Angels Advocate

When I woke up today, the sun rose as it always did; nothing seemed different. Momma, hard at work already preparing breakfast before dawn. My two little brothers, Isaac and Gab, were excited about getting ready for their trip with their father as usual.

When you saw my mother, she had a radiant smile and spirit, long flowing brown hair; she was not only beautiful, but she also had something mystical about her. I always wondered why she chose to be a housewife, cook, clean, and take care of her children. Although she would be considered an average housewife to most people in town, she was much more to me. She was my best friend; she brought light to our day when everything seemed like darkness. She would bring a smile to all our faces, even my youngest brother Gabe, who always had a sadness about him.

Our father was the exact opposite. He had a particular type of darkness, which surrounded him. He was so strict; everything had a routine and place. If you broke that routine and your position as a child, it was like a demon-possessed him. Momma would say he wasn't always like that. When he went on his first retreat by himself, everything started to change. She would always say, "if only he didn't go on that wicked that first trip with the Brothers." Momma would never say anymore, but it was as if she knew what happened to him when he went on his first trip.

Anyways today was going to be a good day regardless of my father. It was the last day of school, so my father and my brothers would be going off on their yearly retreat as usual. My brothers and I went off to school while I stayed home.

Last Day of Class

Today, in class, we had our physics AP final exam. The final exam was a crucial test because I graduated one year and could not afford a low GPA. I was planning to get a full-ride scholarship for college. I was pretty smart in school, always finishing my test with time t spare. But for some reason, today seemed different, as if time was slowing down. Today seemed different for some reason, but I could figure out what exactly it was. Instead of finishing first, I was dead last. Before I knew it, the bell rang, and it was time to go home.

When I got home, my brothers were not home. Which was unusual; Momma said that the boys left early with their father for their trip. They would usually say goodbye to their mother and me, tell me my father had picked them up from school early, and left for the retreat.

The Retreat

Father brought us to the reserve; it was a long hike for my brother Gab and me. We always hated going on these retreats; they lasted about two weeks. First, we drove a few miles out of town; then, we went on this long hike, which took half a day's journey. My brother and I could never remember anything that happened once we reached the compound gates. But this time was different for me. I could remember everything this time.

When we entered the compound, I felt this heaviness on my chest. I felt something watching us as we entered, but no one was in sight. Their old cabins were scattered throughout the compound, and there was the smell of sulfur and a faint scent of rotten meat. I could see this tall church-like building in the distance, but fog covered heavily in that area; as I continued to observe the region. I looked to the right, and my brother was in a daze. Gab seemed exhausted from the hike, but his mind was no longer there. He also seemed afraid, as if he was seeing this for the first time. But want to do these since I was seven and Gab was 5. I just turned 13 a few days ago.

A tall ominous man dressed in old brown mustard cloth walked from the fog in the distance. He approaches my father, and here a few about me; Isaac turned 13 a few weeks ago. I thought nothing of it because my Dad always been a person who was proud of us, so I thought maybe they would through a celebration or bake a cake with the brothers once everyone reached for retreat.

Then nightfall came, and my brother was not there. I had thought to myself, "what type of retreat is this? No people, no music, no relaxation like in the movies. Then it was time to go to bed; there was no cake. I was disappointed, but Gabe was glad that the first night was done. My

brother and I go and sit by the fire in the cabin. Although the fire was well lit, the light from the fire did not engulf the room in light and warmth; some areas were where there was chilliness and darkness if you walked near it. Although we were both afraid, we fell asleep by the fire, and my father slept on the couch.

The Encounter

Isaac woke up, and the fire was lighted, but I could not feel the warmth of the fire. I looked around, and my brother and my father were gone. I could not touch the blanket that father left out for us. I thought I was dreaming, but it felt too real. Then suddenly, this winged creature comes closer to me. I could see him clear as day. Although his skin was dark as night, he was covered in clothes covered in white. Hair wholly and white; although his presence was powerful, I was not afraid. I felt safer than I did when we first entered the compound.

The creature stares at me then speak, but not through his mouth. I could hear his voice echo in my mind. He said, I have come here to give you a choice, but you must choose between the light and the dark. If you stay, you will be taken away with your brother Gab, but you will not come back with him because of your age.

"I will grant you power as Angel Advocate, which will protect you and, you will be able to save your brother's soul from the hands of your father and the cloth of the Brothers. On the other hand, you will have your Mom, sister, brother will be safe, but you will never see them again. If you choose the path of darkness; you will gain a greater strength but your, brother will fall to darkness, and your father will die."

Abraham speaks but "I do not know; what choice to make?"

I'm just a kid."

The angels continue you must choose before dawn; I will leave you now. But you will make a choice, or the choice will be made for you. So choose wisely.

Isaac's spirit wakes back up in his body. He looks around, and his brother and father are gone. The door flings open runs instinctively. He sees the church covered in darkness, but he sees the light. Isaac looks in through the window. He sees his brother on the floor. Symbols and candles surround his sleeping little brother. At the same time, his father stands there with about five other brothers of the cloth. A gust of wind blows Isaac closer to the door; the door opens, then darkness envelope the room. Isaac yells at Papa, "what is this? What are you doing to Gabe?".

Papa speaks, we were expecting you to come. You are of age now. You must join the ritual and choose the darkness, but first, we must drain your brother. Don't worry, he shouldn't die."

Isaac, voice trembles " This is wrong, Papa, can't you see that?."

Papa " see what, you been many times throughout most of your life, and you never died."

Isaac, you're crazy. Isaac runs to grab his brother. One of the five brothers grabs him a flings him to the wall. Isaac hears the angel's voice in his head again angel saying, "you must choose." The room starts shaking. Isaac shouted, " I will become your advocate!!" A bright light comes from Isaac, and The Brothers and his father are confused and surprised.