VESSELS OF WAR

CHAPTER SEVEN

It was my turn to whimper in pure freight and apprehension. "Dad?" I called, trying too hard to make sure that was still my real Dad.

"Yes, what is it?" His ten fingers spread out in front of him, right towards my face.

My body unconsciously shook as I walked past him and widened the door, poking my him head in. "Who were you speaking to?"

He turned and watched as though I'd finally gone kuku. "Jacob?"

"Hmmm?" Came my absent minded response. With my fingers on the knob and eyes sweeping through his office. "Where is she?"

I came back to stand with him, our eyes searching each other suspiciously.

"Who?" His eyes squinted, subsequently leaving an impression of a twitched mouth.

"The woman you were talking to..." I involuntarily raised my right hand to rub my head. A great deal of fear tightened my heart and forced my balance to shift.

He still looked at me in absolute confusion, huntedly wating to hear more of my accusation.

"Erm..." I stuttered. "The lady whom you introduced to me as you special spiritual assistant."

His eyes left me and moved to the door. "Oh, she?" He chuckled without actually laughing. His face was so stiffened that it made it look like his mouth wasn't really part of his face. "She already left for the day."

My gaze dropped to the floor and I felt a slight pain cross my heart. "But, I just heard her voice right in you office?"

His own head shook vigorously, an angry shade filled his countenance and his very personal expression. "No, No, No," His fingers fingers waved in the air as he stepped away from me. "I was talking to no one!"

Gently I brought my hands to rest on my back, rubbing them to ease the anger and nervousness rising in me. "But she said Krushana was at war with Shukura in this church!"

His eyes bulged and he hurriedly grabbed me, dragging me into his office, that action was so swift I almost stumbled by the door. While I was still nursing my painful toes that unceremoniously bumped into his office table, I watched his restless self pace the little space between us.

"What is it?" I was forced to ask because he just wouldn't sit still. But, he ignored my benevolent gesture and returned to the door.

Soon his head was out of the door again, checking, making sure no-one was coming or even heard me mention those names.

When he shut the door behind him. "He came into full length with me, towering over my height which was already in competition with his. " You do not mention those names...again....ever!"

I took few steps backwards because the same flame that glazed his eyes the last time where I was almost eaten by his beast was back.

"I only asked a question, a very important one!" My right hand was half up in a semi surrender.

Yes, I was a bit afraid of my father. I wouldn't cross his path without an intense prayer team by my side. The post traumatic stress syndrome that came from my last experience with him hadn't left me.

He was my dad and I knew he wouldn't willingly hurt me but that didn't guarantee that his demons wouldn't do physical harm to me. He was a victim and I wasn't about to be a sacrifice.

"You will not speak of Shukura ever again!" His gaze stayed on me until I blinked out the trepidation that captured my body.

Frustrated sigh washed off my lungs slowly. It was not the fact that this thing was happening to us, but the intent actions of my father to keep serving and servicing these entities.

I honestly thought that by now, he would've learnt a thing or two or even fought back. But, I'd come to realize that I was hoping on a hopeless situation.

Now, it was my turn to take two steps backwards. "Will you ever fight back?" I meant those words as a bold question, but they came out as a suggestion.

The politeness in my voice surprised me even. Usually, I would've risen against the demons in him and moved into quick combative prayers, but I'd also realized it was not effective. Whatever held him, had him so wrapped round it's fingers.

And just maybe, he liked what was going on. One thing about demonic possession is that the possessed must be willing to denounce and rebel against the powers that held them. But, In this case, my dad was like the Chicago weather, changing at any time.

Lost in my own thoughts, I didn't realize that he was standing face to face with me.

"You must never mention Shukura's name ever again!"

I pinned a gaze of un-believe at him, leaving my mouth agape.

"Do you understand?"

"No!" Came my response, even when in my head, I'd agreed with my mind to say yes.

Shocked, his head pushed backwards as though I gave him an invisible punch.

"Are you going to disobey me now?"

"No Dad. But, I'm not gonna make promises I can't keep!"

His gaze fell and motioned his body to go relax on his cushioned chair. "Please..."

My head shook in very weird manner, baffled at how he quickly changes from hot to cold in second. Just like him, I took the next available chair, "Not until you tell me what's really going on...I mean, everything!"

He winced as if I'd inflicted an imaginary physical pain on him.

"Please Jacob."

I watched him close his eyes and swallowed enough air to rub me of my own portion of oxygen.

"My son, please, this is way bigger than you." He eyes opened and he leaned towards me.

"You really can't be caught in the cross fire!"