'Very well. Who is your friend that he would have the courage to quarrel with God?'
'A mighty warrior. The mightiest of the mighty. And a man who hates Satan and everything the Beast stands for.'
'Does he have a name?'
'Yes.'
'But you're not going to tell me, are you?'
Balon was silent.
'Is God angry with your friend?'
'I doubt it. No more than He is angry with me for leaving.'
'Has your friend come to earth before?'
'Which earth?'
'Tricked you with that one, didn't I?' She smiled. 'I got some information you weren't supposed to give, I'll bet.'
'Jane Ann …' Balon seemed to sigh in exasperation.
'All right. This earth.'
'Many times.'
'Where is he?'
'He is not here.'
Jane Ann smiled. 'Michael, the archangel. Has to be. It's reasonable to assume you would make friends with him. Both of you enjoy a good fight.'
Balon projected nothing, but the mist seemed to stir.
Jane Ann giggled, the giggling startling Balon. He projected: 'What in the name of all that is right and just do you find to giggle about? A woman of your age?'
'A woman my age? Oh? I didn't realize I was so unattractive.'
'I didn't say that, Janey. I just … well, I can't seem to make you understand the seriousness of the situation.'
'Oh, I understand, believe me, I do. I know all the pain and degradation that lies before me … that I have to face before I am taken home. At least I think I do. But my main concern was of and for Sam. Now I know that he will be all right.'
'How like a woman.'
'Chauvinism in Heaven? Really, Sam! How mundane.'
'Go to sleep, Jane Ann. You're getting carried away with this verbal cuteness.'
'You're angry with me.'
'That emotion is not … really displayed in my world.'
'What emotions are allowed?'
'Allowed is not the correct word. But I'll let it be.'
'Is love allowed?'
'Of course. Love is pure and good and just. You'll see, Janey.'
'Love between two people?'
'In … a sense, yes.'
'Sam?'
'What is it now?'
'I love you, Sam Balon.'
'Go to sleep, Jane Ann.'
'Chicken.'
'Go to sleep!'
And she drifted off into a calm sleep, even though she felt she knew the horror that lay before her. She was not afraid. And when she had tucked herself into the comfortable arms of Morpheus, and her breathing had slowed, leveled, the mist that was Balon came to her, to hover over her.
And as the ever-living vapor wavered by her, Balon projected: 'Oh, Jane Ann, you do not know how hard I fought to come here; you do not know how difficult it was; and you do not know the horror that awaits you. But I do. And I will suffer as you, but will be powerless to help until the end. When your time comes, Jane Ann, don't fight it; let life slip from you; let it ebb until I can take a hand and end your suffering.
'We sinned, Jane Ann, years ago, we sinned—just as our son and my daughter have sinned and will sin again, for Him. But God works strangely, sometimes, my love, and to enter His kingdom is not the easiest or the simplest thing to do. Have strength and faith, my love, for I will be beside you in all your trials, and He will be watching us both.
