Humility Read online

  Magdalene Hornbeam

  HUMILITY

  A NOVEL

  First Edition

  SERIES «BLESSINGS» BOOK 1

  ISBN-13: 978-1532931222

  ISBN-10: 1532931220

  DEDICATED TO MY SON

  Chapter 1

  BlackX18 and BellX18 were standing dutifully in front of his Superior Light XXX and were trying to look as if they agree with him.

  - Last time I assisted Six Wings XX to log sensor 18 so that it can complete a doctorate in philosophy at the Sorbonne, and you failed once again to give the necessary mental and emotional energy on her partner to get the inciting impulsiveness and to accompany her! As a result, she is divorced again and instead of working on the project to enhance the sensory capabilities, once again she got engaged in the protest movement, only this time in Paris.

  - Sensor 18 finds satisfaction in life only by participating in protest rallies and marches and is essentially quite uncontrollable - said BlackX18.

  - When you say that your object is uncontrollable, you indirectly admit that as a black guardian angel you cannot handle things - the golden mantle of Light XXX gleamed and it shocked them.

  For eternities they had not witnessed a change in this gleaming radiation. The two guardian angels could not grasp how one person – Sensor, living on earth in a small, even insignificant country, bearing number eighteen, can get their glorious boss (the only one of the rulers responsible for ground) out of balance. They were puzzled why their direct supervisor, archangel Six Wings XX had sent them to him. It seems their project was facing a failure. Perhaps in the other countries, men - sensors made problems, too - because otherwise they could not explain this situation.

  - Sudar, – they both used this name when talking with the commander of the angelic host, tracking and controlling people on the earth, because the attitude to head angels they were required to show respect. – The moment they assigned the task to us, they announced that it would be under your command, I expressed my opinion that only one person-sensor from a state would not be enough, having in mind the ambition of the project "Sensors - philosophers."

  - Angels of all projects claim for more people and ultimately the world's population has grown enormously. Yours is essential. Six Wings XX reported that only you are not doing well. So I called you. You must have in mind that for large countries such as the one hundred and seventh there is one person-sensor assigned. If you are allowed to increase the number, the way you want, how much will your colleagues ask for, do you have an idea?

  - I share the opinion that in equal numbers, this is a good approach, so that the states are equal, but there should be at least three people - still insisted Bell X18. - And state one hundred and seven has a large territory, but not many people.

  Their six-winged mentor had put number one hundred and seven to the country of Russia, whose population was only twenty times greater than that of the sovereign territory entrusted to them, while there were countries with population five hundred times more than theirs and they also had only one sensor. The numbering of the countries was done in alphabetical order. Their direct supervisor, the archangel of the seraphs, was a great formalist. It has been centuries since they last worked with him in this case, his style was difficult for them.

  - Look from a different angle. Only in 30 more projects did I allow two angels in person, so you have nothing to complain about.

  - In general contemplation - said again the black angel - Sensor 18 graduated and completed two university degrees, and is now on his way to a doctorate, he speaks five languages, so that the data scanned is, in any case, useful, given the great intellectual achievements needed for our project.

  - It is not enough - said Light XX - Your Anne is the reference model and has great potential. So the Silvery One paid special attention that you are facing a failure.

  Now the angels – guardians went silent and destabilized their radiation. The White One got darkened and the Black One got gray. From time immemorial they have been working on projects led by different archangels. The Silvery angel Six Wings XX, under whose leadership they were working currently, had indisputable authority, but they had never heard him named an object by his name, and the fact that Light XXX, the most superior and a representative of the rulers said her name, was unheard of and unthinkable until now. And the fact that exactly Ana was chosen as a reference project "Sensors - philosophers" was just the tip of the iceberg of everything. If their amazement had not been that great, they might be happy that he offered in unison, and as a whole, to change Ana with someone more appropriate. The samples were approved by the Superior Himself. Now, however, they got startled and could not protest. The situation was unusual. Having heard, of course, their thoughts, Light XXX added:

  - No changes in standard. I am waiting for some rational petitions.

  Intercessions or petitions were called the claims or asking of angels for help from upper bodies from the hierarchy. Black X18 and Bell X18 were not prepared for what they were called suddenly from their supervisor Six Wings XX and sent immediately to a meeting with the Royal Superior. Usually they submitted their petitions to the regular general meeting of the angels - guardians working on the project "Sensors - philosophers."

  - Sudar - the black angel ventured - the object we have is so unusual and unpredictable that we had no idea what else we can do, so that he can start writing the philosophical work. Everything we figured, we have given as petitions to our supervisor.

  - I'll give you an earthly day to think of and invent a new approach!

  Light XXX turned his back, so that the black hole in golden broadcasting hood disappeared. This meant the end of the conversation.

  The two angels - guardians went to the earth, quite worried because they could not assess what was happening. Over the centuries they rarely had to work with the most important one - the Superior, the very ruler of the land, namely Light XXX and they were troubled in the least.

  They found their subject, a young woman named Anna, who was at that very moment shouting and screaming from the top of her voice in one of the boulevards in Paris in a crowded mob.

  ***

  - Bell, what if we make a petition for "angelic trial" for the one we have chosen?

  - Yes, indeed, I'd never thought about it because I do not suppose that Anna is the benchmark of the "sensor-philosophers" but should Sixi offer such benevolence…

  - For the Silvery seraph it is a matter of honor to bring the work of cherubs to fruition. His last care and problem is our project!

  At that moment appeared the archangel Six Wings XX and the two angels ceased their conversation.

  - I agree with the idea of "angelic trial“, made by Sensor 18! I am waiting for a detailed program.

  - Thank you, Sixi, you have finally paid attention to us!

  - Do not rush! Sudar may not allow this.

  - He gave us one day time to do an unusual petition. We can go there, the three of us.

  - You should make a detailed plan, and the rest - leave it to me!

  Their direct supervisor disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. The two guardian angels of Anna undertook willingly to choose the time and place for the event.

  Chapter 2

  - Louis, I need to get home, my father is sick and very old. I told you that a neighbor gave me a ring yesterday.

  Louis was standing straight with feet apart in the small quarters of his female colleague and friend and was cleverly blinking with his eyes.

  - Anna, you are most capable to defend your report and get a place for a doctorate in philosophy. You know and I am also into rallies and protests, but I'm your friend and I cannot make a reproach to you.

  - What does my doctorate have to do with my trip? Don’t you hear wh
at I'm saying?

  - If you come home now, you will miss the deadlines.

  - When my mother was sick, I did not get back to my village to complete a master's degree in philosophy, although I was already an MA in political science. I will regret for life that I could not say goodbye.

  - I do not need to make excuses, then surely you participated in some rallies in Sofia!

  - There was something ...

  - When do you leave?

  - In two weeks, I could not find a cheap plane ticket earlier.

  Louis grinned.

  - Spit it out, Louis, what do you want from me? - She looked at him as if she was reading a book.

  - Again, I'm in a tense relationship with Janet. And I prepaid winter skiing holiday in the Alps. I do not want to walk alone.

  - Is this an invitation?

  - Yes, for a week, starting tomorrow.

  - Where exactly?

  - In "Chamonix".

  - Shall we climb Mont Blanc?

  - No, we'll go skiing. The hotel is only three stars, but it is very cozy.

  - Why not try once again to reconcile and get on well with Janet?

  - Because she left for Nice.

  - OK, but I have no equipment.

  - We shall rent.

  - I need to leave the apartment in two days.

  - I see the suitcases and I guess that you would come to me to wait until the date of departure. I propose that even today you return the keys to the landlady and sleep in my studio.

  ***

  They spent the night in the apartment of Louis - she on the couch in the small kitchen, and he in his bed. When he arrived for the first time in Paris, while looking for a room to rent she used to sleep here. They have known each other for years. He was a graduate student in Sofia when they met. Her colleague joked that she was more like man, stronger than him in every aspect. Actually he used her most bluntly to write his reports and to support him in his studies. They were friends in rallies and events. There was nothing intimate in their relationships.

  ***

  They arrived in Chamonix, the most popular French ski resort located at the foot of Mont Blanc They drove in Louis’ car. The town with a population of 10 000 people hosted the first Winter Olympics in 1924. Their hotel was located in the outskirts of the resort, Mount Champagne de Savoy, at the foot of a ski-lift with direct access to the ski slopes. 150 meters from grocery stores and restaurants. The guests had a reception with Internet terminal, lounge with fireplace, a bar, indoor pool, billiards, table tennis, gym, steam bath, solarium, video games, elevator, underground parking.

  The first two days they spent very well, skiing during the day and eating in the nearby restaurant. Anna was fastidious and Louis used to buy food from the shops during the day. On the third day, she went off the track. He loved challenges. She had not taken his helmet. She was skiing well. But she picked up speed, she slipped and fell. She hit her head in a snow-covered stone. She immediately lost consciousness.

  ***

  She was in horror. She felt herself without body in a white space, and around her there were her angels - guardians: BellX18 and BlackX18. She knew them, like a long ago.

  - Where I am?

  - In heaven - replied the angel with a black hood.

  - So I am dead- she remembered.

  - You are not and you will not die if you accomplish the tasks that I give you.

  - Why are you sure I want to come back to life?

  - Because you have a mission, and we are here to protect you and to accomplish it - now the angel with white hood was speaking.

  - Do all people have two guardian angels?

  - No, just a few.

  - And what did I do to earn this extravagance? - She was mocking as actually people knew her.

  - So far, nothing - white angel replied laconically.

  - They had no right to explain to her how rarely it was allowed for a mortal man to pass through this "angelic testing or trial"

  - What should be achieved by me in the heavens?

  - The tasks, you will do on the earth, but that was the way to meet you directly and assign them to you – as if the black angel was looking at her and he did not really have a face.

  - Well, say what I have to do!

  - A little more and we shall reach a sphere.

  - But are we moving?

  Anna looked around. She did not see anything. In front of her there were only the shadows of the angels - one in white and one in black hooded cloak. But only the images of the hoods and refreshing, gleaming light in place of the face were clear. In fact, the radiation that came from them was not exactly light. But it inspired a sense of freedom that she did not know before.

  She was hit by an insight, that she saw nothing of herself. Where was her body? But they said that they were travelling with her to some sphere! The last question was not answered.

  - How shall I call?

  - As you wish.

  - Okay, I will call you White and Black.

  - Here we are. We have arrived. We call this area Orange.

  Anna saw an orange sphere. It looked as big as the earth.

  Chapter 3

  She found herself in the middle of a battle. She was flying over a narrow city street filled with stones, boards, bricks fell from ruined buildings on both sides. Anna gradually got to her senses- the crossing on the front was a dead-end dirty four-storey building that once had probably been a high school. On the ground floor there was a sports hall and on the outer wall, which was in fact a bulkhead to the street, there were only three small windows. From those small windows they were currently shooting with a cannon and machine guns. From the other side a tank was trying to enter the building. It was obvious that the soldiers who ran and controlled it had no experience because they could not adjust it in a way that the tank cannon be put in and direct it to the opponent. However, they were the excellent target for those who were furiously spewing fire from the school.

  Then they noticed him. The little boy hidden between planks and debris from the walls in the middle of the street. His curly hair was sticking out above the ruins. The child was screaming, but he was barely audible by the roar of the guns. The bullets passed just over his head, as if they were about to hit him any moment.

  She looked at Bell X18. Bell X 18 was in fact a patch of white mist. How could he see? He did not feel his own body and could not notice it, and the whole picture was in front of her.

  She got it .The target was this helpless little boy. Anna was obliged to save it. At first, it seemed an impossible task, but I had to try. She went through the wall and went in to the rebels. It was hard getting used to the fact that she was not visible and they could not notice her presence. There were only three of them! On both sides they had machine guns, and in the middle - a cannon. They spoke in Arabic, but she did not understand what they were talking about. Through the holes of the windows they were targeting at the tanks, which was still maneuvering. Could they not see the child!? She went to him. She barely managed to do so, because although she was aware that she was safe, her instinct to protect was switched on. But soon she felt free, or rather a relief - the fear stop interfering. She proved to be untouchable, invincible. She saw the little child closer. About five years old, lively, with black eyes and thick curly hair, cut in uneven clumps. The child did not scream anymore, just sobbing. Anna felt a terrible pain or pity for the child and she felt the way some waves come out of her, reaching the child, making it calm. "You will be able to send waves of feelings towards all the living people" – her angels had explained to her. At that moment she realized what it was. Her commitment to the fate of the small kid somehow worked. She got up to look at the situation again when she realized that she was thinking with the categories of physical presence. She could not "stand" or “rise”, she possessed no body! Another cannon hit the tank. There was a massive explosion. The child instinctively had closed his ears.

  "Well done little boy! I hope that you don’t ge
t deaf, though the fire is out and far and the rebels stopped shooting. So far you survived darling! "- Anna was excited.

  The rebels walked out of school. They carried machine-guns only. How would they react when they see the boy, so small and helpless, they nearly killed him ... Heavily armed men quickly went through a completely destroyed building and disappeared in an unknown direction. Anna could not tell if it was better that they did not see the little boy. Could she help him? From the next door came a woman with a headscarf and colorful baggy trousers, she carefully pull the board over the boy's head and get him out of his hiding place. He grabbed her neck, but he was not crying. I think it was his mother. Anna followed the woman and went to the only room available on the second floor. There were four more children. The eldest was a girl of about twelve or thirteen-years old, then two boys of about ten, probably twins, a girl of seven or eight, and her street hero, the smallest. Mother let him go to the others, who began to argue and scold him, why he had fled out without permission, and she began looking for something. She wondered what to take in a bundle. The elder girl wanted to help, but she was not allowed. The reason turned out to be some bread hidden in the top drawer. The woman put it in the bundle, after making sure that none of the five children was watching. In the same secret way, she pulled out a plastic bottle with water, but at this point the little girl noticed her and started shouting something. The children got around the mother and quickly drank the water. The woman grabbed the bundle, commanded his eldest daughter to take the little one by the hand and left – she was in the front, and they followed her. They went down the street and made sure that there was no shooting. They did not see any soldiers or rebels. There were no other people.

  Anna decided to examine the area from above. She could move vertically and horizontally without being influenced by gravity, but it was quite slowly. BlackX18 flashed like a shadow, but she ignored him. Her angels - guardians had no right to participate. They were only here to observe and take her then. In two streets, to the west, there were fierce battles and the east streets and homes were destroyed and abandoned. About two kilometers away there was the hospital which housed the sick and ill people, injured, but also healthy women and children. There were doctors and nurses. On the neighboring streets of the hospital there were soldiers patrolling. Tanks could not be seen. She went back to the boy whose life was her responsibility. The mother had led the children straight to the battle to the west, because here they could not hear anything. A Wrong decision! They had to reach the hospital, otherwise they had no chance. But how this woman could be made to go with the children to the east, since destruction was all over for kilometers ahead. The Little boy had let his sister’s hand, but was still going along with everyone. They had almost gone through the ruins of a house. Then Anna ran to the child and poured enticing waves to him. Then she slowly walked back to the east. The curly black-haired kid began to walk back. She walked easily because she "saw" where to go. When they saw that he was back, he was very far away, but they saw his curly forelock sticking out behind a pile of bricks. They began calling him, but the child could not hear and they had to go after him. Then, on the next street, to the west a shell cracked and the mother began to pray to her God that he had saved them. Anna was convinced that these were prayers to God, although she did not understand Arabic. After that, they all headed to the east. They moved slowly because of the ruins and devastation.