This is the second part of the series Apollyon's Saint.
Chapter One
Gabriel was still laying in the train station not wanting to get on his feet again. His life was either a lie, or the king of lie's was playing the same old hand as he had for centuries. No matter what the case was he had all of eternity to figure it out. He thought of where he would find answers but no matter what the answer was it would either be a lie, or faith in the devil.
He knew little of religion and even if he did there was no seance that would allow him to die. His parents kept Gabriel sheltered from religion even though his grandfather was once the priest at the towns church. Maybe that was where he would find his answers. The church that he was almost forbidden to set foot in.
Gabriel got back on his feet and looked down at the busted shotgun. He once found comfort in this world holding it in his arms. It could protect him from the madness or end it. But now it was as worthless broken as it was in working condition. He would not stop the forces of hell with a gun. The only weapon he had was the curse given to him and possibly enough hatred and madness to use it in his advantage.
Glancing back up at the grain elevator that he had just plummeted from, he thought about testing the jump one last time. “Fuck it” Gabriel yelled. He turned and walked back to his truck. He thought for a moment before he placed the key in the ignition. Visions of explosions, fiery infernos, the bottom of the ocean, and other planets filled his mind. All physics that restrained a mortal man were nothing to him. But he did not want power, he now wanted to destroy heaven, earth, and hell. If Gabriel could not destroy his reality, then he would find a way to destroy all reality
The truth was ever present, though immortal he was still a suicidal induced redneck who had no control of anything not even his fate. Gabriel put the key in the ignition and started the truck. It firing and clunking to life was the signaling of his next crusade, even if he had no idea what to do or where to go. He turned on the radio and sobbed as some teenage country singer summed up his entire existence in one catchy song.
As he drove through town it was apart the parade was over as kids hyped up on sugar ran the streets. One boy ran out in the street to grab a ball and stopped in his tracks when he saw Gabriel driving down the road. The boy covered in blood just gazed up at Gabriel who was trying his best to hide his pain. Gabriel stopped the truck and jumped out to grab the ball.
“Hey stupid asshole dont take my ball!” The kid shouted at Gabriel. Gabriel was just going to get it for him. “See this ball kid, let it be a lesson to you about manners” Gabriel said as he threw the ball in the cab of the truck and got back in. “Fuck you dick-weed, I'm calling the cops!” The kid shouted. Gabriel forced himself to drive off instead of giving the kid a new lesson in manners. The kid was most likely a product of a dysfunctional home no different from Gabriels. That boy was beyond help and was doomed to be a foul mouthed asshole for the rest of his life.
Sigmund Freud hit the nail on the head when saying people were stuck in one phase of life. Unfortunately most people like that boy were stuck in the two year old stage and would be short tempered dip shits sucking on a bottle their whole life. Just a bunch of uncontrolled balls of emotion scared to show affection because its what they lack most.
Still driving around Gabriel was not downtown and could see the church coming into view. Just as he was a few blocks away his chariot of doom started sputtering and shooting out clouds of black smoke. Gabriel pulled off to the side of the rode just as it died. “Just great” Gabriel thought to himself. He smashed his hand on the dash and got out. He looked around and the closest thing he could see was the church.
He started walking to the church figuring maybe someone could call for a tow truck. In the parking lot was only a couple of cars so there was no service going on at the time. The double doors leading inside of the church were cracked open. As Gabriel got about 20 yards from the door he could feel heat waves coming from inside.
The closer he got to the church the stronger the waves, until it was like he was walking behind a jet engine. The waves of heat were now bright flames and just as Gabriel turned his head from the glare the doors slammed shut. As the doors shut Gabriel fell forward a few steps since he was no longer fighting the heat waves.
He had to figure out why something was trying to keep him away. Grabbing one of the door handles he felt the familiar jolt of electricity. He stopped for a moment before opening the door “Fuck here we go again” He said as he pushed it open.
Inside there was a service going with a man in his thirty's preaching. There was one open seat in the back row so Gabriel sat down. Just as he did everyone stood and began to sing. Next to him was a boy who looked half asleep. The boy unsure of the words looked at his bible and said the words trying not to make a mistake. He struggled and grimaced as he said the wrong word or hit the wrong tone.
Gabriel intently watched the boy as the songs of god were conditioned into his brain. It was becoming clear that they were in a different time period. Possibly the 1950's or 60's but it was hard to tell. One thing stuck out to Gabriel and that was some of the people had no blood on them. Not even a drop, while others were either covered or had small amounts. For the first time Gabriel saw people free of sin and it came as a relief.
The song had ended and everyone sat back down. Scanning the room Gabriel saw Daniel Ratcliff with one of the woman he killed sitting next to him. He was much older then and had gray bloody hair. It was a sickening sight to see that demon there in a place of god with his prey. If only the women knew instead of salvation she would be locked in eternal hell with that devil. The frustrating part to Gabriel about seeing the past is there was nothing he could do but observe in horror.
The service had ended and Gabriel was unable to even hear any of what was preached. He was paying more attention to everyone else rather than the word of god. In one isle people walked to shake the hand of the priest and in the other people walked out of the church in a organized fashion to insure everyone shook the hand of the preacher.
Church was now almost empty but Daniel Ratcliff, a young man in clerical robes and two other men all of which had more blood on them than most. The preacher was looking on at them, he was clean of any sin and looked more like a prophet of god than a typical priest. The preacher resembled Gabriel and he knew who he was.
It was Gabriel's grandfather who he knew almost nothing about. “Did you enjoy today's teachings?” Gabriel's grandfather said. “It was rather...Well watered down I guess you could say. But that is not what we are here to talk about David.” Daniel Ratcliff said. “Well then gentlemen what can I do for you on this divine day?” Gabriel's grandfather David asked.
“We need to talk in private, lets go down to your office.” The young man in clerical robes said. “Well Edmond as you know the house of god is not private, everything we share is with our heavenly father” David said as he turned and began walking behind the alter. The other men got up and followed behind like a pack of wolves.
Gabriel followed behind them as they walked down a dark corridor to a stairway leading to the basement. “You know friends, I have felt the hand of god many times in my days and today as I walk these hollow steps into the unknown I feel his love and fear no evil” David said with a voice of certainty.
The men behind said nothing and kept an eerie silence as they followed down the stairs. Once down there was an old wooden door with a large cast iron cross. David stopped for a moment and ran his hand on the cross and bowed his head to it. There was a moment of silence and then
they entered David's office.
“Please, sit down gentlemen” David said as he made sure they all had a chair and even gave up his so the last man had one. David closed the door and stood in front of them. “I now know how Jesus must have felt standing trial amongst the roman's. You must know like him I will not waiver in my faith or my message” David said.
“You know why we are here David, and you are a good man but you must step down and let me lead this town” The young man in clerical robes said. “Jesse, I showed you my love and god's message. I do hope that one day you will blossom and spread the word of god free from the power from mortal men. But today is not that day and I have so much more I can teach you, if you will just let me.” David said. “The boy is ready and regardless of what your snakelike tongue tells him, he will be preaching to the congregation next week and YOU WILL RESIGN TODAY!” Daniel said.
Gabriel looked at Jesse, he seemed scared and unsure of what he wanted. “Please I beg you David just listen to Daniel and lets do this quietly. You can move and find a new congregation or take time to regain touch with our holy father” Jesse pleaded. “I wounder what Jesus would have said if they told him to move from his