You Can Only Serve One Master

Chapter 17

I wake up near a body of water. My arms tucked under my head like a pillow. My hips turned as if I were in the fetal position. The river is glistening as birds drink and bathe. I look around and notice a slew of trees. All baring different fruits. It is dark and stars are out. 

"Is this.. Heaven?" I inquire.

"Not yet." The old man from the park stands before a well with his arms behind his back. He is gazing into it. He arches an eyebrow before making his way towards me.

I brush the grass off my clothing and make an attempt to stand up.

"Easy now." The old man warns. 

I notice I'm in different clothing. Loose clothes that resemble the attire martial artists wear while training. A satchel with water and snacks is attached. 

"Old man, what are you doing here?" He smiles before standing sharply before me. He sticks his chin up in the air, with his arms behind his back, looking at me in an authoritative manner. 

"It seems you're feeling better then, Diana?"

"Better?" A snapshot of the synagogue returns to me. I see my sweating body surrounded by candles and covered with mud. I grab my forehead in pain as the man comforts me.

"Easy now I said. You are safe. You are well child."

I take some time to gauge my surroundings a bit more.

"Did you know that you've been asleep for 2 months?"

"2 Months? My parents!" I begin to pace around and bite my nails. 

"Don't worry. They have been beside you the whole time."

"What do you mean?"

He pauses before turning around and gesturing for me to follow him. He begins to make his way back towards the well. He looks down for a moment before looking back at me cautiously. We hold eye contact for a moment before he looks down, signaling for me to take a look as well. 

I step closer and notice a  body of water with what appears to be moving imagery. I see a girl, she looks a lot like me. Her eyes are closed and she is in a hospital gown. Then I notice my parents sitting beside the girl.

"Wait, what are my parents doing there?" It suddenly hits me. "That's me." I gasp while covering my mouth, fighting to hold back tears. 

The old man extends empathy. He sits in silence with me and allows me to feel the emotion. 

"My child, you have given all of us quite the scare."

"What's happened to me? Have I died?" I quiver. 

"Not quite. Doctors proclaim you've entered a state known as Locked in Syndrome."

"Locked in Syndrome?"

"A state, where all of your body is paralyzed except for the circuits responsible for controlling your eye movement and awareness."

"So I'm physically disabled but still mentally alert?"

"This seems to be so."

I pause to reflect, but become overwhelmed by tears that manage to fall into the looking well. A tear suddenly drips on to my parents. They grab their heads abruptly and glance at the ceiling. 

"It's probably a leak honey." My father reassures my mother before resuming his hold on her. They soon return to a gloomy, hopeless state. 

The man studies me a bit before pacing around. Gauging for me to follow him. His hands remain behind his back as he contemplates. He is dressed in a white gown, with gold accents. His beard even longer than before, his hair long and grey. 

"Gabriel tells me there was an incident upon visiting you? My right hand angel, Michael believes your physical vessel is in a state of extensive sleep paralysis. Triggered by the onset of supernatural activity."

"Sleep Paralysis? Supernatural activity. What are you talking about?"

The man pauses before turning to me. He looks serious. "Diana, what's the last thing you remember?" 

A sudden flashback occurs. I am back in my room, kneeling before my mother with my hands covering my ears. I hear the whisper again "You will know suffering until you decide on a Master."

My heart begins to race. I feel energy begin to leave my body. The old man arches an eyebrow inquisitively when Angel Gabriel suddenly makes an appearance and interrupts. 

"Father, we have news that there's been a breach in the West end. The Powers and Dominions report suspicious winds."  

 

"Very well then, inform the Cherubim. Send one to each wing. Tell them to seal each of the entrances."

"Yes, Father."

"Oh, and Gabriel."

"Yes, Father?"

Inform Michael that I'll be needing him to perform some banishing charms."

"At your command." 

Gabriel disappears as swiftly as he arrived. Warm wind surrounds the garden. The grass blends tilt in the direction of the wind flow. The birds fly and do their best to remain balance. I begin to lose balance. The old man is the only one that is unmoved. 

He stands sturdily in the wind with his arms behind his back. Looking into the distance contemplatively.