Knocking on Helen’s Door by Eve Langlais

24

Helen staredat the cherub in the crib. Sitting on his own, he stared right back. He had dark hair and a grin that, for some reason, reminded her of…

Julio smiling before he tossed an apple at her. She missed, and he showed her how to make it into a pie.

Pie was forbidden.

The memory slipped away, and she turned from the child, once more wondering why she’d been feeling out of sorts since her release from solitary.

Punished ninety days for leaving her room after curfew. Not that she remembered why she’d decided to go for a walk. She didn’t even remember walking. One minute, she stood in the hall outside her door, full of fear at getting caught, and the next, she was on her knees, praying to her Father—who is a liar—in heaven.

Stray rebellious thoughts like that kept hitting her at random. Just like she kept seeing a face when she dreamed. Not just seeing the handsome face but kissing it. Indulging in fornication and waking achy between her legs. Missing someone she’d never met.

She must have a sickness. Never mind illness was rare. Something obviously ailed her because look at her stomach. Distended and hard to the touch.

Because I’m pregnant.

The shocking concept stole her breath. Angels didn’t carry babies in their bodies. Animals did. Humans, too.

I’m half human.

The voice in her head wouldn’t shut up, but Helen did her best to ignore it as she made her way from the nursery to the rooftop. Michelina already stood sentry, and Helen found it an effort to ignore her dislike of the other angel. What happened to feeling ambivalent?

“Surprised to see you back in the nursery,” was Michelina snooty remark as they waited for a stork delivery.

“I did my penance and now serve our Father.” Who hadn’t been seen in a long time. Neither had his son. So who was running things?

“You should try exercising. You’re getting fat,” Michelina observed. Again, not something that happened usually. Most angels remained about the same size and weight, given their perfectly balanced meals and exercise.

Boring, disgusting gruel not fit for anyone.

“I think something is wrong with me.” Helen cupped her belly.

Michelina tossed her head. “You’d better not be contagious.”

Rather than reply, Helen pointed to the sky. “The stork is coming.” And it appeared to struggle. Dipping and swerving, its wrapped bundle larger than usual and wiggling.

“What is wrong with that cherub?” Michelina exclaimed.

The baby continued to struggle and yell. The stork let out a caw of annoyance and dropped the baby. The oversized cherub landed in Helen’s arms.

He stared at her. Then smiled. “Angel.”

“Yes, I am.” This was a first, an older child who could already talk.

“Helen.” He said her name and patted her cheeks.

She had a flash of a place that wasn’t Heaven. Not even close.

Of a woman—

Samantha

—-and a conversation about where cherubs came from.

As Helen gazed on the boy, she whispered, “Lector.”

And remembered.

Everything.

Something must have warned Michelina, for she began to back away, her eyes wide. “Since you’ve got the cherub, I need to go.”

“You!” Helen pointed, the child snug on her hip. “You tried to have me killed.”

“I did not.”

“I remember. You fornicated with Theodore.” Helen grimaced, not because sex was gross but because she recalled all the ugly details of what happened.

Michelina lifted her chin. “You’re obviously deranged. As if I’d break the rules.”

At the obvious lie, Helen snorted. “Whatever. I know the truth now. And so should you. This is Theodore’s son.”

“You mean the Lord’s child.”

“Nope.” Helen popped the P. “God doesn’t make babies. Sex does.”

“Blasphemy!” Michelina exclaimed.

“It’s true. Male angels are sent to Earth to impregnate human females. The babies born with wings are then stolen and brought to Heaven by the storks.” She gazed at Lector. “It’s my fault you’re here. I accidentally told Theodore about you.”

“That is not his child. Liar. Liar.” Michelina ran for the stairs, calling for the Archnanny, who would likely try and lock Helen up again for more memory washing.

Not happening. Never again.

Hitching Lector higher on her hip, Helen muttered, “What do you say I bring you back to your mommy?”

It felt good to take flight, soaring above the squat building and higher still over the walls enclosing the nursery. With all the secrets Heaven kept, no wonder they kept the nursery apart from other angels. Or was it just Helen who’d been blind to the truth for too long? Given how many times she was sent to solitary, she had to wonder if she’d stumbled across the truth before and had it taken from her.

As she soared, Lector clinging tight with chubby fingers, she noticed a winged shape rising from the spreading city, arrowing toward her.

She refused to be locked away again. Not to mention, she had a stolen child to return. But where could she go? Who would help her stand against Heaven’s army of angels?

Julio would. But he wasn’t here.

A lone tower in the distance had her changing course, aiming for it and barely making it to the empty rooftop with no access inside. Oddly enough, the tower had no windows. No doors. It felt dull and solid. It also provided no succor.

Now what? From the corner of her eye, she caught a glint. A turn of her head showed the famed pearly gates, but before she could take flight, the soldiers of Heaven arrived, led by Theodore and flanked by four more warrior angels. Swords drawn. Expressions unkind. They landed on the tower.

She clutched Lector tight, and he whimpered against her. “Leave us alone.”

“Hand over the child.” Theodore clicked his fingers.

“He belongs with his mother.”

“What are you talking about?” Theodore bluffed. “Our Father, who is fertile in Heaven, made this new brother.”

Helen stamped her foot. “Stop the lies! Isn’t it time everyone in Heaven knew the truth?”

“What truth? That you’re one of the few dumb ones who believed everything she was told?” Theodore sneered.

“I was brainwashed.”

“And you will be again,” Theodore promised.

“You’re evil.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

“I’m going to pray.” She crouched down and put her hand on the tower and whispered, “Our Father, who is imprisoned, if you’re listening and have any love for me at all, help me escape. Me and this innocent child.”

Then she rose suddenly and, with Lector clutched against her, ran for the edge. She knew she wouldn’t make it without a miracle, but she had to try. To do nothing was to become a blind follower again.

She’d rather die.

Wings flapping, she aimed for the gates, her height dipping when she realized an ominous figure stood outside of them, dressed in a cloak that swirled around him like a mighty shadow. His stave planted on the white marble outside.

Julio didn’t come alone. He had Kourtney in her deep blue robes by his side. They knocked at Heaven’s door, the sound booming and drawing eyes.

It gave Helen the diversion she needed to pull ahead of Theodore, but when she would have flown over the gates, a force repelled her and she had no choice but to land. Ignobly she might add. Lector squawked.

“Sorry,” she muttered.

Julio noticed her and bellowed, “Helen!”

“You came for me.” The warmth inside her almost exploded.

He got right up against the gates and said, “I told you I wouldn’t let you go.”

She reached out and slid her hand through the bars so he could hold it. “I didn’t want to leave.”

“I know.”

“Step away from the gate, reaper.” Theodore landed and strode close, wearing a sneer.

“I’ve come for my wife.”

“The marriage was annulled. She belongs to Heaven.” Theodore’s words crushed Helen.

“Actually, she doesn’t.” Kourtney held up a copy of the treaty between Heaven and Hell. “According to the eighteenth paragraph, subsection C, fallen angels are automatically the purview of Hell.”

“She’s not fallen,” Theodore stated with his arms over his chest. “Our Father, who is on a break, hasn’t cast her down.”

“In this case, he’s not needed to pass judgment because clause iii under subsection C states a female angel who gets pregnant shall be automatically considered fallen and cast out of Heaven.”

“That’s impossible.” Theodore’s gaze dropped to her belly.

A bunch of gazes did.

But not Julio’s. He held her hand and mouthed, I love you.

Click.The gates opened without warning.

Julio tried to rush through but was stopped by the force field.

Helen took a step when she heard a voice, Don’t leave me, daughter. I will punish those who forsook you.

But Helen couldn’t forgive. You lied to me.

The tone of the voice changed. You will obey. I am your God.

Perhaps to others he was, but she’d decided to worship at a different altar. That of love.

She stepped through the gates and heard Theodore yelling at her back, “Kill the minion of Hell. She’s kidnapping a cherub.”

Theodore’s soldiers remained still as he strode forward and reached for Helen, only to have Julio knock his hand away.

“Don’t you fucking touch her.”

“Or what? What will you do?” Theodore sneered some more as he drew his sword.

Helen tucked herself by Kourtney and set Lector on his feet as she watched.

“I’m not going to do a damned thing, actually. But I do wonder if maybe your god might have a thing or two to say.” Julio stood bravely in front of the gates, and his cloak whipped as if caught in a storm.

“Our God is—”

“Angry,” Lucifer said, as he appeared, wearing a somber dark suit. “And so am I. You locked my brother away.”

“I didn’t. His son did.”

“And where is Charlie, my dear nephew?” Lucifer asked.

“He left and told us it was time we ruled ourselves.” Michael was the one to provide the answer as he strode into view. “Given we are currently without a leader, I’ve been placed in charge of Heaven. Which means there will be some changes to how things are done.”

Lucifer rubbed his hands. “Does this mean the treaty between Hell and Heaven is abolished?”

“I think it’s past time we stopped playing this game.” Michael held up a scroll that unrolled and kept unrolling. A silver flame ignited it.

As it turned into glittery ash, the devil smiled. “Here’s to hoping you don’t regret that later.”

“We have no interest in Hell.”

“And Earth?” Lucifer asked.

“Can govern itself,” Michael declared.

“Well, you’re definitely easier to deal with. Sounds fantastic. Good luck. Let’s go, minions.” Lucifer clapped his hands.

Julio pointed his stave in Theodore’s direction. “What about him? I want a promise that he, and everyone else in Heaven, will leave Helen alone.”

“And Lector!” Helen added.

Michael inclined his head. “Easy enough to arrange.” The gates suddenly closed, leaving Theodore on the wrong side.

With a frown, Theodore moved to them and said, “Open up. Let me in.”

The archangel now in charge offered a cold smile. “Only the unfallen can enter.”

“I’m not fallen. God hasn’t cast me down.”

“Our Father isn’t in charge anymore. I am. Your antics have the populace questioning my control. You will be an example to those who get too big for their wings. Enjoy Hell. You’ve earned it.”

“No,” Theodore screamed. “No, you can’t do this.”

“Apparently, he can, Theo old boy!” Lucifer beamed as he rubbed his hands. “And wow, I’m impressed at your list of transgressions. How do you feel about spit shining boots for a few centuries?”

Theodore swung his sword at the devil and missed. By the time he pulled back to strike again, the devil snapped his fingers and the newly fallen angel was gone.

Kourtney tucked away her paperwork and said, “Just so you know, the annulment was invalid. It was filed after the child was conceived. You’re still married.”

Which was the thing Helen least cared about. She glanced at Julio then Lector. “We need to take him home to his mother.”

“I’ll handle it,” Lucifer offered. “Hey, boy, ever hear about the time I ran with the wolves?” The pair disappeared, along with Kourtney, leaving Julio and Helen behind outside the closed pearly gates.

She’d never been more relieved to know they were shut to her forever.

She hugged Julio as she said, “Can we go home?”