XXII

Seven’s adrenaline spiked when he simultaneously saw Zella’s chocolate lab laying in a puddle of blood and Zella running down an isle being chased by a knife wielding madman. Seven grabbed a jar of some type of herb and dashed to Zella’s rescue. After she ran by him, he heaved the jar at the assailant’s head as hard as he could. It only grazed his ear, but the man swore and swiped the knife at Seven, slicing into his forearm.

Seven shrieked and clutched his wounded limb. The man stabbed at him again, but Seven blocked it and tackled him. Although the man was roughly Seven’s size, they landed with the culprit on top of Seven, giving the creep the advantage. Seven felt white hot heat as the knife penetrated his chest as he punched the man on the side of the face. It didn’t seem to faze him and the knife came down again grazing Seven’s neck. Seven landed a jab in the guy’s nose just before the knife plunged into his chest again. Seven feebly tried to punch the man when a jar crashed over the villain’s head and the guy slumped on top of him.

Zella pulled the unconscious man off of Seven. He felt surprisingly tranquil as he saw Zella frantically talking on her phone. Then she was straddling Seven’s midsection as she pressed towels to his wounds with fluttering hands and trembling lips. Seven tried to speak, but nothing came out. His eyes became heavy and he closed them.

“Stay with me, Seven,” he heard Zella say as she slapped his face. He opened his eyes and saw tears dripping off her cheeks. “Please, baby, don’t die on me.”

Baby? Did Zella just call him baby. In Seven’s mind, he laughed yet nothing came out. He thought it strange the way death affected people. Seven sobered. Was he going to die? He wasn’t ready. He hadn’t got his life in order. Yet that dark black veil was coming down. He could hear sirens as his vision blurred and light seemed to dissipate.

“Seven,” Zella shouted as she slapped his face and then she spoke in sobs. “Please stay with me, honey. Help is almost here.”

Seven’s eyes popped open and Zella’s big lovely eyes were only a foot away from his. His eyes rotated down to her plump, silky, soft lips. He puckered, and Zella laughed as she cried. Then she gently pressed her lips against Seven’s lips. He deepened the kiss and she let him. Then he went slack with his eyes vacant. She took a breath to shout his name when two police officers entered her shop with their guns drawn. To her relief, they were followed by two paramedics.

A day and a half later, Seven opened bleary eyes. What happened? Oh yeah, the guy attacking Zella. Where was she? Was she okay? Was her dog, Free, okay? Was he okay? Where was he? His eyes closed against his will, and he forced them back open. Brock was hovering over him, a concerned look on his face. The scar curling from Brock’s mouth made him look sinister and the lighting made his face look pale. No wonder Dirk thought he was The Joker when he too laid in a hospital bed.

“He’s awake,” he heard Brock say as he fought to gain his bearings.

“Water,” he croaked.

“Hang on, little buddy,” Brock said. He heard Brock pouring water into a cup as footsteps approached. He expected them to have been from Destiny, but when he looked he saw Zella standing next to Brock, looking at him wide eyed. “Open up.”

Seven tried to lift his head and aim his mouth at the straw Brock offered. A nurse appeared and put a hand behind Seven’s head. She propped it up and Brock poked the straw between his lips. Seven Sallie sucked, and water never felt so good as it filled his mouth and slid down his parched throat. Seven’s head was eased back to the pillow and he moaned with both pleasure and pain.

“You put quite the scare into us, my man,” Brock told him with a sad smile. “The doc told us one of the knife wounds barely missed your heart.”

The two cousins stared at each other for a long moment. Then Seven’s eyes rotated to Zella. She gazed at him as if frightened.

“Hey,” Brock said softly. “I’m gonna go get Dee. She’s out in the waiting room. They only allow two at a time in here.”

Seven watched Brock leave. Then he looked at Zella and offered a weak smile. “Thanks for saving me.”

Zella snorted. “I think you got that backwards. You almost died saving me.”

Seven shook his head. “Saved with a kiss.”

“I don’t know about that,” Zella giggled nervously as she glanced at the nurse. The middle aged nurse eyed her coolly and pursed her lips.

“I do,” Seven Sallie said. “I thought I was gonna die. I was surrendering to the darkness. But your kiss excited me. Especially when we kissed like they do in France.”

Zella noticed the nurse shake her head slightly as she loaded a syringe. She also thought she heard a snort of disgust. Did she disapprove of her kissing a severely wounded man, or was it because she was black and Seven was white? Why did she care?

“I didn’t know what else to do. I thought I was losing you,” Zella told him. Then added for the nurses benefit. “I also figured it might give you a goal in recovering. You know, so we could continue the passion under better circumstances.”

Seven gazed at her wide eyed. Then she felt herself cringe inwardly. Why did she say that? What did she really feel anyway? Did Seven’s heroism change her personal guidelines of strict celibacy?

The nurse gave Seven a shot and told him very business like that a doctor would be in to see him shortly.

“How’s your dog?” Seven asked. “How’s Free?”

This unexpected mention of her beloved dog caused a surge of emotion. Zella’s eyes filled with tears as she shook her head and spoke quietly. “She didn’t make it.”

Seven turned his face away from hers and shut his eyes. Zella noticed tears leaking from beneath his lids. She assumed it was due to his injuries, but he lifted a trembling hand to hers and she took hold of it. “I’m so sorry, Zella. Pets can be like family, and I could tell that’s the way it was with you and Free. When my wife and I first separated, I took the family cat because we had discovered our daughter was allergic. Looking back, Buttons was my best friend as I went through the pain and loneliness of our divorce. I can’t count how many times his purrs soothed me as he sat on my lap.”

Zella squeezed his hand and held back a sob as he smiled sweetly at her. She didn’t understand her conflicting emotions. Now that she knew Seven would pull through, she needed to leave. After all, Destiny and Brock were here. “Listen, Seven, I need to go. I promise I’ll be back tomorrow.”

He nodded. “Thanks for giving me hope when I thought I was dying.”

She frowned at him, not understanding how or to what degree their kiss really helped him. But he had saved her life. If the kiss meant that much to him, it was the least she could do to continue to give him hope. Once he completely recovered, she could explain they were just caught up in the moments. So she bent down and pecked his lips. When she arose, Destiny looked at her with a surprised expression that she immediately hid.

“I need to go,” Zella told Destiny. She was tempted to tell her that the kiss she saw wasn’t what she thought. But she didn’t know what she herself thought. “I’ll send Brock back in.”

Destiny hugged her and told her she would let her know of any updates on Seven’s condition. Zella thanked her and quickly left. Halfway between the ICU and the waiting room, Zella stopped, leaned against a wall, and pressed her eyes tightly shut. Her brain reeled with grief over Free and gratitude Seven was expected to make a full recovery. Not to mention her chaotic feelings for Seven.

Her mind teetered back and forth with I love him, I love him not. But how could she love him? They barely knew each other. Did the shared drama of what they went through speed up the feelings process? Did his risking his life to save hers negate her personal oath to be a confirmed bachelorette? What was Seven’s interest in her anyway? A fling, a romp in the hay? Or was he looking for love?

Zella heard footsteps and quickly composed herself. She made her way to the waiting room on shaky legs to tell Brock she was leaving and he could go back in. When she entered, she found Brock leaning on his elbows, head bowed and pinching the bridge of his nose. She moved toward him and placed a hand on his shoulder. She felt him give a little start under her touch.

“Oh, hey Zella,” he said as he stood. “Is something wrong?”

“No, no,” she replied. “I just need to go. I wanted to let you know you could go back in.”

“Thanks.”

“You know Brock, it’s not your fault. You shouldn’t beat yourself up over Seven’s injuries.”

“Well, I beg to differ, Zella. I was supposed to be watching his back twenty four seven. I let his smooth talking convince me he would be safe going to your store without me.”

“What happened had nothing to do with the death threats against him. It was just bad timing for Seven being there when an unstable client of mine showed up. Good timing for me. I’d probably be dead if it wasn’t for Seven being there. He went after the guy with no regard for himself.”

Brock pursed his lips and nodded. “I’m proud of him.”

“You should be.”

“Take care, Zella,” Brock said as he gave her shoulder a friendly pat. He turned to go to Seven’s room. “We’ll be seeing ya.”

“Brock,” she said, grabbing his elbow.

“Yeah?” He replied as he turned back to her with an inquisitive expression.

“I understand you and Seven, um, haven’t always seen eye to eye.”

“That’s an understatement,” Brock chuckled. “We spent nearly a decade without speaking.”

“What was your feud over?”

“I wouldn’t call it a feud. When we were younger, I just got tired of his obnoxious personality putting me in situations to bail him out of altercations. He didn’t seem to provoke people to the point of fighting when I wasn’t with him to handle his battles. So I guess you could say I gave him an ultimatum that I was done. Then we just sort of went our separate ways, so to speak. Plus around that same time, he got married and had a kid.”

“Do you guys get along now?”

“For the most part, yeah,” Brock said with a shrug.

“So is he not as obnoxious now? He certainly seems obnoxious on his podcast.”

“He’s definitely matured,” Brock said and then chuckled. “Maybe his podcast gives him an outlet to relieve his pent up angst.”

“Was he ever abusive in his marriage?”

“Not to my knowledge. If anything, he was too tolerant of her adulterous behavior.”

“Is that why they divorced, because she cheated on him?”

“Three strikes and she was out.”

“I see. That is very tolerant for a man.”

Brock raised an eyebrow.

“No offense. It’s just in the circles I’ve traveled, I haven’t been very impressed with the male half of the population. I was once slapped by a boyfriend for smiling at the UPS guy and telling him to have a nice day. But you Cotton Creek Cove guys are starting to make me think there might be a few good men after all.”

“Well, thank you,” Brock replied meekly.

“Listen, I better let you go,” Zella said. “Destiny’s gonna wonder what happened to you.”

“Hey Zella,” Brock said with a sly grin. “I detected Seven has a thing for you, but are you sweet on him as well?”

“I don’t know,” she replied shyly. “I’m just really confused right now. I don’t understand what I’m feeling. I’m not interested in a relationship, but Seven is, I don’t know, special.”

“Yes, he is,” Brock said smiling. Zella couldn’t tell if he was serious or not.

“Be honest, do you think I should keep my distance?”

“I think you should at least open yourself up to friendship. From where I sit, you two both seem to have hit it off, albeit in a strange way.”

“Whatever could you mean?” Zella said with a sing song voice. “Aren’t most people attacked by a knife wielding wacko when they’re getting to know each other?”

“You’re asking the wrong guy,” Brock grinned. “Just read Knight Storm by Johnathan Embers and you’ll see that Dee and I had an, um, odd courtship.”

“I have read it,” Zella laughed. “And good point.”

They said goodbyes, and Brock made his way to Seven’s room. He found Destiny sitting quietly and looking at her phone. Seven laid with eyes shut and mouth agape.

“Hey, check this out,” Brock said conspiratorially. “You know how we noticed Seven has the hots for Zella? Well, it appears that the feelings are mutual.”

Seven’s eyes popped open and his head rotated toward the couple as he asked, “Really?”

XXI

A healthy, earthy smell penetrated Seven’s nostrils as he walked into Zella’s herb and vitamin store. Bells jangled as the door closed behind him. Zella emerged from the backroom, smiled warmly at Seven and asked if she could help him. When it dawned on her who she was talking to, the smile disappeared from her face and her eyes widened in surprise.

“I was hoping to schedule an appointment for a psychic reading session,” Seven Sallie said cheerily.

Zella put her hands on her hips and gave him a stern look, but he thought he noticed a smile trying to curl at the corner of her mouth. Then she put two fingers to her temple and closed her eyes for a couple of seconds. “I’m sensing that you are not a believer in psychic powers.”

Zella’s corn rows were gone. Her long black, coarse hair was combed back tight against her scalp and bound into a ponytail. Bangs hung right down to her brows and with her big dark intelligent eyes, she looked incredibly cute. With a form fitting green sweater and faded blue jeans, she also looked sexy.

Seven put two fingers to his temple and closed his eyes for a couple of seconds. “I’m sensing that you are no longer giving psychic readings.”

Zella put two fingers to her temple again and closed her eyes. “I’m sensing that you called my number and heard the message that I am no longer doing psychic readings.”

Seven kept his fingers on his temple and closed his eyes again. “I’m sensing you’re right.”

“That’s some intuitive ability, seeing how I just told you,” Zella said as she laughed.

Seven laughed too. But more due to relief from feeling like ice was broken than humor. He took off the Minnesota Twins baseball cap he was wearing and ran his hand through his hair. Zella marveled, not for the first time, at how much he looked like a prettier version of Brock. She even preferred Seven’s wiry toned physique to Brock’s bulging muscles. Although he could stand to be a little more toned. She didn’t like what she was feeling. She had sworn off men a few years ago. She covered her desire to flirt with a stern expression.

“So, if you know I gave up psychic reading, why are you here?” She asked with a cool tone.

“It must be a very recent development.”

“What?”

“Giving up your psychic gig.”

“I took down the sign and changed my phone message as soon as I got home last night.”

“Why?”

Zella sighed. “It’s really none of your business.”

“Wait, I’m getting something,” Seven Sallie said as he put two fingers to his temple again and shut his eyes tight. “I’m sensing common ground. I’m sensing last night was some type of last straw for both of us. I’m sensing pesky people from Cotton Creek Cove fellowship have been getting under our skin. I’m sensing you and I are falling for each other.”

This fourth element took Zella by surprise and her mouth gaped open. She quickly regained her facial composure, but she noticed her hands quivering slightly as she placed them on her hips.

“Three out of four ain’t bad,” she said and then wondered if she was lying.

“So I was wrong about the pesky Cotton Creek Cove people?”

“Nope.”

“I was wrong about last night being the last straw?”

“Nope.”

“I was wrong about common attraction?”

“Nope,” Zella replied before he finished saying attraction. Her eyes widened at her mistake. She assumed he was going to say common ground.

“Great!” Seven Sallie said and then moved his face toward hers with puckered lips.

“Back off, you fool!” Zella blurted as she shoved two hands into his chest.

Seven began to laugh as a dog emerged and began to bark fiercely.

“It’s okay, Free,” Zella told the chocolate lab with a sweet voice. “Go lay down, honey.”

The dog laid down right where she was and eyed Seven suspiciously.

“Well, I guess I’m definitely not a psychic,” Seven Sallie said as he threw up his hands and grinned at Zella. “I apologize, I thought I detected a mutual chemistry between us that was about to combust into incredible passion.”

Zella opened her mouth and closed it. Although she told herself that she did not like Seven Sallie, she ironically found him very attractive indeed. But after last night, she was determined to live honestly. The first step, and it was a big one, was shutting down her profession as a psychic and a life coach. So, maybe the way to not lie to Mr. Sallie, was to simply stay quiet on the subject.

“So I am wrong then?” Seven asked.

Zella crossed her arms and glared at him, but remained silent. He grinned merrily. Anger and irritation welled within her.

“Cat got your tongue?” Seven provoked as it occurred to him that she might not want to lie to him. Zella amped up the fierceness in her gaze and he chuckled. “Would you say yes or no please?”

“Can I punch you in the face?”

“Ooooh, I’m afraid not I’m into that, Zella.”

“How about I tie you up and whip you?”

“Noooo, not that either.”

“So what are you into?” Zella blurted with out thinking and instantly regretted it.

Seven’s face suddenly became serious and he spoke quietly. “I want what Brock and Destiny seem to have.”

Seven stared at her with a warm sentimental smile. Yet in his eyes she saw he was lost, lonely and confused. This made her even more drawn to him than she already was. She both hated and liked the vulnerability that she felt. It was like he was gazing into her soul and seeing how lost and lonely she  was too. After all, it’s been said the eyes are the windows to the soul. Were the thick, tough shades she had installed on her eyes stuck open? She wondered this as he seemed to wallow in the silence that spoke volumes between them. Finally she couldn’t stand the deafening silence that seemed to have lasted an hour, even though in reality it was less than a minute.

“What do they have?” Zella asked and then felt her toes curl at the squeaky quiver in her voice.

Seven sighed and looked away from her. As he began to speak, he almost seemed shy. “The way they are two, but seem like one. The way they complement each other in their individual spiritual journeys.  When they converse, whoever is listening seems utterly fascinated with what the other is saying. When they walk together, they hold hands. They can sit quietly at breakfast and seem to speak volumes to each other without hardly saying a word. At night they share a mug of sleepy time tea by the fireplace and read Bible verses to each other. I don’t know, things like that. It’s hard to describe.”

“Well, you did a fine job describing them,” Zella replied matter of fact as she tried hard to hide just how intrigued she actually was. “But you and I aren’t Brock and Destiny.”

“We could be,” Seven said quietly. “It seems we are both being drawn to something bigger than ourselves.”

“I don’t think so, Mr. Sallie,” Zella replied, trying to undo the bond that was beginning to solidify between them by addressing him formally. “I’m not interested in a romantic relationship.”

“Are you coming off a breakup?”

“It’s been a few years, but I rather like being alone,” Zella answered and then realized she uttered a falsehood. Since her roommate moved out a few months previous, she sometimes felt like loneliness would consume her.

“Look, how about we forget all about this mutual attraction you’re denying and I’m trying to embrace, and we just focus on being friends?”

Zella snorted, refolded her arms and raised a skeptical eyebrow at Seven.

“Listen,” Seven Sallie said. “I know I tend to be, a, um…”

“Obnoxious?”

“I was thinking witty.”

“Smarmy?”

“I was thinking charming.”

“Annoying?”

“Okay, now you’re just hurting my feelings.”

Zella laughed and extended a hand to shake. “Okay, friends. Nothing more.”

“Fair enough,” Seven Sallie said as he took hold of her hand. “However, may I kiss your hand?”

“Now, Seven,” Zella whined in exasperation. “What part of nothing more do you not understand?”

“Look, I just want to kiss your hand as a gentleman. That will help me with the keen disappointment I feel over being denied your succulent lips now or ever in the future.”

“Seven, how are we ever going to be just friends?”

“Is that an indirect way of admitting attraction to me?”

“Yes, I find you slightly attractive, okay, Seven. Are you happy now? I mean, you’ve looked in a mirror. Nature has been quite good to you physically. But you are going to have to prove your worthiness as a friend. And if you do, nothing more. Ever! Do you understand?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Seven Sallie said meekly.

“Then kiss my hand and be done with it,” Zella said quickly and then sighed.

Seven smirked as he grasped her lightly by the fingers and brought the back of her hand to his mouth. His lips were warm, soft, and he let them linger. Zella’s brain told her the kiss was plenty long and to pull her hand away. But her lonely heart caused her own lips to part as she felt a thrill ease up her spine.

“Mm, is that lavender I smell?” Seven asked as his head lifted and their eyes met.

“French lavender,” she replied with a squeak as her toes curled again.

Seven lowered his head to her hand again and she feebly tried to pull it away. “Just one, Seven.”

“I just want to sniff the French lavender again, if I may.”

His nose ever so slightly touched her hand and his lips barely brushed her knuckles. It tickled and she giggled as she jerked her hand away. “No more kisses now period. Got it?”

“I got it,” he smiled as he showed the palms of his hands in a show of submission.

“Alright then, let’s go back to the beginning. What did you want to talk to me about?”

Seven’s face became stern as he frowned. “I’d simply like to get your thoughts and perspectives on what we saw and participated in last night.”

“Well,” Zella sighed. “Other than when I thought a former boyfriend might kill me during a beating, it was the scariest thing I have ever been a part of.”

Zella stared heatedly at Seven, testing his response, and expecting him to look away. Maybe her response would cool his jets about any romantic notions. Instead he gazed at her with warmth and sympathy exuding from his eyes. She could almost hear the drippings of her heart melting.

“Zella, I’m so sorry,” he said quietly.

“It’s not your fault I had a habit of choosing bad men. Do you hear me? Had!”

“Not just for that. I mean for coming on to you. Especially since we don’t know each other very well. I guess over the last few years, I got used to talking to attractive women at bars, you know, trying to hook up and what not. So once again I’m sorry. I was trying to be lighthearted and funny. But I ended up being forward and rude. I truly want us to be friends. I promise I will put my attraction to you in the same place I have with finding Destiny attractive. By that I mean that I’m aware of it, but it’s strictly off limits.”

Zella was surprised that part of her wanted to shout: No! I want you to find me attractive, I want you to flirt with me, and eventually I want to give in so we can live happily ever after. However, real life isn’t a fairy tale. It’s hard and dangerous. So, she simply smiled sadly and nodded.

“Okay,” Seven Sallie said as he clapped his hands together. The chocolate lab lifted her head, growled and glared at Seven for a few seconds before lowering it to her paws again. “Talk to me about being terrified.”

“Well,” she shrugged and waved a hand at him. “You should know. You probably would have fled if you had managed to get the door open.”

Seven felt his face flush with embarrassment.

“I didn’t mean that as any type of slight, Seven,” she said as she put a hand on his, and then jerked it quickly away. “If anyone knows that it was especially dangerous for you to be there, it was me. I was the one that warned you about Lexi a week before it all imploded.”

Seven nodded, and then asked. “Did last night have anything to do with you suddenly stopping your psychic reading profession?”

“It had a huge part to do with it.”

 “I don’t get it. So last night changed how you think and what you do, just like that,” Seven Sallie said as he snapped his fingers. The chocolate lab opened her eyes growled once, snorted, and then shut her eyes.

“No, my, what would you call it, change of heart?” Zella pondered. “I would have to say it began with my best friend and former roommate Willa. Actually this guy that came to see Willa is where it began for me. You might have met him. His name is Billy Bob Booker. He goes to Cotton Creek Cove.”

“I’ve heard the name and good things about him, but we haven’t met.”

Zella looked over Seven’s shoulder and sighed. Seven turned to look and saw a figure approaching the store. “Not him again,” Seven heard Zella say under her breath.

“Hey, Zella, may I use your restroom?” Seven Sallie said.

“Sure, through those curtains and then the second door on the right.”

Seven was washing his hands when he heard Free barking ferociously. Then he heard Zella emit a bloodcurdling scream just as the chocolate lab cried. Why did he insist to Brock that he wanted to go to Zella’s alone? Nonetheless, Seven flung open the restroom door and ran out of the back room. Free laid in a pool of blood as Zella ran down an isle with a knife wielding man chasing her!

XX

“Alright strong man, tough guy, Mr. Macho,” Seven Sallie said to Brock. “Tell me the truth.”

“Well okay,” he replied with lighthearted mockery. “Even though I don’t know what you are about to ask, I was planning on lying. But since you told me to tell the truth, I will.”

Seven frowned with exasperation and then asked. “Were you scared last night?”

“I was terrified,” Brock admitted. “Yet on the other hand, I have never been more secure in fear than I was with Lexi’s demon possession ordeal.”

“How can that be?”

“The power of God,” Destiny interjected.

“Exactly,” Brock said as he reached out and gave Destiny’s hand an affectionate squeeze. “Plus the love of God that was flowing through everyone.”

“Everyone except me,” Seven Sallie said dejectedly.

“Good point,” Brock replied.

“Honey!” Destiny scolded.

“I’m kidding, Seven,” Brock said with a chuckle.

“I’m not,” Seven Sallie said. “Even Zella La Stella and Lexi’s boyfriend, what’s his name, you know, Dirk’s brother.”

“Devin,” Destiny said.

“Yeah, Devin,” Seven Sallie said as he pointed a confirming finger at Destiny. “With his tattoos of demons and demented clowns. Even he was more composed than me.”

“Yeah, but he wasn’t threatened with death by Lexi either,” Brock replied. “At least I don’t think he ever was.”

“Brock’s right, Seven,” Destiny said. “It took a lot of courage for you to just show up. Let alone sticking out the whole demon possession episode.”

“I don’t see clawing at the door in absolute panic and then whimpering in Brock’s arms as courageous,” Seven Sallie said with a sigh.

“Listen, little buddy,” Brock said as he put a reassuring hand on his cousin’s shoulder. “I guarantee you that everyone witnessing that deliverance last night has nothing but admiration for you sticking it out. Everyone there heard Lexi say one of the last things she remembered was being on a mission to kill you.”

“Another thing, Seven,” Destiny added. “You and Amy were the only ones Lexi and or the demons directly focused on.”

“I wonder if Amy would mind talking with me about last night?” Seven wondered.

“Of course she’d talk to you, Seven. She’d be glad to,” Destiny said.

“Actually, I want to talk to everyone that was there, especially Lexi,” Seven declared. Then he looked at Brock with raised eyebrows. “Would you mind, um, being with me if and when I talk to Lexi?”

“What for?” Brock asked with a sly grin.

Seven glanced at Destiny and then back to Brock. “Oh nevermind.”

“No, of course I will,” Brock said. “I’m supposed to be watching your back anyway, remember?”

Seven ran his hands through his long dark hair and mumbled. “It’s real. It’s truly real.”

“What’s real, Seven?” Destiny asked.

“God and the devil,” Seven Sallie said with awe. “Angels and demons. And I’m ashamed that it took a demon infested, supernatural experience to wake me up. If I am truly awake. I don’t know if I should even claim to be.”

“God works in mysterious ways,” Brock told him.

Seven looked at Brock with intense eyes. “Sorry if I’m barking up the same tree, but what exactly made it real for you? I mean, I never would have dreamed you would one day be this super spiritual guy I saw taking part in casting out demons.”

“For me, it was a long process,” Brock replied and then looked at his wife. “But if I had to point to one thing above others, it was witnessing Dee’s conversion and talking to her about it that led me to commit myself. Her experience was a seemingly much shorter process than mine, and I couldn’t understand why.”

“So what about you then, Dee?” Seven asked. “What caused you to see the light so much quicker than Mr. Storm?”

“I don’t know about all that,” she laughed. “I guess it was that my soul had been so tormented with emptiness and ugliness, I almost ended my life. By the grace of God He led me to my Aunt Belle. Then through her influence, my emptiness was filled up with Jesus.”

“But no matter how empty or sinful and lost you were, you still had to believe,” Seven Sallie said. “What made you trust the Bible and the God of the Bible? I mean with all of its contradictions, codes and mysteries?”

“Well,” she began and then cleared her throat. “First of all, I think that people who think the Bible contradicts itself have only studied it superficially and without heart searching prayer. As for what you call codes and mysteries, I believe all prophecy should be studied prayerfully and diligently. Then gems of truth will appear like nuggets of gold for the soul. You see, the Bible is simply the tool God gave us to find truth. And as you might already know, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Light.”

“Matthew chapter 7 and verses 7 and 8 says to knock and it will be opened. Ask and you’ll receive. Seek and you’ll find. Notice that in the first couple of chapters of the Bible, you know Genesis, God creates a world of paradise. Then humanity sins and falls. Then in the pages that follow are stories and examples of a world in sin and rebellion. But most importantly are stories and examples of God’s mercy and His plan of redemption for fallen man. This climaxes with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Then in the last couple of chapters of the Bible, found in the book of Revelation, God creates a new heaven and a new earth and wipes away pain and tears forever.”

“Well put, lovely wife,” Brock said with a warm smile. “What a perfect example of God’s all encompassing love. Even the first and last pages of the Holy Bible seem to give the other pages a hug with God’s desire to give His children perfect peace and heavenly bliss.”

“Yet even in this dark world of sin and misery, we can have the kingdom of God within us by following the lead of the Holy Spirit,” Destiny added. Seven marveled at the heavenly gleam that seemed to shine from her eyes and countenance.

“We’re so deceived by time,” Brock said as he shook his head.

“I know,” Destiny replied. “Even if we live to be ninety or into our hundreds, what is that compared to eternity?”

“Even comparing the blink of an eye to one hundred years in an inadequate comparison to time without end,” Brock said.

“Did you have something you wanted to say about Revelation, sweetie?” Destiny asked Brock. “I noticed your mouth opened after I mentioned it.”

“I did,” Brock said. “But it was a little off the subject you were talking about. I was just thinking how much confusion and false teaching has come from the prophetic books of Daniel and Revelation. Probably due to all of the symbolism and most peoples unwillingness to dig deep.”

“Right. Then they end up trusting man made theories like the rapture,” Destiny said.

“Wait a minute,” Seven Sallie said. “Are you saying that you guys don’t believe in the rapture?”

“No, we don’t,” Brock said. “Revelation 1:7 says He comes with clouds and every eye shall see him. Not just righteous eyes, but all eyes.”

“And Jesus Himself tells us in Matthew 24:27,” Destiny added. “For as the lightning comes out of the east and shines to the west, so also shall the Son of man be. That indicates that it will be very noticeable to everyone.”

“The word rapture isn’t even found in the Bible,” Brock said.

“I can’t figure you guys out,” Seven Said.

“What do you mean?” Destiny asked.

“I can’t decide if you guys are nut job cult wackos, or if you’re tapping into primitive Godliness.”

“Hopefully the latter,” Brock said, then grinned and slapped a friendly hand on Seven’s shoulder. “Then again, the book of Jeremiah tells us that the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, who can know it?”

“I remember that verse, because it applies directly to me,” Seven said with a snort and shook his head. “Man, I think I’m ready for more Bible studies.”

“Good,” Destiny and Brock said in unison.

“So, you guys think you understand Daniel and Revelation?” Seven asked.

“We don’t think, we know,” Brock replied with a shrug.

“Honey,” Destiny scolded with a smirk. “How about a little humility?”

“Seven knows I’m teasing.”

“Do I?” Seven asked with an arched eyebrow.

“I believe we do have a good grasp on prophecy, Seven,” Destiny said meekly. “But there’s always more to learn. Especially when it comes to spiritual truths.”

“So you guys will study it with me, and show me what you’ve discovered?” Seven asked.

“Of course,” Brock said. “When?”

“Do you want to get started now?” Destiny inquired.

“Actually, I think I’m ready for some shut eye,” Seven Sallie said. “Then I want to contact one or two of the people present at the exorcism. How about maybe tonight or tomorrow night?”

“Okay,” Destiny and Brock replied at the same time.

“But first I need to get to the bottom of what we witnessed last night.”

XIX

As Destiny sleepily made her way to the restroom, she was surprised to see Seven sitting at the kitchen table staring trance like at a mug. As she took care of personal business, curiosity over Seven caused her to become fully awake. It was almost 2am before they had arrived home from Lexi’s deliverance.

“Good morning, Seven,” Destiny greeted as cheerily as she could muster. His eyes were bloodshot and dark circles framed them. Was he drunk? “You’re up early. It’s not even six.”

“I haven’t been to bed.”

“What have you been doing?”

“Thinking, praying.”

“Drinking?” She asked and immediately regretted it.

“Actually, no,” he replied mildly. “For the first time in probably a couple years I’ve gone a whole calendar day without a drink.”

“Good for you.”

“Well,” he chuckled sadly. “It was circumstance, not intention.”

“What do mean?”

“If it wasn’t for that ordeal last night, I would have had my usual nightly nip.”

Destiny nodded. She was disappointed he was still drinking every day. He hadn’t been obviously drunk since his first few days staying with her and Brock. But she also knew he had to be convicted about alcohol himself.

“So what were you thinking and praying about?” Destiny inquired. “If you don’t mind me asking.”

“A lot of things,” he replied with a sigh and a shrug. “My mind has been all over the place. It’s been a mental yin and yang tug of war all night.”

“Can you tell me something specific you’ve been thinking about?”

Seven exhaled, leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and looked at the ceiling. “I need to know.”

Seven continued to gaze at the ceiling. After a minute of silence, Destiny spoke. “You need to know what?”

“Last night was the real deal,” Seven Sallie said as he looked at Destiny. “The only thing that would be more impressive, more awe inspiring, would be seeing Jesus Himself casting out demons.”

“Seven,” Destiny replied with a sweet smile, her eyes filling with light. “You did. Jesus was every bit there last night as when he walked the shores of Galilee two thousand years ago. You just didn’t see Him in a physical body. He was working through us as we prayed. You included, Seven.”

“What about Zella and Devin?”

Destiny frowned and looked at the table as she considered the fortune teller and Dirk’s brooding older brother. A couple of his demon tattoos crossed her mind’s eye. As did the colorful sign that advertised psychic readings outside of Zella’s home. She had seen evidence that God was working with both souls and they were responding according to their individual free will. She recalled in Mark chapter nine when the disciple John told the Savior that one was casting out devils in His name that did follow with them. Jesus replied to not forbid them.

“Are you familiar with C.S. Lewis’s book ‘Mere Christianity’?” Destiny asked.

“Yeah, I read it a long time ago.”

“I don’t know if you remember a part in it where Lewis talks about a person with a pathological horror of cats. And he forces himself to pick up a cat for some reason. He suggests it is quite possible that in God’s eyes he could have shown as much courage as a healthy man going to war.”

Seven frowned. “What’s that have to do with Zella and Devin?”

“We don’t know where they are at on life’s spiritual journey. We don’t know their struggles, influences and hardships. We don’t know their strengths and weaknesses. We can not judge. Only God knows the heart. But something much bigger than ourselves brought each and every one of us to Lexi’s rescue last night.”

“So Zella and Devin both recognized something in you all,” Seven Sallie said as he wiggled an index finger back and forth before it landed on his chin in contemplation. “That they both sought out your help with what was going on with Lexi. You all created this ring of love that drove out this obviously demonic captivity of her being.”

“There you go, ring of love! And God is that Love!” Destiny said with a big smile. “Jesus was the thread running through that circle of love. And you were part of that circle, Seven. Don’t you see?”

“But I tried to flee,” he replied and almost felt like weeping in frustration.

“But you didn’t.”

“So what’s that mean?” Seven asked as he threw up his hands in exasperation.

“It means that Satan is going about as a roaring lion seeking who he might devour,” Destiny explained. “I believe the dark side has seen something in you and they tried to drive you away. Demons don’t attack those that are serving them.”

“The dark side almost succeeded,” Seven admitted. “If it wasn’t for Brock, not me. I would have kept searching for a way out of that room.”

“But you see, your cousin is your brother in Christ,” Destiny said with a gentle smile. Her eyes seemed to shine with divine light and love. “He simply extended to you a lifeline of the strength he has found in Christ.”

“I understand what you’re saying, Dee, and I don’t mean to sound blasphemous or unfaithful or whatever. But I took a lot of comfort in Brock’s brawn.”

“I understand why you feel that way, Seven, and I don’t mean to sound disrespectful of my husband. He is the most physically strong and toughest man I have ever known. But Brock’s physical strength was almost entirely irrelevant last night. Even Brock’s personal strength is no match for spiritual wickedness in high places. I believe if it were me or Amy that came to you last night in your time of need, it could have been the same outcome. Not that there is anything in and of ourselves, but it is Christ living in us. That’s where the greatest power in the universe lies. But the carnal mind is blind to this aspect of strength being made perfect in weakness. Love shown through obedience.”

Seven looked at Destiny in awe. The thought that he had never seen a more beautiful woman in his life crossed his mind. But it had to do with her personality rather than the body her soul was housed in. For the first time in their short relationship, he felt like Destiny was his spiritual sister, even though he floundered in his personal religion.

“I want to ask you about something you just said,” Seven Sallie said. Although his podcast was often more entertainment than information, he felt like he was a journalist at heart. Regardless of his faults, Seven did like to thoroughly get to the bottom of things.

“Of course.”

“In my moment of terror,” Seven Sallie said, and then felt satisfied he was able to acknowledge his fright. This in turn reminded him of the strange thing about humility. The second you think you have it, you lost it. “You said that if you or Amy had been in Brock’s place, it could have been the same outcome; not would have been the same outcome.”

“Right,” Destiny nodded. “The reason I said could instead of would is because the situation had a dual aspect. For Amy, Brock and myself, we have a similar trust in God. That’s why the three of us had the same ability to bring you a lifeline in Christ. But you also had a role to play. You had to take hold of that lifeline. No offence, but like you said, a big aspect of you cleaving to Brock was his physical prowess. When in reality, it was irrelevant. You follow me?”

“Are you saying Brock’s not that strong?”

“Who says I’m not that strong?” Brock asked.

Destiny and Seven both jumped at the sound of Brock’s voice. They saw him standing at the bottom of the stairs, striking a fierce wrestling pose.

XVIII

Seven felt himself breathing heavy from tension as he approached Lexi Gomez. After all, he had just seen her exhibiting supernatural behavior of the wrong kind. An inhuman glare had been in her eyes as well as an unnaturally deep growl in her voice and her body contorting at a ridiculous angle. Not to mention ‘the warning’. Was he about to get another one? Maybe he should have just stayed in Minnesota.

“It’s your fault,” Lexi said to Seven with a small smile.

Seven relaxed a little and smiled himself. “You mean all this,” he said pointing around the room. “The levitating and the choking of your sister.”

Lexi looked at Amy with genuine contrition and reached a hand to her sister. “That’s right, I did try to choke you. I’m so, so sorry!”

“Just know, I love you and forgive you, Lex,” Amy said before she pulled her sister into an embrace.

“Thank you,” Lexi said meekly as she hugged her back. When they parted, quiet tears ran down both of their cheeks. “I don’t know how I can ever thank you for helping me. All of you, thank you. And Mr. Sallie, I need to give you an extra special thank you. So, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.”

“Me?” Seven Sallie said with a puzzled frown as he pointed a thumb into his chest. With a touch of shame, he recalled how he wanted to burst through the door and flee when Lexi focused her demonic glare and growl on him. “Why me?”

“You see,” Lexi began weakly and then sighed heavily. “Oh boy, I’m so tired, I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay, honey,” Captain Kirk said. “You’ve been through quite a battle. Get some rest and recount your ordeal later.”

“Thank you pastor, but no,” Lexi said with a burst of energy. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am for every single one of you for not abandoning me in my time of desperate need. Please, I want to explain in a nutshell what you have witnessed tonight. I guess this all began many weeks ago at your church, Pastor Samson. I had attended Billy Bob Booker’s wedding with my boyfriend Devin.”

Everyone turned to look at Dirk’s brother. Devin had been staring at Lexi with a stunned expression. When he found sixteen eyes gazing at him, Devin forced a smile and nodded once. Then eight pairs of eyes turned back to Lexi in anticipation.

“For the first time I could remember,” Lexi continued. “I felt a drawing to God. As I watched my sister with her husband Dirk, and Destiny and Brock. Billy Bob Booker and his bride. I wanted that peace and joy I saw in their whole demeanors. When we left the church, I stole a Bible from a bookshelf. I’m sorry, pastor. I ended up burning it, but I will buy ten new ones and bring them to you.”

“That’s quite all right, dear one,” Captain Kirk said with a chuckle as he gave his long white beard a stroke. “I forgive you, and most importantly, so does God.”

“Anyhow, I read it from cover to cover,” Lexi explained. “And reread certain parts. But even as I became closer to God, dark thoughts overpowered the good ones. Then I would have periods of black outs, where I couldn’t remember what I did for hours. I figured your church wasn’t for me, but I wanted to get my life figured out. I wanted to understand my existence. I wanted a spiritual destiny. Not Brock’s wife of course, but a purpose in life.”

A titter of laughter crossed through the little group.

“That’s when I thought of Zella La Stella,” Lexi continued as eight pairs of eyes briefly fell upon the professed psychic. Zella frowned and bit her lower lip. “It was also at Billy Bob Booker’s wedding where I met her for the first time. At the reception, Zella was telling the writer Johnathan Embers about meeting Billy Bob and the influence he had over her friend Willa. Willa had been involved in a form of prostitution and actually operated her sex trade in the basement of the Victorian house she shared with Zella.”

Sixteen eyes turned upon Zella once again. She felt her ears get hot with embarrassment as she nervously explained. “Most, if not all, of you know Willa and her story. Obviously she’s no longer involved in the sex trade. Johnathan Ember’s e-book about her conversion is available on Amazon if any of you want to read about it.”

“So I had made an appointment with Zella to get a reading for direction in my life,” Lexi began again. “Ironically, she told me to pray and read the Bible. She said I had a very dark aura and only the light of God could free me. So I continued with the Bible, but it seemed the harder I sought, the more frustrated I became. I see now I was coming to God with anger and complaints, rather than with a humble teachable attitude.

“You have to realize, I spent half of my life involved in some form of the occult. Especially when I became close with Amy’s and my half sister Jezebel Black. In case you don’t know, the three of us have the same mother, but we all have different fathers. Fortunately for Amy, she was mostly raised by her father’s parents and didn’t get to know Jezebel and me until she was a teenager.

“So, to make a long story short, I spent years actually seeking Satan and embracing dark powers. When I was reading the Bible, I found the section about Jesus in the wilderness the most fascinating. You know, when Satan offered all the kingdoms of the world and what not. And Jesus’s steadfast reply was ‘it is written.’

“I didn’t get all the kingdoms of the world by following Satan, but I did alright. He was really trying to reward me when he put my little sister here into my wares. You remember, sis, when I was trying to make you a stripper? At the same time, Jezebel wanted you for a virgin sacrifice.”

“How could I forget?” Amy replied wide eyed. “Johnathan Embers wrote about it in the e-book ‘Knight Storm’.”

“But low and behold, God intervened using his servant Destiny,” Lexi continued. “You never made it to the stage and pole once or Jezebel’s sick altar of sacrifice. You didn’t even know my long term goal was to make you one of the biggest porn stars in the country. Depraved humanity would have ate up your cute, wholesome good looks doing vile things.”

“Thank God He rescued me,” Amy said gratefully.

“Yes, praise Jesus,” Lexi added and then grinned broadly, raised her hands in the air and looked up. “Not only does that name not make me convulse, I can say it to His glory. Praise Jesus! Praise Jesus my Savior!”

Lexi’s hands then dropped to her face, covering it as she was overcome with emotion. Her body began to shake with sobs of relief and joy. Amy put her arms around Lexi and Lexi hugged her back. “I’m so sorry, little sister, please forgive me. I hope we can start a fresh relationship.”

“Yes and yes, big sister,” Amy replied with a sweet smile.

Lexi leaned toward her sister and kissed her forehead before the two women hugged. Then Amy had a distant memory triggered. She was a little girl. Maybe five or six, she couldn’t remember. It was the last time she remembered seeing Lexi until they were reacquainted after Amy’s grandparents had died when she was a teenager.

Amy was at her mother’s home. Her mother was a drug addict and alcoholic. Amy recalled a man talking really friendly to her as she played. Then he began to touch her in ways that made her feel funny and uncomfortable. Then he took Amy by the hand and lead her away from the toys she had been playing with.

“No, no,” Amy remembered pleading desperately. The man frightened her!

Then Lexi, only a few years older, stepped in front of them. She talked to the man. Then she kissed Amy on the forehead and left hand in hand with the perverted man.

Amy, wanting to confirm why Lexi’s dramatic conversion was real, related the memory. She made sure everyone listening knew that Lexi allowed herself to be abused by the man instead of her. Amy had left out the part in her retelling about Lexi kissing her forehead. So she asked Lexi in front of everybody that had prayed. “Is what I’m remembering real Lex?”

Lexi just bowed her head and whimpered.

“Lexi, is it real?” Amy demanded with surprising  authority.

Lexi calmly looked up at her sister. She slowly moved toward her and kissed her forehead again. “I love you, little sis.”

“I love you, too,” Amy declared as she threw herself into her sister. They both began to sob uncontrollably.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, except for Devin Easton, Lexi’s boyfriend. He continued to stare at Lexi in a daze. He couldn’t figure out what went on with her. He recalled how over the last few months she became so volatile. Then how over the last couple of weeks downright crazy. What did it say about him that he had been attracted to such a witchy woman? Was he possessed himself? Was her conversion genuine? He had witnessed her vacillate from normal to crazy more times than he could count. Now he felt crazy himself.

“Lexi,” Destiny spoke softly as the touching moment between the sisters settled. “What was your interest in Seven Sallie? You had some type of warning for him last week, and now you said you owed him a special thank you.”

“Right,” she laughed. “Sorry about getting sidetracked.”

“Don’t be,” Destiny said with a warm smile. “It was beautiful and a privilege to witness your deliverance. I am blown away at the drastic transformation we just saw.”

“As I tried to seek God over the last months, there was something powerful in me resisting. It was confusing and frustrating. I couldn’t call on the name of Jesus, even though there was this part in me that knew I needed Him. Then I started hearing voices, literal voices. They started telling me they were going to kill Seven Sallie. That’s why in a small moment of clarity I passed on the warning to Zella. Over the last few days the voices got louder and louder until they took me over and told me to kill Seven Sallie myself.”

Lexi clamped a hand over her mouth, bowed her head, and shook it. Seven gazed at her with his mouth agape. Amy took a hold of her sister’s hand. “It’s okay Lex, you didn’t go through with it.”

“I intended to. There’s a gun and a knife in my car to prove it. I don’t know why I ended up at Zella’s and then here with you all.”

“The grace of God,” Amy said as she smiled and happy tears ran down her eyes.

“Amen,” Destiny replied, and the added. “Even though you couldn’t verbalize it, God knew part of you was crying out to Him. But God doesn’t force Himself on anyone. The devil and the demonic are the ones that are about force, manipulation, and bondage.”

“It doesn’t surprise me you don’t remember coming to my place,” Zella said. “Girl, you were out of your mind, babbling incoherently and such. That’s why I called Devin. Then he thought of calling Amy and Dirk.”

“Yeah,” Lexi said with a shrug. “All I know is I left my house determined to kill Seven Sallie.”

Sixteen eyes gazed at Seven. He forced a smile as every hair on the back of his neck stood on end.

XVII

In the days following Zella LaStella’s warning, Seven struggled with double mindedness. He was drawn to Destiny and Brock’s spirituality, but he also still embraced his bitter and cynical mind set as well. He had gone to church with his hosts and was very impressed. But he had long ago considered a three strike rule when it came to church. And church for him had struck out.

He had been a member of three different churches in his lifetime and felt like all had failed him for one reason or another. Yet maybe it was his own life that had failed him. Nonetheless, he was confused. He was a walking contradiction. His persona was part fact and part fiction. Then 180 hours after he had seen the lovely Zella LaStella, they met again under dire circumstances.

It was 6pm. Destiny was preparing a chili supper when Brock’s phone chirped. Destiny could tell by the expression on Brock’s face and the tone of his ‘uh huh’ and ‘I see’ that it wasn’t good news.

“That was Amy,” Brock said when the call ended. “Lexi Gomez is at their place.”

“Oh no!” Destiny exclaimed as she clamped her hand on the sides of her face. “I take it there’s trouble.”

“Not at the moment,” Brock replied. “Apparently she’s passed out or in a trance or some such. But Captain Kirk is there and he wants us to come right away. He says Lexi is demon possessed and he wants us to pray over her for deliverance.”

“You mean like an exorcism?” Seven asked.

“Something like that,” Brock replied as he gazed at his cousin with a serious expression. “Are you coming with us?”

“I, ah, don’t know,” he stammered.

“How did Lexi end up at Amy and Dirk’s place?” Destiny asked.

“I guess Dirk’s brother and that gal that claims to be a psychic brought her.”

“Oh, you mean Zelda,” Destiny said.

“Zella,” Seven corrected. “Zella La Stella. I’ll go with you.”

Destiny and Brock looked at each other. Despite their anxiety, they shook their heads and exchanged grins at Seven’s apparent motivation. When Seven excused himself to use the restroom, Brock expressed his concern.

“I don’t get it, Dee,” Brock said and then sighed. “If Seven is supposed to become some special messenger for God, I’m not really seeing it. Now he seems to have the hots for a so called psychic.”

“Well, it’s been said that God works in mysterious ways for a reason, Sweetie. I’ve noticed good improvements with him this week. For one thing, he hasn’t gotten drunk.”

“But he’s still drinking.”

“He hasn’t been vulgar on his podcast.”

“But he’s still obnoxious.”

“He hasn’t made a snide comment to me all week about my former profession.”

“Well, I caught him looking through your undergarments in the laundry room.”

“Ehhh! You’re kidding!”

“Well, to his credit, he said he lost a favorite pair of socks. And he did end up finding them in my pile.”

“See, you shouldn’t just assume he’s being creepy.”

“True enough. But on the other hand, why check yours first? If he discovered his socks were missing, wouldn’t the logical place be my laundry rather than yours?”

The bathroom door opened abruptly and Seven rejoined the couple. Destiny and Brock became quickly silent, like children caught at something naughty. Seven didn’t even notice and they left post haste for Amy and Dirk’s home.

 As they approached the front door of the three bedroom ranch style house, Destiny’s Aunt Belle exited carrying baby Ella.

“Hi, kids,” Belle greeted with forced cheerfulness.

“Hi, Auntie,” Destiny replied trying to be easy going, but failing. “What’s going on? Where are you going with Ella?”

 “We thought it best if I took Ella over to my place until the ordeal with Lexi is over,” Belle replied. “Right now she’s is in some type of trance. I’ll be praying for you all”

“Thanks,” Destiny and Brock said in unison and then both looked at each other with apprehension.

“Nice to see you, Belle,” Seven Sallie said politely..

“Oh my,” Belle said with a start as she put a protective hand over Ella’s head and then laughed awkwardly. “I didn’t realize you’d be here.”

“Why’s that?” Seven asked cautiously.

“Well, the warning from Lexi. I didn’t think you would be showing up.”

“Well, I’m here. Should I not be?”

“No, Seven,” Belle said encouragingly. “It’s good you’re here. But it’s going to be dark and tough. Have faith in God!”

“Okay,” Seven replied meekly.

The trio entered the home and found everyone in a bedroom. Pastor Samson was praying over Lexi as she lay on a bed and moaned. Amy, Dirk, Zella, and Dirk’s brother Devin looked on solemnly.

“Okay, lets form a circle around Lexi, join hands and pray,” Captain Kirk instructed.

Once everyone was in place with heads bowed, the pastor began to lead out in prayer. After a minute, an inhuman growl emanated from Lexi’s throat. Then she shrieked like a banshee and her back arched at a ridiculous angle. After she slammed back onto the bed, she slowly gazed at everyone and settled on Seven. Her demonic eyes bore into his and her tongue protruded snake like from her mouth as she howled like a dozen wolves.

Seven’s entire body became electrified with terror. He felt like he had been dropped into the middle of a Stephen King novel. The instinct to flee had him break the circle and slam into the wall. Then he dashed to the door and clawed at the knob so frantically with his hands trembling so spastically he couldn’t get a grip on it. Brock approached him and Seven flung himself into his arms.

“Easy, Seven, easy” Brock said as calmly as he could as he rubbed his cousin’s back. “Jesus will protect you. Plus there’s eight of us and one of her.”

“Brock, you and Seven get back to the circle,” Captain Kirk ordered.

Seven regained enough composure to follow Brock back to the prayer circle. Yet his adrenaline had spiked, causing his mind to race. The next couple of minutes were a blur. Then he noticed Destiny and Amy kneeling by Lexi and praying.

The next thing he knew Lexi was shrieking again and choking Amy. Brock and Dirk instantly began prying her hands off of Amy’s neck. Destiny and Captain Kirk both called on the name of Jesus. Lexi let go and her face appeared both horror stricken and frozen into a trance. Her long dark hair was sweaty and matted. Amy sat back on her haunches coughing and gasping for breath.

The next thing Seven witnessed caused him to marvel. Lexi began to whimper and she was saying she was sorry. Was it some type of demonic ploy? Lexi slowly reached a hand toward Amy. Seven felt a chill go up his spine as he watched Amy take her sister’s hand into her own. But now Lexi outright sobbed and pleaded for forgiveness.

“I forgive you, Lexi,” Amy said sweetly as tears slid down her own cheeks. Then she kissed Lexi on the forehead. This caused a fresh round of tears to come forth from her half-sister.

Seven shook his head, leaned against the wall, and blew out a big breath. He wondered at what he had just witnessed. He marveled at Amy’s faith and courage. He felt cowardly and ashamed as he recalled trying to flee moments ago. He watched Lexi wipe at her face and then meekly say thank you after Destiny handed her a bottle of water.

“How can that be?” Seven mumbled to himself. How could Lexi Gomez behave like a monster from a horror movie one minute and a sweet, docile angel the next? Then Seven recalled when Jesus cast out the legion of demons from a naked man who then was immediately clothed and sitting in his right mind.

“Are you okay, Seven?” Zella asked.

“Huh? Oh, yeah,” he replied and then felt his face flush with embarrassment. What had she thought of him as he first trying to flee and then clung to Brock like a frightened child?

“Don’t worry about what happened when Lexi shrieked at you,” Zella told him. “I about jumped out of my skin and it wasn’t even directed at me. Plus it took a lot of guts to come here in the first place after the warning you got.”

“Seven Sallie,” Lexi said with authority.

Seven felt himself jolt and he looked at Lexi. She was staring earnestly at him. Yet the demonic glare was gone from her eyes. His body tensed when she signaled with a finger for him to come to her.

XVI

Destiny, Brock and Seven froze when there was a knock at the door. Not only because of the timing as Seven quoted Revelation 3:20, but the actual time. It wasn’t even 6 am yet and it was still completely dark outside. A second knock made Brock arise and go to the door. He pulled the curtain aside and peered out.

“It’s Captain Kirk, and he’s with a woman.”

“His wife?” Destiny asked.

“No, but she looks familia,” Brock replied before he opened the door and invited them in.

“Hello, kids,” the pastor greeted. “Sorry to bother you at such an early hour.”

“Nothing I ain’t used to Cappy,” Brock said with a smile and a wink.

Captain Kirk chuckled sheepishly and then looked concerned as he turned to the woman he was with. “This is Zella LaStella and we have a serious matter to discuss. She came to see me when I was going for my morning walk at the rec center.”

“Hello, Zella. Nice to meet you,” Brock said as he offered his hand. “But, haven’t we meet before? At Billy Bob Booker’s wedding?”

“Yes, we did,” she answered with a warm smile.

Seven stared in wonder at the beautiful woman. Her ebony skin seemed to glow with health and vitality. She was lean and fit in her black leggings. Seven wished she wasn’t wearing a winter jacket so he could get a look at her upper body. Her black hair was corn rowed and tapered into long braids that were corralled into a loose ponytail.

“You’re Willa’s friend and roommate,” Destiny said as she clasped the woman’s hand with both of hers as they shook. “How is she doing? I haven’t seen her at church for a few weeks.”

“Oh, she’s fine,” Zella replied. “She’s been doing a bit of traveling, but now she’s back and very much with child. I’m sure you will be seeing her at church soon, maybe even this weekend.”

“We’d love to see you join her,” Destiny said with a sweet smile.

“Thank you, I might take you up on that some time,” Zella replied. “You all at Cotton Creek Cove are good people, but right now it’s not really my cup of tea.”

“I heard Johnathan Embers was writing a story about Willa?” Brock commented.

“Yes, it’s already out,” Zella said with enthusiasm. “It’s an e-book called ‘Billy Bob Booker and the Hooker.’”

“I can’t wait to read it,” Destiny cooed. “It was both strange, yet fun reading the story he wrote about us.”

“I’d like to read that, what’s it called?” Zella asked.

“’Knight Storm’,” Destiny and Brock answered at the same time.

Seven continued to study Zella with great concentration. He marveled at her large, almond shaped eyes and longed to kiss her bow of a mouth with her plump, silky soft looking lips. She looked at Seven and her intelligent eyes became startled. She looked at Brock and then back at Seven. She pointed a well-manicured finger at him. “You’re Seven Sallie.”

Although Seven was taken off guard, he stood, removed his hat and pressed it to his chest, and attempted a charming smile. “Yes, ma’am, it is I.”

“Thou art the man!” She said sternly as she put her hands on her hips. A chill ran up Seven’s spine.

“You see, that’s why we’re here, my boy,” Captain Kirk said as he sidled up next to Seven and clasped a friendly hand on his shoulder. “Miss LaStella had an, um, odd situation arise with a client of hers.”

“What kind of client?” Seven asked, as Captain Kirk scowled and stroked his long white beard and then looked at Zella.

“I’m a psychic,” Zella replied calmly. “That’s why church isn’t my cup of tea. It seems my profession isn’t approved of there.”

“Not so,” Captain Kirk replied playfully. “I think selling herbs, vitamins and produce is a wonderful thing.”

Zella chuckled as Captain Kirk referred to her other business.

“Please know we don’t judge you, my dear,” Captain Kirk said sincerely as he reached out and gave Zella’s hand a squeeze. “And you are welcome anytime.”

“I know, Pastor, and thank you,” Zella replied and then grinned. “And you’re welcome to a reading anytime. First one free of charge.”

“So if you’re psychic, tell me what I’m thinking,” Seven challenged.

Zella reached out and lightly drew a finger along Seven’s jaw line as she smiled seductively. “That’s not the way it works, honey child. I need time to do readings on the health and wellness of your aura. I’m not a mind reader. But I do ascertain that a white bearded pastor and a black woman claiming to be a psychic showing up at six in the morning with a warning for you has left you unsettled.”

“True enough,” Seven replied. “So what do I have to do with some deranged client of yours? I mean, how does she know of me? My podcast, YouTube, Twitter?”

“I suppose that’s part of it,” Zella said, her hands on her hips and gazing at Seven with something like compassion. “The truth is, I think she’s crazy. But Pastor Samson here thinks she’s demon possessed.”

“Do you know her, Cappy?” Brock asked the pastor.

“We all do, with the exception of probably Seven,” Captain Kirk replied.

Seven scowled. All the years he dreamed of being rich and famous, and now that he was, it was turning out to be a curse. Death threats at home, so he lays low in farm country, and now a lunatic has it out for him here.

“Who is she?” Destiny asked.

“Lexi Gomez,” Captain Kirk answered and then sighed.

“Amy’s sister,” Brock said, frowned and then looked at Zella with displeasure. “You associate with that witch that tried to have her sweet innocent sister gang raped.”

“She has told me about that,” Zella replied as she put up her hands in a defensive gesture. “She claims she wanted to put a scare into her sister, but she didn’t intend for her to be raped. Trust me, she is genuinely remorseful about what happened. I’m pretty good at reading people.”

Brock folded his arms in resignation and sighed. He recalled his ex-girlfriend and current FBI agent Nora Medora telling him the same thing about Sexy Lexi Gomez.

“So Zella,” Destiny began. “How long have you known Lexi and what exactly is going on with her, and how does it apply to Seven?”

“Okay, first of all, I consider myself more of a life coach than what you all think of as a psychic,” Zella explained. “I refer to myself as a psychic in the sense that I am highly sensitive to a person’s emotional state. I am also intuitive to the wrong or right direction a person is going in their life and therefore attempt to give them guidance.

So Lexi came to me for the first time about a month ago. I could tell right away she had been involved in some pretty dark spiritual things. She practically begged me to do the Ouija board with her. I told her I don’t mess with spiritualism, it’s too dangerous. I’m more about teaching a person to tap into their own positive energy and dispelling the negative. So, to make a long story short, we got together at midnight last night to do a reading and work on her positive energy. She…”

“You did a reading with her at midnight?” Brock asked with surprise.

“Sure, I do most of my life coaching work at night. There’s a few per week I do before I open my herb store, but most schedule after I close up shop at 7 pm.”

“Have you been up all night then?” Destiny asked with a wince.

“I have. But this was a unique situation.”

“That’s right, you were telling us about your encounter with Lexi last night when we interrupted,” Brock said.

“Yeah, so Lexi has displayed multiple personalities with me before, but last night was like being in a movie about demon possession. I mean at times she was ranting incoherently and her eyes looked crazy inhuman. I was freaked! Completely freaked!

The thing is, she had been showing such improvement. I mean, granted, last night was only the sixth time she used my services, but I saw noticeable improvement in her outlook and attitude every time she came to me. Then last night she was completely off the rails and obsessed  with Seven Sallie.”

Seven felt a chill race quickly up and down his spine. Everyone looked at him and he smiled sheepishly.

“Obsessed how?” Brock wanted to know.

“She said that some departed spirit named Ambrose told her that she needed to make sure that Seven Sallie returned to Minnesota post haste or he would become a departed spirit himself. I asked her how he would become a departed spirit and she said he needed to be sliced by the edge of a knife.”

Destiny and Brock exchanged a knowing glance at each other. There was no disembodied spirit. They were dealing with a demon or demons possessing a human.

“I asked if she would do it herself, and she laughed maniacally and said of course not. Then she demanded I do a séance to conjure up Ambrose to give us direction. I told her, just like the Ouija board, I didn’t do stuff like that. She flipped out and pulled a knife on me. I was beyond scared. But I told her to leave in the most confident, authoritative voice I could muster. And she fled, cackling maniacally all the way.

So, I called the cops and told them everything. They said they’d try to find her and they would keep a look out at my place. So then I knew that after Willa joined your church, she often met Pastor Samson at 5:30 in the morning to walk and talk with him. Since it’s the cold weather season, I went to the rec center, and low and behold he was there. I told him what went down with Lexi, and he asked me if I would come here and talk to ya all.”

“Zella, you pointed to Seven and declared thou art the man,” Brock said. “What did that mean?”

“Oh, nothing really,” she said with a shrug and then eyed Seven lazily. “I’m a bit sleep deprived and was being a little dramatic.  But, speaking of sleep deprived, I need to get going and grab a few hours sleep before I open my shop. Do you mind giving me a ride back to my car, Pastor?”

“Of course not, honey,” Captain Kirk replied. “Thank you for coming out here. I wouldn’t have asked you to come if I had known you had been up all night.”

“No biggy,”  she grinned. “Nice to meet you all. Good luck, Seven.”

“Yeah, thanks, I guess,” Seven replied.

“Call me if you need anything,” Captain Kirk said.

“So what are you gonna do, Seven?” Brock asked after they left.

“What’d ya mean?”

“Are you gonna leave?”

“Not unless you want me to.”

“Of course we don’t, Seven,” Destiny said.

“Speak for yourself, Dee,” Brock joked.

Seven looked at Brock with hound dog eyes and Brock laughed. “I’m kidding, Seven.”

But Seven simply nodded and then stared into his coffee mug with a forlorn expression. It occurred to Brock just how chaotic and stressful all of the death threat situation was for him. He also noticed the way his cousin looked at Zella LaStella. There was something deeper than lust. It was longing.

XV

YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS

(ACTS 2:17)

The buzzing of his phone awakened Brock. Caller ID informed him that it was Captain Kirk. The minicomputer that served as his phone also told him it was exactly 5 a.m. Adrenaline surged through him. Had something happened to the pastor or his wife? Somebody in the church family?

“Cappy, what is it?” Brock blurted into the phone. Destiny stirred next to him and opened bleary eyes as she propped herself up on an elbow.

“Good morning, son,” Captain Kirk said with enthusiasm. “Did I wake you?”

“Well, yeah, it is 5 a.m. Is there an emergency?”

“I’m sorry, son,” Captain Kirk said with regret in his tone. “No, no, nothing like that. I, um, had a dream. I’ve been pacing and praying for almost an hour now, and I just couldn’t wait any longer to talk to you.”

Brock refrained from saying this better be good. “I’m listening, Sir.”

“I had the most vivid dream,” the pastor told him. “The angel Melanchthon came to me and told me of things shortly to come to pass.”

Brock rolled his eyes. He was now tending to doubt Captain Kirk’s friendship with a heavenly angel. He was becoming concerned that this Godly man who had been like a father to him was becoming senile. “Okay, what’s shortly to come to pass?”

“Before that, I need to tell you something about Seven and the Bible verse that has profound meaning to him. Do you remember?” Captain Kirk asked.

“You mean Revelation 10:11?”

“Yes, very good, son. I have been shown in this dream I just had that there is a dual meaning for Seven. I thought it had deep meaning to him when he felt called to be an evangelist. But when he was with his first earthly love, it had actually come to him then.”

“By first earthly love, are you talking about the girl that left him to marry a much older man?”

“Precisely,” Captain Kirk boomed, reminding Brock of a mad scientist declaring eureka! “So this verse is actually going to have not only a dual meaning, but a threefold meaning to the young man. He too is having a profound dream tonight, or maybe I should say this morning. There are two things you need to personally bring to his mind, son, and they both have to do with two separate Bible verses.”

“So Revelation 10:11 would be one of them,” Brock replied, intrigued and regaining confidence in his old friend.

“Yes, but first Daniel 5:27. It tells Seven he has been weighed in the balances and is found wanting. He will be aroused from a deep sleep at exactly 5:27 this morning. He will be aware that the numbers have a significant meaning, but not know why. You are to enlighten him.”

“What if he doesn’t mention it?”

“All the better. Tell him, or ask him, however you feel led, lad. Your inquiring into something you shouldn’t know should have a big impact. Then tell him the meaning of his dream and Revelation 10:11. The meaning of the dream is simply three strikes and you’re out or the third time is, for lack of a better word, the charm.”

“Well, what does that mean? What’s the three strikes, and what’s the charm?”

“Seven is actually on the verge of leaving and going back to the twin cities. He is rapidly becoming willing to take his chances with the death threats. You, Brock, need to not act like a hostile father and become his spiritual brother. If he chooses to stay, he needs to stop drinking and stop acting like the spoiled brat he has become.”

“So let me get this straight,” Brock said as he was now out of bed and gazing out of the window at an incredible starry morning. “Seven is receiving a message through a dream. If he accepts the message, he gains God’s favor. If he ignores the message and returns to Minnesota, that’s his third strike and he loses God’s favor.”

“Well put, son.”

“So is this dream what you meant by what’s to shortly come to pass?”

“No indeed,” Captain Kirk said and then sighed. “There is a young woman that has been trying to seek Jesus. Unfortunately, she has spent many years of her life in great spiritual darkness. She has embraced wickedness and now demonic entities are cleaving to her soul like evil spirit leeches. This will all be coming to a head soon. But right now focus on Seven. If he chooses to reform and stays, he needs to be a part of this woman’s deliverance.  You have roughly twenty minutes until 5:27.”

“Do you know the woman?”

“I don’t. She will be made known when the time for her deliverance is at hand.”

“What if it happens soon rather than later? Is Seven still to be a part of it?”

“It might slow up the deliverance process, but yes, if he’s willing. I’ll be praying for you, son.”

“Okay,” Brock replied hesitantly as his mind flashed an image of Seven doing a silly little dance last night. “I’ll do my best.”

“Yes, do your best. Leave it to God to do the rest.”

“Yes sir, oh captain my captain.”

Captain Kirk chuckled, wished Brock God speed, and the two men hung up.

At the kitchen table Brock took a sip of half café coffee, and looked at the coffee maker as it finished brewing Deathwish coffee for Seven. Brock watched the time on his phone change from 5:26 to 5:27. Seconds later he heard floorboards creek from Seven’s room. Brock continued to pray for wisdom and guidance. At 5:32 Seven entered the kitchen wearing black sweatpants, a Minnesota Vikings sweatshirt, and a Twins baseball cap on backwards.

“Good morning, sunshine,” Brock greeted.

“Hey, morning Brock,” Seven replied a little breathless and a lot discombobulated.

“I brewed you some Deathwish. I put a clean mug by the pot.”

“Bless you, my child,” Seven mumbled as he poured himself a cup of the steaming brew. Brock watched Seven’s hands tremble and marveled that he didn’t spill any.

“Hung over?”

Seven shrugged. “Not really.”

“Bad dream?”

“Ouch,” Seven said after he took a sip of the piping hot coffee. “Sort of.”

“Is that why you woke up at 5:27?”

Seven had been cautiously moving the cup to his lips for another sip when he froze and gazed at his cousin from over the mug. Then he realized that Brock must have heard his footsteps moments after Seven’s eyes had beheld the numbers 5:27 on the digital clock. He proceeded to take a sip of coffee before answering. “Yeah.”

“Do you wonder if there is some meaning behind 5:27 other than just the time?”

Seven had been blowing on the coffee and was about to take another sip when he once again froze and gazed at Brock. “As a matter of fact, it did cross my mind. But why would you think that?”

“I was, um, informed by a dream the meaning it has for you,” Brock replied.

“Your kidding,” Seven Sallie said, completely dumbfounded. “Okay, enlighten me.”

Brock opened his Bible to the book of Daniel, chapter five. He pointed to verse twenty-seven. “Never mind the Tekel part, just read the rest.”

“Thou art found weighed in the balances, and art found wanting,” Seven read quietly and then looked at Brock with startled eyes. “Who me?”

“Yes you.”

“Couldn’t be.”

“Then who?”

Seven recalled how the image of the numbers seemed to burn into his mind for several seconds after he took his eyes off of the clock. “But why?”

“I think it starts with Revelation 10:11, Seven. Remember when the Holy Spirit brought it to my mind to say to you when we were at Six’s place?”

“How could I forget? It’s the main reason I came down here to the corn flavored boondocks’ with you.”

Brock felt himself fill with encouragement. He assumed  the death threats were Seven’s main motive. “So tell me why Revelation 10:11 has such profound meaning to you. I mean I know that it had something to do with a call to evangelism, but how, why?”

“Well, you remember in high school when I started deejaying?” Seven asked.

“Of course.”

“And you remember Salena and me joining her church.”

“I do.”

“So, I fell in love with Salena and became a Christian. The church I joined taught that modern music was evil. I loved my music and I loved deejaying; it was my whole life. But I gave it up for Christ.” Seven did air quotes when he said Christ. “As much as I loved it, I was led to believe it was an idol. But I had Salena and I had the Lord. But I found myself lacking direction. Deejaying was my direction. I had been planning to be the next Howard Stern.”

“So I was praying long and earnestly about what to do with my life. When I finished, I opened my Bible and my eyes went to Revelation 10:11. I read it over and over, and the calling got louder and louder. I was to become an evangelist. I would become a modern day Billy Graham instead of Howard Stern. Then a few weeks after this so called calling, Salena informed me that she was leaving me to marry a man old enough to be her grandfather.”

“So right on the heals of this, Brittney catches me on the rebound. She and I join a more contemporary church. One that plays rock and roll instead of teaching that all forms of it are evil. We get pregnant, we get married, and I start working at a food warehouse.”

“But I start deejaying Christian music on the side. And I start preaching at youth groups. And a couple of pastors tell me what a gift I have at speaking and they want to help me pursue it full time. So I discuss it with Brit, and we pray about it. Keep in mind she had already cheated on me once at this point and I had forgiven her. But if I was going to become a pastor or evangelist, we needed to be a team, and I just wasn’t sure. But then I found myself in deep prayer and anguish over the decision. Once again I came across Revelation 10:11. I had put the first experience with the verse in the back of my mind. Then I come across it again. To me it was a sure sign.”

“So over the next year, I’m working full time driving a truck for the food warehouse, taking college courses, and sermonizing a couple times a month. Now I feel like I’m on my way to becoming another Joel Osteen. In the midst of this, one of my mentors and my wife become taken with one another. They end up getting caught by his wife and they both have tearful apologies. I forgive both. I don’t know how much of my forgiveness was Christian virtue and how much was not wanting my potential career derailed. Most important, our daughter. What I do know is that I was never more angry in my life. But I somehow kept it inside and kept pursuing a career in ministry.”

Seven sarcastically did air quotation marks for career.

“Man, that’s rough,” Brock Said. “Wasn’t Brit’s third offense with the same mentor guy?”

“It was. I would have probably been stupid enough to forgive her a third time if it wasn’t so humiliating.”

“Why was it so humiliating?” Destiny asked.

The two men turned to look at her walking toward the coffee pot wearing faded jeans and a pink and lavender flannel shirt.

“That’s very high octane,” Brock said. “I have some half café in the thermos.”

“Oh, good call,” Destiny said as she let go of the coffee pot and grabbed the thermos. The two men sat stone still and silent as if they had been caught doing something naughty. Destiny shrugged. “That’s okay, it’s none of my business anyway.”

“Well,” Seven Sallie sighed. “She was supposed to be off running errands or something. I called her to find out when she would be home. Her lover answered her phone and then I could hear them bickering. She sounded breathless and told me she would call me back in a few minutes. I heard the phone clatter, but the call didn’t end. I then proceeded to listen to them having sex for several minutes. My wife didn’t even realize she had provided me with a soundtrack to her infidelity.”

“Oh my,” Destiny said with a hand over her mouth and her face coloring. “I guess I shouldn’t have asked.”

“Wow, I made a former porn star and stripper blush,” Seven Sallie said.

“Actress and dancer,” Destiny replied meekly.

“So, not even a minute after she cried out to a deity, she called me back,” Seven continued. “She couldn’t lie about meeting Romeo, but she denied that they were having sex. She said she got together with him because he was distraught. Apparently the church conference fired him after the adultery was discovered. This caused his wife to reconsider her forgiveness and she filed for divorce.”

“I found out later that my wife’s lover and my mentor wanted her to leave me for him. My wife told him no. I guess due to her deep and abiding love for me. An argument resulted, followed by pushing and shoving. This apparently turned them on and passion ensued. In the midst of sexual congress,Y I called. Hoping to force the issue, he answered the phone when I called. It partially worked. It was the last straw for Brittney and me. But once the forbidden aspect left the equation, Brit was no longer interested in their relationship.”

“So, that’s the story of my romantic relationships. Since the end of my marriage, my sex life has consisted of friends with benefits, flings, but mostly myself. My only love has been strong cocktails. My religion has become agnosticism  on a good day and atheism on a bad day. Now, if you are trying to insinuate I am getting a third call with Revelation 10:11, I think you’re nuts.”

“Jesus won’t force you to follow Him,” Brock said with a shrug. “But I do think you’re getting called for a third, and possibly last time.”

Seven scowled and waved a dismissive hand, even though the hairs on the back of his neck prickled. “I know, I know, Jesus stands at the door and…”

Before Seven could finish his quote from Revelation 3:20, there was a knock on the back door.

XlV

Brock sat up on the sofa and scratched his head and gathered his bearings. He was a little disoriented because he wasn’t used to naps and he rarely got headaches.

“How are you feeling Sweetie?” Destiny asked.

“Good,” Brock said with a grin. “My headache is pretty much gone. That aspirin and nap must have done the trick.”

“The water, too,” Destiny added. “I think you were dehydrated.”

“Could be. How long was I out?”

Destiny looked at the clock above the kitchen sink. “About an hour and a half.”

“Oh man,” Brock said as his head swiveled around. “Where’s Seven?”

“In his room.”

“I guess I’ll see if he wants to…

“He and I already had a Bible study,” Destiny interrupted when she perceived what he was going to say.

“How’d that go?”

“I don’t know,” Destiny shrugged. “I think he ended up agreeing with me.”

“That’s great!”

“Well, but then he left pretty abruptly. I think his door slamming might have woke you.”

“So he was mad?”

“I don’t think so. I was trying to continue our study. But then he said no, he had a headache. Said he wanted to go to his room and take something for it.”

Seven’s hands trembled as he twisted the cap off the pint bottle of Seagram’s 7. He took a big slug of whiskey and then chased it with a swallow of 7up. He endured the burn and then sighed with relief as he felt the pleasant warmth in his mid-section. In seconds his quivering fingers steadied. He poured more booze into his 7up bottle. He looked at the pint of whiskey. A third was now gone. He chastised himself for not bringing more. He thought this indefinite trip to Iowa would be a good chance to stop drinking for a while. He wondered, not for the first time, if he was an alcoholic.

He looked out of the window and sighed happily as the alcohol made him feel centered. The view outside was a nice change from concrete, steel, and countless vehicles in a big city. The rolling fields interspersed with farm buildings seemed to go on forever.

Forever. Eternity. Everlasting. Hellfire. Death. The wages of sin is death.

“How did I miss that?” Seven mumbled to himself before he took another swallow of his makeshift cocktail. “All those years, how did I not see what Destiny had so plainly showed and explained? I guess I bought into the theories of the religious majority without even thinking very deeply for myself.”

A black jeep turned into the driveway. Seven watched a young man wearing a Chicago Cubs baseball cap get out. Seven stood up and put his face to the window. Was that Kris Bryant? It sure looked like him. It wasn’t all that ridiculous to wonder since Brock had spent a decade mingling with rich and famous people as their security. Maybe he had become friends with the baseball player.

An old man with a long white beard got out of the passenger side. If he had fifty more pounds on him, he would have made a perfect Santa Claus, Seven thought. Kris Bryant stuck half his body into the vehicle for a few seconds and emerged with a baby.

Santa reached his arm into the Jeep and helped a tall woman with red gold hair climb out. Then the little child reached its arms out to the lovely young lady and Kris Bryant handed the little person to her. Santa grinned and said something to the young couple. The redhead said something back and they all laughed. The foursome exited from view as they moved toward the house.

Ten minutes later there was a knock on Seven’s door and Brock called his name. At first Seven played quiet, wanting to be left alone. Then he thought it best to clear the air about the hellfire Bible study while he had a strong buzz to mellow himself.

“What’s up, dog?” Seven asked as he flung open the door.

Brock stared at him with calm, hooded eyes. His massive arms were folded, relaxed on his torso. “How are you feeling?”

“Just fine, my friend,” he replied with an elaborate wave and bow.

Brock frowned and then eyed the mostly empty pint of whisky on his nightstand. “Destiny said you had a headache.”

“Not anymore. How’s your headache?” Seven grinned and then waved a hand at the bottle he noticed Brock’s eyes fixate on. “Want a little elixir?”

“No, thanks,” Brock replied. “I don’t drink. Beside, it looks like you don’t have much to spare.”

“So, do you want to rub it in that Destiny put me in my place during our study?”

“Of course not, we…”

“So to what do I owe the displeasure of your intrusion then?” Seven interrupted.

“There’s some…”

“The Bible’s a bunch of bunk anyway,” Seven interjected again. “You can make it say anything you want. I’m just out of practice studying it and it’s going to stay that way. That’s why Dee seemingly got the upper hand on me. A book written two thousand plus years ago and millions of idiots think they are supposed to live their lives by it. When…

“Seven!” Brock blurted.

Seven stopped rambling and trained his glossy, crazy eyes on Brock’s eyes.

“If we are gonna spend a lot of time together in the foreseeable future,” Brock told him calmly. “You’re gonna have to find a shut off mechanism for your mouth.”

Seven scowled, abruptly crossed his arms and sighed. “Why am I even here? I don’t care if I die. Death threats? Life itself is one big death threat. I’m even a death threat unto myself.”

Seven began to laugh maniacally. He pointed a finger at his temple in mock of a gun and then added a loud sound effect. “Bam!”

Downstairs, four adults and baby Ella looked toward the direction Seven’s vocals had erupted from.

“I better go see what’s going on,” Destiny said with a hesitant smile.

Half a minute later Destiny was knocking on Seven’s door.

“Come in,” Brock said.

Destiny cautiously entered the bedroom and her eyebrows shot up. Seven and her husband sat side by side on the bed. Brock’s arm was around Seven’s shoulders as his head hung and he sobbed. When Seven glanced up and looked at Destiny, he quickly composed himself.

“What was that loud noise?” Destiny asked.

“Seven pretended to shoot himself with his finger,” Brock replied matter of fact.

Seven’s face reddened. Whether due to embarrassment or anger, Destiny couldn’t tell.

“What’s that smell?” Destiny asked as she crinkled her nose.

“Seven, did you pass gas?” Brock asked as if talking to a child.

“No,” Destiny giggled and then sniffed the air. “It smells like booze in here.”

“It’s Seven’s headache medicine,” Brock said, pointing at the bottle of Seagram’s 7.

“Oh my,” Destiny said. “I better tell them Seven won’t be up to meeting them today.”

“Them who?” Seven asked as he rose from the bed and staggered a little. “I’d be glad to meet some fans.”

“They’re not exactly fans, Seven,” Destiny told him as she grasped an arm and tried to get him to sit back down.

“No, let him meet them,” Brock intercepted as he pushed on Seven’s lower back and toward the door. “Let the pastor see the man he thinks is destined to be a messenger for the last days.”

“Huh, last what?” Seven murmured with a puzzled frown

“Brock, let’s just wait until maybe tomorrow,” Destiny said, pulling Seven in the opposite direction Brock was pushing. “Then maybe he won’t, um, have a headache.”

“Listen, guys,” Seven Sallie said as he shrugged away from the couple. “I’m not as think as you drunk I am.”

Destiny’s mouth dropped open while Brock and Seven laughed.

“Seven used to say that all the time back during the high school party days,” Brock said and then frowned. “It also seemed to go hand in hand with me getting your mouth out of trouble and into a physical altercation.”

“Surely you exaggerate,” Seven Sallie slurred.

“Come, let’s go meet some people,” Brock said as he took Seven by the crook of his arm and led him toward the door.”

“Brock, no, some other time,” Destiny said as she pulled back on Seven’s other arm.

“I want the pastor to see the real Seven Sallie,” he said as he gave Seven’s arm a yank.

Seven stumbled and something popped out of Seven’s silky maroon shirt.

“What are those?” Brock asked as he looked at three different necklaces and then flipped them with a finger.

“Just some charms,” Seven replied as he tried unsuccessfully to stuff them back into his shirt. He undid a button, but now they were only partially hidden. “Or bling if you prefer.”

Brock undid another button on Seven’s shirt and pulled them back out. “What are they for?”

“Just you never mind,” Seven Sallie said as he slapped at Brock’s hand.

“Do you have a rabbits foot in there, too?” Brock asked with a chuckle and then took hold of Seven’s arm again. “Come on.”

“Seven,” Destiny called as Brock began to lead his cousin into the hallway. “Why don’t you put your hair into a ponytail. It’s rather askew.”

“It’ll be fine, Dee,” Brock declared as he continued to lead Seven to the staircase. “It’s all about truth, right?”

“Well, who do we have here?” Seven Sallie asked as he sauntered down the stairs behind Brock. Destiny followed behind Seven and chewed nervously on her lower lip. Seven’s long dark brown hair and necklaces sashayed back and forth in front of his partially exposed chest. Pastor Kirk Samson stared at Seven with a stunned expression.

“Pastor Samson,” Brock said sternly. “Meet Seven Sallie.”

“How do Santa Claus?” Seven Sallie slurred as the two men shook hands. Captain Kirk studied Seven for several seconds with a blank expression. The pastor marveled that many people referred to him as Santa or skinny Santa. He even avoided wearing red. Why not Moses? Then he looked at Brock who was scowling at his cousin.

“He looks like Jack Sparrow,” Amy giggled.

“He looks like Dad,” Dirk said.

“Yes, he does,” Amy frowned. “But I never thought of Daddy as looking like Johnny Depp.”

“Maybe because Dad’s built like The Rock.”

“What the…” Seven Sallie said with a look of surprise. “Why is this lovely young couple calling Brock dad and daddy?”

Destiny introduced Seven to Amy and Dirk Easton. Then she gave him a brief rundown on their history together. How Dirk had helped rescue Amy from a gang rape. Then how Amy was saved yet again from being a human sacrifice by a diabolical cult. She explained that a detailed version of the couple’s story was in the last half of the e-book ‘Knight Storm’ by Johnathan Embers.

Meanwhile, Brock stood next to the pastor and put his mouth a couple of inches from his ear. “What do think of your so called messenger of God? Are you sure your angelic encounter was truly from God?”

“What do you mean?” Captain Kirk asked, even though he had entertained the same niggling doubt.

“I mean Satan himself will transform into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14),” Brock said. “So how do we know this angel Melanchthon is the real deal?”

“We try the spirits, to see if they are from God (1 John 4:1). I was told Seven was a hard case. It’s your mission to soften him up. One step at a time, son.”

Brock looked at his cousin. He was doing some type of side to side hippity hop dance as he flapped his arms. Amy and Dirk were laughing and Destiny had her head bowed as she pinched the bridge of her nose. He could tell she was hiding her own laughter. He slapped  his palm onto his forehead. “God help me, pastor.”

“He will, my son, He will.”

Xlll

“Are you tempted to feel jealous over Seven’s Camaro?” Destiny asked Brock as they traveled down the interstate in Destiny’s pale yellow VW bug.

“No, you know I prefer Mustangs. Especially Shelby’s.”

“You keep looking in the rearview mirror.”

“I don’t like how close he’s following.”

“You have to admit it’s a nice looking car.”

“It’s a fine looking car, but fluorescent green?”

“I like the color,” Destiny said as she looked over her shoulder at Seven’s Camaro.”

“To each his own.”

A couple of hours later, they pulled off the highway onto a gravel road and began the last two miles of their trek.

“He’s keeping plenty of distance now,” Brock chuckled. “This gravel road is one of the reasons I sold my Shelby.”

“Wow, you weren’t kidding about this being a hundred year old house,” Seven Sallie said as Brock showed him around the acreage. “Pretty shabby, it looks two hundred years old.”

“It is pretty rough,” Brock admitted calmly, even though Seven’s tacky bluntness irritated him . “Since I bought the place, I’ve spent almost all my time on the inside. Hopefully by next fall the outside will be done.”

When they stepped inside, Seven whistled admiringly. “Wow, looks like a fancy mansion on the inside. Nice work.”

Brock felt a surge of pride and  then shook his head. He had always tried to live by the philosophy that people can only bring you down if you let them. But reality proved that words have power. In only a few minutes time he went from desiring to punch Seven to giving him a friendly pat on the back.

Brock showed Seven to his room as he helped him carry his things in. Seven asked to use the restroom and then declared he was ready to get to their Bible study about hell. Brock made his way to the sofa and sat down hard, groaned and rubbed his temples.  Concerned, Destiny went to him, sat on the edge of the couch and gently rubbed his back. “What’s wrong Sweetie?”

“I’ve got a powerful headache,” Brock said with a moan. Destiny had noticed him wincing numerous times during the last hour of their drive. Now she winced herself at the possibility of having to entertain Seven by herself.

“Do you want me to get you a couple of aspirin?”

“Please.”

“I told you not to drink anymore of that Deathwish coffee,” she said gently. “You had four cups when you normally have no more than two cups of half café.”

“I only had two cups of Deathwish.”

“Sweetie, I saw you go to the pot four times.”

“But only the first was a full cup. The other three were just a splash each time. Well, I suppose pretty generous splashes. ”

“See.”

“But I hadn’t slept good. That coffee was really perking me up.”

“You probably have a caffeine hangover.”

Destiny turned toward the steps when she heard Seven galloping down. Brock got up quickly, groaned, clutched his head with both hands and laid back down.

“What’s with him?” Seven asked with a frown.

“He’s got a bad headache,” Destiny replied.

“That came on pretty sudden,” Seven Sallie said and then smirked. “He must want to get out of our study about hell.”

“Not so,” Brock said as he sat up. He started to stand up, but quickly sat back down. “Dee, could you get me a couple more aspirin?”

“Sweetie, that’s too many at once. That’s bad for your stomach. Just lay back down, I’ll study with Seven.”

“You,” Seven Sallie said with a frown.

“Why not?” Destiny said with a shrug. “Brock and I come from the same perspective.”

“It just won’t be the same. I wanted to put Brock in his place,” Seven Sallie said. A soft snore emanated from Brock as if in reply. “How could he have fallen asleep so quick?”

“He was pretty tired.”

“I have plenty of Deathwish coffee.”

“I think he needs sleep, not another caffeine high.”

“Oh well,” Seven sighed. “I guess we’ll just have to study later.”

“What about me? Are you afraid you might actually be put in place by a former stripper and porn star?” Destiny asked with hands on hips and a challenging step toward Seven.

Seven was startled at the defiance in this dainty woman. Then her girlish beauty combined with a fierce scowl, light pink scar on her cheek and small bump on her nose made him laugh. He had never seen an adult look so cute and tough at the same time.

“Don’t you mean dancer and actress?” Seven asked.

Destiny thought about kicking him in the shin. Then she made herself turn on a radiant smile. “Yes, I do. I stand corrected. Now let’s go correct you on the erroneous concept of eternal torment. I see you have your Bible. Shall we proceed to the kitchen table?”

“We shall, me lady,” Seven replied.

“First of all, I want to apologize Seven,” Destiny said as they sat down.

“For what?”

“For saying I want to correct you and put you in your place,” she said with a sigh. “Seeking spirituality is not a competition, it’s a way of personal growth, a way of life.”

“No need to apologize,” Seven Sallie said and then shrugged. “But I can’t help it. I want to put you and Brock in your place.”

“No offence, but you can be so annoying.”

“None taken,” he replied with another shrug. “It seems to be a specialty of mine.”

“And you seem to have perfected it.”

“Okay, now I’m offended,” Seven Sallie said, and then they both laughed. “Alrighty then, do you want to go first?”

“Why don’t we start with you explaining your position and then I’ll go over ours.”

“Sounds fair. Okay, why don’t we turn too…”

“Seven, do you mind if we begin with prayer?”

“No,” Seven Sallie said slowly and with a puzzled expression. “I mean no I don’t mind. Will you do the honors?”

They bowed their heads and Destiny asked for wisdom, guidance and God’s presence. Seven had initially bowed his head, but then peeked at Destiny as she spoke to God. He marveled at the new life Brock had with this intriguing woman in the middle of fly over country. He watched her lips move and began to admire them with carnal fascination. Then he closed his eyes. Not over guilt at the beginnings of lust, but in focused determination with the task at hand.

Seven didn’t even understand his own thoughts. If he was so impressed with how Brock and Destiny had changed their lives for the better, why was he so determined to prove their spiritual beliefs misguided? Pride in his knowledge? Justification of his own irreverent, fallen condition?

With the conclusion of her prayer, Seven began to systematically go from scripture to scripture to prove his point. Destiny patiently waited, knowing she would be repeating the same verses from a different perspective as well as additional scripture for emphasis.

“One more and then the ball’s in your court,” Seven Sallie said. “Go to Mark 9:43. Do see the last part? Go into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched.”

“I agree,” Destiny replied as she spoke for the first time since her prayer. “It simply means man cannot put it out. It doesn’t mean in never goes out. Jeremiah 17:27 says that Jerusalem was destroyed with unquenchable fire. In 2Chronicles 36: 19-21 it says this fire turned the city to ashes. Yet we know this fire went out because Jerusalem is not burning today.”

“What about the everlasting fire Matthew 25:41 warns about?”

“Okay Seven, would you say eternal is every bit as long as everlasting?”

“Absolutely.”

“Jude 1:7 tells us that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed with eternal fire. But these cities are not burning today. The fire went out after everything was burned up. The effects of the fire are eternal, or everlasting if you prefer, but not the burning itself.”

“What about the verse I showed you that says the wicked receive everlasting punishment?”

“Notice that the word is punishment, not punishing. Punishing would be continuous, while punishment is a single act. The punishment of the wicked is ultimately death and this death is everlasting or eternal death.”

“I thought of another verse,” Seven Sallie said. “Turn to 2 Peter 3:10. See that at the end of the scripture? The earth and the works therein shall be burned up.”

“Right,” Destiny replied with a frown. “You’re making my point. Burned up. Not continuously burning, but burned up.”

“What about where I showed you that the wicked are tormented forever?”

“Forever simply means the duration of a person’s life in that context. In the case of a man, it means as long as he lives. Psalm 48:14 is a good example. It says for this God is our God for ever and ever: even unto death. If you look at Revelation 20:14, it says death and hell were cast into a lake of fire. This is the second death. You see, hellfire does destroy the wicked as well as the earth. But then in Revelation 21:1 John tells us he saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away. So you see Seven, the earth and the wicked were destroyed the first time by a worldwide flood. But the second and last time the earth will be destroyed by fire. In a nutshell, hell is an event, not a place.”

Seven stared at Destiny with a stunned expression as he absorbed her explanation and perspective. His mind whirled in confusion.

“Look at the unfathomable love of Calvary and the sacrifice Jesus made for you and me to redeem us!” Destiny said as she took a hold of Seven’s hand as her eyes welled up. “God is a God of love and forgiveness. Verse 4 of Revelation 21 says He is going to wipe away all tears, and there will be no more death, pain or sorrow.”

Seven’s lower lip began to quiver and he fought hard to steady it. He may have been a smaller, prettier version of Brock. But he was every bit as macho and then some. Luckily, Destiny let go of his hand and flipped through the pages of her Bible in search of a verse.

“Listen to what Ezekiel 33:11 says,” she began. “As I live says the Lord God. I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked. But that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways, for why will ye die? And in Luke 9:56 Jesus says: For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. Romans 6:23 says: for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. So tell me Seven, do you believe the wicked have eternal life?”

“Of course not.”

“Then how can they be existing in a place called hell?”

“Well, maybe they are there waiting for the judgement.”

“If God is handing out the punishment before the judgement, what would even be the point of a judgement?”

“Well,” Seven stammered. “I don’t know…”

“The book of Ecclesiastes chapter 9 tells us that the dead don’t know anything. The Bible even calls death a form of sleep until Jesus returns and then the resurrection. But the state of the dead is another study in and of itself. Did you want to take a look at that next?”

“No, I’m good for now,” Seven stammered. “I’ve got a lot to think about here.”

“Of course we only scratched the surface on hellfire and judgement,” Destiny giggled. “Do you want to turn to…”

“Dee, I’ve got a headache,” Seven Sallie said. “Maybe there’s something going around.”

Seven rose hastily, grabbed his Bible, and turned to flee.

“Thanks for studying a little with me,” Destiny said.

“No, thank you, Dee,” Seven replied. “I need to take something for my headache.”

“Do you want some aspirin? We have ibuprofen too.”

“No thanks. I have something.”

Destiny watched Seven gallop up the stairs and then heard his bedroom door slam behind him. She prayed for him. Then she prayed that she didn’t do anything in word or attitude to displease God during their study. When she prayed for her husband and his headache, he stirred on the sofa  where he had been sleeping.