"Hole In The Sky"

"I'm looking through a hole in the sky
I'm seeing nowhere through the eyes of a lie
I'm getting closer to the end of the line
I'm living easy where the sun doesn't shine

I'm living in a room without any view
I'm living free because the rent's never due
The synonyms of all the things that I've said
Are just the riddles that are built in my head

Hole in the sky, take me to heaven
Window in time, through it I fly

I've seen the stars disappear in the sun
The shooting's easy if you've got the right gun
And even though I'm sitting waiting for Mars
I don't believe there's any future in cause

Hole in the sky, take me to heaven
Window in time, through it I fly
Yeah

I've watched the dogs of war enjoying their feast
I've seen the western world go down in the east
The food of love became the greed of our time
But now I'm living on the profits of pride" Black Sabbath(Sabotage 1975)


Tara Maclay shivered slightly beneath her thread bare blanket. It was lights out in the Citadel, but that only made the torment worse. Sounds carried further in the dark. Whispered prayers for salvation and calls for vengeance spilled forth from broken lips. The evil that permeated this place seemed to whisper insidious words into Tara’s mind.

She had been subjected to the Commander’s style of cruelty since she was twenty one. This was Tara’s third holding facility in six years. Each facility got larger and more “secure”. It seemed as if her Goddess had abandoned her. The Citadel was rumored to be the first and most horrific of all the facilities. Only the worst of the criminals and demons were shipped there.


Tears slowly rolled down Tara’s pale cheeks. Her silent mantra filling her head as it had every night for six long years.

“I’m not a demon. I’m not a demon. I’m not a demon.”


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Six years ago

The sun was high in the sky and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves on the trees. Birds sang soft lilting songs and insects buzzed happily around colorful spring flowers newly in bloom. A spotted shaggy mutt chased a ball around the yard of the little green farm house. Cows mooed in distant fields and the hum of a tractor could be heard from a neighboring farm. It was a quaint, peaceful setting. A small farm run by generations of the family that lived there.

In the dirty and gravel driveway sat a black utility van. It was obviously out of place next to the battered light blue Ford. The tranquility of the afternoon was cut through with anguished pleading cries. Two soldiers could be seen dragging a young blonde woman from the farm house. Tears poured down her cheeks as she struggled to break their hold on her arms.

“Please! Don’t! I’m not a demon! I’m not a demon!”

Mr. Maclay stood on the front porch of his home and watch dispassionately as the soldiers dragged his all to human daughter away. Now he would never have to see her face or hear her voice, a combination nearly identical to her recently dead mother. When the van was nothing more than a distant black dot on the horizon, Mr. Maclay turned and entered his home. The screen door gently closed behind him.


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Tara’s sessions with Julian were the only highlight of her imprisonment. The gentle half demon had easily picked up on her magical talent and ability to see auras. It was an ability much like Julian’s gift to read people, but stronger. All he saw what made up a person, their talents, strength and weaknesses. Tara could see their “soul”. Different emotions held different colors and she could easily pick out those who held ill will.

Under Julian’s teachings Tara found that she was stronger in magic than she previously thought. Unknown to the soldiers, Julian taught Tara white magic only. It was her strength and would be their weakness.

Julian had actually become rather protective of the gentle witch. He clearly noted the despairing lines on her face and the defeated droop of her shoulders. Because of this, Julian worked her harder. He often pushed her far past the limits Tara thought were there. Julian knew that she needed to be strong, and he’d give her that gift. It would be a gift that he had been unable to give to his dear, sweet Kelly.


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Five years ago

“Julesie! I wanna play!” Kelly Wilson yelled in her foster brother’s ear. The two had been sent to live in a group home six months ago and had instantly bonded. In a world built on shifting sands, Julian had become her anchor. Now Kelly had Julian Wraith wrapped around her tiny eight year old finger.

“You promised to take me to the park. Now up!” Kelly demanded as she pulled at a lock of his hair.

“All right! All right! I’m up.” Julian groaned. Rubbing his tired eyes, Julian shoved Kelly off his bed causing her to land in a giggling heap. Quickly he pulled on a t-shirt and his running shoes. After brushing his light brown hair, Julian hoisted Kelly up on his shoulders and left the home.

They only lived three blocks from the park, so it was no problem reaching it by foot. The sky was clear and a cool breeze was making it’s way through the city. Since it was still early, Kelly being a notorious morning person, they were able to enjoy themselves in peace. It was only when two soldiers appeared that Julian became nervous. While he was half demon, he was able to pass for human, but with the soldiers people never knew what to expect.

“Kelly! I think it’s time we left. Your show “Mrs. Winky” will be on in five minutes and I know you’d hate to miss it.”

“Okay.” Kelly replied as she climbed down the jungle gym and ran over to reach her brother’s side. Taking her small hand in his, Julian started to lead them back to the group home. They were both startled when one of the soldiers stopped them.

“Let me see your I.D’s.”

“Umm, here you go.” Julian quickly pulled his card from his wallet and handed it over the larger man.

“And the girl?”

“She’s only eight. She won’t get hers until she’s ten, sir.” Julian answered as politely as possible. Kelly was shaking next to him, her little arms wrapped around his leg. She kept her eyes on her shoes and prayed just like her Momma had taught her before she went away. Kelly knew Julian was different and didn’t want her brother hurt.

“Scan this.” The soldier said, handing Julian’s I.D to his silent companion. When the man swiped his I.D card threw the reader a red light flashed.

The first soldier said nothing as he grabbed Julian’s arms. A stun gun was pressed into his side. While his world went black all Julian could see was the other soldier slamming his gun into the side of Kelly’s tiny head.