Young Writers Society

(First half of the chapter can be found here. ^^)

He could tell that Joshua would be waking up soon, the thoughts were getting stronger as his mind stirred, ready to rise. Ember's surroundings brightened as the boy opened his eyes, blinking as his soft eyelashes sent rays of darkness into the room, causing him to face the other way, to the back of the boy's mind. Now that he was awake, Ember could finally start what he'd come for; fighting to persuade him. He didn't believe he'd have to fight very hard, as a baby he would listen easily to Ember's stronger voice, disregarding the patronizing but desperatly good voice that was September's.

I think you should let them now that you're up, don't you? he asked Joshua, knowing it would seem like an ordinary thought to him. Ember listened as the boy tried to form words, but came up blank, his brain whirring faster than normal. Try screaming, crying - anything louder he suggested, readying for the noise.

Joshua cried, that shaking, louder than a pneumatic drill cry. Ember could tell his face was probably going red from the effort, and he thanked him for that. Joshua was practically already his, the dear boy. He would make a brilliant soilder (sumbissive too) for the upcoming Armageddon, the situation was almost prefect. Then September spoke.

Hush now, darling. No need to cry; Mummy will be here soon. Just rest, she said soothingly. Immediatly Joshua listened, and the tears stopped. September knew she'd succeeded in overpowering Ember; she'd won the first battle and she knew she was sure to win more, lots more if she could help it. She heard the heavy footsteps, the creaking of the door as it opened and a sleepy mother walked in, bending over the cot's edge. September felt the movement as Joshua was scooped up, and she wobbled a little, trying to regain her balance.

"I believe that was me bringing it on," she said as she moved towards Ember's glowing light. If she had her body back, her expression would be cocky, playful.

Still she knew it was more than that, that this was important, The Creator couldn't lose any lives to Hell, and she wouldn't be able to bear wittness to it, especially when a Demon was involved. If she was Joshua's Guardian Angel, then what was Ember? His Gaurdian Devil? She hoped the term wasn't right, that Lucifer could possibly think his Demon's were Guardians. They were far from it.

"Oh, you haven't seen me in action, September. I was merely warming up, letting you score before I take Joshua as my own. At least you'll be able to tell them you tried." he laughed, dancing around September's stupidly pure white light.

"Now shall I see what else I can make him listen to? Or do you want me to sit back for a while, let you continue the fantasy?" he asked, absentmindedly listening to the cooing noises Joshua's Mum directed to the baby. What was the point in intiating a meaningless conversation? Humans truly confused him.

"Oh, you can try if you want, I'll still be stronger," she said, a smile forming on the lips she no longer had.

"Really?" Ember questioned, sitting back. "We'll have to test that."

You're hungry aren't you? Cry for food, she'll never listen otherwise, he said.

This part always bored him, when the baby couldn't do anything but cry and scream, and never fought back. Ember wanted excitment, life and death situations. For now this would have to do. Tormenting September - that naively kind Angel - would be enough for now.

Joshua sobbed loudly, the noise starting again. In the mirage of trailing thoughts Ember could make out the words 'Hungry. I am so very hungry! How is it possible for her to not tell? I shout and scream and say it endless times, but she never understands.' he was some what pleased with his work, Joshua already believed these were his normal thought patterns, his usual ways. If only he knew.

Stop, think of your poor mother, Joshua. You don't speak the same language as her and she doesn't understand what you want. That's it, calm down. She'll get you the food in a second, September said sweetly, moving to the front of the boy's mind where she would hopefully be heard clearer. September felt movement, and then the soft bouncing rythym of walking, walking to the kitchen.

Whatever Joshua's mum did, calmed him right away. The tears stopped, and he let out a sleepy yawn - rubbing his eyes. September was happy, it didn't matter if he would listen to either of them at the time, she just needed to talk to him often, gain his trust so that eventually he would only listen to her, ignoring the opposing voice because he knew she was right. The first few days were crucial, she'd been told by her proffesser, more than any other. Of course they wouldn't be so much if Ember wasn't there, but all the same, she needed to get ahead now.

"Positive results, no?" she asked, vaguely staring past him to Joshua's thoughts, his actively working mind.

"Hm, too soon to tell. Maybe a few more experiments, we need the fairest possible results to be sure. Aren't you experienced in the arts of science?" Ember said, always ready with a witty retort.

"Aren't you experienced in the arts of selflessness and morality?"

"Angel, I don't need those skills to have you mesmerized by my aura of mystery and handsomely bad boy looks." he replied, ever the charmer.

"Oh, you are very misunderstood Ember, naturally Angels love to fantasize about Demons." she said sarcastically.

"So true! Well done, September, we're making progress." he said with mock happiness.

"The only progess I'll make with you is destroying you, wether it's in Armageddon or tomorrow, it'll happen one day."

"Feisty. I like that."

Ember sat down, his debates with September - although they'd only known each other for a few hours - never failed to amuse him. He still despised her with all his soul, something that could be so good was unnatural was strange to him. Why wasn't she urging the human to hurt someone, swear, do something moderatly bad? She didn't seem easily swayed, either, which was a shame. He could of changed her, brought her back to Hell when he came with Joshua, and enjoyed feasts of blood, lust, temptation with her by his side. Alas it would never happen, and his burning hatred remained.

Had she never thought of doing the wrong thing? He didn't care that she'd won some, he'd win much more. They'd be bigger, more terrible, and people would pay for Joshua's consequences. He aimed high, and he certainly wasn't afraid of that, he'd been taught to never take no for an answer, know that his goals would be reached, and that he was always right, better than everyone.

Something drastic had to happen, to make that glorified Angel realize he was more pwerful, to make her submit. Ember knew this, and he was planning, thoughts brewing in his mind, that blackened hollow place within him, that just so happened to be within another mind, this one so innocent it hurt him to think about it. He didn't care if September was ready to have herself witness such a horrifing and soul burning thing, she would be better for it. As soon as he could he'd take action.

Somewhere in the room a nursery rhyme was being played. Ember listened to the soft musical words, hearing the childlike light tune.

Twinkle, twinkle little star,

how I wonder what you are.

Up above the world so high,

like a diamond in the sky.

Twinkle, twinkle little star,

how I wonder what you are.

He was a star once, he mused. A bit overrated if you asked him. Too much pureness and sparkling, sending good and praying for well being. Life in darkness and fire was way too much fun to want to even consider being a twinkling gem with a pretend smile plastered on your face. Not much to wonder about, my dear.

Joshua, you don't like this music do you? No, you don't. Get mummy to change it. If she can't hear you - try a little louder. That's it Joshua.

September heard the cries, and wondered what Ember had said this time. Looking around she saw what he'd suggested, and groaned. Why did he have to try to cause trouble at any given chance? This war was hers, she knew that, but did he? Of course not. He believed he was stronger, more evil and terrible than anyone else. It didn't have to be like that, it shouldn't have to be like that - he just didn't want to know, September thought that Hell was all he knew, the right way was just fanciful imagination to him. To her it was so much more, knowing that you were as good and wonderful for the world as you could be.

She sat down and let Joshua cry. Ember could think he'd won this one, she'd let him. That was the best way, to be weak on the outside, and stronger than he could ever be inside. A muffled idea circled around her, the words pushing against her smoky form. They simply read - listen to him this time just this once, but always know Joshua, I'm the one you turn to, the dominating thought. I'll help you more than he ever can.

She knew that Joshua had understood. She felt the way his brain focused on a smile, and saw the part that controlled it glow stronger, working a little harder than usuall to perform a task that wasn't constant, always in motion. The tears continued, but September knew he didn't mean them. It was only a matter of time before he'd only cry out of happiness.

Ember was pleased with the progress. September's original control had been sheer luck, nothing more. He had the overiding power, and she knew it. He'd seen the submission as she'd sat down, with no way to stop the boy's tears. Ember was so proud of his human, Lucifer would like the new addition to their army. He didn't plan on waiting around for Joshua to grow old and fall in love, oh no. He'd be useless by then. Ember wanted to wait until he reached eighteen, the usual Demon entry age, and then he'd bring him to one of the entrances of Hell, letting the Devil persuade him to join their ranks. Before that time he'd focus on getting Joshua to do as many immoral things as he could to twist his young mind, darken it with delicious insanity.

He'd definetly formed that plan he'd thought about. He'd seduce September, the vulnerable little Angel, with his devilish charm until she was so desperatly obsessed with him she gave in. Yes, he'd thought she couldn't be swayed, was to strong to succumb, but after being unable to stop a baby from crying, for Hell's sake, he'd realised she was nothing but a well trained actor, at most a liar, exactly the type Hell was looking for. The Creator might miss her, might not. It wasn't like he gave a damn.

Hell, this would be fun.