Angels of Light/A Trip of Terror and Faith

Angels of Light

A Trip of Terror and Faith

By

Donald Adams

Published by Donald Adams at Smashwords

Donald Adams

Copyright 2011 Donald Adams

A Trip of Terror and Faith

It was January and the Christmas Season had just finished winding down in Atlanta, Frank a burly man, in his late forties with black hair and a face of stone,was one of three men who stood waiting at the airport for flight 701 to arrive. He had a job to be done quickly and as smoothly as possible,People were walking back and forth and standing around waiting for flights to arrive or depart. The airport was still busy with travelers heading home after the holidays.He hoped that the flight was on time, as the importance of moving quickly and without drawing attention was critical.One mistake and the whole operation would be jeopardized. Timing and precise action would be required of them to complete the mission successfully.They knew their roles and had rehearsed them several times.The key was to stay calm and not draw attention. Each man would be highly visible to airport security not to mention the number of travelers that could hinder their movement.

Airport security had tightened up after the 911 incident. Frank knew that the Atlanta Airport had also installed several new cameras and beefed up their compliment of security. They needed to get the job done and get out of the airport before anyone noticed something wrong. As soon as the plane landed they would do what needed to be done and get out of there. Frank could see that the other two men with him were nervous and he didn't like that, most times that was an indication of something going wrong. The unfortunate part was that these two were recommended to him and he really didn't know them very well. He hadn't had the time needed to be familiar nor get comfortable with them.He was forced to work with these two and hoped that they were professional enough to pull this off with him. It wouldn't be long now and there was no turning back, all he could do was wait until the plane landed and the passengers began leaving the area.

Bill Sawyer sat in front of the fireplace as one of the logs snapped and a few cinders shot upward into the chimney. The fire put off a radiant heat that warmed the entire room. Bill, was in his early fifties, medium height, blue eyes, and brown hair, a muscular man who as a young boy played football on the high school team. On the mantel was a picture of his wife and daughter standing in front of the Christmas tree, both with smiles that lit up the room. He loved walking in the woods with Megan and Jenny and showing his daughter the different plants, trees and even some of the small animals as they walked in the woods.Jenny's eyes would light up when he would kneel and show her a chipmunk, when the chipmunk was aware that he was being watched he would scamper off and Jenny would laugh and scream with delight. Bill and Megan loved their daughter very much, she was their only child.

Megan died seven years ago, a week before Christmas while returning home from shopping. She was crossing an intersection after the light turned green and a drunk driver ran the red light, she died instantly. Bill had raised Jenny alone from the time she was eight years old. Now at age fifteen, Jenny wanted to take a trip to Georgia with Gloria her close friend. Gloria was a small framed girl, vibrant, dark brown hair and brown eyes, she had a gift for gab which at times bothered Jenny. She also was a good listener and Jenny felt comfortable talking to her especially about her feelings for her Mother. Bill’s feeling of anxiety was powerful, but he didn't want to make Jenny feel like he didn’t trust her. And actually the more he thought about it, it somehow was not his trust of Jenny that was bothering him, but the uneasy feeling that something could go wrong. He didn't want to seem like he was paranoid because he had lost Megan, even though he felt that if he were with Megan maybe the accident would not have happened, but he wasn't there to do anything to prevent it. Ok, sweetheart, you can go with them but I want you to stay in touch with me. Jenny got up from the floor, hugged and kissed him. I'm going to my room to pack.

She would be leaving on Thursday during Winter Vacation, and only had a couple of days to get ready. So many friends to contact and say goodbye to and she also needed to call Gloria's parents to let them know she was going. Gloria answered the phone and Jenny excitedly told her that her Dad had given her permission to go. The two girls were thrilled and chatted for a long while about the trip and some of the things they wanted to do. When Gloria hung up the phone she told her mother that Jenny was coming with them. With anticipation both girls began packing and getting ready for the big day. Bill decided that he would read a few minutes before retiring to bed, he knew that Jenny would be up late with the excitement and he planned on getting up early to make breakfast.

Jenny woke and the familiar smell of fresh ground coffee brewing and waffles cooking permeated and circled around in the air. She put her robe on walked down stairs to the kitchen, Bill was just removing the last waffle from the waffle iron and placed it on the plate in the center of the table. She stood there a minute looking at the stack of golden brown waffles with steam rising from them. He looked up as Jenny went over to the coffee maker. Good morning Sweetheart! Did you sleep well? I had a hard time getting to sleep, I was so happy. Would you like some blueberry waffles? I’d love some. She sat down with her coffee and Bill placed a waffle on her plate. Jenny cut a small pad of butter and set it on the hot waffle so it could melt, then put a little cream in her coffee while she watched as the pad of butter on the waffle began to melt. Bill handed her the maple syrup and she slowly poured it over the waffle until it began to drip over the edges and encircle the waffle. This was one of her favorite foods at breakfast. Did you let Gloria's parents know you will be going with them? Yes, I did, last night. Jenny's face shown bright, and Bill new it was the excitement of going on the trip. So, tomorrow is the big day! Are you packed and ready? Yes, she answered behind a large smile that illuminated the room, I stayed up late and finished packing. I've been looking forward to something like this my whole life. Bill chuckled, as he thought to himself, the whole life of a fifteen year old." Since it was winter vacation and Jenny was packed and ready for her trip, Bill suggested that they go to the pond and do a little ice-skating so that they can spend time together before she left.

Jenny grabbed her coat, scarf and hat, bundled up and went to the barn to get the skates for her and Bill while he hitched the sleigh to old Ben. Hey, sweetheart, I brought the blankets if you have the skates. I have them. Jenny then climbed into the sleigh and they headed toward the pond. There was a delightful sound of sleigh bells as the sleigh jaunted over the crisp snow. Bill put his arm around Jenny as they traveled along the path and through the trees. The pine trees were covered with a fresh snow which occasionally fluttered down on them as they passed underneath.Jenny leaned her head on Bill's shoulder and enjoyed the feeling of his love and safety. Up ahead Jenny could see the pond as they crested the small slope and left the tree line then proceeded into the open field stopping at the edge of the field. Bill stopped the sleigh and went around to Jenny's side to help her out. He laid the blanked on the log at edge of the pond and both of them sat down to put their skates on.

Jenny's knit hat covered the top of her head while her blonde hair flowed from under it, covered her ears and lay against her shoulders. The hat with its bright red, green and blue coloring went well with the Christmas Season and accented her hair. She flipped her white and red colored scarf back over her shoulders as she stood up and stomped one skate and then the other checking the tightness before making any final adjustments. Bill got up from the log and walked out on the ice, stopped and looked at Jenny then turned and began to skate. She stepped out on the ice and followed him. They skated for a couple of hours with Bill often holding Jenny's hand as they went around the pond. She’d been skating for years and although she was not a professional figure skater she was quite good and had fun as she and Bill practiced different routines. It was about 2 PM and Bill knew it would be getting dark soon. We should go home now before it gets dark, and besides, you have a big day tomorrow. I know Dad, I agree, lets head back. Bill and Jenny made their way to the edge of the pond where they sat on the log and removed their skates. Bill loaded everything into the sleigh and Jenny climbed in beside him. He turned the sleigh around and they headed for home. The new fallen snow was still soft and hadn't crusted. It usually crusted when it has a chance to begin melting and then froze again, but the temperature had not risen above twenty-four degrees. It was a relaxing sound as the runners of the sleigh gently slid over the snow and the sleigh bells jingled as old Ben pulled the sleigh toward home and the warm barn.

Whoa! Ben, and the sleigh came to a stop at the sidewalk to the side entrance of the house. It was an old Victorian home at the end of Chestnut Street, named for the chestnut trees that lined the street. The house had ten large spacious rooms and six fireplaces. When Bill and Megan bought the old house it needed a lot of repair, but Bill was handy at carpentry and Megan had an eye for colors. He fell in love with the barn and land which consisted of five acres. Megan loved the old architecture of the house. Jenny was only five when the bought the house and Megan let her pick out the bedroom she wanted, then her and Bill went about getting it ready. Bill had to hire a professional to come in and check the fireplaces which oddly enough for the age of the house were in great shape. Jenny's room had a fireplace with a wonderful ornate mantel and marble hearth. Bill would allow her to use the fireplace only when he was there. She enjoyed it as she loved the smell and the warmth that emanated from it.

She got out of the sleigh and walked up the side walk, then went into the house while Bill walked old Ben and the sleigh over to the barn, un-hitched the sleigh and settled old Ben in his stall. He then filled the bucket with oats and dumped it into the trough, turned and walked out locking the door. Bill opened the side door, slipped out of his boots, hung his coat up and walked over to the fireplace where he started a fire. Jenny heard him in the entry and called out! I’m in the kitchen making the hot chocolate would you like some? Yes sweetheart, and I'll have the fire lit by the time the hot chocolate is ready. Ok, Dad, do you want whip cream? Sure sweetheart, I would love some. As soon as Jenny had the hot chocolate ready, Bill had a nice fire going and Max had wandered over and lay down on the hearth in front of the fire. Sweetheart, I don’t feel like cooking tonight, how about if we order a pizza. Sure, it's my favorite meal anyway. Can we get one with sausage and mushrooms? Not a problem, you want to call for it or would you like me too? I'll call Dad, I have to call Gloria anyway and see if there is anything else I need to bring tomorrow.

Ok, after we finish the hot chocolate maybe we can go over a few things I would like to have you do for me while you are gone. Sure, what kind of things? Well, for one, I would like you to call me each day so I know that everything is alright. Oh, Dad, I'm not a child, but if you’d feel better I’ll call you, I promise. Good, sweetheart. Next, I would like to know when you arrive and what hotel you are staying at. Sure, Ok, I can find out what hotel when I call Gloria. They sat quietly in front of the fire enjoying the warmth and crackling from the burning logs. Jenny finished her hot chocolate; I'm going to call Gloria and I'll order the pizza. Ok, I 'm going to read for a while until the pizza arrives. It had been about thirty minutes when the door bell sounded, the delivery person had arrived. Bill set the book down, got up and paid the driver, then took the pizza into the kitchen. He put a couple of piece's on paper plates for them and set the plates on the coffee table, he figured they would not have to do dishes. The next morning Jenny woke, looked at the clock, it was 7:00 AM and she needed to be at Gloria’s by 8:30 AM. The plan was to get to the airport by 9:00 AM and be boarded by 9:45 AM as their flight departed at 10:00 AM. Jenny slid out of bed and took a quick shower, put her make-up on and came down stairs where Bill had the coffee brewed and was cooking scrambled eggs and hash browns. She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down to have breakfast before Bill drove her to the McMullen’s. He finished putting the hash browns on his plate and sat down when Jenny looked up and said, Dad, I'm going to miss you, and I want you to know that I love you very much. I love you too sweetheart and I’ll miss you too. Please make sure you call me the minute you get to the hotel. I will Dad I promise. Bill and Jenny put their dishes in the sink and Bill said, I’ll wash these when I get back home. He picked up Jenny's suitcase and she grabbed her purse and phone, and then headed out to the car.

On the way to the McMullen’s Jenny reached across the seat and took Bill's hand and both were quite. As they pulled into the McMullen’s driveway, Jenny saw that everyone was outside putting their things into the van. As she got out of the car Gloria ran over and hugged her, Bill took the suitcase from the back and put it into the McMullen’s van, talked with Gloria’s parents for a minute, then Jenny came over hugged Bill again and kissed him on the cheek, and said good-bye. He felt tears welling up in his eyes and had to turn away so Jenny didn't see. He still had a deep feeling that something was not right, but decided to put it aside, as she was with the McMullen’s and he knew that they would take good care of her. He watched as they all got into the van and started out of the driveway, he waved to Jenny one last time. It took a couple of minutes for Bill to gather himself together and he decided to get gas before heading home. The McMullen’s and Jenny made it to the airport on time and unloaded their luggage; they already had their tickets so after leaving their luggage at the counter they went straight to the security check area and then to the waiting area to be called to board. Everything went smoothly and by 9:45 AM they were sitting in their seats and waiting for the plane to take off.

The taxiing and take off preparation seemed like it took forever, but finally they were in the air and headed for Georgia. Jenny had a window seat and watched as they passed by white puffy clouds. She could see the ground below and how small the buildings were. Gloria sat next to Jenny and began talking about all the things to do when they arrived in Georgia. Jenny, maybe we should visit the Botanical Gardens first; I think it would be so much fun, we could check out the wildflowers and trails. That sounds nice, but I think I would like to call my Dad and rest for a short time. Oh! I understand, I didn't mean as soon as we got off the plane, I meant maybe in the afternoon after we’ve had lunch, then if we have time we can also visit the History Center. Wouldn't that be fun? Yes, sounds great! This was Jenny's first time on an airplane and she wished Gloria would let her just relax and not be so talkative. She was still trying to get used to the movement and occasional bumps the plane made from the air currents. She glanced across the isle at Gloria's parents; her mom (Evelyn) was a short woman, reddish hair, green eyes and a freckled face. She always had her hair at shoulder length and was constantly joyful and obviously had passed down the genes for conversation to Gloria. Gloria's Dad (Roger) on the other hand was a thin man, black hair, blues eyes, and always looked as if he had a tan, both were in their early fifties. Her Dad was quiet, but had a smile that was contagious. Jenny enjoyed small conversations with him and backyard cook-outs. Rogers work caused him to travel a lot and that’s the reason he would sometimes take the family along if it was a short trip, it would give them some time to be together.

Jenny was grateful for the opportunity as this was her first trip away from home on her own.The thought crossed her mind that, had