Half Dead World: Book One from the Apocalypse Tales by Adrienne Hargrove (little readers txt) 📗

“Alone”

“You’re not alone, Fin, people care, people love you.”

“No one loves you”

“Alone”

“Do it”

I look over and see Lucius praying. His lips are moving with swift gracefulness, but I can’t hear what he is saying because the dark noise is so painful. Suddenly his eyes pop open and he moves toward me. “Haven, we must leave immediately.”

I look back to Fin and he is almost completely engulfed in the dark mist. Then I see him raising the gun in his trembling hand. The screeching darkness is so loud and painful my whole body starts to shake. It feels like I am being cut all over with thin razors and I cry out even as I scream in pain.

“No, Fin, Don’t”

I can hear Lucius screaming my name and see that his face is contorted in pain also. But I think it may be too late because I feel myself falling like I am being pulled toward the darkness. I look to Fin, raising the gun like he’s in a slow-moving trance and I look to Lucius still screaming my name, reaching for me as if he can grab me and save me. I can see a cloud of dark mist opening and I feel like I am being sucked into it. I try to move back, but the pull is too strong. I look to Lucius and see the panic and agony on his face. I mouth I’m sorry, and then I scream RUN! Suddenly, four pillars of the brightest light I have ever seen shoot down through the rafters. They make the roof of the chapel invisible where the light is shining through and it extends up farther than my eyes can see. When I look into the light, I see images shifting and taking shape, suddenly I realize I am looking at four angels. I look around the room to see that the darkness is fleeing from the intense light. The dark noise that was causing me so much pain is gone. Then I hear the soft, lyrical, whispers of the angels and it is like a balm to all the hurt the darkness caused. I stare in amazement, as the angels before me continue to take shape. They are surrounding Fin, whispering beautiful things to him. The angel’s voices are the polar opposite of the dark screeching. They are soft and soothing. As they hum louder, it sounds melodic and harmonious, like a choir. I am filled with comfort and peace. The angels are all beautiful and are surrounded by brilliant white light that seems to radiate from their very core. When I am able to focus on them, I can see that they are not all the same. Only one is female, she is wrapped in a billowy white fabric that is tied across her chest and waist with gold ropes. The ends of the fabric are trimmed in some kind gemstone I have never seen but the prismatic hues that sparkle from them are similar to the colors I have seen emanating from the different souls in my new world. Her eyes are fierce, but her presence is filled with benevolence. Two of the men are in white suits. They are perfect in every way and they exude tranquility and joy. The third male is the only angel with wings. They are massive even though they are closed. All the angels appear very tall and strong, but the winged one is a head taller than the rest. He is broad and dressed in shiny silver and gold body armor like a warrior ready for battle. His stance is wide, and he is holding an enormous sword with the point resting on the floor between his feet. He is, all together, the most terrifying and beautiful being that I have ever encountered. The moment I can tear my eyes from this astonishing scene, I notice two things. One, all the darkness is gone. Two, Lucius is now standing so close to me there are tiny sparks of beautiful color coming off our hands and arms. I look into his eyes to measure how furious he is with me for the danger I put us in. But all I can see is relief and complete awe of what is happening in front of us.

The angels are all quietly speaking separate words of affirmation in a circle around Fin. Then, the female takes a step closer and gets right next to Fin’s ear and I can hear her like she is whispering it into mine as well.

“His love surrounds you, Finley, you are precious to Him. All will be well because His love is perfect.”

The female angel steps back into the circle and I can start to see reason returning to Fin’s eyes. He is no longer in a trance, but actually considering his actions. Then the two male angels in suits step forward inside the circle and I realize they are identical. They stand opposite each other alternately whispering into Phin’s ears.

“Peace be upon you.”

“Calm your anxious mind, child.”

“Restore your faith.”

“No one has been lost.”

The twins step back out into the circle and Fin drops the gun and is now weeping. Finally, the giant winged male angel steps forward. He does not go to Fin’s ear, but instead stands directly in front of him and bends to be closer to his face.

“You will fight the fear.”

“You will fight the grief.”

“You will fight the pain.”

“You are a warrior.”

“You are a protector.”

The warrior angel puts his hand on Fin’s forehead and touches the pommel of the sword to his heart. I can see a white light radiating from both.

“You will save many of his followers. This is your greatest purpose on earth.

Fight to save them Finley.”

Fin gasps, then I see it, a look I have seen on his face countless