Cherreads

Chapter 19 - CHAPTER 18: “The Child of Heaven and Hell”

WAREHOUSE HIDEOUT – PRE-DAWN

The portal's echo fades to silence. Lydia steps out, blood still warm on her hands from Alexander's last message. Jason, Annie, and Venessa circle her, anxious.

LYDIA (voice trembling)

Alexander… he said: "Tell them to protect Annie—and the boy." He was firm. He knows what's coming.

Venessa swallows hard, trailed tears glistening in the flickering runes.

VENESSA

Then that's exactly what we'll do. No matter the cost.

Jason places a hand on her shoulder.

JASON

What about Alexander? Does he—?

Venessa meets his gaze, voice steady.

VENESSA

He doesn't know what's coming. But he believes in you. In all of us. We'll bring him home.

Lydia watches them, quiet resolve shadowing her eyes.

---

EXT. VENESSA'S ROOM – LATER

Younger sister Annie stands just outside, listening to a soft sob from within. Venessa's eyes, in the mirror, reflect raw grief.

VENESSA (V.O.)

So many years… I've dreamt you, child of my heart. Now you walk among us—

Her reflection breaks. Annie quietly slips in, gently rubbing Venessa's back.

ANNIE

We're going to protect him. You're not alone.

Venessa nods, voice cracking.

VENESSA

Mom.

---

EXT. CITY STREETS – MORNING

Alone now, Venessa hurries across cracked pavement. Her mind replays every dream-image: the cradle of fire with Gedeon, Malekta's betrayal, and that voices calling "Mom." She steps out into the sun, breathing ragged.

Suddenly—

A figure. Just ahead. Back turned.

A child.

Twelve.

Hair dark as Gedeon's wings, eyes flickering gold.

He stands, looking from sidewalk to street, uncertain.

Venessa's heart lurches.

BOY

Mom?

Venessa freezes.

Cars rush past. Pedestrians swirl around like ghosts.

She charges across the street—but when she reaches the spot, the boy has slipped away.

VENESSA (whisper)

No…

A soft voice.

BOY (V.O.)

Mom.

Her eyes search every face.

She spots a bookstore one block ahead.

---

INT. BOOKSTORE – MOMENTS LATER

The bell rings as Venessa enters. Floor-to-ceiling shelves form a maze. Books litter corners; morning sun slants through dusty glass.

And there—just ahead.

The boy flips a page in a thick history tome, tracing lines with small fingers. He doesn't look at her yet.

Venessa hesitates, breath shallow, knees weak.

VENESSA

Hello?

He doesn't turn.

BOY

Mom?

He glances up, wide-eyed.

Venessa rushes to him, voice shaking.

VENESSA

Yes… yes, hello. I—I'm your mother.

The boy's voice tremors as he looks at her.

BOY

Why… why do I call you mom?

Venessa's heart soars and collapses.

VENESSA

I—It's because I am. I'm your mom.

She rises, kneeling to his level. Eyes close. Breath catches.

VENESSA (whispers)

I… remember.

Flash of bright fire and shadow:

Gedeon gently cradling a baby in his arms, golden shimmer swimming between smoke and ember.

Venessa's tears of both hope and sorrow.

Malekta ripping that child from her womb.

The child's last cry echoing through hellfire.

The boy watches her, silent but alert.

VENESSA (soft)

You were taken from me… but here you are.

He reaches out, trembling.

BOY

Am I… your real child?

She cups his face. Her voice breaks.

VENESSA

Yes.

A reverent quiet falls. Dust motes drift in the beams.

---

SIDE AISLE – MOMENTS LATER

They walk—Venessa guiding him gently.

VENESSA

You were born of me and Gedeon… a Nephilim. Half-Angel, half-demon's child.

The boy halts. Eyes distant.

BOY

A demon Lord—Malekta—stole me. Held me in her domain… my powers froze for ten thousand years.

Venessa pauses in the sunlight.

VENESSA

I remember screaming. I tried to bring you back…

He listens, sad brown eyes brimming gold.

BOY

Venessa… I don't know who I am anymore. I feel… darkness. Fear. Yesterday I dreamt I burned a city.

His voice cracks.

BOY

And I can't stop it. It's like something inside me… like a bomb waiting to go off.

Venessa's hand grips his. Strength and fear combine in her eyes.

VENESSA

You're our miracle. Our child. And we will teach you how to control it, I promise.

He looks away.

BOY

I love you, mom… but—

Suddenly, a gust of air.

---

⚡ POWER UNLEASHED

A heartbeat later—

He staggers.

His gold-flecked eyes flare with blue-white light.

Bookshelves tremble.

Bread baskets tremble.

The brass dragon statue crashes to the floor behind them.

He jerks.

A blinding light flashes from his chest.

Venessa shouts:

VENESSA

(screaming)

No!

The blast rattles every glass pane. A bookshelf snaps. A ceiling beam crashes.

The boy doubles over, moaning as magic roars out in waves.

Mirrored light fractures.

Dust, splinters, decaying leaves swirl around him.

He collapses to the floor—eyes shut, limbs limp.

THUD.

---

INT. BOOKSTORE – AFTERMATH

Silence returns. Books lie scattered like fallen stars.

Venessa is at his side instantly, stroking his hair.

VENESSA

Shh… baby. It's okay.

She calls—

VENESSA

Jason! Annie! Lydia! We need a medic!

Jason bursts in, breathless.

JASON

What… what happened?

Venessa glances up.

VENESSA

His power… it exploded.

He crouches next to the boy.

BOY (barely)

I'm... sorry.

Venessa kisses his forehead.

VENESSA

Don't apologize. You needed help.

Lydia arrives, carrying ancient runes.

LYDIA

Mom… brother… this stone track will protect him—stabilize—

Venessa nods.

---

EXT. BOOKSTORE – LATER

The storefront is a disaster zone. Emergency lights flash. Fire trucks and medics swarm.

Venessa sits on the curb, wrapped across the boy. Annie stands by, holding warm towels.

Jason places a fatherly hand on her shoulder.

JASON

He's alive. And you… you're incredible.

She looks up, wiping tears and soot.

VENESSA

He's mine. And he's going to fight with us.

The boy stirs. Gold flame flickers in his eyes.

---

EPILOGUE

As they escort the boy to medical care, Venessa stands, determined.

VENESSA (V.O.)

He's a child of heaven and hell—born of sacrifice

, forged in darkness. But he is our future... our hope. And together, we will teach him to shine.

🏥 INT. HOSPITAL WING – AFTERNOON

The boy lies in a stark white bed, wired to gentle monitors that beech his rise and fall. Venessa sits at his bedside; Jason stands nearby. Annie studies arcane runes Lydia painted on the walls.

ANNIE

He's stable — but the nurses say he practically regenerated a small wall. We will need better protection.

Lydia kneels by the boy's hand.

LYDIA

Based on the Nephilim energy release … it burned away some of the protective circle. I'll rebuild it tonight.

Venessa leans over her son—dusty curls, gold-flecked eyes now closed.

VENESSA (soft)

Welcome home, my child.

The boys had always called their little sister "their light." Now she whispers to her son, "our light."

Jason pulls Venessa's arm.

JASON

We stopped Malekta—but now we have to face… this.

His eyes flick at the monitors.

---

🌑 INT. HOSPITAL – FLASHBACK DREAM

Venessa drifts into another dream—not nightmare, revelation.

A field of white lilies stretches under storm-dark clouds. A younger Gedeon holds newborn wrapped in bloodlight. His voice echoes in the wind.

GEDEON

"Venessa, our child…"

Venessa reaches with trembling arms. A door bursts open—Malekta steps forward, claws bright.

MALEKTA (echoed)

"Mine now, angel."

She rips the child away. Venessa's scream echoes.

---

⚔️ BACK TO HOSPITAL ROOM

Venessa opens her eyes.

Annie peeks.

ANNIE

Dream?

VENESSA (smiles sadly)

A memory.

Jason looks between them and the boy.

JASON

He has to be trained—for his own sake... and ours.

Venessa nods.

---

🛡️ EXT. HOSPITAL ROOFTOP GARDEN – SUNSET

Later, wrapped in a scarf, Venessa stands on the rooftop, phone in hand. Lydia arrives.

LYDIA

He stabilized. No permanent damage. The circle held—mostly.

Venessa nods, looking at the sky.

VENESSA

We have a son. And he's part demon—born from a womb touched by darkness. But he's ours.

Lydia moves closer, eyes steady.

LYDIA

You're not alone.

Venessa breathes out.

VENESSA

I'll fight for him—teach him control, compassion.

---

🏰 INT. HIDEOUT WAR ROOM – NIGHT

Blueprints cover a table. Venessa, Jason, Annie, Lydia gather amid runes, phones, laptops, medical supplies.

Jason stands by a map dotted with red zones.

JASON

Everything's shifting—hunters, demons everywhere. Cities burn or fortified. WHO says it's worldwide now.

Annie leans over the boy's file.

ANNIE

He'll need magical shield—something angelic, demon-proof.

Lydia sketches runes.

LYDIA

I can build it—but he must learn control first. This power nearly leveled a building.

Venessa's voice is steel.

VENESSA

Then we teach him. All of us.

---

🧘 EXT. PARK – NEXT MORNING

Venessa takes the boy, golden eyes still dim, to a quiet park dawn-colored.

He sits, knees to chest.

VENESSA

We're going to learn how to breathe. In and out.

He nods nervously. Venessa places his hands over his heart.

VENESSA (soft)

Feel the life in you. It comes from me… and from all the love we share.

He breaths.

🌍 EXT. VARIOUS CITIES – MONTAGE

– Hunter squads form under emergency broadcast

– Sister groups join forces in Seoul, São Paulo

– In London, exchange of demon spikes, blood-powered weapons

– Venessa, Jason, and Annie appear in a live video — "We stand together, against the shadows."

---

🏫 INT. COMMUNITY CENTER – AFTERNOON

Venessa, Annie, and Lydia lead a training circle for young hunters; protective charms glow. The boy sits watching, golden eyes fixed.

He looks at Venessa—his mother.

💥 EXT. DEMON ATTACK SITE – NIGHT

Venessa, Annie, Lydia, and a few hunters stand guard when a demon general emerges like living armor. Kidnapping shadowed city.

Venessa shields the boy; she whispers to him—

VENESSA

Stay strong. Breath.

She steps forward. Angelic fire kindles in her eyes.

✨ INT. HOSPITAL – LATE NIGHT

The boy struggles to sleep; Lydia holds his hand.

BOY

I don't want to hurt you.

Lydia smiles kindly.

LYDIA

You won't. You are only his power, not destiny.

✈️ INT. RUNDOWN BOMB SHELTER BASE – MIDNIGHT

Venessa stands before old radio broadcasting equipment. She flips a switch, speaking into a creaky mic.

VENESSA

To every last hunter... darkness rises. But our son, our child, carries that darkness—and we will teach him light.

---

🌄 FINAL SCENE – QUIET MOMENT

Venessa and her son watch sunrise together.

BOY

Will I always feel this darkness?

She hugs him.

VENESSA

We'll walk in the light—every step. I promise.

He nods, eyes shining gold.

More Chapters