CounterPoint by Daniel Rafferty Read Free Book Online

evil as Saddam Hussein or Genghis Khan. We see evil as that which rips apart the human soul and that...” he paused for dramatic effect,”...is in direct violation of the natural order. Have you ever had a cold shiver down your spine, or wonder why there have been nights when you have ran up the stairs to bed because you get the feeling there’s something behind you? Most people put it down to simple human stupidity, ‘letting their minds wander’, they say. But it couldn’t be further from the truth.”
    Seeing David listen intently but unsure of how much was actually being processed by his limited human brain, Ariel decided to give him a quick recap on the ‘politics’ of Earth from his prospective.  “Let me give you a quick history lesson. There are four types of habitants on this planet worth noting - angels, humans, monsters and demons. Each has played a pivotal role in its history. You wonder what madness is this? Cast your mind to the lore of human history for your answer. History is full of monsters and demons from the earliest points of humanity. Today they’re simply dismissed as nonsense, that humanity has risen above believing in such fairy tales. The truth being that my colleagues and I decided a long time ago it was time to intervene on a global scale to save humanity and hence no more monsters. You think Hercules was a myth? No, he wasn’t, his father was an angel who intertwined with a human female and caused an upset to the natural order. It took us years to track them down. Demon attacks were also at an all-time low for centuries. We had the planet finally under control and operating within the confines of law and order.”
    “Law and order?” replied David, struggling to process everything this burly man was saying.
    “Yes. We’re not referring to your own irrelevant criminal laws. We’re referring to the natural order of things; law and order from the prospective of Heaven. Unfortunately, we are seeing a huge surge in demon activity and that natural order is now threatened. It almost happened during the global recession in the 1920s and 30s but was avoided, humans pulled back from the abyss so to speak. This time, however, is different. The number of attacks and their coordination and sophistication is unprecedented. It is because of this Senior Management has taken the decision that the time has come to rid the planet of evil once and for all,” said Ariel. He now gripped firmly a white hand towel before setting it back on the heated towel rail once more.
    “Why now?  I mean human history is littered with bloodshed and evil.”
    “Because Management has declared it should be now.”
    “And Management just decide do they?”
    Choosing not to answer what he considered a juvenile question, Ariel moved the conversation along. “You ask why I’m telling you this. Why an angel from Heaven has decided to inform David Bassett of their plans for the planet. It’s simple. Your family is important to us. We cannot allow anything to happen to you during the oncoming battle. You can be sure that the demons are aware of this as well and will try and capture you and your family. Leverage is a powerful weapon in any war. We don’t want to be put in the position of having to mount a rescue plan to secure an entire family at a later date. Therefore, you and your family will come with us tonight to a safe location. Once it is all over, lasting salvation will be provided.”  Ariel turned round to fully look at David, placing emphasis on the last lines of his speech.
    David simply stood there, beyond speechless. He was using his hand to steady himself against the marble sink. Remembering the warning he received in the club toilet in London about nothing being what it appears, there was no chance of David or his family going anywhere. Trying to get some moisture into his mouth before speaking, David rattled his brain to string the words together.
    “We aren’t going anywhere. I don’t know who or