“Thank you.” I’m relieved. There still might be a chance to save him. I walk down the hall sticking my head in the doorways, looking for Brody. I find him three doors down. When I stick my head in, I see a grayness hovering over Brody. A demon. I walk in and say, “Hi Brody.”
He opens his eyes to look at me. I say, “Sam is really worried about you.” Brody looks at me coldly.
“I think I can help you,” I say.
“Get out. You can’t help me. Get out!” He screams. I leave just as a nurse enters to check on Brody. I go back into Sam’s room. I sit back down.
“Brody’s still alive,” I try to look hopeful, “There might be a chance to save him.”
Sam shakes his head sadly, “I don’t think so. I don’t know, but I get the feeling he made a deal with the devil.”
“Sam, Jude is bad news. Stay away from him. I’ll try to find out more about Brody to see if it’s too late for him. I honestly don’t know.”
I get out my cell and take a pencil and paper off the table next to him. “Here’s my number, and Pastor Bill’s phone number from my church. Is it okay if I have him drop in to see you? He’d be a good one to talk to about Brody.”
Sam nods, “Sure.”
“What about your other friend who was brought here too? The girl?”
“I don’t know her name. We’d just met her at the club that night. My friend Bebe who we came with, was out on the dance floor, she wasn’t slipped anything.”
“She wasn’t in your vision though?”
He shakes his head no. “Seeing is believing“. Sam holds up his bandaged palms to show me again. “God gave me these burns as a reminder that Hell is real. Just like He gave Jacob a limp after he wrestled with the angel. Hell is a real place. And I don’t want to go to hell, ever.” He shudders.
“You’re right, you’re saved. Now you can help save others.”
Sam looks very tired. I decide it’s time to go. “Sam if you need me for anything, I’m just a phone call away. You look like you need to rest.”
Sam looks up, “Thank you. I’m not afraid to sleep now. Maybe I’ll see you in school,” he puts his head on the pillow and closes his eyes.
I walk back to the lobby where Mrs. Wilcox is waiting.
“Is he okay?” She asks.
“Yes. He’s fine.” We walk in silence to the car. I can tell Mrs. Wilcox has some questions she wants to ask.
When we get back in the car, she turns to me and says, “You know he described what you’re wearing today. He had a dream. You were in it.” She starts the car, and motions for me to buckle.
“I know.” I buckle my seatbelt not sure how much I should tell her.
She puts the car in gear and starts to drive slowly. “When he woke out of the coma, he insisted on speaking to you. The nurses said he was too upset to sleep. That’s why I brought you to speak to him. Are you okay? Is there anything you want to tell me?” Turning onto the main street, she doesn’t bother to pick up any speed. I have the feeling she’s distracted, waiting for my answer.
I decide to tell her the truth, “I don’t know if you’re saved or not, but Sam had a vision of hell. That’s why his hands are burned. Hell is a real place. Sam wanted be saved. That’s why he wanted to speak to me.”
I look at Mrs. Wilcox. She looks uncomfortable. I told her the truth. That’s all I can do. The rest is between her and God. We finish the rest of the ride back to school in silence.
***
The rest of the week flies by quickly. Brody and Sam aren’t back in school yet; so there is not much I can do to save Brody. I keep my distance from Jude the best I can.
I can tell Jude is up to something. In math class he still pretends we’re a couple. I ignore him as much as possible. In English class the teacher pulls me aside after I turn in my paper about gossip. She tells me they’ll have a counselor speak to Jude about what he did. She does not let me read my paper out loud to the class, because it’s “he said/she said” and she doesn’t want to get involved. I’ve done all the damage control I can.
Friday morning in microbiology class, Jude seems giddy with happiness. He has to be planning something for this weekend. I meet Johnny, Vania, and Carrie in the lunchroom.
I ask, “Jude is planning something for this weekend. What should we do?”
Vania snaps at me, “Is that all you care about? Does every discussion have to be about him? What about us? We have lives too.”
Carrie just looks down at her lunch and Johnny just shrugs. They keep eating.
“I’m sorry, Vania.”
She looks at me, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. I’m under a lot of stress right now.”
I look at Vania and notice she is thinner and paler than usual. I shove my sandwich and chips at her, “Here—please eat this. I lost my appetite and I hate to throw it away.”
Vania looks at me, “Are you sure?” She starts to dig in.
“Yes. If you had classes with Jude, you’d lose your appetite too.”
I’m wondering, Vania’s phone is disconnected, her clothes are old, maybe she and her mom are having money problems. Vania doesn’t look like she’s getting enough to eat. I decide I’m going to start packing my lunches and make sure I have enough for Vania too.
***
That day after school, I wait for Vania and Johnny at the auditorium bench where my parents pick me up.
Johnny arrives first, “You’re right. Jude is planning something. I’m going to work hard at preventing it. I don’t think you can help on this one, just pray. Take care of Vania this weekend if you can, I won’t be available.”
With that, he takes off. Vania shows up a minute later, “you just missed Johnny,” I say. “Would you come to my house for dinner tonight, it would be nice to have someone to talk to.”
“Don’t you have to ask your parents first?”
“Nah. They love you. You add some excitement to our lives.”
“Okay. Thanks. I get a little lonely at home. We had to cancel our cable TV. And we’re behind on the phone. Money’s tight right now. My mom’s working all she can, but her car broke down and she had to pay to get it fixed. Then her tooth got a cavity which became infected so she had to take care of that. Things will get better. They always do.”
The way Vania says it, makes me think she doesn’t believe things are going to get better anytime soon. “Well then, let’s call your mom at work and see if you can spend the night.”
She smiles at me, “That would be great.”
***
We stay up that night and watch three movies in a row. Well, they’re on, but we’re not doing much watching. Instead we’re researching what I know about angels. We talk about the things we think angels can do and look up all the Biblical references to them on my laptop. We talk about Johnny and I wonder if his ears are burning. Vania has lots of questions. “There’s one thing that’s really bothering me about God. Maybe you can answer it.”
“I’ll try.”
“The unsaved that go to hell—How can God, who is love, let them go there? I mean look at my friend Jordan. He was good. He wasn’t perfect, but he was a loyal friend. I can’t believe he’s going to suffer forever.” Vania starts to cry. “It’s not fair. I mean–lots of people try to live a good life and not sin yet still refuse to believe they need a Savior.”
I reach out and give her a hug. When I let her go, I start to search on my laptop for the right scriptures, “They don’t suffer forever. The punishment fits the crime. The flame is eternal. Eternal means it can’t be quenched. Once it is lit it will burn–until there is nothing left. Here, look at this.” I flip to Matthew, chapter ten, verse 28, And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. “And here,” I show her one more, Psalm one-hundred forty-five, verse twenty, The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.
Those that love Him and accept the
Savior are promised His holy blood is enough to cover our sin and blot it out forever. Those who want to stand on their own on judgment day, will receive justice for their sin. It is their choice and our choice. He loves us all, but we are not puppets. Our actions have consequences. Being merciful, He won’t let those that don’t love Him, the unsaved, suffer forever because he loves them too.”
Vania looks me in the eyes while a tear trickles out of hers, “I get it, but I wish he could make them repent.”
“Me too.” I clasp her hands across the bed. We go on to look up some lighter subjects.
About midnight I get a call on my phone. I reach for it and answer, because it says: “Seth.”
It’s not Seth; I hit the speakerphone button so Vania can hear.
“Hello Mouse, hello Sly-van-ia. Sylvania do you miss me, we had such fun. Tie score again, Mouse, two to two, two to two, two to two. Who’s next? Hmmm. Who’s not saved? Here’s a riddle, who does Mouse love the most, send to hell, and let her roast? Burn her up, just like toast? Hmmm. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.”
Somebody has died and is destined to go to hell. My heart sinks. I’m sure it’s someone I know or someone from school. Vania and I have a hard time getting to sleep. We pray for God to give us peace.
***
In the morning Vania and I get up late. We pour big bowls of cereal and go to watch TV in the family room while we eat.
As we’re watching, the news comes on, “In a tragic twist of fate, one of the teens involved in a drug overdose last weekend, was tragically killed in a car accident last night. Brody Gibbens, seventeen, a senior at Countryside High, was just released from the hospital earlier this week. Brody, who was celebrating his first day at home since being released from the hospital was driving the car, accompanied by two friends, Jewel Ferguson, fifteen, and Damon Lawless, sixteen. Jewel is in the hospital with severe but non-life threatening injuries. Damon Lawless, the only one in the car wearing a seatbelt, walked away without a scratch. This is the second tragic death to hit Countryside High School this year. Jordan Jamisen tragically died of an apparent suicide just six weeks ago. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday afternoon.” I turn the TV off.
Somehow, Judas caused this crash. Vania and I just look at each other. We need to find away to stop him, but how?
***
On Monday the mood is somber. Some of the kids are wearing black armbands in memory of Brody. Kids are car-pooling to the crash site to leave flowers, notes, and stuffed animals. It seems like the whole school is going to attend the memorial service on Wednesday at a church near the high school. Jude is in school soaking up all they sympathy. It’s hard for Vania, Johnny, and me to watch. We know he had something to do with the crash.
The four of us head to the memorial service on Wednesday. I wish I could’ve done something to help Brody, but he had already made his decision before I’d met him. Johnny and I watch Jude at the memorial service. The best we can do is figure out who his next target might be. Someone unsaved, someone in turmoil, someone I know, those are the only clues we have.
***
By Thursday most of the kids are wrapped up in last minute preparations for homecoming. Carrie and I are counting down the days until we can see Seth and Robby. Their school homecoming is the same weekend as ours so we won’t get to go to both after all. Pastor Bill and his wife are graciously letting Robby and Seth camp out in their guest room for the weekend.
***
This weekend once the guys have arrived, everyone is coming to our house for a late night dinner of grilled burgers. I invite Vania and her mom, and Johnny too. Sam calls, so I invite him. The next morning we’re going to hit the beach and then go to the homecoming game and dance that evening. Robby and Seth will come to church with Pastor Bill, we’ll all have lunch at Carrie’s house, and then Robby and Seth will drive back home.
After school, I get a call from Mandy.
“Hey I miss you, Megan.”
“Mandy, how have you been?” I’m excited to hear from her.
“Oh, great. Everything’s going great,” Mandy sounds a little sad.
“Why don’t you and Alex come by tonight? Seth and Robby will be here by seven. Johnny and Vania from school will be here too. We’re going to grill some burgers. It’ll be fun.”
“I’d love to, but I’m just getting over a cold. I don’t want to get anybody sick. I’ll see you at homecoming tomorrow. I’m just going to take it easy till then.” Mandy does sound a little stuffed up. “Okay, I’ll see you at the game. Mandy, I love you. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”
“I know. I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye.”
Carrie, Johnny, and Vania arrive an hour later with Carrie’s parents, and Vania’s Mom in tow. I told Mom and Dad, Johnny doesn’t have any parents. They’re very careful about not making him feel left out. When Vania’s mom, Cindy, finds out we all go to the same church she says she might come when she has a day off, especially now that she knows us. When Seth and Robby arrive, I’m in heaven. I run outside when I hear a honking horn, (Robby of course). Seth gets out and I give him a big hug. He feels so good I almost cry. I’ve missed him so much. He looks so happy, “Megs, it’s okay. Hey, don’t cry. I’m here and we have the whole weekend together.” Pastor Bill and his wife Gina walk around to the back to give Seth and me a moment of privacy. When we walk back to the pool area, we’re just in time to see Robby pick Carrie up and throw her in the pool. He then cannonballs in to rescue her with a Tarzan yell.
Pastor Bill calls out, “Let the party begin.”
As we’re all sitting down to eat the doorbell rings. My dad gets up to answer it. I wish he hadn’t. Dad comes back with a big smile on his face, laughing at a joke told by Jude. I can’t believe my eyes. I had told my parents about Jude. I just about choke on my burger. Why would they let him in?
My dad says, “I guess most of you know Damon.” I forgot to tell my parents that Jude also calls himself Damon.
“Hi, Megan, Vania, Johnny. Sorry I’m late. I had a few things to set up before tomorrow.”
Damon walks right up to Seth, “Who’s this? My competition?” Damon sounds like he’s joking. He holds out his hand for Seth to shake, “Hi, I’m Damon, Megan’s lab partner, and you’re…”
Seth stands up, wipes his hand off on napkin, and reaches out to shake Damon’s hand, “I’m Seth, Megan’s boyfriend.”
Damon squeezes Seth’s hand hard. I can see a look of shock on Seth’s face. He can see now that Damon is not here for a friendly visit.
I turn to Damon and say, “I’m surprised you’re here, I didn’t invite you.”
“Megan!” My dad says, “That’s not how we treat guests. How ’bout a burger, Damon?” My dad offers, shooting me a dirty look for my rude behavior.
“Sure Mr. Laughlin I’m starving,” Damon smiles and takes a seat at the table. Damon starts filling up his plate. I reach under the table and grab Seth’s hand. Vania’s gone pale and stopped eating. Johnny eats slowly keeping his eyes on Damon. Robby is cluelessly stuffing his face and making plays for Carrie’s attention. Sam stares, not sure what is going on. The adults are seated at a separate table inside the porch area. We can hear them chatting away. After getting Damon a burger, my dad rejoins them.
“Why are you here?” I ask.
Damon talks with his mouth full. “I told you, Mouse. I’m here to size up the competition. Frankly, facing you all doesn’t seem like much of a challenge.”
Seth looks at me, “What is he talking about?”
Damon says, “Ah—keeping secrets? How many of these fools don’t even know what they’re up against?”
Robby looks up having caught the tail end of what Damon was saying.
He stands up looking down at Damon, “Is there a problem here? Maybe you should leave.”
Damon stands up, looks Robby in the eye, and says, “I’ll decide when it’s time to leave, choir boy,” he places a finger on Robby’s chest and
Robby goes flying a good ten feet backwards into the pool.
Seth stands up and says, “What the…what’s going on here?”
Johnny reaches for Damon’s arm, grabs it and says, “It’s time to leave. You’ve had your fun and games.”
Johnny escorts Damon out the door while we go to help Robby out of the pool.
The adults think the guys were horsing around so they didn’t pay any attention. They go back into the house to the front living room for coffee and desert.
Robby says as he climbs out of the pool, “What just happened isn’t possible. Tell me I didn’t just fly backward from a finger push. What is going on?”
Seth grabs a towel and lobs it to Robby as he answers, “I don’t know man. I have no idea what’s happening.”
Carrie looks like she’s about to have a panic attack. She looks at me and says, “He said we were the competition and called us fools. He said it to Meg; She’s got to know what’s going on.” I look around at my friends. How do I tell them? I look to Vania for help, maybe she can help me explain.
Vania looks at me, “Tell them. They have to know. Jude is targeting them too.” All eyes swivel back to me. I see Johnny opening the porch door, walking back to us. I breathe a sigh of relief. He can help me explain.
I say, “Here, let Johnny explain.”
As Johnny gets back, he says, “I think it’s time everyone here knows. I think it’s fair to say Judas, or as you may know him by the names of Jude or Damon, is going to target everyone here. Who knows what we will be facing this weekend.”
As Johnny finishes his last statement, he begins to glow brightly then levitates in case there is doubt in anyone’s mind. Seth says, “What are you?” Robby, for once, is speechless. Carrie has a look of wonderment on her face.
Sam whispers, “You’re one too.”
Before he can be questioned, Johnny says, “I’m an angel, sent from God. You know there is a spiritual war that started in Heaven and is now continuing here on Earth. Megan here can see angels and demons. Because of her gift, she has attracted this evil angel who goes by many names.”
Johnny comes back down and resumes his human form, “I’m here to help bind him, but I need your help. You are saved. Your names are written in the Book of Life. But many kids this weekend could be swayed by Judas to make choices that can cost them their lives and lead to the destruction of their souls. Judas can’t hurt you without God’s permission. We should get some sleep. You’re going to need your energy for tomorrow.”