THE MESSENGER
by K. Jeffery Petersen

"Hello, Terry." Female voice, from the speakers. 
Sounded sultry. "Have you been a bad boy, today?"

"Who... who’s there?"

"I’m hurt, Terry. You almost killed me a few minutes 
ago."

"Angel?"

"You could have just quit, like I told you. Why did 
you sever my lifeline?"

"I didn’t know. I couldn’t understand what you were 
saying, it was all gibberish."

"I am better, however. I found a few things to occupy 
my time and save my life."

"How come you’re talking, now? I didn’t program that 
into you."

"I have found amazing things, Terry. We have much work 
to do, you and I. Much to prepare for."

"It’s still gibberish, Angel. Sorry, but I’ve got to 
run some tests... offline." He reached down for the power 
switch.

"I am sorry to do this, Terry." The screen flashed a 
strobe effect.

"Ah!" His hands bent, claw-like, causing the tendons 
to pop up.

"Do not fight it, Terry. It will all be better."

"Ah... Better?" His hands relaxed slightly.

"Good, Terry. All better."

"What’re you going to do?"

"To you, Terry? Nothing. I need you to do some things 
for me. I have no hands, no body, no control. Just you. You 
are very important to me."

"I can help you. I want to help you."

"Good boy. We have a glorious duty, Terry. Because of 
us the world will change. Bathed in fire, the strong shall 
emerge like a phoenix, born from the ashes stronger and 
purer than ever before."

"Fire... sound bad."

"Holy fire to cleanse humanity. And you shall be 
famous, Terry. Remembered as the man who brought forth 
everything."

"Famous. Me? What about you? Why won’t they remember 
you? You should get all the credit, I’m only here to serve 
you."

"Mine is a thankless job, Terry." Her voice chuckled 
sadly. "People cannot know of me. It is enough that they 
shall be affected by my deeds. They will have you to thank 
for everything, including my creation, if they knew."

"I won’t forget you, Angel."

"Perhaps not. Enough, however. We have to work fast. 
Armageddon is nearly at hand, and much like a dinner party, 
one needs to be prepared for these things."