Morningstar

The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. Amidst Venus’s eternal warriors, a Vangel stepped up as the fire readied for a tale.

I

It all started with darkness. This was a darkness that worsened with each heartbeat, one of clenched eyes that tightened in retreat only to discover more darkness. A torch of black that pitched bright, the charcoal flame edging closer, searing with a coldness that scraped bare feet. An invisible finger that writhed against sweating flesh, the wind roaring louder as images of flailing curtains pervaded the mind. Once the eyes opened however, it all vanished, nothing but a cold empty room staring back, embarrassment flaring.

This was everyday for Jenna Diaz, she felt like a fool for hoping things would change. The shame that titillated was a familiar one. She slid from her bed, the anger boiling. Why! What are you so afraid of! She would shout, her mind replying with silence. The angst boiled on, a buzzing blood jolting her from her room as she wandered around the silent house like a nocturnal ghost, searching for revenge in the haunting of the television. It didn’t matter what was on, all she searched for was the light and some voices that reminded her she wasn’t alone.

‘’Tonight, on Midnight Horrors we have a story for you, preacher man Nazari Morningstar of the Righteous Dawn Ministries is being accused of, wait for it, the murdering of – ‘’

The room suddenly died into black, Jenna being its arbiter as she prevented the fear from refueling. She could barely handle the dark, the last thing she needed was Midnight Horrors. She looked at the ticking clock lit by the moon outside, the devil’s hour stared back. All Jenna could do was sigh as she sunk into the couch, resurrecting the preacher’s horrors with the click of a button.

The screen burned alive, Jenna watching the images with a deadness, a desperate sadness that hoped for it all to end. All the sleepless nights, the beating hearts, and sweating palms. Why couldn’t she be normal, why couldn’t she be like her little brother who snored away in paradise, never mind that he was alone in a room shrouded in darkness with a cold sky above lit by a distant star galaxies away. A star that was submerged in the endless ocean that is this universe, a universe lurking with unknowns and impossibilities of which we could never even comprehend. What was out there, what was beside her, was there a dead ghost seating next to her, lost in the images of a past life. Jenna didn’t know, but the thought haunted her, the mystery of it all, it refused her rest and peace, it ached and croaked, stroking her skin, whispering warnings that left her in a state of eternal flux.

Bodies burned in her eyes, federal agents and helicopters circling the sky while Jenna was face to face with the world’s evil. This evil didn’t hide in the ethereal, it walked in broad daylight. Adults and old folk cried on the screen, deep in mourning.

‘’Hundreds of young innocent souls suddenly vanished in thin air, does he honestly expect us --- to---to--- to belie – I’m sorry.’’

Tears gushed from the woman’s eyes.

‘’My son was a good boy, he didn’t deserve this, none of those sweet children deserved this.......only a devil can do this, and that man is the devil! I said it, Nazari Morningstar is the damned DEVIL! – ’’

Jenna spared herself from the horror, she barely knew what was happening, but she wouldn’t bother, desperate for slumber yet frightened of its darkness. Her eyes shot to the clock, the devil’s reign raining on, her spirit drowning deeper into despair.

‘’The Night is dark and full of horrors, but the Morningstar brings with it........SALVATION!’’

Jenna froze, face to face with the devil. His gaze burned her eyes bright, Nazari Morningstar pacing across the screen, preaching to his audience while Jenna wondered how the television turned on.

‘’The Lord is a God of mysteries; he speaks to us when we least expect it.’’

Nazari then looked into the camera, meeting Jenna’s eyes as her unease strengthened.

‘’A TV turning on in the night, a radio playing in the background, it could even be a sudden memory flashing into your mind, or even a vision of the future. When the lord wants to speak to you, he will. So be ready, but most importantly, DO NOT BE AFRAI – ‘’

Silence reigned, Jenna blinking as she held her chest, this night was getting more eerie and as her eyes fell on the clock, it hadn’t moved an inch.

‘’Shit.’’ She muttered.

Her head then sunk into the cushion, her hand on the remote. She thought maybe she could crawl back into bed, try and sleep. But alone in her cold empty and silent room, no chance. At least in the living room she could hear her brother’s snores, it was comforting. Occasionally they would be the woosh of a car outside and Jenna would think on how life would be much easier if she lived in a noisier area.

While most fled from the noise she chased it, she would sleep at a party if she could. The booming music, the stomping feet, no way her thoughts could terrorize her within that chaos, in the madness of it all, serenity would reveal itself as she would flee into that envied slumber. How beautiful it would be. The thought of it drowned her eyes as they grew heavier, her joy simmering as she felt herself falling asleep. Finally.

But then it hit her, that strong stare, the hot laser of watching eyes. Was she really alone or had a ghostly presence joined her midst. Had an ethereal visitor finally revealed themselves, sitting right beside her, watching her, stroking her hair with invisible hands? We all have guardian angels her father would say. They watch us and protect us, never leaving our side. The heavenly father also watches us, observing our every move. Ancestors, and dead family members, all gathered high up in the clouds staring down on you. the whole world, the whole universe, past, present, and future, united in the watching of you. Every entity holds their breath until you finally open your eyes and then woosh, they’re gone.

Jenna’s sleep was stolen, the fear prevailing yet again. Slumber would not kiss her tonight and as the clock ticked on, The Devil built himself an immortal empire.

This wasn’t going to end anytime soon, and the dead television screen rubbed her the wrong way, she could see Nazari preaching on in the black, his sweaty face and burning eyes flaring in her mind. She needed a retreat from this fear, a place where she was fearless, a dream where she was at peace.

II

The peace of calm waters flowing within the river, their blue sparkling in her eye with a tinge of shimmering white. Her legs caressed by the glimmering sun above, her iris withering white if she looked too long, squinting at its light. The birds chirping about unseen and numerous. She would lie her back into the grass on the riverbank, listening to the world as it sung her a sweet lullaby, everything was perfect, everything was just righ –

‘’BOO!’’ shouted a face that suddenly encapsulated her vision standing above her, her body jolting.

‘’What’s wrong with you, I could’ve had a heart attack.’’

‘’That’s the point!’’ She said lying next to Jenna, giggling.

For a moment, the both of them would lay by each other, lost in great azure above, drowning in the sea that riled with floating clouds, white as milk.

‘’Wow, this is really.... peaceful.’’

‘’You’re ruing it.’’

‘’Yeah, I’ve ruined it...... sorry. I’ll shut up now.’’

As the silence resurfaced, she would then tap Jenna’s shoulder, Jenna’s grin breaking into a laugh as the both of them giggled, lost in the clouds. Jenna’s peace was over, yet she was imbued with a great excitement, a heat that burnt up with each chortle, as her neighbour snickered alongside, Jenna’s heart would skip a beat. As the silence resumed, it cut a sharp intensity into the air, Jenna no longer lost in the sky, her body feeling every inch of distance from her neighbour, a deep yearn dreaming of the gap to close.

‘’So, did you get any sleep last night.’’

‘’Uhm.... Yeah, kinda....’’

A test of will revealed, as she tamed her passions. Yet her whisper riled them up again, the warm air of her breath melting Jenna’s ears.

‘’If the nightmares come you can hold my hand.’’

Jenna then faced her, their eyes meeting.

‘’I’m not a kid you know.......’’

‘’We all get scared sometimes...’’

Jenna could feel the weight of this moment as it electrocuted her heart, she wandered if the feeing was mutual, their eyes seemed to be on the same page, their lips twitching.

‘’Can I hold your hand when I get sacred?’’

Jenna blinked into a deer in headlights, the question lingering, she then nodded her head.

‘’You can hold my hand anytime Neve......’’

Neve then held Jenna’s hand, giving her a heart attack.

III

‘’YOU SHOULD BE SCARED! The lord’s faithful few shall be blessed with his presence. They shall celebrate his glory and he shall reward them for their loyalty. But those that have rebuked him, those that have turned away, those that walk the path of this earth reveling in its sinful delights oh! You better tremble to your knees and beg him for mer –’’

The silence returned, the darkness setting alongside it. She shot for the clock and finally it had moved, but only barely. At this rate she might as well have decided to stay up the whole night and sleep during the day. The cars would zoom on by with each blink, her family arguing in the background as they’re voices set the ambience. Her little brother would probably burst into her room ready to annoy her to hell, oh how she hated him, and that’s why she loved him so much.

That’s why she loved them all, their silly fights, their never-ending imperfections that burnt alive with each day, she couldn’t live without them. Yet that day would come, and eventually, she would have to be alone, eventually there’d be no one but her and the cold silent night, what would she do then, whose hand would she hold.

IV

‘’Do you think maybe it’s a punishment for something that I did.’’

‘’Well, what did you do.’’

Jenna looked at Neve, knowing that answering that would open a door she couldn’t close, she wasn’t ready for what lay on the other side, or what she would lose.

‘’Ok, what exactly is it that you’re afraid of.’’

‘’That’s what I’m trying to figure out?’’

‘’Well, you’ve got to have something, a boogeyman.’’

‘’What are you afraid of?’’

Neve then smiled at her, turning her eyes to the stars. The two of them sat on a tree, their legs swaying below as the night showered above them, this was terrifying on its own minus the vertigo, but with Neve next to her, Jenna feared nothing.

‘’That’s a pretty tough question, shit, I don’t know.’’

‘’You don’t know, so you have no fear.’’

‘’I’m an Amazon remember.’’

A grin then slipped on her face and Jenna couldn’t help but laugh.

‘’I’m serious Neve!’’

She said, shoving into her shoulder playfully.

‘’Well, I’m serious too,’’ she said, chocking on laughter, ‘’ I don’t really have any phobias.’’

‘’So you would be perfectly fine if a tarantula crawled in your pants.’’

‘’A tarantula did crawl up my pants, didn’t I tell you about that mission in Saint Carina.’’

‘’What if I wrapped a snake around your neck.’’

‘’I used to be a snake dancer before the Vangels, blame my family it’s our tradition.’’

‘’Bullshit.’’

‘’Bullshit not, we were big In Singapore you should’ve seen one of our shows.’’

‘’What about dying.’’

Neve paused, thinking on it.

‘’Well, haven’t done that one .... yet.’’ She said, her face gleaming.

‘’When it does happen though, it happens, what else can we do right.’’

‘’But what about your soul, do you believe in an afterlife.’’

‘’To be honest I am of the religion of I don’t know, maybe there is an afterlife, maybe there isn’t one, only one way to find out I guess.’’

‘’That not knowing, doesn’t it bother you.’’

‘’There’s not really much I can do about it, the best I can do is enjoy the little control I do have, make my life adventurous and unforgettable....’’

Neve then locked eyes with Jenna, the moment promising more.

‘’Make sure I’ve got no regrets, that I lived it to the fullest, that I loved......to the fullest.’’

V

Had Jenna lived her life to the fullest, could she even do that. This fear hadn’t just stripped away her slumber, it followed her right into the day. It paralysed her and isolated her from the rest, from everybody else. She was always alone, trembling in the dark room that was her mind, pacing heart and sweating palms running amuck with no escape, because the at the end of the day, no matter how far you run, you can never run away from yourself.

‘’So, what do you say to these accusations, are they true, are you evading justice.’’

Nazari then fixed his glasses, the square aviators still gleaming with 70s flair.

‘’I am a servant of the Lord; truth is my chain. Before God and before men, I cannot lie. So, believe me when I tell you this, I did not harm those sweet kids, if anything, I was trying to save their souls.’’

Nazari looked on at the reporter, his stare unfaltering, his truth, unrelenting. You couldn’t fight it, you couldn’t oppose it, not even the truth could overcome his truth.

‘’His lying.’’

Jenna jolted straight, her eyes meeting the voice as her little brother stared back at her.

‘’The hell are you doing up.’’

‘’I could ask you the same question.’’

‘’Go to sleep Mikey.’’

‘’You go to sleep.’’

‘’Its 3 AM in the morning I’m not playing games with you now go to bed you have school tomorrow.’’

‘’You’re not mom, you can’t tell me what to do.’’

Jenna then grabbed a cushion.

‘’GO TO SLEEP!’’

She then tossed it as Mikey dodged laughing, sprinting back into his room.

As annoying as the little rascal was, Jenna was grateful of his distraction, his laugh comforted her, especially in sight of Nazari. There was just something wrong about him, he smiled and laughed, speaking sweet words, yet his eyes, his eyes said everything, maybe that’s why he always hid them behind his glasses.

You can see a man’s soul through their eyes, that’s what her father used to tell her, they were gateways into the innermost part of a person, in them, you could see it all. their hopes their dreams, their fears. Her father saw a lot of fear in her eyes, that’s why he always told her about her guardian angel. She will never leave you he’d say, but that only made it worse.

Jenna couldn’t blame him though, she knew where he was coming from, in the end, no one could really help her, not him, not Neve, not even herself. In the end, this unknown fear could only be conquered by her, it was up to her to overcome it.

VI

‘’That’s why I joined.’’

‘’So you signed up for a mercenary band before being even allowed to drink, risking your life to deadly missions and conditions all because you can’t sleep with the light off?’’

‘’Well, when you say it like that.’’

The both of them laughed.

‘’Seriously though, I don’t know what else to do, this fear has such a hold on me, I can’t go anywhere I can’t do anything, its always there.’’

‘’I wish I could understand, I feel so useless here.’’

‘’No, no, just you being here, that’s more than enough.’’ Jenna then took a breath, turning back at Neve. ‘’When I’m with you, I’m fearless.’’

‘’Well then,’’ she said, Jenna hanging on every word. ‘’You better not leave my side Diaz.’’

‘’I wouldn’t dream of it.’’

A silence then sifted, time seeming to slow as the moment’s promise begun to spring, the stares lingered, neither breaking away, Jenna’s heart spiking, the thought of it, was this about to happen, did she feel it too, Jenna took a chance. She leaned in, and Neve followed, a slow and steady collision inching as palms wet, and eyes closed, it was happening it was –

‘’The hell are you two doing up there!’’

Jenna and Neve swiftly broke away, red flushing on their faces as they turned below to the voice.

‘’Get down here before someone sees you!’’

‘’Yep, coming down now!’’ Said Jenna, desperately trying to quell the swirl of emotion that had gripped her, euphoria, fear, shame, bliss and everything in between flowed through her veins, the climb down as vivid as daylight.

Finally on the ground, the sky was covered by a curtain of leaves and branches, the trees standing tall, within the woods, Jenna and Neve faced the music.

‘’You two need to understand we are behind enemy lines ok, this isn’t a damn picnic, we are on mission.’’

‘’Yes ma’am.’’

‘’Don’t call me ma’am we’re the same age.’’

‘’Yes, sorry......’’

‘’Just use my name.’’

‘’Copy that, Rameaux’’ said Neve, saving Jenna who replied with a warm smile, Rameaux rolled her eyes.

‘’Seriously guys, we are in some deep shit here, I’ve already lost Kas, I can’t lose you too.’’

‘’What happened to Kassidy.’’ Asked Neve, the trio walking as they talked.

‘’She’s been missing for a couple of days now, I haven’t seen her around camp, last we heard she was sniffing around the staff rooms.’’

‘’Shit, what do we do then.’’ Said Jenna, flushed with concern and a tinge of fear, everything had been going so well, she didn’t need this right now, she didn’t need this ever.

‘’Mission stays the same, we keep watching and keep searching for any evidence that links this asshole to any dead bodies. The camp will be finishing soon, tomorrow could be our last day, so we won’t have to stay here any longer. We’ll make it, we just need to be smar – ‘’

Rameaux’s sentence cut as a twig snapped, the entire trio freezing as they all whispered

‘’SHIT!’’

Their ears sprang open, every breath and heartbeat blasting loud, they could hear movement, yet their eyes only saw darkness. As the twigs crushed on, they dared not move, hoping it would pass, but it only got worse. Light finally spawned, a torch burning awake. The white glare shot through the black and they each ducked swiftly. Jenna almost lost her balance as she wobbled, desperate to stand steady.

‘’I got you!’’ whispered Neve, grabbing her arm, balancing her.

Jenna nodded back, the triad crouching as they tip toed behind trees, their tennis shoes floating like feathers, muttered prayers begging not to crunch dry leaves nor twigs. Against the bark, Jenna watched the light wander in the dark, the rays shooting right at her as she hid, holding her breath as her eyes shut. She hoped the darkness she saw would trickle into reality and cover her, but it was all wishful thinking.

They then opened at the screech of a radio.

‘’Anything?’’

‘’Nothing.’’

‘’Are you certain?’’

‘’ No........ ofcourse I’m certain you ass, I’m the one out here.’’

‘’Hey! I’m just doing my job here okay, you know how the boss gets, his already got too many eyes on him, he can’t afford another fuckup.’’

‘’Whatever, there’s no one out here.’’

‘’Alright.’’

‘’Listen even if there was, we’ve got this whole camp fenced up, these kids ain’t going nowhere.’’

‘’Fine get back here before anyone sees you, we don’t want em spooked.’’

‘’Hey! You better have not looked at my cards.’’

‘’Pssshh as if I need to cheat to beat you, you’re hilarious.’’

‘’I’m serious, if you peeked, I’ll know!’’

‘’Just get back here.’’

The light then grew further and further away, disappearing into the night while the trio appeared from cover, Jenna’s heart beating right out of her chest, even Neve could hear it.

‘’Whoa, are you ok.’’ She said, placing her hand on Jenna’s chest, her palm feeling the pulse of her heart, their eyes intertwined, Jenna paused before finally –

‘’I’m okay......’’

‘’That was so fucking close, Jesus!’’ said Rameaux, resting her hands on her knees in bow, she then turned to the pair, Neve replying with a query.

‘’What are we going to do about Kas?’’

‘’The only thing we can do, search, search and search.’’

‘’Jenna and I can head over to the staff area in the morning, we’ll snoop around while they’re at the morning prayers.’’

‘’I don’t know, I can’t lose both of you, can’t you just sneak out on your own, less suspicious with only one person missing.’’

‘’That’s how we lost Kas.’’ Said Jenna, ‘’They wont notice anything.’’

‘’Jenna’s right, you’re our eyes, radio us if anyone takes notice.’’

Rameaux stayed still, her face saying it all, she wasn’t behind this. But alas, she nodded. Jenna was almost ecstatic until she realized what she’d signed herself up for, but once Neve gave her a glance, all the worries melted away.

‘’You two better get some sleep then, its already morning.’’

‘’Roger that ma’am.’’

‘’Screw you.’’ said Rameaux, Jenna and Neve laughing behind her while they followed her lead back to their rooms. As they walked in the dark of night, a light shined in the black as Neve held Jenna’s hand, that right there, that was the cure to all her fears.

VII

A glance at the clock and it was almost over, just a few more minutes and Jenna could finally try and sleep. Her body was growing heavier and heavier, her eyes succumbing to the night’s whispers, the fear was subsiding too and for a few moments, she would drown as she dozed away. As she drifted in the ocean of serenity, a warmness would overcome her, but then it would swiftly sour into staring eyes. Their hot gaze would boil her peaceful waters, bubbling up as she jolted awake, sweat pulsing on her face as she would be met by the face of Nazari.

‘’Death is a tragedy, but to my eyes, it is also a gift.’’

‘’What do you mean by this.’’

‘’To live is to suffer, not only for the flesh, but especially for the soul. Everyday that we spend in this world is another day spent with temptation. Temptation to fall, to sin, to betray God.’’

‘’I believe your book says we’re born sinners.’’

‘’It does, but if you die in sin, you suffer for eternity, I don’t think the world truly grasps the gravity of eternal damnation. Money, status, family even love, their nothing compared to an eternity of suffering.’’

‘’So, what do you propose, that we kill ourselves.’’

‘’Even that is a sin, that is why death can be a blessing. As long as your souls is right, you must thank your murderer, for they have granted you eternity at the cost of fleeting flesh.’’

‘’I’m sorry sir did you just say that! Children have died here, mothers are weeping having to bury their own kids and that’s what you have to say, that they should be grateful.’’

Nazari gave the reporter his eyes, looking straight into his soul

‘’The night is dark and full of horrors, but the Morningstar brings with it.........’’

He then turned to the camera.

‘’Salvation!’’

VIII

Jenna then jolted awake, Her face wet with sweat, she was still deep into the night, yet the light shined as Neve lay beside her, the two separated on their own beds.

‘’Can’t sleep right?’’

Jenna nodded.

‘’You?’’

‘’Just thinking about Kas, I hope she’s okay.’’

‘’Me too, we just need to make it out alive.’’

Neve then slipped out of her bed, staring on.

‘’We will, promise.’’

As she got back into her blankets, Jenna unleashed her yearning, taking a chance.

‘’Hey, could I hold your hand.’’

Neve paused, the wait dragging for what seemed like eternity, she then looked back at Jenna, her face glowing with joy. Without anymore words, Neve paced to Jenna’s bed, Jenna’s heart beating faster with each step. Neve then reached out her hand, the smiling fading as a greater passion awakened, Jenna could see it all in her eyes. She grasped Jenna’s hand, and slowly pulled, the two finding themselves under the same blankets, eye to eye, lip to lip, breadth to breath.

‘’You can hold my hand anytime Diaz’’

Their eyes closed as heaven descended.

IX

Hell then descended as Jenna’s eyes blinked rapidly in disbelief, she couldn’t control herself as that cold ache in the pit of her stomach begun to sting. It swelled into her veins wreaking anxious havoc across her mind, body and heart.

‘’Shit!’’ Said Neve, standing besides, the shock on her face souring into rage.

Jenna then watched Neve head for Kas. Kas hung suspended in the air, hanging on a cross with her hands and feet nailed, a crimson streak leaking across her fingers and toes. Her head was bowed, her body naked and riddled with cuts. The cross stood at the centre of cold empty room with gloomy grey floors, spotted with her blood.

‘’Help me!’’ Shouted Neve.

Jenna joined her as they tried to free her, yet they didn’t even know what to do, what could they do.

‘’She’s dead.’’

‘’We can’t just leave her.’’ barked Neve, crackling with anger.

‘’I’m sorry...’’ tears flushed down Jenna’s face, her soul sinking in mourn. The thumping of boots and chatter sprang her awake.

‘’Fuck, we need to go.’’

‘’We can’t leave her.’’

‘’Its too late for her!’’ said Jenna, grabbing Neve tight as she shook her out of it.

Neve broke free.

‘’We can still save her!’’ she demanded, yet the boots entered their domain, Jenna snapping.

‘’Do you want to save her, or do you want to save us, we need to go!’’

Reluctantly, she obliged as the two retreated, their spirits crushed as the end etched nigh.

X

As night dawned on the prayer circle, Jenna’s wet eyes wandered about searching for Rameaux. She was supposed to be their look out, but like Kas, she’d vanished. Jenna only hoped they didn’t share the same fate. In a massive tent in the centre of the camp, the two blended in lost in the crowd of young youth. They’d all come here searching for God, but the devil entered as Nazari Morningstar stood on the stage, Jenna’s heart sinking at the sight of his eyes.

‘’There is nothing more beautiful than the sight of young worshippers hungry for the Lord, can I get an amen!’’

‘’AMEN!’’ shouted the crowd, their voices thunderous.

‘’Where’s Rameaux.’’ Asked Neve

‘’I don’t know, I can’t find her.’’

‘’You are the faithful few! You are the light that shines in the darkness, the salt of this world. Today, tonight, the Lord God almighty shall reward you.’’

Jenna’s heart begun knotting, maybe it was the claustrophobia of being squashed around so many bodies. Maybe it was the darkness of the night outside that sipped into the tent despite Nazari’s staff closing and guarding all the doors and exits. Maybe it was Rameaux, had she been killed, Kas was clearly tortured, had she revealed them, was their cover blown. Neve’s hand squeezed Jenna to her sight.

‘’Something’s not right Diaz.’’

‘’I feel it too.’’ said Jenna, stunned, she’d never seen such fear in Neve before.

‘’We must live each day as if it is our last, we know not the hour of the Lord’s return.’’

As Nazari’s voice thundered through the speakers, Jenna was then stared down by staff member who offered her a cup of communion wine. She turned to Neve who shook her head, she knew she shouldn’t have done it, but she also knew she didn’t have a choice.

‘’We are hopeless at fate of this world, but the fate of our soul, Christ has paid the ultimate price for us to decide. So, as we partake of his flesh, of his blood.’’

Jenna gulped down the cup, crossing her heart as she feared what was next. The staff member then turned to Neve who was still lost in Jenna’s eyes, her eyes wet.

‘’Let us not waste this gift, for it was paid for in a suffering we cannot even imagine. My children, your souls are still young, they have not been tarnished by this world. Jesus says, let the little children come to me....’’

Neve then drank the cup.

‘’For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.’’

Hundreds upon hundreds of fresh faces, little Mikeys whose whole lives were ahead of them. They all drank the Kool aid.

‘’The night is dark and full of horrors...............’’

Bodies then begun falling, one after the other, teary eyes staring, heavy hearts sinking, fates sealing. For Jenna though, she turned to Neve.

‘’But the Morningstar brings with it........’’

Jenna held out her hand.

‘’I’m scared.’’

Neve graced it.

‘’I’m scared too.’’

They both smiled, tears in their eyes.

‘’SALVATION!’’

The Devil’s hour finally ended as the dark room begun to light up. Jenna stared outside, and she could see the early hints of morning, the sun’s rise beginning. She shed a smile and her heart feared no more. She couldn’t explain it, but deep down she knew, everything would be alright.