Lucifer's Angel

Lucifer’s Angel

LUCY VICTORIA KALLMEYER

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© 2012 by Lucy Victoria Kallmeyer. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 09/13/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-2343-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-2342-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-2344-4 (e)

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Mixed Feelings

Chapter 2 Never Give Up

Chapter 3 Settling Down

Chapter 4 The Big, Outside World

Chapter 5 Fleeing

Chapter 6 Never Alone

Chapter 7 Truth Or Dare

Chapter 8 Caught

Chapter 9 Searing Pain

Chapter 10 Split Personality

Chapter 11 Building Up Strength

Chapter 12 Shipwrecked

Chapter 13 Deep Feelings

Chapter 14 Love Chronicle

Chapter 15 New Horizons

Chapter 16 Letting Go

Chapter 17 Redemption

About The Author

About The Book

CHAPTER 1

Mixed Feelings

WINTER WAS APPROACHING, AND everyone was preparing for Christmas. The snow slowly fell from a dull, grey sky. Lampposts along the sidewalks illuminated the city that never slept. Everyone seemed excited and happy . . . except Elena Cortéz. For years she had been waiting and longing for the only thing she had wished for each Christmas since she had fallen in love with and married a man who never had time to spend with her. Constantly working on his so-called projects through all night till early morning, he’d leave Elena sitting alone, near the window, gazing at happy couples and their children holding hands smiling, laughing, and playing as they walked down the street. She would think, If only I could have a beautiful little girl someday too.

But as she turned toward her husband, she sighed quietly and walked into the bedroom. She lay on the bed, hugged a big pillow, and closed her eyes. She felt an ache in her chest and wiped a tear on her cheek.

Nathen Jones, her husband, glanced at his sleeping wife and smiled in a sinister fashion. He could finally get to work without worrying about his wife pulling him away to get the attention she longed for. He wouldn’t be bothered with her sad expressions and attempts to start conversations about having a child. The couple didn’t agree on much, certainly not on whether to have a child or what their last name should be after they’d married. Elena always felt guilty when they argued, so she agreed to have separate names until one or the other came up with a solution. But she longed for a baby and would not stop bringing up the topic.

The next morning, after Nathen had tossed and turned restlessly, Elena woke with the memory of a beautiful dream about Nathen and her and a baby. She smiled and stretched her arms and shoved the blanket aside; she thought of telling Nathen about the dream during breakfast. After kissing him good morning, she grabbed a cup of coffee, took a deep breath, and tried to convince Nathen that she could wait no more; she wanted a baby.

Listen, Elena, he said irritably while sipping coffee. We can’t afford a child, and I don’t have time for one either. Why do you even want to have a child? We’re doing fine without one!

Hiding behind his newspaper, he rejected Elena once again, but this time she didn’t turn sad. She smiled and hugged him. This confused Nathen; she used to cry whenever he answered that question.

Why are you hugging me? he asked with suspicion in his eyes.

Well . . . you’re my husband, and I love you, so why shouldn’t I?

Her smile somehow melted something inside Nathen. He hugged her back. I . . . I love you too, Elena, he said, pushing her gently away so as not to make the moment too awkward or sweet. Listen, if it really means the world to you to have a child, I guess we can give it try.

Elena trembled for a moment, silent, just looking at him. What? Do you really mean it? Nathen, you’ve made me the happiest woman ever! She hugged him and started crying, but this time it was from happiness. Nathen returned her hug as he considered the consequences of having a child. Would it destroy his precious, secret project? If not, would he be able to protect and care for an innocent child and a wife during his work? He sighed and closed his eyes.

Let’s go try, honey. He kissed her gently and walked toward the bedroom, holding her hand.

It was getting warmer. Summer was coming, and Elena excitingly strolled the city with her big tummy, her chin up, and a proud smile. She had gotten pregnant and couldn’t wait to give the new one a good and long life with lots of love from Nathen and herself.

What if I bought this small, pink dress? Maybe it’s stupid to buy girls’ clothes already, but I know it’ll be a girl! I can feel it, she thought as she browsed the racks at a Baby Sam in a New York mall.

Then it happened. She was suddenly struck by terrible pains in her abdomen. She realized it was time; contractions had begun. Oh! Ahhh! she exclaimed with a gasp while falling to her knees, panting. Those around her were worried and tried to help her up, but Elena was in such terrible pain that she didn’t realize whoever was pulling on her arms was just trying to help.

No! Not like this! Something’s wrong! Please! Somebody help me, she cried. She closed her eyes, hoping for someone or something to stop the horrible pain. Someone carried her to a bench while another called an ambulance; other shoppers panicked; they had heard Elena’s screams but didn’t know what to do. Elena struggled with the pain, trying to catch her breath and praying to God the little one would be safe.

Nathen was in his office in a skyscraper at the Genetic Engineering Institute with a cup of coffee in one hand and paperwork in the other, writing about genetic testing on animals. Interesting . . . very interesting. He flipped a page and saw an ad from a lab that performed tests on very special species, as the ad read. They were searching for new members to test new species. Dr. Edgar Van Hallen, they say? Hmm . . . I do have a lot of experience in scientific subjects, he mumbled as he picked up the phone. He was going to apply for the vacant position.

An ambulance rushed Elena to the hospital, sirens screaming and blue lights shining through the dull city. Elena came to. She peered through the small window of the ambulance, and her brown eyes spotted a star. She sighed deeply in fear of losing her first child. She was very weak, and as the medics tried to put an oxygen mask on her, her lips trembled. She said in a low voice, Please . . . call my husband . . . call Nathen . . .

Her cell phone hung on her neck on a pink silk chain. She knew Nathen’s number by heart, but while she was pushing the buttons with her eyes closed, she fell into a coma-like sleep.

Nathen arrived home smiling. He couldn’t wait to tell Elena about his new job and to see her smile. But when he saw everything was dark, the doors locked, and her car gone, he got worried. His cell rang, but he didn’t recognize the number on the display.

Nathen Jones here. Who’s this?

He heard sirens and voices in the background. Hello, this is Carina Smith calling from the ICU. Are you Elena Cortéz’s husband?

Nathen gasped in sudden fear. All kinds of thoughts were rushing though his mind, his heart was pounding, and his breath got faster. Yes. What’s this about? Did something happen to my wife?

The nurse explained Elena’s situation and her labor pains, and she mentioned another pain different from the usual contraction pains. He hung up and rushed toward the car in the faint hope of reaching Elena before it was too late.

Cold rain landed on Nathen’s forehead as he sprinted from the car to the ER as fast as he could. Once inside he slowed down when he saw a Spanish woman with long brown curls and a suffering expression in a room on a gurney. An oxygen mask covered half her face and her beautiful lips.

E . . . Elena? What happened? he asked as he entered.

Hey! You’re not allowed here! a doctor yelled while trying to give Elena more oxygen. The room was in chaos. The doctor grabbed Nathen’s arm, which snapped him out of his trance. He pushed the doctor away, ran to Elena, and grabbed her hands.

Elena my love! What’s wrong? Staffers tried to pull Nathen away, but he squeezed her hands. Elena opened her eyes and saw her husband. Tears filled her eyes.

Nathen . . . I’m so sorry, she whispered and closed her eyes.

Nathen went back into shock. He let go of Elena’s hands. The nurse tried to push him out the door while explaining he had to wait outside.

I’m so sorry? What did she mean? She . . . couldn’t have lost our . . . oh no! Not this Christmas! Nathen thought while punching the wall, trying to hold back tears. He feared losing his only child though he wouldn’t admit it publicly. No! It won’t happen! You hear me, God? he thought as he covered his face.

Several hours later a nurse peeked out from the operating room and told him that he could see his wife, that everything was under control, though Elena was exhausted; the birth had taken a lot of energy from her. Nathen was relieved. The nurse pulled him aside. Her expression changed from smiles to worry. She looked down the hall to see if anyone was close. She whispered, I could get fired for this, but I think you should know, because it’s so unbelievable, she said, acting as if nothing was wrong. A doctor passed by, smiling. She returned his smile but became serious again.

Something strange, no—unbelievable—happened, when your wife gave birth. We thought she’d be dead by now after what happened. She lost her pulse during delivery, but a miracle brought her back. The midwife took care of the little one while the doctors tried to revive your wife with the defibrillator. When we suddenly lost power, we thought it was the end of her. But then a bright, white light shone, and the power came back on, and . . .

Nathen’s patience had run out for the nurse and her flapping lips. He pushed her aside and went through the door. Elena gave him a small, weak smile as she held their baby. With a soft voice she whispered to him. It’s a girl, Nathen . . . a beautiful little girl.

She hugged the little one tight and waved Nathen over. He sat at the edge of the bed, kissed Elena, and started pulling his baby’s blanket aside.

Nathen, wait! Elena shouted.

Too late. Nathen had an expression of total disbelief as he looked at their daughter. Appalled, he stepped back and looked at Elena in shock. He looked at his daughter and shivered.

What the hell is this creature? This is no child! It’s barely human! he shouted as he turned to Elena. Tears filled her eyes as she realized how disgusted her husband was by the sight of his daughter.

Nathen, please listen. You’re shocked, but this is our child, our little girl! She can’t help looking like this. It’s not her fault, and I don’t know how or why this has come about. But maybe it’s a sign from God we’ve been chosen to have a saint like this little, innocent girl.

Elena trembled as she tried to protect the small creature she had just given life to, but Nathen turned his back to his wife and daughter. This is not a saint or an angel or anything like it. It’s a freak, and I believe she’s been sent by the devil, certainly not by God! If you ask me, he yelled on his way out, I have no daughter!

You can’t leave Linea, like this, Nathen! You just can’t! Elena cried out in sorrow and desperation as her husband deserted his family.

Nathen paused. He saw his wife with their daughter in her arms, crying and shaking in despair; he knew she was afraid of losing him, but his sharp disappointment weighed even heavier on his mind.

That’s her name, Nathen. Do you like it? Linea Cortéz, she said while forcing a smile. Nathen turned, his right hand holding the door. He sighed and looked down.

Listen, Elena, and listen well. You can’t demand this of me. I can’t be the father of this ‘thing,’ and I won’t! He gazed for a second at Elena with an angry look and a feeling of hopeless shame for letting his wife and daughter so cruelly down. He hurried out the door and down the hall.

Elena held Linea and cried. A knock on the door made her stop crying; she hoped it was Nathen regretting he had left, but it was the nurse who had briefed Nathen. She entered the room. You don’t have to hold back your tears, Mrs. Cortéz. I heard what happened. You’ve been through quite an ordeal. If you need anything, please call me.

She tried to make Elena smile, but nothing could do that. Elena realized she had lost every hope of a nice, happy family and was probably never going to see her husband again; their daughter would grow up without a father. Her thoughts made her cry, which made Linea cry. The nurse looked at Elena with a sad smile and a tear on her cheek.

You should try to rest, though I know that might be hard. But it’s important you get your strength back. Your daughter needs you to be strong and take care of her, especially in your situation. She smiled as Elena gazed upon her child. I’ll come back later. Do you want me to take Linea? Linea opened her teary eyes and pulled Elena’s hair. Elena studied her newborn carefully. Though she realized she was truly different from other newborns, she still loved her with all her heart. She let her hand slide through Linea’s light blond hair and down to her cheek, which was soft and silky with a mild orange glow. Her cheeks were blushing through her fur. Elena poked Linea’s little, black snout and smiled. Linea sneezed and looked at her mother with big, blue eyes, surprised by the noise she’d just made. Elena’s laugh made Linea smile. Elena stroked her daughter’s big, soft ears and proudly observed their many colors. The light-brown tips turned darker farther down, and her legs and arms did the same. Elena touched Linea’s tummy and chin, which were white, like the tip of her otherwise orange tail.

You really aren’t like others, are you, my dear? Her baby yawned, exposing sharp teeth. She tugged at her blanket and fell asleep. You’re right. Tomorrow we’ll overcome all obstacles, she whispered to Linea. No thank you, Elena told the nurse. I want to hold her for a bit if it’s okay, she said.

Of course. Just push this button if you need anything. My name is Miriam, she said as she left.

Elena looked at her sleeping daughter and realized how tired she herself was. She smiled as she hugged her baby. Goodnight, princess, she whispered as she fell asleep with her child in her arms.

After a while, Miriam peeked in and saw Linea sleeping on her mom’s chest. Fearing that the baby might be squeezed under Elena’s weight, she gently removed Elena’s arms and carried the little one to a cradle beside Elena, tucked her in, and left.

As the days passed, Elena got ill, and her daughter got colic. Elena coughed and shivered. In feverish heat she desperately tried to comfort her crying daughter. Please, Linea, stop crying I beg you. She summoned Miriam, who took Elena’s blood pressure. What’s wrong Mrs. Cortéz? a doctor asked while Miriam took the baby and