Free The Eye of Madness by John D; Mimms Page B

it, baby,” Rebekah said. “Just stay out of the dark and shadows and you’ll be fine.”
    Malakhi was terrified, but he trusted his mother. He tiptoed into the well-lit kitchen as if the slightest noise might send the darkness charging after him. He retrieved a box of matches concealed behind a stack of dish towels. He returned to his mother’s side and handed her the matches.
    She told him her plan, trying to be as casual as discussing a trip to the beach. Both of them were terrified, but the knowledge they would be doing this together gave both of them an uneasy peace. Malaki helped her arrange the candles in the menorahs. When she was satisfied the candles were stable, she lit one of the extra candles. Rebekah proceeded to drip hot wax onto the bottom of each candle for a little added reinforcement. Once complete, she used the candle to light the remaining ones. She then told Malakhi to stay put as she picked up one of the flaming menorahs and crept to the hallway door.
    Holding the menorah in front of her as a shield, she threw open the door. As expected, the dark was the same as their bathroom and closet. The hissing and clicking noise rose to a maddening volume. The dark in the bathroom and the hallway sounded as if they were communicating with each other, plotting a plan of attack. Reminiscent of Moses parting the Red Sea, she poked her menorah through the door and the darkness parted in front of her.
    She poked her head into the hall then withdrew it when a disturbing thought crossed her mind. She remembered her recent experience in the bathroom. Her back was in the darkness for a split second. She knew if it had been longer, she would have died. What would happen if she ventured into the hall with the candles in front of her, allowing the darkness to close in from the rear? She knew the answer and was grateful for the second menorah. Stepping back inside, she told Malakhi her revised plan.
    â€œI’ve got to walk backwards, momma?” he frowned.
    He was not an athletic child, so coordination was not one of his strongpoints. Stumbling and falling was a real possibility.
    â€œIt’s okay, baby … I’ll be right there with you.”
    He didn’t seem very assured, and she needed inspiration. Her eyes fell on one of her father’s old trench coats in the closet. She saved them after he passed away because she intended to give them to Malakhi when he was big enough. She also kept it for herself. She missed Nehemya as much as Malakhi did and the coats still smelled like him. Just opening the closet on occasion was enough to give her a small degree of comfort. She almost forgot about the coats since Nehemya returned with the other Impals. Now, there they were like a long lost friend.
    She walked over; shielding her eyes from the reflection cast by the mirror, and took a coat off the hanger. She held it up inches from her nose and inhaled, taking in the nostalgic and comforting scent of her father. She then reached down and removed the long belt from the waist of the coat.
    â€œLook here Malakhi,” she said, holding the belt out reverently. “This was your grandfather’s … with this you will always be safe.”
    Malaki regarded the belt with a frown. He reached up and stroked the leather dangling from his mother’s hands.
    â€œHow?” he whispered.
    She handed the belt to him and then turned him around. She fit the belt snug under his arms and then turned around. When they were standing back to back, she took the loose ends of the belt and tied them tight around her waist. They were tied so secure; there was no way for Malakhi to fall down if he tripped. He was a small child and even if he lost his footing, Rebekah could still support his weight. The next trick was for each of them to squat low enough to pick up their menorah. They accomplished this with relative ease.
    â€œOkay, baby … remember to hold your candles out in front of you at all