Church looked up from his notes, leaned forward and said, It was not only the fact of whom or what this individual was that worries me. He tapped the face on the screen and continued, We also need to be concerned about the recipient.
Church slid his notepad over and showed a name he had circled on his notes to the inquisitive Pinky and Ryan.
There was a stunned silence as Pinky and Ryan stared at the screen and the name on the notepad.
Pinky leant forward, pointed at the screen, and asked, Whats the connection and how was that possible?
I dont know, thats what we need to find out, said Church tapping his fingers on the desk.
Church then frowned and through pierced lips told them, This was not the first time one of these demons came to this portal. Still shaking, he glanced at the pentagram painted on the wooden floor in the corner of the room and said, I know of an encounter we had with a Diabolus at our portal centuries ago and a more recent encounter with another Diabolus in the spirit world years ago, which I believe was the same one that I just met.
Puzzled, Ryan frowned and asked, Whats a Diabolus?
I will explain later, said Church, who went to the safe, took out a thick ancient leather-bound book, came back over, and placed it on the desk. Let me decipher all my notes and read the journal again, said Church, opening the book and searching through the brittle pages for the relevant section.
I am not happy with this one, boss. Something doesnt feel right. Do we have to take the assignment? Ryan asked, fidgeting and looking at Pinky.
Perhaps a cheese and ham sandwich would help, smiled Pinky, trying to lighten the mood, knowing that Ryan would do anything if the reward involved food.
Oh, well why didnt you say that before? chuckled Ryan, When do we start? he asked, with nervousness he tried to disguise.
Church looked at his team. After this powerful encounter and knowing what it was, he felt scared. He knew from the journal the dangers of any encounter with a Diabolus, and after what hed just experienced, did not want to put them in harms way. Even though they looked calm, Church sensed fear in the pair and realised that none of them were ready for an assignment of this magnitude. He closed the book, leant on the desk, smiled, and announced, Okay, we wont take this case.
Phew, Pinky sighed with relief.
Although pleased with Churchs decision, Ryan had a niggling doubt and asked, Can we do that?
Church reply never came, as a flickering blue flame filled the corner of the room along with a familiar aroma and, sniffing the air, Ryan announced. I smell Brussels sprouts, Granny Pearls here.
3
Things are not always right because they are hard, but if they are right one must not mind if they are also hard.
The PATH team lived in a 16th Century thatched-roofed cottage built in a clearing within a dense woodland area of Clifton Moor, close to York city. This secluded cottage belonged to Churchill Potts junior, who inherited it from his grandparents, Pearl and Jack Potts. The cottage had been in the Potts family for generations and although this quaint old cottage appeared like something from a Brothers Grimm folktale; it held a remarkable secret.
* * *
During the mid-sixteenth century, a wealthy Englishman, Robert Potts, had the cottage built at a specific secluded location. This was ideal for Robert and his family and perfect for the inhabitants of the surrounding towns and villages. The townsfolk felt certain Robert was a Warlock, so the further away he was, the better.
With England in turmoil after the civil war ended and after they beheaded Charles I, a Cromwell-controlled protectorate government, one with deep puritanical beliefs, now ran the country. The English people felt terrified and confused. This fear paved the way for a government-backed religious crusade to rid the country of those considered heretics, so witches and warlocks became an indoctrinated terror. This fear led to the formation of the Witch Finders. These individuals scoured the country on high government salaries, flushing out evil forces that allegedly manifested into human form.
Robert was from a wealthy and respectable family. He had fought during the English civil war as an infantry officer in Oliver Cromwells Roundheads. His father was a minister at York Abbey, and after witnessing many bloody battles, Robert knew he wanted to follow his fathers example and serve God within the clergy. He returned to York after the war ended when he was seventeen. His father used his influence to push his son through the ranks to a junior ministerial position within York Abbey. Robert had suffered headaches throughout his childhood and heard incoherent voices when nobody was there, especially on the battlefield. Unable to understand why, and afraid to seek advice for fear of being accused of being cursed, he ignored it. Robert was a handsome young man but his ashen complexion gave him a ghostly appearance.
Everything changed on his eighteenth birthday when his headaches became severe and the voices became louder, although still a myriad of sounds, he heard cries for help and could sense despair. Everybody now seemed bathed in a white light, apart from him, who glowed with the colours of the rainbow. This terrified Robert and convinced he was a warlock, feared for his life. Robert altered overnight, becoming reclusive and no longer attending the clergy or fulfilled his duties, spending his time in his room alone which disturbed his respectable parents.
Robert went out most evenings, strolling along smoggy, cobbled city streets of York, amongst the hustle and bustle of street vendors, entertainers, and taverns. Although different from his sheltered religious upbringing, the streets seemed to beckon him. He knew he would find something there, but did not know what.
It was on one of these nightly excursions when he met Elizabeth cooking at a small street vendors stall,
Can I tempt you to some lovely tripe and onions, Robert? She smiled.
What! exclaimed Robert, taken aback how she knew his name, as he had never laid eyes on the girl before. Robert saw a crimson aura surrounding her and realised that she was also different.
Robert returned to her stall every night to see the pretty brunette with rosy cheeks that seemed to glow against her pale skin. Elizabeth instigated the courtship and asked him to take her out, which in those days was unheard of, and she could have ended up in prison or far worse. Robert became intrigued and besotted with Elizabeth, who was almost 19-years-old.
We are special my love. Shed told Robert. We are Chosen-ones, and when we find our portal, thou will be the Keeper, and I will be thy Guide.
This always confused Robert, but he accepted her strange behaviour because he was in love and wanted to marry Elizabeth. His parents wouldnt give their consent to this union until Robert announced Elizabeth was pregnant. His parent, although outraged, went ahead with the marriage with it being inconceivable to have a child out of wedlock. Not only would it have destroyed the familys reputation but also they didnt want to upset Roberts uncle, as this man terrified people. His uncle was Mathew Hopkins, known throughout England as the Witch Finder General. Robert and Elizabeth married straight away and lived in a cobblestone cottage on his parents estate.
Elizabeth, now seven months pregnant, looked radiant, and Robert looked forward to the birth of their first child.