The End of an Era

...Derek...

I used to be a disabled boy. I had no hair, my left arm was smaller than my right, and my legs weren’t strong enough to support my body so I had to move around in a wheelchair. I was an insignificant and ugly creature with no reason to live. But now, I am one of the most handsome men to ever live, and I’ve been given magical powers. I owe it all to him. The one who gave me my powers, the one who made me experience happiness for the first time in my life, the one who gave my life a purpose. I owe it all to my Father. I owe it all to the Devil.

The Devil: “Derek, my son… It is time.”

Derek: “ Finally, I've been waiting for this moment to come. The Waning Crescent Moon is here.

Derek closes his eyes and takes a deep breath to calm his nerves…. He opens them up again

Derek: “I’m Ready” he says definitively. He begins to walk out the cave.

The Devil: “ The first part of my plan is about to start…. The Apocalypse is soon underway.” He lets out a sinister chuckle, revealing his overwhelming excitement for the immense bloodshed that is about to come.

Today is a Sunday, which was usually just like any other day of the week for Eric and his Father, John. Everyday Eric would go with his Father into the forest and help him chop wood. The work they did was very hard and exhausting and usually lasted till sundown. Eric usually didn’t have much free time for himself and when he did he spent most of it sleeping, But he was content with the life he had and actually enjoyed spending time with his Father. Normally, John would end work for the day around 7:00 which was when it would start to get dark. But today he decided to end it a few hours early.

John: “ I think it’s time for us to wrap it up.”

Eric: “ You can go home dad, I’ll stay here for a little while longer to finish up.”

John: “ It’s not because I’m tired or anything. I was thinking you and I could stop by the village Temple and get a few prayers in.”

Eric: “ I’m pretty sure their lecture is over for today. And besides, our family never goes to pray.”

John: “ I know, but it’s never too late to try right? If it does end up being closed, we’ll just go home. How about that?”

Eric: “ I guess.” He says reluctantly.

John and Eric begin to pack up and head to the Temple. About 20 minutes later, they arrive.. They see that the doors are locked. “ I told you they were probably closed. Let’s just go home.” Eric says as he begins to walk away. “ Let’s wait a little longer.” His Father says looking back at him. Eric lets out a sigh and walks back to his Father. John knocks on the door again, five seconds later a short old man with gray hair opens the door.

Reverend Clarke: “Greetings, how may I help you two today?” He says with a welcoming smile.

John: “ We were wondering whether you could let us in to pray for a little bit. If not, no worries, we’ll leave you alone.”

Reverend Clark: “Well… suppose I could make an exception this time.”

John: “ Thank you so much.” He says with an endearing smile.

Reverend Clarke: “ My pleasure, now come on in.”

Eric and John follow the reverend inside and onto the stage where the sacred angels statue sits in the center. “ Would you like me to start the prayer?” The reverend says. “Sure, that would be great.” John says. The Reverend grabs Eric and John’s hands and closes his eyes. After that, Eric and John hold each other's hands as well.

Reverend Clarke: “ Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have bestowed on my life. You have provided me with more than I could ever have imagined. Amen.”

Eric and John: “Amen”

Reverend Clarke: “ Who’s next?”

John: “ I’ll go… Dear god, Thank you for blessing me with my beautiful wife and my 2 children. You have given me much to be thankful for. I hope to receive more blessings from you in the future. Amen.”

Reverend Clark and Eric: “ Amen”

John: “ Your turn Eric.”

Eric: “ Thank you god for me and my family’s well-being. Please continue blessing me and my family with good fortune. That is all I ask for, Amen.”

Reverend Clarke and John: “Amen”

All three of them open their eyes. “ I don’t recall ever properly introducing myself,” John says.

“My name is John and this is my son, Eric. It's been a pleasure meeting you.”

“ You can call me Reverend Clark, nice to meet you as well.” He shakes John's hand, Then shakes Eric’s afterward.

“ Thanks again for letting us pray,” John says.

“No problem, Feel free to stop by whenever. Have a wonderful evening.”

“ You do the same, Reverend,” John responds, waving his hand while walking away.

After leaving the Temple Eric and John walk back home. Eric knocks on the door, his mother, Julia opens the door and lets them in.

Julia: “ You guys are home relatively early.”

John: “ We ended up finishing early today.”

Julia: “Well, I’m proud of you two.

She gives both of them a kiss on the cheek.

“Papa!” Sara says with excitement while running towards John.

“There’s my little Angel!” John says as he kneels to give her a big hug. After that, she goes to Eric to hug him as well.

“Hi Sara,” Eric says while patting her head.

“Hi!” She says, responding to Eric.

John: “ Is that apple Pie I smell?”

Julia: “ Yeah, It is. Sara and I picked apples to make it.”

John: “ Wonderful, I can’t wait! I don’t remember the last time I’ve eaten Apple Pie. Looks like my prayers were heard after all. He says jokingly to Eric, winking at him.

Julia: “What do you mean?” She says with a confused look on her face.

John: “ Nothing, what I meant to say was thank you.”

Eric: “Thank you guys for the food.”

Julia and Sara: “Your Welcome”

...Eric...

Soon after, we all sat down at the dinner table and ate. The food was delicious, especially the Apple Pie. But little did I know that this moment would mark the end of an era. This moment marked the end of my childhood.

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