Chapter Twenty-Five

Amelia

Sitting in the dark, I watched the New York City skyline flicker to life as the world below never slept. I didn’t understand this place. How could anyone live in such a congested place? There was no room to breathe. No fresh air. No stars at night. No trees.

Everything and everyone lived right on top of each other.

I knew coming here was a mistake, but I had to make sure they knew what was coming. What they were facing. Over the years, I got to know my son. I wasn’t sure about him at first. He looked so much like his father. Sometimes, just looking at him instilled a deeply ingrained raw fear that I couldn’t shake, but seeing him with Arianwen soothed those fears somewhat.

My son, Gideon, was nothing like his father.

I did right by naming him Gideon. In the bible, his name meant ‘to cut down; to hew’ , for God called upon Gideon to lead the Israelites in a battle against the Midianites, despite the fact that he was initially hesitant and unsure of his abilities. Gideon led the vastly outnumbered Israelites against the Midianites and defeated them, killing their two Kings with a small army and restoring peace to the land, and I knew my Gideon would do the same.

Too bad I wouldn’t be around to see it all happen.

I did all that I could and regretted nothing.

My slate was clean.

Now it was Gideon’s turn.

A shadow moved and I sighed.

My time was up.

“Hello, Amelia.”

Sighing, I replied, “You won’t be able to stop him.”

“I know that.”

“Then why even try?”

“Because he got the life I was promised.”

“Trusting the Devil to fulfill your promise was folly, because even the Devil knows that promises are made to be broken.”

He moved closer, sitting on the table right before me.

He still looked the same. Hadn’t changed a bit. He was still as vile and dark as I remember. His soul, so blackened with hatred and greed, had taken root and nothing would stop him now. Only my Gideon could slay this monster.

“I’ve been looking for you for a long time, Amelia.”

“I know.”

“Where is she?”

“In the arms of her white angel, whose righteousness has surrounded her with his love and grace in this dark world you created. You will never find her. She is not only protected by him, but also by the very Devil himself. May God have mercy on your soul should you ever dare cross him, for he has eyes like a hawk and will see you coming.”

He groaned, hanging his head.

“Fuck you and all your bible bullshit. Why can’t you just speak normally?”

“Gideon will never stop looking for you. Run and hide, but your day of reckoning is upon you.”

“You know, I thought my brother was fucking stupid for keeping your crazy bible thumping ass around. Now, I know he was. Got news for you, Amelia. I’m going to kill your precious son and then I’m going to go after your daughters. When I wipe your existence from this earth, I’m never going to think of you again.”

I smirked. “My existence is secure and will live on and prosper, for the meek shall inherit the earth.”

“Enough of this,” he groaned, standing to his full height while he pulled out a gun, pointing it at me. “Goodbye, Amelia.”

“Goodbye, Son.”