Noel

From the story “The Child”

Soon the loaves were baked and Mary drew them out and one by one laid them on the table in the middle of the room to cool. She could not help but smile in approval of their simple perfection. Her mother had taught her well.

Mary paused for a moment to breathe it in their fragrance, but then she stopped. She looked up. The room was suddenly brighter. Mary turned and a chill rose in her, a chill brought on by the unfamiliar. Around the door, which was closed, strange, harsh shafts of light shot in towards her. They pierced fiercely at her through every single chink and crack that would let them in. But they were not beams from the sun, for the sun never rose or set on that side of the house. The shafts vaguely resembled those made by a torch at night when a watchman passed by, only, these shafts were far more intense. They caught every speck of dust floating in their path and turned it to fire.

Mary stared. The door opened and an unbearable light burst in. She drew back. Mary was already at the far end of the room so she could retreat no further. Instinctively, she shielded her eyes with her hand, but she could not make herself turn away from the blazing core, not even to search for escape. At the light's source were hands, feet, a face, a being clothed in radiant white. He bent down, came in through the doorway and stepped toward her several paces more. Then he stopped and spoke with a voice like that of a man.

“Greetings!” he said, “You who are honored by God, chosen above all women. The Almighty himself is with you.”

Mary's body would not move, but her mind leaped wildly from thought to thought, and from tale to tale - of angels. Was this an angel? Why was he here, speaking to her? What did this greeting mean? Honored? Chosen? Chosen for what? Mary suddenly worried over her peasant and insignificant status. She had never before felt shame over her lowliness. But now, in her panic, she began to feel a horror and guilt. Had she been meant to be something different? Was she wrong? Had she or someone in her family, or even her overpowered people failed terribly?

The angel paused and lowered his chin. His eyes pierced deeply into Mary's. She could feel him gaze even to her very spirit. Her terror grew. It overpowered every part of her.

The guardians followed Gabriel to a small, baked brick house. A young female was inside, as was her guardian, Mismeret, and a few other angels, apparently assigned to assist him. Mismeret was giving them instructions, directing them to secure the perimeter as best they could and ensure the woman a period of privacy. All stood at attention when Gabriel entered.

“Is she ready?” Gabriel asked.

“In a moment, sir,” Mismeret replied, “with your permission.”

The guardian dismissed his guards, then all in the house waited for several moments. Mary sang to herself as she pulled several hot loaves of bread from an earthen oven. She set them aside to cool.

“Ever seen a visible message before?” Shamar asked, putting his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Natsar noted the mischievous inflection of his voice.

“No,” he replied. “Why?”

“Thank you, sir,” Mismeret said to Gabriel, for Mary had finished placing the last loaf on a table and was now a safe distance from the fire. Mismeret stood himself behind the girl, and drew his sword. Gabriel nodded to him, then looked at Mary and crossed into her realm of view.

“Greetings...” he said to her.

Immediately, the woman drew back in fright. Mismeret steadied her with one hand. With his other he pointed his weapon at the first demon that showed its face through the wall. The beastly creature held its distance, but howled loudly for his comrades. It then began to spit great darts of fear at the already terrified woman.

Natsar and Shamar immediately set into the onslaught of tiny imps that began to swarm in. They came in through the roof, the floor, the windows. Between swings, Natsar saw that the guards outside were also fighting gallantly, against far greater masses. But they were sorely outnumbered, even with the help of the other angelic beings who happened to be nearby.

The woman was fast becoming covered with venomous spit. She started to go into such a panic that she soon would not be able to grasp anything Gabriel said.

“Where's a legion when you need one!” Natsar exclaimed.

True to his nature, he thrust himself between Mary and a new wave of larger creatures that had just appeared.

About half a block away, behind me, I heard the night manager lock up the quick-stop early, no doubt because he had no lights. I did not turn to look. I had no reason to. I kept perfectly still lest I lose any of the precious warmth I had accumulated. I heard the shopkeeper start his car and drive away. Likewise, in short order, the laundry mat, liquor store, gas station and Chinese take-out were closed. Only the motel remained open. I happened to be lying in a direction where I could see it, past the toes of my socks that showed through my boots. And so I starred at the dark building, perhaps subconsciously knowing it housed the only other living soul on my barren side of the freeway.

The world was quiet, except for the wind, the traffic about a half mile away, and the slamming of the broken sign on the abandoned auto garage. I tipped my chin up to look at the sign. I did not know why, for now my neck was instantly cold. I put my chin back down and my gaze returned to the motel.

Presently, a large vehicle came off the exit behind me. I heard it, but I did not turn to see it. It pumped its breaks till it came to a stop, rested a few moments, then it revved its engine and returned to the freeway.

I still stared aimlessly at the motel. Its rooms were run down. I knew, because I had spent various nights in them when I had happened upon some cash. I could not help but wish I was in one of them this night.

Two figures walked into my view. In melancholy interest, I followed them with my eyes. They made their way against the wind, toward the old inn. At the same time, the inn’s owner came out and locked the office door behind him. It appeared to me he had not yet seen his potential customers. A few seconds passed. Then the owner noticed them. But to my surprise though, he waved them off. Well, I never much did like that man. One of the sojourners split off from the other and continued toward the owner. There was an animation of waved arms between them and for a moment, I thought they might fight. But they did not. The owner got into his car, slammed the door and drove off.