CHAPTER 1

 

 

 

 

Russia, September 1941

Angel generals, Deliverer and Wrath, stood in the fiery carriage harnessed to two pure, white glorious horses. They watched as the battle raged beneath them. They were hovering above the Russian landscape and the air was full of fiery carriages and horses, with two million warrior angels in heavy combat. Another two million harvesting angels in similar fiery carriages were busy gathering souls for Heaven. Heavenly horses and carriages filled the atmosphere with noise, fire and light. The angelic hosts went predominantly unnoticed by the demonic realm below and were completely hidden from the men that fought for their lives and countries.

Below, some soldiers, including men from both the Red Army and German Wehrmacht, were already surrounded by four guardian angels each. Demonic spirits rode the backs of many men, while other foul spirits, scurried here and there, directing the force of destruction. Large evil rulers watched from above, just below the angel host. They flew back and forth, their spindly wings flapping precariously, causing the air to shriek with horror as they screamed orders to their inferiors. They were aware of the angelic presence above but they were too focused on the hellish task at hand to bother ridding the sky of the opposing forces. No harm seemed to come to them and the destruction went unhindered so they ignored the heavenly host. It would turn out to be a critical mistake.

Deliverer had positioned some angels as a smoke screen, diminishing the view of the huge angelic company. The foul spirits only saw a miniscule amount positioned in the skies. They were unaware of the huge army fighting for the Kingdom of Heaven.

Deliverer pointed to groups of angels and gave orders. Here and there, angels flew with lightening speed to assist in the assignment given. Revelation angels were the first into the fray. Open visions appeared before men’s eyes. An absolute knowing was downloaded to others. Whispered encouragement to secure their eternal destiny was silently administered to other soldiers.

Demons screamed out their displeasure as angels flew in and out like lightening bolts. Evil spirits slashed out in fury with long, clawed hands. Some caught the tip of a wing, sliced into an arm or slashed across the chest or back of the large angels. It didn’t help to divert their cause. The angels’ swords caused more damage to the demonic army than what the foul creatures could inflict on the angelic host. More and more heavenly messengers filled the field of battle. The struggle in the spirit was greater than the battle between men. The mission in the spirit held greater sway than the agenda of men.

The land was filled with noise in both realms – screaming, crying, shouting, shooting, bombs exploding, men falling, lightening flashing, hideous demon flesh torn asunder, sulfuric vapor filling the atmosphere, demons impaled, angels cut, prayers uttered, Catholic men crossing themselves before rushing forward, silent prayers sent upward, dirt imploding as bombs detonated, limbs flying through the air, men falling where they stood, the earth soaking up more blood than it had ever seen before, the ground crying out it’s displeasure, demons screeching in satisfaction and then pain as angels flew by, cries of horror and then rejoicing in the skies as souls were harvested.

As men prayed in response to the visions and revelations, Deliverer and Wrath appointed four guardians to each one. They flew down speedily to surround the men who had chosen eternal life. Each man was given an opportunity before their life force was cut off. As soon as men would fall in death, either the angels guarding them or the demons in charge, would take hold of them and take them to their choice of eternity. The spirits of some men screamed in horror as a rope was tied around their necks and foul creatures pulled them down to the fiery pit.

The angelic host was busy lifting their new wards, their earthly lives ended, up through the skies and depositing them in their fiery carriages awaiting the trip to glory. It was a sudden and dramatic shift for many.

The battle below continued to rage furiously, the men oblivious to the spiritual activity all around them. The horror and terror of the demonic horde could be readily felt by all. It was the smell of death surrounding each soldier, officer and general. The sweet fragrance of life went nearly unnoticed, just as Deliverer and Wrath had planned, just as Heaven had orchestrated. The fact that life was winning the battle over death went overlooked by the blind, Hell-consumed, drunk with blood, dark spirits.

Fiery carriages left as they were filled and rushed like streaming rockets off to Heaven.

As the German Wehrmacht gained ground, the Russian forces retreated, leaving bodies scattered across the expanse. Slowly, gradually, the noise and clamor died as the darkness of night settled over the land.

Angel General Wrath turned to face his comrade, Deliverer. “The newly departed will be surprised all arriving in Heaven at the same time.”

Angel General Deliverer smiled. “I’d like to be there to see their faces. Russian and German men dropped off in Abraham’s bosom, facing each other with no weapons in their grasp.”

Wrath chuckled, “It will be quite a shock for them.”

“That’s an understatement.”

“Men of war suddenly finding that their enemies have become their brothers.”

Deliverer smiled wide. “If Satan had known how many he’d lose to the Kingdom of Heaven, he never would have started this war.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 2

 

 

 

 

Krakow, Poland

Init Levin spun around her small apartment and looked at the door. The knock came again. Her hands became a knotted, wringing mess and terror filled her chest. No one ever came to her door. She spent her days locked up in safety, surrounded by a suffocating loneliness, waiting for Binyamin to return home each night. With fear throbbing beneath her rib cage she walked cautiously to the door and spoke softly.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Chava.”

“Chava?” How one name could shatter the fear so completely and cause hope to soar was amazing. Init quickly undid the lock and opened the door wide. “Chava, what are you doing here?” Init grabbed her, looked around to make sure no one had seen and pulled her inside.

“I’m sorry, Mother.” Chava looked like a wreck. She stood nervously, staring at her mother in apprehension, appearing completely unsure of her reception.

Once the door was safely bolted, Init reached for her daughter in a warm embrace. “How I’ve missed you! It’s been years!” She held Chava out at arms length and gazed into her eyes. Chava had aged so much. Grey shone throughout her once dark hair. “Why did you come? Don’t you know how dangerous it is for you to be here? You’d be much safer with Dobry. At least he could protect you from the Germans.”

“He’s not safe either, especially with a Jewish wife.”

“But surely you’d be safer with him, a Pole, than with the Jews?”

Deep sorrow and fear ground in her eyes. “He no longer wants me. He sent me away.” Her face twisted and she collapsed at the admission.

Init held her up and led her to the couch. Chava folded into the seat. Init took a seat beside her, held her hand and rubbed it affectionately.

Confusion wrinkled Init’s forehead. “Why would he do such a thing? I thought he loved you!” Init tenderly moved a lock of hair that was dangling across Chava’s eyes and tucked it behind her ear.

“He was afraid. Afraid of the German’s finding out he had a Jewish wife. He said he couldn’t risk it. He told the children.”

“He told them what?”

“That I’m Jewish.”

“Oh…” Init understood now. Chava had told her once, years ago, that Dobry had forbidden her to let that secret slip. Chava’s three children were oblivious to the fact that their mother was Jewish. Dobry’s cowardice saw to that. “What did the children say?”

“They were appalled. Every one of them was disgusted when they learned the truth. Suddenly they didn’t want me either. They told me to leave and never return.”

“How could they?” Init’s face contorted in disbelief.

“Dobry and his family have taught them well. They trained them to hate Jews. Now they hate me too.” Chava’s eyes remained dry and unemotional. She sat in a daze as if drained of all sorrow, her tears fully spent.

“But you could easily pass for a Pole. You dress well, and your hair and nose don’t betray you. Why wouldn’t Dobry protect you?”

Chava sighed heavily before continuing. “I don’t know if you’ve seen what they’ve done to anyone with power in this city. Dobry and his family are wealthy and the Germans are determined to exterminate anyone with influence here.”

Init replied, “I’ve heard of the public execution of government officials. I even saw some men hanging from meat hooks once when I took the bus. They were supposedly opposing German regulations. It horrified me!”

Chava nodded absently. “Everyone’s afraid these days and they do things they wouldn’t normally do.”

“Dobry shouldn’t have treated you this way. After all, you gave him three beautiful children.”

“Oh, I don’t blame him.” Chava chuckled half heartedly. “I might be safer with you than with Dobry. His family will most likely be targeted by the Germans, unless they can convince them of their usefulness. They do have a sewing factory so perhaps they’ll be able to supply the Germans with clothes.”

Init nodded sadly. “Your father is serving as doctor to the Germans.”

Chava’s ravaged eyes looked at her. “Have they been good to him?”

“He’s had work for a while and we get food rations. One injured soldier died a few weeks ago the night after Binyamin operated on him. The Germans beat Binyamin and nearly killed him. I was so afraid I’d lose him. He kept going in and out of a coma that first night. I prayed and Aaron and Anka were praying for him. Two days later he came to and it was like nothing had happened to him. He still had the bruises but those healed over time. Miraculously, no other soldiers have died under his care.”

“I’m so glad you’re both alive! I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t found you.”

“Aaron and Anka are here in the city too but the rest were resettled and are now in the work camp outside of Krakow.”

“I thought I’d find you in the ghetto. I went there first but your names weren’t listed.”

“How did you find us?”

“Aaron’s name was on the list so I found him and asked him.”

“Yes, they were transferred to the ghetto a few weeks ago.”

“Life looks hard there.”

“How is he doing?”

“Okay.”

“And Anka and the children?”

“I didn’t see them but Aaron told me they were managing.”

“He works for the Germans.”

“He told me.”

Init took Chava’s hand and squeezed it. She slowly glanced into Chava’s eyes. “I think they’ll move us to the ghetto soon. They found a Polish doctor to replace your father and he’s heard they have quite a few German doctors now. Or maybe they’ll transfer us to the work camp outside the city.”

“The ghetto didn’t seem that bad.”

“If only life could be like it was, only I’d like you to stay.”

“Things can never go back. There has been too much death already and too much betrayal.” Chava’s gaze was tortured as she stared at the wall, her mind far away.

“I’m so sorry, Chava! I wish your life could have been easier.” Init reached for her daughter and embraced her. She finally released her and sat back. “I’ll get us some tea.”

“No. I’m so tired. I need to rest.” Chava’s face appeared haggard, like she had been in a race she was ill prepared to run.

“Of course! You can sleep in our bed. It isn’t very comfortable but it serves the purpose.”

Init helped Chava to the bed and placed a blanket over her. She stepped to the door and gazed at her daughter snuggled beneath the covers. She smiled in thanksgiving for the precious gift that had come to her this day. She was sure Chava would remove some of the loneliness she struggled with day after day.