet earth will need you by the end."

Thus the seven Angels soared beyond the firmament under Heaven and crossed to the realm of earthly stature. Each one of these chosen inexperienced Angels longed to discover, first-hand, what discoveries the world of earth would yield. Laughing, they raced into the mysteries of earth's shadows and secrets. Full of insatiable confidence, they expressed their care-free spirits of unchecked complacency. The lessons of life were destined to be learned through experience. The negativity of our world was about to educate these Seven Angels in way they won't expect.

# CHAPTER 1

HUMANS...

EARTH; the world of materialism where money makes the world go round, but arguably the same could be said for emotions. Humanity could go on without money, but emotions? Who could escape those? Angels influence and encourage people, while Demons work to undermine all good works. Unlike Heaven, earth was a place of shadows and darkness, but it wasn't without its grace and splendor. Just as the sun wrestles with the clouds to provide either light and warmth or a chill and gloom to each new day, there are people who bring their choice of light or darkness into every situation.

The small town of Princeton was beautifully nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, where a crew of men showed up at their construction site. At six o'clock AM, when the morning sun began to crest the horizon, the day was already hot. Being as early as it was, the temperature was only going to rise throughout the day. An older red jeep Cherokee pulled into the construction zone alongside two other pick-up trucks. The fore-man's GM truck had the company name displayed on the door, 'Princeton Construction Corp.'

The driver of the jeep, Jasper; a young man of twenty-three years, loved the way the warm wind felt through his hair. His curly locks were long and scruffy. He pulled the crown of his dirty dark blue baseball cap down over his head so the bill of it was set low to shade his unshaven face.

Sitting beside him was his friend, Ned, who was a heavy set man with a heart of gold. Taking a sip from the paper cup of coffee he'd picked up from the gas station, Ned was careful not to spill any of it.

The gas station was the location Jasper regularly hooked-up with his friend and provided him with a lift to work. Generally, Ned remained calm and was, for the most part, always smiling. Pulling into the work site, (today a small church) the young men enjoyed working together. Jasper eased his jeep to a stop as he half watched Ned who bravely decided to slurp a sip over the curb. Opening his passenger door, Ned rolled out, careful not to let go of his lunch box or tip his cup of hot steamy brew.

"Hey, Ned, don't spill a drip, okay?" Jasper said as he opened his door.

"Oops!" Ned responded with snarky laughter, "Sorry Jasper. It looks like I saturated your upholstery."

Jasper gave Ned a wry expression, "I'm not worried about the upholstery, just don't burn yourself."

"Oh, gee, that's thoughtful Jasper, thanks." Ned replied with a playful tone of sarcasm in his voice. "Oh, and thanks for the ride too." This next happy jostle of gratitude came with added seriousness.

Jasper slammed his door. "Do you know how hard it is to find good help in this town?" he asked with a cynical grin.

Ned chuckled, "Yeah, well, thanks just the same."

The workday started out no differently than any other. The two companions joined the rest of the crew which totalled five, including the project fore-man, Jesse. The fore-man quickly filled out the attendance record and briefed the men on their progress. "This project is running a little behind schedule." Jesse informed the crew.

The project was to build a new church for the community. Most of the project had been completed. Jesse looked at Rob and Bob. "You guys are on clean-up. I'll unload the tools, but we need to have everything completed to the exterior before we begin any renos inside and we need to have it ready by yesterday."

"Did you bring water?" Rob asked in another of his pestering tones.

"Yeah Rob, we're going to fry today. The news guy on the radio said we're supposed to break records with heat temperatures in the high pluses for the rest of the week. Every year the summers get hotter and hotter." Bob explained like a true weather-man.

"You said it, Bob. This year is supposed to be the hottest yet. We're going to fry." added Rob, in his notoriously repetitive and predictable way.

"Don't worry. I know it won't be easy to get everything finished today, but we have to stay hydrated. I heard the same weather report on my way in. That's why I did pick up extra bottles of water." explained Jesse with stern care before he turned to Jasper and Ned. "Ned and Jasper, you guys need to start off by applying the exterior base coat to the side walls of the church. When you finish, I need you both to go up on the roof to secure the church bell. We have two come-alongs in the truck. You're going to need them both." he looked at the four men, "We have a lot to do today. Last night I got a call from the head honcho of this church and he said he'll be in sometime today to check up on our progress. Let's keep our heads in the game so we don't disappoint him, all right?"

The crew agreed before they split up and prepared for their day of work. While Ned and Jasper were busy painting the outside of the church with paint rollers attached to extension poles, Ned asked his partner. "Hey, Jasper, have you had the guts yet to even say 'hi,' to Jade yet?"

"Take a guess, Ned." Jasper replied, bothered by Ned's discreet heckling. It was only a matter of time, Jasper knew, before Ned would ask the same questions all over again.

"Boy, are you crazy or what?" Ned smirked as he rubbed it in. Jasper told Ned he was interested in a girl from town once but he was too shy to talk to her. "If I were you," Ned went on, "I would have all the women of this town begging to go out with me. I lost three pounds last month and it's just a matter of time before it's all gone. If you don't make a move soon, I just might snatch her out from under you."

Jasper was silent for a moment, "I live a private life and I kind'a like it that way."

"Huh? Have you ever been on a date?" Ned inquired with a suspicious eye, though both he and Jasper knew, even if Jasper answered 'once' it would be more dates than Ned had ever experienced.

Jasper was silent again.

Then Ned quickly figured it out. "You haven't been on a date? What, not ever?"

"So what, Ned?!" Jasper became defensive. "Neither have you."

"I'm just a few calories away from Mr. Stud." Ned lifted his eye brows a few times, "Boy, but you? You live like a turtle in a shell."

This comment caused Jasper to stop and look at him for a moment.

"You're going to have to come out into the world sometime in your life. Look at us; two losers. Life is just passing us by while everyone else is living it up." Ned's voice became quiet with petulant thought, "Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever measure up... I suck!"

It was like looking through a window into Ned's vulnerable side for a moment. Though Jasper had never seen Ned like this before, he had suspected his constant smile was covering for something, he just never pin-pointed what until now.

"We suck, Ned. We suck." Jasper spoke softly, encouraging his friend so he didn't feel so alone. They lowered their paint rollers to the paint tray at the same moment. Clicking their rollers together, they called, "Cheers!" smiling at one another, they continued to work. The first hours of the day passed quickly.

Ned looked at Jasper with sad eyes, but he quickly brightened up again as though he put his smiling mask back on. "It must be lunch."

The two friends went to sit on a log at the edge of the parking lot. They opened their lunch kits. White paint was all over their hands and coveralls. Jasper ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while Ned chewed into a bun that was loaded with vegetables and meat.

"What is that, Ned?" Jasper asked, "It looks like a Scooby-Doo sandwich."

"It's nutritious." Ned explained as he tried hard to work his jowls around the bun alone. While Ned was chomping on a mouthful of food, he looked at the church and began to speak around each bite of his nutritious sandwich, "You know what the biggest miracle of this church is? It's how people will come to it. They come to listen to some guy shouting at them. They'll pray about stuff that they have no control over, to a God they have never seen, when all the while they could pray anywhere they want." Ned swallowed hard.

For a split second, Jasper wondered if he'd have to save Ned from choking.

Before he was finished chewing, Ned took another big bite and observed, "An even bigger miracle is when these people give money. That's what it's all about anyway you know: money." Bits of his sandwich flew from his mouth when he spoke. "I don't get it. They must be putting something into the juice and crackers at communion. Brainwashed! I tell you, they're all brainwashed!" Spit and crumbs flew from his mouth more than ever as he increasingly worked himself up. "I mean why did I take first aid? If I went to church I could slap your head and heal you if you were hurt." Ned slapped Jasper at the back of his head as he went for a bite of his peanut butter and jelly.

Jasper was annoyed at first but then the two of them laughed. It wasn't easy for Jasper to remain angry at his happy friend.

"Maybe you're right, Ned. Maybe you're right." Jasper commented, keeping an eye on Ned to be sure another slap wasn't on the way. "But I hope you're not wrong." Ned looked at him curiously. "Otherwise." Jasper continued. "Some believe we'll have a scorch'n bath waiting for us." Jasper laughed only to realize he was laughing alone.

Ned didn't like the pun, because it meant there was a chance he was wrong. Wrong? Ned couldn't accept that. God was an impossible idea. Such a concept was completely absurd, wasn't it?

"Who's side are you on, Jasper? You think I'm wrong?" Ned seemed to challenge him.

"I can't say, Ned. I never met God. It is hard to believe something you can't see with your own eyes. All I was wondering though was why you described church like it was a rock concert."

Ned's eyes bulged. "Rock concert!..." This time Ned seemed closer to choking than ever. "How so?"

Jasper smiled broadly. "You said you don't want to attend a church to have someone shouting at you. Ok, go to a rock concert. That makes way more sense. And as for money, a rock concert wouldn't dream of having anything to do with that. By the way, how much did you pay for that last concert you went to?"

"Yeah, okay. Point taken, Jasper." Ned was quiet as he packed the last half of his sandwich back into his lunch box. He couldn't finish it.

Deciding to finish their lunch a few minutes early, they went back to work. Painting the last wall to completion seemed like a quick job after their break, but before the day was through they had one last task to accomplish. They had to secure the bell in the bell tower.

Jasper leaned the extension ladder up the side of the church. Ned came around the corner carrying the two come-alongs.

"Hey Ned, aren't you forgetting something?" Jasper asked with a slight head tilt to assume whatever it was, was very obvious.

"Like what?" Ned countered, mashing his eyebrows together. "I have everything we could need right here in my tool belt." he proudly patted the large old leather pockets of his belt.

"I was referring to the harnesses. It's steep up there, you know."

"Oh, we won't need those. I've done this a million times before. I even put this roof on with my own two hands." Ned explained confidently.

"All right, brave team leader, but I'm going to put mine on just the same. Let's just get this over with." Jasper wiped the sweat from his fore-head. The sun's rays were beating down on them pretty good and this was the final task of the day then it'd be time to pack up and head home.

Just before Jasper began hoisting his body up the ladder, the fore-man showed up. Another man was also with him. "Hey you two, hold up a minute!" Jesse called.

"Sure, Jesse." Jasper answered back obediently.

"This is Pastor Jay Reynolds. This is going to be _his_ church when we're finished with it." Jesse smiled and slapped his arm around the Pastor as though they were best friends.

The Pastor reached out his hand to shake with Ned and Jasper. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. I thought I might miss this moment when the church bell would be hung." smiling warmly, the Pastor was like a man who found peace with the world.

"Well, this is very good timing on your part then, isn't it?" Jasper replied, trying to seem witty.

"Yeah." Ned started, as he felt he should say something also. "Don't ring the bell until we've come down, though. I don't feel like earning my wings today." he chuckled half-heartedly.

The Pastor forced a chuckle of his own, but it was clear that Ned's dark undertone struck none of his funny strings.

"Ned." Jesse said with a frown. He would be very upset if Ned were to say something inappropriate.

"Oh, that's all right." the Pastor said quickly sensing the rise of tension. "I do want to hear the bell ring for the first time, but I tell you what. How would you two like to be the first to pull the rope and ring it? This way, we know it won't ring until you're both down. It looks dangerous up there."

"Oh, the pitch doesn't bother us." Ned assured the Pastor. "I've worked on steeper roofs than this."

"Okay, very good guys, but the bell won't get hung all on its own. Let's get to it." Jesse turned away with his arm still around the Pastor.

"God bless." the Pastor expressed with a wave as he turned away with Jesse.

The two companions took what they needed up the ladder to the peak of the roof. Ned was somewhat irritated that Jasper was wearing his harness and carrying the rope. "You see Jasper, all we need to do is shimmy along the peak to the bell tower and secure the thing. Then we'll be done. It's a two second job. It takes more time to figure out how to put on the harness and measure the amount of rope we need." Ned tried to rationalize his argument.

"I hear you, buddy. I'm right behind you, but since I've already put mine on, I'll go up with it." Jasper sighed. He felt safety was simple enough but arguing with Ned; that was complicated.

Little by little they slunk their way forward along the peak of the roof to the bell tower. They straddled the roof with Ned in front leading the way. Attaching one end of a come-along to the metal framework above the bell, Ned clipped the other end to the bell itself. He began cranking the handle to tighten the cable. As the sprocket turned and clicked with each rotation, Jasper noticed the heat of the day was really getting to Ned. They were both sweating profusely, but they also felt pressured to perform flawlessly for their audience of bosses. The church bell began to lift to the crossbar. Uncomfortable as he was, Ned tried to shift his weight around to fix the second come-along in place. Reaching out to grasp the bell tower, his large body rocked to one side. Once he was off balance, the come-along slipped from Ned's sweaty fingers and clattered down the steep tin roof. Gravity took the device toward the edge with a loud abrasive clatter. "Look out below!" Ned shouted. The come-along vanished over the edge without bringing harm to anyone below.

Jasper couldn't bear to let his friend go over the edge with it. Unclipping his tether line from his harness he dove toward his friend. Snapping the clip of his tether to Ned's tool belt, Jasper quickly found his feet wouldn't grip to the steep metal pitch of the smooth tin roof.

Ned stopped. He was hung by the tether line that became taught under the support of his weight. Ned's limp body slumped over the safety straps.

Jasper reached out to Ned and Ned reached back to Jasper but their fingers could barely touch. "I'm slipping!" Jasper called out urgently.

"The roof hasn't been screwed down yet." Ned confirmed with a start. With no screw heads to provide traction under Jasper's shoes, the roof was as smooth as a playground slide.

Lying flat out on the roof like a starfish, there was nothing else Jasper could do to stop the inevitable.

Ned shouted as loud as he could, "Jesse! Jesse help! Jesse!"

With the sound of a long dry squeak of flesh against metal, Jasper slowly slid down the roof and watched helplessly as the edge approached. The end of his existence loomed with many thoughts racing through his mind. His entire life literally flashed before his eyes.

Recognizing himself as a boy, Jasper saw how he yearned to live a carefree life in search of the perfect paradise. In his quest and easy going ways he had experimented with alcohol and cigarettes. In his later teens, Jasper found pleasures in other substances through his connections to various street drugs. He always considered himself careful and a lover of the ladies, only the ladies rarely loved him in return. Feeling such resentment he quickly became very indignant and a loner. Learning to trust his gut when making big decisions in life, he felt religious folk must be very insecure. Deep down, he hoped there was no God so he wouldn't have to atone for his choices. Jasper's need for money caused him to make some regrettable decisions by breaking the law. Life was hard and Jasper was remorseful for the few fights he landed himself into. A great sense of conviction hit him when he saw the people he hurt in his life and how subsequently he'd been hurt also.

"Could you forgive them?" a voice spoke to Jasper. He knew instantly, the voice referred to the people who'd crossed him in his life.

Knowing this was likely the end of his life, Jasper answered, "Y-yes, yes I forgive them."

"Could you find it in your heart to love them?" came another question from the mysterious voice.

"Wha?" Jasper thought about the question. Why was he going to die this way? "Yes, I could love them. I only did what I did because I feared them!" When Jasper spoke these words, a clarity of mind come over him. He suddenly had the capacity to understand so much more than he ever could before. Recognizing the voice speaking to him wasn't Ned's, nor was it any other co-worker, Jasper speculated curiously. "God, if that's you. Please spare me. I'm not ready to die. I wish to do something special for you; - something worthy, with my life!"

' _Why am I praying to God?'_ Jasper wondered, _'Does he even exist?'_ One thing Jasper was certain of; he was about to find out.

There was so much he still wanted to experience in his life. _'What a waste that my life should end now... Like this...'_ Jasper deliberated. His heart slammed against his breastbone, it was beating so hard. He wasn't ready to die. Ned was still reaching out to Jasper, screaming for Jesse to help. His piercing screams sliced through the silent afternoon like a razor-sharp blade.

Finally, Jasper slipped over the edge and fell twenty feet to the cement below. Smacking the back of his head with the sound of a great crack, he subsequently blacked out.

* * *

Within a shroud of darkness, Jasper stirred. Feeling lighter in weight, he easily stood up straight. Experiencing no response of injury from the fall, Jasper spoke, "Hey, who turned out the lights?"

Thoughts ran through his mind. 'I fell... It was a long way down. Has something changed? Am I blind? Will I ever see again? Where is everyone? Am I alone?' Jasper reached out with his arms to find the church wall, but it wasn't where he reasoned it was supposed to be.

Calling out to his co-workers; "Hey, guys! I'm over here! Can you hear me?! Rob?! Bob?! I think I'm blind!" but Jasper was returned with no answer. Moving his hands up to rub his eyes, Jasper found his hands pass right through his own head. Pulling his hands down quickly, he held them out as though he was looking at them, but he still couldn't see a thing. Clasping his hands together, again Jasper found his hands move right through one another.

A cold chill came over him. Feeling alienated, Jasper wondered why everyone abandoned him, but not for long. A presence began to approach him from the darkness... a distinct presence of evil. A sense of anxiety quickly closed in around him, smothering him and his throat began to hurt like he was being choked. "Guys, help! Where am I? HELP!!!"

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!!!"

A very deep beastly voice exploded over Jasper and rattled his senses. His voice was so offensive it scared him to his core. With his eyes stretched wide open, Jasper strained to be able to see into the darkness, but for all his effort he couldn't see a thing.

"IT'S NOT FAIR! YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO STAY HERE WITH ME! YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW HIM!"

"Wh-who don't I know?" Jasper asked with a shaky innocence.

"SHUT-UP!!! YOU HAVE LIVED A SINFUL AND FAITHLESS LIFE!!! THAT IS WHY YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MINE! IT'S NOT FAIR!!!" The lanky limbed creature paced and circled Jasper like an angered lion. Something vile and menacing hid behind those glowing amber eyes of his.

Jasper could feel its movement and distress. He turned to face the creature in the darkness when he found himself all of a sudden standing in the face of a penetrating bright light. It shone on him and all around him. It protected him and Jasper knew, without a doubt, the creature wasn't stronger than the light. The life energy within the light lifted him. For a moment, Jasper turned and looked down. There, he caught a glimpse of the beast slinking away into the darkness.

It was hideous and evil with deep crimson skin that was almost brown. Horns curled back on either side of its head and came almost full circle before pointing forward like a goat. Its dark thick hair flowed like a lion's mane. Long white fangs were exposed when it curled its lips back in an enraged snarl. Glowing yellow eyes narrowed with furious indignation, and disappeared into the distance like the embers escaping a great fire.

Feeling safety in the light, Jasper turned to face up again and found he was moving through a passage of some sort like a tunnel or portal. Firm strong arms of light held him tightly. Someone held him and was delivering him to Heaven. Rising out of the portal, Jasper ended up in a room of pure light. The light was warm and comfortable and didn't hurt his eyes in the least. From the light against the glare came the shadow of a figure who approximated him. This mysterious person removed his cloak and revealed how He was entirely composed of the same glorious light. This figure blended with the light and due to the immense brightness it was difficult to make out any features of His face. The clothes He wore weren't stitched of fabric but devised of material light and fashioned like a robe of sunlight. This person's eyes were extraordinary; full of knowledge, power, authority and love. His hair; so white and flowing, this gentleman's countenance was completely ageless.

"You are God!" Jasper said with awe. His legs seemed to disappear from under him and he found himself kneeling before this most impressive celestial being.

"Jasper, you have searched your whole life for paradise. In this moment, I wish to offer you that which you seek." With a wave of his hand, God opened a circular window through a wall of cloud.

Jasper couldn't believe his eyes. The most amazing colours and undeniable beauty struck his heart deeply and he knew without a doubt, this was where he belonged. Though Jasper wasn't allowed to see much, what little he did see changed him forever. Many colours he had never perceived before existed in that place. Even simple things like rocks made him feel happy as though they radiated positive emotion. The water of the lakes and small brooks sparkled with its own source of light, not from a reflection but from a power of goodness that it possessed from within. Jasper couldn't describe the beauty of trees and flowers, for it was like nothing he'd ever seen before. Then there were the beautiful and perfect people all a glow, who seemed to call to him with unmeasurable and unconditional, love and acceptance.

In that moment, Jasper perceived how the 'real world' wasn't 'real' anymore, but the 'spiritual realm' was more real than any other place he ever knew. Unable to imagine going back to his regular life, Jasper found himself both gripped in superb joy and terrifying fear. He was certain he'd wake up any moment to find it was all a very realistic and convincing dream.

At one glance, Jasper yearned to enter the paradise of Heaven and commit to the paradise he'd been after his whole life, but before he could, the Lord shut the window and said. "A moment's glance of Heaven is much greater than a thousand years of the highest life on Earth. My offer stands, but it is your choice. Do you wish to enter, or do you wish to return to your previous life?"

Jasper thought about his two choices and wondered why he wasn't naturally drawn into Heaven. 'Why do I have to make a choice? I could be asked the same question a thousand times and the answer would always be the same. Of course I'd choose Heaven. But this is really God standing before me. He knows my name. He knows the deepest and furthest inner part of me better than I know myself. So why would He have to ask?'

Remembering his sinful life, Jasper found he still carried a strong sense of conviction deep inside. Certainly, Jasper knew he could make a better life for himself and others if he returned to the land of the living, but this idea perplexed him to no end. It wasn't easy for him to articulate his answer, but because of God's question, the right answer, though he didn't like it, couldn't be clearer, "God, I wish to return, but the work I wish to do might be too much for me, I'll need help. Will you assist me so I remain on the right path?"

"Indeed, you know _I will_. For you, Jasper, I will send some assistance. Who can be so blinded as you, but my servant?... It is for the work of judgement that I came into the world... to give sight to those who cannot see, and to make blind those who can... If you were blind you would not be guilty..."

"I see! You need to make me blind to remove my guilt." Jasper didn't fully understand, but he was compelled to communicate with God respectfully and do what he had to so he would be accepted into Heaven.

"Because you claim to see, your guilt remains. Now, you understand, when I called on my servant Paul, My Glory struck him blind. My light only revealed his true condition. In this same way, you must now be struck blind in the natural so you can see by My Spirit. Be on your way until you come into My presence again. My servant, Jasper, I give to you, your previous life and forget not; I will never leave or forsake you."

# CHAPTER 2

HOSPITALS; a dirty, disease filled trap. The Seven Angels couldn't remember ever being in a hospital before. "Earthlings must get sicker coming to such a place as this." The Angel Joel suggested.

"Yes, they come seeking treatment for one disease and leave with three more?" the Angel Charmatrien added.

"Then, while we're here we have to be the counter disease." Wilson responded with a surge of determination. "Watch now as our presence spread health and well-being faster and stronger than any of these diseases are capable of."

"We shan't lose sight of our mission." Starr reminded her companions. "Have we not wanted this for far too long? Talking about when the Lord would use us; dreaming how we would be used and even acting out our own versions of what this would be like?"

"Moreover, we better not fail." West replied. "Already, we found we could do nothing when this poor young man fell. Even still, I can't imagine what we could've done to prevent his tragic moment."

"You nailed it." Charmatrien agreed, "The moment we showed up, our human responsibility narrowly perished."

"Perhaps this is why we haven't been assigned a mission before." West speculated.

"We need only to look back as far as the failure of our last _mission_." Joel reminded everyone, with an eye of conviction. The others shamefully lowered their heads.

"Should we consider for a moment, we aren't cut-out for this kind of work?" West dared to deliberate, "I wish to exist no longer if it means failing our Lord again."

Wilson arose amongst his downhearted friends. They seemed so confused and conflicted on the matter. He shared their concerns but it was the one thing Wilson wanted, above all else, to avoid. He spoke swiftly and decisively, seizing the moment. "Have we learned nothing? Everything happens for a reason. We don't give up. Quitting now, before we begin is out of the question. We all know this to be true; what happened was supposed to happen. Let the opening of the great Southern Gate also open our eyes to what we're up against here."

The Seven Angels circled the bed where Jasper lay unmoving and unconscious.

"I too feel we have failed to protect this poor soul, but we must agree; it won't happen again." Wilson stated boldly.

"We agree." the Angels hooted together.

"Just look at him sleeping. He's not exactly what I expected an earthling to look like." Elana imparted. "I didn't know they were capable of looking so peaceful."

"Remember, no matter their reputation, each earthling has the potential to become the person God created them to be. In this, I mean, they can become greater to God than any one of us Angels." Wilson recalled.

"Ughn..." came a voice from the bed.

"Oh, he stirs. It looks like our boy is awakening." Taila pointed out with care.

A foggy mind and a splitting headache accompanied words spoken in an echo over and over as they faded out into the distance; _'My servants must become blind so that_ they _can see...'_ It was all Jasper could recall when he awoke.

Then he felt spiritual Angelic hands pull away from his eyes and ears.

Wondering why all he could see was the bright eyesore of a white blur, Jasper searched with his hands to find a bandage wrapped around his head. Patting his face after locating the bandage with his fingers, he pulled it off. His eyes snapped open and beheld the truest incarnation of his blissful and fantastic dreams. Before him, Jasper found Angels; Seven beings of celestial light who stood surrounding his bed. One of the first things Jasper made note of was how these God sent beings of light were not of average human stature. They were about eight feet tall, standing so straight and noble that Jasper felt out of place in their company. The most alarming thing about their presence was the manner of their manifestation.

They looked at one another, puzzled.

As Jasper looked at the Angels, his body went rigid and he couldn't move. Each one was a translucent apparition of light. They were dazzling and more regal than anyone he had ever seen. Such countenance captivated him. Never had Jasper known such peace and confidence to grace a human's face. Focusing on one Angel to the next, each one was beautiful beyond any earthly measure of comparison. In courtesy, they bowed, greeting him as though they recognized him.

Ashamed, Jasper had to restrain himself from bowing to them in return. His mind wrestled with a desire to hide himself because he felt so lowly, dirty and unworthy amongst these who were so brilliant and pure.

"I-is he, looking at us?" Joel asked suspiciously.

"It would appear so, but he cannot see us. The people of this world rarely can unless we permit them to or if God grants them such ability." Wilson answered as Starr risked the flight of a quick short-cut over the hospital bed from one side to the other.

Marveling at her vast wingspan, Jasper fixed his eyes on the Angel as she acrobatically did so.

"Okay, it really looked like he saw that." Wilson said and the others agreed with confounded expressions.

Addressing Jasper, Wilson asked, "Are you looking at us?"

"Y-yes. I'm not sure if I see you with my mind or my eyes, but I do see you. It's hazy and dark but you folks are bright." Jasper answered them, simply responding to their question to the best of his articulation.

Surprised by the answer he received, Wilson didn't expect Jasper to acknowledge him at all.

"Your eyes have been touched by God." This remark from Taila clarified much for Jasper. "You have the ability to hear us also?"

Jasper was in awe of Taila's divine beauty when he answered her, "I hear the machines in this room with my ears, but your voices I hear with my mind." Scrutinizing the Angels closer, Jasper was amazed at how polished and new their armor looked in addition to how their wings were the whitest of all whites with no speck of dirt to be found. They appeared to be softer than a Siberian husky's coat.

The Angels, amazed at this, exchanged looks. Wilson prayed, "Oh Lord, it is here in the glorious clarity of this new understanding where You've provided us the ability to see and be seen. May we relate and understand one another as You intended, Amen."

"Who are you?" Jasper asked with wide eyed amazement. The sight of them was so rich no human could ever measure up.

Wilson glided forward and said, "You may know us as the truth of the Holy Spirit; to you, _we_ are scripture." As light passed through the Angels it fractured into iridescent colours of the spectrum.

The Seven Angels went around the room introducing themselves; the young male, still closest to Jasper, who was clearly the leader of the Seven, said, "My name is Wilson. My name means; 'Wisdom of God.' My mission is to be of service to you." he then bowed to Jasper. His armor shimmered and sparked like it was charged with energy.

A tall young man came to Wilson's side who had the bluest of blue eyes and as majestically deep as a tropical shallow shore. His hair was blond and wavy like he lived his whole life on Scandinavian shores, "My name is West, which means; 'To walk with the Lord.'" Palming a large hammer in his hand, he glanced down at it and said, "This is my hammer of persuasion. I too will serve you by protecting you with both this hammer and my eternal light." He then bowed before Jasper, next to Wilson.

The next young male drew near. "I am Joel, which means; 'Yahweh is God.'" he held out his bow and quiver of arrows. Solemnly he attributed, "Permit me the use of these weapons, that I might do what is good in the eyes of our Lord by them. Through my humble ability, I too wish to serve you." Taking a step back to join the line of his brethren, Joel bowed. A frontal piece of a kingly crown of gold and rubies was fused to the breast piece of his sterling silver armor.

"Greetings friend. You may address me as Charmatrien, which means; 'Fiery Spear of Holiness.' In response to fill the mandate set upon me by my Father in Heaven, please accept my service also to protect and guide you." Charmatrien took his place next to his kin and graciously bowed. Lightning bolt designs were engraved in his armored shoulder pads and shone with the power of a contained storm. His armor, polished to a mirror finish, had a turquoise tinge with frosted silver lining.

At the other side of Jasper the three young females approached Jasper. Each one was so beautiful and radiant, "I am Elana. The meaning of my name is; 'Little Rock of solid Faith.' Like our brethren, we wish to join you on your journey and serve you as the Spirit directs." This cowgirl lifted her silver lasso of loneliness and love along with her whip of conviction high over her head. Then she drew her arm in to her chest crossing her forearms and bowed.

With beauty unmatchable on earth, the next young Angel said, "I am Starr." she rolled her eyes like a sassy young teenager, "My name means; 'Celestial body of Light.'" Jasper could see she was being modest with her dazzling Angelic hairdo. She was obviously the kind of person who woke up looking fabulous. "I hope to light the path at your feet and help direct you to your destiny." As elegantly as Elana, Starr bowed.

"I am, Taila, which means; 'Golden Dawn.' I was the Guardian of an early Viking maiden explorer. After spending a lifetime with the girl, I adopted a lot of who she was along with her Danish heritage." Taila's strawberry blond hair was a natural complement to her soft homey complexion. She had a way of connecting to animals and the land. "I pledge my gift of insight to reveal what might be otherwise hidden along with my deep commitment to you and your cause." With a likeness to the grace of her sister friends, Taila bowed in humble servitude.

Looking at the Angels bowing before him, Jasper said, "Okay, that's real nice and by far, more than enough. Obviously, I should be the one bowing to you. I mean, you're Angels!"

The Seven Angels arose and though Jasper could see them standing around him, he felt another unseen presence that he couldn't identify. It was the Spirit of Holiness.

After the intros were made, the hospital patient introduced himself to the Angels when he shared, "My name is _Jasper_." He took a deep breath, "I don't know what else I can tell you. I didn't ask for Angels. Are you sure you have the right person?" cross checking, Jasper concluded, "Oh, I get it. I'm dreaming right?" Looking around, he presumed. "It would explain this fuzzy foggy vision I have, or am I, you know... dead?" After feeling the blanket, he put his hands to his face. Closing his sore eyes, Jasper waited but when he opened them again, the Angels still stood at his bedside. Reaching out his hand to touch the hand of a nearby Angel, Elana, Jasper found his hand pass right through hers. "I am nothing special. I am just a normal guy who lives a very boring life."

"...And you have the ability to talk to Angels." Elana said with a delightful smile. The way the Angels moved was somehow detached from reality. This made them tranquil apparitions to look upon.

"That doesn't sound so normal to me." West stated, flipping his long golden hair back.

"...Or boring." Joel added puffing up his chrome chest and smiling.

Not sure what direction the conversation should move, Wilson believed the truth had to be the most telling place to start. Describing the events that took place which invariably brought them to stand at Jasper's bed-side, Wilson said, "We're a close knit group of Seven friends. In Heaven we are known simply as 'the Seven,' and we were escorted to your world by thousands of other, more experienced, Angels. As we circled your strange world and observed many oddities, we heard the sound of a trumpet call. Other Angels who accompanied us, also responded to the trumpet blast. We soon discovered that the Angels who blew the trumpets, were doing so to summon aid. Flying ultra-fast to the source of the alarming trumpet we soon came to the site of a little church where we found you, Jasper. We saw you unhook yourself from your life-line to save your friend."

Jasper looked down at the floor as he recalled the event. "I remember, now." Jasper said, "How's Ned?"

"Your friend was spared. Your attempt to save him was successful." Charmatrien answered with respectful cheer.

Wilson continued to tell Jasper what happened. "With many of us Angels crowding in, we all tried to stop you from sliding off the tin roof. Unfortunately, the dark powers had both destiny and gravity on their side."

"The Prince of Darkness rules this world." West told Jasper. "He suffocates it with his stench and tight grip."

Jasper lowered his gaze from West when he was finished talking.

Then Wilson picked up the conversation from there, "When you were sliding off the roof, Angels pulled at your arms while Demons pulled at your legs like some sort of contest. The Demons outnumbered us; overpowering us, you slipped from our grasp. We lost you over the edge. However, the Angels continued to fight for your safety. Some battled the evil, others flapped their wings trying to lift you back up to the roof, while others surrounded your body and head to protect you from the impact of the fall."

Elana, Starr and Taila began to weep as they felt pity for Jasper along with a compelling sense that they failed him.

"Your body struck the cement and your spirit rose freely. We were there to guide you to Heaven, but a swarm of Demons stole your soul away from us."

Jasper remembered the darkness he awoke to, but Starr's gracious voice caused him to feel like he was back in Heaven again. Her hair was a flowing mass of weightless wispy gold.

"I've gotta ask you again. Am I dead?" Jasper's question came a second time with additional determination. This time he expected an answer.

The Angels considered the question and looked to Wilson to articulate an appropriate response. It wasn't natural for Jasper to be able to see and hear Angels. Usually when this happens, the person of flesh _has_ died.

As Wilson devised an answer, he deliberated, _'Perhaps_ Jasper _was dead at some capacity. It would explain_ how _he could communicate with them.'_ Just then, the door to the hospital room opened and a nurse strode in. Plugging along, the nurse trudged right through West and his hammer as he took a deep breath. He was clearly stupefied by the ethereal experience. It was like he never underwent such a sensation before.

Jasper turned his face to the nurse and questioned, "Can't you see the Angels?" He noticed something shimmering on the nurse's shoulders and fore-arms like silver pieces of Holy ghostlike armor.

"She wears the Armor of God." Taila pointed out as the other Angels also noticed it. "But she only wears some of the armor. To protect herself from the enemy's attacks, she should wear the full armor of God."

Jasper's question caused the nurse to smile as it entertained her, but when she noticed the bandages for his eyes and skull fracture had been removed, it instantaneously maddened her. "What?! Why have you taken your bandage off? Can you hear me?! Do you understand what I'm saying to you?!" She picked the bandage and pads up off the floor. Quickly slipping the tensor bandage back over Jasper's head, she set the gauze pads over his eyes. "Oh, what will the doctor say about this? I hope you haven't compromised your recovery."

"No, please, it's okay." Jasper told her. "I can see just fine. It's just my head. It hurts so bad." The situation confirmed one thing. 'With pain as severe as this, I'm certainly not dead.' Jasper confirmed.

"I'm sorry, Jasper, but you're clinically blind. I can't believe you're awake already. Here, I have something for the pain and I can also add something so you'll get more rest." The nurse went to the IV drip and emptied a syringe of a pain killer and sleep medication into it. "I'll call the doctor for you. In the meantime, I want you to relax and get some sleep. You don't need to do anything so don't try to get out of bed on your own. If you need anything at all just press this button and someone will be in to check on you."

"Please, nurse!" Jasper called.

"Yes?" the nurse afforded Jasper her attention.

Jasper felt the drowsy effects of the drugs overtaking him quickly. "Do you see the Angels?" He asked her again.

"Oh, you're delusional, Jasper. You hit your head pretty hard." the nurse replied with care and concern.

Settling his head back into his pillow, Jasper surrendered to the unfamiliar stillness of the drugs that calmed him. Under the thick bandages wrapped around his crown and those that covered over his eyes, he could see nothing at all. In the silence of the room, Jasper slipped into a deep sleep.

* * *

Seven Angels stood looking down at Jasper, "He sleeps." Taila said.

"So strange, each time I see it. Young or old, when bodies of flesh sleep, they look so peaceful." Elana added, indicating Angels didn't require sleep because it was a restful restitution a body of flesh required.

Starr's eyes widened when she turned to her friends. "Have you ever seen a baby sleep? There is supposed to be nothing more sublime."

"I'm sure a baby sleeps in this hospital." Taila suggested, equally roused.

"Perhaps later." Wilson told them. "I will stay and watch over the boy. In the meantime, the rest of you should go to the roof of this hospital. Dusk has passed and night has fallen."

Gathering on the roof did intrigued the Angels. Looking up, they rose through the ceiling and onward through a couple of upper floors until they were completely outside the facility. Though water rained down upon them, they knew right away it was spiritual rain and not material. Gazing beyond the rain drops, the Angels observed the surrounding sea of earthen city lights.

"Oh, my..." Starr couldn't believe what her eyes were revealing to her. "The lights and colours burning in the darkness; can there be a worthier expression of such virtuous artistry in existence?"

Taila smiled at Starr and responded, "I understand you're fascination of human invention, but..." she pointed upward.

Lifting their gaze skyward they saw a clear night's sky with billions upon billions of stars.

"It is superficial, but what God creates? That is eternal." Taila finished.

None of the Angels could argue with her. Using their telescopic vision, they peered deep into space. "The Heavens are crowded with the endless life of twinkling possibilities. We could venture wherever we want." Charmatrien stated.

"Anyplace except our home in Heaven." Joel reminded his friend.

"Still, our options are quite boundless. We could go to any star or planet, anywhere at all." Charmatrien explained, pounding his fist into his palm.

Taila reminded the boys. "Yes, you're correct Charmatrien, but wherever we go, it will be unfamiliar territory to us. We have to be careful not to venture too far away or we risk losing our way back. Getting caught up in some misguided quest will cost us the success of this mission." The boys had no further response to this.

"It's been a long time since we saw a starlit night." Starr commented.

"It's beautiful, but it makes me feel distant from our God because of such lack of light." West admitted.

"I agree with you, West." Joel said moving closer to his friend. "Unlike the forever daylight of our home in Heaven, I have forgotten how dark this world is at times." The spiritual rain drenched them, but they didn't mind or complain.

"It doesn't take long before I miss the love and light of God." Taila shared.

The others nodded their heads in agreement. Then Wilson arose from out of the roof like he had been with them the whole time. "We will return home soon enough, my friends. We just have to complete this mission. Then we'll return home with honor. This time, we will not disappoint the Lord."

Upon the hospital roof, at the center of the complex stood a monument. No human would be able to see such a structure because it was made entire out of spiritual materials. The construct was a large silver fountain of complex artistry. The transcendent water passed up through a center spout, through multiple levels that looked like the spinning and flapping of Angel wings amongst large sculpted hands of praise. The hands were similar in size to the wings. Water sprayed and raced in a spectacular dance with beams of light and colours rising up throughout the structure. Shooting straight up out of the saintly fountain, the water sprayed out like an umbrella before sprinkling its Holy nourishment and healing down over the entire hospital.

As the Angels approached the fountain, they discovered Demons who were busy surreptitiously trying to vandalize the structure under the cover of darkness. Beneath the spray dome of water, the Demons had to protect themselves from the falling sacred water of the fountain. The vile wraiths carried a curved shell over their heads that they used like an umbrella shield.

Joel silently flew to the unsuspecting Demons.

From under their make-shift shield, the imps were too busy to notice his approach. With hammers of bone and stone, the Demons worked to smash, crack and ruin the fountain of health.

Wings swiftly cut through the rain when Joel lowered his open hand and caught hold of the dome as he passed by overhead.

Throwing the dome off, the Demons were surprised to find themselves exposed to the waters of blessings and cleansing.

Such water burned the four little Demons like sulfuric acid. Shrieking and writhing, the Demons leapt and bounded away like wounded frogs until they disappeared over the roof's edge.

The Angels quickly worked together reshaping and making repairs to the fountain before they returned within the walls of the hospital to watch over Jasper.

* * *

Awakening to the sound of people working and shuffling about, Jasper felt doctors lifting his body off his bed and setting him down on a gurney. After they threw straps over his body and tightly fastened them down, Jasper was wheeled down the hallway of the hospital. "Hey, hey, what's going on?" Jasper demanded to know.

The gurney stopped and a deep male voice spoke to him calmly. "Jasper? I am Doctor Adams. I have been treating you since you arrived here at this hospital. Can you hear me?" he instinctively brushed some grit from his desk-top.

"Yeah, sure, I hear you. What's going on?" Jasper asked again as he fidgeted nervously.

Placing a hand on Jasper's shoulder, the doctor began to speak truthfully in a controlled manner. "Your accident has rendered you with blindness caused from an acute cranial impact. The sudden shifting of grey matter surrounding your brain and a brief episode of hemorrhaging resulted in your regrettable loss of sight. Now, it is with great condolence I must inform you, your condition is irreversible. Your case is very unusual. Most patients who struck their head with as much force as you had don't recover. When the brain is jarred from impacts like those of vehicular accidents, usually the outcome is severe trauma or death. For most survivors there are a number of things that might not function like they used to. Resuming regular brain activity after a head injury is rare. In your case, your optical nerves were constrained to the point of total circulation loss due to the back pressure and ruptured walls of major blood vessels. Your eyes have been, in a sense, unplugged. I am taking you to the operating room where I am going to perform a surgical technique that should restore your sight." he tapered into a cough.

"M-my sight? But I can see just fine. It's like looking through a thick fog, but I can see." Through Jasper's protest, he tried to explain. "Take this bandage off my eyes. I'll show you! I don't need surgery. Don't cut me open. I'm fine. You have to believe me!" He turned his head as though glancing around, unsure of what to do. When he began to doubt himself it left him feeling cold to his bones. Tightening his lips, Jasper clenched his fists.

"Jasper, calm down. I'm here as well." It was the sound of his mother's voice. "Your father and sister are with you also."

Jasper heard the fear crack in his sister's tone when she asked, "You're blind, Jasper?"

Gesturing with his fist, Jasper attempted his bravest voice and told them sternly. "No, I am _not_ blind!"

"I am afraid you've hit your head very hard when you fell, _Jasper_." Dr. Adam's face tightened in a serious manner. He unconvincingly explained further, speaking with a low-pitched, snippy voice. "As a consequence you've not only lost a lot of blood, but you've fractured your skull and there was some internal bleeding and swelling in the vicinity of your brain. This was a significant contributor to the loss of your sight."

"No!" Jasper sternly disagreed with the doctor again. "I can see! Just take these bandages off of me and check. You'll find it's you who's blind."

"Your denial of this prognosis won't help you." The Doctor added.

"Has anyone even tested his eyesight?!" Jasper's sister shouted as a grimace crossed her face. "Just remove his bandages and make sure his claim is true or false."

Jasper could hear the doctor take a deep breath then exhale. "Fine, but the longer we stall the operation the harder it will be to cure Jasper of his very real blindness."

"Enough of this, Jasper! And that goes for you too young lady." spoke the firm words of Jasper's father's hard voice. "Doctor Adams, the sooner you can put him out, the better. All of the consent forms have been signed. He will co-operate, won't you, Jasper?"

Jasper's sister stood between her brother and the doctor. There she pointed at her father and said, "I don't care if you ground me for the rest of my life! This isn't fair and this is not right! I want my brother examined before the operation! Let's get his bandages off!" Jasper's sister spun around and began to lift the bandages off Jasper's head.

Gathering his ravaged pride, her father came and restrained her. "Your brother isn't thinking clearly. Can't you see that?!"

"Don't be surprised to find many other differences in Jasper for now on. He might seem like a whole other person." Dr. Adams warned them.

"Just cut them off, doctor. You'll see..." Jasper insisted. "Cut my bandages off and I will look at you, right in your eyes and tell you I'm okay."

"Very well, Jasper. Here we go." Dr. Adams exhaled wearily. He pulled out a small pair of folding scissors from his pocket and began to tenaciously cut the bandages. "Now hold still." he maintained one on side then pivoted his weight to stretch and loosen the other.

_((-Scrunch-scrunch-scrunch-))_ Jasper shifted uneasily.

When the bandages were removed, Jasper needed a moment to adjust to the light. It was very difficult for him to see, but Jasper didn't lose hope. As light invaded his mind, Jasper's head was stabbed with nothing short of pure severe splitting pain. Second guessing himself, he speculated if the doctor might actually be right. _'Blindness?'_ No, he couldn't accept that.

Sure enough, he began to see hazy shapes of blurry shadowy human forms. Looking at the faces as they came into focus, Jasper recognized them as the Angel faces. _'But that was a dream, wasn't it?'_

Confused, Jasper began to wonder if, perhaps, he was merely conjuring up images in his mind that weren't real at all. Then Jasper focused on a new face. The face was very fuzzy and difficult to make out but once he heard the doctor speak, he confirmed it was Doctor Adams.

The Angel Wilson figured, "The reason you can see us and other earthlings cannot, is not because we have entered your realm, but because, in part, you have entered ours."

"What do you see, Jasper?" the doctor asked kneeling down in front of him and raising his nose to look down through his bi-focals.

"I see..." Jasper paused a moment. He was about to say he could see Angels but thought better of it. " _you_ , Dr. Adams." Jasper spoke confidently.

"You _are_ looking directly at me, but I find it hard to believe your vision is just as good as it was before your accident." The doctor darkly intoned.

"Well, it is." Jasper told him.

"You have no visible pupils." The doctor observed.

Through cloudy vision, Jasper could see the ghostly images of people around him as clearly as he could see ghostly images of the Angels.

"I have no doubt in my mind that you're experiencing 'partial vision,' but it's mostly denial. In rare cases, patients have reported regaining their sight naturally, but I must stress again, if we don't act fast you won't get a second chance at this operation. Please Jasper, I can restore your sight." Doctor Adams began putting the bandage back over Jasper's eyes. "Let me do this, Jasper, before you really do find yourself blinded for life."

"Listen to me, doctor. You will never put that bandage back on my head again. There will NOT be a surgery for me today, so if you'll be so kind, please take me back to my room."

"You're crazy, Jasper! Doctor, he's not thinking clearly. He must have brain damage or something." Jasper's mother called out. Then she turned into her husband's chest and cried.

"I am sorry, but there's nothing I can do when a patient of mine makes such a request with such a clear voice. He appears to be of sound mind to me. I need his consent. I'm sorry, my hands are tied."

"Jasper! Jasper, listen to me, I am your mother. You have to do as Dr. Adams suggests. You're making the wrong choice here! Your driver's license will be taken away and you're only going to regret it."

Jasper started to think about this. He did love his jeep. Then the song-like voice of Taila spoke to him, "God didn't give you this second chance so you could drive your vehicular machine again. I tell you now; I promised I would provide you with a small gift of fore-sight. Hear me, Jasper and hear me well. The true regret will be in your agreement with the Doctor's dreadful operation. Don't let them do this. When you oppose the eye surgery, we will do what we can to protect you."

"No, mom, I know exactly what I'm doing. You'll have to trust me." Jasper told them.

Dr. Adams regretfully wheeled Jasper back down the hall to his previous hospital room.

Noticing something very strange as he was taken down the hall to his room, Jasper's vision began returning with greater improvement. He began to take notice of Angels and Demons of various shapes and sizes. They would freely come and go passing right through the walls, floors and ceilings.

He Demons, in particular, slunk about trying to stay just far enough away from the Angels to avoid their radiant Glory.

A shiver of fear shot through Jasper's body from the top of his head to the tips of his toes. Overcome with fear at the sight of the grotesque Demons, Jasper was petrified by the way they moved. Shadows resonated from the twisted Demons like smoke and ash. The threatening terror they conveyed was pure evil and when they looked at Jasper he felt their gaze drawing out his life. There was a clear influence of deception from their crazed and evil eyes. Narrow pupil slits, like that of a reptile or a cat, weren't only haunting but violating.

When Jasper saw Angels of perfect light next to the detestable darkness of the Demons, he saw the vast divide between two extreme opposites. Noticing the Seven Angels were surrounding him and crowding in closer as they prepared to protect him, Jasper realized they would forever be locked in constant spiritual warfare on Earth. The weapons of Angels clashed with the dark armaments that the Demons handled. Through a short-lived illustration of either side's technique, Jasper understood how Angels and Demons have been engaging one another in spiritual warfare throughout the ages.

Charmatrien humorously smiled at Jasper from the side of his travelling gurney as he opened his wing slightly, slapping a little Demon off the face of a nurse who was passing by.

At that moment the nurse, not knowing she ever had a Demon clawing at her face, slipped on the heel of her shoe, but recovered quickly. "Oh, how clumsy of me." she said before carrying on. She looked slightly annoyed by the fumble. No one, in fact, doctor, nurse nor patient, had any forbearing knowledge of their spiritual interactions.

Jasper eyed a young female patient walking down the hall with a small Demon Imp on her shoulder. Then he noticed the Imp reach out and pluck a feather from Joel's outstretched wing as he flew by. "Ow!" Joel reacted to the annoyance.

The Demon Imp used the feather to stick it up the patient's nose.

The patient sneezed with a tissue held to her nose. "Oh, this hay-fever! It's driving me crazy!" she said, openly upset.

The little joking Imp laughed heartily like I might be part chipmunk.

"This must all be very new to you, Jasper." then, turning to Jasper with a sobering seriousness, Joel added, "Watch as Demons of every imaginable kind, ride on top of and within people causing all manner of trouble. People, well dressed, respectable and appearing successful conquerors at life can carry many Demons at a time, but they're always blind to the darknesses that cling to them. More blind than you. They think they're being used by God, but it's truly quite the opposite. Oddly enough, the entire army of Demons is on the verge of total chaotic betrayal. Demons of darkness loath, and are jealous of each other as much as they hate and are envious of people in bodies of flesh, but the Devil praises and rewards those who attack humans. Is it not a perverse sight when someone does evil and gets away with it? I tell you, not one transgression goes unnoticed or unabated by the Lord. Because the Demons understand a kingdom divided cannot stand, they spread this method like a plague. They, like so many people, have no concerns for the repercussions of their actions. They nonsensically believe they can somehow justify what they do to God, but the consequences are never worth it."

Wondering why the Lord hadn't spoken to him about this before, Jasper suddenly found, through his experiences, the Lord did tell him about it through his own experiences in his past. That is why he related to what the Angel was telling him so well. Still, Jasper could see he was only prepared to the degree that he heard God's instruction and partially obeyed. Now clear to Jasper, the method of the enemies operations was rooted almost entirely in deception of imagery and choices of thought. Seeing people weaken quickly under the bitterness of sin, Jasper began to understand the depth of the Devil's strategy and how simple it was. The goal was to bring division to relationships, churches, governments or whatever. Such results would bring war against their own brethren causing one fall after the other. This was their only strategy, but it worked quite sufficiently.

"You see what we're up against?" Taila asked Jasper, "It's a never ending battle of frustration. Congregations are pitted against their Pastors and with one another; between husbands and wives, children and parents or children against one another. Demons inject their seeds of bitterness, rejection and fear; to list a few, which quickly grows into towering monuments of destruction. Exploiting such towers causes them to grow even higher until the victims are completely overwhelmed. We Angels do what we can, but often our efforts aren't supported by the faith of the people. We are discredited by the distractions of fear, skepticism and spiritual deceit."

Here in the hospital, Jasper could see the deep pain in the people. The Demon's tyranny managed to fathom the lives of the people profoundly. Such deep rooted history could be mistaken as a connection at a cellular level. The people were in the wrong place to receive help for their spiritual pain. All of the wounded were guarded by the smaller Imp Scouts of fear. Elana told Jasper, "In this world, it didn't take us long to see there was more people who were spiritual prisoners than there were Demons. People who weren't under Demon attack still acted like they were. After so much Demon oppression in their lives, they just felt it was normal to feel so lowly and depressed. They were taught this way their whole life. The Devil just loves it when people are exhausted and led astray from God."

Meanwhile, Jasper's parents argued with the doctor. They believed Jasper wasn't well enough to make clinical decisions. They stopped the gurney and Jasper's sister of eighteen, cried at his bedside.

Jasper looked at her and said, "Don't worry, I'm fine. I know what I'm doing."

"Oh, Jasper, I don't know what the right thing is. Maybe you should have the operation. Oh, I just don't know. All I do know is you have to get your sight back, one way or the other." his worried sister bent over him and hugged him. Then she put her purse on the bed and unzipped it. Pulling out a little make-up cassette, she opened it, and Jasper could see it had a mirror attached to the inside of its clamshell. Holding held the mirror, she angled it so Jasper could view his own face.

Straining his eyes, Jasper peered through his foggy vision until he could discern an image from the reflection.

A tear trickled down Jasper's cheek when he was able to see that his eyes were a milky white. The skin around his eyes was blackened like they were sunken and bruised. The top of his head was covered with thick layers of gauze and absorbent pads.

Jasper gave the mirror back to his sister. "Don't worry." he told her solemnly, hiding his pain. His skull felt like it had been split wide open and his brain was on fire. "I wish I could unsee that image of myself." faith took over when he added, "I'll recover. Now, help me loosen these straps off."

Jasper's sister did as he asked and began unstrapping her brother. As soon as the buckles of Jasper's bonds hung loose, a swell of conviction caused her to regret her decision to do so. "Jasper, how can you say you can see just fine when you don't even have any pupils?"

"I don't know, Emily. All I know is I can see you now, though it's like looking through a frosty window. I have a real bad feeling about the eye operation. I'm sure, if it happens, I really _will_ be blind." Reaching out to his sister's face, Jasper took her sun glasses and put them on. A disguise was necessary.

Emily decided Jasper was suffering from dementia and she regretted helping him out of his restraints. When Jasper removed his last ankle strap, he noticed a young boy in a gurney parked beside him.

His mother was with him. She was clearly worried for her son. She stroked her fingers through his hair.

"Hi." Jasper said.

The little boy obviously felt uncomfortable making eye contact with Jasper. He held his leg, nursing it with gentle massaging motions. This wound pained him a lot.

"You're waiting to be admitted into emergency?" Jasper asked. Even though all of this was obvious, Jasper was distracted by the sight of three small lizard size dragon Demons who had cruel expressions. Each of them bit and scratched into the wound. Somehow, the dragons of spirit were able to literally eat the flesh of the boy's leg. Jasper called to Elana and asked the Angel if there was something they could do for the boy. Elana whispered something into Jasper's ear. He turned to the boy and asked. "Your leg hurts, huh?"

"Yes." The child answered timidly. "The doctor says I need to be strong for my mother because I'm going to have to lose it." The boy's mother tried to look away and wipe her tears without anyone noticing, but they did. "I have a flesh-eating disease."

"May I take a look at it?" Jasper asked with his hand stretched out.

The child looked at his mother. Usually the mother wouldn't allow such a thing, but they felt compelled to agree. When they pulled back the bed sheet, the boy's leg had a grotesque wound that looked like acid had been eating and rotting his flesh. The rotten bloodless folds were blackened and peeled back. Viscus black clots did little amongst the slow flow of seeping blood.

The boy's mother put her face down on her son's chest and wept.

A fair amount of skin was missing. It looked like concentrated acid had eaten it away exposing the damaged muscle and nerves within. Flesh of different colours was visible within the cavity of the wound; gray, red and pink tissue lined with dark blood clots spotted throughout yellow puss and fat.

The image of the wound looked hopeless, but Jasper heard the Angel Charmatrien tell him, "A disease spreads through the body, leaving destruction behind, but the power of God can also spread like a disease. It's an anti-disease to put a body at ease once again. You're God's instrument now, Jasper. Stretch out your hand and touch the infectious wound."

"This is a flesh eating disease. Won't I infect myself?" Jasper asked quietly under his breath with concern.

"You must be strong and have faith." Charmatrien added. "Those who come into union with the Lord will not remain wounded or unclean. Joining with Him is like joining the rest of the body so His blood flows through all. To heal the wound of a body you must close the wound so the blood can flow through the wounded member to bring regeneration. A wounded body united will become fully restored."

"I'm not, Jesus. Who would believe I could heal someone like this?" Jasper argued.

Still, the Angels were patient with him. Wilson explained, "The least of the saints has the power in them to move mountains, to stop armies, or to even raise the dead. You _can_ do this... It is but a small thing."

Turning the gaze of his blinded, whitened eyes to look at the wound once more through the dark lenses of his sunglasses, he heard Wilson add, "You can follow the example of the Christ and accomplish whatever He did, and even more, because He saved His best wine for last. Let the Lord be an example for you this day."

Stretching out his hand, Jasper remembered to be thankful that the Lord God Almighty was giving him a second chance at life. Mounting up his courage and faith, he pressed his palm onto the flesh eaten wound.

The dark little reptilian demons, who turned on Jasper, escalated their earnest attack with additional violence. They bit and scratched at his hand and shot small balls of fire at him from their mouths.

Jasper closed his eyes and felt the Seven Angels crowding in around him. It wasn't easy for him to focus on a sensation so faint with the three dragon Demons differing the boys pain into Jasper's arm. Then he could feel a counter reaction charge into his body from the Angels. This strange feeling rushed throughout Jasper's limbs and entire circulatory system then it converged at his shoulder and shot down his arm and out his hand into the wound. He recognized the source of the energy that coursed through him came from God. He later described it to the Angels as a flow of liquid energy. Like an infection of the Spirit of Holiness and complete goodness, Jasper just knew the flesh eating disease wouldn't have a chance.

Lifting her head from sobbing on her child, the boy's mother noticed what Jasper was doing, "Stop this." The boy's mother stood up. "Are you crazy? You shouldn't touch such a wound. Or any wound! Wash your dirty hands immediately! I hope this doesn't make it worse." She moved Jasper's hand away careful only handling his wrist. "Now go! I have to report this."

Jasper, together with the Angels, drove the small dragon Demons away and drew out their poisons and roiling balls of hell-spawned spiritual flame.

Each of the three female Angels kissed the boy's leg where it was at its ugliest, blessing it.

Then Joel prayed, "Only by the Lord's stripes will this child be healed, Amen." The physics of biology aligned in perfect order.

Jasper repeated the words of the Angel as he prayed a blessing for the leg and healing. Then he asked the boy, "Can God fix your leg?"

"Yes, sir." the boy answered honestly, innocently and with true faithful boldness. "It's stopped hurting." announced the boy.

The mother, startled, looked at the wound and miracles of miracles, the disease was gone and the wound had disappeared. It was like he never had a problem with his leg at all. The boy's mother began to cry tears of joy through her shock and bewilderment.

Jasper wasn't sure at first, but he quickly realized, he'd just seen a true display of faith. Only then did he realize what a rare thing true faith was. To top the moment off, Jasper looked up to see a spectacle of unequalled brilliance as the Angel Charmatrien came gliding down the length of the hospital's ample hall. With his wings spread wide and fully opened, his wingtips faded into the walls on either side. Soaring overhead, his pure light touched the sick with blessings of health and prosperity. Gliding so slowly, he was symbolic of what it was to achieve complete and utter freedom.

Jasper wasn't the only one to breathe in the Angel's fragrance of freshness as he passed by. Such a foreign breeze in a place that otherwise smelled like sickness and medicine, appeared to go unnoticed by everyone else but Jasper.

"Healing is a basic part of the Lord's ministry, and it's also a basic part of ours." Wilson told Jasper.

Leaning in closer to the boy and his mother, Jasper began whispering. "Now listen, they told me I have to go in for surgery on my eyes, but a hospital is a place for sick people. I am not sick, so I'm getting out of here. If you get off this chair and you find your leg doesn't hurt near as much anymore, I suggest you and your momma get out'a here as fast as your legs will carry you. You see? God likes your great faith."

The child let go of his leg and smiled at his mother.

The mother began to hug Jasper, though she was still clearly shocked. "Thank you, oh thank you, dear boy. I'm sorry I shouted at you. I'm so sorry, will you forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive." He told her.

"Is my son really well? How long will this last?" She asked.

The Angels told Jasper how to respond. "If you believe and have faith, it will last forever." He told her.

The mother looked down in deep concentration and thought. Her life changed that day. This was the new disease in her life. The disease of faith and she would make certain it would spread.

Doctors returned for Jasper pushing his gurney down the hall, again. Holding his sister's mirror up, Jasper strained to watch as the mother helped her son off the gurney and walk him down the hall toward the main doors. They walk speedily, hand in hand.

The doctors took Jasper to his bed where they lifted him back into his sheets. They were still warm. Resting and staring out into space, Jasper did his best to ignore his family who were concerned for him and his decision. They continued to talk as Jasper studied the paranormal restlessness that was in constant bustling commotion around him.

# CHAPTER 3

DOUBLING UP HIS EFFORTS, Jasper had to ignore the distractions of Angels and Demons locked in spiritual war-fare so he could concentrate on learning to walk again. Already up and out of bed, he tried to walk with the aluminum walking support aid.

His family finally left the hospital.

Dr. Adams called Jasper to his office and sent for a wheelchair to bring him in.

Alarmed, the nurse said, "Oh, hey, Jasper, you shouldn't be trying to walk unassisted." The nurse's surprise quickly turned to aggravation. "What if you fell and hurt yourself?" She rolled the wheelchair up behind him and supported him as he sat back.

"I won't fall." Jasper told her confidently.

"And I will try not to tell you, _'I told you so,'_ when you do." The nurse smiled. "Now, I'm right behind you. Just sit back. Easy does it and you'll be in the wheelchair."

"I can do it myself! I won't fall! I'm not blind, you know!" Jasper insisted, knowing no one would believe him anyway.

"Well, the doctor says you _are_ blind, and the cloudy look of your eyes confirms your prognosis. You really think you can fool us? Give it up, Jasper. Besides, if all of my patients recovered as quickly as you say you have, I'd be out of a job."

"Well, as much as I don't want to see you unemployed, the thought of an empty hospital is appealing." Jasper bent his legs slightly and waved his hands behind him until he found the arm of the wheelchair. Firmly holding on, he let go of the walker. The nurse helped to set his feet in the foot rests. She was about to wheel him away when a thought caused her to pause. She picked a ball point pen out of her breast pocket and walked around to the front of Jasper so she was facing him. Holding up the pen she asked. "What am I holding?"

"A pen?" Jasper answered.

"Very good. Now follow it with your eyes as I move it around." She began to deliberately move it around. It went left then right and up then down.

Jasper tried to follow the pen but when he noticed Taila protect the nurse from a terrible Demon's charging attack, he had to look away from the pen.

The bipedal Demon meant to thrust a jab of its pointy bull horn into her back.

Taila's wings opened wide as she glided onto the Demon's back. Her hands became blindingly bright then she covered the Demon's eyes with them. This caused it to alter course and go thundering past.

The nurse was oblivious to all of this, but she did turn her head to see what Jasper was looking at. Finding nothing there, the nurse concluded that Jasper was truly blind as the doctor said. She let out a breath and stood up. Strolling around to the back of the wheelchair, she unlocked the wheels and pushed Jasper out of the room to the doctor's office.

Two security personnel kept constant watch over Jasper and followed him as he was wheeled down the long corridor.

On the way to Dr. Adam's office, Jasper saw more Demon activity. A Demon raised its claws when it leaped toward him so it would eviscerate him when it landed, but rather, its entire bodily apparition passed right through him. Jasper's body seized up and he shut his eyes tight while grimacing intensely.

The Angels fought off other Demon attacks to protect Jasper's perception of them while Starr whispered in his ear. "You mustn't look surprised when you see Devils at work. It is better for you that people think you're blind rather than senile. Really, who would believe that you see Demons and talk to Angels?"

Though Jasper knew Starr was right, he couldn't help but be distracted by her presence and beauty alone. Her lips were lush and full as though naturally puckered awaiting a kiss and coated with a strawberry glaze. He watched her as she continued to speak and while he didn't listen to one word she spoke, he was captivated by the entrancing beauty of this sensational Angelic being.

Starr realized Jasper was distracted and wasn't going to answer her. "Just like a man to not pay attention." she fumed adorably.

The others tried to shy away their giggling.

A door to the office opened and the nurse wheeled Jasper in.

Doctor Adams beckoned Jasper into his office with a wave. He was currently on the phone. He room had a distinguished medicinal smell. Looking past his patient, Dr. Adams silently nodded to the two security guards. They nodded back just to acknowledge their presence while taking guard positions outside his office door.

After hanging up the phone receiver the doctor began rubbing his temples as he said. "Thank you, I'll take it from here." Doctor Adams released the nurse with a forced smile.

The nurse politely smiled back with a nod of acceptance and left the doctor's office closing the door gently behind her.

Jasper could see Dr. Adam's face looked heavy and the flesh of his distinguished features hung from his skull. It was as though the stress of the years had caught up to him. The doctor walked around behind his desk and flapped Jasper's file down on it. Sitting down in his chair as though he was heavier than he really was, Doctor Adams began to say. "I'm sorry, Jasper. Today you're not catching me at my best."

As Jasper looked across to the doctor, he saw a Demon rise up behind him. The Demon had long black hair all over its body, yellow glowing eyes with red pupils and large claws.

"Ugly, isn't he?" West said as he casually pointed his thumb at the stout little Demon. "This is a Scout, a type of childish Demon or Imp. They find weaknesses in people and report them to larger Demons and they also look for opportunities to complicate life for people with annoying distractions from putting an eye lash into someone's eye to over reacting to someone's comment. These Demons are cunning and they strike when their victims least expected. It's the only thing they're clever at, but it's often more than enough to start a chain reaction that leads to larger consequences."

The Demon began to reach its massive claws over the doctor's head. The long sharp talons phased into the doctor's skull and slowly raked deep lacerations back through his crown.

The Doctor removed his glasses and set them on the desk-top. He then pinched the bridge of his nose, between his eyes.

Jasper was shocked. He looked at Starr, not sure how he should respond. Starr shook her head, _'No,'_ and placed her finger to her lips for him to remain quiet. Coincidentally, she was under attack and locked in a sword fight which rendered her unable to come to the doctor's aid. Her adversary was a red skinned female Demon warrior. The two appeared to be evenly matched.

Nodding to comply with her, Jasper tried not to say a word as the doctor lowered his head in pain and dropped his fist to his solid oak desk-top. "This head-ache is relentless." the doctor declared. "Please bear with me a moment." Doctor Adam's slid open a desk drawer and fished out a small medicine vial. He popped the lid off and tapped out three capsules. Tossing the pills into his mouth, he swallowed them without a gulp of water. "It will pass shortly." he whispered with constrained vocals. Behind him the Demon chuckled and clawed at the doctor's scalp some more.

Like a typical cavalier hero, Joel entered the office through the wall with gleaming silver armor and punched the detestable hairy Demon right off Dr. Adam's head with a flaming fist of white fire.

The Demon was cast through the bookshelf and the wall behind him. Of course, throughout the scuffle, the wall wasn't damaged.

Joel smiled as he turned to face Jasper. "A single Demon of bitterness can implant poisonous delusions into many people at one time. They send, what you would perceive as, bolts of ecto-slime through your entertainment technology. The ecto-slime is like a sticky secretion that functions spiritually like a seed desensitizing people as it grows. Every human carries Demon Scouts, and other Imps, within them." Then Joel winked and nodded his head just before he dove through the wall, phasing into it like an apparition to chase after the hairy Demon and drive it away for good.

Taking a deep breath, Dr. Adams seemed to have shaken off the head-ache for the time being. Looking up at Jasper with heavy eyes, he smiled. "You see? Much better." Opening the folder on his desk, Dr. Adams began reviewing his notes and speaking to Jasper about his prognosis.

"As you know, you've been through a very serious incident and it will take you some time before you'll be released from this care facility. In fact, your whole life is going to be very different from now on. In other words, you will never fully recover from what you've been through. Unfortunately, this is the part of my job I like he least, but I can't, in good conscious, treat you any differently than I would with any other patient of mine. I hereby declare, you, Jasper, to be unfit to hold a road worthy license of any kind. Said license is hereby suspended indefinitely. How this incident might affect future goals of employment with any firm will be determined by your own physical and mental setbacks. Your ability to function in society like everyone else will come with far more effort on your part than ever before. Support groups and rehabilitation centers will like become your new normal. It's up to you..."

The doctor was returned with a look of looking out into deep space as Jasper, however, was having difficulty focusing on what he was saying. His constant shifting of his milky eyes, this way and that, only further supported the fact that he was watching phantoms of good and evil darting around the room.

The Doctor stopped speaking mid-sentence when he noticed Jasper not paying attention to him. Clearly he was looking at something else in the room. _'Or is that what he wants me to believe?'_ the doctor speculated.

Doctor Adams turned in his swivel chair to examine the office for himself. He half expected to see a fly buzzing around but there was nothing. "Jasper, are you even listening to me?"

"Say wha, Doc?" Missing the question entirely, Jasper was pre-occupied with all the intense ethereal fighting taking place. Observing Demons battling Angels, Jasper instinctively ducked and dodged to protect himself from arrows, slashing razor sharp swords and other brutal weapons of the enemy.

The two leagues of combatants from Heaven and Hell marched their intense battle right through the doctor's office.

Jasper's eyes opened wide to take in the terrifying parade of wraith-like spirits of life and death.

Joel flew across the ceiling and over the doctor's desk, "Ask him to read Ephesians chapter six verses ten to thirteen!" he called to Jasper.

"Ask, wha?..." was all Jasper managed to reply.

"It's in the Bible!" Elana exclaimed like reading the Bible was of some sort of urgent importance.

"Ephesians chapter six verses ten to thirteen." Joel repeated in earnest.

Jasper took a deep breath and through the surrounding chaos he spoke loudly, his words tumbling out of his mouth rapidly, "Please doctor! Read Ephesians chapter six verses ten to thirteen! It's in the Bible!" Because the doctor remained seated, staring at Jasper fixably with his fingers linked together, Jasper added, "Come on! Hurry up! Get going! Go, go, go!"

The doctor just looked at Jasper for a moment with a coy look on his face. He was surprised by this particular, strange outburst. Usually he was the kind of person to entertain mental patients in order to calm them down, but the request wasn't only mysterious, it interested the doctor. Before drawing a final conclusion of Jasper's mental health, Doctor Adams wanted to find out if this would be worth his time at all. "I know Ephesians is in the Bible." He turned on his swivel chair and dug around in his bookshelf behind him. "Ah, here it is." He blew the dust off the top of his Bible. "Okay, let's see here, Ephesians, Ephesians, Ephesians. Right, here it is! Chapter six you say?"

"Verses ten to thirteen." Jasper added quickly like his life depended on it.

"I'm curious to find some sort of insight to your problem." The doctor said playfully. Then he changed his expression, shaking off the playfulness in place of a stone cold frown. The doctor began to read when his bi-focals slid to the end of his nose, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the Devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the Heavenly realms." What Jasper saw; the battle of righteousness taking place around him and the weaponry used, was shimmering smooth steel against fangs. Words people spoke influenced how the battles unfolded. Claws along with the powers of darkness were pitted against the strength of the Angels as they battled in connection with what was being read. The display of spiritual battle, revealed in such clarity, was something Jasper had never dreamed of before. It drove a message deep into his heart about good and evil. He would never forget this experience. In that instant, Jasper knew he would be changed forever more, because what he spoke could so easily affect spirit in such a way he never fathomed.

Dr. Adams read on, "Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand." The doctor lifted his eyes to look over his bi-focals at Jasper's face. He sat, half smiling as though there was some inward thought that amused him.

"That was great, Doctor. Thank you." Jasper said with sincerity. Out of breath by his experience of insight, Jasper remained restless in his chair.

"Did you even hear a word I read?" Dr. Adams grew tired and frustrated. As Jasper continued to look around the room as though watching flies swarming about, Dr. Adams could clearly see there was simply nothing there.

"You know Jasper; it's rude when you don't pay attention. I'm trying to provide a service here for you." Jasper felt like he was living in two worlds at once. While the doctor continued to speak critically, Jasper tried not to pay attention to the Angels clashing swords with Demons.

Abruptly and without warning, a giant beast thundered its way into the office with an explosive, menacing roar.

Jasper had to cover his ears from all the noise. His heart was thundering in his chest. He was clearly shaken with nerves on edge.

The massive Demon trumpeted another bone rattling roar.

Jasper's entire body shook from the creature's second penetrating holler, only Jasper came to realize, the sound was only heard inside his head not outside. Covering his ears did little to quiet anything.

Elana flipped through the air of the tight office space as she entered the fray. Her weightless cartwheels were like a mosaic of feathers that distracted the Demons before her sudden advance of flashing silver blades carved their way through. The grotesque creatures of darkness attempted to retaliate but the confidence and skill of the Angels dominated.

The doctor stopped lecturing Jasper and just gave him a bed pan expression for a long moment. Rising from his desk, the doctor walked around to Jasper. Suspecting Jasper had some form of schizophrenia, Dr. Adams knew it was also possible that his patient was just acting out from a history of problems. Checking Jasper's pulse he found the man was truly panicking. Scribbling down a note in Jasper's file, Dr. Adams wrote, _'Jasper was left with contusions of the brain which supported post-traumatic stress disorder. The concomitant indeterminable effect on his nervous system appears to have induced hallucinations.'_

When the doctor grabbed a tool to examine Jasper's eyes, Jasper's mouth dropped wide open at what he saw.

The huge warty beast grabbed Taila out of the air.

Such an image met Jasper's perception and made his blood run cold within his veins.

The beast opened its incredibly large mouth to devour the Angel.

Taila shrieked at the sight of teeth the size of zucchinis and sharpened like needles. Such absurd teeth lined its entire mouth. It was like the manifestation of a child's nightmare depicted on paper, but come to living existence.

When the doctor attempted to open Jasper's eye and examine the glossy pupil, Jasper threw his head back screaming in anguished terror. The security officers entered the office and tried to restrain Jasper and calm him down but Jasper's struggle only escalated as he shouted, "Angels!!! Angels come quickly! You have to help rescue Taila from the clutches of the beast! The beast!!! She's in the clutches of THE BEAST!!!"

At Jasper's call, Joel, Wilson, Starr, Charmatrien, Elana and West appeared side by side in force. Jasper's body remained tensed. The anticipated suspense of the Angels facing-off against the menacing Demon threat captured his complete attention.

Dr. Adams held Jasper by the shoulders and tried to calm him while each of the security guards strapped down a wrist. Jasper tried to rise out of his wheelchair to see around the doctor because he blocked his view of the Angels. Unable to move, Jasper tried to point out the beast though he knew how blind the doctor and guards were to the battle raging around them.

Effortlessly, the beast tossed Taila into its massive mouth. Joel followed, leaping up and standing on the bottom jaw of the beast. With his feet between the long sharp teeth, his hands curled around the fangs of its top bridge of choppers. Joel strained and flexed with all his might to keep the great mouth open wide.

From within, Taila struggled to crawl out of the putrid mouth of the creature. The strong tongue thrashed and swung about under her.

Wilson and Charmatrien flew at the reptilian Demon to restrain the tree trunk thick and strong arms of the beast.

Other Demons came piling in on Joel like the tackling of many football players. Their eyes were crimped with rage and purpose. Flapping their tattered leathery wings with excitement, the flying Demons were fresh on the attack.

Joel's body lit up and solidified. Becoming like a statue under a pile of Demons, Joel's form didn't budge.

The Demons were upon him, punching, kicking, teeth gritted with inhuman, shrewish eyes as they pummeled him.

West, Starr and Elana flew in and shot light out from the palms of their hands. The blasts of light repelled the Demons, pushing back their darkness.

Gritting his teeth, ready to be shot at also, West spun out of flight to dodge the onslaught long enough to get out a few more shots at a Demon group as he passed by quickly. Many of the monsters went down.

Wilson and Charmatrien worked to keep the strong arms of the beast restrained. Overpowered by the beast's strength, Charmatrien lost his grip.

The muscled black arm was freed and moved so fast it blurred passed everyone's view, swatting Starr. Fierce rage was unleashed as the Demon aggressively attacked. Starr flew back across the doctor's office, and vanished as she phased through the far wall.

Recovering quickly in the next room, Starr frowned with determination. The wings at her back flapped for the stability to regain balance and posture. Spinning, Starr circled back toward the beast. Exploding from the wall with outstretched fists, she darted ahead and rammed into the beast. Colliding with the creature so hard, Starr caused Taila to pop right out of the Demon's mouth. She was spat out right past Joel.

Joel let go of the monster's mouth and dropped back.

Wilson leaped forward at the beast's face with great beams of Holy light shining and fizzling off his steaming clinched fists to avenge his friend.

The creature's dark red eye opened wide at the sight of the light. When the white beam of Holy light made contact with the creature's single red eye, the creature backed away in pain. Roaring at a higher pitch of turmoil, its ghastly shriek filled the room, followed by a rising howl. Bounding away with heavy steps, thumping the floor boards and causing them to crack under pressure, the creature escaped through the office wall and charged down the hall.

The Angels stood together in a circle back-to-back and eyed the Demons, warning them to keep away.

The grotesque looking Demons understood the power of the Angels and cowardly stepped away slowly.

After the excitement died down, Jasper began to relax.

The security men had successfully bound Jasper to the wheelchair.

When Jasper focused on the living, he found there were three other doctors with him in the office.

The doctors cross checked the straps that held Jasper's wrists and ankles to the wheelchair then they wheeled him out and took him from Dr. Adam's office.

Gagged and delivered to a maximum security wing of the hospital, the specialists meticulously checked Jasper from head to toe. After sedation, Jasper's body had been put through a CAT scan. They spent hours poring over the results and talking, trying to determine what exactly was wrong with this patient.

The doctors didn't have enough evidence to list Jasper as clinically insane, and there was nothing in his prescribed drugs to be the cause of his hallucinations.

Returning to his bed under tight bindings, Jasper slept off the effects of the drugs under the close watchful eyes of the medical security personnel and the Angels.

The Demons disturbed Jasper so much, that even when he closed his eyes, he could see them. This kept him awake well into the night. Tied down on his bed, Jasper would see real Demons lurking around him like predators. They looked for opportunities to strike as they did with all of the humans. What caused the Demons to flee was when Jasper prayed, out loud or silently, along with the Angels. Praying also drove the haunted and chilling sensations away.

Grateful to have the protective Angels nearby, if for no other reason than to cause the Demons to depart, Jasper thanked his Seven new friends.

In return, the Angels comforted him.

When he stopped praying, it was never long before the Demons returned, peaking at him from the shadows, around corners, from within cabinets and behind curtains. Jasper didn't want to admit it but while he was in bondage, the Demons haunted him. It was better people couldn't see the Demons as he could or the world would be a place of paranoia. 'How could anyone focus on anything long enough to accomplish even the simplest of jobs with the fearful distractions of these wild and wicked night crawlers actively distracting them so much?' Jasper thought as he felt his stomach tighten.

* * *

Rising from his bed the next morning, Jasper had the slumbersome realization that he was surrounded by a group of tall handsome people.

"He awakens." one of the pleasant young folk spoke.

"Greetings, Jasper... Are you awake?" another asked in a kindly and rather comical manner.

"W-who are you?" Jasper asked, unable to recognize any of the faces. He thought it was because he was still waking up. "Where are the other Angels?"

"That isn't important right now. We need you to tell us your tale. We desire to understand how it is you are granted capabilities to see and hear those of us who are of spiritual existence." When Jasper realized these were Angels also, just as beautiful and omniscient as his first Seven friends, he smiled with delight. Though no wings could be seen at their backs, the six of them were dressed in formal, black attire.

"Would you tell us?" pleaded a very beautiful young female Angel. She batted her bright blue eyes and began untying Jasper's bonds.

There was something more seductive in her eyes that Jasper hadn't seen in an Angel's eyes prior. Though he liked the attention, he felt odd to receive such affection from a complete stranger. At the back of his mind, Jasper recognized something wasn't right. He began to toil with the possibility that there was something they wanted from him.

Jasper was about to say something and give these odd and curious Angels what they wanted when the original Seven entered the room, gliding effortlessly through the wall. "Oh, meet my other Angel friends." Jasper told them. "They know my story and can answer your questions."

There was a great chill in the air as the two groups found themselves locked in an awkward growing tension. The seven Angels of light and glory stared down the six darker silhouetted Angels.

"These are no friends of yours, Jasper, nor are they agents of the Almighty." Wilson spoke loud and clear as he steeled himself for a brawl.

"By reputation, they are; 'The insufferable six.'" Joel pointed at them, his finger crackling and sparking with electrical energy.

Elana stepped right up to the female leader who had untied Jasper, "Greetings, Morbidant." Touching Morbidant's fore-head, the brave Elana added, "Now Jasper, look upon the true form of your new _friends._ "

The deception, so convincing, was shattered and the body of the gorgeous woman in black morphed into her true and detestable, evil form.

Elana turned to Jasper with a look of vast wisdom gleaming in her eyes.

Crouching forward, the vicious Demon began to cower and tremble pathetically, like she had just been victimized. The other Dark Angels remained beautiful and stoic as they shouted accusations at the original Seven. "Look Jasper! We aren't evil! It is your friends who try to make Demons out of us! They aim to deceive you!"

"Join us, Jasper!" shouted another one of the Angels dressed in black. "Before it is too late!" he held out his hand, expecting Jasper to take it and choose their side.

Wilson made large circular motions through the air as his fists caught fire. Punching in the direction of the Dark Angels, fire balls launched from his fists and struck two of them. The fire consumed their disguise, only to expose their hideous true forms.

West smashed his fists together and a tornado of wind swirled into existence that stretched out like a tentacle. It quickly grabbed hold of a female Dark Angel and spun her around until her real form was also exposed.

Charmatrien took hold of the hilt of his sword from his belt. In his grip the hilt activated a blade of water that churned and spun in such a tight motion it could cut like a laser. When he pointed the water blade at the Dark Angel in a window-guard stance, the blade of water launched like a rocket, splashing against the Dark Angel's black suit.

The suit disintegrated. The beautiful disguise melted away with the water. Only the hideous remains of the creature, which marked its fall from grace, was left.

When Charmatrien looked at the creature, he crinkled up his nose and said, "Detestable!"

At the same moment, Joel took hold of an arrow of 'good will' and propelled it from his flexible golden bow at the last remaining Dark Angel.

With her deception compromised like the others to reveal her true morbid form, what remained were Six Dark Angels, exposed in their true nature; hideous, vicious and Demonic. The core of their surreptitious purpose was exposed like a perfect flower in bloom that finally wilted to uncover its wicked fruit.

Taila and Starr stood on either side of Jasper, stretching out a wing to shield and protect him from the imminent retaliation that was sure to follow.

Elana flew to Jasper and placed her small warm hand gently to his fore-head. When she removed her hand, Jasper found he had knowledge of who the Insufferable Six were.

When Jasper looked at the first of the Dark Angels, Elana cautiously said, _'This female Demon is_ Morbidant. _She's the leader of the Six. Looking like a twisted and pain filled body. With skin as rough as black charred wood and horns of ivory, Morbidant is extremely dangerous; able to control darkness and shadows, conjure up 'Shadow People' and influence dark emotions in her enemies to weaken them.'_ When she looked at Jasper, he felt she violated his spirit with the gaze of her green glowing eyes alone.

'Diolucious _; another unattractive female. She appears to be a sick skeleton with translucent, wrinkly skin and a mess of hair, so thick it looks like a pile of dried tree branches on her head. She's rumored to be a sneaky archer, who's skilled at shooting small arrows and darts of accusation, gossip, slander and fault finding. You can see her eyes are beyond the grave; dark, hollow and grievous._

' _The very short female,_ Krustatious _, resembles a Demon Imp Scout, only she is the commander of the little varmints. She gives Scouts the powers of confusion, anxiety, rejection, bitterness, impatience, unforgiveness and lust._

' _A large awkward Demon,_ Wengroangrinch _, is a male with an equally large fore-head and a protruding spine of bony spikes. He is also a telepath who extracts and exploits human's secrets with a mix of confusion. Using his keys to gain access to the bodies of living humans, he has them possessed by notorious Demons._

' _The masculine Viking warrior,_ Vyxcious _is an untamed giant amongst the others; a hulking and stooped warrior who stepped right out of the field of battle exposing the memory of his chipped armor and open cuts. He is so long in the limb that his knuckles drag on the ground when he walked._ Vyxcious _possesses the ability to sprout thorny vines from his hands that instantly grow and stretch to entangle, ensnare, whip or constrict his victims._

'Gewgaw _; a slimy reptilian male who finds morbid joy in shooting ectoplasm, or what he calls; ecto-slime from small slits on the palms of his hands. His mandate is to make all straight and narrow paths and bridges so slimy, travelers will slip away from acquiring their goals in life. From the ecto-slime, countless slimy snakes spawn and manifest injecting poisons into anyone who crossed them.'_

Though the hospital room was less than ideal for the two forces to face off, the exposed Insufferable Six leaned forward and roared their signature battle cry of sheer terror. The Six fearlessly charged toward the Seven.

The two groups unsheathed their swords and met each other at violent hand to hand combat. This was a game for the quick and the strong. In the eyes of the Angels of light, Jasper saw a reverence of mercy. They were almost reluctant to set their weapons against the Dark Angels.

The insufferable Six, however, were too ready and willing to best their common foe.

The giant Vyxcious launched long twisted vines from his hands that wound around and constricted West. Stone-faced and hard-eyed, Vyxcious kept a vigilant eye on the other Angels also. He was a big, powerfully built Demon with a face sharply chiseled of granite. Nestled in the pits of his deep eye sockets, his quick eyes kept careful compilation of everyone as a whole.

The Angels didn't like the way those eyes fixed on them because it gave the beast a fearful and ferocious aspect.

Gewgaw shot a splash of ecto-slime at Charmatrien, coating him and pulling his weightless body down. Then the Demon scurried back a few paces.

Wengroangrinch roared, extending his horribly disfigured face and large fore-head from his deep hood. While he roared the apparition of his disfigured face vanished. His haunting skull-face was all that remained. Directing his evil desire, he marked Jasper for possession by branding him with a red hot key.

Demonic spirits swarmed Jasper's body as they searched for an entrance point of possession.

It wasn't easy as Taila and Starr worked feverishly to thwart their efforts and protect Jasper's body of flesh with powerful beams of their Holy light.

Releasing a horde of Demon Scouts from her open cloak, Krustatious telepathically commanded them to attack.

Joel and Elana sprang into action. From Joel's fists came a line of flame.

The Holy Fire caused the little Imp Scouts to scatter and retreat back into Krustatious' cloak. Krustatious was about to leap when Elana lassoed her with the power of God's love.

The power of Elana's silver lasso give rise to Krustatious' toil under the conviction of its influential constrain. This crusty ancient Demon rejected such pure goodness.

Wilson's fists of fire flared up as he punched the light of God's glory into Morbidant. He looked like a small young boy against such a tall foreboding assailant, but Wilson's confidence and bravery made up for his lack of height and apparent age. As his light exploded over the darkness of the evil witch, Morbidant shrieked in anguish.

Diolucious shot dark arrows at the Angels to weaken them.

When Taila and Starr were hit, they dropped down out of the fight.

A couple more dark arrows were shot at their leader Morbidant to strengthen her.

Diolucious' face hung open with her usual sickly green and lifeless expression.

The heated glow of lava appeared in the black crevasses of Morbidant's chard skin as she arose with her arms outstretched. Angered flames blasted out over her body as she glided over Wilson. "Does this situation remind you of a similar incident long ago, Wilson?"

Wilson looked away shamefully. He remembered how terribly they failed and how long it had been since they felt they could be trusted again. Wilson also recalled how he and the rest of the Seven vowed never to let such an embarrassment like that reoccur. Wilson told her, "Since that time we've grown wiser and effective, Morbidant." he chided her. "Now we're the word of God and you can possess no power from your dark realm that is greater."

Joel shot an arrow at Morbidant's shadow people, when he said, "It's only when you hide from the light and glory of God that your veils return to cover you in shadow. We represent Spirit and Truth!" He felt a deep sense of satisfaction take hold.

Starr brushed at her long silky blond hair and added to Joel's statement, "Truth is never found hiding in the darkness; it seeks to remain in the light for all to see." her soft voice had no more tension in it, but her gentle blue eyes were somehow troubled. Doves of light sprang out from the concealment of her wings and lit the entire room.

Each of the Insufferable Six shielded their eyes and coward from being exposed to the illustrious light.

Morbidant shouted, "We will hide your light from the world and keep you all contained in this room! Whatever your mission is here on earth, consider it over!" A shadow of darkness sprang from under Morbidant's cape and coated over the walls of the hospital room.

Vyxcious kept his eyes shut as thick thorn laden vines stretched from his large hands and crept throughout Morbidant's shadows.

Gewgaw launched a spray of ecto-slime from the slits of his hands.

With the combination of the three spiritually charged layers of darkness covering the walls, ceiling, and floor, the Angels could see they might have difficulty freeing themselves, but they didn't believe they were trapped.

The light of the Angels dimmed slightly and Morbidant told them, "We don't have to capture all of you abhorrent Angels. We only need to keep Jasper here. He's important somehow. That's why you Angels are attached to him." Then Morbidant addressed her lieutenants. "Come, let us replenish our strength and rest our eyes from the appalling light of these accursed Angels." Sinking into the floor and leaving the hospital room, the Insufferable Six followed after their leader.

The room was abandoned to pitch blackness, but Jasper could still see the light of the Angels who surrounded him. Silently, he looked at them and noticed after all they'd just been through, they remained peaceful.

Charmatrien said, "Don't worry, Jasper. I'll get you out of this imprisonment." With a positive and confident spring in his step, Charmatrien took hold of the hilt of his sword and the water blade grew out from the hilt.

The sight of such a strange weapon drew Jasper's attention reluctantly away from the preoccupied thoughts of his imprisonment.

Approaching the door of the room, Charmatrien embedded the water blade of his sword into the wall around the door. Water sprayed back as Charmatrien proceeded to cut a new doorway through the ecto-slime. The blade of water also appeared to slice through the twisted and laced vines of sharp thorns. It even gave the impression it was carving into Morbidant's shadow.

When he was finished, West inspected the cuts of Charmatrien's water sword. Not only were the cuts not deep, they didn't penetrate the wall at all. West gave him a rakish grin, "It would appear you only made the walls wet." The other Angels laughed lightheartedly like chirping birds and West added, "These walls haven't even been scored."

"This isn't Star Wars, Charmatrien." Joel remarked humorously, "And lightsabers are very different from your water blade swords."

"You guys have seen Star Wars?" Jasper asked as his eyes widened.

"Come on, Jasper." Charmatrien purred with a big smile, "Everyone's seen Star Wars."

"Are the dark abilities of the Insufferable Six too powerful for us?" Elana asked.

"Don't be so sure." Wilson told her, "Ever since we returned, the Insufferable Six have underestimated us."

"Move aside everyone!" West stepped forward, "I'll take care of this!" From West's fist came a powerful gust of wind that swirled into visual existence. Driving the tornado winds against the doors, West managed to physically blow the doors off their hinges in the material world.

The sound of the door being forced open alerted the hospital staff, along with the reappearing Insufferable Six.

The Seven Angels flew into action to protect Jasper.

Hearing the stir of people outside the now open door, Jasper sprinted to escape the hospital room. Bounding out into the hallway, he collided with a nurse who was pushing a cart of sterilized medical tools.

"Hey, watch it!" The nurse exclaimed. Her cart fell over crashed to the floor. Her medical supplies spilled out from wall to wall.

Bellowing down the hall a doctor hollered, "What's going on down there?"

To Jasper the hospital halls were filled with a thick fog. He could barely see as he knocked into everything in his attempt to get away from the approaching Insufferable Six. Without any reply to the doctor, Jasper turned to run away when the ill skeletal figure of Diolucious rose before him. Her mouth was open and her breath hissed out as she pulled back on her bow and took aim on Jasper's Face. She was a hair-trigger of unpredictability. The look of her deep hollow eyes and scraggly hair spooked Jasper.

He yelled as he turned away and ducked.

Diolucious' arrow hurtled toward him and narrowly passed over top of him, the black serrated arrowhead just grazing his scalp.

Invisible to the doctor at the end of the hall, the black arrow found its mark in his chest.

As Diolucious reached back to reload her bow with another black arrow, Jasper rose up quickly and lashed out, throwing a quick punch.

When his fist passed through Diolucious' head, she turned her face slightly and defensively. When she realized Jasper's punch had no effect on her, she turned her face back and deviously smiled at him. As Diolucious lifted her bow and arrow to attempt shooting Jasper in the face again, now at point blank range, Taila swooped in from behind the Demon archer.

From the fiery palms of her hands she set Diolucious' twig-like hair on fire. When Taila pulled back on Diolucious' wrinkly face, they bent back and the black arrow was accidentally released into the ceiling.

Causing quite the scene in the hall, Jasper only half noticed that his actions triggered the nurses to work themselves up. They were concerned for the safety of both the patients and the staff. All eyes were fixed on Jasper like he was a crazy. The people who were closest to him backed away.

The doctor with the black spiritual arrow sticking out of his chest began to shout orders, "That's it! We're locking down this wing! Someone call for security! Meanwhile we have to clear this hall!"

Wengroangrinch stomped his feet as he bounded down the hall.

The tinkling sound of his countless keys alerted Jasper to his presence. Through the fog he could see the clattering reflective edges of the keys this Demon wore on his belt.

Placing a hand to the temple of his large head, Wengroangrinch affected Taila's mind with turmoil imagery and unsettling thoughts.

She winced when she felt the psyonic invasion pierce her mind.

Throughout the hall the weapons of the enemy caused glass to break and objects to become thrown like a violent haunting. Jasper tried to turn and run again but a gurney obstructed his path. Frustrated by his lack of sight, he shouted, punched the bed trolley and squinted his eyes to find an open path before him.

Taila moved quickly to escape Wengroangrinch's telepathic hold. She push Jasper's chest as she made her way passed him.

Jasper was thrown backwards off his feet and landed in the seat of a wheel-chair.

When Joel showed up and saw this he had a great idea to save Jasper. Though he was locked in battle with Gewgaw, Joel quickly created a distraction of fire and flew to Jasper. By causing the wheelchair to move forward, Joel steered Jasper down the hall, narrowly missing three security officers and other objects.

Spiritually, Joel and Jasper became prime moving targets for the dark Demons. Meanwhile, the other Angels saw what had transpired and took up new positions to keep Jasper safe.

At the end of the hall, Joel saw elevator doors begin to slide shut. He decided to push the wheelchair harder so Jasper wouldn't miss his elevator ride.

Glancing back, Jasper saw the Insufferable Six charging down the hall behind him. They were yelling a crescendo with their rising shrill shrieks and screams.

Vyxcious grew a quick long vine and snapped it like a whip, causing the wheelchair to jar to the left. Demon Scouts reacted immediately to Krustatious' mental instructions to slow the wheelchair.

With the wheelchair covered with the menacing little Imp Scouts, Joel fought to compensate for the change in the chair's direction and speed.

Noticing the sliding doors were closing too quickly for the wheelchair to fit, Jasper began to shout in fear of the oncoming impact.

The momentum had built too high for the short remaining distance. Unable to slow the wheelchair down, Joel opened his gallant wings and veered away.

Careening toward the elevator, the wheelchair was half a second from slamming into the closed doors when Charmatrien swooped in at the chair with Joel at his side and together they wrenched the wheelchair into an impossible tight turn. The new direction sent Jasper hurtling toward the open door to the stairway.

Morbidant arose there. She was directly in Jasper's path at the open stairway door. Without warning, she threw shadows from her hands at the oncoming wheelchair. This not only further blinded Jasper, but knocked Joel and Charmatrien back.

Jasper rode on right through Morbidant and down the stairs.

Behind the wheelchair Wengroangrinch attempted to take control of it. He managed to steer the chair around the tight corner at the switch back and continue to push the chair all the way to the next floor down.

Jasper didn't need to see Wengroangrinch to know he was being pushed by Demons, he could feel them driving the chair. They were the cause of great havoc thrusting the wheelchair forward and driving Jasper to run into anyone who stood in his way. The wheelchair continued to pick up speed with such force Jasper stiffened with stark fear. His eyes grew wide and he was only vaguely aware that he was no longer breathing. Not ready for what might happen next, speeding down the hall, Jasper was sent whizzing through the open doors of the cafeteria where the quiet eating area exploded into a world of chaos and unruly pandemonium.

Coffees were launched from the hands of doctors and patients with the shock of Jasper's explosive thunderstorm entrance. The Wheelchair collided with a long table launching Jasper out of the seat like a ragdoll. Sliding along the table-top headfirst, Jasper wiped out many breakfast trays before he finally squeaked along the surface to a stop. Standing up on the table, alert and defensive, Jasper saw the Demons as they filed into the cafeteria behind him.

The people who had their breakfast disrupted shouted at Jasper. They weren't shy about voicing their aggravation and they shouted all the more as the Insufferable Six attacked them emotionally. Stirring up the spirits of the people with more of the Demon's dark arrows, blades and poisonous shadows, Jasper could see how quickly his situation escalated and with it, his danger.

In a blink, the Angels flooded into the cafeteria with their goodness and light.

Gewgaw trampled over other tables as he shot his ecto-slime over everything and everyone. It even got into the customer's food and drinks.

Charmatrien and Elana flew after Gewgaw to stop him but he was moving too fast.

Leaping into the kitchen, Gewgaw contaminated it with his slime also. As a result of Gewgaw's slime, anyone who ate or drank immediately spewed out their breakfast in utter disgust. Those who swallowed later became utterly and helplessly aggravated.

The cooks couldn't see any change to the food at first glance but when a slice of bread was lifted from a sandwich, the contents under it squirmed. It was alive with maggots.

Jasper saw Gewgaw's spiritual snakes slither out of the customer's mouths. This was to be expected of anyone who ingested any of Gewgaw's slime.

Meanwhile, Jasper was distracted by the fast pace, non-stop battle between the Angels and Demons. The people began to realize the presence of the paranormal as pictures popped off the walls and other items moved or were otherwise thrown across the room on their own.

When Wengroangrinch took hold of one of his keys and tabbed it into the back of a woman, he turned it which opened her up to the possession of a terrible Demon. In this case, it was Diolucious who took over the woman's body.

The moment Diolucious entered the woman's body she fell to the floor and convulsed. Her body reacted to the unnatural possession, but soon the Demon took hold and the woman's face stretched a deviant smile across it from ear to ear while laughing insidiously. When the possession was fully complete, her laughter was cut short, in favor of the unfulfilled task. When she rose up with an evil anomalous wickedness, she screamed at the people.

The frightful spectacle was enough to ring everyone's instinctive alarm bells and cause them to evacuate the cafeteria in a mad rush.

Jasper also tried to conduct an impetuous departure amongst the people and in the chaos he grabbed the long white doctor's coat from the back of a chair and threw it on. Disguised as a doctor, Jasper tried to disappear down the hall and become lost in the shuffle of people.

The Seven Angels remained behind in the cafeteria where they used their combined abilities to expel the Demon and free the woman of her possession.

# CHAPTER 4

BELIEVING it was a good plan to sneak off, Jasper glanced back. Discouragement preoccupied him knowing he could do nothing to help the woman who was now Demon possessed. The guilt of an evil intruder taking over her body was all his fault. Glancing over his shoulder, Jasper saw Krustatious shoot a dark arrow at him. He felt its sharp gnarly tip embed into his back. His lungs took in a quick shock of fiery breath. Twisting around as far as he could, Jasper was surprised to find more than just one arrow, but a family of dark arrows and they were all implanted in his back. This was why his heart hurt and he felt so bad.

Calling out as he hustled amongst the crowd, Jasper called for an Angel to pull the arrows out of his back. Taila and Elana responded to his call and immediately began tearing the arrows out. Scuttling down the hall in the thick of other people, Jasper's deception was short lived when he ran right into Dr. Adams. The two were wide eyed and face to face.

Jasper was identified immediately.

Discretely signaling the security to him, Dr. Adams quickly turned Jasper in.

The security personnel already had Jasper's description and were eager to nab him.

There was nothing Jasper could do to keep from his inevitable capture. Still, he struggled to be free as he saw the Insufferable Six still hounding him. Hopeful he would soon find a new possibility of escape, Jasper was slow to notice Wengroangrinch stomping his way up behind him.

In that small window of time, the Demon jabbed a key into his back. With a quick twist, Jasper's body was open to Demon possession.

The Angels were aghast at what was taking place and raced forward to intercept.

With no time to lose, Wengroangrinch entered Jasper's body himself. With such a detestable Demon in control of Jasper, the Angels set to work right away to cast him out.

The Seven performed a spiritual combat maneuver that resembled a circular group chorography. Each of the Angels fought the Insufferable Six in turn. They didn't tire while working to drive Wengroangrinch out of Jasper's body. It required the use of their combined weapons and powers.

Wilson and Joel used their fists of fire.

Charmatrien tried to cut Wengroangrinch out with his water-blade sword.

West blasted Wengroangrinch with his powerful spiritual tornado.

Starr's light exploded over Jasper's head to drive out the darkness.

Elana bound up Wengroangrinch's abilities with her lasso and Taila provided graceful prayers to cast out the Demon with the powerful name of the Lord.

With a defiant smile, the look in Jasper's eyes was entirety malicious. Then his body convulsed under the Angel's efforts to free him.

The voice of Wengroangrinch growled menacingly from Jasper's mouth as he struggled to keep Jasper's body under his control.

Jasper began to scream wildly and throw his arms around knocking equipment over and causing medical supplies to spill out across the floor.

None of the doctors or nurses could get close enough to him to detain him. His great strength, coupled with blind rage kept others at bay. They utmost concern was if he would end up becoming a serious threat to the other patients.

Joel realized the spiritual key in Jasper's back was still turned open. "This way, Seven! We must take this battle inside Jasper's temple!" He was referring to Jasper's body as a temple, of course.

All seven of the Angels entered Jasper's body and battled Wengroangrinch. When they blasted him with a concentration of their Holy light, the old Demon was thrown out by the blast at once.

Wilson was the last Angel to come out of Jasper and he was sure to turn back to Jasper and relock him up.

After he removed the old tarnished key, Joel snatched it away from him and held it up over his head. "By the glory of God! Abolish such evil abilities!" Joel's fist brightened like it was forged of lava. Then the key began to glow bright and hot. As it melted, it dissipated into a wisp of steam. Then it was gone.

When Jasper was free of the Demon, he collapsed to his knees.

The security personnel lifted Jasper with rough strength and apprehended him straight away.

From the dangerous display of Jasper's actions, Dr. Adams resolved his evaluation concerning Jasper's mental health. Legally he would document that Jasper's mental instability, brought on by his fall from the church roof, had left him with permanent brain damage. Administering heavy sedatives, Dr. Adams had Jasper placed in a new, secure hospital room.

Within the private accommodation and with no prior intent to cooperate with the Insufferable Six, Jasper established a friendship based on trust with the Seven Angels; a trust so profound it would not be easily shaken.

As swords continued to clash with these dreadful Demons, Wengroangrinch sought revenge for being cast out of Jasper. He was determined to strike a decisive blow. Appearing behind West, lunging forward, he stabbed a long black, wavy, double edged sword into the Angel's back. West dropped his own sword in shock - his eyes; defeated and sad.

Thrusting the long black blade further, Wengroangrinch pushed it so it came right out of West's chest. Bending forward slowly, Wengroangrinch whispered over West's shoulder and into his ear, "Know my pain, brother." The intoxication of vengeance swelled in his tense blood-shot eyes.

Joel tried shooting arrows at West, knowing an Angel's good arrows can strengthen another Angel, but the Insufferable Six stood guard over West as though they claimed him. Any attempt to save West was intercepted by one of the Six. Darkness had permeated West to his undying soul. It was too late and the Angels knew it.

Trying to take a breath, West was shocked at how he'd been overtaken so easily. Time slowed around West as the unthinkable occurred. Yelling, reaching his hands to his face like it was on fire, West's voice altered into a ghastly shriek. His translucent, luminescent skin became deathly sick; eyeballs nearly popping right out of their sockets and countless sharp teeth hungry to tear apart anything _good._ Uncovering his hands from his eyes it was clear; the Angel's friend was no more. The soft handsome blue eyes of West were replaced with yellow reptilian eyes of a wild, unpredictable Demon.

Manifesting into a horrific bat-like Demon, West's stark white feathers exploded off his wings. His naked pinions quickly darkened and mutated their shape into dark, bat-like leathery airfoils.

"No!!!" shouted Wilson with deep sorrowful regret. The other Angels looked on in disbelief and shock. Swooping to his fallen brother, Wilson quickly pulled the long crooked black sword out of West's back. The others noticed what had happened as they too shouted denials of the truth and fought back the Insufferable Six even harder. The dark Angels shielded their eyes from the Angel's intense light. They hissed at the pain when the Angels promptly drove them off with a great burst of their combined Holy light. Turning back, the Angels of light came together around their fallen member, West.

During West's transformation, he momentarily changed back into an Angel at the moment the Demon blade was pulled from his back.

"Keep fighting, West." Starr spoke with deep emotional apprehension, but attempted to cover it with her school teacher's voice. "You are strong." She desperately searched her mind for a solution, causing her to recall past iterations from her teachings. _'How can I fix what has been done?'_ But the arcane act was irreversible and they all knew it.

It was unclear to Jasper what was happening, but he felt his trust of the Angels was being called to question. Just as one of the good looking Dark Angels had changed into a Demon, now one of Jasper's bright Angel friends had also twisted into the image of evil right before his eyes.

The Insufferable Six had the audacity to return and roam around the outskirts of the room. Snickering, they mocked the sentiment of the moment.

Laughing at the scene, knowing they were successful at confusing Jasper and corrupting one of the famed Seven Angels, Morbidant smiled and shrugged, "When will you fools ever learn? You don't have what it takes to defeat the darkness." her amber eyes in turn sharply penetrated the darkness.

West began to speak, "I'm sorry I've failed you, my friends. Remember the great love from the core of my being for each one of you. May you find it in your hearts to forgive me for my downfall."

The remaining six Angels sat with their friend and lamented. They agreed; West was the most radiant of them. During this time of mourning, the Insufferable Six began to close in. Bony black hands came up behind Jasper to take him also, when abruptly everything froze at the sound of a loud trumpet blast. Light and smoke exploded across the ceiling. Alas, the Insufferable Six and their Demon Imps fled the room.

Through all of this, the friends stayed close to one another. They watched as West's long golden hair fell out, his eyes; corrupted, became dark with anger. His ears crinkled and stretched like they were turning into dry leaves. His sickly skin grew coarse and flakey. His mouth grew wide and a long hideous tongue slithered out and reached up. West's entire body twisted back into a Demon-bat. The way he glared at the six Angels, provoked an air of danger. Filled with rage, West quickly sunk down; phasing into the floor to join his new family in Hell.

Thunder broke and all eyes focused on the swirling light and smoke that ominously circled over-head. After driving away the Insufferable Six, the remaining Angels appeared to be more regal and wise-looking in the wake of the loss of their close friend.

With a sudden boom of thunder followed by a loud cracking flash of lightning, a cloud swirled open across the ceiling. Within the depth of Heaven's glorious colours and light, beyond the open cloud were three bright and glorious Guardian Angels. They approached the rift, gliding with the use of their wide illustrious wings.

The room was too small to hold the great size of the three mighty Angels so they remained on their side of the open portal.

The Angels bowed in reverence and respect to the three amazing Guardian Angels.

Jasper just watched everything in wonder and awe before he felt an overwhelming desire to bow along with his Angel friends. Getting right out of bed and lying flat, face down, on the hospital floor, he reverently prayed a prayer of respect.

The voices of the three female guardian Angels came like eloquent thunder, "Angels of the most high. Grieve not for the loss of your friend. You knew one of you would be subdued by the enemy. The Creator of All has plans for each one of you even still. You are challenged with distractions now; distractions to lead you astray. Don't occupy your time senselessly fighting Demons. Angel reinforcements will make your way clear. Focus on your task. Should you who mourn and are sad not be joyful? Your Master in Heaven rains blessings down on you, this day."

"Who are you?" Jasper called out. The moment he said this, however, he wanted to take it back. He felt so foolish and unworthy of any utterance at all.

When the three Guardian Angels looked at Jasper, he could feel the heat of their gaze on his head. The giant Angel on the left brightened slightly, "I am, Emunah which means, Faith."

The great Angel on the right was the next to brighten warmly, "My name is Tikua. My name means, Hope."

The Angel in the center had a countenance that grew brighter than the other two. So beautiful was she, Jasper had to shield his blind eyes or risk further injury. "And I am, Ahava, meaning Love. We are the three appointed by the Seraphim to observe your cause on high."

The thunderous melody of words from the three mighty Guardian Angels ended abruptly when they backed away into the opening of the swirling cloud on the ceiling along with their powerful presence. As the swirling cloud subsided, so did the sound of continuous rolling thunder. Finally, the portal closed up completely and the ceiling appeared as though nothing had happened at all.

Everyone who remained rose from the floor. It was amazing how quickly despair had turned to faith; a solid faith, tempered by experience.

Wilson, the smallest and youngest of the Angels felt, as the leader, he should say something. Bringing the message of the three Angels to mind, he said, "Our focus shall not be the loss of our good friend, West. Our focus is the Lord's plan."

Unable to contain her emotions, Starr shouted from the despair of her heart, "I can't go on without West!" she began to cry and buried her head in Joel's chest. Tears ran down her smooth cheeks.

Jasper saw there was nothing more sorrowful than to see an Angel weep, "How can this be?" Jasper asked, "You are Angels. You are symbols of all that is perfect and good. You cannot go to Hell." Watching the Angels cry over West, Jasper found it the saddest thing he had ever seen. The sound of their weeping struck a cord so deep within his soul he didn't know it was there. It took West's fall from grace for him to recognize it.

Jasper had always revered himself as a strong young man with a solid composure, but at that moment, he could do nothing more than join the heartbroken cry of the Angels.

"Do you not know, the Demons you despise were once our brothers and sisters, Angels; all of them. Perfect, you say? Can't go to Hell, you say? One third of all of the Angels were cast down when they swore loyalty to Lucifer." explained Charmatrien. "You have heard of 'Fallen Angels.' If we weren't immortal, it would kill us to bring harm to one of them. The God of creation doesn't need humans or Angels as proven in The Great Flood, but it hurt him deeply and profoundly to cast _'the one third,'_ out. He knew their hearts. They thought Lucifer was invincible, perhaps more powerful than The Creator, but they were mistaken. Lucifer was actually just very persuasive and boastful. Do you think there was at least one Angel that God cared for so completely, it tore his heart out to cast him or her out of fellowship with him? The answer is; they all tore at him, especially Lucifer. They were once so close. The betrayal of a brother is like no other. By His great jealousy and need to love, He was double-crossed by his own family. And it was this great family in Heaven that was torn in two! Oh, God knows the depth of pain. He knows it better than anyone."

"But, West was the most beautiful of the Angels." Starr commented. "He didn't swear loyalty to Lucifer or any other, save the most High God."

"Remember, this is a test of the Lord, not condemnation." Wilson moved slowly in a circle as he spoke to everyone. "We must all have faith for the Lord, alone, who is the author and finisher of all things."

"We are a broken circle now. We aren't the same Seven as we were before." stated Starr.

"You're right, Starr." Wilson agreed with a certifiable nod. "We're not the same Seven, but we are still Seven." The others looked at Wilson then Wilson looked at Jasper.

Jasper rose from the cold hospital floor wearing only his hospital gown. The others crowded in close to him creating a circle of unity or perhaps to give him a spiritual group hug. Jasper wasn't sure.

"We must move on from here." Wilson told the others.

"Do you know where we are to go?" Elana asked.

"I _have_ been given this sight." Wilson told them confidently. "You must all trust me to lead the way."

"We trust you, Wilson." They all said at once.

"I trust you too." Jasper added.

Wilson smiled his young crooked smile. Joyous eyes shone from the Angels upon Jasper before they turned toward the door. Leading the way, Wilson walked out of the room through the door. Behind him the others fell in beside him. Jasper quickly looked around for some clothes but he couldn't find any. "Oh, come on!" Jasper whispered to himself. "They're taking off without me?"

Jasper dashed to the door to see if the Angels were waiting for him on the other side. As he cracked the door open and peeked through he met with the bright florescent lights of the hall which blinded him with sight. He had to squint and let his eyes adjust then Jasper saw Angels everywhere. He saw his Angel friends also. Activity of Angels engaging Demons escalated more than Jasper ever saw before.

A Demon struck a patient and the patient felt a shooting pain, like a head-ache in his whole body. He collapsed to the floor in agony and wallowed in the pain that seared up his spine and branched throughout the length of his limbs.

An Angel touched the same patient and he was eventually well again. After this he rolled over, trying to rise.

Another Demon scruffed up a doctor's hair and the doctor became stressed out and enraged. The doctor began to shout at a nurse. He was of such a frightful nature he bleached the souls of the staff and patients who saw him in his fit of rage.

The Angels ran around trying to bring order, peace and health to each situation whilst the Demons worked overtime to ruin everything they could.

"Evil never sleeps." Jasper professed loud enough for all the Angels to hear.

"Neither does God." Wilson countered. The Angels smiled and nodded to one another in agreement.

Through the crowd of confusion, Jasper saw a man walking toward him. Somehow he could recognize the man but he wasn't sure from where. As the man approached, Jasper backed into the room again and sat on the bed. Looking at the door, it opened and Jasper watched as the man strode into the room.

"Hello Jasper, remember me?" the man posed like it should be obvious.

At that moment, Jasper did remember him from the construction site. "Pastor?" Jasper answered, unsure of himself.

"Yes, I am Pastor Jay Reynolds. I sure am glad to see you're feeling better. Unfortunate about your sight. Did you recognize my voice?"

"No I can..." He caught himself. "Yes, yes of course." Jasper smiled like his day was nothing more than a walk in the park.

"Many people have been praying for you and your recovery. I don't enjoy recalling your accident. I was there and saw the whole thing, you know."

Jasper felt like sneaking away and crawling under a rock. He looked down at the Pastor's shoes. They were two shades of black and brown leather, very shiny and no doubt expensive. At the sight of the Pastor's shoes, Jasper decided he wouldn't be fully understood by this man.

The Pastor stepped forward to take a closer look at Jasper's eyes. He held Jasper's head in his out-stretched hands and stared into his white eyes. "I was told that your eyes were milky white and that you would never see again. Your doctor told me that, just yesterday, you declined surgery which would restore your sight. Is this true?" exhaling, he gave Jasper a scornful gaze.

Attempting his bravest voice, Jasper responded. "Yes, sir. I'm not completely blind, but I believe the operation will make me blind for sure." Jasper backed away from the Pastor and walked over to a mirror. Studying his reflection as the Angels returned to the room, Jasper listened to the Pastor talk.

"We've had an outdoor service on the lawn of the church so we could be close to the accident site. Your boss didn't want us going into the church yet, still so much to do. We will have our first official service next Sunday. Do you think you would be able to attend? It would mean so much to the people who have prayed for you. Until they see you, they won't really know who they'd been praying for."

"God willing Pastor, I just might attend one of your services." Jasper answered honestly.

"Oh, what a blessing. We had quite a lasting prayer meeting for you. The incident rarely leaves my mind. I'm pleased to see you're recovering so well. Perhaps the prayers have helped."

"Yes, I know they have. I don't have brain damage, or at least I don't think so. And I haven't lost my sight either."

The Pastor found the latter, questionable. "That's... extraordinary." The Pastor was quite pleased with the visit thus far. "I've been a Pastor in Princeton for a very long time. I don't believe you and I have met when you were a child. Did I know your parents?"

"I don't think so." Jasper shook his head looking at the floor.

"Well we have at least one thing in common, and that's the church." Pastor Jay told Jasper.

"We have something else in common, Pastor. We both believe in Angels."

Noticing Jasper's cloudy eyes locked onto his own unlike anyone the Pastor met before with impaired sight, he suspected Jasper could possibly be telling him the absolute truth. The words he spoke might also hold a far deeper meaning. The Pastor couldn't shake the slight surprised of Jasper's last comment. "Have you ever attended church before, young man?"

"Uh, no, I'm sorry, Pastor, no, I haven't." Jasper answered, soaking in his own humility. "But the Angels were with me when I fell off the roof of the church and they're with me here, in this room, right now too. I can hear and see them no differently than I can hear and see you."

The Pastor took a deep breath, "I am thrilled to know that you believe, but if you want me to believe you can see and talk to Angels I'm going to need a little more convincing." The Pastor smirked, believing Jasper had nothing in the way of tangible proof to support his claim.

Jasper turned to the Angels. "Okay, guys. The Pastor wants proof that you're real. What're we going to do?"

"We don't have time for this, Jasper. You're required to follow me this instant. There's nothing else we can do." Wilson told Jasper, "Your communication with us isn't an ability of our design. We can no more speak to him than he could speak to us. He has to listen with his heart and we will speak in ways beyond your chosen method of speech."

Jasper quickly turned to the Pastor, "They said, if you listen with your heart, they'll speak to you."

The Pastor wiped his fore-head. "I see." glancing at his watch the Pastor added. "I have listened with my heart since I was a small boy and I have had my prayers answered more times than I can count. You're giving me very sound advice. May I pray for you, right now, Jasper?" the Pastor kindly asked.

The Pastor was a kindly spirited person, but Jasper knew he wasn't taking him seriously. Jasper let his breath out like he was defeated. _'How is it a Pastor of a church won't believe me?'_ "Yes sir, Pastor Jay, sir."

The Pastor pulled a thick leather bound book from the deep pocket of his jacket. He opened the Bible and began to read from it. "I will read now from the book of Luke, chapter, 22, verses 39 to 44. 'Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you won't fall into temptation." He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." An Angel from Heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.'"

Jasper saw the Angels kneeling around the two of them and praying a prayer of thanks for the reading of the Holy Scriptures.

Before closing the pages of the Bible, the Pastor prayed, "Thank you Lord, for your written word." He then stood in front of Jasper and held his bible to his heart with his right hand and placed his left hand on Jasper's shoulder. Praying for Jasper, he said, "Our Father in Heaven, I thank you for sparing the life of Jasper. I especially thank you for sending Angels down to comfort him as you did for your own son, Jesus. And before too long, oh God, please let Jasper know your great love for him. Give to him the desire to follow after you in all of the things he says and does, Amen."

"Amen. Thank you, Pastor." Jasper was beaming with gratitude. He glancing over at the Angels he found them standing around him with their hands stretched out and touching him. "Where can I get a Bible?" Jasper asked.

Without hesitation, the Pastor handed his Bible to Jasper.

Jasper was surprised by such a free gesture of good will, he hesitated before taking it, but the Pastor was insistent.

Then the Pastor said, "I don't want to go to Heaven and find you didn't make it." He then turned and walked to the door. Before leaving, he imparted, "I'll be looking for you in church. God bless you, son." Stepping out of the room, he closed the door behind him.

Jasper looked down at the Bible in his hands. It was brand new and must have been expensive because it closed with a magnetic flap. Made from real leather, Jasper let his fingers play over the embossed designs that decorated the cover of the Book.

"What am I supposed to do now?" Jasper asked openly.

"Is it not clear?" Joel asked, "The Lord knows where we need to be. Let's follow our appointed leader."

Jasper grabbed the back of his hospital gown and in an attempt to save himself from any undue embarrassment, he tried to bunch the opening closed. "Are you saying we're just going to stroll out of here?"

The Angel's looked to Wilson for the answer and Wilson responded by saying. "Worry not for what you will wear and eat. The Lord will provide for us as he does all his creatures." Phasing through the door and moving down the hallway, Wilson led the way.

Trying to keep up with the others, Jasper tried with all his might to ignore the ongoing Demon/Angel activity exchanging scuffling blows around him.

"You're doing fine." Elana spoke lightly into Jasper's ear solemnly. "Don't look at anyone. Make no response to anything anyone says, just keep walking, and keep your head down."

Voices shouted at Jasper, "Hey, idiot! Hey, look at me when I am talking to you!" Other voices came from people who weren't themselves rather Demons were speaking through them. Shouts of more foul language rose up around him. Hey spit at him and scrapped with one another as he passed by.

Then Jasper saw Wilson in the distance as he disappeared around a corner. At the moment Jasper lost sight of Wilson, he called out in frustration. "Hey, Wilson, where're you going?"

"I'm going to the washroom!" Wilson shouted back unexpectedly.

Taila almost flew passed Jasper when he stopped her and asked, "Did he say he's going to the washroom?"

Taila gave Jasper a cute but coy smirk, "He _is_ the leader." she told him like he should know better. Her cheekbones and glowing copper hair was like the return of some historic European queen.

"Does that mean _God_ wants me to go to the washroom? He really _does_ act like my Father." Jasper commented with a chuckle under his breath.

Continuing on with his head down, Jasper noticed Pastor Jay had stopped Dr. Adams in the hall. Making a quick detour to a vacant pay phone stall, Jasper lifted the telephone receiver to his ear and began acting like he was making a call. He attempted to hear what the two men were saying.

Dr. Adams responded to something Pastor Jay had told him, "He's supposed to be dead. He fell twenty feet and smacked his head against the pavement. After a near-death experience, Jasper believes he can communicate with Angels. I mean he talks about Angels like they're right there with him. He's delusional. Come'on, Angels?" The Doctor studied the Pastor for a moment. "Admit it Pastor, just between us, you don't really believe in Angels, do you?"

Pastor Jay filled his lungs before he answered, "Doctor, when you die and you experience your own death, you will have a moment of truth. It doesn't matter how convincing someone has been to argue their opinion that there is a God or not. In your moment of truth, when you die, your lights will go out, or you may find yourself in the company of Angels. Are you ready for the possibilities? People look to me as the expert of life after death as they do you. Are you really an expert? Is anyone? When you die, do you know what will happen?"

Dr. Adams just looked at Pastor Jay with a blank expression.

Pastor Jay held the doctor's steady gaze for a moment, "If for no other reason, it would be better to believe in God as a form of 'life insurance' than to choose a path of hopelessness and not believe at all." The Pastor added, before he carried on his way out of the hospital. Dr. Adams pushed his spectacles up the bridge of his nose, as he turned and went behind the nurse's desk.

Jasper hung up the phone and slunk down the hall to the men's washroom. He kept his grip on the back of his hospital gown to keep it from blowing open.

Gathering in the men's washroom, Jasper and the other Angels found Wilson was nowhere to be seen.

A man stood in front of the mirror straightening his tie. This man had his hair slicked back and wore a bright, full smile on his face. Smelling like an entire bottle of after shave the man said, "Hey, how're you doing?" He was friendly, noticing Jasper walk in. Excited but nervous at the same time, the man said, "My wife is about to have our first baby. I want this day to be as special as our wedding day so I went out and bought this new suit. How do I look?"

"Well, first of all." Jasper said, "Congratulations! Secondly, you look great."

"Oh, thank you. I'm so nervous. Will it be a boy? Will it be a girl? Anyway, if you know someone who needs some clothes, I won't be needing these anymore. Thanks, have to go." With that the man left the washroom. Jasper looked at the pile of folded clothes set on the counter.

"Wow!" Jasper expressed, as he took a closer look. The clothes left behind were just simple jeans and a T-shirt.

As Jasper picked up the items of clothing, Wilson came out through the mirror above the sink. "Get it together, we have to go!"

Everyone vacated the washroom quickly, but Jasper just looked at Wilson as if to say, _'Don't I have time to put on these clothes?'_

"Come on, Jasper, make haste. Let's go, go, go!" Wilson urged.

Bolting out of the washroom, Jasper moved like he was running for his life. Feeling the tie strings of his gown come undone and the gown flapping freely at his back like a confederate flag of freedom waving his liberties to the world at large, Jasper looked down the hall.

There, Dr. Adams was talking to a couple of security officers. With lightning speed, Dr. Adams turned. His neck almost twisted his head off, but he spotted Jasper again.

Jasper's eyes widened as he changed direction and followed after the Angels. Weaving his way through the crowded halls, he darted into an open elevator and jabbed at the button to take him down to the main floor. The elevator didn't respond. Then Jasper saw the two security guards come charging around the corner.

"Hey, you!" one guard shouted. "You're not supposed to leave until properly discharged!"

Jasper hit the elevator button, 'Close door,' repeatedly. The elevator doors slowly slid closed.

Security was too late.

Alone and safe for a moment in the elevator, Jasper dropped his gown and began to dress. "About-Face!" Jasper called out and the Angels who floated in a tight huddle around him, respectfully turned and faced the other way.

# CHAPTER 5

FEW HAVE ENCOUNTERED despair as figuratively as West. Within the deepest darkest prison of Hell, from the abyss of Tartarus's bowels, suffering screams of the wicked and hopeless woes of the damned never cease. In this abode of the dead where spouts of perpetual fire choke unwelcome forms of light, the spiritual existence of a disfigured bat-like beast lays prostrate, in barbed chains, at the cloven feet of Satan. Few lights from torches were barely discernible, otherwise only the veins of slow bleeding magma pierced the darkness.

Reigning upon his abrasive throne of volcanic stone, before his Demon minions who worshiped him, Satan sneered. Filled with a vile hate and disgust for all things, the Prince of Darkness brooded with the deepest fathomable grudge. "Behold! At my feet is an Angel, but this is West; a former member of the Seven and as you can see, he's going to fit in nicely here." The Demons cheered for West.

"Wen-Groan-Grinch!" Satan called. His grovelly voice seemed to have difficulty pronouncing this Demon's name. It was as though he spoke around a mouth full of glass marbles.

From the assembly of countless Demons, a member of the Insufferable Six approached the stairs at the foot of Satan's throne.

Holding out his sceptre of bone and touching it to Wengroangrinch's shoulder, Satan announced, "I reward you, Wengroangrinch with power so you are faster, stronger and a clearer telepath. Serve me well with the power I give you and more power will be bestowed to you. That goes for the rest of you!"

More Demons cheered for their malevolent lord, but when he raised his outstretched arm along with the sceptre, everyone was silent.

Then the Dark Lord spoke to his Demons again, "Am I not a fair and Just God?" The excitement dwindled and soon silence followed. "Well, am I?! Don't make me ask twice!"

Although the Demons knew he just did ask twice, they appeased their master with a great uproar of celebratory cheer.

"Wengroangrinch delivered West into my hands and for this I am well pleased." Satan followed up this statement with a callous, hard-hearted smirk.

West awakened to the nightmare reality of where he was. He was in Hell and looking at his hands he came to the realization he was still of Demon form. Steeling himself in defensive readiness before a fight. West stood up and towered over Satan.

The Prince of Darkness remained seated in his throne. He feared nothing; least of all a bat-like Demon newbie.

From a dark disposition, the Devil's throne appeared to be made from bits of molten, molded stone and though the misshapen thing was monstrous and looming, West was still taller. When the Ruler of Darkness looked up at West, he smiled maliciously.

West lashed out and tried to attack him, but the infuriating Devil laughed maniacally, for around him sparked a protective force field of green energy. Turning to escape, West opened his wings and bolted into the air. The misfit's flight was cut drastically short when his chains let out their slack and reached their limits pulling tight. It aggravated him to be yanked back to the foot of Satan's throne.

Wrenching at the thick spiked chains West challenged the integrity of his bonds.

"Why do you bother tugging at your chains? You'll never break them. But I will break you. Soon you will be tamed. Then you'll be one of us." Satan sneered with an endless supply of snarky confidence.

"I will be free of this place." West quickly shot back, "Rock bottom sounds like a good place to change direction to me. You will watch me open my wings and fly. Even with these wings of darkness, I'll rise higher and higher. No power you possess can keep me down here." West spoke with a surprising level of faithfulness.

Satan shook his head. 'This will not do,' "I will fill you with fear and anger to choke you off from the things you used to know; faith and love. Such things will become an uncommon memory. DESPAIR shall become your new best friend."

"You will try, but unfortunately for you, you have not taken just any mere Angel to this dark and detestable realm. I am, West and you, Satan, will remember my name!"

"Oh, no. I can assure you. By the end, it is you who won't forget me..." Satan leaned in on West like a lightning strike passing through the field barrier; mouth open wide, sharp teeth barring down.

West was horribly bitten on his shoulder. His eyes went wide as pain shot through him. Black venom polluted the spirit of West right to the core of his soul. He tried to fight the effects, but there was nothing he could do. The black venom had invaded him and took up residence within him. Falling to the ground like a bird with its wings clipped, West experienced the hopelessness of a duped victim.

"Oh, what is this?!" Satan asked, "Are you bowing to me? I'm touched." But the look in Satan's yellow eyes was of complete mockery. He really didn't care about the worship of others. He only wanted to make sure no one worshipped God. "The old West is dead! This new West is one of us. I want all of you to treat him as your brother." Satan had addressed the Demons.

* * *

For the sake of pure entertainment, Satan sent for West to have a seat at his table feast. On occasion, Satan did this to mock the last supper. Cluttered with plates of decayed flesh and bones, the stone table of the Devil's banquet was all that occupied the room besides the Demons who were there to eat and the Imps who were there to serve. The area was a spacious cave; poorly lit due to the torches and trickling magma seeping out of the walls. At the far end of the cave was a sluggish swill of Demon sewage travelling throughout a long ditch.

Seated next to Satan was none other than Judas Iscariot; the very man who betrayed Jesus.

Judas laughed at West and reached across the table to slap him across his head.

Beside West sat Wengroangrinch, who held West's chains. His constant grinning appeared to convey how very proud he was to show off his new pet.

"Very good, Judas." the Devil howled, "What took you so long?"

It was a brutal choice between getting there too late and still being in the middle of lurking trouble. "We arrived as soon as we could, master." Wengroangrinch sniveled as he bowed his head.

Satan spoke to Judas again, "Pour our guest a drink."

Judas reached out for a pitcher of steaming hot black blood, but Satan stopped him, "What are you doing? Don't give him that! It's our best stuff." Noticing there was only a couple of bottles of black blood on the table, Satan looked around to see what else might be available, "Pour him a cup of raw Demon sewage."

Judas had to step away from the table to scoop the cup through the ditch of thick, slow moving sludge and waste. Hobbling back to the table, Judas set the cup before West. West knew he was expected to drink of the Devil's cup. He pulled it closer to himself. Bending forward he took a sniff. Cross-eyed; his head was involuntarily thrown back by the potent, putrid stench.

Trying to keep his head back and to one side West slightly opened one eye and looked down at the cup. In it he saw a festering green, yellow and black slew. What worried him more than what floated at the top was what mystery chunks settled on the bottom. It bubbled slightly, emitting more of its gaseous stench with a wheeze. Maggots crawled and squirmed throughout the surface of it and little curly hairs grew from the rim of the goblet. The thought of touching his lips to the greasy cup alone was unthinkable, but to everyone's surprise, West touched one of his Demon clawed fingers to the slurry before taking a quick sip.

"Ew, yuck!" the Demons remarked. Not even they would've amused Satan by wilfully risking a taste without being forced into it. The Demons agreed it would be better to suffer the consequences.

Satan bellowed out a hearty laughter and pounded the table-top with his huge fists.

Then West settled back into his seat and let out a satisfied breath while expressing, "Ahhh, That's good wine." Wiping his mouth with his arm, he continued. "Just as Jesus turned water into wine, I have turned your vile sewage into, not quite so good, wine."

At these words the whole room went silent, "What?!" Satan was astonished.

"Well, I guess I'm not quite as good as Jesus at this sort of thing." West humbly explained why his wine wasn't the best.

Pointing to the Demon Wengroangrinch, Satan shouted. "Take that cup, Butt-face! Now, drink it! I want to know if it really is sewage or wine." Wengroangrinch was reluctant to take the cup, but he had his command and no one dared to refuse the Devil's command.

West sat back, smiling contently at what he had started and said, "Yes, Wengroangrinch, don't you trust me? Go ahead, take part and drink from my cup."

Looking to Satan, then the cup and back to Satan again, hoping he would change his mind at some point Wengroangrinch lifted the cup.

"Come on, now!" Satan persisted critically, "Drink it!!!"

Startled, Wengroangrinch took the cup, spilling a little on the table. Wiping the spillage with his sleeve, he glanced at West. He squinted one eye and sneered making a silent vow to punish him for this. He took a dreaded sniff and smelled... wine? 'Where are the chunks?' he queried. 'It really is wine?' To Wengroangrinch's surprise, the cup was actually full of very good wine. Wengroangrinch then tossed the cup's contents back and gulped the whole thing down.

"Hey! Stop it! Not all at once! Give that to me, you worm!!!" Satan quipped, but it was too late.

Wengroangrinch had drank it all and smiled contently.

"Awe, no matter." Satan pushed his cup of black blood to West.

Wengroangrinch burped with satisfaction.

Satan heard this and became all the more anxious. Looking at West he said, "You can make more." Full of expectation, he awaited West to perform the miracle repeatedly and on command. Satan acknowledged, "If there's one good thing Heaven can produce, it's good wine."

"Yes, alcohol! Give it to us!" shouted the demands of other Demons at the table.

"We channel our talents through alcohol all the time!" Judas cheered.

"It is a popular form of art!" Satan tried to explain to West.

West touched his claw tipped finger to the liquid content of Satan's cup and passed it back to him.

Satan smiled as he watched the contents of his cup begin to change consistency, "It will be nice to have you around after all." Throwing his cup back, Satan drank the contents like Wengroangrinch had, but when he figured out West had turned his black blood into raw sewage, it was too late.

Satan began hacking and coughing up the thick mess of festering faecal matter. If there was one thing that fired up the old Devil like nothing else it was to be humiliated in front of his Demon lackeys. He wasn't even finished regurgitating when he grabbed hold of West and tossed him into the pit of Demon feces.

As West crawled out of the pit, he was saturated.

The Devil pulled him out.

West dripped and slathered the floor like a wet mop.

Satan spat again and thought he heard the sound of snickering voices. He flared up again and ruthlessly dragged West through the long corridors of Hell to a set of tall iron doors. Within a depression above the doors hung a series of massive spiked church bells. These were Hell's bells and when they rung, they rattled the minds of the dammed who could hear them from every corner of Hell.

Kicking the tall iron doors open, Satan dragged West inside and marched down a long passage to the podium. Amongst countless Demons were the Insufferable Six. They knelt at the podium and prayed to their God; Satan.

"Get out! All of you!" The Devil shouted. "Except you, Wengroangrinch. You, come with me!" Forcing West to kneel at the foot of the podium, Satan intoned softly, "That's more like it. Pray to me you insolent rat. Forget your God, for he has surely forgotten you." Straightening up, Satan curved his long neck around to see and address Wengroangrinch, "Shackle him up here and make sure his chain allows for lots of slack! I want him to learn a new religion. Make sure he understands he cannot leave here until he worships me!"

* * *

Charging out the door of the stairway, the security guards huffed and puffed to catch their breath. When they caught sight of Jasper, he was stepping out of the elevator casually and strolling toward the door. Catching their second wind, the security officers took off after him.

Glancing back, Jasper had to strain his eyes to see, but the quick movements suggested he was still being pursued. He leaped into a sprint and took off running. Zig-zagging around clusters of people, Jasper finally slipped through the narrow gap of the closing mechanical main doors. He was free of the hospital.

Security footage would later reveal a blind man running full out into a parking lot of vehicles and successfully making his way around people and vehicles.

The security guards stumbled out of the main doors well behind Jasper. Bending forward to support themselves with their hands on their knees one of them spoke between taking in desperate draws of air and said, "If a patient... can take off like that... they don't deserve... to be here..."

"Yeah... good... riddance..." added the other through his own heavy laboured breaths. At length, they decided unanimously, to abandon their quest.

* * *

Jasper made his way downtown where he could blend in. In the company of the Angels, Jasper began to fill his lungs and enjoy the fresh outdoor air of the day. "Hey, don't you guys have some other place to be? I mean, I'm out of the hospital now. You've done your job. Don't you need to help someone else now? I'll be fine from here out." He longed to affix himself steadily for a moment to process his whirling thoughts.

"It doesn't work that way." Wilson told Jasper as he glided around him, "We're doing the Lord's work by watching over you."

"Well, I've heard of a guardian Angel but why do I have six?" Jasper questioned, scratching his head.

"We're not guardian Angels." Joel corrected before he paused with a blank expression and turned to Wilson, "Are we?"

"Perhaps we are." Starr added, taking a step closer to Joel, "We have been like guardians, watching over Jasper thus far."

"No, we are leading him so he can complete his purpose in this world, right Wilson?" Charmatrien contributed.

"Jasper completes us. We have been and always shall be 'the Seven.' Like it or not, Jasper. You're one of us, now." Wilson clarified. "We are a part of you as much as you are a part of us."

"But why me?" Jasper piped up curiously. A sudden silence fell as everyone just looked at Jasper. "I think you've all made a big mistake. Perhaps you're supposed to lead Ned all this time and help fulfill _his_ purpose in the world. Ned was the one who almost fell off the roof if it wasn't for me, besides he's trying to lose weight and talks about making a commitment to new life-changes, you know?"

"There are no mistakes. _You_ are definitely the one." Wilson confirmed again.

"Yes, but you guys are so much greater than I am, or any human for that matter. You've talked with God face to face."

The look on the Angel's faces and the expression in their eyes spoke the truth of many such Godly encounters they had partaken.

"You're invincible, experienced, wise, knowledgeable and you can _fly_! You're rich in life. You must look at us earthlings as disgraceful, dirty little parasites."

"Not true. Most of our friends in Heaven are just like you!" Taila piped up.

"Wha? Disgraceful, dirty little parasites?" Joel asked with a smirk.

"Of course not!" Charmatrien defended her. "They are faithful people who once lived here in your world, Jasper." he added with deep compassion, "Come with us and we shall show you a miracle of life and death. Stay with us and we will guide you to helping your world in many profound ways."

"Profound ways?" Jasper asked precociously. "Like what?"

"The atmosphere of your planet, for starters." Taila blurted.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." Wilson held out his palms to calm the frequency in the air. "Let's start with the hearts of your people."

Jasper couldn't fully understand but he had a strong sense of their good intensions and knew the right thing was to follow the Angels.

They led him a great distance through the old part of the city.

Wilson promised the other Angels he would alter their course and take them to a grand church.

As Jasper made his way down the sidewalk, he talked to the Angels about many things. He had many questions about Heaven and about God.

The Angels told Jasper all about Heaven in great detail. The history was incredibly rich. They even tried to explain where God the Father came from, but it was so complicated, Jasper didn't understand what the Angels were talking about. Their explanation was so detailed with concepts and words he wasn't familiar with that he finally lost interest altogether. The whole idea was just too much for him to comprehend. Unable to keep up, Jasper looked at the faces of other pedestrians as he passed them on the sidewalk.

"Are you sure none of these other people can see you?" Jasper asked inquisitively.

Pedestrians nearby had strange expressions and Jasper thought they too could see the Angels.

Elana explained, "The people surely don't see us the way you do, but they do see _something_ peculiar." She waited a moment. Then Jasper figured it out.

"They think I'm talking to myself?" embarrassed, Jasper, directed his attention to the blank faced, curious people. "I'm not crazy." he told them. "I'm not talking to myself either." The people tried their best not to make eye contact with Jasper. The more he tried to prove he wasn't crazy, the crazier he seemed.

"Don't lose heart, Jasper." Taila spoke with the sweetest voice of emotion and genuine love. "We must sustain a high level of patience if we hope to work through this present situation."

What an elegant voice this Angel had.

Shuffling down the sidewalk, Jasper tried to ignore the Angels, who distracted him and the other pedestrians who looked at him strangely.

Along his way, a sweet old lady stopped on the street and looked at Jasper oddly before she said, "You are very special." Saying this in passing, Jasper didn't pay it much mind. From what Jasper could reckon, the lady was poor but very faithful. Her spirit shimmered with God's full armor. Not knowing this lady, Jasper was quick to dismiss her from his mind as the topic of discussion he was indulged in with the Angels, distracted him.

Walking a few blocks further, Wilson led them all to the promised Church. The church was of old design but that was why it still stood. They don't make them to last anymore as they once did. Mainly brick construction with tall pillars and even taller archways, the church seemed historical, like its authority had faded along with its followers. It made Jasper feel similar; cold and empty.

Then Jasper noticed some ladies step out of the main doors. They appeared to be friends but they didn't speak to one another. They just hurried down the steps. Though these believers were free from the apparitions they suffered, they still felt like they were in bondage to the darkness like a bad taste left in your mouth after eating something bitter. They were so used to day-to-day life pulling their spirits down that even after discovering the joy of the Lord their lives were lived heavy heartedly. Jasper wondered if they liked to feel pity for themselves because they were used to getting attention that way.

"What is wrong with those ladies?" Jasper asked, "Aren't they believers?"

"They do believe, but they have taken on a victim-like nature under their long years of oppression under Demon tyranny." Elana explained, "Though the Demons stay away from them because of their faith, their long life of hardship has left them believing that was the best life had for them. So they continue on through their lives with the delusion that Demons still attack them with any little mishap."

"The damage has been done, if they believe it to be so." Taila added. "Angels are with them, trying to persuade them to accept a renewed frame of mind and change course. It's ultimately up to them if they will listen or choose to slip back into the mindset they are used to."

Within the church sat a little girl crying. The Angels told Jasper to go and sit beside her. Providing further information, Starr told Jasper, "The little girl's father has recently died and she is taking that hardship of loss very hard."

Jasper, then, was able to see the ghost of the girl's father sitting beside her. With his arm around his daughter, he could only do what was in his ability to comfort her. As a ghost he had little to no ability to communicate. "There, there now Kitten." he said, "Pa-pa's here." He knew she couldn't hear him but he spoke the words none-the-less.

"There, there, now, Kitten, pa-pa's here." Jasper repeated what he heard the girl's father say with a very similar imitation in his voice. The little girl lifted her head immediately and looked at Jasper, as did the apparition of her father. Wiping away her tears quickly, the little girl noticed Jasper's white murky eyes. She felt sorry for him. He was a stranger to her, but because of his handicap she didn't run away.

The father's spirit saw the Angels around Jasper and immediately trusted him with a warm smile. "Guilty self-examination has done little to console her problems and she won't listen to me. Can you help?"

Jasper smiled back at the girl's father in return.

"Y-you sounded exactly like my father." The little girl said wiping the last of her tears from her cheeks.

"Can you hear me?" asked the girl's father, realizing Jasper was not a ghost.

Jasper answered them both, "I can hear your father's voice like I can hear yours." Jasper went on, seeing how he had the girl's full attention. As the father spoke, Jasper repeated every word he said. "Your father is saying; 'I am so sorry I have had to leave you behind. You are the most precious gem of my life; perfect and beautiful in every way. I am waiting for you here. We will be together again one glorious day. Until then, live in the moment. Enjoy every minute. You're here for a reason.'" Jasper's tone resolved. Then he looked at the little girl like he wasn't blind at all. "Your father is here in this church, right now, with us, and he's saying, _'I love you, Nancy with all my heart.'_ "

The girl's father smiled contently and his eyes brightened.

The little girl started crying, but she choked it back long enough to tell Jasper, "Thank you." she kissed him on his rough, unshaven cheek. Then she left the church with the gift in her heart of her father's love.

The Angels turned to Jasper and found the moment produced a tear in his eye. "You humans have a great capacity for love, worship and obedience." Joel said, "The Lord your God values each one of you more than you know. He will give you what you need. All you have to do is ask it of Him."

"All right, where to next." asked Charmatrien impatiently.

"Hey guys." Jasper interrupted, "We've been walking all day. I'm bushed and I just want to go home."

"Then let us all go to Jasper's home where we will find rest tonight." Wilson declared.

* * *

Jasper knew the journey home would be a long one. He saw unlocked and unattended bicycles. He'd like to convenience himself with a restful journey if only he could convince the Angels he was only borrowing one of them. In his heart, Jasper knew, the Angels would never support such a suggestion. Wanting to take a bus or cab would've been ideal, but he had no money at all. Remembering his rent, and how behind he was in payments, Jasper regretted that his home was the only place he had to go.

With no other mode of transportation, he continued trudging along. It pained him to no end how the Angels effortlessly floated along beside him.

Amazed at how much ground he could cover in five hours, Jasper found the journey wasn't so long and difficult after all. With so much to talk to his new friends about, time flew by quickly.

The slumbersome darkness of dusk descended throughout the streets of a familiar but average middle classed neighborhood. Jasper finally made it to his basement rental unit. Parked out in front of the home was a police car. The lights on the roof of the car weren't on and there were no people outside.

Up the front steps of the house, Jasper knocked on the door. Homeowner; Chad opened the door. Taking one look at Jasper he spun around shouting. "Hey, officer! Jasper's here at the front door!" Lunging out the door Chad grabbed hold of Jasper. Flinching defensively Jasper didn't try to escape.

"Got yourself into a little trouble did you?" Chad asked quietly in Jasper's ear.

The police officer appeared behind Chad. Chiseled out of the word _'serious,'_ he was as big as a tank and twice as solid. "I'll take it from here, thank you." the Police officer took Jasper by the arm and led him out to his patrol car.

Detained in the back seat with the slam of the backdoor, Jasper immediately felt a rotten pit growing in the crux of his stomach. "Why did you lead me here?" Jasper asked the Angels quietly.

Wilson phased into the backseat and appeared to sit next to Jasper where he explained, "We had to get you out of the hospital because the doctors were about to be uncooperative with you. They decided to sedate you and perform their eye operation on you without your consent. It would've failed and left you permanently and completely blind. We had to protect you. Worry not, we're always with you."

"And are you going to help me get out of this mess, now?" Jasper's blank vanilla eyes locked onto Wilson's as he pleaded desperately with raised eye brows.

"These things have a way of working themselves out... sometimes." Wilson playfully answered with a wink like he knew something.

Relaxing a little, Jasper felt better knowing the Angels were with him.

The Police officer opened his driver's door and dropped his weight into the seat. Then he began to ask Jasper some questions, "State your name." The officer pulled out a clipboard and began to fill out a report. The police scanner would cut in from time to time with the voice of a partially static female dispatcher.

"I am Jasper." he answered.

"I need two pieces of ID from you." the officer required robotically.

"It's still at the hospital someplace."

"I see; you expect I wouldn't be suspicious that you'd go to the front door of this residence if you're renting the basement suite? Why wouldn't you go to the back entrance where you supposedly live?"

"I-I needed a key." Jasper was somewhat surprised by this police officer's driving character.

"Okay; no ID, no belongings; so why did you leave the hospital without checking out?" the pushy police officer demanded to know.

"I had urgent business to take care of." At a glance, Jasper could see Chad and his wife Dianne standing at their front door watching him.

"What kind of business?" The cop pressed for answers. This officer looked like Mr. Olympia in uniform. He was so intimidating, Jasper felt jumpy and uneasy.

"I had to meet someone at a church." Jasper tensed.

"Did this meeting have anything to do with drug trafficking?"

"No! Of course not!" Now offended, Jasper was ticked.

"Do you realize that anything you say can and will be used against you? My report will hold up as evidence in court. Do you feel the need to speak to a lawyer, now?"

"No, sir. I-I mean, y-yes, sir. I mean, I understand what you're saying, and I've told you the truth, sir." Jasper couldn't hide his apprehension. His eyes became nervous and shifty.

"Then why do I suspect you're hiding something? Do you realize that by leaving the hospital the way you did, your family and friends were very worried about you and filed a missing person's report?" The officer asked with quick strong words then he peered at Jasper through the rear view mirror.

"They wha...?" Jasper replied, astonished. "I wasn't gone that long, was I?"

"Why do your eyes look funny? You high?"

"Of course not." Jasper was getting tired of the cop's persistent questions.

"You blind?" asked the officer then he turned in his seat to take a closer look at Jasper. "You take'n drugs? Hmmm, I'm going to have you scheduled for a drug test... Urine should do..." he squinted. "No... Blood..."

As the officer opened his door to step out, Jasper was desperate to explain. "No-no, I had an accident at work and I was almost blinded for life. I was injected with something I think, but it was prescription... PRESCRIPTION!!!"

"I'll look into the report; have a chat with your doctor. I'm very thorough you know."

"I never would'a guessed." He muttered under his breath.

The police officer opened Jasper's door forcefully and hoisted him out, "All right, come on. Get out'a there." The cop spun Jasper around and slammed him face down on the trunk of his police cruiser. Taking Jasper's hands he cuffed them together at his back. "Now spread your legs." the officer ordered.

Jasper saw as the police officer pulled out a pair of surgical gloves and snapped them over his hands.

Jasper was nervous a moment ago, but now he was full on panicking, "What're you planning to do now? I thought you said blood test, BLOOD TEST!!!"

The boy hit a new level of fear as he noticed curious neighbors at their windows and in the streets watching the commotion. Jasper didn't want to find out what direction this drug search was going to go.

"Enough boy! You need to relax! From now on you'll only speak when I ask you to, so shut up! Are you carrying anything? Anything sharp I might find in your pockets?"

"No, nothing." Jasper told the officer.

A strong tug came to the top of Jasper's pants and he shut his eyes as tight as he could. Jasper was on the verge of crying when the cop asked him another question, "Oh, no? Then what's this?" The police officer pulled out the Bible Jasper was given from the Pastor at the hospital. It was stuffed in at the back of his pants because the pants were a little too big and the pockets way too small hold the big book. "Well, answer me! What is this?" The police officer thumbed through the pages and shook it to see if something incriminating fell out.

"It's a Bible! A gift from Pastor Jay Reynolds. He gave it to me." Jasper spoke quickly, answering whatever the cop wanted to know. Then the officer backed away and removed his rubber gloves. It appeared the pat down was over. Breathing a little easier now, Jasper realized the rubber gloves were just for searching his pockets.

The police officer found the name of Pastor Jay Reynolds written in the first page. "I better not find out this was stolen, punk." The police officer continued to search Jasper's clothes and pockets but he came up with nothing.

Frustrated, the police officer flipped open his small cell phone and tapped in a number he found inside the cover of the Bible. "This is Constable Miller of the RCMP. Do you know a young man by the name of, Jasper? Ah, yes well he is here with me and he possesses something of yours. It's your Bible. He claims you gave it to him, is that true? I see, that was unusually generous of you. How do you know Jasper?" Some time passed as the debriefing seemed to go on and on before the officer realized Jasper was really quite harmless.

Releasing Jasper from his hand cuffs, the officer returned his Bible. As the cop drove off, Jasper noticed Jade standing on the other side of the street amongst other neighborhood folk. Looking at Jasper, she tried to wave but he quickly turned away, embarrassed.

Wanting to just go home and hide from the world, Jasper knew, Jade and the others would believe he was in a lot of trouble. He had some explaining to do. Taking a deep breath, Jasper turned and began to speak to everyone.

The crowd was breaking up as everyone avoided eye contact with him. "This was all a big misunderstanding!" Jasper spoke loudly. The people tried to ignore him, drifting off to their homes. "Don't you see?!" Jasper continued, "This is why the police officer drove away."

Jade began walking away also, but she paused for a moment and glanced back at Jasper. For a moment, when their eyes met, Jasper sensed a spark of interest, but it quickly faded as she turned away. Though he thought she'd departed and would never want to see him again, Jasper didn't notice when she changed direction and began walking toward him. Approaching the front door, where Chad and Dianne stood, Jasper said, "I don't have my keys. They're still at the hospital. Can I borrow your spare so I can get into my place?"

Mesmerized by Jasper's white eyes, Chad and Dianne exchanged looks, "You don't look good, Jasper. Can you even see?"

"I'm fine, guys. Thanks for your concern, but I just need to get some rest." He tried to explain politely.

"Listen, Jasper, if my tenant is going to have problems with the law, maybe this isn't the best place for you to live." Chad articulated with heartless eyes of business. Again, he looked at Dianne, but his eyes changed like they could communicate without moving their mouths.

"You've caused quite a show for our neighbors." Dianne added from Chad's arms in support of her husband.

Jasper dropped his head. He wasn't going to ask for the spare key again. Then a soft delicate voice spoke, "Please, give Jasper the key." It sounded like the voice of one of the Angels. "I have some questions for him."

Turning sharply, Jasper was surprised to find Jade standing behind him. She smiled and gave him a quick hug. His nostrils filled with her scent. With a tinkling sound of metal, Jasper turned back to Chad and found him offering his spare key.

Taking hold of the key with humility, Jasper said, "Thank you." before turning away. He and Jade walked around to the back entrance of the basement suite. There, Jasper opened the door wide for Jade to enter. Following her in, he led the six Angels who radiated the bright brilliance of Heaven's glorious light.

"It's dark in here." Jade said.

As eye catching as the Angels were, Jasper couldn't take his eyes off Jade. He had dreamed of having a conversation with her. Now she was in his living room.

With a quick spin of his head from left to right, Jasper glanced around his unkempt room and noticed dirty dishes and laundry out of place. He could see Jade was also scanning his place and taking it all in. She saw what kind of music he listened to; mostly hard rock. She could see the kinds of movies he liked and the computer games. An ash tray was on the coffee table with a few cigarette butts in it. Displayed above the kitchen cabinets were some empty liquor bottles.

Jade wasn't the only one checking out Jasper's crib. The Angels also whispered among themselves, pointing out many worldly and sinful habits of Jasper's lifestyle. They wondered what the Lord saw in him and why He would want them to associate with such a person.

Charmatrien whispered, "The mystery of the Lord is unfathomable."

"We have to fulfill our mandate." Wilson added quietly.

"Can I get you something to drink?" Jasper quickly asked Jade. He made a bee-line to her from the kitchen with a tall glass of tap water in hand.

The Angels observed this interaction.

Jasper was nervous, but they spoke to him with comforting words, "She's checking you out, but she doesn't dislike you." said Starr as she continued to read Jade's emotions.

"She was hope'n taw come'n visit you in this very manner so she could get a gander of the real you." Spoke Elana with her unique cowgirl slang.

"She likes you." added Charmatrien as he bounced his eye brows up and down.

"Your hospitality will put her at ease." Wilson suggested.

"No, thank you." Jade replied shyly and looked away. She didn't appear to enjoy having a drink served to her in a used glass. She then turned from eying the room to give her attention to Jasper.

"I have food. Are you hungry?" Jasper persisted.

"No." Jade backed up to the couch and moved a shirt to sit down. "I'm just fine." Sinking a little lower than she expected into Jasper's couch, she quickly shrugged off her stunned moment and crossed her ankles.

"Well, I'm starving." Jasper searched his small open kitchen. He wanted to grab a bag of potato chips from the cupboard, but Taila suggested for him to find a snack that was more natural and healthy. Jasper closed his cupboard door and opened the fridge door instead. "Do you mind?"

"No, not at all." Jade replied sheepishly.

Jasper took two apples, a cluster of seedless green grapes and a block of cheddar cheese out of the fridge. He sliced the apples up and cut the apple cores out. Then he sliced up the cheese and placed it all neatly on a platter.

"Jasper? You've always seemed like such a quiet, private person. I've heard about you when we were in high school together, but you were always so shy and mysterious. You never really fit in with any group and you never really seemed to have very many friends, yet at the same time you were never really a nerd either."

"And... your point is?" Jasper questioned, slightly distracted by Jade's beauty he sliced the cheddar a little slower. He saw something mysterious and exciting lurking behind her dark brown eyes.

"Well, let's just say, I've noticed you, noticing me and I just wanted to give you notice that I have noticed you also." Jade's eyes sparkled with glee and she began to blush. She tried to look at him but she couldn't keep her eyes on him long enough to read his expression.

Jasper on the other hand was stunned and couldn't keep his eyes off her. At the kitchen counter, he began to smile from ear to ear. Elana helped Jasper, suggesting to add a handful of crackers to the platter along with a cluster of grapes. Carrying the platter to Jade, Jasper slid the snacks onto the coffee table, pushing the garbage off to one side.

"I'm glad you're here." Jasper told her.

Jade looked at the platter and her eyes lit up. She _was_ hungry. Booking it back to the kitchen to find something to drink, Jasper opened the fridge door and reached for a couple beers, but Joel said, "Stop!" Jasper pulled his hand back right away.

"What?" he asked, keeping his voice low.

"Did you ask me something?" Jade asked.

"Oh, no nothing. Sorry." Jasper replied with a wince.

The glory of God shone from Joel's face, "Perhaps you should consider serving your guest something else." Joel was very serious.

Jasper thought he even seemed rather stern.

"I don't _have_ anything else." Jasper whispered, shrugging his shoulders.

"Use your imagination." Joel said basically.

Jasper closed the fridge door and leaned against it. Looking around his little kitchen, Jasper thought, _'Besides beer, I'm really out of choices.'_ By the time Jasper's thought was through, he'd poured two tall and clean glasses of fresh water. Then he added some ice and a twist of lemon.

Stuffing her face, Jade said. "It is nice to know you're glad I'm here, but don't get me wrong, I'm just here as a friend, Jasper." Her mouth was so full it was amazing she could still form words. "I just want to make that perfectly clear."

"Is that a rule?" Jasper asked playfully.

"Yes. Yes, I suppose it is." She decided.

"Rules, are made to be broken." Testing her, he responded.

Jade almost broke her neck as she instantly swiveled her head around to look at him.

"I'm kidding." Jasper quickly told her lifting his hands defensively.

She smiled, covering her mouth with her hand to hide a giggle and keep from expelling her mouthful.

Jasper couldn't see her very well but he unmistakably heard her bite into a grape. "Of course, Jade. Just friends. We've always been friends." Jasper set the two tall drinks on the coffee table. Then he held a garbage can close to the edge of the table and brushed the clutter into it.

For a moment, Jasper just looked at the garbage in the waste basket. It was like it spoke to him somehow with an important message. _'What? Does this mean something?'_ He wondered.

Sitting on the floor facing Jade, Jasper smiled at her, "Please, excuse the mess. I don't usually have guests show up around here."

"I don't mind." she said looking around again, "It's honest." Jade reached out and placed a slice of cheese on a cracker then she put an apple wedge on top. She bit it and smiled as the cracker crumbled. "Do you always eat like this?" she spoke with her mouth full again.

Jasper was trying to reconstruct the same kind of cracker; cheese and apple. He imagined Jade was feeding him. "Recently, I've been trying to turn over a new leaf in my life." Jasper noticed Jade and all of the Angels smiling at him proudly.

Jade saw Jasper's white eyes and how they looked right past her. She didn't know he was looking at Angels. It appeared, to her, like Jasper was just very blind.

"You're different, Jasper." Jade took a sip of water, "I can see it. It's not just your eyes either. Somehow, you've changed."

Gathering some of his clothes, Jasper said, "If I had more money, I'd hire a maid. The employment system is wound pretty tight though. You can see it reflected in my bank account."

"I understand. It's tough for everyone." Jade smiled sweetly, before straightening up a bookshelf.

"I feel so tied down now. If I could start over, I'd do things differently. Like, I wouldn't throw my money away on all this _garbage_." Jasper waved at his messy place.

"I know, right?" Jade responded. Trustingly, she put her dainty hand in Jasper's and he hoisted her up from his low sinking couch.

"You see your belongings differently now?" Joel asked.

"I feel like I've been given a second chance." Jasper said out loud. "Not to spend my time like I did before, listening to music and watching TV. I don't have a lot of time, so everything I do needs to fit with what's most important."

"What is most important?" asked Starr.

"God." answered Jasper.

Jade stopped what she was doing to look at Jasper, trying to figure him out.

"Of course." Jasper went on as he stacked his CDs. Going through his stuff allowed Jasper to remember the life he once lived. Since the Angels came into his world, he saw things so differently. Now he saw his existence clearly. "It's been the missing piece to the puzzle of my life from the beginning." shaking his head, he let out a laugh. "Such an obvious piece; God. And so easily overlooked." Taking his stack of CD music, Jasper dropped them all into a trash can when there it was again, a message, only now he _did_ understand it.

"What are you doing?" Jade asked.

Jasper didn't want to reveal that he could see and speak to spiritual beings. Since becoming used to the presence of the Angels, he found them comfortable to have around. Jasper felt safe when they were near, but people, as of late, had rarely understood him when he referred to them. Fearing his special ability to communicate with the Angels would end as suddenly as it began, Jasper tried to be careful not to make a mistake. He believed they would leave him if he ran into a dispute with them. This would mean he failed in God's eyes and his second chance at life would be over.

Continuing to clean while listening to the Angels, Jasper was certain there was much more going on than just the simple reorganization of his place. He felt like a curtain had been removed and the truth was revealed. The clarity of his purpose here on earth was mapped out before him. A fragment of God's plan was realized. The Angels challenged him to let go of the person he used to be, in place of an entirely new Jasper who was presumed to emerge. This new Jasper would never be the same again.

After unplugging his stereo system and stacking the components outside, Jasper soon added his prized computer to the growing heap as well, including all of the software.

"Are you crazy?" her eyes were full of concern. A moment of silence hung in the air. "You can't just throw everything you own in the garbage." Jade didn't know what else to say to Jasper, he just continued to throw things out; plants, watches, even personal photos. "Are you trying to impress me, Jasper?"

"Impress... This is simply me, taking a step toward a positive life change." He was interested in her reaction. So far, Jasper was surprised how understanding she seemed to him.

Even Jade wouldn't usually condone such strange behavior, but there was something about that particular moment that made throwing out the past feel right, like they were making room for something greater to come into their lives.

Mid-afternoon quickly drew into the late hours of evening. Time flew by, when Jade looked at a clock. Her eyes went wide with surprise at how late it was. "I didn't realize the time. I have to get going." She said, "Thank you for everything, Jasper. I had a real nice time." Jade told him with a dazzle of excitement and appreciation in her eyes. "The crackers and cheese were the best I ever tasted."

"You're thanking me?" Jasper was surprised, "I'm sorry you came over for the first time only to end up working. This wasn't how I thought we would meet."

"But you _did_ want to meet me, didn't you?" Jade asked with a playful twinkle in her eye.

"Yes, of course! You _know_ I did." Jasper answered, ending with a soft chuckle.

"Your place looks one hundred times better, now that it's had a woman's touch." Jade played.

They made their way to the door and Jade twisted the doorknob open. "So will I see you again?" Jasper asked.

"Are you going to continue cleaning up?" Jade arched her back and held her breath.

"Yes, I'm in the zone now. I never thought I could be so interested in this kind'a thing."

Jade let out her breath, "Well, you're quite good at it. I'll check on you tomorrow to see what improvements you've made." Jade impressed Jasper when she invited herself back.

"I'll be finished, and you'll be astounded." Jasper responded smiling widely.

"Good-bye, Jasper." Pursing her lips, Jade winked at him before she slipped out the door.

Jasper turned back to look at the suite with his six Angelic friends floating in the room. "It's good to have nice friends." Elana commented.

Jasper's smile brightened with teeth. "Yes, it is." then he cheered as he threw his fists in the air like a champion. Jasper's excitement quickly became serious. "Let's finish what we started here." Feeling great, he flew at the room with a new goal to achieve.

With life surging through his veins like bolts of energy, Jasper was determined to get everything out of his home. Moving his television out, along with his DVD player and his entire collection of movies, he realized none of this bothered him at all. None of the worldly possessions held any value to him any longer.

Boxing up his books and magazines and placing them outside also, Jasper took up the Bible the Pastor gave him.

All of the Angels stopped what they were doing and set their eyes on Jasper.

Jasper looked at them and chuckled. "Hey, I wouldn't let go of this." he stated bashfully. He noticed the Bible was important by the way it had the power to stop Angels on the spot and capture their attention. Jasper wasn't sure how a book could be that important though. To him it was no more impressive than any other book that contained words of ink on paper.

When Jasper moved everything he owned out, he felt a great weight of stress leave him. Only after he walked back into his empty place, he realized how those material things were weighing him down. Letting them go made him feel light and free. While 'complicated' moved out of his life, he could feel 'Simple' moving in.

A speck of doubt crossing Jasper's mind, _'Will I regret the choices I'm making here one day?'_ but his decision to let go of his belongings over ruled any doubt. If he ever needed his stuff back, he'd deal with it when and if that time ever came.

Moving the last of his belongings outside by midnight, Chad, the landlord, came to Jasper's door. "Hey, Jasper! What's all your crap doing in my yard?! Did you finally lose your mind completely?"

"I thought you were kicking me out! I don't need any of this stuff anyway, so I'm getting rid of it."

"Hold on! What's going on here, Jasper?" Chad asked, more compassionately now.

"This is the new me. I'm starting over. I'm going to do it right this time." Jasper explained.

"I could hear you were still up and because of it, I couldn't sleep. You want to talk at all?" Looking around the suite Chad noticed how clean everything was and just how much of Jasper's belongings had been removed. "I had no idea you were planning to move out." Chad spoke with bewilderment and concern.

"I'm not moving if you're not kicking me out, Chad." Jasper told him. "I'm just getting rid of a few things."

"A few things? Are you planning on keeping anything? You're even giving away your furniture and clothes!" Chad said with a baffled look in his eye.

"I'm not getting rid of _all_ my clothes. If you and Dianne would like anything here, you're welcome to take what you want otherwise the garbage truck can have it."

Chad looked at the stacks of things as though it was _all_ smelly garbage. "It'll cost you to have a truck show up and take all this away." Chad told him.

"Oh, I hadn't thought of that." They looked at everything for a moment and considered what they could do to get rid of it. "What about your truck?" Jasper suggested. "I bet I could get it all into the back of your pick-up."

"My pick-up?" Chad queried. "Right now?" Clearly, Chad was angry now.

Wilson came up behind Jasper and insisted, "You must do this, Jasper and you must do it right now!"

"Chad, listen to me." Jasper said, trying to keep Chad calm, "You have no idea what I've been through lately. We have to do this. The sooner, the better. We don't even have to take it to the dump we can take it to a thrift store or leave it outside a pawn shop or something."

Chad thought about it for a moment. He tried to come up with a better time to deal with it, but there really was no other time. Chad was planning to take Dianne on a trip for two weeks and he couldn't just leave this problem until he returned.

"Oh, Jasper. Your timing is terrible... Come'on then, let's get this over with." Chad told him. "But on one condition, and I'm sorry. You have to move out."

Jasper could see the nod of the Angel's approval so he agreed. "Very well, Chad." Offering his hand, Chad wanted to shake on the agreement.

Reluctantly, Jasper honored the agreement and they shook.

Spending an hour and a half loading everything off the curb and into the pick-up, Chad finally used ropes to tie it all down tightly. The last thing Jasper packed into the back was his favorite baseball bat.

"Depart from that also." Joel suggested, though Jasper couldn't figure out why. It held substantial sentimental value and memories for him, but who was he to argue with an Angel.

The very last thing Chad did was close the tailgate. Slamming it shut, Chad had accidentally gotten his hand caught between the television stand and the tailgate.

"Ouch!!!" Chad yipped as he pulled his hand free quickly. The skin at the back of his hand had been scraped with a lot of redness.

"I've got ice!" Jasper suggested right away and led Chad into his suite. The appliances came with the suite so Jasper couldn't get rid of them. In the freezer, an ice tray still remained. Cracking the tray, Jasper placed a cube on the back of Chad's hand. After an exchange, Chad held the cube to his own hand.

While Jasper began running cold water to fill the sink, he dumped the tray of ice cubes in.

Chad grumbled as he soaked his hand in it.

"Ice? This isn't a burn, Jasper... but thanks."

"No problem. You'd do the same for me, right?" Jasper implicitly presumed.

"Hey, don'cha go think'n this makes us best buds or noth'n. This's your fault. If you could see, you wouldn't have slammed the tailgate on my hand." Chad could see how he hurt Jasper and he didn't want to make him feel worse by mentioning his impaired sight. "Everything's loaded let's just get going, okay?"

Jasper agreed. Hopping into the tuck, they both headed down the road.

# CHAPTER 6

THE WINDOW WIPERS worked in competition with the blower fan to keep the windshield clear of rain and the collection of condensation. Chad's truck had seen better days, but the old clunker was enough to get the job done, it seemed.

Entering town a couple hours after mid-night, they found no people out and about. No stores were open and very few other morning commuters occupied the roads; especially this morning.

Neither Jasper nor Chad spoke to one another. They wondered if they would find any other living soul to break the lonely moment, until they found a lady walking briskly on the side of the road carrying her small baby.

Jasper looked and noticed the Angels holding hands and circling around the woman. This was strange to Jasper, but when he made eye contact with Wilson, he knew there was something significant about the woman. Then he couldn't just pass her by, "Chad, please pull over. We need to help this lady and her baby."

"What?! How did you see her before I did? No, Jasper! How did you even see her at all? I'm not pulling-over here! It's two in the morning and I'm bushed. My hand is killing me! Let's just get rid of this junk and be done with it. In fact, you just might have to unload it all by yourself. This whole thing is your mess anyway!" Flipping on the cab light, he lifted his hand and inspected it.

It had swollen up pretty good.

"Pull-over, Chad!" Jasper insisted loudly and placed his hand on the steering wheel.

Chad began to slow down right away. "Get your hand off the wheel, right now!" Chad warned, glaring at Jasper with a huff. Chad, obviously perturbed, slowed the truck enough to pull over.

Jumping out of the truck, Jasper sprinted to the lady.

She saw him coming for her and was initially frightened, but her fears quickly subsided when she heard what spoke to her.

"Excuse me, ma'am, but can we help you?" Slowing to a walk, Jasper held out his hands non-threateningly. The lady became slightly less defensive. When Jasper was close enough for her to notice his white eyes, she quickly looked away. Jasper couldn't see it but she was wearing a lot of dark eye shadow around her eyes. "It's so cold out here. Please, let us help you. We can take you and your baby wherever you want to go."

The lady squeaked a high pitched sound that may have been a reaction to the cold or perhaps a meek sort of weeping.

Jasper took his jacket off and covered it around her and her baby.

The lady had a very small frame and she clearly liked the heat from the coat. She responded to it. "Thank you..." She spoke quietly.

Sauntering along the sidewalk as they passed under a streetlight, Jasper noticed the lady's eyes were puffy and bruised, like she'd been in a fist fight. Arm around her, he walked with her close at her side.

Jasper forced open the door of the truck so the wet and cold mother could climb in. Her baby made a small noise in her arms.

Jasper climbed in after her. "Chad, could you crank up the heat, please?"

Annoyed, Chad flipped the switches and the warm air blew out from the vents. Chad wasn't too compassionate for the lady or her baby. "Where to?" Chad asked her with a groan.

The lady was obviously uncomfortable sitting between two strange men. "I would like to go to my sister's home." She directed Chad through the streets to a condominium that was about five blocks away from where they picked her up.

Pulling over at their destination, Jasper was the first to hop out. He helped the young mother to step out of the truck also.

"Thank you so much for your help." The young lady said with gratitude. She tried to keep her face down to her baby so not to draw attention to her sore eyes.

"It was nothing. We're just out trying to get rid of my things." Jasper stepped to the back of the pick-up. "You see? We have a stereo, TV and tons of stuff."

She lifted her head, glancing at him blankly. It appeared she really wanted to get going.

"Would you know of anyone who might be interested in this stuff?" Jasper asked.

"I don't know, I'll ask my sister." Like a true gentleman, Jasper walked her to the main door of the condo.

The lady pressed the button to buzz her sister. "Who is it?" a female voice replied back with a little static over the intercom.

"It's Rachel, Joanie. I have Timmy with me. Please, let us in." Rachel pleaded into the com. Her mouth became a tense thin line as she awaited a response.

"What!" The voice came back over the speaker. "Gary has been calling everyone trying to find you. J-just hold on, Ray and I will be right down." The intercom clicked off.

Jasper turned to the young lady before he held out his hand. "Rachel?" He said, "My name is Jasper. I guess you'll be in good hands now."

"That depends." She told him.

"On what?" Jasper asked.

"On whether my boyfriend finds me first or my sister."

Jasper looked around suspiciously. A chill rippled across his skin raising his little hairs. Still, with nothing to see, the area seemed deathly quiet. "I'm sure you'll be fine." Jasper told her.

The main door to the condo opened and Rachel's sister hurriedly came out. She had red hair, half in curlers and half out. All she wore was her house coat and slippers. Taking the baby in one arm she examined her sister's face, Joanie reacted, "Oh no, Rachel! What has he done to you this time?" A heavy set man came out of the glass door behind Joanie. He wore jogging pants and a house coat.

Every head turned at the sound of a loud muscle car squealing its tires around the corner; narrowly missed Chad's truck. The car bounced up onto the sidewalk and tore across the grass front lawn of the condo. The engine roared and dirt flew from the tires. Locking up all four tires at once, the car slid to a stop at the base of the stairs. Kicking open the door from the inside, the driver sprang out.

"Rachel!!!" The driver shouted with reckless rage. "Bring the kid, and get your ass in the car!"

Everyone was taken aback by the driver's indignant temper.

Jasper's adrenaline kicked in. "Calm down, sir. There's no reason for hostility."

The driver's eyebrows shot up then he slammed his car door as hard as he could and marched right up to Jasper.

' _Is he going to hurt me or just intimidate me?'_ Jasper wasn't sure. In either case, he stood his ground.

"Gary, no!" Rachel screamed. She knew full well how dangerous he was when he had been drinking and tonight he had drank a lot. "Leave him alone! He has nothing to do with us!"

Jasper didn't back down.

Gary was tall and muscled. His confidence was based squarely on his physical strength, but he wasn't without his wit or cunning. Gary's eyes appeared bloodshot and crazed. He was so upset, he seethed with anger. Standing over Jasper, he looked down at him. "Who the _Hell_ are you?!" Gary spat in a tone of lathered exasperation. He had the stature of a giant.

"My name's Jasper and I just want to help."

Gary shot his fist out and punched Jasper in the stomach.

Jasper hunched forward and collapsed to the ground.

The Seven Angels went down with Jasper as each one of them prayed in a circle around him.

Rachel and Joanie screamed as Ray gasped.

Gary, a menacing man, turned on them. "Who's next?..." Gary spoke with a villainous slither to his voice.

The sound of a whoosh cut through the air behind Gary. It was followed by an immediate ((-crack!-)) sound.

Mounting his courage, Chad had taken Jasper's baseball bat and struck Gary on the back of his head.

Frowning, Gary turned around to face the person who dared to strike him, but Chad swung the bat again striking Gary on the cheek bone.

The impact of the bat nearly snapped Gary's head all the way around. Gary fell to the ground, this time unconscious.

Stunned at what he'd done, Chad let the baseball bat clatter to the cement walk-way.

Sirens blared from emergency vehicles. Tires protested as they squealed around corners. Their striking lights flashed with the blazing brilliance of reds and blues. As the approaching sirens and lights of the authorities bloomed out from the distant morning fog toward them, they awoke the neighborhood raising sudden apprehension and concern.

When the police arrived, along with an ambulance, Jasper and Chad received medical attention and were questioned for hours. All of the witnesses were also questioned.

Jasper was released early so he wandered around the area. Waiting long hours for Chad, it was clear the most questions went to the man who swung the baseball bat.

Though it was very early, there were people everywhere. Many of them appeared to be from low income families.

Strapped down on a spine board, Gary remained unconscious. The paramedics had secured a neck brace on him.

Jasper also saw gauze taped to Gary's cheek with a bandage wrapped around his head.

Chad clobbered him pretty good.

When he was loaded into an ambulance, Gary received a police escort to the hospital.

Addressing the curious people wandering past Chad's pick-up truck, Jasper said, "Hey, wait a minute guys." When they turned, jerking their heads up attentively, Jasper added. "Everything here in the back of this pick-up is free if any of you are interested. Just help yourselves. Go ahead, pass the word."

Jasper went over to the truck and began to untie the ropes. Glancing back, he found the men he was talking to neglected to inform the others about the load of free items. Then Jasper realized, they wanted to see what was available for themselves first.

Regardless, a large number of people did show up. In the frame of just a few minutes, the entire contents from back of the pick-up had been cleaned out. Jasper felt great to give his stuff away to people who'd get more use out of it than he would. The people were very polite and thankful. Seeing the people smile, Jasper wished he had more things to give away.

Chad returned after his questioning with law enforcement. He had a long face. Dragging his feet as he walked, he made his way to Jasper, who was standing next to the empty truck. Chad was so tired; eyes lazy, when he glanced into the back of the pick-up. Finding it entirely empty, he looked at Jasper blankly.

Jasper smiled at him warmly. "You want to go home?"

"Jasper?" Chad said, keeping his tone sympathetic. "They told me I may be charged for assault."

"Have faith, Chad." Jasper told him. "You haven't been charged with assault yet and the other witnesses would certainly speak on your behalf."

Chad let out a breath of stress. "I know. I'll be fine. It's weird but I can feel it. The police understand it was self-defence and I couldn't let that guy hurt anyone else after I saw him punch you. If I could do it again, I wouldn't have changed a thing."

"I think you saved someone's life tonight." Jasper told Chad.

"You think so? Do you mean Rachel or her baby?"

"No, I wasn't talking about them."

"Who's life?" Chad asked.

"Mine."

* * *

Sleeping on the floor of his suite, Jasper wrapped himself in the one comforter Taila didn't want him to give away.

Just when Jasper was about to drift away to a mind of dreamy destination, a heavy knock came to his door. Rolling over, Jasper winced and tried to ignore the visitor, but the knocking persisted, purging his senses from the abominable imaginings of his dreams. Standing up, Jasper glanced at his digital alarm clock.

"Am I late for work?" he wondered, remembering he wasn't expected to return until he had a full recovery. The time displayed; ten O'clock. This meant he only had four hours of sleep.

More knocking, pounded at his door. His stomach was knotted with pain from Gary's punch. Jasper stretched and cracked his back. "Who could be at the door?" he groaned.

The Angels were in an excited buzz, trying to wake Jasper and keep the person at the door from leaving. Clueing in that this was important, Jasper quickly slipped into his jeans and went to the door. By this time the knocking had stopped. He opened the door to find nobody there. However, someone was a short distance, walking away. Surely, this person was tired of waiting.

Jasper ran to the corner of the house and popped his head around it. To his surprise, it was Jade.

"Good morning, fair lady." Jasper called out.

Jade spun around and smiled, but her smile faded quickly as she took a good look at Jasper. "You look terrible in the morning." she told him.

Jasper _was_ a total mess. Pillow hair extraordinaire and he really needed a shave. "I probably look worse than I feel." Jasper told her with a painful smile. "I've had a rough night. Oh, you're here to see what I've done with the place, right?"

"Oh, no, Jasper, it's not important. I saw your lamp was on. I didn't know you were sleeping. I'm sorry I disturbed you." Jade apologized.

"Sleeping?" Jasper questioned. "I'm not sleeping. Not anymore. Please, come in." Jasper turned aside to persuade her to come in. Jade smiled at Jasper and entered.

"Feel free to look around. I just need a minute to clean myself up." Jasper headed off to the bathroom to take a quick shower and shave his face.

Jade wasn't bored at all while she waited. Intently, she scanned each room while planning ahead.

When Jasper came out of the bathroom, he was squeaky clean. He could've used some clean clothes, but his wet hair was slicked back and his face; clean shaven.

"Wow!" Jade said. "What a transformation; first your place and now you. You look totally different. One shave and you look like a ten year old again." she giggled playfully.

Jasper laughed along with her. Another knock came to the door. Jasper walked over and opened it to find a group of his closest family. His mom and dad widened their arms to him with big bright smiles.

Jasper, however, saw more than this. Noticing little round bodied Demons riding in on the shoulders of his family, Jasper wanted to say something but thought better of it. Each member of his family had their eyes painted. Every Demon held a wide paint brush that had been dipped in some kind of thick black tar. The tar dripped off the brushes and slowly ran down his family's shoulders like molasses. The paint job was messy, like they just slathered it on with a slap and a wipe of the wide house brush.

Jasper's sister, Emily, was there too. Last but not least, Jasper saw his old friend from work, Ned.

Everybody seemed concerned about Jasper's recovery and they came with gifts. "What happened here?! Were you robbed?!" His father asked.

Jasper, however was concerned with the amount of Demon Scouts that entered his home with them.

"Oh, my." Jasper's mother expressed when she caught sight of Jade. "Who is your friend?"

"Jade?!" Ned exclaimed. "Jasper has always talked about you, but he never had the guts to say _'Hello.'_ "

Embarrassed by Ned's comment, Jasper tensed up and ground his teeth.

Jade blushed and smiled, "How do you do, Ned?" She offered her slender hand and Ned shook it.

Ned leaned in close to Jasper and whispered, "Getting hurt gets the girl. I see, I see. Maybe I should stop trying to lose weight to impress the girls and just slide off a roof too, eh, Jasper?"

Jasper noticed the little Demons begin to paint fresh spiritual black tar over the eyes of Jasper's parents.

Jasper tried to signal the Angels to the Demon Scout's activity, but the Angels were already preoccupied as they did what they could to clear the Demons out of the room. Only Jasper noticed the great efforts of the Angels and what it took for them to use their specific talents to extricate the hideous little Devils when his father piped up.

"What I want to know is why you left the hospital the way you did?" his eyes were narrow slits that emanated conviction. He was oblivious to the thick dripping tar that coated his eyes.

The Angels moved in quickly banishing the little Demons outside, but they weren't prepared to deal with the thick black tar that had been unknowingly painted over the people's eyes. Nevertheless, the Angels tried to wipe the deceitful tar off whom ever had been painted, for it was spiritual and negatively influential.

"The doctors want to see you again, Jasper." His mother said, while she seemed to almost choke on every word. Full of emotion, she handed Jasper his wallet and keys from the hospital. "They're so nice and understanding. No one is mad at you for leaving. They know you were just very scared. If you return with us they're willing to forget the whole incident." Jasper's mother became very quiet as she gathered her thoughts and strength before saying, "There's talk that you believe you can talk to Angels. Is this true?" She stopped to sniff back her tears. "It doesn't matter. The doctors want to treat you and do a quick examination to make sure you don't have any brain injury. I mean, head trauma!" She corrected herself, "From your fall, I mean, accident." She corrected herself again.

Jasper looked at them like they were crazy but the cloudy look in his eyes didn't convey his emotions very well.

The Angels continued to work at cleaning the tar from everyone's eyes.

Then Wilson spoke. "Beware Jasper! Your family has decided that from this moment forward anything you say will be used against you." Wilson was correct of course and Jasper knew it.

Evil yellow eyes of a Demon hiding in the closet began to glow bright. The influential evil eyes kindled with power, As they grew hot steam emanated from them. A voice hissed from the yellow eyed Demon and said, "Tell your family you won't defy them any longer and you will let them take you back to the hospital."

Jasper already decided he wouldn't be able to cooperate and go back to the hospital. "What can I tell any of you? What do you want to hear, a lie?" Jasper suggested with uncertainty.

"We want the truth, of course." his mother said.

Jasper wouldn't answer.

Jasper's father could keep quiet no longer and said. "Well, why don't you just tell us a lie and we can start from there."

"A lie is judged by the Lord of Holiness." Wilson told Jasper. "How does one tell a lie without attaching deception to it? It is self-destructive to do business with lies. You would be wise to keep as much distance as you can between yourself and lies lest somebody gets hurt or something of value is lost."

Because of Wilson's fortune cookie warning, Jasper remained silent.

Jasper's sister Emily asked, "Why did you get rid of all your things?"

Again Jasper didn't respond to the question.

"Are you moving?" she also asked.

Jade could tolerate no more of Jasper's silence, "He's not moving." she told everyone, "Jasper and I were cleaning up this place yesterday and he kind'a went overboard."

"You must be crazy, Jasper." his father said. He wanted to get Jasper talking.

"Very soon." Jasper spoke up, "everything will be revealed to you all."

"Who is this guy?" Jasper's father asked with indifference. "You're different... nothing like the old Jasper who we all know and love. Your nothing like the son I raised. You're a completely different person!"

"It is true." Jasper told them, "I've changed."

"Listen Jasper, honey." Jasper's mother stepped in front of his father and spoke between her concerned and nervous breaths. "We were planning on taking you out for a full and hefty breakfast. You can bring your friends too. Then afterwards we can stop in at the hospital and let Dr. Adams see you. He wants to check your head..." Reaching up, she stroked her son's fore-head.

"The bump on your head." Jasper's father quickly cut in to correct his wife.

"Yes." she agreed with a stress filled tension between them. "Dr. Adams wants to give you a quick eye exam, also. It will be a very quick visit." Jasper saw apprehension crawl down her arms.

The Angels warned Jasper not to go with his parents, but Jasper affirmed he wouldn't have gone even without the Angel's recommendation.

"Please, go on without me." Jasper told them. "I won't be joining you."

"But Jasper... Son, we want to do this for you." his father spoke persuasively. His kindness was out of place though.

"Just go." Jasper said again.

"Honey, we love you." Jasper's mother added.

"Yes, of course you do, and I love you too." Jasper replied. They all just stood for a moment's pause. Then everyone quietly shuffled out the door, leaving Jasper and Jade alone again.

When the door closed, Jade said, "I'm surprised at how you stood up to them, but I'm even more amazed about the cruel things they said to you. It's like they think you're a crazy psychopath who's going to snap any minute." Jade looked at Jasper and though he looked innocent enough and she knew him from high school, she realized she really didn't know him at all.

"They're wrong about me." he told her.

Jade held Jasper's hand. "I know, Jasper. I know." she paused a moment as she thought of something new to talk about. "Where did you take all your stuff?" Jade asked.

"I gave it away." Jasper told her like he did that sort of thing every day.

"Like, to the poor?" Jade was intrigued.

"Yes." Jasper answered gleefully, remembering how good he felt to do so.

"This doesn't make sense though." concern came through Jade's eyes. "Just yesterday, you were telling me about your tight savings account. Why would you get rid of your stuff?"

"I don't expect you to understand, Jade. It's just something I had to do." Jasper told her.

"Well, I can't decide if it was a real kind act or a real dumb thing to do, but I think I can help. Now, I need you to have an open mind, this may sound a little strange."

"Oh, I have an open mind all right. Ever since I had my head cracked open strange has been my middle name. I may be the one asking you to have an open mind next." Jasper replied, leaning back on the kitchen counter.

"Not so fast." Jade said holding up her hand for him to stop talking. "Just listen, I have a few things of my own and my parents are pressuring me to find a place to move out to. My stereo and entertainment system is, by far, superior to what you had and it would look great in this empty place. My share of the rent would help you out tremendously, also, wouldn't it?"

For a long moment, the two of them just looked at each other. "You would do that for me?"

Jade stepped closer to Jasper and she placed her hands on his chest. She could smell his after shave. Her hands slid up his chest and curled around the nape of his neck where she toyed with his hair in her fingers. "No, Jasper." she said, as she spoke soft sultry words in his ear. "I would do it for us."

Jasper had never dreamed he would actually ever be so close to Jade. He had thought of her for so long. To be so close now made him feel drunk. A compelling wave of blissful elation swept over him. Jasper wanted her so bad and from the look in her eyes, he could tell, she wanted him just the same.

Easing forward, their eyes closed. Before either of them could decide what they wanted to do next, they found themselves engaged in a kiss.

The kiss seemed to go on and on. The kiss was, to them, like a person who'd been thirsty for years and was finally able to drink deeply.

When they separated, they smiled at one another. Jasper felt like the room was spinning. He had a fond look on his acquisition. His fingers and toes tingled and his heart thumped as an energy of heat coursed through his veins.

Unable to unlock himself from Jade's eyes, Jasper just stared at her with a goofy, blissful smile on his face. Breaking off the connection first, Jade looked down and began to giggle. "I'm sorry." she said, still giggling. "It's just, your expression."

Blinking as though waking from a dream, Jasper looked around the room and to his amazement he saw the Angel's faces.

They all seemed sad as they began to move away from him.

This gave Jasper a terrible feeling. Unable to figure out what caused such a negative effect on the Angels, he became fearful. "No! Wait, wait!" Jasper shouted.

Jade was startled. Jasper's murky eyes cut to her then he said, "Hey, listen, I've gotta go to the bathroom, okay? I'll be right back. Please, don't leave."

Jasper hurried into the bathroom and Wilson followed him. Upon closing the door Jasper asked, "Okay, Wilson, what's the problem?"

Slowly the other Angels appeared through the walls until they were all crammed into the small space with him.

Wilson opened his mouth to say something, but Elana beat him to it speaking sternly through a frown. "We're disappointed, Jasper."

"At what point did your friendship with Jade escalate to such inappropriate behavior?" Starr added, still shaking her head and looking at Jasper like he was a cockroach.

"Inappropriate behavior?" Jasper questioned Starr. Unable to understand her, Jasper brushed them all off with a huff and a frustrated shake of his head. "I was asking, Wilson." Jasper told the rest of the Angels.

Creeping down the hall, just outside the bathroom, the soft carpeting made Jade's footsteps silent. She could hear Jasper's up raised voice through the bathroom door. Curious about her new boyfriend, she decided to press her ear up to the door and listen. _'What has he got to say by himself that he's having trouble saying to me?'_ she pondered.

"You're at a cross roads." Wilson told Jasper. "If you decide to commit yourself to this lady, we will no longer be able to commit ourselves to you. The Lord has a plan for us, but Jade cannot be involved in it. She will only distract you and complicate matters."

"What?! Do you expect me to just follow you guys around like this forever?! I've already given up so much. What more do you want from me? I think I love this girl. Can't you understand? She's important to me. You are Angels. Can't you see how hard this is for me?" Jasper remarked with perfect justice.

"We understand more than you know." Elana reassured him.

"Then, please don't ask me to choose between all of you, and her. You're all so worried about what God wants, but does anyone care about what _I_ want?" Jasper was sweating in the little bathroom and when he spoke he sounded like he was exhausted.

"True freedom is found in bondage to God, the master of all things." stated Wilson. "You are seeking selfishly if you pursue Jade."

"But you're saying I will be free if I follow you? I will be glorified by God? Somehow my life will be better if I sacrifice my future with Jade?" Jasper was frustrated.

"Don't lose sight of what started you on this journey. One day all of this will become clear, no matter what you choose today." Joel elusively explained. He had adopted cunning, stealth and subterfuge into the foundation of his way.

Jasper put his hands down on the bathroom counter and stared at his reflection in the mirror. He had to make a choice, but it was so difficult. In the mirror he could see visions of him and Jade so happy together with children that looked like a mix of themselves. He could easily visualize providing a good life for his family and living a rich and happy future. To Jasper this was clear, but the Angels provided a future too, only not the same. It'd be one that he had no knowledge of at all. Jasper didn't believe he was cut out for anything like this, but they chose him. The Angels chose Jasper but Jasper wanted to choose Jade.

Lowering himself to his knees, Jasper began to pray. He prayed and asked God to choose for him. When he did this everything became clear. Logically, it was obvious what the Lord would have him do.

It was like someone flicked the light switch on. Of course, he had to do God's will and that would mean to take the path of the great unknown.

Jasper finished his prayer with, "Amen." He stood-up within the presence of the Angels and said, "I choose to do the Lord's will. I choose you."

At these words, the Angels were overjoyed and rejoiced. Jasper also shouted and sang along with them, then he quickly yanked the bathroom door open and Jade fell to the bathroom floor. Her weight was against the door right up to the moment he opened it.

"Were you listening?" Jasper asked her as he helped her up.

"Please, Jasper, don't be silly." Before Jade rose up, Jasper noticed a small leathery winged Imp Scout fly past the bathroom holding a tar dipped paint brush and laughing like some cross between a donkey and a pig.

Jasper lifted Jade up and to his shock he found her eyes had been painted with tar.

"Your family said that you think you can talk to Angels. It's true, isn't it? I bet it's all true. I should never have gotten myself involved with you at all." A sensation of butterflies took flight in Jade's stomach. She pulled her hands back so she wasn't touching Jasper anymore before she backed out of the bathroom. She was different now. Her spirit had been marked with the strange supernatural element. "Maybe you _are_ crazy. Maybe I am in a lot more trouble than I thought." Jade turned and bolted for the door. She pulled it open and ran out.

Jasper walked out into the living room and looked around for a moment. He was all alone again. As he stood there in the room the Angels appeared in ghostly forms. They knew he was heartbroken. When he saw them he asked, "Why are you Angels against romance? Every time a pretty girl pays attention to me you guys get uncomfortable."

Charmatrien could see the hurt in his friend and tried to comfort him with the first explanation on his mind, "Please try to understand, your sexuality limits the way you love. Commitment for you is found in marriage but in Heaven, no one is married."

Starr thought she could get to the point more effectively and said, "Charmatrien is right. To understand our love is to understand a love that's completely pure and true, sinless and boundless."

Feeling compelled to offer something also, Taila added, "We have observed earthlings to hold back their love because they have had bad experiences. The love of God has no trust issues. It is limitless."

Jasper couldn't help but notice how her singularly bright and sparkling eyes complimented her wisdom. He smiled involuntarily.

Elana was inspired with a closing statement, "Don't interpret our intentions as an attempt to keep you from love. We want to open you to a love greater than anything you've experienced before."

"We must go, Jasper." Wilson announced.

Jasper looked at them blankly. He suffered the pain of a broken heart, yet somehow, his heart wasn't broken at all. Perhaps he was merely stunned.

"And we invite you to come with us." Wilson added, looking at Jasper.

"Oh, okay, will I need anything?" Jasper asked, somewhat dazed.

"No, Jasper. Just come as you are." Charmatrien told him placing a ghostly hand on Jasper's shoulder.

Jasper followed them, but when he came to the door of the suite, he paused. Remembering something, Jasper strode over to the coffee table where he plucked up his Bible. In exchange, he left his wallet and the keys to the suite.

The moment Jasper took his first step out his door, it became clear to him something much greater awaited him. The life he lived and the people he loved had to be left behind. Somehow, Jasper knew in his heart, though he gave up his life, he would end up with so much more.

# CHAPTER 7

LIKE FOLLOWING THE LIGHT of a guiding star, Jasper was careful not to let the Angels escape his sight. Following their lead, Jasper had to walk fast to keep up. As he dashed near road ways the Angels worked diligently to keep him safe from near vehicle misses or from running into street lights or other pedestrians and their pets.

Joel shouted. "Helping a blind man walk is one thing, but helping him to run is a whole other ballgame."

Finally, Jasper could go no further and slowed to a stop. He bent forward supporting his weight with his hands on his knees while he struggled to draw in great gulps of air. "Sorry... I'm a little out of shape... So... I'm just trying to figure you Angels out still... You're Elana?" He pointed to the cowgirl with the silver lasso.

"That's correct." She replied with a noble nod. "And you're sweating."

After wiping an impressive collection on sweat beads from his fore-head, Jasper began pointing to each one, "You're Wilson the Angel of Wisdom; Taila who has a connection to nature and even the future. And you're Charmatrien, with the... water sword?" Jasper raised a curious eyebrow.

Each of the Angels nodded in turn.

"You are pretty close, but we still have a lot to learn from one another." Wilson told him.

"You like my water sword?" Charmatrien asked with hopeful enthusiasm.

"It's kind'a cool." Jasper answered honestly.

"Kind'a?" Charmatrien was next to cock an eyebrow.

Jasper turned from Charmatrien to change the subject. Looking at Joel he asked, "You're Joel, right?"

"Well done, young Jasper." Joel answered with a smile. He was rather amused with Jasper. Then, in a not so subtle way, Joel seemed to eye Starr with interest.

"You and Starr are an item?" he asked, smiling with a nod toward Starr.

"An item?" Joel questioned.

Jasper raised his eyebrows three times in a row, "You know what I mean."

"No, I..." Joel began to say.

Starr caught on immediately. "We know what you mean." Starr told Jasper, "And the answer is, no. We aren't an _item_. We are all just really close friends. In Heaven, you will understand."

"Oh, I got it." Jasper answered with his hands and eyebrows up like he was surrendering to a weapon. "I didn't mean to imply anything. Doesn't matter to me who's with who anyway."

Moving on, engaging one another in deep philosophical conversations, other people thought Jasper was delusional and blind. The way he wandered and stepped just a little too close to traffic, they thought he was a man with a death wish. When Jasper stopped to rest, he recalled the marvelous things the Angels shared with him.

For instance, he asked them, "How are you able to move things? I mean, I've seen you pass through solid objects, yet your swords clash and a Demon's claws can scratch."

"It takes a combination of strong emotion and concentration for us." Charmatrien said critically. "Though we are immortal, we can still get hurt. We feel pain but what you see as physical pain, we feel as emotional pain."

Using one of his arrowheads, Joel poked Jasper's shoulder and to Jasper it felt like a slight muscle spasm. Then Jasper wondered, "If you are spirit then are there other Angels who are with bodies?"

"You cannot see the age of an Angel. We all appear young, but some of the elder Angels have mastered the ability to disguise themselves so they can become human-like; with flesh and all; minus the wings of course. Now, don't worry. We won't complicate things this way. We can only make ourselves visible, but even that is only possible when our Father in Heaven allows it. We cannot become like a human of flesh." Joel explained.

"Well not yet, anyway. Jasper, you are now stepping into a much larger world of understanding than you otherwise knew." Wilson said.

Wandering here and there throughout the small town of Princeton, the Angels rarely led Jasper in a straight path. Before he knew it, the Angels had directed him a long distance from town along a windy old country road. In the breeze, the leaves of bushes and trees flowed. Directed to a gated drive-way next to an old red mail box that leaned slightly to the roadside, Jasper could only guess what the Angels were getting him into.

The heavily wooded property with its thick maple trees made it impossible to know what secrets hid therein. The Angels told Jasper to climb the locked wooden gate and venture down the windy dirt drive. The evening sun splayed through the trees with long shards of light. When the leaves caught the sunlight they turned to gold. At a distance the road crossed over a brook by means of a quaint little arched bridge made entirely of stone. The fall leaves that littered the road rustled under Jasper's feet as he ambled onward.

Rounding a bend which opened up from the forest to a private farm, Jasper saw a two story, country household. It was painted a soft yellow with white trim, but to Jasper's cloudy vision, it might as well have just been white.

The settlement was to the left of Jasper as the road widened to a spacious parking area. A few old trucks and some farm equipment were stationed around the open area. At the far end was a large brown barn with bales of wheat straw stacked both inside and out.

A covered deck surrounded the country home and a black dog awoke on the porch. Lifting its head quickly, the dog sniffed the air. When it caught sight of Jasper it sprung to its feet barking. It alerted the entire farm to Jasper's presence.

The black lab charged at Jasper from the house.

Every nerve in Jasper's body went off like a ringing warning bell.

The dog's barking was so loud and vicious it caused a cold dread to freeze up and solidify within Jasper's stomach. This worked out well because if he turned and took off in a blind run the dog would've easily hunted him down and mauled him. How far could he expect to run without colliding into an object he couldn't see.

"Hold out your hands Jasper, and stand your ground." Joel instructed. "Don't run or do anything at all or the dog will surely chase you down and bite until you give up your ghost!"

Starr thought Joel's comment was just a little too much information. She shook her head at him but he clearly didn't understand her.

Jasper firmly planted his feet on the ground and closed his eyes. Slowly, he held his hands out at his sides as he could hear the pattering of the dog's paws approach rapidly.

Though the barking was loud and threatening, the dog didn't attempt to bite.

Jasper opened his left eye just enough to peek. He saw the black dog jumping around him, barking and baring its sharp white canine teeth.

At the loud sound of a rifle's thunderous discharge, Jasper's eyes popped open.

The old farmer had fired his shot into the air.

Jasper dropped his Bible and the dog paused for a moment to sniff it.

The dog picked up the Bible with its mouth and trotted off to its master, who held his smoking shot gun, tightly. "You're trespassing!" shouted the farmer as he lowered the sights of his to Jasper and began to walk toward him.

"Yes, sir! I know, sir!" Jasper answered nervously. He had his shoulders pushed up to his ears and his empty hands lifted high.

"All right, out with it! Why're you here?" The farmer demanded, "Car broke down?"

"No sir. I am here for you." Jasper responded.

The anger and frustration left the farmer. This odd answer stimulated his curiosity. He lowered the end of his shot gun to the road and raised his bushy eye brows.

"Huh? How so? What business do you have with me?" The farmer's voice changed and he was no longer so hard. "What's your name?"

"My name is Jasper, sir." Though the two men didn't say anything for a moment, they were communicating in the sense of body language.

Taking the book from his loyal companion, the farmer thumbed through the pages a little with one hand. Eyeing his trespasser critically, it didn't take long for the farmer to realize, Jasper wasn't dangerous. He jabbed the bible up into the crook of his armpit to hold it and free-up his hand.

"Can we talk, sir?" Jasper asked.

Fingering his shirt pocket, the farmer drew out his glasses. Placing his bi-focals on the bridge of his nose, he took a closer look at Jasper. Then he leaned forward for a closer look at his eyes. "What happened to your peepers? Drink too much milk? Are you one of them strange door to door preachy folk?" asked the farmer with a shrewd tone.

"No sir, least I don't think so, sir." Jasper was so nervous, he wasn't sure if he would say something to provoke the threatening farmer.

With a huff which almost sounded like a chuckle the farmer eased up, "Yes, yes, let's talk." The farmer said as he flicked the safety switch of his rifle on with his thumb. "You can call me, Jim." He handed the bible back to Jasper.

Jasper had a long conversation with the farmer who went on well into the night. Jasper ended up telling Jim all the events that happened to him and how Angels had directed him to his farm.

The farmer had compassion for Jasper and he liked his story. Later, he led him to his kitchen where he prepared a large meal. Jim warmed up chicken left overs, potatoes, gravy, salad and a basket of dinner rolls.

Jasper tried to stop Jim but Jim only insisted all the more for Jasper to accept the generous offer. The savory smell of the chicken slapped Jasper in the face. He was so hungry. Jasper smiled and thanked Jim. Taking hold of a dinner roll he lifted it to his mouth.

Jim slapped the roll out from Jasper's hand before he could take a bite.

The roll fell to the hard wood floor and the black lab lifted its head where it lay and looked at the roll.

"For a guy who claims he can associate with Heavenly folk, you sure lack respect for God." Jim scowled.

"I-I don't understand." Jasper said, rather puzzled by Jim's behavior.

"Just follow my lead, boy." Jim pulled out a chair from the table and sat down.

Jasper was careful to do exactly as the farmer did. The food smelled so good and Jasper was so hungry.

Jim nudged his chair in to sit closer to the table.

Jasper did the same.

Then Jim folded his hands together, bowed his head and gave thanks for the food.

Jasper felt like a fool.

"Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you this day for all of your many blessings. I thank you especially for the opportunity to prepare this meal for your servant, Jasper. Thank you for this bounty and bless this table of food and drink. May we be blessed as we take part in this meal and make it one with our bodies, in the name of health, love, peace and your perfect name, amen."

"Amen." Jasper echoed. The black lab stood up from the floor.

"Go ahead, Rusty. Eat." Jim said.

The dog seemed to nod its head reverently before it ate the dinner roll which had fallen to the floor earlier.

Jasper put his hand out to the table of food and paused. His eyes shifted to the side and glanced at Jim.

Jim looked back at Jasper with a stone cold expression.

All Jasper wished was for Jim to let him know if he was permitted to eat as he had done for the dog. Slowly, Jasper took another roll, but his eyes didn't leave Jim's until he took a bite and Jim made no objection.

"This is soooooo, good." Jasper let him know.

As Jasper ate, Jim told him _his_ story. He told Jasper about his two daughters who grew up and were married before they left the farm. Jim's wife had become very ill and no one from the town of Princeton was responding to his ads to hire a farm hand. "Every day that goes by brings me another day behind schedule no matter how hard I work. I simply can't keep up all on my own." Jim said. "My wife has been very worried about me. She knows how hard I work. Too hard; too many hours." Poor old Jim had already suffered two heart attacks. "Every day I pray to the Good Lord to have mercy on us and send us someone who can help. No one has ever come, until now."

"You think I'm here to help you put your farm back on track?" Jasper asked in disbelief.

"I know it. Not only because I prayed for it, but because when I asked you, 'W _hy are you here_?' you told me, you were, _'here for me.'_

Jasper stopped eating and took a sip of water. He remembered well that the only reason he said, 'I'm here for you.' was because the Angels told him to say it. Jasper lifted his napkin to his mouth and cleaned himself up. The Angels continued to speak even at this moment. "Is your wife here?" Jasper asked.

"Yes, she's upstairs with one of our daughters." He lowered his head in thought and his voice became much softer. "She's likely sleeping."

"Please." Jasper said, "If they cannot make it to dinner, take me to them."

"Jasper." Life seemed to drain from Jim's face as he leaned his elbow to the table. "There's more. The problems between my wife and I have deep roots. She won't let me care for her. She despises me. I want to fix things, but I don't know how to have a relationship with her anymore. We've just grown too distant with age, so forgive me if I seem like a grumpy, crusty old man. I'm sorry to dump on you, boy, but I am drowning in sorrow."

"What's her name?" Jasper asked.

Jim seemed so broken, "Her name is Rose."

Joel glided in close to Jasper and spoke, "The life of Rose grows drastically short."

Jasper stood up from the table, "Would you introduce me to her?"

Jim shook his head, "I will take you to her, but she will have no respect for you, if you show up with me."

Jasper scooped his Bible up from off the table and followed Jim who led him through the big house. They went up some stairs to a hall. A short distance down the hall, Jim pointed to a door.

Jasper twisted the door knob and opened the door just a crack to peek inside. There, he saw the old lady sleeping in her bed. A young lady sat at her bedside reading a novel. The title of the book was, 'The Coalmont Legend.' She looked up and noticed someone was watching. She stood up, thinking it was her father, but a spooky chill shot through her when she realized it wasn't.

The young lady went to the door quickly and pulled it open. She held her breath with a start when she couldn't recognize Jasper. His ghostly eyes and the way he stood, spooked her like never before.

"Who are you?! Get out!" she demanded. She looked past Jasper and noticed her father there. "Pa-pa? Who's this stranger?!"

"He's no stranger, Darling. He's my guest." Jim explained comfortingly.

The young lady glanced back at Jasper. She looked him up and down then she shot a worried frown back at her father.

"Oh, pa-pa, no." She said in defiance of her father's decision to accept Jasper into their home.

"He's here to help out with the farm, dear. I was just showing him around." Jim explained.

"Wh-who is it?" Rose spoke from the bed as she awoke. Her voice was coarse and slow.

"Ma-ma, don't worry yourself. It's nothing at all." The young lady spoke warm soothing words as she hurried back into the room to her mother's bed side aid.

"I heard voices." Rose said, "Is it your fool of a father? You know I don't want him up here causing trouble. The idiot!"

"No ma-ma. Don't talk that way about him. You know Pa loves you." The young lady defended her father.

Rose began to get upset, "I'm dying. He knows that. He wants me to die. You tell your Pa not to bother me anymore!"

Outside the room, Charmatrien suggested Jasper should read something from his Bible.

Flipping through the pages like a lost child, Jasper had no idea what he was looking for. His eyes caught sight of a flash of light from between one of the pages. Searching to find it again it did reappear in the book of Psalms, Chapter six, Verse two. There Jasper found words that were written in ink. They were all lit up. These words were particularly easier for Jasper's special eyes to see. Believing the sparks of words were illuminated just for him to see, he read, "Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am faint; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are in agony."

"Who said that?!" demanded Rose, but no reply came soon enough for her, "I _am_ in agony, but there is _no_ mercy!" Rose began to yell as she let her frustration give way to hysterics. She began to stretch out her arms and kick her feet to push her daughter away.

Jasper could see she was being controlled like a puppet. A Demon laughed and then Jasper could see it. It appeared to be part bull and hid under her bed where it could pull strings that made her arms and legs lash out.

Unable to remain sitting on the bed, the young lady stood up, "Stop it, ma-ma. There is a man in the house with Pa." she told her mother.

With that new insight, the Angels signaled Jasper to enter Rose's room.

When Jasper stepped through the door, it was as though time froze completely.

Rose was captivated by Jasper's presence.

Behind Jasper came six shimmering Heavenly entities.

It seemed like Rose stopped breathing, but her eyes were locked on Jasper. "Who is this man?" Rose asked in wonderment.

"He's just the new farm hand, ma-ma. You won't even know he's here." the young lady answered.

"No, Patricia. He cannot be just a farm hand. Angels are with _him_." Rose surprisingly confessed her gift of spiritual sight.

Jim came to the door and looked in.

Rose didn't seem to notice him at all.

"I am Jasper, ma'am." he smiled to her warmly, "It is a pleasure to meet you."

The Angels knew the identity of their glory was uncovered from the eyes of Rose as it was for Jasper.

Due to Rose's condition, the daughter, Patricia, decided it was time for some professional help. "I'll call a doctor." she declared before hustling out of the room.

Taila stayed with Jasper and she instructed him on what to say as he began to openly pray for her.

"Heavenly Father." Jasper began, "I speak to You now for the health, safety and well-being of Rose, her family, her farm and all of the loved ones she holds dear to her heart. Reveal to her Your great Love, O Father. You _are_ Love. You _are_ light. You _are_ good. There is great comfort in knowing You, Lord. Grant comfort to Rose now. May Your comfort and peace bless her. Amen."

Starr knelt down at the right of Rose's bedside and Elana knelt down at the left. Stretching out their wings over the bed, until their wingtips touched, they created a feathered canopy over Rose. Charmatrien stood behind Elana with outstretched arms and prayed in a strange language while Joel was at a stance behind Starr in the same manner and also prayed in the same odd way.

Wilson stood at the foot of the bed with his arms stretched out wide. His ghostly form began to illuminate as the girl's wings opened.

Rose's guardian Angel descended from above and it lowered its great wings to cover over her frail body. Next, the guardian Angel used its authority to drive the dark spirit from Rose. The dark spirit had separated her from her husband for too long. It was an over opinionated spirit of stubbornness. The dark spirit screamed psychotically before fleeing the room.

Enlightenment and freedom came to Rose's eyes as her entire character brightened. She looked around the room and saw all of the Angels.

They were radiant with light and the light from each one grew brighter and brighter.

Jim walked into the bedroom like a child about to be punished. His concern for his wife directed his steps.

Rose looked at Jim with love in her eyes. It was as though all of the good memories throughout their marriage were reawakened.

Jim saw Rose as she was when they first met; so beautiful. "Oh, Jim, Jim. Do you see the Angels?" she asked. "They're so magnificent."

"Yes, Rose. Like you, they're beautiful." He agreed with his wife because he loved her but he was unable to see as she could. Jim unknowingly walked through Charmatrien and Elana to get closer to Rose.

"The love, Jim. Do you feel it? Oh, I love you, Jim." Rose said. She put her arms around Jim's shoulders.

Patricia dived through Joel and Starr as she collapsed to the bed next to her mother. Tears streamed down Patricia's cheeks. "I'm here ma-ma, I'm here, too." She slid her arm in between her parents and held onto her mother along with her father.

"And _I_ love _you_." Rose told her daughter. Her breath grew short and her words weakened. Rose's expressive enlightenment ceased. Her loving and exuberant character drew short, as her guardian Angel disappeared and a way was opened to Heaven; a window, if you will.

Taila told Jasper to close his eyes.

Though Jasper was reluctant to do so, he obeyed, but he really didn't want to miss anything. Here he was given a rare gift of spiritual sight, and he was told to look away?

The glory of the Lord shone in upon Rose, and she looked upon the face of her Creator. As she took in the wondrous sight, she groaned silently with relief and contentment.

Jasper risked a final peek and opened one eye. In an instant, he saw, she was taken in a quick whoosh of light.

For a moment, in the stead of the light, there hung the dark shadowy form of Death. Its red fuming eyes looked directly at Jasper from the deep darkness of its hood. He knew he'd been spotted. It was a terrifying sight that turned Jasper's legs to jelly, but it didn't last. Like a puff of smoke the shadowy remains dissipated and Death was gone.

Jim and Patricia held onto the last heartbeat of Rose's thin and frail body.

While Jim and Patricia hugged and grieved over the passing of Rose, Jasper quietly side stepped out of the room with his eyes shut tightly. Led by Charmatrien and Wilson, Jasper went a few steps down the hall to the next room over. It was likely one of the daughter's bedrooms at one time, but it had been turned into an office since.

Jasper didn't turn on a light, he just knelt to the floor and prayed in the dark while he grieved by himself.

Later that night, Jasper saw red flashing lights pan across the room. He looked out the window to see an ambulance had arrived. Jasper needed rest and he wanted to stay out of everyone's way. He fell asleep on the floor of the strange room.

The rain came down like a cold shower. Jasper noticed a black umbrella covered every head but his own. No one offered shelter to him because no one knew who he was and he seemed rather rough around the edges.

His Angelic friends stood around him. Each one stretched one wing up over Jasper's head. It was a kind gesture, but not even one rain drop was deflected by their efforts.

Jim sat between his two daughters. All who attended wore black. A wreath of white orchids was placed on Rose's casket. All ears listened to the preacher, but all eyes were on the mahogany and brass casket.

"On this day, as we reflect on the wonderful life of Rose, we remember good times. Though she has passed on to a greater existence, she wouldn't want for any of us to grieve and be sad. Perhaps she is here with us now, dancing amongst us as she did in her youth."

Wiping the rain from his face, Jasper looked around. No, Rose was surely not with them. The minister was right the first time. She had passed on into Heaven.

Jasper was amazed, however, with how many ghosts of the dead took interest in funerals. Charmatrien thought they were foolishly trying to find a way back to the living, for people tend to think life and death matter most at a funeral.

* * *

No less than the day after the funeral, Jim was up and at it before the sun. Jasper saw a new person in Jim. Though he was an old man, the hard working German blood within him was recharged.

Jasper had no idea what he'd gotten himself into. The complexity of the chores were like nothing he'd ever experienced before. Tedious jobs like laundry, window washing and sweeping up floors were added to all of the other farm responsibilities. Trained to tend to goats, sheep, horses, pigs, cows, geese, chickens and a donkey, Jasper also had to learn to operate the farm equipment.

Through multiple repairs and regular general maintenance, Jasper learned a great deal. Irrigation was also very critical to the entire process of the farm, but Jasper had to become an expert with the cultivation of various crops along with the small vineyard.

Jim worked closely with Jasper, teaching him the basics, but Jasper's real training happened when Jim went off to work on his own. At those moments, the Angels began to instruct him.

Jim caught glimpses of how hard Jasper worked. Each time the old farmer noticed this, a stupefied look crossed his expression.

If Jasper completed a job, the job was fruitful and the entire farm profited. Mysteriously, Jasper would say or do something spiritually unique and Jim would learn something new. Of course, it was the Angels who were actually impressing Jim, only he couldn't see them speaking and working through Jasper.

Over the next few months, Jasper became close friends with Charmatrien, Taila and Elana who appreciated life on a farm.

Joel contributed with the assistance of Starr. They taught Jasper the importance of maintaining a balance between the body, mind and spirit. Other than intense exercise training and the practice of self-defense, they also enforced the importance of resting in the spirit.

Wilson took particular care and time, exercising Jasper's spiritual awareness. He also explained difficult questions about the spiritual realm.

Above all this, he Angels, in turn, spoke long hours to him about the sky and the land and the sufferings taking place therein. Wilson would often repeat his same message to isolate CO2 emissions, capture them and extract them from the air.

Taila strongly felt the carbon that was harvested should be stored underground where it came from.

Elana's thoughts were directed toward putting a halt to polluting the air from the sources, primarily factories and vehicles.

Charmatrien talked Jasper's ear off one day about how the world could assist plant growth to clean the air and provide a richer planet for all lifeforms. He would say, the benefits were greater than merely cleaning the air, but goes further to shrink deserts and retain the coastlines.

Jasper felt Joel was the least interested in helping planet Earth's climate issues until one night when he visited Jasper in a dream and showed him a revolutionary fuel recycling system that could be easily adapted for most vehicles, industrial plants and boats. This temporary measure was for the purpose of cutting emissions quickly while the rest of the world converted to clean renewable energy.

The system Joel explained to Jasper was simple but came with a complex science. Though it was great for most carbon emitting functions, it was not something that could be fitted for jet propelled vehicles like most aircrafts. No matter how complex Joel was in his explanations to Jasper, Jasper had no problems processing and retaining what he had learned in the realm of his dreams.

Reserving time each day, the Angels called upon Jasper to read to them from his Bible. "Few here on earth seem to understand just how important this _Book_ is." Charmatrien said. "The history behind it is deep. Kings fought battles to attain and protect it. Many lives were lost to preserve it. Lives are still being lost today for standing up for it. Lo, this is more than just a Book; more than a depiction of the stars. Much more, for it contains the living word of God and truth."

From within the comforts of Jim's home, all was warm and cozy, but as Jasper strained to look outside, he didn't need the Angels to tell him a still chill of darkness was in a disgruntled stir.

Jasper would have to be vigilant and ready for what was about to happen next.

# CHAPTER 8

SATAN AND THE DEMONS left West chained to the podium of the satanic sanctum for days. When Satan finally returned padding through the dark corridor, the sound of his claws clicking against the cold hard floor was the only warning. Checking on West, he was appalled at what he found. Not only did snow fall from the high stone ceiling but West sat on the steps of Satan's sanctuary where he told a small group of young Imps about the recent news he knew from Heaven. Satan silently crept down the strip. He was silent, cat-footed and cunning. Then he discovered that West had used his long sharp Bat talons to carve the Ten Commandments all over the walls of the satanic cave-church. Satan, so terribly vexed, trembled and said, "You've desecrated my sanctuary! Why did you do this?" A feral grin twisted his treacherous mouth. Don't you know your God and your Angel friends have forsaken you?" His yellow eyes narrowed until they became chips of amber sparks in shadowy wells.

"God will not forsake me!" West told the serpent of lies.

Charging forward, tightening up the space between them, the Devil seemed as unstoppable as a juggernaut. "But He already has! We are your new family now, and what a glorious family we are. We are strong. Can't you feel the power in your rage? Don't you see it is a beautiful thing? Yes, embrace your anger and grow stronger for it. You're not a baby to pray your sniveling prayers to Jehovah. He doesn't give power, He works His power through you, but I, I give power. Do I punish? Sure I punish, but does Jehovah not punish also? So what's the difference? He wants you to be weak! I will make you strong! Grow up! And know the power can be yours. Now you're here and we will rule together. It's time for you to stop fighting me. I'm no longer your enemy, I'm your equal. Imagine all we can accomplish together." A wide smile of sharp teeth stretched across and curled up at the corners of his mouth.

West felt the evil fester inside of him and his mind became clouded. 'So help me! The words of the Devil are beginning to make sense!' It wasn't easy, but West recalled the images of his Angel friends; Joel, Charmatrien, Starr, Taila, Wilson and Elana. Their faces weren't easy to remember but as much as it didn't make sense, he imitated Satan's evil grin before finding the right words to speak, "As long as I exist... I will wait on the Lord... He will come through and I will endure to see that day!" After speaking these words, West experienced an odd sense of rationality wash over him and for a moment he was thinking with a sound mind again.

Electricity crackled from the claws of Satan as he began to growl. Curling back his lips from his huge sharp teeth, he let out a punctuated howl. The bay of the beast seemed to come from every direction, "Enough banter!" Satan roared as lightning bolt energy exploded into a tumbling ball of fire from his hands. The fireball hurtled toward West.

Because of the limited freedom he had while chained up, West couldn't dodge such a weapon and it shattered over him. Lava splashed over West, lighting him with flames. The flashing lights from the fires threw garish shadows upon the chiselled stone walls.

As he burned, Satan shouted, "I swear, if you don't start seeing reason and join us, I'll snuff out your eternal soul like the flame of a candle!"

These words gave West an idea. He leaped up and flapped his great wings. Stirring up the air, he created a wind torrent that extinguished his flames. While he continued to smolder and smoke, West gave Satan a vindictive look. The beast within him was hungry and above all West wanted to find his way out of Hell.

Pulling at his chains, West roared; his face hard and tight with anger. His eyes strained and locked on Satan. With no discernable source, the excruciating pitch of West's howl rose up. It was tormented and savage.

The Devil laughed as he watched the whites of West's eyes turn red. "Nice try, but you're obviously not strong enough to break your chains, nor are you hostile enough to defeat me, but by all means, keep it up."

No one expected the anchor plates of West's chains to break off the stone. Leaping at the Devil, West began to punch him. Fifteen repeated powerful blows to Satan's snarling wolf-head, ending with a thunderous upper cut, left the Devil bedazzled to say the least. Such a bold attack attracted a lot of attention amongst the Demons.

The Devil stumbled backwards away from West. At the feet of West, he noticed a black spear. Lifting the weapon, West craved the temptation to use it, but he knew, the weapon of the enemy would only strengthen the enemy and he would lose some of his light. But he had no light left anymore. Yes, now he was the enemy. Still, he clung to the uncertain hope that he would be saved from Hell one day. West let the spear fall from his hand when he decided not to use it.

A mini volcanic explosion erupted and lava sprayed up. Hell shook in a tremor of unrest when a few more mini explosions followed.

Before Satan fell, West took a torch from an on looking Demon and thrusted the flaming end of it into the Devil's scaly chest. Satan became rigid and howled at the ceiling. As his agonizing scream ended, smoke exhausted from his mouth then he went limp.

West tossed the spirit form of Satan to the side and scoffed at the Demon assembly.

With the look of fear in their eyes they trembled at West's might and breathed nervously. Rarely did someone stand up to Satan.

One of the Demons nervously swallowed.

Then West attacked the crowd of Demons like a giant smoking, rabid bat from Hell. Whipping the Demon crowd with the spiked chains of his wrists, the entire stygian darkness of the great cavern erupted in chaos. Storming the fissure full of terrified Demons, West lashed out at them all with incredible speed and powerful force. Many of the Demons were bitten by West's sharp fangs.

Breaking out of the fissure West came to the edge of a large crypt-like chasm. A stairway connected the lower levels to stone columns that lead to upper stages. West wasn't familiar where the labyrinth of tunnels would lead but he knew up was a logical direction. Drums of death and the chanting of doom began to echo throughout the walls of the dark realm. Taking to flight, West decided to by-pass the narrow stairs, but before he knew what was happening, Satan was upon him.

Latched to West's back, Satan began pounding and scratching at him. Spinning and falling the two sets of black leathery wings flapped in a confused mess of pounding appendages. The two powerful creatures crashed onto the stairs. As they rolled down the stone steps they beat upon one another. Rolling out onto the landing at the top of a stone column, it was clear the Devil enjoyed the confrontation more than West. Satan laughed senselessly.

The Demons filled the area, clinging to the stone walls and flying through the spaces between in mass numbers. They laughed and cheered as Satan beat West's face against the steps. Then West became rigid and quickly turned on Satan again. Flipping the Devil over, West began chopping his hand at the Devil's shoulder.

"It's as hot as hades in here and I hate it!" West shouted.

West just kept beating on Satan as Satan tried to speak through the pain, "Oof! - Yes, fill yourself with hatred. -Ouch!- It will make you stronger. -Whook!- I hate this place too, -Whoof!- it is as hot as Hell in here!"

As West fought on and grew in strength with each thunderous blow, he said, "Verily, Devourer! Though you chide me and attempt to break me, my fighting heart spurns every thought of defeat! For my spirit, so determined, will never yield to one such as you!"

Suddenly, for all of West's efforts, Satan's arm detached. "Raaaaaahhhhhh!!!!" hollered the Dark Lord. "Take him! Take him, now my Demonic insects! Prove your obedience to me!!!"

The Demons didn't cheer with favor when West was triumphant. Rather, they charged in at him from all sides but West beat them off using Satan's arm as a club. With such an impressive display of pure rage, West proved just how brutally strong and dangerous he was.

A large Demon who looked like a dinosaur Tyrannosaurus-zombie, opened its wide mouth of teeth to swallow West whole. The sharp glistening prongs of its choppers looked like a spring loaded bear trap set on the verge to ensnare him. Stuffing Satan's arm into the gaping dino Demon's jaws, he locked the tooth filled mouth open.

West tried to leap upward and lose the Demons when he phased into the rock, but a new Demon appeared in his path to stop him. West didn't find the Demon to be particularly threatening due to its skinny frame but when he found it was an insect in humanoid form, he was on his guard. Just as West lashed out at the insect Demon with his spiked chains, the Demon reached out and caught the chain in the talons of its hands. Opening the mandibles of its mouth it hissed. This was a form of communication because a horde of various vicious insects of the dead came out from the Demon's open wings and covered over West completely.

West fell with the insects in constant accumulation. They bit and stung him all over. Before the insect Demon watched West fall, he drew his long stinger sword and cut a few of the huge stalactites free.

Falling passed the stairs and into a deep narrow shaft to a river of quick flowing magma, West splashed into the heated glow. Quickly purged of the determined insects, West found it made little difference. The magma was an agony, far worse to have to endure.

Darting into the river around him came the stalactites. As West flailed about in the unbearable intensity, he found a broken stalactite floating next to him. Reaching out, West quickly climbed onto it to escape the torment of the magma river. Bright hands of tortured souls reached out of the red hot river for West. They begged him to pull them out of the scorching hot mire, but when West tried to help them, they threatened to pull him in with them. The flickering red light of fire mingled with the shifting shadows of the cavern's curvature as his reckless journey began to rush all the faster.

When the Demons saw West climb out of the red luminescent canal, they had no intentions of letting him get away so easily.

West clung to the stalactite and let it carry him swiftly through the windy tunnels.

Behind him, two Demons caught hold of the other floating stalactites and gave chase. As they came near on either side of West, West tried to fight them off. Lifting his chains to use them as weapons, he realized the magma had melted them right off. The tunnel ceiling began to close in tighter the further they went.

When the ceiling crowded in so low that it touched the surface of the magma flow, West and the Demons found themselves sucked down under the surface with the stalactites. They were then forced down the throat of a swirling whirlpool. Spewed out from the ceiling of a lower level of the caves, West was dropped along with the two Demons and the burning stalactites to an underground ocean of molten magma.

Souls of the damned screamed in abject terror while reaching for West to save them from their infernal turmoil. There was nothing he could do to help them for he was burning along with them. West had to work hard to free himself from the countless clinging hands that unceasingly clawed at him from the lake of Perdition's Fire. He didn't like it, but he had to pound and kick at the hopeless souls with all he had before he could launch himself out of the lake and take flight.

Turning to look back, West saw the other two Demons struggling to stay above the surface. When the glowing hot hands of the damned grasped the Demon's faces and pulled them under the surface, he knew they would remain there for a very long time. Noticing the chamber was relatively empty except for the screaming souls of the glowing hot pool below him, West decided to make a break for freedom. Looking upward, he knew what direction he was determined to proceed and depart.

The power in his leathery wing extensions roared freedom. Bolting aloft and into the stone, he scuttled straight up. Striving effectively through his pain, with each vigorous beat of his wings, West rose higher and higher.

Then he flew into an unexpected barrier. It was a strange ceiling of solid stone that he couldn't pass through. Trying frantically and systematically, West tested the ceiling to find a weakness, but there was none. Trying to pound it and force his way through, West realized the integrity of the barrier was far too solid for him. The ceiling was an object he simply couldn't pass through.

When West found an open pocket of space against the smooth surface of the ceiling, Satan was already there ahead of him; expecting him. The Dark Lord was still missing his arm. Demons crowded around the Dark Lord holding torches and chuckling. The flickering light and sharp shadows casted a deeper expression of evil upon the Demon's faces.

"Having difficulty with your sense of direction?" Satan relished the moment. "Confused?! This is quite common here, in the center of the planet. Which way is up? Which way is down?"

West couldn't figure it out.

"Know this, West; everyone is welcome to Hell, but no one leaves. So come one, come all!" The Devil threw his head back and laughed.

The crowd of Demons parted to let the tyrannosaurus zombie Demon pass through. When the T-Rex had made its way next to Satan, it spat out the Devil's arm. The gnarly, muscled limb splattered to the ground. Satan looked down upon his chewed up arm and began to wail and despair.

West saw an opportunity in the situation and spoke to the Demons, "Look upon your abusive master, you Demons! He is weak! If ever you all were to start an uprising and defeat him, the time would be now!"

Satan bent down upon his knees where he lifted his severed arm and began to devour it like a ravaging dog.

A detestable female toad-like Demon who was known as Nagrite, agreed with West when she said, "Yes, he's gone mad! After centuries of tortures and manipulative cruelty, our time has finally come! Today is the day! At last our moment has arrived! This; the moment of our revenge!!!"

The Demons began to crowd in on the dark lord, bearing their claws and gnashing their sharpened teeth.

After eating his entire arm, Satan stood up and scowled at the Demons who threatened him, "You dare!?!" The green protective energy field reappeared around Satan. The Demons were shocked by the green energy and backed up a step as they trembled.

"Does he still wield power?!" a plump Demon asks fearfully.

Then the words of Satan exploded throughout the deep places of Hell. "Swine! Contest my might?! I think not! You would turn on the one who throws you the scraps of souls?... Should I be so generous? I give you power to torture and torment the deceased lackeys of the world above!" Spinning fire balls launched from Satan's fists. They exploded amongst the Demon horde like grenades. "Back I say!!!"

"Full retreat!" shouted a Demon.

"The hour of vengeance has passed!" barked Nagrite.

"We saturate ourselves with shame in the shadow of your greatness, oh, mighty Satan!" Spoke a sniveling little rodent Demon.

When Satan saw the penitent worship of his Demon minions, his flaming anger began to subside.

West had never felt so defeated. Now he remembered; Hell was under guard of lock and key. It wasn't easy to get out. The Devil knew the way out though, West was sure of it, but he wouldn't reveal his secret.

Satan turned and looked back at West. Seeing he finally realized the truth, he wasn't going to escape anytime soon, Satan rather pitied him. "Just look at West here and his despicable display of irritation. He doesn't understand me. He doesn't understand how to lace tolerance with my presence, but he will. And when he does, he'll find I'm really not so bad."

Satan quickly tired of pitiful feelings and decided to prove to West and his Demons, who was truly stronger. Over powering West and torturing him as punishment for his intolerable defiance, wasn't enough to please his appetite for entertainment.

Bending forward, Satan bit West again filling him with his black venom, then he proceeded to beat him senselessly. Then West was burned under a great shower of a magma waterfall.

"Oh, what a beautiful sight." the Devil commented. "It's just such a romantic place for me."

Finally, when Satan was finished toying with West, he had his Demons dismember him. Then Satan told the poor unfortunate soul, "To my deepest dungeon with you, West! For your poor choices to thwart me time and time again have ultimately failed! I offered you a prestigious place at my side, but you threw it in my face. Now you will rot with an eternal waste of time! Go, now! I banish you to lick your wounds in solitude, without light and without love and best of all, you'll be completely cut off from God. Where you go he will never find you!"

Magma seeped from the walls of West's prison cell and ran across the floor. He needed to rest, but he couldn't rest easily without getting burned.

* * *

When Jasper found time to himself at the end of the day, he was usually exhausted. Nevertheless, he would go to the barn to exercise. Within a few short weeks, Jasper could see changes in himself physically and spiritually. He was becoming strong.

The Angels were well pleased with Jasper, but they were careful to let him know when to draw the line between self-discipline and, self-punishment. The one thing Jasper knew for certain, after seeing his vision of Heaven, was he would do everything in his power to please God.

* * *

Jim, still very sad for the loss of his wife, expected to bear the weight of his guilt to the end of his days. The only escape Jim found from his troubles was in the responsibilities of his farm. He thoroughly enjoyed managing the farm with Jasper and how the two of them were able to move the business out of its financial slump.

With every opportunity, Jim told family, friends and business acquaintances how prosperous the farm had become, thanks to his new friend and farmhand, Jasper.

Jim's daughter, Patricia would come out to the farm from time to time accompanied by her husband. Patricia never felt comfortable around Jasper ever since the first moment she saw him peeking through the door of her mother's bedroom. She'll never forget his eyes or how hauntingly they scared her. Jasper's eyes were so ghostly white and deathly, she saw in them a man who died and should've stayed dead. Suspecting Jasper of some deception or ulterior motive, Patricia explained such apprehensions to her father in moments when they were alone.

Paying little concern to her warnings, Jim simply shrugged and considered himself an excellent judge of character. Besides, he kept Jasper on a very short leash and knew what he was doing from hour to hour.

If ever Patricia found herself in the company of Jasper, she became reserved and quiet.

Jasper knew she wasn't fond of him, though he wasn't sure why. Because of this he kept his words few.

Anytime Patricia and her husband came out to the farm, they would stay to talk/argue with Jim in the house. When suppertime drew near, they mysteriously had to leave. Patricia knew her father would ask them to stay for a hearty meal, but if it meant they had to share a table with Jasper, she would simply have nothing to do with it.

Of course, Anita, on the other hand, Jim's other daughter, was the complete opposite. She was so bubbly and care-free, like the precision of clock-work, when Patricia left moments later Anita would arrive.

Anita came to visit, always clinging to the arm of her husband, Kyle. Kyle worked at a bank and he was proud of what he did. Even his bright smile looked expensive.

Everyone shook hands as Jim invited them to stay for dinner.

The young couple had so much respect for Jim. Anita shook Jasper's hand with a playful twinkle in her eye and an ultra-cute smile.

Kyle, however, regarded Jasper as nothing more than cheap labor. It couldn't have been more obvious by the way Kyle carried himself and spoke, he thought himself superior to Jasper.

From Jasper's obscured perspective, he saw a dark cloud steam off Kyle's shoulders and head. When Kyle looked at Jasper, his eyes were pure black but flashed for a brief moment with a red fire. More flames flashed through the darkened clouds that came up from the back of his neck.

The cooking of the meal and the setting of the table was taken care of by Jasper, while Jim entertained his guests. Jasper invited everyone to take a seat at the dining table and they did so. Praying for a blessing for the food and the evening, Jasper became quite good at it capturing an eloquent mood.

While everyone was enjoying the meal, Kyle asked Jim, "Are you going to be in need of any further help out here at the farm?"

Jim knew he was asking a lot from Jasper and it wasn't fair at times that there wasn't more help. Jasper worked hard, but Jim didn't feel comfortable discussing it with Kyle or with the company of Jasper at the table for that matter.

"If you're offering to help, Kyle, I'll seriously consider it." Jim replied displaying his best smile while chuckling the whole thing off.

"No-no." Kyle came back defensively, "I can't do this kind of thing; farming. I'm a banker. A good banker, but I'd never make a good farmer."

"When you're at a bank, you're a banker." Jasper said, "When you're at the farm, you're a farmer. There's so much to do here. I think we could find a job or two you could handle." A moment passed where no one ate a thing and Jasper had everyone's attention. The sound of the Grandfather clock seemed to slow with passing of the awkward silence. _((-Tick - tock... Tick - - tock - -...))_ Jasper had a good point and Kyle didn't have a good comeback, for once.

Abruptly, the old antique grandfather clock struck a ringing bong. Everyone jumped, but Jim just chuckled and declared. "Well said, Jasper!" Nothing pleased Jim more than to see Kyle squirm uncomfortably. The man's hands were just far too clean and soft for Jim's liking. "So, how about it, Kyle? Perhaps we can get you to wash these dishes after we eat, or do you think you're above such petty jobs? How about it? You think you're better than my blind worker?"

Kyle was frustrated. He finished chewing. Then he took his tall glass of water and drank it all at once. Putting his glass down, he let out a breath of contentment. Kyle turned his attention to Jasper and did a poor job hiding his scowl. "So, tell me, Jasper, how much does Jim pay you?"

Jasper didn't answer. Nor did he break eye contact with nothingness. Each word was rigged like poison with only one intent and that was to hurt someone.

"I'm sorry... Are you deaf also?" Kyle cocked his ear to hear Jasper's response.

Anita elbowed Kyle. She couldn't believe he could be so rude. "Kyle!" then she smiled at everyone and began to laugh hoping the men would all just laugh it all off too, but they didn't.

"W-we have a mutual agreement; an under the table agreement." Jasper did his best to answer Kyle so to not dishonor the mood at the table with respect to Jim and his daughter Anita.

"Sounds illegal." Kyle shot back as he snapped around and glared at Jim. "Are you trying to avoid paying taxes, or is there something else you're trying to hide?"

"Certainly not!" Jim's temper piqued, "Jasper doesn't work for money. He works for me, and in return, I provide shelter and food." Jim's answer was like a lifeline to save Jasper from getting entangled in Kyle's web, but it was too late. The spider was already moving in for the kill.

"This sounds like slavery to me." Kyle raised his voice.

Jim became defensive and a shouting match started between Kyle and himself.

"You're heartless! Anyone can see Jasper is happy working here!"

"You're delusional!"

"Oh, I'm delusional?!"

"Why can't you see, you're too old to be a farmer!"

"And you're a loud, egotistical bastard!"

"Good-grief, Jim! You can't have one man come in here off the street and carry the load of the entire farm for you?! You need many workers, making decent wages! I told you before, but you always ignore me! Sell the farm!" Kyle replied steel heartedly.

"Sell the farm?! You dare tell me how to run my business, boy? I've been doing this before you were born."

"Well, you won't be doing this when you're dead!" Kyle became ferocious.

Jasper couldn't believe the Demons Kyle carried. They hid within him but now they were coming out! The sight of them made Jasper's skin crawl.

The legs of Kyle's Demons couldn't be seen because they were fused right into Kyle's shoulders and they wielded long black swords that they used to cut the spirits of other people down.

The Angels flew around Kyle, locked in sword play.

Something grievous was about to happen when Patricia came charging in through the front door with her husband holding a folded newspaper.

The Angels backed away from Kyle and his Demons ducked back down into the concealment of his shoulders.

Storming into the dining room, Patricia shouted. "Shut-up! All of you!"

"Patricia? What are you doing here? Is everything alright?" Jim asked quickly.

When Patricia had everyone's attention, she began to explain what she found so important. "On our way home, I needed to stop for gas. On the newspaper rack I saw this!" She slapped the newspaper down on the table in front of Jim. It had a photo on the front page. It was unmistakable. The photo was of Jasper and in large letters above the photo was the word, 'MISSING.'

"A missing person's ad?" Kyle asked, turning his head to peer down at Jasper.

Patricia continued to talk, "The ad kind'a goes on and on, but in short, it says; _'Jasper is mentally unstable and dangerous!'_ " Patricia's voice filled the room. "I've already called the police." she looked at Jasper like he had the head of a spider. "Don't bother running. They'll be here shortly to collect you."

Jim stood up at the head of the table. His entire head turned beat red. Then he exploded, shouting. "Outrageous! I've been betrayed by my own family! This is _my_ farm! You are in _my_ house! You're _my_ guests!" Jim threw his water glass at the wall and it shattered to bits. He turned and pointed to his daughters and their husbands one by one. "Get out! Get out! Get out! Get out!"

"Pa-pa!" Patricia shouted nervously. She had never seen her father so angry before. "We're trying to help you. Jasper's dangerous!"

"Get out! Get out! GET OUT!!!" Jim shouted as a vein popped out on his fore-head.

Kyle expected Jim to collapse from a heart-attack on the spot.

Jim continued clearing everyone out of his home waving his hands. Then he slammed the door behind them before he marched back to the table.

With the family driven out, Jim sat back in his chair and put his hand over his heart.

Jasper ran to his side and gave him some water to drink. They could hear the vehicles outside heading out down the drive.

Jim took a small sip of water. Then he took some long deep breaths to settle himself down.

"I'm sorry, Jim. This is all my fault." Jasper told him. "I should've seen it coming. Maybe we could've prevented the whole thing."

"Don't you go blaming yourself for anything, boy." Jim weakened by the incident, told Jasper. "You were sent to me from the hand of God himself. Just look at how we conquered the impossible and saved the farm. They say you're dangerous? Butter pickles!" Jim thought for a moment. Then he perked up again. "Come on, boy. They won't nab you. I'll make sure of that!" Jim rose from his chair and led Jasper out the backdoor.

The sun had slunk down behind the mountain and the evening sky was darkening. Jim, Jasper and Rusty the dog took the long path around to the barn. Silently, the Angels followed.

"Jim, maybe this isn't such a good idea." Jasper whispered. "I'm already in so much trouble. They think I'm crazy. They want to lock me up. If I do this - try to escape - they might try to kill me."

"Boy, if they take you now, your life will be over anyway. You think I don't understand you? Oh, but I do. My whole life I've been misunderstood. My accusers, believing there was nothing left of me that was of any worth. But look at me now, boy. Just look at this old man. I've still got it. Live free, boy. Live free..."

"Listen to his advice, Jasper." Wilson spoke with a sense of fore-knowledge.

Jasper picked up his Bible from the barn and followed Jim around to the back. In the distance they could hear the police cars and sirens enter down the long farm road. Jim's daughters were directing them to the house from the road.

Jim looked off to the distance at the forest of trees that climbed the distant mountain. As the sun set, rays of light stretched up from the crown of the mountain with spectacular radiance. The spectacle seemed symbolic somehow like there was a meaning behind it.

"When I was a small boy growing up on this farm, I would imagine this very scenario; the police chasing after me to take me away and I needed to escape. In those fantasies, I used to run through those trees, across the field of corn and through the river to the base of that mountain. I would envision climbing that mountain but I never actually did. It always seemed so mysterious to me." Jim pointed to the monstrous silhouette of the great mountain peak that jutted into the skylight. "When I'd look at that mountain, I always felt I'd find safety there. Now go, Jasper. There's no more time for ponderous thought." Jim slapped Jasper on the back. "Come back in a few days when all of this fuss has passed."

Jasper hugged Jim, "You are blessed, old man."

"The Angels guided you to me. We're both blessed, son." Jim's voice was warm with compassion.

The Angels began to glow brightly and float out ahead of Jasper. "Come on, Jasper! Now or never!" The words rang from Charmatrien and echoed through the valley.

Jasper turned from Jim and disappeared into the forest.

Jim turned away also returning along the path to the house.

Blindly following the Angels through the darkness, Jasper didn't look back; not even once. He bungled his urgent plight through the unending forest more times than he cared to count. Collapsing to the muck, he felt at times exhausted and defeated. His blindness violated his dark world and tore it asunder.

# CHAPTER 9

DISORIENTED IN THE FIELD of tall corn stalks, Jasper managed to make it through using the lights of the Angels to guide him to the foreboding mountain that loomed before him. Near the base of the mountain, Jasper stumbled into a shallow wide river. He had no provisions with him, only his Bible, yet he was led to go forth, crossing the river and further into the steep hillside of trees. All-the-while, Jasper tripped over roots and the crowns of boulders that poked up from the earth all around him. The darkness crowded in on him, blinding his poor sight altogether if not for the light of the Angels. The panic of the wilderness called to Jasper in its far echoing voice. It choked him with fear. He knew not where the source of his strength came to carry on, but he managed only from one step to the next. He was eternally and willfully driven. At a steep grade he climbed and there were sounds in the stillness with a spirit in the air but it was all but welcoming. Taking a breath Jasper knew he wasn't alone. Agents of darkness slunk toward him only a short distance away.

Knees wanting to buckle and leg muscles in painful knots, he continued onward. Over rocks and through countless bushes, branches clawed at his face as he struggled on. Everything opposed him; the darkness, the trees, gravity and the entire world. The light of day finally left Jasper completely and even the moon was swallowed up by the night. It was of little consequence for him, there was no path to follow anyway. Frequently falling over rocks and roots that grabbed at his feet, Jasper tired of complaining over such things and simply got back up and carried on. He was blind; so he would fall and he did so, more times than he could count.

Completely taken by surprise, Jasper slipped over a ledge and tumbled down the steep wall of a ravine. Exhausted, Jasper just let gravity take him. Limply disappearing into darkness he rolled over and over. Jasper's Bible escaped his grip and was lost to nature.

Aware of his injuries, the spirits gave him no rest. No mercy. Concerned for the whereabouts of his Bible, the Angels told Jasper, "Make haste! Don't slow or you will submit to rest." They urged Jasper to continue on. Obviously, he had to go somewhere, to see something, but he wasn't aware of where or why. Despite the urgency of the Angels, Jasper knew in his heart he had to continue on, no matter how serious his injuries were he would have to worry about how much he was being taxed later. Breathlessly, he followed to keep up.

Vanquished from stress, thirst and unrest, Jasper collapsed to the ground. Tired and numb with cold, even the rock Jasper rested his head upon began to make for a nice pillow. He realized then, his pitiless death could very well come by exhaustion and starvation.

"Jasper..." came a feminine song from inside his head. "Jasper..." The voice called again. "It's not far now..."

Fighting to open his eyes, Jasper managed to lift his sore head and look up to a faint light emanating from the distant fog. The supernatural voice called to Jasper again. He no longer had the luxury of self-doubt. Somehow he had to make the climb. Straight up, straining to rise against the mountain's face, the surface was made of a rough stone which crumbled like sand. Each brittle foothold and grasp could let go under him at any moment. Spending careful time and energy to work his hands and feet into the cliff, Jasper had to build his confidence before he committed his weight to each next move.

Grabbing hold of the solid and smooth boulder-top that was half embedded in the cliff, Jasper was told, "You are so very close now." Delirious, Jasper was unable to determine which Angel was speaking to him.

' _Perhaps'_ Jasper thought, _'I can reach the top ledge from this boulder.'_ The boulder was smoother than he preferred. Springing upon it, Jasper's feet and hands scrambled to make purchase but slipped away. Abruptly resting his belly on top of the rock, he managed to balance his weight there, ' _Yes_!' Jasper was very close to the top now. The boulder distinctly shifted under him; it wasn't so stable after all. Through the pitch black night, he climbed as blind as ever. His senses heightened. Jasper detected he was at a perilous elevation. Spontaneously reacting to avoid going down with the heavy boulder, Jasper franticly leaped, reaching out with both hands. He felt the great stone dislodged under his feet and as it let go of the mountain. Searching the earth near the ledge of the cliff, his fingers brushed over abrasive earth until his fingers locked around whatever he could.

The boulder rolled away from under Jasper and smashed against other rocks as it thundered down the steep slope. The loud impacts echoed off into the universe.

In Jasper's up stretched hand, he found he managed to clutch hold of a thick tree root. For a moment he just hung there with his feet dangling. His tears washed the dirt from his face. The pumping of his blood beat in his ears. Reaching up with his other hand, there wasn't much to secure a firm grip to, but what he could hold was a sheer rocky precipice. His fingers flamed with pain; cramped and ridged. He clung desperately to the stone for his life. With small efforts, he inched his way up and over the cliff's ledge to a safe flat landing of stone. There, he sprawled his entire exhausted body out over the cold hard surface. He felt the stone flat-top was an operating table... Oh how he disliked hospitals and hospital analogies for that matter.

As the golden presence of the sun began to shimmer from the linings of distant clouds, the silhouettes of far off mountains were revealed. His plight covered all hours of the night. Through his fog filled sight, Jasper began to observe his surroundings to get an idea where he was. Sliding further back upon the hard flat surface of the level rock floor, Jasper relaxed. The stone flat was colder than the air, but he accepted that he'd been delivered from danger to a new home.

Tired and exhausted, Jasper spent the wee morning hours shivering through a deep tranquil sleep.

* * *

A soft wind caressed Jasper's cheek and blew curly locks from his eyes. The sound of the titillating natural world stirred in him, an alarm to get up and explore his surroundings. Wake now, he brought into focus the nostalgic sound of nature's morning birdsongs. First Jasper heard the natural world of flora and fauna. This made him feel like a boy. Then he recognized the sounds of insects along with the wind through the trees.

Nature seemed to smile and was at peace.

Jasper's heart reciprocated and he found himself in a good mood.

Ever so faintly the voices of Angels began to filter through the surrounding scenery and Jasper couldn't recall waking up to such a wistfully sentimental sense of peace and happiness.

Then he tried to move; pain exploded all over his body from countless forgotten injuries. Stiff muscles contrasted his joy from only a heartbeat ago. Somehow he'd gotten a swollen black eye.

"It would appear our friend had opposed Sampson last night." Joel said attempting to be funny.

"And lost!" Charmatrien added humorously, trying to hold back his laughter.

Starr, Taila and Elana only felt pity and concern for Jasper.

Wilson studied their surroundings. He was certain this was the place.

It was slow going at first under the gentle coaching of the Angels, but Jasper found the strength to finally stand. The Angels were very patient with him. They led him throughout the area showing him around. The vicinity where Jasper slept was a wide flat circular stone. The outer half of the circular stone dropped off down the steep cliff. The other half met the base of a massive stone that arched out over the flat foundation like a sloping ceiling. The other half of the overhanging stone was embedded in the side of the mountain. Jasper touched the smooth solid surface.

Listening, he heard the distant sound of running water. Defiant of his body's need to rest, he rose to his feet. Limping as he ventured into the forest in search of the water, Jasper was able to acquire a detailed concept for the layout of the land. There were steep hills but also many leveled off areas. Though it was difficult for him to see, Jasper looked around and was captivated by the wondrous dream-like landscape. He let himself be seduced by the beauty and splendor of the wilderness. Strolling under the tall pillars of the tree trunks, Jasper was taken back to a time when he was camping with his parents and life was simpler. "I have dreamt of this place many times..." Jasper said placidly, "when I was a child."

He watched as the light of the radiant Angels filled the upper area of the trees. Their light reached out from between the branches, like something out of a living storybook.

Momentarily mesmerized by Starr dancing into the forest with no connection to gravity, Jasper found himself drawn into a day dreamy state.

She looked at Jasper and curled her finger for him to follow her.

Jasper moved through the bushes and approached.

Starr led Jasper to a powerful brook of clear water.

Jasper knelt down on one knee at the water's edge. Cupping his hands, he set it below the water's surface. The water filled Jasper's hands and he lifted it to his dirty chapped lips. Sipping the water, it went down his throat cool and refreshing. Remaining Creekside for some time, Jasper drank deep where he regained his strength and energy.

The beautiful Taila appeared before Jasper and said, "Why don't we follow the creek together and find out where it comes from?" There was an earthy purity and sweetness in her voice.

"Perhaps I should rest a moment." Jasper suggested.

"Though you don't know it yet, Jasper, there is much that still awaits you." Taila replied in a clear, sightly manner. Then she began to float away up the stony rise.

"Very well. I can take a hint." Jasper regretted saying as he winced to stand once more. They walked through the tall oak trees that drank plenty along the creek side to an amazing waterfall that cascaded down a monument of stones. The water transcended with such unique beauty before it pooled above a secondary waterfall of equal captivation. After the water draped over a large smooth bolder, like a wedding veil, it filtered down around a rock basin of high edges to finally fill a small pool. Cat-tails and bull rushes grew at the sides where the water met the land.

Taila passed through the curtain of water and moved up the steep mountain along a ridge of rocks.

Biting back his pain, Jasper worked his enflamed limbs to climb to the ridge along the top of the rocks. Hopping from one stone to the next, Jasper continued to follow Taila along the ridge of rocks and found the stones served as a stable path.

Taila giggled as she was reunited with her friends.

Wilson, Starr, Joel, Elana and Charmatrien danced and sang at the edge of a wide clear lake. They welcomed Taila and Jasper to their jubilee.

"Tell us your opinion, Taila." Starr called out. "Is this lake not a vision of the one we were at not long ago, in Heaven?"

"Right, Starr. Only, it's missing our thirsty friend; the white tiger." Taila reminded the others cheerfully.

This coaxed them to joyously laugh along with her.

Beyond the lake was a tall monument of stone which was the peak of the mountain. Turning a full three sixty, Jasper saw a wondrous site of the land below him. His fog filled sight made everything seem like pages of photos torn from a book of fantasy illustrations. Finding and recognizing the road that led to Jim's farm, Jasper chuckled at how tiny it all looked. Even the town of Princeton didn't seem so far away, but Jasper remembered the actual distance he walked and reflected on his current situation.

Squinting to capture details better through his poor eyes and focus a great distance away, he could almost see the busy city of Kingston. It was a majestic and sprawling sea of speckled stars. Even from such a distance, the air was just barely clear enough to see all the way to the Portman Bridge.

Looking over one snowcapped mountain range after the other, Jasper felt like a giant standing over the land. The wind whipped at his face and tussled his hair. Even clouds moved below him slowly and with the sky as clear as it was, Jasper felt he could see as far out as to the ends of the Earth.

The pain in Jasper's body left him when he focused all of his attention on the magnificent view. Walking around the lake, trying to get a better view, climbing rock protrusions; Jasper came to a great out cropping of stone. There, a single pinnacle of rock, with the shape of a sold wedge, jutted out of the mountain like a plank. The top surface of the stone had been split away so it was flat and Jasper bravely stepped out onto it. Below him the cliff was a vertical wall that fell away six hundred meters.

"What's he doing?" Taila spoke with concern as she flew closer to him protectively.

"Do we agree Jasper is blind? Perhaps he cannot see the danger he is in." Starr suspected.

"Be not afraid." Joel told his friends. He was so sure of himself. "Jasper's purpose isn't to come all the way up here and die upon this mountain."

The wind messed up Jasper's shaggy hair and threatened to blow him off balance. Below, he could see a mother bald eagle nesting on the top branch of a withered old tree. The eagle opened its wide wings and glided from its nest. Like a kite it glided in wide circles far below Jasper, yet still very high in the mountain. Flying out over the land, like a supreme protector, little escaped its sharp eyes.

Something large moved through Jasper. It was Joel. He ran the length of the protruding rock passing right through Jasper before leaping off the end of it. Though it would've been a trial to any human, his abilities were adept. Joel's vibrant Angel wings opened wide to carry him through the air and conduct a swift distance of aerial turns. The Angel soared with the eagle like a union of indistinct friends.

The symbol of Joel's flight was pure, noble freedom. The eagle echoed this like a perfect compliment.

Jasper imagined what it'd be like to just leap off the edge of the rock also; to spread his own wings and glide over the land. Closing his eyes, Jasper held his arms outstretched at his sides. The wind passed through his arms and fingers. Feeling truly blessed, Jasper understood what it meant to be free in the secure and protective hand of the Lord.

Like a great phoenix of light, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jasper delivering knowledge and wisdom. During this time, the Angels carefully led him back along the stone plank to safety.

Opening his eyes, Jasper found he had stepped all the way back to the edge of the lake. His fingers; cold, as awareness returned to him. Realizing he needed to make some preparations, Jasper was enthusiastic wanting to get started right away.

Recognizing Jasper had been enlightened by God's Spirit of Holiness on the stone plank, the Angels came to him for instruction. The first thing Jasper conveyed was the necessity to build a great fire. He directed the Angels back to where he slept, at the rock that hung over another like a natural shelter of stone.

The Angels chose what wood he was to gather. They were selective so the wood that would be burned would give off little smoke.

Jasper made a pile. Rubbing a long dry stick between his hands like he learned in boy scouts, he created friction. Jasper spun the stick back and forth for a long while.

Wilson suggested the use of pine resin with his tinder to help ignite a spark and start a flame.

Jasper's efforts paid off when the friction finally started to smoke and spark an ember. Dropping dried moss on the ember, Jasper spun the stick back and forth all the more. In no time, a large crackling fire blazed to life. Jasper was so thankful as he huddled in close to the warmth. As he stared into the flickering flames, the light casted deep shadows in his thought filled features.

Taila noticed how Jasper's murky eyes glowed in profile from the dancing flares of the blaze. She wondered if it was a glimpse of something still to come.

The Angels cheered in celebration and broke into song.

Excited, watching the flame take off and engulfed his pile of wood, Jasper tried to remember another time when he felt so good and alive. The Angels were so enlightening and entertaining that when they invited Jasper to dance with them around the fire he quickly gave into their foolishness. It was easy for him to be so childish with nobody watching but, he knew, if someone did see him, they'd think he was crazy. At times, while Jasper enjoyed being with the young and vigorous Angels, he wondered how old they really were.

During her expressive dance, Taila looked around at their surroundings and said. "Jasper, tell me your limited vision cannot keep you from seeing how wondrous this place is? Truly, this forest is blessed. Oh, yes, it surely is and Holy. Demons don't bother with us here."

"What shall we call this place, Jasper?" Elana asked with giddy excitement.

"Oh, no, I don't think I'm the person to name anything or anyone." Jasper told them, lifting the palms of his hands defensively, "Why don't you choose. You would all be much better at this sort of thing than me."

Starr responded to Jasper when she began to sing;

"What is in a name?

Not one's quite the same.

An identity to secure a unity.

Not one's quite the same.

Yay, we must have a name."

The other Angels began to join in. Each of them singing out names of other important places they knew;

"Kingdom of Heaven."

"New Jerusalem."

"The Throne of God."

"The Abode of the Blessed."

"City Celestial."

"The Holy City."

"Eden."

"Zion."

"Paradise."

"Elysium."

"Your Eternal Home."

"Heaven!"

Jasper; so moved by the song of the Angels, closed his eyes and a spirit of Holiness came over him again. Opening his eyes, Jasper clearly spoke, "Ceramecy."

At the mention of this name, the Angels raised their voices. Their song grew only more magnificent in dedication to the blessed land of Ceramecy.

Jasper translated the name to mean, a special place on earth.

After celebrating, the Angels instructed Jasper how to fashion a shelter. First they had him move many large stones closer to the outskirts of the fire. The stones would both deflect and retain the heat.

As the day drew into the evening, Jasper became worried. He wanted to accomplish so much more before he rested his head for the night. Hungry; Jasper made his way to the creek for more water. While he was there drinking water from his hand, Elana ascended up out from the stream where he drank. Only her head and shoulders arose. Elana looked into Jasper's eyes with a penetrating stare.

Jasper looked back at her, but tried to hide it when his stomach grumbled.

Her forehead creased.

"Uh, what is it?" Jasper asked, shaking the water free from his hands.

"Are you not hungry?" she asked with such kindness.

"Yes, of course. I'm starving." Jasper answered her, slightly annoyed to have to tell Elana something so obvious.

"Well, why don't you eat?" Elana asked as though Jasper would suddenly and miraculously find food prepared at his feet.

"Eat? Eat what? There's nothing here but sticks and stones." Jasper hoped he wasn't too rude as he imagined the Angels having some magical means to feed him a full course meal like the ones Jim would prepare for him. The other Angels approached and when Jasper noticed this his voice dropped a notch. "You guys dragged me out here to the middle of nowhere!? Of course I am very hungry. It's not my plan to die out here." He turned away dismissively.

The Angels gazed upon him with such love and warmth in their eyes. "And that isn't our plan either. Don't lose faith, Jasper." But, Jasper wasn't interested in faith anymore. He couldn't eat it. He didn't even care how much they cared for him at this point. Frustrated, he could feel himself entering survival mode, desperate for food.

After a short pause, Wilson said, "Even here, though it is nowhere, everything you need has been provided for you."

"Look closer." Elana perked up, "Open your mind and you may open your eyes to much more that is here all around us. Once you free your mind you will be free from your problem."

Elana wasn't making much sense to Jasper, when suddenly he understood, "You mean, I need to have faith and believe that my problem really isn't a problem at all?" He felt uncomfortably riddled with uncertainty over what was happening.

"This wisdom hasn't come to you by your own efforts. The Spirit of God speaks and you hear him." Looking down at a green plant that was growing at the edge of the creek, Elana stretched her hands out and moved her open palms over the plant in a circular motion. "You see this plant? It is called, _Water Crest_. You can eat it. It's very healthy."

At these words, Jasper tore the plant out of the ground and examined it in his hands. He was about to eat it when he remembered farmer Jim. "You know, Jim would tell me to give thanks to the Lord before I ate. I miss having him around." Jasper looked to the sky, past the tall whispering wilderness of trees and said, "Thank you Lord for loving me enough to nourish my body when it was required, Amen." For a moment, Jasper wondered what his prayer might've meant to the Angels, for they didn't have bodies. Plucking off a small leaf, Jasper ate it. The flavor was evocative and spicy, as though hot and peppery. Surprised at how much he enjoyed it, Jasper asked, "Why didn't you tell me this earlier? This plant is delicious!"

"Starr brought you right to it when you awoke, but you just drank the water. Ever since you entered the forest, you haven't asked us for food." Elana told him. "Be mindful to make your needs known to God through prayer."

Jasper didn't believe he would receive food even if he asked for it. "Why would you Angels be concerned with food? You don't have bodies."

"We eat of the Spirit. It isn't the same but it is twice as sweet." Taila explained happily. "We have always been interested in food for the body. It fascinates us. Through you, we can understand what you mean to eat."

Jasper liked the water Crest and ate the whole thing. "Elana?" Jasper said. He was still hungry and thought, _'This time I'll ask,'_ "Is there anything else around here I can eat?" he asked with doeful eyes.

"Yes, Jasper, there are plenty of other food sources and you don't have to go very far to find them." Elana told him as she mystically rose out of the clear creekwater entirely.

"Jasper!" Joel called to him as he descended from the tree tops to the bushes below, "Try these."

Jasper rose up and looked in the direction of Joel's voice.

Joel was a short distance away examining a tree branch.

Jasper took hold of the branch and studied it as well.

"These are edible wild grapes. They're also known as _Arizona grapes_. In Autumn, you can eat the fruit and in the winter when there is no fruit, you can eat the leaves." Joel explained happily.

Jasper took a small grape from the branch and ate it. The taste was very sweet.

"My friend, Jasper!" called another voice. Jasper responded to find Charmatrien half phased in the ground next to some large leafy plants. "Dig this up and pull out the roots."

Jasper did as instructed. The leaves that grew out of the ground were very large. "I could make clothes out of these leaves, they're so huge." Jasper commented as he tried to seem brilliant by finding a secondary use for the leaves.

The group of ladies giggled before Starr said, "Where do you think we are, 'the Garden of Eden?'" The ladies giggled some more. Wind whipped at Starr's long hair, blowing strands of it across her delicate face.

Jasper pulled the roots free from the earth. As he walked over to the creek, he patted off clumps of dirt from the root. Kneeling down at the creek side, Jasper washed the roots off in the water.

"This is a Burdock leaf, Jasper." Charmatrien submitted with one eyebrow cocked. "Don't eat the leaf but the roots are good raw or cooked. Most people have eaten them cooked in the past."

Jasper wondered just how far into the past the Angel was referring. He knew he had no means of boiling water at this time, so he bit the root and ate it. It sounded like he was eating a carrot. Later he would try to roast it over the fire. Jasper wasn't sure if the strange food tasted good, or if it seemed to taste good because he was so hungry.

As Jasper ate, Joel said, "Flowers and Angels drift in colour, illuminating spring and setting it free."

Then Jasper stopped to look at a wildflower growing on its own amongst a steep stone ridge.

Joel also told him, "So innocent and delicate, how could something so fragile be created naturally? How can it exist in such an abrasive world as this?"

"We Angels do bring you gifts in the riches of love, laughter and happiness." Taila wanted to show Jasper something. She led Jasper back up the creek side to the base of the twin waterfalls, again to the basin. There she pointed out the cat-tails that grew out of the water at the edge of the rock basin. "These are _Cat-tails_." Taila explained, "They have long green prongs that grow up high. You can weave them together for use in a shelter or to create a sleeping mat, or even a curtain."

"Can I eat it?" Jasper asked, holding it close to his mouth.

"No." replied Taila.

"How about these fuzzy brown cigars that grow at the top?" Jasper suggested.

"No, definitely not." answered Taila in good cheer. "But you could dig one up and eat the stock at its base, but don't eat the root. Just the stock."

Jasper dug one out and ate the white stock. It tasted very good, indeed. The Angels said they could show him much more in the morning but the evening light was just growing too dim and Jasper had to get back to the fire.

Before Jasper left the rock pool, at the base of the waterfall, he dug out an arm load of the cat-tails and carried them with him, back to the fire.

"You know, there are poor people out in the world who could really benefit from your instructions. I mean, I would've starved out here just because of a simple lack of knowledge." Jasper explained.

"Angels have directed man in such ways since the beginning of time." Charmatrien reasoned, "If not for God and his divine intervention, man would've been extinct thousands of years ago."

Amazed and contented, Jasper sat near the fire and enjoyed the heat while he separated the stalks from the stiff green prongs. During the time Jasper chewed on the stalks, he tried to weave the green prongs together. At this time, the Angels began to speak.

"Just look at this fire." Joel said, "It is truly magnificent."

"Yes, you're right." Wilson agreed, "Jasper, watch how the smoke rises from each fire that you make. It will give you an idea of how stable the air is. If the smoke rises straight up, high pressure is likely in the area with stable air. If the smoke curls or moves up and down, or if it hugs the ground, then unstable air has moved in and rain could be on the way."

"Wilson is telling you about the signs of the weather." Charmatrien told Jasper, "This will be extremely helpful to you, now that you are out here where you must brave the elements."

"I think I'll be just fine here for a while with a fire and the company of you fine Angels." Jasper complimented them.

"What if a storm rolls in and you're not prepared for it?" Charmatrien asked. "Your fire wouldn't last and if it did, strong winds and rain won't make it very helpful to you."

"Sure, okay, if you have some more information for me, I will listen carefully to all you have to say."

Joel laughed and said, "Soft clouds and gleeful skies court the gracious gliding Angels."

"Do you know some of the more current proverbs about weather which have been used throughout the world?" Wilson asked. "Like this one; Mackerel scales and mare's tails make lofty ships carry low sails?"

"Uh, no I haven't heard that one, but I do know this one." Jasper recited, "Red skies at night, sailor's delight. Red skies in morning, sailors take warning."

"That is very good, Jasper." Taila said, "But that saying was designed for sailors at sea and you are in the mountains. Some Native Americans have said; 'When the clouds hang on the mountain after the rain, the sun shines on top of the mountain.' meaning the storm has passed."

Starr flew into the fire and said, "Tracing the sky, the painter's brush, the winds around you soon will rush."

Elana rose up over Starr and opened her magnificent wings in the cloud of smoke, "When the grass is dry in morning light, look for rain before the night. When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass."

"What does that mean Elana?" Jasper asked.

"It means." Elana answered Jasper kindly, "Conditions that favor dew on the grass, don't favor wide spread precipitation." her eyes danced with wisdom and love.

Joel wanted to somehow get in on the action, "'When the ditch in the pond offends the nose, look for rain and stormy blows.' This means, more odours may mean a low pressure is arriving allowing smells to escape that were formerly held captive by high pressure."

"Beware of wind shifts." Wilson instructed, "Especially if the wind blows from the south. It can be the arrival of a low pressure area because low pressure areas rotate counter clockwise. High pressure winds blow in from the north and move clockwise. These sayings are good for identifying the signs of weather and if you can keep them deep in your mind and in your heart, they may assist you effectively before you're taken by surprise."

Joel approached Jasper and at such close proximity, Jasper was able to see a great deal of detail in the golden crown embedded in his chest plate. This time when Joel spoke it was intimate and with great care. The way he pronounced his words were meaningful as though of royal descent, "We speak of weather patterns and predictions, but I must tell you, we were sent here to accomplish a secret mission. Yes, we are here for you. Somehow it's all linked to you though it isn't clear how yet."

"A secret mission? Can you tell me what that is?" Jasper probed.

Joel smiled, "It is so secret, even we don't have all the details. When I first learned about it from God, I expected you to have some kind of supernatural ability to manipulate the weather. As it is I can only warn you about the dangers surrounding a series of shifts concerning this planet's climate."

"The weather? Like globally? And you think I can do something about it?" Jasper asked with growing skepticism.

"You aren't alone, Jasper. We're with you." Taila added.

"Will we solve this problem?" Jasper tested the Angels.

"That is completely up to you and the rest of human kind." Joel told him confidently.

Then Starr spoke to Jasper with a twinkle in her eye, "We will instruct you to read all manner of signs of the sky."

Jasper was swayed by her fairness of ghostly apparel.

"The wings of Angels hide in the winds to kiss your face and light up your eyes." Starr flared her blue eyes comically.

' _Ouch, she's so beautiful.'_ he mused to himself.

The evening grew late and Jasper enjoyed every moment he spent in the company of his close friends. As they sat around the fire, they made a circle of Seven. Each one told a wonderful and compelling story which took place in Heaven. Some were love stories and others consisted of some spiritual warfare. With each story, a visual representation was conveyed through the flames of the fire.

Jasper simply told a story of his childhood. He recalled a time when he was only a toddler. His parents were involved in a vehicle accident and walked away with minimal cuts and bruises. Their son, Jasper had no injuries at all.

"You had a powerful guardian Angel watching over you. When we met him, he was most impressive." Charmatrien explained. "There was a time when we, Seven friends, fought the opposing forces of a terrible dark evil. You met them already, the Insufferable Six; Morbidant, Krustatious, Wengroangrinch, Gewgaw, Diolucious and the giant Vyxcious.

"In order to hold them at bay to protect a new born baby, we fought them viciously for a straight sixteen years. We were the child's only hope of survival, but we failed. Not only were we defeated by those insolent agents of darkness but they ended the child's life before he could fulfill what the Lord had planned for him. In a moment of despair, the young man gave into the words of the Insufferable Six and he took his own life. We had a long time to reflect on this failure in Heaven. Though the Demons are powerful, cunning and sneaky, we were bested time and time again by them. The boy gave more attention to negative thoughts than the positive. He was receptive of the darkness more than the light. This is how it was explained to us, but we see only the failure, the rest is just excuses. Nothing can mend the deep sorrow we each feel for the time we invested in the boy. From our failure, the Lord took us back to Heaven where we have awaited on his calling so we may be in his service again. To lose the boy after all we sacrificed was a true test of who we really are and what our limitations were. The Lord believed we were ready for other missions, but in truth, we have all been worried we would fail again. Countless times we've let such an honor pass us by. It wasn't until the South Gate opened and we were sent here to you, that we have partaken in such an honorable opportunity to be in service of the Lord again."

"I obviously have a lot to learn about you Angels." Jasper told them, "I always thought of Heaven as a boring place where everyone sat around on tuffs of clouds listening to slow music played on harps."

"What's wrong with a harp?" Joel spoke up questionably.

Jasper chuckled bashfully.

"No, no, rather, we sound the horns in a blaze of jubilee before we praise God, celebrate amongst our kin or enter the battle against the Armies of Darkness!"

Then Jasper asked a very odd question, "Why _is_ there a Heaven, a Hell and an earth? Why doesn't God just put Heaven and Hell aside and focus on earth alone?"

The Angels smiled at one another as they decided which one of them would answer Jasper.

Starr's brow arched inquisitively. Then she began. "Heaven was created for those who love the Lord."

"Hell is for any eternal soul who rejects the Lord." Charmatrien added.

"Earth is the soil where souls are harvested. Here the Lord gives to people the freedom of choice." Wilson said matter-of-factly.

"This freedom is both a gift and a curse but it is your choice that will ultimately determine which of these fates will be yours. This is why people often have a very difficult time seeing the truth." Elana contributed in conjunction with her companions.

"In a sense, you are your own worst enemies. The Lord's message to this world is to have faith and seek after Him, but he won't make that choice for you. You must choose for yourself." Taila saw fit to interpose.

"Still, divine intervention is available to whomever asks of it. It is by His great love for you that He answers prayer." Joel chimed in to support his friends.

"And it is to your greater glory when you are put to a test. In times of need, through trials and tribulations, you can rest assured, He's with you. Who can sin too much for God's forgiveness? No one can do this, just as no one can surprise the Lord. He knows all. People need to stop beating themselves up and go to the Father." Wilson concluded with his own charming sense of enlightenment.

* * *

Opening his eyes to the light of the morning sun, Jasper awoke next to the red coals of the night's fire. Rising to his knees, he prayed for a blessing on the new day amidst his company of Angels. Insisting on a walk down the mountain to find the Bible he'd dropped through his troubles in the darkness, the Angels told him they knew exactly where the Bible had fallen. Leading Jasper a great distance down the mountain, he tried to mark his path for his return to Ceramecy. Cutting deep gouges into the bark of the trees with a sharp rock, Jasper felt confident along the way.

On their way down the steep mountain side, the Angels revealed a larger assortment of edible plants. Jasper ate _s_ n _ow thistles_ and _dandy lion_ leaves. These were almost exactly alike and didn't taste very good, but they were one of the healthiest greens to be consumed.

Jasper was shown _chanterelle_ mushrooms growing nearby and some _pine_ mushrooms. At the base of a thick tree, the Angels showed him _Canyon Walnuts_. Breaking the husks apart with a rock, Jasper ate, and was surprised with the delicious taste.

Pointing out some _Juniper berries_ , Charmatrien told Jasper; "Only the pink ones are ripe." Jasper found them to taste like tree sap and honey. Because they were kind of strong, Jasper couldn't eat too many of them at one time.

Elana found _Manzanita_ , which was a Spanish berry that means 'Little Apple.' Jasper ate some of these and found they were shiny brown berries which _actually_ tasted like little dried apples.

The Seven finally came to the base of a steep ravine. There, the Angels led Jasper right to his Bible where he found it soaking wet and the pages wrinkled, but Jasper knew, if he let his Bible dry out, he would still be able to read it. He began the hike back up to the camp. As he climbed, mostly eating pine nuts, Jasper found they tasted great.

Arriving back at the camp, the Angels were gung-ho to begin the construction process. Jasper wanted to rest, but he made a point not to argue with the Angels. He was submissive to them even if their decisions felt like they would work him to death. Where Jasper once feared death, he now welcomed it, knowing without a doubt what awaited him on the other side.

Following the instructions of the Angels, Jasper went out collecting various logs, reeds and rocks. He sorted the supplies in an orderly and uniform fashion. Step by step, instructions were provided to Jasper how to fashion tools from sticks and stones.

While Jasper worked, the Angels moved about supervising like the management of one mind. An Angel told Jasper to do one thing. Then another Angel would instruct him shortly after to do another task. As complicated and confusing as the jobs were, the Angel's instructions didn't contradict one another.

Through songs and dance, the Angels established a beat that Jasper worked to. Within the music were lyrics that referred to safety and construction details in a welcoming manner. Jasper was grateful as he'd never experienced work like this before. He pretended his friend Ned was with him working and experiencing everything as he was.

Later, the Angels provided Jasper rest by the fire. There, they told him unlimited stories; each one compelling. Many times the stories would grant Jasper visions which explained their stories with perfect and accurate details.

Jasper continued to read passages of the Bible out loud to the Angels who'd begin to speak in greater detail about what was read in the Holy Scriptures. Jasper had no idea how deep the clarity and insight could go. Showing interest in the character of Moses from the Book of the Old Testament; 'Exodus,' Jasper wondered, _'What would it be like, one day, to meet an important historical Bible character, like Moses?'_

When Starr heard this she stood up at the fire and shot away into the sky with incredible speed. She returned shortly after with a spirit clad in white robes.

"Greetings to you, young man." The spirit was ominous and the man had a bushy white beard, "I am Moses. Your friends tell me you have been reading about my life."

Jasper bowed down to Moses right away. "I'm not worthy to be in your presence." Jasper told him.

"I'm not your God that you should bow down to me." Moses chuckled with warm fatherly correction. "You'll find I'm a simple man, but I am also a father of your father's many fathers. But I think you'll find this doesn't make me very different from you."

"Not different?" Jasper questioned, "The world has changed so much since you lived here. It's far more complicated and sophisticated. Our economy is advanced, our communications, transportation and even world relations are nothing like they once were when you walked the earth in bodily form. Today, even people are different. We reason differently, think differently and even live more advanced lifestyles."

"So, Jasper, can you not see the wisdom in all of this? I haven't been asleep throughout the ages. It is nothing but arrogance and foolishness on your generation's part to believe you are greater than your fore-fathers. You are more sophisticated? Didn't even the very first man and woman reason the same as you do today?" Moses spoke with confidence and authority.

Jasper took a step back in reverent humility, but Moses didn't leave him. Rather, he stayed to share his company by the light of Jasper's fire. Moses, the Angels and Jasper had long conversations that lasted well into the night.

The last thing Moses said to Jasper before he rose and returned to Heaven, was, "Jasper, you need to go back down to Jim's farm in the morning. Make sure you do this thing."

# CHAPTER 10

THE JOURNEY DOWN the mountain was far quicker than Jasper believed possible. He was going to pack some food before he left, but the Angel Elana told him, "Have faith, Jasper and trust that all things shall be provided regardless of the situation."

Jasper did find all he needed for his journey. Before he knew it, he was coming through the corn field at the back of Jim's property line. It was the same path he took when he last left the farm. It was cold, crisp and dark outside, but the soft orange glow from the warm barn beckoned him on. The sound of a heavy sledge hammer clanging down on metal came from inside the barn. Jasper made his way to the barn and peeked inside where he saw Jim reshaping one of the horse's shoes. He appeared so vigorous and alive, he certainly didn't seem in any way to be a sick or diseased individual, which was a state Jasper feared he would find him.

Jim would put the horse shoe into the hot red coals, softening it. Then he forged the iron by hitting it with a heavy hammer to straighten it back into shape.

Waiting a moment to case the area to be sure the place was safe and Jim was alone, Jasper called with a loud whisper, "Jim..."

The old man's eyes widened and trembled with terror. Dropping his tools, Jim looked around to see where the voice was coming from. "Who is it?!" Jim asked with suspicion and fear. "Who's there?! Show yourself!"

Jasper stood up from behind a bale of wheat straw. "It's me, Jim. I was told to come back here to the farm to check on you. How are you?"

"Me? _You_ are in great danger. Where are you living now?" Jim asked.

"I'm living in the forest. I'm a ghost to the world, but I'm doing well." Jasper reassured Jim.

"Somehow, I knew you would." Jim logically deducted with a proud fatherly smile. "Listen, I didn't want to have to tell you this, but in your absence, I've suffered another heart attack. The farm has fallen into a terrible state far worse than ever before and I'm not expected to live more than a couple more months, at best."

This news deeply troubled Jasper. He put his arms around Jim gently and held him. Jim seemed to really need the support but his strong German pride sniffed back the tears. Nudging Jasper, Jim stepped back.

"You cannot fix this anymore. My problems have grown beyond the reach of your good intentions. The police want you. The farm is lost. It's all over now." Jim looked at the floor with the remorse and defeat of a beaten man. "How are you surviving, Jasper?" Jim asked thoughtfully.

"I've been blessed with your training and of course, the company of Angels. I live far away in the forest where I'm building structures and supporting myself as the Angels instruct."

Jim had forgotten how ridiculous it all sounded, but because of Jasper's sincerity, Jim believed his friend just as he did before. Jasper was truly faithful.

"I've been altering my written 'last will and testament.' I want to do what's right with this farm though, I understand, it will have to come to an end with me. I have no one else to carry on my work and legacy. I want to split my savings between my daughters, but the fortune I once planned for them has become my deep debt. If I give to my daughters, possession of this farm and all equipment, perhaps they can auction it all off and make a little money. As for the livestock, the feed and the seed; I want it to go to you."

Jasper's mouth dropped open. "Me? How am I going to do that?"

"This gift, Jasper, you _must_ accept." answered Wilson, appearing behind Jasper.

"Of course, I cannot add your name to my will. You would come to collect and the authorities would nab you." Jim looked into Jasper's eyes and said, "You must take them, Jasper. You're the only one who will care for them as I have trained you to."

"When you say, the livestock, what exactly do you mean?" Jasper asked so he was perfectly clear.

"I want you to take every living animal that I have here on this farm, except Rusty." Jim explained with a nod of his head.

"I will need time to prepare for such an expedition." Jasper told him.

"No, Jasper, you must take them all tonight." Jim told him. "I give you all day to prepare, but tonight everything I mentioned must go."

* * *

In the coolness of the night air, all breath rose like the smoke from a chimney. Jasper and Jim gathered all of the animals together. One by one, they roped them all like a chain. The most tedious job was to tie the burlap sacks of feed and seed to the backs of the horses.

"Remember, I told you one of my little tricks." Jim spoke softly as he always did when he instructed Jasper. Suspecting he wouldn't see Jim ever again, Jasper would miss the way Jim taught, the most. "The chickens aren't doing well. Feed them some of the dry cat food. Cat food is a great source of protein for the chickens and they love it. They're beginning to molt, but keep them fed and their feathers will end up looking better than ever."

"Thank you, my friend." Jasper said to him. "The Angels tell me, you're greatly loved by God."

"Neither you, nor the Angels, know my past. There is too much there for the Lord to forgive. I haven't spoken of this for two generations, but in my youth, I was a Nazi." Jim lowered his head in grief.

Jasper listened to the Angel's response before he said, "My friend, the Angels, want you to know, the Gates of Heaven don't discriminate. If you draw near to the Lord, he will draw near to you. Do this and you will be spared."

A tear fell from Jim as he lifted his head and smiled at Jasper. "Thank you, boy. That was just what I needed. Now, I can rest easy until I breathe my final breath."

For the last time, Jim and Jasper worked together nourishing the animals and making preparations before the journey ahead. A special bundle of supplies was tied to the donkey's back. These supplies consisted of an axe, a saw, a few shovels, three hammers, matches, candles, bars of soap, eating utensils, pitch forks, aluminum buckets, a couple large cooking pots, filled with nails and a roll of wire.

Smiling, Jasper thanked Jim again, "You will be blessed for your generosity today." Jasper told him with a gleeful emotion of respect in his eyes.

"I know I'm doing the right thing." Jim replied. "I too saw Angels. I'm not sure if they were the same as your Angels, but long ago they told me how important it was to one day make sure you receive all of these things."

"By the Lord's hand, I will do what's planned for these gifts." Jasper told him.

Jim watched as Jasper left the farm by way of the path leading out toward the great mountain on which he would have to climb. At the lead of the long train of farm animals, roped together, Jasper diverted his path slightly taking a way down the shallow wide river. The Angels directed Jasper's path the entire way, keeping each of the animals calm and co-operative.

Jasper feared how to get the farm animals up the steep mountainside. The Angels had another route planned which was completely different from the one Jasper took the first time. The animals traveled in single file. The Angels helped to guide the livestock and keep them from a fatal miss-step over the steep ledge of their path. Taking the long way, the animals didn't have to be untied along the way. The distance up the mountain was full of switch backs that were unnoticeable until they were right on top of them. The path wasn't actually there, but the way was made known a little at a time by the Angels who guided them. It took the last half of the day to lead the slow moving animals all the way to Ceramecy.

When the caravan of livestock arrived to their destination, Jasper was directed to take the animals to pre-designated, fenced in, pens. The Angel, Taila had Jasper prepare such pens in preparation of this moment.

Back in Ceramecy, Jasper felt at ease. He was home; safe and secure. In this place, along with a feeling of purpose, he felt a sense of belonging, but not to the extent he felt in Heaven. It was like a temporary home. Looking forward to spending each day tending the animals, Jasper couldn't wait to get started.

The Angels managed everything Jasper set out to do and they controlled him so he was efficient in all he did. Becoming so efficient in fact, Jasper made time to construct dwellings by working on them at the last light of each day.

As with any situation, problems arose. Jasper faced the challenge of what he would do with such a surplus of food. He had trouble making enough clay pots to hold milk. Slaughtered animals had to be packed in snow or cooked to keep from becoming spoiled too soon. Eggs needed to be kept in a warm place and so did many animals.

The Angels had Jasper create more dwellings. These small log cabins were intended to be living quarters for other people. Able to see ahead to what was still to come, Taila told Jasper. "There must be eight dwellings in all." Each one was constructed against a sheer rock face. Within the tight little dwellings, the back wall was solid stone, but the other three walls were fabricated from logs. Notching the logs so they'd fit together at the corners, Jasper didn't peel off the bark. Filling in the cracks between the logs, with mud and moss, he was careful to keep the wind from entering. Each cabin had shutters for windows and a single wooden door. Heavy duty garbage bags were thoroughly utilized to provide waterproof roves; covered with dirt to insulate and protect. Using smooth river rock and clay, Jasper fashioned a fireplace for each of the cabins. The cabins were small, with a floor measurement no larger than eight feet squared.

Each night, Jasper would sleep in a cabin to be sure it was satisfactory before he decided it was finished. He made a fire in the new fireplaces to test them for defects. When the smoke came out through the chimney, the small cabins heated quickly. The warmth within contrasted the cold night air outside. If Jasper was smoked out of a cabin, he had to correct the problem before it passed as livable.

Between the business of collecting and preparing food, constructing and building things, praying and exercising, Jasper had to make time for gathering fire wood. The area under the rock overhang had become tight with firewood so it could remain dry.

After chopping down a series of tall trees, Jasper used the logs to build the structure of a spacious lean-to. The thick tall trees grew all in a row. When Jasper cut each of the tall trees down, they fell over against the high rock face. This created a large covered area where Jasper could protect the livestock like a barn. To insulate the dwellings he spent long hours shoveling dirt onto the logs. This would protect each habitation from the frost which was due.

At times the grueling work took its toll on Jasper. When the Angels required him to work long hours with no end in sight, he became frustrated. Jasper was, after all, in the middle of nowhere.

One day, Jasper asked the Angels, "With so much work to prepare this farm and even more to run it, why is it all up to me, one person, a nobody, to do it all? Is it really so important?"

Wilson tried to appease Jasper's frustration, "More will soon arrive to assist you."

"Right." Jasper said, "If I build it, they will come... That sort of thing?" he muttered under his breath, "Please understand." Jasper spoke as he greatly needed to get his aggravations out. "I am thankful that I have been blessed with the insight to see the spiritual realm, but it's also my curse. Wouldn't it be better to let others see what I see, also? If I could pass the torch, so to speak, you would have fresh strength to carry on this work." Jasper let out a breath that told of his fatigue. "I only ask for your counsel."

"We have power to refresh your strength when you need it most." Joel answered with a tone of encouragement in his voice. "Listen to your heart. That is now where these great truths abide."

"I have never been able to trust my own heart." Jasper responded, "It's subject to so many conflicts. I'm too easily impressionable to delusions, deceptions and selfish ambitions. It's always been hard for me to hear the Lord speaking to me above all this clamor."

"Many people have had eyes to see into the spiritual realm throughout history, either in part, or the same as you can. Most people deny seeing something supernatural. It is natural for people to grow dependent on their earthly eyes and ears. They miss out on all there is of the unseen world which is just as much a part of their lives as the things they see, hear and touch with their bodies." Wilson added.

Jasper submitted, despite his feeble understanding of the Lord's ways.

* * *

Each day, Jasper found a way with the help of the Angels to become more productive than the day before. Until one morning, Jasper awoke to find he had somehow slept in. His cold feet protruded beyond the reach of his blanket. He had become dependent on the crow of the rooster every morning, but this morning was without the all too familiar; _((-Cock-a-doodle-doo!-))_

The Angels didn't alert Jasper to any danger. He sat up and rubbed his tired eyes. As Jasper listened, he heard snorts of the pigs, the huffs of the horses and the cooing of the chickens.

The Angels weren't far away, as always. They were spending the morning talking to one another.

Jasper decided to fold his hands together and pray for a blessing on the day. As he did this, he opened his eyes slightly and noticed a light from Heaven was cast upon him. Wondering if this happened on other occasions when he prayed with his eyes closed, Jasper heard voices chattering in the distance. Finishing his prayer and opening his fog filled eyes, he looked around. Though the Heavenly light stopped immediately, the Angels were still at the edge of the stone cliff's ledge steeped in discussion as they watched the sun rise in the distance.

Oddly, the voices Jasper heard weren't coming from the Angels rather they came from the opposite direction. Craning his neck in response to who or what could be speaking, he tried to discern what was being said, but the words weren't clear, however, it certainly sounded like a conversation. Curiously, Jasper moved through the branches, following the perception of his ears through the camp. Nervously, he wondered if some people had found out his little operation. Then Jasper heard one of the voices distinctly use his name in a sentence.

After being led very near to the source of the mysterious voices, Jasper bent down low to keep himself concealed before crawling up against an embankment. Just about to peek over the edge of the rise, the Angels appeared around him. "Jasper!" Starr exclaimed, "Why do you feel threatened when there is no threat?"

"I hear voices, just over this rise." Jasper covertly whispered to them.

The Angels didn't even have to check to see what was on the other side of the rise. "There is no one speaking." Elana said with a careful knowing gaze.

"You're wrong; all of you. Now listen, carefully." Jasper said to them. "I distinctly heard a voice say my name."

In a moment of silence, while the Angels listened with Jasper, a voice from the other side of the rise distinctly said, "It is time for you, Jasper, to begin your work for the Lord. Your training is over."

The faces of the Angels went flush and their eyes widened with surprise. Suddenly clear; the Lord spoke a secret message for Jasper's ears alone. Jasper leaped up over the rise to uncover the source of the voice.

Curiously, Jasper found no one there beyond the rise. He found no one anywhere at all.

The faces of the Angels slowly rose up behind Jasper. Their armor shimmered and sparkled even brighter giving off their own light and it was lined with a crystal golden frost.

"Did you hear them?" Jasper asked, "Did you hear what they said?"

"We heard, Jasper." Wilson said.

"W-well, where did they go?" Jasper wondered, still searching the area with his eyes.

"What you heard, Jasper, was the voice of our Lord in Heaven." Wilson said, " _His_ message is for you."

"I know His voice anywhere. It's very distinct." Joel added as he searched the forest with his telescopic eyes.

Jasper just looked at them. Uncertain how serious or important the message was, he heard the faint sound of babbling voices again, just as he did before. Tilting his head to listen more carefully, only now, Jasper realized the sound was emanating from the babbling brook.

Leaving everything up to the Lord and His capable hands, Jasper accepted his calling to go into the city. It started out small but it quickly grew. As Jasper prepared himself for his journey, he felt himself become conditioned on the inside. He was drawn to full-fill the plan God had for him. It became clear, the best time to prepare his mind and his heart was while he tended to the farm animals. Only, this time the Angels instructed Jasper to use more feed than usual; much more. Ceramecy was organized to sustain itself for days while Jasper would be absent.

When everything was meticulously in order, the Angels wasted no time leading Jasper up to the lake. As dusk began to settle, the Heavens opened up to them like a swirling portal. The clouds opened revealing a rift to another place as it did in the hospital room and in Rose's bedroom. This time, they were outside where the open sky was filled with beams of God's radiant glory.

Like before, from the opening to Heaven above, the Tri-Guardian Angels; Emunah, Tikua and Ahava, descended as Jasper had seen them do in the past. Each of the Tri-Guardian Angels had mighty wings and glided with them vastly stretched wide.

The lake was perfectly still and as the Tri-Guardians descended they gently paused over the water weightlessly. The water wasn't disturbed in the least by the Guardians and their feet of polished bronze stopped short of touching the undisturbed water which remained still as a pane of glass.

As the Tri-Guardians moved, gliding over the lake, their rays of light shone so brightly, the illustrious beams bounced off the water's surface as though their reflections were cast off a perfect mirror.

Ominously, they approached Jasper and the six Angels. Held captive by the immense splendor of the Angels, Jasper stood frozen in fear. He was helpless in the presence of such greatness. The Angels drew near to the Tri-Guardians one by one and accepted items of shimmering silver from them. Unable to hold on any longer, Jasper fell to his knees upon the solid rock. Doing this in penitence, Jasper prayed for his soul to be spared.

Experiencing the presence of the Holy beings was overwhelming enough but Jasper felt his heart pound within his rib cage until it stopped and he was no longer living. When Jasper felt the presence of the Tri-Guardians pass by, the six Angels surrounded him.

Moving his hand to his chest, Jasper thought his heart really did stop, but what he found was his heart beating faster than ever.

"Stand up, Jasper." the Angel, Joel, spoke with authority, "Stand up!"

Jasper lay flat on his belly. Placing his palms to the cold stone he pushed to bring his weight up. Though a little wobbly, Jasper stood straight and tall.

"Now keep still, friend." Wilson told him.

The Angels began to dress Jasper in the spiritual symbols of the Armor of God. While they did this, Taila recited words of the Good Book. From Ephesians Chapter 6, verses 13 to 18.

"Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist." Joel added, before he buckled the golden spiritual belt of truth around Jasper.

"With the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." Charmatrien fastened the shimmering silver chest plate to Jasper's torso and slipped the boots upon his feet.

"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith." Starr adhered the pearl-like shield of faith to Jasper's left arm before adding, "With which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit." Placing the vibrant helmet of salvation upon Jasper's head, Wilson then tied the golden sword of the spirit to Jasper's belt. Then he continued, "Which is the word of God."

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." Taila placed her hand on Jasper's shoulder and her spiritual form began to brighten.

Elana approached Jasper and placed her hand on his opposite shoulder and said, "With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." her spiritual form also brightened. As the light of Taila and Elana grew, they raised their wingtips to point straight up. The shimmering spiritual items on Jasper were the full armor of God. They were sent from Heaven and presented to Jasper by the six Angels. Before Taila and Elana let go of Jasper, his armor also brightened with its own brilliance.

When all of this was said, Jasper found himself standing at the water's edge wearing shimmering silver armor and holding a sword and a shield. His eyes could see the ghostly armor, but it had absolutely no weight.

Elana moved in front of Jasper in a surreal dance which was both in slow motion and free of gravity. A long shawl of white silky tulle, coiled and moved around her without actually touching her or her magnificent wings. Elana looked at Jasper with an awe inspired expression. Each of the six Angels stepped out onto the lake and walked over the surface of the water. They called to Jasper to do the same. Jasper shook his head and declined, but the Angels persisted saying; "It is a test of faith."

Jasper finally agreed and took a step out to the water's surface. _'I know this test. I'm going to walk on water.'_ Jasper thought. His foot immediately sunk below the surface. Jasper closed his eyes and tried to concentrate as he lifted his other foot to the water's surface. He then slipped on the smooth rocks under his feet and fell into the lake with a great clumsy splash. _'Oh, no! I failed. What now?'_

Wiping the water from his eyes Jasper found five of the Angels still standing on the surface of the water looking at him. Joel wasn't with them as he sunk into the lake with Jasper.

"A great task has befallen to your capable hands, Jasper." From the shore, Taila spoke to him, no doubt with something of future insight to share. "You'll be ridiculed unto the end of your days for the sake of the Lord, God of the universe. Would you accept Jesus the Christ as your personal Savior?"

Jasper didn't hesitate to answer, "Yes, you know I will give up my life for the cause of God the Father, His Son and the Holy Ghost."

"Then in the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. I now baptize you in water, that you may begin your work here as a new being, who has dedicated his life to his Master and Creator." Joel's powerful words echoed off into the distant mountains.

Like a real manifestation of spirit interacting with matter, Jasper could feel Joel physically lower him backwards into the water then lift him out. Finding himself still clad in the spiritual Armor of God, Jasper climbed out of the cold lake. He felt strengthened, invigorated and renewed. Returning to his fire, he wasn't surprised to see it had reduced itself to mere red hot coals. Stacking the coals with tinder, the flames promptly revived and crept over each piece of wood as it grew. Drying himself next to the great blaze, Jasper relaxed next to the heat and prayed until he nodded off. Before he knew it, Jasper was sleeping soundly through the night, under the protective wings of his ever present and caring Angels.

* * *

Awakening to a soft song of Heavenly voices singing in a cascading crescendo, Jasper yawned and stretched. Unable to remember the last time he slept so soundly, Jasper was shaken when the Angels told him it was time to go. Uncertain what awaited his future, when the Angels called on Jasper, he obeyed.

It was early enough, the sun was on the verge of casting its first light and darkness was in short supply across Ceramecy. Jasper lit a torch from the few remaining coals and followed the Angels. While leading him to the animals Taila told Jasper, "You will be asked to choose from one of them."

Jasper wasn't sure what the purpose was and he certainly had no idea which animal he was expected to choose. The Angel Wilson said, "You must make a choice from the selection of livestock to accompany you on your Journey."

Jasper's unique sight settled on a young lamb with a white woolen coat. It sparkled with a brighter soul than the others. Tying a thin rope around the lamb's neck, the Angels immediately led them down the mountain.

When he heard the rooster crow from a distance, just before the sun began to rise, Jasper imagined it was the voice of Ceramecy calling out to him to return.

The Angels kept Jasper and the lamb moving along at a hastened stride. Again there was no apparent path to follow, but it was clear the Angels had a very precise direction in mind for him. When they reached the bottom of the mountain and came to a familiar shallow, but wide river, Jasper stopped for a moment so he and the lamb could have a refreshing drink.

Jasper cupped his hand and scooped the cool clear water to his mouth and sipped. He regarded the lamb who quietly lowered its head to the water to drink until it was content.

To Taila it looked like the lamb nibbled at the water's surface. She seemed to take a particular liking to Jasper's young lamb.

"I should find a name for you." Jasper spoke as he began to forge a friendship with the lamb.

There came a moment, as the lamb drank from the river, when Jasper felt the presence of the Spirit of Holiness. The golden morning sunlight reflected off the moving water and Jasper beheld the glory of the Lord shining down around the lamb who was wreathed in the bronze glow of backlit leaves.

"Destiny has a hand in all that is taking place this day." Elana said.

"The lamb is the perfect symbol of the Father's one and only son." Joel added.

Then Jasper heard the whisper of the Spirit of Holiness speak inside his mind telling him, "God the Son, the anointed, the Lord is with you." Jasper shot a look at the Angels.

The Angels had stunned pale expressions on their faces. Then they dropped down where they were into the river, forming a semi-circle, they bowed down and began to praise God. Their white wings stretched out, overlapping one another and by design, formed a feathered canopy.

Jasper felt the strong presence of the Spirit of Holiness very near to him. Unable to deny it; he too bowed down and began to praise the Lord.

It wasn't long before the Spirit of Holiness had lifted and Jasper, along with the Angels, rose up again.

Jasper looked over at the lamb. It was curled up and sleeping on a tuft of grass next to the river. "I'd like to name you _'Lotworld.'_ Short for; Light of the World. But that doesn't sound quite right for a name."

Taila approached the lamb and stroked its head, caressing it with a fond tenderness. As expected, the lamb didn't respond to the dear touch and adoration of the beautiful Angel. Turning her attention back to Jasper, Taila said, "I think Lotworld is a fine name, but perhaps you'd like to use the Hebrew word for 'Light of the World,' which is pronounced; Hayolam."

"Hayolam?" Jasper repeated. "Yes, I like the sound of it. This name gives me a picture of a halo around a lamb." Bending down and petting the lamb, Jasper said, "That's your name, little one. _Hayolam_."

The golden sunlight faded as a distant cloud moved in to block it behind its shadowy form. Jasper gathered the little lamb in his arms and carried it through the current; across the cold river. Setting the lamb down on the other side they continued on with the Angels.

Soon, Jasper came to the side of an old country road. When he climbed the embankment and stepped foot on the shoulder of the highway, he felt strengthened by the Angels.

Plucking a single feather from each of their own wings, the Angels began to use them like pens to scribe upon Jasper's skin and armor, words of victory from their Heavenly realm. Like the weapon of one Angel strengthens another, so Jasper was encouraged. Standing straight, holding his head high, Jasper started down the road. His spirit shined brighter than the sun. With his heart flooding over with joy, Jasper couldn't hide the big bright smile of teeth beaming from his face. This inspired the Angels and they smiled along with him.

The clouds moved in, covering the sky completely, but it didn't matter, Jasper brought his own sunshine with him. Becoming his own light of the world, Jasper's cloudy eyesight kept him from noticing the countless motorists passing him by.

Not one person stopped. No one wanted to get involved with someone who looked like a shady hippy. Too worried that he might be dangerous, no one seemed to care for the safety of a man walking along a busy highway. Nevertheless, the Angels proclaimed, "Jasper and his lamb are a great sign of encouragement for the people!"

Questioning this with no resolve, Jasper couldn't understand how, by not doing anything, he could encourage others. "With so much I want to give, how will I do _good_ without doing anything at all?" Jasper asked.

The Angel, Charmatrien, rather excited, responded to him, "You're a living symbol. The glory of the Lord is spiritually scribed all over you right now. Anyone who looks at you can see this, even though they can't actually see one letter of one word."

Examining his hands and arms, Jasper could see the glowing writing of Hebrew squiggles. Jasper smiled all the brighter. If his presence alone could make a difference then the Lord had performed a mighty work in him indeed.

The country road twisted around and finally came to an over-pass where it met with highway number one. Knowing which way to go even without looking at road signs or listening to the Angel's instructions, Jasper kept his feet to the shoulder of the road and continued on. Hayolam was especially nervous when any large commercial trucks passed by. The little lamb would rub its white fleecy coat against Jasper's dirty jeans in search of protection.

The main highway took Jasper through the farming community of Canuk'eh. So many vehicles zoomed past and Jasper tried to wipe the smile from his face, only the excitement and joy that filled him and lit his spirit on fire made it impossible to quit. Keeping his eyes set on the goal, Jasper didn't make eye contact with any of the motorists. Something awaited him in the city of Kingston; _'What was it?'_ Determined to find out, knowing the great distance ahead of him, Jasper considered how it would've been wiser to choose a horse instead of the lamb. With such vitality and love in his heart Jasper really didn't mind walking. He would've walked around the entire globe if the Angels asked him to.

Along the highway, Jasper walked past countless farming fields of corn, blue berries and other vegetables. Vehicles slowed down as Jasper did nothing more than walk his lamb. Because of curiosity, the vehicles continued to slow until traffic was being backed-up. Only a few drivers wanted to get a good look at Jasper and Hayolam. The other disappointed drivers were frustrated that it took so little to cause a distraction and waste their valuable time.

One man in particular was enraged that traffic was held up for such a long way. As the disgruntled driver passed by, he rolled down his window and shouted obscenities at Jasper, before spitting heartlessly.

What Jasper saw through his spiritually sensitive vision, was a man full of evil Demons. The man kicked his foot out hard and stomped his gas pedal to the floor. The driver's eyes were inflamed with the fires of Hell. Jasper even saw a large Demon behind the driver with its head poking out of the roof of the car. Turning the driver's head this way and that, like it was a steering wheel, the Demon recklessly drove the car. Clearly in control, the Demon groaned with a sound like the motor as it tormented the driver with a spirit of frustration. The actual motor wined as the tires squealed and spun like the feet of a cartoon character. Then it took off down the highway into the distance.

At one point, along the highway, Jasper heard the voice of Joel directing him to head off the road a short distance to a ten foot high billboard hat was blank of any ads. Using nothing more than the thick black mud that was pooling under the sign, Jasper began to unload the numbers and formulas that came with the dreams Joel gave him at night. At the top of the sign it read; 'Convert your vehicle to the recycled fuel method yourself and do your part to save our planet.'

Every vehicle that passed this sign took notice of it and understood its importance. Not as many pulled over and snapped a photo of the sign, but those who did loaded their pictures and videos to the internet and they went viral. Soon it was a phenomenon that swept the planet which led to reviews, discussions and self-help videos that took people through step by step to not only explain the information on the billboard, but how to actually create the recycling device for any vehicle. Most of the recycling devise was internal, but one tell-tale sign vehicles had at first was an accordion tube that came out of the fuel tank spout and ran under the chasee. When people were making money at it that was when it really became an explosive prospect. It was those who had something to gain from fuel profits who were hit the hardest because they had to pay.

By fueling your vehicle only once, after the modifications were made, drivers could recycle their fuel emissions (Exhaust fumes) and convert them back to fuel which refilled their tanks as they used it. No one had to return to the pumps to refill fuel and that was where the biggest problems came to light.

Bear in mind, Jasper had no access to a computer or TV and he rarely ever looked at a newspaper, so he had no idea what kind of effects he was having on the world and likewise, the world never knew who made the information available on the billboard in the first place, but it sure was instrumental at getting people to take steps to save the planet.

Do the math. A year's worth of fuel per tank became a cost savings for each and every person who converted to this fuel recycling system. People were hungry to get it done.

Months later mind you, but once this whole movement caught on, petrol companies were irate that people only headed out to the pumps once a year. It was enough to disrupt corporate gas giants and cause them to have a temper tantrum about all the money they were losing. The government sided with the gas companies and laws were drawn up to arrest and fine anyone who unlawfully tampered with their vehicle and added a recycling system to it.

The power to convert vehicles was in the hands of the people at first. It seemed it went straight to the people and by-passed the legalities of judiciary permission. It was a rapidly growing issue that government could not waste time on like so many other things. The gas recycling issue quickly became the top priority. With so many people in an uproar on the subject, the government came very close to declaring war on its own people. The government's opinion, in conjunction with gas and oil companies, vehicle insurance companies and car manufacturers was to convert vehicles properly and safely.

Later, scare tactics were made, whereby news media outlets were reporting instances where people who attempted this homemade altercation led to vehicle fires and explosions. Somehow, people were getting trapped inside their cabs and almost instantly the flames engulfed the drivers and passengers causing instant death by asphyxiation and intense heat flashes, especially in hot dry conditions. Everyone was told, 'no one is safe.'

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Jasper's hair needed a wash and so did his clothes. He'd been living in the forest for so long he lost track of the days. Though he tried to keep up on washing, his limited soap had to last. The stink coming from Jasper included the farm animals, manure and campfire smoke of Ceramecy.

He wore a dirty yellow baseball cap with a crest that read 'CAT.' Jim gave the hat to Jasper, claiming it was special.

As Jasper came through the community of Canuk'eh, he saw a sign that read, _'Welcome to Maplegrove.'_ " A short distance from this sign was another sign that read, "Kingston 65 Kilometers."

The sky was dark and gloomy with lingering thick and heavy rain clouds, but behind Jasper, the clouds began to open. Rays from the sun began to punch through from a powerful light source.

Tires could be heard screeching to a stop in the distance as more vehicles joined the traffic jam. The vision of Jasper with his lamb and the beams of light piercing the sky behind would've made a beautiful photo for a post card perhaps, but it would pale to the vision from Jasper's eyes. _'It's a shame no one else can see what is happening here.'_ Jasper pondered.

At a glance, Jasper turned in response to a rumble from the clouds and a trumpet blast which echoed over the land. There, in the sky, he saw a great multitude pouring out of Heaven to accompany him and his Angel friends on their long trek. As the clouds were being pushed back to open the skies, the light from the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven lit the edges of the clouds and it was as though the outskirts of the clouds radiated with a white fire. The Heavenly bodies of light descended ominously following Jasper's lead.

The growing town of Maplegrove was a rich residential community. It was fed by the money making machine city of Kingston. As Maplegrove grew, its residency expansion subsequently pushed back the farm lands that had established the plains long before.

A small compact car passed Jasper whose driver had a familiar face, only Jasper hadn't noticed. The driver took a good long look at Jasper as he drove past and recognized _him_. Pulling the car over to the shoulder of the road where it parked, the driver's door opened and a hefty driver rolled out shouting. "Jasper!"

Jasper stopped and turned around. It was Ned. "You _are_ Jasper, aren't you?"

"Ned, it's good to see you again." Jasper responded, happy to recognize his old friend despite the challenge his sight posed, only he wasn't being completely honest. Upon Ned's back was an infestive horde of little Demon Imps jumping in and out of him.

Ned studied Jasper's face. As he approached Jasper, Ned took a closer look at the lamb and Jasper's dirty clothes. After examining his white eyes and feeling a chill of guilt, Ned walked right up to Jasper and touched his beard. "Jasper!" Ned spoke with compassionate pity. "You could sure use a shave, a haircut and a bath, O'l buddy." he added with his best attempt at humor, though it passed off as inexplicably artificial. "Come on, I'll give you a ride home." offered Ned with gracious hospitality.

"No, Ned." Jasper raised his hand as he couldn't possibly accept his friend's offer. He wanted to explain he was on a mission for the Lord but he wasn't sure how to word his explanation convincingly. "I don't expect you to understand, but I'm working on something. I have a great work to do." Jasper struggled with what to say and how to keep from looking delusional.

"Wha? Oh, you mean, like a job, or a marathon or something?" Ned cleared his throat. "Jasper, your parents are worried sick about you." Ned exclaimed with concern. "Your mom, your dad and your sister are a mess. You're all they talk about. When they see you, everything'll be better. They'll be thrilled when we show up together. Whoa, hey, I can just give them a quick call right now with my cell phone."

Ned flipped open his small clamshell phone.

Jasper shot out his hand and covered Ned's hand over the phone. Their eyes locked for a second or two.

Ned was surprised by how much authority his old friend had in his white damaged eyes.

"You won't do this." Jasper told him. "My family is my past. I love them dearly, but I must move forward now. I cannot look back." Jasper slipped the phone out of Ned's hand. "As I told you; _I have great work to do_." Jasper let the phone fall to the ground. Then he crushed it under his heal.

"What's your problem, man?!" Ned shouted. He bent down and picked up the broken phone.

Jasper turned and began to walk toward Kingston again. "Well, I guess that's it then, huh? I'm just a part of your past too?" Ned waited a moment for an answer. When he found there wouldn't be one, he shouted, "I'm sorry, alright?!" Ned cried. "You think I like seeing you like this? I hate it! It should've been me that fell off that roof! Not you! This is tearing me apart to see you like this. Finding you wandering around on a dangerous highway in the middle of nowhere, almost completely blind?!"

Taila told Jasper, "Tell your friend, it is by your blindness he will see."

Jasper fixed his white eyes on Ned's hard gaze and repeated, "It is by my blindness you will see."

Now Ned was sure Jasper was talking nonsense. Placing his hands on Jasper's shoulders, his eyes became capable and beheld the magnificence of Heaven as it was unveiled behind him. Eyes widening, Ned could see the multitude of winged enlightened beings descend out of the radiant light of the cloud and gather behind Jasper.

Unable to catch his breath at the stunning display of God's true existence, Ned took his hands off Jasper. The moment he did so the vision was instantly lost. Quickly, Ned slapped his hands onto Jasper's shoulders once again. When the spiritual sight returned to him, he examined the six Angels closest to Jasper with greater clarity than Jasper was capable of.

In turn, each of the Angels smiled back at Ned. They nodded with an inhuman countenance of beauty, grace and peace.

Releasing his hold on Jasper's shoulders, the image once more disappeared leaving him alone with Jasper and his lamb again. Stunned by what he saw, Ned became a man of few words.

Jasper didn't realize Ned had an experience of any sort when he said, "It's not easy, I know. Tell my family, I love them, but they must let me go. Thank you, Ned. You've always been a good friend."

Calmly sitting back into his little car, Ned started the engine and drove behind Jasper. He protectively matched his walking speed. Backing up traffic more than ever in his lane, Ned was unable to take his eyes off Jasper. Replaying the vision of what he saw over and over in his mind, Ned tried to make sense of it. One thing he was certain of; something very exceptional was taking place.

Protected in a barrier orb of light, Joel flew down to Jasper and walked with him at his side to keep him company. Then Joel told him, "Jasper, when the presence of the Christ enters the battlefield, opposing warriors begin to exchange mortal wounds to atone for the sins of man-kind. Today, the Christ and his own great army will enter darkness and all who look upon this miracle will be blinded by the light."

The Angels soon strengthened Jasper with the encouragement of their voices as they sang;

Now is the time,

Open the Golden Gates.

Goodness beams on high,

We bring glorious rays.

Angels returning from Heaven,

We love and we care for the earth.

Angels returning from Heaven,

Proclaiming He of the virgin birth.

Messengers whispering Your name,

The loving Father invites you, "Come home."

Messengers whispering Your name,

Patiently waiting, "Come home."

The singing started out low, with just the six Angels who were three on each side of Jasper. Hosts from Heaven joined the song and it grew. Stringed instruments joined in also as did horns and drums. The music; so powerful, became louder than a street marching band; it grew and manifested into drums of war. Jasper could no longer contain himself from singing along. Shamelessly, he sang as loud as he could. Child-like Cherubs danced in flight around him. Gleefully they began play-fighting with, what looked like golden toy swords and enjoying one another's innocence. It was such a joyous occasion for Jasper that tears ran down his cheeks as he continued foolishly dancing and singing. The Spirit of Holiness entered Jasper's heart all over again and his bright smile returned.

As Ned looked on at his friend, he didn't think he was acting strange at all. Ned knew what Jasper was looking at and he was envious of it. Ned remained driving behind Jasper straight through Maplegrove until they reached the Portman Bridge. At the bridge the four lanes of traffic were condensed to two.

Jasper strolled across the bridge along the pedestrian sidewalk leaving Ned far behind in the rush hour of turtle paced vehicles. As he passed cars at the speed of a walking stride, Jasper kept his eyes set on the goal.

The goal, whatever it was, would be revealed within the monumental city of Kingston.

# CHAPTER 11

THE SKY SEETHED with undulating ghostly forms that floated serenely and darted across the firmament. Before Jasper stretched multiple roads which were packed with moving vehicles that branched off into a grid-like maze amongst a towering landscape of endless skyscrapers. The roads reminded him of blood vessels, pumping life into a living city.

Reaching the other end of the bridge, Jasper heard trumpets sound the call to battle. Drums rumbled loud like thunder and the voices from Heaven burst forth singing the song of Victory, Justice and Freedom.

Demons of every kind heard Heaven's drums of war. Panicking, the beasts scurried to hide in fear.

As Jasper began entering the city of Kingston, he marveled at the wickedness he saw here.

The Demonic forces had dug themselves deep into the lifestyles of the people who dwelt there. Leagues of countless Demons saturated the city. They were seeded amongst the towering buildings for as far as the eye could see. Each of the Demons carried different weapons. This was their method of delivering pride, self-righteousness, selfish-ambition, unrighteous judgment, and jealousy and they were highly active. Black arrows hushed through the air every which way and they always struck their intended mark.

At the center of the city lounged the giant embodiment of evil; the Accuser of the Brethren himself; the Devil. At one glance, seeing what was coming his way, Satan spun around and disappeared into the earth as though he had a secret spiraling staircase accessible to him alone.

The Angels, softly descending from the sky like snow, wove amongst other Angels who swooped in with silver wings. They whistled through the air, cutting it like razors. Drawing their swords, the Angels entered the metropolis with authority and force. Infiltrating the sinful city of Kingston, the warriors of light ventured deep into every dark shadow to extract the secrets therein. Accompanying the Angels were spears of glory in the form of light from Heaven. Like an aggressive cancer of good, the Angels thoroughly worked their way into every pipe, crevasse and corner of the city, dragging every bit of its infectious disease of sinitus into the bright exposure of light.

The enemy's weapons of treachery, accusation, gossip, slander and faultfinding were deployed in advance of the Demonic army in preparation of their main attack along with an added measure of rejection, bitterness, impatience, unforgiveness and lust. From the doors and corridors, in every direction, howling like monsters, the Demons charged out like some hideous legend of clan conquest. The smaller groups of Imp Scouts who headed out at the frontline were no less as dangerous as the groups of larger Demons who followed.

Jasper walked into the city, happy, confident and at peace despite the fast paced spiritual battle taking place around him.

Hayolam even seemed to have a spring in its young step as it trotted merrily along beside its caring master.

Jasper looked up at a nearby rundown building.

A bald angry man came to the window and looked down at him. He appeared to live a hard life and he was completely infested with Demons. This angry man was shirtless. He marked himself with tattoos and body piercings.

Jasper detected something else off balance about him; something deep inside.

Rising up and leaning out his apartment window, the angry man shook his fist and shouted, "What are you looking at! Get out of here and take your stupid goat with you, ya hillbilly!" The bald man shook his finger at Jasper.

' _He must've been hit'n the bottle too long today.'_ Jasper surmised.

Demons began to flow out of the complex with a concentrated, mind-shattering whoop.

What Jasper saw next was a man who had power to command the forces of darkness. A massive horde of countless Demons began to charge toward him. They growled, howled and gnashed their teeth. Chills riveted throughout Jasper's tensed body.

Beyond the crowd that flooded toward him, Jasper saw the six Angels disappear into the ground. Letting fear overtake him, Jasper looked at his spiritual armor and was surprised to find it had all but faded away. Wrapping his arms over his head he curled himself over Hayolam protectively. Giving up, Jasper waited for the Demons to attack and overtake him.

In the material world, Jasper was curled into a ball in the center of the street as a large delivery truck approached him. Physical and spiritual decimation bore down on him with no hesitation.

Six Angels sprang out of the ground with confident eyes of clarity and focus. They wasted no time to exercise their astounding abilities. Surrounding Jasper, the Angels opened their wide wing spans emitting a pure light of Holiness. Extending their wingtips straight up they were celestial symbols of God's stewards.

Determined Demons charged out of the shadows to pounce on the Angels in an attempt to snuff out their light. Then they'd take the prize by force; and the prize was Jasper.

At the last second, silver double edged sword blades launched out of each Angle's wingtips like switchblades. Razor sharp silver edges swooped down to meet the Demons. With incredible speed and agility, the Angels swung and slashed their swords. Holding the wingtip hilts of their swords, the Angles were able to weld their blades and hold back the festering wave of Demon attackers.

When the swords of the Demons came at too high a number, the Angels blocked what they could with their wings and wingtip swords. Letting go of their wingtips, the Angels surprised the Demons when they unsheathed the two swords from their belts. Light reflected from the sterling silver blades of the Angel's swords as they twirled and slashed with unparalleled skill and swift accuracy. Each Angel controlled four swords; one in each hand along with one at each wingtip to carve up twice as many agents of darkness than before and even the odds.

Joel conducted a complicated fighting style, called a dynamic flight series which was a combination of three sword wielding routines that combined the choreography of tumbling sequences and flight elements. With the assistance of his powerful wings he could throw himself into such lethal positions.

Engaging the elite offensive defense, Starr implemented an equally impressive fighting style that was universally the highest competitive choice.

The other Angels fused their own acrobatic tricks to their sword's play. Carrying out the practice of kicks and spinning leaps to their traditional freestyle techniques, they expressed a battle style of explosive nature.

The truck swerved around Jasper at the last possible moment. Pedestrians of the city shouted and screamed when they thought Jasper would be struck and killed in front of them. The wind velocity from the truck passing so close gave Jasper the courage to look around. Noticing the Angels surrounding him and protecting him, Jasper's strength and faith was quickly restored. His spiritual armor brightened when amidst the Angels, fighting back the darkness, Jasper arose with Hayolam in his protective arms.

Shadow Demons rose up out of the windows and from the crest of the roof tops. There, they shot arrows of pride at Jasper.

Thinking quickly, he lifted his spiritual shield, protecting himself.

The six Angels also lifted their own sterling shields and Jasper was spared from the poisons of the dark arrows.

Weapons of pride were sneaky. Often such an attack caused Angels and earthlings to fall great distances from grace.

The Spirit of Holiness put words in Jasper's mouth. When the arrows stopped, he lowered his shield and filled his lungs with air. "This city shall be purged of all darkness! Make way for the light!"

These words brought new found strength to the Angels and fear overcame the Demons, causing them to cower away at Jasper's voice.

Darkness was driven back as daylight lit up the city of Kingston. Morning light stabbed into the dark places. Screams of anguish rose up from the creatures of shadow.

Jasper closed his eyes and listened as the Angels carried their raid well off into the depths of the city. Regarding Hayolam in his arms, the warm woolen body of the lamb comforted Jasper. He scratched it behind its ear.

"Bahhh!" The lamb blurted. Its voice sounded like a small shaky infant.

Jasper opened his eyes again. Taking a deep breath, he began to walk into the city.

Worldly people of flesh had no idea of the battle going on around them.

The bald man broke abruptly out through the main door of the apartment building to meet Jasper face to face on the street.

Jasper saw a huge hooded figure behind the bald man. It wasn't clear what the hooded figure was up to but it certainly wasn't good.

"Behold I am about to cut you to pieces in front of all these people!" the bald man told Jasper.

The on-looking people could see a fight was about to occur.

"You will do nothing of the sort! I can see who you are... Who you really are... Puppet master..." Jasper couldn't help but make a scene.

Many people in the crowd suspected they were being entertained by actors. Stuck in the middle of two realities, Jasper carefully ducked and dodged out of the way of Demon swords and arrows.

Oblivious to the spiritual battle, the on-lookers were caught unaware by how they were being affected through what they saw. Sharing a sense of depression and irritation, none of the people in the city could pin-point exactly why they felt so edgy. Noticeably, it took very little to set people off angrily. It was virtually impossible to know that the invisible spiritual battle was the root cause of their negative emotions because rudeness in the big city was the norm. Those who didn't wear the full armor of God, which was most people, were wounded. Exposed wounds were stabbed again and again in the same place. Most people didn't wear any armor at all, so people who were struck by an arrow of gossip, began to gossip. Those who were stabbed with bitterness, became bitter and those who were bitten with the poison of lust contentedly lusted.

Jasper's eyes widened when the figure behind the bald man tore off his cowl. At first, Jasper thought he was looking at a werewolf, but despite his dog-like appearance, it was Satan. Jasper recognized him. After his accident this was the first spiritual creature he saw slinking away into the darkness; Goat-like curled horns of ivory grew from above the temples of his head, sharp white teeth protruded from his wide mouth, hate filled yellow eyes marked him for dead and dark thick hair grew from his reddish brown skin. His long and lanky body was both reptile and mammal.

Jasper described the Devil to look like a dragon mutated werewolf with the gossamer wings of a bat. The sight of the Prince of Darkness needed no introduction. Tufts of black hair defined the malignant features of despise and displeasure. The yellow haunting eyes of Satan locked onto Jasper as a cold chill ran through him. The slithery forked tongue licked his chops with a hiss as he controlled the bald man like a puppet.

Shouting, the bald man pointed at Jasper and said, "How dare you come to my city like you own it?!"

The six Angels were clearly busy with their own confrontations. The sheer numbers behind the multitudes of Demons were on the move and it was important to keep them moving in order to drive them out of the city.

"You lead a blatant attack!" the bald man spat at Jasper. "Whatever happened to knowledge and defense?"

Wilson shouted to Jasper, "You cannot use the same method as your enemy if you are to succeed at defeating them."

Jasper nodded at Wilson, understanding what he meant. Then he turned back to the bald man and boldly announced, "We didn't come here to win a battle! We came to cleanse this city of your filth!" Spiritually, Jasper's white eyes flashed with light.

The bald man fell backwards but he didn't stay down. Approaching Jasper, the bald man said, "Another pagan-like excuse from the so-called 'enlightened,' to start a war!" Then the bald man growled, "The greatest joke is on you for the blackest heart of darkness is shrouded in the light you believe in so faithfully." Then the bald man added, "Take heed when you think you stand, lest you fall." Jasper was surprised by these words and the bald man knew it. "What? Should you be shocked that I too know scriptures?" Satan spoke through the bald man.

It appeared Jasper was about to be defeated amidst a moment of self-doubt. The Angel's attention focused a little more on Jasper and his situation. They knew better than to interfere.

Jasper felt his loyalty and faith were being tested. "I see through your attempt to deceive me. All you want to do is weaken my faith before God; but this isn't that day!" Sitting up quickly, Jasper's eyes flashed again but more intensely this time. "The Lord sets prisoners free!"

The bald man turned away covering his eyes with his hands, "Yauhrrugh!!!" he shouted when he realized the flash-burn had taken his sight.

The crowd of people cheered and clapped believing Jasper and the bald man were advertising a scene from a new live play. Some people in the crowd recorded the show with their phones, until it was clear, Jasper wasn't acting.

Jasper reached out and called when he realized the bald man was endangered.

Stumbling backwards out into traffic, the bald man was instantly struck by an oncoming motorcyclist. Wailing in defeat and pain, both the bald man and his master, Satan, fell to the road in their own embarrassing defeat. As they screamed, Satan crawled away like a wounded dog and disappeared into the darkness of the city.

The motorcyclist stood up to reclaim his bike, but the bald man remained on the road, face down, not moving. Then blood began to pool on the street around his head.

The motorcyclist removed his helmet and announced, "This man is dead! Call 911!"

As a wash of guilt crashed down over Jasper, he called out in broken despair. "Angels, Angels, what have I done?!" Imperceptibly, the Angels gathered around Jasper. "The mission has failed. I broke one of God's commandments and killed someone. Oh, no, I'm going to Hell for this for sure!"

"Calm your mind, my friend." Joel said quickly. His voice was as steady as a surgeon's hand.

"Have faith not fear. Do you regret this act?" Wilson asked.

"Yes, yes of course I regret it!" Jasper told them. He felt lower than the dirt.

"Do you regret it for your sake or for the sake of this fallen man?" Taila asked.

"I-I guess for both our sakes. Oh, no, how could this've happened?"

Starr opened her arms and wings as she rose before him, her demeanor brightened then she said, "Get down on your knees and pray for forgiveness!"

Leaning forward, Jasper did just that. "Lord, hear my prayer! Forgive me Father for taking this man's life!" Opening his eyes and looking up at Starr in all her radiance, Jasper said, "Amen!"

Starr's head turned downward in an instant and her eyes opened emitting an intense light. Jasper thought he was about to be ridiculed for uttering an inadequate prayer by her standards, but instead, her radiance subsided and she asked, "How do you feel?"

"Terrible." He answered.

Star left him with this final statement, "When you can find it in your heart to forgive yourself, so then the Lord your God will forgive you also. Believe that you are forgiven and this mission won't have failed because of this."

When Jasper left the area with the bald man still laying on the street, people began to show a growing concern. Finding real blood coming from the bald man's stomach the call was put out for emergency assistance. The bald man was in serious need of medical attention.

Before the ambulance arrived, the bald man regained consciousness and arose long enough to regurgitate the Demons out of his body and stumbled out of the city of Kingston, never to return.

* * *

From the midst of the city, the Demons marched out into the open with a huge bat-like beast bound in chains.

The bat-like Demon was the most hideous of all the Demons in Hell, not including the Devil himself. It screamed insanely when it caught sight of the six Angels who came and surrounded Jasper in a semi-circle at his back. Out of its mind and insane with hate and vicious rage, the creature pulled hard against the barbed chains that secured it. The shackles that chained the bat-like beast were released and the wild creature was at last, set free.

The creature took a few wide strides toward Jasper with its long lanky legs, before it stopped and screamed wildly. A conflict within its mind enraged frustration. Its large bony hands lifted to its head to augment its noise. With such a long tongue it couldn't communicate by forming words.

"Stand your ground!" Wilson commanded the others.

Mysteriously, the bat-like Demon turned from the Angels and began to attack its own kind. He applied direct and forceful action. He was stronger and more agile than the other muscle bound Demons.

Manifesting from all over, more demons worked hard to wrestle the thing to the ground, but the bat-like Demon wasn't so easily overtaken. It was manic, wild and terrifying. Fighting back hard, it struck the surrounding Demons with impressive speed and strength. Grabbing the Demons and tossing them away, a horde of the relentless little Imps climbed up on the bat-creature. Dark blades of countless Demons began cutting at the bat-creature.

The whole scene was a bit unsettling and counterproductive. Though the scene was a mesmerizing display of wild and confused disorganization on the Demon's part, the Angels still had to deal with the looming prospect of their problem.

Jasper was the first to recognize the bat-Demon. He pointed at it and said, "That's _West_ , isn't it?"

The Demons managed to recapture the bat-Demon as they shackled it once more in heavy, black, tight-fitting chains.

The Angels heard Jasper's question and reacted with startling realization, "West?" Wilson echoed with a tone of denial in his voice.

Joel shot an arrow at West to strengthen him. His white hot arrow pierced his chest, embedding deep to his core, but the effect was quite the opposite as the bat-Demon reeled and toiled in pain.

West composed himself and looked at the arrow sticking out of his mid-section. Gripping the burning feathered end of the enemy's arrow, West tore it out fast.

"West!" Jasper boomed out loudly with Hayolam held tightly in his arms. He began to run toward West. The Angels also began to dart toward their fallen comrade with astounding speed, but they were too late.

Using their swords and conflicting talents in combination with their other miraculous abilities, the Angels managed to defeat and fight off all of the Demons who held West's chains. Finally, they had him. The hearts of the Angels were encouraged to bring their friend someplace away from the battle to cut his chains, free him and change him back to the West they knew and loved. Sensing a strange aggression within West, the Angels used caution.

Taila, Starr and Elana tried to touch West and speak to him and he began to growl a warning in response. But when Joel, Wilson and Charmatrien lifted the heavy black chains, West pulled back in a vicious manner before roaring at his friends with all his might. The anger and hatred he projected was so powerful, the Angels were dumbfounded.

"West..." Wilson said speculatively, "What have they done to you?"

West looked at each one of his old friends in turn as a tear fell from his eye. He tried to reach out to his Angel brethren before a massive amount of Demons swarmed in and pulled West away by his chains. It appeared West willfully went along with them into the shadows. He displayed no sign of resistance as they disappeared under the surface of the earth.

Stunned, the six Angels turned to one another. Looking into each other's eyes and seeing they were all rattled and distracted by their encounter with West, they looked to Wilson for either an answer, an encouraging word or some form of instruction. They'd settle for anything at that point.

"The enemy is clever and knows an opportunity when he sees one." Wilson started to say but there was no time for more.

Satan appeared charging toward Jasper. His batwings flapped ferociously as he plunged a long spear into Jasper's stomach.

Crumpling forward, Jasper collapsed to his knees, but he quickly realized he felt no pain. Not affected by any assault of the enemy, except for what he perceived, Jasper arose to his feet and peered up at Satan.

The expression of the great deceiver quickly changed from hatred, to that of being surprised and vulnerable.

Because of this, the entire evil horde focused its attack on the six Angels of Light.

Unpredictably, a flaming blade of a double edged sword protruded from Jasper's chest. Whoever stuck this into Jasper did so from behind him.

The incident reminded the Six Angels of West's demise.

Satan's spear dissolved to dust and dissipated.

Still the flaming blade of the sword remained. Such a terrible infliction, convinced Jasper that he was finished. To his surprise, the long fiery blade that jutted out of his chest didn't stop his heart, it empowered him.

The sword belonged to Joel, a powerful Angel protector. Passing right through Jasper's torso the Angel intended to slew Satan. Lunging his flaming blade forward, Joel, a warrior of peace, stabbed the Prince of Darkness right between the eyes. With his feet soaring over his head in a limber gymnastics-style maneuver, Joel somersaulted over Satan and took his flaming blade of steal with him.

"The dead cannot kill the dead!" Satan screamed.

Landing behind the fiend, Joel said, "Right, but you can still know pain and torment. Time for you to take some of your own medicine!"

The other Angels surrounded Satan and cut him with their flaming swords which also flashed about. The Angel's fiery swords carved through Satan's cold heart.

The screaming hiss from the Devil's werewolf face curdled Jasper's blood. The long dragon-like body writhed as he tried to hold on as long as he could, but for this round he was defeated.

Steeling himself to face the Devil and all of his debauchery, Joel managed to temporarily banish Satan to the realm that he would one day occupy for all eternity. The spirit of Satan dropped through the ground and fell a great distance through the earth to its center core. There, Satan didn't stop until he plummeted all the way to the unquenchable fires of Hell.

The six Angels surrounded Jasper like protective body guards. After the great battle, the ground was littered with spiritual weapons of both good and evil. Jasper was appalled by the secular carnage. Many Angelic warriors were badly wounded, but none could die.

Jasper conscientiously commented curiously, "There are never any spiritually dead?"

"Be them Angel or Demon, each with an eternal soul, neither is ever able to vanquish the other entirely. Death comes but once, then the judgment." Joel explained to Jasper. Looking up they both noticed a powerful Demon appear through a brick wall and charge at them ready to attack with a large black, burned spear.

It was one of the Insufferable Six, Vyxcious. A zone of cold air surrounded it and all that it touched became writhe with frost.

Valiantly, Joel stood in front of Jasper to protect him. Reaching for his quiver of arrows, he found it empty. Picking up one of many dark arrows strewn amongst his feet, Joel noticed it was an arrow of pride. He loaded it into his bow and pulled back on its stiff line, but Joel was out of time. Without thinking or deciding, Joel launched an arrow of the enemy. As he saw the arrow penetrate the air, he reasoned, _'If I am denied a choice in this situation, then I am forced to use the enemy's weapon against itself. The rules behind this circumstance will bend for me, won't they?'_

Shooting the arrow at the enormous Demon threat, Joel silently prayed he was doing the right thing. It didn't take long before he realized he'd just made a big mistake.

The arrow hit the targeted Demon square in its wide chest making the huge Viking, Vyxcious, stronger and more destructive.

Joel knew the Holy Spirit of God was disappointed in him, but as Vyxcious slowed to absorb the power and great strength, he raised his fists and roared. The howl of the beast was the most fearful and harrowing of all beastial sounds he'd ever heard. The savage voice echoed into the distance.

Joel used this moment to hold his fists of fire out at the menacing creature and disperse a storm of active blessed fire at Vyxcious' chest.

The Demon screamed in the scorching Angel's fire and swung his spear around. Almost by accident, Vyxcious struck Jasper with the spear.

Letting go of the rope he used to leash Hayolam, the impact of the powerful Demon physically threw Jasper from where he stood.

People nearby saw Jasper's body hurtle through the air and over cars as he crossed the street.

Taila, Starr, Elana and Charmatrien worked hard to ease Jasper's landing. His body was directed to a pile of black, roadside garbage bags.

Burned by Joel's potent blast, the creature recoiled and flew as fast as it could to escape being burned again. When Joel saw Vyxcious reconsider his decision to flee, he blasted the Demon again, but with such a tax of his power, he became immeasurably drained. Looking at Jasper, Joel said, "You see? Your lesson for today; don't use the enemy's weapon against him or you risk making him stronger." After saying this, Joel let his head drop for a moment of rest.

Not physically affected by the Demon's spear, thanks to his impenetrable armor of God, Jasper rolled over in the garbage to address the Angels. With wild amazement in his eyes and breathing heavily, Jasper asked, "Where to next?" Closing his eyes, Jasper thought. _'I've never liked the city. It's too busy for me. Too loud; too stinky...'_ Then he asked Joel, "You know, I'd be able to think better if I wasn't so distracted by my hunger. If I ask you for food, will you show me where to find some edible plants?"

"We'll guide you to a food source. Not so natural, but no less miraculous." Starr reassured Jasper.

The Angels pointed their fingers all at once and in the same direction; to the east. Jasper looked off in the distance they pointed. Squinting, he saw a door at the bottom of a building with a lineup of people outside of it. Hayolam happily trotted down the sidewalk to Jasper and they walked down the road to the cross walk. Walking past the door, Jasper saw a paper sign which read; _'Mission's Outreach Supper. Jesus Welcomes You.'_

Jasper walked to the end of the line-up with his lamb.

The other waiting people watched him carefully. The people of the line were truly needy. Each of them had drawn faces that were lined with stress creases. Their eyes told stories of their hard lives.

Jasper felt compassion for each one of them.

Amongst the people was a festival of spiritual activity that only Jasper's eyes could detect. Such a mix of Demon and Angel commotion stewed together in the current of colourful emotions.

It was a sight like nothing Jasper had never seen before.

"What's tonight's special?" someone hollered from the line-up. "Is it lamb chops?" Some people laughed, but not as much as the old toothless man who barked the question.

At those words, a Demon's arrow of bitterness came whistling out of the shadows. Darting between the crowd of people and Angels, the arrow found its destination when it embedded into Jasper's chest.

People turned to look at Jasper and his lamb.

"Bahhh!" Hayolam responded.

Smiling at Jasper, especially the ladies, Jasper warmly smiled back but he didn't keep eye contact with any one of them for long.

With a subtle signal, Jasper called Charmatrien to approach him. Whispering in the Angel's ear, he asked. "Am I supposed to be here?"

"Of course you're supposed to be here, otherwise you wouldn't be here." Charmatrien answered.

"What I mean is; what is my purpose for being here?" Jasper prodded.

"You're hungry. Get a free meal; eat." Charmatrien answered, still clinging to his surreal expression.

"And what? Is that it? Just get some grub? Is there nothing more?" Jasper tried to keep his voice low but because of the cramped line up, people couldn't help but hear him grumbling questions to himself. In this place, no one was surprised. The way Jasper looked and smelled, he fit right in. A few elderly ladies turned to glance at his haggard appearance; but they weren't smiling anymore.

Wilson appeared next to Jasper, "Inside this place, the person you see me standing behind is the one you are to meet."

"Someone? Who?" Jasper came back inquisitively.

"You'll know. The person will find you and your keen perception will see the person is special, but for now just relax and find something to eat." Charmatrien tried to ease Jasper's obscured curiosity but it was the opposite result.

When Jasper's turn came to enter the doors, a greeter's smile fell off his face before he told him. "Pardon me, son, but you cannot bring a pet in here."

Jasper held the man's attention with his white murky eyes, "Please sir, the lamb guides me and I am so hungry. Don't rob a poor blind man of his eyes."

"Come on, he's clearly blind! He depends on his pet. Besides, I like his lamb." A tall stocky man from the line said.

"Yeah, have a heart!" spoke one of the ladies. More comments came from other compassionate souls.

The mission's outreach greeter studied Jasper up and down. Authentically poor and desperate, Jasper fit the bill. Not only did Jasper appear to need a bath, _badly_ , but by the condition of his hands and fingernails, he was obviously a man who'd been through some sort of extreme difficulties. "What is the name of your lamb?" the greeter asked.

"I call him, _Hayolam_." Jasper answered the man. Reaching down, Jasper pet the lamb's soft woolly head. "His name means, the light of the world."

The volunteer snorted a laugh as he shook his head and looked at the ground. Looking at Jasper again and noticing his sincerity, he responded, "If he leaves any droppings, you'll be expected to clean it up and depart from here immediately."

"Oh, yes, sir. He is very clean, sir. Thank you, sir." Jasper expressed gratefully and with humility as he sidestepped into the building.

"You _will_ clean it up!" The volunteer sternly repeated.

"I will, sir. Yes sir. Thank you, sir." Jasper agreed whole heartedly. Shuffling inside with the others, Jasper quickly found a place at a table. The food smelled wonderful.

Arrows of Demons flew from the shadows, crossing the room randomly.

Not far, the volunteers had already prepared a line of assorted warmed metal containers of food. There was mashed potato, potato salad, pork flavored spuds and bean potato soup, yam burgers, potato chips and French fries.

When Jasper's table was called, each person received a full plate. Everyone had a choice of their favorite potato for desert. Choosing a beverage from their selection of potato juice or water, Jasper took a bottle of farmer fresh potato skin juice before returning to his table.

Through everything, Jasper continued to shine with happiness. Pleased to have a meal prepared and cooked for him, Jasper was about to eat, when one of the volunteers signaled him not to do so.

The main speakers squawked with a little feedback from the tall speaker boxes. Then a voice of the function spoke to everyone, "Don't eat before the others have been seated, please."

When everyone was seated, an aged Pastor stood up at the microphone and prayed for a blessing over all the people, their food and the evening. With a panoramic sound from every mouth, everyone unanimously said, "Amen."

Jasper savored every bite but the taste of so much potato reminded him how much he missed the taste of fresh baked beans, soup and hotdogs.

Hayolam was quite still at Jasper's side.

Little did Jasper know, some of the poor people who sat near him, slipped food under the table to feed his lamb.

A Demon arrow of hopelessness flew past Jasper's head and hit a sad man through the temple of his head. The sad man's scalp already looked like a pin cushion of dark spiritual arrows already.

Another man beside him had a Mohawk row of arrows sticking up down the middle of his head.

One person, who sat directly across from Jasper, ate everything off his plate except the pork and beans. He set his plate down on the ground inconspicuously and nudged it over to the lamb with the toe of his shoe. Hayolam ate all of the beans and then he began to eat the paper plate. The person across from Jasper ducked under the table and wrestled his plate out of the lamb's mouth.

Jasper ducked his head under the table to see what the commotion was. It was dark so he couldn't see much.

The man at the opposite side of the table came up with his crumpled paper plate. "Your pet _sure_ is hungry." He said with a smirk and a shrug of his shoulders.

"You're feeding my lamb? Please sir, I don't want to get kicked out of here." Jasper explained with concern.

"In these days of ours, you'll be thanking me for fattening it up for you." The repugnant man stood up from the table and walked off.

Jasper felt terrible, holding his lamb tighter.

A Pastor who headed the outreach was making his way around visiting from table to table. He wanted to introduce himself, greet new faces and offer some enlightenment to the poor souls who came to take part in the meal.

Looking up, Jasper saw the Pastor.

Behind the Pastor, young Wilson glided to a stop, folded his wide perfect wings then turned to smile at Jasper.

' _This was the one.'_ he realized.

When the Pastor saw a man had left a seat vacant across from Jasper, he immediately made his way to sit down there. "Hello, sir. God bless you." When he noticed the white blinded eyes of Jasper, he quickly found a new focal point and acted like he knew nothing of Jasper's condition.

"And God bless you, Pastor." Jasper replied sincerely.

"Yes, he does so daily, thank you." The Pastor noticed Jasper was almost finished his meal.

Wondering, if this was the person he was supposed to be looking for, Jasper figured this would certainly be an unexpected candidate.

"My name is Pastor Reed." He held out his hand, welcoming Jasper. "And you are?"

"I'm Jasper." he reached out his hand and shook the Pastor's.

Smiling, still shaking hands, the Pastor said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Jasper. I don't believe we've met. Have you attended one of our outreach meals before?" A gleam in the Pastor's eyes revealed he saw something special in Jasper right away.

"No, this is my first time here." Jasper answered. "Actually, it's my first time ever to attend something like this."

"Just passing through? Visiting someone special?" Though the Pastor seemed to be of a tolerable sort, Jasper wasn't completely sure about him yet.

Certain that the person he was sent to meet was Pastor Reed, Jasper said, "Actually, the person I'm here to meet, coincidentally, is y..."

Jasper was cut off by a man in his mid-fifties. "Good evening everyone." He spoke into the microphone in front of those who attended with a heavy Croatian accent but Jasper could understand him well enough. "I am Pastor Vidmar for those of you who're here for the first time. God bless you all. It's our pleasure to serve you this evening. What a glorious sense of passion you can feel when the Lord fills our hearts with blessings for the simple act of giving. It's my privilege to give. As it's your privilege as well. The Lord knows all about this. Jesus gave so much when he was here on earth walking and talking amongst us; and he's still giving today, Amen?"

Voices from other tables repeated, "Amen."

"I am reminded of the story of when Jesus fed the five thousand. I mean, all they had was five loaves of bread and two fish..." Pastor Vidmar continued on with his message and he read from his Bible, the book of Mathew, Chapter 14, Verses 13 to 21.

Meanwhile, Pastor Reed turned back to Jasper, but before the Pastor could ask his question again, Jasper asked, "So, how long have you been a Pastor?"

"Oh, not very long actually. In fact, I'm not a certified Pastor yet. I am a Pastor in training." He seemed a little sheepish but he gathered his confidence quickly, "I'm here to help out, but the experience from nights like this will help to shape me for the long term. So, I'll apologize now, if you find I falter as a Pastor later."

"I'll forgive you now, if you do something you regret." Jasper told him.

"Thank you, Jasper."

The six Angels began to mingle with the other Angels in the room. The other Angels were there discussing the great battle in the city. Shimmering warrior Angels passed through the hall also but mostly the Angels were guardians. Each one of the guardians watched a specific person. The poor are privileged in the eyes of God, though the poor rarely know it. In the midst of the dim lighting, at the center of the room, amongst the poor folks and the invisible Angels, stood a radiant light of God's Holy Spirit.

From the shadows, Demons continued to cowardly shoot arrows of hopelessness, bitterness and stress at the poor. Such attacks of darkness were difficult for the Angels to thwart.

Taila bent down so her mouth was near Jasper's ear. As she spoke, Jasper repeated everything she said, "Have you not prayed for the Lord to direct you in something meaningful?"

A sudden volley of different Demon arrows came darting across the room. From the surrounding Angels, a counter attack initiated. Arrows of light dazzled the darkness with peace and love to calm the ambiance. Such Angelic arrows struck the Pastors, lifting them emotionally. But the efforts of the Angels were outnumbered by the darkness.

Still, despite what Jasper could see, he continued speaking to Pastor Reed and he continued to repeat the words he heard from Taila, "Tell me if I'm wrong, but you deeply want to contribute to a cause that will change the world profoundly."

Pastor Reed seemed uncomfortable as Jasper became louder and the people from the other tables began to take notice of the growing scene.

"Now God calls on you. Do you hear Him?" Jasper asked.

"I'm being called?" Pastor Reed asked humorously. Looking from side to side he felt rather embarrassed as he was sure he was a victim of Jasper's embarrassing joke. Judging by Jasper's shaggy appearance, he could only imagine what his level of sanity was. Still, he seemed tolerably well in hand.

"Yes, leave your belongings behind." Jasper's voice began to almost mesmerize the Pastor. "They won't be of any value to you or your mission. You will be leaving your entire life behind." Jasper explained from Taila's instruction.

Young Pastor Reed shook his head a little to clear his mind. Smiling, he couldn't contain a chuckle. He had no intention of following this dirty bum anywhere. However, the Pastor could clearly recall asking the Lord, in prayer, to recruit him into His service and make the world a better place, but he didn't expect it to happen like this. For all he knew, it could be a ploy to lead him into a life threatening situation.

"Come! Anyone who feels called!" Jasper continued, now addressing everyone. "You are invited to follow the Lord, all of you who hunger and thirst, and you will be filled."

Having captured the attention of everyone in the room, Jasper stood up with his lamb nestled in his arms.

Pastor Vidmar wasn't happy to have his sermon interrupted.

A short man with a weathered face and a scraggly dark beard shouted, "Why would we be hungry? We just ate!"

Then others ridiculed Jasper for interrupting the Pastor. No one took Jasper seriously, not even Pastor Reed. Someone threw food at Jasper. A glob of mashed potato slapped against the side of Hayolam's face.

People laughed.

Jasper scooped the food from the side of his lamb's head. The slop had worked its way into the lamb's wool. With what Jasper held in his hand, he threw it back in the direction it came.

Big mistake!

The room erupted into chaos. For the poor, it was just a food fight, but Jasper yelled out in fear and ducked under the table. He saw countless Demons spring out of the shadows. They attacked with bows, slings, swords, and fire-balls of negativity.

The Angels retaliated with their own arsenal of effective weaponry. Food, arrows and other projectiles crossed paths throughout the room.

Jasper saw spiritual weapons affected the poor but the food that was slung passed through the bodies and heads of both Demon and Angel.

Jasper wanted to flee but there seemed to be no escape when the room erupted into a full blown food fight.

Pastor Reed took Jasper by the arm and forcefully escorted him out the main doors where he effectively shoved Jasper out.

"This is no place for pranks young man." scolded Pastor Reed.

"I'm not playing a joke and I'm not crazy. _You_ are mistaken!" Jasper told Pastor Reed. Setting his lamb down on the sidewalk, Jasper turned back to make a final statement to the Pastor, "I will be back tomorrow morning just after sunrise. Perhaps we can do breakfast. This time, you're going to be looking for me." With that, Jasper tugged the rope slightly to signal the lamb it was time to go and he walked Hayolam away.

Perplexed, Pastor Reed watched Jasper as he walked away. _'For a blind man, he sure seems to look around a lot,'_ the Pastor noticed.

Jasper spun his head about as though there was much to see and be aware of. He even pointed to things like he was talking to someone other than his lamb.

Looking on, the Pastor observed Jasper until he and his lamb had walked off beyond his sight.

Two Angels remained behind from the rest to stay with Pastor Reed. Joel and Starr worked on the Pastor's heart so he would think about Jasper's offer.

During the rest of the day, Pastor Reed would see visions of Jasper's white eyes flash before him. Not only did he feel haunted by the flashes of Jasper's stare, he would hear whispers of the Angel's emotions. Between his own inner voice, the Pastor struck-up quite the heated debate within his heart. He couldn't shake the dispute no matter how hard he tried. He wanted to distract himself with reading, television or prayer. The Pastor's sub-conscious thoughts always returned to a moment of wrestling with the idea of pursuing Jasper or letting such a fantasy go.

Little did the Pastor know, Joel was whispering to his thoughts through his left ear while Starr whispered to his thoughts through his right ear. The only time Pastor Reed felt any peace was when he submitted to the suggestion of following Jasper.

# CHAPTER 12

THE ANGELS WERE PLEASED with Jasper, though Jasper couldn't understand why. He felt things were going miserably, but all of this was forgotten when Wilson told him, "Go further down the street and into the city without us. We have some business to attend to, but we will be along later. I'm sure you can take care of yourself for a spell."

Any other time it would encourage Jasper to have some time on his own, but the catch was just that; the Angels wouldn't be with him this time. The spiritual battle in the city was often very intense. Jasper trusted the Angels completely and followed their instructions to the best of his ability, no matter how bizarre their advice was at times.

Unable to contribute or affect the war very much by his physical means, Jasper tried to make his way down the road like any other person who had little connection to the spiritual realm. After about two blocks, Jasper just wanted to find a shortcut down the road.

Still guiding Hayolam with the leash made of rope, Jasper crept past a Chinese food restaurant where he saw a dark side-alley next to it. The narrow path was a tight separation between the tall buildings. A heavy breath rolled forth like a deep growl. The long breath sounded like it came from a giant beast of some sort. Jasper was just about to pass it all by when the breath drew out speech.

"Jasper... You trespass on Unholy ground... Enter here and I shall show you evil... The likes of which you have never experienced before..." came the evil groan.

Jasper peered down the dark alley. Deep within the darkness, he saw the flash of evil yellow eyes. The eyes only flashed for a second. Thinking they were fearful and trying to avoid him, confidence filled Jasper's heart. He considered how this situation could become an opportunity for him to impress God. _'When the Lord sees how well I can handle Demons without the aid of the Angels, I will earn a heightened level of respect from everyone.'_

The deep breath exhaled from the creature who lurked within. Its respire finished in a low growl. A chill ran through Jasper, but confident in his faith and with the power of God to back him, how could he turn down such a challenge? Feeling it was his duty to prove himself, Jasper was willing to make unnecessary decisions, "I bring with me the light of the world. I shall fear no evil." Jasper took a step into the dark alley. He remembered the words of his Angel companions, _'We've got your back.'_

Body shivering as though cold, but not cold, Jasper's conscious mind was still convinced of his confidence, _'I can do this.'_ he told himself. _'It is only some sort of test.'_

Stepping further into the alley, the little hooves of the lamb splashed through a puddle with no sense of danger. Then it hit. The sense of peril came over Jasper. Even the lamb stopped suddenly and wanted Jasper to carry its frail shivering form. Lifting Hayolam into his arms, he decided it was time to go back. Jasper wasn't prepared for this after all, but something inside told him, _'It's too late to go back.'_

At the far end of the alley, Jasper saw trash cans with their contents lit on fire. Rats squeaked and scurried away in the dark corners. The whole place reeked off urine and trash. Little Demons leaped from the shadows and climbed the walls like spiders.

Behind a trash bin, Jasper saw a man with a rubber tube loosely wrapped around his arm and a needle laying on the ground beside him. This person was laying in the filth and trash. He had taken an injection of some drug. Curious as to what the meaning of this place might be, Jasper watched the drugged man move slowly like he was half asleep.

Cautiously, Jasper made his way to the heart of the alley where he encountered five other people strung out on their own addictive hallucinogenic highs. Each person had their own trash-can lit-up on fire; their only source of heat. He could gauge their true natures effortlessly.

By the light of the flickering flame, a dark figure as tall as two men was revealed when it emerged from the shadows. It was darker than the shadows. Wearing a black cape; covered in raven feathers, he opened his arms. Jasper couldn't believe how easily he walked into this vile place. If only he could rewind the past a few minutes, then he wouldn't have entered.

Noticing more detail, Jasper also saw he wore black baggy clothing under his black armor. The armor covered his fore-arms, shoulders, chest and stomach. A wide belt buckle of a silver skull trapped behind a silver bony rib-cage, connected his black spine-like belt.

The head of this Demon was like a deep pure darkness shrouded under a thick black metal helmet. At the top of the helmet was the posed figure of a giant vampire bat in flight with its wings stretched out. At the center of the bat's back was a third wing that stretched high into the air. Lastly, two thick horns of a bull pointed down from the fore-head of the helmet.

"You dare enter my layer?" The Demon breathed with deep, dark indignation. Its words were like acid and they burned Jasper's soul listening to him. "Now, Jasper... You die..."

Jasper looked to his left to see one of the ratty, drug laden men standing and looking at him.

"Are you stoned, buddy?"

"What are you gawk'n at?"

"Who are you?" The man questioned. "We don't know him, do we?"

"He must be looking for a hit." came another voice. "Everyone's look'n for a hit."

Jasper whirled around to find another man standing and taking an interest. They could smell the stink of fear fuming off Jasper.

"I don't want a hit." Jasper told them as his voice quivered. "I-I don't want anything." After looking up, Jasper spun and glanced back the way he came. The darkness of the dank alley made Jasper feel so alone. He longed to see the Angels now, more than ever, but the Angels were nowhere to be found. Realizing just how dependent he'd become on having the security of his celestial friends with him, Jasper's fear escalated. His family, the Angels, had forsaken him. _'Why now? Where could they be?'_ The cold isolation of abandonment gripped him.

"Hey! Don't be scared, buddy. Maybe we do have something you'd like." Another shady person spoke; a young lady with half her jet black spiked hair shaved off and a chain threaded through multiple piercings from her ear to her mouth.

"I don't have any money. I'm sorry for intruding. I'll just be on my way." Jasper began to back away.

The cruel group slunk into surrounding positions, trapping Jasper from escape.

"Not so fast, Pal." spoke the man in the middle. "You haven't made us an offer yet."

"N-no, please, you don't understand. I must've made a wrong turn." Jasper tried to talk his way out of a potentially dangerous situation. Every step now; a risk.

"I bet that lamb of yours is worth a pretty penny, wouldn't you say, Mike?" spoke the man to Jasper's left.

"Yeah, I'd say it's time to make a deal." replied the man in the middle as he pulled out a switch blade from his back pocket.

The blade of the knife sprung out of the handle and gleamed like a mirror reflecting the fire light as the man waved it back and forth.

More knives appeared. The dark forms of these people were like wild animals baring their claws before they attacked.

Looking down at the young lamb in his arms, Jasper turned, attempting to force his way past, but his powerful stride was interrupted as they all tackled him to the cold wet ground. Hayolam cried out. Falling forward, Jasper felt his weight come down on the lamb. Splashing his face down into a dirty puddle of garbage ooze and human waste, Jasper sprained his wrist. Feeling his anger build, the blind young man was about to fight back.

Hayolam had been injured. The lamb continued to wail. The attackers stopped in their tracks at the cry of the lamb. Hayolam's cry sounded like a little child to Jasper's ears.

"Quick, get the lamb!" one of them shouted.

A heavy boot came out of nowhere, kicking Jasper in the ribs. The person who kicked him meant to turn him over. Another couple of kicks threw Jasper onto his side.

The rope that leashed the lamb slipped out of Jasper's grasp. Someone was taking off with Hayolam. The lamb's cry echoed throughout the walls of the alley. Though Hayolam cried louder, it faded into the distance.

The sound of feet running off with the lamb began to grow louder, along with the lamenting voice of Hayolam. The thief was returning. "Let's get out'a here, man! It's the cops!"

Jasper could see the entrance of the alley begin to brighten with the glow of Holiness. Demons began to flee from the shadows. The tall dark figure roared as it receded into the city.

Angels flooded into the alley with the red and blue lights flashing under them and reflecting off their wings. Jasper came to realize the red and blue lights were from police cruisers that stopped just outside the tight entrance of the alley.

"Shut that animal up, man!" shouted a voice from one of the sleazy punks.

Jasper heard the sound of one of the men stab his switch blade into the lamb. After gasping in shock, the lamb cried-out differently, like its life was over.

This unmitigated disaster made Jasper feel like his heart just fell out of his chest. He didn't see the punks kill his lamb; he didn't have to, but regardless of this, he tried to remain a man of solid disposition.

Another sharp strike from the knife and a dark shadow passed over the lamb. Then the lamb went silent. Jasper felt like _he_ was the one stabbed.

"Hey! Stay where you are!" shouted the voice of authority as the police drew their fire arms and flashlights.

Footsteps splashed off into the distance as the group of wayward punks were about to escape. Then the six Angels appeared to the punks. The ghostly vision of them frightened the young kids so much they turned tail and ran back toward Jasper. They passed right by, running for their lives. So desperate to flee from the Angels, the punks ran right into the arresting authority of the police. A confusion of shouting voices followed.

While everyone was distracted, Jasper sat up undetected in the darkness but soaking wet. He crawled to Hayolam. His lamb was dead and tossed aside to the trash. A line of light appeared over Hayolam's head to reveal blood on its woolen neck.

Jasper cried out to the Lord, "Please no. Can't you heal him? Are you not God?!"

Wilson gently landed near Jasper, "The Lord is with all who go forth from this world."

"Oh, now you show up?" Jasper turned to look at the source of the light that lit his lamb. Holding the lamb in his arms and weeping, Jasper could only barely see, before him was an Asian cook from the Chinese food restaurant. He was looking at him from the open crack of his restaurant's backdoor.

Jasper felt terrible. His Angel friends gathered around him. "Don't grieve, Jasper, Hayolam isn't far. Offer the lamb's body to the cook and you shall be granted safe passage." Taila spoke softly.

Jasper listened to the voice of the Angel and lifted his arms. "Here now you see, Hayolam's death gives you an opportunity to live." Charmatrien added. The cook quickly realized Jasper was offering the lamb to him. Opening the door a little wider; looking both ways, the cook waved his hand for Jasper to enter. "Come, come..." The Asian cook called softly.

Jasper climbed the steps, before entering the restaurant. The cook closed the door, locking the dead bolt behind him. Reaching out to take the lamb with a big smile of teeth, the cook bowed appreciatively and said, "Sank you, sank you..."

As Jasper gave the lamb over to the short cook's arms, the cook bent forward and smelled the lamb. Scrunching up his face, he then threw his head back and crinkled his nose. "Pee-yew!" he said. Then he looked at Jasper.

Jasper had a concerned look on his face.

Smiling with a face full of teeth again, the cook said, "Oh, sank you, sank you..."

Jasper wasn't in the mood for humor. He just slipped out of the kitchen and hurried through the front doors of the restaurant. Holding his side, Jasper limped down the road. The pain of his bruised ribs was only secondary to the pain of losing Hayolam.

Jasper left the restaurant and looked at the name of it; 'Chow Man Fat.' He made a silent promise to himself never to eat there in the future.

Walking down the street, Jasper tried not to make eye contact with anyone. No one wanted to make eye contact with him anyway.

The Angels were with Jasper again.

He felt secure with them, but hollow because of his loss, so he said, "Kingston hasn't turned out to be like I hoped."

People of the city took little notice of Jasper.

Though Jasper looked like any other crazy crackhead who talked to them self on the street, Jasper wasn't concerned with any of their opinions.

A streetlight with a prostitute standing under it caught Jasper's eye, because next to the prostitute, Jasper saw the spiritual form of Hayolam. Bending forward, Jasper approached the prostitute's legs. "Oh, Hayolam! Hey it's me, Jasper."

The prostitute jumped back, startled. Looking at Jasper, she had a disgusted look on her face as she chewed her gum. "What the?..." came her remark of surprise.

Hayolam leaped around with weightless, gliding leaps. Gleefully he bounded around circling Jasper as he stretched out his hand to pet him. The lamb recognized Jasper, but as Jasper moved to feel the fleece, his hand passed right through Hayolam. "Stay with me a while." Jasper said to the lamb. A sadness came over him as he realized without a doubt, Hayolam had crossed over to the other side of this world and he wouldn't be returning.

"Hayolam will remain with you longer than we'll stay with you, Jasper." Elana told him.

Feeling much better after hearing this, Jasper stood up and looked at the Angels. Hayolam coasted through the air to Jasper and rubbed its woolly coat against his legs. Seeing this, Jasper could almost feel the soft lamb like when he was alive.

Starr glided past Jasper to look into the eyes of the prostitute.

Noticing this, Jasper asked, "Starr, do you know where my next destination is?"

"What? Don't you have a home?" The prostitute answered, believing Jasper was speaking to her.

Starr turned to Jasper and said, "Of course, Jasper. Plan to rest your head soon, but you will have to follow us a little further."

"I am yours. Lead the way." Jasper answered Starr.

The prostitute mistakenly thought Jasper was talking to her again, "Oh, honey, you've got a lot of cleaning up to do before you find yourself alone with me." She put her hand on her hip and shifted all of her weight to one leg. Jasper gave her a coy glare then he turned and walked away.

"Looney." she commented clearly as he sauntered off.

# CHAPTER 13

IGNORING THE DISTRACTION of the spiritual battle and the people of the city, Jasper focused on the Angels who guided him down the busy street to an old rundown building structure. The sign above the front door read, _'Missions Half-Way House.'_

"A half-way house?" Jasper questioned. Of course, he should have predicted it. All the people the Lord wanted would be right here in this one place. Entering the building, Jasper climbed the stairs and strode directly across from the main doors to a large counter. A bell on the front counter read; _'Ring for service.'_ Ringing the bell once, Jasper waited.

Finally, a lady came to the counter. Chewing gum, she appeared tired and overworked. Looking Jasper over, up and down, she was a person who wanted to be anywhere else than at this particular duty. Though she noticed Jasper was blind she didn't seem to care.

"Have you been here before?" she asked with an uninterested roll of her eyes.

"No, ma'am..." Jasper wanted to say more but the lady cut him off quickly.

"All stay-ins must fill out one of these forms." she pulled out a sheet of government paper that was filled with questions. Slapping the form to the table-top complete with a ball point pen, she continued. "Please observe all rules on the back of the form, if you have any questions or if you have trouble reading, please let us know before handing the form in."

"No, please." Jasper said, "You don't understand, I'm not interested in staying. I'm looking for some homeless folks to stay at _my_ place."

The woman looked at Jasper with annoyance. Under her fierce low brow her cold tired eyes bore into him. "You don't have to come here to find people in need of housing. Just ask the people sleeping on the sidewalks." She studied Jasper a little further. She found it odd for a blind poor man to want to help others when he barely looked capable of taking care of himself. "Where do you live?" she asked, "You do want to take homeless people to your home don't you?"

Jasper looked like a homeless person, himself. "Oh, yes, I live in the mountains near Princeton."

"How many people are you looking for?"

"I was looking for about six to eight people." Jasper answered quickly and truthfully.

"Have you been certified?"

"C-certified?" Jasper asked as he was completely unprepared for the question.

"Under the new legislation acts, anyone housing more than four occupants under charitable circumstances must adhere to specific guidelines and procedures. You don't want to find yourself with a law suit on your hands do you?"

"Uh, no. Definitely not. Um, would you have a blank copy of your government application?" Jasper asked awkwardly.

"You will have to go down to the nearest government office or municipal hall and ask them." The lady instructed. People walking by began to stop and take an interest in the conversation.

Jasper let out a stressful breath at the thought of approaching the government for permission. Overwhelmed with doubt, Jasper prayed he wouldn't end up in jail. "I have acreage, seven little cabins, farm animals and a plan to provide a fresh start to some down and out, hard case folk. People say God is slow to answer prayers but does the government recognize when its process only contributes to slowing God's work? Will I have to wait for the government offices to get around to passing my application or not?"

"Are you ready to go right now?" the woman behind the counter asked. "This isn't an easy job to get into. Do you realize the tremendous responsibility you would be undertaking? It's difficult to keep a place like this running without sponsorship and regular donations. If the government doesn't step up to the plate and help us out more than they already do, this whole place will be shut down."

"It is a matter of life and death for people. Good people. I have everything ready for my project, but certification? There are people living in the parks, dark alleys and who knows where else. Why should I have to jump through hoops when I just simply want to help?" Jasper gave pause to ponder this for a second. "Certificate or no certificate, who would dare to stop me if all I'm doing is helping people?"

The lady looked at Jasper for a moment. At first she saw the stupidity of a very naive blind man, but then she saw something else in him. Some sort of flare for the good of mankind. It was unclear if she believed in him or just wanted to believe in him. She held up a finger for Jasper to wait a moment. Then she disappeared around a corner and went to an office room. Jasper could hear her open a filing cabinet. She fingered through the files before she plucked out a couple of pieces of paper stapled together.

She shuffled back to the front counter and handed Jasper the papers. "We seem to have one copy left after all."

Jasper stayed and filled out the papers to the best of his ability. Due to his poor eye sight, Jasper's writing was barely legible. The papers looked like a kindergarten student had fun with them. Folding it up and placing it into a stamped envelope, Jasper mailed it off.

* * *

Leaving the half-way house, Jasper was surprised no needy people from there wanted to follow him to the Princeton area. They told him they had a place to stay.

Jasper asked the Angels, "What do you think? Should I be certified?"

"Go for it!" Joel thought it was a great idea.

"But in your case, Jasper." Starr told him, "The Lord's authority will override any authority of the world. What could stand in the way of God's will? You still have much work to do."

"Let's get going. I need to find some place I can sit and rest." Jasper quietly told the Angels.

Led to an apartment complex, Jasper watched as a young man and woman trotted up the stairs to the intercom. The couple were dressed in fancy dance club outfits. They pressed a button and a voice came through with some loud music. "Yeah! Password!"

"Hoola-Hoola!" The young man said with boisterous enthusiasm. Then a buzzer sounded and the door was unlocked for them.

The Angels pointed to the same main doors the couple had just entered. Jasper walked his sore creaky bones up the stairs to the intercom. He cradled his sore wrist in his hand. The panel was full of buttons; one for each tenant. "Which one do I press?" Jasper asked the Angels.

"Thirty-two." Charmatrien answered quickly.

Jasper pushed the button. "Yo! Password!" came the female voice again. Music hammered in the background.

"I was looking for some peace and quiet." Jasper told the Angels. Rolling his eyes, he pushed the button again. "Hoola-Hoola!" he repeated into the microphone. Jasper's voice lacked any fun.

There was a pause of silence until the buzzer sounded and the main door unlocked. Pulling the door open, Jasper slunk in and headed up the stairs. Looking for a room on the third floor with the number, thirty-two, he ambled down the hall. At one point he caught a whiff of something rancid. With great embarrassment, Jasper realized the source of the stink came from himself. His clothes; still wet, stank bad, real bad. Feeling like he just climbed out of a toilet, Jasper really wanted to persuade the Angels this was all a very bad idea.

Then Jasper saw it; the door marked thirty-two. He was definitely at the right place with the loud music vibrating the walls. A short argument took place as Jasper tried to convince the Angels he wasn't prepared to go into the apartment, but again the Angels insisted this was where he was supposed to be. Knocking on the door, Jasper waited, but no one answered. Turning the door knob, the door opened. Slipping into the loud, crowded apartment, Jasper smiled at the young people and tried his best to look like he was one of them. He bobbed his head to the music, but before long the party stopped. His attempt to blend in was a complete and utter fail.

Jasper didn't think he smelled so bad in the crowded little apartment anymore. The room was filled with people and the air was thick from the heavy smokers. As he strolled further into the place, everyone began giving him dirty looks. Knowing he was completely out of place, Jasper absolutely didn't fit in with the young partiers.

The Angels remained close to Jasper. "Is there even one righteous person here amongst them?" Jasper asked.

The Angels dispersed into the crowd of party go'ers. They searched around, speaking to the Guardian Angels amongst the people. Within a matter of seconds, the Angels returned to Jasper and said, "No, Jasper. We haven't found even one who is righteous." answered Taila honestly.

"But why would you bring me here?" Jasper asked, somewhat confused and disgruntled.

"We didn't say we were seeking the righteous." Joel answered.

"Well, then who is the one we're looking for?" Jasper asked out loud without a care who heard him.

A group of four ladies approached Jasper. Taking one look at him, they were disgusted. "This is _our_ party, who invited _you_?"

"Angels told me to come to this party." Jasper told them truthfully, not breaking from his serious demeanour.

"Yeah, right." they giggled. No one expected Jasper to answer and mention angels.

"He's some kind of kook, I think." chided one of the ladies.

Another of the girls eying Jasper up and down said, "Are you homeless?" The ladies were very pretty. Anyone of them could be a top model.

Jasper looked at the ground, nervously fidgeting. He filled his lungs and said, "I'm looking for special people. I mean, to help them." he spoke nervously. He knew he sounded crazy. "I mean, I'm looking for special people who need my help."

"Haven't found them yet? _We_ not special enough?"

"The people I'm talking about will recognize to follow me." Speaking with a bold dignity, Jasper managed to impress the crowd of young people.

As the Angels passed amongst the young partiers, they looked to see into their hearts. The Angels were still not very good at this skill as they hadn't had much history amongst mortal man.

Joel noticed a familiar name amongst the board games loosely stacked upon a shelf near the flat screen television. He huffed when he saw the spiritual black blood oozing from it. It was a Ouija board. A dark serpent with deceitful eyes tightened around it and hissed at the Angel.

"He's right. There's no one special here!" One of the young boys shouted out gleefully.

"What's your name?" The blond young lady asked with wide blue eyes of majestic ice.

"Jasper." he answered holding her gaze, but unable to hide his sheepish smile.

The ladies kind of huddled together and whispered amongst themselves. Jasper could hear them say, "He looks harmless enough."

Before he knew it, the ladies turned back to Jasper. They all had mischievous smiles. The girl at the center; the leader, decked out in pink everything, threw her hands in the air and shouted, "Make-over!"

One of the other Ladies snapped a photo of Jasper with her cell phone.

As it seemed expected of him, Jasper displayed his surprise. They led him to the bathroom where they told him to take a shower. They gave him some clean underwear and a plastic garbage bag to put his dirty clothes into.

When Jasper was in the bathroom, he heard people outside complaining about his presence. He locked the door, undressed and entered the shower. Jasper had forgotten how nice it was to have a warm shower. Alone and content, he thanked God, even though he knew his peace would be short lived, Jasper didn't try to figure everything out at once. Obviously he was supposed to take each instant in stride; to live in the moment, otherwise he would've been provided more information.

After his satisfying shower, Jasper toweled off. He made sure everything in the bathroom looked exactly the same as it did when he entered. Putting on the underwear, he wrapped the towel around himself and picked up the garbage bag of dirty clothes.

"You're not going out there looking like that, are you?" asked Starr with a suspicious eye.

"Well, sure I am. I don't exactly have a lot of other things to wear and besides, I got all the use out of these old clothes as I possibly could." Jasper chimed.

"I agree with Starr." Elana cut in, "You don't want to parade your nakedness around a public place."

"He doesn't have any intentions of defiling himself." Joel retaliated in Jasper's defense.

Jasper nodded at Joel.

It was apparent the female Angels didn't want to see Jasper attract any unnecessary attention from the ladies.

Outside the bathroom, the ladies anxiously waited for Jasper to come out. They intentionally set the scene for this moment and the Angels knew it.

Trusting the girls, Jasper put his hand on the doorknob. Twisting it open, he stepped out to find everyone waiting for him.

Many gasped when they saw Jasper shirtless. Some boys gasped too.

Jasper couldn't remember the last time he was the object of so much attention. The flustered young partiers weren't interested in the water that beaded upon his shoulders; Jasper had built some muscle mass and lost a lot of body fat from all of the work and exercise he'd been busy with both at the farm and Ceramecy. Escorting Jasper to the kitchen, they asked him to sit on a wooden kitchen chair in the middle of the room. Other people from the party took a keen interest in the make-over proceedings, as did the Angels.

Jasper sat down and the ladies began to run their fingers through his long hair. While he enjoyed the attention, he knew Starr, Elana and Taila weren't impressed.

Scissors snipped and the shaver buzzed along with giggles and jokes springing up from everyone.

Seated in the chair Jasper found he was surrounded by a ring of his own hair on the floor.

Before he knew it, Jasper asked, "Could I have a mirror?"

"I thought you were blind?" one of the young men asked.

"I can see a little. It's very hazy though." he answered. Someone gently slipped a pair of sunglasses on Jasper before they brought a hand held mirror out to him so he could take a look at his reflection. Jasper was amazed by the new look. He had no idea he could look so good. In fact, he couldn't remember a time when his hair was so short except when he was a small boy. The ladies were very excited with the results. More photos were taken. The girls led Jasper back to the bedroom.

Nervously, Taila, Elana and Starr followed close behind the ladies.

The fellow who owned the suite argued with the young women as they wanted to let Jasper try on all his clothes. The ladies had already used their powers of attraction to receive much from him including the party.

"Listen, girls, I'll give you a choice of three pieces of clothes." The girls were about to say something but the young man held up his hands, "It's all I'm willing to permit, but I forbid any of you from taking more, no matter how cute you are."

By the end of the fashion show, the ladies decided that Jasper looked best wearing acid washed jeans, a white T-shirt and a plaid cotton long sleeve shirt.

The ladies compared their before and after pics. "I'm definitely posting these on my 'Make-over' Blog." One of the girls announced. There was quite the transformation. Jasper made the other men at the party pale in comparison to his strong fashion statement and manhood.

The young ladies and even some men wooed at the sight of Jasper while the young men despised him burning with jealousy.

Almost immediately, Jasper felt uncomfortable being the main attraction of the party. "Thank you, everyone, for your kindness but I think I've pestered you all long enough."

Jasper began to head for the door when a young man said, "Hey, Jasper, don't feel like you have to go. You're cool now."

"You're one of us!" a young lady added sincerely. "The life of this party!"

"Inside, I'm no different from the person I was when you first met me at your door. The real change here is in you people. Each of you see me differently than you did at first. You don't turn your noses up at me, but rather, you accept me." Jasper removed his sunglasses revealing his white eyes. "Your blindness goes deeper than this."

"Ya, but Jasper, man... You stunk." the young man who owned the suite said. Everyone laughed along with the levity in a moment.

Shaking his head at how they heard him but didn't understand, even Jasper had to give up a little chuckle.

"I'm sorry, friends. I have no gift to give as a token of thanks for your gracious time, attention and clothes." Jasper dropped his head for a moment, then an idea struck him, "But I would like to tell you all a story. It is a story that is famous in Heaven and it is popular amongst the Angels." Everyone was surprisingly interested. When Jasper said it was a story from Heaven, no one believed him but they figured the story would be entertaining and something they never heard before. "And it is a true story." Jasper added as the room became deafly quiet and all the focus of the people drew in on him.

Before Jasper's story even began, people began rolling their eyes and losing interest. Remembering he was told there was not one righteous person in the city, Jasper reacted in the spur of the moment and quieted them down when he said, "Hey, guys. You know I don't have anything to repay you for your hospitality, but this story is about to make up for all that." When he had them all captivated, he signalled them to turn the music off. Everyone made themselves comfortable with pillows and chairs as they sat around Jasper to listen to his story, half expecting it to be terrible.

Jasper began, "Hundreds of years ago, there was an Angel of Heaven named Joel. He was a leader of thousands of Angel warriors. He was also a steward of the Lord and the example of a true Peacekeeper. Crowned with the authority and honor from the God of love, light, and life, Joel was hailed very special amongst all Angels.

"Joel had grown very close to a female friend who went by the name of Pricilla. The two of them did everything together and established a powerful connection between them and their friendship. Inseparable, they decided to create a child together, so they embarked on a short journey to see a potter. The potter made all sorts of things out of clay. You name it, he could sculpt it and to fine detail too.

"If in Heaven, you are called a potter then your skill at the craft was nothing less than perfection.

"Joel and Pricilla, with help from the potter, created a baby Angel out of clay. It was so smooth and its curves; flawless. Joel and Pricilla loved their baby Angel with all of their hearts.

"Angels were warned not to do this for the Lord wasn't always quick to breathe life into everyone's making. Nevertheless, Joel and Pricilla were excited and anxious. They believed they were worthy of a child and they couldn't accept that the Lord would decide otherwise, especially with all of the service they had committed to His cause.

"Gathering up the clay winged infant, they brought it before the throne of the All Mighty. There, they worshipped and sang as they prayed for blessings. They made their requests known to the Lord in hopes that he would breathe the breath of life into their child, but the Lord told them to take the child back to the potter for it wasn't ready yet.

"Again, and again, Joel and Pricilla returned with the potter's absolute perfect child of Angelic clay. It all became like an obsession for them. They presented it each time with songs, prayers and worship, but each time the Lord denied the breath of life.

"The final attempt, Joel and Pricilla; broken in spirit with shattered hopes took up the lifeless clay baby. Wings stretched wide, they silently glided into the sanctuary before the Lord.

"Swooping in for a landing, Joel, holding the celestial child of clay, began to bow his head reverently, when the magnificent crown atop his head slipped away and fell. Joel thrusted out his hand to save the crown because it was a symbol of importance. Fumbling with the clay child he failed to catch the crown, but in his attempt to save the crown, the child of clay slipped from the protective swaddling cloth and dropped. At the floor of God's sanctuary, the clay child broke apart to pieces.

"Pricilla screamed at the unbelievable horror of Joel's monumental blunder. The incident sent a bone-chilling quiver through Joel's soul. Shocked, Joel took a deep gasp of air. Immediately, they went to the broken clay bits that lay scattered across the blessed floor. Their dreams; lost to a small pile of shattered clay bits. Such a catastrophe hit them harder than to have a mountain dropped on their heads. Crying out, they felt like their lives had ended. The dream of love and happiness between the two Angels had all but snuffed out like the flame of a candle.

"Joel didn't blame the Lord for anything, but he did blame himself. The moment he left Pricilla to search for his crown was completely expunged from his memory, but he found it where it had clattered to the floor. He also had no recollection of picking it up and lifting it to the Lord and shouting in complete frustration "Can you not help me?!... Are you not the God of creation?!" at these words, Joel's crown exploded. Splitting in half, Joel held one half of his wondrous crown in each hand. His eyes were a dazzle of shock.

"The Lord was disappointed in Joel's outburst. Descending from his throne, God the Father, arrayed in his bright splendor, approached Joel. He was the source of such a bright internal light, but an external light moved with him also and it wasn't only alive, but intelligent. The Lord was a being of human form and composed entirely of unlimited, radiance of the purest light and deepest love. Joel and Pricilla dropped to the ground and bowed before the awesome power of the Lord. Joel pushed out his broken crown to the feet of the sovereign Lord and Pricilla pushed out the broken clay pieces of the child.

"The Lord's voice was like an explosion of many thunders colliding at one time. As He spoke to Joel, He said, "Your crown is broken! And so, _you_ are as one, broken." Within the Lord's hand, was one half of Joel's crown. "I will keep one half of your crown close to my heart." The crown of pure gold and coloured stones, melted into the Lord's chest. "You shall keep the other half always close to your own heart until such a time when you and your crown can be made whole again."

"Joel was face down before the Lord. Looking up, just enough to see half of his glass-like golden crown and the bright feet of the Lord he knew the other half of his crown was missing. "Stand, Joel!" boomed the voice of the Lord.

"Joel stood up in response to the Lord's command. Stretching out His hand, Joel's half of the crown lifted off the floor and moved through the air to God's grasp. Holding the half-crown out to Joel's silvery armored chest, God the Father spoke these words. "Be Kingly, My boy, for many will serve you, but a good King is also a servant of the many. Work hard and be great, accomplishing your greatness through great humility of heart." Searing hot liquid fire was spat from the Lord's mouth to the broken edges of the crown. The entire crown lit up with bright flames. Holding out the half-crown, God touched the broken edges of the fire crown to the silver chest piece and it fused to his Holy armor. Joel was charged with the responsibility of wearing the crown over his heart until such time of the Lord's reprisal.

Once there was a boy of clay,

Who dropped when fumbled so they say.

He broke to pieces from falling down,

It cost an Angel his Holy crown.

Shattered clay on a boy's birthday,

Made his parents frown.

Bright sparks and energy arcs,

Mark the cloven crown.

God claimed one when it split in two,

The Angel wears the other on his chest so true.

"Once again, Joel collapsed in worship to the all-powerful presence of his Master. The Lord shifted his attention to Pricilla. She could feel the eyes of God settle upon her. Nervously, Pricilla stretched her white feathery wings out a little then she quickly drew them in before she stretched out her hands over the broken clay bits. "We're sorry for our clumsiness, my Lord. Please forgive us." Pricilla said.

"The Lord placed the swaddling cloth over the clay pieces as He said, "You and Joel loved this child equally and exceedingly, before it even had life. This is beautiful. You both are beautiful. Now go, have joy and live your lives in love, for My sake." Living light moved around the Lord like a floating sheet and touched the swaddling cloth. It looked like a balloon inflated under it.

"At the last of the Lord's words, He was seated in His throne once again.

"Joel and Pricilla heard the 'coo,' of a small voice. Lifting the swaddling cloth, Pricilla found their child amidst the folds. He was whole and drew breath.

"Joel and Pricilla's hearts became refreshed and new. When they examined the child closer, they found it had long lacerations over its skin and disfigurements throughout its body.

"Still, Joel and Pricilla loved the child just the same and they thanked the Lord for it. As they turned to go on their way, the Lord said, "In your child's imperfection, he has been made more perfect, in My eyes."

"Joel and Pricilla named their child, Perah which is Hebrew for _broken_. As Perah grew, his lacerations became obvious scars. He was special amongst the Angels, for he was the only imperfect/perfect Angel, and the Lord blessed him. Joel, Pricilla and Perah spent many hundreds of years together, experiencing many adventures. They are still close, even to this day, but as for this very moment, they're not together. Right now, Joel is here with us, in this very apartment and he is, also at this moment, with a different family of friends."

"Who is Joel really, Jasper?" one of the guys asked. "Is he _you_ in some encrypted story form or something?"

Others laughed, but Jasper stood up. The laughing stopped abruptly. "Thank you again for all of your kindness and generosity." Jasper said, "I am sure the Lord will richly bless each and every one of you." Then Jasper paused for a moment as the Angels said something to him. Then Jasper asked, "Would you mind if I took a little snack?" Everyone was silent, "Not much. Just for the road; that is."

"Man, you homeless guys sure are moochers." the young man said who owned the apartment.

Jasper noticed a Demon Imp Scout gnawing on his leg then a larger Demon rose up behind him who was black and creepy. Then it swung its claws at the side of his head. "You've been stuffing your face ever since you showed up here. I gave you my clothes. The girls gave you a make-over, and you want more?"

"I'm sorry, you're right. You've all been more than generous to me. Good-bye everyone." Jasper headed off to the door and closed it behind him when he left.

When Jasper was near the stair-well, the door to the apartment opened again. A young man and two young ladies came out. They spotted Jasper before they ran to him.

"Jasper, this may sound real corny, but when I listened to your story, something came over me. I've never met anyone like you before. It's like you have a connection to something much bigger." The young man said, "My name's Bobby." He held out his hand and Jasper shook it.

The two girls shot out their hands also. "My name's Janet."

"And I'm Tanya." The last girl said, "We've brought you some food from the party. Don't worry about what they say. There's more than enough. We brought you some cake, cookies and a bunch of chips." Each of the girls had a conglomeration of food packed tightly into zip-lock sandwich bags. "I hope this is what you were looking for."

Jasper took their gift with a smile of appreciation. "It's more than enough, thank you."

"We would like to hang around you for a little while." Janet added. "At least until this strange feeling passes, anyway."

"What strange feeling are you talking about?" Jasper asked with wonderment.

"It's like there is just something about you. It's hard to explain, exactly, but I can't just let you walk away." Janet told him.

"Well, I would appreciate your company." Jasper said to them as he turned to walk away.

Bobby, Janet and Tanya looked at one another with huge smiles. It excited them to be with Jasper. They hustled their steps to keep up to him and because Jasper was blind, the three new young friends helped him find his way down the stairs.

Walking with Jasper out through the main doors of the apartment complex, the three young adults stopped at the top of the front steps where Bobby asked, "So, where to now?"

Bobby had a simple haircut of sandy blond hair that was mainly flat and parted to one side. He wore plain clothes that were bright; light blue jeans and white T-shirt.

Tanya was asocial blond teen-ager who wore brightly coloured clothing.

Unlike this, Janet was a brunette who preferred to wear dark clothing.

Jasper repeated Bobby's question in a low tone, almost like a mumble. Little did the others know, Angels were giving direction to Jasper. Recognizing where he was, Jasper noticed he was back tracking. Walking a few blocks, Jasper led Bobby, Janet and Tanya. Behind them were the six Angels.

Along their way, they talked, acquainting themselves with one another. Jasper tried to share his story but he only had time enough to explain his accident; slipping off the roof of the church.

"Jasper?" Janet asked, "What is it like to be homeless?"

"I think you're about to get a first-hand answer to that question." he responded.

When they came past the Chinese food restaurant, where Hayolam was taken from Jasper, Jasper became oddly reserved as he relived the recent moment and reconnected to the sad loss. This made Jasper seem all the more mysterious. From the dark alley, a voice came. "Help me, please. I want help." The voice was sickeningly feeble and dry.

The man looked like another drug user, wasting his life away. When Jasper saw him leaning up against the dirty brick wall, he also noticed the skeletal image of the Spirit of Death.

Sitting next to the pathetic man who continued pleading for help, lounged Death. "Leave usss." he hissed making eye contact with Jasper.

Bobby, Janet and Tanya recognized the terrible smell of the alley. It was the way Jasper smelled when they first met him. They wondered if this was Jasper's home.

Then Jasper noticed another Demon of black bones and rotted flesh behind the skinny man. This Demon, covered in long sharp quills like a porcupine, was half embedded into the man's back. Sticking out of the man's back were more quills that the Demon was stabbing him with. This porcupine Demon was a puppeteer with an insane smile stretched across his face of wide features.

"I don't think you want my help." Jasper said to the sickly man, "I cannot offer you anything to make your journey through life any easier. If you still want _my_ help, I will require your complete commitment and co-operation. It will be a hard road, but in the long term, if you're true, you'll receive a better life."

"I'll do anything for a better life. If I stay here I will die." The sick man spoke with certainty.

Sprawled out and vulnerable between the trash cans the man looked so helpless. Where the bottom half of the porcupine Demon was embedded into the man, the quills were so thick it looked like a nest.

The Angels told Jasper to help this man.

Whispering, Jasper asked, "Could you remove the porcupine Demon from his back?"

Joel Answered, "It's a puppeteer Demon; chemically and spiritually fused to the body and soul of its victim. It feeds off the addict's life and isn't easily separated."

Jasper had the man carefully searched for any dangerous or sharp objects. The porcupine quills were spiritual of course and the puppeteer Demon used them to poke the man constantly, like the drug needles he was addicted to. When nothing was found, he lifted the man off his feet and carried him in his arms. The addict was so thin he weighed only 70 lbs. of skin and bones. Knowing all too well, this could've been his own fate, Jasper carried the thinly framed man to wherever the Angels led them next. A used old crack pipe and a couple of emptied needles were strewn in his place. Jasper backed away from the Spirit of Death. Shrouded in the deep darkness of his dark cloak, Death grumbled but he didn't follow.

Jasper didn't like being so close to the detestable puppeteer Demon. The sharp quills of the Demon would poke into Jasper also, even though he couldn't physically feel them.

Starr said, "Every addict is controlled by a puppeteer."

"What's your name?" Jasper asked the skinny man.

"Randy..." whispered the scrawny addict, Jasper had never known a man to be so feeble or in such utter need. Something about this man seemed haunted in an indescribable way.

Charmatrien descended to Jasper's side. He looked so sad then he said, "The Lord is closer to the homeless than Kings. He gives Grace to the humble."

This was enough for Jasper to feel great compassion for Randy. Turning to the others with Randy in his arms, Jasper focused on Tanya, before he said. "Please, keep a journal of everything from this moment. Write down all you see and hear."

"Ya, uh-huh." she concurred, but wasn't really paying attention.

Turning, Jasper asked Bobby to help him. They covered Randy with an old dirty blanket which half hung out of a trash bin. At least it was mostly dry.

* * *

The day grew very dark. Throughout the city, the Angels continued to fight Demons long into the night.

Jasper brought everyone to the Portman Bridge. He led the people off the road to a narrow gradient slope at the side of the bridge where they hiked down a short steep hill along a poorly kept path.

Under the bridge, they found a group of vagrants who were penniless and adrift. Divided up in four groups; each of them had a metal barrel alight with fire to keep warm.

"More people?" someone questioned from the shadows.

"They don't belong here." another called out with a crusty voice.

"Do they have any money or food? They should only be allowed to stay if they can contribute."

"Please." Jasper said, "We only want to stay one night. We won't bother any of you."

Besides a few grumblings no one replied.

Jasper proceeded to find an open area to put Randy down and make him as comfortable as he could. Threatened by the porcupine Demon of Randy's back, Jasper had to dodge as it tried to stab its quills into his white eyes.

Bobby, Tanya and Janet were still adjusting to Jasper's strange ways. They sat down with Jasper and Randy. The fresh air that blew through took away some of the pervasive, pungent odour, but it also took much of the heat away with it.

Whether Randy knew it or not, he was starving and needed to eat something. Everyone else had eaten lots of food at the party.

Jasper still had the food with him that Janet and Tanya offered him. Beginning to feed Randy, Jasper was disappointed that he ate so little. Nevertheless, everyone was happy that Randy did eat something.

Taila told Jasper, "When the body eats, it's on the road to recovery."

Through the night, Jasper had a lot of trouble sleeping. Sitting just outside, under the bridge, he looked out at the city lights of Kingston. It appeared he was sitting alone talking to himself when actually he was discussing where he was and where he was expected to go next with the Angels. Between praying in the company of the Angels, Jasper would return to keep the fires burning and to warm himself.

Bobby, Tanya and Janet approached Jasper. "Sorry Jasper, but we're not built for this. I thought life was hard enough as it is. Thank you for opening our eyes, but we have come to the end of our journey with you and have to go now."

"Very well, I'm not keeping any of you against your will. You're free to go anytime, but you should know, you'll lose out on what the Lord has in store for you. He doesn't want his people to start something and then quit before the task is complete."

Just the same, Janet, Tanya and Bobby strode off. They talked about the situation. Never before had they met anyone like Jasper. Now they were going to leave him, a blind man, to take care of a drug addict on his own. The ghost of that putrid odour returned. Actually, it never fully left.

The Angels spoke to the hearts of Janet, Bobby and Tanya and they felt a great sense of conviction come over them. The only thing that remedied this was to return to Jasper, at least for a little while longer.

Trying to lay down with the others and sleep, it was no use, Jasper just ended up sitting by himself again, praying in the spirit with Wilson, Elana, Joel, Starr, Charmatrien and Taila.

Finally, Jasper prayed for sleep and the Angels sang a song to him. The song was about giving your problems and worries to the Lord. Doing just that and letting himself go, Jasper drifted away.

# CHAPTER 14

RANDY WAS MISSING, first thing in the morning.

Bobby was the first to notice when he awoke near Janet and Tanya. Getting up quickly, they searched the area.

Most of the other people were still sleeping when they discovered Jasper was also missing. The clear plastic wrap of left over party food was empty and crumpled up. They found it thrown on Randy's unoccupied dirty blanket. Crumbs littered the area. Someone had eaten all the food.

Running out from under the bridge they found Jasper sitting on a hilltop near the early morning traffic. The cars slowed down slightly as the early morning commuters observed Jasper in what looked like a meditative state. Sitting, facing the city of Kingston while holding Randy on his lap, Jasper rocked the sickly man back and forth like he was his child.

The only way Jasper could do this and keep himself safe from the attacks of the porcupine Demon was for Elana to tie it up in her silver lasso. When she did this, the porcupine Demon would become dormant.

The rising sun lit up the city of Kingston which made it look like it was forged of gold. The skies told Jasper to expect rain, however at the moment the skies were clear and calm. From where Jasper sat, he did his best to look all the way down the main street of the city. The others thought Jasper was experiencing a tranquil moment; a quiet start to the day. The truth was quite the contrary as Jasper looked out over the waking city, he observed a battle stricken war zone of armor clad Angels. They were in direct opposition to a multitude of Demonic forces. From Jasper's perspective, the battle was a treacherous one all night. He thought the darkness gave power to the Demons, but now the sun was rising and the tide of battle was about to take a turn.

Janet and Tanya shivered. Each of them had their arms wrapped around themselves. "I can't believe we slept outside under a bridge all night." Tanya said as though her friends and family wouldn't believe her if she told them.

"Yeah, I have to call my house." Janet replied with an unpleasant and uncomfortable reaction to the nippy morning air, "This was crazy. I'll never do it again. My roommate will be worried sick about me."

"If you go back, I won't be able to take you forward." Jasper told the two young women.

"Hey, Jasper, listen. Let's go down to Mickey D's and I'll buy us all breakfast. Okay?" Bobby offered with a twisted smile.

"That sounds great." Janet said. "Life is too short to waste it like this."

"You will soon find the lifestyle you cherish is the true waste." Jasper added as he repeated what the Angels instructed him to say.

A little girl seemed to appear from behind Bobby's legs. "Huh? Who are you?" Bobby asked.

"I'm Tessa. My mom's still sleeping. Do you have anything to eat?" The little girl wasn't more than four or five years old.

Bobby bent down to the little girl. His answer came but it was a delayed response. "Hey, if you go and wake your mother up quietly, she could come with us to a restaurant where I'm going to buy everyone breakfast. You have to be quiet though. Don't wake up the others. And do _not_ tell them I'm buying breakfast, okay?"

She gave him a wistful, playful smile. "Okay." Tessa answered sweetly as she turned and stumbled down the trail that led back under the bridge.

"What are we waiting for Jasper?" Janet asked. "I can't just hang around here, I'm freezing. My back hurts from sleeping on the ground and I think I'm catching a cold. I have to get back home where I belong."

"Ah, there he is, right on schedule." Jasper said as he stood up lifting Randy with him. Randy tried to support his weight with his legs.

"There is, who?" Tanya questioned Jasper only Jasper wasn't sure how to answer her since she'd never met Pastor Reed before.

"I was waiting for someone and now I see him." Jasper answered her, still just as vague as before.

The others squinted their eyes to look into the city, in the direction Jasper was looking. The early morning sunshine reflected brightly off glass and chrome. The bright flashes of light hurt their eyes and made it difficult to see anything so how could it be that this blind man could see better than them?

"You must have some pretty good peepers, Jasper." Bobby said as he rubbed his tired eyes. "Those people look smaller than ants from here."

Shielding his white sensitive eyes from the morning sun, Jasper just shrugged.

Janet handed Jasper a pair of sunglasses.

He accepted them with gratitude. "Thanks for noticing. Looks like another foggy morning to me though." Jasper told them. "I do see quite well, considering."

The voice of little Tessa was heard shouting, "Mommy! Mommy! The nice man who slept here last night wants to buy us all food!"

Bobby snapped his head around and looked at Jasper. All his colour left his face. "What are we going to do?" Bobby asked, "Come, on! Let's bolt!"

Jasper grabbed Bobby by the wrist. "No!" he told Bobby, "You will buy us breakfast; like you promised."

"What the!... We gott'a get out'a here! Full mecha!" Bobby raised his voice.

The term 'full mecha' was a catchy phrase the young people in Kingston liked to say.

Turning around; Jasper, Bobby, Randy, Tanya and Janet saw little Tessa in the arms of her mother and all of the other destitute people from under the bridge stood behind her. They looked up at Jasper's group with a humbled expectation of fulfilled hunger in their sad eyes.

Bobby bent down close to Jasper and whispered into his ear. "If I do this, Jasper, I'll be broke."

"Don't worry. Trust God that all things will work out in the end. You must do this." Jasper wasn't only passionate about what he said, but the way he expected Bobby to pay came across like an exciting challenge with a reward attached, no doubt.

Grumbling, Bobby went along with everyone.

Together, they all walked into the city. Traffic was again slowed as people tried to figure out what the crowd was all about.

Jasper led everyone the long way into the city, zig-zagging throughout the streets. No one understood why he didn't take a direct route to the fast food restaurant. They were very hungry.

Bringing everyone by the missionary outreach, Jasper found Pastor Reed standing out front. Walking right up to the Pastor Jasper said, "Hello."

"God bless you, sir." The Pastor said back in response as he actually paid Jasper no mind.

The way he was ignored, Jasper felt like he was just a nuisance.

The Pastor was preoccupied standing on his tip toes and craning his head as though looking for someone. "I'm sorry, the outreach is only open for supper this week." he spoke with kind eyes.

"Are you looking for someone?" Jasper asked.

"Yes, actually, I am." the Pastor replied.

"Is he a scruffy young man with long hair, a beard and walking a lamb?" Jasper asked the Pastor as though it was a riddle.

"Yes, yes, do you know him?" asked Pastor Reed.

"I _am_ , Jasper. I've had an eventful night which included a 'make-over.'"

The Pastor took a step back and gave Jasper a good stare up and down. "You don't look the same at all." he said with amazement. Jasper removed his sunglasses and his white eyes were unmistakable.

Tanya flipped out her cell phone where she carried before and after photos of Jasper's make-over transformation. Pastor Reed looked at the pictures for a long minute chuckling because the two pictures of Jasper were so drastically different.

"Yes, well, Bobby here has been so kind as to invite us all to breakfast this morning." Jasper told Pastor Reed.

Bobby slapped his hand to his fore-head in disbelief.

Jasper continued. "Would you care to join us? I could fill you in on everything that's happened since I saw you last."

"I would be honored, Jasper." The Pastor craned his neck to look at Bobby. When the Pastor waved and smiled, Bobby felt obligated to smile and wave back, but it was forced and awkward.

The Pastor realized this and said, "You're doing a very good thing in the eyes of the Lord, young man. God bless you."

Bobby was less than thrilled. "Ya, it's my pleasure." As the group began to walk down the road again, Bobby made his way to Jasper's side. "Why don't we just wear big signs to invite the whole stink'n city of Kingston, Jasper?"

Jasper tried to smile as he carried Randy. "We're all making sacrifices." Jasper told him.

"Let's just get to the restaurant. The sooner we put this behind us the better, all right?" Bobby wanted Jasper to know how frustrated he was.

"Open your heart to the joy of giving." Jasper told him, but it didn't seem to help. Pastor Reed heard Jasper's comment.

"And what have you given?" The Pastor asked.

"My old life." Jasper looked at Bobby with those haunted eyes of his. "Everything I was, I gave it all away."

The group filtered into the restaurant and stood in the line-up. Many dirty looks came from people who'd already been served. They were disgusted to share their breakfast morning with the down-and-out. Many people gathered up their breakfast and walked out.

Jasper went to the front counter with Bobby. "These people behind us are here to order breakfast and put it all on this person's bill, please."

"Is that true?" the young employee at the till asked.

"Oh yes, it is." Bobby was beginning to sweat.

The restaurant went through quite the workout, but Bobby could see how happy everyone was. The homeless talked and laughed together and for a moment, forgot about their worries. A special spirit filled the entire restaurant. Even the people behind the counter serving could feel the positive change in the place. It was like no other morning and Bobby forgot how worried he was about his savings.

Tessa's mother introduced herself to Jasper and the others. Her name was Megan. With her hair a mess of tangles and knots, Megan tried to smooth it out, smiling with a missing tooth and wearing worn dirty clothes. "You folks sure are kind. I'm not sure how we can repay you, but I was wondering; did you also have plans for lunch?"

Bobby lifted his head quickly in response to what he'd heard. Bobby was about to run out of the restaurant when Jasper put his arm over one of Bobby's shoulders with a smile of encouragement. Bobby was the last to be served so he could take care of the bill.

A news crew entered the restaurant in response to an anonymous tip. They noticed right away something unique was in the works. Starting up their broadcasting equipment, they were quick to begin asking Bobby a lot of questions.

The total cost for breakfast not only maxed out Bobby's credit card, he came up short by $56.95.

Jasper asked the customers if they could help.

Perhaps because the news cameras were rolling or out of a genuine desire to help, people began to come forward. Janet and Tanya counted the people who courageously volunteered and counted them. After dividing the total amongst the people, Janet said, "If each of you could give $11.39, this bill will be fully paid."

The people did pay and others actually gave money directly to the poor people. The news broadcaster stood in front of their camera and said, "An event of good will has begun to take place at this Micky D restaurant. Good Samaritans are popping up all over and assisting the homeless who came here as a group looking for breakfast. Who knew we had so many good hearted people in our great city, but there is one person here today who's pioneered this whole event." She took Bobby aside and asked him many more questions.

The reporters painted Bobby out to be some sort of hero, a religious do-gooder or something for feeding the poor.

Replying to the camera, Bobby said, "I couldn't bear to see the people of Kingston so hungry." Smiling from ear to ear, he felt much better about his decision to pay for breakfast than ever. "I didn't expect it to cost so much and ran out of money, but other people came; good people and they began to pay the debt until it was fully paid. Thank you everyone! We do have it in us to help our fellow man!" he shouted back to the people. Bobby had no idea the whole thing would turn out so rewarding.

The news reporter was thrilled by the story and tried to keep the energy up, "Tell us again, how did it feel when you saw the total you were billed?"

Now Bobby was beginning to shine up to the camera, "Whoa, when they gave me the bill my eyes popped out! I thought they were joking. I literally had to swallow my heart back down into my chest. I couldn't have predicted an amount in the thousands." A glow came over Bobby during his five minutes of fame. "It wasn't until all was paid for when I experienced something profound begin to take place in my heart. It felt so good to be such a big part of everyone's experience today."

"Did you order any breakfast for yourself?" the reporter asked.

Sheepishly Bobby admitted, "Yes, I ordered eggs, bacon, hash browns and a small orange juice. It was delicious, but I thought I was going to see it all again when I received the bill." Bobby felt a sense of good will move through him. It was all an experience he would treasure for the rest of his life.

After everyone had eaten their fill, they all gathered outside the restaurant. While socializing amongst themselves, Jasper raised his arms and said, "Listen up! I come from a place called Ceramecy. I invite you all to follow me, but you'll have to leave the city and all you own."

No one responded well to Jasper's offer. They acted like they didn't even hear him, so he added, "Those who are chosen will hear my voice and follow me."

In the wake of his little announcement, Jasper lifted up Randy into his arms and began to lumber away from everyone.

The porcupine Demon was still bound within the tight loops of Elana's silver lasso.

The group of people just stood in front of the restaurant together. They weren't sure what the scruffy blind man was talking about.

The news reporter was about to question Jasper, but had second thoughts about it.

Bobby was her story. She didn't want to get side tracked by some fool's ramblings.

"So, now what?" One of the homeless men wanted to know. "Is he just going to leave?"

"No, he's invited us to follow him." Janet said.

"He's kookoo." People snickered and jeered Jasper as the homeless didn't understand him at all.

"It was planned." came another, "Feed the homeless, put it on the news. What would be better publicity for someone?"

"Yeah, they get rich while we remain homeless." a lady grumbled in frustration.

As Jasper walked away, the crowd that gathered in front of the restaurant began to break up and wander off.

Jasper hoped to dodge any further angry outbursts.

Bobby kept his eyes on Jasper and wasn't distracted by the disgruntled vagrants. "One day, when I'm an old man, do you think I'm going to regret this moment if we don't go with him?" he asked the others.

Some of the people, like Janet, Tanya, Pastor Reed and Tessa looked on at the back of Jasper as he walked further away carrying the limp body of Randy in his arms.

"We're always looking for something great or supernatural to come into our lives. Why is it when we finally find it we're so quick to dismiss it. Jasper could be it. That long awaited something we've longed for which'll give us meaning to why we were ever put here on this planet in the first place, but if we let him go, we'll never know." added Pastor Reed. "No, I don't just believe God is working through this man, I know it! And if I let this opportunity pass me by, God will be disappointed in me once again. No, not this time!" Determination filled Pastor Reed then he left the others and hustled to catch up to Jasper.

"We only have one chance at this life." Janet responded, "This whole thing might turn out to be a huge let-down, but at least I will know for sure what Jasper's all about. I'm sorry, I agree with the preacher. I have to know for sure if Jasper is the real deal one way or the other."

Tanya and Bobby went with Janet to support and protect their friend.

The ones who chose to pursue the truth about Jasper followed after him. This was how the Lord separated the people.

In all, Pastor Reed, Bobby, Janet, Tanya, Tessa and her mother Megan, and of course Randy were all who remained with Jasper.

"Jasper! Jasper!" Pastor Reed called out as he jogged toward him.

Jasper turned at the call of his name. He saw the Pastor taking the lead with Bobby. Tanya and Janet followed. Finally, the little girl Tessa and her mother Megan straggled behind.

"Wilson, I don't want to be responsible for the death of a child." Jasper spoke quietly to the Angels. The Angels came in close to Jasper and Jasper continued, "Ceramecy should be tested. We need to be confident the place can even sustain us all comfortably. We have no idea what it will be like to survive a winter out there. It's so remote in those woods with no way of communicating with the rest of the world."

"Have faith, Jasper." Wilson responded to the concerns, "If you leave this mother and her daughter to the mercies of this city, then the child _will_ surely die."

Jasper closed his white eyes and sent up a little prayer as the people approached him. In his prayer he gave up his worries to the Lord.

"Jasper, I want to be perfectly clear about something." Pastor Reed started, "If any of us wish to leave at any time, from where ever it is you want to take us, we won't hear any arguments from you."

"Agreed." Jasper told the group with ease. "I'm not part of any earthly organization. Like I said, the Angels lead me. You have nothing to fear. Together, you all easily out number me."

"So, where are we going, Jasper?" asked Bobby, bluntly.

"We're going to a place, up until now, only I've known about. There, you'll have free shelter, free food and I will have the opportunity to share with you the glorious reality of the Lord." Jasper told them.

"I know of other Christian retreats that sound just like this." Pastor Reed said pensively.

"This is no Christian retreat like you've ever known, I can assure you. This is Ceramecy. Your instruction won't come from man there. It'll come directly from Heaven." Jasper told them.

Everyone looked at one another. Jasper sure had something monumental to share with them, _or_ he had some monumental hoax to play on them.

When Jasper wasn't around, everyone raised their suspicions about him. They contemplated whether or not he was some kind of con-artist or even mentally unstable. He told them stories but he hadn't shown anyone signs, visions or miracles. Still, despite their wild suspicions and because of Jasper's sincerity, they wanted to see for themselves if he was crazy or not. The people wanted to find out just how far they would have to walk to get to Ceramecy.

Jasper wanted to tell them, _'Ceramecy is just this side of Princeton.'_ But he couldn't. Instead, Jasper repeatedly promised them, "It'll be like paradise."

The Angels warned Jasper not to say too much or the people would leave. "Light only enough so the people can find their next step. Revealing the whole road will entice them to go their own way. Then they'd miss what God has planned for them."

Somehow, people thought Jasper was going to show them some sort of miracle, but the true miracle was the patience Jasper found in the people.

"So, you say you can talk to Angels?" In a cocky attempt, Pastor Reed began to challenge Jasper. "Is there an Angel here, right now?"

"Yes." Jasper answered honestly as he turned his head to follow an Angel as it glided by. "You have one floating behind you right now."

The Pastor was quite amused by the answer and decided to play along, "Oh? What's his name?"

Jasper chuckled, "A she, and her name is Taila."

Leaning back and crossing his arms, Pastor Reed began to address the Angel, "Taila... Okay, Taila? If you can hear me, say something to Jasper so I know you are true and not just a figment of his imaginings that he wants me to believe."

Jasper listened to the Angels. The others listened in intently but tried to remain inconspicuous about it. They were all ready to throw in the towel along with Pastor Reed.

Losing patience, Pastor Reed quickly decided Jasper was a hoax. He was about to say something when Jasper raised his hand to silence him. "Just a moment, Pastor Reed. The Angels aren't finished speaking just yet."

Pastor Reed smirked and shrugged his shoulders. After letting out a breath, he decided to wait a moment more.

Finally, Jasper turned to Pastor Reed and said, "Your father was misdiagnosed. He was taken before his time... and he has a message for you."

Pastor Reed froze and his face went pale white, but he didn't say a word.

Jasper had his attention. Then he let him continue. "Jimmy, your mother and sister are here with me. We see how hard it is for you but we are encouraged by your great faith. You need to be strong now. It won't be long. Before you know it, your life will be in order and all you've strived for will be yours."

Pastor Reed began to weep. Then thoughts invaded his mind. _'Is Jasper just_ that _manipulative?'_ Looking at Jasper with burning eyes of anger, Pastor Reed grabbed Jasper by the collar of his shirt and throttled him. "How did you know my father died? What was my sister's name? When did she die?"

Everyone was concerned when it looked like a fight was on. The angry Pastor shook a blind man who wouldn't defend himself.

Bobby and the girls ran in to break it up, but it was clear the Pastor's tantrum had passed and Jasper wasn't hurt.

Jasper flopped to his knees and held one hand to his throat before saying, "Your sister's name is Candice. She died in a vehicle accident with your mother when you were two years old. You were also in the car. It was your car seat that saved your life; at least that's your version of the story. Actually, your guardian Angel saved you." Careful not to get off topic, Jasper quickly said, "Your father struggled with this loss; you saw it in his eyes every day. The accident ate at him something fierce, but he loved you and took care of you. The greatest hero in your life was your father. He was your whole world. Like him you always wished to be a Pastor. Each time you looked in the mirror you saw the pain of your father's eyes staring back at you, but he's not in pain now and he doesn't want you to be in pain either."

"That's enough, Jasper. That's enough." answered Pastor Reed, still battling emotions with memories in his heart. _'Could it be? Is Jasper really speaking to Angels? Am I missing something?'_

As everyone spoke softly together, Jasper saw a Demon bind a net of skepticism over Bobby's head, covering his eyes. Then Bobby came forward, "Um, I'm sorry, Jasper. I don't like seeing you get roughed up at all but, I've seen professional psychics perform on stage and they appear so authentic but it always turns out they're just in it for the money."

"It's true." Jasper said and he heard everyone gasp. "When they ask for money you know it's not real, but this isn't about taking your money. Look at me. I have no money. If what I do is just talent, I would be on the road touring the land and making money at it. Besides, none of you are rolling in the dough anyway, so don't feel threatened." Jasper answered.

Bobby stepped forward. He was uneasy and skeptical about Jasper's intentions. "I want to trust you Jasper, but what about that news broadcast earlier? Are you up to something? You've managed to get everyone to stick around a little longer with your insight into Pastor Reed's past, but what if I need proof that's meaningful to me? For all I know, you and the Pastor are in on this together. You could be very good actors. Is there some other way you could convince the rest of us so we can also trust you?"

Jasper paused again to hear what the Angels had to say, "The Angels say there are many instances when they've tried to reveal themselves to people, but their efforts were shrugged off as 'odd coincidences' or 'too fantastic to be true.' They will try some of their techniques and I will point them out to you, but we must keep moving."

Everyone started off down the road again. Their minds were a jumble of conflicting thoughts.

Mere minutes passed when Jasper pointed to the sky and said, "There, you will see the word, 'believe,' written in the clouds."

"But how? Nothing but clouds blanket the entire sky." Janet noticed.

Sheer seconds later, an area of cloud opened to the blue sky beyond. Surely as predicted, letters formed and no one could dispute the word; 'believe,' was written across the open area.

Tanya, who was supposed to document everything, raised her cell phone and caught the image just before it dissolved. Before the group was through discussing this and observing the photo, Jasper told them, "The Angel Joel will reveal his face to you in the light reflected in this pond."

Tanya tried to steady herself with her cell phone at the ready.

"Now!" Jasper said.

Tanya snapped the camera and sure enough, the image of a beautiful young man was depicted smiling at them through the shimmering light of the water's surface.

This carried on as seven pictures were taken in all, depicting the faces of the six Angels. Charmatrien was seen in the leaves of a tree. Taila's slender form could be depicted in a farmer's brush-clearing fire. In the bark of a tree with just the right lighting and shadowing revealed, Elana's complexion could be depicted. Wilson's profile was portrayed on a sheer rock-face and within the surface of glistening sand Starr's illustrated countenance was revealed from a particular angle.

The group walked miles past Maplegrove and close to the town of Canuk-eh. Without realizing the actual length of the journey, they found they had covered a great distance.

Through the thrilling supernatural experience of finding and naming the Angels, the group socialized and grew to know one another quite well. They also felt they knew Jasper's Angels almost as well as Jasper did.

# CHAPTER 15

UNCERTAIN ABOUT INVESTING their faith in the leadership of a blind man, the group began to question what they were doing.

Randy was heavier than Jasper expected him to be. At times, Jasper's arms felt like they were going to tear right off. He switched off from time to time with Pastor Reed, but the weight of Randy plus the distance was more than even he could handle, making the experience of following Jasper even more unpleasant.

Jasper quietly pleaded with the Angels to assist them with their situation.

Taila approached and kissed her lips to Jasper's cheek as a single droplet of rain landed precisely where he was kissed. A cool rush of mixed up air ran scantly through his hair causing him to draw in a breath.

Jasper then prayed to the Lord. Rather than help, it seemed the Lord only sent rain down upon their heads. This caused Japer to appear all the more foolish in the eyes of his companions. When Jasper looked ahead and found they were only in Maplegrove, he sat down on the side of the road to rest. They still had such a long journey ahead of them.

With no other means of transport available, the group continued to trudge along on the shoulder of the highway, through the pouring rain.

Jasper carried Randy and Megan carried her daughter Tessa. Jasper always believed the journey home was supposed to seem shorter, but that wasn't the case in this situation.

"I think Tessa is coming down with a cold... Shouldn't we look for someplace dry until this rain passes?" Megan asked with concern.

Everyone thought Jasper was rudely ignoring them, but he was actually listening to Taila. She was at his side invisibly, whispering in his ear. "This planet is like a living thing. The living, from time to time, catches a virus and become sick. Right now the planet is sick and it centers around the air quality. We can do our part to help it get better. First we need to show that we care through our actions."

"What is the first thing we should do?" Jasper asked.

Taila seemed a little lost by the question as though she was hoping Jasper could provide this information to her. Responding, she said, "Let's begin with a prayer."

Unsure how he was supposed to fit into their secret mission, Jasper listened to her prayer without breaking his stride or closing his white eyes.

"Oh, Lord, hear us. We seek your guiding hand to show us what we must do. Then you can trust us to accomplish it."

A storm exploded upon them as the rain increased to gallon sized droplets, a clap of thunder resounded from above and rolled across the sky. Through the fierce rain lancing down at them, a large Dodge pick-up truck slowed down beside the group. The truck pulled a horse trailer. Pulling over to the shoulder of the highway just ahead of everyone, encouragement began to grow in the hearts of the soggy adventurers. Transport assistance was near.

Pastor Reed ran ahead of everyone else to talk to the driver. The driver came out of the truck and approached everyone.

"We have a ride, everyone!" Pastor Reed cheered.

"Hello, everyone!" the driver said. She was an elderly woman. "You have a child with you?" The elderly lady realized when she saw Megan carrying Tessa. "And what is the matter with this person? Is he sick?" she asked referring to Randy.

When she saw Jasper lift and carry Randy, the lady hastily unlocked the back of the horse trailer and opened the door. "Here get in! Hurry up now, this weather is atrocious!"

Thunder acted up again and sounded like God was busy in the process of moving his furniture around.

Everyone hustled into the empty trailer and sat down. Jasper set Randy down then he hustled back out to the lady. "I am trying to take my friends to Princeton." Jasper thought about where exactly he wanted to have everyone dropped off. Then it came to him. Before he would deliver everyone to Ceramecy, he would make an early stop where they could wait-out the storm. Jasper told the old woman the address of his intended destination.

"You mean, old man Jimmy? I'm his neighbor. I have to go right past his farm. I can take you right to his front porch, but I don't think he's living there anymore." She moved a little closer to him to see his face more clearly in the red rear trailer brake lights. "How do you know, Jimmy?" she asked, scrupulously.

"I was his last farm hand." Jasper confessed.

"J-Jasper?" she asked revealing she had followed the newspaper articles.

"Yes, yes. I am, Jasper." he confirmed again.

"Oh, my. Jimmy used to talk about you all the time. You don't look at all the way I pictured you would. Come on, come on. You can ride up front with me." she told Jasper.

Jasper jumped into the passenger seat. He and the elderly lady were soaking wet. They headed down the highway when the lady driver said, "You can call me, Bell. I was a good friend of Rose. It was a very sad time when she passed away. Were you at the funeral?"

"Yes, I was." Jasper answered as he looked down, recalling the sad event.

"I don't remember seeing you there." Bell recalled. "The O'l farm is on the market these days. O'l Jimmy has been emitted into a care facility in the heart of Princeton. Apparently he's miserable there. What do you want with his place?"

"Well, I wanted to see, Jim, but if he isn't there, then I'm not sure where I should go." Jasper trailed off in thought.

Bell's thoughts were with the little girl. She noticed right away that Tessa was sick and didn't have nice clothes. And Jasper's other sick friend, referring to Randy, should definitely not be out in the cold.

"Just for tonight, I would like for you and your friends to stay at my farm. I have a small guest house. You're all welcome to make yourselves at home there, but after the storm you'll have to take care of yourselves, okay?" offered Bell.

"Bless you, Bell." Jasper said, "You're the answer to our prayers."

The heavy rains didn't let up the entire trip. They rolled passed Jim's farm in the truck and trailer. Jasper looked at the locked gate at the front of his property. Next to the gate was a home realty property sales sign.

Bell went on ahead to the next driveway at the opposite side of the road. _'What are the odds?'_ Jasper thought. The one person who stopped for them was none other than Jim's neighbor. _'It_ ' _s a small world and the Lord is connected to every detail of it.'_

Bell could've driven a little slower through the pot holes of her driveway. It was difficult to see her farm through the condensation and dark overhead clouds. The truck pulled up between a large home that was constructed of cedar logs and a smaller guest house which built like the main home. Everyone came out of the trailer where Bell quickly led them to the log guest house. Everyone ran through the immense rain drops. Pastor Reed carried Randy inside. Jasper and Bell followed close behind and closed the door.

Bell turned on the lights and then she went to the thermostat on the wall and turned on some heat to the room. Everyone was wet.

Janet and Tanya approached Bell. "Oh, thank you for stopping for us. We're so grateful." Tanya said. "Everything was looking pretty hopeless for a while there."

"Is this your place?" Janet asked. "It's beautiful."

"This is my guest house. You'll have to pardon a few things here. I wasn't prepared to have guests in it just yet. I'll come back with some fresh towels and blankets for you all. You'll also have to excuse the fact that there is only one double bed here. I'll see if I can find some extra foam mattresses."

"Please, Bell." Jasper spoke up. "There's no rush. Actually, I can come to your place later to help you bring some of these supplies over. We'll be fine."

Bell took a moment to examine her strange new guests. They all needed dry clean clothes. Megan, Tessa and Randy appeared to be the ones in the direst need of attention.

"I'm concerned about Randy." Jasper said to the others, "I want to make sure he gets a bath and is cleaned up."

Bell looked at Randy. She took a deep breath before she let it all out at once. "All of the girls will come with me into the house, right now." Bell announced, but when she turned and opened the door, the rain outside came down like a curtain of water. Bell, a true farmer, looked back for a moment as though the rain was nothing to scoff at. "Well, come on girls." Then the little old lady rushed off through the down pour.

Janet, Tanya, Megan and her little daughter Tessa followed Bell out into the rain to her main log home. The manicured green of the lawn looked spectacular, even in such a downpour. It must be breath taking on a clear day.

The Angels, Taila and Starr began to follow the ladies, when they turned to look back they found Elana still holding her silver lasso. The lasso was still tightly wound around Randy's docile porcupine Demon.

Joel approached Elana and untied the lasso from the Demon.

The porcupine Demon remained quiet like a sleeping child.

As he handled the Demon, Joel accidentally poked his thumb on the point of one of the porcupine quills. "Owe!!!" He flinched and popped his thumb into his mouth. With his thumb in his mouth, he said, "Go on ahead, we'll be fine here. If this porcupine Demon awakens, we'll take care of him."

Elana smiled. She was grateful to her friend as she coiled up her silver lasso, "Thank you, Joel." Then she joined her sister friends as all of the ladies proceeded to the main house.

Pastor Reed and Bobby just stood around cold and wet, while Jasper took Randy into the bathroom to bathe him and clean him up.

Jasper did a good job washing Randy. While preparing the bath, Jasper was amazed at just how skinny Randy really was. Extra precautions needed to be made to be sure Randy's head didn't slip under the water's surface. When the cleaning session was over, Jasper lifted Randy out of the tub and dried him off. He dressed Randy in the white bath robe which was hung inside of the bathroom door.

As Jasper carried Randy out of the bathroom and laid him down on the bed, Randy began to shiver.

Pastor Reed came to check on Randy from the other side of the bed. He checked his fore-head temperature.

Randy's shaking became more violent.

Jasper could see the porcupine Demon; fully awake, pulling and shifting various quill ends that protruded from Randy's back. Using the quills like levers, the porcupine Demon controlled Randy to convulse and spasm.

Bobby came near and tried to stabilize Randy's legs.

"He's having a seizure." Pastor Reed said. "Quick, we need to stabilize him. Put something in his mouth before he tries to swallow his tongue."

Jasper slipped off his leather belt and folded it before he placed it in Randy's mouth. With one hand Jasper secured the leather between Randy's teeth. With his other hand he held Randy's arm down.

Pastor Reed climbed onto the bed and held Randy's other arm and chest down.

Joel, Wilson and Charmatrien tried to hold the porcupine Demon steady but its quills made it impossible to get too close. Then the porcupine Demon began to throw its quills at the Angels. They had to dodge a volley of the darts.

"We have to hold on until the seizure passes." Pastor Reed told Jasper and Bobby.

Joel held one wrist of the porcupine Demon while Wilson held the other then Charmatrien used his water sword to douse the Demon with water. Next Charmatrien began to freeze the Demon and it slowly stiffened.

In a matter of minutes, the seizure passed. Pastor Reed rolled up one of Randy's sleeves. "Just as I thought. This man is a drug addict. Just look at the tracks on his arm."

"It's obvious he's a drug addict." Jasper said, "Randy's going through drug addiction regressions and he's going to need our help."

"He needs professional help from a rehab center." the Pastor divulged sternly.

"I won't argue with you about that, but I'm supposed to help Randy. I'm following professional instructions from Angels. He's my responsibility." Jasper told Pastor Reed.

"He will be your liability. What will you do if he dies in your care? Or am I telling you something too realistic for your Heavenly thoughts? You're not prepared for the consequences, are you?" the Pastor asked.

"Where is your faith, Pastor? Name one person who's prepared for the consequences of death? Randy called out to _me_ for help. No one else would look his way, much less lift a finger to help him. As long as he needs me, I'll be here for him." Jasper declared.

At that moment, Pastor Reed decided Jasper wasn't a rational man. Reed began preparing himself for the moment when Jasper would fail. When this happened and Pastor Reed believed it'd be soon, he'd take over responsibility for the little group and lead everyone back to the city. As time went on under Jasper's leadership, Reed felt this was his purpose. This was why God wanted him to be part of this group.

Randy's body temperature continued to rise soaking him with sweat.

"Bobby, could you get me a cold damp face cloth, please?" Jasper called with decisive intent.

Bobby ran to the bathroom and returned with the damp cloth.

Jasper used it to pat Randy's face. "He's going through withdrawals." Jasper told them. "Randy's body still craves the drugs. We have to starve him from them and start him on a healthy eating plan. It will take time but we can save him."

Bell returned, opening the door quickly she stepped in out of the rain. With two garbage bags with her, she could see the three young men caring for the skinny sick one. "These bags are full of my husband's old clothes. We were going to donate them, but you're welcome to go through them. Feel free to take what you want."

Jasper made up his mind to take all she had since they'd have no other clothes to wear at Ceramecy except for what they brought with them.

"My husband, Ted, is a big man. I can tell just by looking at you boys, these clothes will fit you loosely." Bell explained with a warm half smile.

"It will do just fine, Bell." Jasper said with gratitude, "How are the girls?"

"Oh, they're just fine; getting all cleaned up. I am putting on a pot of tea. Would you join us?" Bell asked pleasantly.

"Yes, of course we will. Thank you, Bell." Jasper responded delightfully.

"I've decided to set up accommodations for the girls inside the house, if you gentlemen would remain here." Bell rightly suggested.

"That's reasonable." Jasper replied cooperatively.

That evening, Bell was most hospitable. She provided food, like a supper table of plenty and for desert, apple pie and cookies. Telling stories about when she was young growing up in the small town of Princeton, Bell revealed how she didn't always live on a farm. Bell's quiet husband, Ted was with them also, but he mainly stayed parked in his favorite arm chair and didn't say very much.

Time tended to fly by. Everyone was starting to show signs of how bushed they were. The girls had their places to sleep in the county styled, log farm house. The men turned in at the smaller log guest house. Pleased with how well everything was working out, Jasper prayed a prayer of thanks to God before he went to bed.

# CHAPTER 16

OPENING HIS EYES at the sound of Angels singing morning praises to the Lord, Jasper lifted his head from his pillow and stretched. Rubbing his eyes he beheld the magnificent sight of the Angels singing in the room, Jasper prayed for a blessing on the day, before he thanked the Lord for the Angels and his new friends. Pushing the blankets off, Jasper was the first to stand up. The men found it pleasant to wake up in the cozy log guest house. The floor was comfortable, more comfortable than sleeping on stone, roots and branches like he'd gotten used to in Ceramecy.

Jasper saw Bobby and Pastor Reed, also sleeping on foam mattresses on the floor. Randy had the entire bed to himself.

The Angel's music ceased abruptly, just before a knock came to the door of the log guest house.

"All right, boys." came the call from Bell. "The girls are up and I have bacon sizzling and flap-jacks stacking. Just get yourselves together and meet us in the house as soon as you can or I won't be held responsible if you miss breakfast." Though Bell spoke through the door, she was loud and clear.

Bobby and the Pastor sat up instantly at Bell's call.

Even Randy sat up and yawned. Apparently, he wasn't about to miss out on a bacon breakfast. His porcupine Demon awoke with him but it looked different. While it was frozen and asleep, the male Angels worked at cutting off the evil creature's quills. Now, awake and warmed up, it looked even more scrawny and naked without them, but it was also far less harmful. Even most of the long quills that were stuck in Randy's back had been pulled out. The bald porcupine Demon wailed and cried for some time like a child throwing a temper tantrum.

The men composed themselves for the day and went over to the main log home for breakfast. Bell prepared a lot of food. Ted sat at the head of the long dining table while Bell sat down at the opposite end.

"Dear Lord." Ted began to speak. The others were kind of amazed because to them, it was Ted's first time saying anything at all. "Bless the food and the hands that prepared it."

They ate pancakes, eggs, hash browns, bacon, toast and sausages. Everyone had their choice of beverages also; orange juice, coffee, tea and even goat's milk... Not everyone went for the goat's milk.

After everyone ate their fill, they kind'a felt the sense that their visit was spent. Tessa danced around in the family room. She loved the care that Bell took in her choices of Victorian country fashion. Tessa was given a cute country dress that was like new. She wore it proudly. Both Tessa and Randy were singled out the most. Tessa was pretty, but Randy had undergone the greatest transformation.

People couldn't help themselves but to make a comment or two about how good Randy looked. Wearing some of Ted's old clothes, Randy looked like a skinny child who was playing dress-up with his father's clothes. Randy took on a whole new character. Clean shaven with a haircut, his sickly wrinkled face seemed slightly fuller with colour and his transformation to health was quickly underway. He even smiled and joked a little. His striking light blue eyes observed everyone and became more alert with each passing hour.

Jasper thanked Bell and Ted for opening their home to them and assisting them when they needed it most. Gathering everyone together, Jasper informed the others to prepare for a long walk to Ceramecy.

Tessa was disappointed to have to leave and she showed it when her energetic dance lost its oomph and her smile slid down off her face.

Everyone thanked Bell and Ted in turn.

Tessa drew the both of them in for a final embrace. Not only did she seem to want the old couple to adopt her, but she lost all enthusiasm for Ceramecy.

Jasper made sure he took the garbage bags of clothes, but he also asked for blankets.

Bell was such an amazing and giving person who wasn't timid to express her great faith in the Lord.

Everyone left the farm feeling so good and encouraged.

They walked out from Bell and Ted's long driveway and across the road to Jim's locked gate. Randy was getting stronger. He would lean on Jasper and walk on his own two legs.

Two dark ghostly figures stood guard outside the gate. They held long sharp spears. Jasper knew no one else could see the dark guards and he wondered what purpose they served in front of Jim's farm.

No one felt comfortable following Jasper over the gate and down the long dirt road. "Are you sure we're not trespassing, Jasper?" Pastor Reed asked with concern.

Jasper had to reassure everyone, multiple times, that they weren't trespassing. The road led the group to the main house just as Jasper remembered.

Randy had become a nuisance holding Jasper back quite a bit, but Jasper didn't complain. Looking around, Jasper expected to see Rusty, the black lab, but the dog never came. There were no vehicles either. Jasper walked over to the stairs to the porch of the main house and set Randy down to rest. Climbing the stairs, Jasper looked in through the windows. All of the furniture had been removed from the house. Then a deathly face slammed against the window from the inside.

Jasper jumped back screaming as Joel punched the Demon out. Joel's spiritual fist went through the window, but no one else had a clue what happened. Jasper's heart was beating a mile a minute. He chose to act cool though to avoid a lengthy explanation.

"What did you see, Jasper?" asked Bobby.

"Nothing. Nothing at all." Jasper answered. "My eyes like to play tricks on me."

Turning to examine the rest of the farm, Jasper found it had become a haunted domain. The barn doors swung loosely open to reveal it was also empty of persons or belongings but it was packed full of evil spirits. They wove in and out of each other and scampered over the exterior of the barn. All of the establishments of the farm were infested by the hauntings of Demons and their kinds. For many years these Demons had tormented the farm and its caretakers until they finally had the run of the place. In celebration of their victory, the Demons howled and laughed hysterically amongst one another. They had succeeded in driving off the owners.

There was nothing interesting about the barn to anyone, but Jasper clearly saw how ghosts from the pit of Hell had claimed it _their Domain_. Demons were alerted with terrifying screams from the main house sending chills through Jasper. The dark stalkers came silently out of the shadows and padded their hooved feet on daunting, nerve-wracking approach. Horned Devils and winged serpents paced back and forth; growling, sneering and hissing; warning the Angels to stay back. They seemed to be on a build up to an assault.

The six Angels took defensive positions around the group to guard and protect them. "Stay together everyone." Jasper told them, but no one shared his sense of danger.

Then something mysterious caught Jasper's eye. It was an old carrying bag that Jim had made him use many times. Jasper handled the back-pack to pack fire wood for Jim. It was old, and obviously no one saw any value to it or it wouldn't have been left behind. Jasper knew he would need the old canvas back-pack and decided he'd have to enter the barn to get it.

Knowing Jasper's thoughts, the Angels went in ahead of him. With a crack of Elana's whip, they entered the barn. Joel drew his sword. Fire and lava sprung forth from the blade.

Wilson, Charmatrien, Starr and Taila became a blaze of Holy light as they also charged in.

Light shot from Wilson's fists.

Recognizing the light, Jasper remembered it was like the Holy light he saw when he had a glimpse at Heaven.

At a distance, Wilson punched his fists at the Demons and the blinding flash of light blew them back causing them to turn and flee.

Charmatrien's swords of water blades were also effective at driving the Demons back. The Holy water of cleansing and renewal burned the Demons effectively except he was substantially outnumbered.

While wielding the golden sword of truth, Starr opened her wings and released thousands of doves. In droves, the doves flew together, spreading light and purity which the Demons found revolting.

Taila's hands began to glow with a soft hue of orange. Focusing her emotions, sunset light flared out at the Demons. The effect was momentarily blinding to them but when the Demons regained their sight, they found flowers growing upon their bodies and it drove them out of their minds. Demons retreated, ripping bright coloured flowers of beauty out of their detestable spirits.

The Angels seemed to be effectively driving the Demons away when a loud spiritual explosion occurred between the Angels and the Demons and a powerful Imp arose.

The Imp was the Demon; Krustatious. A member of the Insufferable Six, only she was here on her own to lead _these_ Demons. When she settled to the ground, the air trembled with the awful after-sound of the explosion. Super-hot spiritual bits peppered the area. That was when they noticed how short she was. Pointing to one Angel after the other she spoke with a crackly voice, "Take Joel with impatience!" a group of Demons and winged serpents dived in at Joel at once.

When Jasper saw Krustatious, a ripple of fear ran through his body like electricity.

Krustatious glared at Jasper. It looked like she recognized his fear. She then drew the fear right out of him, weakening him which resulted in supplying her with a huge reservoir of energy to tap into.

Joel shot Jasper with one of his arrows of faith. "Have faith brother! Not fear. Give these foul inhuman spirits nothing!"

Joel fought as hard as he could and his friends assisted him.

Though Jasper instantly felt encouraged, it was too late. He had empowered evil substantially.

Krustatious pointed her twisted finger at Taila and shouted, "Bitterness!" At this command, Taila was targeted by a separate number of Demons. Then it was revealed that Krustatious wasn't alone after all.

Vyxcious arose from behind the barn and he towered over it. Looking down at the Angels the old Viking roared.

Pointing at Elana, Krustatious shouted, "Rejection!" Wilson; "Confusion!" Charmatrien; "Anxiety!" Starr; "Hopelessness!"

Then from Vyxcious' feet grew thick vines of thorns which slithered out from him like vipers stalking prey.

The vines began to grab and twist around the Angels. They were completely bound and conquered.

Jasper could do nothing but watch.

Back-up arrived with impeccable timing when Jasper saw the guardian Angels of the people outside stand around them protectively. Each citizen of the city had their own guardian Angel. Their wings opened wide and the tips of their wings touched one another like they were paper cut-outs. What protected the people the most from the spiritual battle exploding around them was their blindness and unawareness to it.

When Jasper ran into the barn after the Angels, he tried to keep his eyes closed for as long as he could. Dashing right past Wengroangrinch, Jasper open his eyes just enough to locate and grab the back-pack. It had a thin wooden frame overlaid with canvas which had faded to an old rustic gray colour. Though the canvas was frayed at the edges, it was still strong.

As Jasper grabbed the back-pack from off the rusty nail, Wengroangrinch directed the Demons to flee from the Angels and enter the rats. Hidden under tarps, floorboards and within the stacked bales of straw, a countless number of rats were possessed all at once. Like a swarm of millions flooding out into the open, the dirty disgusting creatures attacked with an evil demeanor snapping their teeth at Jasper. Loudly squeaking, the multitude of rats moved across the floor of the barn like a wave of water.

Tucking the back-pack under his arm, Jasper bolted out of the barn like a football player with the vicious rats nipping at his heels.

The Angels deflected the angry Demon possessed rats away from Jasper with their weapons as he ran for his life.

Pastor Reed, Bobby and most of the others giggled as they watched Jasper running hastily toward them. Their smiles disappeared the moment they realized the movement in the darkness was rats. No one could clearly see the hoard of rats until they chased Jasper out of the barn.

Referring to the furry current that poured out of the barn doors behind him, "Rats!!!" Jasper shouted.

The group panicked and fear ran up their spines like the rodents were already upon them. Screaming, the group darted every which way. The Angels, continuing to wield their weapons, could only delay the rats; not stop them. There was far too many of the little varmints.

"Don't let them bite you!" warned Pastor Reed.

"I don't want to get diseases!" Janet snapped back.

"Like rabies?!" Bobby didn't have to say this but it did add an edge to the chase.

Arm in arm, Pastor Reed assisted Randy but they were the ones moving the slowest. Everyone began to head for the house.

"No! Run this way! Follow me!" Jasper called out urgently. Signalling the group to follow him, Jasper headed down a path toward the trees through an overgrown and dried out corn field in the direction of Ceramecy. Throwing Randy over his shoulder, Pastor Reed changed direction and ran to join Jasper. The others responded to Pastor Reed and charged in his direction as they raced for their lives to stay ahead of the evil red eyed army of rats.

It appeared their torment was decided.

# CHAPTER 17

THE RATS NEVER LET UP the chase the entire way. It wasn't easy to see them in the dark corn field, but the sound of their menacing squeaking and growling, (Yes, the rats growled) let the group know the rats were close. The rosettes of the rat's Demonic eyes lit up and reflected back at them.

Scared; breathing hard, they pumped their legs running as fast as they could. Running for their lives, Tessa found it particularly challenging because of her short legs, but this paled to the extra exertion the Pastor bore because he carried Randy.

Pastor Reed was behind the others and he finally had to stop and put Randy down. He could go no further.

The Angel, Charmatrien, told Jasper, "You have to go back! Pastor Reed needs your help." Without any further questions, Jasper immediately darted off back tracking toward the rats.

Popping out of the tall dry corn stalks, Jasper took hold of Randy and said, "Let's go!"

At this word, Joel shot Pastor Reed with an arrow of refreshing. This instantly revitalized the Pastor with renewed strength. Together, Jasper and Pastor Reed dragged Randy through the last stretch of the field just barely ahead of the rats.

Randy watched as the rats narrowly caught his feet. What he couldn't see was the invisible Angels who protected him or Starr's doves that worked to distract the rats.

The scared crew hiked through the trees. The saturated and pungent earth before them was littered with dry leaves that gave away their position well. Dodging and weaving around every manner of obstacle in the woods, they were the first to reach the shallow wide creek. Megan had carried Tessa and Bobby assisted her. Janet, Tanya and Bobby still carried the garbage bags of clothing and blankets.

At the river's edge, everyone stopped and took stalk of their roaming and thatched realm. They didn't want to risk getting their feet wet.

"Do we have to go into the river?" Janet asked.

"Do you see a bridge?" Bobby spat back.

"Hurry mommy! The rats are coming!" Tessa told Megan.

"Maybe Jasper will part the water for us like in the Bible. Look! Here he comes!" Tanya exclaimed.

Jasper and Pastor Reed came charging out of the corn field dragging Randy. They ran past everyone else and slowed for nothing before splashing into the river. Randy began to shout in protest because of his pain, fear and distain for water submersion.

With the squeaks and shufflings of the rats on the rampage running after them, everyone else quickly followed Jasper and Pastor Reed into the river. Countless rats filtered out of the corn field just behind them.

The Angels split up and did what they could to protect each of the people.

Wilson told Jasper, "Open your heart and your wings! This is the moment you all need to fly swiftly."

Not one rat had the sense to remain on shore. Driven by madness, they all lunged and charged into the river where they were promptly swept away in the current.

All who crossed the creek had to toil against the strength of the water flow. No one complained about getting their feet wet anymore because they knew, once they crossed the river, the rats would no longer be attacking them.

"What was that, Jasper? Those rats were crazy!" asked Pastor Reed.

"They're not crazy, they're Demon possessed. The forces of darkness stand against us and what we're doing."

Toweling off and using the dry clothes they carried, they prepared themselves and found some rest before carrying on. Jasper had Randy sit in the canvas back-pack. He figured carrying the thin man strapped to his back wouldn't put such a strain on his arms anymore.

"I don't get it. Was that old back-pack really that important?" Bobby asked.

"The bag is important to me. Not only does it have sentimental value, it provides multiple other uses." With his thumb, Jasper pointed to Randy sitting in the back-pack on his back. "The Demons had taken over the farm. Our presence was a threat to them. A certain Demon, who goes by the name Krustatious was leading them. It was Krustatious who has a personal vendetta against us and especially the Angels who protect us."

Their hike up the mountain was strenuous and difficult. Evil shadow Demons from the farm didn't leave them and despite the protection of the Angels, the living people found themselves on a roller-coaster of emotional despair.

Though the mountain of Ceramecy was heavily guarded by Angels, treacherous Demons still found ways of sneaking in amongst the trees at the lower half of it. It wasn't easy for the Demons to hunt the people with their weapons, because they had to hunt the Angels also. Moving quickly and silently amongst the shadows, the Demons found their targets in the people who followed Jasper. Arrows, axes, swords, whips and chains of malice, deceit and heavy downheartedness affected the emotions of the hikers in very negative ways.

Because the new comers had never been to Ceramecy before, they lost faith in Jasper. They doubted he would ever take them there at all. They distrusted the promise that such a wonderful place even existed.

Jasper spoke so fondly about Ceramecy like it was the Garden of Eden which fell right out of Heaven to earth. "Ceramecy?" They sneered, "Could there really be such a place?"

"With free food and free housing?"

"With animals and the beauty of nature?"

"It all sounds too good to be true."

The group mainly wanted to go just to call Jasper on his bluff, but they didn't expect it to be such a chore to get there.

Jasper heard them talking and reminded them, "I've never let you down and neither has the Lord. I solemnly vow to prove that Ceramecy really exists. Just stay with me a little longer."

Jasper had them climb practically to the top of the mountain. He found the old path he used to take the animals up and followed it. In turn the people wanted to turn back but Jasper told them, "A runner doesn't run a race to turn around just before the finish line. Now buck-up everyone, we're almost there!"

Near the top of the steep mountain, just where Jasper had said it would be, he had brought them into the heart of Ceramecy.

Slithering out from the tight straps of the back-pack, Jasper set Randy down. Pastor Reed helped Jasper to lower Randy to the ground gently.

Randy's face sagged with a sickly expression. The others also noticed Randy seemed quite uncomfortable, but the reason was obvious to Jasper.

"Randy has a Demon attached to him." Jasper explained. "It is a puppeteer Demon and it hates being here. This place is Holy."

The others weren't completely sure what Jasper was talking about, but Jasper could see the changes taking place in the bald porcupine Demon as it moaned and wailed. The Holiness of the land tortured the creature and though it was already skinny, it continued to wither like a plant drying out.

"He needs rest." Jasper told the Pastor.

Immediately Jasper went to the horse's stalls. They neighed in delight when they saw Jasper approaching. Everyone stood in amazement as they looked around and saw how Ceramecy _was_ truly all that Jasper said it would be.

Pastor Reed was both in awe and laughing in disbelief.

They saw the neighbourhood of small log dwellings, the variety of animals in their pens, multiple paths lined with bushes, flowers, fruits and vegetables. The waterfalls and creeks had been altered to run through little alcoves past plants, animals and paths equipped with little bridges to cross them. Everything was so dream-like, just as Jasper had described it to them.

Janet, Tanya and Bobby dropped the heavy garbage bags which now held the weight of wet clothing. Amazed, they held their eyes and mouths open at the magical world before them.

"It's not possible." Bobby said as he looked around.

"I don't believe it." Pastor Reed imparted. He lifted the back-pack and turned it around.

Randy's face was flush, though his complexion was usually so, but his eyes grew wider than they had ever been before. The only thing that communicated what he felt was the tears that welled up in his eyes.

Once the girls caught their breath, they set off exploring in amazement. "Look Tessa!" Megan spoke to her daughter, hand in hand pointing details out while sauntering down a twisty path, "Do you see all of the animals?" It was like a scene torn right out of the pages of a fairy tale.

"Yes, mommy, I see goats, sheep, horses, pigs, cows, geese, chickens and a donkey." Little Tessa cheered and jumped with glee.

"I have also managed to tame some wild bunny rabbits and birds." Jasper said smiling with his delighted white eyes on Tessa. "I have a few things to do right now but if you want, just follow this path beside the creek and up the hill over there. It leads to a wonderful lake. When I'm finished here with the animals, I'll come and get you. Then I'll show you to your cabins."

Tessa was trying to stick her fingers through the fence posts of the sheep's pen. Megan yanked Tessa's hands back to safety. She had tears of gratitude in her eyes. "Oh, thank you, Jasper. Thank you so much for including us." Turning with Janet and Tanya, the ladies became emotional in the company of one another before they meandered up the side of the creek toward the lake.

Pastor Reed and Bobby helped Randy over to Jasper. Jasper knew they were approaching but he wouldn't break his focus from his chores. Because he was away so long, there was much to do.

"Am I dreaming?" Randy asked, "Whoa, is that a horse? For real?"

Jasper just smiled. The spirit of Hayolam was still with Jasper and he was encouraged to see the lamb as it recognized Ceramecy. It hopped and pranced about with joy, but Jasper wondered if it knew it was dead.

"I don't know if you knew this but I was certain you were going to let us down. I was going to turn you in, for some sort of illegal activity." Pastor Reed laughed, "I certainly didn't expect you were honest. I'm amazed you actually created a very beautiful place here and with your blindness even. Jasper, we should tell other people about this."

Jasper looked at Pastor Reed, "If the Lord thinks so. For now, this will have to remain our little secret."

Pastor Reed slowly panned his head around to see everything again before he settled his eyes on Jasper. Seeing Jasper was very busy, Pastor Reed asked, "Can I help you with anything? It looks like you have some urgent catching up to do."

While setting down a large bag of grain, Jasper bent down and ran his hand through the little creek of water to clean out some leaves. "What I have left to do won't take long but if you go off looking around, I must ask you not to go too far. There're some terrible steep edges around here and I wouldn't want anyone to get hurt." He turned to the young men before saying, "I want to take you all on a tour of Ceramecy and answer your questions, then I'll show you to your cabins, but I've just told the ladies to wait for me at the lake."

"Oh, I know where they went." Bobby said as he recalled seeing what path they took, "Come on, Pastor Reed!"

"Yeah, just leave Randy with me." Jasper instructed.

Pastor Reed didn't argue he was still pinching himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

Jasper felt very good about having everyone with him at Ceramecy. It was as though a new phase of God's work was completed. While Jasper worked, he had a sense of being home, but it was still not the same as the overwhelming feeling he experienced upon looking at Heaven and knowing that was where he belonged. Though Ceramecy was an element where he felt complete and whole, he couldn't see it as wondrous as everyone else. Jasper had seen Heaven and knew there was no place on earth like that world.

A soft and kind voice began to speak to Jasper from his left. "Life, here, isn't to be operated the same as you once managed it, Jasper. Do you recall saying, 'the work here is too much to handle all on your own?'" Taila asked.

"Now we have many capable hands here to assist you." Charmatrien added as he appeared on Jasper's right.

"Don't feel afraid to ask our visitors for help. If you ask it of them, they will answer your call. The Lord your God has chosen them for this." Joel re-enforced with a solemn nod of his head. "It will make them feel involved with a sense of attachment, like how you feel. You aren't angry with us for asking you to work so hard because you can see you're stronger for it."

But the idea to manage the people like they were his employees did bother Jasper. "Everyone has just arrived. I can't ask them for their help. Least not yet. Just look at them. They're exhausted. Perhaps tomorrow. For now I just want everyone to get to know this place and feel comfortable here." Jasper looked up from pouring grain into the horse's trough to see Randy looking at him with a coy expression.

Randy smirked with a half-smile, "Don't worry, buddy. Done a little angel-dust in your time? I won't tell. So have I. I talk to myself all the time too."

"No. No angel-dust." Shaking his head, Jasper just turned away, embarrassed. He quickly found something else to do.

* * *

Later, into the evening, Jasper went to the lake. Everyone was sitting around talking to one another and enjoying the stars.

"Hey, Jasper!" Tanya said, expressing how excited she was to have him join them. "What amazing scenery from up here. We can see for miles! And this lake!.. Um, one thing though, my phone needs a recharge."

"Oh, that could be a problem." Jasper asserted.

"Oh, what breath-taking views." Janet added. "See, over there on the horizon? It's the lights of Kingston!"

"Sure." Jasper agreed as he turned and pointed, "Over here to the North is, Princeton."

"Princeton?" Pastor Reed questioned. He was a city slicker and obviously didn't visit small towns like Princeton often. The town was very small.

"I can see a lot more than that!" Bobby exclaimed as he too was pointing to the distance, "You see? Over there is Blue River, and way over there is Rolly Lake. My dad used to take me there fishing as a kid."

Jasper gathered everyone together as he took them on a brief tour of Ceramecy. With an outstretched arm, he held a lantern and attempted to show them the waterfall veil that filled the pool and also how it drew out to a creek. "This will all be much easier in the morning when we have a little light to assist us." Showing the others about the plants which could be eaten, Jasper went around and taught the people about the edible wild food and they each enjoyed tasting what Jasper gave them. They all knew it would take some time before they had familiarized themselves with the wild food completely.

Soon, Jasper had led everyone along the path to the small houses. There he showed each one of the new comers to a specific log cabin. The cabins were all made of three log walls with one wall of stone, which was part of the cliff's solid rock high-wall. The doors were made of log and the two windows were simply shutters made from log slabs split lengthwise.

Before they moved on, Jasper said a prayer before blessing the dwelling then he showed each one how to start a fire in the fireplace. Within darkness, Jasper lit a candle on the small table. The tables also had some wild forget-me-nots placed on them along with a clay pitcher and a deep clay bowl. Each of the cabins were quite similar and no bigger than two vehicle parking spaces. Jasper told them, "It was important for the dwellings to be small because they needed to be easy to heat." Each person received blankets and extra clothing.

Keeping together, they finished off visiting from one cabin to the next. After they saw the last cabin, Jasper led them to the rock ledge with the huge over hanging rock. Not far from here, Jasper had a large open fire started. Instructing everyone to go to their cabins to fill their pitchers with water at the creek, Jasper then instructed them to put the pitchers back on the tables of their cabins. After they did this, they were to meet him back at the fire under the rock.

When everyone returned to Jasper, they sat around the fire where he read from his Bible. After reading, Jasper watched the Angels dance and sing before he translated to the living what the amazing story was that the Angels told him.

Pleased these people of good spirit came with him, Jasper enjoyed discovering Ceramecy all over again through their perspective.

* * *

In the days and weeks that followed, the others seemed to be doing their best to adjust to the busy life-style of managing a farm in the wild. Jasper instructed everyone in the ways of the farm. They all worked very hard. Even Tessa did her part to clean up after the animals and fetch tools.

For obvious reasons of his condition, Randy contributed the least. In the first few days of arriving to Ceramecy, Randy went through tremendous pain and suffering as his body battled against its need for more drugs.

Jasper and the Angels spent long hours with him in prayer. During this time, Jasper could see what caused most of Randy's discomfort was the strenuous efforts put forth by the Demon to remove its embedded legs from Randy's upper back. Stubble of its porcupine quills could be seen growing back upon its spiritual form. Still the Demon struggled and fought to separate itself.

On a few occasions, Jasper had to tie ropes around Randy, because of his violent bouts. In his cabin, Randy had to be tied down to his bed at night many times also.

Jasper was the one who spent the most time with him. Feeding Randy and keeping him clean, Jasper spent many hours getting to know him. Even though there were times when Randy didn't favor Jasper's company, Jasper continued to talk to him.

"Think about the things you miss most in your life. All of those things you've had to give up for the sake of drugs; now you will soon reclaim them. You will reclaim yourself. Tell me what you miss. What was most important to you?"

"I-I had a good job." Randy began to share, "I had a house; not big, but I loved my car. I lived a clean life once."

Through all of this, the Angels were never very far, stressing the importance of patience and loving care and of course, thoughtful prayer. An ongoing promise the Angels made to Jasper was of the reward which awaited him in Heaven. Jasper liked to hear this, but the reward wasn't what motivated him. He did what he did for Randy because he truly cared for him like a doctor cares for his patient.

While Jasper spent time with Randy, he saw the bald porcupine Demon slip its little hooved feet free of Randy's back and collapse to the ground. Once separated, it hissed at Jasper to stay away. Angry and frustrated over its defeat, the bald porcupine Demon's eyes were filled with malice and deceit. It felt threatened by the Angels and looked thinner than ever like a thin dark skin covering a small skeleton. As it crawled away into the foliage, it wheezed every breath like a starving person desperate for food and water. It despised Ceramecy so much it just wanted to escape, never to return.

As Randy became stronger and healthier, Jasper found that the others seemed to become less and less interested in Ceramecy. Their enthusiasm dwindled. Beginning to make comparisons with their new lifestyle in Ceramecy with the life they lived in the city, they began to miss the pleasures associated with electrical energy.

Still they were torn. They'd also miss the beauty and freshness of Ceramecy and its clean air; not to mention the great meals that Jasper both promised and provided for them. Still, none of them were ready for such seclusion and hard living in nature.

Speaking off the top of his head, Bobby grumbled, "Remember how we used to live. It was hard, but not _this_ hard. An easier life awaits us in the city."

The seed of this thought took root in everyone's mind and as they considered it, the concept of it grew. Everyone else agreed with this vision and they knew if they did plan to leave, it wasn't long before they tried to neglect their duties.

Jasper found it frustrating to repeat himself over and over about the same simple things so the people would complete each job. Feeling they should be experts at the procedures by now, he had trained them enough to run the farm, but Jasper sensed the urgency to complete a day's chores lessened in each one none the less. Picking up the slack of everyone's lack of commitment caused Jasper to have to work well into the night each night. Realizing he really had no leadership skills, Jasper began to distance himself from the others. No one seemed to realize how broken their group had become.

Socializing well with one another, the group just wanted to enjoy themselves and treat Ceramecy like some sort of getaway resort. The Angels hounded Jasper to put order back into the farm, but when he tried the people responded with excuses like, "We're just not farmers, Jasper."

The Angels told Jasper, "You have the power to make people listen." but Jasper felt he wasn't the kind of person with that specific skill set.

Missing the life they left behind, the people began to gather themselves in preparation to leave.

Truthfully, Jasper didn't even mind. He missed the peace he felt when he was the only person to populate Ceramecy. It would mean an end to the awkwardness. In silence, Jasper put his responsibilities aside and lost interest in taking charge of Ceramecy.

Despite all of the advice from each of the Angels, Jasper was convinced he knew what he was doing. Ignoring the wisdom of his Angel friends, Jasper decided to start doing things his way. When he began to believe he had the power to make the right decisions without God's input, or the council of the Angels, a distance began to form between himself and the Heavenly hosts. This breach rendered his prayers practically useless.

Pastor Reed kept busy, naturally filling the empty position as leader and preached the word to the others. As time went on, Pastor Reed embraced his leadership role and believed he found his calling.

One day Pastor Reed brought his message to Ceramecy and Jasper was conveniently in ear shot of it. Reading from Jasper's Bible, Pastor Reed presented a sermon about Leadership.

Jasper didn't seem interested in the message as it seemed to be a ploy of some sort to convince Jasper of what he already knew. Besides, if Pastor Reed wanted to lead then Jasper felt he should do just that. Looking forward to the day when the group would leave, Jasper was just fed up and frustrated to no end with how lazy the people were. He was insulted by their lack of contribution to the work requirements. Feeling like everyone's servant, he did what was needed to keep the farm active, but longed for the whole awkward situation to reach a close.

"Jasper, why is it, exactly, that you brought us here to this place you call, Ceramecy?" As part of the sermon, Pastor Reed asked the question to Jasper loud and clear. "Was it to start some sort of religious sect? Some kind of cult, perhaps?"

Jasper didn't answer, he just continued chopping wood, but at the mention of a cult, Jasper gave Pastor Reed a side long glance of annoyance. The answer to his ridiculous question should've been obvious.

When Pastor Reed saw the small slits of Jasper's eyes, he was certain there was a white glint of light, but he quickly dismissed this as the way the sun reflected off the stream and lit his white eyes.

"Come on, Jasper!" Pastor Reed went on, "Tell us why you wanted to bring us here. Was it to show off your farm? It is a very nice farm, but I must tell you, we want to leave now! We're not the farming kind of people you're looking for to live here with you. We came here for enlightenment, but we have only found work. Hard work! We thought you were special, Jasper. You came across to us as so spiritual but now we see the truth, you just wanted cheap labor to help you run this strange little farm, secluded deep in the woods. Who are you hiding from? The world? Yourself perhaps? You've been living out here as a hermit for, God knows how long. It appears you've lost your people skills." Pastor Reed turned back to the others, "Janet, what is it you called this place earlier?"

"I-I said this place is beginning to feel like a prison." Janet replied as though she really didn't want to be involved.

"The people are used to a civilized life of money, electricity and technology." Joel told Jasper, "Why do you not tell the visitors, keep your vessels filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit."

Wilson thought this was a good idea, "Yes Jasper, consider telling Pastor Reed, 'There is no folly by which one works for the great salvation of God.' He will understand."

"That's right. A prison! Jasper, do you hear this?" Pastor Reed was raising his voice, "In the morning, we won't be here any longer. In the morning we will be on our way. We're going back to Kingston."

Jasper lifted his eyes to the sky. He walked around a little as though observing the clouds through the trees. "The sky is different." Jasper told them. "If you people want to go back, you should go right now. In the morning everything will be covered in snow. According to the sky, we will have a snowstorm tonight. You'd all be better off to stay here, at least until the storm passes."

"Snowstorm?" Pastor Reed asked as he looked at the sky. "There's nothing different about the sky... Don't listen to him." A quiver of self-doubt revealed a small uncertainty concerning his faith in Jasper. Knowing he could be wrong, Pastor Reed searched for a way to secure his position as leader. In an attempt to fully establish his self-appointed position, the Pastor added, "He's just trying to scare us into staying." The competition for control between the Pastor and Jasper was on.

"Pastor Reed?" Tanya asked, "It's so cold out. Are you going to make us head out tonight in the dark?"

"No, Tanya." the Pastor said, "We'll stick to the plan." he turned to glare at Jasper, "In the morning, at the crow of the rooster, we leave." Pastor Reed regarded Jasper one last time. "You're welcome to go with us, Jasper." he spoke kindly and respectfully. "No one should feel they have to live like this."

Jasper looked like he was about to reply before he turned away ignoring Pastor Reed. Robotically, Jasper silently kept working. Everyone was quiet as they sadly walked back to their respective cabins.

Jasper looked up at the sky again. What he saw worried him. "I-I could use some help to button things up for the storm." Speaking to the people, Jasper hoped for a response, but everyone was so disappointed in him they just kept walking. He had the sense that the host of trees standing watch around him were beginning to ominously close in around him.

Shaking off this sensation, Jasper urgently began running around making preparations before the storm-front hit. He put all of the animals in the huge lean-to barn. Delivering extra firewood and a block of ice from the creek to the doors of each cabin, Jasper took care of the needs of his guests. Knowing he would be sleeping in the barn with the animals this night, Jasper started a large fire to keep the barn warm.

Before the sun went down, the wind began to pick-up. It started out low but it grew steadily. Soon it began to whistle through the trees and it brought with it snow. Jasper could hear a foreboding voice of something evil in the wind. _"Death is cold. Death is hungry. Tonight death will feast and hammer the mantle of earth!"_

Wilson breezed passed Jasper saying, "Ceramecy won't be the only place under attack this night!"

# CHAPTER 18

THE SOUND OF THE LOW PRESSURE force blew downcast over the roofs of the cabins. Joyous birds no longer sang and celebrated in the prosperous sunshine and clean air. Wind came to the forest with darkness to claim what it alleged was rightfully its.

Leaving the barn to check on the others, Jasper leaned into the pressing winds. He used his arms to shield his eyes from the stinging hail and snow. Trudging his way from one cabin to the next, Jasper told each person. "I'm going to stay in the barn. It would be a good idea for everyone to join me there also."

Awkward silences caused Jasper to suspect the people were still upset with him. He also felt they blamed him for the storm since he predicted it. Returning to the barn, Jasper couldn't even warm up next to the fire before the Angels appeared around him.

"Jasper." Starr said, "The time has come when you must bring the others here. The storm is going to grow far too dangerous. If you don't go out and get them they _will_ perish."

The situation was quickly escalating when Jasper saw the urgency in the Angel's eyes. The sound of her warning and the escalating winds outside caused Jasper to grow despondent. He took Starr's warning seriously.

Running back out into the frigid cold, Jasper collected everyone from their cabins. The people argued about the cold wind's sting, but Jasper convinced them all to follow him anyway. He could see Demons racing in the currents of the escalating winds. They were antagonizing the storm. Instructing the others to wrap blankets around them-selves to shield and protect their bodies from the vicious bite of the cold wind, they all walked in single file through the windy path. Within the wide spacious barn, a large bon-fire rose up to a clay opening on the ceiling which allowed the smoke to escape. The spectacular fire in the barn was worth battling the snowstorm for. The group relaxed a little. Some even smiled knowing they weren't alone any longer and they could share the warmth.

The storm outside picked up strength and in its fury they heard the cracking and creaking of tall trees and limbs. The winds worsened with a rising howl that shook the ground and sped up every heart. The storm continued growing flattening the forest down around them. Nature seemed to frown with displeasure.

With the roof of the barn threatening to lift right off, Jasper left the others at the fire to tend to the animals.

"Wow, a little stinky in here, but it sure is warm." Bobby said as he looked around to take in the magnificent space within the rustic lean-to barn. The combination of organic animal smells and fear caused him to have to resist the persuasion of nausea. Bobby was shaken alert when bits of bark and dirt were shaken loose from above and sprinkled on their heads.

In Tessa's nightmares, it felt like a giant evil creature outside was clawing and scratching to get in. "Mommy, I'm scared." Tessa said to Megan.

In response, Megan squeezed her delicate little hand tightly. "It'll be okay, child. Don't worry." she comforted her daughter.

Another belching noise rippled through the barn and more bits of dirt and snow fell from the ceiling.

"This must've been kind'a like it was when Jonah was in the belly of a whale for three days." Pastor Reed said.

"I hope we don't have to be here for three days though." Tanya responded with a worrisome look on her face.

"My blanket is wet." Janet pointed out.

"Hang them near the fire on these fence posts to dry." Megan suggested.

While everyone was hanging up their cold wet blankets, Pastor Reed looked to the animals and noticed Jasper in the low fire light. He was talking to the animals and he was petting them. The donkey seemed like it couldn't get close enough to Jasper. It nestled its head into his arm pit.

"Look at Jasper over there." The Pastor pointed. "He's always more interested in the animals than us."

"I wish he never brought us here." Janet said, as some dirt fell from the log roof above. Looking up, she wondered if the logs would come crashing down and crush them. She was worried they were all going to die out here, in the middle of nowhere, though she would never speak it with little Tessa around.

"I can't believe he actually convinced us to come. Either Jasper is really smart or we are really stupid." No one wanted to make a comment to Bobby's statement.

"I want to go home." Janet said again only more desperate and real this time. "I hate this place!" she broke down sobbing.

"Yeah, I bet Ceramecy means _certain death_." Randy added. After Randy's cynical comment everyone drew very quiet.

Pastor Reed still had his eyes trained on Jasper who sat in the distance. Standing up, Pastor Reed said. "I'm going to talk to him."

Pastor Reed made his way across the barn, calling for Jasper's attention, "Jasper?!"

Without turning his head to look at Pastor Reed, Jasper replied, "Pastor Reed."

"I haven't just been following you blindly, Jasper. I've been watching you and listening to every word you've said. I should commend you for your incredible stamina. I think you have the potential to do great things for God, but I would like to see you do it within the walls of a church. At least, I think you should start your ministry there. You have such creative ideas when you tell your stories. I'm worried, however, that your stories are full of too many dreamy ideas and concepts that the Bible doesn't support. At the same time you seem to be lacking values of the Bible which you would have realized if you had more experience. I strongly recommend, _you_ lead us all back to Kingston." Pastor Reed let out a breath of aggravation.

Jasper continued to listen and pet the nose of a brown horse, but still he did not say a word.

Pastor Reed continued. "You should've thought about these things before you recruited innocent people to your bizarre cause. Look around you. You have no plans. You do things on a whim and when they work out you say it is a blessing from God. When they don't work out, you shrug your shoulders and say it's just God's way."

Jasper continued to listen without reacting.

This aggravated Pastor Reed even further. "You don't promote order or structure, rather you've created a 'survival by the seat of your pants' camp. We're in a dangerous situation, Jasper. We're living like the first settlers to these lands did long ago." Pastor Reed's open frustration gave way to his obvious lack of respect towards Jasper.

A rumbling of noise and a small tremor rippled through the ground.

The ladies screamed as all eyes lifted to the ceiling, watchful of the structural integrity of the barn. It was certainly possible for one of the great logs above them to come crashing down on top of them. The groanings of the storm were dangerous, dark and malicious. It patiently waited for the first brave soul to attempt to step outside.

After everyone calmed down and Jasper realized Pastor Reed had finished speaking, he said, "You say, I lack order and structure. You say, I have no plans. Now let me ask you a question. When you were a boy and in the care of adults, did you demand order and structure?"

Pastor Reed puffed up his chest and answered, "My caretakers, and there were many, like most everyone, provided it for me."

"You trusted them?" Jasper drilled the Pastor.

"Completely." The Pastor answered with a solid word.

"My ways are no different. It's called, 'living by faith.' It's a way of life for me. All order, structure and plans for my future come from the Angels. And the Angels are in the service of God. I trust him and the plans he has for my life. Pastor Reed, do you have a problem with this?" Jasper's white eyes held a wisdom and confidence Pastor Reed had never known possible.

"This isn't the way I thought it should be, to live by faith." The Pastor answered.

"How do you live by faith?" Jasper asked the Pastor.

"I find a daily routine and settle into it and I let the Lord sway me, but I don't leave myself in a place where there are no commitments or responsibilities. I need to manage myself. You know, God helps those who help themselves."

"Is this system flawless?" Jasper asked.

"No system is flawless. It is just the system that works best for me."

"Still you find a way to worry about things?" Jasper asked.

"It's human nature to worry." The Pastor came back.

"It is human weakness. People worry when they're distant from God. Remember the words of the Lord, Pastor, Matthew, chapter 6, verse 25-27 "Therefore I tell you, don't worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they don't sow or reap or store away in barns and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

The pronounced stillness was shaken by the sudden thrashing that disturbed the world. It came without warning or audible reproach. A true earthquake, that was altogether shocking and terrible and it shook everything. Not only did it upset the people, but it also upset the livestock.

The ladies screamed in horrified terror along with Bobby and Randy.

The horses neighed, the pigs squealed and the cows mooed for their lives. The earthquake shook so violently, everyone thought it might be the end of existence.

Jasper on the other hand remained sitting on the fence and just observed the others as they feared for their lives. Jasper was as calm as could be, knowing his creator and paradise waited for him on the other side.

Throughout the earth-shattering and devastating experience, the others didn't recognize Jasper was any wiser. Rather, they figured he was crazier than ever.

The massive earthquake calmed down quickly and finally it passed altogether. Everything settled as quickly as it started. Though it was over, the people were stirred up with unease and rattled nerves. Still, it was a comfort to know the structure of the barn held together and protected everyone the way it was designed to.

Pastor Reed lost the will to argue with Jasper any further. He simply stumbled back to everyone else and sat down near the fire. He didn't look at Jasper for a long while. Training his eyes on the fire, Pastor Reed became lost in his thoughts.

A sense of security filled the inner area of the shelter. Though the spirit of peace was unseen, it was no less as real as anything else in the world. Everyone felt the same sense of well-being.

A child-like security was found under the shelter of Angels.

Late into the night, the storm continued in smaller waves, but as it settled the whistlings of the mountain's winds over the smoke stack of the barn echoed the chill of a haunting song. Groaning trees swayed in the thralls of spinning dust.

Wrapping themselves up in warm dry blankets the group became weary and slept by the firelight. As Jasper looked on, he prayed for the blessing of each one. Then he saw the Angels float down to meet with each of the sleeping bodies. The Angels, with their figures of light, began to make contact with each person through their dreams.

At that time, the Spirit of Holiness filled the barn like a luminescent cloud. Then Jasper heard a voice come from the cloud. As the voice spoke, the light grew inside the cloud and the animals became calm and silent. The light was pure white and it didn't come from the fire.

The booming voice of stability told Jasper not to be afraid and he wasn't. Jasper was asked to accept the son of the voice, who is the chosen one.

Immediately bowing down, Jasper said, "I do, I do accept you and I never want to leave you." When Jasper lifted his head, he saw a man come out from the light of the cloud. The man walked right up to Jasper and stood before him. Jasper only lifted his head enough to see the man's feet. Unlike the Angels of light, this man from Heaven had a body of flesh. His feet were bare and clean and they had an unusual but grievous scar on each of them.

Noticing the unmistakable and particular scars, Jasper realized that the feet were the feet of none other than Jesus the Christ. It wasn't the answer he sought, but what it was felt like a hammer smashing him in the face. So many feelings welled up within him. Reaching out to the blessed feet of Jesus, Jasper expected them to be of a spiritual nature, but instead he found they were _real_. Jesus had a solid body of flesh, like his own. Putting his cheek to the feet, Jasper wept. Through such contact came undeniable confirmation, the feet of the Lord weren't ghostly, but of true flesh and bone.

"Jasper, tell me what you seek?" Jesus requested.

"I want to do what You ask of me and understand You more. That's all." Jasper somehow found the strength to answer.

"That is all?" Jesus prompted him.

"Friendship, Lord. I can sum it all up with friendship." Jasper answered.

Then Jesus spoke to Jasper and here is what He said, "Nothing is worth having, if it isn't worth fighting for. Friendship? Between you and I? That, _I_ will fight for. For who can separate you from My love?"

Jesus asked Jasper to rise up, so Jasper stood. When Jasper looked into the eyes of the savior, there he saw all the universe. Then Jesus asked Jasper, "Come walk with Me." His breath was like crisp mountain air.

Jasper reminded the Lord, "The storm rages outside."

Jesus cheerfully answered, "Walk with Me and you will pass between the snowflakes and the wind. With such great faith, as I know you have, you won't even feel the cold." Placing His hand on Jasper's back, he realized, just one gentle touch encompassed the full power of God and the capability to confidentially accomplish anything.

While Jasper walked with Jesus through the raging storm, not one snowflake touched them. Speaking to Jasper, Jesus explained a great task He planned for him to full fill.

Taking Jasper high into the sky, Jesus pointed out an approaching hurricane. It moved up onto the coast next to the far off city of Kingston.

Lightning split the sky with a bright flash. For a brief moment the night was as bright as day. Then the calamity of thunder hit like boulders tumbling down a mountainside.

Though Jasper's vision was hazy, the strobing flashes of lightning put the entire spectacle in proportion. Within the twisting winds, the spirit of Death took form and swept through the tall buildings. Destruction followed and many human lives were claimed.

Jasper wasn't only mortified by the sheer presence of Death, but in his vulnerability, unable to help anyone, he was devastated inside.

Turning to Jesus, Jasper asked, "Please, is there nothing that can be done to help those people? Why should they have to lose so much on account of the weather? Tell me you aren't okay with all of this."

Tears rolled from the Lord's eyes, "The innocent shouldn't have to suffer such things, but pain and death don't have favorites. They play roles in the lives of the living. As rain falls on the heads of the good and the wicked, so too does death and pain eventually touch the lives of all people. But keep in mind, Death and Pain aren't in league with the Devil and his Demons."

"But why should death be so powerful? It's absolutely terrifying!" Jasper tried to express just how deeply the sight of Death affected him and frightened him.

Jesus and Jasper settled back down amidst the little cabins of Ceramecy once more. "In this day and age, so many people are blind to just how connected they are to the Earth. With the shrinking polar ice caps and the threat of animal extinction, such things should be clear. It all points to the thinning of the atmosphere. It is vulnerable and it is distorted by the pollution of man. You are the key to change Jasper. I have chosen you for this task. It won't be long now and you will see all these things clearer than any person with good eyes."

When the Lord finished explaining all of these things, Jesus anointed Jasper with pure olive oil. Through the midst of the rushing wind and snow, Jesus was right, neither of them were the least bit cold.

Meanwhile, the Angels, in contact with each of the people, in a most personal and up lifting way, affected their dreams while they slept by the fire.

In the morning, when the fire was just a smolder of red and black chard remains they all began to awaken. Each one was very excited to tell their extra-ordinary dream.

Bobby and Randy piled more wood on the red coals of the fire. Finally, they all had to calm down and allow for each one to tell their amazing adventure by the flame of the flickering bon-fire. Each one of them had a different song to sing which they remembered in detail from their dream. Mysteriously, amongst the group, each one shared similar dreams which weren't only personal, but consisted of an Angel. The surprising and creative freshness of the dreams were, to each of them, like a gift.

Each dream took place at a different area of Ceramecy with a different Angel. Ceramecy seemed all the more dream-like after the experience of their extraordinary dreams.

# CHAPTER 19

AFTER TELLING THE STORIES of their unforgettable dreams, the group began to wonder where Jasper was. He wasn't anywhere to be found within the barn. Pastor Reed decided to lead everyone outside. They all stepped out of the barn and into a bright sunny winter wonderland. Ceramecy had taken on a whole new beauty, but it was all wrong. Though it was hidden under the snow, the entire area was almost unrecognizable. Many trees lay on their sides. The prickly pines; white with snow crystals, were beautiful and horrific at the same time.

The crisp mountain wind brushed over their faces with the bite of snow and ice. All around them lay the remnant of the storm's aftermath. It wasn't easy to know the full extent of the storm's destruction with everything hidden under the blanket of five feet of snow. Broken branches and trees lay under the snow, no doubt scattered all over. Returning to their respectful cabins they found they had all sustained serious damage.

Pastor Reed's cabin had been flattened completely to the ground. Bobby's cabin had a tree branch spear right through the roof and through his wooden log bed.

As they stumbled around, in the deep snow trying to clean up and salvage what they could, they began to hear laughing and singing coming from a short distance away, just over a rise.

Pastor Reed put his finger to his lips to signal the others to stay quiet. Silently, they all climbed up the snowy embankment. Some people found it harder than others to climb through the snow, but they all restlessly pushed on and managed to do it. At the top of the hill, they peered through the snow covered Manzanita bushes.

There they saw Jasper covered in snow and laughing as he threw snowballs while struggling to climb a small hill. Then he slid down head first on his belly shouting, "I escaped again!" Acting like a little kid, Jasper was found to have large fir tree branches strapped to the bottom soles of his shoes.

As the group observed him, they found Jasper was talking and singing to imaginary people. Everyone thought Jasper was crazy and had lost his mind.

Finally, Pastor Reed had enough of it. "Jasper!" The Pastor called out as he stood up in plain view.

Jasper stopped what he was doing and looked up at Pastor Reed. Breathing heavily with a big smile on his face, Jasper greeted the Pastor, "Good morning, Pastor Reed!" Opening his arms wide with no sign of embarrassment or guilt, Jasper noticed the others were also with the Pastor, so he added. "Good morning to you all!"

"Hey, Jasper." The Pastor spoke much softer now. "What are you doing?"

"Why, I'm playing and singing with my friends." Jasper told them truthfully, "The Angels!"

Everyone just looked at one another before all their eyes settled on Pastor Reed. The Pastor just looked down at Jasper with disappointment. Shaking his head at the sight of Jasper's display he thought, 'What a sad look into the life of someone we all believed in _._ We should've known he was too good to be true.' This was the reality that told the truth once and for all, without a doubt, the group was convinced, Jasper was nuts and it was time to go home.

Then the most amazing thing occurred. Tessa was the first to notice as it didn't happen right away. It was a gradual phasing of ghostly images into existence. Tessa's eyes grew wide and her mouth hung open as she pointed her little index finger.

As Jasper stood looking up at everyone, the movement of the six Angels appeared around him. Revealed to the eyes of the people for the first time, their reason struggled against what their eyes shared and beheld.

The young Angels materialized into existence in beams of light and circular auras. Floating in slow weightless motion, three winged beings to the left of Jasper and three to the right emerged from the invisible realm of spirit, but they remained transparent. The white auras altered their circular shape to reveal the great open wings at each of the Angel's backs.

The vision was so stunning, the people became fearful at the spiritual manifestation which captivated them all.

"Don't fear us. We come with love, bearing friendship to you all." When Wilson opened his arms and spoke these words, the fear melted away. It was immediately replaced with an anxious excitement to understand and meet Jasper's Angels. Though the breeze was chilling, the sight of such beautiful beings warmed them.

Then Tanya shouted out with a great emotional breath, "I know that one; the one with the darkest hair and a whip. She's from my dream. Her name is, Elana!" Tanya trembled with joy and excitement. Then tears came streaming down her face with unchecked emotion. From this moment on, she took her assignment seriously, to document all she saw and heard.

The other's also had similar reactions as they too recognized a different Angel who had visited their own dream. At once the whole group came over the ridge and ran down the slope through the snow toward Jasper and the Angels.

The Angels were as real as they had been to Jasper and without the obstruction of foggy vision they were even clearer.

From such clear sight as the people had, they described the Angels as beings of light, communicating telepathically and possessing a deep inner peace. Also, their faces were perfect and beautiful with glass-like skin, or perhaps an oily sheen. The Angel's bodies of light made them appear beyond perfection. Colours were found in them that the people couldn't identify.

"Why do you have branches tied to your feet?" Tessa asked Jasper inquisitively and innocently.

"These are my snowshoes, honey." He told her sweetly. Then Jasper stepped up onto the deep snow and the branches under his feet proved to hold his weight just as well as authentic snowshoes would.

Jasper and Joel wondered off together near the area where firewood was chopped and stacked. It wasn't easy to find anything under so much snow. Joel helped Jasper locate his axe then the two of them headed into the forest. Jasper's makeshift snowshoes worked great to keep him above the surface of the deep snow.

Still socializing with the remaining five Angels, the people learned a great deal from them in a short time. While everyone cautiously walked around the Angels, studying them, they saw details in their evocative eyes, radiant faces, flowing hair, stark white feathered wings, sparkling armor and translucent clothing.

Curiously, Bobby reached out to touch the hilt of Charmatrien's sword.

When Charmatrien noticed Bobby reaching out to his belt, he turned to look down at him.

Bobby glanced up and met the Angel's striking gaze. Backing away quickly, the boy tried to explain irresolutely. "I-I was just looking at your sword."

Charmatrien smiled at Bobby, easing his alarm then he intoned. "Then gaze, young Bobby, at the weapon used to protect you while you sleep soundly." He withdrew his sword and a water blade grew from the hilt. A moment later the water sword hardened into a shimmering blade of ice. This act caught the attention of everyone.

"I didn't think Angels could fight." Janet said.

Bobby tried to quietly gesture for her to not say such a thing.

"Anything important to you is worth fighting for, is it not? So it is for Angels also, otherwise the legions of darkness would trample over everyone and there would be no victory." Charmatrien answered.

"But doesn't that bring you down to their level? You know, make you as bad as Demons?" Tanya boldly but innocently asked.

When Bobby realized another such question had been tossed out there, he slapped his forehead in disbelief. No one wanted to insult the Angels and cause them to leave.

Starr began to explain, "A parent disciplines their child out of love. In this same way we too love the Demons." This explanation provoked many expressions from the people, but Starr continued by saying, "They were once Angels after all, like us at one time."

Pastor Reed was more of a pupil than ever, as was everyone else. Such a life changing moment in the lives of the citizens of Ceramecy became an unforgettable fresh start. From this day forward, none of them would ever be the same again.

Pastor Reed discreetly told the others, "Don't disagree or argue with the Angels. Follow their instructions closely and faithfully. Let order and structure come to Ceramecy from above." His tone had drastically shifted.

And instructions did come from the Angels. The people worked very hard to follow what the Angels asked them to do.

The restoration of Ceramecy was a big part of the day. Cutting ice out of the creek, building snow channels to bring the animals out of the barn and other necessary preparations like food and repairs were all gracefully coordinated by the Angels.

The female Angels showed the ladies how to prepare cakes, cookies and other fun recipes from the limited supply of food available throughout the area. Providing guidance and care to each one, the Angels carefully instructed the people to create divine musical instruments from their own natural environment. Using sticks and branches they carved, tied together and weaved drums and harps. Pig skins were stretched over the drums. Long horse hairs were tied to nails for harps. Tin from soup cans were found and beaten into bells and cymbals. Horns from the skull of a bull which Jasper had slaughtered for everyone were carefully carved into small wind instruments.

Spending time with each person, the Angels practiced the songs they learned from their dreams.

* * *

Joel led Jasper to the edge of a steep ravine. Remembering the difficulties climbing the steep ravine the first time he came to Ceramecy, Jasper couldn't forget falling all the way to the bottom. He was careful not to step too close to the edge.

Joel instructed Jasper to begin chopping trees down. The Angel was very specific about which trees were to be selected. There were so many trees clustered together. Each of the trees Jasper fell, were dropped down into the ravine. After a few hours of chopping, Jasper's hands were blistered.

Upon his return Jasper found everyone had been very industrious; cleaning the farm and making musical instruments. Noticing how motivated everyone was, getting a lot accomplished, Jasper momentarily recalled how difficult it was for him to acquire such results. The flames of the fire crackled bright and strong. Meat cooked, roots were stewing and the animals had been tended to.

Starr and Elana were with Megan and Tessa. After they gathered up all of the goose feathers, they had them washed and dried before dividing them up to be carried out to the others. Everyone found that by stuffing the feathers between their layered shirts and pants, they stayed noticeably warmer in winter's chill.

The group laughed as Tessa showed the Angels she could make an Angel impression in the snow.

Jasper was so happy and proud of everyone. All of their differences were completely forgotten. An emotional moment caught him by surprise and he thought he was about to cry.

Joining together for a magnificent lunch, the Angels prayed over the people before they ate. The Angels took turns telling a personal story about an experience they had in Heaven; how they came together to be known as the Seven and what it was like to wait for God to call them to a mission such as this one.

Each of the Angels had compelling stories of how Demons had tried to subdue them with cunning, trickery and alluring temptations. "The Devil has plans to destroy everyone." Wilson said. Each of the Angels made a point of ending their stories with the importance of making God number one in life and the goal to which we must strive. For if God is the direction we move toward in life then we shall surely meet Him on good terms at the end of our life's journey.

Then the Angel, Joel asked. "Do any of you people have a story you'd like to share?"

No one made a sound. It was obvious no one had anything to contribute, until the little voice of Tessa spoke up and said, "I-I can make ghosts with my breath."

Everyone looked at Tessa. The tiny princess exhaled into the air and the steam of her icy breath came out. With a little imagination, it surely did look like a ghost.

"That kind'a reminds me of a good friend of mine in Heaven." Charmatrien remarked.

The others laughed.

Tessa looked at the Angel Charmatrien with big wide eyes of amazement, "Really?" She prompted him to continue.

"Oh, yes, Tessa." Charmatrien was sure to go on. "Every Angel in Heaven is very important, just as every breath you breathe is very special." Rising up to address the others, Charmatrien was quick to add, "As every citizen of Ceramecy is a special Ceramecian, remain steadfast in your faith in the Lord and you will be on your way to a life rich with blessings and rewards."

Silence followed then a voice said, "I've done every evil this world has to offer and I've tried every sinful drug known to man at least twice." Randy's words cut into the air with a chilling sharpness. "My evil deeds run so deep, God could never forgive me."

"You are here. You know you have been forgiven. Even if you weren't chosen to come to this place, your sins would be forgiven. Turn from your ways and you will know the depth of the Lord's forgiveness." Jasper interceded.

"Well said, Jasper." came Wilson, who was impressed before he turned to face Randy. "Your pain is an inspiration to the rest of us." Wilson spoke in a most caring tone. "Everyone falls, but victory is at hand to the one who rises from the fall."

Janet stood up at the table with her eyes tense, "You might want to laugh, but I have a serious problem with shopping. It's like a disease for me." With this came a brief moment of silence. "I'm sorry. I know it's not a big deal." she quickly added with humility and embarrassment.

Starr glided over the table top, her hair and flowing dress spread out slowly and weightlessly as she slowed to a stop. Inches from Janet's face; their eyes embracing one another, Starr finally said. "You've been romancing things that are new and things that are empty because you yearn to be satisfied. Nothing of this world will truly satisfy you the way you need to be satisfied. No man or woman can give you what you need because only a close connection to the mighty God who created you can ever satisfy you the way you seek. Don't let yourself be enslaved by this smothering habit any longer, rather let your voice set others free in this same way."

Everyone, in turn, acknowledged the ill calculated efforts committed in their pasts. With each confession came a sense of release from the things that bound them and held them back from living their lives to the fullest.

When everyone was finished eating and confessing their regrets, they rose up from the table with their new sense of freedom. Casting away the past they spoke privately with the Angels for hours. The people had opportunities to tell their own stories, about; finances, betrayal, drinking, stress, smoking, addiction, complaining, swearing, gossip, abusive relationships, old hurtful memories, selfishness, the choice of being non-apologetic, unforgiveness, theft, envy and jealousy.

Tanya began to record some of the group's conversations, but later she decided to erase most of them, but this was what she kept;

"Some things must be unforgivable." Megan said, "For instance, my sister's advice to me about my minor marital dispute was to get a divorce. She convinced me this was the only way. I've been miserable since, but my ex-husband, who I was so cruel to, remarried. Today he's happy with his new wife but I am alone. I shouldn't have listened to my sister. She fed me ideas; undermining the life my husband and I were trying so hard to build... I hate her! I regret confiding in my sister every day of my life."

Taila spoke up, "Nothing is impossible for God. He can do anything. How much easier could he make things right in your life? He's merciful, forgiving and so loving."

"You don't understand; the situation has left me so devastated, broke, homeless and clinging to life. Why me? I was such a capable mother once, but this situation haunts me. When I think of him, trying to take Tessa from me... Don't you get it? My husband is happy. It's too late for apologies! Too late for forgiveness! It's over! I hope I never see my sister ever again!" After getting so worked up, Megan broke down and wept.

Tanya held her and tried to comfort her.

Janet took Tessa away. She was kind'a late in doing so but she didn't want the girl to see her mother in such a state.

Such a statement of unforgiveness deeply hurt the Angels, but of all the Angels it hurt Starr the most. The troubles Starr faced with her sister Morbidant, like-wise, ran deep and personal.

"God can help you to look forward with renewed strength and forsake the pain of your past." Taila told her.

"Yes, bringing your thoughts back to a painful experience of your past is such a waste when you could be filling your memories with good times and lasting friendships. Do you not see the beauty set before you in this world?" Charmatrien asked.

Joel flew in and everyone expected him to add to the discussion with a comment of hope also, but instead he shared something else, "So many people pray expecting God to do something extraordinary in their lives like find that perfect someone to love, having a business become prosperous, gain popularity or simply to acquire more money effortlessly. People must know God has no problem providing everything one desires, but he wants them to take some initiative. If God doesn't provide then listen to him. He is talking but people don't seem to know how to listen. Initiative must be taken. Keep trying and each time try harder. There is always more to be learned."

Pastor Reed replied, "Generally, I think people know that. We say, 'God helps those who help themselves.'"

Joel nodded and said, "If that is true and people understand this, then why do most people still do nothing and expect the Lord to provide a miracle for them? A friendship with God cannot be one sided. Become accustomed to helping someone else. I promise, the blessings will begin to pour over you."

After discussing all of these things, they made their way to the frozen lake at the top of the mountain. The wind swept lake was cleared of the heavy snow.

As the Angels sang and danced over the lake, swirling and flowing and gliding over the smooth surface with tranquil elegance, the soft glow of the Angel's light reflected off the polished surface of the ice. Voices of the celestial chorus mesmerized the onlookers with awe struck amazement at their expression of perfect form.

Stepping out onto the ice, Jasper slid to the center of the lake. Clearing a trail through the powdery snow with his shoes, he turned to face the people with his arms stretched out for balance. It appeared the music enveloped him and it was a beautiful sight.

The Angels moved around Jasper and he swayed, melting into their song. It was a natural thing by this time for Jasper to be foolish for the Lord and the Lord was pleased by it.

The other Ceramecians joined in as they skated out onto the ice with their shoes, singing;

You are beautiful,

You're so lovely,

To my eyes,

So lov-e-ly,

How sweet you are,

Far away,

I want to fly,

So high,

and so, far away,

with your heart,

Come away,

Why don't you come,

So far away,

With my heart,

and fly,

Fly away,

How you lift me...

Some of the Angels flew so high they could barely be seen amongst the clouds. Twilight deemed eternal in its galactic depths. Their voices were muted by their extraordinary height and distance. Then they swooped down through the group of dancing Ceramecians upon the ice, passing through the people. Then the Angels darted off the steep cliffs and encircled the mountain.

Joel went to Jasper reminding him, "We still have much to prepare for this day."

Jasper tied new fir tree branches to his shoes before they headed off. Soon, Jasper and Joel left the others, returning to their job at the ravine to collect and stack more fallen trees and old logs. There in the pit, the collection grew considerably yet the Angels insisted more wood was needed.

Charmatrien came to assist Jasper's cause and brought with him Pastor Reed and Bobby. Fir tree branches were tied to the bottoms of their feet also so they too could get around easier.

"Not such a silly idea after all, Jasper." The Pastor said as he strolled upon the surface of the snow. Collecting enough trees to satisfy the Angels their hefty pile of timber filled the chasm of the ravine.

At the end of the project, Starr came out from the remaining stand of trees and approached the group leading Randy. The sound of footsteps crunching snow was feint but Jasper noticed Randy also wore pine branch snowshoes.

Enlightened, Randy was a whole new person who'd practically fully recovered. Free from his addiction, Randy said, "I feel like I'm one hundred percent 'me' again." With a youthful, zainy quality about him, Randy added, "I really wanted to thank everyone for caring for me so. No one else ever did. I knew I owed everyone my life and I especially want to thank you, Jasper." Though sincere about his gratitude, everyone picked up how Randy was smitten for Starr. According to the look in his eyes, Randy was hopelessly under her spell.

Starr asked Randy to collect the final tree. Randy climbed the deep snow of the hillside and lifted a fallen tree. Carrying it to the pit, Randy tossed it in coolly.

The others chuckled as they noted Randy never took his eyes off Starr.

All of the saplings growing from the side of the pit and the ones lining the far crest were left in place. An opening through the trees provided by the earthquake allowed the others to see to Princeton and as far away as to the city of Kingston.

"Look." Bobby said, "The town and the city are without power. The storm must have done a lot more damage than we thought."

"It'll be a cold night for many people, I'm sure." Pastor Reed added with a short prayer.

"The situation for the people is far worse than you know." explained Charmatrien, "The storm has been the cause of mass destruction. Many are without homes this night and others have even lost their lives to the hunger of last night's storm."

"Can we help them?" Jasper asked as he stood ready to do something.

"Tomorrow, Jasper." Wilson added, "We set out tomorrow and we will help."

"Is the strength of the storm caused by the anger of God, or is it because of global warming?" Bobby asked the Angels.

"This planet is in terrible peril. It is up to all of you to save it and we will show you the way. This is, at its core, the reason we are here. Jasper now understands that he has been a vessel for us to complete this final part of our mission." Joel's comment should've been shocking to the others but somehow they knew, with the Angels leading them, they could do anything.

The voices of Elana and Taila were easily heard coming from the forest of trees. Then there were other female voices. Taila and Elana had led Janet and Tanya through the woods to Jasper and everyone else. It was incredible how well Janet and Tanya could sing along with the Angels. Neither of the two ladies were shy or ashamed to have the others look and listen to them. They enjoyed it, because they knew they sounded great.

The two ladies joined with Taila and Elana with harmonious perfection. The young women were beautiful even though Janet and Tanya's clothing was stuffed with feathers unproportionately.

Then a flickering orange light began to appear from between the trees. This disturbed everyone and put an end to the music.

It worried the men, but the Angels held the living back and calmed them down. From time to time they could see the bright flicker of flame as it was exposed from between the trees. The enchanted light wasn't exactly like a fire, though it flickered like one. It somehow moved through the trees without spreading.

Finally, little Tessa stepped out of the forest holding a long torch with a flickering flame at the end of it.

Wilson and Megan came out of the forest also.

Tessa held her torch high and proud as she passed through the crowd. Walking all the way to the edge of the pit, Tessa lifted the torch even higher before she called out. "Let your will be done!" Then she tossed the torch into the pit.

The flame bounced throughout the logs and branches of the ravine until it came to a rest and seemed to have been extinguished until only a spark of light was visible. The spark grew into a small flickering flame. With no help from anyone, the fire grew and grew.

The Angels led everyone around to separate places around the pit. There, they were told to take up their musical instruments. None of the living people had previous musical skill, until an Angel of the Lord taught them how to play their specific song.

Between the tall flames the people of Ceramecy had taken specific positions by the Angel's instructions where they overlooked the rising flames of the deep and wide ravine. A smoky cloud rose up high above them and a red light from the fire below illuminated the cloud.

Tessa began to shake her bells. ' _Jing-jing, Jingle-jingle, Jing-jing!_ '

Randy started in with his drums. He made a surprisingly powerful beat that echoed off the trees and thumped throughout the cavity of everyone's chest. The rhythm of bells and drums started everything.

Softly, Pastor Reed added his sound to the music from his brass stringed harp.

With impeccable timing, Bobby echoed a melody from his tenner harp.

Megan met every peek of the song with a strike to her cymbals while Janet and Tanya moved every ear with their fluent voices of song. The Lord fashioned harmony by the way they handled the instruments they made.

Jasper blew into one of the bull horns. The sound that came from it was like a trumpet call to war and victory. The strength and nobility of the horn struck a new mood of confidence, boldness and righteousness within the hearts of the others.

As this went on, the people from surrounding towns and cities began to take notice of the strange orange light glowing on top of the mountain. No one could hear the music but people pointed out the strange glowing orange haze reflected under the low clouds.

Onlookers would never have suspected Angels surrounded the great fire in a pit and were capable of opening their mouths to join such magnificent music.

"Be silent

and listen

Do you hear your calling,

It's a gift for you.

Take a step forward,

It's easy,

It can be as easy as 1 2 3.

Hey, hey, hey-hey,

Hey, hey, hey-hey,

Your precious to God and he loves you.

Hey, hey, hey-hey,

Hey, hey, hey-hey,

Have faith cause if you fall he'll catch you.

Hey... HEY!!!

I know a place where the sun is always shining.

And I want to take you there cause that's what keeps me smiling.

There are Angels on the wind,

Each of them's my friend.

There are Angels on the wind,

Every da-y

Hey, hey-hey,

Just let go,

accept his gift

For it's the truth.

Because, I know a place where the sun is always shining.

And I want to take you there cause that's what keeps me smiling.

There are Angels on the wind,

Each of them's my friend.

There are Angels on the wind,

Every da-y

Hey, hey-hey,

Hey, hey, hey-hey,

Your precious to God and he loves you.

Hey, hey, hey-hey,

Hey, hey, hey-hey,

Have faith cause if you fall he'll catch you.

Hey... HEY!!!"

The flame grew hotter, before changing colour from a bright orange to an icy blue. Then the music came to a halt, but only little Tessa continued to jingle her bells with precise timing. She never missed a beat which only mounted the anticipation of tension. The blue flames of the great fire began to twist like a tall cone shaped tornado before it opened like a spiral flower in bloom.

From within, the Tri-Guardian Angels revealed themselves.

Still Tessa continued to jingle her bells steadily.

Cherubims flew around the Guardian Angels as they sang a familiar song, "Holy, is the name of the Lord! Holy, is the name of the Lord! Holy, is the name of the Lord on high!" As before, they repeated this over and over.

And a voice cracked like thunder from the Heavens and spoke, saying; "Know that I am the Lord God Almighty!"

A moment of silence passed as the shocking voice of God penetrated the people.

Then Randy kicked his drums back into a powerful rolling beat.

The others joined in one by one, enhancing the song of the Cherubim. The song shifted in the moment of everyone's tranquility and they experienced a heightened form of communication originating within the core of the song. From this they were all touched with God's great love.

Not even Pastor Reed could fathom the depths of that mind blowing experience.

All Ceramecians received deep meaningful encouragement along with unshakable faith. None of them would be the same after this life changing event.

# CHAPTER 20

UNDER A SPECTACULAR golden sunrise of scarlet hues, a low fog covered the land at the base of Ceramecy Mountain, but this was only the calm before the storm. From the trees, only partially discernible through the thick fog, horses and cows marched. Upon these animals rode people determined to do whatever was required of them.

Jasper, Tanya, Janet and Randy rode the horses bare back, while Pastor Reed and Bobby rode atop the bare backs of two of the six cows. Megan and little Tessa rode on the back of the donkey, together.

A malevolent hurricane was gaining momentum off the coast of Kingston. The caravan was met with a swift rush of grey clouds that were charged with sharp barbs of hail and grit which had already travelled many miles. With no radio to warn them, the group of Ceramecians didn't suspect the potential of the winds that pelted them. Through the gust of fog, figures painted in water colours with movement and life continued to silently trudge forward.

Six Angels of light hovered above them in the mist. Once they all left Ceramecy, Jasper alone, once again, could see the Angels. Everyone thought the Angels had left them, but Jasper explained. "Ceramecy is a special place... It's Holy. Outside of that place none of you are able to see or hear the Angels."

The group surprisingly understood. Satisfied to have proof of Angels, they now trusted what Jasper translated from them. The experience would forevermore occupy their memories.

"Jasper?" Pastor Reed asked suspiciously. "You can still see and hear the Angels, can't you?"

"I can." Jasper confirmed, looking back toward the Pastor with his white unfixed eyes.

Pastor Reed couldn't hide how envious he was, "I wish I could see what you see and hear what you hear." As his gaze lingered on Jasper, he regarded the young man in utter wonderment.

The howling wind simmered for a moment.

"If you hadn't experienced the Angels, you'd remain suspicious when I tell you I can see and hear them. I understand how you feel. I'll do my best to keep you informed about all the Angels say and do." Then Jasper gave to Pastor Reed, his Bible. Even though the presence of the Angels was no longer known to them, the Ceramecians were like new people and they trusted Jasper implicitly.

* * *

The sky had been fair when they started out, but now scuttling clouds dashed across the land like someone was pulling and endless blanket to the East. The northern winds converged and tussled with one another, raising the powder of dust and debris in ghostly eddy's that wildly raced around them. They could scarcely depict the summits of their neighboring mountains.

Plowing their way through the cold winds most of the time, the citizens of Ceramecy were able to stay warm by the body heat of the animals they rode. The currents of air were enough to make minus twenty feel like minus forty. The sparkling frost fringed everyone and everything with a dusting of minute crystals.

Frequently, Jasper looked back to check on his people though he couldn't really see them anyway. Little Tessa road between the bodies of her mother and the donkey. She was so comfortable there, she fell asleep.

The Angels made certain the Demons and rats at the farm wouldn't pose any further threat. Once they came up onto the road, they found the twisting blustery weather wasn't so thick. The wispy wind had naturally swept enough dirt and sediment across the road there was barely any asphalt visible.

They saw great cracks in both the ground and the road which were the results of the severity of the earthquake. The earthquake was likely the culprit responsible for the absence of traffic too.

Power poles were down, amongst broken tree limbs that scattered long distances along the roadside. Passing countless homes and properties in the midst of the effects of the storm, the Angel Joel informed Jasper, "We cannot stop to aid every incident along our travels. Our time to complete our mission is short." The caravan of animals had to navigate around damaged vehicles left abandoned on the road.

"It looks like the aftermath of the apocalypse!" Bobby declared.

Everyone felt, the damage they saw would just be the beginning of what was still to come. On the highway they found people half frozen in their vehicles.

From the Angel's instruction, Jasper insisted they take the cold people from their vehicles, if they were still living and put them on the backs of their extra horses and cows. The rescuers leaned over the frozen casualties and from their own body heat they were able to warm them.

The Angels stayed close to each person who was rescued to care and ensure a speedy recovery throughout the long and treacherous journey.

It was an eerie feeling not finding other people on the highway. They tried to search and rescue who they could, but with no automobiles, transport vehicles or emergency vehicles, except the ones that were in the ditches, their capacity was limited.

The Angels stopped the caravan at a commercial transport truck and trailer. The nose of the truck had been driven into a snowbank on the side of the road where it could go no further. A gaping crack had broken up the highway ahead of it.

Jasper and Pastor Reed went to the cab and looked in. Knocking on the driver's side window, the driver slumped out of the curtain of his sleeper. He came to the window and rolled it down.

"Hey, are you okay, sir? Do you have any injuries?" Jasper asked.

"I'll be just fine. Are you helping only the injured?" The truck driver wanted to know. Stressed by the situation, he suffered minor heart palpitations.

"We're going into Kingston. You should come with us." Jasper offered.

The truck driver was weighty, cold and fatigued. "Okay." he said as he reverently nodded his head. He opened his door and climbed down to Jasper and the others. The driver insisted they walk out to the back of the trailer. When he did so, the driver looked at the horses and cows. "Huh? Are you serious? Those animals will freeze in this weather. It's forty degrees below Celsius in this wind chill! Haven't you idiots heard?! Hurricane Trump is on its way through!"

"Is it expected to be bad?" Jasper asked.

"The worst Ever!" The driver answered flatly. "They predict after it rolls through there will be nothing but a mess! A big fat mess!"

"What's your name?" Jasper inquired.

"The name's Jeb, but you folks can introduce yerselves later if you can git me somewhere warm right now." he spoke frigidly.

Jasper looked to the livestock. They _were_ freezing up, but what he also saw were large powerful Demons that resembled white abominable snow-men. Fast and powerful, these creatures froze everyone and everything they swiped their mighty claws at. Their demonic, hate filled eyes glowed red with a hunger for treachery.

The Angels could do nothing to hurt these hairy albino creatures so they would go behind them and try to thaw all who froze by their touch, but for all their efforts they saw very little effect. Grossly out matched, everything the Angels tried to use against the demonic Yeti failed. All they wanted was to just drive the simple minded beasts away but as the hurricane massed power upon its approach so also did the wrath of the snow-men.

Jasper leaned in close to Pastor Reed, "We won't make it like this."

"When you lose your faith, we should all begin to worry!" Pastor Reed hollard to Jasper while he shivered, "I could have told you this morning, before we set out, the animals were going to freeze. I just figured the Angels had a better plan than this."

Jasper went out into the middle of the road. His long hair moved with the wind. Looking around at his surroundings, knowing the Lord would never abandon him, Jasper had to keep an open mind. Though the frost nipping at his hands and feet distracted him from thinking clearly, Jasper managed to piece a plan together.

"W-what are you hauling in here?" Jasper asked Jeb.

"S-s-s-some heavy duty fan assemblies. I m-m-mostly have pallets stacked with electronics." They thought he was finished talking when he added, "Oh, yeah, and a g-g-g-generator."

"Jasper, the back of this truck must be opened in order to fulfill our mission requirements." Wilson told him.

"Please, open it up!" Jasper asked, though he wasn't sure what the significance was, he knew better than to argue with the Angel's instructions.

Jeb looked at Jasper hesitantly, he wasn't sure if he was being robbed. A stern expression with Jasper's white eyes was a confrontation he was in no mood for.

"Look, we're in an emergency situation here. We need to do what we can to survive." Pastor Reed explained, trying his best to be the voice of reason, while blowing warm breaths into his cupped hands.

"Fine, take what you want, ya, thieves!" Jeb's feet hurt as he trudged to the rear door of the trailer. Unlocking the back door, it dropped down like a ramp. One of the cows began to moo loudly. It was in extreme pain from the cold. Jasper and Pastor Reed went into the trailer and looked around. Everything was securely tied down with one inch thick Teflon rope.

' _The exceptional rope could serve plenty of jobs from here on.'_ Jasper reasoned.

The Angel, Joel told Jasper, "Tie ropes to each of the pallets and pull them out one at a time."

They tied on the ropes and the cows pulled out the pallets exposing one piece of merchandise after the other until the Angels told them to stop sliding them out. All that remained was the generator and multiple large fan assemblies. Jasper used some tools he found in the driver's truck to punch a small hole in the side of the trailer. Bending the elbow of the exhaust pipe, he poked it out through the hole. Before starting up the generator, Jasper told everyone. "The Angels need you all to help direct the animals into the trailer. They need to be blindfolded or the horses and cows will refuse to enter.

After adding some fuel, purging the system and cranking it over, the generator roared to life. With the generator running the people and animals crammed themselves inside the trailer. The moment the door ramp was closed, they all began to warm up quickly.

The truck had to be pulled out of the ditch but its damaged engine couldn't start.

The cows and horses were brought back out into the cold winds after they had been warmed up. With them tied together with ropes and anchored to the truck's frame, they managed to pull the truck out of the ditch and tow it down the damaged highway. Even with snow chains on his dual tires, Jeb had trouble steering the truck down the road. For the rest of the journey the group had to make frequent stops on the hour so the animals could warm up. The transport trailer was so large they were able to take more stranded motorists with them. Water was scrounged up from bottles or from the ditch and provided to the animals to drink from hard hats.

Some people rode in the cab and sleeper of the truck but without a working engine, it wasn't easy to keep it as warm as the trailer. The men took turns going out into the cold to lead the animals down the highway.

As they travelled through Maplegrove, they could barely discern homes through the dust laden winds that were without light in their windows. They seemed so cold, dark and lifeless, without electrical power. The aftermath of the earthquake's damage was evident everywhere.

The folks from Ceramecy were thankful to have survived the storm.

Making the long distance to Kingston took many hours, mainly due to their frequent stops to warm up. The wind whistled in at the slow moving travellers as they made their way along the stretch of highway next to the Fraser River. Stronger winds picked up intensity and battered the Portman Bridge when they came to it. The horses and cows continued to pull against such heavy torrents of blustery weather and became so sever the wind speeds threatened to push the truck and trailer toward the edge of the bridge.

Weaving their way throughout the abandoned vehicles, the animals had to be directed to maneuver over great cracks in the asphalt and other signs of structural damage which caused the entire bridge to sag to one side. Faithfully, they crossed over to the city of Kingston.

Jasper heard the Angels cheering for their victory and already sang songs of their journey.

Kingston, the once great city, now beaten and broken through the ravages of nature, had become like a war torn ghost town; a dead gray city covered in ice and snow. Buildings once able to generate heat now loomed like massive frozen, lifeless statues. Many of the buildings weren't standing straight. These buildings told a clear story of just how severe the initial brunt of the hurricane was. Many buildings no longer stood at all.

The streets of the city were barren of any vehicles and the intersection lights, the ones that still functioned, constantly blinked yellow.

Looking at the lifeless, deathly cold city, Pastor Reed prayed, "Oh, Lord, what was the point? For a moment there, I believed our quest was like Noah's Ark. I mean, we had the animals and everything, but we must've by-passed the 'Promised Land' somewhere along the way." Pastor Reed's prayer struck up some laughs from the others. The Pastor began to bashfully chuckle along with his colleagues.

Jasper heard the Pastor's prayer and perked up immediately. Failing to find the humor in the Pastor's words, Jasper detected the Pastor's depression instead.

"Why must we work so hard and receive so little?" Pastor Reed added.

The Angels quickly spoke to Jasper, expecting him to speak to Pastor Reed but Jasper spoke to them all. "Your lack of faith misleads your train of thought." Jasper told them, "You're special in the eyes of the Lord. He knows your full potential and he wants you to find it also. This won't happen if we remain in our comfortable lifestyles. It's like a man who goes to a church and says, "Oh, this church doesn't have the flare for God that I'm looking for." So the man leaves the church and looks for a better one but what God does, is he purposely places his people where they can be useful. If the man provided the 'flare for God' that he was looking for, he would've experienced the excitement along with the congregation. God wants His people to make a terrible situation better. We must endure even though we don't understand what the Lord wants or why we are in difficult situations. Today, none of us want to be here, but the Angels remind us this is where we belong at this moment. The Angels will take us through, whatever this is and we'll become better people for it. The city of Kingston needs us even if we don't see why or how, yet. From just one simple act, like the push of the first domino, the Angels have explained, we can set countless other events in motion; events that'll change the entire world as we know it. Somehow we're supposed to be the cause of a greatly needed change. I want to be a part of it, don't you?"

Feeling encouraged, everyone agreed.

The Angels finally directed the truck and trailer to the doorsteps of the half-way house. When Jasper looked up at the old abandoned building, his body stiffened. There at the entrance of the building were the floating transparent Demonic figures of the Insufferable six.

At first, Jasper had to rub his eyes to be sure his eyes didn't deceive him, but as the Six began to charge toward them, he knew without a doubt this was a serious situation.

The other Ceramecians noticed Jasper was acting a little odd but they had no clue what threat he was looking at.

Wilson came to Jasper's side and said, "Look away brother, you have a job to do. We will handle this." Then Wilson straightened and addressed the Angels, "Let's drive these foul phantoms back to the abys!"

The six Angels shot toward the Insufferable Six like beams of light. They met them in hand to hand spiritual combat in the air.

Charmatrien pulled out the hilt of his sword and water arose to form the rippling blade, then the blade hardened into a sharp crystal-like blade of ice. He chopped and sliced at the giant Vyxcious.

The roaring giant stumbled back only a pace or two. Then Vyxcious lashed back with his instant growing vines of thorns.

Pure light of glory shot from Wilson's fists and splashed over Wengroangrinch's large fore-head. This momentarily distracted the deformed Demon and disabled his evil telepathic influence. He could think of no better telepathic defense from Wengroangrinch's attacks than to find some form of psychological barrier or restraint.

Sending high levels of sunset coloured light from her palms, Taila burned back Gewgaw's slime covered shadowy form.

Turning away, the rays of light quickly burned through the Demon's protective slime and steamed away. Having quite enough of Taila's barrage, Gewgaw spun around and shot two streams of his ecto-slime at her. Black viscous slime coated Taila's wings, arms and shoulders.

Finding Gewgaw's slime disgusting, Taila ceased her punishment of light.

In her distraction, Gewgaw quickly regained his strength and attacked her again.

Taila was about to defend herself with a new burst of her light, but vicious snakes aggressively grew out of the ecto-slime and threatened to strangle and bite her.

Elana broke away from her fight with Vyxcious at the snapping sound of his thorny vine whip. Elana's silver lasso bound Gewgaw.

Gewgaw turned and hissed at Elana, but she struck him in the face with her whip before tossing a couple extra loops of her lasso around him.

With Gewgaw in the bonds of Elana's lasso, Joel swiftly flew up to Taila and used the swords of his wingtips to cut away the heads of the snakes.

"Let's do this together, Taila. With our combined light we can burn this ecto-slime away in an instant." Joel suggested with a smile.

With a quick nod, Taila began to produce her great light from her entire body.

Joel flapped his wings to back away from her a short distance. He scanned for the illusive intruders before he unleashed a blast of his own fists of white fire at her. As Joel glided around Taila, he burned away all of the evil slime. He opened his mouth to caution her, but knowing she was in no danger of his flames, he promptly closed it.

Taila wasn't affected by Joel's billowing volley of flames and for a brief moment, they smiled at one another in commemoration of their teamwork.

From a sudden lightning flash and a whirlwind explosion, Morbidant appeared from a shaking spiritual rift that penetrated the stillness. Appearing at Gewgaw's side, she took hold of the silver lasso that bound him and pulled it apart by the mere efforts of her own hands.

Diolucious had slipped away from her confrontation with Starr to rise up behind Morbidant and shoot an arrow over her left shoulder.

The arrow soared past Morbidant's face and darted toward Taila's heart.

Joel noticed the arrow and sprang in front of Taila to intercept its trajectory. He took the shot for his friend, but Starr wouldn't have it.

Streaking in at the speed of light, Starr took hold of the arrow and redirected its trace path way so it found its mark in Gewgaw.

This, however only managed to make Gewgaw stronger. Tearing the last of the lasso away on his own, Gewgaw lunged at Elana vengefully. The Angels and Demons fought viciously.

In the heat of battle, Morbidant took hold of Starr by her throat and began to strangle her body with tendrils of shadow. Their ghostly forms were momentarily lost to the dusty windy spirals. The tentacles of her shaping shadow wrapped around Starr and threatened to extinguish her light, but Starr opened her wings and a flock of bright white doves were released and flew out. A torrent of wind was inner lit to anyone with spiritual sight.

The doves burned the dark tendrils away one by one.

Morbidant shrieked painfully, then she looked at Starr and said, "Everything always has to work out for you, doesn't it, Starr. Just once, I'd like to see how you would handle a situation of Hell!"

After speaking these words, Morbidant's cape was thrown open and many shadow people arose to fight and protect their dark master. While the servants of evil grabbed at the doves, Starr telepathically called her graceful birds back to the safety of her wings. In the whirling turmoil of black smoke, Morbidant took Starr to a dark realm far below the earth's crust.

Thought's swelled in the dark witch's mind. The vile schemes swirled into a toxic festering brew. Morbidant captured Starr but none of the other Angels noticed them disappear from the confusion of the wind swept battle and even if they did, they couldn't know where the two went.

# CHAPTER 21

DETERMINED NOT TO DISTRACT himself and look at the brutal spiritual battle between the Angels and Demons, Jasper focused on having the animals cut loose and brought up the main steps. Six cows, four horses and one donkey were directed through the hurricane's storm and brought into the main doors of the Half-Way House. Everyone was worried if the old wooden floors of the historical building were solid enough to support the weight of the big animals.

Jasper wasn't worried. He was more concerned with finding wood to stoke the large fireplace in the main seating area. Furniture, picture frames or whatever; if it was made of wood, Jasper said tenaciously, "Burn it." Soon a raging fire was warming things up. As the fire raged, Megan and Tessa stayed with it to make sure it was fed. Everyone depended on the heat from the fire with so much work ahead of them.

Jasper saw the threatening abominable snow-men blow through and pound their fists against the walls of the Half-Way House as the Angel, Joel stopped in to encourage Jasper and provoke the fire to grow. "We will drive the terrors away!" Joel assured him. Darting out the room through the wall, Joel rejoined the fight.

Most people went on with Jasper as they toured every inch of the building. Jasper tried to remain professional as he saw the Angel Taila go ahead of them. She vanquished the Demon Wengroangrinch for a time.

The detestable Demon was waiting for them to attack the people telepathically. Thanks to Taila, he wasn't given the opportunity this time.

The group moved around from the basement, then up through each and every level of the building. Not only was Jasper inspecting the building, but the Angel Wilson remained in close communication with him about some very important plans.

Other Ceramecians felt, if they could be close to Jasper, they too would be close to the Angels. Already, they missed the incredible feeling of being in the Angel's presence.

All water pipes were frozen and the gas pipes; inn-operational. The Half-Way House was four levels high and one of the much smaller buildings on the block. The entire facility had been abandoned.

They could see where people had been staying with evidence of leaving in a hurry. Crack pipes and needles were left carelessly laying around amongst their blankets and trashy belongings.

Jasper noticed Randy's gaze was locked onto such items and walked him out. As the two men left, Jasper told the girls, "Organize a clean-up and have the entire building scoured for waste like this." He pointed to the used drug items. "We need them collected and disposed."

After leaving Randy by the fire, Jasper looked around at the rooms of the top floor. He could feel his purpose on earth would be connected with this place somehow.

Taila entered the room at Jasper's side. She knew what he was thinking so she said to him, "This is where it will all begin."

* * *

In the depths of the earth within a pocket of stone, near the boarders of Hell, Morbidant joyously laughed at Starr who was bound by shadow and pressed next to the wall of hot brimstone. There, Morbidant toyed with Starr. "Now let's have a look at those gorgeous wings of yours. Ahhhh, yes. They are magnificent, but where I come from black is the preferred style. Scout! Show our guest how good she looks in black!"

A plump, hairy little wart infested Demon came flying near Starr. Fluttering its leathery wings and peering at her with the gaze of its glowing yellow eyes, the child-like Demon Scout preceded to take a can to a stone wall that had a dark fluid oozing out of it. Filling the can, the Imp Scout returned to Starr. Pulling an old wiry, wide paintbrush from its belt, it dipped the brush into the can. Holding the brush out to present it to Starr with the thick fluid dripping off of it, the Scout went ahead and began to apply the black gunk to Starr's wing. Starr screamed as though the paint was causing her pain.

"Oh, yes! Scream child! Scream as loud as you like! No one can hear you from here. Soon you will be coated in darkness and your light will cease to shine. Then perhaps you will understand my world a little better." Morbidant relished any opportunity to humiliate the Angel.

Starr continued to struggle against the shadow people who held her wrists and ankles to the stone so firmly. She felt a stab of claustrophobia. Then Starr settled down and began to toil her mind in a focused concentrated pitch. Going within herself she found a connection to the glory of God's incredible love. This empowered her so much that she charged her doves with more faithful light than she ever had before.

Upon releasing her doves of blinding brilliance, the shadow people released her, disappearing into the brimstone, the Demon Scout dropped its can and brush of dark tar-like fluid.

The black paint of Starr's wing burned away.

Telepathically, Starr told one of her brightest doves to go back to the surface of earth and report her location to the Angels. With that simple thought, one single dove winked out its bright light as it disappeared into the black volcanic stone.

Morbidant didn't expect Starr to be so strong. Falling back, she lifted her hands to protect herself from the Angel's brightness.

Rising over her, Starr overthrew Morbidant, lifting her shimmering sword of truth.

Just before Starr delivered her fatal blow, Morbidant lifted her hands higher and said, "No more, Starr! Have mercy on me! I know we are enemies, but do you not remember how we played as children so long ago?" Starr decided, in the confusion the memories flashing through her mind, to stay her striking blow for just a moment.

When Morbidant saw this pause, she folded her arms and quickly continued. "You do remember. We were sisters then. I too remember it well. Such images haunt and plague my thoughts." she giggled and looked down as she recalled their history, "Everyday was an adventure." Morbidant risked the tilt of her head to look back up at Starr.

Starr lowered her sword slightly as she too recalled such precious memories, "Every walk in the woods was deliciously sweet and I cherished those moments. You were always so strong." her sword lowered so it pointed to the ground, "Sisters you say? You were my big sister; my hero."

Morbidant rose up slightly but she was no longer threatening, "Yes, but before you burn me with your light and leave me blind, I want you to know, I chose the darkness because I believed I was strong enough to infiltrate it and weaken it with my goodness and faith. I was wrong. In trying to defeat the darkness it was darkness I became. Like your friend, West, I fell from grace and now your opinion causes me to descend further into depression and despair. Have you ever known such regret? Is it possible, Angel? I remember once I used to fly, so high, as you do. Perhaps higher. My ways were bound to freedom, but now I just fall. Always falling deeper and deeper. There is no end to the abyss of my depression. You don't know the depths of Hell. Not like I know it. There is no light for me anymore."

"When we were together, nothing could stop us." Starr reminded Morbidant. "Yes, perhaps you can still defeat the darkness. Together we could win over the despair that holds you so tight."

"You think it's possible? You could be my _fallen Starr_ and I could be your _Twilight_?" Morbidant had a strange sparkle in her eye.

"What do you mean by, _fallen Starr_?" Starr asked skeptically.

"I need you to come to me, to save me. You need to meet me here, at my level. Yes, you can save me and we can be beautiful sisters again. I will prove my pledge to this cause. Join me and we will rescue West. He is in terrible pain. Let us save him from his suffering and restore our family. Come, Starr... Come to me now... When I find you in the darkness, I will stay with you. Tell me you will pledge yourself to this cause along with me so that, one way or another, we will be sisters again."

Starr was hesitant.

For a moment, Morbidant was sure Starr was going to take the plunging step.

"No, Morbidant." Starr answered solemnly, "Not one way or another. There is only one way and you better listen well. Call out to our Father in Heaven. Repent from your ways and may God have mercy on your soul for all you have to atone for!"

* * *

The Angels instructed Jasper to acquire resources for everyone.

When Jasper walked downstairs to the main lobby he had everyone help to break apart walls and use the materials to build new walls in large openings so heat couldn't escape up or down the stairs.

They had to heat no more than the main floor if they were all to keep warm. The main floor seemed to have a lot of room, but once everyone came in along with the blindfolded farm animals, space ran out quickly.

Megan and Tessa held their noses. Then Megan said, "Okay, it's starting to warm up. So what are we going to do about the stench of these animals?"

By flipping tables up on end and placing furniture around the animals, they were able to fence the horses together and separate them from the cows.

Megan could see her question fell upon deaf ears as there really wasn't anything anyone could do about the smell.

* * *

The sound of wind whistling between the tall building from a distance echoed throughout the sleeping city. Great chunks of concrete broke loose and fell from great heights before crashing to the streets below. While Jasper gazed out at the city and filled his lungs with the sting of the cooled dust filled air, a chunk of concrete came down at his side narrowly missing him and crashing to pieces at his feet. Jasper could see the severity of the situation when he began to venture into the blustering city. He took a blindfolded cow with him out into the cold to explore neighboring buildings in search of anything useful that he could carry back. Leaving to go out in pursuit of food for the people and the animals, Jasper completely depended on the Angels to guide his steps as he was a stranger in the city.

After riding the cow three blocks away from the Half-Way House, Jasper heard the sound of a vehicle engine revving up. The wind was loud as it howled, in combination with the engine and echoed between down the deep streets. The wind current carried small crystalized flakes that stung Jasper's exposed skin like prickly little needles. Expecting the vehicle to pass him, he directed the cow to the side of the road. When he heard the sound of a loud impact, Jasper feared the worst. Heading out to investigate the crash, he wasn't prepared for what he found.

A crowd of people had already gathered at the accident scene. Though Jasper was happy to find so many people in the city, there was obviously something extraordinarily terrible about the accident. As he tried to get closer, Jasper passed the window of a huge hotel; the posh Ramanada Hotel.

There in the window of the lobby were many more people. They had gathered there to see the truck accident. Protected from the cold bristling winds, the people had been keeping themselves warm with use of the hotel's back-up generator. Huddled at the window, the people began to focus more on Jasper, "How odd." they said hesitantly, "A blind man riding a blindfolded cow down the road in the midst of this freezing temperature and raging winds?"

"Let's call him in with us." They gestured with their hands for Jasper to join them but Jasper couldn't see well enough through the wind and snow to notice them.

Continuing closer to the accident scene, Jasper realized two children were lying on the frozen street; a little boy and a little girl, likely a brother and sister.

People had carefully moved the small children onto stretchers and applied neck braces.

The distraught mother of the children wasn't dressed appropriately and was crying while trying to explain what happened. "I left my children alone while I went out to ask if anyone had some milk to spare. My babies became worried about me and my whereabouts so they went looking for me."

Demons were active in the area and Jasper could see them. A large reptilian fish-like Demon of guilt attacked the unsuspecting mother by biting onto her side. It locked its jaws onto her and wouldn't let go.

The men who wore uniforms, administered aid to the children, but behind each of the aid workers was a Buzzard Demon.

The buzzards rode on their backs and chewed on their heads.

While one of these men tried the technique of assisted breathing on one of the children, Taila tried to fight one of the Buzzard Demons away. Swatting at it with the swords at her wingtips, the scrawny, wrinkly thing just flapped its tattered black wings and squawked.

They wouldn't leave because they were attached to the medics by their sharp, strong talons.

"These Buzzard Demons terrorize these human servants by attacking their minds." Taila explained, "They call this post-traumatic stress disorder on earth, but it's _these_ ugly Demons who feed off their dark experiences." Taila was the only Angel who remained with Jasper and she was constantly busy fending off the horde of Demonic antagonists. Taila worked to keep the other forces of darkness at bay as the Demons desperately wanted to enter the accident scene and add to the chaos.

"The children couldn't find me inside so they went outside to find me." The troubled mother continued to try and explain what took place. "Then this truck came driving down the road in such a rush, and, oh Lord, my babies!" Crying out hysterically the mother saw her children unconscious and injured.

People did what they could to get the children breathing and coherent again.

Dismounting from off his cow, Jasper led it with a rope to the front of the crowd of onlookers. Straining his white eyes to see and study the accident scene, he felt there was nothing he could do.

The driver of the truck also tried to tell his version of what happened.

Jasper listened carefully.

"We cannot just sit here and do nothing, waiting for someone to come and save us. Someone has to leave this accursed city and bring help here. We're out of food! After getting this truck running I took off to find what I could; water, supplies, you know, anything! We can't waste any more time. My family is depending on me to help them!" Blood seeped through the bandage that had been applied to his head.

The mother of the two injured children began fighting with the men in uniform who held her back. They kept her from going to her children. She had to be restrained and taken away by the men in uniform. Were they police? Security guards? Jasper wasn't sure.

Movement caught Jasper's eye. It took him a moment to realize the spirits of the two children were running from a Pig-Demon on the other side of the crowd. Jasper approached the two children and shouted at the Demon. "Get out of here!" The crowd of people turned to Jasper and a few people near him moved away.

The bewildered pig-like Demon was confused that Jasper had the ability to see it. Focusing on the children once more, the Pig-Demon quickly forgot about Jasper. A hideous grin stretched across the piggy features of its pig-face again.

Taila darted toward the Demon and stopped in front of it. She flared up with an incredible flash of light and shouted, "I forbid you from bringing harm to the innocent!"

Fear twisted the Demon's pig-face. Then it quickly turned and fled.

Jasper bent down and spoke to the spirits of the children. "Don't be afraid of me children. I am Jasper and I have a gift that allows me to speak to you. Who are you?"

"My name is Nate and this is my sister Debbie." he pointed to his sister.

Debbie remained silent and depended on her brother to protect her.

"Do you see your mother over there, crying?" Jasper asked.

"Yes, we tried to talk to her but she doesn't see us." Nate answered again.

"She's very worried she'll lose you. She loves you. Obviously you're her entire life." Jasper told them.

"We want to be with her too, but this is a very scary place. An Angel has asked us to follow it into a bright light. Debbie was going to go but I told her not to. We just keep running. We don't know what to do!"

"If you want to be in Heaven, you go into the light, but if you want to go back to your mother, you must return to your bodies. If you choose Heaven, you'll be loved there too."

"I want my mommy!" Debbie cried.

"What is he saying?" asked a lady from the crowd.

"The words coming from his mouth weren't English." a man who stood near Jasper reported.

"Complete babble, or some other language. Pig-Latin maybe. Not English though, I can tell you that." Spoke someone else who was even closer to Jasper when he spoke to the children.

The people administering the assisted breathing decide to give up, "Would you have the time?" asked the first aider.

"Three O'clock." came the answer.

"Alright, time of death; three O'clock."

The mother was about twenty feet away and despite the frigid wind, she heard the medic and began to wail and lament. Hope drained out of her along with her will to go on. She went limp in the medic's arms.

Jasper spoke to the medic who reported the time of death and said, "Please, I know you're tired, but if you try just a little more these children will survive."

The paramedics looked at Jasper like he was crazy.

"What have you got to lose?" Jasper added with a faraway look in his white eyes.

Exchanging glances for a moment, the frustrated and exhausted paramedics rolled their eyes and tried to revive the children once again.

Taking the children by their invisible spiritual hands, one on each side of her, Taila walked them back to their bodies.

When Jasper noticed Taila leading the children to their bodies lying on the stretchers, he followed.

A man in uniform stopped Jasper, "Sir, please return behind the barrier or we'll have to have you detained."

Jasper took a step back.

The children turned back and smiled at him before Taila helped them to lie down on the stretchers and phased into their bodies.

Under the paramedic's care, the children began to breathe again.

Everyone cheered.

The Mother almost jumped out of her own skin and broke free from the medic's hold. Running to her children, she collapsed between them. Looking pale, she had forgotten to take a breath of air for herself. Hugging and kissing her children, she'd forgotten about the temperature and just melted into them.

Jasper called Taila to come and remove the fish-like Demon off the mother and heal her wounds. Taila used the swords from her wingtips to unlock the Demon's jaws. Touching the mother's spiritual wounds on her side with loving hands of light, Taila healed the emotional injuries so well, not even a scar remained.

The children; still on the stretchers, were carried into the hotel.

Along with them, everyone else who was on the street also trudged in out of the cold.

One of the men in uniform asked Jasper, "Won't you come in with us? We don't have much to give you but we do have warmth."

Jasper looked to Taila to see what she thought of the offer.

She was floating down the road with her hand out for him to follow her.

"I have somewhere I need to be." Jasper told the man. He mounted his cow and meandered down the frozen wind swept street.

* * *

The battle between the Angels and the Insufferable Six continued inside the Half-Way House as the Angel's, concern for the whereabouts of Starr, became a matter of increasing importance. Within the Half-Way House the battling forces ended up getting split up throughout the multiple floors and rooms.

Just as the Angels needed to regroup, the Insufferable Six realized their leader Morbidant, was also missing. Without the guidance they'd come to depend on, the Insufferable Six pulled out of the Half-Way House to recover themselves also.

From the long strands of hair that grew down and shielded her dark eyes, Krustatious called out, "My Imps have found refuge for us. Follow me!"

Moving throughout the untraceable shadows, Krustatious led her companions to a low level sub-way terminal. The terminal was left in complete darkness as the power was still out throughout the city.

"What's happened to us? We didn't need to retreat? We had them!" Vyxcious said angrily.

"Something has happened to Morbidant. I don't like this. Something feels very wrong." Diolucious told her counterparts.

"So what! What's the bad news?" Saturated in attitude, Wengroangrinch questioned, "Morbidant is gone. I suggest we choose a new leader from our ranks. I've been looking forward to this for a long time, anyway."

"And who would you suggest lead us? You?!" Gewgaw challenged.

"Yeah, you couldn't lead an Imp if you had a body that depended on it." Krustatious snidely said.

Spitting words from his deep hood, Wengroangrinch shot back sullenly. "Right, very funny. Perhaps we should just go solo then, who needs the lot of you?"

"I'm fine with that! If I don't follow Morbidant then I'm out too. Any one of us rank high enough to lead our own legion anyhow. May this world burn and all of you along with it!" Vyxcious turned his back to his comrades and began walking away.

"Who do you think you are? Don't turn your back on us!" Gewgaw shouted.

Suddenly, the terminal was flooded with light, but it wasn't light from the city's power. The Angels had located the secret meeting area of the Demons.

Shrieking, the Demons attempted to scatter and escape, but it was too late.

The Angels had them surrounded. "Sorry to crash your little tea party, Demons, but perhaps you should have considered inviting us. We have refreshments!" Charmatrien lifted the hilt of his water sword and water shot out of it. Aiming the sword at the walls and arched ceiling, Charmatrien made everything wet. Then from his same sword, he caused the wet walls to freeze into shimmering crystal sheets of ice.

Wilson flew past Charmatrien and stopped in the midst of the Demons where his celestial body blazed with light. In a loud voice Wilson announced to the Demons, "Behold what you've become!" Wilson held out the palm of his hand to present the reflective walls of ice. Within them were the reflected images of the Demons.

When the Demons saw their own reflections in the ice, the conviction that came over each of them was too much to bear. The guilt of their fall from grace was the source of their madness. Struggling to flee, the Demons shrieked and lashed out.

The Angels couldn't contain the wild wraiths. Charging past the Angels, the Demons were about to leave but Wengroangrinch managed to get ahead of them and stopped them. Roaring, his horrifically disfigured face became transparent exposing his deathly skull-face underneath. "Have you forgotten? We have vowed not to let the light overtake us! Now get back down there! We'll prove we can handle these Angels, even without Morbidant!"

When the Demons reluctantly marched back down into the sub-way terminal, Vyxcious made a startling discovery. "What is this? Is there only four of you left now?"

The Angels looked at one another. Their number had rarely dropped so low. West, Starr and Taila were all unaccounted for.

"My fellow Demons, we out number them. This will be easy!" Vyxcious finished. Together, the Demons began to heat up, causing their shadowy forms to expel a gust of black smoke. With so much instant smoke, they quickly smothered the light of the Angels.

Stumbling through the smoldering darkness, the Angels were completely disoriented. Elana shouted to her remaining friends, "We're blind. Like our friend Jasper, we cannot see."

"How does _he_ handle it?" Joel asked.

"We must think like Jasper and go forward in blindness. Let us use sounds to guide us." Wilson answered. "Hone your senses everyone!" But it was of no use. The Angels were unable to navigate well enough through the pitch black acrid ash to defend themselves from the constant attacks of the Demons.

Viciously, the Demons administered pain through striking, strangling, burning and slashing the Angels.

Wilson could take no more, but when he saw one of Starr's doves flap its bright wings passed his face, it sparked hope within him. Finally the news he had prayed for came along with its good message. When Wilson received the report of Starr's location, he shouted, "Angels, I know where Starr is. Come, I will lead the way!"

The Angels shot away in Wilson's direction as he blew his small trumpet. When they were free of the black smoke of the sub-way, Wilson explained, "She's being held by Morbidant deep in the earth! We must follow her dove to her exact location."

"Let us call upon speed to be our ally in Starr's hour of need." Joel called out to the others as they dived straight down into the ground.

"If at all possible, friends, we must swiftly pass between the shadows of evil." Charmatrien suggested.

"Keep your perceptions sensitive. If we must travel that close to Hell, we may find the opportunity of saving West!" Elana suggested hopefully.

# CHAPTER 22

WITHIN THE LOWEST DUNGEON of Hell, West laid upon the mucky cold floor. Never had he ever experienced such loneliness. Never had he ever known such darkness. Never had he ever been so utterly defeated. At least when the Devil was around he kept things interesting, but when West found himself alone for such a long time, he couldn't help but let his mind wander to places he never thought he could; deep dark places.

West lost himself in the dungeon. He lost himself when he lost all sense of hope. And he lost himself when he lost his limbs. Dismembered he just lay in the dank dark chamber looking at his arms and legs that were strewn carelessly upon the floor. As he looked at them he could hardly recognize them. These arms and legs appeared to belong to somebody else... A Bat-Demon. Then he remembered, he was now a Bat-Demon. It wasn't a dream after all.

It also wasn't a dream that he injured the Devil by tearing his arm off and feeding it to a dino-zombie Demon. 'Boy, that sure pissed him off.' West recalled. For his treachery, the Devil tore his arms and legs off and tossed him into this deep cell.

Barely did he acknowledge the day when a dangerous Demon risked it all to sneak into such a depth. Wearing a black cloak, the Demon could imitate the shadows and pass through the guarded corridors undetected. A brave Demon it was. In search of a bargaining chip. She knew she was very close now. When she entered West's cell, she knew her efforts were just about to pay off.

It was a decadent and sorrowful scene. "West! West, can you hear me?" whispered the Demon.

With no response, the undercover subversive mole went to work reattaching West's limbs. By placing his arms and legs back where they belonged, it wasn't long before the spirit remembered itself and became whole again.

Before West arose, the Toad-Demon locked the shackles to his wrists, "W-what are you doing?" West asked. "Did you not come to free me?"

"That is up to you." The Demon answered. Her brow wrinkled in disgust for the bat-like creature's lack of trust. 'Can he not recognize a jail break when he sees it?'

Though they disliked one another, they needed each other. Gangly and crooked-legged, Nagrite was as twisted inside as she was out. She was obviously a dangerous adversary. Her eyes glinted with wicked pleasure.

"Who are you?"

"I am, Nagrite. I was with you West, just before you were banished to this dungeon. All of the Demons know who you are. You're famous. You're the only one who stood up against Satan and almost defeated him. You made us believe we could defeat him for a moment there."

She was a strange frog-like creature. Her twisted frame was crouched down low before West. Nagrite's tongue licked in and out of her mouth excessively, as her throat bulged and croaked uncontrollably. Her thin flat ears hung from her amphibious head and rested on her shoulders. Her duck-like snout worked around each word she spoke with difficulty. Protruding from the top of her head were her two bulbous eyes which blinked suspiciously.

"Why are you here?" West needed to know.

"I would like to make you a deal... If you are willing to go up against Satan again, I will vow to fight for you and protect you... I know other Demons who would join our cause and fight with us also. With you to lead us, we know we can overthrow the Dark Lord and you will be free."

"You have my interest. Now what do you need? A hand shake?" West asked.

"Yeah, I don't." Nagrite pulled out a rolled scroll from her breast pocket and opened it up. "All I need from you is your signature to assure me you won't betray us later."

"A signature?" West eyed the contract suspiciously. "And if I refuse?"

Nagrite stood up and rolled up the scroll. "Then you will forget you saw me and I will have to tear your limbs back out."

"It's an agreement; a contract? Can I see it?" West asked.

Relinquishing the scroll once more and opening it, Nagrite held it open so West could read it. "I can't read this. It is of some foreign tongue and written by a child's hand."

"This contract is legal and binding. By signing it you agree to my protection." Nagrite explained.

West stretched out his finger and by the point of his claw, he signed his name to it on the bottom line. As soon as he did so, she yanked the contract away and West had a terrible feeling come over him. He just knew he was going to regret this.

A smile stretched across Nagrite's face as she rolled up the scroll and tucked it away. Handling the shackles with her suction cupped finger tips, she finally managed to free West.

Watching carefully to see how Nagrite would sneak them out of the dungeon, West was completely surprised by her tactics.

Approaching the cell door, Nagrite just flung it open wide and stepped out in plain view of the Demon guards. The guards surrounded them immediately and Nagrite just smiled. West didn't understand, but he was quite certain the punishment that awaited him would be severe.

One Demon guard blew into a heavy baritone goat-horn. A long woeful moan sounded from it. This signalled Satan and in no time he arrived before them. "What is the meaning of this, Nagrite, you treacherous viper?!"

"I have come to release my prisoner. West belongs to me now." Nagrite boldly let Satan know.

"Your prisoner? West belongs to you? You've gone mad. You know West belongs to me. You were there. Everyone in Hell belongs to me!" Satan told her.

Reaching into the breast folds of her cloak, Nagrite fished out the scroll and opened it so Satan could inspect it. "Not... anymore."

Gasping at what the contract scroll outlined, Satan held his breath when he saw West's signature attached to it. "I-is this right? Can she do this without me maiming her?"

"I can and I did!" Nagrite shouted with a winner's smirk on her face for outsmarting the Devil. "West has signed his soul over to me. I now own him and soon I will own all of Hell. Under new management, you will be the first to go. I will banish you, permanently."

West looked at Nagrite, "You tricked me?!"

"Tricked you? This is treason! You will be utterly punished from tip to toe along with any Demon who swears an allegiance to you, Nagrite!" Pacing back and forth like a caged and frustrated lion, Satan thought about the matter. Smoking from a short spinal column, it helped him to remain calm and piece together a sinister plan. He couldn't just banish everyone, Satan knew he had something to gain from every situation. As he burned with jealousy for the signature of West, he knew through some twisted negotiation, West's autograph could be his.

Finally, the Dark Lord said. "That settles it. There's just one way to deal with this. Follow me! All of my Demons must meet in the main audience chamber! Spread the word!"

Within Hell's great halls everyone packed into one place to hear Satan's announcement. From the high pinnacle of a standing rock, Satan stood near Nagrite with West chained between them. In this Orpheum, in front of everyone, the Devil planned to make an example of Nagrite; one that no one would soon forget. Addressing the entire legion of his miserable Nether world, Satan announced. "My despicable ingrates!" His breath was like a hazy glow of a blast furnace. "Within my very own domain, there is treachery in our midst! This simple minded Demon wishes to challenge my might with this!" Satan held up Nagrite's scroll. "This is a binding contract! No Demon has authority to create contracts of any nature, ever! Nagrite, believes she can own one of my souls?! Know how deeply I am grieved by this. This contract offends me. Now witness the fate of all who challenge my authority!" Lifting his claws above his head, Satan created a spinning fireball from his electrical finger tips.

"Hold it! Hold it! Before the end, my voice must be heard!" announced Nagrite.

Satan delayed his hand for a moment as he didn't fear this Demon in the least. He even allowed her a moment to speak.

"The oppressive leadership of Satan doesn't have to be our eternal fate!!! Together we have the power to overthrow him! Right here, right now! Join me and rise up against this tyrant, attack my brothers and sisters! Attack and we shall liberate ourselves this day and be free. Attack! Attack! Attack!!!" Nagrite proclaimed.

Satan stood with his large fireball still tumbling above his head. His eyes looked this way and that to see the reaction of the gathering. Noting the Demons weren't flocking in to overtake him, Satan dropped the fireball on Nagrite and she exploded into flames with a ghastly sheik.

West tried to turn away from the flame's intensity. Blowing on the now crispy frog-woman, Satan's breath cooled the flames and turned them into a pillar of granite.

"Now, is there another one of you maggots who dare defy me?!" Looking out at the crowd of Demons, only silence followed. Then the Devil spied Nagrite's contract floating to the floor nearby. Unclipping a coiled whip from his side, the Devil let it unravel. As the whip hung from the Devil's grasp, it began to bleed lava along its length. His eyes burned like fire as he glared into Nagrite. With a swing of his arm, a mighty snap of the whip came. The contract exploded into little smoldering paper bits. "This contract is now null and void."

The Demons accepted their eternal fate of solitude.

Turning to West as he coiled up his whip, Satan called for a new contract to be drawn up.

An Imp scribe was happy to compose such a scroll.

When the Devil opened the scroll to West and demanded his signature, West flatly refused to sign it.

He wasn't about to make the same mistake twice.

To escape further embarrassment, Satan whipped West with burning lacerations.

It was clear he would be forced to sign his soul away to the Devil. Throughout his flogging, West prayed for the Lord God of Heaven and Earth to come down from His mighty throne and save him but nothing came of it. Only additional torture was rewarded to him. Through it all, West refused to sign the Devil's contract scroll.

Finally, West was sent back to his dungeon cell where he became reacquainted with his old friends; cold darkness and lonely silence. There he sat waiting, praying and quietly singing praises to God.

* * *

A shopping mall with its windows and doors smashed out was evidence people had already plundered the facility with looting in a desperate pre-mature fight to survive.

Crazy natured Demons echoed what they remembered from the shouts of the mobs of people who stormed through recently. The spirit of confusion and terror was still present within the frigid shadows.

Taila drove back the evil spirits to make way for Jasper, as he rode his cow in through the broken glass doors of the mall's main entrance way. The interior of the mall's spacious halls were very dark for Jasper's hazy vision, but he could see better by the sepia tones of light provided by the Angel, Taila.

"Hello?! Is there anyone out there?" Jasper called through his visible puffs of warm breath, but only the echo of his own words returned his beckon call.

Demons however, shouted back and laughed striking chills through Jasper's bones.

Jasper's fear was eased through the strong faith he had in his beautiful Angel friend, Taila.

Passing by a bank, then an optical clinic, followed by a bookstore, Jasper finally came to a popular grocery store. He rode the cow up and down the food aisles but the shelves had been cleaned out entirely. He found very little usable merchandise left at all, but he packed what he could.

"Come on O'l Betsy. We'll have to try someplace else." Jasper spoke. The cow huffed and a cloud of steam shot out of its nostrils.

Riding the cow out of the grocery store, he continued down the main hall of the mall. Meandering past the remains of a restaurant, Taila suggested Jasper should stop to search for food inside. Riding the cow into the restaurant, he called. "Here's the beef!" but no one answered. Listening for a reply it appeared people had already ransacked the restaurant and taken everything of value there too.

The cow strolled into the back kitchen, where, again, Jasper found nothing to salvage, until he noticed the thick freezer door. Hopping off the cow he tried the handle but it was securely locked. Using his coil of one inch thick Teflon rope, Jasper tied the cow to the door. Slapping O'l Betsy on the rear end, "Ha-ya!" it was all Jasper could do to get the cow to move. The cow mooed and the rope stiffened as it went tight under the cow's strength, but the door didn't budge. Slapping the cow's rear and leaning his shoulder into Betsy's hind end for assistance, Jasper had the cow try again and again but the results were the same.

Taila saw what was happening as she floated down to the cow and whispered into its ear.

The cow's eyes widened when it tried to pull against the freezer door again, only harder. This time the cow had an insatiable sense of imperative determination. The rope thumped like a tight guitar string, pulling powerfully against the door. The cow tried even harder when it dug into the floor grating with its hooves and huffed.

The hinges of the freezer door began to buckle and bend with a creaking squeak of twisting metal. The cow began to growl, exerting even more strength. Then the pins of the door's hinges surrendered and broke loose. Collapsing to the floor with a heavy clatter and a definitive thump, O'l Betsy did it. The freezer entrance was wide open.

Jasper went to the cow and comforted it with proud praises for a job well done. Loosening the rope from around the cow's neck, he turned to the freezer and thanked the Lord.

Seeing a dusty football helmet on a mannequin, Jasper slipped it onto his own head. _'This might help to keep my head warmer outside.'_ he thought.

From the post office across the hall, Jasper found some large canvas duffle bags for carrying mail. Using these large bags and filling them full with frozen food, Jasper tied them to the cow. Betsy dragged the stuffed duffle bags along the icy floor and headed toward the main doors to begin their slow and lengthy return trip to the Half-Way House.

* * *

A darkness in shadow form expelled from under Morbidant's cape and threatened to fill the small chamber with fear, a sense of despondency and hate. Rising up with anticipation, Morbidant watched as her vile will began to take effect and bring the Angel down. In a meek voice; fatigued by despair, Starr muttered, "Let there be... light..."

Along the way the Insufferable Six tried to mislead and distract the Angels even though they had no clue what their destination was.

At long last, the dove passed through the solid brimstone wall where it found sanctuary under the fold of Starr's warm wing. When Starr felt her dove return to her, a spark of hope restored a portion of her strength and she said, "Let there be... life..."

All at once, Starr's friends came bounding through the wall of brimstone and together with their loud voices united, they shouted, "Let there be, Love!"

Light filled the secret little cavern for the first time since the creation of the earth.

At a glance, Wilson saw Morbidant and said, "Bind her!"

Joel went to Starr and he cared for her.

She was so weakened by Morbidant her light was like the flickering of a candle's flame in the darkness.

Joel and Charmatrien pointed their swords at Morbidant. They showered her with a volley of fire from Joel's sword and ice from Charmatrien's sword. Burned and frozen, the two Angels left Morbidant incapacitated.

Elana saw a Demon Scout in the shadows next to the wall and quickly captured it with her bull whip. Within the solid rock, the other Demons of the Insufferable Six circled, but they wouldn't enter the area of light.

Morbidant's tight little secret pocket in the earth was completely filled with phantoms.

"What happened here?!" Wilson demanded to know.

Starr looked at Morbidant with contempt, "She tried to trick me; to turn me into a Dark Angel." Then as Starr's light and strength quickly returned to her, she pointed to a little detestable creature cowering in the corner. "That Demon Scout tried to paint me with darkness to extinguish my light."

"Oh?" Looking at the Scout, Wilson shook his head with disappointment. "Hmmm, what shall we do?" Turning his head slowly, Wilson looked at Morbidant again.

She shouted, "Deliver me from the hands of these self-righteous idiots immediately, or I will deal with each one of you in turn!" She scoffed and meant for her words to be heard by her own crew of Demons.

"I've got it!" Wilson said, knowing his timing was impeccable, "If it is paint you like then let's paint them all with light!"

When the Insufferable Demons rushed in to desperately save their leader, the Angels surrounded them and blasted pure light, over them. The Insufferable Six were washed with light and it left them glowing white in the cavern all on their own for a long while. The Demons were left together in one place where they writhed in the burning discomfort of their own Holy light. They groaned with their low heavy droll. They hated it and the way it burned them spiritually, emotionally and mentally, it penetrated them to their core.

The Angels were about to leave when Morbidant began to laugh in hysterics. The other Insufferable Demons who howled and moaned in pain began to laugh along with their leader.

When Morbidant stopped laughing, she said, "You think we need to waste our time in a fist fight with the likes of you? Keeping the Seven of you occupied is all we needed to do. Right now, the people of this city are being fed thoughts subconsciously through subliminal means by trillions of our Imp Scouts. The people will be Jasper's true threat and your attempt to save this world will fail. You see, the living people of earth are full of conflicting emotions. They're easily corruptible and influenced. First we've taken God out of the equation, to eliminate their sense of hope. They'll think they're being given choices in the name of freedom, joy, peace and love along with a healthy dose of hate, cruelty and selfishness. Mix it all together in a stew of confusion and voila, they are puppets dancing our dance and we will be the puppeteers. Just look at how many times they've fallen already. Jasper has been a waste of your time. With or without him, this world will burn!" Gliding past with a scowl on her face, she disappeared into the stone wall.

"I see no reason to remain here a moment longer to listen to this downtrodden candor. Come, we are needed on the surface of this world." The Angels immediately followed Wilson back through the Earth's crust.

* * *

Just as Jasper rode the cow out of the mall's main entrance, a chunk of concrete quietly broke loose in the powerful winds that shouldered the buildings and caused them to sway high above.

Taila seemed to have a sense that something was about to happen but she wasn't completely sure where to look. She used her telescopic vision and looked this way and that. Finally, noticing the piece of concrete falling from the building, she also noticed the Demon culprit who broke it loose thirty stories above. The mischief-making Hyena-Yeti-Demon burst into a jolly laugh like it had told the funniest joke in the world.

Taila called out to Jasper just before the concrete nugget crashed over Jasper's football helmet.

Tumbling off the cow, Jasper's helmet had cracked in two and he was knocked unconscious.

The entire ordeal spooked Betsy and she began running scared across the parking lot and down the street.

Jasper's leg had gotten tangled in the ropes that dragged the mail bags. A whirling blast of wind charged upon them sending dust spinning in great gusts in their wake.

Within his unconscious mind, Jasper experienced a vision depicting an atmospheric carbon air scrubber model in exact detail. As he became aware of the dimensions and functionality of the monumental devise, Taila was occupied in the real world trying to slow the cow and direct it down the bitter wintry freezing street safely.

When Jasper understood what an _atmospheric carbon air scrubber_ was and why it was important, he began to awaken. Opening his eyes, he became keenly aware of how much his head hurt. After trying to lift his skull, the dizziness made him feel nauseous.

"Lay still." came a soothing voice.

Jasper rested his head back onto the pillow again. Miraculously, one Angel remained with Jasper to protect him as he, along with the duffle bags, were dragged back through the wind ravaged city roads. Keeping his eyes shut, Jasper tried to calm his throbbing mind. "One thing's for sure." Jasper said. "My cranium can't take anymore blows. If you find a helmet kicking around you better give it to me. I'll try a hockey helmet next." He tried to laugh but his efforts were quickly stifled when a surge of pain swelled in his skull.

With the example of magnificently trained nerves, Taila encouraged Jasper when she told him, "I'll be the Angel by your side. Look to me to be your guide. When the darkness blinds your way, follow my voice. Hear what I say. I'll be the strength to turn the tide. The strength you alone cannot provide."

* * *

Tessa sat at the window looking at the turmoil washing past. Every so often she was able to see clearly enough to catch a glimpse of a neighboring tower. She day dreamed about what it must be like to live on the top floor of one of the city's skyscrapers. Tessa blinked when the movement of something caught her attention from the corner of her eye. She quickly recognized Jasper's cow lumbering up the road.

She shouted immediately, "Jasper's here! I see him! I see him!" Everyone crowded at the window with Tessa, but they only saw the cow.

"What do you mean, 'You see Jasper?' it's only his fat cow." Bobby said. He was anxious to see Jasper.

"No, she's right!" Megan supported her daughter. "Jasper's there also. He's being dragged behind the cow."

With that report, all of the men threw on their jackets and boots and headed out. Jasper was swiftly rescued. When they brought Jasper inside he tried to describe the vision he had, but his words just sounded like gibberish to them. Everyone could see he had a head injury.

Though Pastor Reed didn't like it, he made sure Betsy lay near the fire to warm up, she deserved it.

They dragged the mail bags inside and went through them. Everyone was surprised by all of the food Jasper had collected. After preparing the food; cooking the meat and thawing out the vegetables and fruits by the fire, the animals and all of the people were fed.

With a bandage wrapped around his head, Jasper recuperated quickly. He couldn't wait to make his vision a reality.

Later that same day, Jasper, Pastor Reed, Bobby and Randy rigged up wires to the generator in the back of the truck trailer. They found fuel for the generator by siphoning it from abandoned storm-trodden vehicles. Rerouting the main power feed of the entire building from the generator, they fired it up.

With the generator running, they were able to provide full power to the old building. Electric heat was distributed to all the rooms.

Working into the evening, Jasper showed no sign of fatigue. The people who were rescued from the highway contributed all they could. Respect and gratitude directed their compliance. Unable to understand what the work was for, they did understand it was important to Jasper and some muttering he did about a vision he had. The way he authentically cared for everyone was key to their ongoing cooperation. Regardless of his mysterious nature, Jasper was thanked repeatedly by those he rescued from the highway outside the city.

Because Jasper received the vision of the project from the Lord and it was shared amongst the six Angels, the Ceramecians did whatever Jasper asked them to. They trusted him fully.

Taking the people to the top floor of the Half-Way House, he told everyone to smash out the windows there and to dismantle the walls carefully. Wind pushed in violently from outside. Lumber was sorted and recorded. Everyone was required to help haul each of the fan assemblies up to the fourth floor. To do this they were able to use the teflon rope and a pulley along with adequate horse power. Because of the relentless cold, they needed to work quickly, between frequent breaks to warm up by the fire and heaters.

Every job seemed to require the strength of cows and horses so the animal's assistance were constantly needed. Getting the beasts up and down the stairs was always a chore. The fan assemblies were lifted to the windows at the face of the building.

The Angels led Jasper to venture throughout the city and into the strangest; most unlikely places. No matter how odd or mysterious the Angels were with their requests, there was always a good reason behind it. After successfully collecting the parts he needed during his travels, Jasper brought them back with him to the Half-Way House.

By the time Jasper completed the project, the weather was finally beginning to brighten and warm up. A beam of sunlight pierced through the tail end of the overhanging storm clouds like a laser and hit the heart of Kingston. Before the electrical power had returned to the city, Jasper used the generator to start the large fans of the building. People of Kingston began to come out from where they had been hunkered down to wait out the tempest winds. When they had a good idea of the property damage to the city they began to commit to the long process of cleaning up. The mess of the hurricane's damage and the many repairs needed that it left behind were extensive.

Some Kingston residence began to emerge to assess the damage. That was when they additionally took an interest in the Half-Way House and the new sound of the fans within. With electricity still unavailable to most of the city, the fans were the only sound aside from the diminishing rumble of receding hurricane Trump.

Wondering what the meaning for the fans was, the citizens became curious. With the loud fans spinning in all of the windows of the top three floors of the building, people not only took interest in the strange project, but they demanded to know what the idea behind it was and if it was even necessary. What they primarily cared for was a way to access the power for their own purposes.

Taila noticed the stir and questioning looks. She was the first to suspect Jasper's presence would soon spark a media circus.

* * *

The day grew into clear skies and a penetrating warm sun, when Jasper and the other Ceramecians came out of the Half-Way House with the cows and horses. This drew a larger crowd of people. Questions flew like leaves in a whirl-wind. As the city folk received answers from the Ceramecians, the questions only increased. Climate change was more than just a trigger word, it was a very hot topic. Everyone wanted to know how the world could get a handle on it.

The first news reporters to notice the Ceramecians at the Half-Way House identified the emerging situation as they flew by overhead to prepare their exclusive report about the severe damage and fallout to the popular city of Kingston. When they shot footage of the Half-Way House with horses and cows out front and large white sails on the roof fluttering in the wind, it caused growing concern about a possible public threat. Due to the growing crowds of people and the attention it was getting on social media, a specific news reporter wanted to be the first to find out kind of story there was on the scene at ground level.

Not far, the news helicopter found an open area on the street to land. From there, one reporter hiked through the dangerously cluttered streets of debris to the Half-Way House where he began to ask Jasper questions. With a direct feed, Jasper's interview was broadcasted on a live television network. The reporter asked, "With me is an odd survivor of the devastating storm; his name is Jasper and he claims to be on a mission to help all humanity across the globe. Jasper, what's going on here?"

Blindly staring off into space, Jasper answered with his white eyed gaze, "This storm was the direct result of instability in our atmosphere."

"You're referring to climate change?" the reporter asked.

"Yes, yes." Jasper said excitedly. Courage generated in his blood. "If we humans are to blame for unstable weather patterns, then we have a responsibility to correct our mistake. With this project, we plan to clean up our planet's air and repair our fragile atmosphere."

"Oh, when I was in the air just moments ago, I thought we were on the verge of a public riot. I mistook this crowd for people demanding food." The reporter looked disappointed like his story just died, but something about Jasper's comment intrigued him further. "And how exactly do you propose to clean up our planet and single handedly correct climate change? We have our leading scientists working on it and they can't make such a claim."

"Look, it's not a matter of science, really. The air is dirty, too much carbon, we just have to clean it up. That's what this building is doing behind me." Jasper pointed with his thumb. "This is an 'Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubber.' You see, air and all of its pollutants are drawn in through these series of front facing fans. Then the air is drawn through a four stage filtering system. The _pre-filter_ consists of foam mesh, and it prevents larger particles from entering the _collecting cells_. Behind the foam is the next stage which is an _electrostatic collecting cell_. Dirt particles are charged with a high negative voltage by a series of fine _ionizing wires_. The charged particles are drawn through to the _collecting plates_ where the dirt adheres to the _ground plates_. Pressurized water sprays over the ground plates as the fans push the air through. This stage is the most important, because it is the most effective at scrubbing the air clean like rainfall. Finally, the air is drawn through the last filter which is made from volatile organic compounds which removes offensive odors, gases and even CO2. Then clean air is discharged out the back of the building and into each breathtaking lung. The filters need to be replaced periodically, with clean filters."

"You came up with all this?" The reporter asked.

"I had a vision and it was to build this." Jasper answered.

"What?! a visionary? In the middle of hurricane Trump?! That's unbelievable!" The reporter waved his hand in front of Jasper's eyes. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help but to notice; are you blind?"

"That's true. I am." Jasper admitted.

"And you're... poor?" The reporter asked with his kindest and most empathetic voice he could muster.

"Not a nickel to my name." Jasper smiled like he'd just cracked a hilarious joke.

"How remarkable! And what, pray tell, is a blind poor man doing trying to save the entire planet all by yourself in the midst of the worst earthquake slash hurricane in history?" The reporter was bubbling over with enthusiasm.

"Angels guide him!" Pastor Reed boldly and gleefully shouted out his support for Jasper from the surrounding crowd. The microphone quickly turned from Jasper to the Pastor. He was shocked to be the center of what was taking place and Jasper knew it.

"Of course I cannot do it all by myself." The attention of the microphone and camera quickly returned to Jasper. He swallowed his pride and continued. "It was the Lord God Almighty who asked me to do this. He requires the cooperation of every living soul to work together in unity all over the world to help our dying planet. The planet is suffering. We have what it takes to clean up this mess. How many nuclear power plants could we build out of selfishness and a lust for money and power? How many filters like this one could we build for the sake of our survival? How much would it cost? Who cares? Can we put a price on our existence?" From a close-up, Jasper seemed to look directly into the lens of the camera with his mystical expression and white eyes, "When the Angels spoke to me, I just did what they asked. Now that I know what the Angels want me to do, you now know what to do too. We can save our planet together."

"Oh, I see." said the reporter, "Are you all Christians?" The reporter's question was directed at the Ceramecians who had organized themselves behind Jasper.

Jasper looked at the camera, "Our mission is to serve both God and the people. We do this by following instructions that are provided by Angels. We don't belong to any Earthly denomination. We are humans like you and God exists. That is all you need to know."

"Are you a part of some new denomination then?" The reporter asked, before shoving his microphone in Jasper's face.

"It's not new to have Angels with us here on Earth, interacting in our daily lives. But let's not get off topic here. We are people like all earthlings and we have a very important message for all humankind. We need more of these Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubbers built." Jasper declared.

Never before had a story generated such a buzz. While the Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubber continued to hum and filter the air, news reporters began flooding to the doorstep of the Half-Way House. As the city of Kingston repaired and re-energized the electrical power grid back to regular working operation, the mess left behind from the hurricane was slowly but diligently cleared and efforts of repair and restoration were quickly put into action. Day by day, the city began to return to its regular daily routines.

But it wasn't all good news. Opposition grew, accusing Jasper of stealing the parts to build the Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubber and causing a lot of property damage to the Half-Way House.

Supporters also rallied. "When no one else took the initiative to save our planet, Jasper did. He did what he had to, to get the job done." Because of this, Jasper and his cause grew larger on a global scale. The people of Ceramecy were interviewed again and again, causing the fight for climate stability to gain momentum. Many book offers were made and each one of Jasper's followers became world famous celebrities. They told the truth of their experiences. Much of what they said was just too unbelievable for the general public, but the fact that so many people followed and shared similar, bizarre experiences, along with Jasper, made his accounts all the more credible. The faces of Jasper and the Ceramecians were on the covers of magazines and newspapers far and wide. Jasper became a household name.

The part of this that wasn't documented well was what happened behind securely locked doors throughout the world. Controversies over Jasper's stories and statements by thousands of other people, along with the validity of the incredible Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubber caused a stir like an unstoppable current of a great flood. No one could stop it now. Governments and Churches were shaken across the globe. It was the controversial issues of how Angels fit into the whole scenario that made people take such an intense interest in the global warming solution. Still people demanded proof that the Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubbers even contributed to cleaning the air as described.

Pastor Reed loved the attention.

A reporter asked Pastor Reed the same questions that Jasper was asked. They did this to find a conflict of answers between the two men. With just one slip of the tongue from Pastor Reed, the reporters hoped to find Jasper's entire credibility come crashing down around him. "Are you all a part of the Christian religious denomination?" the reporter started.

Pastor Reed responded with this, "Oh, you better believe it! We _are_ Christians who have souls on fire for the Lord!"

They asked Pastor Reed many other questions and the young pastor answered them all with passion for the glory of God's purpose and kingdom. The young pastor felt he was full filling one of the Lord's commandments where it was written in the Good Book of Mark chapter 16, verse 15, "He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."" The Pastor always leaned toward bringing glory to the Lord with all his stories.

Tanya had with her, a three ringed binder with pages and pages of written material. "I've kept a journal to record everything through the time I spent with Jasper and it's all right here." Publishers fought one another, tooth and nail like a pack of ravaging wolves to get their hands on Tanya's journal. They knew it'd be viewed as the most popular story of our day and age since Jesus walked the Earth.

Bobby was asked more technical questions about the building's design. "And what are those white sails on the roof of the building? Are those put in place as some kind of truce? Or are the flags in honor of the Angels?"

"Oh, no, those sails are just another way we have found to clean the air. Anyone can do it. Those are simple bed sheets that were soaked in oil. As the wind passes through the sails, the particulate is captured in the oil residue." explained Bobby with a smile and a twinkle in his eye.

"Aren't any of you worried about nailing down the copyrights on all of this?" a journalist asked.

"We aren't doing this to get rich. We're doing this to save the planet. That's all. We prefer to share our plans with everyone so that many more of these will be built all over the world." Bobby answered truthfully and with an inspiring boyish charisma. "For every building that stands abandoned and good for nothing, why not make good use of it? Count the abandoned buildings around the world. That's how many more Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubbers we could have cleaning our air right now!"

# CHAPTER 23

WHEN JASPER NOTICED federal vehicles approaching, the Angels warned him what their intentions were. "They come to arrest you Ceramecians." Government officials escorted by the police came to the Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubber.

Jasper told the Ceramecians to run and hide. It was a moment of pure panic. The police shutdown the generator and confiscated the horses and cows then they arrested Jasper. As always, Jasper never tried to escape. Taken to the police precinct, Jasper was questioned and charged with theft, breaking and entering, along with disturbing the peace and the list went on and on. His charges landed him in jail, but the Angels insisted he had nothing to worry about.

Sure enough, a crew of federal specialist bailed Jasper out of jail providing he would cooperate with them. His wrists hurt from the handcuffs. The Angels told Jasper this was a good deal. At that moment, Jasper wasn't scared of them at all as the Angels quickly explained their intentions. It seemed all the feds wanted was to understand the Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubber to its finest detail.

This was what the Angels wanted all along.

Entering the vehicle without a second thought, they drove Jasper back to the Half-Way House where they asked him for a tour of his giant air filter creation. Accompanying them was a small camera crew. Jasper was happy to take them through the upper levels. They had many questions but the old structure of the building had become hazardously weak due to the constant water scrubbing system. This water damage basically rotted the inside of the entire Half-Way House.

Jasper was offered a job with the government, providing he worked with them and share his ideas, but Taila warned Jasper, "These people will keep you on a very short leash, Jasper. You'll have to forfeit your freedom for money and public recognition."

Jasper wasn't interested in any of the government's proposals. Though Jasper firmly declined their generous offers, he requested permission to anonymously stay at the new Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubber.

This towering new Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubber was the government's prototype. The way they all talked about it, it was clear it was also their baby. It was being assembled on the other side of Kingston for the next few weeks but construction of it was tightly secure. It was important the new Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubber wasn't promoted so that when it was completed, the announcement of it would be a surprise to the world. North America fought to be the leaders in the battle against climate change.

* * *

With the days that followed, Jasper began to meet with increased opposition. Comments were made that Jasper had stolen everything he used to create his giant air filter. Then news exploded in the media of claims by the Ceramecians reporting that Jasper had special abilities for communication and could _actually_ speak to Angels. This idea was met with ignorance. The public simply dismissed the absurd possibility as delusional thinking.

Nevertheless, rumors that Jasper's angels were actually the Chinese, the Germans or the Russians began to build momentum and fuel speculation. Then it was said that Jasper was being controlled by the occult or aliens from another planet.

In an instant, Jasper's iconic popularity lost validity and plummeted.

When Jasper was questioned about such allegations on various media networks, he told them the truth. "I do talk to Angels. They've taught me so much and I'm a better person because of them." When Jasper said this, most people who supported him were disappointed. In an instant, people decided Jasper was their least favorite, simple minded hero. Because of his humbled nature, self-depravation, handy caps and his rough appearance, critics assumed Jasper had the mind of a twisted drug user and portrayed him as mentally incompetent.

Respected scientists went on record to say such things as, "There's no way the Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubbers can do anything to help against greenhouse gas emissions at all." Other's said, "Jasper lacks any scientific credibility. He is anything but an expert in his field and it is likely he was just trying to create a giant hoax for fame and to make fools out of millions of people if they believed him. The biggest problem for Jasper and his friends is that it all became much larger than any of them thought possible. It all spun out of control and now they haven't the slightest clue what to do about it."

Then news came from around the globe of another building that had been converted into an air filter in the Jewish home land of Jerusalem. It was almost an identical replica of Jasper's design. This second filter wasn't as popular as Jasper's and the prevalent idea dwindled as quickly as frustrations rose.

Only days after this report, a group of experts hired by an up and coming president election jumped on the band wagon. He set out to take Jasper's design and build an air filter that was three times the size and amalgamated the latest state of the art technology in air filtration systems. This new hopeful presidency wanted to be the one to lead the world in a campaign to save the planet. Other nations of the world also shared the same competitive aspirations.

From this, the entire idea of cleaning the air with such 'Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubbers' became a terribly competitive political race. The world that was supposed to work together with the idea of healing our planet had actually brought the nations of the world to the brink of an ugly and bloodthirsty war. What started out as a good hearted idea, slid into a tail spin of egotism, a race for the bragging rights as to which nation would be the planet's next savior. All of this erupted into an overwhelming conflict of power.

Starr told Jasper, "This is the work of the Insufferable Six and we don't have time enough to retaliate."

Then a brilliant environmental spokes person, who was a celebrity, decided to map out the cause and effect of the events which led them to such a dangerous time. He questioned what was leading the earth into such fearful times as they neared UN talks of world war three. This one brilliant person back tracked everything that happened to the moment of Jasper's first televised interview. The in-depth study also revealed how Jasper's hereditary bloodline took him back to Jewish ancestry. It was the Jews who meticulously followed Jasper's design and came up with the first _real_ Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubber replica. Jasper didn't even know he had a Jewish background. His parents never mentioned it throughout his upbringing.

The media twisted this detail so the people believed Jasper had been working undercover with Jewish authorities to hatch a plan which would ultimately throw the world into aggressive warfare. Jasper was labeled a terrorist and an enemy of the State. Not long after, Jasper was accused of recruiting their own citizens in the greatest manipulation of human history. He was accused of being the world's greatest con artist. No one could agree if he was even actually blind. As crazy as the accusations were, the people of the world hungered for more of the outlandish stories reported by the media.

Jasper pleaded for people to listen to his side of the story but before he was granted the opportunity, his voice was silenced and his statement was cut before it reached the media. Besides, no one wanted to hear Jasper speak in his own defense anyway, because nothing he said could be trusted anymore. He was a criminal, not only to the State but the entire world, and he was destined to pay for his crimes.

Unanimously, people agreed, Jasper must be held accountable for his terrible acts of treason. With Jasper locked up within a maximum security prison, a new rumor began to circulate that if he died, the war would die with him and no more lives would have to be lost. When pictures of Jasper, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, was plastered throughout social media, it was an image that fixed the opinion in the minds of the people that he truly _was_ guilty. His name became known as the most deceptive and cunning person in the world because he single handedly directed the earth to global conflict.

Watching the news footage on the television from his prison cell, Jasper didn't grieve. He spent every waking hour with his loving friends, the Angels, who never once left his side. They spoke of many things that continued to open Jasper's eyes spiritually. He learned countless truths and when he asked questions about Heaven, the Angels answered with great detail and Jasper's faith was strengthened.

As for the Angels, the more they answered Jasper's questions about Heaven, the more they longed to return home.

Elana would have to remind the others; "How can we be homesick? We've wanted this for so long? We're living the dream that we all worked so hard to prepare for. Have you forgotten how much time we longed for this in Heaven? We dreamt of going to Earth and how it would feel to help even just one person here. We each wanted to know how we might be able to contribute in some small way to make life here on Earth a little better."

The other Angels agreed with Elana and were encouraged by her.

For hours on end, Jasper knelt and prayed for the people of the world. While under the outstretched wings of the Angels, Jasper heard their Angelic voices full of their own prayers.

Outside Jasper's cell, he could see Demonic creatures pacing back and forth. They were drooling and licking their chops in hungry anticipation of Jasper's demise. By the look in their eyes, Jasper could see how desperate they were to take hold of his defenceless spirit and sink their teeth into him.

* * *

The Ceramecians tried to do everything in their power to help Jasper from the outside, but it was a very dangerous time for them all. They learned that the influence of people's hardened opinions was stronger than they were. Sometimes it didn't matter what any of the Ceramecians said, the people of the world would not be moved.

Prior to this, Jasper had warned them of an insufferable evil that would attempt revenge. It would corrupt the hearts and views of the people of the world.

People were no longer willing to trust or accept Jasper's account.

Even Tanya's journal had been scrutinized to death. No matter how convincing her writing was about Angel interaction, the people would have none of it. There were more closed doors than open minds.

Leaderless, the Ceramecians persisted, but weren't able to hold their cause together. Each of the Ceramecians, forced by circumstances, eventually scattered like snowflakes in the wind.

"Violence thrives off violence." Wilson told Jasper. With first-hand experience, Jasper knew all too well just how true the Angel was.

Before Jasper was led to his trial, his parents and sister came to visit him. They were still under the impression that Jasper was blind and insane. Jasper's family and friends identified him on nationwide television, as _their Jasper_ who went missing. After Jasper's family told their version of the depth of his problems, even the last of Jasper's loyal news media supporters decided he was a fake or as they put it, "a false prophet."

Behind a wall of bulletproof glass, Jasper's mother couldn't let her eyes leave her son. He not only captivated her with a sense of wonderment, but she was deeply worried for him and where all of his actions along with the hype might lead him. Her son, Jasper, was still alive though he had survived a difficult life on his own. _'If only,'_ Jasper's mother thought, _'I could find some way to_ protect _my son and make everything alright. Then things could go back to the way they were.'_

Jasper's younger sister had wide eyes of wonderment and hope. She looked across to Jasper who was behind the separation glass. Lifting a telephone receiver to her ear, Emily began to speak.

Reciprocating, Jasper took his receiver on his side of the glass and held it to his ear.

"Jasper?"

"Yes, Emily?" Jasper acknowledged with a calm and peaceful voice. His white eyes stared off into a void of nonexistence again.

"Do you remember how we used to play as children?" she asked him, smiling as she clearly recollected those times.

"Of course I do. We always played well together. At school there were so many other kids but we always spent our time with each other. Christmas, family get-togethers or even when we had no one else around to play with. I was always the superhero and you were always the damsel in distress. I remember saving your life countless times."

Emily began to cry as she shared the same good memories. "Jasper? Is there anything about your past you're having trouble remembering?" Emily was having trouble speaking with her throat all choked up.

"I remember everything, Emily and I love you just the same as I always have." Jasper told her confidently with such love in his voice. Emily almost dropped the receiver as her emotions overwhelmed her.

Jasper's father didn't want to beat around the bush. He dived right into the conversation, taking hold of the receiver. "What's happened, Jasper? Why do you do these things? Do you know what people are saying? Do you realize just how much trouble you're in?"

"I understand the general consensus, Dad... The truth is, I'm not crazy." Jasper spoke with such assuredness that his mother began to weep. The rush of adrenaline that usually sustained him began to abate and was replaced with a reassuring sense of all encompassing peace.

She began to believe there might be some hope for her son yet, until Jasper said, "It's the Lord God Almighty who's directed my steps." Jasper's mother almost had a break down.

His father slapped his hand to his fore-head. This wasn't the way they'd ever talked in their family.

Jasper's sister, Emily, buried her head into her mother's shoulder and hugged her.

"No, now, listen." Jasper tried to calm them. "What have I done? I've helped people in need. I may have had a role to play in solving the world's problem with global warming, but I could never have done any of these things before, when you all thought I was _normal_. It wasn't until I fell from the church roof and bumped my head, when you all thought I'd suffered brain damage; when I was blinded, that's when I began to see. If you're now blind to how much better my life is, then maybe you'll understand through my death."

"Don't talk like that!" Jasper's mother shot back into the receiver, then she wiped her nose with a handkerchief.

Jasper's father paused and took a good long look at his son. One might think he had done some serious deep thinking in the past few days, but Jasper saw the Angel, Starr bend forward over Jasper's father and kiss his head. The darkness that held his father's head so tight finally let go and released him, "Don't you see?" his father supportively said with a big smile on his face. A bright aura of light formed around his head. "This is Jasper. He hasn't changed at all. This is my boy. He is more special than ever. My boy, Jasper!" placing his hand on the glass, he wept as Jasper, on the other side of the glass, did the same. It was a difficult moment for everyone, but it was a time where they began to understand one another and grew closer as a family.

Then the guards came, "Time's up!" they coldly said before they took Jasper to his judicial trial.

During the proceedings, when Jasper was questioned on the stand, the clever prosecutors twisted every word he spoke. Every answer Jasper gave was used against him.

On matters of Global Warming versus Jasper's Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubber, Jasper suggested the Government could have done more to contribute all along but they simply chose not to.

"Are you trying to get us to believe this government is evil?" came the sharp words of the prosecutor. The question raised a few chuckles from observers.

Demons wrung their hands together in anticipation of Jasper's answer to the loaded question, "No, not at all." Jasper quickly corrected, "The government has done a lot of good for our nation. What I'm saying, however, is that this government turns a blind eye to the errors of its ways. It fails to see the much needed path it must take for change if we are to survive in the coming age."

"Perhaps, Jasper, it's _you_ who's turning a blind eye to the errors of _your_ ways. I mean, it is you on trial here, isn't that right? Not the government." Everyone laughed, "One man, against the government? Yeah, okay. You? According to the information you've provided, you don't have a home, do you? You don't have any money, so you don't pay taxes. By all rights, I would say, you're a bum! Am I right? Nothing but a homeless bum!"

"Order!" the Judge shouted again, slamming his gavel down. But the prosecutor continued. Even Jasper could see the Judge was having trouble keeping a straight face. Through a smirk and a poorly concealed chuckle the Judge added. "I won't have you heckling the accused!"

Jasper could see he wasn't going to get anywhere with these people, if he acted anything like the prosecutor.

Demons partied within the court as the people took great personal enjoyment in cutting Jasper down.

He prayed the jury would be more understanding. Certainly everyone had decided the outcome of the trial long before this scheduled hearing.

Jasper hoped for some Angel of truth to inspire new insight.

The Angels warned Jasper that the people of Ceramecy would be in danger of persecution to the point of death, but Jasper was determined to protect them. He insisted he take all of the responsibility for everything the accusers had on him, providing they leave the innocent Ceramecians alone. Replying to the prosecutor, Jasper said. "Do you know why it is so hard to believe in God? It isn't only because he is unbelievable, but because people carry a great sense of conviction along with their own deep rooted conflicts concerning the decisions they've made. God has plans to lead you people but you don't hear him when he speaks to you. Open your eyes! Awaken and submit to God. Then you will live free in peace, faith and love."

Through the indictment, the evidence and witness testimonies were stacked against the overwhelmed Jasper. At the end of the longest trial of media based history in the city of Kingston, the jurors found Jasper guilty on all accounts of deception with the intent to start global chaos and cover everything with clever pious lies throughout the inquest.

Jasper's mother and sister's faces twisted with resentment before they cried out at the judge's devastating verdict. It was the maximum sentence of the law; the penalty of death by lethal injection.

There came a great up roar from the witnesses. Jasper's parents and sister were mortified. His mother trembled with anger, pausing only for a moment to catch her breath. Then she screamed out in anguish.

Guards had to come and settle them all down.

As the willful spirit of Jasper's mother began to weaken, so too did her physical strength. Comfort finally came to her from a place no human could emulate.

Jasper's Angels went to her to provide security and peace.

She felt it but the source of it was foreign to her, so she had trouble accepting it. Nevertheless, the power and influence of the Angels was strong. Her thoughts transpired from a menacing darkness of death to an encouraging well-spring of life.

Jasper's friends were also shocked and livid. Randy, Janet, Bobby, Megan, Tessa, Pastor Reed, Tanya and even Ned, couldn't believe what was happening.

As the activity of the court began to ease and calm down, Pastor Reed felt the Spirit of Holiness come upon him. He stood up on his chair and shouted out, "Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay his life down for his friends!" His statement was so meaningful for him that he wailed out a terrible cry with tears flooding down his cheeks.

Jasper turned for a moment and smiled to the Ceramecians as he was led out of the courtroom in chains. Many others were touched by a spirit of emotion and cried also.

While Jasper was escorted down a long hallway to a room, Pastor Reed was stopped by a reporter who was speaking to a news anchorage camera, "Oh, here's one of Jasper's followers. Excuse me sir? You're an acquaintance of Jasper?"

"I certainly am, ma'am." Pastor Reed stopped to answer her.

"Could you tell us a little something about what it was like to be led by such an eccentric person like Jasper?"

"Sure, first of all you should understand, Jasper isn't like anyone you've ever met in your life. He's special; special to the Lord, but also special to speak to one on one. He will say things that you won't expect. He sees all things differently than any regular person does. We preach love and trust, because we want everyone to love and trust one another and we ourselves, are living proof that God answers the prayers of a generous heart. If you preach the greatest truths but don't live them, you're not only the greatest hypocrite, but the most tormented soul." the Pastor answered.

"And the Angels that Jasper spoke of; can you tell us anything about that?" the reporter pressed.

Pastor Reed wasn't sure how to answer this, then descriptive words he had been working on began to surface, "Love is like an Angel; it goes where it pleases and pleases wherever it goes."

At the center of the room was a comfortable leather chair with straps hanging down either side of it. Jasper and the guards enter the room first. Standing in front of the leather chair was the Spirit of Death dressed in tattered black garbs and a hood. "Jasper..." he hissed. This was its morbid and intimidating way of greeting Jasper, but Jasper was strong and full of great faith, he didn't shy away from the Spirit of Death.

Last of all, the Angels entered the room. The six of them solemnly surrounded Jasper. They understood death was never an easy transition.

Starr told him, "Be strong for us, Jasper and most of all be strong for the Lord, for death is just the beginning of life eternal."

Joel reminded Jasper, "We will be there waiting for you, on the other side."

Jasper declined the option of a final full course meal. Rather, he told the people whom entered to perform the death, "I am thankful that you shall be my deliverers."

The people did their best to ignore him. To them, Jasper was already dead.

The Angel, Wilson, told Jasper, "Don't fight Death. Death is merely the passing from one reality to the next. When you wake up, all of this you think is so real will seem like a half forgotten dream."

The caring eyes of Charmatrien were striking then he knowingly said, "Like a butterfly, you too will come alive like us. Your chrysalis is your death."

Elana's comforting country voice spoke in a peaceful manner, "Just let go, Jasper. Just let go. It is to your honor to leave this world and cross over to the next."

The agents who were to perform Jasper's sentencing asked if Jasper was interested in making one last statement.

He told them, "It would be wise for you all to believe in the power of the Almighty Lord. I know where I will be soon and you will be left behind to figure it all out. I pray you do." Jasper quoted the scriptures of Jesus, "If you seek to save your life you will lose it, but if you will lose your life for My sake you will find it."

Trying to reach out to the guards, they merely shared the same faithless and unbelieving opinion as always. To them, Jasper was a crazy man who had nothing credible to say. In fact, all he did say just made the meaning behind the words seem ridiculous. No one would see him for anything more than a worthless criminal who deserved to die. Through the love of Christ who was merciful to him, who granted him a second chance at life, Jasper forgave the people who were soon to rob him of his young body.

Noticing someone lift something that was to be used to gag him, Jasper quickly said, "I welcome death. You see, I know that to be absent from the body is to be in the presence of the Lord." Then Jasper spoke out to the Angels. He was so scared his dry mouth felt like it was made of cotton. Jasper was still human. Terror continued to lurk in the recesses of his soul. "You have made a saint out of me, a sinner." Then Jasper began to pray, "Lord, never leave or forsake me, Amen."

At that moment they gagged him and strapped him to a bed.

This was Jasper's final statement. He felt he had nothing left to give the world. From here, everything would be left in God's capable hands.

Jasper received the dose of lethal injection from a small hypodermic needle.

At the very second the sharp thin needle penetrated Jasper's flesh, like the frosty touch of cold Death, the Demons crowded in splaying their incandescent claws. They scratched and tore at him and bit their fangs into his body in various places.

The spirit of Death came for Jasper at last. The dark tattered robe of this dark agent opened wide to receive him.

Colour and light was sucked out of Jasper, along with his life, or so he perceived. Only ash remained.

After light overtook him and delivered him, Jasper found himself in a familiar cold dark place. Even after he passed away, he could feel that glorious light. A great being of light called to him. "Welcome home, Jasper."

' _Who was this exquisite Angel?'_ Jasper wondered.

Then it was clear. It wasn't just one large Angel, it was the light of his six Angelic friends who became strong enough to push back the darkness. They protected Jasper's naked soul from attack.

He felt their warmth and security. It was all he trusted at first.

The Demons had a particular craving for Jasper, but he knew, as long as he was with his friends, the bite of the enemy would leave no mark, their fatal venom would have no toxicity.

In the midst of the six Angels, Jasper rose up from the leather chair to find he was transparent and bathing in the depth of their light. Feeling peace, love and security, Jasper had become a spirit of light amongst his six Angelic comrades.

Experiencing higher brain function with an inept ability to recall memories to such vivid recollection, Jasper could relive any moment of his entire life with stark clarity. With all this, an understanding of numbers, emotions, life, relationships, stars, time, music, spirits and the interconnective universe his mind was invaded with pristine simplicity. Jasper became a spirit of light. Though this was who he'd been all his life, he was now suddenly conscious of it. In spirit, he was profoundly connected to all things and everyone.

But best of all, he could visually see all things clearly again.

Still dressed in the shimmering armor of the Lord, Jasper moved about and phased through objects and people in the room. He was solid, but now he perceived the material things of Earth were the spiritual objects. The room was of some other strange reality, like a different dimension. Finding his new reality wasn't some far off idea anymore, this new surreal life was something he'd have to grow accustom to. He was on the other side. Like waking from a long sleep, the spiritual existence was so real. Then he realized it was his old life that became the dream-like memory of his past. Remembering his time on earth was like remembering an insignificant story he'd been told. Heaven became his new significance. All the good and the bad didn't matter anymore. The struggles he endured seemed so vein and trivial now.

Seeing his Angel friends around him, Jasper recognized the faces of each one.

With such caring eyes as only could be seen from the face of a true Angel, Starr told him. "We saw your great love for the people of Earth."

"We saw this love for the entire planet in you" Elana added, her radiance beaming.

"And we saw it for us Angels too." Taila imparted emotionally. "That's why, through it all, we remained with you. Your love bonded us. Still, I know we are connected deeply."

Then Joel glided in front of the maidens of light and said. "Jasper, it was your abounding love that sheltered us the whole time."

Solemnly yet humbly Jasper replied. "I had no idea I was capable of being a part of the incredible things we accomplished on Earth. I recall your illustrious love in my life and how it was like an encouraging shelter of Angels. And that's how I will always remember you."

As they all arose, Jasper was directed to Heaven in the company of his six Angel friends. There was no comparable feeling as he was lifted toward the magnificent gate to Heaven. On approach toward the upper clouds of his new home, an experience came over him like recalling a suppressed memory. He longed for this for as long as he could remember. It was Heaven, where he'd always belonged and where he would always remain forever more. But before he passed through those incredible gates, he began to wonder, _'Shouldn't we first tie up a little unfinished business?'_

This concerned Jasper, and he alleged, "I think we are going the wrong way! We should all go to Hell!!!"

# CHAPTER 24

FALLING SKYWARD; Heaven bound, surrounded by his six Angelic friends of light, Jasper was filled with the anticipation for what was still to come. The great Gates of Heaven stood impressively tall and magnificent before them. Looking from his left to his right, Jasper could see something wasn't right. Upon his honour, Jasper declared. "We cannot go on!"

All of them stopped abruptly.

They were just short of their destination when they were met by some unlikely company. The three giant Tri-Guardian Angels opened their impressive wings before them in glorious brilliance, while Cherubims sang out loud, "Glory to the Lord God Almighty!"

The three Guardian Angels spoke as one great voice when they said, "You shall all be welcomed and received with great honor."

"We cannot enter Heaven!" Jasper informed the three great Angels.

The other Angels looked at Jasper, questioning his reasoning.

Then Jasper explained, "We cannot return home incomplete. One of us is missing. We must all go back for our fallen comrade, West. While we've been serving the Lord, he's been in the churning stomach of Hell." No argument could shake his decision.

The eyes of the six Angels looked to the three great Angels to hear their response. Then at one time the three spoke, "Wise Jasper. God could see such great bravery within you when no one else could. The Son of the Creator of all things shall lead you on this mission. He holds the keys to Heaven and Hell."

A brilliant explosion of light came from Heaven. Then from within the great light came the one they call, _God's Son_. As He came out of Heaven with omnipotent power and glory, He swept up the Seven. The Seven only experienced an incredible nervous shaking of frequency that took hold of them and transported them within a field comprised of pure energy and light.

The beam of light rammed into the crust of the Earth like a bolt of lightning, leaving a ring of energy and a tremor for the surface dwellers to raise their eyebrows at. Passing through solid stone to the center of the planet, they raced headlong through the deep and forgotten tunnels until they finally arrived within a cavernous pocket of the unfathomable subterranean gateway. At first, all was darkness. The light of the Angels illuminated very little. Thin lines of lava marked where the walls were, but when the Christ clapped his hands the flames of various wall mounted torches sparked and flickered to light.

Finally, they could see the dark gate was barred by thick iron grating and ordained with a variety of dusky, blackened bones and skulls collected throughout the ages of the Earth. The dark sturdy gate itself was forged in the refiner's fires of Hell and tempered by the hand of God.

A trickle of red molten lava seeped from the granite walls on either side like blood, adding to how acrid and treacherous the vile gates of the condemned dead were. The bones of this gate were so tight and thick, no one could see past.

Jesus took a key from his belt and held it up before the gate. The gate creaked and shuttered in the presence of His key until, with a snap and a crunch followed by a loud yawn of protest from its rusted and squeaky hinges, lo it did open.

Preparing to enter, they looked to the distance of the smoky tunnel ahead and saw another gate. This other gate was already open wide with many souls of the dammed entering it like a flood.

Invading the space of Hell was like entering a furnace of unquenchable fire. The presence of the Holy eternal souls disturbed and aggravated the disorder and chaos of the realm. No fresh air had ever made it to such a depth as this. Along with such an intolerable stench, the very air had become a festering poisonous fume of hydrogen sulphide. No plant life existed here, only mold and germs relished in the pours of the black volcanic stone.

Bringing with them an unwanted light, the Demons scurried to flee. The shadows of countless damned souls shifted along the craggy stone walls as the light of Heavenly folk crossed the expanse of the chasm. Unable to escape the eternal damnation of this festering pit, the Demons shuffled around one another like trapped rats. For the duration of time the outsiders spent in Hell, they had to tolerate the constant wailing screams of anguish that echoed throughout the deep caverns.

The Son of God weightlessly hung over the damned with white flames appearing to burn off His body. The Seven surrounded and supported Him, adding to His glory. The cowering Demons were more uncomfortable than ever in the presence of such authority and supreme Holiness.

The damned Demons who were once magnificent Angels, now squirmed and writhed. They were forever tormented because they had fallen.

A hideous scream rose, causing the Demons to quiver and added to their fear.

Materializing from the depths of the Lake of Fire was the most terrifying creature they had ever laid eyes upon. The Prince of Darkness emerged from the surface of toiling magma. Wiping the red hot glowing dross from his face and shoulders revealed his twisted dog-like grin. He fixed his yellow eyes on his unexpected guests. As some of the red hot souls of the damned fell from his body, he would pluck them off his limbs and pop them into his mouth. He chewed them up only to spit them out contemptuously.

The evil look in his eyes was full of disdain and pure hatred for the Son of the Most High. From his fore-head, horns grew like those of a mountain goat's. His skin was sickly, red hot and glowing. His malignant, gloomy expression quickly changed to that of a fake and twisted smile. His teeth were stark white with sharp fangs that were exposed from his lips like a vampire's.

Jasper, Jesus and six Angels had all gathered for a final confrontation.

The Devil's eyes darted from person to illuminated person as he scanned all who attended his realm. "For what reason have You chosen to bless my humble abode with Your presence, my Lord?" asked the Devil maliciously. It instilled the hot breath of Death.

"One amongst you doesn't belong here." spoke the Angel, Wilson. His voice carried and re-echoed afar throughout the caverns. "We... want... him... Back!!! Give to us the Angel who is handsome, bold and exquisite. Give us West!"

The Devil held up a red, encrusted hand conveying his disinterest, then shrieked in pain. "Yaurgh! I was the most beautiful, charming and gorgeous of all the Heavenly hosts!" Satan shot a hateful glare at the Son of God. "At one time... Do you remember?"

"Don't waste our time with your malicious words and unending nonsense. Give us _West_ , now!" commanded Joel, as he unsheathed his sword. When he lifted his sword high, white fire and light exploded from its crackling and hissing blade.

For a moment the flare of white light reflected in the Devil's widened eyes. Lifting his great lava dripping arm to shield his bright yellow gaze, his slathering sharp jowls were poised, tense and ready to devour. Then he said. "What's in it for me?" The Devil partitioned under the weight of his annoyance.

Courageously, moving past the others, Jasper approached the hideous, gigantic face of the Prince of Darkness. No fear was found in Jasper, only pure, unfaltering faith. Speaking calmly but firmly, Jasper said, "You will give us the Angel, West, or we will take him..."

"Then take him... _If you can_..." The words slithered from the Devil's lips like poisonous vipers. "For, you see, West is no property of yours any longer." Unrolling a scroll, the Devil presented a contract for West's soul and at the bottom of the contract was West's signature. "He belongs to me now and in time, I will collect all of Your Angels in this same way." Satan began to laugh with booming boastful thralls. He loved to make fools of the Heavenly folk in the presence of his Demons, but it was so much more savory when he could make a fool of God's Son.

Jasper's spirit became icy cold in the depths of Hell. His horror suspended as a grim realization held him in its grips.

The Angels could hardly believe their friend, West would ever become so deceived as to finally break down and sign himself away to such a detestable adversary as the Devil, but there it was. West's signature was as clear as day.

Jesus' robe began to glow brightly with the light of Heaven and the dark cavern of Hell became full of light. Then Jesus spoke to Satan, "Do you think I cannot see through your deception, old Prince of Lies? It is obvious this is just a mere forgery and not the true signature of West. Your contract is worthless."

When the Devil realized he couldn't dupe Jesus, it irritated him to no end. The scroll in the Devil's hand burst into flames. What little was left of it crumbled to ash. Satan began to toil and scream in the presence of God's Holy light.

Then Jesus sent out the Angels saying, "Go now, call to West and he will answer you."

Scouring the depths of Hell for their lost companion, the six Angels called with loud voices and the sound of trumpets, "West! Where are you! Call out to us; your loving friends and we will save you!"

Jasper remained up in the Devil's face keeping him distracted.

The Angels continued calling out to their lost friend, "West! Hear our call! End your pain! Come home to us, West... Come home..."

Many Demons lied and shouted out that they were West, but the Angels couldn't be fooled.

Time went on and finally, Jasper, in all his shimmering armor of God, unsheathed his sword of truth and held its sharp point up under the red bony chin of Satan. The light of Jasper was uncomfortable for Satan to look at so he tried to look away.

"You tire us." Jasper spoke confidently though he was new to the spiritual realm. This made him unpredictable. "You will be rid of us and our Holy Glory when we have West!"

The Devil glared at Jasper, "You, Jasper! I remember you! It isn't fair, with the sinful life you lived, to now be counted amongst the Angels. You know you're not worthy." The Devil turned to speak directly to Jesus, "Listen, I tell you what, give me Jasper and I'll gladly give you West."

"You know, I don't make deals with the Devil. I don't participate in your games. None of us will. Now, I command you, in the name of My Father, give West to us, now!" the voice of the Lord nearly started the ceiling to cave in.

Though it pained the Devil to accept defeat, he finally thrusted his hand down under the surface of the Lake of Fire and fished around for a moment in the swill of the dammed and liquid fire. Retracting his arm, the Devil held the ugliest Demon. When the Angels saw their friend and what he had become, they couldn't recognize him. Not only was he deformed but his mind had been altered beyond the brink of madness.

The Devil laughed and he laughed and he laughed. This was the moment the Devil had been building up to. It was all a big joke to him and it actually pleased him to return the Angel who had finally converted to his Demonic standards.

Two long horns grew from West's fore-head. His eyes were sunken and black. A long tongue hung out of his mouth. And his mouth was full of sharp teeth. This Demon was truly, West.

The six Angels encircled the fist of Satan that gripped their friend so tight.

Squeezing, the Devil meant to crush West and disable his spirit under the confounding pressures of Hell.

Joel swooped in and slashed at the closed fisted claw of the Dark Prince. With his burning sword, he cut him deep causing Satan to release his grip.

The Angels circled around their Demon ensnared friend as he fell. Taking a firm hold of West, Starr carefully lifted him up to her valiant chest and saved him from re-entering the bubbling gaseous swill once again.

Though West's Demonic Spirit didn't appear burned, he had suffered excruciating high temperatures of 15,000 C along with immense pressures. Under the forces of hatred, darkness and extreme cruelty that West suffered, he also had foregone deep mental and emotional abuse.

The Angels brought the corrupted form of West before Jesus.

Still inflamed in the white blaze of fire, Jesus said, "Release him." The shackles opened and fell from West's wrists.

Then West lashed out at Jesus and tried to shred him with the razor sharp curvature of his long talons. The Angels were surprised by this and shouted, "West, no! Don't do this! We beseech you!"

Through it all, Jesus remained calm and unscathed. He simply leaned back so he was outside of West's reach. Then the others could see that Jesus was suddenly holding West in an invisible grip.

Still, West sneered and tried to attack the Lord. Then West began to speak, "You left me! You had forsaken me! I tried to get out but you didn't come! I hate you all!"

These words greatly disturbed the Angels.

Jasper realized, he wasn't prepared for this. He didn't expect West to be so utterly consumed with bitterness and hate.

Jesus turned his head to Jasper and the Angels before he said, "As you can see, your friend has unfortunately fallen and at some point accepted his fate in this realm. There is no faith left in him." Then Jesus looked directly at Jasper, "Can there be a way to forgive such deep sinfulness? Look at him, he completely rejects Me."

The Devil's laughter could be heard growing again. From the shadows he exposed his low receding forehead and his foxy looking smile. Then the rest of his sinewy body and limbs became visible as he spoke deep throaty words "But he will accept _me_ now. Your friend who you all looked up to once now worships me."

"Is my faith not sufficient, Lord?" Jasper asked, "Isn't the faith of all of us combined sufficient enough to save him?"

"What matters is West's faith and as I said, he has none any longer. What would you have me do, Jasper?" The Lord was trying to make a point that though it was a difficult choice, West might be lost forever.

Jasper wanted to tell Jesus to let West decide, but he wasn't certain what the outcome would be, finally Jasper said, "We have to do something. This shouldn't have happened to him. He must be saved. None of it was his choice."

West, in his Demonic form, hung weightlessly before the Lord.

Holding out his hands to West at either side, Jesus began to spin West around slowly.

His tattered bat-like wings almost touched Jesus as he slowly spun.

Finding the deep wound in West's back, where the Demonic blade had pierced him, the Lord touched the wound immediately restoring it. While Jesus kept his hand pressed to West's back, the white fire came down his arm and covered over West's bodily form. This was a very different fire than that of Hell. This was the fire of renewal. A baptismal fire.

Lowering to the surface of the black brimstone floor, Jesus found a small cesspool. As Jesus climbed into the hot thick black liquid, his contact to it changed its composition and the black swill of disease became clear, clean water. Next, Jesus telekinetically lowered West into the pool of water with him. Submerging West into the water completely, so began a baptism of thorough cleansing.

At first it appeared the water was like acid as West was being eaten away, but it was the darkness and malice that was actually dissolving. The horns of his head fell off and the look of a bat was washed away.

When Jesus lifted West up out of the water, he looked like himself again, but his eyes were completely black. The eyes are the window to the soul, and through them Jesus could see he had to take a small wooden cup from his bag and offer some of the water to West.

When West drank it, it was like drinking of the Lord's love and light. West's great white wings stretched straight up out of the water and the light of his spirit began to glow brightly. From within the white flames, all could see West undergo another transfiguration. From a Demon, he changed back to his robust, Angelic self. The power of Christ washed him as white as snow and West was made whole and completely renewed.

Startled, West seemed to awaken from a nightmare. "No soul should endure such torment." As West recalled all he'd been through, his inner light began to flicker and dim. The Angel wept and the sight of it deeply affected Jasper. Then, with a shaken urgency, West began to speak. "This fire awaits those who don't choose You, my Lord. They mustn't come here for even one second, much less for all eternity." he began to worship his Lord and master.

With large blue eyes filled with amazement, Starr looked at West like she was seeing him for the first-time. She stood up with a far-away look that came over her face as though she was about to re-sight the past. Instead, she appeared to become confused before dropping to her knees and worshipping the Lord along with West.

Then the six Angels and Jasper also bowed down and worshipped Him. They sang praises to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords for the blessings of Love and mercy that was extended to their friend.

As even the Demons bowed down to Jesus, the Insufferable Six appeared.

Morbidant and her band of Demon elite were ready to oppose their Angel foes in this; their final battle.

Jasper stood quite a distance from Jesus, where he observed the battle.

As the Seven Angels rushed in to confront their long lasting adversaries, they quickly became locked in close contact quarrelings. It wasn't long before the Insufferable Six began to gain the upper hand again.

It wasn't easy to see the Angels bested, but the entire skirmish didn't make a lot of sense to Jasper.

Diolucious was busy strangling Wilson and if it wasn't for Charmatrien's ice sword and Taila's searing light, he might have been the next to wind up in a deep dungeon.

From the battle, Wilson managed to escape and make his way to Jesus. "Lord, as with so many times before, the Insufferable Six prove to be too powerful for us. Is there something you could say to grant me insight enough to put them away for good this time?"

Jesus looked at Wilson and smiled before he said, "There may be something you can do." Lifting his finger, Jesus pointed across the cavern to Jasper who hid in the darkness. "Go to Jasper. Ask him for a suggestion or two. He just might surprise you."

"Yes, my Lord. Right away." Wilson answered. Shooting across the open space directly to Jasper, Wilson didn't hesitate before asking, "Jasper, the Insufferable Six are over taking us. What would you suggest we do?"

"Well, I can see fine now, as you know, but it's hard to tell you Angels apart in this darkness but when Jesus glows brighter it's easier." Jasper said.

Wilson looked to Jesus and it was as though he could read his thoughts. Raising his arms, Jesus' robe began to brighten and the cavern was filled with His Holy light.

With the domain of Hell exposed in the light, what they looked upon was a treasure trove of evil.

Satan and his Demons shielded their eyes and shrieked.

Insects, rodents and reptiles scurried to hide from the light of the Lord. Hell was a primeval domain with a complexity of stone shapes and endless hot caverns. Only the Devil knew what vile acts took place within, and perhaps only the Devil should know. Each cavern led to the great lake of fire.

Wilson asked, "How can we defeat these villains, Jasper?"

Sanding slightly taller in the bright light of the Lord, Jasper said, "Why ask me? I'm just some guy you met. You are Angels. I expect you'll say something like; 'We need some time to implement a plan. If we could create a distraction, you and I could speak to Taila and West.'"

"Wh-why Taila and West? They seem like rather unlikely Angels to help at this time." Wilson said.

"West has been here the longest and he knows these caverns well enough not to get lost in them. Taila can look into the future on rare occasions and we need to know how the enemy might beat us so we can change that outcome." Jasper whispered these words of encouragement and Wilson was pleased with what he heard.

"Of course. You do have your moments, Jasper, when you inspire hope in us. Quickly now, come with me. I will light your way."

Jasper flew behind Wilson and followed him into the caves.

There, Wengroangrinch closed in on West again, forcing him back. Then he commanded Demon Imps to attack West from every angle. It wasn't Wengroangrinch's plan to simply terrorize West, but to have an entire legion of his most vile Demons subdue him completely and recruit him.

West created a tornado effect that pulled all of Wengroangrinch's Demon Imps together and battered them away in a scattered and dazed conclusion. Now, locked in one on one conflict, matching strength for strength, West and Wengroangrinch wrestled. Engaged in battle, with the dark-garbed, Demonic figure, they tried to beat submission into one another. Uncertain who would fall first, each blow caused sand and grit to swirl from the outrageous impacts.

Wengroangrinch could see West's light and strength quickly grow faint. He wasn't in any condition for combat yet.

When Wilson and Jasper caught sight of this, their eyes widened.

Wilson announced, "Your attack won't gain you purpose! This day, expect a reward of contentious flame, Demon!"

Jasper raised his gleaming sword of truth and added in support, "Back away!"

When Wengroangrinch saw he was grossly outnumbered, he backed into the shadows at the foot of a great black stone alter of the Devil. There, in a place that seemed permanent and Demonically sacred he disappeared into a crude tight passage. Jasper stood at the mouth of the cave under the Devil's alter, where the Demon Wengroangrinch escaped to. In a no-nonsensical way, Jasper felt he was taking charge and contributing to the efforts of his friends. He felt this was his destiny all along.

"West, we will need your assistance to create a distraction. Look for my signal. Have you seen Taila? We need her help." Wilson expressed without delay.

"I don't know where she is, but I am your best source for navigating these tunnels. I will look for your signal. In the meantime, I cannot let Wengroangrinch escape." West turned and darted off into the caves in search of his enemy.

Catapulting through the opening that led to a deep pit, Morbidant forced Elana back out of the passage completely. Elana and Morbidant battled on the narrow ledge that encircled the great pit. A string of dark electrons shot at Elana, but she deflected them with the use of her bull whip. She attacked with a ferocity that seemed to have Morbidant stymied. With quick hard strokes, Elana didn't give up any more ground. She bore into her adversary, deliberately engaged in close-quarters combat, refusing to let the other gain strength against her again.

Upon high ridges, Demons and Imps risked sneaking out of hiding to see the conflict. They carried long shafted spears and leather hand ball-slings for long distance warfare.

Morbidant's ragged face took on a frenzied expression. The glitter of her green glowing eyes brightened with uncertainty and sharply penetrated the darkness. Then Morbidant had enough. She back flipped across the melting pit. When she reached the other side, she bent her legs against the wall and launched herself back across to Elana. With a parried down stroke, she whirled swiftly to the right. With her back to the Angel she made a hostile blind reverse lunge.

It was too late, Elana recognized the danger and with the precise timing of a choreographed dance, Elana shot out her whip and caught Morbidant across her chest.

The laceration was so deep and grievous it almost clove the dark witch in two. Morbidant's face twisted with wrath, but her contesting will to fight was spent. Screaming an insidious haunting sound, Morbidant retreated into the darkness to lick her wounds and recuperate.

Wilson found Starr and Joel battling Diolucious and Krustatious. The two Demon sister's primal screams had barely sounded before they were on top of Joel and Starr. Wheeling their swords about, the four combatants became locked in a battle of lashing blades and skill.

Starr and Joel began to gain the upper hand but at the last moment, before the deciding blow, Krustatious opened her bat-like wings and released a swarm of vicious little Insect Demon Imps. They looked like a cross between wild fairies and locus.

Balancing precariously in the swaying current of the swarm, Joel's eyes flared with his jaw tight to keep it together.

Joel tried to hold them off but there was too many of them. He fought in the shadows, starting with a flying bicycle kick and landed with a mighty chop of his wing swords. The Demons appeared to have become the shadows, but Joel was the light in the darkness. Each strike was a flash of white Holy fire.

Starr backed away and opened her broad wingspan when she too opened a portal, releasing a flock of her loyal radiant doves.

Closing the gap between them, Joel forced his way through the chaos and launched white flames from his fists.

Diolucious and Krustatious leaped in opposite directions as the flames sprang out at them. The enemies backed away as the few shots from Joel's fists were quite accurate and not easy to dodge.

Unexpectedly, Wilson came racing out of a cave and passed right through Joel. Stopping for only a moment like he was on an urgent mission, Wilson asked. "Can you point us in the direction of Taila?"

Jasper came darting out from the same cave as Wilson. He looked at Starr and said, "Oh, hi there."

"Hi Jasper!" Starr waved with a bright gleaming smile.

Joel was quick to answer, "It's not easy to know where anyone is in this random warren of caves."

Starr hesitated, but finished by saying, "Last we saw Taila, she was heading that way." She pointed across the chasm.

Wilson nodded and looked off in the direction his friend pointed. It was within hailing distance over a network of caverns and standing stone formations. Both he and Jasper flew off in that direction, hoping for the best.

When Wilson and Jasper found Vyxcious, he was kicking up dust with a low growl down the steep ramp way. Thundering his giant form into the tight crevasse of high walls, they followed close behind him. The way he moved looked like he was about to attack one of the Angels.

At the end of the long crevasse, Vyxcious was about to get his hands on Taila. His dark hate filled eyes were upon her.

Taila screamed.

Wilson's brow furrowed before the boy electrocuted Vyxcious point-blank right in his face. Then he darted for Taila.

Adding further distraction for the giant Demon, Jasper took hold of his sword and jabbed it into the Vyxcious' massive foot.

He roar of its rage filled the maze of tunnels.

Darting out of the crevasse came Wilson with Taila in hand.

Behind the two of them, Jasper raced to keep up.

Wilson's face mirrored Jasper's with equal concern for Taila. When they could see she wasn't hurt, Wilson asked, "Taila, can you tell me how this situation's going to turn out?"

Her demeanor darkened, "As it is, our future doesn't look good. I see our fate through Satan's eyes, but even that possibility is unclear. It's shrouded in darkness. If we don't think of something quick, it won't be long before Satan has each of one of us turned into permanent monuments of stone!" Taila warned them. Her face, alight with a deep knowledge, remained calm and her gaze steady.

"Oh boy, this doesn't sound good, Jasper." Wilson winced.

"Don't give up hope! Let's find West and signal him to start the distraction." Jasper insisted.

Wilson looked around and saw a plume of air blow out from the mouth of a cave. "If I were a gambler, I'd wager West is in there. Follow me!"

The light in the great chasm began to grow dim. Charmatrien was locked in a game of cat and mouse with Gewgaw. He looked up at the source of the light and noticed Jesus' arms were beginning to weaken. As the Lord's outstretched arms came down at each side, the light of his robe diminished. Charmatrien left his assailant and darted up to Jesus. There, he came around behind him and assisted to hold his arms up. The Holy light of the Lord's robe grew bright again instantly.

As Charmatrien scanned the interior of Hell, he commented, "The Demons! There are too many of them!"

"In my weakness we are made strong." Jesus told Charmatrien. "Back me up to the stone columns. I will hold onto them to keep my arms up. To keep such an energy present in such darkness as this is draining. Fight the good fight Charmatrien, but you should bring this battle to a close soon."

Charmatrien didn't have to return to Gewgaw, for Gewgaw came charging at him from below. The Demon had come to life in a most malevolent manner and spat his poisons from his palms like some kind of veldt viper. Gewgaw attacked with his ecto-slime as he spat malicious streaks of his sinister, concentrated substance.

All Charmatrien could do to win back the fight at all was ward the Demon back with his water sword. Wheeling and spinning, Charmatrien leaped and somersaulted with astonishing ease.

Gewgaw moved with him, drawing him to a place of his own choosing.

Charmatrien's agility and dexterity allowed him to remain at bay from the threat of his spear.

Gewgaw constantly attacked while at the same time effectively blunting Charmatrien's counterattacks, he relentlessly searched for an opening in his defense. Then Gewgaw attacked with renewed ferocity and determination.

Charmatrien's best efforts weren't good enough for an early resolution. They fought their way out of the tight cave and along a narrow stone catwalk. Shadow people came up, pulling and biting at Charmatrien's ankles. He was almost dragged off the catwalk. Bowing his head sorrowfully, Charmatrien looked down at the deep shadow he was suspended over. In the heat of the battle, the Angel noticed Gewgaw's face shine with his own peculiar joy of the situation.

With a quick poke from Gewgaw's spear, Charmatrien was prodded off balance and completely slipped from the rock edifice to be covered completely by darkness.

Gewgaw turned and prowled back into the cave like a predator on the hunt and in search of his next Angelic victim. Then he paused. He noticed, oddly there was no scream from Charmatrien. The smelting pit was just beyond the dark shadow. 'Why was there no scream?' Curious, Gewgaw had to investigate to be sure.

# CHAPTER 25

KEEPING TO THE SHADOWS, Wilson and Jasper slipped past the enemy as they were engaged in combat with their friends. When they were near the mouth of the cave they found West toiling with the Devil.

West caught up with his horned antagonist who was Hell-bent on wearing him down.

Stripping away his cloak, Wengroangrinch lifted the long-handled spear he bore as if offering it to West for inspection. A wicked smile crossed the bearer's feral face as he swung his weapon before him in an idle gesture to beckon the Angel to make the first move.

Jasper and Wilson were just about to come out from hiding to aid West's efforts when Satan dropped down in front of them. The dragon-like Devil was facing away from Wilson and Jasper so he didn't see them.

Wilson signalled Jasper to keep quiet.

All Satan had to do was turn around and he would see them and he'd attack.

Demons began to gather among high rock formations. They pointed at Wilson and Jasper saying, "Behind you! Behind you! Lookout master!"

Jasper found a small trench that appeared to be tight but deep enough for them to travel through undetected. It was actually a split in the rock caused by the extreme temperature and ran beside them. Jasper pointed it out to Wilson, suggesting they take that route.

Turning around quickly, Satan found no one behind him. "Oh, get out of here you pesky flies." Satan told the Demons. He then turned back to the windy tunnel opening.

"In the crack! They hide from you!" shouted another stout Demon.

"Bah!" Satan tried to ignore his Demons with a wave of his hand. Then it occurred to him, 'Perhaps someone was sneaking up on me...' Turning back a second time, Satan looked into the stone split on the floor. His eyes ran up and down the length of it but his keen eyes found nothing.

By this time, Wilson and Jasper had followed the trench around the bend ahead of the Dark Lord.

West emerged from the cave when Wilson signalled him. Diving down to Wilson and Jasper, West led them on.

The yellow piercing werewolf eyes of Satan caught a glance of West as he dove in between the rocks out of sight. The Devil hustled after West with haste.

The three of them had been spotted by many on looking Demons who were perched in the high places of the chasm.

The trench ended into a tight little burrow of a cave. Wilson and West ducked in and crawled as far as they could.

Jasper followed, but the cave dead-ended at a short distance. Trapped; they were petrified with fear.

Satan thrusted his werewolf head in after them. Though his reptilian body was too large to follow, I did nothing to hinder his forward advance. The Devil's long neck seemed adequate enough to reach them. The yellow eyes of the Devil shone on the spirit of Jasper and lit him up. Recognizing Jasper, he slunk down to all fours, his fury red arms bent forward and his claws gleamed and extended with anticipation. Lowering his head, Satan's amber cat-like glare blazed with fierce loathing like fervent scalding embers. Seeing how harmless and insignificant Jasper looked, Satan observed him with a contemptable snort. "Awwe, Jasper. At long last you will be mine!" he uttered his plaintive threat. Snapping his jaws forward, Satan bit down on Jasper's foot.

"Ah! He's got me!" Jasper shouted as he reached out to Wilson and West to protect him.

Satan withdrew and pulled Jasper out with his teeth. Reflexively, the Devil's claws extended with the readiness to dig deeply into his soul for consumption.

Before this came to be, unsheathing his sword of truth, Jasper began poking at Satan's yellow eyes. The sharp tip of his sword gouged and caused a lot of damage.

Satan reared up, spitting out Jasper and shouting, "Aurgh! I'm blind!!!" A scowl twisted upon his weathered and wrinkled dog-face. He looked like he had just been whipped.

"We cannot let Satan have Jasper!" West shouted. "What can we do?"

"He wanted you to create a distraction." Wilson told him with striking blue eyes of certainty.

West bolted from the cave like a rabbit built like a tank, saying, "That is something I can do!" As West made his way through the recesses of Hell, he emitted strong turrets of wind. Dust, rocks and Demons were lifted and tossed about in the thralls of his powerful wings.

Electrical energy sparked from Satan's claws as Jasper climbed up the long spines of his back, "Who – who's there?!" Satan called as he tried to reach back to grab his assailant.

"It is I, great Satan, one of your loyal Demons. My name is, er... um... Knickknack." He hissed with his best Demon impression.

"Well, Knickknack, you will have to see for me!" Satan dropped his voice to a secretive whisper. "I am blind! Tell me where I'll find one of those accursed Angels and I'll be rid of it once and for all."

"There's one." Jasper said, "A little to your left." The Devil turned slightly, "There, right there! You have one right in front of you!"

A tumbling ball of fire appeared between Satan's hands before he launched it away.

Wengroangrinch was on his way to aid his master as soon as he noticed he'd been rendered blind, when one of the powerful fireballs from the Devil struck him and turned him into a pillar of granite.

The striking sound of the explosion rattled Jasper's teeth. "You got him!" he cried. Jasper's strength was vigorously renewed.

The Devil was pleased, "Quickly now! Help me target another one!" The inebriation of power amplified in his injured eyes as he was determined to take advantage of every precious second.

Wilson saw what had occurred and flew to his Angels in turn to instruct them to lure each of the Insufferable Six toward Satan.

Upon the stone ledges, just above the smelting pool of magma, Charmatrien shot water from his sword at Gewgaw. This effort failed because the temperature was so hot the water evaporated before it reached the slippery Demon. Retaliating with streams of slime that shot from the palms of his hands, Gewgaw also experienced the same difficulty.

When the shadow people cleared the deep pit, Jasper found he could look down into it from above.

"To the right, boss! To the right! Now down... A little more..." Altering his voice, Jasper whispered in Satan's ear. "Hold, just there. Now fire!"

Smoking hot with a restless and terrible purpose, he set upon his destructive nature.

Gewgaw turned his head in disbelief just as his master's Demonic fireball hit him like a cannonball.

"Bullseye! Bullseye, boss! That'll show'em to mess with you!" Jasper cheered.

Morbidant fought Elana when she noticed Gewgaw turn into a pillar of stone. The detonation was so jarring, the walls of the chasm almost split apart. The two women warriors paused in the interruption. 'What is this?! Impossible!' Morbidant had fought in conflicts all across the galaxy in the span of her life and against odds so great that many others wouldn't have stood a chance. She had survived battles that had tested her skill and resolve in every conceivable way, but now one of her own elite group had fallen before her eyes.

Flying down to Satan, Morbidant shouted, "My Lord, you are targeting the Insufferable Six!" She had been plagued for far too long by the precognitive blind-spot in her life of not being able to understand when and when not to use the truth.

"What?!" he asked. Concern splashed across his face.

"Don't listen to her, boss." Jasper told Satan. "She's one of them in disguise. An Angel and she tries to deceive you."

"No-no, that's not true!" Morbidant shouted with gripping fear, but Satan smiled and blasted her immediately with another fireball and without any further thought she too became a twisted deformity of stone stretching out of the granite outcroppings.

"Very good, boss. That's three now! You can't be too careful. They know you're blind so they try to trick you."

"Thank you, Knickknack. You will be rewarded for this." Satan commended the little helper on his shoulder.

Now, with only a few of the Insufferable clique left, the Angels regrouped and flew together just under the stalactites of the spacious chasm. They searched, with telescopic vision, for the last of them.

Demon Imps ambled along in front of them. Some would fight but most of them didn't want to be noticed. Fighting off many Demons, none of the Imps were able to slow the Angels down.

Vyxcious was the easiest to find for his incredible size. He was a warrior in his mid-evil prime and he was driven by his messianic hatred for the disdain of the Angels. Holding no fear for himself; no doubt he would win, he continued forward.

The Angels slashed at him with their swords.

This antagonized him enough that he chased the Angels through West's windstorm to Satan where he met with an unexpected fireball to the face. The deep chamber shook in response to the potent explosion. He then became a huge stone monument of grizzly proportion to ornate the domain of Hell.

Diolucious and Krustatious tried to assist one another to make their way through the blustering wave-fronts of the storm. They found themselves lost in the psychotic mazes of stonework, before stumbling out in front of Satan. The storm was lit with a couple of flashes of light as Satan's fireballs found the two targeted enemies.

"You did it! You got them all!" Jasper applauded.

Satan shouted his approval too. Then the Devil asked, "How did I get them all? Was there not seven Angels?" Ponderously mumbling, the Devil was mentally calculating the Angels he was defeating. Then the Devil realised what he had foolishly done. "I only hit six, where is the seventh?!" He imagined a smirk of the face of Jesus. Oh, how he loathed the idea of being humiliated in front of God's son. It burned him hotter than the hottest flames of Hell.

"Angels?! No-no, Satan. You didn't hit any Angels." Jasper told him as he leaped from the Dark Lord's back.

Then Satan recognized the voice, "Jasper!!!" the Devil shouted with sudden realization. Feeling galled and betrayed beyond retribution, he was filled with a renewed nuance of energy foe vengeance. Still blinded, the Devil began shooting fireballs out in random directions.

West came soaring down from above and as he swooped in to take Jasper away with him, he shot a whirlwind at Satan, "That's for your contentious evil!" Then West shot a second thrust of wind at the ceiling, breaking loose a half dozen stalactites. "And this is for what you did to me!" The sharp arrow heads of minerals crashed down upon Satan.

Rot with an insatiable anger, rage built within him to festering hot temperatures. Pressing forward, Satan's brow furrowed darkly. He hated to be bested, but from someone of the likes of Jasper? It was unacceptable. From the growing power of his steaming rage, the Devil drew himself up to a great height. He broke free of the broken stalactites and drew his mighty sword and it blazed with red fire. The mystic flame was like the arms of the damned, waving and reaching to be saved. Opening his great leathery wings, letting smoke billow out, Satan listened, trying to pinpoint where his detestable intruders might be. The scowl on his face was a disturbing sight.

Jesus pointed to the sword and a white beam of light came forth from his finger. The moment the light of Jesus touched the sword, it decimated into little molten fragments of red kindled flames.

Satan's hand was crippled and injured when his sword exploded. Roaring in frustration and pain, he couldn't locate his assailants. He knew he had been beaten. Conscientiously, the Devil turned away, regarding Jesus and the Angels with a disrespectful shrug. This was the very gesture of their eternal indifference.

Jesus beckoned to the Angels.

West delivered Jasper to Jesus among the other Angels.

With his robe still very bright, Jesus looked down at Satan. Lifting his hand, he winked an eye and snapped his fingers.

There was a quick sharp cracking sound from the rock under Satan's feet when suddenly, the floor opened up under the Devil. The Dark Lord fell as he roared with an explosion of unfiltered anger.

The Angels watched as the dark fiend plummeted all the way to the festering lake of fire and eternal damnation far below.

The Angels bowed down to Jesus, their Lord.

Then Jasper said, "Lord You are the mightiest of all." He joined his Angel friends and bowed down among them upon the course surface of the rock.

Around them, the Demons bowed down to Jesus.

Then the souls of the dammed bowed down despite their unending pain and torment.

This was the day of the Lord's reprisal; when Jesus and the Seven stormed the abys of Hell and rescued West. This act of retribution and control against Satan was for the great injuries West received. The score had been squared away for now. Satan's humility before the Lord was necessary to remind everyone who was the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords; for the good Shepard always searches to reclaim the ones who go astray.

The Christ used His power to carry away the Angels and Jasper the same way they arrived. While He did so, Jesus spoke to Jasper, "I have let you see Angels and given you insight to dreams and visions. I love to give My children the good gifts they ask for." Jesus knew Jasper felt he was at the end of his journey, but it was soon clear the journey had no end. In closing, Jesus said, "Don't ever stop seeking Me." Caught up in the light and glory of God, Jesus returned them to the great Southern Gate of Heaven. The companions were again complete and whole.

The Lord Jesus Christ used a key from His belt, and held it up to the spectacular gate; the gate then opened. The glory that Jasper beheld was so magnificent he immediately collapsed to his knees. The gold, silver and precious stones of the Southern Gate of Heaven were more beautiful than he could put into words. Amongst the Seven Angels with their mighty wings spread wide, Jasper glided into the open gate. The world Jasper became a part of within was so vast it seemed to have no end. The high protective walls were silver and the pillars were gold. Like the eyes of a newborn, Jasper saw colours in perfect clarity, so vivid and pure. Dressed in different robes and uniforms of no earthly origin, Angels of Heaven, without number for their vast quantity, gathered around Jasper and the Seven to welcome them home.

Entering the gate, all of the Angels bowed in salute. One stepped forward and welcomed Jasper by name. The Angels; ecstatic with joy to be back home together, flew into the glorious realm of Heaven. The landscape was adorned with flowers and a flowing sea of tall grass blades. It was a carpet of mixed growth and colours dancing in the breeze, celebrating life; celebrating the day. Crossing a great expanse of vegetation, through the tree tops they could see spirits of people and animals, not only full of life, but enjoying the peaceful company of one another by pools and lakes of the purest and clearest water.

They travelled further, over many homes, created for each person in Heaven with the labor of love. The first of the homes they saw were still under construction.

Continuing to Heaven's core was a massive city, larger than the sun. This was the great Holy city of Zion. Flying together, they passed through the vast city, to the most Holy temple of God. Light radiated from it and the light was the glory of God. At the top of the temple was the shimmering throne of God. From under the throne came a spring of living water. Such water was richly blessed and pure.

The temple was like glass for it was made from pure gold. This gold had no impurities at all, that's why it was so transparent. The Seven Angels, with Jasper were led by their Master, Jesus Christ. They all settled to the floor of the temple at the foot of the throne of the Father. God's Spirit of Holiness filled the temple.

When Jasper gazed upon the face of the Father seated on His throne, the powerful image burned his eyes causing them to glow brightly.

"Don't be dismayed, Jasper." spoke the booming voice of God from his throne. "Your eyes have always been unique, even by the way you perceived the world as a small boy. Now you have been granted eyes to see as I see. Very few have understanding of My perspective, thus of earth, I am greatly ridiculed."

The Book of Life was opened and Jasper's name was found written therein and the ink was fresh. When his name was read, the Angels of Heaven cheered so loud, the likes of which Jasper had never heard before.

From above, descended the three giant Tri-Guardian Angels; Emunah, Tikua and Ahava. They took positions around and behind the One seated on the throne.

The Cherubims sang continually.

Surrounding the three Guardian Angels were the twelve disciples and they honored the presence of the Christ.

The Seven young Angels surrounded their friend, Jasper, with their wingtips stretched high.

On the steps before Jesus were many radiant golden crowns. Addressing the Angels, Jesus said, "You have all proven yourselves both separately and as a team. I have heard your prayers. I know your desires to be in service to me. From this day forward, you Seven shall begin your long commitment as stewards of My Holy name. I will send you on countless missions spanning far reaches of creation." Jesus made his way to each one and placed a beautiful golden crown on each head of the Seven Angels.

First Jesus approached West with such love and adoration in his eyes, West began to feel week in his knees, "West, please accept this crown which is the most spectacular of the crowns for you have endured the greatest hardship. Because of your innocence and great suffering, the limit of your faithfulness was exposed through the flames of Hell. You believed even when you had no faith left to believe. Such blind love is to be commended and rewarded, I grant to you the palace of Thudrosenberg and the planet of Amethyst."

"You mean _on_ the planet of Amethyst." West tried to correct the Lord Jesus.

"You heard me right the first time. The planet Amethyst is yours along with the palace city of Thudrosenberg. When the Seven gather, it would be wise to make your palace the usual rendezvous."

West was filled with great gratitude and became so emotional he couldn't find the words to speak. He bowed down at the feet of the Lord Jesus. In righteousness obedience and faith, he worshipped his Lord. "Th-thank you Lord." West finally muttered.

"You have no idea what you are thanking Me for until you see your great palace for yourself." Jesus answered.

Jesus looked down at West compassionately, "Arise, West for you have found great favor in the eyes of your Father. Be lifted high with respect and admiration for the hardship you have endured. Drink from my cup." A Cherub followed behind Jesus with a cup which appeared to have been made from a broken half of a simple old wooden cup. The cup contained a portion of the living water from the throne of God. The Cherub offered the cup to West. Taking hold of the cup with both hands, West drank deep. The light within him grew brighter. An aura enwreathed his head intensely then he flared his awesome wingspan, stretching and fanning his feathered extensions widely.

West stood up and smiled with the satisfaction of a quenched and full-filled heart. "My reward is great, my Lord. Thank You." With a bright face of light and an expression of enlightenment, West smiled.

Others received and shared of the Lord's cup. Joel was the last one to accept a crown. Jesus reached out to Joel's chest and snapped off the half-crown that was fused to his armored chest-plate. The crown piece broke off with ease as though it surrendered. Fishing His other hand in His shoulder bag, Jesus rendered the other half of the crown and pressed the two halves together. After wiping and kneading the seams into one like they were as pliable as fresh clay, the crown became one and whole again.

It was just the way Joel remembered it when it was new. The gold shimmered and the embedded rubies glimmered like no other crown in existence. It was truly an object of priceless fascination.

Lifting the crown, Jesus placed it on Joel's head.

Joel began to weep with humility. He had been waiting for this moment for so long. Finally, knowing better, Joel had to do something that wasn't easy for him to do. He lifted his crown from off his head and placed it gently at the feet of the Lord.

Retaking his place in the lineup of his friends, Joel solemnly composed himself.

The others saw the mighty act of their respected friend and turned their heads slightly to look at one another.

Joel's actions were somewhat of a mystery, but when Wilson imitated what Joel had done and removed his spectacular crown, only to place it next to Joel's at the feet of the One Most High, what to do next became clear.

Not one word was spoken in the sanctum of peace and Holiness. Everyone's crown was set respectfully at the Lord's feet with no pressure to do so. Not one word was needed. Looking into one another's eyes they found a bond between them and it was far deeper and meaningful than they could have ever imagined possible. Smiles were exchanged all around as they celebrated a successful mission.

It was a picture perfect moment. One, Jasper wished he could've captured on film for all time.

Many other Angels joined the group with what looked like an imitation of hugs. Because the spirits are unable to hug without passing through one another, they would just move real close until the electrical light tendrils would reach out and cause a low exchange of energy. This was an intimate expression and a deeper sharing of identification. Jasper was able to identify some of the Angels who passed nearby. They were from the stories the Angels told him.

First, he recognized Pricilla and Perah as they approached Joel. Jasper was amazed at how distinguished they were. Like he imagined, Perah was the only Angel who had scars on his face and a disfigurement to his body from when he was dropped as a baby of clay. Jasper could see in the eyes of Perah, he truly was the most gentle and patient of all the Angels in Heaven.

Pricilla, however, wasn't exactly what Jasper had expected. Her beauty was beyond his wildest expectations; dressed in armor and furs with a helmet on her head like a traditional Danish Viking. With horns reaching out each side of her helmet, Pricilla's outfit looked like something Taila might wear.

Eventually, all of the Angels departed the temple and they continued to celebrate with great gratitude. There was so much the Angels needed to talk about with their long lost friend, West.

* * *

Jesus led Jasper down a garden path of flat stones. On either side of the path were stone walls about four feet high. Creeping along the stone walls were ivy vines, grape vines and tall thick shrubbery filled with flowers of such vibrant colours Jasper had never seen before.

Following the Lord, Jasper would describe it as being near pure glory. Majesty indescribable was the power, the light and the love of Jesus. There was no better feeling than to be near Him in Heaven. This was all that was important to Jasper. He didn't want the magnificence of the Christ to leave his sight. Jasper did all he could to stay close to his Lord, especially in the beginning.

The beautiful path; rich with the smells of Heaven also had similar, recognizable scents from the nature of earth. He noted there was an added quality in the way the pleasant scents made him feel. Feelings he never felt before. The stone path led to a short arched bridge. Crossing the bridge to the other side, it opened up to an arbor surrounded with the stand of vines and trees in bloom that grew so high, they came together to form a canopy. It was like a huge natural gazebo. Beyond the gazebo was an open grassy yard surrounded with lush and full vegetable plants. At the end of the yard stood a large immaculate house of brick and stone. The home was the most wonderful and beautiful structure Jasper had ever envisioned in his life and somehow it spoke to him. The home felt, to Jasper, like it was from a long forgotten memory that was re-awakened; somehow he knew this place. A golden orange glow from the windows was so warm and inviting. It beckoned him to come inside. The smell of freshly baked bread eased his soul. The unique connection Jasper felt with the house was better described like a type of Déjà vu. He couldn't imagine a finer home.

The Lord Jesus Christ went to a vine of cherry tomatoes. He picked one and gave thanks for it, before he offered it to Jasper.

"Oh, Lord, thank you, but I don't want to touch anything much less eat it without the knowledge of the home owners." Jasper explained feeling he mustn't understand the ways of Heaven.

"You're correct about this. Only you and I are here in this private backyard and I'm not the home's intended owner." Jesus took a bite from the tomato and smiled at Jasper.

Jasper just stood, perhaps looking awkward but hoping he didn't look as foolish as he felt. Suspecting the Lord meant the house was for him, Jasper couldn't conceive of such a notion. After all, he'd just barely gotten into Heaven. 'It can't be.'

Jesus' expression changed as it appeared he was about to ask a question. "Would you care to show me around, inside your home, neighbor?"

Jasper couldn't contain himself. The gift was far too much for him to accept. Beginning to weep humble tears of great joy, Jasper said. "My Lord, not only is it more beautiful than any home I've ever seen, but it's so big. Why Lord? This would have taken so much work to build, and you want to just give it to me? Are You sure You have the right person? Was it You who built it?"

"I did indeed build this house. I am a carpenter, you know. However, in part, it was you who created this home. A kingdom is built one brick at a time and your home here in Heaven was built this same way. When you do something pleasing to the Lord, you secure your place in Heaven. When you feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give money to the poor or love someone in My name or my Father's name, you do it to me. If someone is rude to you when you do something out of the goodness of your heart or they demand more when you give generously, don't fret, your Father here in Heaven knows your deeds and your heart. Your reward will be all the greater. Another brick, so to speak, is added to your home, your honor, your treasure here in Heaven. Now Jasper, continue to do what is pleasing in the Lord's sight. There's still so much left to tell of your story."

Dazed with wonderment and joy, Jasper and Jesus walked in through the front door of his new home in Heaven where Jasper discovered a bounty of new blessings inside. Waiting for him were spirits from a long lineage of his family line. Loneliness was a distant memory of a past life. Touring Jasper's new home, Jesus describing all of the clever construction ideas he implemented into the design. As always, what Jesus described was captivating. Only the Lord could explain the construction of the home with such enthusiasm regardless that he built the whole thing with his own nail scarred hands.

* * *

Walking with Jesus throughout the city of New Jerusalem, he told Jasper, "You will spend far more time with your Angel friends and you will make many new friends." The kind and comforting presence of the Lord led Jasper out of the grand Holy City until they meandered upon a vast pasture of vibrant green grass and flowers of colours he was new to.

There, in the pasture, Jasper saw some sheep grazing when not far off he recognized a certain lamb under a mighty oak tree.

The lamb lifted its head and looked at Jasper. Kicking up its hind hoofs in giddy excitement, the young lamb came running at Jasper. "Hayolam, it's you!" Jasper cheered as he teared up with wide open arms to receive his little companion. The little lamb leaped right through Jasper as though to remind him they were spirits now. The three of them walked all throughout Heaven and the Lord showed Jasper what his new and wondrous world was all about.

When Jesus spoke, his words were a comfort to Jasper's soul, "Everything I do, I do in your heart. That is where the Living Waters flow and that is where _I_ am."

When Jesus was finished speaking, Jasper pulled back his cloak of humility. His expression said it all. He was stunned by all he had heard.

The Lord continued to speak as they toured Heaven, "Every time you see Me with the eyes of your heart, your mind is renewed a little bit more. Soon you will be able to abide by My Spirit continually. When you can, all that you learn by My Holy Spirit will abide in you just as I have fully abided in you from the moment you first believed."

Beyond the Christ of the ages, the Seven Angels sliced across the sky in a perfect 'V' formation.

Jasper couldn't hide his contented smile.

With matters concerning all things, Jasper and Jesus talked.

Time had no meaning.

#  EPILOGUE

FOR A SHORT WHILE, the tabloids reflected the people's short sighted opinions of Jasper, but years later he was remembered for saving the planet and dying for what he believed in.

No one was prepared for the unforeseen seriousness of the situation or the domino effect it would cause. In death, Jasper became even more influential and provoking than he could have been in life.

Tanya's book was published, containing all of Jasper's experiences. The book was titled, 'Jasper and the Shelter of Angels,' and she had the entire book memorized as she also memorized the entire Bible. Tanya began memorizing from Jasper's Bible. The Bible she later returned to Pastor Reed. Able to speak all of the amazing passages of the Good Book fluently, she used her ability to help others. With an amazing skill at retelling the Bible's living word in an exciting way Tanya encouraged many people to study more about God.

Janet and Bobby made a great team together as they traveled far and wide speaking at any function that would have them. They spoke about the great things the Lord had used them for. Most of the time they would be found in simple public places like parks or fairs, and their words captivated people with amazement at churches, small group gatherings and countless one on one conversations. Almost everyone would stop and listen, drawing up crowds at a time, because most people recognized them and everyone could relate to the news hype. Individuals remembered where they were the first time they heard about Jasper.

Megan traveled from nation to nation spreading her wonderful stories which were told to her by the Angels. Singing wonderful duets with her daughter Tessa, people rarely knew their music was composed in Heaven.

Tessa grew up to become a beautiful and popular spokesperson for the Lord. Her passion and talent throughout her life was for music. Songs of worship and praise burned in her heart like a red hot furnace and all who listened to her and her mother could understand how wonderful and unique their faith was because they sang from their hearts. It was hard to believe that someone could have their life dramatically altered by a song, but Tessa's songs did just that for countless fans of her voice. She brought her own expression through her vocal sound, like that of an Angel, to the people of earth along with her own special charisma and flare. She was unequaled in the world.

Pastor Reed joined a little church in the small town of Princeton, shortly after Jasper's death. As fate would have it, it was the same church with the unchanged steep tin roof that Jasper fell from. He became the associate Pastor under the leadership of Pastor Jay Reynolds. Upon the first meeting of the two pastors, Pastor Reed returned the Bible to Pastor Jay that he'd given to Jasper. The old book reflected the harsh journey it had been through with each wrinkle, tear and scuff mark. For the first few years, their pastoral staff also consisted of Tanya, Bobby, Megan, Tessa, Janet and Randy.

Randy fleshed out with a healthy body of strength and a cunning mind for the Lord. So devoted, Randy showed others what it meant to be dead to the world and alive for the Lord. His message usually had some reference to the great mercies he was shown in his life, but his testimony always ended with a particular focus on God's great love and power. Then he gave credit to the memory of Jasper and noted if it weren't for this one special friend he wouldn't be alive to speak at all.

This group of friends would become the new living circle of seven here on earth. In time, they appointed other loyal followers to carry on the work of the Lord for many generations. They provoked a profound spiritual and emotional response from many countless thousands around the entire globe.

The location of Ceramecy remained a secret between the original Seven and was shared with no one. With strict devotion to their secret meetings there, the Ceramecians would return on occasion when they unanimously felt compelled to be closer to the Lord. Each one felt an Angel would appear to them there because the place still held its own unique kind of magic for them. As the years went on, Ceramecy only grew more magnificent in their eyes and hearts. It was a reminder that it all really did happen and it empowered their faith. The place was blessed with a Spirit of Holiness that would reside there forever.

As for the Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubbers, countless thousands were made across the globe and the earth's ozone was eventually repaired. The people of the earth not only breathed clean air, they breathed easy.

The earth was saved.

Praise the Lord!

2 Corinthians 5:7

"For we live by _faith_ , not by _sight_."

A story

by

Robert A. Hunt

To be continued in

JASPER

And the Shroud of Death

Book 2

# Touch an Angel or be touched by an Angel

To call upon a chance encounter of celestial significance might seem impossible, but read on and make an Angel's acquaintance. This is your moment to venture into a rare opportunity. Socialize with a spirited messenger from Heaven.

The following writings, one from each of the Angel characters of this novel, are intended for you. (Preferably in the morning.) Apply your thoughts to them throughout your day.

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to literally speak to an Angel then plunge yourself into these following short stories.

-Robert A. Hunt-

"GOOD MORNING." Joel greets you, "I trust your journey here was amiable. Here the sun is always up. We don't sleep and we don't need to spend time getting ourselves ready. If there's somewhere we want to go, we make the voyage effortlessly. Now that you're here, I'd like to show you around my place." Sweeping his right arm and wing wide open, the young Angel revealed a series of tall towers that appeared to be rooted together and connected with many rollercoaster-like roadways. "There're many castles here in Heaven. This one belongs to me. It's called; the kingdom of Pyspheriose." Joel observed. His presence brightened with a golden adoration. Then a thin bright rainbow appeared within a dazzle of stars and crowned his head.

The castle floated high above the clouds of Heaven on an island of rock that was free of any gravitational pull. This wondrous little island was about the size and shape of Victoria Island, British Columbia Canada. Within its walls was a lake surrounded by groves. Throughout the blue crystal towers were many statues depicting humans whom he'd seen demonstrate acts of goodwill. Smaller white towers and turrets stood around the outer wall and around the inner city. The whole place reflected Holy light in intricate ways which created a sense of stepping into a fairy-tale story.

Standing taller than all of the other towers was Joel's prized open auditorium and theater stage. This cinema platform of entertainment was where anyone could come and shine their talent. It was like a place for people to say, "This is me, so check me out."

This place was established in the middle of his rose garden maze. "I've had guests tell me that this castle is full of Holiness. I have planted countless treasures to be discovered throughout." As soon as you both touch your feet to the balcony of one of the towers, you look out at the phenomenal view below then Joel says, "It is my honor to show you around my domain so, I invite you, friend of God, come just as you are."

As Joel leads you in throughout the tall spires of his Castle's towers you follow him, flying with supernatural ability. The colours are so new and vibrant. The elevated streets are occupied by Joel's friends and family. They smile and wave to you as you pass by. It's a good feeling to be included in such a wondrous place. "You might wonder why the Lord would give me a castle. Someone once asked, "Isn't it a little much?" but God has no problem giving to his children. Nothing pleases him more than to see his children light up with happiness. There's no limit to the gifts the father wants for you too. Remember to find some way for your gifts to benefit others. When we don't see the things of the spirit clearly, we don't see God. What he has intended for us becomes ambiguous. A right perspective of God gives us a right perspective of everything else; life, work, money, service, and relationships. I could go on and on but I don't need to tell you any more about this. Anything I would tell you would rhyme with the word; gratified.

You know, satisfied." Again he smiled and blushed as a light began to glow warmly through his face.

After spending the day with Joel and his friends you realize that during that time all of your cares and worries seemed like they were miles away.

AS YOU FLY THROUGH THE SKIES of Heaven, you come across a vision of an Angel waving her arms to you. She twirls and dances with joy, but there is something else about her; something so inviting.

Landing at her side, she smiles at you. Her strawberry blonde hair blows gently in the passing breeze. Standing on the edge of a cliff she wastes no time to point out the horizon to you, "Have you ever looked upon a sunrise more spectacular than this?"

At the Angel's feet is a blanket stretched out on the land with all the trimmings of a full course picnic. "I am Taila. I am glad you didn't pass by. I mean, who would want to miss out on all of this? Won't you join me?"

At the edge of the cliff you sit with the blazing Angel and overlook the extraordinary view of the ocean. While you nibble on the tasty mana crackers and dip, you find the snap and crunch of the fresh vegetables have an exemplified taste to them. Something is triggered in your mind and you wonder why you ever disliked vegetables in the past.

Looking out at the tranquil sight of the water's movement you realize, there's no awkward silence here in Heaven, everything just feels too nice and relaxed. It feels like everyone is dressed in a Holy Spirit of their own.

When you glance over, you notice Taila looking at you and giggling pleasantly. She can tell you have something you want to say so she asks, "What's tickling your thoughts?"

Peering into the distance as far as you can see, you finally comment. "This sunrise just goes on and on."

You look at the Angel, Taila again. She too enjoys the view until she turns her exquisite luminescent face to you once more and says, "Your presence fills me on the verge of my horizons with images of everything that is good about you. Obviously, your love is your glory and your name is precious to me."

With light illuminating the clouds high above, you and Taila watch two distant Angels flying in and out of the swirling puff. They seemed to be playing a game of chase. It was like the behavior of birds and children as one.

The both of you just watch them for a moment. "They look like birds." you finally speak this obvious comparison. The moment the words escape your mouth, you notice light coming from the Angel's arms and legs. You take a moment longer to study their movements of man and bird. While you nibble and drink in the unforgettably tranquil experience, Taila begins to speak to you.

"Life; it's more of a dance than a reason to worry yourself sick over things. When your body sheds any sort of waste; hair, skin, finger nails, it isn't just lost, it's completely forgotten. You don't feel more connected to the earth by bleeding on the ground. If you sever a limb, you continue to live without it, even though it's no longer part of your body. So I ask, how much body can the living lose, yet still live? The answer is: the whole thing. Yes, you can lose your entire body and still you will live. Knowing this, can you still find reasons to worry?"

Taila exchanges a glance with you and you're about to say something when Taila speaks first to say, "Oh, please don't answer. I wasn't asking you a question so you would offer an example to me. Here, I prefer you would leave your worries and your cares on earth. No one here will ask you to unpack your thoughts. I'm sure it's packed away for good reason, but if there is something you need to unload unto someone, unload it to God through prayer as you would on earth. Give your worries to Him. He is far more capable of dealing with it than you."

"I don't think God would want to hear what I have to say." you speak from a humble place of your heart.

"Do you think your sins are too dark to be forgiven or redeemed? Do you think you can surprise the Lord? Of course you don't, that would be foolish. Did you know the disciples of Jesus were all regular men and sinners? They certainly weren't high priests. Trust me when I say, you qualify... yes, even you... you qualify..."

THROUGHOUT THE AGES, as water raced downstream to this cliff, it poured over in a dazzling waterfall and created this large hollow. At the bottom of this great cavity is a clear, freshwater pool.

After walking for hours through the lush forest paths, you finally come to this amazing sight. A mist expels from the waterfall and feels refreshing. In the mist you see a brilliant rainbow.

In the distance, standing on a ledge across from you on the other side of the crater, you see a man dressed in tight white clothing. He steps out to the edge of the cliff so his toes hang over, then huge stark white wings open at his back and he leaps toward your direction. As he draws near, you notice he's of a dark complexion. Circling about within the stone hollow, the gallant Angel glides past the waterfall. Then he rises up effortlessly and lands at your side.

"Greetings friend, I'm Charmatrien. I've been hoping you would show up." his deep-chested voice is strong and bold, yet non-threatening and contented in tone.

"Do you live here?" you ask the Angel.

"Here?" Charmatrien laughs and can't keep from smiling, "I am homeless. Not because I have to be, but because I choose to be. What need of a home have I? I am free to go wherever I please. There is no need here. This is Heaven." His smile of white teeth is so brilliant they give light. "Technically, Heaven is my home."

The Angel looks down into the cavity and points to the pool.

Curious, you look into the crater and are surprised to find a lion at the water's edge. Lapping up the water, the lion drinks.

"Come." Charmatrien waves for you to join him, then he leaps over the ledge and dives down to the lion.

You follow. Being of the spirit, you realize you no longer have any reason to fear heights. Landing softly next to the lion, you find the Angel on the other side of it and petting its mane.

"The animals here in Heaven no longer hunger for flesh. Still they do hunger, only now it is for affection. It is not easy to break the spirit of the beast, but it is possible for wild animals of earth to experience this same thing as this lion and not threaten the lives of the living. When a creature feels content and trust is established their cravings can change. Not only will they recognize your behavior, but they will feel they are on your side. Or more accurately, they will feel you are on their side. Then they'll become timid and less wild. This also goes for humans."

"I haven't known a lot of wild humans." After you say this, you think about it. "Actually, I suppose there were a few."

"Try a lot, if you ask me. Yes, your story is particularly interesting. You have certainly been through a lot." He adds under his breath, "Angels like me have labored to protect you. I personally have watched you for quite some time. For the moments you felt misunderstood and unloved, know that my friends and I were with you. We loved you and knew the truth of your heart. I'm not sure if you recall those times in your life when you were at risk of danger, but I'd like you to know what was happening at that time spiritually."

Charmatrien walks with you and explains moments of your life in great detail, only from his spiritual perspective. What you thought you knew so well is revealed to have been just a narrow view of complicated events.

STEPPING OUT into a lavish, open-walled living room, the decorative pillowy furnishings and pastel colours give you a sense of secure ease; so inviting. A gentle breeze of warm fresh-air comes filtering through. Tropical plants grow right through holes in the floor.

A section of the east wall is closed off by the rich purple curtains. They seemed harmless enough. Unexpectedly, you notice the bright figure of a person approaching from the other side.

Throwing the curtains wide open, a radiant Angel steps through and opens her wings wide. Opening her arms out at her sides also, she never stops smiling. Her wings stretch open a little more when she says, "There's a treasure trove of wondrous experiences for you here. Would you like to see my horses?"

At your first impression, you think, 'This brunette is quite a thin Angel. She's obviously gluten-free.' "Perhaps we could just stay here awhile and talk." you tell her.

"Talk?" she repeats. Her smile diminishes just a little.

"Sure! We could get to know one another and tell each other stories." you let her know.

"Oh, you want to discuss your past? Share your sins? Well, this isn't the place for that. This is Heaven! Now you can forget your past and your transgressions. All that stuff is over now. Whatever used to tie you down is now your unlocked shackles. Cast them off... You're free!" This Angel has a western feel about her and she laughs and laughs. Her merriment lights up the room with a spectacle of colours. Then she says, "I know all about you, but who am I, you wonder? I'm Elana." she could laugh with her eyes alone, but her smile was radiant and her dimples full of glee. You begin to feel infected by her enjoyment like it was something contagious.

"Men delight in the beauty of Angels, but they rarely admit how deeply such beauty actually touches them." she finally said.

Taking you by the hand, Elana leads you to one of the open walls of the room. Together, you gaze out at the golden beauty of the land nestled within the valley. Horses gallop across the distant fields. "A lot of things you experience on earth are to prepare you for your life in Heaven. Come, ride a horse with me."

Though it seemed like a silly suggestion at the time, you find yourself nodding and agreeing to her suggestion. She could have asked you to cast yourself off a bridge and you would have done so.

Riding the horse wasn't the experience you expected it to be. The horses in Heaven are so kind and gentle. As they gallop it is like they are floating over the land. Never had you expected to explore Heaven in such a manner as this. Elana leads you over the mountains and through the valleys where you see the most amazing sights of waterfalls and celestial abilities. "This is your true intended home!" Elana tells you. Looking at her you realize, Heaven is a sight to behold, but Elana also is a sight you could just look at all day long. The way her hair moves with each gallop and that smile. Life and love is in the light and the light penetrates everything. You look for your shadow but there is none to be found. Darkness simply doesn't exist here.

Then Elana takes you along the streets of gold in the great city of God all the way to his majestic temple. There, you bow down and understand fully what she meant when she told you this was your home.

"Ask yourself; am I a human dreaming I am an Angel, or am I now an Angel only dreaming I am a human?"

ANGELS ARE EVERYWHERE! For as far as the eye can see, there are too many of them to count. It is impossible to go very far in Heaven without seeing one. There are just so many. They like to talk, socialize, laugh and sing as they fly around you. They are the most amazing beings to watch as they enjoy showing off with amazing feats of acrobatics, speed maneuverabilities and talented sword skills. You feel like you could just watch the celestial spirits all day. Angels live in the celebration of life. They have a very unique culture that seems to be based on joy.

You realize, not far away, relaxing by a pool of the bluest water lounges the Angel West amongst a tropical oasis.

When West notices you looking at him, he laughs; deep chested and booming. Like the other Angels, he had a 'worry free' nature. With no concern or thought of money, they're satisfied with what little they do have because it is always enough. An admirable aspect of the Angel's lives is that they're not materialistic but more focused on the nature around them. Their culture involves good standings of love amongst all of the people in their lives.

"This is such a beautiful location. I expect God to come strolling by any moment." you tell West.

"Where is God right now, you wonder? He is nearer to you than the air you breathe. You carry a piece of him within you. Search your heart. He is there."

"I don't have a heart anymore." you tell him, referring to yourself in the spirit. "I'm not even sure what the meaning of my life on earth was."

"What is the meaning of your life? It would seem people exist on the earth with no concept of why they existed there at all. So many people feel they live such meaningless lives, able to keep very busy and give into heavy situations of stress with little to nothing to show for their efforts or their struggles. I know. Angels are paying attention. You know the things that are good by the fruit of good things. Look forward. Keep your head up and stay focused on good things."

"My kids were the best part of my life, but at times even that was challenged." you tell West.

"When you thought your kids would be the death of you, the Holy Spirit would whisper into your ear, 'They are the punishment for all you put your parents through.'"

You laugh with West as he leads you through a nature path. You then realize how well he knows his surroundings. He respects and honors the nature around him. You wave to other Angels passing by and they accept you as a member of their family. Observing the open areas of Angels you see how conservative they are. Using what is naturally provided to them, they don't waste anything. For example, they could make necklaces out of plants and use them as food, decorations and many other things.

West looks like an imposing and menacing Angel, but he is also very approachable and friendly. He treats everyone like they are his family member.

Not only does the gorgeous world of Heaven have a wonderful culture of Angels, but it contains breathtaking surroundings. Heaven is known for having the most wildlife and wonderful flora and fauna. You also find Heaven hilarious, because many chickens and roosters wandered around. They clucked and pecked at the Angel's heels. Within and around a distant pond, you find swans and remark about how majestic they look. The swans seem to be mingling with flamingos and eagles.

"Birds are marvelous creatures indeed." West softly declares. "They have been very symbolic throughout history."

Then you ask, "When I return to my body on earth, will I retain this spiritual connection I feel for these animals?"

West answers, "Spirit to spirit, body to body. When you return you certainly will feel a renewed connection. Practice this connection every day or risk the loss of it again. Heaven has many great wildlife spirits in one big mix of indescribable scenery. The further you step into the silky white sands and swim in the clear blue water, you feel happy. You never have to leave. With perfect temperature and many things to do, Heaven, always in pristine condition, remains waiting for you. It is the home where you belong after your days on earth have come to the end."

THE HEAVENLIEST THING about the garden of butterflies is that it does exist and it's here in Heaven. Amongst the exquisite trees and flowers lying in a bed of thornless roses sleeps an Angel.

The Angel, Starr, slumbers as countless Butterflies flutter about and land upon her. Angels don't actually sleep, but they are fascinated by this concept and because Starr's wings are of the softest soft and the whitest white, she likes to wrap herself up in them.

"Starr!" you call to her. "Wake up!"

She does her best to act like she has awakened from a long deep sleep. Stretching, she reaches above her head. Blinking, like her eyes need to adjust to the light, she then smiles at you. With luring eyes she gestures for you to approach her and you do.

Her wings open wide and majestic. First she wraps her arms around you, then she wraps her wings around you and you realize you've never been held like this before. She smells so fresh and clean. The warmth, so cozy and the Angel's love, there is nothing else like it. You feel safe, secure and content like a baby in the arms of its parent.

Looking out from a fold within the feathered wings you watch the butterflies dancing with giddiness amongst the branches.

Then Starr begins to tell you, "Angels are like butterflies in the wind. Some fly higher than others, sharing their colour and light with others. Each one of us is different, special and beautiful in our own way. We are the wind when it whispers. Through the leaves we are a golden ray of sunshine warming you in an autumn breeze. We are each, a kiss of raindrops on your face. There has always been an Angel watching over you, even from the beginning. My love consists of a rainbow of emotions in light. Wherever you go, think of me.

"Let your light shine inside and out, let everyone see your crown. Now you can hear the higher voice that's been calling you for so long. Now you see how important love is. Heaven is saturated with it." Just the mere song of her voice delivers such a sense of peace and relaxation unlike any source could on earth, but when combined with her presence and words they become additionally cathartic.

You feel renewed.

Today is a special day for you and Starr knows it. It is one year since the day you died and came to Heaven. Not your 'Death Day,' but rather your, 'Dawn of Life Everlasting Day.' This was the beginning of your first day of eternity.

As Starr sings for you, other Angels appear and a great celebration begins to take place.

"Congratulations on your Dawn of Life Everlasting Day."

"Eternity welcomes you."

"Congratulations on your Dawn of Life Everlasting Day."

"May all good things come to you."

"You finally made it to Heaven."

"Death can no longer intimidate you with its sting."

The celebration was momentarily interrupted when an Angel flew past announcing; "Have you heard? A human on earth has solemnly committed their devotion to God through prayer!"

At this news the Angels burst into chorus with cheer, celebration, and rejoicing.

FLOATING THROUGH THE GREAT CITY of God, you happen to find many people assembling at a skateboard park. It looked like a skateboard park, except the skateboards had no wheels and could fly. Little feathered wings flapped at the back corners of the boards. Angels and human spirits enjoyed skating together. (Or hovering to be exact.)

You see a group of them race down into the rolling hills of the deep bowls and their form is amazing. The only padding the skaters had was their armor of God. They would laugh and cheer before executing impossible stunts. With a show of maneuverability and skill they slap their hands congratulating one another and laugh some more.

When a group of skaters fly right out of the park like a flock of birds, you watch in awe as they go speeding down a road of gold.

Suddenly an Angel skateboarder approaches you. Handing you a flying skateboard of your own, he says, "Hey, pal, it's me, Wilson. Let's keep up with the others. This board's for you. Come on!" His wings flare as he leaps into the air and rides his skateboard in pursuit of the others.

You hop up also and find it extremely easy to balance and ride your board. By wanting to keep up with Wilson, your board accommodatively reacts to your will.

Skating with the group is so exhilarating and fun. They know exactly where the best places in nature are to perform crazy feats. Then they headed into the great City of Heaven. It is like the God's city is their personal obstacle course. Then Wilson signals you to follow him away from the group, so you do so.

Directing you into the center of the temple court of the living God you are awe struck by the artistry. There, at the center of the court stands a large stone with water running out from a huge crack on the side of it. The water runs down to a long brook and leads out of the City.

Then Wilson tells you, "This is the river of the water of life. It is as clear as crystal and flows from the throne of God." You and the Angel follow it down the middle of the great street of the city. Eventually, on the left side of this river Wilson points out the Tree of Life. It bears twelve crops of fruit. "It yields its fruit every month." Wilson explains. "Adam and Eve only tried a bite from one piece of fruit. Here, fill yourself to your full potential. Take a bite from any fruit you wish. In Heaven, such fruit of God is no longer forbidden.

"The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse.

"Let's go say hi to God on his throne then we can go to the corner sweet stand and get a slushy of milk and honey."

"Milk and Honey?" you question.

"Sure, despite my age I'm just a kid and I do kid things. Besides, these slushies taste Heavenly. If it's too weird to you, ask for a smoothie of fruit from the Tree of Life. There's nothing like it on earth." Wilson gleams with happiness.

"I never expected to see anything like this." you tell Wilson.

He replies, "Jasper was blinded to the world, but able to see the things of God clearly. Suddenly, the important things that weren't clear before became evident. You too can approach the throne of God. That's the significance of the sacrifice He made on the cross. Follow me in and you too can reach out and touch His sceptre of righteousness."

Heading into the inner court, where God's throne is, you and Wilson are enveloped in his glorious light, power and love.
To be continued in

# Jasper and the Shroud of Death

Jasper and the Shroud of Death

# Book 2 of the Jasper Series

WHEN JASPER IS TOLD to prepare for the coming war in Heaven, he and the Angels must take up a perilous quest to unravel the Mystery of Death. Along their expedition, Reapers seek to deter their progress and attack them. The Angel Elana captures one of these vile creatures within her Holy silver lasso and after questioning it, it becomes their guide.

The path to Death and beyond is vast, with a complexity that has never been realized before. If you have a fascination with the subject of Death, you won't want to miss the content herein. But what is most shocking becomes the question of who is Death and why he is cursed to such an existence.

The answers will surprise you and shake the foundations of Heaven and Hell.

Don't fail to read, 'Jasper and the Shroud of Death.'

# Sample Chapter

From Book 2

JASPER

and the Shroud of Death

Flipping channels on the television, it wasn't easy to find a station that featured anything other than a news report about climate control updates or a progress report of the war.

In the city of Kingston, in a coroner's morgue, a morgue pathologist awaited a visitor. While he waited, he watched the news on his small screen TV. A news reporter played recent footage from the president of the United States; "From our last world climate control talks, we discussed how we were going to save our planet by reducing carbon emissions by 99%. The feedback from experts around the world agree that we had crossed a limited time of no return years ago, but thanks to the Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubbers, all is not lost. Some countries of the world have reported celebrating this fact by keeping their polluting factories open, but let me be perfectly clear. There is no wiggle room! The Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubbers are not the answer we were looking for. They're just a helpful tool to assist us at reaching our goals. Imagine trying to clean the air as we pollute it. Well, this is exactly what we're doing. What we need is for every nation, every business and every person to use only clean energy. The fighting to make this happen has to stop. Violence will not save the planet! The world going to war is not the answer! Shutting down the export of crude oil and fossil fuels is only part of the solution. A great shift of how we function on planet earth is the answer. We still have a long road ahead, but the generations to come can look forward to the days when the Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubbers will all be shut down so Mother Nature can do what she's designed to do from the beginning. Perhaps we will all learn a deeper lesson here from all of this; a lesson of the value of life. So here's to equal rights and equal opportunity for all in a world of free, clean air and prosperity."

Switching off the television, pathologist Dr. Fredericton meandered to his window. Looking out through the rain drops at the lights of the city, his eyes continued skyward to the silhouette and lights of the city's Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubber. It was a tower reaching high out of the center of the city.

A knock wrapped upon the door from a heavy fist.

"Come in, it's open!" Called Dr. Fredericton.

A man in a trench coat entered the dimly lit lab. "Another wet night, doctor." He removed his wet jacket and hung it on the coatrack.

"I've been expecting you. Did traffic keep you?" asked Dr. Fredericton.

"The synagogue, actually. There's never a shortage of words there, I'm afraid." Stepping into the light the man revealed he was a Bishop in priestly robes.

When the bishop stepped toward the doctor from behind, he could see he was looking out at the Atmospheric Carbon Air Scrubber. "It gives people a sense of security, you know. Just to hear it at work cleaning the air. It also gives people a sense of pride to know we beat the threat of climate change and reversed its destructive affects."

"Yes doctor, but have you heard another problem? It's been detected in the latest model of Air Scrubbers. Many people feel the planet is correcting itself and the Air Scrubbers are merely taking all the credit." Said the bishop. "So, shall we get down to business?"

"Yes, yes of course. This should have been done long ago. I can't fathom why the government would want any cadaver to be on ice so long. I have him thawed out now. I'm sorry to have to rush you but the sooner you're finished, the sooner I can get started. It's been a long day."

"As you wish. My prayers are never too long, it's just... This one... You know his story don't you?"

"Oh, Jasper? Of course. Everyone knows his story, but not many believe his clams. A blind man who can see Angels? Come on. Give me a break." Dr. Fredericton said.

"If the stories were true, why would the Lord favor this one so much?" The bishop contemplated.

"I'm sure if it were true, it would have happened to you, unless..." The doctor tantalized him.

"Unless what?" The bishop asked with a heaviness drawn in his eyes. He half wished he could take back the question.

"Well, perhaps Jasper didn't separate himself from people as you do, rather he gets right down with the poor and does not discriminate. Just look at you, your robes I mean, clearly you're of a whole other classification of people. Jasper cared with unconditional love and it showed in the things he said and did. He wasn't concerned with how he looked or how others perceived him. He only cared that God loved him and by the strength of the Lord, he loved."

"Are you suggesting I'm in danger of the flames of Hell?" The Bishop asked.

" _All_ are in danger of Hell, dear Bishop. Remember what you taught me, 'many who believe they will go to Heaven will, in fact, not go to Heaven and many who think they will go to Hell will not go to Hell. The judgement of God is not of this earthly discretion.'"

The bishop didn't feel very welcomed or respected any longer and decided to just get his prayer over with and depart for the night. Spreading his hands out over Jasper's bodily remains, the bishop cleared his throat and prayed; "When the world around us seems empty, and we feel alone and unloved, when we least expect it and have almost given up hope, God shines through and the Angels will see you off to distant clouds. We remember Jasper and Celebrate in the treasures he left behind; his legacy. We live in thankfulness that he was, but God wanted him for his own and set him free in his eternal embrace. Amen."

"That was one of your best prayers." the doctor said. Then he handed him a clip board with a document authorizing the autopsy. "Just sign on the line labeled, 'witness,' please."

"I know where to sign thank you." The bishop snapped.

The first thing Dr. Fredericton did was check the body and record all his findings; weight, age, scars, tattoos, birthmarks, bruises and wounds. After he took a blood sample and made finger prints, he photographed the body. Then he went on to check his teeth and make X-rays. The body's torso was opened and Dr. Fredericton checked the organs. Nothing out of the ordinary was found until he checked Jasper's eyes.

They were white like a blind man as to be expected. This was also added to his report, then the death certificate was drawn up to completion and submitted.

The bishop took the folder and turned toward the door. He was to take the paperwork and prepare funeral arrangements. Making an extra effort not to make eye contact with the doctor, the bishop took his jacket from the coatrack and began sliding his arms into the sleeves, "God bless you doctor, I have no interest in taking any more of your time. Peace to you and God bless you." With that the bishop abruptly left closing the door behind him.

"He actually thought he saw Angels." The doctor spoke to himself, "The people who followed him claimed he was telling the truth and that they too had seen Angels." He walked to his desk. It was covered with paperwork. From a desk drawer, the doctor pulled out a bottle of whisky and poured a little for himself.

Taking a moment to relax in his thoughts before he headed home, he believed a shot of whisky would help him think.

The examination was finished, but Jasper's eyes; they seemed so mysterious. The saying goes, 'Try walking in another man's shoes.' No, he wanted to try seeing through another man's eyes.

Carefully, he cut away one of Jasper's milky white lenses of his eyes. Then he removed the other one. Taking small plastic transparent containers, the doctor added a preservative solution and sealed each of the two lenses in its own container.

Standing next to his window again, the doctor lifted the white lens and tried to see the city lights through it. Through the translucent lens the lights looked like a splotchy kaleidoscope of colours.

* * *

While the doctor was busy, he unknowingly had other visitors arrive. Visitors of a spiritual nature. Jasper entered the room with the Apostle Paul. There they saw Jasper's body on the table with its chest opened up. Demons surround it and look like they are chewing on it. They were only speeding up the process of decomposition.

Death arrived with his two sons; the twins: Mold and Decay. Each one laid down beside Jasper's corpse.

Jasper said, "I wish my body could be more respected in death. I'd like to honor it for the life I lived in it."

Paul answered, "There is no honor in flesh, however. When you were separated from your body, you were separated from your sin. Your spirit can stand before the Lord blameless if it hasn't already been corrupted by the flesh."

Paul tells Jasper, "You know, your story isn't so dissimilar from my own. We both had blindness physically affect our lives before our eyes were truly opened. Paul swats a Demon away from Jasper's body.

* * *

A pen teetered on the edge of the table until it finally pivoted over the edge and clattered to the linoleum floor. At the sound the doctor lowered the lens and spun around. There was nothing there. When he noticed it was just his pen that fell loosened his tension. Lifting the lens to his eye again, he looked at the body of Jasper on the table. Through the foggy imagery everything was slightly fuzzy like it was out of focus. The doctor saw what appeared to be a small child crouched down and almost sitting on Jasper's chest. Trying to make sense of the image, Dr. Fredericton thought it looked more like a Demon-like form through the fog of the lens. It was a squat little fellow who bobbed his head up and down from time to time. It seemed interested in the open chest of the cadaver. "So this was what it was like for Jasper?" he wondered.

Then, what seemed to be a long line of light or lens flare of sorts, began to move. So strangely, the tall line of light appeared to move around behind the table of Jasper... or did it _walk?_

The hairs on the back of the doctor's neck stood straight up, but he was frozen. He couldn't stop looking at the strange image. It came near to the stout creature on Jasper and drew a long appendage, like an arm, then it looked like it slapped at the little stout creature.

Dr. Fredericton lowered the lens. Sweat had beaded upon his fore-head. With his own eyes he examined Jasper's body on the table, but there was nothing else amiss. When he lifted the lens to his eye again the tall lens flare was at the other end of the table and the little Demon was crouched on the floor at the foot of the table. The tall thin being of light stepped forward and held his hands out toward the creature. When he opened his palms, a bright light shot out. The light was so intense it lit the doctor's face like a camera's flash bulb.

"That light came out of this lens?" Dr. Fredericton mused. He was faced with quite the conundrum. His scientific mind raced to explain away and solve the mystery. "No, impossible. I'm just seeing what I want to see. There must be a logical explanation for this" He began to understand what caused Jasper to say he saw Angels. _'If I can explain what Jasper was really seeing, it might be the greatest find since electricity.'_ He thought.

Reluctantly, the doctor slipped the two lenses into his pocket. He then put Jasper's body back in storage and cleaned up. When he was finished all of these things, he grabbed his jacket and opened the door. Pausing for a moment, Dr. Fredericton looked back at his empty lab. _'Could it be true?'_ He wondered. _'Ghosts of spirits and such?'_ Standing in complete silence, he concluded, _'Nah, impossible.'_ Scanning the room scrupulously before he turned out the lights, he finally shivered and slipped out the door.

* * *

Completely stunned, Jasper never suspected it was possible, "Someone removed the lenses of my eyes and was able to see what how I once could see when I was alive." Jasper told the Apostle Paul.

"Do not worry about this minor thing, Jasper." Paul reassured him, "The Lord has a plan to destroy those lenses to support the shroud of mystery surrounding the things of the spirit and protect Heaven."

Jasper felt conflicted about God's plan, "Is that the wisest course of action?"

"It is not wise to disagree with the Lord. I can tell you this from experience." Paul warned.

"But it is like you said, Paul. You and I are not so dissimilar. Ever since we were privileged to have our eyes opened to the spirit, we became devout to doing the work of the Lord. It is so difficult to prove to people that God exists. Perhaps someone should remove this shroud of mystery, as you put it."

"Are you suggesting the Lord allows all people of earth to see the truth of Heaven?" Paul asked thoughtfully.

Jasper nodded and smiled as though the greatest idea ever had been revealed to him. "I am convinced that somehow, this will create a change for all people that will start a revolution of faithful people. This can only result in a better future for the whole world. How was I permitted to step foot in this Holy realm in the first place? It wasn't until I saw the truth of the spirit that I truly began to live." Jasper asked.

"I have to admit, I fully understand what you're saying. My experience was the same. It was by Grace." Paul answered, "The sheer Grace of God made me who I am."

Jasper tells Paul, "If we can be delivered from our sinful lives, they too, the people of the world, should also be given a similar opportunity of mercy."

"I must agree you have proposed a tempting proposition. I will go to the foot of the Father's throne and speak to God on our behalf. In the meantime, you should remain near the lenses. We can't afford to let them out of our sight."

"Very well, Paul. It will be interesting to see where all of this will go." Jasper waved a collaborative farewell then turned to follow Dr. Fredericton.

End of Sample Chapter

# Author's notes

THE REASON I WROTE THIS STORY, Jasper and the shelter of Angels is because, I needed some escapism in my life as everyone does from time to time. I could've taken many different paths in life that would've led me to some very unprosperous outcomes or perhaps even prison, but thanks to my writing it has kept things simple in my life so I didn't get involved in making a string of poor choices for all the wrong reasons. Writing has led me to become a deeper kind of thinker, a planner and to study up on subjects I wouldn't have otherwise been interested in.

It is because of this hind sight of my own life that I see just how beneficial reading and writing can be to people and their day to day lives. There really isn't any better gift to get for someone you care about than to share a real good book or to encourage someone to write down their thoughts. A simple change of perspective can make all the difference. For someone who feels a great sense of worthlessness, writing can help you to turn that thought process around and discover something from within that could blossom into a huge sense of self-worth. When everyone looks at you like you're a loser, look inside yourself and see the good person God intended you to be all along and focus on that.

All of Jesus' recorded parables are fictional stories. Each one reveals a spiritual truth, but are actually made up. I think it's important to apply biblical guidelines no matter if a story is a spiritual allegory, historical fiction, or simple entertainment. Ephesians 4:29 reads, "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear."

Even if a story is intended as pure entertainment, all writers should keep in mind that their stories should contain an element of teaching. No matter what the medium, the message should be of spiritually serious content. (James 3:1)

On angels, you'll find many products and decorations of angels or in reference to them. In today's society, angels are not only widely accepted, but believed. You can see it in the retail range from books to clothing to toys. You can find over 200 books about angels in book stores and several million copies have been sold worldwide. So why are people interested in this merchandise if angels cannot be proven? Do angels actually exist?

Is the person on the street holding the sign, 'Will work for food.'; really an angel in disguise? Or the person who arrives just in time to save two young children from a runaway car; was she really an angel? In the book of Hebrews 13:2 it tells us; 'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.' With over 300 references in the Bible about angels should we let our ignorance dictate what is true? Just because you haven't seen them means very little. They are spiritual after all.

In the New Testament angels announced the birth of Christ, in Luke 2:8 angels told Shepherds where to find the infant Jesus, also in Luke an angel went to a tomb of Christ where they announced His resurrection.

My favorite perspective of angels was written in Billy Graham's book Angels: God's Secret Agents. In it he stated:

'I am convinced that these heavenly beings exist and that they provide unseen aid in our behalf. I do not believe in angels because someone has told me about a dramatic visitation from an angel, impressive as such testimonies may be. I do not believe in angels because UFO's are astonishingly angel-like in some of their reported appearances. I do not believe in angels because some ESP experts are making the realm of the spirit world seem even more plausible. I do not believe in angels because of the sudden worldwide emphasis on the reality of Satan and Demons. I do not believe in angels because I have never seen one- because I haven't.

'I believe in angels because the Bible says there are angels; and I believe the Bible to be the true Word of God.'

The pendulum swings back and forth between the want of money and power to the seeking of a truly spiritual way of life.

Angels pull you and I back from the edge, warning us of dangerous situations and delivering comfort, enlightenment while guiding us through difficult times.

The Hebrew word for angel is 'mala'ak,' it means the same as the Greek word 'angelos,' which means angel. In all translations and languages angel means messenger. God created angels to protect us, to guide us, and to speak to our hearts with words of strength and encouragement.

In a Gallop Poll last year, it stated that 50 percent of the people tested believed in angels (New Stateman Society 58). If you count yourself amongst these 50 percent, be bold and let the world know, though angels are hidden from sight, you see the evidence.

The truth has let you see.

# About The Author

ROBERT A. HUNT has nine published novels. His 'Legend' series pertain to the past. These include; The Coalmont Legend and The Crossbreed Legend. Robert is currently finishing up a fourth installment of his Legend books.

He also wrote the Jasper series; Book 1 is titled 'Jasper and the Shelter of Angels' Book 2 is "Jasper and the Shroud of Death.' And Book 3 is 'Jasper and the Guiding Light.' These stories which are perceived to take place in the present are in no way easy to put down.

Another series Robert has been working on since his high school years is his; 'Prevailing Species' series. These futuristic concepts explore a race of creatures known as volks. Book 1 - 'Earth Volk' is written from a volk's perspective. Book 1.5 - 'Grizz; Rise of the Shadow Knight,' is Grizz's origin story. Book 2 \- 'Verticus' largely explores the futuristic home world of the volks amongst Robert's usual brand of non-stop action. Book 3 - 'Insectivolk Wars' delves into the ugly side of Verticus which leads to the reveal of the Genation nebula secrets. Prepare to take a wild ride of fun and excitement before discovering the secrets of the galaxies. Many more 'Prevailing Species' books are in the works and will be available very soon.

Besides writing, Robert also enjoys exploring the extravagant beauty of North America's mountain ranges. Writing has been a magnificent outlet to set his imagination free.

Following in their father's enthusiastic endeavor, his children also share their stories in print.

The idea of a true paranormal encounter (Or any non-human entity or creature) both intrigues and terrifies him, but when new _real-life_ evidence and reports are published he is captivated by the possibilities all over again.

Robert resides in his homeland of Canada, British Columbia with his family.

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