Wed, 8 February 2006  Chapter 19 - "Moment of Silence AND Chapter 20 - Dominos Are FallingComments[0] |
Wed, 8 February 2006 Chapter 18: Revelation (Where?)
Bradley (still wet) and Augustine rode the elevator together up to the 19th floor of the Mark in silence. Brad's mind was racing, as it had been all day long. He needed rest, but knew if he tried he wouldn't be able to fall asleep anyway. The door opened and Bradley spotted Father Mac from the back, sitting watching television in the center of the room. Father Mac turned to see, and slowly rose to his old feet when he saw Bradley; a bit in awe.By this time Bradley figured any man of the cloth was on the good side, and he followed Augustine out of the elevator and into the sun filled room with his still wet clothes, and matching handcuff braclets. "This is Father Mac," Augustine introduced. Mac extended his hand, and Bradley shook it with a jingle of the handcuffs. "He and I are… well, we're…" Augustine turned to Mac with a look of contemplation on his face. Mac picked up, "Bradley, I'm sure that you have questions. Now time is something we don't have too much of, but you deserve answers, so we shall give what we can." He pointed to a table in the middle of the room, "Let's sit." They sat and Augustine took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes. Mac folded his arms, and leaned back in his chair slowly. No one knew where to start, and silence set in. Mac began, "Enoch, and I…" Bradley looked confusedly at the priest, "Father Augustine and I are of a certain priestly order." Mac squinted at Bradley, who was still looking mixed up, "Bradley?" Brad stayed silent for a moment assuming Mac was being rhetorical, but the elongated silence persisted, and he answered, "Yes?" .." Mac wanted to get an actual response out of Brad before he continued, "You understand that Father Augustine is not ordinary, right?" "Yes, I have been shown." Mac continued, "And you understand that your paths have crossed not by chance, but by destiny, right?" "I know, but I do not fully understand." "That is expected, you shouldn't. What I am NOT going to explain to you is that divine things are happening around you, or that the LORD's powers are infinite, because I figure you understand that enough, okay?" "Okay." "I don't really know how or where to start Bradley, so I think I am just going to go with the 'yank the bandage off routine' and make it quick and to the point." Mac prepared, leaning forward and resting his wait of his forearms on the table. Bradley nodded. His whole day had been going a hundred miles per hour anyway, and he was prepared for almost anything at this point. "Father Augustine and I are of a holy order. It is an order established by thee almighty God himself, and not by the church, to oversee the deeds of men, and to watch the movements of all those who oppose them. This order is a divine protectorate over the Earth, and its ties are only to the LORD, and since his birth, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This order, the one we belong to, is called The Apostles." A confused looked appeared on Bradley's face, and Mac asked, "Is any of this making sense thus far Bradley??"
Bradley asked, "Do you mean like the apostles who witness Jesus after he rose from the dead? Like in the Gospel and Acts?" Augustine joined back in the conversation, "Similar mostly in title. Not the same group of the Gospel." Bradley nodded slowly, but still had a confused looked on his face. "You probably are wondering why Augustine is clarifying that we are not biblical characters who are over two thousand years old." Mac said. Brad replied, "I kind of figured you weren't." The two priests looked at each other, "You figured correctly... for the most part. Father Augustine, however is known by another name." Augustine shot a humble smile at Mac, who quickly corrected, "or actually by many names. He was originally called Enoch, son of Jared." Brad was not getting it yet, "Bradley, what I'm about to tell you is going to come as a shock I suppose. You do understand what I mean when I say infinite, right?" "I am slowly learning, but I do believe. Yes, I know." "Get ready," Augustine said in a tone of warning. Mac began, "Genesis 5:23 & 24: ‘And all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God, and then he was not, for God took him.’" Mac waited for that to sink in. Bradley didn't understand, and he looked towards Augustine. “I am Enoch,� Augustine explained, "The LORD chose for me to be different. Instead of dying, as do other who have sinned like myself, he brought me up to heaven with a still beating heart where he revealed certain things to me. Most importantly that he had a special quest for me. A very long arduous one." Augustine leaned back in his chair signifying a long story. "At the beginning time, during the dawn of man, the LORD had created many Angels with many jobs. The least of the Angels, or the lowest rank of Angels, were set upon earth, in a human like form, to watch over the deeds of men. They were called The Watchers, or The Grigori." The name sparked the memory of Gregory, and Bradley's concentration was broken, but Augustine continued, noticing Bradley's thoughts, "Yes, the Greek form of Gregory. Though father Mac and I find no connection, the LORD connects everything. But we must not digress from the subject at hand… The Grigori were very much like humans. To the point which they were susceptible to the temptation of their fallen brother." Bradley looked towards Mac, and Mac clarified, "The Morning Star." Bradley repeated softly under his breath, "Satan." "Yes, Lucifer had by this time already fallen, and had been given his domain, and was hard at work against all that the LORD deemed good. He tempted the Grigori into the earthly desires such as lust, greed, and wrath. Some of the Grigori mated with humans, and offspring was created. The LORD had given specific tasks to specific segments of the Grigori, and when they had not returned he looked for them. When he discovered their sinful ways he punished them, and damned them to hell. He damned all the Grigori, even the ones who had not committed the sins of their brothers, because they had not told the LORD, He created a great flood, and water rose upon the Earth to the highest, and everything was wiped from the face of the Earth. I believe you have heard of this event." Bradley nodded, "Yes. The ark." Enoch lowered his head, understanding that the info was too much and too fast for Bradley to fully comprehend. "You will not understand everything Bradley, so I am not going to attempt to explain it all, we don't have time…" "Yeah, he has a book on the subject. You should read it sometime," Mac joked. Bradley did not react. Enoch continued, "In the absence of the Angels of the Grigori, the people of Earth needed Watchers. The Lord appointed me as The Watcher. As a Shepherd, not a Shepherd like Jesus, but a Shepherd as a watcher of the people of Earth. The responsibility once given to Angels was now passed on to the humans, and unto me as the humble leader of these Watchers, of the new Grigori. I was given this task, as well as a heart that shall beat until the Rapture. The other members of the Grigori have come and gone, and were not given life longer than human limits. I have seen thousands of Grigori, such as Father Mac, thousands of brothers in Christ die. Not all gracefully, and not all proceeding to the father. The LORD has given me special powers, that are equal in many ways to Angels, but he has left limitations intact too." Bradley was listening in amazement. "Omnipresence, I cannot exist in many places at once. I have only one body. Omnipotent, I have special powers now that I did not previously, and visa verse. I only have the powers that the LORD gives me at any time. Omniscience, I am not all knowing, and still rely on the Bible as a guide. Though the LORD bestows certain knowledge on me, there is much more that is hidden." "Like now," Bradley stated. Augustine lowered his head, and replied, "Yes. Now it seems that I must solely rely on the word of GOD. I am as confused as you Bradley. Much of my power has been taken away." "But what about the prison, the guns, the table and the wall? You still have incredible powers." "That, I fear, is changing. I used those powers because at that split second I knew I was supposed to. It is very hard to explain. Like I said, in the past I have been given many different amazing powers, and I use them only at the time when they are needed. My souls can feel them, but my mind can't. That I also fear is changing." Brad looked up confused, "Why do you fear that?" Both priests were taken aback at this question. They were expecting Bradley to be in disbelief at this time and full of questions. They expected to have more convincing to do. This question brought them down to the same humanly level as the young man in front of them. Neither responded to the question, so Brad explained himself further, "Why do you fear if you've been doing this so long, and know these are God's choices. I would think that whatever happens he has the plan. Like you said there's a bunch that is hidden from you, and this must be part of it." Bradley had stunned both of them. "The only reason I am not insane at this very moment is because you approached me as a priest. Although it is hard to understand the limitless power of the LORD, I at least know he's on my side." Both priests were still quiet. "That alone gives me faith that I will get my son back." A grave look appeared on both priest's faces. They bowed their heads in a sorrowful manor. Bradley grew worrisome, "What?" The priest's looked at each other, but remained silent, "What's wrong?" Mac answered, "As I said Bradley. We do not have much time left. I say that because we are on our final mission. The last crusade." "At the end of times," Augustine began, "great things will happen. This will all be finalized by the second coming of Christ, as it is written and prophesied in the Holy Bible. Great miracles will happen again, and forces of both good and evil will amass aware the end is near. You are familiar with the rapture, right?" "It is the time when all that believer will be lifted into heaven and the non-believers are left behind." Bradley returned. "Believers in Christ. Only Christians, Bradley. The rest will be left behind to face great tribulations." Mac corrected. "Oh." Bradley said sadly, with many thoughts running through his head of his friends and acquaintences. "The LORD is merciful son, but he gave his son unto a gruesome execution on calvary. For those who do not believe this, they are denying the sacrifice that the LORD made. Understand the love you have for your son Gregory, and multiply that by a number which is so great that nothing can count that high... and then put him in the place of sinners to die. It is another love which we cannot give." Augustine explained. "The devil works constantly at this goal. Since it is a deciding factor at the end of time it is ultimately his only goal. Even beyond the rapture." Bradley continued to look lost. It was so much, and so indirect. He tried to figure out what it all meant for him. "I know you are wondering how you fit in, huh?" Mac asked. Brad's expression confirmed that. Mac answered, "The rapture comes at a time when no one on Earth will expect it." Bradley looked at Augustine hoping he was the exception, and Enoch replied, "No, not one. I do not know precisely." Mac proceeded "This rapture is to be unlocked." Bradley squinted, Mac continued, "There is a key, and you are that key, or you have that key." "I don't understand," Bradley said anxiously. "Neither do we Bradley," Augustine replied, "These are messages in tongues, maybe. Or maybe you will have a physical key to a physical door. We do not know." "I don't understand," Bradley said with tears beginning to stream down his face. He started to bow his head as the weight of the information became to much. "The key, or the one who bares the key is one of great faith." Mac explained, “You are ‘The One’.� Augustine picked up, "Which is why we were so shocked, almost stricken in awe when you said those faithful word to us about fear." Brad raised his head, and stared with glassy eyes, Mac continued. "Those were the words we needed to hear. The roles are starting to switch. I was a shepherd; a leader, and now it seems that I am looking to your for strength." Silence struck the room, and the party was quiet for some time. They sat there, and Brad was letting everything sink in. Usually humans can't quickly comprehend knowledge as intense as this. Like a loved one dying, or a big change coming up, most people have a delayed realization. Somehow Bradley was able to stack things up. It was over his head, but it all seemed in line with what he knew as God's great plan. Then it occurred to him, "Why can't I get my son?" The grave look reappeared on the faces of the priest, and they looked at each other silently deciding on who would break the troubling news. Mac finally bowed his head in reluctance. Augustine answered, "Since you are the key you are in great danger." "How?" Brad asked, tears still in his eyes. "Like we said Brad. It is his ultimate goal to keep people from the LORD." Once again Brad softly said to himself the evil name, "Satan." His shoulders shrugged, and you could see his strength weaken. "Though we are uncertain of your job Bradley, we know ours, and that is to protect you at all costs." Then Bradley raised his head, "I need to get Gregory back. He is still close enough for me to get. I won't be able to go on without him. I die everyday I'm alone." "It is way too risky Brad. The devil is obviously at work. Today's events, especially those at the prison, have proven this to me. Remember, I told you that I only have the Bible, and my own knowledge to guide me now. It is not just the Priam brothers who want you." Brad placed his face in his hands, and silently continued to cry. "I will no be able to be without Gregory for however long this takes." "Three days," Enoch said. Bradley's raised his red eyes in utter bewilderment, "Three days until what?!?!?" "Until your wait is over." Enoch answered. Father Mac stifened in fright, and went pale. He stared at the wall in deep troubled thought. Bradley asked, "I thought you didn't know the..." "The precise time?" Enoch quoted, "I don't. I know the day, but now minutes are hours, and hours are days it seems." Brad laid his head on the table, and it felt like the life flew out of him. He was helpless. The thought of not seeing his son ever again, of not being with him, to comfort him and share the moment of the greatest event… it killed him. The priests knew it, but couldn't feel what Brad was feeling. It was something they didn't know. Enoch had children, but they were all with the LORD now. Mac did not have any children being and actual Catholic priest with a limited life unlike Enoch. They did not know what to say, so they just sat there and let Bradley feel. Brad sniffed and cleared his throat, but his head remained on the table, "Can he find us?" "Who, Satan?" Augustine asked. Brad nodded. "Yes, he can, but he can't touch us." Bradley tilted his head to get a view at the priest, "But the devil has much under his control, and his influence is only second to the LORD's." "So we can't just sit here, can we?" "No, we can't" said Enoch solemnly rubbing his tired hands remembering how many ages he had been battling. "So what should we do? Should we go now?" Brad asked. "Not yet, we are waiting for the other Apostles. There are two that remain." "Now, but one remains," a loud voice came from across the room breaking the fragile conversation, and frightening the three tremendously. A man, in church clothes, similar to Enoch and Mac's Catholic garbs, stood in front of the elevator somehow making it into the room without notice. He continued in a strong English accent, bordering on the Queen's English, "Yes, there is now only one we must wait for, but we must not idle too long I am afraid." The two priests arose out of their chairs with what seemed to be renewed vigor. A smile returned to Augustine's face, and he outstretched his arms. The new priest quickly embraced one, and then the other laughing a bit. He turned, and looked at Bradley who was still seated, and as always, out of the loop. "So this is the key barer. Stand up son. Let me look at you." The priest said in a grandpa"ish" fashion. Bradley stood up, and wiped the tears from his palms. He didn't attempt, nor did he feel like, he looked as he should; like a holy person. He was wet and dressed in slacks, now clean undershirt, and stood as he was." "This is Reverend Cromwell the third Apostle." Enoch introduced. "Correction, the first Apostle." Reverend Cromwell emphasized humorously. "The fake apostle." Father Mac interjected jokingly, "He's only Anglican." "Go twirl your skirt Scotty," Cromwell returned. "Now it's good to have both you back. I would like to point out these are the end of times my brothers, and it is not time for denominational slams, nor nationalism." Enoch interrupted. He turned to Bradley and whispered, "That's the nastiest tendicy of mortals." Brad actually cracked something similar to a smile. "Yes, but he is right. We can not stay here for too long. Once father Daly has arrived we must go immediately." Said Father Mac. "Yes, and we will need money too. As much as we can get. Money can not be an obstacle for us." Cromwell added, "At this time we need to tap everything we have set up." "I have money," Bradley said. All three men turned and stared at him blankly like they didn't understand what Bradley was talking about. "I have enough." "We could possibly need a great sum of money lad," Mac said patronizingly. "No single man could spend all my money in three days." Bradley responded with a gruff tone, as if Mac's comment insulted him. Reverend Cromwell turned to Enoch in reaction to Bradley's comments, and said, "Three days?" Enoch responded, "Yes three days left." A worried look grew upon Rev. Cromwell's face; far worse than any look at the table previously, but Augustine continued, "Bradley you never know what we might need. We may need room and board, or we may need a large protective vehicle. I have no idea, but we could never have enough…" "It was thirty five million when I originally invested it. That was about a month after Elizabeth and Catherine were killed." Once again the three were silence, and looks of amazement appeared on their faces. "That was after the bubble burst, and the market crashed, and it should be more like 50-75 now. "You got this from selling drugs?!?!?!?" Mac exclaimed with an unintentional tone of contempt. "Mac!!" Augustine interjected, "I don't care where he got the money from." Fury flared inside Bradley, "It's not fucking drug money! I inherited it when my parents were killed. Once Elizabeth and Catherine passed, I invested it all for Gregory. Almost every penny. It's not actually in his name, but it's all for him alone." Mac had turned away ashamed of himself. "Why Bradley? I don't understand." Asked Augustine. "That way no matter what happened to me Gregory would never need anything…" Bradley bowed his head sadly, "I guess I didn't think of something like this happening." "I'm sorry son," Mac apologized placing a comforting hand on Bradley's slumped shoulder, "I meant nothing personal by it. I misspoke." Brad just nodded his head silently. "But Bradley…" Augustine started. Brad lifted his head, tears now of anger filled his eyes, but he wasn't angry at Mac. He was angry at himself, "The money you have put away may now save a multitude." Brad slowly nodded again letting the idea wash over him. "How can we get this money? How long would it take?" "Do we have an internet connection?" Augustine nodded inquisitively. Brad continued, "Then I could get it a little over an hour I think." "That's impossible! Through which institute?" asked Cromwell. "Everything is invested in government bonds, and with a fee I can have it transferred real time to the local financial institute which my father originally went through." "Is the fee substantial?" asked Rev. Cromwell. "Yes, very, but so is what we will take away." "So this was your father's actual money? Not reparation from the airlines?" Mac inquired. "Correct. The airlines didn't give me anything. It was a mixture of trust, and insurance." "Wow… well," Augustine eyes were still wide, staring blankly into space signaling deep thought. "let's waste no more time. Brad, you and I will go… where's the financial institution?" "Down at the foot of California St." he answered. "Okay, you and I will quickly head downtown after you transfer the money. We have a connection over there." Augustine pointed to a laptop in the corner. "You two wait here for Father Daly, and then we will embark."
Father Mac interjected, "He can stop by the hotel laundry down 5 floors, and we'll have to get the handcuffs off. If we're going to go back out in public, we'll need this to go smooth and quick." Category: novel text -- posted at: 1:27 AM Comments[1] |
