Chapter Thirty Two
The sun was starting to come up over the field. Gabriel let go of the pendant and looked around for cover. Apollyon was searching for him and he was a sitting duck in the field. Walking up from the creek bank Gabriel scanned each corner of the field. Jack and Alexander were sitting in front of each other talking. Gabriel could not hear what they were saying but Alexander was laughing very loud.
“I gatta get out of here” Gabriel whispered under his breath. Jack and Alexander were still occupied in conversation so Gabriel crept back down the bank. Death or whatever she was, was no where around. Gently stepping Gabriel crept along the creek and followed it out of the field and into some thick tree's. Looking back Gabriel could only see a little bit of the field from the tree's. An urge to run swept over him and his feet began kicking under him.
Branches and twigs snapped as he ran through the trees. Trying to navigate them was very difficult for how quickly he was moving. Gabriel was running down stream of the creek on a slight slant down hill. He didn't know where he was going, he just knew he could not stay there. Though he was now a good distance from the field he felt as though he was being watched. Or maybe it was just the fact that he knew he was being hunted by Apollyon that made him uneasy.
Coming to another clearing and meadow Gabriel stopped and hid behind a tree. He knew better than to run out in the open but going around might cost him valuable time. The urge to run hit him again and Gabriel started running into the open meadow. About halfway through Gabriel could see a shadow pass over from above. Fear was now the only thing driving his legs and he didn't want to look up.
Voices of reason tried to tell him it was only a bird. Then the shadow passed by him once more and he knew it was no bird. What ever it was it was hovering just above his head. The shadow was keeping up with his pace no matter how fast he tried to run. Gabriel was huffing for air and could no longer run. Stopping he turned to look up and just as he did he could see her coming down with talons open.
For a moment he knew what it was like to be prey, to death. She latched onto him with a ripping pain and Gabriel let his body dangle in her grasp. It was no use fighting her, at least not on his own. Gabriel for once was the prey to death but now he knew he had to be the predator. Or maybe that was the disease of suicide that he had since birth talking.
Shutting his eye's Gabriel prepared himself for the landing. The image of Jack and Alexander waiting in the field below was stained into his eye lid's as they inched towards the field. Jack and Alexander with both smiling as if to say we told you so. Her talons unclenched and Gabriel gently fell into the grass.
“Welcome back!” Alexander said as Gabriel opened his eyes. Alexander was standing above him holding out his hand to help Gabriel up.
“No thanks.” Gabriel said getting up to his feet. Alexander withdrew his hand with a look of confusion.
“You are going to need our help if you expect to get out of here.” Alexander said.
“Well the way I see it is we only have one way out. Kill death herself so that she can let go of whatever is left of our lives.” Gabriel said.
“Oh? Only hours ago you were telling me about how horrible killing was. Now you want us to kill an angle? The only angle that I ever really liked....The angle of death?” Alexander asked with a crooked smile.
“Kill the angle of death? I had an angle once, a guardian angle but I must have killed her too..... My guardian angel must have sold her wings in hell, and pawned her halo to death, just to save me from myself.” a voice from Jack said.
“Yes Jack I know the feeling. My mind is like a noose just waiting to snap my neck.” Gabriel said looking at the angle of death hovering above them.
“So pathetic you two are with your dreams of death. What a waist it was giving you two an afterlife.” Alexander said.
“I guess we carried our disease over in death?” Gabriel said.
“I know where I seen her!” Jack said in his own voice looking at the angel of death.
“Death came to me in a dream. She said when she would come again and I woke up with an urgency to start a legacy to die for.” Jack said in a different voice.
“Did she say how to get away from her?” Alexander said smiling.
“No, she told me an age of when I would die. I think it was thirty two but I decided to end it before she could.” Jack said in his own voice as he looked away from the angle.
“Lets just figure out how to get out of here.” Gabriel said as he sat down in the field.
“Really we only have two options. Kill her or escape, I guess we could trap her but with what resources..” Gabriel said looking around.
“No, there is only one way, kill her.” Alexander said.
“Then we will need weapons and all we have is a knife.” Gabriel said laying the knife down in front of him.
“We can make spears!” Jack said.
“Spears? You want to kill death with spears? Maybe we can throw rocks at her as well? Or maybe we can do it my way...” Alexanders said.
“We will figure something out..” Gabriel said laying back and thinking.
“You told me yourself that you never killed someone. What would you know about it? We can't just run up to her with spears and start jabbing them at her. I told you this before killing is an art, and it takes a special kind of artist to finish the job.” Alexander said. Gabriel was just about to speak but Jack cut him off.
“I like making plots of death! I like to twist up my mind like one of those toy cars. Cranking the hears until it snaps then I let it fly into a wall.” Jack said in a voice not his own. Gabriel rubbed his head trying to think of what he was going to say.
“Fine Alexander we do it your way. Just know that I would not have killed her. I just don't have the time to sit here and argue with madness.” Gabriel said as he sat up and handed Alexander the knife.
“Whatever you need to tell yourself Gabriel.” Alexander said smiling as he took the knife. Alexander looked at the blade and studied his reflection in the knife.
“I have been watching her for awhile now. Her every move, just searching for her weakness. It wasn't clear to me until now when she dropped you. I thought maybe when she brought us food but she never gets close enough.” Alexander said still watching his reflection in the knife.
“Just before she set you down here deadly talons were occupied. She brought you right in front of us and her neck almost shined at me. Her neck is like any woman’s, fragile and innocent.” Alexander said. Jack jumped up to his feet with an angry look on his face.
“I will eat the spirit of innocence so that you will finally see that we are all abused!” Jack said in a strange and angry voice.
“Jack calm down now I think you are....Confused?” Alexander said looking away from the knife. His almost permanent smile faded and he now had a serious look. The knife was no longer loose in his hand but being held tightly.
“Arghhh I can't take it anymore!” Jack shouted in his own voice as he turned and started to walk away.
“There was a door in my mind. I touched the knob and could hear a beast growling. That is when I realized the door was society and the beast is me.” Jack mumbled over and over as he walked away.
“A man of many issues, I am still waiting for him to just snap.” Alexander said.
“I am not sure who the bigger problem is. Death, you, or jack and his many voices...” Gabriel said.
“Lets just handle one problem at a time. Jack is unstably predictable, I know that some words trigger his mind. Such as the word innocent, I knew he would get upset. Now we just sit back and wait.” Alexander said. Gabriel could see that Jack was running and yelling the same line over and over. Jack jumped over the fence and started to run through the woods. After a few moments Gabriel could no longer see Jack and he faded into the trees.
Jack's voice still echoed around them though. It was as though there were many voices shouting it now and not just Jack. Giant black wings spread out over
the sky above Jack and she circled the tree's just waiting.
“Are you sure you want to do this now?” Gabriel said as he watched her fly.
“I have been waiting for this kill my whole life. Maybe all the others were just preparing me for her?” Alexander said clinching the knife still. Gabriel watched death fly maybe for her last time in silence. As she flew Gabriel thought of all the people who prayed that she would take them. What would happen once she was gone he wondered. Then again it seemed like now she had no place and was just lost.
“She will be back any moment now, so be ready.” Alexander said.
“Ready to do what, you have the knife!” Gabriel said as death swooped down and grabbed a hold of Jack. She rose back into the sky with Jack in her grasp. He was struggling against her but it didn't matter he was stuck in her grasp and there was no way out. After a few moments she was slowly flying back down to earth to drop Jack off with them.
“Be ready to accept that you are a killer.” Alexander said looking up at death. She gracefully flew down to release Jack who was still fighting for his life.
“Let go of me!” Jack shouted as he swung his one free arm hitting her in the talon.
“Now!” Alexander said as he lunged at her throat with the knife. Gabriel just watched, as his hopes of getting away faded. Alexander grabbed her by the waste but he was not high enough up to cut her throat.
“Gabriel!” Alexander shouted. No Gabriel thought, I am not a killer. She let go of Jack but just as she did he grabbed onto her legs and dragged her down to earth with Alexander. As she fell to the ground Alexander quickly and cleanly made a single cut across her throat. The wings of death fell silent on the field. The cold eye's closed and she went without much of a fight.
The three men stood next too her and just stared at her as deaths blood soaked the ground. Alexander had a huge smile on his face while jack had tears running down his. Gabriel was still in shock from everything that had happened. Her wings were outstretched on the ground and she looked like just another of Alexanders innocent victims. Or maybe she was just another of Apollyon's victims since it seemed to be his blood flowing through Alexander.
“Should we bury her?” Gabriel said.
“With what?” Alexander asked.
“Well I don't know.....This just seems wrong to leave her here.” Gabriel said.
“Why don't you two start heading out, I will take care of her.” Alexander said with a possessed look.
“Not a chance, we leave here together.” Gabriel said knowing all too well what Alexander wanted to do with her corpse.
“Any last words?” Gabriel said.
“If I wanted to hide from the devil then hell would be the best place since he is here on earth. If I wanted to hide from god then I would stay here on earth because he still hasn't found me.” Jack said in his own voice.
“Alexander?” Gabriel said.
“No need for words in this moment.” Alexander said.
“I don't really know what to say, I hope she finally finds peace.” Gabriel said turning away from her.
“Let's get moving its already getting dark and the sky seems to be at war again.” Gabriel said walking towards the woods. Above them the sky was filled with color, all the colors of the rainbow and a brilliant sunset. Comets flew over, and storm clouds crashed into each other at high speed. As they crashed light and colors shot out in all directions. Almost as though rainbows were exploding.
Alexander stood still with the bloody knife still in his hand. He was almost mesmerized by the corpse of death. Gabriel and Jack were already almost to the woods but Gabriel had a feeling that Alexander might not be following them out. Turning around Gabriel could see Alexander kneeling over the corpse of death.
“LETS GO!” Gabriel yelled in a forceful voice.
“I can't leave here, you said it yourself she is my kill. You didn't help me take her so she is mine.” Alexander said as Gabriel struggled to hear him from the distance. Alexander started to plunge the knife into one of her outstretched wings. Slowly he began cutting it back and fourth, his eye's were almost still in deep concentration.
“Stop!” Gabriel shouted as he ran back towards Alexander. Alexander quickly turned around with the bloody knife. Some of the black feathers were stuck to it from the bloody mess he was creating.
“I will leave with her before you take me away from her!” Alexander shouted as his smile faded.
“I won't let you do this Alexander, she doesn't deserve to be mutilated by a monster!” Gabriel said as he stopped just feet from Alexander.
“I just want her wings!” Alexander said as he turned and started cutting again. Gabriel waited for a moment not wanting to touch Alexander. He didn't know what was worse, letting him cut the wings of death or seeing into his twisted past. Over the horizon flew what seemed like hundreds of demons on flying beasts. They were still far enough away for Gabriel to try and escape but he would have to leave Alexander.
Crouching down Gabriel started quickly moving through the grass and back towards Jack who was now in the trees. Fear rushed over him knowing that Apollyon's legion was passing over, and most likely searching for him. Even Jack could see them flying in the sky and was motioning Gabriel to hurry. Slipping into the tree's next to Jack, Gabriel pulled Jack down under a fallen log.
“Shhh.” Gabriel said holding Jack down tightly. He knew he could not run, and hiding was going to be their only option.
Gabriel could see through a hole in the tree most likely made by a wood pecker. Straining his eye he tried to see what was going on in the sky above Alexander. The demons were circling around above him but he didn't even notice as he sliced away at deaths wings. They circled for a few moments and then one of them landed just in front of Alexander. Then another smaller looking demon landed just behind the other.
“Shouldn't we take him?” The smaller demon asked.
“He is already ours.” The one in front said.
“Go I will speak with this.....Artist.” The demon in the front said as the others started to fly off just above Gabriel and Jack.
“You there!” The demon said breaking Alexander from his concentration. It wasn't as though he didn't know they were there. It seemed like he was almost acting or trying to fool the demons. All the while he was acting on his pleasures of mutilating corpses.
“Huh?” Alexander said looking up as he wiped his face with blood and feathers.
“Have you seen anyone else around in these woods?” The demon asked.
“Ohhhhh yes they are all around us!” Alexander said trying to twist his voice.
“Who!” The demon shouted.
“People don't you see them all!” Alexander said pointing around him.
“There is no one here, you must have gone crazy!” The demon said pulling on the reins of the flying creature.
“I didn't GO crazy, I was born this way!” Alexander said as he started cutting back into death. The demon shook his head as he flew off into the sky.
Gabriel helplessly watched as Alexander cut off the wings of death. Alexander looked at the incisions he made and studied the bones in the wings. Almost like a scientist would do to study a creature. Demons were still flying around in the distance so Gabriel and Jack just laid there waiting. After cutting away the wings Alexander began cutting at the abdominal section of death.
Just as blood started to pool around her belly Alexander dipped his head down and tasted her blood. As he did Gabriel turned away and looked to the sky. Hoping that maybe the demons were gone so he could save whatever was left of death. It was too no avail though, the hours passed and the demons searched. While Alexander continued to dissect another of his victims. Finally he was done and just stood above here looking down at his creation.
Her insides were all out laying next to her, while the wings he tried to put back on. He had made large holes in her back and stuffed the wings in them. Alexander looked almost disappointed in what he had done. Not morally but like a painter
who smudged his painting. He walked down to the creek and washed the feathers and blood off of his face.
As he was washing the demon's started to gather up in a large group again. Before they were all separate and searching but now they gathered above death. Some of them laughed as they looked down on her. Others had big smiles and hovered in to get a closer look. Then as their leader motioned forward they quickly flew off over one of the ridges.
“Alright Jack lets get out of here.” Gabriel whispered as he slowly got up.
“Looking back on my past is like taking the hand of a killer and walking through the forest at night. The only evidence of my death are these memories.” Jack said in a new voice as he got up from under the log.
“Shhhh, lets try to move quietly, so we don't have to walk with the killer through the forest tonight.” Gabriel whispered as they tried to navigate through the forest that was going dark. They walked until it was too dark to see any longer and then Gabriel crawled under a large pine tree and motioned for Jack.
“Here lets sleep while we have some darkness. Who knows when daylight will come, could be any moment with how quickly things change.” Gabriel said as he laid down under the large tree's canopy/
“I don't just need sleep, but I need food and water...” Jack said with parched lips.
“For now lets just sleep, can't find food or water tonight.” Gabriel said as Jack laid down next to him under the tree.
“I wish I could dream as I once did. Corruption fills my sleep and society has stolen my dreams.” Jack said in a strange and tired voice.
“I wish I could sleep as I used too. Now it seems I only sleep when I am completely exhausted. Then its only for a few hours if that.” Gabriel said as he rolled over on his side. Gabriel tossed and turned for a few moments as flashes of light shined through the pine tree.
“So were you ever like an author of a book or did you just write those sayings that you always spew?” Gabriel asked. There was a brief moment of silence and then Jack spoke.
“I will never consider myself to be an author. The word "Author" sounds kind of conceded since we are the author of nothing. Most of us are just plagiarists and our thoughts are influenced by society. I would say at best I could have a shot at an unmarked grave in the dead poets society. Then again that is even a little conceded of me.” Jack said in his own voice.
“Heh, I guess thats true..I was just trying to make small talk to pass the time. Can't really get to sleep with everything going on in the sky above us.” Gabriel said rolling over again.
“I don't want to be an author. I want to conjure my words into soldiers that attack these pages and cause enough madness that I ignite a war of emotion.” Jack said in a different voice.
“It's hard to hold a normal conversation with you. Its almost like talking to a crowd of people. So uh why did you decide to start writing” Gabriel said although he already knew the answer since he seen Jack writing as a child to escape reality.
“I had finally surrendered to myself. Ending this life long war, I accepted my repressed madness. Then I harnessed it into the art of words.” Jack said in his own voice as he too rolled over.
“Well Jack, although the things you say are insane and mostly depressing, I still think its unfortunate that no one got to read your work. I think anyone who dedicates their life to something creative deserve to have some recognition.” Gabriel said.
“I never wanted to be seen. Talent is not enough for fame. Now you must be a social prostitute on the corner of marketing avenue and publicity stunt lane. Then again what good is fame amongst clowns? I would rather stay awake, before I accept society’s narcissistic dream as my own.” Jack said in his own voice.
“It's just too bad, oh well though like you said who needs fame. I am sure the money of being a famous author would have helped you though. Then again most famous authors I know of have the same problems you did. Poverty, drugs, abuse, alcohol and many mental issues waiting to come out in their work.” Gabriel said.
“I know every gift comes with a price, I only wish I could return mine.” Jack said in his own voice. He paused for a moment then started speaking in a different voice.
“I am glad they didn't see me. I just hope the footprints I leave behind are smaller than my feet..”
“Heh, yeah I just left behind mostly a mess. I guess I am not dead yet though....Neither are you really since here you are.” Gabriel said.
“What do you want to leave behind?” Jack asked in his own voice.
“Hmm I never really thought about it...Nothing at all I guess. What do you want to leave behind besides small footprints?” Gabriel said laughing.
“I know we can't take anything with us when we go. But I want too make sure it was love that I left behind.” Jack said in a different voice.
“You are very confusing to talk to, was that your thoughts or someone else?” Gabriel said raising his eyebrows in confusion.
“Wait why do you know so much about me!” Jack asked in his own agitated voice.
“I don't...” Gabriel said still confused.
“You said many writers are like me. How do you know what I am like?!” Jack shouted still angry.
“I am sorry Jack calm down I was just assuming I guess.” Gabriel said trying to keep his secrets of seeing into Jack's past hidden. Jack rolled over away from Gabriel and closed his eye's.
“Have you ever loved someone?” Jack asked once he had calmed down.
“Yes I have and I lost them all. One was recent although I still have yet to figure out if I loved her. I guess it doesn't really matter now. But yes I have loved, and lost.” Gabriel said.
“If I could say something to the one I loved I would say this. If I wanted to abuse my mind, I would look back and remember you.” Jack said first in his voice and then in another.
“Yes, some loved ones are not worth remembering. If they are then maybe only for a lesson. Or just to remember how much love can hurt.” Gabriel said.
“In a secluded room inside of my mind rests an abused Ouija board. I often go there when I want to speak to the ghost of your memory.” A voice from within Jack said. Jack paused for a moment then his voice changed again.
“So in lust for those padded walls. Wearing that straight jacket as though a wedding ring. Tell death do we part the asylum of love.” Jack said in another voice
“Sounds like a man with a broken heart.” Gabriel said not sure of who he was really speaking to.
“Hearts are a keyhole, if the lock becomes broken, then no key will fit.” Another of Jack's voices said. Gabriel sat up since he was struggling to get any sleep.
“Well I don't think that is true....Sometimes the heart just needs time.” Gabriel said.
“You said it was only bad timing. Though my time line is short, and I have more time to leave than to stay.” Jack said in another voice.
“Well, Jack? Lets get moving I don't think we can sleep right now.” Gabriel said getting out from under the tree. Jack shortly followed him and Gabriel began walking through the forest once more. It was still too dark to navigate but it didn't matter. Gabriel figured they would be safer moving in the cover of night than during the day. Although he didn't want to tell Jack that.
“Where are we going?” Jack asked in his own voice.
“I thought I seen a town this way.” Gabriel said trying to convince Jack that he knew where he was going.
“How do you know........” Jack said but then he was interrupted by another one of his voices.
“So I stepped into the shadows, telling myself not to be afraid. Yet I knew I would either find something worth living for or I would stay dead.” The voice from Jack said.
“I don't know for sure Jack but we will just keep looking.” Gabriel said though he could hardly see ahead of him. After walking for awhile they stopped just before a clearing. Gabriel looked around the field and into the sky looking for any signs of the demons searching for him. As he was looking a shooting star blazed through
the sky just above them and radiated light through the sky. It was as though glowing dust fell off of it as it shot through the sky.
“I wished on shooting stars and when I turned from the night she shined her brilliance down on me. But her light died with my wishes. So here I am haunted by the sky and alone in the endless night.” Jack said as the light from the star shined down on his face.
“We should probably go around.” Gabriel said.
“Why what are we trying to hide from?” Jack said smiling.
“I don't know I just know that there is a war going on. I would prefer not to be a casualty of this war so I am being extra cautious.” Gabriel said.
“I am not afraid of death...” Jack said as he walked out into the field.
“It's not death that I am afraid of...” Gabriel said as he walked behind Jack through the field.
“There is something worse than death though, an after life. If there's an afterlife then this conflict inside of me won't be silenced even in death. Now that's a hell I cannot take.” Jack said in his own voice.
“I think we are in the afterlife Jack, but then again people are still dying. Guess the only way I can explain this is the life after the afterlife? Who knows where we go from here.” Gabriel said looking up at the comets, fireballs, and chaos in the sky. Over one of the ridges the sun was already starting to rise.
“Lets get back in the tree's and look for a place to sleep. I thought I could keep on going but I don't think I can.” Gabriel said watching the sun that was quickly rising.
“Yes, I am tired as well. Hungry and thirsty too..” Jack said as they walked into the forest again. Gabriel found another large pine tree and crawled up under it. Without a word Gabriel laid down and closed his eye's. He was not even sure if Jack had followed him but before he knew it he was asleep underneath the tree.