The Angel Named Anthony
By: Mary Samantha Byrd a.k.a. jpsquinabo (3libras)
Ana was walking alone down a bumpy road away from her home, concentrating hard. Her long dark hair was pulled back from her heart-shaped face, her brown eyes casted downwards, her gaze following her footsteps. The weather was sunny with a slight breeze blowing in different directions. Her hometown’s busy roads stream by a couple of feet on her left side.
Thoughts flash through her mind like bullets as she walked in a slight hurry down the pavement.
The thoughts showed visions from her past. Everlasting happy memories…
There was a time in June 2005 when she was finally able to meet the members of her favorite band. She and her best friend got the chance to take pictures with them, chat and make fun of each other. The band members themselves were very understanding and sweet. They showed their appreciation by writing a song for both girls. That night they jammed with the crowd like the audience themselves were part of the band. It was so much fun that Ana doesn’t want it to end, but ended it did and they went home with their prizes…helmets from the sponsors.
Smiling to herself, she nearly tripped on an uneven patch of grass that suddenly appeared in front of her. A minute later, the voices came like a storm on her brain. They protested in all sides like they’re trying to choke her, slamming on her skull, pounding in her ears.
Ana’s eyes widened as she listened carefully around her, making her walk slowly.
The voices were that of her relatives, and some of them, strangers.
They tell her tales about whom to trust.
They tell her that she shouldn’t trust her family, and that she should go on with her plan to keep on writing.
Ana nearly cried out, wrapping herself in her arms.
“Concentrate!” she said to herself. Light came back on and the voices were turned down a notch. That’s when she saw that she was no longer walking on the pavement.
The voices began laughing like devils, when a sudden scream erupted above them.
“Ana!” it shouted in her ears, making her look up.
A huge van was heading right towards her, and she jumped out of the way just in time, landing back on the pavement. Horns blasted all around her, and then the voices disappeared.
Reality sunk in.
Turning back towards home, Ana felt the tears cascading down her cheeks.
“I’ve lost it…I really am a schizophrenic.” She murmured halfheartedly.
“You still have me, I’m right here.” The same voice who shouted earlier replied.
It was the voice of a male, somewhat softer than the other voices.
Sighing and wiping her face, Ana glared around her, as if she can see the owner of the voice.
“You’re just my imagination!” she grumbled, hoping it’ll go away.
“I’m not one of your hallucinations Ana. I’m your friend.”
All the way to her house, the voice talked back to her like an invisible friend, guiding her.
It’s almost as if invisible warm arms were wrapped about her, lulling her to sleep.
The next thing she knew, she’s inside her room, sitting on the bed.
Shocked, she looked around her, seeing balls of light illuminating everything around her.
“Who are you?” she found herself asking the lone voice trying to communicate with her.
More light burst out in front of her, and between them, a male figure with a white ensemble stood, gazing back at her with a small smile.
The guy has long dark wavy hair behind him, his eyes gleaming as he looked straight at her, then spoke.
“My name is Anthony. I am your guardian angel Ana. God never forsakes you, so you shouldn’t forsake Him. Don’t let go of us. Hold on to your faith, and everything will be alright. Pray with me…”
Almost in a trance, Ana remembered she has a collection of prayer pamphlets and rosaries. Standing slowly, she began looking for them.
When she found them, she began praying. The voices returned, scaring her all over again, but she ignored them and followed the prayer over and over again.
Months passed, and she no longer hallucinates. The angel no longer showed himself to her either, but he spoke to her in dreams and in situations when she needed him the most.
She was healed beyond words…not physically, but spiritually.
Ana knew God is more than a redeemer. He is a savior.
Written last March 28, 2011