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  “How do you know it wasn’t me that caused that to happen?” asked Angelica, taking a seat.

  “Impossible, my lady. You are simply delightful,” said the professor.

  “In case you didn’t catch that, the professor is trying to flirt with you, Angelica.”

  “No he isn’t, but that was a nice compliment,” she replied. The young man stared at his two companions wondering what was going on between them.

  “Then if he isn’t going to flirt with you, how about I give it a try?”

  “Now, Michael, you don’t know me at all. Why would you want to do something like that?”

  When he looked into her eyes a strange feeling came over him. Still he felt the need to comment. “Well you are very beautiful, young, and charming. So why not give it a shot?”

  “To answer your question, I would like to point out beauty goes deeper than the outer appearance. As for youth, I am older than you think. And being charming comes from within. So, Michael, when you are searching for your soulmate, you should remember to look beneath the surface,” explained Angelica.

  “Hey, I wasn’t talking about marriage here. I only wanted to get to know you better. That’s all.”

  “Then you will surely get your wish. The three of us will be spending a lot of time together,” said Angelica, pausing as their drinks arrived.

  “Now how is it you know that?” asked Michael with a furrowed brow. The beautiful young lady answered with a brilliant smile while the men stared at each other in confusion. What did she mean by that? Both of the men would like to ask her, but were interrupted.

  “I perceive Michael has a few questions about the class discussion this evening,” said Angelica.

  “As a matter of fact, I do. What did you mean by the statement both good an evil has a purpose in our lives? Don’t we have a choice?”

  “If you will remember, I said that there is both good and evil in the world; and each has a purpose. But, I also asked the question which one are we?”

  “You’re right, but aren’t we saying the same thing?” asked Michael.

  “Not really. Consider the fact that many spirits come into the world with evil intentions while others serve another purpose. Good spirits can make a big difference in the lives of others, while those evil spirits can bring an untold amount of misery.”

  “So you are saying the witch trials were justified?” asked Michael.

  “It doesn’t matter what I think. What do you think, Michael?” asked Angelica, reaching across the table and placing her hand on his. The touch of her skin sent an electrical charge throughout his body. He was about to pull away when he realized the feeling was rather pleasant. Just as quickly as she had done before, the young lady slid her hand back in front of her.

  “I think those people had a dark reason for placing young girls on trial. They were covering their butts,” said Michael. The men noticed her blushing face. “Did I embarrass you? That was not my intentions.”

  “Don’t fret over it. I am still having a problem getting accustomed to discussing such matters in the presence of such handsome men.” The guys liked the sound of that and wondered which one of them she found the most handsome. While those thoughts were swirling about, occupying their minds, something else was happening nearby. A strange look in the eyes of the young lady grabbed their attention.

  “What’s wrong, Angelica?” asked Dr. Blanchard.

  “Do you feel that?” she asked, searching all about.

  “I do,” replied Michael, attempting to impress his friends.

  “It is never good to lie about it, Michael,” said Angelica.

  Dropping his head in shame before realizing he actually did feel something, he said convincingly, “I feel the presence of evil.”

  “So do I,” said Dr. Blanchard.

  “Good, now you both have spoken truthfully. Wait here for me,” said Angelica, quickly rising to leave the building.

  “Where is she going?” asked Michael, turning in his seat.

  “I don’t have a clue, but she is right. There is something strange going on here,” said Dr. Blanchard.

  “Wait here for me,” said Michael, rising to follow after the young lady.

  “Hey, you need to do as Angelica instructed,” insisted the professor. It was too late. Michael was already out the door and chasing after her. Moments later the professor had an eerie feeling something terrible was about to happen, yet he perceived he should stay put until Angelica returned. Suddenly, without warning he doubled over in pain. There was an unexplained gut wrenching throbbing in the pit of his stomach.

  Chapter 2

  “What in the heck is that?” mumbled Michael, staring at a creature barely visible to the naked eye. In a flash it disappeared, leaving Michael dismayed. Was what he had witnessed real or a figment of his vivid imagination? When he felt the touch of a familiar hand, he almost jumped out of his skin. “Angelica! You scared the crap out of me, girl.”

  “Well it’s your fault. Didn’t I tell you to stay put?”

  “I vaguely remember you saying something like that. But what in the hell was that?” asked Michael.

  “You had better stop lying, and watch your mouth while you are at it,” said Angelica.

  “Are you referring to hell? That is not a bad word, at least not in the way I intended it. Beside how is it that I lied to you?”

  “You and I both know that I distinctly told you to wait for me. Now admit it.”

  “Okay, I remember, but I feared for your life. That’s the reason I followed you.”

  “We’ll discuss it later. We need to get back to our friend,” said Angelica, pulling Michael by his shirt sleeve.

  “Then will you explain what I saw?”

  “I will reveal it when you are ready. Now see if you can honor my request by returning to our friend,” said Angelica.

  “Why are you being so demanding? I thought you liked me,” said Michael.

  “I do like you. That’s why I’m trying to protect you.”

  “Protect me from what?” asked Michael. The stare that followed indicated he would not be getting an answer to that question, at least at the moment.

  When they entered the restaurant, Angelica sensed another problem. “Oh no, not Dr. Blanchard,” she said, tearing up.

  The young man stared at her and then at Dr. Blanchard. “There is the professor and he’s fine. See for yourself,” insisted Michael. She ignored Michael and quickly took a seat across from the professor. The young man slowly sat beside her, wondering what in the world was going on. Now he could see clearly, and it was scaring him. The professor seemed to be possessed, and his eyes were frightening to look at. They were rolled back in the sockets with only the whites visible.

  “Dr. Blanchard! Look into my eyes. You can do this,” said Angelica. The young man could only watch as he too could see there was something terribly wrong with the professor. This was strange, but mysterious. Being intrigued, he stared in silence. Angelica laid her hand on the professor’s and softly spoke in a language Michael had never heard before.

  Moments later the professor came out of a trance with tears in his eyes. Being jolted back to reality, he began to speak. “I’m okay, but what just happened?” asked the professor.

  “I will explain latter, but you must understand that this was not your fault.”

  “What is she talking about?” asked Michael, being totally confused.

  “I just had the most evil thoughts. It is impossible to explain,” said Dr. Blanchard.

  “Does this have anything to do with what I just witnessed?” asked Michael.

  “We need to go somewhere to discuss this in private,” replied Angelica, rising to leave.

  “She keeps saying things like that, but I don’t know if we are ready for this,” mumbled Michael, following after her.

  The professor shook his head and prepared to pay the tab. Then he had second thoughts about this arrangement. “You owe me three bucks, Michael.”

&nbs
p; “What about Angelica?”

  “I got her covered, but you are one of my students. It wouldn’t look right for me to pay your tab. I hope you understand,” said the professor, holding out his hand. The young man paid him back and quickly caught up with Angelica.

  “Where are we going—somewhere safe I hope?”

  “Nowhere is safe, Michael. We just need to be discrete about this to keep from causing panic around the world,” said Angelica. He had already pushed aside some of his earlier concerns. With this alarming revelation, he was quickly reminded of the bizarre events he had witnessed only minutes before.

  As Dr. Blanchard caught up with them, he asked, “Do I sense you are on a mission, or is it just my imagination?”

  “If you are inquiring as to whether or not I have a purpose for being here, the answer is yes. Now follow me and I will see what sort of arrangements can be made to accommodate you two for a few days,” said Angelica.

  “I have a place to live. So does Dr. Blanchard, I assume,” said Michael, becoming suspicious.

  “You can’t go there, at least not until I eliminate the dangers,” said Angelica.

  “Now you’re scaring me. Who in the devil are you?” asked Michael. Hearing those words immediately changed her appearance. Her demeanor went from a calm, cool angelic girl to a stern force to be reckoned with. “Did I say something wrong?”

  “Do not ever refer to me as the devil,” said Angelica in a fierce tone.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I had done that,” apologized Michael.

  “It was just a manner of speaking. Michael didn’t intend to call you the devil,” said Dr. Blanchard.

  “There is no harm done. Forget about it.”

  The men continued to follow the young lady until they had walked several blocks from the coffee shop and the campus. Leaving the city streets and buildings behind, Angelica walked straight into a wooded area with no reservations whatsoever. When Michael questioned her, she continued her pace but did not respond. After traveling on foot for a good fifteen to twenty minutes, they came upon an opening where a quaint little cabin stood. It appeared to be in good shape and secluded from the rest of the world. Stepping up onto the porch, Angelica opened the door and ushered Michael and the professor inside. “This is where we will be staying for the next few weeks.”

  Thinking this was all part of a terrible misunderstanding, Michael turned and said, “Wait a minute. We can’t stay here that long. I have classes to attend and Dr. Blanchard has classes to teach. Right, Professor?” He looked to the professor for assistance in the matter.

  “You will still do that, and I will be with you every step of the way. But, evenings and nights will be spent right here,” said Angelica.

  “Look I have had a blast, but this is where I say good night and wish you guys well and all that good stuff,” said Michael, going out the door. However, the minute he set foot outside the walls of the confines of the humble abode a chill hit him like a blast of northern winter wind, causing him to stop dead in his tracks. A brief moment allowed him to have second thoughts. “Maybe I will hear you out.” Startled at first, Michael searched all about as he slowly backed into the doorway. Then after closing the door behind him, the young man was ready for some answers, and his companion sensed it.

  “So you felt them? That’s good, Michael; it means I was right about you,” said Angelica.

  “It’s time to stop beating around the bush. Just what in the hell is out there?” asked Michael. An eerie silence followed with the young lady staring directly into his eyes. Finally, the quietness was broken.

  “You have been awfully quiet, Professor. Would you care to share your thoughts on the matter with us?” asked Angelica.

  “I perceive you already know what I am thinking. But to enlighten Michael, I will indulge you. Those creatures out there are evil, and they are here to fulfill a purpose. Am I right, Angelica?” A nod answered his question. “What I don’t know is who you are and how is it you expect to stop them.”

  “I don’t think you guys are ready for the truth just yet; and since I cannot lie, I will tell you what I can. I am here to protect you; and if you do this my way, we just may succeed in this undertaking,” said Angelica.

  “Well that certainly clears things up. Thanks a lot, Angelica. Now we understand completely,” said Michael, being facetious.

  “There is no need for the sarcasm. I am here to help you, remember?” asked Angelica.

  “So you say. But if my memory serves me correctly, we had no problems before you showed up,” argued Michael.

  “That’s not true. It was only a matter of time before they would have gotten to you. Both of you saw that first hand less than an hour ago. Remember what happened with the professor?”

  “Yes, but that is because whatever is out there is following you. You led them to us, and now we have inherited your problem,” said Michael.

  “Are you not listening to me? They came here for you, and I just saved your butt,” said Angelica. A clap of lightening startled them. “Sorry,” mumbled the young lady.

  “Now you are apologizing to us? Why couldn’t you have done that earlier and saved us all this grief?” asked Michael, being annoyed.

  “That was not intended for you two, you stubborn little brat,” said Angelica.

  “Then who was it for—the demons out there?” asked Michael, waving toward the door.

  “So you know about the demons?” asked Angelica.

  “Then you are admitting it? That is what I thought. Should I tell the professor what I saw a while ago, or do you plan on doing that?” asked Michael.

  “Be my guest,” said Angelica, waving her hand in his direction. She took a seat on the sofa that was facing a stone fireplace and waited.

  “What is she talking about, Michael?” asked the professor. After struggling with the idea, the young man finally gave up on explaining.

  “Michael walked in on me while I was taking care of business,” said Angelica.

  “So that was you? I knew there was something strange about our friend here,” said Michael, taking a seat on the opposite end of the sofa.

  “You weren’t supposed to see that; and if you had done as I asked, you would have never witnessed it,” said Angelica.

  “Would that have changed anything?” asked Dr. Blanchard.

  “It would have bought me some time to prepare you for what is to come,” said Angelica.

  “Do you mean there is more?” asked Michael, rubbing his hands through his hair.

  “I hate to break it to you like this. But, this is only the beginning,” said Angelica.

  “You brought all this on us. Now what do you plan on doing about it?” asked Michael.

  “I already told you. If you would stop running your mouth and listen, I will find a solution. But you are going to have to do as I say, or it’s over before the battle even begins,” said Angelica.

  “Who said anything about a battle? I want no part of this I tell you,” said Michael, nervously.

  “Look I already explained that to you. Both of you are why I am here. Now please allow me to do my job,” said Angelica. With that Michael rose from the sofa to stare out the window. Then he shoved his hands into his pockets and began pacing back and forth across the floor of the rather small room. “Would you please sit down? You are beginning to make me nervous.”

  “Good. Now you know how we feel,” said Michael, taking a seat on the sofa. Soon the professor joined them.

  “Is there room for me?” he asked, nudging Michael toward the center. He moved closer toward Angelica, but reluctantly.

  “You guys are pathetic. A few hours ago you were ready to toss a coin to see which one could have me. Now you are avoiding me like a plague,” said Angelica.

  “That is because you are a plague, and we are now in trouble because of it,” said Michael. “Just what are you anyway?”

  “That doesn’t matter. But, now that we have the sexual tension out of the way, we can
get down to business,” said Angelica.

  “Sexual tension? Are you serious?” asked Michael, seeming to be perturbed.

  “Michael, remember what I said about lying.”

  “Okay, but that was before I knew who you were. Now that is the last thing on my mind,” said Michael.

  “You have no idea who I am as you have already admitted. But, I am glad you have those feeling under control because it can never happen anyway,” said Angelica.

  “Why not? You said we were handsome, and you are somewhat attractive. So why wouldn’t it work?” asked Michael, seeming to backtrack.

  “It won’t work because it is not allowed. Am I right, Angelica?” asked Dr. Blanchard. A nod answered his question.

  “So you know about her? Are you both trying to railroad me into something weird here?”

  “No, Michael, I am just as innocent as you are. Let’s listen to Angelica and try this her way. If it works out, then afterwards we can go on with our lives,” said Dr. Blanchard.

  “That’s easy for you to say. What if it doesn’t work out? Then what?” asked Michael.

  “Believe me when I tell you this. You won’t be any worse off than you were before I came,” said Angelica.

  “So you say. Why should we believe you?” asked Michael. The stare that follow made him feel uncomfortable. In fact, there was a strange feeling shooting throughout his very soul, but what was he to do about it? “Okay, we will do this your way. But you had better not get us killed. My friends won’t like that at all.”

  “Are you sure about that, Michael?” asked Angelica in a serious tone.

  When the professor began laughing, the young man realized she was only toying with him. “Well at least she has a sense of humor,” insisted the professor.

  “I noticed that, but why has she not turned it on you?” asked Michael.

  “I will answer that for the professor. He is keen to what I am trying to do here, and he listens to me. You, on the other hand, are naive and impetuous. Those qualities are dangerous in my line of work. So I figure if I can take you down a notch or two, maybe you will realize that you don’t know nearly as much as you pretend.”