Demon and Angel Co-Parent

There was never a boy who lived in a situation like Jeremiah. Every kid since the dawn of time had been taken care of by another human at some point in their lives. Most were blessed enough to have at least one loving person in their life. Jeremiah was fortunate enough to have two guardians who loved him very much. What made his situation unique was they weren't humans at all. 

Natural enemies, angels and demons fight over the souls of the humans on earth, but none so much over one particular soul. Jeremiah. What was so special about him, few could say. To Anavon and Destern, he was their world. 

Their first mission was to protect him. What each other's master's had in store for the little boy was a mystery, but both were tasked with his survival regardless. Anavon took the mission seriously, but no one told her to protect his parents too. When the boy was a year old, a drunk driver struck the car. Destern had known about this event and was specifically told to take possession of the drunk man so Jeremiah's parents could live a long life and slowly corrupt the boy.

The problem was Destern got distracted by a housewife across the street who was flirting with the neighbor's pool boy. He gave that woman the extra push she needed to ruin her marriage, but forgot the more important task. Satan did not take too kindly to his failure, despite gaining two souls and a strong foothold in two more. To make amends, Destern was tasked with raising the boy. No better bad influence than the one who raises you for eighteen years. 

God was unsurprised by this and thus why he told Anavon to only protect the boy. Her task was to raise the boy alongside Destern. Continue to protect the boy and teach him right from wrong. It was a job she took with glee, growing fond of her little "child."

In the beginning, it was easy for Anavon to care for the boy. Destern rarely stopped by for more than an hour a day, far too busy cultivating a neighborhood he wanted to live in. He never saw the point in trying to influence a child who can't even speak, nor did he want to get attached to him. Over time though, that changed. Destern started to enjoy seeing the smiling little boy, even if that meant spending time in an angel's presence. It made him squirm at first, feeling all kinds of love and kindness radiating from her. After a while though, he became accustomed to it.

As the years went on and the boy could start speaking, Anavon's trials began. Destern would try to teach him naughty words and act in unbecoming ways. Anavon had to be sneaky and convince the demon that if Jeremiah acted like him from an early age, he could never live up to his potential. Jeremiah was the key to many souls, not just his own. Destern knew that and conceded, taking a more measured approach to deviance.

Soon enough, the boy had started going to school. Most parents would be relieved to not have to deal with their kid for a few hours, but work didn't stop for these two. Although not in physical form, they still hung around his school everyday. The problem became Jeremiah could see them, regardless of form they were in. It became a distraction that they both agreed had to stop. Instead, they did normal parent things, like shop for clothes, get food, take care of the house, and talk with the neighbors. For the most part, they stayed out of Jeremiah's life at school.

Both the angel and demon were satisfied with their jobs so far, each believing they were on the right track until something happened that angered both of them. Jeremiah came home one day crying with bruises all over his arms. He admitted to them he was being bullied at school by a bunch of older kids. Anavon held him on the couch, wrapping her wings around him for an extra layer of comfort. Destern, on the other hand, was pacing on the carpet, mumbling a furry of curses.

"It's okay, Jeremiah. I'm here for you," Anavon said in a soothing voice.

"My arms hurt."

Destern's rage flared at Jeremiah's omission of pain. He marched over to the two, determined to know more about his "son's" predicament. "Let me see your arms."

Jeremiah sheepishly revealed his arms out from Anavon's winged protection. His forearm bruises might as well have been sleeve tattoos, deep in color and all consuming. Destern roared and turned away, unable to look at him. 

"Tell me who did this," Destern said.

"Destern, No," Anavon said. She glared at him, but he was far too preoccupied with getting his coat in the closet. 

"Did you not see what they did to our boy? I will have their souls!"

Anavon turned Jeremiah to face her. "You don't have to tell us. All that matters is you are home. You go run upstairs and soak those arms in the tub. I'll be up soon."

Jeremiah nodded and jumped out of her embrace and scurried off to the bathroom upstairs. Destern was going to follow him, but Anavon outstretched her wing to block his path. 

"Get those feathers out of my face." Destern swatted at her.

"We need to talk."

"The only talking I need to do is with my son. There will be vengeance."

"Not by you. Not like this."

Destern crossed his arms. "How then?"

Anavon retracted her wing and motioned him to join her on the couch. He sat down reluctantly, but he knew he would get an answer if he complied. She was always good at awarding any concession he gave. 

"Why are you so mad about this? You're the one who wants to see our boy burn in hell."

"How are you not angry? Did you not see his arms? He could've been killed!"

"I never said I wasn't angry…" Anavon sighed, trying to stave off the urge to raise her voice. "...but I don't want our boy to see that the only response to violence is more violence,"

"Oh, so we are just supposed to turn the other cheek on this one? That's not how that works where I come from!"

"I know it isn't. But Jeremiah can do more good if he isn't in a jail cell by eighteen."

Destern hated hearing the word "good," but she was right. Jeremiah was far too valuable to be locked away in a jail cell. The boy brought far more joy in his life than he cared to admit. Dare he even say love. It was dangerous for him to feel and think in such ways, less his master found out. Destern had to squash this feeling and stood up from the couch.

"Fine, you win this one. I'm going to take all this pent up energy out on Steven instead."

"Why Steven? What did he do to you?"

Destern shrugged. "Nothing. That's why I hate that guy so much. He does absolutely nothing but sleep all day."

"He's in a coma," Anavon said, rolling her eyes.

"Not tonight he isn't. Tonight, he is Chad Bundy, Master of Pussy! I'm going to see how many venereal diseases I can get him in a night."

"You are so gross, you know that." Anavon got up from the couch and walked toward the stairs to check on Jeremiah.

"What? I could have been talking about cats. They have diseases too."

Anavon dismissively waved to him without turning around. Destern bit his lip, watching her naturally seductive hips and carefree wave. Something about her being unattainable made it wrong in the most right way for him. He shook his mind from the thought, knowing his lust would be satisfied tonight and maybe his vengeance too. Women of the night work in a dangerous profession, especially when a demon is on the prowl with no one to take out his rage on.

Destern went back into the closet and pulled out a raincoat. "Steven might be needing this."

His deeds would for sure be on the morning news the next day, but a small victory for hell was a far cry from victory in the ongoing war. Jeremiah was still alive, being cared for by his guardian angel. He was destined to guide more souls to salvation than would ever be lost by Destern's vile ways. All Anavon had to do was stay loyal to her master. The war would end one day and when it did, she wanted her family to be on the winning side. On the side of righteousness and good.

***

Got To Get To Work

Donavan hung up the corded phone on the wall. "Do you mind if I make another call?"

The guard pushed off the wall he was leaning against. "No more calls. Back to your cell."

Donavan sighed. "I thought so."

Once the guard put his hands on Donavan, it was all over. In a flash, Donavan grabbed the phone and wrapped the cord around the guard's neck. He started clicking away at the buttons, while struggling with the guard. The phone rang, giving Donavan some time to restrain his new friend. He kicked out the guard's feet and pinned him against the wall. 

"Hello, who is this?" a voice asked from the phone.

Donavan pushed the phone to his ear. "Karen, please don't hang up!"

"You have some nerve calling me."

"I know. I know. But listen. I need a pickup."

"You have one. Use your own." 

"No. Like I need you to pick me up."

"Why should I do that?" Karen scoffed.

The guard beat his hands against the wall, making a slapping sound. Donavan could hear keys jingling outside the door.

"I will owe you one."

The line was quiet for a moment. Donavan was unsure if she was thinking or put him on hold. He was more focused on the men pounding on the door. 

"Well?" Donavan asked, unable to conceal his impatience.

"Fine. I need to get my coat and let Mr. Kellogg know where I'm going–"

"No time. Come quickly," Donavan said as the door opened with two guards funneling in. 

"Where are you this time?"

"Jail. The close one." Donavan said and hung up.

The guard wrapped in the phone cord was on the brink of unconsciousness. Two guards came at them with batons at the ready. Donavan dodged one of the swings while taking the other in the shoulder. Lightning shot through his whole arm, but he had no time to dwell on it. With his good hand, he slapped the phone off the hook and into the guard that hit him. That distraction gave Donavan enough time to kick the other guard still standing and make a break for the closing door. Hopping through the narrow opening, he left the guards in his wake. 

His next obstacle was the grey, unloving walls that flanked him as he ran down the hall. He kept his head on a swivel, trying to find a viable way out. At the end of the hall stood an older female officer with her taser drawn. Her uniform fit well, proving not all officers ate donuts all day. There was no running from this one.

"Donavan. Don't make this any harder on me," the officer shouted.

"I have to go to work. My boss will fire me if I'm not there."

The officer closed the distance. Her boots moved across the cement floor with a purpose, spewing authority for all to hear.

"Hands up! If you cooperate I might be able to smooth things over with the warden," the officer said, grabbing her handcuffs. 

"What about my boss?"

"Nothing I can do about that, kiddo."

Donavan looked above his head and saw an exposed ceiling with a wide pipe that lead somewhere. He had heard there was construction being done on the jail, but never figured he would get to see it. Looking back at the officer, he knew what he had to do.

"Don't you do it!" the officer ordered. 

Her order fell on deft ears. Donavan sprung off the walls and up onto the pipe. The officer aimed her taser, but Donavan was quick to hide his body behind the pipe. Not wasting time, Donavan crawled along the pipe into the darkness of the ceiling. He could not see, so he trusted the pipe to guide his way. The pipe led him up to the second floor, which at this point was the roof of the building. Scaffolding and various building supplies surrounded him on the top of the roof. He disembarked the pipe and ran to the edge of the roof. Below him was a faded red pickup truck pulling into the parking lot stall closest to him.

Donavan took a few steps back before running toward the edge. He leaped off the roof and bounced off the top of the hood. Donavan felt a crack in his back followed by a sudden shriek that dwarfed the sound of metal being pushed in by his weight. He crawled to his feet and entered the passenger's side of the vehicle, much to the shock of the woman in the truck.

"Donavan, what the hell was that!" Karen said.

"Drive please."

"You said you needed to be picked up. Not a getaway driver."

Donavan buckled his seatbelt. "Please, let's go."

The alarms outside sounded and Karen peeled out of there. They traveled down a few winding streets until they arrived at their destination, Hardford General. The four story building was an eyesore. Concrete walls painted to look like natural wood. After years of weathering, it looked more like smeared diarrhea.

Karen threw the vehicle into park, causing both of them to lurch forward. "Are you going to tell me why you got arrested?"

"Nope," he said, pulling on the handle.

Donavan pushed against the door, but it would not budge. He pulled the silver rod to unlock the door, but it went back down again with a clunk. Donavan looked over to see Karen holding down the lock button.

"I'm not letting you leave until you tell me," Karen said.

"I'm not good at following 'lawful' orders. Is that enough for you?" Donavan said, rolling down the window.

"No, it's not. You need to tell me what happened."

Donavan didn't wait to hear her reply, crawling out the window of her truck. He slapped the ground with his hands and feet before taking off like a sprinter into the building. Karen shook her head.

"This better be a good favor," Karen said.

Donavan kicked in the door to the third floor conference room where Mr. Kellogg was moments from smashing his laptop into the conference room table. The charging cable was still plugged in, running above his head, where he froze in place. 

"Donavan? Thank God you're here! Where have you been?" Mr. Kellogg asked, lowering his laptop.

"I was–”

"Doesn't matter. Maybe I can still salvage this. How do I login to this conference call?" Mr. Kellogg said, opening his laptop. 

Donavan walked around the table and instructed him how to login. It was as simple as clicking the link, entering his name, and clicking connect. Mr. Kellogg gave a toothy smile at his screen, hearing people on the other end.

"Do you have the presentation?" Mr. Kellogg asked, covering his webcam.

"It is in your email."

"Pull it up for me," Mr. Kellogg said, pushing the laptop toward him. 

Donavan clicked through Mr. Kellogg's email until he found it in the deleted folder. He pulled up the presentation and minimized it so Mr. Kellogg could still see the people on the screen. 

"You're good to go." Donavan slid the laptop back to him. 

"Good job, Donavan. We might just save this company yet."

"What did you say Mr. Kellogg?" a voice said from the laptop.

"Nothing, Mr. Terrance. I was just speaking to my best employee, Donavan Santelli. He worked so hard on this proposal. I think you will like it,” Mr. Kellogg said, giving Donavan a thumbs up. 

Donavan breathed an air of relief that his boss's anger was gone. It was also the first time his boss gave him a compliment. After all these years working for him, his luck was starting to turn around. That was until the door opened again. Standing in the doorway was Karen and the female officer. 

"One moment,” Mr. Kellogg said, putting his hand over the webcam again. "Can I help you, officer?"

"No. I'm here for Donavan Santelli. Put your hands behind your back. You are under arrest," the officer said. 

"Really? At my place of work?" Donavan said.

"You left me no choice. Hands behind your back," the officer said. 

Donavan obeyed her commands and she slapped the cuffs on him. He looked at his boss who was shaking his head at him. His future at the company went from one of promise to one of poverty.

"What is going on? Is someone being arrested?" the same voice asked from the laptop.

"Oh no. Just people playing a video outside the room." Mr. Kellogg responded. "Karen, can you close the door."

The officer led him out of the room, while Karen closed the door behind them.

"Don't worry, I will talk with Mr. Kellogg," Karen said.

"Thanks Karen. I appreciate it,” Donavan said.

"Keep moving," the officer ordered.

Donavan was led out of the building and to the officer's squad car. She opened the backdoor. "Watch your head."

"Screw you, Malory!" Donavan said. 

The officer slammed his head into the top of the doorframe and pushed his body inside. She leaned over him, close enough to smell the syrup on her breath. 

"You will not disrespect me again. You call me Officer Santelli when I'm on duty. You understand?"

Donavan winced in pain. "Yeah I got it. God Mom!"

"You're lucky I was the one who arrested you."

"Why? So you can have the privilege of putting us both in jail? Maybe we can share the same cell."

"You are not your father!"

"From where I'm sitting, I might as well be,” Donavan said.

"When we get back to the jail, you don't say anything. You have no idea what kind of favors I had to pull to let your last stunt go unnoticed."

"And the charge against me?"

"Defense attorney's love when an officer screws up her paperwork. You'll be fine assuming you don't do anything stupid."

The officer closed the door and walked around to the driver's side door. She held the handle and took a deep breath. "The things I do for my kids."

The Warlord Provider

The sun was high in the sky and white cloud floated above, smiling down upon the land. The land, however, did not smile back. Dust and blood was all that laid on the barren land. My people were almost done loading the bodies into the trucks while I lit another cigar with a magnifying glass. It was one of my many talents, alongside organizing military strikes and earning the trust of my soldiers. I let out a little puff of smoke, reminding me of my daughter’s favorite animal, a dragon.

She was the reason I even bothered to kill people in the first place. Ever since her mother died, it had been difficult to get her to eat anything. She was growing weary and everywhere I went, I failed to find a chef able or willing to feed my daughter. A month ago I thought I was close. She would eat most of the meals Boris would make for her, but he had to go and sleep with my new girlfriend. If a man is that dumb, he could never last in my company.

I walked across the deserted land to a single clay home. No bullet holes pierced the dwelling, nor did anyone try to even run to it during the battle. I entered the dwelling and found a young man no older than seventeen. He wore nothing but brown shorts, but was more nourished than the rest I had slaughtered. The man was hunched over a kettle, breathing in the delicious fumes.

“What are you doing?” I asked the young man.

“I am cooking. Would you consider sparing my life, if I share my meal?”

I walked halfway out of the small dwelling and waved at one of my soldiers. He came at once, bringing my daughter with him. The braids in her hair were almost thicker than her arms, and hardly a shade darker than her skin. Watching her come toward me brought both great happiness and pain. If she did not eat soon I knew I would lose her. The last real thing I had in this world.

“Leave us,” I told my soldier and took my daughter’s bony hand.

Together we went inside and the young man was scooping small golden tubes out of the kettle. They stuck together like the conjugated blood of my enemies, filling the bowl. He put a wood spoon in the bowl and handed it to me.

“Alright sweetie, try this,” I said, crouching down to her.

My daughter took a sniff of the golden food and grabbed the spoon. She ate a spoonful and her face lit up like I hadn’t seen since her mother was around.

“Yum! This is tasty!”

I couldn’t have been more thrilled. A food she finally liked. I had to know the secret.

“Young man, what is this and how do you make it?”

“It’s Mac and Cheese. You just add noodles and melted cheese.”

“Could you repeat this every time if you had those ingredients?”

“From scratch? No. I follow the instructions on the box,” he said, holding up a blue box that said Kraft on it.

“Who is Kraft? Where can I find him?”

“You can find it in town, a few miles north of here. You can even keep my last box. Just follow the instructions and it will taste the same every time,” he said, giving me his last box. His words were music to my ears.

No more professional chefs. I read the words on the box and it was clear to understand. Bring water to boil, add the contents from the box, stir. Even my soldiers could make food for her, it was that simple. All I needed was a kettle and something to heat it with. I looked at the box in my hand like my soldiers looked at gold. For me, this was more than gold. It was the key to my daughter’s future. I smiled at her while she gobbled up the rest of her food. Everything was gone, down to the last noodle. I knew my quest was not over and that my daughter would be hungry again, but I finally had hope in my grasp and I wasn’t going to let it go without a fight.

Santa Claus in April

“Honey, get the bat,” Eve whispered, shaking her husband awake in their bed.

“Huh, what’s going on.” Jake rubbed his eyes.

“There is someone downstairs.”

Jake threw the blanket off and rolled out of bed. He grabbed the Louisville Slugger that was leaning against the window sill and left the room. Jake peeked downstairs to see a red butt sticking out his fireplace, legs trying to push his fat body up. Jake ran down the stairs and wound up. With a golf swing, he smashed the stuck man right in-between the legs.

“Ho. Ho. Oh,” the stuck man groaned and slid out of the fireplace. He held his groin and rolled around in pain. The man was dressed like Santa Claus, except his white beard was black from the soot in the chimney.

“If you don't want to get hit again, I suggest you start talking,” Jake said.

“Jake, please. Don’t hit me again!”

“How do you know my name?”

“I’m Santa Claus. I know everyone.”

“Sure you are. And I’m the Easter Bunny,” Jake said, winding up again.

“No Jake! I gave you a red bike on your tenth birthday. Schwinn with little black tassels on the handlebars.”

Jake lowered his bat a little. “How did you know that?”

“I’m Santa Claus. How many times do I have to say it?”

Jake stood there, with his bat still at the ready.

“What’s going on down there?” Eve called from the bedroom.

“This guy claims to be Santa Claus.”

Fast footsteps came rushing from the room. Eve turned on the lights and looked downstairs. Santa Claus was on the ground still holding his groin.

“Uncle Greg!” Eve said and flew down the stairs.

“Uncle Greg?” Jake said to himself.

Eve jumped on Santa Claus and gave him a big hug. Her blue bunny pajamas clashed with his red suit. Jake lowered his bat and scratched his head.

“Um...Eve. Who is Greg?” Jake asked.

“Oh my gosh. I can’t believe I forgot to tell you. Uncle Greg is Santa Claus,” she said.

“I didn’t know you and Jake were together,” Santa Claus said to Eve.

“If you would come to our family get-togethers you would have known. Don’t you get mail at the North Pole?” Eve said.

“Yes, but it is really only relevant to kids. Names, naughty and nice lists, work stuff. I’m going to have to have a chat with my head elf about my missing mail again.”

“Why are you here now? It’s the middle of April.”

“I was looking to find a place to crash for the next few months.”

“Why? What happened?”

“There was a fire at my place and the elves won’t let me stay in the production facility. I tried to reach out to my wife, but we are not on speaking terms right now.”

Eve crossed her arms. “What happened?”

“It was an honest mistake. I thought I was home. There was snow everywhere when I came flying in.”

“What did you do?”

“The lights were out and the door was unlocked. I walked in and went up the stairs to go to bed. Once I crawled under the covers it went from sleepy time to sexy time. I didn’t know she wasn’t my wife until she said something.”

“You didn’t notice it was a different house?”

“All houses seem the same to me after awhile. And your aunt hasn’t touched me in so long I forgot what she felt like.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“I believe it,” Jake said.

“Don’t you go defending him!” Eve said to Jake.

“Eve, give your uncle a break. He is Santa Claus.”

“More like Pervy Claus.”

“I’m sorry I came. I’ll just be going now,” Santa Claus said, sitting up.

“No, you're not. You are welcome to stay here while your house is being repaired,” Jake said.

Eve’s eyes got so big they almost jumped out of her skull. “Jake–”

“Can you excuse us for a minute?” Jake said to Santa Claus, cutting Eve off and pulling her aside.

“He is not staying here,” Eve whispered furiously.

“He is family.”

“But he cheated on Aunt Margaret.”

“And he is still paying for that mistake. Besides, his story sounds plausible.”

“So you just want me to forgive him? Forget he cheated on my aunt?”

“Yeah. Sure it's not ‘tis the season’, but your uncle is reaching out for help. How would you feel if you needed help and your own family wouldn’t help you out?”

Eve glared at Jake, her arms tense at her side and hands balled into a fist that could crush tin cans. It lasted a few seconds before she let go of her anger.

“Fine. I’ll try. But don’t expect me to forget about what he did.”

Jake kissed her on the forehead. “That’s the wonderful gal I know.”

She smiled, taking comfort in the fact that her husband was nothing like the cheater that was standing in her living room. They both turned back to Santa Claus to give him their verdict.

“Alright you can stay. But you will have to sleep on the couch,” Eve said.

“Thank you! Thank you! I promise to get your kids extra nice gifts.”

“We don’t have any kids,” Jake said.

“Not yet,” Santa Claus said, winking at Eve.

Jake turned to Eve. “What is he talking about?”

“I didn’t want to tell you unless I was sure. And I forgot my uncle here always had a knack for telling when a woman was pregnant.”

“So you're pregnant?” Jake said, smiling ear to ear.

“I guess so.”

Jake and Eve embraced each other. Santa Claus stood there unsure what he was supposed to do. Jake put his head to hers.

“This is so exciting! Having a kid of our own,” Jake said.

“Six,” Santa Claus corrected.

Jake and Eve looked at him. “Six?”

“Yeah. I felt six in there. Ultrasound won’t pick that up at this stage, but I assure you there will be six,” Santa Claus said.

“Your uncle doesn’t happen to be wrong from time to time?” Jake asked Eve.

“I have never seen him wrong before,” Eve said.

“Then we’re gonna to need a bigger house.”

Striker's Promise

The dew of the early morning swept across the field, sparkling from the moonlight. Evan dug his feet into the soft ground, lifting his sword at the ready. His opponent was stoic, unconcerned with Evan’s sword.

“Take this!” Evan yelled, charging his opponent. He swung his sword down on his opponent, tearing it apart. Straw fell to the floor and the pumpkin for a head cracked open upon hitting the dirt below. Evan picked up the pumpkin head halves, trying to put it back together.

“I didn’t even get to practice my stabs yet,” Evan said to the pumpkin.

“Evan! Food!” His father called from a small cottage nearby.

Evan left the defeated pumpkin and jogged back to the cottage. He did not make it two feet inside before his father stopped him.

“Take off your boots. And no swords at the table.”

“Yes, Father.”

Evan took off his boots and leaned his sword against the wall, next to the door. He followed the sound of boiling soup into the kitchen. His father was stirring from a large black cauldron that had a fire ablaze underneath it.

“Smells good. What are you making?”

“An old recipe your mother used to make me. It will keep you strong.”

Evan sat down at the small table. “Good. I will need it if I am going to take down that evil sorceress, Calesso.”

“Son, can you please stop talking like that?” his father asked, bringing over a bowl of soup.

“Why? She has laid waste to the kingdom. Just last week a group of knights were slain by her. Someone needs to teach her a lesson.”

“I don’t want you fighting. Especially not for the king.”

“King Ulitch is the only one trying to stop this foul witch. That bitch needs to be put down like the mangy dog she is.”

“That is enough Evan!” his father said, slamming his own bowl on the table.

Evan stopped and took a sip of soup. “I signed up to be a knight.”

“What?” his father’s face turned to concern.

“King Ulitch himself walked by just as I signed up. He actually shook my hand. Like I was his equal.”

His father shook his head. “Son. Why did you do that?”

“Because it was the right thing to do. Calesso must be stopped and the King believes in me.”

“Calesso isn’t the problem, King Ulitch is.”

“How can you say that?”

“Because I know her.”

The kitchen was silent, except for the bubbling soup.

“So you're a traitor to the kingdom.”

“So are you.”

“If I don’t turn you in I am,” Evan said, pushing away from the table.

“No, you are by blood.”

Evan walked back to the door, grabbing his sword. “The king will forgive me. Might even forgive you if you tell him what he needs to know.”

“Like that you are her son.”

Evan stopped dead in his tracks and turned around. “I’m what?”

“I should have told you this a long time ago. I just didn’t want it to get out by accident.”

“I’m Calesso’s son,” Evan said to himself.

“Please sit.”

Evan put the sword back down and came over to the table again. Each step he grew more and more weak. His stomach turned and his head spun.

“When your mother and I first met, I was a knight for King Titus. I was sent on a mission to procure a potion that would heal him of his illness. There were rumors that a herbalist in the forest had such a cure. I searched for a week before I decided to go back. On my way back I found a little cottage near an open field. It was the only place I had found during my journey and lucky for me it was the place. Calesso was so kind and willing to help after I explained what was happening. She didn’t even charge for the cure,” his father said.

“I guess time changes people.” Evan scoffed.

His father ignored Evan’s cutting comment. “The problem was she didn’t have enough when I arrived. She told me to take the one bottle she had and more would be ready when I returned. This went on for over a month and each time it got harder to leave her. The king eventually got better, yet I continued going back to her. I had fallen for her and she for me.”

“So why did she turn against the kingdom?”

“After one of our more memorable visits, I grabbed the vial she had on the table and left. What I didn’t realize was that it was not the right one. By the time I made it back and gave it to the king, it was too late. Calesso arrived just as he took it and tried to stop the effects, but his death was unstoppable. I was going to admit to my mistake, but Calesso wouldn’t let me and became the villain the new king needed. To protect me.”

“She plagued the kingdom so you wouldn’t get in trouble for King Titus’s death? And you went along with it?”

“I wasn’t going to at first. But when I found out she was pregnant and she had already done what she did, there was no other choice. One of us had to be able to take care of you. Give you a life not on the run.”

Evan put his hands over his eyes. “My mother is a witch.”

“Sorceress.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Never found a good time. I was afraid you would try to stick up for her and risk the wrath of the king.”

“I must see her.”

“Now is not a good time.”

“Why?”

His father scratched the back of his head. “Well...she is pregnant again.”

“You still see her?”

“Nothing can keep me away from her. Not for long anyways.”

“Then how is she killing all those knights if she is pregnant?”

“There is a reason there are no survivors.”

Evan let his father’s words sink in before the realization hit him in the face. “You? The man who refuses to spar with me. Killed six knights by yourself?”

“Your mother was in danger. I had no other choice. And that is exactly why I didn’t want you to join.”

“This is going to be a problem then.”

“Why?”

“I head out at dawn tomorrow. To the Far Reach Forest. They think she is hiding there.”

“She’s not there. But now that you work for the king you must go.”

“Where is she?”

“When you come back, I will make sure you get to see her. Maybe even your new sister too.”

“You promise?”

“Promise.”

***

Evan kneeled on the bright red carpet before the King, his armor still stained with goblin’s blood.

“My King, you hailed for me.”

“Yes, Sir Evan Striker. I heard you had returned from your quest to find Calesso to no avail,” King Ulitch said.

“My King, we searched for weeks and we only found an outpost of goblins. We tried to befriend them to find her whereabouts, but alas they left us no choice.”

King Ulitch waved away his two servants next to his throne. They left from the chambers and King Ulitch approached Evan.

“That is of no consequence. If they weren’t going to turn on Calesso, they were better off dead anyways. Could you point out on a map where you traveled?”

“Yes, My King.”

“You can stand up. And drop the formalities. Call me David.”

He stood up and smiled. “Yes...David.”

“Evan I heard you fought gallantly in the forest. Much like your father used to when he served under my father.”

“I was just trying to best serve you.”

“And humble like him too. You know, when I was growing up, your father and mine were best of friends. They would drink and jest with one another. Never in public, but behind these walls you could never ask for a more loyal friend than him. When I heard that you were going to join my army, all I could think of was how happy my father was having a close friend. Now, I know we don’t know each other, but I hope that we could become friends like that one day.”

“I would be honored as well.”

“Excellent. You must be tired from your travels. Feel free to stay at my castle and get cleaned up. Tomorrow you can speak with the cartographer.”

“Actually David, I was hoping to see my father again. It has been awhile and I do miss him.”

“I completely understand. If my father was around I would want to see him too.”

“Is there anything else you need from me before I go?”

“Yes. There was a question that kept gnawing at me lately. Do you happen to know why your father quit his service from the kingdom?”

“He never said. I never even knew he was a knight, until after I joined.”

“Hmm. When you see him, please ask him. When my father died, he was the only one who left the service. At the time I didn’t think much of it, but as I have gotten older I wish I knew the answer.”

“I’ll ask him.”

“Good. Until we meet again.” King Ulitch dipped his head slightly.

Evan bowed and left his throne room. He thought it was strange that King Ulitch wanted to know more about his father, but he put that thought away. Instead, he dwelled on the promise his father made. To see his mother. His horse carried him away from the castle, past the village and into the forest. He traveled for an hour before he arrived home. The moon was rising in the sky and the fresh smell of stew escaped the cottage. He disembarked his horse and went inside, eager to see his father. Evan entered and looked into the kitchen to see his father manning the cauldron and three bowls set on the table.

“Father.”

His father turned around and let go of the ladle. “Son!”

His father ran to him and hugged him tight. Evan patted him on the back.

“You smell like goblin,” his father said.

“I haven’t had time to clean up.”

“You better. Food will be ready soon.”

“Are we expecting someone?” Evan asked, motioning toward the bowls.

“You get cleaned up. Don’t want your mother seeing you for the first time in goblin blood.”

“Too late,” Calesso said, coming out from the doorway that led into the kitchen.

Calesso’s green and black hair coursed down her fitting black dress. Her face ghostly white and her lips crimson. She walked over to them, her dress making her seem like she floated instead. “You look so much more handsome in person.”

“Mother?”

“Yes dear. It’s me.”

Evan was frozen, his emotions swirling. He thought about what it would be like to see her for the first time during his travels, but his wildest imagination did not prepare him. Calesso wrapped her arms around him and he knew in that moment it was his mother. So full of warmth that it transcended the physical. Her love pierced his heart like only a mother’s love could. He held her for a few moments before letting go.

“So Evan, why do you have goblin’s blood on your armor?” Calesso asked, wiping the blood from her hand back on his shirt.

“That is a long story.”

“Tonight you have my undivided attention. Your father has generously offered to make food and take care of little Erin while we catch up.”

“Erin?”

“I said your little sister might be around by the time you came back. Congrats. You’re a big brother,” his father said.

“Can I see her?” Evan asked.

“Later. Your mother just put her to sleep. Don’t want to wake her,” his father said.

Evan’s father had only finished his sentence before the door was knocked down. Knights with swords drawn came pouring in followed by King Ulitch. Evan’s father moved Calesso and Evan behind him.

“Evan. You know after our conversation I had a thought. Why would your father, Sir Striker, leave the service after his best friend was killed? Not even wanting to seek revenge. The only thing I could think of was guilt. And he had a child, yet I never knew the mother. So a crazy thought came to mind. What if Calesso and Sir Striker were lovers? But now, it doesn’t seem so crazy, does it?

“King Ulitch, your father’s death was a mistake. It was my fault he died. Not Calesso’s. Not my son’s,” Evan’s father said.

“It is far too late for apologies.”

Evan’s father drew Evan’s sword from his scabbard and swung at the nearest knight. “Run! I’ll hold them off!”

Calesso pulled Evan away and into the other room where little Erin was still sleeping peacefully in her bed. Calesso kicked the door closed and sat on the bed next to Erin.

“Take Erin,” Calesso said.

Evan picked Erin up in his arms, her little body so fragile and tired.

“I can’t stay here. I need to help father.”

“He knows what he is doing. We need to get out of here,” Calesso said, moving her hands in a pattern on top of the bed. She ended with a punch and the entire bed glowed like an emerald in the sun. Calesso grabbed Evan by the collar and he fell on the bed, cradling Erin safely in his arms. Calesso tucked Evan's dangling legs onto the bed and chanted something he could not hear. In an instant the door crashed open and the three were gone. Nothing left but a scorched bed sheet to prove they were ever there.

***

Evan’s eyes opened to a blue sky above and a smoldering fire next to him. He sat up to get his bearings. Small destroyed wooden homes were scattered throughout the plain, some still on fire. Arrows were stuck in the ground, splintered wood scattered about. Evan had been here before. This was the goblin’s outpost in the Far Reach Forest. But where were the bodies? Evan looked down at his lap. Erin was gone.

“Erin!”

“Over here darling,” Calesso called from one of the larger, partially torn down cobblestone houses.

Evan went over to her. Inside, a small fire was brewing and Erin was sleeping in Calesso’s arms. A pile of dead goblins were in the corner, hacked to pieces. Evan remembered killing the goblins, maybe slashing a few in half, but the severed limbs in the corner looked excessive.

“How did we get here?” Evan asked.

“Here? I am not entirely sure. I was aiming for a warm place, but sometimes magic has a mind of it’s own.”

Evan felt dizzy, bracing himself against the wall. “Magic?”

“I can see you are not used to traveling like this. Your father never had the stomach for it either.”

“Father. We have to go back. I have to help him,” Evan said before placing both his hands on the wall, focusing on standing upright.

“You are in no condition to go anywhere. Just lay down by the fire. You will feel better.”

Evan crawled down to the ground, curling up next to the fire. His body relaxed and felt less dizzy. He took in the warmth of the fire, looking up at his mother rocking Erin in her arms.

“Mother...do you think father is alright?”

“I know he is.”

“How can you be so sure? He was outnumbered.”

“The king would never risk killing him. He is too valuable.”

“To the king? How?”

“He knows I will come for him.”

“Lure you into a trap.”

“Precisely.”

“Then what do you plan on doing?”

“Right now, my plan is making sure you two are alright.”

Erin woke up from her nap. Her little blue eyes blinked at her mother and yawned.

“Evan, can you hold her? I will make us some food.”

Evan sat up and took Erin from her. Erin’s eyes got big, staring at Evan, unsure who he was. He rocked her back and forth, smiling at her. Meanwhile, Calesso grabbed a severed goblin arm from the pile and stuck it over the fire. The aroma smelt sweet, unlike what they smelt like when he slaughtered them up. Calesso dug her fingernail into the skin and dragged it along the entire goblin arm, creating a groove. The goblin arm turned black, except inside the groove, where a green paste bubbled.

“Alright Erin, time to eat,” Calesso said, moving the goblin arm toward Erin’s face.

“Are you sure that is good to eat?” Evan asked.

“Goblin paste is actually really good for newborns. The problem is finding goblins.”

Calesso scooped the paste out with three fingers and the paste sizzled upon touching her hands. She kneeled down and put her fingers up to Erin’s mouth. Erin moved her head away.

“Oh, you need to see mommy eat it.” Calesso ate the paste, making sure Erin was watching, “Mmmhh. Good.”

Erin clapped her hands together awkwardly. Calesso scooped up another three fingers full and Erin ate it. She did this a few more times before Erin didn’t want anymore. Calesso then offered the arm to Evan. Evan looked at it like she was offering him maggots.

“Just like your father. Never liked trying new things.”

“I like trying new things...just not sure about eating goblin puss.”

“You really are your father’s son. Lucky for me, I know how to get you to eat it,” she said, scooping up a handful and covering her hand over his mouth. “This hand doesn’t move until you swallow it.”

Evan’s cheeks were full with the mushy paste. He looked at his mother, smiling warmly at him while Erin’s baby laughter filled the room. Evan relented and swallowed it in one gulp like it was water.

“Wasn’t that bad, was it?” Calesso said.

“No. It wasn’t.”

“New favorite food?”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

“Fair enough,” she said and scooped up Erin from Evan.

Evan watched Calesso tickle Erin’s nose with her finger. “So Mother, what compelled you to have another child after all these years?”

Calesso blushed. “Honestly, Erin was an accident. I ran out of potions that would stop me from getting pregnant and I hadn’t seen him at that point in over a month. Your mother has needs you know.”

“Okay, I get it. No need to say more.”

“But once I got pregnant again, it really put everything in perspective for me. I should have stayed with you and your father. I was so afraid to lose you, I never got to be with you. And I don’t want to repeat that with Erin.”

Evan grabbed his mother’s hand and rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. “What matters is that you are with me now. I know father would have wanted that.”

Calesso smiled and leaned her head against his. “Don’t worry. We are going to get your father back. This family has been separated long enough.”

***

“We only have one more Goblin head,” Evan said, picking up the last one in the corner of the room by the few strands of hair left.

“Then we will need to make it count,” Calesso said.

Evan handed her the goblin head and she dropped it straight down on the fire. Once it was consumed by the fire, it rose above the flames and glowed white hot. It looked like an orb of light instead of the grotesque green head it was earlier.

“Show me the King,” she said to the floating orb.

The orb changed to show King Ulitch in a dark dungeon lit only by a few flame torches. He was punching a man who was suspended by chains. The groans of the man and shaking of his shackles echoed out of the orb. Calesso gritted her teeth, watching her husband being beat by King Ulitch. Evan was equally tense, squeezing his empty scabbard.

“It has been a week. How much longer do you think you will be able to last here?” King Ulitch said.

“This is the punishment I deserve. Not my family.”

“Wrong. Your family is just as guilty in this. But I only want Calesso. If you tell me where she is, I will spare your son.”

Evan’s father spit at King Ulitch. King Ulitch wiped his face.

“If you won’t give up Calesso. And she apparently won’t come for you. I don’t see the point in keeping you around.” King Ulitch drew his sword.

Calesso frantically drew in the dirt with her fingers. Evan went over to grab Erin, who was sleeping soundly.

“Stay with Erin. I will get your father,” Calesso said.

“But we need to stick together.”

Calesso stopped drawing and faced Evan. “You need to take care of Erin. I can’t protect her over there. Promise me you will keep her safe.”

“But–”

“Promise me!”

“I will. I promise.”

She kissed him on the forehead and punched the ground. Dirt kicked up and put out the fire. The floating orb turned to dust, sprinkling over the smoldering fire. Evan stood holding Erin, shielding her from the dust. He waited for his mother to return at that very spot, but every passing moment felt longer and longer. The sun started to set and he knew he had to get the fire going again. He placed Erin in a little makeshift crib his mother made out of bones and one of his undershirts, while he searched for more firewood. Not wanting to travel far, he collected pieces from other destroyed houses in the outpost when he heard the snapping of sticks in the forest.

Evan looked over to where the sound came from, but saw nothing. He continued collecting wood when he heard the croaking of goblins. Spinning around with his arms full, three goblins charged him, with swords waving in the air. Evan threw the pile of sticks at the first goblin and reached to his empty scabbard. He grabbed air and looked down, realizing he wasn’t armed. Evan backpedaled as the other two goblins slashed at him, until he tripped over a rock jutting out of the ground. The two goblins put their swords to his neck, while the first goblin approached them and spoke.

“What did you do to this village? What did you do to our brothers and sisters?” the goblin asked.

Evan said nothing. It was better than telling them he slaughtered and ate their people. Before the goblin spoke again, Erin started crying. The goblins looked up toward the sound and breathed in deep.

“Mmmhh. I smell a small human. What a delicacy,” the first goblin said and started walking toward Erin’s cries.

Evan looked to his right and saw a stone the size of his fist. He slapped the swords away and rolled to grab the stone. The nearest goblin stabbed at Evan, but he deflected it with the stone. Evan got to his feet and followed up with a strike to the goblin’s head, knocking it to the floor. The other goblin stabbed at him and Evan narrowly evaded it. Evan threw the stone at that goblin. The goblin felt the wind from the stone passing its head before Evan charged head first, tackling the goblin to the ground. Evan wrestled with the goblin over the sword, while the other goblin had gotten up and tried to stab Evan in the back. He rolled over, lifting the sword in the air and both goblins impaled each other. Evan pushed off the ground and ran to Erin. The goblin was inside the home, standing over Erin, taking in the little human’s scent.

“I am eating well tonight,” the goblin said over Erin’s cries and raised its sword.

Evan dashed inside and pushed the goblin into the cobblestone wall, the sword flying in the corner of the room. He mounted the goblin and began punching it until green blood came oozing out of its eyes. Evan stopped out of exhaustion and rose to his feet, wiping off the green blood on his trousers. Erin was still crying.

“It’s okay. I’m here,” Evan said, picking up Erin and rocking her.

She started to calm down in his arms and he walked outside to get away from the goblin he smashed. Outside was a worse sight, however. A large group of goblins were coming out of the treeline, twenty strong.

“Human!” one of the goblins yelled, pointing at him.

Evan ran away, into the other side of the forest. The sound of angry goblins chased him through the forest, but with each step their voices became muffled by the trees. He kept going until he did not hear their voices again and the foliage was getting denser. Covering Erin the best he could, he pushed through the brush until he arrived at a dirt path that led to a small cottage, much like his father’s. The light from the cottage beckoned him, as nighttime was almost upon them. He made his way up to it and knocked on the door. After he did that, a thought blew through his head. What if it was another goblin house? He backed away from the door and it opened. Inside was a large woman with long brown hair.

“Who goes there?” the woman said.

“My name is Sir–” Evan said.

“You have a baby! Get in quick. Before the goblins smell her.”

Evan went inside and was greeted by a mastiff that walked up next to him. On his left was a kitchen table and on his right was a wood floor with two children sleeping. The woman closed the door and motioned him to sit.

“I’m sorry to barge in here like this,” Evan said.

“It is alright. What were you two doing out there at this time of night?”

“Goblins attacked us. There were too many for me to fight so I took my sister and ran.”

The woman looked down at Erin. “Where is her mother?”

“I...I don’t know,” Evan said.

“When was the last time she was fed?”

“A few hours ago.”

She put her hands out. “Do you mind?”

He gave Erin to her and she cradled her. His arms felt lighter after not holding her anymore.

“I didn’t know anyone lived out here.”

“Not many do. My husband, Hillard and I moved out here quite a few years ago. He trades in special lumber and wanted to be closer to his supply. I wanted to live out in the forest and raise children, so we both got what we wanted.”

“So those are your two?”

“Oh yes. They are the best children I could ever ask for. I miss them as babies though. So tiny and innocent,” she said, pushing her nose close to Erin’s.

Evan started to think about what his mother said to him. To keep Erin safe. He knew he couldn’t take her with him. Erin wouldn’t last more than a few days and this woman knew how to take care of a child. She even wanted another baby.

“I hate to impose, but could you take care of my sister? Only until I find our mother. When I return I will be able to pay you,” Evan asked.

The woman lit up with delight. “I would love to.”

Evan leaned forward and rubbed his finger against Erin’s soft skin. He knew it would be the last time he would see her in a long time. His last thoughts, I’ll come back for you. I promise.

_________________________

If you want to read more of this story, my first novel, Striker's Search, takes place after these events. Buy it here!