Ehude felt his body hair rise in its place as he whispered back, "Not a word. Stand still." He was sure they were being watched. He quickly removed his revolver and aimed it at the ceiling. It snarled wildly back as it clawed the ceiling defying the laws of physics. Isaac yelled bitterly with terror, "Holy God!!!" as he watched its hostile face looking back at them. It suddenly dropped to its feet with a big thud, a seven foot beast, with a pale white human complexion and black fierce eyes. Remnants of Solomon's army clothes were still on its body that was covered with a thick coat of hair. It slowly walked towards them snarling repeatedly, displaying its sharp beastly teeth and fangs. Ehude tried to fire at it but the gun was jammed. Running away wasn't an option as it stood between them and the door. Ehude was paralyzed with panic. He had no idea what should be done. He and Isaac stepped back as it advanced forward. Isaac's mind snapped with an idea. He quickly snatched a shot and retrieved a volume of sedative from his pocket as his soul raged with hysterical fear. The beast watched the doctor as he stabbed the shot in the closed plastic container and sucked its liquid into the shot. Suddenly it attacked Isaac aiming at his neck making him scream with fear. The ward door rattled for a couple of seconds in its place as the hospital staff attempted to open it. Isaac successfully dipped the shot in his arm and released the content of the shot. The beast drew panicking Isaac towards him while Ehude attacked him with his full strength. A powerful shove from his adversary hurled him to the floor. Isaac wailed wildly as the beast's jaws moved towards his neck. Another series of rattling shook the jammed door. Suddenly the beast wavered in his place, his grip lightning on the doctor’s arm. Ehude helped Isaac move away as their assailant fell to his knees. Suddenly rounds were fired shattering the door and hurling it open. Two armed soldiers and a nurse stormed in. They gasped as the beast went out cold. 

*****

The gigantic army of one hundred thousand Egyptian soldiers stood on the beach of Hurghada waiting for Ramses's orders to begin their departure out of Egypt. Ramses stood amongst the multitude of rallying soldiers praying in front of the blue waters for a miracle to happen. He announced looking at the skies up above, "Hail God of the Holy Ankh whom helped me conquer my enemies and save Egypt from the evil shrewdness of Setekh, grant me and my army a bridge to cross over the seas and fight for our rightful throne. My adversaries seek ill of my lands and the dispassion of the humans, whom slumber in their infidelity towards you, have heaved upon our worlds evil and its' allies once again. Although I never knew you before you showered me and my nation with your mercies for you are a kind and loving God. I beseech you to grant me and my people the vessel we need to repress evil once again." Hail cries soared through the shores as the gigantic army screamed with a one man's voice, "Hail God of the Holy Ankh! Hail God of the Holy Sunrise!"

A massive earthquake began on the shores. The seas in front of them filled with huge ripples as a schism broke dividing the grounds they stood on in half. The grounds trembled and the skies filled with the spine chilling thunders of the waves as they filled the growing schism. The opening deepened inshore forming the shape of a small gulf, thick clouds of mist rising from the face of its waters. Within a minute’s time the trembling stopped and the small body of sea boiled like water in a pot. The surface of the waters filled with bubbles as the waves towered in height from the energy of the heat. Suddenly colossal amounts of lava spilled out from the unfathomable bottoms and gushed through the small gulf gradually spreading towards the sea. The Egyptian army waited patiently as the lava cooled down and traveled deeper into the blue oceans heaving more thick clouds of mist into the air. Gradually the sweltering hot molten rock settled down and solidified from the surrounding wet coolness forming into earth in front of them. As what nature would need eons to do was ready within minutes to connect them into Sinai, its farther molten material still spreading deeper into the horizons, Ramses cried out, "Advance men!!!"

The enormous army treaded the wide solid bridge screaming, "Hail God of the Holy Sunrise," as bursts of mist drifted across the face of the blue waters. One hundred thousand soldiers that were firm believers in the power of the Holy Ankh and its’ God with their horses and chariots treaded the newly formed earth legion after legion towards Sinai to face the growing evil in the modern world. Shortly a depression began taking form fed by the vapors. Powerful lightning and thunders in the skies heaved their rainfall on the migration.  

*****

Sarah stood at a distance watching the sleeping beast behind the wall of thick steel bars in prison cell number thirteen of Eilat's army base. The cell was double fortified with three additional steel bars crossing its’ entrance horizontally, and high voltage electrical currents traveling through the steel wall of bars. Five well built soldiers stood with their automatics on guard surrounding the deadly cell, with orders to kill upon the slightest misdemeanor of their captive.  

Three hours had passed since his slumber began. His image sleeping on the grounds, tied in steel chains that were secured to the three concrete walls surrounding him, blurred behind the tears that swept down her eyes. She can still remember his sweet proposal to her just moments before the incident occurred at sea, as he knelt down on his knees like a pure gentleman with a red rose in his hand, softly saying, "I want you to be my fiancé sweet Sarah. Ever since I knew you and my life turned into sweet heavens. My heart never ceases to pump with life every time I look into your sweet sexy green eyes. Will you be my fiancé?"

"Yes she said. Yes Solomon." His tall handsome build moved superb womanly feelings inside her. His abundant black hair, black eyes and broad muscular shoulders, his white complexion that gleamed with youngness; she hugged him passionately afterwards. Despite being thirty and older than him in three years the huge amount of love they harbored for each other just made the age gap seem so small to be a barrier in their relationship. Would he be cured of this present menace? Would she be able to see him again? 

A wave of pain flashed through her breast as she knew the hopeless answers. No medical cure lied but God's mercy to his problem. Doctor Isaac told her that his young complexion was totally changed to some beastly inhuman image. But Solomon still has to be alive inside him. It’s the same heart and beautiful mind; it's probably just clothed with some ghastly entity. Just one more look at him won't hurt; just a farewell look won't be of harm. Within her pains she ordered, "Open the door soldier."

The soldiers surrounding her looked back with surprise. One of them answered, "Ma'am I'm sorry but Brigadier Ehude ordered…"

She snapped back, "I don't care what Brigadier Ehude ordered. Just open the door and close it back behind me once I step in."

"Ma'am, I'm sorry, I'm unable to comply!"

"Then don't you dare obstruct my path." She clutched the high voltage lever that laid a short distance away from the entrance and pulled it down. A siren soared through the premises. The beast awoke, rattling the chains that held him. The soldiers looked at him with fear as the clattering reverberated from inside the cell. She clutched the handles of the bars and moved them to the right, one after the other, till only a turn of a key rested between her and her fiancé. She ordered firmly as the sirens increased in volume, echoing through the empty prison cells, "Give me the key soldier!" The tall young man looked back at her totally perplexed between refusing the command of a superior officer or complying. In seconds she screamed back, "Soldier give me the keys now!" All four soldiers looked with deep tension as Sarah took the keys and turned the lock. They shivered as she opened the heavy door, its' hinges squeaking, their automatics aimed at the creature that battled with his chains. The lights of the cell placed her in full view as she stood at the entrance. The soldier that gave her the keys blurted out with a panicky voice as he closed back the door quickly with a loud slam, "Our orders are to blow this cell to kingdom come if our prisoner is loose! That door will just not open back up till everybody in the cell is sodomized ma'm! Are you aware of this?!"

She looked at the beast and said silently, "Till death do us part. Activate the security soldier."

Within seconds the bars were sliding back in their place and the high voltage was running through the cell silencing the alarms. The corridor of the cells suddenly boomed with loud thuds as Brigadier Ehude and Doctor Isaac with ten soldiers came running towards the cells. Ehude screamed at the soldiers on duty, "WHAT THE HELL IS GIONG ON!!!" 

The soldiers saluted the Brigadier and said, "Major Sarah insisted on breaking your orders sir and ordered us to grant her access to the cell."

Ehude snapped back, his face blazing with madness, as he looked at Sarah approach the beast who was restlessly toiling to break free from the chains. "YOUR ORDERS WERE CLEAR SOLDIER!!!"

The soldier shook from the anger of the Brigadier as he replied, "Sir I just got confused as she refused to comply with your orders sir. She personally cut down the voltage and entered on her own risk sir."

"SARAH WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING. COME BACK!!!" Ehude's voice thundered through the cells.

Doctor Isaac screamed back, "Daughter don't do this! He is no longer human! Please come back!"

Sarah looked back at Ehude and Isaac for a couple of seconds then ignored their warnings completely. Despite the two gentlemens advanced age and experience in life they stood watching the brave women with no clue as to what could be done. She headed towards Solomon slowly and carefully as he toiled with his binding steel. He released a roar from time to time annoyed from his captivity. She stopped under a light that placed her in full view. He stopped his thrashing about and looked at her. A chill raced down her spine as she looked at his extra ordinary gigantic seven foot build, the thick patches of fur that partly covered his once handsome face and that filled his body, the long beastly claws that spurred from his hairy fingers and toes, his heavy breathing that spurred a soft current making strains of hair on her head sway with it; his entire appearance was just so shocking. She hated to admit it at first but doctor Isacc's words were true. 

The beast hurled a menacing frown towards her and pulled at the chains once again. Ehude yelled out a warning again, "Sarah you are too near. We won't be able to do anything if you are in danger."

"And leave him to die! It’s worth a try!"

The beast gasped as he heard her voice. He calmly looked at her with a blank expression as she said in a calm voice, "Solomon. Don't you remember me? Solomon its Sarah, your Sarah that you love." She knelt before him savoring some comfort at his silence, "Yes its' me Solomon. I know you can remember me."

Ehude's heart thundered with panic as he saw her kneel down and approach him more. He ordered sternly , "If she so much as says ouch, aim directly and fire at him."

The soldiers aimed their weapons towards him in anticipation of any emergency as Sarah stretched out her arm and touched his furry hands. The beast looked at her gently, his eyes suddenly filling with softness and warmth. 

"Don't you remember my gentle touch, how my skin feels against yours' Solomon. I knew you would remember me."

He released a rough growl as she patted his hand. He raised his other hand and placed it on top of hers'. Sarah's heart skipped a bit as she saw the tears come to his eyes. She knew he was in pain. 

Solomon's body was bound by iron chains and his soul was bound by viciousness and hunger for blood and violence. Suddenly his body rocked with the will to free itself of its strong bondage. A horrid voice sounded in his mind, "She is human. Kill her. Don't spare her…kill Solomon…kill her…" He resisted it and closed his eyes but it just kept running through his mind like an automated message. His body released spasms and his chains rocked with his thrashing. Sarah jumped back startled from the scene as a shower of bullets struck different areas of his arms. He roared with pain as the bullets tore at his flesh. The pain made him rattle the chains more powerfully making them break off the wall. Sarah screamed, "STOP!!!" as she jumped between him and the soldiers. The soldiers eyed with fear the beast stand fully erect behind her, his arms bleeding from the shots. Ehude screamed, "SARAH LOOK OUT!!!"

Sarah looked back with horror at Solomon whom was walking towards her. She moved away from his path as he released husky moans and covered his wounds with his arms. Drops of blood trickled down from his body massively. Ehude panicked and ordered, "Shoot!" Another wild wave of bullets tore out making Solomon dance and roar wildly in his place. Sarah begged hysterically, "STOP PLEASE YOUR HURTING HIM!!!" Solomon fell to his knees and looked up at Sarah. He managed in a human feeble voice, "It told me to hurt you…but I couldn't…" He fell down lifeless on the grounds. Sarah released an anguished yell and hurried up to him. She knelt in despair crying hysterically at the bloody sight. She screamed from the depths of her soul, "Are you happy now!!! He is dead!!!" her crying thundered through the prison cells as she hovered over him. 

The cell door opened. Ehude and Isaac slowly entered followed by the soldiers whom circled the sight. Isaac knelt besides her calmly, touching her shuddering shoulders with his old senile hands, "I'm sorry Sarah. There was nothing else we could do. We thought he was going to hurt you."

She looked towards the ceiling lamenting, her abundant tears trickling down her face and dropping on the body underneath her, "Dear God I only need your sympathy with me. Please God give him back to me!!! Please!!! Have mercy on me!!!" 

Ehude walked up to them unable to fight back his tears. He wiped the wetness off his face with the back of his hands and whispered in Isaac's ear, "Leave them alone for now."

As the cells echoed with Sarah's grievances Isaac decided to heed Ehude's request. He was about to stand up when a sudden inner tuition made him look back at Solomon. Sarah hadn't noticed what was happening from the despair that was clouding her soul and mind. Something was going on. Isaac looked with wonder as the hostile features gradually diminished from the young man. His fur completely disappeared and his claws fell off his hands. His body gradually returned to its normal size. His chest began to incredibly move with breath. "Sarah move away from the body."

"Just leave me alone doctor."

Isaac picked up one of his arms. The human skin of his wrist twitched with pulse as he felt it. He exclaimed with hope, "Sarah your prayers have been answered. Our Mighty God must have heard you. Just look at Solomon!"

Sarah's eyes widened with surprise. She gasped as she looked at the body. 

Isaac blurted out excitedly, "This is a miracle; and he still has pulse. Soldiers move him to med center quickly. We have to operate quickly."

*****

MONDAY 15TH OF AUGUST 

THE WHITE HOUSE, USA

Tension filled the diplomatic world as news of the paranormal activities flashed like a lightning bolt from the Middle East across Europe, and settled finally in the White House. President Helen Evergreen sat behind her bureau astounded by the calls that informed her of the situations. Tides of uncertainty thundered through her as she picked up the telephone and ordered Sue her secretary, "Don't let anyone in my office for the next half an hour till my guests arrive. I just want to relax a little bit."

"Yes Madame President," said the obedient young voice as she closed the telephone. 

"What is going on?" she asked herself. "Who is responsible for releasing this hell on Earth? Was it a cult? And what about the two gigantic sinister armies that are heading towards Sinai to clash with their very conventional weapons?" Her spine chilled from the incidents. "And to top her fears, the confrontation with the vampire and the military crew on duty in Eilat that almost succeeded in transforming the victim of the happening into a similar replica of the assailant." These things were supposed to be happening in cine films only.    

Contrasting superbly with her fears were the semi relaxing feelings that would calm her down when she would look at the clock and see its' advancing hands move her closer to the meeting with her guests. Cardinal Joseph Leaves, The Pope's Ambassador to her country, Sheikh Zaher Al-As'ad Dean of Egypt's famous Islamic Azhar University, and Rabbi Ariel Aaron Professor of Judaism and Philosophy at New York's Good Faith University were due in a short while. Being successful personalities and holding sensitive posts in the world of monotheism, big hope lied with their religious experience and theological knowledge of the scriptures. At least for sure they would relieve her of the lethal solution General Thompson proposed in their telephone call moments ago. The A bomb certainly wasn't an option on her agenda. It solves a problem but opens a series of others' within the devastation it causes. What would become of the human beings in the surrounding areas after the explosion? The general couldn't give her any safety guarantee for the people in the neighboring cities. Not everything to her was measured through military success but success remained in how effective and damage free the resolve was.

"Mother of all crises should a military personality hold a diplomatic post or run against ethics and decency," She thought. The general came to her mind at these words. The last of the reports GBI gave her about him was his travel to the Middle East to pursue some treasure; and what the GBI found out about his connections was totally incredible. The late Senator Richard Browning, Daniela Charles, Jennifer Redford, Jeffery Tailor, Anthony Fleming, and Leonardo Milano, were all big names owning companies and big bank accounts. However suspicious dark operations lurked very close to them. Drug trafficking, black market operations, and tax fraud were some of their upcoming worries once GBI finishes gathering the evidence against them. At her knowledge of their criminal activities she personally swore that their licking will be enough to make them spend the rest of their lives in the slammer. If it is something she hates, its betrayal and disloyalty. 

The organization, the general and the late senator were all of the same type and their loyalty was not for their country but for their private interests. They polluted their society with poisons, stole money away from their tax dues depriving their society of income that would have been spent on their state’s welfare, and unrightfully conducted trade on stolen antiques worth fortunes. What was next on their list? God forbid that they be rendered any longer in society to add any further felonies to their criminal achievements. Why don't people want to make money the decent way? Probably taking those people to court for their doings won't solve the entire crime problems of the US but as long as she was in office it was her duty to do the best she could to keep her society as clean as possible. 

Helen took off her high heels and gave a sigh of relief as she enjoyed the softness of the thick furry carpet underneath her feet. The rims of her high heels that she wore since the early morning hours left soft marks just above her toes and around the back of her ankles. She leaned back in her seat savoring some comfort and relaxation after her long day at work. Don't nation leaders get tired like the rest of the human beings from their full agendas and work behind their offices. Nine till five for her was understating the burdens on her shoulders. Its' not like after five she would close her office and retire home, leaving any unfinished ends till tomorrow. She was the president of the United States of America in her office and outside of the white house, whether she was enjoying a cup of tea with her mother whom she visited in Brooklyn at times or when off on some entertainment while trying to balance out her work pressure like she would do sometimes. It was a reality that has been attached to her 24/7 for two successful terms and will be the new reality of the upcoming counterpart whom she hoped will be an efficient person that will carry her nation into more success in the future. Suddenly her telephone rang. She answered, "Yes."

"Madame President your guests have just arrived."

She answered as she quickly wore back her high heels and stood up, "Please let them in."

She walked to the door that connected her to her secretary's office with a warm smile, her attractiveness beaming from the chic light blue dress she wore as Sue hospitably ushered the religious figures in. She welcomed them and walked them to the couch set saying, "A thousand pardons for my very quick invitation but I hope the details I had to give you on the phone will plead for this unannounced conference." 

All three sat down with obvious unsuccessful attempts to smile back at her hospitable welcome. The Rabbi's expression's informed his on looker that he was aloft in another world. It wasn't hard for her to know that the men in front of her had a lot going on in their minds just from the first glance at them. 

Cardinal Joseph Leaves was a very spiritual person with a calm disposition at sixty years of age. He was a thin fellow with average height although his black clergy wear veiled his figure somewhat. He had a heart shaped face with obvious old age wrinkles at the edge of his black eyes, the sides of his mouth and on the top of his hands. The showing areas around his pink cap that he wore on his bald head shined superbly underneath the office chandeliers contrasting with his tan complexion. He was the first to answer back Helen, "Madame President I'm enchanted greatly to be in your office again."

Sheikh Zaher Al-As'ad was a short chubby fellow at fifty five years of age. He had a circular face with a white complexion and blue eyes implying to the viewer a Caucasian decent. A very pacified expression characterized his normal facial features as he looked back at Helen with his chubby cheeks and calm disposition. He was clothed in a beige tunic. A white turban wrapped the top of his head and that was commonly worn by the Muslim religious figures. He spoke with excellent English to his host, "When his Excellency Omar Sidki asked my university to call me in from my vacation to your council, I was extremely elated with the invitation Madame President. The religious forum I am attending currently in D.C. will definitely not keep me from your conference."

Helen asked with interest, "You speak English like a pure American Mr. Zaher."

"Yes ma'am. My mother is a retired American archeologist currently living in Egypt with my father. My father was an employee at the Ministry of Tourism when he met my mother at an excavation expedition in Cairo. It just happened. Within less than a month they married."

Helen replied courteously, "Love knows no boundaries, race or color."

Rabbi Moses Cohen suddenly snapped involuntarily, "That is it!"

Helen jumped in her place as the other two guests looked at him with surprise. The man with an oval aged face, grey hair reflecting his advanced seventy years and shaky bony hands that were clutched on his walking stick that rested between his knees, commented with a wavering voice, "A powerful dose of true love that is enough to penetrate through man's cruelty and hatred, and combine us regardless of race or religion together with the love and compassion that we are losing from our hearts. I'm sorry daughter for my abrupt intrusion but ever since you told me the reports of what has happened in Israel and the rest of the surrounding states and I have thought restlessly about what might have been the causes."

Helen's eyes bounced between the three gentlemen as they sat silently contemplating the Rabbi's words. She asked, "I'm extremely troubled about the reports. Had they been channeled to me through any other source I wouldn't have believed them, but the nation heads have contacted me with concerns. I didn't know who else to turn to as this is not a problem I felt I could tackle through my usual authorities."

Cardinal Leaves looked at the Rabbi and said, "Rabbi Moses your words are true. Our churches are a lot of times rendered empty even on Sundays and sin is very widespread these days in our world."

Sheikh Zaher agreed, "I fear our Lord is greatly upset because of the lack of faith and love in our human hearts. War is erupting everywhere in our globe. Greed for money has infested our hearts instead of our will to love and sacrifice. As we continue to solve our problems through aggressiveness rather than compromise and love, our Lord will never be satisfied with his subjects."

The Rabbi looked at the President, "Being human beings means mistakes are bound to be committed. Our history and scriptures have taught us that when our God would be angry with us for our trespasses as humans, a lot of times his fairness willed that we would be surrendered into our enemies' hands. Fine ancient examples are our bondage for four hundred years in Egypt that came after the great famine years and our captivation by the Babylonians. Our God is a very just God but there is a reason why he goes angry and disciplines us. Now I'm not saying that it was his intension to cause the fiendish activities that you told us about."

Helen asked perplexed, "Explain to me more."

The Cardinal explained, "Well it is enough that our Lord withdraws his blessings and The Holy Ghost from our Lives and communities. Then our lives would be rendered without any true Sanctity."

"Without God's blessing in our lives and His sanctity, we would be left without his protection." Sheikh Zaher looked with concern at the assembly and continued his comments, "I fear we need to inform our parishes of what is going on…"

"And announce a day of prayer in our respective worship houses. Our churches have always encouraged our people to do so."

"Although we will need at least four days for our cables to effectively reach all our Synagogues it is a step we have to take."

"I can only imagine that this wonderful day of united prayer will move our God's compassionate heart towards us again. It has always been my wish for a united global prayer day involving all our mosques together around the Muslim world; and now we have an opportunity to do so with the rest of the monotheistic faiths. This is unsurpassed in the history of mankind."

The Cardinal looked at Helen and asked, "Our Pope will issue a declaration to all our parishes, calls to our international community, and all our warring nations that violence has to stop and cease at least on that particular day of national prayer."

Helen looked with concern at the three religious figures' suggestion and sat silently in her place for a moment's time. "What they are saying is correct. Without a joint act of faith such as a national day of prayer, there present predicament will never end. She spoke, "I will draft the announcement immediately. When do you propose this to happen?"

The Cardinal smiled back at the Rabbi and said, "I foresee it coming in five days, on next Saturday evening."

Helen replied contently, "Saturday is sacred in all our faiths."

Sheikh Zaher explained, "Saturday in Arabic is pronounced "Sabt" which is derived from a root word meaning stillness. That is why the seventh day of the weak when our God finished his creations is called "SABT"

"Splendid day for joint prayers," replied the Rabbi contently. "Our God declared this day as the holiest day of the week in our Bible as well; and its evening time according to our ancient calendars, is counted as the beginning of Sunday which is a blessed day for the Christian faith. That is why Easter Sunday Mass is preformed Saturday Evening."

Cardinal Leaves asked, "Madame President, after your permission, next Saturday at six in the evening D.C. time, joint prayers will be available to the seekers of spiritual asylum of our faiths."

By Marcelle Mansour

The “Palestine at a Crossroads Conference” – Forum of Middle East Affairs- was held on Thursday 25 June 2015, at the New South Wales Parliament House, the Theatrette. The seminar was attended by Mr. Ahmad Farid Vice Consul of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Australia, and a diverse selection of elite in politics and journalism, culture, arts and business areas.

The Hon Shaoquett Moslemane MLC chaired the Seminar that included fives speeches delivered by five guest speakers as follows:

Professor Emeritus Stuart Rees, The University of Sydney - “The Power of Language in the Palestinian Political Struggle for a homeland.” . Associate Professor Dr Peter Slezak, The University of New South Wales -“The comparative analysis of Palestinian and Jewish rights – or claimed rights to a homeland.” .  Former Associate Professor Ahmad Shboul AM, The University of Sydney - “The Inter-Arab Crisis and its Impact on the Palestine Cause.”.   H.E. Ali Kazak, Former Ambassador and Head of Delegation (Palestine) - “Is a Two State Solution still possible?”  Mr Tony Sabella, Journalist -“The role of the Palestinian Diaspora in the Palestinian Cause.”

The Forum was very successful. It interestingly addressed various topics and covered critical analysis. All the participant speakers received “Certificates of Appreciations” by The Hon Shaoquett Moslemane MLC.  Congratulations to all and sincere thank you goes to all the guest speakers and attendees in general.  Warm thanks go - in particular - to the Chair Hon Shaoquett Moslemane MLC who organised and hosted this important event, and for being always of a great support to the Palestininan cause.

"Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father!" (Lydia M. Child, U.S. Author)  

Canadians observe Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June. It is a day for people to show their appreciation for fathers, grandfathers, godfathers and fatherly figures. Father figures may include stepfathers, fathers-in-law, guardians, foster parent, and family friends. 

Hopefully, all men will have the blessed grace of being fathers. Being a father is a heavenly endowment, a great satisfaction, and a fulfilling Godly obligation as the Holy Bible teaches us: "Genesis 1:28 "God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it."

Almighty God has blessed both parents, fathers and mothers and recommended that they be honored, respected, cared for, and obeyed by their children. God's fifth commandment delineates this heavenly obligation and duty: ""Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which The Lord your God gives you." (Exodus 20:12 )

God is our Holy Father, and we all, men and women, are His beloved children. Fathers on Earth are God's servants who are entrusted by Him to safeguard, raise, embrace, support, provide and teach their children. Meanwhile fathers are required to carry their holy duties in raising their children in the fear of God, with the best of their knowledge, all their resource and means, full devotion and with all required sacrifices. 

Fathers are the cornerstone of their families upon which children depend, learn, nurture, hold fast and shape their lives. Caring, devoted and righteous fathers are always given a hand by God and blessed for their rearing and erection of boundaries. Today we are celebrating "Fathers' Day", with all those who cherish fathers, appreciate their sacrifices and honor their Godly role. Best wishes to all fathers hoping they will be shown today all the due gratitude from their sons and daughters. On this very special day our deceased fathers' and mothers' spirits are roaming around sharing with us our joy and happiness, God bless their souls. 

Attitudes of gratitude or ingratitude towards fathers on Fathers' Day, are very sensitive issues that affect and touch the hearts and minds of many people. These two contradicting attitudes exhibit how much a person is either appreciative or ungrateful. The majority of people hold on dear to their fathers and do all that they can to always show them their great and deeply felt gratitude, while sadly there are those odd ones out who show no gratitude, abandon them and even at times endeavour to ruin their lives and inflict harm and pain on them. By doing so and negating God's commandments that stress an utmost respect for parents, these people make themselves enemies of Christ Himself. Definitely God will be angry about such condemned conduct. This deviation from all human norms occur because of ignorance, selfishness, lack of faith and hope. These people fall into temptation, become proud of what they should be ashamed of, worship things that belong to this world and forget all about "Judgment Day".

Colossians 3/20: "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord". 

Leviticus 20/09: "For anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or his mother; his blood is upon him" 

Fathers no matter what must be loved, honored, dignified and respected. God Himself is a Father and He will not bless those who deny their fathers' heavenly right of fatherhood and respect. In this context, Billy Graham says: "A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society." The Holy Bible in tens of its verses warns and puts on notice all those with callous hearts and numbed conscience who show no gratitude to their fathers and break their hearts. 

Isaiah 46:4: "Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save."

Even when fathers are abandoned by their children and denied their heavenly rights, they never ever hold any grudges, feelings of hatred or hostility against them. No matter what, fathers always wish their children health, prosperity and success. One of our Lebanese deeply rooted sayings portray how fathers constantly feel towards their ungrateful children: " My heart beats for my son no matter what, while my son's heart is callous like a rock". Many verses in the Holy Bible overtly call on the children to treat their parents with love, endurance, affection and utmost care. At the same time the Bible instructs parents to value the Godly delegation to them to raise their children with all means of righteous, protection and provision.

Proverbs 23/22: "Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old". 

Ephesians 06/01-02: "Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents, for this is the right thing to do. Respect your father and mother is the first commandment that has a promise added: so that all may go well with you, and you may live a long time in the land".

Many grown-up men and women do not appreciate their parents' sacrifices unless they themselves have become parents. Back home in Lebanon where the family has always been sacred, we have a saying that shows how important it is in the eyes of the God that parents are always to be respected, honored and loved. "God will not bless or facilitate the life of those who mistreat their parents and He will reply to the parents' wrath when they ask for punishment for their ungrateful children". Good, loving , faithful and God-fearing fathers know no hatred, grudges or despair. They remain, always, hopeful and keep on praying to Almighty God that their children, (grateful or ungrateful ) are constantly healthy, prosperous, happy, and successful . 

Philippians 04/04-07: "May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice! Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. The Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.". 

Happy Fathers' Day to all Fathers. 

By Marcelle Mansour

It was pleasure to attend the Australian Middle East Media Group (AMEmedia), proudly held the 4th Annual Gala Dinner on the 19th of June at the Bellevue Reception, Bankstown.  In the presence of the Hon Bill Shorton –MP Leader of the Opposition; Senator the Hon Concetta Fierrvanti-Wells presenting, the message of the Prime Minister of Australia the Hon Tony Abbott; Dr Geoff Lee MP, Representative of the Premier of NSW the Hon Mike Bird; The Hon Shaoqett Moslemane MLC and His Excellency Mr Milad Road –Charge D’Affairs a.i.of the Embassy of Lebanon to Australia & representing the Arabic ambassadors council in Australia.

The MC was Mrs Naomi Tsvirko Editor –in- Chief of ElTelegraph Weekend; the Arabic keynote speaker was Mr Antoine Kazzi Editor -in- Chief of El-Telegraph newspaper and English keynote speaker was Mr Barry Barakat Advisor at AMEmedia. Mr Joe Rizk CEO of the Arab Bank Australia was the (Major Sponsor) and the music was played by the composer Mr Alex Hadchiei. Not to forget the Gala Dinner was highlighted by the entertainment of Al-Dababir comedy show that made the audience laugh time. 

(AMEmedia) is represented by El-Telegraph newspaper, Al Anwar newspaper, Anoujoum magazine, the Middle East Online and the newly launched English “etw” El telegraph weekend. This is in addition to their partnership alliance with “national News Agency –Labanon”and the “Press Club Lebanon”

 According to the Chairman Mr Wally Wehbe, (AMEmedia) proved to hold the leading position with a solid track record within the ethnic media industry: “We are the number one Middle Easteren ethnic media provider in the Australian market”. “Since the launch of our range of newspapers, magazines and websites, we continue to be the dominant player in the Middle Eastern news market in Australia, as well as being one of the leading groups in reporting Australian news internationally.” Chairman Mr Wally Wehbe stated in the text of his annual message.

The 4th Annual Gala Dinner was highly successful. It was attended by a massive crowd of various Australian community members, colleagues and friends where all had the pleasure to meet and chat on the occasion. 

The minister yelled at the professor with nervousness, "What is going on?! Where the hell did all those mummies come from?" He took out his pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket and lit one as he looked at the professor in anticipation of his reply.

The professor's pale face was bouncing between the car windows looking at the scenes outside, "I don't know. I never saw anything like this or read anything about it. I swear I don't know."

"YOU ARE THE PROFESOR!!! YOU SHOULD HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS!!!"

He looked at the minister and answered with a sincere look, "I know but believe me I don't know anything."

The atmosphere around them filled with violent tire screeching and metal clashing as a number of cars on the roads honked and dodged around the running ancient bodies while others crashed into one another as they helplessly tried to drive around the multitudes in the area. The minister's chauffeur madly beat the horns but to no avail as the crowds forced him to drive in semicircles down the roads trying to safely drive the minister through the ghastly obstacles.

The minister threw his hands in frustration as he wailed, "WHAT IS GOING ON IN EGYPT!!! I FEEL I'M LIVING THROUGH SOME VOODOO FAIRYTALE!!!" Suddenly the minister's eyes locked on something through his window that made him scream with terror, "AND LOOK AT THE SKELETONS!!!" 

Chariots driven by human skeletons and pulled by the skeletal bodies of horses burst from openings in the green grounds around the roads. The iron of the chariots glistened in the morning lights as they stormed across the roads hindering the minister's car. The villagers of the areas ran out of their houses dancing madly with panic and fear as the lush vegetation and shrubs were chopped down by the ancient soldiers that were flooding their area like a high tide, feeding the march towards Luxor. One human skeleton took a horse that was tied to a tree near him and rode it. It bucked a couple of times afraid of the horrific entity riding it but the skeleton was able to break its wildness skillfully. It's owner that was plowing a piece of land nearby with oxen ran up to it as it screamed out loud but soon dashed back yelling with dread at what he saw. In no time the horse was galloping off catching up with the rest of the soldiers in their march.

"I just remembered. I believe I got it your Excellency," the professor screamed. "These guys are waging war!"

"No! I think their having a Halloween party down in the Valley. Of course they are off to war. I can see that from there armor! I just hope we are not their striking target!" 

"Your Excellency you are missing my point. They don't care about us. They would have hurt us when we were back in the Valley! You see when the pharaoh commanded me to move out of his way he told me my war is not with you!"

"MEDHADT STEP ON IT!!! OUR PRIME MINISTER HAS TO HEAR ABOUT THIS!!!"

The professor continued while his mind panicked with reasoning, "Something provoked these guys anger to the extent that they rose to fight it back. I just wonder what it is."

The infinite thousands of soldiers grouping in legions, the countless chariots that were parking with military precession, all yelled death warnings to their enemies and to whoever dared to threaten their country, while they gathered in the valley and around the surrounding cliffs. Within an hour's time the campaign was almost ready for the march that was hundreds of miles long through the Egyptian wilderness. 

Ramses's mummy stood proudly in the midst of his threatening soldiers and commanded, "MOVE SOLDIERS, TO SINAI!!!"

*****

Omar Sidki the PM of Egypt sat silently behind his luxurious bureau in deep thought with a big frown on his face to the extent that he didn't react with Medhadt and Charles entrance to his spacious office in the Prime Ministry. Omar's office manager closed the door behind the guests at their request as they took calm respectful steps towards the silent man. 

Medhadt greeted as they stopped in front of his bureau, "Good morning your Excellency." The figure remained silent. Thinking his frown and silence was because of the surprise conference request Medhadt apologized saying, "I'm sorry for the short notice council with you sir but I can assure you the matter is of grave importance."

"I heard Medhadt." The PM answered dryly. He gestured the gentlemen to sit down. "I just don't know what to do."

Medhadt and Charles looked at each other with despair as they heard the PM's remark. Omar was a thin five foot and a half gentleman in his late forties with some gray hair spurring around both sides of his head. He had a white complexion, black eyes and a heart shaped face. His office was barely decorated aside from two beautiful paintings, one depicting the pyramids of Giza and the other a green wilderness full of leafless trees giving the impression of an autumn atmosphere. A distance across his fine redwood bureau was a set of fine black leather couches. Medhadt and Charles were seated on leather chairs located on both ends of his bureau opposite of each other. 

Charles finally spoke, "Your Excellency I fear that something as grave as this would have had to have been provoked by something yet more sinister and gruesome."

"Professor…," 

Medhadt abruptly interrupted the PM apologizing. "Please excuse my unexplainable poor manners as I failed to introduce…" Suddenly he noticed that the PM called his friend rightfully by his expertise, "So you know my friend Professor Charles?"

"It's OK Medhadt. No apology is needed. I already knew of your press conference with the professor. When General Hussein, head of Police, telephoned to confirm the catastrophe in Luxor, he mentioned that both of you were hosting a press conference in celebration of the discovery that channeled this havoc. Now professor do you have any idea what provoked this or how on earth we can end it."

"What I can tell you is I heard the mummy that is supposedly that of Ramses II say that they were headed towards Sinai. The thing they are colliding with rests at Sinai or beyond."

Medhadt commented, "Only three nations rest after Sinai, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Jordan."

Omar threw his hands up in frustration saying, "Or the sea perhaps!" He cupped his face in his hands and spoke, "So I have to contact all three PM's in those countries and ask them if anything fishy was reported to them today. I feel so embarrassed." He banged his office with his fists commenting, "Great God. I have to do what I have to do."

He telephoned his secretary and commanded, "Connect me with His Excellency Hayel Al-Udwan, PM of Jordan on the phone. Kindly tell him this is an emergency please. If he is not available connect me with his deputy Hamdy El-Suroor." He placed the receiver back on the desk while Medhadt stated, "I'm no less frustrated than you are your Excellency. We have to know what it is. If it annoyed our dead it will be annoying to us eventually."

"Your Excellency I stood face to face with Ramses's mummy. It didn't hurt me. It told me in its antique language that its’ war is with someone else."

"We shall soon know professor. We shall soon know."

The phone on the PM's desk rang. He picked it up enthusiastically, "Hello…Mr. Udwan?…Your Excellency…Thank you…I can assure you it is a matter of national security that has propelled me to call you so abruptly…you see a certain province of our nation was troubled with irregular or perhaps things within the context of paranormal activity this morning and I was only asking if anything of a similar nature was brought to your attention in Jordan. Even if it’s of a general nature or of minimal importance to you it can mean a lot to us…"

Suddenly Omar grew uncomfortable and sat up in his chair listening attentively, "I see…Oh is it that serious? You are not alone…You don't want to know what has just happened in Egypt…Its not any better. What ever is battling your battalions right now has provoked the anger of a huge ancient Egyptian army that just rose out of their graves; our army has just closed off Luxor to any civilians but our headquarters gave strict orders to avoid any unnecessary clashes…My deepest condolences to the families of your martyrs…"

A deep frown grew on Medhadts’ and Charles' faces as they heard Omar ask his counterpart, "What happened."

*****

"DESERT RAGE DESERT RAGE DO YOU COPY?!" Colonel Hafeth's radio screamed with the panicking voice as the skies lit with lightning and thundered above. The rain drops trickled down on Colonel Hafeth's helmet and tan face as he grabbed the radio from his waist and answered back, "Speak to me!"

"They are everywhere by the thousands! We are locked in our jeeps and are unable to descend."

"Try to move away from the area now!!!"

"Our jeeps are stuck in the mud. We can't move a meter and its' just not safe."

"What the hell are they!!!?"

"Anything but humans" A distortion arose then the signal got caught off

"Surveillance do you cop?!"

Colonel Hafeth radio remained silent. Deeply distressed he radioed to General Riyadh. Soon he heard his voice answering. 

"General I have some disturbing news."

"Just say it. It's been a terrible day since the earliest hours."

"Our surveillance units might not be able to make it back alive. General whatever is out there is not human and definitely not pleasant."

"God have mercy on us. Listen the best thing for you to do is reroute your trip back to Kerak. Retaliate when you have to but switch routes. I will send back up soon."

"I will do my best but I have a soldier’s instinct that we will end up clashing with them very soon. They seem to be in big multitudes general."

"Wait further orders from me."

Colonel Hafeth eyed the movements across the horizons with awe. The movement was just gigantic. As the seconds passed he was able to see their mobs storm sporadically across the muddy desert. "Colonel Hafeth did you copy my orders."

He snapped back in the radio, "BATTALIONS IN POSITION, STANDBY TO ENGAGE IN WAR!"

"HAFETH WHAT IS GOING ON!!!?"

 "General the hostiles are at eye visibility to me. Estimated clashing point is within three minutes maximum!"

The two battalions dispersed themselves quickly in legions of one hundred soldiers behind twenty heavy canons across a one kilometer length. The fifty tanks that accompanied the battalions took their fighting positioning and waited for their orders. As the colonel gave the firing orders to the soldiers' the canons surprisingly stood without life. Soon the power of the tanks died down tearing any hope for heavy fire power. The captains tried their automatics that were in their hands but only to find them jammed. As the colonel heard the feedback on the radio he picked up his binoculars and eyed the far fronts. He gulped hard as he saw the lengthy creatures with their swords and spears in their hands; their gruesome human bodies that were full of dense hair and beastly bull heads with long horns. Their sight made him shiver with alarm and distress. "What ghastly demons are these?" He thought as he studied them. Two captains came running up to him with pale faces as he placed down his binoculars ravaged with distress. Despite his powerful faith in his strong men he knew that they are going to get slaughtered up with this wicked inhuman army. But still he knew deep inside that his men were part of an army with great achievements of bravery and will not run away from a battle no matter what the circumstances are. He looked at the legion behind him that was standing like a wall of solid concrete waiting for his orders. He looked at the two lengthy well built captains saying, "We have no other way but to fight man to man." He withdrew his sword as the captains returned obediently to their stations screaming," PREPARE FOR BATTLE!!!." He radioed his men screaming, "ATTACK AT WILL," as the gruesome beastly enemy barely two hundred yards away heaved chilling beastly howls at them and quaked the grounds underneath their feet from their outstanding numbers. 

The open fields filled superbly with the Jordanian battalions’ fierce yells as they raced towards the demons. Within seconds the battle field lit viciously with sword banging and ruthless brawling. Numerous casualties fell from both sides as the battle grounds gradually filled with the dead and their body parts. However the battalions were unaware that they were fighting an army with a count that doesn’t end. The creatures' numbers were restored constantly during the fight. Soon they were outnumbered with the unretreating counts of their opponents against their casualties. The battalions’ violent defense was no match for the vast numbers of beasts. After one long hour of brutality the two Jordanian battalions were finished and the creatures continued their threatening run towards the villages of the southern parts of the kingdom, leaving nothing but bloody mud in the Wadi Rum deserts. In the mean time a general evacuation was in progress in the southern parts of the Kingdom. 

*****

The wretched beings feasted on every living animal they found in their wake as they came up on the emptied villages in the southern parts of the Jordan. Domesticated beasts, birds and common animals were prey to their insatiable appetites as they tore at their raw flesh and nourished themselves. Despite the successful lengthy evac operations, many citizens in the far province of Aqaba were left behind with no refuge but the churches, mosques and their prayers.  

As the assailing legions reached Aqaba City on the shores a few scores of its’ creatures picked up the smell of fresh human blood close by. They broke off from the gigantic multitude dispersed in the empty city streets and followed the scent till they arrived to a mosque and church built besides each other within the city neighborhoods. The two religious estates that were full of families and children made them boil with want. They howled viciously as they circled the estates looking for a way to break down the holiness that clothed them. 

Father David from the Orthodox faith stood in the center of the church calming down his beloved brethren that were shaking with fear with his warm friendly disposition. A five foot and a half chubby fellow with a white complexion, black hair and beard, and blue wide eyes he stood confidently stating to the scores of people that were seated on the benches, "Our Lord asked us to pray so we will be always with him with our hearts and souls. Fear not for our Lord will hear our cries soon. I will leave you for a seconds’ time and ring the bells of the church…"

Suddenly disagreement from the crowd snapped back, "No father. Its too dangerous," "It's safer inside the church," "Please don't leave us alone," the concerned voices sounded unendingly.  

He replied with assurance, "I have no fear of them. Look at how they circle the mosque and church unable to enter these holly places. Your safety is guaranteed by a much mightier power that rules our world and he will guard us."

The multitudes eyes followed the brave hearted priest as he walked through the church's entrance. The creatures circling the church howled angrily as the smell of his flesh fueled their frustration. Father David shivered a bit from their gruesome bodies but deep inside his heart he was comforted by powerful faith and trust in the Lord. He grabbed the ropes that were hanging down from the bells resting high on top of the church. With one pull the bells sounded. 

Simultaneously he heard the “Athan” from the Mosque fill the atmosphere with the bells of his church. The Bells and the Athan made the creatures cover their ears and race away disturbed from the estates. "Thank you Lord. I just knew that my friend Sheikh Husny was thinking of the same thing," he thought as his arms moved the ropes up and down constantly, the ensuing prayer of the Athan with the bells succeeding in making the creatures depart farther away from the holy estates.

The Priest immediately headed to the sacrifice table and announced, "Glorified is the Kingdom of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

The faithful replied, "Amen."

The Athan continued in the backgrounds as the church and the Mosque unified in their prayer, calling on the mercies of the Lord, and brushing away the cruelty that was only moments ago threatening their safety. 

*****

The evil army flooded the shores of Aqaba with their immense legions and stood before the waters of the red sea. Thick clouds of mist came upon them and filled the beaches and city streets veiling them completely. In a minute's time the mist thinned up and their wings flapped heaving them into the skies. The already gray weather of the city dimmed into a semi nightly ambiance as the blanket of black bats formed, its dark color reflecting on the shores, extending from the skies of Aqaba till Eilat in Israel.

An Israeli destroyer going about its normal duties patrolled the sea borders of Eilat calmly while the evil gradually extended over their water domains. The radars read nothing but the sudden irregular dusk made its crew dash out of their stations on its decks and look with awe at the flying bats. One of the them stormed down on the ship and flew around its crew that were gathered around eyeing the misfit. Suddenly a thick column of mist the size of a human being engulfed it. In seconds the mist unveiled it atrocious essence. The crew gasped and yelled terrified as their sinister visitor stood looking at them, his vicious teeth that had sharp fangs at their sides showing behind his hostile looks. Solomon, a soldier of the ten that were standing on the deck, tried his automatic but panicked as he found it jammed and threw it at the beast. It bumped into its' heavy body and fell back down on the deck with a clatter. The demon in front of him raised his sword and attempted to strike him but he jumped back dodging the strike. As the rest of the soldiers stood petrified like rock from the scene, he counter jumped back at the demon and battled with him, his bulky body posing a challenge for his assailant and pinning him to the ground of the ship’s deck. He grappled to take the sword away but failed as the demon quickly dipped his teeth into the flesh of his neck paralyzing him with a thousand waves of pain and panic. A spine chilling anguished yell rushed from Solomon filling the deck as he felt the fangs dipping deeper into his flesh torturing him mercilessly. He searched for tolerance and strength to help him bear through the biting. Shortly he managed to override the pains he felt and grabbed the bull jaw of the beast. As he jerked him away from his neck the air filled with flesh tearing, making fountains of blood sprout from his neck. The Demon suddenly stood up and wavered in his place with pain, roaring madly. He swayed hysterically as his chest raged with a flame of fire. Two other bats hearing the cries closed in on him but screeched and flew away scared of their mate's fate. The soldier clutched his bloody neck crying with pain and eyeing his necklace that held the icon of the Hand of God as it branded the beast in his chest. Within seconds his beastly body erupted like a flame heaving on him more agony. He jumped over board into the sea and just ceased to be. The nine other soldiers that were looking unbelievingly at the incident that began and ended in less than a minute rushed towards the soldier tending to his needs. Binyamin the captain of the vessel stormed to his station and soon emerged with a first aid kit. He eyed with awe the massive wounds the biting left in Solomon's neck and said commemorating, “You will need stitches for those. It just happened to fast for anyone to do anything. Your next medal of bravery is coming your way big time soldier.” The bats' flight soon ended and the weather lightened up. Solomon moaned repeatedly, his body tired from the bleeding, while the other soldiers took him to the medical quarters of the ship. Soon the ship's doctor was stitching his wounds. Shortly the destroyer changed its path and headed back to the military docks in Eilat to report what had happened.

Major Sarah Cohen, the ship's doctor, very soon saluted Brigadier Ehude as she entered his handsome spacious office. She handed him her medical report concerning Solomon whom was savoring medical care in the military hospital. The Brigadier gestured the lady with average height, long blond hair and white complexion to sit down. In a short while her saddened green eyes and attractive but exhausted looks that were engulfed with the military greenness met the Brigadier, as he looked up. His head shook with dissatisfaction after his glance at the report. 

"I still don't believe it. K9 saliva? Bats? Flying winged beasts? The size of the lacerations on the Lieutenant's neck? But what does hound saliva have to do with bulls and bats?"

Sarah replied with a sorrowful tone of voice, "Sir as a person of science I'm still baffled by what I saw. But those creatures that attacked us are some hellish crossbreeds of birds, humans and animals. This is the best guess that I can come up with. Transforming from a bat, it stood erect with a human like body aside from their extensive claws and ugly bull heads. The lacerations on Solomon's neck made him bleed massively and did have extensive amounts of dog saliva." Tears came to her eyes as she continued, "There is one more thing."

Ehude replied with some warmness, "Speak up major. What is it?"

"I feel Solomon should be kept under surveillance in the hospital for at least seventy two hours. Although his blood tests are all satisfactory the creature that bit him is a perfect alien to our world. I wouldn't want to collide into any surprises. Brigadier I feel our Rabbis should be consulted with this as well. When the icon of the Hand of God that Solomon was wearing around his neck touched the creature his body burned on the deck."

Ehude felt that there was a bit more than medical concern brewing in the young woman's heart towards the brave soldier. However the incident itself just made him grow uncomfortable with its black details. Suddenly he felt the urge to be alone. He replied, "Your comments are noted Major. I will personally visit the soldier to commemorate him on his performance in a short while. In God's speed." 

Sarah left and closed the door behind her. He closed his eyes and thought carefully about what the major and the doctor of the destroyer just told him. "Mother of all fears he thought." What a nightmare. Has the final apocalypse of humanity just begun? An extensive meeting with their chief should follow and most probably the prime ministry and cabinet will have to be notified as well. "What the hell where those things doing in Jordan?" he thought as he rose from his bureau and headed towards his office door. Within minutes he left the three story office building and was walking towards the base's medical center. 

To his right was a full view of the sea with a series of destroyers towering in the distances undergoing maintenance and fueling at the military docks. To his left was a two way road that took him through several army buildings and facilities. In front of his office building was a capacious one level army canteen which provided meals for the base's soldiers. Delicious aromas drifted by him as luncheon was in progress. Normally he would stop by and have a bite with the men but the brainstorming he was in was his main focus of attention presently. 

The medical center was a three minute ride in an adjacent neighborhood. Despite a private army jeep at his disposal he chose to walk. He needed to think and process the events of the day. A destroyer, a hellish bat transforming into a creature that attacked his men, K9 saliva polluting the wound of one of his soldiers whom was resting under surveillance for any unknown complications; and why bite the man? "Was it a blood sucker?" As the thoughts rolled in his mind he found himself jogging, his legs moving him quickly through the sidewalks and streets that were full of vehicles and soldiers rushing to their errands. 

It happened with him in a small peaceful village three years ago in the Balkan Mountains in Bulgaria. He was visiting the relatives of his deceased mother whom was murdered in the holocaust at a Nazi concentration camp during the wars. He was up late chatting with his cousin at their manor house while the fires of a hearth in the living room secluded them from the cool night November currents. When his cousin's awareness suddenly was aroused with doubts whether the door of the farm's horse stable was secured or not they decided to go and check it out. Despite the weather that prevailed in these areas they both got up and headed through the fields that separated them from the stable, a big lantern in the hands of his cousin. The wide open doors met them as they arrived.  He never forgot its furious eyes that glowed within the deepest hours of the midnight darkness as it stood on top of its victim. As the lantern light illuminated the premises, announcing its vicious act of blood sucking, it jumped off from the horse that was silently slumbering in its cubicle and attacked him and his cousin repeatedly in the stable. They madly danced around, their arms thrashing in the air, as it circled them and dashed towards them several times. At a strong blow it finally received with his fist the bat flew out of the stable. They both stood breathless from the encounter several minutes before they locked the barn and walked back to the manor house. On the way his cousin told him of the legend that the people of all the surrounding villages feared to have been true during the very early centuries of the area's history. 

They were bulky semi humans with very beastly ugly facial and body features. Although nobody truly outlived their attacks and gave an account but four monks of a monastery, their account was very antique, and could have been greatly altered as it was passed down verbally from generation to generation. The beasts had actually lived in the Balkans, most prominent in the warm summer days, and slumbering in tomb caves in the bitter winter days in the mountains. They would travel in communities in the summer nights looking for stranded prey and attacking small helpless villages. Feeding and sucking the blood from their human victims till their death, they would take back prisoners with them to the mountains and present them as sacrifices to their appalling deities. Finally Christianity came to Eastern Europe in the ninth century AD and Orthodox monasteries soon afterwards became common in the wildernesses for meditating and praying. On one warm summer night a community of the beasts attempted to attack a monastery that rested peacefully on a caravan road. As they broke down the doors they were intercepted by the four monks of the monastery whom were awake preparing to pray their midnight prayers silently in the church. Greatly panicking and disturbed by their appearances one of them raised a cross in their faces and asked the Lord to erase them from humanity's path. Within seconds they were turned into bats and flew away from the monastery. Ever since then they ceased to be in the areas and the brutal reports of their practices diminished; up until now.

His heart lit with a sixth sense informing him that those two incidents just might have a link between them. Something bad was about to happen. He had to talk to that soldier personally. He finally reached the two story med center. He dashed through the entrance and through the center's small lobby. A brunette seated behind a desk stood up and gave the Brigadier the saluting he deserved. He greeted back, "good afternoon. Solomon's Cohen's room please." 

"Ward number twenty six, to the right wing."

He thanked her and headed as she directed. The left and right wings of the first floor had a total number of eighty rooms, forty at each wing. Ehude followed the numbers hung on the doors till he reached ward number twenty six. He knocked on the door as the door was shut. Nobody answered. He smiled and greeted a nurse as she exited a room next to Solomon's, tending for a soldier that was injured at training. He asked her, "Is the occupant of the room still here? I just knocked but nobody replied."

"Well I'm sure the doctors haven't given him leave at least."

"Thank You."

As she left he knocked again but nobody answered. He screamed out to the nurse that was barely a distance off, "Nurse get me the master key quickly!" She hurried off towards the reception. In a moments time she returned with a set of keys and began unlocking the door. Doctor Isaac whom was close by talking to an officer suddenly came up running asking, "What is going on Ehude?" as the nurse was turning the door knob. 

Ehude said nervously, "I'm knocking but nobody is responding. The door was locked with a key from the inside."

The door opened. An empty undone bed rested straight across from them in the room. All three entered to find the room totally empty aside from the corner couches and a small table in front of them. A pair of army boots was under the bed. Isaac checked the restroom of the ward but found it empty. He ordered tensely, "Where is he! Nurse go check to see if he was moved to another room or if he's somewhere undergoing tests!"

Ehude threw his hands up and screamed with frustration, "Doctor Isaac he can't be anywhere else. The room was locked with a key from the inside." 

Isaac snapped back, "Well he's not inside."

The door suddenly slammed powerfully. Ehude and Isaac looked at it but found no one behind it. Ehude's spine suddenly chilled. A creepy sensation crept all over him. He gulped hard as his hand moved to the revolver at his side. Isaac asked, "Ehude what is wrong?"