Hidden Agenda of the Devil

Chapter3: First Encounter with Monsters

Life on Earth was entirely different from living on my planet Oberit. I never had to worry about paying for rent, food, miscellaneous items at my birthplace, but down here on Earth, these things have taken a toll on me.

I thank God for putting in some money in my backpack when I landed here on Earth. Yes! When I gained consciousness after the blackout in Carson, I had a backpack filled with some necessary items such as clothes, utilities, some cash, and a diary with some contact details of people who could help me. Apart from these items, there was also an address with a note on the top of the page stating “Go there-HOME” and most importantly a picture of my parents. They looked so happy in that picture that my eyes again started to get wet.

After some time, I recollected myself. Still, in the woods, I remembered God’s words, his worry, and his faith in me. Everything he said made sense, but I could not figure out how the name Gabriel is important in this journey. I could just speculate “he could be a savior, a culprit, a pawn in this game of dread. Yet whoever he is, I have to find him.” In my thoughts, the name felt so familiar yet so alien.

To find Gabriel and unlock this mystery, I have to start from somewhere. The only viable hint is the address mentioned in the note. I have this intuition “I have to reach that place to uncover this hidden agenda of the devil. I cannot fail.”

I raise my hands to pray to God and ask for his guidance “Please show me the way.” And after some time, I see a deer in the north direction looking at me, as if giving a sign, and I start following it.

It takes me nearly an hour to be out of the woods and on the road.

It was a new setting, but I definitely had an idea about Earth people’s way of life from the books I read in Carson.

I was always intrigued by the human’s habit of hitchhiking; so I try it. I lift my thumb when I see an approaching silver truck. It's really thrilling. But to my amazement, it does not stop. I see it passing without the driver giving me a second look. I feel so annoyed

To show my annoyance, I stomp my feet and the truck stops at half a mile.

I exclaim “Wow! I think I do have heavenly powers.”

With excitement, I go to the truck and ask the driver politely, “Hi! Can you kindly drop me at this address?”

He was a well-built 30 plus man with a classic full beard.

He looks at me from top to bottom and frowns as if I was an alien “Wait! I am actually an alien for him” my mind shouts.

But even though his hesitation, I get the lift.

The man’s name is John and he worked for the military for 4 years and then started working as a truck driver because of some family trouble.

He seemed like a good guy. At 34, he looks reasonably young with all the muscles bulging out from his tight t-shirt. If I was in the correct state of mind, I might have ogled him.

Throughout the road trip, I did not speak much as I could understand his language but was not certain whether he would be able to understand me or not. So I shook my head and smiled to make him comfortable whenever he started the conversation. He, too, as if missing all the gossip session poured his heart out. It was wonderful.

It took me nearly 15 hours to reach the place and by that time, it was already early morning. I had reached the place from the note. Popular by the name “Norcia”, it was a beautiful town in the big city of Victor.

The sun shone brightly over my forehead, the trees swayed with a fresh breeze coming from a nearby sea. The saltiness in the atmosphere felt familiar, it felt as if I came back to Oberit.

This actually felt like home.

I guess this is the reason God sent me here so that I do not waiver from my mission.

I thank the truck driver with a smile and wave him goodbye.

After half an hour I find the address of the house and knock on the outside door. A sweet girl, about 25, with crystal clear brown eyes, peeks through the door and finally opens it. She looks at me and yawns with her tiny mouth.

She looks chirpy and amiable. But, I have no clue how to begin the conversation. I do not know their language. And then she asks, “How can I help you?”

Wow! I can understand her as well. Although she speaks a different language, somehow I can comprehend her words. Maybe this was one of the gifts God gave me.

I stand still lost in my thoughts when she waves her hands in front of my face to bring my wandering mind back.

Her confused face with saucer-like eyes makes me laugh but I control my laughter and answer her previous question truthfully “Well… I got your address…. from someone I know…. and he guided me to come here.” Finally, the words were out of my system.

She looks at me and thinks something “Oh you must be Gavin’s cousin, he told me you would come” she speaks before coming out of her house, locking it and turning towards some other building. I was still processing her words in my mind because I did not know anyone by the name Gavin; in fact, I do not have any cousin that I know of by that name.

When she tilts her head to see me still standing at the same place, she furiously adds, “Are you going to follow me or intend to stay here forever?”

When her words registered, I nod while my gaze fell over her face absently. And I start following her towards the building.

On the way, she explains, “By the way, I am Amelia Grandford, you can call me Amy or Amelia. I am taking you to Hudson apartments. Your cousin told me you are looking for a place to stay. The apartment number is 201. The rent has already been paid for 2 months in advance. So you need not worry.”

She continues with a furrow “But hey! After two months don’t forget to pay the rent on time otherwise I will take pleasure in throwing you out of my place.”

I skeptically look at her. I did not like the way she said it but I know she was trying to be cautious.

I nod. To which she adds, “Can you speak?”

I again nod.

“Phew! You are strange” she frowns.

I exhale slowly and mutter under my breath. “Honestly, this world is strange not me. I don’t know why God sent me here”

When we reach the apartment, she keys in the card and opens the door. I instantly like it. Although compact, the clean white walls gave a pure vibe to the place. Even the minimal furniture including a lazy boy recliner and a sofa set in the middle added elegance to the whole set up. The full view of the city could be seen from the beautiful high arched window in the corner of the right wall. The back of the room had a door to another room, which I assumed was a bedroom.

It was a small comfy room with a tiny wooden bed that could easily fit me and delicate curtains on the window with a view of the sea. I searched for the bathroom, which was to my liking with textured wallpaper on the walls on the three sides and a large floor to ceiling mirror on the fourth side. It was perfect.

She sees my expressions and knows I like it. She wave and says “Well stay and enjoy your life here. If you need me the contact details are mentioned on the refrigerator door in the kitchen”

I wave back but wait! Where is the kitchen?

She checks my face and sighs while shaking her head “It’s on the left side when we enter the apartment door. You wouldn’t have missed it if you had paid attention.” and with those words she leaves the building.

I straight go to the kitchen and sigh. It was one state-of-the-art kitchen with black tiles on the walls, a full door fridge filled with the basics, a four-burner stove, and an oven and dishwasher.

After a couple of days, I settle in completely. I even become friends with Amelia. I learned she inherited all the properties from her mother who was no more. Her father visited her once in a while for he had his own life with a wife and 2 more children in another town. Her parents had divorced when she was little, and she had no grudges against her father who was a loving and caring man.

I was taking my time to avoid the chance of any doubt. I want people to accept me as a real human being.

Besides, I started having these visions especially at night time that something is following me. It was always dreadful to see those monsters following me. I just could not get rid of the horrible feeling.

In the dream, I could see myself in the same woods I came from. Those red frightful eyes staring at me in the dark always looking for a chance to tear me apart gave me the creeps of hell. In the dream, I keep on running but still, the monsters catch me and take my soul away. After the nightmare, I would often wake up sweating. It was happening from the past couple of days, but the nightmares became clearer with every passing moment as if giving me a sign that something terrible was about to happen. I feel I have to act quickly before the time runs out.

One fine morning, Amelia comes to my apartment with some cookies. She was trying to brush up her cooking skills, as her new boyfriend, Kevin loves food. Kevin, at age 27, was a very sensible guy. Born in a modest setting, with a farmer father and dentist mother, he had earned his fortune by working hard. He was working as a finance manager in one of the most reputed companies in Victor.

I met him once when he visited Amelia while I was at her residence. His demeanor, way of speech, the way he looksvat Amelia was so gentle, that I was certain he had fallen head over heels for Amelia, as she had fallen for him. They were made for each other.

When she enters my apartment, without giving me a second glance, she cries out, “Kevin is coming in an hour and I have not prepared anything. I invited him for dinner and since morning have failed miserably at making any decent dish. He will learn that I am an awful cook and will leave me.” Her cries were even more miserable than the dish that was in her hand.

She proudly says, “This is the only food item that I can say didn’t turn out that bad”

When I look at the cookies, I could not even imagine if anything could be worse than the thing in her hand.

I smile at her and spoke, “You are a wonderful cook Amelia.” “Please God do not punish me for lying so foolishly.” I pray silently.

“But you can prepare even better dishes than the one in your hand in few minutes, Amelia,” I say encouragingly.

She gives me a side glance but then her lips curve up into a wider smile. She enthusiastically asks, “Will you help me prepare some for Kevin?”

I look at her and nod.

But, before leaving for her house, she asks, “Will you care to stay with me tonight?”

I was confused, so I ask, “But, Kevin will be there for dinner. Don’t you want to spend the night with him?”

She blushes and replies, “Well, our relationship has just started, so I am uncertain whether he will stay or not. Just in case, take your backpack with the necessary items.”

I agree.

It had already been 45 minutes preparing pasta, noodles, sponge cake, and fruit custard when I tell Amelia to get ready for Kevin while I set the table. After 15 minutes, she comes out in a beautiful without shoulder knee-length blue dress. She looks amazing. I know if Kevin saw her like this he will not be able to resist her. So, I wish her luck and take my leave.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~---------~~~~~~~

The night was beautiful and I had no mood to go back to my apartment as yet. So I wander around in a nearby park for half an hour and then sit on a bench. The park was nearly empty with just a couple talking secretly in the dark corner and few children playing on the swings. I chuckle looking at them. Life down here on earth is complicated. I feel sad and at the same time, there is always something that makes me smile.

With a smile, I push the thoughts of my misery away and start for my house. However, going back I look at the sky which looks jet black without the trace of any stars. I find it strange but do not pay any heed. I keep on walking, as it was nearly midnight and I had hardly slept last night because of the horrid nightmare. I just want to lie in my bed and forget all about the worries and monsters.

I was just about to enter my building when I have a hunch that something or someone was following me, though when I turn there is no one. I shake my head on my stupidity, but unexpectedly the ground rumbles and I could see the building walls shaking.

Something was definitely wrong. When I turn towards the garden, I see smoke coming out of the Earth and then there stood two large hounds with red eyes staring at me from behind the bushes.