Rise of the Beast (3 page)

“And I suppose Hell is real too, isn’t it?” asked Krissie, a trace of fear in her voice.

Again the angel nodded. “Yes, Hell is real, too. It is like the most terrible prison you can imagine, a place from which there is no escape. There you become a forgotten soul, cut off from the rest of the universe, cut off from everyone and everything you ever loved. It is a realm of wailing and gnashing of teeth, a realm of pain and suffering. And that suffering takes on so many dreadful forms. Satan and his minions have had millennia to explore the techniques by which pain and horror are most effectively delivered. You cannot even begin to imagine it. And like Heaven, it is an eternal realm; nothing grows old, and no one dies. No wound is fatal, and all recover to face the reality of it all again. It is a realm where God the Father is not.” Lusan paused. “But why would you want to know about such a place as that?”

“Because I’m afraid I’m going to end up there someday,” said Krissie, a tear appearing in her eye.

“Krissie!” scolded Leland. “Why would you ever think such a thought?”

“Because, maybe it’s true,” she replied. “My mother used to say that when I did things I shouldn’t. She would tell me that it was a place where bad little girls went.”

“Your mother was a nut case,” retorted Leland. “You and I both know it.”

“Enough,” said Lusan. “Let us have no more of that foolishness. God has seen fit to send an angel to you, Krissie. Yes, child, to you. Is this the act of one who intends to condemn you to Hell? I tell you, no. God loves you very much. Believe me; I know. Don’t let your heart be troubled by such thoughts. Put your faith in me and all will be well. I will guide you back to His grace, I assure you. It is a significant part of my mission.”

By now Krissie was smiling through her tears. “Really?”

Lusan returned her smile. “Yes, Krissie, really. Those were the words of the Father.”

“But can’t you tell me a little more about your mission?” asked Leland. “I’d really like to know.”

Lusan paused; he seemed deep in thought for a moment. “Yes, I shall tell you more. It had not been my intention to do so tonight, but I shall nonetheless. It is important that you know if you are to serve me in this venture. I do not wish for you to serve me blindly. I am here to help ease the suffering of mankind, to alleviate some of the struggling and hardship. We have come to show the sad, heartbroken people of this world a new way to reach their Creator.”

“A pretty lofty goal,” noted Leland.

“Indeed,” replied Lusan, “but attainable. Understand this; one of the most divisive things in human society is religion. How many wars have been fought over it, fought in the name of God? Well, God has decided to say, no more. He will set the record straight. He will instruct humanity as to how to worship Him. We shall bring His words, His love, and His grace to humanity.”

“Why doesn’t God just tell us Himself?” asked Krissie. “Couldn’t He appear in the form of a thousand burning bushes, speak from the clouds, or something like that?”

Lusan laughed out loud. “Oh, Krissie, if you only knew God like I do. As your people might say, it is simply not His style. He does not operate that way. He is not nearly so heavy handed, at least not usually. In Heaven there is a place called the Holy Place. It is a vast open-air mall where tens or even hundreds of millions of people come to talk to and worship Him at one time. At the very center of it all, you can see God and His court of elders and angels. Yet, even there, His voice is not a thundering voice from the sky, but a soft, quiet voice as He speaks to everyone in the crowd individually. His is a kind voice. He is everyone’s loving Heavenly Father. He does not demand their worship; they all give it willingly, out of love for Him. So you see, a thundering voice from the clouds, even a burning bush, just isn’t His way. Rarely does He resort to such theatrics.”

“So, what are we going to do?” asked Leland.

“My friend, we are going to educate people,” replied Lusan. “You have a name for it, a nonprofit corporation. The Divine Light Foundation, yes that is what we shall call it. But creating such an entity is not such a simple thing as it once was. There are tax codes, corporate laws, requirements of the Department of Homeland Security, and so on. I do not have the time or the inclination
to see to such things. You shall be my chairman of the board, my chief advisor on all things human, the new, born-again Leland James.” There was a pause. “Understand, you will have to leave your old life behind. It will only get in the way. That life must become a thing of the past. Peter did that; Paul did that; can you do that, Leland James?”

Leland smiled. “I have to; yes, I can do that.”

“I will ask you many questions in the days and weeks to come. I must know that your answers are true to the best of your knowledge and ability,” continued Lusan.

“I won’t have all of your answers,” said Leland, “but what I don’t know, I will find out.”

Lusan nodded approvingly, “I can ask for nothing more than that, my friend. Your new life will be an exciting one, and I will not ask you to give up your beautiful home, your cars, or your wealth to follow me. It is not necessary. Our base of operations will be right here on Manhattan, in the new city. You will not need to move. I will be staying with you for a time, but only for a time. Eventually, Duras and I will find our own private accommodations, accommodations more suited for our own unique needs.”

Leland stepped to the window. Two police cars, their blue and red lights flashing brightly, were converging on the region of the park where they’d had their encounter just an hour ago. He couldn’t quite see the scene of the incident from here. It was hidden by trees and the underpass itself. “I think the police have discovered your handiwork,” he said.

Lusan rose to his feet and gazed out into the night. “It would seem so.”

“Mr. Lusan, I want to make sure I understand something,” said Leland.

“Please, just Lusan,” was the reply. “Angels don’t have titles, as such.”

Leland smiled. “OK, Lusan, you came looking for me tonight, me specifically, right?”

“And Miss Cartright, yes, that is correct,” confirmed Lusan. “God, the creator of the universe told you to seek me out?” “Yes,” replied Lusan. “We have been over all of this before.”

“Well, I guess I’m just thinking that there is more to it than you’re saying,” said Leland. “Excuse me, I don’t mean to offend, but I’m thinking that we were chosen for some specific reason, a reason you haven’t told us yet.”

This time Lusan laughed openly. It dispelled some of the stress that seemed to be building up in the room. He turned to Duras. “Did I not say he was intuitive, that he would come to this conclusion?”

Duras smiled. “Yes, you most assuredly did.”

“First and foremost, it was the Father’s will,” said Lusan. “We angels are not exactly like you humans. We are creatures of duty; we do as the Father instructs. But there is a second reason. It may be the reason that I was selected for this mission. Tell me, Leland, who were you named after, do you know?”

“Yes,” confirmed Leland. “Supposedly, I was named after my great grandfather. He was a preacher who got his start as a young man in the Azusa Street Revival a century ago. He got into that Pentecost stuff; spiritual healing, prophecy, speaking in tongues, that sort of thing.”

“He did indeed,” confirmed Lusan. “What would you say if I told you that I know your great grandfather personally?”

Leland was caught off guard by that one. “You know my great grandfather?”

“I know him well,” continued Lusan. “He leads a large congregation beyond the veil of this life. Thousands follow him. He has accomplished feats that would truly astonish you. I would like to think that I had a hand in putting him where he is today, opening up the opportunity for him. I don’t expect it to occur overnight, but I would like to think that it is within you to follow in his footsteps. He would be so proud of you.”

Leland wasn’t easily moved, but there was a tear in his eye now. “Look, I’ve been a sinner. I admit it. I’ve never killed anyone, but I’m sure I’ve broken all of the other commandments somehow, somewhere.”

“All have sinned and fallen short of the Father’s glory,” assured Lusan. “It doesn’t matter. God has made provisions for humanity.”

“Jesus,” deduced Krissie.

Lusan nodded. “Yes, He loves you that much. That is why I say to you not to worry.”

Quite abruptly, Lusan and Duras underwent an incredible transformation. No longer were they two humans dressed in somewhat archaic apparel, they were beautiful winged angels dressed in white. Their faces still looked the same, yet everything else about them was different. They were practically radiant.

Krissie dropped to her knees. Lusan quickly pulled her back to her feet. “No, do not kneel to me. I am but a servant of Him who is truly worthy of your supplication.” He looked to Leland. “I did not wish to alarm you, but wanted you to see us as we actually are. I wanted there to be no doubts in your heart. We shall do this for none other. Only you shall share our secret.”

“But why can’t others see you like this? It would make you more credible,” said Leland.

“We don’t want people to follow us because of what we are, but for the message we bring,” said Duras.

“Exactly,” confirmed Lusan. “But we are weary. We have been a long time without sleep.”

“Angels sleep?” asked Krissie.

“Of course,” confirmed Lusan, who once more took on human form. “We sleep several times per month, not often, more if we are on Earth, farther from the center of God’s power. Like you, it gives us time to absorb the events of our lives, to put them in perspective.”

“Please, follow me,” said Leland, escorting the two angels to the guest bedrooms. “I have one for each of you.”

“No need,” assured Lusan. “We will require but one. We will not even use your bed. Our needs are simple. You see, we angels sleep resting on our wings.”

“That doesn’t sound very comfortable,” noted Krissie.

“I assure you, it is,” replied Lusan.

The large bedroom was indeed lavish, with a beautiful view of Central Park from its large window. Leland was happy that he kept it constantly ready for guests, though he didn’t have them often.

“Oh yes, this is nice,” said Lusan. “I thank you for taking in two weary travelers.”

“Of course,” confirmed Leland, “I am looking forward to getting to know you better.”

“And you shall,” assured Lusan. “You will find that we angels are an open book. There is not much that we will not discuss with you. Prepare to come face to face with a world of wonders.” Lusan sat his case on the bed and removed two of the gold bars. “Here, take these with you tomorrow. We shall need them converted into cash. Be certain that you put some aside for yourself to see to your own affairs in changing your line of work.”

“I understand,” confirmed Leland.

“I’ll have additional instructions for you tomorrow morning before you leave,” continued Lusan. “I look forward to our relationship.”

“I do too,” said Leland, backing out of the room. “Goodnight.”

“And, thank you,” added Krissie.

Lusan and Duras smiled, but said nothing as Leland closed the door and walked back into the living room. His mind was awash in emotions.

“Leland, tell me I’m not tripping out,” said Krissie, taking his arm. “Those were angels, real angels.”

“I saw it too,” said Leland. “If it’s an illusion, then we’re both tripping, babe.”

“So, what do we do?” asked Krissie.

“Right now, we go to bed,” said Leland. “We’re both tired. Maybe we’ll think better in the morning.” He held up the two blocks of gold that must have weighed ten pounds each. “If these are still here in the morning, I’d say we have some adventure ahead of us. I think our old lives are behind us.”

“I’ll never turn another trick again,” said Krissie, who seemed to be speaking as much to God as to Leland. “Oh Lord, please forgive me for all the bad stuff I’ve done.”

“I think He already has,” said Leland. “Still, I need you to contact the other girls as soon as you can. Tell them that I’m going out of business. I’ll see to it that they all get one hell of a retirement package: $5,000 a piece for a start, more to come later once we get our share of this gold. I’d rather have them find some other line of work, go to college, beauty school, or something. If they want to stay
in the business, I’ll find good men who will take them, treat them nice. But I’m done with it. I’ll never go back.”

“How are you going to explain that to Mr. Pagoni?” asked Krissie.

“I’m really not sure yet,” said Leland. “I could tell him I’ve found religion. I don’t think I’ll tell him that two angels saved my life in Central Park. I’ve known him most all of my life; he’s been very good to me. He is not a bad person; really, he isn’t. If I want to make a clean break, he will wish me well and let me go.”

“I hope so,” replied Krissie. “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you. I love you so much.”

“And I love you,” confirmed Leland. “I can let the others go, but I don’t think I could let you go. If I am to be a man of honor, of virtue, I can see only one role for you. Would you consider being the wife of a former sugar daddy pimp like me?”

Krissie was taken aback by that one. “You’re serious?”

“Yes,” confirmed Leland, “I’ve wanted to say that for a long time, but I couldn’t. What do you think; could you?”

Krissie didn’t have to think long about that. She put her arms around him. “Oh yes, nothing would make me happier.”

“Then, let’s start planning it, babe,” said Leland. “Let’s you and me start changing the world, starting with us.”