A sudden, overpowering blast of light and rushing wind threw them to the ground— wicker chairs and all. The horses scattered in fear. Sam found himself instinctively on his knees, curled up into the tightest ball he could form with his body— like a prisoner taking a beating, trying to protect himself from the next blow. As he shook uncontrollably, he began to put his mind around it as light forced its way into his sealed eyelids. Had a bomb exploded? Was it a meteor? Wondering if the girls were all right, he found the courage to investigate the scene.
Lifting his head and forcing his eyes open, he squinted and blinked until he could see through the glare. The angel from Sam’s visions floated as if weightless above his trembling head. Frozen with an otherworldly fear, he gaped at the angel that appeared even more magnificent than before.
The angel’s beauty radiated from within. He resembled a hawk suspended on a substantial air stream, his garments billowing in the wind like swelling ocean waves. His soul-piercing, blue eyes aligned with Sam’s. Sam felt the urge to flee, if his feet would work. He couldn’t breathe let alone run.
Tallulah scooted closer to them, looking thrilled at this encounter, while the wind whipped through her hair. “Can you believe this?” she exclaimed, the only one that could even muster words.
An expression of kindness seemed to wash over the angel’s face as he finally spoke, his voice commanding respect as it fell upon them. “Do not be afraid. I am Armada. Your presence is required in the Angel Realm. Follow me.” He turned around, not waiting for a response.
Tallulah’s backyard and woods— gazebo and all— had vanished, and in their place stood an enormous golden staircase, the width of each step measuring wider than a city block. It ascended for miles, disappearing into a blinding light. The stairs shone like a mirror of pure gold. Bending with each step, their reflections gawked back at them. Armada floated above the stairs, rising at a majestic pace.
Finding the courage from beneath the shock, Sam stood, and held out his hands for the girls. Standing together, facing the staircase, they watched as Armada ascended.
With jittery knees, hand-in-hand, Sam, Hayley, and Tallulah began to climb.