Invisible Terror Collection Part 25

"Faith. We've got that."

" 'Take the helmet of salvation.' "

Ryan nodded. "Our heads need to keep remembering we're saved. Got it."

" 'And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of G.o.d.' " Becka looked up.

Ryan was already chuckling. "Remember how crazy quoting the Bible made those little critters in the mansion?" Becka nodded. "That's all Jesus used when he fought Satan."

Ryan agreed. "No guns, no missiles, just the Bible. That was his sword, his only weapon."

"And ours," Becka added.

Ryan nodded as he turned the last corner and headed up Julie's street.

Becka looked back to the book: "The last piece of armor: 'Pray in the Spirit on all occasions.' " Ryan threw her a chagrined look. "Guess we've kinda left that out lately, haven't we?"

Becka nodded. It was true. In all of the emotion flying around, they'd completely forgotten about prayer.

Ryan eased the car to a stop in front of the house, and before Becka could move, he reached out and took her hand. Then, to her astonishment, he closed his eyes and began to pray.

"Lord ..."

Becka looked on, stunned. It was all she could do to say grace in front of people. But here was Ryan, praying out loud as if it was the most natural thing in the world. What an incredible person this guy was! She closed her eyes as he continued.

"I'm not real good at this kinda stuff ... but you know what we need here. There's some kids in that house who don't know what they're dealing with. Show them, G.o.d. Let them see what's really happening. And, uh ..." He hesitated, unsure where to go.

Becka couldn't help but give his hand a squeeze of encouragement. That's all it took. "And help us too. Show us the right thing to do, keep us safe, and don't let us mess up too bad. In Jesus'

name we pray. Amen."

"Amen," Becka repeated softly.

They opened their eyes and looked at one another. The lump had returned to Becka's throat, but this time it had nothing to do with sadness or even fear. It had everything to do with her feelings for Ryan.

They stepped out of the car and headed for the house. It was fancy, three stories, and worth a lot of bucks. They reached the door, knocked, and endured the h.e.l.los and pleasantries from Julie's mom. Becka knew she should try and explain what was going on, but she also knew the woman wouldn't believe them.

Fortunately, she saved Becka the trouble by explaining that she and her husband were just heading out to catch a movie.

Becka's eyebrows raised. How convenient.

Or was it?

"Go on upstairs," Julie's mom said while slipping into her coat. "And if you and the rest of the gang want any munchies, feel free to help yourself in the kitchen." The last thing Becka or Ryan wanted to do was eat, but they thanked her and started up the stairway. Rebecca could feel her heart pounding. She'd had lots of encounters with the enemy lately, but she was still frightened. Maybe that was good. Maybe the fear was a reminder that this stuff wasn't something to play with.

She reached out and took Ryan's hand. It was as cold and damp as hers.

They arrived at the top of the staircase, turned, and headed for Julie's room. Fourth door on the left. Once there, they stopped and looked at each other. There was no missing the anxiety each was feeling. Becka took a deep breath and nodded.

Ryan reached for the k.n.o.b, turned it, and pushed. Neither was prepared for what they saw.

The room looked normal enough. It was large and painted in robin's egg blue. On one side was a dresser and a white vanity with a huge mirror surrounded by a dozen softly glowing bulbs. The next wall contained a closed window with white chif-fon curtains that stirred in a strange sort of breeze. Beside the window was a towering bookshelf that ran from the ceiling to the floor, also in white. Next to the bookshelf was a desk with a top-of-the-line computer on it. The final wall was nothing but a giant walk-in closet. None of this was surprising. Becka knew Julie had money. She also knew Julie never showed it off, which was why they were such good friends.

What had surprised Becka was seeing Philip and Krissi standing at the foot of Julie's bed, staring in awe. The reason was pretty clear. Julie was no longer in bed. In fact she was no longer on the bed. Instead, with her eyes closed in blissful peace, Julie Mitch.e.l.l was floating above her bed. Not too far above it, only four or five inches. But it was enough.

Julie's eyes fluttered and opened, and Becka went cold. Whoever was behind those eyes was not her friend.

When Julie saw Becka, her face twisted and contorted. Immediately, she fell back down onto the bed. "Youuuu," Julie hissed.

But it wasn't Julie's voice. It was as twisted and contorted as the face. And as full of hate. "You are not welcome." Rebecca could feel the waves of hostility press against her.

She took another breath, trying to calm herself.

"Becka," Philip spoke up. He tried his best to sound casual but was doing a lousy imitation of it. "What brings you here?" Ryan stepped forward. "Listen, what you have here, it's not what it looks like."

"Silence!" the voice inside Julie ordered.

Ryan turned toward his friend. "This ... thing ... it's not an angel."

"Of course he is!" Krissi squeaked. "He's teaching us all sorts of cool things so we can band together and help save the - " Ryan cut her off. "Do you remember all the stuff that happened in the mansion? Remember all those little creatures?"

"You mean the demons?" Philip asked.

"Exactly. That's what we've got here. This is no angel. This thing is nothing more than - "

"Liar!" Julie hissed.

"It's just another demon, but this one is disguised to make you think it's an angel."

Suddenly the bookshelf behind Ryan began to vibrate. Everyone turned and watched as the shaking grew more violent.

"Maybe it's an earthquake," Krissi said hopefully. But she knew it wasn't. Nothing else in the room moved.

As the books vibrated forward, Becka stole a glance at Julie.

The concentration on the girl's face made it clear that she was the one responsible, that the shaking was an extension of her anger.

The wind had picked up considerably. Then, one by one, the books began falling to the floor.

Philip motioned for Ryan to look at Julie's face. "Don't you see - look how you're upsetting her."

"That's right," Krissi whined. "You're wrecking it! You're going to make her mad and ruin everything." The books continued tumbling out, faster and with more force. The wind increased, causing the curtains to flap and whip noisily. Becka prepared herself. She was about to speak, she was about to step forward and put an end to all of these special effects. Unfortunately, Ryan had other plans.

He turned and addressed Julie. "Is that all you can do?" His voice was a little high, the way it got when he was nervous, but he did his best to cover it. "Kinda bush league, aren't you?"

"Ryan," Becka warned. "Don't mess arou - " Julie's voice cut her off. "Bush league, am I?" Her lips curled into a sneer.

Ryan crossed his arms and shrugged. "I've seen better."

"Ryan ... ," Becka whispered.

He spoke to Becka, but was loud enough for all to hear. "We don't have to be afraid of this garbage. We're Chris tians. We've got the authority."

"Oh, you are a Chris tian now, are you?" Julie's voice smirked.

The tone gave both Ryan and Becka the creeps. But Ryan rose to the challenge. "Yeah ... I am."

Julie began to laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Do you honestly think you qualify? In your wildest dreams, do you really believe you are good enough to be a follower of the Christ?"

Ryan threw a look at Becka and shifted his weight. "Well, yeah ... sure."

"Perhaps you should tell that to the Johnson children."

"Who?"

"You remember the Johnsons. It was their dog you ran over on New Year's Eve."

Ryan glanced to Becka. "It ... it was an accident."

"Is that why you never told anyone? Is that why you didn't even try to find the owner?"

"He was - he was already dead, I-I didn't know who he belonged to. I - "

"Just like you didn't know you were shoplifting that car stereo last spring?"

Ryan looked like he'd been punched in the gut. "It-it was a dare. Just a - "

"Or just like you could have pa.s.sed geometry last year without those cheat sheets?"

"Ryan?" Krissi asked in surprise. "You cheated your way through geometry?"

His eyes darted to his friends; he was breathing faster, trying to catch his breath. "Not all the time, I, uh ..."

"Yes, Ryan Riordan, you are a fine example of a Chris tian.

Just ask Nancy Haldermen."

The color drained from Ryan's face. "Wh-what ... ?"

"Sweet Nancy, in the backseat of your car. You remember." Philip looked to Ryan in disdain. "You and Nancy Haldermen?"

Ryan took a half-step back and turned to Becka. His eyes were wide, like the eyes of an animal trapped in a car's headlight.

His voice trembled.

"Beck, it was a long time ago ... I ... I ..." He stumbled back into the desk and half-fell, half-sat beside the computer.

Becka looked on, stunned. Part of her wanted to help Ryan, but part of her was repelled at what she was hearing. Was this the real Ryan Riordan?

The voice persisted, bearing down with glee, going in for the kill. "Yes, everything is 'I' in your life, isn't it? 'I' this, 'I' that.

The truth is, you are arrogant and self-centered to the core. Ryan Riordan, Mr. Popularity. Ryan Riordan, everybody's friend ...

but it's all a lie, isn't it? Just a sham. Just a way to use people to get what you want."

"Please ..." His voice was weaker.

"Just like your parents' divorce!"

Ryan gasped. "That wasn't my - "

"Of course it wasn't. At least that's what they tell you. But we know better, don't we? We know it was your constant demands.

I, I, I! It was your fault, not theirs. You are the one. It is you who pushed them over the edge! You are the one who drove them apart, you are the one who destroyed your family!"

"No! It's ..." Ryan's voice was small, helpless. "It's not ..."

"Of course it is! You're no Chris tian! You'll never be a Christian. You're not good enough!"

The thing began to laugh. It was loud and hysterical, filling the room, so shrill that the computer monitor beside Ryan resonated until it suddenly exploded, sending gla.s.s flying in all directions. Krissi screamed. The wind howled through the room. The giant bookcase creaked forward.

"Look out!" Philip cried. He pushed Krissi aside just as it crashed to the floor, missing her by inches, scattering books everywhere.

She began screaming hysterically.

"Let's get out of here!" Philip shouted. He grabbed Krissi and raced for the door. "Come on, let's go! Let's get out of here!"

"You are no Chris tian!" the thing shrieked. "You're not good enough. You destroy everything you touch, even those you claim to love!"

"Stop it!" Becka shouted over the wind, pulling her eyes from Ryan's tormented face. "Stop it this instant!" The thing ignored her. It tilted Julie's head back and laughed louder than ever, sounding less and less human, more and more like an animal.

"Ryan," Becka spun back to him, but he sat, his head in his hands, defeated. "Ryan!" Becka was in his face, shouting over the voice that still laughed and raged at Ryan. "We've got to get out of here!"

Suddenly the bulbs around the vanity mirror began to explode, each one showering the room with hot, broken gla.s.s.

"Ryan!"

The laughter increased.

Becka grabbed his arm. "Ryan! We've got to go!" He nodded almost numbly and allowed her to help him to his feet. Suddenly the mirror exploded, firing thousands of razor-sharp splinters at them. Becka covered her face as they stumbled across the books, the broken gla.s.s, the splintered wood.

They reached the door, but the wind's force held it shut.

The laughter increased as they struggled and pulled. Now the window exploded. Inward. Gla.s.s flew everywhere. Becka ducked, and she and Ryan continued fighting the door until finally they managed to pry it open an inch, then a foot.