BROKEN ANGEL SERIES
BK 1
Serena
CHAPTER
The sound came, a tinkling noise that echoed through the cave. No, caves that led to a multitude of halls to rooms that sparkled with incandescent light. Not one had a window to the outside. Not one had a path to an entrance because there was not one.
Here, in the mountain of my choosing, I lived. Here inside, tucked away from the land surrounding me that held humans, humans that chose to fight continuously. Their hate, their corrupt nature, but… some were good. Only as time goes by, there are less and less.
I am an Angel. Chosen by God, serving God, and being dutiful in my work.
I am also one that chose another path, one that leads me outside at times. But still, MY choice to go or not.
I had, at one time, met with one, and upon watching him through the years, I saw with my own eyes that he is good. So, I found a way to introduce myself and started what one would call a friendship. One that allowed me to see others, but again, not be seen.
A place or a time where I could help one who was innocent and needed it. And, if I looked and saw wrong, it was my duty to fix it. God gave us the ability to live forever. God gave us the ability to move amongst others and not be seen. God also, if he chose, could easily dismantle me or another, if he chose.
We were not everywhere, though others think we are, but I chose to allow one to call me and ask for help.
It started a long time ago. He was very young then. I had nearly passed over him when I noticed his *strength* in God. He was but a child who was burying a pet that had passed.
Yes, *we* say passed, not died.
He stood beside his parents, he said a prayer, he laid a flower on the tiny grave, and as I sat nearby, I watched and listened. Through the years, I checked back on him. Saw him in school where he stood up for those who couldn’t. Saw him play sports and get stronger, but always turned to God and prayed afterward. Each game.
I thought he would go into ministry, but alas, things change. Another war, another time, and he joined, fought, but though he hardened in body, he did not lose his faith.
I remember when I first stood in front of him, he could see me and instantly knew who and what I was. His team was deep in the jungle and surrounded when he *called for help* in his mind as he closed his eyes and prayed.
I knelt beside him and said, ‘*Open your eyes to me’.* He did. He saw me then; I was in dark clothing because just showing up in white and glowing would have startled all his men.
He looked at me and said, “I know you.”
I smiled and answered, “I have been watching over you for some time.”
He said as he turned his head and his eyes looked out, “I need help.”
All I said was, “Trust me.”
I moved then; in a flash I scorched the earth surrounding the men. It was nighttime; the flames danced high and moved outward. You could hear the screams of those who were hiding but moving closer. Trying to harm. To kill. And then … it was over.
The team survived. Those that had seen what happened, soon it was just a fuzzy thought and they put it down as ‘Mother Nature and a lightning strike’. That worked. But I told Michael, if he needed me to just call.
No, I did not think it was odd that his name was Michael; no I did not think he would be in a position like this again but…..
Years later, watching. Seeing the young man grow into himself. Watching him as he still prayed at night. Watching him as he grew in rank and also started a family. One day, he did call.
His wife was in labor. She was losing blood and he prayed for me to please come. I did. I saw what was going on and I stepped in, saving her and the child. Then Michael said something.
“If there is something somewhere that I need you, can I call?”
I looked at him, watched him as he looked upon his wife and newborn. His face was still wet with tears. I said, “Call my name. Serena. And if I am truly needed, I will come.”
CHAPTER
Now as I step out of my shower, wrap myself up with a fluffy large towel. I see my body in the mirror. It is still powerful. I am strong, built to fight and built to do God’s work. I can and will handle what needs to be done when HE calls.
And I give a small laugh when I move from the steamy area and see Jakob lounging on a large pad near my bed. The wolf was a pup when I found him. I could have looked for his litter and moved on, but when our eyes met…. I could not leave him.
We have been together now for years. We travel together. He may not like it when I shrink him and place him into a pouch I carry, but when I travel, it flashes through time and his body would shatter.
It is safer for him. And I have less to worry about.
Together we have worked in the LORD's name.
Now though, the tingling sound comes again; I move to my mirror and look. It is Michael. He is in his office, holding a phone to his ear. Odd. But it works as he calls me.
I can see that he is alone. I answer.
“Serena, please listen; this is urgent.”
“Yes,” I answer. The man is now a General and has a beautiful office in Virginia; I have seen it when checking in. Saw pictures of him with various people of power. Several presidents and others. But many pictures there are of his family. I always smile then.
His voice is strained as he speaks, “We have a critical situation; I need you.” He rubs the back of his neck as he wanders to a window to look out. “The Vice President and his family are traveling. They promised their children a train ride to the West Coast. It was planned, carefully planned but….” He exhaled. “The train has been hijacked.”
Serena again waved her hand over the mirror and could see now a train that was traveling, but now stopped on its tracks over a very large and deep terrain. A ravine. A deep one.
Looking closer, Serena could see people in the cars; she saw excited people taking photos off one side, then off another. Chatting as if this was supposed to happen. But as Seren moved from car to car, she found what she was looking for, the VP’s car.
There, she could see the family huddled as the man looked at a woman standing near. The woman who wore a jacket that resembled the others who was guarding the family but…. This one had their jacket open, and it was visible: a suicide vest.
Matthew explained that the agent was traveling with the family but had disappeared a day before and was now back. He said that the agents could not shoot as she stated that a man, who was in the engine car held the switch. The one that would detonate her vest.
Serena studied what she could see and saw that the female agent was also crying. Talking about her family…..
The agents made a call to the driver of the train, who said, ‘Yes, there was a man holding a dead-man's switch in his hand.’
Serena told Matthew, “The agent wearing the vest is an innocent. She thinks her family will be harmed. And Matthew, tell those in the car not to shoot and let them know that I am coming.”
Serena closed the mirror. Looked at Jakob. “Well, we have something to do today.” Snapping her fingers, she now stood her 6’2 frame covered in black leather. Smiled and said, “Need to look the part.”
Jakob stood, gave a shake of his huge body, Serena said *Fer* and he shrunk to about 4” tall. She picked him up, kissed his head and put him into the pouch on her hip.
A wave of her hand and she disappeared from her mountain cave.
CHAPTER
Several of those riding the train thought that it stopped on the bridge for the view. And they took advantage of it. Moving from side to side, ohhing and awwing, taking photos. Cameras flashed, as everyone looked at the walls of the ravine that was in different hues from centuries of water that flowed through them. One called out that they spotted a mountain goat, and others gathered.
Not one knew that a few cars in front of them held the Vice President and his family. Nor did they know about a bomb. That if it went off, it would take the 10 cars and everyone in them down.
Sandra Williams had gotten her instructions 24 hours ago. Excited, she would be with the VP and escort them on an exclusive train ride to the West Coast.
All went well, just as expected, then 14 hours ago, she had gone back to her room for a short nap and got a call. Thinking it was her mom, she answered to hear a mechanical voice instructing her. Saying that her mom and two siblings were home, with him and for her to do as he asked.
Sandra looked at the phone, and saw a picture of her mom and two baby brothers tied up and gagged on their couch. The boys were 10 and 8. Babies. And Sandra gagged.
Then she was told to look under her bed and find the vest, put it on and also the added earpiece. Then follow instructions.
Tears trickled down her face.
CHAPTER
Serena landed gently on the top of the train, opened her pouch, took Jakob out, she sat him down, and said catch, Jakob now stood his full 5’ tall at his shoulder. Again he gave a shake. But looked up at her, waiting for instructions.
“A man in the front, where the driver sits. He holds a dead-man's switch in one hand. You are to remove that any way you can.”
Jakob turned his head and looked forward, he gave a low growl and moved.
Serena looked down, shifted her stance, and moved down through the roof of the train car. Standing now directly in front of Sandra who was vibrating in fear.
Two agents were now pointing guns at them; the VP bent so as to cover his family as an order came from one agent’s phone, “Stand Down.” Then louder: **‘Stand down!’** You were told that someone would come. Do not shoot. Serena, do what is needed.”
The agent stared at his phone, then at the two women and back to his phone. He holstered his gun, and the others followed.
Serena ignored them, turned to the woman, “Trust me. Close your eyes.” She then watched Sandra close her eyes then said *fen*, Sandra shrunk. Sandra felt lightness, then suddenly softness and the smell of… dog?
Serena moved quickly, putting Sandra into the pouch, then grabbed the vest and moved. Going back through the roof and straight up. Hitting the outer atmosphere, she released the vest and shot back down to the train.
The agents stared at the empty place where the women stood a moment ago; right now all they saw was a pile of clothing. But no vest. They inhaled and exhaled. Stood tall and checked on the man and his family. Gave a nod that it was safe.
Then suddenly a shimmer and Serena reappeared.
“I would appreciate it if you gave this woman some privacy to allow her to re-dress.”
The men stared but turned. Serena smiled, turned, removed Sandra, and then stood, catch. Sandra shook her head, grabbed the back of one chair, looked down and noticed that she was nude.
Quickly she dressed, then looked at Serena, who stood between her and her fellow agents. The woman in black leather who stood tall and wore her nearly white hair in a braided crown.
Sandra was still shaking and had to sit down. She noticed that the vest of explosives was gone, but did not question it. She looked around, and her hand went to her mouth, “My family….”
Serena answered, “They are fine. Someone handled it.”
Sandra now cried harder. Serena put her hand on her shoulder and turned. She tilted her head and could hear Jakob. He had the man down, minus one hand. The man was crying as several agents came crashing in and saw the wolf sitting on him. This was going to be a pain to write up.
Then Jakob stood and left the car. Going to the first one, he lept up and easily walked back to where Serena was. Sat and waited. He was a wolf after all; he could not simply go through walls or ceilings as the angel could. He could sense her below him and would wait.
Serena told him to go to the platform between cars; she would let him in that way. He did, and soon the VP’s children were moving to pet him. Serena smiled as she heard Jakob’s thoughts. “Don’t get a swelled head.”
Word soon came through that Sandra’s family was safe. The lead agent talked softly to her and said no charges would be filed. They also checked her car and found fingerprints and DNA that weren’t hers.
The VP and his family chose to get off at the next stop and would be picked up by a military helicopter. They were sorry that the trip was canceled, but being alive was a good thing.
He made a point to let Serena know how grateful he was for her actions to keep his family safe. She nodded. The children again petted Jakob. Soon the train was again on its way; everyone turned and noticed that Serena had disappeared.
The lead agent called the colonel, who said simply that the woman comes and goes as she pleases. Nothing else.
Yes, Serena and Jakob quietly disappeared -- again. They returned to their cave.
There were not may true Angels left on Earth. Soon, depending on mankind, time will tell if they will stay or leave. Being immortal, staying hidden to stay safe from man-made things.
Most stayed deep inside a mountain of their choosing for safety.
Serena was the only one who actually *connected* a human. She knew of others but never mentioned them. Though several asked her why. Her answer was the same, “911 changed everything. Knowing that one culture will not stop until all Christians are gone.” She shook her head, “But understand, IF I can call you, YOU will come and if you call, I will come.”
Serena then felt, as all the others did, as *love pulses* were felt. She knew then she had gotten HER answer.
The end?
Nope, not as long as GOD lives inside us.