Half Dead World: Book One from the Apocalypse Tales by Adrienne Hargrove (little readers txt) 📗

for more than two thousand years and many still make the same mistakes as the Pharisees did. They think things can only happen one way, and they think it’s going to happen the way they imagine it. They become so wrapped up in their personal dogma, that they estrange the neophyte believers. Many are blinded by the natural and think they have everything figured out. But God is supernatural he is not bound to the understanding or imaginations of man. It is not possible for man to figure out the mysteries of heaven and earth because God has not given us all the information.”

“But why not, doesn’t he want us to understand?”

“We are so lacking it wouldn’t be possible for us to understand even if we had all the information, we could not comprehend it. We will have to be healed and made complete to gain that type of understanding.”

I am silent for a moment while I try to process my grief and confusion

“Take heart Haven, wherever your parents are they are safe and filled with peace and joy.”

“How do you know?”

“They died as keepers of the light. Do you remember the feeling you had when you first walked into the assembly, the peace and joy?”

“Yes”

“You were feeling the light as it is reflected through imperfect beings, it is only a muted shadow of the light your parents are likely surrounded by. The son of man was there to personally escort them which is, truly astounding, but I wonder if it was not for your benefit.”

“What do you mean?”

“It does happen, there are countless times that the Son, or a messenger has gone to ease fear and suffering. Often times we don’t hear of it because many of those he goes to are children and there are no small children here to recount the tale. Nor, do we usually see it because many times the cause of a child’s fear and suffering is so evil, we would become lost if near its presence. But there are times when the watchers are near a tragedy that is not surrounded by darkness and I tell you the truth, there is no earthly beauty that can compare to the sight of a child in the Lord’s presence. But you, he chose to ease your suffering knowing you were coming to the in between. It wouldn’t have been long. You were marked and, your death was imminent. Still, he chose to spare you a few moments of pain even though you were not yet his. It is proof of his great mercy and love for us all.”

“How was I marked for death what does it look like?”

“I will have to answer that later. I must go, the Armstrong’s are leaving to start their day, and Jackson is my assignment today.”

“Wait I don’t want to be stuck here alone, why can’t I come with you?”

“You will not be alone. There are more than a thousand souls at this assembly.”

“A thousand souls that I don’t know, you are my…guide, you can’t just desert me.”

“I was your rescuer; you may consider yourself rescued. You are safe now as long as you stay vigilant.”

Chapter Six Back to School

L ucius begins walking toward the garage where Jackson’s, car is parked.

“You can’t stop me from coming you can’t even touch me.”

He looks back at me his eyes so intense I almost question my own statement, but after a second, I press on and rush to keep up with his long strides. Then I make a mental note to ask why we are walking I would have assumed ghosts would do more levitating.

“It would not be wise for you to come to your school today.”

“Why not?”

“Because within a couple of hours they are all going to find out about the deaths of you, and your family. Watching it would likely prove very traumatic for you.”

I consider this for a moment. “I appreciate your concern, but I want to go anyway.”

“Haven, it will be very distressing trust me you do not want to be there.”

“I want to be there. What if they can feel my presence? What if I can bring them comfort, or give them a sense that I’m okay?”

“It is very unlikely anyone would feel your presence.”

“Unlikely, but it is still possible.”

He sighs deeply. “It is an unlikely possibility.”

I seize on to this tiny seed of hope and press my point. “Please Lucius, I know it will be difficult, but I want to see my friends.”

He gives his head a slight shake as if he’s about to say no. “If I let you come, you must do everything I tell you to do without question. If I say we must run then there can be no arguments, and no delay. If you do not do as I say, you will put us both in danger. Is that understood?”

I nod my head smiling. “Yes. Thank you, Lucius.”

“Spare me your thanks, but remember, I warned you and tried to spare you the coming grief.”

He walks through the wall of the garage and I am stunned for a moment before I follow suit. I walk through the wall and find him in the back seat of Jackson’s shiny blue jeep sitting perfectly straight, his feet planted wide and his hands on his muscular thighs. I walk through the jeep and sit next to him.

“I’m stronger than people give me credit for; I will not fall apart at the sight of my friends. I know they probably won’t feel me, but I want to be there.”

“Your strength is not the worry in my mind. I have been watching you for a long time. I know you are not weak. It is your headstrong and impetuous nature that I am concerned with.”

My mind scrambles to come up