Arlena: A Battle of Faith

The battle between good and evil has been going on for centuries. Sometimes it is between hundreds of people, sometimes between families, sometimes within a single family, and sometimes within a single individual.

When Satan was cast out of heaven, a third of the angels followed him and those angels became his demons. Satan tries to steal as many souls as he can from Jesus Christ. However, there are souls that belong to Jesus that Satan can try to take, but can never have. Those are the souls of people that have asked Jesus to live in their hearts.

Does that mean that Satan does not torment those souls? No, he still does but those souls have the assurance of the grace of God that they have a place in heaven. However, there are souls so tormented that they start to doubt their very existence and along with that, their salvation and the existence of God, Himself. Such is the story of Arlena.


She walked through the house one last time. The sound of her boots echoed against the hardwood floor. A single tear rolled down her cheek. He was gone and there was nothing left, not for her. Arlena stood one last time in the foyer. A heavy sigh escaped her as she pulled the keys from her jeans. As she walked through the door for the last time, a heavy sob escaped her lips. God had taken her everything in one fatal blow. Arlena climbed into the tahoe and turned the key. She pointed the vehicle west and never looked back.

Arlena drove until the sun started to fade from the sky. The dogs whined. She looked at the three in the rear view mirror. They missed him as much as she did; especially George. She had only been a few weeks old when they had met and married. Jackson had been her soul mate. She had waited half her life for him and God had taken him away. She scanned the road for a hotel or motel. She would rest, eat, give the dogs a walk and then start out again.

The crossroads loomed before her. She turned towards the left and it was only darkness, and she could hear sinister sounds and mumbling and there was a distinct smell of sulfur. To the right was light – It was so bright, she almost couldn’t look. She could hear the sound of voices and laughter. She looked intently – there was movement. Slowly a figure approached out of the light. Tears filled her eyes as the figure came closer. She could barely speak. “Jackson?” He stopped in front of her, “Arlena, what are you doing?” “Jackson where am I? And what are you doing here?” He pushed her hair off her shoulders. “Darlin’ you shouldn’t be here. Why are you so angry?”
“Jackson where am I? Why did you have to die?” The sounds of the darkness grew louder and Jackson began to fade. “Never lose your faith Arlena. God loves you and so do I,” and he was gone. The darkness was closer and she turned towards the noise. Eyes stared into hers. “Arlena….” The voice hissed with a growl. The hair on the back of her neck stood up. A long finger pointed at her from the darkness. She screamed and sat upright in the bed.

The dogs just looked at her. Dixie lay back down and was snoring in minutes. Sioux raised her head long enough to make sure Arlena was okay, and then stretched back out on the other side of the king size bed. George sat beside her momma and pawed at her arm. “It’s okay George; Just another bad dream.” Arlena lay down and George laid her head on Arlena’s stomach.

Stayed Tuned

Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know that the next story is developing on paper and I should have the first part posted soon. This is about Arlena, the first of the alphabet ladies. Thanks for the comments. Merry Christmas, Remember Jesus is the reason for the season...

Lyssa: Light or Darkness - Part 7 - The End

Lyssa awoke to the sound of men yelling. Tobias was howling. She quickly pulled her clothes on and raced to the bailey walls. She scoured the wall looking for Vincent. Flaming arrows were flying over the wall. She flexed her fingers and lifted into the air. Heat began to fill the air and she surrounded the keep in a bubble to deflect the flaming arrows. She lit on the keep wall. Vincent was on the ground and Tobias was lying at his feet. “Vincent!” Slowly she floated to the ground. A smaller circle enveloped her and Vincent and Tobias. Lyssa looked at Vincent and realized he was bleeding. “You’re hurt!” He looked at her. “They attacked early this morning. Tobias jumped in front of me. He is hurt bad, and I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to save him or me.” Tears flowed from her eyes. He wiped them away. His touch weakened her powers and the small bubble disappeared. An arrow struck her in the leg. Vincent pulled her against his chest. “Lyssa you have to leave.”
“No. I will not leave you and Tobias.” Tobias crawled to her, laying his head in her lap. She patted his head. “I’m sorry my friend.” He rubbed his paws on her arm. “Lyssa I am in pain. Please end it for me. Vincent was hit three times. He is loosing blood, too fast.” Another arrow hit her in the shoulder. She pulled both arrows from her body. “Dixon I cannot hold the force field much longer. I need you to finish us off. Do not let the villagers get to us.” Vincent shook his head. “Lyssa you can survive without us. Dixon will take care of you.” Flames were slowly encircling them. Tobias was whimpering. “I will not leave you.” He kissed her. “Lyssa my love, I’m sorry I let you down.” She pulled Tobias between them and wrapped her arms around him. Vincent pulled her into his arms. Tobias yelped. “Lyssa you can take us out.” She suddenly realized Tobias was right. “I love you my husband.” Slowly the air began to gather and light began to glow from the three. Dixon watched as a light surrounded them. Electrical currents began to fly out of the small circle. The men had to hold on to the wall to keep from being sucked in. The noise from the circle became more intense. Suddenly, it sounded as if thunder rolled and lightening shot into the middle of the small circle and then there was just quiet.

Everyone just stood and stared at the place where the three had been. There was no sign, no indication that anyone had been there. William and Richard came out of the forest carrying Solomon’s body. Dixon met them. “Bury him inside the walls of the keep.”

Lyssa: Light or Darkness Part 6

Anger seethed through Vincent. The look on his face scared Lyssa. She was filled with emotion and tried to sort it out, “Vincent?” she said with a tremble in her voice. He could see that she was afraid, of what he was not sure. He put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her to his body. “Ssh. It is all right. Do not be frightened. No harm will come to you or Tobias.”
She looked into his eyes. “It was the men from the village. What do they want? I’ve kept my end of the bargain.” Solomon walked up. “I will go speak with them.”
Lyssa looked at him. “No I don’t want you harmed. Vincent please don’t let him go.”
He grabbed Solomon’s forearm. “She is right. They will not listen to reason. They feel they have the right to hunt this land. I’m afraid they will try to kill you.”
Solomon held Vincent’s forearm. “I can take care of myself. I know you will protect Lyssa. Good-bye my friend.” Solomon left. Lyssa tried to follow. Vincent grabbed her to keep her from following. Tears gathered in her eyes.
“He has been with me for many years.” Vincent pulled her close and she cried softly.
Dixon looked at his men. “William, Richard, go with the old man and do what you can to protect him.” The men ran after Solomon.
Lyssa looked at Dixon. “Thank you.” Vincent surveyed the room, mentally counting the people in the room. “It is late. Y’all are welcome to stay inside the keep or inside the bailey wall if you prefer to sleep under the stars.”
Dixon said, “I will post a few men outside and the rest and I will bed down here.”
Lyssa closed her eyes and sighed. All the downstairs fireplaces became a blaze. “I have lit all the fireplaces on the downstairs floor and a few on the bailey walls. Please let me know if you need anything else.” Dixon bowed his head. “Thank you.” Vincent, Tobias and Lyssa left the room.

Tobias stretched out in front of the fireplace, sighing deeply, content. Lyssa walked behind the dressing screen to disrobe and slip her night gown on. Vincent stripped and climbed beneath the cover. Lyssa walked to the bed.
“Vincent, do you love me?” He looked at his wife. “Yes Lyssa.”
She crawled into the bed and turned to face her husband. “If I asked you for a kiss, would you grant me that and not push me farther than I am willing to go?”
He studied her face; she was serious. “Lyssa I would never hurt you or force you to do anything you didn’t want to do.”
A tear slipped from her eyes. “Vincent, I’m experiencing feelings I’ve never had before. Not just towards you but with or about everything that is happening. I don’t understand any of them.”
He wiped her tears away and pulled her to him. “Lyssa it will be okay. Lay your head on my shoulder and go to sleep. You are safe from me and the outside world.” She sniffed. “Vincent I want you to kiss me as a husband kisses a wife.”
He swept a wayward curl from her face. “Lyssa.” She put her fingers against his lips. “Don’t say anything Vincent. Just kiss me.”
Slowly he leaned closer. She closed her eyes as his lips covered hers. The pressure increased, his tongue seeking entrance to her mouth. Her lips opened under his and suddenly emotion swept through her and her arms encircled his neck. His arms pulled her closer, pressing her body to his. She gasped from the heat of his body and he deepened their kiss.
Vincent suddenly realized that she was lost in the feelings and he pulled back. Their breathing was labored. “Go to sleep Lyssa. I will not take advantage of you.” Her eyes searched his. “Vincent I believe I am in love with you.” He kissed her forehead, rolling to his back and pulling her against his side. “I know Lyssa, and after this is all over, I will make you my wife in every sense of the word.” She laid her hand on his chest. “Good night husband.