"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."
-Albert Einstein
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This small city in America is known as one of the coldest cities in the world, International Falls, Minnesota. Summer is short and the whole year has long winters. International Falls is nicknamed the "Icebox of the Nation," with an average of 109.4 days per year with a high temperature below 32 °F (0 °C).
A girl running in yellow boots full of mud. Her shoulder-length brown hair was limp and damp with the damp air. Her eyes are blue and very charming. The twelve-year-old girl laughed as she ran away from her mother who was carrying cheap vegetables and fruit they bought at the farmer's market.
"Mama, come catch me!" she exclaimed cheerfully.
Her mother still looks young and looks like her daughter's beauty, Gabriel or Gabe, is derived from her mother's genes.
"This basket is too heavy, Gabe! I won't be able to catch you. Your steps are too fast!" laughed Jean, her mother's name, which made Gabe instantly giddy.
"Soon, I'll be big and mature, Mama. Uncle Ben will hire me to be his kitchen assistant. I'll be the best assistant ever!" Gabe replied proudly.
"Yes, I guess so! You have the best smile ever!" Jean laughs and is indeed very proud of her daughter.
Ben is the owner of a small restaurant just down the road.
They often got the generous old man's generosity in the form of dried meat and cheese. Once in a while, if they're lucky, Ben will send over a very delicious meat pie.
The two of them arrived at the white house with a small garden at the front. The house is not too big and is inhabited by four people. Clark and Marianne, Jean's parents, then Jean, herself, and Gabriel. Clark laughed happily when he saw his granddaughter back with Jean.
"I brought venison from hunting. Tonight, we will have a sumptuous menu!" cried Clark, putting away his hunting rifle.
"Don't stay in the woods too long, Dad. It was very cold and many of the trees were starting to crumble. It might start to fall when it gets soggy, "said Jean while storing her shopping in their old refrigerator.
"I'll be careful, Dear. Maybe this is my last hunt," Clark replied, kissing his daughter's hair. Clark loves his daughter very much and is willing to sacrifice anything for Jean.
"Why, Papa? Is hunting now forbidden?" asked Gabe in surprise.
Clark shook his head and stroked Gabe's hair who then ran back to the living room. Marianne, the grandmother, came with the folded clothes neatly.
"Are you guys hungry? I was making apple pie," she said with a gentle, motherly smile. Gabe, who heard the word pie, shouted from the living room enthusiastically.
"Nana, Papa caught venison, a big one. We will have a sumptuous meal tonight!" cried the little girl as she waited for her grandmother to take the pie out of the oven. Jean laughed at her daughter's enthusiasm.
Gabe was born without knowing her father. For her daughter, Clark is a father figure she never knew.
There is a tragic story behind all of her now-pleasant life. When Jean was sixteen years old, she became pregnant without knowing who planted the seed in her womb. The doctors were also surprised because after being examined, Jean's hymen was still intact and there were no traces of penetration.
Everyone kept their questions and tried to accept the reality which was quite embarrassing. But International Falls was a town that spread rumors easily. Rumors about Jean getting pregnant without a man in charge led to them being ostracized by neighbors and the church community.
Her extended family drifted away and severed ties with the Castain family. But the man was heartened to accept his daughter and granddaughter. Marianne didn't even care and left the church and chose to worship at home. Jean received support from her parents and was able to continue living after a major depression due to having to leave school and losing all her teenage friends.
"Nana's pies are the best," Gabe said with sparkling eyes.
Marianne laughed. Her granddaughter is really good at pleasing other people. The little girl is also very good at storing emotions and looks more mature than her age.
"Now, complete the counting task! I will cook delicious meat for dinner tonight," said Marianne.
Gabe licked the fork and obediently carried the dishes to the sink. Her mother stroked her daughter's hair and Gabe darted back quickly to continue studying.
Gabe doesn't go to school because almost everyone refuses them. Only a few people are still good and become their friends as well. But Clark prefers to protect his family by keeping them as social as possible. Neighbors sometimes still throw vicious satire.
This is the life they live after the birth of the baby in a unique and unsolved way. But Gabe's presence makes everyone happy, erasing the bitterness of the problems they deal with.
***
Dinner was served and the smell of grilled venison in mushroom sauce was appetizing. Gabe impatiently waits for her grandfather to lead the prayer. As soon as they said amen, Clark immediately sliced and gave Gabriel the first slice. Gabe's eyes sparkled and blinked rapidly.
They ate dinner with laughter and jokes. Marianne's cheese fries are delicious, and Clark always chuckles with satisfaction.
"Today my math assignment got an A. Isn't that right, Papa?" exclaimed Gabe proudly showing off the results of today's assignment.
"That's right, Gabe. You have to be a doctor or a scientist in order to help humans have a better life," said Clark, still teaching about the concept of doing good. Gabe nodded firmly.
"I will become a doctor who masters the science of world history, Grandpa," said the little girl.
Gabe is indeed interested in history and spends time reading all the library books that Ben often brings her each week.
Just as Marianne put the dessert down, suddenly the kitchen door was kicked with a bang and they both gasped and panicked. Gabe screamed hysterically as five people dressed all in dark purple with their faces covered walked in. Each carried a gun and pointed it at them. Jean pushed Gabe quickly.
"Run and hide!" her mother ordered quickly. Gabe runs as fast as she can to the basement, but it's too late! One of them grabbed her leg and the girl fell.
"Who are you!" shouted Clark.
There was no answer except for a bullet whizzing through his forehead. Clark fell and was no longer alive. Marianne screamed hysterically and Jean shivered with fear.
"Papa!!!" shouted Gabe hugged her grandfather and wept bitterly. Several people spread out to search the house.
"You barbarians!" cried Marianne and swung the butcher's knife, but another bullet shot through her forehead. The old woman collapsed with a loud bang.
"Mom!!!"
"Nana!!"
Both of them cried and did not understand why these people suddenly came and massacred her family. None of the neighbors would care. They would consider it appropriate for a sinner's family!
"Say what you want, but don't kill my daughter," said Jean shakily.
Her tears flowed profusely. Some of the people who had spread out and checked the room came back and spoke to each other in a foreign language that Jean knew was similar to Spanish.
"Please don't kill us," Jean pleaded.
They were still busy talking to each other. Gabe tried to keep her mouth shut and not cry. In a child's mind, Gabe begins to think it's time to defend herself and no longer heed the prohibitions of her grandparents and mother.
During this time, Gabe has the ability to emit fire from her hands but is always asked to never do that.
If the humans out there found out, then the little girl would be blasphemed, shunned, and considered a descendant of the devil by the church community.
Not to mention the scientists who will apply various studies as well as trials on it. The little girl has now decided to use her powers.
Gabe reached out with both hands and flames shot out and grabbed the body of one of the nearby ambushers.
Shouts of surprise mixed with frantic erupted from them and Gabe dared to bring out her strength even more.
"Gabe!" cried Jean frantically.
Feeling threatened, one tries to shoot Gabe, but Jean sees and bumps into her daughter's body. The bullet pierced through the chest and stopped Jean's heart instantly.
Gabe roared with fury!
Her whole family died that night!
Gabe turned around and raised her hand and muzzled the two people in front of her. Unfortunately, they're not stupid criminals. A tall guy ambushed Gabe's body and tried to subdue her.
Her small body slammed hard, and her head hit the floor. Gabe screeched in pain. Dizziness took hold and her ears started ringing. Just as someone brandished a gun to end the last life, a figure flashed up quickly and fired a barrage of bullets. The remaining three ambushers suddenly collapsed lifelessly.
"Are you ok?" asked the figure. Gabe looked at the person who had helped her, but she was helpless. Her body drooped and she lost consciousness.
***
Nadja finished tidying up the three lifeless bodies of the Castain's in the living room, while the bodies of the killers were dragged out and burned with gasoline. Luckily, even though the air was still cold, the snow had stopped falling. The fire quickly burned the bodies of the five people who attacked the family.
The distance between the Castain family's house and their neighbors is indeed quite far. But Nadja was sure that they could hear the gunshots clearly, especially since the city was quite quiet. She wanted to clear things up before the police officers arrived.
Someone seemed to be rushing over and opening the fence in a half panic. Before Nadja pulls the trigger, Ben calls out the words if he is close to the Castain family.
"Clark is my friend! What happened to them? I heard one of the neighbors call me about the shooting!"
Nadja then explained quickly. Ben instantly froze with wide eyes.
"Very weird! The neighbors didn't call the sheriff, they called you?" asked Nadja, not believing it.
"They shut themselves off from all associations, Miss! Maybe it's just me that they still allow to be close. The sheriff asked me to check because Clark won't let anyone else come to him!"
"You know what happened to them all this time?" Nadja keeps the gun back.
Ben nodded and seemed to be holding back the tears that had gathered in his old eyes. Haltingly, the man also talked about the reason the entire population was away from the family.
"Ironically, all the secrets they keep are common gossip that everyone in this place talks about." Ben rubbed his face and looked in from the side window.
"The cult of the priest killed them tonight. Humans can be ridiculous and unreasonable!" Nadja pouted furiously.
"Yes. I never thought the time would come." Half muttering, Ben finally started to shake. His shoulders heaved up and down as he sobbed.
"You already know everything?" Nadja asked, seeing Ben's expression, who wasn't surprised at all. Ben nodded wearily. His eyes were still puffy and red.
"Take Gabriel away as far as you can, I'll take care of all the funerals," Ben said hoarsely.
Clark is his best friend who is also a former scientist who was very instrumental in the former NASA unit. He lives in this city because of the Castain family.
"Who else knows about Gabriel?" asked Nadja as she invited him in. Ben grabbed the tablecloth to cover the three bodies that lay stiff.
"I'm the only one in this area. They might come again. You have to get Gabe away as soon as possible. If there is no report of the troops now being burned, then they will send the following troops. I think you understand well," said Ben, crouching in front of the corpse. Nadja no longer asked. She walked to the girl's room, took some clothes for her, and carried them easily.
"Use my pickup. It will be faster, and the gas is already full. There are two spare jerry cans in the back," said Ben, handing her the keys.
"Thank You. I'll remember your help," said Nadja in a stiff tone.
She was not used to talking and also thanking him. As long as she lives just like a robot. Act and think about a task that has been drafted.
Ben kissed Gabe's forehead and put a gold cross around her neck.
"Please, protect her with your life," whispered Ben earnestly.
Nadja nodded and immediately rushed over.
The car left the house that witnessed the heinous massacre that night. Gabe was still unconscious. The violent collision was quite traumatizing, not to mention the murder of her family that happened right in front of her eyes.
Nadja thought in confusion. It's hard to believe that Gabriel is the daughter of the demon lord of hell, Lucifer, who is targeted by the cult for being a threat to the world to hasten the apocalypse. Lucifer will rule and Gabe will become an accomplice to the ruler of hell to complete his mission.
The thought of Gabriel releasing fire from her hand, in the last seconds before she saved the child's life, made Nadja quite shocked.
What world is she in now? Why does it all sound so absurd all of a sudden? If there is a being who rules hell, is the concept of God also real?
'Why should I be chosen to do and know all this?' Nadja thought with mixed thoughts.
She felt she wasn't the right person to believe all this nonsense. Nadja never acknowledged the divine concept in her life and all assumptions about the world after death are myths!
Nadja put all her worries aside and got away from International Falls as fast as she could.