Free Redemption of the Dead by A.P. Fuchs

forehead.
    “Thanks,”
she said, and also realized her eyesight had been restored despite
not having her glasses.
    “You’re welcome, and I’m sorry if I
confused you. I guess this sort of thing is natural to me so it’s
hard to explain.”
    “And why doesn’t God step in and fix
these things?”
    “What do you
think He’s doing right now with you and me?”
     
     
    * * * *
     
     
    One year ago . .
.
     
    The fiery lake roared as countless souls screamed from
within, all pleading for a second chance and for
mercy , but judgment was set
and this was to be their eternal home, to be tormented day and
night forever for transgressing the laws of Almighty
God.
    Vingros sneered at the souls that dared approach the edge
of the fiery pit and tried to climb out. Each one that did, he
kicked back down, sending them tumbling to the depths of burning
and pain.
    When he reached the two stone pillars that stood six feet
apart at the lip of the lake, he spread his arms and placed two
enormous hands against the serpents’ fangs etched on the rock. The
ground rumbled and a six-foot-wide stone bridge rose out of the
depths of fire and spanned across to the center of the lake. As he
crossed it, he sneered and growled at the sea of human faces—now no
more than skulls—as they peered up at him from out of the flame
before a fireball would come and swiftly engulf them and drown them
in fire again.
    The enormous throne of rocks and worms stood in the middle
of the lake upon a small island, big enough for a ring of guard
demons to surround it and cast down any who would dare to leave the
fiery pit and approach, and a small platform on which to kneel at
the throne’s feet. Vingros found his place and got on his
knees.
    “Greetings, M aster,”
Vingros said. “I have great news.”
    The thro ne was
clouded over in thick gray smoke, the one within concealed. It was
said that when he did emerge, very rarely did he show his true form
but instead remained as he was on the day he was cast from
Heaven—white, golden and beautiful.
    The devil’s voice came from
within the smoke, low and powerful. “Yes, Vingros, what is
it?”
    “Bethrez has advised his
portal is complete. I have overseen its movement to its proper
location, and I have been assured that aside from one final
inspection, it should operate as promised.”
    “It must, for time is
running short. Do you have a precise timeline or are you merely
here to dangle this before me in a foolish attempt to gain leverage
or favor?”
    “No, M aster, not at
all. Based on my understanding, the word can now go out to gather
the troops from all seven circles in whichever arrangement you
wish. The portal will accommodate them all, I’m told.”
    “Excellent, and so I shall bring it to pass. Go your way,
Vingros. Next we meet will be at the portal.”
    “Very good, M aster.”
Vingros stood, bowed, then turned and went back down the long rocky
bridge across the lake. Once back on the main land, he touched the
fangs on each of the pillars and the bridge sunk below the
flames.
    Elation took him as he went to summon his messenger to take
the news to the other circles. They would assemble en masse while
Bethrez checked the portal one last time. From there, finally, the
Earth would be theirs and their army would outnumber Heaven’s.
     
     
    * * * *
     
     
    9
    Loners

    J oe awoke with a crick in his neck, his head against
the armrest.
    “What . . .?” he said and started
feeling around for his pillow. He looked over the side of the couch
and saw it had somehow gotten out from under him during the night
and wound up on the floor.
    Groaning, he reached over, picked it
up, and put it under his head. As he began to relax, the soothing
release of discomfort on his neck began to take over.
    He sighed and whispered,
“Awesome.”
    He guessed he had probably been asleep
for five or six hours. It was enough. Even before the world went
crazy, he struggled with getting a full night’s