AS SHADOWS SCREAM (BOOK ONE)

Chapter 13: 'The blue butterfly'

*Dedicated to DavidJThirteen .. it just made sense to dedicate Chapter 13 to him, haha, his number... check out his works 'The Things we bury' and 'Mr 8'*

'So what's so special about Penny Gardens?'

James looked at the detective, shook his head and replied, 'Penemue Gardens. It's a place of peace and tranquillity that not many people know off, sort of a sanctuary for the enlightened. It is said to be the most peaceful place on earth and created by the angels themselves.'

Detective Monroe laughed and asked dubiously, 'Angels? Really, are they real?'

James shook his head, 'I don't know. I've never seen one and I highly doubt they are real.

There would considerably less darkness and sin in the world if they were.

If they are real then screw them because they are just sitting there watching as a shadow beast is loose on the world and laughing as I fall to pieces trying to stop it.'

Detective Monroe looked out of the window and up at the sky. The sky was a light milky blue with a few white clouds scattered here and there. It was beautiful.

He had never been a believer in angels or a God but now that he had seen true evil and knew demons existed, he needed there to be a light. He wanted to believe that there was a heaven. He needed to believe that there was hope.

He sighed, looked at James and said, 'Maybe they are out there guiding us, unable to interfere because we have to find our own destinies or something?'

James laughed and replied, 'You have been watching way too many movies but then again, my reality is more unbelievable than any movie I have ever watched. Maybe you are right, maybe you're wrong. After all I've been through and seen nothing will surprise me.'

The detective nodded and said, 'True that. So you didn't actually answer my earlier question.'

'What question?'

Detective Monroe cleared his throat and asked, 'Why are we going to Penemue Gardens?'

James closed his eyes and relaxed his shoulders as he took in a deep breath and replied,

'When I passed out earlier and had my dark journey through Abel's eyes, something happened. There was darkness, shadows and then light. A pure white light that made me feel at peace. It was amazing. I've never felt so happy and so peaceful.

All the pain, the darkness and sins, they all disappeared for that moment. Then I saw a face.

Her name is Casey. I saw her in the light and then I came back to.'

Detective Monroe groaned rolled his eyes and said, 'That still doesn't explain why we are going to the whatever Gardens made by angels or something. Anyways, who is Casey?'

James smiled involuntarily at the mention of Casey's name. The detective saw and laughed at James' embarrassment. He punched James in the arm playfully and jeered, 'So tell me about her.'

James blushed, took a deep breath and began, 'Her name is Casey Williams and believe it or not, she loves me and I love her. She is my light in this world. I had to leave her and come here when the shadow beast was unleashed upon the earth. I didn't have a choice.

She is beautiful, sweet, kind and caring. One of the purest, innocent and loving souls I've ever seen. The first time I saw her I stood and stared at her in surprise because my mind wasn't being attacked by shadows showing me all her hidden dark sins. It sounds cheesy and soppy but I really did think she was an angel when I saw her.'