My NanoWriMo Blog

Well, here's Day 1 of my first attempt at NanoWriMo. Yikes! What have I got myself into!!!!!

My disclaimer is that I have not proofread nor have I really gone to town on grammar. What you see is what you get, and that goes for the rest of the days as well..... The polishing comes later. Enjoy

© Copyright Beverley Cull 2005 (This includes all posts)

NanoWriMo Day 1 (Tues. November 1)




“Mum, why are we going away? I thought you liked it here.”

My daughter’s question was simple enough. Why where we leaving? The darkness had come, I could have told her, but that would have meant explaining myself. Once again Amy felt the suffocating fear enveloping her, creating a stranglehold that threatened to choke the very life out of her. Turning to respond to her daughter’s question, she took hold of her hand and squeezed it tightly.

“Because we have to.”

Megan simply nodded and went back to packing her favourite toys. Once again they would have to leave most of their belongings behind. It would mean a few months waiting for them to arrive by container, but for a while they would have to make do. It wasn’t the best scenario, but it was all they could hope for. This time, at least, their peace had lasted two whole years.

Two hours later, a car arrived to pick them up. The driver looked like any nondescript taxi driver; and that was exactly how it was meant to look. To the casual observer he seemed quite innocent, but judging by the bulge at his side, she knew he was well able to protect them should the need arise. She hoped it wouldn’t come to that but she had learnt never to second guess anything. Amy was pleased that they had put George O’Connor on their detail. She knew he was a stickler for safety, and that was the one thing she craved. She loathed it when they sent speed jockeys and trigger happy agents to care for her and Megan. It was just a recipe for disaster.

Amy had got to know him over the years and knew he had once been her husband's partner, but that was all she knew. She realised that was why he was hardly ever on their detail. Too much emotional involvement she thought.

“Is this all Mrs. Ivers?” Oh, for goodness sakes, when was he going to stop calling her Mrs. Ivers? It never used to be like that, but over the years of him being her protector, he had reverted to such formality.

"Please George, I'm really tired of the 'Mrs. Ivers thing'. Can you please call me Amy? I promise I won't tell."

The frown on his face disappeared and a small smile began to appear. That was something at least. Normally he was Mr Formality himself.

"Ok, but not in front of the boss," he responded, looking around at the boxes and bags she had put by the door. "I'm sorry this is such short notice, but the last package was a doozy. If we had more time, we could have moved you lock, stock and barrel, but not this time I'm afraid. I really don't know how long it will take to get the rest of your stuff to the new house."

“It doesn't matter. It's not your fault. I'm just glad that they put you on the job. At least you know our history.” She sighed as she picked up her handbag and took a second look at the house they had called home.

“I’m sorry it’s come to this Amy,” George spoke, laying his hand on her shoulder in an attempt at sympathy. “We will catch him you know.”

He knew the dreadful price the two of them had to pay, and while the other agents had been helpful, none of of them knew the agony they had to bear each time they had to move. The fact that he was Bob's partner made it more personal. He had a score to settle and that was why the agency took him off their case in the first few years, but every now and then, when staff were away, he would fill in, taking the role of protector. The reminders were so hard. George and his sister Gail were constant visitors at their house before Bob's death, and whenever George came on the scene again, it was a constant reminder of what Megan and she had lost. It was like having her heart ripped open again and again, and the sorrow of Bob's death thrown in her face one more time. It was a grief that never seemed to dull because every time she thought that the sorrow was passing, another package would arrive, sending them into a frenzy of new safe houses and the heavy cloud of protection that came with those first weeks, descended like a heavy blanket.

“So you all keep telling me. Don't worry, well catch him, but it just seems to go on and on George. I just wish it was sooner than later.”

“Don’t we all, don’t we all.”

The door slammed behind them, the noise echoing in the almost empty house. Amy refused to look back. What was the point anyway; it would only make her cry and that was the last thing she wanted Megan to see. Besides, over the years she had already cried a bucket load of tears and just last year she had prayed her very last prayer. Enough was enough.

As the taxi pulled away from the house, Amy watched George scanning the road and saw the furtive looks in his rear view mirror. She felt the fear, which had threatened to envelop her before, clutching at her heart.

George must have sensed her uneasiness and turned quickly to reassure her.

“Only friendlies out there Mrs. Ivers.”

“Ok George. Thanks,” She answered quietly and settled back in her seat for the ride.

What George didn’t tell her was the tail he had picked up even before he had reached her house. So the boss was right. It was an inside job, and it was up to him to make sure absolutely nothing happened to their precious charges. It was a promise he had made and nothing was going to stop him from doing that.

“Ok Lord,” he spoke quietly, “You’re going to have to help me here. Show me what to do.”

Whispered prayers on the job had become part of his life. The quiet times with God would have to wait as this was a time he needed to pray and act quickly. Their lives depended on it.

“You wouldn’t mind a little detour would you Mrs. Ivers? I want to check something out.”

“Whatever you think is best,” Amy answered, thankful for some extra time before meeting with the men who would decide their next move. Why there were never any women making these decisions she would never know.

Men never thought of how far away the school was, or if the house was insulated or fumigated. These were things only a woman would think of and it made their moves just a little less of a problem if her list of requirements was even consulted. Most of the time the moves were hasty and some of the houses they found themselves in were woefully inadequate.

“It won’t take long,” he answered, quickly grabbing his mobile and dialling a number he knew without even having to use his phone’s memory. George glanced in his mirror again, watching the red Lancer which he had tagged a while back. Whoever it was knew their business. Usually he picked tails in minutes, but this one had taken a while. It was either one of theirs keeping a whether eye out, or something more sinister. He hoped it was the former.

Listening to the phone ring out, he wondered where his sister was. Now was not the time to be somewhere he couldn’t reach her. He was about to hang up when he heard the breathless voice of his sister answer the phone.

“Hello.”

“Hi sis.”

“Hi yourself! Where have you been stranger? This better be quick. I’m on my way out.”

“Um… sorry to rush you sis, but I need a favour ASAP. I need you to meet me, and can you bring a change of clothes…a woman’s size 10.. something that will fit in at the pools… and maybe one of Zoe’s board shorts,” he told her referring to his niece and as a quick add on, “And maybe that garden hat you wear all the time…..”

“What’s wrong? Don’t give me any rubbish. I can hear it in your voice.” Gail spoke quickly, knowing how dangerous her brother’s job could be. There weren’t very many jobs that landed you in hospital with broken ribs and a gunshot wound, and that were some of the tamer ones.

“Remember that package I’ve been holding? Well, it’s getting a bit hot and I need some help with it. Meet me at the pools in 20, ok.”

“Sure thing. I just hope Tim will understand,” she spoke quickly. “I’m supposed to be meeting him for lunch. “So, pools and a change of clothes? No problem. See you then.”

At least none of his colleagues knew his Gail. If they were monitoring his calls they would be scrambling to find out who he had called. By the time they found out, Gail would be out of the house and on the road. He looked at the car following and decided to take the bull by the horns.

Pulling across the lane he was in, he spun the car around and headed in the opposite direction, passing the Lancer as he sped back the way he had gone. If the car reacted the way he expected it would, he’d know for sure that it was a tail. If not, then maybe his imagination was getting the better of him.

George heard a car accelerating before he saw it in his mirror. The lancer, only 10 cars behind, had spun around also, causing a couple of horns to blow in anger. He had seen the driver as he went past the car and swore it was Peter Hall, but he could have been mistaken. If that was the case, why on earth wasn’t he told about the extra protection, unless of course, it wasn’t protection at all, but someone employed to get rid of the only two people who could identify their boss. Amy might not know it, but locked away in that brain of hers was the information that would put her husband’s killer behind bars forever. That was enough, however, to make hers and Megan’s life a living hell. Whatever had happened that night all those years ago was still a mystery, despite all the efforts of the department psychs. No-one had come anywhere near unlocking those secrets.

“Everything all right George.” Amy’s strained voice called out.

“Um… Slight change of plans. We need to go to cover now. Sit tight.” Amy closed her eyes to the flashing scenery and held on to Megan’s hand as George sped faster through the city streets.

Knowing the city as he did, it was one thing that George knew would help as he weaved in and out of the city traffic. Growing up in Sydney, he new knew all the one way streets and back alleys like the back of his hand. Keeping up with all the changes was a pain in the neck most times but he knew it may save his life one day so it was one thing that he kept up to date with.

He lost the Lancer somewhere on the harbour bridge when he took the side road that took him through several leafy suburbs until the found the road that would take him to the aquatic centre. Many women used the centre so no-one would notice if a mother and daughter were there on a school day. The centre held swimming lessons on the hour. If they played their cards right, they could be in and out in no time at all, and then on to the safe house he had arranged. Not even the boss knew about this one and that was exactly how he wanted it.

“Did I hear you say pools George? Do you think that’s wise?” Amy asked quickly.

“Under the circumstances I think it’s our only option. I’ll have you there in a jiffy,” he answered, glancing at Megan’s image in the mirror.

She looked tired and dawn which was most probably due to the fact that her mother had woken her early to pack. Even they hadn’t known that the move was imminent last night. It was all a surprise to them to find out that the cover they had so meticulously made up had been found out.

“Well, you know best I suppose.” Her answer didn’t sound overly confident and he could see her shifting in her seat, almost ready to bolt. It wasn’t the first time that she had been involved in a high speed dash to cover and I suppose if the didn’t find her husband’s murderer, they would continue to play the cat and mouse game they had played for the past 5 years. It was 5 years too long.

He pulled into the car park of the pools, hoping they hadn’t picked up another tail. It was quite likely so he quickly hustled the two of them into the centre, quickly noting Gail’s car was parked just a few parking bays away from them. She had brought Rob’s old clunker. He had been restoring it for years and it never seemed to get finished. At least it was a car that none of his colleagues knew anything about.

He could have parked in the loading zone out front but knew that would only bring attention to themselves. He would rather park a few bays away from the front and risk the walk across the car park.

Shielding them as they got out of the car, he quickly hustled them into the centre double doors, glancing around to check whether they had been followed. So far so good.

He sat at a table in the café and waited for his sister to make contact. It was safer that way and he definitely did not want to land her into any more trouble. Not that she couldn’t handle herself; in fact with the six years she spent as a park ranger, she had come across several poachers and idiots, hell bent on destroying what she vowed to protect.

“Hi Bro,” a voice spoke quietly behind him. “Amy”. Amy looked up and smiled. George stood to embrace his sister, placing a note discretely in her hand.

“Good to see you again Gail. I hope you brother hasn’t got you into any trouble. We’re in enough trouble as it is.”

“What a friends for eh? Now, how about we go to the change rooms. I’ve got something to show you.”

Ten minutes later, in hastily changed outfits, both Megan and Amy emerged totally changed. Gail had even changed and had donned a floppy hat. Gone were the street clothes of before and in their place were board shorts, t-shirts and windcheaters and baggy hats. The hats were a necessity if they were to disguise and carrot red hair that both Amy and Megan had. Tucking their hair under the hats, they had emerged from the changing rooms totally transformed. Gail gave Amy her keys, a detailed map of where the house was and explained where she had parked. It was a risk letting Amy drive herself, but if Gail had a tail, at least Amy would be able get out of the building without attracting attention.

Twenty minutes later they were on the road again, travelling in totally separate directions. The safe house that George had chosen was known to no-one but Gail and he, and now Amy. Not even the agency he worked for knew of it’s existence. This had always been his insurance policy should something go wrong. It was sad that he felt the need to keep this secret from his colleagues but as far as he was concerned, there was definitely something “fishy in Denmark”. After his partner was killed he knew that what he had Bob had suspected was right. They had a mole in their ranks and that mole had gotten Bob killed.

The house Amy walked into was a something she hadn’t even envisaged. The safe houses she and Megan had been moved into had never been like this. This was more like the house she and Bob had bought just before he had died. They had only lived there for three short months but it had been the happiest time she could even remember. Even in the midst of their marriage woes, she and Megan felt they had a home.

Day 2 (Wednesday November 2)


They only had a few things since all their belongings had been stowed away in the taxi George had somehow commandeered. She had no idea when or where they would be delivered so they would have to make do with the clothes on their back and the meagre supplies she had stashed away in her carryall.

Thankfully, with all the quick moves she had made Amy had learnt by the many mistakes on the past. The last move, two years ago, had been the smoothest of them all, and she vowed that they would never move again; but here they were, in a strange house, with nothing in the fridge to eat and a famished child. Could her day get any worse?

“Mum, I really am hungry. Can’t we ring for a pizza or something?” Megan asked for the umpteenth time, and Amy felt ready to snap but she kept her emotions at bay knowing full well that it wasn’t her daughter’s fault that she was complaining. She felt like spitting the dummy herself.

“You know what sweetie. I’ve been saving this until later, but I think we can have it now,” she told her daughter as she reached into her bag, pulling out a huge packet of Tim Tams, Megan’s favourite.

“Oh yum. Tim Tams! You’re the best! I wish we had some Milo, and then we could slam them!”

Susan chuckled at the thought. Even though she was only 5 at the time, her father had taught her how to bite the corners of the chocolate biscuit and to suck the hot Milo up through the biscuit. She hadn’t caught on to it like Bob and Megan had, but then again, neither was she a chocolate biscuit fan either. Her favourite drink was a hot scalding cup of tea, and she couldn’t even make that for herself. The teabags were in the back of George’s taxi and goodness knows where he was now.

Bob and Megan had showed a visiting group of teenagers from the US how to slam the Tim Tams when they came on a visit to their church. Amy thought back to the letters they had received from those kids, laughing when they mentioned the looks on custom officials’ faces when they declared the tins of Milo and packets of Tim Tams. One girl had paid excess baggage just to fill up an entire suitcase. She was addicted to the stuff.

Tim Tam Slamming, Bob had called it and the entire youth at church had caught on. They even had a Slamming Award in honour of Bob. That was ages ago, and now they were probably just a faint memory, especially since Megan and Amy hadn’t been back in the 5 years since Bob’s death. It was too risky to go back now and there was no way she would put any more people in danger than she had already.

“Sorry darling. Water it will have to be. I grabbed some bottled water before I left…. You know the one I mean, with the splash of lime.”

“I suppose that will have to do,” she responded, her shoulders sagging a little.

A sharp rap at the door interrupted them and she tensed immediately. A quick glance at the monitor that Gail had showed her before she left showed an innocuous caller, a young girl around the age of 11 or 12 she thought, with what looked like some raffle tickets; Megan looked hopeful, but Susan shook her head.

“They’ll go away once they think there’s no-one here Megan. Just leave it.”

They watched the young girl knock one more time and then turn to walk across the lawn to the road. She crossed the road and went to another house, knocking on its door. Amy breathed again. Getting unexplained knocks on their door always rattled her. She had forgotten what it was like to enjoy the sound of visitors knocking on her door. Just talking to Gail once again was like a breath of fresh air. Having an adult conversation with another woman was something she really missed.

“You know, I’m not stupid you know.” Megan spoke directly to her mother.

“What do you mean?”

“I know why we’re moving all the time.”

Amy’s heart skipped a beat and she could feel her heart beating faster. How had her daughter found out? They had been careful to protect her from the truth, and now she had figured out that something was wrong. Amy knew it would happen sooner or later but she had hoped it would have been later rather than sooner.

“Ok, so why are we moving?”

“Because you’re going to jail. I know all about it. Dan told me all about it. Dan from the last move. He said that you got a lot of fines and couldn’t pay them….. and you didn’t want to go to jail.”

“Dan Steele told you that! Oh, I could ring his neck!” The anger in Amy’s voice was clear and Megan found herself drawing back from her mother. Amy saw it and pulled her closer.

“That’s not true Megan. Come on, I think it’s time I tell you the truth.”

She sat her daughter down on the one settee in the family room and sat down beside her, drawing her closer. Taking a deep breath she launched in to the tale she had told no-one else but George and a few others that needed to know. It was quite a relief actually to share it with her daughter. So many times she had wished she could tell her why they moved so much, but she had been too young to bear such a story.

“I know you were only young when Daddy died. He was a policeman. You know that don’t you? Well, he got another job. He was working with George. He and George were special policemen at the airport, watching for drugs coming into the country. Daddy caught one of the men and I think that he found out something they didn’t want him to know. One day, when you and I were visiting Grandma and Grandad, Daddy was killed in an explosion. There was a bomb on board his boat. I know you don’t remember this because for weeks afterwards you wouldn’t even talk to anyone, including me. The doctors didn’t think you were ever going to talk again darling.”

“I can’t remember anything Mummy,” Megan’s bottom lip quivered, “I didn’t even know Daddy was a policeman.”

“Oh, yes you did. You even used to wear his old uniform hat and said you wanted to be a policeman. When Daddy said you had to be a police woman, you got all upset.” Amy told her, pulling her closer as she saw the tears appearing in her eyes.

“The reason we keep on moving Megan is because someone thinks we know something and they’re afraid we will remember what it is and tell the police. When we took Daddy to his boat to go fishing we may have even seen them. I can’t remember seeing anyone at the boat yard but the doctors think my brain just can’t cop with it so it has stashed it somewhere. That’s why we keep on moving…. Because we keep on being found out. Remember the man that tried to grab you at school last time? And Mrs. Gray stopped him from taking you? Mrs. Gray wasn’t a lollypop lady Megan. She was a police officer and she was looking out for you… and that’s why we moved last time, and this time…. Well, George never told us why, but when he says move, we move.”

“Thanks Mum. I was really scared. I thought I was going to lose you.”

She spoke tearfully and then the tears that were threatening to fall actually did and she sat sobbing in her mothers arms. Thankful that the story had finally come out, she was furious that Dan could have told her daughter such horrible lies. When she saw George next she would really tell him to give that man a piece of her mind. Who would scare a child that way? Unless of course, someone had got to him and was trying to see what information Megan had tucked away but she doubted that. It was more than likely the mistake of a young officer trying his best to answer the tricky questions of a 9 year old.

Just as the tears dried up, Megan snuggled into her mother’s arms and fell into a fitful sleep, Amy sat thinking how their life would have turned out had Bob had lived, and for the first time in years, she felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. At least she could stop lying to Megan.

She wondered what George or his co-workers would think if she told them she had contemplated divorce not so long before Bob’s boat had blown up. Amy had lived with that guilt for so long that it had slowly eaten away any self-confidence she had. She found it hard building any kind of relationship with anyone, male or female; and the façade of being the loving, grieving widow was a slap in the face.

She could never share that with George or Gail, as close as they had been. It was something Bob had taken to his grave and she could never forgive herself. The vows she had said at her wedding meant nothing if she could have thrown them away so lightly; but Bob’s temper, his infidelities took their toll. She had told no-one but God, and when she gave Bob his marching orders the day he died, that was when she died herself and when God had washed his hands of her. There was no way God could forgive her for what she had done. Her pastor would have told her otherwise, but the voices in her head, condemning her, gradually took over from his counsel, to the point where she no longer went to church. It was just too hard. It was like a see-saw. One minute she was up and the next she was down. One minute she was God’s creation and the next she was a dirty rotten sinner God would never forgive.

If only she could cry, Amy thought to herself as she watched her daughter’s sleeping form. The tears she cried after Bob’s death had long gone and now it was a silent, gnawing grief, tinged with so much guilt that she couldn’t bear it any longer. The only thing that kept her going was a tiny white pill the doctor prescribed. It let her sleep at night and when she woke in the morning, she knew that killing herself was fruitless. At least she knew that much. Megan was the reason she lived and she was the only thing now that mattered.

A sharp rap at the door broke her thoughts and she eased herself from under Megan to look at the monitor. It was George and by the looks of it he had Megan’s favourite, pizza; so at least they wouldn’t starve.

“I come bearing gifts,” he spoke into the intercom, waiting for her to unlock the two deadlocks he had installed.

“Oh, I could kiss you.” She spoke quickly, ushering him inside. “We’re starving… well, Megan was starving, but my Tim Tams saved the day.”

“I should come more often if that’s the greeting I’m going to get!” He told her and Amy smiled and went to wake Megan.

Day 3 (Thursday, November 3rd)


The warm colours used on the walls, and the rustic semi-antique furniture blended in beautifully. The bonus was the chaise lounge that looked out on the private courtyard. It faced East so it meant that she could enjoy her morning coffee watching the birds drinking and bathing in the birdbath. With all that had happened the past few weeks, this had been a haven for both Megan and herself. It was a time of healing for both of them, especially now that Megan knew the truth. She no longer had to shield her daughter from the secrets she and George had to face day after day.

Even the weekly progress reports from Bob's old boss had stopped. He used to ring her every day to update her on whether they had any new leads. Most of the time it was just a catch up call and she had begun to hate the phone call on a Friday morning. It was just a reminder of how fragile life was and hardly ever did he have an encouraging word. There had been no new leads for months now, and only the package that had arrived at their house, back in September, rang a death knoll on their quiet existence.

It seemed that the killer liked to tease his prey. A single red rose was his signature and whenever they arrived, she knew without a doubt, they would be on the move again. This time forensics jumped on it as soon as it arrived, and she knew from past experiences that they would find nothing. He was just too clever for that. No prints, no DNA and no tell tale address. It was always sent by post and never from the same area. They all said that would catch him sooner or later, but the way she saw it, "sooner" was taking way too long.

She hated the way it affected the way they lived. One hot December day, when Megan had been seen a package arrive she was delighted to see it was a rose but was horrified by her mother's reaction to the present and cried when she was told that they couldn't keep it. Flowers used to be her most favourite gift, but now it was just a reminder of the prison they were now in. The very person who should be in prison had made sure that they were behind bars of his own making.

"Mum, I've finished my maths. What am I supposed to be doing now?" Megan asked, interrupting her thoughts.

Goodness she was quick. She thought the test would have given her at least 20 minutes of quiet time. Her daughter was certainly bright. If she went to school, she would most likely be in the top ten of her class, but that had never been an option for her. Instead she was home schooled, and while she never really complained about having to do her school work from home, Amy was sure that her daughter would have preferred a class room setting.

"That was quick. Good girl. That was high school maths."

"It was a bit trickier, with all those fractions, but I finished it all. Can I do some more on my essay now. I want to finish it before next week. I want to enter it in the competition."

"You know that you have to use another name don't you Megan?"

"Yeah, I understand why now Mum, but I can still enter can't I?"

"I can't see why not. I'll have to ask Mr. O’Connor first though, but I don't think it will be a problem. Ok, off you go. As long as you've finished the maths questions I don't mind.... but remember, we have a music lesson at three."

Thank goodness George had brought around their keyboard. That was one thing that Megan hated, not being able to play her piano, and Amy was even more grateful that she could teach her daughter. Otherwise, Megan would not have been able to play at all. Finding a piano teacher with enough security clearance to be her teacher was almost impossible.

What she did miss was teaching at the music school she and her friend Julie had started up, straight after graduating from Julliard. That time at Julliard had been precious, and even though Bob had never wanted to travel, she missed the wonderful times that Julie and she had travelling. New York had been their base and they travelled as far as their money would let them. Working as a waitress at night and living in cramped conditions never dampened their spirits. They lived for their music, and when the hard times came, they faced them together. The fact that Julie wasn't a part of their lives anymore was like a kick in the teeth, but there was no way that she would put Julie in the same position as they were in now. Amy knew that Julie's house was most probably watch 24/7 and it was that fact that kept her away from her dear friend.

They had been friends since Grade 3 when Amy moved to the area and Julie had been asked to show her around the school. They clicked and when they discovered they both loved music, their friendship was cemeted forever. She hoped with all her being that Julie realised that her absense was not intentional. Amy hadn't even been able to say goodbye or given an explanation as to why Megan and she were leaving. She got reports from George from time to time on how the school was going in her absence and she was thankful Julie was able to keep it open.

"Oh for goodness sake!" Amy spoke sharply to herself. Megan looked up from her work and when she realised the words weren't meant for her she continued with what she was doing.

This was doing nothing wallowing in self pity. She picked up her coffee cup and took it to the sink. The old house had a dishwasher, but the only thing she used it for was to store her spare dinner set. She would much rather wash up the small amount of dishes they generated in the sink. The more time she had to think, the more time she had to worry about things, and that was the last thing Megan needed. The last time she had fallen into a hole she ended up in hospital and Megan had a total stranger caring for her. Amy vowed that she wouldn't let that happen ever again.

Her pager went off, jolting her and Megan. She hated the sound. It only went off when they were either on the move or when something of interest had been found. She looked at the number on the screen and felt easier when she saw it was George's number. She reached for the phone and dialled the number. The number she called changed every day. It was their way of making sure their phone calls were never traced. It had worked so far, or so she thought.

"Don't fret Amy. I'm just ringing to let you know I'll be there in 5. I've found something I think you need to know. I just didn't want to turn up unannounced. I know how much that rattles you. See you soon."

"Ok." She hung up hoping that whatever he had found may end her life on the run, but she had so many disappointments before that she never dared to hope that they were close to finding their persuer.

"It's ok Megan. It's Uncle George," Amy reassured Megan, seeing how jumped she had looked when the phone rung. Ever since she had known the real reason for their constant moves, it was as if her childhood had gone. In it's place was a maturity Amy wished wasn't necessary. To see your daughter worry when the phone rang, or to wonder whether the knock on the door was friend or foe, wasn't a maturity she would wish on any child, especially your own.

"I hope he brings pizza again. He knows what I like." Her simple reasoning wasn't lost on Amy and she chuckled. Amy may have lost some of her childhood, but she still thought like a typical 10 year old.

"Ten's a bit too early for pizza sweetie."

Ten minutes later the monitor buzzed the fact that they had a visitor even before George knocked on the door. That was the beauty of the security system they had installed. It even took note of cars parked in the driveway or outside their house. Immediately a car came within 100m of the house, an alarm would sound. Usually it was a driver parked looking at a road map, or visitors to another house.

The night her next door neighbour had a party, was the night she hardly slept at all, because the monitor kept on buzzing and if she had switched it off, George would have been around there to find out why. While it was such a wonderful thing to have, the novelty wore off after the first two weeks, especially when set off by the most innocuous thing like a bird flying by.

“Avon calling.” George spoke into the intercom making Megan giggle.

He came baring an armful of folders and a bag of cinnamon donuts, Megan’s favourite sweet treat, and hers too. The coffee that was brewing would be a great accompaniment. He always knew how to raise their spirits… pizza and donuts.

After a couple of cups of coffee and numerous donuts, Amy ventured to ask about his visit.

“So, what startling new evidence have you found now? I hope it’s something worthwhile George.”

“When I say October 12 what springs to mind?”

“That’s my wedding anniversary… well, mine and Bob’s.” Amy answered quickly.

“And June 15th.”

“My birthday of course. What are you getting at?”

“Take a look at these dates and tell me what you see,” George told her, pushing a sheet of paper across the table.

Glancing down at the paper, she quickly scanned the dates. All of these were some type of significant date. She saw Megan’s birthday, her mother’s birthday, and many other dates that had some sort of meaning to their family.

“What’s the connection?” She asked, thinking that it was going to be a red herring.

“These are all dates that you received roses,” George spoke quietly, waiting for Amy’s reaction.

Her throat contracted as she realised the implications. This was something she had never even thought about. Of course she realised that some of the roses had been delivered on important dates, but no-one had really ever brought it to her attention before. Besides, her mother had been dead for many years, so too was her father. Both their birthdays appeared on the list, but not once had she got the connection.

Day 4 (Friday November 4th)


“This is only a drop in a bucket. There are several other dates we don’t know anything about. We’re talking about hundreds of dates and times,” George explained, plonking another folder on the dining room table.

“Who would know such intimate details George? My parents have been dead for years, and only a few people in the bureau would have access to information like this. Does this mean what I think it means?”

“Afraid so,” he spoke sombrely. “It has to be someone in the know. Either that or someone in the know is feeding information to our man.”

“Do we even know it’s a man?” Amy asked, a thought forming in her head.

“I’m glad you brought that up? I’ve often wondered myself if we had the wrong profile here. It’s a possibility of course, but at best, it’s only a guess. We don’t have the luxury of second sight. I rely on God for that.”

“Yeah well, where was God when Bob died?” she spoke bluntly.

She knew that George’s faith was strong and it had been he and Gail who had taken Amy and Megan to church most Sundays when Bob decided church wasn’t for him anymore, but each offer lately had fallen on deaf ears. Amy saw his disappointment when she began to politely refuse his offers to pick them up for the morning services.

“I don’t have all the answers Amy. All I know is that when Bob died, a part of me died too, but God restored me and picked me up when I was at my lowest. I couldn’t have got through it without him.”

“I’m glad for you. It’s good that you could do that, but I have to tell you now that I don’t have that faith anymore. It died when Bob was killed.”

“I’m sorry I can’t show you how important it is for me to have God in the equation. Without him I’d be nothing Amy; but that’s something you have to find out for yourself.”

“Yes it is. Ok, enough said. Let’s have a look at these dates and see what I can come up with.”

For the next two hours, fired up with coffee and donuts, the two of them sat pouring over spread sheet after spread sheet, cross matching dates, and discarding ones that didn’t seem to have any significance. It was slow going and at one stage Amy could feel the muscles in the back of her neck tighten. She had pins and needles in her foot and new that she had to get up and move around as she had been sitting way too long.

Megan sat watching a DVD that Amy had found in her science folder. It was first year high school science, but it seemed that her daughter had a real aptitude for it and loved to stretch her mind. It was one subject Amy was glad to hand over to a tutor that the department sent around each week, and the DVD was one that she had given them to watch. Amy took one look at it and gladly let her daughter watch it. If it had been art or music, it would have been much more in her comfort zone, but as it was, science was one subject she avoided at school.

“Does anything here stand out?” George asked, looking up from the sheet he had been scanning.

He was going over the discarded pile, while he let Amy go through the others. He knew a few things and it had been the date of their anniversary and Amy’s birthday that had started him down the track they were taking. In fact, he hadn’t even told his colleagues. Something just wasn’t right and he couldn’t put his finger on it. Why on earth several safe houses had been discovered concerned him more than anything else. There had to be someone on the inside, and the thought that one of their own was in on it, chilled his heart. These were men and women that he trusted his life with and he would be damned if he was going to sit by and let whoever it was, destroy what was left of Amy and Megan’s life.

“Some dates I have no idea about, and others stand out like sore thumbs. July 23rd is the anniversary of my mother’s death,” Amy said as she read out a date, and then went on reading further “Oh my God!” Her eyes were transfixed on the sheet

“What! Amy! Are you ok?”

“April 4th is the date I lost our first baby,” she almost whispered, her eyes quite clearly showing the pain. George came in closer and placed his hand on her shoulder.

“Oh Amy, I’m so sorry….. but who would have known that? That’s not something on public record. Whoever it is must be pretty close to you?”

“I have no idea…. But this is really freaking me out. That was such a hard time for Bob and I. Our son was still born. One week I went to have a check up and the doctor couldn’t find a heartbeat. He had died 2 weeks before I was due to give birth. It was a horrible time. Our first child. He had a heart defect they told us, and had he lived, he would have died anyway.”

“Was there anyone there at the hospital that you can remember? A doctor, a nurse, anyone that would have a grudge against you and Bob? I know we’re clutching at straws here, but there must be some link somewhere.”

Amy simply shook her head and sat down with her head in her hands. The day, which had begun so promising, had become a nightmare. The memories of that day came flooding back and even though she had come to terms with it, the sorrow of losing a child never left you; time just makes it a little easier to bear. That was when they had began to grow apart, and when Bob’s temper started to surface. It was as if something had died in her husband. Losing their son had been the worst trial she had ever had to bear, but when Bob began to blame her, that’s when her respect and love for him started to sour.

It had been the beginning of the end, and even though she fell pregnant with Megan a year later, they never regained the magic they had before they lost Justin. It was replaced with an imitation of marriage, a type and shadow of what marriage should be, but it was all make believe. When the visitors and family was there up went the façade, and they were none the wiser. When they were gone, so was the pretence and that was where the abuse started.

A face kept swimming around in her head but it made no sense at all, and she pushed it to the back of her memory. Amy began rocking back and forth and hadn’t even realised it herself. It was then that George knew he was out of his comfort zone. What on earth could he say or do for someone who had lost so much. No-one in the department knew they were hear, and if he called one of the psychs, that would mean telling them of their location, and that was something he didn’t want to do. He had even borrowed a neighbour’s car just in case he had picked up a tail from work. They had been on his back about revealing the address of the new house, but he just wasn’t prepared to take that risk.

“Amy, shush….. It’s ok. You’re safe.”

“I wanted to say good bye, but Bob never let me. I just wanted to hold him for a while.” Amy kept repeating the same words over and over again.

What person would do that to another human being? George wondered that as he dialled his sister’s number. He needed some expert advice here. He needed his sister’s wonderful gift of comfort. She would know what to say.

“Mummy, what’s the matter! Don’t cry. Uncle George, what did you say to Mum?”

Amy seemed to be oblivious to things around her and she kept on rocking back and forwards on all fours, crying out, eventually sobbing, each sob a gut wrenching sound. When Gail arrived 15 minutes later the tears were still flowing but the rocking had stopped.

“How long has she been like this?” Gail asked.

“Oh, about 20 minutes or so I think. She keeps on repeating the same thing over and over again.”

“It’s ok George. I’ll take care of it. How about you make me coffee and I’ll have a talk with Amy. Go on, she’ll be alright. Megan, how about you go help Uncle George while I see why Mum is so upset, Ok?”

“Oh Lord, show me what to say,” Gail whispered a prayer as she sat down beside Amy, who by this time had spent most of her energy and was kneeling, still repeating the same words. It was like a mantra.

“It wasn’t your fault Amy,” Gail spoke quietly when there was a lull.

“George told me what happened. Do you know that I lost a baby last year? It wasn’t my fault either. He just died before he was old enough to be born sweetie. It wasn’t anything anyone had done, although I tried to blame myself there for a while. God showed me differently. He didn’t cause it either, but you know what? I know he’s using me now, talking to you because I know what it’s like to lose a child. It’s the most loneliest feeling I’ve ever felt. It was like part of me had died and Tim didn’t have a clue about what to say to me. I kept blaming myself. But he hung in there. It took time, but we got there in the end. It’s a process.”

“I felt him move Gail,” Maria cried out in anguish, holding her stomach as she spoke. “Bob used to touch my stomach and talk to Justin. We knew we were having a boy. We had a scan. I had all his clothes picked out. Why did God take him away Gail? Why?”

“God doesn’t cause things like that to happen sweetie. Do you think a loving God would do that to a mother? I know what well meaning people say honey. They come out with things like “God giveth and God taketh away, and it’s all said in a King James Voice…. You know what I mean…. Or they would talk to me about my baby being wanted in heaven. I used to get so mad at them. I felt like punching their lights out!”

Amy giggled, and it was the first time that Gail could see a glimpse of her old friend. She could still feel the vulnerability of a hurt and desolate woman, but somewhere in that broken shell, was an ember that was still alight.

“You know what? Those women meant well Amy. They weren’t being mean. I’d smile sweetly and thank them. It took me a long time to forgive those people Amy, a long, long time, but I had to, because it was eating away at me. I pushed away my friends because I was feeling so guilty. They were walking around me on egg shells, not knowing what to say, and I thought they were avoiding me. The devil comes to kill, steal and destroy anything good in our lives Amy, and I almost let him get away with it. Don’t let him do the same thing with you honey.”

Day 5 (Saturday November 5th)


“That was the beginning of the end Gail.” Amy’s words hung in the air and Gail pondered their meaning for a while before she responded.

“I knew you guys were having trouble but I didn’t know what,” Gail spoke, brushing Amy’s hair out of her eyes, and tilting her head back so that she was looking at her.

“I’m sorry about the baby. That must have been just before George was transferred to Sydney... but God did show me one thing. He showed me that I needed to pray for both of you, and I did. Every day.”

“You prayed for me? Why?”

“Because God told me to… and don’t think I’m getting all flaky here. I don’t hear voices… although I know it can happen…. But one day when I was woken in the middle of the night, I felt a real need to pray for the two of you, and now I think I know why. I wrote in my journal the exact day I began to pray for the two of you. It was April 4th.”

Amy’s intake of breath and the tears that threatened to fall again showed Gail just what a shock that statement was. She had been praying for her friend on the anniversary of her baby’s death, the one time she felt alone and in despair. Bob had always made himself absent on that day and never came home until she was in bed. It was easier for both of them that way.

“I don’t know what to say….. I’m just glad that I can talk to someone about it. I couldn’t tell Megan. She wouldn’t have understood. I’ve felt so alone. I talked to God, but I never thought he would listen to me. Why can’t I move on Gail? You have.”

Gail laughed and picked up her bible that was in a carryall she had brought with her. She leafed through the book until she found the paged she wanted and pushed it towards Amy.

“Read the underlined versed and then you’ll understand…. and then read what I’ve written on the side.”

“I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.” Amy read the words that Gail had highlighted then looked at the handwritten note beside it.

“I don’t know how you are going to get me through this Lord. I am so sad. Please help me to understand.” Amy looked up to Gail with understanding in her eyes. It was a bond that the two of them shared.

“I wrote that only two weeks ago Amy. I’m still working through it. There’s no way I could have done it on my own. Tim was totally lost. He didn’t know what to say to me, other than to be there and hold me….but as much as I love my husband, he can not replace the love I have with my Father in heaven. He’s my daddy, the one I run to when I need peace, when I need reassurance. Tim can give me those things, but we’re human and we make mistakes. I know without a doubt that I can go to God and share my innermost thoughts. He’s no respecter of people. I know that if you come to him and throw all this at his feet, you will find the peace you crave. I know that without a doubt.”

“I’m glad that you found comfort that way Gail.” Amy’s response came and Gail realised that the barriers were still in place but knew she had said what she was supposed to and left it at that.

“Yeah, it did sweetie. Now how about we get George to go out and order in pizza. I don’t you about you, but I’m absolutely famished.”

“Sounds great to me… and make that jalapeños on mine.”

“Oh, how can you do it girl! You must have a cast iron stomach.”

Amy’s laugh echoed in the room, and Megan came in at that moment and was glad that her mother was laughing again. The tears hadn’t been lost on the little girl and she was glad to see her mother’s mood was happier. She climbed onto Amy’s lap and gave her a huge cuddle and kiss.

“And what was that for?” Amy asked, tweaking her daughter’s nose playfully.

“Only because you’re the best mother in the world.” Megan gave her mother another cuddle then as quickly as he had climbed onto her mother’s lap, she slid down and skipped into the other room as if nothing had happened. It was like a breath of fresh air.

Gail could feel the tangent presence of God in the room, and even if Amy wasn’t aware of that joy in a child’s unconditional love and the laughter that echoed through the house, Gail knew without a doubt that God was indeed in the house and wanting to heal and restore, and that fact alone buoyed her heart and she knew that Amy was exactly where God wanted her to be. She had laid one brick of the foundation and now it was up to God to do the rest.

The boxes of pizza stood on the dining table with a few pieces left sitting there. They would go into the fridge for Megan to devour later. Meanwhile, a livelier game was going on. George and Megan were engaged in a very animated game of Twister, and by the look of it, Megan was winning hands down. Amy sat with Gail watching the two of them entangled by legs and arms and smiled at Amy’s contagious giggles. Very soon she had them all laughing.

“Well, I had better be going. Peter will be thinking I’ve deserted him,” Gail told them as Megan sat packing away the game.

“I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for us. This has been the best day for Megan,” Amy told him, kissing them both on the cheek. “And me too.”

It was like music to George’s ears. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, Amy’s friendship was something he lived for. He hadn’t meant for it to happen, but what was once a favour for a friend, had turned in to something else. He had fallen in love with his partner’s wife; and right now, it was a complication he didn’t really need. He was worried it would cloud his judgement. Her very life depended on him thinking clearly and if he missed the slightest detail, she Megan could be lost to him forever, and that very thought made him realise that he could never tell Amy how he felt, well, not yet anyway.

“Well, I think I’ve found muscles I never had,” George joked. “Thank you for a great day Amy. I’ll see you tomorrow ok?” He told her, not wanting to break the moment by talking about work. That could be left for the next day. He hadn’t wanted to spoil the peace that seemed to have settled in the house. It was as if something had broken over Amy’s life.

The sun hadn’t quite gone down as George and Gail left. Amy felt light hearted as she waved them off with Megan at her side. She turned to go inside and sighed as she realised how empty the house would feel again. For the first time in many years she wished that she had someone to share her evenings with. To be able to bare herself to Gail had been the most refreshing times she had experienced. The wounds were still open and hurt like mad but it was out in the open now and at least someone knew of the anguish she felt.

“A problem shared is a problem halved,” her mother had once told her, and she realised then how wise her mother had been and felt like kicking herself for keeping it bottled up for so long.

As the door closed behind them a curtain in the house opposite closed. The house was supposed to be empty, its owners away overseas, but someone was in the house now, and had Amy seen the curtain move, she would have been alerted straight away.

“Well, well, well. Georgie boy has a case of puppy love!” A woman’s voice spoke, breaking the silence.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about woman! She wouldn’t go for him.”

“Don’t say you want her for yourself? We’re here for a job, and this time the games stop. This time it’s for keeps. No more little Amy.”

“You’re talking rubbish! What games? You’re talking riddles woman.”

A worried figure of a man stood looking out on the house that was harbouring the one woman that could be his undoing and even though he had purposed in his heart to do away with that threat, it wasn’t something he relished; but self preservation had become the very thread of his existence, leading him down a path of his own doing. He had made a choice but now it had started to sour and there was nothing he could do about it. Unfortunately, he knew what he had to do, and with his prey in his sights, he knew there was only one outcome.

The woman who stood at his side had not lost any of her beauty. The blonde hair cascading over her shoulders had been cut and coiffed to perfection. Her face, expertly made up, was, in his mind, perfection itself. He turned to watch her as she stood at window looking out on the house opposite. He looked at his own reflection in the hallway mirror and wondered why a woman like her had seen in the likes of him. The alcohol had taken its toll and his body certainly was not what it was like when they had first met.

The tight fitting clothes that hugged her body only accentuated the curves she had spent hours to perfect and the money that bought those clothes was the very thing he was trying to protect. He wondered how long she would stay if the lifestyle they had become accustomed to disappeared. It took a lot of liquid funds to keep them living the high life, and being cramped in the tiny house that had become their refuge, hadn’t done much for their frayed nerves nor her temper.

His admiration wasn’t lost on her. She had seen his furtive glances and knew without a doubt that she had him wrapped around her little finger. She never doubted for a minute that there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. Ever since her father had snuck in to her room as a teenager, she realised the power she had over men. As much as she hated her father, and the things she had to endure under his house, the men that paid homage to her beauty never knew how they had been lured into her web of deceit. She has the master of her own destiny now and as soon as the woman and child across the street were eliminated, he would be under her control forever.

She turned to him, smiled and walked over to where he was standing. Running her hands seductively through his hair, she leant over to whisper in his ear.

“You know I love you so much. Prove to me how much you love me my sweet.”

Her words went into his being and drew her into an embrace. He could feel himself being drawn into her and the headiness of the emotions that came with that kept him from seeing the lies she had spun. The trap had been set and he had walked straight into it.

As much as Amy tried to sleep that night, she had found herself tossing and turning, contemplating the turn of events. She felt exhausted but sleep wouldn’t come. In its place was a restlessness she hadn’t felt in a very long time. A gentle stirring had begun when Gail had bared her soul, and shared with Amy her loss and now it was stirring again and she didn’t really like where it was taking her. There had been so much water under the bridge since she had last prayed to God and there had been so many angry words since then, than she wondered if she had any right to come before God again. She felt another tug, pulling her towards an abyss of emotions. All these years it had been a see saw of ups and downs, and more downs than ups. She felt there was a tug of war in her heart, and try as she might, she could not shake the feeling that something was out there in the darkness waiting to pounce. Finally after many hours of pillow pounding, she fell into a fitful doze.

Amy awoke in semi-darkness bathed in perspiration, the street light out front of the house, illuminating the room so that she could at least see the outlines of furniture. Her heart was beating wildly as she remembered the dream she had just woken from. The shadowy figures that had tormented her for so long were back once again. The fear gripped her heart and paralysed her very being. She couldn’t scream, she couldn’t talk, and most of all, she felt all hope had gone. It was just too much to bear. She couldn’t go on any longer.

“Oh damn it!” Amy cried out in frustration, hitting her pillow for the umpteenth time. “Ok, you’ve got my attention Lord. I don’t even know what to pray…. But right now I’ve got nowhere else to run to. I’m at the end of my rope. Help me please!” Her anguished cry went upwards.

The words were simple, but the peace that descended was real. It was like a blanket of warmth had descended in the room as she sat on her bed. Amy sat amazed at the response to her prayer. It was like the heavens had opened in her bedroom and the peace which had eluded her for so many years enveloped her. She felt a joy bubbling up inside of her and a memory of a verse she had read years ago came to mind.

“The weapons of my warfare are not carnal, but are mighty for the pulling down of strongholds.”

“Oh Father God, I need your weapons to fight this fight. Look after Megan and I. Protect us right now and post angels around this house. I know it’s been so long since we’ve talked. Please forgive me Lord, I do love you. You gave us your son Jesus to die for us. Help us Father. ”

A creature crouched by her beside clamped his ears on his ears and cried out an anguished cry.

“Noooooooooo!”

“You heard the woman. Begone from this place.”

In the corner of the room stood a huge figure, his clothing shining brightly in the dark room. A sword held aloft with one hand and the other pointing to the creature that stood cowering in his presence.

“By the blood of the lamb this woman is redeemed. Go!”

With that command the creature flew up through the roof and out into the night, descending on the rooftop across the road.

As Amy prayed it set into motion a standard that could not be broken. In heaven the angels were dispatched to their new assignment. One had never left their side but had stayed with them during their darkest moments. Had Amy known that her guardian angel was already stationed, she would have been amazed, but with the prayer she had just prayed, something else was activated; her faith.

Two spirit beings descended on the rooftop of the house and greeted one another as they landed.

“We fight at long last! Her prayers have gone up to the Father and he has sent us.”

“I felt her prayers my friend. Now we have the freedom to move.”

“Have you seen the treachery unfold?” One being asked.

“Evil has certainly claimed one, but the other is wavering. She has deceived the man. He still has a chance to redeem himself, but that is out of our hands. It is our charges that we must protect. They are redeemed by the blood of the lamb and their prayers have been heard.”

They were joined by the third angel and together they raised their swords in unison and the song of praise they sung went heavenward, telling of God’s great glory. Unseen to the naked eyed, they stood as sentinels, keeping watch; their glory evident as light of God radiated outwards.

Also unseen to humans were the other beings that had also congregated on another rooftop. The insults that had come from the rooftop before stopped suddenly and they were shielding their eyes from the light that was shining out. Above the house they were guarding was a dark cloud of heaviness. Its blanket of evil seeped into the house itself permeating the entire area. It had been a light and airy house before but was now one of sombre depression. Everywhere the woman went, these beings followed. She had allowed their presence for many years and they had the right of passage to anywhere she was, but now that the other had prayed the evil had been contained. The sniggers and insults were being ignored by the heavenly beings. They had their focus heavenward, and on the two people they had been dispatched to protect. Nothing would stop them from keeping God’s elect safe.

Day 6 (Sunday, November 6th)


The joy that settled in her heart was nothing she had ever experienced before, not even when she was on talking terms with God. She couldn’t compare this to anything. Amy reached for the drawer in her bedside table and searched it’s contents. Surely she hadn’t thrown out her bible. It had been a gift to from her parents. When she had drawn back from God, she had left it in her drawer, gathering dust.

“Look in your bookcase,” a random thought came to her mind. She switched on her bedside light and walked over to the oven laden bookshelf George had assembled for her.

There, right at the end of the third shelf was her bible, still gathering dust, but still safe and she breathed a sigh of relief. It was the last thing that her parents had given her before they had died.

Opening the front page she read the birthday inscription. “To our precious daughter Amy: Our wish and prayer for you is that you would know the Jesus we know. Happy birthday.”

A tear fell as she read those words she had read many times, but never before did it have the impact that it did now. Their wish had come true. She knew without out a doubt that the Jesus they knew was in her heart and the peace God had given her, had settled deeply within her entire being. Whatever she had felt before was nothing like the overwhelming compassion and love of the Father that she had now. God had met her where she was at.

Amy flicked through the pages, not sure where to start. As she began searching, the bible fell open to a chapter in Luke. One particular verse stood out from the rest. As she began to read it, the joy she felt before bubbled up once more.

“If you had one hundred sheep, and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn’t you leave the ninety nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found it? And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders. When you arrived you would call together your friends and neighbours to rejoice with you because your lost sheet was found. In the same way, heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”

“Oh my!” Amy read and re-read the same passage over and over again, each time the impact was no less. Jesus loved her so much that he went out of his way to lead her back. The whole of heaven was rejoicing just because of her. The tears came once again, but this time they were cleansing tears of joy. Putting her bible on her nightstand, she reached over to the lamp and flicked it off. It was time to sleep and she knew this time that sleep would come. As she laid her head on her pillow her eyes closed, and the figure sitting by her bed blew a breath over her head and she fell into a deep sleep.

“Sleep and dream of good and holy things, for you are loved of God.”

In Megan’s room the scene was repeated by another heavenly being, standing guard over her bed.

“Sleep little one and dream of good and holy things, for you are loved of God.”

Megan stirred and turned over in bed. He stood by her bed again, his sword at the ready for any attack of the enemy. He was ready to fight and now that the woman’s prayers had been uttered and the Word spoken over her life, it would be a good fight of faith.

“To God be the Glory,” His voice rose up in praise and the answer came back.

“And greatly to be praised.”

In another bed a man lay sleeping in his bed. The woman lay beside him. Both were sleeping but there dreams were nothing like the ones Megan and Amy were having. Dark creatures inhabited their minds, but to them they were beautiful creatures clothed in fine bejewelled clothing. In a moment in time the same creatures became writing snakes twisting themselves around their minds, constricting their heads until the man could stand it no longer. In his sleep he began crying out in pain. The woman was oblivious to this and slept on.

“No! Get off me! Leave me alone. Why are you tormenting me? You lied to me.”

Immediately he woke in a panicked moment and realised it was just a dream. He turned to see his partner sleeping. He could no longer tell night from day, his mind was so foggy. Where had the day gone? He could see it was night outside but before that was clouded under a haze of alcohol. His head hurt like never before and the taste in his mouth was foul.

In snippets the dream came back to him. He saw a road with two forks, one with wildflowers and green grass and the other was beautiful road as well, but with rocks and hills. He knew which one he preferred but the more he thought of it, the more he was drawn to the one with the rocks. He didn’t know why because he had always chosen the way that had the least resistance, and the road with the flowers look so much nicer.

He stood transfixed in the dream debating which road to take, then Olivia came to him, beckoning him to join her on the road that looked so beautiful. He walked towards her, and they embraced. It was then that they began dancing. She was wearing a beautiful sequinned dress, her neck draped in the most beautiful jewels. She started whispering love words into his ear, and then all of a sudden, the jewels became serpents, wrapping themselves around him, tightening every time he tried to get free.

The flowers began to fade and the grass withered. It was too late to turn back now. He had crossed onto the road and now the snakes had hold of him. Olivia turned and smiled at him and then the smile turned into a leer and from within came evil laughter and with that he had woken.

What on earth did that dream mean, he wondered as he sat up, trying to clear his head. How on earth had he slid so low, and how could he ever think that his friends could ever forgive his treachery? George had been his friend and now he was sure that he would gladly wish him dead. What would be the cost of that betrayal he asked himself, as he shook his head to free himself of the pain that was now flooding his brain. Reaching over to the bag he had left beside the bed, he found the pills he had put inside. It would dull the pain for a while, but tomorrow he would drink himself in oblivion once again and the cycle would begin all over again. Laying back down again he wished that the morning never came, but he knew it would.

Many miles away an elderly woman lay on the floor of her bedroom, prostrate. She had woken in the early hours of the morning with the strongest urge to pray. This wasn’t new to her, as she had been long been a woman of prayer; but she knew without a doubt that this was life and death. The Lord had showed her that someone’s life hung in the balance, and so she lay before the Lord interceding, praying on their behalf. If it hadn’t been for her mother praying for her all those years ago, then her life may have turned very differently. Now it was her turn to pray for someone else. She had been praying for many hours and still she could not feel the breakthrough needed.

“Oh Lord, whoever it is, lead them down the right road. Show them that not all that glitters with gold is good. Show them your love Father.”

With that prayer, she felt the heavens open and she rose from the carpeted floor and praised God for the victory.

Day 7 (Monday, November 7th)


“Good morning Mum!” Megan’s sunny voice called out from the foot of her bed.

Amy stretched luxuriously, realising she had slept the night away and it was already morning. She could see the sun filtering through the curtains and by the looks of it, the day was going to be glorious.

“Hello my love. You sound happy,” Amy answered her daughter. “And what have we here?”

“I’ve made you breakfast in bed. I made you a nice cup of tea, some yummy toast with Vegemite, and a crumpet with jam and cream.”

“And what’s the occasion?” Amy asked, sitting up to accept the tray Megan was holding.

In the middle of the tray stood a tall vase with a single red rose. Amy must have gotten up earlier and picked it from their rose bush in the back garden. Normally such a sight would have her reaching for her phone, but this time she saw the flower for what it was: God’s beautiful creation. Life was wonderful, and the joy she had felt the night before, had spilled over to the morning.

“Do you believe in angels Mum? Amy asked her mother as they sat down to eat together.

“Yes, I do sweetie. Why do you ask?”

“Because one was in my room last night. I saw him.”

Amy could feel the goose bumps on her skin. This wasn’t just the imagination of a child. She had sensed the very same thing last night when she had finally drifted off to sleep. Her prayer had been answered in a very real way. They had angels posted beside them, and with that though in her mind, she drew Megan to her.

“My angel came to visit to Megan. I know it’s true. God has sent us angels to protect us. Do you believe that?”

“Oh, I’ve seen him before. I just didn’t realise who he was. He was so cool Mum! You should have seen him!”

“I’m not going to promise anything, but how do you feel about going to church again sweetie? We have to ask George first.”

“Oh mum! Could we? Sunday school and all? I’d love that!”

“Let’s ask George when he comes around this afternoon, ok?”

They sat eating their breakfast in a companiable (Sp?) silence, happy to be able to enjoy what the morning had brought. Amy hoped that this feeling of peace would remain as it was the first time in many years that she had faced the day with such optimism.

When George arrived later in the day, Megan bounded to the door to greet him. He jumped back in surprise as she greeted him loudly.

“Oh please, please let us go!” George looked at Amy who was sitting reading the paper, a coffee in her hand.

“Do I get a choice in whatever you two have cooked up? Ok, spill the beans.” George said with a grin on his face. He grabbed Megan in his arms, and carried her over to where Amy was sitting.

Megan erupted into a fit of giggles and tried to squirm out of George’s grip. He began to tickle her and this made her laugh even more.

“Uncle!” She finally cried out.

“Oh, you’re no fun,” George told her, plonking her down on the chair next to her mother. “Now, what were you going to ask me?” George directed his question to Amy. “It will cost you a cup of coffee I think.”

“What security level are we now?” Amy asked.

“Still on high alert Amy. Why?”

“Would it be possible for Megan and I to go to church sometime?” She asked, his surprised look not wasted on Amy. She found herself hoping that George would be pleased with her question.

“Oh wow! I’d love to say yes but it would take a lot of manpower,” He answered, carefully watching Amy’s face for her reaction and was pleasantly surprised to see the disappointment showing.

“I thought that may be the case. It was a nice thought. Something wonderful happened last night George. I prayed to God and he answered my prayer.”

“That’s wonderful Amy. I am so happy for you. Gail and I have been praying for you for a very long time.”

“You have? Wow! I had no idea. Thank you so much,” Amy spoke, taking his hand and squeezing it tight. “You have no idea how much I appreciate that. It’s been a very long road. I just wish that we could go to church.”

“Ummm… let me think on it for a while and I’ll see if I can work something out. Maybe church can come to you?” George told her, seeing the puzzled look on Amy’s face.

“No, I’m not saying anything until it’s concrete. That way if it doesn’t work out, you won’t be disappointed. How about it Megan? You and mum can’t go to church. It would just be too risky….. but we’ll see if we can have church here… Ok?”

Megan jumped up and down excitedly and rushed to give George a hug. He hoped that he hadn’t spoken too soon. They had spent so much of their lives tucked away out of everyday life that he wondered if it wasn’t becoming suffocating for them. They were entitled to a life of their own, and the wonderful news of Amy’s prayer was music to his ears. This is was what Gail and he had prayed for and he had lost count of the many hours of prayer he had spent on her behalf. It had been a privilege, but now he realised that he wanted more for himself than for her and that worried him.

“Thank you,” Amy mouthed and stood up to fetch him a cup of coffee. “I bought some new coffee. I think you’ll like it…. But then again, you probably know about it. You did my shopping for me didn’t you?”

“Oh, don’t you worry Amy, very soon you’ll be doing your own shopping, and you’ll be cursing the day they made shopping trolleys,” George joked with her as he accepted the hot drink.

“Oh, I will never ever complain about shopping George. I miss it so much!”

“I’ll remember that in 10 years time girl!”

“And Megan and I will be around to celebrate it in 10 years time too!” Amy spoke decisively.

“Mum, can I have some ice cream? Pretty please!” Megan asked, grinning from ear to ear and both she and George laughed.

“Oh how can you say no Amy? Look at her face…. Hmmmm…. Ice cream… Sounds good. Can I have some too? Pretty please.” George grinned.

“Oh you two! What would you have said if I said no?” She asked. “A good parent you’d make!” She told George, laughing as he took on a contrite look.

“Make mine vanilla,” he said, smiling at Megan’s giggle.

The simple joy of sharing ice cream with a friend wasn’t lost on Amy and the peace that had settled on her the night before, came once more. It just felt so right that they were sitting there, just like family. Amy felt herself stopping there in her tracks. Where was she going with this? She was almost too scared to answer that, it was such a revelation. Did George feel the same, or was he just being kind to two lost souls? She had never even thought of another man since Bob had died. In fact, she had vowed never to marry again. She had never wanted to open herself up to be hurt again, and before Bob had died, her heart had been broken so many times, that it had become callused. There was only so much a woman could take, and Bob’s philandering days were just too many.

She only knew of one affair, but she guessed there had been others, but only one that she knew of. A woman had rung one day when Bob was at work, claiming to be his mistress, telling her that the nights he had been “working”, he had actually been with her. It had cut deeply, and when she told Bob of the call, he had some explanation of a crazy woman; but when she found her phone number in his pocket, she knew his words had been hollow. The woman who had run had the very same phone number. Thank God for Caller ID.

Could she open herself up again for that type of hurt? It had broken her heart to hear her husband lie to her face and go to church the very next day. That was the day she had lost her faith, and now it was up to her to let God show her the road back.

“A penny for your thoughts,” George spoke quietly, sensing her sombre mood.

“Oh just wool gathering,” she answered lightly, “Remembering a few not so nice times….but I’ll be ok.” She looked up and sighed, brushing a stray tear from her eye.

“By the grace of God we go Amy. Don’t try and second guess everything. Life happens. Bad stuff happens to good people, and sometimes good stuff happens to bad people. I don’t have all the answers, but do I know that if keep my trust in God, I’ll have nothing to fear.”

“How do you learn to trust people George? Someone lied to me and I’ve never forgotten it.”

“By forgiving them….and only God can help you with that honey. I know because I’ve been there. How do you think I forgave my dad for beating the living doo da out of me almost every night? You didn’t know that did you?” Amy shook her head in disbelief.

“It was the booze that did it. I wish that I knew him before that, but that’s life. It was my aunty that took me in and introduced me to the Lord. I don’t know what I would have done without that praying woman. God had his hand on me the whole time and I didn’t even know it.”

Amy nodded, knowing full well what he was talking about. Her parents had been the lifeline she had to God and had they still been alive, they would be sitting down with her rejoicing. As it was they were probably in heaven now partying with the angels.

Day 7 Nanowrimo Tuesday November 8th

NANOWRIMO TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8th

In another room, darkened by the roller shutters on the front window, a woman sat crossed legged on the carpeted floor. Danielle had closed the bedroom door with strict instructions that she was not to be disturbed. Her partner was quite relieved at this request because it gave him more couch time. She had been nagging him to finish a job he had started, but his head felt like it was about to explode; and he was in no mood for work.

“It needs to be done by tomorrow Steven,” she had reminded him just before closing the bedroom door behind her. Danielle never invited him to one of her sessions, and while this would usually annoy him, today he felt relieved.

He glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall, grateful that it told him he was able to have another tablet. The headaches had returned with a vengeance and while he knew that he would have to see a doctor sooner or later, it was just too risky. The surgeon who had worked on him before had been suspicious of his wounds and he was sure that if he returned to the hospital, he would be sure to see the same doctor, and that he could not risk.

Reaching for the medicine bottle he had put on the counter, he popped a pill in his mouth and washed it down with the dregs of his coffee. The coffee had gone cold and the sugar had congealed on the bottom. It tasted foul, but to be honest, he was beyond caring. Turning, he returned to the living room and lay down on the three seater lounge. At least the owners had good taste in furniture. It may not have been the chic opulence he and Danielle were used to, but it was comfortable and as far as he was concerned, that’s all he cared about.

“Poke him again! HeHeHe… Look at him squirm!” A creature stood by the sofa Steven had just lowered himself onto. He was taking such glee in Steven’s pain. It seemed such a sport to him.

“He is such a weak man,” another spoke, looking at Steven with such disdain. “She has him wrapped around his little finger.”

“And that is just what the master wants,” the other responded, a leer transforming his face. It was such an ugly being. The scales on its skin reflected the afternoon sun. He turned and walked through the closed door to see what the woman was doing.

Danielle was sitting chanting the mantra that the guru from India had taught her. “Empty your mind,” he had told her. “Allow yourself to travel in your mind.” As she sat, she practiced breathing in and out, listening to her breath as she did. Breathe in the good and exhale the bad.

She had been meditating for 20 minutes and she had hit a ceiling. It didn’t normally take this long to get into the presence. Danielle felt frustrated as she felt her body complaining about the time she had been on the floor.

Just then the creature that just had delighted in tormenting Steven slipped into the room. He walked over to Danielle and whispered in her ear.

“Hello my love. Did you miss me?” In her mind Danielle slipped into the realm she had been trying to reach for so long.

“Sydonai, I thought you had left me.” She cried out, looking at the beautiful horse before her. She loved horses and to be able to travel to such a wonderful place and ride on such a beautiful creature was breathtaking.

“I would never leave you Danielle. Your mother may have, but I would never do that.”

Danielle frowned and almost slipped from the dreamlike state she had moved into. It had been a long time since she had thought of her mother.

“How did you know about my mother?”

“I know many things about you Danielle. I was there when you fell off the swing and you broke your arm,” he smiled at her, nuzzling into her. His mane felt rough against her skin, but his body was firm and his skin soft. She ran her hands over his neck and hugged him tight. She always felt safe in his presence.

“I was there when your father did things to you.”

“He was a big fat pig!” Danielle spat out the venom. Her face contorted into a scowl remembering her long dead father. In fact her father was buried in a grassy knoll in the forest where she had dug his grave. He would never pester another child or woman ever again. She looked into the eyes of the white stallion and asked something she had never dared to ask before.

“Why did you let him do those things to me Sydonai?” she asked.

“You wound me! How could you think I would allow such a terrible thing to occur? You hadn’t ascended to that higher plane then. You did not know me as you know me now my love. I was powerless to help.” Danielle could feel his presence drawing back and she struggled with that thought.

“Don’t go. I’m sorry Sydonai. Of course you wanted to help me. I understand.”

“Shhh… don’t fret. I won’t go… not unless you want me to Danielle,” he told her and then began prancing around showing Danielle exactly what he wanted.

Danielle jumped onto his bare back and the two of them rode off galloping over the grassy meadow amongst the wildflowers that graced the hills to the left. The flat plane where she always rode was stunningly beautiful and she delighted in Sydonai’s earthy smell as she held on tightly to his neck.

As Danielle sat on her bedroom floor the creature who was whispering words into her ear smiled once more as the woman he had come to deceive fell deeper into the abyss he was drawing her into. Soon she would be theirs, but until then he would woo her only with what she wanted to hear. Their time would come.

At the end of the ride Danielle sat on Sydonai’s back breathless with exhilaration of the moment. She paused to look over at the scenery and sighed at its beauty. In the corner of her eye for a fleeting moment she was startled to see a bed of writhing snakes, but when she turned to look it was nothing more than grass moving in the wind. She had a fear of snakes and the very thought made her shiver. Sydonai sensed Danielle’s fear and sniggered to himself. He stored this fact away just in case it could be used later.

He turned to Danielle and spoke seriously, breaking the silence.

“You know it is time. We have to move to the next level. They have to be eliminated.”

“Yes, I know, but he’s being stubborn. He’s getting squeamish on me. He doesn’t like the idea of knocking off the kid.”

“The child must die Danielle, and the woman. They witnessed something that could be our undoing. Think about it Danielle....Do you want to be saddled with a child? He’s just feeling guilty.... and guilt is nothing but a state of mine. If you say no to guilt, then it doesn’t exist.”

“How can I change his mind?”

“Leave that to me my love.”

Danielle could feel Sydonai’s presence withdrawing and she reluctantly allowed him to canter off across the field. Watching him disappear into the distance was heartbreaking. It was the one time that she felt complete but when he left her she felt such emptiness inside.

The scaly creature slithered across the room and disappeared through the door he had entered before and returned to his counterpart, who was standing by his charge. He had continually been poking him with a sharp pointer, right in the middle of his back and head. No wonder Steven was in so much pain. This creature was taking great delight in tormenting him and had not let up. The painkillers had no effect at all, and all it had managed to do was to give him a fuzzy head.

“He’s in such pain. Isn’t it wonderful?” the other laughed as he prodded him one more time.

“I haven’t got time for such foolishness Barbus. I have another mission for this man. Come, I need to consult with the Master.”

Barbus looked at his companion in awe. What was it like to consult with the master? He had never been allowed in his presence. He was just a lowly one, not even fit to lick the master’s boots. Why was Sydonai allowed such a thing? After all, he was no better than himself. Why should he be promoted so quickly? He pushed that aside as Sydonai motioned to leave and the two of them shot up through the roof into the air.

“There is trouble afoot Galgaliel,” an armour clad being spoke quickly. “They are planning another treachery.”

Galgaliel had felt the evil oozing from the house opposite and felt in the Spirit that the enemy was indeed planning something to harm their charges. He nodded to his companion and looked once more to the beings gathering on the other rooftop. The cloud above had strengthened which meant someone was praying to the enemy. Although he knew that greater was his Lord, he could feel the palpable evil that was gathering. Where were the prayers of the righteous? They needed the cover so much. Lives depended on it.

“Oh, you foolish sons of men. When will you realise what you have lost? When will you rise up in prayer?”

As he considered this two creatures flew out from the house. The smell of sulfur was strong in the air. Their wings flapped as they few off to the east. Unbeknown to the creatures, their presence had been noted and two angels were called; and with their glory hidden, they followed.

Galgaliel and his companion Shekiniah kept watch on top of the house as a watchman would. Their charges were safe for now and that was their assignment. Nothing else mattered.

Inside the trio were just finishing off their ice creams and Amy began to feel restless again. It was the same feeling she had felt before she had prayed the night before. She couldn’t fathom what was wrong. George saw the frown on her face and wondered what was wrong.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I feel really weird. My head is throbbing George… right here,” Amy told him, indicating a band of pain around her forehead.

“It just came on you out of the blue?” He asked, thinking quickly.

“Yeah, I was fine a while ago.”

“Hmmm… What do you know about spiritual warfare Amy?”

“I’ve heard about it but that’s about all,” she answered, rubbing her temples in an effort to get relief.

“When people make decisions for God, or when Christians come back to God, they come back with baggage,” He told her. “Do you know what I mean by baggage?”

“I can guess, but I never really got into anything bad.”

“You don’t have to. Just unbelief itself can have a stranglehold on our lives… and you have no idea what forces are out there trying to draw you back to where you were before. That’s where spiritual warfare comes in. You prayed a prayer and that cemented something, but the enemy will try and come back and sabotage it. How about we pray right now?”

“Yes please,” Amy said, relieved to be doing something.

“Father God, we come here right now to ask for your protection,” George started out, and then stopped for a second. “Megan, come over here sweetie. Let’s pray together ok?” He told her, drawing her next to them.

“We need your protection from the enemy. Thank you that your angels are fighting the good fight of faith and we say that we are redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus. Thank you for sending your son to die for us.” George’s prayer had clarity and authority as he prayed.

He then lifted his hand and laid it on Amy’s head.

“Father, thank you for Amy. I’m asking you now to touch her Lord. The enemy has no right in her life, or in this house. Thank you for Megan Lord. The enemy has no place in her life either. They are protected and sheltered in your presence. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen and Amen!”

The creature that had been prodding Amy’s stopped and when he tried to prod her again, a huge hand clamped down on his and he turned to face a seven foot angel.

“What do you want with me?” He asked the angel, the sulfurous breath coming in rasps. He was quite an odious creature, small in stature and was no match for the heavenly being.

“You heard the man of God! Be gone!”

The snake like creature reared up ready to strike but the angel was quicker and before he could move, the sword came out and the creature was sliced through.

“Noooooo!” Its voice rose up in pain and anger and he flew up through the ceiling but found itself mortally wounded and disappeared in a puff of yellow smoke. The angels on the roof top held their swords aloft giving praise to God.

“He was but an underling,” Galgaliel told them. “We must be vigilant and keep watch. The evil is growing, and we must fight the good fight!”

In the dining room Amy couldn’t believe how quickly her headache had disappeared. Almost a soon as George had prayed, the pain had lifted. The fuzzy feeling was gone from her head and she could think once more. Oh how wonderful God was. This was the second time she had prayed and God had answered and she felt so grateful of that.

“You must be on your guard Amy. There is more going on that we don’t know about. God is your only defense with things like this,” George told her, reaching for the Bible on the table. “Here, I’ll show you.”

George searched until he found the passage in the bible.

“For we are not warring against principalities and powers but flesh and blood.” He read it out, pausing at the end.

“Things are happening that we must fight against Amy, and we must fight that war using God’s weapons. I don’t know what is happening out there, but I do know how to fight it. I read my Bible and pray every day....and you must do this too.”

Amy nodded, drawing Amy close. It was a fight that they were going to win and she thanked God that He was on her side.


NANOWRIMO WEDNESDAY 9TH


Maria set about her work with fervour. With the money she had been offered to help keep the mansion tidy, she was able to send something home for her family in the Philippines. She felt guilty living in a bedroom that was almost the same size as her mother’s own house; but she also enjoyed the luxury.

She had chosen to work in the foyer first, dusting the sculptures dotting the room. Had she known the price of most of those art works she would have had a fright. Their combined worth would have set her and her family up for life.

Her boss was in a business meeting with some of his employees and she took care not to disturb them as they worked. She had been dusting in the conference room when asked to leave and it was through the double doors that she heard the shouting and language. This was not how she was brought up and it made her think that the job offer wasn’t such a good idea; but it meant too much to be able to provide for her mother and brothers. Her father had died many years ago and her mother had been unwell.

“What do you mean they need extra time?” She heard her boss yell. At that point she exited the outer foyer and left them to their own bad moods. She would come back later. She had her doubts about her boss’s work and would rather not know any more than she already knew.

“There’s round the clock surveillance Guido. Plus she’s really pally pally with George O’Conner. George has taken a shine to her and the kid.”

“So? It can’t be too hard to knock off a woman and a kid. A sniper will do it… Find someone that’s expendable. Make sure it’s someone that won’t talk… and get him to knock them off. Simple.” He shook his head at what he saw was ineptitude.

He dismissed his men with a wave of his hand and sat down again behind the huge oak desk. He needed a large desk to hide the layers of fat that had accumulated over the years of excess. Wine, women and good song used to be his motto, but now it was wine, women and amazing food…. lots of it.

He sat doodling thinking what a chase these two had given him. He knew they had spotted him in the marina car park when the woman had dropped off her husband, and this was one fact that could put him in prison for the rest of his life; and that was just totally unacceptable.

Who would have known that such a successful businessman, with links to so many corporations had masterminded the biggest drug cartel in the country? His cover was fantastic. He travelled between South America and Australia at least three times a year, and with every trip he would organise a drug network that stretched from America, through many other countries and that network gave him the lifestyle that many would envy. Besides, with five ex wives in the States and two here, he had to have the cash rolling in.

“Bloody idiots!”

Guido slammed his fist down on the table, the sound echoing in the room. His glass paperweight jumped off the table, landing on the floor in a million shards of glass. He ignored the fact it was a gift from his now wife. She was on the outer anyway, and soon would be sent packing. He had more important things to think about now.


“If you want a job done, you have to do it yourself,” He spoke to himself and set about planning his next move.

So that night, under the cover of dark, he had one of the men drop him around the corner from the house and he used the fact that there was no moon and the many trees dotted around the neighbourhood, to walk through the streets. He wanted to get a feel for the area and to suss out his enemy. He noted the van parked in the street, innocuous looking but Guido perceived it as a threat. There was most likely two agents and maybe a third with listening devices and mostly likely quite a lot of fire power. A formidable force, but nothing he hadn’t tackled before.

He saw the house at last through the infra red binoculars he kept in his backpack. The roller shutters were a problem, he realised, if he wanted to use the services of a sniper. George had thought this out very carefully. No, he would have to do this himself. He could trust no others for the task at hand…. But not tonight. Tonight he would watch and look.

“Helo Mama,” Maria spoke to her mother.

This was the one phone call a week to the Philippines that she allowed herself. It was easier to call when there was only 2 hours difference. In fact, when she rang late in Sydney and took advantage of the cheaper calls, it still early enough in Manilla where her family lived. She usually called from the post office, but this time had chosen to borrow a friend’s phone. She never liked calling from the mansion. There was never enough privacy.

She heard the excited voice of her mother speaking in the familiar Tagalog language that she missed. But she had chosen to speak only English in Australia, so that she could get practice. After all, if she intended to practice law here, she would need to communicate well. If only she had enough money to go back to university and get the qualifications she needed. In her own country she was well known but here she did not have the right credentials. Very soon she would have enough money to go back to school, but until then she would have to settle for cleaning other people’s houses.

“Mama! Magsalita ingles. Speak English! I need the practice.”

“How are you daughter? Are you well?”

“Yes Mama. I am well. How are the boys? I hope they are behaving themselves?”

“Yes, they are. They miss you maliit isa,” her mother reverted to Tagalog, using her favourite name for her…. “little one.”

“It won’t be long Mama. I will have enough money soon and I will be a lawyer here.”

“That is good Maria. You are a good daughter….but you send us too much money. Keep it for your studies. You are being careful maliit isa?”

Her mother’s question surprised her. What on earth did seem mean by that? Maria knew that her mother had warned her of the fast living in a city, but surely she knew that she was a good girl and wouldn’t do anything wrong?

“I don’t understand Mama.”

“Maria, you must be careful. That’s what God told me in my prayers. You are praying maliit isa?”

“Yes, of course Mama, every day… and I go to Mass.”

“Good, girl… but that is nothing if you don’t have a heart for our Father. You must believe Maria.”

“Yes I do Mama. You know that.”

“I am glad. I will pray for you tonight Maria.”

“Give the boys a hug for me Mama. I love you.”

“And I you maliit isa.”

After Maria had hung up the phone, she sat wondering what her mother had meant. She hadn’t meant to lie to her mother, but with all the extra work, she had neglected going to church and her prayers, but she hadn’t wanted to upset her mother. Perhaps this weekend she would go to Mass and that way she would be honouring her family. That meant so much to her and she had to go to church to do that, then she would.

Taking the bus home, Maria decided to visit the church on her way home. It was one that stayed opened to late into the night. Slipping in seemingly unnoticed she crossed herself and sat in a pew.

“Oh Father, I am sorry I haven’t prayed for such a long time. Please forgive me.” She prayed and then reverted to praying in Tagalog, as there was only so much she could express in English.

She prayed for her family, for the people she worked with, and most of all the prayed for Guido Perez, the man she worked for. He was someone to fear, she thought, but perhaps if she prayed for him, God would work in his heart.

“Helo, patawarin ako,” a voice quietly interrupted her prayers, saying hello and excusing the interruption.

“Helo,” Maria responded shyly looking into the eyes of a young Pilipino girl.

“Gumawa ka magsalita ingles?” She was asking if Maria spoke English.

“Yes I do. My name is Maria Sanchez.”

“Hi. My name is Mayumi Kadasen.... typical Tagalog name hey?” She answered.

“My father wanted the Spanish names so we didn’t have a choice,” Maria answered.

“Look, I’m the youth leader here at the church. I don’t think I’ve seen you here before?”

“Ummm... no. I’ve just started work at the Perez household... You know the Perez mansion don’t you?”

“Who doesn’t? That guy has gone through so many domestics it’s not funny. I work at the The Flying Filipinos with my aunt. We’ve stopped sending girls there.” She told her, giving her a business card.

“I need the money, but if I need another job I’ll give you a call,” Maria told her, getting up from the pew.

At least she had money coming in every week. If she left, she may not be able to get another job. She would have to go back to the Philippines, and then what good would that be. She would have to think very hard before she gave up her job. Looking at her watch, she realised that her bus would be there any moment and because it was the last one for the night, she didn’t want to miss it.

“We have a youth night every Friday if you’re interested. It starts at 7.30. Give me a call if you want to come and I’ll pick you up.”

“Thank you, but I don’t know if I can. I work most Friday nights.” She responded. “But I do miss talking to other people my age.”

“Well, if you ever do get a Friday night off give me a call. You’re just around the corner from where I live.”

“Thanks... well, I’d better go. My bus will be here any moment. It was really nice to meet you.”

On the bus home, Maria sat thinking about the night’s events. To hear her native Tagalog spoken again was wonderful. As much as Maria knew she needed to practice her English, she felt so homesick; and to hear someone greet her in Tagalog had been fantastic.

A thought suddenly came to her and she chuckled to herself. This was exactly what she had prayed for. She had asked God to bring someone along her path that could help and this was exactly what God had done. For the first time in many months she did not feel so alone, and returning to the house would not be so lonesome.

NANOWRIMO THURSDAY NOVEMBER 10th


Two heavenly beings sat on the bus beside Maria, one on either side. Although she had always used the bus to travel around Sydney, she had never enjoyed the night time rides. She had to catch 2 buses to reach her friend’s house, and most of that journey went through some very rough areas.

Two drunks got on several stops before the end of her journey and Maria pretended she hadn’t seen them. She usually avoided eye contact with most of the passengers. The racism she endured occasionally had put her off. At another stop a group of rowdy teenagers dressed in black paid for their fares and walked straight past where she was sitting.

This was the same group of teenagers she had trouble with before. She shifted nervously in her seat and kept looking down, hoping that they wouldn’t recognize her.

Fear gripped her she heard them laughing and joking about the smell in the bus.

“Pray for protection,” one of the angels whispered in her ear.

The thought to pray came to her mind and she pushed it aside, still concerned with the teenagers, why by now had stopped walking up the isle and her swapping insults with the two older drunks who had sat at the back.

“God will protect you,” the other angel told her. “We can’t act until you pray Maria.”

The idea to pray once again came to mind and this time Maria acted upon it.

“Father, keep me safe. Lord, I am tired of being scared on the bus. Help me.” She crossed herself in the usual fashion and this time she sat with her head up, feeling buoyed inside.

“That’s a girl.” The angels stood up, their swords held up protecting their charge.

It was as if the evil perceived the presence of the heavenly beings and the teenagers began to act up once more.

“Hey, look at the Gook!” One of them yelled out, pointing to Maria.

“Stand tall Maria.” The first angel spoke to her, holding his sword in front, protecting her.

“What is the matter with you people?” Maria called out, turning to face them, taking them by surprise. “What have I ever done to you?”

“You come here, and you take our jobs!” One girl yelled out angrily.

“Do you want to scrub floors, or wash windows?” Maria asked. “That’s why I do every day and for that I get $6 an hour. Would you do that?”

“Why don’t you go back to your own country?” Another boy yelled out, egged on by his friends.

“Because I can’t.” She answered, not wanting to complicated it any more by telling them that she had come to Australia for better opportunities. That would just make them even angrier. “Look I don’t want to fight you. All I want to do is go on the bus without being yelled at.”

One boy was about to step forward, in his hand a knife, partly concealed under his shirt sleeve. An angel stepped forward, putting himself in the boy’s path. At that moment another girl grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back. She motioned to the front of the bus, where the driver was sitting. He had been looking in the rear vision mirror, his hand ready to grab the radio.

“Come on David, it’s not worth the hassle,” she told him but he was reluctant to move back.

“Oi!” The bus driver yelled out. “You kids in the back! Either sit down or get off the bus. I don’t want any trouble ok?”

They mumbled under their breath and decided that it was indeed trouble that they did not need and moved further down the back. Maria felt she could breathe again and said a silent thank you to God, because she knew without a doubt, that without that prayer, it could have turned out so differently; and for the first time since moving to Australia, she had actually faced her fear and met it front on. Only God could have given her the courage to do that.

The rest of the journey was uneventful and she was grateful that the teenagers got off the bus before she did. Maria did not want them to know her stop, nor did she want them to know where she lived; and because the house was right beside the bus stop, it would be very obvious to anyone on the bus that she lived there.

The house was in darkness, even though it was still quite early. Her employers were hardly ever home at night and this fact she found quite heartening. Letting herself in, she went to her room straight away so that she could spend the rest of the evening relaxing. Rummaging through her drawers, she found the Bible her mother had packed and, dusting off the cover, she began to read. She had never read the Bible from start to finish, and since God at answered her prayers twice today, it was the least she could do.

Beginning at Genesis, she began ready the story of creation and at the end she marveled at the work God had done. A lot she didn’t understand but they could be questions that maybe Mayumi could answer. If only she could get Friday nights off, that would be fantastic. Did she dare ask God? He could only say no.

“I really want to go on Friday night Lord. Please help me.”

She whispered a prayer hoping that it would be answered. After all, it was to honour God that she wanted to go, and if she told her mother that she had met another Christian Filipino, she would be over the moon.

Maria looked at the clock and realised that if she didn’t go to bed then, she would have a terrible time getting up in the morning. Her boss expected her to start at six every morning and if she went to bed late, she paid for it the next day.

The next morning she woke half an hour before her alarm went off. To say that she felt totally refreshed was an understatement. The peace that settled on her heart as she went to sleep the night before still enveloped her. Her mother had been right all along. When you have Jesus in your heart, everything will work out for the best.

With that thought in her mind, she reached for her bible, opened to where she had finished reading before. With a hunger in her heart, she began reading again, the words going into her spirit.

“What’s she doing?” a creature cried out in pain.

Even though he had been denied access to her room, he could sense that the woman was reading the Word of God and it cut though him like a knife.

“You have failed to stop this,” another creature muttered angrily. The Master will not be happy Forcas. You will have to tell him your mission has failed.”

“You dare to speak to me Kokb’ael? I haven’t failed you slug!” He spat out the words, glaring at his companion. “I still have something I can do. I will make her hate God! You breathe a word of this and I will stick my blade through you. You hear me well!”

The other creature backed away. He knew full well of Forcas’s temper and did not want to be on the receiving end. He will have to tell the Master himself. If not he may find himself being thrown into the outer oblivion if the Master found out that he had been deceived. So he flew off to do just that.

Several miles away in a small dingy log cabin were several henchmen employed by Guide Perez. They never stayed at the big house and every time they came into town for an assignment, they always were sent here. Mr Perez never liked being associated with the low life he employed, and that fact was not lost on them. Their loyalty always depended on how much they were paid, and if someone else had offered them more, they would have taken it. Guido never treated them like well, so why should they remain loyal to him?

As he flew closer to the cabin Kokb’ael could sense the evil, and the power he received from the growing blanket of cover made travel easier. He normally would be keeping an eye out for the enemy but he could sense the power oozing from the beings stationed around the bush and that feeling empowered him for the mission he had.

“What are you doing here you loathsome creature,” a voice called out from the tree tops. It was a special guard stationed along the way.

“I have a special message for the Master,” he responded haughtily.

“I’ll be the judge of that. Who are you to come before the Master?”

“I am Kokb’ael! Who are you to stop me on my mission? The Master will not be happy when I tell him you have tried to stop me with my mission!” Although is voice told one story, the shaking that went through his body said another. At one point he thought that the creature was going to run him through for his impudence, but he motioned him to pass.

“You may go, but if I find trouble because of this, you will be dead by nightfall.” His warning did not fall on deaf ears and Kokb’ael hoped that the information he had for the Master was deemed important. Otherwise he would end up thrown into the abyss.

He flew past the other sentries and past the trees that held the other beings congregating around the cabin. They scowled at him as he passed through their barrier. They had been told to let him pass but they weren’t very happy about it.

“Let me through! I am Kokb’ael! I have an important message for the Master!”

He hovered above the cabin for moment before flying through the closed door. There were no barriers here. This is where the heavenly creatures had no right and he was glad of that.

There were several met sitting around. Some were reading magazines while the others were tending to their equipment. Lying around the room were different types of firepower being disassembled and cleaned. Each man was responsible for his own rifle or gun and they tended to them like they were their own children. Each was important to their mission and they had to make sure that each gun fired when called to.

“Oh, take a look at this bit of fluff!” One man called out, holding up a magazine showing a naked woman. “Now, that’s what I call a woman!” The others sniggered and ogled the picture he held up.

“She would even give you the time of day Snuffy,” a broad shouldered man called out, laughing after he spoke. He didn’t even know Snuffy’s real name. He only knew what the boss called, named after the amount of people he had “snuffed out”. When asked how many that had been, Snuffy had replied that he had lost count. Since he was about 20 years older than the rest of them they figured he had a lot of killing years ahead of them.

“Don’t bet on it Evens,” He responded quickly. “This type of woman likes a real man.”

The comment wasn’t lost on the other man, and he rose quickly, ready to pick a fight, but was held back by one of his friends.

“Calm down Ted! He didn’t mean nuffin’ by it! The boss’ll be here soon, so shut up and get on with it,” he told him, pointing to the rifle he was cleaning.

Ted sat down again, not willing to get into any more trouble than he already was in. It was his fault that the woman and the kid got away under their noses. He got a tongue lashing from Herb that day, and even thought he considered him his friend, Herb answered to Guido Perez, and that’s when their friendship went out the window.

The door flew open and each man reached for a side arm that they kept on them at all times, but when the saw who it was they relaxed.

“Geeze Herb! You almost got your blood ‘ead blown off!” Snuffy yelled out. “Give us a bit of warning next time will ya!”

“Oh yeah Snuffy… like the cops are going to knock on the door and say ‘Please snuffy’, can we come in? Bloody idiot.” The man called Herb told him in a sarcastic tone. “No one even knows we’re here…. And if they did, it would be one of youse telling them. Get the picture?”

The all nodded, not wanting to go there. Even the thought that one of them would betray any of the men was something they didn’t even want to contemplate.

The henchlings that came with Herb were unseen to the men in the room. They slithered in through the closed door, hissing at each other as the arrived. They jostled for a position next to the one being that had gone before them, attached to the man who had just arrived.

It was Herb’s choice to allow this demon access. The things he had done and the impure thoughts that racked his brain continued because of the open door he had allowed. The Master had permanent access to this man and it would take a huge fight in the heavenlies for him to give up his prize possession.

He had invested a lot of time in gaining control of this man and he was not about to allow a mere woman and her child to spoil everything he had created.

“Hi Boss!” the men responded standing up to receive the man who paid their wages.

“Hi yourself! I’ve been chewed out today and I’m not in a very good mood. Mr. Perez is fed up with the lot of ya!” he told them, motioning them to sit down.

“He’s going to do the job himself now,” he explained, ignoring their mutters. “I reckon we should work out something real good and show him what we’re made of ok. So get some thinking caps on guys, and let’s come up with somethin’ good. The woman and the kid need to be knocked of by next week, or we’re outa work.”

They nodded silently and sat down together to discuss what they could do to redeem themselves. It wasn’t just a case of honour, but if they didn’t come up with something soon, they would be out on their ears, and with no money coming in, and that did not appeal to them at all.

The Master rubbed his hands together, loving the deception and grovelling these men were prepared to do. This was exactly how he wanted them; green with envy, hating one another and prepared to do his work, without even knowing it.

“Master!” A voice called out to him. His head spun around to face a loathsome creature before him.

“You dare to come before me!” He bellowed and Kokb’ael felt the bravado leaving.

“I have a message for you Master. Forcas has failed in his mission. The girl has started to read the word of God.”

“Ewwwww! You have said his name in my presence! What have I said about that!” He yelled, swiping at the creature in front of him.

“But master, you said it was crucial that there be no praying people in the house,” Kokb’ael explain, rubbing his head where the Master had struck him.

“The fool! I told him to take care of that! Must I do everything!” A huge bellow followed and all the demons and underlings cringed when they heard the Master’s cry. They knew it meant trouble.

“I knew I had to tell you Master.”

The Master turned to look at the creature who had been the messenger and sniggered at the ugly creature before him. He could be useful after all, he thought to himself as he pondered his next move.

“Go now,” He told Kokb’ael. “And tell Forcas to return to see me. I will not tolerate mistakes!”

With that Kokb’ael look his leave and flew out of the building before the Master could change his mind. He sniggered with the thought that how quickly Forcas’s position had been altered. Now the Master would listen to him and promotion would surely follow. He laughed has he wondered what sort of punishment would befall his fellow underling.

NANOWRIMO FRIDAY NOVEMBER 11th

"So, what do you think Jack?" George asked his boss. He had just put forward a suggestion of a church meeting at the safe house and he wondered what his boss's reaction would be.

"I'd be happier that fewer people knew where she was George." He told him, stroking his beard as he spoke. This was something that Jack Bishop did every time he was presented something that he had to chew over.

"Why do you think I got in another agency for surveillance Jack?" George spoke seriously to his boss. "I really think we have a mole... and that's why only you and I know where they are."

Jack Bishop had been the head of the department for twenty years and to say that he was the most senior man there was almost true. Only one other person had more years on him, and he was about to retire. He had hoped to get his job when he left, but his job was just a glorified pen pusher and he didn't know if he could cope with being an office jockey. He had promised his wife a less stressful job promotion, but somehow he didn't think that was going to happen now that he actually saw what his superior actually did. To have to go hand in mouth to the government honchos asking for funding was not the job he had envisaged for his twilight years. He would much rather retire gracefully and be done with it.

"Hmmm.... George, do you really think we have someone on the inside feeding information?" Jack asked, leaning forward. "I need more than a hunch if you want me to follow up on this."

"How about this..... " George pushed a two bundle of papers forward.

Jack picked them up and skimmed through them quickly. He looked up with a quizzical look on his face.

"So! All you have here are a bunch of dates, and a pile of access logs. So, what's the big mystery here?"

"All those dates and times are significant only to Amy and Megan.... and they are also dates that the roses were delivered. The others are sheets of access logs of times that someone in this department accessed private information about those dates.

"What! When?" Jack picked them up once again, his eyes widening at the implication.

"Most of them were around the times that packages were delivered.... and the others are just recently... These are dates yet to come."

"Good grief! You're right. Oh my God!" Jack spoke quickly, and George held back from saying anything.

He hated it when others used God's name like that but he knew that his boss meant no harm by it and he didn’t want to look flakey to his colleagues. The last thing he wanted them to think was that he was a whacky Christian.

“I’ll have to report it. Good job you spotted this George. Thank you.”

“I’m glad too. It was Amy that picked it up really. I had a hunch. I saw that some of the deliveries came on the same dates year after year, and I thought there may have been something in it... but she was the one who confirmed the connection with the dates.” George told him then went on “And it scared the living daylights out of her.”

“I bet it did. I feel for that woman. She’s been through hell and back. Are you sure you’re ok with this? I mean, you and Bob were close George.”

“It’s not easy, but I’d rather know that she’s safe than be worrying about who was looking after her and Megan. I made a promise.”

“Just don’t let it get to you lad. I’ve been there before and it’s not easy. You have to keep your distance,” Jack warned him and George knew full well what he was talking about; but it was too late. He had already fallen hook line and sinker for two beautiful women, and he hoped that one day, they would feel the same.

“How, how about church? Can we bring church to them maybe?”

“I suppose so, but keep it low key... and if you can do it, find people we can trust.”

“Done.” George told him, shaking his hand before he left. He just hoped that he was doing the right thing.

A few thousand miles away in a house by the sea a group of men were in conference, facing each other, knowing that a decision had to be made. There was no love lost between them and if one of them met with an unfortunately accident, it probably would have been one of their doing. They all knew that so none of them were surprised when they found themselves plotting someone else’s death.

“He’s gotta go.” A swarthy Middle Eastern man interjected.

“Duh! We all know that, but how?” Another man scoffed at his comments. “He’s guarded around the clock.”

“How did you find out about it Frank?” Atonio Rizzo asked one of his men.

“One of the cleaners knows my sister, and she recognized him and told Gina, and Gina told me. I thought it was a joke until she smuggled a picture out.”

What I want to know is how come we didn’t know about this until yesterday? What’s Guido playing at?”

“Yeah! Guido’s gonna hang by his toenails for this,” Another spoke, and by the attention he had from the others, he looked to be the leader of the ranks; even though most were leaders in their own right.

“Remember boys, not a word of this to anyone. If Guido finds out, he’ll move him for sure. Ok?”

The men nodded in unison, then got down to the business of deciding what exactly they were going to do to rid themselves of the man who could be their undoing.

What the men didn’t realise was that by doing this they were playing into the hands of an unseen realm, a realm that by mere thought, was urging them to do its bidding, a bidding of evil and murderous intent, a spirit of death.

Just as they were about to leave, Frank called out a younger man standing guard at the day. He had chosen his son to stand point for the night and he couldn’t have been prouder. It looked like all of his sons were going to follow him into the business, and that pleased him immensely.

“Hey Pops!” He smiled at his father. “How’s it hanging?”

His father shook his head. The youth of today were a mystery to him. They were the new generation and none of what they said made sense to him.

“So you coming to Mass tomorrow Marco?” He asked, ruffling his hair as he spoke. “Your Mamma missed you last week.”

“I had a job to do Pop,” he explained.

“Not on a Sunday Marco. Don’t you have no respect for God?”

“Sorry Pop. Don’t fret. I’ll be there.”

“You betta.” He told him firmly. “And go to confession. Father Emilio was asking about you.”

Marco nodded, but wished that he could get out of it. It just didn’t seem right. He felt guilty sitting in church knowing what he knew and wondered if God knew what he did every day. If he did, then God didn’t really care about anyone, because the things he had done to other people weren’t very nice. He hadn’t been called on to kill anyone, but he knew that his father had, and that did not sit very well on his conscious. It that was what his father expected him to do, Marco wondered if he had the guts to go through with it.

“Well, we’d better move if we’re gonna catch that plane back home. Come on boy.”

“Ok Pops.”

“Welcome,” Amy stood at the door welcoming the new arrivals. Some she knew and some she didn’t. “I’m glad you could come.”

Very soon the games room was filling up, and Megan and Amy couldn’t be happier. This was the first time in ages that the two of them had socialized with anyone, and it was years since they had participated in anything close to a church service. It felt strange holding something like this in her own home, but it was wonderful to be able to worship God with other believers.

One of the youth group had brought his guitar and led them all in praise and worship. By the end the anointing of God had had descended in the room and the tangible presence of God could be felt.

When the strains of the last worship song echoed in the room, the pastor friend of George stood up and began speaking.

“Amy, could you come here please?” Amy looked at George and he nodded.

Amy stood to her feet and walked to where Pastor Hall was standing.

“Amy, George hasn’t told me anything about you, so please accept this word is from the Lord,” He told her solemnly. Reading for her hands, he motioned for his wife to stand beside him to pray.

“You and Megan have been on a path that had you turning here there any everywhere and for a while there you were in a pit of despair. But know this, God knows every hair on your head and has been with you every step of the way. Amy there will be trials ahead of you that will rock your very existence, but if you stand tall and allow God to work in this situation, He will prevail. I don’t know what this means, but God said to tell you that you are not to blame, and the anger you gave to him, was like sweet honey, and you will come out the other end tiumpantly.”

Pastor Hall reached for his wife’s hand and placed it on Amy’s stomach.

“Thank you Lord that you have your hand on this situation. Amy and Megan are in your precious care Lord, and the angels are posted at every sentry keeping guard. What is stirring in her spirit Lord will flourish and the hunger she has for you Father God will bear fruit and the things that are not of you will be stripped away. Amen.”

The words sounded in Amy’s mind, but it wasn’t in her mind that they settled. They went straight to her spirit, and there they remained, stirring her spirit man even more. She felt a prayer bubbling up inside of her and she spoke it out, and the rest of the people they she called church joined in with her. In unison they called out to the one true God.

Sitting down afterwards Amy was pleased to be able to have her Bible open and lapped up the message that David Hall had for them that morning; but it was a one-sided affair. David invited others to join in, asking questions of him and sharing their thoughts. While Amy remained silent, preferring to listen rather than participate, she enjoyed the interaction of the others and reveled in the fact that they could be open and honest with each other. Surely this was the church they talked about in Acts.

“Well Amy, was that alright for you?” George asked as they farewelled their last guest.

“Oh George, it was wonderful. Is that what your church is like every week?”

“Well, maybe not so intimate; and it’s pretty hard interacting like that with a bigger church, but most of the time it’s like that.”

“Our church was never like that; and if we asked the pastor questions like that, he would have chucked us out,” She explained, laughing as she tried to imagine old Pastor Digby getting flustered by too many questions.

“Well Jesus never refused anyone,” George said to her. “He was a teacher and always loved to talk to the people.”

“Yeah, I suppose your right,” she spoke quietly, mulling over the events of the day. “Megan was so happy George. Thank you for making sure Imogen would be there. It made her day.”

“I’m just glad to see the both of you smiling,” he told him, ruffling Megan’s hair as he moved towards the front door. It was time for him to go. “We can’t have this every week Amy, but Pastor Hall asked me if it would be ok to have church here once a month. What do you think?”

“You’re asking me?” He spoke quickly, laughing as she spoke. “Of course! I thought you’d know the answer to that one.”

George smiled as he opened the door to leave, glad that they were still feeling happy about the day. He hoped that happiness would remain for the rest of the week.

“Ok, I’ll take that as a yes then.”

As the door opened two heavenly beings held their swords in front of them protecting their charges, George now one of them. The sniggers from the creatures opposite the house were lost on the angels. They had no affect and they ignored the insults that they were yelling. The cloud of God had not shifted and the worship and prayers that had gone heavenward had made the anointing even stronger, annoying the beings even more. This was not part of their plan.

“Come on, let’s annoy the human,” one of the creatures spoke quietly, moving towards George’s car, intending to render it useless.

George put his key in the ignition and turned it but heard no sound. There was a click but the engine didn’t kick in. He wondered what on earth was wrong. It was a brand new car and he had only just had it serviced.

He sensed something and turned around to look but saw nothing but could not shake the eerie feeling that he was being watched.

“Father, do something here. Thank you.” It was a quick prayer but he knew it would be answered.

“And what do you think you’re doing?” A heavenly being, who had remained in hiding, spoke to the creature who had tried to disable George’s car.

“Move aside. I have business here!” The creature’s bravado made the angel laugh.

“No. You have no right interfering here. This car belongs to the righteous. Be gone.”

The creature, which was full of bluff before retreated, knowing full well the truth in the angel’s words. He had no right, but at least he had tried. The prayers of the righteous were growing stronger and if they did not do something about it, they would not succeed in this fight the Master so desperately wanted to win.

Turning the ignition key one more time, the engine came to life and George said a quick prayer of thanks and drove down the street leaving the loathsome creature to sulk off in disgust.

This was certainly turning out to be a walk of faith, George realised as he drove along. It was no surprise to him that he felt evil brewing. Although he had never physically seen a demon, he had the distinct opinion this was a fight between good and evil and if people did not start praying, the evil forces could easily win, and he did not want to see that happen.

Meanwhile the creatures in the house and on the rooftop jostled for position, and while they poked and prodded each other and took enjoyment in the other's pain, the heavenly angels stood their ground, guarding the righteous, constantly giving praise to God. They had no hidden agendas, nor did they wish evil on their comrades. They simply followed God’s bidding, and that was one of joy, love and peace; but that was something the darkness did not comprehend.

Inside the house Amy sat down with a cup of hot tea and her Bible, anxious to read the scriptures that David Hall mentioned in his message. Never before had the Word of God held so much meaning for her. It was as if she was hearing it for the very first time. The words seemed to jump right out of the page. Eager to not let the moment pass, she poured over the scriptures, mulling over them, muttering them to herself. After all, George had said that “Faith came from hearing the Word of God”, and as David Hall had said, and hearing, and hearing. If she had to speak out the Word for it to become real to her, then that’s what she would do.

She called Megan over to her and together they read the Word of God. Amy was determined that Megan would not be ignorant of what God had in store for her, and she thought that the best place to start would be the Bible.

NANOWRIMO SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12th


“Maria, could I talk with you please,” Gemma Perez spoke to her in the foyer, as she was scrubbing the entrance tiles. She stood to face her employer’s wife.

Maria was surprised to see Gemma Perez up and about. She hardly ever saw her before noon most days. Her eyes looked puffy and by a guess, the woman had been crying.

“I’m leaving the house today Maria, and I won’t be coming back. Here’s the address I’ll be moving to and I wonder if you could forward any stray mail that turns up here?”

“Certainly Mrs. Perez. I’d be happy to do that for you. Is everything alright? Can I make you a tea or coffee?”

“Thank you Maria. That would be nice. I’d love a coffee, a strong one please. It’s been a long night.” She told her and walked off in the direction of the sunroom where she normally ate her breakfast. Maria had seen the breakfast tray untouched on the bench before and wondered if she was feeling ok. Obviously not.

Maria went into the kitchen and poured a strong coffee from the percolator that she had brewing. She never knew when the mister would want a cup so she kept the percolator going from morning until night. It saved her from a tongue lashing many a time. Since he never complained about how much coffee she poured down the sink each night, she kept to that practice. She hated seeing the waste, but with all the money he had, he could afford it.

“You are a sweetie,” Gemma said when Maria gave her the coffee. She was about to walk out, when she beckoned her to return.

“Would you like to have one yourself Maria? Why don’t you join me hey?”

Maria’s eyebrow rose with this request, and while she knew that Mrs. Perez more than likely wanted a shoulder to cry on, she was concerned that her husband would return any minute. He disliked anyone fraternising with the domestic help; but she knew she couldn’t leave her sitting alone. It wouldn’t be right.

“I’d like that. I’ll be back in a minute.”

As Maria poured herself a coffee, she said a silent prayer, asking for God’s wisdom. The woman was so much older than herself and she wondered what sort of advice she could offer. If all the woman wanted was a sympathetic ear, then that was easy, but if it required more than that, she had had better be ready with some wise advice, and the only wise advice she trusted would help, was from God.

“You know what Maria?” Gemma spoke as she sipped on her coffee. “I never treated you well, did I?”

Maria was genuinely surprised by that comment and while she knew the woman had spoken the truth, she merely shrugged her shoulders. After all, this wasn’t about her, it was about how she could help someone else.

“We all say things we don’t mean sometimes Mrs Perez.”

“Please call me Gemma. I won’t tell Guido.” She answered, staring absentmindly into the cup she was holding.

“He’s had enough of me now. Wants me out of the house by tonight? How can someone just do that?”

Maria gulped as she realised the truth in the woman’s sadness. She had guessed that may have been the problem, but wasn’t entirely sure. This was a tricky area and she really needed to tread carefully.

“Marriage is hard work,” Maria responded. “It can be tough sometimes, but so many people don’t try to make it work.”

Gemma looked up and as she did a tear fell. She dabbed it away with a tissue. By the look of her face, she had been crying most of the night. For Maria that was the worst thing, to cry and not have someone to console you. She knew only too well what it was like to feel homesick and not have anyone to confide in. Many nights she had spent in her room crying alone.

“He told me I’m suffocating him.” She told Maria, dabbing her eyes once more. “But all I wanted to do is have a baby. I’m still young enough.”

“You would be a wonderful mother,” Maria responded when that thought came to mind.

“You think so,” She asked Maria. “I’ve always wanted a baby of my own to look after and love.... but it’s not going to happen now. Oh Maria, what am I going to do? I’m too old to start again. Who’s going to want me now?”

“Too old? Nonsense!” Maria spoke out loudly, gently tilting Gemma’s face upwards. “You’ve just turned thirty. That’s not old... and I can tell you there’s a lot of good men out there just wanting to settle down and have a family,” she told Gemma.

“You’re too kind Maria. I’m so sorry I didn’t speak up for you when Guido was so nasty,” Gemma put her hand on Maria’s shoulder.

“That’s ok. Come on let’s finish our coffee and go for a walk. I’ve finished all my jobs now. A bit of fresh air will do us both the world of good.”

“I think you’re right. I can never think clearly in this house.”

“Ok, I’ll meet you outside in 10 minutes. I don’t really want to go for a walk in my uniform,” she told her, laughing as she pointed to the starched white dress and flat white shoes. Gemma laughed with her and the both of them drank the rest of their coffee.

Outside in the crisp air, the two of them set off down the road and onto the path that went through a nature reserve. It was a walk that Maria was very familiar with and on her days off she often found herself walking through the bush. The past few days it was somewhere she could walk and pray without anyone disturbing her.

“I feel bad leaving you here alone with Guido. I don’t trust him Maria,” Gemma confided in her. “He does some very evil things.”

“Evil? I know he gets angry, but evil?” Maria responded, not knowing what to think of Gemma’s offhand comment.

“Yes, evil!” She answered vehemently. “He doesn’t know it, but I know a lot of things that could bring him undone, and if he found out, I’d be dead.”

Maria’s eyes flew open, started at the other woman’s revelation. Surely she would have gone to the police if her husband had done anything that bad? This put her in a very awkward position. No longer did she feel safe staying in the house after this.

“I want you to promise me something. If you get scared or don’t feel safe, get out of that house straight away sweetie. My husband is not what he appears to be.” Gemma explained.

Gemma reached into her handbag and extracted a piece of paper. On it she scribbled a phone number and gave it to Maria.

“This is my mobile number. If you ever need anything ring me. If you want to get another job, I’ll give you a reference. Ok?”

“Thank you so much. A friend has a domestic agency. I think I might be needing that reference.” Maria answered.

“If I had the money, I’d be hiring you myself sweetie, but Guido made me sign a pre-nupt and all I leave the house with is my car and the clothes on my back. What he doesn’t know is that I’ve been saving a bit for myself.” Gemma told her. “But that’s between you, me and the gatepost.”

“The gatepost?” Maria’s confused look made Gemma laugh.

“Another bit of Aussie slang to add to your collection Maria.”

They walked for a little while longer before turning back along the way they had come. Maria hesitated a little before she ventured to speak, asking God for the courage to speak in a life of a woman much older.

“Gemma, you know there is something else you can do don’t you?” Maria spoke quickly. “I was raised in the Catholic church, but it wasn’t until a few days ago that I started praying again and reading my Bible. If you pray to God I know that he will help you.”

“That’s ok for some sweetie, but the only time I’ve talked about God is when I’ve been cursing him,” Gemma told her, laughing after she spoke. “Somehow I don’t think I’m in God’s good books. I don’t even go to Mass anymore. I Haven’t been in years.” Gemma told her wistfully.

“Just think about it.... and if you get into trouble you can get yourself out of, try praying. I know it works.” She said and promptly explained about her trip on the bus and how praying to God had helped.

“Ok, I’ll remember,” Gemma quickly interrupted, grateful to move away from a subject she found painful.

Her mother had prayed every day and what did it get her. It fat lip from her father and a belting every time he came home drunk. In fact she had prayed one time, asking God for the beatings to stop, but they didn’t, and now her mother was in prison, serving time for the murder of her father, a man she detested.

“Oh no! Mr. Perez is back!” Maria exclaimed as she neared the end of the dirt track.

“We’ll have to separate. You go back first and I’ll follow later. I don’t want him to know I’ve been talking to you Maria. I don’t trust him.”

Gemma hung back while Maria walked towards the house and let herself in, using her key. Guido was no-where in sight, but she could hear him barking orders into the phone in his office. She picked up the cleaning rags and bucket she had left in the foyer and continued with her chores.

Sometime later she heard the door open and Guido’s loud voice arguing and Gemma speaking back.

“I told you I wanted you out of here!” Maria could hear him yelling. “I thought you’d already gone.”

“I’ve come back for my clothes Guido, that’s all,” She answered calmly, holding two suitcases she had fetched from her car.

She had stayed at her sister’s house last night when Guido had kicked her out, and had spent the majority of the night crying, wondering what on earth she was going to do. He had been so mean to her. He had said things that even she was surprised about. His temper knew no bounds. If he had known she had helped herself to a coffee, and what’s more, shared a cup with the hired help, he would have exploded.

Gemma had left the car two houses down so as not to attract the unwanted attention of her husband. She knew was a man with a volatile temper, but until last night, she didn’t realise just how far he would push the boundaries; and she did not want to be on the receiving end of it.

“Good. Then get on with it woman! If you take anything else out of this house I’ll have your hide.”

Gemma nodded and went up the stairs to the bedroom. She would not be sad to see the last of Guido Perez, nor the danger that went with his lifestyle. She had seen too much and would be glad when she was miles away, where no-one would find her; but in reality she knew that Guido’s contacts were everywhere, and that thought did not please her at all.

Maria was in the conference room polishing the silver cutlery when Guido came in.

“And where were you girl! I thought I told you no slacking off!”

“I went for a walk Mr. Perez. I brought back some flowers for the conference room. You said you had a meeting tonight.” Maria hadn’t lied. She had in fact gone for a walk and had picked some flowers. She hadn’t meant for them to grace the conference room. She was hoping to put them in her own bedroom, but that wasn’t going to happen by the looks of it.

“Ok then, but I don’t want you around tonight girl. I’ve got too many guests coming.”

“I thought you wanted me to work on Friday nights Mr. Perez.”

“That’s changed now. I don’t want no-one around no more... so you can make yourself scarce on Fridays. Ok? I’ve got important people comin’ and they don’t like strangers. You got it? Comprenday?”

He stood over her, gesturing with his hands. Did all Italians get so heated when they spoke, she asked herself as she stood in front of her boss.

“Yes sir, I understand.” She answered, not daring to face him and kept her eyes downcast. She could not risk annoying the man, not when his wife was in the process of leaving; even if it was his doing.

He towered over her and always made her feel little. Today was no different. She could see him leering at her and she found herself squirming under his scrutiny. What he didn’t know was that she had decided there and then that she wouldn’t be there next week. He had made sure of that. She would be ring Mayumi tonight and make an appointment the earliest time she could. She no longer felt safe now that Gemma was leaving and tonight she would make she her door was locked and her bureau pushed in front of the door.

“Just so you do!” He told her gruffly, turning away to go back to his office. Maria hadn’t realised that she had been holding her breath, and when he turned to go, she exhaled deeply, feeling quite light headed. The man scared her.

“Oh Father God,” she whispered quietly. “Why am I so scared? Please forgive my lack of faith. Help me.”

“That’s better,” a heavenly creature’s body began to shine in its glory. He could not act before when the fear was gripping her heart. It did not take much to rattle humans, he thought, as he stood beside her, his sword held at the ready.

Safely tucked away in her bedroom, Maria used her bedroom phone to call Mayumi. She was glad that she had kept her card.

“Hello, Mayumi? Hi, it’s Maria Sanchez.”

“Hi! I’m so glad that you rang. How are you?” Maria heard Mayumi’s cheerful greeting.

“Is that offer of a lift still ok? I can come tonight after all.”

“That’s wonder! Of course we can pick you up. I’ll have my little brother with me as well. We have plenty of room. How about I pick you up out front at six thirty?”

“Thank you. I’ll see you then.” Maria told her, relieved that she had somewhere to go that night. Somehow she knew that she needed to be elsewhere and Guido Perez would be furious if she had decided to stay in. Besides, Maria really wanted to see what the youth group was like and it would be fun meeting others her own age.

Promptly at 6.30, Mayumi pulled up out front of the double gates. Maria reached for the intercom button on the front wall, and pressed it.

“Hi Mark,” she spoke into the speaker. “I’m leaving now, but I should be back by around eleven. Will there be anyone at security to let me in?”

“No problem Maria. We’re manning the gates 24/7 this month. Have a great night.”

“Ok, thanks.” With that she climbed into the car and the three of them drove up the road, Maria grateful to be out of the suffocating she always felt inside the Perez household.

“You all set?” Mayumi asked.

“Pardon?” Maria asked, confused with Mayumi’s question.

“Sorry... I forget myself all the time. The girls get really annoyed with me. I’ve been here too long. I meant, are you ok?”

“You all set?” Maria repeated out loud. “I must remember that one. So many of them.”

“It took me a while,” Mayumi told her. “Sorry, I’m forgetting my manners. This is my brother Peter.” Maria turned to say hi to the boy who was sitting on the back seat and noted his pale skin and freckles. It surprised her.

“My mum married an Aussie.” She explained, noting Maria’s bemused look. “My Father died a long time ago when I was little. My mum married a great guy. Jason Dodd got a Filipino bride and we got a great dad, hey Peter?” She explained further and got no response from the back.

“Hey Peter!” Mayumi called out again, this time louder, amused at her brother’s late response. He was too busy playing with his Game Boy.

A mumbled “hi” came from the back along with the muted sounds of a Game Boy. Many of the children on the bus played with them and she wondered how her brothers would feel if she managed to send them one. There were so many things she would love to send back home but her money only stretched so far.

“Mayumi is that offer of employment still open?” she asked as Mayumi steered the car through the leafy suburbs.

“Sure. We have a number of openings but only casual. It only pays about $18 an hour.”

“What! I get $6 an hour!”

“No way! What a rip off! You need to get out of there girl. I can get you a job that pays better than that, ” Mayumi told Maria with a confidence that lifted her spirits.

“With that type of money I could send so much back home. Maybe I could even sponsor my family.”

“We’ll talk later ok. Don’t worry, I’ll get you a job, and a lot better than what you’ve got now.”

“Thank you. Guido Perez’s wife left today. She said she’d give me a reference. I don’t even want to go back to the house tonight. He scares me.”

“That bad eh? Let’s see what we can do Maria. I’m sure we can find somewhere for you to stay tonight if you want.”

“I’m such a baby,” she told Mayumi, “But he is really nasty and I don’t like his friends.”

“Well, don’t fret about it now. Let’s go an enjoy ourselves,” she told her, pulling into the car park of the church. The hall behind was lit up and even from the car park Maria could hear laughter and people talking. Suddenly she felt shy and wondered if she would be able to make friends. If they were anything like Mayumi, she had nothing to worry about.

“Welcome, welcome,” one of the older youth leaders said to Maria when she was introduced to the group. “Ok guys we have a visitor with us tonight. How about you make yourself known to Maria. “We’re not a bad bunch.” He told her, “And we don’t bite.”

Maria laughed at his attempt at a joke and could feel herself relaxing. It was nice once again to be socialising with people her own age, and she knew that her mother would be pleased that she was back at church again.

Throughout the night they sang some songs, played a couple of games of Bible Trivia and some table tennis. While she found the language barrier a little hard, she soon picked up the thread of what most people were saying. Maria found her laughing at the antic of young Peter. He was a lively boy and loved to be around his sister. She found herself missing her own brothers and wished that they too could be sharing the fun she was having. Back home they would be settling down for the night, trying to save the electricity. If Mayumi was right and she could earn more money, very soon she would be able to save for university and perhaps bring them out too; that is if the government let them.

A miracle, that’s what she needed. At the very first opportunity she would bring it before God and ask him to intervene. In the Bible she had read that nothing was impossible for God. Well if God was the God of the impossible, then he would definitely be able to help her family.

NANOWRIMO SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13th

“Maria,” Mayumi called out across the crowd. Alongside her was Father Edwards, one of the priests.

“Father Edwards and I have been talking. We don’t think it’s a good idea for you to stay at the mansion anymore,” she explained.

“It is not good for a young woman like yourself to be living alone with a newly separated man,” he told her. “Anything could happen.”

“But what can I do? I have nowhere else to go.”

“How would you like to come to my place. We have a spare bedroom. I’ve already asked my mother, and she would love that. She has no-on else to speak Tagalog with apart from me.”

“Mr. Perez would be furious!” Maria told them, the fear coming again, before she pushed it aside. “I’m scared of him.” It was out in the open; she had spoken her fears, and the mere fact relieved her of the burden.

“Then there is no doubt about it. You can not go back there. Do you still want to work for the man?” Father Edwards asked.

“No, I don’t, but I have no job to go to.”

“Don’t worry about that Maria, we’ll find you something.”

“Don’t be concerned Maria. I have talked to Mrs. DoddWell, that’s settled then,” Father Edwards told her. He turned to Mayumi. “I want you to take Father Hank with you when you go so that Maria can fetch her things. He can follow you in the church car. Be careful mind….. Now I have some more pressing issues at hand. We are still fighting the council about our car park.”

“Still?” Mayumi looked surprised at the Father’s comment. “I thought that was settled.”

“They want to appeal the court’s decision.” Maria shook her head in disbelief.

“Well, count me in helping out Father,” Maria told him and the Father nodded and moved on.

“Come on Maria, let’s go find Father Hank. The sooner we get you out of the house the better it will be. Peter will be alright. He’s sleeping over at a friend’s house.”

As it turned out only Mark was still on duty, and when she explained her mission, he gladly opened the gates for Mayumi’s car to come in. Father Hank parked his car on the grass verge out the front, and jumped into Mayumi’s car before she drove in. Mark was secretly glad that Maria had found somewhere else to live. He had a daughter her age and the thought of Guido Perez and her under the same roof did not bare well with him.

“Don’t worry Maria,” he told her, already guessing her anxiety. “Mr Perez and his friends have gone out for the night. They won’t be back until late tonight.”

Maria breathed a sigh of relief at Mark’s news and promptly led Father Hank and Mayumi to her bedroom upstairs. While they were not surprised with the sumptuous surroundings of Maria’s bedroom, they were quite taken aback by the belongings Maria called her own. She only owned three dresses, and one of those was her uniform that had been supplied by the Perezes. That would remain on its hanger in the wardrobe. They turned out all the drawers, making sure that nothing would be left behind. Half an hour later with one suitcase and a carryall, they descended the stairs to leave.

Leaving a note on her employer’s office door, Maria turned with the others to leave the house. It had been alright while it lasted, but she realised that this season in her life was coming to an end. She left the house key with Mark and he opened the gates for her for the very last time. Maria thanked him and motioned for Mayumi to drive on. The sooner they were gone, the better she would feel.

“Taggapin, taggapin! Mayumi’s mother welcomed them as she opened the door, a dishcloth in her hand, and apron around her waist. Maria could smell home cooking and the aroma was vaguely familiar.

“English Mama! Speak in English. Father Hank can’t speak Tagalog.” Mayumi told her mother, ushering everyone inside.

“Welcome. That is what taggapin means in our language Father Hank. Please come in. Have you eaten? I have made plenty for everyone.”

“Sorry Mrs. Dodd, I have to get back to help clean up. Thank you for the offer. It smells wonderful.”

“Please, call me Lig. I won’t bore you with my whole name. I doubt you would be able to pronounce it! You must take some with you Father,” she told him, and before he could object, she hurried into the kitchen to get a container of food for him to take home, knowing how often he got a home cooked meal. She hoped he didn’t mind chilli as she had made it exactly how her mother would have made it; hot and feisty.

“Thank you,” he told her, leaning over towards the girls when she was out of earshot, “Exactly how hot is it.”

Mayumi laughed and mimicked a choke and Father Hank rolled his eyes and thanked his lucky stars that the parish dog ate anything, just in case his mouth could not handle the heat. He never had the heart to refuse gifts from the parishioners. With a melting pot of the world in his church, it meant a variety of meals came his way, some less palatable than others.

“Mama makes the best Chicken Adobo,” she said leaning over towards Maria.

“Chicken Adobo! That’s my favourite. I thought I recognised that smell.”

“She made it just for you,” Mayumi told her, smiling at her friend’s delighted expression. “She must have got to work just after I rang you.”

She turned to show Father Hang out and return to find her friend staring wistfully at the pictures of her family that were dotted around the room. Although she didn’t know exactly the depth of Maria’s homesickness she could only imagine what it would be like to be so far away from her family.

Sitting down at the kitchen table, the four of them tucked into the food, Maria glad that night was almost over. Lig had put a large serving of Adobo on a covered plate and put it into the microwave. Her husband was working a late shift and would no doubt be hungry when he got home.

“This is just like my mother’s cooking Mrs. Dodd.” Maria told her as she helped with the dishes.

She had reached for the tea towel before anyone could protest. Peter took the dry dishes from her and put them away. It was like being home with her brothers. They used to work like a team not having them here with her left a giant hole in her heart.

“So, what do your parents do Maria?” Lig asked, as she handed her another plate to dry.

“My father died ten years ago of Tuberculosis. We didn’t have enough medicine for him,” she told them. “And my mother works as a cleaner at the San Larazo hospital in Manila.”

“It must have been hard on all of you losing your father. I’m so sorry. My first husband, and Mayumi’s father died when she was little. His heart gave out.”

“I’m sorry too. My father didn’t even see me graduate from university. I studied law at the University of Santo Tomas. You know it don’t you? It’s on Espana Street in Manilla. They gave me a scholarship because we were poor. My father worked there as a janitor. He would have been so proud. It was his dream that I get an education. I just wish that he could have seen that dream come true.” Maria’s eyes misted over as she spoke and Lig walked over to her to envelop her in a hug.

“He would be very proud of you Maria. I know the university you are talking about. So you are a lawyer? Why are you cleaning other people’s houses? Surely you could find work as a lawyer?”

“I may be a lawyer in the Philippines, but not here. I want to study law in Australia, but I don’t know if I can afford it.. If I don’t enrol soon, I may lose my visa,” she explained. “I am allowed to work, but only if I enrol…. and if I don’t do something soon, I don’t know what I will do.”

“Don’t worry about that now my love. First things first. Tomorrow we will visit my sister and get you another job. I won’t have you going back to Guido Perez’s house. It is not a place for a young girl like yourself. I have heard so much gossip about him and I wouldn’t have a daughter of mine working for him, that’s for sure!”

“Are you sure it’s ok for me to stay here? I don’t want to be in the way.”

“I wouldn’t have said yes if I didn’t mean it Maria. You are very welcome in my home. If my daughter was in the same position I would hope that you mother would do the same.”

“I’m sure she would.”

“Well then, that’s settled. Come. I’ll show you where your bedroom is.” She told Maria, and led her away.

An angel walked with them to the bedroom that would be Maria’s. He knew that here they were safe. The prayer coverage from the believers in the house was strong. If more people prayed liked the Dodd family, the fight would be easily won.

If only the believers in the world knew the power of prayer, they would be on their knees every day petitioning the Lord God. That did not mean the repetitive drivel some men and women prattled off, thinking that would protect them. That was what the Pharisees did many years ago and but Jesus revealed their hard hearts. The sad truth was that not many knew how to pray, and not did they want to learn. He looked around at the surroundings in Maria’s new room and was very pleased.

“Hmm… This will do nicely for you Maria,” the angel spoke to her, even though he knew she couldn’t hear him. “You are among God’s chosen, and they will protect you too.”

Another angel appeared beside him, and Gadiel (?) turn to him.

“So the trouble has begun.” He spoke solemnly already know the angel’s news.

“It has started. The other woman will meet with Guido Perez. It is just the beginning.”

Back at the Perez mansion Guido Perez was pacing the office confines, angry at discovering his maid had left his employ. Who did she think she was, he thought to himself as walked the carpeted floor, pounding his fist into his hand. Never in his life had women treated him with so much disrespect. Where on earth had that girl gone he wondered as he stood, the anger festering until he felt he was going to explode. He had given her a job when nobody else would have. Besides, he had wanted her for himself. What a waste. Such a beautiful body she had, he thought as he remembered the hidden camera he had installed in her room. It was such a pity that she wasn’t here right now. He would have loved to have showed her who was boss.

What he was more annoyed about was the fact that he had told the men they could have a bit of her as well, but the stupid girl had upped and left, and that he would never forgive. Oh how he wished she was there right now. He would have stripped her bare and let the dogs at the cabin have their way with her. That would have taught her some respect.

“Ring her,” a voice whispered in his ear. A vile creature hovered at his ear, the bulbous face grotesque in the dim light of Guido’s office. “Find the card Antonio gave you. The woman has all the answers for you.”

In Guido’s mind a thought flicked through his mind. Where was that card? He took his wallet from his back pocket and went through its contents. He extracted a card a friend had given him and looked at the clock. Was it too late to ring? It was only nine. He thought not considering the woman’s trade and dialled the number.

“Celestial Readings, Tara speaking.”

“Hi, I was given your card by a friend of mine…. I believe you are a clairvoyant?”

“Yes I am. How can I help you?”

“Umm…. I’ve never done this before. I want a card reading like you did with Antonio.”

”No problem. When would you like me to come?”

“What about now.”

“Call outs after eight have a $100 surcharge.”

“That’s no problem. Can you fit me in?”

“I think so,” she told him and after he gave her the address, he sat behind his desk wondering what the heck he was doing. He had laughed at Antonio when he had told him what he had done. He had thought he was weak, but here he was doing the exact same thing and he had no idea why.

He didn’t know what to expect, but the normal looking woman who rang the doorbell twenty minutes later was a surprise. He wouldn’t have given her a second thought had he passed her in the street. No weird clothes or jewellery. Just a normal woman dressed in street clothes.

He let her in and took her into the dining room. She laid out her cards straight away and went to work.

“You are a very complex man Mr. Perez.” She spoke after drawing several cards. “You are a man who knows what you want and don’t suffer fools gladly.

Guido was pleased with that revelation. He still wasn’t convinced though because anyone who knew him or associated with him knew he did not tolerate stupidity. She could have learnt that from anyone. He nodded and motioned for her to continue with the reading.

“I see you have cheated death three…. no… four times… and I see death around you all the time. It is like a shadow that follows you. But you are invincible. I see that in your cards. You have a trump card yourself and you plan to use it soon…. But beware of men plotting your destruction. They have information and are planning to kill you.”

With that Guido stood up from the table and for the first time he actually felt gut wrenching fear. Who was trying to kill him? If what this woman was saying was true he had better find out before they succeeded.

A creature stood in between Guido and the woman. He was enjoying the mind games he was playing with the weak individual who was before him; and laughing at the woman who was his vessel. Did she not know that it was him feeding her this information and not the beautiful spirit guide that she saw in her mind? What a stupid woman this was. He clapped his hands together and whispered more things into the woman’s mind.

“Who wants me dead?” Guido asked, his eyes narrowing into slits.

“I need something of yours, a watch, a ring…. Sometimes I get better readings from things like this.”

He slipped his wedding ring off his finger and gladly gave it to the woman. Besides, he would have no use for it now that Gemma had left. It was good riddens as far as he was concerned.

“I see the name Frank? Does that mean anything to you?” She asked Guido, whose face paled, even though his skin was quite dark.

“I see a man and who I think is his son plotting your death. They are angry about something they have discovered. I’m sorry, that’s all I’m getting.”

“That’s enough!” Guido told her firmly and hit his fist on the dining table, making the plates and cutlery jump. “You’ve been most helpful.” He told her, reaching for his wallet.

Rubbing his hands together with glee, the creature noted the anger in his target’s voice. He was not a happy man and this was exactly what the Master had wanted. Division and mayhem.

“Thank you very much Mr. Perez. Don’t worry, I’ll let myself out,” she told him and rose to leave, taking another creature with her.

This creature was permanent imbedded on her back, it’s claws clamped down on her back and neck. In the natural she had been plagued with back pain for many years and had she known the real reason for it, she would have given up what she was doing many years ago. This was an unseen realm rarely seen by the naked eye and the fight for her soul had been lost a long time ago. Had she prayed a prayer and asked for God’s help, he would have been at her side in an instant, but Tara’s mind was so caught up in the spiritual realm she had found herself in that she couldn’t see the truth if it bit her in the face.

Nanowrimo Day 14 (Monday November 14th)


Guido Perez stood for many minutes sizing up the situation he found himself in. First the girl had left, and now the man he detested the most in this world was plotting to kill him. He would have laughed at people claiming to have ESP, or who said they could tell his fortune; but this woman knew details only someone with knowledge would know. She knew nothing of his affairs, but could name the very man Guido knew hated his guts, and if Frank knew of the package he was holding, he wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger. It was up to him now to make sure that didn’t happen…. or if it came to that, he would kill first before being killed himself. He knew that if push came to shove, there were many men that would prefer him dead.

It wasn’t an easy life looking over your shadow every five seconds, but to be honest he wouldn’t have had it any other way. He loved the lifestyle that came with his wheelings and dealings, and had he not taken that path, he would still be grubbing out dirt on his father’s market garden. Not for him the dirty hands and aching muscles. His father had been a fool to work himself into the ground. He died with nothing to show for all that hard work, and Guido was determined that he would not leave that as a legacy for his children.

Picking up the phone, he punched in the number and waited for someone to pick up. They had better not be sleeping on the job, he thought to himself, as listened as the phone rang.

“Yeah.” Short and sweet. The voice on the other end was brisk and wasted nothing in his greeting.

“Manny… Trouble is brewing. Frank’s up to something,” he told him. “How’s our man?”

“He’s getting restless boss. Keeps asking questions. What do I tell him?”

“Just the same old same old Manny. Make sure he knows what will happen if he doesn’t co-operate. Ok?”

“Yeah Boss,” Guido could hear the smile in the voice. Manny was a man after his own heart. He loved to inflict pain, but sometimes that was a problem, especially when the package they had was so precious. “I’ll make sure he knows.”

“Carefully please. We need him alive.”

“Ok, ok! I get the picture.”

“Just so you do. Let me know if he becomes a problem.”

“Right. Ok… I gotta go. I need to give him his lunch.”

Guido put the phone on its receiver, glad that he had Manny at the house, looking after their man. So much was on the line with this, and until the shipment was safely out of the harbour and in their warehouse, he would feel a lot happier. Having such an important insurance police was a feather in their cap.

No way, would he be spilling the beans now, especially when they threatened his family. He had a lot riding on this shipment. If the feds caught up with it now, it would be hard to recoup that sort of money, and the cartel wouldn’t be happy if another shipment was stopped in its tracks. They were people you did not want to cross. He did not want to end up on the bottom of some river with a lead weight around his feet. Guido had done that to one of his enemies, and saw the terror on the man’s face as he realized he was going to die. While that had given him immense power, he knew that very easily the tables could be turned. Sitting down at his desk he began muttering a prayer that the priest had taught him at church, and as he prayed, he flicked the worry beads he had on his desk. It did not bring him much peace and after a while he gave up and sat forlornly at his desk wondering what on earth the matter was.

A creature stood behind him whispering words that were going into Guido’s psyche.

“Everyone hates you. They all want to kill you. Go on, keep praying that prayer. It will do you no good, but keep on praying it.” The creature laughed and poked him on the head with a sharp pointer, loving every minute of the grief he was causing.

A heavenly being, out of sight stood watching all of this transpire and shook his head sadly.

“Guido, don’t listen to that. God does love you.” He spoke solemnly. “Turn your heart to him before it is too late. Repent of your sins.”

“What are you doing here?” The demon turned to face the angel and spoke angrily at the words he had heard. “You have no place here.”

“Everyone has a chance to turn back to God,” he answered. “No one is lost completely. I have a right to be here you slug! If one of these humans turns away from his sins it is worth the fight.”

“Hah! He is lost to you. Leave us alone. You have no place here!”

“I’ll be the judge of that!” The angel told him and walked over to Guido who was sitting rubbing his head. He learned towards the man and whispered to him.

“You are loved by God. Repent from your sins. It is not too late!” He told him. Guido stirred and sat up, shaking his head in disbelief

“Don’t listen to him! You don’t need to repent! You are a christened Catholic. That will get you to heaven” The demon counteracted.

“Man, I’m feeling weird!” Guido cried out, turning his head from one side to the other, trying to relief the fuzzy head. He just couldn’t concentrate. “I’ve had enough of this. I’m going to go to bed.” He mumbled to himself and stood to leave the room. It was easier than listening to the ideas that had come to his mind. He’d take a sleeping pill and everything would be a lot better in the morning, he thought and flicked the light off as he left leaving the two beings together in the room.

“I told you so,” the creature whined and the angel shook his head, sad that another human was lost. While he knew that while there was breath, there was life, the angel understood that this man had done many evil things; and had indeed turned his life over to the Master, and the Master did not like giving up his conquests easily.

“How did it go Armaita? I can only guess. You look so sad.” the angel Camael asked as the angel flew up into the tree outside the Perez house.

“I could not get through their defenses. I failed Camael!” He spoke, sadly looking back at the house. “Why do humans forget our Lord so quickly my friend?”

“That I cannot fathom. But remember, we are in his presence every moment of the day. They are not. They’re cut off until they turn to God. It is harder for them.”

“Yes, you are right, but it does not make my failure easier to bear. He is lost to us Camael.”

They sat in the tree top for a while longer and then few off to receive another mission from the Lord. There were many people out there searching for truth, but sadly only a few were willing to pay the price.

“Hah! They are gone!” a creature who had been watching from the roof top of the house cried out in derision. “They failed and they have gone back with their tails between their legs.”

“Don’t get too cocky Abalam,” the demon Gaki warned. “There are many messengers of God that we must face and you know full well that some have defeated us before.”

Life had pretty much gone back to normal now that the piano had been taken from storage and moved to the new house. The electronic keyboard that they always took with them to a new house, was put in storage once more. The fact that Megan always had a backup with the keyboard was great, but it was a pale imitation of the real thing. It never sounded the same and even though her keyboard had a damper pedal, she always missed the rich tones of the piano that used to belong to her grandmother.

Even though she had never met her grandmother, the letters she had read and the hand written birthday cards that her mother let her read, gave her a wonderful view of a woman who loved her daughter; and would have been delighted to have a grand daughter to share in that. Megan wished that she was still alive, and then her grand mother would have been able to teacher her piano instead of her mother. Not that she was complaining, but she spent so much time with her mother, that she began to fantasise what it would be like to go to a real school and be taught by teachers. She could vaguely remember one year being at school and the rest of the time was spent moving from house to house and being taught at home.

Her essay had won first prize in the young writer’s category and she wished that she could have gone to collect the trophy, but that meant having her photo taken, and George would never have allowed that. It was just too risky he had explained. Just once it would be fun to do something daring and different.

Would her life always been like this, scared of their own shadows, worried about who was going to be hiding ready to pounce? Just the mere though sent a shiver down her spine. A thought came to mind and she sat pondering it for a moment. Her mother had prayed and God had answered her, so why not her. If she asked God to find whoever was doing this to them, surely he would take pity and answer her prayer. Besides, George had told her that if you asked you should believe that God would answer.

Megan looked around to see where George and her mother were and moved out of their line of sight and bowed her head. How were you supposed to pray? Do you close your eyes or hold your hands together? She had never prayed on her own before and didn’t know where to start.

“Ok God. I don’t know how this works, but my mum prayed and you answered. So please can you catch whoever is doing this to us and put them in jail. We have had enough! Thankyou. Amen.”

“Praise be to God!” an angel stood tall in the room as Megan prayed and her prayer up and into the Heavenlies.

“Now believe!” The angel breathed over Megan who stood still.

She began to feel encouraged and light-hearted about the whole situation. It was as if she knew God was in control and that she wasn’t to worry. Was this how it worked, she thought to herself as she sat down once more before the piano and began to practice. She had chosen a worship song that one of the musicians from the church had taught her; and as she played she began to sing the melody. The angels joined in with her song and soon the anointing fell. George and Amy felt it too and came into the room and stood by Megan as she played.

“Noooo! They must stop it!” a creature stood on the rooftop across the road crying out in anguish with his hands over his ears.

Several demons felt sick and powerless to do anything and the woman inside the house, who was trying to meditate, couldn’t even get into that zone she so liked. She had been sitting on the bedroom floor for almost an hour trying to empty her mind but all she had got for her efforts were pins and needles in her legs and a stiff back. Shalamain hadn’t made an appearance and this angered her because this had always been the highlight of her day. Shalamain had chosen to stay away and she wondered what she had done to offend him.

It was all his fault, she thought to herself as she remembered the sloth asleep on the couch. It seemed that was all he did lately. He seemed to fall asleep at a drop of a hat and with all the pills he had been taking, she could never get a straight answer from him. She used to admire his body, but now his body was beginning to repel her. He had stopped looking after himself and when a man did that, he wasn’t worth anything; not to her anyway. She wanted a man that she could show off to her friends, a man that would satisfy her in bed. Her prince had turned into a fat toad, and now their boss was complaining about their work, he had become a liability. Perhaps it was time for that liability to disappear permanently.

“That’s right! He doesn’t care about you anymore. He doesn’t care about anything,” a voice spoke quietly into her ear in a way she thought it was her own thoughts. “He’ll get you killed if you don’t do something soon.”

She pondered this for a while and when she realised she was in no mood to meditate, she got up off the floor. It was time for her to figure out their next move, and if that meant doing something on her own, then so be it.

Walking out of the door, she noticed Steven was fast asleep on the couch, and the noise from his snoring could be heard throughout the house. No wonder she couldn’t concentrate on her meditation. His mouth was wide open and drool was dripping down onto the couch. She felt like shouting at him to wake him, but that would mean having to talk to him when he woke. So she left him to sleep and went to find her mobile. It was time to take matters into her own hands. If they didn’t move soon, Guido Perez would do the job himself and they would not get paid at all, and that was something she would not tolerate. She had been poor once and she was never going back to that again.

Nanowrimo Day 15 (Tuesday November 15)

Another Sunday had come and gone and Maria was enjoying the family atmosphere. Mrs. Dodd always cooked a traditional roast meal, just for her husband, despite the fact that it was not her favourite food. Maria always found it quite tasty, although a little bland compared to what she was used to; but it was the food that made the afternoon fun. It was the company.

Mr. Dodd joked around with them and always included Maria in the fun and games. While they usually had one or two extras, this Sunday it was just the family and Maria.

She could not believe the turn of events that had led her to live with this family. How wonderful God was. One day she was working for pittance, and the next week she was earning more money in one week than they had seen in a month with the Perez household.

Maria still thought it would be a lot longer to save enough money for her studies, until Mayumi dropped a bombshell. She had arranged a loan through the Catholic arm of the Filipino Missions. It was a no interest loan that could be paid back when she had completed her studies and found a position.

Maria was overjoyed and called her mother straight away. Perhaps now she could even save enough money to sponsor her family to come out; that was if the government allowed them. They had to let her mother and brothers come out, she thought to herself as she sat watching Peter being tickled by his father. How she longed to see her brothers again and to be able to look after her mother. After all, her own mother had worked herself to the bone providing for them when her father had died. She deserved to be able to take a break. It was time for Maria to repay her for all the opportunities she had been given.

“You are quiet all of a sudden Maria. A penny for your thoughts.” Mr. Dodd asked her, breaking into her daydreaming.

“Oh just dreaming of home. I miss my family.”

“I thought so. Well, God is in the business of answering people’s prayers sweetie, so don’t worry too much,” he answered and drew his wife to sit on his lap. “If he could find such a beautiful wife like Lig, he will be able to bring your family out.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere,” Lig answered and planted a kiss on her husband’s lips.

“Ewww,” Peter responded quickly. “Get a room!” With that they all burst out laughing.

“Watch it boy!” His father threatened. “I’m expert with the tea towel,” and jumped up twirling a tea towel expertly, ready to flick it towards his son, who jumped up and rang towards his bedroom.

Maria couldn’t remember when she had laughed so much. She loved watching their antics and while she still felt homesick, she could never feel depressed for long. God was truly amazing and he did care for her. This family was a living example of how Christians should live their lives and she couldn’t help but hope that she could live up to that.

“You know that you’ve got an admirer don’t you?” Mayumi told her as they were putting the lunch dishes away.

“No! You’re joking,” she responded, turning to face Mayumi but could see she was quite serious. “Who?”

“You didn’t even notice him watching you, did you?” Mayumi told her and Maria shook her head.

“Marco Felini was looking at you all through church. He was sitting two pews back from us. Tall, Italian looking dude. He was sitting with his mother Carmel.” She explained but Maria still shook her head.

“I didn’t even notice him. What does he look like?”

“Oh, he’s a hunk,” she whispered. “Six foot high and good looking.”

“You don’t want to be involved with the likes of Marco Felini, Maria,” Mr. Dodd called out from the living room after hearing his daughter’s conversation. “He’s trouble.”

“You don’t know that dad,” she answered, causing Ed Dodd to frown.

“Oh, I know it alright. His father is Mafioso,” he answered cooly. “And you don’t want to get caught up in that. “Frank is his father. I went to school with him.”

“What is Mafioso?” Maria asked.

“Mafia…. Gangsters...like the Italian crooks in the Godfather.... and people who pal up with them can end up dead.”

Maria’s eyes widen at his comment and she found herself feeling very apprehensive. What if what Mayumi said was true? What if Marco did like her? She didn’t want to be rude to him, but she could not afford to get into any trouble at all, especially since her visa could be taken away from her.

“What do I do if he asks me out?” Maria asked fearfully.

“Just say no my dear,” Lig spoke firmly. “And if he persists, tell me and I’ll deal with him.” She wiggled her finger in the air and Maria couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of Lig with her five foot height standing up to someone who was six foot high.

“Well, don’t worry about that now. We promised the girls we would meet them at the beach. If we don’t hurry we’ll be late. You coming Peter?” She called out to her brother.

“You bet! I’ll just get changed.” He yelled out and ran to his bedroom. Maria laughed and ruffled his hair as he ran past, glad that Mayumi had included her brother in the fun.

The rest of the day was spent in the water and on the beach, relaxing in the sun. One of the girls tried to teach Maria how to surf but all she managed to do was to stand for a mere ten seconds before being dumped into the water. Driving back with Mayumi and another of their friends, Maria sat mulling over the events of the past two weeks. Tonight she would be happy to ring her mother with the news that God had indeed answered her prayers. She would tell her to expect a move to Australia because if God could answer her others prayers so quickly, then he would certainly do it again.

“Mum, when are we having church again?” Megan asked her mother as they sat down to eat their dinner.

“Next week sweetie. Pastor Hall is coming again,” she told her, and seeing her daughter’s eager face she continued “and Imogen as well.”

“Oh thank you God!” she cried out happily. “Do you know I asked God if Imogen could come again, and she is. God is great! He does care about us doesn’t he?”

“He certain does darling. I am so glad that I asked Jesus into my heart.”

“I haven’t asked Jesus into my heart,” Megan spoke quietly.

“God knows your heart Megan. He knows you love him. All you have to do ask say sorry and ask Jesus to come into your heart. That’s how easy it is.” Amy answered her daughter’s question, hoping that she had explained it so that her daughter understood.

“Can I do it now?” She asked excitedly. Amy did not want to spoil the moment so she grabbed her daughter’s hands.

“Of course you can.” She told her and together they prayed and she led Megan through the prayer she had prayed when she was younger. The joy she saw on her daughter’s face must have been how she looked when she had prayed to God a few weeks ago. The day just couldn’t get any better.

In heaven that night many were dancing and celebrating the new birth of another follower and the angels guarding their charges lifted their songs of praise upwards, so glad the one sheep had been led into the fold.

After Megan had gone to bed Amy couldn’t help but to ring George with the good news. She had found herself calling him many times, sometimes on a pretence, just to hear his voice. It had been scary at first admitting to herself that she actually had feelings for someone. Bob had been her one and only love, and when that went sour, the thought of going through that again, had scared her off love for good; or so she thought.

“That is wonderful news Amy. You must be so happy,” he told her when she told him of Amy’s prayer.

“You haven’t forgotten the appointments tomorrow have you?” George reminded her.

“How could I. Yuk. Doctor, dentist, and chiro, all on the same day. You know how to please me don’t you?”

“Sorry love, it’s the only way we can do it for the two of you and keep you save at the same time.”

“I know. You don’t have to apologise George. By the sound of it you think you were feeling guilty. You didn’t kill Bob and chase us around the city trying to kill us, so stop blaming yourself,” she told him firmly.

“Glad to hear it,” he told her. Amy could almost hear the smile in his voice and wished he was sitting down with her enjoying the Sunday night movie she was watching. “So, I’ll see you both at nine. Ok?”

“Ok. See you then.”

What George and Amy didn’t see was the woman putting down the headphones she had on her head. The smile on her face said it all.

“Gotcha! Steven. They’re on the move.” Olivia turned to call out to her partner who had taken a break to make coffee. He came back into the room when he heard her call.

“What’s up?”

“Appointments tomorrow. George is picking them up at nine. We have to move fast. We don’t have much time.”

“About bloody time,” he spoke gruffly, rubbing the stubble that had grown. He had run out of blades for his shaver. “I’m glad I remembered George bought this house. Where would you be if I didn’t put the bugs in eh?” He said with a look of pleasure. Perhaps now Olivia would start to look at him a little differently.

“Yeah, yeah, so you keep on telling me.” She waved her hand in a dismissive way, and turned up the sound in the hope that she may learn something else. “I got a bit worried when they found out about the dates. I thought I may have to tell Guido about them, but I’m glad I didn’t. He’d only pull us off, and we can’t afford to lose 50 grand.”

“So you keep on telling me,” he answered sourly, mimicking her voice. She looked up quickly, her eyes narrowing.

“Don’t even start,” She snarled, the urge to punch his lights out barely under the surface.

“He he, that’s right, he’s such a drop kick. He doesn’t deserve you.” A voice came to her from nowhere and she almost looked around to see where it had come from. These thoughts had been coming thick and fast lately and even though she was a little concerned about how fractured her mind had become; she realised she could no longer control the thoughts. They had a control of her.

Steven stomped back into the kitchen to continue making the coffees. He would have preferred it if she did a little around the house rather than the whining and nagging which had become the norm. It was like a broken record. Nothing he did seemed good enough anymore. Perhaps all that glittered most definitely was not gold; but it was too late now. He made his bed, and as he mother would have said, he’d have to lie in it.

“Where’s that coffee Steven!” He heard her yell out. He closed his eyes to her screeching voice and carried her cup back into the living room.

“About bloody time!” She took the cup he handed her and had a sip and promptly spat it out. “Can’t you get it right? This is cold you moron!” She thrust the cup back at him and told him to make her another.

“Make it yourself!” He spat back at her and promptly poured it on top of her head. With that he turned on his heels and walked out of the room.

In the bedroom Steven walked around the room grabbing items of clothes he found strewn around the room and threw them into his suitcase and quickly as he could. He did not trust Olivia and wanted to be out of the house as quickly as he could. If he had to go to the authorities and confess to everything then that’s exactly what he would do. In fact, he’d forgo all that and buy everything afresh, he thought as he looked at his meagre possessions.

He could hear Olivia yelling in the lounge room about a spoiled dress and how much of an ingrate he was and he was not about to face her, especially in the mood she was in. While she had her back turned in the bathroom, washing the coffee out of her dress, he walked back into the lounge room and grabbed his holster and gun and went out the front door. It was time to do the right thing.

Quickly knocking on the front door, he waited for Amy to check the monitor, and wished she would hurry. It wouldn’t take Olivia long to work out what he had done. Hearing the intercom crackle to life he felt relieved that Amy had recognised him. Had she not, she wouldn’t have answered the door at all.

“Steven! What on earth are you doing here? Is anything wrong?”

“You’ve got to let me in. The house is bugged Amy…. The killer is across the road. You’ve got to believe me. The bug is in the desk lamp! Hurry and look if you don’t believe me!”

“Ok”

He stood there for what seemed like an eternity before he heard the locks click and the door open.

“Have you called George.”

“I hit the emergency pager. We don’t have the surveillance anymore.”

“I know. We’ve been watching you.”

“We?”

“It’s a long story. Have you got a gun?”

Amy didn’t know whether to say yes or no. As soon as she heard him at the door she felt to open it, but now he was scaring her. What on earth was he doing here? He was supposed to be on long service leave and what did he have to do with all of this? She had trusted him before, but was that trust about to be broken?

“Have you got a gun?” he repeated once more and she nodded. “Do you know how to use it? I certainly hope so. I want you to go and get Megan and hide. You know where. Go!”

Just as he said that they heard glass breaking in the front room, and a thump. The two of them turned to see a figure standing in the darkened room.

“You bastard! I’ll get you for this!” A woman’s voice cried and Steven threw himself in front of Amy, his gun drawn. Amy heard an explosion of gun fire and braced herself.

Without wasting any time she spun on her heels and ran out of the room and into the hallway, heading to Megan’s bedroom. By now her daughter was most probably awake. Nobody could sleep through that noise surely?

Megan was sitting bolt upright, her eyes wide with fright. Grabbing her daughter, she led her towards the laundry and the backdoor. Outside, under the patio was a hatch that led to stairs and what used to be the old cellar. Now it would be hers and Megan’s hiding place and she hoped that whoever it was that was after them would know nothing about it.

Climbing down the stairs in the practices that George hade made them do was something but doing it in a hurry in pitch blackness what another thing entirely. Twice Amy stumbled, scared that they would fall, but unseen hands steadied her so that they were kept safe.

Once down the stairs they dare not turn the light on in case it could be seen from up top. So they two of them sat on stools waiting, trying to catch their breath. Megan began to shake and Amy pulled her into her arms and held her as tightly as she could.

“Lord, protect us. Station your angels around us. Let no one find this place. Amen.”

“Mummy!” Megan whispered. “There he is! There’s an angel.”

As Megan spoke, Amy looked up to see a beautiful image before her. He was six foot high she imagined, and his garment shone in what was a golden colour. It was almost like a reflection of something, perhaps of God’s glory. Whatever it was, it illuminated the entire room so that they could see their surroundings. He smiled at them and held his sword to show them he was well able to give them protection.

“See I told you I saw an angel.”

“You certainly did. Praise God!”

“And greatly to be praised,” was the angel’s reply, causing them both to gasp. His voice sounded like a musical instrument and with his voice came the peace of God.

They heard a commotion up top and sat still. Amy remembered the gun she had grabbed on her way out, wishing she had paid for attention to the shooting lessons George had made her take. The question in her mind now was could she kill someone? Did she have the right to take someone else’s life? When Bob had died she realised then how precious life was, so did she have the right to make someone else suffer? She thought not, so she placed the gun back in it’s holster and prayed it wouldn’t come to that.

“Amy!” a woman’s voice called out. By the sound of the rapid breath she was either hurt or was puffed from running. Either way, Amy was not going to come out of hiding.

“Amy! Everything’s alright! Steven won’t hurt you. George will be here any minute. Come on out. I’ll protect you until he comes. I promise.”

“Don’t go,” a voice she knew and trusted filled the room and Amy knew for sure that to go up those steps meant certain death and so she opted to stay.

“Mum,” a voice whispered in her ear. “What if she’s telling the truth?” Amy turned and realised with goosebumps on her skin that her daughter hadn’t spoken but the voice had sounded exactly like hers.

“You get out of here Satan!” she whispered. “In the name of Jesus you will bow down and get out of here. Go in Jesus’ name. And you will be silent.”

The creature that had whispered false words into her ear slithered away dismayed at his failure to fool the woman. He could not even warn Olivia about the woman’s whereabouts because she had silenced him. Oh how he hated the name of Jesus! It defeated him all the time. Why did she have to pray? It was fine until she had started praying.

“What’s wrong mum,” Amy asked after hearing her mother admonish the demon who had tried to deceive them.

“Nothing sweetie. It’s fine,” Amy told her, willing the cavalry to arrive.

In an instant she heard the grating of the hatchway and hoped with all that was within her that it was George, but when she heard the familiar pop of a silenced gunshot, she realised that it wasn’t. The self locking hatchway had just been blown open. A stream of light flooded in from the outside light, illuminating the interior.

“Say goodbye bitch.”

Olivia aimed her gun towards them. The light was not strong enough to get a good aim and she had to descend the steps and as she did, she fell, the gun falling from her hands. All Amy and Megan saw was a flash of gold and when the gun fell at Amy feet she picked it up and aimed it at the woman who had fallen in a heap at the bottom of the stairs. Judging by the vacant stare and the angle at which her head rested, Amy saw that she had broken her neck. There was no doubt in her mind who had saved their life and with that she thanked God for his protection.

Quickly checking the woman’s pulse, Amy realised she would be wouldn’t be bothering them any more and it was then that the tears began to fall and her body shook. Gathering Amy in her arms the stood crying together and that was how George and his men found her.

“Steven?” It was all Amy could voice when he took her and Megan from the cellar. George shook his head and Amy sighed. Another person dead because of her. When would it end?

“He died about five minutes ago Amy,” he told her quietly as the drove off in the squad car. They couldn’t stay there another night. “He was in on it all.”

She closed her eyes to that piece of information, the sadness that descended almost crushing her. She had trusted him with her life and he had let her down. She rubbed her forehead trying to ease the headache she could feel coming on. It was just too much. Megan had fallen asleep in the car which was a blessing because for such a young life to witness something so horrific was just too much, especially if it was your own child; someone you had promised to protect.

“He told us who’s behind it all Amy, and something else I think you’ll want to know,” George told her. “But not here.” He said, motioning to Megan’s sleeping form.

Amy nodded and sat back in the seat of the squad car and closed her eyes, trying to blot out the images before her. She kept on seeing the woman fall and the vacant stare. It repeated itself over and over in her mind and Amy could not get it out of her mind. The tears fell one more time and George pulled her towards him, stroking her hair and whispering quietly. Together they prayed, asking for protection and wisdom for the days to come.

“Have you told her,” Jack asked George when they arrived at headquarters that night.

“Not yet. I don’t know what to say,” he told his boss.

“I don’t envy you lad.”

“And what don’t you want to tell me?” A voice came from the open doorway and the two men groaned. “You may as well tell me now.”

“Um… I don’t know what to say Amy. Sit down,” he told her, and she shook her head. “Trust me, you’re going to want to sit down.” He told her firmly and led her to a chair.

“Ok, what? Don’t keep me in suspense!”

“Bob is alive.” With those words spoke, Amy’s eyes flew open and her mouth went dry. She shook her head.

“I saw the explosion.”

“It blew him into the water. Guido Perez planted the bomb. He plucked him from the water and has kept him under lock and key ever since. Some sort of insurance policy I guess. I’m not really sure. Steven didn’t know much… and the woman… well, I doubt whether she would have told us anything anyway.”

“Bob’s alive?” That was all she could say and kept muttering it, not directing it to anyone in particular. Her hands began to shake and soon after her whole body was racked with tremors. It was then that George called in the department doctor who administered a sedative; something they had expected would be needed.

George picked her up and carried her to the fold up bed one of the agents had made up in the briefing room. Megan was already fast asleep by the looks of it and he was glad that they had put them together. They would need each other like no other time. Breaking this to Amy had been the hardest thing he had ever had to do, and although he was thrilled for Amy, his heart felt so heavy. It was as though he had lost his very best friend.