Chapter TWO

A birthday to Remember

Abby emerged from the testing room with a huge smile on her face, her parents just happy to see their daughter smiling again.

"I past, I past!" she exclaimed waving around her test sheet.

"We never doubted it for a second." replied her dad giving her a hug.

"You can do anything you put your mind to." added her mum proudly.

"Looks like you're driving us now then." stated her dad attaching the 'L' plates to both the front and rear of the car.

Deciding to take the long way home Abby drove down along the beach, the temptation to stay behind the wheel taking hold.

"We'll have plenty of time to go for long drives, but for now we should head home, we have things to organise for you party tonight." suggested her mum, Abby nodding reluctantly.

Pulling into the driveway Andrew and Teresa raced outside to congratulate her. So surprised was Abby that she didn't even notice an even bigger surprise waiting in the front yard.

"Congratulation and happy birthday!" yelled her closest friends who had come to surprise her.

"Thanks you guys, but how did you know?" asked Abby hugging them all one by one.

"Your dad called Andrew, Andrew called me and I called everyone else." replied Rosemary excitedly.

"It is so good to see you all, I can't tell you just how good it is." replied Abby, thinking about the dream when she thought they were all dead.

"Happy birthday Abs, you're better than I thought, and I never doubted you'd pass for a second." whispered Michael hugging her again.

Abby really lucked out in the friend department, with 6 of the best friends anyone could possibly ask for, especially when it came to her unique life. There is Michael, the oldest of the group having just turned 18 two months earlier who she shares a very special and close friendship with. In fact they have known each other all of Abby's life, Dolores and James and Michael's parents Molly and Jack have known each other since before the two were born. And then there is Rosemary, Angela, Heather, Sheryl and Phill who make up the rest of this close nit group, and all know of Abby's gift.

"I have a great idea, why don't you and your friends go and pick up some of the party things for us, that would really help." suggested Abby's mum, thinking it would do Abby good to be with her friends for a while.

"Yeah that sounds great, I could do with a change of scenery, is that alright with you guys?" asked Abby eagerly.

"Of course." answered Michael first, the others quick to agree.

With Michael and Phill the only ones with licences they split into two groups, Abby and Angela going with Michael the others going with Phill. As they headed into town Michael kept looking over at Abby sensing something just wasn't right with her.

"Are you okay, you don't quite seem yourself?" he asked.

"Yeah I totally agree, you seem tired or distracted." added Angela leaning forward from the back seat.

"Well I know a career I won't consider pursuing, acting, and I thought I was doing such a good job as well, obviously not." answered Abby smiling at them both.

"So what's up, is it something, you know… supernatural?" asked Angela.

"Before I tell you what I can, I need you to promise me you won't say anything to others, I don't want them to worry?" replied Abby waiting for them to promise, which they did.

"Okay, so I had this dream a horrible dream a nightmare really, and it scared the absolute crap out of me. I can't tell you much about it because Gemma swore me to secrecy, but I can tell you that it had everything to do with the end of us all. I woke screaming I was that terrified and I'm still a little rattled, but for now I just want to put it behind me so I can enjoy my birthday." explained Abby.

"Okay I get it, you can't go against Gemma, but we are here to help you whenever you need a shoulder to lean on." said Michael comfortingly.

"I know and I really am so grateful that I have such fantastic friends as all of you, but I feel bad at times when I put too much on you." explained Abby.

"If the tables were turned and it was one of us going through what you go through, you would want us to lean on you, wouldn't you?" remarked Angela.

"Yes you know I would." answered Abby annoyed knowing they were right.

Their first stop was picking up the decorations, and as they were loading everything into Michael's car something caught Abby's attention. Partway down the laneway near where they had parked was an angel, who started to beckon to Abby to come to him.

"Michael, there's something I need to do that possibly has to do with my nightmare, just wait here for Me." said Abby looking at him in a way he knew meant something supernatural was up.

As Abby conversed with the angel that only she could see, a strong wind started to whip up around her, quickly growing in strength.

"What's happening?" Abby asked the angel, sheltering her eyes from the debris flying around.

"There is a change coming soon, something that you will need to prepare yourself for." answered the angel cryptically.

"I don't understand?" replied Abby worriedly.

"It is nothing to fear, it is your destiny and all will be revealed soon." answered the angel who then disappeared.

"Gemma, what's going on, does this have something to do with tonight?" asked Abby who could not see Gemma but knew she was there, as guardian angels always are.

"Yes it does." replied Gemma suddenly appearing next to her.

"Then why did that angel have to tell me this, when you already have?" asked Abby.

"Because God wants to make sure you are prepared." she replied.

"I can't prepare for what I do not know, so until then I just want to forget about it and try and enjoy my birthday." answered Abby frustrated as she walked back to her friends.

"So what happened, what was all that wind?" asked Heather very intrigued.

Abby told them what the angel said, they were always interested when she had an encounter with an angel, which was quite frequently. Telling them somehow helped ease the feelings of frustration and uncertainty Abby was feeling about tonight; the looks on their faces always lighting up when she spoke about her angelic encounters. As they headed to their next stop and the most important one of all as far as Abby was concerned, the cake shop, Abby's mood had improved.

"Now we have to be extra, extra careful with the cake, two people will have to secure it on the ride home." instructed Abby, which of course she would be one of those people.

It was a two tiered chocolate sponge cake, filled with whipped cream and jam, Abby's absolute favourite, actually anything with cream was her favourite. Getting the cake back to Abby's without incident was a miracle, as anything that could happen, did. Two dogs and one black cat ran out in front of Phill's car, plus an out of control bike rider nearly ended up being road kill. But somehow Phill was able to avoid every obstacle thrown in his way, he putting it down to his excellent driving skills, Abby putting it down to angelic forces.

"What do you say we head down to the beach for a while, I think I need to relax after that drive home?" asked Abby of the others after delivering the cake safely home.

"Why I take that as a personal attack, didn't I get the cake back here in one piece?" said Phill his arms outstretched.

"Funny that, because there's two pieces to the cake isn't there?" said Abby jokingly, showing her usual sense of humour.

"I get it, getting it back in one piece when there's two pieces to it, good one abs." said Sheryl laughing.

Sorrento, where Abby lives, is a picturesque coastal town on the Mornington Peninsula, often described as a little piece of heaven here on earth. With a coastline that stretches as far as the eye can see and townships dotted along the coast, it is like living on an island paradise every day. Boasting plenty of cafes, restaurants, markets and stylish accommodations, means tourists from all over the world visit all year round.

Perched high on a hill, capturing both the beauty and the destruction the sea has to offer is Abby's home. In the mornings when the sun is shining it dances off the rippling waves, almost blinding you with its beauty. In the evenings the moonlight takes over casting an eerie presence, often playing tricks on your eyes, causing you to see things that aren't really there.

But Sorrento has more to offer than just its beautiful coastline, it also boasts a vast forest which is home to many different species of fauna. This area is in close proximity to Abby's home, her endless backyard as she likes to think of it as. There are many species of bird and plant life flourishing in this area, which also has a river running through it. In the warmer months this is where many locals like to frequent, avoiding the crowds of tourists and day visitors that flock to the beaches.

The river is well shaded, at least 10 degrees cooler in the summer, and because only locals know about it they virtually have it to themselves. Aside from the main beaches and river there are many back beaches that locals like Abby and her friends frequent, which was one of the spots they were heading to. They had a couple of different spots they liked to hang out at, for if one spot had too many people they had a backup spot they could go to.

"This is so good, I really needed this!" exclaimed Abby as she got out of the car and took in the beautiful spring day.

As they made their way to their special spot there was no one close by, except for a few couples walking along the beach way off in the distance. Sitting in the alcove they had created a few years back a spirit suddenly appeared to Abby, one that she had never seen before. The spirit was only visible for a few seconds before she vanished, not saying anything, just smiling.

"What's up?" asked Heather seeing the look on Abby's face.

"I just saw a spirit of a young girl." she answered looking puzzled.

"Okay, but you've seen spirits before, so why do you look strange?" replied Heather.

"Do you remember Rosemary's 8th birthday when I told you all about seeing the spirit of a young girl who had mousy blonde hair, blue eyes?" asked Abby.

"Yeah I do, and I told you it sounded like you were describing yourself." said Angela excitedly as the memory came flooding back to her.

"Her name was Clare, and I remember how happy she looked, and peaceful, really peaceful." added Abby smiling, a time she has never forgotten.

"That's right, and I said something about her being from heaven." added Rosemary just as enthusiastically.

"Well the spirit I just saw then reminded me of Clare, she looked really happy and at peace." said Abby.

"Didn't Gemma tell you Clare was a spirit from heaven?" asked Sheryl.

"Yes she did, boy you all have good memories." said Abby.

"So do you think seeing this spirit has a connection to Clare?" asked Sheryl.

"Yes I do, because during my encounter with Clare all those years ago she told me she would see me again and not to forget how special I was. So there has to be a connection with my dream, there just has to be." replied Abby deep in thought.

"What dream?" asked Phill, Abby forgetting for a moment that she hadn't told all of them about it.

"It's not important, what is important is what the connection between this spirit and Clare." answered Abby dodging a bullet.

"Hey isn't that when Gemma told you about the three kinds of spirits?" said Angela suddenly.

"That's right, that's when I found out about the heavenly spirits, the purgatory spirits and the damned spirits. With memories like yours none of you should have any problems when it comes time for exams." remarked Abby.

"What were they again?" asked Phill.

"Do you really want to know?" replied Abby, not sure whether Phill was being serious or just trying to annoy her, as he often did in a fun way.

"Yes I really want to know." he replied seriously.

"Okay well the heavenly spirits are as they sound, heavenly and they no longer need the assistance of their guardian angels any more. Whereas those spirits from purgatory, the ones I see most often, they still require the assistance of their angels. Then we come to the damned spirits, they never made it to purgatory and so will never make it to heaven and they don't have angels with them. I remember like it was yesterday when Gemma told me that I would know the difference between a heavenly spirit and a damned one when I saw them." recalled Abby.

"Have you seen a damned one yet?" asked Rosemary.

"No thank God, but Gemma did tell me that when it happens I have to protect myself, so it's only a matter of time I guess." replied Abby her mood changing little.

"But hey think about all the other things you've seen, all those beautiful angels that none of us have gotten to see. Plus the other good and heavenly spirits you've come in contact with, they have always made you feel good, right?" reminded Michael trying to lift her spirits.

"Right." said Abby mustering a smile.

It was party time and Abby tried to put on a happy face, but all she could think about was what was to happen just before midnight. The music and the atmosphere helped relax Abby to some degree, but it was always in the back of her mind what was going to happen.

"Can I have everyone's attention please!" announced James tapping a spoon on a glass while her mum turned down the music.

"Dolores and I would like to thank you all for coming this evening, we know Abby is thrilled that you could all make It." he said as he continued on with his speech.

"Thanks dad for that lovely speech." said Abby hugging her parents, "Now I would also like to thank you all so much for the presents I see over in the corner, some look very big and that's always good." her guests laughing. "And even though I haven't opened them yet, I just know I am going to love them." concluded Abby thanking her guests one last time.

"Happy birthday to you…" everyone started singing.

After blowing out the candles the celebration continued until just after 11pm, at which time everyone started to leave. Abby had decided not to tell any of her friends about what was to take place at midnight. Firstly because she wasn't sure herself and secondly because she wanted to avoid the barrage of questions she knew they would have. By 11.30pm everyone had gone and Abby spent the next 20 minutes pacing all around the house preparing herself for what was about to take place.

"Abby the time has come, your destiny is about to be revealed." announced Gemma appearing next to Abby who was in the lounge room with her parents.

Suddenly the lounge room was overflowing with angels, but unlike last time, only Abby could see them and not her parents.

"What do you mean my true destiny?" asked Abby worriedly.

"You were born with abilities, abilities with great power, but so far you have only touched on a very small part of them. Seeing angels and spirits and sensing when situations do not feel right are so far the extent of what you have touched upon. But now that you have come of age, it is time for you to know more about why you can see things others can't and what these abilities will afford you. These abilities are what you would describe as supernatural powers, but they come from God and will help protect you from impending danger." explained Gemma.

"Impending danger, supernatural powers, what are you trying to say?" asked Abby almost in tears she was that worried, not sure she wanted to hear the answer.

"All of that shall be revealed to you shortly." answered Gemma not going into detail.

"You mean that evil is going to want to harm me don't you?" asked Abby remember her earlier conversation, but Gemma stayed silent.

Just then Clare appeared looking of similar age to Abby; over the years as Abby has gotten older so too has Clare, as if she was growing older with Abby, possibly so she could relate better to her.

"Clare, am I glad to see you?!" exclaimed Abby.

"There is no need for you to worry or get upset, God has a plan for you, a plan He knows you can fulfil, for He wouldn't have chosen you." said Clare reassuringly.

"But you can understand why I am so freaked out right now, can't you?" questioned Abby.

"Of course, but what should concern you even more is the dream you had, for that will be the fate of mankind if evil is not stopped." answered Clare bringing back those horrible images and feelings.

"About that dream, something has been bugging me that I hope you can explain. During it, I remember feeling like I had a whole lot of memories, memories of things that I don't have now, does that make sense?" asked Abby.

"Yes it does. The reason for that is because the dream was from the future, you were older and had experienced many encounters with evil and knew more about the fate of mankind." answered Clare.

"Oh right, of course, the dream was from the future, I forgot about that. But hold on a second, what do you mean I had experienced many evil encounters, how many and how bad and who?" asked Abby worriedly, unable to stop talking until Clare stepped in.

"Calm down Abby, it is going to be alright, you are not nor have you ever been alone." said Clare in a kind and soothing voice.

"I am just so overcome by everything, I don't know how to take it all in." explained Abby looking and feeling exhausted.

"There is something else I need to share with you, something that may come as quite a shock, but is very important and the reason I am here. Over the centuries God has tried to help mankind get out of the trouble it is in, but each time He has, people have ignored His warnings. How He has done this is by selecting certain people, Chosen Ones as they are known as, to rid the world of evil. Unfortunately each has failed due to different circumstances, leaving mankind still in peril.

"Because of this, God went about things a little differently were you are concerned, creating you a little differently. You are still created in His likeness, as is everyone, but you are also different to every other person walking the face of the earth. You are what is known as a Chosen One, only you are the last in a line of Chosen Ones, meaning you are the last hope for mankind." explained Clare pausing to give Abby time to take in what she had just told her.

"I'm really sorry to do this to everyone, but I believe there has been a humungous mistake made here. I do not have what it takes to be this 'Chosen One' person, especially 'the last one'!" declared Abby, firstly making air quotes and then throwing her arms into the air in disbelief.

"You feel that way now, but in time you will realise that no mistake, humongous or otherwise, has been made. Abby, look at me, you have known me all of your life and trusted what I have told you, this is no different now.

"Yes, it is a huge undertaking, but there is no other alternative, for the world needs you if it is to continue existing. People do not know what the future holds for them, if they did, if they knew what you knew they would do anything to prevent it from happening. But they do not know so they do not fear, but you know, and you are the only human who knows what will happen and you are the only human who can prevent it." explained Gemma.

"So why not tell them then, wouldn't that solve everything!" exclaimed Abby.

"Free Will prevents this from occurring, mankind cannot be influenced in such a way." replied Gemma.

"But isn't evil influencing it in that way?" asked Abby.

"No, for how evil is going about it is by manipulating people and influencing them over and over again. To just come out and show or tell humanity what lies ahead would not be changing people's minds and action, which is what needs to happen. People need to do know right from wrong and do good not evil because they know it is the right thing to do, and then the wars and evil will stop." explained Gemma.

"Well that still doesn't change the fact that I am definitely not the right choice for this Chosen One position." said Abby, remembering Satan referred to her as the Chosen One in her nightmare, which didn't make sense at the time but now sure as hell did.

"Your existence is the only thing that has saved mankind from the fate you dreamt about. Without you, evil would have been successful in destroying all of mankind by now, and this they know, which is why they will stop at nothing to see you destroyed. There can only be one victor and this is the last chance for mankind, so if you fail so does everyone." explained Clare.

"No pressure!" said Abby shaking her head in disbelief continuing on, "And just how am I supposed to go up against all Evil, I mean that in itself is impossible?" added Abby.

"You will not be alone, there will be much help for you, but it is not impossible to defeat evil, this you will learn." answered Gemma.

"It is time for you to connect with your abilities, for they have always been part you of, you just were not aware they existed. Because you are going up against an adversary so diabolical and relentless, you need powerful abilities to counteract it. It is these abilities that you shall now become one with." said Clare.

Suddenly the lights in the room dimmed until they almost extinguished, the opposite of what Abby thought would happen. With the room almost pitch black Abby could no longer see any of the angels or Clare, as they had faded into the darkness.

"Abby are you alright?" asked her parents who up until this point saw nothing of the angels or Clare, only Abby speaking to them.

"Yes I'm fine, you?" she replied.

"We're fine, what's happening?" they replied.

"I think I'm getting my abilities." she replied, a little unsure.

All of the sudden a beam of light broke through the ceiling, directly above where Abby was standing, illuminating her.

"That's more like it," she replied.

"Relax, do not fight what is to come next." instructed Gemma.

"What's happening Abby?" asked her parents who could see the light but still hear nothing.

"It is part of the process, its fine," replied Abby trying to reassure her parents even though she was unsure of what to expect next.

Just then Abby started to rise off the ground and floated in mid-air.

"Oh James, look, is she alright?" asked Dolores panicking.

"Abby is fine, do not fear." answered Gemma, alleviating both Dolores and James' fears.

Relaxing, just like Gemma had instructed her to do, the feeling of weightlessness overwhelmed Abby. She felt so good, like she could do anything she wanted, and the longer she stayed floating the more intense that feeling became.

"This is amazing!" announced Abby with a huge smile on her face.

"What you are feeling is your abilities coming to life." said Gemma.

As Abby continued to receive her abilities the room got brighter and brighter until all anyone could see was an intense brilliant light. Even though it was the brightest light Abby or her parents had ever seen, they were able to look at it without it harming their eyes. This would normally not be the case, but because of the lights origin it was safe for them to gaze into, in fact it was impossible not to.

After several minutes Abby began to float toward the ground until she was back on terra firma. The brilliant bright light was still shining, and as Abby looked ahead she saw a figure start to take shape, one of a very unique and powerful persuasion.

"Who are you?" asked Abby in wonderment of this figure that drew near that she could not see clearly.

"I am Archangel Michael, defender of mankind." he answered, his voice so powerful, yet so loving.

"I can feel how much you love us!" exclaimed Abby of how far he would go to protect mankind.

"And I will not stop." he answered.

"I am so honoured to be in your presence, thank you." replied Abby almost lost for words.

"You have a long and arduous journey ahead of you, so you must prepare yourself as best you can." he replied.

Listening to what he said but trying to make out what he looked like, as his appearance was still hazy, suddenly his huge wings appeared.

"This is so amazing, and I will try, I promise." she replied still in awe of his presence.

"Over the next 2 years you will need to master your abilities, for when you turn 18 evil will know of your location and who you are. Up until now they have only known that you exist and unable to locate you, but that will change when you turn 18. This is why it is imperative that you use this 2 year period wisely, for once it ends you will need to know how to protect yourself." explained Archangel Michael.

"Does that mean I will be on my own?" asked Abby her voice trembling.

"No, angels will still be assisting you, but because evil will know where you are, they will be relentless, and you will encounter them often." he replied.

The reality of the situation was finally sinking in. Try as she did to get out of being this Chosen One, Abby was finally realising she had to quickly come to terms with that fact. Shaking her head every horror movie she had seen came flooding back to her, only this was no movie and no one could save her by yelling 'Cut'.

And so it began, for the next 2 years Abby worked harder than she had ever worked before, to master these abilities, often doubting herself. Family and friends took a back seat over this period, for all Abby could concentrate on was getting these abilities under control with the help of Gemma of course. What made it so much worse was that Abby was in the final 2 years of completing school, tough enough on its own without the added pressure of saving mankind.

Abby's friends and family knowing how important this was were always there for her, helping her where and whenever they could. But it was Gemma who Abby spent most of the next two years with, as she helped Abby not only with the physical side of things, but also the mental side. It took a lot out of Abby but she came out of that 2 years a much stronger and more determined person, hopefully ready to take on all Evil.

And so now we pick up with Abby 1 year and 364 days later, November 20th, the day before her 18th birthday. If Abby thought nothing could top the surprise she got on the day of her 16th birthday, then she was certainly going to be in for one hell of a shock this time…