My mouth drops opened. I am stunned by his frankness about religion. It is not what I would expect from someone who I would have pegged as a Jesus freak. His words also sting me. I have never thought of myself as ignorant or sheltered. But I can’t help but remember the conversation with Jackson’s family at dinner last night. Even Wilder, Jackson’s little brother, seemed more informed about current national policies. Am I so self-absorbed that I have completely ignored the world around me?
“I guess…maybe I didn’t want to know. I think maybe I just wanted life to stay happy and carefree so I convinced myself that if there was anything wrong in the world that it would all work out in the end.”
“It will all work out in the end, Haven. You do not have to worry about that, but the world will fall into broken pieces before it will be healed and made whole again.”
“Are you talking about Armageddon or something?”
“Or something”
“Is it about to happen soon? How much time do they have left?”
“First of all, it’s a “we” situation not a “they” situation. What happens will affect all of us. Every aspect of life and death and of darkness and light will be altered. Secondly, there is no way to know how soon it will take place. Throughout the centuries there have been dozens and dozens of times I thought, this must be it, but every time I was wrong. The atrocities of man across history have been so horrifying at times that the spirit world wails with the pain of knowing them. They have infiltrated the light places and we have lost souls because of it. Yet, still, the world has continued on. In each instance there was a turning point where the light that still existed in mankind overtook the dark. From the watcher's perspective, the world is certainly in a bleak time, but it is impossible to know. All we can do is watch and protect ourselves from the darkness here.”
I look around at all my friends and classmates. Most are just sitting around in shocked silence. Then I notice Kirra and Jackson stand up and I move closer to hear what they are saying. Jackson grabs Kirra and hugs her shaking body tightly as she sobs into his shoulder. I hear Jackson speaking quietly to her in a consoling tone.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you?”
“No thank you, I messaged my dad. He should be here any minute. I just need to be in my church. I know she wasn’t a member, but I prayed for her so often there it’s like she is a part of the church. Are you going to be all right?”
“Yes. I mean I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet. I…I don’t know how to process this right now and I don’t think I want to let it hit me while I’m at school. I may go home, I don’t know.”
I see Jackson tear up he clears his throat and puts his hand on Kirra’s back. “I’ll walk with you to the front. I think I am gonna check out and go home.”
Lucius and I follow behind Kirra and Jackson’s silent trek to the front office. They both sign out and walk towards the parking lot. As we are walking down the hall, Mr. Taylor comes into view and rushes to hug Kirra.
“Baby I’m so sorry, so, so sorry.” He looks up to Jackson who is holding back tears. “Thank you for walking with her, Jackson.”
Jackson clears his throat again and in a gruff voice I barely recognize says, “No problem sir, and please don’t hesitate to call on us for whatever the church needs for the service. I know my family will want to help. Do you think there will be a lot of family coming for the service?”
“No, Kelly’s mother is in an Alzheimer’s care facility and she had no other living relatives. Chris had a sister who takes care of their elderly father in Alabama. Janine was trying to contact her when I left. So, at most there will be three family members here for the funeral.”
“Well please let them know we want to help in any way we can.”
“Thank you, Jackson. Would you like me to drop you off at home?”
“No thanks.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to drive, while you’re upset.”
“I think I’m going to walk.”
“That’s got to be five miles Jackson.”
“It’s, 6.3 miles but I jog that distance or more all the time. I just think some quiet time would do me good.”
“If you’re sure?”
“I am, but thanks anyway, Mr. Taylor.”
Jackson parts ways with a wave to Kirra and Mr. Taylor by the double doors leading to the parking lot. I look to Lucius. “Can we follow Kirra instead of Jackson?”
“We are supposed to be watching Jackson.”
“Please Lucius, she is my best friend her family is like my second family.”
I see him waiver and pounce on the opportunity. “She is going to her church and her whole family is believers. Surely we are safe there.”
He rubs his forehead with his fingers and sighs. “Alright, Haven, but don’t think our future missions will be so easily redirected.”
“Will we have future missions then?” I ask as we begin trailing Kirra and her dad to their car. Lucius shrugs then looks around before looking at me.
“Most watchers travel in groups of two or three. Time passes more easily when there is someone else around who can actually see and hear your presence. There is also safety in numbers when we go to collect
