"Linka, I have noticed that you have been dealing with some questionable characters. Now I assume that you still remember your rules."
"Yes."
"Then you know what happens if you break any of them right?"
"But I didn't I haven't…"
"I'm talking now. You should be quiet."
"Sorry"
"Maybe you need a little reminder of what you are supposed to do." He touched her forehead. She stood in the park in Exira. She looked around and saw mothers watching their children play. She saw something that made her heart stop. It was her mother. She sat on a park bench watching a four year old Linka climb a small tree. Linka looked back to Zacharias but he was gone. She turned around in a circle looking for an escape route.
"Linka! Come on sweetie." Her mother called to the little Linka. She jumped from a low branch and ran to her mother.
"Mommy! Mommy did you see how high I climbed?"
"Yes Linka, if I didn't knew you I'd say you were half squirrel." She picked up the little girl and gave her a kiss on the check. "So what does my little squirrel want to do now?"
"I want some acorns!" little Linka said with joy filing her voice.
"How about some lunch instead?"
"But Mommy squirrels eat acorns for lunch. Don't you know that?"
"Of course, how could I forget?" Her mother left carrying the child who chattered on about squirrels and other tree dwelling creatures. Older Linka followed at a distance. She looked and saw a group of people standing on a corner watching the pair. She knew so she ran to the woman and child. She went to grab her shoulder but her hand passed through it.
"This is just an observation Linka. A little reminder of why you work for us."
"Why are you doing this? Zacharias, why are you doing this to me?"
"To make sure you don't forget you obligation to heaven."
"But…"He wasn't there. She tried to remain still but it was like she was being dragged to the scene of the crime.
Her house was white with a dark painted trim. The front porch was swept clean and the windows washed. Her mother walked little Linka up the steps and inside. Linka stood in the living room waiting for what was next. The doorbell. Her mother went to answer it. Little Linka sat on the rug coloring a picture with a box of crayons dumped in front of her. Linka tried to scream her protest but they fell on deaf ears. Her mother opened the door.
"Hello…" She hit the floor. She had been hit across the face. Linka closed her eyes and only heard what happened she heard her mother beg and then a slice and slow gurgle, then her silence. She heard her own terrified voice begging and crying.
"Don't worry sweetie it all be over soon." One of the demons said the little Linka. Little Linka turned and tried to run but the demon slammed her into a wall. Little Linka fell with a soft bang on the carpet. Then she heard things that she wished she could wash from her mind, slicing and carving and a muffled scream of pain and terror. She refused to watch and kept her eras covered but it still got through. The slicing gained intensity and she heard a few bouts of laughter and a slow steady drip on the hardwood floor. She broke down and cried. She hadn't since she was six and she was overdue. Everything stopped, it was silent. Linka opened her eyes from her bystander position. An angel stood before a pale Little Linka.
"Linka, you are special. You are part of a long line of people who do the Lord's work. We offer you a second chance to continue that legacy. You would be alive again." Little Linka looked at the angel.
"What about my Mommy?"
"Unfortunately, we cannot do anything about her." Little Linka looked at the angel.
"What about my Daddy?"
"He is still alive and you will travel with him learning your trade."
"I'll be alive again?"
"Yes, but you will work for Heaven. You will have rules that you must obey. If you break them we will be forced to take you with us." Little Linka thought and looked around.
"I'm scared." She said weakly.
"I know, but you will be protected by Heaven and its angels if you agree. What do you say?"
"I'll do it." Little Linka said after a pause.
"Very well." Linka watched as the Little Linka woke back her body and her father ran in and to the little girl.
"Linka! Thank God you're okay!" He pulled her into a tight hug.
"Daddy, they did something to Mommy."
"I know baby, but you're okay, I promise that I will never let anything hurt you." He said Linka saw a tear run down his face. She couldn't hold on anymore. Everything poured forth and she wept for everything and everyone. She saw no more. She opened her eyes, it was dark out and the streets were lit by small electric lamp posts. She saw Zacharias standing over her. She was still shaking and tears streaked her face.
"Why? Why did you do this to me?"
"To you? I did this for you. You were heading down the wrong path my dear; I just came to nudge you in the right direction. You know the expression 'will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?'My little Linka you are the one that wandered."
"I haven't disobeyed!" She said with anger lacing her voice. "I have been nothing but loyal!"
"Well if that is what you think. But you could be wrong. Maybe if we took your father up you might be more obedient." She was dismayed at the suggestion.
"You wouldn't. You wouldn't take an innocent life to keep me."
"Linka let me explain this to you. You are far too valuable to lose. You have experience, your smart, and you listen without question. You my dear are one of our special ones. So here are your options, you can follow heaven again, you cannot follow and die, or we can take your father until you obey."
"I already obey; I listen to a higher power than you." She said through gritted teeth as she stood. "I take orders from far above you."
"If that's the way you want it." He raised his hand but vanished in a bright light that sent Linka back to the ground. She lay there trying to forget what she had seen. It wouldn't go away. She couldn't help it so she broke down lying on the pavement in an empty parking lot. Frogs, crickets, and other humming insects droned in the background. The hot humid air seemed to suffocate her. She couldn't breathe for a few minutes and she gasped, coughed and chocked to get air into her lungs. She covered her face and curled into a ball as she shook. She didn't know if anyone was around and she didn't care. She let everything rise to the surface. It was a release, a cleansing. She remembered first realizing that she was a messenger and warrior of Heaven. She felt the weight of the world and its problems sit on her. It crushed her spirit. She remembered the joy she felt when she accomplished a task given to her. She tried to focus in on those memories but they were overpowered by the crushing loneliness and isolation that surrounded her at all times.
