Heaven and Hell (58 page)

It was four days before Chris saw Aaron again. He arrived early in the morning as promised, taking an even bigger package with him on the journey to outer darkness. This one contained an 11-page letter, more vegetable seeds, and a large pan of fudge brownies that Jennifer had prepared for her daughter-in-law.

That evening, Aaron returned with a letter penned by Serena, describing her daily routine within the cavern. There was even a brief note of greetings from her benefactor, Abaddon, who assured her loving family that he would do his best to keep her safe from harm.

The regular mail run had begun. Every fourth day Aaron embarked upon the long and perilous round trip, delivering words of encouragement and hope, leaving happiness in his wake. Never had he been so happy with his lot. Yes, he still delivered the condemned to their terrible fate, yet he had also become a deliverer of hope.

It was on his 12th mail run that he was compelled to be the bearer of disturbing news. As usual, his arrival was anxiously anticipated, and he found both Abaddon and Serena on the cliff-side trail at the mouth of the cavern, waiting for him.

It was during the dark season and the bow of blue that usually graced the horizon had nearly faded from sight. There were storm clouds to the south and a hot sulfurous breeze blew along the cliffs, as if to leave no doubt as to where they truly were. The news that Aaron carried this day was as troubling, as dark as the environment into which it was delivered.

“Peace be with you,” said Aaron, as he folded his wings behind him.

“And to you,” replied Abaddon.

Serena gave Aaron a hug that brought an immediate smile to his face. He reciprocated by handing to her the largest care package to date.

“There is a sweet substance within. It is called angel food cake, curious name. Your mother-in-law baked it. I am no expert on the subject of what constitutes a culinary delicacy; however, I found it to have a most pleasing taste.”

Aaron’s peculiar comment elicited a good natured laugh from Serena. “I’m sure that it’s wonderful.”

Aaron turned toward Abaddon. “There is a matter of some gravity that I need to discuss with you and Serena. I believe that it would be best if we discussed it inside.”

“Of course,” replied Abaddon, motioning toward the cavern entrance.

Aaron and Serena retreated into the depths, followed by Abaddon.

Aaron glanced over his shoulder. “I think that it would be best if you dimmed or even extinguished the light at the cavern entrance. In very fact, if you had a way to block the entrance entirely it might be helpful.”

Serena didn’t like the sounds of that. Something was very wrong. They had nearly reached the great chamber before Aaron continued.

“I have utilized the resources of the Great Hall of Records in Heaven to observe the activities of the great adversary and his minions. In doing so, I have discovered a disturbing turn of events that I fear will eventually impact your life here. Satan’s interest in Serena has been rekindled. It is his desire to have her returned to his audience chamber, to determine if her months of agony in the sea of fire have broken her spirit. He requires her worship. He must know that his will has defeated hers. Rarely has he been so obsessed with the capture of a single human soul.”

Serena was beside herself with grief, though she did her best to be strong. “I knew this was going to happen, but I didn’t think it would happen so soon.”

“But his search for you has been in vain,” interjected Aaron. “He assigned the arch demon Moloch to lead the hunt. He in turn assigned a demon lieutenant, a tracker by the name of Rathspith, to see to your recapture. That was quite nearly two months ago. It is his belief that a fallen angelic warrior has given you refuge. Apparently this belief was fueled by your ill-fated trip to the demonic Gate City of Sheol.”

“Rathspith has endeavored to find all of the angels that have been cast into outer darkness since the Great War in Heaven, those not loyal to his master. Yet, it has turned out to be a more difficult task than he had anticipated. Those he seeks do not wish to be found. So far he has not found a tenth part of those he wishes to question. Those he has found were stubborn and defiant. And so it goes on and on, even as the trail grows ever colder.”

Abaddon paced across the cavern floor. He too had become convinced that this moment would not come so soon. “We have seen no increases in the number of demons patrolling the skies over the island. This Rathspith, of whom you speak, is searching in the wrong place.”

“Exactly,” replied Aaron. “He assumes that Serena could not have been carried so far north by the currents, so he has focused his attention farther south. However, I fear that he shall eventually broaden the scope of his search to include this island. He is becoming desperate. He made promises to Moloch that he has been unable to keep.”

Serena felt ill to her stomach. “Do you think that they might eventually give up the search? I mean, if they don’t find me after a while?” Serena sat in her favorite chair, trying to get her wits about her.

“I fear not,” replied Aaron. “Satan is single-minded. He will not abandon the search until you have been found, even if a million demons are needed to take up the search.”

“Then this is it,” lamented Serena, tears in her eyes. She turned to her protector. “I have a plan. It is the only chance for you. I still have those gray rags satan’s minions forced me to wear when I first arrived. I will put them back on. Then you will need to carry me back to the flaming sea, dropping me in far from here, in a place where satan might eventually find me. Perhaps, I can convince them that they simply overlooked me, that I have been floating in that awful sea all along. Then I will submit to him. I don’t want anything happening to you because of me. After satan is done with me, he might throw me back into the sea. Perhaps you could find me all over again. It’s the only way.”

“I will not tolerate this!” roared Abaddon. “You have always been the one who held forth so much hope for the future. I will not have you speaking this way in my domain. Satan is not going to have you again. You are not going to appear in his audience hall, you are not going back to the sea of fire, and you are not going to give up hope. Do I make myself understood?”

“Yes.”

“Very well then,” said the fallen angel, his tone milder. “Understand, you are in my care, and it shall be so until I release you.” Serena felt the gentle hand of her guardian angel on her shoulder. “Satan will not have you because I will not permit it.”

There was a brief moment before the silence was broken.

“And neither will I.” Serena turned to see Aaron standing at Abaddon’s side. She could scarcely believe what she was hearing or seeing. There were tears in the angel’s eyes.

“You and your husband have given my existence a new meaning. I cannot bear to see you in the hands of satan again. No, I will not see you suffer. We shall come up with a plan.”

Abaddon looked at Aaron with astonishment. “The last plan we were involved in resulted in your being demoted to the lowest place in Heaven and placed me into outer darkness.”

Aaron shook his head. “No, it is not like that at all. What we choose this day is not against the Kingdom of the Father, it is an act of love. Abaddon, if we as angels do not stand for love, than what shall we stand for?”

Serena was overwhelmed. Two great angels had come to her defense, two knights in shining armor, yet she could not escape reality. “Do you have a plan, Aaron?”

Aaron shook his head. “Not yet, but I shall have one. We shall have one.”

“Have you told my husband about this?”

“Not as yet.”

“But you’ve got to,” insisted Serena.

“I will do so upon my return to Heaven. And I will tell others. This thing satan intends must not be allowed to happen.”

“But I’ve been condemned to this place by God, remember?”

“That does not mean that we can’t take up arms in your defense,” said Aaron. “It simply means that we should expect no help from the Father.”

“Then so be it,” proclaimed Abaddon. “The time has come to deny satan that which he desires. For too long satan has reigned supreme in this realm. No one has dared oppose him. The last time he knew defeat here was nearly two thousand years ago.”

“When Jesus set the captives free,” deduced Serena.

Abaddon nodded. “Yes, it was Jesus. He stood before satan and his court, stood before him in the very judgment hall in which you stood. He stood there not in rags but in glowing white garments, and though satan and his minions tried to have their way with Him, they could not so much as touch Him.”

“He had come to preach to any man or woman who would hear His voice,” said Aaron. “From the fire pits to the continent of darkness, all heard what He had to say. Satan and his demons tried to silence Him, but couldn’t. When He had finished, all who had been truly touched by His words, all who believed in His message of hope, cried out to Him and He heard them. Shackles fell open and the yoke of oppression was lifted. They stepped from their places of torment and their demonic taskmasters were powerless to stop them.

“Then they rose out of this place in a great throng following Jesus—their redeemer. For He now held the key to the pit, and the lock that held them here had been broken. He set them free.”

Abaddon shook his head. “Would that I could have gone with them.”

“At least our children went with them,” Aaron said. “On that day a heavy burden was lifted from my heart.”

Abaddon was puzzled. “Aaron, what are you saying?”

“Brother, I thought that you knew.”

Abaddon shook his head.

“Those on Earth whom we had deceived…they all rose from this place on that day. Jesus took them from this place; I can account for every one of them.”

Abaddon was shaking. “Even my wife?”

“Of course,” confirmed Aaron. “They dwell in Heaven to this day. Your hands are clean, Abaddon.”

“I thought that they would be denied salvation,” gasped Abaddon. “I thought that their sins were too great.”

“No, of course not,” Aaron said. “All that believed in the message of the Son of God went with Him. There were no exceptions.”

Serena looked to her guardian, despite their grim situation, there was a new spark of joy in her eyes. “That’s wonderful. You have no reason to feel guilty, not any more. They’re all with God.”

“But they suffered so long,” Abaddon said.

“As have you, my brother,” said Aaron. “But let us focus upon the real villain here. It is not you, but satan. He is the one who tormented them.”

“He considers himself practically invincible here in Hell,” Abaddon said. “Since the day Jesus freed the multitudes, satan has reigned supreme. I can think of nothing that would please me more than to see him lose yet again.” There was a pause. “Except Serena’s happiness.”

“Then we shall accomplish both,” vowed Aaron.

Serena smiled—there was hope; she had to go on believing.

For several hours the three sat together reviewing their options. One thing became clear; they would need more help. Just where that help might come from was by no means certain, but the three of them could not stand against satan in the midst of his own domain.

They agreed to meet again in two days time. That would allow Aaron time to investigate their options, perhaps seek additional help.

Still, neither Serena nor Abaddon were particularly hopeful. They had no illusions that they stood a chance against the prince of darkness. Yes, Abaddon was a warrior and his strength was more than a match for any three of satan’s flunkies; even that of satan himself. But he was hopelessly outnumbered. Nevertheless, they would play this game out to its conclusion.

Chris’s heart sank as Aaron revealed to him his grim discovery. He’d known that Serena’s current sanctuary represented only a fleeting reprieve from an eternity of agony, but he’d hoped to see that reprieve continue, for a few years at least. He had become accustomed to the mail call twice a week—to communicating with his beloved wife. His mother took his hand as the three of them sat about the dining room table.

“And you and Abaddon plan to defend her?” asked Jennifer, looking toward the angel in amazement.

The angel looked down at his hands folded on the tabletop. “To say that we plan to stand with her might be more accurate. I doubt that we will prevail.”