The Forgotten One

Chapter Eight

Canaan opened his eyes slowly, the brightness made him cover his eyes as he tried to adjust to the light. As he adjusted, he looked around to see that he was laying on the ground in the middle of a field. He lifted head in confusion and kept looking around, he had no idea where he was or what he was doing here. Last thought he had was how he lost his daughter, he was laying on the cold stone floor in tears for his dead daughter. Now he is laying some field on a beautiful sunny day.
He thought maybe it was just a dream that he lost his daughter, that she was still alive and it was all just a bad dream. He stood up slowly and stood there for a minute, taking in all the beautiful scenery before him.
"Beautiful is it not?" A teenage voice told him.
He turned around and saw his daughter Margaret standing behind him. Her dark brown hair pulled back, revealing her beautiful face and light brown eyes. She was wearing a long cream colored dress that had no sleeves, a sword hanging from the belt that wrapped around her waist. She smiled brightly at him, running up to hug him. He embraced her strongly, never wanting to let go of her.
"I am sorry daddy." She said.
"Why baby?" He asked.
"For giving up my life to save you." She said.
That was when it all hit him at once, that Margaret was really dead. Tears started coming from his eyes again.
"Daddy why are you crying?" Margaret asked softly as she wiped the tears from his face.
"Because you are gone, baby." He sobbed. "I worked so hard to protect you, protect all of you and I have failed."
Margaret shook her head. "You have not failed." She stated. "This is God's plan. There is always a reason behind what happens. You know this, maybe this is a stepping stone to finally destroying Matthew."
Canaan nodded with tears still streaming. "I will take him down, baby." He stated. "I will make sure that he will no longer walk this earth."
"Then I have a message for you." She stated. "You are the only reason Matthew is still alive, he wishes for your death but has a secret. The reason why he has not destroyed you yet, just the people around you."
"What reason?" Canaan asked.
"Not sure." Margaret said. "I know there is a reason, but I am not sure what the reason. Another reason is that he cannot kill you unless he has his body back."
Canaan looked at her confused. "It is impossible though." He stated. "His body was destroyed. He can never get it back."
"Yes he can." Margaret stated as she pointed to a tree behind her. It was a full grown tree with many different fruits, however it was guarded by two flaming swords and a iron gate. Canaan stood there wide eyed, honestly not recognizing that the tree was there until now. He knew what tree it was, a tree that could bring either peace or chaos in the spiritual world. However, God keeps in it hidden away from the world and guarded well to keep seekers from stealing it's sweet fruits.
"The Tree of Life and Death." Canaan said stunned. "I thought there was just one tree, the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil."
Margaret shook her head. "There is two." She stated. "The only tree that grows many fruits at once. However, God kept this one hidden because He did not want man to hold the power of life and death in their hands. When Lucifer and his demons were kicked out of Heaven. One fruit was stolen from the tree, each fruit contains enough liquid to give at least two people the power to control their own death if they choose to die. However, the two people who eat from the stolen fruit are bound together for eternity. If one dies then the other shall to."
"And let me guess, Matthew has both of them." Canaan stated.
"No, he just has one." Margaret stated. "You have to find the other one dad."
"How?" He asked.
"It lays with the man who bleeds the same blood you do, but you never knew him." She stated. "He played a part in creating you, but failed to save you from the evil hidden in a dark heart of hatred."
Canaan looked at her confused. "What else Margaret?"
"That is all I can tell you dad." She said softly. "I have to go now."
"No baby wait!" Canaan yelled as he grabbed her arm as she turned away. The skies grew dark and began to rain. She turned toward him, her eyes full of hurt.
"Let me go please." She stated " I have served my purpose here and it is time for me to leave now. You will see me again one day. I love you."
In a matter of seconds, she disappeared. Canaan fell to his knees in shock, his arm still extended where he had ahold of Margaret.
"I love you to Margaret." He whispered as he collapsed to the wet grass. Feeling numb and vacant.
His whole body jerked as he woke up, he looked around and saw that he was still in the same dark room shackled to the wall. He did not know how long it has been since they took him and Margaret, but he knew Mariah was going to come for him. He just had to wait for her.
However, sounds of two people fighting were coming from outside of the door. It was a scream of pain before a heavy thud, somebody was outside attacking the people who held him captive. Then suddenly, the door was kicked in. It startled him to the point he shielded himself away from the shards of the door.
"Canaan?" A feminine voice called out softly.
He let his arm down and looked toward where the voice called out his name. It was his wife Mariah that stood in the door way with his daughter Catherine standing behind her. He sighed a breath of relief.
"I am so glad to see you." Canaan rasped. "Both of you."
Mariah smiled happily, but then it quickly faded when she looked around the room. Canaan could tell the look on her face. She was looking for Margaret. She looked back at Canaan, her eyes fearful.
"Where is Margaret?" She asked then began to panic. "Where is she! Where is my daughter?!"
Canaan shook his head as tears came down his eyes again, the tears never seemed to stop when his thoughts are reverted back to Margaret. Mariah shook her head in shock, falling to her knees as she cupped her face. She realized the horrible ordeal that Canaan had finally accepted.
"No no no!" Mariah cried out. "She cannot be gone!"
He watched as she sobbed softly to herself, unable to comfort her. Catherine stood silently at the door, facing what she already knew had happened.
After a few minutes, Mariah composed herself and set Canaan free. She put his arm over her shoulder and helped him out. He passed the now dead body or ashes of his guard. They quickly stepped outside until to fresh air and helped Canaan into the car. However, Mariah stopped and grabbed at her stomach. She grimaced slightly as she held on to her stomach, bending slightly at her knees.
"Are you alright mom?" Catherine asked concerned.
Mariah shook her head. "I am in some excruciating pain." She gasped. "I think I may be going into labor."
"What?" Catherine asked. "Now?"
Mariah nodded. "Get your father home first then take me to the hospital." She said as she pointed at Canaan who was passed out in the front seat. "I guess we are having a baby tonight."