Returning

Jonathan had an idea, but could he disguise his thoughts from Lillith and get Robert to help him?

From the depths of Jonathans soul came a sound. Fighting for breath he choked out words from them. Those voices had returned. At first they seem confused then tongues began to unravel into tones that he could recognise. Then he realised that they wanted him to follow them, they had been preparing Jonathan for a reason. Now he was giving them control, asking for help and he would have to follow. In his childhood they had been the 'unspeakable' only to save him a few years later at boarding school. He was being given a mission, somewhere he had to go, something he had to do. The voices were whispering conscious that she should hear. All around inside Jonathan's head he heard them convincing him of his destiny. He could vaguely remember something about a place in South Africa, a place his mother used to talk about a lot. She had rarely spoken about her past to him but there was this place, a place that she repeated time and time again. The voices were silent about the whereabouts warning Jonathan not to speak the name when it came to him. In his head he was saying,

�What was its name again? Something town,� he laughed, feeling he was being watched and knowing that his amusement would cause interest.

'She won't know though' he thought and then concentrated hard on Samantha trying to make sure if his mind was going to be read then he could confuse anyone trying to look into it.

Secretly the voices rejoiced as they knew Cape Town to be the destination. They too filled Jonathan's head with all kinds of weird and wonderful thoughts, causing a swirling vortex in his brain to wipe out any hopes that Lillith would have of finding the information.

An unexpected knock on the door broke the uneasy quiet of the night. Jonathan looked at the bedside clock. It was nearly three and having been haunted by Lillith he was unsure what he should do. There was another knock. The doorbell had stopped working a few months back and as neither he nor Samanatha had many strangers call they never repaired it. Thinking this he realised that only one person would know to keep knocking. He moved down the stairs, keeping the light off, wondering if this person could be his wife returning. Surely, this couldn�t be the demon up to tricks and if this was then why would she?

Slowly his feet inched their way towards the door. He could see through the misted glass dark shapes moving. This made him nervous and he stopped in the hallway watching. This part of the house had been recently decorated in a bright colour scheme of magnolia, the gloss on the door frame still gave off a fresh paint odour. There was still that chill in the air as though something was with him but Jonathan was not sure of anything anymore. The figures stopped moving outside seemingly moving away from the house then one came back opening the letterbox and peering through. Jonathan pinned himself against the wall as a semblance of light shot through into the hallway. He waited and waited. Then he heard what sounded like a angel, calling his name.

�Jonathan, are you there?� the urgency in her voice was clearly audiable.

�Samantha, is that you?� he asked suddenly feeling a wave of warmth over his body and pulling open the door. �What are you doing here?� he grabbed her, holding her tight, his arms never wanting to let her go. Tears fell like rain from both their eyes as they keep holding on to each other.

Robert stood just behind them watching, for the first time understanding the love that they both had for each other. He almost felt like crying too. The moment was just too beautiful for words, sickeningly beautiful. At least that was the thoughts of Lillith's minion who spat vileness into the air causing a streetlight to burst open it's bulb shattering on the pavement. The minion immediately regretted this action having been told to follow and not interfere. It must never draw further attention towards what was going to happen.

�Jonathan, I understand everything now,� Samantha hoped by saying this that he would finally let her into his world and allow her to help him. There was just a hint that he would in the way he took her so close to him. All she needed to do was explain herself and take advantage of the moment. Jonathan was startled by her revelation. She could not, did not know of the secrets that lay within him. Even he wasn't sure what was happening or why. His body didn't seem totally under his control any longer.

Earlier that day as he looked out of the bathroom window he saw in the distance a blood red vision coming towards him. That vision was his mother, he was sure of that. The voices had returned and now he seen the revelations of Lillith. Had he been created for this? If only he had a fatherfigure in his life then maybe he could escape this impending doom. Jonathan was struck out of his reverie by Samantha wanting him. Reality had returned and maybe, just maybe this had all been a bad dream. Her words meant so much to him. He knew she was trying to help, trying to be on his side. Also, however, Jonathan was reminded of grave danger he still felt lie ahead.

�Sam� he said, pressing her body close to his, �you can�t stay here, you must go�
He only called her Sam when he knew trouble was upon them. With a heavy heart Jonathan knew that this nightmare had only just begun. Lillith was here somewhere and would return shortly to get what she wanted and he got the feeling that she would not take to kindly with Samantha being there. He knew she was dispensible to Lillith, just as he was. At least though he had something she wanted whereas Samantha had no meaning.

�Jonathan, please don�t do this,� Samantha cried, holding him tighter than ever. Jonathan didn�t want to let her go but he knew he would just be killing her by letting her stay by his side. He felt her love, absorbed memories of happy times between them. They had seemed a while ago now and he wondered how long this build up had been happening to him. The afternoon when they had sat overlooking the sea on holiday together suddenly took over his mind. The park bench, whirl of the sea, sun beating down on their skin, her skin, that smell of burning mixed with protective cream, his hands travelling down her body, his tongue in her mouth, oblivious to all around them...

�I am sorry Sam,� he said, pushing her away. He felt reluctant but also she was part of happier times, not this descent into hell that seemed to befall him now. This was the only way he could deal with what was happening, alone, with the possessed, away from humankind.

�No!� she screamed, trying to grab him again, �don�t shut me out.�

Lights from the house next door were turned on and a face appeared in the window.

'Keep the f*****g noise down, I'm trying to sleep,' came a gruff noise from elsewhere.

�Don't leave me, I don't want to loose you� she begged, looking into Jonathan's eyes and reading through him, knowing she was causing him to reconsider.

His determination had taken on a new life force though. The influence of the voices inside him had made him feel different, not as he wanted to be but as he needed to be. As Samantha came towards him again, Jonathan forced her body from his, turning towards Robert, who now stood in the open doorway. He closed the door shutting out the outside world and turned on a lightswitch. Jonathan quickly turned this off explaining things were better that way and increased the feeling of uneasiness between them all. Robert sensed that Jonathan was holding back, although he wasn�t completely sure what was bothering this man. However, whatever this was, this wasn�t good. His feelings about Jonathan had always been mixed into his thoughts about Samantha. He wasn't being fair now though. Jonathan was troubled and needed help.

�Robert, I know we have never seen eye to eye with Sam�, Jonathan tried to fight off tears that were slowly moving their way from his eyes to his cheeks, �but please, take her away.�

He could say no more. Robert stared at Jonathan knowingly. He could hear Samantha�s hysterical screams in the background, pleading to both of them now to let her stay. Robert realised Jonathan would never ask this unless he had a very good reason.They both never made a secret of the fact that they didn�t approve of the other. Looking at Samantha, her eyes red and swollen from all the crying, he felt determined to followed Jonathan's request. All Robert wanted to do was to take her hand and lead her away from here, but he knew she wouldn�t let that happen without a fight. Eventually after what seemed a minutes deathly silence he said :

�I am sorry Jonathan, but I can�t,� his head shook trying to convince both himself and Jonathan this was the right thing to do. He wasn't sure but looking at the relived expression on Samantha's face he felt he was right.

�If she wants to stay, there is nothing I can do about it� Robert blurted out wishing he could have erased the frightened tones in his words. He had never felt or knew of demons but being in Jonathan's presence the strange aura about him was beginning to affect Robert's decision making. He had an idea that Samantha's adoration could save this man. Curiously Robert had made a decision against what he logically thought to be correct. Now he felt he might have to make another.

�Oh thank you Robert:� Samantha said elated, now moving to show her affection to him. She kissed his cheek to show appreciation and in turn Jonathan fell to his knees.

�Sam, you can�t be with me. You don�t understand, I don't understand.......� He tried pleading one last time.

�I love you� Samantha said kneeling next to him, taking his face into her hands, �I am not going anywhere. I will be with you forever where ever you go.�

There was a swirl in the darkness, what appeared to be a dust cloud and a low rattling noise that gradually was to become louder. This invasion into the words of the three bodies caused Jonathan to reveal more than what he wanted to as he instinctively knew that time was running out.

�She�s coming� he said aloud, realizing that time was now getting shorter. He needed to be away from this house, away from Lillith, go to South Africa, to Cape Town and find out what was happening before he became a part of her evil doing. There was no time to breath any further words to anyone. A plan became quickly determined in Jonathan's head. This had to work before Lillith was back in this world. To Robert, Jonathan motioned to give him his ear, whispering his idea. Regrettably Jonathan had to use Samantha as his reasoning but Robert understood. He explained that for Samanatha, the only option was to take her with him away from this place and pray that nothing happens to her.

�Who is coming?� Samantha asked confused, "What's going on? What's happening Robert?"

"There is no time to explain Sam. Come with me, slowly and keep as quiet as you can," replied Jonathan,

�Go?� she asked confused, �Go where?�

Samantha nodded, now feeling for sure that what she had seen the night before wasn�t a dream, at least whatever happened had not gone away and was coming back with a vengence.

�OK, wish me luck and I'll wish you the same� whispered Robert.

�Thank you. I wish someday I could repay you", Jonathan looked bravely at Robert, knowing his brief few words that had convinced him to help would only give him a short time away from Lillith who was not going to take kindly to this kind of deception.

�Don't worry about me. I want to do this� continued Robert as the noise in the house became louder.�Sounds like you need to get away now.......", he tried to smile but had become scared of what was to come.
Turning away Robert made his way up to the bedroom where he stripped, hid himself under the bedsheets and waited.
Jonathan stared at Samantha's friend, trying to figure out why in the world he would want to do this. Why would he want to help now? Did he really love Samantha? A final embrace had told him so much.

�Please take care of Sam� he had whispered in Jonathan�s ear, "She is an Angel."

Jonathan nodded agreeing to this request. He wondered how much Robert knew what was waiting for him but time was short and sentiment only shorter. The voices inside urged him on, even though they were not so pleased about his 'plan'. Samantha was not who they wanted to be with them and they were certainly offended by her wish to Robert of "God be with you."

Lillith's minnion had heard as much of the conversation as he could. He had been unable to enter the house as this was her own abode and he was not worthy to do so. However, as he recounted as much as possible she had moved quickly from her hellish cave to Jonathan to find out what was happening. She was his and must never leave her grasp.

Reviews

[Dead Angel]

wow that was an awesome continuation! i almost cried when johnathan and samantha were reunited, they love each other so much. i mean she's willing to be with him even though she knows there's something not quite right. i thought it was very heroic of robert to switch places with johnathan in the bedroom, i mean i'm pretty sure lillith isn't going to show mercy on him. i can't wait for the next part this story is unraveling nicely!! well done you two :)

[The Tao of Bri]

NICE!!! I loe the dialogue! itis so hard to do and you two did an excelent job..yes...reuniting is the best when it happens..

[Nick Erickson]

This was a very good chapter, the characters' depths coming to full light. The love Robert had for Samantha, willingly giving Samantha and Jonathan a chance to escape... true friendship.

It's good to see Jonathan taking charge and being strong with Samantha by his side - dare I say they may be invincible???

Another well written chapter.

[These Haunted Hallways]

Damn, i was truly on the edge of my seat when i read this. Yea, i almost cried, too, when they both reunited hehe. Switching places with him was very chivalrous. God, i hope all of them will come out of this alright. Onto the next! >>>>

B.A.

[Fantasyfairy]

Hmmm, it does seem a blittle strange that Robert would just help without knowing what is going on, esceppially as he doesn't like Johnathan. It is becoming very exciting now, and I really want to know what happens next. I wonder what he will find out in Africa and if he will discover who and what his Father was, and wh he was even born. Well written and nicely done. XX