“Hurry up Michael,” Gabriel shouted from inside a tent. “I can’t distract him much longer.”

“Almost ready,” Michael called back from inside another tent. Michael watched as a frantic young man quickly packed a few personal belongings, some gold, and a little food into a knapsack.

“Where’s my staff?” the young man questioned aloud surveying the room. Michael waved his hand over a walking stick in the corner of the tent, and at once the young man realized where it was. He grabbed his staff and rushed out of the tent only to run right into the very man he was trying to avoid. Michael looked at Gabriel who was standing behind the extremely large man. Gabriel shrugged.

“Where do you think you’re going?” the large man asked the much smaller man who was attempting to flee. You wouldn’t know it by their appearances, or the way the one treated the other, but these two men were twins.

“Nowhere,” the smaller man, Jacob, said hiding his staff and knapsack behind his back.

“Right,” the larger man, Esau, replied as he grabbed his little brother by the collar. Jacob braced himself, as Esau raised a fist, but was relieved to see their mother Rebekah approach.

“Esau, enough!” Rebekah rebuked her older son. “Jacob, your father wants to see you in his tent. Go now!”

“I’ll take him there, Mother!” Esau said as he dragged Jacob from his tent toward their father, Isaac’s tent, while the two angels followed behind.

“I thought you said you had him covered.” Michael chided Gabriel. “Your exact words were, and I quote, ‘Let me take the big guy this time. I’ve got this, boss!’”

“I know, I know,” Gabriel sighed. “I was throwing all sorts of distractions his way, but he zigged when by distraction zagged, and,” another sigh, “it was a whole big deal. It won’t happen again, I promise.”

“You’d better hope that Father lives a long, long time,” Esau threatened Jacob, unaware of the angelic conversation happening behind him, “because the day he dies, you do, too!”

“That man has anger issues,” Gabriel commented.

“You might too if your little brother extorted you for your birthright and then deceived your father for the blessing that belonged to you, and you were human, of course.” Michael replied.

“He did that? What a little punk!” Gabriel tapped Jacob’s foot causing him to stumble as his brother continued to drag him along.

“What was that you just said about anger issues?” Michael challenged.

“Sorry,” Gabriel regained his composure. “But seriously, why are we protecting this—young man—when he has done such horrible things.”

“Do you pay attention during your mission briefs?” Michael asked. Gabriel returned a sheepish smile. “This is all part of the Father’s Plan.”

“The Father planned for Jacob to earn his birthright and blessing dishonestly?”

“It was the Father’s plan that Jacob should receive those rights, but I believe free will played a hand in how it was brought about,” Michael answered, “however if the Law of the Harvest holds true, and it always does, what Jacob sowed with Esau, he will reap from someone else.”

 “Good.”

“But not from us, understood?” Michael said firmly.

“Got it.”

Jacob and Esau reached Isaac’s tent. Esau shoved his brother into the entrance before storming back to his own tent.

“That could have gone better,” Gabriel commented as they walked through the tent to eavesdrop on Isaac and Jacob’s conversation.

~~~~~~

As Jacob left Isaac’s tent, Michael and Gabriel followed.

“It looks like there was a reason he packed his bag after all,” Gabriel said.

“Perhaps this was why we were sent here to protect Jacob—not from Esau, but on his journey to his kinsmen,” Michael reasoned. “The Father knew all along that we would escort him on his journey.”

Michael and Gabriel watched as Jacob said a tearful goodbye to his mother. She walked with him to the edge of their camp offering words of encouragement and as much advice as she could in the short amount of time they had left. She hugged her son and kissed him one more time before his journey began.

The three walked all day in silence; Jacob, because he had no one to talk to, and the angels because they were keeping watch for any threat that would endanger Jacob’s voyage. Throughout the day there were very few dangers—a scorpion here, a slippery slope there—but as night fell the threats became more severe.

Gabriel finally broke the silence. “This guy’s not really the outdoorsy type, is he?”

“What gave that away?”

“Just a few things. The pale skin, the soft hands, and the fact that we have to keep course correcting him on this journey.”

“His brother was the ‘outdoorsy’ one.” Michael said.

“I believe that!” Gabriel said.

“Perhaps we should help Jacob find a suitable camping spot.” Michael suggested. “A place where we will not need to work so hard at protecting him.”

“Good idea,” Gabriel pointed to a rocky outcropping. “How about under there. He would be protected from above and behind. All we’d need to cover are three sides.”

“That will work.” Michael and Gabriel highlighted the area for Jacob, and he set up camp there. After building a fire and eating a small meal from his knapsack, Jacob laid his head on a rock to sleep.

As night grew darker, Jacob’s escorts became more vigilant. Michael sat at Jacob’s head, and Gabriel, his feet. They both scanned the horizon on alert for anything that may harm their charge.

“So, this guy is a part of the Father’s plan?” Gabriel asked, as he flicked a stalking lion on the nose, sending it away yowling. “I thought his grandfather was.”

“They both are, in a manner of speaking,” Michael explained picking up a viper by the tail and flinging it a few hundred yards away. “Abraham, because of his faith was chosen by the Father to be the forefather of a chosen nation. But Abraham had a few offspring beside Isaac, one of which will also become a great nation. The Father wanted to make it clear who his chosen nation was, so he let a few generations pass.

“When the Father was knitting Jacob in his mother’s womb, He placed an anointing on him and called him to be the founder of this great nation. From Jacob will come many great people, and eventually the Righteous One.”

“This Plan is more elaborate than I thought it would be,” Gabriel said smacking a honey badger, sending it tumbling down a hill.

“There are many parts to the Father’s Plan,” Michael agreed staring down a pack of hyenas that were now second guessing their decision to invade the camp. Michael’s eyes lit up and the hyenas scurried away. “It may feel, even to we who see behind the veil, like a series of random happenings, but the Father, who knows all, will fit every piece of this puzzle together seamlessly.”

“What a day to behold, when He does,” Gabriel whispered.

“Indeed!” Michael replied.

The two sat for a moment longer reflecting on all the events that have happened so far and imagining all the possibilities that will unfold in the future.

Finally, Gabriel broke the silence. “You know how we led Jacob to this camp?”

“Yes,” Michael replied.

“Do you think, just maybe, someone was leading us to lead Jacob here?”  

“How do you mean?” Michael asked. His question was answered when he turned to face Gabriel and noticed what he was looking at.

A celestial portal had opened, and a staircase extended from Heaven to Earth. Scores of angels were ascending and descending the staircase.

“Apparently this place is more than just a campsite,” Michael conceded. “It looks like our work is done here.”

“It is?” Gabriel asked.

“Clearly this young man has more than enough protection.”

Gabriel and Michael approached the staircase. Gabriel looked back at the sleeping Jacob and asked, “Do you think he could see this—you know—if he was awake?”

“Perhaps,” Michael smiled, “but the time will come when all mankind will be able to.”

Gabriel could barely keep his wings on, he was so excited. He had no confirmation yet but had heard through the grapevine that the Son would be joining them on their next mission. He flew to report to Michael as quickly as his wings would allow. Upon reaching his mentor, he skidded to a stop inches shy of colliding with him, regained his composure, and tried to play it cool.

“You wanted to see me, boss?” Gabriel said nonchalantly.

“Yes, Gabriel,” Michael said without a hint of enthusiasm. “Is your report on the twin cities ready?”

“My what?” Gabriel was so confident this meeting was about his upcoming mission, not his previous mission, which he had practically forgotten about once he caught wind of this new one. “Oh, yes. The twin cities. I have indeed completed that mission. I did a full reconnaissance of both cities, and my report is, they are bad.”

“Bad?”

“Yes. Bad. Wicked. Dens of evil. Full of nasties.” Gabriel’s attempt at casual was now paper-thin at best. “So, did I hear you already have a new mission for me?”

“Did you get an accurate count?”

“A count? Oh, yes! The count. Um, less than ten, definitely less than ten. Actually, less than five would be more like it.”

“Are you positive?” Michael prodded. “I specified with this mission that I would need exact numbers. It is imperative that the count is both thorough and accurate. Much hangs in the balance.”

Gabriel realized he would hear nothing of this new mission until he had completely wrapped up his previous one to his mentor’s liking. He took a deep breath, calmed himself, and said, “Sir, the official report on the twin cities is that there are fewer than five righteous people living there. In full disclosure, there is one righteous man and two and a half righteous women.”

“Two and a half?” Michael questioned raising an eyebrow.

“I couldn’t get a clear reading on one of them. She had all the appearances of righteousness but seemed…on the fence about it.”

“Fair enough,” Michael consented. “Now, for your next mission—”

“Yes.”

“It is an important one—”

“Uh huh!”

“It is not too far from your last mission—”

“Yeah!”

“It should not take too long—”

“Okay!”

“Gabriel, are you alright?” Michael said sounding more bothered than concerned. “You seem on edge.”

“On edge? Pfft!” Gabriel feigned casualness once again. “I’m great! Never better!”

Michael eyed Gabriel. “You know already, don’t you”

“What?! I know noth—” Gabriel could pretend no longer, “Yes, I know. Or at least I think I do. Some of the other guys said they heard something about you and me and a mission with the Son. So does that mean it’s time?”

“Time?”

“You know. The Plan!”

“It involves the Plan but it is not the Plan. Not yet. Not for a few more millennia. There is still some groundwork that must be laid.”

“But I thought the Son was going to Earth?” Gabriel said bewildered.

“He is, but just for a brief visit and a quick miracle.”

“A quick miracle?”

“Yes. A few years ago, the Father made a promise to a man, and because that promise has not yet been fulfilled the man is becoming discouraged and is beginning to feel this promise will never be fulfilled.” Michael informed his apprentice. “He has even resorted to trying to bring about this promise in his own power.”

“Oh, that never works.” Gabriel said.

“Correct. Because this man’s discouragement is so great, and to prevent any more failed attempts at bringing about the promise himself, the Father is sending His Son to speak directly with this man concerning this promise, and to personally deliver the miracle.”

“It sounds like something the Son could do by himself. Where do we come in on this mission?”

“We are to accompany him in the delivery of this message. Afterwards, we will part ways. The Son will return here, and you and I will proceed to another mission.”

“Another mission? What is it?” Gabriel asked.

“We will get to that soon. Right now, it is time to meet the Son.”

~~~~~~

Michael and Gabriel accompanied the Son to Earth. They landed in a desert area a few hundred yards from an oasis with a large oak grove. Dozens of tents were pitched in the area. As the trio approached the tents, Gabriel noticed a lone figure, an elderly man, sitting in the shade outside of his tent. The Son fixed his gaze on the old man and moved near his tent.

When the old men noticed the three strangers standing near his tent, he rushed to greet them as if he had known them for ages. Then he bowed down before the Son and called him lord.

“Does this old man know the Son?” Gabriel whispered to Michael.

“His name is Abraham, and I cannot say. I do not recall the Son ever meeting Abraham face to face before, though he and the Father have had many conversations.”

“About the promise He made,” Gabriel observed.

“Correct. Although Abraham may have never met the Son, it seems Abraham can discern the Son’s greatness and uniqueness.”

“How can he see that?” Gabriel wondered.

“Abraham walks by faith.”

“Faith. That’s a rare trait among humans.”

“For now, yes,” Michael agreed, “but once the Plan succeeds, faith will abound on the Earth. Truly, it will be a new era in human history.”

While they were talking, Abraham rushed back into his tent.

“Where did he go?” Gabriel asked as three servants emerged from the tent with large cushions for them to sit on, followed by three more servants with wash basins and towels.

“It appears we are staying for lunch.” Michael said sitting down, taking off his sandals, and placing them in his wash basin. The servant immediately began scrubbing the dirt from his feet.

“You mean we’re going to eat…people food?” Gabriel said in disgust, as a servant helped him to his cushion, and tried to unfasten Gabriel’s sandals. “Hey! That tickles!”

“Please do nothing to embarrass us. Eat what is presented to you and, when in doubt, follow my lead,” Michael instructed. “Whatever you do, keep your voice down and let Abraham and the Son speak. This is an important interaction.”

Soon lunch was served. The Son and Abraham spoke while Michael and Gabriel ate.

“What is this?” Gabriel whispered holding a bit of roasted meat.

“It is meat. Calf, to be precise.” Michael whispered back between bites.

“Like one of those animals grazing in the field?”

“Yes.”

“That’s gross,” Gabriel gagged. “I thought humans ate only fruits and vegetables.”

“Not since they left the Garden. Have you seriously never watched what humans eat? They have been on this Earth for a few thousand years now and you have never watched a human prepare a meal?”

“Why would I care what humans eat when we get to eat the Bread of Heaven? It’s so much better than anything humans could ever eat,” Gabriel smirked. “If humans ever tasted of our food, they’d never want to eat anything else, ever!”

“Perhaps, but humans have peculiar tastes. Remember, they are no longer in their ‘Garden’ state.”

Gabriel took a sip of white liquid from the cup that was given to him. “Hmm,” Gabriel smiled. “That’s not too bad. I like this juice. What kind of fruit did it come from?”

“It is called ‘milk,’ and it did not come from fruit,” Michael said.

“Where did it come from?” Gabriel asked.

“Do you see that cow over there?”

“Yes,” Gabriel said taking another swig from his cup.

“Do you see that large bag-like object dangling from her belly?”

“Yes…” Gabriel slowly lowered his cup letting the remaining milk in his mouth fall back into his cup. “Please tell me for once in your eternity that you’re joking.”

“No,” Michael said smiling.

“Humans. What’s wrong with these people.” Gabriel said setting his meal down, unfinished.

“Now hush,” Michael admonished. “The Son is about to make good on the promise the Father made Abraham.”

As they listened to the Son promise Abraham that this time next year Sarah, Abraham’s wife, would be holding her newborn son, the atmosphere around them changed. Neither Abraham, nor his servants could sense anything, but the two angels and the Son could see it. What could be best described as ribbons of golden light swirled around Abraham for a moment, then entered the tent where Sarah was.

“What was that?” Gabriel asked.

“The birth of a nation,” Michael said awestruck. “The Spirit has come upon them to help them conceive a child.”

“The promise?” Gabriel was beginning to understand what their visit was about.

“The Father promised Abraham many years ago that he and Sarah would have a child, and that their descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the night sky. To this day she has never conceived, but that has just changed.”

“Amazing,” Gabriel said, then turned his attention to the conversation of which Sarah was now a part.

Sarah had laughed in her heart at the idea that she could bear a child in her old age. The Son knew what she had thought and reminded her of something that Gabriel and Michael had seen proven hundreds of times over; nothing is impossible with God.

Soon Abraham escorted his three guests to the edge of his camp. Michael and Gabriel walked on while the Son stayed behind to have one final conversation with Abraham.

“What are they talking about?” Gabriel asked as they left.

“Our next mission.” Michael said solemnly.

“Okay! What’s next boss?” Gabriel said, energized by this miraculous encounter. He was geared up for their next mission, but once he saw the look on Michael’s face, he changed his tone. “Is everything okay?”

“Remember the reconnaissance mission you recently had—the two ‘bad’ cities?”

“Yeah?” Gabriel sighed. “More judgment?”

“Yes.”

“What’s our job?”

“A rescue mission.”

“How many?”

“One man and two and a half women.” Michael answered, not smiling.

The two angels walked toward their destination in silence.

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“They’re at it again” Gabriel sighed.

“I suppose they are,” Michael agreed.

“Don’t they know that they could never build a tower tall enough to reach heaven? Don’t they realize how far it is?!”

“Actually, no they do not,” Michael replied. “Unlike you, they have never been there.”

“Touché,” Gabriel conceded. “So, what’s the plan here?”

“For a moment we simply observe.”

  Michael and Gabriel sat on a hill near the great city watching the construction. Thousands of people joined together with a common purpose: BUILD! They would construct a massive city, big enough to hold the world’s entire population. In the center of this metropolis they would build a tower, high enough to reach the heavens, if not physically, metaphysically.

Hundreds of people stoked the fires to keep the brick ovens burning hot. Hundreds more filled buckets with ta   c r to seal the bricks and even hundreds more hauled the bricks and tar up to the top of the tower to add yet another level to their grand achievement.

“Do they really think they can reach heaven?” Gabriel asked.

“I believe this project is more about status and accomplishment than physically reaching heaven,” Michael replied. “There are mountains all around that can help reach a higher altitude than any tower they could build. If they genuinely believed elevation brought them closer to the Father, they might simply go for a hike, although, you and I both know it takes so much more to be close to the Father. I believe this project of theirs is a matter of pride.”

“Oh,” Gabriel said. “Pride. The great motivator. One thing I learned in the Great War is that those full of pride soon find themselves in direct competition with and opposition to the Father.” Gabriel paused momentarily. “Maybe this tower is less about trying to reach the Father and more about trying to be like Him.”

“Well said Gabriel,” Michael said. “If you recall the Adversary’s prideful statements were those very words. ‘I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’”

“He’s doing this, isn’t he?” Gabriel asked.

“Without a doubt, the Adversary is behind this,” Michael reassured Gabriel. “I believe if he can convince them to make a name for themselves, and make themselves great, they won’t feel the need to depend on the Father; that they can be all they need.”

“It’s a tale as old as time, literally. First in the Garden and the fruit, now here with this…monstrosity. The Adversary lying to humanity, telling them that they can be like the Father.”

“And humanity falling for that lie, once again,” Michael added. “It is very sad. Since the Fall, mankind has bought into the deception that to be happy you must be your own god and worship yourself over any others, when true joy and fulfillment comes from worshiping and being with the Father.”

“You know that, and I know that, but what keeps humanity from realizing that?”

“It is their fractured spiritual state,” Michael answered. “Since the moment they sinned, man and woman tried to run from the Father and fix their mistakes on their own. But it just does not work. In fact, it is a vicious cycle. Man sins and so draws away from the Father. Because they are far from the Father, they sin more, and the cycle continues.”

“What can break the cycle?”

“Not what, Gabriel. Who,” Michael replied.

“The Plan?”

“Yes,” Michael answered solemnly. “When He comes, He will draw all men unto himself.”

“I can’t wait to see the day,” Gabriel smiled. “Wait. Is that why we’re here? To finish the Plan?”

“No, my brother, the time is not right.”

“Why not?” Gabriel disputed. “All of humanity is right there. The plan could be executed in one fell swoop!”

“That is actually one of the reasons why not just yet,” Michael answered. “Aside from trying to be their own god mankind has still not fulfilled their very first commandment.”

“Subdue?” Gabriel asked.

“Subdue,” Michael confirmed. “Which is why we are here.”

“Time for another eviction?”

“It is.”

“Using the trumpet again?”

“Not this time,” Michael said. “The Father has a more creative plan. No trumpet, no Quadruplets, no flaming sword, and the animals are welcome to stay, perhaps even a few humans, but not all of them. It is time they honored the Father’s command to subdue the Earth.”

“So how does this work?”

Michael produced a pair of scrolls from beneath his robe and handed Gabriel one. “Here is a list of different languages the Father has created. Simply touch the shoulder of one of the citizens below while saying the name of one of the languages, and they will become fluent in that tongue and no other. The language barrier will make continuing the work impossible, and the citizens of this city will abandon their project.”

“Just touch and speak,” Gabriel mused. “That easy, huh? Any other things I should consider?”

“Try to spread out the languages evenly among the population, so it is not particularly heavy in one tongue. Also, please keep families together,” Michael admonished. “We do not want a communication breakdown in the home.”

“Well then, let’s get busy.”

Michael and Gabriel spent the rest of the afternoon flying through the great city imparting to the people their new languages. It didn’t take long for the communication to completely break down. At first people were confused, but as the misunderstandings grew, tempers flared to the verge of violence. Finally, in frustration and exhaustion, the citizens left their work and went back to their homes where, thankfully, due to Michael’s strong encouragement they could tell their spouses all about their rotten day.

“That was a lot of fun!” Gabriel said, admiring his handiwork.

“It was quite enjoyable, knowing we are helping mankind fulfill their God-given directive,” Michael said.

“Yes, that too, but c’mon,” Gabriel elbowed Michael in the ribs. “You enjoyed seeing the confusion on their faces and seeing their pride levels taken down a notch or two.”

Michael only smiled.

“I knew it.”

“No, Gabriel,” Michael said through his grin. “I was just thinking about the Plan and how you want to be such a big part of it.”

“Of course I do,” Gabirel said. “But what’s so funny about that?”

“Well, brother. To play a big part in this plan you will need to learn all those languages yourself.”

“Excuse me?” Gabriel retorted. “All of them? Isn’t there some way to just tap me on the shoulder and download the entire list to me.”

“No, my friend. Only one language can be imparted that way.”

“Seriously?”

Michael placed a hand on Gabriel’s shoulder and said, “Seriously,” and before Gabriel could reply said, “Spanish.”

“¿Qué?” Gabriel questioned in his newly imparted tongue. “¿Qué me hiciste?”

“I am so sorry,” Michael replied grinning widely, “I have no idea what you are saying.”

“¡Cambia mi idioma de nuevo, ahora mismo!” Gabriel bellowed.

“I really wish I could help you, brother, but I am at a total loss as to what you are saying.” Michael laughed as he flew into the heavens with Gabriel trailing him shouting at him in his new language.

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“Why can’t we use your special trumpet for this task?” Gabriel asked, chasing a pair of donkeys through a forest and holding a pair of rabbits. “I think it would make it a whole lot easier.”

“The trumpet does not work that way, Gabriel,” Michael said, himself holding a pair of lemurs, while chasing two warthogs through heavy brush. “It worked in the Garden because I did not care which direction they fled, provided it was away from the Garden. This is quite the opposite of that. These animals must go to a specific location. And in the Garden, we wanted every animal to move. Here we need only a small percentage. Speaking of Gardens, have you checked on the Quadruplets lately?”

“Actually, I visited them last week. They seem to be doing fine. The barricade to the Garden’s entrance is holding strong,” Gabriel said. “They did ask how much longer they would be on this assignment. I think they’re getting restless. Ish told me he has held his breath for at least ten centuries, which in his mind is close to five millennia.”

“Have they had any attempted breaches to the barricade?” Michael asked scooping up a pair of foxes in his free arm.

“Only a stray animal here or there, but the flaming sword scared them off immediately. They’ve not seen a human in several centuries. Do you think it’s time to relieve them of their duties?”

“I would say it is nearly time. But they will know when the time has fully come for them to abandon their posts.” Michael assured Gabriel. “Now, let us finish rounding up the last of these animals and assist them to their destinations.”

“Ah, yes,” Gabriel said, “the giant wooden box. If memory serves, it’s just ahead.”

The duo pressed their way through the forest scooping as many small critters as their arms would hold. Soon they reached a clearing, where thousands of animals gathered, being herded by thousands of angels, toward a massive wooden vessel perched atop a hill.

“You are correct,” Michael said, “but we prefer to call it an ark. It is quite an impressive vessel, is it not?”

“Impressive indeed,” Gabriel admitted. “But it did take that man a very long time to build. If you wanted it done more quickly, I know a guy who could do it in a fraction of the time!”

“Did you just try to make a pun with Noah’s name?” Michael asked flatly.

“Maybe.”

“Hm. Are you sure you are not one of Noah’s sons, because you are quite a ham.” Michael said with a grin.

Gabriel groaned. “Perhaps you should leave the jokes to me, and you stick with your…good grammar.”

“Proper grammar,” Michael corrected, and then instantly regretted his decision to correct his protégé. Trying to gloss over this embarrassing exchange, Michael quickly changed the subject. “Come, Gabriel. Let us—ahem—let’s deliver the last of these animals and perform a final inspection of the ark before launch time.”

“Sure thing, boss.” They set their armfuls of animals near the entrance to the ark and flew around the outside of it, looking for any weakness or faults. Then the pair flew inside the ark, unbeknownst to Noah and his wife who were busy making final preparations for the world’s first floating zoo. As Michael and Gabriel neared the end of their inspection, Gabriel noticed a small patch of wood that had not been waterproofed near the front of the ark.

“Michael, it looks like Noah missed a spot.” Gabriel said pointing to the exposed wood. “We should probably tell him.”

“Allow me.” Michael said, then facing Noah let out a quick whistle.” Noah stood from his stool where he had been milking a cow and stared intently toward the front of the ark.

“What is it, Noah?” his wife asked.

“I don’t know, but I have a hunch that I may have missed something.” Noah replied.

Noah’s wife craned her neck to see what he was looking at. “The front? Didn’t you finish that area a few years ago?”

“I thought so. I’ll be right back,” Noah said as he set down his milk pail in exchange for a tar bucket and marched to the front of the ark where Michael and Gabriel were standing. Noah scanned the area, at first not noticing anything, including the pair of angels standing right next to him.

“He doesn’t see it,” Gabriel said. “How can he not see it?”

“He is six hundred years old, Gabriel,” Michael replied. “For a human, he is pretty advanced in age.”

“Yeah, but he’s no Methuselah,” Gabriel rebutted, “and that guy could spot a wart on a bumblebee.”

“It is also a bit dark in this corner of the ark,” Michael countered. “Perhaps I will shed some light for him.” Michael placed his hand on the untreated lumber. Both angels could see the area grow brighter as if a light were shining on it, but Noah simply thought his eyes were adjusting to the dimly lit corner.

“Ah there it is!” Noah smiled as he dipped his tar brush into its bucket and slathered the inky sealant over the bare wood. “That’s better!” As Noah returned to his milking stool he smiled at his wife and said, “Found it!”

Noah’s wife started to speak but was interrupted by a rumbling in the distance. They both raced to the entrance of the ark and looked at the sky, which was beginning to grow dark with thick, rolling clouds.

“What is that?” Noah’s wife asked her husband. “Is that…it?”

“I believe it is.” Noah inspected the landscape, as the last few animals scurried into the ark. Then he looked to the sky as if listening to something in the wind. Noah’s wife heard nothing, but the pair of angels could hear the voice of the Father instructing Noah to bring his family into the ark.  “BOYS! Hurry! It’s time!”

Michael and Gabriel hovered above the ark surveying the terrain for any animals who may not have made it on the ark. The only creatures they saw were six humans, three men and three women, scrambling to get on board the ark as the first drops of rain descended to the earth.

“Wow,” Gabriel gasped. “Another first in human history. Water falling from the sky.”

“It is amazing.” Michael agreed. “It would be an awe-inspiring sight to behold were it not for the impending judgment that is soon to follow. Come. It is time to seal them in.” The two descended to the earth accompanied by raindrops that were growing heavier and in greater number. As they approached the ark, they could hear a disturbance from within it.

“What do you mean you don’t know how?” one voice said.

“I wasn’t given instructions, Japheth,” Noah’s voice replied. “But I’m sure God will show us how.”

“Why didn’t he ‘show us’ how when he was giving you instructions on how to build this thing?” another voice demanded.

“What are they arguing about?” Gabriel asked his mentor.

“They are unsure how the door to the ark will be shut,” Michael answered. “When the Father gave Noah instructions, he left out how to secure the ark once the rain begins.”

“Why would he do that?”

“He wanted Noah to trust Him in everything, both in what he did know and in what he did not.”

“But Noah built an entire ark on faith that this very day would come. Wasn’t that enough?”

“The walk of faith is not a once and done journey. It is daily trusting in the Father even when you do not have every answer. Also, Noah’s sons are new to this walk of faith. They must learn how to trust in the Father as their own father does.”

“Hm. Is that why you often don’t tell me everything I need to know?” Gabriel elbowed Michael.

“Perhaps. Or perhaps it is because you ask too many questions, most of which have obvious answers.” Michael smiled back. “Now please assist me in ending their argument and strengthening the faith of Noah’s sons.”

“Happy to!”

The duo each grabbed the edge of the massive wooden door and slowly closed it.

“Look!” Noah exclaimed, interrupting his three complaining sons, motioning to the door.

“How is that happening?” Shem exclaimed.

“God is closing the door for us! Quickly! Grab the tar buckets. Once the door closes, we must seal it from the inside.” Noah and his family scurried into action as Michael and Gabriel closed the door, securing Noah and his family from the coming judgment.

Michael and Gabriel rested against the door allowing the rain to fall around them. After a brief silence Gabriel exclaimed. “Oh, I get it!”

“What do you get?” Michael asked.

“The Quadruplets. They’ll know their task is ending because the Garden is about to be destroyed in this massive flood. Should I go tell them?”

“I think they would love the news,” Michael said. “And while you are at it, could you ask a favor of them?”

“Sure. I’m sure they’ll be happy to do anything after eons of guard duty.”

“Ask them to help you relocate one of the trees in the Garden. The Father has plans for it.”

“I’m assuming by ‘one of the trees’ you mean the good one, right?”

Michael simply nodded and smiled.

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“That was one of the grizzliest things I’ve ever done,” Gabriel said wiping gazelle blood from his sword.

“I agree. The first deaths in Earth’s history came from our own hands. That is not something I will soon forget.” Michael observed. “But the Father was able to make adequate clothing for the humans, and perhaps give them a strong reminder of the severity and consequences of their disobedience.”

“Who knew eating one piece of fruit would affect so much of the Father’s creation? Please tell me the rest of our assignments will not be like this.”

“Take heart, brother. Most assignments given to us will be much more encouraging.”

“So, no more slaughtering?” Gabriel prodded.

Michael hesitated, then finally, “No guarantees.”

“Wonderful,” Gabriel sighed. “What’s next?”

“We must clear the Garden of all living creatures. Eden has two immensely powerful trees with the ability to alter history, so we must conceal the Garden from all creation.”

“Even the humans?”

“Especially the humans, but the Father is taking care of that at this moment.”

“He’s kicking them out?”

“I would not put it that way, but yes, he is removing them from the Garden, as an act of mercy to them.” Michael saw that Gabriel didn’t fully understand, so before he had a chance to ask, Michael explained. “Because of their act of rebellion, humans now have sin in their lives. This separates them from the Father and will always do so until the Father’s Redemption Plan is complete. But if the humans stay in the Garden and, perchance, eat of the fruit from the Tree of Life, they will live eternally in their sins and be forever separated from the Father, with no means for reconciliation.”

“I see. That would be a horrendous punishment,” Gabriel agreed. “It would be more merciful to remove them than to let them stay and risk that kind of consequence. Besides, didn’t I hear the Father give them instructions about being fruitful, multiplying, and subduing the Earth?”

“You did,” Michael answered.

“Well, I don’t think they’d ‘subdue’ much of the Earth if they stayed in the Garden. Who would ever willingly leave that place? It had everything they needed!”

“True,” Michael agreed, “but now they must. All of them.”

“So how do we do this? Do we fly around and collect them or chase them out herd by herd?”

“I believe I have a simpler solution.” Michael produced a golden trumpet from under his tunic, pressed the mouthpiece to his lips, and blew so loudly the Earth trembled. Gabriel soon heard hooves, paws, and claws stamping the ground, and wings flapping in the air—the sound of all the animals fleeing the Garden.

“Amazing! One blast of that trumpet and the entire Garden cleared out! Can I get one of those?”

“It is quite possible that there is a trumpet in your future, but not at this moment.”

“I had a feeling you’d say something like that. So now that the Garden is emptied, what’s to become of it? Will the Father destroy it, or uproot the two threatening trees?”

“For the time being, the Father wants us to secure it; to prevent anyone from being able to get into it.”

“Oh, I have just the guys for this job.” Gabriel grinned.

“Please tell me you are not thinking about the Quadruplets.” Michael groaned.

“The four and only!” Gabriel grinned as he took flight. As he ascended, he shouted back, “Trust me! They’ll be great at it! See you at the Garden’s entrance in an hour!”

Michael watched Gabriel disappear and sighed. “I pray he knows what he is doing.”

~~~~~~

Two hours later Gabriel landed at the entrance to the Garden accompanied by four cherubim. The first cherub, named Ish, most closely resembled the other two angels: two arms, two legs, two wings, one head. The other three cherub also had two arms, two legs, two wings and one head, but each cherubim’s heads were very different. One, named Nasr, had the head of an eagle. Another, named Shor had the head of an ox. The last one, named Ari, had the head of a lion.

Michael greeted each by name with a slight bow of respect. In response, Nasr pealed, Shor snorted, Ari roared, and Ish nodded.

 “Sorry for the delay,” Gabriel apologized. “It took me a little while to rally the troops. They were in a heated conversation about who had the best head among them. I finally convinced them that they all had equally great heads, at which point they thought it would be brilliant if they could put their heads together…literally, like they each of them has all four heads, and maybe even add another pair of wings, just for fun! Is that even possible?

“All things are possible,” Michael said dryly. The cherubim all cheered at the possibility. Michael sighed and said, “Gabriel, may I have a word with you, alone?”

“Sure. Be right back guys.” Michael and Gabriel walked a stone’s throw away from the Quadruplets. “What’s up boss?”

“I have serious concerns about using these four for the task. They seem a bit…easily distracted.”

“Nonsense, Michael.” I mean sure they may be a bit different as far as cherubim go, but I’m confident they can pull it off. They’re the total package. You’ve got Eagle-eye Nasr who could see trouble from miles away. There’s Shor, who’s a bit stubborn, but that can be a good thing. He’s guaranteed not to leave his post. And of course there’s Ari, who is brave and fierce! And let’s not forget Ish, who is the glue that holds the team together. Honestly, he’s the only one among them that I can understand. So, we really need him to translate. But I am confident they are the ones for this job! Aren’t you?”

“No,” Michael sighed, “but the Father is.”

“Fantastic! Wait, how do you know that?”

“When you left to rally the Quadruplets, I paid a visit to the Father and explained my concerns. He thought your plan was brilliant. He even pointed out the same qualities about them that you did, reminding me that He created them that way. But He also understood my concerns and created somewhat of a failsafe in case the Quadruplets do get distracted.”

“A failsafe? That’s probably a good idea. What is it?”

Michael looked up to the sky. “Here it comes now.”

Gabriel looked up to see a massive flaming sword descending from Heaven resting above the four cherubim who seemed confused and anxious about this new arrival.

Michael and Gabriel quickly flew back to the Quadruplets and Michael explained how this added security feature would work.

“Gentlemen, thank you so much for your willingness to enlist in this task. You are under strict orders not to allow any creature to pass through the borders of this Garden. To assist you with your task the Father has graciously created this multi-directional flaming sword. Once Gabriel and I are clear of the entrance, it will activate, creating a flaming barricade to the entrance which, when coupled with each of your unique—ahem—talents, no creature should be able to penetrate your defenses. Any questions?”

“Um, yeah,” Ish raised his hand. “How long are we supposed to do this task?”

“It is uncertain at the moment.” Michael explained. “Our best estimate is at least a millennium, perhaps longer. Is that a problem?

“Nah, no problem at all,” Ish replied, “I once held my breath for an entire century, and a millennium is only about twice that long, so this job should be a breeze.”

“I am glad to hear that,” Michael said, “Again, thank you for your service to the Father. It means a great deal.”

With that, Michael and Gabriel departed into the sky and the flaming sword activated as expected.

“Let us report back to the Father,” Michael suggested, and off they flew.

As they approached Heaven’s gates, Gabriel asked, “Michael, something you said back at the Garden, made me wonder. You said it could be a millennium before the Quadruplets complete their tasks. Will it really take that long to complete the Father’s plan? That seems like a long time, even for angels.”

“Gabriel, the Father knows what he’s doing. He is planning every detail of each event in human history to ensure his plan succeeds. What may take a millennium to accomplish will take that long for a reason. The Father loves mankind so much and is patiently working everything out for their redemption. And we are so blessed to be a part of what he is doing. Every task we complete brings humanity another step closer to the Father.”

“You’re right, Michael. I suppose being a part of the greatest mission in all of Earth’s history is a privilege and if it takes a thousand years to complete, I’m all in!”

“I am pleased to hear that,” Michael grinned and placed a hand on Gabriel’s shoulder. “Because it will take several thousand years to complete this mission.”

“But you told the Quadruplets—”

“I told them that their task would probably take a millennium to complete. But that is just one piece in the mosaic of the Father’s masterpiece of redemption.”

“Oh! Well, either way, like I said, I’m all in. So, what’s our next mission?”

“What do you know about watercraft?” Michael asked as they entered Heaven’s Gates.

“What just happened?!” Gabriel demanded.  

“It seems—” Michael tried to reply.

“How?!”

“They—”

“Why?!”

“Becau—”

“I mean, of all the fruit in the entire Garden, they had to choose that one! What would possess them to do such a careless and rebellious act?” Gabriel, yet again, didn’t give Michael time to answer. “They walked daily with the Father, had uninterrupted communion with the Almighty and they threw it all away for a worthless apple?”

“Actually, it was not an apple—”

“I know, Michael, I was being facetious. But what got into them, that they would do this?”

“It was Lucif—”

“NO!” Gabriel drew his sword, folded his wings, and flew faster than the speed of light toward Earth. Michael followed closely.

“What are you doing, Gabriel?”

“I’m going to end that monster!” Gabriel growled. “He’s gone too far, for the last time!”

“You know you cannot do that.”

“Why not?!”

“First of all, there are more pressing matters at stake right now, and you have a new assignment effective immediately. Secondly, like you, he is eternal, and there is only one who can destroy him, and for the moment He has chosen not to do that.”

“I may not be able to kill him, but I can sure make him miserable!”

Gabriel tucked in his wings and dove toward the surface of Earth. As he approached the Garden, Michael yanked Gabriel’s left wing sending him spiraling, crashing to the ground, losing his sword in the process.

Gabriel painfully ascended from the crater his crash landing just created. Michael slowly descended with Gabriel’s sword in his hand. Like a father correcting a child, he spoke, “Now, if you can keep your cool, and keep your mouth shut, I will give your sword back and explain a few things.”

Gabriel nodded and held out his hand. Michael placed Gabriel’s sword in it. As Gabriel re-sheathed his weapon Michael explained what had happened.

“After the Great War, when Lucif—”

“Please! Don’t pollute my ears with his name.” Gabriel grimaced as if Michael were about to curse.

“Okay. How about we call him,” Michael paused for a moment, “the Adversary?”

“Fine. Although, I’ve got a few other names I’d like to call him.”

“And we probably will over time, but let us get on with what happened, shall we?” Gabriel nodded. “After the Great War, when the Adversary was cast down to Earth, it was only a matter of time before he would try to take out his rage on the Father’s prized creation, so, He devised a plan to redeem mankind for such a case as this. The Tree was part of it.”

“Wait, you mean the Father wanted the man and woman to eat from it?” Gabriel’s dizziness from his crash landing was compounded by his lack of understanding of the Father’s plan.

“More like he knew it would happen either way,” Michael said.  “He knew if the Adversary could persuade a third of our ranks—who behold his face daily—to follow him, it would take little time or effort for him to persuade mankind to rebel against their Creator, as well. So, the Forbidden Tree was placed in the middle of the Garden.”

“I always thought that tree was an odd choice for the centerpiece of the Garden. But who am I to question the Creator?” Gabriel mused. “So, the Father placed it there, fully knowing that the humans would be tempted to eat it? It’s almost like he made it too easy for the Adversary to trick them.”

Michael nodded. “Like I said. He knew all along it would happen. So, he decided to orchestrate some of the outcomes.”

“Orchestrate? How so?” Gabriel asked.

“For starters, by sealing the fate of the Adversary, once and for all. The Father placed him here on Earth out of grace after his rebellion, but this recent act of treason earned him an eternity in everlasting torment. He will pay, not only for his rebellion in Heaven, but for what he did here on Earth as well.”

“Really?” Gabriel smiled. “That’s exciting! I’d love to be a part of that!”

Michael placed a hand on Gabriel’s shoulder. “Do not worry, my brother, you will.”

“That’s the best news I’ve heard since this ordeal began. How soon can we do this?”

“Not quite yet. First, we need to complete our assignments.”

“Oh yeah,” Gabriel said, “I recall you mentioning something about an assignment right before you hurled me to the Earth. What is it?”

“Actually, there will be several assignments, all with the end goal of mending the rift that was torn between humanity and the Father.”

“Will there be battles?” Gabriel’s eyes lit up as he asked.

“Some, but mostly setting the stage for important events and delivering numerous messages.”

“Fair enough,” Gabriel conceded. He had hoped for “numerous” battles, and delivering “some” messages, but he was willing to settle. “What’s our first assignment?”

“Ready your sword,” Michael said as he unsheathed his own.

“Time to battle some baddies, already?!” Gabriel smiled.

“Not quite. Let us go to the Garden.”

~~~~~~

“Why do the humans look…different?” Gabriel asked, tilting his head as he tried to figure out what had changed about them. “They look…weaker. And greener.”

“They are wearing fig leaves,” Michael answered.

“Ha! Why?” Gabriel thought maybe he had missed a joke, but Michael wasn’t laughing or even smiling.

“Because they were naked.”

“Well, yes, they’ve always been naked—the way the Father created them.”

“True, but when they ate of the Forbidden Fruit, they became aware of their nakedness.”

“They didn’t know they were naked that whole time?”

“Not really. I suppose you could say they were clothed in the Father’s presence, and needed nothing else. Being created in the image of the Almighty, they had everything they needed. They lived their lives freely under His provision and protection, but once they committed that act of disobedience, it all left them. And they quickly realized it.”

“Really?” Gabriel asked. “How so?”

“Their eyes were opened to the fact that they were subject to fear, pain, and even death. For instance, the woman stubbed her toe on a tree root, which she had done many times before without consequence or even noticing, but this time it severely pained her. And the man…he made the mistake of trying to pet a porcupine.”

“Ouch!”

“In that moment they knew something had changed. They knew their protection had vanished, so they tried to create their own form of protection.”

“The fig leaves?” Gabriel smirked. “Those wouldn’t protect them from a fly, and definitely not a porcupine! Where did they get such a harebrained idea.”

“I have a few theories,” Michael explained. “First, I believe they are trying to camouflage themselves.”

“Why would they want to do that?”

“To hide from the Father.” Michael explained. “Each day when the Father would come to visit them, they welcomed His presence. But after they fell, they were ashamed and felt the need to hide. Perhaps they thought the leaves would help them escape the Father’s notice.”

“Well, that’s ridiculous,” Gabriel sneered. “The Father can see an atom in a black hole!”

“Yes,” Michael agreed. “You and I are aware of that, but the man and woman were scared and confused and may have resorted to ridiculous means to try to hide from the Father.”

“That’s a pretty good theory,” Gabriel complimented his mentor.                              

“I have another theory regarding their vegetative garb,” Michael continued.

“Do tell!”

“My other theory concerns the serpent.”

“The serpent?” Gabriel tried to recall which creature the serpent was. “Oh, you mean that green, scaly thing with the long tongue?”

“Yes, that one. You see the Adversary used a serpent to beguile them to eat the fruit. It is possible that after being fooled by this creature—whom they deemed very wise—they concluded that if they made clothing which resembled the serpent’s protective skin, they would gain similar protection.”

“Oh, I see it now. Their fig leaf dresses do look a bit like green scales,” Gabriel conceded Michael’s second theory. “But still, those outfits are flimsy replicas of the serpent’s armored skin.”

“True, but when you fall victim to the Adversary’s schemes, your efforts at protection are feeble at best.” Michael observed.

“Well said.” Gabriel raised his sword that was still unsheathed. “Remind me why we are holding our swords.”

“It is our job to help the Father prepare a less ‘flimsy’ protection for these naked humans.” Michael said approaching two gazelle that were grazing peacefully in a nearby valley.

“Michael, please tell me this isn’t my big assignment in fixing this situation.”

“Baby steps, Gabriel,” Michael said. “There is more to come. So, so much more.”

Chapter 1 – Jack’s Waxhole

“Ewwwww!” Jack Edison’s mom, who we will call Betty, exclaimed, with disgust in her voice. “Jack, do you ever clean out your ears?”

“What?!” shouted Jack, partly because he wasn’t paying attention and partly because his ears were so full of wax, he was slightly deafened.

“Jack, look at me!” Mom said sternly spinning Jack’s inattentive head toward her, so she had his full attention and so he could read her lips if necessary. “If you don’t keep your ears clean, potatoes will start growing out of them!” Betty yelled, thrusting a cotton swab into Jack’s hand.

“But mom, I’m already late for school. I don’t have time to clean out my ears.” Jack had plenty of time to get to school, and to clean out his ears, but he wanted to use that time to play another round of “Galaxy Goobers vs Zero-Gravity Zombies” on his video game console, that we’ll call the “PLAY-BOX.”

“Jack, nothing worth having is easy, and having healthy ears is worth having. So do the not-easy thing and clean out your ears.” Betty sighed at her own tongue-twister logic and looked at her watch. “I’ve got to wake Kevin. I’ll be back in a few minutes to make sure you did a good job.”

Mom left to wake Kevin, Jack’s older brother, who slept more in one night than bears do in winter. Kevin was in high school now and was full swing into puberty, which, according to him, “requires a lot of rest so my body can mature properly!” Jack was hoping Kevin’s mind would catch up to his maturing body soon.

After mom shut the door, Jack looked into the mirror that was attached to his dresser. His 6-year-old sister Katelyn would call this mirror a vanity…and would say “vanity” with a slight curtsy to show how refined she was. Jack looked into the (curtsy) vanity, took a deep breath and gently slid the cotton swab into his left ear. He was careful not to go too deep with it. “Don’t wanna poke yer brain out” his slightly-funny-but-way-less-funny-than-he-thought uncle, Rick would often say.

Jack swirled the swab in his ear and pulled it back out, revealing a hefty-sized glob of earwax. Jack sniffed the tip of the swab, then grimaced and gagged a little. He didn’t know why but he always sniffed his earwax. Admit it, dear reader, you do too. If not, you will the next time you clean your ears, I bet.

Suddenly Jack heard a rustling noise behind him. He swung around and saw—his fan. It was running the whole time, only now he could hear it. I guess it does pay to clean your ears.

Jack spun the swab around in his fingers like the world’s largest baton twirler and prepared to gently clean his right ear with the unused end of the swab. As the swab neared his earhole, known to many as the “auditory canal,” his cotton swab stopped abruptly. Jack thought, at first, that he had missed his earhole altogether. But as he looked at his reflection in the (curtsy) vanity he saw that he was right on target. But something in his earhole was stopping the swab from entering.

Jack attempted to remove the swab and prepare for reentry but realized that the swab wouldn’t budge. Is it stuck in some thick earwax? Jack thought? That’s ridiculous! Jack gave the swab another tug. This time, not only did it not budge, but it felt like something tugged back! Jack looked more closely at his reflection and did indeed see some earwax wrapped around his cotton swab. But this earwax looked…odd. It resembled a small, golden-brown hand wrapped around the tip of the swab. Suddenly the swab was no longer stuck but was now being shoved from his earhole with such force that Jack’s hand flung backwards, and he lost his grip on the swab! The swab summersaulted through the air in a blurry white and golden-brown arc and landed on his dresser. Holding the swab, like the world’s smallest baton twirler, was…

JACK’S WAX!!!

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Chapter 2 – Jack’s Wax-man

I MUST BE HALLUCINATING, Jack thought. Or dreaming. Jack pinched himself, unsure why but that’s what they always did in movies to prove they weren’t dreaming, so that’s what Jack did. Clearly, he wasn’t dreaming because the pinch hurt. Standing two inches tall on his dresser was a tiny man made entirely of earwax!

Jack’s first instinct was “KILL IT NOW!” Jack grabbed a whiffle ball bat, that he normally pretended was a lightsaber, and whacked the tiny wax-man flat.

The cotton swab lay next to the waxy smudge on his dresser. Jack slowly lifted the bat from the dresser, and the top half of the smooshed wax-man stuck to the bat, while the bottom half clung to the dresser.

Jack lifted the bat up to his nose and gave it a sniff. What? You’re surprised he sniffed the little earwax-man? You would too, trust me. Jack sniffed the top half of the wax-man. Yep, it smelled like earwax.

“How bizarre!” Jack pondered aloud.

“Did you find something growing in there?” Betty asked as she re-entered Jack’s room.

“WHAT?!” Jack quickly hid the bat behind his back. He looked down at his dresser for the bottom half of the wax-mam, but it was gone! The only thing remaining was the nasty, used cotton swab.

“You know. Potatoes! Did you find any growing in your ears?” Betty smirked as she picked up the used swab off Jack’s dresser and inspected its waxy ends.

“Oh! Uh, nope! No potatoes.” Jack laughed nervously as Betty eyed her son suspiciously. Before she could reply to Jack’s odd behavior, Kevin’s voice echoed down the hallway from his room.

“MOM! Have you seen my pimple cream?”

“It’s on your dresser where you left it!” Betty yelled back, tossing the swab into Jack’s trash bin scurrying out of the room.

“No that’s my zit cream! I’m talking about my pimple cream. You know the one that looks like makeup?”

“You mean your concealer?” Betty’s voice faded as she shuffled down the hallway.

Jack looked back down at the dresser. Surely, he wasn’t hallucinating, was he? But the half-splatted earwax was no longer on the dresser. Jack pulled the wiffle ball bat from behind his back and inspected it. No wax there either.

Maybe Jack was hallucinating. Maybe he wasn’t getting enough sleep. Maybe he’s been watching too many scary movies and playing video games with monsters and zombies in them.

 Nah, that can’t be it!

“Speaking of video games…” Jack said aloud to nobody. He picked up his Play-Box controller, plopped down on his gaming chair, and resumed his Galaxy Goobers vs Zero-Gravity Zombies game. It was paused on a boss-fight. He un-paused the game and tried his best to win this battle.

He failed, of course, because everyone knows if your mom makes you pause a game in the middle of a boss-fight, you will not succeed in the battle once you resume it.

Moms, if you’re reading this, please, please, PLEASE don’t make your child pause their game during a boss-fight. It’s simply a no-win situation. Thank you for your consideration in this matter–The Narrator.

As the Level 4 Zombie Boss released its final blow on his hero, Zack threw the controller across the room in a rage-quit that lasted a full 10 seconds. During this brief tantrum he vowed to never play that game again, or any Play-Box games. He would sell that blasted game console and use the money to buy an X-Station instead, which was a superior gaming console with better graphics and a game library that could not be matched.

This was something Zack did every time he lost a boss-fight, or got stuck on a level, or couldn’t solve a puzzle, or just got bored with his Play-Box.

• Throw the controller across the room.
• Vow to never play that game again.
• Make plans to buy a better gaming console with superior features guaranteeing success in his gaming.
• Rally.
• Pick up the controller and, if it’s not broken, resume gameplay.

After his tantrum, Zack picked up his Play-Box controller to resume his gameplay. As the boss on the screen appeared once again, Zack began mashing buttons as quickly as he could to claim his victory on this level. But rather than mashing buttons, it felt like mushing buttons. Zack looked at his controller to find it covered in earwax!

3 Mak’s Plaque

Mackenzie Amber Kennedy leaned over her perfect bathroom sink smiling at her perfect reflection in her perfect mirror. Everything about Mackenzie’s life was perfect. She lived in the perfect home, had perfect parents, even a perfect little sister whom she loved dearly.

The only imperfect things about Mackenzie’s life were her teeth, which would soon be perfect as well, once she got these dreaded braces off. Only 6 more weeks to go and everything about Mackenzie Amber Kennedy would be perfectly perfect!

“MAK! Did you remember to floss your teeth?” Mackenzie’s father called from the kitchen. Even though her name was Mackenzie, everyone called her Mak. Not only was it a shortened version of her first name, it was also her initials. At first Mackenzie hated the nickname, which was given to her by her arch frenemy Virginia Rotterdam, after Mackenzie started calling her Virgie Rotten Dame. Virgie retaliated by unleashing a whole slew of nicknames for Mackenzie:

• Big Mac
• Macken-chee-zie
• Holy Mackerel
• Elbow Macaroni

To be continued…

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