Inside Lucifer's War (18 page)

“Look, Mike. This is really hard for me to say. You’ve got a great family, and you’ve been a great friend, bu . . . but tonight should be our good-bye.”

“I’m not following you,” he says.

“I think it would be better if I just cut my ties with your family. All of you.”

“What’s going on?” Mike asks, perturbed. “This is coming out of left field.”

“I just think it’s better for your family and for me if we say our good-byes tonight.”

“Cut the crap, Tom. We know each other pretty well. If you don’t want my family around, we won’t be around. We’ll end it tonight. That’s your call. But something is obviously going on, and I’m not going to abandon a friend in need.”

I look at him without saying a word.

“Please, Tom. If it’s your wish, we’ll leave you alone. You have my word on it. But for the moment, let’s talk about whatever’s going on. I might be able to help you.”

Knowing that I need to talk with someone, I relent. “Okay. But after tonight, Mike, please just drop it. You have to trust me that it’s better for all of us to say good-bye and move on.”

“You’ve got it,” he says.

I know Lucifer and his disciples are watching. I look down because I can’t look at Mike when I say, “What if I told you I’ve seen Satan himself? What if I told you that not only have I seen him, but I’ve talked to him and to his demons? Actually, that’s not accurate. I still talk to him. In fact, he has offered me a deal. A deal that is very difficult to refuse, especially after what happened in Dallas.” I look up at Mike. “When I told Stacie, she said it sounded like I’ve been drinking too much.”

Mike abruptly stops.

“Keep walking,” I say, grabbing his arm. “They’re all around.”

He looks at me. “Tom, I know you don’t agree with this, but please indulge me.”

I give him a quizzical look, and he puts his hand on my shoulder and prays. “Dear Father, Paul teaches us that our greatest fight is with the dark forces of this world. Lord, I lift up my friend Tom, who is in this fight. Father, he is facing the worst of the worst, and he needs you and the Holy Spirit. Father, I pray that you would prevent those evil forces from hearing us now. God, put a veil over their eyes and cover their ears. Protect my dear brother Tom. Lord, please let the Holy Spirit guard him. I pray in Jesus Christ’s holy and perfect name. Amen.”

As he prays, the mark on my arm burns. I cover it and feel it throbbing under my hand.

“So you don’t think I was drunk too?” I ask when he’s finished.

“No. I believe you.”

“Then, let me show you this,” I say, holding up my forearm for him to see Lucifer’s mark. “That’s his mark.” He reaches for it, but it is burning more intently, so I pull it away from him. “That’s probably not a good idea.”

“Listen, Thomas. Satan can hold nothing over you if you trust in Jesus and are baptized in the Holy Spirit,” Mike implores.

I look around cautiously as we walk. “I’ve seen a lot of things over the past few months. I’ve seen Satan himself. I’ve seen demons. I’ve been in his lair, and I don’t want to go back there. I can’t describe the feeling that it pulls out of you. It’s worse than having the flu.”

“I think—” Mike starts.

“Let me finish,” I say, stopping Mike. “I’ve seen kids possessed by demons, and I’ve seen dead people controlled by him. I’ve seen all of this, but I haven’t seen Jesus or God in any of this,” I say blankly.

“You have forsaken Jesus. All he asks is that you repent and trust in him, and salvation is yours. Until now, you’ve been in this fight alone. Change that. Call on Jesus, and let the Holy Spirit dwell in you,” he tells me.

“The demons . . . the demons in the student in my class said something interesting,” I say, thinking about the word
dwelling
.

“What did they say?”

“I’m trying to think exactly how they phrased it. I told them to release the student, that she wasn’t part of this. They mocked me and said that only the One can make a claim on a person. The rest they have access to,” I say, reflecting on it as best I could. “Satan has dibs on us. That was from them directly. Not out of some book.”

Mike responds, “Did they say Satan has claims on a person?”

“No. They said the One,” I respond.

“The One is Jesus. They would have told you if it were Satan. They can’t stand Jesus or even speaking his name, because he is their doom. They know they are subjected to him and he is already victorious. There are several places in the Gospels where Jesus shows his authority over the demons. One of my favorites is Mark 3.” Mike speaks with energy and enthusiasm. He goes on to recite the verse: “Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, ‘You are the Son of God.’ But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.” Mike continued, “When you trust in Jesus as your savior, the Holy Spirit dwells in you. It is Jesus’s claim and the Holy Spirit’s home.”

I notice that there’s no hissing as Mike quotes the scripture. Maybe the demons are not able to hear us. Maybe someone or something is keeping them from hearing this conversation.

“I admit I see the spiritual world differently now. I’m not saying I agree with you, but I know now that there is more to this world than what we see. That’s part of my issue,” I say.

“I don’t understand,” Mike says.

I am suddenly aware of my surroundings again. I look around again, expecting to see someone, but we are alone on the trail.

“I don’t want to go into the details, but Lucifer has given me a great opportunity through an organization that will give me everything I’ve ever wanted: fame, fortune, power, influence. You name it, and I can have it.”

“Is that why you are leaving the university?” Mike asks.

“Yes,” I respond.

“What’s the issue you spoke of?” Mike presses.

“I have a few. The first is my integrity. I know, I know. Don’t laugh. What I spoke on and what I wrote about, I believed to be the truth. Even in our conversations, I sought the truth. I’m not saying that I believe you, Mike. I wish I could. What I am saying, though, is that what I held on to is not the truth. Knowing that it is not the truth, I can’t continue to preach with any integrity. But that’s exactly what Lucifer wants me to do.”

I notice some runners approaching, so I quickly change the subject to the CrossFit workout I did the other day. Mike understands and gladly plays along.

When we are back in the clear, Mike says, “Everything he can promise you on this earth is not worth it. He is evil. You know this.”

“What about on earth and the hereafter?” I say.

“What do you mean?” Mike asks.

“He has shown me what life can be like after death. Some of what he showed me was beautiful, some was horrible and grotesque. I can live like a god in death if I follow him.”

“How can I get you to even consider what I am saying is true?” Mike says.

“I don’t know,” I say. “I’m struggling with what you’re preaching because of my firsthand experience. If Satan can make himself known to me, then why hasn’t Jesus? All I know is what Lucifer has shown me.”

“You say you’ve seen dead people talk?” he asks me.

“Yes.”

“Where?”

“When I’m with Lucifer. He says that he is the master over death. Why?” I ask.

“Do you know these people? I mean really know what they believe?” Mike says.

“Get to the point,” I say.

“Ask Satan to see your dad,” Mike says with a deadpan expression.

This floors me. I was not expecting this. “What did you say? Why would I bring my father into this?”

I’m mad at Mike’s gall for bringing up my father. He knows this is a sensitive area for me, and I feel like he is throwing it in my face.

“Your dad was a Christian. You’ve told me that was part of the bitterness you had with him. Let’s put my faith to the test. If Satan can produce your dad and have control over him, then I’m wrong. If he can’t, then my faith is justified,” he says.

I’m overcome with thoughts about my dad, thoughts about him being dead, thoughts about Satan running his life, thoughts about my dad coming back into my life when I told him I didn’t want anything to do with him. My head is swirling. I’m not prepared for these emotions. I loved my dad. I was very close to him, especially after my mom died. I can’t place exactly when our relationship went south, but I know in my heart that it was my fault. I placed expectations on him that he didn’t live up to or, more accurately, refused to live up to. He tried, but I had no place for him. A tear, the second I’ve had in as long as I can remember, runs down my cheek. I’m not sure how long we walk without saying anything.

Mike places a hand on my shoulder. “I know you asked me to leave you alone after tonight. I said I’d honor that. I know you say it’s for my safety and my family’s safety. You don’t need to protect us. I finally know why God put me into your life. It was for this moment. I want to fight this battle with you. I always thought I was supposed to change your mind and see you become a great Christian apologist for our time. Maybe up there with C. S. Lewis.” He chuckles. “But that’s not the answer. I know now that I was put here for this moment.”

“Thanks, Mike. But you have done more than enough,” I say and pause to shake his hand. I can see that we are coming up to the trailhead, and I know our time is short. This will probably be the last time I see my friend.

“Tom, one of his names is the Destroyer. He will destroy you. Destruction is his only outcome, ever. Please ask to see your father. If I’m right, then let me continue to help you. If I’m wrong, then have nothing to do with me. Know that you can trust me on this,” Mike pleads.

“I’ll think about it. I can’t really plan out my encounters with him, but I understand what you’re saying. Good-bye, my friend,” I say.

Mike whispers, “Regardless, I’m going to be your prayer warrior. I will not let you go into this fight alone. And before you go, you should know that she loves you.”

I jerk around and blurt out, “Stacie?”

Mike simply smiles and walks away.

C
HAPTER 18

The Surprise Visit

I didn’t sleep that night. I lie awake thinking about what Mike said and what horrible timing it was. I have wanted to hear that for a long time, longer than I ever knew myself. Now, though, it is the last thing I want. It would be easier if she hated me. My only concern now is to protect her. To protect her, I have to stay far away from her, though I desperately want to be near her. I think of her smile and her biting humor. I wish we could start fresh. No, I can’t think that way. I know what I have to do. I’ve spent my entire life worrying only about me. For once, I need to do the right thing for someone else. This time, I can’t be selfish. I have to protect Stacie, Mike, Therese, and the children.

Sometime after four o’clock, I fall asleep, only to have the alarm wake me at six forty-seven. My mind immediately jumps back to Stacie and then Kinsley. Kinsley is coming to my office today, and he will want an answer. I know what I have to tell him. I’ve known for a while now.

I arrive at my building shortly after eight thirty. As I stride past the main office, Leslie stops me. “Dr. Fields, there’s someone waiting for you outside your office.”

“Thanks, Leslie. I was expecting him. A little earlier than I thought, but thanks,” I reply.

“It’s a woman,” she responds.

Stacie? I know she shouldn’t be here, but deep down, I’m excited to see her. I hurry to my office. As I turn the corner, I see it isn’t Stacie. It’s Ashley. My face must show my shock, anxiety, and anger at seeing her. I anxiously look around to see if anyone else is there. I quickly unlock the door, grab her arm, usher her into the office, push her into a chair in front of my desk, and slam the door.

“What on earth did you do to me that night? Tell me why I shouldn’t call the cops on you right now?” I almost scream, leaning over her with my hands firmly clasped to the arms of her chair.

“For the same reason that I’m not going to call them,” she responds in equally nervous anger.

“You better tell me what happened,” I say, gritting my teeth.

“Why don’t
you
tell
me
what’s going on? It was your speech, your party, your meeting. I was just a dumb blonde who got caught up in this because I needed to make a few bucks. Do you really think I’m part of this? part of them? They killed Megan! They killed Andrew! They . . . killed . . . my . . . sister. They’ve ruined my life! I’ve been running ever since that night. I can’t go anywhere without seeing them. Do you think if I had any other option that I would be here right now? I have nowhere else to turn. I need your help!” she cries out.

This stuns me for a moment. I didn’t see this coming either.

“I’m sorry,” I say, realizing that she’s being honest. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I don’t even know who is doing this. Who are
they
?”

“You know who
they
are. They’re the same ones that have been following you. They set it up. They set it all up. They want you, and they destroyed the rest of us in the process. They won’t stop,” she cries and hits my chest with her fists.