Los Angeles, December 23rd 2020 01:05 a.m.

Two cops, world weary, cruise through downtown. Burton is behind the wheel; Estevez is riding shotgun. The police radio is abuzz with activity. It is a busy night. Burton stares out at the city's rain-soaked denizens with a deep hatred, the shadows looming in doorways, the streetwalkers.

''Those animals. Nights like this I wish I could take a match to this city just so I could watch all of them burn.'' Burton says.

Estevez laughs.

''A good ol' boy barbecue, huh?'' Estevez asks as he doesn't think Burton's serious.

Burton doesn't even smile. He's dead serious.

''A fresh start. That's what this place needs.'' Burton says and he holds his finger up like a pistol. He aims it at the people they pass, picking them off one by one.

''Pow! Pow! Pow!'' Burton says before he laughs, a dark, mean laugh. Estevez eyes his partner, warily.

''Jeez... You know Burton, I'm so happy we get to share beautiful moments like this. They really brighten my da-'' Estevez says before he's cut off by an explosion.

Through the windshield, Estevez sees a storefront explode just ahead, raining fiery debris onto the squad car. Burton slams on the breaks and the cops look up just in time to see... Michael, bulging rifle bags in each hand, stepping brazenly out of the gaping hole he's blown in the front of the store.

''Freeze!'' Estevez says.

Estevez and Burton are already out of the squad car, crouching behind the open doors, guns trained on Michael.

''Drop the bags! Hands on your head!'' Estevez says.

In the distance, the POP-POP of gunfire. The police radio crackles with urgent chatter. many voices talking at once. "Shots fired...Code Three...Officer down!" The cops shift about nervously, trying to stay focused.

Michael senses their unease.

''It's starting. There isn't much time.'' Michael says.

The cops shoot a quick, anxious glance at each other - "what the hell?" - then they turn back to Michael.

''Shut up and drop the bags now!'' Burton says.

Michael lets the gun bags hit the ground.

''Hands on your head! On your head!'' Estevez says.

Michael slowly places his palms on his skull.

''Turn around! Turn the fuck around!'' Burton says.

Michael slowly turns around. Calm. Estevez rushes in to restrain Michael, grabbing his wrist. Michael closes his eyes, a terrible decision made. And that's when he moves, a blur! In an instant Michael's broken the cop's arm, spinning him helplessly around, turning him into a human shield. Now Michael's in charge, gun to Estevez's head, facing off with Burton. Burton struggles to find a shot, but he can't.

''Let im go!'' Burton says.

''Take the shot, Burton!'' Estevez says.

''I said let im g-g-g-g-'' Burton is saying before he starts to shake, the words stuck in his throat like a skipping record.

''Burton!?'' Estevez says, wondering what is wrong with him.

The street lamps begin to flicker and strobe, adding to the confusion. Burton squeezes his eyes shut in pain, his whole-body quaking, heels clicking the pavement, as if some massive pressure were building inside him. And with the horrific sound of cracking bones, Burton's mouth begins to twist into an impossibly wide smile like a bizarre clown! His eyes snap open, focused, the force inside him now fully in control. Burton looks at Michael with calm recognition, his voice guttural... inhuman. A man possessed.

''What are you doing, Michael? These weren't your orders.'' ''Burton'' says.

Estevez looks at his partner with confusion.

''What did you say?'' Estevez asks ''Burton''.

Michael, however, seems to know exactly who he's talking to.

''I'm following my own orders now.'' Michael tells ''Burton''.

''Then you will die along with the child.'' ''Burton'' says.

''What about Hope and her family? Will they just be killed then?'' Michael asks.

''Do not speak of what you do not know!'' Burton bellows.

''Then tell me what I don't know Castiel!'' Michael bellows back.

''Burton, you know this guy?!'' Estevez asks Burton.

Burton goes to shoot Estevez when suddenly speaks in a voice that both Michael and Castiel know.

''Castiel don't you dare shoot me.'' ''Estevez'' says.

''Seraphiel'' both Cas and Michael say, greeting Seraphiel.

''Why are you here brother?'' Cas asks.

''God wants Hope and her family protected Castiel.'' Seraphiel says.

Castiel shoots at Michael and Seraphiel but Michael's faster, already firing back. Bullets rip up the concrete. The squad car window shatters from the force of the bullets, Burton's chest exploding!

And down he goes, leaving Michael and Seraphiel the only ones left standing. Smoke is rising from Michael's gun.

With soldier-like efficiency, Michael and Seraphiel pick up the rifle bags and begin to load them into the trunk of the squad car. They get in the car and floor it, roaring away, as the flickering street lamps finally go out in rapid succession, a wave chasing them, plunging the entire city into darkness, only stopping when they see Raphael and Sandalphon to help them or rather, help Hope and her family...

December 23rd 2020 7:00 a.m.

Mandy Lace Shawnever POV

I see my husband, Jonathan Ashur Shawnever come from the camper and from the look on his face, I know we're stuck at the diner. I knew I wanted to visit my mother, Savannah and her boyfriend of two years, Brent Cain Johnson but I didn't know we would break down in the middle of a desert.

I honestly don't know how mom moved on after dad passed away. But she did and now, we visit her after going through the Mojave Desert year after year. But this year is quite different as Hope is pregnant and about to give me my first grandchild from her.

PARADISE FALLS GAS N' GRUB is what I see on the diner's sign and sigh. I get my phone and call my mother.

''This is Savannah.'' mom says.

''Hey mom. We've broke down and won't be there until maybe Christmas. Can you tell Charles, Ruth, Lucy, Delilah, Blaine, Cassie, and Tatia that we're a bit delayed?'' I ask.

''Will do. Love you Mandy.'' Mom says.

''Love you too mom.'' I say before I see our dogs bolt out of the camper. Beauty and Belle, Belle a tan chihuahua looking dog, and Beauty a black and tan wiener looking dog. Mutts who are sisters and litter mates. Serenity and Nova, Serenity a cream-colored lab looking dog and her sister, Nova a reddish-brown husky looking dog, again mutts, and Angel, purebred teacup chihuahua.

Serenity and Beauty belong to Hope, Angel to Sage, Belle to John, and Nova's mine. And then Anubis slinks out, Hope's purebred Siamese cat that we found as a kit.

''Mom, when are we getting out of here?'' Sage asks.

''At the latest, maybe Christmas. And tell Titus not to be in a rush! We are spending what time we can every holiday with Hope as family so she won't worry about her husband, Corbin who's oh I don't know, defending our freedom!'' I say and then apologize.

''We're all worried about Hope too you know. We all worry that she has to be really careful right now.'' Sage says, leading me to cry as it's true. Hope has to ensure not only her health but the baby's or babies' health.

God, please let Hope be fine and our worries be for nothing.